cannabisnews.com: Vote To End The War On Drugs Vote To End The War On Drugs Posted by FoM on October 30, 2000 at 20:27:43 PT By James Edward Johnson Source: Daily Iowan On Nov. 7, UI students should take a moment from the presidential elections and watch the returns from Alaska. Alaska's Ballot Measure 5 would legalize marijuana for all adults. Furthermore, the measure would be retroactive, granting amnesty to many current prisoners of the war on drugs in Alaska. The measure made it onto the ballot with more than twice the required number of signatures.It is not surprising to see potential for such a bold move for freedom in Alaska. It is the only state libertarian enough to pay its citizens instead of taxing them. The idea that liberty extends to social policies as well as economic policies should not be surprising.Students at the UI should take note of what is going on up north. If you have ever gotten high, you should ask yourself if you should be in jail right now. Most of you have friends and family who have gotten high. Should your friends and family be in prison?Even if you believe that those close to you have never used marijuana, you could still be a victim of the war on drugs. Our drug laws let the government listen to your phone calls and intrude into your private life. Congress is trying to let federal agencies subpoena your private records without your knowledge or a court warrant. If the police get the wrong address with a no-knock search warrant (so that you don't have time to flush the drugs down the toilet), you could get shot after the government busts down your door and shoots your dog.Regrettably, even if the measure in Alaska passes, the measure would not abolish the Drug Enforcement Administration. California allows individuals to have more than an ounce of marijuana for medical use. That did not stop the federal government from breaking into Peter McWilliams' house in California. After they found marijuana at his home, the government gave him regular drug tests to ensure that his use stopped. McWilliams takes anti-virals to help him fight AIDS. He was taking marijuana to help with nausea. After the government took away his marijuana, the nausea set in, and McWilliams died choking on his own vomit. The war on marijuana kills peaceful people.Though the vote on marijuana is in Alaska, UI students can help. UI students can vote for federal candidates who want to end the federal war on drugs so that states such as Alaska can free their citizens. Libertarian Russ Madden is running for Congress in Iowa's 1st District; he will support liberty by fighting to end the war on marijuana. For president, you can vote for Harry Browne, Libertarian, or Ralph Nader, Green, who both support ending the war on drugs.James Edward Johnson is a DI editorial writer.Source: Daily Iowan, The (IA)Author: James Edward JohnsonPublished: Monday, October 30, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Daily IowanAddress: Attn Viewpoints Editor201N Communications Center, Iowa City IA 52242Contact: daily-iowan uiowa.eduWebsite: http://www.dailyiowan.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:The Libertarian Partyhttp://www.lp.org/Harry Browne For Presidenthttp://www.harrybrowne2000.org/Vote Naderhttp://www.votenader.org/Free Hemp in Alaska http://www.freehempinak.orgHemp 2000http://www.hemp2000.org Peter McWilliams's Memorial Pagehttp://homepages.go.com/~marthag1/Peterm.htmAlaskans Can End Wrong, Ineffective Marijuana Banhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7476.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Alaska:http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=alaska Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by R.F. Burns on October 31, 2000 at 13:07:03 PT: all this jibber jabber I think its going to be a long, long, long haul for this reform to get thru. At least something is being done, but I hope all realize you have to get thru 40 years of government corruption and well set in politics. With the elections a few days away, and all parties concerned, they intend to keep the war on drugs going. Only way to change it is to change the policy of life time appointments in congress. They make the laws, no one else. If you have people in there for 50 years or more, they have an idiology of the 1930's, and its no wonder nothing gets done for todays times. Until we weed out that element in government, we will be fighting an uphill battle, and possibly loose! I think focus should be on removing the old "sacred cows" from congress in order to make change in the drug policy. No one, not even Mr. Billy Gates himself, can match the governments resources with this so called war on drugs. As long as they have the resources, which they have endless supply, hope everyone has their sleeping bags and camping gear, its gonna be a long, long, long road trip!!M.C.(R.F. Burns)supporter for drug law reform. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dankhank on October 31, 2000 at 07:11:03 PT: Right On!!! A vote for Browne or Nader is a vote for sanity, and possibly a wake-up call to the two main parties about failing to address important ideas.Should Dubya win, a meaningful dialogue must be conducted between the Dems and the third parties to figure how to proceed in a positive and successful manner.Peace ... and ... VOTE!! HEMP n STUFF [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by military officer guy on October 30, 2000 at 21:17:21 PT who is this guy.??? this is one of the best articles i've ever read...this guy actually has a clue, i like him...we can win this war, vote libertarian, vote for browne, vote for YOUR freedom... 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