[Winona Online Democracy] I agree that this issue is a national one. Over the years I have heard that one reason to oppose decriminalization was that marijuana was a gateway drug. Thus, went the argument, if we permit marijuana it will lead to much more dangerous drugs. The answer to that argument is that there is no imperical proof that a majority of pot smokers go on to more dangerous drugs. In fact, the vast majority of pot smokers do not use any more serious drugs. The second argument is that alcohol and cigarettes are also gateway drugs that lead to more serious drug use. Thirdly, the logic is flawed. It posits that we should not do what we know is right today, for fear that we will be unable to resist what is wrong tomorrow.
One of the problems with dealing sensibly with marijuana is that there has never been a good scientific study of a controlled group of marijuana users. With the law in place, it would be against the law to conduct such research. Thus, we really don't know the effects of using marijuana, long term or short term. The law enforcement community lives off the drug war. They get to confiscate property of drug law violators when arrested (they don't have to wait for convictions). The property including money, jewels, cars etc. can be sold and the proceeds kept by the law enforcement unit that does the arresting. This is a strong incentive for law enforcement wrongdoing. I do not wish to imply that all law enforcement bodies make arrests simply to get possession of valuable goods, but the incentive is there and shouldn't be. All confiscated property should be placed in county or state budgets to be dealt with as any other asset. A high percentage of detective work, survellaince, investigations, and other expensive police work involves the war on drugs. There swat teams used to break into homes suspected of housing drugs and dealers. This is pretty heady wine for law enforcement to deal with. It reminds me of the glorious work of law enforcement during the prohibition era. When prohibition ended, the bootleggers went out of business or moved on to other pursuits. It is a lesson we have found it hard to believe. Not only did bootleggers have to shift to other pursuits, but so did much of law enforcement and corrections. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil Carlson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "National Forum - Winona" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 08:04 Subject: [National] RE: [Winona] Krage/drug problems > > [Winona - National Forum] > > John Dollimore raises a very important issue: the criminalization of drugs - > one which we will not solve with a few dozen posts on WOD - but nevertheless > one that deserves attention. It is important because it ripples through so > many parts of our society and because it is "taboo" in many circles to even > discuss it rationally. Trying to speak sanely and logically about > decriminalizing drugs is often seen as akin to murdering your grandmother or > prostituting your children. Yet there are some compelling arguments for > considering some of the proposals John cites. It is mostly in the hands of > the State and the Federal governments, who have the laws governing such > things - not local cities like Winona. If we are to pursue the topic I > suggest we take it to the National Forum, unless there are specific things > folks in Winona can do to affect changes. > > To cite but one example, it is fairly well understood that both alcohol and > tobacco contribute far more to health problems and mortality than marijuana, > yet the first two are legal and marijuana is not. When I was in high school > (Winona Senior High, class of 1971) we conducted an informal poll of our > classmates and found at least 1 in 3 had smoked marijuana. During the same > time frame there was at least one spectacular car crash, with alcohol a > factor, causing the deaths of three high school students. It would be easy > to follow my classmates (now all approaching 50) and find the health effects > of smoking. I would challenge anyone to find a serious health or social > problem connected to marijuana use compared to the alcohol and tobacco. > > - Phil Carlson, Mpls > > P.S. I was one of the students who smoked marijuana, and haven't for over 30 > years for the same reasons I drink moderately and don't smoke - it isn't > good for me. But these were decisions reached by experience and reason, > rather than fear, superstition, and threats. > > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
