Common Sense From Britain
On Sunday, the British newspaper The Observer wrote, “In June 1971, US President Richard Nixon declared a ‘war on drugs.’ Drugs won.” Read the rest here.
Tagged with: Britain and Latin America and marijuana and Nixon by the author
42 comments
A “…shift in policy from drug repression to harm reduction” in regards to some south america countries shift in policy of drug enforcement makes sense. Leaders are coming to realize that humans have been using conscience altering substances since we dropped out of trees and began walking upright. Using and possessing these substances is not the problem, it’s the how, when, and how often these substances are being used. Legalize, educate, reduce harm to society. Sounds like a sensible drug policy.
Interesting comments to read over there too. The people of Britain are fortunate to be close to Amsterdam.
Obummer won’t do it, sorry.
Great article……I’m sure Britain will follow suit with Mexico & Brazil. The US Govt. will probably pull it’s head out of the sand last considering they are the ones really trying to promote (and control) this farse drug war around the globe.
I have lived and have family in 3rd world countries that have more freedom than Americans. This is a travesty that should be considered an International Human Rights Violation as it borders Political Oppression in the form of Discrimination considering the false and racial statement fabricated by Former DEA head – Harry Ansling.
We must ALL fight for the Truth in order to experience real Freedom!
Good point Green Soul Jah.
I wonder if religious, cultural, medical and health issues can be considered Human Rights Violations…….very interesting.
Are Rastafarians in the USA really protected under the constitution for freedom of religion when they use their sacred herb? I’m assuming they are not protected, when they should be.
Seems like the Govt. has turned he Constitution into just a historic heirloom to be looked, at and not followed.
Medical Cannabis Institute – Yes, those may be considered Human Rights Violations.
For those interested in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, here is the link:
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml
After reading this now, I really feel VIOLATED more than ever!!!!
Where’s the ACLU when you need them!!!!!
OUR HUMAN RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED AND I WANT REAL JUSTICE!!!!
Perhaps we should just accuse and label all Prohibitionist as “Human Rights Violators” and lock them up in order to give them a taste of their own medicine and fear mongering.
Never stop fighting for our rights!!!
HAPPY LABOR DAY AMERICANS
We let see. Here we are,the curtain has been pulled from our eyes. The lies our leaders shove down our throats are visible in all that government does, and yet we put up with it.
ANYONE supporting prohibition is a traitor. Why? If you support prohibition, you support terrorists and cartels….our enemies. So yes you prohibitionists are traitors fro no wanting to change this policy.
So we put up with our leaders ruining this country. Cap and trade, government health, stimulis and what ever else is coming down the road or has been passed. Big corporate lobbyist,special interests all run our country and are ruin it into the ground.
Drug policy isnt the only thing that needs to change. How long til WE THE PEOPLE stop putting up with these people? They do things in thier own interest…not ours…then we pay for their actions.
Time to END Big Governement! Time to get all these peoples hands out of OUR piece of the pie!
Freedom is ours! The rest of you….Take your shit down the road! Or else!
The ‘Great Debate’ has started… Let reason, society, and sound science be the basis for laws (especially with cannabis) be the factor.
Not racism, corporate agendas, police forces, prisons, government, and Big Pharma rule the world of cannabis. This is about humanity, not some special interests welfare.
Legalize, regulate, and finally control cannabis!!!
“The people of Britain are fortunate to be close to Amsterdam.” Lea # 2: Not as fortunate as one would think. Tourists from London departing planes back from Amsterdam are often “targets” for the canine squad. Never happened to me, but I have heard many horror stories.
#5: Cannabis prohibition is indeed the greatest civil rights violation since slavery.
Democrat Congress & President passed the 1st Drug prohibition in 1914. Democrat Congress overrode Pres veto to pass 2nd drug prohibition (alcohol) in 1919. Democrat Congress & Pres passed 3rd drug prohibition. The 1937 Marihuana Tax Stamp Act. VP Biden pushed creation of ONDCP, coined term, ‘Drug Czar’. What are monarchs doing running a democracy? Biden crafted the RAVE Act. How can event organizers be responsible for other peoples drug use? Biden helped create federal asset forfeiture (seizure) law, and Crack/Cocaine disparity law. Lots of people have house, cars, & their futures taken away who most certainly aren’t drug dealers & only had small amounts of drugs, or cops planted evidence. Funny how all these acts were done with the aid of religious leaders & racists. It’s always Dems who want to invade the privacy of your home & take away your rights, and ram crappy laws down our throats that give you now freedom of choice, like right now. But, the only pol who gets called a bad guy is Nixon. It’s time for people who voted for snake oil salesman BO to wake up. Lot’s of them just can’t accept that they voted for their own enslavement. Lest, they have voters remorse. No one wants to admit they’ve been duped. I’m voting Libertarian from now on & you can bet millions more Americans will, too. The GOP & Dems are so corrupt the stench reaches all the way to Heaven. Isn’t that exactly what Satan wants? Down with civil rights stealing big government. Up with freedom & liberty.
I don’t know if I’ll ever vote for another republican OR democrat. Aren’t they 2 sides of the same warped coin? On the other hand, no 3rd party candidate will likely ever be elected I believe. (Because they get almost no airtime during debates or they sound nutty when they do)
My newest crackpot theory is that America’s education is designed to keep most of our kids dumb enough to keep voting these crooked bastards into office.
Does anyone know what the CURRENT policy is in Canada? Everything on the internet is outdated – 2006 is the most recent.
Is it decriminalized, in the process of decriminalization? If not decriminalized, are the laws enforced? I have read that British Columbia has a very lax enforcement of laws, but again, the article was outdated. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Mark, Glenolden, PA. Not to mention, probably again, that Amsterdam doesn’t much care for the Brits coming there as they’re rude guests. (and if I lived in Britain and went to Amsterdam I certainly wouldn’t carry anything back with me).
And I had a thought. Britain will follow American policies to the end of the cliff, and if American politicians say jump they will. Britain is just as corrupt as America.
#9 and #10, you both have valid points however might I add: There’s a whole lotta sheep out there that will never do anything to change the broken system. And, once the sheep realize they have been had they’ll scratch their behinds and still not get it completely.
Right now we have the majority we have the votes across this nation, its the legislators that are holding this up. Guys we have to make our next few voting years count we have to start voting based on the marijuana issue alone. Just like so many do with other issues, like gays wont vote for a guy that will harm gay rights or keep them from getting married. Same for a gun owners are not going to vote for anyone that would take their guns away.
We have to vote the same way, it was the marijuanaa/online comunity that got Obama elected, we did that, we were told for 4 years by Obama that he knew the war on drugs had failed, that he knew reform in some way was needed, he went on to tell us medical users would be left alone and science would be put first and laws made to reflect that science. We all heard this and we all voted for them. But we have been let down and we have been again left of the dust as issues pile in front of ours.
We have to vote for people that share our view and if that means votting for a Republican or the Green party, whom ever it may be, we have to show these legislators that we can and will make or break elections and they best start supporting us or finding new jobs!
SO, as these next few years creep along, keep in mind, that chosing the lesser of two evils just so the worst of the two doesnt win, its still a win to the Prohibitionest. We have to make it known that if you support more of the same failed policys, you will lose the election, supoprting reform on the other hand will get you the win! Once we all vote based on the marijuana issue alone, legislators will have to choose to support reform or support more failed policy, from there its easy, go vote!
#13, Are you going to get behind Gatewood Galbraith?
I have severe pain from full body Neuropathy and the drugs given by my doctor barely helps. They make my life miserable and hard to do anything. I have to take drug tests all the time just to receive basic medical care. I wish medical marijuana was legal in KY, but since it isn’t I have to take legal poison that destroys my organs and are far more deadly. They all have side- effects and warnings. What is wrong with this picture? If I tried to treat myself with what doctors and nurses say works better I will go to prison where I will surely die. HELP!!!
Isn’t it funny that four of the top five states that use cannabis are very serious voter oriented. It looks like I my self will be moving from Mn. next year to a medical marijuana state. I too wonder where the A.C.L.U. is when we get arrested and fined for our cannabis use. I would like to see the probitionist jailed and fined for violating my civil right to smoke a plant that has been used for thousands of years. Yesterday my name was in the paper for my conviction for cannabis. Every time someones name is in the paper for weed it always says ” small amount of marijuana and paraphanailia” except me. It says ” drugs 50 dollers and drugs 135 dollers. I guess they do not like me being an activist. I would love to see a lawyer about this labeling of Drugs. but of course I cannot hire a lawyer but I will call the paper myself and demand to know why I am listed as drugs and drugs. Where is my pipe and rolling papers and grinder charge? I will update my findings later today.
# 13 you are very correct sir. I no longer will listen to my friends or family about any of reasons why they vote for whom they vote for, because in all reality most of them are proibitionists. I just really feel ashamed of where I live. Free country BS!!!
As long as the U.S.A. has a privet prison system you will not see a change no other country has this system in 1985 there were 5 by 2005 there were 260 we can’t aford this waste
The rest of the world are taking a dim view of our standerd on the war on drugs they see that it does not work
When will the U.S.A. be a leader and stop this madness
Nicely said #13. VOTE, Vote for your cause not theirs!
Mark #11: Marijuana is not decriminalized in Canada. A proposal to do so stalled a few years ago, then a more conservative government was voted it. Canada does have a national medical marijuana program, though. While it’s imperfect in many aspects, at least their government has recognized that marijuana is necessary for some patients.
#13…if you think a republican will make a difference…dream on. the previous 8 yrs should sum it up…they are even more of douchebags than democrats….personally can’t stand any of them…except dr ron paul. i know one thing…we aren’t going away…so something will have to be done sooner than later. the marijuana bandwagon is on a roll…and its coming to your state! like it or not!
R.O.E – You are correct in your statements. We need to turn this around and use their own propaganda type tactics that they use on us.
ALL PROHIBITIONIST SUPPORT TERRORISM & CARTELS UNDER THE GUISE OF A DRUG WAR AGAINST AMERICANS!!!
I’m sure if we keep repeating this statement, the sheep will soon believe the truth and the prohibitionist will start running for cover and changing their stories.
I mentioned ALL PROHIBITIONIST, in order to lump them all together, similar to what they do when they label us all Drug Users.
It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get dirty by using the same tactics they’ve used on us for years.
Damn it feels good to be on the side of the TRUTH!!!!
FIGHT!!!!FIGHT!!!!FIGHT!!!!!
It’s no longer about us, but about our children and their children…..
Here’s a story I saw on Craigslist about a parents concern and the DARE program being pushed in elementary schools, you won’t be surprised, but appalled,
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/pol/1362920920.html
My kid doesn’t even know what DARE means, but he’s got a certificate. Just Say NO to DARE!!!
Republican/Democrat? If you keep on doin’ what ya been doin’, you’ll keep on gettin’ what ya been gettin’. Anyone who thinks there is even one meaningful difference between a Democrat and a Republican, is an idiot. They are all self-serving crooks that have increasingly violated God’s will for people to live in freedom with liberty as acknowledged and cited in the Constitution of the United States.
Clarence #16. Sorry to read you’re being targeted by the ignorant. Keep your chin up, somehow, someway.
And yes, move, we are as soon as possible.
Also great to read the comments here. We have knowledge on our side. And that knowledge should be memorized so when the moment / moments arise we can set the F’ing record straight.
I would like to say also, once cannabis is Legal don’t soften up on these politicians. The politicians will try to add another ruby to their crown for ending Prohibition. Don’t allow it, they’ve caused more harm and suffering than anyone thought possible. No compassion for them.
Bud from Ky. If there ever was a reason for med. mj. you are a poster child, so to speak. I wish I was rich I would send you the money to move. As it is I am going to use my tax return to move next year, maybe. I would love to raise my kids in the same town all their lives. I am a known activist and I am proud of that. I spent over 30 years smoking herbs and I am pretty healthy for someone almost 50. We as pot smokers elected the dumd ass to office of pres. and now he shits on each and every one of us. I think Sarah Palin at least wopuld keep her word and speaking of her ” where does she stand on this issue? If someone could find out I would be thankful. It is just sad that we will have another 3 years to vote out ALL PROBITIONIST’s.
The problem is that many people in this country worry that supporting legalizing marijuana will bring hardships to them through ruining their family or losing their job. I know many people who behind closed doors support legalizing but in public do not support it because they have security clearance, or are teacher etc. More people need to get out there and express their 1st amendment and let there voice be heard. Maybe if we could get our politicians to let people know that they won’t be persecute for expressing their oppinions we could have a more open debate.
Why do we still have the Control Substance Act of 1970?
The United States of America is a terrorist. It delivers terrorism through its war on drugs (freedom). The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist.
Joel @ 27:
Because Nixon was such an honest President???
Joel says:
‘Why do we still have the Control Substance Act of 1970?’
Why do you think they still have it?
It’s my understanding that it’s the basis for all drug laws and the governments validation for the drug war.
The FDA is supposed to have control of the csa.
They dont change anything without permission though.
I don’t know who controls the FDA.
I have written to the FDA before as well as the DHHS to petition my opinion that they should update and change their schedule 1 catagory to reflect current scientific data of cannabis.
I got a form letter back with the typical regurgitated anti drug user excuses.
Maybe you should contact them and ask them why they are outdated and obsolete.
They should heed their presidents goading and ‘Change’.
You might want to also ask them what it feels like to be the reason for millions upon millions of peoples suffering in the past four decades.
That is a very good question.
Do we have enough proof, scientific/medical/legal research, to show cannabis should be reduced from schedule one to something lower? At what point do we prove it needs to be moved from current schedule? Can they just ignore fact?proof?
Isnt it possible to change a law using law and facts? Even in the face of those who wont accept the world IS round?
——————————————————————————–
Asking questions is sometimes the only way to get answers. Ask them.
——————————————————————————–
ROE, I know you didnt just ask if the US government can avoid or turn a deaf ear to facts upon facts proving pot to be nothing more harmful than that of an asprin. They dont care who they hurt, or even kill if it means ONE thing: The rich stay rich. Plain and simple. Yeah, if pot was legalized, billions of dollars would be made and billions would be saved, but the thing about is that pot can be grown in our back yards, and is, so yeah, there would still be billions of dollars exchanging hands every day thanks to MJ but it would be a big shift in whos hands it would be in. No longer would the poor man have to bow down to big government or better yet, the rich. We the People would be rich..and we the people would make this country a better place because we know where money needs to be spent and where money is just wasted.
Simply put: If you won the lottery of 300 million $’s. Who would you give to? Your best friends? Co=workers? Etc. I would make it to were all the people i know who i like would never have to work again. If a millionaire wins the lottery, they would donate it to a foreign country cause like feeding the poor or somelthing such as. Instead of giving money to foriegners, give $100 to a upper lower class person. It would make their day, if not their year…maybe feed their child instead of some taliban child.
Oh wait, the US government donates to the Taliban and AL QUida……
It truly aggrevates me that we continue on with Nixon’s CSA even though he had to resign from office over lies he told. Why wouldn’t every law that was written under the Nixon Administration be repealed and re-examined? It’s a shame that we continue policies put in place by one of the most corupt Presidents our country has ever had!!!
Does anyone else seethe hypocracy:
Currently any Federal Initiative to reclassify marijuana and allow for the medicinal use of the plant is held up and squashed by those in the Republican Party (save a few like Ron Paul). We here rely on the idea that Government shouldn’t dictate the decisions between a doctor and a patient…. right??? So why is it that we are giving the Republicans a pass when it comes to their issues with National Health Care Reform. Isn’t it their stance on National Health Care that the Government shouldn’t come between a doctor and their patient???
Personally I think that the Medical Marijuana Movement (which in my view is step #1 towards full out legalization) could really take advantage of the current National Debate.
“So, Mr. (Republican) Senator you say that you can’t support this National Health Care reforn because in your eyes it would put the Government inbetween the patient and the doctor, right??”
“Well if that is the case why do you not support the Medical Marijuana Initiative (HR 2835) since this bill would take the Federal Governemnt out of the decision of treatment made between that same doctor and that same patient???”
Aaron Houston: I know your out there every day lobbying our Congressmen and Congresswomen about both the Medical Marijuana Initiative as well as the outright legalization and regulation of personal use marijuana. Have you thought about this connection to the current Healthcare debate and if so what have the responses been to this outright hypocracy?
I urge each and every one of you that reads this post to write their Republican Congressmen and Senators to ask them how they can justify their stance on these two issues. How can you use one rationale to fight a bill but ignore that same rationale so you can oppose another bill when the crux of the issue is the same…… Should Government get between the decisions of a doctor and a patient????
we all see it….everyone of us…thats why our eyes are open and not blinded by corruption from wal street
As an educator, i allow debate within my science class room about hemp, drugs and other issues. As long as the students support their ideas with facts. After all i do teach science including evolution, global warming and other theories that some govt’ officals fail to recognize as facts. I discuss laws against hemp, US drug laws and other issues due to their direct link to govt’ policies that limit our ability to be energy independent and promote peace amoung people and nations.
It is a fine line to walk and one day I may get run out of town. But until that day i will attempt to Over Grow the Govt by allowing open discussion in our public schools.
War on Drugs surrender near for Uncle Sam.While Vegas languishes Mexico’s tourist industy expects to flourish as it moves to tap the massive “Narco Junket” market and organize the smaller but dollar draining “Party on our Side” campaign along the U.S. border.Dollar drain and the percieved( probably correct) need for the gov’t to shield the public from harder drugs will result in the “Let’s keep em at Home” legalization of Marijuana.
Today I received a reply from congressman Joe Sestak. “Cutting to the chase”, this was his reply:
“…….That is why I support the States’ Rights to Medical Marijuana Act, which would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and make it available under federal law for medical use in states with medical marijuana programs. I also support the Steve McWilliams Truth in Trials Act, which would make it possible for defendants in federal court to reveal to juries that their marijuana activity was medically related and legal under state law.
That said, I can not support H.R. 2943 because I do not support non-medicinal use of marijuana. Contrary to my beliefs, the bill would prohibit the imposition of any penalty for the personal use or not-for-profit transfer between adults of 100 grams of marijuana and limits punishment for public use of marijuana to a maximum civil penalty of $100.
I do not believe that the legalization of marijuana is the solution to drug addiction and excessive penalties. It is our duty as a government to instill values of responsibility in our children, including advocating abstinence from drug use.”
Bad news as Holland is going to start restricting sales to Dutch Citizens only starting in Maastricht this fall… did we just take a giant step back…
Maui Looks like they are going to confine the consumption by tourists to the Amsterdam area.
#4
#4 writes:
‘Are Rastafarians in the USA really protected under the constitution for freedom of religion when they use their sacred herb? I’m assuming they are not protected, when they should be.’
The Arizona court system says that use of marijuana for religious purposes is against the law.
The reason they decided against it is because the person in the proceedings claimed the right to use anywhere and at any time.
In hindsight after the case concluded, a member of the court stated that; had the claimant made the connection with peyote use by native Americans in a purely ceremonially circumstance that the case could have ended much different.
Use in a anywhere and anytime had no restriction possibilities associated with it and this presents a problem for people like them who dont understand what freedom is.
So while the legal question concerning religious use of marijuana is still under scrutiny by the feds it has been concluded in Arizona.
The federal prohibition against religious use of marijuana can still be challenged, hopefully with a more appropriate argument next time.
#38
If a representative can openly state their objection to any proposal then they are in contempt of their oath to office.
See, a representative is supposed to vote in accordance with his constituents majority rule.
Our representatives do not solicit all of their voters opinions and tally them to reflect a majority rule in their district before they vote on a bill.
About the only kind of public opinion count that they collect is letter, phone or person encounters and that’s not a true reflection of all their constituents consensus.
They are forming personal opinions using knowledge that may have not been disclosed to the public and voting in accordance with their own morals and beliefs.
Serving the people can only be accomplished by knowing what people want, and that doesn’t mean a friggin’ town hall meeting for a friggin’ television appearance, it means finding out how each and every voter wants to vote on each and every bill.
Americans are notorious for mis-thinking that all Democracy means is pulling out a voter card every four years.
Presidential elections, as well as senate and congress elections, are nothing more than personality pageants fed to the people with mass media in a circus like fashion, or at the very least as pure entertainment.
And guess what, that crap started with nixon when the media broadcast its first presidential debate, so you know somethings got to be crooked about it.
Democracy is voting on each and every law that is going to enter society and affect our lives.
They stole our vote from us.
Their real job is to create and write the laws for the people to vote on.
Somewhere along the line they got a idea they could finalize our laws for us by casting a vote without our consent by a majority rule vote.
We do not have a society governed by Democracy.
We live in a police state.
We all know its about control. The system is designed to target poor minorities and keep them in the system (enslaved) under the guise of “protecting” people. The only thing protected is the big corporate pie that America has become. Corporatism is fascism. I wholeheartedly agree- it is time to vote outside of the two party system. Dems and Pubs are too entrenched in the special interest easy money to do anything that follows logic and science. The drug war erodes our privacy and Constitutional rights. How can it be legal for police to forcibly take your blood roadside on DUI stops in Arizona, Texas and Idaho, for example? It’s absurd that the state supreme courts have upheld these actions. The police state is here. Be a good worker bee, don’t cause any noise to draw attention to yourself, and if you’re lucky, you can work for these corporations until you’re 80 years old. Don’t even get me started on the size of our prison population. Land of the Free? Riiiight……
Leave a Comment