norml21 - Page 90
Page 90
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Consequently, a prima facie showing having been made that
the possession with intent to distribute marijuana is an activity
which does not interfere with the rights of others or to do harm
to other persons_ the presumption of constitutionality of 21
U.SoC. §841(a) (i) as it applies to marijuana must fall and the
burden now shifts to the Government to prove that the
infringement of this asserted Ninth Amendment right is justified
by a compelling state interest.
If the Government cannot show a compelling interest why the
possession with intent to distribute marijuana must be
prohibited, then the Ninth __tendment requires that the Court
declare 21 U.SoC. §841(a) (I) as it applies to marijuana
unconstitutional on its face, and as appiiedl as a denial and
disparagement of a right retained by the people which Government
has no authority under the Tenth Amendment to infringe.
VII_ REQUIREMENT OF THE COURT TO MAKE SPECIFIC FINDINGS OF
FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF
21 UoS.C. §841 UNDER THE NINTH AND TENTH AMENDMENT°
Once the defendant has established a prima facie showing
that the right to possess marijuana regardless of intent may be a
right protected by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments under the
analysis set forth in section Vl_ iup_r_, and the burden shifts
to the government to justify the infringement of that right by
application of criminal sanctions, it become mandatory upon the
9O
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