I was skeptical this would really happen, but signs are increasingly, er, hopeful:
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is sending strong signals that President Obama – who as a candidate said states should be allowed to make their own rules on medical marijuana – will end raids on pot dispensaries in California.
I don’t agree with Obama on a lot, but if he follows through this is a huge step in the right direction. The government has no business telling us what we as informed adults choose to do with our bodies in the privacy of our own homes, and by revisiting the mistakes of Prohibition the government has been forced to take on aspects of a police state (SWAT teams, asset forfeiture, random searches), ironically precisely because the policy creates a hugely profitable monopoly for ruthless criminals.
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It depends on how the marijuana is produced.
If it’s produced by the dispensaries locally, then it can help undercut the market.
If it’s imported from or through Mexico, then it will contribute to destroying Mexico.
So states should be allowed to make their own rules on heroin on the basis of privacy rights ?
And until that happens, attorneys-general nationwide should not apply the DEA federal law or any state law. Just have AG Jerry Brown or the mayor of Frisco issue an executive order.
Now that makes a lot more sense.
Think of it, we could end the needless herion and opium trade from Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Careful, folks. Mc Kiernan is moving to corner the market in strawmen…
Isn’t there something in the Presidential oath about “faithfully execute the laws of the United States?”
So states should be allowed to make their own rules on heroin on the basis of privacy rights ?
Of course not. They have no right to make such laws.
Think of it, we could end the needless herion and opium trade from Afghanistan and elsewhere.
That would be nice. If people are going to use heroin, why not from patriotic American farmers rather than Al Qaeda narcoguerrilas?
Foster,
Yep. There’s a document called the Constitution too, which says we shall be secure in our persons.
Thing about ending the War on (some) Drugs is that all the municipalities across the nation are addicted to the Drug War funding — and how do we get around that?
Don’t be surprised if this economic crisis and the defecit become SO bad that they seriously consider legalizing and taxing marijuana. That may legitimately wind up as one of the only ways out of this mess.
Oh and John, that is quite a strawman since no state has actually legalized heroin. Which would certainly throw a wrench into the works. Why would a state want to block the DEA from enforcing heroin laws still in place in their state.
Whether or not states have a right to legalize heroin – well, I don’t see why they have any less right to legalize that than marijuana. Granted, pot has been all but legalized in some places under the auspices of “medical marijuana”, but even those in favor of legalizing it recognize that for the cover that it is.
Whether or not states have a right to legalize heroin…
The question is why does the federal government have the right to declare heroin illegal. This is done under the interstate commerce clause.
Now exactly how does the interstate commerce clause applies to medical marijuana that is grown in California and legally (by state law) distributed to people in California with a doctor prescription. I don’t understand. There doesn’t seem to be any interstate commerce involved.
Nonetheless, people were convicted for that and the federal government convinced judges that since this was a federal case, the jury could not be told that the case was only about medical marijuana.
That is how our federal government has been wasting tax payer dollars prosecuting medical marijuana cases in California.
California has a huge budget shortfall.
California also has a vast agricultural complex that is entirely part of the black market.
Legalize pot. And TAX it.
Heh heh heh…
McK
You need to try a joint once in your life seriously.
The question is why does the federal government have the right to declare heroin illegal. This is done under the interstate commerce clause.
Which is so ridiculous and immoral a ruling it ranks up there with the Dred Scott decision.
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