Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens Thinks Marijuana Should Be Legalized

[kpete]

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens believes marijuana should be legalized by the federal government, predicting that the public will soon decide prohibiting the substance is "not worth the cost."

In a Thursday interview with NPR's Scott Simon, the retired justice was asked if he believes the drug should be legal at the federal level.

"Yes," Stevens said. "I really think that that's another instance of public opinion that's changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there's a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug."

Recent polling has shown that most Americans agree with Stevens. Last October, a Gallup poll found that 58 percent of Americans are in favor of legalization, marking the first time in the poll a clear majority has been in favor of legal pot. And in a Pew Research Center survey released earlier this month, 75 percent of respondents said they believe legalization is inevitable.

"Justice Stevens is right. Public opinion is shifting rapidly in favor of marijuana legalization," Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority, said in a statement. "Polls now consistently show that a clear majority of the public supports ending prohibition and, as this trend continues, we'll start to see more prominent people and politicians saying it's time to change the laws."

the rest:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/24/john-paul-stevens-marijuana_n_5208084.html

[RainDog]

1. k&r n/t

[Algernon Moncrieff]

2. How Would You Amend The Constitution?

Complete article at: http://www.chrisweigant.com/2014/04/24/how-would-you-amend-the-constitution/#more-8993

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has a new book out. In it, he proposes six new amendments to the United States Constitution. Three of these would change language in either the text of the Constitution or its amendments, and the other three are additions to the Constitution's text.

I'm not going to get into explanations of Stevens's proposals, so for more information on them, you'll have to read his book. However, here is the text of all of his proposals (added clauses are in bold), for your contemplation:

The "Anti-Commandeering Rule" (Amend the Supremacy Clause of Article VI)
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges and other public officials in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Second Amendment (Amend the Second Amendment)
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms when serving in the Militia shall not be infringed.

[MindPilot]

3. This ronpaulism from "formers" really pisses me off.

All these former and retired judges, legislators, law enforcement officials, cops, etc who are suddenly all in favor of legalization now that they no longer in positions of power are talking out both sides of their mouths.

I call it "ronpaulism" because he is the classic example of someone who pontificates at great length about freedom and liberty--including legalization--yet despite decades in the US Congress, has done exactly zilch point shit about it.

You didn't fix it while you had the toolbox; you are in no position to be pointing out to the rest of us that it's still broken.