PLANS TO LEGALIZE POT

For free market-oriented, freedom-loving conservatives, agreement
with U.S. Rep. Barney Frank feels yucky. The Massachusetts Democrat
has seldom seen a tax increase or proposed regulation he didn't
adore. Yet, on one issue Frank finds himself squarely allied with
the most conservative man in Congress: U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.

Both men want to legalize pot. Let's hope they get support from
Colorado's congressional delegation.

Frank recently announced his plan for two new bills, co-sponsored by
Paul, which would legalize marijuana. One would eliminate federal
penalties, and the other would prevent federal authorities from
interfering with medical marijuana in states that have legalized it,
including Colorado.

Marijuana is a drug, and most people shouldn't use it. For most,
life goes better without any form of artificial alteration of the
body and mind.

But marijuana is a weed that's nearly as prolific as the dandelion.
While it's not good to use marijuana, it's less harmful and more
natural than booze. Alcohol, unlike marijuana, can result in serious
physical addiction involving dangerous and even lethal withdrawal
symptoms. Alcohol causes erratic and violent behavior on the part of
some users.

Marijuana, while harmful, has not caused nearly the hardship in our
culture that alcohol has caused. Yet long ago Americans decided
freedom is more important than protecting the collective from the
substantially harmful effects of alcohol. Maintaining prohibition of
a less harmful substance is nothing short of insane.

"Criminalizing choices that adults make because we think they are
unwise ones, when the choices involved have no negative effect on
the rights of others, is not appropriate in a free society," Frank
said in announcing his proposals.

Marijuana criminalization has emboldened and enriched an underground
market of lawless smugglers and dealers who resort to violence in
order to distribute and sell their goods. It has burdened innocent
taxpayers with the costs of enforcing laws associated with the trade
of a weed.

Sometimes marijuana is the best drug available for the treatment of
glaucoma, or pain resulting from injuries or diseases. Far more
harmful than marijuana are hardcore narcotics ,- such as Vicodin,
Percocet, or even morphine - that doctors routinely prescribe
instead of marijuana. Nobody was more responsible for organizing the
modern conservative movement than the late William F. Buckley, Jr.,
former editor of National Review. Frank's arguments are nearly
identical to Buckley's. Conservatives should support Frank's
marijuana proposals. While holding their noses, they should remember
that Ron Paul, the most conservative member of Congress, will
co-sponsor these bills.