Pubdate: Tue, 13 May 2003
Source: Ocean County Observer (NJ)
Copyright: 2003 Ocean County Observer
Contact:  http://www.injersey.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1212
Author: Michael J. Dee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)

MARIJUANA USE SHOULD BE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT

What is the role of the press in protecting the rights guaranteed by the
U.S. Constitution?

Do you believe the enforcement of the marijuana laws violate fundamental
rights to life, liberty and property protected by the 4th, 5th and 14th
Amendments? If a person is arrested has his or her fundamental rights been
violated?

State and federal governments have used police powers to deprive civil
rights -- fundamental rights to life -- to property and to liberty by
arresting millions of citizens for violating laws that arbitrarily classify
marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Judges use the rational
basis test to review the constitutionality of the marijuana laws because no
fundamental rights are violated. How despotic is that?

The government seizes marijuana, because possession of marijuana is not a
fundamental right. The government puts people in jail, because marijuana is
not a fundamental right. The courts issues search warrants to authorize the
police to invade homes because marijuana is not a fundamental right. The
courts do not want to admit that these criminal laws affect fundamental
rights.

I claim judges protect the illegal drug trade, not due process of law, to
keep marijuana illegal. I claim that lawyers and judges violate the rule of
law and this violation is protected by the news media. The government puts
people in jail for political reasons, not a compelling state interest.

There is difference in claiming marijuana to be a fundamental right and
claiming the marijuana laws threaten, violate, contravene or affect
fundamental rights.

Are you for or against the courts violating due process of law to keep
marijuana illegal?

MICHAEL J. DEE Windham, Maine
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MAP posted-by: Josh