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Can you make sense of the war on marijuana and hemp?

2/27/2010

Marijuana has been illegal for less than one hundred years. Prior to the vicious smear campaigns that began in the 1930's, hemp was world renowned and revered. Although the blatant lies and absurd propaganda used to discredit this miraculous plant have been extremely successful, people are rediscovering the potential of cannabis. Greed and racism caused the initial criminalization of marijuana; ignorance and stupidity impede the repeal. The Federal government not only has no authority to ban a plant merely for having mild intoxicating effects. Even if the government did have this right it would have absolutely no basis for the ban of the non psychoactive hemp strain that could virtually erase our nation’s carbon footprint and lower the prices of many items. Marihuana was a slang term used by Mexican immigrants. The majority of US citizens still knew cannabis purely as hemp. Not realizing that marihuana and hemp were actually one in the same, few offered objections. If not for the fierce efforts, outright lies, and confusing terminology used hemp would have never been outlawed. Marijuana prohibition has had much worse and more far reaching consequences than even the prohibition of alcohol did. Alcohol prohibition led to the rise of organized crime in the United States of America, and the criminalization of marijuana has had similar though far worse repercussions. The violence and crime perpetrated by drug cartels far surpass that of prohibition era gangsters. Fear and racism toward Mexicans led to the prohibition that has allowed Mexican drug cartels to rise to power. The propagandist initially proclaimed Marijuana to cause uncontrollable rage and violence in users. Later, the problem was extreme pacifism and laziness. No anti-marijuana supporters have any valid argument against any of the many uses of the cannabis plant. Anything that has killed even one person is more dangerous than marijuana. Doctors and patients alike would overwhelmingly agree that marijuana is a wonderful alternative to prescription medicines. Medicine is not the only value of cannabis. Fuel is easily made from hemp seed, as well as a plastic far superior to petroleum and hemp produces around four times the amount of paper as trees. Marijuana would cause a significant loss in profits for the pharmaceutical, oil, lumber and several other industries. Politicians refuse to review the information, and corporations continue their propaganda. Until the government and our nations businesses decide to put the populations’ interest ahead of their own, Marijuana will remain illegal. Corporations as well as an ever growing federal government severely limit the effectiveness of our country, and completely undermine the power of the people. Remember, aside from water, cannabis can supply every human need.

You probably didn’t know that your hemp shoes, backpack, shirt, or purse raised a crime issue. Haven’t heard of any Hemp Cartels? Maybe that your hemp shower curtain reflected a terrorist threat? Behind the hemp curtain, evil lurks? What about your breakfast cereal being a threat to Homeland Security? Well apparently hemp raises security issues because, back on May 26, 2009, H.R. 1866, which would remove federal laws against hemp farming, was assigned to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security (A Subcom of the House Judiciary Comm.) Hemp in its distant cousinship to marijuana has been illegal under federal law for American farmers to grow, even if it’s legal under their state law, like in North Dakota. So, the hemp for oil, fiber, and foodstuffs available in U.S. comes from Canada and 30-odd other countries. Make sense? Not so much

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If you find 1700 pounds of lost marijuana, the DEA might like to speak with you!

2/25/2010

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Federal agents are on the hunt for more than 1,700 pounds of marijuana that disappeared during a controlled drug delivery from Memphis to Louisville. Members of the Interstate Interdiction Unit pulled over a tractor trailer on Feb. 10 that contained 1,700 pounds of marijuana, according to a Memphis Police Department travel memo obtained under Tennessee's public records law. Drug Enforcement Administration officials asked that the load be delivered to its destination in Louisville while officers trailed the shipment. MPD officers and two Shelby County sheriff's deputies accompanied the load, according to the memo. Things went awry in the Bluegrass State. According to law enforcement officials with knowledge of the delivery, officials watched the tractor trailer travel to its intended destination. Soon after, several vehicles pulled up, left and then came back. They stayed several hours and then left. When officials later checked the tractor trailer, the drugs were gone. "DEA is conducting an investigation into drug trafficking, and I can't comment any further than that," said Keith Brown, resident agent-in-charge of the Memphis DEA office. Tom Gorman, assistant special agent-in-charge of the Louisville district office of DEA, also had no comment. David Lytal, special agent-in charge of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force, which covers the region that includes Shelby County, said a pound of marijuana sold in bulk could be worth anywhere between $300 to more than $1,000, depending on the type. That means the 1,700 pounds officials uncovered could be worth between $500,000 to more than $1 million. Lytal's task force was not involved in the Feb. 10 operation. Harvey Kennedy, chief administrative officer for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, said he has no records related to the case. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular referred calls to the local office of the DEA. Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin said he didn't think it was appropriate to comment on an ongoing DEA investigation and referred questions to the local federal office.

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Lt. Ernie Martinez Fact Vs Fiction...Webmaster Edit!

2/21/2010

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FACT:
Legalizing any controlled substance, including marijuana, will lead to increased use.
Fiction:
Legalizing possession and use of small amounts of marijuana for adults won’t lead to increased use among either adults or youth.
Background:
There is no question that to legalize a controlled substance such as marijuana will lead to increased use. There are a substantial number of adults and youth who don’t use drugs because they are illegal. For instance, in a survey of New Jersey and California high school students, sixty percent said that fear of getting in trouble with the law was a major deterrent to drug use.In Alaska between 1978 and 1990 when small amounts of marijuana were legal for adults, the National Household Survey (1985) showed twice as many Alaskan teenagers (51.6%) used marijuana as compared to their counterparts in the rest of the nation (23.7%), Marijuana was re-criminalized in Alaska in 1990.In the Netherlands, the “coffee shop” legalization of marijuana use resulted in Dutch teenagers’ use of marijuana nearly tripling in just eight years.The question is how much of an increase in drug use is acceptable? The answer should be none.
Webmaster Truth:
Marijuana use has had a consistent rise since the beginning of prohibition. Amsterdam, Netherlands has the laxest drug laws in the world, yet somehow manages to pull off the lowest rate of use by population (less than 25%). In comparison, US, which has strongly enforced prohibition for more than 70 years has use of over 40%...not including people afraid to admit use for fear of prosecution.
FACT:
Sobriety is the only safe alternative to being under the influence of alcohol.
Fiction:
Being under the influence of marijuana is safer than being under the influence of alcohol.
Background:
There are numerous factors that influence intoxication including, but not limited to, the individual, the circumstances and the dosage used. The potential dangers of intoxication from either marijuana or alcohol are real. An altered state of mind and impaired physical ability are never safe. The only safe alternative to alcohol intoxication is sobriety, not another form of intoxication. Webmaster Truth:
Alcohol affects memory formation, deciion making, and impulse control. Alcohol alters the GABA and neurotransmitters in the brain, causing significant loss of functionability, and decision making. Marijuana (THC) rather replaces the natural cannabanoid anandimide. Anandimide attaches to cannabinoid receptors to release dopamine, the body’s natural relaxant. By replacing the anandimide with THC you cause a squirting release of dopamine giving the body a natural perpetual high.
FACT:
Both alcohol and marijuana can be extremely dangerous drugs.
Fiction:
Alcohol is dangerous whereas marijuana is relatively safe.
Background:
Alcohol can be extremely dangerous but so can marijuana. One reason alcohol is so devastating to many in our country is that so many people, well over 100 million, use liquor. In fact, more people are addicted to alcohol than use marijuana (use is at least once within 30 days). The reason is simply that alcohol is legal whereas marijuana is not. Instead of trying to legalize another dangerous drug, we should be encouraging sobriety.
Webmaster Truth:
Marijuana is used as commonly as alcohol and toacco. People are in fear however of persecution for admitting there use. According to statistics of drug and alcohol treatment marijuana would be considered as having a higher rate of addiction. These forced stats are the result of being given two options; jail or treatment…I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not be in jail!
FACT:
Marijuana use has been the cause of deaths from accidents, disease and recently possible toxicity.
Fiction:
There were many deaths from alcohol and no deaths from marijuana.
Background:
The first documented person believed to have died directly from cannabis poisoning was a 36-year-old man in Britain in 2004. According to British toxicologist John Henry “…it corrects the argument that cannabis cannot kill anybody.”Six others have died in Norway from using hash. The Oslo Forensic Toxicology institute reports that “six Norwegians have died as a direct result of smoking hash in a period of six years.”As the potency of marijuana increases, so does the risk of cannabis poisoning. There have been deaths from alcohol overdose. However, the figure 19,000 must include other deaths related to alcohol while the zero figures for marijuana doesn’t consider deaths by marijuana related causes such as cancer, infant mortality, immune system damage, pneumonia, accidents, etc.
Webmaster Truth:
This 19,000 number is a bit low. In 2000 over 85,000 "Americans" died from alcohol. This number inludes accidents and disease. The number of deaths attributed directly to alcohol was 22,073. Recorded deaths attributed directly to marijuana were 0. These hash-hish related deaths are likely to have been the cause of "street hash" rather than the properly manufactured "medicinal hash" found in most clinics in California. Sure people die from marijuana related accidents, but marijuana is the safest medicinal herb available to mankind. It has as low of a rate of toxicity overdose as Vitamin C.

Regarding deaths from marijuana, there have been and continues to be significant numbers of deaths caused by people under the influence of marijuana. Just a few examples include:
• Conrail train accident killed 16 and injured 107 when the engineer was under the influence of marijuana, disregarded several warning signs and rear-ended a passenger train.
• The National Transportation and Safety Board study of 182 truck accidents causing death found 12.8% of the drivers were under the influence of marijuana and 12.5% were under the influence of alcohol. This percentage is startling since ten times more people drink alcohol than smoke marijuana.
Webmaster Edit: A 2008 World Health Organization study provided that more than 90% of Americans have tried alcohol in there lifetime, and more than 45% have tried marijuana. Now that's only twice as much according to my calculations.
• A California truck driver, under the influence of marijuana, plowed into a highway cleaning crew killing five and injuring fourteen.
• The driver of a charter bus, who crashed and killed twenty-two people, had been fired from bus companies in 1989 and 1996 because he tested positive for marijuana four times.

A federal investigator confirmed a report that the driver “tested positive for marijuana when he was hospitalized Sunday after the bus veered off a highway and plunged into an embankment.”

How can one say that marijuana doesn’t kill? The above deaths were real people with real families. Another truly alarming statistic is that research demonstrates that a high percentage of people admit driving under the influence of marijuana. Despite higher alcohol usage by teens, approximately fifteen percent report driving under the influence of marijuana and almost an equal amount, eighteen percent, report driving under the influence of alcohol. In a 2000 and 2001 study 28,000 high school seniors admit to at least one accident after using marijuana. Also, Stanford Medical School research showed that tested pilots were still impaired twenty-four hours after smoking marijuana. Webmaster Edit: All the accidental deaths from marijuana like these still won’t add up to the number of deaths caused directly from alcohol in a single year. From my personal experiences I never felt impaired from marijuana after 24 hours.

FACT:
People are not arrested and jailed for simple possession of under an ounce of marijuana
Fiction:
There are people going to jail for simple possession of marijuana.
Background:
Possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana (between 56 and 84 marijuana cigarettes) is unlawful but enforced by a citation and fine. People are not arrested and jailed for simple possession of under an ounce of marijuana. In fact, nationally only .3% or 3,600 out of 1,200,000 inmates are in jail for first-time possession of marijuana which includes amounts well over an ounce. The median amount of marijuana involved in the connection of marijuana-only possession for federal offenders was 115 pounds.
Webmaster Truth:
If people aren’t going to jail for minor marijuana possession, then explain to all the marijuana users sitting in jail why 829,627 marijuana users in America were arrested in 2006, that number being up more than 43,000 arrests over 2005. Explain that also to the friends of mine that sat in jail for possession of less than 5 grams of marijuana.
FACT:
Intoxication of any kind can cause a wide range of reactions, from stupor to violence.
Fiction:
Alcohol is associated with violence, particularly domestic, whereas marijuana is not. Marijuana makes the user mellow, not violent.
Background:
Some people who are drunk resort to violence, some act happy while others are “mellow.” Some people who are intoxicated by marijuana resort to violence and some act happy while others are “mellow.” The results of any intoxication depend on a variety of factors including dosage, mood, circumstances, individuals involved, etc. Unfortunately, violence associated with intoxication is often directed at family members. There is more violence associated with alcohol because it is legal and almost ten times as many people use alcohol as use marijuana (See Above Webmaster Edit). Studies have demonstrated that marijuana is connected with violence:
• A 2002 study showed the number of young people engaging in delinquent behavior rose with the frequency of marijuana use. Forty-two percent of youth who smoked marijuana almost daily (300 or more days) took part in serious fighting at school or work whereas only 18.2% who did not use marijuana engaged in serious fighting. Similar rates existed for carrying a gun (22.2%-2.5%) or attacking someone with the intent to seriously hurt them (32.9%-5.9%).
• Marijuana users have more suicidal thoughts and are four times more likely to report symptoms of depression than those that don’t use the drug.
• Marijuana users in their late teens are more likely to have increased risk of delinquency and more friends who exhibit deviant behavior. They also have more sexual partners and are more likely to engage in unsafe sex.
• Research shows a link between frequency of marijuana use and increased violence.
• Young people who use marijuana weekly are nearly four times more likely than non-users to engage in violence.
• More than 41% of male arrestees sampled in U.S. cities tested positive for marijuana.
• Recent research has indicated that for some people there is a correlation between frequent marijuana use and aggressive or violent behavior, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. The Council states that this should be a concern to parents, community leaders and all Americans.
Webmaster Truth:
Just because marijuana is in your system doesn't mean you're under the influence of it while doing these things. Also, did they test all these people for marijuana use? I'm willing to bet that they didn't, bringing up the other question of how many of these people lied? Which pulls out the final question of how fixed are these statistics? Being as how every person is different, there will of course be a wide range of effects caused by intoxication, however, marijuana replaces the cannabinoid receptor anandamide, and releases the natural chemical relaxant in the body known as dopamine. The result, in most cases causing the user to be mellower.
FACT:
Drug use has been reduced dramatically from peak use in 1979 to the present.
Fiction:
This nation’s drug policy has failed. It is time to try something new like legalizing small amounts of marijuana.
Background:
Drug use has been reduced by 50% from its peak in 1979 to current times. Ninety-two percent of the people in our country do not use any illicit drugs. Teen use continues to decline from 11.4% to 10.9%. How one can call these significant successes a failure is difficult to comprehend. We will always have drug abuse in this country. The keys are to keep drug abuse from increasing and to try to lower the use rate which, in turn, will lower all the adverse effects of drug abuse. An example of failed drug policy can be seen with alcohol and cigarettes. Why increase the problem with legalizing a third dangerous substance? That simply doesn’t make public policy sense.
Webmaster Truth:
Some drug use has declined, while marijuana which seems to be the drug wars main fuel, has gone up in use. Reportedly more high school and middle school students admit smoking pot today, than did in 2006. When over 50% of your politicians are willing to admit that the drug war is a failure, then that’s a pretty good sign it is. Now is definitley the time to take a new look, and try a different direction. Now is the time to end the war on drugs, or better yet, the war against the American people.

Marijuana and Treatment:
In 1981, the THC content in marijuana was 1.83% which rose to 5.62% in 2003. The high-grade marijuana, often called sinsemilla, rose from 6.58% THC in 1981 to 14.10% in 2003. Corresponding to increased potency of the THC content in marijuana from the 1990’s to 2000 was a six-time increase in emergency room admissions because of marijuana use even though the number of users remained relatively the same. Between 1992 and 2002, there was a 162% increase in treatment admissions for marijuana use as the primary substance of abuse.There are over 4 million Americans suffering from marijuana dependence. Sixty-two percent of teens in drug treatment are there for marijuana use.
Hospital emergency admissions, drug dependence and drug treatment admissions don’t equate to a relatively benign substance. Common sense would indicate that marijuana is a potentially dangerous drug, as is alcohol. Webmaster Edit: Some more evidence of fixed results due to our current laws, and options.

Some Psychological Dangers:
• Brain scans show “holes” (decreased activity and blood flow) in areas of the brain covering language, memory, anger management, emotional control and motor coordination. Webmaster Edit: THC triggers the release of Dopamine, the body’s natural relaxant. Pharmaceutical opioids such as Oxycodone, Morphine, and Hydrocodone mimic similar symptoms of THC, but have a much higher risk of dependency.
• Marijuana is not a benign drug. Use impairs learning and judgment and may lead to development of mental health problems according to the American Medical Association. Webmaster Edit: Interesting enough the ACP (American College of Physicians), and the AMA (American Medical Association) announced that they back medical marijuana and feel that more research is needed on the herb.
• Marijuana use may trigger panic attacks, paranoia and even psychosis especially if one is suffering from anxiety, depression, or having thinking problems according to the American Psychiatric Association.
• Marijuana can impair concentration and ability to retain information during teens’ peak learning years according to the National Education Association.
• Marijuana has been known to trigger attacks of mental illness including paranoia and depression. Memory is impaired even months after use has ceased. Marijuana is known to be associated with apathy, loss of energy and motivation, moodiness and difficulty in concentrating. Webmaster Edit: Look at the website and tell me marijuana causes loss of energy, motivation, and concentration. Why don't you tell that to some of your favorite actors or musicians. Maybe some of your business owners would like to here this as well!
• The British Medical Association cites marijuana as being “linked to greater risk of heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema.” Webmaster Edit: From my research it seems that a significant amount of medical marijuana research comes from here and they have shown positive effects on diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and some cancers.
• Marijuana affects concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time, many of the skills required in safe driving and other physical tasks. These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana. Webmaster Edit: I’ve never had effects of marijuana 24 hours after use. Not only that, but I was told by my instructor for my driving test when finished that that was one of the smoothest tests he’d rode on. This is interesting seeing as how I was high on marijuana at that particular time. I do not condone smoking and driving though, and believe if regulated that a DUI is acceptable.
• Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals that increase the risk of cancer, lung damage and poor pregnancy outcome. Webmaster Edit: If absorbing more nutrients resulting in a higher birth weight is a bad thing then okay, but 1 tobacco ciggarette does more lung damage than 10 marijuana joints. Tobacco also has more than 4000 chemicals in each cigarette. Frequent marijuana smokers didn't show an increased risk of cancer, and the only common illness shown was chronic bronchidis.
• Darryl Inala, executive director of Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco during the 90’s, worked with drug treatment for over twenty-eight years. He states, without reservation, that marijuana is in fact addictive. Webmaster Edit: Marijuana is quite possibly one of the least addicting substances known to man, just because treatement stats prove different doesn't mean they're true. Why don’t you remove penalties, and find out how many marijuana users are going in willingly saying they’re addicted in comparison to other substances. This including NA and AA cause I know a bunch myself that are there for other drug problems and continue to use marijuana.
• Marijuana smoking during pregnancy results in an eleven fold increase in babies eventually contracting leukemia, increased infant mortality, increased risk of babies being mentally and behaviorally handicapped and increased neurological abnormalities. Webmaster Edit: This is starting to sound like we’re talking about Mehth or Heroin.
• Marijuana impairs cellular and pulmonary immunity systems according to the Assistant Secretary of Public Health Services and other medical researchers. Webmaster Edit: I quit smoking marijuana to get off probation…and was sick 3 times in the first 2 months as well as contracting pneumonia for the first time in my life. Since getting off and starting using marijuana again I haven’t gotten sick enough to go see the doctor or to keep me from meeting my daily needs. I’m still able to function at 100%. As well, I quit smoking ciggarettes after my release from probation and my intake of marijuana was returned.

Which has more credibility? Groups whose primary purpose are to legalize marijuana and cannot cite any scientific studies to back their claim that marijuana is relatively safe? Or, the thousands of documented studies and research by medical and scientific professionals that demonstrate marijuana is, in fact, a dangerous drug. Webmaster Edit: Should you listen to these fraudulent lie filled studies, or do I need to bring out the thousands of studies backing the medicinal value of marijuana. If it’s scientific proof you want, I can provide it as easy, if not easier than the lie fueled politicans, law enforcement, and media.

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CDIA President Lt Ernie Martinez Falsifies Marijuana Facts

2/21/2010

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In August of 2006 a letter from Lt. Ernie Martinez, president of CDIA, was released giving the most falsified information I’ve ever read.

“Dear CDIA Members and Citizens of Colorado,
Those who want to legalize drugs weaken our collective struggle against this scourge of our society. Like a cancer, proponents for legalization eat away at society’s resolve and moral fiber. The marijuana-drug legalization movement has nothing to offer users and addicts but more drugs. The widespread use of tobacco and alcohol is the reason most often cited to legalize drugs, especially marijuana. Legalization would undermine current programs of educating people about the dangers of tobacco and alcohol. So, where is the logic that smoking and alcohol are health hazards when our society approves marijuana legalization?
Why would abusers of legalized drugs act differently from those of the same illegal drugs? Behavior does not change because society sanctions drug use. Alcohol is legal and its abuse is responsible for much violence in our daily lives. Legalizing alcohol has not negated assaults, domestic violence incidents, or drunk driving. Legalizing marijuana and other dangerous drugs will not diminish mental and physical destruction to lives. Proponents for legalization encourage each generation of users to follow the same erratic and directionless footsteps of the previous generation of users and addicts.
The Colorado Drug Investigators Association recognizes the importance of public education and awareness on many issues as they relate to dangerous, illegal drugs in our society. The following text The Truth About Marijuana: Fact Vs. Fiction “reflects our official position on the dangers of legalized marijuana in our society.”

Respectfully,
Ernie Martinez, President

The Fact Vs Fiction mentioned in this letter is on a seperate post.

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Even following the rules doesn't work with marijuana!

2/15/2010

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If you read your marijuana news, you’ll remember a story recently regarding the DEA raiding a Denver medical marijuana lab; however, it turns out the lab inadvertently led agents to their doors. According to Betty Aldworth, the lab’s director of outreach, employees were caught off guard by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s visit because they did everything they could to be in compliance with DEA requirements, even formally applying for an analytical lab license. “We didn’t need to do that, but we thought it was the right thing to do,” Aldworth stated. But as it turns out, doing the right thing isn’t always the best solution, at least not with the DEA. Since the lab did in fact apply for a license through the DEA, the law requires the DEA to follow up on the suitability of applicants for permits, including investigating whether the applicant is in violation of any federal laws. So, technically the lab was not raided. But should it really be a priority of the DEA to investigate an organization whose sole purpose is to test the potency of a legitimate medicine to help legitimate patients? Apparently following the rules is a bad thing even with new laws and standards set by the Obama administration.

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Idaho May Legalize Sooner than Expected!

2/12/2010

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With public perceptions of marijuana prohibition shifting nationwide, in particular among traditionally anti-drug Republicans and security officials, Idaho could join the number of states loosening drug regulations. In 2006, then-gubernatorial candidate Butch Otter told Reason Magazine, "I still support medical marijuana," though he told BW more recently that he did not think Idaho would ever legalize and that he was not "desperate" enough for new revenue to pursue it. The Idaho Republican Party debated legalization last year, the citizens of Hailey voted twice in favor of three different cannabis initiatives, and budget woes have lawmakers scrambling for new sources of revenue. Rep. Tom Trail (R-Moscow) says there is currently no way to track the amount of marijuana grown in Idaho. California's annual marijuana yield is often valued at $14 billion, nearly double the value of the state's vegetable and grape crops combined. The Web site marijuanalobby.org estimates that Idaho could net $12.4 million in new revenue from an 8 percent tax on medicinal marijuana and license fees. Since 1996, voters have been in favor of ballot initiatives removing criminal penalties for growing or possessing medical marijuana in Alaska, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. State legislators in Hawaii, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont have passed medical marijuana laws. Massachusetts' voters decriminalized personal possession, and recently New Jersey became the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana. Though he often votes with Democrats, Trail's party affiliation and tenure in the Legislature have afforded him chairmanship of the Agricultural Affairs Committee. After three previous tries to allow growing industrial hemp in Idaho, Trail has shifted his focus to medical marijuana, which, as his bill posits, "humanitarian compassion necessitates" for sick constituents. Trails fourth attempt failed at a 5-5 tie vote. Trail's draft bill seeks protection for qualified patients to smoke marijuana, and for designated providers and licensed physicians to grow and possess medical marijuana. Nonmedical acquisition, possession, manufacture, sale or use would remain illegal. The state would not be liable for ill effects of medical use and patients would be limited to 60-day supplies. Sitting at his corner cubicle in the temporary Chairmen's Suite before the close of the 2009 legislative session, the soft-spoken Trail described the plight of Moscow residents forced by Idaho law to travel to doctors in Washington, and then risk traveling back across state lines in possession of illegal medicine. Less than 3 ounces is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000. More than 3 ounces is a felony, five years and a fine up to $10,000. The question now is whether Trail and the movement can convince state legislators to define and protect medical use of marijuana. The Marijuana Policy Project, a fast-growing drug reform group, does not expect medical marijuana dispensaries to be politically viable in Idaho. In November 2008, Trail requested an opinion from the Idaho Attorney General's Office on an early draft of his medical marijuana legislation. Deputy Attorney General William A. von Tagen responded in December 2008 with a preliminary opinion concluding that Trail's bill would be pre-empted by federal law. The bill "would most likely be found to be in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act," von Tagen wrote. In June 2008, the Idaho Republican platform committee considered making marijuana legal. Then a resolution surfaced to keep it illegal and use the full weight of the law to enforce prohibition. "I was part of a group who said we should not treat them as criminals," Rep. Steven Thayn said. "I got ribbed for opposing the anti-marijuana resolution, but not too much. I'm LDS, so I don't drink alcohol or use any illegal drugs. It is certainly not something I'm trying to be out front on. I don't think Idaho is ready." The final Idaho Republican platform adopted June 14, 2008, states, "We call upon our national, state and local leaders to refocus efforts in the war on drugs. We support creative alternative sentencing, such as drug courts, and treatment for non-violent offenders." Still, the GOP-dominated Idaho Legislature voted in 2009 to cut $2.1 million for statewide substance abuse treatment. According to a recent National Public Radio report, medical marijuana produced more than $100 million in tax revenue for the state of California in 2007. On a much smaller scale, Nevada charges patients $50 for state ID application materials and then another $150 for processing. Colorado charges patients $90 to apply to their program. New Mexico has finalized regulations for state-licensed, nonprofit medical marijuana providers, making it the first state to do so. "Decriminalization really has no effect on the number of prosecutions or number of prisoners," Miron said. "The charges for which decriminalization might have been relevant do not lead to trials or jail time." From 2005 to 2007, Idaho State Police arrests involving seizure of marijuana increased from 3,202 to 4,030. Though Trail is not angling for an economic boon to the state, he may be successful in Idaho because of the Republican compassion platform, the states' rights argument and the potential savings to the state. Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul and Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Barney Frank do not agree on much else, but they agree the drug war is a failure. In Idaho, it looks like the fight has begun with medical use. Davidson calls religious conservatives like Thayn brave. "There's a lot of pressure in that community not to be soft on drugs, and that's why it won't get legalized anytime soon. It's also part of the position on hemp. You've got a large contingent that it may give the wrong impression to kids," he said. Steve D'Avanzo, owner of Treasure Valley Smoke Shop, doesn't think he will be selling marijuana any time in the foreseeable future. "I'm sure that if Idaho ever legalized marijuana, they would have some sort of state store to dispense it," he said. "I don't think it would be something they would introduce to the retail market." Davidson also expressed skepticism about the political process in Idaho. "Butch was taking principled stands on stuff, like the Patriot Act. When he voted against it, he was like a hero, but now everyone feels like he's kind of a sellout ... I assume if the Legislature passed it, he would sign it, but nothing is about what you believe in. Are you strong enough to risk donors to do what you believe in?"

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President for the people?: Obama avoids marijuana question again

2/2/2010

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Another online Q&A contest concluded Monday without any straight answers from the President about why marijuana remains illegal. YouTube, which sponsored the forum, declined to ask the President a single marijuana-related question, despite overwhelming public demand. As has been the case with every previous online forum of this sort, questions about marijuana legalization have not only been prominent, they’ve been by far the most popular vote-getters.

These were the three highest-rated questions from the entire contest:

"Mr. President, when you asked the country to give you questions, one of the most asked was "Are you going to legalize Marijuana". When you read it, you laughed like it wasn’t serious. Why is that?"
None, Florida
1,906 Votes

"What are your plans for cannabis legalization?"
Anonymous, Oklahoma
1,783 Votes

"Why don't you legalize marijuana, it seems like a great way to gain tax money, and people should have to right to use it if they please, and it would cripple gang activity? Do you plan to?"
Lussy Picker, Kentucky
1,766 Votes

Almost ironically, none of these questions were answered. In contrast, the most popular question that wasn't about marijuana received 1,331 votes and, yes, the President answered that one. It was about net neutrality, which Obama says he supports. So, at least we'll continue to enjoy free speech on the internet, even as the White House pretends not to hear us. Incredibly, this political popularity contest was broken up into categories including Jobs & the Economy, Health Care, Energy & Environment, Foreign Policy & National Security, Education, Financial Reform, and Government Reform, yet it was the “other” section which drew the most votes, due entirely to its emphasis on legalizing marijuana. "Other" has become a de-facto euphemism for drug policy reform in several of these White House sponsored forums, which wouldn't keep happening if "Crime & Drug Policy" were given its own well-deserved category alongside the other issues that supposedly encompass the modern political landscape. Instead, the whole online voting process has become a self-evident mockery, as the contest's democratic structure is violated time and again simply to avoid answering one simple question. But if you're frustrated by all of this, don't be. We're winning the online debate, and we're doing so at a time when online outreach is important enough to the White House that they keep coming back for more.

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D.A.R.E Chairman supports Regulation & Education

2/2/2010

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D.A.R.E. America Chairman Skip Miller wrote in his Jan. 28 Times Op-Ed article, "Don’t legalize marijuana," that his organization has been successful in its efforts to reduce illegal drug use in the U.S. by educating schoolchildren. Indeed, protecting young people has long been used to justify marijuana prohibition. But in reality, our drug laws have failed to stop marijuana use among American youth, but have succeeded in punishing them with damning criminal records, loss of financial aid for college, and removal from after-school activities. As a graduate of D.A.R.E., I know all too well about the shortcomings of this program and of America's war on marijuana. The simple truth is that prohibition doesn't work, and regulation and education do. Most young people will tell you that marijuana is easy to buy despite nearly a century of prohibition that has cost billions of tax dollars and put thousands of people behind bars. Anti-drug groups such as D.A.R.E. refuse to acknowledge that today's marijuana prohibition causes the same problems as alcohol prohibition did in the 1920s. It's no wonder, then, that D.A.R.E. has been called ineffective by the National Academy of Sciences and, in 2001, was placed under the category of "ineffective programs" by the U.S. surgeon general. The Government Accountability Office reported in 2003 that there are "no significant differences in illicit drug use between students who received D.A.R.E . . . . And students who did not." The fact is that legalizing, taxing and regulating substances reduce the harm caused by those drugs. A University of Florida study provided statistically overwhelming evidence that raising taxes on alcohol reduces consumption. Initiatives to tax and regulate marijuana in California would levy a tax of $50 per ounce on marijuana; the money raised would help fund drug-abuse and prevention programs. Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs on the planet, yet thanks to aggressive taxation in many areas and education efforts, cigarette use in the U.S. has declined sharply over the last few decades. We didn't have to arrest, incarcerate, or impose prohibition to achieve those results; we merely had to tell the truth to young people about the very real harms caused by cigarette addiction while imposing taxes and age restrictions. The most recent Monitoring the Future Survey, which asks students about their drug use, shows that more 10th graders now use marijuana than cigarettes. Legalizing and taxing marijuana won't cure California's chronic budget woes. But should we really be cutting from education while spending all the money it takes to enforce our failed prohibition policies? Furthermore, the Tax and Regulate initiative would not allow the use of marijuana by people under 21. I certainly don't want more young people smoking marijuana; however, some of the teens I helped as a substance-abuse counselor told me that it was easier to purchase marijuana inside their own schools than it was to buy beer or cigarettes from a convenience store. This is not what a successful policy looks like. Many Americans are coming around to this view. Depending on the poll, either a majority or near-majority of Americans say that marijuana should be taxed and legalized. Even the American Medical Assn. has called for the federal government to review its absurd classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, which puts cannabis right alongside heroin and PCP. D.A.R.E. can warn people all day about the harm associated with marijuana use. What it refuses to acknowledge is that these arguments only support ending prohibition. If marijuana is so dangerous, D.A.R.E. and its allies ought to support efforts to remove control over distribution from black-market drug dealers. It's time for D.A.R.E. to take a back seat to evidence-based drug prevention programs that don't use scare tactics. It's time to legalize marijuana.

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