DEL.ICIO.USInformation campaign aims to foster debate on easing laws
The Seattle Times
Published on: 02/14/08
SEATTLE — Travel writer Rick Steves and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington have formed a partnership to tackle a topic they call the equivalent of the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s: the criminalization of marijuana.
Steves, the Edmonds, Wash.-based travel guru who five years ago openly acknowledged that he uses marijuana while visiting Europe, says he's not "pro-marijuana," but in favor of discussing the laws that affect the 830,000 Americans who are arrested annually under existing marijuana laws. About 90 percent of the arrests are for possession.
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| Rick Steves five years ago openly acknowledged that he uses marijuana while visiting Europe. | ||
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Saying the laws disproportionately affect minorities and can impose severe consequences for possessing as little as 40 grams (roughly the equivalent of two packs of cigarettes), the state ACLU received funding from the national organization to create an informational program it hopes will air on television stations and the Internet. Steves appears in the program.
Washington was considered a good place to launch a campaign to discuss marijuana laws because it's viewed as being on the cutting edge of drug legislation, the ACLU's Alison Chinn Holcomb said. A law allowing medical-marijuana use was approved by state voters in 1998, and in 2003 Seattle voters approved Initiative 75, which made the adult use of marijuana a low priority for law enforcement.
Washington's medical-marijuana law and similar ones in 11 other states are not recognized by the federal government. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling said states cannot enact laws that supersede federal criminal laws — in this case the Controlled Substances Act. So despite voter approval, even getting medical marijuana is legally risky, ACLU members say.
Some $7.5 billion is spent annually for marijuana-law enforcement nationally, according to the ACLU's research. The organization contends that the arrests clog the courts and criminal-justice system, diverting resources from more serious crimes.
"Marijuana use should be treated primarily as a health issue, not a criminal one. In Europe I've seen how more thoughtful approaches to social issues can really work. Our government's war on drugs sounds very tough and results-driven, but all it really succeeds at is being enormously expensive, tearing families apart and treating nonconformists as criminals," Steves said. He said as a society we've made the same mistake as was made when lawmakers banned alcohol during Prohibition.
In Washington, possession of up to 40 grams of marijuana carries a minimum penalty of one day in jail, a $250 fine for the first offense and sentences that can go up to 90 days in jail plus a $1,000 fine. For possessing more, the sentence can be up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Growing one marijuana plant for personal use is a potential felony subject to the same penalties as possession of more than 40 grams, the ACLU reports.
Nationwide, while 74 percent of marijuana users are white and 14 percent of the users are African-American, blacks account for 30 percent of the marijuana arrests, the ACLU reported.
In 2006, an African-American was 12 times as likely as a white person to be cited for marijuana possession by the Seattle Police Department, according to the ACLU.
But Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr called the claim unfair and statistically insignificant.
"What they're doing is sensationalizing a number that has no statistical validity because the numbers are so small," he said.
The issue of marijuana laws is one for state legislators, he said. "We enforce whatever laws are on the books."
Throughout most of the country, the popularity of decriminalizing marijuana use has waned, said Tom Riley, spokesman for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The potency of the drug has tripled in the last 10 years and its use is not "a harmless pastime," he said, "but a much bigger part of substance abuse and a much bigger part of mental-health issues."
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Comments
By Emyrld
Feb 19, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
On the 3rd. Day(evolution) of Creation, God said..."let the earth bring forth grass, the Herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its own kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth.. and it was so...and the earth brought forth grass, and Herb yielding seed after its kind...and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after his kind...." and GOD saw that IT WAS GOOD...and the evening and the morning were the Third Day.
Man did not create MJ,...in fact it was created long before we were. We are always told that the remedy for all our sicknesses and ills, is already provided for us here on earth. Its only an herb, just as other herbs and home remedies that we have always used,rather than seeking pharmaceutical remedies...and therein lies the problem.
This 'herb' can be used to treat naseau, menstral cramps, headaches, glaucoma,loss of appetite for chemo and radiation patients,insomnia,etc.,...and all without any side affects such as bleeding eyeballs,hairy tongues, loss of bladder control, lol ...and who knows what else. And 'nay' to those who think if you do MJ you go on to something more powerful...those who go to something more powerful are going to do that with, or without the influence of MJ...most MJ users...are just that.. and nothing more.. Most don't even drink...which brings to the front of the line the real KILLER that we need to ban!! ALCOHOL....
ALCOHOL use is sooo the cause of broken lives and families, horrendous devastation to our communities, and needless loss of lives.
We are soo hypocrital as a society, ..sure.. its' ok to take a 'valium' or other mood enhancing 'man-made' derivitive, but if you dare to use nature in her intended form...that makes you a felon...go figure!!
By A breath of reality
Feb 18, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
A comparison between this plant being outlawed and the prohibition on alcohol is dead on the money. This whole thing is politics behind a smoke screen. It is a money machine for those that want to continue the ban. The continued prohibition will allow cops to continue to seize the assets of people to help fuel their war. This "war" on drugs is not being won and can not be won. The concepts of medical treatment for real addicts (and pot does not make addicts) and education on how not to use, not abuse can not even be discussed with them. The people of various states have voted and said to legalize/decriminalize it and the feds have said screw you, we are going to continue to do what we want. In 10 years what do you want to bet that the same off duty cops that are all against decriminalization will be guarding the pot shops like they guard the liquor stores today.
By informed
Feb 16, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
The hysteria that surrounds this plant is mind boggling - it is the witch hunt of the 20th& 21st century. To jail, take the property and destroy the lives of people because they chose to use an intoxicant that is banned for no scientific,moral or religous reason, but only to allow the government and its agents to control and destroy the lives of those they dislike, fear, or randomly apprehend is both reprehensible and a slap in the face at what America once stood for. A place free from indiscriminate persecution by the state and its agents.
This is overdue and in retrospect our progeny will view us as insane for our actions in allowing our government to act in such a capricous and illegal manner.
Cannabis has been used worldwide since pre-history - humanity has not crumbled - to call this plant dangerous is to show your ignorance.
By Honor1
Feb 16, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Why do they call it 'dope'? Good question. Maybe it has something to do with the political position put forth by the Harry Anslinger commission in 1935.
By bob
Feb 16, 2008 5:14 AM | Link to this
it should've never been made illegal in the first place
By Marc Myers
Feb 15, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling said states cannot enact laws that supersede federal criminal laws ý in this case the Controlled Substances Act.
That's not what the Raich decision said at all. It did not strike down any state medical marijuana laws as being unconstitutional. It merely said that federal law enforcement can enforce federal laws, even if they are in conflict with state laws. The 12 states with medical marijuana laws have them firmly in place and are operating under them - unless the DEA decides to stick its unwanted nose into people's medical problems.
By Blindman0v0
Feb 15, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
Its about time this country starts to move forward instead of stagating in the prohibitionist era.
There is no downside to adults using MJ. There has never been a shred of proof that MJ use is hazardous as long as used bt responsible adults.
By buster
Feb 15, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
What a nutcase. Why would anyone in their right mind want us to be more like Europe? The place is a morally corrupt cess pool. When "anything goes" is embraced, the first things to go are decency and morality. Remember: Why do you think they call it "dope"?
By sparko
Feb 14, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
It's time for legalization. Tax it like anything else. Sell it like alcohol & cigarettes.
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