To President Obama & Congress: It is time to Legalize Marijuana at the Federal Level

Mr. President and Members of Congress,

This is about legalizing, thereby decriminalizing marijuana federally. The citizens of our country have made their voices heard on this subject by passing laws at the state level. Ironically, the use of medical marijuana is legal right there in the nation's capital, in Washington, DC, yet still illegal under federal law.

The Controlled Substances Act is in direct violation of the 9th and 10th Amendments in the US Constitution, and is therefore unconstitutional.

Beginning in 1996 with California, 23 of our 50 states have already legalized medical marijuana, and seven (7) more states have pending legislation. Once passed, that will mean over 50% of our great nation's states will be on board with this issue.  

Four states, including the District of Columbia (home of our federal government!) have even legalized marijuana for recreational use.

We're already behind the curve in comparison to other countries on this issue, not to mention our embarrassing lag in education (but that's fodder for another day).

Why are our tax dollars going toward incarcerating marijuana users? Shouldn't we be going after real criminals, you know, the ones robbing and raping and murdering and molesting (including those hiding behind the shield of the Catholic Church)?

Why aren't we going after corrupt corporations and politicians? Why do celebrities caught breaking the law get a slap on the wrist, while average citizens go to jail? The inequity is indisputable. Those with money have the power, the rest of us do not.

There is no palpable reason why medical marijuana (MMJ) prescribed by a physician should be illegal. All other prescribed drugs are legal. To make MMJ illegal is inconsistent and discriminatory.

I urge you to accomplish this long-needed reform while still in office. You are denying disabled people the right to use medication that helps them. Many don't use MMJ to "get high." Many consume "medibles" for pain management, and don't smoke weed or walk around stoned. 

Because of the current federal law, disabled persons who use medical marijuana legally in their own states, cannot claim protection under the ADA when discriminated against after failing drug tests, thereby rendering them perpetually unemployed with no legal recourse.

Did you know that marijuana can show up in urine/blood tests for up to 30 days or more, but heroin disappears within days or weeks? So an employer is more likely to hire a heroin user than a marijuana user.

Why not also require employees to prove they're not alcoholics, or that they're not addicted to prescribed painkillers such as Vicodin? Marijuana is not and should not be classified as a Schedule I substance, in the same category as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD.

Many medical marijuana users turn to the "indica" strain as a sleep aid. It is considerably safer than Ambien, without dangerous side effects or a next-day "hangover." Is Big Pharm lining legislative pockets? Even the NY Times recently addressed the issue of legalizing marijuana.

If we're going to outlaw substances which are "addictive" or proven to be dangerous via scientific data, do so uniformly and consistently.

Outlaw alcohol. It causes liver damage. Drunk drivers kill people daily. Pregnant women who drink, cause injury or death to their unborn fetuses. Babies are born with birth defects. Read the evidence. Why aren't they prosecuted for murder if their alcoholism caused a death or disability? Oh right, because drinking is legal.

Sure, it's illegal to drink and drive, but drunks can legally get drunk in the privacy of their homes. So should it be for marijuana users. If they choose to get high in their own homes, as long as they're not getting behind the wheel or causing harm to others, it is not the government's (or anyone else's) business.

Outlaw cigarettes. They are 100% proven to cause cancer and death.

Outlaw guns. There's no need for an argument here. Read the news every day.

Outlaw food. After all, it's addictive. Obesity leads to heart attacks, diabetes, and death. Heck, you might as well outlaw "all-you-can-eat" buffets. They are, in effect, drug dealers for food addicts.

If you're going to regulate items which are known to be harmful and addictive, do it across the board. I would be honored to address Congress on this issue. 

Thank you for your time.