A complete and utter travesty of justice is underway which should cause everyone to contact government leaders.
New Mexico is one of the latest states to approve the medicinal use of marijuana, but despite that (perhaps because of it), federal agencies recently announced pursuing legal charges against a paraplegic man for possessing medicinal marijuana.
The case is purely political, as the Feds want to make an example of the 44-year-old, spreading fear amongst those suffering similar debilitating medical conditions. Gov. Bill Richardson has vowed to fight to protect his citizens, but faces an uphill battle without action from Congress to bring sensibility in our "war on drugs."
Whether you hold any personal opinions regarding medicinal marijuana, most would agree the government shouldn't prosecute those who possess a legal medicine, prescribed by their doctor.
The classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug depends on three criteria, only really qualifying under the first (as could diet pills, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sleeping pills, steroids, etc.). It does possess the potential for abuse, but no worse than those legal substances. The other two criteria have been proven wrong by countless medical studies and states.
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If we intend on winning our "war on drugs," we need to consider the effects of lumping it in with harmful, addictive poisons like cocaine, crystal meth, heroine and opium. Children are learning to ignore warnings regarding these poisons once they discover marijuana isn't as bad as the government says. The continual rise in drug use nationwide indicates we're failing to protect our communities, and a new strategy is necessary.
As Prohibition exemplified with alcohol, only criminals profit from marijuana being illegal. By decriminalizing, controlling and taxing it, our law enforcement community would gain allies and resources to curb the availability of truly damaging drugs.
Similar to our mistake in entering our second war in Iraq, our "war on drugs" will be a failed policy without establishing a reasoned approach. Contact your leaders in government and plead to bring a winning strategy to our "war on drugs." Let's not waste resources attempting to step between doctors and their patients.
Eric Sjolin
Akeley
