Pubdate: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 Source: Pilot Independent, The (MN) Copyright: 2007 The Pilot Independent Contact: http://www.walkermn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3480 Author: Eric Sjolin THE FAILING 'WAR ON DRUGS' A complete and utter travesty of justice is currently underway, which should cause all Americans to contact their federal senators and representatives in Congress. New Mexico is one of the latest of many states to approve the medicinal use of marijuana, but despite that (and perhaps because of it), federal agencies recently announced they intend on pursuing legal charges against a paraplegic man who went through his state's legal guidelines to obtain the right to possess medicinal marijuana, under the approval and supervision of his medical doctor. The case is purely political, as the D.E.A. and other involved agencies intend on making an example of the 44-year-old man, stepping between him and his doctor in order to make a statement and spread fear throughout those suffering from similar debilitating medical conditions. Gov. Bill Richardson has vowed to fight to protect the rights of his citizens, but faces an uphill battle without some initiative within the Congress or Senate to finally bring sensibility into our failing "war on drugs." Whether you hold any personal opinions one way or another regarding the medicinal use of marijuana, most Americans would agree the federal government should have no right to prosecute those who simply possess a medicine deemed legal within their own state, after going through all the proper steps and obtaining a doctor's prescription for that medicine. Have we learned nothing from the Terry Shivo case with regards to the over-reaching powers of the federal government? Can anyone sit back and allow such injustice to befall fellow citizens without speaking out, writing your representatives in government and calling for some sensibility? The classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug depends on three criteria, of which it only really qualifies under the first (but so could diet pills, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sleeping pills, energy pills, steroids, etc.). It does indeed possess the potential for abuse, but no worse than those legal substances mentioned. The other two criteria have been proven wrong by countless medical studies and a growing number of states which have approved marijuana for medicinal purposes. If we ever intend on winning our "war on drugs," we have to seriously look at the effects created by lumping it in with such obviously harmful and addictive poisons as cocaine, crystal meth, heroine and opium. Our children are being taught to disregard the warnings regarding these poisons once they discover marijuana isn't as bad as the government says it is. The continual rise in drug use nation-wide should serve as notice we are failing in our efforts to clean up our communities, and a new strategy should be implemented. As the prohibition days exemplified with alcohol, the only people benefiting from marijuana being illegal are those criminals who profit from it. By decriminalizing, controlling and taxing marijuana, our law enforcement community would gain many more allies and resources nationwide to curb the popularity and availability of the truly damaging drugs which infect our society. Just as many have pointed out our mistake in entering our second war in Iraq, without first gaining popular support of most nations, our continuing "war on drugs" will be a failed policy without first establishing a reasoned approach with popular appeal. Contact your leaders in government and plead to bring a new, winning strategy to our "war on drugs." Let's concentrate efforts on eliminating the true poisons, and not waste untold resources attempting to step between a doctor and their patient. Eric Sjolin Akeley - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom