Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jul 2014
Source: Hill, The (US DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Hill
Contact:  http://www.hillnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1509
Author: Bill Press
Note: Press is host of "The Bill Press Show" on Free Speech TV and author of
The Obama Hate Machine.

PROHIBITION ON POT

Someday, we'll look back on two
federal prohibitions - on same-sex marriage and marijuana - and ask
ourselves: "How were we ever so dumb? What's the big deal?"

Indeed, more and more people are asking that question every day. Even
before the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act,
several states moved to recognize same-sex marriage. Massachusetts was
the first, in May 2004. Today, either by legislation or court order,
marriage equality is the law in 19 states, plus the District of
Columbia. Courts in 14 other states, most recently Virginia, have
ruled to strike down bans on same-sex marriage. While those decisions
remain on appeal, it's clearly only a matter of time before all 50
states accept the fact that every American, gay or straight, should be
free to marry the one he or she loves.

Efforts to end the ban on marijuana have not advanced nearly as fast,
but they're moving inexorably in that direction. Only two states so
far, Colorado and Washington, have legalized the recreational use of
marijuana. Oregon and Alaska will vote this year whether to join them.
But 34 states and the District of Columbia have moved to reform their
laws, including the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and 17
states and the District have decriminalized marijuana, treating
possession of small amounts of pot like a traffic ticket. Again, it's
only a matter of time before smoking a joint is considered no
differently than popping a beer. Legalizing pot has two big arguments
in its favor. First, Colorado. It's still too early to assess results
in Washington, but the Colorado experiment is an unqualified success.
There have been few problems with sales to minors, driving under the
influence or transporting pot out of state. Meanwhile, as of July 11,
the state had collected $25.3 million in sales taxes on pot, far ahead
of projected revenue. Pot tourism has boosted the state's economy.
Other states are looking at Colorado and asking: "How can I get some
of that gold?"

At the same time, public opinion has shifted dramatically pro-pot. As
recently as 1991, according to the Pew Research Center, 78 percent of
Americans thought marijuana should be illegal. Today, 54 percent favor
legalization. There's a Cannabis Caucus in the House. And President
Obama, unlike Bill Clinton, admits he not only smoked pot, he inhaled.
Says Obama: "That was the point."

No doubt, more states will join Colorado and Washington. But Congress
must first clear the way by overturning the prohibition against
marijuana. After all, marijuana's less dangerous than alcohol, and the
ban on alcohol lasted only 13 years. The pot prohibition's dragged on
for 44 years, a total waste of law enforcement time and money. As with
alcohol, the answer's not to ban nationwide. The answer's to leave it
up to states to decide.

One more plus: think how lifting the ban on pot might also benefit
Congress. Surely, Congress would get a lot more done if Republicans
and Democrats would stop bickering and just get high together.

Press is host of "The Bill Press Show" on Free Speech TV and author of
The Obama Hate Machine. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D