The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has put up a
blog "refuting" the myths and legitimacy of
Rep. Barney Franks and Ron Paul's
marijuana decrim bill on
The Hill blog (which is Congresses way of staying hip).
The
blog post isn't interesting; it just is the same old crap espoused by our friendly drug czar's office. Honestly, this drivel used to fill me with anger, but now it just bores me - I think this job has zenned (yeah, not a word) me out.
I will pull out some choice quotes though:
"Congressman Barney Frank and Ron Paul introduced
H.R. 5843, an ill-considered piece of legislation aimed at legalizing marijuana, a topic more often heard in college dorms at 2 o’clock in the morning than in the hallowed halls of our Congress."
My thoughts:
Decrim:legalization as sun:chalk board -- okay, I hyperbolize (again, not a word), but there are obvious differences between decrim (which the bill does) and legalize (which it obviously doesn't).
Moreover, why is the marijuana decriminalization debate off-limits to college students who will one day fill the same positions that ONDCP does now? Hell, why is it off-limits to anyone? If marijuana prohibition has caused the arrests of 850,000 last year, 90% of whom for simple possession, why shouldn't Congress have a legitimate debate about the real consequences that affect almost 1,000,000 people per year in this country?
"Some pro-drug interest groups have argued that keeping marijuana illegal itself does damage, since people run the risk of arrest if they break the law. But in fact, marijuana offenders represent only a very tiny fraction of state prison inmates in the United States.
My thoughts:
Well, in the morning I am pro caffeine, and at night sometimes I'm pro alcohol; I guess that makes me pro drug. I am not pro nicotine but am addicted to, and can afford it, thanks in part to goverment subsidies.
In addressing the second part of that quote, I would like to note that being arrested places a huge cost on the individual. And by the way, ONDCP, having a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana, even if you didn't spend anytime in prison (but will probably in jail because that is where cops put you when you are arrested), really makes it difficult to get a job, is humilating, and can lead to being evicted from your home.
I am really starting to de-zen.
And finally my favorite quote, which is the last paragraph:
"Unfortunately, marijuana is often the blind spot of drug policy. While teen marijuana use is down sharply, adult use - with all the social, economic, and health consequences that go along with it - will not improve* until we start being more honest with ourselves about the seriousness of this drug. Too many of us are in denial, and it is time for an intervention."
* Notice they didn't say
increase
My thoughts:
WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE
BABY BOOMERS?!?!
Author's note: yeah, I know that last picture is counter-productive on so many levels, but when I have the opportunity to make fun of my parents' generation, I seriously will.*
*Hey baby boomers, there is a
talking dog that would like a word with you
