As we approach the middle of January, Election 2012 is in full swing. Fresh off of the Iowa Caucuses, the six remaining Republican candidates move on to New Hampshire for their January 10th primary. As a non-profit organization, we are not permitted to endorse candidates for public office, but we hope this guide helps inform you of the marijuana policy positions of the various candidates.
(Note: NORML is not endorsing any of the candidates listed below and this is intended only as an educational overview of the candidates positions on marijuana policy.)
Republican Presidential Candidates 2012
Mitt Romney
Governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007)
Public Statements:
“People talk about medicinal marijuana, and, you know, you hear that story: People who are sick need medicinal marijuana. But marijuana is the entry drug for people trying to get kids hooked on drugs. I don’t want medicinal marijuana. There are synthetic forms of marijuana that are available for people who need it for prescription. Don’t open the doorway to medicinal marijuana.”
(“Ask Mitt Anything” Event in Bedford, NH 2007 – source)
“We’ve got to not only continue our war on drugs from a police standpoint but also to market again to our young people about the perils of drugs.”
(New Hampshire Voter Event, August 17, 2011 – source)
“I believe marijuana should be illegal in this country. It is the pathway to drug usage by our society, which has made great scourges; it is one of the great causes of crime in our cities. I believe if we are at a state were, of course we are very concerned about people who are suffering in pain, and there are various means of providing pain management. And those who have had loved ones that have gone through an end of life with cancer know nature of real pain. I watched my wife’s mom and dad going through cancer treatments suffering a great deal of pain, but they didn’t have marijuana, and they didn’t need marijuana. Because there were other sources of pain management that worked as effectively.”
(Oct. 4 2007 at St. Anselm’s College, Manchester, NH – source)
(Oct. 4 2007 at St. Anselm’s College, Manchester, NH – source)
UPDATED 01/09/12:
“Q: I want to know what you thought about industrialized hemp?
Romney: About what?
Q: Industrialized hemp.
Romney: Industrialized hemp? I’m not quite sure what industrialized hemp is.”
(Peterborough, NH Town Hall on January 5, 2012 – source)
“Q: Are you in favor of arresting medical marijuana patients?
Romney: I’m in favor of the law not allowing legal marijuana.”
(Tilton School Meet and Greet on January 6, 2012 – source)
Prior Activity: None
Ron Paul
House of Representatives for Texas’ 22nd (1976-1977, 1979-1985, 1997-Present)
Public Statements:
“This war on drugs has been a detriment to personal liberty and it’s been a real abuse of liberty, Our prisons are full with people who have used drugs who should be treated as patients — and they’re non-violent. Someday we’re gonna awake and find out that the prohibition we are following right now with drugs is no more successful, maybe a lot less successful, than the prohibition of alcohol was in the ’20s.”
(Comments Post-Iowa Caucus, 01/04/12 – source)
“Well, removing [marijuana] from the jurisdiction of the federal government and allowing the states to regulate it, like they would alcohol. And this seems to be strange for a lot of people, but I’m only going back to 1937 when that’s the way it was handled. The states always did this, and I’m motivated strongly also because the states legalize it for the use of medicinal purposes and it is helpful to people who have cancer or are getting chemotherapy. So this is not a huge radical idea, it’s something that was legal for a long, long time. And the war against marijuana causes so much hardship and accomplishes nothing. So I would say that marijuana, as far as causing highway problems, is miniscule compared to alcohol, and yet we knew prohibition of alcohol was very bad. So this is just getting back to a sensible position on how we handle difficult problems. And, for me, it should be the states.”
(Kudlow Report, June 23, 2011 – source)
“The role of the federal government is to protect our liberties. That means they should protect our religious liberties to do what we want; our intellectual liberty, but it also should protect our right to do to our body what we want, you know, what we take into our bodies.”
(Jay Leno Show, Dec. 2011 – source)
UPDATED 01/12/12
“Q: Why don’t the other candidates talk about drug policy?
Ron Paul: I think they are easily intimidated and they think people are going to hold it against them if they talk sensibly about drug policy. Yet I think they are about 20 years behind the time. I think prohibition of anything doesn’t work, the only thing we should prohibit is violence.”
(Manchester, NH January 10, 2012 – source)
Prior Activity:
Co-sponsored HR 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011
Sponsored HR 1831: Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011
Rick Santorum
House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 18th District (1991-1995)
US Senator from Pennsylvania (1995-2007)
Public Statements:
“There is a difference between legitimate issues of character — someone’s behavior — and the issue of whether someone who has done something wrong in their life, now because of those mistakes, can’t talk about what is the right thing to do. Politicians who have stumbled personally, are capable of making values-based arguments. I don’t think that’s hypocritical. That’s a dangerous line that many folks tend to cross over — that because you made a mistake, you can’t talk about this or that issue. We all make mistakes.
For example, I smoked pot when I was in college. Does that mean that I can’t talk about drug use? Does that mean that I can’t talk about how that’s a bad thing? Of course not. You learn from those experiences.
Even during that time, I knew that what I was doing was wrong. But just because I failed, that does not mean that I shouldn’t be able to talk about it. That’s a different issue. It’s not hypocrisy, as long as you don’t say, ‘I thought it was right, and now think it was wrong.’ If you knew what was going on, and mostpeople do, you have moments of weakness. It happens to all of us. But that should not deter people from talking about what they believe is right.”
(National Review, March 2011 – source)
“Well, yeah, I admitted you know, back when I was running for the Senate, that when I was in college that I smoked pot and that was something that I did when I was in college. It was something that I’m not proud of, but I did. And said it was something that I wish I hadn’t done. But I did and I admitted it. I would encourage people not to do so. It was not all it’s made up to be.”
(Piers Morgan Tonight, August 31st, 2011 – source)
“I would think that [legalizing marijuana] would be an activity that is not consistent with American values.”
(Ames Straw Poll, September 2011 – source)
“I am adamantly opposed to the legalization of marijuana and other illegal narcotics I believe that this would lead to increased drug usage, especially among young people. While it is true that many Americans blatantly defy federal laws against the trafficking, sale, and use of illegal drugs, I believe a greater number of people are deterred from illegal drug use by the threat of arrest and prosecution.”
(1998 Constituent Letter Supplied to NORML – source)
“I believe that the drugs which are currently illegal should remain illegal. I am committed to maintaining the federal government’s role in the “war on drugs”, which is fought on many fronts by federal agents, local law enforcement, substance abuse counselors, teachers, parents, and concerned citizens.”
(1998 Constituent Letter Supplied to NORML – source)
UPDATED 01/09/12:
“Q: As a champion of family values and keeping America strong, would you continue to destroy families by sending non-violent drug offenders to prison?
Santorum: Uh, wow. The federal government doesn’t do that.”
(College Convention 2012 in Concord, NH – source)
“Santorum: I guess I would take the opinion that federal laws are laws that are in place right now that say these are narcotics, right? I don’t know, I assume they are…
Audience Member: I’m sorry, they’re not.
Santorum: Ok, alright, I don’t know my medical marijuana laws very well. I know should know everything, but I don’t, I apologize, I’m trying my best. But I think they are a hazardous thing to society. So I would..
Audience Member: How did you form that opinion?
Santorum: I formed that opinion from my own life experiences, and having experience that…I went to college too. So, I would make the argument that states have the rights, but they don’t have the right to do anything they want to, states don’t have the right to sterilize people. They did at one time, but we said, “No, we aren’t going to do that anymore.” States under the constitution probably have the right to do it, just like they have the right to do marijuana laws…legally, but I don’t think they morally have the right to do things that are harmful to the people in their community and therefore I think the federal government should step in.”
(College Convention 2012 in Concord, NH – source)
“Q: I’m a marijuana user should I be arrested?
Santorum: Well, depends on what the laws in your state are, I guess.”
(Hollis, NH on January 7, 2012 – source)
“Well you know, obviously state drug laws are the principle drug laws. I have concerns about obviously drug use and its impact on our society. So, I would say that the federal government does have a role, that states don’t go out and legalize drugs, there are drugs that are hazardous to people, that do cause great harm to both the individual as well as to society as a whole. The federal government has a role to make sure that those drugs are not in this country and not available and that people who use them illegally are held accountable. Ideally, states should enforce these laws, but the federal government has a role because it is a public health issue for the country.”
(Nashua, NH on January 9, 2012 – source)
Prior Activity:
Voted ‘Yes’ on HR 3540 in 1996 to add an additional $53 million (raising the total to $213 million) to international narcotics control funding, and pay for it by taking $25 million from international operations funding and $28 million from development assistance.
Newt Gingrich
House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th District (1979-1999)
House Minority Whip (1989-1995)
Speaker of the House (1995-1999)
Public Statements:
“I think Jefferson or George Washington would have rather strongly discouraged you from growing marijuana and their techniques with dealing with it would have been rather more violent than our current government.”
(New Hampshire Voter Event, January 2012 – source)
“I would continue current federal policy, largely because of the confusing signal that steps towards legalization sends to harder drugs…I think the California experience is that medical marijuana becomes a joke. It becomes marijuana for any use. You find local doctors who will prescribe it for anybody that walks in.”
(Yahoo! News Interview, November 28th, 2011 – source)
“I don’t have a comprehensive view. My general belief is that we ought to be much more aggressive about drug policy. And that we should recognize that the Mexican cartels are funded by Americans. In my mind it means having steeper economic penalties and it means having a willingness to do more drug testing.”
(Yahoo! News Interview, November 28th, 2011 – source)
“I think that we need to consider taking more explicit steps to make it expensive to be a drug user. It could be through testing before you get any kind of federal aid. Unemployment compensation, food stamps, you name it.
It has always struck me that if you’re serious about trying to stop drug use, then you need to find a way to have a fairly easy approach to it and you need to find a way to be pretty aggressive about insisting–I don’t think actually locking up users is a very good thing. I think finding ways to sanction them and to give them medical help and to get them to detox is a more logical long-term policy.”
(Yahoo! News Interview, November 28th, 2011 – source)
UPDATED 01/09/12
“Q: I’m a recreational drug user, should I arrested?
Gingrich: No you shouldn’t be arrested, but you also shouldn’t do it.”
(January 4, 2012 at Concord, NH Town Hall Meeting – source)
“Gingrich: There is a general belief over the last couple hundred years that people who are drug addicted citizens are not capable of participating as independent citizens. They are not capable of exercising independent judgment. So if you look at cocaine and heroin addicts, they loose the ability to be fully participating citizens.
Q: That doesn’t seem to match with the consistency of how many people seem to use drugs in this country. So, I’m saying well over the majority of individuals in this country use or have used drugs, what you are saying is the majority of individuals are incapable of participating…
Gingrich: No, what I’m saying is even among the majority of those who have would agree they shouldn’t be legalized.
Q: What polls are you referring to?
Gingrich: The polls in terms of legalizing heroin and cocaine, there’s never been any support for that.
Q: Oh, well I’m talking about marijuana.
Gingrich: Well…I’m just talking about cocaine and heroin.”
(Gingrich Town Hall in Concord, NH, January 4, 2012 – source)
UPDATED 01/12/12
“Every place where drugs become legalized, matter of fact is more people on welfare, more people who are dependent, more people with bad health outcomes, fewer people who are able workers who can pay attention on the job, and a drain of money into illegality. Because immediately behind legalized marijuana, comes cocaine and heroin. And the very people who were busy selling marijuana branch into even more aggressive sale of the harder illegal drugs. So, I think it is a big net economic loss and a job killing idea.”
(Florida, 2009 – source)
Rick Perry
House of Representatives from Texas’ 64th District (1985-1991)
Lt. Governor of Texas (1999-2001)
Governor of Texas (2000-Present)
Public Statements:
“Crucial to understanding federalism in modern-day America is the concept of mobility, or “the ability to vote with your feet.” If you don’t support the death penalty and citizens packing a pistol, don’t come to Texas. If you don’t like medicinal marijuana and gay marriage, don’t move to California….”
(“Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington” by Rick Perry)
“When the federal government oversteps its authority, states should tell Washington they will not be complicit in enforcing laws with which they do not agree. Again, the best example is an issue I don’t even agree with—the partial legalization of marijuana. Californians clearly want some level of legalized marijuana, be it for medicinal use or otherwise. The federal government is telling them they cannot. But states are not bound to enforce federal law, and the federal government cannot commandeer state resources and require them to enforce it.”
(“Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington” by Rick Perry)
“[If] you want to go somewhere where you can smoke medicinal weed, then you ought to be able to do that.”
(Daily Show Interview, November 2010 – source)
“We can win the war on drugs but we have to fight it first. I know, I have to deal with this.”
(Republican Jewish Coalition 2012 Presidential Candidates Forum – source)
“The Governor does not support legalizing any drug. The Governor supports federal drug laws where appropriate. And while the Governor is personally opposed to legalizing the use of medical marijuana, if states want to allow doctor prescribed medical marijuana, it seems to him that under the 10th amendment, they have the right to do so.”
(Perry Spokesman Mike Miner to the Washington Post – source)
Prior Activity: None
Jon Huntsman
Governor of Utah (2005-2009)
US Ambassador to China (2009-2011)
Public Statements:
“Question: would you prosecute growers and sellers of marijuana in states where it has been made legal?
Jon Huntsman: I would let states decide that.”
(Townhall in Exeter, NH, June 2011 – source)
“I never saw him inhale.”
(Huntsman’s Childhood Friend in Politico – source)
Prior Activity: None
Would there have been an oil shortage if Henry
Ford had his way. He designed a car to be run
off bio-diesel made from hemp, the body was made from hemp. Learn more read The Marijuana
Conspiracy. Dr Ozz and HSN support the hemp industry, but none is grown in the U.S.
Jill Stein is the only correct choice! All and I mean ALL of the GOP field will not hange a thing!
Unfortunately, most of the Candidates do NOT know much about Medical Cannabis use here nor the rest of the Body of evidence from Decades to Thousands of years of use and Medical research which supports using Cannabis as a Medicine. GOP nor DNC candidates. Wow! Nor do they realize the importance/value of industrial hemp (Cannabis)in economies past or present. Ron Paul is the only one with an inkling of intelligence on this matter. The candidates really need to do some research on their own and educate themselves. Could make the diffence in being elected. Sounds like they have been brainwashed.
Your right on Walter. I would just add that the judicial system we operate under lay claim that ignorance of the laws are no defense. But apparently ignorance of everything else especially drugs and the history of them is an excellent offense.
its unfortunate that the only candidates who have reasonable views perry and huntsman, are out of the race. and its really too bad that ron paul has such fantastic views in certain areas, then has such ridiculously insane views in others. his take on israel is enough reason why he will never ever become president
as someone who is leaning more and more libertarian, but identifies republican, i have to say its incredibly frustrating to be voting for someone who is so against marijuana, if gingrich gets the nod, that scares me. it really does, hes over the top insane about it. who is he to tell us what medicine works and doesnt work. and what is medicine at that.
WHAT???? Are any of you paying attention? The Fed’s don’t recognize cannabis as anything but a Shcedule One Drug as in accordence with their burnt out 42 year old Controled Substance Act of 1970. That’s all these elected officials need! They don’t have to give any other reasons. That’s “THE” problem. We voted for these elected fools !
As a Deputy Sheriff in Texas working in a Correctional setting I have found that the majority of problems that arise in initial processing come from individuals who are under the influence of Alcohol, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine. The only reason why you have a problem with some individuals arrested for a marijuana offense is because they are a thug and usually have gang affiliations. If we just took the control away from the Cartels and the local pushers and regulated marijuana use like alcohol the cost on society would be greatly reduced. Legalize marijuana, regulate it, and put the money we were spending on marijuana prohibition towards a better cause for society. I love my job as a police officer, you get to do a great deal of good for the community that you live in. However, I wish I didn’t have to arrest people for mere possession of a substance that does not seem to fuel a propensity for violence. Tax, regulate and hurt the Cartels were it matters, in their pocketbooks.
I would love some of the stuff Newt is smoking. Jefferson and Washington’s proclivities growing/smoking hemp have been well documented.
This battle is getting very old, and legalization is long overdue. The science is there to support legalization, and we are at a point where we need to cut wasteful government spending. Shame on these politicians for refusing to do their due diligence!
gingrich is simply retarded saying that washington and jefferson would strongely advise us not to grow hemp and or marijuana they themselves both had large hemp farms do any of these candidates even know american history and or law weed and hemp wwere legal alot longer than it than they have been illegal and were and then he says countries were drugs are legalized are shitholes dumbass doesnt know what hes talking about if you know what youre saying is going on record at least have some clue as to what the hell you are saying i hate ignorant and stupid people dont say something unless you actually know it
whenever an online forum or a publicly forcasted debate airs on television, we all need and should politicians about marijuana legalization. If the public makes government focus on marijuana legalization as the biggest issue facing America, like the economy, then they will have no choice but to answer those who put them in office.
i agree with alot of the info above and i myself am a user for medical purposes. marijuana can benefit alot of people in my area. i also believe it would minimize alcholism and drinking while driving. hemp is a cash crop and would benefit americas national ticking debt clock that is up to the trillions now no thanks to our last pres. we all know it can happen, we can make it out of debt just like we have before. to all the people saying that marijuana is a gateway drug i have news: “among the thousands of people that smoke including myself its not, i can say i have never used another drug other than marijuana.” for the ones in the presidental running that dont have your facts about cannibus, hemp, or any other form of marijuana should do more research before trying to compare it to the harder drugs because marijuana doesnt affect you like cocaine, heroine, or methamphetamines that you see talked about above.
The federal gov. should allow medicinal marijuana to be available to anyone in any state.Og course there needs to be restrictions as to who is or is not is eligable for it.Chronic pain with documents and or MRI’s and or xrays should need to be provided by the one who is requesting it.Temp sleeo problems and creativity blocks are not reasonable health problems and those people would not qualify for it.Also cancers,fybromyalgia, certain types of autheritice etc would.Many mental problems would also qualify such as PTSD,flashbacks,deep depression,anxiety attacks,panic atacks etc are all reasonable reasons to use it.ADHD<ADD OCD etc are also reasonable.There has to be accountability as there are with many other meds on the market.The feds jumped at the chance to allow the new super pain killer Zohydro even though hydrocodone is extremely addictive and deadly as well.Here's something I'll bet many of you do not know.They are getting ready to release a new over the counter med which contains the ingrediant oxycodone.It won't take but a week or so before people will figure out how to get the oxycodone out of this med so it can be abused.The feds also jumped on that one as well.When it comes to harmless medicinal marijuana however they sem to always have one reason or abnother as to why they won't permit it even though their reasons are not founded on fact at all/Then there's the treamendous amounts of revenue which the feds,states and local governments would also benefit greatly from legalising medicinal marijuana..I'm also all for totL LEGALISATION BUT i THINK WE NEED TO START OUT SMALL AND FOCUS ON MEDICINAL USES FIRST BEFORe we all start on total legalisation
Newt has no idea on anything. He proved this by being completely off on one of the founding fathers. If he canbe off by such a degree than he has nothing to offer. If something he said make sence and people agree with it, it would be by chance and not his own idea just something that sliped out
Just because a canidate is aginst something should make no difference. If the people want something that hurts not others he should do as we say…. a government for the people by the people… we should get back to it.
To Mike…
You wrote, “I wish I didn’t have to arrest people for mere possession of a substance that does not seem to fuel a propensity for violence.”
I have news for you (and I know this is a radical idea) but you DONT have to arrest them.
You, and every other law enforcement agent in the country (and politicians – including the president) took an oath to “Uphold the Constitution of the United States”
The Constitution guarantees all citizens certain rights – designed to protect us FROM A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT.
As a peace officer you know better than most that humans can be evil – self serving – corrupt – greedy. Surely you know that despite their best intentions, politicians for the most part tend to be human – and therefore subject to all the frailties that are mentioned above.
As such, as a member of our society that has sworn an oath to protect the rest of us from anything that would violate the freedoms the Constitution grants us, you and all peace officers have a duty to constantly be on the lookout for corrupt laws being passed by corrupt men.
Every person who wears a badge & has the power to arrest another citizen should be the foremost authority on the Constitution – after all, you swore to uphold it when you strapped on that gun and badge.
You did not swear an oath to your captain, or mayor, or congress or the laws they pass.
It was once a law in this country that all police officers coming across a runaway slave was to return them to their masters, or the auctioning block if their masters could not be determined.
Would you have done it – just because it was a law?
“I’m just following orders” is a cop out (pardon the pun)
No corrupt law that is in direct violation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights would have any effect if the officers who swore they would safeguard those rights REFUSED to enforce them.
But when the police blindly enforce laws without even asking themselves “Is this law even constitutional?” then the police become nothing more that the “Muscle” for politicians who repeatedly overstep the limitations the Constitution has placed on them. Think about it.
Here’s whats wierd and proves that indeed both our congress and our senate including the Wh are all corrupted.The feds had no problem wothsoever with aproving the new super pain killer zohydro which is about as close to being pure hydrocodone as they come.Now for another bomb shell getting ready to explode.The feds have also aproved another new medication.This one will be sold over the counter and it’s base ingredient is,oxycodone,the active and highly addictive and deadly base element of oxy’s.What in the hell are they thinking?I mean medicinal marijuana is well documented and well proven to work for a huge variety of deseases,[permanant injury’s causing chronic pain mental illnesses and it’s harmless and more mentally addictive than physically so.This proves to me just how courrupted our congress,senate and h all really are
Inkelf: To me it is funny what you say. You have no idea what it means to be a police officer. As a matter of fact I do have to arrest for Marijuana possession, why because my department does not give discretion in the matter. People who are not in Law Enforcement believe that Police Officers can choose who they arrest. But that is not always the case. So what should I do. Disregard my family and education and lose my job out of something I believe should be freedom of choice. No.. I care for the livelihood and well being of my wife and children, and public I serve more than this cause (Marijuana). I also care for the families affected by Family Violence, Assaults, DWI arrest, Aggravated Offenses, Theft, and Sexual Offenses against both Adults and Children more than I care about Marijuana. That is why I continue to uphold what my State and Department command me to do. I care for the people I can help in the line of duty who are subjected to the most heinous crimes. Do I use marijuana now, No. Why, because it is Illegal. Would I use Marijuana if it were free under the constitution…… Maybe??? I just want to leave that choice up to the people of the US. However, until Prohibition ends. I know I can do more good than harm. In Texas the possession of marijuana less than 4 ounces is a misdemeanor. Most jobs only rule out felony offenses. If you are possessing marijuana in mass quantities, yes I do believe that you should be punished, why because it is more than a usable amount and most likely you are trafficking it. If you are possessing marijuana at personal quantities, I believe you should be left alone. But what does one person’s opinion mean. Nothing, unless it sides with the majority. Stay active. Speak your mind but please don’t believe that everyone is unsympathetic.
I can’t spell so bare with me. I smoke and naver ben arested not even a speding tiket so y put someone in jail fore having a plant. I won’t even take a exsedrin but to the goverment I’m a crimanl fore finding something that works for me that won’t get a recall. I’m not as smart as SOME of the people runing OUR contry but I know wen something works. So I want to say do your job or don’t take the job and let someone that can do it do it
Ignorant fools, and still people believe them, and they might be running the country.Now thats scary!!!
So basically what this cop is saying is that he values money more than he values doing what is right. There was another group of people who were just following orders, even though they knew it was wrong. Those people were called the Nazis. I am not saying arresting people for marijuana makes you a Nazi, but if you will ignore your own morality for money what wouldn’t you do for it? You are probably the type who would fire upon unarmed American citizens if your boss told you to do it. And when you went home thatg night you would somehow rationalize it all in your mind by thinking I had to do it to keep my job. Well what is more important? Your short term financial security or the freedom and rights of the citizens of this country? Because you are taking them away from us for a crappy 30,000 dollar a year dead end job. Way to go. The police, judges, and prosecutors responsible for every single case against a non-violent marijuana offender should be sentenced to prison on charges of false imprisonment, and see how THEY like it.
Yes, Ron Paul seems the voice of reason in an otherwise dismal lanscape and I respect many of his positions. On the other hand, it could be debated that giving the states rights to decide decriminalization for compassionate reasons hasn’t always guaranteed a reasonable perspective from policy makers. It bespeaks the obvious that a vote for Paul would most certainly serve to dilute the Obama vote. Its sad that the GOP might-just-runs could muster such a frightening lack of insight concerning legimate medical and social research concerning cannabis. I believe the president should be given another four years not only because he has made real progress (despite the lack of any cooperation from Congress) but because the alternatives as seen in these interviews would be horrific in terms of the human condition.
I’m sure this has already been said,
but I’m pretty sure Jefferson and Washington grew marijuana themselves. And if I’m not mistaking it was against the law for citizens NOT to grow it..
“Does the government fear us?or do we fear the government.When the people fear the government tyranny has found victory.The federal government is our servant and not our master”.Thomas Jefferson
Cannabis prohibition causes immense fear every moment of every day in millions of people all over America and the world therefore tyranny has found victory all over the world.Rise and demand freedom ! and so no to dictatorship !
there is nothing wrong with weed i smoke it all the time.. it should be legal everywhere! its the best thing ever made! think about it God made it him self it is a plant for crying out loud people! i hope we get ron paul cause he will make it legal!!
Mike, Two things: First, Ghetto Mountain is absolutley correct – morals before money.
Second: You’re making a huge assumption that I’m not in law enforcement – I am. Have been for 12 years. Father was in law enforcement – killed in the line of duty. Brother is in law enforcement for over 35 years. His son & daughter – both cops.
Justify your position how ever you have to so you can look at yourself in the mirror – but once again – Ghetto Mountain has the measure of it.
I’ve been diagonosed w/ Fibromyalgia. At first, I was told I may have Lupus. Recently, I was told, I may have MS, but MS could take years to detect .I’ve been under the care of several docs. of all kinds for years now. Specialist including: family doc. Ob/gyn. Chiropractor’s, pain management, neorologist, rhumotologist, phy. therapist. I’ve been on all sorts of medications: psychological meds, pain meds., sleeping meds., and muscle relaxers.. I’ve done so many x-rays, MRI’s, phy. therapy, blood work, and accupunture. Pain is constantly present, alternates, and has only gotten worse w/ time. My muscle spasms are worse than ever and can be paralyzing at times, certain muscles will go limp and can’t be used. I’ve lived in Las Vegas, Nv for 23 years now. I’m a firm believer in organic life style. I’m very interested in being a cannibis patient, but having trouble establishing a marijuana medical doc. I also want to get involved and support the legalization of marijuana movement. I’m not sure where to start w/ either issue I’ve mentioned. Please, I would appreciate any info. sent to me.
The way I see it, is if Mitt Romney becomes president, it will be another four years til any marijuana reform can progress. I wish Ron Paul was more popular. Its sad to see our people vote for a candidate that has better “looks”, then a candidate that actually makes sense.
What every politician needs to understand is that legalizing marijuana, and hemp. Will take this country out of debt, give us a substitute for crude oil, and many more industrial and medicinal benefits. We need to learn from portugal, they legalized all drugs close to 10 years ago, now there drug user numbers have gone down substantially, crime has gone down substantially. When are the people ever going to get a clue.
hmmm, lets look at the misguided views on addiction for a second. Ive seen a marijuana addict go through the same post acute withdrawal phase as a heroin addict, i have seen the same behaviors displayed for both addicts, i even knew a guy that stole for cigarette money. I witnessed a guy who was an excessive exerciser hurt his knee, he went through mental withdrawal when he could not run any longer. ANYTHING can be attached to, and any attachment leads to pain when it is removed, directly in correlation with how attached you were. The number one causes of death in the U.S are probably heart disease and obesity. Where is the surgeon generals warning on our candy bars? why are prescriptions to food not carefully monitored? People get attached to everything, attachment is in life itself. People tell us once an addict always an addict, keeping people perpetually addicted, even attachment to that train of thought will make a person suffer. Lets look at the death toll from cigarettes and compare them to heroin, now peoples minds start to question. An addict remains perpetually addicted because they simply switch the attachment, even switching to a healthier attachment can lead the user right back after that attachment is removed, an addict that has 20 years clean and HAS to go to AA everyday is doing a good job, but he has not beat attachment. The current view on drugs is completely misguided, and many addicts suffer withdrawals and pain without causing any trouble to anyone else, some would rather die then do bad deeds to obtain it. Personal decisions are not always related to drug use. Personally i know of at least 5 people right now that have used marijuana to get off of a bad heroin addictions. Unfortunately the problem is not just with the view on Marijuana, it is with all drugs. I started my drug career using cigarettes, cigarettes lead me to alcohol which lead me to many other substances. If it was not for those 2 legal substances I would have saved myself about 10 years of my life. Marijuana like all hallucinogens can and does make people more introspective, many times improving their character and personal life. Anything can be an attachment and anybody can attach to anything, eliminating substances only causes Black Markets to excel, people to be jailed and interrupts everyone’s personal journey on learning what is good for them and what is not. Laws should reflect reality not personal ideas of a misguided Utopian dream. ps..newt said that our forefathers would have done violent things to get rid of weed…i thought the laws used to REQUIRE us to grow it? ignorance knows no boundaries, fight the good war on personal growth and views, not on substances.
Ron Paul is the only hope we had for legalization of marijuana and the media has ignored him till I don’t see him taking the nomination now. Ron Paul is in favor of legalization of all drugs at state level of legislation. He wants to keep the federal government out of our lives and knows the current drug laws are obsolete. Maybe America will wake up one day.
why do some people think they can tell other people what they can or cannot put in their bodies? We might as well make tobacco and alcohol illegal.
Newt cracks me up with his statement “I think Jefferson or George Washington would have rather strongly discouraged you from growing marijuana and their techniques with dealing with it would have been rather more violent than our current government.” …it shows how uninformed on history he is considering in their diaries it clearly makes references to hemp and marijuana. They both grew marijuana as a major cash crop and smoked it. Free thinkers like him and many americans who were born in a generation of Nixon and Reagan are the main reason why policies and freedoms have been ripped from our hands and given over to the government. I just wish people would open their minds and hearts see the facts and base their choice on PURE FACTS. I could go on and on about my research on the matter and the countless hours ive spent researching the affects and scientific background on the matter but im sure like myself we all are in the fight for freedom together.
I find it strange that users on this site – knowing full well how the government and the media hide the truth about marijuana – still take the media’s word on other things, like calling Ron Paul’s “ideas” crazy or asinine.
With that comment, you’re saying that our very CONSTITUTION is crazy or asinine or Extremist. Ron Paul supports the constitution fully – which he understands is meant to protect our civil liberties, including the right to ingest anything we damn well please.
If you vote for anyone else, you’re only voting to draw away from the Constitution even more.
People need to realize that the American Constitution is the only document in our history that was meant to protect our civil liberties (including the right to cultivate and smoke weed). Everything after that point has been used to take our liberties away.
We NEED to get back to the constitution. As “Extremist” as you might think it, it’s our only true way of regaining our rights.
Matter o’ fact, I challenge you to read the full constitution (or Ron Paul’s website, which will likely reflect everything on that document) and point out to us just exactly what is Crazy or Extremist or Asinine about it. Please. Your future generations depend upon it. Mine too. Our children and grandchildren. They’ll inherit this mess.
Do you think the founding fathers had the same view? That they were damning their future generations?
No! They were damned proud that they established a (mostly) free society.
And to people who say that it would take away all the slave laws and civil rights laws, YOU ARE SO WRONG. Nothing in the constitution allows for slavery. FREEDOM is not something that the government GIVES to us. We are born with it. Everyone. LIBERTY. Look up LIBERTY and become one with the idea that we are all created equal and that no one man or group of men has the right to trespass upon our rights.
All Ron Paul wants is to stop punishing people for exercising their ‘God’ given rights. No one has the right to do it. Not a man, not a government.
Please, people, don’t take the Media’s word for it. The internet is a big beautiful place. If someone is called a moonbat, then find out why. Find out both sides of the story. As adamant as you are about legalizing your right to use marijuana, he is adamant about legalizing your right to Freedom. SEE THE BIG PICTURE. It’s called Liberty, and I would die for it.
Civil disobediance promotes change. Scope out Moses in Egypt, The original Boston Tea Party, MLK, and the Arab Spring. Reefer afficianados are singled out as “morally bankrupt” by the uninitiated. I excelled during a 15 year tenure with the Air Force until “golden flow” changed my life. My military peers were aghast! They’d subscribed to misguided preconceptions about folks that burn, my “outing” changed some minds. The candidates (aside from RP) have swallowed the same putrid propaganda. They don’t know their family, staff members, doctor, mechanic, or stock broker burns rope. Criminy! I protected myself the same way…had to. Some people can afford to be overt & outspoken about this. ROCK ON! Recognize that people who haven’t shared this experience or known and respected anyone that is up front about it, thinks you’re a creature from another planet. “Coming out” is painful but effective. Thanks Anslinger! Newt & Mitt have no compassion for you…stop these cretins at all cost.
By the way “Cop Mike”, I appreciate your dilemma and your honesty. Pray about it…
Thanks to mike from Texas. As a fellow Texan it’s nice to know there are a few good cops in the world.
It’s time for civil disobediance on a massave scale or war. I’m 52 and damn tired of this crap. Of course we could promote the Green party and Libertarians if only the election laws were different.
It’s funny to me that Newt Said “I think Jefferson or George Washington would have rather strongly discouraged you from growing marijuana and their techniques with dealing with it would have been rather more violent than our current government.” because they both were pro marijuana presidents
Romney has my vote 100% except this issue. I think I’ll vote for Paul today, and in november i’ll be more practical about things.
Damn these rigid conservatives! It’s funny that the oldest one in the bunch is the most in tune with modern reality. And of course has no chance of being president. :-/
The Library of Congress has George Washingtons diary Where he talks about growing Hemp separating the male and female plants using the male for rope and smoking the female it helped him especially when he had a cold.
I recently wrote my state representative Steve Southerland to express my oposition to Marijuana prohibition in Florida. This state is rife with crystal meth and prescription drug abuse. Mr. Southerlands’s form letter reply heralded his policy of jail vs. rehab and promised prosocution to the hilt for ALL drug “crimes” making no deliniation between marijuana and the above mentioned KILLERS. Instead he spoke about FEAR, “stronger law enforcement along our borders” and multiple references to the cartels…completely ignoring the fact that decriminalization would wipe out the incentive to smuggle nasty mexican bulk laden with fertilizer and pesticides into the US. The battle is against ignorance. There are enough of “us” to at least warrant one question on this issue in the republican debates! We’ve got to speak up and speak out…Fight the good fight. Vote RON PAUL, Champion of the Constitution!
hey, I dont think they are as stupid as they act! outside of paul, they are all whores! with no opinon of their own. They say what will get them elected.
I’m all for legalizing the herb, but at the same time I think it won’t be legal any time soon! We can all hope for it but we will be let down,it was almost legal in Cali but all the medical shops,growers etc voted no because then they wouldn’t be making money any longer!! There’s to many reasons why it won’t be legal anytime soon! Maby 20 yrs from now when all the snobs in the government get outta office then maby new younger people who realize there’s no big deal with the “plant” and things will change let’s just hope it happens sooner than later!!!
What is the financial reason the Republicans are not wanting to put back to right the law changed in 1939 making the Marijuana herb illegal. Please tell me, none of the cliches will do for an explanation. I believe it must be the alcohol industry to start. How much money will it loose to the legalization of marijuana, what else, cotton industry how much will it cost you as hemp replaces you in so many items. I know the cancer medical bills will go down because of the help in healing that the Marijuana herb creates will slow the cancer medical bills, wow that is a lot of money to loose to one substance (simply the THC in the herb Marijuana) let loose on the market uncontrolled. No wonder we need to ease ourselves into these law changes instead of just Legalizing the Herb. Thank you I guess I just answered my own question. Well I am registered republican and I am God fearing man and I have suffered chronic pain for over eight years and most times my pain level has been between six and ten. I smoke the Herb Marijuana and it helps me mentally, emotionally, physically, vocationally, and even spiritually. And really I don’t smoke much Marijuana I Vaporize the THC. And until recently I had a better than 3.5 GPA and school is one of the best things that has happened to me lately I am about half of the way to my degree. Thank you Blessings Michael lr Fifty six years old.
I think I have the answer……it’s called
MONEY.