Why would you want to disrupt the very profitable "war on drugs" by implementing logic?
Why stop wasting billions to arrest, incarcerate, and parole perfectly safe and sane neighbors while the economy stinks and people are begging to be allowed personal freedom to practice a safer choice than any alcoholic drink marketed.

Of course the price would plummet without the "legal" issue putting a blackmarket inflation to it. And the fact you can grow it by accident is a problem for profiteers.
I would suggest a license to grow and that be the "tax" methodology.
Seek the video or booklet "marijuana, it's time for a conversation" to learn some of the facts leading us toward a rational legalization to stop damaging our citizens and wasting our economy with futility and unwise expenditure of law enforcement funding.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I was censored on Don Owens' KGO radio show "Anything in 30 seconds." [sic] As soon as I said the word "Cannabis" (in reference to hemp seed nutrition) I was off-the-air. In Seattle Mike Webb pulled the plug on me after totally agreeing with everything I said -- until the word "Cannabis" was spoken.

What a bunch of hypocrites.

Taxing marijuana is a bad idea. The system has finally broken down and admitted that the drug war is a failure, and now that same system presumes to burden the Cannabis industry with taxes?

The reason for ending the drug war is that prohibition is counter-productive. Taxing pot is for bureaucratic weasels who see dollar signs around anything they can get their hands on.

Want to know how to save the economy, improve the quality of life, increase funding for schools and infrastructure, make life better for everyone, and avoid global extinction?

Eliminate the DEA and the IRS, the six most expensive, inefficient, non-productive and wasteful letters in the USA.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What stations are conspiring to refuse to serve the public interests, and we'll boycott them, and write them, and expose them as the "ones that hide things from the public". The internet is a powerful tool for getting the word out.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Do these media outlets, using airwaves owned by the public, advertise pharmaceuticals? These drug ads are clearly costing Americans billions of wasted dollars, and lure people into taking chemicals they don't need. They do clear and indisputable damage to our health care system. But that's not against policy, only pot is against policy.

Do they take ad dollars for commercials to codify discrimination into law regarding marriage? I bet they did. Why isn't advertising hatred against their policy?

I'd pull out the stops on these rat bastard sonsofbitches and boycott their advertisers into bankruptcy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Is somebody trying to destroy Amerika? Because you cannot be this colossaly f*cking stupid and not die from forgetting to breathe, can you?

How many mistakes in a row is this for Amerika since the last success of any kind? What was the last thing that Amerika did well? The Apollo program? Seriously, because the last man on the moon left in December, 1972, and the Watergate scandal broke the following summer, the burglaries themselves already six months old, and it's been all failures since.

If there is any possible way for you to do it, I can't help but believe that anybody would be well advised to abandon this burning bag of dog scat called a country and relocate ALMOST ANYWHERE ELSE: Canada, Mexico, Beliz, and Costa Rica are good choices without leaving the continent. Plus there are four more.

LOOOOOOSER NATION!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

the media in the sf area (kgo, kpix and kron) all support the dea's version of the drug war...i've never understood this...when reporting on the raid of a (legal in california) medical edibles confectionery kpix did not bother to state the business in question was operating legally under california law...rather they continued dea/fda drug war hyperbole claiming the bogey man would be putting the confections in your children's trick-or-treat bags (no one would ever suggest a person taking high-blood pressure medication would do such a thing) to imply (or in this case overtly accuse)that medical cannabis patients would do such a thing is ludicrous...no journalism, just shills for the drug war...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

but why you are so eager for more legeslation,
80% of the world population lives his life.

USA accept the Elite and Senators are one world and Joe Mainstreet lives in another world.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It would be nice if politicians actually came up with sane solutions to perennial problems like the drug war before we go bankrupt. The federal debt now exceeds $11 trillion and will probably be pushing $14 trillion by the end of the first Obama administration. Just paying the interest rates on this debt already cost us even more than it cost us to fund our military. Eventually, the foreign investors currently buying our debt will demand higher interest rates which we won't be able to afford. When the government collapses there will no longer be a drug war.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The desire to reach a higher consciousness is ingrained in our human nature. It is the very essence of our humanity that drives us to things such as religion as well as other belief systems. The proof that cannabis is no more harmful than other legal alternatives has been known by our government for so long, it seems disingenuous to entrust those same people to control it. It has been proven that governments cannot regulate human nature or themselves, so why should we believe that they can regulate nature itself?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The word Syfy is floating around the internet right now. Syfy is not a word in English and confuses a lot of people who worry about things like proper grammar and spelling. Syfy is the new name of the Sci-Fi Channel, which is opting to insult the intelligence of anyone who watches the science fiction station. The latest insult to the English language and proof of the decreasing value of education and drop in the average national IQ is being done so people aren't confused about the channel. No one was before, but an easy loan at this point won't stop them from belittling us all by naming the channel Syfy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

that on this page was an ad for SayNoToPot.com?

Alternet, come on!

IF pot had been marketed with cigarettes and shown as being smoked by guys who looked like characters on "Mad Men," we would be in a completely different paradigm today. But WR Hearst wanted to preserve his monopoly on paper production (over hemp) and, well, you know, those Mexican types smoked it, and this is America, so the outcome became what it is.

In this country you WILL partake of only the approved intoxicants and mind altering substances - those that make money for the 'right' people.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The Pharma lobby is one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington. Bottom line is that decriminalization will hurt their profit margins. Think of all the drugs that will be replaced with a product that can not be owned by the industry.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The drug war isn't about the public safety. It's always been about establishing an international police apparatus to effectively take away old world constitutional rights - no matter what country we may reside. Holland would be an exception to this rule.

The hypocrisy of watching beer, liquor and anti-pot commercials on any given channel, in the same advertisement segment, should give any thinking person a clue to what is happening.

As the old saying goes, "if you want something done right, then do it yourself". I think this applies on just about everything. Relying on politicians to throw scraps of constitutional rights will not work. Never has and it never will.

Organize massive, and I mean massive protests, on a regular basis onto the door steps of D.C. Do not stop because one issue or another has been temporarily won. The U.S. is in a state of apathy. Typing on a computer won't solve nothing. March to Washington by the millions. Watch what happens.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The multimillion dollar beer advertisements on sports and other TV are sufficient reason for certain TV stations to refuse ads for marijuana legalization. Station management is s**t-scared that the beer companies (or the megachurches) will pull their ads, bankrupting the station.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

If it costs $40,000 to put a man in a jail for a year, then it costs $400 billion a decade to put a million men in jail. Our nation and our states no longer have an extra $1.2 trillion per decade to keep three million people in jail perpetually. What are we going to do?

First, we should admit that outright prohibition of marijuana hasn't saved many lives. In fact, the draconian pot laws have ruined many lives.

Many millions of citizens simply don't care about these laws. Their great grandparents drank gin in the basement. Now they drink beer upstairs (notice how they aren't drinking gin that much, they've settled down with legalization) and they smoke high-potency flowers in the basement. These same citizens go out and hold down all sorts of good jobs.

The minority of Americans who have a death grip on the nation's jugular don't want pot, not at any price. However, all of a sudden, "any price" could mean unemployment or death for their children, because there's no money anymore. So what will it be, mom and dad? Death for your children? How about more cancer, less health care, fewer jobs? Your hardball ideology or your kids' lives? Tough choice, huh?

As for the hard drugs, maybe maintenance of addicts is more cost effective than tossing all of them in jail for 60 years. A program to get addicts off the stuff is still a good idea.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The Good News the Cancer is spreading and will soon take the everlasting life out of this Corrupted Parasite, loved and revered by his large extended family.

The drug warrior family is at the bedside trying to revive the monster. Big Pharma Man is at the head of the bed, Prison Industrial Complex at the foot. The rest of the clan the politicians, bankers, DA's, are in the bathroom crying because they know the end is near, the rest of the family has been notified

How soon will breathing last? Money is not working. The drug war family has heard the news. There is no HOPE left for their Parasitic Monster, it will not live much longer despite efforts to revive the dead dying corrupt body.

The Obituary is being written !!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

ABC is owned by Disney. Inconceivable that Disney pressured ABC, which in turn pressured KABC? Can't you see the attack ad? "Mickey and Goofy say it's OK for kids to smoke dope!"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Take the time to go to each site of the news stations that declined to air the add, and contact them. I have emailed 5-6 of the stations this response:

Why did you guys refuse to air the Marijuana Policy Project's advertisements? Are you afraid of freedom? Are you afraid of change? Marijuana should be legalized and taxed and you refusing to run their ads is only helping the fools who fight against freedom. Don't be greedy, realize that different people enjoy different things and that EVERYONE has a right to their own personal decisions such as the consumption of marijuana.

What you have done is a form of discrimination. Just because it's illegal doesn't make it wrong. Man made laws, and man makes mistakes. Not every law is correct and justified, and the marijuana prohibition is definitely NOT justified - especially when the people enforcing the laws can't even come up with a logical reason as to why it's illegal.

Learn, and spread the wealth of education - freedom and knowledge are the only ways to true happiness. The government needs to stop treating its people like children. We pay the taxes, we deserve our freedom!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Wow. Nice fail there, alternet. Talk about censoring a video from my state and then when I try to watch the video, I'm told it's been censored already.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I haven't seen the MPP ad and can't judge but I think the way to get herb legalized is to promote equipment reform. Think a moment: in a high-tobacco-tax state, pack-a-day cigarette addicts are paying $2000 a year. Leaving aside for a moment what we may be paying for riefer per year, a one-time investment in the NORML-endorsed top-of-the-line VAPORIZER, the Volcano, is $600. There are E-CIGARETTES on line for $60 and up.

Here's a strategy:

1. Forget TV. Yes, there are voters watching, the problem is though, only the least activist persons bother with it.

2. Instead: if you are reading this, you have access to computers and you can promote VAPORIZERS, E-CIGARETTES, long-stemmed one-hitters and other equipment reform. Put videos on U-tube or wherever, showing how to use anti-overdose equipment.

3. The secret sacred cigaret connection: by promoting alternative smoking (or vaporizing) methods, you are attacking the source of the problem: Big 2Wackgo and its cash cow, the hot-burning-overdose nicotine cigarette. Go ahead and target tobacco users with your propaganda, namely encourage them to switch to VAPORIZER, E-Cigarette, long-stemmed one-hitter, and EXTERMINATE the overdose smoking format which currently drains their money into the tobacco companies!

4. Then you'll find Big 2Wackgo no longer has the funding it needs to continue its bribe
(disguised as taxes) program to fund government harassment of cannabis users!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

the drug war has always been about two basic issues: profit and control. in drugwarI, aka prohibition; an amendment opposed by 60% of the people; the price of a quart of rotgut liquor soared to as much as $40 when that was a lot of moolah. i have a cannister, sadly long-empty, of merck's pure powedered opium from my great grandpa's general store in the 1890s... cost just 79¢ and the tagline is 'it'll get you through the winter.' on the back it sayd, 'the old folks friend.'

when drugwar II was started immediately after prohibition was repealed, in 1934, congress just ignored the constitution and did no amendment as required in damning the 'pursuit of happiness' of the people. that was over 33 million prisoners ago...

opium is the world's largest cash crop as a result of the drugwar and coca comes in a close second in the multi-trillion-dollar illegal drug business. anyone waiting for a change in even marijuana laws best not be holding their breath. the organized crime government is much more interested in the hidden money made by illegality than in some paltry tax revenue.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

just as the drugwar has been unconstitutional since 1933, same with the existence of the FCC. the 1st amendment states clearly that congress shall pass no laws restricting freedom of speech. well, censorship has alwys been the flatly ilegal business of the FCC since its origins in the communications act of 1933.

freedom of speech is made a sham by the fact of such as television stations being able to quash public discourse of any issue on a whim. consider the fact that the RNC/DNC/NBC determined in the disney-fied 'presidential campaign 'debates' that nader/kucinich/gravel/paul wouldn't be allowed to participate as they "didn't have the campaign funds to be regarded as serious candidates'! that is to say 'the best demockery money can buy,' and also glaringly exposes the refusal to give the public any real choice; rather the crushing of dissenting voices that is our one-party system disguising itself as a 2-party system.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The wheel of Buddhist terms poster tinyurl.com/5atfhh Velcro modular wall mural game. Doctoral dissertation for philosophy, title: The Interpenetration of Buddhist Practice and Classroom Teaching. Technocracy Ethics USA censorship Chinese military intelligence genius clones.

PARASITIC SPECIES INFESTATION alien robot telescope spaceship: audiobook getting things done (GTD is the tag), the first few tracks of PALE BLUE DOT are good, as we transition to a knowledge based global society

as computing power increases exponentially and ubiquitous web enabled sensors allow for immersion in context relevant buddhist or ethics perspective, national broadband plan...

dharmaprinting.com augmented reality sociology subject index and table of contents Chinese military intelligence genius clones life energy word abacus sustainability transmission measurement context mapping twitter.com/globalcide is me Google for EXTINCTCULTURE please let me know what you think about this topic computer.org/pervasive (FOLDING@HOME and BIONIC software's, engineering 450 million new species to make deserts habitable or telepathic ecosystem maintenance) autodesk inventor prototyping software for genetics use the audio book list on audibles.com to build course of life coaching training young orphan people to be CIA certified ethical hackers download free at nowtorrents.com {free antivirus/malware + reviews @ download.com} because if the current post world war 2 education system was meant to produce factory workers (not critical thinking curriculum video from best teacher nationally then teachers answer questions and do research while the kids watch, pause for Q+A, the videos podshifter software for iTunesU ) how much worse is this continuation of using the bible koran instead of critical mass ecosystem dynamics physics logistics?

google for flashcard database

subliminal education psychological profiling HDTV prenhall.com/dabbagh/

MIT OCW designing your life. The art of war flashcard deck, wikipedia article audio book the 48 laws of power... RAW stem cells movies: Eagle EYE, Minority Report, (gps and audio recording + all video survelance to DVR on web for all probation and parole ankle monitors, put more people on them and use software to monitor them, the probation or parolee pays for the ankle monitor and then gives it back to the probation office then the next probation pays for it again, thus buying another one) broadcom is makeing new version of these chips every two months now GPS + Bluetooth + WiFi + FM combo chip)
audio + video security DVR in juvinile prisons with audiobooks streaming leave the headphones you buy behind for the next inmate

lifehack.org /articles/productivity/the-ultimate -student-resource-list.html

selfmadescholar.com /b/self-education- resource-list

GET A GENERIC MP4 PLAYER FROM PRICEWATCH.COM OR SHOPZILLA.COM OR GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH oedb.org/library/beginning -online-learning/100 -ways-to-use-your-ipod-to -learn-and- study-better

lifehack.org /articles/productivity /the-80-best- lifehacks-of-2008.html

lifehack.org /articles/lifestyle /in-uncertain-times- prepare-yourself- for-new-opportunities .html

Interactive Video Object Manipulation @ vimeo.com/2345579

web 2.0 directories: ziipa.com and go2web20.net USE THE TAGS cloud, also lifehacker.com and lifehack.org SHARE 99ebooks.blogspot.com via: care2.com/click2donate or thehungersite.com and gizmodo.com/tag/ecomodo click every tab every day with iMacro, smarterfox, delicious, colorful tabs, TOOMANYTABS, WebMynd extensions for the new firefox 3.5 browser.

youtube.com/homeproject

Block Posters Makes a Large Poster from Any Image, the rain in spain falls mostly on send this to every school and buddhist center in the world but translate the message first.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm sure their "pharma" sponsors wouldn't be happy. Money talks; that's the main reason that some people want this "idea" to die. I think the box is open now and those massive bureaucratic institutions, lawmakers on the take, and dealers/cartels making millions off the drug war are really worried.

The reality is this: We don't have the money for the services we know we all want and need. So opportunity slaps us in the face here. Opportunity says "tax marijuana because millions sell and use it for medical or recreational purposes" opportunity says "Californian marijuana has a high pedigree globally and would make an excellent export" opportunity says "To free California from the hole it fell in, throw it a hemp rope."

Best Mens Health ED Blog

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]