cannabisnews.com: Florida Association of Republican Mayors





Florida Association of Republican Mayors
Posted by FoM on September 25, 1999 at 16:34:36 PT
Discuss Drug War
Source: Tampa Bay Online
ORLANDO, Fla.Former Gov. Bob Martinez encouraged Republican mayors to do more in the fight against drugs, especially in the battle to combat the move to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Martinez, who also served as the nation's first drug czar, from 1991 to 1993, told mayors attending a meeting of the Florida Association of Republican Mayors that Americans have become too complacent in working to stem the tide against illegal drug use. Martinez, who was governor from 1986 to 1990, was joined by Secretary Bill Bankhead of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Orlando Police Chief Jerry Demings and Calvina Fay of the Drug Free America Foundation in calling for a grass roots effort in stopping those who would legalize marijuana use. To make the use of marijuana legal, even for so-called medicinal purposes, they said, would allow for legal trafficking of the drug and legal sale and distribution without a prescription for such ailments as headaches, upset stomach and athletes foot. Already, an estimated 1.2 million people in the state use marijuana, Martinez said. That, he noted, is more people than the number who consume the soft drink Sprite. ``If the manufacturers of Sprite have all those marketing people and distributors who promote the product and they attract less than eight percent of the population, you can imagine what is already going into the promotion of illegal drugs in our state,'' he noted. Martinez said legalizing marijuana sends ``the wrong message'' to children. They have to know that drug use is not right, he told the mayors. ``We can see that when penalties for drug use are increased the incidence of other crimes are reduced,'' said Mayor Glenda Hood of Orlando. The mayors' association was founded earlier this year to bring Republican mayors from around Florida together to discuss common issues. Saturday's meeting was the group's second. ``More can be done in the fight against drugs,'' Martinez said. ``You have, at the local level, the added ability to deal with kids issues and to energize young people in the prevention programs.'' 9/25/99 -- 5:18 PMCopyright 1999 Associated PressDon't Let Congress Undermine Democracy in DC - 9/25/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3022.shtmlPlease Tell Congress Not To Veto Initiative 59 - 9/25/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3025.shtml
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Comment #4 posted by GanjaDude on October 31, 1999 at 17:15:52 PT:
Why is it illegal?
What is wrong with the US government today? Its all about power, money ,greed ,votes ,and lies. Cannabis is allmost harmless. It would take 40,000 times the amount of THC and CBD's to kill you than alchahol that would meen smoking and or consuming imposible amounts of it which is not humanly possible. If you want to ban somethin ban alchahol it makes addicts people angry and violent , cannabis makes people relaxed and calm . It isnt the cause of rape or murder as it is told by the ones who rule your life. Take a stand dont listen to them. The American President isnt the most powerful man in the world , WE ARE IF YOU UNITE WE SHALL BE HEARD. 
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Comment #3 posted by Rainbow on September 25, 1999 at 20:36:02 PT:
recruit help
While in Florida last week I recruited my dad to help. He is a Military Vet at 82 years. He used to have respect for the commander in chief and teh people who run it but is now worried for his granddaughters adn grandson.I think he is on the bandwagon now in a quiet sort of way.So just recruit one person to think and be enlightenned. That one will recruit another. It is slow but we all got there the same way. Being enlightennedrainbow
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 25, 1999 at 18:16:59 PT:
They Need To Listen To Us!
It seems like we take a few steps forward then many more back but not really. They are so concerned because there is so much proof that marijuana isn't this evil narcotic drug.Look at Hugh Down's words on his retirment show. He is the most compassionate and believable news broadcaster there has ever been and how will they counter his words?ABC 20/20 HUGH DOWNS, DRUG POLICY INSANITY BARBARA WALTERS: Have there been issues that you would like to have spoken out on, because you have some very strong opinions,... HUGH DOWNS: You bet.BARBARA WALTERS: ....That you have not been able to? This is your chance.HUGH DOWNS: It is, isn't it? As you know from 20/20 a couple of times back, I have made comments about the insanity of our drug policy in this country.BARBARA WALTERS: Are you for the legalization of marijuana? HUGH DOWNS: The decriminalization of marijuana, yes. I think that would be important, particularly the medical use of it. I think it's ludicrous that states have voted that a medical use is a proper use of that, and yet the federal government countermands that and causes problems for sick people. But I am in favor of it. BARBARA WALTERS: And this is something up until now you've not been able to talk about on television?HUGH DOWNS: No. A couple of times I poked at it a little bit in years past, but the roof fell on me so hard that I decided to back off. Copyright: © 1999 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. 
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Comment #1 posted by Ally on September 25, 1999 at 18:00:11 PT
Wonder what will happen???
florida sure seems to be a hot bed for promoting the WoD's these days.It is a sad state of affairs! Jeb Bush has appointed the new drug czar there, and it appears fighting medical marijuana is going to be their focus here. That really is a shame especially when the public keeps voting for it, and we have people like Bob Barr (public enemy number one)who keep fighting the reform movement as well as the medical cannabis people.But you know what, it all boils down to is there are some folks that think marijuana is a drug and some folks that don't. It is the same narrow minded individuals who refuse to listen to the IOM report, the voter response in favor of medical marijuana or anything else. I am losing the little bit of respect I have for the government. If they allow politicians like Barr speak for the people. "Oh Canada...My Home and Native land.."...Shalom, Ally
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