Political Quotes

“Yesterday, The New York Times produced a carefully balanced rationale for ending the Federal ban on marijuana. In more than 40 years, this failed attempt at prohibition has been hopelessly out of step. The Times editorial points out the fallacy the as States marching toward decriminalization, medical marijuana, and adult use, the Federal Government maintains its schizophrenic posture, pretending that marijuana is as dangerous--as heroin or LSD, worse than cocaine or methamphetamine. While the current administration has been somewhat tolerant of the actions that have taken place in three-quarters of our States that are acting to decriminalize, authorize medical marijuana, and, more recently, in Colorado and Washington State, to legalize adult use, there is no guarantee that future administrations will have a lighter touch. That is wrong. As the Times and others have pointed out, there are significant financial costs and huge human costs of this failed experiment in prohibition which, falls disproportionately on young men of color, especially African Americans. The Times readily acknowledged that this issue has troubling aspects. We have all struggled, as a society, to deal with drugs, legal and illegal. Addiction to cigarettes and alcohol, prescription drugs and narcotics extracts a heavy toll. We are all deeply concerned about the impact that marijuana and other dangerous substances have on young people.…”