Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2008
Source: Daily Lobo (U of NM, Edu, NM)
Copyright: 2008 Daily Lobo
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/766
Author: Michael J. Dee

WAR ON DRUGS IGNORES INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS TO LIBERTY AND PROPERTY

Editor,

If Alaskans have state constitutional protection to have marijuana,
why is marijuana still illegal for the rest of us?

Marijuana is still illegal because the judiciary does not recognize
marijuana users as persons and does not recognize marijuana as
property under other state and federal constitutions. Lawyers and
judges deny that the enforcement of the marijuana laws affect
individual fundamental rights to liberty and property. Being arrested
is not seizure of person. Seizing marijuana is not deprivation of property.

The marijuana laws are constitutional because the judiciary claims it
is rational to search and seize a person, house papers, and effects
for violating the marijuana laws. Only persons and property under the
Constitution's Fourth and Fifth Amendments are protected from
unreasonable deprivation of liberty and property.

And what are reasonable criminal laws? Reasonable criminal laws are to
protect the rights of others from individual activities. The judiciary
reviews the validity of criminal laws by rational review. And it is my
opinion the media know this. By its silence, the media are aiding and
abetting this criminal activity. Deprivation of rights under the color
law is a criminal offense. What happened to the Bill of Rights? The
Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the
United States, adopted on Dec. 15, 1791. I would have to say they were
killed in action in the war on drugs.

Michael J. Dee

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