Pubdate: Sun, 02 Nov 2014
Source: Bulletin, The (Bend, OR)
Copyright: 2014 Western Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.bendbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/62
Author: Todd Tornay

OREGON SHOULD NOT LEGALIZE POT

There are good arguments for the decriminalization of a practice 
lawful elsewhere. Like: People do it anyway, against the law or not. 
And: It wastes time of police and courts, prosecuting an offense 
largely harmless, assets better dedicated to upholding laws against 
bona fide crimes, like rape and murder. And: If people do it anyway, 
why not reap some benefit and garner monies for public services 
through licensing fees and taxes. It seems obvious, then, it's time 
to relinquish an outdated, draconian law and acquiesce to common sense.

I'm talking, of course, about prostitution.

You mean there's no proposition on our ballot for establishing 
municipal profiteering from the flesh trade? Boy, it seems to make 
sense. After all, I've heard the same arguments supporting legalizing 
marijuana. Hmmm. Maybe the reason for laws goes beyond mere matters 
of time, money or practicality. Maybe laws are also meant to reflect 
"values," regardless of the difficulty or futility of pursuing every 
activity deemed undesirable. Perhaps what we "value" should be 
principles and behavior we want our children and future generations to embrace.

Some are easy: We don't want our property or lives wantonly stolen, 
so we outlaw robbery and murder. We wouldn't gloat about children who 
became accomplished thieves or manslaughterers. Even in Nevada, there 
probably aren't many parents bragging about daughters plying skills 
in neighborhood brothels. Many would consider legal prostitution the 
sanctioned exploitation of women; though it might go on illegally, 
most states understand that despite practical arguments for 
decriminalization, doing so implies our society condones such exploitation.

Others are harder to legislate. Volumes have been written of the 
heartbreak and loss attributable to alcohol (even recreational use), 
yet prohibiting it was a historically notorious flop. So sometimes 
laws have to balance values and practicality. For alcohol we look 
away, hoping people drink responsibly, crying and shaking our heads 
when another irretrievable loss stems from its innocent or malignant 
misuse. Because people are imperfect; otherwise we wouldn't need laws.

Now Oregonians have a decision: Do we need another way to get high? 
Because that's really all Measure 91 is about. Another way to legally 
be high. Why?

My wife and I visited Portland recently, partly to enjoy the famously 
trendsetting cuisine of our state metropolis, in particular our 
favorite expression of culinary achievement: pie. It was on Alberta 
Street, a boulevard frequented by prototypical Portlanders, randomly 
dressed free spirits, testaments to their burg's pride in being 
called "weird." All part of the fun. Inside, we were accosted, 
good-naturedly, by a woman who was, to say the least, enthusiastic 
about the pie. "IT'S SO GOOD!!" she gushed, loudly enough to make 
everyone else there look up from their pie and stare. Amused, a 
little taken aback, it didn't take long to whiff the likely reason 
for her fervent endorsement: the sweet, overpowering, musky scent of weed.

Yes, the pie was good. But we both wondered about the girl. Where 
would she be now? Driving? Or walking home to come across, say, a 
small child choking? Could she do, stoned, what she should? How would 
we feel to find out our daughters "recreated" like this? Yes, she was 
funny, and harmless, but I'm glad she was a stranger.

Do we want people to look back on us someday and say that's 
recreation we prized, or sanctioned? Do we care if our children get 
high? Let's not pretend that because the law says it's for adult use 
that it will be used only by adults; ask the ERs in Colorado how many 
stoned children they've been seeing. Do we care at all about passing 
on this "value" to future generations?

We have all this tasty, meticulously crafted beer, and vintners and 
distillers working wonders. Can't we be happy with that? Use it as 
medicine if you must (wink, wink), but why not pass on recreational 
pot. Maybe we'd better appreciate things worth getting high on.

- - Todd Tornay is an emergency room physician and lives in Bend.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom