Pubdate: Sun, 13 Nov 2005
Source: Technician, The (NC State U, NC Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Technician
Contact:  http://technicianonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2268
Author: Katie Rose Levin

DRUGGED ON DEMOCRACY

Those who believe in a democracy, finical accountability and the U.S.
of A., achieved a small but significant victory in Denver. I'm
talking, of course, about the local legalization of marijuana (MJ).
Although Colorado officials say they'll continue to prosecute under
state law, Denverians have joined the sensible in speaking up against
the governments racist, wasteful, anti-democratic program: the War on
Drugs.

First, a bit o' history.

Anti-marijuana legislation first came about because people hated
Mexicans. As one Texas senator put it: "All Mexican's are crazy and
this stuff is what makes them crazy." Then in 1934, MJ laws began to
target blacks. "Marijuana influences Negroes to look at white people
in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman
twice," proclaims an editorial. Back then officials used MJ laws to
legalize racism and as an excuse to jail minorities.

But the federal government did not jump on this bandwagon until years
later, when outlawing MJ transformed from racist act into an out and
out propaganda coup. You see, back then the federal government did not
have the authority to outright ban drugs, they had to pass a
constitutional amendment ratified by the people, like for alcohol
prohibition. But the newly appointed drug czar Harry J. Anslinger, and
his new government agency, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the
DEA), wanted tax money and wanted it fast. So instead of going through
the trouble to ban marijuana the honest way, he pushed for the
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 to start the marijuana prohibition
dishonestly. The law was passed over the loud objections of the
American Medical Association, who claimed there was no evidence of
harm from MJ. But apparently even that did stop the government agency
in pursuit of money.

Fast forward to today.

This year the government has spent more than $43,594,500,000 of your
tax money fighting off the marijuana monster and his friends.

A quick example on how effectively our billions and billions of
dollars are being spent: the Office of National Drug Control Policy
was given $523.6 million. Using this money, they launched an add
campaign to reduce MJ use among teens, resulting in an estimated 2.6
million new marijuana users, approximately 67 percent under the age of
18.

Propaganda failures aside, the War on Drugs also wastes tax money by
filling jails with nonviolent criminals. 627,500 people have been
arrested on MJ charges this year alone.

In fact, 59.6 percent of the people in federal prisons are there on
drug convictions. So how much does it cost to house these stoners?

The average stay for a marijuana conviction is five
years.

With a $150,000 cost of conviction, $50,000-$150,000 cost for per bed
space and $30,000 cost per year maintenance, we pay about $450,000 to
ruin the life of some poor shmuck. That money would be better spent
rehabilitating the people with real problems like heroin addiction or
extreme poverty.

But solving real problems doesn't make as good of a sound bite as
"Drugs are bad. MmmmK." (Right Mr. Mackey?)

But, it's not just about the money.

This issue is about states being able to choose what goes on in their
own territory. After all, this is the United States of America, not
the Federal Government Controls America. States are the citizen's
closest link to democracy, and have historically been able to choose
what they believe is morally right.

If you don't believe in gay marriage move to Texas. If you don't
believe in abortions move to Mississippi. If you support clean air
legislation move to North Carolina. And if you are dying of cancer
because you are too nauseous to eat, move to California. Each state
has its own unique set of laws that reflect the morality of its people.

When citizens believe in something so strongly they vote to put it
into law, this law should be respected as it embodies the very essence
of democracy.

Before we spread democracy around the world we need to respect and
foster it here at home. When Denver citizens voted to legalize
marijuana in their city, they were not just repealing an archaic law,
they were also exercising the democracy that President Bush wants to
spread all over the world: the right to chose for themselves.

Even if we don't agree with the law passed in Denver we should respect
the fact that the people have spoken. Because without the people's
right to speak, a democratic government quickly becomes a fascist one.
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MAP posted-by: Derek