Listen carefully...
By louisehartmann
And you’ll hear the drug war breathing its last gasps. Following the historic passage of marijuana legalization laws in Colorado and Washington, our federal government is now under pressure to abandon its continued war on drugs – in particular its war on marijuana. Eighteen Members of Congress wrote a letter this week to the Department of Justice to allow states to be “laboratories of democracy” and create their own drug laws to address the “disproportionate impact that marijuana has on minorities.”
The letter defends the decision of voters in Colorado and Washington saying: “These states have chosen to move from a drug policy that spends millions of dollars turning ordinary Americans into criminals toward one that will tightly regulate the use of marijuana while raising tax revenue to support cash-strapped state and local governments.” Basically, lawmakers in Congress are telling the federal government to get out of the way when it comes to state drug laws.
Last Friday, two lawmakers in the House introduced legislation that would exempt states with their own marijuana laws from the Controlled Substances Act’s marijuana regulations. This isn’t about letting American get high when they want to. This is about ending a racist, ineffective, and costly drug war that has ruined the lives of millions of Americans. And we’re winning.
Comments
#2
I have always admired the way each state can make its own laws. It makes America very unique. Most countries are all under a Federal rule with every thing. If you don't like them you can always go to a different state. Shouldn't everthing that can be done at a state level be done at a state level? I guess that would never work as all the companies and money would move to the states with the lowest taxes and regulations. It is a good thing that isn't happening now. Or is it.
How is a law Racist Thom doesn't it apply to everyone? I know this is a crazy, radical though but don't smoke or have weed on you and you will never be charged. Man
#3
I'm just glad that I don't live right next door to a huge major polluter like a refinery where I'm sure the pollution levels must be through the roof...it could adversely affect one's ability to think straight...make people bat sh1t crazy.
#4
Legalization will save us a hell of a lot of money. Add up the costs of enforcement, prosecution, incarceration, probation and add in the potential revenue from taxation, it's gonna be a pile of loot. Makes me wanna roll a fattie.
#5
Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy!
#6
Let's have truth in labeling here. Nobody's making war on drugs, because drugs are not combatants. They don't take up arms, they don't fight back, they don't hold territory, they can't be fined or arrested or jailed or killed. They are merely substances.
No, what we have, and what we should properly call it, is a War on Drug-Using Americans.
It is cleverly helping us finance BOTH sides in the war in Afghanistan and providing the world's leading excuse for keeping our southern border porous and much of Latin America in economic and political turmoil.
As we SHOULD have learned during the Prohibition Era, there is no drug so awful that its effects can't be made worse by prohibiting it.
#7
I'm all for legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and believe that those that want to smoke socially should be able to do so in private. No smoking/driving!! The research shows that marijuana properties do help those suffering from chemotherapy, children with brain cancer, and so much more. That Rockefeller/Hearst prohibited it purely for corporate greed should be indication enought that it was wrong to do. To imprison millions of people for social/medicinal use is horrendous! I just do not want to see the USA in the same boat as Canada. Where one company (PrairiePlantSystem) grows it and sells it to the CDN gov't thru Big Pharma in pill form at a hugh cost to those that really need it - Not good!! Michigan already has PrairiePlant in the upper pennisula - growing. Growing for Richard DeVos (billionaire), Amway, who will distribute in his herbal line. Michigan people got the proposal through; but, Snyder destroyed it. So, we will see who gets to actually get this passed legitimately; but, I don't see it happening until the Feds REALLY do the necessary reading of research and declare it a "safe" drug!!
#8
..uhh... we still can't get high when we want to? ....
#9
One can only hope this war is over. It HAD to cost a trillion dollars so far since Nixon declared the drug war in 1973. What a waste of money! 50% of people in jail are drug related. And by the way, in 1972 they were contemplating closing prisons due to lack of customers.
#10
It's about time! This ridiculous "war on drugs" has been used to usurp revenues from all taxpayers for far too long.
#11
Most of the ardent life long users of smoking pot are folks like my primary care physician, my lawyer,
my CPA, my auto mechanic, Dental equipment salesmen, etc. Most of these folks are Repulicans and a few happen to be elected officials in local government. Most of these urban professional are main stream christians who attend church regularly. All are over 60 and their prefrred druvg dealer is someone we all went to school with who just happens to be Mexican American. So much American that he can't speak a word of spanish. He is also a family man and a eucharistic minister in the Catholic Church. A minority can be prosecuted for drug distribution and everyone considers him or her quilty. Even if they are a professional growing hydroponic in their basement for extra income. Not big time growers but just neighborhood growers for their valedictorian school mates. Ever since William Randolf Hearst went on a rampage against pot to insure his timber empire would not be threatened by competitive hemp paper this has been a corrupt policy founded by corrupt ideals. I highly recommend legalizing all drugs and sucking the profit and criminal glamore out of it.
Addicts can get their fix at a managed clinic and recieve encouragment and help to rid themselves of the disease. Pot has always been smoked (it's in the old testament) and probably always will be although cookies and brownies are nice and pancakes with syrup go down really good. Prohibition is a gansters best friend. It has never worked because it brands the product like the forbidden fruit in Genisis, You just know your gonna have to try it.
#12
The Twain Report
All The News That Mark Twain Says He Would Report If He Was Alive Today
11-20-2012
The Twain Report is very much against legalizing marijuana, because legalizing it would reduce the incomes of the drug cartels, and everyone knows the drug lords are job creators who share important values with progressives: they do not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, sexual preference, or the color of their nose hairs.
Furthermore, the hundreds of thousands of Americans currently in prison for using marijuana, all have prison guards guarding them. Have all of you "legalize marijuana" people even considered the fact that those prison guards will be lonely if they have no marijuana users to guard? Where, oh where, is your compassion?
And finally, we as Americans must respond to this whole legalize marijuana issue by reaffirming our patriotic American values, because how can we say we are a free country if we don't give our legislators the freedom to imprison people who use marijuana and the Halliburton-owned private prisons the freedom to take billions of taxpayer dollars for holding people who have committed no real crime?
#13
Every American who chooses to use marijuana can obtain it from an illegal source within minutes. Because we keep the substance illegal we create death and corruption in American police agencies who attempt to enforce these stupid laws. We should have learned with the prohibition of alcohol that a better policy is to tax and regulate the use of these substances. Besides the hundreds of people who die violently every year, the thousands of police officials who accept bribes, the tens of thousands who are incarcerated, what good have we done with our exisiting laws. It is time to make marijuana use legal and controlled. I believe that tobacco companies are the biggest losers when marijuana is made legal. Some tobacco smokers will turn away from that product and use more marijuana. A good choice by the way.
#14
Medical marijuana should be decriminalized immediately by the federal government. Marijuana used as a medical remedy has been proven to help cancer patients with pain and the ability to keep food down. Those with chronic severe arthritis have also gained relief by using medical marijuana for the severe pain they experience on a constant basis. I could make a list of the beneficial effects of medical marijuana; we all know that this drug has legitimate medical uses for dozens of illnesses. Presently the federal government actually has a program where they send “tins” of federally grown marijuana to patients with glaucoma! Talk about the hypocrisy of the Feds in Washington. Too many politicians know it is morally right to legalize medical marijuana for patients in need, but they are more concerned how their right wing self-righteous voters will see it on Election Day! These actions are immoral at the very least. Why does the D.E.A. continue to harass and in many cases close down these legally licensed facilities? Ask Obama why he continues these policies against his own citizens by instructing his D.O.J. to persecute these people and I doubt if you will ever get an answer.
Marijuana has been the boogey man for the conservatives in our nation for long enough. I live in a state that has legalized marijuana for medical use and decriminalized the possession of pot for those who are caught with less than an ounce of the drug. Guess what, the people who continue to smoke it as a leisure drug, like most Americans that have their cocktail or beer after work at home, have not created any more crimes than before the law was changed. The difference is we are not locking people up for having a joint in their pocket if pulled over by the police for some minor traffic violation. During the time before we voted to change the law people were being sentenced to a year in county jail for the possession of a joint! We changed the law not only because it cost a staggering amount of money to convict and incarcerate someone for a minor victimless crime, it also stopped the state from destroying people’s lives because they preferred to smoke some plant versus drinking alcohol in the privacy of their home. I can only say to those of you who shrug and say don’t smoke it and you do not have anything to worry about, obviously you are ignorant or could care less about the cost in ruined lives and treasury it cost to support an outdated and irrelevant law. Not to mention the suffering it imposes on those who are suffering from life threatening disease and physical pain. I truly do not hope they nor anyone they know has to suffer because of their ignorance on this matter…And, no I personally do not smoke marijuana for those of you who think all Californians are drug users. But I am not so arrogant to suggest that others have to follow my choice on this matter!!
#15
So typical from a conservative person from the Frozen Lake Country! I bet you enjoy you cocktail or beer now and then AAA...now be honest..Kend. I know I do, your friend from the shake and bake state...
#16
Fraud - If you would take the time to read my comment you will see I was speaking for myself and my observation of how the two different political mindsets generally determine what you believe! Furthermore you have not provided on iota of evidence to support your theory. Basically you are rattling off the same info most of us learned in the 9th. grade of high school. Of course this planet has gone through billions of years of evolution and change. Most scientist believe there was a collision on earth hundreds of millions of years ago that wiped out most species on the Earth, not some weather changes unless you put that in the category of weather, the Earth being hit by a large meteor! l No Fraud, (which I find a little funny after reading your comments) have you ever heard of clean burning natural gas? This would eliminate the carbon pollution that is warming up our planet. But the right wingers seem to follow their corporate politicians and believe this is just another phase the planet we call home is going through, because it benefits those who keep them in power, the source of our pollution the multi-national corporations you hold in such great esteem. Wake up and use that part of your brain that does not run automatically on your need to follow your corrupt political corporate hero's in Washington and listen to the World's scientific community that has not been bought off by the corporate crooks. Again you guys on the right shout out it is the big bad and overly large federal government that is to blame. If it was not for the laws passed in Washington under President Johnson our kids would not be able to play outside and still be able to breathe. The government you hate so much was responsible for the Clean Air Act that cut corporate pollution way down while putting regulations into effect to save the air you and you right wing conspiracy theorists breathe each day! And guess what we did not fold up and kill our economy, on the contrary we introduced new technology that the geeks invented and created more jobs. When will you right wingers stop following your Republican gods in Washington and think for yourself....
#17
Global - You are still a right wing conspiracy theorists that believe there is this conspiracy by the United Nations to form its own world government and the one ruler conspiracy. I did look it up and it appears it is your interpretation that is different from those who disagree and are on the left or liberal point of view. To me you are just an angry right winger who see's conspiracy around every corner. You should get together with Fraud and Palindromedary and compare notes about all the conspiracies you see in our government and the World in general, it should make a good comedy to read...
#18
I'm just glad that I don't live right next door to a huge major polluter like a refinery where I'm sure the pollution levels must be through the roof...it could adversely affect one's ability to think straight...make people bat sh1t crazy.
#19
Politics are local, for me it seems that one Constitutional section whereas the state has sovereignty must be thought out and realized. It seems this Mary Jane stuff is going to do just that plus some deep and penetrating new ideals. With some states going to relax drug laws on pot, definitely a new age to appear. It has been known that pot smoke could cure insanity, very much needed since our politics is insane. LOL.
Then, as states change their position on pot smoke, citizens, Americans have fifty different possible places they can live depending on the state.
With Puerto Rico being peculiar. Its indigenous inhabitants are U.S. citizens. But, Puerto Ricans are unable to vote in U.S. That is as weird as the free market concept with a crazy limbo state or territories. The Canary Island bullshit free tax zone as example. The Romney zone, whereas for decades our Congress and Senate have crocheted tax free tunnels under, over and through the tax laws to benefit high income earners.
Now middle, and poor income citizens realize this moment are about to change these simple dynamics. A forensic legislative review of our complete congressional system and the laws made for the last fifty years need to be examined. That is one extraordinary task that must be done. The mainstream media could really help a lot. But never have. That’s why everyone should realize they the media brought us to this moment. From a free fall to a cliff hanger economy seems to be the media pejorical rhetorical…one can watch as if perhaps a slight omnipotent presents is cast upon those who have money realize those derivatives bundled in contracts, in trade agreements, breach moral authority to decadence and despair. A very Wahhabi pirate partnership political agreement. Actually the real way to take down America.
As I said before America has the potential to become the largest most advanced consumer society ever recorded by man. Not because of redistribution of wealth, it is very much more like the real Conservation of wealth. Conservation and kinetics are a basic foundation of life also applied to science or economic. Besides banking derivatives, our world, the universe is continually bombarded by what is called derivatives in nature. This energy is all around us and said very well by Joseph Fourier a famous mathematician
“The radiation of the sun in which the planet is incessantly plunged, penetrates the air, the earth and waters, it’s elements are divided, change direction in every way, and penetrating the mass of the globe, would raise its temperature more, and more, if the heat acquired were not exactly balanced by that which escapes in rays from all points of the surface and expands through the sky. So, 1800 Joseph Fourier talked about climate change. One of the greatest mathematicians recognized global warming way back without the communications and computers we have today.
Today was watching Thom Hartmann talk about the last five Republican Presidents so tied together, yet they all breached the Constitution. Actually talked about what I also conclude by reading some of the latest books and doing my own research much of our American politics is treason. Worse our Congress, Senate, and Supreme Court, and failed media are the dynamics of the corruption and decadence for at least five decades.
Even Kudos to Rachel Maddow and Ezra Klein of MSNBC to have the courage to call out the entire Bush family, Bush one Bush two and even Jeb Bush illustrating the electoral cheat that took place this past decades.
Refreshing my memory about Bush one Herbert Walker was head of the CIA. For me tells the whole story our CIA is corrupt as hell.
#20
Palindromedary - Your knowledge of refineries is lacking. Here in California we have such high pollution standards the refineries pose no danger to human life or the environment. I guess that is one of the advantages of living in a state that was the first state to enact tough pollution standards on smog and pollution control. It sounds like you probably live in one of the Southern states that are controlled by the Republicans with very little regard for human life or the environment. I too am glad that you do not live near a refinery that pollutes the air. I cannot imagine you being any "crazier" than the conspiracy theories you come up with make you sound! I guess that is good for all of us that read your comments! Ha! Just joking buddy..Well sort of! Have a good Holiday.
#21
No Fraud - Well said, good reply. I still do not agree with your analogy of Global Warming and why we find ourselves in this era of destructive changing weather. My read on what is happening is not just another natural change in weather patterns. Sandy is a prime example of Global Warming and what a change of just a few degrees in ocean temperature does to produce this type of storm. My personal belief on why solar energy is not as well spread as it should be is the politicians answer to their masters in the multi-national oil industries and have done all they can to make sure solar energy develops as slow as possible. It is my understanding we have an abundance of natural (clean burning) gas and in a few years we will be able to use it to fuel industry as well as our cars and homes with a minimal foot print on the environment. I live in S. California with the same type of excellent weather for solar power as Fl. and yet we too are not using the full potential. This can also be said for wind power and other alternative forms of energy that the large oil companies try to stop because it will eventually cut their profit margin down. So much for help from Washington in obtaining our freedom from big oil. Your comments have led me to believe you were conservative and followed the agenda of the Repub’s. As you can tell I am not fond of that particular political party and their motivations. I belong to the Independent Party and voted for Dr. Stein in the last presidential election. Have a great holiday and good talking with you
#23
THE JOKE Is ON ME!!!!!! Being an occasional pot smoker, and a resident of the Evergreen State, (Washington). I voted in the affermetive for our new drug law inititive. Unfortianatly I voted yes before I read the TEXT. I should have known there was something fishy when the Sheriff and Washington conservitives gave their blessing to the law. As it turns out, dopers are now MORE likely to get busted for injesting "A Controlled Substance" as the new law is written. The new law not only increases the number of infractions and penalties, but it also increases the number of people covered under the new law. It will fund and build a huge drug rehabilitation sector, while adding thousands of people under 21 to the rap sheets And in turn add big revenue to the budget, for schools and the general fund. Remember you dopers. "If it sound to good to be true, It probebly is!!!!"
#24
Happy holidays to you too.
A little more background;
I am 40 years old, both my parents are republicans; in fact most of my family are conservatives, however my dad - who is 73 - does not agree with the neoconservative agenda. He feels that they have lost their way...are too out of touch with the average American.
Many of my friends and co workers are republicans too who casted their vote against Romney; either they didn't like his agend - when it came to welfare, public assistance, foreign policy, etc. - or Paul Ryans hard on for an Ayn Rand world.
What I can appreciate about conservatives like them, is their ability to recognize that todays neoconservatives are not what the republican party once was. Like you many of my friends and family - includeing myself - voted for someone other than Romney or Obama. And since you disclosed who you voted for...I campaigned and voted for Rocky Anderson of the newly founded Justice Party. You probably heard of him since he and Stein held live debates on Democracy Now insynch with the Presidential debates.
Now where I live in Florida is mostly made up of uber wealthy conservatives. It was a little unnerving just how many pro Romney yard signs and bumper stickers; as well as anti-Obama signs there were. By all accounts if it were up to my town Romney would be president. For several months just before the election, conversations amongst mixed political company was very intense and at times even hostle. What I did observe was that most of the hostility came from the Romney supporters whoes go to comments were; Obama's a muslim; Obama's an enabler of welfare; Obama destroyed the economy, etc, etc. My favorite bumper sticker read; Obama killed Bin Laden and the economy. This showed just how looney and out of touch Romney supporters are with their half truths.
Well all is said and done...No more election b.s. We have four more years with Obama and though he was not my choice I am interested to see how he will respond since he no longer has to do a song and dance. I want him to stick it to these cooky dim witted neoconservatives!
ciao
#25
Cheers!
Yep...Pot head or not, it makes more sense to legalize, regulate, and educate then to keep on with an failed 30 year zero drug tollerance policy and draconian drug laws that are more criminal than the act of smoking a joint.
#26
Too funny! You busted my gut!! Cheers to the Twain Report!!!
#27
yes I do enjoy a beer or two but it is legal. Our province of British Columbia sells more pot world wide than anybody, and apperantly it is some good stuff. The city of Vancouver has shoot up stores right down town we are pretty liberal up here. But I stick to the legal stuff I can't come and enjoy your great counrty with a drug charge on my record.
#28
I wonder if your wealthy conservative neighbors really believed the stuff they were spouting about Obama. Or did they just vote for Romney so that they could continue to enjoy their tax breaks.
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