Your take on the regulation and taxation of cannabis

[kg_veteran]

I'm open-minded. If we're going to legalize marijuana, why not all other illicit drugs? Let's just legalize cocaine, heroine, methamphetamines, and the rest of them while we're at it.

[MavsX]

i'll get billy bong thorton...

[Flacolaco]

I didnt vote in this pole. Because to put gambling in there in the same breath as marijuana is not smart in my book

Absolutely we should tax gambling. especially online gambling. There are billions of dollars that exchange hands in offshore gambling web sites, that I absolutely think should be taxed. And I even use(d) them. (gotta save for the wedding now)

my buddies and I used to play online poker, and put 5 or 10 bucks down on a football game here or there, and Id be willing to accept a tax because, hey, it makes sense. The professionals that gamble a lot on sports and poker wont be happy about it, but I think it would be a great way to bring in extra money to cut the deficit or whatever you want....hell they could do like the lottery and use it for education.

Instead they keep on talking about shutting the online gambling industry....smart....

But to mention gambling in the same question as marijuana? ....no...stupid

legalizing marijuana? get a life.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

I'm open-minded. If we're going to legalize marijuana, why not all other illicit drugs? Let's just legalize cocaine, heroine, methamphetamines, and the rest of them while we're at it.

And by the same token, we could always make them all illegal, even those that aren't now. Let's start with alcohol and then go from there. Maybe aspirin...I dunno.

[Flacolaco]

Good point Chum. Call me a hypocrite then.

My first reaction to make alcohol illegal is "What?? No!"

My first reaction to make marijuana legal is "What?? No!"

When you could easily make an arguement that alcohol causes many more problems then weed does....

and I have no arguement....which drives me nuts.

that's me. Flaco....filthy hypocrite

[capitalcity]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I didnt vote in this pole. Because to put gambling in there in the same breath as marijuana is not smart in my book.

I chose to word the poll just as Zogby did...

Do I need to start another poll about decriminalization vs. legalization vs. status quo?

[kg_veteran]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

And by the same token, we could always make them all illegal, even those that aren't now. Let's start with alcohol and then go from there. Maybe aspirin...I dunno.

The argument you made regarding alcohol vs. marijuana is fairly persuasive for me, but it's persuasive for the argument that alcohol consumption should be much more heavily regulated than it is, not for the argument that both should be legal.

I think you have to examine the rationale for making the use and consumption of certain drugs illegal. I'd use that rationale to draw the line on what should or shouldn't be regulated and/or made illegal.

[dalmations202]

Legalization opens up a "big can of worms". Isn't it an act of safety that is being "governed"?

If marijuana is legal, why not other drugs? Why do people need a prescription for "medical" drugs then? Why does the FDA have food safety rules? Would it be legal for the government to impose "safety" regulations on cars? Why are their rules against machine guns, bombs, and silencers? What about environmental rules?

I mean, if the government shouldn't impose laws for safety's sake, then what all laws should/could be revoked under the same "assumptions"?

[chumdawg]

KG and Dalm-- Of course you have to draw the line somewhere. The government draws lines like these all the time. There are all kinds of environmental and safety regulations on autos, for example. But those autos could always be even safer than they are, for both the users and the environment, if the government felt it necessary to make them so. But at some point they have to draw that line.

As for alcohol, the first attempt to criminalize it didn't ultimately work all that well. Me personally, I tend to place marijuana in alcohol's same category. I can certainly understand the distinction between marijuana and heroin, too. It would never occur to me to think that if heroin use is a criminal act, then marijuana use would have to be as well. Different animals.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Mavdog

well, yeah, it's not like they want to smell like pot...

that being said, if the "stone" provides therapeutic benefits why should the use be denied and criminalized?

secondly, the amount of $ spent to attempt to stop its use, which clearly has not succeeded, is a waste. it also ends up enriching criminals and destabilizes many countries south of our border.

control it like other drugs. tax the heck out of it. makes perfect sense to me.

I got nothing against them wanting to get stoned, but I don't really believe the medical hype that much. It does seem to help symptoms but come on.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

I'm open-minded. If we're going to legalize marijuana, why not all other illicit drugs? Let's just legalize cocaine, heroine, methamphetamines, and the rest of them while we're at it.

Moderaton in all things mon fre're.

[mary]

It amazes me that someone would actually compare mariuana consumption to heroin. I would think that if the government wanted to draw a line somwhere, then it should be most concerned about those substances that are physically addicting.

If we're going to draw a line, I much rather the line be drawn using some kind of common sense, instead of the arbitrary line that exists now.

Consumer health? Safety? Get back to me when the government goes after the tobacco, liquor, and fast food industries.

[mary]

It does seem to help symptoms but come on.

I'm no expert, but I think pain-relief is usually the point of medicinal marijuana. So, helping symptoms is pretty much the point. Myself, I haven't smoked pot in years. But if a family member had some sort of terminal illness, or was going through chemo, I wouldn't hestitate to buy some off the street if I thought it would help ease their pain (or nautiousness in the case of chemo).

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by mary

I'm no expert, but I think pain-relief is usually the point of medicinal marijuana. So, helping symptoms is pretty much the point. Myself, I haven't smoked pot in years. But if a family member had some sort of terminal illness, or was going through chemo, I wouldn't hestitate to buy some off the street if I thought it would help ease their pain (or nautiousness in the case of chemo).

I agree Mary..as the two little old ladies I was talking about. But all the interest is not being driven for medical reasons I would bet.

[Carolina Blue]

This thread reminds me of the "good times" of my youth...

[capitalcity]

Ex-cop plans video showing how to fool drug officers

09:07 PM CST on Thursday, December 21, 2006

Associated Press

TYLER, Texas – A one-time Texas drug agent described by a former boss as perhaps the best narcotics officer in the country plans to begin selling a video that shows people how to conceal their drugs and fool police.

Barry Cooper, who once worked for police departments in Gladewater and Big Sandy and the Permian Basin Drug Task Force, plans to launch a Web site next week where he will sell his video, Never Get Busted Again , the Tyler Morning Telegraph reported in its online edition Thursday.

A promotional video says Cooper will show viewers how to "conceal their stash," "avoid narcotics profiling" and "fool canines every time."

Cooper, who said he favors the legalization of marijuana, made the video in part because he believes the nation's fight against drugs is a waste of resources. Busting marijuana users fills up prisons with nonviolent offenders, he said.

"My main motivation in all of this is to teach Americans their civil liberties and what drives me in this is injustice and unfairness in our system," Cooper told the newspaper.

Cooper said his Web site should be operating by Tuesday, and he plans to publicize the video in a full-page advertisement in a national publication.

As a drug officer, Cooper said, he made more than 800 drug arrests and seized more than 50 vehicles and $500,000 in cash and assets.

"He was even better than he says he was," said Tom Finley, Cooper's former boss on a West Texas drug task force and now a private investigator in Midland. "He was probably the best narcotics officer in the state and maybe the country during his time with the task force."

News of the video has angered authorities, including Richard Sanders, an agent with the Tyler Drug Enforcement Agency. Sanders said he plans to investigate whether the video violates any laws.

"It outrages me personally as I'm sure it does any officer that has sworn an oath to uphold the laws of this state, and nation," Sanders said. "It is clear that his whole deal is to make money and he has found some sort of scheme, but for him to go to the dark side and do this is infuriating."

Smith County Deputy Constable Mark Waters, a narcotics officer, said the video is insulting to law enforcement officials, especially when it was made by an ex-police officer.

"It's an embarrassment to all law enforcement officers across the United States, who put their life on the line everyday," Waters said. "This is a slap in the face to all that we do to uphold the laws and keep the public safe."

[Drbio]

If I am not mistaken, Cooper was the idiot tool that arrested Willie Nelson for sleeping in his car and having a roach clip and roach in his ash tray in Hewitt, TX.

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by Drbio

If I am not mistaken, Cooper was the idiot tool that arrested Willie Nelson for sleeping in his car and having a roach clip and roach in his ash tray in Hewitt, TX.

there's legalization and there's enforcement. In some ways, heroine is a good analogy for marijuana. In other ways, jay-walking is a good analogy.

[mnmpeanut]

nm

[Drbio]

As Dirk found out while surfing the internet....Kermit loves the ganja....

[dallas_esq]

LEAP's Mission Statement

Founded on March 16, 2002, LEAP is made up of current and former members of law enforcement who believe the existing drug policies have failed in their intended goals of addressing the problems of crime, drug abuse, addiction, juvenile drug use, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into this country and the internal sale and use of illegal drugs. By fighting a war on drugs the government has increased the problems of society and made them far worse. A system of regulation rather than prohibition is a less harmful, more ethical and a more effective public policy.

The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.

LEAP's goals are: (1) To educate the public, the media, and policy makers, to the failure of current drug policy by presenting a true picture of the history, causes and effects of drug abuse and the crimes related to drug prohibition and (2) To restore the public's respect for law enforcement, which has been greatly diminished by its involvement in imposing drug prohibition.

LEAP's main strategy for accomplishing these goals is to create a constantly enlarging speakers bureau staffed with knowledgeable and articulate former drug-warriors who describe the impact of current drug policies on: police/community relations; the safety of law enforcement officers and suspects; police corruption and misconduct; and the financial and human costs associated with current drug policies.

www.leap.cc/

The problem is not that we shouldn't discourage drug use and addiciton, the problem is the manner in which we go about it IS NOT WORKING.

[capitalcity]

Advocacy Group's Suit Calls on U.S. to Acknowledge Pot's Medicinal Value

Eric Bailey
February 22, 2007
Los Angeles Times

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — A patient advocacy group sued the federal government Wednesday to try to force U.S. health agencies to acknowledge that marijuana has merit as a medicine.

The lawsuit by Americans for Safe Access follows a two-year effort to reverse what it calls a "misinformation campaign" by U.S. health agencies.

Americans for Safe Access is suing under the Data Quality Act, a little-known statute that lets citizens challenge the accuracy of government-disseminated information.

The Oakland-based group filed a petition in October 2004 asking the United States to reverse its staunch opposition to pot as medicine. After months of delays, the government rejected the petition.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency could not comment because of the litigation.

For years, U.S. regulators have said marijuana has no accepted medicinal value.

Such statements are "false and misleading," Americans for Safe Access said in its lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland. The group cited peer-reviewed studies suggesting cannabis can be effective for AIDS wasting, muscle spasticity and chronic pain.

The government's stance ignores its own studies, activists say.

A 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine declared that marijuana showed medicinal promise and advocated the development of cannabis-based drugs.

Since then, the University of California has begun several rigorous studies to test marijuana's medical efficacy. Last week, a UC San Francisco researcher announced that clinical trials found marijuana helped treat HIV pain.

Meanwhile, British drug company GW Pharmaceuticals won Canadian approval for a marijuana spray for multiple sclerosis. The firm hopes to eventually market Sativex in the United States.

Marijuana Policy Project

[WurzburgBorn]

Marijuana Policy Project

I met some attorneys for the MPP while I was in Washington, D.C. attending a National Lawyers Guild annual conference a few years ago. I'm pretty certain they're not just a bunch of stoners because they wore suits and couldn't tell me where any of the good D.C. bud was.

[capitalcity]

Lafayette judge steps down: Frieling won't enforce new marijuana law

By Eric Schmidt Boulder Daily Camera
Tuesday, February 13, 2007

An associate municipal court judge in Lafayette resigned Monday in protest of stiffer penalties for marijuana possession in the city.

Leonard Frieling, a Boulder criminal-defense lawyer, said he is resigning out of principle after more than eight years as a backup to Lafayette Municipal Judge Roger Buchholz.

"I cannot in good conscience sit on the bench while being unwilling to enforce the municipal ordinances," Frieling said in a resignation letter to city officials. "Specifically, since you have seen fit to increase the penalty for cannabis possession from a $100 fine (which matches the state penalty) to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail, I find that I am morally and ethically unable to sit as a judge for the city."

The Lafayette City Council last week passed a first reading of an ordinance increasing the possible penalty for possession of cannabis or drug paraphernalia, which now carries a maximum $100 fine. The change is pending final approval next week.

Frieling said he was willing to enforce the old ordinance despite a personal belief that the war on marijuana is "ridiculous." He said it makes no sense for cannabis to be illegal for adults who are allowed to drink alcohol, and the proposed penalty in Lafayette would set a bad precedent.

"The state of Colorado has somewhat decriminalized small amounts for personal possession by making it a petty offense with maximum $100 fine," he said. "I think that it is inappropriate for a municipality that a crime is so much more serious within their city limits than it is statewide."

Lafayette Mayor Chris Berry said Monday night that he had not seen Frieling's letter and could not comment on its contents.

Berry said the new pot penalties were among several changes supported by the city's law enforcement. The idea was to increase the maximum penalty to give judges more discretion when sentencing marijuana offenders under different circumstances, he said.

"My interpretation was that it would be up to the judge," Berry said. "A sitting judge could still make (the fine) $100."

Mayor Pro Tem David Strungis — who cast the sole vote against the ordinance — said the police chief and sitting judge showed "no evidence that we have a pandemic of marijuana-possession arrests in Lafayette."

"My feeling was that punishments have to be within reason, and the punishment has to fit the crime," Strungis said. "To put someone in jail for a year for less than an ounce of marijuana — I couldn't justify that."

Contact Camera Staff Writer Eric Schmidt at (303) 473-1628 or schmidte@dailycamera.com.

[mqywaaah]

I hope they legalize it here in the PI. Man our buds here are great as gold. Baguio gold!

[Zaknaf3in]

As a german, who has access to a unused flat of a friend in central Amsterdam - hell yeah it should be legalized.

Because it's just pure fun to lie in a park on a sunny day, surrounded by people smoking weed , having a cool beer or just relaxing - and don't have to fear being treated as a criminal.

There are several ways to think about that whole subject.
The best for human healthiness would be the prohibition of alcohol, tabac and all other drugs as well.
Thing is - humans have always taken drugs, and will go on doing it.

And that being the case, there is no rational reason to ban marihuana, when allowing to drink alcohol or smoke tabac. That's basically because the drug lobbyists (tabac+ alcohol industry) are a much too big factor in politics and economics.
It's just not possible to have an objective view on the tabac/alcohol debate, because the whole thing of excessive burning and blackening the lungs by smoking (inhalate hot smoke of a burning plant - wtf?) or going for a minor or greater toxic dullness by drinking poison in small concentrations, is just too widespread and common and accepted.

In the Netherlands, where marihuana is legal, the numbers of deaths from drinking/smoking tabac still are several times higher than these effecting from smoking weed. Sure, the tabac/weed thing is mixed up - anyhow.
So, the other way around is - if we don't ban the horrible "soft" drugs that are on the market and a huge moneyfountain, why don't use the less dangerous one, too.

[capitalcity]

Dying Woman Loses Marijuana Appeal

Mar 14, 3:41 PM (ET)

By DAVID KRAVETS

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A California woman whose doctor says marijuana is the only medicine keeping her alive can face federal prosecution on drug charges, a U.S. appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The case was brought by Angel Raich, an Oakland mother of two who suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea and other ailments. On her doctor's advice, she eats or smokes marijuana every couple of hours to ease her pain and bolster a nonexistent appetite as conventional drugs did not work.

The Supreme Court ruled against Raich two years ago, saying that medical marijuana users and their suppliers could be prosecuted for breaching federal drug laws even if they lived in a state such as California where medical pot is legal.

Because of that ruling, the issue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was narrowed to the so-called right to life theory: that marijuana should be allowed if it is the only viable option to keep a patient alive.

Raich, 41, sobbed when she was told of the decision and said she would continue using the drug.

"I'm sure not going to let them kill me," she said. "Oh my God."

Although the three-judge appeals panel refused Raich's request to block enforcement of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, it left open the possibility that if she were arrested and prosecuted, she might be able to argue that she possessed marijuana as a last resort to stay alive, in what is known as a "medical necessity defense."

"I have to get myself busted in order to try to save my life," Raich said.