The backporch

Dear President Obama

Sir, I am writing to you today because I would like to offer you my opinion, and for your consideration a national dialogue on the pros and cons of current marijuana laws.

I applaud your action to curtail federal enforcement activities in cases that are not in violation of state laws.

Many states have or are just beginning to debate their current marijuana laws. Some state legislatures had their debates and determined that it would be in the best interest of their state to make changes. Among them is to allow cannabis use for certain medical conditions and to collect a tax revenue.

There are other very good reasons to look at and change our current policy. Senators Webb of Virgina and Senator Spector of Pennsylvania also believe it is time to take a look at our policies.

Current policies have made otherwise law abiding citizens criminals. Frequently the sentences for simple possession in some states can lead to a year in jail. Oftentimes destroying a family in the process. The destruction was not from the use of marijuana, but from the employed, tax paying, church going, little league coach and teacher going to jail for a year because he was high at work but because he had a joint in his pocket on a Saturday night when out with friends. As a result of such charge he may lose his job, and be unable to support his family. Not to mention the cost of arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating such a person.

Senator Webb stated earlier this month in Parade Magazine.

Drug offenders, most of them passive users or minor dealers, are swamping our prisons. … Justice statistics also show that 47.5% of all the drug arrests in our country in 2007 were for marijuana offenses. Additionally, nearly 60% of the people in state prisons serving time for a drug offense had no history of violence or of any significant selling activity. … African-Americans — who make up about 12% of the total U.S. population population — accounted for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59% of those convicted, and 74% of all drug offenders sentenced to prison.

This represents a large amount of wasted lives and money for such minor issues that can be handled in a much more human and cost effective way.

As a father of 2 daughters myself I understand your personal reluctance to endorse cannabis consumption, I wouldn’t have accepted my children use, even though I had consumed; and just the same nor would I approve of any alcohol use even though I would partake, and yet alcohol was totally legal.

There are good reasons to control the use of this drug. Just as there are good reasons to control the sale and consumption of alcohol. Similar controls can also be put in place for cannabis sales. The potential tax revenue would be enormous if only the millions of users had paid a few bucks in order to feel secure that they would not be taken into custody because of a pipe or ‘roach’. Not to mention the continuous employment related taxes continue being paid.

And of course we don’t have to mention all the negative consequences of alcohol use even though this product is legal. And few if any research has shown any positive benefits of alcohol use while many studies have have shown that marijuana use has some health benefits, not to mention anecdotal evidence which I can personal offer.

I do hope ,Sir, that at least you keep an open mind as to the benefits of a debate and possible changes to current policy. The health benefits for certain diseases, the tax revenue that could be realized, and the end to tearing families apart because of a jail sentence.

Sincerely,

EB

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