cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Legalization On The Ballot?





Marijuana Legalization On The Ballot?
Posted by CN Staff on February 16, 2008 at 05:43:54 PT
By Chris Meagher 
Source: Santa Barbara Independent
Santa Barbara, CA -- A group has formed in Santa Barbara to put an initiative on the November ballot that would legalize cannabis for industrial and nutritional products, medicinal preparations, and for recreational and euphoric use. The group announced the California Cannabis Hemp and Health Initiative Campaign on Friday at a press conference on the steps of Santa Barbara City Hall. The initiative would also include clearing all criminal records for people involved in non-violent cannabis, hemp and marijuana offenses.
The group, headed by Jack Herer — called by Dr. David Bearman the man responsible for the rejuvenation of the U.S. hemp industry — argues that not only does cannabis serve as a medicine to many sick, but that cannabis is the only way to reverse the greenhouse effect and can be used as paper, fiber, and food as well. The U.S. government, they say, is hiding these facts.“I can know about cotton, flack and nylon,” said Herer at the press conference, “but there’s not a word of hemp in the schools.” Herer, who ran for president of the United States twice as a member of the Grassroots party, said that for 5,000 to 6,000 years 60 to 80 percent of the world’s production of fuel and clothing was made from hemp. The group is hoping that the dialogue will begin to introduce the idea that a hemp cultivation program can eliminate greenhouse gasses while replenishing the atmosphere and replacing fossil fuels with hemp bio-fuels.The press conference unknowingly coincided with an announcement on Friday by the American College of Physicians that endorsed cannabis as medicine. The college, which is the second largest physician group in the United States and includes 124,000 members, also advised the government to stop hindering research on the drug and to repeal its prohibition.For the Santa Barbara-based efforts to get the legalization initiative on the California ballot, valid signatures from roughly 434,000 people are needed. The group is also looking to bring the discussion to Congress this summer via the Government Oversight Domestic Policy Subcommittee, which is chaired by former presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-OH, a supporter of marijuana decriminalization.Hemp cultivation is illegal in the United States, but because of California’s Proposition 215, state law allows marijuana use for medicinal purposes. However, federal law supersedes state law, which has caused problems for many dispensaries in California. No dispensaries have been busted by federal agents in Santa Barbara, but many owners received threatening letters from the federal government, and some closed their shops. Still, the number of shops in Santa Barbara and Goleta hovers around one dozen.“We have a failed drug policy,” said Bearman on Friday. “We need to change the policy for the sake of the economy, for the sake of health, for the sake of people, and for the sake of peace.” Bearman, who is a candidate for the open 3rd District Board of Supervisor seat in Santa Barbara County, said it is “obscene” that laws prevent people from getting medication that can help them, and that the present day drug laws “eviscerate the Constitution.”A discussion and debate on the ballot initiative will take place on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery.Note: Jack Herer Leads Santa Barbara Group’s Attempt to Get Marijuana Legalization on the November Ballot.Source: Santa Barbara Independent, The (CA)Author: Chris Meagher Published: Friday, February 15, 2008Copyright: 2008 The Santa Barbara Independent, Inc.URL: http://tinyurl.com/26zqw7Contact: letters independent.comWebsite: http://www.independent.comJack Hererhttp://www.jackherer.com/CalHemp 08http://www.calhemp08.org/David Bearman M.D.http://www.davidbearmanmd.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 17, 2008 at 08:09:37 PT:
If you have a cannabis related name, it's only
fitting to be on our side. Like good old Charles "Chuck" Weed."At 10:15 p.m. on Friday, Chuck Weed was told to be ready by the phone for his interview on Fox News' "Hannity and Colmes" show.The interview was only a part of the national media interest in the bill Weed, professor of political science and New Hampshire state legislator, introduced to decriminalize marijuana in New Hampshire known as HB 92.
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Comment #8 posted by John Tyler on February 17, 2008 at 07:47:04 PT
California Dreaming
A positive California vote would certainly be wonderful news. Re comment #1
"We shouldn't be second-guessing our state's attorneys and removing some of the tools from their toolbox," said Dubie, who added that the threat of marijuana possession prosecution could be useful for investigators in situations involving other drugs or abuse. Dubie is admitting that cannabis prohibition laws are used as “tools” (or is it weapons) to intimidate, harass and oppress the citizens. We shouldn’t have laws like that anywhere. If someone is doing something wrong, then get them for that. It shouldn’t be, “We suspected the defendant might have cannabis, so they were searched for that, none was found, but they were arrested on some other charges.”  It is just being used as a phony probable cause when they don’t have anything else. You can imagine how optionally and selectively this can be used. That may sound right to cops and prosecutors, but it sure sounds creepy, oppressive, and unAmerican to me. Note to law enforcement types, if you act like Gestapo thugs to the public, the public will react to you like Gestapo thugs. No amount of community outreach PR will erase a headline of police abuse.  Note to Lt. Gov Dubie. Change your name. You shouldn’t be associated or confused with the good name of doobie.
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Comment #7 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 17, 2008 at 05:24:45 PT
Mandate For Federal Government
Good Morning, Go Obama LOLhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7vnXGU6TJQ
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Comment #6 posted by rchandar on February 16, 2008 at 16:17:58 PT:
Statewide Legalization in CA
Hmmm. It's a wonderful possibility--the state with the most liberal MJ laws and a large population of smokers--we may say, about 3 million smokers.But there had better be a huge campaign with millions of dollars spent on advertising and get-out-the vote initiatives. Don't sleep on this one; results, not ideas.rchandar
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 16, 2008 at 16:09:43 PT
News Article From KCBS
Democratic President Could be Good News for Medical Pot Supporters*** Saturday, February 16, 2008OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- A major medical group took a stand against the Federal Government’s anti-medical marijuana policy this week, saying it interferes with the good science that shows it to be an effective drug for patients. Local cannabis crusaders say this news, along with the prospect of a Democrat in the White House, gives them hope. Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton have both condemned federal raids on California patients and suppliers, but have not endorsed legalization of medical marijuana or federal immunity for California patients.”I think you’re going to see things change a lot. There will probably be wonderful things with this next administration,” said Angel Raich of Oakland.If the race goes to the GOP, all of the candidates except Ron Paul support the federal raids on pot clubs.A proposed bill on congresswoman Barbara Lee’s desk would protect medical necessity patients from prosecution.  KCBS' Janice Wright reports 
 Copyright: 2008, KCBShttp://www.kcbs.com/Democratic-President-Could-be-Good-News-for-Medica/1668109
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Comment #4 posted by Dankhank on February 16, 2008 at 12:56:23 PT
user123
good eye ... missed that ....nice seein' ya ...Dubie ..... heh heh ...
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Comment #3 posted by user123 on February 16, 2008 at 12:03:21 PT:
Come on Now
Lt. Gov. Dubie? Doobie? I really wonder sometimes if life really is like The Matrix.
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Comment #2 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 16, 2008 at 08:18:38 PT:
BTW
That previous link is the entire article.
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Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 16, 2008 at 08:17:23 PT:
Cannabis Madness
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080216/NEWS01/802160354/1002/NEWS01Lawmakers pot bill draws fire from mayorsFebruary 16, 2008By Daniel Barlow Vermont Press BureauMONTPELIER – The mayors of Barre and Rutland joined Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie on Friday in opposing a bill that lowers the criminal penalties for small amounts of marijuana, warning that it is a step backwards in the battle against drug use.Dubie, who presided over the Vermont Senate this week as it easily passed a bill removing jail time for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, said Friday that Vermont's prosecutors told him they worry the bill will make their jobs harder."We shouldn't be second-guessing our state's attorneys and removing some of the tools from their toolbox," said Dubie, who added that the threat of marijuana possession prosecution could be useful for investigators in situations involving other drugs or abuse. "This sends a message that we don't think they are doing their job properly."The mayors of two Vermont cities that have experienced serious drug addiction problems in recent years joined Dubie in his opposition.Barre City Mayor Thomas Lauzon, who favors decriminalization of marijuana, said he opposes the bill because it does not "go far enough" in stimulating a wide discussion of drug policy and other related issues and takes away powers from prosecutors.
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