Pubdate: Fri, 04 Nov 2005
Source: Collegiate Times (VA Tech,  Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Collegiate Times
Contact:  http://www.collegiatetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/699
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: 
http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Safer+Alternative+for+Enjoyable+Recreation

U.S. NOT READY TO PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

The mayor of Denver was highly disappointed with the passing of a new
measure pertaining to marijuana. The measure instills new meaning into
Mile High City.

The measure passed Tuesday with a 54 percent vote. It allows adults
who are over the age of 21 to possess no more than one ounce of
marijuana without being penalized in Denver. A few other cities have
adopted similar measures. Simultaneously, 12 states have procedures
that prevent criminal charges from being issued against someone in
possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, but still issue fines.

News of such a measure brings about issues of legalizing marijuana in
general. Denver should not have allowed such a measure to pass, even
its mayor and the state of Colorado agree with that. The new procedure
essentially stops people in Denver from being punished for carrying
small amounts of marijuana. State law still allows for fines and
speaks nothing to buying, selling or smoking the drug that has been
known as a gateway drug to other addictive ones.

By passing such a procedure, the city of Denver may have gotten more
than it bargained for. Then again, perhaps they really are attempting
to become the next Amsterdam. If possession of marijuana becomes
legal, what is to stop arguments of legalization of prostitution,
heroin or any other illegal drugs?

In a country full of people who cannot even handle alcohol, legalizing
marijuana is ludicrous. The United States arguably has some of the
strictest laws pertaining to alcohol; however, drunken driving
statistics are higher than those of most other countries, if not all.

What all of this boils down to is this: Making a vice more accessible,
even legal, only ensures that it will become more harmful. Allowing
people in one city to carry less than an ounce of marijuana literally
removes the deterrence of carrying drugs in general. Not only that but
a measure such as the one that has just passed in Denver, push the
movement of legalizing marijuana in general.

That seriously could be the only reason something such as this has
happened. In Telluride, Colo., the same measure as in Denver was
narrowly turned down. It seems as though the purpose of introducing
these procedures in localities that are so close to one another can
only be to eventually challenge the state law itself.

The United States simply isn't ready for the legalization of
marijuana. This country cannot handle the inhibitions that exist from
alcohol, how can citizens expect to be able to handle marijuana? While
it seems as though state law may trump the measures being taken in
Denver, the overall effects of such things are the real problem.
Legalizing possession in Denver pushes the movement towards general
legalization in Colorado and basically paves the way for legalized
marijuana all over the United States. Without a doubt the road the
followers of this movement are headed on must be stopped.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake