Legalize Marijuana - Ideas for Change in America

What do you think is the most effective way to turn this idea into real policy? Add your suggestions here for how you think we should run an advocacy campaign to advance the idea – including the overall strategy, messaging, targets, and tactics.

Approach this from the standpoint that people reading this forum already agree with you on the importance of the issue, and are asking "What can we do to help make this a reality?"

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jillian thought you should see my buddy abhik's message he just sent to kelloggs marketing, "To KELLOGGS:
You guys are ridiculous. An Olympic superstar has been dropped for actions that are completely legal in some states, but even more so for an action that is only illegal because the US Government has not found a feasible way to profit from marijuana.
Many studies have shown the effects of tobacco are much worse than marijuana, yet your company still endorses individuals who are smokers and are endorsed by the tobacco industry, mainly the crews you have sponsored in NASCAR.
If you are really trying to make a public statement, you should be consistent with your actions and include any health risks to the public, including your own product (Corn Flakes) that have been known to contain acrylamide, a carcinogen.
I agree with Jeff Newman and I too will now drop KELLOGGS from my grocery list.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds..." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
A foolish move indeed KELLOGGS,

but Abhik is wrong, the government has found a way of profiting on it FOR NOW....our tax dollars pay government employees for starters the DEA. then the DEA actually steal loads of ready to consume cannabis products, countless marijuana plants and lots and lots of CASH from the medical marijuana dispensaries in states with progressive marijuana laws. no doubt human morality comes into play at times some DEA even will funnel this stolen stash into the underground economy.

this is government and taxpayer WASTE whilst Invading our personal FREEDOM to CHOOSE. and it MUST END NOW, i truly envision smoking a joint legally in any state in 2010 under the GOBAMA grassroots team.

Suggested by jeffrey C oldman on 02/06/2009 @ 02:12PM PT
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we need to be really careful not to make this a medical marijuana issue. it needs to be a full end of the prohibition of marijuana and hemp.

the green portland folks sure have great legislation that we need to make national now. lhttp://www.cannabistaxact.org/

Suggested by jeffrey C oldman on 02/06/2009 @ 01:26PM PT
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Marijuana in California - Living in LA and the medical marijuana experience. Currently, California, like many states, are now at odds with the Federal Government. State law has already passed the use of medical marijuana and local law authority, for the most part, is onboard. Yet, the DEA still like to fly in and bust dispensaries ever so often.

As you can see, we are already in the process of legalizing marijuana. If enough states change their legal views it will force the Feds to do only one of two things - legalize it or simply quit upholding marijuana laws. Obama has already stated his administration is not looking to utilize these resources. The DEA are making their final busts in California this week.

As a CA card holder, I am already paying a sales tax on marijuana, there are already a multitude of products being created & used to ingest (edibles like cookies, candy, ice cream, or sprays, gum strips, soda's, etc...) - healthier options to smoking. The # of dispensaries has grown rapidly and the options keep getting better. You need a prescription from your doctor, it's not something being prescribed to minors. The fears created about legalizing marijuana are already a thing of the past. It's really just a matter of continuing to apply the pressure that has been created.

A positive ad campaign in the media would proably be one of the best solutions to changing the level of "fear" that many still have. A strong focus on where marijuana reform laws have already worked and how they could work in your neighborhood.

Utilizing the medical marijuana intiative has been a very positive push for reforming these laws, however, I would suggest that the real push ahead of us ly in the other uses of marijuana. Hemp is a strong naturqal resource that can be cultivated quickly. We, as a nation, can grow, harvest, and build a very different world if we continue this pursuit.

Imagine Hemp digging into the timber industries market? or the rubber and plastic industry? What about fuels? There are so many possibilities for this little plant, that medical use is simply one end result. So I ask of everyone to remember that this issue, this fight, should not stop once the health war is one. We need to continue to look to the future & our future should be one paved in sustainability and green living, especially utilizing our God given gift of Marijuana.

Suggested by Matthew Zane Hammer on 02/06/2009 @ 01:11PM PT
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I agree with Patrick Walker it would help in the medical legalization,& tax it, oh, lets say. $20 a pack of 20.

Suggested by Alex Kura on 02/06/2009 @ 11:53AM PT
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I think we have to use what we've used before but get more out there with it. The people already support this that's been shown. Here is our county we voted in the last election (overwhelmingly) to make pot the last police priority. The police said they'll ignore that vote. We need to put the pressure on our elected and appointed officials to follow the will of the people. The grassroots organization that Obama established is a good model. Yes, together, we can. aloha, Kije Hazelwood and Bob Reichman

Suggested by Margaret Hazelwood on 02/06/2009 @ 11:53AM PT
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I have developed a template for the distribution network for legalized cannabis. It is as follows:

1. No sales allowed to minors; the age of majority to be determined by the several states.

2. Commercial operations would be limited in square footage, and in the case of indoor cultivation, total wattage of illumination.

3. The commercial operation must produce all cannabis consumed and/or sold onsite.

4. To keep as much revenue as local as possible, licensing of the commercial operations would be addressed at the local level and modeled after current liquor licensing regimes. Commercial firms would be subjected to inspection, just as local drinking establishments are.

5. No alcohol sales in conjunction with cannabis sales allowed.

6. Personal cultivation of cannabis would not be regulated; however, the sale of cannabis outside the regulatory framework would be punished in accordance with current alcohol statutes (i.e. “bootlegging” and “moon-shining” would still apply to illegal cannabis sales).

Please share your thoughts.
In a debate a number of years ago, the then governor of New Mexico slapped down Asa Hutchinson handily, but stumbled when he said he didn't know how the distribution system would work. I developed this list and sent it to him. I was sent in return a very nice reply on gold-leaf stationary. I mention this only because some in government do realize it is time for change in this area.
So, let's better the above list and that will severe that argument from the debate.

Suggested by Jarrod Loerzel on 02/06/2009 @ 09:04AM PT
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At the risk of repeating many intelligent points made here (no time to read them all) this issue is THE catalyst for change in all aspects of American life. Allow me to start with the most urgent... the economy. We listen to congress debate the same solutions for this economic crisis... spending vs. tax cuts. The only model we have for conquering a depressed economy is FDR in the great depression. Some claim tax cuts were the solution I’m sure that was a contributing factor. Others claim the manufacturing employment created by the war was the deciding factor, I’m sure it also contributed. The truth is that neither of these were long term solutions. The deciding factor was the lifting of the alcohol prohibition. This created long term industry and generated remarkable tax income, while saving the fed, state and local govts $ spent on a losing battle. Next issue should be energy, and eliminating US dependency on foreign oil. Not that we should abandon solar, wind, hydro-electric methods, but hemp cultivation for the purpose of creating bio-fuels seems to be the quickest, most economic, safest, most environmentally friendly and job creating method available. Hemp can achieve harvest-status at a rate much faster than corn, and will not affect the food supply in the process. This is a seed-based source of renewable energy that is unrivaled. Let’s talk healthcare. I'm sure many of you here have covered the essentials, and much is up for debate between MDs and scientist, but we still have not 1 human (or non-human) death resulting from cannabis, and this cannot be debated. The pharm. industry (along w/ tobacco co., alcohol co., and privatized incarceration co.) are still the main source of resistance to legalization. I am not a Dr., but it seems to me that this has nothing to do w/ health concerns (or they would attack tobacco co.) but only competition and their bottom line. These efforts essentially validate the medical benefits of cannabis, and the only legislation that this industry will accept is that which gives them control of it. That is why “medical use by prescription only” is not an option. Crime. Statistics have shown that over 60% of all persons currently incarcerated in the US were sentenced for non-violent drug offenses, and that roughly 85% of those were marijuana charges. That translates to literally millions of people, and who is benefitting? Private corporations like GEO and CCA who have taken over the prison business and receive tens of thousands of $ from the govt. per inmate per year (not to mention the profits from the slave labor that these inmates are forced to do for literally pennies.) Remember, when the prohibition was lifted the organized crime element decreased substantially. Legalization of cannabis would have the same effect on many of the violent drug cartels currently wreaking havoc along our borders. True, it would not completely eliminate this problem, as we still have laws that promote the increasing financial value of cocaine, heroin, etc., but would be a substantial hit to their business. Down to wasted tax-payer dollars, and this is an easy one. HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF $ per year would be saved, or potentially spent fighting drugs like crystal meth and pcp, which will truly destroy our children.... A no-brainer. So what would we do about all the pot-head stoners that would be running wild in America? If regulated like alcohol, this is easily controlled. Same laws apply to operating motor vehicles, public consumption, etc. Ask any farmer in the US (or anywhere in+the world) about hemp cultivation, and the majority are enthusiastically onboard. We must understand that it is the corporations that rigorously oppose the legalization of cannabis, as it would generate industry that they cannot easily hoard. It is their $ that determines what actions lawmakers take, not public opinion. As for those who oppose legalization based on religious beliefs...have them re-read Genesis 1:12. With over 5000 known industrial uses, hemp is the most versatile natural substance known to man, and we have deprived ourselves of it’s benefits for too long. Without utilizing this gift from mother earth, we may not be capable of sustaining our civilization... all of the technological advancements imaginable are not capable of replacing the benefits of nature. I am not implying that hemp cultivation and legalization alone will cure all of our problems, but I do believe that it (the utilization of nature) is the cornerstone to the preservation of our society and embodies the mind-set that we must take in order to progress. If we insist on fighting nature, nature will win. I welcome all who disagree to freely express their opinion, I’m all ears. (I have preached to the choir long enough, I should put this thing out. Thanks for listening.)

Suggested by Patrick Walker on 02/06/2009 @ 08:47AM PT
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Definately the media should be utilized, 1. as a primary goal to eduacate and enlighten the masses as to the true FACTS of marijauna-counteracting the outrageous myths about both the plant itself and what is known factually about the about the true effects of marijuana use, both long and short term. A huge number of people out there still equate marijuana use with a 'Reefer madness' mindset. 2. The ads should also emphasize the enormous financial costs involved in the 'drug war' that our country has been waging for decades, lost before it began. The money required to proscecute and imprison for long periods of time (for non-violent marijuana related charges) is mindboggeling and sickeningly wasteful. All information in the commercials of course should held to the highest standards and not exaggerated, or embellished. At some point a strong concerted effort needs to be put forth encouraging a popular vote on the subject of legaliztion-but like any issue, the people have to be educated with the facts, and not base their vote solely on the misinformation we have all been subjected to for so long-misinformation and downright lies. Education in this area is the same as any other-essential. Nationwide petitions should be circulated, encouraging people to at least demand a popular vote.
nothing is ever acheived unless the people have the courage to stand up, be counted and work dilligently to effect a change.

Suggested by Laura Gavey on 02/06/2009 @ 08:24AM PT
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Before the picture emerged, Michael Phelps had already been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving is dangerous. People die. And yet Kellogg’s thought that Michael Phelps, the admitted drunk driver was okay to put on their cereal boxes.

Well, Kellogg’s, your tacit approval of drunk driving as preferable to responsible adult marijuana use will not go unnoticed.

BOYCOTT KELLOGG'S!

Here’s the email for Kellogg’s VP of Marketing. robert.woodall@kellogg.com

Let them know what you think of their message of support for the prohibition!! And ask them this, where are the victims. Where are the victims when an adult consumes cannabis? Where are the victims when he sows a seed, nurtures the plant, and dries its flowers so that he may relax with it in the privacy of his own home? There are NONE!

Any action taken in support of the prohibition is contrary to the wellbeing of our nation. Tell Kellogg’s that this decision just isn’t good enough.

Suggested by Jillian Galloway on 02/06/2009 @ 08:18AM PT
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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/02/kellogs-dumps-m.html

lets boycott kellogs

Suggested by William Fleisher on 02/06/2009 @ 07:45AM PT
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