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Drug Policy, Politics

Libertarians were wrong about marijuana legalization

By Aron Ravin  This article appeared in the National Review on August 14, 2021.

At the outset, I’d like to lay my cards out on the table: I despise weed.  I think that I reeks, that it’s a waste of money and time.  I dislike cheap euphoria, and I think getting high promotes escapism.  Forever a nudnik, I do not, and do not plan to, partake in the devil’s lettuce.

Nevertheless, many people whom I respect and consider my friends are more open to Miss Mary Jane than I. So I take their arguments seriously when we discuss the issue of legalization. Some of the most common ones, which I’ll discuss at more length below, appear tenable on the surface, if not particularly convincing. Others that have tended to exist on the periphery of the debate — e.g., concerns about a nanny state and the problems of disproportionate sentencing — are much more compelling. Continue reading Libertarians were wrong about marijuana legalization →

Reviews

Smokescreen and The Dangerous Truth about Today’s Marijuana

In January, 2014, recreational marijuana stores opened in Colorado. We formed Parents Opposed to Pot in mid-2014, “Bursting the Bubble of Marijuana Hype.” In 2014, Johnny Stack first used marijuana.  He died by suicide only 5 years later, a victim of mental illness caused by high-potency marijuana.  His mother, Laura Stack, traces how it happened in “The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana.”

Laura Stack, professional speaker, author and founder of Productivity Pro, wrote the book to warn parents about today’s marijuana.   She formed the non-profit, Johnny’s Ambassadors, and started the annual “Stop Dabbing” Walk in September. Continue reading Smokescreen and The Dangerous Truth about Today’s Marijuana →

Driving

Jennifer’s Messengers sounds alarm, supports drugged driving victims

We introduce a new website, Jennifer’s Messengers,  to honor Jennifer, and to bring to light marijuana driving dangers.  A recent study estimated 6800 more deaths per year on our roads if marijuana is federally legalized.

Jennifer’s Messengers takes its name from Jennifer Hrobuchak, who was killed by a driver high on medical marijuana.  It happened on July 24, 2012, and nine years later, the pain is still strong. 

When people say legalizing marijuana is freedom, think of Jennifer and her family. Where’s her freedom? Where’s her mother’s freedom?  Is she free to call her daughter on the phone? Is she free to see that daughter who would be 31 now?  No, that freedom was taken away by a man who was stoned. He violently killed Jennifer and only got a slap on the wrist, spending less than 2 years in jail. Continue reading Jennifer’s Messengers sounds alarm, supports drugged driving victims →

Vaping

Who is to blame for vaping illnesses and addiction?

Part 2 of 2

Who is to blame for addicting kids to nicotine and causing the vaping illnesses that sickened and even killed so many people?  Juul and its backers piggybacked onto marijuana legalization and used similar marketing schemes.  Read Part 1.

With fits and starts, Adam Bowen and James Monsees worked diligently over several years to come up with a product that would replace traditional cigarettes. They enlisted the help of venture capitalists from Silicon Valley, including some of the Pritzkers who fund marijuana companies, too. They never imagined getting involved with Big Tobacco.

Continue reading Who is to blame for vaping illnesses and addiction? →