cannabisnews.com: Fighting Drug Legalization Through Prosecutors










  Fighting Drug Legalization Through Prosecutors

Posted by CN Staff on December 27, 2002 at 12:21:55 PT
By Kevin Conley, Staff Writer  
Source: Paintsville Herald  

At the urging of the White House and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), prosecutors from across the United States are beginning to focus on the dangers of marijuana, making prosecution of marijuana-related drug cases a priority. The NDAA cite the recent movement to legalize or decriminalize controlled substances, particularly marijuana, as the reasoning behind the new focus.
Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) issued a letter to all prosecutors throughout the United States, outlining the dangers of marijuana and labeling the drug as posing the greatest “threat.”The ONDCP has called on prosecutors on the local level to “tell Americans the truth” about marijuana use, issuing statistical information to better inform those trying the cases. The following is an excerpt from the letter issued by the ONDCP.“The truth is that marijuana is not harmless. As a factor in emergency room visits, marijuana has risen 176 percent since 1994, and now surpasses heroin. Smoking marijuana leads to changes in the brain similar to those caused by the use of cocaine and heroin, and affects alertness, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time. One recent study involving a roadside check of reckless drivers (not impaired by alcohol) showed that 45 percent tested positive for marijuana.“The truth is that marijuana is addictive. Average THC levels rose from less than one percent in the late 1970s to more than seven percent in 2001, and sinsemilla potency increased from six percent to 13 percent, and now reaches as high as 33 percent. Marijuana users have an addiction rate of about 10 percent and of the 5.6 million drug users who are suffering from illegal drug dependence or abuse, 62 percent are dependent on or are abusing marijuana.“The truth is that marijuana and violence are linked. Research shows a link between frequent marijuana use and increased violent behavior, and youth who use marijuana weekly are nearly four times more likely than non-users to engage in violence.“The truth is that we aren’t imprisoning individuals for just ‘smoking a joint.’ Overwhelmingly, we treat drug users, and especially marijuana users. Nationwide, the percentage of those in prison for marijuana possession as their most serious offense is less than half of one percent (0.46 percent), and those generally involved exceptional circumstances.“The truth is that marijuana is a gateway drug for many people. Not every person that uses marijuana will go on to use other drugs, but the overwhelming majority of people using other dangerous drugs - about 99% - began by smoking ‘a little weed.’ People who used marijuana are 8 times more likely to have used cocaine, 15 times more likely to have used heroin, and 5 times more likely to develop a need for treatment of abuse or dependence on ANY drug.“The truth is that marijuana legalization would be a nightmare in America. After Dutch coffee shops started selling marijuana in small quantities, use of the drug nearly tripled (from 15 percent to 44 percent) among 18-20 year olds between 1984 and 1996. While our nation’s cocaine consumption has decreased by 80 percent over the past 15 years, Europe’s has increased...and the Dutch government has started to reconsider its policies.“The truth is that marijuana is not a medicine, and no credible research suggests that it is. There is a protocol to allow some drugs - like cocaine and methamphetamine - to be prescribed in limited cases. Our medical system is the best in the world, and it relies on proven scientific research, not opinions or anecdotes. The primary medical ‘benefit’ of the numerous chemicals in marijuana are increased risk of cancer, lung damage, and poor pregnancy outcomes.”The ONDCP also issued a series of talking points that are designed to change the way the country views marijuana.According to the statistics given by the ONDCP, marijuana is the most widely used drug in America. Of the approximately 16 million current illicit drug users, 12.2 million (about 77 percent) are using marijuana. Of the 5.6 million Americans suffering from illegal drug dependence or abuse, 62 percent are dependent on or are abusing marijuana. And, of all teenagers undergoing drug treatment, about 60 percent have a primary marijuana diagnosis.In addition to usage statistics, the council also cited health, social and economic consequences as problems that correlate directly with marijuana use.Source: Paintsville Herald (KY)Author: Kevin Conley, Staff Writer Published: Friday, December 27, 2002Copyright: 2002 Paintsville HeraldWebsite: http://www.paintsvilleherald.com/Contact: composing paintsvilleherald.com Related Articles & Web Sites:NDAAhttp://www.ndaa-apri.org/GAO Report in PDF Formathttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/gao.pdfStudy Says Marijuana Does Not Lead To Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14880.shtmlMarijuana No Gateway To Cocaine and Heroinhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14879.shtmlStudy Finds No Cannabis Link To Hard Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11595.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help






 


Comment #15 posted by veggiegardener on December 28, 2002 at 10:26:45 PT

Even if...
Everything they state about the dangers of Cannabis use is the truth(which it most definitely is not), what gives them the right to persecute those who find release, relaxation, or relief from Cannabis?In Robert A. Heinlein's book, "Farnham's Freehold" a Holiday is mentioned: "The Day They Hung The Lawyers".I think we may be ready for such a holiday.....
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #14 posted by BGreen on December 28, 2002 at 09:56:45 PT

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire
After Dutch coffee shops started selling marijuana in small quantities, use of the drug nearly tripled (from 15 percent to 44 percent) among 18-20 year olds between 1984 and 1996. While our nation’s cocaine consumption has decreased by 80 percent over the past 15 years, Europe’s has increased...and the Dutch government has started to reconsider its policies.OK, now read this story from Reuters on the MAPS website.Here's a snippet to whet your appetite:It found 15.6 percent of Dutch people aged 12 and over had used or tried cannabis, versus a U.S. figure of 32.9 percent. The Dutch study, published on Tuesday and which spanned 1997 and early 1998, determined 2.5 percent of those aged 12 and over had used cannabis within the last month. "( This ) amounts to some 323,000 people, and is thus significantly lower than the estimate of 675,000 used by the ( Dutch ) government," the study said. In contrast, U.S. National Household Survey data for 1997 compiled by the Washington-based Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA ) determined 5.1 percent of Americans were recent cannabis users.
DUTCH HAVE FEWER DRUG USERS THAN THOUGHT
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #13 posted by BGreen on December 27, 2002 at 23:56:44 PT

I Stood Face To Face With A Beady Eyed Lying Pig
who told me "We just enforce the laws. If you don't like them you need to work to get the laws changed. We can't pick and choose what laws we enforce. We're SWORN TO UPHOLD THE LAW."You Lying Bastards! You KNEW you were full of crap when you looked me in the eyes and lied. Every single lying bastard who's helped perpetrate this madness will rot in Hell.You ARE a tool of evil. You're personified by this scripture:John 8:44: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #12 posted by Truth on December 27, 2002 at 18:59:48 PT

Lie
the following quote is an absolute lie."the overwhelming majority of people using other dangerous drugs - about 99% - began by smoking ‘a little weed.’ "The truth would be that 99 percent of the folks that do dangerous drug started out on one of the two deadliest, tobacco or alcohol. Lieing brings bad karma apon one's self. I pity the author and the liars that gave him his "facts".
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #11 posted by The GCW on December 27, 2002 at 18:38:52 PT

Biblically,
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act." 
-Proverbs 3:27 -Proverbs 3:27 
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
     When it is in your power to do it (N.A.S.B).And look at the rest of Proverbs 3:::
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=PROV%2B3&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NASB&x=13&y=10We are told repeatedly, what to do and it amounts to Love. The Hitlers, do the opposite.Jesus Christ is alive. And so are the Hitlers.Be prepared. I kid You not. We are told that there would be a deluding influence and that is what is going on... 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #10 posted by The GCW on December 27, 2002 at 18:04:30 PT

mayan is right,
the government seems incredibly desperate.& Imagine how many of these D.A.'s went home and rolled the big fat one. Of the good stuff.Sick suckers.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by The GCW on December 27, 2002 at 18:00:40 PT

Only poop heads would
make "prosecution of marijuana-related drug cases a priority." These people are sickening.And that is Our best thing going,,, it is getting more and more people riled up!This is making people angry, and the more We make sure others know and should know, HELPS.Use the energy from Your anger wisely. Through the promised Holy Spirit of Truth, the Truth WILL prevail (John 14-16).Biblically, the Apostasy comes first (1 Tim. 4:1-5). These people have what the Bible describes as "a deluding influence" (2 Thes. 2:11). They are the "self condemned" (Titus 3:9-11).Knowing this helps Me stop shaking My head, and work at healing this cannabis prohibitionist sickness.We need to work hard to help these people.  Look at what they've done.This is the way Hitler SHOULD HAVE DONE IT. The evil that the evil learn from the evil is a circle of hell. Prepare Your selves.The Green Collar Worker
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by mayan on December 27, 2002 at 17:53:43 PT

Is It Just Me...
Or does the government seem incredibly desperate? Go Canada!!!
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 27, 2002 at 17:53:06 PT

JustGetNby 
I'm not sure how to get people to think for themselves and that's what is needed. I know that because of the Internet more people are becoming aware and won't be able to use the excuse that they didn't know. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by JustGetNby on December 27, 2002 at 17:13:50 PT:

How ????
How are we supposed to deal with this state sponsered dis-information. The media seems to be Xerox machine for this administration.
  I am 62 years old, and more afraid then I have ever been.
1939 GERMANY and the current climate in the U,S.are too*** ******************************** Scary
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by medicinal toker on December 27, 2002 at 13:51:14 PT

NDAA is confused
Their website is topped with this motto, "To Be the Voice of America's Prosecutors and to Support Their Efforts to Protect the Rights and Safety of the People".Joining with ONDCP makes a mockery of their motto!A coorected version might be:"To Be the Voice of America's Prosecutors and federal drug warriors and to Support Their Efforts to crush the Rights and endanger the Health and Safety of the People"
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by knox42897 on December 27, 2002 at 13:17:08 PT:

How lawyers tell the Truth
“The truth is that we aren’t imprisoning individuals for just ‘smoking a joint.’ Overwhelmingly, we treat drug users, and especially marijuana users. Nationwide, the percentage of those in prison for marijuana possession as their most serious offense is less than half of one percent (0.46 percent), and those generally involved exceptional circumstances.This is how you tell the truth if you are a lawyer and/or politician.“The truth is that marijuana is not a medicine, and no credible research suggests that it is. There is a protocol to allow some drugs - like cocaine and methamphetamine - to be prescribed in limited cases. Okay buddy, cocaine has medical benefit but marijuana is useless. This lawyer is definetly from the cocaine family.Our medical system is the best in the world,(just cause its the best doesn't mean there is room for improvement) and it relies on proven scientific research, not opinions(from Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy)or anecdotes. The primary medical ‘benefit’ of the numerous chemicals in marijuana are increased risk of cancer, lung damage, and poor pregnancy outcomes.”I wonder if you "prescribed in limited cases" pregnant women cocaine, if they would have rich pregnancy outcomes? Another Pablo Escobar possibly.At the urging of the White House(Mr. Cocaine W/ Bush)and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), prosecutors from across the United States are beginning to focus on the dangers of marijuana, making prosecution of marijuana-related drug cases a priority. Murders, Rapists, and Armed Robber's to be set free from prison to make room for "12.2 million (about 77 percent) are using marijuana"If this is true I very well might move to Canada.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by p4me on December 27, 2002 at 12:40:48 PT

More lies and more demonization
Did the ONDCP write this article or what. It sure has no counterpoint to the official lies, bullshit, and obfuscation of the misadministration. This article lacks any attempt at balance and is pure propaganda.Another example of media bias is the nonreporting of the last CNN poll where Busch's job approval rating has fallen to 55%- http://www.liberaloasis.com/archives/122202.htm#122602 I am going to lift about 100 words from the above link.The current Time magazine offers this from a Dec. 17-18 Time/CNN poll:In general, do you approve or disapprove of the way President Bush is handling his job as President?Approve -- 55%
Disapprove -- 37%That’s the lowest approval rating, and the highest disapproval, for Dubya in the Time/CNN poll since 9/11.His approval has sunk 9 points from just one month ago -- a stunning drop considering he’s coming off of a big election victory.But amazingly, no other media outlet has picked up on the poll.No wire story. No analysis. No pundits pontificating. Nothing.Not even Time or CNN offers a link to it on their respective web sites. You need to get the print version of Time.I use the above material to support a view I cannot help but see. The media sucks. Maybe I should say propaganda sucks and the government should start practicing some truth in an effort to make a habit of it.1
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by TroutMask on December 27, 2002 at 12:32:59 PT

Keep repeating...
"The earth is flat, the earth is flat, the earth is flat..."-TM
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 27, 2002 at 12:25:40 PT

Just A Comment
Here we go again! How does a lawyer know if marijuana is or isn't a gateway drug? Isn't this protecting their personal interest, like their job!
[ Post Comment ]






  Post Comment