420
Founder
Those who believe in a democracy, finical accountability and the U.S. of A., achieved a small but significant victory in Denver. I'm talking, of course, about the local legalization of marijuana ( MJ ). Although Colorado officials say they'll continue to prosecute under state law, Denverians have joined the sensible in speaking up against the governments racist, wasteful, anti-democratic program: the War on Drugs.
First, a bit o' history.
Anti-marijuana legislation first came about because people hated Mexicans. As one Texas senator put it: "All Mexican's are crazy and this stuff is what makes them crazy." Then in 1934, MJ laws began to target blacks. "Marijuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice," proclaims an editorial. Back then officials used MJ laws to legalize racism and as an excuse to jail minorities.
But the federal government did not jump on this bandwagon until years later, when outlawing MJ transformed from racist act into an out and out propaganda coup. You see, back then the federal government did not have the authority to outright ban drugs, they had to pass a constitutional amendment ratified by the people, like for alcohol prohibition. But the newly appointed drug czar Harry J. Anslinger, and his new government agency, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics ( now the DEA ), wanted tax money and wanted it fast. So instead of going through the trouble to ban marijuana the honest way, he pushed for the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 to start the marijuana prohibition dishonestly. The law was passed over the loud objections of the American Medical Association, who claimed there was no evidence of harm from MJ. But apparently even that did stop the government agency in pursuit of money.
Fast forward to today.
This year the government has spent more than $43,594,500,000 of your tax money fighting off the marijuana monster and his friends.
A quick example on how effectively our billions and billions of dollars are being spent: the Office of National Drug Control Policy was given $523.6 million. Using this money, they launched an add campaign to reduce MJ use among teens, resulting in an estimated 2.6 million new marijuana users, approximately 67 percent under the age of 18.
Propaganda failures aside, the War on Drugs also wastes tax money by filling jails with nonviolent criminals. 627,500 people have been arrested on MJ charges this year alone.
In fact, 59.6 percent of the people in federal prisons are there on drug convictions. So how much does it cost to house these stoners?
The average stay for a marijuana conviction is five years.
With a $150,000 cost of conviction, $50,000-$150,000 cost for per bed space and $30,000 cost per year maintenance, we pay about $450,000 to ruin the life of some poor shmuck. That money would be better spent rehabilitating the people with real problems like heroin addiction or extreme poverty.
But solving real problems doesn't make as good of a sound bite as "Drugs are bad. MmmmK." ( Right Mr. Mackey? )
But, it's not just about the money.
This issue is about states being able to choose what goes on in their own territory. After all, this is the United States of America, not the Federal Government Controls America. States are the citizen's closest link to democracy, and have historically been able to choose what they believe is morally right.
If you don't believe in gay marriage move to Texas. If you don't believe in abortions move to Mississippi. If you support clean air legislation move to North Carolina. And if you are dying of cancer because you are too nauseous to eat, move to California. Each state has its own unique set of laws that reflect the morality of its people.
When citizens believe in something so strongly they vote to put it into law, this law should be respected as it embodies the very essence of democracy.
Before we spread democracy around the world we need to respect and foster it here at home. When Denver citizens voted to legalize marijuana in their city, they were not just repealing an archaic law, they were also exercising the democracy that President Bush wants to spread all over the world: the right to chose for themselves.
Even if we don't agree with the law passed in Denver we should respect the fact that the people have spoken. Because without the people's right to speak, a democratic government quickly becomes a fascist one.
Source: Technician, The (NC State U, NC Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Technician
Contact: opinion@technicianstaff.com
Website: technicianonline.com | NC State's student newspaper since 1920
First, a bit o' history.
Anti-marijuana legislation first came about because people hated Mexicans. As one Texas senator put it: "All Mexican's are crazy and this stuff is what makes them crazy." Then in 1934, MJ laws began to target blacks. "Marijuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice," proclaims an editorial. Back then officials used MJ laws to legalize racism and as an excuse to jail minorities.
But the federal government did not jump on this bandwagon until years later, when outlawing MJ transformed from racist act into an out and out propaganda coup. You see, back then the federal government did not have the authority to outright ban drugs, they had to pass a constitutional amendment ratified by the people, like for alcohol prohibition. But the newly appointed drug czar Harry J. Anslinger, and his new government agency, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics ( now the DEA ), wanted tax money and wanted it fast. So instead of going through the trouble to ban marijuana the honest way, he pushed for the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 to start the marijuana prohibition dishonestly. The law was passed over the loud objections of the American Medical Association, who claimed there was no evidence of harm from MJ. But apparently even that did stop the government agency in pursuit of money.
Fast forward to today.
This year the government has spent more than $43,594,500,000 of your tax money fighting off the marijuana monster and his friends.
A quick example on how effectively our billions and billions of dollars are being spent: the Office of National Drug Control Policy was given $523.6 million. Using this money, they launched an add campaign to reduce MJ use among teens, resulting in an estimated 2.6 million new marijuana users, approximately 67 percent under the age of 18.
Propaganda failures aside, the War on Drugs also wastes tax money by filling jails with nonviolent criminals. 627,500 people have been arrested on MJ charges this year alone.
In fact, 59.6 percent of the people in federal prisons are there on drug convictions. So how much does it cost to house these stoners?
The average stay for a marijuana conviction is five years.
With a $150,000 cost of conviction, $50,000-$150,000 cost for per bed space and $30,000 cost per year maintenance, we pay about $450,000 to ruin the life of some poor shmuck. That money would be better spent rehabilitating the people with real problems like heroin addiction or extreme poverty.
But solving real problems doesn't make as good of a sound bite as "Drugs are bad. MmmmK." ( Right Mr. Mackey? )
But, it's not just about the money.
This issue is about states being able to choose what goes on in their own territory. After all, this is the United States of America, not the Federal Government Controls America. States are the citizen's closest link to democracy, and have historically been able to choose what they believe is morally right.
If you don't believe in gay marriage move to Texas. If you don't believe in abortions move to Mississippi. If you support clean air legislation move to North Carolina. And if you are dying of cancer because you are too nauseous to eat, move to California. Each state has its own unique set of laws that reflect the morality of its people.
When citizens believe in something so strongly they vote to put it into law, this law should be respected as it embodies the very essence of democracy.
Before we spread democracy around the world we need to respect and foster it here at home. When Denver citizens voted to legalize marijuana in their city, they were not just repealing an archaic law, they were also exercising the democracy that President Bush wants to spread all over the world: the right to chose for themselves.
Even if we don't agree with the law passed in Denver we should respect the fact that the people have spoken. Because without the people's right to speak, a democratic government quickly becomes a fascist one.
Source: Technician, The (NC State U, NC Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Technician
Contact: opinion@technicianstaff.com
Website: technicianonline.com | NC State's student newspaper since 1920
