cannabisnews.com: Safety at Heart of Pot Debate










  Safety at Heart of Pot Debate

Posted by CN Staff on October 23, 2006 at 08:55:11 PT
By Sarah Reed 
Source: Coloradoan 

Colorado -- Among the many things voters have to consider Nov. 7 is a measure that, if passed, would make Colorado the first state in the nation to allow adults to possess small amounts of marijuana.Amendment 44, which is similar to a law passed by Denver residents last year, would make it legal for adults over the age of 21 to possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Opponents say it will lead to increased marijuana use among children.
Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a petty offense that carries a $100 fine. "We feel it can only harm society by making it more accessible," said David Evans of the Drug Free Schools Coalition of Colorado. "If it's more accessible to adults, it's more accessible to children."The proposal does not target children nor do supporters want to make marijuana more accessible to children, said Mason Tvert, campaign director for Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, which is campaigning for Amendment 44.Marijuana is a safer alternative to alcohol, Tvert said, and proponents want adults to be able to enjoy that alternative. Unlike alcohol, marijuana use alone has never killed anyone, Tvert said, and alcohol contributes to many problems such as violence and sexual assault."We punish adults who make a rational and safe choice to use marijuana," he said. "What is wrong with simply making the choice to use marijuana instead?"If this measure is passed, an increase in emergency room visits, crime and possibly car accidents will increase, Evans said. Marijuana is not a safe drug and there are no provisions in the proposed law that would require responsible use, he said."If you legalize marijuana, the rate of use will increase and we'll have more problems," Evans said. "I just don't think we need to legalize another problem."If the measure is passed, possessing less than an ounce of marijuana would be legal, but growing and selling it will remain illegal, as will driving under the influence of the drug, Tvert said. It would also still be illegal to give marijuana to anyone under 21, and possession of marijuana by anyone under the age of 21 would still be illegal, he said.If an adult were to give marijuana to a minor, that adult could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.Contributing to the delinquency of a minor - which Colorado law defines as encouraging or inducing a minor to break a law - is a felony that carries a penalty of up to six years in prison."We want it to be a felony to give marijuana to a minor," Tvert said. Note: Amendment 44 would let people possess less than an ounce.Source: Coloradoan (CO)Author: Sarah ReedPublished: October 23, 2006Copyright: 2006 The Fort Collins ColoradoanWebsite: http://www.coloradoan.com/Contact: SaraReed coloradoan.com Related Articles & Web Site:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/Pot Issue's Fate at Polls Hazy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22316.shtmlSafety of Drug Incorrect & Irresponsible Argumenthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22313.shtmlNo Logical Reason To Punish Adults for Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22312.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help





Comment #31 posted by FoM on October 25, 2006 at 21:10:38 PT
afterburner
That's great that you are doing research. I have been reading what Republican newspapers are saying about the Democrats. The same theme keeps showing up. They say the Democrats will take away their tax cut. I don't undersand why money determines what political party a person is supporting. I believe the Scripture that says, For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. If a person is fortunate enough to have a lot of money then they shouldn't keep wanting more and more but try to use the money wisely. I guess my idea of a good country that cares for it's people isn't the same thing for the Republicans in particular. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #30 posted by afterburner on October 25, 2006 at 20:35:53 PT
FoM
I spent 4 hours this morning researching the election, and I'm not done yet. I did make significant progress though. The hardest races to suss out are the judges: it's difficult to get their track records.I am annoyed that some Democrats are again alienating their core constituents and moving to the right to curry favor. The right is responsible for most of the messes in which the country finds itself. Give us a clear choice! We don't want no pseudo-Republicans.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #29 posted by FoM on October 25, 2006 at 07:35:35 PT
Afterburner
I am a nervous wreck about this election. The way they have made the stock market go up shows me their power. If Republicans stay in power the rich will get richer and the poor will get even poorer. It drives me a little crazy. I don't know one person anymore that makes enough money to benenfit from Bush's catering to the rich. They don't want taxes to go up on rich people. That just seems unamerican to me to have such a split between the rich and the poor.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #28 posted by afterburner on October 25, 2006 at 07:26:40 PT
OT: Disturbing! Think about It
AMERICA'S NOVEMBER SURPRISE WILL BE ON THE DEMOCRATS View Magazine (Vol. 12 No. 42 • October 19 - 25, 2006)
http://www.viewmag.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4572Thanks, Toker and lombar
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 24, 2006 at 11:05:42 PT
Truth
That is so true.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by Truth on October 24, 2006 at 10:56:21 PT
Truth
A (wo)man is only as good as her/his word.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by FoM on October 24, 2006 at 08:42:57 PT
Gambling
I read the bookie articles. I don't bet or believe in gambling. If people want to gamble that sure is fine with me though. I never even bought a lottery ticket. Needless to say Nevada isn't a state that I would want to live in. One day in Reno with the nickel slots was enough for me! LOL!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by Had Enough on October 24, 2006 at 08:32:53 PT
JustGetnBy #5
Everyone here gets an AMEN.And the choir is getting larger. The voices are singing "on key", more and more, as Mason Tvert and Neil Levine, lead the sound of the beat.Colorado/Nevada voters; It is time to make our song heard around the world. Just do it.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by Hope on October 24, 2006 at 08:31:37 PT
Comment 19, Toker
Amen!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by Had Enough on October 24, 2006 at 08:07:11 PT
GCW #6
I hope those bookies lose their ass.Vote Yes for sanity.Vote Yes for freedom.Vote Yes for getting big brother out of our living rooms.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #21 posted by Sam Adams on October 24, 2006 at 06:10:29 PT
headline
How annoying. This question is about safety at all - if it was, cannabis would be legal and alchohol illegal. Any halfwit that's honest with himself can see that in 2 seconds. This referendum is about freedom, not safety. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #20 posted by global_warming on October 24, 2006 at 03:33:01 PT
meanwhile in Nevada
Legalizing marijuana isn't good for stateMore of the same "reefer madness" madnesshttp://tinyurl.com/vuzgy
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #19 posted by Toker00 on October 24, 2006 at 02:56:38 PT
All
How can these cowards continue to hide behind the most vulnerable target, children? Is it any less cowardly than using them as a human shield in war? Oh wait, this IS war. And they ARE using them as human shields. The difference is, they are being wounded from behind the shield, not from what they perceive is in front of it. For in reality, Truth is what stands in front of them, Corporatism is stabbing them in the back.Those pictures were well timed, Whig. They literally flushed the pessimism right out. Thanks.You're right Mayan. And these guys are running out of hot air just as the Truth is gaining hurricane strength. But slow is sure. As we gain speed, we will begin passing these guys on the side of the road, begging for forgiveness, drowning in their wretchedness.Thank you God for Cannabis and Cannabisnews.com. Love, people, love!Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by whig on October 23, 2006 at 22:56:56 PT
Wayne
What's also amazing is that I found that picture of the two little girls just a few minutes after I'd posted the picture of Eta Carinae.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by Wayne on October 23, 2006 at 21:33:39 PT
re: whig #13
I must say, whig, that picture just about made my day. They are each truly one-in-a-million.They always say 'what about the children'? I say this...and watching my two nieces grow up has cemented this in my mind. Children are remarkably resilient creatures. They can heal from sickness and injry rather quickly, many times quicker than their adult counterparts. But many people have found out the hard way, sometimes personally, that once a child finds out that they've been lied to, they NEVER forget. They carry that scar with them throughout their lives, and their trust is just that much harder to earn because of it.Yes, keeping our children safe and healthy and away from dangerous substances is critical. But keeping them away from lies and deceit is a hundred times as important. Children can be healed of sickness and addiction, but the emotional damage done by lies will never fully go away.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by Hope on October 23, 2006 at 20:43:56 PT
"Slow change is lasting change."
Mayan, I'm thinking that's probably true. I'm sure hoping it is. It certainly has been slow...so, I'm hoping, maybe...maybe...that slowness in itself is positive, and a good thing, and will lend to cannabis legality being upheld solidly and for a long, long time.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by goneposthole on October 23, 2006 at 18:44:01 PT
truth or consequences
Truth? What truth? We don't need no stinking truth.Consequences!You can sit in jail.Richard Speck sat in jail, drank booze, snorted cocaine, and what not until he died.That's how well drugs can be controlled with prohibition.Prohibition's consequences are far worse than the truth.Prohibition? What prohibition?We don't need no stinking prohibition.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by mayan on October 23, 2006 at 18:23:58 PT
Toker00
The truth is becoming fashionable once again. Easy come, easy go. Slow change is lasting change. THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Pulling the 9/11 Lynch Pin:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_fred_web_061020_pulling_the_9_2f11_lyn.htmHas FOX Become an Attack Dog to Silence Critics of Bush Administration, Asks Scholars for 9/11 Truth:
http://www.prweb.com//releases/2006/10/prweb454144.htmEx CIA and Marine Intel Officer: 9/11 Was An Inside Job:
http://www.infowars.net/articles/October2006/231006Steele.htm9/11 Twin Towers Collapse: Independent Media Research Brings Back A Different Story - Video Clips:
http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/10/21/911_twin_towers_collapse_independent.htmACTION: Tell C-SPAN to air new 9-11 panel:
http://www.total911.info/2006/10/action-tell-c-span-to-air-new-9-11.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by whig on October 23, 2006 at 16:57:04 PT
Toker00 #10
I don't know if this helps you or not, but it sure reassures me that everything is going to be fine.http://cannablog.wordpress.com/tag/signs/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by charmed quark on October 23, 2006 at 16:41:04 PT
Children and 44
They are probably referring to a few studies that say children often get access to drugs when their parents use drugs. I guess the kids steal them from the folks. But my response would be twofold:1) No reasonable study shows any increase in use just because cannabis is decriminalized. All that changes is people can be more open about their use and nobody gets criminal records. So no additional access is given to the kids.2) We have to assume that parents can be responsible adults and not keep their cannabis where the kids can get at it.
Although personally, to me that's a lot less of a worry than alcohol. Growing up, I knew a number of kids who had to be treated at the hospital for near-fatal alcohol poisoning after getting into their parents liquor cabinet and drinking stuff like an entire bottle of peppermint schnapps. Something that could never happen with cannabis.Just like good parents should keep the guns and liquor in securly locked cabinets, they should do the same with their pot.If we feel adults can be responsible enough to keep guns when they have kids, surely they can handle something as RELATIVELY innocuous as pot.But I forgot, we live in a nanny state where the government watches our kids instead of the parents.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by potpal on October 23, 2006 at 15:37:48 PT
toker
Thanks for your thoughts. Taking the line of thought you whipped out about caring for children would make a great LTE...lay the logic on 'em. 
[ Post Comment ]

 


Comment #10 posted by Toker00 on October 23, 2006 at 15:03:40 PT

lombar
It seems that all the great philosophies are based on common sense, and love. It really is that simple. John says: All you need is Love. John also had a mountain of common sense. How can it be possible for a mind to not want to know the Truth? Even to the extent of saying: "I wouldn't believe that 9-11 crap, even if it IS True!" How is that possible? To not want to know the Truth, even if they know it is True? Do they prefer to embrace the Lie out of comfort, or out of fear? Why do Real Men have no balls when confronted with the Truth? Why do men who know we have killed over 600,000 people in a distant land with weapons so evil they should never have been made, show no remorse? Even when they know our children are fighting and dieing for corporate greed hell bent on global domination of man? Because I told them. And I showed them. And they still don't care and don't ask for more Truth. It is when I feel like giving up that I get unexpected inspiration. Well, I'm waiting for that inspiration...Wage Peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 23, 2006 at 14:58:57 PT

Toker00
Yes, you would think. I have a very sensitive place in my heart for Moms and Dads and how they want to raise their children. I believe that children are a gift from God and should be cherished. No government can take the place of the parents and it is wrong that they do it because the hurt and fear they create isn't the way my dream of America was many years ago.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by Toker00 on October 23, 2006 at 14:34:10 PT

FoM
You would think if they cared for the children, they would do something about the black market. Children don't get their cannabis from the pac-a-sac.You would think if they cared for the children, they would be concerned about the pharma-poison their children are force fed in school. You would think if they cared for the children, they would want to make certain that the information they give their children about drugs is complete, and correct.You would think if they cared for the children, they would stop yanking their parents away from them for self medicating and locking them in jail, where no productive work is possible, no family support for the child possible.You would think if they cared for the children, they would stop wasting our tax dollars on feral hemp eradication, and start spending them on education and health issues.So I don't think they care near as much about the children as they say they do. I think they THINK what the DEA and other LIE agents TELL them to think. Yeah. That's what I think.AMEN JustGetnBy! Ghandi is the Man!The thing about investing in Karma, Whig, is it IS hard work! Therefore, wealth derived from a Karma investment, is priceless!Toke.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by observer on October 23, 2006 at 13:36:31 PT

propaganda analysis
[3]
Opponents say it will lead to increased marijuana use among children . 

(Sentence 3) 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 ) re: "children" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[5]
"We feel it can only harm society by making it more accessible," said David Evans of the Drug Free Schools Coalition of Colorado . 

(Sentence 5) re: "society" - 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#3 ) re: "Drug Free" - 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#7 ) 
 
 
[6]
"If it's more accessible to adults, it's more accessible to children."

(Sentence 6) re: "children" - Prohibitionists forever claim that children are corrupted by drugs, and this is why adult users must be punished harshly. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[7]
If this measure is passed, an increase in emergency room visits, crime and possibly car accidents will increase, Evans said . 

(Sentence 7) re: "crime", "emergency room visits", "accidents" - 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#2 ) 
 
 
[9]
"If you legalize marijuana, the rate of use will increase and we'll have more problems," Evans said . 

(Sentence 9) re: "legalize" - 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#7 ) 
 
 summary: drugwar_propaganda = 100%asserted: $drugwar_propaganda at 100% ($propaganda_theme2 $propaganda_theme3 $propaganda_theme5 $propaganda_theme7 $propaganda_theme4)asserted: $propaganda_theme2 at 70% ("crime" "harm" "problems" "problem" "emergency room visits" "accidents"), 6 hitsasserted: $propaganda_theme3 at 55% ("society"), 1 hitsasserted: $use_is_abuse at 100% ("marijuana use"), 1 hitsasserted: $propaganda_theme4 at 100% ($use_is_abuse)asserted: $propaganda_theme5 at 60% ("children"), 2 hitsasserted: $propaganda_theme7 at 100% ("Drug Free" "legalize" $legalization), 3 hits

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by The GCW on October 23, 2006 at 13:11:45 PT

If I were a gambling man...
Legalize pot? Bookies: not a safe bethttp://www.vaildaily.com/article/20061023/NEWS/110230050ASPEN - Online bookies are taking bets on whether the amendment to legalize possession of marijuana in Colorado will pass in the Nov. 7 election, and they say the odds are against it."Everybody has an opinion," said Mickey Richardson, chief executive of BetCRIS. "Now they can put their money where their mouth is."Cont.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by JustGetnBy on October 23, 2006 at 13:07:02 PT

Can I Get An AMEN !!
Toker00....  That Ghandi quote knocked my socks off. So much wisdom in so few words is a rare commodity today. I saved it to word-pad.  Thank YouLombar... Your "preachen to the quire" keep it up, it's a balm to my soul.Truth needs to be spoken, or the people become deluded. Thank you for speaking the truth. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by whig on October 23, 2006 at 12:11:52 PT

Toker00
I think it's worth making heavy investment in karma. :)
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by lombar on October 23, 2006 at 11:41:50 PT

Ancient Wisdom 
Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle. -Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)That quote made me think of this:Right Livelihood (samma ajiva)Right livelihood is concerned with ensuring that one earns one's living in a righteous way. For a lay disciple the Buddha teaches that wealth should be gained in accordance with certain standards. One should acquire it only by legal means, not illegally; one should acquire it peacefully, without coercion or violence; one should acquire it honestly, not by trickery or deceit; and one should acquire it in ways which do not entail harm and suffering for others. The Buddha mentions five specific kinds of livelihood which bring harm to others and are therefore to be avoided: dealing in weapons, in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), in meat production and butchery, in poisons, and in intoxicants (AN 5:177). He further names several dishonest means of gaining wealth which fall under wrong livelihood: practicing deceit, treachery, soothsaying, trickery, and usury (MN 117). Obviously any occupation that requires violation of right speech and right action is a wrong form of livelihood, but other occupations, such as selling weapons or intoxicants, may not violate those factors and yet be wrong because of their consequences for others.Our modern society runs afoul of most of it, just to survive many turn to 'wrong livelyhood', the governments actively recruit children into immoral occupations (war), the consumer society is rife with deception, doublespeak. Just driving to work in the millions is 'entailing harm and suffering for others'. State approved usury is protected by guns and the delusions of the masses. The people are enslaved to debts for which they have gained no value and income tax guarantees the endless graft for the bankers, investors et al.Cannabis prohibition is just one of the most obvious deceptions that is driving much violence and suffering, whose supporters either believe the lies or profit by them. At one point in Wedensdays debate, one person mentioned the phrase "war on drugs" and Mason was taken aback, then outraged at it. "A war?" That made me see a good person fighting the good fight. His opponents really believe that they are 'fighting the good fight' but really they are fighting peoples ideas, free will, and desire for 'getting high' with guns, dogs, courts, and prisons. Decpetion and self-deception.
The Noble Eightfold Path
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 23, 2006 at 09:54:18 PT

What About The Children?
When they arrest parents what does that do to the mind of a child? That can cause unbelievable damage when Mom and Dad go to jail for a ancient herb that has medicinal properties. It just doesn't make any sense to me the argument about the children.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on October 23, 2006 at 09:50:16 PT

Just passin' thru'...
"We feel it can only harm society by making it more accessible," said David Evans of the Drug Free Schools Coalition of Colorado. "If it's more accessible to adults, it's more accessible to children."These are people who get their news from FoX. As it is now, illegal and all, it is more available than anytime in the past, except when it was legal, and fewer people used it. If there is a desire for cannabis, and that desire is acted upon, there will be at the latest, next day delivery. Drug Free Schools. Like Alcohol Free Bars? Or, Food Free restaurants? Unless you were not including all the Pharma-poisons our kids are forced to take by our Pharma-bought-and-paid-for-government. Again, check your politicians port-folio. Look for the Urine testing/Pharma-investment/War complex/Medi-quipment, and the All Popular Oil Cartel/Big Energy stuff. Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle. -Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)To me, Investments would qualify as Wealth Without Work.Wage Peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!

[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment