SmokeDog420
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Assuming that enough signatures turn out to be valid, we'll vote this fall on expanding the law on medical marijuana. In preparation for the expected arguments against this idea, it's recommended you look up "Going to Pot," an article in the July 12 National Review.
In this conservative magazine, Ethan Nadelman, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, argues persuasively for an end to the national prohibition of marijuana. And he touches on all the arguments used in Oregon against the further legalization of medical marijuana.
For example, we have been told often that marijuana is a gateway drug, that it leads users to more harmful substances. It is true for some, the author says, but no, most Americans who have tried marijuana at least once -- and that's estimated to be close to 100 million -- have never tried other drugs, and most of them have not even become regular pot smokers.
Attacking illegal drug use by prohibiting marijuana has been likened to combating motorcycle fatalities by cracking down on bicycle riding, as the article notes.
We've been told that marijuana today is much more potent than it used to be. Nadelman counters that potent pot used to be around 30 years ago, too, and in any case, with greater potency the desired effect can be had with only a few puffs, leading to less potential damage to the lungs.
Before the election we will be warned, as we were before voters legalized medical marijuana in 1998, that marijuana is addictive. It can be, the author admits, but it's less so than a lot of legal substances, and withdrawal symptoms "pale compared with those from other drugs."
The article quotes from the 1988 findings of one Francis Young, then an administrative law judge for the Drug Enforcement Administration: "Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."
If that's so, then it is not surprising that no one has ever died from an overdose of marijuana.
With this as background, it is hard to defend the federal government's preoccupation with combating marijuana use, a drive that has caused the government to confiscate the pot that states such as Oregon and California have allowed some medically eligible people to have.
The most potent argument for keeping the restrictions has been to protect children. But it hasn't worked. Nadelman states the obvious: Teens have easier access to pot than anyone else. The result: Many young people know from experience that the government position on this substance is overstated, causing them to doubt other, more justified warnings.
The new Oregon initiative will likely lead to a robust debate about pot prohibition, and as the article shows, a fundamental review of the wisdom of that policy is way overdue.
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR)
Author: Hasso Hering
Published: Sunday, July 18, 2004
Copyright: 2004 Lee Enterprises
Website: gazettetimes.com | Your source for local news
Contact: Mid-Valley Media Group
In this conservative magazine, Ethan Nadelman, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, argues persuasively for an end to the national prohibition of marijuana. And he touches on all the arguments used in Oregon against the further legalization of medical marijuana.
For example, we have been told often that marijuana is a gateway drug, that it leads users to more harmful substances. It is true for some, the author says, but no, most Americans who have tried marijuana at least once -- and that's estimated to be close to 100 million -- have never tried other drugs, and most of them have not even become regular pot smokers.
Attacking illegal drug use by prohibiting marijuana has been likened to combating motorcycle fatalities by cracking down on bicycle riding, as the article notes.
We've been told that marijuana today is much more potent than it used to be. Nadelman counters that potent pot used to be around 30 years ago, too, and in any case, with greater potency the desired effect can be had with only a few puffs, leading to less potential damage to the lungs.
Before the election we will be warned, as we were before voters legalized medical marijuana in 1998, that marijuana is addictive. It can be, the author admits, but it's less so than a lot of legal substances, and withdrawal symptoms "pale compared with those from other drugs."
The article quotes from the 1988 findings of one Francis Young, then an administrative law judge for the Drug Enforcement Administration: "Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."
If that's so, then it is not surprising that no one has ever died from an overdose of marijuana.
With this as background, it is hard to defend the federal government's preoccupation with combating marijuana use, a drive that has caused the government to confiscate the pot that states such as Oregon and California have allowed some medically eligible people to have.
The most potent argument for keeping the restrictions has been to protect children. But it hasn't worked. Nadelman states the obvious: Teens have easier access to pot than anyone else. The result: Many young people know from experience that the government position on this substance is overstated, causing them to doubt other, more justified warnings.
The new Oregon initiative will likely lead to a robust debate about pot prohibition, and as the article shows, a fundamental review of the wisdom of that policy is way overdue.
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR)
Author: Hasso Hering
Published: Sunday, July 18, 2004
Copyright: 2004 Lee Enterprises
Website: gazettetimes.com | Your source for local news
Contact: Mid-Valley Media Group
