In early May, Ellen Rosenblum rode to a landslide victory in the Oregon Democratic Attorney General Primary with marijuana law reform being a central plank in her platform. It looks like it has happened again, this time in the Lone Star state.
In the Democratic primary for the House seat representing El Paso, eight-term incumbent Silvestre Reyes faced an unexpected challenger in Beto O’Rourke, who formerly served on the El Paso city council. The race garnered media attention, largely focusing on O’Rourke’s support for marijuana legalization.
O’Rourke had been vocal in his critique of the drug war, telling the Huffington Post in April that, “you have 10,000 people killed in the most brutal fashion in Ciudad Juarez in the last 10 years, without a single word from the congressman about what we can do to change the dynamic and stop the bloodshed.” He also stated that, “it is clear to me that what we’re doing is a failure.”
During his second term on the city council, O’Rourke championed a resolution that urged the re-examination of the drug war and went on to author a book on the subject.
Beto’s support of marijuana law reform became the focus of attacks from his opponent, Reyes, in the final days of the campaign. Reyes lambasted O’Rourke’s position as soft on crime stating that “my opponent seems to think that recreational use of marijuana is okay with him, and that’s the group he hangs around with — but it’s not for me, it’s not for my grandkids.”
Reyes feared ending prohibition would lead to widespread use around schools and children. “I don’t want to live in a community where people think that it’s okay to light up a joint and parade around elementary schools and junior highs,” he said.
Despite these attempts to turn O’Rourke’s rational support for the reform of marijuana policy into a political liability, the voters decided otherwise. Last night, O’Rourke claimed victory, with 50.4% of the vote. Silvestre Reyes, despite the advantage of holding the office for eight terms, only received 44.4%.
Let’s hope this is just another in an ongoing wave of pro-reform candidates being elected into office, replacing those who employ tired drug war rhetoric to continue the costly failure that is cannabis prohibition. The people want it. If the politicians aren’t willing to take a stand and change the policy, it is time we start changing the politicians.
yippee for texas it’s nice to see change,and 8 terms is bullsheet,2 terms and out the door,no retirement benefits,a thank you for your service..thats what is suppose to be SERVICE not a career
Wow, we always want it around elementary schools and junior highs huh? Prick.
Its about damn time the people went for what they want, if these politicians are afraid of a plant being smoked within vicinity of schools… shit its already being smoked at schools by kids who go into class high.
Good on the voters.
Yes, Beto O’Rourke has got it right! Good for Beto O’Rourke and the people of El Paso!
Do prohibitionists lose their ability to reason or are they prohibitionists because they lack reason? Alcohol is legal and yet nobody cracks a bud light and parades down the hall of the local middle school, yet if weed were legal they would allow smoking in schools?!!? Why don’t reporters EVER push back on their lack of subject knowledge? Make that person actually try to articulate their bigotry. Maybe if they hear it out loud they might finally realize how stupid and backward they sound.
Could have put it better Chris!
one more close minded polotician gone. NEXT!
could have said it better Chris!
one more useless close minded polotician gone….NEXT!
I am beginning to believe that maybe, just maybe, I’ll see a bit of sanity in this world before I die! That sanity would show itself when this idiotic prohibition finally ends!
Salute to O’Rourke! Congratulations! I hope there are a lot more out there like you!
It is Elementary, that is why they are called Junior HIGH, and HIGH school! They are all HIGH anyway. Sorry I couldn’t avoid the bad joke, but a worse joke are these prohibitionists. Hurray for texas!
Schools and such is just a scare tactic you can’t drink a beer on school property or smoke a cigarette why would legal marijuana be any diffrent.
Chris you are right to a point. They do not open a can at the school. They do smoke at the schools. Also, having been a substitute teacher I have seen teachers having had a drink before going to work and that is at work places also. This however is rare. My concern is this; the children that live with this. Those inhaling second hand smoke or even let them smoke because some people do let their kids have a drink. I have seen people’s attitude change and not all is the carefree I do not care about anything attitude which is what alcohol gives also. Depending on the amount like alcohol depends on the affect. No one sees the correlation between alcohol and marijuana. However, I have and I see the same excuses to make marijuana legal as alcohol. We are comparing apples with apples. Just that one is green in color and one is red.
I have a brother that started with marijuana. After two years his personiality changed. He would start stealing from mom. Became rude and disrespectful to her. He is not the only one I have seen this change in. Then it was not enough and decided to try LSD, then to other drugs. He developed an antisocial personality disorder. So where do we draw the line is the question? When will we decide we are tearing down society and destroying other people’s lives with our selfishness?
I am so happy to see there is some movement towards sanity in my state. Our political base has such a strangle-hold of fear on most people; the ones that are not afraid believe their voice does not matter so this is indeed a point of hope for legalization.
Just a side note. I do not get get high so please do not say it is because I want to smoke it. That is MY choice- I support others right to get high and that is their CHOICE.
I hope this is start of a shift back to personal liberty which is the entire reason Texas was pioneered in the first place!
Too bad we taxpayers are on the hook for the defeated incumbent’s retirement bennies.
From: usmjp@aceweb.com [usmjp@aceweb.com]
Sent: 5/30/2012 10:07:17 AM http://usmjp.com
Subject: U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY in the news ON THE BALLOT IN VT
UNITED STATES MARIJUANA PARTY ON BALLOT IN VERMONT
May 30th, 8:39short excerpt from vtdigger.com…
http://vtdigger.org/2012/05/29/trail-tidbits-early-birds-file-illuzzi-moves-from-mulling-ag-race-to-auditor-senate-races-in-chittenden-county-heat-up/
by Taylor Dobbs | May 29, 2012
…
No new candidates can
enter a race after June 14.
Five candidates filed petitions on Tuesday:
Attorney General William Sorrell,
Cris Ericson
(running for the United States Marijuana Party
for both U.S. Senate and governor),
H. Brook Paige,
a Republican for U.S. Senate,
Peta Lindsay from the
Socialism & Liberation Party
entered a petition for president.
…
Randy Brock, a Republican state senator, submitted
1,028 signatures for his gubernatorial run.
…
Gov. Peter Shumlin has insisted for months
that he won’t begin
his re-election bid until after Labor Day,
and he has been loathe to acknowledge
that he has spent any money
or hired campaign staff.
…
Check out the article by Clarence Page in the Chicago Tribune. He mentions NORML and shares their opinion about Obama. It’s good to see something on the cannabis front in such a major publication.
this is so stupid. i, like many, hope and pray for texas to use their little hick brains and legalize the harmless uber-beneficial plant, however el paso is one city in a big state filled with closed minded bible beaters. i dont see it happening especially with perry running the show in austin. sorry im an optimist but a realist first.
Two things the Republican electorate has discovered: 1) if you don’t like the politicians throw them out 2) the way to do that is vote. Democrats, on the other hand, are just plain chickenshit.
I openly encourage 1 term that’s it. The state congress people should only get 1 term and 4 years and when that congress persons time is up they are out. Then you elect another fresh person in and once that one is up you vote in another fresh one. You repeat this cycle every 4 years and soon the message is laid plain and simple. You got 4 years to get your ass in gear and then your out of here.
@ Robert D….our “little hick brains,” “closed minded bible beaters.” Really? Stereotype much? You apparently have no idea how wrong you are, I bet you hate Willie Nelson (see how stupid that kind of thing sounds).
Look, we don’t get to initiate what gets on the ballots here…gotta wait until our congressmen roll the ball. Obviously some try (hear of Ron Paul), and we try to vote in more that are for personal freedoms…but your comments are just plain stupid…try to focus on the politicians and not the people, we are all in this boat together.
I’m 33 and have been saying my generation will take over and everything will change. I don’t know anyone my age who is against legalization, nobody younger than me, and most of the peole my parent age also agree. Not to sound mean but a few of you senior citizens should stop voting since it won’t affect you much longer.
The comment about people smoking pot in schools is ridiculous, but it’s even worse that the guy thinks 1,000 deaths a year across the border is preferable to someone smoking at a school.
Huffington Post is reporting this:
In the final weeks of the Texas race, O’Rourke had somewhat downplayed his views on legalization. He said that it was a low priority for El Paso voters and not something he would pursue in Congress.
“He’s backed off a lot on the talking points about the need to legalize marijuana or the impact it has on this border community,” said Richard Pineda, associate director of Sam Donaldson Center at University of Texas El Paso. “I think that it’s unlikely he’s going to be a champion for that issue.”
End Quote.
This really pisses me off! Another politician turning on us once they’re in office. He had better be lying about it to turn down the heat. When the time comes, I expect him first to support & vote for pro-cannabis legislation, then help draft it and sponsor or co-sponsor it.
Period.
Remove these fuckers one by one they need to fear attacking marijuana legalization.
Now that’s what I’m talking about. 20 or 30 more cases like this and Marijuana is a constitutional right by 2020.
you know i wrote our esteemed governor of Oklahoma last night and this is the response i get for making a valid argument and this is the best they could come up with, my letter was 4 pages long.
Thank you for contacting the office of Governor Mary Fallin regarding the use of medical marijuana. The Governor appreciates your willingness to share your thoughts and has asked me to respond.
Governor Fallin is opposed to the legalization of marijuana, even for medical use. The Governor believes that legalizing marijuana would only lead to further substance abuse across our state.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, substance abuse results in nearly $6 billion in annual costs to our economy. Furthermore, drug and alcohol addictions contribute to 85 percent of all homicides, 80 percent of all prison incarcerations, and 65 percent of all child abuse cases.
Thank you again for contacting the office of Governor Mary Fallin. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Yeah, every time I get high I get this irresistable urge to go parade around an elementary school. I dunno what it is.
Wow, they finally ousted Reyes, that was a long time in the making. I’m not surprised El Paso went with O’Rourke, though I’m sure it had to do with much more than his opinions on the war on drugs.
Karen, your statement that we are comparing apples of a different color is very apt. I am sorry to hear your brother went down the path he did. However, having known a number of people who have used (and occasionally abused) many different substances, I would warn against equating correlation with causation. I have yet to see a study proving marijuana causes psychiatric disorders. Many people who are predisposed to psychiatric disorders, on the other hand, are more likely to experiment and find temporary relief in psychotropic drugs. This isn’t exclusive to marijuana or even illegal drugs, in the United States prescription drugs are abused more than illicit drugs. We don’t need draconian laws choking our prisons with non-violent offenders who were caught with a joint. We need to focus on education and treating people who need help. When you teach kids propaganda and they find out even one thing is lie, how can you expect them to believe the parts that are true?
@Dwight:
You should write them back and ask to see the reports confirming those numbers.
@Karen Jourden: You say; “My concern is this; the children that live with this. Those inhaling second hand smoke or even let them smoke because some people do let their kids have a drink.” Which to me says you are assuming that cannabis smoke is as harmful or potentially more harmful than tobacco. Numerous studies have found this not to be the case, and in some studies, cannabis has even been found to have anti-cancer effects. Additionally, if you read the NORML blog article “Marijuana and Autism Survey – NORML and UF4A Collaboration” (on the same page as this article) you see a very caring mother intentionally giving her middle-school aged child with autism cannabis in brownie form and had very positive results. There are two points in that statement; first, children being “exposed” to cannabis is not always a blanket “problem” or “bad thing”, and second, in the article, the child is being given cannabis in a brownie (which is not smoked) thus eliminating any exposure to this supposedly dangerous cannabis smoke (I realise that you could argue that this is a poor point to make because the next conclusion one is likely to jump to is that children in primary and secondary school would be eating their cannabis in school instead of smoking it thus making it harder to detect, but I am more commenting to the fact that cannabis can be consumed in ways other than smoking if health is a concern). So it would seem that your concern there is a bit unfounded, albeit a quite common one.
As to cannabis and alcohol being an apples-to-apples comparison, I would have to disagree, as I believe most people on this forum would also disagree with your comparison. Ask a law enforcement officer who they would rather have to deal with; someone high, or someone drunk, and I think you would find (if they are being honest and are not trying to avoid sounding pro-cannabis) that most of them would much rather deal with a high person than a drunk person. If you have the opportunity, ask them why. Ask a physician, if given the hypothetical choice of recommending either alcohol or cannabis to a patient, which would the physician rather recommend. Again, I think you would find the same answer, and again, I would recommend asking the physician why. Socially, cannabis is not nearly as harmful as alcohol. Healthwise, cannabis is not nearly as harmful as alcohol. Please look at the research – they really are not similar.
You also mention the unfortunate experiences with your brother and others. The sad truth is you can find these sorts of stories with all sorts of substances, not just cannabis or alcohol, and not just with legal or illegal substances, but it does not make a good basis to form policy reform decisions. You are assuming that the cannabis consumption was the cause of all the problems (or at least the start) but have you eliminated all other factors? Have you taken into consideration that the black market (where he supposedly obtained said cannabis) may have contributed some to the bad people and influences he would be exposed to in order to get cannabis? The fact that cannabis is illegal means that to sell or otherwise deal with cannabis, you are a criminal (or at least engaging in criminal activity) and thus the crime element (and all that goes with it) is introduced. Could it be that his anti-social behaviour was more influenced by the fact that he was doing something illegal than the effects of consuming cannabis? You also claim the “gateway effect” occured as a result of using cannabis, but again, I would raise my previous point that, could it not be that being exposed to the black market (again, where he would supposedly be obtaining his cannabis) would be the catalyst to try other drugs that the dealer is offering, rather than the consumption of cannabis?
While I am certain that cannabis consumption is not for everyone (for some people, it may actually ruin their lives… again, I have to think though, that some of that is due to it being illegal rather than the use of the substance, but that is better left to scientific and medical observation, testing, and debate than anecdotal evidence) but to make it illegal for everyone is not the best decision either. Which brings me to the final comment I would like to make on your question; “So where do we draw the line is the question?”, which I would say is the best comment you made in your post. Where do we draw the line? Certainly, more than 50% of the US population would agree (based on their current beliefs, experiences, and convictions) that exposure to cannabis for children should be restricted or at least severly limited and supervised (such as in medicinal use). It should not however be under the same restrictions for responsible adults. I believe the alcohol model of distribution of cannabis would work (especially the model where the alcohol is sold in state operated and monitored stores) to keep exposure to cannabis for children at a minimum without intruding on the rights of citizens. There is also nothing that dictates that the alcohol model (as far as distribution goes) cannot be modified (such as limitations on quantity that can be purchased or possessed at one time or only operating during school hours) to suit the concerns of the people regarding cannabis exposure and access to children and still provide access to responsible adults. Making it illegal has not kept it out of the hands of children currently, and some would argue that it actually makes it easier to obtain for children since a dealer does not request age verification identification of their customers. They only care if you have enough money to buy their product. They do not face losing their job for selling to a minor if the “boss” finds out (law enforcement officers are another matter) – it is illegal anyway so since they are already breaking the law, what is it to them to break another? In a retail store, where buisness would be conducted legally, if a clerk sold cannabis to a minor, he would face the same penalties as a clerk who sold alcohol to a minor, and again, this could be modified to make the penalties for selling cannabis to a minor much more severe than selling alcohol (although I think that is a backwards way of looking at it). As well, the store can require age verification identification for anyone entering the store regardless of how old they look. Everyone gets carded – no exceptions and anyone under a certain age will be turned away or could even face penalties for an even further deterant. Obviously, this would still allow customers to purchase for minors, but for some reason that does not seem to be as much of a concern to people with regards to alcohol as it is for cannabis, even though it is the same scenario (so for purchasing for minors, yes, cannabis and alcohol are similar) but I believe common sense regulations (as opposed to prohibition) would go much further to reduce exposure to cannabis for children than the current prohibition model does. There is no perfect solution that will satisfy everyone, so it is up to the citizens, working with their local and federal governments, to work out what solution provides the best opportunities for freedom, without causing the “…tearing down society and destroying other people’s lives with our selfishness…” that you are concerned with.
Namaste.
Worried about smoking pot at school eh?In 1970 we were in high school but usually smoked at the local church parking lot.We smoked in school but way out at the girls archery range.”Four finger” lids were $10.00.Its 42 years later and after a 35 year career in aerospace and a great life we that still live still smoke.I don’t find a problem.
@ Dwight,
Write the Gov back and ask him what percent of that 6 Mil comes from marijuana specificaly. The reason the Gov send out these BS letters is because people only send in one letter, only when they are mad. Engage him in a real conversation, call him on the phone, send paper letters, never give up the fight!
Orourke is the new Jimmy Carter. Got our vote now he is going to get paid. If he doesnt imediatly begin working for legalization, people need to contact him in mass and let him know that we have the power not big pharma, either fill the promises or 1 and gone. The time to push harder is after the victory, to get ready for the next war. Now is the most important time not to rest. Onward and Upward!
Chad, that is an example of how warped the thinking of someone afflicted with borderline personality disorder gets. Even though they can be very persuasive, there isn’t much logic in their arguments. I think there is a very strong association with folks that have BPD and the “extreme right” and the “extreme left”. The only way they can maintain their ideals is by ignoring reality. In many cases, there is no such thing as, “get through” to them. The only option is to vote out people who talk about freedom, but want to put you in jail without justification.
Isn’t it interesting how Governor Fallin doesn’t even bother addressing marijuana, but babbles about alcohol and other drugs without quoting any data attaching marijuana to the $6 billion lost from the economy. What does marijuana have to do with child abuse? Nothing, but in Governor Fallin’s imaginary world marijuana is causing child abuse and homicides. They’re nuts and we are their scapegoats.
Finally, some FLP’s getting elected. Youtube Dr. Bob Melamede FLP’s BLP’s.
I told u guys voting work. Now will yall go out and register to vote ?
DWIGHT iT MUST BE NICE TO KNOW THAT U HAVE A GOVERNED WHO Rely KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT……. How long did it take u to stop from wanting to yank his head off his shulder
Dear Karen,
Marijuana isn’t your brother’s problem. I don’t know what his issue(s) are, but they aren’t marijuana. He is probably just hiding behind pot instead of confronting his own problems. He hasn’t mentioned the other drugs he is taking (things he actually is embarrassed about), which is why it appears marijuana is connected.
Like when a friend told me he is going into rehab. I asked why, he said, “For pot”. I said, “Really?” He says, “Yeah, but also for alcohol and a little coke.” The COKE is the real reason he is going, but it is the last thing he wants to admit to being weak about. Please do find out what is really going on with your brother. You just might save his life.
I’ve always said……..in California you will not be elected if your against the legalization of marijuana . Let’s hope Feinstein is on her way out . She lost my vote .
I hope some of you readers understand this is NOT El Paso Texas, it’s in OREGON. Texas is still flat and full of shit.
Crap, my bad, It was Ellen’s win in Oregon. Oops.
Students are more prone to smoking marijuanna BECAUSE it is illegal. Legalization will only reduce the amout of people smoking just to be reblious.
Saying people want to use cannabis near an elementary school is insane. Even when cannabis is available for sale, it still will likely be a crime to use it in within a school zone… just as I would imagine it’s a crime to get drunk in front a school.
BEAUTIFUL!!!
congrats to Beto O’Rourke
we can vote in the pro legalization candidates, and let the door hit the anti-progressives in the ass on the way out!
Eight-term incumbent Silvestre Reyes should have been put to pasture 7 terms ago when it became obvious the concerns and will of the people were not in this fools agenda!
Good Riddance Reyes!!!
I look forward to more like you being removed in the near future by voters who are ready to move into a better future!
When I was in high school the only drug I was HIGH on were from the doctor (Narcotics) and I took an overdose, don’t give little kids hard drugs from the BIG PHARMA, kids dont need Ritalin if they cant spell that well.
Wish this could and would happen in Illinois, one of the most anti-freedom States in the union.
Caffeine is served at most churches and the not only can the adults get hopped up, but the kids can too. What is the lethal dose of caffeine in comparison to marijuana? What is the legal age for kids to purchase caffeine? Is caffeine a drug? Is excessive caffeine use on the rise amongst our youth (redbull/rockstar/monster)? The best time to confront a hypocrite is the exact same time they are consuming their DRUG OF CHOICE. Guarantee you this lawmaker who lost is a hypocrite in some form (caffeine, prescription worthless drugs, alcohol)
Yaaaaaay!!!!
Newsflash Reyes:
People have been smoking joints in middle and junior high before, during, and certainly will after you were even in office. Silence your outdated, unwarranted believes in cannabis and welcome to 2012.
@karen
After reading your post, and also taking into effect that your claims on the negative impact of cannabis, have in fact been proven false in numerous studies, I would like to make one simple statement. Go troll some other message board. We have no need or desire to read any more right wing propaganda. Hell even the DEA released a pamphlet in 1995 titled “marijuana facts for teens” that stated “most marijuana users do not go on to use other drugs” thus blowing the gateway theory out of the water. Even those who .propagated this and gave fuel to your falsified views dropped the ball when they released that. As others have said already, you need to research before posting blindly.
Well, Lets see…I have never seen anyone get violent smoking pot but have seen my share of alcohol users be violent at the drop of a word or if someone looks at the drinker from across the room..Go figure that one out. They should legalize pot and criminalize alcohol use in all its forms. Sell it like alcohol or cigs with same laws. Alcohol does damage to ones body and brain and never heard of pot doing that!!! LEGALIZATION is the only road to take sooner or later it will be!!
I’m glad I kept the list of the May 9th 2012 Roll Call 238 of the Rohrabacher California Amendment were 262 congress members have voted no. Now I can cross out Silvestre Reyes on the list.
OK folks its time to make a stand.
The only thing that can get things done is money and votes. Most of us have voting rights, some have money. If ya have some money to spare – contribute to Normal or a like organization and/or email this message to your elected officials and stand firm. Also send to like minded friends and family:
To the President, Members of the US Congress, State and local elected officials:
Criminal marijuana prohibition is a failure. Over 20 million Americans have been arrested for marijuana offenses since 1965 with over 800,000 arrests in 2010 and each year the number increases. The problem is getting worse – not because of the benign plant, but because of the obsolete laws. The time has come to amend criminal prohibition and replace it with a system of legalization, taxation, regulation, and education.
I can no longer vote for elected officials that support the the current laws. I have decided not to vote for any politician that does not publicly support the removal of all penalties for the private possession and endorse responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts.
Signed
Voting Citizen
& Member of the Movement
“eight-term incumbent Silvestre Reyes”
No one, in my opinion, should even be allowed to serve eight terms! Clearly, anyone who has been serving (and that word is very questionable in the case of Reyes) for that long is a huge part of the problem. I am very happy to see Reyes go and hope he stays gone!
indiana lost 3 squareheaded legislators this year. sen bray, rep foley and fucking lugar. retire and make love to your money you phoney phucks..
Yeah, just what I always want to do when I get my hands on a joint; light it up and parade around a elementary school. Woo-hoo! Party Down!!
I think Bob got it right. Popularity for legalization has reached the tipping point. With me, environmental issues come first, even over legalizing pot (which is why Ron Paul doesn’t get my support) but most pro-reform candidates are also pro-environmental probably too. But if every voter drew that kind of legalize-pot-or-not-my-vote hard line prohibition would be turned on its head coast to coast by November. Smoke the vote!!!
IM not for the left or the right I vote on the person not the party . we got to watch what thay say to get the vote hussain OB lied about cannabis to get the vote then hem and Erick holder his right hand man has don more to shut down medical cannabis than any other president.