THE DRUG WAR IS A FRAUD

The week ending September 25th was an interesting and eventful week in the
War on Drugs; particularly concerning marijuana. It started off with a
skirmish between a presidential candidate and members of the press, had a
couple of full fledged assaults on democracy and ended with a call for
common sense in the mindless war on drugs.

Presidential candidate Bill Bradley was being interviewed on Sam
Donaldson's and Cokie Roberts' Sunday morning talk show. George Will was
also present. During the interview with the former Senator, Donaldson
decided to stick the Bush question to Bradley. Had you done drugs? To
Bradley's credit, he did not flinch, and said something like "Sure, I
smoked marijuana a couple of times in college".

What Donaldson did not expect was the table to be turned on him. Bradley
asked Donaldson the same question! Mr. Donaldson stiffened, gulped and
managed to stammer that he had also smoked pot. Anyone who can make
Donaldson uncomfortable deserves to be seriously considered as a top notch
presidential candidate. The vignette did not stop there, it was Cokie
Roberts' turn. This well respected and accomplished reporter lowered her
head avoiding eye contact with the camera and mumbled something in the
affirmative. George Will, on the other hand, with his back straight as an
arrow denied ever being under the influence of illegal drugs. Frankly, I
am not surprised by Will's answer. I cannot picture Mr. Will in a swirl of
purple haze marijuana smoke.

Monday, the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections was ordered by Federal
Judge Roberts to release the vote results that had been suppressed for
nearly 10 months by Congressional action and Presidential concurrence. For
those who are not aware, in November, 1998, District voters were presented
with a ballot initiative on the medical use of marijuana for serious
illnesses with a doctor's recommendation. Congressman Bob Barr (R-Georgia)
slipped in a quick bill to suppress the vote.

My own congressman professed ignorance over this outrageous suppression of
democracy. Congress, in an act of sheer cowardice, did not even have a
recorded vote. The citizens of Washington D.C. have just learned that they
had voted overwhelmingly in support of the ballot initiative with more than
a two to one margin. Congress has vowed to overturn the medical marijuana
vote.

Wednesday, the citizens of Colorado found out that they, too, were the
subject of government action that challenged the principles of democracy.
In the summer of 1998, Secretary of State Vikki Buckley was presented with
a petition of over 80,000 signatures asking for a referendum on medical
marijuana. The Secretary of State rejected the petition saying that there
were not enough valid signatures. The petitioners disagreed and challenged
the Secretary of State in court. After several flip flops in several courts
the referendum ended up being printed on the ballots but were not counted.

This summer Vikki Buckley died of a heart condition, and the succeeding
Secretary of State, Donetta Davidson, found that the petitioners did indeed
have more than enough valid signatures. As a result, Secretary Davidson
ruled that the question would be on the November 2000 ballot. Sixty six
pages of petitions were found in the late Vikki Buckley's desk after her death.

On the other side of the country, Maine has scheduled a medical marijuana
referendum question for this November's election. Approval of this
referendum would allow Mainers to possess a usable amount of marijuana for
medical use if a physician believes that it would help the patient
suffering from persistent nausea and vomiting due to cancer treatment,
seizures and a few other specified ailments.

The good news is that the Mainers for Medical Rights received no opposition
to the referendum petition. A Maine poll released this week found
overwhelming support for the use of marijuana for medical purposes. In
fact, it was nearly the same percentage as the suppressed Washington, D.C.
vote with 69 percent supporting the referendum.

The week wrapped up Friday with some wise words from Hugh Downs on his
final night on "20/20". He has long kept his opinion of our failed drug
policy under wraps. Mr. Downs quite clearly stated his support for
decriminlization of marijuana. He went on to say that the federal
government should respect the states' referendums on medical marijuana.

At this time, 20 percent of the United States population resides in a state
that has passed a medical marijuana referendum, but Congress still believes
it is their duty to override democracy in their zeal of a drug free nation.
It is interesting to note that Hitler demonized cigarettes and drugs in his
rise to power. I pray we have not made the same mistake with our current
crop of political leaders.

I think the drug war is a failure. It is time to end this self-destructive
war on our own people, starting with the repeal of marijuana
prohibition. I firmly believe that people need to be responsible for their
actions and the resulting consequences of their actions. We need to start
a honest open dialogue on how best to implement drug law reform. I do not
support or condone drug abuse, but what we are doing today is wrong and
counterproductive.

Do you want to see a congressman or senator squirm? Ask them if they
support the suppression of democracy in their Jihad, the Holy War on Drugs.