CHANGE FEDERAL MARIJUANA LAWS HONESTLY

To the editor:

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning medical marijuana
reiterates that federal law supersedes state law and that, until
Congress changes federal law concerning marijuana, marijuana use
remains a violation of federal law in all states. Advertisement

On June 14, Congress considered an amendment that would have simply
stripped the funding from our federal law enforcement personnel to
enforce existing law. Refusing to fund law enforcement is not the way
to change federal law. If you want to change the speed limit, you do
not refuse to fund the Highway Patrol. A direct change to the law is
the proper course.

My personal views on marijuana are that it is a harmful substance and
its medical benefits are exceeded by its proven adverse health effects
(marijuana smoke contains some 400 chemicals and 50 to 70 percent more
carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke). Further, marijuana is a
gateway drug to much more dangerous and addictive drugs. I will also
note that an overwhelming majority of Nevadans voted against simply
legalizing marijuana for personal, non-medical use.

Yet, an overwhelming number of Nevadans have voted to support
legalizing the cultivation, distribution and utilization of marijuana
strictly for medicinal purposes. I strongly support states' rights as
outlined in the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. However, a state
does not have the power to overturn federal law through referendum.

If Congress wants to change the law, Congress should change the law.
But changing laws should be done directly and honestly, not as a
scheme that simply strips funding on the enforcement side.

Jim Gibbons

Washington, D.C.

The Writer, a Republican, Represents Nevada's 2nd Congressional
District.