Legalization Of Marijuana

9 Pages 2172 Words

This is a misapplication of the criminal sanction
which undermines respect for the law in general and extends government into
areas of our private life that are inappropriate.

The NORML (National Orginization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws)
Board of Directors recently issued the following statement entitled Principles
of Responsible Cannabis Use, which defines the conduct which is believe that any
responsible marijuana smoker should follow.

"I. ADULTS ONLY Cannabis consumption is for adults only. It is irresponsible to
provide cannabis to children.

Many things and activities are suitable for young people, but others absolutely
are not. Children do not drive cars, enter into contracts, or marry, and they
must not use drugs. As it is unrealistic to demand lifetime abstinence from
cars, contracts and marriage, however, it is unrealistic to expect lifetime
abstinence from all intoxicants, including alcohol. Rather, our expectation
and hope for young people is that they grow up to be responsible adults. Our
obligation to them is to demonstrate what that means.

II. NO DRIVING The responsible cannabis consumer does not operate a motor
vehicle or other dangerous machinery impaired by cannabis, nor (like other
responsible citizens) impaired by any other substance or condition, including
some medicines and fatigue.

Although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many
prescription drugs with motorists, responsible cannabis consumers never operate
motor vehicles in an impaired condition. Public safety demands not only that
impaired drivers be taken off the road, but that objective measures of
impairment be developed and used, rather than chemical testing.

III. SET AND SETTING The responsible cannabis user will carefully consider
his/her set and setting, regulating use accordingly.

"Set" refers to the consumer's values, attitudes, experience and personality,
and "setting" means...