cannabisnews.com: No on Measure 2: Marijuana Has Done Harm No on Measure 2: Marijuana Has Done Harm Posted by CN Staff on October 24, 2004 at 06:57:03 PT By Margaret Russell Source: News-Miner Imbedded in the mission of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is the responsibility to weigh in on issues that foster a healthy business environment, be relevant to our 800 members, and to promote the Interior as a wonderful place to raise our families. With that in mind, the board of directors of the GFCC unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to Ballot Measure No. 2--the marijuana initiative--that will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. This marijuana initiative would make it legal under state law for anyone 21 years or older to grow, use, sell or give away marijuana or hemp products. Sponsors of the initiative, and the Outsiders such as the Marijuana Policy Project who are helping to fund this campaign, would like us to believe it's about privacy, freedom and a better Alaska. They rationalize that, since prohibition isn't completely successful and comes at a price, we should just legalize marijuana. Don't be fooled. This isn't about freedom, privacy, taxation or reducing enforcement costs for you and me. It's about big money from pro-drug organizations trying to buy your vote with slick but false and misleading advertising. They want to establish our state as a major drug capital at the expense of our businesses, our families and our kids.In the statement of support for Measure 2 published in the State of Alaska Official Election Pamphlet, the supporters state "Many U.S. and international experts have examined the issue, and all have concluded that marijuana use itself causes very few problems for individual users or for society." In other words, they say marijuana is fairly harmless. Let's look at the facts.Marijuana is far from harmless. In fact, recent scientific findings about the drug published by the Office of National Drug Control Policy are startling.The health consequences of smoking marijuana are many. They include significant increases in the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, suicide, depression and schizophrenia. Additionally, because marijuana is proven to affect alertness, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time for hours after use, a skyrocketing percentage of auto accidents and emergency room visits are directly related to marijuana use. As we all struggle with the rising costs of private and public health care, additional costs caused by the normalization of an additive drug are unacceptable.The social consequences of marijuana are also far reaching. Research shows a direct link between marijuana use and impaired learning, poor academic performance, as well as memory and attention deficits. The facts also show a direct link to increased violent behavior--and violent behavior leads to crime. One-third of all males arrested in Anchorage in 2003 tested positive for marijuana, and more than 41 percent of male arrestees in sampled U.S. cities also tested positive! The minimal dollars that might be saved by eliminating prohibition will be far surpassed by increased crime, including domestic abuse and child neglect.For businesses both large and small, the economic consequences of marijuana use are a significant expense. Facts show that marijuana use costs us lost employee productivity, absences, higher worker's compensation expense due to accidents, job turnover and overall higher health-care costs. In spite of all the serious consequences of marijuana use, some still argue that it is no worse than tobacco or alcohol. So why not legalize marijuana? Life has taught us all that two wrongs don't make a right. Alcohol and tobacco have negatively impacted, directly or indirectly, every Alaskan. They cost us all in terms of crime, domestic abuse, tragedies, pain and death. Why would Alaskans then legalize marijuana and add a third drug to the list of legal threats? Is legalization of hard drugs next, under the cloak of "privacy"?If passed, this would be the boldest and most liberal marijuana legislation of its kind in the world--including Holland, where marijuana is now legally sold. Has legalization worked for the Dutch? Increased availability and normalization of marijuana has resulted in a tripling of marijuana use among 18- to 20-year-old Dutch youths in a 12 year period--from 15 percent to 44 percent. With marijuana acting as a gateway drug, cocaine consumption also continues to rise in Holland, while our nation's consumption has decreased. Because the health, social and economic consequences have been disastrous, the Dutch government is now reconsidering its laws and policies regarding legalization of drugs.Please. Don't be fooled. Vote no on Measure 2.Margaret Russell is board chairwoman of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.Complete Title: No on Measure 2: Marijuana Has Done Too Much Harm AlreadySource: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK)Author: Margaret RussellPublished: Sunday, October 24, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Fairbanks Publishing Company, Inc.Contact: letters newsminer.comWebsite: http://www.news-miner.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Yes on 2 Alaskahttp://www.yeson2alaska.com/Hashing It Outhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19661.shtmlLet's Focus On Real Criminalshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19660.shtmlProposition 2 Would Help Fight Alaska's Warhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19620.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by observer on October 24, 2004 at 13:49:33 PT just say no to just saying no ... er [4] Sponsors of the initiative, and the Outsiders such as the Marijuana Policy Project who are helping to fund this campaign, would like us to believe it's about privacy, freedom and a better Alaska. (Sentence 4) re: "freedom" - 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 ) [7] This isn't about freedom, privacy, taxation or reducing enforcement costs for you and me. (Sentence 7) re: "freedom" - 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 ) [8] It's about big money from pro-drug organizations trying to buy your vote with slick but false and misleading advertising. (Sentence 8) re: "pro-drug" - People who step forward in disagreement with prohibition are attacked and sometimes jailed. (Dissent Attacked (propaganda theme 8) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme8.htm ) [10] In the statement of support for Measure 2 published in the State of Alaska Official Election Pamphlet, the supporters state "Many U.S. and international experts have examined the issue, and all have concluded that marijuana use itself causes very few problems for individual users or for society." (Sentence 10) re: "society" - 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 ) 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 ) [16] They include significant increases in the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, suicide, depression and schizophrenia. (Sentence 16) re: "risk of cancer", "cancer", "depression", "suicide" - 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 ) [17] Additionally, because marijuana is proven to affect alertness, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time for hours after use, a skyrocketing percentage of auto accidents and emergency room visits are directly related to marijuana use. (Sentence 17) re: "emergency room visits", "perception", "accidents" - 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 ) [20] Research shows a direct link between marijuana use and impaired learning, poor academic performance, as well as memory and attention deficits. (Sentence 20) re: "marijuana use" - 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 ) [21] The facts also show a direct link to increased violent behavior--and violent behavior leads to crime. (Sentence 21) re: "violent" - 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 ) re: "leads to", "leads" - The rhetoric of prohibition exploits ignorance of the effects of drugs. We are told that the substance in question must be bad, for is it not evident that it 'leads to' the the harder (more ceremonially evil) stuff? (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm ) [23] The minimal dollars that might be saved by eliminating prohibition will be far surpassed by increased crime, including domestic abuse and child neglect. (Sentence 23) re: "crime" - 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 ) re: "child" - Prohibitionist propaganda continually whips up parental fear, invoking lurid images of children corrupted by drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm ) [24] For businesses both large and small, the economic consequences of marijuana use are a significant expense. (Sentence 24) 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 ) [25] Facts show that marijuana use costs us lost employee productivity, absences, higher worker's compensation expense due to accidents, job turnover and overall higher health-care costs. (Sentence 25) re: "accidents" - 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 ) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [26] In spite of all the serious consequences of marijuana use, some still argue that it is no worse than tobacco or alcohol. (Sentence 26) re: "marijuana use" - 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 ) [30] They cost us all in terms of crime, domestic abuse, tragedies, pain and death. (Sentence 30) re: "crime" - 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 ) [31] Why would Alaskans then legalize marijuana and add a third drug to the list of legal threats? (Sentence 31) re: "legalize" - 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 ) [32] Is legalization of hard drugs next, under the cloak of "privacy"? (Sentence 32) 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 ) [34] Has legalization worked for the Dutch? (Sentence 34) 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 ) [35] Increased availability and normalization of marijuana has resulted in a tripling of marijuana use among 18- to 20-year-old Dutch youths in a 12 year period--from 15 percent to 44 percent. (Sentence 35) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "youths" - Prohibitionists are champions of "the child", "kids", "children", etc. Only continued or increased punishments of all adults caught using "drugs" will send the correct "message" to children. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm ) [36] With marijuana acting as a gateway drug, cocaine consumption also continues to rise in Holland, while our nation's consumption has decreased. (Sentence 36) re: "our nation" - 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 ) re: "gateway drug", "gateway" - Some drugs, claims the rhetoric of prohibition, are "gateways" to other, "harder" drugs. (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm ) [37] Because the health, social and economic consequences have been disastrous, the Dutch government is now reconsidering its laws and policies regarding legalization of drugs. (Sentence 37) 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 ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by siege on October 24, 2004 at 11:33:21 PT ONDCP Recent scientific findings about Marijuana published by the Office of National Drug Control Policy are startling.and mine boggling and they ( ONDCP ) will have to tell the true about the God given plant before long. and the food value of HEMP.And if the ineffectual's in the Gov't. would do there home work they would (defecate) in there lunch BOX. Or have they done there home work and have found Marijuana, and the good it doze's! But they can't stop taking (the property of another) to run the gov't. or line there or others pockets Being the ( ONDCP ) said The facts also show a direct link to increased violent behavior--and violent behavior leads to crime. Where the the Research? they have not come up with it to show the people because they can't.What is this:: DOZE this not tell the ineffectual's something: One-third of all males arrested in Alaska in 2003 tested positive for marijuana, and more than 41 percent of male arrested in the U.S. cities also tested positive for Marijuana that would be abt. 33,687,222 plus males at any given time. What about the HONEYS how many of them smoke the plant. Life has taught us all that two wrongs don't make a right "" alcohol"" and tobacco. If passed, this would be the boldest and most liberal marijuana legislation of its kind in the world, This type of legislation is just what the good old U S of A neads to STOP hurting it citizens and thking what little they have!! and JAILING there family members. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by afterburner on October 24, 2004 at 11:22:42 PT Wake-Up, Little 'Suzie,' Wake-Up "As we all struggle with the rising costs of private and public health care, additional costs caused by the normalization of an additive [sic] drug are unacceptable."Untrue! Medical cannabis is a cure for the excesses of a bloated pharmaceutical-based sickness care. If you would do some real research instead of relying on ONDCP's paid liars, you would find that cannabis is NOT addictive. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by global_warming on October 24, 2004 at 10:50:54 PT Go Alaska-Vote Yes2 "Don't be fooled. This isn't about freedom, privacy, taxation or reducing enforcement costs for you and me. It's about big money from pro-drug organizations trying to buy your vote with slick but false and misleading advertising. They want to establish our state as a major drug capital at the expense of our businesses, our families and our kids."How does this writer get from people having/smoking grass, or maybe growing some in their gardens to "major drug capital", talk about exaggerated fears, I thought when you smoked grass you might get a little paranoid, but this article is unreal.I think the writer has another agenda, one that speaks of incarcerations, legal involvements and the many drug warriors who have been getting a fat paycheck at the expense of hard working citizens. Enough is enough,it is time this madness ended. I hope Alaskans vote yes to this proposition, so that we the people in other states may follow by example the road to the "End of Prohibition" once and for all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by lilgrasshoppah77 on October 24, 2004 at 10:09:56 PT: Sigh. Two wrongs don't make a right. But throwing people in jail to deal with "health problems" is right...? And they say pot-smokers are irrational.The number of people killed by prohibition runs in the millions. The number of people killed by pot is significantly fewer. And yet it is right to continue incarcerating, and impoverishing and torturing the people who choose weed, AND HARM NO ONE, because...... why? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on October 24, 2004 at 09:51:31 PT The woman profits from drug dealing herself She is the board chairwoman of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.I'm certain that all of the local alcohol kingpins are a dues-paying members of this organization.This society sure has fallen into a moral morass when an article like this gets written from a woman like this. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment