cannabisnews.com: Obama Says Legalization Is Not the Answer on Drugs
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Obama Says Legalization Is Not the Answer on Drugs
Posted by CN Staff on April 14, 2012 at 16:49:11 PT
By Jackie Calmes
Source: New York Times
Cartagena, Colombia -- Leaders at a summit meeting of many of the Western Hemisphere nations on Saturday discussed alternatives to what many consider a failed “war on drugs” that is too reliant on military action and imprisonment. But President Obama said flatly that “legalization is not the answer.” The issue was placed on the agenda of the Summit of the Americas this weekend by the host, Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos. Even so, Mr. Santos suggested that he had in mind some unspecified middle ground short of fully decriminalizing the drug trade that for years has undermined societies throughout the region, notably in Colombia.
“We have the obligation to see if we’re doing the best that we can do, or are there other alternatives that can be much more efficient?” Mr. Santos said during an informal panel discussion with Mr. Obama and President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil just before the summit meeting began. “One side can be all the consumers go to jail. On the other extreme is legalization. On the middle ground, we may have more practical policies.” In his turn, Mr. Obama said, “I think it is entirely legitimate to have a conversation about whether the laws in place are ones that are doing more harm than good in certain places.” But, he added, “I personally, and my administration’s position, is that legalization is not the answer.” Drug operations could come to “dominate certain countries if they were allowed to operate legally without any constraint,” he said, and “could be just as corrupting if not more corrupting then the status quo.” The prominence of the drug-enforcement issue at the meeting, which drew more than 30 leaders from North, Central and South America and Caribbean nations, in part reflected a positive development: the increased prosperity in Latin America in recent years has made economic issues less of a problem, and at the same time has emboldened Latin American leaders to take a bigger role in setting the agenda when they meet. Mr. Santos, in opening the meeting on Saturday afternoon, said the leaders should stop stalling in re-examining the region’s approach to the war on drugs, which he dated more than four decades back to President Richard Nixon in 1971. President Otto Pérez Molina of Guatemala has called for full legalization of narcotics, though no specific proposals are on the table here. “Despite all of the efforts, the immense efforts, the huge costs, we have to recognize that the illicit drug business is prospering,” Mr. Santos told the leaders. “This summit is not going to resolve this issue,” he added. “But it can be a starting point to begin a discussion that we have been postponing for far too long.” Mr. Obama, in his remarks at the formal session, before reporters were ushered out, said: “I know there are frustrations and that some call for legalization. For the sake of the health and safety of our citizens — all our citizens — the United States will not be going in this direction.” Earlier, on the informal panel before an audience of corporate executives and members of the nations’ official delegations, Mr. Obama had drawn applause when he said of narcotics trafficking, “We can’t look at the issue of supply in Latin America without also looking at the issue of demand in the United States.” Latin Americans have long complained that the United States criticizes its neighbors’ antidrug efforts when it is American users and guns that stoke the drug trade and violence. At the formal meeting, Mr. Obama said: “As I’ve said many times, the United States accepts our share of responsibility for drug violence. That’s why we’ve dedicated major resources to reducing the southbound flow of money and guns to the region. It’s why we’ve devoted tens of billions of dollars in the United States to reduce the demand for drugs. And I promise you today — we’re not going to relent in our efforts.” Absent from the meeting was Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chávez, who is battling cancer; officials said he stayed away on his doctors’ advice. The absence of Mr. Chávez, a fierce critic of the United States, eliminated the potential for a tense meeting with Mr. Obama. After the previous Summit of the Americas in 2009, when the two presidents were photographed shaking hands, Mr. Obama was criticized by some Republicans. Separately, in an interview with Univision, Mr. Obama strongly reiterated a promise to seek an overhaul of immigration policy in a second term. But Mr. Obama, who also pledged in 2008 to seek a new law, said he needed more support in Congress, where Republicans have led the opposition. “This is something I care deeply about,” he said. “It’s personal to me.” Source: New York Times (NY)Author: Jackie CalmesPublished: April 14, 2012Copyright: 2012 The New York Times CompanyContact: letters nytimes.comWebsite: http://www.nytimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/G9gEHQjACannabisNews Justice Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/justice.shtml 
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on April 17, 2012 at 12:49:56 PT
White House Drug Policy Shifts Strategy
By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay ReporterTuesday, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- The Obama Administration has chosen the middle ground with its new drug control policy, advocating treatment over tough sentencing.The approach, unveiled Tuesday, rejects both the harsh "war on drugs" approach, characterized by maximum sentences for drug offenses, and the push to legalize illegal drugs.URL: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/04/17/white-house-drug-policy-shifts--strategy
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Comment #29 posted by afterburner on April 17, 2012 at 11:53:36 PT
museman - 2 more re diversity & tho$e again$t it
6 People You Need to Start a Revolution.
Successful change movements run on diversity. Here are the essential skill sets no revolution can win without.
April 12, 2012 | With the 99% Spring up and rolling and set to bring 100,000 new activists to the party this weekend, there's some increased friction between various progressive groups who are working to expand the movement this year.It's a good time to remember that mass movements are — by design and necessity — big and diverse, encompassing lots of different kinds of people who bring all kinds of skills, resources, interests and priorities to the table. As progressives, we've always believed that that diversity is our most important strength. 
READ MORE...
http://www.alternet.org/story/154968/6_people_you_need_to_start_a_revolution?page=entireMeet ALEC's Equally Despicable Anti-Choice Cousin -- AUL.
Think the anti-choicers in statehouses around the country are coming up with abortion bans all by themselves? Think again. READ MORE...
Sarah Seltzer, Lauren Kelley / AlterNet.
April 10, 2012
http://www.alternet.org/story/154947/meet_alec%27s_equally_despicable_anti-choice_cousin_--_aul?page=entire
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Comment #28 posted by museman on April 17, 2012 at 10:23:03 PT
afterburner
Yeah,'ol Ed Sullivan wanted Jim Morrison to change the lyrics to "Light my fire" -because they had 'drug overtones' Jim responded with, "Yeah, how about "Bite my wire."?"Funny thing how Jim left...and John...and Marley...and Bobby K....and Martin L K...and George...and a very, very long list of lesser-knowns.And they try to prosecute us for smoking cannabis!!
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Comment #27 posted by museman on April 17, 2012 at 10:08:02 PT
rchandar
We do not differ, I think. Allow me to elaborate semantically;I term 'modern science' as that which is intrinsically woven into our cultural social, religious, political values with profit and materialism as not only it major focus, but as its fundamental philosophy.Pure, or 'True' science is seeking truth and knowledge for the sheer sake of finding it, or the experience along the way, not because you could receive a 'nobel prize' for taking credit for so many other peoples discoveries, and attaining social power and glory, as well as wealth.As a breeder, I used all the best possible tools available to me to achieve empirical results in my experiments; my eyes, touch, brain, and finally taste, smell and a couple of other 'senses' that 'modern scientific technique' despises -even so-called 'quantum theory.' (Lol those guys talk about the intuitive functions of the mind like they were the first ones to ever notice!) Anyway I needed no tech, no chemicals, no digital devices, and somehow I achieved the results anyway -which anyone who shared in those results would surely attest.In the process of my lifelong search for many answers -which at one time included such things as anti-gravity engines, self-perpetuating power sources, and multi-dimensional portals - as well as the 'regular' things like Spirit, Truth, History... (as it was not as we have been made to believe) I discovered that what we believe as 'science' compared to what we've denied because we have been trained to keep the inner eyes closed so we do not actually see (so much safer that way) is a sad sad situation.Seeking Truth is Science. If truth is not included in the equation all you got is bad magic.IMOLEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #26 posted by afterburner on April 17, 2012 at 09:49:08 PT
museman #23
"Legalize marijuana Down here in Jamaica It can build up your failing economy Eliminate the slavish mentality" --Bush Doctor by Peter Tosh
http://tinyurl.com/8ycmzsy"So there be No more need to smoke and hide When you know you're takin a LEGAL ride" --Bush Doctor by Peter Tosh
http://tinyurl.com/8ycmzsyI had to do an extended search for this lyrics site because most of the lyrics sites transcribed the last line as:"illegal ride"which makes absolutely no sense!The lyrics as improperly transcribed and copied to multiple lyrics sites:"No more need to smoke and hide When you know you're takin illegal ride"Say, what?
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Comment #25 posted by museman on April 17, 2012 at 09:48:15 PT
some thoughts on 'decriminalization'
Firstly, before the 1930's cannabis was an accepted part of our reality -a far as truthful history can say- since about day one. see Genesis: "...every herb bearing seed..."Secondly, One of the shining examples of the intended 'new liberty' as supposedly upheld and supported by the US Constitution is the PREMISE that everyone is "Innocent until proven guilty."Thirdly, All common 'law' as held and believed by real men and women, and used as they walk through life on a daily basis is directly based and founded on the First Premise of all western 'law' -and that is the 'existence, imminence, authority, and power' of our Creator. The recorded document that half or more of the world cultures use as their basis for moral and ethical decisions is known as the 'Ten Commandments' or 'Mosaic Law.' The importance of understanding this is in determining the actual 'guilt' or 'criminal intent' of any individual.When cannabis was prohibited, so was any legal defense -which if there were any real 'representatives of the people' in power at that time, should have sparked a constitutional challenge right at the gate. At the point when Nixon began to use the illegal 'law' against my generation because we dared to challenge the status quo, it was so embedded, and the brainwash of amerika so well laid, no one -except the victims- challenged the simple unconstitutional fact that you were determined guilty, with no defense simply by any cop claiming you posessed, or smoked cannabis. It is then left up to the victim of this injustice to prove otherwise. And without a 'lawyer' your testimony is disregarded by most sitting judges and magistrates. And though the state will appoint one who will serve them while claiming to serve you, true justice has left the building.Once in the late 79's I picked up a fellow who was hitchhiking. I offered him a toke and he freaked out. He got so paranoid I thought I would have to pull over and let him out. But when I put it away he calmed down and told me how he'd only been out of prison for a few months after doing 10 F-IN YEARS for a seed found in his car.Cannabis is given to us to use as we see fit, by the SAME SOURCE, FIRST PREMISE AND FOUNDATION OF ALL WESTERN LAW, and if that First Premise is not honored, than all that comes after it is flawed, corrupted and void.The US Constitution guarantees us the Right to be treated as  "Innocent until proven guilty." The process we have accepted as unknowing agreeable slaves, known as 'government, legislation - and all of its agencies, have at least in the matter of cannabis, stepped away from the very aspects that they claim they are 'enforcing' in us. If I am not guilty of a crime, and anything I could even dream of doing with cannabis -unless it involves doing something that deliberately interferes with another's will (something that should be common sense, but a 'legaleze expert' could write a book!) is NOT a crime, then how is it that 'decriminalizing' -as it is written- actually 'decriminalizing' if I can still be made to pay fines, go to court, or in any way be forced to acknowledge that what has never been a crime except to a corrupt, non-authorized government, as a crime? This forces me to admit guilt because I must be 'punished' by having to pay fines, fees, and if I don't then I am eligible to be charged with other 'crimes' like 'failure to pay' which can morph into a host of charges.How is that logical, reasonable or even really legal?(That was rhetorical. I know all too well 'how, who, and why.')LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #24 posted by rchandar on April 17, 2012 at 09:26:45 PT:
Museman
I guess I was just royally p #sed off when they didn't teach Middle Eastern, Indian Chinese, and African history in World Lit in the 9th grade. I felt that European society didn't take off until Gutenberg: that's why I've written a book and several essays on the influence of non-Western musiic, literature and pharmacology on Countercultural writers. I'm actually a Generation X er, one of Ronnie's children.But I beg to differ on one point: science has made our MJ better. That's why hippies raved about Morocco, India, Mexico: the stuff at home wasn't good, it was schwag cooked in a pot. I honestly don't know, science has eroded personal freedom a lot. But I grew up a doctor's son, and it's imbued in me.What angered me was when the Roman Catholic and Muslim clergy started counting drugs as a 'sin'. A shameless political move, it wasn't like that before! A lot of kids grow up with this as truth, but it isn't. I went to a Baptist school and even taught at one.And the military? I can see the frustration because a lot of soldiers belueve they're taking up democracy. Trouble in the heartland. 
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Comment #23 posted by museman on April 17, 2012 at 08:55:55 PT
rchandar
I would have rather had the normal human opportunity to live my life in the pursuit of 'normal' goals and 'happiness' -but instead it was a series of hijackings starting with public school, compounded and accelerated in the US Military, and then a continuous revelation of all the incredible lies and BS being served up economically, ecologically, technologically, in the media, from the pulpit, and even in 'higher education- - as I attempted with 4 different 'universities' to find, but couldn't because it doesn't exist there.I studied my history outside the very restrictive box of 'academia' and its amazing what is deliberately NOT taught in the schools.I got more understanding from one tiny little piece of paper with a cartoon figure on it then all the courses they could offer up.In the ultimate practice of science -seeking answers that work instead of those that empower wealthy corporations- there is much to be discovered. Unfortunately 'modern' science is nothing more than a set of rules for 'researchers' to follow in the hopes of attaining material comfort, and has little to do with discovering the truth. Though there are many honest people mistakenly stuck and limited by the narrow scope of such 'science' -that doesn't change the fallacy of the method or the corruption of the results.The faculties that all men and women are born with are adequate to the task, but there is an entire global society totally indoctrinated into slave mentality, and every institution within it is created, and focused on deliberate misdirection and fragmentation of the truth. The obfuscation is so severe, that when one actually begins to question it, they stick out like a sore thumb and the ridicule, persecution, social ostracism begins.For most that seems to be enough of a daunting challenge to turn their heads and pretend that they do not see. I tried, but there is something in my nature that will not allow me to willingly agree with a lie, just can't do it.in the words of one of my favorite bands;"Thinking is the best way to travel."LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #22 posted by rchandar on April 17, 2012 at 07:47:06 PT:
Museman
Your comment, 'say decrim and raise you legalization,' is spot on. It's the stuff that politicians return to repeatedly. When Asa Hutchinson, then DEA chief, talked about 'not punting on third down,' I just about fell out of bed laughing.When Congress, thirteen years ago, said that decriminalization was a 'greatest danger to our children,' I realized what an unrehearsed fantasy politics were. Arresting adults to protect another crop of impossibly spoiled brats doesn't sound good to me, and taking adults out of life to protect kids who can't either earn or think for themselves is an undemocratic twist per Reagan.  Teaching kids to snitch on their adult parents was also grossly unfair. But the truth is that only 22 percent of Americans are under 18: the world will be managed by adults for at least some time.You've definitely thought about this. It's all very frustrating, when one knows that WoD means a lot of robot junk in our culture.
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Comment #21 posted by rchandar on April 16, 2012 at 19:19:07 PT:
Museman
Hah! You got Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Spring only 40 years after Woodstock. I'd say it's possible, if you stay alive.
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Comment #20 posted by museman on April 16, 2012 at 19:01:51 PT
rchandar
Well, all 'sanity' aside...I don't stand in the way of any progress, even if it is incremental, but I would be completely remiss to support the belief that that is an 'end' or a complete resolution.Under the flags and banners that fly the political concept of 'decrim' -for example- as just that, a 'mighty solution' by some kind of 'political champion' the motives are supremely suspect if not proven malign and inimical to life on earth -that doesn't conform to the many levels and niches in the Status Quo.I'd simply "see the 'decrim' and raise you legalization," or even better, repeal. (in poker terms)Meaning ok fine, its good to stop criminalizing people over a plant, for all kinds of reasons, but like when they forced the King if England to sign an oath giving people the right to trial and justice-called the Magna Carta, the King turned right around and tried to undo it with violence. He lost more than the war, he lost his head, but all the way to the block he claimed the "Divine Right to Rule"His descendants and fraternal brothers -who all sit in power and wealth over the resource, political power, and military might of the world -not the nations- still believe they have this 'divine right to rule' and all 'legislation' that is intended to give liberties to the people as was intended in the constitution, is starkly, and darkly embedded as a power system for the rulers and their perpetual reign.So to me, any offers in the table that aren't complete abdication of their many thousand year old rule, is simply not enough. Though since they stole that table and its providence from you and me in the first place I have very little resistance to any means that gets it back. -if you get my drift...LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #19 posted by rchandar on April 16, 2012 at 16:17:47 PT:
Paint With Light
You're thinking about it too much. Votes. Middle-class voters. Who spend more money than we do.We won't get results without aggressive legal confrontation. Obama isn't 'boot camp' Clinton, there will be results, albeit slowly. The kinds of befallen catastrophes that Clinton created will not happen.There's nothing to be happy about, but at the same time nothing to fear. I think he still has a brain.
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Comment #18 posted by rchandar on April 16, 2012 at 15:30:44 PT:
Museman
I'm not going to mince words. I have felt that way, dwarfed by a trillion dollar machine, too, and a lot of us have.But there's a much simpler logic that must be reached first. If MJ smoking is a crime, PROVE IT. Prove it without surreptitious arguments that ignore true culpability. A character assessment. Simple possession cannot be a crime, unless a real crime arises specifically from the use or purchase of pot. 'Paying Criminals' is a fake platform, it's clear that the big crimes involve big money-not 20 or 30 bucks.The legal codes must be completely redrawn. A sane method of dealing with the first step is decrim. We can then truly decide who's actually hurting who.
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Comment #17 posted by museman on April 16, 2012 at 14:46:14 PT
afterburner - link
Spot on...all the way to the end. And then there's this political endorsement for yet another lawyer/politician who says a lot of things that many people want to hear -like any other politician.Here's my take on the man; I now nothing except what the media has to say about him, and this; At least locally, the people who have RP signs also have John Birch society bumper stickers, drive luxury vehicles, call the cops at the drop of a hat, and are all republicans. If these people represent the kind of philosophy represented by this man, I can hardly see any real difference in the making. Regardless of the words. In politics words are the cheapest thing going.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #16 posted by afterburner on April 16, 2012 at 11:27:53 PT
One Opinion on Plant-Based Medicine
Obama betrays the left; cheers continued expansion of drug war, criminalization of plant-based medicine.
Monday, April 16, 2012.
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.
Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...).
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035584_Obama_War_on_Drugs_prohibition.html
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Comment #15 posted by museman on April 16, 2012 at 10:22:58 PT
allow me to reiterate
"I quit." -according to the conditions now in place.I will remain registered, and should there be any REAL people or issues that present themselves (and not levies for more money, or compromising legislation that just shuffles the legaleze around a bit -like 'decriminalization') then I might go against my well-founded cynicism and vote.Political parties should be on the people's ban list, right next to lawyers and war-trained police.But I ain't holdin' my breath.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #14 posted by museman on April 16, 2012 at 09:29:50 PT
rchandar
Once I would've believed that taking the battle to the supreme court was a real dynamic way to change bad laws. There were a couple people who did during the past 80 years of prohibition- during my generational watch, and at least one had an effect-the one about the 500 ft air surveillance ceiling- but that was before Bush, and Bush shored up the holes in the liberty-container called 'law' and re-created it almost completely in their own corporate image. How many judges did they appoint to the supreme court?Th High Court is as corrupt as the politicians that put them there. Their ideologies do not serve the Higher interests of the people. As of 911 they only give the constitution grounds for consideration after they've met all their corporate, and economic criteria. They no longer serve the people. -if they ever did.I know, through experience and my own research in areas that statistical minds cannot go, that the corruption is systemic, and not recent either. It is related to what GCW said about there being two conversations.Lately I have been thinking about the constitution, about how as a young man I swore to protect it and the people of the US against its enemies. Though I know that most of those who stood beside me in the induction center were just mouthing the words, and some were even rolling their eyes, I take my vows seriously.I was never relieved of that. Never debriefed, even though I had a top-secret security clearance. I was just let out to sort out the confusion on my own.For years I believed. I voted in every election. I petitioned (without pay). I canvased, and I played music at rallies for Carter, Clinton, Nader, Kerry, and Obama.But even as I believed that Clinton -for example- would initiate 'change' I had a pretty good picture of the corruption, and my denial of the same visible corruption that was/is the clintons (including the senator) was just because I bought into the hype and lies of the campaign. I repeated the process with Nader, (whose people were the corrupt ones) Kerry, and finally Obama.By the time Obama came around it all seemed pretty iffy to me, but after GW a real monkey would have been a relief. So "once again into the breach!"But regardless of the character of O, the system is corrupt beyond fixing, It needs a major reboot at the very least -a constitutional convention OF PEOPLE not lawyers, to set it right. But that's not going to happen because A.-people don't believe they have that kind of power, and B. The government would write a law to prevent it -if there aren't enough in place already.So whats left in the choices? Not much except personal integrity and courage to meet the corruption with incorruptible truth. And that's where the 'second argument' GCW speaks of comes in.The US government, the DEA, CIA, FBI, FDA, Congress, Senate, and on and on it goes is a bunch of elite bastards, their mouthpieces, and their trained killer dogs ruling over the rest of us peons.The corruption is only slightly less at state and local level, because they all aspire to achieve elite status, and give their priorities over to those aspirations.In a 'government of the people, by the people' there are no professional politicians. Just people working with each other for mutual peace and prosperity. Instead we have exclusive cliques and clubs, fraternities of subterfuge, political clown acts, and liars for hire.So, though I was left holding the bag on my vow to protect what some of our ancestors used to think of as sacred -the US Constitution, I now come to the point that I realize it is a waste of my effort, time and life. It no longer applies. The constitution has been nullified. All that's left is the people vs the government.Fortunately they are outnumbered, unfortunately they are better armed. So revolution is out.Truth is more solid and enduring than corruption however, even if some want to play Pilate and say "What is truth?" That's their deficiency, not the truth's.If people wanted change they wouldn't allow the same group of 'bosses' 'masters' 'rulers' and their entire entourage to keep getting elected. But if there is no choice than the same malignant spirit keeps getting elected.I quit. The 'vote' is a joke on us all, and is no longer worthy of my time.The government, law, and justice is broken beyond repair. One can't seriously expect the broken pieces to somehow fix themselves? Only the people-without lawyers- can fix it.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #13 posted by The GCW on April 16, 2012 at 07:27:46 PT
2 different subjects.
Legalizing cannabis and legalizing the God-given plant cannabis should be 2 different conversations. The laws of supply and demand are stronger than the laws of the land.
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Comment #12 posted by gloovins on April 16, 2012 at 01:18:29 PT
my favorite quote...
"Trying to regulate the law of supply and demand economics is like trying to regulate the laws of gravity..."
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Comment #11 posted by Paint with light on April 16, 2012 at 00:45:24 PT
From Al Jazzeera
The desire for fresh debate is one which is currently not shared by the US. So much so that it is currently illegal to pay for research into legalisation.The "Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998" states that the director of the ONDCP "shall ensure that no federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalisation (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance… listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act…"The above is from a story on the cost of the war on drugs.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #10 posted by Paint with light on April 15, 2012 at 21:05:30 PT
More quotes from the summit
From the Wall Street Journal;Obama, "It is entirely legitimate to have a conversation about whether the laws in place are ones that are doing more harm than good in certain places," he said during a Saturday discussion at a CEO summit held in conjunction with the Summit of the Americas.But he quickly added that he feels "legalization is not the answer," arguing that a legal drug trade could be as corrupting in its influence as illegal drug operations. "Nevertheless, I'm a big believer of looking at the evidence, having a big debate," Mr. Obama said.So let's look at the evidence and have the big debate.We are waiting.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #9 posted by Paint with light on April 15, 2012 at 19:26:08 PT
What does he mean by this?
Obama, "For the sake of the health and safety of our citizens — all our citizens — the United States will not be going in this direction.” So much for science above dogma...So much for actually having a dialog.I think what he meant was, 'For the wealth of a few of our citizens....'Legal like alcohol would be so easy.
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Comment #8 posted by dongenero on April 15, 2012 at 16:49:33 PT
rchandar comment #2
"The true solution still lies with state efforts to reduce penalties."Absolutely right.....I don't see the Feds doing it until it's eroded from below by the states and locals. By now, many upper middle class suburban metropolitan areas have quietly enacted policies of confiscation of small amounts with no charges.
They realize it's ridiculous, it's wasteful of their resources and it sweeps up otherwise law-abiding, upstanding citizens and their children.Common sense policy is going to have to trickle up from citizens to local, municipal and state govt's.When Feds finally change it will be the 'sea change'..... until then, more holes in the dike at state and local levels.
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Comment #7 posted by rchandar on April 15, 2012 at 16:21:43 PT:
Museman
Then we need another patient to take our case to the Supreme Court.  I think that MMJ should also be taken off Schedule I: one must really wonder WHY cocaine has medicinal value, whereas marijuana does not.I'm encoraged by this blog and your stories. The concept of mind control and conformity, when repeatedly exported by capitalism and authority, is a negative that forces an undue burden on citizens brought up with the idea of diversity and realization. The whole idea of democracy is that being different allows us to contribute more.
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Comment #6 posted by museman on April 15, 2012 at 11:50:17 PT
We are not 'persons'
We are statistics. Strawmen to provide collateral for the billion dollar deals and loans the corporate backed federal legislature plays with on a global gameboard.Unless you are 'part of the club' either through wealth or ambition of wealth, our 'value' to the actual sitting government is numerical, not real.But of course there is an extreme argument that that 'numerical value' is indeed real, and therefore the ethical, correct way, the 'moral way' -as in "Treat each other as you would have them treat you." is left out in the cold denial of such a false statistical belief.Personally? I experienced the intended goal of prohibition; which is to stifle consciousness, force conformity, to confirm and establish control over myself and my family, and ensure that the truth is always contained by those impositions into reality. I stood my ground with truth about my Yah-Given right to liberty and cannabis in front of the magistrate twice, and lived to tell the tale.There is no viable compromise here. As dongenero said "Legalization is the only answer." Period.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on April 15, 2012 at 11:08:02 PT
But.....
......legalization absolutely is the answer for Prohibition.And considering cannabis alone.....legalization is the only answer.
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Comment #4 posted by rchandar on April 15, 2012 at 10:38:35 PT:
Bullhead
Yeah, when you gotta go to court and they start waving their fingers and talking down to you, and pretend that they're somehow more moral than you were...all because some John Law found a little dirt in your pocket that was psychoactive.They are making a big mistake because America will never enjoy the unparalleled prosperity that it did in years past. That's because the world is catching up. But they want to persist in a failed war on families, and our children.Reagan told us to 'stay the course'. He had the clout to back it up. Whereas Obama has nothing to back it up, and folks are still goin down...
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Comment #3 posted by Bullhead on April 15, 2012 at 09:13:34 PT:
Personal
It`s Personal to me.... Not half as much as the rest of us. Have you Mr. president, been arrested, has your son been given a life long drug record. No, I don`t think so. I don`t think you know personal at all. Unless you are counting this as your jobs program. Cops, Judges, Lawyers, Prison Guards. It`s Cannabis, it`s harmless. Stop the arresting of American citizens for a harmless plant.
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Comment #2 posted by rchandar on April 14, 2012 at 19:30:16 PT:
Not News
He said this three years ago, and it was on CNN. Basically he's still implicating Mexico and Latin America, when MJ domestic production is as good as it ever was.Obama says he wants to 'use his resources intelligently.' That doesn't wash because simple possession arrests are up.I know, no one likes my solutions. The true solution still lies with state efforts to reduce penalties. You would think that America wouldn't have to check out Federal law with the UN, but they still think they're going to wipe drugs out and member nations depend on the US for money and weapons.With the kind of international mayhem and war states that our ignorance is raising, Obama would be wise not to contradict state efforts to allow their citizens to live their lives peacefully. I think that would be intelligent.State by State
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Comment #1 posted by Richard Zuckerman on April 14, 2012 at 18:33:45 PT:
Obummer's opposing repeal for the "status quo"
U.S. President Barack Obama opposed drug legalization because he is concerned that drug businesses would predominate the country and to keep the status quo. But the U.S. Military is involved in international drug distribution and drug money laundering of billions and trillions of dollars! And U.S. President Barack Obama wants us to be scraping the bottom of the barrel and scared stiff in order to carry out his masters' plan for a "New World Order". Make no mistake about it, folks: These wars are not necessary! We are not under any threat! Its the Bush/Rockefeller/Rothschilds/Vatican Illuminati whom want control over your mind and body. We are at the point of currency wars. If the Chinese currency predominates, then we will really be in the the doghouse! Support for Barack Obam for a second term, by people whom have either so ignorant or simply want their OPEN BORDER IMMIGRATION, is killing us. This past Tuesday night, at the Middlesex County Republican Women's Club meeting, Assemblywoman Casagrande told me she supports the pending legislation which would decriminalize up to 15 grams of Marijuana and that she is a co-sponsor. Asw. Casagrande later told me she will look at the Hemp license Bill of Asw. Connie Wagner. This (past) Wednesday, N.J. State Senator Barbara Buono hosted an economic growth event, with panel members and a speech by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.. Not one time had any of them suggested that perhaps we should cut spending for now until after the upcoming elections to make sure we don't get hit with another economic crunch from foreclosures, the European Union, or student loan defaults. No suggestion was made that perhaps their huge construction projects are inviting overpopulation rendering the environment unsustainable. N.J. apparently does have the highest population density than any other State in this country. I was the first to ask a question during the Question and Answer part of the event, I asked them to support small farmers by supporting the Hemp license Bill of Asw. Connie Wagner, the Raw Milk Bills, and the Bill of Asm. Reed Gusciora which would decriminalize up to 15 grams of Marijuana. Both panelist State Senator Joseph Vitale and the Host Senator Buono said they will look at the Bills. the conclusion of this event, I spoke with Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes, III (whose father had been a State Assemblyman and had previously been an F.B.I. Agent), who told me he is a co-sponsor of the same aforesaid Marijuana decriminalization Bill, that Asw. Casagrande is not a co-sponsor, that she is on one of his Committees, and that he will talk to her about it. Congressman Allan West recently announced he believes about 80 federal legislators are Communists. I believe local Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., is one of them. As the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, presently the "Ranking member" of same Subcommittee, Congressman Pallone has never done anything for medical Marijuana or small farmers, and he has boasted to have authored the Obamacare health care legislation. He's a Democrat. He is also a Roman Catholic. Everyting he has done is for foreign interests and bad corporations, illegal immigrants, foreign trade, and health care organizations whom have contributed to his re-election campaigns during the 20 years he has been a Congressman, one of his branch offices of which is located directly across the street from Johnson & Johnson, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This afternoon, I received a return call from Joe Rullo, Republican candidate for U.S. Senator of New Jersey in the upcoming elections, who told me he supports legalization of Hemp, but needs more information about the Marijuana. I don't remember what he said about whether he supports raw milk farming. He has a website. 
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