The Moral Case for Legalizing Marijuana

[RainDog]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathanmiller/the-moral-case-for-legali_b_1199242.html

I'm part of (a) moral majority. But unlike Jerry Falwell's version, my values system is based on the multi-religious mandate to "love your neighbor as yourself." I've even written a book, The Compassionate Community, which applies Bible lessons and other religions' texts to advocate for progressive policies that promote the common good.

And I've recently concluded that these same enduring moral values compel me to support legalizing marijuana.

The politician in recovery from KY goes on to state his case...

...It's always important to scrutinize any efforts to solve our economic and social problems through the legalization, taxation, or expansion of so-called "vices" that, when abused, can impair the lives of addicts and their families. That's why it's critical for any cannabis legalization regime to be strictly regulated, and that significant sums be set aside for drug treatment programs. Additionally, local governments must leverage their recent experience with tobacco to provide adequate public protections against secondhand smoke.

But as a matter of public policy, our focus shouldn't be on the private morality of individuals who choose to smoke pot, but on the public morality of the nation. And the beneficial impacts of legalizing marijuana -- for our neighbors who struggle with serious illness; for our heavily-burdened system of criminal justice; and for the job creation and economic opportunity it would bring to our nation -- would only serve to strengthen America's moral fiber.

[Jim__]

1. The problem is that he came to this conclusion after losing his electoral blinders.

The American political system today isn't guided by the popular will but by corporate money. If corporate money ever decides that marijuana should be legal; then it will be. But until that time; or a major shake-up in our political system; the people's will means nothing.

[RainDog]

2. Did you know two former members of Bush's anti-marijuana drug warriors

are now lobbying to allow Sativex sales in the U.S.?

true.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1170&pid=123

Sativex is liquidized whole-plant cannabis. but they are trying to argue it isn't. Not only are they trying to argue it isn't, in Australia, Sativex is being touted as a potential treatment for "marijuana addiction."

boggles the mind just how corrupt this prohibition is.

[Jim__]

3. I didn't know that. It's pretty pathetic. - n/t