We had a little bit of excitement this week in the New Orleans City Council District B race. In case you missed it, LaToya Cantrell’s husband had the misfortune of dropping a marijuana joint in front of NOPD officers inside New Orleans Criminal Court on Monday, October 1, 2012.
Fortunately for Mr. Cantrell simple possession is slightly decriminalized in New Orleans and he only received a summons. Unfortunately for him he works in the city attorney’s office and according to Mrs. Cantrell’s facebook page, resigned his post. However, as of Friday night, October 5th, reports are saying he is undergoing treatment instead of resigning his position.
When will the madness stop?! This is yet another example of a productive individual reaping the consequences of a failed war on drugs. Whether or not Mr. Cantrell needs treatment for using marijuana is a matter between him and his family, but we also need to be careful about rushing to the conclusion that marijuana users even have a problem in the first place.
If we’re going to insist on every caught marijuana user undergoing “treatment” instead of punishment, then we should first look at actual scientific facts. However, if we truthfully did that we would be forced to say that all alcohol drinkers should undergo “treatment” as well. The point is that marijuana is a much safer substance than alcohol and our current legal system is completely irrational in it’s pursuit of marijuana prohibition.
Yes, Mr. Cantrell is guilty of astonishingly poor judgment, but to risk losing his job and possibly cost his very qualified wife an election is simply insane. This shouldn’t even be a relevant talking point in the news this week.
It is time to legalize marijuana so people can go on about their business in peace. As your next Congressman in the 2nd district of Louisiana I will fight to do just that.
Great press release Caleb. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Wishing you great success in the upcoming election.
I appreciate that. Thank you very much.
You were No. 1 on my list of candidates, but you have lost my vote because I disagree with the two previous people who feel marijuana should be legalized or anyone who drinks alcohol should receive treatment. You don’t sound like a libertarian to me!
I must not have made myself clear enough. What I’m saying is that people who say marijuana users should receive treatment are generally wrong. If that’s their belief then logically they should say the same thing about alcohol drinkers. However, they don’t. As a society we should treat both substances the same way. That is, adults have the freedom to enjoy them as they see fit. Sorry for the confusion.
-Caleb
P. Bernard are you serious? marijuana should not be legalized?? YOU are the one who doesnt seem to be libertarian. Know your facts.
To the article and Mr. Cantrelle’s “rehab”. are you kidding me?! really?? You dont need treatment for Pot you need junk food. This is a pathetic attempt to make it look like pot is the destroyer of life.
I think legalizing Marijuana would be a great thing to do for the city. I have seen so many peoples lives destroyed over alcohol and other drugs. I would not even classify marijuana as a drug. It is a plant, that George Washington himself grew and made “hemp” paper. I am almost positive the Declaration of Independence was written on that paper. Marijuana has helped many people who are sick due to mental problems, cancer, and even saw it help a little boy who was having seizures everyday. The boy didn’t have nearly as many seizures while taking the marijuana. My mom, for an example, suffers from severe anxiety and depression. She was addicted to Xanax and marijuana helped her quit. It gave her the sense of calm, without being dangerous. Please legalize marijuana, remember no one ever died from using marijuana. How many deaths a year are alcohol related though?