cannabisnews.com: It's Time To Decriminalize Marijuana It's Time To Decriminalize Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on January 04, 2008 at 06:06:09 PT Opinion By Ken Freer Source: Burlington Free Press Vermont -- We lost the so called "War on Drugs" a long time ago and it's time to introduce a little common sense. Gov. Jim Douglas' spat with Windsor County prosecutor Robert Sand brought this issue to our attention just recently. I think that the Vermont Lottery does more harm to Vermont citizens than smoking marijuana. The Lottery Commissioner always shouts, "Please play responsibly!" while he and his staff are dreaming up more games to fleece those people who can least afford to lose the money. Now the governor is talking about leasing the lottery to a private business that will probably further abuse our citizens. The money realized from the proposed lease would be used to help fund our public education program and maybe reduce taxes. Why not get rid of the lottery and find another, more responsible, way to raise money to support the education of our children? The Vermont prison population continues to grow even though we have farmed out inmates to other locations. Corrections officials, the Legislature and the administration say they are now very concerned. They should be, and maybe they should take some time to find out how many "criminals" they have incarcerated because they were in possession of "significant" amounts of marijuana. Enforcement officials hold press conferences around here if they seize a few pounds of marijuana. Is that really a significant amount, and should it be enough to send someone to jail when our correctional institutions are bursting at the seams? What is the recidivism rate for those marijuana violators that we have incarcerated? We probably don't have answers for those questions or many others that could be posed. The point is that we need to reconsider our law enforcement stance on marijuana as part of any larger study that we appear poised to do on the ever-increasing Vermont prison population. There is no argument that Vermont is one of the most heavily taxed states in the country. Despite this, our roads are in horrible shape, we never seem to have enough money for education and the corrections system is bleeding us dry. So where do we go for help? If an adult could legally buy enough marijuana and the paper to roll a cigarette at one of the local convenience stores, would that be the end of the world? I don't think so. The state could tax the hell out of that transaction in order to help pay for our roads and fund our schools. We could probably stop stealing money from people with the Vermont Lottery. Marijuana arrests, related criminal activity and incarceration would decline. Oh, and if someone with a medical condition who could benefit from smoking an occasional joint were able to use some marijuana without feeling like a criminal, that would be nice, too. We passed the civil unions law in Vermont and the sky didn't fall. Gay marriage doesn't look like it is far behind and the sky still hasn't fallen. Incredibly, we sold and gave up control of Vermont Yankee to a private company and just lately seem "concerned" about some safety issues, including the long-term storage of nuclear waste on the banks of the Connecticut River. I wonder if the sky might fall on that decision? However, if we allow the same person who can now legally buy a six-pack of beer, a carton of cigarettes or a bunch of lottery tickets at Cumberland Farms to also purchase a personal-use supply of marijuana, the sky will not even notice. After a few months, I don't think anyone will notice except law enforcement, the Corrections Department, the state treasurer and maybe the lottery commissioner. Ken Freer lives in Morrisville. Source: Burlington Free Press (VT)Author: Ken FreerPublished: Friday, January 4, 2008Copyright: 2008 Burlington Free PressContact: letters bfp.burlingtonfreepress.comWebsite: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/ Related Articles:Douglas Lifts Order Over Windsor Pot Caseshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23548.shtmlGovernor Reverses Policy on Pot Caseshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23547.shtmlProsecutor Says Drug War Isn't Workinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22638.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #25 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 06, 2008 at 06:58:01 PT Few Will Grow Tobacco and Brew Beer I really don't think most people will want to put up with the hassle of growing their own mairjuana. Heck, one of the main reasons I'm for regulation of marijuana for adult use is because I'm tired of rolling my own. I'd much rather stop by the liquor and marijuana store on the way home and pick up a 5 pack of cherry flavored " Cannabis Swisher Sweets". [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Max Flowers on January 05, 2008 at 15:06:29 PT FoM Also as long as people could grow a little garden for their own consumption like people brewing their own own beer then it would seem fair to me.I agree... it always really concerns me when people talk about "Let's legalize it and let the government strictly regulate and tax it", because any scenario where people would not be allowed to grow it for themselves to me is unacceptable. The basic freedom to relate to the plant personally would still be usurped under those conditions, making any such arrangement unconstitutional. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Hope on January 05, 2008 at 11:15:10 PT Oops... Wrong thread!Sorry. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on January 05, 2008 at 11:03:13 PT There's a great picture of Obama there, too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by afterburner on January 05, 2008 at 09:05:14 PT John Tyler #19 "I can grow my own tomatoes, but I also buy tomatoes too."I too have grown tomatoes. I too have bought tomatoes. However, I have never paid taxes on the purchase of tomatoes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Had Enough on January 04, 2008 at 21:07:33 PT Runruff Its’ good to have you back.I can see they haven’t broken your spirit…they never will…that inspires others…Thank you for your resolve…priceless…************I’d ask you if you’ve hugged your dogs today, but I somehow know you already have…Welcome home… [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by John Tyler on January 04, 2008 at 20:21:48 PT do it I assume that this writer is equating decriminalize with full legalization. Sometimes people split hairs on that issue. If you can buy it in a convenience store that sounds pretty legal to me. A reasonable tax would be sufficient. (Taxes are going to happen. I can grow my own tomatoes, but I also buy tomatoes too. My homemade wine never tasted that good though.) There would be new businesses created and established businesses expanded to deal with a legal cannabis industry. Income taxes, sales taxes, business taxes and fees would all flow to the state treasury while saving big bucks on investigation, prosecution and incarceration of previously illegal cannabis products users. In addition if you are the first state in a region with legal cannabis you will see a tremendous upsurge in tourism. We’re talking millions and millions of dollars. Imagine having a major concert in a place where cannabis is totally legal. It would be so totally mellow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by runruff on January 04, 2008 at 19:46:08 PT: Toker00 Toker, thank you for the kind remarks. I remember it was about two years ago today, I was posting here. I was feeling mighty low. I had a time ahead of me it felt more like 20 years than only two years. God knows those two years have passed and yes I'm back and it feels good to be posting here again. It feels almost like no time has gone by at all sitting here talking with the same group of friends. I'm so glad you guys are all still around and I guess I'll never say it often enough just how much I appreciated having the support of you all. Being in contact with you, many of you while I was away and speaking for Mrs. Runruff also. Yes it's good to be back here. To imagine what I experienced is to experience it yourself believe me there's no other way. I was in prison with murderers, Child molesters, extortionist, robbers, kidnappers, you name it and they treat everybody the same. I was treated no differently than men that I ate with, all who were in for torturing and murdering children I was gardening but we were all felons and we were all treated the same like animals, like a human dog pound. You have no rights, no respect and no distinction. Yeah, it's good to be back. If I felt before marijuana prohibition is a crime against the people now I know it's an atrocious evil crime against the people, us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by The GCW on January 04, 2008 at 16:28:17 PT Toker00, -very good. "Cannabis, like Faith, or Religion based Institutions, should be Tax Free."I never thought of cannabis given tax exemption status that way. That's a good thought. It makes Me realize another way of considering what I already feel; cannabis is like religion in a plant.The tree of life should be tax free.The Green Collar Worker [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Toker00 on January 04, 2008 at 14:15:20 PT Sacrement Cannabis should be tax free. Cannabis, like Faith, or Religion based Institutions, should be Tax Free. The contribution it would make to Humanity would dwarf any imaginary harm. I even believe it would contribute MORE than religion, and that is saying something, because religion, whether it be Myth or Real, offers great comfort to so many who suffer. Cannabis would offer REAL comfort. No question about it. With the Tax vultures that perch in Congress though, No-Tax Weed is a fantasy. I know that.It is so good to see runruff postings. When we doin' tha next documentary brutha? Let My People Grow! "2"? I watch "1" often with family and friends. Thanks for your work and your so unnecessary suffering bro.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 04, 2008 at 11:52:40 PT fight_4_freedom Thank you. I have it bookmarked now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by runruff on January 04, 2008 at 11:40:42 PT: Tax schmax! Let them tax it so long as they legalize it. Of course it would be another act of extortion. Our Federal Bumblement is in the business of extortion. At least we could grow our own without going to prison and if they get too greedy they will only create another black market only without the harsh penalities. Once people get used to the fact that the herb is not" Armageddon in a flower", we could work with the tax laws. After all this would be the lesser of two evils. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 04, 2008 at 11:18:06 PT: FoM and others who would like to watch I just copied this off of the MINORML website. You can even participate by asking questions if you'd like.Join us on-line for our Winter Quarter State MeetingJan 5, 1:30 pmhttp://www.oaklandnorml.org/cms/index.php?name=Content&pid=10In the login box that appears enter whatever name you want to use as a screen name and click 'Login'.A new window will pop up and you should be able to see if the room is working or not.If it is, click on the name GregP (admin) and the video feed will appear below the name area.To make the video larger click the plus sign '+' under the video and it will get larger.You can also click the video off and just listen to the audio if you need to by clicking the box under the video with the letter 'v' in it.This is a browser based system so there is no software to install.People will be able to type questions in the text area to the right of the video and someone will ask the question when appropriate. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Hope on January 04, 2008 at 10:13:35 PT "A nutshell, how appropriate." Indeed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by dongenero on January 04, 2008 at 10:07:00 PT "tax the hell out of it"........ Yes, I think that is to appease the hateful and sadistic prohibitionists need to f**k people over.They need to maintain dominion over people they view as lesser human beings than themselves. This relieves their feelings of impotence and low self esteem.Prohibitionists in a nutshell. A nutshell, how appropriate. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Hope on January 04, 2008 at 09:30:28 PT "Tax the hell out of it." I cringe every time I hear or read of someone saying that.It's to please prohibitionists that they say that, I'm sure. But it could easily be taxed back into the black market again after it's legalized. How about we tax it reasonably, instead? [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 04, 2008 at 08:28:25 PT fight_4_freedom When you find a link please post it. I want to see it too. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by sam adams on January 04, 2008 at 08:27:14 PT what a great article you can tell from the 1st paragraph that, in this article, the veil of propaganda has been lifted and Truth comes gushing out. The usual media worship of The State is absent.The truth is that the east coast suffers from older, more corrupt state governments. Taxes are high and most services are horrible. Unionized blue collar govt. workers make $100,000+ per year, while private sector workers with no health insurance or other benefits make $10 per hour.In the northeast the super-high cost of living and bloated, inefficient govts are driving us into a 3-tiered society: the rich elite, the political class, and the lower class. Government can only grow in scope and power, not be reduced. Look at what the state govt. here is offering: instead of arresting and jailing cannabis users, they'll arrest them and send them into a ridiculous treatment program, which probably costs taxpayers even more. The govt. has conquered this particular area of public life - cannabis - and they won't yield their control. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 04, 2008 at 08:24:07 PT: Statewide MINORML meeting tomorrow afternoon Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to attend. It's like a 2 hour drive for me plus I have a few things to do later in the day.But I will be able to watch it over the internet thankfully. Neal Levine from MPP will be a special guest. I'm not sure if he's speaking but he will be there in attendance. I'll post a link later on and if any of you want to watch you are more than welcome. I'm sure there will be a lot of talk about the medical initiative. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 04, 2008 at 08:13:46 PT Dongenero Thank you. I have it posted now!http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23579.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 04, 2008 at 08:13:45 PT: Good news for a great new year It's nice to see some discussion from politicians. I don't really have a problem with them taxing it when legal. But like you said FoM I believe the money should be used for some kind of a helpful, useful program. Also, we should be allowed to grow a personal garden of green for ourselves. It is a gift from God so I believe we should be allowed to grow it if we choose to. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dongenero on January 04, 2008 at 08:13:02 PT Great idea FoM - comment 2 That sounds like it would be a very reasonable alternative to the War On Drug$.Tax cannabis sales to support treatment of hard drug addicts, but allow small scale gardening much like home brewing beer or wine.I think that idea has great potential. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dongenero on January 04, 2008 at 08:03:54 PT related article - Burlington Free Press Douglas says he's open to discussing pot decriminalizationhttp://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/NEWS02/801040306/1007 [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 04, 2008 at 07:39:14 PT Afterburner Just a thought about taxing sales. What if a tax would be used only for drug treatment for those who are strung out on hard drugs? I wouldn't mind that. Also as long as people could grow a little garden for their own consumption like people brewing their own own beer then it would seem fair to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by afterburner on January 04, 2008 at 07:07:35 PT There Is No 'Hell' in Legally Buying 'Marijuana'! "If an adult could legally buy enough marijuana and the paper to roll a cigarette at one of the local convenience stores, would that be the end of the world? I don't think so. The state could tax the hell out of that transaction in order to help pay for our roads and fund our schools."Good article, except for the 'tax the hell out' reference. God created cannabis and said it is good. The 'hell' comes from the lies and violence of cannabis Prohibition! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment