Pubdate: Tue, 14 May 2013
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2013 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: Dana Rohrabacher
Note: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, represents 
California's 48th Congressional District.

THE COLOSSAL FAILURE OF MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

I have spent most of my years in public service supporting the 
federal government's decades-long prohibition of marijuana. Watching 
it up-close in President Ronald Reagan's administration as well as in 
Congress, I have come to the conclusion these policies are neither an 
effective nor efficient way of investing scarce tax dollars. The 
herculean effort undertaken by the federal government to prevent the 
American people from smoking marijuana has undeniably been a colossal failure.

A willingness to recognize this failure is not tantamount to putting 
a stamp of approval on marijuana or to say that, if used 
recreationally, it has no negative consequences. When I was in my 
early 20s, I smoked marijuana until I realized it was making me 
unmotivated and clearly having a negative impact on my life. It was 
that realization - not the government's prohibition - that led me to 
quit immediately. For millions of users today, current federal 
policies have been largely ineffective at decreasing marijuana use. 
Despite ample law enforcement and harsh penalties, marijuana is 
extremely easy to acquire through the illegal market.

Indeed, marijuana prohibition has been the most favored policy of 
organized crime, reminiscent of alcohol prohibition during the 1920s 
and early 1930s. The inability of legitimate businesses to sell 
marijuana legally has not made marijuana disappear.

Instead, it has put the business in the hands of murderous cartels 
and gangs. In fact, some studies suggest over 50 percent of the money 
made by Mexican drug cartels comes from the sale of marijuana. 
Unfortunately, we continue to pour billions of dollars into policies 
that ultimately benefit these thugs at the expense of others.

Among those hurt by these policies are the otherwise decent people 
who acquire criminal records because of marijuana possession. These 
convictions can haunt individuals their entire lives, especially in 
low income communities where such a record often prevents hiring for 
even entry level jobs. Sadly, there are too many stories of 
individuals seeing their careers lost or dramatically curtailed, 
which can lead to destitution, welfare dependency and, in many cases, 
more crime.

Prohibition does not only affect those interested in using marijuana 
recreationally. About ten years ago, my mother lost her appetite 
after undergoing surgery, requiring me to spoon-feed her. When I 
learned medical marijuana might give her the appetite she needed, the 
idea this option was considered illegal by the federal government was 
an absurdity I could no longer ignore.

If a doctor believes marijuana can help a patient regain appetite or 
control anxiety, having law enforcement inhibit medical treatment 
makes no sense.

While these arguments have yet to convince enough lawmakers in 
Washington, D.C. to change federal policy, several states, including 
California, have relaxed their long-held policies of total 
prohibition of marijuana. This disparity between federal and state 
law has created growing tension. Recognizing this troubling trend, 
I've introduced the "Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2013" (H.R. 
1523). If passed, the legislation would prevent the federal 
government from continuing to prosecute residents acting in 
accordance with their state's marijuana laws. This bill offers 
members of Congress a unique opportunity to show respect for state 
laws, regardless of their personal opinion as to whether marijuana 
should be legalized.

As polls continue to show public support, more states move in the 
right direction on this issue, and more members of Congress become 
educated about the negative consequences of marijuana prohibition, I 
am convinced my legislation has a shot. It's not only the 
conservative thing to do; it's the right thing to do.

[sidebar]

The Mexican Connection

More than 60,000 Mexicans have lost their lives in drug wars over the 
last six years. Mexico's president, Pena Nieto, has stated his 
opposition to legalizing marijuana, calling it a "gateway drug." 
However, he has said legalization in Colorado and Washington "changes 
the rules of the game."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom