cannabisnews.com: Stand Up To Sessions On Pot
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Stand Up To Sessions On Pot
Posted by CN Staff on February 08, 2017 at 15:35:11 PT
By Adam Eidinger, Contributor
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Washington, D.C. -- Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions., is on the path to being confirmed as the next U.S. attorney general. Not surprisingly, the entire multibillion-dollar cannabis industry, which provides tens of thousands of good-paying jobs to American workers, along with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue streams to support state and municipal services each year, has been left with a cloud of ambiguity hanging over the future of responsible marijuana reforms.Millions of voters, who voted for sensible marijuana reforms in 28 states and the District of Columbia, along with tens of thousands of medical marijuana patients, workers, businesses, law enforcement, municipalities and others, are questioning whether Sessions will continue down the path of responsible reforms that was forged during the Obama years.
As an Eagle Scout and cannabis legalization activist, I was alarmed by Sessions' evasive behavior during his nomination hearings, considering that the position's responsibilities include representing our country in criminal prosecutions and protecting our civil rights. To put it bluntly, Sessions' positions on marijuana are outdated and misinformed and legitimately concerning. His stance is also opposed to that of President Donald Trump, as stated during the campaign regarding states rights and marijuana policy reforms. Not to mention, Sessions' previous statements about thinking the Ku Klux Klan was "okay" until "he found out they smoked pot." The latter makes many wonder if Sessions' prejudices against marijuana can ever be reformed.At a time when our country is facing very serious foreign, domestic, racial and equality issues, it is critical our next U.S. attorney general is 100-percent truthful with the American people. Sessions must stand up for all Americans, including those who have been most negatively impacted by many of our country's failed policies. And as Americans, we must remember our role in democracy isn't a passive one either. We, too, have an obligation to engage, support and speak out for what is true, right and just. To quote Martin Luther King Jr.,"an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law."In the past, there were times when the legalization movement was looked at by some as an effort by some silly stoners. However, the reality is that the vast majority of Americans support ending prohibition of cannabis – a plant that has been senselessly outlawed in U.S. since 1937 largely due to a shameful and misinformed, yet effective propaganda campaign. The truth is the cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing industries creating jobs for Americans in America – jobs that were lost to manufacturing overseas. In fact, legal market sales are expected to be nearly bigger than the NFL by 2021 – more than $20.2 billion – and in Colorado alone, more than 18,000 new full-time jobs were created and $2.4 billion in economic activity was generated last year.There are more numbers to note. According to an American Civil Liberties Union analysis, marijuana arrests account for more than half of all drug arrests in the U.S. – half. Despite roughly equal usage rates for marijuana, black people are also nearly 4 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana. The trend holds true nationwide and reveals our nation's drug laws as racially biased. Shouldn't it be woefully obvious that there's something dramatically wrong with taking a plant that has been proven to be less harmful than alcohol and tobacco – both legal under U.S. law – and arresting minorities at disproportionate rates, and then, whitewashing those facts under the guise that these laws are somehow actually helping our communities, instead of harming them? Let's be real here.Responsible legal marijuana laws change communities for the better. They end voter disenfranchisement and prevent citizens from the risk of a felony charge – for pot. Responsible marijuana reforms also stop racially biased laws that ruin lives, take the cash out of the hands of cartels, offer compassionate care treatments to our nation's sickest patients, create jobs and make our country safer.Trump shouldn't let a member of his own cabinet pigeonhole him into flip-flopping on his campaign position and promises, nor should the president buy into Sessions' ridiculous and outdated approach to cannabis. If Trump does anything other than responsibly work to reform our nation's failed drug policies, Americans must remember to speak out against these unjust laws and continue to fight for our country's most disenfranchised. We must remind each other and our elected officials of our moral obligation to disobey unjust laws, and to respect the will of the voters and what the majority of Americans want: End cannabis prohibition now.Adam Eidinger is a Washington, D.C. businessman and political and legalization activist, known for his role in spearheading Initiative 71, which legalized cannabis in the District of Columbia in 2015.Source: U.S. News & World Report (US)Author: Adam Eidinger, Contributor  Published: February 8, 2017Copyright: 2017 U.S. News & World ReportWebsite: http://www.usnews.com/Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/gfkqitBTURL: http://drugsense.org/url/FX2J5SQoCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on February 15, 2017 at 09:15:18 PT
Trump
It looks more and more everyday that Trump could be in big trouble. He could be impeached at this rate. Our issue will be way on the back burner I think and hope.
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on February 14, 2017 at 20:28:34 PT
Hat tip to Servetus, couchmate at DrugWarRant
Trump Vows "Ruthless" War On Drugshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNDZnjMV8vY&spfreload=10
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on February 14, 2017 at 12:18:52 PT
"A creeping oppression"?
Yeah. I feel it.From last month... but that "Creeping oppression" struck a still viable chord.Trump Is Just Another Businessman, According to Marijuana Companieshttp://www.laweekly.com/news/trump-is-just-another-businessman-according-to-marijuana-companies-7845873
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Comment #19 posted by afterburner on February 14, 2017 at 07:15:07 PT
It's Not Americans' Nature to Bow before Tyrants
We fought for our freedom from tyrannical royalty to form this Constitutional Republic. Checks and balances are integral to the Constitution and to the three branches of the federal government. All the members of these branches swore allegiance to this Constitution. We must remind them and hold their feet to the fire. 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on February 14, 2017 at 05:06:36 PT
 Hope 
It is getting darker and darker. I sure don't like Pence but he would be better then Trump. Something is really wrong with Trump. Every day is a new shock story.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 14, 2017 at 05:04:04 PT
rchandar
I don't think Dems are so good. I wanted Bernie but had to settle voting for Hillary. Obama I respected but Trump is beyond scary to me.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on February 13, 2017 at 13:25:01 PT
It's getting darker and darker 
on the drug war front. I'm thinking Trump is 'coming out', fully, as a raging, demented, killer prohibitionist. One of the inhuman authoritarians that will do outrageous things to other people in the name of a crime and a war they made up are rejoicing with their new leadership. Some people used to say the last president wanted to destroy the constitution, our country, and our system of government. I can clearly see Trump wants to take out the judicial system, already, if it doesn't do what he wants it to. The three branches of government and checks and balances are obviously repugnant to his sensibilities. It looks terribly like he wants to be king. A cruel king. I've read and know well of too many dire warnings in history about people who were foolish enough to want a king... a single overpowering dictator... and got, to their eventual sorrow, what they wanted. He's stroking his enforcers big time. It kind of looks like he wants to be an unfettered dictator and plenty of people seem to want him to be and those same people almost seem to want those of us who are doubtful about him to somehow respectfully bow before his power. If they want to prostrate themselves before his dictates... they can have at it. I'm going to remain standing, steadfast, I hope, and keeping my eyes on him!
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Comment #15 posted by rchandar on February 13, 2017 at 07:05:46 PT:
FoM
Why should I care? I was held hostage by terrorists. My students got killed. What makes you think the Dems are so good? I supported Hillary. I think that she blew us off when she conceded. (She could have fought it).
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on February 11, 2017 at 04:50:52 PT
rchandar 
It's good to see you! I don't know how we got here from there but here we are. I follow the news closely but I don't know where Trump is going to take us. He is so fragile and angry. He is very scary.
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Comment #13 posted by rchandar on February 10, 2017 at 21:43:16 PT:
FoM
I have thought about it, as you all have. Someone should inform Mr. Sessions of the damage cracking down will cause--mostly,that it means access to harder drugs.And if he's so up on treatment, what's wrong with using cannabis to fund it? I think that he doesn't like us, but that isn't my intention. I don't think it's GOP or Dems anymore. Basically the GOP's strategy has been to steal liberal voters for some time. Criminalize weed, gone in four.I admit a lot of people are lost. Many of us aren't interested in politics anymore.
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Comment #12 posted by rchandar on February 10, 2017 at 21:36:46 PT:
FoM
And hello to you! Not doing much these days. Trying to get out of Florida, the great sinkhole.I hope all is well where you are.
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on February 10, 2017 at 19:16:22 PT
Hey, rchandar!
Good to see you.
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Comment #10 posted by rchandar on February 10, 2017 at 15:20:17 PT:
Fake News
Dubya's drug czar claimed that 70% of the world's weed was grown in the Philippines.Obama claimed that weed 'was a monumental waste of time'.There is no truth card about drugs, whether the administration is Democrat or Republican. All of them tell lies.
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Comment #9 posted by MikeEEEEE on February 10, 2017 at 08:22:20 PT
Law suits and stupids update 
With all the law suits against the trump administration, they may choose not to screw up cannabis reform. But then trump is unpredictable. One thing that won't change anytime soon is his popularity, or lack of it.Stupids update this week: if you didn't know it, the latest countries giving trump the middle finger are Mexico, Canada, England and Austria. Stay tuned for more.
trump promised not to touch Medicare and social security, therefore, he is installing people who will do it for him. He hates public education, he and the republicons have approved somebody who will destroy it for them. If you voted for this asshole, you deserve what you get. 
Good luck America, you'll need it!
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Comment #8 posted by Garry Minor on February 10, 2017 at 05:08:30 PT:
Good News!
I live in Columbus Indiana, the hometown of mike pence, our Vice President and Tony Stewart, the race car driver and owner.I've been very vocal for a long, long time.This is in this mornings paper.Seems that Tony is sponsoring an Indy Car for the 500!TEAM ONE CURE was formed to create awareness, enthusiasm and understanding of the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center. The FACC is developing cutting edge cancer treatments for people and pets, and Stewart has long been an advocate for children and animals. 
SnipColorado State UniversityWithin two miles of the University of Colorado Cancer Center are at least seven recreational marijuana dispensaries with names like Pink House, Terrapin Care Station, Sweet Leaf, Lightshade and Starbuds. And the influence of what happens off campus doesn’t stay off campus. Our patients are using marijuana – some recreationally, some to alleviate the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatments, and some with the belief that cannabis and cannabis-based products could improve or cure their disease.We can’t ignore the fact that here on the Anschutz Medical Campus we are at the absolute epicenter of cannabis in the United States. So for a few minutes let’s put aside the pot jokes. Let’s put aside the moral, societal and political right and wrong of medical and recreational marijuana legalization in Colorado and beyond. Let’s even put aside the negative and positive health effects of marijuana in conditions beyond cancer. For a few minutes, let’s focus on what we know, what we don’t know, and what we would desperately like to know about cannabis specifically in the context of cancer. 
Sniphttp://www.coloradocancerblogs.org/cannabis-cancer-cause-cure-conundrum/Nice Work, Tony!Kaneh Bosm
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on February 10, 2017 at 00:46:42 PT
Destroying the blood of our youth....?
"I'm directing Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to undertake all necessary and lawful action to break the back of the criminal cartels that have spread across our nation and are destroying the blood of our youth and other people," Trump said Thursday.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on February 10, 2017 at 00:42:54 PT
After Sessions was sworn in.
Trump signs three new executive orders on crime reductionhttp://www.cnn.com/2017/02/09/politics/trump-executive-orders-crime-reduction/
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Comment #5 posted by HempWorld on February 09, 2017 at 19:50:45 PT
Back to Sessions!
I just heard on Hannity that Jeff Sessions spearheaded the Rosa Parks Library and Museum.So then, if he cares about the black man why not be in favor of legalizing MJ i.e. Cannabis, Kaneh Bosm, etc.?On and on...
End Racism!
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on February 09, 2017 at 15:37:38 PT
Adam Eidinger
He's made Cannabis News one way or the other in so many ways for practically decades now. Head shop raids. The hemp/DEA debacles. And the whole messed up history of the struggle in D. C.. By messed up I mean, the first time I was aware of, that the citizens of D.C. and their vote were totally ignored and disrespected. I'm still stunned. Before that, I was so hyped up on red, white, and blue and believing in my country and patriotism and some confidence in government stuff. The Feds stomping their vote out of existence like it wasn't a hallowed thing was a terrible, terrible time as far as my loss of respect for that "Democratic Republic" stuff, and our representatives and realizing that the whole thing about the vote being precious was a lie. Right there in D. C.. It was a lie. And now I know a "Dictatorship" can be a group of people... even supposedly a group of so called "Representatives"."Battle lines being drawn..."For What It's Worthhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrSXkJY
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Comment #3 posted by patrioticdissension on February 09, 2017 at 08:16:58 PT
Former DEA chief propagandist says the agency know
someone finally admitted it. :)
http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-02-02-former-dea-chief-propagandist-says-the-age
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on February 08, 2017 at 23:16:38 PT
Hemp World
We've always known they were big, mean, and extremely powerful bullies. But we stood up against their actions anyway. We always have known they had more power than us and the people they hate and harm, but we stood up to the injustice anyway. We've always known they were dangerous, murderous liars without compassion and common sense. But we spoke out against them and their actions anyway.That won't change. 
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on February 08, 2017 at 16:13:19 PT
End cannabis prohibition now!
Kudos to Mr. (Sam) Adam Eidinger!I am with you!But, when I think about 'legalization' in CA and the up and coming anti-smoking laws in that same state. We have a long, long, way to go, if we ever get there.I am talking about the sense of freedom, feel free. When can or will we ever sense that free of things?Sure, we made some progress since 1971/1974, but despite all the studies (cannabis kills cancer, etc.) when?I honestly did not ever envision the current state we are in. Complete disbelief!Need I say more... God Bless! Peace, Love, Prosperity, Abundance!
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