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Lothar121

Amendment 44 A Cloud of Smoke
Amendment 44, which would legalize possession of a small amount of marijuana, should be rejected. It's a national issue, not a state one.
Editorial | Denver Post | 10/21/2006

It's the shortest proposal on this year's statewide ballot, but Amendment 44 touches on a host of thorny legal, social and health issues and has garnered a fair measure of national attention. If passed, it would change state law to allow people over 21 to possess an ounce or less of marijuana without legal penalty.

The Post recommends a "no" vote.

That said, we agree that the issue of marijuana decriminalization has many shades of gray.

An estimated 25.4 million Americans use marijuana at least once a year, and about 97 million are believed to have tried it at least once. (About 120 million Americans regularly drink alcoholic beverages, which is legal, though drinking carries many of the same risks as marijuana.) Nearly half a million Coloradans have used marijuana in the past year, according to federal statistics.

Given such significant use, it's reasonable to think that the "drug war" isn't working as far as marijuana is concerned.

But, marijuana use has declined steadily for many years - the peak was in 1979 - and anti-drug advocates also point to dropping teen marijuana use as a sign that enforcement and anti-drug campaigns are working.

The debate is highly charged, full of clashing studies and fiercely held philosophies about protecting young people on one side and personal freedom and adult choice on the other.

The Colorado debate mirrors the divide. Proponents somewhat disingenuously argue that smoking dope is safer than drinking booze, so marijuana use by adults ought to be decriminalized. Opponents, including law-enforcement types, have sometimes veered toward "reefer madness" territory in their arguments.

It's tempting to ask if passing Amendment 44 would make much difference. Colorado already is one of 11 states that impose just a fine (in our case, up to $100), not jail time, for simple possession.

It's clear that marijuana laws are ignored by many people, and laws that aren't respected can always stand review. But it's also clear that marijuana use has significant risks, something society should not ignore.

Some have suggested that marijuana use be legalized but regulated and taxed. (A measure before Nevada voters would set up such a system.)

But the debate can't be ended by a couple of states voting on ballot measures. If marijuana use is to be decriminalized, declared a medical problem not a crime problem, or be otherwise redefined, the decision should be made at the national level. Or Congress could allow marijuana use to be regulated by states, as happened with alcohol when Prohibition ended.

In the meantime, we worry about the message to young people if Colorado passes 44, and we scoff at any system that would decriminalize possession while growing and distribution would remain against the law.

We urge voters to just say say "no" on 44.

 

Lit_Match

Not trying to sound witty here, but how is this possible when marijuana arrests have steadily increased since then?

Lothar121

They cherry pick the data. Perhaps the reason why drug use peaked in the 70's was the culture surrounding the drug use. The decrease in drug use has nothing to do with enforcement or prevention efforts, it's about the general attitude towards drug abuse in the culture which is largely independent of their efforts.

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^_^truth

Let me get this article stright...it boasts fairly heavily (based on the tone of the article) that the drug war, as far as marijuana is concerned has failed, that the drug laws in CO. are often ignored, and drinking is similar to marijuana use, and yet at the end it still asks voters to vote no on amendment 44...

Either the article is poorly written, or the conclusion is lost in the fray of an editor, because it pretty much pointed out that amendment 44 was a good idea.

Just seems a bit odd to me.

Maybe I miss read it.

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Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.
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Sec

The writer of the article wants the "no" vote because he feels that it should'nt be up to individual states to determine whether simple possession should or should not be a crime. The writer feels that the issue should be decided on the federal level and the individual states should have nothing to do with it.

It is sort of like our congressmen not passing a tax relief bill because it doesn't give ENOUGH tax relief. They feel that if we can't have it all, then reject the entire measure.

How in the hell does that attitude expect to win anything when they won't settle for a simple battle victory. If you win enough battles, you will eventually win the war.

Baby steps.

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