Operation Overgrow

[Rabidgrow]

Overgrow Manifesto

We represent the nearly 70 million Americans that have used marijuana. We reject the United States federal governments’ war on Marijuana as an unjust war on freedom. We have decided that state and local level initiatives to bring about legalization are not working. We have decided the time for action is now.

We view your war on marijuana as a gross breach of both our civil rights and our constitutional mandate to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Your war on marijuana has seen over 12 million people (1) arrested for possession at an annual cost of nine billion dollars (2). There are currently over 60,000 individuals presently incarcerated on marijuana charges (1). In the year 2001 alone, 734,498 people were charged with a marijuana related crime (1). This is a blatant waste of taxpayer funds to fight a war you can not possibly win.

You pursue this war without a majority of American support. Every comprehensive, objective government commission that has examined the marijuana phenomenon throughout the past 100 years has recommended that adults should not be criminalized for using marijuana (3). Fully 53% of the adult population favors treatment over incarceration (4). Numerous organizations including the following: The AIDS Action Council, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Public Health Association, California Medical Association, California Society of Addiction Medicine, Lymphoma Foundation of America, National Association of People with AIDS, National Nurses Society on Addictions and the New England Journal of Medicine fully endorse the decriminalization of marijuana for medical purposes. They are joined by the editorial boards of the Boston Globe; Chicago Tribune; Miami Herald; New York Times; Orange County Register and USA Today.

You blatantly lie to the American people concerning the effects of marijuana use and the effects of decriminalization. Studies have shown that decriminalization has had virtually no effect either on the marijuana use or on related attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use among American young people (5). You foster a large-scale lack of respect for the law and the entire criminal justice system.

You are a rogue government that has broken one of the basic tenants of the constitution.

You no longer represent the people of this country.


We, the members of the Overgrow movement have decided the time for action is at hand. It is our intention to make marijuana so pervasive that it will be economically prohibitive to continue your insane war. We fully intend to cultivate and disseminate marijuana in every available location. We will literally sow the seeds of rebellion at every opportunity. We will re-introduce the marijuana plant into the ecosystem on a national level. We will plant seeds on public land; we will plant seeds in all green spaces. We will let Mother Nature and our own passion bring the war to your doorstep. We will no longer be marginalized and oppressed by your insane laws. Prepare yourself, war is at hand and we are legion.


A Call to Arms!

This initiative needs your support! If you agree with our viewpoint take action!

This spring plant marijuana seeds in every available green space. Plant seeds on public land, in flower boxes, on the side of the road and in your city park. Let the government know that you are sick of being oppressed by its unjust war on marijuana. When the land is covered with wild cannabis our government will be incapable of fighting a war they can not possible win. Be safe and help us Overgrow the Government!

We the marijuana users and growers of Canada fully support our American brothers and sisters in their fight against their countries and our countries marijuana policies!! We commit to take action in our own country by taking an active role in Operation Overgrow. We do it as a sign of support and to fight against our own countries developing laws! Free the Weed and the rest will follow!


Notes:

1. FBI's division of Uniform Crime Reports, Crime in the United States: 2000, published in October 2001.
2. In 1998, the federal government spent $16 billion on the "drug war." Approximately 53% ($8.4 billion) was spent on enforcement, court, and prison expenses. (The rest was used for treatment and education.) In 1991 -- the most recent year for which data are available -- state and local governments spent a total of nearly $16 billion, of which about 80% ($12.5 billion) was used for enforcement, court, and prison costs (National Drug Control Strategy, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Washington, D.C., 1994). Hence, the total annual criminal justice system expenditure for federal, state, and local governments is $20.9 billion ($8.4 billion + $12.5 billion). This total annual expenditure of nearly $21 billion is not broken down by specific drugs. (Marijuana, as usual, is lumped in with all illegal drugs.) However, because marijuana crimes account for 44% of all drug arrests, it is estimated that the war on marijuana consumers costs taxpayers $9 billion annually.
3. For example, Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report, 1894; Panama Canal Zone Military Investigation, 1929; The Marihuana Problem in the City of New York (LaGuardia Committee Report), 1944; Marihuana, A Signal of Misunderstanding (Nixon-Shafer Report), 1972; An Analysis of Marihuana Policy (National Academy of Sciences), 1982; and others.
4. "Americans Look at the Drug Problem," Peter Hart Research Associates; Washington, D.C.: Drug Strategies, 1995.
5. "Marijuana Decriminalization: The Impact on Youth, 1975-1980," Monitoring the Future Occasional Paper 13, Lloyd Johnston, Patrick O'Malley, Jerald Bachman; Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, 1981; Pp. 27-29.

[GanjaBat]

OK, I totally agree with your cause and everything, I think it is a very noble idea. But I don't see how trying to plant weed in every available patch of green earth is going to do anything but fuel the fire for government's arguements.

I can see it now, "Look at all those crazy potheads trying to overun the country with weed plants. They really do need to be locked up."

It seems like that same effort could accomplish much more by working through the system instead of against it. Right letters, hold rallies, support groups like NORML.

Again, I want changes in the law as much as you do, but I don't think that this is the right image to present our cause to the public. Just a thought.

[ReformMaryJaneLaws]

I agree with GanjaBat. It would be a cool thing to see marijuana growing all over and maybe one day we will but the effort put into planting seeds everywhere would be more productive if it were put into actually trying to invoke some change in our laws. I love that so many people want to do something but I really don't see how planting seeds everywhere is going to do anything more than cause the government to spend a lot more money getting rid of the plants that are growing. Then, more money will be spent making commercials about the "evil" seed-sowers.



Write letters, call the reps in your state and always stand by your convictions. These things DO make a difference.

[TheHempress]

I suppose you guys are right, but I kinda thought it would show everyone how assinine it is to outlaw a plant.

It would be cool tho!

[bud stuffer]

it may also pose a problem to out door growers who don't want seeds. but i look forward to the day when it is grown in flower boxes unopposed.

[supafly]

ok we all want changes. but there is a limit. just remember that

peace

[prplhaze319]

i agree

[ReformMaryJaneLaws]

Originally posted by Hatebreeder
Good point, however if marijuana plants become as common as other natural plants(like daisies) then they cant rid the country of them all. If there were 50,000 marijuana plants in a city of 50,000 people then it would be near impossible to get them all. Better yet 5,000,000. Just think about how many local flowers there is. If marijuana grows as rapid as flys mate then there would be no stopping the evil seed sowers.


by the way i've been an evil seed sower for a long time. Happy sowing,!

-jeronimo hemp seed

I've learned not to underestimate the government. They are spending SO much money now to get their point across about drugs. They are spending insane amounts to jail innocent people "guilty" of simple possession. They'd spend as much as they had to spend to get rid of every pot plant that was grown. Hell, they're spending money right now to do that in South America to rid their land of drugs but for our so-called benefit. They kill crops there all of the time. Coca and marijuana. They would have no problem justifying the money spent to do it here.

[Bud Head]

Originally posted by Reform MaryJane Laws



I've learned not to underestimate the government. They are spending SO much money now to get their point across about drugs. They are spending insane amounts to jail innocent people "guilty" of simple possession. They'd spend as much as they had to spend to get rid of every pot plant that was grown. Hell, they're spending money right now to do that in South America to rid their land of drugs but for our so-called benefit. They kill crops there all of the time. Coca and marijuana. They would have no problem justifying the money spent to do it here.

And yet the poor people are l;oosing thir jobs daily and there are kids with nothing to eat..

It has to be fucked up when people are going hungry and the government spens so much money on marijuanna. Hell they could just pay us that not to smoke it. We'd get rich..

[Shadware]

over 20 billion a year... rediculous... They could give every american over $50

[GanjaBat]

Well, they might not be able to stop the plants, but I am sure that they would try to stop the people growing them. Also, the amount of people, time, seeds, etc. it would take to realistically make even the slightest impact on the system, would be unreal. Think of how much more good you could do in other ways with that much man(and woman) power. It just seems to me that something like this will only increase the negative views surounding this already controversial topic.

[Shadware]

How easily could MJ grow just being thrown into a field or something. Everyone could spend a little time to throw some seeds out the window of their car =D

[Mr.X]

Originally posted by Hatebreeder
My friend buys cheap schwag and usually ends up giving me 300-500 seeds ever year. I usually give some away but with most of them i plant them in good soil all around town. Its cool to drive buy 7-11 or even your local high school and seeing 10 inch tall marijuana plants, everywhere. Last year we ended up using them in alot of parks, who knows maybe some lucky stoners ended up with some fresh mexi.

hahaha ... thats hilarious .... what a great idea ... if i myself came across one of these ... i would take it ...