In the Vail Daily, Robert F. Hickey hits one out of the park.
First, from a professional perspective, let me say that in treating thousands of people who have become victims of their use of alcohol and other drugs since 1970, I have never treated a marijuana addict. I have never been called to an emergency room to treat an out-of-control or violent marijuana user. I have never completed a court-ordered evaluation for a defendant who was accused of domestic violence as a result of marijuana use. I have never heard of five or six law enforcement officers being needed to tackle, control or otherwise subdue a crazed marijuana user.
Marijuana is not a narcotic! That is a law enforcement characterization, not a medical, biological or chemical classification.
Contrary to quotes in Mr. Sims’ letter by Kevin Sabet, special adviser, Office of National Drug Control Policy, marijuana is not a dangerous drug which causes documented health and social problems.
Where is the documentation? The only documentation of social problems are those which arise from the prohibition of marijuana and the 750,000 subsequent arrests for possession of small amounts of the plant each year.
The social problems come as a result of the billions of dollars spent each year by law enforcement agencies across the country.
The social problems come from the inequities of law enforcement against minorities in the country. African-Americans are five to 10 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than whites, yet on a per capita basis, whites use marijuana in greater numbers than all minorities. As Alice Huffman, president of the California NAACP said recently, “ … being caught up in the criminal justice system does more harm to young people than marijuana itself.â€
And by what authority does Sabet dictate that marijuana “should not be subject to voter approval for its use�
There’s more. Great job, Mr. Hickey.
I don’t know how much it resonates with others, but I especially appreciated his mention the private prison industry. To me, that may be the most detestable thing of all.
He could have mentioned the Commerce Clause and civil forfeiture, but he probably didn’t actually need them to make his point.
Great letter.
All I know is, Nov 2, Im either going to rejoice or puke.
And if I puke, Ill make sure Im near enough to do it on some drug warrior, just so they understand my discust.
If you find you’re showing some worry lines about the polling that’s been going on, you NEED to read this:
http://bit.ly/9Ngevl
Can you say, “Direct hit amidships” ? Mr. Hickey’s written torpedo has hit the prohibs below the waterline, by taking on the prohibs’ tendencies to use the flawed SAMHSA nonsense.
(ER Doctor: “You hurt?” Patient: “Yeah.” Doctor: “You smoke pot recently?” Patient: “Yeah, a couple weeks ago.” Doctor checks off that patient used cannabis, therefore, according to SAMHSA’s statistical sleight-of-hand, the patient visit is caused by cannabis.)
And his challenging of Sabet, who needs to have his officiously arrogant, mendacious crap rubbed in his face as often as possible, was priceless. More, please!