cannabisnews.com: Drug Control Policy Critic Proves His Point Drug Control Policy Critic Proves His Point Posted by CN Staff on October 14, 2007 at 05:55:59 PT By Chris Durant, The Times-Standard Source: Times-Standard Los Angeles, CA -- Matthew Robinson, author of “Lies, damn lies and drug war statistics: A critical analysis of claims made by the ONDCP,” preached to the choir Saturday, presenting his case that's laid out in his book. Robinson was the featured speaker during the Saturday morning session of the 2007 National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws conference in Los Angeles, where he discussed how the Office of National Drug Control Policy uses questionable data presentation to make it look as though the war on drugs is working. ”When drug use is up they say 'we having financial problems so we need more money',” Robinson said. “They say the same thing when drug use goes down.” He broke up his presentation with eight questions, including if the drug war was balanced or not. He pointed out that more than 60 percent of the drug war's budget goes to law enforcement. ”To the ONDCP, this is balance,” Robinson said. “And not only is the drug war not balanced, it's continually becoming unbalanced under the Bush administration.” Robinson's presentation was accompanied by slides of statistics, where he showed the crowd the “selective presentation of statistics” in ONDCP reports. ”They can't even make up their minds about how they're going to collect data,” Robinson said. One of the questions Robinson looked into was whether the drug war helps drug users with treatment, by again using questionable data in their statistics. He said the report focussed on drug users. ”The drug war does not heal drug users,” Robinson said. “Users don't need treatment, abusers do,” Robinson said. He also touched on drug arrests. ”The burden on police is increasing every year,” Robinson said. “Twenty percent of all state inmates are in for drugs.” And, according to Robinson, the ONDCP manipulates statistics in this category as well by saying Robinson inflated his numbers, but only citing federal arrest numbers. ”Most people who get arrested are arrested are arrested by state and local law enforcement,” Robinson said. Robinson also took on statements made by the ONDCP on that the war on drugs is doing nothing to drive up prices of drugs.“We spend more tax-payer dollars every year, and the stuff is getting cheaper,” Robinson said. Not only was the price of drugs worked into the presentation, but the potency was as well. ”If it's true that the THC in marijuana is increasing does that mean that the drug war makes better pot?” Robinson asked. The remainder of the morning session was on upcoming marijuana initiatives in various cities, counties and states. The panel was chaired by NORML founder Keith Stroup, who pointed out there is no national initiative process. ”So we don't have that option on a national level,” Stroup said. The conference's high point was Saturday night at the High Times Magazine “Stony Awards” where the most cannabis-friendly entertainers, movies and shows are honored with, not a statue, but a bong. Today, the NORML Legal Committee is holding its medical marijuana seminar with topics like how to work with local governments and “Federal considerations.” Every seminar and panel during the conference will be available on YouTube.com within the week, according to NORML officials. Complete Title: Drug Control Policy Critic Proves His Point at NORML Conference Video - http://tinyurl.com/267g4eSource: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)Author: Chris Durant, The Times-StandardPublished: October 14, 2007Copyright: 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: editor times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/Related Articles & Web Site:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/ NORML Heads Work To Ignite The Troopshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23405.shtml Marijuana Conference Draws Crowdhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23403.shtmlCannabisNews NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #38 posted by afterburner on October 17, 2007 at 07:49:10 PT Curiosity About Drugs Shouldn't Be a Crime CN BC: OPED: Curiosity About Drugs Shouldn't Be a Crime, Vancouver Sun, (16 Oct 2007) http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n1194/a10.html?176 Excerpts: "Whatever we say and whatever we hope, some of our teenaged children will try some of the drugs out there. Illegality makes it more difficult to have a real dialogue with our children about the issues involved, answering their legitimate questions and addressing their natural curiosity. Some drugs are relatively safe. Others are frighteningly dangerous because of their possible immediate effects, or because they are highly addictive or both." "We must stop criminalizing our youth unnecessarily. If we with the experience and power of our generation do not, it will be your child, or my child, or your good friend's child who provides the next bit of fodder for the criminal justice system, or is afraid to seek help when needed. When that happens, it will be our fault." [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Toker00 on October 17, 2007 at 03:21:13 PT afterburner What you just told me, is exactly what a professor friend told me. I asked him how we could ever change this madness and he said we have to start putting people like "you" in office. I thought he was kidding, but he said no, that is what I mean. I said, good luck with that. Who would vote for a no body? He said, a lot of other no bodies. I thought, gee thanks. Then it hit me what he meant, and that is what you have just posted. Interesting. Though I would never run for public office, I see the point.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by whig on October 16, 2007 at 22:02:57 PT afterburner How about we put the seat of government on the internet? [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by afterburner on October 16, 2007 at 21:05:19 PT Toker00 To reform the government from the people, we need to change our expectations.Instead of expecting Presidents, Congresspeople and Senators to be lawyers, we need leaders who represent the broad fabric of the body politic: farmers, construction workers, fishers, forest rangers, miners, office workers, auto makers, salespeople, singers, truck drivers, programmers, actors, homemakers, physiotherapists, filmmakers, baseball players, doctors, writers, wrestlers, cooks, accountants, pilots, hair dressers, tax collectors, welders, machinists, toy makers, etc.Term limits on professional politicians and campaign finance restrictions on corporate political donations would make elected leaders more responsive to their constituents, rather than to corporate payback.I had a friend in High School who was a member of DeMolay International. One of their traditions was that each Master Councilor would serve only a single year in the top leadership role. Afterward, the leader would merge back into the flock to allow another leader to rise to take his/her place.Instead of a frozen Capital city, self-absorbed and remote from the public, we need to move the Nation's Capital city around, better to connect with regional needs, intests and expectations. (Imagine San Francisco as the Nation's Capital city.)Visualize. Realize. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by Toker00 on October 16, 2007 at 04:00:31 PT afterburner I am so ready. It's all a lie. All of it. Our entire existence is nothing but a big, hairy lie.Museman, I see it clearly. I's not been for the last decade or so, it has been for thousands of years that "They" have lied to us. "They", who we think are our leaders, are our coffin makers instead. They don't lead us. They manipulate us. They push, they don't lead. We have cleared their paths and laid down before them like door mats. We go willingly in the direction they point. We needed to Believe. They gave us Religion along with the ignorance and many wars it has spawned. We needed knowledge. They gave us Education and peppered it with lies and fables. Poisoned knowledge.We needed the Truth. They gave us lies instead. Lies that continue, even after thousands of years, to be believed.Next year we are going to pretend to elect the same "leaders" who know too well that we are discovering the Truth about who they really are, and in fact, who WE really are. No matter how much confidence you have in these puppets, they will never, ever do the Will of the People. If they did, there would be Peace, Love and Understanding in the world, not War, Hate and Lies. They protect themselves with the most gullible in our society. The poor and the ignorant. They have learned to manipulate these bottom tier Humans into controlling the rest of us. They are not superior to us, they are inferior to us in every way or they would never pick up a gun or put on a uniform if they knew the truth about their "leaders". We have to begin to educate the ignorant and lift up the poor, for though they seem lesser than us, until we remove the ignorance from their minds and the fear from their hearts, they will point their guns and pull the triggers on us. Rescue the Ignorant and the Poor from the clutch of the Elite and we can all find Freedom and Justice.Free the people in the churches by simply telling them the Truth. Show them how their religions are nothing but Fear based beliefs encouraged by the Elite to continue their control over us.Go to your Police and educate them. Tell them they are about to be ordered to kill and jail us in the name of ignorance and lies that have been in place for Ages. Tell them to wake up to the Natural world. Tell them to do what we pay them to do. Protect and Defend us, not torture and imprison us.We didn't create this madness but we have to end it.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by afterburner on October 15, 2007 at 22:10:49 PT Toker00 #29 The revolution was stalled because we didn't understand the difference between hard drugs and soft drugs, between synthetics and herbs, between addiction and use. The Internet has taught us to grow up, get smart and never back down. The rEVOLUTION is evolution. "No army" (not even of lawyers) "can resist the strength of an idea whose time has come." Building the future: are you ready?"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself only, what am I? If not now, when?" --The Talmud [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by FoM on October 15, 2007 at 14:31:23 PT Toker00 and Everyone Chris Matthews just interview David Crosby and Graham Nash on MSNBC. This would be very interesting to see if I lived back there. October 16Graham Nash, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Keb' Mo', Emily Saliers, John Hall and Krishna Das along with interfaith religious leaders to host Pray for Peace Benefit at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC6 PM Prayer Ceremony7:30 PM ConcertTickets at TicketMaster The 6 pm prayer ceremony and 7:30 pm concert began as a collaborative effort between Graham Nash and Bishop Chane after His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Washington National Cathedral in 2003 promoting the concept of universal responsibility. Both vowed to make Pray for Peace a reality when the Nobel Peace Prize recipient made a return visit to Washington, D.C. The Dalai Lama is to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for what Congress calls "his enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights and religious understanding" in the Capitol Rotunda on October 17, 2007."People of faith need to make their voices heard both within their temples, cathedrals, mosques and holy places, and beyond," says Bishop Chane. "They must take the lead in advocating for an end to violence." Graham Nash states, "To me, it has always been the most 'un-religious' of actions to kill human beings in the name of God. It is time for the religious community to help put a stop to this madness by coming together and denouncing these killings. Many religious leaders are joining us at the cathedral to literally ‘Pray for Peace.' I hope you have the courage to join us." Pray for Peace tickets go on sale September 7 at 10:00 am at all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone, and online at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Proceeds benefit the International Campaign for Tibet and Washington National Cathedral's Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation peace-making programs.For further information on Pray for Peace including statements from participants and pictures, please visit http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/register/prayforpeace2007f.shtmlhttp://www.crosbystillsnash.com/node/117 [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Toker00 on October 15, 2007 at 14:08:23 PT OverwhelmSam I feel a little better knowing that. Thanks!Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 15, 2007 at 09:06:25 PT Toker00 Congress may have oversight of the executive branch and chose to fund or not fund certain activities, but the President has immediate power to execute, or not execute. The FAA, FDA, DOJ, DEA, NSA, CIA, FBI, SEC, IRS, DOD, ONDCP, Transportation, Treasury, Secretary of State and many others are the twigs and leaves of the executive branch subject to the Presidents direct commands. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Toker00 on October 15, 2007 at 02:30:23 PT afterburner What happened? It seems like we are just now picking up from 1970. Did the Drug War (which is really a culture war)paralyze the revolution? Or was it the drugs themselves?Regardless, I agree the revolution won't be televised or militarized. It will simply be realized. Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by Toker00 on October 15, 2007 at 02:22:39 PT OverwhelmSam Would that be part of "executive priveledge"? Thanks for pointing that out. For some reason, I thught that Congress had to take a vote to make ANY changes. Hmmm...Then it will be possible to make immediate change. That's cool! But how do we get a guarantee about that? In Politics, I suppose there really are no guarantees. But thanks for informing me about it.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by afterburner on October 15, 2007 at 00:56:31 PT Toker00, Comment 3 & Hope #6 "There is a revolution coming. It will not be like revolutions of the past. It will originate with the individual and with culture, and it will change the political structure as its final act. It will not require violence to succeed, and it cannot be successfully resisted by violence. This is the revolution of the new generation."--Cover of "The Greening of America" by Charles A. Reich, published in 1970 -- the same year the Controlled Substances Act set up its totally illogical and political "schedules," re-illegalizing cannabis (marijuana)! [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 14, 2007 at 21:11:32 PT Mason Tvert Totally Burned that Cop Great interview FoM. Mason's my man! He totally burned that police sergeant in the interview. I got the feeling that cop wanted to smoke a joint after the interview. Great Video! I think I'll lite this bowl and enjoy that again, click! [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on October 14, 2007 at 20:54:51 PT Taylor121 The thing about Dennis Kucinich he is an adorable politician at least from my point of view. There aren't really any adorable politicians except him. That's why I like him. His heart seems right to me. I am really not a conservative or a liberal. I don't fit in boxes very well. I am for the people and I don't want the poor neglected. I will always be ashamed because of how our government didn't respond quickly enough and way over a thousand people died during Katrina. I saw a piece on 60 Minutes about Dubai. They have quality health care for everyone and we can't? That's a down right shame. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by taylor121 on October 14, 2007 at 20:19:57 PT FOM "Dennis Kucinich is from my state and we just love him. The further to the left we go the better because boundaries get pushed and that is what brings change."I'm not as far left as he is. I'm only slightly liberal on economic issues, far from a socialist. But that's besides the point. The point is he is a figure that will turn off potential supporters, but if he's the only one willing to take the job, I fully support him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on October 14, 2007 at 19:03:49 PT Marijuana, 'Better Denver' Ballot Issues Marijuana, 'Better Denver' Ballot Issues Go Under The MicroscopeYour Show: Mason Tvert of SAFER, Denver Police Sgt. Ernie Martinez discuss Question 100 which asks Denver voters whether they want to make adult possession of marijuana the city's lowest law enforcement priority. Article and Video Link: http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=79048 [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 14, 2007 at 18:37:39 PT Toker00 Please understand that the President controls the Justice Department, the ONDCP and the DEA. If the elected President tells these organizations which are a part of the executive branch to back off, guess what? Doesn't matter what law is on the books, immediated enforcement relief is eminent.Now, Ron Paul is not a one issue President. True he is running on the Republican ticket to knock out the other losers and get on the ballot, but make no mistake the issues he intends to put forth are 1) the end of war in Iraq and potentially Iran, 2) the end of the IRS and income taxes, 3) the end of the drug war, and 4) the end of many other bloated federal government programs and laws in favor of state programs and laws. As the state level, we The People have a lot more power. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 16:57:51 PT OT: Misprision of treason U.S. CodeTITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 115 > § 2382§ 2382. Misprision of treasonWhoever, owing allegiance to the United States and having knowledge of the commission of any treason against them, conceals and does not, as soon as may be, disclose and make known the same to the President or to some judge of the United States, or to the governor or to some judge or justice of a particular State, is guilty of misprision of treason and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both.What ya say we just switch the pothead population in prison for the Treasonous Politicians in the White House? Hmmmm...?Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 16:26:15 PT Inspiration. Activists of all stripes are looking for inspiration to fuel their passion for resistance and change. Here's some. I like the quote at the very bottom.http://georgewashington.blogspot.com/2007/10/outcompete-bad-guys.htmlToke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 16:23:22 PT rchandar Holy caca! For less than 1/2 ounce?Texas ain't so bad. If you get caught accidentally (by no act of stupidity), your chances of being prosecuted are less. Usually, less than four ounces is not big jail time, but a sh*tload of cash and community service w/some jail, maybe, but more likely monitored and forced drug education. Now that is just in the Houston area. Smaller towns can be a disaster waiting for some poor out of town-er to happen. Depends a lot on the mentality of the police doing the arresting, know what I mean? Getting caught for growing is obviously a different story. I don't feel safe here by any means, but I see it could be worse.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by rchandar on October 14, 2007 at 16:10:49 PT: toker00 tennessee, tennessee, they ain' no place I'd rather be. baby, won't you carry me back to tennessee.Tennessee MJ possession less than 1/2 oz 2 years prison/$2000 fine.Que chingao? [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by rchandar on October 14, 2007 at 16:07:53 PT: Toker00 Oh, I get you! But you get the idea; the state senators and reps and prosecutors are scared that if the MMJ situation changes, the "justice" of their draconian sentences plus the overhead cost of employing cops and prosecutors at 60-90K a pop will be squarely in question.A DEA agent once told PBS why he hated growers. The agent quipped:"why should someone who has no education or training suddenly come into a profit of $500 grand?" I'd say the reverse argument is more true. Picture cops: usually at most high-school graduates. They get a job basically for life, a gun, relatively sound benefits, and 60K, just for becoming a cop. It's not justified at all, especially when most highschool grads earn around 20-25K and put in more "long hours."Texas is still a very backward state and should change its laws as soon as possible. What with the state becoming maybe 40% Hispanic, it is not fair in any shape of the imagination to demand a $2000 fine for a few grams of schwag. Re your point: okay, true. But the abolition of federal laws would mean more states would put MMJ on the ballot, maybe pass it. And it could become a trend: give ten years, it would become commonplace. MJ sentencing is unfair to begin with; where it's most unfair is at the level of minor possession charges. Almost none of these people are in any way prepared for the legal process of resolving drug "cases." Nothing prepared me, so I can't imagine a 17-year old boy knowing what to think either. I think we just have to admit that times have changed, the family isn't the same, the outlook isn't the same, the values aren't the same. If we don't take this step down before we step up, people will become more and more lost. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 16:02:47 PT rchandar I also realize that removing the Federal laws against cannabis would probably double the number of states allowing medical use. The biggest excuse they give is they don't want to conflict with Federal Law. They would have absolutely NO conflict, except with their Pharmaceutical investments. lol.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 15:52:38 PT rchandar "You won't get away with MMJ and a state law for recreational that puts a minor offender in jail for a year, that's impossible. Incomprehendable, perhaps, but impossible."That may be true. What if all states don't legalize for medical use, though? Far less than half have done so, and only because of State Initiatives which are created and grown by activists. No activists, no initiatives. Won't the States still have the right to impose harsh laws, regardless of what the Feds do? Once it is re-scheduled, will ALL sentencing laws change concerning cannabis possession or just in the states who have MC laws or that decriminalize cannabis? It's not a guarantee that EVERY state would decriminalize. Texas is working on MC right now, though, so I guess if Texas goes Medical, then decrim is possible, too. I thought of something else, too. If we elect the Dems and they DO legalize medical cannabis and decriminalize at least small amounts, then America will at least be taking a very, very small step toward being a more Peaceful Nation. I know it can't happen over night, but if we could just get enough of these joesixpacksandsuch to "take a toke and hold the smoke", they'd Free their F-ing minds.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on October 14, 2007 at 15:47:03 PT Taylor121 Dennis Kucinich is from my state and we just love him. The further to the left we go the better because boundaries get pushed and that is what brings change. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Taylor121 on October 14, 2007 at 15:21:43 PT I hope it's not him "I know that Dennis Kucinich wants to introduce a MJ Decrim Bill and I think I know why he hasn't so far. If they get the majority in the House and Senate next year it might just pass but it wouldn't pass now. "I respect him for this, but he is not exactly in line with the majority of Congress. We need a sponsor that more people in Congress respect and isn't so far left.If you want marijuana laws to change, getting behind a presidential candidate is not enough. You should be getting behind NORML and MPP if you want the laws to change. You have to change more than just one office, you need to change the whole government. That is going to require lobbying and state ballot initiatives. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by rchandar on October 14, 2007 at 15:05:55 PT: Toker00 I think it makes a HUGE difference re decriminalization. As long as I have read the news and tried to figure out public policy, I can ensure you this: if MMJ is cleared of federal laws, it will be impossible for states to continue to keep severe penalties for minor use. I mean the kind that operate in Southern States in particular; you simply cannot justify a prosecutor's wish to send a 17-year old boy to jail for two years for smoking a schwag joint. Potentially the legal system would be overloaded with medical cases, and the state dockets would fairly choke. But morally? You won't get away with MMJ and a state law for recreational that puts a minor offender in jail for a year, that's impossible. Incomprehendable, perhaps, but impossible. Which is why, naturally, MMJ is a very hopeful, wonderful change to press for.rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Hope on October 14, 2007 at 13:14:02 PT Oops....Sorry, FoM, Comment 7 I failed to notice you'd already posted the article. I've got a comment to make...I'll run over there. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Hope on October 14, 2007 at 12:40:38 PT True, Toker00! True! "...we are not asking for medical cannabis, we are demanding it." [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 14, 2007 at 12:35:06 PT Toker00 You know when you think about Cannabis and it's effect you have to question why it is a desirable herb. I think it is a desirable herb because it helps people in ways we don't even understand. To me that makes cannabis a medicinal herb. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 12:31:00 PT FoM Yes. That is right. And the only reason all Democratic candidates think it is ok to support medical cannabis is because of people like us who refuse to shut up and have driven home to them that we are not asking for medical cannabis, we are demanding it. If the Republicans thought there would be a chance in hell of the people honestly electing them instead of them stealing and or corrupting elections to win, then they too would support medical cannabis, too. Something tells me and them also that even if they were for medical cannabis, they still would not be electable, so why give in this election? Stretch that oppression out another presidential term or two. Get all the good they can from Pharmaceutical Lobbyists and let the Democrats be demonized by them after legalizing medical cannabis. I think the Democrats are smart enough to realize that legalizing cannabis for medicine is not the same thing as decriminalizing or legalizing cannabis outright. So they will still rake in the profit from Cannabis Prohibition, and really not have that much to lose.But hey, if it gets at least those who benefit the most from cannabis out of the Pokey and the Politics, then that will be a major victory for Cannabis. Keep on keeping on if not for us, then for them. Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Hope on October 14, 2007 at 12:01:48 PT Something else for the MSM to bury? http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/econ-tef101207.phpThe endocannabinoids: Functional roles and therapeutic opportunities [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Hope on October 14, 2007 at 11:40:15 PT Toker00, Comment 3 You know it's got to be the people.We have to change hearts and minds and point out the cruelty, horrible waste of life and resources, and irrationality of the war on cannabis. We have to keep doing it, over and over again, until enough have managed, through Grace and reason, to turn the hearts and minds of more people to truth and understanding, so that when there is enough of them, they can have the effect of encouraging the politicians that know the truth to use their power to make the necessary changes to try and save the world, the nation, the people from the inhumanity, waste, and foolishness of the war on cannabis.Cruelty, fear, hatred, intolerance, and ignorance are so hard to fight. It's a constant struggle...but it has to be done...and we all are doing our best, I'm sure, as we can know it and as our situation allows, to do just that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Hope on October 14, 2007 at 11:29:25 PT It's got to be a group effort, it seems to me. Is there any one person who has or can have the power to end the persecution and hatred of so many, that the illegality and ignorant fear of cannabis has caused? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 14, 2007 at 10:55:42 PT Toker00 I know that Dennis Kucinich wants to introduce a MJ Decrim Bill and I think I know why he hasn't so far. If they get the majority in the House and Senate next year it might just pass but it wouldn't pass now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 10:46:26 PT OverwhelmSam Bro., please don't misunderstand this post as an argument. I understand completely where you are coming from and why you feel that way. I just want to re-make the point about debate, not about Norml or Presidential candidates. The election is still too far away for me to commit my vote to anyone. But that is just me.Without debate, there can be no understanding. Without understanding, there can be no commitment. Without commitment, there can be no bother. Without bother, there can be no change.What I am talking about is simply spreading the Youtube debates that Norml, whether effective or not in stopping the arrests and prosecutions in the past or future, is organizing in a way that will make it easier for some of us to help ignite the debate until none of us can ignore it. What candidates want to end the War on Cannabis completely? Are they electable and should they be elected on this issue only? Should all or any of the Democratic candidates be elected based only on their support of medical cannabis?Will legalizing medical cannabis stop the arrests and prosecutions of non-patients? Only if cannabis is re-scheduled and the laws against it reformed. If it is re-scheduled just one level, will it keep those who are not on a limited list of illnesses that cannabis treats out of jail or courts?Who will it be? Who will end the War on Cannabis, completely? Many lives will be spared the agony and the pain caused from ignorance, apathy and the legal harassment over this ONE controlled substance. Will '08 bring the relief we all deserve and long for from a Government gone ape-shit over Fascism and Globalization and Empire, or will one lone man/woman come along and set it all right? Do you really think it is possible for one person to be so all powerful, or do you think it will take more of a commitment from the people who want the relief? Remember, the politicians have made it perfectly clear that they will not be held accountable for the Laws they force us to live by. How will changing cannabis laws benefit them? This is just my opinion, but I think we are blaming the wrong people for not ending cannabis prohibition. Will the commitment to end the War on Cannabis come from the People, or the Politicians? Anybody? Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 14, 2007 at 07:51:50 PT Toker00 While I support NORML's mission, I think it much more effective to support a candidate who will put an end to the war on marijuana. I'm getting the felling that others are not as committed to ending the arrests and prosecutions for marijuana possession. Without commitment, why bother? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on October 14, 2007 at 06:07:22 PT Is THE ORGANIZATION becoming better organized? Whether you support NORML or not, please distribute the Youtube videos far and wide, particularly to your Representatives and ask them what their solution for this failed war will be. This is FORCING debate at all levels. This is good...Toke. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment