3 Simple Reasons
Why Conservatives Should Support Medical Marijuana
by Anne Salter
Like most of the nation, Conservatives are divided in their opinions about the legalization of medical marijuana. On the one hand action group, Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) lobby hard for the legalization of marijuana, whilst on the other Republican politicans such as Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush do not agree with or advocate the legalisation of the drug. Even the Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump is unclear as to where he stands on the situation, saying in 2015 that: “I would really want to think about that one…Because in some ways I think it’s good and in other ways it’s bad. I do want to see what the medical effects are. I have to see what the medical effects are, and, by the way, medical marijuana, medical? I’m in favor of it a hundred percent.”
The legalisation of cannabis, either for medical use or for wider public use, is a wildly complex issue and is hugely divisive. However the fact is that Conservatives should be supporting the legalisation of medical marijuana, and here’s why:
The Right to Individual Freedom and Responsibility
One of the cornerstones of American conservatism is an individual’s right to take responsibility for their own actions, and their right to individual freedom. The issue of personal liberty makes an appealing case for marijuana legalisation, because most conservatives are opposed to a government that tells them what they can do, what they can eat, what they can or can’t put into their body: it stands to reason that that attitude to personal liberty should also include the right to use marijuana should you wish to do so. Conservatives are often vocally opposed to the “nanny state” that attempts to take away their personal responsibility and their ability to make decisions freely. The logical extension of this is that they are opposed to being told that they legally cannot use marijuana, either for medical or for recreational use.
A Commitment to Free Market Capitalism
Economically, the conservative stand point is one that is committed to the free market economy and capitalism, and that they should support legalisation. This is because the legalisation of medical marijuana would serve to strengthen the already established industry that is building in the states where the drug is legal, and this industry could also be established and built up in other states around the country. This is all free market capitalism, and is in the true spirit of the conservative approach to business and to the economy. By legalising marijuana we would enable new businesses to be established (in the production and distribution industries) which would lead to new jobs, billions of dollars being earnt in personal revenue, and a huge tax revenue being generated for the government at the same time.
Recoup The Cost of the War on Drugs
The War on Drugs has failed, and has been a very expensive mistake. In 2010 alone, the U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion dollars on the War on Drugs, which equates to a spending rate of about $500 per second. And yet the number of drug users in the country has not been affected by this targeted campaign. By legalising marijuana we can stop this war and put the American people’s tax dollars to much better use, or simply use that extra money to chip away at the country’s deficit, which is in line with conservative fiscal policy.
Using this logic, then, and it is clear that the very nature of Conservatism in America means that as a political organisation, the Republicans should support not only the legalisation of marijuana for medical use, but the wider legalisation of the drug for recreational use as well.
Resources
“What’s the conservative pot position?”, CNN Politics, http://edition.cnn.
“Compassionate populism on the road to rediscovering cannabis as medicine”, Rehabs.com, http://
“5 reasons why conservatives should support marijuana legalisation”, Civilized, http
“A blunt guide to how Republican candidates feel about pot”, Mother Jones, http://www.motherjones.
“Marijuana Legalization 2016: Where Do Donald Trump And Other Republicans Stand On Cannabis Use?”, International Business Times, http://www.ibtimes.com/
“In a hasty vote, Texas lawmakers show their (lack of) appetite for marijuana research”, Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition, http://www.
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Showing posts with label legalization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legalization. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2016
3 Simple Reasons Why Conservatives Should Support Medical Marijuana
Saturday, January 23, 2016
WHAT'S NEW: MEDICAL MARIJUANA MOVEMENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA
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MEDICAL MARIJUANA MOVEMENT IN SC:
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Summer UPDATE from Columbia NORML
Summer & Recess
As August gets underway, our federal legislators begin their 5-week vacation, and the midterm election countdown- 100 days away- starts, our transition back into activity begins. Since the end of the legislative session, we advocates have continued to make landmark strides and shift the mainstream debate into a more reasonable conversation. And, of course, the issue remained a hot news item:
- Two weeks after Governor Haley signed both the industrial hemp and CBD oil bills into law, GW Pharmaceuticals released preliminary efficacy and safety data of their proprietary CBD oil, Epidilex.
- The U.S. House attempted to stop Washington, D.C.'s move to decriminalize marijuana possession. The effort failed, and the police will now impose a $25 fine for possession of up to an ounce.
- In early July, Kentucky's first legal hemp grow in more than 50 years was looking real good.
- NORML launched the NORML Business Network, a kind of Better Business Bureau for the legal cannabis industry.
- The U.S. House actually addressed the issue of banking! That was a shocker.
- South Carolinians proved a readiness for legalization of medical marijuana!
These are just a few of the many stories and continuing efforts we now have an opportunity to build upon, especially after this coming election and into the next legislative session: Representative Todd Rutherford has already stated his intention to again file the "Put Patients First Act"; our new CBD oil law has a provision that creates a study committee to develop a plan for the use and sale of medical marijuana. We need to advocate for the formation of this committee because it has until March 15, 2015 to submit its findings and recommendations to the South Carolina House and Senate. And, we must remember that there are still several bills at the federal level that deserve a vote. It's a good thing our Congressmen are back home for their 5-week recess. Find out where your U.S. Representative will be speaking, and give them a reminder. They, like us, still have things to accomplish.
Enjoy your remaining summer,
Wayne Borders
Acting Executive Director & President
Acting Executive Director & President
Dates to Remember
Chapter Meeting, Sunday, August 10, 3 P.M.: We meet at 2025 Marion Street, in the historic home of Modjeska Simkins. Our meetings are open to the public, and agendas will be available online and to those in attendance.Adopt-A-Highway Pick-up, Saturday, August 16, 10 A.M.- 12 P.M.: We will meet at the Busted Plug statue, the giant fire hydrant by Palmetto Baptist. Our route is the length of Taylor between Bull and Huger. After our clean up, for those who feel up to it, we can go to Soda City Farmers' Market on Main.
Mid-term Election, Tuesday, November 4, 7 A.M.- 7 P.M.: VOTE! To update your voter registration and find your polling site, visit http://www.scvotes.org. Also, if you or someone you know has finished or will finish serving parole or probation before the election, they can re-register to vote. Contact your County Election Commission for details. The deadline for voter registration is October 4.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Guest Post: If Drugs Were Legal...
GUEST POST: Skip Johnson, Short Takes By Skip
If drugs were legal...
By now we all recognize that the so-called "War on Drugs" has failed. It's over. Now it's time to move on and replace it with something else. But what?
I vote that we legalize all drugs such as heroin, cocaine and marijuana (especially marijuana) for adults, regulate them the way we do other addictive drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, and tax them heavily.
What would happen if we did?
Drug crimes at all levels would drop overnight, because where there is no profit motive there is no crime. Drug dealers who infest our nation's schools would evaporate, making it much harder for teenagers to obtain drugs. Drugs-related turf wars and other street crimes in our neighborhoods would end. International terrorism, which illegal drugs help finance, would suffer a crushing blow.
Law enforcement agents could spend their time chasing real criminals -- yes, real criminals, people who endanger society, not people we're just mad at.
Clogged court dockets would clear. The problem of overcrowded prisons everywhere would vanish as countless nonviolent inmates -- the ones we're just mad at -- go free. And taxpayers would save a bare minimum of $15,000 per prisoner per year.
Drug addicts would be treated as alcohol addicts are -- as sick people who need our help, not criminals who need to be imprisoned.
Legalizing drugs also would create jobs, guarantee users a clean and safe supply, reduce illness, restore some of our lost civil rights -- much more, but I promised to keep this blog under 300 words.
Just one more thing. Legalizing drugs would not cause drug use to rise. The sad fact is that anyone who wants to use drugs is using drugs. To a drug user, the law is almost irrelevant.
-Skip
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