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| Light One Up for Michigan |
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Posted by CN Staff on November 30, 2006 at 07:04:15 PT Editorial Source: Michigan Daily 
Michigan -- Here in Michigan, marijuana use can bring unique benefits - light up a joint and suddenly Michigan's lousy economy doesn't seem so bad any more. Maybe legalization could attract those young, highly educated professionals Gov. Jennifer Granholm's been lusting over. After all, with the right to buy and grow your own pot, every city's a cool city. Medical and Recreational Peace, an activist group rooted in Eaton Rapids, is fighting for our right to get high. This week, the organization got its legislative petition approved and is now collecting signatures to get the proposal on the 2008 state ballot. The proposal would make it legal for adults over 18 to use and grow marijuana on private property. The use of the drug in public would incur a $50 fine. Activists tried to get similar proposals on the ballot in 2000, 2002 and 2006, but they fell short of obtaining enough signatures each time. For this proposal to make it to voters, the group must obtain 304,000 signatures in the next six months. Michigan voters may soon have the chance - and hopefully, the wisdom - to decriminalize the drug. It's been clear for some time the war on weed is failing miserably. More than 750,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana possession last year, double the number arrested 25 years ago - and that's just the number that got caught. If marijuana were decriminalized, many cases that are currently clogging up the court system would be eliminated, and tax money wasted prosecuting marijuana users could be spent on worthier goals. And if marijuana were legalized nationally and then taxed, the revenue could exceed $6 billion per year according to estimates by Jeffrey Miron, a professor of economics at Harvard. Despite massive efforts to intercept supplies and prosecute users, marijuana remains an easy drug to obtain. Earlier generations found that the prohibition of alcohol - a substance whose chronic use often results in death - was unsuccessful. Likewise, cancer-causing cigarettes and other tobacco products are legal. Yet marijuana, which is less harmful and certainly less addictive, remains banned. Many have recognized the absurdity of criminalizing marijuana and have joined a growing movement to legalize it. Ann Arbor voters approved an ordinance that allows the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes by a three-to-one margin in 2004, and the city punishes marijuana possession with a meager $25 fine. Just last year, Denver voted to allow adults over 21 to own up to one ounce of marijuana. Earlier this month, a similar proposal reached the ballot in Nevada. The proposal failed, but still garnered 44 percent support, demonstrating the drug's growing mainstream acceptance. Even if you're not high enough to believe marijuana is Michigan's ticket to economic salvation, we can at least agree that using the drug is a personal choice. Adults exercise the freedom to use tobacco and alcohol. The same should be true for marijuana. The first step to restore rights taken away nearly 70 years ago is to get the legalization of marijuana on the state ballot. Students on campus can and should be important allies in helping their fellow residents reclaim their right to a joint - that is, if they're not too high to pass out petitions. Note: Petition drive could lead to legalization of Marijuana. Michigan NORML CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 17:22:48 PT |
| Did you send me some photos? I checked me e-mail and nothing is there. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 16:51:11 PT |
| What you will see in the photos I send FoM, are things that are taking me, right now, tonight, time, effort, Love, and a commitment to my trade. You won't see perfection, but you will see the other things. I'm not a perfectionist, but I am a skilled craftsman. Any skilled craftsman can do what I am doing now. Any sense of pride I feel, I give to God in Thanks FOR my skill. Don't worry. It won't shock or awe you, but Hopefully, you guys can feel and share with me, your spirit of Humanity and Celebration. And I DO aim to Peace. Toke. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 16:35:52 PT |
| I've looked and I can't find anything so far. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by whig on November 30, 2006 at 15:43:00 PT |
| I went to the Christmas tree and wreath place near Berkeley, and asked about peace wreaths. They weren't interested. They said they had some loose material I could buy and make my own, but I think I wouldn't do a very good job and I never like presenting my art unless I'm very satisfied with it. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #7 posted by fight_4_freedom on November 30, 2006 at 14:06:26 PT:
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| I've been looking to see if this Medical and Recreational Peace has a website or if the petition is online yet but im not having any luck. Maybe it's still too early, I'm not sure. Anybody seen anything about this, besides the news articles? Go Michigan! Legalize Our God Given Plant! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 14:04:43 PT |
| I'm still floored about Arkansas. You think...nah! Not Arkansas! Toke. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by The GCW on November 30, 2006 at 11:04:30 PT |
| It's Michigan, Nevada, Colorado and who knows who else. Who will RE-legalize 1st? I'm rooting for Colorado [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 30, 2006 at 09:36:00 PT |
| You're on a roll! Far Out Man! LOL! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 09:26:57 PT |
| Maybe that's what we should do, Sam! Let's bombard them with Wavy Colors, Long Hair, Led Zeppelin, Peace Signs, "Groovy", "Out of Sight", and tell them we won't stop untill they Legalize Cannabis! If you will notice, most activists use the name Cannabis, but the Anti's refuse to use it. Just like they refuse the Truth about it. Strobe Lights, FRINGE, Incense, Flowers... Whoop it Out! I'm making some Tear Drop Peace Signs. I think I'll call them the Tears of God. Toke. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 30, 2006 at 09:04:32 PT |
| I'm sure congers up visions of wavy colors, long hair and Led Zepplin songs in the minds of prohibitionists. I wonder if police in Denver are still harassing adults for possession? Has anyone heard of any cases lately? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on November 30, 2006 at 09:03:41 PT |
| "Yet marijuana, which is LESS harmful and certainly LESS addictive, remains banned." This is the message MSM should be getting out with vigor! Stop sitting there wringing your hands about what to do with alcohol and violence problems in your community. LEGALIZE CANNABIS! By doing so, you will lower crime, save money, STOP worrying and even MAKE money! SAFER. LESS DANGEROUS. LESS HARMFUL. LESS EXPENSIVE. TAXABLE. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? This should absolutely be a National Issue come '08. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION IN '08! Stop the Violence caused by Alcohol. LEGALIZE CANNABIS! Toke. [ Post Comment ] |
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