cannabisnews.com: A Tip for Voters: Get The Facts
A Tip for Voters: Get The Facts
Posted by CN Staff on August 16, 2002 at 07:41:34 PT
By Cory Farley, Reno Gazette-Journal
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal
Among the mysteries of modern life is the knee-jerk, jump-up-and-shout reaction a lot of people have to marijuana. I’ve seen with my own eyes an officer of the court, cigarette in mouth and martini in hand, ranting about how people who smoke dope should be locked up. When I mentioned his own habits, he sneered. “I’m talking about drugs,” he said. I mean, the guy has graduate degrees.
For the record, I don’t use marijuana. I have used it (inhaled, too), but not since the Nixon administration. No personal interest here.In November, Nevada voters will see a ballot initiative that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot. Early polls show it will fail, which is OK with me.OK, too, though, if it passes, because it would show people trying to force-feed us manure that we’re not pure fools.One is John Walters, head of the federal Office of Drug Control Policy (motto: “We are, too, accomplishing something”). In Las Vegas recently, Walters said that Nevada is a “pawn in a nationally funded campaign” aimed at legalizing marijuana.The rhetoric! The rhetoric! When you call someone a pawn, you imply that he’s being used, he’s too dumb to see it (could he be slightly backward?) and it’s your duty to protect him.Walters trotted out all the icons — “criminal organizations” that are a “dangerous threat” to our “democratic institutions” — and called decriminalization “a great con.” If he gave evidence, it wasn’t reported.You can read summaries, and get a look at the other side of this issue, at: http://www.norml.org -- the Web site of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws. It’s not unbiased, but it’s no more biased than the stuff you’re seeing now.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2002/08/15/21629.phpSource: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)Author: Cory Farley, Reno Gazette-JournalPublished: August 15, 2002Copyright: 2002 Reno Gazette-Journal Website: http://www.rgj.com/Contact: rgjmail nevadanet.comRelated Articles & Web Sites:NRLEhttp://www.nrle.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Are Nevadans Ready To Roll Dice on Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13765.shtmlPot Proponents Have Good Points http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13757.shtmlNevada Blazes Trail for Legal Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13689.shtml Marijuana Law Would Not Prompt Federal Crackdown http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13535.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by Dan B on August 17, 2002 at 13:17:20 PT:
Actually, More then "Holland-style"
Because it's still *huge* progress when 45+% vote for almost-Holland-style decriminalization.In Holland, one can have five grams. The Nevada proposal is to make it legal for any adult to have up to three ounces. Quite a huge leap upward from Holland.I would say, though, that if the only place you can get cannabis is from a state-run store, we may end up with a serious quality issue. Given the federal government's track record with medicinal cannabis, it is difficult to believe that a state government would offer anything worth buying. It may actually take three ounces to get high at all.Dan B
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Comment #11 posted by The GCW on August 16, 2002 at 23:22:01 PT
Cops against the drug war...
http://drcnet.org/cops/
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Comment #10 posted by Nasarius on August 16, 2002 at 16:23:16 PT
Progress
------------
Why do you think it's OK to arrest and jail people for possession of MJ? Don't you see the war on drugs is leading to some serious human rights abuses and erosion of liberties? OK by you?
------------Because it's still *huge* progress when 45+% vote for almost-Holland-style decriminalization.
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Comment #9 posted by trainwreck on August 16, 2002 at 16:22:59 PT
kaptinemo I sent my comments to the author
and he responded promptly with a plea to reconsider his column...you are right, it's better to encourage these guys who are willing to stick their necks out in print.Cannabisnews...the only news that's fit to print on papers, roll, and smoke!
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Comment #8 posted by VitaminT on August 16, 2002 at 14:28:18 PT
Seattle Hempfest - Who's Who
NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup,
NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre
NORML Affiliate Coordinator Kris KraneOther speakers include:Sandee Burbank - Executive Director: Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse
Nora Callahan - Executive Director: The November Coalition
Chris Conrad - Author: Hemp: Lifeline to the Future
John Conroy - Attorney; Canada NORML; Free Renee Boje
Diane Fornbacher - Executive Director: Tri-State Drug Policy Forum
Debby Goldsberry - Founder: Cannabis Action Network
Jack Herer - Author: The Emperor Wears No Clothes
Dominic Holden - Director: Seattle Hempfest; Sensible Seattle
Kyle Kushman - Cultivation Reporter: High Times Magazine
Nick Licata - Seattle City Council Member
Ann McCormick - Compassionate Moms
Joanna McKee - Founder: Green Cross
Vivian McPeak - Executive Director: Seattle Hempfest
Elvy Musikka - Federal Medical Marijuana Recipient
Lee Newbury - NORML of South Puget Sound
Bob Newland - Executive Director: South Dakota NORML
Mikki Norris - Executive Director: Cannabis Consumers Campaign
Ed Rosenthal - Author: "Ask Ed"
Jeffery Steinborn - Attorney; NORML Board of Directors
Don Wirtshafter - President: The Ohio Hempery
Kevin Zeese - Executive Director: Common Sense for Drug Policy
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 16, 2002 at 14:10:02 PT
Upcoming Event
I've been looking for an article about the Seattle Hemp Fest and I only found this small announcement. Here it is!Friday, August 16, 2002 - 12:00 a.m. PacificHere and NowHemp Heaven Break out the tie-dye — thousands of pro-pot pals are expected to gather at Seattle Hempfest this weekend. The celebration, planned for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday at Myrtle Edwards Park on the downtown Seattle waterfront, will feature speakers, music on six stages and vendors. Organizers call it the "world's largest annual rally calling for an end to marijuana prohibition." Go to http://www.seattlehempfest.com for the lineup and tales of responsible pot smokers.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 16, 2002 at 13:55:43 PT
VitaminT
Thank you! I'll try to catch it tonight.
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Comment #5 posted by VitaminT on August 16, 2002 at 13:46:56 PT
Cultural Baggage Radio Show:
WHEN: Friday Midnite to 1AM Saturday Central time - Thats 1 a.m. Eastern,
or 10 p.m. Pacific.WHO: Dr. Alan G. Robison, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology at UT
Health Science Center
& Exec. Dir. of Drug Policy Forum of Texas http://www.dpft.orgDavid F. Duncan, Dr.P.H., C.A.S., F.A.A.H.B, President Duncan & Associates
& Clinical Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Brown University
http://www.duncan-associates.com/George McMahon, one of six surviving, federally supplied Medical Marijuana
Patients http://www.trvnet.net/~mmcmahon/WHERE: KPFT Houston at 90.1 FM or listen on the net at http://www.kpft.orgPlus News, Views and drug war music. Listeners are invited to call in their questions at 713-526-5738
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Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on August 16, 2002 at 12:59:13 PT:
To answer your question, karkulus
I suspect that his navel had to be surgically opened again so he could see where he's going...
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Comment #3 posted by karkulus on August 16, 2002 at 12:01:50 PT
They're just ignorant!!
Walters also said when asked about Canadian and European legalization/decrim efforts that they were do to "Ignorance" ,and that "We will be a good example for the rest of the world". What!?? How to crush freedom?? isn't that one of the reasons they hate us so much? How far up his ass does his head go?
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Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on August 16, 2002 at 09:49:59 PT:
TW, this article is better than nothing
Or worse, being treated to another walking prohib bullhorn blasting out lies.Most journalists are simply too busy meeting deadlines - or performing vacuum functions with their eating orifices upon the reproductive members of their treasured LEO sources - to really dig into the subject. For the most part, the vast majority of 'journalists' are completely ignorant of the social costs of prohibition.But let one of them really have the time - and if they have the inclination - to dig deeper into the swamp of prohibition, and in most cases they behave as if they've rediscovered the Lost Ark of the Covenant. They often publicly admit astonishment at the absolute lawlessness of our supposed lawmen who kill children in botched drug raids and are given administrative leave with pay, they rail at unConstitutional forfeiture abuses, they point the finger at the waste of taxpayer's dollars, etc.In short, they are 'discovering' something known by us for decades. Which is why I always greet such 'revelations' posted here by such 'journalists' and welcome them to the club...as junior members. There's enough filth and 'human interest' stories about the DrugWar for 20 Pulitzers a year. Too bad most 'journalists' only consider the very people implementing this madness as the only 'experts' available.
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Comment #1 posted by trainwreck on August 16, 2002 at 09:18:24 PT
"Early polls show it will fail, which is OK...
with me."Why do you think it's OK to arrest and jail people for possession of MJ? Don't you see the war on drugs is leading to some serious human rights abuses and erosion of liberties? OK by you?
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