Community | October 19, 2009 | 158 comments

Obama Issues New Medical Marijuana Policy

source: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/18/us/AP-US-Medical-Marijuana.html?hp

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors Monday.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state laws.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

California is unique among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries -- businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.

end of excerpt

Source: The New York Times
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158 comments // Obama Issues New Medical Marijuana Policy

  • Jjjjason7
  • AtomUniverse1
  • MirrorLake
  • RememberWhoYouAre
  • amandapandalol
  • dsidney
  • hunzedog
    • 0
      hunzedog  

    • one train wrecks with a stoned engeneer and the world never forgets..............................he could have been hi 3 and a half weeks before ? ow well , time for some new rules......fair rules.........

    • 2 years ago
  • KaylaMoon
    • 0
      KaylaMoon  

    • Im just afraid that people are going to abuse this privlage.
      Just like OxyCottin... they depense that, and its absolutly being abused...

      I hope stupid immature people don't ruin this for other people who really need this.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • KaylaMoon:

      You can't get addicted to it...EVER and you can operate heavy machinery while on it.

      You can even smoke while pregnant because it's very healthy for the baby. Helps them talk much earlier than other stupid babies.

    • 2 years ago
  • noxidereus
  • J_Jammer
  • noxidereus
  • J_Jammer
  • noxidereus
  • J_Jammer
  • noxidereus
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • KaylaMoon:

      hahah...

      you're asking me to prove to you with evidence that it's not as healthy and fine as you staunchly believe?

      That's like asking a Liberal to not believe in raising taxes as a cure all or conservative to forget the death penalty.

      I'm not into wasting my time with someone that won't alter their view.

      That's pathetic.

    • 2 years ago
  • noxidereus
  • J_Jammer
  • noxidereus
  • Nettle
    • 0
      Nettle  
    • KaylaMoon:

      Give up Jay. I tried showing them evidence a long time ago and they adamantly stuck to their drug. Cherry picking the information you want is never good for either side.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • noxidereus
    • 0
      noxidereus  
    • KaylaMoon:

      @Nettle: aw :-( I'm not a "them". I'm an individual person. You can talk to me. I promise. You seem cool.

      We're talking about something specific. The question is: Do you think that alcohol is safer than cannabis or the other way around?

      If you think alcohol is safer, can you provide a link to your source? I'm asking for evidence. I've never seen any evidence that alcohol is safer, so if you wouldn't mind, can you please provide the link, just for the sake of reference? If you (or even Jammer) can provide facts that check out, I'll concede. I'm not unreasonable.

      My standpoint of wanting marijuana legalized does not depend on it being safer than marijuana. I still want alcohol to be legal even though it's more dangerous than marijuana. All I'm doing is stating the facts. Either you can disprove what I'm saying or not.

      I'll give you a starting point (which doesn't even take into account drunk driving deaths):

      In 2001, there were 331 alcohol overdose deaths, and 0 marijuana overdose deaths (ever):

      http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5337a2.htm

      The implications are that marijuana is safer than alcohol. Can you provide statistics that show the opposite conclusion?

      Here is another statistic for your reference:

      The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported 22,073 “alcohol-induced deaths” (excluding accidents and homicides) last year in 2008:

      http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm

      Thanks in advance!

    • 2 years ago
  • Nettle
    • 0
      Nettle  
    • KaylaMoon:

      No, I don't think alcohol is safer than marijuana. Marijuana doesn't destroy your liver or make you violent. Of all the drugs out there, it's probably one of the safest. Coca leaves would be better for you though.

      My point is that for issues with mj in general, most people don't want to see the opposite side. I work at a substance abuse clinic and see all of it. In the past I've provided documentation that pot isn't the wonder drug everyone wants it to be and I was rejected and called ignorant. I mean, who am I to post sources from medical books? I see both sides and I don't choose only the bad material to share. Most pot advocates choose to share only the good aspects of it.

      You should take my rantings with a grain of salt, though. I'm a wee bit biased. I grew up with an alcoholic in the home, a grandma that blew smoke in my face every Christmas Eve, a cousin that spent her check on weed and left her kids to starve and uncles addicted to crack. I was lucky enough to have a mother that made sure I wouldn't fall into the family pattern and growing up in a home like that made me detest drug use of any kind.

    • 2 years ago
  • noxidereus
    • 0
      noxidereus  
    • KaylaMoon:

      Thanks Nettle. I'm horrible at remembering people but you are one that I know here on current and I value your opinion.

      When I was very young, my father was an alcoholic and he also did hardcore drugs. He quit all that when he was 32 (I was 7), so I barely remember it. I remember him falling asleep in his mashed potatoes.

      He was well known in NA (Narcotics Anonymous). He used to chair meetings at our house. I grew up knowing many ex-drug addicts. None of them were there because of marijuana. I used to listen to them talking and they would laugh at people who thought marijuana was a hardcore drug. My dad told me never to do drugs, and I didn't even try marijuana until I was 26 and going through divorce. It effectively treated my depression, and I put my life back together. Up until that point I just said no. I didn't like the idea of any drugs at all. I still have no desire to try anything else because I know hardcore drugs are extremely bad.

      Now my parents are on medical marijuana. The other drugs they were on prior to that (like dilaudid for my dad) are addictive and dangerous (especially for a former drug addict like him). My dad wanted to get off narcotics and try something non-addictive. Marijuana worked for him, very well, as a medicine to combat his nausea and vomiting (but it's not as effective against the pain as dilaudid was). He hates addictive drugs because of his past. He felt the safest alternative was marijuana, and it has worked out for him great (he doesn't fall asleep in his mashed potatoes LOL)... and he was able to get off diludid and he feels much better.

      I don't think that marijuana has any magical qualities though. I was actually surprised when I learned of the benefits that it does have. Just like anything else, it has pros and cons. I'm pretty sure I've got my facts right. I do not think I would be an effective advocate for my side if my arguments lacked factual accurateness.

      I can only speak for myself, but I talk about the pros because I think most people are misinformed because of the "Reefer Madness" type of propaganda. Mostly, I just want people to have the choice and I think it's a very sad tragedy that with the war on drugs, we seek to jail people who choose marijuana.

      Dispelling myths about it, and promoting the benefits might some day bring us to a point where we no longer put people in jail for choosing a safer alternative to alcohol. I think it's wrong when people demonize pot smokers, because I think it's unfair, so I like to just inform people about the truth.

      Anyway, thanks for sharing :-)

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • KaylaMoon:

      noxidereus, thank you for your thoughtful comment. I support what you typed 100%. It's time to have the conversation!

      Yesterday is History
      Tomorrow is a Mystery
      Today is a Gift, that's why we call it President

      It's time to use the 'Gift of Today' and let our voices be heard. Facts and the rule of law is what should matter in America, but if we are going to type opinions, thank you for yours.

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • "The war on drugs has been an utter failure. We need to rethink and decriminalize our nation's marijuana laws." -Barack Obama, January 2004

      "The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world." - Carl Sagan, renown scientist, astronomer, astrochemist, author and TV host

      "Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?" - Henry Ford, whose first Model-T was constructed from hemp fibers and built to run on hemp gasoline

      "Prohibition... goes beyond the bound of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded" -Abraham Lincoln

      "The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this." - Albert Einstein quote on Hemp

    • 2 years ago
  • Laken_Baxter
    • 0
      Laken_Baxter  

    • This is awesome news and a great start to bettering America. People just need to chill out, and stop making marijuana such a big deal. My favorite are the "above the influence" commercials where teens start to see unicorns and melt away to nothing. I don't know about you guys, BUT WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY SMOKING? Now, all that needs to happen is to allow medical marijuana (well, just legalizing it all together) in ALL 50 STATES! I just don't understand how cigarettes and alcohol can be legal when marijuana is the real way to go. I'm dedicated to my green whether it's legal or not. Also waiting for Virginia to come to their senses. Anyways, Go Obama :)

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  

    • Mj doesn't kill anyone just like Cuba's birth deaths are low....haha....fudged.

      Why would anyone who smokes want to admit to it making them do anything wrong or believe anything that says otherwise?

      Please. Trusting someone that fills their head with smoke into telling the truth on this isn't worth the trouble.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • GreenerAmerica
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • J_Jammer:

      I'm sorry, double meaning screen name, but I never said that someone has died. I don't trust the naive comments by pot heads that it doesn't alter them.

      Please save such pandering comments for your own justifications.

      -------------------

      I never said outlaw it. I think it's stupid to get people in trouble for it, but opening that door allows other drugs to follow. It's a Pandora's box of stupid. But as long as the killing stays in the drug family (pot included when and if it does or ever happens) I don't really care what they do to themselves or each other.

      I am allergic to alcohol. But it's mild. It's a wonderful Japanese like allergic reaction. You can look and tell that I've had one drink even if I'm not drunk.

      I will never, ever, ever agree that pot does nothing. It is illogical to sit and state that you put something in your body and it just makes you feel good and that's it. Please...that's a fairy tale and if pot smokers have atheist ....well I'm sure they do it explains a lot. Seriously that's funny that they would believe that fairy tale. It doesn't do anything to be. Look at all these studies....

      wow they studied it for a few years and have all the info on it already?

      Maybe they should study AIDs and cancer like that.

    • 2 years ago
  • Jane_Do
    • 0
      Jane_Do  
    • J_Jammer:

      Are you all nuts? No one has ever died from marijuana???? HA! You are living in la la land. Number one, the crime that follows drugs including marijuana is very undesirable to those of us with some sense left. Number two, they are banning smoking cigs all over the nation...ewww evil cigs they stink, the secondhand smoke blah blah frigging blah..yet you all think they are honestly going to legalize marijuana SMOKING??? noooooooooooooooooo! Put that blunt down and do some soul searching...please! For the sake of humanity and intelligence come back to earth! Marijuana smoke has the same crippling body deterioation as cigs do. It most certainly does kill. Have you not read of the train wrecks, and such, in which they tested positive for marijuana only, and they murdered many passengers while in their pot induced trance????? I've smoke the crap, and grew up and got smart mind you, and yes it does alter a persons mind, time response, and leaves you helplessly stuck to the couch for hours trying to soothe your munchies. Your arguments are from want and not actual facts.

    • 2 years ago
  • wintermadness90
    • 0
      wintermadness90  
    • Image
    • J_Jammer:

      No one has died from Marijuana Jane, the lethal dose is 1/3 your body weight, or 1,500 pounds in 15 minutes, which is damn near impossible to achieve.

      I've smoked for over 3 years, and I certainly haven't experienced the same "crippling body deterioration" as cigarettes, I don't think anyone has.

      You need disassociate Marijuana from the whole dumb stoner image. There are stupid people that smoke, but Marijuana didn't make them stupid, and Marijuana has certainly not made me stupid.
      You claim that our argument is based on want not facts... No, we took the time to research. It looks like your argument is based on propaganda.

      Well here's some real facts about Marijuana, courtesy of http://www.drugpolicy.org:

      Myth: Marijuana Can Cause Permanent Mental Illness. Among adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrational and often behave erratically.

      Fact: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers or adults. Some marijuana users experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almost always when marijuana is eaten rather than smoked. Marijuana does not cause profound changes in people's behavior.

      Myth: Marijuana is Highly Addictive. Long term marijuana users experience physical dependence and withdrawal, and often need professional drug treatment to break their marijuana habits.

      Fact: Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans - less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis. An even smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without difficulty. Others seek help from drug treatment professionals. Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they are remarkably mild.

      Myth: Marijuana is More Damaging to the Lungs Than Tobacco. Marijuana smokers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema.

      Fact: Moderate smoking of marijuana appears to pose minimal danger to the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a number of irritants and carcinogens. But marijuana users typically smoke much less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less smoke. As a result, the risk of serious lung damage should be lower in marijuana smokers. There have been no reports of lung cancer related solely to marijuana, and in a large study presented to the American Thoracic Society in 2006, even heavy users of smoked marijuana were found not to have any increased risk of lung cancer. Unlike heavy tobacco smokers, heavy marijuana smokers exhibit no obstruction of the lung's small airway. That indicates that people will not develop emphysema from smoking marijuana.

      Myth: Marijuana Has No Medicinal Value. Safer, more effective drugs are available. They include a synthetic version of THC, marijuana's primary active ingredient, which is marketed in the United States under the name Marinol.

      Fact: Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that marijuana reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. A synthetic capsule is available by prescription, but it is not as effective as smoked marijuana for many patients. Pure THC may also produce more unpleasant psychoactive side effects than smoked marijuana. Many people use marijuana as a medicine today, despite its illegality. In doing so, they risk arrest and imprisonment.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • J_Jammer:

      I think one of the many problems with pot is that those that use it become long winded and overly philosophical....I know some people that smoke and they talk and talk and talk and when they finally get to the point I totally went on to something else.

      ADD vs Pot. I win.

    • 2 years ago
  • noxidereus
    • 0
      noxidereus  
    • J_Jammer:

      @Jane_Do, you are so clueless when it comes to the facts. You should never accuse people of not having the facts when it is you who is short on facts. I really didn't think there were many "Reefer Madness" people left. You have bought the propaganda hook, line, and sinker. You do not know the first thing about what you're talking about. It is only understandable in light of the fact that there is so much misinformation out there.

      Check out what wintermadness90 has to say, and I mean seriously, because if you are going to be voicing your opinions about marijuana, you will benefit from really learning the facts. Nobody has EVER died from using marijuana, and no dying from some other cause while on marijuana doesn't count. People have died from putting aspirin in their body, directly causing their deaths. People have died from alcohol poisoning and other alcohol-related illnesses. People have died from drug overdoses, etc, etc, etc. You CANNOT overdose on cannabis, period. It has NEVER been shown as the sole cause of cancer, and in FACT it has been shown, scientifically (not through wishful thinking -- that is not part of the scientific method) to reduce occurrences of head and neck cancer. It has been shown to kill cancer cells and leave healthy cells alone. Don't believe me? You don't have to take my word for it. Just google it. I won't even point you to a source, so you won't think I'm biased.

      "I've smoke the crap, and grew up and got smart mind you, and yes it does alter a persons mind, time response, and leaves you helplessly stuck to the couch for hours trying to soothe your munchies."

      Maybe you are a special case and all those above the influence commercials are based on your true-life story, but I find what you are saying to be ridiculous. I've been smoking for a long time, with many people, and never, ever have we just sat on the couch doing nothing. That is such a waste! If that's what you chose to do, fine, but it isn't what I choose. I sometimes spark one up before I do housework and I get it all done. I've written and published 2 books. I have a great career in computer programming, so it obviously hasn't made me dumb.

      Did you know Carl Sagan, the famous scientist was a pot advocate? It certainly didn't make him dumb. You insinuate that smoking is childish and one must grow up and get smart. Well that's your choice to buy into all the propaganda, fall victim to feelings of guilt and/or shame, and throw stones at others, with a blatant ignorance to the facts. These people (past & present pot smokers) would disagree with you that pot smoking makes what your description seems to indicate -- that it makes you basically a vegetable:

      Sharon Stone
      Richard Branson
      Ricky Williams
      Morgan Freeman
      Bill Maher
      Jello Biafra
      Oliver Stone
      Hunter S. Thompson
      Peter Tosh
      Jack Herer
      Melissa Etheridge
      Angel Raich
      Ray Charles
      Mikki Norris
      Montel Williams
      Cheryl Miller
      David Ford
      Pancho Villa
      Ed Rosenthal
      Mark Stepnoski
      Rodney Dangerfield
      Irvin Rosenfeld
      Bing Crosby
      Valerie Corral
      Merle Haggard
      Margaret Mead
      Larry Hagman
      Michael R. Bloomberg
      Bob Marley
      George Harrison
      Ken Kesey
      Elvy Musikka
      Gary Johnson
      Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
      Anita Hoffman
      Wavy Gravy
      Andrew Weil
      Brownie Mary
      Willie Nelson
      Louis Armstrong
      Peter McWilliams
      Paul McCartney
      Linda McCartney
      Woody Harrelson
      Carl Sagan
      Michael Phelps
      Barrack Obama
      Abraham Lincoln

      You are simply wrong on the facts. If you want to continue to be wrong, because it helps you feel holier-than-everyone-else, then that is your prerogative, but you're dead wrong.

    • 2 years ago
  • JeremyTG77
    • 0
      JeremyTG77  

    • Still, though, what's to stop the next administration from cracking down on medical marijuana again?

      And I'm sure the Republicans are going to use this against Obama and the Democrats in 2010 and 2012 as a campaign tactic, since the party still overwhelmingly supports anti-drug laws (funny how its alleged support of states' rights doesn't extend to this issue).

    • 2 years ago
  • hunzedog
    • 0
      hunzedog  

    • look at all the views ! look at all the comments ! LOOK ITS NOT PICKED FOR TV AGAIN....DO STONERS FORGET TO VOTE UP STUFF? i would really like to see a TOP 100 most voted for list on current. then we could see whats important when it is important..

    • 2 years ago
  • JeremyTG77
  • hunzedog
  • hunzedog
  • thewarnerla
    • 0
      thewarnerla  

    • what a smart move when your losing people hearts in the polls. Obamas ratings are down. What a simple way to save some attorney and cop fees while increasing nationwide support, especially amongst the youth.

      But we are still spending a ton of money on our never ending war on drugs.

    • 2 years ago
  • GreenerAmerica
  • MirrorLake
  • J_Jammer
  • hunzedog
  • hunzedog
  • J_Jammer
  • hunzedog
  • J_Jammer
  • KaylaMoon
  • Mudboy16
  • wintermadness90
  • hunzedog
    • 0
      hunzedog  

    • The President of the United States just said that Marijuana has Medicinal Value....thats a big FU)K you to the feds !!! how are you going to steal your money now assholes ?: they have to change the schedule now. IT HAS LEGITIMATE MEDICINAL USES !!! no more schedule one for Cannabis........HA HA

    • 2 years ago
  • hunzedog
    • 0
      hunzedog  

    • does that mean that cannabis has medical value....doesnt that kinda let the genie out of the bottle.
      if its good for us why cant we just grow it ourselves..fix this war on drugs BO

    • 2 years ago
  • Jane_Do
    • 0
      Jane_Do  

    • There you go, millions are unemployed and others are living paycheck to paycheck, and many wouldn't plant a garden to save themselves, but legalize pot and America will be a wonderful place to live. The power is within yourselves, not a plant.

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • Jane_Do:

      What? What are you trying to say? Do you think people who choose cannabis don't have power within themselves? That's just crazy! Many responsible individuals use cannabis. They are in the closet, but they are out there. Cannabis would not be the #1 cash crop in America, if it were only stoners, or young people. Once people are educated with facts, people will come out of the closet.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • Conniepae
  • J_Jammer
  • etienna
    • 0
      etienna  
    • Jane_Do:

      Oh, J-Jammer... Here we go again

      Reasonable people don't kill their spouses or rape people or become serial killers. You're grouping pot smokers in with a group of hard-core criminals, which is absolutely ridiculous.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • Darevalo
    • 0
      Darevalo  

    • hypocrisy in the federal government... because they grow and distribute marijuana.

      great step forward, now next step is taking marijuana off the dea's list of dangerous drugs, and working out legislation to regulate. so we can use the sticky icky to stimulate the economy.

      new business, new medical research, hemp for a better supply of paper, building materials, and even ethanol.

      pot is too harmless to keep illegal. too harmless to kill. and people are realizing that it was all propaganda (finally), just as i realized it was all propaganda.

    • 2 years ago
  • hunzedog
  • hunzedog
    • 0
      hunzedog  

    • throwing stones and living in glass houses......every one of who has problems with weed do things that i dont agree with. its none of your fu)king business what we do. we are telling that to every cop, judge, dem, repub,and the POTUS his dang self. against the law ! ! ! do you really think we give a giant-rats ass what you say.......thats the pres of the united states signing a positive bill about marijuana(i still doubt it)

      you remind me of the people who didnt want colored folks voting ! kiss our ass 100 million times jerks! we win ! losers

    • 2 years ago
  • Jane_Do
  • jtweezo
  • Jane_Do
    • 0
      Jane_Do  
    • jtweezo:

      Yeah he had to do something to get his ratings back up! Notice which parts of society he caters to? How about raises for all the hardworking people? Why not focus on them for a real CHANGE!!! How about that cannabis king! Oh the bombies will really be worshipping him now. Marijuana, just like alcohol, cigarettes, overeating, etc., is just another bad habit, that will cost us more on our insurance, whether it be private or federalized, and something most folks don't realize is, that when it is federalized, they will have the right to drug test you at any given moment. Just ask people on state-covered insurance, if you do't believe me.

    • 2 years ago
  • Maeveeo
  • freshfish
    • 0
      freshfish  

    • Right ON!!! but this better just be the beginning.

      Now lets cut the DEA budget to no more than a billion a year. And start educating our youth again.

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • freshfish:

      We must educate adult Americans first. Many Americans do not realize the true history of cannabis hemp. Facts were removed from educational material and replaced with 'Reefer Madness'. Cannabis hemp has history. It's time to have an honest discussion and it's time for politicians to stop shamefully distorting facts about cannabis for political gain. People before politics!

    • 2 years ago
  • Commentor
    • 0
      Commentor  

    • I think its a wonderful start ...

      Though I wonder how much its a misdirection on some other policy or a tactic to bring more of it out in the light for a future crack down.

    • 2 years ago
  • asherp
  • H0M3GR0WN
    • 0
      H0M3GR0WN  
    • Image

    • Stop Arresting Responsible Cannabis users and there Families!!!!

      Best thing anyone can do is donate a little (or alot) of ur stash money to MPP.org and Norml.org

    • 2 years ago
  • hunzedog
  • J_Jammer
  • hunzedog
  • J_Jammer
  • chmk
  • TheCatalystPoet
  • hinkgods
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • A REAL AMERICAN DOCUMENTARY! Hemp could be used for industry today. We are destroying our environment with chemicals. Why not improve it with hemp. They planted hemp by Chernobyl after the accident. They did it to remove the toxins from the air and soil. Hemp can be used to stop soil erosion too.

      Using the technology available today, the uses of hemp could be limitless. America needs jobs, why not use a plant to make environmentally friendly products? We need industry! We need jobs, jobs, jobs.

    • 2 years ago
  • elementaljim
    • 0
      elementaljim  
    • Conniepae:

      Good video.. a reminder when we still made stuff, before the trade went off shore and the industries along with the jobs.
      If we were progressive enough as a society and looked ahead of the curve we would have embraced hemp and it's many uses. Canada has a hemp industry but the US has marginalized the prospect of hemp production because of stupid legislation designed to demonize pot.
      Ignorance definitely in the drivers seat.

      I live in NC. Here is a situation that could have used some critical progressive thinking and planning. An area that has suffered from a declining tobacco market and the closure of many fabric mills you might think that someone with money and good business sense would see an opportunity left by these failing industries.

      Hemp,, hemp farming to replace tobacco, hemp production at the empty mills and cigarette plants, all of this in small towns surrounded by railroads.
      It's been this way since the '90s but the only expansion you see is fast food, malls and a burgeoning speedway.
      Go figure..

      imo
      http://opinionsandreasons.blogspot.com/

    • 2 years ago
  • covertops
    • 0
      covertops  

    • some people abuse marijuana that is true. i have BIPOLAR disorder which has led me try different mood stabilizers and anti psyhcotics with the RX of my doctor. how is it that I had to be "legally stoned" and suffer serious side effects. i have been off those damn Drugs for 1.5 years. All the while smoking pot. Nothing else SLOWS me down mentally without the serious side effects. Granted I dont have cancer, or a "wasting disease" in the true sense. I was wasting in a different way. I still take my SSri every morning, and I smoke everyday. I am glad that this law is under revision because eveyone, even "you" might benefit someday.
      Waiting for VA to come 'round.

    • 2 years ago
  • hunzedog
    • 0
      hunzedog  
    • covertops:

      im bipolar, they put me on a bunch of shit....my buddy's too....they tried me on all this diff stuff and said tell us when one makes you feel better..hell i had allready been studying that postulation.cannabis can adjust the voice in us ! and its non-lethal.........we winnin !

    • 2 years ago
  • ras_menelik
  • samthesixth
    • 0
      samthesixth  

    • A good move. With an announcement he implements a more humane policy. He could order the justice department to stop all marijuana enforcement activity.

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • samthesixth:

      A really good move would be to right the wrongs of Richard Nixon and reclassify cannabis hemp. Cannabis hemp is in the same class as heroin. That's just wrong!

      Take a moment and read the Blue Ribbons report Richard Nixon chose to bury.

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

      Richard Nixon chose politics over people. He knew the facts, yet chose to ignore them. It's time to put people before politics. It's time to shame those who choose to ignore real facts, while spinning distorted facts.

    • 2 years ago
  • samthesixth
    • 0
      samthesixth  
    • samthesixth:

      I am with you Connie. Nixon was horrible on pot. He wasn't the only one. Where is your piece on Clinton? Did you expect Nixon to do anything about pot laws? Of course not, but you did expect Carter and Clinton to do something. How do you explain your disappointment?

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • samthesixth:

      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

      Clinton picked Dr. Joslyn Elders to be United States Surgeon General. Dr. Elders supported changing the laws about cannabis. Unfortunately she spoke of masturbation and any thoughts she had from that point on were moot. One can't talk about masturbation in America and expect to survive.

      Plus, once they got on Clinton for his sexual promiscuity, anything he tried to do, other than defend his actions, was also moot.

      I have 'hope' President Obama will be a 'voice of reason' when addressing the war on cannabis. This is a step in the right direction.

    • 2 years ago
  • samthesixth
    • 0
      samthesixth  
    • samthesixth:

      So Carter supported legislation to end it, but didn't seek the legislation or stop the enforcement. Obama didn't sign a new plan into law, he just decided as the executive how the law would be implemented. Any of the prior Presidents could have done the same thing but they chose not to for whatever reason. Clinton has to be the biggest disappointment. Whatever distractions or problems he brought to himself did not prevent him from doing what Obama did. It was the fecklessness of the Democrats who don't want to be seen as soft on drugs that appealed to Clinton.

      I applaud Obama for reversing his initial decision on the issue. More needs to be done--but it hasn't been Nixon's fault in 35 years.

    • 2 years ago
  • Minus5scenePoints
    • 0
      Minus5scenePoints  

    • I can't recall anyone who has died due to pot. but, to say that shit doesn't kill brain cells is in denial.

      It's addicting and I find that sad. anyone is so weak they NEED something to get through their day. people then are just ok with it, their weak and need it, as if that's ok? Pot and the accepting side that it's ok to be addicted to it, is one of the reasons is why i feel we as society are weak.

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
  • GreenerAmerica
  • LibertynJusticeforAll
  • noxidereus
    • 0
      noxidereus  
    • Minus5scenePoints:

      People who are addicted to hard core drugs end up having real life problems caused by their addiction. I've known many people in this situation. It is an insult to this real tragedy to try to equate marijuana to these other drugs. Marijuana is not really physically addicting. It's much less addicting than coffee. You won't get sick if you quit, whereas something like heroine, you will get sick and you would do anything to stop that feeling and get the next high.

      People have ruined their lives over real addiction. That's why if you go to an NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and tell them you're addicted to marijuana, they will laugh at you. They will be insulted that you think your marijuana habit is anything like what they've experienced. Only someone speaking from a position lacking the experience to know the difference would try to equate marijuana habit to a real drug addiction. People in treatment for marijuana are usually there because they got caught or are otherwise forced to.

    • 2 years ago
  • etienna
    • 0
      etienna  
    • Minus5scenePoints:

      Look, I don't believe that marijuana is addictive. I've been a smoker that blazed blunts at 10:00 am to stopping completely out of the blue and it had no effect on my body whatsoever. I also don't believe that you can judge the effects that marijuana actually has on the body until you experience it for yourself, so the b.s. you're spouting just oozes misinformation and preconceived notions that you have no real experience with.

      I am a tax-paying citizen who is a leader in my community. I excel in my job. I have a child who is very well taken care of. And I like to toke up every now and then. Is there anything really wrong with that?

    • 2 years ago
  • Nettle
    • 0
      Nettle  
    • Minus5scenePoints:

      Just wanted to give my two cents and let ya'll know that I work at a substance abuse and mental health clinic. Yes, people do get addicted to mj, but it's not as physically addictive as most drugs. It's more of a mental addiction to the substance than anything.

    • 2 years ago
  • juicie
    • 0
      juicie  
    • Minus5scenePoints:

      youre right minus, cannabis does kill braincells, not healthy ones but cancerous ones. Also, the brain functions in a reticular structure, like the internet, and when one node goes down, cannabis helps the brain find other paths so that it can continue to function, and even learn new/better ways to operate--which is how it works as a preventative supplement against Alzheimer's or MS.

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • Kudos to President Obama. It's time to have a real factual discussion. It's time to talk facts, not distorted spin, which has been used to perpetuate the war on drugs.

      Special interests will be spinning, trying to confuse those who are interested in cannabis hemp facts. It's time to counter the spin with facts. It's time to stop the 'madness'. "Hemp for Victory" is a real documentary, produced by our own government. "Reefer Madness" is a fictional movie, which some have chosen as their guide to the 'war on drugs'. Why choose madness?

      I agree with 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

      It's time to stop affording politicians and media the luxury of lies and disinformation. It's time to counter the spin with facts.

      Thanks to Jack Herer, the facts are readily available to read online at http://www.jackherer.com/chapters.html.

      This is a major step in the right direction. Maybe now we can have an adult conversation, using facts. Some will choose to make juvenile comments, but they should be ignored. Arguing against madness is just that, madness. Don't waste your time.

    • 2 years ago
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