University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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TUCSON: LEADING THE NATION IN THE SALE OF IMPORTED MARIJUANA 20 Marijuana

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We today concluded an agreement to end the war and bring peace to Vietnam and to Southeast Asia. Richard Nixon, President January 23, 1973 UPI and AP photos FIRST ROW ' S REACH FREEDOM Clark Air Base, Philippines February 12, 1973 Peace, where does it begin? 1 9

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I LIBERATE aivuaan It has been estimated that over 10 million Americans either smoke marijuana regularly or have tried it occasionally. The number is large enough to indi- cate their desires to see pot treated more fairly and sensibly by the law. As one of those 10 million who smoke pot on occa- sion, I favor the decriminalization of pot. I do not like the connota- tions of the word criminal. I do not want society and my family to consider me a criminal. I do not want to go to jail for 20-30 years for having one ounce of a weed on my person. The pot laws being enforced today are being enforced by the older generation. This is ironic because they should understand the dilemma most clearly. Didn ' t they live through the prohibition era? They saw the entire nation suffering violent harm from an attempt to legislate morality. Widespread disrespect for the laws, new black markets, profits for the wrong people, and increased violence were the results of prohibition. There is a parallel between the lawless Twenties and the present day, both situations were prod- uced by bad laws. It has been said that Bad law is the worst form of tyranny. Changed in pot laws are coming, but it is not cer- tain that all changes will improve the situation. The nation must be concerned that the new laws will be more fair and more sensible than the old ones. The nation must not consider those within its own borders to be tyrants. We are in a quiet rebellion. Our issues are clear-cut. I want to be free to do as I please. I do not wish to be restrained. If mari- juana is not for me, I think I would like to make the decision. Marijuana 21