Almost as if on cue from a movie director, the head of the Judiciary Committee in the US House of Representatives, ‘conservative’ Republican from Texas Lamar Smith, has provided both cannabis law reformers and the general public a typical up-close view of why the US Congress—the creator of Cannabis Prohibition laws in 1937 and later the Controlled Substances Act of 1970—rarely seems to work the way it was intended. One person, either ignorant or uninformed, can block consideration of a controversial political issue if he or she wishes to do so. And the ability to do this only increases with time, as the legislator gains seniority and become a committee or subcommittee chairperson.
Rep. Smith, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, responded to press inquiries yesterday about the new federal legalization bill, that will be referred to his committee, saying he had no intention of considering the bill, or even giving it a public hearing. Unfortunately, under current Congressional rules, a committee chairman is given great discretion regarding what bills to consider, and which to ignore, and it is only when another member or members of that committee, or the general public, make a big deal out of it that sometimes one can overcome the stiff opposition of a committee chair.
One promising fact is that the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. John Conyers, JR, is a co-sponsor of HB 2306, and should serve as a counter-balance to the opposition of the chairman.
Smith’s anti-cannabis salvo against the new legalization bill should inspire cannabis consumers and activists to redouble their efforts this year to get as many co-sponsors as possible for HR 2306, and to recruit and elect political candidates to Congress who no longer embrace reefer madness or favor continuing—possibly for another 74 years—the status quo of arresting another cannabis consumer every 35 seconds in America.
NORML and our supporters decided to reach out to Representative Smith today, to let him know we considered HR 2306 sound public policy that deserved a hearing. Instead of addressing the concerns of the general public, Smith removed his page from Facebook and wiped it clean of any and all comments posted in support of the bill. Further commenting was also disabled on the page. Once one too many calls began coming into his congressional offices and the extension for the House Judiciary Committee, a prerecorded message was posted stating that his office was closed (it wasn’t, their operating hours on Friday are posted as until 6pm EST).
Even President Barack Obama has stated he considers legalization a legitimate topic for debate, so why is Rep. Lamar Smith stonewalling the legislation?
NORMLtv is now streaming a new PSA targeting Smith and his refusal to engage this issue in a productive and rational way, which you can view above. We encourage you to continue contacting the chairman through his contact information listed below.
Rep. Lamar Smith
DC Office: 202-225-4236 (8:30 am- 6:00 pm EST)
TX Office: 210-821-5024 (8:00 am- 5:00 pm CT)
Web: http://lamarsmith.house.gov/
You can also use NORML’s Take Action Center by clicking here and easily message your elected officials to encourage their support of this important legislation. Over 3,000 of you already have, let’s keep the pressure on!
We appreciate your support and especially want to thank those who have been helping us push this issue today with Chairman Smith. We will be back in touch soon to ask for your further help as we find new ways to push this new legislation forward.
Subscribe to NORMLtv or follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest marijuana news and further updates on HR2306.
Tell the republicans you’re not willing to donate money to their party
I think maybe Lamar smith is afraid if it is legalized he will lose his “extra” income from the cartels…as long as it is illegal Mr. Smith can keep reaping the benefits. This is my personal opinion I do not know the man but i figure that’s why he is so opposed on this bill. Money,money,money…
His position makes no sense whatsoever unless he has ties to the Mexican drug cartels. It wouldn’t be the first such scandal.
Maybe there should be call for an investigation.
His point is that it is not approved for medical purposes or approved by the food and drug administration. And what makes this any different than Tobacco or Alcohol? Tobacco and alcohol don’t have a high potential for abuse? Everything has a “high potential” for abuse, and Rep. Lamar Smith is letting our country down if he is not going to atleast hear a bill that would generate billions of dollars for our government and create thousands of jobs for us citizens.
HR 2306 is no where unreasonable and should be atleast considered on the federal level. Hear the bill
We should really play the republican game against them. Why do they freedom? why do they hate hard working americans? Why do they love putting people on welfare? etc. etc.
I just want to know what we can do to supersede this guy. There has to be something we can do go around this guy. Does anyone have any answers. If he is going to use a technicality on us then there must be a way the people can get around him! Don’t lose hope!!
Furthermore we should find someone to run against this clown in a GOP primary that has views similar to Ron Pauls. A Democrat probably can’t win his district since it will be gerrymandered to hell but a republican might have a decent shot.
Tried calling both numbers the TX number no Answer and the DC Number says Mailbox is full no more messages being accepted.
With a real bill in congress, we have the opportunity to target key blockers of the legislation. Never before could a Washington politicians pro drug war stance be any kind of threat to their seat. We can now make it one. THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE way to get this going somewhere is to target the primary obstructers of the bill in their districts. Those in TX in Smiths district should begin a campaign as soon as possible there attacking him for this position. Loudly and relentlessly. Hound him back home. Make it as clear as possible that his stance could cost him his seat. Without doing that, nothing will happen. Also make it clear that other legislators that get in the way will be targeted too. If we don’t do this we will continue to get nowhere in DC.
Wonder if its the $30300 donation from the Beer, Wine, and Liquor industry, or the $48,000 donation from the Pharmaceutical Industry in 2010 alone that has clouded his logical thought processes…
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00001811&cycle=2010 click on the respective donations section to get the break down.
This is a copy of the email I sent to my representative in the U.S. Congress:
I urge you to discuss with Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas that his outdated beliefs about the harm associated with the use of Cannabis have been proven false by the examples of the Netherlands and Portugal. In both these countries decriminalization has actually reduced the consumption of “hard” drugs. The “War on Drugs” has been one of the costliest and poorest uses of tax money causing far more harm to otherwise useful citizens than damage to smugglers. In fact it has only resulted in ensuring that the smugglers on our southern border are some of the most ruthless criminals on earth, and enriched them to the point where the federal government of Mexico is actually threatened by the graft and violence the drug cartels practice on a daily basis. The only logical tactic left is to simply cut off the demand by allowing the legal cultivation of Cannabis in these United States, and H.R. 2306 is an excellent first step in that direction. I really find it amazing that a conservative from Texas is trying to stop discussion about increasing states rights. Thank you, Brian Tucker
Everyone should also call Rep. John Conyers to give their support to him and the bill.
ALL OUR POST R BEING DELETED AS FAST AS WE POST THEM SO HE HATES FREEDOM OF SPEECH TOO…FLOOD IT YA’LL WE HAD 37 POST THEN BAM THEY WERE GONE FLOOD THEM..
FLOOD HIS FACEBOOK PAGE WATCH HOW FAST THE SOB DELETES THEM..LMAO..
isn’t there a way for the public to vote on the bill. I mean by the people, for the people. we want this bill signed…. so what am i missing here? we have lost control over our government. lobbyism has taken its place. its a sad time in america.
Ned gets it. The only way we’ll ever see progress is to organize, vote as a bloc, and target the worst offenders. See Bob Barr 2002. The worst buzz kill in congress lost his seat due to libertarians (maijauna libertarians, hewas already on board with most other libertarian goals. It can be done, the same way other special interest do it. They don’t march in the street, they don’t flood message boards, they don’t beg anybody, vote against us, we vote against you. When’s the last time you heard a rabid gun owner say, ” I agree with my congressman on everything except gun control, I guess I’ll vote for him (or her) anyway. Watch AARP, “well we really like so and so, too bad he wants to cut Social Security, but I guess he is the lessor of two evils, so we endorse him. DOESN’T HAPPEN. The war on marijuana is bi-partisan because congress feels legalization is a trivial issue, that even pot smokers don’t consider it a deal breaker, So far they’ve been right. We have the power, we have the numbers, we don;t have the will. Too Bad
Remember, when we are all calling Lamar we have to hit on conservative talking points:
“End Big Government interference.”
“Stop the Federal Government from trampling on state’s rights.”
“End wasteful spending, and runaway budgets spent on ineffective programs.”
End prohibition earmarks which siphon off taxpayer dollars.
Stop social engineering by the federal government.
Stop this socialist prohibition of a plant, with the government telling farmers what they can or cannot grow.
Let the free market work. American entrepreneurship will put the Mexican cartels out of business.
End the nanny state which tries to control means of production.
(Hopefully, those with a more genuine conservative bent than I can come up with even more talking points – but I think we have redefine marijuana prohibition to Lamar as a liberal, socialist, fiscally irresponsible nanny state operation.)
I saw the news clip of Rep. Barney Frank today explaining HB2306, and the objections by the Judiciary Chairman, Rep. Lamar Smith. Although typical, and not unexpected, for Rep. Smith, he might just as well be in the pockets of the Mexican Drug Cartels, or a public bathroom soliciting sex. He may even be addicted to the drug alcohol, suffering from delusions and will shortly announce he’s going into rehab.
What’s obvious is is time as a Representative for the American People is soon going to come to a close when elections happen again. He is out of touch with reality, and in my opinion not competent to be in the position he now holds in making the crucial decisions the Judiciary must make. His is a knee-jerk reaction, not an educated one.
Regardless of what stick is up what orifice, or whose pockets or pants his hands are in, he reminds me of the former governor of NY, Eliot Spitzer; whom if you don’t recall, was a stalwart anti-prostitution warrior, addicted to prostitutes. He thought he was exempt I suppose and unlike your average American Citizen, had privileges.
Rep. Barney Frank pointed out that current federal policy and prohibition unfairly targets minorities and those Americans without prominent connections and cites examples such as G. W. Bush who admitted to using cannabis, and other such figures. In addition, he pointed out that cannabis is “not habit forming”, or at least not as habit forming as tobacco, but that he’d not consider making tobacco illegal.
Given the knee-jerk reaction by Rep. Lamar Smith, I think it safe to say he feels threatened by HB2306, for whatever reason, and my suggestion to him is move to CA and get a prescription for some medical marijuana before he loses it – his mind, if he still has one.
I’m not worried about him… he took the job representing the best interests of the American People, and if he can’t handle the pressure maybe he should resign before his dirty laundry is aired!
This ONE, singular douche nozzle is the only thing standing in the way of millions of people who are looking for change?
loooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
I KNEW everybody was getting too Happy about the introduction of a Bill. HAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH. If it wasn’t so typical it would be funny. We have the finest Representatives our vested interests can buy. The best way to legalize marijuana is through the States. When enough states legalize it then the Federal government will have to also.
Smith is just following the big gov,line “We can’t legalize, there’s to much money in it”,Hillary Clinton,2010.A change in policy would mean the loss of thousands of gov.pay checks along the Tex.border.A loss of the prohabition premium would be dire to 100s of thousands of people whose only income is the bags they sell(get a job,what job)or to people pading their $7.50 or $8.00 an hour income to get by.The estab.will not blow such a large whole in the economy.Most gov’t. members do not want to see these resources shifted from legal autorities, even if they would be better used elseware.Mr. Smith,if he is going to sit on the current proposal,should offer up his plan to deal with a sinking Mexico,and avoid the inevitable nation building that must accompany a larger Marita 2 Initiative.Come on Mr.Smith be a statesman,simple obstruction now will not save Mexico later.
1. Ron Paul is a member of the Republican Party
2. Ron Paul is a Texan
3. Lamar Smith is an embarrassment to the Republic and when the fools in DC finally drive us to secession y’all can KEEP HIM!
Part of the budget and debt ceiling should be quid pro quo in that the Republicans get their precious tax cuts for the rich and big business because cannabis legalization brings in the money that the Democrats would have gotten from the wealthy.
In other words, the tax cuts for the Rich and Corporate America are subsidized by cannabis. That kind of market socialism is the right kind of financial redistribution they like. It’s not what they think of as wealth redistribution in the Republican or Libertarian sense.
The whole thread of states’ rights, and big and intrusive government is underpinned by cannabis prohibition, with the big, bad federal government eroding our personal freedoms. The Republicans have tried to co-opt the non-cannabis add-on issues and examples with the Tea Party antics, as if the so-called Tea Party is a separate party. It’s just an attempt to get votes from third-party voters, namely the Libertarian Party, the third largest party in the U.S.
That’s why you can have Barney Frank working with Ron Paul.
Kudos to the Honorable Mr. Frank on his tactics to get the country this far on the continuum toward legalized cannabis and legalized gay marriage and all the other issues of freedom and individual rights. I praise him in allowing Fannie & Freddie money lenders more freedom to decide whom to give loans to, and it’s my guess that most of the greedy bastards are Republicans and they lent money to people in mortgages that they knew the borrowers could not afford. Because they didn’t do their homework and they lent out more than they should have.
Anyway, keep on keeping on. Keep on running the economy into the ground until the prohibitionists gives us what we want: legal cannabis worldwide.
I’ve contacted my state’s reps and sent an email directly to Lamar Smith. Seriously, I hate this guy! His opinion of marijuana seems to have come from the Drug Czar’s handbook; which we all know to be total crap… How do morons like him get into such high positions of power? I’ll never understand how this could happen in a supposedly civilized world! Particularly one that is supposed to be based on freedom and human rights!
Congress is how Prohibition ends. Congress responds to just two things. Money and threats to their re-election. That’s it. Doing the right thing means little compared to those. So legalization advocates either start making very substantial campaign contributions to key committee chairman OR the Democrats take the house in 2012 which would remove Smith OR we target them Smith and others at election time. Democrats taking the house is a big question mark as is whether a Dem committee chair could relied on to move this along.
Certainly a reasonable letter Brian. That is the “please do the right thing approach” which should work but doesn’t usually beat what money interests are pressing for. That’s why we never really get much movement in DC. Then there’s the credible threat to re-election which requires organization and an opponent that has a good chance.
We’re getting a bit closer though.
you can email him as well, its a pain but just go to his website and use the below address.
1601 Hunter Road
New Braunfels, TX 78130-3005
The majority of these federal “laws” are beyond the federal governments powers given to them by the states.”The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Nullification Now! http://www.tenthamedment.com
#6,www.tenthamendment.com
I called Congressman Smith and encouraged him to have a hearing for House bill 2306. I also sent an email to the representative of my state encouraging him to support the bill. Everyone should do the same, as this is a matter of great importance to the financial position of our country, and to the human lives being lost because of the war on drugs.
How can one man stand in the way of millions of lives? Their silly arguments don’t work anymore. What is Smith protecting? Money interests in the prison industrial complex!
The Federal government is not even reasonable when it comes to marijuana. This is proof they are hiding something. Please President Obama give us our DEBATE.
It should be obvious to any reasonable thinking adult that the reason we don’t get a debate… but rather our doors kicked in our pets and loved ones shot and killed to demand a negative stance on marijuana.
These politicians are committing crimes against the people by pushing a very unpopular (with the public) war. Please President Obama give us a chance to debate this unreasonable and unpopular Mr. Smith and his stupid little greedy war.
The congressman is obviously terrified to allow any discussion on this topic because he knows the truth and doesn’t want others to know.
Smith is a great example of why I left the Republican party. They are supposed to stand for freedom from big government control of our lives, but it’s a sad joke.
Perhaps one day he will need MMJ for some terrible disease, then be arrested and persecuted by his own police state. Karma’s a bitch.
Now we see that a weak & misguided WarBama has lost the House putting the Rips back-in as Chair of Judiciary…good luck at doing anything but increased sympathy from youth demographic.
If more people used (legal) marijuana, instead of alcohol, that would be a good thing, Congressman! It’s common knowledge that marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol. Therefore, Switching from recreational alcohol to recreational marijuana would mean a net reduction in harm.
If Bayer developed an aspirin substitute that had more benefits and no LD-50, everyone would celebrate it’s introduction onto the market because it too would mean a net reduction in harm.
Then there is the harm caused by prohibition itself.
You hypocrites! You know the truth, but you refuse to do the right thing, and you stop other people finding the truth!
It is time for change, let us start with politicians who want to keep old outdated laws.
At this point in time it is not going to pass this congress anyway. We need to start now on the 2012 congressional elections. Pandora is out of the
box. The important thing here is that we have a bill on paper that looks promising. There may not be a vote or even a discussion in THIS congress.
Now is the time to find out how YOUR congressman feels. If you don’t like his or her position then find a candidate to support that does support at least a serious discussion.
I have a feeling that if we were to have an “Arab Spring” moment in this country this is the time and this is the issue.
It would take something like a million folks on the mall to get their attention. Would’t it be great to see A MILLION FAN MARCH! Oh well, we have not had enough abuse yet. Forget about it.
i heard an advertisement today on the radio that said a side affect of the medication was death. and marijuana is said to be more harmful than helpful? I DONT GET IT
I just tried calling congressman smith but his voice mailbox is too full. Either we’re hitting him hard enough or I should call during office hours. I think both 🙂
Rep. Lamar Smith enjoys his insanity because he thrives on the ambition of screwing others. He is an evil prick and he doesn’t care what you think.
Remove marijuana from the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 and break this evil spell that is corrupting our government.
Then Rep. Lamar Smith may become a much nicer and sensible man.
This is a response I got from Lamar Smith on the last letter that was linked on this site. This bozo needs to retire.
Dear Mr.
Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 1983, the “Medical Marijuana PatientProtection Act.” H.R. 1983 provides medical use of marijuana in accordance with State laws.
I have reservations about H.R. 1983 because the Food and Drug Administrationhas not validated the purported medical benefits of marijuana, and the active components of marijuanacan be obtained through other means besides smoking.
Also, I am concerned that even limited legalization of marijuana will increasethe number of people who become addicted to this and other drugs.
There are insufficient regulations to control the use of marijuana in statesthat have legalized it for so-called medicinal purposes. Many of the marijuana facilities in these statesdispense the drug to those with little to no connection to any alleged medical purpose.
Additionally, profits from the use of marijuana are linked directly to drugcartels and violence. Mexico is the number one foreign supplier of marijuana to the United States. Andmarijuana is the top revenue generator for criminal Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
The profits from selling marijuana in the United States are used to sow corruptionand violence and to finance the trafficking of drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
This bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, ofwhich I am not a member. Be assured that I will have your comments in mind as this legislation progressesthrough the House.
For more information on my work in Congress or to send me an electronic message, feel free to visitthe 21st District’s website, http://lamarsmith.house.gov.
June 13, 2011
Page 2
Sincerely,
LamarSmith
Memberof Congress
To Kevin, do you have a number for Rep. John Conyers, or where can I go to find it, I would love to let him know of my support for him on his backing the bill.
We prefer to think this is not a partisan, but I seems always to be the Republicans who do this stuff.
I’ve always thought it was past time for the Republicans to take their party back from the Conservatives who hijacked it.
Perhaps it’s time for the Conservatives to take their movement back from ‘conservatives’ like this guy who’ve hijacked it.
#2 Vanessa Embry:
You said it so well. Greed, Money in the pockets from the government sponsered cartel and denial of the rights and freedoms of the american people. If mr. smith could just die off and get the hell out of the way, maybe we the people could make some progress. Instead every american will just have to wait untill after june 30 when the bond buying program is over and then we will face another round in the government sponsered program of “robbing the american people of their home values and retirement savings” as the stock market takes another big dive into oblivian. Whereby the only ones benefiting will be a lying, cheating, scoundralous and corrupted government and all the ignorant scumbags like Mr. smith who hold offices in that government regime.
REVOLUTION is NEAR!!!!!!!!
End Marijuana Prohibition!!!!!!!!
MAYBE IT’S TIME TO WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone…I have AXE HANDLES for SALE!!!!
50% of the money will be donated to the campaigns for Gary Johnson or Ron Paul!!!!
END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION!!
Greetings in the name of he most high JAH! what do you expect in BABYLON… they all work for the devil. there`s no way they want to free up the blessed weed, that JAH gave us… blood claat !!!
Think back people, do your research….Maybe the former governor of georgia had a good idea afterall.
Everyone could create a new company of their own which makes axe handles….inscribe one side with:
“END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IN 2012”
Inscribe the opposite side with:
“END GOVERNMENT SCOUNDRALISM AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION”
REVOLUTION IS NEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN IN 2012!!!
Create jobs for americans making axe handles.
Donate 50% of all sales to Presidential campaign funds specifically for Gary Johnson or Ron Paul………….
a good design note for the product may be to drill a 3/4″ dia. hole x 9″ deep for filling with lead.
Just SAYIN!!!
Ray, in the second paragraph of letter from Rep. Smith, he states that the FDA has not admitted there are any medicinal properties of marijuana, and in the same sentence he says that anyway the “active” ingredients can be obtained without smoking it.
I beg your pardon? What exactly is the difference between “active” ingredients and “medicinal” ingredients? They’re obviously the same thing, which exposes his hypocrisy. He knows it has medicinal value, but he has a personal problem with people smoking it.
Until the government officially admits that marijuana has medicinal properties, it has none. That’s merely a definition, not an argument. And the government will not allow research to discover medicinal properties because it has no medicinal properties. That’s circular reasoning.
It’s obvious why these people cannot afford any debate on this issue. If citizens were given the truth, prohibition would end. It’s people like this congressman who belong in prison, not those who smoke marijuana.
The fact that this has been going on in our Constitutional Republic for generations is maddening!
Speaking of Egyptians, Oustings, Revolutions and Axe handles….I can think of some others in the government that need to be re-directed also….GO FIGURE!
Vote him out..find some dirt on this shithead..spoil his chances for ever holding another job..not even a streetsweepers job..he is a crook..it’s on paper..it’s true..he is all for the status quo which dont work..vote Ron Paul he seems to be extreme but we need extreme. This crap of political backdoor donation crap has to be exposed and dealt with..i want my damn freedom, and i dont consider troops in other countries pushing american policy as protecting me so dont even start that shit genetisist..i am 75 % cherokee..i been told on here i would have nothing without the military fighting for my rights..look at the history of these states get your head out of your ass vote these yoohoos out of office..picket..open your mouth or they’ll march you on a trail of tears also..if we dont act we will haved to react, prop 19 and now this? Both were spoiled by money from the alcohol and pharmacutical industries..think about it !!
Lamar Smith is a Christian Scientist — they don’t believe in drugs of any kind. Our federal marijuana policy is being held hostage by a fringe religion.
Galileo, I agree that the Republicans have more blood on their hands in this issue. However, the Democrats aren’t willing to end prohibition either. Just look at the big hypocrite, Obama.
I think it’s mostly due to the fact that drug war propaganda has deceived generations of Americans.
Politicians would have to fight millions of angry (deceived) citizens, the DEA, the police unions, the prison employee unions, and the powerful pharmaceutical, alcohol, lawyer, and private prison lobbies.
SPEAKING ON TERMS OF TRANSCENDENTIAL MEDITATION…
Maybe Mr. Smith and the other ignorant and unjustifiable cronies of such should just step aside to make it easy on themselves.
Everyone just go meditate at a certain given time, that Mr. Smith and all his likewise cronies as such, will fall from their position due to their profound denial of the will of the people and that we the people no longer have a need for those who obstruct the free will of the people.
MEDITATION START TIME for everyone will be July 1, 2011 upon arisal or just after breakfast that morning.
I’m willing to try anything that works,
It’s time for a change people.
Yes, this old victim of a 1977 police brutality issue wants some long overdue justice. Brutalized by a metal flashlight, skull cracked open and all due to false charges which were later dropped. That’s all the compensation I ever got. Dropped charges. This happened a short time before the RODNEY KING POLICE BRUTALITY CASE EMERGED. Just in case anyone wondered.
Yes..I said “Government scumbags and government dirtbags”.
Do not let up, Monday morning ring both numbers until they shut down again. Let them feel the support this bill realy has. Lets put mr smith on the ropes and keep him there. Do not let this die EVER! atack atack atack
If you support prohibition, you support terrorism. plain and simple. Smith, good people are getting hurt out there. Im not sure how much big business is paying you to support terrorism but you can still do the right thing.
Investigate Lamar!!!!! How are his pockets being lined with the war on drugs???
How can one person determine the law of the land and hold up progress?
“Are Americans masters of their own destiny?”
Regardless of what this totalitarian government says – or – would have us believe – “We are masters of our own destiny!” Yet – it scares me to death to think of what this totalitarian government can inflict on the American public. A great fraud has been perpetrated on the American public. As the result – we’ve been suffering in darkness – yet – “The strongest souls emerge out of suffering.” We have suffered with the prohibition of our “Faith” and our “Sacrament” – an absolute violation of our First Amendment Right. This totalitarian government has abducted my Constitution – and – imposed its will and values on all Americans. Although my Constitution is an abducted child – it’s only so temporarily – because – “There’s no way in their hell and darkness – Americans are going to let evil reign over good.” If one wonders – “How far are we willing to go before we say – NO MORE! – you’ve just answered the question – NO MORE.”
There’s no end to America – or – the American people. To me – this is a “very” personal thing. So! – I sequester myself from this totalitarian government to avoid its mindless sheep pen – and – they will have never faced such a fury. Lamar Smith will not survive his political blunder and plunder. Smith removed his page from Facebook and wiped it clean of any and all comments posted in support of the bill . Smith’s office is closed alright – and – so is his political career.
To all American Genesists – now is the time to take back our government, our God, and our Sacrament. NOW! IS THE TIME.
No rest for the wicked. Keep calling and mailing.
26 Don
He got into power the same way Tricky Dick got into power.
i hate to say it but your kind of right BigHare1. Not just for the marijuana bill, but to get the corruption out of our government.
you cant fix stupid
Well I think we all kind of knew how this was going to go. But it was fun dreaming and having a little hope.
Can’t anyone sue him or something for not even treating it fairly? This seems a way more nazi spirit of the law deal…
Lawyers ( Lie – yers ) make money on Marijuana being illegal as done pharma & alcohol who have contributed all this money to this crook .
By the way after seeing how old & ugly he was just from the picture i decided i did not want to watch the video .
SWITCH THE FIRST TWO LETTERS OF OPTIMISM AND YOU GET POTIMISM!
Potimism-[pot-uh-miz-uhm]- noun
. The belief that marijuana will become legal no matter how unlikely it seems and there are positive ways around the excuses people give saying it can’t be legal.
Tell your friends!
Ok, this douche is making me even more motivated to send my potimism plilosophy.
I just called and tried to leave a personal voice message but his mailbox is completely full!!!
Lamar Smith has never been anything other than part of the problem in Washington, D.C. It really is not surprising that he is obstructing progress once again. Obstruction and ignorance is an essential part of his nature. He is not capable of understanding, and it is unrealistic to expect him to be. What would be really surprising would be if Lamar Smith said anything that demonstrated even a small amount of independent thinking.
I JUST TRYED HIS FACEBOOK.. HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND IT’S GONE…THE WHOLE PAGE IS GONE…GUESS CHICKEN LITTLE TOOK IT DOWN..YA’LL TRY ALL NUMBERS MAILBOXES FULL ETC..KEEP IT UP..DRIVE THEM NUTS…
I contacted every person in the DC and TX offices of Rep. Lamar Smith and left messages. I spoke with Ashley Smith directly. Is this Rep Lamar Smith’s wife?
Either way – I’ve got YouTube videos up, I’ve been posting on FB increasing awareness and I fully support Ron Paul for President both ideologically and financially. I’m convinced that there’s something to be done about Lamar Smith’s unwillingness to address this bill.
I would like to recommend to the NORML administration that action be taken to compile contact information for every person on the Committee of the Judiciary so that we can encourage Rep. Smith’s constituents to pressure him along with the tens to hundreds of thousands of actively involved cannabis users throughout the country that have now made a mission of breaking this single man in whatever way possible to ensure that this bill gets a proper hearing.
Thanks!
Jason
Representative Smith is on the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, and also Science?
Forget Science he has no intent in studying Cannabis history for the past 5,000 years nor will his staff.
They both fit perfectly and happily under the potential police state of Homeland Security and the philosophy of Republicanism’s ‘law and order’ at any cost.
Unfortunately we have some huge frontrunners blocking the way. Lamar Smith Republican from Texas flat out said he will not even consider a hearing for house bill 2306. Let us not forget some of the largest lobbyist like alcohol, tobacco, automotive, textile companies and others funneling money against this bill. The citizens have to be the lobbyist this time. We have to out collect the large corporations. When most get in power they forget who they are really fighting for. Unfortunately, most elected officials side with the people that are lining their pockets with persuasion money. Citizens its time to stop the crumbling of our country and stand up together against the extortion artist and get something accomplished. Remember the real Tea Party!! We threw British tea overboard because they wanted to enact taxes. Our government taxes and taxes and needs more! Stop the corruption before its too late. Stand up not just for yourself but for what you know is truly right! Fix this country one vote at a time and plug the holes on this sinking ship. In numbers is power so lets show the top ten percent what we want.
Thanks Ned for 9 and 27. Everyone go back and read these again,,,, and again..
What happened to the Tea Pot Party. Oh yeah, a lot of smokers don’t want to lean a little to the left.
Result: Lamar Smith
What happened to Canada and the Netherlands, reversing MJ progress, remember before 2009 when all the good stories on the NORML site were about Vancouver and Amsterdam, and all the bad news was from the US. We turned left and they turned right electing Conservative Governments. Now there’s some good news from America and Canada and the Netherlands are cracking down on MJ again. And yet people still say on this site that it’s not an issue of left and right. Bull, any gains we’ve made in the last few years will be erased as soon as the Republicans regain control, to not admit that is to ignore the political tides of the last 40 years.
What happened to Gary Johnson. Two term Gov. Vetoed more spending than any Gov. in history. Should be a Tea Party darling, Should be a serious contender, should be the front runner. Not even invited to the Republican debates ( he wants to blame CNN, but we all know CNN was just doing what the RNC demanded). They invited Sarah, they invited Trump, they invited people who have not declared yet (Rick Perry) and they invited people who have said again and again they have no intention of runnig, ( Chris Christie). But Gary Johnson, a man who, on paper, would be the most conservative of the pack is completely shut out. So much for the big tent, states rights, individual liberties, yada yada. Preaching that Gospel (regarding Marijuana) to todays Republicans is like preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the KKK. Although I do admire your preaching to the heathens, I’ve always said any one Republican has more balls than the entire Democrat party has collectivly.
Sorry for yet another partisan rant but I’m almost 50 and there’s a SMALL possibility of a SLIM chance that under a VERY liberal government MIGHT grant a few small concessions our way in my lifetime. Think of yourself as an artist and legalization the sculpture, your working with one iron age chisel. The Democrats are a 5 ton block of marble and the Republicans a 5 ton slab of steel. Pound away for years. With a lot of hard work, persistence and skill you might turn the block of marble into a beutiful statue. Do the same thing with the steel and after much more hard work, increadible persistence and skill you’ll have a slab of steel with a shiny spot on it. That’s the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans on MJ reform, slim vs none.
For 30 years now I’ve gotten high with young Republicans who’ve told me again and again how the Republicans were the party of individual liberties and getting Gov of our backs and the Liberals want to run everyone’s lives and be your nanny if your nanny is also your Big Brother. Most of those people are now adult Republicans in good standing who either lie to their children about their past or at best admit to one or two youthful indescretions which were the most horrible mistake of their lives and lucky they lived through smoking that one joint, (once or twice). Point is they made a choice, vote Republican or smoke weed. Most picked the Republicans and a lot of you will too. To you who are not Republicans, you won’t get anything from the Democrats by begging either. Next campaign tell your Democrat drug warrior Marijuana reform IS a deal breaker. Yes we can “agree to disagree on some things while working together on others ” but MJ reform is not one of them. Bumper sticker for 2012. ” Re-election is not in my vocabulary.” They’ll play dumb, but if they lose they’ll know what you meant
Lulzsec has hacked Arizona law enforcement. They are stating that they are going to release information that proves they are trying to keep the war on drugs going to kepp jobs etc. Lulzsec is hacking governments and one of their goals is to exposed lies and help end the war on drugs in the U.S.
We may hear the real story behind all the injustice after all.
I can’t get to DC but maybe those who can should organize a smoke-out on the white house lawn to get media attention and insure passage of 2306. In 1972 the American Indian Movement got fed up with government mistreatment of Indians and marched on the White house. When Nixon would not see them they went to the capitol bldg. But with congress not in session they took the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) HQ. Nixon then agreed to many of their demands. It just takes persistence and actions that force them to face the issue by taking it to their front door.
Lamar’s letter is full of cognitive disconnects and lies.
“the Food and Drug Administration has not validated the purported medical benefits of marijuana, and the active components of marijuana can be obtained through other means besides smoking.”
So it isn’t medicine or, it is. Smoking is bad, even though there are ways to ingest it. That entire paragraph was nonsensical. These are reasons for it to stay a crime?
“Also, I am concerned that even limited legalization of marijuana will increase the number of people who become addicted to this and other drugs.”
Yes it’s obvious the law has effectively prevented that. Does illegality stop anybody? Not as far as I can see.
“There are insufficient regulations to control the use of marijuana in states that have legalized it for so-called medicinal purposes. Many of the marijuana facilities in these states dispense the drug to those with little to no connection to any alleged medical purpose.
That’s because many state legislators fear Federal interference which is the reason for the bill dummy. The hostility is not at all hidden here. Seems like they have good reason to be concerned about Federal meddling based on that attitude.
“Additionally, profits from the use of marijuana are linked directly to drug cartels and violence. Mexico is the number one foreign supplier of marijuana to the United States. And marijuana is the top revenue generator for criminal Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
The profits from selling marijuana in the United States are used to sow corruption and violence and to finance the trafficking of drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.”
IF IT WASN”T ILLEGAL THERE WOULD BE NO PROFIT STREAM TO CARTELS IDIOT! Lamar is unable to put 2 plus 2 together and get 4.
Besides more pot in America is domestically produced by small growers than imported anyway. However, just like with alcohol, legalization ended the black market and the violence associated with it. The other drugs finance themselves, even if pot is legalized, if they aren’t also, the black market in them will continue.
“This bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee”.
Is this true? Is it going to treated as a commerce issue? Who chairs that committee?.
I’ve left a message at his dc office, posted on his youtube wall, twittered him..His tx office is no longer accepting messages, because the mailbox is FULL
I tried emailing him, but his website doesnt allow my zipcode. anybody have his email address?? or tell me how to email this joker.
what i would like to know is what about PA and the west coast we dont evwen have the option for medical legally and have to still take much risk either to grow or to find and then go get the herb and i have a family and am TIRED of taking risks ….i pay taxes and do NOT drink alcohol and just like to puff after the days over to help eat a good meal and get a good nights rest”guess i should live on the west coast” since the east coast is still living in the age of cavemen governmentwise
oops meant the “EAST” coast
The time has come to call for a constitutional convention, my fellow Americans! How about July 4th we all meet in DC and review the damage done to our bill of rights, and the liberties usurped by our “LEADERS”.
We must stop the madness and regain control of “the political process” and those who do not represent our interests, our government!
Rep. Lamar Smith, a conservative extremist and the head of the judiciary committee. Is that were democracy ends?
Is that where democracy ends, because of Rep. Lamar Smith?
Enough is enough. This America is not Nazi. You are so denial and fascist person. Hey know what, many politcals who member of freemasonry. George Washington and Ben Franklin who member of freemasonry and they were smoke weed even made declartion of independence. Oh, Hemp paper in capitol hill where Congress, Senate, and you, Lamar Smith. American have value of history. Uneducate person who are ignornants like Lamar Smith does that too. Wow, you are chairperson like higher prompt and more power but not smart enough. No offense, I can see that. Sadly, you rejected the people. Did declaration of indepedence say “we’re people” oh you forget about them. What a dehumanize. That sadly, it is consider of ignorance too. Also, people have rights for vote to legalize that we have first amendment then it will solve problem in this country include economic, decrease criminal, shut down of black market, end of violence, government’s profit, restrict age for minor, regulation like tax, and pay off of debt. Oh remember alcohol prohibition??? Same solution and different situation for one way to make legalizes. If you disagree what you don’t like issue then go walk away and keep your damn own business! Hard accept! Please common your sense, quit denial, and stay our track is right!
Lamar Smith is not conservative…he is a religious right wing nanny stater. These knuckle draggers make up about 30% of the GOP but exert more influence on the political process then their numbers indicate. The tea party has been over run with them. Ron Paul is the only honest Republican left.
If Smith does not want to hear from us…perhaps his staff would…
Washington D.C. Office
2409 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4236 202-225-8628 fax
Hours: 8:30am – 6:00pm EST, Monday – Friday
Jennifer Y. Brown, Chief of Staff
Chris Shank, Deputy Chief of Staff
Ashlee Vinyard, Legislative and Executive Director
Sally-Shannon Scales, Communications Director
Amanda Infield, Press Assistant
Alicia Church, Executive Assistant/ Projects Manager
Shannon Moore, Legislative Correspondent
William Henderson, Staff Assistant
San Antonio Office
1100 NE Loop 410 Suite 640
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-821-5024 210-821-5947 fax
Hours: 8am – 5pm CST, Monday – Friday
Mike Asmus, District Director
Anna Casanova, Director of Constituent Services
Edwina Andrade, Constituent Services Liaison
Annie Gonzalez, Constituent Services Liaison
Mari Hernandez, Constituent Services Liaison
Austin District Office
3532 Bee Cave Road, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746
512-306-0439 512-306-0427 fax
Hours: 8am – 1pm CST, Monday – Thursday
Morgan McFall, Constituent Services Liaison
Susan Heckmann, Community Liaison, 512-739-9852
Kerrville District Office
301 Junction Highway, Suite 346C
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-896-0154 830-896-0168 fax
Hours: 8am – Noon CST, Monday – Thursday
Anne Overby, Constituent Services Liaison, Service Academy Liaison
29. Captain
I hate to tell you this – but – a Constitutional Convention is the very worst thing that could happen. In fact I question your political motive. Are you a ringer?
Consequence [The results of one’s actions].
Much to their chagrin – government is not above the law. We must – absolutely – hold our representatives accountable for their actions [in every instance]. An “American Patriot” must be ready to defend their country against government. This totalitarian government unequivocally ignores the law. They have subverted the rule of law – and – have grievously injured it. One asks – “What the hell is this – Natzi Germany?” The answer is – “Hell yes it is – in every way!” How does that sit with you? American Genesists know exactly where it sits with us. My Evil Brother [big brother] will not – I repeat will not – get my God, my Sacrament, my country, my Constitution, or my soul. They will have to “take my life” before they get these things I hold dear to me. If that’s not clear enough – I can make it much clearer – and – they can take their best shot! The “American people” are furious and volatile – and – are looking for a reason to start a fight – as if they didn’t already have one. This totalitarianism is an invasion of body and mind snatchers. If you’re not under their spell yet – you still have time to free yourself
How rotten does corruption have to get before we call it garbage – and – take it out with the rest of the trash and put it in the street. It should be like artificial respiration – “Out goes the bad air – in goes the good air.”
The truth is – we’re in a class war. We’re polarized. The middle class has suffered a tremendous loss. The poor never had it to lose. Soon – we will truly be “We the People” – and they – “Your Royal Hinny.” The truth is – this totalitarianism has made me [caused me] to worry about “what’s going to happen next.” They’ve caused me great concern with the loss of so many freedoms, so much property and income. They’ve caused me to resist trusting my government [only because they’re in it] – and – the corruption runs ramped on their watch. They’ve caused me to mistrust my own ability to elect an honest person to represent me and my brethren. This cannot be – this will not be – I will not live on my knees!
It’s “easily understood” that they won’t give up the income from prohibition [the legal and illegal use of cannabis]. There’s too much money in it for them to turn loose of it.
Lamar Smith, If you are religion. Don’t forget State and religion separation. Don’t tell me and people what he want us doing. We want to doing ourselves. Not you, you are not Fascist! This is democracy! Majority already take over of Legalization Marijuana. You oppressor. Oppressor is ignorant. Ignorant define of uneducated person like you!
Come on, just get over with it. End prohibition then it will help our economy boost up. It hasn’t prevented people from using or selling drugs, it’s cost roughly 1 trillion since 1973, our prisons are packed to the brim (1980 we had about 500,00 people incarcerated in the U.S. now it’s around 2.5 million) and more people are doing drugs than ever before. Marijuana is Americas number 1 cash crop and majority of that money is going into drug dealers pockets and making criminals rich. Also, there are drugs in every neighborhood in the U.S. whether rich or poor and when those of low income get caught they can not afford to “pay there way out” so they are the ones who suffer the most. If something is broken shouldn’t you fix it? I mean, an ounce of heroin is worth more than an ounce of gold and you expect people not to sell it? All of these problems are related to the black market and illegality of these substances. If we learned anything from the 20’s and 30’s it’s that prohibition doesn’t work and encourages violence and criminality. Use your common sense for god sake!!!
Potism- mean a policy, system of government, etc., based on discrimination, oppression, prejudge, and stereotype.
#88 You’re so right!
What if everyone moved to California or Colorado that is in need of the weed???
I would bet that the economies of those states that allow medical marijuuana, marijuana decrim and marijuana legalization would be in much better financial condition if all the tokers and marijuana activists were to just up and move to Calif. or Colorado or those states that are more open to the needs of us “we the people” who are in need of retaining and exercising our rights, freedoms and civil liberties. THE SOUTHEAST SUX! NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF BIBLE THUMPING PROHIBITIONERS WHO ARE LICKING THE DONKEYS BEHIND.
Hey know what? China is on way to world power. Huh? Do you want beat China? huh? Think triple! not think twice! China is on way! So, I prefer Legalization now then economy boost up then USA will beat China so China won’t get first place anyway. Just do it, now! Don’t be bullshit political! Green is honest political period!
You have only one way. Just lever up to legal from illegal and economy will boost up. You have two paths, first path if you refused then USA will flush down like George Washington will gone… Our dollars will gone.. Freemasonry will gone… our flag will disappear… USA shut down like roman did… second path, if you accept then USA will alive… our history keep on and will number one in world like number one cash crop more than gold. Please enough of denial. People and I are allergy your bullshit. I’m sorry if I say curse words but people and I sick of your political always denial and avoidable. We are fed up. You should not choice. People choice! If you follow policy and tell people, “I can’t” You can’t???? because of policy? You know what that not many people follow the policy because they are being human and they are not robot like you should not be robot either. Time for change legal now and end of war! If you like to keep war on marijuana then another trillion dollars spent make people have hard time to pay off our debt!
crymsonkyd to get an email through, just get a real address from the Austin TX white pages with zip and use that. They only want to hear from “constituents” even though his committee chairmanship affects everyone. The system will accept your email if it has a real address and zip from his district. Who cares if it isn’t actually your own, they don’t know that.
Too bad there isn’t a “US Association of Cannabis Growers and Wholesalers” with its “headquarters” (sorry, pun intended) in DC. This group would hire DC lobbyists to wine and dine Congress members and buy $10K a plate seats at Campaign fundraising dinners which would get face time with the candidate. Congresspersons will kiss any ass with a fat wallet. That’s how business is done in DC. If you hope and expect that today’s legislators will reverse decades of disastrous policy because it’s the right thing to do, you’re going to waiting a very long time.
Someone has to pay to get access to them and then convince them of two things, one, that it will have a positive economic impact in their district. Also, that this positive economic activity will mean a flow of campaign funds in the future, AND two, that there won’t be a downside for the yes vote politically. You can usually only persuade them of that in person while handing them a generous check and if possible some favorable polling. Then they begin to see things your way.
Revised 29 to 90
You are absolutely right about every thing but the Constitutional Convention. If you think that our Constitution has been raped now – you wouldn’t recognize it at all once out of a Constitutional Convention. Is that what you really want? I’ll take back my remarks about your motives. Sorry. You just pushed the big red button in the middle of my chest, and every bell in my body went off.
I do not believe in the two party system and do not hold many traditionally “republican” views, but I’ll be straight with you when I say that Ron Paul is the fucking man and if he were President he would turn this whole fucking bullshit charade around. He understands that things should be settled at the State level, ESPECIALLY concerning the War on Drugs, and I guarantee the guy would fucking shut down the DEA in a damn heartbeat. If any of us want to live to see Marijuana become legalized in our lifetime, and perhaps watch a lot of the bullshit politics in Washington turn around, I highly suggest you jump on the Ron Paul train. He will at the very least change America drastically, and most likely for the better.
Doesn’t Rep. Lamar Smith work for the American citizens? How can he not be available… is that not part of his job, the part we pay taxes for? If he doesn’t work for us, who does he work for? A vote or petition of no competence towards Rep. Smith may be a solution. Then again, as said earlier, Rep. John Conyers is a co-sponsor of HB2306, and his vote would cancel out Rep. Smiths nay vote. That means the bill will, or should be released from the house judiciary.
I disagree Adolf Smith is not stupid, just the opposite. I don’t think a dummy could rise to his position. That can only mean he knows too well the consequences we all suffer for his choices. But he doesn’t care because of the greater wealth and power he gets from forcing his way on everyone. Our problem is he has 250 million dummies who can’t think for themselves and do listen to every word crooks like him say like it was the gospel.
Jason-Why stop at the judiciary committee? Keep tabs on all politicians who vote against marijuana laws. Hey JACKASS SMITH! THIS BUD’S FOR YOU!
This Lamar Smith has shot right up to the top of my list of politicians that I’ve come to, well, dislike! His unwillingness to even discuss it when I’m absolutely sure he knows the American people want to discuss is him acting like a dictator.He is not a dictator! And I hope the people of this country let him know that and throw him out on his ear the next election!
Do we have to wait for 2012? Recall his ass now. Let him know – in no uncertain terms – that we are coming after his seat in Congress – and – his ass won’t be in it when we’re done with him. Recall Smith.
I just sent him an email using a kerrville tx zip code.
I was just on Lames’ web site and this guy is a control freak that is scared to death of his own shadow.
He actually believes some rag head terrorists did 911… When all the evidence is clear that it was the Cheney regime..
we are in trouble with a mentality such as this in our government… where did this one get raised and what was his abuse as a child?
If this Lame guy gets his way,, I see the Mexican border turning in to a concrete wall, 50 foot tall with automatic lasers that will destroy even a cockroach from getting into America. The wild life will die due to migration interruption and on and on…
I get the idea he thinks the world will keep him alive forever if he can just control everything in the world and he most certainly KNOWS EXACTLY what the American people want…
he knows nothing. what a guy, a true un-American
This ain’t going to happen people. Who gives a crap about the federal government?
Break the law in the privacy of your own home and pray you don’t get caught. That’s what everybody seems to want us to do.
You’d think at this point they would see things changing– but by the time the federal government actually changes ANYTHING it will be in name only since it will be virtually decriminalized everywhere but the bible belt long before then.
It’s sad that we all have to suffer because southern idiots think Jesus cares if you get high.
Here is a list of members on the House Judiciary Committee http://judiciary.house.gov/about/members.html
Time to get busy
To Lamar Smith
“Whatever you do to my Constitution – I will do to you.”
Your treachery is without consequence – a luxury only corrupt power provides. To make our position clear – we will be tough when we do our stuff. We move by our individual selves. We move as God intended us to move – as individuals – with individual freedom. “We paid the price” in the Garden of Eden. You can’t punish us for the same thing twice [Double Indemnity].
“Subordination of the individual’s desire to the needs of the collective.”
Do you “honestly believe” that this will occur in America? If so – you have the best drugs. A great many lives will be lost in defense of our freedom. Our American Revolution, Civil War, and yes the Alamo wasn’t bloody enough for history to record. You need to step down Smith. We the People no longer consider you to be an honest man, a good American, or a loyal representative of We the People.
keep up the calls and dont let up If he is your rep ask for a meetin to discuss this with him. Put Him On The Ropes 202-225-4326 DC
210-821-5024 TX
Larmar Smith, is one of those good ole boys who will always think marihuana is an evil weed. There are alot of people in the goverment, they would rather, have this , just go away !!1 They are just brain dead when it come to marihuana, and will not listen to any one, except the lying goverment! We need to vote these people out!
Change will only come more quickly if you collect enough people to smoke weed on the steps of the capitol to have them all get arrested and have as much media coverage as possible.
We’re a people moved by events and scandals now.
And other than that, just spreading the word obviously, doing what you’re doing now.
119. Matt
Jesus was baptized with kaneh bosm. Enough said.
Everyday, when I watch some tv, I always see an add for an attorny advertising law suits against some pharma drug, these highly dangerous, but sometimes helpful drugs being produced by big pharma are much more detrinental to our country than some weed. Also ask him how many people have been killed due to alchohol and how many from weed, there is no comparison it’s like a million to one.
126. Anonymous
“There is no comparison it’s like a million to one.”
I know it’s semantics – but – it’s a million to zero. I’m not giving them even that – “one.”
Rep. Lamar Smith is not actually a true representative for the People, but rather, a Narcissian. Derived from Narcissus, meaning “sleep, numbness.” The story from Greek mythology is that Narcissus was a hunter, exceptionally proud, in that he disdained those who loved him, and survived on his own ego. Nemesis, another from Greek mythology, knew this and, attracted Narcissus to a pool where he could see his own reflection. Narcissus naturally fell in love with the image of himself, not realizing it was just an reflection and more importantly, unable to take his eyes off from his own reflection, and his own ignorance of the People and Nature around him, Narcissus died. He simply could not fulfill even his most basic needs for survival. So enamored he was with himself, so blind, numb and unaware of Nature, except as prey…
how long must we endure ppl..that have never tried marijuana and only know the propiganda spewd by the goverment..making the calls for all of us…be nice if they stopped bein so hard to get along with know it alls that really dont have a clue…the ppl are speaking on this matter and have been for along time..when will the goverment finally listen to us…this country has far more serious probs that need dealt with befor worrying some one some where has grown their own and is toking blissfully up not bothering a soul…really?
This is not a Democrat verses Republican problem. There are two sponsors of the bill in question one is a Democrat one is a Republican. Only two candidates for the 2012 presidential election have endorsed legalization of Cannabis. Both Republican. Don’t play the us versus them game that both parties want you to play or we will never get out of the rut we are in.
well then maybe they need to be rid of the Federal Medical Marijuana Program..
dont remember whos post it was but seems to me some one mentioned the 10th ammendment earlier…said something to the effect that the federal goverment only had the power over the states that the whole of the states alow….that being said if the whole of the states wanted legalization would that then make it so?
would it be possible to organize a nationtion wide vote state by state to ask we the ppl what we the ppl want and stop making us say mommy may i please grow and smoke my own weed in the privacy of my own home without fear of legal retaliation by any law enfocement agencies…its only been a few weeks ago in a neighboring town the law broke in on a private home to bust ppl for growing weed and in the process shot the family dog…even closer to home my nieces other half got busted for weed and at the time she was pregnent…these buffoons kicked the door in and she was standing close enuff that they knocked her down…these ppl have no regaurds for the safety of any one or any thing…they are like animals unleashed…where the hell are our rights? im sorry but to me the legalization of marjuana is more than jus the right to grow and smoke weed…its a start at the restoration of many rights relieved us in the yrs gone by…by supporting this bill you are supporting americans wanting to take our rights back…there is a bigger picture here than lots of ppl seem to think…it is for these reasons i wish cali would move forward with legalization…i feel colorado and several others would fall in behind them and eventually more would see the light until finally there was enuff to make the goverment take we the ppl serious and open talks would then insue and no one actually had to end up looking like a fool…i know but it doesnt hurt to dream alittle…helps keep the hope alive and btw im fifty in aug so ive been keepin the hope alive and living in fear of the refermadness mentality all these yrs. i started smoking marijuana at the age of 14…i learned by the age of 15 i liked it better than i ever did beer…it started out as something to do socially with my friends and in my older yrs its turned out to be my best friend…i cant afford to go to a docter but i have a problem with severe pain in my lower legs and feet to the point i have trouble walking across my own livingroom floor…this seems to help make the pain more tolerable…regaurdless of the law i will always smoke it and risk yet another jail senttence because it does me that much good that the risk means little for the piece of mind i get while under the influence of this wonderful plants effects…i am not a criminal but have been made to look like one because i exercised what i felt was my god given right and chose to smoke weed…pls legalize and allow me to be a completely legal tax paying weed smoking non criminal…is it really that much to ask of something we should already have? i remember seems to me it was back in the 70s we got a glimmer of hope that it would be legal soon…wrong…now here it is again…lets dont let this be just another one of lifes teases…get behind whoever it takes and do what ever you can to support this…even talk to your neighbors…an enlightend neighber could mean one more yes vote…the very vote that could put it over the top for all we know..dont just sit back and let others fight the good fight…not alll of us can get around good but we can make ourselves heard in places like this for coast to coast….ta yes vote for leagalization is a yes vote for a better life for ALL Americans…pls vote yes if we can ever get it to that
Lamar Smith Campaign Finances http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?type=C&cid=N00001811&newMem=N&cycle=2010
Note that one of his top-twenty contributors:
National Beer Wholesalers Assn contributions http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?cycle=2010&id=D000000101
Is this just a move to protect Big Alcohol? Is this REALLY what America is all about?
138. ConservativeChristian
To answer your question – YES – this [is] what America is all about! But – what America [is] also all about [is] electing representative who will “represent” We the People. Someone made a horrible mistake – voting Smith into office. Now [2012] is their chance to correct that mistake. “If we don’t learn from our mistakes – we’re doomed to repeat them.”
Good CDXX Communion.
Ending pot prohibition is a policy that a good Republican should embrace.
I usually (but not always) vote Republican.
Ending pot prohibition is about individual freedom, about leaving people alone to do what they want to do in their personal lives and in the privacy of their own homes.
And, ending pot prohibition will increase tax revenues.
Be a good Republican! End pot prohibition!
The funny thing about people like Smith is that they probably use drugs themselves, they just don’t want people to publicly know about it, so they keep getting their stash from the black market, or even freely from the vaults.
I am here in DC and I went to Mr. Snith’s office. A staffer informed me that they had a little birthday party for a staffer and that is the reason they turned off the phone on friday. I asked about facebook. The same staff member said that alot of the messages were vulgar and abusive so offline they went. We need to put pressure on these type of politicians but lets play it smart people or they will not work with us.
#138: Conservative Christian:
Thank-you! I will put your links to good use.
#120: Libertarian:
Thanks for the link! This is a big help!
All the persons that made a comment on here. I must ask how many of yall are register voters? Yea i dint think so You have to go vote.And yall dont
well i jus came from yahoo computers lobby 1 and i gotta say reefer madness is still alive and well….i could not belive the mentality of these folks….they spewed such things as they are against it because they claim to know of cases where pot smokers have killed entire families…lol…we got a straight uphill battle on our hands here ppl and i honestly dont know how they will become educated to the truth becaues the proganda has engulfed them like a disease and taking over their will to think freely and read to educate them selves…legalization seems to become more of a fantesy the more i try to talk to ppl on the issue
i dont know where the polls come from but from my experience it seems the majority of the ppl i try to talk to on this issue are hard core against legalization…there is still much more to be done befor this ever happens as i see it…but i will keeep tryin to help in any way i can…its really all we can do at the end of the day
To post number 150:
I, for one, am a registered voter. I’ve written my representative in the House, and both Senators for my home state expressing my support (and highlighted several points why THEY should support) this bill.
My key point: You lose my support if you don’t support this bill, and I will be actively campaigning against you in 2014 when I’m of legal age to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Another of my points: Whilst a high school student in this state, it was easier to get my hands on pot or meth than it was cigarettes or beer, simply because there are no controls in place.
Bear in mind, I reside in a state that banned K2 because some overreacting parents blamed it in the suicide death of their teenaged son. Also, my state has a pretty poor record on human rights and common sense issues…a “grassroots movement” to impeach the state Justices when not a one of them violated the state Constitution (the legal prerequisite for impeaching a Justice) will attest to the fact that the people here are backwards, at best.
I absolutely agree with you that voting these jackasses out of their seats of inscrutable power is the only way to bring about true change. I can’t agree, however, with a blanket statement saying that all the posters here are a bunch of lazy non-voters. Some of us who support organizations like NORML, LEAP, or SSDP vote accordingly.
A Call to Arms – Marijuana Revolution Is In The Air!
Revolution is in the air! From Wikipedia: “…[P]rotests are an unprecedented revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests which have been taking place in the Middle East and North Africa… To date, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have seen revolutions of historical consequence, Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Yemen have all seen major protests… The protests have shared… the use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter to organise, communicate, and raise awareness in the face of attempts at state repression…”
What does that mean to us? The time for a Marijuana Revolution in America is now!
We must use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, photo and video hosting sites and other social media tools to bombard/swamp/deluge/flood all elected officials — at the local, state and federal level — with our discontent/dissatisfaction/disgust over America’s failed war on marijuana. Most elected officials today are maintaining and monitoring Twitter and Facebook feeds/pages; it is up to us to leverage this new media to get our message out — LOUD and CLEAR!
We must monitor the local and national news for “Marijuana injustices”. For example, in New York City, possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana is punishable by a fine of $100 for the first offense; despite this, NYC cops are known to trick users into showing their weed, at which point they can cite them for possession of any amount in public where the marijuana is burning or open to public view, which is a class B misdemeanor and is punishable by up to three months in jail and a fine up to $500. We must be on the look out for these situations and we must use these new social media tools to HIGHLIGHT these police infringements on our rights. Wherever we find intolerance, or police misbehavior contrary to the letter and intent of the law, we must publicize it! (Moral to the NYC story: if you’re in NYC, under no circumstances should you ever take out your weed – you will automatically move to a class B offense; they will take you down, book you, etc.)
As the US military is under a continual and unblinking eye of scrutiny the world over, so must the cops that are currently running roughshod on our rights as American citizens! I recommend, as a matter of policy, that we document with camera and video image every police action that we see.
We must post what we see on the Facebook pages of our elected officials, our commentary in the comments sections of online newspapers, and we must blog our thoughts about these misuses of our tax dollars. We must upload our media to Youtube, Flickr and other hosting sites for the world to see.
We have to be heard expressing our dismay over the current state of affairs!!! This is bull**** and only we can change it, straight people may be willing to go along with decriminalization/legalization efforts, but we can not expect them to spearhead this for us!!!
The Constitution of the United States of America does not give our federal government the power to create or enforce these bull**** laws. The Tenth Amendment explicitly states the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.
Gonzales v. Raich was a decision by the United States Supreme Court ruling that under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, the United States Congress may criminalize the production and use of home-grown cannabis even where states approve its use for medicinal purposes. This ruling is specious at best. Again — the burden is on us, the dope smokers, to fight this!!! We have to be heard or continue to suffer under this persecution!
I believe the time is right. We can do this now. Americans support allowing us to burn in the privacy of our homes, provided we aren’t smoking up with children, or driving stoned, or going to work stoned, or smoking in public, or pushing for “rights” that would underwrite stoned behaviors — for example suing my workplace for medical treatment necessitated by my personal marijuana use.
I welcome your thoughts…
http://partyseeking.blogspot.com/2011/03/call-to-arms-fingers-marijuana.html
#150, Douglas:
Don’t be an idiot! Concluding that most of us here “don’t vote” is a stupid assumption. And your point or purpose is what? Do you vote? Like your options??
President Obama was elected because he promised change… but I’m not sure I’ve seen anything of the sort. It’s like there’s a Presidential Guidebook on how to treat cannabis. I doubt there is, but rather I expect politicians do what they do for show. Laws and penalties are based on anything but blind justice, or what’s right or wrong.
In 1977 President Jimmy Carter legalized cannabis, home-brew beer and wine. Until that time all three had been illegal. The beer and the wine passed, the cannabis raised a hell-storm from the elite drug warriors, and forced laws and re-regulations that ultimately made cannabis one of the worse drugs, placing it alongside heroin and murder. Hardly true even if one stretches use of cannabis to the extreme… but it’s what “they” want society to believe, that to be hard on crime means being hard on cannabis use.
How out of touch can a government and it’s policies be? And to what effect do those policies have on the way people respect authority? They don’t, and when they don’t, cannabis is the fall-back… becoming a vicious self-fulfilling prophecy.
The largest joke to date is the so-called “Tea-Party”… evangelicals who support Republicans who support tougher controls. Like Christ or God said “do not use cannabis”! I know actual people who used to use cannabis who stopped because they felt religion dictated it was a sin. They took up drinking instead. Sheer lunacy, in my opinion.
Fact is, God gave us plants, cannabis included, and there is absolutely no reference that forbids humans from using cannabis. My point, the “In God We Trust” motto on our money is a joke! A sick joke for those of us seeking peace and happiness, life and prosperity.
Do I vote? Damn right I do. Do you???
152. thatcreepmike
Ya – but – 150 Douglas still said it – and – it was still read. Therein lies the problem. If enough people say this shit – long enough – it becomes believable.
#153, DaveNotHere:
If you think revolution is the answer, lets start with two places on the web that could use education.
NIPITINTHEBUD.COM
And how many of you remember the first Drug Czar? William Bennett? Well he’s alive and well, working for CNN, has his own editorials. He had a response to HB2306 – “that it was wrong”! Do you know he says only 2% of all drug arrests for cannabis involve simple users. He goes on to say it’s the people selling it, think cartel…. he seriously believes the war on cannabis, and drugs, is targeting hard core distributors, and not the average or above average citizen.
I like CNN, but I disdain William Bennett. Still, it’s good to keep the enemy close, and now that we can actually comment to him on CNN it’s all the better.
I really wish I knew what was so bad in the eyes of gov’t about cannabis? It boggles my mind, that we pay taxes to fund a war in America against cannabis. That we talk about it like it’s “DRUG”… you know, “DRUGS”? Where is the common sense in that… How can it be 2011, and my gov’t still believes Martians have landed?
@156 BobKat – I read the article by William Bennett on CNN and participated in the blog that followed. There was about 4000 comments, mostly pro-marijuana, before I left for the beach this past weekend. I decided to check up on that blog for updates this morning and guess what – all of the comments have been removed but the article by Bennett is still there! Outrageous!
What the! I just checked the CNN website again and now the comments are back… Thus, my comment #157 is bogus… Anyway, I encourage all of you to check out this link and post your own thoughts if you haven’t already. After all, CNN is mainstream and we need to get our points out to as many people as possible!
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/30/bennett.drug.legalization/
I was a bit angry when I tried to view comments earlier this morning and they didn’t come up… I thought the worst; that being that CNN decided to shut the community up in favor of Bennett…
I know plenty of anti-prohibs that don’t pay a penny to anyone or anything that funds prohibition of cannabis. The problem is – “There isn’t enough of them.”
In “90, I went back to school at the ripe old age of 38. The majority of my classmates were under 25. In our economic class, I wrote my term paper on “The Economic Justification of the Legalization of Marijuana”. Even though our teacher did not approve of my subject, he had to admit that it made sense. (I had really gotten into my research) The teacher decided to have a vote: If you could vote tomorrow on legalizing marijuana, would you? He even left the room when the vote was taken. In a class of 30 students, only 3 voted in favor, and 2 of them were my age. It really struck me how the “Reefer Madness” mentality had worked on the generation after mine.
#85, Ned:
Just caught your post again, very good summation and points of interest! Points for us to pursue.
#160, Lynn Cason:
I went back to college in the early 90’s also. Was getting a degree in medicine. I wish I could remember the name of the course, but can’t; I believe it was a biology class, and we all had to write a paper – my topic – “Medical Marijuana”. I received a coveted award for my paper after it was submitted by my teacher. My classmates, all graduates of DARE, scoffed at me getting an award.
75 plus years of misinformation is what propaganda is all about – and it works! In 8th grade back during the 60’s my Spanish teacher took a whole period outlining on the blackboard what would happen if Blacks and Whites mated and produced children – the end of the Pure White Race.
Politicians make their money propagating information and misinformation… I forget for the moment the congressman that said it, but essentially he said: it doesn’t matter what is said as long as the end result happens, as the politician wants it to happen.
The DEA saw a substantial increase to their budget this year, while social programs are being cut, and extensions for tax-cuts to the wealthy are a Republican priority.
What is the largest pork in 20th to current 20th century politics??? Answer: “The War on Drugs”, on cannabis which is the 3rd most popular recreational drug next to alcohol and tobacco.
We all know there would be no Mexican Cartels if cannabis were legalized, and grown in the USA by the general population who likes growing herbs. But that’s not a solution to the War-Pigs anymore than ending the failed and ludicrous Viet Nam war was during the 60’s to self-righteous politics. The War on Drugs took the place of the Viet Nam war, a war that could be fought against the very American Citizens opposed to the war – the conscientious objectors of that war.
My question, as a Citizen of the USA, a long-time payer of taxes, a Genesist with a religious and moral obligation to God and the blessings of plants bestowed on humankind, how can I not be a conscientious objector to the War on Cannabis? To the harm the laws of this country are doing to innocent people, guilty by unjust politics and lies?
I know I’m preaching to the choir… but like Rev. Billy Graham, you’re not my only choir.
Does it matter that only 3 votes out of 30 were in favor of legalization? No. But it does matter. It matters because there are spoke-people like William Bennett of CNN who promote the lies and misinformation, and people like him, are to be frank, quite offensive being naked in public. And it’s time we proclaim – “I’m Mad As Hell and I’m Not going To Take It Anymore”!!!
Put some clothes on, get educated, and stop spreading lies as if they were God’s Truth!
As Ned, #85 said, 2 + 2 = 4… that’s true! That’s the math and the science.
If we’re to be “drafted” into a War that is Unjust and based on Lies, like I was to be drafted into the Viet Nam war, we have a right to be conscientious objectors… we have an obligation to protect our fellow Americans against acts of terrorism of which that is exactly what the War on Drugs is. Drug use – recreational drug use, is either a personal choice under the Constitution, or a mental health issue; law enforcement or federal military units like the DEA should only be involved under imminent threads of harm to citizens, not as a routine practice.
To be clear… the War on Drugs is a terrorist threat to me… by my own government, and further a violation of Article 83 of the Constitution of the State of NH:
“Article 83: Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people: Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination. Free and fair competition in the trades and industries is an inherent and essential right of t he people and should be protected against all monopolies and conspiracies which tend to hinder or destroy it. The size and functions of all corporations should be so limited and regulated as to prohibit fictitious capitalization and provision should be made for the supervision and government thereof. Therefore, all just power possessed by the state is hereby granted to the general court to enact laws to prevent the operations within the state of all persons and associations, and all trusts and corporations, foreign or domestic, and the officers thereof, who endeavor to raise the price of any article of commerce or to destroy free and fair competition in the trades and industries through combination, conspiracy, monopoly, or any other unfair means; to control and regulate the acts of all such persons, associations, corporations, trusts, and officials doing business within the state; to prevent fictitious capitalization; and to authorize civil and criminal proceedings in respect to all the wrongs herein declared against.”
Stop the War, Stop the Hurt!
I CALLED REP SMITH AND I HOPE EVERYONE CALLS EVERY DAY ITS THE ONLY WAY. KEEP CALLING EVERY DAY WE WILL GET TO HIM