A reader writes concerning the advancement of a marijuana bill in the House of Representatives:
When I lived in Colorado, my experience was that conservatives/Republicans/libertarians there were just as big dope smokers as the liberals — if not more so.
To be sure. Largish political parties have many small fault lines, both ideological and geographical. The libertarians have long railed against laws making marijuana use and growth illegal. And I don’t doubt that the Colorado Republicans smoke as well – I’ve always had the impression that the non-Deep-South GOP has had a more relaxed attitude towards marijuana, even if there’s still a token gesture towards the position.
I recall reading a libertarian article on how all anti-recreational drug laws were pushed by the religious right – or maybe religions in general, this was 30+ years ago – because general drug experiences could be interpreted as mystical in nature, suggesting that the mediation of the clergy might not be necessary to achieve connection with the Divine. And we just couldn’t have that, now could we. Take that for what you will.
Also related to this issue: this post by Andrew Sullivan, back in October, celebrating the potential legalization of psilocybin. It’s worth a read, although whether or not I should be taking drug experiences seriously is an open question. I’ve never done any myself, believing that I don’t have enough neurons as it is, so why endanger the ones I have already?
But back to my point, the general push for making marijuana illegal has always been a conservative cause, nationwide. And because the Republicans are loathe to abandon political positions – particularly those considered important to their Religious Right base – as they would then be considered soft, I think the Senate won’t even take up this bill, and, if they do, it won’t be passed.
And the Democrats in Georgia might use that fact against Perdue and Loeffler.
And now – you knew this was coming – Reefer Madness! No, this isn’t a parody! (I’m not quite sure what that 2004 copyright’s doing on the print.) Good ol’ government propaganda at it’s best!
