Abraham Lincoln once said: "Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded". He also said: "'Union and Liberty,' and onward to victory!" Good luck to the District of Columbia, and to another brick pulled from the wall of nonsense that is marijuana prohibition. Abraham Lincoln

The district should lead by example, legalizing not merely medicinal marijuana but all recreational drugs. Drug Wars experience has taught prohibitions of recreational drugs serves only to drive up prices, and stimulate illegal activity, while imposing unacceptable costs in terms of high crime, expansion of prison populations, and deterioration of global relations. This DC budget bill should include regulatory structure similar to that for Tobacco applied to all currently illegal recreational drugs

Let's legalize all forms of substance abuse. And while we're at it, let's also legalize hunting down and bagging addicts as trophies to hang on the wall. After all, if they're willing to kill themselves with drugs, and victimize the rest of society in the process to support their habits, it seems only reasonable to level the playing field for the rest of us by declaring open season on them, in turn. This could turn out to be quite the sport, to include separate seasons for bow and arrow, black powder, hand gun only, and so on. But Open Season would be year-round, all the same. What fun! And just think how much money hunting permits could generate for our strapped governments-- probably a great deal more than marijuana could ever produce! Legalization makes so much sense!

Go potheads! Keep spreading the desease. We shall continue to deal with the worthless shells that most addicts become. But go ahead and continue to spew the freedom garbage. What about the responsibility that comes with freedom? What about the freedom to grow up in a drug free society for everyone else? It might be a dream, but it is a dream that most parents have for their children. In Abe's day, their was a multitude that rose against the government, which divided this country. So, once again the division has come. And we will decide the fate of this Nation and it's values as a whole, through war, discusion, tolerance and with law. Unfortunately we have criminals out there that only support the law when it suits them. Then they scream and shout when the law is violated. Like the thousands of potheads that violated the law by selling pot, smoking pot and all that while it was illegal. And now all of a sudden they want to act like they are law abiding citizens because they go out and fake some illness to obtain a medical marijuana card. It makes me sick. It would not surprise me to see this issue lead to the next civil war, we are about due for one anyway.

The last post threatening civil war verges on the rhetoric of famous and beloved "Michael Savage". Are you trying to get some politician assassinated? Throwing words like "pothead" around suggests you are obsessed with the "potshot" as political decision-making method. As for "the law" (or th'Al-lah) against cannabis, it is the best law 2Wackgo campaign contributions could buy. If 69% makes you sick, maybe you need a medical card. If herb gets legalized, maybe we'll name it Verdi after the hero who wrote "Falstaff" at age 80.

Two comments on this story were deleted for being off-topic and borderline inflammatory. Please follow the comments guidelines posted below in order to keep the discussion constructive for all.

Thanks to the comments moderator for removing offending comments. Just sorry I missed 'em before they were removed. (I can guess who they came from.) I hope that JTO will begin revoking posting privileges for people who consistenly defame others here and do so under cover of anonymity. This is an excellent discussion board and should not be diminished by illiterate trolls on any side of the substance abuse reduction arena. Thanks again.

For the Moderator: You have an interesting interpretation of what consitiutes inflammatory. It's perfectly okay to promote legalization and use of all toxic substances, but censure comments critical of such proposals, even when tongue in cheek. Such an approach is neither balanced nor constructive. How unfortunate.

We don't censor comments because of their point of view, as even a cursory review of the breadth of comments posted on this site daily would reveal. Although what constitutes an inflammatory post is a judgment call, we do our best to apply that judgment without regard to ideology.

Noted, but actions in this case speak far louder than words. Just another illiterate troll.

Wow, I must have gotten a little off topic again. I know I didn't offend anyone. Sorry everyone. Ellis' comment is not on topic, it should be removed. Hopefully all the voters in DC get out to oppose this Marijuana adgenda.

Excellent news! Finally, the US Govt is abandoning its practice of egregiously overriding the will of the people in Washington DC. This is sweet democracy in action, and I, for one, am thoroughly delighted.