cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar Says Question 7 Work of Rich Outsiders Drug Czar Says Question 7 Work of Rich Outsiders Posted by CN Staff on October 04, 2006 at 16:05:53 PT By Mary Baldasano, Special To The PVT Source: Pahrump Valley Times Nevada -- Question 7 on this year's general election ballot has caught the attention of many organizations within Nevada, as well as that of the U. S. Drug Czar's Office. Recently, Deputy Drug Czar Tom Burns visited Pahrump as a guest of the Nye Communities Coalition to discuss the matter. The question is an initiative petition to decriminalize the use of marijuana for anyone over 21 and to allow its purchase through a regulated market. Tax revenues from sales would be dedicated mainly to alcohol and drug treatment and education programs. Officer Todd Raybuck, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, gave an introductory speech in which he claimed that the initiative for getting Question 7 on the ballot did not stem from any action by Nevadans but rather was the work of three billionaires who don't live in Nevada.Burns emphasized that these individuals, George Soros, Investment Funds, Peter B. Lewis, founder and CEO of Progressive Insurance, and John Sperling, founder of the for-profit University of Phoenix, are philanthropists who picked the legalization of marijuana as their pet project."These men have tried getting this initiative passed in virtually every state in the union. This year Nevada is ground zero," Burns said.Nevada law makes possession of one ounce (the equivalent of up to 95 joints) or less of marijuana a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $600, or less than the fine for driving without a license. Only 3 percent of the 155,000 arrests statewide in 2005 were for marijuana possession. In at least a third of those arrests, the offender was merely given a ticket and released."Testing has revealed that the potency of marijuana has been increasing in recent years. It has also been shown that the new marijuana rewires the brains of individuals, causing a greater substance dependency," said Burns. He added that should the initiative be passed, it would still be illegal to use or distribute marijuana at the federal level. He also said there are not enough enforcement personnel to handle all the cases that would occur.Burns also said the expense and time involved in such instances would tie up the courts for years, mainly due to state's rights issues, which would cost Nevadans exorbitant amounts of money. He noted that since Nevada is considered the state where virtually anything goes, through decriminalization it could become the "drug capital of America."This, he said, would open Nevada up to a multitude of costs related to the treatment of substance abuse and injuries resulting in disability and death.Research indicates that only 18-22 percent of school children use marijuana. Greater numbers use alcohol and tobacco, said Burns, but those numbers could rise if marijuana use is legalized.Sheriff Tony Demeo said, "I don't see that much advertising on this issue. I also don't see that many efforts from opponents to educate the public. Then, when it's closer to election time, people will not be educated."Lloyd Platson, a member of the Nye Communities Coalition, advised, "There are education efforts being made throughout the state through the collaboration of 13 statewide coalitions. These efforts are ongoing."The coalition works to educate adults and children on the negative impact of drugs and the debilitating affects of drug dependency. Complete Title: Deputy Drug Czar Says Question 7 is The Work of Rich Outsiders Source: Pahrump Valley Times (NV)Author: Mary Baldasano, Special To The PVTPublished: October 4, 2006Copyright: 2006 Pahrump Valley TimesContact: info pvtimes.comWebsite: http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Regulate and Control Marijuanahttp://www.regulatemarijuana.org/Religious Leaders Making Case for Legalizing Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22234.shtmlAll The Right Reasonshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22213.shtmlBallot Initiative: Internal Poll Finds Support http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22190.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #48 posted by afterburner on October 05, 2006 at 21:17:01 PT RE DFAF Lombar, I also tried to find a list of their financial supporters without luck so far. However, their list of advisors contains many people feeding at the public trough, like Karen Tandy, DEA chief and Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida. So, Americans, your tax dollars are at work supporting this tripe.75% of DFAF's examples point to drugs other than cannabis. 25% of DFAF's examples are misleading by omission of other relevant data. • Alaska: marijuana and *methamphetamine*• Ohio: marijuana and *crack cocaine*. • New York: pot-smoking session and *no further drug (or alcohol drug) details*.• Florida: started his *drug use* with marijuana. "Do you still believe this is a harmless drug?" No, just SAFER than alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and most prescription drugs. What in the world is harmless: air, water, mother's milk? What of pollution, drowning, allergies?The GCW: "Cannabis prohibition, Work of Rich Outsiders. It is the rich outsiders; the Feds who originally made cannabis illegal to begin with; not Nevada citizens." Where is that coyote spirit? Many churches back Question 7. God created the world in 7 days (6 workdays and 1 rest day). Why was cannabis medicine banned? [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by global_warming on October 05, 2006 at 18:42:10 PT to Mr. Tvert, Levine, and to Soros,You have my yes voteMay God Fill You with Everlasting PeaceMay God Illuminate your SoulsMay this disgrace come to an end. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by global_warming on October 05, 2006 at 18:22:51 PT as a Christian When I ask God to Forgive my soul,I pray that God Forgives My SoulIn Equal Measure to my own ability to Forgive.Do You believe in God and The Universe?Have you some token to the Unknowable, for the Night of Infinite Mystery? [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by mayan on October 05, 2006 at 16:59:12 PT DFAF Their "press release" actually made me laugh! I feel like I'm living in the 30's. I smoked a little bud and now I want to kill,kill,kill! That release reeks of desperation. They must be reading the writing on the wall!Hee-Hee! [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by whig on October 05, 2006 at 15:53:17 PT lombar When I say cannabis gives relief, I should include relief from nausea, stress, and anxiety as well as from pain and inflammation.However, the main point that I am trying to emphasize is that the body heals itself. Cannabis doesn't miraculously fix what is broken, it just lets you fix it yourself.Same thing with the brain, and the fact that cannabis stimulates neural growth is highly significant. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by lombar on October 05, 2006 at 13:24:53 PT I'm Sorry... "what would our masters in Washington think if we had evidence their drug war was all based upon lies"should be"what would our masters in Washington think if we had more evidence their drug war was all based upon lies" [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by lombar on October 05, 2006 at 13:17:02 PT Medical WhigSometimes that may be the case. However if the problem is a knotted muscle, the relaxation is a real effect, it is not a masking of pain but a relaxing of a muscle. Anti-emetic effects contribute the ability of patients to withstand other therapies leading to the success of the other treatment. For instance, hepatitis:Treatment for hepatitis C virus and cannabis use in illicit drug user patients: implications and questions Abstract TOPIllicit drug users are the primary risk group for HCV transmission, and will form the largest HCV treatment population for years to come. Sylvestre et al. 's study suggests that cannabis use may benefit treatment retention and outcomes in illicit drug users undergoing HCV treatment. In fact, there is substantial evidence that cannabis use may help address key challenges faced by drug users in HCV treatment (e.g., nausea, depression), especially when such treatment occurs in the context of methadone maintenance treatment which may amplify these consequences. While further research is required on the biological and clinical aspects of the benefits of cannabis use for HCV treatment, and the effectiveness of cannabis use for HCV treatment needs to be explored in larger study populations, we advocate that in the interim existing barriers to cannabis use are removed for drug users undergoing HCV treatment until the conclusive empirical basis for evidence-based guidance is available.http://tinyurl.com/k38am(research that might have been done in Canada but, oh, the North Wing of the Repugnican Party cut the research. Sorry but we can't have evidence of cannabis usage being effective, those pesky people might want to use it and what would our masters in Washington think if we had evidence their drug war was all based upon lies. We have to toe the line, we cant 'cut and run' ... we must fight for eternity because war is profitable to some of us. I have really been having anger management issues since the conservatives started butchering Canada .. I mean more so than the last bunch of bunglers/traitors)You know that reminds me of the thought that even IF the ONLY thing cannabis did to people suffering was give them the illusion of relief, who is anyone to deny that to another? There is real relief but even if it was not, the callousness of people who deny it and fight hard to maintain the status quo is shocking. Even the illusory belief of relief would lead to a more positive mental state, denying sick people a safe euphoric 'for the children'.. it defies my notions of goodness. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by whig on October 05, 2006 at 12:22:27 PT lombar The simple fact is that cannabis effects are mild at best, even the strongest cannabis can at worst, make you fall asleep if you smoke too much. It does not make people peaceful or stupid, they are these things before they use cannabis. It does not make people smarter but I believe it helps relax egoistic thinking. Perhaps that is part of the reason. Obsession with self and selfish desire is the cause of much (all?) evil in the world. Interesting insight. I have been making a similar observation about medical cannabis. It does not cure disease, but it does relieve the body so that the body can cure itself, as it knows how to do. Cannabis doesn't contain anything but keys to unlock our own capacities. We become who we are and who we always were meant to be, there is nothing anti-science about it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by whig on October 05, 2006 at 12:15:48 PT lombar DFAF is a continuation of STRAIGHT, INC., a "rehab" group that abused children. They are child molesters. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by Taylor121 on October 05, 2006 at 11:16:33 PT Hope, keep in mind "You take a hundred kids, kindergarten through 12th grade and you're telling me 18 to 22 of those 100 school children use marijuana?That's made up. That's got to be a lie."Not necessarily a lie, the surveys are obviously just going to have bias. What these surveys show is how many kids admit to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT that they are using drugs. How many kids actually are too timid to express how they feel to the U.S. government, who they know is willing to arrest them for their actions? I remember when I was taking similar surveys, and I was hesitant to answer honestly out of irrational fear. Kids are going to have trouble coming clean to a government that wants to see them arrested. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on October 05, 2006 at 11:08:06 PT lombar I don't know where that Scripture is but it probably is in all 4 of the gospels. When I look at politics or bad laws that are trying to control people I think of the story of Moses. The last plague was whatever the pharoah said he was going to do to the Israelites it would happen to them instead. I believe that when a country turns on it's people that it will turn around and hurt them instead. With whatever measure you judge you will be judged. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by potpal on October 05, 2006 at 10:40:31 PT I think therefore I yam Orwell's 1984......without the vocabulary for revolution, there can be no revolution. For those who persist in thinking for themselves, so-called Thought Criminals, Ingsoc's stormtroopers, the Thought Police, are there to intervene, incarcerating the free-thinkers in the Ministry of Love, where they will be re-educated, or worse. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by lombar on October 05, 2006 at 10:34:05 PT Absolutely FoM The establishment requires people to be in the ideological box they have created, the house of cards is built upon paper foundations, and people who question it are a threat. I think its not so much the effects of cannabis (for helping people think) but rather that people try it, compare its real effects to the propaganda and then realize the duplicity of the government on this. If they lie about drugs, what else do they lie about? Quite a lot it seems.Also, once again, the drug war is exactly opposite of christian teaching:"25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."You see they are so concerned with the 'outside', the physical taking of drugs that they are willing to use VIOLENCE to enforce their puritan ideology. Lies, predjudice, and violence are the establishments answer to drugs. Exactly anti-christian. The simple fact is that cannabis effects are mild at best, even the strongest cannabis can at worst, make you fall asleep if you smoke too much. It does not make people peaceful or stupid, they are these things before they use cannabis. It does not make people smarter but I believe it helps relax egoistic thinking. Perhaps that is part of the reason. Obsession with self and selfish desire is the cause of much (all?) evil in the world.Aside: Is there a similar passage as above in any of the other New Testament Gospels? I do not like to rely on Matthew if I can help it, I have read it is the least accurate but... which information is the more valid? I think the wisdom of JC is contained in Matthew but I am not certain of the accuracy.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by kaptinemo on October 05, 2006 at 10:31:31 PT: OT: Oh, and as if it needed any confirmation It's official: B.C. smokes the most pot Marijuana use outstrips tobacco among province's youth, study finds http://tinyurl.com/oyt63Nothing new for us, but some interesting quotes:Meanwhile, the study, which calls cannabis "Canada's favourite illicit recreational drug," also exploded the myth of the super-potent "B.C. Bud." (Emphasis mine - k.)According to RCMP data from 2004, the THC content of marijuana seized in B.C. is not significantly different from that of cannabis seized in other provinces. THC is the active ingredient in cannabis. (Again, emphasis mine - k.)I always said that "BC Bud" was a chimera, nothing but an excellent marketing gimmick the prohibs ignorantly swallowed whole and regurgitated as 'truth'. As Buggs Bunny would say, "What maroons!" [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by kaptinemo on October 05, 2006 at 10:21:38 PT: More silly-arsed propaganda The DEA has a new online magazine...which, of course, has no comment section: http://www.justthinktwice.com/stumbleweed/home.htmlIt's interesting that one of the links is marked "Totally lame". A Freudian slip, perhaps?Liberally apply an eyewash and clean cookies after reading.Hat tip to Tim Meehan courtesy of Libby at LastOneSpeaks http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/ for this one. I would have missed it otherwise except for visiting her site. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on October 05, 2006 at 10:07:37 PT observer I can think of one more important reason they fear Cannabis. It helps people to think things thru better then if a person doesn't use Cannabis. Thinking isn't a good thing. If we think we can soon reason and put two and two together. I like connecting dots. They fear free thinkers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by observer on October 05, 2006 at 10:02:16 PT Violent Pravda About Marijuana: Reefer Madness re: "violence" "Violent" "kidnapped" "murder" "murdered" "murderer"Why are prohibitionists so hell-bent on punishing mariuana smokers? Lots of reasons: bigotry, intolerance, irrational fears, and lifetimes of propaganda. The U.S. government uses the most sopisticated propaganda techniques it can muster to the end that marijuana users should be exposed and punished (and that prohibitionists should of course be handsomely rewarded for this service to God and man). In 1936, a movie used hypnotic suggestion to give the audience instructions to do something. That movie was "Reefer Madness."... "Reefer Madness" uses sophisticated hypnotic techniques to both encourage marijuana use and promote Dr. Carroll commands parents anti-marijuana use and promote anti-marijuana legislation... the Federal Bureau of Narcotics under Harry Anslinger created the marijuana problem to cause the public to demand legislation.Hypnosis and "Reefer Madness" http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/reefermindcontrol.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on October 05, 2006 at 09:26:30 PT Toker00 Here are a few articles that might help. Marijuana Aid Therapy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22153.shtml*** Study Finds No Cancer, Marijuana Connectionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21874.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by lombar on October 05, 2006 at 09:26:21 PT Yes. re comment 27Do you still believe this is a harmless drug? Yes. The press release proves without a shadow of a doubt the true nature of the DFAF, a propaganda machine that spews out total lies."Many cases are coming to light regarding violence and marijuana. In the last few weeks there have been numerous cases involving marijuana and violence"Funny I bet that 'other' drugs were involved. In the first and second cited cases, the person is a meth or coke addict but it must have been cannabis that was a 'gateway' . Total fabrications.Besides, the premise is fear based and inconsistent. There are 1000s of cases of violence associated with liquor everyday. Their examples are people who are most likley using alcohol and other drugs BUT the arrest records include some cannabis. Disingenuous fearmongering. Credibility = 0.I bet that is your tax dollars at work, I could not find a list of contributors. If its like the partnership for a drug free america, it is paid for by alcohol, tobacco, and pharmacuetical companies. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Toker00 on October 05, 2006 at 09:16:27 PT Violent Lies about Marijuana. Can they get any more ridiculous than this? I guess we'll find out.They say cannabis is interfering with the effectiveness of pharmaceutical cancer fighting drugs? Is this true? Or are they really afraid that cannabis based drugs would work MORE efficiently, thus eliminating much of the pharma-sorcery? A LIE by any other name is still a lie, even if it's told by a different group of liars. You can't just simply call a LIE the Truth, and expect it to BECOME the Truth.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by observer on October 05, 2006 at 08:48:50 PT Violent Truth About Marijuana: Propaganda Analysis [1] The Violent Truth About Marijuana *** Many pro-marijuana organizations will say that marijuana does not cause anyone to become irate or violent . (Sentence 1) re: "Violent" - It is prohibition, claim prohibitionists, that saves people from drug crazed, whacked out, high flying drug users. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "pro-marijuana" - Because they hold differing opinions on drug policy, say prohibitionists, "legalizers" should be silenced or jailed. (Dissent Attacked (propaganda theme 8) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme8.htm#8 ) [2] Marijuana is a safe way to help individuals dying from cancer and AIDS to cope with their pain . (Sentence 2) re: "cancer" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [5] A new study was just released that clearly states the consequences of smoking marijuana while treating cancer . (Sentence 5) re: "cancer" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [6] Basically, marijuana will interfere with the effectiveness of the chemo-therapy administered to help fight cancer . (Sentence 6) re: "cancer" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [7] Many cases are coming to light regarding violence and marijuana . (Sentence 7) re: "violence" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [8] In the last few weeks there have been numerous cases involving marijuana and violence . (Sentence 8) re: "violence" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [14] In Ohio, a man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend and her daughter . (Sentence 14) re: "murder" - Prohibitionists claim any use of currently illegal drugs cause death, illness, lunacy, mania, melancholy, and all means of sin and degradation. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [16] This is a disturbed young man that grew marijuana in his mother s flower bed as a teenager . (Sentence 16) re: "teenager" - Prohibitionist propaganda continually whips up parental fear, invoking lurid images of children corrupted by drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [17] His marijuana use eventually led to harder drugs such as crack cocaine . (Sentence 17) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "harder drugs" - Prohibitionists often claim that a targeted drug is a "gateway" to abuse of more dangerous drugs. (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#4 ) [18] In New York, a young man was convicted of the brutal murder of a Chinese food delivery man after a pot-smoking session . (Sentence 18) re: "murder" - Drugs, scream prohibitionists, cause all bad things in life: crime, violence, insanity, etc. If not for prohibition (i.e., jailing drug users), then criminality, violence and psychotic behavior would explode upon the land, the prohibitionist assures us. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [19] In Florida, a young girl was kidnapped and brutally raped and murdered . (Sentence 19) re: "kidnapped", "murdered" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [20] The convicted murderer, Joseph Smith, started his drug use with marijuana . (Sentence 20) re: "murderer" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "drug use" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [24] Copyright: 2006 Drug Free America Foundation, Inc . (Sentence 24) re: "America" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "Drug Free" - Onward prohibitionist drug warriors, fighting the epidemic and scourge in the battles of the war against drugs! (Drugs declared evil by politicians, that is.) (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 05, 2006 at 06:51:02 PT Press Release from Drug Free America Foundation The Violent Truth About Marijuana***Many pro-marijuana organizations will say that marijuana does not cause anyone to become irate or violent. “Marijuana” is a safe way to help individuals dying from cancer and AIDS to cope with their pain. That is what you will hear from someone who is desperate to sell you a story. What they fail to mention is the disastrous side effects of using marijuana for medicinal purposes. A new study was just released that clearly states the consequences of smoking marijuana while treating cancer. Basically, marijuana will interfere with the effectiveness of the chemo-therapy administered to help fight cancer. Many cases are coming to light regarding violence and marijuana. In the last few weeks there have been numerous cases involving marijuana and violence. Here are just a few:• In Alaska a young man was arrested after he caused a car wreck that left a couple dead. Although he was suspected of driving under the influence, before the police could arrest him, he was involved in another incident. His pickup truck was swerving on the road eventually swerving into on-coming traffic. When they checked his vehicle, police found three drug pipes with marijuana and methamphetamine residue on them. They also found a fully loaded .380 caliber automatic pistol on the driver’s side floorboard, not to mention more marijuana in small metal can in his pocket.• In Ohio, a man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend and her daughter. He beat them both to death for money to buy drugs. This is a disturbed young man that grew marijuana in his mother’s flower bed as a teenager. His marijuana use eventually led to harder drugs such as crack cocaine. • In New York, a young man was convicted of the brutal murder of a Chinese food delivery man after a pot-smoking session.• In Florida, a young girl was kidnapped and brutally raped and murdered. The convicted murderer, Joseph Smith, started his drug use with marijuana. Do you still believe this is a harmless drug? Tell that to the countless families that are either burying their loved ones or have to take care of them because they are no longer capable of doing the basic thing of tying their own shoes. Tell them that it’s just a harmless drug. Copyright: 2006 Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. http://www.dfaf.org/news.php?id=55 [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Hope on October 05, 2006 at 06:30:47 PT 18-22 percent of school children use marijuana? You take a hundred kids, kindergarten through 12th grade and you're telling me 18 to 22 of those 100 school children use marijuana? That's made up. That's got to be a lie. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by MikeEEEEE on October 05, 2006 at 06:27:05 PT The Polls According to the polls, this govt. does not have much creditability. I hope the people finally wise up.The title should read, Deputy Drug Czar tries to save job (job security) at the people’s expense. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by The GCW on October 05, 2006 at 06:09:01 PT Cannabis prohibition, Work of Rich Outsiders It is the rich outsiders; the Feds who originally made cannabis illegal to begin with; not Nevada citizens. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Toker00 on October 05, 2006 at 03:29:30 PT Waiting on the Rebellion. When enough soldiers learn what we now know about 911, it will happen. When enough DEA agents ADMIT what we now know about cannabis, it will happen with the War on Some Drugs, too. Ya think?http://www.lewrockwell.com/reed/reed110.htmlWage Peace on War! END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by lombar on October 04, 2006 at 22:28:52 PT maybe People are finally waking up to the fact that the war on drugs was just an excuse to start taking peoples rights just as the war on terror is finishing the job.They toss out the fearmongering to distract from their own malfeseance. While the DEA is busting medical pot dispensaries, leaders like Foley do their perverse activities unimpeded.Why look at the mote in the others eye? Because it keeps them from seeing the beam in theirs. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on October 04, 2006 at 22:28:11 PT I don't believe it. "Research indicates that only 18-22 percent of school children use marijuana." [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Hope on October 04, 2006 at 22:11:43 PT Right of the bat... it's like..."Let's see if we can stir up some hatred for rich people and outsiders", since people may be tiring of hating people who smoke pot as much as they used to be led to do. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on October 04, 2006 at 22:07:35 PT Does this mean... they think we think we have wires in our heads?Or is it like when you talk to babies...neuro pathways grow and they get smarter for it?"Rewires' the brain..."Man...that's heavy.:0) [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on October 04, 2006 at 22:05:39 PT Hey! "Rewires the brain" is something new! "It has also been shown that the new marijuana rewires the brains of individuals, causing a greater substance dependency,"Isn't it?I haven't heard it often anyway. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by goneposthole on October 04, 2006 at 21:31:39 PT vote rigging video http://alternet.org/blogs/video/40755/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by observer on October 04, 2006 at 21:03:51 PT propaganda anaylsis [3] Recently, Deputy Drug Czar Tom Burns visited Pahrump as a guest of the Nye Communities Coalition to discuss the matter . (Sentence 3) re: "Communities" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) [7] Burns emphasized that these individuals, George Soros, Investment Funds, Peter B . (Sentence 7) re: "George Soros" - Anyone who disagrees with prohibition is attacked as part of the problem. No dissent is permitted. (Dissent Attacked (propaganda theme 8) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme8.htm#8 ) [8] Lewis, founder and CEO of Progressive Insurance, and John Sperling, founder of the for-profit University of Phoenix, are philanthropists who picked the legalization of marijuana as their pet project . (Sentence 8) re: "legalization", "legalization of marijuana" - With God on Their Side (prohibitionists assure us), only the continued rooting out of the sinful drug users (total prohibition) will do. All else is portrayed as the slippery slope to total legalization of all drugs for toddlers. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) re: "John Sperling" - People who step forward in disagreement with prohibition are attacked and sometimes jailed. (Dissent Attacked (propaganda theme 8) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme8.htm#8 ) [12] Only 3 percent of the 155,000 arrests statewide in 2005 were for marijuana possession . (Sentence 12) re: "marijuana possession" - "This strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration." [W.White,1979] (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [19] He noted that since Nevada is considered the state where virtually anything goes, through decriminalization it could become the "drug capital of America." (Sentence 19) re: "America" - Because of prohibition (prohibitionists assure us), society is protected: the community is safe, and the nation is saved. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) [20] This, he said, would open Nevada up to a multitude of costs related to the treatment of substance abuse and injuries resulting in disability and death . (Sentence 20) re: "substance abuse" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [21] Research indicates that only 18-22 percent of school children use marijuana . (Sentence 21) re: "use marijuana" - Prohibitionists try to hammer in the idea that 'all use is abuse.' The rhetoric of prohibition needs to deny that many people can use currently illegal drugs without abusing them. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "children" - "Nothing can so excite an adult population as can anything which appears to threaten their own children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [22] Greater numbers use alcohol and tobacco, said Burns, but those numbers could rise if marijuana use is legalized . (Sentence 22) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibitionist propagandists repeatedly assert that "use is abuse." Details about "using" as opposed to "abusing" drugs are ignored. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [26] Lloyd Platson, a member of the Nye Communities Coalition, advised, "There are education efforts being made throughout the state through the collaboration of 13 statewide coalitions . (Sentence 26) re: "Communities" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) [28] The coalition works to educate adults and children on the negative impact of drugs and the debilitating affects of drug dependency . (Sentence 28) re: "children" - "Since the Harrison Act of 1914, the user and the seller of illicit drugs have both been characterized as evil, criminal, insane, and always in search of new victims, the victims are characterized as young children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 04, 2006 at 19:50:11 PT LEO Sued It's great to start seeing police being sued individually for their own illegal actions and abuses of authority. OFFICER FACES LAWSUIT A Jacksonville attorney charged almost two years ago with selling counterfeit drugs is suing the Jacksonville police officer that arrested him. While the District Attorney's office in June dropped the charges filed against attorney David Best, 57, of New Bridge Street in October 2004, Best claims in his lawsuit that Jacksonville police officer Jason Holland's actions damaged his business. Best "suffered monetary loss in terms of lost income from his business, severe damage to his reputation, expenses incurred as a direct result of the charges, suffered extreme embarrassment and was publicly humiliated and embarrassed," according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 15 by attorney Ralph T. Bryant of Havelock. Best is seeking a jury trial, court costs and damages incurred in excess of $10,000. While Holland is the only one named in the lawsuit, the city of Jacksonville will provide his defense, said Paul Spring, deputy chief of the Jacksonville Police Department. "But we feel this lawsuit is without merit," Spring said. "But that's all I can say about it because it's under litigation at this time." In a drug bust that Jacksonville police said targeted mid-to upper-level narcotics distributors, Best was charged with conspiracy to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance Oct. 20, 2004. He was placed in Onslow County jail under $5,000 bond. At the time, law enforcement officials said that Best conspired with Melissa Marie Biegel, who was homeless, to sell counterfeit pain killers. Biegel was accused of selling prescription pain medication to an informant working for the police. In order to prove that Best was guilty of conspiring with Biegel, the state would have to prove that Best knew the purpose of the transaction between Biegel and the informant. Assistant District Attorney Jamie Askins dropped the charges against Best in June. He said that while Jacksonville police believed they possessed the information needed to prove its case against Best, Askins determined otherwise. In the lawsuit, it is claimed that Holland knew from the beginning that he didn't have the evidence needed to make an arrest. "But despite extensive surveillance, the defendant was not able to gather any evidence to charge Mr. Best with selling or delivering or conspiring to sell or deliver any controlled substance," the lawsuit states. "Despite this lack of any evidence to support any drug-related charges, the defendant falsely and maliciously created charges totally lacking in any merit and lacking in any probable cause." The lawsuit alleges that Holland knew that the pills Biegel allegedly sold to an informant were anti-depressants and not a controlled substance. The lawsuit contends that Holland never saw Best with the prescription drugs and had no information that he was aware of the sale. "But despite the fact that he had no evidence that ( Best ) had engaged in any illegal activity, ( Holland ), fully aware that ( Best ) was an attorney and what allegations of this nature would do to his reputation, charged ( Best ) with conspiring with ( Biegel ) to sell a counterfeit substance," the lawsuit states. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1326/a06.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by RevRayGreen on October 04, 2006 at 19:24:43 PT: Send email to support Wilton IA Mayor and encourage them to legalize medical canabis/decrim/hemp in Wilton Iowa..............http://www.wiltoniowa.org/a medical marijuana/decrim ordinance there......Iowa ------- If you found out one of your best friends was selling marijuana, would it change your opinion of your friend or the marijuana? It sounds like some people in little Wilton, Iowa, are struggling with the news that their mayor, Dick Summy, has been arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana. It's a pretty serious deal for the 56-year-old. Trafficking is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Violating the state's tax-stamp law is a Class D felony and carries a maximum sentence of five years. And Sean McCullough, a supervisor for the Iowa Department of Public Safety's Narcotics Enforcement Division, said Monday that more charges could be coming. He didn't get into the specific evidence the state has against Summy but said, "We have enough evidence to lead to the arrest. "His drug network spread over the Des Moines area," he added. The mayor's alleged drug dealings still are under investigation, he said, but the Polk County end of things is wrapped up. "Additional arrests, if any, would be closer to home," McCullough said, referring to the Wilton area. Some of the mayor's peers had a surprising reaction to the news. Richard Garrison, the councilman who is filling in for him as mayor, called Summy "a nice, honorable person" and said he would "give him a hug" if he could. The city attorney reminded folks the mayor's only been charged -- not convicted. It's a safe bet that the mayor of a town the size of Wilton ( about 2,900 ) has friends and enemies. In fact, we know from recent history that he got sideways with the former police chief over an incident involving another cop. Ultimately, the chief resigned. And surely there are residents of Wilton, about 40 miles west of the Quad-Cities, who have some kind of bone to pick with the mayor. That's just how it works in small towns. But it's the people who are rushing to Summy's defense that interest me. It's a get-in-their-heads kind of desire, wondering how a person decides whether to stand by somebody who's accused of doing something they ordinarily would find disdainful. Are some of the people of a town that the U.S. Census Bureau says is almost entirely white and has only a 12.6 percent divorce rate now reconsidering their views on marijuana? Is it possible that a crime once instantly dismissed as worthy of a decade in prison could now seem somehow explainable? Somehow not so bad? It'll probably depend on the details. If the cops say Summy was delivering pounds of pot to an elderly group of glaucoma sufferers in Des Moines, he may get some backing. If it turns out he was dealing to college students in Iowa City, things could go the other way. A year-long investigation by state narcotics agents is a fairly generous investment that will no doubt produce even more town tongue-wagging as details emerge. The mayor will no doubt keep some friends. Maybe he'll lose some, too. A 56-year-old mayor from a small Iowa town doesn't fit the dope dealer profile. And maybe that's what some find forgivable? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by goneposthole on October 04, 2006 at 19:21:17 PT It had better be a paper ballot Those voting machines can't count the votes like a paper ballot can.I expect the question to be defeated if voting machines are used.Those billionaires are wasting their time and money on a rigged vote.They'll need some outside observers to make sure the vote is counted honestly, otherwise, you can forget about it.If Question 7 is to win, the domino theory will be alive and well. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by legalizeit on October 04, 2006 at 18:39:30 PT Whoops! mayan beat me to it! Oh well... [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by legalizeit on October 04, 2006 at 18:37:59 PT What do we need to rewire prohibitionists' brains? The idiot Drug Warriors are getting more desperate all the time. With the old wall of Reefer Madness getting more riddled with holes by the day, it's gonna crumble soon, so they come up with ever more silly lies to try and plug the holes.Once again, we have a very one-sided article, which only states the anti point of view, and, as usual, none of their BS is refuted. Especially the nonsense about "rewiring brains" - what the hell? They mention the billionaires supporting the proposition, yet no mention is made of the 800-pound prohibition gorilla paid for by billions of tax dollars every year. What we really need is something that rewires society in general. Locking up people for their choice of a relatively safe and sane intoxicant is beyond insane. If the Drug Warriors want something to really fight, let's put them on a plane to the Baghdad or Kabul airport and let them have fun in Bush's little nation building game. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by mayan on October 04, 2006 at 18:09:39 PT One Sided Article Where is the opposing view? Just how much of the taxpayer's money do the federal OUTSIDERS spend interfering with state ballot initiatives?THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Patriots Confront Terrorist Neo-Con Leader: http://infowars.com/articles/sept11/patriots_confront_terrorist_leader_kristol.htmGutless UW Profs Won't Debate Barrett,Fetzer Thurs. 10/5/06: http://madison.indymedia.org/newswire/display/50290/index.phpGreen Party Candidate Speaks Out in Crawford Texas: http://911blogger.com/node/3407Atta's Father Says Video Fake, Credibility of 'Hijackers Tape' Crumbles: http://infowars.net/articles/October2006/031006faketerror.htmWhat the media hid from you this past 11th of September in New York: http://infowars.com/articles/sept11/what_the_media_hid_from_you_911_06.htm9/11 Truth International Conference in Japan - Oct. 7, 2006: http://911.globalpeace.jp/911TICJ/English.html"Cui bono? WTC" to be screened at the West Chester Film Festival - Oct. 7th-8th: http://www.erratikproductions.com/wp/2006/09/14/cui-bono-wtc-in-west-chester-film-fest/9/11 Fact Sheet: http://911proof.com/FactSheet.html9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB - OUR NATION IS IN PERIL: http://www.911sharethetruth.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by potpal on October 04, 2006 at 17:58:47 PT What are the Odds I wonder what the odds are on lucky 7 passing? They gotta be betting on it somewhere in NV...anybody know? [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Toker00 on October 04, 2006 at 17:54:50 PT No subject, just a rant. "Burns emphasized that these individuals, George Soros, Investment Funds, Peter B. Lewis, founder and CEO of Progressive Insurance, and John Sperling, founder of the for-profit University of Phoenix, are philanthropists who picked the legalization of marijuana as their pet project."A very Nobel and Humane Project.Warning: Next paragraph OFF TOPIC.You have CEO's like these, and then you have CEO's like those making a Killing in Iraq. Iraq For Sale. Got my copy the other day. It is at a screening tonight at a Professors house. If you haven't seen it yet, you will soon. It is an eye dotter and a t crosser of who is being killed in Iraq, and who is making a killing. It names names, and kicks ass. Enjoy a copy of the Iraq For Sale DVD soon. Dankhank, did you get your DVD burner fixed or replaced?After a couple of hits of some new crop, I feel compelled to say:Marilize Legajuana!Warning: Next paragraph ON TOPIC Let us pray that Free-Thinkers abound in Nevada. When they see the price we pay for Prohibition, The Corporate spewed Lies, The Victims and the Damage Done, the misuse of government agencies and our tax dollars, they will want to avenge the Victims of This War on Liberty and Freedom, this Homeland Front Runner in a two faced war OF Terror and Deception. Deception from Conception. That is how we all start out. Deceived since we were Conceived. Now, in all this madness, we must find the courage to TAKE our FREEDOM back. To re-establish our Natural Rights, and our Background Constitution. The one before corporate America Shredded it. It's ours, but we have to KEEP IT.Wage Peace on War! END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on October 04, 2006 at 17:38:10 PT: Prohib tactic #23/A: Blame 'outsiders' It's become sooooo predictable.'Outsiders'. Seeing as just about every State has been relegated to being a Federal province instead of an actual, sovereign political entity, just where are these 'outsiders' coming from? Russia? China? Mars? Every time the prohibs begin to take this seriously, they trot out this same tired, wheezing old ploy.Well, let's turn the tables, shall we? Does Johnny Pee live in Nevada? Nope. Has he ever lived in Nevada? Nope. How many of the staff he drags along from the Imperial Capitol to try to thwart drug law reform live in Nevada? None. Does he have to fly himself and his entorage - at Nevadan taxpayer expense, as well as every other American's - into Nevada? Yep. So...who's the outsiders using vast sums of moiney to subvert the democratic process? One guess, and it's not The Three Wise Men.Usually, I'm tempted to say, "Pot, meet kettle". But perhaps something more appropriate would be: DrugWar hypocrite, meet mirror. Because ultimately, it's the same old game: it's not drug law reformers who've falsely pledged to protect the democratic process enshrined in the Constitution and instead spit on the process and wipe themselves with that holy document. And they who do so use the hard-earned tax dollars of every citizen to accomplish that feat. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on October 04, 2006 at 17:16:05 PT Vegas I just had a funny thought when reading the guy's comment about Las Vegas becoming the drug capital of the US.Is it the booze capital now? It's definitely the "prostitution capital". It's funny, that hasn't affected the trasnformation of Las Vegas into a huge corporate juggernaut of family-oriented activity. But I was thinking that if this passes, maybe they can do a re-make of "Leaving Las Vegas" with Nicholas Gauge desperately trying to smoke himself to death in various Vegas coffeeshops.The movie will end with him as a dreadlocked 85-year-old man, raising about 10 grandkids with Elizabeth Shue. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by boballen131313 on October 04, 2006 at 17:15:01 PT: They know how to tell a tale Paul Bunyon, Pecos Bill you need to get in on this tall tale! We can't really call this kind of storymaking lies... cuz both sides understand that its just the fertile imagination having an outing at the evening campfire. So let's all just settle back and have a real shiver while we pass that brain rewiring doobie and laugh at the night. Wow! These Bushies wouldn't use the truth even if it did weigh the balance to their side when a tall tale can suffice. That bit about the zombied out billionaires should be made into a movie... Now show what Nevadans can do with the truth about cannabis instead of the children's stories. Vote for Safety, vote for science, vote the truth! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by global_warming on October 04, 2006 at 17:13:38 PT ground zero say "no" to this madness and feeding frenzy, the war on drugs is an immoral lie, small comfort to take to your eternal place.May God Help You. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on October 04, 2006 at 17:11:32 PT 3 musketeers I'm sure none of the 800,000 people who were arrested last year for marijuana support this either. Nope, it's just the three crazy rich guys. I think they just want to get high, that's why they're spending the $3 million. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by rchot on October 04, 2006 at 17:10:07 PT 18-22 percent of students I'd bet that number would be way higher anyway, If you could actually findout how many students refuse to simply state wether they smoke or not on a survey. Yes, after you legalize it the number on the survey would rise because there is no stigma behind it. we have to debunk these half truths as soon as they start [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by potpal on October 04, 2006 at 16:48:14 PT 95 joints per ounce That's a magic Z, for sure.Those bad bad billionaires have nothing better to do but try to end a prohibition the has inflicted 70 years of injustice on the American people.I'm hoping Nevada gives us a real demonstration of what freedom can stand for and not some newspeak nanny interpretation by voting yes and ending the insanity. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment