As of October this year recreational use of marijuana was legal in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and the US commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. On the November ballot in North Dakota, and Michigan are (perhaps now were) measures to legalize marijuana for recreational use, and Missouri and Utah for Medical use.
Here we are, the voters in Michigan have hopefully told the state that it’s time to honor freedom.
Freedom so far as the recreational use of marijuana is concerned anyway. One very small step in the fight against government parasites who believe it moral to control your life, granting you privileges which replace and destroy your freedom, and who take your money and property while allowing you to keep only what they deem fit.
Yet, did Michigan get it right? The measure in North Dakota serves as a guidepost. In that state, the ballot proposal does not limit possession, nor does it include a regulatory scheme like Michigan’s. Think about that. The voters have kept the government parasites out of the picture. I see a major breakout of freedom in North Dakota that should be taking place here in Michigan.
But what about all those victims of the US War on Drugs (Freedom)? What about the 643,000 arrested for marijuana crimes in 2015 alone? What about the approximately 26% of all state and federal prisoners incarcerated for drugs? What about those who suffered the loss of property, income, and in some cases their lives? How will we ever be able to tell them, “sorry, too bad you got caught exercising freedom while it was banned?
What about the fact that while citizens were being denied freedom that causes no harm to the life, liberty or property of another, while government parasites who violate federal laws suffer no consequences? For example, in November 1986 then President Ronald Reagan confirmed that the US illegally sold arms to Iran in exchange for the release of the US hostages in Iran. It was later that former National Security Advisor John Poindexter admitted he personally authorized the diversion of some of the profits to aid the Nicaraguan "contra" rebels, even though Congress had prohibited such aid because of the Contra’s involvement in the cocaine trade. Many people in government were indicted and found, or plead guilty, yet President G.H. Bush later issued pardons. Only one private contractor actually did 2 years in prison, while none of the government parasites did any time.
What about when investigative reporter Gary Webb published his "Dark Alliance" series, which examined the origins of the crack cocaine trade in Los Angeles. He claimed that members of the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua had played a major role in creating the trade, using cocaine profits to support their struggle. It also suggested that the Contras may have acted with the knowledge and protection of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). You guessed it, the very same people involved in the Iran-Contra Affair. Interestingly, Reagan’s vice president, G.H. Bush, was the CIA Director from 1976-77.
What about when Operation Fast and Furious which was uncovered in 2010 as a result of the murder of a US border patrol agent with a semi-automatic rifle that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) supplied Mexican drug smugglers. Interestingly, the US’s chief law enforcement agent at the time, Attorney General Eric Holder, was held in contempt of Congress after he refused to divulge documents for a congressional investigation in to the matter. Yet, in that same year Holder pledged to continue to uphold laws and prosecute marijuana cases in states where it becomes legal. You know, “Bolshavick” means a group of related or linked statements or claims which are based on nonsense, or lies.
Consider government’s role in gun/drug running. Also consider government parasites are rarely ever incarcerated for their crimes or treason to the principles of freedom. While at the same time, a person who sells $50.00 of cannabis faces many years in prison and the loss of income and property, and suffers with a permanent criminal record.
The next step in Michigan needs to be a grass roots demand for the automatic expungement of all marijuana convictions and the return of all property and money to those previously convicted. It is true, expungement of criminal records would never make up for the losses to those individuals. Nor would it make up for the double standard of parasites who prosecute others for exercising freedom, while not themselves being prosecuted for destroying freedom. But it would be a great second step in reclaiming freedom in Michigan. We needed you in the fight to legalize marijuana. We need you more in the fight to help right the wrongs of the past and expunge criminal convictions for marijuana offenses. Let’s do this!
Till next month, as always, keep rolling on.
Disclaimer: This is an informational article only. It is not to provide individual legal advice. If you need legal services, feel free to contact me, or any attorney of your choosing.
