The government’s prohibition of marijuana is unconstitutional and must be repealed. Like speech or suffrage, how citizens choose to treat their bodies is a civil liberty. The body is an individual’s most intimate and important property. It is unconstitutional to control how citizens choose to treat themselves. Yes, the government has implemented similar “health and safety” policies such as seatbelt and helmet laws. If the aim of the prohibition was to protect the public, however, it seems that the government would be consistent in their lawmaking.
How is it that marijuana is not legal and yet citizens are allowed to consume alcohol and tobacco, both of which are more hazardous? (It is impossible to overdose on marijuana and no one has ever died from consuming the drug). If the true aim of the government is protect the public from themselves, then should we not prohibit tattoos or piercings (which can potentially go awry)? Should plastic surgery be outlawed because there is the potential for mishaps? Maybe we should do away with personal hygiene altogether…after all, there is a chance that you might stab yourself with scissors while cutting your hair or get shampoo in your eyes.
This is taking the circumstances to the extreme, but my point is clear. Marijuana was prohibited in a very different time. Various theories surround the reasons for the law—racial tensions, counterculture movements…the list is quite extensive. Regardless of the reason for the prohibition it is time to recognize that the body is a right of the people—if individuals choose to use substances that is their business.
The longer the government chooses to deny citizens the freedom to control choices regarding their bodies, and by default marijuana, the less credible the notion of freedom becomes. This hypocrisy in the law undermines the legitimacy of the government.
You are completely right in every single way possible. I feel exactly the same man. Its ridiculous the 3 out of like 5 of the leading causes of death are alcohol, tobacco, and obesity. Two legal drugs, and harmful lifestyle, way more harmful, statistically, then doing any drug, hard or not. Plus their are psychedelics that haven't even killed anyone, like LSD and mushrooms. Not to mention that opiates are still very legal (except for heroin) and have quite a high abuse potential. We use drugs everywhere and what people don't seem to understand is that these illegal drugs are the same as the ADD medicine that someone prescribes for some kid... the same "speed" that normal people take to get a high.
I wrote a few blogs on this sorta thing
http://www.progressiveu.org/174230-my-18-hour-vacation-saga
http://www.progressiveu.org/161220-salvia-divinorum-vs-cannabis
http://www.progressiveu.org/214210-drug-crusades-conservative-thinking-g...
Wow. You've done some extensive writing on the subject--nice work! It's sickening that the prohibition has lasted so long--if the government was truly interested in helping the people perhaps they would focuses their concerns elsewhere. As you stated: alcohol, tobacco, and obesity are major causes of death in the country. Obesity especially is becoming a concern (not helped by our infamous fast food industry).
It's interesting that marijuana--a drug that actually has medicinal benefits--is considered more harmful than drugs like alcohol or even caffeine. Scientists can't truly study the drug even with permits, however, because it is illegal for them to import it! How ridiculous! Sadly, marijuana is greatly misunderstood and most people are deceived by the government's preachings.
if it wasn't for the propaganda the government puts out against it, then everything would be fine. All this crap really sickens me, but what is worse, people are blind to it. Besides the fact that its totally my right to put what i want in my body, prohibition, as we have learned, does not work. Treat drug abuse like a disease, or sickness... not a crime
The government just thinks that if they control MJ that they somehow control the counterculture movement. (Take Vietnam for instance--most of the people who opposed the war were getting high). Wasn't MJ also opposed because it was the substance choice of minorities? If it was a "white" drug back in the day then we would never have had any problems. Holding on to the prohibition is just living in the past--if we want to truly put those problems (slavery, Vietnam) behind us then we have to CHOOSE to move on completely.
Of course celebrities ducking into rehab every other week help to "reaffirm" that the government is "right."
What are your opinions on the "causality" argument?
For one, marijuana isn't a "Black" or "minority" drug. Anyone who knows about the history of the world will know that people have been using this herb for healing purposes for thousands of years. Marijuana was the drug of choice for a lot of people, white, black, native American, Mexican, etc. etc.
I do agree with you though, that we have to move past these old laws. What our biggest problem is, i think, is that we are creatures of habit, and we hate to drastically change things. People are scared of change, and therefore make up bogus excuses to not change. Is Marijuana a gateway drug? Only because it is illegal, and something illegal is obviously going to lead to more illegal things. Alcohol and tobacco are gateway drugs too, especially for younger kids who drink underage.
While I do agree it should be legalized, plastic surgery, piercings, and tattoos are not the best example because those are only effecting individuals. So those weren't the best comparison, but alcohol and cigarettes are a perfect example because those effect people in every environment. It really isn't a drug that people need to fear considering it is not physically addictive.
Other things to think about though are instead of drunk driving there would also be (I guess) high driving. It would also open up the doors to cocaine, heroine, meth, etc.
The government will never know until they try though. So I say give it a go.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
Marijuana is not really harmful to anyone other than the user--that's what I meant by using the plastic surgery etc. examples. Just like motorcycle helmet laws "supposedly" are for the protection of the general public as well as the individual. It just doesn't make sense--how is a motorcyclist wearing a helmet going to keep another driver safe? Keeping marijuana illegal will not ensure the safety/well-being of the environment (because marijuana does not create aggression like alcohol).
As for causality, it is true that most hard drug users began by using marijuana. However, it has been proven (I can look up the evidence if you wish) that most marijuana users DO NOT go on to use harder substances.
No, I understand what you meant. I believe it is harmful to others though. It can alter you ability to think logically.
And I didn't mean it led to other usage, I meant people (anybody) would try to then legalize other drugs, even if they aren't users. Some people are all or nothing.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
Ah, all or nothing...sorry for the misunderstanding. This is an issue. It's complicated and I see both views. I think that substances that have a clear impact on the individual as WELL as society could be deemed illegal. However, seeing as more potent substances (alcohol) are currently legal I think the more immediate concern is the constitutionality of the law. The government should not be allowed to favor certain drugs over others.
And although marijuana can alter one's ability to think logically--if alcohol (clearly much more hazardous to the mind) can be legal (with restrictions on driving etc.) then surely marijuana can be as well.
Lots of parenthetical statements...sorry!
No problem! Yes, I agree with that completely.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
As for All or nothing, though i can see the harm it may do to the Country, I still believe very strongly that what chemical you put into your body is completely up to the person, and the government should not be able to control what you put in your body, just because they deem certain chemicals, and the use of them harmful. Eating fast food, and smoking and drinking the currently legal drugs are statistically way more harmful than illicit drugs could ever be. Granted, this is partly due to the fact that these legal drugs are very easy to get, while illegal drugs are harder to get, but the point remains the same.
I mean, if someone can drink responsibly, then they can smoke responsibly. However, if they can drink and smoke, why can't they snort cocaine responsibly? Or inject heroin. These may be more harmful than either smoking or drinking (and not as much more as people would think) but people have the freedom to put what they want in their body (or should rather) and if they aren't doing stupid things, then they are responsibly doing drugs. There may be a few cases of people doing stupid things on these drugs, but for every one of those persons, there are 10 who enjoy the drug without horrible consequences.