The current interest in advancing States Rights with respect to cannabis got me to thinking back to the States Rights issues of 1860.
The South wanted States Rights with respect to slavery. But their most pressing issue was getting the other States (via the Feds) to enforce it. They didn’t want the anti-Slavery States to have States Rights.
Looked at that way it does seem to be a curious argument.
One of the things that killed Alcohol Prohibition was that the States (many of them) wouldn’t enforce it. So there is recent precedent.
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4 responses to “States Rights”
Marijuana is still illegal in every jurisdiction in the US, the US merely declines to enforce its laws.
However, California, in particular, completely sabotaged its own legalization. Because of state regulations and taxation, there are only 50 or so licensed growers. Local regulations have also such down most of the potential licensed dealers. As a result, almost all marijuana in California comes from the usual illegal sources and dealers.
I, too, support legalization of all drugs, even though I realize there are severe health effects from all of them, addiction often being the least problem. But I also don’t give a damn about what happens to the users.
I believe you commented once that people use drugs to relieve psychological pain. If so, you are right. Anyway, I cite you for the idea.
So what is the source of the pain causing the rural/small town opioid epidemic. Quite clearly it’s loss of jobs and income due to automation, free trade, open borders and women in the work force. If you want to stop opioid abuse, roll back all four.
Bob,
Interesting about Calif.
There is some evidence about the cause of addiction.
Dr. Lonny Shavelson found that 70% of female heroin addicts were sexually abused in childhood. http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2004/09/heroin.html
Addiction is a symptom of PTSD. Look it up.
states have no rights nor do people only privileges. as was explained to southern states rights advocates on july 3 1863 on cemetery ridge gettyburg pennsylvania at the point of a bayonet.
I thought add to your assertion that the Southern States wanted states rights for slavery. I think you missed it. Why would they be for or against slavery? The North sure wasn’t fighting to free the slaves, were they?
In the Emancipation Proclamation, parishes in Louisiana (the south) were exempt. As were parts of New Jersey.
Of course, we all know the four southern states of the union were slave owning states. Perhaps you might be surprised to learn that Lincoln encourage congress to right a proposal that would convince the Southern States that slavery was safe. Introducing a piece of history that disturb those who have and continue to deify Lincoln. The Corwin amendment would have preserved the institution of slavery in perpetuity, had the southern states decided to accept Lincoln offer .