cannabisnews.com: Alaska Voters Sent Mixed Messages on Marijuana





Alaska Voters Sent Mixed Messages on Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on October 25, 2004 at 08:04:21 PT
By Tataboline Brant, Anchorage Daily News
Source: Anchorage Daily News 
For the third time since 1998, Alaska voters will get marijuana mixed in with the candidates, issues and other ballot measures when they go to the polls Nov. 2.Ballot Measure 2, which has drawn more cash than almost any ballot issue in Alaska history, asks once again whether voters want marijuana to be available without penalties statewide. If the proposal gets the nod of the majority of those voting, Alaskans 21 and older could under state law grow, use, sell or give away pot, though such activities would remain illegal under federal law.
Three polls over the final weeks of the campaign show Ballot Measure 2 losing, but by how much depends on whom you talk to. One shows a 29-point gap between the percentage of voters for and against, another shows 24 points and the third shows nine. Alaska voters have leaned both ways in the past. They legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 1998. Two years later, they turned down a measure similar to the one on the ballot now, though that initiative, which included retroactive amnesty and possible reparations for people convicted of pot crimes, didn't fail as miserably as some expected given its reach. About 41 percent of voters gave it a thumbs up.Fast forward to 2004. Supporters of Ballot Measure 2 -- some back from the 2000 campaign -- have toned down their initiative to make it more appealing. Gone, for example, are the amnesty and reparations. And they've left the measure's language vague enough that, should it pass, city and state legislators could regulate pot like tobacco or alcohol and for public safety reasons.Legalization foes make a formidable team: Gov. Frank Murkowski and his wife, a deputy White House drug czar sent north with an anti-drug message, Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, state and federal prosecutors, and the Alaska State Medical Association, which has about 600 physician members.This side argues pot is a dangerous gateway drug that, if legalized, could send the wrong message to kids, exacerbate Alaska's substance abuse problems, create more work for police, and damage the state's economy and its relationship with the military. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/messages.htmSource: Anchorage Daily News (AK)Author: Tataboline Brant, Anchorage Daily NewsPublished: October 25, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: letters adn.com Website: http://www.adn.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Yes on 2 Alaskahttp://www.yeson2alaska.com/Yes on Measure 2: MJ Initiative Will Restore Orderhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19698.shtmlMarijuana Proponents Sue State, Lemanhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19693.shtmlTranscript: The Abrams Report: Alaska Initiative http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19680.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #4 posted by Dankhank on October 25, 2004 at 10:40:34 PT
Cannabis vs Alcohol
I echo CorvallisEric's comments...I quit drinking beer the first time at age 16 because all my drinking buddies wanted to go fight someone after getting two 3.2% beers in their bellies. Stupidity rampant, I thought, caused me to get dropped off ... yes we were in cars... at the local bowling alley to continue what I wanted to do ... talk to a girl or two ... :-)I drank moderately for a few years during postings from 73-77 and 84-87 in Germany ... they have many tasty beers, so much better than American "pisswater," as described by one Bavarian lovely in 1997 to me when ... never mind ....At the same time, though we had unrestricted access to many varities of "resins" from many middle eastern countries ... and even Afghanistan as I recall.I know some young men in a band, attend most local shows, have aided in road gigs and concurrently spend a lot of time in bars. 80% of the time I drink NO alcohol, other nights I drink one ... two a couple of times... I think.I drink little or nothing alcoholic these days. Can't say I've lost my appreciation for the bud, though.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by CorvallisEric on October 25, 2004 at 09:43:15 PT
global_warming
... maybe if marijuana were legalized, more people would switch away from alcohol ...That's an important question which has probably gotten little research. There are certainly strong personal opinions on both sides. I think the switch could happen more if young adults (realistically more like 18 than 21) are exposed to both marijuana and alcohol on an equal basis - having fear of legal consequences only for their actions while intoxicated, not for their choice of intoxicant.Back in the mid-60's when I was young and slightly foolish (nowhere near as bad as Bush), I tried marijuana for the first time a few months before alcohol. I liked M a lot. I liked A somewhat the first time, drank more the second time, puked within minutes, carefully cleaned up and got to bed, and never again drank more than minor amounts infrequently. I always remembered the superior alternative while gradually losing interest in both.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by potpal on October 25, 2004 at 09:08:51 PT
the past
I seem to remember Alaska allowed cannabis growing at home in the past. I remember when the law reverted back, the result was 100000 criminals overnight. Does my memory serve me well?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by global_warming on October 25, 2004 at 08:32:29 PT
Another Factor
I have not heard this idea yet..If you consider the problems associated with alcohol, maybe if marijuana were legalized, more people would switch away from alcohol, thus any cost associated with the damage that alcohol causes in society might be off set by more people using marijuana.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment