We also have to look at the possibility that Mexico's change was a result of the power the drug cartels have in that country. Decriminalizing possession, without changes in the laws regarding manufacture and sale, can only be a boon to the the black market that supplies the now non-criminal user.

There is a corollary with the current health care reform in the US. An individual mandate that forces citizens to buy insurance, without a corresponding change in the tactics of the insurers, is really just a gift to those insurers.

It's true! If the rest of the world has a sane drug policy, the US will have no choice but to see reason. Just like with health-care!

the US is different because God gave us this land and wrote our constitution.

"Because every great American city wants to be the next Third World Shithole... "

GO LOU DOBBS

Also you dumb south park conservatives had absolutely no defense in the last thread on the NYT article, why do you expect people to tolerate your shallow bullshit here?

I'm sure the U.S. will see the light right after we adopt single-payer health care and the metric system.

@7 for the win.

Well, I always wanted to visit Argentina ...

@9 - because the Constitution, which was written on Hemp, says so ... um, never mind.

Nice try, @11, but killing an undifferentiated conglomeration of cells hardly speaks towards liberals' compassion (or lack thereof).

As long as alcohol and cigrettes are legal, there is no logical reason for marijuana to be illegal. Unless, of course, the whole point of prohibition is to block people from seeking pleasure. This is what Christians seek to do with other people's lives. If there is something fun to do, there will be a Christian there telling you it's wrong. Christians are the problem.

Debaters debate the two wars as if Nixon’s civil war on Woodstock Nation didn’t yet run amok. One needn’t travel to China to find indigenous cultures lacking human rights or to Cuba for political prisoners. America leads the world in percentile behind bars, thanks to ongoing persecution of hippies, radicals, and non-whites under banner of the war on drugs. If we’re all about spreading liberty abroad, then why mix the message at home? Peace on the home front would enhance credibility.

The drug czar’s Rx for prison fodder costs dearly, as lives are flushed down expensive tubes. My shaman’s second opinion is that psychoactive plants are God’s gift. In God’s eyes, it’s all good (Gen.1:12). The administration claims it wants to reduce demand for cartel product, but extraditing Canadian seed vendor Marc Emery increases demand. Mr. Emery enables American farmers to steal cartel customers with superior domestic product.

The constitutionality of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act of 1970) derives from an interstate commerce clause. This clause is invoked to finance organized crime, endanger homeland security, and throw good money after bad. Official policy is to eradicate, not tax, the number-one cash crop in the land. America rejected prohibition, but it’s back. Apparently, SWAT teams don’t need no stinking amendment.

Nixon promised the Schafer Commission would support the criminalization of his enemies, but it didn’t. No matter, the witch-hunt was on. No amendments can assure due process under an anti-science law without due process itself. Psychology hailed the breakthrough potential of LSD, until the CSA halted all research. Marijuana has no medical use, period.

The RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) allows Native American Church members to eat peyote, which functions like LSD. Americans shouldn’t need a specific church membership to obtain their birthright freedom of religion. Denial of entheogen sacrament to any American, for mediation of communion with his or her maker, precludes the free exercise of religious liberty.

Freedom of speech presupposes freedom of thought. The Constitution doesn’t enumerate any governmental power to embargo diverse states of mind. How and when did government usurp this power to coerce conformity? The Mayflower sailed to escape coerced conformity. Legislators who would limit cognitive liberty lack jurisdiction.

Common-law must hold that adults own their bodies. The Founding Fathers decreed that the right to the pursuit of happiness is inalienable. Socrates said to know your self. Lawmakers should not presume to thwart the intelligent design that molecular keys unlock spiritual doors. Persons who appreciate their own free choice of path in life should tolerate seekers’ self-exploration.

Simple majorities in each house could put repeal of the CSA on the president’s desk. The books have ample law on them without the CSA. The usual caveats remain in effect. You are liable for damages when you screw up. Strong medicine requires prescription. Employees can be fired for poor job performance. No harm, no foul; and no excuse, either. Replace the war on drugs with a frugal, constitutional, science-based drugs policy.

Hey #1: Argentina has bullet trains and UHC. We don't. Who's the third world shithole, now?

#17 You tell 'em. I have to live with these idiots in the U.S. that think they are GOD'S gift to the universe.