DamianTV
07-28-2014, 03:43 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/27/new-york-times-repeal-prohibition-federal-marijuana-ban
(Note: Guardian article, NY Times site is behind a paywall)
One of America’s most influential newspapers, the New York Times, on Sunday called the federal ban on marijuana a “laughing stock” and urged the White House to drop the law and give permission for states to legalise the drug.
Marijuana for recreational use went on sale in Colorado on 1 January; Washington state followed suit this month and Oregon and Alaska will vote on the issue in the November midterm elections. Earlier this month New York became the 23rd state, along with the District of Columbia, to allow cannabis for medical use.
In late 2012, after Washington and Colorado passed ballot measures to legalise recreational use, President Barack Obama said marijuana use should not be a top priority for federal prosecutors. The federal ban on the drug remains in place, however, and in those states that allow use of the drug state law is in direct violation of federal law.
The Times editorial board argued that the 44-year-old ban was as outdated as the federal ban on alcohol during the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933. Under the headline “Repeal Prohibition, Again”, the paper argued that the government was out of step with public opinion and states’ wishes and should not stand in the way of the growing use of the drug – both medically and recreationally.
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(Continues on Link)
One thing to note that the article definitely gets wrong. It is beyond the Federal Govts authority to "grant permission" to the States. 10th Amendment. One thing our Bill of Rights does NOT say is "thou shall not smoke a bowl". Oh yeah, and the Declaration of Independence itself is written on Hemp Paper. Before those statements derails the thread, debate.
(Note: Guardian article, NY Times site is behind a paywall)
One of America’s most influential newspapers, the New York Times, on Sunday called the federal ban on marijuana a “laughing stock” and urged the White House to drop the law and give permission for states to legalise the drug.
Marijuana for recreational use went on sale in Colorado on 1 January; Washington state followed suit this month and Oregon and Alaska will vote on the issue in the November midterm elections. Earlier this month New York became the 23rd state, along with the District of Columbia, to allow cannabis for medical use.
In late 2012, after Washington and Colorado passed ballot measures to legalise recreational use, President Barack Obama said marijuana use should not be a top priority for federal prosecutors. The federal ban on the drug remains in place, however, and in those states that allow use of the drug state law is in direct violation of federal law.
The Times editorial board argued that the 44-year-old ban was as outdated as the federal ban on alcohol during the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933. Under the headline “Repeal Prohibition, Again”, the paper argued that the government was out of step with public opinion and states’ wishes and should not stand in the way of the growing use of the drug – both medically and recreationally.
...
(Continues on Link)
One thing to note that the article definitely gets wrong. It is beyond the Federal Govts authority to "grant permission" to the States. 10th Amendment. One thing our Bill of Rights does NOT say is "thou shall not smoke a bowl". Oh yeah, and the Declaration of Independence itself is written on Hemp Paper. Before those statements derails the thread, debate.