Too Many Things are Illegal

Many Americans do not understand what a true democracy with liberty and justice for all means. We are constantly trying to pass legislation that tries to force certain life styles and beliefs on our fellow citizens. This is tyranny. There are many examples of this and we have hundreds of laws dictating behavior. Laws in a Democratic country based on liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all should protect citizens from  infringement on their freedoms and well being by others without dictating personal behavior. A good example of this seems to be our treatment of Marijuana users. If someone smokes pot but are not hurting others and are not infringing on the rights of others that activity should not be criminalized. If however they hurt someone else while under the influence they should be held accountable for their actions.

Today we have thousands of our fellow citizens in prison for using marijuana, not selling it, but using it. The USA has more people in prison than any other country in the world, even more than so-called rogue or "evil" countries. Many of those in prison are there because they were convicted of MJ use. The cost of this incarceration in lives and money is staggering. If MJ was regulated and distributed as liquor is in Utah, the black market for it would be greatly reduced with corresponding reductions in law enforcement problems and expense while increasing revenues in the economy. A great historical example of the folly of the making alcohol illegal was American Prohibition laws of the 1930s. Our situation with MJ is a direct parallel.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune in an article dated December 5, 2013, the legal sales of alcoholic beverages in Utah amounts to $658 million in revenues. The industry provides 3,210 Utah jobs and generates $131 million in taxes. The is according to a study prepared by John Dunham and associates. Think of the possibilities for this money when we can't appropriately fund our schools, health care, and other desirable services.

Millions of Americans use alcohol for a use similar to MJ but with legal sanction. Can we not treat MJ the same way? It seems much of the case against legalizing MJ use comes from a sense of moral judgement. But where is the immorality in MJ use? Where is it condemmend in The Bible, Koran, or Torah? Where is it addressed in the Constitution or Bill of Rights? Just because we don't appreciate the behavior of someone, is it right to make their behavior illegal? Lets decriminalize MJ and free thousands behind bars who have committed no crime against humanity and treat MJ as we do other legal drugs.

Gary Faatz

12/07/13