Monthly Archives: September 2012
Tom Tancredo: Marijuana prohibition has failed us
Exactly 80 years ago, the people of this great state passed a ballot initiative declaring an end to the misguided big-government policy experiment that was alcohol prohibition. One year later, the federal government followed.
This November, the voters of Colorado have the opportunity to repeat history.
On the ballot is Amendment 64, an initiative that would end marijuana prohibition in the state and regulate the production and sale of the substance.
In many ways, marijuana prohibition is very similar to alcohol prohibition. Nowhere is this more apparent than in their impact on public safety.
In the 1920s, alcohol prohibition led to the widespread proliferation of violent criminal organizations who corrupted politicians and law enforcement officials to illegally peddle booze to otherwise law-abiding citizens.
Similarly, by keeping marijuana illegal for the last 75 years, we have created a black market that helps fuel some of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in… Continue reading
Wisconsin Glaucoma Patient Has Used Cannabis For 40 Years To Stave Off Blindness
MADISON — On October 3, 1972, Gary Storck smoked marijuana before heading off for a glaucoma checkup. Afflicted with glaucoma since birth from a condition called Noonan Syndrome, Storck had read of a federally-funded 1971 UCLA study by Hepler and Frank which found cannabis reduced intraocular pressures in normal subjects for about 4 to 5 hours with “no indications of any deleterious effects”. The federal Controlled Substances Act, which declared marijuana a Schedule One drug with a high potential for abuse and no medical uses had been signed into law by President Richard Nixon less than two years earlier on October 27, 1970.
Storck, now 57, had previously found that smoking cannabis eased eye pain and helped him see better. However, until his eye exam on Oct. 3, 1972, he had not been able to document that cannabis was effective in lowering his intraocular pressures. Storck’s prior readings were all… Continue reading
UK Multiple Sclerosis Patient: Cannabis Treats My Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis patient Clark French is one of thousands of patients in Britain and the world over who use cannabis to help with their medical conditions. These conditions include multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, and Crohn’s disease. Trials are currently being conducted to determine if cannabis can stop the growth of cancers.
French, one of the founding members of NORML UK (National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), will be appearing on Channel’s 4 4Thought program, to discuss his medical use of cannabis.
Cannabis has become increasingly prominent in the United Kingdom in last few years, as more people and politicians have realized its therapeutic benefits and the harms produced by the black market. A July 2012 YouGov poll for The Sun showed that 45 percent supported at least decriminalization of cannabis, and that 25 percent of the population do not believe that cannabis is harmful at all.
About… Continue reading
What Happens If Colorado Legalizes Marijuana?
From The Colorado Independent’s Scot Kersgaard.
If Amendment 64 passes, it will become almost immediately legal under Colorado law for adults to possess, grow, consume and give away up to an ounce of marijuana. It may take more than a year, however, before adults can purchase marijuana legally in a store.
A poll released in early September by Public Policy Polling shows the amendment continues to lead, currently by a 47-38 margin, with 15 percent still undecided. Passage could enable the state to increase tax revenues by $50 million a year or more while also potentially reducing law enforcement costs.
If the measure passes, the parts of the amendment related to individual behavior go into effect as soon as the governor signs a proclamation certifying the results of the election, which he is required to do within 30 days.
Sections related to the commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana would… Continue reading
25 Legal Drugs More Dangerous Than Marijuana
Just About Every Drug And Household Cleaner Is More Dangerous Than Marijuana
How long will politicians live in fear of marijuana and throw billions of dollars at eradicating it and jailing thousands of people for possessing it? The overwhelming majority of its users do not develop addictions. It is practically impossible to overdose on. It even has health benefits, like slowing tumor growth and easing glaucoma. And it’s safer than the 25 legal drugs, substances, and even household products we’ve laid out here. By the end, you’ll be ready to say with us: legalize it!
Over-the-counter
With a few restrictions, these products can be obtained without a prescription from everywhere from drug stores to the nearest vending machine.
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Alcohol:
The phrase “drugs and alcohol” is redundant. People who drink alcohol can impair their faculties, develop a tolerance for it, and become addicted. That’s a drug, and a very dangerous… Continue reading
Buckley Supports Marijuana Legalization
State Rep. Peter Buckley has thrown his support behind Measure 80, an initiative that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana consumed by adults.
“Overall, legalization would take the black market out of Oregon,” said Buckley, D-Ashland, who has served as co-chairman of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee for the past two sessions. He said he supports regulating marijuana in a manner similar to the regulation of alcohol under the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
Under current laws, he said, medical marijuana has too many legal loopholes that have frustrated law enforcement and left the door open for abuse.
“I do think it’s a problem with some medical marijuana growers,” he said. “They’ve gotten greedy.”
Oregon voters will decide this November on the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, a citizen’s initiative campaign to regulate cannabis and encourage production of hemp.
According to the YES on 80 campaign, legalizing marijuana could save $60… Continue reading
MJ Legalization Ballot Measure Favored By Majority
A recently published poll from The Denver Post has good news for pot legalization advocates. According to the survey, a majority of Colorado voters are in favor of Amendment 64, a November ballot measure that seeks to legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol for adult use.
Of the 615 likely Colorado voters surveyed by The Denver Post, 51 percent are in favor of the measure, while only 40 percent are opposed.
Read the entire poll, exact question wording and results here at The Denver Post.: http://www.denverpost.com/news/marijuana/ci_21548398/colorado-marijuana-legalization-initiative-leads-new-poll
Colorado’s Amendment 64 does appear to be popular among voters. Earlier this month, Public Policy Polling surveyed 1,000 likely voters and found that 47 percent would vote in support of Amendment 64, while only 38 percent would vote against the ballot measure.
That percentage was the exact same that PPP had found one month prior during a similar survey.
The largest percentage in favor… Continue reading
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