DAMAGING TO HEALTH AND SOCIETY

Marijuana Could Revive Economy Another Column For Marijuana

The debate over the legalization -- or at least decriminalization -- of
marijuana cannot be discussed seriously until we eliminate prejudices and
recognize hypocrisies. That means not attacking the argument from the
perspective of the pastor's wife and, conversely, not weighing in on the
debate as a hemp-twining, free-loving modern-day hippie.

OK, so here's the plan: All NRA members and fundamentalist Christians must
leave the room. Likewise, all persons who are way too into the state of
Colorado (you know the type) and those who own at least one Che Guevara
T-shirt must also leave.

Note: I use the term "hippie" only to provide a clear dividing line in this
debate. As you may have noticed, most hippies these days have cell phones
and checking accounts, which I'm fairly certain is contrary to the
prevailing spirit behind our nonconformist '60s friends. No matter.

I believe marijuana should be legalized. I won't show up at a legalization
rally with witty lapel stickers and creatively-sketched picket signs, but I
believe society would benefit immensely if it were made legal. Because of
limited newsprint, I'll purposefully exclude the vast studies and
statistics regarding marijuana's medicinal value and outline three topical
points:

1) Legalizing marijuana could rescue the lost economy that everyone seems
so worried about. Although, I find it suspiciously interesting that my days
are remarkably similar regardless of Wall Street's peaks and valleys. I'll
save that for another day.

2) By classifying marijuana as an illicit substance, the government is
interfering with my personal freedom to make a free choice in a free
society. Paternalistic Aunt Sam has no business making decisions for me.

3) The inconsistency and hypocrisy in drug laws sends mixed messages to the
populace. Arbitrarily classifying marijuana as illegal, but not alcohol and
tobacco, is contradictory.

Now to address those points. Point No. 1: The dreaded national debt would
be erased on Friday if marijuana was legalized on Thursday. Tax it,
restrict its sale to adults and punish its misuse -- just like alcohol. Use
the profits to alleviate homelessness, improve education or just keep
building billion-dollar missiles. The choice is ours.

Point No. 2: Labeling marijuana illegal inhibits personal freedom. And
imprisoning users is unthinkable and maddening. It's paranoid and unfair to
jail marijuana users -- unless they're misusing it. Allow me one statistic:
The United States already leads the planet in incarceration rates and,
according to the FBI's 2000 figures, 47 percent of drug arrests made were
for marijuana offenses. Seems excessive.

Point No. 3: We've all heard this comparison drawn many times, but it
recurs because it's true: How can a society tolerate the legalization of
alcohol and tobacco but not marijuana? How can a government justify
profiting, through tax revenue, from alcohol and tobacco, but not
marijuana? Here's where the mixed signals arrive. If my government keeps
marijuana illegal because it claims to care about my health, why will it
offer me my fill of alcohol and tobacco?

Finally, let's reflect briefly on what marijuana has selflessly given to us
already versus that of alcohol. Marijuana: Beatles, Pink Floyd and the
hacky sack. Alcohol: Enrique Iglesias Christmas album, Fred Durst and the
"front tuck" fashion choice. Yes, I blame alcohol for that. Guys,
seriously, stop it. Un-tuck the front of your shirt. Right now.

Regardless of the pros and cons of marijuana's legalization, in a free
society, it should be impermissible for any governing entity to dictate
what its society ingests or consumes so far as they do not harm another
member of that society.