Former Surgeon General Says Legalize Marijuana
Dr. Jocelyn Elders ignited a firestorm when she proposed studying the merits of drug legalization while serving as Surgeon General under President Clinton. It was a bold move back then and she's still eager to speak out in favor of reform:
She gets it. In fact, she got it a long time ago.
You’re also a vocal proponent of medical marijuana. Why?
I have been speaking out about it for a long time. I’m a member of the board of advisors of a medical marijuana group. To me, it’s not nearly as toxic for our bodies as tobacco or alcohol. It should be legalized. As far as we know, it doesn’t cause lung cancer, it doesn’t cause people to go out and drive drunk and commit crimes. If it helps reduce the nausea and vomiting and reduce leg cramps, make patients feel better, what’s wrong with that? We should make it available to people who need it. I feel if people want marijuana, they could get a prescription. Then we can tax it and know who is getting it. I don’t think it is a drug that is doing harm to this country. By arresting people, putting them in jail for crimes related to marijuana, we’re spending millions on drug enforcement and it causes more problems. Young people are convicted of a crime, they can’t get money to go to school, we have over 2 million prisoners and many related to drug use—it is a vicious cycle and one we created. [New America Media]
She gets it. In fact, she got it a long time ago.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
Former surgeon general
I must confess I always considered her a little touched in the head for some of the things she has said before. "Making safer guns and safer bullets" comes to mind.
I am glad she is on the right side with this. Even our politicians who have admitted to using drugs went into the "law and order" mode when they got into politics. Her boss Bill Clinton was one who was responsible for really scaling up the drug war.
Maybe a few people who are still active in politics will grow some backbone and vote their beliefs.
Have a Marijuana If You Can
Here's an argument I've made so many times I'm getting bored with it:
By the time one reaches my age (I'll be fifty-one in ten days) one has known - at the very least - fifty people who have died on lung cancer and another fifty who have died of cirrhosis of the liver. Now ask yourself the following question:
How many people have I personally known who have died as the result of consuming too much grass?
ANSWER:
Not only have I never known anyone to die in that matter, I am not aware of it happening in all recorded human history.
I cannot believe that seventy-two years after pot was made illegal, we are still having this same stupid argument.
I need a drink....On second thought....
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
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