Proposition 1: Pass pot decriminalization measure

Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) ^ | March 16, 2003 | Jim Robertson, managing editor

[MrLeRoy]

The war on drugs, which has cost taxpayers billions of dollars during the past 30 years, has been ineffective at best. At worst, it has clogged the legal system with an unending and unabated flow of offenders who are attracted to the trade in illegal drugs by the promise of ill-gotten riches. The drug economy is created by prohibition, which has in turn promoted a police apparatus that feeds on our national crusade to rid the country of illegal drugs. The money flows both ways, and that’s why the war on drugs has failed.

That’s not to say there’s anything sinister about police participating in the system set up to catch and punish drug criminals. After all, it’s their job to enforce laws. It’s the notion that law enforcement will solve this societal problem that needs to be overhauled.

A group of local advocates of decriminalization of marijuana, generally held to be among the less-harmful of illegal substances, gathered the necessary signatures to put the proposition on the ballot. Thus, Columbia voters on April 8 will consider whether to require city police to write a municipal summons to possessors of 35 grams or less and to allow the medicinal use of pot upon the recommendation of a doctor.

On Page 1 of this section you’ll find Liz Heitzman’s report on the issue. She found that Ann Arbor, Mich., a city that decriminalized the possession of pot years ago, has suffered no apparent ill effects.

In Columbia, police have had the option of arresting suspects under either state or municipal statutes. Among other objections, critics of Proposition 1 say law enforcement must retain that discretion to effectively deal with circumstances that the general public might not know about. Also, they say, we should not encourage drug use by decriminalization.

Proponents say passage would preserve eligibility for federal financial aid for students caught with pot. Currently, students who are guilty of felony pot possession are in danger of losing federal student aid. If we effectively prevent potential college graduates from completing their education, how does that contribute to rehabilitation?

The most tricky part of this proposition is the provision that allows possession of marijuana for medicinal use. Some research suggests patients in treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses will find relief in a joint that they can’t get with conventional prescription drugs.

The science on this is inconclusive, and though a few physicians agree with the therapeutic value of pot, most contend there are other effective options. In addition, the proposition doesn’t create a means by which physicians can prescribe the drug and patients can acquire it under controlled conditions, such as a pharmacy. The doctor "recommends," and the patient/buyer takes his chances in the alley.

Add to those the fact that a local medicinal-use law is in conflict with state law, and you’ve got a potential problem. The proposition’s writers recognized the danger, though, and crafted the language so that the medicinal-use provision drops off in the event of a successful challenge, leaving decriminalization for possession intact.

We can’t easily fix three decades of inefficient use of resources and national frustration, but on April 8 we can do our part in getting the process started by voting yes on Proposition 1.

[MrLeRoy]

Wod_list ping

[presidio9]

Legalized drugs has worked so well in Amsterdam...

[ElectricStrawberry]

...and in Great Britain

[MrLeRoy]

Legalized drugs has worked so well in Amsterdam...

That's what I've heard, too.

(Or were you suggesting you have evidence to the contrary?)

[bassmaner]

Socialist government policies such as high taxes, gun control, and unrestricted immigration have been the cause of social problems in Holland and the UK, not pot decrim.

[MrLeRoy]

We've already relegalized a potent drug---alcohol---having determined that criminalization caused more problems than it solved.

[LadyDoc]

typical druggie post. Complains wod costs money (doesn't mention the cost in human misery, money, bad health, Hepatitis C, HIV or accidents)

Complains it clogs the legal system (doesn't note that most "drug" arrests are for crimes such as DUI, pushing burglery or assault, and that most "convictions" for "simple possession" are actually plea bargains down from larger crimes).

[BlueLancer]

"Proposition 1: Pass pot decriminalization measure"

Step 1: Collect underpants ...
Step 2: ??????
Step 3: Make profit.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[jmc813]

I never realized pot caused Hep C or HIV.

[Wolfie]

Drugs aren't legal in Amsterdam.

[clamper1797]

MJ smoking causes Hepatitis C, HIV !!!??? ... what's your degree in ... Dentistry ???

[headsonpikes]

I think we need a demonstration of a MOAB(mother of all bongs) right overhead of these duckspeakers.

5000 pounds of BC Hydro ought to stun them into submission.

Shock.....and Awe.

;^)

[MrLeRoy]

Complains wod costs money (doesn't mention the cost in human misery, money, bad health, Hepatitis C, HIV or accidents)

So *I* should pay for the War On Some Drugs to prevent *somebody else's* misery? Socialist.

Complains it clogs the legal system (doesn't note that most "drug" arrests are for crimes such as DUI, pushing burglery or assault,

Rubbish---those acts would be illegal whether or not drugs were relegalized.

and that most "convictions" for "simple possession" are actually plea bargains down from larger crimes).

Provide evidence for your claim.

[MrLeRoy]

Aaah! Underpants gnomes!

[tacticalogic]

MJ smoking causes Hepatitis C, HIV !!!???

Put that on the list right there under jazz and swing.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Blah, Blah, blah.................Give it a rest LeRoy you are convincing no one.

[clamper1797]

Gotta watch out for dem hopped up black musicians ... especially the ones that play jazz ... the devils music doncha know ...

[MrLeRoy]