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Judge takes swing at war on drugs
Rocky Mountain News ^ | January 29, 2003 | Karen Abbott

Posted on 01/30/2003 6:38:26 AM PST by MrLeRoy

America's war on drugs is costly, ignorant and doesn't work, a federal judge said Tuesday.

Denver U.S. District Judge John Kane Jr., who has been speaking and writing against the nation's drug policy for about five years, won a standing ovation from a packed City Club luncheon at the Brown Palace Hotel.

"I don't favor drugs at all," Kane said.

"What I really am opposed to is the fact that our present policies encourage children to take drugs."

Ending the present policy of interdiction, police action and imprisonment would eliminate the economic incentives for drug dealers to provide drugs to minors, Kane said.

He said the government has no real data and no scientific basis for its approach to illegal drug use.

Since the policy began in the early 1970s, drugs have become easier to obtain and drug use has only increased, he said.

Last summer, Kane said, a friend in his 60s was being treated for cancer. The man joked to his family that he wished he knew where to get marijuana to help him bear the effects of chemotherapy.

The next day, the man's 11-year-old grandson brought him three marijuana cigarettes, Kane said.

"Don't worry, Grandpa - I don't use it myself, but if you need any more just let me know," the judge quoted the boy as saying.

Although officials vow zero tolerance for drugs, even children know that's not reality, Kane said.

"Our national drug policy is inconsistent with the nature of justice, abusive of the nature of authority, and wholly ignorant of the compelling force of forgiveness," he said. "I suggest that federal drug laws be severely cut back."

The federal government should focus on keeping illegal drugs out of the country and regulating the manufacture of drugs transported across state lines.

Each state should decide how to regulate sales and what should be legal or illegal, he said, and the emphasis for government spending should be on treatment.


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: wodlist
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To: robertpaulsen
Not the question, dirtboy. The question was, "Does growing your own pot affect interstate commerce?

I already answered that in post #111. You, however, seem bound and determined to cement your reputation as an FDR liberal.

121 posted on 01/30/2003 9:25:49 AM PST by dirtboy
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To: dirtboy
One does not need to be a Democrat to see racial bias in the sentencing laws here.

Out comes the race card. Too predictable.

122 posted on 01/30/2003 9:26:54 AM PST by Roscoe
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To: Roscoe
Out comes the race card. Too predictable.

Oh, that is classic. You raise the issue, yet say I brought out the race card? How do you post this kind of crap with anything resembling a conscience?

123 posted on 01/30/2003 9:28:26 AM PST by dirtboy
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To: FreeTally
George Zimmer

One of Nancy Pelosi's big financial backers.

124 posted on 01/30/2003 9:28:52 AM PST by Roscoe
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To: Roscoe
Out comes the race card. Too predictable.

Out comes your repetitive nonsense. Even more predictable.

125 posted on 01/30/2003 9:29:10 AM PST by FreeTally (How did a fool and his money get together in the first place?)
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Comment #126 Removed by Moderator

To: dirtboy
You raise the issue

No, Kane raised the issue and you backed his play.

127 posted on 01/30/2003 9:29:42 AM PST by Roscoe
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To: tacticalogic
"And where in the Constitution is Congress empowered to regulate whatever might "affect interstate commerce"?"

Now, that's a whole different argument, isn't it? My question was solely, "Does growing your own pot affect interstate commerce?"

Do you wish to take a stand and answer the question, or do you want to veer off into a different direction and discuss whether or not congress has the power to regulate?

128 posted on 01/30/2003 9:29:59 AM PST by robertpaulsen (But rp, I don't want to take a stand.)
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To: Roscoe
No, Kane raised the issue and you backed his play.

Post #116. You brought the issue directly to my attention. I've seen some real low-class ploys on FR, but this is one of the lamest. I'll go somewhere else now, because Dane, robertpaulsen and now you have shown the entire forum exactly what your characters are made of.

129 posted on 01/30/2003 9:31:57 AM PST by dirtboy
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To: robertpaulsen
My question was solely, "Does growing your own pot affect interstate commerce?"

What makes your question any more relevant than, "Do you like eggs?"

130 posted on 01/30/2003 9:32:20 AM PST by MrLeRoy ("That government is best which governs least.")
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To: Nathaniel Fischer
I don't care if growing pot affects interstate commerce; it can't be regulated by the feds if it isn't commerce between multiple states.

This title may be cited as the 'Controlled Substances Act'.

§ 801. Congressional findings and declarations: controlled substances.

The Congress makes the following findings and declarations:


131 posted on 01/30/2003 9:32:28 AM PST by Roscoe
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To: Nathaniel Fischer
Has Roscoe not previously shown you his cut-and-paste collection?
132 posted on 01/30/2003 9:33:40 AM PST by MrLeRoy ("That government is best which governs least.")
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To: dirtboy
You brought the issue directly to my attention.

The issue of Kane's political nature with a link to statements he explicitly supports? Yep, I sure did.

133 posted on 01/30/2003 9:34:46 AM PST by Roscoe
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To: WORLD SUCKELS USAS BREAST
The policy is "Drugs are illegal to EVERYONE". Do you understand that now?

How's that policy working out for you?

134 posted on 01/30/2003 9:35:07 AM PST by Hemingway's Ghost
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To: Nathaniel Fischer
Maybe if I was alive in the '60s

Do some research and you will see that the modern drug culture gots it start with such radical marxist movements such as the SDS.

There is a reason why the pro-drug people on this thread wish not to acknowledge the 60's, they are idelogical cousins to such organizations as the SDS which sprouted in the 60's.

135 posted on 01/30/2003 9:36:00 AM PST by Dane
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To: MrLeRoy
"Controlled substances manufactured and distributed intrastate cannot be differentiated from controlled substances manufactured and distributed interstate. Thus, it is not feasible to distinguish, in terms of controls, between controlled substances manufactured and distributed interstate and controlled substances manufactured and distributed intrastate."

Time for your usual hysterics?

136 posted on 01/30/2003 9:36:17 AM PST by Roscoe
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Comment #137 Removed by Moderator

To: Dane
There is a reason why the pro-drug people on this thread wish not to acknowledge the 60's, they are idelogical cousins to such organizations as the SDS which sprouted in the 60's.

Or ideological offspring.

138 posted on 01/30/2003 9:38:00 AM PST by Roscoe
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To: Roscoe
Time for your unconservative nonsense: the CSA is constitutional because federal courts have upheld it, but Roe v Wade is unconstitutional although federal courts have upheld it.
139 posted on 01/30/2003 9:38:30 AM PST by MrLeRoy ("That government is best which governs least.")
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To: Roscoe
One of Nancy Pelosi's big financial backers.(Geroge Zimmer of the Men's warehouse)

Oh no, drug validation isn't a leftist issue according to the pro-drug people on this thread. Oh no, not never.

140 posted on 01/30/2003 9:38:46 AM PST by Dane
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