In a July 29, 2009 e-mail (which was voluntarily forwarded to the NORML office), Rep. Benton wrote: “Thanks for the email. We will have to agree to disagree on this and whether or not money is wasted (by mandating the state to prosecute minor marijuana offenders). I am opposed to the legalization of marijuana. I think we should go to caning for people caught using and maybe execute dealers. [emphasis NORML’s] That would solve the problem as well. That is what they do in Singapore and they don’t have a drug problem.”
Caning is a form of corporal punishment consisting of up to 24 violent lashes with a long rattan cane that has been soaked in water. The procedure inflicts intense pain and deep, bloody lacerations that can take several months to heal.
Rep. Benton followed up his remarks in a separate e-mail on August 11 (also forwarded to NORML) in which he threatened to turn over the names of citizens who disagreed with his political viewpoints to local law enforcement.
He wrote: “You and your cronies want it (marijuana) legalized so you can get a hit anytime without having to worry about getting arrested. I have forwarded your email to the Lowndes County sheriffs [sic] office so that they can be on the lookout for you. [emphasis NORML’s] Consider this my last correspondence on the the [sic] subject to you or anyone else who shares your similar “conservative views’.”
Benton was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2005.
UPDATE from Russ Belville, NORML Outreach Coordinator – Please Don’t Threaten Rep. Benton! Just Vote Him Out of Office.
Since we began covering the story of Georgia Rep. Tommy “Caning for Potheads” Benton on July 29, the story has spread like wildfire. We issued an official press release today and featured the story here and the NORML front page just yesterday and already the story has been covered from the libertarian/right Reason blog to the liberal/left TalkLeft blog.
However, I am deeply disturbed at some of the nearly 250 comments the story has gotten at the NORML Blog. There are threats of assassinating, shooting, caning, and kicking the ass of Rep. Benton, as well as comparisons to Adolf Hitler. Some have even threatened his wife, children, and family dog and published Rep. Benton’s home telephone number (which I’ve scrubbed).
Stop it! Rise above the level of people like Rep. Benton. Violence and threats of violence not only solve nothing and hurt our movement, but they may be actionable criminal acts.
I understand the feelings of anger and desire for vengeance. For far too long our people have been intimidated, harassed, threatened, assaulted, imprisoned, and killed for our interaction with a plant. Far too many homes have been burst into by armor-clad assault-weapon-armed police. Our people have had our careers shattered, education thwarted, children taken, healthcare denied, civil rights abrogated, dogs murdered, property stolen and destroyed, and voting rights erased in this “Land of the Free” because we liked to use the hemp plant in the same way this country’s Founders did. Believe me, I report stories and read heartbreaking personal emails like this every day.
I considered deleting these comments but have not (though my superiors may overrule me) because I do think they tap into the strong current of “we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take this anymore” that runs through the cannabis community. Plus I am a strong advocate of free speech on our forums.
But realize that this kind of reaction only empowers Rep. Benton within his community of hateful anti-pot zealots. “See,” he’ll crow to fellow prohibitionists, “smoking pot turns you into a raving violent psycho!” We’re better than that. Cannabis is supposed to be the peaceful plant. Do not sink to this man’s level. Fighting fire with fire only burns down everyone’s house and an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Fight this man with peace, education, and voting for his opponents in the primary or general election.
Dear Russ, after reading your update i immediatly felt foolish. Your right violence when it comes to reform has no place. I kinda consider myself a badass and in the great state of Kansas youd be surprised how much stuff is actually solved with aggression. But this isint a bar-fight this is about the realization of a long overdue dream comin to fruition. When the first stoner is caned or executed then ill rise up with an army. But in the mean time ill try more legal avenues. We as Americans jus get afraid when people like this jerk talk execution. And when americans get scared..we get violent. Thanks for openin my eyes to reason.
HIGHest regards- General-Jake
I’ve never seen so many comments here in the past, Senator Tommy Benton struck more than a few nerves on MJ issues here. He’s successfully put Obama and himself on a global “HIT LIST!”
Yeah, run that mouth some more Georgia Boy!
Legalize caning and executions for corrupt politicians and I’ll call it a day…LOL!
I think we should send Rep. Tommy Benton a nice plate of brownies and a pack of Oriole cookies. 🙂
FOR #102 MIKE..
DEAR MIKE IN ARABIAN COUNTRIES THEY ALWAYS HAD CANNABIS AND THEY NEVER THOUGH TO FORBID IT. IN A COMMENT ABOVE SOMEBODY SAID THAT THE NATURAL AND MORAL LAWS SHOULD BE IN ACCORD WITH THE HUMAN LAWS, THAT WAS SOOOO RIGHT. THE ARABIC PEOPLE RESPECTED CANNABIS UNTIL THE WESTERN INFLUENCE PUSHED THEM TO FORBID.
IN ELLAS WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT CALL FOR DEATH TO DRUG COMMERCE TOO, PUTTING CANNABIS IN THE SAME CATEGORIE WITH HEROINE.. BUT EVEN THEM START SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY RECENTLY NOW THAT WE HAVE A HUUUUUGE JUNKIES PROBLEM .. SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ALIVE-DEAD SHOOT HEROINE IN THE STREETS AND POLICE DONT EVEN KNOW ANYMORE WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.
BY READING NORML EVERY DAY I NOTICE THAT ALL OF YOU KNOW THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM.. PROFIT-POWER..
ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD CANN A SMOKER SHOULD THINK THAT NATURE DECIDED AND CREATED DIFFERENTLY…IT MIGHT REACT BADLY.. NATURE MADE US WITH CANNABIS.. NATURE COULD NOT PREDICT THAT SOME (RESTLESS NEVERRELAXING)PEOPLE WOULD FORBID AN ELEMENT SO IMPORTANT..
PROVIDE THE MEDICAL CANNABIS TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.
A YOGI FROM ELLAS (GREECE)
R.O.E. Manny the Rebel here!
NEWS FROM THE GREAT STATE OF IOWA
Can you keep us posted on how the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is progressing.
Rick Seymore/Tennessee Activist
What’s the latest from THE GREAT STATE OF TENNESSEE?
Rebel with a Cause CA.GD
San Diego has placed a 45 Moratorium on new dispensaries in unincorporated areas of the county. It’s a zoning issue. More to come
Wow!!! I cannot understand how in today’s age with the wonderous strides made both scientifically and medically, that one, who is elected by the people of his state, can propound the vile invective of “smoking pot turns you into a raving violent psycho”. Benton’s ass needs to be headed out the door in his next election. Such individuals are Blasphemous!!!
Puff…Puff…
I have read ever post here. The only ones I do not understand. Are the ones that say we must stay calm and take the high ground..
We just had an elected official threaten our lives. He also says he is going to use his government provided resources. To destroy any one that takes issue with his beliefs and politics. This is a threat to our very basic freedoms.
This man should be run out of town on a rail. How much does it take to wake some people up.
THIS MAN WANTS TO KILL YOUR CHILDREN. AND ENLIST YOUR POLICE FORCE TO STEM ANY OPEN DISCONTENT.
Do you advocate letting them put us all in jail before we take action??
CFJ
[Editor’s note: Action is already being taken, it does not appear that many of the commentators is waiting to be put in jail before speaking out, as Rep. Benton is now instantly famous as an extreme and absurd prohibitionist. But that does not mean that NORML’s webpage should be a place where reformers encourage violence.
When an eye is taken for an eye…the result? Blindness.]
#299 musclecarfreak Says:
August 13th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
“If I remember right
just a few years ago there was a
young man caned in another country…”
RE: musclecarfreak,
– That was Michael P. Faye,
“an American who briefly shot to worldwide fame
when he was sentenced to caning in Singapore
as an 18-year-old in 1994 for theft and vandalism.”
– And yes, the entire U.S.A. was quite outraged….
– There was even a
Crash Test Dummies
music-video-parody made that year
about Michael Faye, among other top-stories:
“HEADLINE-NEWS”
“Once, there was this kid who
Took a trip to Singapore and
brought along his spray paint
And when he finally came back
He had cane marks all over his bottom
He said that it was from when
The warden whacked it soooo haaaaard”
BRAINSTORM-IDEA:
💡
– Perhaps HUMOR,
(in form of a PSA-VIDEO,
and / or song, illustrating
mock-caning / mock-execution of non-violent,
non-destructive “offenders”), thus strongly
discrediting Tommy Benton’s
disproportionately-punitive viewpoint,
would be in order…
Dethrone the Dictaphone,
Hit ’em in the funnybone,
That’s where they expect it least…
Well put at the end. Its unfortunate that he has this kind of hatred for a plant that provides me and others the solution to so many health problems, or in my case, a way to end nerve pain.
Throwing more of us in jail, or killing the people who aid me in ending my pain and helping me lead an active life is obviously outlandish. I for one find it a tad offensive to say the least but…
hes right, we need to inform this man that this is a medication that makes you tranquil not “violent” as stated on the white house webpage…
In the end, he can say what he wants, but we all know the truth…
How many of our children should we allow them to destroy before we become upset? A poster said smoke a joint and chill. This is why they are still enslaving us after over seventy years. I will not smoke and chill. I do not smoke. I fight to stop our lawmakers form feeding on our children!!
Some times I think people are missing the point. OK cannabis is a God given herb. It is better for you than alcohol. It is not addictive and you can not overdose. We know our representatives accept bribes to continue to enslave us. This issue is really freedom of choice, our rights being taken away. They waste the lives of hundreds of thousands ever year and waste billions of our money. Trying to protect either corporate profits or their personal right wing views. Religious fanatics that want to impose their version of God on us all. We all know the facts….
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO STAND UP AND STOP THIS TYRANNY AGAINST US???? THEY WANT TO KILL OUR CHILDREN FOR DRINKING A BEER AND SMOKING CANNABIS. A RIGHT OF PASSAGE MUCH LIKE WHAT OUR LEADER DID PRESIDENT OBAMA…BUT NOT MANY DRUG TASK FORCES BREAK INTO HARVARD THEIR RICH PARENTS WOULD GET UPSET… BUT IF YOU ARE BLACK LIVING IN THE GHETTO THEY WILL BREAK DOWN YOUR DOOR AND MAKE YOU A SLAVE. TO A SYSTEM THE RACIST BUILT BACK IN THE 30’S….I THINK THE TIME HAS COME TO TAKE ACTION AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL END THE WAR AGAINST US…….
Cherokee Fred Hussein Jesus
Manny :
Will do. What ever I may hear I shall relay to all of you.
ADDENDUM TO RE: #299:
Or…perhaps an apt,
Tommy Benton
re-election
CAMPAIGN-SLOGAN… 😉
See news-posting titled:
“GA Rep Tommy Benton replies
to Constituent-Letter”
at the
NORML Daily Audio Stash
for more details…
Re-elect Tommy Benton???
“No Can Do!!!” 😆
General Jake 351:
Now your getting it! Dont take the bait my badass friend! They what us to look like violence tweeks. We are not. Dont give them ammo to fight us with.
One the day they start KILLING stoners…well that will be the day I join you.I hate violence..but there is a time for it.
i say we impose the same measures that benton wants on marijuana to alcohol and tobacco, but for fuck sake leave marijuana alone, so what if some of us want it legalized so we can ” have a hit when we want” you alcohol drinkers can go have a “shot” when ever you want it, why cant i have the same freedom and liberty as you, benton is a hateful man and i can only hope that one day, his life is saved by a pot smoker, then maybe he will see that we are good people, i dont wish harm apon this person, but i do wish if somthing did happen to him that a pot smoker or marijuana was there to help him out, then he could see that we are not what he thinks, and maybe he would change his views, i am a pot smoker and i am proud, i wear my leaf tshirt with pride, and i have had people come up to me and say “i have one of them at home but shhhh dont tell anyone” this accually happend when an employee of petsmart saw me enter their store, also my girlfriend agrees that marijuana should be legal for those who want it, but she is not a smoker herself, but she feels that she can not voice her opinion due to coworkers and family members that have been brain washed against this heaeling plant, it is a shame that we are not even able to say that we support something with out fear of retrebution, brenton says he will give out the names and information to law enforcement of people with opposing views well them here mr. brenton , my name is kenneth mabie you can contact my local law enforcement if you feel the need, and when then come to harass me you can bet your ass, i will have them and you sued for infringing my first admendment of freedom of speech, i am allowed to have an opinion that is different than yours, and smoking marijuana is a personal choice, and having a choice is what makes this country free, if you dont like that i suggest you step down and resign from your office, and take a good long hard think about what if the pot smokers were the ones in power and you guys that use alchol and tobacco werent and we imposed a penalty like the one you want imposed on us, wouldnt you feel as if you freedom wasnt there, you right to choose was taken away, you wouldnt call this land free then would you, i can understand if you dont want to smoke pot personally mr benton, but what you want to do with your life and what i do with mine are 2 seperate things, please dont impose your views on me and i wont impose mine on you, ( also i will be editing this and rewriting it as a letter to mr benton which i will post on my myspace and facebook pages also i will be emailing and snail-mailing mr benton as well)
VOTE HIM OUT.
I too would like to thank RUSS the editors for helping people keep a level head.
I understand people ,this fight makes me angery all the time. Put that anger to good USE..not violence. It wont do any good here or in any protests going on around this nation at the moment.
You have to allow the big money guy’s time to build the new treatment centers all over America for the announced changes of policy to go into effect. The big money boys are shifting from the prison industry to the treatment industry and that takes time,and money. When and if prohibition ends,the prison industries will lose their steady flow of fodder supplied by our judicial systems
that has kept them listed on Wall Street as a “good”
steady investment. And business is so good,they are branching out into furnishing inmate control and housing for the county jail systems now. If the prohibition ends,all their crop of future slaves will be released,but with the switch from imprisonment to treatment for non-violent drug offenses,they will be able to still make money off the marijuana users with
their brand new “humanitarian” treatment centers.
Don’t you just love the way capitalism works? The greedier you are,the more willing you are to exploit humankind,the richer you are.
Genesis 1:29 states that herbs were made by God and are meant for our consumption. Marijuana is an herb and the so called representative is not represenative of his constituents. I’m sure that he has probably already made alot of money through his campaign from people who do not share his views. As was stated, vote him out, and if possible get him to resign for his horrible sin of condemning innocent people,
Re-elect Tommy Benton???
“No Can Do!!!”
ADDENDUM to my
previous post @ #359:
Perhaps an apt,
Tommy Benton
re-election
CAMPAIGN-SLOGAN… 😉
See news-posting titled:
“GA Rep Tommy Benton replies
to Constituent-Letter”
at the
NORML Daily Audio Stash
for more details…
Re-elect Tommy Benton???
“No Can Do!!!” 😆
We all need to have a beer with Tommy Benton, and give him a good hug.
Very well written article and sound advice. Incredible, politicians can still surprise me.
Caning, and what century does he live in???? Anyone, that is this nuts, should not be in any goverment of any kind.Tommy Benton should be caned for having such a brainless idea. I can not believe we still have such stupid people in office!!!
This guy is a scumbag, no thats an insult to all the scumbags out there!! He’s nothing more then a degenerate piece of shit
What a stupid, stupid man. He’s so lost in his (false) convictions that he has justified violence and EXECUTION against those who don’t live a lifestyle of which he approves. Some people are just terrible products of this mad world, and it’s beginning to feel like there’s nothing we can do about it.
Something extreme needs to happen. Soon.
CHEROKEE YEA YOU SHOULD CHILL OUT YOU NOT GOING TO BUST A GRAPE. YOUR ALL TALK ANYWAY .IVE BEEN TO PRISON FOR MY BELIEVE TO BE ABLE TO SMOKE MY MEDICINE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OF CALIFORNIA HAS ALLOWED ME TO DO THIS RIGHT I NOW HAVE FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE OF CALIFPORNIA AND NORML INSTEAD OF TALKING CRAP GO OUT AND GET SOME VOTES OR DONATE TIME OR MONEY TO THE CAUSE YOUR VIOLENCE WILL DO NO GOOD
Cannabis is property, i.e. a material object owned possessed used manufactured and traded by individuals. Property is a right, as recognized by the Georgia state Constitution in Paragraphs 1 & 2 of Section 1. Under Title 18, U.S.C., Section 242 – Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, it is a federal felony to conspire to violate the rights of American citizens. Rep. Betton is guilty of this crime. It is punishable by a 1 to 10 year prison sentence. That is the appropriate punishment for this barbaric tyrant, unless some poor sick person dies from being deprived of their right to medical marijuana, in which case it is a capital crime (aka Death Row). Prohibition is a crime!
why?
Maybe the local southern homeboys of all races would have a beer with Tommy Benton and would all sing the song “The Bonnie Blue Flag” and then pass the peace pipe. Then do the Irish way and end it with a happy fist fight.
Or maybe have the Irish happy fist fight and then pass the peace pipe.
This is really one of the few deepest news I’ve read all year. This is an outrage. We need to impeach this guy, we need to stop sitting around wishing weed to be legalized; WE NEED TO ACT!!
My level-headed friends, I think you may find this quite interesting. First of all, I agree with whomever wrote that we should remain peaceful and approach this with a sense of calm. In my research of Georgia State Law (I am not a lawyer) I believe that Mr. Benton has actually broken state law O.C.G.A § 16-11-39, section A.1, if not more sections of the law. This is a misdemeanor offense. See what you think:
§ 16-11-39. Disorderly conduct
(a) A person commits the offense of disorderly conduct when such person commits any of the following:
(1) Acts in a violent or tumultuous manner toward another person whereby such person is placed in reasonable fear of the safety of such person’s life, limb, or health;
(2) Acts in a violent or tumultuous manner toward another person whereby the property of such person is placed in danger of being damaged or destroyed;
(3) Without provocation, uses to or of another person in such other person’s presence, opprobrious or abusive words which by their very utterance tend to incite to an immediate breach of the peace, that is to say, words which as a matter of common knowledge and under ordinary circumstances will, when used to or of another person in such other person’s presence, naturally tend to provoke violent resentment, that is, words commonly called “fighting words”; or
(4) Without provocation, uses obscene and vulgar or profane language in the presence of or by telephone to a person under the age of 14 years which threatens an immediate breach of the peace.
(b) Any person who commits the offense of disorderly conduct shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
With that said, the Constitutional Rights Foundation states the following:
“The Constitution sets specific grounds for impeachment. They are “treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors.” To be impeached and removed from office, the House and Senate must find that the official committed one of these acts.”
To summarize, it appears that Mr. Benton not only crossed moral and ethical lines, but a legal line as well when he threatened an entire class of people (marijuana users) with physical harm and fear, and additionally threatening the murder of people who sell marijuana. While it is almost certain that any politician or law enforcement personnel in Georgia would laugh at the suggestion of the man’s breaking of the state’s laws in this case, I for one am almost certain that he has indeed done so.
The real shame in this situation would be if he goes unpunished because the people who run this country should never be allowed to be above the law. If they are, then we are a paramount failure.
It is my opinion that Mr. Benton is hiding something rather scandalous in his life or past that he hopes that, with personal attack on MJ to distract everyone from finding out and possible ruining his career.
the legal information posted above is not opinion, but a scumbag barred attorney will NOT make this argument for you to have the bogus possession charges dismissed, you need to make the argument yourself using Evidence Rule ER201 (Judicial Notice) and Full Faith and Credit of the US Cobstitution. don’t leave yourselves at the mercy of the SCUMBAG LAWYERS who TRICK you into accepting the charges as valid. A LAWYERS first duty is to the court and the public, NOT to his client… don’t believe it? See the lawyers code of ethics, see 7 CORPUS JURIS SECUNDUM at section 4 which reads:
“7 C.J.S. section 4. Nature and Duties of Office.
An attorney is an officer of the court with an obligation to the courts and the public as well as to his clients, and his duty is to facilitate the administration of justice. An attorney does not hold an office or public trust, in the constitutional or statutory sense of that term, and strictly speaking, he is not an officer of the state or of a governmental subdivision thereof. Rather, as held in many decisions, he is an officer of the court, before which he has been admitted to practice. An attorney is not the court or one of its ministerial officers, or a law enforcement officer. He is, however, in a sense an officer of the state, with an obligation to the courts and to the public no less significant than his obligation to his clients. Thus, an attorney occupies a “dual position” which imposes “dual obligations.” His first duty is to the courts and the public, not to the client, and wherever the duties his client conflict with those he owes as an officer of the court in the administration of justice, the former must yield to the latter. The office of attorney is indispensable to the administration of justice and is intimate and peculiar in its relation to, and vital to the well being of the court. An attorney has a duty to aid the court in seeing that actions and proceedings in which he is engaged as counsel are conducted in a dignified and orderly manner, free from passion and personal animosities, and that all causes brought to an issue are tried and decided on their merits only, to aid the court in seeing that justice is done, and to aid any effort under the court’s direction to root out corruption and fraud. An attorney has also the duty to devote his ability, skill, and diligence along ethical and professional lines to the interests of his client, and to refrain from entering into any alliance or incurring any obligation connected with the litigation in which he is engaged as counsel that would place him in a position where his personal interests would be adverse to those of his client.” And;
Now all of you can see the truth that this “dual position and obligation,” further deprives all American Citizen’s of their substantive rights to the due process of law. When before their “tribunals” – the attorney’s “first duty is to the courts and the public, not to the client.” If you let those who run ‘the system’ fight your battles for you expect to be abused by it…
[Editor’s note: Unfortunately, ‘ultimate user’ and ‘religious use’ to date have not been effective legal strategies in keeping cannabis consumers out of the criminal justice system. Will these be viable legal defenses in the future? Possibly.]
Guys and Gals don’t be violent towards this indigent neo-nazi “representative” who claims to be an American. He will surely be found tapping toes in a bathroom stall somewhere. Just wait it out and he will keep running his mouth and keep himself from being reelected. I understand everyone’s anger–there is a war on and we aren’t doing anything but eating bullets and talking crap.
My support has been in the form of donations to Norml. As far as your leadership Mr Editor, there have been 20 million people arrested for drugs in the last 20 years and 75% of those for mere posession. Does that sound like leadership and advancement on the marijuana posession front in any way. Standing in a circle and singing “We shall Overcome” only gets you so far. Sometimes you need to take it to the next level. Do you think alcohol prohibition would have been repealed if there hadnt been so much violence?
Also, its MPP I see on CNBC Power Lunch, CNN and Fox news not NoRmL. Those guys are moving and shaking and making their stands known consistently and often. You have the best website for sure but as far as the leadership that you speak of that seems to be over at MPP..
[Editor’s note: Blaming NORML for the govt’s 72-year prohibition is like blaming blacks for slavery or women for male chauvinism. If you’re an Atlanta ‘toker’, Georgians have no one to blame but themselves for not effectively organizing under NORML’s banner (or any other organization’s) like reformers in other states have. The results: GA has some of the most aggressive law enforcement and harshest cannabis laws in the country.
NORML also appears regularly on TV/radio shows, almost daily in major print and radio markets. However, when billionaires like Soros and Lewis provide millions annually to DPA and MPP, comprising most of these organizations’ budgets, they can readily hire 30-40 employees (And at high wages/benefits…ever look at the financial records of these other reform organizations?) with 2-3 of them working on pitching the media full time. Some of these communication employees make more annual income than NORML’s director….
Contrast that to NORML’s budget which is almost entirely derived from the grassroots, no $ from Soros/Lewis, no six digit salaries, and these donations currently employ 9-10 employees.
You want to see more NORML staff, chapter leaders, board and advisory board members on your groove tube? The grassroots will need to donate more funding to NORML to have more full time communications employees pitching mainstream media. Otherwise, you’ll likely keep watching MPP/DPA representatives on the TV representing your interests. Or, are they really representing cannabis consumers, or serving their funders’ needs and wants? Grasstops or grassroots? Only history will be able to inform which reform model provides the most and enduring personal liberties.]
#3, Preston: I agree totally. Thanks for the smile.
This news shocked me, I cant believe there are people like this in the world. I have sent Benton a email which i will discolse below.
There has already been 8,034 deaths this year from drunk drivers. I would like to ask you sir, how many deaths has marijuana caused this year? That of course; was a rhetorical question….Zero, and the fact that you would rather whip, tortue and execute marijuana offenders disgusts me. We dont even bring this harsh of punishment upon murderers, rapist and drunks. Your letting your bias blind you, and in turn you end up making yourself look like a fool to the people. You sir have lost all respect that a man can carry in my eyes. From this point on I will regard your comments
the same as i would a drunk driver, heroin addict, or rapist. The day your thrown out of office is coming soon, and on that day i shall bear a huge smile.
I would like to volunteer to be the first put to death for smoking marijuana. In fact i think we should all show up and volunteer to be killed for Cannabis. then maybe the world would see how important cannabis is. and how rediculous this jerk is. i allways wondered since marijuana was illegal. how much do i have to smoke to deserve the death penalty. now i know !
really we all know why hes so angry, he hasnt had any medication that maybe is needed for a bit of anxiety.
WOW this is a lot of comments. I have never seen Normls comments this big lol. People are really piss. U know what we should do now right? Is protest even more. Put your marijuana shirt on or you norml and mpp shirt. But dont cause violence. Stay calm and just gather more people.
P.S. I cant read all this comments
Take whatever legal action you can against this guy and over-publicize the hell out of it so we get more publicity for the cause. Kill two birds with one stone.
Rep. Benton is about as sick and demented as one can get!
He is a disgrace to all of humanity for this downright cruelty.
If they were to use caning on marijuana offenders, it would cost another TRILLION DOLLARS ON HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR TREATMENT for the victims. It would still cost the taxpayers to EXECUTE US. I think it’s time for this good ole boy to be taken behind the woodshed and given 24 lashes SINGAPORE STYLE. He is just another BARBARIAN AT THE GATE FOR MARIJUANA PROHIBITION, ANOTHER PUPPET, ANOTHER TOOL TO ERODE OUR RIGHTS AS AMERICANS, OWELLIAN MENTALITY AT WORK. WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO IS TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE BUDS. 420 ALL YHE WAY!
I apologize sir; I didn’t realize it was my fault. Nothing further need be said.
Well he got the response he was hoping for. Wag the dog indeed. He might actually mean what he replied with, but it sounded much more like scare tactics and hopes of eliciting a response he could actually send to a law enforcement agency to investigate.
(sigh) Dont just plan on voting him out though. He needs to hear your criticism, but threats only will embolden him.
I did a search for “benton” and “marijuana” & found about 3 stories on this. Doesn’t norml have people who know people involved with major news sources?(ie. friends of friends, or old college smoking budies?) I know it’s early and don’t mean to be problematic. I just would like to hear this on the evening news! ASAP!!! :0) If there was some way to see some visible progress from our sidem it might boost morale and donations.
[Editor’s note: Morale not high? This is about as strong a zeitgeist for reform than there has ever been. You’re not seeing visible process? Thirteen states, with one third of the US’ population lives in a state or city with decriminalized cannabis laws…Thirteen states, with one 1/4 of the US’ population lives in a state or city with medical cannabis laws…folks in CA (where 1 in 8 Americans live) can buy medical cannabis. Some purchase it in vending machines 24/7!
That is not visible progress? Last week in Boulder, the police returned cannabis, hash, oils and live plants back to a patient where the jury would not convict. Looks and smells like progress to NORML.
Want more? You and all your like-minded friends and family need to be really active in these law reform activities, if you’re not already.’
yea cain is way worse than pot. since it would help reduce marijuana use would it be concidered medical cain? tommy benton. three shity jokes