The North Coast times-eagle., October 01, 1994, Page 2, Image 2

PAGE 2
It is easy to recognize how rampant violence became
during Prohibition. Now that alcohol is legal one can buy it in a
grocery store instead of in a backstreet alley from a guntoting
thug. The violence surrounding narcotics would disappear as
quickly if legalized as did the violence around alcohol after
Prohibition was repealed. The suspicion that the number of
addicts would increase and therefore create more crime to
support their habit is false. First of all a large a percentage of
crime in America is recreational drug use. Free from pursuing
millions of harmless occasional drug users (whose only crime is
their use of drugs), repeal of repressive drug laws would free
government law enforcement agencies and judicial courts to
pursue, arrest and bring to trial more murderers, rapists and
thieves.
If the U S. government wishes to resolve both the
violence and abuse surrounding narcotics it would first pacify
our streets with genuine freedom and alleviate the social
conditions which produce both the obsessive consumption of
drugs and the lucrative market for them instead of wasting
billions of taxpayers' dollars on crimes that are not crimes.
Grounded in my conclusions, then, the question arises
as to whether or not I should act against this injustice. It seemed
to me inconceivable that I should do nothing about this injustice,
but since the injustice extended to others and not necessarily to
myself there were doubts. My heart knew only one answer and
that was simply, yes, but my mind w th all its fears required a
little more convincing. The arguments for my involvement
dispelled my doubts. After addressing this aspect of my
concerns to a friend I came across this quote: 'First they came
for the Jews and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out,
because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade
unionists and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade
unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to
speak out for me.' (Pastor Nienoeller) I further believe in the
golden rule which compels me to act because I would want
others to speak out against injustices to me even if I was too
paralyzed with fear to defend myself. Is it also not wrong to
remain quiet and inactive towards an injustice? Doesnt this
make one an accomplice by our concepts of justice?
I was almost convinced there existed another possibility.
Though it is not the government's charge to enforce morality, it
is my choice to choose a moral course of action. If drugs are
immoral, then perhaps it is a choice of choosing the lesser of
two evils; one, allowing the government to suppress rights, and
the other, allowing the individual to commit immoral acts. How­
ever, it can be no sin to me to allow an individual to commit
immoral acts for one's soul is their own charge, but it would be
immoral for me to not preserve our inherent right to choose
A group that calls itself the Northwest Hemp Foundation is sponsoring a ballot initiative
between right and wrong or to dictate for another their moral
for the 1996 election to legalize marijuana. Oregonians, says director Chris Iverson of Portland,
conscience. 'Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right. ’
"will be able to buy cannabis products in state liquor stores in 1997."
(Jesus of Nazareth; Luke 12:57)
The proposal, the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act of 1997 will, according to Iverson, license
Having decided then to act the question became what
commercial growers to produce cannabis for sale through the state liquor store system and to
action
to
take. The most common answers to questions of how
pharmacies for use under a doctor's prescription. Individuals will be allowed to cultivate cannabis
to
change
legislation are to address one's representatives in
for personal use without a fee or license. Also, cannabis would be allowed for sale in taverns and
government, start a voters' petition or w ite a letter to the editor.
bars.
It seems pointless to address anything to our government or the
Iverson said that profits would go primarily to education (96%) and to drug abuse
news industry. They w th all their collective (and collected) intel­
programs (4%). "Just as the full extent of the cuts in funding for education from the property tax
ligence have carried on their tradition of leading the way in sup­
limitation bill (1990's Ballot Measure 5) phases in, we would provide at least $600 million
pressing people's rights. They cry of the malicious heart of drug
annually for education, and probably considerably more."
users like the Nazis slandered the Jews. Our government has a
Although the measure has received a certified ballot title from the Oregon Secretary of
new enemy to justify its outrageously high taxes and the enemy
State and Attorney General's offices, Iverson said that objections by several groups from the
is me, many of my friends and thousands of innocent citizens.
anti-marijuana lobby delayed active gathering of signatures until September. "We need approx­
I am the enemy of this injustice and have nothing to say
imately 70,000 signatures of registered Oregon voters by July 1996 to make the ballot," Iverson
to
the
perpetrators
of this maliciousness except that a ll empow­
S9ÍÓ
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‘
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‘
• <nu»-n rv . »»<u >n.c. • >
•
ering
word
Nancy
Reagan
so popularized, NO! No, I w ll not
For further information contact the Pay for Schools by Regulating Cannabis committee,
accept
the
government's
authority
in this by addressing it any
P.O. Box 86741, Portland, Oregon 97286, or phone (503) 690-2716.
more than in the act of being raped a woman should lay pas­
"Freedom is the issue," Iverson said.
~MPMc
sively and debate with her attacker on the legitimacy of his
forcing himself upon her. I do not recognize a government that
suppressed rights as my government. This abuse must be
checked and that is the responsibility of the people and their
invented to make hemp competable w th paper products. Both
most legitimate representative, the individual. 'Every govern­
the fabric of society by reinforcing fear, a parent of lies. A fear­
DuPont and Hearst stood close to lose a fortune. Hearst, who
ment degenerates when entrusted to the leaders of the people
ful society is a dangerous beast capable of turning on anything
not only printed newspapers and magazines but also made the
alone.' (Thomas Jefferson) It is therefore the people I address
to alleviate its fear.
paper they were printed on, began propagating the belief that
because I believe in their capacity for self-government though
We are also denied the benefits that can be derived
marijuana was an evil influence to America's youth. Wool was
they
have not as yet grasped the reins. I cast my vote in this
from the use of narcotics in the medical and mental health
put over the people's eyes by using the name marijuana, which
matter
with the whole of my influence instead of meaningless
associations. George Washington grew marijuana (hemp)
few understood was the hemp so many readily cultivated. When
pieces
of paper. When our liberties have been violated by an
presumably from his interest in it as a painkiller. Many of our
the committee attempting to legislate marijuana came before
institution
we employ there should be no tolerance or patience. If
currently illegal drugs were once used by doctors to treat various
Congress
a
question
was
asked
from
the
floor:
"Did
anyone
we
allow
transgressions
by the government upon our sacred
illnesses until the government started suppressive legislation. In
consult with the AMA and get their opinion?" Representative
rights
we
accelerate
our
return to being subjects and condemn
other countries, such as Swtzerland and Canada, our illegal
Vinson answered for the committee: "Yes we have...and they
our children to slavery.
drugs are benefiting medical and mental health practices. It is
are in complete agreement." This is false. The American
Sincerity has always been to me one of the highest
disgusting to note that the same government that injected
Medical Association was absolutely against legislating mari­
values
of
moral character. Therefore I believe my action must
infants with radioactive substance also arrests people for giving
juana. The law passed, however, and w thin two years more than
be
one
that
allows the community to see clearly where I stand
marijuana to dying AIDS patients. I remember a carpenter say­
3,000 doctors were arrested. The AMA capitulated and came out
upon this issue. I further feel it would be cowardly and dishonest
ing something about a board in someone's eye.
in opposition to marijuana. (Of business, for business, and by
of me to participate in the arena of drugs (though admittedly
Other rights it violates include our right to a fair and
only as a spectator) but not stand w th those arrested and con­
business.)
impartial legal system By making the courts and police enforce
The first zealous attacks on marijuana gave it the look
demned to prison. 'Under a just government which imprisons
unjust laws the government destroys the Iav7s credibility and
of causing extreme violence amongst the youth. Naturally this
any unjustly the proper place for a just man is also a prison.'
effectiveness. Fifty senior judges have refused to try any more
lie
could
not
hold
out
long
because
marijuana's
effect
upon
a
(Henry David Thoreau) I feel this also parallels the thoughts and
drug cases and some have stepped down from the bench as a
person
is
mildly
the
opposite.
(Alcohol
is
the
drug
with
a
history
feelings
of Gandhi, Tolstoy and Martin Luther King Jr. My final
result.'After 29 years on the bench I have concluded that federal
of
a
very
strong
association
w
th
violence.)
During
the
commun­
conclusion
is to commit an act of civil disobedience that directly
drug laws are a disaster. It is time to get the government out of
ist scare the government flipped the coin of hypocnsy and began
shows
my
cause
and beliefs. It is my intention to repeatedly
drug enforcement.' (Judge Whitman Knapp) If we continue to
screaming exactly the opposite.They propagated the belief that
commit acts of civil disobedience until the laws are repealed or
pursue the prosecution of drug offenses we w ll quite simply
marijuana caused extreme passivity and was being circulated
more likely I am imprisoned. However, as I believe I am within
destroy what little good there is left in our legal system and the
around the United States by communist factions in an effort to
my rights I shall not give up resisting in ways that cause no
dream so many have given their life for.
undermine our fervent anticommunist diligence.Has anyone had
injury
to others. I shall always apply friction to the growing
Our freedom of speech is also violated as our govern­
enough
of
being
lied
to
and
manipulated?
fascist
momentum wthin our government.
ment actively generates propaganda to stir public opinion in
Outlawing
narcotics
also
infringes
upon
a
person's
It is not only this one example of injustice I stand against
favor of their war and gives no effort to addressing those indivi­
religious freedom. It.is not the place of the government to enact
but
also
the injustice of all consensual crimes and the eternal
duals and groups w th dissenting opinions.
legislation based upon religious morals. This is strictly prohibited
enemies of freedom - ignorance and fear. I stand against those
These laws are also a major instigator of the abuse and
within the Constitution. Many of the laws against narcotics have
who seek through propaganda and intimidation to convince the
violence surrounding the use of narcotics. By outlawng them,
grown of evangelical movements as did Prohibition. Prohibition
people that they do not have the right to question or resist gov­
they are taken out of the hands of responsible persons and often
goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control
ernmental intrusion into their private lives. This is a lie and full
placed into the hands of irresponsible and often dangerous
a
man's
appetite
by
legislation,
and
makes
a
crime
out
of
things
of
malice. 'The spirit of resistance to the government is so
individuals. Narcotics are the cash cow of organized crime and
that are not a crime.'(Abraham Lincoln) Many religious traditions
valuable
at times that I wish it alvoys be kept alive. It w ll often
the quickest way to deplete the drug cartels of their immense
also involve the use of hallucinogenic and other drugs. Thus
be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised
profit is to legalize drugs. It is for this reason the drug lords bribe
some are cut off from their traditional roots while others are
at all.'(Thomas Jefferson) With the knowiedge of injustice comes
politicians and fund campaigns to keep their billion dollar
denied the right to seek their spiritual path through alternatives
the responsibility to act upon it and I am.
industry alive by maintaining its illegality.
that involve illegal drugs.
I do not however believe in the lead sheep theory of
The first extension of injustice I was made aware of
social improvement. I follow my o w i individual path to enlight­
concerned marijuana Marijuana comes from the hemp plant,
enment and freedom where one cannot lead another as I believe
which to the best of my knov^edge is the highest fiber producing
these
goals lie within the self. I am not propagating thoughts,
plant on the face of the earth. It far exceeds all others in the
feelings
or actions for others. I am simply being sincere about
length of fiber it produces, it is more easily and readily cultivated
my
beliefs
and my intentions. I hope that it serves the common
and does not deplete the soil of its nutrients nearly as much as
1114 Marina Driva
good in some manner but it most certainly will serve my consci­
high fiber cottonwood trees do Its seeds are also tremendously
ence.
Astoria, OR 97103
nutritional. Thus because hemp is illegal to grow in the U.S.,
A revolution of one, but a revolution.
people are denied the right to make a living from growing this
GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN
Columbian Cafa
very useful plant. We are also denied the right to choose a much
more environmentally sound source for our paper products
Where the timber industry is facing the end of its potential,
hemp has hardly begun to bloom.
The illegality of marijuana has a history full of injustices
and fraud perpetrated against the people The beginning of
marijuana legislation came about just as machinery had been
503-325-CAFE (2233)
Hoars; Mon - Fri Sam • 2pm
Sat 10am • 2pm
Dlnnars: Wad * Sat. Opon Spm
URIAH HULSEY------------------------------ -------------------
Michael Miller (aka Sasha) is from Seaside. He is the
North Oregon Coast coordinator of the Northwest Hemp Found­
ation