On the "crime" of pot-smoking: Why would you advocate repealing a law which is working?
Dwight, I agree with you that "people on mind-altering substances should not drive." That is why there are laws penalizing drunk driving, that is, driving under the influence of the mind-altering substance alcohol.
But there are no laws penalizing the use of alcohol in general. We tried that once (Prohibition), and it did not work.
There is also no evidence that laws penalizing the use of marijuana work. As a matter of fact, the use of marijuana reportedly is more widespread now than when the first laws against marijuana were adopted in the 1930's.
I quote from an April 1997 Atlantic Monthly article on the subject (Eric Schlosser: "More Reefer Madness");
Teenage marijuana use has...grown considerably since 1992; by one measure, it has doubled. But that increase cannot be attributed to any slackening in the enforcement of the nation's drug laws. In fact, the number of Americans arrested each year for marijuana offences has increased 43 percent since [President] Clinton took office....Today there are far more people in federal prison for marijuana crimes than for violent crimes.
Furthermore, sentences for marijuana crimes are typically more severe than for violent crimes, and those who receive them less likely to be granted parole.
Incidentally, there is no single law against pot smoking and/or selling pot; in addition to federal laws, there are also state laws, which vary widely from state to state. And I think even you would agree that some of the penalties are draconian -- so draconian, in fact, that I wonder whether the laws are even enforced. For example, in Montana, a life sentence can be imposed for growing a single marijuana plant (Schlosser).
Do take a minute to read the Schlosser article, which contains solid information and what I think is a sober, well-reasoned argument for decriminalizing (not the same thing as legalizing) marijuana use:
theatlantic.com
Take a look at it, and let me know what you think.
jbe (non pot-smoker, non drug-user)
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