Republicans for Pot

George Washington Says:

2010-05-19T14:35:00.001-07:00

"Make the most of the Indian Hemp Seed and sow it everywhere." George
Washington

White House Drug Czar Carlton Turner

2010-05-19T14:31:00.001-07:00

"Marijuana leads to homosexuality ... and therefore to AIDS."-
White House Drug Czar Carlton Turner, 1986

Drug-Friendly Netherlands to Close 8 Prisons -- Not Enough Crime

2010-05-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

For years prohibitionists, including our own Drug Enforcement Administration, have claimed — falsely — that the tolerant marijuana policies of the Netherlands have made that nation a nest of crime and drug abuse. They may have trouble wrapping their little brains around this:

The Dutch government is getting ready to close eight prisons because they don’t have enough criminals to fill them. Officials attribute the shortage of prisoners to a declining crime rate.

Just for fun, let’s compare the Netherlands to California. With a population of 16.6 million, the Dutch prison population is about 12,000. With its population of 36.7 million, California should have a bit more than double the Dutch prison population. California’s actual prison population is 171,000.

Source: Drug-Friendly Netherlands to Close 8 Prisons -- Not Enough Crime

News by Marijuana Policy Project

(May 26, 2009) in Society / Drug Law

By Bruce Mirken

Rand Paul, after winning the PA senate seat from Arlen Spectre

2010-05-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Rand Paul said, after winning the PA senate seat from Arlen Spectre, "We want our government back". We're still trying to recover from the last time you idiots had control of our Country. Remember, stock market crash, wars everywhere, unemployment at an all time high and rising and then the ENTIRE Republican party REFUSED to assist the President and the rest of our Government out of spite. That's ridiculously childish and a shame that our elected leaders play these games while NOT doing their job and following our wishes. A recent pole showed that 81% of AMERICANS are in favor of Medical marijuana and why is it still a schedule 1 drug? That's probably why Meg Whitman thinks it's as addictive as heroin! Awesome! Let's elect another idiot! I can't believe these people speak and make decisions and statements on things they obviously know NOTHING about! Wow, it's a shame that we allow this to happen.

Legalize Marijuana on Califonia's November Ballot!

2010-03-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

The California Secretary officially certified the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 for the state’s November ballot. This means that on November 2, Californians will be able to vote to send marijuana prohibition to the ash heap of history!

The groundbreaking initiative would make personal possession and cultivation of marijuana legal for adults over 21 in California. It would also allow cash-strapped cities and counties to tax and regulate marijuana sales in order to reap millions in new tax revenues. The proposition will also call on the legislature to enact a statewide system to tax and regulate marijuana.

Will the nation’s largest state finally create a legal market – complete with tens of thousands of new jobs – for what’s already its top cash crop?

From MPP Blog

The Smoking States

2010-03-16T01:41:00.000-07:00

by Clayton Coffey

One could say that in the large world of marijuana there are upwards of a thousand different strands of "pot" and millions of smokers. And if you are one of the several millions who choose this lifestyle it would be a great thing to know how many and which states are smoker friendly (with the right documentation of coarse). Out of the fifty states that consider themselves to be apart of this "great" union, there are only fourteen that have passed bills making it legal to use medical marijuana. All states surprisingly have different possession limits as well as a loosely enforced ID card fee (the card used to get into one of the many marijuana dispensaries around the country). In both Oregon and Washington you can legally have 24 ounces on your person. Washington even allows you to legally grow 15 plants (although many laws about possession and growing varies from town to town). If you didn't already know, California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 followed by Alaska, Oregon, and Washington in 1998. Since then Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont have all passed legislature to legalize the use of medical marijuana (possession limits vary from state to state). Arizona and Maryland allow medical use defense in court. Maine, Michigan, Montana, and Rhode Island even accept your prescription from another state. With this information a "pot" smoker like myself can pick and choose from many of these fine states to find a place to live and enjoy the beauty of medical marijuana.

Information gathered from www.Procon.org

Surge for Marijuana Policy Reform Makes Front Page of USA Today

2010-03-12T13:07:00.000-08:00

In a fantastic example of how much the times have changed, the front-page, above-the-fold story in this morning’s USA Today, the “nation’s newspaper,” is about the “growing national movement” to reform marijuana laws.

Quoting numerous voices from within the marijuana policy reform movement, including MPP’s Kurt Gardinier, the piece highlights the growing public support for ending marijuana prohibition, paying particular attention to the many states that have passed or proposed legislation to allow medical marijuana, eliminate criminal penalties for possession, and even tax and regulate the nation’s largest cash crop like alcohol.

Years ago, such a huge splash in the mainstream media would have been hard to fathom. Hopefully it will serve to further sway public opinion in favor of much-needed reform.

From MPP Website

Former Bush Appointee, Prohibitionist Author Now Supports Marijuana Policy Reform

2010-03-12T13:04:00.000-08:00

John J. Dilulio, Jr., the man who once co-authored a book with two former drug czars that described America’s drug war as “the most successful attack on a serious social problem in the last quarter-century,” has now reversed course, writing in the journal Democracy that it is “insane” to “expend scarce federal, state, and local law enforcement resources waging ‘war’ against [marijuana] users.”

Specifically, Dilulio, who served for eight months in 2001 as director of President George W. Bush’s White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, listed making medical marijuana legal as one of “six steps to zero prison growth,” along with removing all federal mandatory-minimum drug sentencing policies. He also said the United States should “seriously consider decriminalizing [marijuana] altogether” because marijuana arrests have “close to zero” effect on crime rates and there is “almost no scientific evidence” showing marijuana to be more harmful than alcohol or legal narcotics.

This is coming from the same guy who in 1996 co-authored a (now out-of-print) book that was subtitled “How to Win America’s War Against Crime and Drugs,” with former directors of the Office of National Control Policy Bill Bennett and John Walters.

I would love to know what got Dilulio to change his views of drug policy—and how we could make other former prohibitionists see the light as well.

Here is the complete excerpt of Dilulio’s article that discusses marijuana policy:

“Sixth, legalize marijuana for medically prescribed uses, and seriously consider decriminalizing it altogether. Last year there were more than 800,000 marijuana-related arrests. The impact of these arrests on crime rates was likely close to zero. There is almost no scientific evidence showing that pot is more harmful to its users’ health, more of a “gateway drug,” or more crime-causing in its effects than alcohol or other legal narcotic or mind-altering substances. Our post-2000 legal drug culture has untold millions of Americans, from the very young to the very old, consuming drugs in unprecedented and untested combinations and quantities. Prime-time commercial television is now a virtual medicine cabinet (“just ask your doctor if this drug is right for you”). Big pharmaceutical companies function as all-purpose drug pushers. And yet we expend scarce federal, state, and local law enforcement resources waging “war” against pot users. That is insane.”

From MPP Website

How come everyone is so focused on Medical Marijuana?

2010-03-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

It's natural and has been PROVEN to have great success at helping a vast amount of ailments. Whether your need is one due to a terminal condition or not, it works and ALL should have access to it.

Why isnt our government concerned about the effects of cigarettes or alcohol? People die from those and yet there are legal. As a matter of fact WE ALL KNOW CIGARETTES KILL so why are they legal? Name ONE benefit from a cigarette? Can you think of one? Didn't think so but keep picking on medical marijuana, that makes sense.

How about the fact that the DEA has a schedule of drugs in which Schedule 1 is the worst and considered to have NO social or medicinal value. Schedule 2 is next and so on... Well, here's the kicker...
Schedule 2
PCP
Crack
Meth
Crank
LSD

Schedule 1 (the worst)
Marijuana

Now, I think we can ALL agree that pot is far less of a threat than ANY of those listed above as a "Schedule 2" drug. Why do we allow this? This is what allows the Government to justify the ridiculous amount of money they spend on the "War on Medical Marijuana"

I we're in a recession! AWESOME!!!

Our cities are cutting back everywhere but they have no problem wasting money pursuing the pot industry when they could be making money from it, that's lame! Think about that. Your property tax money going to wards fighting something that is LEGAL by law of the State but the cities want to ban it and prosecute those involved in this industry, even the ones who AREN'T operating illegally. all the time wasting your money. 56% of California voted for medical marijuana 13 years ago, how many stoners do you think didn't even show up to vote? Remember, that was when college students and such didn't vote in large numbers. Since then, public knowledge and support have grown since then and people are voting now, it's changed. Large amounts of revenue could be generated from regulated medical marijuana, it's a benefit to so many, a threat to none. Why?

Please do the right thing and help us bring the reality of the necessity of medical marijuana to those who oppose our cause.

Poll

2010-01-25T11:21:00.001-08:00

According to a 1999 Gallup poll, 73% of Americans are in favor of "making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain and suffering." In a 2004 poll commissioned by AARP, 72% of Americans ages 45 and older thought marijuana should be legal for medicinal purposes if recommended by a doctor. Also, since 1996, voters in eight states plus the District of Columbia have passed favorable medical marijuana ballot initiatives.

Source: Medical Marijuana - The Facts

Today, Medical Marijuana. Tomorrow, Legalize It!

2010-01-12T01:05:00.001-08:00

Gone to Pot: Think the medical-marijuana movement in California and beyond is the vanguard of a broader effort to completely legalize the devil weed? You’re right!

Read more...

Judge orders CHP to return 60 pounds of marijuana

2010-01-12T01:02:00.000-08:00

By Gerrick Kennedy, Los Angeles Times, January 9, 2010

It had been confiscated from a motorist whose attorney convinced a judge that California's medical marijuana law allowed its transport.

With the debate on medical marijuana still at a full boil in Los Angeles, a judge Friday ordered the return of 60 pounds of pot to a man after his attorneys successfully argued that a state law gave him the right to transport it.

Saguro Doven, 33, was initially charged with possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of the drug, a violation of the state's health and safety code.

The marijuana was bundled in individual bags that were tucked inside a larger duffel bag when Doven was pulled over on the 101 Freeway by a California Highway Patrol officer, according to court records.

But defense attorney Glen T. Jonas argued that his client was a member of a Venice-based medical marijuana collective and that he was authorized to transport the marijuana. The California attorney general's guidelines regarding medical marijuana indicate that collectives are allowed to both grow and transport quantities of marijuana for its members.

Jonas said the prosecution's expert witness, CHP Sgt. Richard Fuentes, was unqualified to render an expert opinion in the case because he lacked the knowledge required to distinguish lawful from unlawful possession and transportation of marijuana, according to court records.

Fuentes had testified that only caregivers can transport or carry large quantities of marijuana. The law, however, states that members of a collective may transport marijuana on behalf of the group and are exempt from prosecution.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William Sterling agreed that the prosecution expert was unqualified and ordered the charge of possession for sale dismissed.

On Monday, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office asked that the remaining transportation count be dismissed.

Doven's attorney then asked for the 60 pounds of marijuana to be returned -- a request that was granted. Doven could have faced a maximum of four years in state prison if found guilty.

"Although justice was delayed, I am thankful it wasn't denied," Doven said.

Source: Los Angeles Times: Judge orders CHP to return 60 pounds of marijuana

Some Illinois Republicans Are High On Medical Marijuana

2010-01-12T00:59:00.000-08:00

The AP recently surveyed the GOP candidates for Illinois governor and found out something, like, totally awesome dude: some of them actually support medical marijuana laws for the state.

Of course, some of them are also closed-minded curmudgeons who actually claim with a clear-conscious that "relatively few studies have been completed on the health benefits relating to the effects of inhaling marijuana as an alternative to currently available treatment."

That quote comes from DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom. Obviously, he has never heard of a little group called the American Medical Association.

Remarkably, though it seems Schillerstrom is a minority among his peers. Most of the candidates quoted in the piece say they would back a "narrowly defined" or "narrowly drawn" prescription pot law for the Land of Lincoln.

Read more...

Why Republicans Should Support Legalization Of Marijuana

2010-01-12T00:57:00.000-08:00

California is going through a budget "crises" again, California loses out on billions of dollars of untapped tax revenue because their number 1 cash crop is illegal. The federal government loses out on billions of dollars in taxes, while spending billions of dollars to enforce laws that punnish users. Remember after 911 when the ad council made commercials that said buying marijuana funds terrorism? Well, if you take that activity off the black market the terrorists won't be able to funnel the money from it; they would almost have to focus exclusively on oil for their revenue.

Read more...

Republicans Try Marijuana at Higher Rate Than Democrats

2010-01-12T00:55:00.000-08:00

Posted in Chronicle Blog by David Guard on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 4:07pm

It’ll come as a surprise to most, but Republicans try marijuana at a higher rate than Democrats. A Gallup poll found that 33% of Republicans have tried America’s favorite (and safest) illicit drug while a slightly lower 31% of Democrats have inhaled the celebrated herb.

Thinking back, I remember when it was learned that House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman and other Republicans had enjoyed marijuana in their pasts, and I recall the 2002 Republican congressional page scandal in which eleven pot smoker pages sponsored by Republican House members were dismissed subsequent to the discovery of marijuana in their Capitol Hill dormitory. I guess I should have put two and two together.

Politically speaking, the obvious question is “Why doesn’t this translate into more Republican support for marijuana decriminalization or legalization?” Only 21% of Republicans want the herb legalized while 37% of Democrats do. Do Republicans experience different effects? Do they feel guilty after imbibing?

Maybe we just need more Republicans to bring their views on marijuana laws out of the closet. Take Gary Johnson for instance. The former Republican governor of New Mexico supported the legalization of marijuana in a very public way when he was in office, in fact, he was eager to make it part of his legacy. He also wanted people to understand that he didn’t just “experiment” with the weed: “In running for office during my first term, I offered up the fact that I smoked marijuana. And the media was very quick to say, ‘Oh, so you experimented with marijuana’…No, I smoked marijuana. This is something that I did. I did it along with a lot of other people. But me and my buddies, you know…we enjoyed what we were doing,” said Johnson in 1999.

Of course, there’s another high-profile Republican not shying away from telling people marijuana should be legal -- Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) who has served in Congress for almost 20 years. And, heck, he just recently set the GOP’s one-day fundraising record of $4.3 million. Hmmm, it sure doesn’t seem like his supporters are afraid of his marijuana legalization spiel.

George Shultz, former Secretary of State under Ronald Reagan, also wants marijuana legalized. Almost 20 years ago, he coined an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal to tell people “...We need at least to consider and examine forms of controlled legalization of drugs.”

Another of Reagan’s most trusted aides, Lyn Nofziger, who also worked for Nixon and shares responsibility for unleashing the Reagan drug war on America, joined Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) at a 2002 Capitol Hill press conference to support a federal medical marijuana bill and to push President Bush and other Republicans to get onboard. “I've become an advocate of medical marijuana…It is truly compassionate. I sincerely hope the administration can get behind this bill,” he said.

And then there are some of the Republican Party’s luminaries. Highly respected and influential ultra-conservatives like William F. Buckley, Jr. and Milton Friedman have called for marijuana legalization at least since Nixon famously visited Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai in 1972. I suppose the appropriate question is “When will the Republicans decide to take the high road to China on this one?”

Note: It is interesting and important to realize that all of the conservatives whose viewpoints on drug policy were discussed above, save Nofziger, go much further than only wanting marijuana to be legal. In fact, they have either explicitly called for all drugs to be legalized or have strongly alluded to the idea they should be.

Source: Republicans Try Marijuana at Higher Rate Than Democrats

Republicans for Compassionate Access HB 5470 Testimony

2010-01-04T23:04:00.001-08:00

Republicans for Compassionate Access representitives former Delegate Don Murphy (R-Maryland) and State Rep. Penny Biannccio (R-Conn) speak eloquently and from the heart in favor of HB 5470 The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.

WITHIN REASON 02/25/09: Legalize & Tax Marijuana?

2010-01-04T23:01:00.001-08:00

Bob Kerrigan and co-host Bill Rankin discuss the pros & cons of legalizing and taxing marijuana, as proposed by a Californian law maker. "Within Reason" is an hour-long public affairs program hosted by Bob Kerrigan. The show can be viewed live each Wednesday evening at 7pm CST at www.WUWF.tv - Podcasts are available at www.WUWF.org

Fox news: Jesse Ventura calls for the decriminalization of marijuana

2010-01-04T23:00:00.001-08:00

Geraldo At Large - Jesse Ventura calls for the decriminalization of marijuana

Why was Marijuana ever made illegal in the United States?

2010-01-04T22:54:00.000-08:00

Many people assume that marijuana was made illegal through some kind of process involving scientific, medical, and government hearings; that it was to protect the citizens from what was determined to be a dangerous drug.

The actual story shows a much different picture. Those who voted on the legal fate of this plant never had the facts, but were dependent on information supplied by those who had a specific agenda to deceive lawmakers. You’ll see below that the very first federal vote to prohibit marijuana was based entirely on a documented lie on the floor of the Senate.

You’ll also see that the history of marijuana’s criminalization is filled with:

* Racism
* Fear
* Protection of Corporate Profits
* Yellow Journalism
* Ignorant, Incompetent, and/or Corrupt Legislators
* Personal Career Advancement and Greed

These are the actual reasons marijuana is illegal.

Read More...