cannabisnews.com: Prop. 203: The Debate Over Pot Laws Prop. 203: The Debate Over Pot Laws Posted by CN Staff on August 24, 2002 at 21:57:26 PT By Joe Garagiola Jr., Special for The Republic Source: Arizona Republic Free pot could be as close as your local Department of Public Safety precinct if Proposition 203 is passed by Arizona voters on Nov. 5. University of Phoenix founder John Sperling, billionaire New Yorker George Soros and insurance executive Peter Lewis have promoted this proposition in an effort to not only decriminalize the use of marijuana, but to give it away for free. Free to anyone who claims a medical need, whether they be users, addicts or dealers. Prop. 203 would require DPS officers to distribute 2 ounces of confiscated marijuana each month to anyone with a "Registry Identification Card." This get-pot-for-free card would require only a doctor's note, not a prescription. Anyone with an ache, pain, muscle spasm or other condition could ask for a note. Instead of paying for ibuprofen to cure a headache, the so-called medical need would be alleviated by smoking a joint provided by your state government for free. And don't think 2 ounces of marijuana isn't significant. The 2 ounces equals 200 joints. Registry Identification Card holders or their caregivers could also get two marijuana plants to grow without supervision or restriction. What will stop people from using the seeds to grow more plants? If our confiscated marijuana stash gets low, Prop. 203 would have DPS purchase marijuana from the University of Mississippi. Instead of using our scarce tax dollars for education, safe roads and countless other important state programs, we would be buying drugs and funding drug habits.Instead of preventing crime and protecting our communities, our law enforcement officers would be giving away the same pot they have confiscated from sellers, users and traffickers. In addition, if Prop. 203 passes, felons convicted of drug crimes, currently incarcerated in Arizona prisons, could be let out immediately. Then, theoretically they could see their "doctor" and get a free pot card and start possessing, selling and using marijuana again. The social implications and ramifications of both convicted criminals and hundreds of pounds of free pot on the street are frightening. In Prop. 203, Sperling, Soros and Lewis have left out a lot of the administrative details to enacting a free pot program. They have not outlined any measures to ensure the free pot isn't tainted. How would we prevent these cards from getting into the hands of drug dealers, kids or addicts? Joe Garagiola Jr. is senior vice president and general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and chairman of Battleground Arizona, the committee formed in opposition of Proposition 203.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/viewpoints/articles/0825turn0825garagiola.htmlSource: Arizona Republic (AZ) Author: Joe Garagiola Jr., Special for The RepublicPublished: August 25, 2002 Copyright: 2002 The Arizona Republic Contact: opinions arizonarepublic.com Website: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/ Related Articles:It's Time We Scrap Drug Laws Mired in Failure http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13868.shtmlCandidate Backs Initiative To Liberalize Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13788.shtmlMarijuana Initiative Qualifies for Arizona Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13727.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #27 posted by BGreen on August 25, 2002 at 22:55:41 PT Jeaneous You just hit the ball out of the park!I'm sorry, FoM, I'm just a little mischievous.I take this very personally. I've endured the evil, anti-christ Ashcroft throughout his dictatorships in Missouri, first as state attorney general, then governor, then senator, and now the leader of the third reich. Ashcrofts' nephews were caught growing cannabis but aren't rotting in jail like he wants others to do, and Ashcroft pulled the exact same tactics as state A.G. as he's pulling now, stalling and refusing to obey court orders.I've included a link to a website with all kinds of damning evidence about Ashcrofts' evil legacy in Missouri. John Ashcroft's Extremist Record as Missouri Governor and Attorney General [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Jeaneous on August 25, 2002 at 21:24:00 PT: dddd I listened to the whole news report. Mr. Hill said what all of us have always wanted to say about Mr. Ashcroft, the FBI and all parties involved. He trashed them as well as could be done. It was excellent! I'm sure we will hear plenty more about Mr. Ashcroft and the FBI.... and not good stuff.The worm turns.......I still think in the end they will find out that bush and his group were behind all the crap that has come down since Bushy was placed into office.This administration gives me the creeps. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on August 25, 2002 at 14:44:51 PT Why Are We Talking about Baseball? This article is about Prop 203 and don't understand. Baseball isn't interesting to many people but the article might be. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by goneposthole on August 25, 2002 at 14:34:02 PT Never been to a MLB game But I love the game. Can't stand to watch it on TV, minor league but not MLB.If they had a 500 lb. bale of skunk at each and every game, everybody would get to play which wouldn't make it a baseball game. It sure would be fun, though.Have all of the players give everybody a hundred bucks (50,000 times 100 equals 5 million dollars) (500 lbs times 4000 bucks equals 2 million dollars worth of cannabis) (50,000 smokers equals one hundredth of a pound per fan) (454 grams per pound divided by 100 equals about 4.54 gms per fan) You got your eighth plus a little bit more. You get to go home with some. A ballgame, an eighth plus and everybody's real happy. My kind of baseball game. Everybody is 3 million dollars richer.Sorry, I digress. legalize, [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by karkulus on August 25, 2002 at 13:05:09 PT Also.. LET'S BAN their steroids, and see how many home runs they hit! (including injections into pitchers elbows,etc.)(and don't anyone say "that's different"),because it's still their "medicine",isn't it? [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by VitaminT on August 25, 2002 at 10:44:57 PT A Libertarian take on prop 203. While I do not advocate the use of drugs, I do know that your body is your body, and nobody can tell you what you can or can't do to it or what you can or can't put into it. Why can't it (prop. 203) just say, "The People revoke, repeal and rescind all laws, statutes and regulations regarding the prohibition of marijuana and associated paraphernalia, order released all previous non-violent offenders convicted under these laws, and apologize for our stupidity"?-Barry Hess of Phoenix 203 is ambiguous to the point of absurdity, the above language is exactly what the people should be demanding. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by dddd on August 25, 2002 at 10:42:04 PT ...WOW!.... ....Awesome!!..blockbuster surprise ,"breaking news" broadcast of bio-chem scientist statement on ABC!.....the guy trashes the fbi and ashcroft for intruding on his life,and ransacking his girlfriend!!!!!!!!!!Absolutely AWESOME! [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by herbdoc215 on August 25, 2002 at 10:41:03 PT This is CRAZY, I have said for years if they.... Really want to do away with black-market pot all they had to do was give it for free to sick people. Sound crazy- well let's losse' it out. It passes and is going fine for a year or two, then when pot runs out cause it's going out faster than coming in, then the shit starts. Wait until first really sick person goes into Tuscon Police station to get their 2 oz.'s for month and cops say sorry Mr. Bill we are out of good pot today, where you think Mr. Bill's broke and in pain ass is going next- TO THE DAMN PAY PHONE to call in the shit-head who overcharged him for his medical weed for the last few years- AND he's going to tell the police cheif to PLEASE rush as he would like to get some pain relief. WELL now you got problems because us pot patients don't have our tatoo's or green stars sewn on yet so you just never know if your aunt Martha might have a secret script for her "rumer-tism" and caught a wiff of your skunk plants last time she was over, never know? Wanna bet the next few years on it? Better think this shit over well before you leep into an abyss. Let's face it, hard to regulate things we don't understand as humans are like children playing with a gun. Peace, Steven Tuck [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by knox42897 on August 25, 2002 at 10:35:55 PT: Communists Someone explain to me how this isn't communism.Imagine what the drug dealers are thinking. First you arrest me, take me to jail and confiscate my marijuana. They you will give my marijuana away for free. From the drug dealer perspective this is definetly communism. I could just imagine the drug dealer asking for donations from the patients who got his "free" medicine. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on August 25, 2002 at 10:16:01 PT Related Article from The Arizona Republic Governor: Drug Initiatives Aug. 20, 2002 12:55:00Question: Where do you stand on the two ballot propositions relating to drugs? Provisions of Proposition 203 include decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, making it a civil offense, and requiring the Department of Public Safety to distribute free marijuana for medical use. Proposition 302 expands a judge's ability to imprison drug offenders who now face only probation, including those who refuse treatment. Complete Article: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/special11/articles/0820quiz18-ON.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by pppp on August 25, 2002 at 10:10:59 PT ...I hear ya Alvin.... ...and after you pay your 20 bucks for the ticket,,and you finally get to your seat,,,,then,,maybe in the third inning,,you might want to enjoy a 4 dollar paper cup of Bud to wash down the 5 dollar hot dog.... heck... if I'm gonna throw cash around,,I'd rather go to Las Vegas!,,it's cheaper,,and less of a hassle! [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by AlvinCool on August 25, 2002 at 10:00:24 PT Baseball I don't hate baseball but I hate what it has become. Pay 20 bucks or more for a decent seat that you can't even put your arms down by your sides they are packed in so tight. I can't enjoy myself like that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by pppp on August 25, 2002 at 09:23:25 PT ...Right on VitaminT... ...I dont care what you call me,,as long as you kindof agree with me.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by VitaminT on August 25, 2002 at 09:10:45 PT As if you couldn't figure it out yourself . . . . stupid ass-wipe refers to Old Joe G. Jr. - not you pppp, dddd, bbbb, or qqqq!whomever you happen to be at the moment! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by VitaminT on August 25, 2002 at 09:05:54 PT pppp, I wouldn't go quite that far but they're doin' their damndest to take all the joy out of it!If pro ball went away, I'd just get a ball, gloves and bat and go play with my kids instead of worrying about the lost BEER ADVERTISING vehicle that MLB has become!Old Joe G. Jr. is nothing but drug-pushing Alcohol profiteer - stupid ass-wipe!Now that I think about it maybe I do agree with you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by pppp on August 25, 2002 at 08:17:32 PT ...go ahead and hate me for saying this.. ...but in my opinion,,,,big league baseball Sucks!...it's a stupid sport,,,a national waste of time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by VitaminT on August 25, 2002 at 08:06:22 PT Pot Smokers could strike too! Why not send a message to Joe by blowing off the Diamondbacks for a week or so. Don't watch them on TV, don't go to BankOne Ball yard.Buy a nice bag of the Good Herb with the money you don't waste on this brainless prohibitionist.Send him a pin joint containing 1/100th of an ounce to show him what a dumbass he is!Stick to Baseball Joe! Leave the Herb alone!If all AZ pot smokers had the gumption to do this, Joe would change the subject before you could say "strike 3 asshole." [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by mayan on August 25, 2002 at 07:53:05 PT It should read... if the players strike again(the owners are greedheads as well). My bad. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by mayan on August 25, 2002 at 07:42:21 PT "STRIKE" Joe Garagiola Jr. is senior vice president and general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and chairman of Battleground Arizona, the committee formed in opposition of Proposition 203.It seems as though Joe should be worrying about something far more imminent. Can you say "STRIKE" Joe? If MLB strikes again it will spell the end of the sport as we know it. Baseball will become America's past pastime. Joe might know baseball, but he obviously don't know Mary Jane all that well.unrelated -Passenger flicks lighter on SFO-bound plane -- plane diverted -- San Jose State student could face 20-year prison term for trying to warm batteries for portable CD player: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/08/22/BA69440.DTLCNN Chick Chat Show Exposing The Naked Truth: http://rense.com/general28/chick.htmRealVideo of Portland Protest: http://www.sf.indymedia.org/uploads/bushpdx.ramBUSH PROTEST IN STOCKTON ROCKS: http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/08/142871.phpThe government in the shadows: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/22/1029114163381.htmlPart six of a six-part series - The United States in the Philippines: post-9/11 imperatives - http://onlinejournal.com/Special_Reports/Chin082202/chin082202.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by goneposthole on August 25, 2002 at 07:14:25 PT new material Read on: crimethinc [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by The GCW on August 25, 2002 at 07:01:38 PT This is not acceptable... stealing cannabis from one person to give to a person that a doctor says is ok to use this plant. Idealy, We are (in the future), not going to any doctor for permission to use Our plant.Truth dictates that I be able to grow cannabis with out someone confronting Me in any manner. That includes My brother giving Me some, or being able to go to any gardner for procurement.Stealing is not right, police should not do it. This seems corrupt. Is it a win, for government to be allowed to still steal it? Would Washington or Jefferson, go for this, or would they fire another shot over the bow, or would they fire the shots right at the bow? And the next bow and the next.It is time to harpoon another whale, (Bob Barr)!Ignorance (heads) will roll.The word IS the sword of the Holy Spirit of Truth.The last holdouts in the sequel prohibition of cannabis are the self condemned in Titus 3:9-11. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by bbbb on August 25, 2002 at 06:59:18 PT ....yup.... ...pin-joints are for wimps,,or people who are low on weed..... .....years ago,,I had this friend ,,Tom.........Tom the Hippie . ..........he had a Phd in physics,,(not kidding)... He lived out in the desert,and he grew the most fabulous buds ever!....I had to drive my 66 Plymouth Valiant station wagon over miles of pothole dirt roads to get to his place......he rolled joints about the diameter of a nickel!...his ashtrays were overflowing with huge roaches....he probably got about 8 joints to the ounce!...he grew several exotic varieties of superb weeds.....I would stay and visit for a few hours and he would show me all his biggest colas,,,huge,dazzling buds,,,frosteds,,,red hairs,,purple hairs,,golds,,,,,"Hindu Kush". .."Humboldt", ,,"Kona", ,,,,and for 200 bucks,,he'd give me a half pound or so assortment of prime Indicas and Sativas.... I would would wrap it in about 10 layers of taped up trash bags,,,and hide it in the back of the wagon under the spare tire for the journey back into the big city,,,but no matter how well I wrapped it up,,,that certain skunk aroma would alway somehow waft its way out into the car! ..those were the days.............. ...give my regards to Ethel. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by goneposthole on August 25, 2002 at 06:16:48 PT Ethel's fine Those darn Republicans haven't a clue as to what is going on in this country.I have a good friend who buys cannabis all of the time, smokes it everyday when it's available.Bush got his vote, too, the nitwit. I scratch my noggin over that one all of the time.If you place a tiny amount of weed into a zigzag, I would think you would be able to get about 500 reefers out of an ounce. That would be reefer madness. Me? When I want a joint, I roll a beefy, all out fat, jumbo sized joint. A 500 lb bale of skunk rolls into about 10 joints, max.I get good sleep. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by bbbb on August 25, 2002 at 05:55:09 PT two ounces = 200 joints one joint = .28 grams .28 grams = about 2 seeds Joe Garagiola Jr. = idiot with famous dad hi fred how's ethel? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by goneposthole on August 25, 2002 at 05:13:21 PT Free cannabis The Arizona Diamondbacks could buy all of the confiscated cannabis and hand out joints just before each home game begins. They could get a doctor's note saying every fan could partake. The stadium would be filled to capacity, hot dog sales would double. Beer sales would double. Hell, double plays would double. The population of the state would double.Baseball would become the most popular sport again. Free cannabis and our freedoms would be returned, too.You can't have a free populace, though. Just people who think they're free like Joe Garagiola, Jr. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by knox42897 on August 24, 2002 at 22:43:34 PT: 420 voters I like the initiative in Arizona. The free pot is a great idea, but most of the traffickers have mexican compressed weed. Arizonan's read the Nevada initiative. We got it right here. Hopefully if it passes we can have Amsterdam coffee shops. Who cares if you have to pay for it as long as its cheap and great quality? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by JHarshaw on August 24, 2002 at 22:43:08 PT ???????? How can you get 100 joints out of an ounce?Peace and pot [ Post Comment ] Post Comment