Unlike Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen (who favors America having a fair and constitutionally consistent cannabis policy…), the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, simply does not get how hypocritical he is by favoring another 74 years of the failed federal Cannabis Prohibition, while at the same time, being a frequent consumer (and longtime political ally) of far more dangerous and deadly drugs like alcohol and tobacco.
A NORML supporter from Ohio named Todd recently used NORML’s webpage to contact his elected representative in Congress, who just so happens to be the Speaker of the House John Boehner, to encourage him to become a co-sponsor of the Ron Paul/Barney Frank bill to allow states to legalize cannabis for responsible adult use.
What Todd did was exactly what tens of thousands of other like-minded NORML supporters have done since late June, when H.R. 2306 was introduced: they contacted their member of Congress and asked them to support the passage of H.R. 2306.
What cannabis reformers and consumers really need to do now is to send hundreds of thousands of letters and emails to their members of Congress, and to, like Todd, not take ‘no’ for an answer, especially from hypocrites like Speaker Boehner, who maybe one of the capital’s most notorious tobacco addicts and consumer of hard liquor.
Last October at a fancy Washington restaurant in a section of town called ‘Barracks Row’, a week or so before his ascendency to the Speakership of the House, High Times’ associate publisher Rick Cusick and I watched Mr. Boehner (and five or six of his fellow Republican colleagues from the House, and one from the Senate) continuously leave their table–after rounds of shot glasses of hard liquor were consumed–to stand out in front of the establishment in a circle to smoke cigarettes. We witnessed this kind of excessive ‘drug’ consumption from Congressional leaders for over two hours.
Mr. Boehner, the son of a bar owner in Ohio, needs to get real and quick regarding losing his Reefer Madness about cannabis and to start treating cannabis consumers with the same respect and dignity that he wants afforded to him as a tobacco and alcohol consumer.
If not, then, based on his unscientific and non-sensible reply to his constituent in Ohio found below, the man should 1.) stop buying and consuming clearly deadly and dangerous drugs like hard booze and cigarettes and 2.) pass federal laws banning these unhealthy and unsafe products from people who’d be foolish enough to consume them.
NORML thanks ‘Todd’ from Ohio for being a stand up cannabis law reformer who is not keen to be governed by a hypocrite (who would have him consume drugs much, much less safe—and toxic—than cannabis. Just like him….).
Boehner writes below: “I am unalterably opposed to the legalization of marijuana or any other FDA Schedule I drug. I remain concerned that legalization will result in increased abuse of all varieties of drugs, including alcohol.”
Maybe the Speaker of the House is speaking for himself here as both the science and my own personal experience is crystal clear here: When adults consume cannabis products they consume less—or no—alcohol products.
I, for one, have always publicly acknowledged that I consume far less alcohol (and don’t binge drink at all) if I have access to cannabis products.
Further, in the twenty years I’ve worked at NORML and convening dozens of major pro-reform conferences, fundraising parties and events I’ve watched bar managers, restaurant owners and hotel catering managers from coast-to-coast do major double and triple takes on our alcohol consumption bills, insisting that there must be some kind of billing error. When, in fact, if 500 cannabis consumers are attending a NORML soiree, we as a group consume 50%-75% less alcohol than similar size events.
At a large and famous San Francisco waterfront restaurant that hosted a NORML event a few years back, when I went into the manager’s office at the end of the night to settle the final bill and remit payment, he too was flabbergasted at the dearth of our large group’s alcohol consumption tab and wryly remarked to me: “No wonder ya’ll can’t get pot legalized, because, you’ll cut too deeply into the alcohol industry’s bottom line.”
Please join Todd and tens of thousands of other citizens who do not support Cannabis Prohibition anymore by contacting your member of Congress and insist that they co-sponsor H.R. 2306.
The process to lobby your member of Congress is easy, free and necessary to finally—and once and for all—end Cannabis Prohibition in America.
Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 1:19 PM, Congressman John Boehner wrote:
Dear Todd:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the legalization of marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you.
On June 23, 2011, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced H.R. 2306, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011. H.R. 2306 would remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to provide states with jurisdiction in the regulation of marijuana. H.R. 2306 has been referred to the House Committees on the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce for consideration.
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), “research shows that marijuana use in its raw form is harmful and its average potency has tripled in the past 20 years.” ONDCP goes on to say that “studies also show teens are using the drug at earlier ages and the earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse and addiction.” In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services stated that “marijuana dependence in the U.S. population is higher than that for any other illicit drug and over 150,000 people who showed up voluntarily at treatment facilities in 2009 reported marijuana as their primary substance of abuse.”
As you know, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified marijuana, together with heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, hashish, and a number of other drugs as Schedule I drugs. According to the FDA, these drugs carry a high potential for dangerous abuse. To date, no clinical study of marijuana has progressed to the level required for approval by the FDA. Even more, the Department of Justice has reiterated its intent to enforce the Controlled Substances Act in states who have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes.
I am unalterably opposed to the legalization of marijuana or any other FDA Schedule I drug. I remain concerned that legalization will result in increased abuse of all varieties of drugs, including alcohol.
Thank you again for contacting me with your thoughts. Please don’t hesitate to inform me of your concerns in the future. To sign up for email updates, I invite you to visit my website.
Sincerely,
John A. Boehner
* * * * * * * *
Dear John Boehner,
Wow thats a mouthful did someone write that for you. Your seriously trying to tell me that marijuana is as harmful as lsd, crack, methamphetamines, cocaine,legal sildenafil,merinol and other “chemicals” when marijuana is a plant which is nearly impossible to overdose. You sir are uninformed as are most of our “representatives”, who, are supposed to represent the interest of the people, but end up representing their own interests entirely. I would think that given our current economic crisis, it would be ideal to look objectively at every opportunity to decrease frivolous spending, and increase revenue. By legalizing and taxing marijuana on a federal level, the taxes alone are estimated at billions of dollars annually. Given the annual cost of the failed war on drugs and incarcerated nonviolent marijuana users, the annual savings plus revenue could reach in the hundreds of billions of dollarsNot to mention the tens of thousands of jobs legalizing marijuana would create. This is common sense knowledge and neither you nor the “F.D.A.” can tell me otherwise.
As for your statement ” I remain concerned that legalization will result in increased abuse of all varieties of drugs, including alcohol.” Please elaborate as I do not understand how the legalization and regulation of marijuana on a federal level, will result in increased abuse of other drugs and alcohol. Regulating marijuana will not only decrease it’s availability on the black market, but will also decrease its value, therefore being less available, and of less interest, to teens and other underage people.
On the subject of the Department of Health and Human Services statement that “marijuana dependence in the U.S. population is higher than that for any other illicit drug and over 150,000 people who showed up voluntarily at treatment facilities in 2009 reported marijuana as their primary substance of abuse.” What this statement does not tell you is that roughly 97% of these 150,000 people “voluntarily” showed up because they were given an ultimatum by the courts when found in possesion of marijuana, rather than face probation, or even worse, jail time.
How about the statement made by Francis Young, the D.E.A.s’ own judge, “Marijuana in it’s natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.” If marijuana is considered a schedule I narcotic with no medicinal benefits, why do we have Marinol, the synthetic form of T.H.C. (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psycoactive substance found in marijuana?. And why is the “chemical” Marinol a schedule III drug, meaning it is considered to be non-narcotic and to have a low risk of physical or mental dependence, when it is another form of T.H.C.?. There has never been a documented human fatality from overdosing on tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabis in its natural form. However, the synthetic T.H.C. pill Marinol was cited by the FDA as being responsible for 4 of the 11,687 deaths from 17 different FDA approved drugs between January 1, 1997 to June 30, 2005.
I would appreciate a personal response from you, rather than one of your pre-writen responses. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Todd
That picture of John Boehner made me deciede that as soon as i’m done writing this i’m going to go out and smoke a cigarette.
Fantastic job Todd!! I hope you don’t mind if I steal some of your reply! Thanks!
Above is an initiative I wrote when CA tried to pass Prop 19. I’ve been trying to at least get the rough draft reviewed. It’s fairly thorough. I just hope someone will take the time to read it and provide some positive feedback. Thank you.
It should be “fewer – or no – alcohol products,” not “less – or no – alcohol products.”
Otherwise, great blog entry.
http://legalizeca420.webstarts.com/index.html
For anyone interested in reading my draft, please go to the above link. Thank you.
It will be a happy day for America when John Boehner is gone for good! His arrogance is astounding! I believe he is the main reason that not more good has been done since President Obama was elected. He does his utmost to block anything and everything the President Obama and the Democratic Party does and doesn’t seem to care if it hurts the country as long as it benefits him. He really needs to go away – far away…
I have, once again, written to my State officials about this.
His niece is in one of my classes at Northern Kentucky University. I should bring this up lol.
I hate how every single congress member (almost) sends the exact same message pretty much. “Marijuana is dangerous, its not approved by the FDA, yada yada yada”
It shows how ignorant they are when there is hard proof of the benefits of cannabis and proof that keeping it illegal is expensive and not productive.
Failure of America. Really why does he start out by saying “Thank you for contacting me regarding the legalization of marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you.”
I want to stop him and kick him out of his job. Instead of saying thank you why can’t it be discussed, we don’t need this screwbag telling us that marijuana is harmful in a study he found. How about he let the people decide for a chance, because I can’t find it to be harmful in any way. Peanuts are more dangerous and even water using the same principle.
I know what I want but some guy who never tried smoking pot or would ever be willing to try is getting paid to keep it’s status illegal based off some random garbage that obviously has no truths.
American people want it legal, you get the money, we get our peace of mind.
The people who don’t want it legal come take a look at what it can do for people instead of focusing on negatives and exaggerating everything. Look at alcohol or cigs I hate the smell of cigs, and alcohol gives me hangovers. I love the smell of pot because there are so many varieties just like the coffee but coffee is OK to drink. Quit making us stay in the prison of your world, America is huge and the cultural difference is huge. Let us be who we are so we can progress finally. Plus don’t tell me the US wouldn’t mind an extra 17 Billion a year in pure profit while giving farmers in America green jobs.
Great job Todd. Thank you!
John “Its my party and I’ll cry if I want to” Boehner is a drug addict and a hypocrite. Piece of shit…….
Thank you! Very well written Todd. It’s pretty easy to see where he (Boehner) is coming from, being the son of a bar owner. I too, now that I can grow my own marijuana for consumption, rarely drink alcohol. My family thanks me, my children are happier, I am happier around them, I am happier period. How is that wrong? My pursuit of happiness has somewhat been reached. Very thankful to be a Californian, but equality for those who choose a safer alternative to poison still needs to be acheived. Thank you for being another voice not affraid to speak out. We all thank you, and thank you NORML (and your supporters)!!!
He can’t speak for himself because he’s a big cry baby who gets pay offs from the tobaco and alcohol companies so of course he doesn’t support legalization. He needs to be voted out and sent home crying to his mommy!
“According to the FDA, these drugs carry a high potential for dangerous abuse.” Doesn’t ALCOHOL have a high potential for ABUSE? Should it not be a schedule 1 drug as it has no medicinal value? Same thing for tobacco. In fact these 2 drugs are the leading root cause for our health problems and even deaths whereas cannabis has never caused a single death.
If it doesn’t have John Boehner’s tear stains on the letter, it’s not authentic.
Senator Reid,
First off thank you for your efforts on behalf of the residents of our State. I look forward to seeing the improvments at the Reno-Tahoe airport.
I have written previously reguarding HR 2306 and continue to encourage friends and family to do the same. I am just taking the time now note that Representative Cohen of Tennesse has requested a review of the classification of marijunia. I ask that you support this effort in opposition to Senator Boehner. Mr. Boehner’s message to his constituents seems to be that I should be having a hard enough time controling my alchol intake that legalization of marijuana would just be too much for me to regulate. I submit that as a healthy productive adult, I can manage my own recreational time, as I assume he does, without ill affect.
I am in favor of HR 2306. A little about myself, to perhaps dismiss some stigmas you may have associated with marijuna. I served honorably for 23 years in the US military. While on duty in the service , which is 24/7 365 days a years, I respected the service’s drug policy and abided by it. My belief is that post legalization the service will continue “fit for duty” testing as needed.
I have 2 children currently in colledge and I have spoken to them reguarding the difference between abuse and use and thier need as adults to make adult choices. I also spoke to them as teenagers and advised them to respect thier adolesecent development and leave decisions about marijuana until they reached adulthood.
I recall the story of the ATF selling guns to mexican drug cartels and the subsequent murder of a US border patrol agent. These are the personnel charged with the “war on drugs” and an onerous example of how they are conducting it.
Prohibition is bad policy, I ask that you strenghten our borders, reduce the black market and end the social injustices created by it.
Sincerly,
Paul
It’s like I keep saying. Prohibitionists of all stripes depend on the ONDCP and DEA for support for their policy positions. Their policy positions are based upon donations, perks and indirect support from guess who, tobacco and alcohol businesses who are hellbent NOT to change the mission of the DEA and ONDCP. The mission of these organizations is to approve, fund and disseminate information about the negative aspects of cannabis, bought and paid for by you know who, basically. It says so in their mission statements.
Other scientific studies that do not focus or result in support to keep cannabis illegal do not fall into the oeuvre. The facts are irrelevant because they’ve already made up their minds, and are basically too fucking lazy and venal to actually read the studies and positions that are positive for cannabis.
In law, you can argue the facts, or you can argue the law. Here, Boner is arguing the law. He’s just another Dr. Zaius type.
You have to get their fucking mission statements changed so that they have to consider all the evidence, even that which is positive for cannabis.
How that gets done is another matter. Maybe you can have Frank and Paul et al. proposed legislation that does only that, and nothing more. I mean really, do I have to think of everything. Really!
This blog/board is supposed to function as a sort of a brain trust for you to take the best ideas and use postings as a springboard for progress, and you are doing a good job of it, I must say.
But really, do I have to think of everything?
Did you get Saturday Night Live on board to have a parody of SNL’s fake news to ridicule and deride various high profile prohibitionists such as the drug czar, Leonhart, and other fucking assholes like Boehner?
I love my country. I truly do. It infuriates me to the point of insanity to hear people from other nations, and even our own, malign the United States purely because it has become fashionable to do so. Having said that, I’m am deeply concerned that we, as a nation, are entering a downward spiral which may well end this greatest of nations. The cause of this spiral is not the Republicans, though the Democrats like to claim so. Neither is it the fault of the Democrats, though the Republicans certainly point the finger to them. The cause is the two-party system itself. It ensures that a candidate–ANY candidate–is running for election SOLELY to put themselves in the position of being the specific pockets that the massive special interests that truly hold the power must line. Cannabis will NEVER be legalized, as long as the tobacco and alcohol industries (and textile, and paper, ad nauseum) have a vested monetary interest in seeing it remain prohibited.
The only hope of any real change lies with each individual state, as it always has since the founding. Only when all, or nearly all, of the states have decided that prohibition is not the most sound policy, will the Feds begin to come into line. Its all well and good to be optimistic, but I don’t realistically see this happening within the next ten years, perhaps even twenty. As always, the Federal government does NOT solve problems. Ever. EVER. It is a monster that can only eat, and grow.
Do not trust politicians, not a single one. Even those who seemingly stand up against prohibition are suspect to me. Paul, Cohen, Frank, etc. may very well be simply courting the growing number of voters who favor reform. Once in office, there is every possibility that they will then work to appease the voters who do not. I’m not advocating non-support of candidates such as these (hell, you have to cast your vote for SOMEBODY, or you are an irrelevancy with no place in this debate). I am simply saying, beware. These people are the foxes guarding the henhouse, in a very real sense.
The beureaucrats will never surrender on expanding a failing program even when it is a true and proven that thier methods are a complete and utter failure.
Typical zealot mentality to keep going forward at all costs everything is expendable except them. The fall from grace to hell is not enough to admit thier faults not even when the abyss is inevitable.
Ray DiPasquale
What we need is alcohol and tobacco prohibition! FAST!
Then we can hire another 900,000 cops, build another couple thousand prisons, and lock up dangerous drug addicts like the Speaker before they influence children with their insane drug addicted lifestyles!
The bottom line is, tobacco is looked upon to be “okay” because it is legal. Tobacco gives no healthy benefit what so ever. So what is the point of it? It makes no sense to me to have something that does not help man kind. Why are these politicians not fighting the war against tobacco and alcohol if they have PROVEN to be very harmful, and addictive. Our government actually has a chart that shows the annual deaths per year in the united states and these 2 are at the top. WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?!
Wow Todd’s letter is tame compared to what I’ve been writting them and not getting any better results. I like to get into treason and crimes against humanity.
Haven’t said baby killers yet even though they are.
lol I like Todd “Wow thats a mouthful did someone write that for you.” Great opening
While Boehner was uninformed and incorrect (in our eyes, anyway), he did respond in a very polite manner. If someone expresses an opinion in contradiction with your own, it is not grounds to be rude. We won’t be taken seriously if we can’t extend even the most basic of courtesies to our political opponents.
I agree with #19. We need tobacco and alcohol prohibition. How can we get it started? There has to be a lot of groups out there ready to get the ball rolling. MADD,church groups,etc. Even if we can’t start a prohibition on these two drugs, we can surely make some noise and maybe some of their sales might go down a little.
Excellent Story !! How do we get the major news channels to bradcast this story ?
maybe the speaker is “holdin”. that is one of those hemp rollin papers i have seen advertised in high times.
I wish someone will get there facts right about marijuana,I was burned in a house fire when I was one and a half years old and have been smoking marijuana for 21 years.Yet I don’t drink or do any other drugs,and never committed a crime in my life but my government going to try and tell me marijuana is worse than cocaine.I think that they have fell and bumped there heads,and its time for us too make a change.It is time for us too elect people that will stand up for us!
“Did you get Saturday Night Live on board to have a parody of SNL’s fake news to ridicule and deride various high profile prohibitionists such as the drug czar, Leonhart, and other fucking assholes like Boehner?”
I’ve often wondered why I’ve never seen this myself…..Probably because the network is bought and paid for by BIG PHARMA
While I despise and am allergic to tobacco and only drink when there is no weed to be found, I would fight against prohibition of any kind. It only makes us look worse than the IGNORANT scumbags we are fighting now.
I would support a full out bloody revolution, as supported in the constitution if pot stays illegal much longer………….
Oh and one other thing: Boehner’s reply was the same exact reply , word for word, that I get every time I sent a letter to my congressmen. In other words, Boehner’s reply IS A FORM LETTER.
I don’t want more prohibition on anything, I just want the ones that are there to go away. While I agree that cigs and alcohol are worse than MJ, throwing smokers under the bus helps us how?? I’m afraid that if we use the all or nothing approach, we’ll end up losing the right to use any of them.
I’m getting mixed responses from the two Senators I recently contacted over continued support of the DEA – given our current debt crisis and Tea-Party Republicans demands to cut spending. The DEA was created in 1971 by then pres. Richard Nixon, and against advice from his own select ultra-conservative committee (the Shaffer Committee) to advise him on the dangers of drugs and how exactly to bring about a functionally and effective policy on drugs, chose to ignore his committees recommendations that cannabis not be made subject to criminalization, did so anyway, going one step further and assuring it a Schedule One classification despite lack of any facts till this day to back up it’s classification.
One of the Senators I contacted seemed open to my letter, the other strongly in support of continuing the War on Cannabis. My response to the pro-prohibition Senator: “Then add tobacco and alcohol to Schedule One where they do belong!”
Forget bout boenher he’s unreachable. Nothin but a alckey nico zombie. Better we start a new prohibition campaign against alcohol n cigs. It won’t be easy for some of us. But just say why. Why is deadly legal n safe cannabis not? If we all abstain n encourage others with sick love ones to do so for couple months they will notice our message. Think bout it.
No wonder their so disfunctional. I believe drug treatment is needed maybe drug testing for govt. employees would help. This is a prime example of hypocrisy. If they were in their right mind,maybe this stalemate would have never happened. Who’s addicted now? how can Boener control the republican party if he can’t control himself? does this affect him doing the right thing? Smoke CANNABIS ALWAYS! EXCELLENT ass kicker!
Yea way to go my bro in ohio. Let’s be “progressive” n get all of ohio high. Let’s. All say NO in all of NOvember to any alchohol products. If you smokers can also great but its a stronger addiction than heroin so good luck kicking it for the good of sweet leaf.
It’s mind numbing to think that with all of these so called “intelligent” polticians in our nations capital we can’t have an open, honest, and truthful discussion about cannabis. You want to talk about intelligence when we can’t even adhere to what truth is and actually applying it within one’s life. Pitiful. You know why this discussion won’t take place until the prohib dinosaurs are gone? Because they know that is s discussion they will NEVER win no matter how they spin it! Avoiding this won’t make it go away. Keep telling the American public that cannabis is a schedule 1 drug with no medical value. LIES. Politicians, puppets for big business, are good at that. Boehner you’re making yourself look ignorant and hypocritical along with every other person who continues to believe in the propaganda that has been spewed for decades then goes out and drinks alcohol, smokes tainted tobacco or takes pain meds. They want to downplay it’s significance and say that we have more important things to discuss. Denouncing flat out lies to corner the markets isn’t a big enough issue? That’s just the tip of the iceberg. It would be a done deal if they would adhere to the FACTS and not PROPAGANDA. Cannabis is a safer alternative than alcohol, tobacco and pain meds. What the hell do I know I don’t have a piece of paper saying that I have a right to an unbiased, fact based opinion? I’m tired of the hypocrites invading our minds scope hiding behind their fancy degrees and having interns write their rebuttals for them. The truth of the matter is that the cannabis issue isn’t important to THEM and their fine with continuing to lie to the nation while the special interests fill their pockets with money. HUSH $. FLUSH $. Boehner, I used to like you but now your just another puppet on the long list. I expected more from you sir. Why do all politicains treat the topic of cannabis as if it were plutonium? The only thing career politicians know how to do is screw over the American taxpayers. Corrupt. PROVE me otherwise! Prohibs anytime you want to know the TRUTH about cannabis please contact Mr. Armentano I’m sure he would be more than happy to help you with your short sighted views on the subject. Not that the TRUTH has ever stopped politicans and big business from getting what they want. CORRUPT. Keep lieing. Keep thinking that you’re unreplaceable. Remember you work for us and if you can’t do the job then we’ll find someone else. I’ll continue to spread the TRUTH about cannabis and will do so in a civil manner but honestly reasoning with career prohibs is pointless. One day cannabis will be legal and it will happen when the will of the people is honored. Until then we will reamin vigilant. Both parties you’re not aiding this country or it’s people you’re systematically destroying it. Disgraceful. Intelligence?!
That’s right, we need to get in prohibitionists lives and document all their drug abuse! These hypocrites need to be exposed. Get more pictures of these morons smoking dangerous tobacco and drinking deadly alcohol!
The alcohol and tobacco industries reap in billions of dollars in state and FEDERALISM taxes. They could’nt care about the after effects on the human body just like BIG PHARMA drugs, pay off the lawsuits and keep the ball rolling and create more drugs to counter react the side effects of the other garbage they spew out. Another new pain pill or a new happy drug and they are FDA approved. What is approved by the people does’nt matter, it’s all about SYNTHETIC vs NATURAL. Since when did the DEA become sciencetists of SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS or NATURAL. The MARIJUANA PROHIBITIONSTS in Congess enjoy listening to their own lies because they ignorant of the real truth and back up the DEA and FDA in supporting these lies. They need a little smoke and a mirror to really take a good look at themselves but their reality is FEDERALISM, another no brainer. The BARBARIANS are the gate and they use violence and death as mortar to keep the WALL OF MARIJUANA PROHIBITION TOGETHER. The INQUISITION and the 21ST CENTURY INQUISITORS will spend another trillion dollars to create UNICORNS and CHAOS in our system for the love of a DRUG WAR that is not working. We do not need Government intrusion on what we ingest in our bodies, we need FREEDOM OF CHOICE and just laws that are not FEDERALISTIC. I don’t need a FEDERAL BABYSITTER, I need FREEDOM FROM WANT and the CONSTITUTION.
Am I the only one paying attention to the numerous grammar mistakes in that letter? Don’t get me wrong, the letter itself has a great message and great intentions. The problem is, if you want us cannabis consumers to look like intelligent human beings who know what we’re talking about, you can’t send in a letter that looks like it was written by a fifth-grader. Seriously, the red pen is your friend, folks. Give your stuff a good ol’ proof read before you send it in.
I mean, the opening line: “Wow thats a mouthful did someone write that for you.”
*Ahem* – “Wow, that’s a mouthful. Did someone write that for you?”
Honestly, that many mistakes in one sentence (at the very beginning no less) made me want to stop reading…
Not to sound harsh, but I can’t help but feel that we can’t have those who represent us in the community sending in material that’s written so poorly. I don’t know, it makes me feel misrepresented or something. I feel like Mr. Boehner is going to look at that and just think, “Wow, those potheads sure are dumb…”.
Just a relatively quick note about a comment made by the editor in the article. It was mentioned that alcohol consumption decreased with increased access to cannabis. I can qualitatively relate to that. I believe, if I’m remembering correctly, that substance use is directly related to stress. It would make sense that cannabis would be enough of a stress deducer for some, and other alternatives such as alcohol would often be less necessitated (with that I’ll move off subject and assume that the alcohol industry knows well that cannabis — in the longterm — would likely cause a noticeable dent in alcohol sales.)
Everything in moderation I suppose! As an analogy I imagine this: We regard swimming as particularly normal and safe. But it’s not necessarily engraved in humans as a requirement of life. Neither is drug usage. But both can be harmful. You wouldn’t stay under water for an hour (and die), just like it’s not healthy to use cigarettes (or alcohol, or cannabis, or others) for an exorbitant amount of time.
Holy Smokes. I googled from the letter “As you know, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified marijuana, together with heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, hashish, and a number of other drugs as Schedule I drugs. According to the FDA, these drugs carry a high potential for dangerous abuse.” Guess what. The exact same thing was quoted from Mark Foleys letter in 1998. Very original Mr. Boehner.
The Rev.sLeezy
Re “A ruling against medical pot,” July 9
So the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says marijuana has no accepted use for treating diseases. Very interesting, since U.S. Patent No. 6,630,507 states that cannabinoids are useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
The patent, awarded in 2003, is assigned to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Wow Todd, all I can say is incrediblely awesome job.Your credit rating just went up with me. After hearing the conversation Mr Boehner had prior to the President’s jobs speach(caring only about himself and his golf game),coupled with this, he his definently pro special intrests. I doubt his profit motive is morality driven. So is he just a puppet or a desperate man with nothing but stale retorict to cling to? This idiot would be a huge domino if this trip turned into a fall. Thanks again Todd.
It’s this kind of ignorance that raises my blood pressure high. I don’t logically understand why we operate society how we do, but then again not everyone thinks how I do; so I guess there’s reason somewhere. But still, I would have to say this blog entry pretty much entirely summarizes how I feel about the hypocrisy in general.
Interesting statistical observation: more people have died (I believe somewhere above 4) from Marinol (dronabinol) than ever have from cannabis (which has yet to be confirmed as a primary cause of death by overdose).
Do you trust the FDA, the “gold standard” of medicine, which contributes to the 100,000 or so (accidental) overdoses of pharmaceutical “medicine” yearly? People PLEASE wake up. I don’t know if it’s the good knowledge or the good weed, but I can’t logically understand how/why we do this shit.
No. one. has. ever. died. from pot. yet. it’s. the. most. illicit. safest. substance. on. Earth. It’s as if everything is the opposite of what it should be. I just don’t understand!!!!!!
The FDA kills more people every second than marijuana ever has in the history of its existence to mankind. Stick that in your fucking pipe and smoke it DEA, ONDCP, NIDA, FDA, DOJ, NDIC, and any other ignorant political fuck-bag not mentioned.
Todd: I wrote to my Congressman and got a similar answer. It is my belief that there is a plank in the Republican platform that is anti-cannabis. I wrote back as well, but have received no response to my second missive. I don’t really expect a response since he has obviously said all he has to say. I, however, will keep writing to him and reminding him that I will still not be voting for him in the next cycle.
The fact that the Dept of HHS has a patent on cannabinoids speaks volumes on why the G is so anti-decriminalization. The double standard is glaring. The American people are not stupid people. I am tired of being flat out lied to. They cannot have it both ways.
What I see politicians doing is plain old-fashioned stonewalling. The shade of Tricky Dick is close on this issue. For the second time since Nixon’s administration, an administrative law judge has ruled for marijuana, and for the second time, the ruling on marijuana has been duly ignored by our elected officials. I will be voting out all incumbents next cycle, right down to my County Sheriff and County Supervisor.
I will never stop using marijuana. I have used it since 1972; in that time, I have quit drinking alcohol other than the occasional beer with my pizza. I smoke 1/2 a pack of cigarettes a day. When I drank, I could smoke a whole pack in one evening! And, I hate to say, I would drive home drunk. DUI MJ is never on my list because it is too scary, I am waaay to cautious and paranoid, and if I wait an hour, I know I’ll be good to go. That is not the case with alcohol. And, as adults, we all know this, so why take the idiotic stance Boner and his fellow R’s are taking? It must be the party line.
This is a great story ad shows how politic works. Yes he is additive to the drug tobacco and alcohol. U will not get a real answer from this guy all the same . Great work Tom
We need to start pointing out that if u believe in cannabis prohibition then u are guilt have providing this drug so openly and freely to our children. U are the ones that have to be lock up and throw away the Key. Ido not want my grand children to be able to go to some one house and buy This drug like i did and the rest of yall to. They are the ones that are responsible for all the killing in Mexico. Some one did to sue Banner and make him squirm under the truth that he and any one that believe like him should be kick out of our country .They are the ones that have to be stop at all coast.
”Busted and can’t be trusted” Drugged and addicted politicians in White House. I see jobs that need filling in the White House while rehab is needed. Great job man. Maybe this is why he always looks like crap because it’s killing him. Better him than me. I’ll stick with cannabis so i won’t be a slave.
Nothing is going to change until people like this are voted out of office because of their position on marijuana prohibition.
I wonder what the response would have been if he suffered an ailment that leaves him desperate due to the fact that perscribed medicines cause side-effects and can cause scenarios like liver failure, diabetes and on and on and on. Also, some of medicines do’nt even work or stop working after some time. I’m tired of the BS. Awesome post! Thank you! Lets keep the pressure on!
I got a similar response from my idiot Senator… Minority Speaker Mitch McConnell. If I can find the letter, I’ll scan and send it in to you NORML. It’d be nice to have a central collection of these type of letters so we know where each politician stands. It would provide a reliable resource so voters would know the on-the-record stance of the politicians they are voting for. NORML… lets try to get this up and running, let me know if you need help.
@25 – Unless a lot of money goes their direction, there isn’t much chance any major news networks will ever carry this or any of the other stories that NORML regularly write. Sad, but I believe it to be true… I continue to wonder why more rich people aren’t trying to help this cause. My theory is that they have what they want and “screw the rest of us…”. There are a few exceptions but certainly not many. We all know that Lady Gaga has admitted she regularly uses cannabis but has she ever made a contribution to the cause? I don’t know, but at least she spoke out about it so I do give her credit for that.
Wow so many great ideas and opinions and john # 25 has a point. This country is so much tv based or driven, maybe for ever letter that goes to the politicians we should send one to every news channel.
Also i just would like to thank everyone for their time and involvment, i am not a great speaker but read alot and try to talk to people about all these subjects as much as i can (respectivley and while told its not a good idea to let people know my opinion.)
Thanks for the help. Its just great to hear some sane thoughts among all the insane or crazy.
@ 25 & 55. Right, how to get info out to those who don’t read NORML. Bill to remove federal schedule is being stalled. Question why a discussion is not valid when so many are harmed by prohibition and so much is being spent. We want a discussion, and not some bs one-sided affair. Send a copy to the press…then send it again when they reply…then address it in the letters to the editor if it is ignored.
To follow-up on several folks mentioning redundant, rhetorical letters from their elected officials: I’ve got one too, in GA, it was a letter responding to my pro-hemp legislation e-mail (thru NORML), and in that letter he basically said that because marijuana is illegal, and hemp is a cousin plant, that hemp should continue remain a part of the War on Drugs.
OK, I simply cannot logically understand how marijuana is illegal today; but more astoundingly I absolutely cannot even remotely understand why HEMP of all things is illegal.
@ mrsmac: he/she writes: “I have used it since 1972; in that time, I have quit drinking alcohol other than the occasional beer with my pizza. I smoke 1/2 a pack of cigarettes a day. When I drank, I could smoke a whole pack in one evening! And, I hate to say, I would drive home drunk. DUI MJ is never on my list because it is too scary, I am waaay to cautious and paranoid, and if I wait an hour, I know I’ll be good to go. That is not the case with alcohol.”
I applaud and second that, Mrsmac. I would also say that I have not had any MJ for the past three days after having a hit or two every night for the past year almost, and guess what? I’m not suffering from any ill effects and I don’t have any cravings for it, whatsoever.
I don’t know what they are talking about when they say it’s addictive and “dangerous.” They either lie or are badly mistaken (look at Marc Emery! Does he look like he’s suffering from not having access to it?)
I only wish I could quit my cigarettes cold turkey like that! I’ve been praying for a cure from tobacco addiction. (Yes, I’ve heard of Chantix, but I’d rather not experience the potential suicidal thoughts and depression, if you don’t mind.) I cannot believe those things are still on the market.
Truthfully, with all of the hoolah-balooh about it being so “addictive” and “dangerous” I’m always a little surprised when I go off of it cold turkey and I don’t even miss it.
It has its time and place and purpose.
One more anecdotal piece of evidence: I had a relative in their teens who was smoking it to gain weight from the ill effects of CF and, in fact, it caused them to gain a good amount of weight — something that they had never, ever previously been able to do with all the prescription meds (even marinol — which only made them dizzy and overly high because they couldn’t titrate the dose properly). They looked happier and healthier in that time than they’d ever looked their whole life because they were indeed happier (eating has a way of doing that to a person — I know, I’m anorexic), and I’m not a doctor but I would be so bold as to say they were indeed healthier than they’d ever been in their whole life, only to have a pharmaceutical company come along and screw up a prescription med, that they actually did OD on. My relative was dead within months after that. It still saddens me to think they might possibly still be here. They were so cool and intelligent and not lazy. They wanted to do all these scientific things with the knowledge they’d gained from their love of science, not to mention their love of dogs, and birds and reptiles. I’m not saying they would have lived to 60, not with CF, but stranger things have happened!
What Dr. Grinspoon said is true (don’t know if he was the first to say it, but): (paraphrased) The most harmful aspect of the drug is the fact that it is illegal because a person’s life can be drastically and badly altered after an arrest/conviction.
Please, please, take MJ out of the hands of the drug lords and street dealers and put it in a legalized setting where it can be properly controlled/regulated/sold. Education is the key.
Thank you for reading.
Great Job Todd! You did an exceptional job of pointing out how little he has to back up a such a hypocritical opinion. Keep it up man!
I’m watching “Hardball” on MSNBC. Chris Matthews is talking about Boehner and showed a film clip of Boehner talking about how he (Boehner) held two freshman congressmen “hostage” with regards to a vote on a bill.
Boehner: “Boys, we can sit here for 30 minutes or 3 hours, but that door isn’t going to open until you say yes. I have A WEEK AND A HALF OF CIGAREETES in that cabinet over there………”
So there you have it. Boehner uses his addiction to drugs to get his way!!!!!!!
vote the hypocrite out. Boehner is in my district and you can bet your last dollar that me and my like minded friends will not support his sorry ass next election. Then he can sit in the bar all he wants. We are the majority and we will rock the vote in 2012. If you are not registered to vote do it now! Lets tell Washington how we want this country ran, Enough is enough. If they will not support the will of the people put them in the unemployment line. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW WASHINGTON, ASS HOLES. Do they realy believe this bull shit. This goes for you too Obama!
I hate hypocrits. Politicians that smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol while supporting marijuana prohibition are hypocrits. Keep pushing for the rescheduling of marijuana. Push for medical marijuana. Push for Hemp legalization. Push for marijuana relegalization. We need to come out of the closet. Talk about it with your family and friends. Write your politicians and tell them how important it is for you. Get active!
In a letter to my Congressman dated 8-8-2011:
Here is my 2nd letter sent 8-8-11.
Dear Congressman:
I received a response to my recent inquiry, and I thank you for taking the time respond. However, I am not able to determine whether or not you, Congressman, support this resolution. Your promise to share my support with your colleagues, while comforting, does not aide me in knowing your position on this resolution. Do you have a position on Medical Marijuana?
I would like to know your views: Do you see MMJ as a criminal or a healthcare issue?
You must be aware by now that marijuana is a Schedule I drug. Schedule II drugs, for which physicians are permitted to write prescriptions, include opium, LSD and even meth. If I ever had a doctor that prescribed one of the latter, I’d stop seeing him/her immediately. But, I can’t help but wonder if I might try MMJ if my doctor suggested it.
It is important to me to know your position on this issue. While I am blessed with ‘good’ health now, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds. I am beginning to believe there is more therapeutic value to cannabis than previously thought.
Also, the drug companies are doing an ‘end run’ around marijuana’s Schedule I status by filing patents (they have, you know,) on developing ‘cannabinoid-like’ drugs, the active ingredient in marijuana. There must be medicinal value and it is lucrative or they would not be wasting there time.
As you know, the issue of dispensaries in the valley is a hot topic these days. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors will, again, try to impose a ban in the next few days. I have read the AG memo regarding SB215 and SB420. The dispensaries appear to be legal by California law. It is a shame to think that the Federal Government our Congress, will wait until every state in the Union legalizes marijuana for their citizens before it capitulates and admits to 63 years of misinformation.
I am thanking you in advance for a thoughtful reply.
Sincerely,
Deb McKinley
===============
And, here is his thoughtful reply:
8-22-2011
I appreciate our continued conversation on the legalization of marijuana. I welcome the opportunity to respond.
A myth contributing to our nation’s drug problem is that we could benefit from legalizing certain drugs, including marijuana. If marijuana use were completely legal, it would be next to impossible to regulate or tax, as proponents argue. Quite simply, illegal growth of marijuana would continue in an attempt to avoid all taxes and regulations.Our country would still be flooded by illicit marijuana and plagued by criminal, including gang, activity.
This view has been corroborated by the law enforcement community. I have met with many members of our local police force, who insist that legalization would increase crime, not lower it, and would harm their efforts to prevent the spread of all drugs into our communities.
A responsible government not only prohibits the drugs known to have serious health risks and a high potential for abuse, but educate its citizens about the negative health effects of casual drug use. There are no safe drugs, including marijuana and the federal government should not be telling Americans otherwise.
Thank you again for contacting me. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to get in touch. The best way to reach me is through my website at http://www.nunes.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Devin Nunes
Member of Congress
I plan on writing again and asking for answers to the same questions I had before his non-responsive response arrived.
Congressman Nunes is of Portuguese ancestry. Wonder what he thinks of the homeland legalizing everything?
September 16, 2011
Dear Congressman Nunes:
On September 1, 2011, the DEA rejected a 2007 ruling from the agency’s own Administrative Law Judge that it would be ‘in the public interest’ to grant the U of Mass a license to grow marijuana for federally regulated research. In 2010, a spokesperson for NIDA told the NY Times, “We generally do not fund research focused on the potential beneficial medical effects of marijuana.”
So the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says marijuana has no accepted use for treating diseases. U.S. Patent No. 6,630,507 states that cannabinoids are useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The patent, awarded in 2003, is assigned to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Perhaps you can appreciate the disparity in what these agency’s are doing and saying regarding cannabis, and how it sounds when the opinions seem to be so diametrically opposed. In addition, Portugal decriminalized all drugs a few years ago, and their crime rate did not rise as expected. I have included a link here to the article. Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html
From your response to my last letter, I must surmise you think of marijuana as strictly a criminal issue, since you did not answer me directly. I must also surmise you are patently against the use of medical marijuana (MMJ). I suggest you take a walk across the aisle and ask Congressman Steve Cohen why he thinks marijuana should be re-scheduled. It is interesting to note that while Tennessee is not one of the states that has passed MMJ laws, he still speaks out. And, I appreciate him doing so, because it represents my point of view much better than yours.
I also wonder if you could tell me what the Republican Platform says regarding cannabis. What is your party’s stance? What do you think of Ron Paul’s endorsement of cannabis, and why do you disagree?
In closing, I hope you can give me some direct answers to my direct questions, and comment on your thoughts regarding Portugal’s position. I would also be interested in your thoughts regarding the patent held by HHS in the face of the DEA’s latest move to keep cannabis on Schedule I.
Apparently, the Drug policy Act passed in 1988, establishing the ONDCP (look it up) is in charge of Drug Policy. The Drug Control Act of 1971 is still in force, as I understand it, but is strengthened with the 1988 Act.
This being known, it makes cannabis prohibition a government function, which we already knew, but now it suggested a multi-layered merge, with truly eccessive mixed party mis-check and no blance.
I got this info from the 3RD Senator I had e-mailed who just got back to me, in a letter where I suggested that the DEA get cut back to reduce the national debt. This Senator however was all for the DEA, hard on “drugs”, and it would be pointless to talk to her.
If I argued that alcohol and tobacco are drugs, and tobacco itself is one of the number one killers in our country, or that cannabis is not only safer than legal drugs, but beneficialo. To see the US Patent.
I’m perplexed to see Mr. John Boehner inhaling poison into his lungs that kills over 450 thousand Americans every year that the FDA permits, then explains to millions of patients being helped by medical marijuana why they are illogical about using a medicine that has been utilized for over 5,000 years by billions of people around the globe without one single death. Keep smoking John, but please blow you’re BS back up the pigs asses that bribed you’re very soul.
THIS GUY IS A WALKING AD FOR THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY WITH THAT COFFIN NAIL HANGING OUT OF HIS MOUTH. SHOWS YA WHAT A DUMB ASS HE IS. IF HE IS A PROHIB – VOTE HIS STUPID ASS OUT OF OFFICE – AND – HE CAN BE SPEAKER IN HIS OWN HOUSE – NOT OURS.
@ TheOracle. LOL, it’s truly maddening what our governments are doing, but sans the invective you make some valid points. Along that vein, recently I sent a note to NORML Foundation urging them to adopt some of the behavioral psychology principles outlined in Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point’ to further the cause’s push into mainstream debate. I suggested a billboard campaign and even some phrases I thought would be effective (e. g. Do drug dealers card pot smokers? Be NORML.org).
In a very nice reply I learned that NORML lacks the serious funding needed even for a simple billboard campaign in one major market. While they could seek out interns for graphic design, and donations for materials and equipment to execute the campaign, they still need funds to put the message out, assuming that’s the optimal use of limited resources to begin with. (I think it’s terrific if timed for the primaries and general election.)
Given our nation’s and the broader global economy’s Keynesian state, with all the stimulus to de-leverage the credit bubble and prevent asset deflation, the need to redistribute resources at federal, state and local levels is acute. Trenton, NJ just laid off some 120 or so officers this week, citing budget constraints. While I wondered if Trenton’s remaining officers would make MJ arrests their lowest priority, I focused more on the opportunity this represents to tip this issue further into the mainstream. With this development in Trenton, there have to be other municipalities and states facing the same choices with both staffing and priorities. I hope NORML takes this story and runs with it using all the resources they can.
So, I also recommend those interested in helping tip this issue also read Dr. Robert Cialdini’s ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’, and use the principles outlined there, along with the ideas in ‘Tipping Point’ to push this issue into primary debate. Like [former White House Chief of Staff, and current mayor of Chicago) Rahm Emanuel has said, ‘Never waste a good crisis’. Those serious about this cause should capitalize on the budget woes locally and nationally, expose the personal habits of opposing politicians, and froth this to a head just in time for the general election.
One other thing is clear, and vitally so: NORML needs funding, and they need it more than ever. They also need others like you and me to seek donations on their behalf. I encourage all those serious about this cause to donate as generously as they are able, to urge others to donate and become active in the cause, and I thank NORML for their 40 years of grassroots advocacy for our liberties.
Correction: Trenton laid off 105 officers, and did not replace 3 retirees.
http://tinyurl.com/3gb2vvt
Apologies.
I’m not a drinker – haven’t been for about 20 years – but I do like my reefer.
I’m also a seasonal truck driver, with a chronic (no pun intended) sprain in my back from having had a bridge collapse out from underneath my loaded truck in 1995.
I can’t take Vicodin or similar drugs for the pain, as they prevent me from sleeping – a bad thing when you’re piloting 50,000 pounds of truck. Cannabis, on the other hand, works wonders – relieves the pain, relieves the cramping and spasms, allows me to sleep.
Dimglows like J. Boehner have decided that I am a safer driver when I’m sleep-deprived and in pain – talk about counter intuitive.
The point of my ramble is this: recently, in an effort to get enough sleep at home that I’m not falling asleep at the wheel, I’ve started drinking again – just a couple of beers after work, but drinking nonetheless. I hate being reduced to this. I recently got a recommendation from my Primary Care Physician for Medical Cannabis (I live in California), but it does me no good as far as my commercial license goes – I’ll still lose my license if I fail a drug test.
This is insane.
Pure closed mind ignorance. Abundant in Washington D.C. Proof this country needs total slate cleaning once and for all.
WOW! he holds that tobacco weed like it a joint.
I write this looser constantly as well as the other un-Americans we have in The-Communist-State-of-Ohio, my home state.
I had just invited Speaker John Bonehead to a debate on Marijuana and I agreed to go live on public tv with the interview,, but he declined, again….
The Long Distance Truck Drivers have been calling Ohio that for 40 years, ever since I first stated driving a truck, they still call it that today.
I quit the trucking business when they started the anti-American drug testing.
this is why we need to VOTE RON PAUL in office in the 2012 election. I have faith that he will actually follow through with supporting the legalization of marijuana not just talk about it and then back down once in office like our current president. OBAMA IS A LIAR! VOTE RON PAUL!!
I got exactly the same response from my “representative”Rick Crawford-R in Ar. When are they gonna wake up to the fact that there are millions of us that are saying “please stop this madness and please tax us” !!!!
Our society is run by people who love to impose onto others their point of view as to the way life down here on Earth should be. Those supposedly leaders are no better than you and me.
Cut their heads off and put them on a pole like they did in the middle ages.Far fetched ? Wait and see.
“Unalterably opposed?” Even if his constituents support it? No one anointed Boehner king. He’s supposed to represent the people who elected him.
He’s so concerned about our debt and he’s happy to see billions of dollars circulate in an underground economy, tax free? All that alcohol and nicotine must be destroying his brain.
Todd makes many good points, but I must take issue with the above comment that it was “well written.” If we want to be taken seriously, it is beneficial to make use of the education we received to proofread and correct what we have written. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are essential tools for building an effective written argument, and failure to utilize these most basic language skills demonstrates that we have drained the American taxpayers by not paying attention in school.
Here is the link to John Boehner’s use of his drug addiction to hold freshman congressman hostage. It starts at exactly 1 minute into the video.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#44555304
The man does not even pronounce his name right, how can anyone expect to hear the truth fron him. If you have a Govt that will lie to you about a WEED, What else are they telling Lie’s about? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
77. Anonymous I
Prick on a Stick is not a bad thought – but – as far as being ruled – you bet your ass we are – by the Committee of 300 – or – The Olympians as they now call themselves. England wants her colonies back – and – so does Mexico.
Amazing reply and counter arguments!
It sounds like Mr. Boehner needs A.A. . he has to ‘GET HONEST’!!
It is of great concern after reaching the age of 58 to know our government has not followed the path the United Kingdom has done in the Netherlands. I am certain that Country is having no major problems selling their products and providing small smoke shops for those to enjoy a Marijuana smoke.I would be amazed of the profits it makes to their Government. Also I note I never hear of any major problems from the Netherlands either. Come on get with this Approve HR2306. This Country is going to change Government and its going to be real soon. Take that Boehner.
Hey guys, thanks for the comments. I still have not recieved a reply from John Boehner, even after sending multiple NORML letters. For those comments about the grammer, it was late at night when I wrote the letter, so it was not proofread as well as I would have liked. For that I apologize. I am going to give him until the end of the month to send another letter. My hope is, if I flood his email with letters, he will eventually respond. Thanks again, and I will continue to try to represent myself, and the pro-marijuana reform community professionally.
[Editor’s note: Thanks again for engaging your elected representative, John Boehner, and not taking no from someone in no moral position to be telling his constituents that he is against dangerous drugs, when he is such an avid consumer of genuinely addictive and deadly drugs like alcohol and tobacco.
BTW, this too from a member of Congress, so captured by big tobacco companies, that he was admonished for handing out tobacco lobbyists’ checks to his fellow members right on the House floor!]
Hey Boner! – “Smoke, smoke smoke that cigarette. Smoke, smoke smoke until you smoke yourself to death. Hey ya’ll – we have a Speaker of “OUR” House that’s trying to commit suicide. Think he needs a little intervention?
Ron Paul is the only candidate running for election in 2012 that openly states that he will end the war on drugs. Anyone who is serious about stopping prohibition needs to vote for Ron Paul. If you are a registered democrat or Independent, you have to change your party affiliation to Republican to vote for him in the primaries. It’s real simple and you can change it back after he wins the primaries. He is our ONLY chance. Obama lied and is no longer supporting our cause. Ron Paul has been trying to pass legislation for years and is serious about making a change to the marijuana laws. We need Ron Paul in 2012!!
[Editor’s note: Ron Paul is not the only candidate pursuing the GOP nomination who supports major drug policy reforms as former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is just as full throated in favor of ending Prohibition.
Unfortunately, neither Paul or Johnson at this point in the GOP beauty parade appear to have any chance at all to win their party’s nomination as the GOP and America–to the chagrin of many citizens–is not libertarian.]
Question for the Editor:
Like most NORML supporters, I truly wish we had the opportunity to elect Ron Paul or Gary Johnson but I’ve come to accept that it’s not going to happen; at least not in the upcoming election. My question is whether John Boehner has anything to do with the fact they are not contenders at this point in time. I think it does! I saw him on TV one night and he was going through a list of potential Republican candidates and totally dismissed those two because of their stance regarding marijuana legalization. He clearly would have none of that while he was there!
He is an ass, just like the rest of the politions in this country. This will go no where as long as this goverment is in charge! This will never change, this goverment wants to keep us under their thumb!!!! This is my opinion, are you going to print it????
Makes me wonder if alcohol/tobacco companies helped fund his campaign. Because then he would be pressured into marijuana prohibition through the threat of losing funds.
Hi all, Thx Todd for speaking up! Something more of us should do, and not only about pot…
While I rarely in any mind altering substances due to my own lifestyle choices, i believe that as adults who are responsible and held accountable in every other aspect of our lives, that we should at least have the option of seeking enjoyment and fulfillment any way we see fit as long as it doesnt infringe on the well being of others (something US capitalist jugornaut could take some lessons in) My primary concern is that given our current economic situation, we need to STOP THE KID SHIT and look objectively at every opportunity available to save our sinking ship! Come on congress/corporate yes men, haven’t you made enough money at the expence of what was once a great nation of hardworking Americans. Boehner’s a jackass clearly trying to avoid rocking the boat to appease his uber conservative and ultra greedy base while lining his pockets in the process.
My question regarding the leagalization of marijuana is: “Since integrity in congress is so few and far between, why dont we beat them at their own game. How do we get the FDA to simply remove Marijuana from schedule 1 list to where it belongs? What is the process holding that agency accountable and what is the appeal process?” If I designed a new food or drug, there must be some application and appeal process to get it approved, right? Just currious, anyone have suggestions?
I’m sad to say that the Petition to Grant a Full Pardon to all those arrested for marijuana only related offenses isn’t getting the attention it deserves. While I’ve seen a dramatic flux of people rushing to sign the Regulate and Tax in a Manner similar to Alcohol petition (and am very happy to see the number rise greatly every time I look in on it), I’d like to see more people standing up for the folks who have put there lives and liberty on the line for the cause. After all, SOMEONE HAD TO GROW THAT BEAUTIFUL HERB YOU’RE ENJOYING AND NOW THEY NEED US. To those of you who have taken the time to add your name, I’m very grateful. Thank you for understanding you have a civic duty and doing that duty in true patriotic fashion. For those of you still sitting on your hands I’d like to remind you that NEVER in the history of our nation has it been so SIMPLE and EASY to make your voice heard. So stand up and take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.
Please take a moment to follow this link and sign the petition which requests that all those arrested for marijuana only related offenses to be granted a full pardon. In addition to releasing those currently incarcerated, this would also reinstate the rights lost by those with previous convictions, such as the right to vote. Here’s the link: http://wh.gov/gRZ. Thanks for your support.
In addition, there is also a petition on the WhiteHouse.gov site which calls to Allow Industrial Hemp to AGAIN be grown in the U.S. This, too, is a very important issue within the legalization movement and approaches the subject from a perspective entirely separate from the medical/recreational aspect. Please also take a moment to add your name to show your support.
Again, thank you for standing up and doing your part. After all, a government of the people, for the people, and by the people only works if the people work it. Signing a petition is a dramatic far cry from the long marches and bloody battles our ancestors had to partake in to gain the freedoms we (used to) enjoy. If you’re too lazy to exert such little effort for liberty then you don’t deserve it!
It’s been reported in major news statements, and is obvious for anyone who is interested in politics, that there exist a majority proportion of Congressional Reps that are making decisions based on Principal, rather than informed objectivity.
As “The People”, we have some important reforms in mind that are not selfish, but rather are for the betterment of society. We recognize not only that the “War on Drugs” is a colossal failure, that harms millions of people every year, but that the current “drug strategy” is flawed. Seriously flawed!
We were enticed with House Reform Bill 2306 that would make cannabis legal on the federal level, yet we can see our Representatives are both both ignoring it, and using their own principles to defend their ignorance. There is nothing objective about the way our elected officials make or reform laws. There is nothing in the way of common-sense involved in their decisions, their actions.
We seem backed into a corner, where we’ve been for too long. It is a good thing that our service men and women no longer have to fear being gay, with the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. A victory for those of us who are gay, in the sense of human rights and dignity. All in what seems like 20 years, though eons longer, but all told, a significant change in US law and policy.
Now, if we could only find a way to enlighten our elected officials on current and long existing laws pertaining to recreational drug use, and cannabis in particular!
I’m surprised the Tea Party, from I’ve read, pro-anti-prohibition. I have read nothing to indicate their efforts to end the War. In fact, what I’ve heard, is that they believe cannabis use is drug use and that drug use is banned in the Bible. When in fact, if true, drug use is not even mentioned, and cannabis is addressed in Genesis, and is quite acceptable for our use of plants. So where the Tea Party stands, continues to be murky, but I must believe they aren’t any more rational than politicians from the past. A right wing fringe group that is seeking a government stripped of entitlements to the poor and middle-class, and rich in benefits to Wall Street, and hefty returns on their investments… a Yuppie Tea Party, in fact.
That aside… this War on Cannabis has to end. It is far too destructive to let it continue.First, cannabis laws and penalties have no basis in reality. It’s a crude, harmful joke to anyone busted for cannabis. It is unconstitutional and in opposition to one’s personal rights. The basic foundation used to support prohibition is deeply flawed, and not based on science or the rules of fair-play. No one should be a criminal or in prison for the use of, growing of, distribution of cannabis. It is a plant.
A couple replies to comments I’ve seen here and on other websites.
1) The munchies. There is a concern given our obese trend, that cannabis will contribute to this trend. Actually, if you Google it, you’ll find studies that indicate cannabis use has a tendency to reduce on’s weight. My theory is it satisfies certain brain receptors, and one doesn’t store as much fat from stress.
2) Smoking cannabis is worse than smoking tobacco. Cannabis burns hotter, that’s about the only real issue. But there are ways to reduce the heat. Also one can eat cannabis, which one can’t do with tobacco. The effects of cannabis when smoked is the opposite than the smoke from tobacco, in that tobacco constricts the airways, exacerbating asthma, whereas cannabis dilates the airways, improving asthmatic symptoms. Sure there is a tendency to cough when holding in cannabis smoke – it is smoke, it is hot, and it is causing expansion of your air-sacs.
3) People can’t be allowed to grow their own cannabis as it would not only be dangerous, unregulated, but easy for children to have access to it. And you think the water we drink is necessarily safe??? You can’t OD on cannabis. Sure there are cannabis blights and diseases, but most home gardeners know when a plant is sick. Ever heard of rotten tomatoes? As for the THC content, the consumer is not put in jeopardy if their plants achieve a 25% THC level, as compared to a 5% level. Most cannabis users would simply use less, and if they get to high, they’ll likely fall asleep in a lounge chair, rather than go off in a drunken race around the lake. And lastly, like adults can be trusted to keep kids and teens from snagging a cigarette or raiding the liquor cabinet? Cannabis is safer… and adults should do more to safeguard their children against hazardous substances. Enforcing laws that make adult use of cannabis a serious crime makes no sense if protecting children is the issue. The most dangerous substances are legal!!! Adults need to learn to act responsibly… and current laws against cannabis have no bearing on that fact!
The Cannabis Spring is HERE! Stop the Hurt and keep writing to your Representatives, post your comments everywhere, and fight, this peaceful fight to reform our drug laws.
I write to my congressman people in Florida all the time and they have no interest in responding with anything other than a pre-written crap letter. I work as a patient educator in the Cannabis industry and we see an averageof 32 patients a day for this medicine ( average age 59) & it has given them their lives back. I’ve invited every congressperson including governor Scott to come visit our clinic in Florida. Come see what this plant does.