cannabisnews.com: U.S. Drug Czar Criticizes Prop. 19
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U.S. Drug Czar Criticizes Prop. 19
Posted by CN Staff on October 21, 2010 at 05:32:29 PT
By John Hoeffel, Los Angeles Times
Source: Los Angeles Times
California -- The nation's drug czar traveled to California to highlight his contention that legalizing marijuana is not the answer to a drug war he acknowledged has not succeeded. Instead, Gil Kerlikowske stressed what he called a middle way: increased prevention and treatment.Kerlikowske's stated reason for the drop-in visit Wednesday was an invitation from the Pasadena Recovery Center to participate in a round-table with drug treatment specialists that lasted less than half an hour. Before the event, he spoke to the media about his opposition to Proposition 19.
"The facts are that this proposition would not be helpful to the people of California," he said, insisting that it would not solve the state's budget crisis or reduce Mexican drug violence. He also dismissed the argument made by proponents that children would have less access to marijuana if it were regulated, noting that children can still find alcohol and cigarettes."Why do we think that we can suddenly do it with marijuana, which can be grown in a backyard?" he asked. "I think it's such a false promise."The Obama administration has cranked up its efforts to defeat the measure. Last week, U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder said he would "vigorously enforce" federal narcotics laws, even if voters approved the measure Nov. 2, and "is considering all available legal and policy options."Stephen Gutwillig, state director for the Drug Policy Alliance, said he was not surprised the drug czar found his way to California. "They have to fly people in from D.C. with the news flash that the federal government opposes marijuana," he said. "I'm shocked, shocked."Kerlikowske also released an analysis showing that 47% of Californians receiving treatment for marijuana abuse are younger than 18, compared with 28% in the rest of the nation, and that 65% began using marijuana at 14 or younger, compared with 55% for the rest of the nation. It's the second time in a week that his office has highlighted data from previously released reports about drug use among young people, a critical issue for mothers, who are thought to be the swing vote.Gutwillig said the analysis underscores the failure of the drug war. "Everyone agrees young people should not be smoking pot, and these statistics the drug czar cites are all the more proof of the failures of the existing prohibitionist regime. It doesn't work," he said. "We've driven this enormous market underground and driven young people into the arms of drug dealers."The measure would allow Californians who are 21 and older to grow and possess marijuana. It would also allow cities and counties to approve marijuana cultivation, sales and taxes.Kerlikowske, acknowledging that Californians seem to be looking for other ways to deal with drugs than enforcement, said he has focused more federal resources on prevention and treatment."I know clearly the frustration," he said. "The answer isn't legalization."Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author: John Hoeffel, Los Angeles TimesPublished: October 21, 2010Copyright: 2010 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/Up1R8Y2fCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on October 23, 2010 at 08:37:45 PT
Ezrydn Comment 9 Video
68,777 views today.It needs to be "viral" enough that the media notices.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by Hope on October 22, 2010 at 11:19:16 PT
EZ Comment 9
Looks like your getting your wish... which we share, of course!In the early, early AM it was 3918 views. Now it's 28,285.Those people in the video and production of it are good. Professionally and extraordinary talented and work ethic good. They made a parody of a dark, dark, dark but stunningly beautiful song and made the parody of it so sweet, smart, sane and beautiful, and full of light. They were inspired by something dark, but stunning, to make something really beautiful, bright, and stunning.And the hot stuff... just right! (I thought he was naked once! Lol!) A sexual encounter that was beautiful, graceful, rather inspiring, and stirring, *smile* without being all up in someone else's business (Pun noticed). I have an efficient enough imagination not to need to have to depend on voyeurism to know what the heck is going on. *smile*
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Comment #12 posted by rustyfuggerIVXX on October 22, 2010 at 05:44:27 PT:
Drug Czar Criticizes Prop 19
It's okay to allow the free & open use of cannabis while Police chief in Seattle during hemp fest, but now wants to hang federal laws over the voters in Cali, who want to be able allow use by adults 21 and older. I am amazed that 21 you can choose to drink alcohol and smoke or chew tobacco products. Both of the above mentioned are proven to be hazardous and even cause death to human beings, but fail to allow the same choice for those who want to smoke cannabis. Cannabis has yet to be proven to be harmful or fatal to humans. Double standards at play here.
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on October 21, 2010 at 22:23:59 PT
Comment 9
Oh my gosh! I love it.It's great. It's going to do good, too. Thank you, EZ.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by Paint with light on October 21, 2010 at 21:57:37 PT
CNN article
I don't know if this has been linked to yet or not.It is a good article on why conservatives should be for legalizing cannabis, except it leaves out hemp.http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/21/wood.war.on.drugs/index.html?hpt=SbinLegal like alcohol.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by ezrydn on October 21, 2010 at 17:04:17 PT:
Make it go VIRAL
People here need to get this link on as many sites as they can in the next 12 days, even the prohibs comments sections.Enjoy:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdIYVWA0dr0
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by John Tyler on October 21, 2010 at 17:02:38 PT
prevention?
Prevention? The prohibitionist still don’t get it. The whole point of Prop 19 to have a legal cannabis industry, not prevent it.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by dongenero on October 21, 2010 at 14:15:32 PT
Youth vote for 19
I think the youth vote will be necessary.The youth vote must take responsibility for charting their future on this issue or, they can have their future dictated to them by backwards, old farts.Get up, stand up.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on October 21, 2010 at 08:50:40 PT
California
Keep in mind that Prop. 19 has already succeeded in eliminating 70,000 arrests per year in California! Also it's already been announced that there will be legalization referendums in NV, CO, and probably CA again in 2012.
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Comment #5 posted by museman on October 21, 2010 at 08:05:39 PT
treatment?
Prevention?Two 'buzz' words held out to the 'moral majority' believed to exist in the latter decade of the 20th century. Apparently the political body left it is head somewhere in the last century, complete with its eyes and ears, because it is not listening to what "everybody" is really saying, and doesn't see what is really going on.And I just have to ask; "Who is going to prevent more of the same insanity, damage, and suffering that is an undeniable (by those who actually attempt to uphold truth instead of SQAK BS) and direct result of cannabis prohibition?" "Who is going treat the human illness of the addiction and need for power and control?" Pharmas? I guess, after all the doctor endorses the chemical sales department. (the ones they get a cut from.)Here's some facts; Cops ain't lawmakers, and lawmakers ain't cops. So one or the other has got to get it straight!Some more facts; The only 'treatment' that cannabis users need is fairness from a corrupt government.Television don't work like it used to, so the stops are being pulled out, and the fascist slip under the fake 'democratic' dress is really starting to show up to everyone but the wearer.Down With Czars!LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on October 21, 2010 at 07:31:43 PT
TRUTH
If I allowed idiot civil "mercenaries" like this one to rule my life I would already be blind!
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Comment #3 posted by dongenero on October 21, 2010 at 07:27:14 PT
prevention and treatment....how nice
Gil Kerlikowske stressed what he called a middle way: increased prevention and treatment..........While still arresting, incarcerating, levying devastating legal costs, asset seizure, ruining lives, fostering police corruption, supporting the black market, supporting the highest prison population of any country, wasting tax dollars, supporting horrible violence in neighboring countries. That's a lot of message between the lines Gil.
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Comment #2 posted by CropReport on October 21, 2010 at 06:18:06 PT
The Numbers Are Part of the Lie
Every time the Feds roll out these youth treatment statistics we should remember that given a choice between "treatment" and a juvenile detention center, most families will choose treatment over jail.What Kerlikowske meant to say was, "that 47% of Californians coerced by the courts into receiving treatment for marijuana abuse are younger than 18"Our money would be better spent securing the southern border and finding the people who murdered David Hartley.Stop wasting OUR money traveling to campaign against a state voter initiative. Wait, is that even legal?-Crop
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 21, 2010 at 05:36:53 PT
Related Article From The LA Times
California Voters Turning Against Prop. 19 and Prop. 23, Poll ShowsOctober 21, 2010URL: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-1021-prop-poll-20101021,0,1066812.story
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