AlterNet / By Rob Kampia
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 264

Pot Wins in a Landslide: A Thundering Rejection of America's Longest War

Voters dealt what may be a fatal blow to America's longest-running and least-discussed war -- the war on marijuana.
November 5, 2008  |  
 
 
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On Tuesday, largely under the radar of the pundits and political chattering classes, voters dealt what may be a fatal blow to America's longest-running and least-discussed war -- the war on marijuana.

Michigan voters made their state the 13th to allow the medical use of marijuana by a whopping 63 percent to 37 percent, the largest margin ever for a medical marijuana initiative. And by 65 percent to 35 percent, Massachusetts voters decriminalized the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, replacing arrests, legal fees, court appearances, the possibility of jail and a lifelong criminal record with a $100 fine, much like a traffic ticket, that can be paid through the mail.

What makes these results so amazing is that they followed the most intensive anti-marijuana campaign by federal officials since the days of "Reefer Madness." Marijuana arrests have been setting all-time records year after year, reaching the point where one American is arrested on marijuana charges every 36 seconds. More Americans are arrested each year for marijuana possession -- not sales or trafficking, just possession -- than for all violent crimes combined.

And the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, with “drug czar” John Walters at the helm, has led a hysterical anti-marijuana propaganda campaign. During Walters' tenure, ONDCP has released at least 127 separate anti-marijuana TV, radio and print ads, at a cost of hundreds of millions of tax dollars, plus 34 press releases focused mainly on marijuana, while no fewer than 50 reports from ONDCP and other federal agencies focused on the alleged evils of marijuana or touted anti-marijuana campaigns.

Walters himself campaigned personally in Michigan against the medical marijuana initiative, calling it an "abomination" and claiming yet again that there is no evidence that marijuana has medical value -- an assertion flatly contradicted by at least four published clinical trials in just the last two years.

In Massachusetts, the state's political and law enforcement establishment lined up solidly against the marijuana decriminalization initiative, including both Republican and Democratic politicians and all 11 district attorneys -- several of whom actually admitted to having smoked marijuana. They warned of rampant drug abuse and crime should the measure pass, simply ignoring the fact that no such thing has happened in the 11 other states (including California, Ohio and New York) that have had similar laws for years.

Voters were having none of it, giving a thumping rejection to government officials’ lies and hysteria in both states. Americans have taken a hard look at our national war on marijuana and rejected it for the cruel, counterproductive disaster that it is.

The voters are right. Of over 872,000 arrests in one year, 89 percent are for possession only.

What has this gotten us? Not much. Marijuana arrests weren't the only thing that set a record last year. So did the number of Americans who have tried marijuana. Usage rates came down marginally in the last few years but are still higher than in the early 1990s. Marijuana is our nation's number one cash crop.

The one thing our costly and futile efforts to "eradicate" marijuana have accomplished is to create a boom for criminal gangs, to whom we've handed a monopoly on production and distribution. Unlike producers of legal drugs like beer, wine or tobacco, these criminals pay no taxes and obey no rules. Their illicit efforts despoil our national forests and bring violence and destabilization to Mexico.

For years, politicians who know our current marijuana laws make no sense have been afraid to change them for fear of political retribution. The voters' thundering rejection of our misguided war on marijuana shows that those fears are misplaced.

It's time for Congress and the new administration -- not to mention state governments around the country -- to listen to the public. It's time for a new approach.
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Rob Kampia is executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, DC.
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How much $$ could the Federal Government raise
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rothermelgirl on Nov 5, 2008 5:38 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How much money could the Federal Gvt raise annually if they legalized marijuana and applied a reasonable rate of taxation?

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» Really left_libertarian? Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» RE: eally left_libertarian? Posted by: Lauren
» RE: eally left_libertarian? Posted by: Joni50
» RE: eally left_libertarian? Posted by: Lauren
» RE: eally left_libertarian? Posted by: kahuna_2bears
» RE: eally left_libertarian? Posted by: pjnaltykins
» RE: eally left_libertarian? Posted by: pjnaltykins
» RE: eally left_libertarian? YES REally Posted by: left_libertarian
» $250 million.... a week Posted by: Iconoclast421
» Three plants Posted by: zizizzi
» RE: Three plants Posted by: WillieD
» RE: Will Obama Legalize All Drugs? Posted by: left_libertarian

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oh and since when
[Report this comment]
Posted by: meetmeineleusis on Nov 6, 2008 12:20 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Did John Walters get his medical degree?

Cops have no business in the field of medicine. If you think they do, next time little Jonny has a cold or a broken arm take him to the local sheriff to get fixed up. Make sense?

Yeah I didn't think so either.


And whose brilliant fucking idea was it to name his office that of "Drug Czar"?

Maybe Walters should pick up a history book, and read about another group of "Czars" in Russia around the beginning of the last century. He should pay attention to what happened to THOSE "Czars".

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» One more point Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» RE: One more point Posted by: Lauren
» No freudian slip Posted by: rancespergl
» RE:A red laced freudian slip Posted by: Cybershaman
» Actually, Nixon had a "Drug Czar" Posted by: marykellogg
» Poster "6399" concurs... Posted by: 2dogarage
» RE: oh and since when Posted by: Joni50
» RE: oh and since when Posted by: HighburyJD
» FYI Posted by: schiffer
» RE: oh and since when Posted by: steve60

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step by step
[Report this comment]
Posted by: richholland on Nov 6, 2008 12:33 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One day 49 states in the USA will allow medical? use of marihuana..

maybe you can grow your own weed( 10 plants at
a time)

but if you sell you should pay tax, beware of the McWeed corporation.

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» RE: step by step Posted by: left_libertarian

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Is your Rep. a "Drug Warrior"?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: -matti on Nov 6, 2008 2:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Do you wanna get them to back off and see the light, but are tired of just being another "lone voice in the wilderness" on the phone or on the net?

Think that maybe your Rep. should work for YOU, not the lobbyists?

Tired of being pandered to every other year, only to be ignored the rest of the time?

Go to http://november5.org, watch the short explanatory video, then sign up to help get the ball rolling in your district.

Join the November Fifth Movement and make "change" happen!

-matti.

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» a "contrary"? How interesting.... Posted by: rancespergl
» Uh... Posted by: schiffer
» Another one on board! Posted by: -matti

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Up aganist the Wall Mother Fu-ker! Corp-pirates want your Herbs, Food and Water.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ottomatic on Nov 6, 2008 3:17 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Big Pharma is stealing your Herbs.
Mono-saint-co is monopolizing Food Production!
Coca Cola is stealing your water reserves and then selling Bottled water.

When the Wall Street went BUST who suffered?

When these other divisions of the Corp-Pirate Octopus go bust,
Who is going to suffer?
In the U.S.A. there is less then three days of food.
Beware giant agra-business.
Taking the seed supply out of the hands of the Family farmer and putting it into a Evil Mono-saint-co's pocket
Spells
TROUBLE with a
Capital T!

We can do better.

The Police-Lawyer-Prison Industrial Complex protects a corrupt system that dehumanizes you.
They serve, enforce and protect
The Corp-pirate Empire.
Educate instead of incarcerate.
Build Colleges instead of Prisons.
Treatment instead of Litigation.
DRUGS are a Medical problem.

Stop Organized Crime

END Prohibition.

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funny that no one has mentioned the hold that the brewers and distillers have on government
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Suzon on Nov 6, 2008 3:22 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Follow the money...

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» RE: Don't forget the tobacco companies Posted by: Fishbone Soldier

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Hall Monitors
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BlammDaddy on Nov 6, 2008 4:05 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Cops are Nazi's. A ton of them are steroid junkies and potheads themselves but they are " above" all the sheeple that pay there salaries.
The judges are worse. A bunch of unreasonable sociopaths.

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Good news from America is strange...and FUN!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: fsuthai on Nov 6, 2008 4:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wow, two days in a row of good news being reported to the world from the U.S. has been so rare lately that it's almost shocking! What's going on over there? Whatever, it sounds great and I wish you all well. Many, many people all over the world celebrated Pres.-Elect Obama's victory yesterday and tonight (12 hours ahead here in Thailand), I'm delighted to see progress being made toward the eventual legalization of marijuana in America.
Chok dee
Paul from ChiangMai

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Self Mutilation
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Posted by: ProgressiveManiac on Nov 6, 2008 5:10 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I tried marijuana when I was a student, and honestly I didn't care much for it. That doesn't mean I would deny others the right to use it and in fact I find it quite offensive that people who need to use it for medical reasons have to become criminals to do so.

That this country spends so many millions of dollars a year to incarcerate people for the harmless activity of growing or smoking a weed in the privacy of their own homes is outright foolish. It is a way that this country harms itself for no apparent good reason.

When a person mutilates himself (or herself) for no apparent good reason we say that is evidence of insanity. Is this country insane?

An even greater evidence of insanity is that this country makes it illegal to grow hemp, presumably because hemp looks too much like marijuana. How insane is that? Industrial hemp is potentially a valuable commercial crop that could provide income, food, clothing and energy. Instead we import hemp products from other countries which are more sane that we seem to be as a country.

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» Hemp Hearts, anyone? Posted by: stellabloo
» RE: Hemp Hearts, anyone? Posted by: Joni50
» RE: Hemp Hearts, anyone? Posted by: rsteeb
» RE: Self Mutilation Posted by: SjrBoomz
» RE: Self Mutilation Posted by: babs
» What's really funny... Posted by: WhuThe?!?

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Government Programs
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Posted by: FSadley on Nov 6, 2008 5:24 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama said he would go through the entire Federal Budget and determine which programs work and eliminate the ones that don't. I think the whole DEA should be demolished. Think of how much money the government could save (and use for Health Care etc.). Then think of the money the government could make in licensing and taxation. It's a win win situation!

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» RE: Government Programs Posted by: Cybershaman
» RE: Government Programs Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Government Programs Posted by: SteveO
» RE: Government Programs Posted by: Joni50
» RE: Government Programs Posted by: donl51

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Fayetteville, Arkansas, passes "low priority enforcement" initiative
[Report this comment]
Posted by: davidorr on Nov 6, 2008 5:30 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Missing in this report is the passage Tuesday, by a 2-to-1 margin, a citizen initiative in Fayetteville, Arkansas, that directs the city council and city police to make enforcement of marijuana posession laws the community's lowest priority in criminal law enforcement.

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legalization will never happen
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Posted by: clubdead on Nov 6, 2008 5:55 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Although I agree that drug laws and arrests are counter productive. I have serious doubts we can ever legalize pot. Here's why. There is no corporate benefactor who could profit from legalization. The vast majority of current smokers would simply grow their own. How would corporate Amerika monopolize a weed that grows wild over most the country. Unfortunately there is much more money in criminalizing than legalizing and taxing. There is also a huge bureaucracy that needs a demon to justify their existence. Remember prohibition? When prohibition was removed guess what happened suddenly there was the demon weed and a need for all those federal agents to crack down on drugs

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» RE: logic fallacy Posted by: Lauren
» RE: logic fallacy Posted by: Romantic Violence
» RE: logic fallacy Posted by: Knot_Rich
» Legalize HEMP Posted by: donl51
» Legalization and home gardening Posted by: Elmowilcox
» Hey! Posted by: LeeAnnG

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Unreal
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RedFoxOne on Nov 6, 2008 6:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My God how can a country be so barbaric? A little pot never hurt anyone. Should have been legalized years ago. Now excuse me while I go roll a big fat one! Peace.

Jiff
Privacy Center

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» RE: Unreal Posted by: kungfuma
» RE: Unreal Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Unreal Posted by: kungfuma
» RE: Unreal Posted by: Knot_Rich

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Ignorance and stupidity take a back seat
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Posted by: sicntired on Nov 6, 2008 6:06 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
ONDCP hasn't had an original idea or a legitimate attack on legal marijuana since it's inception.Lets hope this is only the start of a massive effort to make the intoxicant of half the population as legal as that of the other half.Enough of the inquisition.Pardons should be given to everyone with a mark on their record for pot possession.

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quick question
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Posted by: Menopausal Mick on Nov 6, 2008 6:33 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Other states that have legalized personal use or medicinal use have had big problems getting the feds to back off even for medicinal use.

Will this still be a problem with the new law?

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» RE: quick question Posted by: Lauren
» RE: quick question Posted by: yidokie
» RE: quick question Posted by: Lauren

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Decriminalize, Legalize and STOP so much violence....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: veggiegrrrl on Nov 6, 2008 6:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Decriminalize, Legalize and STOP so much violence...at our southern border and at home.

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Won't it be great?
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Posted by: Outspokengrandmother on Nov 6, 2008 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If you follow the money on this stuff, you'll see that the prison industrial complex has a lot to lose with sane drug laws. Think how many schools we could build, pot holes we could fill, bridges we could repair if we weren't trying to send our youth to prison at a cost more expensive than an ivy league education? Of course Obama and this congress have more important stupid wars to get us out of, but I think sanity is coming. Won't it be great when full sanity is restored to this great country of ours?

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» RE: Wouldn't it be great? Posted by: donl51
» RE: Lauren ,...from donl, Posted by: donl51
» RE: Lauren ,...from donl, Posted by: Lauren

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Granted I'd like to see it legal but...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: donl51 on Nov 6, 2008 7:01 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...I'd settle very nicely to a low priority crime,paid as you would a common parking ticket,no arrest for any part,from smoking to growing for enjoyment or medical purpose,and in that case a permit,a presrcption,no arrests at all,but I'd truly love to see hemp growing as a national industry!..think of all the jobs that could be created from it's myriad of uses,better paper than any tree in 1/30th the time...it would boggle the mind,and as far as MG itself,..fine,pay the Gov.for a permit to grow your own...putting the dealers in the USA or abroad out of business in that market!!...eventually the correct handling of other drugs would follow!!putting the cartels as well as our ''law enforcement drug business '' out of business...no more crowded prisons,no more rediculously huge expenditures,except perhaps for the treatment of addicts!!....asking a lot perhaps!but let's give intelligence a try for awhile...we had all those years under varius administrations where intelligence seemed to be frowned upon and corruption grew,from within!!

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Setting a Precedent
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Posted by: meetmeineleusis on Nov 6, 2008 7:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think the first state to truly decriminalize / legalize on a large scale should develop a practice of arresting and trying federal agents who violate the laws of that state. Maybe the jackboots will be a lot less likely to kick in doors if it means they themselves are going to wind up in the court room. (Destruction of property and false imprisonment are pretty solid charges to nail them with, in my opinion. Are there any lawyers here who could muse over the feasibility of such a thing?)

Could you imagine that? Some DEA thug in the county jail for doing what the feds told him to?
Beautiful.

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JT Barrie
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rimchamp77 on Nov 6, 2008 7:06 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why should police NOT use taxpayer monies to lie to us about drugs? Besides, marijuana is by far the most easily detected and widely used banned drug around. The fines are enough to pay for a lot of police pork. A sizeable portion of people actually believe their lies. Some believe because they are naive enough to believe any authority figure, some believe police dramas are realistic, and some just because they despise anyone who is not like them.
Besides they get to use taxpayer money to lie to us and there are zero consequences. The news media winks and nods and if anyone like myself goes ballistic about theft of their tax dollars - they will ignore their complaints. And then - after refusing to report this theft - they will glibly reply that there is no support for legalization. Of course not! If all the public is allowed to hear in public forums is lies why wouldn't they either give up on the truth or respond to blatant emotional appeals? If teachers did the same sort of shameless lobbying for more money and authority, there would be a HUGE outcry from the media. But police are representatives of authority and the media kisses the backsides of authority with gusto!

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» RE: JT Barrie Posted by: donl51
» RE: JT Barrie Posted by: Lauren

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DankBogart
[Report this comment]
Posted by: YouReapProsperity on Nov 6, 2008 7:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When the state of Texas decriminalizes marijuana after Oklahoma, then America will truly be a free nation, at least until she comes down after the munchies.

Marijuana as an organic drug is ancient knowledge of medicine, just as hemp could curb deforestation, but until the fat cats change, nobody will and law enforcement has too much a taste for violence and too much money to not spend on new guns and ammo. It's no fun not being able to shoot people, especially people you detest.

When those things happen, America is still ran by pharmeceutical corporations drilling and killing drugs into consumers for everything from keeping dentures glued to your cranium to getting a hard-on and besides, it would shrink law enforcement budgets and the DEA's and we can't have crimes without criminals. This would run counter to the penal society we have built, which I believe only expands crime.

Non-violent offenders, such as drug couriers and non-users released back into society graduate into more violent offenders skilled at crimes learned in prison.

Today, corrections is an industry with a substantial percentage of the US population in itself, locked up behind bars for minor possession offenses and when released, are less likley to reform.

The legalization of marijuana and production of hemp are very important options economically as well curbing bureaucracy within courts and faulty police action.

Hemp would initiate ecological evolution into consumer goods and create jobs.

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Go to college in Massachusetts!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: PaulK on Nov 6, 2008 8:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Don't mention this to your parents. Just pick out a good school or a good program that happens to be in Massachusetts, and lean in that direction. You don't need the legalized thugs busting down your door someday and interrupting your life like crazy, making it impossible for you to get college loans because of your drug bust. So go to where people are at least moderately saner.

We need the jobs!

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Straight Talk to My Teenager
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Posted by: stellabloo on Nov 6, 2008 8:07 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We went through the rockiest part of adolescence 3-4 years ago. At that point I was an abusive parent because I was honest about using marijuana (when confronted on the issue)and I wasn't prepared to quit. The big breakthrough came BECAUSE I am an honest and straightforward person and I wasn't about to quit on my kid either, despite combined resistance from the school, the police and social services. Of course, living in Canada helped - I was in no danger of going to jail for my beliefs!

So my advice to my teenager is: Stay away from alcohol and other hard drugs. I have seen a lot of lives destroyed by going down that path. I would far rather have my kid at home having a toke or two and watching Cheech and Chong, than getting shit-faced at some bush party. My husband and I both lost teenage friends to drunk driving. I quit alcohol 20 years ago and my husband is the lightest of social drinkers (after 10 years of marriage to me), so we're no hypocrites.

And you know what? It would seem that teenagers, all reports to the contrary, do respond to straight talk ;.)

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See Michigan is Not All Guns and God..We have common sense too
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Posted by: Purple Girl on Nov 6, 2008 8:23 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am not only Proud to be an American because of this Historic Presidnetial Win, I am even prouder of being a Michigander who spit in the face of the Neo con agenda.
We Ran McCain out on a Rail, We gave Obama a landslide, We passed Medical marijuana and We Passed Stem Cell!!! And You all thought Michigan only Innovated the assembly line. Oh yea of little faith, Michigan is still one of the most forward thinking State in the Union. Give Us Windmills and solar panels to perfect and manufacture. Give Us bio technology. hell we also have a great Agricultural Base here Too- let's Grow Us some 'Meds'. We ahve farm land which sits idle, which leaves our Farming History sleeping and frankly slipping away.
Give Us a Mission and we will Accomplish It. If any State has suffered under nearly 30 yrs of 'Trickle Down' (Feudalism) it has been Us. We not only built our State,but also the country and thus the World economy from th eBottom Up once before, WE can Do it again.
We have a lean and Hungry Look about Us because we have been being starved out for decades.
Talk About Rugged Individualists...Come to Michigan where you'll never be able to pry the guns from our cold dead hands, Nor tell us Liberal Ideas are Socialism or Sinful.
Watch out Folks Mich's Back and we're just hopeful, We're a bit pissed off Too.What puts the Fire into Hope, anger.
God Bless AmericaNs and God Bless the Great State of Michigan!(God Damn america Inc- Michiganders KNEW Exactly what Rev Wright was talking about...First hand. along with the 'Gun & God'...Last two Rights & freedoms after 30 yrs of Neo con Rule)

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Biden must be having a fit . .
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Posted by: 6399 on Nov 6, 2008 8:50 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
After all, he practically created the position of Drug Czar. So, how does that sit with you ObamaBots who like to spark up? Doesn't it bother you that Biden is such a drug nazi?

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» RE: Biden must be having a fit . . Posted by: Live Gently
» Troll or not,.. Posted by: donl51
» RE: Troll or not,.. Posted by: left_libertarian

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Hypocrites rail against marijuana; ignore the true scurge
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Posted by: left-leaning-libertarian on Nov 6, 2008 8:57 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Meth is the truly dangerous substance, the true scurge; but the government focuses an inordinate amount of its resources on marijuana. Why? Because corporations profit from the criminalization of pot, and indirectly profit from the meth trade (through the sale of component ingredients).

I hope that President Obama will have the guts to stop this insanity! We need to stop wasting our resources (financial, and especially our human resources) on this pointless prohibition. We need to empty our over-crowded prisons of non-violent offenders (of course, the for-profit prison industry has a huge stake in keeping the war on drugs just as it is!). We need to legalize marijuana, regulate its sale and distrubution and tax the sh** out of it just like we do with alcohol (a TRULY HARMFUL drug) and tobacco. We need to exploit pot's medicinal/theraputic potentials as well as the economic possibilities of industrial hemp (illegal because textile manufacturers don't want the competition, and have successfully conflated it with "marijuana the drug" in people's understanding!)We need to free ourselves from the constraints of shallow anti-drug rhetoric that has supplanted rational discussion, move into the 21st Century and evolve!

Is that too much to ask????

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long-term problems of legalising weed...?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: HighburyJD on Nov 6, 2008 9:20 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
the basis for a lot of arguments for weed legalisation is the comparison with alcohol. In the UK the vast majority of crime is alcohol linked (we don't have guns, or as agressive a 'war' on drugs). So by comparison weed is low key - you can't OD as people frequently do on alcohol and the long term health risks of weed are at least no worse. The problem is alcohol is our drug of choice partly BECAUSE weed is illegal. Make weed legal it will inevitably hit tax revenue from alcohol hard. Also the idea of paying for a permit to grow something sounds unrealistic. Punishment for unlicensed growing would have to be huge to deter people. What if weed to a large extent begins to replace alcohol?

In order to sustain alcohol dependence you need money. Weed may not be as addictive but its a hell of a lot easier to produce your own. If weed is our new legal social drug of choice there are bound to be tons of unpredictable side-effects on society...

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» Prohibition and all that Posted by: Cathyc

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Marijuana
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Posted by: Archie1954 on Nov 6, 2008 9:32 AM   
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The so called war against drugs as it applies to Marijuana is so off base and counter productive that you begin to wonder if there isn't another hidden agenda at work. Just who is making money from this so called war? If you follow the money you may find the culprits. Is there money being made under the table by so called purveyors of a drug free America? I have seen the evidence published of CIA involvement in the drug trade. When will common sense prevail? Is that too much to ask?

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» Prozac Posted by: stellabloo

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Marijuana
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Posted by: barryoaks on Nov 6, 2008 9:54 AM   
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Here on the Big Island of Hawaii a ballot measure that would direct police to take a hands
off approach to the adult personal use of marijuana was voted on. It passed 53.1% to 38.6%. The law would put the enforcement of laws against marijuana to each police officer's discretion, and would direct the County Council no to accept state of federal funds for marijuana eradication.

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» Feudalist Tarts Posted by: JSurveyor

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Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
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Posted by: AngryWhiteFemale on Nov 6, 2008 10:12 AM   
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Not all law enforcement are goons jumping on the ridiculous War on Drugs bandwagon. This is a very informative site. I believe it was started by Canadian law enforcement.

LEAP - Cops say

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Ok people, listen up. We need to REFRAME the Cannabis debate.
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Posted by: maxpayne on Nov 6, 2008 10:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We now have an even greater chance to go on the offensive and bring up the INDUSTRIAL uses of the plant. DO NOT fall for the culture war trap by arguing only on the "pot frame". Cannabis has thousands of uses for our daily lives be it food, medicine, clothing, fuel, manufacturing including plastics, etc ... Now is the time to get out there to your house reps and senators and help RON PAUL in his next upcoming attempt to pass the HEMP FARMING ACT ! And yes, there are Republicans too who can be convinced. Just ask Tom McClintock of CA or better yet ask the Republican farmers turned legislators in North Dakota who united with the Democrats to pass a law to legalize growth and cultivation of INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

And one more thing, let's put the pressure on Obama to make sure he goes back to his original position on legalizing Cannabis. He may have a VP who was a drug czar but let's not give up the fight for the better while we have a chance.

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Let's push for this bill to pass,
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Posted by: jeffrey7 on Nov 6, 2008 10:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Rights of Life,Liberty and to Pursue Happiness are ours by birth not by decree!
As such we should all push for Barney Frank's bill to pass. Even if you prefer booze over pot,won't you at least agree that as adults we should be able to choose whether or not we want to get drunk,maybe fight,then puke all over or sit at home and get stoned,in Peace?

If not a push for these rights then at least take a look at H.R. 5843, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008. H.R. 5843 would make it legal under federal law for adults to possess up to 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana for personal use. It would also allow not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of marijuana between consenting adults.

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Persecution in California
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Posted by: macdon1 on Nov 6, 2008 11:29 AM   
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Medical marijuana patients, dispensaries and caregivers have been persecuted heavily in California. Sacramento, the capitol is one of the worst places, having a "Bush Loving" right wing DA. A number of dispensary providers and growers are doing heavy sentences in federal prison for cultivating and dispensing medications to patients, because anyone who can be possibly be prosecuted in federal court is held over for federal agents. If anyone who is a medical marijuana patient is attacked and/or robbed they can count on the crime not being investigated or taken seriously, even if they are severely wounded or killed. Armed home invasion gangsters target disabled patients for the value of their medication because they know police do nothing. If a patient or patients attempt to defend themselves, they end up being prosecuted as criminals while the gangsters are portrayed as the victims and allowed to go free, sometimes being called as prosecution witnesses. Police boldly declare they do not recognize the compassionate use law and feel that patients have no right to defend themselves or their property. Even though California voters have overwhelmingly approved compassionate use of cannabis, in reality it is a very risky business with patients under attack from both criminals and police. Meanwhile,gangsters have a convenient source of cash to buy guns and finance their criminal activities.

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Hospice training and marijuana
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Posted by: ggmurray on Nov 6, 2008 11:49 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a hospice volunteer, I received training on the rules for medical use of marijuana by hospice patients. In Rhode Island, the patient needs to have medical authorization (for relief of nausea and other symptoms) and one authorized friend (usually a family member) who obtains small quantities of it for the patient. With proper authorization, up to 10 plants can be grown at home.

I found it fascinating that the whole argument for medical legalization was for relief of physical symptoms. At the same time, the spiritual and emotional needs of people who know they are dying cannot be overlooked. The sense of peace and oneness that smoking marijuana allows should be honestly acknowledged.

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adoregon
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Posted by: waldenport on Nov 6, 2008 12:49 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Impartiality is the foundation of all law and any justice. This is why the goddess of justice is depicted wearing a blindfold.
The Controlled Substances Act is not impartial. It gives alcohol [and tobacco] preferential treatment by not subjecting either substance to the scheduling criteria applied to all other substances.
Ask yourself this simple question: How can a lethal substance (alcohol) be legal and ubiquitous, while a substance with no lethal dosage (cannabis)is prohibited and its users persecuted and prosecuted? How does that make any sense? The prohibition of cannabis and industrial hemp is patently bogus.

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» RE: adoregon Posted by: donl51
» RE: adoregon Posted by: Lauren

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The answer is legalization
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Posted by: chronicreform on Nov 6, 2008 12:50 PM   
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I am a medical marijuana patient in Ca. however it wasn't always so. The State of Arizona incarcerated a Blind VietNam Veteran twice for posession of a little herb...once AFTER passing Prop 200 in 1998 making it Mandatory Probation???I put up a web page at geocities and if this link doesn't get you there/search for chronicreform.

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» RE: The answer is legalization Posted by: kahuna_2bears

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stopthedrugwar.org has a useful video
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Posted by: kungfuma on Nov 6, 2008 1:16 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
on how to keep from screwing yourself if you come into contact with inquiring cops called
BUSTED: surviving police encounters
very empowering-i will study and memorize phrases like" I appreciate your work officer but I dont consent to searches" or "Are you detaining me or am I free to go?" watch and learn! and spread the info

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Personally I Find It Really Difficult When I am Travelling Throughout The World
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Posted by: opmoc on Nov 6, 2008 1:27 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have Myotonia Congenita

I very rarely admit to this because most people don't realise I have any disability whatsover

Because I take a little cannabis once or twice a week (but no more). I can go for several days before the effects wear off and my muscles start to completely seize up such that I can barely walk at all

This is not a problem in the UK

And I can get away with a week's visit to India without anyone noticing my disability

But a week without cannabis is about all my body can take to seem to perform almost completely physically normally

And sometimes I travel with my wife and family for longer than that - and I will not break any Country's laws that we visit

So it would be nice if Cannabis was Legalised for Medical Purposes all over the World

And sure I know - like Lauren I talk a load of bollocks when I am drunk and stoned

But Everyone knows that we are both completely harmless - even though I sometimes think Lauren - please can you stop talking such nonsense and try being completely Straight - Drug and Alcohol Free For Several Days Each Week

Our Kids Haven't inherited my Muscular Problem. It is an Extremely Rare Genetic Disease - Both Parents Have to Have The Same Defective Gene

And the chance of that occuring in our Children's Children are close to One Million To One - Unless They Marry a Close Relative Like a Cousin

Both our Kids Are Masters of The Physical Arts

Their Bodies Are Close To Perfection

They Have No Sign Whatsoever of My Disease

And Neither of Them Are The Slightest Bit Interested in Cannabis

Tony

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The Only Hard Time We Have Had Recently From Anyone Was at Cambridge Rock Festival in 2007
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Posted by: opmoc on Nov 6, 2008 2:37 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He Was Born in ENGLAND

At the American Airbase just down the Road.

And He Spoke With a Really Strong American Accent.

I said - Are You For REAL?

You Were Born in England - and You Speak With an American Accent?

I Said What The Fuck Have You Been Doing With Your Life?

He said - well my Parents sent Me To American Schools where all the Kids were American

And I thought WOW

I meet People whose Parents Come From All Over The World - and They All Speak ENGLISH in the local Dialect like Scouse, Brummie, Lancashire, Oldham, Manchester, Surrey, South London or Geordie for example

And You ENGLISH MAN - because You Were Born in ENGLAND

Can Only Speak AMERICAN?????????????????

And YOU READ The Rule Book To Me AND My Wife?

As You Put YOUR Fireblanket Over Our Little Portable Natural Charcoal BBQ which we bought in our local shop for 79p to cook our food.

We were Camping

And We Do This at ALL the Festival We Go To...

He said The Rule Book Says No Open Fires and No Barbeques

I Said It Is Not An Open Fire

It is a tiny little barbeque in a little bit of foil - There is The Water To Cool It Down When We Have Finished Our Food - And There is The Bin We Will Dispose Of All Our Rubbish

And so he threatened us - that if we argue with him - we would be evicted from the site - where we had paid a considerable amount of money to see absolutely loads of bands over 4 days

So we said - well take it away then

And so he did - all the food and everything in his fire blanket

He then realised that he had to live in the same field as us for the next 4 days

And we succeeded in winding him up so much

He said Sorry Guys

I was just reading the Rules

Please let me buy both you guys a meal

But we wouldn't let him

He had absolutely no interest whatsoever in Cannabis

I did however have rather a strong interest in his mates Bottles of Jack Daniels - but didn't get more than a sniff

Tony

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The Pros far outweigh the Cons
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Posted by: GretnaBlast on Nov 6, 2008 2:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Decriminalizing hemp completely could do good things for the country.

Marijuana can be used in so many ways, legalizing it would be productive: free up space in jail so we can stop building new ones for a while (money saver), hemp clothing could add a new dynamic to the clothing market (economic benefit), taxing it - money maker for Uncle Sam, and of course the medical benefits (good for the health care system).

We could begin to tackle some huge national issues just by ending prohibition on a PLANT, there's no reason not to do it.

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Reason Pot's Illegal
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Posted by: slugsucker on Nov 6, 2008 4:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's face it, the real reason pot's illegal is not due to it's narcotic effects, or that it's a "gateway" drug, or due to any contrived or real harmful side-effects from its use. No, the real reason pot is still illegal is that the alcohol and tobocco industries are making huge, enormous profits controlling the two most commonly used legal forms of non-prescription intoxication and mood alteration. Each, in my opinion, is more physically insidious than smoking small quantities of potent pot that has zero chemical additives. Why legalize another intoxicant, one that does not even have to be bought at the supermarket or liquor store, but that can be simply grown in your backyard or a clay pot, and jeopardize the hundreds of billions of dollars of obscene profits made by the tobacco and alcohol industries? How many people would replace the $8 six pack, the $10 bottle of wine, the $4.50 pack of smokes, with a simple J that was basically free to grow? Enough to be a severe threat to these mega-drug-dealing corporations. $4.50 for 20 cigarettes containing maybe an ounce of basically weeds? Do the math, that's $72 a pound for tobacco. Who's getting ripped off? Would you pay that much for spinach? Shit, not even the most exotic fruits or vegetables cost that. Would you pay that much for fish or meat? Let's see, that, or pot for free? Hmmm, hard choice. Another thing, 12 oz. beer = 160 calories, 6 oz. wine the same, a hit of pot = zero calories. If you can control the muchie thing, pot is better for your waistline and your heart too. We're a fatass nation. Let's make pot legal!

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» Its not that simple Posted by: Cathyc
» RE: Its not that simple Posted by: Lauren

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This is really a fascinating
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Yesican on Nov 6, 2008 4:41 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
discussion.I agree with most of it, I think. Not sure I understand some of it!
I am nearly 83, don't have many vices, tried pot once when my son-in-law insisted it would help my asthma...it didn't.. but maybe it wasn't a fair trial. I always thought the laws are stupid. I worried while my kids were growing up. not about smoking pot, but getting caught! I always wished it was legal because it's such a pretty plant! I'm into herbs and would like more studies on using mj medicinally.
I have donated to MPP and will help if more legislation is proposed.

It's terrible that people are sent to prison for growing or using an herb. Tobacco, alcohol and Coca cola are much worse!

Also hemp products are wonderful!

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» RE: This is really a fascinating Posted by: slugsucker

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The politicos are AFRAID of the Drug Barons. Now why is that?!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Cathyc on Nov 6, 2008 5:26 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"For years, politicians who know our current marijuana laws make no sense have been afraid to change them for fear of political retribution."

They (the thugs in power) have every reason to be AFRAID of the drug-pushers on the street.

Why? Because our "respected politicians / government are every bit as corrupted as the 'street' drug barons (pushers). They share the exact same parasitic mentality!

Locking people up for mere possession of marijuana/pot for personal use, as opposed to peddling the stuff, is like arresting people for drinking beer or wine in their own home!

This is Tribal War (between the so-called Goverment and Gangland) which is why innocent people get caught in the crossfire.
They are all made of the same cloth...

America, get those thugs of yours out of the White House and start acting like people with REAL dignity!

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So, does anyone care to reconcile their love and adoration of Obama/Biden with . . .
[Report this comment]
Posted by: 6399 on Nov 6, 2008 6:28 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
the fact that Biden is a sick asshole who has made the lives of many moderate drug users miserable. How many lives do you think his policies have ruined?

Still waiting . . .

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One day
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Posted by: xmvince on Nov 6, 2008 7:42 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One day I will be able to say I was a veteran that won against the Government in the War on Drugs. Fight for your rights! If any one of our deserved freedoms are taken away, the rest are at risk! Don't let the government prevent you from deciding personal choices such as smoking marijuana.

"No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him." -- Thomas Jefferson

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» RE: One day Posted by: donl51

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Do you eat dog
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Posted by: kahuna_2bears on Nov 6, 2008 8:30 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have read your comments and several others.

If you were a real contrary (heyoka) you would have understood joni50's question when she asked you "do you eat dog?"

But with your ignorance; I better explain it to you.

Real Contrarys do a ceremony called the kettle dance. A black or white dog is killed as a sacrifice to the thunder beings, then the dog is cooked in a kettle. The contrary has the job of punging his or her hands and arms into a boiling kettle of water and fish out the dog's head, and serve the dogs head to the chief or respected elder.

I applaud you for your willingness to fight for the legalization of marijuana. The lies by the government is what made pot a gateway drug to hard core drugs just because a person tries pot, and begins thinking "They lied about pot. What else are they lying about?"

I just get sick and tired ot you pretending to be something many of uw who walk the red road know that you are an idiot.

You talk about Native American religion as if there was only one.

The ONLY commonality is they acknowledge the Great Spirit. but they call the Great Spirit by many names. the Cherokee (Ogedoda), Sioux (Wakan Tanka" Osage indians (Manitou), and so on.

Why don;t you stop pretending to be something you are not?

When you were talking about Wicca earlier; I completely left you alone.

There are Contrarys in virtually all traditions. back before the days of the court jester.

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» RE: Do you eat dog Posted by: donl51
» RE: Do you eat dog Posted by: kahuna_2bears
» RE: Do you eat dog Posted by: donl51
» RE: Do you eat dog Posted by: kahuna_2bears

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I LOVE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLANT
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Posted by: caru on Nov 7, 2008 1:10 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
WOA

YUM

THANKS

COOL

AHHHHHHHH.

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These types of threads...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Cybershaman on Nov 7, 2008 6:00 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...prove we have more in common than we think we do. Social lubricants rule! May wisdom prevail.

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» RE: These types of threads... Posted by: kungfuma

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prop 5 ,prop 8
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Posted by: kungfuma on Nov 7, 2008 12:53 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
plants:1, people:0

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» RE: prop 5 ,prop 8 Posted by: picklebarrela55

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Kije Hazelwood
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Posted by: bobnkije on Nov 7, 2008 2:34 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The County/Island (Big Island)of Hawaii passed a lowest law enforcement priority ordinance on Nov. 6th. It passed by 10000 votes (53% to 38%). Don't know what happened to the other 9% yet. Allows for no/low enforcement of adult comsumption and/or possession of up to 24 plants/24 ounces of marijuana. No medical necessity required. It also called for the County to deny green harvest funds (it had already done that) and to refuse deputation by DEA office. Let's keep making these steps and we will get to legality. aloha, Kije

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» RE: Kije Hazelwood Posted by: slugsucker
» RE: Kije Hazelwood Posted by: richholland
» RE: Kije Hazelwood Posted by: kungfuma

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Tired of being treated like bad kids!!!!!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Blacktiger on Nov 9, 2008 2:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since the early years of the 20th century the people of North America have been treated like bad little kids and I'm tired of it. I have tried MJ and I can find nothing wrong with it. My own experience was not the greatest as I was nauseated if I moved from a stilted position. I also cannot say whether it helps against this problem but if it helps people who have problems with chemo then hey give them a break. Then again if these same people were able to take advantage of the concentrated oil then they would likely not need chemo, and that would make Big Pharma unhappy. Well tough, it should be what is best for the patient. Anyway I'm glad there has been some break through.
So after all this time give my kids a break, if it helps with pain, or just keeping food down or helps with appetite so that a person can recover from eating disorders and such give it up and make it legal.

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oppression is a business
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Posted by: cbishopp on Nov 9, 2008 11:10 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Oppression creates jobs. It moves money. Fear reallocates wealth into dangerous hands who then payoff the impressionable to guard the general population.
That is the basic concept of the war on drugs.
They don't care if you are on drugs, big pharma just wants you on their drugs. These companies have spent millions convincing us all that we need drugs to be happy and normal.
Convincing us that we are sick when we are not.

As far as big business and legislation is concerned, it is very difficult to stop some crazy guy who can make a billion by just sitting behind a desk and passing a law that enslaves you. Someone has to enforce the law. Is it possible that America can use her own sons to arrest us and torture us?
Cops are people. They are neighbors and friends.
Most of the people who make the major decisions about your life will never look you in the face. You will never see them at the grocery store or in line at the movies but they choose how you live, what you eat, what you watch, what you wear and they don't care about you except that you are a unit of consumption.
Whether it is a Christmas present or a TV show or a jail cell it is all just a product to them and we are all faceless consumers.

Rebuild your community and take back your identity.
Replace fear with reality.

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And CLINTON Never Inhaled
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Posted by: Kimberly on Nov 9, 2008 6:41 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And Clinton Never Inhaled ~ if the President was Never Prosecuted for smoking pot, why should anyone else ?

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