The November election is shaping up to be one of the most important in modern history as it pertains to the struggle to end marijuana prohibition.
Voters in several states will have the opportunity this fall to decide on ballot measures to significantly reform their state or municipal marijuana laws. To date, the following initiatives have been certified to appear on the November ballot:
California: In what is arguably the most significant marijuana law reform measure in several decades, California voters will decide on The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. The measure would allow adults 21 years or older to possess, share or transport up to one ounce of cannabis for personal consumption, and to cultivate the plant in an area of not more than twenty-five square feet per private residence. (Read the full text here.) The act would also permit local governments to authorize the retail sale of marijuana or the commercial cultivation of cannabis to adults and to impose taxes on such sales. Personal marijuana cultivation or not-for-profit sales of marijuana would not be taxed under the measure, nor would it alter or amend any aspect of the California Health and Safety code pertaining to the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
According to the most recent statewide poll on the issue, Californians support the measure 49 percent to 41 percent.
South Dakota: South Dakota voters will decide this November on Measure 13, The South Dakota Safe Access Act — which would exempt state criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana or six plants by authorized patients. (Read the full text here.) If enacted, South Dakota would become the fifteenth state since 1996 to legalize the medical use of marijuana.
Oregon: Voters are anticipated to decide this November on a statewide measure to authorize the creation of non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, which would be legally able to distribute cannabis provided by private growers. (Read the full text here.) Proponents of the measure turned in over 110,000 signatures in favor of the act to the Secretary of State Elections Division in May, and are awaiting certification.
In 2009, Maine voters became the first to approve a ballot measure authorizing medical marijuana dispensaries. Oregon voters initially approved the legalization of medical marijuana in 1998.
Arizona: Election officials on Tuesday affirmed that proponents of a statewide ballot measure to allow for authorized patients to possess and purchase medical cannabis from state-licensed facilities has qualified for the 2010 November ballot. (Read the full text here.) Under the proposed measure, state-registered patients would be permitted to obtain cannabis legally from licensed dispensaries. Authorized patients who do not have a facility in their local area (defined as within 25 miles of their residence) would be permitted under the law to cultivate their own cannabis for medicinal purposes. Other patients would not be allowed to grow their own marijuana.
The ballot measure is sponsored by the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project, an affiliate of the Marijuana Policy Project.
Detroit, Michigan: Detroit citizens are expected vote this November on a municipal measure to prohibit the criminal prosecution of adults who possess minor amounts of marijuana. If enacted, the measure would amend the Detroit City Code to remove criminal penalties for “the use or possession of less then one ounce of marijuana, on private property, by anyone who has attained the age of 21 years.” Voters have previously enacted similar municipal measures in several other cities, including Denver, Colorado.
Washington: Sensible Washington proponents continue to collect signatures in favor of I-1068, which would remove state civil and criminal penalties for persons eighteen years or older who cultivate, possess, transport, sell, or use marijuana. (Read the full text here.) To qualify the act for the November ballot, supporters must turn over 241,000 valid signatures by July 2, 2010.
According to a poll of 1,252 registered voters conducted last week, 52 percent of adults support the measure, and only 35 percent oppose it.
Oregon: Proponents of The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act (OCTA) must turn in over 110,000 signatures by July 2 to qualify the measure for the November 2010 ballot. OCTA seeks to permit the state-licensed production and sale of marijuana to adults. Oregon NORML is sponsoring the campaign, and is seeking volunteers here.
NORML will continue to keep you updated as additional statewide or municipal ballot proposals qualify to the November ballot.
Well damn Iowa’s left out again but i do know they was suppose to move it from schedule 1 to schedule 2 but haven’t heard anymore on it.And as far as voting this Nov. i dont even know who is for it or against it anyone know?
This part still confuses me, so I apologize if it’s been addressed before:
“The measure would allow adults 21 years or older to possess, share or transport up to one ounce of cannabis for personal consumption, and to cultivate the plant in an area of not more than twenty-five square feet per private residence.”
If you’re only allowed one ounce of cannabis, but 25 sq. ft. of grow area, how do those two facts not contradict one another? If you decide to grow as many plants as you can fit into that legalized amount of space, you’re gonna get more than an ounce, right? Are you breaking the law then?
[Paul Armentano responds: No, you would not be breaking the law.].
its about time
What about Rhode Island, aren’t they voting to end cannabis penalties soon?
[Paul Armentano responds: There is legislation pending in RI to decriminalize the personal possession of marijuana. Separate legislation to legalize the commercial production and sale has also been discussed. To support this legislation, please see NORML’s capwiz page here: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/.%5D
What has to happen to get Marijuana legalization on the federal ballot in 2012?
[Paul Armentano responds: The only ‘federal ballot’ is voting for your Congressional representatives and senators. Only individual states allow voter ballot initiatives, and only one-half of states allow this process. Federal law is changed by the passage of federal legislation. Period.]
This is simply amazing news. We have come a long way despite all the state-sanctioned madness and indoctrination.
If Washington, Oregon and California go green in 2010, just imagine what this will do for the rest of the country! Families will not have to deal with paramilitary domestic terrorism, the cartels will lose over half of their funding, and the environment will benefit greatly from the production of Hemp for paper, oil, clothing, and food. And this is just a start!
I also must point out how disappointed I am with the marijuana policy project (www.mpp.org) and where they are taking the fight. They have basically turned their backs on the efforts in Washington and Oregon despite the impressive polling figures. They obviously do not have their priorities in the right place when they are spending money on advertisements in NY when the battle could actually turn in our favor by helping to ensure a victory in Washington, Oregon, AND California. I understand how important they are to this movement and appreciate their activities in Arizona, but look at the ramifications a total west coast victory would have!
Norml, keel up the good work!! Teach the MPP how it’s done.
Please go to http://www.sensiblewashington.org and help end prohibition in Washington State.
I cannot fucking wait for November.
Good god! Potentially the entire West Coast may have legal marijuana come November!
I can only hope that the leaders of Virginia allow us the opportunity to vote for either decriminalization or outright legalization. I’ve written to them offering my reasons about why MJ should be legalized but they have not bothered to respond. Getting caught with even a small amount here could result in several years in prison. This is just crazy! I’m an ex-marine and successful computer programmer. I’m healthy and highly motivated. But, if I choose to smoke a bit of weed to unwind at the end of the day, and get caught by the police, it boggles my mind to think that they’d actually lock me up with real criminals. I’m pretty disgusted with this situation.
I volunteer with Sensible Washington, collecting signatures. If you want to help us get on the ballot, please donate to our effort. We are an all volunteer campaign, and we are always short on funds. We would really appreciate it. If you live in Washington state and aren’t a volunteer yet, go to our web site (see the article) and volunteer, and then get out there and get signatures. Thanks a lot.
I fully expect that after California legalizes it will be like a landslide and within 6 years most of the US, including much of the south, will have legal marijuana.
This is very different than medical marijuana, which is slow moving: full legalization provides incentives for major corporations to grow marijuana and sell it commercially. As a result, they will support initiatives in other states, they will lobby for federal legalization, and so on.
Arguably the best thing promoting the spread will be the growing black market in states which border marijuana states. They will be given no option except to legalize it, less their incarceration rates increase vastly.
Six years. I said seven years early last year and everyone called me crazy, now most people I talk to on the issue agree in full. Six years.
great news< come on new york!!!!! please !!!!
Hopefully , Massachusetts will be up there before the November ballot. I’d love for a chance of legalization or at least something more then decriminalization in mass.
It pretty ridiculous that instead of grabbing this oppurtunity for a renewable rescource, the gov’t decideds to lock these harmless people up and demand money from the taxpayers in order to keep them there, wow america is really one of the most contradictory countries out there, first pot is bad, then we need it and its good, then were ok and some president gets a personal agenda against it and its bad again. they say that marijuana leads to crime but because the nation puts such prohibitions on that in order to obtain it an individual has to go through a criminal in order to get it, they ban a harmless plant but give up gov’t subsidaries for one that is grown with radioactive fertilizer (tobacco for you) and is resposible for countless deaths. But while your smokin your cigarettes your paying a ton of taxes on the gov’ts cool with that because the sooner you get sick or die (which both are very expensive to do) the sooner you have to pay taxes on it and thats what i think this prohibition is all about, Profiting off known faults, its easier to prohibit marijuana because too many church goers liked their glass of wine to much and people read books and think on this marijuana’s and these church goers didn’t mind labeling a race with reefer madness another excuse to keep our innocent daughters away from them darn foreigners. The Point being that america needs to grow up and say we were wrong and be okay with that because that is what so great about the american constitution, the founding fathers new the simplest thing about humans, we mess up, thats why they designed the constitution to be amended and its about time that happened,
Sincerely, Dvine
ok so if and when cali legalizes marijuana , i hope many people move there for work opportunities and the economy booooooms. like a gold rush , u know . then following all the other states along with the rest of america will put marijuana on the market and have it legalized and manufactured ! im movin to cali after november , if the economy is liveable
Let’s push for this to happen. However, we can’t stop there. I live in Illinois and I still have yet to see anything being done for our state. So far there’s 14 states in our nation that have turned it into a medicinal practice. That is still not a majority. Hopefully, after the November polls are out and we begin to see Pot as a legal drug other states will turn to the same practice. I’m tired of being humiliated and forced to sneak around like a criminal just to smoke some weed. I’ve been doing it for 8 years on a daily basis. Luckily because I’m such a good worker I have never been drug tested and I’m a mechanical engineer. Oh yeah and I also attend school and own a house and support my family. When will it be alright for me to come home and smoke a joint in my backyard as I’m having a barbecue without the fear of a nosy neighbor seeing me and reporting me to the police. I don’t have any kind of criminal record and am involved in the community. The beaurocrats in Washington should start thinking about what the people have wanted for over 70 years and turn that silly law into a well organized, regulated, and profitable business venture. Free America from this oppresion and make it the country that our forefathers have fought so hard and long for it to be.
What about NY???
all the more reason to dig deep into ur pockets to donate to NORML, none of this would have been possible if it wasnt for these wonderful ppl
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET YOUR ASSES OVER TO THE UK AND EUROPE, we are getting our asses kicked here, we need NORML and LEAP asap
@Don_M – have you joined Virginia NORML? They’re just getting organized, and your support would mean a lot. We can do more together than we can do alone.
Their web site is http://www.virginianorml.org/
P. S. This goes for everyone. If you want action, you have to take action. Join, donate, or volunteer for you local NORML chapter or whatever pro-reform organization is active where you are – and if there isn’t one, start one!
THANKS FOR TALKING ABOUT THE OREGON CANNABIS TAX ACT! Sorry for the caps, but please support OCTA!! Oregon needs it!!
I have a question-
If the act in California passes, will they still be able to issue drug testing for state employees? I’ve heard conflicting arguments, but am interested if EMS workers will have to submit to urine tests, where the presence of THC lasts until LONG after the effects of marijuana have worn off.
I can understand the need for sobriety on the job site, but what these workers use in their off time is their own business. As long as they are not hurting another person and can perform the duties required by the job, it should not matter if they use marijuana in their off time.
I am a known Cannabis consumer out here in Cali. and i have never hidden that fact . I stated on TV during my Political election that i smoked Pot and from which dispensary i purchased my Cannabis at . After all the votes were counted i went down in defeat . Here’s the kicker –
During the election i went into the registry of voters where the votes were being tallied and found not one person counting the votes was under 65 yrs. of age . I have nothing against anyone over 65 or even 100 but i felt that these folks just didn’t want me elected because of my admitted marijuana use so they truly didn’t credit me my votes . They cheated me votes . I’ll believe this forever and likewise come November if Cali. loses the Tax & regulate Cannabis Act i believe it will be the same similar situation .
PS – For those of you that are laughing over this statement then show me proof that when all votes that come in are actually credited toward that person(s) . Show me for a fact with proof that i am wrong about this and I’ll buy you a car .
Escanaba and Marquette Michigan (Upper MI) are gathering signatures for a LLEP initiative. I’m the director of the coalition for a safer Escanaba, we have lots of petitions out and planning a drive in a few weeks. hope to turn in sig’s by late july.
As an attorney in VA, I agree that marijuana possession is prosecuted vigorously in many areas. However, in my experience, a first offender with no indicia of distribution, a clean record and small amount of marijuana does not go to jail. First offenders routinely have the charge dismissed after complying with probation and community service requirements, and staying off illegal drugs. Maximum penalty for a first offense (mere possession) of marijuana is up to 30 days in jail, fine and loss of license for a year. A restricted license is possible.
A follow up to Don M’s comment: a Republican representative (and pharmacist) proposed legalization last year. I saw no support for his bill from any pro-legalization organization. Perhaps I missed it. However, I can suggest researching and contacting him. I forgot the name but believe he is a representative from Gloucester.
[Paul Armentano responds: The specific bill you are speaking of, as introduced, would have had no tangible effect on the law. NORML did vigorously lobby in favor of the separate decriminalization bill that was introduced and heard in Virginia in 2010.]
Sorry, but a correction: a license suspension for marijuauna is 6 months in VA. A DUI suspension is for one year.
I want to live in a land where a man can plant and grow a giant field of 20′ tall sativas as far as the eye can see.
I know where Im goin next summer… Legalize it! This is democracy in action, despite all of the powers that be who have failed to support the will of the people!
For those of you that live in states that have a Cannabis-related initiative on the ballot this November, GET OUT AND VOTE! ALSO, ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME!
I go to college in VA and the marijuana laws are archaic and barbaric, yet u take a 10 min ride down the highway into NC and its only a ticket (it stays on your record unless you get “drug abuse treatment”, but still). I’m tired of this BS, lets end this nonsense NOW! Binge drinking is rampant on our “dry” campus, in dorms and apartments, and getting busted usually ends in a warning. But you get caught with a fraction of a part of a marijuana stem you get booted out and loose your financial aid. IF MARIJUANA IS SAFER WHY ARE THEY DRIVING US TO DRINK!?!?
Any tips on how to persuade my school officials to relax the “reefer madness”?
#15 I just might be one of those people, its either there or Colorado since Iowa wants to dick around longer,but Colorado is much closer than Cali wouldnt mind going to the Oaksterdamn School though
the feds have the power to say “no you can’t” cali legal or not.
fed illegal trumps state legal
ponder that please
ohio is up for midi mari this november too
[Paul Armentano responds: Incorrect. There is a medical marijuana proposal in the Ohio legislature. There is no ballot initiative.]
Anyone know whats going on in North Carolina Law?
whats up DETROIT!!!
I wish we could get more activism here in Connecticut– we are the only state in New England that hasn’t done either decrim OR medical.
Too bad about Danbury norml blowing it for the rest of us. Good going guys!
#33 – New York, if I recall, was the first to push back against alcohol prohibition and while there was some conflict, State’s Rights trumped federal law in this regards. Especially significant since this was a direction conflict with the Constitutional amendment outlawing alcohol versus the current laws which are not under that umbrella. Eventually more states followed and eventually the nullification of that amendment. It can happen again in a similar fashion in this case.
It is “these United States” not “this United State” of America. The will of the people is supposed to be the major deciding point of nation policy within reason. One way to demonstrate this is will is via individual States forming law in contradiction to Federal law.
The Feds have yet to commit publicly to any plans of action against the state should the imitative pass. If they felt compelled to do so, they would have done it already. Violating the premises of State’s Rights set off a civil war once in this country. Perhaps they will ponder that in their response on how to handle this issue.
The Feds could easily throw a wrench into the mix near the last minute still by declaring sanctions, etc. Just not sure what they would actually gain from that. Outrage over that would actually draw more voters out than it would generate in No votes to avoid such threats or actions.
It is not illegal to state “I disagree.” If enough people do this, especially a majority or eventual majority, things change.
I’m looking forward to the initiative passing as it has ramifications internationally not just those living in California.
mtlasagna: Without the states enforcing the laws the fed will have to give up their fight. When NY stopped enforcing alcohol prohibition that was the begining of the end. It will still be a struggle after it passes but one step at a time i guess.
#33 Medical Marijuana is illegal in federal eyes, yet 14 states have made it legal. Feds realize they have lost foothold and are not doing anything major to reverse it. If they were so concerned with it being illegal, they would have taken much more decisive action than just the occasional raid. Ponder that.
If the stats suggested by the polling are true, then this is promising. However, it is still a thin margin and will require the same distribution of people polled to actually GO OUT AND VOTE!
One aspect of polling practices that might have actually skewed the statistics making them less favorable than they actually might be, is the fact that most polling is done over the phone. Many young people, while largely in favor of legalization are also lacking telephone land-lines. That whole segment of mobile-only individuals creates a significant gap in the sample population for the polls.
The California ballot is “arguably the most significant marijuana law reform measure in several decades”?
Try “UNarguably the most significant marijuana law reform measure in several decades”
[Editor’s note: Why be an ignoramus? Of course, if the 1 in 8 Americans who live in CA vote to end the criminal prohibition of cannabis it is self-evidently the most significant marijuana law reform since the advent of prohibition over 72-years ago.]
the City of New Brunswick, NJ currently has a Ballot Initiative Campaign seeking to make possession of marijuana the lowest police priority.
NJ is still fighting to get its medical regulations in place too, the new republican government has been slow to move on the legislation which was passed by former democratic govenor Corzine, the last bit of legislation he signed before leaving office, I believe.
paul,
by law the feds can tell cali to take a cannabis hike legal or schmeegal.
comment?
[Editor’s comment: The 9th and 10th Amendment, along with the language of the Controlled Substances Act, provides STATES the authority to control drugs. Unfortunately, the states have chosen to yield to the federal government. Even under UN anti-drug treaties states, provinces and cantons can have pro-reform laws on the books without necessarily being in violation of international treaties.]
Don’t be so sure of this attitude that all other States will follow California in it’s new law reform for marijuana.
whoa, dont forget about Arizona!!!!!!!!!!! medical marijuana just got put on the ballot. check with AZMPP. please let people know about this! it is crucial in this state, so close to the border. please let it be known.
in the meantime
where do you stand on cannabis?
where do you stand ?
I am so encouraged. I’ve been living in fear for 30 years, trying to stay under the radar. I don’t like disobeying the law, but when laws as stupid as the ones banning pot exist, I have felt justified in going underground. I’ve seen so much.
I have worked around alchohol most of those years as a musician and at golf courses, and I’ve seen a lot of behavior with people drinking that I have never seen in my little circle of friends who smoke pot. I’ve seen people drinking Jack Daniel’s turn from nice people into raving lunatics, yet when they sober up, they can go back to thier jobs and live a “normal life”. Sure, if they happen to get a DUI, they may get into some trouble, but nothing like having a SWAT team coming to thier house, or having to fear a drug test that could cost them thier job.
Pot smokers have lived in the land of the free under repressive laws that are similar to the fear that Jews must have felt living in NAZI Germany, or as an escaped slave in the South, or the infamous “thought police” in Eastern Europe under the Soviets. I realize that pot smokers haven’t been put to death for thier so called crimes, but the fear of facing discovery and ruin are the same.
It was ironic over the last weekend. We honor the sacifices of people who died for our freedoms, but the bell of liberty rings pretty hollow when we realize that we’ve spent a trillion dollars on the War on Drugs, against our own citizens in the name of one of the biggest lies and misinformation campaigns ever created.
I stand here with all of you, and share in your hopes that the cracks in the walls of repression are getting larger. I am as hopeful as all of you that these dark days will pass, and we can stand proudly soon as truely free people, and can choose to use pot as the medicine to the mind and body that we all know it truely is.
Keep the faith!
PONDER THIS COMMENT PLEASE!!!
PLEASE GET ON THE HORN EVERYONE!!!!
DUE TO THE REALITY OF ALL THE LOST REVENUES AND INCOMES THAT ARE PRELAVENT TO ALL SOUTHEASTERN STATES, FROM LOST REVENUES FROM FISHING AND TOURISM ALONE, NOT TO MENTION MANY OTHER LOST REVENUES DUE TO THE GULF OIL SPILL…!!!
JUST THINK OF HOW FAST MANY OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS OIL SPILL CATASTROPHY!!!
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT ON ENDING MARIJUANA PROHIBITION!!!
FORGET THE COSTLY, TIME CONSUMING LEGISLATION BECAUSE TIME IS RUNNING OUT QUICKLY!!!
THE STATES AND GOVERNMENT, AND MAINLY MILLIONS OF HARD WORKING AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SEEING THEIR FINANCES, LIVELYHOODS, ETC. IS HEADED ON A FUNNEL RIDE DOWN THE TUBES AS WE SPEAK!!!
PART OF THE SOLUTION HERE IS TO END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IMMEDIATELY!!! DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER MINUITE, THE ECONOMY OF THE WHOLE NATION MAY VERY WELL BE AT STAKE HERE!!! END MARIJUANA PROBITION AND GET THOSE SEEDS INTO THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY. JUST THINK OF HOW MUCH REVENUE COULD BE RESCUED BY HAVING ALL THE FARMERS PRODUCING QUALITY GRADE MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL BUDS WOULD IMMEDIATLY REPLENTISH LOST REVENUES FROM LOST FISHING AND TOURISM!!!
IF SOMEONE DOESN’T ACT ON THIS IN A HURRY, THEN THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL MAY BE NEVER ENDING IF THEY WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEARS GROWING SEASON!!!
THESE POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT ENDING MARIJUANA PROBITION IMMEDIATELY, MAY VERY WELL BE THE ANSWER IN THE NEAR TERM, THAT WILL KEEP THE PEOPLE OF OUR NATION AND THE FUTURES OF OUR CHILDREN FROM LIVING IN A NATION OF POVERTY, HIGH INFLATION, LOST WAGES, ETC.
ENOUGH OF THE LEGISLATION, WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THAT NOW!!!
THE COUNTRY WAS ALREADY IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNWARD SPIRAL BEFORE THE GULF OIL SPILL BECAME A FACT.
HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT?
THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE LARGER THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO GET, TIME IS OF ESSENCE!!!!!
DO THE RIGHT THING AND END MARIJUANA PROBITION TODAY!!!
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!!
LOOKS TO ME THAT THIS NATION NEEDS THE HELP, WE’RE IN DIRE STRAIGHTS NOW, AS WE SPEAK.
EVERYONE CAN HELP IF WE CAN GET THESE MONEY MONGERING, GREEDY POLITICIANS, RICH PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENTS FROM ABUSING THE RIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SO THE RICH CELEBRITIES, GREEDY GOVERNMENT AND GREEDY POLITICIANS ARE PLANNING ON MAKING 3RD DEGREE MODERN DAY SLAVES OF EVERYONE.
IF ANYONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT HERE, THEN PLEASE GET ON THIS BANDWAGON AND SPREAD THE WORD TODAY WITHOUT FURTHER ADOO!!!
DO YOU HEAR ME???
[Editor’s note: Please don’t post ALL CAP comments…as they’ll be deleted in the future.]
It’s mind boggling to me how many signatures the State of Washington (population 6.6 million) requires to approve a ballot initiative. The number is about 1/2 that required by the State of California (population 37 million). I find it doubtful that I-1068 is viable even if they do get it to the polls. ‘What about the cheeeel-drens goes a long way to convincing many people to vote against, and I-1068 is just wide open for that manner of propaganda. Yeah, it’s a stupid, irrational argument but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.
Also, I thought Oregon was going to have a regulate and tax Initiative this year. I definitely recall reading the synopsis and thought it great that there would be 3 different ones to vote on, one with a lot of regulation and tax in CA, Washington States which is basically unrestricted, and Oregon falling somewhere in the middle. It would go a long to showing who’s right on what we can reasonably expect from voters.
I wish CT would get in on this.. the laws here are ridiculous (felony for 2nd offense of ANY amount) and it seems there is little effort in this area to change that 🙁
But I shouldn’t complain I guess, these other states that have come this far are just the starting point. If the west goes legal, the rest should follow.. though slowly most likely.
“If you’re only allowed one ounce of cannabis, but 25 sq. ft. of grow area, how do those two facts not contradict one another? If you decide to grow as many plants as you can fit into that legalized amount of space, you’re gonna get more than an ounce, right? Are you breaking the law then?”
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
You’re supposed to share the extra…….that way no one has to buy , I got no problem with that..
come on Ohio pick up the passe. People in Ohio aka Ohioans write you representatives asap. i did =)
Why didn’t you people read the initiative proposed in Washinton State, by “Sensible Washington”! I read their initiative points and I was very unhappy to read that the intiative wants meth manufacturers, meth pushers along with any other kind of drug pusher released from all our State jails or prisions! What? What has that got to do with the end of Marijuana prohibition? I think it clouds the waters too much. I think Washington voters may just sniff at this and turn their backs! Other people have tried this kind of thing before in Washington State, they didnt’ pass by a lot!! Why alienate or confuse Washington State voters? It’s one way to prevent the end of prohibition in this state.
While I do not believe that there is a chance in hell of this proposal being passed this November as it is currently written; I do see an opportunity to make a significant progress to undermine the outdated laws regarding marijuana consumption.
Good Luck.
ed @ 46
you say: [Editor’s comment: The 9th and 10th Amendment, along with the language of the Controlled Substances Act, provides STATES the authority to control drugs. Unfortunately, the states have chosen to yield to the federal government. Even under UN anti-drug treaties states, provinces and cantons can have pro-reform laws on the books without necessarily being in violation of international treaties.]
gawd bless lawyer double talk
So you’re saying the states have the authority but they don’t use the authority because they like the fed boondoggles.
some law some justice
maybe you need to re-read your catch-22.
the dea and all the cops have so much to lose. why should they listen to us? we the bleating lost little lambikinz.
[Editor’s note: Let’s be clear. Citizens are in control, not the cops. There is no reason for you to roll over to the government and act like a dog whose belly is being scratched by its owner. What is the problem? Not enough citizens who care about cannabis law reform, or who actually consume cannabis, are presently involved in their own liberation. It is not because the narcs rule, because they don’t. They are only as powerful as citizens who choose to yield to them. There will always be more of us than them. Spare no quarter for ‘narc rule’ and political complacency.
Cannabis freedom is there for those who want it.]
there has been no justice and no compassion thus far. nixon’s vicious act stands.
where is the power to ensure change? on a piece of paper?
what makes you think you’re so special?
geeze at least grow your hair long and get some lobbyists to follow. and dust off your dad’s love beads heh heh
thank you so much for putting AZ up there!!!!!!!
Why is Arizona’s or any effort to make medical marijuana available included as an effort towards legalization? “Medical marijuana” is nothing more than a front to enable the black market distribution of cannabis. It is a prohibition accomodating status. “Medical marijuana” is nothing more than a license to get stoned. Legalization for EVERYONE is the only authentic effort for the reform of marijuana laws.
When and if this stuff is ever legalized, “medical marijuana” will vanish overnight. And legalization hasn’t happened yet. Not only do we have the prohibitionists to worry about, we have the black marketeers who clearly have an interest in protecting “medical marijuana”.
We should prepare ourselves in advance for the failure of these initiatives with a second rank effort already to go if they do fail. If they fail, we need to confront why they failed and make sure we adjust strategies for the next wave of efforts. Resolve never to be satisfied until we get the real thing: No police oversight into the simple personal possession of cannabis.
Where is Illinois…grr…
ed
these are intense extreme times in this country. why so middle of the road in your views?
i too believe in the possibility of progress but let’s get real. at this point in time the cops are in control. control can be subtle as well as overt.
the millions of arrests since the sixties are one obvious not so subtle indicator.
you think hiding fearfully in the closet does minimal psychological harm? the us vs them propagandists for fascism continue to rule.
to say that the people are in control is cheerleading nonsense. jim morrison pointed out in the sixties that “we got the numbers and we’re taking over” (we also indulged in fanciful thinking.)
and that dog belly scratching analogy is absurd and insulting to our cause and to people like me (that’s ok).
after forty years of this war on us all, denying history and acting as if the law matters is irrational and self-defeating.
in these interesting times, like the doo dah man says: keep on truckin.
peace
[Editor’s note: If you want to live a life a servitude to the narcs, that is your problem and struggle. Others, are choosing to throw government shackles off independent of what the narcs say and want. Because, again, there are far more cannabis consumers than there are narcs (or elected officials). The math is fairly simple.]
the media outlets are starving for the next five minutes of buzz and ratings boost.
if you get the chance smoke one on camera or if you’re too chicken, appoint me. lot more feedback than times square.
why not challenge beck or limbaugh or whomsofukeva and wear a flower in your ear?
There are many factions that want to keep marijuana prohibited,some out of fear of the unknown but most because of the money.
A budget of 15 billion dollars a year and employing thousands of federal employees and also happens to be the agency that is charged with keeping marijuana illegal.
A pharmaceutical industry which stands to lose billions of dollars in profits as America reacquaints itself with with mother natures safest,most therapeutically active plants on earth.
The same industries that wanted hemp prohibited in the 30’s want it kept prohibited for the same reasons they did then.
And then we have the spin-off industries that have become rich because of the WoD,drug testing,drug free
organizations that receive funds for spreading propaganda,and industrialized prisons that keep their prisons full of,for the most part,peaceful prisoners
instead of violent criminals.
I don’t believe any of the above could kept hemp prohibited by themselves but when you put them all together,they make a formidable cartel.
And we will beat them.
America does not have a marijuana problem,we can find marijuana in any town in America.
I agree with a few of these comments, and I feel that I should put in my two cents. I want to grow for myself, it’s that simple. I write to my representatives, and I post their responses here on NORML blog. I hate to say it, but it really is sad. Their are too many normally law abiding citizens in correctional facilities nationwide, solely imprisoned for simple possession.
BTW @#50 Dale in WI “. I realize that pot smokers haven’t been put to death for their so called crimes, but the fear of facing discovery and ruin are the same.”
Follow this link for a shocking story posted on NORML’s website last year. It’s about an FSU student that was coerced into becoming a CI in order to facilitate her release on simple possession. Her name was Rachel Hoffman and she was put to death callously for the sake of PROHIBITION.
http://blog.norml.org/2008/07/25/abc-news-tonight-the-tragic-death-of-rachel-hoffman-and-the-tragedy-that-is-pot-prohibition/
If this “War on Ourselves” is abandoned, I believe that restitution should be paid to the families of the victims. Most “heads” understand that prohibition of marijuana is ludicrous and the reasons given for said prohibition are disingenuous. Our own government is rampant with dishonest, decietful, self-serving, hypocritical, bible thumping, duplicitous politicians. Anyone that saw the Allen St. Pierre and Brian Darling debate will agree, the reasons they give are the same as they have been for over 40 years. Science, and medicine have changed their views and opinions on the subject. The AMA is requesting the reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II, meaning there IS medicinal value. The own government’s most significant medical research facility has changed their opinion of marijuana, and I feel that it is time for everyone to learn the truth. If EVERYON that agreed on legalization wrote to their respective representatives, the sheer volume of letters would speak volumes to our “officials”. We need more politicians like Gary E. Johnson (age 57). Watch him on the Colbert Report here-
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309253/may-10-2010/gary-johnson
When will everyone speak up, if we do not show our approval for reform, noone will listen. There is not enough people asking for reform, the ones who are speaking up are being drowned out by the opposition. Speak up, MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD!!!!! If not, you might end up like Rachel, with the Tallahassee police chief saying “I’m calling her a criminal,” Tallahassee police chief Dennis Jones told 20/20, who maintains that both drug dealers and drug users are considered criminals to his department.
The Tallahassee police chief says Rachel was suspected of selling drugs and she was rightly treated as a criminal.
We need to do something soon, or we can all kiss our own asses goodbye.
Lets go New York ! get up now!
WELL I AM PISSED OFF, someone is going around facebook with a group/page saying 8 reasons to OPPOSE this vote in Nov WTF WTF WTF, they arent prohibs either lol, not happy at 25 ft2 grow space, CHRIST id be happy to grow one stinking plant lol, other bits to like something to do with handling and licenses, cant remember what else go look, PUT A STOP TO THESE IDIOTS PLZ
LOL at the Florida politicians. I can’t believe what stupid people we have in our office. They’re so worried about our tourism because of the terrible oil leak right? The solution is right before their eyes but they’re blind to it because of their egotism, puritanism, and old time w.a.s.p draconian outdated ideals. If Florida abruptly legalized marijuana there would be an unbelievable surge of money flowing into the state. People would come from all over the world to visit here and live here, it might actually be a little too inviting, that’s why we need to legalize marijuana on a national level and just see the positive results. Tourism all over America will flourish when the rest of the world knows they can come here and share a joint on the beach or in Yellowstone or at the nations capitals steps……MARIJUANA IS THAT FUCKING IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE…….WAKE UP AMERICA, YOUR ANSWER IS RIGHT THERE!
Change we can believe, in. Let’s do it.
Haha, Yoni at #44 got Editpwn3d!!
Yoni, perhaps you’re young and unaware of all the intricacies of US English. Using the adjective (adverb?) ‘arguably’ is a common staple in literature.
You never hear anyone or read anything that includes the word ‘unarguably.’
Thanks comment #50
It is good to know that there is good people like you out there, it restores my Faith.
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2010/06/04/commentary/op-eds/doc4c09ad4db892b760878921.txt
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/06/03/wood.jamaica.drug.war/
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=937967&category=opinion
What about Maryland? There was talk of something in our state earlier this year but information and follow ups are non existent.
Today I’m writing this to educated some knowledge that the world may already know. The children growing up learning what adult are doing. Look in your past when marijuana wasn’t about smoking about living, supplying, demanding, religion, and concerns. Yeah, I’m one that think men and women should decide to be pro-claim “Revolutionary”, but it take all of American to realize that we must show not only courage on November vote but the children. We decide to make an impact on what everyone else is doing think it terrorist we after but it really our own damn people that making dumb decision on the future. We have the technology, the medical teams: doctors, nurses, etc., government and we also have one thing that everyone have that is money. Money that can be use to good use and it take what Money that marijuna can produce and do good then more situation can be handle differently. Wanna learn more hit me up @ skrewvillez@yahoo.com and let me know what u think.
Has anyone on this board bothered to thank Marc Emery for the bounty we now share? He is stuck in a U.S. jail for 5 years for selling SEEDS!!!. What is really strange is the U.S. government got some of their seeds from Marc’s store to use in their own research ( that is the rumour I heard go a round). The state of Cannabis in your country is due to Marc and the late great Jack Herer. Light one up in both their honour 🙂
Hey don’t forget about Maine! They have 2 proposals in the works that are currently gathering signatures. One to open up the medical marijuana laws to far a far less restrictive, “California-style” system. The other to legalize possession and cultivation for anyone over 19. Will NORML be getting behind these ballot efforts as well?
* SMILE FOE THE CAMERA ?
One thing that will greatly help our cause is to try to keep the camera off the less than desirable folk that tend to show up at these rallies. Unfortunately, these interesting people are like gnats to a flame when they see a news reporter with a camera. The conversation that ensues is frequently very damaging to our cause and only serves to solidify the laws currently in place and bring legitimacy to the oppositions opinions.
Everybody has their right to their 15min; but we must take into consideration how the public eye is perceiving the cause and those that are promoting it.
*We are only as stong as our last screw up !
I’m a Texan and support ending prohibition on Pot 100%.Not just in California the whole USA ,Canada ,and Mexico. As a Texan how do we get the message here. The crusade is on we need to do our part. Legalization is as strong as I’ve ever seen and its getting stronger and for what its worth Texas needs to get on board with this. We need your help and support.
Note for mlsasagna: (post #59 for example)
I think most of us that participate in the NORML organization and forums are serious about wanting to change the marijuana laws. Your comments and grammar are bad enough to leave me thinking that maybe you’re a troll lookiing to stir up trouble and sabotage our efforts. It would be better for our cause if you try keeping it a bit more real. Have you been drinking too much alcohol? That might explain your attitude…
Note for True American: (post #76)
My thoughts exactly!!! Too many people out there think that just because someone chooses to smoke pot that they must fit the old stereotype (stupid, lazy, useless…). Well, some pot smokers do fit that mold, but it’s not pot that made them that way. They definately hurt the NORML cause more than help it.
The vast majority of the people I’ve known that smoke pot are very intelligent, hard-working, motivated, and caring people. Most of them are afraid to admit it however out of fear! Fear of persecution by the law enforcement, fear of losing their jobs, fear of losing educational benefits, fear of having their children taken away, and on and on… I must point out however, that in my case, I am a professional educated adult, and so they are the kinds of people I tend to be around which could skew my perspective. Nevertheless, it’s very important for everyone to know that some people, both good and bad, choose to smoke pot. Some choose to smoke tobacco, some choose to drink alcohol, some choose to become politicians or police officers…
Note for meyer (Post #77)
One thing you can do for Texas specifically is to join the Texas NORML organization and help out in whatever way you can! Here is the link:
http://texasnorml.org/
I’m joining up with the Virginal NORML org since I, like you, truly want to try to change things for the better!
It’s not easy though! It can be worse for a closet pot smoker to come out than it is for a gay person. The gay person doesn’t have to fear that the blue meanies might bust their door down in the middle of the night to see if they have any illegal materials…
@ #78 don,
yes please, let’s get real.
if there is some statement of mine that you think is false or wrongheaded, now would be the time to elucidate.
i am 100 per cent for legalizing marijuana yesterday, today or tomorrow. thus far our movement has been very disappointing to me. what we need to do is: “stir it up”.
as for the troll silliness, takes one to know one. o derrrr
or we can call the
wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm
bulance
Is this going to be for the whole state of MI or just Detroit ?
Reply to #81:
Please imagine that your posts are being read by people who are for prohibition. I imagine they would see your posts as an example that marijuana must be bad for you! It appears that this person never got beyond the 3rd grade and has a really bad attitude toward all authority.
I don’t know you, but I just want you to understand that it is much more helpful to write intelligent, well thought out statements, that use at least the basics of proper spelling and grammar.
If you show up at a rally representing the people that would like to change the laws, it would not be helpful to show up looking like a hippie and talking in half sentences that make little sense… I don’t mean to insult so much as to help the cause! I too am very frustrated about the laws here in what has been called “The Land of the Free”.
don massa grammarian
you can thank the hippies for establishing the blessed and righteous kingdom of stone way in this country. ~ ~ ~
your generation needs to be reminded again and again to make love not war.
get back to where u once belong
flower power
3.1416 or am i about to be vanished?
Sorry, Will #25: But your description of the watered down consequences issued to a first time offender don’t cut it for me. It’s still speaking to the notion that any use of marijuana by an adult is seriously wrong, yet even at this level the consequences are far worse than any consequences of the use of marijuana itself. Even if I don’t get jail time, it is still expensive and time consuming on my part, enough for some people who are already economically or medically on the edge, these consequences could pull them out of commission for a long time, and create a ripple effect of negative consequences, all from one joint essentially. And if you just leave poor Tokin Joe alone, what conseuqnces arise?
#84:
I wonder what gen you think I’m from! Anyway, I’m frustrated that I don’t seem to be getting through to you. Bless you anyway! Enjoy!
By the way, I loved the hippie movement and lived through it 🙂 I’m really saddened by the memory that our government shut them down big time…
marc emery excellent article on what cali ballot vote means:
http://cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2010/06/05/Why-You-Should-Vote-YES-California-Control-Tax-Cannabis-Initiative
what does norml think of marc emery?
marc emery is a leader of the movement.
DISGRACEFUL that he rots in a fed prison.
the feds took a canadian citizen from canada and locked him up here. imagine that for serious.
boy, this guy must be some kind of slavering sociopath.
where is the outrage in d.c.?
marc emery thinks that the most important point is the 25 square feet of legal grow space for every adult in cali.
that is enough grow space to keep you and your many friends happy year around.
also seems that even for the miiiiiighty feds this would be impossible to police. so if cali goes legal, the entire nation should be ready to rollllll.
the oakland guy richard lee is one righteous and wise fellow. hope we are backing him. are we?
[Paul Armentano responds: But of course. The CA initiative is formally backed by NORML, and the organization has helped raise $$ for the campaign.]
don
well then perhaps i have misconstrued your words as well.
kumbaya
paul,
that’s great to know.
surprisingly more latinos oppose legalization than do whites in cali.
do we actually have strategies that target this kind of stuff?
[Paul Armentano responds: Yes.]
Yes, yes, yes!!! Thanks everybody for getting us to this stage. I can’t wait for November, I was just about to move to California this summer but I am instead finishing college by December. I wish I could be there with you all when it is hopefully legalized! But I don’t think any of us should tone down our efforts, we should all at the very least be open about our preference for cannabis and we can all create a general zeitgeist of marijuana being a normal and ok thing to use. So everybody, the battle is not yet won and we all have to keep doing whatever we can to re-legalize it!
mtlasagna – thanx for the link to Marc’s article!!! He is a hero in my mind and it just kills me that the Canadian Govt caved in the to American bullies… I’ve been reading blogs where some people are encouraging others not to vote Yes in the Cali election because they have some issues with the way it’s written. The way I see it, if someone offers me a gift os $1000 I’m not going to say no since I want $10,000! I’d vote yes for such a bill in less than a heartbeat of only I had the opportunity here in Virginia…
If Cali legalizes it, I think it would be absolutely great to meet up there with a bunch of NORML supporters to share some Premo Cali Weed!
I’m really hoping that it’ll pass here in California. Even my very conservative parents are voting yes. However, I’ve noticed some reactionary things lately. For instance, in the magazine Better Homes and Gardens, there is a HUGE article on the dangers of MJ—like four pages–with all of the mythology in tact. Now, I’ve taken this magazine for years, mainly for garden ideas, and I have NEVER seen anything like this in all those years. Suffice to say, they’ve lost me–there are other garden magazines. But I find it interesting that I”m seeing more of this Hearst era freakiness with the vote so close by.
It still sucks over here in Maryland 🙁
Legalization will really piss off the establishment 🙂
Too bad Texas is nowhere near even proposing any sort of MEDICAL marijuana measure. Maybe we’ll get lucky here and they’ll go straight to legalization…in about 50 years when Rick Perry is dead. lol…
Paul,
I am curious as to what is happening in the Great State of Louisiana for marijuana reform, any groups started that I can assist. Just last week i wrote a letter to Fox news who is supposedly (fair and balanced) how much i was dissapointed in them for having the Bishop on their morning program spewing all kinds of bullshit about marijuana, I shot holes all in his testimonial with some facts from (if marijuana is safer then why are they driving us to drink) and sugested they read it then do some real research before they do anymore half assed reporting…Please follow up on this if you can, they have not replied to my email….figures!
William
just saw this quote from richard lee:
“Dale Gieringer, California NORML–all of them declined, all of them said we could never win this year. Either that or they’re just used to doing things a certain way and they didn’t like to share any power. For whatever reason these people declined to support me and so it’s become a little more Richard Lee’s movement.”
please explain
[Editor’s note: It is not clear that anyone other than Richard Lee supported spending the money and effort to get onto an off-year election ballot. NORML, ACLU, DPA, MPP, Dennis Peron, Steve DeAngelo, etc….all advised against launching the effort. But, Richard chose otherwise…and groups like NORML support the effort despite the fact that the initiative’s timing may not (or maybe) optimal.]
yea in maryland too 🙁 they could not even pass it for medical so sad
thank you for your response.
honest disagreement happens all the time.
so you folks felt that the timing of the ballot wasn’t well chosen
but now that it’s happening you are participating some.
is that what is happening? if so one would hope for more genuine enthusiasm.
because
richard lee is proving to be a very competent, sensible and dedicated fellow. the movement needs his practical wisdom. (i don’t know the man personally).
well sure the gangsta media is gonna do a powerful demonizing campaign before the vote.
bottom line is we win even if we lose. really
please support our efforts to legalize marijuana in Washington state at http://sensiblewashington.org/. we have only until July 2 to collect 241,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
pharaoh, set my people free!!!
Thank you Norml for all you do to support this cause. Is there any word from Missouri or Illinois on the legalization of medical marijuana.
Dying for reform but albany ny just cannot seem to be a working entity.PATTERSON needs to let advice motivate him as he is not making good calls.PLEASE STOP THE LIE OF CANNABIS DEMONIZATION PROPAGANDA!It will just blow up as a fruad in due time,peace.
what do we have to do here in ohio to vote on it?this sucks i cant even vote for my friggin states MJ cuz its only proposed for legislation…at least its that though but hell why politicians gotta be soo stoopid
Two of our states with good marijuana ballot initiatives slated for November also CONVENIENTLY have this other ballot initiative installed by their legislature:
Should the right to vote a secret ballot in all state and federal elections as well as labor-representation elections be guaranteed?
its called a union-related measure, but notice its talking about “a secret ballot in all state and federal elections” & nowhere does the wording qualify that marijuana-related ballot initiatives would be excluded from this “right to a secret ballot.”
Do you trust diebold voting machines?
hell no, voting machines arent good, i think secret ballots shouldnt be allowed either, if u vote for a guy u wanna see wtf he is doing no