“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
What can I say? I’m flattered. David Mineta, deputy director for demand reduction in the Office of National Drug Control Policy, has taken time to publicly respond to little ol’ me. I wonder if they pronounce ‘Armentano’ phonetically at the Drug Czar’s office?
The back story: Last week NORML Board member Paul Kuhn and I published a guest commentary in Nashville’s largest daily newspaper, The Tennessean, opining in favor of H.R. 2306, the ‘Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011. Here’s an excerpt:
Marijuana legalization bill offers safer alternative
via The Tennessean
We know tobacco is the leading cause of death in America, contributing to 400,000 deaths each year. So it’s hardly any wonder the FDA will require the placement of prominent warning labels. Alcohol is the third-leading cause of death in America. The World Health Organization reported earlier this year that “alcohol causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide, more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence.”
… What about marijuana? With every other drug from Advil and alcohol to Zantac, a correct dose is effective, but too high a dose kills the patient. No dose of marijuana is capable of causing a fatal overdose.
… And unlike alcohol and tobacco, adverse effects of even heavy cannabis use are minimal. There is no epidemiological evidence in any country, after scores of studies and centuries of use by tens of millions of people, that marijuana smokers have a shorter life expectancy than non-smokers.
… They don’t become violent at sports events or beat their spouses and children. They don’t get heart disease, cancer, brain damage or any other deadly illness at a higher rate than those who abstain. In fact, a pair of studies conducted by Kaiser Permanente found that marijuana use, even long-term, was not associated with elevated levels of mortality or incidences of cancer, including types of cancers associated with tobacco smoking.
… America is on a path to allow adults to choose a safer alternative to tobacco and alcohol. And create more tax revenue and more jobs in Tennessee. And more freedom.
Apparently quite a few people read our editorial, including some folks at the Drug Czar’s office. And it must have gotten under their skin because today the White House responded with this.
Movement for legalized marijuana ignores dangers
via The Tennessean
Proponents of marijuana legalization often argue it will do everything from fixing our economy to ending violent crime (“Marijuana legalization bill offers safer alternative,” Tennessee Voices, Aug. 15). Yet, the science is clear: Marijuana use is not a benign drug and it is harmful to public health and safety.
… Would marijuana legalization make Tennessee healthier or safer? One needs to look no further than Tennessee’s current painful experience with prescription drug abuse. In Tennessee, prescription drugs are legal, regulated, and taxed — and yet rates of the abuse of pain relievers in the state exceed the national average by more than 10 percent.
Nationally, someone dies from an unintentional drug overdose — driven in large part by prescription drug abuse — on average every 19 minutes. What would America look like if we had just as many people using marijuana as we currently have smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol, and abusing prescription drugs?
The classic ‘bait-and-switch’ goes on and on, but you get the idea. But I’m not sure the Drug Czar’s office does. After all, if their logic above had even a hint of consistency then they would be arguing for the criminal prohibition of cigarettes, alcohol, and prescription drugs. And lots of other things.
Yet when it comes to Americans’ use of substances like tobacco, booze, and prescription drugs — substances that pose far greater dangers to health than does cannabis — the White House recognizes that prohibition is not the answer: regulation and education are. So why does the Drug Czar’s office fail to apply this same common-sense principle to pot? Perhaps it has something to do with the federal requirement requiring the office to lie about legalization.
Finally, as to the specific question: ‘What would America look like if we had just as many people using marijuana as are presently using tobacco, alcohol, and prescription medications?’ Well, what does America look like today? After all, the federal government imposed criminal prohibition over 70 years ago; yet today that very same federal government admits that over one out of ten Americans admit to having using cannabis in the past year. Among those age 18 to 25, almost half admit to consuming cannabis recently!
The question isn’t ‘What if Americans consumed marijuana?’ The reality is that tens of millions of Americans have and do consume marijuana. Most do so privately and responsibly. Legalizing cannabis simply acknowledges this reality and seeks to regulate the behavior appropriately. In a free society, why would even consider doing differently?
Nice job Paul…these straw man fallacies will be seen by both the ruling class & average educated citizens, as more nails in the coffin of sumptuary laws against cannabis. Emancipation is at hand. OCTA in Oregon needs your help, so find Jennifer Alexander on FB and donate.
i think it’s ‘tsar’
WOW. Really? They really believe we will believe that b.s. Marijuana is safer than alcohol and cigs. and many legal and over the counter drugs. They are talking about overdoses in the us every year. No one has ever overdosed on marijuana or died from it or had severe withdrawls. People will and do use marijuana in the privacey of their homes and probably always will. I have never understood why it is illegal. All I can figure is the damn hypocrites who are apparently making a profit from keeping it illegal will probably go home and drink alcohol which is also highly abusive and harm ful to your health and society.
What does prescription drug abuse, alcohol, and tobacco use have to do with marijuana? If we legalized marijuana those problems would actually go down. Why? They would go down because people would have a cheaper safer alternative.
That is ridiculous, these retarded people in office are going to get overthrown. If they keep lying to us, they may possibly face what the Syrian “president” is going through. Tens of thousands of peaceful protesters. Is the white house willing to kill every single protester, well they currently are killing millions of people by continuing the lack of education of marijuana and encouraging the publics use of alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs. They say that people abuse prescription drugs, well thats because they want a “legal” fix. No possible way to OD on weed. They say that people abuse alcohol, well half of Washington partakes in the abuse of alcohol themselves. I guarantee that most of these people have bars in their limos and have a bottle of scotch in their desk. Alcohol kills thousands a year. No possible way to OD on weed. The president of the united states is himself a smoker “proclaimed he quit, I don’t believe that for a second.” Tobacco kills thousands each year. What is my comment here mostly about? THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO OD/DIE FROM WEED. I hate these crooks in Washington and I am tired of their lies. Thousands of our children are suffering from alcohol use, whether it is themselves or the death of a parent(I am one of these, as a result I do not drink). Thousands of children dye from 2nd hand smoke and suffer the same from a parents death due to tobacco. Pardon my French here but, WHY THE FUCK IS OUR GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO KILLING US. IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR CHANGE AND A SAFE ALTERNATE TO ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO (MARIJUANA) MUST BE MADE LEGAL. Not only for the peace and satisfaction of responsible adults, but for the future of our children. We lie to them each and every time we say marijuana is bad but then people go home and drink them selves retarded in front of them and the family. They fight at sporting events, they beat their wives and children. They kill with the cars. I have by far had enough and I think it is about time someone organized a million man march on Washington and demand the change that will point us in the right direction and far as personal choices go. They bash my love for weed, my non belief in a God, and my personal choice to live life how I see fit for me. I don’t care what god you believe in, how much you drink, how much you smoke. It is your decision and yours alone. Let me have my choice, my voice and my life back.
Their illogic is stunning.
If Bayer developed an aspirin alternative that offered the same benefit without the bad side-effects, they would market it ASAP.
Not only is marijuana a safer alternative to alcohol, but it has many benefits alcohol doesn’t.
Hey Drug Czar, marijuana is a safer “alternative” drug. The more people who smoke it instead of using alcohol the better. Choosing marijuana over alcohol results in a net decrease in harm!
In any case, doctors and medical researchers should be making the decision about drugs and not police officers like you.
They prove just how little credibility they have and how clueless they truly are because anybody who wants pot can go out and buy it right now without being carded. Just don’t be or look like a cop, and be at the right place with cash. America would look just like it does now, but be out of the shadows, and fewer minors would be getting their hands on it because they can’t blackmail their parents for using it and won’t be old enough when they get carded. And, they will get carded.
And yes, legalization will create jobs for people whose salaries will be taxed, and it will create permit and sales and excise tax revenues, and it will reduce the prosecutorial and law enforcement costs.
Taoist-like patience is needed, flow around the rock of prohibition, eroding it little by little.
Excellent evidence the National Drug Control, ie Czar is losing sleep over how to keep 70+years of lies under the rug. Fact is they can’t, and their rambling, dangers of the exact drugs we know are more dangerous as a defense is not only laughable, and sad, but the crack in the egg too.
What would America look like today? Much better than it does now; fewer people (millions fewer) incarcerated or harassed, fewer angry at our neurotic legal system, and more older people like myself able to get herbal cannabis for personal well-being legally, when the reality is the law makes it easier for younger people, many under age to buy it than responsible adults.
The catch… I smoke a lot of tobacco and drink a lot of beer – have done so since cannabis became unavailable when I became “old” to the young dealers. I know I shouldn’t have caved to the lure of tobacco and alcohol, but no one hassles me and it’s necessary tax dollars for a struggling economy. I must do my part – would prefer a brighter America where cannabis is legal, but willing to do my part and dying in the process to support the governments choice…
My parting suggestion: Those in charge of drug policy in this country all should be fired as incompetent. I have never heard educated people professionals defend lies the way they do, and create bogus truths to cover up those lies. It’s embarrassing!!!
Paul I think you just scared the shit right out of the ONDCP. When confronted with the truth they always want to bring in other substances that have nothing to do with cannabis. Lies and bullshit is all they know. You and I will keep putting the truth out there then they can take their lies and choke on them. Great piece of writing. I love what you and all of the people of NORML do.
Our Gov. says Marijuana has no medical benefits,yet it has US.Patents on its “medically beneficial” compounds.(US patent #6630507) for one.There have been over 20,000 documented studies on the HARMLESS HERB, yet OUR Gov.says “there have’nt been enough studies to prove its benefits”,but plenty (of their own studies) to prove its negative effects.
In 1974 researchers at the Medical College of Virginia, who had been funded by the National Institute of Health to find evidence that marijuana damages the immune system, found instead that THC slowed the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice — lung and breast cancer, and a virus-induced leukemia.
The DEA quickly shut down the Virginia study and all further cannabis/tumor research. THANK YOU DEA and OUR GOVERNMENT,FUCKING DOUCHE BAGS.
I wonder what the ONDCPs response would be if a group asked their position on criminalizing alcohol again, or arresting people for using prescription medication because of the potentially hazardous abusive nature.
The problem is twofold – 1) stupid ass right wing dinosaurs afraid of offending their (rapidly aging) demographic with anything remotely controversial. and 2) the enormous amount of money in this fight contributed by the alchohol and prescription drug industry. Especially prescription drug makers like Pfizer and Glaxo – they spend millions to fight pro-marijuana laws. The combination of these two factors is a large hurdle to overcome – but WE SHALL OVERCOME.
Actually heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. If we are going to publish articles lets at least get the facts correct.
“In Tennessee, prescription drugs are legal, regulated, and taxed — and yet rates of the abuse of pain relievers in the state exceed the national average by more than 10 percent.
Nationally, someone dies from an unintentional drug overdose — driven in large part by prescription drug abuse — on average every 19 minutes.”
I read that and laugh. Ok here’s the deal, if Cannabis were legal. People could choose to use Cannabis versus most… if not all, of these other prescription and OTC drugs. Then people wouldn’t have to worry about all these overdoses because you can’t overdose from Cannabis. Oh wait I’m sorry yeah you can, you just pass out get some good sleep and wake up hungry. Just terrible.
Wow! that has to be the most ridiculous response from a government agency yet. By this line of logic, if you abuse children, none of the rest of us should have children. If you abuse traffic laws the rest of us should be taking mass transit. If you abuse the intelligence of the public, we should just turn our heads away and become stupid. I’d be investigating what those fools are abusing to get a better perspective on thier thinking, or lack of. % will get you ten, theyre borderline alkies!
The response “Would marijuana legalization make Tennessee healthier or safer?”
The answer is too obvious – If one life is saved by utilizing MJ versus any of the mentioned “dangerous” substances, then it is a positive thing for society, right? Unless you are paid to oppose MJ, I spose…. Common sense should prevail!
To release such a lame, idiotic statement scares me…
Do they just throw out all facts and common sense before penning such nonsense… laughable …
It’s actually very simple.
They keep marijuana illegal so they can jail users and they’ll likely have a shorter life span + increase the profits of owners of privately owned prisons.
They keep prescription drugs legal to increase profits for the owners of big pharma. More people will overdose and die thus fulfilling their sick depopulation agenda. The owners of these companies also give hefty campaign donations to these politicians.
As of today you cannot patent naturally occurring substances, but big pharma can patent synthetic marijuana drugs, such as marinol. Other companies stand to lose a fortune as well from this earth friendly substance that could be used for a multitude of items including safer plastics and fuel.
It is a sad day when the “Drug Czar’s office” admits to how harmful all the abused prescription drugs are hahaha not mentioning the approval rate of said prescriptions with those wonderful side effects, in print, voices how horrible alcohol issues have become, puts up DEATH RATES, then lumps marijuana in with them. I am aghast.
Currently I am a mother of 2 wonderful, bright, well adjusted, ornery, well taken care of (aka spoiled) children, I attend college, making honor roll or Deans list every term– not someone who sits on the couch and plays video games in my moms basement and eats junk food all day, let’s just squash that stereo type right now.
I can only pray that one day enough people will learn it’s not okay to be afraid to stand up to the government for their needs and wants, and we will once again take back the representatives who are responsible for voicing our needs and wants, not voicing for the corporational politics what will put the biggest steak on their table and the prettiest hookers in their bed.
I have become a stout believer that greed and corruption cause brain damage! For anyone to keep publicly spouting the same old song and dance when everyone knows it is pure garbage has definitely had their IQ lowered. Evidently secret agendas and kick-backs will do that to you. Is there anyone left in any form of authority in this country who isn’t on the take??
Hold on I was overdosing from weed when reading this. Lemme re-read brb
What a complete Joke. They managed to completely avoid the concerns and totally derail the whole argument. It doesn’t take a genius or an overpaid drug czar to know that prescription drug abuse is a problem. How that has anything to do with pot, which is clearly in an entirely different boat is beyond me. Soon enough, more of America will wake the hell up and see the shear stupidity coming from washington.
why do we feel the need to rant on about prescription drugs when that was not even the issue in which you were responding to? People use pot now, its not like thats going to change whether it be illegal or legal, so why not try and tax and regulate a safer alternative? because whether we want to accept or not all these “pill heads” are lining the big pharma companies pockets, which in turn line congress’s pockets, come now they dont want any competition. how far is the country going to slip before we start worrying about our citizens, instead of big business? quit pourin money away on trying to stop drugs, this war is pointless and just makes the cartels richer, why not let us citizens decide instead of the whatever “cartel” with ak47s and missles and grenades and bombs, all bought with money that couldve gone to someone in this country that needed it, maybe we could bring our troops home, and stop blowing money, but thats a different story. bottom line: war on drugs = total fail
I’ve been imbibing in marijuana for over 15 years. I’m not a threat to national security. I don’t abuse or neglect my wife. I’m still the same person who cares, loves, and gives to anyone who needs help. Marijuana is not a crutch, an excuse, or reason not to be a human being. I don’t lie, steal, or kill to get my way in life. My father of 60 years smoked incessantly because he enjoyed it. Who cares about the opinions of those that dictate policy and law. WE THE PEOPLE CONTROL THE POWERS THAT BE. Their day will come when they fall from their roman empire and OUR day will come to restore decency and balance. The meek will inherit the Earth, NOT the wicked.
if only the politics in america employed common sense we know the inconsistencies in the argument against legaliztioand, we can surmise the benefits of legalization. its political fear that keeps many in DC and state capitols in opposition. also the vast sums of money spent on our drug war motivate many to continue to pursue this insane course of action. when will a pres step up and get real and advocate a repeal of the harrison narcotics act regarding marijuana. but all we get are pussies who probably enjoyed a joint or two in thier own homes or dorm rooms. some day when we can actually educate our youth about whats actually going on. Willing to help spread accurate info, almost got legal here in cal but maybe too many sat on thier ass when the prop failed to pass..
What are the Feds going to do when California passes legalization? Arrest the entire state? Test the water for signs of marijuana as it drains from the state? The people are so sick of our government these days that I believe if the Feds try to undermine any law passed by the citizens of Ca there might be another civil war. It’s time the Feds let us test our laws without their interfearance.
If this is then the case at hand, theres only one logical alternative. Criminalize alcohol and tobacco until the prohibition of cannabis has been repealed. This is a call for a revolution. Stand brothers, speak and be heard.
This is comical. I love/hate seeing them spin your question to spit back the same rhetorics they cling to over–and over, and over.I wrote an oversimplified bit on what would happen if legal marijuana use decreased other drugs’ use just 1%.
http://tokingpoints.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-if-increase-in-cannabis.html
Freaking Blockheads. my guess is they are closet opiate junkies. Norco (Hydrocodone 10mg), Methadone or Oxycontin being there prescription of choice. Demerol for the hardcores. Totally idiotic.
“‘We Can’t Legalize Marijuana Because Some People Abuse Prescription Drugs!’ Wait, Huh?” *Insert clueless dog-ears*
Good on ya guys
Keep it up
BTW the link on “federal requirement requiring the office to lie” dosnt seem to work
Based upon the response from the White House, whose opinions we value so highly we are charged with reevaluating their performance every four years and vote in the best candidate, there is only one realistic solution to the woes of Tennessee and the rest of the country:
Pass legislation which bans all pain drugs…prescription, OTC, home-grown, whatever. Make ’em all illegal. Plow under the fields, tear down every available old building, and build a prison system 10 times, no, 100 times bigger than we now have, we’re going to have to put lots of folks behind bars.
While we’re outlawing prescription pain medications, we really need to take a look at banning other medications, too. I heard about a guy who got a buzz from his father’s blood pressure meds. I doubt there are many pharmaceuticals which have never be abused, and abuse is what we’re fighting, isn’t it?
Ban ’em all, and lock up these so-called “patients”, and save the economy at the same time! Imaging how many construction jobs will be created from building huge, expansive prisons. Once their built, they’ll hire guards, administrations, and lots more.
When they’re built, America expands the DEA and other law enforcement entities, arresting millions will take lots of cops. Jobs, jobs, jobs!
Sometimes solutions are right in front of us, and we ignore them. We don’t speak up when we see injustice, thinking we can’t make much differences in things.
And it’s true. Most of us can’t make much difference, but all of us can make SOME difference. When did we become prisoners in our own country? How did we give permission to our government to terrorize its citizens based upon what it THINKS is the collective moral compass?
When I was a kid, I remember countries like the USSR and China (they taught us to call it Red China) being referred to as “police states”, where every citizen lived in fear of arrest and cruel incarceration if they didn’t comply with oppressive, draconian laws.
One doesn’t hear that term, “police state” much anymore. I wonder if people in other countries use it in conversations about the United States?
When you’re deciding who to vote for in 2012…be sure to check their position on marijuana. It’s all available online. Vote the neanderthals out ! It’s time.
Right, and remember….Marijuana is dangerous because it is illegal…Marijuana is Not illegal because it is dangerous! Please help assist Jennifer Alexander and the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012. http://www.cannabistaxact.org/
We have approximately 30,000 signatures so far, we are shooting for 130,000 signatures to be sure to reach the goal of 87,213 valid Oregon voters.
Each goal we achieve increases the momentum towards complete legalization of cannabis/hemp for Oregon, the West coast, the United States and the World.
Today is a new day. If you can find it within your hearts to allow your citizens to choose a safer alternative for relief then respect/support is what you will be given. In order for this to happen we need you to walk with us and talk with us. Work with us and we’ll work with you. I’d rather make strides to work together than continue on this path that only divides us and burns future bridges. If this happened with any issue I truly believe that we could solve whatever differences we may have. I see a lot of hot heads these days but where are the cooler heads? Good day.
To Ron:
Of course not, the feds don’t believe those lies. Our government may be cruel, but it’s not ignorant. The DEA and FDA know the medical value of cannabis, they understand how safe it is for non-medical use, but they’re in a tough spot.
In order to do any major reform of federal laws regarding cannabis, the DEA, FDA, and ton of other government organizations would have to admit they’ve been lying for years. It’s not like they can, one day, say, “Wow, we’ve been wrong all these years, we just found out today!”
The prohibition supporters have done well, and like Bill Maher says, “Most Americans are just stupid”. There are still people who believe Reefer Madness was a documentary, and consider the issue closed.
It’s a Herculean challenge, but education and awareness of the truth will, hopefully, meet it.
ummm… not even one death because of cannabis in ALL of history….
so how is cannabis like prescription drugs again?
Thank you for this article. I especially loved the Mahatma Gandhi quote; I knew exactly where you were headed after reading that, ha-ha. It’s apparent someone is losing the fight, and it’s not NORML. I would like to state for the record that I truly believe that had MJ been legal (it’s always been available) instead of alcohol, my mother might, possibly, not have died such an early death indirectly but clearly connected to her consuming a half gallon of bourbon–every week for years on end. It was only about three years ago that I was totally against the legalisation of marijuana, but I have become educated through personal use and through online documentaries, like, for instance, The Union-The Business Behind Getting High, an excellent, very well written and directed, totally entertaining piece about every possible aspect involving marijuana you could imagine. I am not abusing MJ, or driving while under its influence, in case it’s not crystal clear from what I have written above. In fact, I don’t believe I could abuse it if I tried! I don’t believe anyone who uses it to benefit them would. I acquiesce, it’s not for everyone at all times but, then again, those people know exactly who they are. I used to be one of those people. And I was a hot tempered you-know-what, too! haha.
Religion and politics are the limits with which societal innovation (e.g. cannabis decriminalization) is hampered most significantly.
You hit the nail on the head until the last sentence,we are no longer a free society,and everyone knows that pot extends your life,makes you happy,takes away stress, makes you love your brothers and sisters, these things are far from what your goverment wants.The system wants you to die early,hate each other,and take sides,because without sides no one makes money.
Sadly, this disgusting logic just goes to show how ridiculously un-democratic the United States government is. For one, indulgence of MJ changes your perception and for some reason those who partake can much more easily see through bullshit our gov spews out. Secondarily, our government is in no time more obviously controlled by big money donors (alcohol, big tobacco, and pharmaceuticals) than it is by the people. Over 50% of adults want MJ legalized but for some reason it isn’t. How is that a democracy?
I got an idea. Instead of fighting for the legalization and taxation of marijuana, let’s fight to re-prohibit alcohol. Talk about a massive mindf**ck.
“Marijuana use is not a benign drug and it is harmful to public health and safety.” Where is your proof? I know you idiots are reading this, so fess up with your proof!!!!! Seriously, how are people to view the “drug czar” with any credibility when by your job requirements, you are to outright oppose any form of legalization? You cannot think outside of that box, so you don’t even give your weak policies any credibility! You are wasting our breathing air and tax money.
Does anyone else occasionally wonder why our “Drug Enforcement Agency” fails to investigate any deaths or issues related to prescription drug abuse ? Thousands die annually due to consumption of “legal” pharmaceutical potions, yet go virtually un-noticed and the “dealers” seldomly liable?
Well written! What a classic red herring.
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/red-herring.html
A Red Herring is a fallacy in which an irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue. The basic idea is to “win” an argument by leading attention away from the argument and to another topic. This sort of “reasoning” has the following form:
Topic A is under discussion.
Topic B is introduced under the guise of being relevant to topic A (when topic B is actually not relevant to topic A).
Topic A is abandoned.
This sort of “reasoning” is fallacious because merely changing the topic of discussion hardly counts as an argument against a claim.
Problem is the bums know we are going to want to know… Were you being dishonest or were you stupid?
Plus the money is in their favor. Like Colbert said “spend less on the wacky tobacky and more on the super pac’y”. Big pharma wants control and they are outspending us.
How do we compete with the most profitable industry in the US?
Ps don’t be pleased by the Colbert mention… That was fancy footwork dodging our cries to be heard. Even he finds it too taboo to take seriously.
I doubt they’ll respond to this. After all, it’s a logical argument. They don’t have time for that. (hint, hint, prove me wrong Drug Czar)
A very good article.
People want jobs and a goal to have a better life; no one wants to be threaten, restricted, or lied too by our federal government over cannabis laws. Cannabis prohibition effects everybody.
Get serious, stay focus, and VOTE!
Last time I checked people aren’t crushing up their buds and snorting or injecting them … but you know what, we should keep this stuff illegal because we have to keep those prisons fully stocked!
go get’em guys. Well written stuff. This is how we will win this thing! Some day we can teach responsible use instead of lies. Lies on both ends. They lie to make it illegal and we are then forced to lie about our use.
They’ve been lying to themselves so long they actually beleive their lies, not! They are a bunch of crooks, selfish in the sandbox,deceitful at best,what’s worse than a greedy Republican that can’t have his way? Richard Nixon and Ronald Regan sure know.The greedy are out to destroy the middle class and this is just another blatant mechanism in their lets rule the world mentality.Like they say,tell one lie, then you have to keep on lying to cover up the last, well sooner or in our case later, the more idiotic their lies become.They’ve turned the workplace(what’s left of it in this country)into a Police state. Never in the history of mankind have we had to give up and turn over our personal bodies to even be considered for employment.What ever happened to, can the person do the job or can’t he.Now it’s, does this person have marijuana in his or her system or don’t they.And no wonder our country’s in an economic collapse.They planned it that way.Millions of jobs shipped abroad,foreigners brought in by the corporations,stagnant and collapsed wages,and drug testing that is nothing more than a corporate lockout on the American worker.I’d say their corrupt scheme has worked out just fine ,for them…
Umm, I’m actually starting to think that perhaps he isn’t lying. Rather, some ultra conservative folks seem to be afflicted with some sort of logic impairment; or rather this impairment get expressed this way in some people. They hear it right, but somehow think/process it backward, like a logic reversal… Or some form of dyslexia. I mean that argument makes so little sense; it is the product of someone who’s thought processes aren’t working like they should be.
All the data they provide actually supports marijuana legalization, while supports making other dangerous drugs illegal. They say, ‘Someone OD’s on prescription drugs every 19 minutes.’ And these ashmoles plan on not doing their jobs which is protecting us from these
dangerous drugs that they are completely aware of; but rather somehow interpret that their mission should be to continue to harass marijuana users.
Huh??? Please DEA, Drug Czar and Whitehouse; explain it to US(A) again, but without the brain-dead logic reversal this time. Can you do it? Or should we just laugh at you guys and vote for someone who might actually care about us? You are very close to being fired. You are preventing the end of this drug filled country by letting all kinds of dangerous drugs on the legal market. You let companies lace cigarettes with all kinds of crap, but then babble about the dangers of laced marijuana. Get real and get the damn laced cigarettes out of the stores if you care about people. Cigarettes should contain nothing except tobacco. Or do you somehow believe you’re already on the job protecting us from dangerous materials by arresting marijuana users?
Is this the plan? Arrest them for marijuana before they get to a 7-11 and buy chemically laced cancer inducing cigarettes or stop by a pharmacy and buy some numbing death pills–it makes sense, but only if you’re mentally impaired.
O well nothing new from there side.
“Yet, the science is clear: Marijuana use is not a benign drug and it is harmful to public health and safety.”
SCIENCE??? What Science?? The federal government won’t allow testing of cannabis, so what science are they talking about?
BUSTED AGAIN!!!!!!!
Prohibition has been one lie after the other right from the very beginning in 1937 when Anslinger said pot would make black men rape your white daughters. It’s total bullshit from the get go. The war on pot is ILLEGITIMATE. It’s JIM CROWE all over again.
The Drug Czar’s position on this issue, and their response, is so stupid as to be totally laughable! I admit to having used marijuana recreationally now for 40 years. I challenge the Drug Czar himself to a contest that would test both of us physically and mentally. Let’s see who wins if he has the balls top accept! I’m not holding my breath…
What would such a contest really interesting is if he was to consume his favorite recreational substance, alcohol, and I consume mine, then let the contest begin. He’d have no chance 🙂
This “drug war” needs to end, enough is enough!! Why is it that there is hard evidence that this government is involved in black market of the drug trade and they are not investigated and prosecuted?? That to me is the main reason why they keep them illegal, for their own personal gain!! Why are Americans so naive??
typical.. the saddest part about this is that im wondering how many other politicians are legally forced to cover up something for special interest groups.. Seriously with this shit? maybe we should rip up the tax act of 1937 and the other laws that interfier with my god given rights.. im tired of this shit..Our voices are laughed at by ignorence and mob mentality conservatives who think everything is bad and the government like mommy and daddy should tell you what you can and can’t have..WHO THE FUCK are they to tell me and you what we can and can’t do?!? No.. Why would someone lie to u if they are trying to help you?! They aren’t here to help and heal us people simply they are protecting special interest.. Only ONE HUGE PROBLEM..Mass media of people don’t see through the smoke screen thats fogging our government and politicians and infecting everyone like a virus to side with “the responsible ones” when really they are just zombies following the leader all the way up to secret societies and special interest.. I want to know what happened with the lawsuit that i believe norml had on the government for delaying for so long..Why isn’t that lawsuit in the media so that people can see how they are being manipulated by puppets.
“What would America look like if we had just as many people using marijuana as we currently have smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol, and abusing prescription drugs?”
I’d like to answer that question. That portion of the population that is using marijuana instead of the other substances would be the most healthy and productive part of America!!!
What is really scary is the fact that our government knows what the truth is about the saftey of MJ vs other substances. They want it kept illegal because so many of them have a stake in the privitized prisons that just love getting a hold of nonviolent marijuana users. Easy money for them. Also the paychecks for the DEA,ATf,etc that make a living ruining peoples lives in the name of the “Marijuana is Illegal” law.
people you must realize our government is the biggest drug dealer may i say the DEA the CIA AND HOMELAND SECURITY . THEY HAVE NOT STOPPED PROBLEM THEY ARE THE PROBLEM.
I was watching a History Channel production on the Salem Witch Trials (Netflix) recently and was struck by how similar that dark spell in our history is to our current war on some drugs, especially marijuana. Indeed, in this country, all things cannabis are irrationally suppressed.
The biggest difference is that in Salem the hysteria lasted less than a year before calmer heads prevailed and the people came to their senses, but not before many villagers were executed. In the case of the irrational fear of cannabis, that has not happened and every year hundreds of thousands of citizens are arrested and otherwise persecuted for any contact, no matter how slight, with the demon marijuana.
Polls indicate that the blatant silliness of the ONDCP and DEA is becoming clear to more and more everyday people. Their own statements are the best ammunition against them. It is simply astounding that these officials remain blind to their absurd reasoning.
we should be clear though, some cannabis users do also engage in domestic abuse/violence, it is possible to have an accident whist intoxicated, some people do have issues with dependancy, it is not a benign drug. None of these however are reasons why there should not be regulated access and decriminalisation, I just think we should be a little more compromising in the rhetoric we use.
we do need to start to understand the concerns of officials and address their problems one by one in rational debate and speak in tearms of what we are ‘for’ rather than what we are ‘against’.
We need to be honest about a graduated scale of harm for all drugs. Prescription opiate based medication is in a totally different league of harm than cannabis. I dont think it is a credible argument to extol cannabis as a substitute for harder drugs as really that implies that habitual drug use of some kind is inevitable in all adults which it is not. People should be free to use all drugs responsibly.
The most powerful argument is that safe access breaks the link between cannabis and more harmful drugs such as cocaine and heroin which may be sold along side cannabis by illicit dealers. also that a regulated market would facilitate access to social and health services and reduce the violence that comes with the illicit trading.
I just read all the comments…. Good stuff. I had to laugh a few times.
So what are we going to do about this? I want to see this nonsense end. I want to see ALL drugs regulated. Telling someone what they can and cant do with their OWN body is essentially telling someone that you own their body. The body is a prison for your mind here in the USA. Its cool to race cars, fight in the UFC, and eat at mcdonalds. BUT NO NO NO! You cannot touch that joint!
Welcome to the movement people. Its a new era. Time to end the bullshit.
But, but, but…..Marijuana is deadly so says BIG alcohol & we’re pumping money into Prop. 19 to make sure it stays illegal . After all, it’s a ” safety issue “………..
The soul singer’s family says toxicology tests show there were no illegal drugs in her system when she died.
They say the tests showed “alcohol was present,” but said it hasn’t yet been determined if it played a role in the singer’s death last month.
Previously, The Sun reported that her family believed she was killed not by drugs, but by quitting alcohol cold turkey.
They believe the singer’s decision to lay off alcohol completely for three weeks was a lethal “shock” for her tiny body, a source told the paper. Her family believe she was killed by a seizure because her tiny frame could not cope with such a dramatic withdrawal.
“Abstinence gave her body such a fright they thought it was eventually the cause of her death .”
People in America abuse everything from over the counter drugs to even fast food. Its no wonder why the country is in such bad shape. The reality is that adding one more substance, which is literally harmless, in fact, useful, won’t really change the public’s health. Many people consume cannabis daily and yet not a single fatality from it. It needs to be legal and regulated if we want to keep the youth away from it. Its the right thing to do.
Looks like they are starting to ramble. That’s a good sign they are getting weak. These poor suckers are just doing there job. They know the truth. It’s the big shot corprations in the back rooms that are worried about loosing there investments. They force there polices and make it look like it’s government decision.
Oh……..the news article is about, Amy Winehouse’s death .
As TheOracle said, Taoist-like patience is needed, flow around the rock of prohibition, eroding it little by little.
So True.
World sucks. I’m still stuck with beer.
Please check out my hemp jewelry at http://www.facebook.com/pages/MJs-Hemp-Jewelry/189965691054676
what a crock from the Govt as usual…
they cant come up with an ACTUAL reason to keep it under prohibition is their issue..so they make things up instead..they are never to be trusted…they are in it for their own gain which is only 575 people in the way…not that many. I say overgrow the govt.
they do what they want why cant we ? cannabis is not a drug you can OD on with the exception of someone that has not had much experience and all that will do is make them a little disoriented at the most..
this is all a bunch of crap from the govt..where going to do what we keep doing anyway..
and if we go to jail over it well then I guess it just makes them look worse every time someone goes to jail over a joint.
this is idiotic and makes me sick that we could have a great help and healing plant good medicine that wont kill you for using it but they do not have OUR best interest at heart…obviously. and our current liar in office prob. smokes too..didnt he say he did and supported it too at the beginning of his campaign ?
now backtracks. I say FIRE them…they do not work for us, they work for themselves..meanwhile our country is feeling the effects of middle management gone bad in the oval office.
The system has taken the human out of human being and by proxy and for profit, they have pigeonholed everyone into the same mold and collective mind.
When Big government and the corrupt nature of corporate intstitutions that beckon the more expansive beauracracy and takes a stranglehold the individual becomes smaller and less and merely a being.
This is the essense of their corporate morality and mortal sins.
Ray DiPasquale
hopefully the earthquake just shook some sense into those hypocritical money grubbing Washington baffoons.
Wikipedia: {Drug Czar is an informal name for the person who directs drug-control propaganda in the United States, following the U.S. use of the ‘czar’ term. The ‘drug czar’ title was first published in a 1982 news story by United Press International which reported that “Senators… voted 62–34 to establish a ‘drug czar’ who would have overall responsibility for U.S. drug policy.”[1] Since then, several ad hoc executive positions in both the United States and United Kingdom have been established which have been subsequently referred to in this manner.
In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy with the Washington Post, Gil Kerlikowske said the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation’s drug issues.
“Regardless of how you try to explain to people it’s a ‘war on drugs’ or a ‘war on a product,’ people see a war as a war on them,” he said. “We’re not at war with people in this country.” (See War, Psycholinguistics)}
He is a lier. He is paid to be a lier. Our government lies, cheats, steals, murders, all the while having a strait face. Our government has too much power if they are able to do what they want, when they want, no matter right or wrong, no matter if the constitution gives them the power or not, and with no consequence.
Does the Federal Government have any idea how much harm cannabis prohibition is having on our society? Do they remember McCarthyism? Jim Crow? The religious wars in Colonial America, the Witch Trials and atrocities? Do they know why the Temperance Society was created in the 1830’s – because alcohol abuse by men was so savage, and it took almost 75 years to ban alcohol, because it was dangerous. How easy it was to revoke a Constitutional Amendment with good merit?
I’m with others here posting… if the Fed insists on promoting this failed war on drugs, largely against cannabis, and largely funding murderous, terrorist cartels; given that both alcohol and tobacco fit the criteria for a Schedule One Controlled Substance, that we should immediately make illegal the possession, use, and paraphernalia associated with those “drugs”. Until we work out the truth, and find ways to truly regulate the dangerous substances, as compared to the less dangerous substances.
The laws prohibiting and making criminals out of cannabis users and passive growers is severe, and if the federal government doesn’t know what harm these crimes have been to people than they too are guilty of a crime… “failure to serve and protect!”
Prohibition is NOT protecting anyone… it’s harming everyone!!!
I find no currently accepted use for the Federal Government, other than to wage war, spend our money, and trample on our Constitution and unalienable human rights
They make to much money on prescription drugs,privatley owned prisons and get huge kick backs from them all,They would just loose to much money on me where i had cancer surgery if i could grow my own medican in ky,I would not need the 6 different pills that my dr, has me hooked on thats killing me..It’s all about the money and for the life of me it burns my ass that i can not grow a few plants in ky to help me live a better life.fuck the goverment dont ever vote for no one that will not let us have ower weed,weed heals and pills kill
More bureaucratic autopilot. People in career positions in DC care mostly about covering their asses, so nothing will impede the advancement of their careers. Bureaucracies are dense hierarchies. That means everyone is always aware that someone important might be watching. Even the slightest deviation from the established program could mean a missed promotion. Policy issues from high up and that makes nearly everyone a functionary. The bigger the policy decision, the fewer people are allowed to even think about it, nevermind change it. Prohibition is rooted in DC like a 300 year old oak tree. It’s going to take a VERY significant effort to uproot it.
Why am I not surprised by this response? Oh yeah… it’s because we already know the truth and they(the Czars) continue to lie and go on like blithering fools thinking they know what’s best for us. No wonder they named them Czars. Because only a communist would have this “menace of marijuana” mentality. Hooray for the USSA! 😛
GOD I LOVE THIS ARTICLE!
The time has come for the people to march in the streets of Washington D.C. in non-violent protests of marijuana prohibition and the drug war.
This seems to be the only way to change the Draconian drug laws (unless we want to wait another 20 years for it to MAYBE change).
Any ideas?
With enough people (million?) protesters could clog the streets and bring D.C. to a stand still. It would have to be very organized with a supply chain for food and water and such so that protesters can stay indefinitely in the streets and bring our so-called Democracy to its knees. And someone would have to be nominated leader/spokesman. Everyone would have to be on the same page, so-to-speak, united with the same goals in mind so the oppressors couldn’t find a crack to capitalize on.
I would do it myself but I am tied to a dialysis machine 3 days a week (TRS).
Any takers?
“Would marijuana legalization make Tennessee healthier or safer?”
Keeping their plethorically dumb and lying ass out of politics would. I guess these yo hos weren’t paying attention to mom and dad when the honesty lessons were being taught. I’ll wager that there isn’t a boy scout in the bunch.
If you listen to one word of what they say – you let them “think” they have an audience. Let their words fall on deaf ears. It’s time to ignore them and become indifferent to their BS. Just vote in 2012 – without all the hoopla.
So who is going to go ahead and organize this million man march on Washington DC?
HEY, they have Med Cannabis there too, right? HUH?! Can someone please explain how the very place were all this oppression is originating can have Med Cannabis?
April 20, 2012, lets smoke out DC…they cant arrest all of us…assuming there is a million people there toking it up during a speech and setting similar to Dr. king’s “I Have A Dream…”
we the sheeple need to stand up to this bully.
[Paul Armentano responds: Because the District of Columbia and Congress are two separate entities. Washington, DC has a local medical cannabis law (which, to date, has not yet been implemented), because a majority of voters of DC placed it on the ballot and passed it — similar to how various other states, including California, enacted medical marijuana legal protections. The DC City Council recently passed rules and regulations to put the nascent law in place, and they possess the legal authority to do so.]
We Know the Problem, here is the solution:
VOTE for RON PAUL 2012 (for all freedom, not just cannbis).
Throw away the TV (aka Propaganda Machine), and go do SOMETHING…ANYTHING instead of soaking up what Big Brother want’s you to; then advocate the same to those who can’t seem to figure out how to think for themselves.
Oh, and wake up to the idea that INCOME TAX, of any sort, IS SLAVERY. Sales tax? Fine. Tariff’s? Fine. ANY tax OTHER than that which punishes you for making your own money? Fine. Income tax only exists so that we don’t question the legitimacy of the “Federal Reserve Note.” THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A NEED FOR IT ACCORDING TO THE WAY THE GOVT HAS ALWAYS OPERATED, OPERATES TODAY, AND WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE.
WEED & INCOME TAX PERTAIN TO THE SAME THING: YOUR FREEDOM.
[Editor’s note: Ron Paul will never be elected president (he can’t even come close to winning the GOP nomination, let alone in a general election), so how can he and his anti-federal reservism possibly be the solution?]
I disagree with the editor. Ron Paul has more support than ever.
[Editor’s note: Ron Paul is too old and too libertarian to win the GOP nomination…and he will never win a general election in a country that is not libertarian. If you support Ron Paul for president you might as well as try to elect a fairy godmother or a magical pixie to be president. They actually might possess a better chance!]
Those interested in getting this issue to finally ‘tip’ should read (or read again, as it were) Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘The Tipping Point’, and then begin thinking of ways to connect the Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen of their community. Those in power, those with the money to lose at stake lose, will never succumb to what amounts to their own pink slip. So it must be the citizenry, at a grass roots level, that forces the changes in law. But the hurdle is finding those Connectors, Mavens and Salespeople. Maybe you are one of the three from the book. Maybe not. But everyone should read it, and use the ideas in that book to help tip this issue for their states, and for the nation as a whole.
Best of luck to all and keep up the good fight, Paul, et al…
Kin said, “You hit the nail on the head until the last sentence,we are no longer a free society,and everyone knows that pot extends your life,makes you happy,takes away stress, makes you love your brothers and sisters, these things are far from what your goverment wants.The system wants you to die early,hate each other,and take sides,because without sides no one makes money.”
I agree with all of it…except I would change the last 7 words to, “because with out sides, the government has nothing to legitimize its existence (and by extension, our oppression in the form of little things like the PATRIOT ACT, INCOME TAX, PROHIBITION to name a few).” Because WE (the sheeple) would make our OWN money.
An ounce of weed is worth 60 bucks or thereabouts….so everyone can participate in there own private economy of scale (the more money you need to pay bills and eat and ect., the more you grow…)…bad news for NWO types. The only free market IS the black market.
Quit bashing REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS….I am tired of seeing all the free publicity we keep giving them.
Instead, figure out that they are two sides of the same oppressive coin, and DON’T VOTE FOR THEM…there, everyone can be happy, conservatives, liberals, greens, libertarians, oh, and lets not forget the group I belong to: AMERICAN CITIZENS.
MAYBE Americans would loose weight, exercise and give back to their community, unlike NOW, were just full of fat, lethargic, unmotivated and dull consumers, you make me SAD America
Typical diversion tactics.
He knows the our proposal holds no fallacies, so he just sidesteps and blabbers about nothing. Typical Capitol Hill bullshit.
recently discharged and waiting for same to happen from another painmanag.clinic due to my use of weed.58yrs.of age and still have to answer for my 45 years of use.every month I am given 120 15mg.oxy and 120 30mg er morphine and after one warning will be discharged if found dirty for ilicit drugs.Diabetic for 37 years I suffer with painful nerve damage plus constant nausa due to hepC.Whats a Md.M.F.to do?
Let’s see… it begins with the fact that around 50% of Americans believe cannabis prohibition is wrong. It continues with all the states with current laws decriminalizing cannabis. It continues with a mob of dysfunctional politicians, as became more than obvious when the Tea-Party Republicans brought this country to a near mid-night debt default. It goes on with a respectable US Congressman, Ron Paul, seeking the Republican nomination with a rightist voice proclaiming he “could never succeed… too libertarian!”
Let’s instead embrace Gov. Rick Perry of TX, a religious fanatic who has dreams of turning the White House into a fringe Evangelical theocracy. We will have our own “Moral Authority”, and “Morality Police”. We will read the Bible everyday at noon for half an hour, or be subject to arrest. We will attend church, those deemed appropriate by the religious czar.
Now explain to me the difference between Congressman Ron Paul and Gov. Rick Perry???
I’m already forced to pee in a cup to get a job, subject to criminal arrest for use of several God-Given herbs with therapeutic value to me; paying income taxes and lucky as hell to still be employed, but at a rate of taxation that is significantly higher than what the wealthy hedgefund manager makes – millions in a day and less taxes than me! And my government “Health Ministry” tells me they “can’t legalize ‘marijuana’ because…” for unrelated problems such as prescription drug abuse, alcoholism, tobacco related deaths, etc.
And “marijuana” hasn’t “ever been studied” for safety. Yet apparently “studied enough” to proclaim “it has no known medical value and a high risk of abuse”. They might as well admit it “causes madness”! Which it doesn’t, but that’s not their point. Their point is – We can’t legalize marijuana because it’s illegal”.
Well how the Hell did the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution get repealed so QUICKLY through the 21st Amendment? In a mere 10 years?
The 18th Amendment had something substantial backing it’s passage – alcohol is truthfully toxic to the human body. Tobacco is also toxic, being as nicotine is a neural-toxin, a powerful neural-toxin.
The 21st Amendment was passed because the federal government was broke. They needed tax revenue. The 18th Amendment was repealed because supporters of prohibition were not concerned about public safety – there were serious reasons for the public to fear alcohol use (which must be manufactured – unless you like rotten fruit). Yet it was repealed without as much as a hiccup!
There are no – zero – scientific or medical studies to place natural, unprocessed cannabis as a danger to individuals or society. There is some concern that certain people may develop schizophrenia after use, but no proof cannabis caused the disease, but rather, may have brought a predisposition for it earlier, rather than later in life. If you ask me, I’d rather find out early in life, and would like my chance to seek psychiatric help rather than be subject to arrest if such is true. It’s a human condition, we are not all made the same. Why arrest the schizophrenic and not the alcoholic, or tobacco addict? Tobacco use and diseases cost this country billions of dollars every year, and people die by the millions.
Cannabis use… it’s criminal status and prohibition overloads the legal system, alienates millions of peaceful people, kills literally no one by it’s casual use, and funds, due to prohibition, terrorist cartels in Mexico and around the world. I pay taxes that support this War on Drugs, on cannabis. Conscientious Objector status per chance – but No…
I’m 57… I remember vividly the Viet Nam protests, and how wrong that war was. The War on Drugs is no different. Only it’s gone on far too long!
My first solution is immediate prohibition of addictive substances, or substances with no proven medical value like coffee, alcohol, tobacco, catnip, Cream of Wheat cereal, Wonder Bread (if it’s still around), Twinkies, and Doritos, fast food, etc.
My second choice, agreeing to an April 20, 2012 “Walk and Toke on Washington” is unfortunately not my favorite hope. With the deadly consequences in Syria for peaceful protest, and the bloodbath that followed, I have little doubt our own government would consider us terrorist, influenced by Iran, and drop a nuke on us. Those left alive would be quickly imprisoned in Guantanamo… for life.
As a result, upon careful consideration of our options, I believe, Henry David Thoreau and his Civil Disobedience is our only prayer. I live in NH… “Live Free or Die”, which translates as, “if you’re not hurting anyone and you benefit from it, do it.” That means, Buy your seeds online from countries where it’s legal, grow your own, and face the fact you could be arrested. But at least you’re living free. Elect Rick Perry and you can expect a life sentence for use of cannabis – not fair, he didn’t say it, but it doesn’t say in the Bible you can use cannabis, it simple says, “God gave to us to plants of the Earth…”, but from a Republican perspective, “what the Hell does that mean? That I won’t be getting that check daily from Big Pharma???
Hell, I’m Gov.Rick Perry, and I will be President as God speaks to me and told me so! As for Pres. Obama, I hate to say it, but you had your chance and you blew it.
Vote Ron Paul, even if “he can’t win”… which is a crock of crap.
You know…I read that response…
“Nationally, someone dies…every 19 minutes. What would America look like if we had just as many people using marijuana as we currently have smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol, and abusing prescription drugs?”
My answer: Well, since every 19 minutes someone dies from prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use, I’d say there would be a lot of people alive and happy.
Well, considering this guy mentions how people die every 19 mins from prescription drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, and since marijuana doesn’t kill
[Editor’s note: Ron Paul is too old and too libertarian to win the GOP nomination…and he will never win a general election in a country that is not libertarian. If you support Ron Paul for president you might as well as try to elect a fairy godmother or a magical pixie to be president. They actually might possess a better chance!]
————————————————-
It is still too early and there is so many primaries coming up and already you are damning all hope to end this cannabis prohibition. What are you and Russ up too? You both are saying the exact same thing. Is it about job security?
People still believe in democracy and the power of voting. This is the best time ever.
Ron Paul is doing very well.
End the federal war on cannabis!
Get serious, stay focus, and VOTE! The spirit of November 2012 election day will be the biggest voter turnout in history.
[Editor’s note: When was the last time a sitting member of Congress was elected President? When was the last time a 75-year-old was elected President? Should a 75-year-old be elected President??
When was the last time that someone won their party’s nomination and the presidency after failing numerous times in consecutive elections? When has the US voting public ever voted more than 3% for a Libertarian candidate in a national election?
The answer to these questions is never. Could a sitting, 75-year-old Libertarian congressman possibly win both the GOP nomination and a national election? It is possible….possible like winning the lottery.
NORML is non-partisan and a long time supporter of Rep. Paul, but, the organization’s job is to be analytical and based in real politics, not being dreamy and projecting front runner status to a political candidate who so clearly does not warrant such and who has close to zero chance of being president.
Should there be a libertarian candidate in these elections–from both major parties–pushing their vision of how government and citizens should interact? Indeed! Yes! No doubt! But, none of this means that candidates like Paul, or Johnson for that matter (or the ‘Kucinichs’ for the Democrats), have much or any chance to win their party nominations and the general election.]
A lot of good comments and views here, but it kind of concerns me that the editor thoroughly discredits Ron Paul as a presidential contender. Doing so only makes it less likely for him to receive a fair chance at election to POTUS. Do I believe he has a chance? not really, but as the strongest supporter of the reform of marijuana laws, he should receive support here, not be thrown out of the running by those he speaks in favor of.
when it comes to the medical marijuana issue, our federal government receives tax money on the sale of medical marijuana, and accepts it KNOWING it is “weed money” yet at the same time it is breaking its own laws. Any cash the government takes in from the sale of medical marijuana makes our government an accessory to illegal drug sales.
Want to end the war on drugs? Want a smaller, more limited federal government? Want our country to get back to it’s roots and let the idiots in Washington know that WE THE PEOPLE want our constitutional rights back? Vote RON PAUL 2012. If you do not know who he is or what he stands for, look him up. You might not agree with every view he has but I guarantee you will agree with most of them. I am completely disgusted with Prohibition and and the direction this country is headed. We can’t depend on the idiots in Washington to fix our nation, we have to depend on ourselves and get someone in office who actually cares about the welfare of our country. We have to let our voice be HEARD! Ron Paul stands for liberty and the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Get the word out. Research Ron Paul, listen to him speak, look up his voting record. He has stood up to the idiots in Washington and has stood for what he believes in, and what most of us believe in. RON PAUL 2012!
[Editor’s note: Ron Paul can’t win the GOP nomination and could never win a general election. To boot he is too old.
RON PAUL 2012? Why not ‘TINKERBELL 2012″? Both have equal chance of being president….]
Thank you Paul, for standing up for the truth! It makes me sick to see that our government continues to lie to us. Soon they won’t have a leg to stand on in the fight against responsible cannabis use. Keep spreading the good word!!!!
[Paul Armentano responds: And thank you.]
“O.K. I get it- I really do.” Maybe Ron Paul won’t win – but – at least that one vote won’t go to a prohib – and – it most certainly sends a clear message that no one will ever get that vote if they continue to be a prohib. Now you “get it” – it’s a poke in their eye with a sharp stick. But there’s other pro-cannabis candidates. Same message – different day.
Ron Paul will get my vote!
I have a problem with this sentence “Legalizing cannabis simply acknowledges this reality and seeks to regulate the behavior appropriately. In a free society, why would even consider doing differently?
“seeks to regulate the behavior appropriately” I thought we were a free country how naive of me the government wants to regulate my morals and behavior.
Over and over we see the same thing but nobody just stands up and says enough is enough because those who smoke are non violent.
I have personally had enough of the government telling me how to run my life and what is right and what is wrong. There is the illusion that we are free and the power of the people to choose but it is just an illusion. Something needs to give. we could vote for legalization and the government would pull some law they just created and say nope sorry still illegal.
[Paul Armentano responds: “I thought we were a free country how naive of me the government wants to regulate my morals and behavior.” Well, I don’t think that anyone here is advocating for government entities to ‘regulate your morals.’ By contrast, the state can arguably have a role in the passage of reasonable regulations of behavior, if/when that behavior potentially limits the liberty of others.]
When is the last time United States elected a black candidate, or a candidate with a Moslem name and also is still a member of Congress? (Here’s the answer: November 2008.)
And what have you got against old people?
When Senator McCain ran during the last presidential election, he has been on the bottom of the polls many times with very little hope and still ended up as the winner of the primaries. We all know why and how Obama got to be president?
Ron Paul is still running strong.
Other candidates may sing,dance, and flip-flop their way through the elections, but Ron Paul is very consistent.
It’s only been a few primaries. There are still more surprises ahead.
Only You and Russ are the only two people from NORML who are throwing mud at this guy and to those who want to end cannabis prohibition at the federal level.
Ron Paul is 75 and still have the mind and the balls to become president! Old people are not losers!
[Editor’s note: Throwing mud or trying to introduce some to reality? Again, NORML has been a multi-decade supporter of Rep. Paul, but that does not divorce the organization from the reality that he is too old to be an effective president (Reagan’s second term was mired by how old and senile he’d become from 75 years old forward…Rep. Paul is trying to get elected at 74), that he has no chance to win the GOP nomination and even less of a chance of winning the presidency in the general election.
So why waste one’s time and money on a candidate who can’t win under most any circumstance??]
It’s probably true Ron Paul doesn’t have a chance in Hell (the US) of winning the Republican nomination, let alone to be President. But if his age, his Libertarian ideals, his eccentricities are the reason, then that is why this is Hell, not the USA. My own mother who’s 82 and very conservative (and we rarely get along) told me she is voting for Ron Paul (she lives in NY). She told me, who else is there who isn’t a fanatic, and that includes Rick Perry, and she didn’t even know about his extreme Right Wing ideology of making this country a theocracy… and Mr. Armentano, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachman both are advocating regulating the morality of American Citizens, should they get elected.
We all need to vote our conscience, and btw, my mother is a religious fanatic and still she would not vote for any other politician currently running other than Ron Paul. See, Ron Paul is so much to the Left, that he has swung Right, and is in the midst of being the most balanced Presidential Nominee.
Finally, it’s not nice to know that as more and more people become centenarians, that age 75 is considered TOO OLD to be President of the USA. I surely hope by the time I become 75, in approx. 18 years, and I decide to run for Pres., that attitudes have changed. 75 years of age is not old… having ideals that lie 75 years in the past when the Marijuana Tax Act was passed is on the other hand – VERY OLD.
Time for a Free America – Vote Ron Paul… and besides, if I have to listen to Rick Perry as President for 4 years, who sounds like George W. Bush’ twin, I’ll flee to Canada, like I almost did back in the early 70’s.
That is the most assine comment from the DEA, I have ever heard. What do they think we are a bunch of dummys???
@Jeanne…
They THINK we are on drugs and unable to function and think clearly in a society bend on destroying itself, which became obvious during the recent Congressional “I DARE YOU” re: the federal debt, the ceiling, and the supposedly for America Tea-partiers (who frankly to me appear more interested in protecting Wall St. and millionaires than the average citizen who’s suffering big time because of the so so-called Wall Street experts we believed in, and shouldn’t have.
We’re not dummies, we’re suppose to be SHEEP!!!
116. Sushi Fury may have the answer.
“WHAT IF” – big – “WHAT IF” – every cannabis user in the U.S. joined and supported an anti-drug organization.. Do you know what happens when, you as a company, grows too big – too fast. This could be mind boggling.
To the Ron Paul advocates:
http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/152192/5_reasons_progressives_should_treat_ron_paul_with_extreme_caution_–_%27cuddly%27_libertarian_has_some_very_dark_politics/
Well, Bobkat I am not a sheep and I don’t follow very well. I don’t believe wall street, they are in it for the $$$. Just like the DEA they are a big waste of money also. DEA is Nixons last shot to use, before he was thrown out of office. Liars and thieves this is our goverment!!!!!!
first off czar makes them sound evil.. which they probably are. and us stoners are actually great peaceful people and abusing weed is awesome and it would be a great society if people chose weed as their intoxicant of choice. also that is an extremely stupid comment of course people abuse drugs and end up in hospitals or dead and legalizing weed would only help.
Paul,
You do yeoman’s work to try and end a great injustice.
Those of us who are a bit less articulate in public than you appreciate your representation. You speak for millions.
[Paul Armentano responds: Thank you.]
Listen _ I’ll say it again _ “If you’re for cannabis _ but _ against all other drugs _ go join an anti-drug organization.” Give them physical proof that we are not what they claim us to be. NORML is the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws _ not _ all drugs. There’s some nasty shit out there _ and _ were get the sharp end of the stick because of it. If I catch my kid taking meth I’ll kick his ass before the meth does.
I’ve read a few of these. I’m hearing that pharma isn’t doing so well and I get the feeling the drug war is getting even them. It’s a vicious cycle because weed is prohibited, then it can’t be used by pharma. This induces more pharma production of drugs with harsh side effects, then law suits, then no more production of the bad drug, then pharma employees lose their jobs.
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OK, i just thought of something…Marijuana is a drug with no medicinal value…i disagree with that, but whatever. What about Ginseng, Valeria root, or any one of the other herbs that are sold legally? They cant be considered drugs, because they are herbs, and as herbs, they are not drugs…Marijuana is a plant, like the other 2 i mentioned, and many others i didn’t. how is one plant a drug, and the others cannot be classified as drugs? Shouldnt ALL plant derivitives be schedule 1? And if not all of them, then why is one considered a drug and the others arent?
To Brian, #124…
See http://blog.norml.org/2011/08/29/dea-issues-%E2%80%98final-order%E2%80%99-rejecting-private-production-of-cannabis-for-fda-approved-research/comment-page-2/#comment-115650 Comment #73…
I’m with you bud!
Some comments to your thoughts…
“Shouldnt ALL plant derivitives be schedule 1?”
Answer… cannabis, is not “a derivative”. It’s a plant, as are the others you mentioned. A derivative would be like opium is to the poppy plant or cocaine is to the coca plant. Cannabis is just a plant… if you want to extract a derivative in the privacy of your home for your own use that is one thing, it’s when derivatives that may be dangerous are exploited.
There isn’t much of a concern for cannabis derivatives, even hashish isn’t technically “a derivative”, it’s just a glob of the female cannabis’ plants honey pot. This obviously a disgusting thing for prudish people, but simply a fact for us more sexually liberated types.
To be honest there are three major differences between cannabis and other plants such as valerian, chamomile, blue vervain and other plants which promote relaxation.
1) Valerian never had a the popularity of Mexican immigrants during the 1930’s. The popularity of Black jazz musicians, nor was it a threat to DuPont or the petroleum industries. Thus, not Valerian Madness, as there was a Reefer Madness.
2) There was no slang-name, derived from prejudice towards another culture present for Valerian like there was cannabis. Prior to the 1930’s, cannabis was called ganja in it’s enjoyable use, and hemp in in industrial uses. Henry Ford designed the Model T to run on Hemp Oil, for example, and women’s nylons were being pursued as a hemp derivative until DuPont famously found a way to squash hemp research and came out with nylon, derived from petroleum.
3) The DEA’s pet dragon is named “marihuana”, though not what the Mexican’s called it back then, nor what the DEA calls it today – i.e. “marijuana”, but close enough for for a government agency that prides itself on truth, justice and the American way!
Since the DEA has never conducted legitimate research into cannabis, nor conclusively validated any real danger to society, essentially any laws and/or penalties associated with cannabis are unsubstantiated and based solely on anecdotal evidence. Unconstitutional in the way of any persecution or prohibition of cannabis, so technically, yes, either they ought to play their Schedule One game on any plant that has effects on people, be it “wake up with coffee”, or they ought to get their pretty little asses out of the rights granted American Citizens when it comes to use of herbs and plants.
Even getting “high” on cannabis is unproven… literally, all in one’s head. But apparently the DEA is high on it’s own drugs and can’t seem to function in a sound, scientific way in our society. It’s mind-boggling how they still exist within our government, so inept they are at preventing prescription drug abuse, the number one drug related problem in our nation at this time. With all the DEA regulation and DEA Numbers ascribed to prescription drugs, they are absolutely powerless to control such drugs.
Perhaps they spend too much time and money on their pet dragon, Mary-Jane!
In Michigan this last week out attorney general Bill Schuette began a war on Medical Marijuana. Dispensaries were raided people charged with felonies and he has stated that he will prosecute doctors who falsify patients to use medical marijuana. The law is in the process of being repealed while creating new laws and criminals. They do not believe that marijuana has any medical uses. Our state law makers not stepping up to fight this either. On Sept 7th Michigan citizens will be in Lansing questioning our so called elected officials that feel they are above human needs and the right to choose our own health care solutions. Please anyone that can help us please help…we need it.
To Scott Kelley…
Sad to hear what’s happening in MI!
The truth is since the DEA has prohibited nearly all research into the benefits of cannabis, there is no proof that cannabis has medicinal value. But the same is true of any negative effects to people or society since no conclusive proof exists that cannabis use causes any real harm. Any laws, penalties, prohibition for cannabis are based on myths drummed up in the 1930’s, and are Unconstitutional. Period.
We the People need to Demand from our Government the proof that the laws they are shoving down our throats are based on conclusive research that permitting the use of cannabis is truly a danger to the individual and society. Thanks in large part to the DEA’s own refusal to allow legitimate scientific studies of cannabis, there is no proof. Therefore, all laws against cannabis are unconstitutional and violate our rights under both Federal and many State Constitutions.
Cannabis/marijuana is not a narcotic and was not as many believe included in the 1914 Harrison Narcotics Act. The only fallback the government has is Pres. Nixon’s 1971 Drug Control Act, and it is based on fallacy, since Nixon’s own commission delegated to study cannabis found no reason to continue or prohibit cannabis use.
It’s time we fight back and ask – “Where’s The Beef?!” Where’s the Proof that cannabis is a danger to society? There are going to be a lot of Red faced politicians around trying to come up with a legitimate answer to that question… when it comes to cannabis, there is only the bun, NO BEEF!!!
STOP The HURT! Demand the PROOF!!!
“Yet, the science is clear: Marijuana use is not a benign drug and it is harmful to public health and safety.”
That’s an absolutely correct statement, once the redactions are lifted, thus: “Yet, the science is clear: Marijuana is not a benign drug, it’s a benign plant. Drugs, which are pharmaceuticals, are not benign. Marijuana use is harmful to the public careers, fiscal health, and personal safety of the prohibitionists, corrupt politicians, and interlocking cabals of special interests that have gotten rich from prohibition, since it provides empirical proof that the War on Some Drugs is a War on People.”
FTFY, Drug Tsar Gil Kerlikowske, you useless lying sack of mostly water.
Seriously? Why is it on every Pro/Anti- Marijuana Debate and or Article the Anti- Marijuana side of the argument on legalization, either flat out deny/ignore marijuana’s benefits or the Pro- marijuana argument, makes excuses ( Ex: We already have Alcohol, and Tobacco legal, we don’t need any more drugs in society Etc. Etc. ), answer’s the legalization question with more question’s ( What if this? What if that? ), or completely avoid’s the topic at hand. It just makes me angry, that anyone could be so ignorant toward’s Marijuana. They just hide behind a wall of lies and excuses, anyone who has a head on their shoulder’s could see that the Prohibition of Marijuana is a giant mistake, pure stupidity, and just a plain waste of time and money. The extermination of a plant Is just morally wrong, un- just and just plain not right. We do not have the right to make a part of God’s green earth illegal. Human- Being’s have the right to put in their bodies whatever they would like, it doesn’t hurt anyone else, if it bother’s you, then stay away from that person. The government does not have the right to say what we can or can’t consume! We the people have the right to a pursuit of Happiness, and the government is denying us that right! This prohibition has got to end! It does not make sense at all to keep this going any longer. We need to legalize Marijuana NOW!!! … Sorry, if I got a little out of hand, it just makes me angry that we even have to debate about this, it is clear that the prohibition, and the drug war ( which isn’t even a war on drug’s, the DEA spend’s more time eradicating Marijuana, than any other drug, it really is just a War on Freedom! The government know’s that Marijuana help’s us see the truth, and doesn’t like it. They want us to be blind to their lies and corruption ) are just pointless.
126. BobKat
The DEA’s pet dragon is named Michelle Leonhart – and – she’s full of dragon shit.
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Prescription drug is never sold over the counter and is not available in the market easily without a valid medical prescription. Such medicines are powerful dolor pills and are prescribed only when needed by the patients. Such medicines include names like opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, propoxyphene, CNS and stimulants. These three classes of prescription drugs are most commonly abused. Opioids are used to treat moderate to severe dolor. CNS Depressants are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Stimulants are used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These prescription medicines are commonly prescribed because of their dolor relieving properties.
132: The Road runner… you’re absolutely correct… Michelle Leonhart is the Evil Empress who in reality is a hideously ugly dragon And who holds the beautiful damsel Mary-Jane hostage high in the Tower within the wastelands and polluted swamplands of the DEA. In any other day and age people would see this evil for what it truly is, and there would be a Sir Lancelot battling this evil to free Mary-Jane from the fortress of evil.
But Sir Lancelot has been imprisoned by the evil warlock Lamar Smith… and the pure Constitutional waters that once were the United States of America have been poisoned, rendering intelligent men stupid and powerless to see the evil that has overcome them.
They see eggs as brains, and oil as sustenance, they drink intoxicating liquors and entertain mistresses of the night in their drunkenness. They abuse their power granted by The people and bring suffering to those People. They call it Justice… they call it good. In a land where the motto on their money is “IN GOD WE TRUST”, just what god, is that they believe in????
The Emperor wears no clothes, the Dragon flies in the night bringing death, destruction and imprisonment to our once Great Land. The Czar, is required by law to lie, and the We are made to believe that all this evil, harm to society, scourge is the fault of Mary-Jane, locked away in the tower.
It’s not really a question of how stupid and naive our elected officials might think we are, it a question of how stupid our elected officials are! If they truly believed in the Constitution of the United States of America and the Motto on our money they would end the reign of the Dragon Lady and free Sir Lancelot so he could rescue the beautiful Mary-Jane.
But, they simply DON’T CARE!!! They don’t listen to the science, they don’t heed the truth… they believe and pray to their god that WE will go away, or that we will continue to pave our roads with our green blood. They pray that magically Mary-Jane will become the hideous creature they are told she is, by the Dragon Empress, the evil, Michelle Leonhart.
That is what myth is all about… that is what tyrannies are all about, perpetuating the myths. Like Global Warming is a myth… like the US is far behind other developed countries in so many ways… all myths to our great leaders. President Obama took advantage of our hopes that the MYTHS WOULD FINALLY BE BUSTED, and see in TRUTH, TRUE JUSTICE and LIBERTY.
And now the new demons of the elect are at our doorsteps asking us to believe once again. God Help US!!! Where the hell is Merlin???
Good thing people don’t abuse alcohol. It might be made illegal using that logic.