Even though I’m a dull and straight-laced guy, that doesn’t mean I want the government to pester, harass, and persecute people for engaging in victimless crimes that I find distasteful.
Especially when interventionism and prohibition doesn’t work. To be blunt, the War on Drugs has been a costly failure (much like the War on Poverty).
Fortunately, it appears that more and more people are coming to the same conclusion – and many of them aren’t libertarians. For instance, I recently cited Mona Charen’s wise comments about the issue.
Even more remarkable are the statements from one of America’s leading evangelicals, Pat Robertson.
Here’s the key sections from an Associated Press report.
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says marijuana should be legalized and treated like alcohol because the government’s war on drugs has failed. The outspoken evangelical Christian and host of “The 700 Club” on the Virginia Beach-based Christian Broadcasting Network he founded said the war on drugs is costing taxpayers billions of dollars. He said people should not be sent to prison for marijuana possession. The 81-year-old first became a self-proclaimed “hero of the hippie culture” in 2010 when he called for ending mandatory prison sentences for marijuana possession convictions. “I just think it’s shocking how many of these young people wind up in prison and they get turned into hardcore criminals because they had a possession of a very small amount of a controlled substance,” Robertson said on his show March 1. “The whole thing is crazy. We’ve said, ‘Well, we’re conservatives, we’re tough on crime.’ That’s baloney.” …Robertson said he “absolutely” supports ballot measures in Colorado and Washington state that would allow people older than 21 to possess a small amount of marijuana and allow for commercial pot sales. Both measures, if passed by voters, would place the states at odds with federal law, which bans marijuana use of all kinds. While he supports the measures, Robertson said he would not campaign for them and was “not encouraging people to use narcotics in any way, shape or form.” “I’m not a crusader,” he said. “I’ve never used marijuana and I don’t intend to, but it’s just one of those things that I think: this war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded.”
Wow, not only for legalization, but “absolutely” supports ballot initiatives in Colorado and Washington. Kudos to Rev. Robertson for recognizing the human cost of the Drug War. As the old saying goes, not everything immoral should be illegal.
Here’s five minutes from Gov. Gary Johnson on the issue.
Very well stated. Legalization is common-sense conservatism. Too bad Gary Johnson didn’t get more attention early in the GOP race.
The Drug War doesn’t work, and it is the ultimate example of Mitchell’s Law since it has spawned bad policies such as asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering rules.
Time to “just say no” to big government.
[…] (libertarians such as John Stossel and Gary Johnson but also traditional skeptics such as Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, Mona Charen, John McCain, and Richard […]
[…] allies (libertarians such as John Stossel and Gary Johnson, but also traditional skeptics such as Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, Mona Charen, John McCain, and Richard […]
I am disinclined to use drugs like heroin, marijuana or cocaine, however, what someone puts into their body is nobody’s business but that of the person. Also, the hypocrisy of people who use these drugs and want to punish other people who do the same is absurd.
[…] It’s worth noting that voices as diverse as John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, John McCain, and Richard Branson all agree that it’s time to rethink marijuana […]
Marijuana being legal is something I support. I would never touch it, however, I also would not advocate the arrest of people who do use it.
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[…] in charge of marijuana policy was the only part of the platform that I actually liked (even though I personally disapprove of drug […]
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[…] rather side with folks such as John Stossel, Gary Johnson, John McCain, Mona Charen, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, Rick Perry, and Richard […]
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[…] a growing list of people – such as John Stossel, Gary Johnson, John McCain, Mona Charen, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard Branson – who are recognizing that it’s foolish to give […]
[…] on the list of those who want to end prohibition. But you also find John McCain, Mona Charen, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard […]
[…] outlier, I invite you to read the thoughts of John McCain, John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard […]
[…] outlier, I invite you to read the thoughts of John McCain, John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard […]
[…] outlier, I invite you to read the thoughts of John McCain, John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard […]
[…] do John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard Branson all have in […]
[…] John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard Branson, I’m skeptical of the drug […]
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[…] That being said, I also realize that a libertarian who thinks drug legalization is the most important issue in the world is probably not going to feel much kinship with a social conservative who focuses on spiritual treatment of drug addiction (even though I would argue they should share policy views). […]
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This Propaganda that drug intoxication/addiction is Harmless and/or Victimless is a Damned LIE. Ask any Surviving Spouse, Child, Sibling, Parent or Friend of an Addict..And As for the “war on drugs” (like Korea and VietNam) has Never been fought with a determination to Win. There Is No Substitute for Victory. Solution: Jail the Junkies And Shoot The Dealers.
I think every driver, pilot, brain surgeon,etc has the right to indulge in whatever drugs he wants whenever he wants. Right?
[…] Amen to Pat Robertson on Marijuana Legalization […]
It increases the risk of schizaphrenia and has a strong correlation with psychosis in general according to a study done this year in the Achives of General Psychiatry.
That being said, it is not an enumerated power of the federal govenrment according to the Constitution. It is a power and responsibility of the states and the people therein.
Coincidence that the federal war on drugs got kicked off by a Dupont grant just in time for them to be trying to find a market for their nylon rope product when the US government supplied all of the military and navy with hemp rope.
The GOP will never support the end of the drug war. It would mean that Reagan, who is the go-to guy for all things good in the GOP, was wrong.