Community | July 08, 2009 | 22 comments

'It's time' right the wrongs of Richard Nixon - 'The Blue Ribbon report Richard Nixon chose to bury'

source: http://www.csdp.org/publicservice/nixon06.pdf

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Conniepae
Richard Nixon left office in shame, but his shameful policy remained. The war on cannabis has remained and harmed us in so many ways. It is time for change! It's time to change Richard Nixon's war on cannabis hemp. Facts matter!

After Richard Nixon flattened the Democrats as soft on crime in the '68 election, the President-elect faced a dilemma. There's not much the White House can do to impact crime. The thugs people are afraid of — burglars, robbers, rapists, murderers — are the business of state courts. Then somebody mentioned drugs.1*

In a textbook example of fear manipulation, Nixon warned the country that a plague of unimaginable proportions was about to engulf the nation. “The problem has assumed the dimensions of a national emergency,” he said. 2 To fight the pushers on their own terms, he would need emergency powers — preventive detention, unorthodox strike forces, more freedom to search, wire tap, and arrest.

For scientific support, he appointed former Republican Pennsylvania Governor Ray Shafer to head a National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse. He told Gov. Shafer to treat marijuana just like heroin despite the "obvious differences between marijuana and other drugs."3 He was even more direct withchief of staff Bob Haldeman. "I want a Goddamn strong statement about marijuana...that just tears the ass out of them."4

But after months of testimony from academics, medical experts, lawmen and health professionals, the facts overwhelmed the myths. The report was devastating:“Marijuana use, in and of itself, is neither causative of, nor directly associated with crime...”5 It found no basis for the gateway theory. Alcohol, it said, was probably a greater danger, and the report concluded that personal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.6

The President hit the roof. He complained to Haldeman, "...every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish."7 In the face of the shooting war in Vietnam the Shafer Commission was quickly forgotten but the consequences of that cover-up are with us still. Since the 1972 release of that official report recommending legalization, we have arrested more than 14 million Americans8 at a cost of over $100 billion9 and the use of marijuana is undiminished.10

* Visit http://www.csdp.org/publicservice/nixon06notes.htm for citations, including full text of the Shafer Report
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    Community,   News and Politics,   Cannabis
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    News,  News and Politics,  Marijuana,  Cannabis Hemp,  5 more
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22 comments // 'It's time' right the wrongs of Richard Nixon - 'The Blue Ribbon report Richard Nixon chose to bury'

  • Overthetop
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • Absolutely! It will take organization and legislation. But, first and foremost, it will take courage. Courage to fight the fight without fear of being labeled pothead, etc. for having the knowledge to speak up for cannabis hemp, using facts.

      Many people have remained in the closet. It's no wonder. When ones urine can outweigh ones abilities, it is definitely something to fear. Companies have the right to drug test at will and cannabis remains in ones system for up to 30 days. Even if one smoked in the evening, or on the weekend, one can be fired. That's just crazy!

      How many people have become alcoholics, due to the ‘war on cannabis?. Mothers of adult children are more afraid of their adult children smoking cannabis than drinking alcohol. That's just crazy and wrong. Alcohol has ruined many families. People who consume cannabis smile a lot and their eyes are red. Should that be a crime? NO! HELL NO! But alas, that's where we are, if we choose cannabis. We, responsible adults are criminals? That's just wrong! It's time to come out of the closet and at least participate in change. .

      I'm not against alcohol. I'm against hypocrisy! Acting as though cannabis is equal to heroin and worse than alcohol is hypocrisy! They know! If we know the facts, so do our leaders. They just lack courage. Kudos to those who do!

    • 2 years ago
  • serenden68
    • 0
      serenden68  
    • Conniepae:

      exactly. what people need to learn is that its not always the substance that addicting. ive smoked ciggaretts before and hated it, im not addicted to nicotine, neither am i an alcoholic. addiction has a lot to do with the persons own mental desicion. Sex, Chocolate, tattos, extream sports have all become addictions, but only to those who over indulge theirseleves in what ever they think they "can't live without".

      Marijuana is not addicting. the people who cant tell when enough is enough are the addicts regardless of the substance or the activity, addiction is a choice made by the the person, not by the substance.

      and even if marijuana was addicting id rather be addicted to marijuana than half the legal perscription drugs or morphine, atleast no one has ever overdosed on weed.

    • 2 years ago
  • serenden68
    • 0
      serenden68  

    • dear current, and reader,

      The reason why no bill has been passed is two things. Since the first use of marijuana in 1000 B.C., to this present time the factual scientific and statistical evidence that proves myths about Marijuana are false is overwhelming. Past presidents, very influential along with religious leaders, as well as heads of state have either endorsed or used marijuana, in many cases both. So what are the two things keeping marijuana illegal?

      Organization, organization is a key factor in doing anything with regards to legislation. There are multiple organizations in the country that share the same position but haven't unified in their argument on the subject. With organization comes efficiency, and in this case as the public, we need to be efficient in educating the nation on the truth about marijuana, and how the government has been lying to and stealing from its citizens; billions of dollars in the "war on drugs" that has failed miserably, and who is paying for it? We Need to organize in our efforts to change this and create a slightly better outlook for our country and its citizens.

      Secondly, Legislation. The nations top Marijuana reform leaders and officials need to collaborate on a bill that will cover all aspects of this subject so that no question will go unanswered in the bill. This will take time to create but when done i feel the bill should have a great chance of passing. When passed though we as American citizens have to control ourselves from displaying any and all forms stupidity and ignorance that would be expected by our counter parts. I say this not to be rude or criticizing to those whom want to celebrate, but i want to say if bills are passed and legalization is law then celebrate responsibly.

      one more thing i want to say is for those who are for legalization of marijuana, i strongly urge you to fully study all aspects of the subject before you get into a heated argument on the subject. With knowledge comes power and the ability to combat all arguments with facts.

      thanks for readin

      SW

    • 2 years ago
  • Marilynn_Murray
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • Also a great read, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack Herer. Available to read for free at www.jackherer.com.

      It wasn't until I read Jack's book in the late 80's that I realized, we were being lied to. It's time to stop the lies!

    • 2 years ago
  • chardly
    • 0
      chardly  

    • OK...a must read book:
      Drug Crazy

      two others to read:
      The Buying of Congress and Sugar Blues

      cheer up...we can all meet one day...chill with some smoke...have a cook-out, go swimming and the play music!

      Oh, lest I forget, we should procreate to sustain our moods!

      I did 13 years ago...and want to do it again..and maybe again! Children are the most fun & best teachers on the planet. Schnuggly to!

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  

    • The Marijuana Policy Project paid for a PRO- Marijuana ad focused on California and how to relieve some of their debt through taxes on marijuana! There are so many ways to use hemp and reasons to legalize marijuana; I hope we see a serious attitude shift in the next few years!

    • 2 years ago
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • The 'war on drugs' has been a war on American soil, based on disinformation and reckless spin by MSM. It's time to stop spinning facts.

      Fact is, hemp could replace many of the products on the market today, which are polluting our planet. The war on drugs has eliminated the competition from petrochemical products. It's time for change!

      Hemp is100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly, it won't destroy our environment during production and will filter the air during growth. How can we ignore these FACTS? The same old argument, that someone may enjoy smoking it, isn't a good enough reason anymore.

      Cannabis hemp is not equal with heroin and should not be classified as equal. That's just crazy!

    • 2 years ago
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
  • FuriousLion
    • 0
      FuriousLion  

    • LIBERATE MARIJUANA!!!!! END THE WAR ON DRUGS!!!!! the american ppl are now beginning to think that legalizing weed is a great idea......the Two Most Obvious Reasons: It would weaken the age-old violent mexican cartels...and IF the Man taxes it...we could potentially pay-off our national debt and then some.....not to mention all the happy Americans that dont have to worry about going to jail for a joint....

    • 2 years ago
  • bastional
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • bastional:

      Cannabis hemp is one of the top cash crops in America. That's not by accident. Many people consume cannabis, but only a few are willing to speak. Fortunately, many more people are speaking up daily.

      Senator Jim Webb is making the effort. I don't have much faith in commissions. Richard Nixon chose to bury this one. I 'hope' Senator Webb succeeds in changing our prison system and our drug laws. Study after study have said the same thing, 'cannabis consumption should not be a crime'.

      President Jimmy Carter stated, "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marihuana in private for personal use... Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marihuana." - Jimmy Carter, U.S. President

      Unfortunately, mainstream media has been willful participants. They have enabled the war on drugs, by not reporting what people like President Carter say. People who find the courage to speak, are not given coverage, thereby silencing their voices. That's just sad!

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • dreamsenvoy, you are correct, but they haven't only downplayed it, they hid it. Ordinary Americans have been denied important facts, which would have allowed them to make educated decisions.

      Cannabis hemp facts have been removed from education material, enabling them to spin distorted facts. It's time for our media to report, not distort cannabis hemp facts.

      I know everyone wants to separate cannabis and hemp, but cannabis hemp is a viable plant, no matter what one calls it. Abraham Lincoln described smoking cannabis as sweet hemp. Our forefathers knew the benefit of the plant. Our more recent presidents have benefited politically by using the 'war on drugs' for political gains.

      Politicians should not benefit from lies! If their facts can't stand on their own, they should stand down and reclassify cannabis hemp! Lies build nothing but mistrust. Trust is earned. If politicians want to earn trust, they should not perpetuate lies. They know the truth! It's time to hold them accountable if they knowingly perpetuate lies and distorted facts they are not to be trusted!

    • 2 years ago
  • dreamsenvoy
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
  • noxidereus
  • bluestranger
    • 0
      bluestranger  

    • If only this was the worst action or inaction that this charicature of a president ever committed. Anyway, hemp is the most magical multi-purpose plant there is. Did I mention sustainable?

    • 2 years ago
  • unimatrix0
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • Image

    • Why are our current leaders following the policy of Richard Nixon and ignoring the voices of good Presidents like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and John Adams?

      "Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica." - Abraham Lincoln (from a letter written by Lincoln during his presidency to the head of the Hohner Harmonica Company in Germany)

      "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country."
      - Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President

      "Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."
      - George Washington, U.S. President

      "We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption."
      - John Adams, U.S. President

    • 2 years ago
  • futurehempfarmer
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