Pubdate: Mon, 03 Feb 2014
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2014 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Author: Linda Smith
Page: A9

STATES' RIGHTS AND POT

In his letter to the editor on Monday, William L. Grisaitis talks
about driving and marijuana. He expresses concern regarding the safety
of motorists, comparing the effects of the weed with that of alcohol.

I don't blame him for that. Officials in legal states face ongoing
challenges in determining intoxication thresholds for pot users.
Unlike alcohol, it can stay in your system for weeks, depending on
frequency of use. And, of course, there is much debate concerning the
effect it has on coordination, response rates, etc. For sure, as
Grisaitis warns, disaster is waiting.

However, he follows by saying that, if marijuana is legalized, it
should be done federally for all the states. The reader is left to
conclude that Grisaitis thinks if it is bad for one state, it might as
well be bad for all of them. I don't agree with that on several
levels. Not the least is that pesky old Constitution that, in the 10th
Amendment, reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal
government to the states.

Recent Supreme Court rulings have made this and other amendments
substantially elastic - much to the chagrin of today's conservatives,
who think the Constitution, as written and intended, still has value.

And so, I would encourage Grisaitis to respect states' rights as the
Founders codified them. Today's youth are growing old in a society
that sees increasing power concentrated in the White House - something
that Tom Jefferson, et al. feared greatly.

Linda Smith Casselberry
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MAP posted-by: Matt