Dr. Kenneth Hendrickson: Legalizing Marijuana May Be For the Best

[RainDog]

http://www.houstonianonline.com/viewpoints/legalizing-marijuana-may-be-for-the-best-1.2628535#.Tn4vaU_zOTc

An editorial from a Houston, TX doctor.

I don't use cannabis. I did during college, but it has been over 20 years since my last toke and I have no plans to return. I have familial and contractual obligations that make breaking the law with cannabis out of the question for me.

That being said, I understand that cannabis is a permanent part of our society. I have also come to believe that our current cannabis laws and policies do not achieve reasonable public health goals, are cost inefficient, are corrosive to the Constitution, and have contributed to the destabilization of governments around the world and communities throughout the United States.

...I do not support drug abuse. In reforming drug laws including the legalization of marijuana, I believe we can achieve better public health and public security results than we do now. My goals are the same as most people: reduction in health hazards associated with drug use including marijuana; special focus on keeping young people and children from beginning drug habits; reduction in drug related crimes; stabilization of neighbors like Mexico by reducing and eventually eliminating the power of organized crime.

I also wish to strengthen our Constitutional liberties and work for a more efficient government here at home. These goals can be better achieved not with heavy handed prohibitionist policies, but with a blended mix of law enforcement, public education, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts, and in some instances like marijuana legalization.

read the full editorial. share.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. "I don't use cannabis but there's nothing wrong with it."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GMZjkNW5b8



Running away from your editorial before it even begins...is kinda weak.

[kristopher]

2. That isn't "running away from" anything.

It is drawing a distinction about the reason for support of a public policy issue.

Are you of the opinion that only people who smoke pot can voice opposition to our stupid public policy approach to drugs.

[RainDog]

3. It is stating a fact. This person is advocating for legalization and not b/c of personal interest

And there are a lot of people who feel the same way.

That's one of the points of the editorial - there are reasons to support legalization that have nothing whatsoever to do with someone's personal desire to use cannabis. This reality, of course, is a problem for the drug warriors who want to paint anyone in favor of legalization as a "stoner."

That's not the reality in this nation or in others.

[femrap]

4. America has

mary jane illegal for a reason. To imprison Black men. And I guess the Liquor Lobbyists pay for mary jane to be illegal as well.

Liquor is the worst drug of all.

[midnight]

5. Lots of medical reasons to have legal acess and end this

crazy war on drugs...