Stoner Forums - A Marijuana & 420 Friendly Community

As I told ya'll in my "Aloha" introduction thread, I've been a journalist since I left the Marine Corp – for over 20 years - so you can expect to see some of my original writing here from time to time.
Here is the first installment - So sit back, light up, and Enjoy.

POT'S NOT AS BAD AS ALCOHOL
In the past 30 years, I have known a lot of people who indulged in smoking marijuana, and a lot of drunks too. Drunks fight all the time, beat their wives, and abuse their kids. Vehicular accidents involving alcohol are all too common.

In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). These deaths constitute 31.6 percent of the 37,261 total traffic fatalities in 2008. (Source: NHTSA, 2009) Conversely, studies in the U.S., U.K., AND Canada have proven that while marijuana use does impair a user's driving ability, it does NOT do so to the point where it is statistically significant in the incidences of vehicular accidents.

I have never known a "head" to be violent (unless he was also drunk or using other drugs.) Marijuana users, who smoke grass exclusively, are among the kindest and most generous people I have ever known. Smoking grass is best enjoyed as a communal experience. Spontaneous choruses of "Kumbaya" have been known to erupt at a moments notice.

While some drugs are indeed dangerous, I do not believe pot to be one of them. Users are not "addicted," and therefore do not need to steal or hurt anyone to support their "Habit," because they can do without if need be. Also, pot is an effective pain-killer (much more so than even Oxycontin or Fentynal for certain conditions,) as well as an effective anti-depressant and anti-emetic.

Quote:

According to federal statistics, about 94 million Americans - that's 40 percent of the U.S. population age 12 or older - self-identify as having used cannabis at some point in their lives. (Source: Alternet.org

Marijuana obviously distorts one's perception of reality, just like alcohol, so DUI (or DWH - Driving while High) should remain illegal just as it is for alcohol. Pot use and sales should be regulated, legislated, and taxed just like alcohol.

POT PROHIBITION IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US would save 12.7 BILLION dollars if the government abandoned its "War on Drugs" - and that is just what the gov't spends on interdiction. The most recent US Dept. of Justice study, states that the cost of incarcerating users of this innocuous weed is currently estimated at One Billion dollars annually, and the cost of their pre-incarceration prosecution hovers more than Eight Billion dollars a year.

The FBI's latest figures state that police arrested 847,863 people on marijuana charges in 2008 - all but 93,640 of those arrests were for simple posession. 12.7 percent of state inmates and 12.4 percent of federal inmates incarcerated for drug violations are serving time for marijuana offenses. Further U.S. Department of Justice statistics show that there are now about 33,655 state inmates and 10,785 federal inmates behind bars for marijuana offenses. Prisoners in local/county jails were NOT included in this number.

At the Federal level, Revenue from the taxation of marijuana sales would be between 2.4 to 6.2 Billion dollars annually - So where is the downside? If pot were legal, US Taxpayers would save at least $22 Billion dollars a year in interdiction, prohibition, and incarceration costs, and gain much more in tax revenue. I haven't even begun to tally the number of jobs that would be created and the lives that would be saved if pot were legal - OR the suffering that would be eased for Millions of Americans for whom opiates are just not an option.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Let's take a quick look at California, where Medical Marijuana has been legal for the last 13 years. Believe it or not, pot is the state's LARGEST cash crop, eclipsing dairy products by nearly TWICE the revenue generated by legal and illegal sales of the drug. Marijuana sales in Cali generate $14 BILLION dollars annually, whereas Cow Juice and related products account for only $7 billion dollars a year.

The next two largest crops in California - vegetables and grapes - account for an additional $8 billion dollars. So what it boils down to, is that pot accounts for nearly as much as the top THREE California agricultural products COMBINED! In fact, marijuana is the top cash crop in 12 states, one of the top 3 cash crops in 30 states, and one of the top 5 cash crops in 39 states.

Marijuana is the largest cash crop in Alaska, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Taken in combination, marijuana is the nation's LEADING agricultural product, with total UNTAXED sales of nearly $36 BILLION dollars. (Source: Drugscience.org)

By adopting the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act (AB 390) California could levy a $50 per ounce tax on marijuana sales. Currently, only $200 million in MEDICAL marijuana sales are taxable. If the rest of California's home grown Green Gold is taxed, the state would see revenue in excess of $1.3 Billion dollars; much needed cash for a state whose budget deficit of nearly $25 Billion dollars pushed the state to the brink of bankruptcy.

The only way state lawmakers were able to save the state from going belly up was to cut spending by $15 billion, including $6 billion from schools, $3 billion from colleges and $1.2 billion from prisons. Legislators also had to raise $4 billion by increasing the personal and corporate state income tax by 10 percent. The state also basically stole $2 billion of local property taxes meant for cities and $1 billion of gas taxes meant for city and county governments, and another $1 billion that was to go towards infrastructure improvements The rest of the shortfall was made up with "Creative Accounting" - basically by changing paydays, and shifting money around - Robbing Peter to pay Paul. (Source: Bloomberg.com.)

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has cleared the way for California, and all other states to enact legislation that would legalize marijuana. Holder stopped the raids on Medical Marijuana dispensaries in the 13 states where it is legal shortly after he took office, and the Obama administration is now set to formally enact those guidelines:

YouTube - Feds to Stop Medical Marijuana Prosecution

YouTube - Feds to Stop Medical Marijuana Prosecution

*Note: This Associated Press reporter said that 14 states have legalized Medical Marijuana, but according to NORML, only 13 states have enacted such laws. Maryland (the "14th" state) offers an "Affirmative Defense," where if someone arrested for possession can produce an affidavit from a doctor affirming their need for marijuana, the maximum penalty is a $100 fine. See NORML'S map below:



GIL KERLIKOWSKE - THE WAFFINATOR
While the Bush, and all prior administrations for that matter, would not even consider STUDYING the benefits of medical marijuana, much less legalizing it, Gil Kerlikowske's position as President Obama's "Drug Czar" will allow him to use his influence to work with Congress to change the laws that have turned generations of otherwise peaceful and law abiding citizens into criminals - IF he can make up his mind as to which side of the argument he wants to be on.
....
"Marijuana is dangerous and............;;;"as other drugs prescribed by doctors,
has no medicinal benefit.".....................I think that's entirely appropriate."
...- Gil Kerlikowske, Obama Drug Czar......... - Pres. Obama on Medical Marijuana

As the Police Chief of Seattle, Kerlikowske was known for his support of "enlightened" drug policies such as needle exchange and drug treatment programs, believing that public health interests should outweigh "punitive" policies that simply focused on jailing offenders. However, that should NOT be confused with support for legalized marijuana - although as part of Obama's team, he will probably play ball and support individual state's rights to create their own laws pertaining to medical marijuana.

In 2003, after Seattle voters passed an initiative that made simple possession of marijuana a low priority for police, While Kerlikowske publicly opposed the initiative, "Selective Enforcement" nevertheless became the norm for police in the city that hosts "Hempfest," a celebration that draws tens of thousands of hemp and marijuana advocates every year. Kerlikowske HAS said that while he doesn't support the legalization of drugs, limited police resources were a big factor in moderating the way his department enforced simple possession laws.

In point of fact, Kerlikowske is at best what I would call a "Waffler," on the subject of Medical Marijuana. Earlier this year, the Sacramento Bee quoted him as saying, "marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit.” He has since tried to backpedal from that statement, but I would submit to President Obama that he has made a poor choice in selecting Kerlikowske to run the nation's drug policy because he really can't seem to make up his mind.

The President has said repeatedly that he supports changing marijuana laws at the federal level, shifting responsibility to the states where it rightfully belongs (read the 10th amendment to the Constitution) to benefit patients who use the drug to SUCCESSFULLY relieve any number of ailments. It's time for this administration to stop sending mixed messages.

IN CONCLUSION (Phew. 'Bout time huh?)

1. Marijuana legislation is an issue best left to individual states. Not only can these issues (moral, legislative, and fiscal) be better solved locally, as regional attitudes and needs differ dramatically, but according to The Constitution, they MUST be.
   
2. Medicine - especially when it comes decisions concerning proper and appropriate treatment - should be left to DOCTORS, according to the needs of their patients and not some bureaucrat in Washington (who's probably a lawyer unable to get a job in the private sector.) If marijuana did not benefit a patient, I doubt very highly that a doctor would prescribe it. I've never heard of a doctor who didn't want the best for those they treat; it's a Hippocratic thing.
   

Ya know, it really IS that simple.



.

__________________
MCBH - Kaneohe: The ULTIMATE duty station for a JarHEAD.
"I come in peace; but I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." - Gen. James Mattis.

Finally the argument ive been trying to make is written down. I dont care to argue with people about dangers of marijuana its foolish, people as a whole are brain washed. But the issue of constitutional rights is a way more important issue. We sit back and let the federal government raid marijuana dispensaries that THEY DONT HAVE THE RIGHT TO RAID. It kills me to watch this. We've become sheep, happy with staying in line because of all the dangers the media has warned us about if we step out of that line.
“Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will eat you.” – Benjamin Franklin

“The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants…God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such rebellion; what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms!” – Thomas Jefferson

Were these men crazy radicals? no their people we credit with creating our constitution that we once followed. We live in a world were news is a product rather than a stream of information, partnership for a drug free america has talking dogs tell us he doesnt like it when we smoke marijuana meanwhile follow the money and BEER companies help sponsor that message.

My smoking a joint just simply has nothing to do with anyone but myself, tell me its unhealthy, tell me itll make me lazy, hell say ill lose my left arm if i smoke a J BUT dont even think you have the power or ability to tell me i CANNOT smoke. Who the fuck are you to tell me what i can do.“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.” – Abraham Lincoln

Im done rambling but I would like to leave you with a message, Dont become a sheep, dont take what you hear as truth without investigating, and MOST of all be nice to people enjoy your life and nothing else really matters.
Its a beautiful world if we'd ALL just step back and enjoy it.