cannabisnews.com: In Drug War, The Beginning of The End?
function share_this(num) {
tit=encodeURIComponent('In Drug War, The Beginning of The End?');
url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/25/thread25887.shtml');
site = new Array(5);
site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
return false;
}
In Drug War, The Beginning of The End?
Posted by CN Staff on August 20, 2010 at 08:40:33 PT
By Bernd Debusmann
Source: Reuters
Washington, D.C. -- Between 1971, when Richard Nixon launched the war on drugs, and 2008, the latest year for which official figures are available, American law enforcement officials made more than 40 million drug arrests. That number roughly equals the population of California, or of the 33 biggest U.S. cities.Forty million arrests speak volumes about America's longest war, which was meant to throttle drug production at home and abroad, cut supplies across the borders, and keep people from using drugs. The marathon effort has boosted the prison industry but failed so obviously to meet its objectives that there is a growing chorus of calls for the legalization of illicit drugs.
In the United States, that brings together odd bedfellows. Libertarians in the tea party movement, for example, and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), an organization of former police officers, narcotics agents, judges and prosecutors who favor legalizing all drugs, not only marijuana, the world's most widely-used illicit drug.In Mexico, President Felipe Calderon has proposed a debate on the legalization of drugs - an implicit admission that the war he launched against his country's drug cartels in 2006 cannot be won by force alone. (The death toll has just risen above 28,000 and keeps climbing). Calderon's predecessor, Vicente Fox, followed up by declaring that since prohibition strategies had failed, Mexico should consider legalizing "the production, sale and distribution of drugs."It's difficult to see how that could work without parallel moves in the United States, the main market for Mexican drugs, and it's equally difficult to imagine Congress or state legislatures signing off on the regulated sale of cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.But there is growing acceptance that marijuana should be treated differently. Support for less rigid policies spans the political spectrum and has come from unexpected quarters. Sarah Palin, the darling of the American right, recently stepped into the debate on marijuana by describing its use as a "minimal problem" which should not be a priority for law enforcement.That's a view widely shared. Last year, a blue-ribbon panel chaired by three former Latin American presidents (Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico, Cesar Gaviria of Colombia and Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil) published a report that rated the drug war a failure and urged governments to look into "decriminalizing" the possession of marijuana for personal use. The Beginning of The End? "Taking all this together, there is reason to believe that we are at the beginning of the end of the drug war as we know it," says Aaron Houston, a veteran Washington lobbyist for marijuana policy reform.Far-fetched? Perhaps. But how many people in the late 1920s, at the height of the government's fight against the likes of Al Capone, would have foreseen that alcohol prohibition would end in just a few years? Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933 and is now considered a failed experiment in social engineering.Alcohol and marijuana prohibition have much in common: both in effect handed production, sales and distribution of a commodity in high demand to criminal organizations, both filled the prisons (America's population behind bars is now the world's largest), both diverted the resources of law enforcement, and both created millions of scoff-laws.According to government estimates, up to 100 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once and the list of prominent citizens who admit having smoked it at one point or another is impressive. It includes President Barack Obama, his predecessor, George W. Bush, Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator John Kerry, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Vice President Al Gore. Not to forget Bill (I didn't inhale) Clinton.The argument for making marijuana legal is straightforward: it is thought to account for around 60 percent of the profits of international drug cartels, estimated at up to $60 billion annually. Take almost two thirds of that business away and the cartels' power to corrupt and confront the state, as they do in Mexico, will decline sharply.How close (or far) the United States is to an end to marijuana prohibition will become clear on November 2, when voters in California decide on a ballot initiative known as Proposition 19. Its official title, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, reflects what marijuana reform advocates around the country have long campaigned for - treat it like alcohol and tobacco.The act would allow Californians over 21 to own, cultivate or transport up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. This is distinct from marijuana for medical purposes, which is already legal in California and 13 other states, as well as the District of Columbia.Public opinion polls on the proposition so far give no clear picture. A yes vote would be virtually certain to hasten changes elsewhere -- California is not only America's most populous state, it also has a long track record for setting trends. Editing by Kieran MurraySource: Reuters (Wire)Author: Bernd DebusmannPublished: August 20, 2010Copyright: 2010 Thomson ReutersURL: http://drugsense.org/url/IwuYu4e7CannabisNews Justice Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/justice.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #12 posted by FoM on August 21, 2010 at 14:52:19 PT
Paint with Light
Maybe someday I will understand what some men think is so nice about her but I haven't figured it out so far! LOL!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by Paint with light on August 21, 2010 at 14:15:20 PT
FoM
I haven't heard any other republicans even dare to wiggle.At least when she wiggles she is more fun to look at than the standard republican.Legal like wiggle.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by FoM on August 21, 2010 at 05:09:33 PT
Paint with Light
Palin is against marijuana legalization. Remember she doesn't stand on issues but wiggles around them. She is a Republican. That's what they do. What I believe she meant is I don't want to talk about marijuana.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by Paint with light on August 21, 2010 at 00:27:01 PT
differences
When I wrote the line,"The only thing different from then to now is the use of napalm......not that the cops haven't wanted to".I was referring to the video images and a lot of the symbolism.Viet Nam did result in ending the lives of tens of thousands of Americans................And a whole lot of native people in all the other countries over there.Many of our soldiers didn't want to be there, of course in all wars, some did. A lot of soldiers were not given a choice, either by the courts, or the selective service system.I may be wrong but it seems like most of the guys riding in the choppers this time, are enjoying it and don't mind if they are attacking, peace loving people who just want to grow their medicine for the spirit or the mind.I wonder what the figures are for how many people were locked up or held captive by both sides during Nam.Too many more difference to name.I just didn't want to offend any of our CNEWs vets.I hope this ends up different than the last time I said something about people serving with honor.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by cannabis on August 20, 2010 at 23:49:11 PT:
Marijuana a new begining
Nice to see this post. This is really a informative post.
http://medicineandhealtharticle.blogspot.com/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by Paint with light on August 20, 2010 at 23:41:33 PT
This is the end
When I read the title of this article it reminded me of another war not so long ago.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIMCC_ziZ_o&NR=1 As I listened to this I kept imagining it as a view from the eyes of a CAMP operative.The sound of the helicopters was especially appropriate.Even the palm trees fit."The west is the best","The kings highway",All seemed like they were written for now just as well as then.Even imagining a CAMP operative in the part of "and then he walked on down the hall".The mother.....mother earth.The only thing different from then to now is the use of napalm......not that the cops haven't wanted to.Legal like alcohol.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by afterburner on August 20, 2010 at 23:19:00 PT
Bad Headline, but some Interesting Facts from MSM
The Dope On Research.
National Post; with files from Postmedia News · Friday, Aug. 20, 2010
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Dope+Research/3420324/story.html
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by Paint with light on August 20, 2010 at 23:08:33 PT
Sarah Palin?
I almost couldn't believe this,Sarah Palin, the darling of the American right, recently stepped into the debate on marijuana by describing its use as a "minimal problem" which should not be a priority for law enforcement.It really is the beginning of the end.For so long I (and several others here) have been so afraid that the changes we have hoped for, and fought for, stood the chance of ending up like the movement did in the mid-seventies.We were oh so close then, but our dreams were put on hold.So we fought harder and refused to give up.We can safely dream again.Too bad people like "Jack H" won't be here to see it except in spirit.Legal like politicians.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by Had Enough on August 20, 2010 at 20:00:37 PT
The Beginning of The End?
""Taking all this together, there is reason to believe that we are at the beginning of the end of the drug war as we know it," says Aaron Houston, a veteran Washington lobbyist for marijuana policy reform.
Far-fetched? Perhaps. But how many people in the late 1920s, at the height of the government's fight against the likes of Al Capone, would have foreseen that alcohol prohibition would end in just a few years? Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933 and is now considered a failed experiment in social engineering.””There it is ...Social experimentation...at the cost of “Life, Liberty, and Happiness"...Not to mention Freedom, Health, Environmental, and plain old doing what’s right reasons!!!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on August 20, 2010 at 15:50:40 PT:
Another cont-"R"-ol f-"R"-eak
"Republican Rep. Rick Jones...That's all I think anymore when I see the party designation as being "R". Control Freaks. People who just never seem to get the idea that their neighbors don't need to be 'saved'...they just need to be left alone.A long time ago, I read something that made me realize how much we lose when we allow ignorant and malicious people to use government to force their beliefs and prejudices upon those who don't share them and don't want to. Invariably, the rationale is 'for your own good'...with them deciding what's good for you. The result is usually disastrous."Political tags--such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and. so forth--are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire. The former are idealists acting from highest motives for the greatest good of the greatest number. The latter are surly curmudgeons, suspicious and lacking in altruism. But they are more comfortable neighbors than the other sort. - Robert A. Heinlein (Emphasis mine - k.)So, it always boils down to control freaks versus freedom lovers. Which, shorn of all its' rhetoric, is the philosophical battle behind the DrugWar.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 20, 2010 at 12:27:30 PT
MJ Supporters Launching New Campaign
Marijuana-Legalization Supporters Launching New Campaign***Sensible Washington, the group that sponsored a marijuana-legalization bill that didn't make it on the ballot this election season, plans to launch its 2011 legalization campaign at Seattle Hempfest this weekend.August 20, 2010URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012678776_marijuana21m.html
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 20, 2010 at 08:54:22 PT
Michigan Bill Aims To Ban Medical Marijuana Clubs
Lansing -- Legislation headed for the Michigan House seeks to ban marijuana clubs that have opened since voters approved use of the drug for medical purposes in 2008.Republican Rep. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge said today he is introducing legislation to ban the clubs because marijuana users shouldn’t be encouraged to drive. Jones said it’s a safety risk, and people authorized to use marijuana should do so at home.Marijuana club owners said there’s nothing prohibiting them from operating, and they provide an important service. There are pending court cases involving some club owners that could set precedents for how they’re allowed to operate.The House bill would punish violators with up to 90 days in jail.Copyright: 2010 Associated PressURL: http://drugsense.org/url/viZBJNZh
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment