Correcting The Crime Of Marijuana Prohibition
  by Dr. Charlie Webb

I hate being wrong. Even worse is apologizing in public for being wrong, but here it goes: we, the medical community, were dead wrong about the presumed images of pepper-spray. The unexpected death last month of a Colorado Springs man who was pepper-sprayed following his arrest (for marijuana gardening) brought this home in tragic reality.

In the short time that it has been generally available, at least 70 people have died following hot pepper-spray to the face. Clearly this option should be used only when it keeps someone from being shot.

The other grave mistake made was in arresting someone for marijuana. Does any thinking person in the year 2000 think that anyone should go to jail for marijuana use?

Seventy years ago marijuana was commonly prescribed for depression, headaches, asthma, vomiting and menstrual cramps. In centuries of use, no one has ever died directly from marijuana ingestion. This makes it infinitely safer than Tylenol, Aspirin, Penicillin, peanuts, strawberries, and seafood, not to mention beer, cigarettes, and pepper-spray!

When true criminal behavior is committed (assault, theft, murder, etc.) we have no difficulty in identifying the victim. But if there is no victim at all, why should any behavior be considered a crime? It shouldn’t. The so-called victimless "crimes" (such as homosexuality, birth control, and even "inter-racial" marriage) were merely relicts of the past, when moral puritans controlled the law and were allowed to impose their concepts of "sin" upon the government. We still have the living fossils of illegal gambling, prostitution, and marijuana use.

So why are 50,000 otherwise ordinary people arrested every month in America for simple marijuana possession? Virtually everyone in my baby-boomer generation and in our children’s generation knows that this is an absurd and cruel crime against humanity. One cannot die from marijuana use, but many can suffer and die from marijuana arrest.

In the old days the puritans of New England tolerated nothing that was different or fun. However, the witch-hunts of today are no less preposterous nor less dangerous than those of the Seventeenth Century. The great writer, H.L. Mencken defined Puritanism as: "The haunting fear that someone, somewhere might be having fun." Does that remind you of any powerful politically active religious organization in our hometown? Do we really want puritans defining not only what is right and wrong, but what is legal and illegal?

Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement. Society has erred in allowing the persecution of common citizens for victimless crimes. If we do not protest, then we are all guilty. Let’s all admit that we have been wrong. And let’s stop declaring war on our fellow citizens.

Send us an Email

Or write to us at:
Freethinkers of Colorado Springs
P.O. Box 62946
Colorado Springs, CO 80962-2946
Phone: 719-594-4506