Marijuana Is Going To Be Legalized

vents have overtaken tradition as the pressure unrelentingly surges toward full legalization of this minor intoxicant. For years, the federal government has classed Marijuana with other more serious drugs like opium derivatives, such as Heroin, and others such as Methamphetamine and cocaine, from c0coa leaves. (We aren't talking Hershey here)

Most of the arguments are that Marijuana is an entry drug. One that leads to more serious stuff. That my friends is like saying that if you are a jaywalker, most likely you will turn to serious crime later in life. Many states, if not most, are considering the abolishing of either criminal penalties, or outright legalizing the drug.

While some would consider this a side issue, it might make the courts sit up and remember that the states, under the constitution are sovereign entities with only the ceded powers accruing to the Federal Government. In the last thirty years or so, most in congress and the lower courts have forgotten this constitutional principle.

1913 brought about a new federal law prohibiting the sale or consumption of Liquor. That law, totally unenforceable, was repealed in 1933, as the people rebelled over the practice of over controlling the lives of others. Now we have the same attitude, with about the same results. Someone once said, "a law that isn't supported by the citizens is not enforceable."Bingo. Sound familiar?

Currently, in several states, new legislation is being considered either abolishing the prohibition or at least decriminalizing the use.Washington State has a law that allows medicinal use of marijuana, without a means of controlling the growing or dispensing of it. Several petitions are circulating to go several steps further in redirecting law enforcement toward real issues like the control of Meth labs and the importation of Cocaine and Heroin.

Today showed polls, both in the Seattle P.I. and Huckleberries online, Spokesman-review that asked the following: Should pot be legalized? Secondly, snould it be decriminalized, and third, should the laws be left the same.

Interestingly both polls were about the same in results. With the first two categories combined, both showed 85% in favor of either decriminalization or legalizing the drug. Interestingly enough, even hemp, which in the same basic family as Marijuana, is not toxic or usable to get high, is prohibited. This then, suggests that the opponents of pot are so hysterical about the subject, they won't even allow the manufacture of rope made out of hemp. This, even though most other drugs, especially opium, are commonly used for medical purposes. A drug that used illegally is extremely dangerous, but the medicinal use of pot is still forbidden. It is time for common sense to break out. If it doesn't, the people will change the rules themselves, and in doing so, lose more respect for government than they already have. 85% could by most people be considered a mandate. One that outranks even prohibition.

You want control? Have the state liquor control boards supervise the growing and dispensing of this herb. This takes the criminal element out of the picture. No longer will National Forest Rangers need to patrol thousands of miles of public forests for illegal Mexican growers. Just make friends with the guys that grow BC bud and everything will work out just fine. Oh, and I forgot to mention it is a taxable product, helping our spendthrift legislators get their paws on more tax money.

Public safety? Easy. criminalize use or possession for people under 21. As far as driving while high, also easy. Any time a cop sees a driver hunched over the wheel like he/she's at Talledega, but only doing 25 mph on the freeway, bust em.