cannabisnews.com: Light One Up for Michigan










  Light One Up for Michigan

Posted by CN Staff on November 30, 2006 at 07:04:15 PT
Editorial 
Source: Michigan Daily  

Michigan -- Here in Michigan, marijuana use can bring unique benefits - light up a joint and suddenly Michigan's lousy economy doesn't seem so bad any more. Maybe legalization could attract those young, highly educated professionals Gov. Jennifer Granholm's been lusting over. After all, with the right to buy and grow your own pot, every city's a cool city. Medical and Recreational Peace, an activist group rooted in Eaton Rapids, is fighting for our right to get high. This week, the organization got its legislative petition approved and is now collecting signatures to get the proposal on the 2008 state ballot.
The proposal would make it legal for adults over 18 to use and grow marijuana on private property. The use of the drug in public would incur a $50 fine.Activists tried to get similar proposals on the ballot in 2000, 2002 and 2006, but they fell short of obtaining enough signatures each time. For this proposal to make it to voters, the group must obtain 304,000 signatures in the next six months. Michigan voters may soon have the chance - and hopefully, the wisdom - to decriminalize the drug. It's been clear for some time the war on weed is failing miserably. More than 750,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana possession last year, double the number arrested 25 years ago - and that's just the number that got caught. If marijuana were decriminalized, many cases that are currently clogging up the court system would be eliminated, and tax money wasted prosecuting marijuana users could be spent on worthier goals. And if marijuana were legalized nationally and then taxed, the revenue could exceed $6 billion per year according to estimates by Jeffrey Miron, a professor of economics at Harvard.Despite massive efforts to intercept supplies and prosecute users, marijuana remains an easy drug to obtain. Earlier generations found that the prohibition of alcohol - a substance whose chronic use often results in death - was unsuccessful. Likewise, cancer-causing cigarettes and other tobacco products are legal. Yet marijuana, which is less harmful and certainly less addictive, remains banned. Many have recognized the absurdity of criminalizing marijuana and have joined a growing movement to legalize it. Ann Arbor voters approved an ordinance that allows the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes by a three-to-one margin in 2004, and the city punishes marijuana possession with a meager $25 fine. Just last year, Denver voted to allow adults over 21 to own up to one ounce of marijuana. Earlier this month, a similar proposal reached the ballot in Nevada. The proposal failed, but still garnered 44 percent support, demonstrating the drug's growing mainstream acceptance.Even if you're not high enough to believe marijuana is Michigan's ticket to economic salvation, we can at least agree that using the drug is a personal choice. Adults exercise the freedom to use tobacco and alcohol. The same should be true for marijuana. The first step to restore rights taken away nearly 70 years ago is to get the legalization of marijuana on the state ballot. Students on campus can and should be important allies in helping their fellow residents reclaim their right to a joint - that is, if they're not too high to pass out petitions.Note: Petition drive could lead to legalization of Marijuana. Source: Michigan Daily (MI Edu)Published: November 30, 2006Copyright: 2006 The Michigan DailyContact: daily.letters umich.eduWebsite: http://www.michigandaily.com/Michigan NORMLhttp://www.minorml.orgCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml

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Comment #22 posted by fight_4_freedom on December 04, 2006 at 09:26:46 PT:
thats the main website
but this is a link to the message boards. Sorry I didn't give you this one in the first place. And if for some reason this link doesn't work, go to the main website and look in the left hand column and you should see discussion board.Thanks
message boards
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Comment #21 posted by whig on December 04, 2006 at 00:12:10 PT
fight_4_freedom
Looks like a local news website, I didn't see any discussion board. Was that the right address?
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Comment #20 posted by fight_4_freedom on December 03, 2006 at 23:31:30 PT:
if anybody..........
..would like to join me in a legalization discussion, please join this message board. www.wnem.com
http://www.wnem.com
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Comment #19 posted by Toker00 on December 01, 2006 at 09:24:07 PT
FoM
Everything is cut, routed, and sanded. Now the Artwork begins. I have a question. Does anyone know where I can get a V costume? Cape, Brim, Mask? No, I won't need the Daggers. Toke. 
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Comment #18 posted by ekim on December 01, 2006 at 07:56:10 PT
hello fight 4 
i have been hearing from those in MI and no one seems to have a clue about who is doing this ballot question.in fact most feel that right at a time that Mid Mi Norml was sucessful in getting a Med Cannabis Hearing -- this eaton rapids story came out and took over the news.so if any one knows who is doing this ballot move in MI please tell us.if this was legit --- Norml or MPP would be posting news.
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Comment #17 posted by afterburner on November 30, 2006 at 21:55:57 PT
Jenny Take a Ride
Counter the Republicans' fear of Democrats raising taxes by ending the War on Cannabis and using the savings to do the compassionate work needed by the population and the planet!If you lobby Congress to end the wasteful War on Iraq and the counter-productive War on Terror, the future will unfold with blessings and prosperity as God intends. Raise your consciousness above the emotional blindness of fear and anger. 
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 19:44:49 PT
Toker00 
I'm looking forward to the pictures. Enjoy your project. We got our fiber optic tree yesterday and it's very pretty. We haven't tried to take a picture of it yet but we will. 
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Comment #15 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 19:37:54 PT
FoM
Oh no, not yet. I am still in production. My one Peace sign has turned into A Peacemas Card! That's what happens with us Manics!! We obsess until our "Look at this." turns into "LOOK at THIS!!. Know what I mean? Next week. Mid-week at the latest. Thanks, you guys, for the interest. I hope I don't make a mess! ANX, ANX, ANX...just kidding. :)Wage Peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 19:19:08 PT
ekim
Maybe the Democrats will deal with these issues in time. I know getting out of Iraq will be the number one priority. One sense I do get as I listen to different Democrats on the TV News is they are more interested in the people then Republicans are. Maybe if and when a Democrats wins in 08 and they maintain control change could happen in not too many years. If we go back to Republicans I honestly believe I will die of old age before Marijuana is finally liberated.
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Comment #13 posted by ekim on November 30, 2006 at 18:50:13 PT
John Conyers' "No More Tulias" legislation
Thursday, November 30, 2006 Hopes for the Dem CongressGrits for Breakfast wonders whether the new Congress will consider John Conyers' "No More Tulias" legislation. 
That bill would require corroboration for undercover testimony in drug stings using federal grant money, similar to Texas' legislation that required corroboration for informants, signed by Gov. Perry in 2001 after receiving bipartisan support in both chambers.
Even though the Kathryn Johnston case doesn't directly apply, the interest generated from it could help encourage such a bill.
I also have hopes for Truth in Trials Act (allowing federal defendants to mention medical marijuana in court), and the Hinchey Amendment (cutting off funds for federal intervention in States that have passed medical marijuana laws). There has also been some talk recently of Democratic Congress considering a shift in the Colombian funding away from eradication and military efforts and toward economic development (but I'm not holding my breath).10:08:52 AM | drug policy | permalink | trackback | comment [1] 
 
http://www.drugwarrant.com
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Comment #12 posted by whig on November 30, 2006 at 18:01:50 PT
Toker00
I'm excited about seeing what you've made.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 17:22:48 PT

Toker00
Did you send me some photos? I checked my e-mail and nothing is there.
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Comment #10 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 16:51:11 PT

I know the feeling, whig.
What you will see in the photos I send FoM, are things that are taking me, right now, tonight, time, effort, Love, and a commitment to my trade. You won't see perfection, but you will see the other things. I'm not a perfectionist, but I am a skilled craftsman. Any skilled craftsman can do what I am doing now. Any sense of pride I feel, I give to God in Thanks FOR my skill. Don't worry. It won't shock or awe you, but Hopefully, you guys can feel and share with me, your spirit of Humanity and Celebration. And I DO aim to Peace.Toke.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 16:35:52 PT

fight_4_freedom 
I've looked and I can't find anything so far. 
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Comment #8 posted by whig on November 30, 2006 at 15:43:00 PT

Toker00
I went to the Christmas tree and wreath place near Berkeley, and asked about peace wreaths. They weren't interested. They said they had some loose material I could buy and make my own, but I think I wouldn't do a very good job and I never like presenting my art unless I'm very satisfied with it.
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Comment #7 posted by fight_4_freedom on November 30, 2006 at 14:06:26 PT:

can't find any more info
  I've been looking to see if this Medical and Recreational Peace has a website or if the petition is online yet but im not having any luck. Maybe it's still too early, I'm not sure.  Anybody seen anything about this, besides the news articles?Go Michigan!Legalize Our God Given Plant!
 
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Comment #6 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 14:04:43 PT

The GCW
I'm still floored about Arkansas. You think...nah! Not Arkansas!Toke.
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on November 30, 2006 at 11:04:30 PT

Competition!
It's Michigan, Nevada, Colorado and who knows who else.Who will RE-legalize 1st?I'm rooting for Colorado
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 09:36:00 PT

Toker00
You're on a roll! Far Out Man! LOL!
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Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 09:26:57 PT

Overwhelm Sam.
Maybe that's what we should do, Sam! Let's bombard them with Wavy Colors, Long Hair, Led Zeppelin, Peace Signs, "Groovy", "Out of Sight", and tell them we won't stop untill they Legalize Cannabis! If you will notice, most activists use the name Cannabis, but the Anti's refuse to use it. Just like they refuse the Truth about it. Strobe Lights, FRINGE, Incense, Flowers...Whoop it Out! I'm making some Tear Drop Peace Signs. I think I'll call them the Tears of God.Toke.
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 30, 2006 at 09:04:32 PT

The Term Marijuana
I'm sure congers up visions of wavy colors, long hair and Led Zepplin songs in the minds of prohibitionists. I wonder if police in Denver are still harassing adults for possession? Has anyone heard of any cases lately?
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Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 09:03:41 PT

Praise God.
"Yet marijuana, which is LESS harmful and certainly LESS addictive, remains banned."This is the message MSM should be getting out with vigor! Stop sitting there wringing your hands about what to do with alcohol and violence problems in your community. LEGALIZE CANNABIS! By doing so, you will lower crime, save money, STOP worrying and even MAKE money! SAFER. LESS DANGEROUS. LESS HARMFUL. LESS EXPENSIVE. TAXABLE. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? This should absolutely be a National Issue come '08. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION IN '08!  Stop the Violence caused by Alcohol. LEGALIZE CANNABIS!Toke.
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