cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar Calls Ariz Marijuana Initiative 'Stupid' Drug Czar Calls Ariz Marijuana Initiative 'Stupid' Posted by CN Staff on October 10, 2002 at 09:40:35 PT By Sandy Yang, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press The federal drug czar on Wednesday denounced a proposition on Arizona's Nov. 5 ballot that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, calling it a "stupid, insulting con." John P. Walters joined Democratic gubernatorial candidate Janet Napolitano and GOP gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon at a town hall meeting to discuss the harmful effects of drug legalization. "You've got to ask yourself, 'Is the community better off with more drugs?"' Walters, head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told a group of about 150 senior citizens and children. "We know that marijuana is the single largest source of dependency," he said. "We know that it is responsible for 20 percent of accidents on the road today. How many billions of dollars in liability is Arizona opening itself up to down the line?" If passed, Proposition 203 would decriminalize the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use. Anyone caught with that amount would be fined $250 for each of the first and second offenses, $750 for a third or subsequent offense within two years. Proposition 203 would also require the Department of Public Safety to provide free marijuana to people with a written recommendation from a physician. The marijuana would be provided from confiscated contraband. People with such recommendations would be entitled to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana. Phoenix resident Carolyn Barker, 60, attended the meeting because she was angered at comments that Walters made on the radio earlier in the day. "I had a friend with cancer and it helped him eat," Barker said. "He got marijuana illegally and he could have gotten caught." Walters, who coordinates federal drug programs and spending, said no scientific data proves marijuana is effective as medicine. He compared the drug's healing potential to snake oil and cigarettes. "I wish it were medicine," Walters said. "But my responsibility is to tell the truth. And that truth is based on science, not sick people's experiences, which, however sincere, does not prove medical efficaciousness." Salmon said that opposing Proposition 203 would protect Arizona's children. "I have four children," he said. "I don't want to open the door and send the message that using marijuana is OK." Napolitano, Arizona's attorney general, also said she opposes the initiative and cited increased homicides linked to drug trafficking. "To say this is a benign issue with no great social consequences doesn't match the reality," she said. Complete Title: Drug Czar Calls Ariz Marijuana Initiative 'Stupid, Insulting' On the Net: Office of National Drug Control Policy: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/ Source: Associated Press Author: Sandy Yang, Associated Press WriterPublished: Thursday, October 10, 2002Copyright: 2002 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMarijuana Lacks Medicinal Value, Drug Czar Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14414.shtmlDrug Czar Condemns Pot Decriminalization http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14413.shtmlDrug Czar Opposes Prop 203 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14403.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #25 posted by knox42897 on October 10, 2002 at 17:02:23 PT: CZAR'S BELONG IN RUSSIA CZAR'S BELONG IN RUSSIA NOT AMERICA [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by canaman on October 10, 2002 at 16:21:53 PT Meant to say wish he 'would' Nasarius And it was only wishful thinking....I wish his csarness had a heart and wasn't a lying propaganda spreading fascist too.End the war! Give Peace a chance! [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Nasarius on October 10, 2002 at 16:11:27 PT Outright Lies? >>"I wish it were medicine," Walters said. "But my responsibility is to tell the truth. And that truth is based on science, not sick people's experiences, which, however sincere, does not prove medical efficaciousness." I wish his czarness could believe the sick and dying.Actually, he doesn't need to. He can refer to any number of studies showing the efficacy of cannabinoids and raw marijuana. He need look no further than the National Academy of Sciences (www.pnas.org). There are a few good studies by the Lindesmith Center, and I'm sure there are others that don't immediately come to mind. Marijuana.com has a pretty good categorized archive that might be of interest. Even the IOM report, while remaining skeptical (as is often appropriate in science), certainly did not dismiss the possibility that marijuana could be an effective medicine.In short, Walters is lying. Plain and simple. He only gets away with it because the government largely controls the media; progressive viewpoints are mostly restricted to local papers and LTEs. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by karkulus on October 10, 2002 at 15:07:42 PT FOM sez"Stupid is only a cop out word. " WELL YOU'RE 5/7TH'S RIGHT!! NYUK NYUK! [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by canaman on October 10, 2002 at 13:39:05 PT Fascist czar visits Reno today and tomorrow Stop by and say high if you can get past the small army that will no doubt surround him. News converence at 6:30pm this evening...Will he suprise us with some new lies? I can hardly contain myself. Will some brave journalist make a name for him/herself and confront the lowly czar? Stay tuned Reno Gazette-Journal update: http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2002/10/05/25337.php?sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by The GCW on October 10, 2002 at 12:35:31 PT Is there a monthly cancer mag? They should run vaporizer ads. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by The GCW on October 10, 2002 at 12:32:42 PT observer, Walters, IS Our Best Man. I think You'r right. He is such a fool, He doesn't even realize how highly ignorant it is to cage humans for using a plant. He will help make sure other know what is and what isn't stupid.Realize that the gov. stats indicate 1 in 4 people are going to confront cancer, alone. That is every American family. Every family will face cancers excruciating pains and discomforts. Too many of them are going to search for answers and can not be stopped.It is ironic that the gov. by prohibiting cannabis may actually be responsible for increasing the incidence of cancer. Cannabis may help keep us from getting cancer, and they prohibit it. Then it helps us when We get cancer, they prohibit that too. It would be fine if only prohibitionists get cancer,,,Increased cancer rates WILL require more cannabis and people wanting it!So if cancer is increasing, this need for cannabis is only going to grow!!!!!!!&! Every day another family is told one of its loved ones has cancer, this issue becomes more vital to more citizens who will shun the Fed. stance. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Dankhank on October 10, 2002 at 12:19:34 PT: The number of the beast ... I just got off the phone with the Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse and spoke to the person there and asked how the Czar could think that Arizonans could be "fooled" three times???Of course no answer, but I observed that it was poetic to the Nth degree that their phone number was as follows:Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6000 Rockville, MD 20849–6000 Ph: 800–666–3332 The number of the BEAST!!!!!!!!It can't get any better than that ...By the way, I will be sending a CD to him as well ...I say again a little clearer: send me an address I will send you a CD, you may then send me a buck or two if you choose. Peace to all who fight .... Hemp N Stuff [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by legalizeit on October 10, 2002 at 11:43:32 PT D'oh! >"We know that marijuana is the single largest source of dependency," he said. "We know that it is responsible for 20 percent of accidents on the road today. How many billions of dollars in liability is Arizona opening itself up to down the line?" Who is "We"? and how do they "know" this? If current tests cannot determine impairment at time of the accident, how can they prove that 20% of accidents are cannabis related? I thought cigarettes were the largest source of dependency. (Yeah right, they don't count because they are legal and therefore perfectly safe. And being hooked on them isn't dependency; it's just a "bad habit." Sure, Mr. Walters, we believe you.)>"my responsibility is to tell the truth"Is that so? Then why do you blatantly abdicate that responsibility EACH and EVERY time you stand up at the podium and blab your prohibitionist propaganda?>"that truth is based on science"Hmmm... science like NIDA's own study, which in itself disproves eighty percent of the pablum you are promoting?Mr. Walters, you and your insiders are a DISGRACE and an INSULT to everything this country is built upon. I wish you would just fly back to Washington and SHUT UP for a change! [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by trainwreck on October 10, 2002 at 11:30:02 PT Science Being a good scientist, by definition, requires being a good observer. Observing the relief of patients who use MJ, observing their testimonies, is the very definition of the scientific method. Proof of "medical efficaciousness" consists of testimonials by patients, as there is no mechanical device that can measure and "prove" someone feels relief from pain. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by greenfox on October 10, 2002 at 11:00:46 PT OK, then you've got to ask yourself.... ""You've got to ask yourself, 'Is the community better off with more drugs?"' Walters, head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told a group of about 150 senior citizens and children."OK, this is just plain silly. When marijuana is debated, it;s considered "just another drug". How about oxycottin, a morphine/codiene based drug that kills thousands a year? THis was wisked through the FDA approval process with haste. The same goes for other drugs as well. When it comes to the psudo-legal pharmicutical industry, things are never called "drugs", they are called "medicine". But when a natural plant is discussed, it is NEVER referred to as medicine, save for the people that use it.Sly in green, foxy in kind,-gf [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by observer on October 10, 2002 at 11:00:35 PT Walters, Our Best Man ''Phoenix resident Carolyn Barker, 60, attended the meeting because she was angered at comments that Walters made on the radio earlier in the day.''Keep flapping your jaw, Walters! I tell ya, Walters is our best man! The more he talks, the more our numbers go up! I'm 100% supportive of his latest trips to Arizona and Nevada. He's educating voters like we never could. They listen to the man lie, their blood-pressure goes up, and they vote the opposite way he dictates they vote. This happened with the Czar in California for Prop. 215, and I think it is happening again now.* * *(Note also that "legalization" was studiously attacked by czar and fellow travellers, no mention of jail or prison. Does that tell you something? It should. Go on the offensive and rub their noses in the fact they are jailing pot smokers. They want people to forget that jail detail for a reason ... Do not let them forget the jail part! Attack jail for pot smokers, and stop defending "legalize", whatever "legalize" is supposed to mean.) [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by DdC on October 10, 2002 at 10:51:00 PT Ariz Calls Drug Czar 'Stupid Insulting Con' On Wednesday Arizonian's denounced the federal drug czar as a "stupid, insulting con." The harmful effects of John P. Walters joined by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Janet Napolitano and GOP gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon was discussting at a town hall meeting.Walters, head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told a group of about 150 "You've got to ask yourself, 'Is the community better off with more senior citizens and children raped in prison?"' . We know the war on marijuana is the single largest source of dependency," he said. "We know that it is responsible for 60 percent of Americans in prison. How many billions of dollars in liability is Arizona opening itself up to down the line?" If passed, Proposition 203 would decriminalize the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use. Anyone caught with that amount would be fined $250 for each of the first and second offenses, $750 for a third or subsequent offense within two years. Proposition 203 would also require the Department of Public Safety to provide free marijuana to people with a written recommendation from a physician. The marijuana would be provided from confiscated contraband. People with such recommendations would be entitled to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana. Taking profits directly from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The federal drug czar denounced as a "stupid, insulting con." Phoenix resident Carolyn Barker, 60, attended the meeting because she was angered at comments that Walters made on the radio earlier in the day. "I had a friend with cancer and it helped him eat," Barker said. "He got marijuana illegally and he could have gotten caught." Walters, who coordinates federal snake oil and cigarettes spending, said scientific data proves marijuana is effective as medicine. He compared the drug's healing potential to having a friend with cancer and it "helped him eat,""I wish it were medicine," Walters said. "But my responsibility is to sell snake oil and cigarettes. And that truth is based on political science, not sick people's experiences getting medicinal relief.Salmon said that opposing Proposition 203 would protect Arizona's children. Juvenile Justice http://www.hrw.org/children/justice.htmChild Labor http://www.hrw.org/children/labor.htmPot Use No Higher Among California Kids! http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread206.shtmlKids Can Understand Pot Abuse, Medical Use http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14284.shtmlI have four children," he said. "I don't want to open the door and send the message that using marijuana is the potential to having a friend with cancer and it "helped him eat,"Napolitano, Arizona's attorney general, also said she opposes the initiative and cited increased homicides linked to drug trafficking. War on Drugs Can Claim a Deadly Victory http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14389.shtml"Not One Tear Forgotten" http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/articles/not_one_tear_forgotten.htmPeter McWilliams: 1950 – 2000 http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/Peterm.htm Rainbow Farm Massacre http://www.mapinc.org/find?200Anti-Pot Politics a Disservice To The Ill http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread9754.shtmlMKULTRA: CIA Mind Control C O N T E N T S http://www.parascope.com/ds/documentslibrary/documents/mkultrahearing/index.htmTo say this is a benign issue with no great social consequences doesn't match the reality," she said. "The dogmatic heartlessness of the war on drugs was on flaming display Monday in Flagler and Volusia counties as national drug 'czar' John Walters brought a message high on zero tolerance and dubious facts to a high school and a drug treatment center. Walters' sophomoric claims and punishing solutions illustrate exactly why a record 74 percent of Americans believe the war on drugs is a failure and why claims like Walters' cannot be trusted: They are irresponsibly blind to reality."From "Behind Czarist 'Truths' - Deception No Way To Wage Drug War," an editorial published by Daytona Beach News-Journal. http://www.n-jcenter.com/2002/Sep/26/OPN2.htm for the complete editorial.Walters the Terrorist http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/politics/media/39/39850.jpgPeace, Love and Liberty in Solidarity or The Murdering Goofy D.E.A.th! DdCD.E.A.th Deceptions http://www.angelfire.com/ca7/ddc/DEAth.htmlU.S.Al Qaeda! http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/39/39670.gifThugczar Wally http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/35/35838.gif"In a civilised society, it is the duty of all citizens to obey just laws. But at the same time it is the duty of all citizens to disobey unjust laws." - Martin Luther King Jr. Mindfield [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by canaman on October 10, 2002 at 10:39:08 PT I wish, I wish , upon a star..... "I wish it were medicine," Walters said. "But my responsibility is to tell the truth. And that truth is based on science, not sick people's experiences, which, however sincere, does not prove medical efficaciousness." I wish his czarness could believe the sick and dying.End the war on Americans! Give peace a chance! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 10, 2002 at 10:38:23 PT Had Enough! LOL! Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Had Enough on October 10, 2002 at 10:37:03 PT FoM You Am. I know you Am. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 10, 2002 at 10:34:35 PT Stamina Had Enough and VitaminT here we go! I better take my vitamins to keep up the pace. I saw that to that we broke 100,000 again. That really is great. I have my running shoes on and am ready! I think I am! I hope I am! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Had Enough on October 10, 2002 at 10:31:06 PT Hmmm ""I wish it were medicine," Walters said.""Hmmmm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Had Enough on October 10, 2002 at 10:24:49 PT FoM FoM, Get Ready. You will be pretty busy for a while. Here is the storm that was talked about in earlier posts, more is on the way.Stamina? Yep and plenty of it. Let it roll baby roll. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by VitaminT on October 10, 2002 at 10:13:23 PT Hey FoM CNews broke 100,000 hits again yesterday! - with the election coming up early next month it looks like October '02 is going to set a pretty "high" standard!Maybe it breaks 3 million!?!?! 2.8 maybe? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by VitaminT on October 10, 2002 at 10:04:01 PT now Forrest Gump, remember what your mother said. "Stupid is as Stupid does"Silly fool! Czar knows stupid, he sees him in the mirror every morning! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 10, 2002 at 10:00:12 PT I Really Mind The Word Stupid I think using the word stupid to describe anything shows real ignorance of the point a person is trying to make on any issue. Stupid is only a cop out word. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dan B on October 10, 2002 at 09:53:09 PT: Wrong again, Johnny Boy! Prop 203 is not "stupid," and neither is legalizing cannabis altogether. What is stupid is refusing to acknowledge the truth when it is beating you over the head day in and day out.I refer you to my comment #2 here:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14414.shtml#2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on October 10, 2002 at 09:51:58 PT Associated Press or TASS? I can't tell the difference.Newsflash: Sam Adams call Associated Press "Stupid, Insulting" [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Windminstrel on October 10, 2002 at 09:50:57 PT that's only fair Since we all consider "Pee" Walters stupid. 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