Weighing in with my fat 2 pennies....

There is a reason an establishment like Blunt Brothers doesn't serve alcohol (although I've been hearing that the alcohol license for New Amsterdam Cafe is "about to happen"). Alcohol is a violence enducing drug. Marijuana is not. You can bet your last bingo ticket that the introduction of booze to this environment would FUCK it right up. Isn't that proof enough?

Booze and violence are as American as apple pie. IMHO, Marijuana use promotes peace. Peace is NOT condusive to American values (i.e. the good ol' fashioned American Way) as it would require America to drop its 200 plus years of aggressive Imperialism. An Imperialism that even today demands an "invasion" of Iraq to "protect the interests of the free world" (last time I checked this could also be translated to PROTECT THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION OIL BUDDIES)

And along those lines, any type of decriminalization would immediately upset the delicate balance of tobacco and alcohol corporate influence - something your greedy politicians would hate to see happen as it might jeopardize their post-political careers as interest-group cock suckers.

Mr Popup, wonderful post.

I agree.

:stoned

asset forfeiture

I think the main reason it is still illegal is it has been illegal for many decades and the congress, republicans and democrats alike, are afraid of offending soccer moms and the elderly.
To advocate the legalization of marijuana would be very risky politically.

Right on.

:thumbsup

Exactly.

One day they will ration us chocolate...

Basically, yup. It's used for propaganda and political gains.

Why do you think some people have so much support for a FAT TAX?

Every time I turn on the news today, it strikes me how many parallells there are with the USA as with the old Communist Soviet Union.

"We decide what you watch, what you think, and what you put in your body"

Walk around in public smoking it? No friggin way - then too many people will know you have it and want some.

Um for the record,

its illegal to smoke cigarettes in most bars in california too.

You cant smoke cigaretts in public here.

;)

50

Um for the record,

its illegal to smoke cigarettes in most bars in california too.

You cant smoke cigaretts in public here.

;)

Are you really that stupid to believe you can get high just from someone smoking next to you, outdoors of all places???

Cigarette smoke is at least twice as thick as marijuana smoke.

Isn't that pretty much the standard in most of the US now? Few restaraunts even have smoking sections anymore. It is heading that way in the UK now although it is a VERY slow process. I think the percentage of heavy smokers to non-smokers here is higher than in the US. Nice for those of us who don't like cigs I suppose but like I said before its hard on those who CAN'T go more than 30 mins without a smoke.

One of the only downsides about moving to France (which we are seriously considering). You can smoke anywhere. No-smoking sections don't really exist (except for McDonalds and supermarkets I think).

No, bars are different.

My best friend owns a bar in New orleans and we were just laughing that it is an ordinance he has to follow that he by law MUST POST A "SMOKING ALLOWED" sign in his bar room.

New Orleans is run by the Tobacco and Alcohol companies.

His bar is full sponsored by Camel, all ashtrays napkins, straw3s, all provided by Phil Morris or whoever owns Camel, provided he feed his regulars free Camel cigs.

"Statistically speaking, the U.S. Department of Health reports that alcohol-related deaths total 100,000 annually from all causes, including traffic accidents, liver disease, related violence, falls, etc. They put marijuana and other illegal drug-related fatalities at under 10,000 a year. Tobacco, by the way, is responsible for 450,000 deaths a year, according to the same agency."

from this page:
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1130.html

more good reading:
http://www.cannabis.com/untoldstory/hemp_5.shtml

And these were the arguments that made this illegal.

Sounds like the same idiots who are Pro-Alcohol and AntiHerbs today.

Amazing.

" "Marijuana is the most violence causing drug in the history of mankind." "Most marijuana smokers are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes." "

from...
http://www.cannabis.com/untoldstory/hemp_5.shtml

that movie is hilarious.

Hahaha I'm listening to satanic swing right now and wanting to get high, but i need to re-up.

I'm outta USA, so I don't care. And in the meanwhile... :stoned

I totally agree.

I would add that the big corporate money hungry pharmaceutical companies have plenty of motivation and funding to lobby to keep marijuana illegal. Imagine the hit (pun intended) the synthetic drug makers would take if individuals seeking pain relief could supply themselves with a natural herb that would increase their quality of life or at least minimize their pain and suffering.

Right On!:thumbsup

Unless major money is spent...A grass roots movement seems to be the only option for possible reform.

Regarding the issues of smoking in public and while driving...I believe the Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement's ballot initiative -- which appears on Nevada's 2002 general election ballot addresses these issues (See item #4 below) and others in a rational well thought out manor and can be a model for other other states. It removes the threat of arrest for responsible marijuana use and punishes irresponsible use.


Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement's ballot initiative

"If it passes in 2002 and again in November 2004, the marijuana initiative would do four things:

1. Eliminate the threat of arrest for adults who responsibly use and possess up to three ounces of marijuana. (This is the equivalent of four packs of cigarettes.)

2. Require the state government to implement a system whereby adults could obtain marijuana through a legally regulated market, rather than from the criminal market.

3. Allow seriously ill patients to obtain marijuana at a lower cost than non-medical users. (In 1998 and again in 2000, a majority of Nevada voters passed an initiative that allows seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana, but the initiative did not provide a way for patients to purchase medical marijuana legally. The 2002 initiative would fix this problem by requiring the state government to allow patients to purchase low-cost medical marijuana through a legally regulated system.)

4. Impose common-sense restrictions that the voters demand, such as imposing penalties for driving dangerously while under the influence of marijuana, smoking marijuana in public, and providing marijuana to minors.


This ballot initiative would allow the police to spend more time going after murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals, rather than wasting valuable resources hunting down tens of thousands of nonviolent marijuana users. "Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement" is the right name for this campaign committee. "

Common sense? In the United States? You must be kidding... people have no respect for the wishes of others, which is why we have all these dumb ass laws.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!

What most people don't even realize is that Nevada has gone from being one of the most strict states when it comes to marijuana possession...
(anyone remember the signs from LA to Vegas said something like..."If we even find a seed in your ashtray...")
now to already one of the more lenient states in the country.

Medical marijuana is legal here...and possession is decriminalized to a certain extent.

The most you'll get right now is a ticket
Here's the rundown: NONE = NO INCARCERATION
Age 21 years or over, any amount (first offense) misdemeanor none* $600
Age 21 years or over, any amount (second offense) misdemeanor none* $1,000
Age 21 years or over, any amount (third offense) misdemeanor 1 year $2,000
Age 21 years or over, any amount (fourth offense) felony 1 - 4 years $5,000
Age less than 21 years less than 1 oz (first and second offense) felony 1 - 4 years** $5,000
Age less than 21 years less than 1 oz (third offense) felony 1 - 4 years $5,00
*Possible drug treatment.
**Probation usually granted for 1st and 2nd offenses.
Medical use permitted if less than 1 oz or 3 to 4 plants.

Now for those ignorant enough to think that if it's LEGALIZED this means people can smoke it in public places...you're so full of shit and just another proud member of the herd.

Here's the breakdown of Nevadas question 9 which is the initiative to legalize small amounts of marijuana:

1. As used in this section, "marijuana" means a plant of the genus Cannabis or its product.
2. The use or possession of three ounces or less of marijuana by a person who has attained the age of 21 years is not cause for arrest, civil or criminal penalty, or seizure or forfeiture of assets.
3. The legislature shall provide or maintain penalties for:

(a) Driving dangerously, or operating heavy machinery, while under the influence of marijuana.


(b) The distribution or sale of marijuana to, and the possession or use of marijuana by, persons who have not attained the age of 21 years.


(c) The smoking of marijuana in a vehicle or public place, including a publicly operated carrier of passengers, a public park, or a place where gaming is permitted.


(d) The distribution, sale, possession, or use of marijuana on the premises of a jail, prison, or public school.

Take notice...your children will be safe...lol

No smoking in public...no sales at school (which greatly affects my income ;) )

And another point people are forgetting when it comes to why pot was criminalized in the first place....let's not forget about the TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.

budweiser has a patent for a weed cigarett

drinking alcohol in public is also illegal, so is smoking in many places, They should do it like in amsterdam, legal only in certain designated areas and at home

No shit? Almost looks like the police would be busier with pot legalized.