Cannabis News Cannabis TV
  Potent Pot Just One Reason Legalization Unwise
Posted by CN Staff on November 07, 2004 at 14:27:42 PT
By Sandra S. Bennett  
Source: Columbian 

cannabis Long before today's extremely potent strains of cannabis were developed, there were individuals who suffered severe psychotic episodes when smoking marijuana (feral cannabis hemp). In fact, this phenomenon was the basis of "Reefer Madness," the 70-year-old zombie movie about individuals who became crazed from smoking marijuana.

Today, pro-legalization partisans complain that "Reefer Madness" and the thousands of scientific studies that document marijuana's many insidious and dangerous side effects, are "just scare tactics" and insist that marijuana be given the same status as alcohol and tobacco.

Today marijuana is so potent (compare taking 20 aspirin at a time instead of two) that it has become a leading cause of drug related medical and psychiatric emergency room episodes, impacting thinly-stretched medical resources.

Several recent scientific studies have found that marijuana use can indeed cause psychosis and worsen psychiatric disorders. It also causes short-term memory loss, impaired cognitive functions such as attention and judgment; impairs coordination, balance and reaction time; increases heart rate, risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema; and increases risk of head, neck and lung cancer.

Male infertility is also associated with marijuana use. Studies have noted lower I.Q. in children born to pot-smoking mothers.

Pot smokers have a higher incidence of absenteeism and injury in the workplace. The unemployment rate for drug users is more than 150 percent greater than that of nonusers and drug users typically earn less.

Marijuana use contributes to delinquency and crime. Society often ends up subsidizing users' housing, food, utilities, medical expenses, and other basic needs. All of these problems would increase dramatically if marijuana were legalized because easy access to marijuana will increase use and addiction just as it has with tobacco.

The actual number of persons jailed for marijuana possession in the United States, many of whom have plea-bargained down from more serious drug charges, is around 35,000. There are approximately 3,365 local jails in the United States, for an average of 10 to 11 marijuana possession offenders per jail. This figure does not include the 9,000-10,000 incarcerated in federal prisons on marijuana charges, where the average possession has been measured in pounds and tonnage, not grams and ounces.

Danger on the Roadways

Marijuana not only plays a key role in auto accidents but is a bigger factor in trucking related fatalities than is alcohol. A well-done study on airplane pilots found that even 24 hours after smoking a low-potency marijuana cigarette, pilots could not land a flight simulator on which they had been trained.

The impact of marijuana on American education should be of grave concern. Although tobacco has insidious long-term medical consequences and is perceived to be the greater menace, it does not interfere with the ability to learn.

Does anyone believe that dumbing down American students, many of whom can now claim they smoke pot for "medical" reasons, will make them competitive in the job market? Special-education teachers are already overburdened with drug impacted children children who come to school impaired by second-hand smoke from the psychoactive drugs used by their parents.

California, with its lax marijuana laws, now mandates treatment instead of incarceration for drug users and it not only is bankrupting the system, but most arrestees don't complete treatment or bother to turn up.

Sweden and Japan both tried legalization but suffered dire consequences and reinstituted strong drug policy. Unfortunately, society has a short memory and is often doomed to repeat its most egregious mistakes.

Legalization would be one of those terrible mistakes that would take generations to undo.

Sandra S. Bennett of La Center is director of the Northwest Center for Health & Safety and served as a board member of Drug Watch International from 1992 through 2003, as its president in 1999.

Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Author: Sandra S. Bennett
Published: Sunday, November 7, 2004
Copyright: 2004 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact: letters@columbian.com
Website: http://www.columbian.com/

Related Articles:

Exposing Potent Pot Myths
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19678.shtml

Pot Use is Prescription for Disaster
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11353.shtml


Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help

 
Comment #36 posted by CannabisMark on November 09, 2004 at 15:21:15 PT:

lies and the truth
first of all i wanna no y they illegalized weed in the first place..marijuana has been around for centuries..i think like since 2700bc...and all the of the sudden they have to make it illegal..riduculous!i dont care tho..i smoke weed like its my job and i wish it was lol. the only bad effects ive had from weed is that i have short term memory loss ..but i dont care bout that either.. WEED HAS DONE MORE GOOD THAN HARM i say. this lady doesnt know wat she is talkin about..she needs to smoke some weed and chill out. legalization would help this country out in many ways the list goes on and on and on ...and on and the thing about how weed corrupts the youth..BULLSHI.. WEED SHOULD BE THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY CHILDS EDUCATION..i have learned many life expierences from weed even the metric system lol...if everyone smoked weed there would be no saddam hussien and osama..btw..FCUK them ..people like bob marley should have run this country -ill be back some other time peace out people

~one love~

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #35 posted by dr slider on November 08, 2004 at 23:21:30 PT:

cannabuisiness
Let's get the priests in the marijuana buisiness.

Cops or Docs? I wonder not.

Lion said to Moses, "make this oil"

"Annoint"

Those who dwell in yea or nee

Need to add a triple play.

We who dwell in Trinity

Have a lone affinity.

The brightest light is at the end of the tunnel.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #34 posted by global_warming on November 08, 2004 at 15:48:25 PT
She Is A Nut-Bennet
If any of the above article were true, I wonder if that is reason enough to put a man or women into a prison for this matter. All of these alleged reactions to marijuana may be true for some people, perhaps they were early stage psycho to begin with, maybe they had emotional problems, maybe they have anger problems, but is this a criminal matter?? This sounds more like a health matter, lets get the police out of the marijuana business and lets get good professional health service.

It was the biggest mistake in this country to make drug abuse a criminal matter when it always was a health matter, I would rather see a doctor about my abuse of alcohol rather than some young trigger happy cop.

gw

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #33 posted by Dankhank on November 08, 2004 at 12:55:50 PT
Amazing
The energy around here is amazing ...

I can't fathom, having watched the Movie "Reefer Madness," why anyone would cite this prohibitionist screed as worthy of note. This claim sets the tone for a pretty large serving of bovine fecal matter.

Crazyworld

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #32 posted by FoM on November 08, 2004 at 11:22:00 PT
freedom23
I like this sentence. I agree too.

The next four years are going to be tough but we will survive. It's always darkest before the dawn.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #31 posted by freedom23 on November 08, 2004 at 10:45:56 PT
-1, Troll
Sandra Bennett use to be (or possibly still is) with Drug Watch Oregon, and over the years has constantly lied about marijuana. She's a first class troll and reprinting anything she says or writes as fact is irresponsible journalism. She's a sad, hate filled human being.

On the lighter side (and we need it these days) if you want to see a funny take on drug war propaganda go rent the "Family Guy" episode "Let's go the hop" (disk two, season two). The episode's plot is about how the local high school kids take up licking toads to get high. There's a musical number that rips on all the "horrors" of drug use. Very, very funny.

Please be safe and careful people. The next four years are going to be tough but we will survive. It's always darkest before the dawn.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #30 posted by FoM on November 08, 2004 at 10:27:08 PT
It's Really Hard Some Times
How have we gone back to a time when people blamed marijuana for so much damage? I thought as life goes by we become more open minded and knowledgeable about issues. No matter how old we are we must keep learning and understanding but the antis are stuck in reefer madness. They wonder why it will be hard to support this administration.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #29 posted by dr slider on November 08, 2004 at 10:16:54 PT:

neo-reefer madness
Well, I was wrong. Who could have guessed that they would come out touting a new and improved reefer madness? It truly boggles my medcan protected and "1984" resistant mind that we've been transported back to the late thirties.

I expect a full frontal assault. The architecs of the third war remember well the wellspring of love that a generation used to shut down the Vietnam war. Cannabis opened eyes and hearts across this land to the self-defeating nature of war.

As we slide into crumbling empire, expect to be increasingly targeted again. The comparison has already been made here between us and the jews of WWII (Hitler's goal being the third reich). Remember, long before the jews were vaporized, other "undesirables" treaded the way, mental abberants among them. We've already got 'em calling "marijuanna addiction" an epidemic. Bush's new "Freedom Initiative" is another orwellian named attempt to further restrict my most cherished freedoms. Those of my mind and body.

Try as they might, these truly God(ess) given gifts will allow me to keep slip slidin' away.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #28 posted by FoM on November 08, 2004 at 08:26:31 PT
Siege
I sure hope it turns out good too.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #27 posted by dongenero on November 08, 2004 at 08:26:26 PT
ding-dong....Coo-coo...Ben-nett
In fact, this phenomenon was the basis of "Reefer Madness," the 70-year-old zombie movie about individuals who became crazed from smoking marijuana.

This is truly hilarious.

"In fact," and the movie "Reefer Madness" in the same sentence. Oh boy....sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you just are a nut....Ms. Bennett.

However, thank you for pointing out this Zombie "phenomenon" that is ongoing. You would think that after 70 years of "crazed" negro and jazz musician zombies killing their friends and family while raping white women, we would have made a stand sooner.

You nut.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #26 posted by dongenero on November 08, 2004 at 08:11:53 PT
here is what 20 aspirin will do to you
20 aspirin? Now there is some dangerous advice!

the following text from drugtext.org is regarding aspirin toxicity:

Be very careful about aspirin dosage. Follow package directions. If they say take two aspirins, don't think you'll get twice the relief by taking four. The drug doesn't work that way. And don't take it any more often than the- package recommends: Unless your doctor has told you differently, don't take more than a few doses o€ aspirin in any given day, and don't take even the recommended dosage more than couple of days in any week.

If you do take too much you may be in for a variety of unpleasant surprises. Overuse of aspirin, and even more particularly aspirin-plus-extra-ingredients products (usually those "extra" ingredients are caffeine and/or phenacetin), can cause such problems as' gastritis, peptic ulcers, migraine headache, anemia, intestinal nephritis, and a shortening of your lifespan. #01Aspirin intoxication may be caused by the use of just fifteen to twenty tablets a day. Symptoms can include dizziness, headache, shock, ringing in the ears, disorientation, internal-tissue bleeding, hallucinations, incoherent speech, asthma attacks, gastric disturbances, convulsions, and coma. Prolonged use can cause serious problems such as irritation of _ the stomach lining, potassium depletion, and abdominal bleeding. If you really overdo. it, you, can take a lethal dose. For most adults, 20 to 30 grams (60 to 90, adult-strength tablets) will stop your headache permanently. Naturally, a fatal dose for children or the elderly will be significantly lower: -

If you are with someone who has overdosed on aspirin, rush him to the nearest hospital. There is no dependable quickie home remedy. The patient's best chance for survival is at the hospital. Inform them that his condition is due to aspirin overdose.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #25 posted by siege on November 08, 2004 at 06:30:54 PT
FoM
I just found it, not saying either way I hope it is good!!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #24 posted by kaptinemo on November 08, 2004 at 04:42:09 PT:

Meet Sandra S. Bennett
A Google search for her name brings up some interesting articles:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Sandra+S.+Bennett

One of those articles decries the existence of sites like this:

Pro-Drug Websites Pose a Danger for Students http://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2002/dec02/issue/med_drugsites.html

in which she bemoans the fact that very few students seem to be looking at DrugWarrior Web sites and are instead turning to places like this in droves - as our almost 200K hits last week have proven sites like this as having far more readership that those of antis. (Facetiously) I wonder why that is? Perhaps because the intended targets of the antis have had enough of being lied to?

Of course, she is quick to inform her readers that the DrugWarrior version of the 'truth' can be had at such clarion trumpeters of the DrugWar verities as (choking with laughter at such jejune naivete) www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

A-hem!

Needless to say, it immediately becomes very evident that her continued paycheck is dependent upon her continued repetition of DrugWarrior cantos. "By their works, ye shall know them." We know Ms. Bennett's ilk all too well...as do her intended audience.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #23 posted by mayan on November 08, 2004 at 02:27:11 PT
Reefer Madness?
BWAHAAHAAAHAAAA!!!

You know the prohibitionists are terribly desperate when they start citing "Reefer Madness" as an argument against cannabis-law reform!

What year is this???

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #22 posted by Nuevo Mexican on November 07, 2004 at 21:47:39 PT
Ashcroft knows the election was stolen!
And know cannabis prohibition is based on lies, as the Christian Right has made a deal with the devil! Here's some links C-Newsers will want to infect the mainstream media with! Thanks in advance, FOM, and cannabis activists everyone, seems our issue is the only one that went well, amazing, isn't it!

BTW, Jack Blacks' 'School of Rock' is on Showtime, get out your papers! Hope you've seen it FOM, it's your kind of movie, I kid you not!

from OliverWillis.com

New Jersey, a swing state? As if. Is Ohio the new Florida for real? Sounds like it.

WTF? Has Ohio been hacked? The official election site shows 70% for David Cobb and 0% for Kerry...

http://www.oliverwillis.com/node/view/1152

The Astrological view of the stolen election: From Astroworld.us

http://www.astroworld.us/archives/000446.html#000446

Out of the Ashes The battlefield is now deserted, but the smoke of spent gunfire lingers in the morning mist. Underfoot, the earth is softened with the blood of Democracy’s wounds. The brazenly triumphant Warrior King calls for peace, but few of his former enemies, deceived countless times already, risk trusting his empty promises. It is time to take to the hills and regroup for another day. As has been shown throughout the ages, when battling a foe with superior force and overwhelming odds, a guerilla war with focused goals and cunning strategy is the only path of resistance.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #21 posted by afterburner on November 07, 2004 at 21:14:48 PT
"Doughhead" -- First Reaction
She's actually using one of Harry Anslinger's propaganda movies as a *reference*! If this is what passes scientific research in the "dumbing down" of America, it may be too late to save the patient.

So true, cloud7: "'society has a short memory...'

"...prohibition on alcohol failed miserably and it seems the collective world cannot remember this even if you tell them over and over and over...."

And they accuse us of having difficulty remembering. What have *they* been smoking?



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #20 posted by Commonsense on November 07, 2004 at 21:12:50 PT
siege
One good thing about Clarence Thomas is that he doesn't believe in the "substantial effects" doctrine in interpreting the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. He's the one Supreme Court justice most likely to look at something like medical marijuana as a "states rights" issue and side with the states because he believes the federal government has been allowed to act outside of the scope of their authority because previous Supreme Courts have come up with a lot of bad law allowing the feds to pass whatever laws they want under the guise of regulating "interstate commerce."

I for one agree entirely with Clarence Thomas at least on this issue. Supreme Court Justices like him would strip away unconstitutional powers the feds have taken over the years and open the door for states to govern their own again as the founders intended. Just about all federal drug laws exist only because the feds believe the Commerce Clause gives them the authority to pass and enforce these laws. It doesn't and it was never intended that it would.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #19 posted by FoM on November 07, 2004 at 20:59:09 PT
Siege I Found This
Excerpt:

Justice Clarence Thomas noted that important constitutional questions remained undecided, such as Congress' ability to interfere with intrastate commerce, the right of states to experiment with their own laws and whether Americans have a fundamental right to marijuana as an avenue to be free of pain. Justice Thomas wrote that the court would not decide those "underlying constitutional issues today."

Case Seeking Right To Distribute Medical Marijuana: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11712.shtml

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #18 posted by siege on November 07, 2004 at 20:50:28 PT
hard to say
While on the high court, Thomas has been a solid member of the far right wing bloc, commonly voting along with Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Antonin Scalia.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #17 posted by siege on November 07, 2004 at 20:29:12 PT
off topic
BUSH CONSIDERS CLARENCE THOMAS FOR CHIEF JUSTICE

http://www.drudgereport.com/sc.htm

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #16 posted by The GCW on November 07, 2004 at 20:12:47 PT
nooneistoactasyourjudgeinregardtofoodordrink
And the media that prints it.

For even the media to print it, is revealing.

420 One another.

The leaders in America suckle the devil’s tendril.

We drink from Christ God Our Father’s vine.

4

Colossians 2:16, “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink…”

2

The Green Collar Worker from the Spirit of Truth from Christ God Our Father to You.

0

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. -Col. 3:4

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #15 posted by John Tyler on November 07, 2004 at 19:45:54 PT
The evil of prohibition
How many times have we seen this rehash of old discredited propaganda. This is the kind of evil that warps the minds of prohibitionist. You can tell from her writing that she is "not experienced".

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #14 posted by Sam Adams on November 07, 2004 at 19:33:34 PT
What a joke
Our masters in Washington must get their act together.

Let me get this straight. We're supposed to be worried about making Americans competitive for jobs? So I have to live in fear of using cannabis, even medically, and being arrested by semi-crazed cops, my whole life, so that American workers can be more competitive. Got it.

At the same time, there are actual tax incentives for companies moving their jobs overseas. The only thing American workers can do to compete with Asians is work for a dollar a day.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #13 posted by cloud7 on November 07, 2004 at 18:58:19 PT
...
"there were individuals who suffered severe psychotic episodes when smoking marijuana (feral cannabis hemp)"

I do seem to recall someone turning into a bat from smoking this.

"Unfortunately, society has a short memory and is often doomed to repeat its most egregious mistakes."

That's so true, only around 70 years ago a draconian policy of prohibition on alcohol failed miserably and it seems the collective world cannot remember this even if you tell them over and over and over....

"The impact of marijuana on American education should be of grave concern. Although tobacco has insidious long-term medical consequences and is perceived to be the greater menace, it does not interfere with the ability to learn."

On the other hand, being tanked up on alcohol gives me the clarity I need to really understand the difficult concepts of a subject.

This is one of the most vile pieces of disreputable trash I have seen in a while. Start wrapping fish and lining bird cages if you want to get some value out of this wood pulp and ink.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #12 posted by siege on November 07, 2004 at 17:54:15 PT
USERS
Are you saying Society often ends up subsidizing USER'S you are DAM RIGHT I get (((SOCIAL SECURITY))) At (( 65 ))

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #11 posted by The GCW on November 07, 2004 at 17:40:58 PT
Forgive Me, for I have left out Sandra S. Bennett
Drop the Betty out the hatch...

Ever notice how during war, clergy doesn’t mention, do not kill?

The devils advocate.

Someone mentioned job security.

If clergy were to tell Us Americans not to support killing, it would effect their income!

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #10 posted by observer on November 07, 2004 at 17:17:34 PT
analysis
[1] Terms of service History of The Columbian Advertise in The Columbian Local View: Potent pot just one reason legalization unwise Sunday, November 7, 2004 By Sandra S.
(Sentence 1) re: "
legalization" - Drug policy options are presented as either total prohibition, or as total "legalization." No middle ground is contemplated in the "zero-tolerance" world of prohibition. Absolute prohibition executed with religious fervor and purpose! (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[2] Bennett Long before today's extremely potent strains of cannabis were developed, there were individuals who suffered severe psychotic episodes when smoking marijuana (feral cannabis hemp).
(Sentence 2) re: "
psychotic" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[3] In fact, this phenomenon was the basis of "Reefer Madness," the 70-year-old zombie movie about individuals who became crazed from smoking marijuana.
(Sentence 3) re: "
Reefer Madness" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[4] Today, pro-legalization partisans complain that "Reefer Madness" and the thousands of scientific studies that document marijuana's many insidious and dangerous side effects, are "just scare tactics" and insist that marijuana be given the same status as alcohol and tobacco.
(Sentence 4) re: "
dangerous", "Reefer Madness" - Drugs, scream prohibitionists, cause all bad things in life: crime, violence, insanity, etc. If not for prohibition (i.e., jailing drug users), then criminality, violence and psychotic behavior would explode upon the land, the prohibitionist assures us. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "legalization" - Onward prohibitionist drug warriors, fighting the epidemic and scourge in the battles of the war against drugs! (Drugs declared evil by politicians, that is.) (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[6] Several recent scientific studies have found that marijuana use can indeed cause psychosis and worsen psychiatric disorders.
(Sentence 6) re: "
psychosis" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "marijuana use" - "This strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration." [W.White,1979] (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[7] It also causes short-term memory loss, impaired cognitive functions such as attention and judgment; impairs coordination, balance and reaction time; increases heart rate, risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema; and increases risk of head, neck and lung cancer.
(Sentence 7) re: "
impaired", "impairs", "bronchitis", "cancer" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[9] Studies have noted lower I.Q. in children born to pot-smoking mothers.
(Sentence 9) re: "
children" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 )
[11] The unemployment rate for drug users is more than 150 percent greater than that of nonusers and drug users typically earn less.
(Sentence 11) re: "
drug users", "users" - Drugs are linked with groups of people who are already seen as deviant or shameful. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "drug users" - Prohibitionist propagandists repeatedly assert that "use is abuse." Details about "using" as opposed to "abusing" drugs are ignored. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[12] Marijuana use contributes to delinquency and crime.
(Sentence 12) re: "
Marijuana use" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[13] Society often ends up subsidizing users' housing, food, utilities, medical expenses, and other basic needs.
(Sentence 13) re: "
Society" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 )
[14] All of these problems would increase dramatically if marijuana were legalized because easy access to marijuana will increase use and addiction just as it has with tobacco.
(Sentence 14) re: "
addiction", "problems" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[18] Danger on the roadways Marijuana not only plays a key role in auto accidents but is a bigger factor in trucking related fatalities than is alcohol.
(Sentence 18) re: "
Danger", "accidents" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[20] The impact of marijuana on American education should be of grave concern.
(Sentence 20) re: "
American" - Because of prohibition (prohibitionists assure us), society is protected: the community is safe, and the nation is saved. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 )
[22] Does anyone believe that dumbing down American students, many of whom can now claim they smoke pot for "medical" reasons, will make them competitive in the job market?
(Sentence 22) re: "
American" - The survival of society is assured, -- says the propaganda of prohibition -- as long as drug users are punished (jailed). (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 )
[23] Special-education teachers are already overburdened with drug impacted children children who come to school impaired by second-hand smoke from the psychoactive drugs used by their parents.
(Sentence 23) re: "
children" - Prohibitionists forever claim that children are corrupted by drugs, and this is why adult users must be punished harshly. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 )
[24] California, with its lax marijuana laws, now mandates treatment instead of incarceration for drug users and it not only is bankrupting the system, but most arrestees don't complete treatment or bother to turn up.
(Sentence 24) re: "
drug users", "users" - The rhetoric of prohibition will try to use labeling and guilt by association to link drugs and drug users with hated groups. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "drug users" - Prohibitionists try to hammer in the idea that 'all use is abuse.' The rhetoric of prohibition needs to deny that many people can use currently illegal drugs without abusing them. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[25] Sweden and Japan both tried legalization but suffered dire consequences and reinstituted strong drug policy.
(Sentence 25) re: "
legalization" - Any mention of lessening the harshness of drug laws is portrayed as a sinful "legalization". Only total prohibition (or more jailings) will be righteous. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[26] Unfortunately, society has a short memory and is often doomed to repeat its most egregious mistakes.
(Sentence 26) re: "
society" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 )
[27] Legalization would be one of those terrible mistakes that would take generations to undo.
(Sentence 27) re: "
Legalization" - With God on Their Side (prohibitionists assure us), only the continued rooting out of the sinful drug users (total prohibition) will do. All else is portrayed as the slippery slope to total legalization of all drugs for toddlers. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #9 posted by ekim on November 07, 2004 at 17:11:55 PT
far to many have been harmed by existing laws
the fact remains that smoking a joint is not a disease. the author has been less than truthfull, trying to make it sound like very few are arrested when every study shows that taxpayers are paying Millions if not Billions for the 6 and one half Million Cannabis arrests in the last 10 years -- every one knows at least one story of how this war is stopping people from gaining jobs because of unfair and untrue assumptions blocking entry. this makes our great less able to be all that it can be when good people with skills are not allowed to be all that they can be.

October 25, 2004 - Washington, DC, USA

Washington, DC: Police arrested an estimated 755,187 persons for marijuana violations in 2003, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report, released today. The total is the highest ever recorded by the FBI, and comprised 45 percent of all drug arrests in the United States.

YEAR -- MARIJUANA ARRESTS http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread19730.shtml 2003 -- 755,187 2002 -- 697,082 2001 -- 723,627 2000 -- 734,498 1999 -- 704,812 1998 -- 682,885 1997 -- 695,200 1996 -- 641,642 1995 -- 588,963 1994 -- 499,122 1993 -- 380,689

For more information, please contact Keith Stroup or Paul Armentano of NORML at (202) 483-5500.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6313

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #8 posted by runruff on November 07, 2004 at 16:55:59 PT:

The Bush bane.
Peace is the Bush family buisness. Bombing people is only a hobby.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #7 posted by The GCW on November 07, 2004 at 16:07:33 PT
Give Bush some brass knuckles and send Him.
Drop Him out the hatch.

You know how Vegas type places in Europe have gambling for elections??? Well there should be game on who Bush will attack next. Odds are…

I don’t think they want to kill Christians; they want to KILL DISOBEDIENT CHRISTIANS. OK, but that’s not Our job. Our job is to love one another. It is Christ God Our Father’s job to kill disobedient Christians.

I'm not a gamlin' man, but I bet Bush smokes another country next year.

There should be odds on when too.

Perhaps odds on Chaneys heart. Oh, He has no heart...

Bombs away.

Mark Souder and Joyce Nelepka are also bombs.

Send um.

(make finger in mouth jesture to signify pop noise)

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #6 posted by Hope on November 07, 2004 at 16:01:41 PT
Kaptinemo
Got your electric turkey carving knife?

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #5 posted by runruff on November 07, 2004 at 15:58:50 PT:

P.S,
Stong pot only takes less to do the same job as lesser strength pot does. Since one can only get just so high or even want to, stronger pot is actually healthier for you. But this is just a start in correcting this idiot.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #4 posted by runruff on November 07, 2004 at 15:51:10 PT:

Job security.
I've said it once I've said it a thousand times. The only people who spew this regergitated propaganda do so for profit or job security. Did you note her job?

I say religion is the most dangerous drug on the planet. Religion has killed more people than any other drug. Cannabis has never killed anyone.

Uncle Sam please leave us pot smokers alone. We ain't your problem.

Namaste.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #3 posted by The GCW on November 07, 2004 at 15:45:14 PT
Sandra S. Bennett is void of the Spirit of Truth.
lombar,

thanks for the heads up... I didn't get past the 1st para.

A GUT FULL OF LIES.

Evaporate.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on November 07, 2004 at 15:42:19 PT
I'll do one
--Today marijuana is so potent (compare taking 20 aspirin at a time instead of two)--

The difference? People have died from taking aspirin...

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by lombar on November 07, 2004 at 15:03:18 PT
I just don't have the energy...
..to refute all the lies in this article.

" Legalization would be one of those terrible mistakes that would take generations to undo."

Prohibition IS one of those terrible mistakes that is TAKING generations to undo...

Notice the authors use of words, would, could, might, can, may...whereas anyone fighting prohibition is dealing with what IS...she can conjure ghosts and phantoms to inspire fear of change instead of dealing with the real world.

[ Post Comment ]


  Post Comment
Name:        Password:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comment:   [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]

Link URL:
Link Title:


Return to Main Menu


So everyone may enjoy this service and to keep it running, here are some guidelines: NO spamming, NO commercial advertising, NO flamming, NO illegal activity, and NO sexually explicit materials. Lastly, we reserve the right to remove any message for any reason!

This web page and related elements are for informative purposes only and thus the use of any of this information is at your risk! We do not own nor are responsible for visitor comments. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 and The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, Article 10, news clippings on this site are made available without profit for research and educational purposes. Any trademarks, trade names, service marks, or service names used on this site are the property of their respective owners. Page updated on November 07, 2004 at 14:27:42