A differing view, November 29
Jack Woehr
Published November 29, 2007 at 12:05 a.m.
Marijuana laws unjust, harmful and absurd
The Rocky Mountain News editorial, "Regulating caregivers/State should closely monitor those who assist medical pot patients" (Nov. 26) is neatly logical within its narrow conception. But what really is the matter under discussion?
What's under discussion, my friends, is a body of laws regulating the personal use of a long-established North American plant, laws which:
* were passed in a mood of anti-black hysteria in the 1930s;
* are unjust and do the most harm to the weakest;
* are, were, and will remain unconstitutional;
* benefit only big government and organized crime.
The Rocky's own editorial page has from time to time in the past acknowledged the unmitigated insanity of the current marijuana laws. Why then waste ink on textual legal analysis on one solitary aspect of this battle for basic human rights?
Calling for the dismissal of all public officials whose hands have been dirtied by their contact with the marijuana laws would be more consistent with prior positions.
* What do you think? Go to RockyMountain News.com/opinion to join the conversation about this issue.
Jack Woehr is a resident of Golden.
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A Rocky Mountain News and MediaStorm production
November 29, 2007
3:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spencer writes:
Is this a case of the RMN writing a rebuttal to their own editorial?
November 29, 2007
11:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
jackwoehr writes:
Nah, just a web error. It was correctly attributed in the print edition.
November 30, 2007
12:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Jack_Ryan writes:
* are, were, and will remain unconstitutional?
Exactly how is it unconstitutional? What's your proof. People can't just through the "unconstitutional card" out there without offering proof.
The Supreme Court has already ruled that it is not unconstitutional to regulate medicinal marijuana in Gonzales v. Raich, 2005. A 6-3 decision written by Justice Stevens. A ruling that was based on the Tenth Amendment Commerce Clause.
November 30, 2007
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spencer writes:
does smoking pot cause cancer? (I really don't know)