[UPDATE: The portion of my post relating to race and ethnicity data was missing one of the pie charts. The text has been changed to reflect the correct data from the missing chart. My apologies for any confusion. — Russ Belville]
The US Government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive (SAMHDA) is a treasure trove of information from the National Surveys on Drug Use & Health 2001-2007. I’ve always been uncomfortable discussing most marijuana statistics from this and other reports because the data so often cover marijuana use from age 12 and older. NORML stands for the responsible adult use of marijuana, so I wanted to know the facts on age 18 and older (some may wish for numbers age 21 and older; I only picked 18+ because the first data column is age 18-25).
The essential caveat: these are the people who will tell these things to a stranger for a government survey.
First of all, how many adults in the United States have ever smoked weed? The Survey breaks down the data by age categories and gives the percentage of the sample (Unweighted N) that answered yes or no to the question. Then they extrapolate, based on US adult population demographics, how many people in the United States (Weighted N) would answer yes or no.
| AGE GROUP | WEIGHTED N | PERCENT OF POP. |
| 18-25 YEARS OLD | 16,790,928 | 51.3% |
| 26-34 YEARS OLD | 17,579,601 | 49.8% |
| 35-49 YEARS OLD | 34,676,635 | 53.1% |
| 50 OR OLDER | 26,869,808 | 30.1% |
| TOTAL | 95,916,972 | 40.4% |
That’s 95 million folks who’ve smoked herb. The percentage is how many within that age group have used – a majority of 18-25s and 35-49s and real close on the 26-34s. Or look at it this way: If you see someone under age fifty, flip a coin. Heads, they’ve smoked pot, tails, they haven’t.
When you look at the population of adults who have ever used marijuana, we find that young people (18-34) and middle-aged people (35-50) are equally represented at 36% of the population.
More fun with government numbers and Excel 2007 after the break…
Well over two-thirds (68%) of all adults in America are classified as “white” by the SAMHDA database. About one-fourth (26%) of all adults are “Hispanic” or “African-American” based on the SAMHDA data. (These proportions are growing for quite quickly for Hispanics, remaining steady for African-Americans, and declining for whites. Demographers predict that by 2050, white Americans will no longer be a majority, falling below 50% of the population for the first time in our country’s history.)
However, when you compare that pie chart to this one — the adults in America who have ever used marijuana, we find that white folks are consuming marijuana in larger proportions compared to their population. Over three-fourths of all marijuana consuming adults are white (76%), while only two-fifths (20%) are Hispanics or African-American. This is an interesting fact to note when compared to the proportions of white, black, and Latino people arrested, convicted, and incarcerated for marijuana. (Hint: those brown pie slices get a whole lot bigger.)
When broken down by racial/ethnic groups, we find that Hispanics are actually less likely to have used cannabis than any other group but Asians (about 1 out of 4 Latinos have used marijuana and only 1 out of 6 Asians… no matter what Cheech & Chong and Harold & Kumar may have led you to believe.)
Concentrating only on the 22,003,805 estimated American adults who have used cannabis at least once in the past year yields some interesting figures as well. As expected, younger people are the most likely cannabis consumers. A full 28% of people aged 18-25 use cannabis annually, and over 11% are using cannabis more than 100 days per year, more than the 9% who use less than monthly. But by ages 26-34, all those figures drop by half or more (so much for the new Pot 2.0’s addictive powers.) By ages 35-49, even though chronic and occasional/rare use drops by half again, there are still one out of twelve middle-aged Americans using marijuana at least once per year.
36.9% of all annual adult marijuana smokers use marijuana more than 100 times per year, meaning there are an estimated 8,120,045 chronic tokers out there. Almost half of these users are aged 18-25.
So remember, dear marijuana smoker, you are not alone. 95,916,972 American adults have used marijuana. 22,003,805 American adults have used marijuana this year. 8,120,045 American adults have likely used marijuana today. If only 1% of people who smoked pot today donated a dollar to NORML, we’d beat our advertising fundraising goal four times over.
Some people still look at me funny when I say “everyone smokes weed”, but evidently I’m not too far off!
Now if everyone would contact their Legislators to tell them to do their constituents will, Marijuana & Hemp would be Legal by next month.LEGALIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When you state that the percentages reflected only people that answered yes too smoking pot,it explains a lot about
the reason the percentages are so low for the 50 and older. I’m 60 and most of my friends within 5 years of my age smoke,every day. But they are too old too jump up and
admit it to someone they don’t know. Thats because we have seen so many people go to jail over a harmless weed,that we have grown more cautious and less outspoken
than we were when we were 20 to 30. If the truth were known,I’d bet even money that the majority of America
smokes,and most every day.
Wow almost 100% Smoke the Green…Lols
I hope that everybody who posts a comment does as the last sentence suggests. Everyone’s passion is amazing but $$ is what will truly make things happen.
However, since statistics and facts are powerful tools to fight ignorant prohibitionists with, here’s another one: http://www.canada.com/news/story.html?id=1067952
In other words, those who argue that usage rates are slowly declining (implying that the “war” is working) have gone to the end of the line.
Donate!
I’ve been away for a few days and haven’t checked NORML as such. When I do finally take 5 minutes to catch up on everything Cannabis related, I find this piece and the articles below it.
I find the news included in them—and this one especially!!—outrageous that we don’t have Cannabis legalized even more then I previously did so!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a estimated 306,190,450 people currently located inside the boarders of the U.S. for peaces sake! You can’t tell me that 1/3 of it’s total population is wrong!!
President Obama, I did not vote for you, but steadily you began to grow on me. When I heard you freed up the moral crock-pot on stem cell research, I thought that perhaps I had misjudged you, but this scandal has set you back a mile in my mind. I still believe that you’ll change your mind once the public outcry becomes too great with states bending—and breaking—backwards for funding, because I honestly don’t think you oppose it as much as you’ve led us to think.
And what better way to be remembered as a president then to have been in-charge through a depression and for legalizing a veritable milestone in American history?
I find it only right to include a bit of wisdom from Churchill. His words are as they usually have been, frighteningly all-too accurate.
“Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing…after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” -Winston Churchill
Also of note, I hope I’m an example for at least one other person for being able to say that I have donated $20.00 to the NORML cause.
What have you done to earn your right to toke?
just can’t believe the numbers for the 50 and above crowd which i belong to. its MUCH MUCH higher than that. when i was in high school it was at least 50%. you’re talking the sixtys and it was everywhere and everybody was smoking it. LOW LOW numbers.
Marijuana smokers could realistically own the United States, “IF,” we were all registered voters and voted when given the chance to reform the marijuana laws.
Is there a statistical number that can show just how many pot smokers are registered voters? No, of course not, cause many are still in the closet where they’ll remain till the rest of us do the legislative work.
Your Welcome!
I wonder if the number of cannbis users over the age of 50 as described is accurate? I would think that as many of these folks are approaching retirement they might not want to even risk admitting using cannabis.I think the number is much higher than 30.1 %.
I was wondering if there are any statistics on the stereotype of the typical marijuana user? Currently, most radicals believe the typical stereotype is the loser type described as anything but a perfectly functioning, productive and contributing citizen of the U.S. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of the genre of users.
Thanks!
im down to donate a dollar to support legilization
whos going to help donate, for the stake of all stoners who anticipate the moment of the greatest things that ever happened 7 elven joints and some hash pie hehe
“The Constitution Party will uphold the right of states and localities to restrict access to drugs and to enforce such restrictions. ”Yesterday, September 22, Congressman Ron Paul publicly gave me his endorsement for the office of President of the United States. In his blog at the Campaign for Liberty web site, he said, “I’m supporting Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party candidate.”
Sorry I didn’t mean for that last post to look like one continuous paragraph, cut and paste error. should read.
“The Constitution Party will uphold the right of states and localities to restrict access to drugs and to enforce such restrictions.”
THIS IS FROM THE CONSTITUTION PARTY PLATFORM
”Yesterday, September 22, Congressman Ron Paul publicly gave me his endorsement for the office of President of the United States. In his blog at the Campaign for Liberty web site, he said, “I’m supporting Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party candidate.”
FROM CHUCK BALDWIN’S WEBSITE
Hey speaking of Harold & Kumar, Kumar (Kal Penn) is now working for Obama. Exactly how serious is he about not taking the cannabis issue seriously? It’s almost like he’s flirting with stoner culture. He says one thing in public, but the undercurrent in Washington is shifting and he isn’t actively resisting it. Everyone’s so quick to drop support of him, but you have to admit, things haven’t looked this good in a while. We have him for 4 years. Despite his comments, I think these next 4 years are still a huge opportunity for us.
Setting up the sells pretty much like cigarettes; $5/pack x 5mil packs/day = $9.125bln/yr. USFG gets $2/pack and comes away with $3.65bln/yr. And that is just what you would make for flipping the switch. It has taken Tobacco hundreds of years to get up to $45bln/yr; pot could be 1/5th that in one. Tobacco would be in the best position to market, package and sell it; there is no reason to fear an upstart cutting their profits for a couple of years. It just doesn’t make any sense to not to LR&T it. Cash in on this.
There’s gold in them there plants.
It’s not an age issue, you can’t wait for the “reefer madness generation” to die out. Again the math, if you were 20 years old at WOODSTOCK your now turning 60. If you were one of those kids depicted in “THAT 70’S SHOW” or “DAZED AND CONFUSED” like me your between the ages of 45 and 50. I have two friends in their mid 70’s who have smoked pot since the 1950’s.
I wouldn’t hesitate to bet that most active duty police and DEA are younger than I am. 2 main reasons those older than 25 deny marijuana usage.
1. Drug testing at work.
2. D.A.R.E. programs in the schools encouraged children to inform on their parents.
3. Asset forfiture, after 25 you begin to accumulate things like houses you don’t want to loose.
All three were introduced by Ronald Reagan, not that the post Carter Democrats were any better, Clinton was actually worse.
Thank you Russ for the enlightening look at the numbers, and for making the all important point at the end of your article. If everybody that smoked marijuana anytim during the last year would contribute, and we all know we should, marijuana would be legal.
We need to actively pursue our liberation by donating dollars to NORML, MPP and other worthy organizations to speak for us. We also need to be telling all our friends to do the same. We need to write our legislators at every opportunity. Send the e-mail, write the letter, make the phone call.
I have a job that both randomly tests, and blanket tests. I’ve tested positive and been put on probation. As a result I’ve not smoked Marijuana for nearly two years. However that does not stop me from donating, writing, and talking to anybody who will listen about this cause.
I look forward to the day I can openly smoke Marijuana legally without the fear of losing my job, losing my freedom, without being hassled and arrested, without the fear of asset forefeiture, without the fear of losing visitiation rights with my children, without the fear of losing my right to vote. And without losing respect from those who would know I smoke.
It’s up to us. Thanks for the statistics Russ, and thanks for the enouragement!
Johnny D
I specifically remember being in public school in 1992 and being given a questionnaire about this which the my teacher assured us was anonymous and for statistical purposes only. Nobody believed that for a second and everybody I know who had smoked pot lied and said they had not.
I am a 54 year old and I know of a judge, a police captain and 2 lawyers that all smoke every day. They don’t worry about being busted because in their positions they are never drug tested. Most older smokers have risen to top management positions and don’t face drug testing at work. I wonder how many people on capital hill are drug tested on a regular basis? From my experience the results would surprise a lot of prohibitionists. The real number of smokers in that older age group is way higher than it appears. They are older and wiser and have been smoking for decades.
Be careful; they’ll kill us with kindness. We are inherently the types of people who; once we see daylight at the end of the tunnel, tend to want to sit back and burn one. That would be a shame, to be five feet from home plate and get stuck giggling at the lunacy of the empire, excuse me, umpire.
Kumar is in the White House. You can’t tell me that is some progress and we all know that guy smokes. He is an earshot away from the president, plus he is an activist. Change is coming people we must keep the momentum in our favor. Right wing nuts will always be right wing nuts, there is really nothing we can do about this. But as we all saw in this last election that this country is moving in one direction forward.
I think it is time to set up little donation boxes around our own areas of this great country and donate all proceeds to NORML with ad buys as low as they are anonymous donations would poor in by the millions and our voices can and will be heard. A 10 million person march on Washington D.C. would not and could not be dismissed as loser stoner hippies. The only way change will happen is if we make it so. The first move in the right direction was the order given by AG Holder that DEA raids on dispensaries would cease and desist. That is a gateway to opening up legislation for individual states to do as they please on this matter. Congratulations to California and Massachusettes for wanting full taxation with representation. I can’t believe I am saying this but congratulations to Texas for wanting to decriminalize an ounce and under. And a big congratulations to the 14 states that have already allowed sick and dying patients the option to have medical marijuana. Almost every state has some kind of legislation on their agendas regarding this most glorious of plants. With scientific testing there can be no limitations to what hemp and marijuana buds could be applied to, could it be the next evolutionary step in mankind, Who knows? But I think it will have the opportunity in the very near future to be all it can be and help all those that need it. President Obama may have snickered at the press conference and joked about the online voices but I can guarantee he has rethought his position because I know the man can read or at the very least someone around him and they reminded him that those internet people got him elected and he will choose his words more closely next time because we will be heard because we can silence his voice by removing him from the equation for president in 2012 if we feel mocked and betrayed. Because quite frankly if he doesn’t want to listen to us by god there is someone out there that will.
Supporting research, experiemetal data, popular opinions, the law, etc., etc., etc. The song and dance of cat and mouse games for avid pot smokers hasn’t changed with one acception. The courage it takes to vote yes for what you believe and want for MJ reform. If you smoke and want the right to legally use MJ, it’s a crime to not register to vote and exercise that right when given the chance. This fact alone has hurt reform more than anything I know.
I”ve been at my current job now for almost 8 years. I do so much for them that they’ve bent the rules on certain policies to keep me. But they intro’d random drug testing this past year and since then I”ve been saving up as much money as I can so come the day my number comes up I can comfortably say “no I won’t.”
I now have almost three months of living wages saved up, just in one year, but treating every tax refund and unexpected check in the mail, not as a potential spending spree, but as a deposit in my savings account.
Most of drug testing is fueled by Workman’s Comp, who gives employers a discount on their insurance for every increased level of “Drug Free Workplace” that they institute. So in this economy, financially strapped employers are looking everywhere to save a buck. BUt do the math and with employee time off the job to go do the test, and the cost of the test, and then the cost of providing “drug treatment” or firing and rehiring and training a new person (who then must be tested too) the insurance savings starts to dwindle down. Meanwhile if you read Workman’s Comp website commentary on this, there is a very self-congratulatory statement that “most employees are accepting and do not have a problem with being drug tested.”
I wonder what would happen if more stoners were to do what I”m doing and save up so that when your number comes up you can say “hell no” and walk off the job.
But of course I’ll spend some of that savings to donate to this great advertising program of NORML’S.
Where are the commercials? I thought they were supposed to be starting by now.
Add to other comments on this article; I’m 50 and have been smoking daily as much as possible. While I would admit on an anonymous survey of smoking pot, I agree with other posters who suggest that one reason older people aren’t so ready to admit is that they have accumulated things. I for one have a house, a professional license, a job in a small town (where everybody seems to know everybody’s business-I get my stash in a different county). I’ve actually lost friends based on the fact that I ADMIT to smoking pot and being in favor of legalization. I want so badly for it to be legalized so that I can go back and blow smoke in their faces.
well yeah its norml to smoke weed. haha
maybe we say Stop cease and desist no lies no scare tactic’s just the truth. Not only to the Pres. but to them that set at the head of the law. Why do you continue this law? The plant has proven itself
At 20 mill.+ should we charge them with crimes against humanity? How many more till you dare say holocaust. Who do you call when we need a cop? I’m 56 and after 40 yrs. I’m norml
Fireweed, I like you. You have balls. I like balls.
I’ve been doing the same in case my company laid me off due to the economy, but if they ever begin random testing (instead of just pre-employment), i’ll have to put my foot down.
Random thought, I feel a NORML telethon would be a good way to reach new people.
Start organizing local marches for May 2nd now! Looking for your feedback, especially Georgia natives.
Yo my fellow cannabis our voices are starting to be heard by everyone!!!! We cannot stop now we have got to stand up….Get of the closet and let it be heard…call your goverment tell them to legalize marijuana AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO USE YOUR PHONE GO TO A PAY PHONE TO ANY GAS STATION GET THE FRIGGRIN NUMBER TO YOUR GOVERMENT STATE AND TELL THEM TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA…TRUST ME IT WILL COUNT A LOT MORE THAN SEND IT BY MAIL OR THE INTERNET. So as u see thats one idea if you are really scare and thinking they arte gonna come after you becase they got your number……..My cannabians brother and sister i donate at least 10 dollars every week the way i do it is for every week i out a dollar or a dollar and 50 cent and put it away and by the end of the week i donate it to norml. Come anybody can do this. As it has been said the goverment will listen to does who haave more money and dont be fooled by this is true and together we all HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT DOWN
-PE@C3-
Yo my fellow cannabis our voices are starting to be heard by everyone!!!! We cannot stop now we have got to stand up….Get of the closet and let it be smell…call your goverment tell them to legalize marijuana AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO USE YOUR PHONE GO TO A PAY PHONE TO ANY GAS STATION GET THE FRIGGRIN NUMBER TO YOUR GOVERMENT STATE AND TELL THEM TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA…TRUST ME IT WILL COUNT A LOT MORE THAN SEND IT BY MAIL OR THE INTERNET. So as u see thats one idea if you are really scare and thinking they are gonna come after you becase they got your number……..My cannabians brother and sister i donate at least 10 dollars every week. the way i do it is for every week i put a dollar or a dollar and 50 cent away and by the end of the week i donate it to norml. Come on anybody can do this. As it has been said the goverment will listen to does who have more money and dont be fooled by this…… is true and together we all HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT DOWN!!!
-PE@C3-
OK….those chart slices appear to give us pot smoking losers *cough* sarcasm *cough* a rather large slice of the proverbial pie. I’m 29 yrs old and blaze 2 FATT bowls O’ chronic every day B4 work and I am the fastest worker at my store—and the rest of my co-workers don’t even toke( I’ve asked them )!! Whenever I need a lil’ fuel for the fight; I just thro a little Diesel in the tank….Sour, that is.
a telethon that sounds like a good idea it might work
****HOW AMERICA WORKS*****
If you just can’t figure out why MJ reform moves as fast as the last snail in the race, read this and read it again. It pertains to that other great mystery (SHAME) of America, but the reality is the same. Just substitute MJ reform for uninsured.
The uninsured “do not provide political benefit for the aid you give them,” said Robert Blendon, a professor of health policy and political analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health. “That’s one of the dilemmas in getting all this money. If I’m in Congress, and I help out farmers, they’ll help me out politically. But if I help out the uninsured, they are not likely to help members of Congress get re-elected.”
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
It sounds like the perfect time to legalize. Feds should just make they grab for the cash from cannabis revenues. Whenever I’m down, I call on you, my friend. Song: My Friend By: Groove Armada Do the search. I just wanna groove with my Dutch Lady without havin to worry about the Man in the U.S. hasslin me. The statistics look good, just have to keep offering them different temptations & plans for them to use the cash on. You say the right things to keep me movin on, to keep me goin strong…toward legalization.
Sorry again : Damn Enter button, READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090411/ap_on_he_me/
uninsured;_ylt=AnhluOfv3zMkUe7BMj4LzzhH2ocA;_ylu=
X3oDMTJjMjQyaW9nBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwNDExL3V
uaW5zdXJlZARjcG9zAzUEcG9zAzUEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zd
G9yaWVzBHNsawNub3N0cmVuZ3RoaW4-
I am getting more and more frustrated with Obama everyday…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2009/04/10/AR2009041003269_pf.html
THANKS #9 TENNESSEE ACTIVIST. At least you and a couple of other posts on this site understand how things work in the USA. Be sure to check the above hyperlink “No strength in numbers for America’s uninsured”
If the uninsured were a political lobbying group, they’d have more members than AARP.
So would we, we don’t, and that’s why things are as is. If we had half the political will and discipline of the NRA OR AARP, the right to grow, possess, buy, sell and consume marijuana by anyone anywhere, anytime would be a Constitutional Amendment.
Do most Senior citizens (AARP) support the Democrats on every issue, I doubt it. Instead a lot of otherwise very conservative seniors vote Democratic because when it comes Social Security and Medicare, the Dems deliver.
Are all Gun owners Republicans at heart, probably not, but if that’s what’s important to them they know the Rep’s are better on the 2nd amendment.
Instead of marches, online polls or telethones, I say we nominate 2 CONGESSIONAL DRUG WAR CRIMINALS OF THE YEAR, one from each party, then with laser like intensity throw all our collective resources into defeating both where it counts, at the ballot box.
If we could do that a couple of congressional election cycles even Newt and Hillary would suddenly be outraged by the WOD.
Until then the song remains the same.
Everyone should donate to NORML on 4/20 rather than spending the money on another sack for celebration purposes.
Put that $40-60 to good use.
GUYS<GUYS!!!! Don’t forget to send out letters to :
President Barack Obama
the white house
1600 pennsylvania avenue, nw
washington, dc 20500
Senate leader Harry Ried
522 hart senate office bldg
washington, dc 20510
attorney general eric holder
u.s. department of justice
950 pennsylvania avenue, nw
washington, dc 20530-0001
ON APRIL 20th!!!
EVERYBODY send them letters. It can just say “legalize Cannabis” if nothing else.
EVERY pothead needs to send the letters on APRIL 20th!!
let’s not miss a golden 420 opportunity . POWER 2 THE POTHEADS!!!
WE should all write on the back of the envelopes “LEGALIZATION NATION” to show unity…………
Survey systems provide some really skewed numbers to play with. I know that unless it can be done truly anonymously, I simply decline to participate. Why? I think they’ve been covered above, but: Fear of prosecution, arrest, detention, asset forfeiture, hassles, wire taps, unwarranted searches, neighbor problems, job loss, etc.
Fear being the essential part of it. It’s hard to even get up the nerve to post here for myself. And as most probably have noticed, a lot of people read NORML’s postings; few bother to comment … Well at least until the President snubs them at least.
Like many in this country, I silently protest. I pick my battles carefully. I scream a lot inside my head … I donate anonymously. I vote with careful study. I keep arming myself with new data. Silently.
I’ve never gone to jail or even been arrested like so many I’ve known for my “past indiscretions.” I also don’t participate in “the culture” anymore. Regardless of what benefits there may have been, I couldn’t live with the knowledge of so much loss for being in the wrong place and time. While they have curbed my potential consumption, they’ve created a sober enemy. One who doesn’t have to have to worry about their prying eyes and insane policies.
So why is it so hard to speak out?
I guess even in the past, the number of times I watched “activists” get railroaded, setup etc. has given me cold feet. Perhaps they’ve really won on that count too. But I don’t donate to the police department ball, I donate to LEAP, NORML, MPP etc. Even if I don’t support where they spend every dollar, it’s one of the few things I can do with impunity to the authorities.
So on the above survey, I’m one of the people who would have lied about any past encounters. Or perhaps I was simply one of the non participants. I’ll never know, since most of the time I keep quiet out of fear … And that’s the one thing I was told when growing up that living in the United States was never supposed to be about. Living in fear is what happens “in other places” around the world.
DONATE! It is truly the best way to get the ball rolling. NORML is better at marketing than we are individually. We all know that there is plenty of latent support but right now people are scared to express themselves.
Groups like NORML help people believe that they aren’t alone and that their views are completely logical. Plus, it is critical to respond to every Anslingerism the prohibitionists can offer because the more momentum we gain, the harder they will dig their heels in.
On April 20, 2009 In Bakersfield California we are having a NORML March that starts at Beech Park and ends at the Bell Tower. Time 1:00 P.M.
Please come and join us to help reform the medical marajauna laws. Any Questions please call Shelley King at 661-699-7947. Thank you. Shelley
According to these numbers we can legalize it. We need everyone to donate for a national campaign. I gave $50 to run commercial…hey you want this war over please donate!!!!!
Americans Battling for NORML…ABNORML!!!!!
Hey SAINT RICO thats a good idea
Im in the US Army and I blaze, why, because I wakeup more rested the next day then if I were drinking. After all how would I make the 6 mile run in the morning if I were drinking…Oh yeah if I took my hang over medication…Support the Cause because its effects are far over reaching the lines of legal or not, lives and society as a whole depends of our AMERICAN voices. You shall fall wall of shame and ignorance
i realy wish that it would be legalized both my parents drink and i’m afraid of falling into their shoes if pot does not become legal within the next 4 years.
check out carl sagan’s accomplishments he was a super genuis and smoked alot of pot proof that pot smoke doesnt make you stupid
i think the problem why you don’t get donations is because most ppl who smoke pot are norml everyday ppl. With jobs family etc. and don’t want to admit it in fear of getting in trouble. don’t want to b affliated with it they just smoke it, closet smokers if u will . I was the same way untill one day i was like this is bullshit we need to have our voice heard and made a stand for what is right. I tell my friends to join and there always like yeah whatever. I work constrution so i always write http://www.norml.org check it out. on the porto potty walls i hope all my hard work dosent go to waste DONATE! TELL A FREIND, WRITE ON A PORTTA POTTY WALL, DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SPREAD THE WORD
Another opportunity squandered by special interest media!
CBS, Face The Nation, 4-12-09
Arturo Sarukhan, the Mexican Ambassador was asked by Bob Schieffer whether marijuana should be legalized to eliminate one item from the drug cartels’ goods. While neither endorsing nor denying legalization he did make the point that both using and producing Nations need to address this openly and based on fact. Ambassador Sarukhan made the point that addressing this based on fact would benefit both Nations. With tha t Mr. Schieffer went to the panel, consisting of Kathleen Parker, Rajiv Chandraseekaran and David Sanger and discussed the First Dog The War in Afghanistan, The economy and dismissed the panel to return after the all important Disney commercial with the final thought on religion, a very apt subject for Easter. Too bad that an otherwise well respected Journalist missed an opportunity to address Cannabis Reform. How Sad!
http://www.cbsnews.com/
bottom of page, click on “Contact us”
be nice, it’s Easter
Of the 8.1 million or more that smoked today what is being done to legalize it. Why cant the people that want this done get it done. In states where a popular vote was called to reform our pot laws how has that turned out? Has Mass. and California laws bein the exception or would other states pass similar laws if the states were given the chance to vote , by popular vote ,majority wins. Hell even put in the laws as long as it is closer than 10 points(60-40%) the laws about reform can be voted on every year. I dont call for anarchy I want to smoke at home after work and I dont mind paying a little in taxes(even alot) for this right.
I’m going to donate money today.
Here is what I want:
1) Join with other like-minded sites and lets advertise. Put out commercials get everyone on the same page. If we cound speak as one our voices will be heard. If we could get 50.1% of the people to say they want reform this is a democracy we can make a change. The minority will not speak for the majority as long as we have elections.
2) We need a stragedy. “Mission Statement”. What will be the selling points? How do we sell this product? Let them tax it, let them limit monthly use, similar to alchohol laws(open container, operate heavy machinery, not at work), let it be a yearly referendum.
ANOTHER REASON WE FAIL:
Turns out what I thought was my idea was used by the Libertarian Party to Defeat Bobb Barr and others. It worked, so of course they never did it again.
READ IT AND WEEP
http://cannabisnews.com/news/13/thread13831.shtml
Greg Williams and Tennessee activist, Id be interested in your take on this, you two seem to be grown ups.
Does any body know why the Libertarians 2002 Incumbent Killer strategy that was so effective was abandoned. In 2002 Bobb Barr was Buzzkill #1. Norml has never had a worse enemy in congress. To Ron Paul’s legislative staffer he was some sort of hero.
READ ABOUT THE BARR AMENDMENT HERE
http://www.levellers.org/dcbarr.htm
READ WHO BRAD JANSEN IS HERE
http://www.nolanchart.com/author860.html
READ HIS DEFENSE OF THE WORST DRUG WARRIOR IN CONGRESS
HERE
http://libertyunbound.com/archive/2002_08/jansen-barr.html
http://libertyunbound.com/article.php?id=23
RON PAUL 2012
I still say that nothing is going to say more than your physical presence in front of your congress people and leaders. Put on some shades, wear a wig, and come out to the Marijuana March on May 2nd, 2009. We are doing it local in Atlanta. Our first goal is for 1000 to sign up. Get physical, it worked for MLK and Gandhi!
http://atlantamarijuanamarch.wordpress.com
There are 2 substances meant for recreational purposes:
Marijuana and Alcohol.
Somehow, tobacco stole the position of being considered the correct substance to smoke by society. But Marijuana is so much less harmful (even beneficial) than tobacco and produces such a more pleasant taste, smell and affect that it is obvious we humans are supposed to smoke Marijuana. In a proper world all drugs would be legal, but Marijuana would get the greatest use, followed by Alcohol. The less enlightened would continue to use tobacco, cocaine, heroin, and other substances.
Untie the knot. Just because that it the way it has always been done not mean that the future has to be the same.
Legalize Marijuana!
Jason has a point. I have been reluctant to donate because I do not want to risk losing the easy money from my job where I am subject to background investigations on a periodic basis. If there is a way to send in money without risk it should be emphasized.
WE ALL ARE A STATISTICS ON A GOVERNMENT CHART. ONLY IN AMERICA! LAND OF THE FREE-HOME OF THE BRAVE-AND ALWAYS UNDER SURVEILLANCE DAY BY DAY. NEW PRESIDENT-NEW PROPAGANDA MACHINE-BIG BROTHER AND THE ORWELLIAN MENTALITY IS HERE AND THEY WANT TO CONTROL OUR MINDS WITH BIG PHARM DRUGS. I WAS WATCHING TV THE OTHER DAY AND SCIENCE WANTS TO COME OUT WITH PILL THAT WILL ERASE BAD MEMORIES. BIG PHARM DRUGS FOR EVERYTHING. SMOKE A LITTLE MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL OR MEDICINAL USE AND VHERE COMES THE INQUISITION FOR THE PROHITION WARRIORS.
Re-legalize it.
The government cares not what
people want. We are nothing but
a country run by a bunch of
nazis waiting to lock people
up in prison camps. We have our own
concentration camps. They are called
private prisons. LaND of the free, my
ass.
We, The great United
states of america, has 5% of the population
of this earth, but 25% of the worlds
prisoners. Most of those are non violent
drug offenders for stupid crimes like
marijuana/cannabis. And here we
complain about china for their
“human rights” violations.
Please i’m sure fuckin china is god
damn disney world compared to the fuckin
shit hole that we created in this
country.
They’d rather us all die from
alcohol poisoning and smokin cigarettes laced
with cyanide than have anything to do with
the all mighty Herb. God didnt give us
alcohol in the form of a distillery,
or in the form of neatly rolled cigarettes
laced with cyanide
this plant, and it is very precious,
and i think God will make sure that it
stays safe being that it is safe.
i think that if they legalized pot that the jail systems will have a majority of layoffs.it just kills me that someone can get caught with a bag and be sent to jail,have the shit beat out of them,and looked down on ,but if you commit a murder than your off the hook.obama should legalize pot then the crime rate would be down.ALL YOU CLOSET SMOKERS COME OUT ,BE PROUD THAT YOU SMOKE POT
Is there a category beyond “chronic”?
Did it occure to anyone lately that peace is promoted via marijuana. For Angry Nations at war, they don’t need more passive troops and lower recruiting of volunteers. But it’s great for the peace efforts!
The early American Indians called it, “Smoking of the peace pipe.”
If any of our readers could comment on what the current American Indian Reservation laws are, that would be great to see the differences between cultures.
I would like to know the percentage of smokers, from those charts, that are successful. The biggest argument I hear is that Marijuana makes you lazy and unable to do real work. So what percentage of average smokers are bums and what percentage are productive members of society.
Give Tennessee Activist another cigar. Right Again. Marijuana does in fact make you more passive. And that’s a big part of the problem. Most of the older Drug Warriors (60 +) still associate MJ with loosing in Vietnam. Certain soundbites make stronger impressions than a thousand facts. In many ways we have the Yippies of the 60’s to thank for today’s prohibition. Today’s blast from the past is from 60’s radical turned Wall Street sell-out Jerry Rubin.
In 1968, marijuana became rampant in the army. In 1969 low morale, even civil disobedience, became rampant in the army.
“Why does grass inspire the Viet Kong and kill the fighting spirit of the Amerikan GI? Any pot-smoker can understand it; Marijuana is a truth serum. The Viet Kong are defending their parents, children and homes – their deaths are noble and heroic. The Amerikans are fighting for nothing you can see, feel, touch or believe in. Their deaths are futile and wasted. ”Why die on Hamburger Hill?” asks the pot-smoking Amerikan soldier, as he points his gun at the head of the captain who ordered him to take a hill that only the Viet Kong want.”
For Full context read entire Article here.
http://thechroniclesblog.wordpress.com/
Christopher, the SAMHDA data also break down usage by employment status:
Full time employed: 51.3% used
Part-time employed: 43.5% used
Unemployed: 53.8% used
Other/Not in Labor Force: 26.3% used
Overall: 43.1% used
So, I guess it’s time for another graph…
By the way, to all who note the low number of >50 year olds… yeah, I agree, it’s low. Remember the essential caveat, and remember that >50 also includes >60, 70, 80… there is a point where you’ve reached before the Baby Boomers and you’ve got almost no one outside of jazz musicians, actors, and beat poets who were smoking pot.
Obama… Pffff.. we are talking about a pathological liar here. This guy is the biggest disapointment America has seen in a long time and it is only 3 months in. Just look at this: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/13/
obama-administration-upholds-terrorist-surveillance-secrecy-rules/
#68 Russ Belville, NORML Outreach Coordinator Says
“So, I guess it’s time for another graph…”
RE:
Russ,
– – I wonder what percentage of those recently UNemployed
were UNable to KEEP their jobs DUE to SCARCITY of cannabis
&/or refusal to pay top-dollar, primo-price$ for moldy,
buggy, contaminated, perfumigated dirt-weed?!?
If the truth be known… 😐
I would like to see the percentage of hard drug use in the Military vs. use of cannabis contrasted with civilian population.
While i served in the military from 1992-2000 about 20% of the barracks population on any given weekend was on some form of narcotic. Many used pills, there was alot of cocaine usage, LSD, ectasy, and alot of Meth as well. There was very little marijuana usage because of th time it stayed in your system.
This would be interesting data to prove constant testing causes the opposite of the gateway theory.
Genesis 1:29,30 Read it aloud to find out God’s stance on the subject. That is what I have been emailing to legislators,senators,congress,the president, and news channels.
#76
RE:
Bryan,
Have you seen this video before?
HI MY NAME IS JOE, I AM 73 YEARS OLD, I KNOW AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE LIKE MY SELF THAT HAS BEEN SMOKING FOR 50 YEARS OR BETTER. I DONT RECALL ANY OF THESE FOLKS EVER DOING ANYTHING OTHER THEN BEING PRODUCTIVE CITIZANS, RAISING THEIR CHILDREN,GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY,PAYING THEIR BILLS,GOING TO THEIS CHILDRENS SCHOOL FUNCTIONS, AND GOING TO CHURCH. JUST TAKING CARE OF THEIR EVERDAY LIVES. WE HAVE LIVED WITH THIS STIGMA OF BEING LAW BREAKERS FOR FAR TO LONG, IT IS TIME TO MAKE SOME CHANGES. THANK YOU
they really need the tax bucks–so i say bynov. around thanksgiving on a friday at 730pm
with all the debt our country is in they cant afford not to legalize pot and it would cut down on the crime rate. Just by looking at those charts they should realize the potential in taxes. If the government would just tax pot like cigarettes wed be alot better off.
Why fight us to get high? We have Mexican cartel problems right? Wouldn’t legalizing marijuana cut that cartels strength and revenue in half!!!! Should we give our money to illegal immigrants or the govt? I don’t know about the non-smokers who fight this with a motionless force against a “ton” of non-violent smokers. The only violence in marijuana comes from us having to go to a “dealer” to get our smoke instead of a vendor. Legalizing would actually make the smokers feel a lot more safe and with the prices of grass right now a govt grow house will be pulling in to much money to even think about. Smokers, let people know you smoke so they realize we are not Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times At Richmond High. Many users are genius and some greens are not changing that.
Until someone gives proof positive of a major medical use,such as cancer blocking or curing,our government is not going to legalize even medical marijuana. The money that runs this country won’t allow it.
It would cost the pharmaceutical industry BILLIONS,and the reduction in prison fodder would hurt the private prison industry. And the same rich bastards own stock in both.
I was booted out of the USArmy for a piss test in 1985. Although I did my job well and was given promotions regularly, I guess it was more important to persecute me for something that didn’t rise to the level of a crime than to retain trained,skilled and dedicated soldiers. I fell on my own sword to mock thier asinine policies. Today they generally will not kick you out for weed for obvious reasons, but their principles seem to be out of whack, and the passing of time proves this, embodied by USAG’s latest directive.
You also have to think that those statistics are from the people who admit to toking up, alot of people will just say when they do.
YOU people are so dissapointing!!!! I can’t believe that you think marijuana is good for you! It causes cancer, and other awful diseases. Would you want your family to be hurt because of your mistake to use weed?? Please, think twice next time. LIVE ABOVE WEED, LIVE ABOVE THE INFLUENCE ^
[Editor’s note: “Live above the influence?” That is so 1990s…..Whether an adult enjoys cannabis or needs it as a medicinal agent, there is no logical or compassionate reason to continue with a failed 73-year old policy.]
Dear Hannah,
You are soo dissapointing!!!!! I can’t believe that you think Oxygen is good for you!!! It is highly combustible and dangerious! Over doses of oxygen can be DEADLY. Do you really want your family to be raised in an environment where this deadly material is plentiful? Do you want your childeren to come to harm due to your bad judgements with the use of O2? LIVE ABOVE O2! LIVE ABOVE THE INFLUENCE??? (obviously satire)
How can Marijuana be labled “bad”? I mean does the plant have a volition of its own? Can it act? Is it autonomous? I would hope not! If it is the case that it is not, in any of the afore stated cases, then one can not blame the substance and should not attempt to punish or demonize it. If the those questions asked are answered in the negative then we must conclude that it is the actions of people that who are in fact autonomous, who have their own volition, and who CAN be labled as “bad” that should be called into question. We all know (or I would hope) that man is not a perfect being and thus we must pick and choose which problems are worth our time. More and more statistics on the subject of Marijuana are coming to light and they seem to suggest that the plant is “relatively” harmless when used for recreational purposes and thus is not worth placing people who have lived otherwise productive, responcable, and healthy lives, in to our all ready crowded prisons. Following party lines such as LIVE ABOVE THE INFLUENCE are accepted forms of RHETORIC. If my point has not reached you yet, then i shall have to be more foreward. Those lines are the definition of PROPOGANDA! rooted not in fact or even an attempt at it; but play on your emotions! In conclusion Hannah THINK FOR YOUR SELF! I have faith in you lol
One out of three young African American (ages 18 to 35) men are in prison or on some form of supervised release. There are more African American men in prison than in college. Thats a four times higher percentage of Black men in prison than South Africa at the height of apartheid.
Let’s look at the statistics again: (2008 – illicit drug use by race) “Current illicit drug use among persons aged 12 or older varied by race/ethnicity in 2008, with the lowest rate among Asians (3.6 percent) (Figure 2.9). Rates were 14.7 percent for persons reporting two or more races, 10.1 percent for blacks, 9.5 percent for American Indians or Alaska Natives, 8.2 percent for whites, 7.3 percent of Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, and 6.2 percent for Hispanics.”
That’s 8.2% of whites and 10.1% of blacks using illicit drugs. Now look at the incarceration statistics:
(2007 – incarceration rate by race) “The custody incarceration rate for black males was 4,618 per 100,000.
while the incarceration rate of white males was 773 per 100,000.
This means that there are at least 5 times more blacks incarcerated for drug offenses than should be expected. This is clearly a gross injustice!
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/node/64
Whatever the exact dynamics involved, these horrific racial disparities are a direct result of drug-prohibition and are quite clearly unacceptable. This moronothon has done nothing but breed generations of incarcerated and disenfranchised Afro Americans and any citizen not doing their utmost to help reverse this perverse injustice may duly hang their head in shame.
What I think from these stasticis is that about 1/3 of the population will admit to smoking canabis, thats mostly folks who Have. I bet theres still 1/4-1/3 who DO smoke and are too paranoid to admit it because they think the survey is a cop. So by my bad math calculations that makes it about 2/3’s that have/do or might smoke canabis. The canabis consumer is EVERYWHERE America, And all we really want is to be TAXED! Granted we want a clause on that tax that states the revenues will only be used to fund education and health care for everyone, but smokers tend to lean towards funny stuff like charity and taking care of the children’s future unlike conservative christian types.
“Christopher, the SAMHDA data also break down usage by employment status:
Full time employed: 51.3% used
Part-time employed: 43.5% used
Unemployed: 53.8% used
Other/Not in Labor Force: 26.3% used
Overall: 43.1% used”
Also, I wonder how many people of the ‘non-smoking’ employed population (part time and full) would smoke marijuana if they weren’t drug tested where they work.
ok