If the conservatives in America wish to resurrect their Republican party, at its lowest approval ratings ever, they would be wise to return to conservative roots of small government, individual responsibility, and personal liberty by supporting marijuana legalization. They may make inroads with a huge swath of mighty disaffected liberals (like me) who have for decades now been hung out to dry on the drug war issues by Democrats posturing as “tough on crime” (Mr. Vice President, I’m looking your way…)
A Stasher forwarded me an article from “Right Side News” that was essentially a lengthy, nasty hit piece on Rep. Barney Frank, with typical homophobic references and combining Franks’ support for decriminalization with his sexual orientation and a litany of conservative complaints about his politics as one big satanically-influenced hodge-podge of evil determined to turn America into “Woodstock Nation”. I needn’t reproduce it here.
However, it warmed my heart to see the following in the comments from a die-hard conservative:
Wow. I wasn’t expecting this type of article from my side (right). Although I vote the same as you I do not agree with you on this one issue. The style of your writing is poor – this is just a hit piece with very little substance. I view this on the level of most from the far left.
Republican Ron Paul is a co-sponsor, yet you somehow left that part out???
…I speak the truth when I say that this issue is the Only one I agree Frank. The only one.
There have been hundreds of medical studies over the past 30 years. Nearly every one refutes your cherry-picked reports. And the fact that the DEA does not support ending prohibition of cannabis is absolutely worthless. The DEA receives billions of dollars to fight the War on Some Drugs. They have a pony in the race. Of course they want to continue receiving the vast sums of money. If cannabis is re-legalized then they stand to lose billions. Additionally, I recently learned that DEA employees are mandated By Law to oppose any re-legalization effort. If the head of the DEA said publicly that he agrees with the Frank-Paul bill then he would lose his job.
I’m a solid conservative and up until around the beginning of this year I echoed your words for two decades. I have voted 100% Republican since Reagan. I don’t use any illegal substances and neither do any of my close friends. My position changed 180 degrees after I began hearing the reports of the 1000′s of murders happening just south of our border. People are being murdered every single day down there… and it’s all because of prohibition in the US.
…As a conservative I choose to use logic and reason instead of emotions and feelings when deciding where I stand on issues. One method I employ to help me gain perspective is ‘What do the bad guys want?’
…Ending prohibition to stop the Mexican cartels:
One group thinks that ending prohibition will reduce or nearly end the violence and murder along our border. The other group thinks that we must continue this prohibition. The bad guys (cartels) want prohibition to continue. I am not going to side with murderous cartels.Ending prohibition is not a left-right issue, although there is less support on the right than the left. This is a freedom and security issue. Security, because continuing this prohibition will cost us dearly in so many ways. Freedom, because we are a free people and free people should be allowed to put into their bodies whatever they want – even if it’s considered unwise – so long as they do not harm others or infringe on others’ rights.
There is one part of conservatism I call ‘cruelty’. We are ‘tough on crime’, I know and that’s good. Yet, most conservatives still believe it is acceptable to put hard working, otherwise law-abiding citizens, in cages because they choose to consume cannabis instead of alcohol within the privacy of their own homes.
I see it a cruel that people, such as yourself, would rather keep human beings in cages and give them a Lifetime sentence. A ‘lifetime sentence’ ? An arrest even without a conviction will remain on someone’s criminal record Forever. Their entire life is likely to be much less successful – they won’t get hired for the good jobs because of an arrest 15 years ago when they experimented with cannabis in college, for example. The charge of cannabis possession or use guarantees a lifetime sentence. …and you’re okay with that??? Stop being cruel.
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Did anyone ever get in touch with him from the Utah NORML?
I was excited myself to see one finally form here.
If you go to the NORML page on the states, you can email the people starting this local chapter, or you can show up to a meeting.
Every Monday evening at 7 pm, sugar house coffee. 1030e 2100 south.
I was unable to attend last night, but a friend of mine did go, he said that it was empty. Utah needs more supporters! I know people here do support it, those that do, need to show up and start making their voices heard!
I was unable to go last night, but I will be able to attend in the future, if you could not make it one week, make it the next!
There is a chapter forming in Salt Lake; I’ve contacted them to try to get a hold of you.
I’m another conservative who supports ending Cannabis prohibition. I am a registered Republican and a member of the LDS Church. I do not use Marijuana myself, but have become aware of it’s medical benefits and relative safety. As I write this, my Father is suffering through Chemo treatments. He barely eats, and is in constant discomfort. Yes, he has drugs to help, but they have severe side effects. It really makes me angry that the US government denies him safe, effective treatments.
I’d seen something about someone starting a Utah Norml chapter, and came across this article while I was doing research into that.
I would like to join and lend my support. It makes absolutely no sense that dangerous drugs like Alcohol and Tobaco are legal, but Marijuana is not. I know all the arguments NORML uses, and I agree with them.
The war on drugs has been a dismal failure. The billions spent each year should go to education and treatment.
To me it’s not about getting stoned, but about Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. People need to make their own choices and learn to live with the consequences.
More good news from the right!
Republican moms for marijuana: ‘Time to legalize is now’
http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2009/jul/26/legalize-marijuana-pot-colorado-republican-moms/
I feel honored… that post was made by me. I never thought it would have been noticed by more than a few people. Thanks.
I’ve been reading articles and posts on norml.org for the past few months. I now fully support the cause and am trying to convince my friends. It may take awhile, but I’m not giving up.
I believe re-legalization will definitely occur, and sooner rather than later.
[...] Conservatives for Legalization [...]
Thanks Urb, that’s really nice of you!
I’m just trying to follow the advice I heard not so long ago that it wasn’t people suddenly believing that “alcohol’s not so bad after all” that spurred them to end the prohibition in 1933, but that it was the violence and murders generated by the prohibition that drove them to demand legalization.
This is what it took to end the alcohol prohibition and I believe this is what it’ll take to end the marijuana prohibition.
An average of 17 cartel murders every day is impossible for any prohibitionist, police chief or prison union to argue against. “Think about the children” just doesn’t cut it compared to decapitated corpses and murdered teenagers.
Ahhh Woodstock, “I dreamed I saw the bomber jet planes turning into butterflies”
Some of us remember how we felt back then and what we wished for: peace; freedom; equality; herbal justice.
Most intelligent comment by a “conservative” I had ever seen. Thanks for putting it in, Russ. :thup:
Kudos to the true conservative writer. AND Kudos to Jillian because your hard work and smart strategy is paying off.
“My position changed 180 degrees after I began hearing the reports of the 1000’s of murders happening just south of our border. People are being murdered every single day down there… and it’s all because of prohibition in the US.”
Thats basically you Jillian as far as Im concerned. Ive learned more on this subject from you, than any news anchor/podcaster out there.
Great job!!!!
*golf clap*
Sensible, wise, and refreshing. Imagine…a TRUE conservative.
I’d like if if America turned into “Woodstock Nation”. I think that would be an improvement.