DNC NOT GREEN ENOUGH FOR DENVER

Organizers of this year's Democratic National Convention have talked
a lot about making it the "greenest" political convention ever.

Yet one particularly popular green substance has been conspicuously
absent from their plans and the public discussion: marijuana.

After all, the convention is being hosted in Denver, a city known not
only for its commitment to sustainability, but also for being the
first municipality in the nation to make possession and private use
of marijuana legal for adults. A solid majority of voters approved a
ballot initiative doing so in 2005.

Denver is not the only Democratic stronghold where people have called
for change. And a 2006 Zogby poll found that a majority of citizens
living on the coasts think the drug should be regulated like alcohol.

Some Democratic leaders, therefore, have taken it upon themselves to
proactively stand up for their constituents and the rest of the
country. Most elected officials, however, tend to cower in fear when
it comes to taking any action that might involve the slightest amount
of political risk. Perhaps this is the reason Rep. Diana DeGette of
Denver has ignored her district's calls for change and has remained
deftly silent on the issue.

Yet while Democratic officials are still out to lunch on marijuana,
they do not seem to have any problem with having a few drinks while
they're at it. In fact, they appear to be quite comfortable allowing,
using and even promoting alcohol, despite the growing mountain of
evidence that shows it is more harmful than marijuana.

Taking this inconsistency to the extreme, we are confronted by the
almost comical hypocrisy of a political convention that is literally
running on beer. The DNC has gladly accepted corporate sponsorships
from Molson Coors and Anheuser-Busch.

Moreover, when it comes to alcohol consumption, convention-goers will
not be the only ones guzzling beer; so will many of their cars, as
organizers recently announced that a number of vehicles will be using
beer sludge as fuel.

Of course, the political hypocrisy on alcohol and marijuana extends
far beyond the party's national conventions. Alcohol interest groups
like the National Beer Wholesalers Association have emerged as some
of the top contributors to congressional members these days. In fact,
the NBWA has already doled out more than $1 million to federal
Democratic candidates this year, including at least $2,500 to every
Democratic member of Colorado's congressional delegation. Nationwide,
the beer, wine and liquor industry has contributed a whopping $3
million to Democrats in Congress during the 2008 cycle.

It is certainly not surprising that the alcohol industry is coughing
up so much dough to our nation's decision-makers. For one thing, they
want to protect their turf. But it was also not very long ago that
their products were just as illegal as marijuana is today.

As Democrats arrive in Denver later this month, they might want to
reflect on the history of drug prohibition in this country and the
rise to power of one of their party's greatest leaders.

Upon his nomination for president at the 1932 DNC in Chicago, a city
marred by and largely opposed to Prohibition, Franklin D. Roosevelt
used his acceptance speech to boldly and unambiguously call for the
legalization and regulation of alcohol.

Word of the Democratic candidate's position spread quickly around the
country and resonated amongst the millions who enjoyed using alcohol
or simply did not think it warranted criminal penalties. It was these
voters, known as the "wets," who many historians credit with carrying
Roosevelt to victory that November.

Once again, 76 years later, a bold presidential candidate will take
the DNC stage to accept the Democratic Party's nomination. Perhaps he
should take a cue from history and the theme of this year's
convention and make an appeal to the "greens."