Like it or not, public sentiment for legalizing marijuana is decidedly pro. In a Gallup poll last fall, 64 percent of Americans said marijuana should be made legal. Even among Republicans, a majority, 51 percent, was in favor, up 9 percentage points from last year.
As proof, marijuana sales for medicinal purposes have been approved in 29 states. Of those, eight states and the District of Columbia have approved sales of recreational marijuana.
All of this was turned upside-down last week when U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum, a protection enacted during President Barack Obama’s tenure to let states have their individual say in the matter.
Single-handedly, Sessions has given federal authorities the power to prosecute.
Two areas, especially, raise fears among proponents.
The first is that medicinal sales protected under the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment will be included in the crackdown. Federal authorities say Sessions’ dictate does not protect these sales. Unless Congress includes it in its spending package, the amendment expires Jan. 19. Marijuana has been found to be unique in helping those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders, cancer, epilepsy and other ailments.
The other concern is that authorities will use these new powers as a means to further target racial minorities, especially blacks. In Kansas City last year, 70 percent of those charged with possession of marijuana were black, even though African Americans make up only 30 percent of its population, according to Sunday’s Kansas City Star. The Star also reported that marijuana use is evenly spread among blacks and whites. The punishment for selling marijuana — steep fines and prison for repeat offenders — is disproportionate to the severity of the crime.
BECAUSE more and more states are voting to legalize the use of marijuana in some form, it’s time Congress not stand in their way and make it the law of the land, giving states their individual say.
And while they’re at it, Congress should amend the Controlled Substance Act and declassify marijuana as a Substance 1 drug, a classification that says it has no medicinal purposes, is highly addictive and harmful. Many health experts regard marijuana as safer than alcohol or tobacco because it is less toxic and less addictive.
Another reason for legalizing weed is to regulate its content. Just as with alcohol and tobacco, marijuana needs to have universal standards that regulate its potency and levels of toxicity.
Marijuana is here to stay. Let’s make it safe.
— Susan Lynn
