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OT: It's About GD Time!!

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  • OT: It's About GD Time!!

    Next to an Eagles SB win and my winning the Lottery this is my biggest wish. Election time is a tough time to bring it up but sooner is better than later.

    Legislators aim to snuff out penalties for pot use

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/30/ ... index.html

    "(CNN) -- The U.S. should stop arresting responsible marijuana users, Rep. Barney Frank said Wednesday, announcing a proposal to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams, almost a quarter-pound, of the substance.


    Rep. Barney Frank's bill would radically curb federal penalties for personal marijuana use.

    1 of 2 Current laws targeting marijuana users place undue burdens on law enforcement resources, punish ill Americans whose doctors have prescribed the substance and unfairly affect African-Americans, said Frank, flanked by legislators and representatives from advocacy groups.

    "The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government's business," Frank said during a Capitol Hill news conference. "I don't think it is the government's business to tell you how to spend your leisure time."

    The Massachusetts Democrat and his supporters emphasized that only the use -- and not the abuse -- of marijuana would be decriminalized if the resolution resulted in legislation. Watch Frank lay out the proposal »

    The Drug Enforcement Administration says people charged with simple possession are rarely incarcerated. The agency and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy have long opposed marijuana legalization, for medical purposes or otherwise.

    Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, according to the ONDCP. "Smoked marijuana has not withstood the rigors of science -- it is not medicine and it is not safe," the DEA states on its Web site. "Legalization of marijuana, no matter how it begins, will come at the expense of our children and public safety. It will create dependency and treatment issues, and open the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior, and drugged drivers."

    Allen St. Pierre, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), likened Frank's proposal -- co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas -- to current laws dealing with alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is permitted, and the government focuses its law enforcement efforts on those who abuse alcohol or drive under its influence, he said.

    "We do not arrest and jail responsible alcohol drinkers," he said.

    St. Pierre said there are tens of millions of marijuana smokers in the United States, including himself, and hundreds of thousands are arrested each year for medical or personal use. iReport.com: Is it time to legalize pot?

    There have been 20 million marijuana-related arrests since 1965, he said, and 11 million since 1990, and "every 38 seconds, a marijuana smoker is arrested."

    Rob Kampia, director of the Marijuana Policy Project, said marijuana arrests outnumber arrests for "all violent crimes combined," meaning that police are spending inordinate amounts of time chasing nonviolent criminals.

    "Ending arrests is the key to marijuana policy reform," he said.

    Reps. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, and Barbara Lee, D-California, said that in addition to targeting nonviolent offenders, U.S. marijuana laws also unfairly target African-Americans.

    Clay said he did not condone drug use, but he opposes using tax dollars to pursue what he feels is an arcane holdover from "a phony war on drugs that is filling up our prisons, especially with people of color."

    Too many drug enforcement resources are being dedicated to incarcerating nonviolent drugs users, and not enough is being done to stop the trafficking of narcotics into the United States, he said.

    Being arrested is not the American marijuana smoker's only concern, said Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance Network. Those found guilty of marijuana use can lose their jobs, financial aid for college, their food stamp and welfare benefits, or their low-cost housing.

    The U.S. stance on marijuana, Piper said, "is one of the most destructive criminal justice policies in America today."

    Calling the U.S. policy "inhumane" and "immoral," Lee said she has many constituents who are harassed or arrested for using or cultivating marijuana for medical purposes. California allows medical marijuana use, but the federal government does not, she explained.

    House Resolution 5843, titled the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008, would express support for "a very small number of individuals" suffering from chronic pain or illness to smoke marijuana with impunity.

    According to NORML, marijuana can be used to treat a range of illnesses, including glaucoma, asthma, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and seizures.

    Frank, who is chairman of the Financial Services Committee, said about a dozen states already have approved some degree of medical marijuana use, and the federal government should stop devoting resources to arresting people who are complying with their states' laws.

    In a shot at Republicans, Frank said it was strange that those who support limited government want to criminalize marijuana.

    Asked if the resolution's passage would change his personal behavior, Frank quipped, "I do obey every law I vote for," but quickly said he did not use marijuana, nor does he encourage it.

    "I smoke cigars. I don't think other people should do that. If young people ask me, I would advise them not to do it," he said.


    If HR 5843 were passed, the House would support marijuana smokers possessing up to 100 grams -- about 3½ ounces -- of cannabis without being arrested. It would also give its blessing to the "nonprofit transfer" of up to an ounce of marijuana.

    The resolution would not address laws forbidding growing, importing or exporting marijuana, or selling it for profit. The resolution also would not speak to state laws regarding marijuana use."

  • #2
    Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!



    * I always thought the above emoticon was a guy with a flame lit in front of his mouth. (It's supposed to be drooling)
    Carson Wentz ERA


    NFC East Titles:
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    • #3
      Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!


      Far out man!!!
      Official Driver of the Eagles Bandwagon!!!
      Bleedin' Green since birth!

      "Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." - Mike Willey

      ”Enjoy The Ride!!!” - Bob Marcus

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      • #4
        Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

        Dutch, After your last post I beginnng to see your name (Flying Dutchman) and avatar in a different light.
        I miss Philly!

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

          wait, weed is illegal?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

            Man, if they'd just legalize the stuff I could go back to blazing up. I haven't touched a J in 2 years at least, frack it! I never was huge into pot smoking, just treated it like I do alcohol.....occasional recreational use. But for fear of losing my job on a random test, I've stopped completley. What a waste........

            Be nice if you could just walk into a store an buy it.
            http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

              Frank for president!!!!!!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                Originally posted by FRESH
                Be nice if you could just walk into a store an buy it.
                Been there, done that...for years. I used to love the menus with 10 -15 diffenent types of grass and hash available.Here are a couple of my favorite shops/hangouts in order 1. Dampkring, 2. Smokey's, 3. Bulldog Centrum and a typical menu. Kcas31 is right, I was a "Flying Dutchman" and not just because I was a huge Steve Van Buren fan but also because......







                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                  It's certainly about time for people to realize that recreational pot smokers are not criminals.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                    Originally posted by Eaglebreath
                    It's certainly about time for people to realize that recreational pot smokers are not criminals.
                    Its funny but in my experience, those who share this same opinion with us are as apt to be conservative Republicans as liberal Democrats. This crosses party lines but butts heads against big government, the DEA, the prison system ((huge growth industry) and politicians of all ilks looking for a whipping boy.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                      Originally posted by Eaglebreath
                      It's certainly about time for people to realize that recreational pot smokers are not criminals.
                      ...and that mary jane has multiple beneficial medical usages for people

                      ...and that the drug war this country has been waging for decades has been not only lost long ago, but a collosal waste of taxpayer money, resources and time.
                      Eliminate distractions, create energy, fear nothing, and attack everything.

                      -Andy Reid

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                        Whatcha Gonna Do Brother, When the Eagles run wild on you?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                          I can't help but be reminded of one of my old favorite anecdotes from my youth. One of my best friends, who I was in a garage band with didn't drink hardly anything. But, he did like to spark up every once in a while. His GF at the time was an absolute anti-pot zealot, who drank quite a bit. One night we were all at a party, and Stan and I took a walk and blew a joint. We get back, and there's his GF, drunk off her a$$, and she immediately starts reading him the riot act for "smoking that GD $hit, and bla bla bla, and on and on." This went on and on until she finally had to stop so she could go over in the bushes and throw up because she drank too much. I just looked at Stan, shook my head, and said, "you really couldn't make this $hit up."

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                            The war on drugs may very well be "lost" (whatever that means), but just think of what it would be if we didn't enforce certain drug violations.

                            I've openly argued for decriminalization of most drugs, not just weed for years. I believe our tax money should be going to education, rehab, medical treatment and abuse of drugs, rather than to chasing down college kids trying to loosen up after a tough week of studies. But I still think we need to enforce things such as Underage usage, street distribution, abuse, etc.

                            Decriminalizing certain drugs frees up law enforcement and it takes most of the MONEY out of the hands of the criminals and the warlord/guerilla groups in countries that grow and export the products. Illegal drugs finances terrorism. Take the financial benefits out of growing and exporting it and terrorrists will lose their easiest money source.

                            As long as the US criminalizes all drugs, it will be profitable for farmers to grow poppy or coca plants and the criminals to process it. Decriminalize it and most of these farmers will go back to growing healthy crops.

                            I strongly feel that if an adult wants to ruin his life by abusing substances, he is going to be able to do it. So, I'd like for us to stop wasting our time with enforcing it and put that money into people who are not part of the problem (wow, what a philosophy?). In other words, let the local crack head get his fix for next to nothing (now he doesn't have to break into your car for money) at the local pharmacy (now the drugs are clean and consistant) and go back to his own house (to stay out of other's neighborhoods and streets) to ruin his own life (or end it, which doesn't bother me either ). I'm sorry, just mentioning weed and I start to jabber and get the munchies and cotton mouth.

                            Interestingly, Chad Kroeger gave a shout out to me at a Nikelback concert after I had this same conversation with him and the band before they went out to perform. I'm glad he didn't give my name, since my Chief was there. [-o<
                            Pedro

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: OT: It's About GD Time!!

                              Originally posted by Pedro
                              The war on drugs may very well be "lost" (whatever that means), but just think of what it would be if we didn't enforce certain drug violations.

                              I've openly argued for decriminalization of most drugs, not just weed for years. I believe our tax money should be going to education, rehab, medical treatment and abuse of drugs, rather than to chasing down college kids trying to loosen up after a tough week of studies. But I still think we need to enforce things such as Underage usage, street distribution, abuse, etc.

                              Decriminalizing certain drugs frees up law enforcement and it takes most of the MONEY out of the hands of the criminals and the warlord/guerilla groups in countries that grow and export the products. Illegal drugs finances terrorism. Take the financial benefits out of growing and exporting it and terrorrists will lose their easiest money source.

                              As long as the US criminalizes all drugs, it will be profitable for farmers to grow poppy or coca plants and the criminals to process it. Decriminalize it and most of these farmers will go back to growing healthy crops.

                              I strongly feel that if an adult wants to ruin his life by abusing substances, he is going to be able to do it. So, I'd like for us to stop wasting our time with enforcing it and put that money into people who are not part of the problem (wow, what a philosophy?). In other words, let the local crack head get his fix for next to nothing (now he doesn't have to break into your car for money) at the local pharmacy (now the drugs are clean and consistant) and go back to his own house (to stay out of other's neighborhoods and streets) to ruin his own life (or end it, which doesn't bother me either ). I'm sorry, just mentioning weed and I start to jabber and get the munchies and cotton mouth.

                              Interestingly, Chad Kroeger gave a shout out to me at a Nikelback concert after I had this same conversation with him and the band before they went out to perform. I'm glad he didn't give my name, since my Chief was there. [-o<
                              I am SHOCKED AND DISMAYED that a member of law enforcement would admit to this. A nickelback concert? For shame.

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