cannabisnews.com: Voters Fail To Liberalize MJ: Vote To Deprioritize Voters Fail To Liberalize MJ: Vote To Deprioritize Posted by CN Staff on November 09, 2006 at 05:33:31 PT By Chris Durant, The Times-Standard Source: Times-Standard USA -- Though voters in three states rejected initiatives to amend state penalties on the use and possession of marijuana, many communities voted to make pot a low priority for their police departments. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said voters in Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Santa Cruz voted to make marijuana the lowest priority for law enforcement in their communities. Similar initiatives in Eureka Springs, Ark., and Missoula, Mont., also passed. An effort in Colorado to eliminate civil penalties on possession of up to an ounce of marijuana failed by about 11 percentage points. Voters in Nevada elected against an initiative that would remove all civil penalties and direct state officials to create a statewide legal cultivation, distribution, taxation and sale system. The initiative received 44 percent of the vote. A medical marijuana effort in South Dakota failed by about 3 percentage points. ”What these results tell us is that citizens strongly support reforming America's marijuana laws, but they prefer to do so incrementally,” said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre.Complete Title: Voters Around The Country Fail To 'Liberalize' Marijuana, but Many Vote To 'Deprioritize'Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)Author: Chris Durant, The Times-StandardPublished: November 9, 2006Copyright: 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: editor times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #61 posted by whig on November 10, 2006 at 22:08:02 PT 11-9? In Europe, they put the day before the month, so November 9 is given as 9-11. [ Post Comment ] Comment #60 posted by Dankhank on November 10, 2006 at 11:41:02 PT newsmax.com Psychotropic mushrooms grow on Cowshit, surely a metaphor for newsmax.com.witness this very good story about health and, I submit, a clue to pacifying the middle east.http://newsmax.com./archives/ic/2006/11/9/223255.shtml?s=icnever can tell where truth will come from. [ Post Comment ] Comment #59 posted by Had Enough on November 10, 2006 at 10:10:34 PT Berlin Wall Berlin Wallhttp://www.newseum.org/berlinwall/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #58 posted by Truth on November 10, 2006 at 09:49:50 PT flip flop Bush likes to chant "nine eleven, nine eleven".I think it's good to flip flop it. Eleven nine, eleven nine.Today's date.This is the anniversary of the day they tore down the wall.Freedom for all! [ Post Comment ] Comment #57 posted by dongenero on November 10, 2006 at 07:51:07 PT mayan #52 again I was finally paying attention to the site mayan was linking to, newsmax.com.Sheeesh, perfect, crazy right wing site. It looks made for the Karl Rove type with the goofy muscle building scheme ads and ads for attracting women. The one for attracting women is funniest because they tout the tips and tricks the "liberals don't want you to know". I can't help but see the some sweaty, pudgy little Rove clone geek sitting in a darkened computer room reading newsmax.com with a Brittney Spears screen saver, Axe cologne, latest edition "Attracting Women for Dummies", a bunch of unused, novelty work out equipment while making Photoshoped nudie pics of Ann Coulter. [ Post Comment ] Comment #56 posted by dongenero on November 10, 2006 at 07:35:19 PT mayan #52 This is off topic but mayan's comment yesterday about bombing Iran looks a bit prophetic as AP press is reporting Israel may be forced into a preemptive strike against Iran. [ Post Comment ] Comment #55 posted by laduncon on November 09, 2006 at 21:15:47 PT Don't feel too bad about Lincoln Chafee Sheldon Whitehouse offers everything that Chafee did (distance from Bush, against the war, civil unions) and more, as he actually ran and won as a Democrat. Also, Chafee would have caucused with the Republicans and voted for their leadership. Too bad Ned Lamont couldn't have put ol' Joe out of his misery though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by Wayne on November 09, 2006 at 19:44:46 PT Lieberman In hindsight, I almost feel kind of bad that Lincoln Chaffee lost in RI. We've got Lieberman--a Democrat who is leaning in the Republican direction. Chaffee was always a Republican who leaned in the Democratic direction, it almost served as kind of a check on Lieberman. But, alas, not anymore. [ Post Comment ] Comment #53 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 18:45:39 PT mayan I thought when Lieberman went into a third party and the republicans were backing him that it would throw it back to Lieberman and this could be the bad result. [ Post Comment ] Comment #52 posted by mayan on November 09, 2006 at 18:23:15 PT Gag Sen. Reid Backs Lieberman for Homeland Security Chairmanship: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/11/9/171950.shtml?s=al&promo_code=2831-1It looks like it's going to be business as usual. Anyone doubt that we will be bombing Iran within six months? [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by mayan on November 09, 2006 at 18:15:43 PT Keep Fighting The cannabis law reform movement didn't lose anything, we actually gained a little. We will eventually cover the map, little by little, bit by bit. Unfortunately, the same corporations still control us. The beast is still very much alive... Voting in the absence of Choice: http://www.uruknet.de/?p=m28105&hd=0&size=1&l=tTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Dr. Steven Jones Webcast live this Saturday, 11/11/06: http://911truth.org/article.php?story=20061109100929851OSS CEO Shares Information About 9/11 Truth Seminar at George Mason University (Arlington Campus) 10-5 Saturday 11 November 2006: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-09-2006/0004470934&EDATE=Nafeez Ahmed UK Lecture - 11/12/2006: http://911blogger.com/node/43799/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB - OUR NATION IS IN PERIL: http://www.911sharethetruth.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 17:25:04 PT I'll Add Superman Freedom and Justice The American WayIt Is Time [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 16:54:20 PT Toker00 You covered it well I think. I'll add affordable health care for everyone. [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by Toker00 on November 09, 2006 at 16:35:30 PT Litmus Tests for the Dems 1. The Drug War2. 911 Truth (Truly) Independent Investigation3. Medical Cannabis4. Patriot Act prosecutions for other than Terrorism.5. Separation of Church and State6. States Rights7. Roe vs. Wade8. Investigations of Bush Administration For Prior knowledge of 911 threat and passage of Unconstitutional Laws.9. Investigation of DEA cover-up of Cannabis Medicinal Truth.10.Investigation of Prison for Profit.Please feel free to add your own.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 16:31:44 PT Whig Have a nice time in LA. See you when you get back. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 16:19:11 PT Traveling Going to LA tomorrow, I'll be back Tuesday. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 16:18:26 PT sorry to sleep nowhave good dreamsand remembergood hand and good eyethat is looking into the endless Nightkeep warm and rememberthe Infinite Nightand the Eternal Place of our soulsisters and brothers [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 15:59:00 PT Amazing Grace Has my vote for FREEDOM [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 15:54:49 PT What Happened? Did "you" see, did you catch a "glimpse"? [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 15:46:26 PT Did You Inhale? What Happened?What Did You See?A Better World [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by global_warming on November 09, 2006 at 15:20:30 PT I Have To Take A Piss I really hope I don't piss on some important bush,Some protected species of lifeIt is time to see what is going on in this America.While Rush does the limbo, there are God Loving Americans in prisons, dungeons, here and in every God Lighted Place in this world.This is the correct time when you can find your kind and decent hand looking through that working "eye you can see you can find your way to the table with clean linen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 14:04:04 PT Indeed "Good things from the garden,Garden in the valley,Valley of the jolly – Ho, Ho, Ho – Green Giant." [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:36:57 PT Hope Children of Peace is really a good name. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:35:59 PT Whig That reminds me of the valley of the jolly ho ho ho green giant! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 13:31:00 PT Baby Boomers Yes, there was a birth rate "boom" of babies being born after World War II...but I always thought Children of Peace would be a better tag...but...no one asked me. So Baby Boomers it is. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 13:30:27 PT FoM http://www.tropiccomics.com/ebay/keysprout.jpg [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:29:21 PT Whig Maybe a little sprout power! That's how it all begins! [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 13:26:42 PT Celaya I think we're making the new government right here on the internet. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 13:25:52 PT FoM But I'm only 35. Don't I have some flower power? :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 13:19:50 PT Hope I understand, and it's hard not to feel relief myself. But I can't have hope in either of the two parties. The only way I could have faith in the political system again is if they would open the system up to third parties.Most people think they have a choice, when they really don't.We need a SECOND CHOICE candidate on the ballot. That way, people could vote for the Greens (or other third party) without feeling like they're throwing their vote away.Think: 'good cop, bad cop.' Gotta go do laundry - later! [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:13:14 PT Another Name I like the name the Flower Power Generation. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:12:07 PT Whig That was cute. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:09:52 PT Hope That's about how I feel too. We shook them by voting like we did as a Nation. If they don't do right by the vote then they will be voted out and the good thing is both Republicans and Democrats know that now. Power to the people! [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by whig on November 09, 2006 at 13:09:23 PT Baby boomers I just have to laugh at that name.http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/11/09/oh-yeah-you-just-try-not-to-laugh/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 13:06:00 PT Celaya I can't really come up with anything to fool myself. I remember that term "government run like a business by a business man". It's kind of like a burr under my saddle.No. I have no confidence in Democrats doing any good, especially for us....but I do have hope in that since this election has called attention to the fact that people aren't happy with the Republican status quo as we know it, it will make the Democrats and the Republicans both notice the people who can...and will vote them out of power.I have hope that maybe they will pay more attention to the little people than the big corporations who just use us and them. But not much.If Democrats become the party that ends the War on Drugs, and especially cannabis...then I will likely seriously consider becomeing a real, registered Democrat.We'll see. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 13:03:53 PT Celaya What baby boomers want baby boomers get is so true. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 13:01:42 PT FoM Of course. Even I have hope. Or I wouldn't be bothered with being a marijuana reformer.Things can change rapidly. Like the Berlin Wall.One thing in our favor is the aging baby boomers. Soon they're going to realize that marijuana is the MAIN medicine to treat all of those age-related infirmities.And what baby boomers want, baby boomers get 8^) [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 12:58:22 PT Celaya Thank you very much. Gotta have Hope! Having no hope can't be an option for us now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 12:55:23 PT FoM Don't worry. You're doing it, right here. If you have something precious (like hope) you don't entrust it to just anyone. Especially when you've got the experience of a long lifetime -- like me 8^) [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 12:53:34 PT News About San Francisco Pelosi's Hometown Disputes Liberal ImageNovember 9, 2006SAN FRANCISCO - Gay weddings in the U.S. Capitol. Hippie gatherings on the Mall. Hempfest along the Potomac. Republican campaign strategists have evoked such images to mock the Democrats and especially San Francisco's Nancy Pelosi, who has represented Babylon by the Bay since 1987 and now stands poised to become speaker of the House.Complete Article: http://www.examiner.com/a-389181~Pelosi_s_Hometown_Disputes_Liberal_Image.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 12:50:50 PT Celaya If putting my faith in the people isn't where it should be then where should it be put? [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 12:47:38 PT FoM Where have the people been for the last 40 years? I don't want you to stop having hope. Just please put it in the right place.Here's a responsive and RARE politician that won.http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1109-26.htmFrom Rare Earth"I put my faith in the people But the people let me down.So I turned the other way And I carry on, anyhow"I Just Want To Celebrate 8^) [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Taylor121 on November 09, 2006 at 12:44:05 PT Interesting votes in Colorado and Nevada from Pete Interesting votes in Colorado and NevadaAlthough the Colorado marijuana legalization initiative lost 60-40, it actually won in some counties: * Boulder - 53% * Clear Creak - 54% * Denver - 56% * Eagle - 56% * Gilpin - 61%On the other hand, the people in Baca county voted 82% against the initiative.Some major geographic and demographic splits on this issue.In Nevada, the geographic differences were there, but less pronounced. However, there were some clear demographic differences.Our least receptive audiences in Nevada? * African Americans * Old people * Rural residents * Conservative Republicans who support Bush and approve of the war in IraqWe have the opportunity here to identify some audiences who need to be educated, and start the process.http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 12:39:52 PT Celaya For me if I don't have faith in the people who voted for change then I wouldn't have any hope at all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 12:35:45 PT FoM I hope you're right. I just see way too much misplaced faith in the Democratic Party. If they start being responsive to the people, that will be great. But I won't hold my breath.lombarThat's hilarious! And not too far from the truth. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 12:29:10 PT Celaya No one can rain on my parade because this has been a long hard road for me to come to the conclusion that I want to have hope for our country. The American people voted for change. We have the Internet which is only gaining more and more respectibility to back us. We won, not the Democrats. Now we can work to fix it before corruption takes a hold again. Both parties have been humbled but we have clout so they must listen and I believe they are. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 12:17:39 PT FoM Clinton had a hostile congress, but that didn't mean he could not utter his belief that marijuana should not be a crime (something he cowardly mumbled as he left office) Just the expression of his personal belief - IN OFFICE - would have had a profound effect - possibly winning the day for marijuana reform.HopeDon't fool yourself. The Democrats are just as beholden to business as the Republicans are. Just ask Ralph Nader, Dennis Kucinich, or Noam Chomsky.All this was brought home to me at the Democratic convention in Atlanta in 1988. The Democrats were heavily involved in their shift to the right and refused to include health care, marijuana reform and other progressive concerns in their platform. So we held the Alternative Convention where we did address those things. As the big money created the gigantic circus in town, while we held our bare-bones convention attended by the un-connected, the disparity and the abandonment of the people by the Democratic Party was abundantly clear.I don't want to rain on folks' parade, but nobody should think for one minute that the Democrats are anything but the slightly lesser of two evils. They are still a BIG part of the problem. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by lombar on November 09, 2006 at 12:13:17 PT Yes, can you say 'conflict of interest'? I believe our country shouldn't be run by people who will make money off of us. Feathering their own nests will take priority over doing what is best for the people...I found this link in a comment at Drug War Rant. Brain Warehouse [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 11:54:16 PT Hope Thank you. I believe our country shouldn't be run by people who will make money off of us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Hope on November 09, 2006 at 11:41:40 PT My Republican is taking all this pretty well. He didn't have a nervous breakdown or anything.I do hope it means a more sensible and rights and freedom respecting government than we've had...but I'm not holding my breath, either.We'll see what they do...and if they keep trampling and grinding up Americans and their rights....then, if we are still free to vote, we'll oust them again. If they do well...and God knows, I hope they do well, then we'll support them with our votes.Don't ever, anyone, ever say to me again that we need "business men" in control of government and to run it like a business. That was a huge mistake! Business is about making money. The businessmen and their corporations made money alright. War is profitable for those in the "business" of war. Pharmaceuticals are profitable for the "business" men in government. They've found all sorts of ways to use government to follow and corral that dollar bill for them. I'm glad we aren't hearing so much talk about the pharmeceutical backed plan to test everyone in this country for mental illness and treat them, with pharmaceuticals...accordingly.Business men running the government like a business? Never again! Never again! God help us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 11:31:44 PT Celaya It isn't more faith in the Democrats for me but a renewed faith in Americans for voting and saying no more. As far as Clinton goes he didn't have control of the House or Senate so his hands were tied. If the Democrats win in 08 and retain this new power we can turn this around in more ways then just our issue I believe. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 11:27:21 PT FoM I'm afraid you have more faith in the Democrats than I do. It was only to pry the megalomaniacs from power that I voted Democratic this time. Remember, the persecution of marijuana consumers reached an all-time high under Clinton. The fact that the big corporations contribute almost equally to both parties should sound a big alarm. The Speaker-Of-The-House to be, Nancy Pelosi, has been an ardent medical marijuana supporter. We'll see if she retains this ideal once transplanted to the D.C. zoo. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 11:16:20 PT Celaya Yes we will won't we? I'm so glad that the right is getting checked. I'm glad we can flip the direction of the country more towards the people not just the rich and big corporations. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 11:13:32 PT FoM Perhaps now we'll see whose in control of the Democrats 8^) [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 10:59:36 PT Yes Yes Yes Allen Conceded The Democrats are in control of the HOUSE and SENATE! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Celaya on November 09, 2006 at 10:55:24 PT SAFER is a Winner! (From SAFER Colorado Blog)http://www.safercolorado.org/blog.htmlColorado's Amendment 44, which proposed a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes to make the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana legal, garnered more than 40 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election.* While the initiative obviously fell short of passage, the campaign succeeded in raising the profile of the issue in the state and helped build the foundation for a significant grassroots movement in support of marijuana policy reform for the future. The campaign also succeeded in educating the public about the fact that marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol.Despite spending less than $60,000 after the signature drive, the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative Committee forced people to think about the irrationality of having laws that prohibit the use of marijuana while allowing adults to use alcohol. The "marijuana is safer than alcohol" message resonated in newspaper articles and opinion pieces, on televisions newscasts, and in numerous radio interviews. The campaign also used creative paid media, such as billboards and newspapers ads, to spread its message throughout the state and around the nation.The results also demonstrate that the majority of voters in a number of counties around the state agree with Denver voters and do not think adults should be punished for using marijuana. Amendment 44 received majority support in Boulder, Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Gunnison, La Plata, Lake, Pitkin, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, and Summit counties."We are not disappointed at all with the results of today's election," said SAFER Campaign Director Mason Tvert. "This campaign, following on the heels of our successful legalization initiative in Denver last year, was just one step in a five- to ten-year battle to make marijuana legal in Colorado. Now we see that a number of counties around Colorado support changing the state law regarding adult marijuana possession so that they have the right to set their own local policies.""One low-budget initiative campaign cannot overcome 70 years of government lies and propaganda," Tvert said. "If it were possible to make marijuana legal with a $60,000 campaign in a state with nearly three million voters, it would have been done long ago. But the writing is on the wall in Colorado and we will continue to educate the public while pressuring government officials and community leaders to explain why they think adults should be punished for using a substance less harmful than alcohol." [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 09:20:44 PT Ed Bradley He was a good news person and may he rest in peace. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 09:12:42 PT Max Flowers One of the reasons that Nevada doesn't interest me is because it makes marijuana seem like just another vice like gambling and prostitution. To each his own in those areas but there is major differences to me. You can get sick and even die if a person gets a disease from a prostitute. Even if a prostitute is tested it doesn't mean she is safe because some tests wouldn't confirm an early infection. Gambling is a tragedy for those who are addicted to gambling but Cannabis is a help for sick people and a way to smile if used for pleasure. There is no comparison. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Max Flowers on November 09, 2006 at 09:04:48 PT Nevada = yuck About 10 years ago, I lived in Reno for about four months, and let me tell you, it was not a nice experience. Alcohol, gambling, and hay farming is what that place was all about.However if they did legalize cannabis, I could possibly see the whole mood there changing as people get into that and walk away from alcohol and cigarettes and gambling. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 09, 2006 at 07:59:49 PT The GCW Yes California not Nevada. To me Nevada is a state that just isn't like other states. I think it is a state of money geared people but I don't know how they feel about everyday family issues. People move out there because of tax benefits and it can't be for the green grass and trees and nice things because it's a desert. Your idea sounds very good. When I think of Colorado I get a warm and fuzzy feeling but never do I feel that way about Nevada. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by The GCW on November 09, 2006 at 07:47:14 PT FoM, Legalize in California FoM,You didn't understand why they keep trying to legalize in Nevada...I wonder why they don't try legalization in California.44What I'd like to see is a friendly competiton, to become the 1st state to RE-legalize cannabis,to increase voter turnout etc.To see 5 states duking it out at the polls. To have that competition on the peoples mind instead of football or baseball. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment