cannabisnews.com: Measure Opens The Door To More Problems





Measure Opens The Door To More Problems
Posted by CN Staff on October 05, 2008 at 07:20:19 PT
By Gerry Leone and The Rev. Jeffrey Brown
Source: Boston Globe
Boston, MA --  For the first time in years there is good news on drugs: Marijuana use among Massachusetts teens has declined significantly since 2001.It's good news because kids who smoke marijuana are more likely to do poorly in school and engage in violence. It's good news because drivers who've smoked pot are 10 times more likely to be injured, or to injure others, in car crashes. It's good news because marijuana is more carcinogenic than tobacco, and young people who smoke pot are more likely to use other illegal drugs.
Unfortunately, there is a radical effort underway to undo this progress. Question 2 on November's ballot will decriminalize marijuana use and turn possession of an ounce or less of marijuana into a fine similar to a traffic violation. For kids under 21, the penalties will be reduced well below penalties for alcohol possession.A vote for Question 2 will begin a slippery slope resulting in several negative consequences. It will increase addiction to marijuana and other drugs, as we know that pot is a powerful gateway drug. It will result in increased related crimes, and additional taxpayer costs to combat them, as we know that drugs are the root of much of the violence that erodes communities. And it will result in increased instances of impaired driving.This measure also will result in other unaddressed problems. For instance, there are no regulatory reviews in place to assure that these newly decriminalized drugs are safe, and we know that marijuana is now exponentially more potent than a decade ago. More disturbingly, the measure does not address the fact that if young people want to buy pot, they will still need to buy it from illegal drug dealers. We can not think of many more dangerous, combustible situations than that.Proponents of Question 2 have two central arguments. First, that existing laws unfairly punish those caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. That is simply untrue. Current law mandates that first-time marijuana offenders receive no more than probation and have their record wiped clean if there are no further violations. In Suffolk and Middlesex counties last year, no defendants were sentenced to jail for a first-time marijuana offense alone.Their second claim is that enforcement of marijuana laws leads to expansive police costs. That is also false. A survey of our busiest courts revealed that marijuana prosecutions account for only a tiny fraction of cases, and many of those also involved other violent crimes that so frequently accompany drug abuse. To claim that officers are out trolling the streets for marijuana users, at great cost to taxpayers, is not reality.And despite their best efforts to paint an ounce of marijuana as innocuous, the fact is that one ounce of marijuana is worth about $600 and represents about 60 individual sales.In communities throughout the state, law enforcement and neighborhood and faith-based organizations work together to improve public safety. Question 2 is a misguided approach that threatens to derail much of that important work.We cannot afford to take a step back in our efforts to combat drug addiction and reduce violence in our communities. And we absolutely can not afford to send mixed messages to our kids about the seriousness and dangers of drug abuse.Gerry Leone is the Middlesex district attorney. The Rev. Jeffrey Brown is co-founder of Boston Ten Point Coalition.Source: Boston Globe (MA)Author:   Gerry Leone and The Rev. Jeffrey Brown Published: October 5, 2008 Copyright: 2008 Globe Newspaper CompanyContact: letter globe.comWebsite: http://www.boston.com/globe/Related Articles & Web Site:Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policyhttp://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/Pro-Pot Backers Aim Highhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24197.shtmlMeasure To Decriminalize MJ Goes On Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24196.shtml
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Comment #8 posted by Rainbow on October 06, 2008 at 11:54:39 PT
contact
You all might want to contact them. I just did and mentioned that lying is non-Christian.it is too bad that the police system can affect good meaning people in such a demonstrably horribly way.I am also not for putting police in the school system. that is bad news too.
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Comment #7 posted by vincent on October 05, 2008 at 19:37:31 PT:
Two dummies
Obviously the two dummies that wrote that garbage never, ever smoked a joint in their life
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Comment #6 posted by museman on October 05, 2008 at 13:53:45 PT
reality?
"To claim that officers are out trolling the streets for marijuana users, at great cost to taxpayers, is not reality."Oh yeah? Then what are they 'trolling the streets' for? 'Criminals?' Hah! Lol! Bunch of cowards looking for an easy bust. Who is in prison? No rich people thats for sure. Who is getting busted? Not cocaine-using, alcoholic politicians with nuts-for-brains. Who is getting justice? Justice does not currently exist within this system, but profitabilty sure does, and who profits? Not the 'drug dealers' with a few dollars more.I think that the dictionary of the prohibitionists needs a serious rewrite. Like observers' take.FREE COLUMBIAN BLACK (it was soooo good) FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #5 posted by observer on October 05, 2008 at 12:39:13 PT
analysis
[1]
Boston, MA -- For the first time in years there is good news on drugs: Marijuana use among Massachusetts teens has declined significantly since 2001 . 
(Sentence 1) re: "Marijuana use" - Prohibitionist propagandists repeatedly assert that "use is abuse." Details about "using" as opposed to "abusing" drugs are ignored. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "teens" - Prohibitionists forever claim that children are corrupted by drugs, and this is why adult users must be punished harshly. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[2]
It's good news because kids who smoke marijuana are more likely to do poorly in school and engage in violence . 
(Sentence 2) re: "violence" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "kids" - Drug war propaganda plays on parental fears for the well being of their kids. If drug users are not jailed, says the prohibitionist, then your children will surely suffer. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[4]
It's good news because marijuana is more carcinogenic than tobacco, and young people who smoke pot are more likely to use other illegal drugs . 
(Sentence 4) re: "carcinogenic" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "young people" - Prohibitionist propaganda continually whips up parental fear, invoking lurid images of children corrupted by drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[6]
Question 2 on November's ballot will decriminalize marijuana use and turn possession of an ounce or less of marijuana into a fine similar to a traffic violation . 
(Sentence 6) re: "marijuana use" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "decriminalize" - With God on Their Side (prohibitionists assure us), only the continued rooting out of the sinful drug users (total prohibition) will do. All else is portrayed as the slippery slope to total legalization of all drugs for toddlers. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[7]
For kids under 21, the penalties will be reduced well below penalties for alcohol possession . 
(Sentence 7) re: "kids" - Prohibitionists are champions of "the child", "kids", "children", etc. Only continued or increased punishments of all adults caught using "drugs" will send the correct "message" to children. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[8]
A vote for Question 2 will begin a slippery slope resulting in several negative consequences . 
(Sentence 8) re: "slippery slope" - Any mention of lessening the harshness of drug laws is portrayed as a sinful "legalization". Only total prohibition (or more jailings) will be righteous. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[9]
It will increase addiction to marijuana and other drugs, as we know that pot is a powerful gateway drug . 
(Sentence 9) re: "addiction" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "gateway drug", "gateway" - Prohibition propagandists try to smear targeted drugs by announcing they are "gateways" to other truly wicked behavior. (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#4 ) 
 
 
[10]
It will result in increased related crimes, and additional taxpayer costs to combat them, as we know that drugs are the root of much of the violence that erodes communities . 
(Sentence 10) re: "violence", "crimes" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "communities" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) 
 
 
[14]
More disturbingly, the measure does not address the fact that if young people want to buy pot, they will still need to buy it from illegal drug dealers . 
(Sentence 14) re: "drug dealers", "dealers" - Prohibition propaganda often uses crude forms of name-calling to link a targeted drug with groups the majority dislikes. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "young people" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[23]
A survey of our busiest courts revealed that marijuana prosecutions account for only a tiny fraction of cases, and many of those also involved other violent crimes that so frequently accompany drug abuse . 
(Sentence 23) re: "violent", "crimes" - It is prohibition, claim prohibitionists, that saves people from drug crazed, whacked out, high flying drug users. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "drug abuse", "abuse" - Any use of an illegal drug is deemed to be "abuse," weasels the propaganda of prohibition. (After all - it is illegal!) (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[24]
To claim that officers are out trolling the streets for marijuana users, at great cost to taxpayers, is not reality . 
(Sentence 24) re: "marijuana users" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[26]
In communities throughout the state, law enforcement and neighborhood and faith-based organizations work together to improve public safety . 
(Sentence 26) re: "communities" - The survival of society is assured, -- says the propaganda of prohibition -- as long as drug users are punished (jailed). (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) 
 
 
[28]
We cannot afford to take a step back in our efforts to combat drug addiction and reduce violence in our communities . 
(Sentence 28) re: "violence", "addiction" - Prohibitionists claim use of currently illegal drugs causes crime, death, illness, lunacy, mania, melancholy, and all means of sin and degradation. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "communities" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) 
 
 
[29]
And we absolutely can not afford to send mixed messages to our kids about the seriousness and dangers of drug abuse . 
(Sentence 29) re: "dangers of drug", "dangers" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "drug abuse", "abuse" - Prohibitionists try to hammer in the idea that 'all use is abuse.' The rhetoric of prohibition needs to deny that many people can use currently illegal drugs without abusing them. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "kids", "messages" - Prohibitionists play on parental fears by exaggerating the dangers to children of drugs. Adults must be jailed (reason prohibitionists), because kids might be corrupted with drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 summary: drugwar_propaganda = 100%
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on October 05, 2008 at 08:58:45 PT
"Untrue"?
"Proponents of Question 2 have two central arguments. First, that existing laws unfairly punish those caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. That is simply untrue. Current law mandates that first-time marijuana offenders receive no more than probation and have their record wiped clean if there are no further violations. In Suffolk and Middlesex counties last year, no defendants were sentenced to jail for a first-time marijuana offense alone.""... existing laws unfairly punish those caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. That is simply untrue." Many of us disagree with their rather 'simple' minded assumption, vehemently."Current law mandates that first-time marijuana offenders receive no more than probation and have their record wiped clean if there are no further violations." After you are hunted down, arrested, abused, possibly killed, certainly humiliated, had your property confiscated, handcuffed, jailed, fingerprinted, possibly wounded or killed, or have a family member or pet killed or wounded, lose your driver's license for months, not funny fines, testing, detained, and God knows what else. Oh yes. Assistance with loans for school and housing. Losing your job. Stuff. You forgot that part."In Suffolk and Middlesex counties last year, no defendants were sentenced to jail for a first-time marijuana offense alone." That means.... read carefully... that although they may have been taken to jail and held in a cell... they won't be "Sentenced" to jail. Even probation and fines are wrong.And, "...no defendants were sentenced to jail for a first-time marijuana offense alone."... the key phrase here is "first-time marijuana offense alone". "Throwing the book" at people really means that these days what with the volumes of laws and offenses we must navigate every day... they can pile on, or "stack" on, I believe is what the police call it, as many charges as they want to.
 
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Comment #3 posted by Lucas on October 05, 2008 at 08:28:26 PT
stop expecting a rational discussion
We are talking about religious fanaticism here. Reasoning is not part of their process.They just print up a bunch of hogwash before the vote in November, without any time to verify if their fear mongering is accurate or not.You do realize this is a country where voting machines are fixed, black voters are disenfranchised, misled, and prevented from voting, where the Drug Czar has prayer meetings in the whitehouse, where the president is a reformed alcoholic, and he thanks religion for his cure. Where the Vice President has a vested interest in Oil Revenues, and hence in attacking pipeline hosting nations, for the sake of national security.Do you see anywhere in these facts, an inclination to be reasonable, rational, or fair?A debate with falsified facts is not a debate.Looking forward to the PEOPLE actually VOTING on Massachussets Medical Marijuana. That is, IF the politicos let the votes be counted, and implemented, and not drag their feet to try and stall the measure, and dont call in the Feds to do their dirty work, like in California.Im not at all hopeful about AmeriKa backing away from its stranglehold on Freedom for people who drink alcohol.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on October 05, 2008 at 08:28:20 PT
Gerry Leone and The Rev. Jeffrey Brown 
You forgot to check the long expired expiration date for this load of malarkey you just served up in the Boston Globe.Rchot, I agree with your critique of the op-ed, or whatever it is.
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Comment #1 posted by rchot on October 05, 2008 at 07:57:58 PT
just stupid
"It's good news because drivers who've smoked pot are 10 times more likely to be injured, or to injure others, in car crashes" this is a extremely stupid sounding statement. because the way its worded makes it sound like; if a marijuana smoker is in an accident they are 10 times more likely to be injured or injure somebody. I don't know about you but, I think anybody involved in an accident is 100 times more likely to hurt somebody as opposed to somebody who isn't in an accident. I don't know how not being high on marijuana makes you ten times more likely not to hurt someone in an accident."kids who smoke marijuana are more likely to do poorly in school and in engage in violence." please give us statistics facts tell a story or something don't just say things. That statement really sounds like reefer madness. Kids who smoke marijuana are more likely to engage in violence?????????
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