rssLegalizing Pot Might Not Grow Economy, But It Could Stem Border Violence
Monday, March 30, 2009 at 5:54 pm
- 23 Comments
Norman Stamper, the retired Seattle police chief and member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com) shakes his finger at President Obama for laughing at the question of whether he’d support legalizing marijuana, one of the top questions asked at the president’s online town hall forum last week.
It’s “no laughing matter,” Stamper writes on The Huffington Post, noting that millions of people getting busted or losing jobs over buying or smoking pot and others wasting away from cancer and other diseases where marijuana could provide helpful relief really isn’t all that funny.
And though the news lately has been filled with calls for action about violence on the U.S.-Mexico border, no federal lawmakers are talking about how legalizing marijuana and other drugs would drain the narcotics business of much of its associated money and violence, and, potentially, solve a big chunk of the border problem.
Even Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard (D), who testified at a recent Congressional hearing on the problem of border violence, acknowledged that legalization should at least be debated.
That’s not happening, though. The White House recently announced a $700 million program to collaborate with Mexican law enforcement and send more U.S. law enforcement agents to the border. And the governors of Arizona and Texas recently called on the president to send in the National Guard and expand the border fence started in San Diego to stem the tide of violence. But none of these proposals mentioned considering the idea of legalization.
As Goddard testified at a recent Congressional hearing, over 2.4 million pounds of marijuana is smuggled into the United States each year from Mexico. Profits from drug sales in the United States generate $15 – $25 billion per year, and much of that gets smuggled back into Mexico in the form of cash or weapons.
Goddard recently told CNN that “marijuana is the number one producer for the [drug] cartels. Sixty to 70 percent of their gross profits comes from marijuana.” And those cartels these days are causing about 1,000 murders a year.
A recent Zogby poll found that 44 percent of Americans (and 58 percent on the West Coast) favor legalizing and regulating marijuana, much the way we do alcohol. If just a few influential lawmakers would take the issue seriously, the percentage could shoot up.
So why is the idea of legalizing marijuana, which could raise rather than spend millions of dollars in tax revenue and more effectively eliminate drug-related violence, still considered so funny?
23 Comments
Comment posted March 30, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
I think that the “refer madness” campaign really still has an effect on people much the way the “red scare” does. It will take only time before a reform to the drug laws is made. Hopefully few people will die as a result of international drug trafficing before that happens.
Comment posted March 30, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
While this is all going on a firm that specializes in Cannabis based drugs is slowly expanding and looking to be turnkey ready when the laws do change. The paragraphs below are from the Fox Business pages.
” ADDISON, Texas, Mar 30, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) —-Gulf Onshore Inc (OTCBB: GFON.OB) announced today that it has acquired the assets of Cannex Therapeutics and will continue development of its medical cannabis-based pharmaceutical products. Cannex Therapeutics is a privately owned California group founded and operated by Medical Cannabis pioneer and entrepreneur Steven W. Kubby (http://www.kubby.com). The asset purchase agreement includes all intellectual property rights, formulas, patents, trademarks, client base, hardware and software pertaining to Cannex's pharmaceutical cannabis research & development business.
Along with the Cannex asset purchase the Company has appointed Steve W. Kubby as President & CEO, Richard Cowan as Director & CFO, and Robert Melamede Ph. D., as Director & Chief Science Officer. The Company believes that the combination of this team and the assets purchased positions the Company at the top of the Medical Cannabis Industry. World renowned individually in the medical cannabis community, this management team brings real-world experience to the research & development of medical cannabis-based pharmaceutical products.”
Here's the link in case anyone wants more info… http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/indust…
Pingback posted March 30, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
[...] Daphne Eviatar put an intriguing blog post on The Washington Independent » Legalizing Pot Might Not Grow Economy …Here’s a quick excerptLegalizing Pot Might Not Grow Economy, But It Could Stem Border Violence · Sherman Bill Caps Executive Pay at $1 Million · How Much Does Obama Like Clean Coal? Iran Brings the B-Team to The Hague · You Read It Here First! … [...]
Comment posted March 30, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
I agree 100%. Marijuana should be legal. A group of very serious policemen have formed a group to legalize ALL drugs,
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (leap.cc)
They see what happened when we legalized alcohol in 1932 as a good example of how drug legalization would work. We can't stop drugs. They're sick of chasing drug users and sending innocent people to prison for decades just because they like to get high. This foolish war on drugs has lasted 37 years and cost us over a TRILLION dollars and we are not an inch closer to stopping drugs. How many millions of Americans are we going to lock up in prison for decades? My brother, Spencer Montgomery III would still be alive if heroin had been legal. He overdosed because He didn't know the actual strength of the heroin he injected. If he could have bought a known amount of heroin in a pharmacy he would still be alive today. Legalize ALL drugs now. Mark Montgomery boboberg@nyc.rr.com
Pingback posted March 31, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
[...] in Daily life, Drug laws, Obama administration at 9:54 am by LeisureGuy Daphne Eviatar in the Washington Independent: Norman Stamper, the retired Seattle police chief and member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition [...]
Comment posted March 31, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
this country is led by many many socially retarded individuals, who don't care about how much this could help our waning economy. 25 million people in america smoke marijuana on almost an everyday basis, yet how often do you hear of a motherf***er od-ing? or causing any problems other than maybe forgetting what they wanted to order at a drive-thru therefore resulting in a line of cars? haha anyway, the fact of the matter is, over half the country want it legal, make it legal god d***it. because the problem isn't going away. there will forever be a demand, henceforth..there will always, be a supply. give it up DEA..you f***ing lost the war, just admit it.
Comment posted April 1, 2009 @ 11:01 am
If I were a drug company, I would grow test plots in BC, Canada. I would make the best, most powerful buds ever grown by man. I would test, concentrate, dilute, refine, emulsify, and all manner of chemical activity. Basically, I would push the boundary fast and forcefully. There is so much room to grow the concept of THC medication, that I would want first dibs on profits coming down the road. This is essentially a brand new field. Every brand new field is ripe for exponential growth. I would paint this philosophy red (so to speak, in the press I would paint it red – that is put a positive spin on what might be negatively construed). I would then watch my stock price rise.
I would then watch a competitor join with me, and I would already be two steps ahead. I would then watch others join.
Then I would release a news story about how marijuana can be delivered orally, safely, and because of my new way of delivering it, have full impact within twenty minutes, because of some little emusification process I invented.
Then I would sell this “worlds best bud” under the name of Cannatrol or whatever, and I would make zillions.
If I were RJ Reynolds, I would do basically the same thing, oral THC poppers, effective in twenty minutes, no deaths, minimal lawsuits, no cancer, and loads and loads of cash, cash, cash. I would call it something like MarJan Silver, MarJan Gold, MarJan Specials, MarJan 111. Whatever I would be more concerned about my massive cash influx than the name I came up with.
Peace. Possible when reason trumps emotion.
Comment posted April 1, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Among all the other reasons, some people are afraid they'll be tempted to try it themselves if it's legal. Better to turn millions of other's lives upside down than have to take responsibility for their own choice, just let the gov't make the choice for them and everyone else. I think there's an element of anxiety in all the dumb jokes and derisive laughter about weed. Anything to keep from thinking seriously and soberly about cannabis or cannabis vs. alcohol.
Pingback posted April 1, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
[...] I am aware of, when I wrote Birds, Stones, and Economic Stimuli awhile back, but I’ve had this article from the Washington Independent brought to my attention today and I’m happy to see someone in [...]
Comment posted April 2, 2009 @ 1:10 am
“Father of the U.S.A., first President, Revolutionary War General, and hemp farmer, Washington said: “Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, sow it everywhere.” The forth U.S.A. President, Statesman, author of the Declaration of Independence, hemp farmer, and slave owner, Jefferson said: “THE GREATEST SERVICE WHICH CAN BE RENDERED ANY COUNTRY IS TO ADD A USEFUL PLANT TO ITS CULTURE.”
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 6:56 am
Did we not learn anything from alcohol prohibition?
Marijuana prohibition has been an indisputable failure. Legalize it and take the money out of the black market. Marijuana is less dangerous than either alcohol or tobacco yet both of those substances are legal (and should be). Every year our prison system releases violent offenders to make room for non-violent pot smokers. That is just plain insanity. Think of how better society would be served if our law enforcement efforts were directed more towards dealing with violent individuals. We would also save millions of dollars on prosecution costs and jail expenses. Have you ever seen a “COPS” episode where the police were called out to an incident because someone was high on pot? How about because someone was on alcohol?
There is also substantial evidence indicating marijuana has numerous medical uses as well.
This is a plant, legalize it and regulate it. We need to look at this issue using nothing more than basic common sense. Isn't it time to drop the “Reefer Madness” stupidity?
Comment posted May 25, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Well let's see, BIG PHARMA wouldn't be selling those OTC pills that Erode your body away.. THC in it's pure form solve so-so many things, BIG PHARMA try to solve and DON'T !! Body aches and pain, sleeplessness, And so on & so on.. If the drug companies can make 600% profit on 1 pill, I think RJR and Phillip Morris should grow and package POT and make the same Profit. I know I and others would spend $ 100. for a Pack of Kind Bud. Knowing I'm not going to get Busted ” OR ” ripped OFF. !
Big Pharma & Insurance that are the Government, SO it will NEVER Happen..
Off My Chest, thanks for Listening. PT Smoker 4:20
Comment posted May 25, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Well let's see, BIG PHARMA wouldn't be selling those OTC pills that Erode your body away.. THC in it's pure form solve so-so many things, BIG PHARMA try to solve and DON'T !! Body aches and pain, sleeplessness, And so on & so on.. If the drug companies can make 600% profit on 1 pill, I think RJR and Phillip Morris should grow and package POT and make the same Profit. I know I and others would spend $ 100. for a Pack of Kind Bud. Knowing I'm not going to get Busted ” OR ” ripped OFF. !
Big Pharma & Insurance that are the Government, SO it will NEVER Happen..
Off My Chest, thanks for Listening. PT Smoker 4:20
Comment posted January 9, 2010 @ 10:59 am
I am sorry but I fail to see why it would not be a boost for the economy?
Comment posted January 9, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
I am sorry but I fail to see why it would not be a boost for the economy?
Comment posted July 6, 2010 @ 9:38 am
Well let's see, BIG PHARMA wouldn't be selling those OTC pills that Erode your body away.. THC in it's pure form solve so-so many things, BIG PHARMA try to solve and DON'T !! Body aches and pain, sleeplessness,
Comment posted July 6, 2010 @ 9:41 am
There is also substantial evidence indicating marijuana has numerous medical uses as well.
This is a plant, legalize it and regulate it. We need to look at this issue using nothing more than basic common sense. Isn't it time to drop the “Reefer Madness” stupidity?
Comment posted July 25, 2010 @ 8:52 am
Get well John Murtha .Johnstown and the surrounding cong.dist needs you
Comment posted August 4, 2010 @ 6:31 am
legalize marijuana? you gotta be kidding me! where will that be happen, i will apply for residency! lol…
Comment posted November 4, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
California had the chance to make a change. They didn't so, just forget about such Amsterdamish practices.
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