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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2002)
Letters______________ 2__________ v£)pinion pcuptc' && ¿Mamed ta Puff puff drive Sh atdd uvaiijuana tnc'H diwefi All signed letters to the editor should be SOO words or less and will considered for publication if submitted by 1 pm the Friday prior publication. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing. We reserve t WedNEsdAy, WEÓNEsdAy 25, 2002 “Toke it up” seems to me to be the phrase of choice in Idaho among drivers. There you can drive under the influence of mari juana, as long as you do not drive erratically. In 1998, Matthew Patzer was pulled over for a bro ken tail light, and while ofFic ers were talking with him, he ad mitted to smoking marijuana at a party. He was convicted of im paired driving under case num ber 00-30360, the United States v. Patzer. However, on Mon., Jan. 14, 2002, a federal appeals court overturned his conviction be cause, while it was illegal to drive under the influence of narcotics, marijuana is not specified as a narcotic under Idaho law. The appeals court stated that “Given the distinction drawn by a statute, there is no basis to con clude that impairment may be pre sumed upon admission of a non narcotic drug.” Therefore Patzer’s confession could not be used unless he was pulled over for driving erratically, and it was then determined he was under the influence. The Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael J. Fica, said the govern ment may ask the United States Supreme Court to hear the case. The Senate Judiciary, chair right to not publish any letter. wwkt' man, Denton Darrington, ques tions whether the decision will hold up. “Wow Say It Loud & De La Cruz Proud! Salena Opinion Editor Andrew Fowler Bryan Trammell Major: Music word that seems to come to mind. While I’m all for allowing people to live each day to the very full est and partying it up if that’s what they want, I am glad I don’t live in Idaho. Now, I am not per fect by any means and have been thoughtless when sitting behind the wheel of my car. It’s scary knowing that in Idaho people can drive while under the influence of a drug that may make you high and happy but also hinders your ability to think or function. If people want to get high or drunk, hey, party on. But if they want to be stupid and get behind the wheel of a car when they’re high or drunk, I’m sorry, I’m not going to be happy about it. It’s one thing if you endanger your own life, but it’s quite another if you get behind that wheel and run into me or someone I care about. So, Idaho, please pull your head out of that cloud of smoke and quit toking up while you’re driving. Gordon Isaac Major: Microelectronics "No, it affects your judgment. If you would then why not drink and drive." "No, I've done it before and I know what it does. I had time lapses." Major: Microelectronics "No. You can't handle your vehicle as well." Matt Hogue Ryan Snider Jesse Boger Major: Undecided Major: Undecided Major: Art and Letters "I've done it myself. It doesn't impact your driving, but I think it could. It shouldn't be allowed." "Never. Though about that question, to a certain degree it would be o.k." "I do it all the time. Idon'tthi it should be illegal in the first place." Photos and quotes compiled by Salena De La Cruz and Maggie Jirasek. Do you want to go head to head with one of our writers? By Jon Baggs Bring it on! Send your opinions to cccpnnt@clackamas,cc.or.us 300-500 words or stop by B- 104 with it saved on a disk. Editor-in-Chief: Business Manager: Maggie Jirasek (x2447) Nick Barron (x2578) Opinion Editor/Production Coordinator Salena De La Cruz Webmaster: Copy Editor: Staff: Luke Mahan Allison Gerfin Amanda Hughart Crystal Castleman Liesl Muggli Sports Editor: Elena Boryska News Editor: Jesse Gurzynski Erinn Lerten Elisabeth Meyer Frank Jordan Photo Editor: Mike Pollock Secretary: JoAnne Gale 19600 S. M o I a II a Ave. OaeqoN ClTy, Oaeqoa 97045 (505) 657-6958 ext 2509 CCCPRÌNT@CIAC|CAMAS.CC. OR. US A & E Editor: Daisy Bain Adviser: • Patty Mamula (x2310) 77ie Clackamas Print aims to report the nt in an honest, unbiased, professional manr The opinions expressed in The Clackamas P. do not necessarily reflect those of the stud body, college administration, its faculty, or i Clackamas Print advertisers. Products and: vices advertised in The Clackamas Print with The Clackamas Print. The advert rate is $4.75 per column inch. The Clack) Print is a weekly publication and is distril every Wednesday except during Finals \ The Clackamas Print Copyright2001.
