Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) last month linked marijuana legalization to murder and warned that decriminalizing the drug would send the message “that it’s OK”…. During a drug panel at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Perry was asked about the rising support for marijuana legalization. The panel’s moderator, Univision anchor Enrique Acevedo, noted that President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) had all recently talked about reforming marijuana laws. Perry insisted he didn’t want to join the marijuana “parade.”….
Whenever I need cogent, insightful analysis I can’t get anywhere else, I always look to Governor Pander McCrazy. He can be always counted on to vomit up an uber-Jesus-y statement sure to appeal to his faithful, knuckle-dragging base- the Texas Taliban. When you have a direct line to the Almighty (who evidently lives just this side of Dripping Springs), you can claim the mantle of righteousness. Surely, Almighty God is on Rick Perry’s side; it’s not as if you can credit his prescient, insightful, and/or inspired leadership.
There’s no evidence linking marijuana use to anywhere near the sort of damage long-term, chronic alcohol abuse can cause, but Gov./Pastor Perry’s God doesn’t take to stoners. Alcohol’s in the Bible, and except for the occasional DUI death, who doesn’t enjoy a beer or six now and again? If God had wanted us to use marijuana, don’t you think it would have been mentioned in Holy Scripture?
Evangelicals like Perry have little problem with the excesses and consequences associated with alcohol use. Give someone the Devil’s Weed, though, and unspeakable Evil surely will follow closely. I mean, didja see Reefer Madness? Why, marijuana use can lead to things like (GASP!!) sex and increased consumption of certain snack foods (Isn’t Frito-Lay headquartered in Texas?? Hello? Job creation??)
If Gov. Goodhair could be bothered to do a modicum of research, he’d learn that the effects of marijuana are rather benign. Likening marijuana legalization to murder does everyone a disservice. Never mind the medical benefits when it comes to things like pain management; political posturing appears to defeat medical reality when it comes to the discussion of common-sense policy. To be successful in Texas, Republicans can’t appear soft on crime (little of which can be linked to marijuana use) or drugs (‘Cuz drugs are bad, mmkay??). Even discussing regulating and taxing marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol is off limits. You don’t want Texas to turn into California, do you? The next thing you know, good, God-fearing Texas patriots will be overrun with unemployed socialist surfers content to suck at the government teat. What sort of godless Liberal would want to Californicate Texas?
There are better, more humane ways to create marijuana policy. All you need to do is examine what’s happening in Washington and Colorado (and states like Oregon, where medical marijuana is legal) to understand that the dire consequences predicted by anti-marijuana type haven’t materialized. (Nor are they likely to; stoners are more docile and far less lethal than drunks.) Both states are turning marijuana into a revenue source, much as they do with alcohol. Not only that, both states are demonstrating that legalizing marijuana can create jobs. Don’t Conservatives worship at the feet of job creators?
Someday common sense will rule, and we’ll set marijuana based on common sense and scientific reality. Except in Texas, where pandering, propaganda, and fear mongering will remain the rule and policy will continue to be set by those who believe the only book they need is the Bible.
And you wonder why I don’t miss Texas….
