If you ever wondered how low the opponents of medicinal marijuana could possibly stoop, just check out the 30-seconds of vile propaganda above. (I recommend having a strong anti-emetic handy.)
For those of you who may not know, even though I’m NORML’s Deputy Director I live in California. Let me tell you that the claim that so-called “pot smoking clubs [are] in every neighborhood” is as false as it is absurd. Fact is, the county I live in (Solano County) doesn’t even allow for the establishment of dispensaries, nor has it — in four years since the passage of Senate Bill 420 — ever issued identification cards to state-authorized patients, as is required by law. Numerous counties and municipalities have passed similar moratoriums on patient dispensaries, and many others continue to resist issuing ID cards to qualified patients.
By contrast, those California cities that allow for the not-for-profit patient dispensaries have enacted strict zoning policies regarding where they can operate (“Just blocks from schools???” Please!), and imposing limits on the number of collectives that may operate in a community. (Just imagine if drug pharmacies like Walgreens were forced to endure similar restrictions.)
That is the reality in California, and that is why polls indicate broader public support for the legalized use of medical cannabis now than when Proposition 215 first passed in 1996.
Of course, those who oppose Proposition 1 in Michigan and who condone arresting and jailing patients for their use of cannabis are well aware of these facts — just as they are aware that Prop. 1, like the medical cannabis laws in eleven other states, does not even allow for the creation of licensed cannabis dispensaries. Yet in order to continue to prosecute and cage their fellow citizens, regardless of whether they are healthy or dying, our opponents rely on lying and fear-mongering — the same tactics that brought us marijuana prohibition in the first place.
Will the scare-tactics work? They haven’t in past. (Of the ten state medi-pot initiative campaigns since 1996, nine have passed.) Unfortunately, like in Massachusetts, the negative campaigning is clearly having an effect — with recent polls indicating a drop in public support from an estimated 66 percent to 54 percent. Believe me, as one who bases his written words on science and facts, it pains me to say that.
That said, like in Massachusetts, I am confident that a majority of Michigan’s voters will see through our opponents cynical and dishonest smoke-screen come Election Day, and will choose to make the ‘land of 11,000 lakes’ the thirteenth state to authorize the legal use of medical cannabis.
Why do I say this? I say this because for the first time in recent memory it’s become apparent that our opponents are desperate. They are desperate because they know they are losing — state by state, community by community, and voter by voter.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” Well, it’s obvious that we are no longer being ignored, nor are we being ridiculed. Finally, with their backs up against the wall, the defenders of prohibition have decided to fight.
And we all know what comes next.
Link to the folks behind the ad:
CITIZENS PROTECTING MICHIGAN’S KIDS
http://www.nopotshops.com/
This actually REALLY upset me. I can’t believe that people would actually stoop that low. Those are the same people that say that violence can be attributed to marijuana use.
My question is what do they think they are holding on to? The illegality of marijuana does not prevent people from using it. It only send law abiding people to the black market. The police should know better. If some or all of the marijuana trade (medical or recreational) were legalized than the facts regarding real life use would be clear to non-marijuana users in society. The continued opression by law and law enforcement forces marijuana users behind closed doors thus fogging the perception of real life marijuana use and complicating the quest for fact. Propaganda rises out of the fog. We cannot base legislation that effects peoples lives of foggy insight into a world that we have made illegal out of fear.
MICHIGAN! Vote yes to prop 1! In the end good things come from taking risks and trying new things. Anyone heard of Christopher Columbus?????
54% still wins lets hope it doesn’t drop more.
I am in Michigan. I cannot belive this drivel, either. It seems that this is going to win, big on the 4th. Those opposing it must be desperate. Good, I hope the bastards choke on it.
That footage isn’t even from a real dispensary. It’s just actors acting badly.
I encourage people to contact the local press to scientifically debunk these lies. These two newspapers support proposal 1 in MI.
The Detroit News
Contact: letters@detnews.com
Detroit Free Press
Contact: letters@freepress.com
Read some of the articles written and scientifically dispute anything you find wrong. They may follow up on it.
I’ve contacted both more than once disputing John Walters (ONDCP) lies and other lies about California.
Yet these people have no problems with drunk drivers killing tens of thousands of people every year by way of vehicular homicide, and they don’t care how often drunks beat their spouses.
It is really pathetic that people really still use these kind of scare tactics in the 21st century. Anyone ever watch the original Reefer Madness?! The scene where they’re tripping out playing the piano, priceless! Though if you really want a laugh see the musical…
I know the comments I sent to “Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Kids” regarding this lie campain vidio will not be posted in their comments erea so I thought I would share it here…
You unbelievable LIERS! This video is ridiculous and completely fictional. I know, I live in So Cal and to me; your contemptible video goes too far and only promotes lies about cannabis co-ops and dispensaries. How can you sleep at night knowing you (prohibitionists) are the cause of ALL the drug war woes including putting drug dealers in control of cannabis distribution? They do not ask our children for ID and have no problem offering them hard drugs? If you really cared about children you would promote taxation and regulation, stopping the killings over drug territories and taking away the ease of accessibility to our children. And shame on you for your lack of compassion for those that get relief from their medical conditions through the responsible use of a medicine that is overwhelming supported by scientific studies.
Very misleading indeed… but this seems to be the tone of all political ads these days. Turn off your TV, laugh at shit like this and get out and fight for some change.
Its unfortunate that these folks choose not to be educated properly about cannabis. Its easy to believe your government, and what they constantly drive-on about as “the truth about marijuana.”
It’s easier to see that they feel like telling the truth about a plant is more optional than anything AFTER you’ve tried it yourself and studied up on the facts.
I’m quite confident that not too far in the future the federal classification will be forcefully changed by the people. there is no more sense in hiding the truth when almost every person under 40 knows about it these days, even the religious fanatics KNOW the facts, they just don’t want to believe them, but hey, they are in the minority when it comes to mass of people who say i see no problem with others smoking weed, while i will never do it myself… thats really something good to hear these days: NON SMOKERS joining the cause 😉
stay hopeful, thats the best way we can think of the whole situation. we have come a very long way from 20 years for a joint era!
Eric i feel ya and agree, except I DO BELIEVE that people would actually stoop that low, it’s easier too remain closed minded than it is too actually do your own self some good and EDUCATE YOURSELF on the good medicinal marijuana serves.
We have sitting on a table three things, pot, booze, and cigarettes. Out of those three do any of them serve any sort of medicinal purposes? but yet pot is the one of the three that are illegal. I bet if the government found a way too make SURE they were the only ones that could grow and distribute pot like they do with medication companies, then we wouldnt be sitting here having this discussion. Now see, the government said ok too making MARINOL (THC IN PILL FORM) legal because they found a way too be the only ones making money from it; we cant make or grow “marinol” so here comes the greed, marinol is legal and it’s VERY EXPENSIVE.
I wish these individuals that are complaining about pot would use there energy and start stomping there feet at these companies that make booze and grow tobacco – both substances that are proven too cause medical issues/some fatal, and in the very end when a person is dying and is sick and cant eat and is barfing and cant hold down there food because they have cancer from drinking or smoking – sometime during the course of there treatment for the disease too stimulate appetite, they’ll be prescribed marinol, (pot in a pill form) that is illegal too be grown though…it’s all about MONEY.
anita
michigan
They show the people coming out of the “store” harassing the old lady. That is total BS. That could happen at any time they are not doing it cause they are high they are doing it cause they are young assholes
Although the men look sinister, the store looks clean and professional with a nice logo. In a way, this silly commercial is helping to normalize the marijuana trade.
How about a sinister-toned commercial showing an adult in a typical 7-11, circle K, or similar store. He or she would be standing in line waiting to by porno, lottery tickets (gambling), as well as addictive, unhealthy recreational drugs (alcohol and tobacco products), while waiting for the child in front of him/her to purchase a caffeine-laced soft drink?
Yeah boy, that there kommercial is so typical
of all the low-blow dirty dealing political promos
crowding up the mediascape these days before 11/4,
i.e. a big pack of LIES,
brought to you most likely by all the good wittle
Counterfeit Kaaaarrrriishhhhhhtians who are doing
obeisance to their REAL gOD, The Father Of The Lie-
Satan the Devil.
When The Master said “feed my little sheep”,
he did NOT mean for the Phonies feeding
the public head with this swillicious bullsheat.
When Jaaaayeeeesus does come back,
he’s got some major ass-kicking to attend to…
located within 1000ft of my north atlanta GA suburb high school is a strip mall with a gun store,convinence store(full of tobacco) and a liquor store.
since it is red ribbon week, which one of these stores has killed more americans than all of the pot heads whom have ever roamed the earth?
I wonder if that question was on the white house drug survey all of the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders took this week.
Up is down. Right is wrong. Lies are truth. These are the things that intelligent Americans must help the masses figure out.
It’s time to vote compassion. Vote Obama.
Don’t vote for Obama he has the same policies as McCain. We need to get out of the two party paradigm that they teach our children in school. Vote Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution party. Do not support the lesser of two evils. It’s time to take back our country. He will never support any sort of legislation for marijuana. Don’t believe their lies. Kucinich and Paul are the only one’s who speak the truth. Even Barney Frank supported the evil corporate bailout.
watch on google:
Loose change
End Game: Blueprint for Global Enslavement
Fabled Enemies
Terror Storm
Infowars.com
These things will open your eyes and make you see the world in a whole new way.
By the way you guys in California need to vote for Cindy Sheehan (sorry I don’ know how to spell her name). Get Pelosi out of your state congress please. Sheehan is dope!
That commercial was akin to “Reefer Madness”. I can’t believe the opponents of medical marijuana could even think anyone would believe such blatant lies. And what kind of heartless jerk is opposed to medical marijuana anyway?
in the words of Bill Hicks: I had a great time doing drugs. Sorry. Never murdered anybody, never robbed anybody, never raped anybody, never beat anybody, never lost a job, a car, a house, a wife, or kids. Laughed my ass off, and went about my day.
Thank the good people of michigan for passing medical marijuana! Now will be the struggle finding a doctor in this conservative that believes my crohns disease is worthy enough! I mean, You’d think missing half of my intestines from 4 surgeries and the other half rotting away giving me nonstop pain, nausea and no desire too eat would make me a perfect patient because marijuana saves my life, but im sure I will need too also have cancer or AIDS and on my last few hours of life before any doctor gives me an appointment! Call me negative, but living in hiding is all I know!;-(
peaceouTy!
TAMMpON
Ask no questions and you will be told no lies 😀
How you think when the economic crisis will end? I wish to make statistics of independent opinions!
Really great post, well written, concise and comprehensive. Thank you.