The First Amendment took another hit last week. This time it wasn't the so-called Patriot Act or an attempt to foist religion on atheists. No, with those and similar attacks on our personal liberties, we could always count on a well-chosen lawsuit to declare the unconstitutionality of any given bill. Not any more. The Supreme Court of these United States, the highest court in the land, has essentially decided that free speech is not for everyone. Let me explain. [continues 716 words]
We Americans like to think of ourselves as living in a representative democracy, where we elect leaders who vote to determine the course of our laws and society. When a vote succeeds, we believe, then that bill is passed. This is not always the case. In fact, in the hallowed halls of the state capitol, democracy is sometimes hard to find. Take the medical marijuana bill that Rep. James Abrams (D-83) reintroduced this year, after it failed in the House by 12 votes in 2003. The bill would allow patients suffering from such diseases as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to cultivate marijuana legally for medicinal purposes. [continues 403 words]
The war on drugs has battled its way to the state Legislature where lawmakers debate whether to legalize marijuana for medical use. The House of Representatives voted on a medical marijuana bill that would allow residents to grow marijuana in their homes for personal use, provided they receive a doctor's prescription for the drug. The bill, which already has won approval from the Judiciary, Appropriations and Public Health committees 3/4 also passed the House and was sent to the Finance Committee for further review. [continues 767 words]
