Our VIew: Political edges meet in middle over marijuana

For free market-oriented, freedom-loving conservatives, agreement with U.S. Rep. Barney Frank feels yucky.

The Massachusetts Democrat has seldom seen a tax increase or proposed regulation he didn't adore. Yet, on one issue Frank finds himself squarely allied with the most conservative man in Congress: U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.

Both men want to legalize pot.

Frank recently announced his plan for two new bills, co-sponsored by Paul, which would legalize marijuana. One would eliminate federal penalties, and the other would prevent federal authorities from interfering with medical marijuana in states that have legalized it.

Marijuana is a drug, and most people shouldn't use it. For most, life goes better without any form of artificial alteration of the body and mind.

But marijuana is a weed that's nearly as prolific as the dandelion. While it's not good to use marijuana, it's less harmful and more natural than booze.

Alcohol, unlike marijuana, can result in serious physical addiction involving dangerous and even lethal withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol causes erratic and violent behavior on the part of some users.

Marijuana, while harmful, has not caused nearly the hardship in our culture that alcohol has caused. Yet long ago Americans decided freedom is more important than protecting the collective from the substantially harmful effects of alcohol. Maintaining prohibition of a less harmful substance is nothing short of insane.

"Criminalizing choices that adults make because we think they are unwise ones, when the choices involved have no negative effect on the rights of others, is not appropriate in a free society," Frank said in announcing his proposals.

Marijuana criminalization has emboldened and enriched an underground market of lawless smugglers and dealers who resort to violence in order to distribute and sell their goods. It has burdened innocent taxpayers with the costs of enforcing laws associated with the trade of a weed.

Sometimes marijuana is the best drug available for the treatment of glaucoma, or pain resulting from injuries or diseases. Far more harmful than marijuana are hardcore narcotics — such as Vicodin, Percocet, or even morphine - that doctors routinely prescribe instead of marijuana.

Nobody was more responsible for organizing the modern conservative movement than the late William F. Buckley Jr., former editor of National Review. Frank's arguments are nearly identical to Buckley's. Conservatives should support Frank's marijuana proposals. While holding their noses, they should remember that Ron Paul, the most conservative member of Congress, will co-sponsor these bills.