Marijuana Re-Legalization Requires Joint Effort

The Liberty Underground Show, which promotes Libertarian views, recently sent an e-mail to every elected official in the Florida State House and State Senate, asking:

 1. Do you support allowing the citizens of Florida to vote on Medical Marijuana?

 2. If not please explain why?

The supplemental information provided many excellent reasons not just for allowing Floridians to vote on medical marijuana, but for the overall re-legalization of pot.

I asked show host Alex Snitker, a 2010 candidate for Florida senator, if going directly after re-legalization of pot would make more sense than targeting only medical marijuana. He replied in an e-mail "completely understand where you are coming from but we have to push the bills that are up there. This one will work if we focus on it. One step at a time." 

There are, however, major problems with that approach. A worker who is legally using medical marijuana can still be fired from their job if they fail a drug test, even if they aren't "high" at work. The DEA can still raid medical marijuana growers as it just did in Montana.

Re-legalization proponents and medical marijuana supporters must work together. Although support is mounting for ending the costly war on pot, the opposition remains formidable. It includes those in the business of arresting, jailing, testing and treating. The tobacco and alcohol industries work hard to keep pot illegal because they perceive it as competition, as does the pharmaceutical industry. Chemical, plastics, timber and fuel companies all oppose the legalization of hemp. The federal government does not allow independent testing of marijuana, the testing it does allow studies possible harmful effects and completely ignores the potential medical benefits. Its anti-pot propaganda, which has often portrayed myths as facts, has been extremely effective. Or has it? 

FBI figures reveal more than 850,000 people were arrested for marijuana violations in 2009, nearly 90% of them were charged with possession only. 
Despite prohibition, studies have shown marijuana use is on the rise with more than 16 million Americans smoking it each month.


So, maybe another question should be posed to our elected officials- How can you "just say no" to re-legalizing marijuana?