Pubdate: Sun, 25 Mar 2001
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2001 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  P.O. Box 149001, Anchorage, AK 99514
Fax: Fax (907) 264-8794
Website: http://www.adn.com/
Author: Theron McGrew

Recent Police Raids Are Examples Of Moral Fascism At Work

I am amazed at the gross irresponsibility of our Anchorage Police 
Department. I am angry at the moronic waste of city resources. The recent 
raids on local businesses ("Cops raid shops for 'paraphernalia,' " March 
19) are prime examples of moral fascism, and will have absolutely no effect 
on the amount of marijuana smoked in Anchorage. All it does is show how out 
of touch our elected and public safety officials are.

In America last year, we spent over 18 billion taxpayer dollars in a failed 
attempt to stem the use of drugs. Between 1997 and 1999, more than two 
million Americans were arrested for marijuana offenses, and most of those 
arrests were for possession. According to the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services, one out of every three adults has used marijuana. Tens of 
millions have used marijuana in the past year.

Now, for all those who aren't paying attention: Marijuana is still legal in 
Alaska. In State of Alaska v. McNeil (Case No. 1KE-93-947 CR) the judge 
stated that the "Ravin (decision) was founded in the Supreme Court's 
interpretation of the Alaska Constitution." It also stated that "the voters 
cannot change the constitution simply by carrying the polls on a given 
day." Finally it stated that the 1990 "initiative was inadequate to 
overrule Ravin and that case remains the law." Look it up.

Now would be a good time to call your elected representatives and demand 
that the moral fascists stop this absurd crusade.

Theron McGrew
Anchorage
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