Pubdate: Thu, 04 Oct 2012
Source: Ravalli Republic (Hamilton, MT)
Copyright: 2012 Ravalli Republic
Contact:  http://www.ravallirepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3254
Author: David A. Merrick

THE TIME HAS COME TO END THE WAR ON DRUGS

Let us assume for a moment that I have discovered, while studying 
dandelion plants and how they regenerate, that if one collects and 
crushes enough of these seeds amounting to a 16th ounce of dandelion 
powder and further discovers that ingesting at least this much daily, 
I am relieved of an excruciating pain that I experience frequently 
from a spinal arthritic inflammation. Now suppose that I have 
discontinued the use of the expensive prescription drug issued by my 
rheumatologist after I have discovered that there seemed to be no 
adverse affects from the ingestion of this dandelion powder and I 
have decided that though the collection and grinding of these seeds 
is time consuming and labor intensive that it is worth it to save a 
few thousand dollars via self-medication.

Now, let us assume the probable. The neighbors, after watching how I 
deal with my infestation of dandelions (letting them go to seed, then 
picking the heads off and placing them in a bag), begin asking 
questions. "Why not just spray the damn things?" "Every time I come 
by, you're on your hands and knees plucking the heads off dandelions, 
are you nuts?" Finally I confide in an acquaintance that I trust of 
what I have discovered. Of course, he laughs at the idea and 
eventually tells his family about my mission in life as a humorous 
thing about a neighbor of his. I become the "dandelion man" and the 
butt of jokes as word spreads throughout the neighborhood. In a good 
year I can accumulate about 10 to 20 pounds of dandelion dust from my 
three acres to satisfy my medical needs so there are at times several 
pounds of dandelion dust on hand.

Now, let us assume the obvious. At some time as the word spreads 
about "dandelion man" and his discovery, could it be possible to get 
a high by ingesting this dust? Let us assume that the curiosity gets 
the best of a couple of curious teenagers and while visiting my 
premises make off with a couple of pounds of my dust. And further, 
they discover that indeed by ingesting a couple of ounces do a nice 
job of intoxication, which lasts for a couple of hours.

You can see where this would lead as time goes on. At some point of 
time, as word spread and more misuse of the dandelion powder became 
known, that this would provoke a din from those clambering for 
restriction of its use demanding the government to place dandelions 
on the list of controlled substances.

Now, try to imagine how much it would cost to police and/or eradicate 
the growth of dandelions. As history should be the lesson, regardless 
of the time and money spent, not to mention the lives and property 
destroyed, the war on dandelions would never end.

Which brings me to the point of this letter. Government in its quest 
to force people to conform to laws prohibiting certain substances 
will never, never, never prohibit the use of forbidden substances via 
ban or regulation limiting use. It didn't work for alcohol or any 
other controlled substance. It won't work for tobacco. In many cases, 
those who misuse any substance will very likely move on to another 
substance for the satisfaction of dimming their view of the world, 
which has somehow become unbearable in their minds. For instance note 
the misuse of prescription drugs and cleaning solutions, as the laws 
get stricter for other substances.

The so-called "war on drugs" has never been a war on the drugs 
themselves but a war on the citizens, their families, and their 
property. Prohibition of substance use has not and will not ever 
work. It is time to end this costly example of trying to force people 
in their use of controlled or prohibited substances. Our governments 
are bound by our constitutions to defend and protect our rights to 
whatever we wish them to be as long as we do not harm others with 
those same rights.

We need to return to a time when one could go shopping for any 
substance available looking no farther than a Sears Roebuck & Company 
catalogue. I totally disagree with the county attorney and the 
sheriff's department in their recent attempt to enforce the temporary 
change in the Montana's marijuana laws to its fullest penalties by 
raiding, arresting and charging those involved with the Banana Belt 
Caregivers or any other association or individual exercising their rights.

It is well beyond time to end prohibition of the sale or use of any 
substances and return the responsibility to the individual to use or 
medicate at their own risk as long as no harm to others is done. As I see it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom