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Marijuana

Started by Sir Jeffrey, June 03, 2010, 01:20:28 PM

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mr.willy

QuoteQuote
Psychiatrists and the government have a vested interest in keeping marijuana illegal so I can't trust those sources, sorry.

Quote
We have several pages of stats showing the pros of marijuana use and the debunking of health threat BS

Quote
If you have them where are they, post them   

I'M STILL WAITING

Terry

Quote from: Terry on October 03, 2010, 05:31:33 PM
   
Willy enjoying his " favorite " addictive " drug!!!!

"WILLYS"  waiting    
Accompanying Freedom is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable: destroy one and all will die.

Mr T

Well, I hope while he is waiting he will find out why marijuana is illegal and tell me, because I asked first!
"Everything You Know is Wrong"

Terry

* " U " * got a long wait my friend!
Accompanying Freedom is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable: destroy one and all will die.

mr.willy

Will while I'm waiting here is some more information. ;D
QuoteTitle:   Marijuana: Health Effects
Author:   Jim Parker
Publisher:   Do It Now Foundation
Publication Date:   January 2010
Catalog Number:   126

..Fact Attack

One problem in sorting out fact from fiction about marijuana is that the "facts" keep changing into fictions.

Need some examples? Try these:

In the 1930's, a "fact" everyone knew (or thought they did) was that pot was the dreaded "assassin of youth," a one-way ticket to a life of crime, madness, and despair.
By the '60s, that "fact" morphed into a brand-new, mirror-image "fact." Now pot was seen only as a "harmless giggle," maybe not actually good for you, but at least it didn't do any real  harm -- like such legal drugs as alcohol and tobacco.
In the '80s, things started changing again. Conservatism was cool again (to some), and a whole new set of "facts" was produced to justify a nationwide campaign against a born-again "assassin of youth."
Today, the facts about marijuana are changing again.

It's not that there aren't still a lot of opinions out there, masquerading as facts. It's just that a growing body of scientific research is out there, too, and it's gradually starting to squeeze out all the fake little "facts" that have confused the issue for so long.

It's a good thing, too. Because a lot of the new facts really are facts, this time around. And they're worth thinking about if you're thinking about -- or on -- pot.


..What's new about marijuana today?

A lot. But quite a bit has stayed the same.

Because even though people have been using the marijuana (or hemp) plant, Cannabis sativa, in medicine and manufacturing for at least 5,000 years, it's better known for its recreational drug uses. Nothing new about that.

Not much new in another fact, either: Pot is still the most-used illegal drug in America. More than 102 million Americans have tried it, according to a recent national survey, and some 16.5 million smoke it regularly.

What they keep coming back to is a swirl of sensation and fog of intoxication that the drug sets in motion.

When it's smoked or eaten, marijuana triggers a mild euphoria and increased sensitivity to bodily sensations, along with a range of other perceptual distortions that are usually experienced as pleasant -- but not always, and not by all users.

Effects usually peak within an hour or two and fade altogether in 3-4 hours. After-effects can include a slight hangover and impaired concentration.


..How does pot work in the body?

Good question -- but it's not an easy one to answer. Because the simple fact is that pot is a complicated drug.

For one thing, marijuana isn't a single drug molecule, like alcohol or cocaine, but a mix of more than 400 different chemical components.They're so different, in fact, that 60 of them (called cannabinoids) are unique to marijuana.

Since we're talking numbers, we'll point out that the main mind-altering cannabinoid is a little number called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, for short. It's the chemical that trigger marijuana's main drug actions and effects in the body and brain.

THC is like a feel-good chemical bomb that explodes on contact, then breaks up into at least 80 different byproducts (or metabolites) before it's eliminated from the body. And that can take a while.

The process starts as soon as THC enters the bloodstream, and begins zeroing in on cannabinoid receptors (called anandamides) in the brain and central nervous system.

Once it checks into the brain, THC takes its own sweet time in checking out. Unlike many other drugs, which are excreted from the body within hours, THC metabolites stick around -- stored in fatty tissue, mostly -- for 3-5 days, even weeks, in heavy users.

What THC metabolites do, if anything, during this time is still mostly unknown. But it's this buildup of metabolites, and the duration of their hangtime in the body, that raises the most concern about possible long-term risks.


..What risks are linked to pot?

We'll start with the heart, because pot can get things pumping faster there than a tricked-up drum machine at a techno music festival.

In fact, rapid heartbeat -- which, for some users, can speed up by as much as 50 percent--is one of the few universal physical effects of marijuana. (Another is increased appetite -- AKA "the munchies.")

Even though increased heart rate only lasts minutes and isn't a threat to most people, it could add strain for users with heart disorders or high blood pressure.

A bigger threat to more users is irritation to the lungs and respiratory airways, since users tend to inhale pot deeply and hold it in the lungs for as long as possible.

Even though a direct link with lung cancer is unproven, pot smoke does contain cancer-causing chemicals (known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), so it's not that farfetched, either.


..Are other body systems affected?

They sure seem to be. Take the endocrine system, for example. It produces body hormones, the internal chemicals that control how and when we develop. Here's what pot does there:

Triggers a short-term drop in the hormones that direct growth and development.
Lowers sperm production in males, resulting in fewer normal sperm cells.
Tinkers with the balance of hormones that control the menstrual cycles of girls and women.
In adults, these changes are temporary. But researchers suspect that young people risk possible long-range developmental problems. As a precaution, they warn kids to avoid pot to reduce the risk.


..How does pot affect the brain?

That's the trickiest question of all -- because nobody knows all the intricacies of how the brain works in the first place. And we know even less about how it works with a bongload of marijuana inside it.

Still, we're closer to real answers than ever before.

What we know for sure is that pot changes more than just the way people feel. It also triggers a number of changes in brain function and behavior.

Let's consider just a couple of the main ones:

Pot tilts the balance of chemicals in the brain that regulate mood, energy, appetite, and attention.
It affects learning and memory processes, and can cause forgetfulness and reduced concentration.
Pot also reduces logical thinking and calculation skills, and can impair a user's ability to perform complex tasks, including driving a car.
Uncovering the actual machinery of most of pot's effects in the brain is still probably years away.

But this much is known right now: Heavy smokers in general and longtime users in particular are more likely to experience ongoing problems than occasional smokers and nonsmokers.

And that's something else to think about if you're thinking about pot: Smoke enough of it and it could end up smoking you -- or, at least, part of the future you.


..Can marijuana cause birth defects?

It doesn't cause full-blown birth defects, but that doesn't mean it's okay to smoke if you're pregnant. Because the fact is that pregnancy and unnecessary drug use just don't go together at all.

Not only that, but with pot, there's some evidence that use during pregnancy could lead to unnecessary problems for a developing fetus, even raising levels of miscarriage and stillbirth.

That's because THC metabolites (remember them?) freely cross the placenta, where they interact with developing body systems.

Possible effects include lowered birth weight, nervous system changes, and delayed learning.

And if you're pregnant (or you're planning to be), risks like those are too real to disregard -- and too important to ignore.


..Final Facts

We still have a long way to go if we're ever going to round up all the facts about marijuana.

For that matter, we'll probably never have every answer to every possible question about its effects on the body and brain.

Still, you don't need to be a brain surgeon to know that pot poses far more serious risks for some people (particularly teens, pregnant women, and heavy users) than for others. And each is a risk that can be easily avoided.

And while pot's potential for causing problems in occasional users has been exaggerated in the past, a final, indisputable fact about marijuana is simply this: The only foolproof way to safeguard yourself against possible problems is to pass on it altogether.

Because of all the facts in a shifting mountain of facts (and pseudo-facts and fictions) about pot that has accumulated over the years, one that hasn't changed is that marijuana is a drug -- and a pretty complex one, at that.

And like every other drug that's ever been used and abused, it can cause real problems for real people.

And that's a fact that's likely to always be true.


..Sidebar | Final Facts

For most people, getting off pot isn't that big a deal. All they need to do is stop -- and stay stopped. Quitting may not be fun, but it doesn't take much more than a little time and a lot of willpower.

For others, it can get more complicated -- usually, because they let THC & Company become a regular thing, like coffee in the morning or brushing their teeth at night.

For them, quitting is just the first step in a longer process of rebalancing their lives -- and finding alternatives to fill the spaces that leaving pot can leave behind. Places to start:

Get Moving! Any serious physical activity can boost your spirits and clear your head. Running, cycling, or just shooting hoops can turn on the same feel-good brain chemicals that pot does, without the risks--or the expense.

Undo the Dew! A junk-food-free diet can turn down any blues that can come from giving up pot. Taking a break from caffeine and sugar can't hurt, either.

Relax! Take it easy. Turn on to a new activity or a skill that you've let slide for a while. Now is as good a time as any to be experimental with who you're going to be from here on out.

If you think you need help, get it. And if you've thought about it before, be different and do it now. Now happens to be the only time there ever is for doing anything -- including getting your life back together.

And come to think of it, another installment of it is scheduled to begin again any second now.
http://www.doitnow.org/pages/126.html

QuoteWell, I hope while he is waiting he will find out why marijuana is illegal and tell me, because I asked first!
;D


Mr T

That is pseudo-scientific clap-trap intended to KEEP marijuana illegal.

"Everything You Know is Wrong"

Mr T

You can start with the "fact" that in the 1930s etc etc.  Why?  Tell me why it was declared the demon weed, ruiner of children and all that is good, in the 1930s.

I'm not interested in what some moralizing patronizing dude says in 2010.
"Everything You Know is Wrong"

mr.willy

QuoteHarsh Punishments for Drug Use in Southeast Asia
Proximity of "Golden Triangle" Puts Governments On Alert Against Drugs
By Michael Aquino, A

Southeast Asia's governments impose the toughest drug laws on the planet. You can't blame them – the legendary "Golden Triangle", a patch of real estate bordering Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, is smack in the heart of the region, and is a world hotspot of narcotics production. (The CIA Factbook calls Myanmar the "world's second largest producer of illicit opium").

In spite of such draconian measures, certain places are flush with illegal drugs. However, you should still defer to local laws when offered a chance to indulge – your status as a foreigner does not make you less likely to be punished for drug use, quite the opposite!

Some general, unsolicited advice:

Don't bring your personal stash with you. Don't get conned into carrying drugs for others, whether as personal favors or for profit. The risks far outweigh the possibility of getting away with it. You can bet the Bali Nine or Schapelle Corby (see Notable Arrests below) thought they could get away with it, too.
If you're bringing prescription drugs with you, play it safe and bring the prescription for these drugs.
Notable Drug Arrests

Schappelle Corby - convicted of smuggling almost 10 pounds of marijuana into Bali. She could have received a death penalty – instead, the judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison. (Schapelle Corby – Wikipedia)
Nguyen Tuong Van - hanged at Singapore's Changi prison in 2008. He had been caught with 14 ounces of heroin at Changi International Airport during a stopover between Cambodia and Australia. The Singapore government denied the Australian government's request for clemency. (Nguyen Van Tuong – Wikipedia)
The Bali Nine – an Australian drug ring facing the death penalty for smuggling heroin into Bali. They are being held for attempting to smuggle 18 pounds of heroin into Bali. (Bali Nine – Wikipedia)
Michelle Leslie - Australian model caught with two Ecstasy pills in 2005. She later pleaded guilty to possession, was sentenced to time served, and was released. (Michelle Leslie – Wikipedia)
Kevin John Barlow and Brian Geoffrey Chambers were hanged in Malaysia in 1986 for trafficking five ounces of heroin. (Barlow and Chambers execution – Wikipedia)
Drug Laws and Penalties in Southeast Asia – by Country

Southeast Asian countries have strict laws in place for drug-related offenses, and aren't afraid to use them.

The region's diplomats aren't afraid to ignore appeals for clemency from Western governments, if any are made at all. Americans under arrest on drug-related charges pose a dilemma for the State Department - the U.S. government may jeopardize its own war on drugs if it intercedes in such cases.

The pertinent laws and penalties for each country are listed in brief below.

Cambodia

The death penalty was abolished in Cambodia, but drug laws remain strict for those caught with controlled substances. Punishment ranges from 5 years to life in prison. Law enforcement in Cambodia is spotty – some members of the police are perceived to be involved in the drug trade.

Law on the Drug Control - Cambodia (ASEANSEC.org)
Indonesia

Indonesian drug laws prescribe the death penalty for narcotics trafficking and up 20 years in prison for marijuana offenses. Simple possession results in prison terms of one to five years. The country has recently ended a four-year hiatus on the death penalty for drug-related offenses - two Nigerians were executed by firing squad on June 26.

Law of the Republic of Indonesia on Narcotics (ASEANSEC.org)
Executions for Drug Crimes Are Resumed in Indonesia (New York Times)
Laos

The Criminal Code of Laos penalizes possession of narcotics under Article 135. Under a new amendment to the existing Code, possession of at least 3.5 ounces (100g) of heroin can get you 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $35,000 (100 million kip).

Laos Confident New Anti-Narcotic Law Will Effectively Help Combat Drug Problems (Voice of America)
United Nations Third Committee, Item 104: Laos, International Drug Control (UN.int)
Malaysia

Long jail sentences and heavy fines are mandatory for suspects caught with controlled substances, and the death penalty is prescribed for drug traffickers. the law presumes you are trafficking in drugs if you're caught in possession of at least half an ounce of heroin or at least seven ounces of marijuana.

Criminal Penalties – Malaysia (US Department of State)
Philippines

The law prescribes the death penalty for drug traffickers caught with at least 0.3 ounce of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana resin, or at least 17 ounces of marijuana. The Philippines has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty, but drug offenders are still punished harshly if caught – the minimum sentence is 12 years in prison for possession of.17 ounce of illegal drugs.

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 - Philippines (ASEANSEC.org)
Singapore

The Misuse of Drugs Act is very strict – persons caught with at least half an ounce of heroin, at least 1 ounce of morphine or cocaine, or at least 17 ounces of marijuana are presumed to be trafficking in drugs, and face a mandatory death penalty. 400 people were hanged for drug trafficking in Singapore between 1991 and 2004.

Misuse of Drugs Act of 1973 - Singapore (ASEANSEC.org)
Thailand

In Thailand, the law prescribes the death penalty for carrying category I narcotics (heroin) "for the purpose of disposal". The death penalty for drug trafficking has not been imposed since 2004, but rehabilitation counselling is often imposed on convicted drug users.

Narcotics Act B.E. 2552 - Thailand (ASEANSEC.org)
Vietnam

Vietnam strictly enforces its drug laws. As prescribed by Article 96a and Article 203 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code, possession of heroin in quantities larger than 1.3 pounds gets you a mandatory death sentence. In 2007, 85 people were executed for drug related offenses.

QuotePosted by: Mr T
« on: Today at 07:15:26 PM » Insert Quote
You can start with the "fact" that in the 1930s etc etc.  Why?  Tell me why it was declared the demon weed, ruiner of children and all that is good, in the 1930s.

I'm not interested in what some moralizing patronizing dude says in 2010.

Mr T Your not interested in anything that I have posted but you have not presented any good information or facts on making  marijuana legal is a good thing for all the people, and I'm still waiting on your facts..... ;D

hammondjam

Willy, you're believing in organizations and researchers that have(as I said before) a vested interest in keeping marijuana illegal. T and I have been here before with others that take what the government, the ALA, the Do IT NOW Foundation have to say as gospel. It is a waste of time until you are willing to think outside the "narcotic" box that has been sold to the American public.

I might at some time link some organizations that have a less biased view on the subject but not now. Extreme Home Makeover is coming on.
Dog will HUNT!

Terry

  HOW marijuana got a bad name                                                                                                                                                                             Lacing Marijuana
Marijuana is sometimes
laced with other drugs,
often without the
knowledge of the user.
Some of these drugs
include powder and crack
cocaine, PCP, and LSD
This was especially popular in the early 70's when these expermental drugs were popular ... "U' didn't buy or blow from someone "U" didn't know & trust!  Could have been what happened to Willys relation?  Were they tested to prove cause of death?
Accompanying Freedom is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable: destroy one and all will die.

mr.willy

I hope your links hammondjam will be contributing common sense advice about marijuana. ;D

Terry

 



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Hempfest 2009

Another Marijuana Legalization Initiative Filed in California

Cook County Board, President Approve Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

Colorado Initiative Sets Sights on Legalizing Possession of Marijuana

Drug Czar Reasserts White House Opposition to Cannabis Legalization, Misinformation Abounds

Barney Frank Proposes Federal Marijuana Decriminalization

Congressman Mark Kirk Targets High Potency "Super-Marijuana"

House Representative Suggests Marijuana Regulation Pilot Program

San Francisco Rep. Tom Ammiano Proposes Bill to Regulate, Tax, and Legalize Marijuana

Lowest Law Enforcement Priority on Hawaii Ballot

Fayetteville, AR Voters to Prioritize Cannabis for Law Enforcement

Update: Congressman Frank Introduces Legislation to Decriminalize Marijuana

US Congressman Barney Frank To Introduce Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

New Hampshire Considers Shifting To Civil Penalties For Minor Marijuana Possession

Cannabis and Lung Cancer Risk

New York City Sees Surge In Minor Marijuana Possession Arrests

Global Marijuana March: Thousands Protest Marijuana Prohibition

Different Chemicals, Different Effects; Marijuana And Psychotic Symptoms

DEA Administrative Law Judge Sides With Researcher On Access To Marijuana

Report: Marijuana Is Largest Cash Crop In US

San Francisco Board of Supervisors Votes To Make Marijuana Lowest Priority For Law Enforcement

2006 Ballot Roundup: Local Initiatives Pass, Statewide Votes Fail

Coloradans Push Back Against DEA's Effort To Campaign Against Marijuana Initiative

Colorado Voters To Decide On Marijuana Legalization

City Of West Hollywood Moves To Legalize Marijuana

Governor Says Yes To Bill Recriminalizing Marijuana In Alaska

Major UCLA Study Finds No Marijuana-Lung Cancer Link

CBS 60 Minutes To Air Piece On Canadian Activist And Entrepreneur Marc Emery on Sunday, March 5

Marijuana Bill Moves Through Massachusetts Legislature

Blair Government Takes Expert Advice: Cannabis To Remain In Class C

Marijuana Reform Organization SAFER Calls For Coors Boycott

Denver Votes To Legalize Marijuana

Report: Marijuana Arrests Have No Impact On Overall Marijuana Use

UK Police Commander Objects To Proposal To Examine Cannabis Upgrade

City Of Vancouver: Marijuana Legalization Part Of Plan To Prevent Substance Abuse Harm

Economics Of Marijuana Prohibition Vs. Regulation: Harvard Economist Jeffrey Miron Releases "Costs Of Marijuana Prohibition: Economic Analysis"

Sentencing Project: US "Drug War" Focus Has Shifted Toward Marijuana Enforcement, Away From Other Drugs

UK's Labour Government Moves To Re-Examine Cannabis Classification

Chicago Mayor Calls For Marijuana Decriminalization

Social Use of Marijuana

Responsible Cannabis Users / Guidelines For Sensible Cannabis Use

Marijuana Use In Pain Management

Ultra-High Potency Cannabis Assertion Is False

Feds Shifting Focus Away From Hard Drugs And Toward Marijuana

Scientists Find Short-Term Marijuana Use Not Unsafe For HIV-Infected Individuals

US MI: Cloud of Uncertainty Engulfs Medical Marijuana, Jackson Citizen Patriot, (03 Oct 2010)
US CA: Pot's An Easy Crop, Farms Easy Targets, Los Angeles Times, (03 Oct 2010)
US CA: OPED: Changing State Pot Laws, Attitudes, Santa Maria Times, (03 Oct 2010)
US AZ: OPED: Medical Marijuana Just A Smokescreen, Daily Courier, (30 Sep 2010)
Israel: OPED: Medical Cannabis In Israel: Revolution Or Evolution?, Jerusalem Post, (02 Oct 2010)
US CO: Eagle County Dispensaries Mobilize As Vote Looms, Vail Daily, (02 Oct 2010)
US CA: Medicinal Marijuana Grower: Prop 19 Poorly Written, Auburn Journal, (02 Oct 2010)
US CA: LTE: Just Say No To Prop 19, Appeal-Democrat, (03 Oct 2010)
US CA: LTE: Legalized Pot Won't Solve California's Problems, Napa Valley Register, (03 Oct 2010)
Marijuana News


Information About The Non-Medical Use Of Marijuana
Get Involved! Organizations working on marijuana issues include:
Cannabis Action Network
NORML
Drug Policy Alliance
Marijuana Policy Project
Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER)
Cannabis Consumers Campaign

Hempfest 2009
Although this year's Hempfest didn't boast quite as many attendees as the nearly 20-year-old, Seattle-based festival's last annual gathering (approximately 300,000 people attended in 2008, while over 100,000 people attended in 2009), the "world's largest annual gathering in support of decriminalizing marijuana" went off without a hitch and, according to an August 16 Examiner report, attracted many attendees who "were far from your average stoner" ("Marijuana 101: Is Seattle Hempfest the World's Largest Marajuana [sic] Decriminalization Gathering?"). Among those in attendance were "travel guru" Rick Steeves, actor Woody Harrelson, former Seattle police major (and current LEAP member) Norm Stamper, and Common Sense for Drug Policy's own Doug McVay.

The festival has come a long way since its origination in 1991. As the Examiner article states, Hempfest began "as the Washington [state] Hemp Expo" and was "attended by about 500 self-described 'stoners.'" As previously mentioned, the festival now ranks as the biggest gathering of its kind. Hempfest "includes many music stages and vendors," but "arrests for smoking marijuana do not happen in this peaceful crowd setting where many celebrities" and other drug policy reform advocates "come to voice their opinions." Aside from its brief write-up of the festival, the Examiner posting contains a powerful proclamation regarding both marijuana decriminalization in general and Hempfest's message. As its author L. Steven Sieden writes, "Hempfest proves that 'we the people' need to take control of our government and decriminalize this natural substance. Smoking marijuana on a daily basis [may] not [be] something a young person should aspire to, but marijuana can be used as a responsible medical treatment. Recreationally, it is also far less harmful than alcohol, and the potential for tax revenue are huge." Indeed.

The article also provides readres with two embedded videos from the festival. If you're in the Seattle area next year, this event certainly merits your participation.

Back to top
Another Marijuana Legalization Initiative Filed in California
Californians can now decide between three different legalization measures proposed for the 2010 ballot. J. Craig Canada, the Examiner's Santa Cruz County Drug Policy Examiner, provides a useful summary of the first two, filed respectively on July 15 and July 28, 2009, here. However, as Canada reported on August 10, 2009 ("California Has Three Initiatives Filed to Legalize Marijuana"), Californians now have a third ballot measure, the "Common Sense Act of 2010" (filed by Common Sense California - no relation - on August 4, 2009), from which to choose.

The "Common Sense Act of 2010," like its predecessors seeks to legalize (and thus enable regulation and control of) marijuana sales and consumption in the state of California. However, the newest of California's legalization initiatives differs with some magnitude from earlier counterparts. While the initiative would repeal "marijuana prohibition in California," it would also "give the legislature a year to pass laws to regulate and tax marijuana." Additionally, the initiative "calls for California members of Congress to work to remove cannabis from the Federal Schedule of Controlled Substances." Thus, Common Sense California's ballot measure offers something not only to California's cannabis consumers but for their counterparts nationwide.

To learn more about the iniative, visit is sponsor's website and read the full initiative here in PDF form.

Back to top
Cook County Board, President Approve Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance
President of the Cook County Board - a governing body for the greater Chicago area - Todd Stroger "says he won't veto a new ordinance that allows $200 tickets to be issued to those found in possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana," the Chicago Tribune reported on July 24, 2009 ("Stroger Won't Veto Tickets for Marijuana"). Although he was initially, as reported in a next-day Tribune article ("Kind of Dopey"), "surprised [...] when [the] ordinance [...] landed on his desk" the previous week, he now at least supports the ordinance enough to keep his veto stamp off its pages.

To find out more about the ordinance, take a look at either of the above linked articles or Phillip Smith's post for the Drug War Chronicle's blog.

Back to top
Colorado Initiative Sets Sights on Legalizing Possession of Marijuana
Activist organization Sensible Breckenridge, an arm of Sensible Colorado, succeeded in getting on November's ballot a "measure that would remove all penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana in the [...] ski resort town of Breckenridge," Phillip Smith writes in a post for the Drug War Chronicle's "Speakeasy" blog on July 25, 2009. The measure, as Smith reports, "would remove local penalties for the private possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults 21 and older, effectively legalizing small amounts of marijuana for adults under the town code."

Organizers told Smith that they "encountered overwhelming support" for the measure while gathering 1,400 signatures - nearly three times the 500 needed "to make the ballot." As local attorney Sean McAllister said, "Now it is up to the Breckenridge voters to decide if responsible adults should be criminalized for using a substance less harmful than alcohol." However, the measure could be implemented even earlier. According to Smith's post, "The Breckenridge Town Council will have the opportunity to enact the law at their meeting on August 11. If they do not, it will automatically be placed on the November 3rd ballot."

Back to top
Drug Czar Reasserts White House Opposition to Cannabis Legalization, Misinformation Abounds
In a July 22, 2009 article ("Drug Czar Says U.S. Won't Back Pot Legalization"), Marc Benjamin of California's Fresno Bee reports that U.S. drug czar Gil Kerlikowske "said the federal government will not support legalizing marijuana." Restating an oft-quoted phrase, Kerlikowske told reporters that "Legalization is not in the president's vocabulary, and it's not in mine." The drug czar claims he "understand why legislators" - particularly those of the California persuasion - are pushing taxes on "marijuana cultivation to help cash-strapped government agencies." However, he contends that "the federal government views marijuana as a harmful and addictive drug" with "no medical benefit," despite scientific and anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

Because he

Accompanying Freedom is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable: destroy one and all will die.

hammondjam

Dog will HUNT!

mr.willy

QuoteI hope your links hammondjam will be contributing common sense advice about marijuana.
;D

WhatMeWorry?

10.  "Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could."- William F. Buckley Jr.



9. "Forty million Americans smoked marijuana; the only ones who didn't like it were Judge Ginsberg, Clarence Thomas and Bill Clinton." - Jay Leno




8. "I now have absolute proof that smoking even one marijuana cigarette is equal in brain damage to being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast" - Ronald Reagan

7. "The drug is really quite a remarkably safe one for humans, although it is really quite a dangerous one for mice and they should not use it." - J.W.D Henderson Director of the Bureau of Human Drugs, Health and Welfare, Canada

6. "Casual drug users should be taken out and shot" - Darryl Gates Head of Los Angeles Police Department United States Senate Judiciary Committee



5. "When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale and never tried it again." –Bill Clinton

4. "When I was a kid I inhaled frequently. That was the point." - Barack Obama

3. "Now, like, I'm President. It would be pretty hard for some drug guy to come into the White House and start offering it up, you know? ... I bet if they did, I hope I would say, 'Hey, get lost. We don't want any of that.'" - George W. Bush


2. "I think pot should be legal. I don't smoke it, but I like the smell of it." - Andy Warhol

1. "I used to smoke marijuana. But I'll tell you something: I would only smoke it in the late evening. Oh, occasionally the early evening, but usually the late evening - or the mid-evening. Just the early evening, midevening and late evening. Occasionally, early afternoon, early midafternoon, or perhaps the late-midafternoon. Oh, sometimes the early-mid-late-early morning. . . . But never at dusk." - Steve Martin

Read more: http://www.bakedlife.com/2008/12/top-10-marijuana-quotes.html#ixzz11NR54RBlhttp://www.bakedlife.com/2008/12/top-10-marijuana-quotes.html