By Carlos Miller
If it were up to me, marijuana would be legalized for all adults and taxed with the money going towards national healthcare.
But then again, I am a liberal.
In this week’s Miami Beach 411 column, I write about a group of Florida activists fighting an uphill battle in order to get the medical marijuana measure on the 2012 ballot.
Not only does it take 700,000 signatures to get it on the ballot, it would need 60 percent of the vote once it’s on the ballot because it is a citizen initiative instead of a government-issued amendment.
I always find it pretty ironic that the conservatives who complain about liberal government interference are the ones who insist that medical marijuana remain illegal. They are also the ones who supported the 60 percent majority requirement to amend the state constitution.
So much for the voice of the people.
Please try to leave your comments on this blog post instead of the poll for consistency.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Fernandez, as I mentioned in a 
13 responses so far ↓
1 Simon Jester // Jan 20, 2010 at 11:35 AM
For the sake of clarity, I am not a user, nor do I want to be.
That given, marijuana use should be legal for two reasons. One, the people want it. Two, there is no more harm in its use than alcohol, nicotine nor caffeine. Simple.
2 MacK // Jan 20, 2010 at 11:51 AM
I used about 35 years ago quit when I was 18. It was all my choice, no one else chose for me to start or stop smoking dope.
I’m different in that I could care less if it is 1000 times worse then cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, rolled dog shit, or grannies panties stuffed up your butt. So long as you want to do it, and it harms no one else, well then have fun.
3 Catinthewall // Jan 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
I still haven’t found a single valid argument for keeping it illegal. It was banned with a campaign of lies and racism, and the few arguments that do hold up under the weight of real medical studies would also apply to making tobacco and alcohol illegal.
4 Anonymous // Jan 20, 2010 at 3:07 PM
I voted other. The explanation being that since the federal government does not have the constitutional authority to outlaw the ownership of any particular item (without an amendment to the constitution – see Prohibition, for example), the “laws” they have passed against the possession of marijuana are illegal – and thus null and void. Hence, there is no valid law against marijuana ownership – there is simply a governmental body acting illegally to curtail our constitutionally protected rights.
I’m posting anonymously for obvious reasons.
5 EdinMiami // Jan 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM
Hemp and MJ: bring’em both back!
6 Donkeyrock // Jan 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Yes, canabis should be legal for all uses.
Also, the US constitution needs 3/4 of congressional votes to be amended, but FL only needed a simple majority to amend its state constitution. That was idiotic, and I voted for the 60% vote initiative.
7 Constantine // Jan 20, 2010 at 9:37 PM
Interestingly, not as often talked about in the marijuana debate is the social impact that the entire drug war has had.
Overwhelmingly, anti-drug laws and enforcement tend to target the poor and minorities, for whom other opportunities are rare or non-existent. Not only are American citizens not allowed to make their own decisions about their own bodies, but they’re thrown in jail for non-violent offenses and their lives can be wrecked with little chance at rehabilitation for it.
Ideally, all drugs should be decriminalized, with proper education on the effects and risks of their use made widely available. I’m also in favor of support and rehabilitation programs available to all citizens, not just for hard drugs but for marijuana, nicotine and alcohol if they need it.
8 Michael Stone // Jan 20, 2010 at 10:40 PM
What I put in my body is not to be decided by others.
Whether they’re one or many.
9 Catinthewall // Jan 21, 2010 at 3:35 AM
I understand that reasoning, but why should it only apply to citizen initiative but not to government-issued amendments?
10 Jacob // Jan 21, 2010 at 9:05 AM
It should be completely decriminalized. The only taxed/regulated form should be any sold via commercial entities, but if anyone wishes to raise it in a garden just like home grown vegetables, no government interference or regulation should occur.
+1 to all of the other legitimate reasons listed on this thread also.
11 I don't have a darn name // Jan 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM
The medical argument is a bit hard to make, thanks to the chill on medical research into cannabis. How can it not be an abandonment of responsibility or outright negligence for the government to make it so difficult and dangerous (to one’s career) to research a substance so much of the populace is exposing themselves to? Its really disgraceful that medical issues are still considered moral ones.
12 Theywantyoufired // Jan 21, 2010 at 7:18 PM
The war on drugs is a disaster. It has failed and marijuana is a good place to start taking things back to where they should be. Former Governor Gary Johnson (NM) is right on about this subject. Libertarians and like minded members of the other parties should lead the way to put an end to this “war” that’s put more people into prison than any other country. Let people grow their own for their own use. That will stop all the drug violence. Being stoned isn’t any worse than being drunk. If you do so in your own home what business is that of anybody else? I don’t use it, I tried it once and decided it isn’t for me. But it is me making that decision, not a bunch of jack booted goons.
13 Metal Guitar Pick // May 27, 2010 at 4:14 AM
I totally concur with the above comment, the internet is having a doubt growing into one of the most essential medium of communication across the globe and its due to sites like this that ideas are spreading so rapidly.
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