Re: Legalizing marijuana in the U.S. takes first step in House | PennLive letters – PennLive

Representative Matt Gaetz was quoted in the article with, We are being dragged forward by our constituents.

Even if your constituency is and has been predominantly conservative, why are you complaining about meeting the demands of YOUR constituency? Isnt that the purpose of electing you to office?

Although I do agree with his thoughts that the recent amendment to the bill where the 5 percent excise tax will go to helping the people most targeted by the war on drugs start new legal weed businesses is most likely too progressive for the Republican controlled senate to pass if this gets through the house.

I believe the States Act would have a much better chance at becoming law, because it has had more support from both major parties. While it does not have the federal aid programs, those are things that could potentially be added later with a different majority senate. I would prefer to take a smaller progressive step in the present, than be stubborn for the aid programs and not see this pass for another 4 years (or ever).

I am not disputing the discrepancies that lie in the war on drugs and judicial system that attacks them between issues of race/sex/wealth; they are all skewed in some way or form, usually to the deficit of the less fortunate. However, current aid programs exist and we could develop more in the future; dont let this hiccup hold back the possibility of removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.

Payton Mitten, senior biology major, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh

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Re: Legalizing marijuana in the U.S. takes first step in House | PennLive letters - PennLive