Last week, we discussed the near record number of arrests for simple marijuana possession in 2010, and how no matter how many people we arrest for marijuana violations, the rates of use are unaffected.
Just to put that in perspective, it turns out that last year was the second biggest year for marijuana arrests in United States history!
Check it out:
It is very disturbing to see how far the actions of our law enforcement community really are from public opinion and actual rational thought when it comes to policy. The year with the second highest number of arrests in national history came simultaneously with an increased acceptance of marijuana use and an increase in public support for change. How does this make sense?
The good news is that we can stop this by supporting state and national reform measures in any way possible. While exact statistics aren’t available yet, it is certain that a noticeable percentage of the decrease in arrests over the last two years was due to MPP’s Question 2 passing in Massachusetts and going into effect in 2009. This initiative removed criminal penalties for the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and replaced the criminal penalty with the equivalent of a parking ticket. If we keep working together to pass sane, rational marijuana laws, we can make that number drop before next year.
The enforcement of marijuana prohibition has become the bread and butter for our enforcement cartels. Over 40+ years of “reefer madness drug wars” has conditioned America to accept the no-knock enteries into our homes and moreso, our police forces have doubled and tripled in size compliments of the draconian forfeiture and seizure laws. They shoot our pets and sometimes us, cause heart attacts and ransack our homes trying to stop us from using marijuana. They fine us, jail us, take our homes and properties and money. They even have taken our children …because we use marijuana. Upton Sinclair once said “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon not understanding it”. Therein is the problem with our enforement cartels. They will never understand the People’s desire to not to have thier doors broken down anymore if they use pot because the cops, lawyers, judges, jailers and private rehabilitation folks paychecks depend on keeping marijuana illegal. They need to “churn” the prohibition system and create more money so they will not be laid off. If it was milk that was prohibited they would all be busting down our doors looking for milk…it does not matter what is prohibited, it creates employment for the enforement cartels and they love it.
Hear, hear!! I couldn’t agree with you more that the pursuit of drug related enterprises ergo employment, is directly connected to keeping cannabis illegal and away from americas citizenry. How many DEA officials would be needed if the cannabis prohibition was repealed? How many of law enforcement would be pursuing other “criminals” if they weren’t out detecting pot farms or grows? The time has come for a truthful confrontation with our lawmakers and therefore our law enforcers. The rehab counselor can still make a living with all the heroin, meth, ecstacy, Rx drug and alcohol addictions out there. If one truly becomes addicted to cannabis, then let them seek rehabilitative
counsel by their own accord or self-judgement. Politicians, heal thyself.
Just imagine this: no foods nor drugs were illegal; any technique of health care may be chosen, as all are considered a personal freedom of choice in ones pursuit of happiness; no money is issued through debt, but rather is created by ourselves and loaned more as an investment in each other, building national wealth; that the people collectively owned the media as an information vehicle, not as a method of controlling; that deceit and lying were capital crimes, and honor that were restored as sacred; and that the courts should make their decisions based upon the impact the ruling would make in strengthening the spirit of the Constitution and its Bill of Rights which maintain individual human (real person) dignity, freedom, health, prosperity and happiness for each and all.
Think of how much wealth, health, and happiness, we would be privileged to enjoy. When we all see this, and live this, then it will be heaven.
Of course its law enforcement, fed and state, but also the drug companys who’s lobbiests in Washington keep pushing politicians to keep marijuana illegal because it will deprive them of billions in profits on pain killers, and anti-depressants. Also the drug cartels want to keep marijuana illegal because its their bread and butter. Law enforcement is the bottom feeders of our draconian anti-marijuana laws. Lets ends this vicious circle now and legalized marijuana for adults only.
Lets not forget the lawyers and judicial system who make billions defending and prosecuting marijuana offences.
The right of a patient to unfettered access to the advice of their physician is an “unalienable” right. My wife has endured years of treatments for stage IV breast cancer and is undergoing a therapy that causes her to be constantly nauseous and to vomit spontaneously. Quality of life cannot be measured and is the basis for Medical Cannabis laws. Our physician’s advice should not regulated by the Government.
I highly recommend the following sources for a better look at the situation:
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9586
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6376
http://cancertreatment2011.org/the-american-cancer-society-complete-guide-to-complementary-alternative-cancer-therapies-2nd-edition-reviews.html
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/marijuana
Please consider signing my petition at:
http://wh.gov/gVr
AGAIN with my email this time.
Just a hit is good to go…To much is a waste, doesnt mix with alcohol no bout, an doesn’t throw you off like alcohol…
I can help, wanna help me?….until then every one please on the road MAINTAIN MORE DISTANCE WITH ALL SPEEDS AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING…..IT’S 1 OF2 THAT’S GOING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
jadimedio@gmail.com
Let us end this corporate-government imposed tyranny; cannabis manufacture and consumption is a constitutional right stolen from us by corrupt lobbyists and legistlaters.
The best thing that ever happened to organized crime was the prohibition of alcohol. It put millions of dollars in their pockets. Is it any wonder they and they pharmaceutical companies are against the competion legalized marijuana would bring. After all, you can’t patent a naturally growing substance, can you? But you can pay big monies to keep lobbyists bending the ear of politicians with propaganda, perpetuating the ridiculous myth that marijuana is a “gateway” drug to heroin. That’s like saying Red Bull is a gateway drink to whiskey!
I for one am tired of being told by politians that our government is too big and spends too much money, yet they waste billions of dollars fighting a drug war against a substance everyone knows is equivalent to a couple glasses of wine. I am 54 years old yet I’m not intelligent or responsible enough to make my own decisions regarding what I do in my own home? The government knows better? They would rather throw good money after bad, knowing cannabis use will continue, without the benefits of regulation and taxation, and the decrease in criminal activity and monetary gain. It’s a pitiful case, what they’re trying to push down the publics throat!
It’s a plant! A magnificent plant at that. The effects aren’t that bad, especially when compared to many prescription drugs, and there are a ridiculous amount of benefits to be reaped if it was legailized. The benefits that come from the use of the hemp plant alone would boost our economy. The government is obviously no longer by the people and for the people. With that said, MARILIZE LEGAJUANA!!!