It’s getting ugly and NORML needs your help now more than ever to stand up for the rights of responsible adults cannabis consumers. The Administration that promised to base drug policy on science and respect state marijuana laws is ignoring medical facts, the needs of patients, and the economic benefits that regulated dispensaries bring to medical cannabis-friendly states.
There is no way to sugar coat the terrible past two weeks we’ve had at the hands of Prohibition-loving federal and state governments.
Yesterday, the four U.S. Attorneys from California–along with their respective counterparts here in Washington D.C. from the DEA and IRS–declared that a statewide crackdown against large-scale medical cannabis cultivators and sellers with national implications is currently underway.
Question: Will U.S. Attorneys in the other fifteen states and D.C. with medical cannabis laws pursue similarly aggressive enforcement?
But wait! There’s more. Much more.
- Earlier this week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a long-awaited $2.5 million ruling against a major medical cannabis dispensary in California. Citing an obscure part of the US tax code meant to target drug cartels, the federal agency is barring dispensaries, even those licensed under state law, from taking any business-related tax deductions and is seeking millions in dollars in back taxes.
This adverse ruling has the very real potential to stop the regulated sale of cannabis currently underway in California, Colorado, Maine and New Mexico; and planned in Arizona, Montana, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) issued a heavy-handed one-page memo to every gun and ammunition dealer nationwide informing them that they must, by law, deny sales to lawful patients who possess a physician’s recommendation to use medical cannabis–many of whom posses state-issues medical cannabis ID cards–effectively denying their Second Amendment rights to have a gun to hunt or for personal safety.
- Federal regulators cracked down on banks in Colorado, California and Michigan that had previously conduct business with medical cannabis dispensaries, forbidding these financial institutions from allowing cash deposits or processing credit/debit cards from state or locally approved canna-businesses.
- U.S. Attorneys in California sent warnings to local dispensaries in San Francisco, San Diego, and elsewhere warning that locally compliant facilities still may be subject to federal prosecution for violating federal ‘drug free school zones’ legislation — leaving these facilities with no choice but to either move or close.
- Also, federal attorneys in California have sent hundreds of legal warnings to the landlords of properties that rent to medical cannabis businesses (retail, delivery, cultivation and testing) warning that their properties and assets are subject to swift civil forfeiture proceedings, and that they themselves may be subject to decades in prison. Is it likely that federal attorneys do the same in Colorado, New Mexico and Maine; and to the numerous gray area dispensaries in Oregon and Washington?
- Rhode Island’s governor Lincoln Chafee pulled the plug on the state’s nascent medical cannabis dispensary program, despite it having been previously approved 102 – 3 by the state legislature. Why? Governor Chafee cites recent memos from the Department of Justice threatening to federally prosecute employees involved in the state-licensed production or distribution of cannabis.
- Michigan courts, the legislature and the state’s Attorney General are steadily dissembling the state’s medical cannabis program, despite the law having passed with 63 percent public approval.
* * * *
There are only two things to say after reading such an alarming list of recent setbacks to ending Cannabis Prohibition:
-
- Rather than pour millions of dollars and human energy into creating a legally and politically contentious policy that allows some cannabis consumers who can obtain a physician’s recommendation to be immune from state (but not federal) prosecution during a time of general Cannabis Prohibition, all cannabis consumers, patients, cultivators and sellers and their families should focus their full attention and resources to once and for all legalizing cannabis for all responsible adult consumers.
- Make a donation to NORML now, join a local NORML chapter (there are nearly 200 of them nationwide!) today or purchase a NORML-related product and show the country that you support ending Cannabis Prohibition in our lifetime.
Everyone at NORML has known that 2012 was going to be the busiest year in our 40-year civil rights efforts to legalize marijuana.
…However, with the Obama Administration’s new and aggressive assertion of federal primacy over states and cities that have crafted superior, public-endorsed, free market-oriented public policies, we’re now assured long and difficult political and legal battles in the coming year with a federal government that still does not ‘get it’ regarding the public’s desire to retire the 74-year-old Cannabis Prohibition right next to the last ‘great social experiment’, Alcohol Prohibition.
Anticipating yesterday’s federal actions in California, members of the NORML Legal Committee (NLC), a nationwide network of over 600 lawyers, is already organizing and poised to challenge federal and state governments who seek to kill patients’ access to medical cannabis and to defend citizens egregiously charged by their own government for law violations.
If you watched the three-part PBS series this week on Alcohol Prohibition, it is impossible not to draw similarities to the absurdity of alcohol’s prohibition to that of the ongoing, heavy-handed criminalization of cannabis, and that ultimately only politically organized citizens came to end the federal government’s folly by putting sufficient legal and political pressure on their elected policymakers.
Our generation must do the same to end our nation’s long-suffering Cannabis Prohibition.
Get (More) Active. Donate now. Be NORML. Every contribution helps.
Thanks for caring and sharing,
Allen St. Pierre
Executive Director
NORML
Washington, DC
director@norml.org
any site about legalise pot in EUROPE
Gentlemen and ladies…set your sites! C=>http://tinyurl.com/ObamaMedMjPolicy #FreeMarc
Please donate! I just did, for the $50 membership I not only receive a great t-shirt I’ll be proud to wear, but I feel good supporting a long time ally in the battle for commonsense in recognition of the benefits of cannabis against the War Machine that makes criminals out of peace-loving citizens.
NORML has been there for all of us since the early 1970’s. I’m 57, so I remember their efforts to end this injustice in the 1970’s when I was in my early 20’s.
“Reefer Madness” must end now.
How to win any marijuana legalization debate
this is a work in progress, feel free to offer suggestions:
Step 1: Pose the following question – “Why do we need to criminally prosecute people for [the responsible use of marijuana]?”
Step 2: Hear response.
Step 3a: If response is something like “because it makes people lazy.” Go to step one, but alter question with [for being lazy] Emphasize the word “criminally”. You may come back to this step several times.
Step 3b: if response is because of violence, point out that (i) there are no gunfights between our government and the makers of Corona. (ii) point out that the consumers of marijuana are no more responsible for the actions of the suppliers than consumers are responsible for the child labor that helped make any product from China. (iii) Repeat Step 1, but emphasize the word “use”.
Step 3c: if response is because of negative effects of marijuana, again go to step one, but alter question with [said negative effect], and emphasize the word “criminally.”
Step 3d: if response is because of people driving while stoned, again go to step one, but emphasize the word responsible.” Point out that the law bans the responsible use as well.
Step 4: if the above activity eventually leads to a response along the lines of “because of the economic drain it causes in health/welfare costs.” Ask for evidence that the costs of enforcing prohibition have been less than the health/welfare costs that would exist without prohibition. If there is none, then ask why a law was enacted before there was any evidence that it would be fiscally responsible.
Step 5: If they respond with something along the lines of “you can’t put a price tag on the prevention of human suffering,” then ask why they brought up the health/welfare costs as a factor.
Step x: At any point if it seems like they are making up their answers, you should point out that it is already law and that criminal prosecution is a serious and agonizing event; it is not something that should be done lightly and as a result of guesswork. There should already be a good reason for it. Usually, when there isn’t a good reason for causing people to suffer, that means that someone is simply too ashamed to admit the reason is money.
Step z (rare): I’ve only seen this once when a caller asked a similar question to the DEA head on cspan, when California was considering legalizing marijuana. I think I should mention it because it was significant. The DEA responded to the question with something along the lines of “it isn’t the DEAs job to punish for individual use. I go after big-time suppliers.” The correct response to this would have been “regardless of what you do, you are here representing prohibition, which includes the criminal prosecution for the responsible use of marijuana.” Repeat step 1.
NORML would have more of my money if this had been their mantra for the past decade. I support legalization with all my heart and also know that cannabis helps many with serious illnesses, but the medical system in its current form is a transparent sham (and as we are seeing, possibly a counter productive one). I mean come on. How many other prescription medications can you buy in 40 different flavors and control your own dosage? The point we are missing (especially the Stoners Against Legalization morons, thanks guys) is that reasonably viewed, cannabis should be every bit as legal for adults as beer and wine.
First they ignored us, then they laughed at us. Now, they’re fighting us.
Hmmm…well I don’t think I can donate anymore. This government doesn’t give a shit about anyone. They will never listen. My money will go into growing more weed and buying even more guns to protect myself from my own government.
This is unbelievable! Our president has promised to keep the Fed-DEA out of the State’s business regarding medical marijuana and/or decriminalization! He has gone back on almost every promise he’s made to us! It’s time for a Revolution! Let your lawmakers know that you’re tired of being told what you can and can not choose as your own personal medicine! That Government has become too intrusive and you’re tired of it! It’s about Personal and Collective Freedom! Fight for Freedom and don’t take No for an answer!
I hope Obama gets a really painful disease, seeks treatment with medical marijuana, and then is arrested, imprisoned and spends his remaining days wasting away in some he’ll-hole prison while the police divide up his fortune.
KARMA IS A BITCH.
San Diego, California is the target city for the DEA to set an example. Be prepared.
A sit-in at the San Diego DEA or Federal Bldg. is the only way to get the same national media coverage that the DEA is getting. It’s working for the “greed patrol’s” nation wide.
It’s all about politics. City attorney Jan Goldsmith is bucking for private. An ambitious fellow, he and others to follow will use MJ as an anvil to beat on.
Have NORML draw-up some alternatives that Mr. Davidovich suggest, about regulations and education of MJ, and have that doctrine in your hand when asked a news-media question. Have an answer.
Now is the time. If we sit back and watch it all happen, the FED will create damage to MMJ distribution that will take time to repair.
This election season, when you’re annoyed by door to door candidate-survey’s, ask them if their candidate supports medical marijuana. If not, then inform them as to why, before you shut the door in their face.
Dragan – look up my friends at CLEAR in the UK: http://clear-uk.org/
Kim West:
NORML says OBAMA does not control the DEA or DOJ. So, don’t blame him. Blame Eric or Michelle.
The federal government is mandated to eliminate marijuana to protect the 3/4 of the population that are either ignorant, scared (by the 1937 Harrison-Heroin Act language), or mentally-crippled by religion.
You and I know MJ is no big deal. Today’s youth might use less MJ or alcohol than claimed.
I believe that a “sit-in” at the San Diego DEA office or Federal Building (leased from the taxpayer’s) should only reflect “visual-friendly attire”. If you own a pair of shoes, they should be polished and worn. We’ll be on national T.V. The ignorant, scared and religious will be watching us. It would defeat our purpose to give their hungry minds poison food. Dress like you are somebody. Don’t scare them away or re-confirm the image that the Federal Government has premeditated for them/us, imo.
After busting a dispensary in the Fresno area (Friant, CA), the US Marshall’s have been seen patrolling the Big Fresno Fair. In my 39 years as a resident of this county, I have never before seen a US Marshall patrolling the fair, armed and in bullet proof vests. A local TV station showed fair footage where the camera is following 3 US Marshall’s, shoulder to shoulder, patrolling the fair. The story was about the fair in general, but the camera was aimed directly at the backs of the agents. I think the cameraman was trying to communicate with MMJ patients. Maybe a coincidence.
I think they are going to bust more than dispensaries. Our Sheriff is fully cooperating with the Feds, and being so helpful I could spit! I think they are going to really ramp up individual arrests. And you know what? I DO NO BELIEVE THEM when they say they are not going after individuals! CA law means NOTHING to them.
They are going to need a Federal Pot Prison to put us in. The Fresno County Sheriff releases criminals early if she doesn’t have staff for the jail. Last month, after being early released 2 or 3 times, she released a prisoner who killed a 100 year old man, in his own home, in Sanger, CA. But she is busy chasing dispensaries. She isanother who will NOT get my vote.
The gangsta’s in CA are happy camper’s this week. For a large bloc that probably doesn’t vote, they are being better served better than we civic minded suckers. I am sure they are busy ling up product for the influx of users who will return to the streets.
They say it is darkest before the dawn. I can only hope this is the case, and sanity prevails. I have have serious doubts, though, and my fingernails are showing wear.
Just read this disturbing news off the Huffington Post:
“The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill yesterday that would make it a federal crime for U.S. residents to discuss or plan activities on foreign soil that, if carried out in the U.S., would violate the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) — even if the planned activities are legal in the countries where they’re carried out. The new law, sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) allows prosecutors to bring conspiracy charges against anyone who discusses, plans or advises someone else to engage in any activity that violates the CSA, the massive federal law that prohibits drugs like marijuana and strictly regulates prescription medication.
“‘Under this bill, if a young couple plans a wedding in Amsterdam, and as part of the wedding, they plan to buy the bridal party some marijuana, they would be subject to prosecution,” said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, which advocates for reforming the country’s drug laws. “The strange thing is that the purchase of and smoking the marijuana while you’re there wouldn’t be illegal. But this law would make planning the wedding from the U.S. a federal crime.’
“The law could also potentially affect academics and medical professionals. For example, a U.S. doctor who works with overseas doctors or government officials on needle exchange programs could be subject to criminal prosecution. A U.S. resident who advises someone in another country on how to grow marijuana or how to run a medical marijuana dispensary would also be in violation of the new law, even if medical marijuana is legal in the country where the recipient of the advice resides. If interpreted broadly enough, a prosecutor could possibly even charge doctors, academics and policymakers from contributing their expertise to additional experiments like the drug decriminalization project Portugal, which has successfully reduced drug crime, addiction and overdose deaths.
…”
Geez, so if we send an email to our Representative, urging him/her to support legalization, we could be prosecuted???!!!
Under this law, if we tell someone on these boards to “take a hit” we could be prosecuted???!!! Folks, careful what you post from now on, I guess.
Too much! Tyranny and authoritarianism truly have arrived in the good ole “Free” USA.
But, the fact that the DEA is mandated to confiscate MMJ shops, weed, and real estate too, is the only way the federal government can be forced to change!
The DEA cannot just do nothing. When the DEA raids all the shops in San Diego County on or before November 20, 2011 it will begin the state-wide controversy and eventually concerned citizens will petition, ballot, vote and reverse the 1937 Harrison-heroin Act.
But first, the DEA must raid and confiscate to complete their job responsibilities to the 3/4 majority of taxpayers.
In otherwords, the DEA cannot, out of the blue, step forward and repeal the law. It has to be fought for, imo. That’s the way the federal government works. They ordinarily do not give anyone one anything without a fight.
With all due respect to the effort (live-time) NORML has invested over the last 40 yrs. to legalize MJ, now is crunch-time.
All NORML focus from now until the DEA raids in November should be on San Diego, California. This is the DEA staging ground.
A “sit-in” BEFORE the November raids would be prudent. Getting the public to talk amongst themselves BEFORE the RAIDS would be the purpose of a “sit in” at the DEA or Federal Building downtown.
I see your getting sponsors, both Vista Print & Intuit for credit cards .
It’s official …….i now not only have Intuit as my credit card processor & just ordered business cards from VistaPrint this morning .
Very saddening cannabis news in the past weeks. Seems to me like the feds are panicking. Desperately swimming against the tide.
This two part plan is the only action the citizens of the US need to take to end federal marijuana prohibition:
1) EVERYONE that sees these links sign up at both sites and weigh in on the debate
– http://pvox.co/CdiFqY
– http://wh.gov/gDQ
2) Propagate those two links and ensure that everyone that sees them go to both those sites.
Too many people are blaming the President for enforcing the federal marijuana prohibition. Contact Congress (the LEGISLATIVE branch [that’s the important one when it comes to law]) via the first link. Contact Obama (the EXECUTIVE branch [until Obama vetos a passed H.R. 2306 it’s on Congress – but tell Obama anyway]) via the second link. It really is THAT easy. Participate in democracy!
NORML is absolutely spot-on in their analysis of the current situation.
When MMJ law was passed and folks got their cards, then they got State legal protection under Proposition 215. But the legal right to use MMJ and have a personal grow is not enough because a lot of folks are too unwell to be able to grow, so where do they *legally* get their buds from?
A lot of dispensaries are operating illegally in that they contravene their non-profit status – and business law applies to all, despite the good of the cause.
Emerald Triangle grow operators will never support ANY Citizens Initiative because it will take away their illegal profits.
See what we’re up against? It’s time for all MMJ card holders to get back on board the legalization train – every cannabis user wants and needs the right to use cannabis and preferably, to be able to have that lovely little grow garden – we need one law for all cannabis users – Legalise Cannabis International.
They don’t understand for some reason.They have NO right to tell us we can’t use/ingest this plant.It’s our right as US citizens,Tax payers and just human being’s in general to do as we please so long as were not stealing or harming another human being.You can’t lock away life,No matter how many people they lock away people will still be smoking.
Furthermore the fact that they’ve been locking millions of people away and haven’t looked for an alternative like legalization,but even sending people to seek help from a psychologist(Assuming they did need help)shows how much money they have invested in the prison system and it’s appalling to see what greed’s done to our country 🙁
Norml,Can we not have million man/women marijuana march through the middle of DC?
Hey NORML,
I just donated $100, put my money where my mouth is.
It seems these prohibitionist parasites, as Space Cees (pronounced Space Case) refers to them, are launching a coordinated assault on cannabis, because in The Netherlands the government is trying to jam through that any cannabis products testing above 15% are going to be prosecuted as hard drugs.
Of course, in the long run it’s all going to fail even more, as all they’re going to accomplish is to mobilize a more determined opposition against cannabis prohibition.
Can you get those U.N. prohibitionist fuckers to attend this big conference this fall or send a delegation with demands afterwards to the bastards?
Quote from Radio Netherlands:
Dutch police are to regularly take samples of the cannabis products sold at coffeeshops to monitor levels of the psychoactive substance THC. The move comes after the cabinet agreed Friday to consider marijuana with THC levels over 15 percent as a hard drug.
Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten said the THC content of the cannabis samples would be tested at the Dutch Forensic Institute. He stressed that it was the responsibility of the coffeeshop to monitor the levels of THC in the products they sell.
In a statement released on Friday, the government said it wanted to reduce the consumption and production of strong cannabis. The measure will not affect the drug’s current listing under the Dutch Opium Act.
(lo)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Prohibitionist parasites, sucking off money in bribes behind the scenes, sucking off money through asset forfeiture and fines, sucking fucking jobs and badly needed local revenues right out of an already fucking shitty economy.
This is some of the best news NORML. The public eye will be opened to the absurdity of cannabis laws and will be in our favor sooner than later. It is so unnatural to ban what grows from the earth. Stay strong guys, we’re about to win.
Full legalization? Getting mad and wishing on a star is all good. Do you have a plan or a road to follow? Something you been sitting on up until now that you haven’t been sharing with the rest of us? When you get ready to come back down to earth and take the proper first step, then read on. First of all— Medical marijuana is still the best avenue to follow. BUT—taking the fight to the FEDERAL LEVEL is where ALL of our energy should be focused, because that is from where TRUE change must come. We were just given a ruling that medical marijuana has no medical value. We said we might appeal it. Have we done so? Have we even tried? The government has patents on marijuana that clearly shows that the government knows marijuana has medical value. Get copies of these patents and show this as evidence during the appeal. The government provides medical marijuana to people for medicine as I sit here and type. This is clearly 100% proof that the government has agreed/accepted/acknowledged that marijuana has medical value. AGAIN— This evidence needs to be shown to the judge in a court setting at the appeals trial, along with those who get this marijuana from the government being present at the time, and allowed to speak and give their testimony in front of the judge and have them bring their Medical Marijuana with them to the court room to show the judge as evidence that the government has in FACT given them marijuana for years as medicine and that the government has in FACT said marijuana has medical value. Then—Tell the judge that if the government does not agree that marijuana has medical value—then you would like to press charges against the government for giving the people standing before you, a substance that the government has deemed as dangerous, and since the government has deemed marijuana as dangerous and having no medical value —then you would like to file charges against the government on the grounds of the government giving people a substance they claim as medicine that they NOW clearly claim is not medicine. CASE SET AND MATCH!!! At the very least–you have one heck of a law suit that will clearly win. The government giving humans marijuana as medicine, while saying all along that it is dangerous? They can’t have it both ways in a court of LAW!!! They either have to admit that marijuana has medical values and that they have known this—-OR they have to say that they have been giving human subjects a substance for YEARS—that they have known to be dangerous. This is an AVENUE/ROAD/PLAN that CAN be followed, until it no longer exists. I’m going by the FACT that you said we may appeal this matter, and that this matter can be appealed. Even if it can’t be appealed because we waited to long, ect—We could set this up as a LAW SUIT against the Federal Government with both claims being brought forth at the same time. One has to win. Either they admit that marijuana has medical value—OR let them stick to their guns by saying that marijuana is dangerous with no medical value—then walk out of the court room with —— what’s someones life worth??? A government that has been giving someone a dangerous poison knowingly???? Just maybe the judge will see that the government has CLEARLY known that marijuana has medical value. Common sense will prevail. This is how marijuana gets changed from a schedule 1 drug to a schedule 2 drug. This is just an idea—BUT an idea with a LEGAL path to follow. Just yelling legalize it!!!–has not been working—where you been for the last 70 years? Got a better road to follow with substance? Then by all means, share with us. Peace.
sweet getting an Above The Influence ad on top of my google search for norml.. especially when they state the FACTS on marijuana as being a psychoactive drug higher than any other in teen dependance that “alters brain processes” with negative connotation, and among 400+ chemicals has some that are “carcinogenic” …fucks.
I just donated another $50.00 to NORML, and I hope everyone is inspired to donate something. I can’t see myself donating to any politicians again after idiotically handing over some of my hard-earned cash to Obama the Prohibitionist (a new title for him?) last time around. It’s amazing to me that some people still believe in this empty suit. I actually saw some comments on another site saying that this is all a plot for Obama to ride in and “save the day,” reversing these policies. Whoever wrote that needs to wake up to what is really going on here. I vowed not to donate to Obama this time around a while back. Now I can’t see myself even voting for the hypocrite! I’ll vote Libertarian or Peace and Freedom or whatever this time around. Democrats are really beginning to disgust me! By the way, does anyone else remember Joe Biden’s RAVE Act, legislation to make it a federal crime to run a nightclub or put on a concert where it would be reasonable to suspect that illegal drugs might be used? What a tool that guy is as well.
If someone is trying to kill you , do you have the right to kill them?
At what point does this prohibition become a real issue of self – defense?
I already can’t stop their lies and their guns, so what am I to do? What is it my duty to do?? I feel angry and backed into a corner.
I’m so disappointed that there are not hundreds of thousands of people on this site. Why is there so much apathy? Without votes for people like Ron Paul, we will never see pot legalized.
What does it take for everyone to see the lightning?
In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume…Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.” – DEA administrative law judge, Francis Young, NORML vs. DEA (1988)
Seems like some of the million and a half legals might think signing a petition might help. Let er roll. bongin
Godspeed.
Our founding fathers would be ashamed of this madness.
This might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe next time a ballot initiative to legalize pot comes around people in California will vote for it and think about setting a good example for the rest of the country instead of thinking “its practically legal here already so why bother voting?” I bet when your friendly dispensary gets closed it will make you vote next time.
make it legal make it green make it now…
make your point bring a joint(get well Dana)…..
Norml… I donated some money to your organization. Now Please realize that this govt system is rigged for you to fail due to presidents and their polices that they enacted from the past.
If you want true reform you need to nullify these rigged polices. A good place to start is with Ron Paul IMO.
I GUESS K2 AND BATH SOAP IS NEXT AGAIN…LOL…WHAT A JOKE THEY SAID ON FOX NEWS THAT THE WORD ON..The streets south of the border is the cartel’s are tickled pink cause they will once again reap all the profit from it again…and now that gov sold them gun’s so they are well armed and ready to get paid again they will own all market share again…this is nut’s ya’ll were fueling the war folk’s…!!!!!!!!!!
Vote for Ron Paul 2012, he needs your vote in the primary. If you are not registered Republican and live in a close primary state, you will need to change your affiliation at least 3 weeks before your primary. He doesn’t take any campaign contributions from special interest or lobbyist. He will get something done when he is president. He co-authored the HR 2306 bill– entitled the ‘Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011’.
I agree with jayman. To think Obama is purposely advancing the war on Cannabis, so that he could reverse it within a year’s time, and then look like the hero and get re-elected is out of touch.
Always follow the money…and the money leads to the two “industries” that stand to benefit the most from continued Cannabis Prohibition, and they are the Pharmaceutical “Industry” and to a lesser extent, the Alcohol “Industry”.
Both “industries” stand to lose the most if Cannabis were made legal, and both “industries” have the money to buy politicians. (And both have very publicly in the past & present)
Who “donates” more cash to politicians? Pharmaceutical & Alcohol “industries” or the Legalization of Marijuana movement?
Sad but true fact of our present “government” and twisted way of living.
MARIJUANA PROHIBITION the cancer that is killing our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS as citizens of AMERIKA. As the UNICORNIZATION process is back in a new swing of things with FEDERALISM, the PENDULUM keeps on swinging back and forth with MEDICAL MARIJUANA users and beyond.
The drug war has made our country divided by unjust laws on a state and Federal level. The ANTI-PROHIBITIONISTS numbers are getting larger as time goes on and that makes the FEDERALISTS nervous because their lies are running out of steam. Don’t worry about the SECOND COMING, it’s already here, FEDERALISM and the NEW WORLD ORDER with the ORWELLIAN MENTALITY with BIG BROTHER TECHNOLOGY to back em up. How can so few control so many? We are starting to be prisoners in our own domains. Things are a lot better on the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, out of site, out of mind. The DARK SIDE is our minds in which the government wants to light up with their TOTALITARIAN WILL. LOOK OUT FOR THEIR TROJAN HORSE its just behind the WALL of MARIJUANA PROHIBITION and the BARBARIANS ARE AT THE GATE.
Good point, John2525! I think a lot of people have been thinking that it’s legal in CA for anyone who wants it bad enough. Once they close the dispensaries, that will change. I think Obama’s DEA may have just guaranteed that CA will vote for legalization. And I do mean Obama’s DEA. Sixstring claims that NORML says Obama doesn’t control the DEA, so he shouldn’t be blamed. I can’t believe that NORML would say something like that. Obama appointed Holder who then said that he was carrying out the president’s policy on MMJ. Then Obama appointed Leonhart, showing this true colors on the issue. Obama is absolutely to blame for this policy and he must be held accountable for it. Don’t think for a minute that he isn’t a prohibitionist. And don’t forget that George W Bush also said that the feds shouldn’t interfere with the states on MMJ when he was running in 2000. He said that the issue “should be left up to the states to decide.” Politicians say what they need to say to get elected. There are very few exceptions to that rule.
Remember all those growers and medical card holders in California that refused to vote for prop 19 because they thought it would somehow take away their rights? Now look whats happening. At least you guys would have been fighting for all out legalization right now instead of just the medical side of it.
The green herb/Manna/food/meat is regarded as a gift from God, and eating sacred.
God’s Sacrament, this blessed plant, is an organic Sacrament in the form of nature. God’s Sacrament was, and still is, a primordial religious experience. The Sacrament is the divine God and when taken into the body one communes with it. Manna is a significant part of a Genesist’s everyday religious life. Genesists have an intrinsic relationship with our Sacrament. By honoring Manna as our Sacrament, by keeping God’s statutes, Genesists enjoy the ordinances of our Faith. Genesists believe in, honor, and obey God’s will, word and blessing.
what do you mean “planned in Montana” we have been selling medical marijuana in Montana since 2004. oh ya we had 26 federal raids at once too, if this happened in cali it would have been 962 raids by comparison. please get involved in Montana or do not bring it up, were used to it here.
This makes me upset, and honestly is disconcerting considering the fact that this is yet another obvious implication of the fact that the DEA and law enforcement agencies have no intention of allowing anything that’s either to the benefit of, or in the wishes of the states or their residents.
God, it’s already frustrating when it’s as hard as it is to get people to open up to the idea of changing cannabis laws and the justice system in general, and then it just pushes the frustration to astronomical levels when then, after the voters become informed enough to make a good step in the right direction like medical marijuana, the DEA and other law enforcement branches step in and interfere, using money out of our god damn pocket, OUR money, to stop the carrying out of the voter’s will.
It’s absolutely disgusting that a government agency that’s supposed to be designed to do right by both the government and the citizens for some time now has taken on the role of something far more like a criminal group, intimidating, threatening, and often physically harming anything that they see as a threat to their power, or the power of anyone affiliated with them. The fact is that they, and many of us realize that medical marijuana is a good stepping stone to legalization, as the more people see and are around it, and the less it becomes associated with crime the more likely people are to call for legalization, and that would severely threaten a significant portion of the DEA and law enforcement’s power. Cops wouldn’t be able to say “I smelled marijuana” as an excuse to break into people’s houses, the DEA wouldn’t get funding and power to harass individuals and groups over cannabis, and if people realized how shamefully and brazenly criminal they are when it comes to enforcing marijuana laws and how much hyperbole and lies they utilize in scaring people regarding the dangers of “The demon weed”, then people may begin to even further question them.
Needless to say, unless the DEA, with all the power its amassed and its criminal tactics, law enforcement, with how willing they are to silence and intimidate those who speak out, and special interests, especially those with a hand in pharmaceuticals and rehabilitation who are willing to pour money and time into stopping any real reform, are overpowered somehow, there can’t ever be a chance for real reform.
The truth though is that most young people all over at least realize that marijuana should be legal, and many of them even realize how brazenly wrong and damaging our “war on drugs”, and especially the war on marijuana is, and how badly our justice system chews up and spits out people who are guilty of nothing. With increasing access to the internet, and those born into the “reefer madness” era slowly disappearing and being replaced by ever younger, better informed individuals, the thugs and criminals that call themselves government agents will eventually face a completely overwhelming call for reform;
Then those in power will have a simple choice: Heed that call for reform and replacement of these antiquated laws based on fear and corruption, or stand in complete and bold opposition to the entire population of the united states, which, no matter how lazy or apathetic the American people may sometimes seem, would never stand.
It’s truly sad when you come to the realization that government agencies that are supposed to serve the people and be composed of normal people has become a tool of oppressing reason, logic, and the will of the citizens of this country and no longer care whatsoever for doing what’s best for anyone but themselves.
And by the way, to those individuals here who seem to believe that norml is full of morons or something…believe it or not if there was any simple way to do this, norml, and many other civil rights/drug law reform groups would have hopped on it right away. Anything that hasn’t been done hasn’t been done because of a lack of money, as these things do cost money, and sometimes a rather large amount of it.
So to those individuals here who are attempting to promote some method of action that woulds somehow magically fix this quagmire, I urge you to help by donating money to norml. These guys have been fighting for this cause for some time now and probably know more about the issue than just about any of us, so if we want to take action, get some money together and give it to the experts.
Eventually the time will arise when people will realize what’s really going on and make a call to change it, but for right now all we can do is support those fighting for this cause with both our voices and our capital, as I can guarantee that if every one of us not only spoke out for this cause but also put even a relatively small amount of money into it that we would likely see some significant change, far far more than any of us could manage without the help of something like norml.
So instead of spending 2 hours telling some random stranger or family member about why marijuana should be legalized and how common sense it is, spend that time doing even something small for cash and donate the proceeds to Norml. I guarantee that those two hours would be far, far more beneficial to the cause if one were to do so.
Medical marijuana was/is now/and always has been a BS movement(18-27yr olds make up 70% of the Med Marijuana patient population…..Really? yup!); anyone that says different is/was not a true activist “or” had something to gain by its presence.
I know alot of you may disagree, but things are better now. A line has been drawn with clear opposition and the Grey area (med marijuana) has been removed like a cancer that it was to the true movement (Legalization).
Marijuana should be legal; any other outcome is not acceptable. Having said that, this topic should not dominate your life and definately should not be atop of any activists “to-do list”; there are far more pressing issues to wrestle with that if dealt with would assure your beloved legalization. Legalization will come but it will be achieved indirectly.
I promise you all the medical marijuana movement was going to do was give the pharm companies another big pad day……and with the recent resched that ship may already be sailing.
Hi Paul….Im back :0)
GREEDY GREEDY GREEDY:
To all the Medical Marijuana users and Marijuana dispensary owners and operators that had the opportunity but chose NOT to VOTE for PROP 19…….IN YOUR FACE! What has your GREED got you now?
NANA NA NA NANA NA NA HEY HEY HEY GOODBYE!
Legalize it and be done with it!
I think John2525 may have a point. When people see this backwards step, they may be more willing to vote for more of a forward one. The Feds are going to have to recognize the will of the people sooner or later. If we can get the people to vote for the end of prohibition they will have to give up.
Prop. 19 should have got more support.
I will be making my first donation on payday.
I hope Obama is setting up a savior campaign move. He’s hurt politically and he can gain quite a few votes if he comes out in support of a new job producing industry.
We need to immediately remove those attorney gens,and any other state employees who cooperate with the feds!
Flatearth…
Why even vote?
My hope that Obama is the “Change We Can Believe In” is being tested to the end of the rope by this action. I know there was no specific promise to end the war on drugs, but his policy of not going after the industry in States that approved it, allowed this industry to get started.
I’m not gay, but I have a common understanding of feeling an affinity to something that society disapproves of with them. I know what it’s like to live in the closet, not knowing who I can share my secret world with for fear of exposure, and the possibility of my life being ruined. Obama is proud to take baby steps to help gays gain some dignity through his support for repealing DADT, and his instructions to the Justice Dept to not defend the DOMA. If these raids take place, this amounts to treachery toward Marijuana patients, who have come to believe they were complying with the law.
I’m a good man, I try to be responsible in every way. I don’t like to drink, but smoking pot is important to me. The gun lobby asks us to support their right to conceal carry laws and want us to trust most anyone to carry a weapon, why wouldn’t we grant the same trust to Marijuana users. I’m in my 50s. What do I have to do to show you that I’m not going to hurt anyone or anyone’s kids while I’m sitting in my man cave smoking a joint with my people??
Obama’s jobs bill is a great idea, but it rings pretty hollow if he takes away peoples jobs at dispensaries at the same time.
#46 – Jayman:
I qoute from the NORML editor’s response to my comments on the previous story : “The DOJ and DEA are not controlled by the president, they’re government bureaucracies that were created by Congress.”
I agree with you Jayman, Obama is responsible!
So, does this mean NORML will no longer support medical marijuana efforts? Is it a waste of resources?
After decades of effort only a handfull of the U.S. House supports legalization and no one in the Senate. What will change now?
In Alaska, the only state where marijuana is legal (Ravin v State is still the law), reform came by way of the courts not the legislature.
If the President had only appointed someone to head of the DEA that would not block rescheduling efforts we would be much closer to what we all seek.
We need reformers in all branches of government and any reform(medical) is better than none.
Keep hope alive, Mike, but don’t hold your breath. Nothing Obama has ever done or said could lead one to believe that he would make any “savior” move on this issue. In fact, he has said all along that he doesn’t believe in legalization and that he doesn’t intend to spend any political capital on this issue. He has been upfront about that while lying about his intentions on medical marijuana, just like George Bush did in 2000. Looking to any one person as a “savior” is a dead end. Obama figures, probably rightly so, that he has nothing to lose by taking a strong prohibitionist position. I’m sure he figures that, in the end, progressives will choose him over the Republican. He’s going to run a “the other guy is worse” campaign. I’m personally sick of the “lesser of two evils” position, so I’m not buying the bullshit this time around. I want to see him defeated because, among other things, he took money from people like me while lying to our faces. Romney won’t be any better on cannabis policy, but at least I won’t have donated money to pay for my own oppression. And, really, can a Republican possibly be worse on cannabis policy?
This nonsense politics one day you can smoke your med pot and the other day you can’t has gone far enough. Its time to legalize marijuana.Period.
But I do understand that the prohibitionists make a damn good living out of prohibition (politicians,lawyers,police) and that is why society refuses to make it legal.Too many prohibitionists making a living out of prohibition.Assholes!
If marijuana becomes legal,a lot of people will be without a job. Am I right ?
Jayman: I think you are spot on with your analysis of Obama’s political calculus.
Ron Paul is the only politician who is not in the hip pocket of big business. If you want full legalization all you have to do is vote for Ron Paul. It is that easy.
We are all paying a heavy price for marijuana prohibition! People who don’t have anything to do with marijuana are paying a heavy price. The police are paying a heavy price too, as no one even respects them anymore. Our economy has been falling apart, and if you don’t think this retarded War on Drug has anything to do with, you’re not seeing the whole picture. The more we spend on it, the more we hurt our selves just like a heroin addict looking to shoot up. Saying it isn’t so is like saying Slavery or Alcohol Prohibition didn’t hurt the country. Like saying having George W. Bush as President wasn’t bad for our country. Bad policy is something we all pay for long after the idiots have left office.
The DEA raid is scheduled to take place not just in San Diego, but from Eureka, Calif. to National City, California (at the Mexican border).
This is going to be the largest DEA/ATF raid in world history. There’s two reasons:
1. Shock and awe.
Every flying contraption the DEA/ATF own will be in the air. Every DEA/ATF agent will be in full battle uniform.
Expect rappelling from overhead helicopters at dispensaries, coinciding w/ the arrival of black armored vehicles to haul away the MJ.
2. All federal agencies strive to spend-down at least 80% of their previous federal fiscal-budget coffers.
The estimate for “Operation Clean Sweep” will cost the taxpayers and estimated 21 million dollars (and will over-run that estimate if the DEA/ATF run into difficulties).
And Yes, the DEA/ATF (exposed recently as filthy murderer’s – that get top level promotions for their poor judgement) will definitely be high-fiving after the RAIDS.
Suited up for a one-sided war, each DEA/ATF officer looks at each other and smiles, because we are paying them top dollar salaries to terrorize the State of California. And the more damage they can do to defenseless MJ the more secure their jobs.
I tried to convince many, many myopic small growers and collective operators who were voting against prop 19 that if it were defeated the feds and the states would go after medical marijuana with a vengeance. Gee whiz, look what’s happening, who would have thought? Wake up,people. Be careful what you wish for and actions have consequences!!! Maybe next time you won’t be as shortsighted or foolish and vote against your own interests. Time to grow up and look at the bigger picture. Sorry if I’ve offended anyone, but I’m 62 and have been funding you guys for over 40 years! Catch my drift?! Those are my hard earned dollars filling up your pockets! Thanks for screwing up the best chance so far to legalize cannabis for all. Think of how big that market would have been for growers. Don’t screw it up next time.
Steve Cooley, the former Los Angeles County district attorney, predicted that intense coordination with federal prosecutors would make a huge difference.
“It’s advancing in the right direction from our perspective,” he said. In Los Angeles, Jane Usher, a special assistant city attorney, said her office intended to work closely with Birotte’s. “We’re gratified that they see what we see, which is what began as an opportunity to help seriously ill patients has evolved into storefront drug sales and trafficking,” she said.
California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris, declined to discuss the announcement. Her office is revising the medical marijuana guidelines that Jerry Brown issued in 2008 when he was attorney general. Those guidelines note that state law does not allow “collectives, cooperatives or individuals to profit from the sale or distribution of marijuana” and advises that storefront dispensaries “may be legal.”
………gee, but aren’t storefront drug dealers listed as Pharmacies & even drug stores and aren’t they making a profit ? Last i heard, Pfizer had over seven trillion dollars in net profits .
Our only hope for a long term solution to this problem is to vote in Ron Paul. I’m not saying I endorse all that he stands for but he seems to be the only one out there besides Gary Johnson that is even willing to consider legalization.
I voted for President Obama the last time,,,in light of what I’m seeing with his broken promises I’ll not be making that mistake again,,,EVER!!!
Your VOTE has never been more important then it is right now.
Your VOTE is the most important thing you own in this country right now, GET OUT AND VOTE,,,VOTE,,,VOTE!!!
It’s our only hope of ever changing these antiquated barbaric methods of handling drug use and abuse in this Country.
We have tried it THEIR way for decades now only to have it contribute to our never ending deficits.
We have only made the problem worse with these current methods.
We have hurt SOOOOO many fellow American’s with this war on drugs…
The only way we can fix this is through our votes.
Your VOTE has never been more important then it is now,,, VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!
Heard the DEA mentioned with fast and furious on the news.
2 way huh Is that legal?
I’ve seen some comments here about a massive raid expected by the DEA, including the one that predicts an all out offensive: shock and awe. I don’t see the feds doing that. What they are doing now is using all other means at their disposal: IRS, banking regulations, asset forfeiture threats, selective prosecutions, etc. A massive raid like that would surely inflame the public. There are already a lot of people who feel that the federal government is too big and too oppressive (tea, anyone?). A massive raid like that would get major media attention and would advance the national conversation about legalization. I’m sure that is the last thing the feds want. They would much rather intimidate everyone into surrendering. They are already getting states to cancel dispensary programs. If you were a landlord receiving a letter stating that your property would be confiscated unless you evicted that dispensary, what would you do? I can’t see how a massive raid would be necessary or even in their interest.
Kirk Perry, #67:
You make good points.
My take: Marijuana as medicine in CA is legal. If the DEA and other fed agencies do attack dispensaries, this would be an act of War against CA, and I would hope Gov. Brown has the balls to activate the state police and the reserves to counter-attack such a move by the feds.
What we need is a show-down. But what we really need is for Reefer Madness to end, period. There is simply no science, truth or legitimacy to marijuana prohibition.
If the fed to raid MJ dispensaries it will be proof this country is not free, that it cares nothing of Truth, Justice and Liberty. It will prove that the laws are more harmful than the “crime”. They will pose a danger to our youth in so many ways.
There’s no question that we vote Ron Paul in the Primaries… and if he doesn’t win the Republican nomination, it’ll prove our election system is rigged. Come time for Presidential elections, it really won’t mater who we vote for if Ron Paul isn’t on the ballot.
Yes, President Obama is a disappointment. He shows weakness as President, especially if MJ Dispensaries are raided and shut down. But I give him much credit given the current political climate… electing a Republican if it isn’t Ron Paul or Gary Johnson, would be a mistake. Neither party can be 100% invested in decriminalizing cannabis, even though do so is a slam dunk decision.
Without a doubt, given the tea-party hornets in Washington, and the endless recession we Americans are doing the best we can to ride out… Pres. Obama is not sitting in a comfortable chair, but rather he is sitting in the chair that can create the change he promised.
Alcohol prohibition didn’t end because the government realized it was a mistake, or because of the violence. Alcohol prohibition was repealed because the feds needed the tax dollars. Prohibition bankrupted the US. Cannabis prohibition has been doing that as well for decades. Sin Taxes are a necessity, not a choice. I’m sure Obama realizes this, but with hornets buzzing about in his office and policies far too complex to just burn, he may yet surprise us.
I’m not holding my breath, but I see positive change to MJ laws in the future. It all depends upon whether the DEA is stupid enough, stupidly directed to take action in CA and other states, and whether such states will have to balls to protect it’s sovereignty, it’s citizens, it’s laws against federal intrusion. It’s a win/win for the state to stand it’s ground. If they don’t, they lose more than their pride, they lose their rights as a state under the US Constitution. They condemn millions of people to the rule of a federal dictatorship.
Americans have proven many times how they can stand up for and demand their rights granted by the US Constitution. They also have important rights under their state constitutions. For those in NH, read Article 83, and you’ll see what I mean.
NORML supporters-
note the ratio of government attempts to:
+ACTUALLY INCREASE EMPLOYMENT, (not counting spending and bullshit to garner kudos for bogus attempts),
=COMPARED WITH
-ANTI-MARIJUANA POLICIES
obama has switched his step, upon hearing the ‘jump’ command from his master
and the rest of the ‘leaders’ are playing their games
at the expense of the country
ron p.he is the onley opne to help so people lets vote him in.
until the people figure it out and realize that until they take their self defense seriously (including defending their rights)the govt will continue to stop all over our rights and our well being….until the people become willing to use violence in defense of our freedoms which includes being able to make one feel good as long as you are not infringing on the rights of others, and when the govt comes to kidnap us for doing this we have the RIGHT to use what ever force necessary to protect our selves….but most people will cower and allow themselves to be no better than slaves..
#70 Tina J…the most valuable thing we have in this country is the constitution….our president candidates are selected anyways…i am 100% in favor of ron paul over another candidate, however with the media ignoring him you can easy see how the politics are manipulated, and this is not even what goes on behind closed doors….our presidents are SELECTED…and they ignore the will of the voters and freedom…our most valuable thing at the end of the day is our INNATE right to have weapons and that includes fire arms, because at the end of the day violence is the only means at protecting our selves, when it comes down to it….and until people are willing to stand up for themselves, the police and govt will continue to abuse us….
First they take away the right for mmj patients to own guns and now they’re fighting mmj itself. It sounds like they’re afraid of something…
When was the last time you called your state and federal law makers and expressed your views on this subject.All the money in the world will not fix our schools,and money will not get marijuana legalized.To many people are making money on drug testing and to be honest drug cleansing formulas,not to mention kick backs to our law makers.Remember that all gov control what the people of that nation can posses through the laws that they hold over the people.Once again we the people get the laws and our law makers get the freedom.
No matter how much they crack down, they can’t stop full legalization from hitting the ballot for 2012 in several states. This is only going to push things back in our favor in the long run.
Jayman said, “If you were a landlord receiving a letter stating that your property would be confiscated unless you evicted that dispensary, what would you do? I can’t see how a massive raid would be necessary or even in their interest.”
You are right, the feds can’t do a massive raid. This would likely garner more support for legalization. But this new tactic is cheap enforcement, the cost of postage. Any reasonable landlord that receives a letter from the DEA would likely throw out their tenants. Likewise, banks and credit card companies will cut these dispensaries off.
So Obama does not need to fire a single shot to put a MAJOR dent in this industry. He did it with the cost of a first class stamp.
THE BEST DEFENSE FOR THE INDUSTRY, IMO is for active participants to start a shit-storm of lawsuits. These dispensaries should sue everybody. From the owners, to the employees, to vendors, everybody connected to MMJ commerce should file lawsuits against landlords banks, credit card companies, the state which they operate, the feds, etc. The industry could create a huge hassle for the courts and create a larger controversy that might garner public support.
donate to norml not obama
they control the courts… you cannot win in court,
protests and sit-ins while well meaning will never accomplish a victory.
prohibition of alcohol failed because the”criminals” shot back at the cops and killed them! it got tougher and tougher to find a willing group of cops to go on a raid when they knew their was a good chance they would not come back. the only way we will end prohibition now is the same way. they love to bust pot people cuz we dont shoot back. if that changed the DEA would be screaming for prohibition to end!
Legalize now! Norml finally understands that marijuana legalization is not just for medical card holders! It is ridiculous for the government to stop all progress on the medical marijuana front.They realize they are losing the battle of Propaganda. (No known medical uses of marijuana. HA!) Just clamp down and make it totally illegal for sick people to legally get their medicine. Absolute Bullshit! Aren’t there more pressing issues then targeting legitimate marijuna dispensaries? Marijuana patients have no Second Amendment rights? Bullshit! Legitimate busineeses cannot deduct legitimate expenses? Bullshit! This is an all out attempt to stop marjuana. The laws must change and they must change now!
It is becoming increasingly clear that the federal government no longer represents the interests of the majority of its citizens, if it ever did.
Rather, the federal govenment intends to keep the masses enslaved to the benefit of the corporate masters of the alcohol and pharmaceutical industries.
A government without popular support cannot survive. It is now only a matter of time. A very sad state of affairs, here in the Land of the Free.
“They” hate our freedoms and we know who “they” are. Don’t vote for any of those “theys” in 2012.
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the nation’s largest retail worker organization, demands an immediate end to the U.S. Attorney’s misguided prosecution of operators of small dispensaries of legal medical cannabis in California.
In the past year, thousands of hardworking and taxpaying medical cannabis industry workers have joined together with the UFCW in various states in order to protect their jobs in this emerging industry. In today’s economy, hourly wage jobs like these that pay good wages with decent benefits are vital to keeping our economy afloat and families out of poverty.
At a time when the unemployment rate hovers around 9 percent, our economy requires bold action from our government to create good family-sustaining jobs. The steps taken by the four California U.S. attorneys to send letters Wednesday and Thursday notifying at least 16 medical dispensaries and their landlords that they are violating federal drug laws would do just the opposite.
“I have a good middle class American Job with good health benefits and a pension that I can look forward to,” said Larry Richards, a UFCW Local 5 member and a manager at the Blue Sky Dispensary in Oakland, California. “Because of our industry and our union I am able to be a productive breadwinner and, as a person living with HIV since 1983, I have fought and struggled not to be a drain on society. I want to work, I want to be productive but now, they want to take my job and put me back on the rolls of Social Security.”
Vote Ron Paul.
Legalize MJ.
And don’t forget to sign my petition! //wh.gov/gv5
# 78
AMEN!!!!!!
all i have to say is congragulations to all the people who voted no in the cali legalize vote so you can keep your money flowin growin chron. looks like the joke is on you and now your all getting locked up. that vote was the one thing us cannabis consumers had going for us. had it been passed this thing would have been on the road and people would be on their way to better lives all across the nation and im pretty convinced that growers( money makers) fucked that up for everyone. so enjoy your money you fuckers it will be usless when you have the feds kicking your door in and attaching your livelyhood to horses,torn apart and quartered.
If pot becomes legal, I lose my job. Keep that ish illegal.
I made my donation. PHARMCORP has the money to keep our politicians bought and paid for, in order to prescribe Oxycotin, percodans and nasty little pills that can kill you..IF YOU ARE LUCKY. The side effects of these drugs are horrific, and they cause a money making dependency.
I am voting for Ron Paul. He may not get elected, but I’ll feel that I did the right thing.
its going to be hard to get mj legalized i write congress all the time and they always respond the same they always say legalizing will do more harm than good bunch of b. s. they would rather make you go to jail or unemployed when will this nonsense stop, how can we get congress to legalize when they already have thier minds made up
i say all people who have states with marijuana decriminalized all get a bunch of fines and refuse to pay for all your tickets and see if the government has the money to put us all in jail at 150,000$ for each of us no way its happening and there’s already people protesting everywhere against the government mite as well protest for that two and no tickets payed they will have no choice and if they were smart they would tax it all over the us and pay china back with the profit so we could pay some dept off so they don’t nuke us and who knows maybe we could have a good economy again
This is some crap. I say as Americans, we stop waiting for the government to take appropriate states. We should boycott paying for the jailing of possession offenders and such. We should stop paying for the “war on Drugs.” WE, as human beings, Need to stand up and say no. Put it out of their control. We’re free people. Not ruled under one person or another.
Our government officials have been “popped” for adultery, rape, extortion, money laundering, intimidation etc without significant reprimands, our laws should apply to every American right? In the real world if you get busted for theft you get fired. Since they are supposed to work for me and we are the boss, then as boss I hereby give notice. You have 45 days to get the country straightened out or your fired, let go, finished..no benies no retirement (and denied unemployment) that’s it! In our real world we don’t get a notice we just get kicked out! Mark your calendars for November 25th at 4:20pm pacific time!
Effective immediately repeal marijuana prohibition!
Murt, I am in continual contact with my state and federal law makers in regards to this subject. I may only be one voice but I can and do make a sound! The silent majority must speak up and make a sound, together we will roar! :}
It seems it will take something more than science, than facts, than statistics, even the will of the people. Those in power, government offices, police stations, pharma corp execs, and others will not relent. The news is full of the failures of the drug war, and if not the WHOLE drug war, most certainly the idiocy that is prohibition – the ONLY thing that this prohibition DOES NOT have in common with THE PROHIBITION (of alcohol) is that recreational marijuana users are not prone to violence, and the most of the ‘business men’ which deal in this are South of the border. They profit at Mexico’s expense because of failed American policy.
Our leaders don’t care.
More signatures than required to get many initiatives rolling. MANY documented benefits, yet they will not budge.
Democracy is a joke if the will of the people is overruled. DEMOCRACY means government BY THE PEOPLE.
It is to the point that Patriotism is depressing.
I saw a commentary on fox about the city of loredo in Mexico, and they showed so many images of marijuana and made references to the war on drugs. with that being said , if they legalized marijuana, then their time,life, and money would be saved. I wonder what their real problem is???
In physics, energy is the ability to effect change-
to make something happen…
Power is the magnitude of that energy…
There is much energy in correcting the illogical prohibition of marijuana, and yet the power is very minimal – because the object we would act upon with it, to change, LAW, is virtually unreachable with logic and thought…
What would it take for our leaders to get a fucking clue?
Willie Nelson took it upon himself to get the Tea Pot Party going, and momentum it has… but will that be enough push past the barriers set up by our government?
Outside of more primitive options, filing petitions, voting, and science have all been virtually nullified…
Monetary resources squandered, lack of societal risks, lists of benefits, and the will of the people have all been overshadowed… for what??
Mexico has an epidemic beyond Chicago in early part of this century. And, we have failed them.
Our politicians should be ashamed.
No question that the officials who run this country know well enough that marijuana is less of a public health issue than is alcohol. There’s only two things holding cannabis regulation back: those with vested interests who earn money (legally or illegally) by keeping pot illegal, and the members of the Church organizations sustaining substancial hypocrisy and complete and udder ignorance.
“A democracy is just 51 percent of people taking away the rights of 49 percent of others”
ALSO: I encourage all visitors to click on the ADs on Norml’s website. I know they can’t say that, but I can. Just Do It! (Did I just violate Federal trademark laws, Yay me!!! Fuck the status quo 🙂
This is a down grade to the whole situation…
I do not see how the US Congress can force it’s law in other countries… this is promoting freedom?
U.S. Drug Policy Would Be Imposed Globally By New House Bill
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/06/us-drug-policy-war-congress_n_998993.html
Donated. Kick some ass for us in Washington, NORML, it’s time this crap ended. I’ve been spreading the word in KC, though e-mail correspondence with Representative Sam Graves has given me nothing so far in response but form letters about Schedule 1 and addiction silliness. I even received one stating how the American Cancer Association claimed there was no medical value for cannabis. I went directly to their website, and found the following:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/marijuana
Seems like it has a variety of clinical uses.
When I asked for the research studies his office was using to base his decisions on the value of medical cannabis, I was treated to the exact same form letter in response. Providing half a dozen studies on the uses of cannabis for depression alone yielded no studies in return from the good Representive’s office. It’s a shame when legitimate concerns from a citizen backed with psychological and medical studies are met with such ambivalence.
If the NORML people were to get together with the cannabis dispensary people and the Occupy a City people, and they all joined the Peloton to demand a simple definition of marijuana, then together we could cause change to happen regarding cannabis.
If they all signed this petition (http://wh.gov/gMD), then the White House staff will review it, ensure it’s sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response. It only needs 5000 signatures.
For more information, google Talking Points for the Peloton, then see the Readme. Good luck to all!
It’s time to get mobilized and HIJACK the tea party name: THE MARIJUANA TEA PARTY. There are 10’s of millions of US and we can swing an election either way if we unite behind another one of the rights mantras, WE WILL VOTE FOR ANYONE WHO PLEDGES ON THEIR 1ST DAY IN OFFICE TO LEGALIZE POT. No if, no ands, no butts.
3 generations, that’s right. 3 generations of criminalizing honest & hard working folks.
I understand California raids as these operations are illegal when they are for profit. Colorado is the only state allowed to do this.
TomT, you mention the two industries that stand to lose the most if prohibition ended, phrama and alcohol, but I wonder how much the prison complex industry would lose.
Think about all of the lawyers (and their staff), agents and cops (and their support staff), guards (and staff), councilors, etc.
I don’t think Obama would ever do the right thing. He could care less about the millions of lives being ruined by prohibition, and he’s not going to piss off the police unions, guard unions, federal agents, not to mention the corporate money.
End prohibition? What’s in it for Obama?
I backed out for a while for my own reasons of course and the more I see and hear the more upset and disgusted I get. I agree, all out or give it up. I am back for good until its done or until I’m dead. I’ll keep you posted from my standpoint..It has to be done people.
Keep your phones,PDAs,computers etc.locked when not in use. This keeps someone from “accidently” opening it.
Do NOT agree to any searchs. Including your pockets,baggage,vechicles and any key or combination locked compartment.
Drive Straight!!!
Leave your weapons at home.
Keep all guns locked and preferable in a safe.
Do not take pleas. It only saves them time.
Demand your day in court.
Let Us Never Forget!!!
The Unpopular Terrorist attack!!! May4.org
In the trenches since ’75 myself.
VOTE for Dr.Ron Paul!!!
The Feds may have other interests, too. Readers of interest may want to consider the enormous energy usage of marijuana indoor grows reported in Kym Kemp’s Redheaded Blackbelt blog today. Is marijuana really bigger than Starbucks and Viagra?
Kym’s surprising article is at Redheaded Blackbelt: Holy Smokes!
http://kymkemp.com/2011/10/10/holy-smokes/
NORML needs to tie in with the Occupy crowd. Might lead to some media coverage and it ties in perfectly with Getting Money Out of Politics. As long as rich corporations own congress, real change is far off.
Ron Paul will never win GOP nomination. Again, money in politics.
Obama might see the need for a nice sized voting block when he’s neck to neck with Romney.
The “40 year civil rights effort to legalize marijuana” has been an effort to legalize it for retailers and growers too:
http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/25832
Norml has limited itself to “legalizing cannabis for all responsible adult consumers”. The problem with not explicitly having legalization for all dealers and all growers in the mandate is that you get monopolistic initiatives such as Prop 19 which divides the movement. Until we adopt models such as the wine model – which provides opportunity for all to participate in the economy – we will remain divided and nothing worthwhile will be achieved. For more info about the wine model, please check out this link:
http://regulatemarijuanalikewine.com/regulate-marijuana-like-wine-act-2012/
So the party is over
wow! this works out great for the mexican drug cartels. with this crack down and all the new weapons sold to them by the batf, business should be better than ever
This totally sucks and seeks to take away further attacks one of our American rights; in this case the freedom of speech!
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/07/huffpost-hill—cbo-shock_n_1000878.html
Copied from that page:
—————————
“HOUSE BILL WOULD BASICALLY MAKE WATCHING HAROLD AND KUMAR ILLEGAL – The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill yesterday that would make it a crime for Americans to discuss violating the Controlled Substances Act while on U.S. territory. Radley Balko reports that the bill, introduced by Texas Republican Lamar Smith, would allow “prosecutors to bring conspiracy charges against anyone who discusses, plans or advises someone else to engage in any activity that violates the CSA, the massive federal law that prohibits drugs like marijuana and strictly regulates prescription medication.” So just think about that for a second: Your friend comes over one day, and you’re talking about your forthcoming trip to the Netherlands. You’re all “Yo, broheem, I can’t wait to hotbox our Amsterdam hotel room and then watch Een Koninkrijk voor een Huis. I hear it’s trippy as fuck!” And then, all of a sudden, *BAM*. An armoured SWAT team and gaggle of FBI agents in windbreakers storm your $1,200-a-month efficiency. Yeah, just think about that.”
————–
I wish I was just making this up… But it’s real! Larmar Smith, among others, is at it again – full steam ahead…
While listening to KGO a news – talk station out of, San Francisco last night regarding the Fed’s threats & possible invasion into California by these armed thugs there was not a single caller into the Radio station that was for the Federal agents invading out Nation of California .
I now got one thing to say to these liars, hypocrites and paid & bought for politicians………..
U.S.A. OUT OF CALIFORNIA .
YOUR NOT WELCOME HERE .
What Obama is doing is illegal. He can’t make cannabis a schelule 3 for corporations and 1 for the rest of us because if corporations are people and so are we it’s discrimination. The revolution is on with OWS and we can’t stop untill we win. Bastille day America is comming.
Bill Meltzer Says:
October 10th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
It’s time to get mobilized and HIJACK the tea party name: THE MARIJUANA TEA PARTY.
There’s already Willie Nelson’s Teapot Party, ” We lean a little to the left”.
Peace.
What would it take for a referendum on:
WHAT aspects of marijuana make it worthy of being illegal?
– it is virtually harmless
– has medical benefit
– does not cause violence nor quarrelsome behavior
– it is not addictive, certainly not to the point of tremors or medical aid required if even a heavy user cuts it ‘cold turkey’
It is less addictive than cigarettes
It is less problematic than alcohol
It has medical value
WTF is wrong with our system??
If I went to court to fight a marijuana charge,
and I asked the judge why it was illegal –
I would get sidelined and the charges would proceed.
If I asked why murder was illegal,
why theft was illegal,
I would get something about how there was a victim,
told how I wouldn’t want to be killed or have my possessions taken.
They would be hard pressed to find any logical useful accusation against marijuana.
They would most likely default to the old standbys:
– Its a ‘Gateway Drug’
— well guess what, take the bottom rung off a ladder
— and the next one is the bottom.
– Or they tie in how marijuana legalization would open
— the door for other drugs to be legalized.
— That then has NOTHING to do with MARIJUANA.
How do we pin these people down?
Get someone on Letterman and get the dialog rolling?
How can we get these people to admit,
without skewing logic, or lying,
they have no answer as to why it is,
nor should continue to be- illegal.
I’ve given up on America. We’re beating our heads against a brick wall by just being here. I and many of my friends are taking our families and leaving this country. I suggest the rest of you do the same. Obviously these states aren’t what the name would imply “United”. Say hello to the new Canadians 🙂 btw to those of you who are about to inform me of the difficulties in becoming a Canadian citizen I can only tell you the following. It certainly was, but not nearly as hard as that baton against the back of my head and the knees in my back while being arrested over a plant by my fellow statesmen.
Would a ‘Million Toker March’ get it cleared up?
I doubt it, there have been over a million people arrested for marijuana, and that is a trying to leave out those cases where other items are listed besides the marijuana. EVERY ONE OF THOSE ‘offenders’ WOULD JOIN SUCH
A MARCH – if they could.
I just created a petition on whitehouse.gov. It’s at ;
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/explain-how-you-were-bought-big-pharma-change-cannabis-schelule-3-1-them-and-not-real-people/S3XC6Qk4
Everyone should do it and pass the word. Let’s fight them everywhere and get this done.
So is obtaining a medical cannabis card a crime itself? If not, how can someone’s rights be taken away? The way I understand the ATF issue is just by having the card, you lose your right to purchase a gun. If the card lapses and is no longer valid, would you be able to purchase a gun then?
None of you, no not one, can fathom what it takes to fight for your rights. No war ends without blood shed and lots of it. Forget sending money that only fuels the Government’s Justice System, we intend to take Liberty or Death in the end. When it’s time to fight all you got to do is say so and we’ll be putting our meaningless little lives into the fight of the Century. But again, there’s no Pot Army to join, is there?
The government is ousting marijuana smokers. It’s modern day slavery and segregation.
The president cannot end pot prohibition. Congress has to. Voting for Ron Paul is not THE ANSWER. He’s a goofy weird old man that has many crazy ideas, forget about him already. The president can propose to end it, and work with congress to get them to do it, but in today’s world, that would be a very high profile and extremely controversial thing for a president to do. With the economy the way it is and entering an election year, it’s not going to happen any time soon. Both houses of congress would have to vote to do it. The atmosphere is so toxic in congress and especially the senate that getting something like that ALL the way through is very nearly totally impossible.
Republicans control the house right now and they WILL NOT support or allow this to go anywhere. Legislation is so easy to stop or kill in the senate that all it takes is one senator to prevent it from advancing.
Another huge problem is that this is about an issue that directly affects a small minority. That makes building a supportive majority very difficult. Just look at gay rights issues. Another minority issue but without some of the additional baggage pot carries. Their fights have been very bitterly fought and still there remains DOMA and many states with anti gay rights laws.
Within DC very powerful institutional status quos exist that will fight very very hard to preserve prohibition. That can only be overcome if a majority in congress can be convinced it is their interest to take the leap. And they do see it as a very risky leap. For themselves and their careers, not for society (despite what they may say).
To convince a congress person you have to show them the money AND convince them that the politics WON’T hurt them at re-election time. While there is a major culture war factor (pot smokers are mostly liberal scum), republicans CAN be made to alter their views with the right financial incentives and along with the right talking points. The more REAL the financial incentives, the better. The prospect of tax income is not what is going to grab them. Besides, only some republicans are needed not all of them. Like ones from mostly blue states. The biggest existing players in the pot industry are going to have to wave actual money in the faces of targeted congress persons.
The only way we build enough financial and political clout is to unify on national prohibition repeal for general use. Fragmenting ourselves into medical and general use camps reduces our ability to be effective in DC and also even at the state level. We got a long way with the medical emphasis, but the fact that implementing truly functional medical exceptions is so difficult, it only creates problematic situations prohibitionists can exploit against both medical AND general use.
Look: Genesis 1:15
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…
Now, why doesn’t someone tell these republicans that their God gave them the greens, and said they could have them.
Marijuana has the same effect eaten or smoked.
Christians are forgetting their Lord if they revile marijuana.
Hey Tennessee! War is wrong, peace is wise, peace is right! However I’am not the Deli Lama.
Like a critical parent, the threats by the federal courts in CA verify the lack of communication (and I don’t mean bureaucratic, though that would also help) between federal and state governments. The fact that cannabis is still illegal at all shows a total lack of good judgement on the part of lawmakers. This is a sad state of affairs. We set a poor example for the rest of the world in honor of our Constitution, our democracy, our Rights, pursuit of happiness, freedom, safety from oppression. We are not a “Free Country”, and although over the past several decades I told myself my original insight was flawed, I find it’s not flawed.
I have written to all my state and federal lawmakers… success in communicating was about 30%. Success in finding a rational lawmaker was 8% – that was when I contacted the the Chairman of the NH Judiciary, who supported legalization of cannabis. She was voted out of office by the Tea-Party Cult!
My letters bring the following results:
1) “Thank-you for contacting me… your concerns are important to me”
2) “I understand your concern re: marijuana… however my concern is protecting children from drugs. Thank-you for contacting my office with your concerns.”
Reply to lawmakers:
I watched and learned of several friends and family who have died or suffered greatly from the use of alcohol and tobacco. I’ve witnessed the suffering of the children as they lose a parent due to these two most common harmful, legal drugs. You play us for all you can regarding those drugs, pretending you’re in control. But the fact is you’re not; in control. Never have been.
Yet when it comes to cannabis, or what you prefer to call marijuana, you come down hard.You proclaim cannabis is not a benign substance, that there is scientific proof! Yet, you never reveal that scientific proof except to say “Marijuana is without medical value and with a high risk of abuse”. That Schedule 1 drugs not be studied for any other reason that to prove them bad. Studied our drinking water lately? Or our air?
I have never known a person who has died from cannabis use. Never a child who has suffered because one or both parents indulge; never known a person to suffer from cannabis addiction, or who used cannabis as a stepping stone to hard drugs. I’ve not known a friend injured from cannabis use, in fact quite the contrary, I’ve seen it make peaceful people out of bullies, and people excel that use it.
Myself included!
What I have experienced is the extreme – yes extreme harm that cannabis laws create. I have witnessed how cannabis laws have harmed families, and caused the deaths of people – because of current laws and a prohibition that has gone on far to long, and is severely prejudiced by government.
Reefer Madness must END!!!
For those of you here who think there are more important issues to consider, think again. The unemployed, the 1% – the Occupation of Wall St, the war in Afghanistan, the hungry and poor… all are directly affected by cannabis laws and prohibition. A lucrative commodity is being prohibited and destroyed; Prisons are over-flowing with non-violent offenders; children are subject to raids by law enforcement; loss or the death of parents; murder rates in the 40,000’s in Mexico; mistrust of the government, and law enforcement, as most know the War on Drugs is based on principles and politics, not science or common-sense.
Prohibition of cannabis is obviously more harmful than just letting it be, letting it get sold in health-food stores as an herb. Infringing on the freedom of the American public, prohibiting any plant is wrong, unconstitutional, and against God’s command, that all plants belong to humankind.
When do we get to have our free country, to spend our tax money on meaningful projects and public safety? When will the USA be a model to the world, because we sure as Hell aren’t!!!
Free Mari-Jane!
Good old prohibition.
I remember in Quebec not so long ago, apple cider was illegal and it was regarded as low scale to drink cider.Yet there were plenty of orchards and full of apples waiting to be turned to juice.Nowadays,it is haute fashion to drink cidre de glace and alcohol made from apples.
One day in the future long after the reign of pharaoh
Obama I,cannabis plants will inundate the fertile St Lawrence valley and it will be a sunday drive for getting freshly harvested nuggets….I’m talking long time away in the future far from all this present madness surrounding the cannabis plant but you my friend living in the present will be dead.
Come to think of it, you have one life and the future is now. Wake up wake up all and above all dont listen to your pharaoh as far as cannabis sativa is concerned.
Let’s see…it has been illegal for marijuana users to buy and possess firearms since 1968(Gun Control Act of 1968)
The President could do a defacto legalization of medicinal marijuana by ordering all federal law enforcement agencies to cease and desist what they are now doing. He could also fire all the U.S.Attorneys who don’t follow his order as they serve at his pleasure. He could fire the heads of all the federal law enforcement agencies who refuse an order to cease and desist from enforcing the pot laws.
If voting could change things it would not be legal!
What was it John Fitzgerald Kennedy said before they murdered him….oh yeah! Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent revolution inevitable!
The best form of legalization would be based on the alcohol and tobacco model. An excise tax state and federal for commercial sales. You can legally grow a tenth of an acre of tobacco under present law. One may make up to a total of 200 gallons a year of beer and or wine. You can’t sell it. A tenth of an acre…a little over 4,000 sq.ft could easily hold 250 full size plants.
This government is broke and hated world wide. It is just a matter of time before it goes belly up like the old Soviet Union. Then we will get pot legal again!
Fuckers. Slimey fuckers, the lot of them. Piss on them from a significant height.
Well one good thing about living in a back ward state (TX) We wont have the back lash like (CAL) Will have.
It really scare me if Ronny get elective for Pres. He seem tame But i am sure he will want to out do Pres Omba and there no better way than do that with the Drug war. We can all ways call our troops home put them on the border. Fight Drugs and Humans trying to find work in the U.S.A. Yes i do believe we are at Cannabis prohibition most Darkies Days There is cry for revolution in our country. Cannabis Legalization will be one of it cause
Sure wish i could help but i just cant afford to donate anything. Sure sucks as this is what seems right and fair and i swear thats what this country used to be about. Now it seems all that matters is money money money. God damn i hate this place. Guess all i can do is spread the word seeing i have to feed my family before i can help the cause…. money wise that is. I dont need a tshirt or anything else i know my constant re-eduacation of everyone i know has changed atleast a few minds on the rights and wrongs of this natural wonder
134. God’s Earth – and his greens too.
If you are a Genesist, which by definition it seems you are, remember, God made our Sacrament in Genesis I;11,12 – gave us our Sacrament in Genesis I:29,30,31 – and – reaffirmed his gift in Genesis IX:3. Your Genesis I:16 is directly linked to Genesis I:29,30,31. Keep the Faith and have a happy CDXX Communion.
It sure seems like cannabis is a big issue. A very big issue.
It is as if the feds are saying “What do you think about that!”
There are a lot of thoughts being stirred up on their hateful madness. The anti-cannabis feds are “going for broke on this matter”. It is as if California is Cambodia during the year 1970, but Obama is totally dumb on this and acts as if he has nothing to do with it.
Obama is todays’ version of Hoover.
Instead of Hunger & Thirst it is Hunger & Smoke.
The politics of greed and hate and the forever expanding the system agenda on the backs of the bruised is sinister and is blasphemy to the creator and our forefathers.
This is getting scary.
45 more signatures needed now for our online WHITE HOUSE petition to END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION
http://wh.gov/gP1
PLEASE HURRY & CLICK & SIGN IT NOW
& GO TO THE BOTTOM & CLICK TO
PROMOTE IT ON YOUR TWITTER & FACEBOOK,
THANK YOU!
http://wh.gov/gP1
The federal government has found a new weapon in its war on marijuana – the tax man.
A San Francisco Bay area medical marijuana dispensary that promotes itself as the world’s largest has been hit with a $2.4 million tax bill following an audit by the Internal Revenue Service, the dispensary founder said Tuesday.
Harborside is a spa-like fixture on Oakland’s waterfront with 94,114 registered customers and 84 full-time employees that offers an average of 30 varieties of medical marijuana every day and has $22 million in annual sales .
Not only has the Harborside provided employment for its staff but it is paying tax money to the City of Oakland . When Harborside puts 84 employees to work their work creates more work for hundreds of others . The growers are buying from the hydroponic stores creating further employment & tax money . Then there are deliveries needed & the delivery drivers are creating more jobs for the eateries, motels, gas station workers, tires and on and on it goes. Utimately these dispensaries create thousands of jobs yet the Federal Government wants to take this all this away, confiscate their homes, properties, break up families,destroy businesses, imprison these peopleresulting in children being thrown into foster homes,destroy lives & take much needed revenue from the City .
It’s the best time to get the con artists out of power. This includes the whole Obama Administration.
The only way to to stop this madness is to END The FED. Its all called Organized crime and the Federal government does not like competition.
Stand up tp the feds. Fuck those assholes.
President Barack Obama: Are you fucking blind to the violence and death of marijuana prohibition. What the hell are you thinking? So a former DEA employee, who was HIGHLY against marijuana legalization, said that if the Mexican Drug Cartels didn’t have money they wouldn’t survive, purely from a marketing perspective. What the fuck are you thinking??? Are you crazy???
What happened to the Tea Pot Party
The Federal Goverment has never bargained in good faith on this issue. It’s all been a tissue of lies and misdirections from the start. Ever since that lowlife criminal Nazi Nixon introduced the Drug Scheduling, and marijuana was placed in the worst of the categories, it’s been apparent that the government is never going to deal with us honestly on this issue. Spokesmen say one thing, and the jackbooted thugs do something else. They waste more taxpayers money on trying to stop something they can’t stop, and the worst part is they know it.
It boils down to a large number of law-and-order thugs trying desperately to justify their phony jobs from year to year. After all, what is an ex-narcotics agent good for in the private sector? All they’re good at is intimidating and frightening people, and lying with conviction. I suppose some bars will always need bouncers.
I have been making my rounds communicating about why marijuana should be legalized.
I also posted here, and there were 0 posts when I started.
I am trying to get visibility.
BTW – it does not seem to me that those in favor of marijuana legalization are the minority, only merely hidden due to its societal and legal ramifications.
Where are our public heroes, the stars with zillions of followers on Twitter? I know Kutcher got spotted with a bong, and everyone knows ‘Winner’ Sheen was way past it. Where are our voices? Just gaining ground at our sakes? Looking cool, making money, playing the game, and being fake?
They most all jump on the ‘yeah! I was for weed!’
bandwagon once the dust clears.
I call on you to stand up and use your public status to back us little people. We back you, check your box office statuses.
Anyway, here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/the-pot-republic-social-issues/president-obamas-war-on-medical-marijuana/
I have to agree with some others. I think it should be legalized like alcohol and tobaco. I understand wanting to get medical marijuana but then you also involve the dea and other regulatory boards that will mess with you the patient. If a drug is fda approved as a legitament medication then comes the regulations and prescribeing etc etc. It should be controlled by states like the alcohol. If the states that are currently looking to retranct their medical marijuana programs would just simply decriminalize it then the feds would have a hell of a time policeing and controlling it. The Federal government has a large expense and difficult time controlling the drug trade now. If Marijuana were legal in the states then the fed gov would have to consede or beef up to police the states weed use. Then the patients could get the marijuana also for their medical issues also.
Here we go AGAIN! No different than what happened over 230 years ago with England. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! We DO live in the best country in the world, but our government needs to listen to the people. Our government shouldn’t be taking tax dollars for the sale of our medication, then tell us that what we are doing is illegal under US law and you will be prosecuted if you don’t stop… AND then, the Government takes another “summer break” without finishing their business.
I would like to ask NORML to make a post on who we can write to stop this madness. Who the hell is giving them the power to DO THIS?! This is getting beyond ridiculous… now they want to spend even MORE money on a failed war on marijuana? Who’s cashing their god damn checks… If they do make a post with an address and email, GET AT THEM! Enough is enough!
[Paul Armentano responds: Several thousand NORML supporters have already contacted the White House via our ‘Take Action Center’ here: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=54512501.%5D
Let me ask you this, how many tokers do you know exist in private? What would it look like if our police and leaders were drug tested? Assuming they were within compliance for testing – would not many of them turn up ‘hot’? Wouldn’t they, THEN, work to make it legal-
before they were in jeopardy themselves???
Too bad it isn’t a mandate that those policing drugs have to be tested themselves… I was surprised the first time I saw a uniformed officer roll up to my friend’s place – and order a chunk himself.
I was terrified, actually.
Now, the more I learn… I wonder how common that is…
I know a LOT of people have been busted and the amount they were charged with was far less than they had…
Gee… I wonder the fuck why?
What happened to Gary Johnson
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905
TIME TO GO BACK TO ALCOHOL PROHIBITION. Those drunken D.E.A hypocrites and the drunken idiots of government will cry like babies if we take away their baby-raper juice. wine , beer, whiskey, vodka etc. all baby-raper juice. We must stop these drug-crazed drunks before more children are raped by them. death and prison is a good start.
All drugs should be legalized. Sober or not sober. No more hypocrites!!!!!!!
Whose side you on??????????????
Sober or free DEA, Obama! no more hypocrites!!!
Seems Gandhi turned the tide of grevious government opinion with hunger strikes/food deprivation and an unwavering fortitude. On television, all could witness his commitment for his beliefs. Public empathy ensued.
In your face protests,lobbyists,petitions and threat of the vote has failed IMO.
@ Paul Armentano
We need to take it further than that. We need to show the corruption behind the white house. There is too much money being thrown at these politicians, they’re just puppets. Just because a company has a facebook doesn’t mean they’re good! Open your eyes as a consumer, quit buying into products that support this. Get a hemp oil powered engine on the market and put those other fuels out of business. Stop the corruption at its roots. I’ve watched enough GOOD people go to jail for smoking grass, I’ve watched our government infringe on our civil rights repeatedly, we need to do more. The companies behind the corruption need to be shown.. whether it’s a T.V. commercial or a documentary, we need something to counter EVERY single “propgandic” fact they have thrown at us… we’ve got the facts to back it up, we just need to get it out to the public… and apparently the rest of the world now that they’re trying to police that too… even though they can’t even handle the united states. It’s about more than just marijuana.. it’s about freedom, failed government branches force they corporate paid agendas. We have politicians taking campaign money if they promise to shut down wind and solar energy programs once voted into office… how is this level of corruption unseen by the public? How can we all just sit by and watch these same corporations trash not only America, but the rest of the world. How can we sit by and watch 40% of our corn get burned in a gas tank while people all over the world are starving to death. Politicians pushing our rights for a few extra bucks.. it’s time to stand up. At the point you can use the same plant family as: medicine, stress reliever, clothing, building materials, oil, fuel, food (hemp seeds are very healthy), rope, paper, a material similar to plastic – replacing one of the highest polluting substances on the planet, and even the frame of a car. If it’s not the corporations behind the politicians, the reason they won’t legalize is because with out it we depend on them, if it were legal, we could simply plant a few acres of hemp and build a house with it, then a few more acres and power our vehicle, then a few more acres and power our house, or how about a school, or hospital… it’s free power. Instead of cutting budgets, and cutting school programs while politicians ask for a FUCKING RAISE AND BETTER INSURANCE…
“I’d Rather Die On My Feet Than Live On My Knees”
GROW BUD
Obama just used the white house petition to fish for lobby money. After everyone seen how many backers our cause had, the Pharm-co Lobby groups stepped up and donated HUGE to Obama. They of course had a price, to eliminate the competition and that is Marijuana, the fake drug war moves on! and we march! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjfhOPCPJnE&feature=colike
I’d like to add this petition to the Whitehouse.gov We the People section, but would like to get some insight on it before I do. Please take a few moments to look over it and comment on anything you find that may be inappropriate and make suggestions which would empower the requests within. Thank you for being a part of something.
Greg
We the People of the United States of America
Hereby respectfully request a televised State of the Union Address from President Obama which focuses entirely on the current issues regarding cannabis, including medicinal and recreational uses and the harms, if any, both proven and perceived, of each.
Additionally, we request that Our President explain, in detail, his decision to reverse his “hands off” policy concerning Medical Marijuana Dispensaries who are in compliance with the laws of their state.
We also implore you, Mr. President, to diligently explain to the citizenship the reason the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which is willing to test cannabis for safety and efficacy, has had research blocked by the ONDCP (Office of National Drug Control Policy), which currently holds a monopoly as the only federal agency with the authority to grant cannabis to an institution for research purposes.
Furthermore, we would like to know why you feel it is warranted to deny medical marijuana patients their Constitutionally guaranteed Second Amendment Rights while those patients are in compliance with the laws of their state, and also why you believe it is appropriate to support the nullification of the First Amendment Rights of media outlets that chose to engage in business agreements with businesses operating within the boundaries set forth by the states in which they reside and conduct business.
We compel you, Sir, to help us understand how arresting more than 750,000 citizens each year for simple cannabis possession alone, which burdens families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and society in general, helps our nation or economy prosper during these very troubling and uncertain economic times.
And finally, Mr. President, we ask that when you conclude your address to America, you immediately attend a well organized, well funded debate on the issues surrounding cannabis in America with media coverage tactically orchestrated to reach as many households as possible in order to give every possible citizen the opportunity to gain the most current, science-oriented insight into what the cannabis debate in this country really does consist of using the expertise of our nations’ top minds on the subject, both pro legalization as well as Prohibitionist opponents, after which you will interject your opinion on the matter and, within a reasonable timeframe, enact legislation to progress an agenda that supports the outcome of the debate, or more preferably, use your Presidential Power to issue an Executive Order which will enact the immediate changes necessary to finally bring this unfortunate, longstanding, embarrassing ordeal to a prompt end so we can begin, as a nation, to move forward once again.
Sincerely,
The American People
To Paul Armentano- I’d especially like to get your input on this, as I’ve found your past works to be very inspiring and your knowledge on the subject to be unparalleled. To me it doesn’t quite seem ready. If you were to post this, what would you change or add?
[Paul Armentano responds: “We also implore you, Mr. President, to diligently explain to the citizenship the reason the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which is willing to test cannabis for safety and efficacy, has had research blocked by the ONDCP (Office of National Drug Control Policy), which currently holds a monopoly as the only federal agency with the authority to grant cannabis to an institution for research purposes.” This is incorrect. It is the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that holds a monopoly on medical marijuana clinical research because they have the final say regarding whether to make their supply of cannabis available for such research. DEA also plays a role, as any investigator who wishes to work with plant cannabis in clinical trials must possess a DEA license to do so. Presently, just over a dozen clinicians are licensed to do so.]
I posted in depth comments,
here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/the-pot-republic-social-issues/president-obamas-war-on-medical-marijuana/
and here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/the-pot-republic-social-issues/a-crushing-blow-to-medical-marijuana-dispensaries/
PBS is theoretically unbiased public.
Reach out. Communicate.
This prohibition crap is ridiculous.
Thanks, Mr. Armentano! It’s foolish mistakes such as that which discredit so many otherwise good ideas. I sincerely appreciate that you took the time to point it out. I’ll correct it immediately.
To Paul Armentano- Just to clarify, where you suggesting that I also add a statement about the DEA, or simply putting the info out there?
[Paul Armentano responds: Just clarifying that the two agencies responsible in this country for the dearth of marijuana-specific clinical trials are NIDA and DEA, not FDA — which simply approves protocols. NIDA and DEA decide whether those approved protocols actually take place.]
Greg and Paul Armentano – that looks really good, with Paul’s addition.
Here is what I would have them understand:
The prohibition of marijuana, for adults, has reaped many of the negatives which this country avoided when we repealed the prohibition of alcohol. It was clear the public wasn’t going to stop seeking alcohol, nor will they relent in seeking marijuana. Marijuana is safer to the user and society.
In the early part of this century, the rum runners, with their Tommy-guns ran a bootleg market.
The violence associated with the alcohol trade all but died overnight when its prohibition was repealed.
Americans don’t have to face the violence, as ‘pot heads’ are almost exclusively non-violent, and the cartels which reap the profits of our failed policies dominate Mexico, not the US. Our neighbor country suffers because we have failed to learn from our history.
Furthermore, there are no logical reasons marijuana should even be illegal.
It is virtually harmless, it has many documented medical benefits, it is not addictive like cigarettes nor alcohol, where even a heavy user can quit ‘cold turkey’ without being at risk for system shock, it is well tested, as many people in many countries use it often, and have for many centuries and longer…
The classic arguments for keeping it illegal have to do with it being a ‘gateway drug’-
well, get this: take the bottom rung off a ladder and then next rung then becomes the bottom rung –
the ‘gateway’. And, even if that logic had some merit – IT IS SEPARATE FROM ANY LOGICAL REASON MARIJUANA SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. How it relates to other drugs or other crimes is moot.
Alcohol can increase chance of provocation in people.
Marijuana does not, at all, unless the user had already planned on such action prior.
The theoretical crimes associated with marijuana are in no way logical reasons to withhold marijuana from adult, American, tax payers.
It should be regulated like wine.
I call for a referendum on marijuana, to declare in all logic and rationality why it should be illegal, and if its illegality is not something which can be defended with logic and reason, then I call for and end to prohibition, and finally LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.
@Greg -164 – the petition is excellent. Well written. I for one support it wholeheartedly.
@Ben – 169
Excellent also, but I’d drop what begins with “The classic arguments for keeping it illegal have to do with it being a ‘gateway drug’-…” You said what needs to be prior to that.
I have some things to add however.
1) The primary reason given by lawmakers is that “marijuana is illegal as ‘drugs must be kept out of the hands of young adults and children'”.
2) A Schedule One drug is exactly that… Schedule One. If I follow what NORML has disclosed, that means as far as the Federal gov’t is concerned, it’s in locked down, solitary confinement, never to see the light of day. Some deemed so dangerous and deadly that no research will be permitted.
3) And who would do this research? The NIH, Nation Institute of Health. I understand IT advises the DEA, and the DEA said NO change in marijuana’s Schedule One status, as the NIH stands firm with it’s assessment that cannabis is useless as a medicine, and a danger to society. And further, will not conduct, nor allow funding for research that proves different perhaps, or affirms it’s findings.
4) The NIH is responsible for the US Gov’t filling for a patent on medicinal uses, methods of delivery of THC in Sept. 2001. The patent was approved March 30, 2004. How does the NIH justify it’s claim that cannabis has no medicinal value, yet provides the research that patent proving quite the opposite – that cannabis does have medical value?
5) If we can’t rust the Federal Government to act responsibly and truthfully, and honestly, who can we trust???
Why are the governors of the medical Cannabis states not standing up to the federal government, with force if necessary? Do they not have an obligation to uphold their state Constitutions, and protect the rights of their states and of the people therin? Intrastate Cannabis is protected by amendments IX and X of our great Constitution of the United States of America.
I Support a “States Rights” Initiative!!!
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#1. We dearly need Legislation that would assert our “States Rights” to take precedence over the Federal DEA authority!!! Is there any way forward that this could be accomplished?
#2. As a group, we should support those Legislators that would fight for our “State’s Rights”!!!
#3. We must educate the general public about the adverse effects of the actions of the DEA that are supporting Illegal Drug Businesses!!!
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Liberals have given up on, and abandoned Obama; Obama “Talks the Talk”, but, Obama does not “Walk the Walk”!!!
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U.S. registered voters say they are more likely to vote for “the Republican Party’s candidate” than for Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, by 46% to 38%. The Republican has led Obama on this measure in three of the last four months.
Read more at GALLUP.com.
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The Democrat’s who have Moved to the Middle will join those “Blue Dog” Democrats that lost election in 2010!! Thus, paving the way for a 2012 Republican take over!!!
“Fat Cats” have already dumped $150M into the Obama reelection, and will likely triple by November, 2012!!! After all this money is spent on expensive advertisements, the incumbents will see that money without the Liberal’s vote is not the “Cat’s Meow”!!!
Come 2012, ask “Michael B.”, where are the Hordes of Voters who elected Obama in 2008???!!!
I bet that Obama will have completely “Self Destructed” by November 6, 2012!!!
Obama is the Black horseman. The Black horseman is the one who carries a pair of weighing scales and of the four horseman he is the only one that is vocal. He says “and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”
So, when will the petition be posted and ready to sign?
With Federal regulators cracking down on banks in Colorado, California and Michigan that conduct business with medical cannabis dispensaries and by forbidding these financial institutions from allowing cash deposits or processing credit/debit cards from state or locally approved canna-businesses the impact is devestating.
This increases unemployment, crime,more & continued mass genocide and is another stand against our freedoms putting more & more control over the America people by the U.S. government which has rapidly turned our government leaders into nothing less than elected dictators . WE elect them but are fed by the lobbyist, industries & corporate money who persuede them up and above the peoples interests .They have no care or concern over we the people . They plead for our vote but once elected they stand up & rule against us .
Every time I reread this excerpt:
“Title VII Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 – H11225”:
http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/drug-czar-required/
“Responsibilities (of)The Director– […] (12) shall ensure that no Federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalization (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and take such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that– is listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812); and has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration…”
How much more, blatantly clear, can the shit be in our faces, reading this, knowing who throws this shit in our face! Add to that a President who promised CHANGE and TRANSPARENCY, upon being elected.
The law is pretty clear as I understand it that the FDA does not regulate herbal substances. I recall 1 exception, a stimulant found in energy drinks, caused heart attacks. After an enormous amount of discussion between representative parties, the plant was banned as unsafe.
Well, hallelujah, because that herb was bad! I tried it in those energy drinks a few times and started getting heart palpitations. I mean serious palpitations. But that’s one plant substance, out of thousands.
This “medical marijuana” initiative, although extremely important so to provide people medicine, is the exact approach the federal government wants to see marijuana played out. It’s like the kid arrested in Indonesia lately, who, because of his age, if he can prove he was physically addicted to marijuana, he can be released into a substance abuse program. How do you PROVE YOU’RE ADDICTED TO CANNABIS??? It’s not physically possible.
Neither is it physically possible for the federal government to treat cannabis any different than any other plant, until extreme proof is present – a Clear and Present Danger. For which cannabis is not.
Someone needs off the Merry-Go-Round, and I don’t think it’s us.
.
Likely by the weekend, probably sooner. I’ll post when I do along with a link. Thanks for the enthusiasm and support. It’s very encouraging.
Obama has turned out to be as big a jerk as Bush. It’s time for us as citizens to not recognize the federal government as our government anymore no matter who they select for office or what left vs right distracting game they play. The federal government needs to be viewed as illegitimate as of now.
to the people who want to vote for change;
20% of eligible people vote dem.
20% of eligible people vote rep.
60% of eligible people do not vote !!
if that 60% all voted GREEN PARTY, it would be a landslide victory !!
and then the GREEN PARTY would be a major party and displace one established parties.
GREEN PARTY is PRO POT, and also has many other good things on their platform !!
re; reasoning with politicians;
politicians and the PTB’s cannot be reasoned with.
they know the truth about this SCAM, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE SCAMMERS, who made the scam up, and put it in place, and defy logic, reason, and reality, to keep it going.
they are the same psychos who took us to war, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE OIL COMPANIES.
the scam is the same with alcohol prohibition and pot prohibition; ending production of cheap, plentifull ‘green fuels’; hemp oil biodiesel and alcohol based fuel, so ‘fossil fuel’ has a monopoly.
(farmers used to grow and distill their own fuel)
if we could legalize pot on monday,
the psychos would make it illegal again on tuesday.
to #161; Gandhi used hunger strikes and non-violent protests.
that is true, he did. but others did not.
those others killed high-ranking gov’t. officials in their homes, or at lunch, or while commuting, when they were unguarded.
and those others forced the gov’t twards talking to Gandhi. Gandhi could not have done it without the violence of the others.
the gov’t’s choice was; make a deal with Gandhi, or be killed.
many people in india consider Gandhi a sell-out and a collaberator, as they wanted a brand-new gov’t., not a ‘settlement’ with the existing corrupt gov’t. that leaves the existing corrupt gov’t. in power.
to the california bashers, prop 19 was a wolf in sheeps clothing, a very bad bill, and did not contain the word ‘legalize’ AT ALL, and would have ‘corperatized’ it, just like they are doing when they say it is sch. 3 when a corp. grows or sells it, but it is sch. 1 for you to grow or sell.
I am making a proposal. Please say yes or no.
My proposal is to have a “Green Flu” day.
Simular to the old police problem, they had over their contract. They came up with “Blue Flu”, and everybody just called in sick.
Pretty straight forward. Imagine what it would be like if several Million marijuana users just happen to all call in sick One day.
We would definatly make some heads pop. If we could coordinate this, we would be the ones leading the conversation.
Ultimetly we would be the ones telling them to stop going against the Constitution.
The unpopular Terrorist Attack. America’s shame!
A day that should go down in infamy! May4.org
The thought of the full legalization of marijuana sounds like god’s greatest gift right about now, but to fully “legalize” MJ, your talking a world of change. I don’t think our great nation is ready for the challenges incurred when it comes to full legalization. I believe the first step should be simply “decriminalization” of marijuana… It would be an introductary to legalization, and prepare the states for what’s to come.
I think if we were to legalize it, not only would the courts, police, and politicians be so bass-ackwards that they couldn’t tell they heads from their asses, but medical MJ patients and providers would be greatly effected as well. Everyone thinks it would be the end of all their problems, that they could just grow weed and make a living off of it, but the truth be told, with full legalization, not only would all the in’s and out’s be controlled by the government, but we’d be talking about the “$28 ounce”. The demand for MJ would plummet, beings that it’d be availible at any local grocery store, mini mart, and gas station, yet the quality would be poor considering that the extra care and attention in producing top-shelf MJ would fall due to the fact that the governments (and any bumper harvests) ultimate goal would be to produce as much MJ as possible in as little time as they could.
My personal opinion that would keep these issues at bay, is the “decriminalization” of MJ- This would mean, you could possess, cultivate, and distribute MJ without criminal penalties (instead a simple ticket, like a traffic offense), yet would keep the industry of MJ in the hands of the people who diserve it- you and I. I would WAY prefer to be able to grow it myself, and keep it in my own “loop”, than have some government facility grow it. Who know’s what chemicals etc. they’d use to manufacture MJ, and as I said before, the quality would diminish. The UK is already currently trying to make highly-potent strains of MJ illegal, and the same thing would happen here aas well. TLook at alcohol- they have wiskey, rum, and vodka legal, but moonshine and everclear are illegal due to it’s extremely high alcohol content. But does that prevent people from drinking and driving, or dying from alcohol poisoning? No, it just drags it on even longer.
So, in my closing arguement, think about this- do you REALLY want the government controlling another aspect of your life, or would you prefer to keep it at home, and be your own boss? I don’t know about you, but getting a $100 fine for possession sounds alot better than having to deal with crappy pot and the government even more… DECRIMINALIZATION NOW!!!
@196 – IF you are correct about how legalization and decriminalization compare, then I agree with you that decriminalization is a better goal.
Any comments NORML? I’m really not sure!
to #196;
so under your view of legalization,
cops will not know what to do,
there will be no high quality smoke,
and you can’t grow your own ???
ha ha ha ha !! no wonder there is such fear of legalization, you don’t know what it looks like.
alcohol is legal, you CAN get high quality, you CAN brew your own, the gov’t. is NOT in-your-face about it, (just show I.D.) and there was NO DECRIM, no ‘preparing the states for what’s to come’. it was illegal one day, and legal the next, and the cops figured it out.
oh, and under your system, when you get your ‘$100 fine for possession, a simple ticket, like a traffic offense’, WHAT IS TO PREVENT THE PIGS FROM GIVING YOU ANOTHER TICKET EVERY DAY ??
THEY WILL HAVE ALL YOUR INFO, AFTER THE FIRST ONE, AND KNOW YOU ARE A SMOKER, AND CAN WATCH FOR YOU, AND CAN TICKET YOU OVER AND OVER…
This is in reference to commenter, “me” #198- So what is your point? You laugh at my thories on decrim. vs legaliz., but your comment makes not one bit of sense. You say I “dont know what legalization looks like? I’m a MMJ patient of WA State, so I see what “legalization” looks like 1st hand… But think about it like this- The government has been ignorant about MJ for years now, and they just cant seem to figure out that legalization is good and prohibition is bad. Do you honestly think that if/when they “legalize it”, they’re just going to say “ok, do what you want with it… Have fun”? Because that’s what it sounds like your saying. But, unfortunately, that WILL NOT be the case. They are going to grow it themselves, sell it themselves, and tax the hell out of it to make it so its less appealing to the general public. They are not going to put the time and care into it to make it good, high quality stuff… They want it to be underireable so less people use it. And if the general public are granted the opportunity to grow it themselves, you think its just going to be that easy? WRONG again! There’s going to be every hoop to jump over, every fee possible, and you’ll be crossing T’s and dotting I’s for the rest of your life. The Gov. doesn’t want the production and distribution of MJ in the hands of the people cause then they will have no control over how much you grow, and where its all going. Ntm, the fact that the general public will be making all the $$$, and lord knows that’s what the gov’s all about. The fact that people such as yourself honestly feel like the government will be on our side when it comes to the legalization of MJ makes you just as clueless about everything as the government is about the medicinal qualities of cannabis.
NOW, when it comes to the infraction part of our comments… Do you honestly think the police would sit outside your home, wait for you too leave, pull you over, and give you a ticket everyday for marijuana like you said they would? When you get a traffic ticket for speeding, do you think they are going to sit outside your house waiting for you to leave so they can write you another one? Absoluetly not, that mentality of thinking is absurd… They have better things to do. Maybe in your world, this is how the cops are, but in the real world, the police honestly don’t want to write you a ticket. As a matter of fact, an estimated 40% of the police force in the US is in favor of decriminalization/legalization of MJ because they know there’s far worse crimes being committed and feel its a waste of their time, and know they CANNOT win the war on cannabis. Alcohol is a COMPLETELY different story, and you are one of those debaters who use the “2 wrongs make a right” theory. Just because alcohol is so lax in societies aspect is because its “socially acceptable”, and it’s a rarety for the government and/or media to “beer bash” it. It’s hard for people to even consider alcohol a “drug” because you can buy it at a store and consume it on a daily basis without incodent, but truth be told, it’s the worst drug on earth(in my opinion)… It kills over 240,000 Americans annually, whether its from alcohol poisoning, to a family of 4 being killed by a drunk driver. Ntm alcohol is the ONLY drug that can literally KILL you by trying to detoxify yourself from it. So, with that said, your argumnet about alcohol legalization and MJ legalization to me, is void and doesn’t have any validity. It’s a pointless topic that has nothing to do with the reality of MJ and its future. I believe that the decriminalization of marijuana should be and WILL be the next step we need to take before anything else happens with it. Think of it as an “introductary” to legalization of marijuana, so our nation can ween itsself into legalization. If we just jump into full “legalization”, there’s going to be some serious reprocussions that will turn out to be irreversible that will ultimately have dyer consequences. It will have a negitive impact on not only social smokers, but the people who TRUELY need marijuana- the patients.
to #199 + #196; what you describe is TOTALLY unacceptable.
under your view of “legalization”, there will ALWAYS be a black market.
you say; I’m a MMJ patient of WA State, so I see what “legalization” looks like 1st hand.
-is it fully legal there ?? news to me.
-is there a black market there ??
-fully legal = no NEED for a black market.
you say; do you REALLY want the government controlling another aspect of your life ?
-as if they are not controlling it now.
“legalization” = dyer consequences.
-NOT !!
if you need ‘an “introductary” to legalization of marijuana’; let it be spice/K2.
it is legal, and the sky did not fall.
‘decrim’ is sure to be a ‘can of worms’ that could easily lead back to illegality; that is what is happening in amsterdam; they never made it totally legal, and even though there were no serious problems, an election changed the party in power, and now they are restricting and closing the pot ‘coffee shops’.
Well, it certainly is a “sad situation! Have we learned nothing? I(for one) feel that it is the responsibility for all dispensaries and consumers to pay their fair share of taxes, however, prohibition,does not work!
What happened to our president`s platform of “CHANGE”? Our land , our people , our government of this great nation, (now more than ever)needs “revenue”! Let`s all the voters and officials not be “Stupid”!