It’s not just members of the public and political pundits who are daring to speak the words ‘marijuana’ and ‘legalization’ in the same breath. Even in Washington, DC, calls to regulate cannabis are growing progressively louder — as today’s headline in The Hill indicates.
Webb: Pot legalization ‘on the table’ in prison reform effort
via The Hill
The leader of a congressional effort to reform the criminal justice system said Thursday that all issues — including drug legalization — need to be on the table.
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who has made criminal justice and prison reform a signature issue of his this year in Congress, is the most high-profile lawmaker to indicate openness to drug decriminalization or outright legalization.
“Well, I think what we need to do is to put all of the issues on the table,” Webb said this morning on CNN if asked if marijuana legalization would be part of his criminal justice reform efforts.
“If you go back to 1980 as a starting point, I think we had 40,000 people in prison on drug charges, and today, we have about 500,000 of them,” the first-term Virginia lawmaker said. “And the great majority of those are nonviolent crimes — possession crimes or minor sales.”
NORML praised Senator Webb for his candor and political courage earlier this month when we endorsed Senate Bill 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009. If you have not yet written or called your U.S. Senator in support of SB 714, what are you waiting for?
Fortunately, Senator Webb is not the only member of Congress speaking out in favor of pot law reform. Other recent examples include:
California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez suggests on CNN that the federal government should allow California to establish a “pilot program” taxing and regulating the use of marijuana by adults. (Watch the video of her remarks here.)
U.S. House Representative Ron Paul (Texas) tells CNN that the use and distribution of pot should be regulated by the states, and that ending prohibition would dramatically decrease prohibition-related violence at the U.S./Mexican border. (Watch the video of his remarks here.)
Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher (California) and Jim McDermott (Washington), speaking in The Hill (“Pot legalization favored by some to stem violence,” April 19) declare, “[F]rom a social policy, I don’t see any reason not to legalize it, control it, sell it, [and] tax it (marijuana).”
And in the ‘sign of how far we’ve come, but how far we still have to go’ department, there’s this admission from Rep. Rohrabacher:
“There are a lot of people who understand that [the current war on drugs has been a failure]. … If it was a vote – a blind vote where nobody knew who was voting – you would have overwhelming support for legalizing marijuana out there, but they will never vote for it because they are afraid of taking on a controversial issue.”
Hmmm, sounds to me like a whole lot more people need to write and call their members of Congress and tell them: Marijuana law reform is not a politically controversial issue, but opposing it is.
And while you’re at it, why not write President Barack “legalizing marijuana is off the table” Obama and give him the same message.
Start writing and ask any and everyone you know to write also. They will write and legalization will come. I asked 12 people to join Norml on 4/20 and all but one did it. None of them smoke cannabis, but they support the “Change” we are seeking. Just ask!!! I would suggest putting a copy of your voters registration card at the top of the page, so they know you are a registered voter and if you are not registered, then get registered! By the way when can we find out how much money we raised on 4/20 with the membership drive?
looks like our message is finally reaching the higher people in the political ring.
I still strongly believe that we need to get more people politically out onto the new’s network’s.
I’m all for instituting collecting donations to pay for buses in large area’s of the country to gather together enough people around the country for a 2009 “Million Man March” on Washington’s doorsteps.
ad’s are nice but an extremely large gathering of people would be better for getting our message thru.
All the more reason to vote for Ron Paul for pres in 2012!!
It is look up, but we do have so far to go. Its obvious that most politicians are simply scared to even touch the issue. I hope some of this wakes people up.
Senator Webb, obviously one of our bravest Senators, deserves all of our support. He also has the ‘quiet’ support of President Obama. We are about to win this fight, but we need to all help Senator Webb in this endeavor.
As a Virginian and University student, I am trying to get in contact with Jim Webb to see what I can do to help. You all should too. Republicans will gang up on him when his re-election comes up. He needs us.
The only thing most congressman or woman understand is money, give them a huge contribution and tell them your only issue is marijuana.
I REALLY wish people would stop calling it ‘marijuana,’ as I’ve explained before; ‘marihuana’ was a foreign word, Mexican Spanish, but we already have an english word for it: cannabis.
It’s like everyone constantly using the same foreign word instead of it’s english equal. Imagine if everyone you worked with said ‘see you tomorrow, I’m going casa.’ Harry Anslinger used a foreign word to dupe a gullible Congress into outlawing the nation’s #1 renewable resource for hundreds of years: cannabis/hemp.
Mr. Snell: What is the bill?
Mr. Rayburn: It has something to do with something that is called marihuana. I believe it is a narcotic of some kind.
-Colloquy on the House floor prior to passage of the Marihuana Tax Act. (1937)
If they legalized cannabis they’d never be able to replace slave labor with prison labor, slave labor being outlawed after the north won the Civil War in 1865. Read tinyurl.com/1mn for details.
To the fine folks at NORML: I think a ‘preview’ button would help for people (everyone) who sometimes forget to close tags resulting in entire paragraphs being bolded/italicized/hotlinked.etc.
Go Jim Webb change the laws in VIRGINIA….
Let my people out of jail….
They did nothing wrong to you….They just wanted to relax and have some PEACE!
This is great news!
Obama says Marijuana legalization is off the table but i like the sounds of that bill 714 We r sooo close to gett n this done
I almost hesitate to point this out, because I don’t want other constituents asking to him to withdraw, but Orrin Hatch cosponsored this legislation on 4/20/09. My mind is now boggled.
Open Letter to Senator Webb
Dear Senator Webb,
I applaud your courage to address this issue and for once let reason and facts dictate policy. Ever since our nation embarked on the war on drugs, special interests from Law Enforcement to the pulpit, from the pharmaceutical industry to mass media interests have dictated the course we take and hardly ever have science and facts been allowed to set the policy.
After 37 years of failed policy in the war on all drugs and even longer when it comes to cannabis the time has come to take a new look and approach this with open mind and eyes. All the war on drugs has done is create criminals out of people who use and many who abuse drugs. This insanity has cost the tax payers over one trillion dollars and we have nothing to show for, except for an over loaded prison system. At the same time our government has stood by and watched billions of dollars annually go to drug cartels. These cartels now pose a significant threat to our border security and to the security of the countries from which the drugs originate. Had we implemented a sensible policy this could have been avoided and with the right legislation many of those who are hooked on the dangerous drugs, such as heroin, meth and even prescription drugs could have been helped.
I am glad to see, Senator Webb, that finally someone seems to be enlightened enough to see past the smoke screen and work on reforming the failed policies. Legalizing cannabis for responsible adult use with the right controls as well as a fair tax will go far and over time help reduce drug use overall. I hope you will continue to seek a better path than the one we are currently on. Allow me to close with a passage from the Report of the Shafer Commission, instituted by Richard Nixon and ignored by the same after it was completed. These words are every bit as true today as they were in 1972:
“Promises which cannot be kept must not be made. The public must be apprised that disapproved drug use is part of a larger social pattern, and that all the money and effort that the American society can muster will never be able to deal effectively with this behavior if the problem continues to be defined as it is now. Drug policy making must take into account a wide range of social phenomena of which drug use is a small part, and institutional responses must be framed in the context of broader social roles. Unless present policy is redirected, we will perpetuate the same problems, tolerate the same social costs, and find ourselves as we do now, no further along the road to a more rational legal and social approach than we were in 1914.”
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Williams
Just like Allen has said many times in the past. “Change” will come from the ground, up. Not from the top, down.
The Whitehouse says that pot is not on the table, but Mr. Webb says that it is. Let’s bring it to Mr. Obama’s “table” and demand that our voices be heard.
STOP THE MADNESS and “Legalize It”
U.S. House Representative Ron Paul (Texas) tells CNN that the use and distribution of pot should be regulated by the states, and that ending prohibition would dramatically decrease prohibition-related violence at the U.S./Mexican border.
I’m pretty sure I know how MY state at least is going to regulate the use and distribution. You think Tennessee and Georgia are behind the times. When I go to Tennessee I’m going to TOWN. If anything the Federal laws are a moderating influence around here.
I do not agree with this writer. “If it was a vote – a blind vote where nobody knew who was voting – you would have overwhelming support for legalizing marijuana out there, but they will never vote for it because they are afraid of taking on a controversial issue.” We the people who, elect the congress do have “a vote – a blind vote where nobody knew who was voting”. It’s called the secret ballot, and we can’t even get our own supporters to vote for reform. If we could, 95% of congress would be someone else. This fantasy that your going to “talk” congress into Full Legalization without playing the political game, either I’m not smoking enough or you guys are getting much much much much much much better stuff than I am.
The Obama admin is seriously trying to take away our rights to a lawyer. Look at this, scary stuff!
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97OD6882&show_article=1&catnum=0
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE “DRAFT WILLIE” VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE “INCUMBENT KILLER STRATEGY” (don’t feel like posting the link again, Google it.) VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE.
There’s only one problem i see with allowing Cali to do a pilot program, and that’s a black market that’s going to flourish in other states. i want this just like everyone else, but what happens when the other states see a problem with drug seizures, they’ll blame Cali. That’s why we need a national pilot program. let the states do what they want and put a clause in the law saying it expires in 2yrs, then if states see it working do a permanent vote on it in congress after the two years or 5 yrs. it makes more sense. why let one state when that will cause other states problems. A national pilot program is better and will allow each state to do what they want. we already put stipulations in other bills like this so it wouldn’t be different
<<<<<<<becoming more and more of a NORML fan.
Thanks so much for your efforts folks. I’d be glad to help ya’ll more to fight this war that America has on its own people!
There’s no way a lie like this can go on forever. Legalization will happen!!!
sent an email to one of my senators expressing my support of sb 714. he wrote back he fully supports it. he’s a democrat. have written to all my reps both state and federal concerning the legalization of mj and have only recieved positive replys from democrats. i have recieved zero replys from any of my republican reps and from what i’m seeing in the news (with only a few exceptions) it appears to me that the republicans are definitely the party of prohobition and i believe they must be voted out of power at every opportunity.
You have to admit, Senator Webb’s approach to legalization of MJ has purpose and he’s not just standing there giving a speech. He’s doing research and everyone knows what the answers are already. What he is setting up is a bigger show down where if his findings are not taken seriously, he will loose and so will the rest of our sub-culture. Virginians better make him look good, Congress is watching to see where his political career takes him with marijuana legislation. He must have a high IQ or some very good stoner friends in my opinion.
Charlie Lynch is going to jail and Obama wants him there for at least 5 years. There’s no way in hell that Cannabis will be legal for recreational and medicinal purposes anytime soon.
The politicians and police would lose too much money that they get from the drug cartels and dealers for looking the other way, if legalization or decriminalization happened.
At least politicians are coming out of the Pot Closet now. Maybe a person can smoke one soon without looking over their shoulder Sent letters to Congress and the President. LEGALIZE
Now that Norml has aired a Commercial let’s do another few. This time hire a professional production co and also get some star power. I mentioned having Willie Nelson as Celebrity Spokesman for Norml doing some spots. I found this list of famous pot smokers who supprt reform on another sight, it’s an old list and sadly quite a few are no longer with us. Imagine an ad like the one Norml just aired only the same points were made by Willie Nelson, Sir Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard,
Morgan Freeman maybe even get Yoko to authorize the voice and image of John Lennon. quotes by Bing Crosby, (no joke Bing smoked with Louis Armstrong and advocated legalization in the 70’s. Here’s the list and link.
http://www.cleartest.com/psotm/mark-stepnoski/
1. Sharon Stone
2. Richard Branson
3. Ricky Williams
4. Morgan Freeman
5. Bill Maher
6. Jello Biafra
7. Oliver Stone
8. Hunter S. Thompson
9. Peter Tosh
10. Jack Herer
11. Melissa Etheridge
12. Angel Raich
13. Ray Charles
14. Mikki Norris
15. Montel Williams
16. Cheryl Miller
17. David Ford
18. Pancho Villa
19. Ed Rosenthal
20. Mark Stepnoski
21. Rodney Dangerfield
22. Irvin Rosenfeld
23. Bing Crosby
24. Valerie Corral
25. Merle Haggard
26. Margaret Mead
27. Larry Hagman
28. Michael R. Bloomberg
29. Bob Marley
30. George Harrison
31. Ken Kesey
32. Elvy Musikka
33. Gary Johnson
34. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
35. Anita Hoffman
36. Wavy Gravy
37. Andrew Weil
38. Brownie Mary
39. Willie Nelson
40. Louis Armstrong
41. Peter McWilliams
42. Paul McCartney
43. Linda McCartney
44. Woody Harrelson
45. Carl Sagan
Maybe even get Hef to help out again.
The 2010 congressional elections could very well be the turning point. Get organized NOW !!!!!!
Remember when you were in school and they told you that ” If you put half that energy into your studies you could make straight A’s.” And you didn’t listen, and turns out they were right and your life would be so much better now if you had.
Here’s your do over, Put Half this talk about marches, the same old talking points, civil disobedience yada yada yada, into something (THE ONLY THING) that can work. DO IT NOW !!!!!!!
Also DRAFT WILLIE !!!!!! INCUMBENT KILLER STATEGY!!!!
yada yada yada
Ron PauL 2012
ReaL Eyes
Realize
ReaL Lies
its time ta Legalize
…………………………………………….
#11 Luke – My mind is boggled to. I’d love to see your source for Orin Hatch co-sponsoring this bill. If true that would be great news. This link has a list of Co-sponsors but I don’t know if it is official by any means. Hat’s off to Republicans Arlen Spector and Lindsay Graham for breaking with their party on this.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/03/
webb_specter_introduce_bill_to_overhaul_americas
@27
click the “Senate Bill 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009” link in the Norml story above (It’s the Library of Congress webserver). Then click “Bill Summary & Status file” then click “cosponsors”.
I wrote this to my senator in Louisiana. (the state with seemingly no hope)
“Hello again Senator.
I’ve done some research on you. To the best of my judgment, you seem like a good man. An honest man. And a good percentage of our views fall together. (By the way, I’m proud of you for standing against the bailout, and Hillary) I’m writing you because you’re one of the few politicians to actually respond to the people. I have questions regarding the legality of marijuana. Hopefully that word doesn’t put you in a defensive mindset, but bear with me.. Sir, I don’t advocate chaos and anarchy. But I do advocate personal freedoms and responsible recreations. I’m a working man. I purchased 10 acres that I enjoy and I have dreams of building a new house there one day. I’m a stand up citizen. But sir, what I don’t seem to understand why I can’t consume a natural plant in the privacy of my land legally. Does it have to do with science or the horrific chemicals in the plant? Is the problem that Louisiana doesn’t have enough faith in “responsible” consumption? Sir, I don’t really know. I can’t seem to find a straight forward answer. Retracing back to why prohibition of this plant started is useless. We cannot change that. But today is “our” world. Who are either of us to tell anyone not to pursue happiness? It’s not the government/law enforcement’s job to tell the people what they’re responsible enough to do. It’s the government/law enforcement’s job to reprimand ignorant actions or irresponsible judgment. Sir I’m not asking you to consume marijuana, I’m asking that you make that a choice for the people. As I’m sure you’ve heard countless times, cigarettes and alcohol cause a lot of deaths; usually by too much of them, or irresponsible actions while under the influence of them. But they still remain legal. Most people don’t have a problem with them. Marijuana has become so taboo that it’s not about marijuana anymore, it’s about non-conformity to what we always have done. Just because we’ve always done something a certain way doesn’t make it right; or smart for that matter. I urge you to personally research (www.norml.org for example), reflect, and reconsider your stance. I’ll also throw a few quotes your way.
“(11)And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.(12)And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” – Genesis 1:11-12
Sir, there’s no way to misconstrue that.
Also I wanted to let you in on this excerpt of a letter to a harmonica company.
“Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica.” – Abraham Lincoln
Our past leaders enjoyed cannabis as well as our present ones. Sir, can’t we stop this merry go round? Every day non-violent PEOPLE, not criminals, are put in jail for recreation. Though I’m guilty of it, I don’t condone people who drive under any influence. It’s flat out wrong. And I’ve seen good people get busted for that. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I am talking about responsible use of marijuana by adults. When you step back, it’s really simple. People are going to do it either way. I’m not suggesting you admit defeat, I’m suggesting that you capitalize. Look at our roads. Look at our education system. Could we not use money to fix our legitimate problems? Legalization and taxation of cannabis could go so much further than some preconception of hippies doing nothing. It could provide a non-aggressive recreation for good people. Taxation and regulation could keep good people from having to go to drug dealers that deal indiscriminately regardless of age, race, sex, etc. If my words aren’t falling on deaf ears, and you actually look into cannabis and its many uses, you’ll see for yourself how much potential this natural plant has.
Sir, I hope I haven’t wasted both of our time. But again, I urge you to take a common sense look at this issue. Let’s stop wasting money enforcing a law that has no grounds. Lets take the smart approach and make a positive step as the government, as the state, as citizens, as individuals.
Have a good day sir,
Tyler D.”
Thats honestly the way I feel. And if plain people with a plain and simple point wont be heard by the elected officials that are SUPPOSED to represent OUR views (not their own) then this country is hopeless and no longer free.
Here a letter from my senator Tom Harkin.
Some of these guys still dont get it.
MR. Harkin, You can get any drug you want,prohibition dosent stop that. Yes Mr.Harkin that does mean to surrender. A you All afraid to admit you are wrong and are going to lose this fight?
I urge everyone to contact Mr. Harkin, Let him know what we already know.
Thank you for contacting me. I am always glad to hear from you.
I do not believe the answer in solving this country’s problem of drug
abuse and the violence associated with drug trafficking is to make drugs
legal. I have seen too much of the ill effects of these illegal drugs on
our nation’s young people, as well as this country’s law enforcement
officers, to believe the solution is to make these drugs more readily
available by legalizing them.
As the father of two daughters, it greatly disturbs me that children are
exposed to drugs at such a young age. I am concerned that legalization of
this drug will only increase the number of children who gain access to its
harmful effects.
Legalizing drugs is equivalent to declaring surrender in the war on
drugs. However we may differ in tactics, I am hopeful that we can work
together to fight drugs in our communities and to make Iowa drug free.
Again, thanks for sharing your views with me. Please don’t hesitate to
let me know how you feel on any issue that concerns you.
Sincerely,
Tom Harkin
United States Senator
TH/amb
Please do not reply to this email. To contact me, please log on to my
website at http://harkin.senate.gov/.
I hope we can have something happening by next year everywhere in the USA, because remember this drug cartels are making money right now and still will tomorow and until we keep this ILEGAL they will have a BILLIONS of DOLLARS flowing to their pockets and organizing crime!
To learn how to gve a call to your Congress or President Obama about the issue of HEMP go to this website….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLJhGyQs2R4 ASAP
Well I’ll be damned. Thanks Luke
Hat’s off to Orrin Hatch
Now that is change.
It is completely beyond me NORML why you would even publish this story in the news section: Daily News
A JOINT ROLLED IS A BODY BURIED
by David Sforza, (Source:Daily Nexus)
Regional News – 22 Apr 2009 – California
——-
There is a new blood diamond in international politics.
……………….
Scroll down the page people and open the story.
As if Congress, other than a few, the Senate and all the way up to the Prez are listening.
NORML, would you be so kind as to reply to my question as to why you’d waste my time posting this ?
[Editor’s note: NORML’s news ticker does not only publish ‘positive’ stories or reports about cannabis and/or cannabis law reform. Some reformers want to be informed about media stories, columns and reports that are critical or scientifically incorrect so as to understand the views of others; and to, as NORML encourages, publicly reply to such. In fact, Mr. Sforza, a college student, has penned a column that is prime for public reply as the logic he employs in support of prohibition is poorly constructed. Reformers should consider writing a letter-to-the-editor complaining about the prohibitionist writer’s logic and taking advantage of the opportunity the writer has unintentionally provided the reform community to educate the readers of the Daily Nexus about the need for cannabis law reform.]
Absolutely correct Phil E. Drifter, commenter #7.
I don’t understand “up here”, how our bills didn’t get passed here. I live in the Capital and “Everyone” Smokes. I am tired of Progressive Thinking coming form either Bozeman or Miss. Why Not Here in Lewis and Clark County. Are We really that scared? These politicians have no clue what is really going on here in Helena. Helena is a police state with no jobs.I thank Montana Norml and think that need to do more in places like Helena, Greatfalls, Butte, even places like glendive, Columbus, plentywood, townsend, cutbank, ect. These are the places that are liberal to just don’t have the exposure or the guts because of the gestpo. Help the small towns and you will win next time.
I too am slightly boggled by Hatch being listed there, but then I’m also skeptical. I still have a real odd feeling about this idea of theirs to “put study into the issue.” The inclusion of such persons is odd.
But like many here I am hopeful for the same results already on file about how its a bad strategy atm and all that rot.
Pilot programs James? Really? To quote Obama: Uhm, no. Just the simple medical access already spawns that insanity about “black market pot” in the news since we headed down this path. Bordering states badger about it until they get it voted for themselves, then they get ominously quiet. They’ve also not shown an increase in those cases so far with border leaking of grow op cannabis.
Pilot programs are typically harder to change into common programs once put in place. And easily/quickly canceled. They tend to have multiple sources of oversight and huge costs associated with them in that respect. You would definitely see all sorts of insanity come out of a pilot program with some epic failure of a business to pay enough taxes or an axe murderer shown to have pot in his system to end it overnight.
California goes legal, the rest will follow. Only bordering state with California that would have a “problem” with the idea is Arizona. That’s one state that has some serious political hang-ups and hold backs when it comes to this issue. But it keeps showing up on the ballot. Weird huh?
I’m not against a pilot program if it happened, but pushing for it shows a lack of conviction that most politicians find wonderful for maintaining the status quo with.
what happened with cali I have not heard a thing since they postponed
what happened with cali I have not heard a thing since they postponed
the only way were going to get pot legalized is if we can all group together to make a point. Congress listens to numbers not individuals we need to show full support for our leaders like Ron Paul and Jim Webb.
ALSO SHOW SUPPORT BY GOING TO THE ATLANTA MARIJUANA MARCH ON MAY 2nd THE MORE PEOPLE THE BETTER
Medical Cannabis…a growing 80% of We the People are starting to wonder “who didn’t vote for the repeal of the prohibition of medicinal cannabis?” Probobly the 20% of those who just don’t vote,period. We must remember who’s looking down their nose(s) at us…and…who cares anyway. We have absolutely nothing to feel shameful about. They are the 20% or less. How would you like 80% of we the people sitting on you. Crushing isn’t it.
I read the CNN article regarding the drug violence in Mexico and the White House’s plan to prevent it: rehabilitation. Not only that but the White House wants to make rehab (for marijuana) essentially free to anyone who wants it. Now, this is all in good intent to curb America’s addictiont to drugs, but now my tax dollars are going towards: keeping non-violent drug offenders in jail, DEA raids on medical marijuana facilities, the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppresion Program, AND NOW rehab for marijuana (ever seen Half Baked?). This is getting insane. Legalization will fund rehab programs for people that want it . . . just like alcohol and tobacco. I am sick of my tax dollars being spent criminalizing one of the least harmless drugs on this planet and living in fear everytime I go to enjoy a simple joint.
If you do a little research, you will see Senator Webb was a VERY strong Obama supporter during the campaign (even rumored to be a potential running mate at one time). It is possible our message reached Obama loud and clear, but the first African American president can NOT legalize Marijuana 3 months after inauguration. Somebody *ELSE* needs to step up and needs to do it from a different perspective than the economy (which we have already questioned Obama on), therefore: Webb is the perfect choice.
Tristen Reynolds,
Is there any way to find out more about the Atlanta march? I will be there. Hope to see you there too. I will be bringing quite a few people with me. Thanks for the post to remind all of our fellow citizens about it. I will be shutting down my business for May 2nd and believe me that all of my clients will know why. I feel certain their support will be with us young and old, black and white and Democrat and Republicans.
i’m all for decriminalization, but to let them regulate, tax and to control this GOD given plant would be a mistake, every time we allow the powers that be rule over anything you know what happens. i say let my people go, or suffer the wrath of GOD. as you know america has forsaken him and forgot how we began. make a real change lets fight for our freedom once again, the governed are not being governed as we wrote they will govern. money has corruped this government. peace AL
Drug warriors are a dying breed and we can aid in their extinction. If anyone still thinks there is reason to keep drugs illegal they would jusy come across as idiots or just outright liars. Keeping drugs illegal just does not make sense anymore. Even from a religious perspective it does not make sense either. God gave us a free will but Government takes that away. Jesus would ask that they bring to him the troubled addict so he could forgive his sins and heal him and not say something like, “throw them in jail so that they mayeth learn”!!! Christians who support prohibition are no better than the Taliban! Virtue by force is not TRUE virtue. This applies to restrictions placed on women and drug users by both religions. Show compassion and respect the responsible individual’s choices. J. Velasco
We really are winning the war and I think the reason no one should continue to take a stand in favor of keeping drugs illegal is because they would come across as idiots or just outright liars. Keeping drugs illegal just does not make sense anymore. Even from a religious perspective it does not make sense either. God gave us a free will but Government takes that away. Jesus would ask that they bring to him the troubled addict so he could forgive his sins and heal him and not say something like, “throw them in jail so that they mayeth learn”!!! Christians who support prohibition are no better than the Taliban! Virtue by force is not TRUE virtue. This applies to restrictions placed on women and drug users by both religions. Show compassion and respect the responsible individual’s choices. J. Velasco
may 2nd global marijuana march find a city near you and attend show your support i will be attending DC there are over 250 cities having a march on the same day at the same time google global marijuana march to find all the details
I hope NORML plans to list all the politicians up for election in 2010 in terms of their stance on cannabis-related issues. If we vote all the prohibitionists out of office, we should be able to legalize marijuana very quickly.
The leader of a congressional effort to reform the criminal justice system said Thursday that all issues — including drug legalization — need to be on the table.
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who has made criminal justice and prison reform a signature issue of his this year in Congress, is the most high-profile lawmaker to indicate openness to drug decriminalization or outright legalization.
“Well, I think what we need to do is to put all of the issues on the table,” Webb said this morning on CNN if asked if marijuana legalization would be part of his criminal justice reform efforts.
“If you go back to 1980 as a starting point, I think we had 40,000 people in prison on drug charges, and today, we have about 500,000 of them,” the first-term Virginia lawmaker said. “And the great majority of those are nonviolent crimes — possession crimes or minor sales.”
NORML praised Senator Webb for his candor and courage earlier this month when we endorsed Senate Bill 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009. If you have not yet written or called your U.S. Senator in support of SB 714, what are you waiting for?
Fortunately, Senator Webb is not the only member of Congress speaking out in favor of pot law reform. Other recent examples include:
California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez suggests on CNN that the federal government should allow California to establish a “pilot program” taxing and regulating the use of marijuana by adults. (Watch the video of her remarks here.)
U.S. House Representative Ron Paul (Texas) tells CNN that the use and distribution of pot should be regulated by the states, and that ending prohibition would dramatically decrease prohibition-related violence at the U.S./Mexican border. (Watch the video of his remarks here.
——————-
nick
You are all dumb if you actually think obama will take the time to read your emails about legalizing marijuana. he probaly dont even know what the fuck to do to a computer. The only thing that will get this shit legalized is if we had celebrities or actors Stand up a little bit more. They are the only ones who are really succesful in there life, if the president dont listen to them then what the fuck. apparently everyone on the computer is just potheads (according to his remark he made)
How about they would be afraid Nazi like people would come to their home and knock down their door and take them to jail? It happens once every 36 seconds destroying almost one million Americans lives every year not to mention the 100 billion wasted..
CFJ
post #18 says “but what happens when the other states see a problem with drug seizures”
They will do the same as they are now, what does it matter if it comes from Cal. ? They should be happy the money is staying in the US economy.
LOOK!!! Obama is not and can not just step up and say—HEY!! Lets make marijuana legal!!! He can however, make visits with Mexico,s President–which he did—he can come up with and set up a commission asking for their imput for change—-which he has!!! Obama can not just hold up his hand and say make marijuana legal—- and he would be stupid if he did!!! The legalization has to come from Congress from where it is written as not legal in any form. If you look at the commission that OBAMA has set up—it deals with the issues of drugs and asks—-yes!!! asks for input on how to create a better system—It asks if the current drug laws are working–if you open your eyes and read what the President is asking for—he is asking the commission to look and see if the drug war is a failure, as it asks to look at how many people are in prison today for marijuana compared to 1980—40,000 people in prison in 1980—today after near 30 years of Drug WAR which some say is working—which we know is not—their is now—500,000 in prison for marijuana—–There you have it!!!!—-Thirty years ago we had only 40,000 offenders in jail at any one time—now it’s over 500,000—-HOW!!! can anyone!!!! say that we are better off now than 30 years ago or doing better when the crimes are going up, the prison rate has increased by 1,000%—Obama wants a responce from the commission that shows the complete drug policy failure with proven numbers and their recommendations—-THEIR–as in THEIR!!!!AS A GROUP!!! THEIR RECOMMENDATION!!! Now at this point if all goes well, the President can say—I am signing these CHANGES into law as RECOMMENDED by the Bi partisan commission–and as voted and passed by Congress. Now–it’s not on him–it’s on the commission and Congress. Obama is not stupid—He is very smart–he knows what he’s doing and how to get it done without his finger prints on it. For you stupid idiots who are calling Obama an idiot—-Chill out!!! Obama saying what he said is not how he really feels toward the situation–it is however what he needed to say in the public/political lights. This commission has very promising hopes. This hope would not be on the table at all–if Bush was still president. Tip your hats to Obama. He deserves a metal of honor for putting this commission together so quickly!!!
To all interested in S-714, Senator Webb’s project.
This bill will not automatically legalize cannabis. And while it has 24 co-sponsors, they need to be contacted and for that reason I have re-linked the 24 names to their e-mail and websites. You can find these links at:
http://tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=busgreg&page=100
The links at the above page save you some steps to get to the Senators websites. It is also important that they be contacted by residents of their State. For the 74 other Senators (hopefullt former Senator Coleman from Minnesota will concede to the elected Senator Al Franken soon) click this link and find yours.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Thanks for the help, and please be polite. You catch more flies with honey than with “fucking cusswords”
is nyc having a march for pot?
# 48 Brewmaster is exactly right, If NORML had done this 30 years ago, the problem would be in the history books. Also hats off to Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher.
#50 It’s not that that celebrities and actors or musicians are the only successful pot smokers. Many everday pot smokers are very accomplished in our private lives. But if your going to court you need a lawyer not a doctor and if going to surgery you need a doctor not an architect. On TV you need a celebrity.
DRAFT WILLIE.
The legalization of marijuana is not going to happen until the corruption in the U.S. government stops.
So, its NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!
Politicians are mostly old, racist, senile white assholes who have completely lost touch with what their job duties are. sSuch as doing whats right for the country, not whats right for their bullshit religious groups or for their portfolio.(Some of these motherfuckers are old enough to remember when we made quality automobiles.)
The drug and alcohol companies have tons of money. Which means they can pay off tons of people. You dont think politicians might own stock in Anheiser Busch or Merck or any of those companies do you? I don’t know about you, but I consider that a conflict of interest. Once elected, politicians don’t care about YOU. They care about money. Their money. They would rather take kickbacks from the drug and alcohol companies that are poisoning us “legally” with their Rx’s than to do what is right by the people who elected them. Its called cornering the market. Pass laws against drugs (eliminate the competition) and then start selling them “legally” at a higher price. They even have the gall to put out commercials telling you to ask your doctor “about” these drugs. “Your anti-depressant not working? Take another one on top of it to supplement it.”
So, I guess what I’m saying is, enjoy your percoccets, oxycontins, methadone, phentonol patches, Xanex, valiums, klone pin, etc, (if you are lucky enough to have insurance or you buy them illegally) and booze because thats all we are ever going to be able to enjoy.
I fucking give up.
I just watched Meth Nation, Cocaine Nation, Heroin Nation on my local DSC channel. I studied each of these programs intensely. The only problem I see there are some people that go too far with drugs. This is not earth shaking news since it has existed since the beginning of record keeping. Whether it be the natural source or pharmaceutical companies the liquor industry or herbs. We will ever cure this problem putting people in jail.
It is time to end the racist money grubbing war was ended. The war on US (drugs) does far more damage than the drugs it tries to dictate how we use. I am tired at least lets switch make natural drugs OK but make pharmaceutical drugs (deadly chemical concoctions that kill thousands ever year) illegal. The natural drugs that are illegal are less powerful and less addictive than the chemical derivative YET ILLEGAL?
THIS MAKES MUCH MORE FUVKING SENSE TO ME THAN CONTINUING TO JAIL ONE MILLION KIDS A YEAR AND DESTROY THEIR LIVES OVER WEED!!!!!!!!!!!
Cherokee Fred Jesus
Freedom of Choice
By the way the only crime or violence depicted in these shows was initiated by our protectors the cops DEA on and on. Most people were in their own home only causing harm to themselves. Here come the Nazi like break your door down drug task forces. Now we pay to put them in jail and waste 100 billion of our money to DICTATE what they can and cannot take!! It will never work our only hope is that more become aware to what is being fed to us and called the truth. Its all a scam to feed greedy corporations and our representatives..
by the way usage is estimated to be .01% a small number compared to the one every thirty seconds we jail for a weed….
CFJ
I’ve recently started to volunteer at my city’s local homeless shelter and the drug that is most destructive on people’s lives is clearly alcohol then crack/heroine. When we went through our training someone asked our trainer if marijuana ruins people’s lives she said “No, marijuana isn’t even addictive, we don’t see users here.” The plant is totally safe and less dangerous that substances which are currently legal, it just doesn’t make sense.
I also watched Meth Nation, Cocaine Nation, Heroin Nation > Those programs made me think for a second.
What about “Marijuana” nation
or whatever it would be. But of course,
their are no terrible stories involving
marijuana, NOt terrible OD, no terrible
Addiction, no terrible lung cancer or
emphysema.
As someone who has used MJ and never touched those harder drugs, i cannot
relate to the ones at all or to the users of those drugs.
yET All MJ users are thrown into the same category as far as the DEA is concerned. Dont work folks.
Marijuana has no value medically yet there are 13 or so
states now that prohibit the medicinal use of
marijuana. For illness such as
cancer, parkinson, alzheimer, MS, glaucoma,
tourettes, etc. yet to the gov using marijuana is
the same as using one of these harder drugs like
heroin, cocaine, meth. so sad man.
CFJ: Funny thing about those shows they put together is that they couldn’t seem to cover the drugs without showing the police/agents/etc involvement. Sure it’s a critical part of the drug culture, but they sure did spend a lot of time on enforcement versus the myriad of others things involved with those drugs in the US.
I noticed with the Heroin episode that they sure seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time showing a small orchestrated bust. Not a lot of information on the use/abuse/impact as expected.
To quote the new format: Epic fail on presenting anything “new” on these items for 2009.
.
,.
.
Hrm, Mr Hunt: Give up? Give up doing what exactly? Washington is Washington. Overall, the idea of our own governing officials ignoring us at every step has been the backbone of jokes and outrage for decades. Longer really, but truly has shined with the onset of the information age.
My point is that its a game. Washington has a game it plays. The efforts of many over time have helped to keep the propaganda machine from claiming Vietnam body count victories at every turn. They have made people more aware of the problem.
Like so many dynamic problems, sometimes they need to hit rock bottom or be so out of proportion to be noticed by everyone. The people I interact with were decrying fraud with real estate starting around 2000-2002. Not early by some estimates but they were definitely throwing huge amounts of influence and making their money move around in anticipation of a reversal. Sad thing is that most people blissfully ignored those pundits and we all helped to create one aspect of a nifty problem. Now, of course, we are all aware of the fallacy of that problem.
Same applies here sometimes. Maybe the 25% of the world’s prison population or the sheer number of people imprisoned in the US is getting high enough to scare even politicians into re-examining the problem? What I’ve feared for the last couple of decades is that it was going to take something equating to more than the number of deaths from WWII to wake people up. So far we’re only at 20 million and that doesn’t seem to phase a lot of people still. Scary huh?
Please dont give in, give up, etc. “You’re bringing out a bad vibe man.” And I’m not saying that Hope will change this. Outrage, persistence, money, visibility, etc are the only long lasting things that will tear apart this idiocy once and for all. Support NORML. Support MPP, LEAP, whoever. Don’t stop talking to people about it. Vote wisely. Donate. Protest if possible. Use your head.
The members in Congress who support Marijuana Prohibition have one eye open and the other blind eye shut. The are just worried about their own self image and continue on with the propaganda machine against marijuana. Then you have the members in Congress who are against MARIJUANA PROHIBITION know change is on the way for the better and that the DRUG WAR IS A FAILURE. Billions of tax dollars wasted on Marijuana Prohibition with no end results. With taxation and regulation, billions can be made. NO matter what kind of drug laws are in effect, people are still going to keep on tokin and that is just part of human nature, and THE NEW MOTHER NATURE IS NOT A COMING-IT’S ALREADY HERE AND THE NEW SPLENDID LADY IS GETTING US ALL. 420 ALL THE WAY!
Buggsy: Nice getting in a little Guess Who at the end. Peace be to all.
Is Bob Barr a Libertarian? If so, how can he reconcile being a Libertarian with his strong Pro-War on Drugs views?
I think he’s just a right wing Republican in Libertarian clothing. That’s what he was in the 90’s: an extreme Right Wing Republican and just as supportive of the War on Some Drugs as one can get. Then all of a sudden he pops up as a “Libertarian”?
Considering our government – via the DHHS (Dept. of Health & Human Services) – holds a patent on cannadinoids we should immediately reclassify and re-legalize this beneficial plant. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6630507.html
I cannot understand how we continue to claim to be the world’s most just and moral society when people are still being imprisoned for consuming a medically advantageous plant with little to no side effects! You can’t even say that about the air most of us breathe!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
When in fact this plant has huge medical benefits, as well as massive industrial uses as well. It’s enough to make me want to vomit and hold our elected officials accountable for their lies and propaganda. I’m just not sure how exactly.
1 to 3 “Shit or get off the Pot.”
Take it out of schedule I, and put it in schedule III, where it belongs.
1 to 3 “Shit or get off the pot.”
It’s in the right church, it’s just in the wrong pew.
1 to 3 “shit or get off the pot.”
When the FDA finds that cannabis has (1) currently accepted medical need, and (2) accepted safety for the use of the drug under medical supervision, then by law,cannabis cannot remain in schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act,which would immediately legalize it for medical purpose as a schedule III substance. What’s really exiting is…Schedule III substances are not restricted from government funding for research.
It’s going to happen at the FDA – Food and Drug Administration…so…lets be Vaunt-Couriers and shout it out…1 to 3 “Shit or get off the pot.”
Thank you Luke #11 and #28 comments.
We live in Utah, not by absolute choice but by necessity (we have a good job here).
Orrin Hatch will be getting a letter from me thanking him and urging him to continue. I too am blown away.
PLEASE WRITE OHIO SENATORS!!!!
Ohio needs some education, please!!
Ohio Senate.
@53
I encourage your optimism, but what if he is? Let’s say you are right, he just doesn’t want to come out and say it, what is he waiting for us to tell him that we haven’t told him already? Does he want us to hire a pilot to write it in the sky? Should we bake him a green pot cake and put a video of it’s creation on youtube? Should I go climb a skyscraper and jump off the top?
I just don’t understand. If he is sitting there in the white house waiting for someone to tell him that the War on Drugs is a failure, then Obama is a f**king idiot with no personal thoughts of his own.
Thank God for people like Eric Holder.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
In 2004 Barack Obama said, “… in terms of legalization of drugs, I think the the war on drugs has been an utter failure… and I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws, but I’m not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana, what I do believe is we need to rethink how we’re operating in the the drug wars and I think, currently we’re not doing a very good job.”
In 2009, blah, blah, blah, more of the same… “an utter failure.” Nothing has really changed
For those that insist it is not used by the government for medical purposes.
Before ya look at the below videos. go to any search engine and look up “The Compassionate investigational New Drug Program” This programs was started by the Nixon administration (R)
http://www.youtube.com/watch…
http://www.youtube.com/watch… (Full of information!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch… (More information!)
In 2003 the Bush Administration was claiming that Medical Marijuana had NO medical benefits. But the same time they were claiming this. They were awarded a patent that says it has MANY medical properties!
US Patent 6630507: patent applied for on 02/02/2001
Patent issued 10/07/2003
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6630507.htm…
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/257008
maybe im just a critic but after reading the body count post i started thinking but i dont know where to get information.
first i wanted nationa; statistics on speeding related deaths, i bet its WAY higher than 6300
yet, i cant drive the speed limit without someone riding my bumper or passing me. and the penalties are less and u have to get more than 2 speeding tickts to lose your license, but a pach of papers with a bag will take your licence here for 6 months every offence, even if your not in your car at time of offence. ??????
second was statistics on obecity related deaths. i would be willing to bet that that number would be WAY higher than 6300 also yet look at what we are allowed to dine on, what we drink, sure the F.D.A takes out thing directly harmful(maybe) but the lasting effects of just over eating, and consuming”junk food” are all quite legal and everyone would throw a fit if we made “twinkie’s” and other foods that we love illegal because they were harmful, and to more than just that person, when a personn cannot do for themselves anymore due to obecity, who pays? thier families thier friends and eventually the taxpayers.
and thirdly, america is being blamed for the guns in mexico. yet, all i hear is ak-47 this and ak-47 that. AK-47’s are CHINESE ASSAULT RIFLES not our military issue M-16. more lies to the public to wage the other war…. the assault on our second amendment right to KEEP and BEAR ARMS….
Ron PauL 2012
ReaL Eyes
Realize
ReaL Lies
its time ta Legalize
thats great thx jeff
and another thing
in my state of oHIGHo (decriminalized long ago) we have gained due to federal preasure
paraphanalia laws that WILL incarcerate you, take your drivers license, and get you a monetary fine, but i can walk into almost any convienence store and buy a pack of zig zags (in oHIGHo the police concider zig zags as a brand to be paraphenalia)not to mention i can buy all kinds of pipes and things that NOONE would use for tobacco.
and now we also have a nasty drug abuse law that will also incarcerate ect. that can REALLY tear a family apart.
when i was a young rebel we had a dare speaker come in and talk to us on the dangersof drugs from an ex-addict(getting off a charge for doing it). so here we are (17 already having started smoking) hearing how bad all the drugs are from this guy, and how they had messed up his body so bad he “couldn’t even have a beer at the softball games anymore” knowing that we havent seen bad effects from pot yet we all started thinking maybe its all b.s. and we should check out thall the other things they told us was bad. Later that spring we were havin a few beers at the softball game (drinking age 18 we are still 17 they didnt care it was a U.A.W. park) and who do we see this dare speaker drunk with a beer in each hand… does anyone else have stories of these types of effects from thier DARE years???
keep up the good work NORML we all apreciate it 8)
HAPPY 420-7
#66 There are 3 distinct faction under the Libertarian banner. The first is the “I should be able to wear my gun any where I want”. The second is the “No Taxes of any kind for any reason any time” crowd.
Third is the “Legalize all Drugs for anybody under any circumstance” school.
Bobb Barr and Ron Paul both subscribe to the first two schools. In the 90’s Bobb Barr was the Darth Vader of the War On Drugs. Bobb Barr is not even an American.
When Washington D.C. voted by 70% to legalize Medical MJ Bobb Barr proposed NOT COUNTING the votes. This was too much even for the courts which overturned him on the grounds that if the people hold a certified election, ” YOU DO HAVE TO COUNT THE VOTES”. Then he lent his name to the Barr Amendment. Read about it here.
http://www.levellers.org/dcbarr.htm
He even proposed making ADVOCATING a change in the MJ Laws a crime. In other words we here would be breaking RICO Federal anti-racketeering laws by just talking about MJ.
In 2002 The Libertarian Party targeted Bobb Barr for defeat with it’s successful (and now forgotten) Incumbent Killer Strategy.
http://www.levellers.org/dcbarr.htm
The Incumbent Killer Strategy was bitterly opposed by the RON PAUL faction of the Libertarian Party.
http://libertyunbound.com/article.php?id=23
http://www.nolanchart.com/author860.html
For revenge Bobb Barr decided to destroy the Libertarian party with his sorry presence, Much the same way Pat Buchanan did by joining the Reform Party in 2000.
Both Bobb Barr (an evil evil man) and Ron Paul (a sad comedian) now spout some MJ reform talk. It’s a Lie
Here’s the truth
“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
Ron Paul is a VERY strict Constitutionalist and is against any federal Power not specified in the U.S. constitution. Nothing wrong with that.
Under a Paulist administration you will not go to jail for violating Federal Law. You will be EXECUTED for violating God’s Law, as the Moral Majority chooses to define it.
I’m not saying anyone should stop the GOOD FIGHT.. but Other than the date of 4/20 everyone needs to relax and recooperate some… I’m confined to a wheelchair and got pissed because someone told me I couldnt do digital art or create vids/slideshows because of my health.. That was the WRONG thing to do, was to tell me or any sick person they can’t do anything…!! I, as well as MANY others REFUSE to LOSE/QUIT .. But we have caused alot of change to happen recently.. please dont stop.. but take a short break, and fill your tanks up again.. please watch this video get toked up/relax and maybe do what it says…
Ray
“Ron Paul is a VERY strict Constitutionalist and is against any federal Power not specified in the U.S. constitution. Nothing wrong with that.
Under a Paulist administration you will not go to jail for violating Federal Law. You will be EXECUTED for violating God’s Law, as the Moral Majority chooses to define it.”
More scare tactics because the Obamabots are so disappointed in their leader. Anyone who reads Dr. Paul’s writing or has been following his campaign knows this is ridiculous. Ron Paul is the only politician who talks common sense. If you are not familiar, please don’t listen to this buffoon, and youtube some of his speaches, then go to http://www.campaignforliberty.com to see for yourself.
All the celebrities, all the bullshit politics, it still comes down to money if you want to make a politician move, example, just got a letter from my local congressman thanking me for all the help on his campaign and monies dontated, but our work is not done he says, I need your support, 75.00, 100.00, 200.00 or more, please donate so we can finish our work. I called his office and spoke to his lackey, letting them know until he supports a bill that will abolish all penaties for cultivation up to 100 plants in any stage, and I mean no federal prosecution either, I will not donate one red cent to his cause, the lackey seemed a little taken aback by my statement, he asked me what would happen if everyone had that attitude, I calmly expalined his boss would not be in office, so if you want to keep getting fucked by a politician, just give them money and beleive the bullshit they feed you, if you want to get there ass in HIGH gear just tell them no more donations, it does have an effect.
Maybe next time Ron Paul is on a call in show we can ask him if he’s against all MJ laws or just Federal Laws.
Maybe he’s didn’t endorse Chuck Baldwin for President.
Maybe the Constitution Party didn’t mean it in their Platform.
“The Constitution Party will uphold the right of states and localities to restrict access to drugs and to enforce such restrictions.”
Maybe the Moral Majority Types like Chuck Baldwin will let smoke MJ in Peace.
Then again, Maybe not.
Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said the administration believes Congress’ goal “should be to completely eliminate the disparity” between the two forms of cocaine. “A growing number of citizens view it as fundamentally unfair,” Breuer testified.
Breuer said the best way to deal with violence is to severely punish anyone who commits a violent offense, regardless of the drug involved.
“This administration believes our criminal laws should be tough, smart, fair,” Breuer said, but also should “promote public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.”
Walton said, “We were mistaken” to enact the disparity. “There’s no greater violence in cases before me.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30479677/
If they can see the mistake in the sentencing laws, and instead of lowering the sentence for possesion of crack they could have raised the sentence for cocaine… That is a positive sign for them to hopefully re-evaluate their position on marijuana.
The legalization of marijuana is not going to happen until the corruption in the U.S. government stops.
So, its NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!
Politicians are mostly old, racist, senile white assholes who have completely lost touch with what their job duties are. sSuch as doing whats right for the country,Our past leaders enjoyed cannabis as well as our present ones. Sir, can’t we stop this merry go round? Every day non-violent PEOPLE, not criminals, are put in jail for recreation. Though I’m guilty of it, I don’t condone people who drive under any influence. It’s flat out wrong. And I’ve seen good people get busted for that. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I am talking about responsible use of marijuana by adults. When you step back, it’s really simple. People are going to do it either way. I’m not suggesting you admit defeat, I’m suggesting that you capitalize. Look at our roads. Look at our education system. Could we not use money to fix our legitimate problems? Legalization and taxation of cannabis could go so much further than some preconception of hippies doing nothing. It could provide a non-aggressive recreation for good people. Taxation and regulation could keep good people from having to go to drug dealers that deal indiscriminately regardless of age, race, sex, etc. If my words aren’t falling on deaf ears, and you actually look into cannabis and its many uses, you’ll see for yourself how much potential this natural plant has.
Sir, I hope I haven’t wasted both of our time. But again, I urge you to take a common sense look at this issue. Let’s stop wasting money enforcing a law that has no grounds. Lets take the smart approach and make a positive step as the government, as the state, as citizens, as individuals. “Promises which cannot be kept must not be made. The public must be apprised that disapproved drug use is part of a larger social pattern, and that all the money and effort that the American society can muster will never be able to deal effectively with this behavior if the problem continues to be defined as it is now. Drug policy making must take into account a wide range of social phenomena of which drug use is a small part, and institutional responses must be framed in the context of broader social roles. Unless present policy is redirected, we will perpetuate the same problems, tolerate the same social costs, and find ourselves as we do now, no further along the road to a more rational legal and social approach than we were in 1914.”
Respectfully submitted,
================================
mike
Sir, I hope I haven’t wasted both of our time. But again, I urge you to take a common sense look at this issue. Let’s stop wasting money enforcing a law that has no grounds. Lets take the smart approach and make a positive step as the government, as the state, as citizens, as individuals. “Promises which cannot be kept must not be made. The public must be apprised that disapproved drug use is part of a larger social pattern, and that all the money and effort that the American society can muster will never be able to deal effectively with this behavior if the problem continues to be defined as it is now. Drug policy making must take into account a wide range of social phenomena of which drug use is a small part, and institutional responses must be framed in the context of broader social roles. Unless present policy is redirected, we will perpetuate the same problems, tolerate the same social costs, and find ourselves as we do now, no further along the road to a more rational legal and social approach than we were in 1914.”
Respectfully submitted,
================================
mike
My point is that its a game. Washington has a game it plays. The efforts of many over time have helped to keep the propaganda machine from claiming Vietnam body count victories at every turn. They have made people more aware of the problem.
Like so many dynamic problems, sometimes they need to hit rock bottom or be so out of proportion to be noticed by everyone. The people I interact with were decrying fraud with real estate starting around 2000-2002. Not early by some estimates but they were definitely throwing huge amounts of influence and making their money move around in anticipation of a reversal. Sad thing is that most people blissfully ignored those pundits and we all helped to create one aspect of a nifty problem. Now, of course, we are all aware of the fallacy of that problem.
Sir, I hope I haven’t wasted both of our time. But again, I urge you to take a common sense look at this issue. Let’s stop wasting money enforcing a law that has no grounds. Lets take the smart approach and make a positive step as the government, as the state, as citizens, as individuals. “Promises which cannot be kept must not be made. The public must be apprised that disapproved drug use is part of a larger social pattern, and that all the money and effort that the American society can muster will never be able to deal effectively with this behavior if the problem continues to be defined as it is now. Drug policy making must take into account a wide range of social phenomena of which drug use is a small part, and institutional responses must be framed in the context of broader social roles. Unless present policy is redirected, we will perpetuate the same problems, tolerate the same social costs, and find ourselves as we do now, no further along the road to a more rational legal and social approach than we were in 1914.”
Respectfully submitted,
================================
mike
My point is that its a game. Washington has a game it plays. The efforts of many over time have helped to keep the propaganda machine from claiming Vietnam body count victories at every turn. They have made people more aware of the problem.
Like so many dynamic problems, sometimes they need to hit rock bottom or be so out of proportion to be noticed by everyone. The people I interact with were decrying fraud with real estate starting around 2000-2002. Not early by some estimates but they were definitely throwing huge amounts of influence and making their money move around in anticipation of a reversal. Sad thing is that most people blissfully ignored those pundits and we all helped to create one aspect of a nifty problem. Now, of course, we are all aware of the fallacy of that problem.
Sir, I hope I haven’t wasted both of our time. But again, I urge you to take a common sense look at this issue. Let’s stop wasting money enforcing a law that has no grounds. Lets take the smart approach and make a positive step as the government, as the state, as citizens, as individuals. “Promises which cannot be kept must not be made. The public must be apprised that disapproved drug use is part of a larger social pattern, and that all the money and effort that the American society can muster will never be able to deal effectively with this behavior if the problem continues to be defined as it is now. Drug policy making must take into account a wide range of social phenomena of which drug use is a small part, and institutional responses must be framed in the context of broader social roles. Unless present policy is redirected, we will perpetuate the same problems, tolerate the same social costs, and find ourselves as we do now, no further along the road to a more rational legal and social approach than we were in 1914.”
Respectfully submitted,
================================
mike
I would like to see Ohio added to this list and voted on as well, thank you