Opiyum
07-10-2009, 01:37 PM
I just wanted to post this little exert from a very good book that I'm sure a lot of the people here are familiar with but for those that aren't I'm sure they will find it interesting. To me it is the most well thought out argument that I have ever seen in regards to ending the war on drugs.
From "TIHKAL" written by Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin.
"A call for a drug war truce with peace negotiations
Preamble: No civilized nation makes war on its own citizens. We, the people, did not declare war on our own government nor do we wish to fight its Drug War. Hence, we now petition for redress of grievances, as follows:
Whereas any just government derives its authority from a respect of the People's rights and powers ; and
Whereas the government has resorted to unilateral military force in the Drug War without any good faith effort to negotiate a peace settlement;
Therefore, we hereby call for a Drug War Truce during which to engage our communities and governments in peace negotiation, under the following terms:
Article 1: The United States shall withdraw from, repudiate, or amend any and all international Treaties or agreements limiting its ability to alter domestic drug policy.
Article 2: No patient shall be prosecuted nor any health care professional penalized for possession or use of any mutually agreed upon medications.
Article 3: Drug policy shall henceforth protect all fundamental rights, as described below:
1. Each person retains all his inalienable Constitutional, and Human rights, without exception. No drug regulation shall violate these rights.
2. The benefit of the doubt shall always be given to the accused and to any property or assets at risk. Courts shall allow the accused to present directlyt to the jury any defense based on these Rights, an explanation of motive, or mitigating circumstances, such as religion, culture, or necessity.
3. No victim: no crime. The burden of proof and corroboration in all proceedings shall lie with the government. No secret witness nor paid testimony shall be permitted in court, including that of any government agent or informant who stands to materially gain through the disposition of a drug case or forfeited property. No civil asset forfeiture shall be levied against a family home or legitimate means of commercial livelihood.
4. Issues of entrapment, government motive, and official misconduct shall all be heard by the jury in any drug case, civil or criminal. Government agents who violate the law are fully accountable and shall be prosecuted accordingly.
5. Mandatory minimum sentences undermine our system of justice. The jury shall be informed of all penalties attached to any defense before deliberating a verdict. Courts shall have the discretion to reduce penalties in the interest of justice.
Article 4: We propose a Drug War Truce and call for the immediate release of all non-violent and, aside from drug charges involving adults only, law-abiding citizens.
Article 5: No non-violent drug charges involving adults only shall be enforced or prosecuted until all parties have agreed to, and implemented, a drug policy based on full respect for fundamental Rights and personal responsibility.
Of course, all this is simply making a restatement of the rights that have been our heritage from the Magna Carta, British Common law, and our own Constitution. This truce sounds like a fine idea to me, There is a lot to gain, and nothing to lose.
Please Listen."
From "TIHKAL" written by Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin.
"A call for a drug war truce with peace negotiations
Preamble: No civilized nation makes war on its own citizens. We, the people, did not declare war on our own government nor do we wish to fight its Drug War. Hence, we now petition for redress of grievances, as follows:
Whereas any just government derives its authority from a respect of the People's rights and powers ; and
Whereas the government has resorted to unilateral military force in the Drug War without any good faith effort to negotiate a peace settlement;
Therefore, we hereby call for a Drug War Truce during which to engage our communities and governments in peace negotiation, under the following terms:
Article 1: The United States shall withdraw from, repudiate, or amend any and all international Treaties or agreements limiting its ability to alter domestic drug policy.
Article 2: No patient shall be prosecuted nor any health care professional penalized for possession or use of any mutually agreed upon medications.
Article 3: Drug policy shall henceforth protect all fundamental rights, as described below:
1. Each person retains all his inalienable Constitutional, and Human rights, without exception. No drug regulation shall violate these rights.
2. The benefit of the doubt shall always be given to the accused and to any property or assets at risk. Courts shall allow the accused to present directlyt to the jury any defense based on these Rights, an explanation of motive, or mitigating circumstances, such as religion, culture, or necessity.
3. No victim: no crime. The burden of proof and corroboration in all proceedings shall lie with the government. No secret witness nor paid testimony shall be permitted in court, including that of any government agent or informant who stands to materially gain through the disposition of a drug case or forfeited property. No civil asset forfeiture shall be levied against a family home or legitimate means of commercial livelihood.
4. Issues of entrapment, government motive, and official misconduct shall all be heard by the jury in any drug case, civil or criminal. Government agents who violate the law are fully accountable and shall be prosecuted accordingly.
5. Mandatory minimum sentences undermine our system of justice. The jury shall be informed of all penalties attached to any defense before deliberating a verdict. Courts shall have the discretion to reduce penalties in the interest of justice.
Article 4: We propose a Drug War Truce and call for the immediate release of all non-violent and, aside from drug charges involving adults only, law-abiding citizens.
Article 5: No non-violent drug charges involving adults only shall be enforced or prosecuted until all parties have agreed to, and implemented, a drug policy based on full respect for fundamental Rights and personal responsibility.
Of course, all this is simply making a restatement of the rights that have been our heritage from the Magna Carta, British Common law, and our own Constitution. This truce sounds like a fine idea to me, There is a lot to gain, and nothing to lose.
Please Listen."