I remember watching a made-for-television movie in 1973 that changed my life. Not that I had much of it to change at the age of 11. Still, it grabbed me by the throat in the way that only a poorly filmed, terminally earnest public-service announcement ever could. "Go Ask Alice" was based on the book that every parent wanted every adolescent to read, and is still a necessary part of growing up. Some people think it's too simplistic, something along the lines of a Nancy Reagan "just say no to the bad drugs" riff. [continues 536 words]
I'M A DEVOUT capitalist. My belief in the free market is second only to my faith in the Holy Trinity. But I draw the line at drugs. Over recent days, some savvy people have exploited both the weakened economy and the deadly violence on our Mexican border to yet again push for the legalization of narcotics. The argument goes like this: It's the illegal nature of the drug trade that causes the carnage. Thus, if we treat controlled substances just like any other commodity and regulate them in accordance with existing laws of commerce, we'll eliminate the extreme profit motive. And, presumably, the mayhem. [continues 679 words]
DURING THE final days of my father's battle with lung cancer, he struggled to remain conscious. Peace only came courtesy of the morphine that my mother administered under strict orders from his doctor. Back then, in 1982, pain management consisted primarily of heavy doses of narcotics that would dull the pain but also the senses, forcing patients to trade coherence for comfort. So, given my experience, it is difficult to say this: The Supreme Court was right to hold that the medical marijuana initiatives in 11 mostly western states are unconstitutional. [continues 657 words]
