Ending the “War On Drugs”

We are in the midst of an exciting presidential campaign. The four states which have legalized cannabis for adult use have widely varying statutory schemes, and activists and those in the industry are having soul-searching conversations about the design of the commercial cannabis markets across the county as we move forward.

Numerous states are moving forward to vote on legalization of medical cannabis, with some allowing growers also to process and sell (what is called vertical integration), with others requiring a tiered distribution system.

Legislation in Michigan which would allow medical cannabis stores is bogged down in the conservatively-gerrymandered legislature. There is strong sentiment in the community that it is best that HB-4209 not move forward in its present form, because it will create as many problems as it is intended to solve. It would not provide reasonably priced access, nor would it stem the underground trade.

Prohibition is bad on so many levels. President Richard Nixon’s expressed purpose for increasing the criminalization of cannabis was for its effect on anti-war protesters, liberals, or people of color. Nixon found those people to be irritants, and he wanted them suppressed.

Many activists feel that they have carried the ball almost to the end zone, only now to have it snatched from their grasp by corporate interests. There may be no way to keep “big business” out of the commercial cannabis market (and there is a place for both big and small businesses in a properly regulated market).

The ability for consumers to purchase cannabis in a retail outlet is only one of the desirable outcomes. We also should seek to end Nixon’s war on people, by ending the “war on drugs.” Ending the war on drugs would go a long way toward getting the government out of our private lives, and reducing the unnecessary strain on the criminal justice system caused by prosecuting these victimless “crimes.”

“Not only do we want reasonable pricing, a good employment climate and quality cannabis, but we also want to move to a system which will end the war on cannabis and treat it as the herbal wonder it is.”

Leland Berger, one of the most widely-respected cannabis lawyers in Oregon, recently spoke at the National Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland on the current tug-of-war between old-line activists and new money preferences in the design of markets which will be coming online in the next few months and years. Berger laid out a few principles which he felt any well-designed system should include. In order to protect society, and promote economic growth in a way which does not play favorites, any well-designed system would include home growing, leave the DUI laws alone (because people should not be prosecuted if their ability to drive is not affected), protect the rights of medical cannabis patients, allow free sharing without compensation, and allow for production of concentrates, extracts, edibles and topical cannabis products.

Here in Michigan, MILegalize meets all those criteria. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has endorsed MILegalize. MILegalize will not prohibit big business, but it will also allow small businesses to exist and compete. Any city, township, village or federally regulated tribe will be allowed to ban or license any size growing, processing or sales facility. This may be the only realistic opportunity to establish and maintain a “craft beer” type model before an expensive big business proposal gets through. Not only do we want reasonable pricing, a good employment climate and quality cannabis, but we also want to move to a system which will end the war on cannabis and treat it as the herbal wonder it is.

A final push is on with the petition drive to raise money and get the necessary signatures for filing on June 1. Step up, participate and make sure that MILegalize gets the money and signatures needed to get on the ballot. Please contact www.milegalize.com to collect signatures or donate to the campaign. It’s now or never.