GOP columnist: "Real Republicans will support legalizing marijuana"

In this weekend's edition of Boulder newspaper, The Daily Camera, regular columnist and active Grand Old Party member Ron Laughery makes a great case for why Republicans should support ending marijuana prohibition:

Real Republicans will stand behind the changes that are needed to bring marijuana into the sphere of legal and regulated drugs and, we will do this for no other reason than it's consistent with our core beliefs and philosophies of governance.

Dr. Laughery, who holds a PhD in engineering, acknowledges that some will try to dismiss this as just the opinion of a "Boulder Republican." To help dispel this notion, we decided to take his four major points and compare them below to the principles enumerated by the Republican Party in some of the state's traditionally more conservative areas.  Click HERE to read the entire column.

Dr. Laughery:  "First, Colorado Republicans cherish the right of individuals to make their own decisions with a minimum of government intervention..."

Mesa County Republican Party:  "We Believe In... Personal Responsibility: The belief that each individual is primarily responsible for their own health, happiness and welfare and is obligated to manage their personal affairs, be held accountable for their actions and recognize the potential impact of the actions on others."  [LINK]

Dr. Laughery:  "Second, Republicans were never prohibitionists and do not believe that law and order should be maintained by imprisoning individuals for making personal choices..."

Weld County Republican Party:  "The Republican Party, like our nation's founders, believes that government must be limited so that it never becomes powerful enough to infringe on the rights of individuals."  [LINK]

Dr. Laughery:  "Third, Republicans appreciate the merits of a strong and democratic Mexico, and we see that Mexico is coming dangerously close to failing for only one reason -- the drug cartels..."

El Paso County Republican Party:  "[A]mericans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world."  [LINK]

Dr. Laughery:  "Fourth, Republicans read opinion polls, and they speak clearly...  Real Republicans will recognize that changes in American marijuana laws are both overdue and inevitable."

Arapahoe County Republican Party:  "[T]he Republican Party, since its inception, has been at the forefront of the fight for individuals' rights in opposition to a large, intrusive government."  [LINK]