cannabisnews.com: Measure To Decriminalize MJ Goes On Mass. Ballot





Measure To Decriminalize MJ Goes On Mass. Ballot
Posted by CN Staff on September 29, 2008 at 05:35:28 PT
By Peter F. Zhu, Crimson Staff Writer
Source: Harvard Crimson
Massachusetts -- While a recent poll showed that more than two thirds of Massachusetts voters favor relaxing laws against marijuana, State Representative Will N. Brownsberger ’78—a drug addiction and enforcement expert who represents parts of Belmont and Cambridge—said he has grave concerns about the wisdom of a November ballot initiative that would decriminalize possession of the drug.
The initiative, championed by the Committee of Sensible Marijuana Policy, would replace criminal penalties for possession of an ounce or less of personal use marijuana with civil penalties. While penalties for selling, growing, and trafficking marijuana would remain unchanged, possession would be punished by a combination of a fines starting at $100, community service, and drug awareness programs. Marijuana possession would also no longer be recorded in the oft-maligned Criminal Offender Record Information system. While some academics have come out in favor of the measure, Browsnberger called it “a side show” because the “real issue is cocaine and heroin.” “That’s what people are going to jail for, that’s what people are dying from,” Brownsberger said, adding that the ballot measure on marijuana is “not worth pursuing.” Supporters of the initiative argue that the current criminal penalties against marijuana cause more damage to users than the drug itself does, and that the initiative will expand civil liberties while saving police money used to combat and incarcerate marijuana users. “Decriminalize it all the way, recognize that it’s an individual liberty to enjoy activities that impose no harm on anyone else,” said Harvard Law School professor Charles R. Nesson ’60, who in the past has admitted that he often smokes marijuana before classes. “Legally, I think it’s a very good idea to moderate the Draconian application of drug laws.” Earlier this year, Nesson mounted a legal challenge to Massachusetts’ drug laws, arguing that criminalizing marijuana has no “rational basis.” Economics professor Jeffrey A. Miron, who has devoted much of his scholarship to advocating for drug legalization, voiced similar support, but said that the initiative was only “a very small step” because “the right policy is the full legalization of all drugs.” “I would really prefer people take a more aggressive stance.” Miron said, though he acknowledged that full legalization would be politically difficult. Miron did, however, limit his criticism to government policy, saying that “Harvard is free to make rules of conduct and to make them Ad Board-able.” As for common criticisms that decriminalizing marijuana sends a bad message and may encourage users to try other drugs, Miron said “the fact is that it’s not that bad, so the message would be more accurate if it were legal.” He added that “the gateway drug hypothesis”—which posits that use of marijuana will lead to use of harder drugs—“has no evidence besides what people say. It’s just stupid.” Miron wrote a report in January estimating that Massachusetts would save approximately $29.5 million in law enforcement costs annually from decriminalizing marijuana. But Brownsberger, who was once an associate director at Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addictions, said he questioned such reports because “very few people are prosecuted or put in jail for possession of marijuana alone.” Brownsberger also voiced concerns about how the decriminalization measure would affect college campuses. “I think it would become a very real problem in many colleges where some students choose to smoke and some students don’t want any part of it,” Brownsberger said. “The students who don’t want any part of it will be exposed involuntarily to the effect of second-hand smoke.” Source: Harvard Crimson, The (MA Edu)Author: Peter F. Zhu, Crimson Staff WriterPublished: September 29, 2008Copyright: 2008, The Harvard Crimson, Inc.Contact: letters thecrimson.comWebsite: http://www.thecrimson.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policyhttp://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/ Marijuana Vote Has Allies on Both Sideshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24189.shtmlSupporters of Initiative Deny Legalization Goalhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24188.shtml
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Comment #36 posted by ekim on October 02, 2008 at 07:43:11 PT
sorry i passed along wrong info on money
i just heard that the figures that were given are off by a factor of 1000 in my comment #31
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Comment #35 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 01, 2008 at 20:46:33 PT
I think I'm slowly starting to get over the 
backyard robbery.Runruff- A creepy feeling is definitely right. It's a feeling I don't ever want to experience again. I'm going to make sure I am a lot more careful next time.FoM- I always wondered what FoM meant. I thought maybe it was your initials backwards but I guess I was wrong. You learn something new every day.Museman- Thank you for your always in depth insight. That must have been truly devastating to lose your guitar in a situation like that. You handled that situation perfectly.And I hope you are right about the thieves really thinking deeply and realizing how wrong they were. Because if this incident can change the lives of a couple negative beings who are currently headed in the wrong direction, then losing my medicine was worth it. Humanity as a whole will be a tiny bit better because of it. I think I get what you are saying.I really love your way of thinking. I learn something new every time I read a post of yours. Again, thanks for the insight.
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Comment #34 posted by ekim on October 01, 2008 at 19:26:28 PT
'create money to loan to entrepreneurs' 
just think of how many local ethanol plants could be fundedall that is needed is that the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden Co help with the studies of how to grow the needed enzymes to break down the cellulose into sugars.the new green jobs 
come on Sen Obama talk about it when Sen McCain says he wants to get rid of ethanol say something-- like GM and Ford are building cars to run on ethanol and we have just given them 25 billion we want them to offer more engines that will run on ethanol 
http://www.permaculture.com
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Comment #33 posted by FoM on October 01, 2008 at 18:40:19 PT
ekim
I guess the printing press will be fired up since it seems like it passed. I believe we will see inflation. If anyone talks about a free market I will have to say we don't have one I don't think. 
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Comment #32 posted by museman on October 01, 2008 at 18:39:03 PT
ekim
Amen to that.Too bad common sense and 'the people' don't run the government.
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Comment #31 posted by ekim on October 01, 2008 at 18:06:27 PT
this was sent to me a short while ago whatyathink
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to all Americans as a
'Dividend'.To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S.
Citizens 18+Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.
So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals to a hefty
'$425,000.00'My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a 'Dividend'
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25.5
Billion right back to Uncle Sam.But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife have $595,000.00 .What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage, 'housing crisis solved'
Repay college loans, a great boost to new grads'
Put away money for college, it'll be there'
Save it in a bank 'create money to loan to entrepreneurs'
Buy a new car 'create jobs'
Invest in the market, capital drives growth'
Pay for your parents medical insurance, 'health care improves'Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who
lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other companyIf we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it..instead of
trickling outIf we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S
Citizen 18+As for AIG, liquidate it and Sell off its parts.
Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up
and clean it up.Here's my rationale. W e deserve it and 'AIG doesn't' we were not invited to
the last 10 years of 'party time' bonusesAnd remember, The this plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5
Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam
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Comment #30 posted by museman on October 01, 2008 at 14:54:37 PT
afterburner
Now you got my attention with that article. I agree about 98% with the wording, perspective, and conclusions.I recommend others to check it out.There are a lot of good, descriptive phrases in that article, but this one nails it pretty good;" Everything we thought was real turns out to be fabricated: The money, the medicine, the economy, the law... it's all being revealed for what it is: A Matrix of enslavement, designed to keep the People believing they live in a free society, even as their health and wealth are stolen from them by the sinister few who wield political power."FREE OREGON TRAINWRECK FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #29 posted by afterburner on October 01, 2008 at 07:56:37 PT
Signs of the Times
Riding the Green Job Wave.
Environmental degrees meet growing demand for workers.
By David Hirning
1=27001">http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Columns/?article=RidingGreenJobWave>1=27001Why the Institutions of Western Finance and Western Medicine are Both Doomed to Fail. 
Monday, September 29, 2008 by: Mike Adams (see all articles by this author).
Key concepts: Western medicine, Health and Wealth
http://www.naturalnews.com/024353.htmlCheck what Mike Adams says about medical marijuana.
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Comment #28 posted by museman on September 30, 2008 at 09:38:35 PT
ekim
The best use for alcohol ever invented, other than as a solvent for cleaning and a poison for dumb-asses. (mentally challenged)
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on September 30, 2008 at 09:29:33 PT
Winners and Losers
Museman I understand what you are saying. I don't understand your computer problem though. I've had time to watch the stock market do it's thing. I still don't understand why we can't just let the market shake itself out. Who will lose much if nothing is done? I don't see how it will change anything for us personally except slow down freight a little. I'm prepared for that to happen. Our bank probably will be ok since it's Chase. I think a slow down might help families to pull together more then they have. If lots of planes aren't flying it will be good for our earth's health. I can't seem to find a downside. PS: I checked Amazon and they said my CSNY DejaVu Documentary is out for delivery. I know what we will be watching later on today. 
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Comment #26 posted by ekim on September 30, 2008 at 09:19:40 PT
runruff and museman
i have posted the site for David Blume here i see he was interviewed in Portland with a clip on the first page http://permaculture.com/
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Comment #25 posted by museman on September 30, 2008 at 08:57:11 PT
a horrible week  -OT
It has been a bad week in general for a lot of people. Some got devastated by their mis-begotten belief in money (I believe they got what they deserve), fight_4_freedom got ripped off, (not deserved) and I had a digital event happen that has yet to be recorded on google, I know because I've been trying to find out what happened to one of my studio computers; audio files stored for over a few years, unaccessed, unmodified, all suddenly mixed together like frankensteins monster of audio files! Fortunately I have backup for most of it, but I have never, in all my years of recording, ever seen or heard of anything like this before.Now the computer even after re-installing everything, and thorough virus check, records a track, and then the track picks random pieces of other files, and inserts them into the track i just recorded -all-by-itself! Wierdest thing I have ever seen in digital land.I wrote a warning a few years back about the earth passing through 'positive' and 'negative' fields of influence, and I guess I wasn't paying attention. I include the link for anyone who is interested.Things are excellerating. Both positive and negative. The rate and amount we are personally affected (I believe) is going to be directly related to our own personal state of consiousness and being.Once, a long time ago, when I was already down and out, homeless, living in my van (That was broke-down at the time) I got my only source of income ripped off; my guitar. And they did it right in front of my wife who was too pregnant to chase after them."Anger" doesn't express my feelings. However I did not curse them, directly. I offered a prayer to the Great Spirit."Great Spirit, may these young thieves learn to play great music with my guitar, but if that is not the reason they stole it, then I wash my hands of their kharma."
 Perhaps (but I admit it might not be likely) those thieves who stole your herb fight_4_freedom, will smoke that herb and realize their mis-deeds, making resolutions to change their lives. Many people are going to start doing things like this, because along with all the negative and terrible things that are happening/will happen, there are positive and wonderful things happening at the same time. Of course the positive things aren't going to be felt, seen, or experienced by those whose consciousness is totally enmired in the workings of the Status Quo. False beliefs take up the space where that awareness and belief of true things is supposed to be.But those of us who know what is happening still have to be on our guard, and if we get a piece of our potential happiness damaged or ripped off, the best thing we can do is let it go and continue on our way, otherwise we risk being dragged down with the ones who cannot let go of their errors and false perceptions of reality.FREE ACAPULCO GOLD FOR EVERYONE
words
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on September 30, 2008 at 07:28:30 PT
runruff
You're welcome. I can't find any news worth posting today. I guess it will be slow until we get real close to elections. I hope you and everyone are enjoying this beautiful Fall we are having. 
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Comment #23 posted by runruff on September 30, 2008 at 07:19:24 PT
Friend of Everyone
Well you certainly been a friend to me and my wife. You do know how to be a friend!Maybe my exclamation " We won" might be a little premature but we are "winning."#17- I have been ripped off many times by both friends and enemies not to mention cops. It is a risky buisness but getting ripped off always feels creepy.
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Comment #22 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 29, 2008 at 13:49:10 PT
Like I said, I really have nothing to hide now
Thanks for the concern though FoM.Dongenero, thank you for your kind wishes! I hope that happens as well.I might be able to do that in the near future (proposal 1 will pass very soon), but as for now, I'm pretty much screwed.I just wish I knew who it was. I would so just anonymously call the cops from a pay phone or something to give them what they deserve. 
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Comment #21 posted by dongenero on September 29, 2008 at 13:35:42 PT
fight 4 freedom
Sorry to hear you were ripped off. Now, there is a crime.
May these thieves turn all of their ill gotten bud to mold, smoke it, acquire lung fungus and ultimately be arrested for possession of a bunch of moldy, stolen bud.I'm not sure of your situation but it seems I remember some insurance companies covering such losses under home owner's insurance policies when the case involves approved medical marijuana.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 13:34:54 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I don't mind it staying. I just don't want you to get in any trouble. 
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Comment #19 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 29, 2008 at 13:31:27 PT
Well quite honestly it doesn't really matter at
this point, I don't have anything to hide now. But yeah, i probably should have refrained from posting something like that. I'm sorry.You can remove it if you'd like. 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 13:05:20 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I'm really sorry to read that but are you sure you want your comment public?
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Comment #17 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 29, 2008 at 12:58:46 PT
Having a horrible day
My only 4 beautiful mothers were stolen from my backyard last night. Leaving me with nothing but dirt. I guess it could be worse, but after raising them for 5 months they kind of grow on you.Unbelievable.I hope whoever took them has some real nasty karma heading their way.
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Comment #16 posted by observer on September 29, 2008 at 11:43:19 PT
'Very Few People'' Jailed for Pot - Bull
But Brownsberger, who was once an associate director at Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addictions, said he questioned such reports because “very few people are prosecuted or put in jail for possession of marijuana alone.”This so-called Addictions specialist from Harvard, is in denial. Escalator laws allow a single act to blossom into as many "crimes" as the prosecutor can imagine. Unless the person has cannabis in their hand, no baggie, no papers, no pipes, the person will be charged (double jeopardy) with multiple crimes. One crime for possession of marijuana, another for possession of paraphernalia, another for illegal drugs in a school zone, distribution (jackpot!) if the schmuck passes the joint, etc, etc. It would be an unimaginative prosecutor indeed that can't trump up a slew of charges - based on a single act of possessing a little grass. Of course, I think Brownsberger knows he misleading people, which is precisely why he used the little qualification "alone" ... the "possession of marijuana alone." This is weasel wording. In Brownsberger's case, it is a form of lying. 
For example, Missouri law says that possessing less than 35 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor, but under a bill considered by the legislature in 1994, anyone possessing more than 28 grams was defined as a dealer (a felony) if the person had failed to report such misdemeanor possession to state revenue authorities. Failure to pay a state tax on the misdemeanor amount was also classified as a felony.8 Laws of other states had similar provisions. Authorities in Kansas bragged that $500,000 in annual revenue was generated by prosecuting drug offenders for tax fraud.9 Less publicized is the fact that converting a misdemeanor offense into multiple felonies can imprison a harmless marijuana user for years. We have seen how "armed drug offender" clauses apply to drug users never accused of violence and how President Bush sought to define all drug offenses (such as marijuana possession) as crimes of violence. "Violent offender" status implements sentences far longer than those for "nonviolent" crimes (such as illegal arms sales by White House aides), and "violent offender" sentences are also mandatory and without parole. 
Richard L Miller, Drug Warriors and their Prey, 1996, pgs.144-145 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0275950425/ 
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 10:50:25 PT
One More Comment
Now it's 500 down. I am glad I never got caught up in the stock market.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 10:47:35 PT
museman
I'm watching all this wall street hoopla and the market was starting to recover but now since they are having trouble with the vote the market now is turning around. Amazing how money can swing like it does. It's now down over 682 points. I think it is really crazy. http://news.google.com/news?ned=us&topic=b
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 10:22:01 PT
museman
Thank you. Maybe because I am a quiet person by nature I have tuned into listening to the sounds around me and what they actually mean. 
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Comment #12 posted by HempWorld on September 29, 2008 at 10:21:42 PT
Can this bill be vetoed? If so, it will. Then what
is the purpose of this 'exercise?' Illusive democracy!
On a mission from God!
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Comment #11 posted by museman on September 29, 2008 at 09:58:31 PT
FoM
There is no evidence that I can see of you 'not seeing.' Quite the contrary, if it weren't for you, there is a lot of stuff that would not be 'seen.'Its all the pretended 'authorities' out there that 'don't see.' All trying to justify and prove that the Emperors Cloak isn't really invisibile, and that money is some kind of universal solution for everything, when in fact it has never solved anything, but just made the holes we have collectively fallen into much deeper and wider.FREE THAI-STICK FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 09:49:40 PT
museman
I've watched the medical marijuana movement for years now and some things I have opinions on but I keep them to myself. Staying quiet doesn't mean I don't see.
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Comment #9 posted by museman on September 29, 2008 at 09:42:06 PT
FoM -from link
"Schuster said he doesn't believe the federal government has so far intervened in Oregon medical marijuana growing operations."I suppose this guy is supposed to represent a 'good cop?'Well he is in error. I just reported what the feds have done. If you can't find public aknowlegment of the facts, I am not surprised. The Status Quo is just as strong in Oregon as anywhere else.As far as the rest of the article goes, I find it quite ironic that the headquarters for 'Voter Power' is in Jackson county -that is the 'next county over' that I mentioned. "Rogers said the Oregon initiative would avoid potential federal government raids by strictly regulating dispensaries, ensuring that they pay taxes and operate as nonprofits."Now why doesn't anybody see the problem with this statement?How can you have 'taxed revenue' that is from non-profit organization? Perhaps the 'laws' have changed so drasticly from original constitutionality, I just missed it?It doesn't really matter what changes they make to the state law. If they have the medical community in the federal pocket, they can still prevent the majority of needy folks from getting their card.FREE HUMBOLDT-HYBRID FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 09:15:11 PT
museman
Here's an article about Oregon. It's hard for me to follow individual states that have a medical marijuana law on the books since so many states are still waiting for any change in the law. Maybe you'll understand it.Group Works To Legalize Dispensarieshttp://www.dailytidings.com/2008/0927/stories/0927_pot2.php
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Comment #7 posted by museman on September 29, 2008 at 09:10:31 PT
by-the-way...
There is a little known, or unpublished set of circumstances concerning medical marijuana in Oregon.The feds have issued a blanket threat to all federally funded medical facilites;"Any involvement in approving medical marijuana use will result in loss of federal funding."I know of at least two people who lost their cards because under the new rules, they can't get a doctor to sign the state applications (myself included.) Because most people who get medical marijuana are too poor to have a private physician who is not funded by the feds, they have no alternative but to be rendered 'illegal' again, or stop growing.FREE SATIVA FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #6 posted by museman on September 29, 2008 at 08:48:31 PT
#2, #3
The illegality of cannabis not only 'drives the war on drugs' but it is a crux issue concerning other personal liberties - all concerned with a persons sovereign rights to decide what they do with their body -for better or worse.Cannabis prohibition is the biggest cash cow for law enforcement and other government coffers since raping and pillaging became 'morally incorrect.'The local coffers used to rely on the rape of the forests, because the feds have been subsidizing the lumber industry since the beginning.In fact, in that 'zone' runruff mentioned - a few decades ago, the loggers were on the front lines of the war - against us. The association between environmmentalism and folks who grew and smoked the herb was hailed by the loggers as an excuse to behave like vigilantes of the woods.Since they've all but destroyed the Great Forest of the Northwest, the feds stopped giving them money. Libraries closed, the local county governments have come up with all kinds of scams to make money, the local county scam around here is busting kids so their parents have to pay fees and fines to prevent them from 'getting a record' or 'losing their drivers license (even if they are too young to get one).'In Grants Pass (the county seat) they bust an average of 100 or more teenagers a week for whatever they can get; MIP, curfew, trespassing,...and probably some weird stuff I never even heard of. They then 'process' them and their families at the rate of about 20+ a day. Depending on the charges against them the families each pay a minimum of $50 -an extortion by the county government; "If you don't pay, things could get very difficult for you and your children."Lets see; $50 or more per teenager; 20 or more processed a day, 5 times a week, that works out to about $5,000 a week, $20,000 a month. Quite a scam I tell you.Yes we have consistently voted against funding for law enforcement in this county because they've been Nazis since the hippies first came here in the 60s and 70s.Last year Bush gave the next county over 95 million dollars for the sheriffs dept, and that sheriff has been 'ours' since.The cops come around near the end of the month, so they can get all the poor people in court around the first when their state money comes in. They bust people for no drivers licenses and suspended licenses, no insurance (a big money maker and perpetuater of unlicensed drivers) and registration issues. Not for moving violations (they bust the tourists with that one -out of state money) or actual 'criminal activity.' No the criminals are still roaming the streets at night, vandalizing, breaking and entering, stealing, and disturbing the peace at 3 AM, but do the cops go after them? Not enough profit in it. And the fat donut munchers might have to get off their ass and actually earn some of that money they steal from the people.Unfortunately, the local cops aren't like some cops in other places where medical cannabis is ok, the ones around here eagerly support the DEA, and even though the presence of the cops is minimal, they certainly appear in force whenever there is a bust or pending bust. And there have been at least 3 grows (other than the fed manufactured 'mexican cartel' grows you hear about in the news.) busted this year locally.I just got a rumor that there was a 'new sheriff in town' who is going to 'clean up' the IV -specificly the hippies. Hopefully it is just a rumor, cause I haven't heard any official public statement of the fact, but this is the time of year when the cops can get their biggest money -busting pot. They don't destroy the pot here, they use it to bust kids by selling it to them.Bush called Oregon "The Loser State" after our governor refused some of the imposed legislation after 911, and the cops all call our county "The Lawless County."Its kind of true, but if this community is any example, we can do much better without them, If we could deal with the local criminals on a community level -without worrying about the cops and 'justice' system making community action against crimnal behavior a bigger crime than the actual criminal activity- this town would be a model for the rest of the country. DON'T VOTE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. DON'T VOTE FOR INCUMBENTS. DON'T VOTE FOR JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN DAs and PROSECUTERS in the WOD. DON'T VOTE FOR TAX LEVIES (tax revenue DOES NOT GO TO SUPPORT PEOPLE!)FREE RUDERALIS FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 08:27:45 PT
runruff
I wanted to mention since this is a forum that can be ready by many people that my initials stand for friend of many. These really are scary times for me and many people I'm sure.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 08:13:06 PT
runruff
It really makes sense to me. There just wouldn't be enough need for the drug war if the law was changed on marijuana. People talk about how much money the drug war costs. So we really should work on cutting off the head of the drug war which is marijuana.
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Comment #3 posted by runruff on September 29, 2008 at 07:48:34 PT
Dear Ms. Friend of Marijuana
You hit the nail on the head girl! This quiet little fact is not really known or considered by the public at large but it is one the LEOs and Prohibs have known since day one. Of course it is not something they would like to point out.Twenty years ago when the WOD was raging in these parts[I mean it was a was zone around here] I thought about the congressional budget of, I think it got up to 50 or 60 billion, 85% was being spent on their eratication efforts on cannabis.It is suppsoe to get up to 95 here today. I hear talk at the coffee shop that a lot of herb farmers will let their crops rippen a little more in the hot sun. There is little or no WOD happing around here this year. I has been a battle of attrition and wee won! They're broke!!!!! 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 29, 2008 at 06:44:48 PT
The Drug War
I believe cannabis being illegal is what drives the drug war. If they finally changed the laws on marijuana the drug war would likely end since not that many people do hard drugs like heroin and cocaine in my opinion.
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Comment #1 posted by Storm Crow on September 29, 2008 at 06:39:32 PT
"Reality check" time! 
So is brownsberger saying that he is wiser than 2/3s of the people he is supposed to be representing? That they know nothing? The “real issue is cocaine and heroin.”"That’s what people are going to jail for, that’s what people are dying from,” Brownsberger said, adding that the ballot measure on marijuana is “not worth pursuing.” While I must agree with the fact that cocaine and heroin are the REAL problem. "Not worth pursuing"? Perhaps he ought to check out just how many Americans ARE going to prison for cannabis."Last week, data released by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that police made over 872,000 arrests for marijuana violations in 2007" 
http://cannabisnews.com/news/24/thread24190.shtmlOver 870,000 arrests for cannabis- so were they all just let go? I don't think so! 870,000 families affected. Homes seized, cars and money confiscated, crippling lawyer's fees, children thrown into foster homes, careers ruined, or ended even before they are started.....And it's "not worth pursuing"! 
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