Marijuana to be Legalized!

[JHirsh]

I was just going to post a link to this story, but apparently you have to register w/ them first to read it, so I thought that was bogus and decided to just copy and paste it here for everyone to read.



Nevada blazes trail for legal marijuana

By V. Dion Haynes
Tribune national correspondent
Published August 9, 2002

LAS VEGAS -- Nevada established its renegade reputation in the 1920s when local leaders thumbed their noses at the federal ban on alcohol, with one mayor openly threatening to put "a barrel of whiskey with a dipper" on every street corner.

The state, long a haven for prostitution, then legalized the sex trade in 13 of its 17 counties. And at a time when the rest of America considered gambling taboo and confined it mainly to illegal backroom parlors, Nevada enshrined it in gaudy casinos.

Now the state regarded by many as the sin capital of America is again pioneering a new frontier: the legalization of recreational pot smoking.

In November, Nevada voters will decide whether to become the first state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, for quantities of 3 ounces or less, for adults 21 and older. If the measure passes this fall and again in November 2004 as required for amendments to the state constitution, Nevada also would tax marijuana and establish a system for distributing the drug--possibly selling it in smoke shops, pharmacies or coffeehouses.

This week, the state's largest law-enforcement group, the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, endorsed the initiative, saying decriminalizing marijuana would free officers to concentrate more on "life-threatening and serious incidents."

The initiative thrusts Nevada into the battle between the federal government and nine states over their efforts to legalize medical marijuana for chronically ill patients and into the center of an international debate over moves by Canada, Great Britain and other nations to approve the across-the-board use of marijuana.

More than 60 years after the federal government passed the first law prohibiting its use, marijuana is the most debated and studied illegal drug in the nation. It also is the most widely used illicit substance--the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that 1 in 3 people age 12 and older have tried it at least once during their lifetime--despite billions spent by federal, state and local law-enforcement authorities to fight it.

"What this does is allow respectable people to use marijuana in their homes and bans it everyplace else," said Billy Rogers, spokesman for Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the measure's sponsor.

Echoing the sentiment of the police and sheriffs group, Rogers said: "This will allow law enforcement to concentrate on more serious criminals: terrorists, rapists, murderers."

Marijuana use peaked in the 1970s; nearly 30 million people 12 years old and older used it at least once in 1979, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The number of users steadily dropped, to 26 million in 1985, then 16 million in 1992. The number of users then increased before stabilizing at about 19 million in 2000.

Use declines with age

Statistics show that marijuana is most popular among teens and young adults and that use declines sharply as people reach their 30s and 40s.

Still, experts say, a sizable constituency of Baby Boomers smoke marijuana. One study shows that 1 in 40--or 2.6 percent--of 40-year-olds use marijuana on a regular basis.

Marijuana advocates, attempting to counter the Cheech and Chong images of the 1970s, have launched campaigns to portray marijuana as mainstream. Earlier this year, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws plastered billboards all over New York City featuring this response from Mayor Michael Bloomberg when asked whether he ever had smoked pot: "You bet I did, and I enjoyed it."

"We want equal rights with people who use alcohol and tobacco," said Mikki Morris, director of the Northern California-based Cannabis Consumers Campaign.

Seeking to follow the example of the gay-rights movement, Morris posts on her Web site photos of doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and other professionals who openly describe their marijuana use. "To gain our rights, we have to come out of the closet and show that we're non-threatening to society," she said.

Marijuana falls into the realm between liquor and hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine, experts say, creating inconsistent and often contradictory public policies.

Most states have lowered marijuana possession charges from a felony, punishable by a prison sentence, to a misdemeanor or a finable offense. Yet in 2000, about 743,000 people nationwide were imprisoned for marijuana possession, the highest number ever.

Despite intense efforts to crack down on illegal drugs in New York City, a sophisticated underground delivery system using bike-riding and limousine-driving couriers--mainly for exclusive Manhattan residences--proliferates.

"Rank-and-file officers often wink and look the other way when it comes to a segment of the [marijuana-]using population," said Ric Curtis, chairman of the anthropology department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, who has studied the city's illicit drug trade extensively. "For [officers], it's not worth the time and effort to go after the more upscale people."

Whether non-conformist Nevada is the right place for proponents to make their point about the mainstreaming of marijuana is an open question. Under the measure, a ban on public use of marijuana would remain, but police no longer would arrest users 21 and older who possess no more than 3 ounces of the drug and smoke in private.

No organized effort has formed in Nevada to oppose the measure. But the initiative is facing harsh criticism from the federal government.

Contradicting federal law

If it passes, the measure would put Nevada, like California, at odds with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The agency has raided and shut down medical marijuana dispensaries in California, equating them to drug traffickers. While the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the California medical marijuana law, state Supreme Court justices recently decided that users are protected from prosecution in state courts.

"This is the wrong message to send, the wrong program for Nevada," said DEA spokesman Will Glaspy. "We will respond to this in a way similar to the approach used for the cannabis buyers clubs. This is still against federal law."

Other opponents say the Nevada measure is a well-orchestrated, well-financed attempt by proponents to achieve the eventual legalization of all drugs.

Robert Maginnis, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, asserts that arguments about compassionate use of medical marijuana are a smoke screen by proponents who want to liberalize laws to allow recreational use of pot.

In fact, the Marijuana Policy Project, which was involved in many of the medical marijuana measures, launched the Nevada organization that is sponsoring the decriminalization initiative. Moreover, billionaire George Soros has provided millions of dollars to finance several organizations advocating medical marijuana and legalizing drugs.

"We've got to make sure we're not comparing age-old memories of Woodstock with what's going on today," Maginnis said.

"Today's cannabis is much more potent," he said. According to the DEA, the level of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has risen to 7 percent from less than 1 percent in 1974. "You'll get addicted much faster."

Along with the quality, the price of marijuana varies widely across the country--from $400 to $5,000 a pound. The Nevada initiative would require the state to establish a price, a tax structure and a distribution system for marijuana. The issues of quality and purity are not addressed, but that is something that the state most likely would have to consider.

"We spell out that it couldn't be sold in places that allow gaming . . . and that the establishments would have to go through a licensing process," said Rogers of the initiative campaign.

"What [the distribution system] would look like is impossible to say."


Copyright © 2002, Chicago Tribune

[budburner]

Marijuana falls into the realm between liquor and hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine, experts say, creating inconsistent and often contradictory public policies.

Who defines these realms? I recall a hellacious hangover yesterday after a night of drinking...... I've never had one of those from marijuana. Never puked my guts out after smoking either.

This line is pure bullshit!

"Today's cannabis is much more potent," he said. According to the DEA, the level of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has risen to 7 percent from less than 1 percent in 1974. "You'll get addicted much faster."

The shit is piling up even deeper!

Not that I was smoking in 1974, but "addicted so much faster"?

Bah!

[Skreebly]

well hopefully it happens because its a family tradition to take someone to las vegas when they turn 21... and ill also get to go when my brother and sister each turn 21 so i guess ill be having one hell of a time..... too bad i have 5 years to go

[xplicitcontent]

was this in the chicago tribune??? if so, what was the date cuz im in chicago and jus wondering if I can find the article. anyways, it will be legal there and when it does, i am moving there for college along with a few friends.

[JHirsh]

this was last thursday i think, you can look it up on the chicago tribune websight by typing "marijuana" into the "last 7 days" search

[D9_THC]

3 ounces????!?!?! Hahaha!!!!! Wicked!!!!

I've never been in possesion of 3 ounces!!! Because it's SO MUCH WEED!

[KronosX]

wow, 2004 is when they can have it legal if nobody opposes it? hmmm seems like i'll just be turning 21 around then. Funny thought, who remember's fear and loathing, when they first arrive in nevada, theres the big billboard that says "Don't Gamble with Marijuana" looks like they'll be having to tear that down.

[elementxero]

yeah cuz when i go there i will.

"Gimme two ounces on 22 black!"

"14 red. House wins."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

[JHirsh]

bump

[sensimil]

I plan on getting out there maybe for a year or two..I have family there..and you know, itd be nice to see them..so Im gonna wait..cause I did want to go for a few yrs anyway right, so..Im looking foward to doing this now..! Ill take advantage and get involved while im there..that would be great experience. legal to smoke in your daily life. huh.

[s0520870]

nevada isn't the only place that wants this though. the problem is, federal law beats the ass of any county or state that attempts to decriminalize weed. fuckers. we can only hope that persistence like the system nevada wants to have will eventually break through.

[infox]

Originally posted by s0520870
nevada isn't the only place that wants this though. the problem is, federal law beats the ass of any county or state that attempts to decriminalize weed. fuckers. we can only hope that persistence like the system nevada wants to have will eventually break through.

you're about 2yrs too late buddy, they already threw this one out.

[pip pip]

any updates on this?

[infox]

Originally Posted by pip pip

any updates on this?

bleh why did you bring back this old ass thread, did you even bother to read what I posted?

[Colonel Ingus]

Just cause it seems this new thread seems to be sparking the mood, I'll post this essay I just wrote and turned into my Eng Comp class, got a 96% on it if you believe that. Also, I get into the technical stuff just to set the tone that I know my shit, in spite of being a Pot Head. Plus I am not sure all the technical stuff is entirely acruate, I know THC is synthetic for hormone anandamide, but I am not 100% sure anandmamide is a result of arobic excersise, I remember this from a news radio program but they said that the scientists thought it was but needed to experiment more. I tried to varify the study on the internet but couldn't find it. Either way we had to find a word and define it through an essay that it symbolizes, my word was incognito, but it really doesn't mean anything, either way read the essay it is about 5 pages long, most people who read it thought it was intellegent and funny in some parts so enjoy. (I am stoned right now so pleace excuse if what I have typed doesn't make any sense) Thank you:

Definition Essay

My brother just walked up stairs. And yet again here I am on the computer typing up a four to five page paper about thirteen hours before it is due, although I will most likely finish it about ten minutes before, cause a guy has to sleep. This essay will revolve a lot around sleep. As sleep seems to be quite a cheap commodity. Sleep is quite possibly the most inexpensive activity we as humans can do with the least amount of impact on our surroundings, omitting the expectations imposed on us from those awake. Sleep I guess could be the word I choose to define, although it does not sum up the point I am trying to get at; maybe morals would be a better word. The subjective inhibitions we use to discriminate against an imposing world full of temptation and evil. But that still doesn’t quite get to it. Well I will just let it come to me through the essay and hopefully it will be by the end.

Now that you know I have no word, which at this point is useless anyway as it only acts as more of a symbol to the subject; which I guess I could also use that symbolism as a summation to conclude the essay. Oh well, since the word is just a metaphor for the subject, lets skip the word and get to the subject: marijuana. Marijuana, also known as pot, refer, Mary Jane, weed, grass, ya-da-ya-da-ya-da, contains the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is a fat-soluble protein synthetic for anandamide, and is created as a byproduct of aerobic activity within the body. Anandamide has been associated with the euphoric filling known after working out, by ingesting THC the body’s normal dosage is increased by multiples thus multiplying the effects. The body’s natural anandamide is also known for the hunger, stress relief, increased heart rate, and sleepiness associated after an aerobic work out. THC, known as a synthetic anandamide, is prescribed mostly for its hunger value, used to suppress the vomiting of AIDS or cancer patients and increase the appetite of chemotherapy patients. Although what I am more concerned with is the drowsiness aspect. As I had mentioned before, sleep is a major part of this essay.

Now let us delve into the idea of insomnia. Yes sleep is a cheap commodity, but not to all. Personally, ever since puberty hit, fully slept nights are few and far between, unassisted of coarse. Most people describe insomnia as never being completely asleep and never being completely awake, and when you are awake you seem more sensitive to irritants and stress. Insomnia can be caused from many things, and because a good portion of my family suffers from it, I have just labeled it as heredity and haven’t questioned it beyond that, except that my sleep pattern seems to be more regular when physical strain (a.k.a. exercise) is part of my daily routine. Usually to reach this state of relaxation for my body so it can fall into slumber, takes about two to three hours of exercise.

Exercise isn’t much of a problem in the summer when activities are common and extended, but during the winter and school seasons two to three hours can be valuable time spent. So when I first started to have this problem I would take one or two sleeping pills about an hour and a half before I planned on going to bed and was plenty tired when the time came. Although as you could ask anyone else who takes any type of sleeping pill, even if you get a good seven to eight hours of sleep in, it still feels like only three when you wake up, and you don’t feel fully awake until about four hours of being active. This was a problem because at around second period every day in highschool I would crash and sleep through class.

So let us now put the second and third paragraph together. What sleeping aid could one prescribe to one’s self, that would give adequate sleep with as little side affects as possible? Well what options do we have here? The two most commonly accepted drugs that have drowsiness as a side affect are marijuana and alcohol. Alcohol is basically a starch molecule connected to an OHG group that when digested, breaks apart the alcohol group from the starch group tasting both sweetness and bitterness at the same time. But when the now free ranging alcohol group enters the blood stream, it interacts with the central nervous system causing retardation in motor skills, memory, learning abilities, and as most of us know it from- retarding our inhibitions. Although alcohol naturally occurs as a part of metabolism, it is actually just a poison that our body filters out almost as soon as it is created, but when massive quantities exist, than the alcohol gets backed up and starts to interact with our consciousness. The side affects, which have already been mentioned, are very similar to the other drug mentioned before, marijuana. Although two differences exist between marijuana and alcohol use: alcohol is physically addictive whereas marijuana is not, but also marijuana is usually smoked allowing massive amounts of carcinogens to reek havoc on the respiratory track where as alcohol is ingested, a much more safe consumption. But there still exists one large difference between alcohol and marijuana, the morning after. Most of us are familiar with a hang over, which is basically excessive dehydration because water is required to remove alcohol from the blood stream. Unless a large amount of water is consumed during the drunkenness the night before, a crippling head ache and tenderness all around, will result from this inebriated exhibition.

So what do I do? I smoke the ganja. I personally have never eaten it, which would be a much safer consumption and would strengthen my argument, but it makes sense that this would prolong the high but also lessen its peek. But this apex is what I am most interested in, as the peak half an hour is the best time to find sheep under my bed. Smoking has also become almost a religion with its own rules, conduct, and habits. Although habit is a word that has been dreaded by any user who intends on staying in control of the drug, not visa versa. Although I have avoided the word habit for some time, I am willing to accept that yes, it is a habit, and like all habits, knocking it gets harder with its extended excess. But this is only mental addiction, the same addiction that causes you to crave that hour of television before you go to bed or that chocolate bar in the morning. And like most mental habits, once the option no longer exists, forgetting about it entirely becomes relatively easy. It is just like quitting cigarettes, if you don’t want to smoke, than don’t buy the fag.

So we are looking at a drug which the only real sizable complaint by the critics is when it is being smoked (just go to the DEA website and look for yourself), it is habit forming (but so is that cup-o-joe in the morning), also known as a gateway drug (but alcohol is just a gateway to marijuana for youth) and monetarilly supports crime (which is only an aspect because it is illegal, just as the prohibition of alcohol gave way to organized crime, i.e. Kennedys). More or less the legal hoopla is bull (or bear if you’re an economist), so what it comes down to is your own personal morals, do you support inebriation? This is the main question in all of this. Do you think it is okay to escape your troubles whether they be depression, apathy, or insomnia, for the night? Escape to any degree should be a moral issue: to cower before the future and try to forget the past, or change for the future and learn from the past. This is what I am trying to get at and most people when it comes down to marijuana they just ignore it. In my book getting drunk or high is the same thing. Maybe you drink socially to lighten yourself up, or you could try harder and develop skills to lighten yourself up naturally. Maybe you get high to fall asleep at night, or you could exercise regularly and quit dick’n around on the computer. Change isn’t that hard to conceive, though as we can all agree that following through on a new-year’s-resolution doesn’t always pan out like we intended. So That’s my word, escape. Although escape really isn’t that good either, as the problem still exists once you come back to the real world. I guess you are in more of like an incognito when blown. You are still walking the streets you call your home, but you’re just avoiding those reasons which have caused you to hide in the first place. Though your problems are still there and can often times get worse once your disguise is shed. But in some ways we all have a mask or disguise that allows us to escape the pressures of the day; whether that be drinking, smoking, sex, movies, television, reading, church or your kids.

If you drink and hassle green smokers, I call you ignorant. If you avoid all intoxicants, than I honestly respect you and am willing to argue my points against yours to develop a complete truth. A contention that Socrates would say, "not to win the argument, but to win for truth." Just as Gibran said in his book The Prophet, "What man’s law shall bind you if you break your yoke but upon no man’s prison door? What laws shall you fear if you dance but stumble against no man’s iron chains? And who is he that shall bring you to judgment if you tear off your garment yet leave it in no man’s path?" And just as Ben Harper sang in his song, "My choice is what I choose to do, and if I’m causing no harm it shouldn’t bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be, and if your causing no harm than you’re alright with me." and he continues, "If you don’t like my fire than don’t come around, cause I’m gonna burn one down."