JUST VOTE YES

In a few weeks, Eureka Springs voters will have an opportunity to
make an important statement. While some believe voting to make
enforcement of marijuana laws in the city a low priority is pointless
because state and federal laws trump city ordinances, the point is to
make a long overdue point. The point of voting for this measure is to
announce to the world that the people are wise to the hoax of this
war on marijuana, and that they are no longer going to sit by quietly
and allow the government to squander resources and ruin lives for no
actual purpose.

The war in Iraq is not the only war-based-on-lies our government is
fighting: For more than 60 years, this silly war on a harmless and
helpful herb has been waged. In that time, millions of good and
honorable Americans have been made into criminals and billions of
dollars have been wasted. The winners in this war are the black
marketeers, who reap huge profits from prohibition; the politicians,
who use this war to highlight their (self-)righteousness; the
medical-pharmaceutical industries, which make billions selling
expensive, patented chemical drugs, frequently with nasty
side-effects, when often a simple plant would be more effective and
less harmful; and the "criminal-justice" industry, including the
lawyers, court systems, police departments and jail builders who are
enriched through the persecution of marijuana smokers.

It's the profit made by these winners that keep marijuana illegal,
just as it was profit motives and greed that led to the demonization
of the herb in the first place. In his carefully footnoted expose,
The Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Herer documents the conspiracies
that led to marijuana prohibition and the ongoing drug war. Anyone
wishing to cast an informed vote on the subject is advised to read
this well-documented and entertaining account of the prohibition scam.

Despite what was taught in government propaganda films such as Reefer
Madness, there is no evidence marijuana turns users into raving
maniacs; that it is addictive, a "gateway drug"; or that it causes
harm. Millions of upstanding citizens have used marijuana for
medicine, for relaxation and for creative inspiration over many years
without adverse effects on themselves or society. Contrast that to
the harm caused by alcohol, tobacco, prescription (and even
over-the-counter) drugs, and the ludicrousness of prohibition becomes
quickly apparent.

Because of the bang-up job done by the government's propaganda
machine, few politicians and few in the media are willing to chance
questioning the rationality of marijuana prohibition, even though
many of these politicians and media personalities have used, or
continue to use, marijuana. Jimmy Carter knew the truth and was
poised to push for decriminalization before "Just Say No" Reagan
knocked him out of office. Nixon appointed a blue-ribbon presidential
commission to study marijuana, but when the commission saw no reason
to continue prohibition, Nixon buried its report. The government
argues that even medical marijuana can't be considered until studies
are done, but then it does everything in its power to thwart and
suppress research.

Other countries, most notably The Netherlands, have decriminalized
marijuana without ill effect. Drug use there has not increased, crime
has decreased, and it's been a boon for tourism. The studies and
experiments have already been done, and the results, hands-down,
support decriminalization. Why not tax marijuana and use the money to
benefit the people rather than organized crime and a corrupt bureaucracy?

A small, southern town in Arkansas voting to de-prioritize marijuana
law enforcement will make a huge statement and will, no doubt,
attract national media attention. Eureka Springs being among the
leaders in this movement can only be good for the city and for
tourism: It will re-enforce the notion that we are a city of
tolerance and give us priceless exposure. It will also tell the
government that the emperor's nakedness is beginning to be noticed
even in the "red states."

As more cities and states stand up and just say no to bogus marijuana
laws, the politicians will eventually follow. Or, maybe it will take
the courts. In any honest examination, marijuana prohibition would
clearly be found unconstitutional. We are purportedly secure in our
homes from unreasonable searches and seizures, and rights not spelled
out in the Constitution as belonging to the government are supposedly
reserved for the people. With no compelling reasons to prevent the
people from growing or consuming marijuana, the government should
butt out and let the people pursue happiness as they choose.

Sometimes the people need to lead. The vote on Nov. 7 is an
opportunity for the people of Eureka Springs to be true leaders.
While marijuana may not be the most pressing issue of the day,
repealing prohibition is nonetheless a worthy and obtainable goal.