cannabisnews.com: Time is Now To Push for Pot Legalization Time is Now To Push for Pot Legalization Posted by FoM on April 05, 2001 at 10:56:26 PT Editorial Source: Michigan Daily This Saturday is the 30th anniversary of what has become a well-known Ann Arbor tradition: The annual Hash Bash. At “high noon” on the Diag many students, professors and others from across the nation will meet to protest the ongoing prohibition of marijuana. This commemorative event will kick off a petition drive that will attempt to bring the issue of marijuana decriminalization before Michigan voters this fall. Hash Bash attendees are hoping to collect the 302,711 necessary signatures statewide to put the Personal Responsibility Amendment on the ballot for referendum vote. This will allow voters to directly determine whether or not marijuana should be illegal for personal use. All students, regardless of their opinion about marijuana prohibition, should sign this petition because it is important that Michigan citizens get the right to vote on an issue that affects so many people. This is not an effort spearheaded by people who smoke marijuana all the time. The economic, social and political costs of prohibitionist policies outweigh any supposed benefits of the current state of marijuana laws. The focus of the initiative is to force the government from limiting people’s personal choices. The Personal Responsibility Amendment, if approved, would be a reasonable compromise in the War on Drugs. It would not legalize widespread use of marijuana, but would simply decriminalize the personal and medical use of small amounts of the plant. The amendment would decriminalize the private use and possession of three ounces of dried marijuana for anyone 21 years and older, within the confines of their own home. The PRA is also very detailed and specific to ensure that use is private and responsible, including clauses to keep marijuana away from children and while driving. The decriminalization of marijuana would end the overflowing of jails in Michigan and decrease the $1.5 billion corrections budget by reducing the number of non-violent marijuana users in prison. The amendment also contains a provision that would allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes for those with terminal and excessively physically deteriorating diseases. The amendment would not force doctors to prescribe marijuana, but would simply make it an option for those who need it. Again, the detail of the PRA ensures that the use of medicinal marijuana is not abused. In addition, the PRA contains provisions that will legalize the right to farm and manufacture non-intoxicating industrial hemp for the use of rope, clothing, fuel and canvas. And finally, the amendment would require the money the state receives from criminal forfeitures to be spent on education for all substances abused, including drugs, alcohol, tobacco and gambling. The social and economic benefits of passing this amendment are overwhelming, and the democratic benefit of signing the petition allows voters to determine the laws in Michigan. Even if you do not support the decriminalization of marijuana, it is imperative that you sign this petition so that the people of Michigan can voice their vote in this matter. Non-pot smokers and pot smokers alike should attend the annual Hash Bash this Saturday at noon in the Diag. Complete Title: Smoking That Grass - Time is Now To Push for Pot LegalizationSource: Michigan Daily (MI)Published: April 5, 2000Copyright: 2001 The Michigan DailyContact: daily.letters umich.eduWebsite: http://www.michigandaily.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:PRAyeshttp://www.prayes.com/Ann Arbor Hashbashhttp://www.hashbash.com/ Marijuana Ballot Proposal In The Works http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9106.shtmlEditorial Special Section: Free the Weed - PDF Formathttp://www.michigandaily.com/edit/pdf/hashbash.pdf Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by ekim on April 05, 2001 at 18:54:39 PT: I will be there Please say a prayer for all the poor animals being put to death in Europe. The only ray of light I see is that most of the affected countrys are growing Hemp. People have changed there eating habits. New companys offering healthy foods will be in high demand. Here on the other hand we have destroyed all of our Hemp. If such a catastrothe befell our country we would be truly hurting. Wish us luck. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dddd on April 05, 2001 at 14:04:44 PT Spirit Too far for me aocp,,but I will be there in spirit,and I'll sign the petition with my mind!This is a good thing.........May JAH Shine on You.........dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by aocp on April 05, 2001 at 12:12:22 PT I'll be there to sign the petition. Anybody care to join me? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by ras james rsifwh on April 05, 2001 at 11:25:25 PT the freedom to grow and sell cannabis sativa No marijauana laws can work unless the growers and sellers of the sacred herb, cannabis sativa, are free to do so.There is a wonderful African Folktale from the Shona People called "The Hemp Grower and the Hemp Smoker". The Hemp Smoker tells his oldest son to go out into the world and find a hemp grower willing to sell him some hemp to smoke.The son finds a grower and returns with the good news...so the father instructs his oldest son to take his two younger brothers with him to buy the hemp.The Hemp Grower sells the three sons six bags of hemp; and then tells his three teenage daughters to return with the sons and see if the Smoker's house is of good order...well five bags get back to dad...eventually the three daughters marry the three sons...and the two families have a long and wonderful relationship...which at the end of the story has a very humorous conclusion.Wisdom from the Motherland is precious and hopefully will soon be learned by her children everywhere. Give all praise and thanks to Jah Rastafari. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: