I am curious to see if someone can explain, in simple language fit for a snowboarder, just how exactly the SC found that the feds had cause, legally, to prosecute marijuana production and consumption that does not cross state lines?
I thought that the federal government was empowered by the Constitution to regulate commerce between the states, and that any powers not specifically granted did not exist.
So how can the US gov’t do this? Is this a clear usurpation of state’s rights? And more importantly, if it is, what should we as citizens do about it? Should we stand meekly by? Write letters?
My own thoughts at the moment (and I will admit up front that I may not be as educated or as knowledgable as I think I am) are that the Supreme Court just overstepped their bounds and granted wide-ranging powers to the federal government. This fiat should be shouted down, and the usual justifications of “compelling interest” shown the door. There will always be a compelling interest to violate our guaranteed rights. But sooner or later, we will look at ourselves as a country and wonder: just how much freedom do we have left, and exactly what is it?