Pubdate: Wed, 16 Apr 2014
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2014 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Dan Newberry
Note: Daniel Newberry, R-Tulsa, represents Okla-homa Senate District 37.

CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO MARIJUANA POLICY

As the movement to legalize marijuana advances, I believe our state 
would be best served by a policy approach that does due diligence, 
and learns from the experiences of other states before considering 
legalization. This approach would give us insight into how 
legalization affects those states, and would be prudent in mitigating 
the uncertainty and risks associated with the legalization of a 
powerful drug. This is the conservative approach.

With the understanding that sweeping utopian reforms carry inevitable 
unintended consequences, conservatives always have taken a cautious 
approach to such policy shifts. We appreciate the central value of 
individual liberty, but we also understand that our founders believed 
we must balance liberty with an interest in maintaining civil order.

Additionally, our system of law always has sought to oppress 
dangerous behaviors, and encourage virtue and respect for the rights 
of others. As Patrick Henry wrote, "no free government, or the 
blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm 
adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue."

I do not oppose legalization out of a lack of compassion for those 
struggling with pain or illness, or for lack of information regarding 
marijuana's risk factors. Having studied the issue, it is simply my 
belief that broad and unabridged legalization is not the best option 
for Oklahoma at this time. Our approach to drug policy ought to focus 
first on protecting those most vulnerable from harming themselves and 
their families.

The potential unintended consequences of legalization are numerous. 
Corresponding increases in the availability and use of marijuana 
should be expected. Legalization likely would result in price 
depression, making the drug even more widely available.

And each adult who purchases, or is legally prescribed, marijuana 
would become a potential source of diversion to minors. 
Unfortunately, this is an item of particular concern for Oklahomans, 
as diversion to minors has fueled troubling increases in prescription 
drug abuse among our children. Per capita, Oklahoma is now one of the 
leading states for prescription drug abuse.

As a conservative, I also understand the power of markets and 
entrepreneurs. A legal marijuana industry will leverage powerful 
marketing tools to boost sales and, like the producers of many other 
legal drugs, they will be adept at making their product attractive to 
young people. This will set up a conflict between the public's desire 
to limit abuse and protect commercial interests.

Supporters of legalization do themselves no favors by suggesting the 
debate on marijuana has been settled by science. In fact, a large 
body of medical research shows marijuana consumption is harmful, 
particularly for brain development in young people. A Northwestern 
University study last year found that regular marijuana use among 
teens caused significant damage to the memory-oriented structures in 
their brains. Even more troubling, the harm was greater the younger 
the patients were.

Given our limited understanding of how much marijuana might be 
harmful for a person or, for instance, our inability to assess the 
amount at which a person is too impaired to drive, there are 
questions that remain unanswered. It is worth noting that a 2009 Yale 
University study concluded that driving high slows reaction times in 
a way similar to that of alcohol, and doubles the risk of an accident.

Failing to open our eyes to the fact that this is a powerful drug 
does the public a disservice. And by legalizing marijuana, government 
might appear to be sanctioning its use.

Drug abuse is a pressing problem in our state, and it is not likely 
to be alleviated by making another powerful substance more widely available.
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