The Houston Young Republicans will be holding a forum on drug policy called “The war on drugs has failed – is legalization the answer?” on July 23rd at Benjy’s on Washington Ave. Here is the flyer for the event (click on the flyer for a larger version):
It’s good to see this debate continue in Houston. If you recall, the Downtown Houston Pachyderm Club had a guest speaker earlier this year talking about the same subject. As I said then, it’s good that Republicans are finally willing to discuss the issue – if we aren’t willing to discuss it, we’ll never solve it. No one can possibly make the argument that the drug war has been good for the country. But like the title of this forum says, is legalization the answer?
I hope you join them for their discussion. And if you are an officer in any of the various Republican or Tea Party clubs around town, you should consider having your own program on the subject. Conservatives and Republicans need to come to a consensus on the best way to end the expensive, harmful, and outright danger to our freedom war on drugs.
It’s very encouraging to see at least some republicans willing to entertain a discussion of less harmful and less wasteful alternatives to current drug policies, especially those related to cannabis, which has always been the focus of the failed war drugs. Heck, I’m so encouraged I’ll even toss a rare compliment to the usually delusional people who pen the republican party platform. Unlike all other versions I’ve read, the 2012 platform makes absolutely no mention of medical cannabis prohibition. Prior versions all had strong language against even allowing a medical need defense to be uttered in a court of law. They’re making baby steps, but at least they’re in the right direction. At this rate, by the 93rd session, maybe a drug policy reform bill will actually make it to the floor for a real discussion.
I’d like to be there, but it’s a bad news/good news situation. The bad news: I’ll be out of town. The good news: I’m going to Colorado.