Yesterday’s NORML blog post notwithstanding, a number of state legislatures continue to move forward in support of sensible marijuana law reform.
Here are some highlights and ways you can help.
Rhode Island: House members overwhelmingly approved legislation last week regulating the establishment of state-licensed ‘compassion centers’ to manufacture and provide medical marijuana to authorized patients. Rhode Island’s legislature is the first state on the east coast to move forward with such legislation, which was approved by a vote of 63 to 5 in the House and 35 to 2 in the Senate. The margins are large enough to override a veto from Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri, who has voiced opposition to the measure. If you live in Rhode Island and want to learn more about this effort, please visit: http://ripatients.org.
Illinois: On Wednesday members of the Illinois Senate passed SB 1381, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. UPDATE! On Thursday, members of the House Human Services Committee also passed the bill, and the full House is expected to act on it imminently. If you live in Illinois, you can voice your support in favor this legislation by going here and here. UPDATE#2! The House convened for its summer session without taking a floor vote on SB 1381. House members may decide to take up the issue later this fall or next spring.
New Hampshire: As we reported yesterday, lawmakers are still trying to negotiate a compromise with Democrat Gov. John Lynch, who has threatened to veto medical marijuana legislation recently passed by the House and Senate. Our allies on the ground, NH Compassion, are encouraging voters to contact Gov. Lynch and urge him not to stand in the way of medical marijuana law reform. You can contact the governor by going here and here.
New Jersey: Members of the state assembly Health and Senior Services Committee are scheduled to hear testimony in favor of A 804, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, on Thursday, June 4, at 10am. (Full details available online here.) A companion bill, S 119, has already been approved by the Senate, and Democrat Gov. John Corzine has promised to sign medical marijuana legislation into law if it reaches his desk. You can help support this campaign by going here and by contacting your member of the assembly here.
Delaware: Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee are considering legislation, SB 94, to allow for patients with a debilitating medical condition to grow and possess cannabis. The proposal is the first marijuana law reform bill to be before lawmakers in recent memory. Proponents can contact their senate members in support of the measure here.
For information on additional state and federal marijuana law reform legislation, please visit NORML’s Take Action page here.
Great news from Illinois!!
The governor said he won’t veto it, correct ?
I think we got this!!
one by one, state by state, things are changing, america.
so for all of you prohibitionists with a major stick up your ass, you are progressively losing this battle.
its been a long time coming, and we will have our say, and our way in this war.
Smokers of this great nation of ours, as long as we keep fighting like this we will win.
KEEP WRITING YOUR SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN, AND MR. OBAMA HIMSELF. EVENTUALLY THEY WILL REALIZE THAT STATES RIGHTS WILL ALWAYS OUTWEIGH FEDERAL MANDATES.
THIS IS THE WOLFMAN,
SO TILL NEXT TIME
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If people really want to do something then whenever you’re brought for jury duty keep in mind that you ARE supposed to judge guilt based on whether or not YOU think the law is just in the first place. Towards the end of prohibition on alcohol half of all cases ended in ACQUITTAL even when the law was blatantly broken. This is the TRUE trial by jury: all cases are by jury no matter severity, there is no selective picking to avoid people who know their rights, A guilty verdict must be unanimous, 12 people selected for a variety of views and backgrounds make up the jury, ONLY the jury can find guilt. It is against the law for a lawyer to tell a jury, or mention anytime especially in court, this is their RIGHT. Neither are judges to be allowed to exclude evidence pertaining to the WHOLE TRUTH nor should they misinform jurors of their right and DUTY to determine the legality of the law. Do we not live in a country with constitutional common law with trial by jury? DEMOCRACY means POWER in the hands of the PEOPLE. How can we be guaranteed to live in a democracy when our government sabotages our right and duty to see the ultimate application of the law? TRUE Trial by jury is the ONLY way to guarantee democracy and freedom, anything less will eventually fall into despotism. If the government was not inclined to create and enforce injust laws than they would not fear a true trial by jury. Try to say as little as possible interviewed for court, you do not have to EXPLAIN why you chose not guilty it’s one of your rights that has been trampled on. If Trial by jury was never tampered with marijuana wouldn’t have been made illegal, because no 12 could possibly see the danger of cannabis if they were told the WHOLE TRUTH. Our feedom is under attack and only TRUE TRIAL BY JURY can save it.
In addition to voting YES to http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/3191-4049 and/or http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/2762-4049 vote NO to http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/3161-4049 as it is not only a terrible idea, but the only issue with more votes than either of these two marijuana policy change topics.
If brought up on marijuana cahrges represent yourself, request a jury, and ask counsel to be amicus curae, then hand them an issue of THE REPORT: Cannabis; Fact, Human Rights, and the Law. you must hand them the actual book the court will not accept any other kind of copy and while you’re at it read the book it is very enlightening.
Let’s say it loud and clear to the law enforcement and prohibitionists.
If you support prohibition then you support TERRORISM.
It’s as simple as that folks. They are keeping the market in the hands of the cartels and terrorists instead of American business.
Next time you see someone against legalization, let them know that they support terrorism. Because it’s true.
Do your part, lazy stoners! Take 5 minutes and send the Reps an email; literally it takes 5 minutes and if you dont act now then you’re full of sh!t and have no reason to b!tch about the government!
Still nothing in Florida that I know of yet. Really sad state of affairs. I think lawmakers think this is a joke; we will see who has the last laugh….
All 50 States shoulD Legalize Marijuana!!!!!!
“New Jersey: Members of the state assembly Health and Senior Services Committee are scheduled to hear testimony in favor of A 804, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, on Monday, June 4.”
um… dont you mean either monday, june 1, or thurday, june 4th?
Ya Illinois ! Thank your Senators if they were one of the enlightened 30 and call/write your House Reps and Governor Quinn. Get the word out to the public ! Join IL Norml. Lets make good old Abe proud and get this done for liberty and compassion !
Go IL! We are making progress.
I read an article today talking about how enforcement does not cost nearly as much treatment costs. This is only because marijuana offenders choose drug treatment over jail time, making these number incorrect. Why can’t we all look at this as a health problem rather then a legal one? The way I look at it, if someone feels they have an addiction, I want them to get treated so they can help themselves and our economy. Wouldn’t we want to spend more money on treatment for the people who really need it inorder to make them better rather then send them to jail to learn much worse habits from the inmates?
All of this has to go on the assumption that marijuana users are going to say they are addicted to marijuana and feel a need for treatment to make them stop. The number of people that feel a need to stop smoking marijuana do so because of jobs or laws they are afraid of breaking. NOT because marijuana is ruining their lives by making them violent or abusive. When the mass of potheads start seeking treatment voluntarily, is the day that I will consider it to be a harmfully addictive drug.
To all the parents against legalization because of the message it send to kids… the message is the government has been hiding the true of its benefits. Its not as harmful as everyone thinks. Do not let laws tell you how to raise your kids. You have to tell them what is right and wrong. Just because beer is legal doesn’t make it right abuse it. Responsible use must be taught with everything in life. You can take many different sorts of drugs and its ok by the gov as long as you cause no harm to yourself or others. Im not saying that it doesn’t cause harm to a young person’s development but that is a issue to be dealt with by the medical industry. Dont lie to your kids that marijuana is dangerous cause the strong chances that they do try it, they are going to find out you lied and question many of the other things you have taught them. Be honest, Beer is for responsible adults, the same applies to marijuana.
*ahem*
“New Jersey: Members of the state assembly Health and Senior Services Committee are scheduled to hear testimony in favor of A 804, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, on Monday, June 4.”
June 4 is on a THURSDAY, not MONDAY. Its ok Paul Armentano you are still doing a great job. Just put down the whacky for a second and check your calendar. 🙂
whoopsy daisy. NORML you guys forgot NEW YORK! One of the most influential states due to its namesake and the city.
Since you didn’t know about new york I’ll let you! Our Senate health committee passed the S-4041A. Is this big? YES this is HUGE! The first year dems are in control is the FIRST year a bill has passed ANY senate committee! WOW!
This could go all the way for new york. Please don’t leave out the state that has one of the best chances of doing it this year, NORML. Not to mention you havent updated NY News since the 18th… I know you guys are busy bees but if you can search out updated info for all those states surely new york could not be that much more work.
Still nothing going on in Wisconsin, what bullshit.
Everyone always gets replies back from their State Representatives. THEY’RE AUTOMATED RESPONSES. I can’t help feel the “Wall” between me and my Congressman, Senator and Representative. Go ahead, compare your next reply from your own State Representatives to someone that lives in the same area you do.
In Tennessee, we’re basically dealing with older members of the State House that still think like fuddy duds, they haven’t any plans to ever decriminalize marijuana based on their service in office during prohibtion.
At present, Tennessee is predominately Republican, hence this is mostly their drug war. It’s their way of sticking it to you. What did you expect Tennesseans? We’re right in the middle of the Bible belt and they’re all mostly confused from getting incorrect data from their preachers and they’re so histarically fearful of the great demon called marijuana!
#15 Krist:
Yeah, things run a little bit slow in Wisconsin, BUT there is a bill being introduced this session, so please continue to write your representatives and ask them to support the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act this session.
Even though things seem quiet right now, there is stuff happening behind the scenes.
jedimonk has a point,if everyone including the ones whos life revolves around pot do their part we can accomplish this goal.there is no reason to be afraid anymore,thats what the prez wants and that should be what he gets.deep down obama wants pot reform,he wants america to be the voices of pot refrom.he doesnt want to be solely responsible for legalization,he wants america to be the ones.when norml or mpp supplie already written emails for us there is no reason to not send a email to congress,prez etc…i dont know about you,but im tired of sneaking around to be able to enjoy my wonderful way of life.SPEAKUP
Just as i suspected. Hope. We need to get these poor terminal ppl their medicine then after that recreational use will follow. RALLY ROUND OUR GREEN FLAG SOLDIERS OF TRUTH! Word to wolf and jedmonk. keep our ppl MOTAvated.
I Agree with # 9
News Flash for every one their are now 4913 people that has signed the petition at
http://www.enddrugprohibition.com/
I believe that they are waiting to get 5000 signutures this being said hope fully these petitions like the one mentioned as well as over a dozen others would help towards our cause. The one petition that was listed on here was started by Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)
Lets keep fighting the fight and end this war against us “The people of our great nation” for we are a patriot and as such must keep up the fight for our rights as Americans .
After 42 years of this unjust and stupid war on drugs,it won’t be over until no one remains in jail for non-violent marijuana crimes. It won’t be over until the
establishment accepts that it is natures gift too man,and not their gift too give,or take away or tax.
It won’t be over until they leave us alone.
O ya also i started my day of with moilization. I hand wrote and emailed tim pawlenty this a.m. tellin him how despicable he truly is. ill hav written two more on that list by the end of the day. And to those states workin hard for our side th General salutes you. keep howlin wolf.
It is unconstitutional, cruel and inhumane to deprive people of treatment that works for them. The fact that American citizens have to plead and beg for their God-given rights as acknowledged in the Constitution of the United States, is clear proof this is not a free country. For the record, an individual’s liberty and freedom must be allowed, even encouraged by all legitimate government, to extend to the point where there is violation of the legitimate freedoms and liberties of another. Anything less is a police state. By far the biggest problem this country has today is prohibitionists, who are almost exactly like the Taliban. Both groups are part of and represent a religious-inspired minority of political and moneyed power elites, who attempt to force their will over the populations of whole countries. Both groups use violence including intimidation, fear, damage and loss of property, fines, prison terms, torture and murder to force freedom-loving people to submit to their will and do their bidding. What I do with my willing wife of 17 years in the privacy of our bedroom, is none of the government’s business, despite state statutes which criminalize me. (And anyone who thinks they are not also a criminal, needs to read the law.) Likewise, what I choose to smoke, or not smoke, or if I can smoke at all, is no legitimate concern of anyone else or any level of government. Who the HELL do these people think they are, and what gives them the right to EVEN TRY to tell other people what they can and can not do, in any regard, when IT IS NONE OF THEIR DAMN BUSINESS!! All true freedom loving American patriots need to rid our nation of all influence of prohibitionists. And if prohibitionists can not simply leave other people alone, they should go join the Taliban, where they can keep on doing what they have been doing, the ways they have been doing it, for the same reasons they have been doing it and for the same kinds of people. Prohibitionists are not going to voluntarily give up their power over us; it is our duty and obligation to take it back, like the true freedom loving American patriots before us. Given a choice between freedom or death, only slaves hesitate.
The ball is rolling, but not nearly fast enough.
Sorry for the initial confusion regarding New Jersey’s hearing date. Yes, to confirm, the date is set for Thursday, June 4, at 10am. Full details are here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/BillsForAgendaView.asp.
RE: NY, you can track the status of the medical marijuana bills here:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13194986.
IDEA we need to buy air time and have a comercial that shows America that Alcohol and Tabaco are more dangerous than marijuana . this type of project would educate America and at the same time we may present facts example while the comercial is being run we say some thing like this ” X amount of people die daily from alcohol X amount of people die from tabaco yet these 2 things are legal yet zero People has ever dies from marijuana and marijuana is illegal. As Americans why do we not legalize and tax marijuana which is safer than alcohol and tabaco combined and help the people solve a problem. Time to end marijuana prohibition today contact your government and tell them we want marijuana legalized and taxed.”
I know it’s tough to maintain mentally for so long to end prohibition. The ONLY way to loose is to give up and stop contacting your Reps. Americans are on a roll and if this year is any indication of next years progress to come. We may soon see a sad end to all marijuana web sites that support reform. 75 years of working to reform MJ with over 60% of Americans. It’s been a pleasure working with you ladies and gentlemen, readers, activist and dedicated NORML Members.
As the number of states with pending legislation increases so does the pressure on our federal government. We need to do everything in our power to get more state governments debating this topic and introducing legislation. People aren’t going to stand for half of our country contradicting a federal law.
This issue only needs seven more votes to become the #1 topic in its category:
http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/2762-4049
Yes we cannabis!
All they are doing in GA is putting up road blocks and jailing more non-violent kids destroying their lives. Also they use them as slave labor its called community service….
CFJ
If I may suggest…
On facebook I have started a 4:20 campaign. Every 4:20 AM and PM i shed a single truth to the public. I currently have 156 people who are getting marijuana facts twice a day on a daily basis for the last four weeks. As a result it has made people aware. I chose to do this despite what my friends and family thinks (and surprisingly most of them are supportive). With the help of other websites and NORML, I cite my sources and/or use youtube to help my cause, and sign it with a 420 money bomb with the fact (if you are familiar with facebook you will understand). I recommend all of you to do the same for those who have a facebook account. Dont be frightened or intimidated. It is time to do this, for our medicine, economy, or sick and dying, and most importantly OUR FREEDOMS are on the line here.
Please take it into consideration. I am using facebook as a tool of truth. More people are aware now than ever before, and those who didn’t care now care, and those whom are lazy potheads on my list now visit NORML and utilize the pre-written letters NORML provides.
Thankyou for your time.
I just find it crude that you willl take time to mention these states (good job and go states!) but neglect to mention new yorks passing in a senate committee. this is NY first year with a dem controlled congress over over 30 years and first year in over 10 years the senate has even seen a MMJ bill let alone passed it in a committee.
sick or permanently injured people count on groups like NORML to supply them with information front page! so we dont have to scour data. we most definitely dont like being ignored either!
Being old it scares me Americans tend to forget. They get a little complacent and the government will continue to rape us.
Please stay vigilant we must pull together and make our country great again. We all need to work on the major issues in our country and keep fighting every day!
We need universal health care for all Americans rich and poor like Canada they have a great system.
The major money people in this country do not want us to have health care. They would lose too much money they are willing to destroy more of us to insure they continue making increased profits. They allow 20,000 a year to die in our country I suppose they look at it like a necessary expense.
We need to end the war on drugs and use the money to finance universal heath care. Then we could help people that need it and quit jailing people that don’t need our help. Some people just want freedom of choice. Their choice for relief is cannabis over liquor. All we demand is to have a choice and stop the dictatorship we have in place today. Liquor and legal drugs kill over 100,000 a year or more, cannabis in 5000 years has killed no one. You tell me what the smart choice is if we were allowed to have a choice?
We also need to stop the buying of our country by corporations. They will destroy our world if we allow them to continue as they operate today. They pay our representatives to favor their interest and sacrifice our lives to do so. The few wealthy are getting more wealthy while the middle class is pushed closer to poverty every day. If we were to quit wasting money and put more interest into quality of life… What a great country we could have for all Americans. The key is to be responsive and represent the people not the corporations that control our country today.
Reduce the power of Washington they control too much and use propaganda to further their special interest. Not to mention the tax money they throw away and give to corporations. They then receive PAC money from the same corporations, DC is the only place where this is not considered bribery. But we stand by and allow the selling of our representation to the highest bidder.
Education is also a key element. Being 60 I have seen the same pattern over and over with not results. We have a money problem they cut the schools. Then they say want better education we need to raise taxes. Then the cycle repeats and the schools are still far substandard to much of the developed world. They have used this cycle of fear over and over during my life. We must demand a higher priority on education it is the key to enlightened decision making…
OK I will shut up. Did anybody see Bill Mar last night this guy tells it like it is, I like him. I hope he does not go the way of the Smothers Brothers…
Cherokee Fred Jesus
I agree with your assessment on GA #31. I live in AL but my friend who went home for the weekend got caught with just over a gram. Her friend was driving her car and she was asleep and the officer pulled them over. The first thing he said to them was “where is the pot.” Now both of them, who go to college in AL, must go back to GA once a week and meet with their PO and give him X amount of money. After the 1,000 pot fine.
When are we going to stop this madness?!?!
I mean really what is the difference between our law enforcement and Mexico’s they both exploit the weakest link they can find.
Its time America stops worshiping and putting on a pedestal those we send with guns (police and miltary)
My classes are on the floor above Criminal Justice. It bothers me that they are considered the patriots and social workers are considered welfare baby snatchers. Police men are largely drawn to the position due to power and a natural aggressive personality. Not to be exalted.
Floridians, don’t forget about the petition to put medical marijuana on the vote in 2010 as a ballot initiative! Print, sign, and mail the petition, that’s all there is to it! This is approved by the Division of Elections.
http://www.pufmm.org
Go ILLINOIS!!!
#28 Tennessee Activist Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
…contacting your Reps…
RE:
Tennessee Activist,
– On behalf of those apprehensive about contacting their reps, what is the best way to proceed without triggering
backlash of LEO’s / LE’s???
The world doesnt make any sense. When we do not live in a world of freedom. There isnt any freedom to be had. I see this country, and the “marijuana” users as the last segment of society to be persecuted in this country. First we persecuted african americans, then we made a stand and persecuted the gays, now we make a stand against a harmless plant and persecute the medically ill in this country who do not have access to this medicine because other people in society think that they have the right to play god. Well i’m not GOD
i dont know what GOD wants. BUT i do know that a person in this country should be able to use what medicine works for them, without all the hassle thanks.
Still nothing in Texas. We’ll be the last ones to do medical and decriminalize. Sigh…
Tennessee Activist…currently there is a Bill in front of the State Senate. It’s SB209, basically it’s for what they are terming “terminal” patients. I found it on the TNNorml site. State medical representatives have until December 1, 2009 to recommend changes for possession limits (currently they are saying 8oz) and cultivation limits (currently at 12 for per patient and 12 for primary care givers per patient they care for). They are also suggesting an identification card system such as is already in place in California as well as other states. Hopefully we’ll be hearing more about it as it progresses.
GA is falling further behind in all areas. The money that flows out of the peoples pockets, either through fines or tax dollars to buy more drug dogs,incarcerate and have a PO’s track down these non violent people is so wasteful.
I read alot of news about cutting teachers, but never about the cops being cut from the pay roll. my county’s school district obtained a dog a few years ago. it has yet to locate the big find due the students have switched to pills that the dog can not be trained to detect due to them being legal. big pham wins again.
to general jake, i will have a green flag flowing from my house, and will be spreading the word. the soldiers of truth shall rise up today!
to the rest of us out there this is no longer a battle of right and wrong. this is a war for our rights as HUMANS, not as americans, not as indians, not black white, brown, yellow, or even polka dotted skin.
we all bleed red and we all smoke green. And just with that knowledge, that makes us all brothers and sisters in God’s eye.
and only GOD can judge us. i shouldn’t have to answer to a fed and niether should anyone else. we are NOT CRIMINALS, we have a true appreciation for gods creation.
in the words of the late great MLK Jr.
WE SHALL OVERCOME
Keep Tokin America
This is the wolf man,
till next time
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
“U.S. Customs agents got a surprise on April 9, when they checked a trailer of an 18-wheel truck crossing into El Paso, Texas, from Mexico and found more than 9,000 pounds of marijuana hidden among auto parts bound for U.S. factories.”
Reason why I posted this is this simply points the fact I and many other Americans know about if marijuana was legalized and taxed that these types of problems with the cartel would no longer be a problem being the legalization and taxation would strike a saver blow to the cartel taking away their over 60% annual profit from keeping marijuana illegal which if legalized and taxed would be like cutting off the legs of a chicken to the cartel. Also as #8 ( through the looking glass ) Pointed out “the fact that Mexican cartels import a huge amount of opium for heroin from Afghanistan. Without the monetary flow from the sale of cannabis they would not be able to produce heroin and this would in affect shut down the Taliban because a large amount of funding for the Taliban is opium.” But hey what do we know after all will the govt listen to us? May be now they will and start to work with us “THE PEOPLE OF THE USA” put an end to the cartels reign by legalize and tax marijuana now be for the cartel does even more damage to our nation…..
“U.S. Customs agents got a surprise on April 9, when they checked a trailer of an 18-wheel truck crossing into El Paso, Texas, from Mexico and found more than 9,000 pounds of marijuana hidden among auto parts bound for U.S. factories.”
Reason why I posted this is this simply points the fact I and many other Americans know about if marijuana was legalized and taxed that these types of problems with the cartel would no longer be a problem being the legalization and taxation would strike a saver blow to the cartel taking away their over 60% annual profit from keeping marijuana illegal which if legalized and taxed would be like cutting off the legs of a chicken to the cartel. Also the fact that Mexican cartels import a huge amount of opium for heroin from Afghanistan. Without the monetary flow from the sale of cannabis they would not be able to produce heroin and this would in affect shut down the Taliban because a large amount of funding for the Taliban is opium.” But hey what do we know after all will the govt listen to us? May be now they will and start to work with us “THE PEOPLE OF THE USA” put an end to the cartels reign by legalize and tax marijuana now be for the cartel does even more damage to our nation…..
not so fast number 40. im pretty sure the whole country cood b legal but Kansas wood b the only state with prohibition. Ppl in ks think that the devil poops pot out to taint our souls
Hell Iowa threw it out untill next yr BUT LEGALIZED GAY MARRIGE W T F ???????
My objective of ending our dictatorship in 2009 just passed through another month. Billions more have been wasted hundreds of thousands are in jail more are forced into rehab or community service. Fines from non-violent cannabis offenders have become a major source of income to the law enforcement community and judicial branch’s. We have a growing parasitic industry that provides in home leg monitors and drug rehab also drug testing. Now the drug thugs are saying they use treatment rather than putting more in jail. I would be glad to see a reduction in the numbers spending time in jail. But the for profit jail system is growing I just heard on the news where Atlanta is planning to sell their main jail to a private firm. It appears the money people are betting against us. The ones that believe a victimless crime is not a crime at all. They would not be spending money buying jails if they thought we were a threat. They are still allowed to join the many that contribute to buying our representatives and growing their business. Our representatives must feel we will as in the past get over it. Go back to our existence. Continue to send our kids to substandard schools. Continue to allow them to sacrifice and destroy almost one million Americans lives a year. Because they feel they know what is best for us more-so than ourselves. They allow 20,000 a year to die due to lack of medical care. They say we don’t need universal health care for all. They say we do not deserve to make choices for ourselves. They say they can spend our hard earned money any way they like. They can throw it away they can use it to put more of us in jail. They can pay Halaburton billions and accept bribes and perks for their efforts. They can take away the few remaining freedoms we still posses. They can own seven homes have a fully paid health care plan and retire on the same amount they were making when so called working. Their kids go to Harvard or Yale and have a high paying jobs guaranteed by other ivy league click lucky few. While we continue to see higher tax, legalized spying, laws being passed based on right wing religious beliefs. We can sit by and watch another year go without change..
Or we can fight harder talk to more people raise more money. Demand our representatives stop taking bribes and represent those they are sworn to represent. March, hold meetings, get involved. With our leaders help we will have a great America for all the way it was intended….
VOTE ITS EASY!!!
http://www.change.org/actions/view/step_one_end_special_interest_in_washington
http://healthcare.change.org/actions/view/free_health_care_no_new_tax_no_deficit_spending_save_a_kids_life
http://www.change.org/actions/view/insure_seperation_of_church_and_state
http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/a_revolution_is_needed
Cherokee Fred Jesus
My eyes are going to be glued come the 4th. Ive been working hard to get people off their ass and do something at it seems to be working. COMMON JERSeY!
PA HB 1393
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=PA+HB+1393&btnG=Google+Search&fp=LgaoZG8QSGg
While were discussing drug legalization, how about we include INDUSTRIAL HEMP STALK in the discussion? It has no THC, and literally tens of thousands of products and materials that can be created from it. Despite this it is still illegal to grow in the USA.
We are still allowed to import hemp, but the US is the ONLY industrialized nation in the world that does not grow this eco-friendly, renewable energy resource. Combating decades of lies and outright propaganda with truth and factual information is central to reforming failed drug policy and ending the War on Drugs.
More info: Emperor of Hemp, Hemp Revolution, Emperor Wears No Clothes
yawn, prohibition. I’m gonna toke up with all my friends, legal or not. I’m just glad I don’t have to pay taxes on it, haha.
Mornin troops. Lemme run this by yall and see wat u think. Ok you notice how the homosexuals are gttin major air time? Bringing their plight to the attention of the public. We could learn from them. I propose we form an alliance with them. March with them. The Gay/Stoner Alliance. We both fight for freedom. We both do activties that are impeded by the government yet shood only have to answer to ourselves. Wolfman wat do u thnk?
Also to Cherokee Fred Jesus, I salute you friend. Your words ring true and charges my soul with great resolve.
All that come here and want to help go to change.org vote support the issues that appeal to you. This site is a good central rally point to combine our numbers and bring about positive change…
Cherokee Fred Jesus
When you sigh up send me a friend request we can keep each other informed
FOR PROFIT JAILS SHOULD TELL US WE ARE IN TROUBLE…
CORPORATIONS MAKING MONEY FROM PEOPLE IN JAIL IS A SAD SITUATION…
ALSO THE JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT TAKING BRIBES IN THE MILLIONS TO INSURE THESE JAILS ARE KEEP FULL IS SAD..
PLEASE HELP ME FIGHT AGAINST FOR PROFIT JAILS AND VICTIMLESS CRIMES WE MUST TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK FROM THE CORPORATIONS THAT CONTROL OUR COUNTRY.
change.org VOTE HELP END THE TYRANNY IN OUR COUNTRY
Cherokee Fred Jesus
I am also state rep for MMM July 4th in Washington please plan to be there to let our so called reps know we are not happy and we will fight for change need help or need a ride let me know…
http://www.trm3-801.org/
Jake I like the gay stoner alliance…
CFJ
For prophet jails are a terrifying prospect. Insisdious on every level.
To number 52 D Bag. Ya i can appreciate yor approach to pot. I smoke a shitload myelf tho its illegal. But it aint about taxes or even just the issue of pot alone. O no brother its all about the once limited government somehow evolving into strong armed controlling facist dictators. The way of this country lies in th will of a select powerful few. Not much unlike those we currently make war against. Closing a blind eye to even the smallest of freedoms denied quikly evolves into outright tyranny. Remeber who said give me liberty or give me death?
O come on, why did it take so long for IL Senate to bring SB 1381 to a floor vote. Sen. Haine said he had the votes a month ago. IL has to wait another year(next spring) before the House might bring it back ? This really sucks.
– LINE-BY-LINE Rebuttals and refutations to recent news-OPED
against proposed Illinois Medi-Cann legislation:
This OPED article has more holes than Swiss-Cheese:
Rebuttals to Mr. Biffany’s OPED are in BOLD Italics!!!
(John Biffany’s FAULTY, insensitive…)
LOGIC ELIMINATES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
by John Biffany, (Source:Journal Standard)
Regional News
22 May 2009
Illinois
——-
JB:
Two bills have been introduced in the Illinois Legislature
intending to make legal the medicinal use of smoked marijuana.
RE:
– Smoking is NOT the only means of ingesting Medical-Cannabis.
Please get up-to-date, sir…
JB:
The companion bills,
entitled the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act,
have been filed in both the Illinois House and Senate and
are supported by a surprisingly large percentage of the Democratic caucuses in both chambers.
RE:
Praise the God-of-Creation for this!!!
JB:
Legislative members,
however, have been misinformed by supporters
regarding both the impact the bills will have upon Illinois and
the long term motivations of the bill’s supporters.
RE:
Who are you to say
“Legislative members…have been misinformed ”
Just because they’re not in line with
your woefully-insufficient knowledge???
JB:
Lobbyists are making no attempt to conceal
their long range goal
for Illinois:
cannabis legalization.
RE:
– What is wrong with that?
(“cannabis legalization”)
– There is no good and valid reason
for cannabis to remain illegal any longer!
-The policy of banning certain plants is of a
very “14th century” witch-hunt mentality.
THIS MUST END NOW!!!
JB:
The Illinois bill is similar to one that passed in California several years ago.
RE:
– Is that really so???
Have you compared,
(word-for-word),
actual texts from BOTH state’s bills???
– My own observation is that
the Illinois bill is far stricter than California’s
from the very onset.
JB:
– In Northern California,
marijuana has become the most lucrative agricultural commodity in the region
( surpassing wine ),
and is known in California as the “cash crop.”
– California is fast overtaking Mexico as the exporter of the marijuana
being smuggled into the Midwestern and Eastern United States.
RE:
Mr. Biffany,
You’re confusing THE DRAWBACKS OF
the illicit, undergroud markets,
(under the FILTHY-LUCRATIVE policy of Cannabis-Prohibition)
with those of legit caregivers and medi-cann patients!!!
JB:
During the past year,
more cannabis loads were interdicted along Interstate 80 in Illinois
originating from California than from Mexico.
Is Illinois poised to become the next supplier of marijuana to the East Coast?
RE:
Did you know ???
CANNABIS is,
in actuality,
an AGRICULTRAL-PRODUCT!!!
– What more appropo place to grow it,
than from within the nation’s “bread-basket”!!!
(By the way, cannabis requires minimal-fertilizers,
no pesticides!!!)
JB:
The law is nominally intended for terminally ill patients.
In California, 40 percent of medical marijuana patients are
between 21 and 30 years of age, and not terminally ill.
As the current legislation is written,
anyone complaining of chronic pain is eligible to obtain a license.
RE:
– Who are you to NOT consider chronic pain as a valid reason???
If WHOLE-cannabis ITSELF is the safest and most efficacious medicine for
a person’s pain-alleviation, then who are you to deny us?
(MAY YOU EXPERIENCE OUR unalleviated PAIN THREE-FOLD!!!
No…make that TENFOLD!!!)
JB:
-Proponents of the bill claim that compounds in cannabis
have medicinal properties that ease the pain and suffering of certain terminally ill patients.
If so, then those chemical compounds should be isolated and researched.
RE:
– Whole-cannabis is STILL SAFER
and more efficacious than single,
isolated, synthetic cannabinoids…
AND
less expensive than anything
churned-out by a pharmaceutical company…
– Just ask any medi-cann patient who has
had the opportunity to try both Marinol,
(a single, isolated synthetic cannabinoid),
and whole cannabis-herb.
JB:
– In the United States,
there is a process for creating and vetting medicines
that should not be averted with this particular chemical compound.
Several plant based substances have been converted to medicines
( aspirin and morphine, for example ), including Opium plants.
RE:
White-willow,
(the botanical-origin of aspirin),
is not a villified, ‘illegal plant’,
nor
should opium-poppies or cannabis be, either!
They’re simply plants!!!
FYI,
– THC is only ONE OF THE MANY
medicinally-useful compounds
found in whole-cannabis.
– The folly of Marinol is that it only contains ONE,
isolated synthetic cannabinoid, not counter-balanced,
nor interacting synergistly
with other cannabinoids normally present in whole-cannabis.
JB:
– In no medicinal prescription
has smoking been determined to be the best delivery system of the drug.
The American Medical Association also
opposes smoking as a viable delivery system.
RE:
Mr. Biffany,
– Smoking is NOT the only means of
ingesting / utilizing Medical-Cannabis.
(PLEASE, enlighten yourself to the
whole truth about medical-cannabis).
– Have you ever heard of tinctures, ointments,
edibles or low-temperature aromative-vaporization?!?
JB:
Dr. Rafael Meshulam from Hebrew University has been
conducting brain injury research for over 20 years.
He has isolated compounds from the cannabis sativa plant
that experimentation has shown has some promising medicinal qualities for trauma patients.
He has patented those medicines with injectable delivery systems,
and a large Israeli pharmaceutical company is working toward commercializing the products.
RE:
– Is this merely for Big-Pharma profits,
(i.e. bio-piracy of Nature),
or for use alongside natural, botanical sources?
– And, why only injectable delivery-systems?
(as opposed to NON-INVASIVE
nebulizer / aspirator delivery-systems).
JB:
– Featured in a National Geographic Explorer episode entitled
“Marijuana Nation,” Dr. Meshulam questions the
smoking of cannabis as a crude medical delivery system.
RE:
– AGAIN, Mr. Biffany,
Smoking is NOT the
only means of administering whole medical-cannabis…
AND…
– If Dr. Meshulam is truly unaware of the
ADVANCED smokeless-technologies,
(AROMATICIZERS, NEBULIZERS, VAPORIZERS),
for utilizing medical-cannabis,
then they need to do further
research on the inherent safety and effectiveness of
these emergent medical-technologies.
JB:
– On the program,
he wonders aloud how a doctor prescribing
smokable cannabis can be sure of what dosage any particular patient is receiving.
RE:
Mr. Biffany,
I understand your concern.
– Have you ever heard of
the U.S. Pharmacopia’s guide for producing
standardized botanical-extracts???
(A turn-of-the-20th-century methodology for
creating herbal-extracts of known potency and concentration).
– Please,
if truly concerned, do familiarize yourself.
JB:
When doctors prescribe any other drug,
the dosage recommendation is extremely specific.
There is a substantial difference, for example,
between giving a patient 30 milligrams or 10 grams of a particular drug.
RE:
Cannabis / cannabinoids has / have a very high therapeutic-index,
(in other words, very low risk of toxicity / lethality,
comparative to most presently available medications…
Cannabis is safer than aspirin, in terms of LD-50).
JB:
Marijuana, on the other hand,
can range by as much a 3 percent to over 30 percent THC content.
Is this a controlled medical drug?
RE:
Medi-cann patients are,
(AMAZINGLY),
able to titrate their dosage-intake…
(Consuming only the amounts which they need, then stopping…),
regardless of initial cannabis ‘potency’.
– Besides,
cannabis-cultivars and hybrids, cannabis extracts can be analysed for
medicinal-component levels / cannabinoid-fraction percentages,
and labled accordingly, as whole-cannabis medications.
(THC is only ONE of the MANY
medicinally-USEFUL compounds found in whole-cannabis).
JB:
Beyond the murky medicinal link,
RE:
Only ‘Murky’, because the ‘facts’ you rely upon and present
are likewise so.
there are several other potential community impacts that are contained in the bill.
The bill allows each license holder to grow up to seven plants.
RE:
So…!?!
JB:
Given that each plant yields an average of
one-half pound of smokable marijuana,
and each half pound of marijuana equates
to 454 cigarettes,
how could each patient consume 454 joints produced by each plant?
RE:
Why are you only thinking in terms of “joints” ???
– If a medi-cann patient is utilizing non-smokable forms of whole-cannabis,
then “number-of-joints” assertions become ENTIRELY IRRELEVENT!!!
JB:
Coincidentally, each patient is also allowed a care giver who can also grow 7 plants,
making the yield for the patient actually 3,178 joints.
RE:
Your assumption,
(“number of pounds / number of joints of smokable marijuana per-plant”),
is very-inaccurate, NOT valid…
BECAUSE:
1) Some medi-cann patients will opt for smokeless means,
which requires more cannabis than if they were merely smoking it.
BECAUSE:
2) You’re quoting maximum plant-yields,
under best, ideal conditions,
by an expert-grower.
– How many medical-cannabis licensees,
(caregivers or patients),
would be THAT successful???
JB:
– In the proposed legislation,
there are no restrictions for who may be licensed patients.
Police officers, day care workers, bus drivers, pilots, teachers,
elected officials, surgeons, paramedics, fire fighters, and air traffic
controllers can all be medical marijuana consumers under the law
( they just cannot be impaired while flying a plane or driving a bus ).
However, there is no objective definition of “impairment.”
RE:
“Performance-testing”,
irrespective of inactive cannabinoid-metabolite levels,
ought to be the criteria-of-evalution…
– The impairment-hazards of medi-cann
fall WITHIN THE RANGE of currently-available OTC meds.
(Even though most OTC-Meds are far more lethal than cannabis).
JB:
-The law also gives landlords and property owners
no way to restrict or prevent licensed patients from
growing cannabis inside their buildings.
-The odor, mold and chemical residue issues that
police find after raiding these indoor facilities make the buildings
uninhabitable and will be expensive for property owners to mitigate.
RE:
Mr. Biffany,
the indoor grow-hazards
you’ve mentioned are
only true for illicit,
for-profit grow-ops
under current-policy of Prohibition 2.
JB:
Residential properties are ill-suited to commercial agricultural operations of any of any type.
RE:
Mr. Biffany,
How does a 7 plant medi-cann / caregiver-grow equate to being a
“commercial agricultural operation” ???
(Especially if the cannbis is being grown for private, individual. medical-use).
– WOULD “commercial agricultural operation”
also include OUTDOOR vegetable-gardens,
or INDOOR food-crop starter-seedlings?
(At one’s own residence,
for own consumption of said edible-produce).
JB:
Fifty-percent of residential fires in California now originate from grows gone bad.
RE:
You’re CONFUSING / CONFLATING hazards of underground,
opportunistic, profiteering, Prohibition-Borne indoor-grows,
(with low concern for building-property-maintanence,
proper, non-evasive electrical-usage, responsible-growing-practices),
with those OF genuine, LICENSED,
INDOOR medical cultivation…
(Of which, in practice, would be done responsibly
if given guidelines on how to do so,
for reduction of excessive moisture,
mold, circuit-overloading and plant-borne odors).
JB:
This is not a road that Illinois wants to travel down.
RE:
– Not the in the way your OPED has portrayed it…
(If given the right spin / slant, people would ALSO
be convinced to outlaw water!!!).
JB:
If there are therapeutic benefits to compounds within the cannabis plant,
let them be extracted and delivered safely like every other medicine.
RE:
Mr. Biffany,
– The best medical-cannabis experts in California
and Europe have developed
the safest delivery-mechanisms, extraction-methods for
whole medical-cannabis,
INCLUDING…
Tinctures, edibles, ointments / topical creams,
low-temperature herbal aromatization / vaporization,
(Vaporization, for effective therapeutic-immediacy of smoking,
minus the hazards thereof).
http://opengov.ideascale.com/
just type the word Marijuana in the search box and then click the search botton, and all kinds of questions come up for ya to vote on
What happened in New Jersey? The meeting was 10:00 am this morning. Was Medical Marijuana passed?
#61 NeuroGenesis1:29
Nice job on the rebutle to that propoganda piece. I saw that article on Norml News and almost wrote one my self. We cant let stuff like this go unanswered anylonger, so thank you sir.
#64 Da Vinci Says:
June 5th, 2009 at 1:27 am
RE:
Da Vinci,
– Make it a daily-practice to dissect
their spurious arguments.
– Copy news-article(s) to a word-processor,
save, then preface each section with initials
(and appropo text-modifying HTML-TAGS,
for bolding and italics),
when posting to NORML-Blog.
EXAMPLES,
(Replace left and right brackets with
less-than / greater-than symbols):
[b] bold [/b]
[i] italics [/i]
– Firefox BBCode Add-On is also very helpful
for easily-creating text-emphasis.
thank you for your dedicated work. and thank you for this informational site…the truth shall prevail..hypocrites, corrupt officials and enforcers…bandits..corporate terrorists..beware…karma will be at your door step..let freedom ring!