I don’t know that your second question makes too much sense. It’s sort of like asking whether I am a Constitutional absolutist. That Amendment states:
Let try to re-word it. You said you were not a “states rights absolutist”. Are situations where you are not absolutist in that regard, situations where we either
- are dealing with a power delegated to Feds by the Constitution
and/or
- are dealing with a power prohibited to the states by the Constitution
When you say you are not a “states rights absolutist”, you mean that you are not pro-states-rights in situations where the Constitution is not pro-states-rights, correct?
When I say I am not a “states rights absolutist” I mean the states don’t always win. Health insurance was an example.
It does not mean I think the federal government should exercise its authority to the maximum extent under the Constitution. There are areas where the federal government can act under the Constitution but I think should exercise restraint and instead respect state laws (eg marijuana).
How about medical marijuana?
Nothing in the Constitution says I can’t smoke pot, medicinal or otherwise. If the mistake (conspiracy?) of the Drug War is undone, states would have to decide what to do about drug use – and what they should decide (but they won’t because $$$) is to stay the hell out of everyone’s lives.
Laws surrounding cultivating marijuana, brewing alcohol, or producing any other substance are all governmental overreach.