cannabisnews.com: Voters Reject Pipe Dream Voters Reject Pipe Dream Posted by CN Staff on December 11, 2002 at 10:02:09 PT Letter To The Editor - Joyce Nalepka Source: Washington Times Sunday's Forum column "Marijuana policy reform crossroads" (Commentary) should have been headlined "Marijuana policy reform dead end." Rob Kampia (chairman of the Marijuana Policy Project), Peter Lewis (the millionaire founder of Progressive Auto Insurance who bankrolled the Nevada legalization effort) and their band of drug legalizers met the ultimate obstacle in Nevada: public education. After parents, grandparents and law enforcement members networked to help the public understand the dangers of marijuana use and began carrying around 3-ounce containers of parsley to show what 3 ounces of marijuana would look like (3 ounces of parsley fills a 1-gallon Ziploc bag), the legalizers' initiative took a dive. White House Drug Policy Director John Walters responded to the call for help and went to Nevada to do what the charter of his office directs — make every effort to stop illegal drugs. The stature of his office brought needed media attention to help educate and protect the state's residents. Mr. Kampia brags that his side won 39 percent of the vote. We prefer to say they lost by a 61 percent majority. Mr. Kampia's side spent an estimated $2 million for its loss. Those opposing the bill scraped together about one-tenth that amount. The legalizers use smoke and mirrors to mislead the public by saying, "Hundreds of thousands are arrested for simple possession annually." Statistics in Florida indicate that of 74,000 inmates in the Florida prison system, 107 were charged with "possession." Each one of those 107 was plea-bargained down from a more serious charge. Mr. Kampia's group claims AIDS patients need marijuana. The facts are that marijuana is harmful to the immune system and AIDS is a disease of that system. The National Institutes of Health states: "People with AIDS and other diseases of the immune system should avoid marijuana use" (NIH publication No. 98-4036). The Supreme Court ruled unanimously, "There is no medical necessity defense for marijuana use." This time legalizers' lies backfired, and the voters let them know it. It is outrageous that drugs are so rampant in our country that schoolchildren are forced to pass through metal detectors and endure searches by drug-detecting dogs. Additionally, Congress recently passed a law allowing random drug testing of every student who participates in extracurricular activities. The Supreme Court already has ruled that testing is allowed. I am not angry because these protective measures are being used. They are vital to students' safety. The reason for my outrage is that I have watched for 25 years as the drug-legalization movement repeatedly has told young people, "There is no evidence that even those few young people who smoke a great deal of marijuana necessarily hurt themselves — academically or otherwise." They have held marijuana smoke-ins at which children as young as 12 have been filmed being taught how to roll marijuana cigarettes. Now armed with lots of cash, these same legalizers are marching from state to state to weaken all kinds of drug laws. Nonpunitive student drug testing may be the most positive anti-drug legislation we have seen. Parents, grandparents, principals and superintendents should begin cooperating to get it started. Nonusing students deserve to be educated in a drug-free environment, and those already using drugs can be pulled back into the mainstream. Parents who have lost children to drugs regularly tell us, "Because lying is a major part of drug use, my child was using for over two years before we figured out what was happening." Joyce Nalepka, President Drug-Free Kids: America's Challenge, WashingtonSource: Washington Times (DC)Author: Joyce NalepkaPublished: December 11, 2002Copyright: 2002 News World Communications, Inc. Website: http://www.washtimes.com/Contact: letters washingtontimes.comRelated Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.orgDrug Free Kidshttp://www.ourdrugfreekids.org/Marijuana Policy Reform Crossroads - Rob Kampia http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14946.shtmlMPP Files Complaint Against Drug Czarhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14902.shtmlRebellion Against the Drug Czarhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14885.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by Hope on December 12, 2002 at 07:51:27 PT Joyce's choices For sure she is dangerous. People have suffered and some have died unnecessarily because of her and other people like her. Probably, her “insanity” could be recognized as a case of hysteria. hys·ter·i·a n. Behavior exhibiting excessive or uncontrollable emotion, such as fear or panic. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on December 12, 2002 at 07:51:06 PT Hi Hope I've been wondering if you were ok. I haven't seen you hawking any NYT news and was worried. I want to wish you an early Merry Christmas! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by BGreen on December 12, 2002 at 06:24:54 PT Hitler believed his own propaganda, too Joyce is lying, Hope, or just using one isolated incident to portray normalcy. I've been a part of this "movement" for 27 years, and, I might add, I'm a PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN! I've seen it ALL and done a lot of it. Joyce is insane and extremely dangerous. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Hope on December 12, 2002 at 05:36:58 PT "They"? Kampia? Lewis? Soros?Who the heck is she speaking of in this paragraph when she says "They"...? I'm a "legalizer" and I certainly wasn't a part of the occasion she describes."They have held marijuana smoke-ins at which children as young as 12 have been filmed being taught how to roll marijuana cigarettes. Now armed with lots of cash, these same legalizers are marching from state to state to weaken all kinds of drug laws." [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Truth on December 11, 2002 at 18:23:21 PT thanks I thank the Lord that she was not my mom. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by mayan on December 11, 2002 at 17:12:10 PT Brush Off Your Resume' I think our cause is progressing very nicely, considering that 4 out 10 voters in the conservative state of Nevada voted for OUTRIGHT LEGALIZATION!!!When Canada decriminalizes, the war on cannabis here in the States is done! Put a fork in it! Brush off your lame resume', Joyce! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on December 11, 2002 at 14:25:32 PT Dr. Russo What would we do without you? I mean that and thank you for doing so much. We will win one day! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 11, 2002 at 13:37:04 PT: Thanks, My Dear FoM I have been back from Brazil for a few days, and lurking rather than commenting. I attended an excellent clinical cannabis conference there. There is reason for optimism. The professionals believe in clinical cannabis, in harm reduction for other drugs, and that positive change can occur. Reefer madness does not prevail everywhere. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on December 11, 2002 at 13:31:19 PT Hi Dr. Russo I am very sure you have way more important things to do! Good to see you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 11, 2002 at 13:29:17 PT: It's Been Too Long since I've had such an ironic laugh thanks to Joyce. She and I have sparred previously in the Washington Times, but I can hardly begin to debunk this hypocritical nonsense in less than a page of newsprint. For better or worse, I have other things to do--- [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by p4me on December 11, 2002 at 12:35:25 PT Joyce and the Washington Times What a pair. I wonder if the only thing keeping the Washington Times afloat is government propaganda money. Seems like a sorry newspaper in a field of fascist newspapers and Joyce seems like a misguided Crusader out looking for dragons. I must admit I did not read the whole article because I don't have time to waste on what I know has to be crap.1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by druid on December 11, 2002 at 12:30:02 PT: florida? Mr. Kampia brags that his side won 39 percent of the vote. We prefer to say they lost by a 61 percent majority. Mr. Kampia's side spent an estimated $2 million for its loss. Those opposing the bill scraped together about one-tenth that amount. The legalizers use smoke and mirrors to mislead the public by saying, "Hundreds of thousands are arrested for simple possession annually." Statistics in Florida indicate that of 74,000 inmates in the Florida prison system, 107 were charged with "possession." Each one of those 107 was plea-bargained down from a more serious charge.Why is she talking about the Nevada initiative and then start quoting statistics from Florida? Does Florida have the lowest percentage rate of incarceration for cannabis users or something? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by delariand on December 11, 2002 at 12:28:10 PT I feel like I lost IQ just by reading this letter "It is outrageous that drugs are so rampant in our country that schoolchildren are forced to pass through metal detectors and endure searches by drug-detecting dogs. Additionally, Congress recently passed a law allowing random drug testing of every student who participates in extracurricular activities"It's not outrageous that drug use is so rampant in our society, any more than it's outrageous that football is so rampant in our society. People like to have a good time! What's outrageous is that adults are jailed for enjoying themselves, and schoolchildren are forced to pass through metal detectors, and endure searches by drug detecting dogs. This poor sheep has been so blinded by the government's propaganda, she doesn't even realize who's fault it is that this kind of thing happens. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on December 11, 2002 at 11:25:40 PT drop in the bucket MPP spent $2 million? So what? After 80 years of relentless propaganda, and a $50 billion per year militarized drug war, essentially a civil war on our own people, $2 million is pennies. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by darwin on December 11, 2002 at 11:14:54 PT Good ol' Joyce Hadn't read any lunacy from her recently. Good to know she's still fighting the good ole' boy fight, brought to you by her friends in the Dupont family. It appears they put this editorial up against Rob Kampia's editorial to provide contrast. This is great. Anyone one takes the time to read both will see through Joyce's fear mongering. It makes me laugh that she thinks reform is at a dead end. 40% was a pretty good showing for such a bold initiative. Public opinion does not jump accross spectrums, it sways one way or the other gradually. Clearly the last ten years has shown increasing public opinion on our side. Add to that, talk in Canada and the UK about decriminalization, and clearly we are not at a "dead end" but on the verge of a breakthrough. Keep talking Joyce, people are starting to wake up and there is nothing you can do about it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by cltrldmg on December 11, 2002 at 11:01:39 PT politics and medicine "The facts are that marijuana is harmful to the immune system and AIDS is a disease of that system. The National Institutes of Health states: "People with AIDS and other diseases of the immune system should avoid marijuana use" (NIH publication No. 98-4036). The Supreme Court ruled unanimously, "There is no medical necessity defense for marijuana use." "What an idiot. It should be an imprisonable offence to tell such vile lies to the public when people's lives and health may be at risk. I can understand the need to have different opinions on political issues, but it is plainly immoral and twisted to put people's health at risk for political reasons. Can this guy really be so ideologically driven that he honestly believes what he says? I can only hope so.I never really felt it that way until now but I'm starting to realise how evil the campaign against medical marijuana is. 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