Pubdate: Tue, 14 Mar 2000
Date: 03/14/2000
Source: Inquirer (PA)
Author: Edward Forchion

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 has squashed the Constitution in
favor of a "war on drugs" in hopes of creating a drug-free America.
But this idea - that one day America will be drug-free - is ludicrous.
People have been using drugs for our entire history.

Marijuana kills no one and is, in fact, a very beneficial product. But
due to government-sanctioned lies, only a few people know this, and
they are vilified and jailed or have their kids taken, as the
Burlington County Family Court has taken my daughter from me.

Our Constitution is based on the philosophy of inalienable individual
rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Since the war on drugs is based on the philosophy that the people
exist to serve government - which has absolute authority to dictate
our lifestyles, whether we're happy or not - it's impossible to
enforce drug laws without trashing the Constitution, particularly the
Bill of Rights.

No Catholic priest has ever been arrested for consuming wine in a
"dry" state or county, or for serving it to minors. Rastafarians such
as myself who use marijuana and Native Americans who use peyote should
be so privileged.

The legal profession is in partnership with law enforcement to
continue this "war." Why? Because as much as 70 percent of the revenue
coming into some criminal-law firms is a result of the war on drugs.
The state prosecutor's office would have to cut its staff in half, if
not for the drug cases it handles that choke the court system.

And if you happen to be a defendant like myself who advocates jury
nullification as a defense tactic, you will be vilified by lawyers,
and none will assist you for fear of losing his or her job.

Edward Forchion,
Browns Mills