Newshawk: Rob Ryan Source: The Salisbury News and Advertiser (MD) Pubdate: 29 Sep, 1999 Author: Rob Ryan Note: Mr. Ryan is a Salisbury resident and member of the Wicomico Republican Central Committee. THE DRUG WAR IS A FRAUD The week ending September 25th was an interesting and eventful week in the War on Drugs; particularly concerning marijuana. It started off with a skirmish between a presidential candidate and members of the press, had a couple of full fledged assaults on democracy and ended with a call for common sense in the mindless war on drugs. Presidential candidate Bill Bradley was being interviewed on Sam Donaldson's and Cokie Roberts' Sunday morning talk show. George Will was also present. During the interview with the former Senator, Donaldson decided to stick the Bush question to Bradley. Had you done drugs? To Bradley's credit, he did not flinch, and said something like "Sure, I smoked marijuana a couple of times in college". What Donaldson did not expect was the table to be turned on him. Bradley asked Donaldson the same question! Mr. Donaldson stiffened, gulped and managed to stammer that he had also smoked pot. Anyone who can make Donaldson uncomfortable deserves to be seriously considered as a top notch presidential candidate. The vignette did not stop there, it was Cokie Roberts' turn. This well respected and accomplished reporter lowered her head avoiding eye contact with the camera and mumbled something in the affirmative. George Will, on the other hand, with his back straight as an arrow denied ever being under the influence of illegal drugs. Frankly, I am not surprised by Will's answer. I cannot picture Mr. Will in a swirl of purple haze marijuana smoke. Monday, the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections was ordered by Federal Judge Roberts to release the vote results that had been suppressed for nearly 10 months by Congressional action and Presidential concurrence. For those who are not aware, in November, 1998, District voters were presented with a ballot initiative on the medical use of marijuana for serious illnesses with a doctor's recommendation. Congressman Bob Barr (R-Georgia) slipped in a quick bill to suppress the vote. My own congressman professed ignorance over this outrageous suppression of democracy. Congress, in an act of sheer cowardice, did not even have a recorded vote. The citizens of Washington D.C. have just learned that they had voted overwhelmingly in support of the ballot initiative with more than a two to one margin. Congress has vowed to overturn the medical marijuana vote. Wednesday, the citizens of Colorado found out that they, too, were the subject of government action that challenged the principles of democracy. In the summer of 1998, Secretary of State Vikki Buckley was presented with a petition of over 80,000 signatures asking for a referendum on medical marijuana. The Secretary of State rejected the petition saying that there were not enough valid signatures. The petitioners disagreed and challenged the Secretary of State in court. After several flip flops in several courts the referendum ended up being printed on the ballots but were not counted. This summer Vikki Buckley died of a heart condition, and the succeeding Secretary of State, Donetta Davidson, found that the petitioners did indeed have more than enough valid signatures. As a result, Secretary Davidson ruled that the question would be on the November 2000 ballot. Sixty six pages of petitions were found in the late Vikki Buckley's desk after her death. On the other side of the country, Maine has scheduled a medical marijuana referendum question for this November's election. Approval of this referendum would allow Mainers to possess a usable amount of marijuana for medical use if a physician believes that it would help the patient suffering from persistent nausea and vomiting due to cancer treatment, seizures and a few other specified ailments. The good news is that the Mainers for Medical Rights received no opposition to the referendum petition. A Maine poll released this week found overwhelming support for the use of marijuana for medical purposes. In fact, it was nearly the same percentage as the suppressed Washington, D.C. vote with 69 percent supporting the referendum. The week wrapped up Friday with some wise words from Hugh Downs on his final night on "20/20". He has long kept his opinion of our failed drug policy under wraps. Mr. Downs quite clearly stated his support for decriminlization of marijuana. He went on to say that the federal government should respect the states' referendums on medical marijuana. At this time, 20 percent of the United States population resides in a state that has passed a medical marijuana referendum, but Congress still believes it is their duty to override democracy in their zeal of a drug free nation. It is interesting to note that Hitler demonized cigarettes and drugs in his rise to power. I pray we have not made the same mistake with our current crop of political leaders. I think the drug war is a failure. It is time to end this self- destructive war on our own people, starting with the repeal of marijuana prohibition. I firmly believe that people need to be responsible for their actions and the resulting consequences of their actions. We need to start a honest open dialogue on how best to implement drug law reform. I do not support or condone drug abuse, but what we are doing today is wrong and counterproductive. Do you want to see a congressman or senator squirm? Ask them if they support the suppression of democracy in their Jihad, the Holy War on Drugs.