The legalization of marijuana? Yes or no? Here are some points not often considered. Hundreds of illegal aliens together carry tons of marijuana across the border into the California each year. Trucks and cars drive marijuana across the border into California daily. They most often deliver their cargo to dealers here, who are in place to resell to local (retail) dealers. These illegal aliens do not want us to legalize marijuana. To legalize marijuana would drop the price per pound from an average of $4,000 now (retail) down to somewhere around $500 a pound. It would not be worth the risk even to drive it across the border. All of those who make their living this way would be out of luck and out of work. To legalize marijuana would take that opportunity away from these smugglers. [continues 212 words]
The Obama administration's opposition to Proposition 19 and Attorney General Eric Holder's pledge to "vigorously enforce" the federal ban on possessing, growing or selling the drug if voters approve the ballot measure, run contrary to all their promises. Candidate Barack Obama supported state's rights, saying he'd leave it to us to determine whether cannabis would be legal or not. Quashing Prop. 19 will boost prices and foster a larger illicit market rife with cartels and mobsters. Legalization is the only way to deter the warlord mentality that usually accompanies prohibition. We need a sensible approach - not more law enforcement. Samuel Janovici, Kentfield [end]
When referring to drug use, yours not mine, it is important to look at these things in context. One of the biggest issues in this coming election will be the decision on Proposition 19 which "legalizes marijuana under California but not federal law." It also "permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution, and sale of marijuana." As you all will remember The Dirge mentioned in the Welcome Back edition the best way to experiment with drugs during your college experience was to "Mooch." However, the law is changing again meaning you can buy your own under the same rules as booze. [continues 651 words]
Before we take an official position on Proposition 19, which would make it legal for adults to possess and use up to an ounce of prepared marijuana and grow as much as will fit in a 25-square-foot patch, and authorize local options for larger-scale cultivation and sales, we thought it would be prudent and responsible to discuss some of the issues involved. We invite discussion by our readers. Prop. 19, as major proponent Richard Lee of Oakland told us early on in the process, is not a simple "now it's legal, have the police do other things" statute. It was crafted to a great extent in response to public opinion polls that showed what aspects and methods of regulating and taxing marijuana (or cannabis) would be likely to garner support from mainstream voters, so it includes compromises and provisions that raise legitimate questions. Nonetheless, passage would be a major step in America's policy toward certain drugs. [continues 329 words]
National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske told CBS Radio News young people are being exposed to "mixed messages" about marijuana including the idea that it is a medicine. The "drug czar" said marijuana "may have properties that have medicinal values that should be tested," but he insisted "it is not medicine." Kerlikowske views marijuana as "an entry drug." The survey found that for the first time since 2002, less than half of young people believe using marijuana is harmful. The Obama administration remains strongly opposed to legalization of marijuana. [continues 200 words]
I've read Mr. Sims' letters to the editor, and realize that he obviously has no idea what he is talking about. Voting "no" on 1B, would be saying "yes to the black market." Whereas medical marijuana centers are strictly regulated by the state to offer medical marijuana to patients over 21, street dealers are pushing drugs such as cocaine, oxycontin, heroin, and speed to our children. These drugs are not offered to patients at a medical marijuana center. As far as children getting their hands on a medical marijuana patient's medicine, I believe that is the parents' responsibility. No medicine should be accessible to children, marijuana or prescription drugs. [continues 175 words]
Voter turnout among 18 to 29-year-olds is generally a low number and fluctuates depending on the election. The percentage of youth voters has slightly increased over the years, but it has never passed the highest rate of 55.4 percent in 1972, when 18-year-olds were able to vote in the presidential election for the first time. The second largest youth voter turnout was during the 2008 election of Barack Obama, where 66 percent of the votes from the that age group were in favor of Obama. [continues 480 words]
Given that it was written partially in response to opinion polls, rather than as an exercise in pure theory, Proposition 19, which would legalize the possession and use of up an ounce of marijuana (cannabis) for adult Californians, contains provisions that an advocate of pure devotion to liberty might not have included. Some of these provisions have raised questions, some justified and some exaggerated out of any relation to reality. We thought it appropriate to deal with some of these issues, chiefly the reasons for having a "local option" for sales and cultivation and the possible implication this proposal would have on the ability of employers to discipline people who are impaired at work due to cannabis use, and of police to handle drivers similarly impaired. [continues 701 words]
When I applied to the state of Michigan for my Michigan Medical Marijuana Patient ID card last year, I didn't designate a particular caregiver, and my card arrived with "NO CAREGIVER" printed across the back. Then my caregiver and I reached agreement and filed new papers with the state to establish our relationship. Soon a new card showed up in my mail with my caregiver's name and address included with my own. (There was still no photo, however, just a box with the legend "No Photo Available" -- like you were the kid who failed to show up in school on the day the pictures were taken for the yearbook. This is funny because in California, for example, the medical marijuana cards display the patient's photo and state registration number but not his or her name or address. I like that approach much better.) [continues 1084 words]
Vail Daily Buddy Sims has a distorted view of the effects of marijuana prohibition if he thinks it prevents teens from using pot. The fact is that any high school kid can get all of the marijuana they can pay for. Unlicensed, unregulated, outlaw dealers do not check ID for age, and kids are welcome customers. If having a pot shop near a church wrecks believers' faith, they need more Bible study, not man-made laws. Legal marijuana can be regulated and controlled so it is foolhardy to set barriers to legal distribution. Ralph Givens Daly City, Calif. [end]