Not all federal politicians believe that marijuana law reform is a laughing matter.
Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), along with fifteen co-sponsors, have introduced legislation in Congress to critically evaluate America’s drugs and prisons policies.
Senate Bill 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 seeks to establish a blue-ribbon commission to “undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; make findings related to current Federal and State criminal justice policies and practices; and make reform recommendations for the President, Congress, and State governments to improve public safety, cost-effectiveness, overall prison administration, and fairness in the implementation of the Nation’s criminal justice system.”
Specifically, the Commission will examine “current drug policy and its impact on incarceration, crime and violence, sentencing, and reentry programs, [including] an analysis of the general availability of drugs in our society, the impact and effectiveness of current policies on reducing that availability and on the incidence of crime, and in the case of criminal offenders, the availability of drug treatment programs before, during, and after incarceration.”
Writing this past weekend in Parade Magazine, Sen. Webb stated:
America’s criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace. … The United States has by far the world’s highest incarceration rate. With 5% of the world’s population, our country now houses nearly 25% of the world’s reported prisoners.
… Drug offenders, most of them passive users or minor dealers, are swamping our prisons. … Justice statistics also show that 47.5% of all the drug arrests in our country in 2007 were for marijuana offenses. Additionally, nearly 60% of the people in state prisons serving time for a drug offense had no history of violence or of any significant selling activity. … African-Americans — who make up about 12% of the total U.S. population population — accounted for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59% of those convicted, and 74% of all drug offenders sentenced to prison.
… It is incumbent on our national leadership to find a way to fix our prison system. I believe that American ingenuity can discover better ways to deal with the problems of drugs and nonviolent criminal behavior while still minimizing violent crime and large-scale gang activity. And we all deserve to live in a country made better by such changes.”
Senator Webb’s analysis is accurate and his advocacy is politically courageous. It’s been many years since any federally appointed commission has taken an objective look at American criminal justice policies, and it’s been nearly 40 years since federal lawmakers have undertaken a critical examination of US marijuana policy.
Webb’s stance is all the more admirable as it comes just days after President Barack Obama and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs found themselves unable to even utter the word ‘marijuana’ without laughing, no less engage in a critical assessment of America’s failed pot policies.
Writing in Salon.com, best-selling author and commentator Glen Greenwald assesses the situation and nails it:
For a Senator like Webb to spend his time trumpeting the evils of excessive prison rates, racial disparities in sentencing, the unjust effects of the Drug War, and disgustingly harsh conditions inside prisons is precisely the opposite of what every single political consultant would recommend that he do.
There’s just no plausible explanation for Webb’s actions other than the fact that he’s engaged in the noblest and rarest of conduct: advocating a position and pursuing an outcome because he actually believes in it and believes that, with reasoned argument, he can convince his fellow citizens to see the validity of his cause.
And he is doing this despite the fact that it potentially poses substantial risks to his political self-interest and offers almost no prospect for political reward. Webb is far from perfect … but, in this instance, not only his conduct but also his motives are highly commendable.
At long last, some ‘change’ in Washington, DC that we can believe in!
FOX news showing an interview with an eaqle county police chief who is posting jobs for informants in newspapers. Anyone remember Rachell Hoffman??
/clap
HaHaHa APRIL FOOLS….If not then alright, this country is finally back to the exact same place it was just THIRTY short years AGO hopefully the government finish it’s job this time around…then I will actually believe in this “change”!!
About time we see some evolution in our society, however we have a lot of catching up to do! Who would you rather see be locked up in prison for a longer duration, a guy who smokes A LOT of pot or a child molester? Let’s keep VICTIMLESS CRIMES on the bottom of our worries.
We all know this will come to the same conclusion as the Shafer commission, and that will be decriminalization. Hopefully this time we will have a president who will think rationally rather than throw it under the rug like Nixon.
Great but i am losing hope for this…. just bills and even if the bills pass the sen or gov or whtaever can just veto and there we restart at the same spot over and over……sucks
thanks,
Mr.Ineedmorehopeinourgov
Let me be the first to say thanks to Congressmen Jim Webb (D-VA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), along with fifteen co-sponsors, finally some movement that may end all sorts of troublesome things, like CANNABIS PROHIBITION, OVER CROWDED JAILS, THE NEED FOR ACCESS TO CANNABIS FOR THE SICK AND HURTING ALL OVER THE USA.
I am not sure but it seams to me like there is a run-away train and it’s name is PROGRESS.
I hope that everyone will jump on this train and help to get these long time problems rectified immediately. I can’t wait for the rush to come to Arkansas.
THANK YOU MR WEBB!!!
Just sent emails to Senator’s Boxer and Feinstein asking for their support. Thanks NORML for alerting me.
Please dont be an april fools day joke
nice
This is excellent news and even more of a reason to contact your local and state government officials and tell them that you support the introduction of this bill. Marijuana reform is uppon us. Do not let it slip through our grasp.
Good ! Finally someone with cahoneis enough to stand up and resonate our voice.
This is a good step but, when did they never listen to any commission report before.Lets hope there isn’t another Nixon in the Whitehouse.
Now THIS is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!
Thank you, Congressmen Jim Webb!!
How do I contact and thank this man?
That’s good, but it doesn’t change Cannabis to become legal though.
I won’t believe all this till something actually happens.
I urge everyone on this site to at least email the politicians sponsoring this legislation and inform them of your support and thank them for their courage.
A white guy from VA heading a commission that could possibly make reform our drug policies for the better. Holy shit, something might actually get accomplished!
This legislation is long overdue. Bravo.
NORML should make some kind of award or plaque and send it to Ron Paul, Tom Ammiano, Jim Webb and Arlen Specter for being politicians that are willing to stick their necks out to do the right thing and bring about sensible US drug policy. This would give them some well-deserved encouragement for doing the right thing.
Also, anyone that can vote for these guys should get up and do so. Do your part by voting for and promoting the guys that are putting their political careers on the line to bring about sensible drug policy. The momentum for marijuana reform is on our favor, so I suggest we take advantage of it while we can.
We already know that change isn’t gonna come FROM Washington, so we need to start more locally in order to bring change TO Washington.
Senator Webb is one of the best advocates for reform we have in the Senate. Please support him and his re-election which is a few years from now. I know I will.
It is vital that everyone contact their senators to urge them to support this bill.
I fought hard to get this guy elected, and I’m finally PROUD of one of my Senators, because this guy seems to know what leadership and decency is all about.
Pair him with Warner, and VA has two FINE Senators.
Excuse me, time to write my weekly “End the failed ‘War on Drugs'” e-mails to each!
Have you written YOUR Senators lately? YOU SHOULD!
YAY! its about time!
I’ve already written Sen. Webb and expressed my admiration for his bill, as well as both of my senators. I urge all of you to do the same.
That’s such good news! I’m proud to say that that’s my Congressman, and I’m glad all those emails I, and many others I’m sure, have been sending him has had such a positive effect. This IS an issue that everyday people care about, and one that will affect many people for a long time so to see my Congressman making such drastic efforts to achieve real reform is a profound experience for me. I hope this bill is worked out in Congress and passed as quick as possible so that not another dime is needlessly wasted in this failed War on Drugs and spent to line the pockets of private prison owners.
THIS IS HARD TO COMPREHEND–A POLITICIAN ACTUALLY SUGGESTING THE OPTION OF LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF PERHAPS DOING SOME THINGS THAT MIGHT RESULT IN SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THAT, IF ADOPTED AND FOLLOWED, MIGHT RESULT IN SOME THINGS NOT BEING AS INCREASINGLY BAD AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR FAR TOO LONG. WOW!, NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT EVEN READ THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS! WHERE, I WONDER, COULD THIS ALL POSSIBLY LEAD,…HOW ABOUT “CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN,” FOR A CHANGE. TWO THUMBS UP FOR WEBB.
good job mr Specter & mr Webb!
now mr Obama,
as someone who listened to your podcasts from the very beginning and has donated a few hundred bucks to your fledgling campaign, i feel i deserve a few minutes of your time.
I am truly sickened by Robert Gibbs answers performance today trying to smooth over your embarrassing remarks about the hot topic of cannabis legalization. this when the topic involves so many potential benefits to humanity and our one precious lives on earth truly makes me question why i convinced several to vote for you.
as a fellow university of chicago guy, it is hard for me to ignore the fact that you incorrectly surmised that legalization of cannabis wouldn’t help US out financially. did you forget about all the money wasted on the DEA? or the taxpayer dollars wasted since day 1 of the war on cannabis in 1937 jailing humans who have merely consumed the flowers of a plant? not to mention these inmates would otherwise be paying the US taxes! billions of dollars. yeah you are throwing around trillions of dollars but billions are not insignificant! did you learn any economics while teaching at the UofC?
mr obama lifting the cannabis prohibition will also allow americans to get back to cultivating industrial hemp. this is truly a green job economic initiative that will surely generate jobs and cash.
mr Obama, have you truly considered the millions of humans across the globe scarred by this plants prohibition. they made an educated choice to ingest, or facilitate ingesting, a plant. yet your government would have them, (THEN WHY NOT YOU!!!) criminals for life. imprisoning is not the answer we should focus on the truly addicted. get this wonderful plant out of the hands of “shadier” dealers (big parma included) who may be pushing the man-made drugs which really may cause someone harm in a very short period of time.
Now to the point of massively de-funding these drug cartels. 60% of some of these gangs profits are generated from cannabis sales alone. and then we send south of the borders our rapidly eroding U$ and our waste of metal guns? are you fucking kidding me. How is this not a NO-BRAINER.
STORM CONGRESS either april 20th or the july 4th million marijuana march on DC this year demanding international reform. MAKE every member of congress watch the UNION. Mr Obama do you comprehend how many millions of americans are going to inhale or ingest cannabis these days? Do you? Demand that CONGRESS LEGALIZE CANNABIS & HEMP NOW.
And if you do not mr Obama, i am afraid that you will be a one termer and mr Ron Paul will be our next president as he is truly progressive.
Screw alcohol, tobacco, paper, plastic & pharma….YES WE CANNABIS!
This is truly refreshing. Kudos the Senators Webb and Specter, and all the cosponsors of this bill. It seems that some people in the government haven’t forgotten who they work for.
This is great news! I’m glad Webb and Specter finally got the courage to figure out America’s drug reforms. I hope they will finally fix the problem and end the drug war soon!
Finally some sanity from DC!!!!! Make sure to write congressman Webb thanking him for his courageous act.
My fingers are crossed. Let’s get this done, people.
Now this is the type of thing to get excited about. While I appreciate the thousands that ask during the online “town meeting”; this is something you can actually get behind. Locally is how things will be changed.
In all honesty, I have more of a interest in the psychological aspects of its demonization. As I am sure that most of you know, the only place that is legally able to research “marijuana” is the University of Mississippi at Oxford. I have a theory that it has more to do with, if you will, a anti-mind control drug. We have been told that it effects Cannaboid Receptors in the brain and it has been known to change the way we perceive stimuli (i.e. pain and emotions). I have a feeling that means that it also has something to do with our ability to think; how we process information that we are given.
Hell, I may just go back to college if they offered some type of class for it; however, I will not go to Mississippi just to told that science doesn’t know what it is talking about.
finally…A LEADER!!…hey obama! gibbs! pay attention and learn!
And to think that Webb was considered for VP? Now that would have been a much better choice than Mandatory Minimum Biden.
Webb deserves a few thank youz for having the guts to do this. Wouldn’t it be cool if there were more of these brave Senators? This gent IMHO is looking out for the people, the little guy, the disenfranchised, not his job security.
Refreshing!
I just sent both specter and webb an email of thanks. I suggest everyone else do the same. I write a lot of letters to a lot of politicians, sure is nice to write one saying thanks
April fools!!
Finally! Someone with some common sense and decency! How refreshing!
Great news! 🙂
Another great step in the right direction.
Very good news.
yay, good news! hopefully these guys will have a positive impact on our cause.
The only clear choice for president in 2012 is Ron Paul. He is the only one in our government that would actually do something for the millions of people that smoke cannabis. NORML should endorse ron paul for 2012.
This is great news though, about time someone in politics doesn’t listen to the system. Rich bankers run our government and it needs to stop!! The monetary system has you enslaved!!
Alright Senator Webb! More Power to You!
Just no one yell April Fools!
Finally a politician with the courage to step forward with the truth. This is a break through moment in history. It will be very interesting to see where this leads. Remember only congress writes the laws. I would hope that everyone of you that reads this sends a letter to your elected representatives in support of this movement. It is time to end prohibition!!!
Thank god for Jim Webb. As a Virginia resident I am pleased to hear somebody I voted for is actually doing something. It’s a weird feeling being able to see something good come out of politicians, but I like it.
Lets Celebrate By Gettin High!!!
yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Boi~
I was recently forced to leave VA and move to CA due to harrasment from local police for my medicinal use of marijuana I would love nothing more than to move back with my family and friends
I hope this congressman can weave a Webb of change towards some of the U.S. drug/prison system policies/priorities. And THANK U # 4. I would rather see a child molester locked up forEVER!! and a pot smoker for never………..Jim Webb, you sir, have balls.
This news mnade my night! I hope something comes from it, in the very near future!
its about time someone is going to look over our corrupt, messed up prison system that is design to only hold people down after they so call “pay their debt to society” I just hope they are really going to do research and not lot their opinions be swayed by outside influences….i guess we shall see what happens….
Every thing in America is a felony and were all criminals. The time for government reform of prisons or anything else is long past.
what we think of as a democracy is really a corporate feudal system disguised with a democratic facade. Your opinions, your votes mean nothing to the people running America.
70% of people want weed legalized
98% apposed the bailouts
Why did they ignore the people?
Because they don’t answer to us. Don’t believe me well ask your self this. Who pays former presidents like Clinton a 100 million a year to give speeches? Why did corporations provide Tom Dashiell with a limo and driver after he lost re-election. This is their payment for fucking us over.
It’s time to replace our government.
It’s a good start… but I’m not getting my hopes up too much with this.
How do we contact Congressman Webb and show our support for this?
hope it don’t get washed under the rug again.
NOWHERE in this bill is there any hint of a proposal for legalization, so I am not optomistic that this will do anything but piss us off even more with their likely final determination that marijuana should remain illegal.
You know, we the people make the laws. And we have wanted this law changed for 30 years but nothing gets done. We have the right to revolution and its about time we considered it. Seriously!
COSPONSORS(17), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] – 3/30/2009
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] – 3/26/2009
Sen Burris, Roland [IL] – 3/26/2009
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 3/26/2009
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] – 3/26/2009
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] – 3/26/2009
Sen Graham, Lindsey [SC] – 3/26/2009
Sen Hagan, Kay [NC] – 3/30/2009
Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] – 3/26/2009
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] – 3/26/2009
Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] – 3/26/2009
Sen Murray, Patty [WA] – 3/26/2009
Sen Reid, Harry [NV] – 3/26/2009
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 3/26/2009
Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] – 3/26/2009
Sen Warner, Mark R. [VA] – 3/26/2009
Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] – 3/26/2009
Sorry, but I’m a little slow. What exactly will the be the ending result of this bill if passed? I don’t fully understand what they are trying to make happen.
Possible decriminalization?
Could it lead to even stricter drug policy?
I may just be trying to find something wrong with a perfectly good bill since it’s April Fool’s Day. 🙂
Yes thanks to both. I am from PA so thank Mr. Spector. I was starting to loose faith in him. But he did something god. Although it is 18 months. they could do this in 6 if they realy wanted.
Yes thanks to both. I am from PA so thank Mr. Spector. I was starting to loose faith in him. But he did something good. Although it is 18 months. they could do this in 6 if they realy wanted.
Congressmen Jim Webb (D-VA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), along with fifteen co-sponsors,
“Welcome to being the idol of many, your real Heroes for many future benefactors of your work” We’re your friends here. Let know how I can assist you. I’ll forward your name via,
Senate Bill 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009.
Congressman Bart Gordon, Sixth District in The Great State Of Tennessee,
Ladies and Gentlemen, activist shine a little brighter now because of your actions. Thank you, our hope goes with you for a quick resolve that will medically allow dying people to live as a result of marijuana medicinal products such as hemp oil, a well known cure for cancer.
Cordially,
Mr. R. D. Seymour
NORML MEMBER
Cookeville, TN
Ok and what happened to The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008 that was co-sponsored by Barney Frank and Ron Paul? It’s been benched out for a year, said bill was introduced on April 17, 2008!!!! If you want to make a difference tell your representatives in the house to support bill H.R.5843 now or lose your vote, if they won’t play ball we can find people who will!!!! Besides the bill NORML’s jumping up and down over here, means waiting until 2011(guessing not many took the time to read it) just for an answer and that is only if we are lucky. Don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m sick of waiting out the end of raids and being vilified or denied my medicine.
I emailed Jim Webb if you live in VA here is the link I recomend you support him.
http://webb.senate.gov/
IF YOU smoke that reefer you ARE GONNA die period! Look up the statistics folks! Marijuana leads to
blindness, insanity, homosexuality, male to male bonding, female to female bonding, general anxiety, explosion of the lung and colon, smaller testicales. All kinds of stuff with no hard proof leading to the dangers of marijuana! I have them locked up in my secret vault (THE DANGERS OF MARIJUANA EXPLAINED)
The Dangers EXIST in another dimension! I will
give you the secret keycode to that dimension!
(sarcasm cough cough).
The lesson here folks Just don’t do it!
You might die from it if you lived in that other dimension that i mentioned. The
safer alternative is prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco! Stick to your whiskey and cigarettes. Marijuana
is just BAD BAD.. JUST SAY NO! IT WORKS (SARCASM)
Brewmeister, and others who are curious, you can contact Webb at his Senate website
http://webb.senate.gov
Most senators can be reached at
http://(LastName).senate.gov
WRITE WRITE WRITE!!!
I just briefly reviewed sections three (3) through ten (10) of the Senate Bill (the blog entry represents it fairly). The Bill looks like it could be good not only from an anti-prohibitionist standpoint, but also from an incarceration-reformation standpoint.
I was raised believing China and the former USSR were police states. But, when you check the numbers, the Land of the Free really does appear disgraceful. I think reforming the prison system (and possibly the entire criminal justice system) might be the major motivation behind this Bill.
Could it also be a way to minimize political fallout related to eliminating failed policies that have been largely embraced by the populace, thanks to decades of propaganda and social indoctrination? Possibly, but, from my current cynical perspective, I would encourage looking to more short-term (as in 2, 4, and/or possibly 8 years) utilitarian motives. I can think of three possibilities off the top of my head.
First, when I read this “[sec. 5] (b) Specific Findings- In conducting the review, the Commission shall make such findings as it deems appropriate, including–(4) the costs of current incarceration policies at the Federal, State and local level, including the relevant costs of law enforcement, the proportion of that cost associated with gangs and drug enforcement, the costs of constructing and administering prison facilities, the costs of post-incarceration supervision and reentry programs, and the cost of lost economic opportunities associated with the stigma of incarceration;” I see “cost” at least six (6) times and I think of the huge deficit spending the federal government is engaged in. My understanding is that the historic spending is aimed at massive public policy projects for which many would consider “optimistic” an understated description. Economics still maintains that “resources are limited” for the federal government, as in all systems. So, move some money from the “tough on crime” institutions that garnered so many votes in the eighties and nineties to new projects the current politicians hope might actually attain their goals (or at least be less impotent and internationally embarrassing).
A second possibility, off the top of my head, has to do with the Secretary of State’s recent visit to Mexico during which she agreed with Mexico that U.S. demand for product and U.S. supply of arms are playing a significant role in Mexico’s current unrest. Mexico has thrown massive amounts of its limited resources at fighting this problem I would guess, at least in part, hoping that its neighbor would honor its contract–NAFTA. Instead, domestic labor unions exerted their political power (apparently reinvigorated under the current administration) and forced the premature end to a program allowing Mexican trucks to cross the border which eliminated a huge inefficiency of unloading and loading every truck at the border. Mexico is livid; and livid with civil unrest and troops garrisoned at our border. They needed to be calmed. We donate some helicopters and equipment, send down the Secretary of State who takes the blame for the discord, and now this Bill indicates a hope that progressive programs curbing demand for product will be crafted in place of the obviously failed policies (or, more optimistically, the black markets funding the terrorists may be eliminated).
A third possibility is that the executive may really want these policy shifts on policy grounds (I am warning myself here about the dangers of getting away from my cynacism) but cannot afford taking the heat on this issue. The infuriating chuckling and narrowly tailored answer at the online town hall press event may, in hindsight, be seen as parrying a political spear and leaving the door open. The door needs to stay open to argue to many of the administration’s grass-roots supporters that, “I am supporting this path as I led you to believe I would, not because I think it will fix the economy, but because it is the right thing to do.” Or, something to that effect. But, I would expect a lot needs to happen before there is any political capital to make such a move. However, the findings of a bipartisan commission could be just the propaganda candy-coating the populace needs to make these much needed policy reforms go down smooth.
This commission has eighteen (18) months to to do its job. It is dissolved sixty (60) days after presenting its findings and conclusions to the legislature. So, nothing overnight. But, it won’t go on forever either.
I encourage NORML to report on the individuals selected for the commission–not only the politicians, but also the “[t]he individuals appointed from private life . . . who are nationally recognized for expertise, knowledge, or experience in such relevant areas as–(A) law enforcement; (B) criminal justice; (C) national security; (D) prison administration; (E) prisoner reentry; (F) public health, including drug addiction and mental health; (G) victims’ rights; and
(H) social services.” I would expect the C.V.s of these individuals to be a very good predictor of what we are really dealing with here. For an extreme example, if the member(s) from law enforcement are members of LEAP, I would expect a very different outcome from the commission than if they were from the prison guard’s labor union or the DEA.
That reminds me, it is very important that the requirement for disqualification be liberally construed and vigorously enforced–“(2) DISQUALIFICATION- An individual shall not be appointed as a member of the Commission if such individual possesses any personal or financial interest in the discharge of any of the duties of the Commission.” Ultimately, every citizen has a personal and/or financial interest in the findings and conclusions of the commission. But, I believe that the more direct the interest, the more important it is to exclude the prospective member. For example, the DEA and prisons would be first on deck for some serious haircuts. Anyone employed by the DEA or for a prison (directly or as a contractor) should not even be considered, in my opinion. Prospective members with loved ones entangled in the criminal justice system should also be excluded. Prospective members should be drug tested and not admitted if there are any currently illegal substances found. One of the main purposes of the disqualification provision is to not just avoid an actual corruption of the process, but to avoid the appearance of possible corruption. Basically, liberal disqualification will, hopefully avoid the ad hominem arguments that work so well on the populace to destroy credibility.
As is probably obvious, I am encouraged by this review of our criminal justice policies. Hopefully, we will become a humane example to the world instead of a prime example to the contrary. Hopefully, there will be a paradigm shift toward individual liberties. But, that would be a change in the trend.
It’s just to put money into a “study.” … A report.
Again, its just a Shafer report being asked for. Long time frame for the “study” to be generated as well.
While this definitely shows some intrest to public upheaval of late, this is more political posturing than anything at the moment. Dont completely sign over your faith to these folks for a step in a good direction please.
It does not appear to be an April 1st joke. Unless its an elaborate one:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.714:
Really surprised to see a few names on the supporting cast there. Perhaps some of our efforts have rattled a few cages.
Click name for 714 bill.
Wow! This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time! It’s truly wonderful to see politicians actually doing the right thing, and representing the people. I can’t wait for the day that marijuana becomes legal to be upon us. Hopefully this is a sign that proves day is near.
This just seems like a stall and total waste of time and money so that they can once again ignore the findings. Why don’t Congress and the President simply follow the recommendations of past commissions on prison and drug law reform? One commission in particular that was rejected in an abuse of power decision by Nixon thirty years ago, the Shaffer Commission Recommendations – Marijuana should be legal.
This is a giant scheme aimed at filling for-profit rehabs, and making testing clinics rich, BEFORE sending you to a for-profit prison.
Decriminalization is a joke. All they wish to do is add another profit level to the system.
I wish I could vote for him. Let’s see how quick any introspective bill dies in the senate.
EXACTLY!!!!!WHY DON’T THEY JUST DUST OFF THE SHAFFER REPORT, AND FOLLOW IT’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
First off, NORML, thank you for your diligent efforts, real changes are now being made.
Let’s get those reporters to continue to ask those “tough” questions, and keep the letters flowing to your local Reps, and especially “Change we can believe in, OBAMA”
This new effort is headed in the right direction. I don’t see it doing much with making marijuana legal, but rather it is a admission that the criminal justice system is failing, and moreso it is irrepairably damaging many a good peoples lives. Myself included.
NORML, MPP, etc. keep up these efforts the tides are shifting.
I was just wanting to make it public that I intend to vote for whom-ever states that he/she plans on legalizing marijuana for our next presidency and like to put the idea out there that we as a people create a group that states the same…
Think of it X-amount of votes going to whom-ever is smart enough to understand that this is supposed to be a goverment for the people, by the people & a “free” country. You can then look at the number’s showing that all these people are going to prison (just to mention one number)…I could go on but, that’s the general scope of where I’m going; we can work as a group to complete the fine lines and what-not.
Peace.
We have our widow of opportunity 2009 is our year, trust me I can see the future it is a better place…
Cherokee Fred Hussein Jesus
just cause this guy web wants to do something to fix prisons does not mean weed will be legalized within the week. The process of committee meetings, reports, testimony, and deliberations will last long into 2010 if not 2011. This is even if the bill for the commission is passed, which is not a guarantee at any means.
So Obama can’t expect to hear any reccomendations on how to deal with this problem until at least 2011, maybe 2012 at which point he will be up for re-election soon, thus making him unable of possessing any cajones because the GOP will lie and spew half truths about what Obama says ESPECIALLY on a touchy issues like this.I can just see the commerical already. (Slow motion video of Obama looking angry with background guy stating “President Obama reccommended we legalize marijuana.” We all know Marijuana (insert conveinent lie and picutre of meth addict in alley labled as pothead) have sad music in background, show picutres of poverty, gangs and scary things like a video of someone beating his wife. )YOU JUST KNOW IF HE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT POT THE GODDAMN GOPS WILL DUST OFF THE OLE’ REEFER MADNESS SPEIL…
He will try to ignore what the commission’s report says, but then give up and say we are working on contriving a solution and wait till he goes up for reelection.
Then if he becomes reelected he will accept the committee’s reccomendations.
If he loses, stale old white rich upper class republican male will vote aganist it in the name of God.
Funny how God and Gop only have one letter of difference.
CAUSE THEY WANNA BLOW GOD!
A law that does more damage than what it was suppose to protect against makes no sense at all.
Unless you some how profit from the enslavement of fellow humans.
Many do profit the major (legal) drug pushers estimate a yearly gross of 681 billion. They pay to protect this income through PAC’s and lobbies.
Doctors in California say cannabis could replace 80% of their chemical drugs that kill thousands every year.
That would mean a 544 billion loss to these drug pushers. They must protect this profit and do very well.
I would like every representative we have report all PAC and lobby money and monitor their finances like they monitor ours. I have read where judges are paid millions to convict innocent kids so the for profit jails stay full. Our lawmakers should be looked at a lot closer. Last time I checked slaver is still against the law, unless your write the laws of course!
American wake up read history see the truth. Twenty that’s 20 million have gone to jail over the war on drugs it is a total waste of our fellow humans. Not to mention the billions of your money given to the ones that know the war is a waste.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/
watch-5-benefits-to-legal_b_182263.html This is an amazing article on the huffington post that contains a 2 part video series that explains all the injustices of marijuana prohibition. SPREAD THIS LIKE WILDFIRE!!!
I still feel our lawmakers are actively perpetuating a crime against our citizens. They reply to our cries for justice with a canned response. Stating why they feel enslaving more Americans is the right thing to do. Besides their major financial supporters would lose money and the trickle down theory would negatively impact them.
Any where in the world this would be considered slavery. I feel we have enough information to make a case. To me Marinol is the main witness in this case.
If cannabis is of no medical value why then did our representatives allow THC to be chemically synthesized? Our countries dominant drug pushers wanted to make money and monopolize cannabis legally.
So then why do our lawmakers still persue users of cannabis grown in the back yard? Under an electron microscope you have the same identical product.
One legal “Marinol” sells for $600 for a month supply. Is produced by a major drug company they have the patent given by our lawmakers. They even moved THC the active ingredient in cannabis to a lower category to allow these drug pushers to manufacture and sell legal cannabis..
The other cannabis is illegal? Except for the name and the fact you do not have the ability to chemically synthesize anything, ITS THE SAME THING PEOPLE. If you grow one plant you are subject to the five year mandatory minimum because you are a drug dealer. The Federal system has a 99% conviction rate you will go to jail.
I feel this example of the greed behind the war on drugs. Would even make the worst skeptic take a second look. All you have to do is read history it is all there. But if you still only get your information from our lawmakers and the corporations that support them. You will continue to make assumptions based on ignorance…And support the slaver of another one million fellow Americans next year and wasting another 100 billion of your hard earned money. To protect corporate profits and ensure they have a monopoly and control you choice. They do this very well your choice today is buy our cannabis (Marinol) or grow one plant of cannabis and go to jail. Don’t forget the trickle down to our representatives. The ones sworn to represent us are they doing as sworn I think not..
Cherokee Fred Hussein Jesus
Use the money waste on the war
on drugs to fund universal
health care for all….
My most favorite neighbor failed a UA and was sent back to prison for testing positive for Marijuana. My friend is no longer alive. For my sake and a lot of others,I feel it is in the best intrest to LEGALIZE Marijuana. In my town marijuana is hard to find but,crack is everywhere . There something wrong with that sad fact.OH, I have a legal prescription for GHB, the “Date Rape” drug! I wish it where Medical Marijuana. I’m confident this country will do the math and legalize Marijuana.
My most favorite neighbor failed a UA and was sent back to prison for testing positive for Marijuana. My friend is no longer alive. For my sake and a lot of others,I feel it is in the best intrest to LEGALIZE Marijuana. In my town marijuana is hard to find but,crack is everywhere . There is something wrong with that sad fact.OH, I have a legal prescription for GHB, the “Date Rape” drug! I wish it where Medical Marijuana. I’m confident this country will do the math and legalize Marijuana.
Melissa,
With the amazing idiots/morons who run this country.
And i’m beginning to question who or if anyone
really “runs” this country. Sorry to be a cynic.
But i just don’t see individual states or the
country as a whole really making progress towards
marijuana reform. It will take decades for that
to happen in my unfortunate conclusion.
The older generations, who are a major voting
block have their minds set in stone as far as
Marijuana and its “reefer madness”. Unfortunately,
we cannot change their minds, but with time and the
general decomposition of the earth things will
change. And those same minds that were dead set
against marijuana reform will be sitting in some
casket encased in formaldehyde.
california is a nice place 2b. i just finished my first grow. you should have seen this giant sativa that took off, dwarfing & hoggin all the light from the few indicas that i grew. after 3 months my 7 cloned little girls yielded me almost a half a pound of beautiful flowers that will last me almost half a year. no doubt i’ve paid for the investment in my grow op in the first (of many) harvest.
listen to us policymakers, law enforcement & preachers you cannot stop us from ingesting the flowers of cannabis. and you cannot stop from wearing hemp jeans and eating hemp cereal.
end the prohibition on hemp and cannabis NOW!!!
Imagine if i had to pay for MARINOL pills, what a joke!
Help your fellow human beings out financially and humanely mr Obama. yes we cannabis.
we need to focus here on pushing for real change and that means FULL ending of the prohibition of HEMP and Marijuana across our nation. LEGALIZE FOR EVERYONE and save us battling you in every single state. what a waist of time, energy, & dollars when we can unite right now as a nation and progress forward as a free nation.
Just fired off a thank you letter to senator webb. WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS PEOPLE. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP. OUR NATION NEEDS TO BE RESTORED TO THE PROUD LAND OF FREEDOM IT ONE WAS. IF WE REMAIN QUIET WE WILL LOSE NOT ONLY OUR NATION BUT OUR RIGHTS AS HUMANS. We must not let tyranny rain on the good men and women in our nation or in our government.
we are getting so tired of especially you tobacco using, alcohol consumin, moral preachin, wife beatin mother f-ers out their, try some cannabis indica. you’ll consume less of your own vices no doubt and be a more balanced human being because of it.
can you guys believe the scientific study these assclown prohibitionists site from the BRAINDEAD reagan era?
some evil scientists pretty much gased to death two poor monkeys. wow what a trip it must have been for them to be derprived oxygen and forced to inhale 200 freakin j’s worth of cannabis all at once…they lost a few brain cells because of this O2 deprivation. tragic, may their ashes rest in peach.
“One decades-old study continues to fuel claims that cannabis use causes cerebral damage. Two unwitting rhesus monkeys were exposed to 200 times the normal human dose of THC, administered through a constant cloud of smoke. However, in a more recent study, rhesus monkeys exposed to the equivalent of five cannabis cigarettes per day for seven months (what would be termed heavy chronic use in an adult human) showed no signs of cerebral abnormalities, discrediting claims attached to the older study.[10]|
http://www.cannabismd.net/cerebral-effects/
just as today IOWA became the 3rd state to end the prohibition on Marriage equality…one by one the cookies will crumble and this ridiculous national prohibition on HEMP an CANNABIS will be made an amendment. we need an amendment NOW obama.
spend my tax payer dollars wisely and AMEND the constitution NOW mr obama. lift the prohibition on Cannabis, Hemp, & Marriage CHOICE now obama. the earth is 4 billion years old. LOOK at the trends my friend.
if you haven’t done so please sign up for the cause
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/
legalize_the_medicinal_and_recreational_use_of_marijuana
#1 typodemon420 Says:
April 1st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
…Anyone remember Rachell Hoffman??
RE:
typodemon420,
– – How could I NOT remember…???
– She died one week after Swiss chemist Albert Hoffmann did.
The first article-headline on May 8th, 2008 about Rachael’s death had me INITIALLY puzzled;
(Why would the 102 year old Albert H. be facing criminal charges prior to his last days alive???)
– – I believe that Rachael would still be alive had she been attending a university in Northern California
instead of TallaHASSLE, FloriDUH!!! 🙁
(Cannabis quantities barely considered worthy of tickets or fines in the “Golden State”, (Cali),
are a ‘serious FELONY’ in the “OLDEN-STATE”, (FloriDUH!) )
they put away a grower up the block and replaced him with a sex offender
You know how the gov’t falsely claims that everyone buying marijuana is supporting terrorism. Well, Its the policy of the gov’t that is sending all that money to terrorists if it were even true. Cuz, we would much rather grow our own or buy american. However, because the gov’t keeps it illegal, the money keeps going out of the country to other places where their gov’t doesn’t do anything about it. All they have to do is legalize and keep all the money here. Some great stuff is produce right here, after all, isn’t it supposedely the largest cash crop? If it’s anyones fault that marijuana could be financing terrorists its the gov’t for keeping it illegal.
as a future client in the federal system i can tell you how crummy the system is. I hope to god or what ever higher power is out there to help me that this reform goes into action soon. I have 3 kids and a beasutifol wife that will have to struggle without me. the man made me plea to 87 to 102 months for conspiracy to manufacture and deliver mj. the feds squeeze everyone into ratting out their buddies. sure i didnt pay taxes but i sure wish i coulda, but i for sure never took any thing that wasnt mine, never made anyone do anything they didnt wanna do, and never advacate weapons to protect anything. i thinks its strange how the captain of the exxon valdise never did a day in jail or prison for trashing the earth with his drinking and driveing bs. unless we keep the mj in tghe mainstream press and inform our fellow americans about the injustice going on we will never win. best of luck in life to all and burn a fatty for all the fallen soldiers of the war on drugs
Hi,
Thank you four your nice writing on Finally, Some ‘Change’ We Can Believe In!
Thanks.