Marijuana legalization has garnered the endorsement of major figures and media outlets across the nation. Dr. Sanjay Gupta made headlines when he called for a “marijuana revolution” and The New York Times sent shockwaves across the media spectrum. The Oregonian endorsed the Measure 91 cannabis legalization measure, less than five years after opposing the Measure 74 medical marijuana measure. The Bulletin, covering Eastern Connecticut, is just the latest media outlet to call for an end to cannabis prohibition.

From The Bulletin Editorial Board:

It is time for the federal government to loosen pot prohibition and give states the freedom to enforce their own laws. For years, momentum has been building toward a paradigm shift in drug policy, and the evidence generally supports those who advocate a change.

Alcohol and tobacco are legal, controlled and taxed; each shares a pertinent characteristic with marijuana. Alcohol, like pot, alters the mind. And pot, like tobacco, impairs lung function and may lead to cancer and disease with extended use, according to the surgeon general.

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None of this is to suggest that we want folks to go out and start smoking pot. We advise against it, just as we do smoking cigarettes and drinking to excess. Consistency is at the heart of the issue: If the federal government allows us to drink freely and puff away, as it does, what is the logic behind prohibiting a drug that is less addictive and less dangerous, and which likely has medicinal qualities, to boot?

The clear path forward is for the U.S. government is to repeal marijuana prohibition and leave the issue to the states. Outright legalization, while it would put criminals out of business and raise some revenue through taxation, still poses some problems as a matter of public policy.

While at first glance, The Bulletin’s endorsement may seem ho-hum when compared to The New York Times and considering all of the great advancements across the country. But The Bulletin has been publishing continuously since 1796 and these endorsements give people on the fence a reason to look into the issue more and can swing some crucial votes. And each and every vote is very important as we work to implement sane cannabis laws across our great nation.

Anthony Johnson

Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.