“In a nation founded on limited government and individual liberty, that’s the wrong question.”
Not necessarily. But I think I see where you are going.
Boiled down, US Constitution is one of limited powers, and there should be no federal involvement in this issue. The reality is that the federal government is not one of limited powers. If supporting pot legalization moves the US as a country back toward limiting the federal government’s powers to what is enumerated in the Constitution, then bring it on - all sorts of other things will need to be addressed - Social Security, Medicare, EPA, etc etc. The reality is that the left will only buy into this rediscovery of the 10th Amendment to get recreational pot legalized. For the right to buy into it, ...oaky, it gives a chance that other issues can be decided on the 10th Amendment. I think the reality is that none of the other current expansion of federal government outside its Constitutionally limited powers will not be touched by the judiciary and especially not Congress.
But my question on social benefit is still a relevant question, under current federal law, or whether the issue is moved to the states and the people under the 10th Amendment. It’s nice to argue about risk, cost, benefits, until we can’t find a benefit. “Violating nobody’s rights”, I generally agree with that principle, but it isn’t absolute. It can’t be used to ignore the significant health concerns on individuals and imposed on society about pot. Society’s non-pot smokers have an interest ...Let’s just say we disagree.
Not supporting pot defederalization will make any other Constitution-based arguments against big government a hypocritical con job.
“Violating nobody’s rights”, I generally agree with that principle, but it isn’t absolute. It can’t be used to ignore the significant health concerns on individuals
Tobacco, alcohol, and fast food pose significant health concerns for individuals; what degree of government restriction do you think a conservative supports there? As much as is currently the case with pot?