California’s marijuana initiative illustrates fracturing norms of society

With apologies to my boyhood friend, Rip van Winkle, I’m apparently just waking up after as long of a sleep as the old man to today’s societal view on marijuana. Wow, old Rip must have been aghast when he saw his rusted rifle and long beard as I am with the current acceptance of the drug. I can’t believe the years have passed that quickly in my lifetime.

Not 30 years ago as a regular Army officer, the use of marijuana was forbidden, and when sitting courts-martial boards, we would routinely send soldiers to Fort Leavenworth for its use.

Nowadays …

You all know the story as well as I. Locally approved dispensing stations round the country. A state entry on November’s ballot to legalize the drug. General societal acceptance of the “minor” drug which we once so seriously frowned upon.

My friends, it really isn’t the legalization of the drug. It is the continuing fracturing of the norms of our once-strict society. The conservative America that Rip and I grew up in has turned to a liberal model of weakness in our people, and stature around the world.

I’m not voting “yes” this November. You must not either.

This story was originally published September 25, 2016 at 2:02 PM with the headline "California’s marijuana initiative illustrates fracturing norms of society."