The End Of The Beginning.
Analysis by Richard Cowan
December 15, 1999As Churchill said when it became clear that the
Nazis could not win World War II, "This is not the beginning of the end, but it is
the end of the beginning." That is where we are in our battle against their
successors.
Certainly, we also face a few terrible years ahead in which many lives will yet be
ruined and much suffering will still be inflicted on the most vulnerable members of our
society.
However, the fact is that the last few days have seen two major capitulations by the
prohibitionist establishment. As I said Monday, we have won the hemp war.
See
Hawaii Gets DEA
Permission To Grow Hemp Test Plot In Maximum Security,
Which Where They Want To Keep Hemp Users.
Alterna Issues Triumphant Press Release With Minimal Prohibitionist Propaganda
Today there are white flags showing up on the medical marijuana issue. Gore is in favor
of "flexibility" on medical marijuana. Finally, the politicians have noticed the
polls.
See
Gore’s Backs
"Flexibility" On Medical Marijuana.
In Fact, His Position Is So Flexible That He Is On 3 Sides Of The Issue.
But The Washington Post Cites NORML; Now That Is A Miracle!
As the Post article also notes, Bush has endorsed a "states-rights" approach
to medical marijuana, which now makes his position preferable to any of Gore’s three
positions.
See
Bushlet Supports States’
Rights On Medical Marijuana;
At Odds With Party Leaders, The Anointed One Continues To Move To The Center.
The AMR strategy has been to get medical marijuana initiatives passed in enough states
to force the Feds to do something. It seems to be working.
See
AMR: Every Place We Have
Been on the Ballot We’ve Won. One Fifth of America Has Now Voted for
Medical Marijuana. It Is Time For The Drug Establishment to Listen to Common
Sense.
The Post has even endorsed medical marijuana in its own authoritarian way.
See
Washington Post
Defects On Medical Marijuana!
Calls For Reopening Program Making Marijuana "available to terminally ill
patients."
Implicitly Endorsing Medical Marijuana Class Action Suit.
Whatever position Gore settles on for the near term, the medical marijuana issue now
firmly on the public agenda. That is really the most important point here. The Washington
Post ran its story on the front page, and actually cited NORML. Another miraculous
accomplishment for medical marijuana!
The hucksters at Gary Bauer’s shop even felt it was opportune to put out a press
release denouncing Gore.
See
Bauer’s
Hucksters Pop Out Press Release In Response to Gore.
Bauer stands at 2% in the Republican polls. With enemies like this we don’t need
as many friends.
Bush was not hurt at all by his support of states’ rights. However the problem
that the Republicans have is that the reefer madness constituency -- the most ardent
supporters of marijuana prohibition – also have control of the Republican the
Death-Wish wing of the party, the prosecutorial right, as embodied by Barr, Hatch, Hastert
and Lott, et al.
See
The Congressional
Record On The House Medical Marijuana Debate
Requires Powerful Anti-Emetics
We can no more take victory for granted than Churchill could, but next year’s
election provides an important opportunity to advance the issue. The strength of the
medical marijuana movement in California is not lost on politicians in either party.
It is very unlikely that the White House can be won in 2000 without carrying
California, where Prop 215 won by a much greater margin than Clinton.
Medical marijuana activists continue to work to consolidate their victories and
implement the new state laws. This work is creating facts on the ground – rights and
expectations that politicians will not want to oppose.
Supported