The following speech was given by NORML’s Deputy Director before nearly 500 attendees on Saturday, March 13, at the opening plenary of Students for Sensible Drug Policy‘s 11th International Conference, at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. To read full coverage of the conference, please see DRCNet’s report here.
My name is Paul Armentano and I’m the Deputy Director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and I’m the co-author of the book Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? Max, Amber, Stacia and the many good folks at SSDP invited me to come here today to talk to you about how and why students have a vital role to play in ending marijuana prohibition.
First let’s talk about the “why”: self-preservation. The federal government has declared war on you.
Since 1965 law enforcement in this country have arrested over 20 million people for marijuana offenses. But when you take a closer look at who is actually arrested you find that, for the most part, it isn’t the folks sitting on this panel; it’s all of you sitting out there – it’s young people.
In short – the so-called ‘war’ on marijuana is really a war on youth.
According to a 2005 study commissioned by the NORML Foundation, 74 percent of the 800,000 or so Americans busted for pot each year are under age 30, and one out of four are age 18 or younger. That’s nearly half a million young people at risk of losing their school loans, or being saddled with a lifelong criminal record at a time when they are just entering the workforce. We’re talking about an entire generation – and that’s you out there – that has been alienated to believe that the police and their civic leaders are instruments of their oppression rather than their protection.
And the sad fact is: you’re right!
The question is: What are you going to do about it?
If we’re going to finally end this 70+ year failed public policy known as marijuana prohibition, then we need students to play a lead role. Obviously those of you in this room have already taken a critical first step in leading this charge by joining SSDP and attending this conference. But there’s a lot more to be done and there’s a lot more that you can do.
I believe that it was Ghandi who demanded that those who are oppressed be a part of there own liberation, and marijuana prohibition is no different. I want you to look around you because it’s you all who will ultimately bring about an end to prohibition.
And here’s how you start, and it’s really, really simple suggestion. Start talking to others about the need to end marijuana prohibition. Start talking about how this policy disproportionately and adversely impacts youth. Start discussing about how this policy limits young people’s opportunities at economic and academic success, and has repercussions that adversely affect people for the rest of their lives.
Start talking about how the war on weed endangers young people’s health and safety because it enables teens to have easier access to pot than to legal, age-restricted intoxicants like alcohol and tobacco. Talk about how prohibition forces young people to interact and befriend pushers of other illegal, more dangerous drugs. Talk about how prohibition compels young people dismiss the educational messages they receive pertaining to the potential health risks posed by the use of ‘hard drugs’ and prescription pharmaceuticals because they say: “If they lied to me about pot, why wouldn’t they be lying to me about everything else too.”
Most importantly, talk about how criminal prohibition is far more likely to result in having all of you sitting in this room struggling to get over a lifelong criminal conviction than it is in any way going to discourage you or your friends from trying pot.
And when I say ‘talk about it,’ that’s exactly what I mean – TALK. But talk to those who know you – your family, your friends, your parents, your neighbors, your professors, your faculty advisers. These are the people who you have built in credibility with. These are the people who are most likely to share and act upon your concerns because they care about you. They care about what you think, and they actually care about what happens to you.
(You know it’s funny, so often I hear activists talk about how they want to spread the word by going out on some street-corner and handing out leaflets to strangers. Or they want to engage in debates with some paid prohibitionist, as if by providing he or she with the facts about marijuana will somehow change his or her position. Or they want to post messages on some anti-drug website. Big deal. Talking to strangers is easy; it’s talking to people you know that’s hard. But it’s talking to people you know that is ultimately going to make a difference.)
So after you’re done talking about the evils of the drug war with your friends, family, and faculty – and encouraging them to begin engaging in this conversation as well – then it’s time to move the discussion to those who can shape public opinion and policy: the editors at your school paper, the leaders in your student government, your city council, your mayor, you state elected officials. Talk to these folks, and keep talking to these folks. And if they won’t listen to you then become one of them. Join the school paper; run for student government; run for city council. If not you, then who?
Here’s something else I want you to do to help bring about an end to marijuana prohibition. There’s something I want you all to say when you are engaging in your outreach efforts, and that is this: NOT IN MY NAME.
You know, when those who support marijuana prohibition are forced to defend it, they do so by saying that it’s all about you: it’s all about protecting and providing for the best interest of young people. You know, sort of like “we have to destroy the village in order to to save it.”
It’s time for all of you in this room to stop being the scapegoats for the abuses and the excesses of drug war. It’s time to say: enough! We don’t want your criminal policies; we never asked for your criminal policies; and we’re tired of having our good names be used to support your failed drug war. The war on marijuana isn’t saving us; it’s harming us, and we demand that it comes to end before it destroys another generations the same way it has destroyed ours.
Okay, so that’s the easy part – here’s the hard part. If students – and I’m talking about you guys here, and I’m also talking about all of your friends and colleagues who aren’t here – really are going to be the game-changers in this battle, this fight that all of us sitting up here have been waging for far too long already, then we need for you guys to take a pledge:
Don’t let your activism be a phase in your life; make it a part of your life.
When I graduated college in 1994 there was no SSDP; there was no ASA. There barely was an MPP. There was the DPA – with one office a handful of employees. There was no LEAP, no SAFER; no frankly there was no professional movement. Since then the landscape has changed monumentally.
Today, there are now dozens of organizations working on drug policy reform, and with that, dozens of job opportunities for you to get involved and stay involved in marijuana policy after you graduate college. So I give you a challenge: You really want to end the drug war? Consider making drug policy your career choice. You can start right now by applying for an internship at NORML or a fellowship at SSDP. Many of this movement’s current leaders started out this way, Kris Krane, Mason Tvert, Tom Angel, Stacia Cosner, Micah Daigle, and many others. They did it, and you can too.
Finally, even if you don’t wish to pursue marijuana law reform as a career, I encourage you to stay active in the movement. Between the Internet, podcasts, list-servs, social networking sites like Facebook, you now have access to unparalleled quantities of drug-law reform information in real time. Just this past week NORML launched its own Iphone app.
In other words, it is now easier than ever to stay plugged in to your networks and continue to educate yourself and your friends about drug policy reform. Check out NORML’s daily podcast, the Audio Stash, for the latest breaking news, or check out NORML’s capwiz page to instantly learn about upcoming state and federal votes in legislation that affects us all. And use what you learn to continue to move this conversation forward.
The bottom line: all of you in this room have the power to change these laws, and today you have an unprecedented opportunity to do so. So get out there and do it!
Best article I have seen yet. We baby boomers and the parent of these kids will stand up with you. I have been talking for 5 years now and as soon as my kids graduate from college I am willing to take it further with my activism. To everyone in Georgia. The University of Georgia will be hosting a debate about marijuana legalization on Monday,April 19, 2010 at the Tate Center at 7:30 p.m. admission is free for students and $5.00 for others. “Heads vs. Feds”. Join the fight and don’t be afraid. I have not found anyone to date that disagrees with me after discussing it.
While I think getting younger kids involved is great and all, I really believe it’s the adults who will make the difference. Professional, mature and respectable adults who will come out and show society that they too demand change. Doctors, lawyers, politicians, businessmen etc…People who hold tremendous sway in society, who play great roles…these are the people whose support we really need. Adults who hold our respect and admiration.
I fear politicians and voters will see the younger generations support as just a means for them to get drugs. And this is all coming from a 21 year old college student.
It really feels like the government is trying to destroy young peoples lives. They say there trying to scare the youth into not doing them, that is understanble the youth of america really shouldn’t being smoking pot unless they have certain ailments and so forth, some of the youth of this country do try and some smoke pot on the regular and the government doesn’t realize is that most of them either quit smoking by the time there 25 and most of them don’t branch off to other drugs, some do and that is very sad. The fact is that I was arrested for two ounces of mid- grade shwag pot, since i was young and had no prior arrest they gave the chance to do something called “First Time Offenders Program” which means you go and take classes at a place called ASAP i passed and did everything that the court wanted me to do. So the general district court of richmond , va dismissed my guilty plea so that i don’t have a pot charge anymore on my dmv record and everything was all fine and dandy until two weeks i went and took the asvab to get into the military and i scored a 91 and they were all happy to take me in , until i talked about my past and my record they were fine with the dui but when i told them about my pot charge that was dimissed for first time offenders they told me that i was not allowed into the military. Unbelieveable im smart enough to do anything in the military almost and the only thing thats stopping me is my pot charge that happened 4 years ago and i did everything the gov’t told me to do.
“Stop arresting responsible pot smokers.” — on image
Yes, because it’s so responsible of them, breaking the law and all.
Good speech. Especially liked the NOT IN MY NAME.
Not a student but from my standpoint I’d disagree with talking to stranger’s as that’s all I have left. I’m not going to hand out leaflets either.
Talking to neighbors is tricky if the person doing the talking uses cannabis. Our nation has too many well meaning Snitches that destroy lives.
The family, friends, doctors and so on know how I feel, they did a long time ago. And there are friends I’ve said good bye to because no matter what I’ve said they’re still the crazed prohibitionist.
Hear hear! We will never get anywhere if we just sit back and wait for the problem to fix itself.
like always norml right on top of it..for some people who really hate us check http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/17/1174940/sign-initiative-1068-to-put-marijuana.html, talk about haters
One comment. The old folks who represent us in Washington need to be put out to pasture. They are all so entrenched in the reefer madness mentality that the truth has little if any effect on them. There is also a “backroom” influence from big business to maintain the status quo. How else can you explain the
government’s schedule 1 on cannabis that states that cannabis has no medicinal uses and at the same time state that they will turn a blind eye to States who have approved medical marijuana. It either is medicinal or not. A third of the States have declared marijuana as medicine…the Federal Government still says they are wrong. New Jersey just sentenced a man to 5 years in prison today for (a medical marijuana patient with MS} growing 17 plants. They deemed he had to be dealing because 17 plants were far to many for his own personal consumption! Reefer Madness lives large in New Jersey, logic, reason and compassion, not so much. Use your vote wisely. Be the squeeky wheel that cannot be ignored. The cannabis movement has grown much more powerful in recent years as evidenced by recent polls. The internet is also a powerful politicial tool. Shout out your representitives. Expound on the dangers and evils of America’s only legal recreational drug and how many lives are ruined, how many domestic assaults occur while drunk, the health problems, the addictions. Cannabis IS safer! There will soon come a day when a solid majority of America will support legalizing cannabis and the politicians who choose to ignore that fact will find themselves short a vote or two come election day. Use that too!
I started working on this issue when I was 23 years old(1977). I joined NORML in Nebraska and we helped decriminalize possession there. I am now 55 years old and I thought that by this time in my life I would be able to consume cannabis legally in the comfort of my own home. I was wrong. If the younger generation doesn’t believe that this will happen to them I can tell you it will unless you all start taking Paul’s advice and start talking to everyone you know and start demanding that prohibition ends now. Take your rightful place and change your government. You owe it to yourselves and to the next generation. Heed our words or become victims of “The War On Youth”.
How exactly do u go about purseing marijuana reform as a career?
#10 I know cause i sure would like to know the resoures myself i need a career job
“Stop arresting responsible pot smokers.” — on image
Yes, because it’s so responsible of them, breaking the law and all.
Charlie have you ever sped? If you have, then you should be in jail for breaking the law. I bet you’re so perfect people just can’t stand it. Get over yourself and open your eyes. Anyone can see that prohibition doesn’t work. All of the people that die, get locked away and lose opportunities for the rest of their lives all for consuming a substance that is far less toxic than tobacco, alcohol or pain meds. All which are legal (fact). If it doesn’t work for the people then who is it working for exactly Charlie? Don’t think about it too long you might hurt yourself. If I consume cannabis then by your view I am irresponsible and I’m a criminal. I follow every law on the books except for one, which is more than I can say for some of our reps/leaders, and since I choose to consume cannabis you believe I should be locked up? A questionable law which was “fixed” by guess who? Ignorance is most definitely bliss. I guess it’s not breaking the law when you’re bending it? What’s more irresponsible? Seeing something that is wrong on so many levels and trying to change it. Or, seeing the wrong and letting it continue. Look at the definition of irresponsible vs. responsible.
“Charlie Says:
March 19th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
“Stop arresting responsible pot smokers.” — on image
Yes, because it’s so responsible of them, breaking the law and all.”
Hey Charlie, If you believe in man’s laws we are here to make you a doubter, God’s law’s are the only thing left. And you know what God made the amazeing plant we know as Cannibis, so obviously God wanted us to have it. 100 years ago pot smokers were of any and all professions as they are now adays, only back then the government had not yet instituted it rediculous prohibition. “Prohibiton has made nothing but probelms”~Al Capone~. Have you always done what your athority figures tell you to Charlie? Have you lived your life free from sin Charlie? Are you the perfect human being Charlie? Who gave you the right to judge Charlie? Does God talk directly to you Charlie, and tell you things the he/she hasn’t told the rest of us? The law of man is nothing but a pointless illusion to me Charlie, I live my life as a free human being and I treat people good. Probably better than you treat people Charlie. Are you tired of reading your name yet Charlie. Are you wondering why I singled you out from all theese comments Charlie. Because you were different Charlie. Beacuse you are not helping things Charlie, instead you and every other close mined drone who obeys all laws and always follow orders like good little minions are delaying progress. Do you Have a problem with the single most useful plant on this planet Charlie? Want me to stop saying your name now Charlie? Then stop judgeing other people and pay attention to how you live your life Charlie. You people make me sick, it is zombies like you that make me lose all hope in humanity Charlie! Save the world Charlie open your mind and help others to open theirs. Don’t make me find you and follow you around saying Charlie why are you so close mined, Charlie why must you judge people, Charlie ,Charlie, etc etc etc….Have I called you out enough yet Charlie? If anyone knows Charlie please make sure he sees this, To anyone else you probably see the humar in calling out the one person who was talking shit about pot smokers on the NORML website! I mean really? Come on now
#4 Thats a sad situation anymore i dont blame people for NOT joining our military because in my opinion the U.S sticks their nose where it dont belong sometimes,my opinion
Jed the head is absolutely right. I people, especially the youth, dont startstanding up and doing something about our oppressive government, its only going to get worse.
“Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise.”
From Benito Mussolini
“London Sunday Express,” December 8, 1935
IK ask all of you reading this,especially the youth, what kind of world do you want to live in?
Same question as #10 Would love a part time or even full time job. This stuff is my passion! I live in Kanas city ! Thanks
-matthew
Yo you used the wrong “their” in the Ghandi quote.
But what politicians will stick their neck out on something that may look trivial to them?
In response to charlie:
maryjanesuncle wrote on 03/19/2010 05:20:09 PM:
“ouch, i like the words illegal lifestyle, so a law makes it right. NO bad laws, so when women couldnt vote, per the law, that was ok. But for some reason we changed it. Or the law that said you could sell another person, darn changed that law too.”
Likewise, it’s responsible of you to be critical about something you don’t understand. Do some research, and stop being influenced by prohibitionists. Police are in it for their own self-gratification; they don’t care about your “protection”, if it can even be called that, I mean, what are they protecting you from? They break into your home, confiscate your 2 gram medically/non-medically prescribed medication, and slap you with a hefty fine and jail time, despite any condition you may have. If you’re on a transplant list, they’ll take you off of that too, because you used it to cure your inoperable tumor. If you’re a student, they’ll take away your loans, and make it virtually impossible to get a job, calling you the name “substance abuser” for using 2 grams of a plant that will not kill you, unlike tobacco & liquor, which are “legal.”
Take your arrogant, chauvinistic comments somewhere else, possibly to another individual who will force-feed you the lie. People like you, proud enough to post undermining comments on a NORML article, are the reason why anti-marijuana policies still exist.
Although I feel it’s not right to make laws that incarcerate people for non violent offences, I feel it is a war on god not the young people. for marijuana is a plant that grows on every continent and can never be eradicated. I’m 48 years old and have smoked marijuana since I was 16. I’m in collage and have a GPA last year of 3.35 so why do they tell me if I get caught I will lose my funding. this process will keep people that smoke marijuana unable to defend themselves. there is more to my story but I don’t have time to tell it, but I would like to say that that USC had no problem testing drugs on me from the age of about 7 years old and I have turned out better them my brother and sister who are still taking mental health drugs. this process cost the government and state over $100,000.00 a year.
what can the younger generation do? the same as any age group, don’t vote for the incumbent, don’t vote for anyone who has been a career politician. just look at the shape our government has allowed our nation to deteriorate into, and on the next election cycle the incumbents will have the best commercials decrying what all the other politicians have allowed and they will keep on doing there best for you. money buys the best commercials, bigger money buys the politicians. you want change, don’t vote for anyone who’s been in office, don’t vote for the career politician. that will make the biggest difference. there is absolutely nothing wrong with our Constitution, it’s just that all the lawyers and politicians have stepped in front of our rights and they charge admission for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. They’ve stolen the wealth of America and now we get trickle down economics. Don’t vote for the incumbent should be our next battle cry, vote for someone who is young and eager to embrace Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of a just and equal government, for We the People. We the People vote for medical marijuana by over 80%, and We the People vote for complete legalization by over 53%, probably more if the complete truth were known. Spread the truth!
my issue is the image…pot spa’s in denver defend themselves saying that medical users(some) don’t want to be known as stoners, but they are…I have to disagree with that…stoners don’t own pot, and they especially don’t own medical pot…
Can we as a community work on seperating Recreational use and Medical Use?
Fox News, who most hate, has a show, red eye, that last night covered this exact thing…that the STEREOTYPE WILL NEVER CHANGE because there are two types of people, those who use medical pot for real medical reasons, and those that use medical pot to get stoned.
personally, I see a big fight ahead…and its not between those that are pro pot and anti-pot…this will be those that use it for real ailments…against those that use it ONLY to get stoned…
why did you delete my comment on a TV show that spoke of the stereotype that will never change because of the two types of smokers…it was on fox news too…
#4:
Implying that simply by breaking the law, one is being irresponsible or bad or whatever negative word you want to correlate with it… is stupid.
Here’s why: You’re giving the government the benefit of the doubt and essentially giving them the green light to do whatever they want since they determine what is legal and what is illegal.
A person such as yourself, in 1930s Germany, would have reported the family that took Anne Frank in for breaking the law, yes? After all, the law is the law.
@Chrissie the ones we send pressure to and educate. It is The People that should be telling the Government What is Good for US not the Government telling US what is good for US. We Must come together to form our voice that can not be ignored.
We’re All in this Together:
http://www.yoism.org/?q=node/128
Tobackgo “industry” profits, and their reinvestment as lobbying, campaign contributions and– most massively– as “$igarette taxes” which get the government taxing body beholden to the industry, are the no. 1 reason why cannabis remains illegal.
Jed The head #9: Can relate to your comment as I’ve been active off and on for 38 years. It’s difficult to stay on track with so many set backs and false promises coming from law makers.
When I was young I was certain that the world would be a better place by the time age 50 came rolling around concerning marijuana prohibition. Guess what, it didn’t happen! In my opinion young people will try to do the right thing but the pleasures of life will take front stage for them and the end the war on drugs will take a back seat as long as they can get the drug now.
Yes, I’m tired of seeing my US dollars diminish. I’m tired of having to risk limb for education because I’m young and the Gov. spends more money than I’ll see in my life span on inane projects such as the war on drugs.It’s completely asinine. Get your shit together Obama and give our nation some progress.
Students, if you have friends or family who are against cannabis because they still believe the lies and propaganda spread by the government, help educate them.
Send a link to them, have them watch some Cannabis TV at CannabisTV.org and after watching an episode or two they should at least be rethinking their stance on the issue.
CannabisTV.org
#5 Lea you are a great lady thanks.# 17 we need a Norml chapter here in Idaho. There are no winners in any war, only those who weep in the night longing to hear the laughter of friends or family gone forever.Or those with minds tormented by demons of guilt and hate.Peace.
How many people here agree that if marijuana is finally legalized for medical AND recreational use, after all these years of persecution, marginalization, and incarceration by the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies by direction of the corresponding government leadership, there should be no taxation?
Why should the government benefit free and clear off an agricultural product they have banned for more than 70 years and after all the many lives they have destroyed with their draconian laws?
Cannabis should be tax-free for the next 70 years as a payback. The government is too eager to view cannabis as a panacea for the economic woes of our country. We should force them to bring our jobs back from overseas before they see one dime of revenue.
The only way to stop this gang bang is to let people know how much it cost. the truth is the only reason it illegal is pot smokers don’t make good slaves. Also in a world of gang bangers like the cops and their rivals we everyone can benefit from the use of pot. It settles the mind and gives one peace for a moment. This is the biggest benefit that stops pain. Most pain is 80% mental and 20% physical so even if you get pain meds you can still have pain. All I do is pot and I deal with the other 20% with very little problem.
We have to end prohibition. We have to bring peace to all of our brothers and sisters, young and old. We have to do this NOW.
Come on, people! Look at the way this article is written. Yes, there is a point – People need to get involved – but to say “THEY” are waging a war on the youth? Isn’t that a little over incidiary and… well stupid!
“They” have nothing to gain by locking “Us” up. Those of us who choose to break the law pay consequences. Most pot smokers are young, in my experience. There is a great deal of ignorance and maybe even hatred on BOTH sides.
Do you really, honestly, think the first black president in the hisotry of these united states will legalize weed? That would be his legacy! On top of that, a slap in the face of every black man or woman who doesn’t wish to be identified as “Ghetto” or gangsters.
The “youth” will grow up. I remember a large group of pot smoking youth back in the 60s… are they … “THEY” now? To say they’re trying to attack us is just not true, and it causes furhter polarization of an already taboo subject.
Given time, Maraijuana reform WILL happen, because there are people like “us” working towards it. It’s good to encourage. But spouting ignorant propiganda is not the way we will do it. That is the path of the losing side – not ours.
Cannabis is tax free, simply grow your own.
I am 60 years old responsible adult and have used cannabis for over 40 years on a regular basis. For me, from an early age, alcohol was not an option. Vietnam introduced me to cannabis and I am a better person for it. Grow your own is my mantra. It is the ultimate protest. This is a weed that grows any where. In my life I have learned that if I wait for others to care for my needs and wants I will always be a nickle short.
Fellow stasher Missippi Hippy suggested an inexpensive way of showing our support of cannabis law reform. Buy some postcards, politely tell your representatives your views, send them out around April 17. Mine are ready to go to Governor Culver, Senators Grassley and Harkin, Congressman Latham, and President Obama.
all I know, is first we have to get the cow..before we can make the cream..First get it legalized, then work out who gets what
Thank you #32 William, it’s not often that I hear that.
Good point becca, really good point.
To Zoltan.. did you realize that by saying you want to sperating recreational use from medical use, thats segregation, and i thought as a nation that we were a little more mature about this, its like calling someone that drinks alcohol an alcoholic, lets chose our words more wisely next time please. Kids are the stoners yes but there are alot more people that actually do take it for medical purposes and not just recreational like you think, in your world things might be perfet but in the real world more then half of the people that have medical cards actually have a medical condition, and yes there are some people that really dont need that, theres always going to be somebody who is like that and your just going to have to get over it and dwell on it… and as far as image being your concern,, image should be your last concern, i dont understand why everybody is so worried about what everybody else thinks about the situation, who cares just worry about what you think about it
It’s nice to finally find that someone, in this case NORML is pointing out that prohibition is not a war on drugs but a war on students. Actually, it’s a war on all the American people, as I have said for years, and this is the primary reason why it must end.
I disagree, however with the suggestion that we should tax marijuana. I have seen the US marijuana market valued as high as $130 billion per year. Why give the white collar thieves on Wall Street another $130 billion dollars for their bonus fund while the consumers continue to pay black market prices. I have a better idea. Anyone who has a legal right to buy and use deadly tobacco and alcohol should have the same right to grow and use marijuana without fear of prosecution or persecution by anyone, so long as they behave and accept responsibility for themselves (and they are already doing that). This would only hurt those who are profiting from prohibition. The consumers would have $130 billion in their pockets to spend on goods and services on the open market and the black market would be closed for ever. Then we can encourage our farmers to grow all the hemp they can. It sits in the field all summer sucking CO2 out of the air and producing more oxygen than any other plant of comparable size. At the end of the season, we can make ethanol from the leaves and use the stalks to create a whole new fiber industry thus creating millions of new jobs. Then we could resume feeding corn to our cattle to produce beef that poor people can afford again. When the research scientists can legally possess hemp I suspect we will find many more uses for this amazing plant. Imagine what would happen to the crime rate all over the world if funding for the bad guys suddenly dried up.
It’s not about people being high: it’s about people being free. No nation is free so long as its government wages war on its citizens.
I’m happy to see the outreach to college students is a priority of NORML. This plants the seeds necessary to continue the fight against a government playing daddy over its people. I think this helps, but the only way we will some day see a legalization of marijuana is if we can contest its prohibitions constitutionality. The supreme court would have to make that call. The process through congress and the senate could take so long that it will never pass in my generation or at all. I’ve served my country, and been to war, but I still can’t eat some marijuana brownies with a big glass of milk while watching TV in my own home that I paid for with out being a criminal.
37.denbee Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 6:54 am
Cannabis is tax free, simply grow your own.
Yes it is. but those who argue against legalization act as thought we cant get or grow cannabis now because of the prohibition law. This law stops no one. It just makes those on both sides of the law rich and powerful and everyone else suffers as law slaves, even if you dont comsume cannabis or hard drugs.
I have been saying for a very very long time we as a people are stupid, we are ‘lawing ‘ our selves right out of freedom , right out of the lives we so want to protect. Everytime something bad happens…”OH ! gotta make a law!”
WRONG! How about reviving common sense ,truth ,honesty,a sense of humanity and being a bit hummble. All the things that made this nation great .
“Yes, because it’s so responsible of them, breaking the law and all.”
The law is unjust.
Being a student myself I never viewed the marijuana reform in this way before. I never saw that there were so many organizations that I can get involved in to helf the legalization and now after reading this article plan on doing that much more for the end of this useless prohibition.
I am a graduating college student residing in Illinois. Anyone else that is serious about ending prohibition should band with me to expand our cause starting this summer. Just respond in this post or look for me in future posts. I have been a norml and mpp fan/supporter for many years.
As a believer in the damages to society, families, and the individual by the natzi communist style war waged on the American people, it is our responsibility to defend our land and our rights.
One large step everyone can make is to work to dismiss all Marijuana/ Cannabis related cases if you are ever on a jury. Use your knowledge of truth to set your sisters and brothers free by informing and debating with other jurors.
Register to vote and make sure our candidates hear our demands. Don’t ask them what they will do if we elect them to office. Tell them what they will do if we elect them to office. Tell them the demands of the American people.
We need to be prepared to fight for our country especially against those who hide behind our flag. America needs the support of our men and women in the military to recognize how our government has betrayed us and wages festered wars of oppression across the globe.
America is better than this and we are the reason that terrorism and drug cartels became empowered. We are the reason for instability in areas of the world like Africa. We destabilize other countries in the worst of causes…. Money, Greed, Power.
Is this all that Mankind amounts to? Are we not smarter that the dumbest of our species that we allow their primitive control over us.
We have been stuck in the dark ages far too long. Since the industrial revolutions peak and the incorporation of the Federal Reserve, and prohibitions of hemp/ cannabis we have delayed our progression in every aspect of life here on Earth and reaching as far as the depths of space.
Today, all the ‘green’ technology we seek was already on track to occur at an earlier time in human history. Had hemp not been made illegal, William Henry Ford would have inspired other pioneers in the bio based industry along with important anti-prohibitionist like the then current Sherwin Williams paint company who already had plant based paints. Every paint manufactured by Sherwin Williams at that time was Hemp based. Imagine where we could be had hemp never been made illegal and this War on Drugs started.
Petro-chem companies really ‘Effed’ us. We drive, eat and drink, wear, and ingest byproducts of petro chemicals many time a day in everyday life… And we wonder why we have so much cancer. We have become cancer and a virus to our planet and our species.
We need real change, forceful change.
And they call this LAND OF THE FREE. I Disagree
I’ll talk to anyone young and old who will listen. I’ll talk and talk until I can tell they get it or they just can’t handle anymore information. I’ve talked to my grandfather, dad, mom, pastor, brother and sister in law, neighbor, coworkers, etc. You have to plant this seed in someone. When it comes time to vote, or they are around a marijuana related conversation, they will remember what you said. I tell people it is the most important issue in the country today and for the next 10 years.
#36 patrick
you are an idiot they have plenty to gain by arresting cannabis users
they gain money
they gain jobs
they gain POWER
WHAT ELSE DOES YOUR AVERAGE IDIOT COP WANT IN THIS WORLD
Norml/Editor/Armentano
What happened with CT raised bill 476 did it finally pass or do I got to hide in my underground tunnel and smoke buds still? Also, how do you impeach a governor RELL SHOULD BE OUT SHES CRAZY
[Paul Armentano responds: S.B. 476 is before the Joint Judiciary Committee.]
I also need a job, and I want out of CT any jobs norml has going in cali ill gladly move on call : )………..(ps im serious haha jk no really im serious)
Remember the Buffalo Springfield’s 60’s hit: For What it’s Worth? We have been in a time warp for 50 years! I still hear the words and feel the message but my 16 year old daughter wonders what planet I’m from. I have been a companion of cannabis for over 40 years, having been introduced to MJ while touring Vietnam. I have learned to be descrete, careful, untrusting and stealthy. They have become habits to such a degree that I think I actually enjoy the secret life I lead. I have been blown away with the positive movement towards acceptance of marijuana these last few years…I never envisioned it possible. To the recreational users: Just as the public use and abuse of alcohol is disgusting to many people, I believe the public use and abuse of cannabis is disgusting to many people also and harms our effort to gain acceptance. Please celebrate responsibly, like your mother is watching!
I wish there was more of a movement going here in Utah… Just recently my wife and I (21 & 24) were arrested by Cedar City police for plastic pots filled with potting soil (no plants, no seeds, no nothing), a pipe, and a half gram of cannabis, and am currently facing three felony charges. The DA is pushing for 5-15 years in a Utah Prison, and if I EVERY get custody of my little girl (13 mo) again it’ll be nothing short of a miracle. My wife and I have lost our jobs, our home, our (and our daughters) insurance, and she was unable to start schooling this past semester… even though she passed her drug tests. And we only barely made the $10,000 bail (via bond) for each of us. Oh, and to make things better, they got the search warrant for a credit fraud that apparently our IP was tied to (when our internet service was down). I was an advocate of cannabis reform before, now I’d give everything to ensure my daughter doesn’t have to live in a world with these same injustices.
wut we do in our free time behind closed doors in nobody elses buisness. only the people blaming it up next you to.
“if marajuana isnt legalized in the next 5 years i will have lost all hope in humanity”
i am also from ct and jodi rell and cancer patient her self vetoed the medical cannabis thing awhile ago
i hope she dies
ct is the dumbest state that is ruled by the rich insurance companies after all we are the insurance capitol if the country if not the world
anti USA is the way to go
[Paul Armentano responds: Your consistent calls for violence, or in this case, death are hopelessly counterproductive.]
#56 Thats some f**ked up shit right there but ur not the only one i can vouch for anyman or woman we can all pass the first piss test ,an if things r going good with your job atleast as far as u know you are(being on time,good worker,doesn’t have attitude, then why fuk with what we are trying to tell this Gov. Its called Being Responsible People, Get rid of cananobiods on the piss test .#52 Idiot cops wanna take your weed and make browinies an then be stupid enough to call 911 an say (He Thinks He’s Die’n) I thought that shit was funny….lol Peace Norml
Does anyone know how this health care bill will effect pharmaceutical companies. Here`s an example of how big pharma is destroying our health care, our freedom, and our lives. One person I know recently researched how much their prescription drugs cost medicaid(taxdollars). Remember this is just one person out of millions. In just one year medicaid(taxpayers) was charged $21,600,for this persons prescription drugs. And how do we know these people getting these (free) drugs aren`t selling them on the black market. Why aren`t all patients receiving so many drugs tested to make sure they aren`t selling them? These questions aren`t being answered because the greedy people gaining money from it want it kept hush hush. I realize that this may be an extreme example, but to me it raises a major red flag to what does this new health care bill do about these insane costs to taxpayers? This money does not include the doctors fee and other fees, just the cost of the pills. Research and development costs to big companies should not come from tax dollars aimed at helping people in poverty. Right? Legalizing ,(100%) marijuana would make it free to grow your own pain medicine. Which would mean the big pharma would lose billions, which would mean their puppets in Washington would lose billions too. And don`t let the hypocrites of the alcohol industry off the hook either. More people under 21 die from alcohol-related deaths than any other cause. Yet the majority of idiots against legalizing marijuana drink alcohol on a regular bases. Irony? You decide. Follow the money, find the devil.
This is for #4 a.k.a. Charlie………and the rest of us.
Let`s review a few things that are”LEGAL”, shall we?
1. It is legal for an alcoholic pedophile, who has not been caught yet, to drive to the grocery store, with children to purchase his/her drug of choice, alcohol.
2. It is legal to purchase (alcohol) with children present.
3. It is legal to get drunk in the home with children present.
4. It is legal to get drunk at most sporting events with children present.(#1 reason why I hate sports now)
5. It is legal to have alcohol and children in an automobile in most states.
6. It is legal to advertise alcohol on network television with children viewing.
This law is for you Charlie…
7. A recent episode of a “show about law enforcement”,(can`t use name so NORML doesn`t get sued), showed many examples of drunken idiots driving cars. But when they put the beer and vodka bottles on the roof of the car they blocked the label so we couldn`t see which alcohol company contributed to the drunk persons idiocy. Then the same network advertises the same brand of alcohol the next afternoon when they know children are watching. So we`ll call this “Charlies Law”. Where saying anything bad about major alcohol companies on a website or television is against the law (ILLEGAL), by your logic this is bad. Yet advertising alcohol and consuming alcohol around children is legal, which by your logic is good. Because it is “LEGAL”. And cutting down people and imprisoning them simply because growing a plant and smoking it is “ILLEGAL”.
Every day peoples lives are destroyed simply for having a plant. Whether children are involved or not.
Does that mean alcoholics are better people than marijuana smokers simply because their drug of choice is legal? Even though it has been proven that alcohol kills more Americans than all illegal drugs combined? Including all the deaths of cops and drug dealers shooting each other, and the occasional child shot in this idiotic war on marijuana. So in closing to you Charlie, if it was against the “LAW” to be alive if your name is Charlie would you kill yourself, because it is against the “LAW”? Something for all of us to think about.
I remember listening to this speech when I was at the conference, it was awesome! It was also great hearing him mention Stacia, as I know her and it’s cool to hear famous people talk about people you know. But anyways, everything that Paul said is true. I also really like his take on the endocannibinoid system, which he talked about in a more recent post. Paul, you are a hero to drug reformers everywhere, and I thank you!
[Paul Armentano responds: Thank you for the feedback. SSDP’s Stacia Cosner is an excellent example of a young person working toward her own liberation (as well as the liberation of others). She’s an excellent role model for young people who wish to get involved — and stay involved — in drug law reform.]
Thank you for the great article. Recently my friend was a victim of the War on Drugs when police arrested him for the second time in one week. Granted the first time involved underaged drinking, but the second time he was doing no more than smoking a little pot with friends. My friend is 16 and is facing two MIP offences. I feel sorry for him greatly and for the damage this unnecessary charge has caused to his future and to his personal psyche.
It is true that this prohibition puts cops in a different light for people who enjoy smoking some weed to reduce stress or for medical reasons. I feel disdain for the police (excluding when they are actually saving lives or protecting innocent people) and experience anxiety whenever one is near, whether it be on the road or just the liaison officer at my high school. It is even worse if I am high or have illegal items on me.
To whom it may concern,
My name is Sean Crystal and I am writing today to get some legal advice an help in a situation where my rights were violated under the constitution. In end I wound up abiding to avoid injury to myself. I am not currently working so an attorney is not going to be an easy thing for me to obtain. In attempt to use my freedom card the officers refused to hear or read it. The officers also continued to ask questions, and refused to honor my decision of no consent to search my vehicle. The officer would not allow me to close my door as I stepped out of my vehicle, all answers and consent given were under protest and duress. Please NORML this would be a big case for the state of Idaho if you would help me win it. In order to legalize we must stand together, and I need you to stand with me.
Thank you,
Sean Crystal
Webmaster: http://www.hemp4victory.com
420_freedom
#47 Rick Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 am
@#4 Charlie
“Yes, because it’s so responsible of them, breaking the law and all.”
The law is unjust.
@#47 Rick,
Considering the Truth About Cannabis,
the essential-role of ENDOCANNABINOIDS,
the law is EXTREMELY UNJUST!
(Sorry Charlie…) 😈
I think everyone has their own opinions of marijuana, but I also know that if the united states government made it legal TODAY, there would still be some restrictions. & naturally, there would still be people breaking the rules & going to prison. Why? Because there are so many peole today that CANNOT live their life without crime. To them it wouldn’t be natural. But I think that anyone being responsible & holding their own while using marijuana is far from deserving of the title “criminal”. All these B.S. comments such as “Yes, because it’s so responsible of them, breaking the law and all.” are completely uncalled for. I’m more than sure that MOST people AGAINST legalization of marijuana have NEVER smoked it a day in their LIFE. Bottom line, if it was legalized, I can guarantee that the United States government wouldn’t FORCE you non-marijuana users to START using! Alcohol is legal, but when you pass your local liquor store, is there a road block in front of you & a policeman demanding that you buy some? Alcohol is legal & it kills more people everyday!!! I am almost 100% certain that those who are against this legalization have drank themselves under the table, & at one point got out & drove their cars in that condition. There are bars all around the united states, where people drink alcohol & get totally plastered to the point where they start fights with locals which winds up in severe injuries, arrests, and sometimes even death. I’ve never heard of someone becoming severely VIOLENT while smoking marijuana. Cigarettes cause cancer, they give more people lung cancer than anything. People usually only smoke them because of their anxiety because they aren’t legally allowed to purchase marijuana yet. I personally have smoked cigarettes & marijuana. Marijuana is way more helpful than cigarettes or alcohol. Most people who use marijuana smoke it then sit on the couch with a bag of cheetos & laugh til they almost cry at whatever is on their television. So that leads me to my basic question… WHEN DID JOY BECOME A CRIME???
Norml,
I’m a communications senior at UHCL and I’m focusing in videography and journalism. Unfortunately I live in the very closed-minded state of Texas. I am looking to move once I have sufficient funds, but I was just wondering what and where I could help NORML on a professional level. I’m not just looking for a paying job, but a way to facilitate NORML’s movement. Otherwise, I will always urge strangers to see this dilemma from my point of view:
If it is made in some basement lab or shack it’s no good. If it grows naturally in our world, it’s probably okay.
what are they gonna do about indiana has evertyone forgotten about this state and what it is doing to me? im being forced to have to move out of state away from my kids because i dont wanna go to prison? i use for medical reasons, but i been popped so many times im scared to see prison time for my med. use. they wont give me anxiety med.’s or pain meds for my physical and mental problems. denied me ssi saying im a pothead! wtf am i supposed to do?
Paul,I know someone monitors the comments and you may have already heard but the initiative made it onto the ballot in Ca. A historical day in NORML’s history of fighting for change.
I have cirosa of the liver in its final stages.No transplant/no future.Pills and classic meds have a negative affect on my body.The pain pills have a strong chemical effect.A toke now and then helps when I am bored.There is no negative effect.Help,get mad and talk it up
#68 Where about in Texas are you? I’m a journalism student at UNT. I also have been considering moving out of the state, because Texas is so conservative, it wouldn’t surprise me if they fought marijuana reform long after it was legalized.
I also would like to work with NORML. I’ve been having difficulty finding information on the internship mentioned in the article. I wouldn’t mind switching to PR, if that would be more beneficial to the movement.
When I was younger, I regretted not being alive during the 60’s. I thought I had missed out on the chance to cause social change. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that society is constantly changing, and our cause is simply to make sure it goes in a direction we can be proud of. I would be proud to live in a society where people can make their own choices about what to put in their body, without a moralistic government punishing them and all taxpayers for the “crime.”
But seriously, where’s further info on the internships?
[Paul Armentano responds: Internship application information is available on the NORML website: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3428.%5D
This was intoxicatingly brillant!!!! this represents the biggest change in america post civil rights movement. as someone who has an open mind about marijuana and avid supporter but also as someone who has never used i fully under stand the medicinal, economical, and also social benifits of this amazing plant.never before have i see so many convincing and intelligent activists.with time and unending effort this should turn out to be the greatest era in the new mellenium. i would like to personally commend ant thank each and every one of you,ESPCIALLY the founders, workers, and supporters of NORMIL.thank you
and lets start working on those southern states especially louisiana
For social change to take place, one must recognize injustice. Many people do not realize that this is an injustice, simply because they’ve not tried it, or made it part of their lifestyle. THEY DO NOT FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING VIOLATED AGAINST. This is not only an injustice, but a human rights issue.
Jimmy Carter said, “Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use.”
The notion that I am unintelligent, lazy and a blight on society simply because I’ve smoked cannabis is void. My IQ has been measured and confirmed multiple times between the ranges of 140-185, I have a family with two kids and a wonderful wife, and am a teacher in a public high school
So what is it? Why is pot illegal? Because we aren’t mad. We aren’t angry. We can learn much from the teachings of non-violence ie. Ghandi, but we must first gather the fortitude to say, “God Damnit! I’m tired of this shit and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
We receive no change in law simply because of our inability to organize, target and demand. We must organize (Norml), target (Our representatives) and demand change. Our numbers are not small, we are large, in fact. It is simply the crippling paranoia due to the over enforcement of prohibition and the social stigmata of cannabis use.
I live in michigan where the law are harsh on pot smokers . two months ago i got busted for three joints. since then ive paid 2500 dollar in fine and court cost. been condemed by the jugde as being a bad parent. although i raised my kids kept a job and health ins through their childhood i was a hands on father changed dipers feed them burped and rock them to sleep at night .i attened all their sports allways on the side line. the jugde it was sad that i was at pot user .that i was lacking as a father i have 65 hour commity service to do counsuling at 65 dollar per visit.iam slow at work now have a hard time paying all this i dont like drinking but i cant smoke now so iam drinking more .this cant be right
Also, to Charlie,
Wasn’t it illegal to petition the Government/Anglican church of England?
Wasn’t it illegal to assemble under the Government/Anglican Church of England?
These are the very reasons our protestant ancestors created this great nation (Assuming you are of Anglo-Saxton heritage), so that we as a people were free to live our lives. Now, more than ever, it is important to understand the history of our nation.
ya i agree wit this guy im only in 9th grade my friend got exspelled from schoolbecause he had pot on him now he wont be able to get into collages that he wanted to go to just becuz of this ‘war on drugs’.
As I read the article, I expected to read about a plea for all young people to vote. Especially this fall in California where the people could deal a real blow to the cannabis prohibitionists.
I’m a 63 year old living in Michigan and want to see legal cannabis in my life-time. And I’m planning on it.
One of the more reasoned and intelligent arguements for the legalization of cannabis is a post I copied a while ago, tell me what you think…
“Our nation can acknowledge the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana while still permitting their use. The only logically and morally consistent argument for marijuana prohibition necessitates the criminalization of all harmful recreational drugs, including alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. We can agree that such an infringement on personal freedoms is as impractical as it is un-American. The time has come to accept that our nation’s attitude toward marijuana has been misguided for generations and that the only rational approach to cannabis is to legalize, regulate and tax it.”
Dr. Nathan, a psychiatrist in Princeton, N.J., is a clinical assistant professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.