Originally published in the Suburban Trends, 12/13/2017
Regarding "Take time on legalizing marijuana" (Suburban Trends, Editorial, Dec. 10):
Why are so many in the journalism profession timid and lukewarm about defending individual liberty on all issues? A case in point would be the editorial in which you urge caution in repealing laws against marijuana in New Jersey.
We are supposed to be a free society in which the individual owns his or her own body and should e able to do whatever they want with it, for better or for worse.
I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer in 1994. I don't know if medical marijuana would have helped her or not, bu the choice should have been up to her and her doctor, not politicians, bureaucrats, or law enforcement agencies.
Repeal of not only marijuana laws, but all drug laws would also play a big part in the racist practice of "profiling" coming to a long overdue end by police departments.
New Jersey should join with other states and stop trying to micromanage people lives. This is why we Libertarians say its time to end the drug war and legalize freedom.
Mark Richard
West Milford