We believe drug use to be a concern for the medical community, not a criminal issue. While some Democratic candidates are already distancing themselves from the platform, having the issue on the platform can only be a step in the right direction, argues Edwards. It would be very foolish for hempsters to say that because this is on the platform anybody running will have to support this because the Republicans will jump all over a candidate that did that. However, I'm not sure the Republicans are going to want to do that because then it would legitimize debate and their side doesn't stand up too well to debate. Most arguments against the personal use of marijuana seem to center around the notion of protecting our children.
Parents do their best to keep kids away from drugs of all kinds.
Yet the editorial goes on to recognize that the resolution calls for the legalization of pot sales through cafes, bars and liquor stores to people over the age of 21. Studies by the federal government show that the current drug war has done little to stop youth access to marijuana. No Reagan era, they continue to this day. Just last year, researchers with the Institute of Medicine produced a federally commissioned report that disputes this notion. As Edwards points out, marijuana's illegality means it is often sold by dealers who are pushing harder drugs as well.