Pubdate: Sun, 29 Jul 2012
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2012 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Steven L. Riker

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

Recently, a brave soul introduced a bill in the Oklahoma Legislature 
to legalize medical marijuana. Without going into the merits of such 
an undertaking, or its broader implications and possibilities, I 
would like to comment on one group strongly opposed to any such 
legislation: the drug cartels and street gangs.

Anyone opposing the legalization of marijuana has the 
narco-terrorists block firmly at their back. They know any 
intelligent revision of the current criminal statutes would do the 
most harm imaginable to their existence. Certainly more so than any 
quasi-military or police efforts are doing.

The so-called War on Drugs is not winnable. The "Just Say No" 
campaign is naive, at best. All drugs, except those classified as 
Class "A" narcotics, should be decriminalized.

Among other things, it would ease prison overcrowding (thereby saving 
tax dollars), lead to realistic abuse treatment programs, and bring 
much-needed revenue to state coffers if regulated like alcohol (i.e. 
state licensed vendors). The sad experiment of the 18th Amendment to 
the Constitution should be evidence enough of society's ongoing 
tolerance of mild recreational substances.

Again, the death-dealing, chaoscreating Mexican cartels and their 
American street gang allies will applaud every effort to kill 
legalization of marijuana, medical or otherwise.

To those of you who believe they have the moral high ground in this 
argument, look who you're in bed with.

Steven L. Riker, Tusla
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