It's time to legalize cannabis and tax the farmers and buyers.

[Bonobo]

We would all be happy to pay in exchange for the removal of the threat of taking away our liberty by incarcerating us and stealing our money by fining us.

http://cannabisnews.com/news/21/thread21146.shtml


Feature: Marijuana is America's Number One Cash Crop, Study Finds
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/466/marijuana_is_americas_number_one_cash_crop_study_says

What Have California Doctors Learned About Cannabis?
http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner10232006.html

The testimonies that I hear on a daily basis from people with serious medical conditions are moving and illuminating. From many people with cancer and AIDS come reports that cannabis has saved their lives by giving them an appetite, the ability to keep down their medications, and mental ease. No other drug works like cannabis to reduce or eliminate pain without significant adverse effects. It evidently works on parts of the brain involving short-term memory and pain centers, enabling the patient to stop dwelling on pain. Cannabis helps with muscle relaxation, and it has an anti-inflammatory action. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis stabilize with fewer and less destructive flare-ups with the regular use of cannabis.

Other rheumatic diseases similarly show remissions. Spasticity cannot be treated any more quickly or efficiently than with cannabis, and, again, without significant adverse effects.

Patients who suffer from migraines can reduce or omit conventional medications as their headaches become less frequent and less severe.

About half of the patients with mood disorders find that they are adequately treated with cannabis alone while others reduce their need for other pharmaceuticals. In my opinion, there is no better drug for the treatment of anxiety disorders, brain trauma and post concussion syndrome, ADD and ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are stabilized, usually with comfort and weight gain, while most are able to avoid use of steroids and other potent immunomodulator drugs.

[DontTreadOnMe]

1. but they can't legalize it!

It they make pot legal, the price will drop and all the drug dealers will go out of business.

[truedelphi]

22. It does seem that the home growers and those who peddle it for profit

Don't wanna give up their cash crop any more than the lawyers who defend them when they are caught, the cops who spend so much man and woman power on the issue, etc.

[Bluenorthwest]

79. Gee, once upon a time

I met a bunch of people who grow it. They were each and everyone advocates for legalization. These small cottage type gardeners fully oppose the criminal grow ops and the environmental desturction they bring. Most of the expense they face now has to do with secrecy and security. A legal crop can be far, far cheaper and still be profitable. Corn is obviously not hundreds of dollars an ounce, but it would be if the Federales were after every last husk.
The demand for high quality product would continue. It is leagal to make your own wine, right now. I know many a vino sipper, not one who makes a drop. People pay huge prices for wine. There are reasons for that.

[truedelphi]

81. The last group of growers that I used to know wouldn't even vote

They wanted no part of the system etc.

But people I knew before them were totally into it someday being legal. I imagine it's a mixed bag.

And I stand with those who want it legal.

[JDwho]

52. "drug dealers"? In 2008 the dealers are the pharmacies.

As a person who deals with crazy migraines, I would love to have the legal alternative of marijuana, instead of addictive pain pills or, in extreme circumstances, costly visits to the ER (where they pump you full of drugs far more dangerous).

[O.M.B.inOhio]

2. Certainly industrial hemp has enormous ecological and economic benefits.

[patrice]

3. Industrial hemp de-natures the recreational stuff and makes it pointless,

except as hemp - that is, if they cross-polinate.

Have you seen this http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/hemp_houses_for.php

[O.M.B.inOhio]

15. Cash crop, paper, oil, edible seeds, building material, weed control, cordage... pointless?

[patrice]

17. "...except as hemp" which isn't pointless at all, or I wouldn't have a

pantry full of hemp-foods and I would not have provided the link to the article about houses made out of hemp.

I just mentioned the cross-polination effects, because it is a little known fact, and the OP was about medicinal marijuana and your post was about industrial hemp.

[O.M.B.inOhio]

45. Ah. The industrial hemp genes "pollute" the marijuana crop and cancel those properties? Didn't know.

I'm aware that the OP was about medicinal uses, but I posted about industrial because the Puritanical anti-pot movement removed from the economy a plant has many commercial applications. Now, there are some who say that banning pot was a means for banning its industrial cousin so that DuPont could profit from his patent on a wood-to-paper process once making paper from hemp was impossible.

[patrice]

21. You left out nitrogen binder/soil builder. nt

[Wizard777]

56. That can go either way. It depends upon the dominant gene.

It can lower the THC content of some kind Bud. It can also rise the THC content dirt weed farmed for hemp. Usually it's the male plant that is farmed for hemp. Even in kickin' bud the males have a very low THC content. Usually around 2-4 percent THC. Where a low grade female has 6-8 percent THC. Kind Bud (hybrid) females can go as high as 26% THC. Weed survived in the wild for thousands upon thousands of years. The evolutionary developements are for the most part upward. That basically all we would be doing is returning weed to the wild. Where it will be governed by the laws of nature. Only the strong survive.

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. "America's first marijuana law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia in 1619"

"America's first marijuana law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia in 1619"


America's first marijuana law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia in 1619. It was a law "ordering" all farmers to grow Indian hempseed. There were several other "must grow" laws over the next 200 years (you could be jailed for not growing hemp during times of shortage in Virginia between 1763 and 1767), and during most of that time, hemp was legal tender (you could even pay your taxes with hemp -- try that today!) Hemp was such a critical crop for a number of purposes (including essential war requirements - rope, etc.) that the government went out of its way to encourage growth.

The United States Census of 1850 counted 8,327 hemp "plantations" (minimum 2,000-acre farm) growing cannabis hemp for cloth, canvas and even the cordage used for baling cotton.

{snip}

In the early 1900s, the western states developed significant tensions regarding the influx of Mexican-Americans. The revolution in Mexico in 1910 spilled over the border, with General Pershing's army clashing with bandit Pancho Villa. Later in that decade, bad feelings developed between the small farmer and the large farms that used cheaper Mexican labor. Then, the depression came and increased tensions, as jobs and welfare resources became scarce.

One of the "differences" seized upon during this time was the fact that many Mexicans smoked marijuana and had brought the plant with them.

However, the first state law outlawing marijuana did so not because of Mexicans using the drug. Oddly enough, it was because of Mormons using it. Mormons who traveled to Mexico in 1910 came back to Salt Lake City with marijuana. The church was not pleased and ruled against use of the drug. Since the state of Utah automatically enshrined church doctrine into law, the first state marijuana prohibition was established in 1915. (Today, Senator Orrin Hatch serves as the prohibition arm of this heavily church-influenced state.)

Other states quickly followed suit with marijuana prohibition laws, including Wyoming (1915), Texas (1919), Iowa (1923), Nevada (1923), Oregon (1923), Washington (1923), Arkansas (1923), and Nebraska (1927). These laws tended to be specifically targeted against the Mexican-American population.

http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2003/12/22/whyIsMarijuanaIllegal.html

[nashville_brook]

31. wow -- i didn't know that about the Mormons. Stoners! who'da thunk it?

[Ghost in the Machine]

47. I suspect they used mushrooms and acid, too.. that explains the 'magic underwear'...

[Wizard777]

62. Some of the best and most creative minds in history have been Stoner's.

Now I look at all the sober minds in government. :wow: Every member of Congress should be required by law to smoke a blunt every hour on the hour. If what this government is doing is the results of sobriety and sanity. I'll have no parts of it. But I do see how it might be the results of sobriety. The word sobriety is derived from the name of the ancient greek demon Sobrius. The demon held men to great sufferings and labors. Sobrius is the villain to the Hero Morpheus (who morphine is named for.) It was the sufferings and labors Sobrius inflicted upon the mortals that caused Morpheus to take pity upon the mortals. He created the dream world as a refuge from Sobrius for the mortals. So it can be said that our drug laws provide penalty for not worshiping the demon Sobrius. It's government mandated demon worship. Sober up, get to work, and SUFFER!

[Bennyboy]

66. I so wanna smoke John Doolittle out......

Just to see if he was any less of a douchebag when he was stoned.

[nashville_brook]

78. double wow -- did not know about the Sobrius-Morpheus dicotomy!

i'm learning a LOT in this thread!


sobriety is greatly overrated.

[Wizard777]

60. Durring the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln made a personal plea to Mother Ann of the Shakers.

He asked her to quit growing Opium Poppies. Because he was afraid it would fall into the hands of the south and let them alieviate the suffering they were trying to inflict upon them. There we were at war. national security involved and Lincoln had no legal means to seize the crops of opium poppy. So he went to Mother Ann and made a personal plea. Mother Ann conceeded to his plea. The Shakers have never recovered from that. In fact in this day they are near extinct.

[evlbstrd]

4. It's worked wonders for my daughter.

She's been able to withdraw from the meds that only seemed to make things worse.

[Miss Carly]

5. amen...legalize it

if alcohol can be legal, pot should be too...alcohol has no medicinal benefits unlike cannibis, and hemp has other uses..but nnoooooooooooooooooo, the drug companies can't have that, because everyone will be toking up instead of buying their pills that cause dependence, and without dependence, their pockets are not full. It makes me sick.

Carly

[slay]

16. I totally agree

It's bullshit that pot smokers have been persecuted all these years for smoking a plant!! Our government is crazy and out of control. If we would just legalize weed, we could get the dollar back on track by using the tax money to pay off this HORRIBLE war in Iraq that we have funded completely on debt.

[patrice]

19. The hypocrisy of legal alcohol is outrageous and NOT lost on Young Americans. nt

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. That's an all purpose plant, it is.

:kick:

[Beststash]

7. I actually thought that it would have

happened by now. It is a shame that the baby boomers have allowed this madness to continue. It is pathetic, vengeful, and dishonest.

Peace

[FiveGoodMen]

70. The baby boomers became parents and large parts of their brains just quit working.

Most of the kids I knew in high school were getting high all the time.

Those kids have gone on to become very healthy, well-off, never-in-trouble-with-the-law success stories ...

... and all they can talk about is the fear that their kids will do what they did as kids.

I think they get all their parenting advice from the little filler pieces on local news.

Something in your brain just breaks when you reproduce.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. Seriously, seven response, all positive and no recs?? What has happened to DU?

[tridim]

10. If we can get Obama and a large majority, common sense things like this will pass easily

The south can opt out if they want, but the rest of the country wants this.

[Lance_Boyle]

58. that's simply not true

Show me 10 elected Democratic Senators *or* Congresspeople who support legalization. They're not there. Not publicly, anyway.

Can't appear "soft on crime," ya know.

Pansies.

[RedCappedBandit]

11. End The Drug War

[msongs]

12. and all other drugs - cuts the criminals and the police out of the action, then we

can take some of the billions of $ saved and spend it on rehab and prevention with lots of $ still left over.

Msongs

[Bonobo]

13. Cannabis has been used as an excuse for the militarization of the police...

A significant part of the creep, creep of fascism.

That and the huge prison business, the fastest growing business in the US.

[slay]

18. Excellent point

The Prison Industrial Complex get PAID to keep people in prison so of course they are going to try and do everything they can to make things illegal to fill their prisons. It's totally, totally sick. :puke:

[old mark]

38. A lot of politicians, police and other "leaders"...

...are making great amounts of money from drugs being illegal and don't want any change. The amount in money coming in from illegal drug suppliers is huge, finances many election campaigns and retirement programs for a lot of people in law enforcement and legislation.

You are asking for good sense to triumph over greed.

Good luck.

mark

[Fumesucker]

14. It's a nice idea..

But when there are questionnaires done on what the most important things to be done in the country, reforming the drug laws and bringing our out of control system of incarceration back into the realm of the sane doesn't even make the list at all.

I'm talking about right here on DU..

It isn't going to happen because Americans Do. Not. Care.

[Jed Dilligan]

20. It actually doesn't happen because Americans are making so much money,

whether it's by profiting off its illegality, profiting off alternative products for food/fuel/fiber/medicine, or profiting off the "justice" system itself. Once the "Reefer Madness" generation is dead and gone, it will only take a massive campaign to expose these special interests to turn the public against them.

[Fumesucker]

23. As I pointed out already,..

Even among those who know the truth, actually doing something about it is not a priority.

People say they want change but the truth is they are comfortable with the way things are.

I've been arguing this particular point for many years now and I see the same reactions every time.. When pressed people will claim they want change, but when polls are taken, change in the drug laws is an extremely low priority.

We were laughing about "reefer madness" back in the late 60's, we never dreamed pot would still be illegal forty years later.

[Jed Dilligan]

24. One problem is people are living longer

and we still have the people who think weed is "dope" in powerful positions.

We move the polls by having a Michael Moore type documentary about all the money people make off criminalization, and make sure it's a good enough film to pull in the Oscar nom. The money is out there to fund it.

[Fumesucker]

25. Although Obama is technically a "boomer"..

He is being touted by his younger supporters as "post boomer"..

And yet Obama is a drug warrior.. He supports the drug war.

From my point of view it wasn't really all that long ago that we had the top three politicians in line for the presidency who were all acknowledged tokers, Clinton, Gore and Gingrich..

It didn't change a fucking thing.

[Jed Dilligan]

26. He was on record once saying he supported decriminalization

His stance now is not really explicit. He doesn't have to campaign on it, and if he does he should slam the GOP for making weed a priority when meth is the real scourge.

[Fumesucker]

28. No the *real* scourge is alcohol

Along with nicotine..

But people can't see that..

[Hippo_Tron]

34. Obama and Clinton support moving toward treatment for simple possession

And that's at least a start.

I had a quick (2 minute) chat with Congressman Jim McGovern about this last summer and he said that it will take some time but we're heading in the right direction.

[Fumesucker]

43. I can remember when Jimmy Carter tried legalizing..

And just how far that went..

The police (DEA and locals) know that their jobs are on the line and will never let it happen.

[dysfunctional press]

29. that could change pretty quick when the economic bombs begin to fall...

if the idea is presented to the american people as a great way to cut spending and create a new tax base- as well as quell some of the violence always associated with a prohibition...attitudes might change.

and there's also the idea of legalizing industrial hemp- to substitute for the EXTREMELY petro-chemical dependent cotton growing industry.

the times, they could be a-changin'...

[Jed Dilligan]

33. I read on another thread today that W. Virginia's crop is half a billion

I bet they could use roads, schools, and hospitals in some parts of W. Virginia.

[dysfunctional press]

35. and they'd probably rather have those jail cells filled with criminals who are actually dangerous...

truth be told.

[dysfunctional press]

27. well...DUH!

and btw- the advair commercials always piss me off, when they talk about how it's the only product that combines a bronchial dilator with an anti-inflammatory.

[Kaleva]

30. The war on drugs

is about the biggest farce put on the American people. The deaths, ruined lives, overflowing prisons and the billions upon billion spent boggles the mind.

[Echo In Light]

41. The "war on drugs" is as phony as the "war on terror." Fascism, and profits

[Kaleva]

46. I'll probable be dead of old age

before I ever hear a major candidate call the war of drugs for what it really is.

[grannylib]

32. I can testify to its efficacy for migraine; don't know how I'd survive

otherwise. It's the only thing I've found to be effective for the nausea, and that's important; can't be horking up several hundred dollars' worth of 'scrip drugs before managing to keep one or two down, and they do also help with the pain (at least, I've found one that works for me; not trying to speak for everyone)

[Sanctified]

36. Good luck taxing something that most people can grow with little effort. n/t

[Bennyboy]

67. To grow high quality pot, it takes a LOT OF EFFORT

and knowledge. Even to grow schwag it takes a certain amount of expertise. It took me years before I could grow the bombdiggety. There are many different strains, each one with a distinct aroma, taste and buzz. And everyone has a different growing method so they make a common strain their own. Different supplements, soils.



The way I see it, the marijuana industry, if legal, would become like the wine industry or the craft brewing industry.. tasting rooms. Areas that are known for their varietals. I mean anyone can grow apples, but how many "Apple Hills" do you know of? Here in CA we have plenty of people that grow grapes ( I have an arbor)but certain areas are pretty well known for their wine.

[eridani]

37. Not understanding why there would be huge profits from pot farming

Wouldn't most people choose to grow their own? If you can't fill your needs from a comparatively small indoor space, your're probably smoking too much anyway.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

39. The hemp would be worthwhile. It is a versatile plant.

[dreamnightwind]

40. not sure about that...

Why would you think that? Do most people grow their own tobacco, basil, corn, broccoli, or much of anything? Some do, most don't. If they could just get it at the local 7/11 or liquor store, they would. Admittedly some would grow their own and take pride in doing so, a small minority though IMHO.

Legalization, regulation, taxation makes a lot of sense and is one of those reforms that is LONG overdue.

I don't know much about it, but I've heard hemp can be used for biofuel too, anyone know more about this?

[SammyWinstonJack]

42. Hemp can be used to produce a lot of products currently produced with fossil fuels.

Henry Ford developed an engine that ran on hemp oil and also used it to construct parts for his cars.

[eridani]

44. Because they don't have enough acreage to grow their own tobacco and corn

There really isn't any such thing as a pack a day pothead, though. Very few plants will get you through a whole year.

I predict a huge trade in Dutch seedstock myself.

[timtom]

48. What's with all the "legalize it then tax it" crap?

why does it have to be taxed? Are carrots taxed?

[Jed Dilligan]

50. Is the farmer who grows and sells them taxed?

[timtom]

55. Income tax?

I can't think of any other.

[Jed Dilligan]

51. dupe delete

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

49. Taxing it? Is that your incentive to the govt to legalize it? If it's legal, I'd rather grow my own

as most people should and could. It grows like a weed.......

[Wizard777]

57. That kind of sounds like a bribe to me.

We're telling the government. If you can keep from going insane long enough to respect our rights. We'll give you money. Once we have established this form of doing business with our government. How much will we have to pay the government to respect our first amendment rights? Should we tax freedom of speech by the word or sentance?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

64. Actually, by making it a taxable business, we will be cut out of any discussion what so ever.

Just picture this. Phillip Morris gets rid of some of their tobacco fields and makes way for pot plants and will not care if it's taxed as long as they are given the right to grow and my guess would be that it would still be illegal for people to grow their own. Of course a company like Phillip Morris and other tobacco growers could insure with their huge contributions that they will not have any peons undermining their profits.

[Wizard777]

65. That's a bad example.

The DEA once tried to pressure Phillip Morris into suing marijuana smokers. From what I understand Phillip morris hold the patent on the cigarette. So every time the police caught someone with a rolled joint. They would forward the persons information to Philip Morris. Who would then sue them for patent violation. Phillip Morris resisted the intense pressure from the DEA to fill their pockets with the peons money.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

72. That's interesting. I've never heard about this. Question? Did the DEA ever talk any other

cigarette company into assisting them?

[Wizard777]

75. Not that I know of. I think this happened back in the 80's. Reagan Era.

[4_TN_TITANS]

53. In my opinion, there is no better drug for the treatment

of anxiety disorders, brain trauma and post concussion syndrome, ADD and ADHD

I so very much agree... This legal ritalin crap I take is a poor but legal substitue. I miss my weed.

[Miss Carly]

54. this thread is a very small piece of the us population

I'll bet there are many more who also want it legalized...with the numbers, how come no one is listening and just legalizes the stuff?

[0rganism]

59. it's the FEAR

Politicians who've raised the issue in the past have made little progress while giving their election opponents ammunition to call them "soft on crime":

"Representative Fred Sanity wants to stop arresting criminals who sell pot to children. Call him and ask him why he's so eager to destroy our safe suburban neighborhoods and public schools. Don't let Fred Sanity sell pot to your kids! (paid for by Joe Crimesquad For Congress committee/I'm Joe Crimesquad and I endorse this ad.)"

After many decades of heavy propaganda aimed at fostering the FEAR in white parents, the narcotics enforcement laws are pretty much another 3rd rail as far as loosening them goes. What's amazing to me is that there are some, e.g. Sanders and Paul, who seem ready and willing to take the FEAR, head on. If they get the bill to a floor vote in either house, I'll be mighty impressed. If it passes, I'll probably need CPR.

Not that it would matter, since Bush will veto automatically and play the FEAR card for the next 3 weeks.

[yurbud]

61. Dems should do it quick, early on

[rudy23]

63. Key words of the post: "reduced their need for pharmaceuticals"

That's all we need to know.

[Disturbed]

69. Yes!

:thumbsup:

[Alexander]

68. Agreed. Thankfully Obama wants to decriminalize it...

I'd rather hang out with a pothead than, say, a drunk.

[Indenturedebtor]

71. Does he really?

This I did not know!

Wow GOBAMA! :bounce:

it's time we had a reason revival in this country. Now if we could just get people to somehow remove their heads from their asses... hrmmmm....

I have an :idea:

Get them high :P

[Fumesucker]

73. Apparently that is not so..

http://www.reason.com/news/show/124769.html

On Thursday, The Washington Times reported that in 2004, as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Obama came out for decriminalizing marijuana use. That usually means eliminating jail sentences and arrest records for anyone caught with a small amount for personal use, treating it more like a traffic offense than a violent crime. But in a show of hands at a debate last fall, he indicated that he opposed the idea.

When confronted on the issue by the Times, however, the senator defended his original ground. His campaign said he has "always" supported decriminalization.

It's a brave position, and therefore exceedingly rare among practicing politicians. Which may be why it didn't last. Before the day was over, the Obama campaign issued a statement saying he thinks "we are sending far too many first-time non-violent drug users to prison for very long periods of time" but "does not believe that we should treat offenses involving marijuana with a simple fine or just by confiscating the drug." Recently, he had told a New Hampshire newspaper, "I'm not in favor of decriminalization."

Obama is just another drug warrior, or even worse, a panderer to drug warriors.

[glowing]

74. With the economy tanking, I think that marijuana growers and users

will supercede the govmint directive.. I seem to be able to grow a lot of things really easily. My neighbors are eyeing my tomatos already... If you don't think I wouldn't throw a few seeds in the old ground to put food and clothes on my child, think again... They are changing the laws all over.. #1. there is not enough police, jail space, or money to pursue it #2. Suburbia (white people) are growing it to fill their SUV's (sorry CIA--we are taking over your business). #3. medical uses of marijuana are much more acceptable.. which has allowed people to throw out the govmint propaganda.. too many of us have had ourselves or relatives go thru cancer or some other disease that marijuana has helped with.

[Fumesucker]

76. Someone in my neighborhood

Lost their home last year thanks to having a few pot plants under a fluorescent light..

Home, cars, all personal belongings were impounded and sold at auction by the Sheriff's office.. Who then got to keep the money.

If you want to risk losing everything, including your freedom and your kids, go ahead.

[glowing]

80. If the nation goes into a depression and growing a plant for money becomes

an option that works... People will decide that its worth the risk.. One of the reasons crime is on the rise is because people just don't have the money.. and at the end of the day you need to do what you need to do to survive. Growing a plant is less harmful than robbing a store I think.

[Fumesucker]

82. Rob a store and they won't take all your worldly possessions..

The penalties for growing pot are way beyond what a simple robbery would get you.

[glowing]

83. Like I said, because white suburbia is becoming a new mecca for

the plants, the penalties are declining.. at least around me.

[Fumesucker]

77. Someone in my neighborhood

Lost their home last year thanks to having a few pot plants under a fluorescent light..

Home, cars, all personal belongings were impounded and sold at auction by the Sheriff's office.. Who then got to keep the money.

If you want to risk losing everything, including your freedom and your kids, go ahead.