Mexico moves to decriminalize marijuana
Published May 01, 2009 @ 07:47AM PT
Mexico’s Senate passed a bill on Tuesday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana and other drugs. The bill would make it legal to carry up to 5 grams of marijuana in Mexico and defers low-level drug dealing cases to the Mexican states.
Proposed by President Felipe Calderon, the bill seeks to free up law enforcement resources in order to better fight violent drug cartels that have drawn international attention. The legislation must pass in the lower house before being sent to the president and signed into law.
This is notable not only because a similar proposal was vetoed by former Mexican President Vicente Fox under pressure from then-President Bush, but also because it closely follows Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan’s April 12 statement on Face the Nation that ending marijuana prohibition is a debate that should be happening on both sides of the border.
U.S. and Mexican officials estimate that between 60% and 70% of the drug cartels’ profits come from marijuana sales in the U.S. So while efforts to decriminalize marijuana possession in Mexico are laudable, ambitious legislation in the U.S. is needed to fully combat the rising tide of violence along the border.
See this piece from Reuters for more information on Mexico’s decriminalization bill.
Comments
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Author
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Ben Morris
- Arlington, VA
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Ben has been working at the Marijuana Policy Project for two years, managing grassroots outreach for their federal policies department. He also contributes to MPP's blog and writes newsletter articles.
Legalize Marijuana Featured Actions
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- Started by Phillip Cornwell
- 14895 People
Legalize Marijuana
man oh man why cant arizona catch on to this trend.i have lived here my whole life and i have a strange feeling we will be the last to join this great movement because of arizona's government.THANKS MCCAIN .i just want to sit in the comfort of my own home and smoke a joint.bothering no one.but yet my government wants to put me in a box for smoking a harmless plant.yet salvia is legal in any head shop and as soon as you smoke it you are instantly almost paralyzed and have no physical control over yourself.some of the most dangerous drugs are available right over the counter.but harmless marijuana makes you a criminal.stupid logic.
Posted by cody lee on 05/01/2009 @ 11:37AM PT
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they made ibogaine illegal also. it has a 70% sucess rate in curing people from heroin addiction.
Posted by sandra mcshane on 06/06/2009 @ 10:16PM PT
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This is an excellent opportunity for us to show what kind of changes can be made if only our police were free to pursue real crime instead of minor, victimless drug offenses. A policy like this in the U.S. could drop drug arrests by over half a million per year. That in turn would prove that the money this government spends on the drug war is ridiculous and then it could be diverted to other areas where it's actually needed, like health care, the economy or education.
Posted by Phillip Cornwell on 05/01/2009 @ 01:18PM PT
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ACLU.org just called me asking to donate to them again as i've been a donor in the past. i told them they will not be seeing another cent of my money unless they help bring to light the atrocities on humanity and mother earth caused by the prohibition on cannabis and HEMP.
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/01/2009 @ 01:58PM PT
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decriminialization for small possession in mexico great! but the cannabis has to come from some where, and we need that economy to be legal to zap the cartels and gangs of their profits. and to fully restore our human rights to grow and consume the flowers of a weed. and utilize in hundreds of other varieties cannabis' cousin HEMP.
make it happen NOW ACROSS THE AMERICAS OBAMA
end the unjust prohibition on cannabis and hemp!!
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/01/2009 @ 02:02PM PT
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Baby steps. It's all about baby steps. As unfortunately was the case when prohibition, this isn't going to end over night. It will be a slow and drawn out process. But the process has started. It's only a matter of time now till we have marijuana legalization and a sensible drug policy that help addicts overcome their addiction.
Remember everyone!!! Tomorrow is the Global Marijuana March. Be sure to contact local and national media to inform them of marches in your area and express your interest in seeing it covered. Also be sure to make it out to attend your local march and have your voice be heard. New polls put support for marijuana legalization at very close to 50%. The numbers at these Global Marijuana Marches grow each year. Pot rallies so far this year have drawn record numbers of people. Let's really make a statement tomorrow with the largest GMM to date!
Posted by mikey johnson on 05/01/2009 @ 04:36PM PT
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Would be legal now it Bush had not black mailed the pres of Mexico. We are the worlds major problem when it comes to ending the war on drugs. The greedy are making too much money on prohibition they want it to go on forever. So we force other counties to F--K their people by paying them billions of dollars. Its time we stopped this practice and ended the war on US...
CFJ
Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 05/01/2009 @ 06:55PM PT
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has anyone here ever heard of ibogaine? it has a 70% sucess rate in curing people of heroin addiction.it is illegal in the usa. i wonder why that is now!!!!!!!!!!!! hmmmmm!!!!!!!
Posted by sandra mcshane on 06/06/2009 @ 10:14PM PT
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Decriminalization is not a baby step, it's a moronic step, and a backwards step.
You can possess something, yet you cannot make or distribute it? Where is is going to come from? How does this really fix the core of the issue?
Open your eyes guys, this isn't a good thing. This will fail, and when it does it is going to be used as an example against every single one of us for why we could never do it.
Legalization with regulation is what you want, that is the first true baby step. Anything short of that and you're going to experience the same issues you do now.
So, the next time Obama addresses the marijuana issue and says "Look at Mexico, it failed." You remind him decriminalization is not legalization.
Posted by Michael Mayea on 05/02/2009 @ 05:09AM PT
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I completely agree.
Posted by Jacob "Bear" Elert on 05/03/2009 @ 01:01PM PT
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Decriminalization is just a last stand for the pro War on US (drugs) folks, they see the end of their oppression. A war started for racist ideas and still working today. Racism against a majority of people that feel as I do, "Live and Let Live!"
Total freedom is what I demand. Do they give people that drink a beer in their own house a $100.00 ticket and on the second ticket you have to go to rehab? How stupid is that? About as stupid a prohibition....
CFJ
Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 05/03/2009 @ 05:00PM PT
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DONT FORGET TO PROTEST TODAY!!!! IT IS GLOBAL MARIJUANA MARCH DAY
FIND YOURS HERE! http://globalmarijuanamarch.org/
Posted by rev baker aka rev420 on 05/02/2009 @ 08:12AM PT
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I like simple solutions!!
We legalizes cannabis Mexico legalizes cannabis now the cartels are legitimate produces of a product that sells well as we know. We can also produce cannabis and sell. Presto a new multibillion dollar industry that can be taxed and regulated. Ends all the problems with cannabis.
PLUS THE DICTATOR NAZI'S CAN QUIT PUTTING ONE MILLION MAINLY YOUNG NON-VIOLENT PASSIVE POOR POWERLESS PEOPLE OF COLOR IN JAIL EVERY YEAR DESTROYING THEIR LIVES!!!! FOR NO FUCKING REASON EXCEPT CORPORATE GREED AND RACISM.........
Cherokee Fred Jesus
Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 05/02/2009 @ 08:41AM PT
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"Not all the armies in the world can stop an idea whose time has come..."
Posted by christopher diamant on 05/02/2009 @ 05:38PM PT
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Good news from our southern border.
Posted by Lance C on 05/02/2009 @ 05:50PM PT
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One more time if Mexico allows freedom in their country. Stop making decisions against their own people for the American bribes (billions a year). I will move to Mexico just to enjoy freedom one more time before I die..
Cherokee Fred Jesus
Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 05/03/2009 @ 04:54PM PT
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well i think that this is an issue that can be very complex my friends but i insist on enforcing the law and even though it's just a little bit of herb who can guarentee that? and i hope that the mexican government can make the right decisions so that they can stop the cartels from running their bloody spree around mexico and in the united states.
Posted by xavi balderas on 05/04/2009 @ 06:28PM PT
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We need to legalize, not decriminalize. Although it is a step in the right direction its still going to cause little problems. If anything goes wrong with it everyone is going to use it as an example of why its 'bad'.
Why cant it just be legal? When you can go and get yourself a pack of cigarettes and sign your life away. When there has yet to be a case of marijuana caused death in the history of its use.
Its makes no sense whatsoever.
Posted by Jackson Berry on 05/06/2009 @ 07:30AM PT
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Diane Feinstein is a moron
Dear Mr. Newman:
Thank you for writing to me regarding the use of medical marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond to your letter.
Drug use in the United States is a serious problem that can create countless economic and social problems. In my years as a public servant, I have seen the havoc that drug use can bring, not just to individuals, but to entire communities. While I understand your concerns about the current legal classification of marijuana, and appreciate your well thought out opinions on this topic, please know that I do not support the legalization of illegal drugs, including marijuana. My convictions on this matter have been developed over many years of experience in criminal justice, including nine years as a mayor who worked very closely with the law enforcement community. I know the tragedy that drug abuse causes in the lives of the addicted and on victims of drug-related crimes and their families.
However, while I do not support the legalization of any illegal drug for recreational use, please know that I do recognize that marijuana may have medicinal properties that could alleviate conditions such as AIDS-related wasting and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Given this, I am examining what, if any, changes to Federal law are called for. Please know that I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind should the Senate consider medical marijuana related issues in the future.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on the issues of importance to you. Best regards.
Sincerely yours, Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/06/2009 @ 02:24PM PT
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can we add a couple words (& HEMP) to our ideas tab and make this an actual cause on the front page of our site please? Legalize the Medicinal and Recreational Use of Marijuana & HEMP
this would help get us a few more supporters maybe.
cnn is on this issue...john walters was an idiot...checkit out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sQkc2gPbbA&feature=player_embedded
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/08/2009 @ 12:26AM PT
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I saw this too, and it was great seeing Anderson Cooper stopping Walters from giving his standard "Drugs are bad M'okay" rant.
That, and seeing him being firm about re-directing Walters back to the questions Cooper asked - and the discussion/debate they were there to have!
(Walters repeatedly wanted to "go back the previous part", he did manage to do so for a short bit, once spewing some B.S. "facts" and decades old propaganda.)
It's obvious Walters IS NOT willing to debate this with anything approaching an open mind, or to have an honest talk about implementing a Change in our country's horribly outdated policies regarding marijuana prohibition.
Which of course was the question that Gov. Schwarzenegger, was asked about in that press conference (that iirc was held primarily to address the current California wildfires), and the Gov's answer to the question was essentially (I'm paraphrasing/summarizing Arnold), "We really should have an open talk about this... and start a new debate on the issue -one that addresses the current science/research, facts, and the effects of similar legalization programs that have been conducted in other countries."
That's why this news story was about and Walters made it very clear that he's NOT willing to do so - he rejected everything that A.Cooper & Jeffrey Miron said, even things that are generally accepted as "facts" by most people.
For example: That Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol - Walters went off first on tangent about "how much stronger=worse today's MJ is than it used to be"...
And then he went on another tangent about not wanting "more users out there" and the cliche "the increased cost to society" bit- not figuring in or even acknowledging the current 'cost to society', due to the Prohibition of marijuana, and that those 2 "costs" may cancel each other out - and could quite possibly give us a socially beneficial effect.
But that's something that Walters and those who share his view are unwillingly/unable to fathom - it totally blows away their entire world-view, and they might have to get new jobs, lol.
Kudos to AC for doing his best to keep the story on track, and to Miron for making several good points...
Ones that Walters couldn't refute with anything but ludicrous claims of "facts" most people know are false - all the while, showing everyone (who's not already pre-disposed to side with him) his major bias and stubborn flat-out refusal to even 'approach the table' open-minded, and his ignorance and/or denial of what are (to an ever increasingly larger portion of the country) accepted "truths" about marijuana prohibition & legalization.
Posted by Bryan Snowden on 05/08/2009 @ 09:54AM PT
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If you are uneducated and support the war on US (drugs) here is what the warriors are doing..
It is not at all uncommon for the war on drugs to target the very last people among us who ought to be treated as criminals:
For example, the 90-year-old couple, Lester (”Smitty”) and Mary Smith–who were raided at their Philo home last week (9.24.08) with law enforcement seizing their life savings and all their plants in the process–are qualified patients with doctors’ approvals and did nothing wrong.Smitty said, “I wasn’t worried a bit. I knew it was legal. I planted six plants two years in a row and this year, I planted 17 for me and Mary. That’s not too many is it? My wife is very ill, confined to a wheelchair or recliner. She likes the bud tea. She has severe arthritis. It makes it easier for her to get around. She walks easier; she can walk to the bathroom even by herself.”
Smitty has health issues too. “I have heart problems, blood clots, stomach cramps, emphysema, bad hips. I’ve had a heart attack. I sometimes get strong chest pains and can’t breathe right. I take nitroglycerine. That brings me back. My doctors want me to take more x-rays here locally but that would be a big expense. Usually, I go to the Veterans Hospital and they pay for it.”
Mary Smith was forced to stay in the house by herself during the 5-hour raid while additional warrants for an adjoining parcel were telephoned in and delivered, allowing sheriff’s deputies to enter all the residences.
The elderly Smiths were not arrested or charged with a crime, because there was none. Sheriff’s deputies were apparently more interested in robbery than arrest (excuse my french). They seized the two things that mattered most to the ill couple–their medicine, all 17 plants, leaving nothing–and their life savings, $52,000 from Mary Smith’s inheritance and $29,000 in cashed in CDs.
“As soon as the bail-out hit, I cashed in my CDs and put the money in a safe in my house. I did not sell pot to get it. But turns out my money was not safe. They stormed in here and turned our world upside down. I thought I was legal.” [IndyBay]
This is the real war on drugs. It’s not some magic formula that only screws over bad people. The drug war proliferates injustice everywhere it goes.
News Hawk: User: http://www.420magazine.com/
Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 05/10/2009 @ 09:36AM PT
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so sad, do americans, in particular the religious right and our LAWMAKERS, feel any humanity?
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/10/2009 @ 12:44PM PT
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They only care about power and money. Money given to them ever year contributed by the companies and peo[ple that profit from the war on US (drugs)..
Help stop the bribery that takes away our freedom..
http://www.change.org/actions/view/step_one_end_special_interest_in_washington
Thanks
Cherokee Fred Jesus
Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 05/16/2009 @ 06:19AM PT
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I think this is a great move for the Mexican people, and maybe Congress will get a clue from it...
But Ive got a problem with this. When Obama just went to Mexico to discuss the drug problem, Calderon and crew complained that US demand is the real problem, and sent Obama back home with the message "We need to crack down on drug use!"
Well, well, here they were planning on legalizing personal use amounts in THEIR country whilst insisting on crackdowns on us US citizens.
Posted by J L on 05/11/2009 @ 04:25AM PT
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The wheels of the WoD go round and round...
Fears in U.S. drug war will destabilize Mexico
Carolyn Lochhead SF Chronicle Washington Bureau 3.12.9
http://tinyurl.com/6290CzarMexMurders
Servetus: BTW, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, “An estimated 6,290 drug-related murders occurred in Mexico last year...”
6,290 Drug Czar Walters / Boosh-related murders
Referring to the carnage in Mexico...
We're the Free Mexican Air Force and we're flyin' tonight!
Mexico Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Drugs
Owning marijuana, cocaine and even heroin
will no longer be a crime in Mexico
if the drugs are carried in small amounts for personal use,
under legislation passed by the Congress.
Bad research makes headlines
"[Marijuana] is highly intoxicating
and constitutes an ever recurring problem
where there are Mexicans or Spanish-Americans
of the lower classes."
- New York Times - Newspaper (1933)
* Mexico legal-drug bill condemned
* S.D. officials worried about spillover effect
* U.S. Cautious on Mexico Drug Measure 4.29.6
* DEAth Raid 13 San Diego Area Marijuana Dispensaries 12.13.5
* Lou Dobbs and the Second Mexican War. Has It Already Begun?
Counting the Costs of the Drugwar by Richard Cowan on 2.16.6
After intense pressure from the United States
* OH, MEXICO (OH, THE EMBARRASSMENT)
US officials have now embarrassed us with both our immediate neighbors
by interfering in their internal drug policies.
* Threats From USA Force Mexico to Drop Decrim Plans
* MEXICO MOVES TO DECRIMINALIZE DRUG POSSESSION
-- NO, WAIT, NEVERMIND
For a few days this week, it looked like Mexico
was going to decriminalize drug possession,
but that ended Wednesday when President Fox
rejected the bill under US pressure.
"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US,
and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers.
Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage.
This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations
with Negroes, entertainers and any others."
-- Harry Anslinger,
1937 testimony to Congress in support of the Marijuana Tax Act.
In the Morenos Mountains campesinos are planting their fields
While the ghost of Zapata rides a horse that can still outrun the wind
While free in the sky high above, nearly clear out of sight
It's the Free Mexican Air Force flyin' tonight.
In the City of Angels a cowboy is cooling his heels
Remembering that God gave us herbs and the fruits of the fields
But a criminal law that makes outlaws of those seeking light
Made the Free Mexican Air Force, Mescalito riding his white horse --
Yeah the Free Mexican Air Force is flyin' tonight!
(After every verse:) Flying so high - yi - hiyeeeee! ...
How strange that an innocent herb causes money to burn
They'll jail you or kill you for making those rich fat cats squirm.
They're the fools who make rules with no difference between wrong and right
That's why the Free Mexican Air Force is flyin' tonight.
Uncle Sam in his misery put a Nix on the fields of, Guerreros
Sayin' shoot down all gringos and wetbacks who dare wear sombreros
Either run for your life, surrender, or stand up and fight --
Or join the Free Mexican Air Force, Mescalito riding his white horse,
Yeah the Free Mexican Air Force is flying tonight!
It is not marijuana destroying the minds of the young
But confusion continued for power and greed in all forms
Well, the borders of evil will fall to the smugglers of light
We're the Free Mexican Air Force and we're flyin' tonight!
In San Antonio they tell me that power and money are one
They can buy us or sell you to keep you afraid, on the run
But no one can stop us! My vision is clearly in sight
And the Free Mexican Air Force, Mescalito riding his white horse,
Yeah the Free Mexican Air Force is flyin' tonight
Some were smoking Colitas while other were loading their guns
Blowing smoke from their six-shooters, spinning their barrels for fun
Contrabandistas, banditos alike --
We're the Free Mexican Air Force and we're flyin' tonight.
High in the hills we are harvesting sweet sensemilla (?)
Yeah the law wants it all 'cause they know that the wild weed can free ya
And freedom for us is a prison for the rulers of might
That's why the Free Mexican Air Force -- Mescalito riding his white horse --
Yeah, the Free Mexican Air Force is flyin' tonight
Flyin' so high- yi- yee...Flyin' tonight!
Free Mexican Air Force by Peter Rowan
Posted by DdC Cannabist on 05/14/2009 @ 02:31AM PT
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Everyone who has ever used marijuana as a drug should collectively go to Washington, DC., and tell our governing representatives they have two choices 1) Decriminalize drug use, because it is none of our governments business what the citizenry do to their own bodies if it is done responsibly and does not endanger the public. OR 2) We'll take back our government by force, as is our right, since you no longer represent the will of the People!
Posted by John Curotto on 05/17/2009 @ 07:15AM PT
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the marijuana march meetup in san francisco was kinda weak this year. to much harping on medical marijuana strides. we need FULL LEGALIZATION and maybe this does cause for a more massive public display of our ANGER AT CANNABIS and HEMP prohibition.
the studies have already been done for decades and they can't find anything harmful that these flowers can do to humans. so let those that want to consume be free to do so! and those that like to judge who keep drinking alcohol, the blood of christ, and smoking your ciggarettes in this 'FREE" society know that we will not rest until we too are again amongts the FREE.
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/30/2009 @ 01:04PM PT
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Why do people harp on the legalizing of this weed when millions are hungry and wasting away due to poverty that result from the Iraq war, a war that gulped all our resources to care for our sons, daughters, mothers, brothers, and fathers? Why too shouldn't those who went away with all this trillion of dollas be forced to return their loot? They stacked away all these dollas and build mansions for themselves and their children both living and yet to be born, but hundreds of millions are near death from their ineptitude. If there is love in this society, these people that plunged this great nation into this mess must be made to answer for their error. One way is to make them to return a great percentage of what they looted, upto 75% of everything.
For why penalize Madok and Stanford when some have swindled America of trillions? Let this administration consider this too as a way to help the poor in our society.
Posted by Jahken Omaji on 05/19/2009 @ 06:51AM PT
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END WARS EVERYWHERE. WASTED RESOURCES SPENT ON WARS ARE APALLING. Stop killing other humans and ruining others psychologically forever!
that said this war on cannabis & hemp is on the homefront of the americas so daily i choose to voice my opinion for the need to change with fellow humans.
the prohibition on cannabis and hemp must end throughout the americas. it cannot be kept up for the next million years..so end it now.
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/30/2009 @ 12:59PM PT
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http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/2762-4049
Everyone Go here and vote on this isue! Another Obama site.
Posted by Andrew Snyder on 05/23/2009 @ 06:53AM PT
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MEXICO IS ABSOLUTELY ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND IF OUR GOVERNMENT HAD A "BRAIN" THEY WOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND MAKE ALCOHOL ILLEGAL! IT WOULD ALSO FREE UP OUR PRISON SYSTEM FOR THOUSANDS OF "VIOLENT" CRIMINALS TO TAKE THE PLACE OF POT SMOKERS! I WAS A PRISON GUARD IN A MAX. SECURITY PRISON FOR OVER 5 YRS.--OVER HALF THE INMATES WERE THERE FOR NON-VIOLENT CRIMES PRETAINING TO MARIJUANA--TO ME, THAT JUST NEVER DID COMPUTE QUIET RIGHT!
Posted by Brenda H. on 05/27/2009 @ 10:17PM PT
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END THE INHUMANE AND $$ WASTING PROHIBITION ON CANNABIS AND HEMP
Prohibitionists Are In Control Of The Border Who controls the U.S.-Canada border (Editorial: Crossing the line, The Times, May 24)?
Cannabis (marijuana) prohibitionists do, that’s who. Cannabis prohibition is a discredited, failed and harmful government-subsidized discrimination program that should never have been allowed to start and should have ended years ago. Problems due to cannabis prohibition can only increase; nothing good will ever come from the nightmare. Nearly every study, including government studies, call for an end to the farce.
In the early 1970s, the Le Dain Commission’s report along with Canada’s 2002 Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs’ report unanimously recommended to regulate cannabis the same way as alcohol.
Since Canada ignored those recommendations, the problems associated with prohibiting the relatively safe, socially acceptable, God-given plant cannabis have escalated. And it’s not limited to Canada; look at what’s happening in the U.S. and Mexico.
For decades, U.S. prohibitionists have spent billions to perpetuate reefer madness and millions of North Americans bought the crime. The only way to end the misdeeds is to finally end cannabis prohibition. It’s time to treat cannabis prohibitionists like vampires.
http://www.420magazine.com/forums/in...ol-border.html
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/30/2009 @ 12:56PM PT
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thought this was well written. obama will lose the next election if he continues to mock the marijuana community.
http://govaporize.com/barak-where-would-you-be-today-if-arrested-for-cannabis-possession/
President Obama angered many in the Marijuana Legalization Movement some weeks ago when he dismissed the most asked question in preparation for his Virtual Townhall Meeting. The question? Here’s the exact quote from the president:
“THE PRESIDENT: Three point five million people voted. I have to say that there was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy — (laughter) — and job creation. And I don’t know what this says about the online audience — (laughter) — but I just want — I don’t want people to think that — this was a fairly popular question; we want to make sure that it was answered. The answer is, no, I don’t think that is a good strategy — (laughter) — to grow our economy. (Applause.)”
Not cool and definitely does not reflect the intelligence and thoughtfulness that has put him in the White House. He made a mockery of it which not only was disrespectful and dismissive to the thousands of families suffering from a loved one imprisoned for a victimless non violent crime but also to those actually in prison. The United States has become a support system for the prison industry through cannabis prohibition, jailing people who in many cases had never had so much as a traffic ticket. Where is the justice there? Where is the REAL CRIME?
What is so ironic and what angers me more than anything about President Obama’s attitude towards the marijuana legalization or decriminalization issue is that he admitted to using marijuana frequently as a young man and even admitted to cocaine use. So we have someone who is INTIMATELY aware of the issue, who has used it regularly himself, knows that nearly half of all Americans have done the same and he makes a joke out of it while we have arrested nearly 370,000 people so far this year JUST for cannabis possession. (See the Drug Sense War Clock in the sidebar.) We have 5% of the world’s population and incarcerate 25% of its prisoners. Do you really think we can still call ourselves “the land of the free” anymore? We have more people in prison than China and we say they are oppressive.
So to cut to the chase, here’s my question President Obama.
If you had been arrested for cannabis possession as a young man, or God forbid cocaine possession, Where would you be today?
You sure as hell wouldn’t be President. You probably would not even have been able to attend Law School. Your life would be COMPLETELY different, just like those who are in prison now who were scientists, lawyers, doctors, business owners, musicians, teachers, etc.
Think about that the next time you are considering the marijuana legalization issue and try to visualize how many young men and women with similar inteligence and abilities or even greater are in prison for JUST THAT.
How many Carl Sagans, Richard Bransons, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Bob Marleys, Michael Phelps, Ted Turner, Montel Williams, Stephen King, etc. I could go on and on. I would say ALL of those people have had a positive impact on society, yet where would our society be if they had been arrested before they acheived their greatness?
Stop holding your finger up to ascertain the wind of popularity and do the right thing, President Obama. Be a statesman instead of a politician, stop thinking about re-election and think of the people who are suffering, think of the over 10,000 killed in the Drug War in Mexico, think of the health of the planet from growing hemp.
Repeal Cannabis Prohibition and free ALL of the non violent prisoners of the failed Drug War. Allow the farming of Industrial Hemp like every other industrialized nation and allow the growth of a naturally occurring plant that has been used safely for thousands of years with NOT ONE DEATH from its use.
To ALL of my followers I ask you to PLEASE pass this on so that it is seen by as many eyes as possible. I want to be able to look President Obama in the eye and ask the question and if they will not let me I want to see someone else ask it.
I want to know his answer, does anyone else? Ask yourself the same question.
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 06/08/2009 @ 08:28AM PT
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has anyone considered "WATER" in the argument for ending the prohibition on cannabis & hemp?
it takes roughly 200 to 700 liters of water to make one litre of WINE. http://wineindustryinsight.com/?p=1415 lets say a conservative wineo drinks a bottle every other day rounding down to 3 bottles a week. in six months that person has consumed 78 bottles of wine, which (78*450=) roughly 35,000 liters of water to support their choice of vice over six months, or 192 liters PER DAY.
on my last 3 month indoor grow cycle, i used less then 700 liters of water to grow 6 cannabis plants (3 sativas & 3 indicas). these 6 plants have lasted me just about 6 months which comes out to less then 4 liters a day.
we are in a time of water shortage, which "vice" or "choice" is better for the planet???
END THE PROHIBITION ON CANNABIS & HEMP and help SAVE our WATER SUPPLY
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 07/30/2009 @ 02:30PM PT
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