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  1. mikey johnson

    I have to say now is the perfect time to be planning and organizing local pro-cannabis rallies for this summer. In the end there's no clearer message to state and local officials than people gathering peacefully in the streets. With this repeating week after week in different cities all across the country, we will catch the attention of those on a national level. These events would also make great fund raising opportunities for pro-cannabis campaigns. I see no better way to keep the ball rolling on all the wonderful progress we've made. I hope NORML, MPP and other drug reform groups are taking note. People are anxious. They want action, the sooner the better. If you are overcome with the urge to will this into being and NOW, turn your eye locally, organize and do something about it! All the drug reform groups have to do offer guidance and allow this movement to feed off it's own energy!

    Suggested by mikey johnson on 03/16/2009 @ 11:14PM PT

  2. Jesse Weaver

    Marijuana should be leglized for medicinal AND recreational purposes. I feel that there should be an age requirement such as tobacco and alcohol, to use marijuana legally. Companies should be allowed to grow and distribute quality marijuana, with strict guidlines. There should be rules on how it is grown, and should be treated as something that will be ingested by the public. No toxins, no miracle grow. This way, the Gov. can tax companies like these for profit. BUT, I feel that it should be completely legal and tax free to grow at home for personal use. Marijuana is after all just a plant, and should be treated that way. If you grow at home to sell, then you should pay tax just as farmers do. The government needs to take all of this in. Its stupid to ban something that God clearly put on earth. There is no special process to make marijuana, it just grows from the dirt. Can you tell me how thats wrong? Come on Obama, Yes We Can!... right?

    Suggested by Jesse Weaver on 03/11/2009 @ 12:09PM PT

  3. Eric Smith

    Well, its obvious that the U.S. government just about screws everything up to the best of its ability.... just look at the awesome bail out plans they came up with.  Not going to make a difference at all.  With Marijuana being legalized you just cut our jail populations by close to 50%.  You just found more funding for things like Education, Medicare, etc.......  I think that each state should be able to place taxes on Marijuana as well as the Federal Government.  The states can use the income for what they see fit..... Most of the southern states need to definitely focus on Education.  Of course you will still have people that grow their own but this will not affect income to the states or the country.  We put stiff taxes on any marijuana being imported.  You'll still have people trying to smuggle it in illegally but you just take what you confiscate and sell it to the processors.  I mean, how convenient would it be to just stop by the store and grab a pack of Marlboro Greens.  The government can allow the major cigarette company's to package the product.  They are already set up for processing and sales.  Millions of farmers can sell their plants to the company's for processing and mass production.  The farming industry booms.  Of course there is going to be ton's of problems with the system but you work those out as you go.  The government definitely will make a law for driving under the influence and illegally selling the product without proper licensing but this will protect us against stupid people, trying to smuggle in illegal dope and sell it without being properly permitted, which should be like getting your alcohol license, when you can get it at the convenient stores and what you spend goes back into the economy and country.  The price will probably be a little steep at first but once the farms get rolling and they can meet the demand for the product, prices can be regulated.  The gas company's do it now, why can't the farmers do it with weed.  You treat smoking weed just like smoking cigarettes, the states set their own smoking age which will probably be the same as the state's cigarette smoking age.  The ATF becomes the ATMF and becomes the government agency regulating the production, processing, sales, and distribution of the product.  They also set up a task force for any kind of illegal smuggling enforcement along with Border Patrol and Homeland Security. Individual companys and businesses set their own standards for their employees and their use of marijuana..... for example, most places don't let you come to work drunk, your probably not going to be allowed to come to work high.  With most of the nation being marijuana smokers, you might see a drop in violent crimes.  If everyone is getting high, who is going to be out shooting people and committing violent crimes.  The high ones would rather get something to eat and watch T.V. and chill out.  Sure your going to still have your fair share of things but by legalizing it, you might be surprised.  I'm sure there is a lot of details in my plan that can be tweaked and please do.  I think the change over will be a lot easier than people think.  It's just time to get the ball rolling. 

    Suggested by Eric Smith on 03/06/2009 @ 04:30AM PT

  4. alix thomson

    Just legalize it !!!  If we legalized it across the nation and taxed it , we could probably put a big dent in that trillion dollar deficit we a facing.

    Suggested by alix thomson on 03/02/2009 @ 01:07AM PT

  5. Jacob "Bear" Elert

    I just e-mailed NORML about possibly getting us a progress bar about how much we've donated to them as well as places their ad has begun showing.
    Please do the same and keep spreading the word!

    Suggested by Jacob "Bear" Elert on 03/01/2009 @ 10:26PM PT

  6. eddie torres

    What do you think is the most effective way to turn this idea into real policy?

    first we must realize that industrial hemp if legal would GREATLY help the cause of medicinal cannabis because people would realize what a useful plant it is when they see the clothing/fuel/food products... on shelves... when people see homes being built sustainably and affordably in theyre communities

    i am in no way implying that the plight medicinal cannabis users face is dier.... it is.

    Suggested by eddie torres on 03/01/2009 @ 05:35PM PT

  7. eddie torres

    WE AS A PEOPLE WANT all the subsidies industrial hemp has to offer... economic uses including medicinal and recreational uses thats right...

    we want all the subsidies of this amazing plant (hemp)

    Suggested by eddie torres on 03/01/2009 @ 05:25PM PT

  8. eddie torres

    ABOVE ALL industrial hemp is the real issue here... if "marijuana" use has been stereotyped and banned in america for americans "safety" it was so that industrial hemp, the biggest cash crop ever could be banished from use in the usa aswell.... look at this... legalize VS legal lies

    BOOMING INDUSTRIES ::: if only legal(manufacturingVSimporting ) in USA

    hemp homes/fiber board/hempcrete
    hemp food/fuel
    hemp paper
    hemp biodegradable plastics(zelfo)
    hemp textiles
    the amazon forests would no longer need to be cut for paper or building materials for homes... the petrolium industries would suffer with the introduction of vegitable oil fuels or ethanol.... YES WE CANNABIS HEMP HEMP HOORAY "economic supression leaves us in recession leading to another depression so lets hemp out our economy and hemp out earths ecology. lets help out ourselves!

    Suggested by eddie torres on 03/01/2009 @ 05:23PM PT

  9. Frank Flores

    Legalize it! I have wished for this day for most of my life.  The days when we as cannabis supporters and freedom loving Americans may finally triumph over ignorance, hysteria, propaganda, and oppression.  But now the realization of a few things has really got me worried. 

    ------Legalizing marijuana to what end?------
    What will they give us? Medical use only, meaning recreational use is still criminal so they make it prescription based?  Then worst they only allow you to buy it from them so your still in there control? 
    My fear is what controlling laws will they set in place. How will they limit our movement.

    "oh they wont do that" Put down the weed come back later and read this. What has the government "given" us that they didn't totally screw with us?

    Those that make some extra cash of our crops will no longer be able to make any money because you can bet your but Phillip Morris and like will start production as soon as they have paid to get there License to grow it.. Oh bet your bong on it Ladies and Gents. 

    It will remain illegal for private civilians to grow Cannabis on there property for any reason with out, Tax or license or other system of currency exchange with the government.

    This could very well be the worst thing we have done for ourselves.

    I think we should be clear on what we want.  It should be consider a plant, like any other. If you sell flowers you pay taxes on the profits that you make. Its that simple. No special taxes or license, state line tax, no special rules.

    If we are not clear on this and demand this we are just getting anything we want.

    Suggested by Frank Flores on 02/27/2009 @ 08:47AM PT

  10. mikey johnson

    The front lines in the legalization battle is likely to be in Cali over their legalization bill. All west coast smokers should make this a priority. If there has been no action on this bill by May 2nd all smokers out west should make it a point to attend the Global Marijuana March in Sacramento this year. I hate to ask people to forsake the marches in their own cities but being the state capital it is important to muster large crowds to show support for this bill in Sacramento. The time leading up to the march should be spent putting ever increasing pressure on not only representatives in California, but representatives in every state as well as those in Washington DC. We need to continue to push for reform and California is only part of it. We need to be pushing for similar bills in our home states regardless of if we think they will pass or not. This conversation needs to go on in all 50 state capitals.

    NORML is currently trying to raise money for advertising for this issue. As I've said before, anyone out there that really wants to see a workable cannabis policy in place needs to donate SOMETHING, ANYTHING to this fund. Without it we have no voice. And without a voice we'll get no action.

    Suggested by mikey johnson on 02/25/2009 @ 01:09PM PT

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