Global Marijuana Protest

Thanks, yonosoymedico, for responding to the question of Marijuana legalisation.
Thought it wise to create another thread here.

I did some research for myself .

I hope you appreciate there is a valid reason to make some things illegal, however "natural" they are. In this case, I believe, Marijuana was deemed illegal as a general "war on drugs (or narcotics)" approx' 100 years ago. It has not always been the case, infact over 300 years ago it was the law, in America, to grow it as a crop.


"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."

As far as I can see, it is no longer a crop that needs to be grown (but is, anyway).
We have an abundance of other crops that are just as cheap.
It is grown for other reasons other than to smoke - perfectly legaly.

UK Flax and Hemp production:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/pdf/flaxhemp-report.pdf

The issue is, growing it for recreational smoking purposes.
This should be against the law because it does affect the mind.
Now, I appreciate, other drugs are legal and we are able to use these with no law being broken. To my mind we have enough mind bending drugs already. Do we really need another drug to be made legal, that can ruin lives and kill us? I believe not.

I do believe it is used for these purposes already.
http://www.hemcore.co.uk/

Which says that hemp can offer a competitive gross margin – characterised by high yields and low input – while providing additional benefits such as good weed control opportunities, fewer field operations and improved soils.

Medicinal use of cannabis is legal in a limited number of territories worldwide, including Canada, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Finland and Portugal.

In the US, fourteen states have recognized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The US Government as represented by the Health and Human Services Division, holds a patent for medical marijuana.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis

We already have great sources of omega oil and proteins.

It is good, I agree. But we need more valid reasons (to smoke it legaly) than what you have said, imo.

Why do you think it is illegal?

It does show more of your perspective, but I don't think you have looked into how it is already used. It is also a fact petroleum companies, are also energy companies - like you point out. If they believed they could make more money and have a more sustainable income from using one source of energy over another, they would be snapping it up with both hand. This goes for all the other companies use mention.

Now, I do realise there is a many reasons why the use of oil is used over other substances. But, I don't believe it is the petroleum companies - or any company- that dictates these political machinations.

The only thing that seems illegal, is it being smoked.

Alright. I find it fun too .

Apologies if I have taken this out of context.
But, this is the reason I don't believe it should be made legal.

I'm not. I do believe homosexuality is apparently not one of the bibles favourite activities . So, we should look at what that book states with a modern perspective and far less prejudice. As far as I can see, Marijuana , is being used (slowly) in many fields (pardon the pun). Just not as a recreational drug. Which I gave an answer to that earlier: we have enough drugs around.

 

I would rather smoke weed than take pharmaceuticals.


I agree, we have too many drugs...


Too many of the wrong ones.

 

Please do not agree with something I have not intended to say.
It is a little manipulative. Sorry.

 

I can be a little manipulative.


so, what did you intend not to say?


Is it taboo?

 

There are too many drugs that we take for recreational purposes.

It isn't taboo.

 

Who decides how many is too many?



Look at what the war on drugs has got us...

 

Research and understanding.

I do think the "war on drugs" has been a blessing and a curse.
We clearly need to prevent gangs from using drug money (therefore drugs) to fund other more nastier pursuits.
But the more low level and more prelevant "war on drugs," that puts too many people in prison, is wrong, because it wastes millions upon millions of £$ in our taxes.
That is a good reason to make MJ legal, I suppose.
But the more agreable argument - for me - is MJ laws should be altered not changed.

 

William Leonard Pickard:

Leonard was arrested for allegedly manufacturing LSD at a missile silo in Kansas.

Since Leonard was arrested he has a newborn child with his young wife. Leonard chose to pursue the case at great risk. If he wins the appeal he will go free, and if he loses, he will serve life in prison. Leonard has chosen this difficult task so that he might have the chance to live the rest of his life with his wife and child.

We ask for your loving kindness and support for this dear gentle soul, who is a casualty in the war on drugs.

Leonard's Trial is now over.
Leonard was sentenced on November 25th, 2003 to two concurrent life sentences without parole.

 

Thank you Odon for taking the time out to start a thread focused on this issue.

And this story you just posted is exactly why I believe the laws should be changed. I don't see how prison time could ever be an acceptable answer to someone using, possessing, manufacturing or cultivating an illegal drug... it seems like rehab or a more medical related answer would be much more appropriate. We need to encourage families and societies to stay together, and keep those people as a part of their community, taking someone away from their family like that is such a horrible thing, I just cant believe the government has that kind of power. It really is scary, and thats where their power lies.

 

I agree. I was hoping you would have focused on this particular issue.
Saying - albeit in a hungover state - it's a bit of fun (or what ever) doesn't do your case much good. Sorry. I hope you aknowledged the other points I raised too. What do you think of them?

 

damn, read this thread too late.

 

Why too late?

Edit: Agh, Global Marijuana Protest - strangely it was never anything about that really. Just pros and cons of legalisation. A poor title on my part. Didn't even grab many peoples attention, it seems.

 

oops, thought this was the thread on the 5/2 protests.

 

That's ok. post your thoughts anyway - if you like.
On that or anything related to it.

 

Do the crime, do the time.

Its as simple as that...

 

LIFE for apparently making LSD?
Yeah, perhaps a little jail time.
But LIFE?
Come on...too much.

 

Don't they charge having like 50 or more hits of acid as conspiracy to overthrow the government?


Maybe thats just a myth.


There ARE much better alternatives to jail time for non-violent drug offenders, there was an initiative in California this last year which would have created more money for rehabilitation programs. But the thing is, most of these programs only work if the people WANT help, so we would have do differentiate between the people who could actually benefit, and the ones who are just trying to take the path of least resistance.

In regards to Marijuana legalization...

I dont think its going to be legalized in the states for years to come now, maybe even decades. What I think WILL happen though, is it may become legalized state by state, with the schedule for the substance being lowered, so it may be prescribed by a doctor.

Dont be expecting to walk into your local liquor store to pick up a pack of joints anytime soon.

 

The Youth International Party, and specifically "The Chicago Seven", are the people who were supposedly going to dose Chicago in 68. Apparently it was a joke that got out of hand and was leaked to the FBI by an informant posing as a photographer within the group the press labeled "the chicago seven", whose most notable members were Abbie Hoffmann and Jerry Ruben.

Over the years the story has gotten mixed up and tossed around so much that not even the original members of the chicago seven can remember what actually happened. Some people say it was a joke that got out of hand and some say that it was one step away from happening and everything in between. Whatever the case, this is probably where LSD gained its association with tyranny.

Certainly in a court of law LSD alone, no matter the quantity, would not be enough to charge someone with tyranny or conspiracy to overthrow the government. Under the right circumstances, however, it could be argued in such a court that a person who is inclined toward tyrannical or conspirital activities could use large quantities of LSD to that end.

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70493

I did also read what you thought. Sometimes 10 sometimes 50.
I think the above is a lot more likely.
But, take your pick.

I agree.

For medical purposes - I hope. For recreational use - NO.
I don't think it wise for a doctor to prescribe something because somebody wants to chill, man.

No, I won't.

 

I'm specifically also interested in the industrial uses, with the intended goal of bringing back both small and large scale family farms. many areas in the states have a history of farming, but like so many industries, large corporations seem to win out and the family farm has been dying. On top of that we have industries that import hemp, yet we are not allowed to grow it, at all.. I think the mj movement is a multifaceted answer to many of our current woes, I really think local food, local industry and local power is what its all about.. as things are most people cant afford a 'local' lifestyle, although that movement is growing as well..

 

Not a too shabby goal.

Didn't know that. Will look into that.

Mmm, no offence to them...but apart from the criminality and the lengh people are in prison (or not) is there really any other big issues they need to address?