Supreme Court Brief: Prohibiting Marijuana Is Unconstitutional

An amicus brief filed with the United States Supreme Court is challenging the constitutionality of laws prohibiting marijuana.

Based on the actions of the federal government and statements made by them, an argument exists that prohibiting marijuana is unconstitutional and that argument has been brought to the attention of the Supreme Court. Attorneys working on behalf of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, (NORML), submitted the 36-page brief which is loaded with over 20 years worth of efforts by state governments to legalize marijuana in different manners. It reads, in part;

“A supremacy and nullification crisis has loomed for the past 24 years with regard to the 34 States that implemented some form of cannabis legalization program despite its prohibited Schedule I designation under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA),” the filing notes. “This crisis has been fomented by all branches of government. Each have made statements and taken actions to protect and further the state cannabis programs despite federal illegality. - lawandcrime.com

According to the brief, all three branches of government have "made statements and taken actions to protect and further the state cannabis programs despite federal illegality." (Read more here.) The brief also points out the financial ramifications of the law(s) as currently worded, highlighting the tax money generated and jobs and businesses created. All of which could be instantly wiped out because of the vague and inconsistent wording of current laws. Basically, an entire industry could be wiped out, zillions of tax dollars gone and an untold number of jobs lost in a second. Not to mention the fact that some people could find themselves, suddenly and unexpectedly, facing criminal charges.  All because somebody, somewhere changed their minds about this issue. Good points, right?

Could this be the first step down the last mile for marijuana legalization across the country?  We'll see ...