Dear President Obama and Members of Congress,
Our drug laws aren't working. Every year, millions of Americans are arrested on drug offenses, yet drugs are more available than ever before. High school students find it easier to get marijuana than alcohol or prescription drugs. And Mexican drug cartels have become rich and powerful, representing a growing threat to our national security.
With our economy struggling, we can't afford to waste billions of dollars every year on a policy that has failed. There's only one way to eliminate the drug cartels' profits.
Comments (8)
Prohibitionists' violation of God given rights and freedoms as guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States must be stopped immediately. This must be followed by trials and lengthy prison terms for those guilty of crimes against humanity commited in their vile, horrific "war." This government must then pay "war" reparations for all the damage done to individual citizens, and return to the American taxpayer more than a trillion dollars extorted to waga a "war" of choice that the government should never have been started in the first place. Anything less will not be full justice here in the "land of the free."
Mike I am 100% with you my friend but you just stated alot of reasons why they will do anything to keep it illegal:)
You don't actually say what the one to eliminate the drug cartels' profits is.
If you mean legalization, or at least decriminalization, as Portugal has done, then yes.
Read these two articles:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/03/14/portugal/
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/08/portugal/
As noted in the comment above, It is unclear what the writer means by "there's only one way"?
I agree that there is only one way ---- and that is to eliminate the demand for the drug here in the USA.
We need to invest our time, energy and dollars in prevention efforts, environmental strategies to reduce easy access, and community collaboration efforts on the federal, state and local levels.
Well, Mike, you went one better. I sought an apology.
Prohibition is a crime against the people.
Legalize and decriminalize!
Allowing the Government to control growth and distribution of Marijuana will do numerous things to help our culture and economy.
1) Marijuana has never been known to be a problem drug for users and people near them.
A) Marijuana users are not prone to using violence to solve disputes with other users or non-users.
B) Marijuana users are not aggressive drivers, and are usually very cautious, unlike alcohol users.
C) Marijuana users are seldom involved in
criminal activities while using the drug.
2) Government distribution of Marijuana is good for the economy.
A) Taxes on marijuana use will contribute tens of millions of dollars in taxes, maybe more.
B) Tax dollars will no longer be needed to fight the illicit marijuana drug trade.
C) The American Court system will be relieved of a great financial and case load burden through legalization.
D) American law enforcement will be able to use their funds and resources to address more serious issues of crime.
3) Improvement in health issues.
A) Users of marijuana for health issues will have a reduction in costs for the product, allowing them to use their resources for other aspects of health recovery.
B) Consistency of the strength of marijuana products will be greatly improved, thus allowing health users a more predictable result.
C) Elimination of stress for "illicit" users of marijuana for medical purposes. Users will no longer fear being jailed for using marijuana to settle their stomach after chemo, or increase their appetite when disease has taken it away.
4) Marijuana by-products will be more available and scientific discoveries more frequent.
A) Fiber for paper and textiles can be provided by the farms that grow marijuana.
B) Oils from the rendering of plant fibers can be used for a myriad purposes including fuel, cooking and cosmetics.
C) Derivatives may include control of glaucoma, a serious eye problem that causes blindness.
As a non-user of marijuana, I see many more benefits than problems that will come about when the government takes control of this product. When marijuana and other drugs are controlled by government, fewer crimes will be committed in order to acquire the substances. Our society will be a much better place because of it. Government as an Ideal, should foster the personal and collective growth of it's members, not seek to punish them for their every transgression.
As to:
Executive branch commanding the legislative branch...
That is the argument used to disregard the popular demand for ending the war on drugs.
It is diversionary. Health care is also in the hands of the legislature, the administration has no problem involving itself there.
So was the bailout. Administration made demand after demand on legislature.
When it is a policy the administration wants, it is called leadership.
When it is a policy the administration does not want to touch it is called legislative territory.
We do not have to accept and be bound by the parameters of that game.
http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/6079-4049
Please vote for unalienable birth rights..Thanks!!