Petrelis Files

Oz Expert: Dispense Marijuana at Post Offices

Crikey, what are they smoking Down Under and where can I get some? This radical proposal from Australia, even though it's nowhere near reality, should be considered in the larger context of ending the war on marijuana and those who smoke or eat it in the U.S.

Googling where the major presidential contenders stand on issues related to medical marijuana quickly turned up the information I wanted. TalkLeft.com reported last year that Clinton and Obama oppose federal raids on dispensaries, endorse more research into the benefits of marijuana, but don't favor decriminalization.

On the GOP side, here's what McCain had to say about the issue at a town hall meeting before the New Hampshire primary, according to the LiberyPapers.org site:

McCain started chuckling. “The will of the people, my friend, is that medical marijuana is not something that the quote ‘people’ want,” he responded. “Certain people feel strongly about this issue, and they show up at most town hall meetings, obviously feel very strongly about it. There is no convincing evidence…there’s evidence, but no convincing evidence to me that medical marijuana relief of pain and suffering cannot be accomplished by prescriptions from doctors… So, when you’re talking about the will of the people, you’re going to have to show me the will of the people besides the will of a small number of people who feel very strongly about the issue, as obviously you do.”

Just think of the many ways we'd view marijuana and stoners if the Australian or U.S. postal services adopting this crazy idea. For starters, the phrase "going postal" would no long mean going on a deadly rampage with a gun. Instead, "going postal" would equal getting stoned and developing a case of the munchies! And what would be so terrible about that?

From today's Sydney Morning Herald:

Cannabis would be sold legally in post offices in packets that warn against its effects under a proposal outlined by the head of a Sydney drug and alcohol clinic.

The director of the alcohol and drug service at St Vincent's Hospital, Alex Wodak, said Australia needed to learn from the tobacco industry and the US Prohibition era in coming to terms with his belief that cannabis use would replace cigarette consumption over the next decade. "The general principal is that it's not sustainable that we continue to give criminals and corrupt police a monopoly to sell a drug that is soon going to be consumed by more people than tobacco," he said . . .

"I'd like to see it fall into the hands of the failed business people Australia seems so good at producing or the Australia Post that seems so successful in driving away customers."

He made the proposal for taxed and legalised cannabis at the Mardi Grass festival in Nimbin on Sunday, but said he would be happy to express his opinion to the Federal Government. A spokesman for the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, said the proposal would not be
considered . . .

Dr Wodak believed his idea could reduce cannabis consumption, based on comparisons between consumption in Amsterdam and San Francisco. He said regulated availability would also reduce people's exposure to other illicit drugs when buying the product. His model would make cannabis advertising illegal, ban political donations from the cannabis industry, and demand proof of age on purchase.

He chose Australia Post for distribution as it could be regulated and had branches across the country. "What I'm talking about is not pro-cannabis … it's about reducing cannabis harm."

What a terrific notion: Reducing cannabis harm. Something we should discuss in America.