cannabisnews.com: NORML: Truth Report 2005





NORML: Truth Report 2005
Posted by CN Staff on July 20, 2005 at 22:38:29 PT
NORML's response to the ONDCP 
Source: NORML
Washington, D.C. -- In 2003, NORML published a comprehensive report entitled, "Your Government Is Lying To You (Again) About Marijuana: A Refutation Of The Drug Czar's 'Open Letter To America's Prosecutors.'"NORML’s report publicly addresses an ‘open letter’ to America’s prosecutors (dated November 1, 2002) from the White House’s Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
In the letter, Burns insisted, "Nationwide, no drug matches the threat posed by marijuana," and urged law enforcement officials to "aggressively prosecute" marijuana violators. The ONDCP's letter, filled with half-truths and outright lies regarding marijuana's alleged dangers, purposely misrepresented the available research in an attempt to justify federal and state policies that result in the arrest of more than 650,000 Americans annually on minor marijuana possession charges.Since then, the White House’s anti-marijuana propaganda campaign has continued to take on an increasingly alarmist and extremist tone, arguably crossing over any reasonable line of probity. The Bush Administration’s latest rhetoric does not qualify as mere exaggeration; they are flat-out lying to the American public about marijuana.As a result, NORML has updated and greatly expanded our 2003 report. Like our initial paper, the "2005 NORML Truth Report" relies on the federal government's own science, data, and statistics to rebut the Drug Czar's lies and propaganda.NORML believes there is nothing to be gained by exaggerating claims of marijuana’s harms. On the contrary, by overstating marijuana’s potential risk, America's policy-makers and law enforcement community undermine their credibility and ability to effectively educate the public of the legitimate harms associated with more dangerous drugs. In addition, exaggerating the dangers associated with the responsible use of marijuana results in the needless arrest of hundreds of thousands of good, productive citizens each year in this country. We cannot remain silent and permit this taxpayer-funded propaganda to occur without a challenge, and we encourage all concerned citizens to refer to this report for the truth and science regarding marijuana and marijuana policy.It’s time to begin an honest public education campaign about the minimal risks presented by marijuana. Let’s allow science, not rhetoric, to dictate America's public policy regarding marijuana. As you will see, the facts speak for themselves.Complete Report: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5513Allen St. PierreExecutive DirectorNORMLWashington, DCJuly 21, 2005Contact: director norml.orgThis updated report is written, once again, by NORML Senior Policy Analyst Paul Armentano with research provided by NORML Intern Paul Varnado (Duke University).Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: July 21, 2005Copyright: 2005 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/CannabisNews NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on July 22, 2005 at 08:50:04 PT
runruff
Good rant and good morning to you too!
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Comment #25 posted by runruff on July 22, 2005 at 08:45:40 PT:
terrorism?
There are many forms of terrorisum. Outing an under cover operative on the job is one.economic terrorism is the most common and most deadly. 
The likes of which Bush and his rich buddie perpetrate upon the lower classes in this and other countries around
the world.terrorising people with bombs is high profile terrorism
but not the most effective. People who die of illness without health care in a countrie were it it is available is terrorism. People starving when food is available is terrorism. People dying from violent crimes that could otherwise be stopped is terrorism.[the war on people in 
name of drugs] People dying of exposure while shelters stand empty is terrorism. 
Terrorist bombs kill and injure a small fraction of humans compared to the real terrorist.
The DEA are our homeland terrorist. And illegal entity created by a runaway gonernment.You Know I can't stop thinking about the new national budget, 2.6 trillion dollars. 2 thousand 6 hundred billion dollars. In 1953 the budget was 3 billion dollars and Americans thought that was outrages. Even adjusted for inflation 2.6 trillion is obsene.Just a little morning tyrade here. Good morning everyone. 
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 22, 2005 at 08:15:26 PT
Mayan
How could Neil ever do a mediocre album! He's perfect in my eyes! LOL!
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Comment #23 posted by mayan on July 22, 2005 at 07:27:39 PT
FoM
At least one New Yorker is pissed...NYers to NYPD: 'I Do Not Consent to Being Searched':
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0530,weblee,66189,5.htmlD.C. is considering random subway searches as I'm sure many cities are now. They ought to search the terrorists in the White House and Congress.Can't wait for Neil's new one! I keep saying he's due for a mediocre album but they just keep getting better.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 22, 2005 at 06:09:47 PT
mayan 
Thank you. I am up early for me because the contractors are here and the appraiser from the Bank is coming. I turned on the tv and they shot a man in London. They are going to start searching people in New York who travel the subways. I am glad I was able to see New York years ago when life was normal because I'll never go to New York again. I minded being patted down even though it wasn't really a serious pat down when we went to see Neil Young in 03. I don't like being touched by anyone unless I welcome the touch. I know that most people feel the same way. On a good note. Neil Young is releasing his new CD-DVD on September 20th and it is called Prairie Wind. 
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Comment #21 posted by mayan on July 22, 2005 at 05:44:11 PT
Dissent
Democrats author 70-page dissent on Patriot Act reauthorization: 
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/democrats_dissent_patriot_act_721Bill of Rights Defense Committee:
http://www.bordc.org/
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Comment #20 posted by mayan on July 22, 2005 at 04:21:58 PT
FoM
Many here predicted that the "sunset provision" of the patriot act would never set. It was never in the fascist's
intentions to allow it to expire. Bush and Blair are the terrorist and they will use their new powers against their own people.Here's a link to a very interesting story. It seems that agents used a "delayed notice search warrant" to search a house where a tunnel which was used to smuggle cannabis lead from the U.S. to Canada. As the blogger points out it "stinks of the Patriot Act". I am listening to NPR news and officials are now saying the tunnel could have been used to smuggle explosives and terrorists...although they have no evidence to back up those claims...Underground operation:
http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 21:12:16 PT
Off Topic: House Votes to Extend Patriot Act 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5158653,00.html
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 21:04:21 PT
mayan
I've been busy with things around home and still found myself stopping to watch what happened in London today. I feel like we have been a part of the demise of our country that I once thought was the greatest Nation in the world. I don't want to move to another country because this country is still my home but I feel like I'm grieving over what he has done to us and where he has taken us. I don't think I'll live long enough to see it return to good days of what seems so long ago. I am old enough that I can deal with it but for the young people I feel such pity. They will become angry and blame us but it's only a percentage of the people who are behind Bush and this war. People like that aren't my kind of people and I hope that we all won't feel the hate from the world but probably will. Bush has done us in and I think he really likes acting mean like he does. That's down right depressing. Anyone that supports Bush is just like him to me. 
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 16:48:46 PT
About Cat Stevens and Understanding
I don't believe they have apologized to him yet for not letting him go to Nashville to see about recording a new album but they love him in the UK. I believe that Cat Stevens tries to do what is right and when I think of a Muslim I try to think of Yusuf Islam.19th July 2005Yusuf Islam to receive Honorary Doctorate. In a formal statement released earlier today the University of Gloucestershire announced that:"Three distinguished figures are being awarded with Honorary Doctorates at the University of Gloucestershire's graduation ceremony at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse this November. They are Sir Donald Curry, Yusuf Islam, and Judy Ling Wong.... Yusuf Islam was formerly known as the singer Cat Stevens and was one of the biggest selling artists of the '60s and '70s, writing such classics as Matthew & Son, Wild World and Father and Son. In 1977 he converted to Islam and has since dedicated much of his time to education and humanitarian relief. His charity, Small Kindness, provides aid as well as social and educational programmes to orphans and families throughout the world, including Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Indonesia. In 2003, Yusuf Islam was awarded the World Social Award for his humanitarian work. More recently, in November 2004 he was honoured with the Man for Peace award by a committee of Nobel peace laureates. http://www.catstevens.com/Yusuf Islam's Statement on London Bombings Click the link to read the full statement. http://yusufislam.org.uk/londonattacks.shtml"I am horrified at the nightmarish acts of carnage we have just seen inflicted on London and its people in what authorities are describing as co-ordinated terror attacks. What on earth these murderers think they can gain by blowing up innocent men, women and children is impossible to imagine. No doubt the fatalities will include people of all religions and races without discrimination. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all those who have suffered loss or injury." http://www.yusufislam.org.uk/http://www.nightofremembrance.com/nor.htm
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Comment #16 posted by mayan on July 21, 2005 at 16:30:11 PT
Qui Bono?
It seems that today's London blasts involved detonators only. What's the point? It was also the last day of Parliament before an 80 day break and the last chance to push through new "anti-terror" measures. Perfect timing.London blasts cause chaos on Tube: 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4703777.stmPerfect timing to renew the Patriot Act also... Bush sees London attacks as reason for Patriot Act:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050720-102536-4094r.htmQui Bono?More Explosions in London: Psy-ops in Progress
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/july2005/210705moreexplosions.htmLondon Bombing 2005:
http://rense.com/Datapages/londonbmb.htm
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 15:31:27 PT
PainWithNoInsurance 
I agree with you too. We need to know what would stop the bombings. We need to learn what is bothering them so much. Muslims will not turn against another Muslim most times I don't believe. If you look at the ancient traditions of their religion they can't even turn in Bin Laden if he asks for shelter in their home. It was similar in the Old Testament with the Jewish people too.
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Comment #14 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on July 21, 2005 at 14:37:55 PT
EJ: I see you are right
Their beliefs are somewhat like drug warriors think. They try to control people through bullying, taking their belongings, running them into poverty, and depriving them from education. I think all governments should talk to terrorist though. Every person in the world would know just what they are after and how they think. My two cents.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 14:05:31 PT
EJ You Are So Right!
You said: I think we have to be very involved in promoting conditions that allow moderate Islamic people to stand up to the bullies trying to drive THEM into submission.The people we need to listen to are their victims in their own countries.
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Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on July 21, 2005 at 13:55:08 PT
Oops typo
One of their chief AIMS (not gains) is to bully women.Their idea of a perfect world is every single women down on her knees in servitude, with no rights to make decisions about her own life at all.Are you willing to listen to that? I've heard enough, there's no more listening on my end.I think we have to be very involved in promoting conditions that allow moderate Islamic people to stand up to the bullies trying to drive THEM into submission.The people we need to listen to are their victims in their own countries.
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Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on July 21, 2005 at 13:47:14 PT
Hmmmm, listening isn't the issue PWNI
Sorry, I'm pretty liberal, but I've done a lot of reading about Afghanistan and fundamentalist Islamic history and I don't think the terrorists have a cause worth listening to.Their basic cause is to control people through intimidation. They are bullies who take over movements that have real causes and use them to achieve their own desires to bully and control the world around them.I think these particular individuals would be bullies even if they were born on Park Avenue with a silver spoon.One of their chief gains is to bully women. One of the things they want us to listen to is their notion that women need to be strictly controlled, through violence if necessary.One of the things that offends these terrorists so much about London is the growing population of liberated Islamic women who have been able to claim their lives and free themselves from the control of these bullies.These liberated Islamic women go about on the public transport system without veils or shame or fear.THis is why I believe these odious terrorists targeted the buses and subways, because that is where liberated Islamic women are seen going about their daily business.This defiance of the bullying system of fundamentalist Islam drives these control freak men into a murderous rage, and they nobilify their rage by convincing themselves that it is God's rage as well.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 13:40:49 PT
PainWithNoInsurance 
I agree with you. We didn't win in Vietnam. They called them tunnel rats and they dug in and fought. They even transported weapons on bicycles! When people feel threatened they do what they must to stop it. I have never understood why people don't see that a people or a religion or a country will do whatever it takes to survive or die trying.
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Comment #9 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on July 21, 2005 at 13:32:32 PT
God Is Government?
I think governments around the world should listen and not dictate. Not listening to these terroist will only breed more of them. Yes they are doing wrong, but governments should listen to what they have to say and work something out instead of just saying no and bombing them. The US government thinks their every word is the absolute way god would have it, but I don't think god has killings in mind as the answer to all of disputes. The drug war is the same thing too, in my opinion.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 12:39:05 PT
PainWithNoInsurance
The news is really bad. More chaos in the UK. Soon the chaos will be here. It's only a matter of time. For me the crazier it gets the more I will isolate myself from large populated areas. The people who fight us by suicide bombings are fighting the only way they can. They don't have big bombs to drop on us like we have to drop on their country. Terrorism won't stop the world but if it freezes people in place then it will hurt the economy and so much more. Everything that Bush believes in I totally think the opposite way. I sometimes think I'm out of touch with reality but deep inside I think I'm seeing everything quite clearly. I wish our leaders would see because they are the ones that can change the world for better or worse. It sure has gone down hill since 9/11. I also think republicans love guns and bombs. Peace on earth won't happen as long as people who love guns and bombs rule this country.
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Comment #7 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on July 21, 2005 at 12:20:24 PT
Dictators are falling
I think this whole mess might be coming to an end.Have some of the affluent manipulated things to go their way at the expense of the rest of the population? Are they destroying the weather, causing unprecidented suffering, causing suicied bombings, proliferating hate, and on and on? It sure looks that way.It looks like the days they can hide from everyone in their own world are coming to an end with the violent weather, wars, bankruptcys, corporate heads being prosecuted for stealing from the rest of the population, widening gap between the rich and poor, and bombings everywhere. Dicating another person's life is causing huge problems everywhere and people are getting fed up with it.That's my thought about all of this mess. We need god's help.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 21, 2005 at 10:56:53 PT
Sam
I hope so much that the democrats are going to move to impeach him. If they don't, what we see is what we get. No minority party will make any difference except guarantee that we will always have the republicans in the white house. I've basically come to the conclusion that our country is almost beyond hope and politics aren't going to change anything in my lifetime. That's why a cause is important but politics are a waste of time.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on July 21, 2005 at 10:43:44 PT
going in circles
The real truth is that illegal drug use during prohibition has never fallen below the levels of drug use before prohibition. The US has the same percentage of opiate addicts as before any federal, state, or local laws were passed. Supposedly, preventing this terrible, unacceptable fate for any of our countrymen is the whole goal of the drug war. Marijuana is really OK, but we need to arrest the hell out of everyone just to prevent them from turning into a heroin addict. Ah! The horror of it all! One difference between now & then is that you used to be able start a business or farm & keep 98% of your earnings to yourself (except for whatever you donated to your church). Now, anytime you earn a dollar, you've got to pay about half of it to the political class at town, state, and federal levels.What do you get for giving up half of your life? Traffic-clogged roads, wars halfway around the world that make a certain set of people rich, no health care, a decent education (unless you live in a major city, in which case the education will be 3rd world level), no college education, and a huge, huge group of people that will come to your house, rob you, & throw you in jail if your behavior deviates from an arbitrary set of rules governing all sorts of activites you might do.I think the whole Karl Rove issue right now is extremely revealing. IMO, this is one of many things the Democrats could use to go after impeachment. Yet, they're almost silent on Karl Rove, the treasonous criminal. Why? Simple, the whole issue gets awfully close to the Iraq war, which the Democrats wholeheartedly supported, and continue to support.A singular empire, that's what we've turned into. 99% of the population continues to vote them in.  It's interesting though - have things really changed in the US? Or has the scale merely become bigger, like everything else is our mass society, so technologically advanced? In the 1800's, whole generations of European immirgrants were enslaved by mill owners across the Northeast. I guess that situation eventually became too difficult to maintain, with unions, etc.It's like the rich elite just got together & decided to enslave us all!  Why not? Have the feds do the whole thing from Washington. Why bother with all the fuss of setting up a factory & designing & selling products when you can just use the goverment to force everyone into slavery. You can just start a war and generate hundreds of billions of income from a totally captive revenue source...."taxpayers". Since mass media & culture have dumbed everyone down nicely, you can just use simple brainwashing to get them to give all their money to Big Pharm. They'll pay thousands per year for produts that could kill them! But I'm digressing.
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Comment #4 posted by jose melendez on July 21, 2005 at 05:54:01 PT
Caught lying? Approved federal funds? PAY!
PRECEDENT:The False Claims Act provides for civil penalties against “any person” who “knowingly presents… to an officer or employee of the United States government… a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval.” 31 USC §3729 (a) (1). If the claim succeeds, the defendant is liable to the government for a civil penalty of $5,000 to $10,000 for each violation, treble damages and costs.Relator filed this qui tam action claiming that Cook County submitted false statements to obtain grant funds to study a treatment regimen for pregnant drug addicts. The county moved to dismiss the action, arguing that it was not a “person.” The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that local governments commonly receive all sorts of federal funding and that Congress intended them to be “persons” subject to the False Claims Act. Cook County, Illinois v. U.S. ex rel. Chandler, 538 U.S. 119, 2003 DJDAR 2775 (7th Cir. 2003).http://www.constructionweblinks.com/Resources/Industry_Reports__Newsletters/Jan_12_2004/false_claims_act.htm
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Comment #3 posted by potpal on July 21, 2005 at 05:46:22 PT
Truth
>It’s time to begin an honest public education campaign ...Truth is one of our most valuable commodities, that's why politicans economize with it so. Mark Twain.
(Something like that...)How about creating a list that anyone can add the name of a police officer they know that smokes the healing herb?You'd think a hard working inter city police officer would beneifit from a nice fat bowl after a long grueling day on the hot city streets...go figure. 
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on July 21, 2005 at 04:46:42 PT
riot control ray gun 
Scientists worried by riot control ray gun.http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=585&e=5&u=/nm/20050720/sc_nm/riots_dc (remove contact lenses to protect eyes   )
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Comment #1 posted by OverwhelmSam on July 21, 2005 at 04:25:48 PT
Hmmm, Interesting Statement
"On the contrary, by overstating marijuana’s potential risk, America's policy-makers and law enforcement community undermine their credibility and ability to effectively educate the public of the legitimate harms associated with more dangerous drugs."It seems we are doing good work on the state and federal legislatures and executive branches of government about marijuana policy. However, we need a third prong of attack if we are going to be effective. More work needs to be done to change the minds of one group who is heavily lobbying against us out of pure greed for job security - Law Enforcement!My first thought is to sue Law Enforcement for every infringement of our rights during an arrest for possession of Cannabis. And believe me, there are so many infringements that an initiative like this should be like shooting fish in a barrel. Suing Law Enforcement for civil right violations, whether you are convicted of possession or not, will cause city, state, and federal governments to bleed more money, rein in Law Enforcement in regard to Cannabis arrests, and who knows, maybe even legalize marijuana, at least at the state levels. Another thought is that we've got to be more successful at getting abusive police fired and charged criminally. We just need a press charges and send many more to jail for breaking the law than we have now. It's Just not just right that they evade the law and put us in to jail, while the crimes they commit during a raid against their own citizens are far worse than the offense of Cannabis possession. If Law Enforcement breaks the law, the should be held to a higher standard and go to jail too.Of course, that's just my opinion, what's yours?Overwhelm Uncle Sam
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