He's often demonized as existentially lazy, obtuse and prone to erratic fits of violence. He might look just like one of us - and indeed is a great number of us, many with families and stable jobs.
He was recently described by John P. Walters as a "vicious criminal terrorist," and he and his forsaken friends litter our penal system, their lives and careers forever ruined on account of their victimless pastime. What could an honest, tax-paying, otherwise law-abiding citizen possibly do in this country to earn such a fate?
He need do nothing more than be an occasional user of marijuana.
Immediately after his appointment as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in late 2001, Walters began his fanatical campaign against marijuana, declaring it to be "America's most dangerous drug" and spreading sensational folklore like the notion modern marijuana is twice as potent as it used to be and has no more medical value than crack cocaine.
He proceeded to spend the next two years touring the United States, encouraging more draconian penalties and stifling any measure which might serve to reallocate money from punishment to rehabilitation. But though, by the ONCDP's own admission, $1 trillion has thus far been wasted on all of this disgraceful propaganda, after half a century of acquiescence the rhetoric is losing its luster. How could this be? Because despite the moral panic the disingenuous Drug Czar and his cohorts wish to foment, the empirical facts are demonstrably different.
In almost every controlled clinical study, marijuana doesn't actually cause mental or physical illness, long-term memory loss, sterility or any other impairment of the immune system, nor does it seem to cause lung cancer or emphysema without concurrent tobacco use.
It hasn't been proven to contribute to crime - other than marijuana possession, of course - and users don't even seem to be more likely to be involved in automobile fatalities. (This is, of course, in stark contrast to the havoc alcohol wreaks on our faculties of common sense and our bodies, and its own considerable contribution to the commission of crime.)
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Jim Stephens
posted 4/29/08 @ 9:38 AM CST
For those of us in the addiction and recovery field, we hear the latest rant by John Walters, and are left wondering whether he's simply delusional on the drug issue, or just insane in general. (Continued…)
fellow student
posted 4/29/08 @ 11:20 AM CST
Everybody seems to know except our government and its costing everybody money. The users spend more money because its illegal and that money goes to the drug dealers and about $8 billion ends up in Mexico, I don't know what Canada gets, The US really needs this money especially right now. (Continued…)
Jack McGuirk
posted 4/29/08 @ 1:16 PM CST
At this time in History the world is desperately in need of more Adam Phams to counteract the onslaught of misinformation and violence directed at citizens by members of the US government. (Continued…)
Miracle Mike
posted 4/29/08 @ 1:32 PM CST
Thank you for your eloquent observations.
Obviously marijuana users have been targeted in order to hinder consumption of a NON-Taxed product.
Alcohol lobbyists and most certainly Beer producers have been very vocal and financially active in the bribery and suppression of anything that could affect their sales without regard for the average citizens well being. (Continued…)
John
posted 4/29/08 @ 5:50 PM CST
THC can serve a valuable role in medicine, but only at levels far below what is currently found in recreational drugs. Face it, you're fighting for your "right" to get stoned out of your mind, not improve the human condition. (Continued…)
John Thomas
posted 5/01/08 @ 3:44 PM CST
Mike
Good post. Most Americans now understand that marijuana is not addictive and less harmful than alcohol. Even "leaders" of government and business know this. (Continued…)
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