GOV'T DISCRIMINATES AGAINST DRUG USERS

In his column Sunday ("Mexico has a legitimate gripe when it comes to
our drug habit"), Jim Bayne wrote: "Illegal drugs impair the ability
of users to act in a rational manner."

He continued: "Society must have a clear mind, lest our society falls
as did the Romans and others before us. However, each of us can and
should set a course, for those following, which is absent of illegal
drugs and undo indulgence of other items that may affect a clear mind."

Mr. Bayne, the war on drugs exists because the U.S. judiciary denies
due process of law by denying equal protection of the 4th and 5th
amendments of the Constitution of the United States to me and tens
millions of others.

President Felipe Calderon of Mexico should tell the United States to
follow the rule of law in its handling of marijuana, coca leaves and
opium. Why is marijuana illegal? Because we do not have a clear mind?

The courts review the marijuana laws by rational review because the
judiciary says marijuana is not a fundamental right. Judicial review
of criminal laws by rational review is deprivation of rights under
the color of law a federal crime under Title 18, USC 242. An armed
invasion of my house with search warrant is not an invasion of my
privacy? Being arrested is not seizure of person and not deprivation
of liberty? Seizing marijuana is not deprivation of property?

The lawyers and judges are telling me I am not a person and marijuana
is not property. Only persons and property are protected from
unreasonable searches and seizure, unreasonable laws.

Reasonable laws are to protect you from me and me from you. So who is
bothering your rights? Are you victim of a crime?

Bayne also wrote: "It has been generally accepted that the use of
marijuana is a precursor to the use of 'harder' drugs."

So-called medical marijuana is going away from harder legal drugs.
Alcohol is a harder drug. Marijuana is a precursor to other illegal
drugs because it is illegal. Law enforcement is not interested in the
user except as a precursor to other illegal drugs and more serious
crimes dealing with guns and violence.

It is none of the government's business if I do not have a clear mind
from alcohol or cannabis or use coca tea to reduce my appetite for munchies.

Mr. Bayne is living in a dream world if reality is a drug-free mind.

Michael J. Dee, Windham, Maine