What if Gov. Palin Had Been Arrested for Marijuana?

Sen. John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has admitted she smoked marijuana in the past, but says it's not an issue because it was legal under Alaska law. She says though, that marijuana should be illegal. So what she did should have been a crime. And she should be considered a criminal. But it wasn't, and she's not; so it's not an issue. That's a more convoluted obfuscation than former President Clinton's admission that he smoked marijuana "but didn't inhale."

While possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is legal in Alaska, it's still illegal under federal law. That makes Gov. Palin a criminal in the eyes of the federal government. Does she think she should be sent to federal prison? Or should states be allowed to set their own marijuana policies and the feds should butt out? Eighteen states have marijuana policies at odds with federal law.

And what about the many law-abiding, taxpaying Alaskans who currently smoke marijuana. If marijuana is re-criminalized in Alaska like she proposes, many of these citizens will face arrest and life-long criminal records. Had Gov. Palin been arrested for marijuana, it is doubtful she would be running for Vice President now. In her heart-of-hearts does Gov. Palin really think that people who smoke marijuana belong in jail and not the Governor's Mansion or the White House?

These are not idle questions. The police make more than 1.8 million drug arrests every year in the United States, nearly 700,000 for nothing more than possession of marijuana for personal use. Those arrested are separated from their loved ones, branded criminals, denied jobs, and in many cases prohibited from accessing public assistance for life.

Even if someone is incarcerated for just one day, that can be enough for them to lose their job. In today's economy, losing a job can lead to months of unemployment, undermining families and costing taxpayer money. And a marijuana conviction can follow a person for life, making it harder for them to get a job and leading to reduced earnings potential.

College students who are arrested for marijuana possession automatically lose their student loans under federal law. Depending on the state, a marijuana arrest can make someone ineligible for food stamps and other federal public assistance for life, even if they need aid to feed and clothe their children.

A marijuana arrest, even for a minor offense, is enough to get a person kicked out of public housing and onto the streets. In fact, entire families can be kicked out of federal public housing for the violation of just one member, even if the marijuana offense occurred on the other side of the city.

And in some states, getting caught with marijuana is enough to lose your right to vote, in some cases for life. Of course in Alaska, you can smoke marijuana and get elected to public office. Gov. Palin is lucky. Millions of Americans are not.

It's long past time for Republicans and Democrats alike to admit that the war on marijuana is doing more harm than good. There's no need to be afraid of what voters might think; the American people are already there. Substantial majorities favor legalizing marijuana for medical use (70 percent to 80 percent) and fining recreational marijuana users instead of arresting and jailing them (61 percent to 72 percent). Twelve states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 12 states have decriminalized recreational marijuana use (six states have done both).

Democratic Congressman Barney Frank and Republican Congressman Ron Paul have introduced legislation in Congress that eliminates federal criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Someone should ask Gov. Palin where she stands on the bill. Pot-smoking politicians from Al Gore to Newt Gingrich have dodged the question of why they don't belong in jail but others do. Maybe Gov. Palin really is a maverick.

Comments

[AllenAllen]

Be that as it may, the more we talk about Palin, the happier McCain and Rove will be. Middle America is taking every dig against Palin as a dig against them. Change the subject to McCain ASAP or loose. What is McCain's view on this issue?

[AllenAllen]

The Democrats will be harsher on this issue. I know that's not what most people would think but look at the Clinton administration's record. If I recall correctly (search news) it was HHS director Donna Shelalla [sp?] was the one who started cracking down on Berkley Med MJ by sending in the (literally!) jackbooted thugs, and this was also when MD's started getting threats on the licenses for simply SPEAKING their opinion. IF you think the Democrats in office or soon to be in office THINK LIKE YOU on this... you are sadly in error (unless your rep is Barney Frank). So... what to do? WRITE them. Tell them what you think. Do an internet search on "write my representative" or "write congress" and follow the easy directions (you will need to know your +4 zip to be able to find your Rep).

[WJM]

Yeah, just don't smoke cannabis. Do prescription drugs instead. You won't get in trouble, and they only kill 200,000 Americans a year, with NO charges ever filed over that. And it doesn't matter in my state, Colorado, if you are using cannabis medicinally, unless the legislature has decided that it's okay for your condition. You can still get into trouble in spite of the voters saying TWICE that it's okay.

And that is why I am on probation for the next year and a half, because I refuse to do the pills they have been trying to shove down my throat since my arrest last year. And they are stealing over a third of what I will be making this year for "fines", and "anger management classes", and all sorts of other extortion. None of this has to do with justice, it has to do with how much money they can steal from you. Don't kid yourselves, it's ALL about money.

I find it fascinating that Palin's daughter made her choice, Palin made her choice, but Palin herself would remove that right from all other women if she had her chance. And now we find out that she would criminalize everyone else in her state for doing what she herself has done.

Can anyone else say HYPOCRITE? Oh, but that is redundant when talking about republicans, sorry.

[kallisti7]

So her personal standard is to do what's legal in her state not what is morally correct in her own eyes. Wow! I'm always super frightened of people whose moral standard is simply that whatever is legal is just. Wow! Just Wow! Sarah Palin is clearly not a person of character. She is unsuitable for the Office of the Vice President of the United States.

[ElBruce]

As a resident of Oregon - a state which has had explicit differences with the Feds regarding medical marijuana - I'm just floored by this. This comes down to the final "have you no decency left?" question of the campaign - do Republicans just say whatever they think they're supposed to say, or do they actually believe anything at all? For all they talk about faith and belief, they are damn good at saying or doing whatever it takes merely to be on the "winning side."

[jrterrier]

Obama's position is identical to Palin's. He smoked MJ, he now opposes legalizing MJ.

[AshyLarry]

True but Obama has said he is open to allowing medical marijuana after further research. He has also said he would stop the DEA raids in California. So their positions are not identical.

[RobinSeattle]

I don't really care if she smoked pot. It is hypocritical of her to be sure since she is now against legalization (I am still for making it legal), but considering that Newt Gingrich was a known heavy weed user back in the days when even possession of less than an ounce was a felony, I doubt Republicans will pay attention to this. Pot and cocaine use within Republican circles is pretty well known (what do you think all those stockbrokers on wall street are doing during lunch?), so it's actually not that big a deal to them.

[optech007]

What if Obama had been arrested for doing coke?

[Henry]

Did you watch G W when he was asked if he had ever used coke?

The answer to your question is that he would likely be in jail, unless his father were a President. (sticking the knife in with a smile!) Shouldn't lead with your jaw.

[protagonia]

Skilled and accurate rebuttal, Henry.

Well done, sir.

[Calinative]

Typical hypocrisy; Smoked marijuana but wants others in jail for doing the same. Gives her daughter the "choice" of having an abortion or carrying the baby to term, but doesn't want others to have the same choice.

It all smacks of George W... but with lipstick.

[1will]

I never realized there were so many possible penalties for smoking pot. It seems like an easy problem to solve. Don't smoke pot if you can't deal with the consequences.

[oldpotsmuggler]

Not too big on personal freedom are we? Or is my freedom supposed to depend on your value system?

[BBackSoon]

So do you have any vices that others might not like?

[wndrwrthg]

I am sure you would support outlawing drugs that have PROVEN to kill their users and devastate families? I speak of course of good ol' legal drugs, alchohol and tabacco.

[protagonia]

What would Jesus do about the issue?

The question posed to today's "Christian".

[RoloTomassi]

I take warfarin every day, and have for the last eight years; the FDA list released last week on FDA approved drugs with serious problems/c­onsiderati­ons just happens to include warfarin. There are serious side effects, and it makes life something of a struggle.

So, I take what I need to to survive [and without a blood thinner, I'm history]. Drug companies with the FDA in their pocket advertize constantly trying to sell us $hit we don't even need--they oppose marijuana use for any reason [medical or recreational], as it would cut into their profits.

Drug laws are about money--all else is political hubris and scare tactic hyperboyle. I take what I need...and then, when I feel like it, I take what I want. Yeah, that can have repercussions, but I can't see buying into this BS the idiots in DC legislate against drugs not approved by the US big pharma governmental extension called the FDA.

Prohibition on alternative medicine/r­ecreationa­l drugs makes no more sense than prohibition on alcohol did, but marijuana in particular has been so demonized by opposing business interests [the alcohol, tobbacco, and pharma compaines] for ever changing nonsensical reasons that it will never get a fair shake in the US.

But it is the fact that the US government is a bigger offender against its own drug laws than any hypocritically identified cartel [through the DEA & CIA] that inspires me to encourage the use of marijuana. Governmental idiocy deserves no respect.

[ThinkCreeps]

Using logic? Writing in full sentences? Understanding a legal argument?

What are you, Bill, some kind of educated, Democrat? Yup, I'll bet.