Ask Dr. Shulgin Online
ARCHIVE: April
20, 2001
Thought Policing MDMA Use
Dear Dr. Shulgin:
I
have heard that there is a Bill on the floor of the California State Assembly (AB-1416) aimed to outlaw MDMA and to
make being under its influence an illegal act. Is this so? -- AllStar
Dear AllStar:
The making of MDMA a Schedule I drug, in California, is a logical
move to bring the State law into concordance with Federal Law. But, for it to be a
criminal act to be under the influence of MDMA is totally outrageous.
How could the authorities establish that you, sitting on a bench in Golden Gate Park or
shimmering on a dance floor at a rave, are under the influence of MDMA? Come up to
you with a $50,000 GCMS instrument in tow, pull out a needle or a Dixie cup, and demand
body fluids on the spot to see if you have 10 nanograms MDMA per milliliter in your blood
or 1 microgram MDMA per milliliter in your urine? Maybe ask you a series of
carefully thought out questions and watch to see if your answers are too humorous or too
honest. There are neither numbers nor are there profiles that can accurately
document MDMA use.
State legislators who introduce such bills should be reminded that
any such law must depend upon evidence that is unobtainable. There is an ancient British
common law that assumes the presumption of innocence. It is a shame that it is not today a
part of the American justice system. Were it in effect here, there could never be a random
urine test for drug use, as that would be a presumption of guilt. It would be up to you,
personally, to establish that you are, indeed, innocent.
Think it through. How could you ever prove to anyone that you were innocent of having
committed a crime?
-- Dr. Shulgin
More info about AB 1416:
The
Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics has prepared
an report on AB 1416. To learn more about AB 1416, and to read our analysis, please visit
our AB 1416 page.
Terms of Use
|

Dr. Alexander Shulgin
Learn more about Dr. Shulgin
ASK A QUESTION
BROWSE ARCHIVE
RETURN TO CURRENT Q/A
Buy
Books by
Alexander & Ann Shulgin!

Visit
the bookstore
for more!
|