Pubdate: Sat, 20 Dec 2014
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Malcolm Lawrence
Page: A14

CONGRESSMEN WHO MOVED TO BLOCK D.C. MARIJUANA INITIATIVE: 
HYPOCRITICAL OR HELPFUL?

I agree with Reps. Andy Harris and Joe Pitts. A ballot initiative on 
marijuana is not the way to change the law. Marijuana remains a 
harmful drug, and its legal status should be determined by scientific 
research and findings. For 40 years, drug lobbies and pro-drug 
enthusiasts have pushed for marijuana decriminalization and 
legalization as a way to open the door to ending the drug war and 
freeing up other harmful substances. Why? Because those drugs make 
the users feel good - despite their harmful effects - and the users 
want to continue to feel good at lower prices.

Legalization of marijuana in the United States would have an adverse 
effect on drug abuse in other countries, which often have much 
stricter marijuana laws. In legalizing marijuana, the U.S. government 
would have to abrogate its international treaty obligations with more 
than 100 countries, suffering a global disgrace. As the United States 
is the largest consumer of illicit drugs, the U.S. government has 
been the biggest promoter of international drug controls. If we 
pulled out of our commitments, the drug laws of other countries would 
quickly fall apart. Drug abuse throughout the world would skyrocket.

Malcolm Lawrence, Chevy Chase
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