State Supreme Court hears arguments on “Methajuana” law

Thu, March 20, 2008
Posted in Alaska News, Top Stories

The Alaska Supreme Court heard oral arguments this afternoon on a recent law criminalizing the possession of small amounts of Marijuana. A lower court struck down the law as unconstitutional.

Matt Miller, KTOO - Juneau

Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Comments

6 Comments to “State Supreme Court hears arguments on “Methajuana” law”

gail probert on March 21, 2008 at 12:55 pm

I am a 52 year old woman, I have been smoking most of my life. I smoke because it keeps my blood pressure under control and it helps with the cronic pain from dislocated thumbs and the arthritis. I don’t take anti-depressants.Pot does not make me want to commit suicide or hurt others. With pot I don’t need all those dongerous drugs from those that make it. I don’t take the chemicals from the doctors or pill makers because of the intolerable side effects. Most of the legal drugs cause more problems than they help. I don’t drink or do any of those poisons people take. I have the right to do as I please in my own home,I am capable of medicating myself and knowing my own body well enough to know what I need to do.
Why is it that the two biggest killers is allowed to remain legal? Alcohal and tobacco kill more people than all of the illegal drugs combined. Yet, these dangerous drug dealers are allowed to wallow in their riches as they kill us off every year with the booze and cigerettes. How many millionaires are out there making millions off the suffering of folks. I could continue on with this comment, but it would be to long. PUT THE LEGAL DRUG DEALERS IN PRISON, TOO. THEY BELONG THERE WITH THE CRACK AND METH POISON DEALERS.
GARY PATTERSON on March 21, 2008 at 10:06 pm

Iam a 71 year old man. I, like Gail, have been smoking marijuana almost my entire life, except for my 21 years in the army. Gail’s reasons for using the “terrible devil weed” ha.. and mine are very simular. I use it for my high blood pressure, cronic pain, and PTSD… Unlike alcohol,prescription and street drugs, there are no side effects, gut wrenching hangovers or hidious cravings for more.When it’s over. Its over.
Gail is correct. Alcohol,prescription and street drugs have caused the death of ten’s of thousands of americans every year for as many years as you want to count.
On the other hand. When was the last time that you read or heard of a case of someone overdosing or dying from smoking marijuana…. I can answer that…. never.. it just don’t happen
I do not condone the use of marijuana for children or anyone in school… marijuana is a quieting drug and may disturb concentration and therefore learning
People living in temperate zones around the world have been using it for tens of thousands of years for one thing or another…
I like Gail, could go on for hours. I can only hope that at some point our law makers will get it right and not look on me as a low life, pot smoking criminal………. hang in there Gail
Mike Hakala on March 23, 2008 at 1:31 pm

I think the use of marijuna should be no different than the use of alcohol.All adults over the age of 21 should be able to buy and smoke at their discresion.Of course there should be some kind of resctriction,also just like alcohol.Like no driving while high.Penaltys for those who buy or give the drug to kids ect.Also I beleive marijuna also is a decent pain releiver.I take vicodin 3 tablets a day,the side afects are pretty bad.Bottom line who the hell are these law makers who feel they should tell us what kind of pain and mind control we can use.If adults would rather use marijuana rather that say, alcohol perscription drugs,that that should be their choice.Without are freedom of choice what do we have left.
Constance Olsen on March 25, 2008 at 11:58 am

Iam so happy to hear others speak out about using
marijuna for pain,appetite and sleepless nights,
just to name a few. Iam 47 years old and have been using marijuna for medicene for many years,
for servere pain, cancer, appetite and not to mention arthritis. I have had a total hystorectomy at the age of 19. The symtmons were
very bad,server hot flases, mood changes and lots of other uncomfotable symtmons. The doctors tryed to keep me on prescriptions drugs. They made me so ill, valuim and anti-depressents. I feel I should have the right to take care of my self the way that is best for me. I don,t take any prescrition drugs including hormon replacement pills.The marijuna stops my hot flases ,my pain
and I can also eat and sleep at night.Please don,t pass this bill the way it is,I hate Meth
and anything to do with it ,amen to ridding the world of it!!! Please don,t take our medcine.
Regulate it. Constance Olsen
Emily Murray on March 25, 2008 at 7:03 pm

NO, NO, NO Do NOT legalize marijuana. Children will suffer if this drug is legalized. Some parents will buy this drug and let their children go without food and other necessities because of this drug. High school students will drop out of school if they get into marijuana. Marijuana is a dangerous drug. Keep marijuana illegal to buy or sell. Plus I heard that a lot of other dangerous chemicals are added to the drug, that are dangerous for people to be exposed to or inhale. Bottom line is CHILDREN WILL SUFFER. Do NOT make marijuana legal. Keep marijuana ILLEGAL.
echoforsberg on March 26, 2008 at 9:02 am

What has making substances illegal done but enrich bootleggers and drug dealers? I agree with keeping kids drug-free, but we are spending oodles of dollars on the revolving door policies already written that could have a better effect if spent on prevention, education and treatment. I think it’s misguided to re-criminalize a little pot when the state can’t keep up with hard drugs. It’s little effort too late in my opinion.