Lets actually do something to legalize cannabis, or at least talk about doing it...

[HCSmyth]

What bothers me is the negativity and often-absurd rhetoric in the toker’s den when it comes to political issues. Someone named John F. Kennedy once said:

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”

I do not believe he meant to take every opportunity to crudely insult a president you disagree with and generally act the fool when discussing political issues. Or spin that old, seemingly self-fulfilling prophecy that America or the whole world is some how doomed. As I do not see what this accomplishes. So if we are going to spend our time posting on here, lets spend some time talking about accomplishing something real, like legalizing cannabis. As I have not met a single person on this forum that would be against this task.

Another thing President Kennedy once said:

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard”

Well legalizing cannabis will be hard, but it can be done. Just complaining about it and whining to the congregation around here, is not. If anyone is interested I suggest you watch the cannabis episode of the History Channel’s “Hooked, Illegal drugs and how they got that way” to help understand the history and legislation regarding it.

One thing I believe needs to happen first in the US, is to have cannabis moved off the Federal Schedule I controlled substances list. So doctors in the US could at least prescribe patients the actual cannabis plant. This would be a great step forward for the legalization of cannabis. I would be very interested to discuss this or hear other people’s ideas.

 

[page1]

in the uk we have cannbis marches where every1 can legaly blaze because so many are doing it, police just watch everyone get stoned and keep an eye on the stoners. they never arrested any1

 

[HCSmyth]

in the uk we have cannbis marches where every1 can legaly blaze because so many are doing it, police just watch everyone get stoned and keep an eye on the stoners. they never arrested any1

I am not an expert in the UK's cannabis laws but I am speculating if they really wanted to, they could legally arrest people if they wanted to at that event. So no it is not "legal" in the true definition of the word. Just as I have been at events in the states were the police had decided to ignore cannabis smoking.

 

[diggle]

Business interest will drive the legalization of a given substance faster than anything else could in the U.S......I think the 1st and most important step is to demonstrate the commercial viability of cannabis on a "tax and regulate" basis like Nevada tried this past year. I do not see the medicinal path as the road to legalization; there are too many huge pharmaceutical companies with too much invested in their synthetics, and entirely too much power in Washington.

When it is seen by "mainstream America" that there really are billions to be made w/ this plant, I think will see a strange newfound willigness within the govt. to further legalize/tax/regulate.

 

[vavwl]

We're fighting billions of dollars worth of propaganda and still making inroads to legalization. The problem is people don't support it because they don't understand the issue. They are afraid of it because its illegal, and most people do believe its very bad for your health. We need a method of educating people about the truth of the plant. Once the truth is understood prohibition makes absolutely no sense, most of us went through this. The internet is helping, but there is still an enormous amount of ignorance, even among regular smokers.

 

[Delta9-THC]

in the uk its not legal , just tolerated and not in the dutch sense ....
the police have the final say on what they do they can decide to ignore it
me and a friend where discussing this today

If your under 18 you can still be arrested for personal amounts depending on where you do it

and what ever age they are meantr to confiscate

just wanted to clear that up

If you feel like you actually could do something to get your voice heard then do it we need more people trying to get it legalised or decrimanalised
but it'll take alot more effort than is already being given , Im not gonna say I could do it but I havent got time nor energy : )
saying that I do wish the laws were more lenient

Peace

 

[page1]

and also a few years ago england had a game where they expected alot of people to get into fights and they actualy made it legal to smoke on this day. it was on the news and showed people toking inside the football stadium and outside infront of police...

 

[tngreen]

and also a few years ago england had a game where they expected alot of people to get into fights and they actualy made it legal to smoke on this day. it was on the news and showed people toking inside the football stadium and outside infront of police...

genius! bet it worked very well!

 

[MrJinx]

Business interest will drive the legalization of a given substance faster than anything else could in the U.S......I think the 1st and most important step is to demonstrate the commercial viability of cannabis on a "tax and regulate" basis like Nevada tried this past year. I do not see the medicinal path as the road to legalization; there are too many huge pharmaceutical companies with too much invested in their synthetics, and entirely too much power in Washington.

When it is seen by "mainstream America" that there really are billions to be made w/ this plant, I think will see a strange newfound willigness within the govt. to further legalize/tax/regulate.

This is just me talking here, but I feel better knowing that my drugdealer gets the money rather than my government.
My drugdealer has done me more good than the people sitting in my countries "elected" government.
So let's focus, not on legalizing, but decriminalizing.
I wanna smoke pot openly, but I don't wanna give the government a stinking dime for letting me do it.

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

In the UK cannabis is a class C drug which means its legal to have in your own home... in Tasmania it is basically de-criminalized for small amounts (less than 20 plants) and you get 3 warnings before you ever see a judge...

This IS progress and people growing and selling/giving away seeds IS making a difference.

I think that if the rest of Europe and Australia shows the lead on medicinal marijuana then the world will be shamed into stepping into line...

 

[HCSmyth]

I see some problems with simple decriminalization. In New York State first time possession under 7/8 of an oz is a fine/citation and not a misdemeanor. But that does not mean the police will not persecute you to make revenues for the local governments they work for.

Secondly there is lag between federal and state laws when it comes medical marijuana laws that needs to be changed. States like California has medical marijuana laws but the federal government interferes because cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance with no medical value.

 

[NOKUY]

I was thinking about this for quite a while today (legalization and decrim.).

I was wondering why the effort to change the laws seems to come in waves of intensity...maybe has to do w/ elections, or w/ media decisions to focus attention or not on the issue.

maybe it has something to do w/ all the effort people have put into the fight for legalization only to have there efforts squashed come vote time.

...it just doesnt seem to me like there is CONSISTANT pressure to change things.

I know that I haven't done much myself to aid the cause other than vote the proper way, and to NOT be one of the "examples" of why not to legalize.

I really don't know what I can do that would make much difference??..I'm sure others feel the same way....which leads me to apathy as I'm sure it does to many others.

Does writing letters to senators and congressmen and presidents and etc...do any good (I cant see how it would), but I'd gladly use one of my hushmail accts. to e-mail any of the above. Does a personal written letter make any difference over just sending a "generic" pre-written letter" from a pro-pot source. (ie. NORML)

I'm sure its been answered before, but what's the best course of action NOW, that would actually make a difference when the time comes to have a chance at bringing a change.

I really dont know...I'm just rambling some of the thoughts that went through my head today.

 

[Jam Master Jaco]

I think NORML has addressed the issue of legalization very well.

www.norml.org

 

[TrichomusCaesar]

yeah yea.....another same ole pipe dream thread..

You really want it legal? Get rich and get some damn influence in the upper class America.

Until then...march all you want....talk all you want....but you're wasting your breath.

It's all about having money and knowing the right people.

Sorry to be so negative....but that's just the way I feel about the topic.

America has been aware of strategies to increase economy for a long time now....and that is war, and police enforcement.

These are the two things to guarentee an increase in cash flow and thus better economy....now how does it keep up with it's economy by legalizing the very thing that keep the business running?

 

[BACKCOUNTRY]

So far the best thing that has happend in the legalization area is Medical Cannabis, making it legal for med patients does alot to ease the publics view on it. Make sure to vote in your state/country, for medical Cannabis!

In California it is very apparent that med Cannabis has majorly affected the situation. Also it has made the spreading of "clone only" strains throughout the community a major occurace. Many growers have freinds with cards who can go down to the local club and pick up the latest greatest clones to fuel their personal/commercial grows, thus increasing the overall quality of the local bud.

 

[NOKUY]

good refrence moose!

we need someone like charlton heston to stand up w/ a bong in his hand saying "from my cold dead hands" (but I guess we need the law on our side first for that to have meaning)

maybe someone w/ photoshop skills can hook that up for us (the image, not the law)

 

[Patsheba]

Jan. 22 there is a nation-wide protest at DEA office Federal Buildings in large cities across the United States with empty perscription bottles to protest the record "busts" last fall. (Where's the medicine?)

May 6, is the international MJ day, and activities are everywhere! We have a march in LA. Just gotta look, or start something yourself.

I have custom made some pretty good t shirts, look for us on the news!

And then, in every casual conversation, I try to sprinkle in a bit about MJ's "anti-immune suppression properties" and we may be sitting on the cure for cancer and sclerosis by ignoring the issue of MJ's current status. Especially now, when people start complaining about the war. Kinda' "our dumb government" lead in.

 

[HCSmyth]

I think NORML has addressed the issue of legalization very well.

www.norml.org

NORML has lots of good information but they do not necessarily have the strategy necessary to implement legalization. We need to think outside the box a bit.

O.K.

Some of what you'll need to do has nothing directly to do with cannabis what-so-ever.

1.) Get laws passed that mandate paper ballots at -every-. election. No ifs, ands, or buts. Verifiable paper ballots capable of providing for a certified recount when ever called upon to do so.

2.) Strip corporations of -any- right to participate in the election process; no contributions to candidates or committees, of any amount, at any time.

2,a.) Fund -all- campaigns equally through the tax money saved in the long run from arresting and prosecuting those those who engage in kick-back defense contracts, and put a government radio/television station on the air set aside for campaign debates and political ads.

3.)Hold the U.S. federal government acountable to their own (already in existence) anti-propaganda laws.

4.)Fund symposiums, work shops, town hall meetings, television ads, radio ads, etc., containing -high quality- accurate research re. cannabis; both ills and benefits. Present these to the general public as a method of making their drug war work, and point out that their kids have far greater liklihood of doing time for a non-violent, relatively victimless 'crime' and losing any federally-subsidized college loans/jobs/etc. than they do of falling victim to the ills of cannabis. Also emphasizing the benefits of an above-board market, both in terms of saved revenues from incarceration, positive tax base from sales to fund other drug treatments, etc., etc.

5.)After perhaps a decade of -serious- re-education of the public, link the above actions to a ballot initiative effort wherein the managers aren't shmoozing and manipulating their supporters and staff almost as badly as the opposition has been shmoozing the public..

6.) Make these issues and facts part of every election, be it local, state, oor federal, and STOP VOTING FOR ANY AND ALL PROHIBITIONIST FASCIST SCUM-SUCKERS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ANNUALLY BRING HOME THE FEDERAL PORK THAT THEY STOLE FROM YOUR POCKETS IN THE FIRST PLACE, IN ORDER TO FUND LOCAL JOBS AND GET RE-ELECTED TO THE OLIGARCHY!

moose eater

I respectfully, disagree with moose eater that we need to accomplish all the tasks he lists inorder to move in the direction of legalization. What I believe needs to be done is sell the idea to the American people that cannabis needs to be rescheduled so that various state laws regarding medical marijuana need to be legal on the federal level as well. It could be as simple as putting ballot initiatives that could very well pass on say 20 states, or so, simply demanding cannabis is rescheduled.

Rather, then change the way some politicians and corporate people conduct themselves, you copy them. Make the issue only about medical marijuana and not legalization and sell it that way. But make no mistake if rescheduling occurred it would be good for all people who use cannabis. So in conclusion you give the voters and anti-cannabis pundits a little bit of their own medicine, the old Potomac two step.

 

[jojajico]

dont bite my head off but sometimes i think its better that it isnt legal and here is why... if it becomes legalized it will be taxed regulated and controlled by the government and knowing them they will put a limit on THC content. hey they did it in europe with absinthe. the other big reason is i wouldnt want to deal with all that commercial bullshit that would undoubtly occur with cannabis legalization. could u imagine ads for arjans haze during the superbowl.... i know i just threw up too. the last and biggest thing, cannabis genetics would bottleneck and many genetics would be lost because only commercial strains would become propgated. the problem being the death of biodiversity in the cannabis gene pool. the same thing has occured in other commercial crops.

now dont get me wrong i would love to be able to run down to the local walmart and pick up a 20 dollar ounce but not at the cost of biodiversity.

 

[Guest]

I dont' think biodiversity would be lost. There would always be a group of people interested in preserving it... like me.