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Results so far:
| Yes | 26% | 107 votes | Total: 417 votes | |
| No | 74% | 310 votes |
Yes
Created on: December 08, 2008
Yes, absolutely, the federal government and the DEA should enforce federal drug laws regarding marijuana, in all states, regardless of what the voters of those states have said to the contrary. Right or wrong, marijuana is classified as a narcotic.
It's safe to say that the mounting evidence regarding the medical application of marijuana, at the very least, deserves unbiased analysis and consideration. Simply to reclassify it as an agricultural crop, and tax it accordingly, would eliminate many of the issues associated with marijuana.
Just as there were originally thirteen colonies, there are currently thirteen states with medical marijuana laws. All of them are in direct violation of federal drug law, but clearly the voters of those states feel that the federal law is, in short, wrong.
The only way federal drug law is going to be changed is by the people, by initiative, by pressure on their elected representatives, or by drawing so much attention to the problem that change is forced to the forefront rather than being nibbled at state by state.
I am a native of northern California, as was my father, and his parents before him. I have spent my life in "the emerald triangle" of marijuana cultivation, although for clarification, I have never participated in the industry. It is the single largest agricultural crop in Mendocino County and has been for years.
So why do I want the DEA to come in and wipe out the local economy? Because it's not just about Mendocino County with it's scattered rural population, or even northern California. It's about Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhone Island, Vermont,Washington and the millions of people who live in those states that have voted to enact medical marijuana laws.
Those people, currently, are placated because they've enacted medical marijuana laws and have developed a working relationship with local and state law enforcement. If the federal government and the DEA begin enforcing federal drug law, those people are no longer going to be placated.
A little revolution now and then is a good thing; the laws of man must be refreshed from time to time with the efforts of the unwashed masses and the infirm.
If the DEA enforced the laws, I believe the laws would change.
If the laws changed, the questionable element would largely be uninterested and eliminated.
Instead of spending millions to enforce existing law, the government could reap millions in tax revenues.
Learn more about this author, Kay Falls.
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No
Created on: November 17, 2009
Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
I think that pretty much sums it up. Not only do the Feds lack the Constitutional authority to trump state law. They are clearly in violation of the Constitution and should be held accountable.
The FBI, DEA, ATF, and many other federal agencies have for a long time now, disregarded the tenth amendment to the US Constitution. So if the Feds decide not to follow the law, does that make the law invalid? Well, contrary to what those in power might say or think, no. The Federal Government has no more right to come into California and enslave it's citizens and steal private property. Than a private citizen has right to do that to his neighbor.
I think it's time to look at this realistically. Long ago the powers that be, felt it necessary to develop a central government to represent the many states. The US Constitution was drafted as a kind of contract between the many states and the government. It clearly states what the Federal Government's role is and clearly limits the power they are to have. Since there is no mention of marijuana in the US Constitution, I don't see how the issue of legality could possibly be the responsibility of federal agents.
Section 4 - Republican government
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
This section is also important. I believe this section of our contract has been overlooked for too long. In the state of California, the protection of a Constitutional Republic has failed. This state has , for as long as I have been alive, used a purely democratic system to legislate certain laws.
CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 2 VOTING, INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM, AND RECALL SECTION 1. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform it when the public good may require.
This statement is clearly at odds with what is supposed to be our protected form of government. The Founding Father's knew the dangers that exist in a democracy. They knew the possibility for the majority to oppress the minority, wouldn't coincide with a free society. So a government based on protecting the individual's rights over the public good is what they sought to establish. Constitutional Republic, with representatives chosen by the people, through process of democratic election.
The next flaw in the Fed's delivery of Section 4 protections, is the protection against invasion. California is just one of many states that have been sold a bill of fake goods, with regards to this promise. In California alone the estimates for occupying invaders are around 2 million. Nationwide estimates for illegal immigrants are anywhere from 12 million to 30 million and growing. We the people have clearly been left on our own.
So if one were to look at our contract with the Feds fairly. I believe they would very soon realize that the people of the United States have been defrauded. In exchange for our loyalty and our willingness to pay ever increasing taxes. The Federal Government is supposed to provide a strong military, republican forms of governments, protection against invasion, and protection of individual rights.
Since they have disregarded their responsibilities and are in gross violation of the US Constitution. Not only do I believe they are overstepping their bounds, by ignoring California's sovereignty. I see it as the responsibility of state law enforcement to protect the citizens from the tyrannical and lawless efforts of the Federal Agents. They have no right to forcibly take private property, enslave free men into prisons, or brutally assault those who have done nothing wrong.
Learn more about this author, William Banks.
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