Pubdate: Wed, 25 Feb 2009
Source: Federal Way Mirror (WA)
Copyright: 2009 Sound Publishing
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Sk6rBdu0
Website: http://www.fedwaymirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2077
Author: Michael J. Dee
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n163/a04.html

WHY IS MARIJUANA STILL ILLEGAL?

RE: "Rick Steves lights up marijuana conversation," Feb.
11:

I believe Rick Steves should ask the ACLU's director of drug policy,
Alison Holcomb, and retired Whatcom Superior Court Judge David Nichols
these questions:

. Why is marijuana a Legislature issue and not an issue for the courts
to protect individual rights? Why do the courts review these criminal
laws by rational review?

. Don't the marijuana laws affect his individual fundamental rights to
privacy, to liberty and to property protected from unreasonable
government intrusion?

. Doesn't Rick Steves have standing to question the validity and
construction of criminal laws that threatened to affect his
fundamental rights by a declaratory judgment proceeding in a court of
law? RCW 7.24.020

. If Alaskans have constitutional protection to possess marijuana
because of the right to privacy, what happened to the right of privacy
in the Washington State Constitution Article I section 7? No person
shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded,
without authority of law?

. The Alaskan Supreme Court recognized a fundamental right has been
violated and demanded the state to provide a compelling state interest
to justify the government intrusion into Alaskans' private affairs.
There was none because the private use of marijuana does not affect
the rights of others.

. Doesn't the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution of the
United States protect the right of privacy?

. Are not the marijuana laws unreasonable regulations and violate the
Fourth and Fifth Amendments?

. Why is marijuana illegal? What happened to due process of
law?

. Why is marijuana still illegal? The American judiciary denies equal
protection of the Fourth Amendment thereby due process of law.

Michael J. Dee

Windham, Maine
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin