Growing Marijuana Penalties & N.Y.S.

Growing Marijuana Penalties & N.Y.S.
I was heartened to read that the New York Greens have finally joined the Marijuana Reform Party in supporting the end of marijuana prohibition [Letters, Aug. 22]. It is important to note, however, this was not always the case, and their apparent reverse on this issue may not be genuine.

Prior to 1998, I was the only Federal candidate for the New York Greens. Because the Greens would not support marijuana legalization, in 1998 I founded the MRP. Subsequently, the Greens tried to throw the MRP candidates off the ballot by challenging our petitions.

Contrary to Mark Dunlea’s claim, the MRP is not limited to medical marijuana. The single main goal of our organization is the end of marijuana prohibition. However, we understand political reality and realize the end of prohibition is not coming soon. Let us remember the Chinese proverb that says, “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”

Our message to the Legislature and governor is, “If you are not ready to reduce penalties for minor marijuana offenses, at least please relieve the suffering of sick people who can benefit from the medical use of marijuana.” Denying doctors the ability to practice medicine and making sick people suffer needlessly is both unconscionable and also one of the worst excesses of the War on Drugs.

We are focusing on medical marijuana because (1) this goal is achievable and (2) New Yorkers who are suffering right now are in dire need of substantial political support from the electorate. Nine other states and Canada have already established medical marijuana programs. It is reasonable to ask the state Legislature and governor to provide the same relief to New Yorkers. Moreover, we are concentrating on medical marijuana because New York does not allow voter initiatives, and the only way to advance the issue of medical marijuana in New York is by voting for the MRP.

Finally, our campaign platform is not as limited as Mr. Dunlea suggests. We also advocate a complete repeal of the Rockefeller Drug Laws and the growing of hemp. Hemp can save struggling New York farmers while also providing a new industry upstate and preserving valuable farmland for future use.

Our three issues all deserve to be on the ballot individually as initiatives. Because we cannot do this in New York, I hope to offer New Yorkers a real choice on these issues in November. Unfortunately, that choice may not be available to the voters because the Green Party is making yet another effort to disqualify our petitions again this year.

After reading Mr. Dunlea’s letter, one might have believed that the New York Greens really do want to end marijuana prohibition. However, their effort to remove the Marijuana Reform Party from the ballot gives new meaning to the phrase “Actions speak louder than words.”

Tom Leighton
Marijuana Reform Party candidate for governor of New York State
New York City