cannabisnews.com: Column: Drug War Runs Contrary To Common Sense





Column: Drug War Runs Contrary To Common Sense
Posted by FoM on November 19, 1999 at 07:33:25 PT
By Bruce Bush & Sean Rubeo, Daily Lobo
Source: U-WIRE
Major revelations of the truth about the "War on Drugs" have surfaced in Albuquerque recently. Governor Johnson made his strongest arguments yet for repeal of drug prohibition at two great N.M. Drug Policy Foundation Forums, attended by hundreds of concerned citizens. 
His contention that legalization would reduce drug abuse and crime was not only supported by his fellow forum panelists. Our local ABC and CBS affiliates also aired favorable reports from news teams that they each sent to Amsterdam.This amazing television coverage (amazing because TV news has been a consistent cheerleader for repressive drug policy) added to the accumulating evidence that during his recent visit to undermine our governor, most of the things that Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey told us were barefaced lies. In fact, the Netherlands is enjoying increased public safety by tolerating marijuana use and successfully separating its distribution from that of hard drugs. "Barry McCaffrey has presided over a system where marijuana use has declined among American youth, masking an even greater rise in the adolescent use of crack and heroin," says Paul Lewin of Common Sense for Drug Policy. If they only knew, Mr. Lewin doubts "most parents would be comfortable with a system that replaces marijuana with crack and heroin use." Although the truth is beginning to emerge, don't get the idea that the government's war on the freedom to control your own body is over! Don't expect any changes to New Mexico drug laws during the upcoming legislative session. Even with Governor Johnson chipping away at the myth of consensus, and with conservative Maine overwhelmingly passing their medical marijuana initiative, drug warriors are stepping up their war on the people and on nature. Depending upon where the Feds allocate "their" resources, expect things to get worse before they get better. Many New Mexicans were arrested recently through the joint efforts of tax-funded federal and state drug units. Probably many long sentences will be handed down, certainly at great expense. What was accomplished? Can anyone doubt that the overdosed addicts of Rio Arriba would be alive today, but for prohibition? Last year, Congress approved funding for development of genetically engineered herbicides to target "drug crops.?" As a result, on November 9th, the Environmental News Network reported that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Agriculture approved quarantined tests of modified Fusarium oxysporum. Jim McDonough, the state's drug czar, announced plans to release this long-lived, easily mutated "marijuana-eating fungus." Such irresponsible, short-sighted arrogance makes environmentalists shudder! In California, no cruelty is too extreme for federal prosecutors and collaborating judges trying to destroy the medical marijuana movement. The Clinton "Justice" Department filed an appeal of the 9th Circuit ruling that medical necessity may be presented as a defense against marijuana possession or cultivation charges. Thus encouraged, on Nov. 5, Federal Judge George King barred co-defendants Peter McWilliams and Todd McCormick from mentioning Proposition 215, medical uses of marijuana, or their medical conditions to their juries. This effectively prevents them from raising a medical necessity defense in their trial for "conspiring to illegally manufacture" marijuana. "The Constitution is under attack from many fronts. The courts have followed a precedent favorable to the government in their prosecution, but have found every way possible to avoid decisions from the same courts that recognize individuals' rights," says David Michael, who represents medical marijuana patient Todd McCormick. McCormick underwent radical cancer treatments and used medical marijuana until his 1997 arrest to alleviate the chronic pain he suffers as a result of his disease. "This is clear proof that medical facts and the war on drugs are mutually exclusive," says Thomas Ballanco, attorney for critically ill author Peter McWilliams. Since the federal government barred him from using medical marijuana, McWilliams has been unable to keep down his other medicines or food and his viral load has risen to a life-threatening level. The Los Angeles Times reports his doctors believe he has only a short time to live and that a prison term would spell certain death. Says Peter McWilliams, "How can this happen in America? I can't tell a jury why I used medical marijuana? I am stunned; speechless. The government monopoly on justice has just handed me a 'Go-to-Jail-for-Life' card. I now face ten mandatory years in federal prison. I will die there. My life is over because I tried to save my life doing something my doctor recommended in a state where it is legal. If it happened to me, it can happen to anyone." Published: November 18, 1999(C) 1999 Daily Lobo via U-WIRE  Copyright © 1995-1999 Excite Inc. Related Articles & Web Sites:The New Mexico Drug Policy Foundationhttp://www.newmexicodrugpolicy.org/Common Sense for Drug Policyhttp://www.csdp.org/The Lindesmith Center http://www.lindesmith.org/White's Exit Baffles Governor - 11/18/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3712.shtmlThe Cannabis Killers - 11/09/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3616.shtmlForum Panelist Praise Governor's Drug Stance - 11/03/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3548.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by sean on November 19, 1999 at 12:53:14 PT:
Libertarian Views
Libertarians are against the war on drugs, and for legalizing marijuana, vote Libertarian!
http://www.lp.org
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 19, 1999 at 09:53:44 PT
Probably Would With Johnson
I would too! Since the Reform Party didn't vote on marijuana reform I will definitely want to watch and see what The Libertarians views are on this.http://www.lp.org/
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #1 posted by sean on November 19, 1999 at 09:36:35 PT:
Libertarian Presidential Candidate
If Gov. Johnson ran for president on the libertarian ticket would you vote for him? I would!
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