WSJ: WHITE HOUSE CZAR CALLS FOR END TO ‘WAR ON DRUGS’
May 14th, 2009 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive DirectorShare this Article
by Gary Fields, (Source:Wall Street Journal)
14 May 2009
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Kerlikowske Says Analogy Is Counterproductive; Shift Aligns With Administration Preference for Treatment Over Incarceration
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting “a war on drugs,” a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.
In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation’s drug issues.
“Regardless of how you try to explain to people it’s a ‘war on drugs’ or a ‘war on a product,’ people see a war as a war on them,” he said. “We’re not at war with people in this country.”
View Full Image Gil Kerlikowske, the new White House drug czar, signaled Wednesday his openness to rethinking the government’s approach to fighting drug use.
Mr. Kerlikowske’s comments are a signal that the Obama administration is set to follow a more moderate — and likely more controversial — stance on the nation’s drug problems. Prior administrations talked about pushing treatment and reducing demand while continuing to focus primarily on a tough criminal-justice approach.
The Obama administration is likely to deal with drugs as a matter of public health rather than criminal justice alone, with treatment’s role growing relative to incarceration, Mr. Kerlikowske said.
Already, the administration has called for an end to the disparity in how crimes involving crack cocaine and powder cocaine are dealt with. Critics of the law say it unfairly targeted African-American communities, where crack is more prevalent.
The administration also said federal authorities would no longer raid medical-marijuana dispensaries in the 13 states where voters have made medical marijuana legal. Agents had previously done so under federal law, which doesn’t provide for any exceptions to its marijuana prohibition.
During the presidential campaign, President Barack Obama also talked about ending the federal ban on funding for needle-exchange programs, which are used to stem the spread of HIV among intravenous-drug users.
The drug czar doesn’t have the power to enforce any of these changes himself, but Mr. Kerlikowske plans to work with Congress and other agencies to alter current policies. He said he hasn’t yet focused on U.S. policy toward fighting drug-related crime in other countries.
Mr. Kerlikowske was most recently the police chief in Seattle, a city known for experimenting with drug programs. In 2003, voters there passed an initiative making the enforcement of simple marijuana violations a low priority. The city has long had a needle-exchange program and hosts Hempfest, which draws tens of thousands of hemp and marijuana advocates.
Seattle currently is considering setting up a project that would divert drug defendants to treatment programs.
Mr. Kerlikowske said he opposed the city’s 2003 initiative on police priorities. His officers, however, say drug enforcement — especially for pot crimes — took a back seat, according to Sgt. Richard O’Neill, president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild. One result was an open-air drug market in the downtown business district, Mr. O’Neill said.
“The average rank-and-file officer is saying, ‘He can’t control two blocks of Seattle, how is he going to control the nation?’ ” Mr. O’Neill said.
Sen. Tom Coburn, the lone senator to vote against Mr. Kerlikowske, was concerned about the permissive attitude toward marijuana enforcement, a spokesman for the conservative Oklahoma Republican said. [drug war]
Others said they are pleased by the way Seattle police balanced the available options. “I think he believes there is a place for using the criminal sanctions to address the drug-abuse problem, but he’s more open to giving a hard look to solutions that look at the demand side of the equation,” said Alison Holcomb, drug-policy director with the Washington state American Civil Liberties Union.
Mr. Kerlikowske said the issue was one of limited police resources, adding that he doesn’t support efforts to legalize drugs. He also said he supports needle-exchange programs, calling them “part of a complete public-health model for dealing with addiction.”
Mr. Kerlikowske’s career began in St. Petersburg, Fla. He recalled one incident as a Florida undercover officer during the 1970s that spurred his thinking that arrests alone wouldn’t fix matters.
“While we were sitting there, the guy we’re buying from is smoking pot and his toddler comes over and he blows smoke in the toddler’s face,” Mr. Kerlikowske said. “You go home at night, and you think of your own kids and your own family and you realize” the depth of the problem.
Since then, he has run four police departments, as well as the Justice Department’s Office of Community Policing during the Clinton administration.
Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance, a group that supports legalization of medical marijuana, said he is “cautiously optimistic” about Mr. Kerlikowske. “The analogy we have is this is like turning around an ocean liner,” he said. “What’s important is the damn thing is beginning to turn.”
James Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest law-enforcement labor organization, said that while he holds Mr. Kerlikowske in high regard, police officers are wary.
“While I don’t necessarily disagree with Gil’s focus on treatment and demand reduction, I don’t want to see it at the expense of law enforcement. People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
Tags: Allen St. Pierre, Barack Obama, California, cannabis, DEA, Drug Czar, hemp, John Walters, Kerlikowske, marijuana, medical marijuana, NORML, ONDCP, prohibition
May 14th, 2009 at 8:13 am
The biggest problem with the war on drugs is that it’s a war. When you fight a war, you have to dehumanize your opponent. That’s exactly what they’re doing to their own citizens.
I’m tired…
May 14th, 2009 at 8:32 am
While this assertion by the new Drug War Czar sounds promising, this only affirms the Obama administration’s intention to allow more non-violent arrests, forcing people into “drug court”. Hence, higher “marijuana addicts signing up for treatment”. These numbers will only serve to help anti-legalization supporters.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:33 am
This just keeps getting better and better!
Ok, I’ll bet anyone anywhere pot will be legalized SOMEwhere in the USA within 3 years.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Living only 50 miles from the largest Meth/Ice bust in America, I would ask the Police here: “How do you think the “War on Drugs” is working. I agree with the new Drug Czar. There is a better way. Drug abuse should be a public health issue not a criminal law enforcement issue. How do we get started in Georgia. Please give comments on where I should start….Thanks so much for all you are doing Norml..
May 14th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Right now I think it would be great if we could just get pot decriminalized!!
May 14th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Nice, it is most definitely an exciting time to be living in. Great Article Allen. Nice Verbal Beat down to Kevin Sabet the other night, You’d think they’d get some new material. Oh yeah THERE IS NONE! I love Herb.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:34 am
w00t to be first post
Keep it in the media! Gotta have a rational conversation first.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:51 am
That’s nice.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:51 am
What a great story to wake up to!!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 9:57 am
“James Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest law-enforcement labor organization, said that while he holds Mr. Kerlikowske in high regard, police officers are wary.
“While I don’t necessarily disagree with Gil’s focus on treatment and demand reduction, I don’t want to see it at the expense of law enforcement. People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
-When you read this quote, what conclusion can you come to other than law enforcement fears a reduction in their jobs and funding and could give a damn about the consequences of their enforcement of prohibitionist policies. The law enforcement bureaucracy needs to shrink as they are apparently so large they have nothing better to do but lobby to keep their ranks fully filled and protect their budgets. The “drug war” is an assault on our rights disguised as public safety.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Just don’t turn this into lip service, Mr. Kerlikowske. Don’t tell us you’re going to change policy unless you’re actually going to change policy for the better. Don’t put a new name and face on it, call it “change” and continue the same old crap of incarceration, even if we refuse treatment. Speaking of which…
Marijuana users don’t need or want treatment. We want to be left alone. Plain and simple. If they don’t get that straight, then we’re not moving forward together, we’re moving sideways.
Re-legalize marijuana. It’s the only sane solution.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Could this be the start of something big???
May 14th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Finally! Great News! Does this make today a national holiday?
May 14th, 2009 at 10:26 am
This is more great news!! Please everyone, do your best to keep contacting your local officials. We need to keep pushing while we have momentum. If this issue is not decided before we get out of this recession I fear we may see many more years of prohibition. And a message to the cops. Keep your mouth shut!! Who the hell wants to hear from a bunch of lackies that have a degree from a community college following the mindless garbage of those who spouted the same nonsense before you. The science is there, the public support is following. Lets press on folks. Be safe and watch for cops. DS.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:34 am
“While I don’t necessarily disagree with Gil’s focus on treatment and demand reduction, I don’t want to see it at the expense of law enforcement. People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
What a crock. This guy must think he MAKES the law. If the people change the law, then there is no reason for them to give the “Consequences”.
When will cops learn, they took an oath to serve the PEOPLE, not to decide what the law should be, only enforce it.
Quit worrying about your “expense”, just do your job like the rest of us and keep your nose out of non-violent drug policy.
It is a health issue, for health specialists, not cops.
I think the nation is starting to see through this sh*t being slung for decades by prohibitionists.
This ocean liner is steering hard to port.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Barry McCaffrey also decried the use of “drug war” terminology but remained a staunch prohibitionist. More than the name must change to protect the innocent.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:40 am
It’s about time that american goverment start treating us like free men, rather than like salves in a country that supposed to be the land of the free!
May 14th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I was so excited by this news I wrote this essay about it. Check it out here. http://www.popten.net/2009/05/war-on-drugs-over-drugs-win/
The picture is worth the link.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:02 am
It’s about time we re-evaluated and acknowledged our priorities (and failures) on the federal level.
I never thought I would say this, but “Kudos, Drug Czar!”
May 14th, 2009 at 11:08 am
James Pasco- “People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
James Pasco needs to understand the pointlessness and destruction of the law.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Obama has his work cut out for him but i believe that at the end of his term we will see medi pot legalized in the U.S. if not complete legality…wars create casualties..and im tired of seeing bodys pile up on both sides of this failed “War on Drugs”. For two years in WW1 there was a stalemate at the front line. What stopped this was the creation of the tank. Norml thank you for being our tank. You broke the lines now the soldiers are following behind. Were with you!
May 14th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Until our elected officials act to end Cannabis Prohibition we will continue to see these half measures like needle exchange and Lowest priority enforcement , and equalizing the cocaine powder/rock disparity as signs that our Government is doing something for us. Small steps…
The failure of our Government in it’s War against the Cannabis Consumers of America . War on Drugs. Is that the LIES that are used to keep Cannabis a Schedule 1 Drug are so moronic that our citizens trust of our government is undermined. Yes Law enforcement, that means you as well. Law Enforcement became the enemy, like the Gestapo!!! Gentle citizens now have to fear Law enforcement and drug gangs!!!! Thank you Uncle Sam for Protecting us from ourselves!!! Logic seems to have flown out the window of the executive branch. Any way the tide may be turning slowly in our favor…But it in no way excuses our Leaders for continuing this EVIL in our Land , and they will one day answer to God for all the Carnage and Destroyed Lives…..
Washington, are you Listening?
May 14th, 2009 at 11:26 am
EVERYONE LETS CELEBRATE
With A PERSONAL BLUNT~
REAL EYES
REALiZE
its Time To Legalize!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I’ll take this with a cautious optimism. The proof is in the actual results, but this is sounding like what I want to hear
May 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
wow. whats this feeling im getting? its so forign to me..wait! its hope! maybe change is at hand.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
One step closer
Let the people choose for themselves (like alcohol and tobacco).
May 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Very good. Now I will write 4 letters a week instead of 2.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
woohoo, finally some more good news!
May 14th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
“The analogy we have is this is like turning around an ocean liner,” he said. “What’s important is the damn thing is beginning to turn.”
Great quote to summarize the whole situation.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Truth Will Prevail! Do a Study I DARE you! Then the world would see how amazing Cannabis truly is. (It’s not like we haven’t know that for at least a couple thousand years.) wink wink nudge nudge
May 14th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I really wonder if this isnt just a ploy to give Judges the option to force treatment or is it choice we will have to seek treatment. But nether of those solutions change anything on the street!
We still can be arrested and sent to court only to be forced into treatment, for me wont work I dont have a problem, nor does 99% of us. Then what, random drug testing??? Im not sure this is any step that will benifit us, if anything it wont work and then they will say “well we tryed something diffrent now back to the WAR!” Geez that wont be good at all.
I dont think they are getting the picture that marijuana isnt bad and that we choose to use it and want to use it without fear of arrest! Thats the point not to give us treatment and we will be happy!
They may be trying but its not good for me and I wont support it.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Oh i must add I am proud of Mr. Kerlikowsk for trying to turn the ship around, I look forward to what possibilities await with him. Peace
May 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
While I’m happy that Kerlikowske doesn’t seen marijuana as the anti-christ like many of the prohibitionists, I still believe that he is more of a hindrance than a help. All of this public health nonsense is just a cover for that fact that they are afraid to say that marijuana isn’t bad for people.
Also the excerpt about the guy blowing smoke in his kid’s face is just propaganda. There will always be jerks who are mean to their children, pot or not.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The U.S. government has been at war with me since the day I became an adult. I’m excited that the government has finally recognized that fighting a war against your own citizens is a bad idea. Of course, until the day comes that I know I can walk down the street and not be arrested or shot over my health care choices, I will not believe that the U.S. has actually called off the war.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Finally some change we can believe in…
http://iblowminds.com/
May 14th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
LEGALIZE DAMMIT YOULL JUST WASTING TIME AND OUR TAX PAYING DOLLARS WHEN YOULL CAN BE MAKING MONEY
May 14th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
HOLY FUCKING BITCHES :O
May 14th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Well if they Dont wanna legalize Marijuana then atleast Decriminalize it for personal use NO ONE I KNOW WILL GO TO TREATMENT FOR MARIJUANA MAYBE CRACK,METH,HERION BUT I GUESS WHO AM I ? HUH?
May 14th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
May 14th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
OK I just went into shock. Can someone explain to me what I just read?
May 14th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any
Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Prohibition of marijuana is illegal as it violates many constitutional rights not just the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness but it creates prohibition of our god given right to use all seed bearing herbs and this infringes on the first amendment that congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion not to mention violation of the eighth amendment as the punishment doesnt fit the crime Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted and being able to go to jail for possesing a plant that our creator says is here for us to use is cruel and unusual punishment and also the infringement of our tenth amendment right their should be consequences for law enforcement agents who enforce unjust and corrupt laws
May 14th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
No comment .
May 14th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
“People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
yet we allow are presidents to break international laws and torture people? hmmmmmm
May 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Frickin’ wow. It’s a small start, but man… it feels HUGE.
May 14th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I really am a big fan of Mr. Kerlikowske. Sure I personally feel that marijuana should be legalized, but Gil understands that at the very least, the focus should be on eradicating the product and reducing the demand, not throwing innocent people in jail.
May 14th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I want him to drop everything against anyone up on medical marijuana charges, release those already in prison, drop everything against Marc Emery and people like him. I want full legalization of cannabis. You know what I mean. Knock off the bullshit.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
YEA!!! that’s right when you break the law there is consequences. even if you happen to be a part of the system that is violating our god given rights. WHAT. NOW WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY! I’m right, your wrong isn’t working here. You self righteous bigots will ruin what America means to the use-to be free people of this once free nation. When will you get it, money will not do anything good for you, FYI if we the people decided to not accept your fiat money any longer, what will you do with all that wasted paper and ink.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
This is just BS, they are trying to please us, trying to calm us down, trying to act like they are making a big change. But they will still be arresting paople and you will have to go to court and their will be a time when you have to choose between jail and treatment! Its not a change in policy its a change in the penlties! Instead of me spending a year in jail I go to treatment with 5 years of drug testing after and when I fale they will just lock me up anyhow??
This changes nothing dont be fooled! tehy willend up using this to show how many people need treatment like they do now when most are forced to treatment! This is a big nothing and will only push anything we want down the raod even further!
Dam, why cant they just realize the harm they cause over such a harmless drug, all the proof is there for all to see, are we missing something?
May 14th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Yo i Cant believe wat i just read!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
America, Fuck Yeah!… though it sounds like…
Portugal, Fuck Yeah!
May 14th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
At the expense of law enforcement? I don’t understand, how is decriminalization or even outright legalization “at the expense of law enforcement”?
I think I know what James meant. God forbid if they do any real police work. My dad is a cokehead, you can start there, because I promised myself long ago that I would never turn out like him in any way shape or form, yet he has been in and out of the system many times. He beats his wife, drinks like a fish, snorts it all to avoid the drug tests, and the cops know him by first and last name… yet he has never been to jail longer than a year. He was never helped and he doesn’t want help.
This is the consequence of this War on Drugs. This is the only possible consequence. We need to reform the way people think in this country, and that is not going to happen while we freeze them to death by opening the window in the winter, throwing cold water on them and pumping them full of valium until they hallucinate bugs crawling all across their skin. This is terror, this is pleasure… some of these pigs, I mean cops, clearly get off on this.
Am I being too blunt? I don’t think I am, because the truth is that this could all change in a month. This could all end right now.
~~DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING!~~
May 14th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I think that the idea of not enforcing federal marijuana laws on local dispensaries in states where medical marijuana is illegal is great. And I also think that it is great to not enforce marijuana laws as a priority in law enforcement. HOWEVER, I also think that many people are forgetting that federal law always supersedes state law in the court of law, and if someone were to ever come to a court of law with these charges, they could therefore, conceivably be upheld in the court of law. Also remember that one function of laws being created in general was to let the people know what they can and can’t do and the consequences. While i think these changes are great, they cannot truly be realized until the letter of the law is changed. I will continue to be weary until I see a change in FEDERAL law.
May 14th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
OK now maybe we will finaly have a drug cazr that will base his actions on truth Not like John Walters AKA Pinochico.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
To suggest someone needs drug treatment for their first offense is slander it would like being able to label anyone who uses alcohol for the first time an alcoholic and if thats the case then it looks like our current president should be in rehab for his drug abuse and alcoholism.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
The Office of National Drug Control Policy. The name implies that this office somehow has control of drugs. Nothing could be further from the truth. The war on drugs has created the largest organized crime gangs the world has ever known. When the Law Makers pass a law that makes criminals out of 30 million people it is not practical or maybe better said it is very destructive to millions of families around the country. Let us all hope that this man will truely see the correct approach to this issue is to lift prohibition and return personal freedom to us all.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Chief Norm Stamper – Gil Kerlikowske’s predecessor – has another fine blog at HuffPo and it addresses this interview with the new ONDCP director Kerlikowske.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/norm-stamper/new-drug-czar-were-not-at_b_203711.html
May 14th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
On June 21, 1788 the Constitution of the United states was ratified. From there a very powerful saying comes and was once what everyone practiced, a government “For the people, by the people.” Although in the past 221 years much has changed. A large majority don’t vote, many vote on what is being called a “beauty contest”, and its a shame that people are too lazy to stand up for what they believe in. Politician’s no longer care for what the people in their state/districts want, its more about their wallets and public image. Now from what has been reported by Norml it self, a large and growing, un-ignorable minority of “pot heads” are rising up and causing problems for what is so called a civilized establishment. One that cares no more about what the people have to say
May 14th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Its like our current “war on mean people”, its an abstract thing. Take away pot and people will run in circles until they get dizzy. People have been using marijuana since the beginning of time, and only now have governments had so much control over our personal lives that they dictate what we do peacefully in our own homes wihout harm to anyone. Do what you damn well please, as long as you aren’t hurting anyone else. Thats freedom.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
This is all bullshit. A smokescreen. All they are doing is changing a word or a phrase. “The War on Drugs” will be replaced with “Movement for A Healthier Nation” and guess what? Same shit, different headline. Pigs are still going to bust pot smokers in parking lots on the Jersey Turnpike, thereby ruining the life of another otherwise law abiding citizen.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
The reason the police are weary, is the money. If half of all arrest are for pot, then, 1/2 the police, probation officers, court workers, guards would loss their jobs. Unions, private business, investors, all make money from these laws. The drug enforcement racket is larger than the drug racket. It is a symbiotic relationship. with out one, you can’t have the other.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Whoaw!! Hold up here a sec people, I almost bought it,as I see lots of you are. They are just using the same tactic they are using in the Iraq war. They are just changing the WORDS!! not the policy. Change the words to make it sound kinder and gentler,like all the other treminology they have changed lately!! WORDS MEAN NOTHING!!! ACTION HOLDS ALL THE MEANING!! I won’t buy into this latest attempt to distract us,not til I SEE ACTION!! NIETHER SHOULD ANY OF YOU!! Sorrry to bust your buble people.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
When did “To Serve and Protect” become “To Fine and Collect”?
May 14th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Wow. We win. Go us. Back to the bong.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
END THE GENOCIDE ON PERSONAL FREEDOM!
May 14th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
i hope you guys see where this is going. they are going to stop putting people in jail and then lock them into rehab instead. expand the government. when people demand somthing then they just go ahead and use their demands against them. hear me now and understand me later.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
“While I don’t necessarily disagree with Gil’s focus on treatment and demand reduction, I don’t want to see it at the expense of law enforcement. People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
I for one would not take this guy serious, he
is the assistant trailer park supervisor after all. Oh wait, nvm, but really lets just put everyone in jail so a person can have a job?
Why dont they get a real job rather than spend your
career locking up innocent human being who are trying t
to live a fucking 80 god damng years if you are lucky
in this life. But instead people are
persecuted in this country for doing
absolutely nothing wrong.
Those guards at the prison camps
at auschwitz im sure they did the job that they were paid to do. But does that mean it is right to lock
people up for committing a victimless crime. And when they are not violent or do not pose a threat to the community as a whole yet they are persectuted for that fact alone. That to me is wrong. ANd seems
like a witch hunt against human nature.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:37 am
I’m fairly skeptical of course. Good ole Barry said it wasn’t a war and all that jazz. He has continued to go on to say we need more SWAT teams etc.
They changed the “War on Terror” to “Overseas Contingency Operation” for what reason exactly? From what I can tell, to make the operations over there less “war like” when discussed. It’s still armed combat regardless of right/wrong/when/where.
Same with this. If they are moving to kill the War on Drugs, that’s fine, but if they make it the “Domestic Contingency Operation” with a focus on arresting people to get them help, that’s not a good idea. That’s my take on what some of the folks are saying.
Like many, I am holding my breath on the idea that this is not a play on words to show support that does not exist. I’ve read far too many comments from law enforcement on how they usually think it’s a good idea to kick your door in “to get you some help.” …
The budget alone shows this is not in the works from the administration backing him on this. Maybe it will change, but as of this moment it’s all about a kinder and gentler named kicking your door in police state until something actually changes.
Now we just need to hear what the new name for it will be.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:56 am
If I am not mistaken, wasn’t the “War on Drugs” created by President Regan? And didn’t he have some kind of brain damage? Should we really let a brain damaged man take our freedom of choice and pursuit of happiness away? I think not. I agree that the heavy duty dangerous violent drugs are worth fighting to keep off the streets. Nobody wants them around. But a non-violent drug like marijuana which is an herb should have never been considered against the law in the first place it’s ridiculous. I am pretty sure Regan was talking about the kind of drugs, that lead to Parkinisons Disease,he wasn’t talking about marijuana. How can all the politicians who claim to believe in God and the bible say: God was wrong to give us a seed bearing herb? I think the politicans just label pot illegal to give themselves good government jobs with benifits! While destroying the lives of non-violent Americans. Making their children and familys suffer for something that should be legal.
May 15th, 2009 at 5:33 am
well…we need to make one thing clear to obama right now…he is not going to drag this out 4 years then use it as his re=election stance…then drag it out another 4 more…we want it now….its our life…our money..our country…why not now?
May 15th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Mr. Obama…i voted for you…dont I matter?
May 15th, 2009 at 7:06 am
[...] on the table." We the People will not be satisfied with merely a simply name-change ! WHITE HOUSE CZAR CALLS FOR END TO ‘WAR ON DRUGS’ "Regardless of how you try to explain to people it’s a ‘war on drugs’ or a ‘war on a product,’ [...]
May 15th, 2009 at 9:32 am
After 75 years in the drug war desert wasteland, here comes the messiah Gil Kerlikowske, a cool cop? lol!
May 15th, 2009 at 9:33 am
““We’re not at war with people in this country.”
LIE.
When cops, guns, and prisons are no longer used to deal with recreational marijuana users, then you can stop calling it a WAR.
I’m a medical marijuana user, and my community is constantly harassed by cops, guns, and prisons…
sooo Mr. K, how about you clean up these corrupt cops who sure as **** don’t protect and serve….
IT’S STILL A WAR, HOW DARE YOU EVEN ATTEMPT TO CALL IT SOMETHING DIFFERENT. YOU STILL WANT MY MEDICINE TO BE SCHEDULE I, Mr. K.
Political appeasement at its worst from the Democrats… Get these people on the fringe back in support of corrupt cops and politicians re: the DRUG WAR, and get more money.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:00 am
More Than Words: Tell the Drug Czar to End this War
https://secure2.convio.net/dpa/site/Advocacy?page=ActionAlertTakenPage&id=356
May 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Decrim model leaves all of our small time growers, dealers and friends that helped you get you decriminalized half oz in jail. It lets the soccer moms of america think everything is working right again…. dont forget who you get your weed from ever……they will always be doing your time and the decrim model allows for net widining and proper numbers to show the results to the media.
Not worth accepting, one step at a time or not……
Cant you see the trend coming in governement over pot?
Its a fucking national decrim bill, nothing more.
The war rages on, in a home near you…….
May 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Although it is rather exiting to see the ever so slow shift, we cannot let up or back down. The president needs to realize that we are not going to go away or be ignored any longer. The public opinion has begun to change on a national level, and I expect we will soon be the majority. Do the right thing, or we will elect someone who will. Remember..for the people, by the people. Or your re-election hopes will disappear, just like this joint….in a puff of smoke….
May 15th, 2009 at 11:51 am
WAKE UP!
This Nation’s drug policy has never been a “war on drugs.” Almost all drugs remain legal and readily available. If the D.E.A. honestly wanted to get the bulk of the, by far, the very most dangerous drugs off the streets, it would be assaulting the pharmacy counter at your neighborhood Walgreens. Prohibitionists’ war on some drugs and a plant has allways been waged against the rightful freedoms and liberties of all Americans, including tens of millions of citizens exercising their God-given freedoms and liberties as acknowledged and guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States. The reason this nation will never be able to solve the drug problem is because it is not a problem. Accurately, detrimental drug consumption is not a problem, it is a symptom. Prohibitionists can’t seem to grasp this, so I’ll present it here simply. If drug consumption causes ill-effects, it is a symptom of one or more underlying problems. People who consume drugs to their serious detriment are not bad, they are sick. These people should not be criminalized and thrown into prison. These people need help that should rightfully include love, care and treatment. As for people who freely choose to consume various and sundry chemical compounds and that consumption does not cause ill-effects, it is none of anybody else’s damn business. This goes for the guy who chooses to have a few ethanol drinks as well as the guy who chooses to consume some of the flowering tops of a common shrub. When I look at all the counter productive damage prohibitionists have done and what it continues to cost all of us, I see evidence for convictions for crimes against humanity. When I look at people freely making choices in their lives, minding their own business, not doing any measurable harm to themselves or any others, I see American patriots.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
ref #41,42,49,62
I SMELL WHAT YALL ARE COOKIN. and i agree, its a weak form of lip service. im not buyin it. its just a pretty name for more of the same.maybe, no jail but, if we dont conform, we will end up there anyway. still a crime for the non criminal. please tell me people that, we are not so stupid as to swallow that pill……
May 15th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Now days people are going to jail ove simple possession of even a seed; cmon. We as a nation of “criminals”/pot smokers are being harrassed by people that dont smoke and have had people down playing the facts. Telling them its a gateway drug and how it ruins lives. (blah-blah)
The facts are simple we have the right to do as we please in the privacy of our own homes…right??? Thats what we are taught to beleave anyways. Pot smokers for the most part are not violent criminals.People get violent over pot because that swhat happens when you force things underground. People lash out when being arrested because they feel violated. Its a plant,,not a small arms arsenal. It eases pain…helps you relax, helps others fall asleep at night..I am sick of not being able to blaze without the worry. I VOTE YES…..LEGALIZE NOW;either way the smokers are gonna smoke and you cant do shit about it.If you cant beat em atlease leave them the fuck alone;damn.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
No, this is good. Very good. There is no way they are going to come out and say “Alright, cannabis is legal now. Cheers” Slugs move faster than they do, when dealing with controversial issues. If the ONDCP director even MENTIONS treatment opposed to incarceration, that is a huge step forward, and a small victory for us. He’s starting the trend in motion.
May 15th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
If R. Gil Kerlikowske is smart the best thing he should do is legalize and tax marijuana then use the money towards health and / or other areas that need financial help.
May 15th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I like how Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance mentioned in the article how “What’s important is the damn thing(Ocean Liner)is beginning to turn.”
I’m starting to think that it may be possible for marijauana to be decriminalized by federal goverment IF Obama can win a second term. To think that serious progress can be made before then is a gamble. Should the Reps pull off a victory, marijuana legislation would, without question, be among the first policy changes by the new adminsitration. It’s an easy target and party/constituency pleasing. On the other hand, it may provide the final push for the public to take an angry stand. Until then, I’ll continue to be a criminal. Funny, I don’t feel like one. I just feel high. Duh.
May 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
The fact that some irresponsible parent would get their child high should have nothing to do with how anyone determines the depth of the “problem” of marijuana. I’m sure a few people have let or encouraged their child to drink alcohol and it is still legal. Why? Because only an irresponsible person would do that to a child.There are responsible people that smoke.
May 15th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
There are casualties of this War too. Such as the time when a local ^NY swat team raided a drug dealer’s home except it wasn’t the drug dealer’s home, it was his 76 year old neighbor. The guy had 2 dogs that started attacking the invading police force forcing the pigs to kill both dogs. The guy could’ve had a heart attack and died. They attacked an dying old man and killed 2 dogs out of cold blood for their supposed “laws” when they can’t even see up from down, left from right.
This is a big step but it is not nearly enough. The truth is that there just isn’t enough cops like Mr. Kerlikowske. Even if they manage to listen to us, it will be because of the money… we all know they don’t care about us so we try to bribe them with incentives, such as all the tax money they could get… when it shouldn’t be about all that. It all comes down to simple compassion, compassion for your fellow sisters and brothers. That is something we all share on some level.
They don’t know the 1st thing about that.
So tell me something, how do you get rid of a plague that has no cure?
May 15th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
its all polotics they are just telling us what we want to hear i wont beleive it untill i see it lies lies lies
May 15th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I don’t care what he calls it, the war on drugs should be ended all together, rather than sending people to mandatory treatment… Why is it that people worry so much about what others do to their own bodies, when in most religions there are consequences for messing with other people’s free will? Most of the people worried about it are those who are very religious… Hypocrites…
May 16th, 2009 at 1:49 am
This sounds like same old garbage to me disguised as change. They talk about forcing rehab on pot users instead of jail then if that don’t work they goto jail. Sounds like more jobs for anti-prohibitionists. They don’t plan on leaving pot smokers alone at all from the conclusions most can obviously draw from this article. This world blows.
May 16th, 2009 at 4:38 am
On AB390 in California.
CAN SOMEBODY BUILD A WEBSITE SHOWING EACH REPRESENTATIVE AND THEIR SUPPORT?
Sorry for the all caps. I keep seeing a thousand pages of forums saying the reasons it should be legal. I see hundreds of news columns talking about the existence of the bill. What I’m not seeing is a unified front, showing each representative BY NAME and whether they support or not. We should be spending our time and resources to annoy the living hell out of those individuals who are not going to support the bill. We need them to make public their intent to vote in support of the bill. We need a countdown to the deadline for their vote. If we can nail down the representatives and the deadlines we can push the support upwards to “The Governator.”
We need for these people to know that if they neglect their constituency in this matter it will affect their reelection. Threaten their jobs and get their attention. Show that the people support this bill and are organizing against their apathy. Politicians are rich and powerful and only act when they feel its politically safe to do so. Make enough noise so they can always point to the public after the vote and say they were made to vote they way they did, for the public. Make it known that they WILL vote, they WILL vote FOR the PEOPLE, or they WILL be unemployed.
WE NEED A WEBSITE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES NAMES, DISTRICTS, POSITIONS AND THE END OF THEIR TERMS. WE NEED PRETTY COLOR GRAPHICS SO EVEN IDIOTS, CHILDREN AND ANIMALS CAN SEE WHERE THIS BILL STANDS.
Make the system work. Yes there is a political law enforcement machine keeping Weed illegal. Machines break. What have you done to break the machine?
May 16th, 2009 at 5:03 am
“People need to understand that when they violate the law there are consequences.”
…and Police need to realize that some laws just don’t make sense. When I’m not allowed to substitute cannabis for 3 or 4 prescribed, highly controlled medications that are proven harmful and addictive in nature, something is very wrong. The war on drugs is a war on my health and well being as far as I’m concerned. Funny thing is, weed would be cheaper as well.
May 16th, 2009 at 5:24 am
More government sponored / funded treatment = more tax dollars, well than, problem solved, no need to tax and regulate now. If we cant beat them, we will brainwash them. These clowns really underestimate our resolve, words will no longer pacify us. This isnt a criminal, health or safety issue, this is a freedom issue, and we will accapt no less than a true theological discussion where truth is the centerpiece. I wonder what drugs would be used to “rehabilitate” cannabis users, im betting its something we wouldnt approve of.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am
He understands that drug abuse is a health issue. So with that in mind, he should step down and let someone who understands health issues take his place.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I’m sure the for profit drug rehab centers are licking their chops to get those marijuana addicts cured of their illness. It’s nothing more than a diversion from the real issues. They have a feel good approach to dealing with marijuana issue, instead of looking at the facts
May 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
fear keeps people that never smoked from doing a (bad drug) and be better off. its going to be illegal.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I have seen more marijuana reform going on now than ever. We are getting a lot of media attention and lots of people are jumping on the marijuana bandwagon. EMAIL YOUR STATE REPS in favor of medical marijuana, marijuana decriminalization then legalization while we are on a roll!!!!!
May 16th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Brent in KY:
Absolutely agree with you. This appears to be little more than a smoke screen or lipstick on a pig(as people have been keen on using recently). Renaming shit to “roses” doesn’t change the smell.
While I’m hopeful that the DEA, etc. will leave the dispensaries alone, I don’t see this as anything glorious either.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Richard W wrote “If the ONDCP director even MENTIONS treatment opposed to incarceration, that is a huge step forward, and a small victory for us.”
Richard, it’s NOT a huge step forward like you suggest. Our legislators completely reversed our way of life here in the United States when they passed the Patriot Act(and its extension) without enough opposition to even make a mark despite the fact that it removed our liberties.
Think about that for a minute. You have your liberty removed from you and it’s not even a blip on your radar but some politician waffles about how they’re going to try treatment while still maintaining that the main focus will be “tough criminal-justice enforcement” and you start thinking you’ve won some great victory.
What we need is a politician that’ll behave more like Jesse Ventura and tell anyone opposed to go fuck themselves. Like him or hate him, he’ll tell you what he thinks and doesn’t soften his words to make you like him more so you’ll vote for him. ANY TIME a politician says “I’m going to support a lax AAA while still supporting a tough BBB”, he’s telling you the “AAA” part because that’s what you want to hear but he’s telling you that he’s going to focus on “BBB” that you choose to ignore because it *sounds* softened thanks to “AAA”.
——————————–
First there’s the handshake
It’s so warm that you could bake by it
Designed to take attention from their
Ugly Underneath
………….
The thing with politicians is
I wouldn’t have suspicions
If I saw their worst positions
And their Ugly Underneath
But after all the voting
Suck away the sugar coating
Now they’ve had you and they’re gloating
Boy it’s Ugly Underneath
(XTC – Ugly Underneath)
May 16th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
“The Obama administration’s new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting “a war on drugs,” a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.”
Oh, well … Yeah, let’s “banish the idea” that we are fighting a war on drugs. That’s what they are saying, and this cowardly administration rather obviously intends to keep fighting the war all the same. But of course if people agree not to be able to tell that it is still going on, who in the administration will care? Apparently, nobody.
So how could we tell that the War on Drugs is really over instead of people just in a fog about it?
First and foremost, nobody will be under the hand of law enforcement for simple possession of any of the plant product drugs like cannabis, coca or the opiates. Distribution will be policed and punished by draconian fines unless the stuff is crossing borders which still should mean jail time. This means especially no jail time for citizen distributors unless for non-payment of fines.
People will be able to grow any of the plant product drugs themselves for personal use up to some maximum number of plants. Agricultural production of cannabis and distribution of the non-psychoactive products will proceed without license.
Distribution of cannabis for medical purposes can proceed without interruption where there continues to be a demand, which is bound to be minimal once the Drug War is over.
As the threat of law enforcement is removed from simple possession, those who see themselves as problem users are more likely to seek help for compulsive behavior or real physical addictions.
Ending the Drug War is not just about Cannabis. Ending the Drug War doesn’t have to mean complete legalization for commercial distribution. Does anyone really want or care to see Cannabis distributed as a commercial product? Does anyone really want to see commercially available Cannabis smoking products? … soda pop? … candy? … alcohol? … tobacco blends? Haven’t we got enough problems with this stuff already without introducing Cannabis into the mix?
May 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
its about time that we had a different approach to this we dont have any more money to simply throw away people or even enforce victemless crimes
May 16th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
#94 r Says:
May 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
fear keeps people that never smoked from doing a (bad drug) and be better off. its going to be illegal.
RE:
R,
Words of wisdom
from erudite canine:
Brian Griffin says,
“Try and use your head and
don’t buy in to all the fear…”
May 18th, 2009 at 9:29 am
The former Director of the National Office of Drug Control Policy under George Bush Sr., William Bennett appeared on CNN’s State of the Union with John King yesterday, Sunday, May 17, 2009. He was asked how he felt about the current administration’s position of not using the phrase, War on Drugs. He stated as long as Law enforcement is used as the main strategy it won’t be a problem. He stated that we have not had a drug war since the 80s. He also slipped during the interview and said they need a hard hand on the back of the head. He said this as he made and clenched a fist. He quickly corrected his phrase to a hand on the neck. He obviously believes a drug war is still necessary. His position seems to be one of justification of the drug war he waged regardless of the consequences. He says drug use was driven down by 50% in the late 80s. This is just another attempt to color the failed drug war as a success. He needs to fess up; he put everyone he could in jail undoubtedly with a hit to the head along the way when ever possible. He used our tax dollars to create the largest prison population in the history of our planet. Government should be concerned with ensuring personal freedoms of its citizens not taking away the peoples freedoms. I hope the new czar brings real change and not just a new title for the same old thing.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Old King James Ver. – Ezekiel 34:29 Raw Living sun grown Afghan satva ingested in the most nutricious plant on Earth. Toking , ganja butter ,and hemp oil are great for healing , but there is the best method is over looked and should be added to these for total ganja healing in the body. Heat releases THC but kills the real raw living healing nutrients in Afghan sativa ganja vital for healing. Jack LaLane-cooked food is dead food!!! “RAW LIVING SUN GROWN AFGHAN SATIVA INGESTED!” Ganja Paste: Freshly picked raw living sun grown sativa grind finely and mix with liquid aloe or aloe gel in an unatractive ganja paste. I alway drink down 4oz of chilled liquid aloe to wash it down and to inhance healing. The Best way to fight diseases is to never get it to start with. If infants were fead ganja paste in their baby food all the way to the elderly , our health care would almost be solved. Ganja Sativa for disease prevention, cheaper safer medicine and a stronger economy !!! 420 nation Twilight Onearmbiker
May 19th, 2009 at 10:01 am
He is not trying to end the war on drugs at all, he just wants to call it something else. Just like when we invade a country, kill its citizens and take their natural resources as our own and call it “Freedom”.
Kerlikowske is just a puppet. The war will continue, they will just brainwash the next generations into thinking its not a ‘war’. No matter what they call it, policies will never change for the better. They will continue hunting down gentle bud smokers and caging us with murderers and rapists and ruining our chances at a future in an increasingly narrow minded society.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I think it’s time to organize a movement of cannabis smokers to go to Richard Nixon’s grave and piss on it. After all, he’s the one who threw out the recommendation of his own commission to legalise. If enough people go and piss on Nixon’e grave, they’ll (law enforcement) have to invest a lot of money to protect it – perhaps with a barbed wire fence. How appropo……………
May 19th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
New Rights for Children in MA! The new laws about dealing or toking up on church and school property are great! I always thought people who did that were really scum anyways. Anyway I totally think something more has to be going on here to keep our 66% vote here as well! For people who arent sick the under an ounce ticket law is pretty cool. It’s great to know that there is a new issue about turning to harder drugs out there. I really feel less people will with pot out there.
Is there anyway we can also rally to get my Medi Back too? I’m sick I need my Medi! Why isn’t it Legal???!! All the other States are going to do it I know it! I mean Decriminilization is here its really weird we can’t get our Dagga meds.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
It’s all about the weed man..pass that bong and stop bogarting that joint. Do you know why I say that? Because people have weed regardless of the laws. IF they didn’t they would get off their butts and organize and raise money and lobby their representatives. Until then Pass the bong cuz I got mine but I want it in public. Public consumption like alcohol.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
hello all,
It seems to me that most people are missing the point… it doesnt realy matter why or how this prohibition began, what is important to understand is why it continues…. money! There are industries that believe they will loss profitability with the legalization of grass… 1) pharmacuetical industry. Who would willingly take the dangerous , side effect ridden, untested and inefective drugs these dealers are peddling if they had a legal alternitive? the drug companies cant patent grass …. its a natural substance, they can only patent a process for refining or synthesizing it, ie marinol… ( gee wally, if it has no medical use why are they trying to synthesize it?) 2) the lumber industry. anything you can make from wood you can make from hemp ( except actual wood) our forests and woodlands are cut down at an alarming rate and the majority of products could be made from hemp, which is a renewable resourse ( unlike forests that take decades to regrow) 3) the liqour industry,(do i really need to explain this one?) the simple fact is , corporate america has a vested interest in keeping grass illegal and they are using our tax dollar to maintain their profitability! its all about the money… the way for us to win is to spread the word to the uninformed that legalization is in the best interest of the nation , from an economic, environmental and sociallogical standpoint
May 21st, 2009 at 7:20 am
ndkelley Says:( gee wally, if it has no medical use why are they trying to synthesize it?)
Thanks for the laugh friend. Yes, marinol, synthetic THC is widely available through perscription (FDA approved)for certain illnesses. I think its important for people to be informed so they understand how we got here and that they have been lied to for the last 70 years and counting. Sort of like the civil rights movement. Here is a cartoon you might emjoy on just what you said about hemp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QtE5u8t6p4 I think we are in a war that was declared on the people by those who control the goverment.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:54 am
#108 Charles Johnson Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 7:20 am
ndkelley Says:
(gee wally,
if it has no medical use
why are they trying to synthesize it?)
Thanks for the laugh friend.
Yes,
marinol,
synthetic THC is widely available through prescription
(FDA approved)
for certain illnesses.
I think its important for people to be informed
so they understand how we got here
and that they have been lied to for the last 70 years and counting.
- Sort of like the civil rights movement.
Here is a
cartoon
you might enjoy on just what you said about hemp.
I think we are in a war that was declared on the people
by those who control the goverment.
RE:
It’s also a war declared on the American farmer:
Willie Nelson
Hemp and the Family Farma>
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
WE MUST, get the lumber and paper industries on side, itt should be easyish to turn em, they would make more money
we get these 2 giants onboard and it would be a major help
its hammer time
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
O’ beloved congress, ye that hear the plight of the people, come to your senses I beg of you. I urge you to see the error in your ways, prohibition was enacted on black propaganda and lies. The people here have spoken, and many, many more have not for they feel their voices will be not be heard. I believe in our constitution and our resolution. For over seventy years the people have spoken through their actions and their resolve, we will not let this go quietly into the night. We will fight as long as you fight against us, as a house divided against itself will not stand. Our house is strong, our resolve is strong and our faith in you is unwavering yet strained. We know the injustice of this prohibition well, for over seventy years we have peacefully called out for reform. We’ve been patiently waiting for change, for rationalization and understanding all the while being viewed as slackers and criminals. We are Americans. We are the descendants of Washington and Jefferson, we invoke the creed of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We urge you to call off the war on the ones who support you and this country. The possibility of bio-degradable plastic, bio-fuel, durable clothing, and the most efficient source of paper on the planet is cause enough to end the prohibition of industrialized hemp. Must we wander in the desert for seventy more years when the promised land is just across the river? Leaders of the free world, you have a responsibility to address these issues in earnest. I appeal this prohibition but I speak for many more who would, but are to afraid to speak out, in fear of retaliation. Heed our voices lest you look back and regret, when this land of freedom is gone and all that remains is the memory of freedom, that our voices called out for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. May the lord our god bless you and keep you. Abolish the apathy in our congress toward the persecution of its own people. Enlighten our leaders and renounce a failed policy, replenish the trust of the people toward their government. If you would be so bold as to repeal this mistake, through the repine of the people, O what America could be! We are resolute in our purpose, we will not go away, help us to save this great country before it is too late. I will, for now, retire my petition in hopes of your diligent and prompt response.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:20 am
#110 adhd Says:
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
WE MUST, get the lumber and paper industries on side, itt should be easyish to turn em, they would make more money
we get these 2 giants onboard and it would be a major help
its hammer time
RE:
Yes,
HEMP’s advantages:
- 1) Shorter growth-cycle than trees…
(quicker and greater seasonal-yields than trees).
- 2)A more durable product.
- 3)Requires LESS fertilizers and pesticides.
May 25th, 2009 at 9:52 am
The thing we’ve got to focus on here is ARRESTS and how they have hit an all time high – nearly 1 million – last year. In the two states that have decriminalized, NY and CA, the highest amounts of arrests are occurring. Shouldn’t there be fewer arrests in states that have decriminalized? And Obama seems to be one of the biggest supporters of the drug war. He wants more prisons, more police, and more arrests for pot users.
Obama is just another Washington politician who is not for the American people.
Jim
May 27th, 2009 at 12:55 am
We all need to realize who made it illeagal, our represenitives, write them and tell them you disagree with the laws that are in effect and anyone that imposed them on us.
We were not afforded our right to vote on the issue of leagalization. They decided that Marijuana was to be included as a dangerous drug on the list only because of the number of users, which would afford them the need to enforce larger numbers of law enforcment and to expand the CIA and FBI.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Are all people so ignorant or indifferent that they have failed to listen or educate themselves that the illegal drug ‘czars’ are bigger contributer’s to our polititian’s coffers than the ‘Big Three’ combined…this is simply a case of our so callled leader’s being paid off to see it’s citizens hurt in any shape or form. Wake up America…and I don’t seek the pleasure of drug’s, but may at some stage of my life…Talk about ease of tax burdens…please….
May 31st, 2009 at 9:37 am
as long as I can be arrested or hassled at work with my employment threatened, nothing short of full legalization will work for me.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:33 pm
#116 fireweed Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 9:37 am
as long as I can be arrested or hassled at work with my employment threatened, nothing short of full legalization will work for me.
RE:
fireweed,
- I concurr.
Anything less,
(’decrim’, ‘quazi-legal’, ‘practically-legal’),
are vague, unacceptable, half-ashed…).
Legal?
Alaska
Illegal EXCEPT
June 5th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Word up. Finally some sense, the fact is just that most republicans just don’t get the importance of marijuana reform. Alot of democats do not get it either, but we HAVE to re-elect obama. If he doesnt get to Marijuana reform in his first term it is because he has tons on his plate, we all can get that. But i really think in his second term we have a good chance for legalization. CALL YOUR LEGISLATURES! SEND MESSAGES! SPREAD THE WORD FOR LEGALIZATION!
June 8th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
How do you spell ignorant ? ANSWER: THE GOVT. . After all is it not ignorant to not listen to the people and facts as well as keeping marijuana in prohibition when the govt. could use the legalization and taxation towards a good cause/ causes that will help our nation fight terrorists as well as the cartel. The Govt. should not violate the peoples constitutional rights and really should listen to the people being it is the people who vote them into office and when they need our votes during election time but hey we do not know shi* . I know i wont vote for Levie when election time comes around if he is not willing to support us. The time for ignorance is over and the time for legalization and taxation of marijuana is now….. Let us not go into the night with out a fight for our rights as voters as well as Americans. We the people (the patriots of America) need to fight for ours and other Americans rights that was passed down to us from our four fathers….. Let us show them we are no push over and will stand up for our rights as Americans….
Look at this and let us get this in the ranks to help our cause .
http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/6841-4049
June 11th, 2009 at 6:08 am
As much as it seems the time has come for the legalization of marijuana… the truth is we all know the government is gonna do anything they can to stop it. The governments problem is that marijuana is a plant that cannot be patented, therefore there’s no big money to be made off of it. You could do the study right in front of their faces.. show all the good it can do and all the bad that it can’t and they’d still laugh in your face and find a way to twist it. I mean, isn’t anyone else sick of anti- marijuana campaigns that depict getting your face drawn on by friends or being left behind with no ride at a party because your stoned friend forgot you as reasons not to use? Or how about the latest ‘don’t use it just because your friends say its cool’ BS? How about this guys? What if I want to do it because I want to do it? Missed that one, huh? Where’s the real evidence?…. The answer is it’s not there.. because it doesn’t exist!!! Quit lying about EVERYTHING, STOP taking care of big business and yourselves first, and for God’s sakes… STOP TURNING YOUR OWN CITIZENS INTO THE ENEMY!!! If we can’t trust them on something so simple and petty, what’s gonna make us believe anything they say anymore? Well, for me, the answer is nothing… Loud and Clear.