cannabisnews.com: Locals Frown on Bill To Legalize Marijuana










  Locals Frown on Bill To Legalize Marijuana

Posted by CN Staff on January 21, 2007 at 07:13:00 PT
By Gordon Fraser, Staff Writer 
Source: Eagle-Tribune 

New Hampshire -- A proposal to decriminalize marijuana in New Hampshire is getting an icy reception from local lawmakers and officials. "I wouldn't support it," said Sen. Mike Downing, R-Salem. "Will it make my job easier? No," said Salem prosecutor Robert Prince."Marijuana is a stepping-stone drug, so obviously, from a law-enforcement perspective, we would be against legalizing," said Kingston police Chief Donald Briggs.
And the list goes on."I'm not sure that's the kind of atmosphere we'd want to encourage in this state," said Rep. John Gleason, R-Derry."If it's the same bill that I've seen before, I voted against it," said Rep. Anthony DiFrucia, R-Salem.The bill's sponsor, Rep. Charles Weed, D-Keene, told colleagues in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee last week that taking marijuana out of drug-enforcement statutes would give police more resources to tackle violent crime.He also said that existing laws governing marijuana use are too harsh and lead users to being jailed with people who use or sell much more dangerous drugs, like cocaine or heroin.Rep. Bob Fesh, R-Derry, sits on the committee hearing the bill. He doesn't think the proposal will get very far."I voted against this last term," Fesh said, adding that he doesn't expect the bill will even make it out of committee.But Weed, a professor of political science at Keene State College, thinks his proposal could fare better this year than similar proposals have in the past.First, there's a Democratic majority this year. But, perhaps more importantly, some members of the law-enforcement community are speaking out in favor of it.Police Officer Bradley Jardis, speaking on behalf of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a national group that supports the legalization of marijuana, testified that prosecuting marijuana offenders, who are typically nonviolent, does more harm than good."In my experience, I've never gone to a fight call or domestic violence call where it's only because of marijuana," he said.But Weed - who is co-sponsoring his proposal with Republican Reps. Steve Vaillancourt of Manchester and Paul Ingbretson of Pike - said he realizes there are real obstacles to overcome in convincing people that marijuana shouldn't be illegal."I think it's very hard to change people's minds, and I think it's probably been 60 or 70 years that (messages about the dangers of marijuana) were drilled into them," he said.Weed and Ingbretson also are sponsoring bills to legalize medical marijuana use and allow farmers to grow industrial hemp, which is not a drug.The Associated Press contributed to this report.NH citizens in support of HB 92, decriminalizing marijuana in the state of NH: http://www.petitiononline.com/NH_HB92/petition.htmlSource: Eagle-Tribune, The (MA)Author: Gordon Fraser, Staff WriterPubliished: January 21, 2007Copyright: 2007 The Eagle-TribuneContact: letters eagletribune.comWebsite: http://www.eagletribune.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:LEAPhttp://www.leap.cc/Common Sense Marijuana Policyhttp://www.nhcommonsense.org/Bill Would Make Pot Legal in Statehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22543.shtmlBill Would Allow Marijuana Saleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22527.shtmlLawmakers Aiming To Legalize Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22520.shtml 

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Comment #16 posted by Hope on January 21, 2007 at 12:47:37 PT
Afterburner
A flaw? Indeed. Indeed.
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Comment #15 posted by afterburner on January 21, 2007 at 11:45:12 PT
America Heal Thyself
"God mend thine every flaw"Cannabis prohibition is one large flaw!
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on January 21, 2007 at 10:31:22 PT
Stepping Stone.
Repeat. "Stepping Stone". "Stepping Stone". "Stepping Stone....you are under my spell....Stepping Stone!"It's so sickening to those of us who aren't under their ignorant "spell".
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on January 21, 2007 at 10:28:09 PT
The GCW
Apparently it is a big part of the equation.Lives harder, or even ruined for some, so someone else's JOB would be easier? Jobs are about work. If it makes your job easier for someone else to be miserable...then, obviously, your job is more about producing misery than justice. That's not good...by any stretch of the imagination.What prohibition has turned so many people into isn't good.It's sad. It's bad. It's wrong. It's unjust. It's abominable. It's horrible.It's got to change...for the better!
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Comment #12 posted by user123 on January 21, 2007 at 10:25:23 PT:
Oh Boy!
"Marijuana is a stepping-stone drug, so obviously, from a law-enforcement perspective, we would be against legalizing," said Kingston police Chief Donald Briggs. He's right, I do like to "step out" and get "stoned". Have been doing so for over 28 years. Still haven't moved on to anything harder, but according to their logic, I guess I will any day now.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 21, 2007 at 10:22:53 PT
John Tyler 
I thought it was so funny. It seems that we are starting to laugh again at marijuana. For years it hasn't been something to even mention yet joke about. I hope these sports people do contribute to NORML or any organization that will further marijuana law reform.
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on January 21, 2007 at 10:19:37 PT
comment 8 and comment 9
Amen, to both.
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Comment #9 posted by John Tyler on January 21, 2007 at 10:06:03 PT
SNL skit
The SNL skit about Michael Vick was very funny. He could be in trouble with the team owners though. Maybe not though, I don’t know. It all depends on his fan support. It made me think though that these big time athletes, and entertainers, etc. could save themselves and us a lot of trouble in the future if they would support the cannabis legalization causes with some big donations and be seen with and support courageous politicians who support cannabis legalization. I’m sure NORML and other groups could help them in this area.
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Comment #8 posted by unkat27 on January 21, 2007 at 09:37:05 PT
KILL THAT LIE!!!!!
"Marijuana is a stepping-stone drug, so obviously, from a law-enforcement perspective, we would be against legalizing," said Kingston police Chief Donald Briggs. The dumbed-down never learn. That BS lie about the "gateway" to harder drugs still fuels the stupidity and neglect.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on January 21, 2007 at 09:17:29 PT
Pilgrim feet.
O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on January 21, 2007 at 09:15:54 PT
Goneposthole...America the Beautiful!
Look down...I think those "pilgrim feet" are ours now. New "pilgrim feet" for a new age.
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on January 21, 2007 at 09:03:53 PT
Is?
Is police a stepping-stone to NAZIism?Is the only reason to re-legalize or not re-legalize based on what makes some dink's job easier?
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Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on January 21, 2007 at 08:57:15 PT
Einstein
"If it's the same bill that I've seen before, I voted against it," said Rep. Anthony DiFrucia, R-Salem.Uh, no, this bill has never been filed before. But don't worry about it, you're doing a great job. Really.
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Comment #3 posted by goneposthole on January 21, 2007 at 08:11:53 PT
against legalization
The Kingston police chief obviously enjoys arresting cannabis users. They pay the fines and spend a little time in jail.Cannabis prohibition is buttering his bread.Not an open-minded approach to the 'problem.'Live free or die is the atmosphere they should be encouraging in New Hampshire.America the BeautifulO beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!I don't see one word about the US government. Not word one.America will move forward regardless of where the US gov goes. These days, it is going to hell in a handbasket.The road to hell is paved with good intentions.The British government was booted from America. The French sold their stake. The Dutch owned Manhattan.The US government can falter and fail too, just like those other governments that gave it a try.If the US government can't support freedom and defend freedom, then it doesn't have to exist here either.Too bad for them, but that's how it works in the real world.
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Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on January 21, 2007 at 07:53:53 PT
The list speaks for itself
Mike Downing -- Senate republicon.Robert Prince -- prosecutor.Donald Briggs -- police Chief 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 21, 2007 at 07:28:14 PT
Did Anyone See SNL Last Night?
Did anyone see the skit about a football player Michael Vick? It was REALLY funny!
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