Pot and Prison

About one third of the prisoners in jail are in for drug-related violations. Most of these prisoners have prior records including violent crimes and other drug violations. First time offenders don’t usually go to jail for possessing marijuana, it’s the repeat offenders who spend time in jail. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission in 1998, only 33 people sentenced for federal drug crimes involving marijuana were convicted for less then 5,000 grams. Also during 1998, 1,299 people were convicted for possessing between 100,000 and 2,999,999 grams.

To make the numbers at bit easier to understand (or in other stoner terms):
5,000 grams = 10.9 pounds = 9,965 joints
100,000 grams = 219 pounds = 199,500 joints
2,999,999 grams = 6,563 pounds = 5, 985, 285 joints

The US spends $30 billion a year on state prison systems. Drug law enforcement costs the US $20 billion a year. This “War on Drugs” is costing a lot of money, but I feel like it shouldn’t be almost as much as our prison system.
http://www.isp.state.id.us/investigations/marijuana.pdf

One small step for stoners...

Things are moving right along in Congress for stoners thanks to Representatives Barney Frank (MA) and Ron Paul (TX). According to NORML, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Frank and Paul have introduced H.R. 5843, an "Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults to the House of Representatives.

This measure, if passed, would strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. NORML founder and Legal Director Keith Stroup worked extensively with Frank’s staff to write this important legislation, which represents the first cannabis decriminalization measure introduced in Congress in 24 years.Under current federal law, the penalty for cannabis possession is up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

So in honor of this introduction and help it pass, I’m asking and so is NORML to take some time to write your local representative and ask them to support this bill. To make life easier-NORML has the letter already written and can be emailed or printed out for mailing.
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301&type=CO

Cops are Hypocrites

Talk about hypocritical…this cop got busted for stealing pot from criminals, goes home and makes brownies for him and his wife, calls 911 and claims that they are overdosing and might be dying. So after all of that, the cop resigns and doesn’t get in trouble of course. The article stated that “The AP reports that Sanchez managed to avoid criminal prosecution, even though he admitted taking the marijuana and, with his wife, baking it into brownies.”

If I did the same thing I’d probably go to jail or least have to pay the wonderful government a decent amount of money. “It’s fair to say that many people who face similar circumstances in this country see a substantially different outcome, including arrest, court, prosecution, fines, jail and prison time. Then there is always probation, and private corporations offering counseling that a person is mandated to attend and pay for.” I mean really, what is that about? SO NOT FAIR!!!
Check out the news video and read this article:
http://salem-news.com/articles/may182007/cop_brownies_51807.php

Medical Marijuana Vending Machine

This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. How awesome would that be to buy marijuana out of a vending machine?! I think it’s a great solution and it makes life easier for those who need to purchase, especially if it’s in the middle of the night. It’s completely safe and takes precautions: personal card, video, photograph, etc. This way the store can keep track of their customers and not just anyone can use it. Now if only marijuana was legal and this vending machine was out on the streets—instead of buying a can of soda, I’d be buying cannabis. Cannabis is much healthier then a can of soda anyways!

It's about time Massachusetts

Massachusetts is finally joining the pot-smoking team and planning on passing a bill to remove penalties for possession and small amounts of marijuana. They’ve finally come to this conclusion because they realize how far behind they are from the rest of the country. Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank is the one proposing the bill.

The bill is being proposed for the following reasons according to local Utah news The Spectrum:
~We need a federal bill because we need to put an end to this fruitless, expensive prohibition once and for all.
~We need a federal bill because of the growing number of people across the nation who are clamoring for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses.
~We need a federal bill because the prohibition of marijuana is rooted in racism, fear and greed, not science.

“This bill is based on the 1972 National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse study commissioned by then-President Richard Nixon, which reported that "the use of drugs for pleasure or other non-medical purposes is not inherently irresponsible; alcohol is widely used as an acceptable part of social activities," and added, "the actual and potential harm of use of the drug is not great enough to justify intrusion by the criminal law into private behavior.”

http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080329/OPINION/803290319

4/20 Rules!! Especially in Denver

Every year on 4/20 at 4:20pm, marijuana activists gather in parks and college campuses around Denver to smoke pot! How wonderful is that?! Where are these gatherings in Southern California? I was too hung-over to really celebrate 4/20 the right way this year, but did put in a little bit of effort. I think I would have put in a little bit more had there been one of these gatherings, at least I’d going to it for a good cause—well two good causes!

Denver is one of places where one is allowed to possess the drug, but not allowed to smoke it. That doesn’t make much sense to me? If I can’t smoke it, then why would I have it.

And something else that is confusing: “Most the time officers just stand by and watch for major disruptions, but they don’t have the manpower to arrest everyone. This year’s rally in Denver was peaceful, and while several people were cited, no one was arrested.” This was stated in the article from Denver News Channel 7.

If the US is so against marijuana being illegal, the police, at any level, wouldn’t allow for this to happen. The cities of the US wouldn’t allow something like this happen. They’re basically giving us an “OK” to smoke pot, which I’m not going to pass up, but it’s a on the hypocritical side.

Check out the website and watch the video of the rally!! Stoners are fabulous!!!

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/15939390/detail.html

Death and Marijuana

Key for Chart

*white=deaths in auto accidents NOT due to alcohol and/or drugs

*blue=deaths in auto accidents due to alcochol

*purple=deaths in auto accidents due to smoking marijuana

--Note how you can't see the purple!!

So you know those commercials that say smoking marijuana can affect your driving? Well here’s a fabulous chart I found on a website that shows some evidence disproving this claim. I’ve been a believer that smoking doesn’t affect driving skills. In fact, I can say that I’m a better driver when I’m high! I drive slower and I’m more aware of my surroundings. This chart also shows that driving under the influence of alcohol is more dangerous. But I think most of already know that! I mean like DUH!!

Yet this website completely disproves what I just said. Then again it is a government website. You be the judge, but I bet the person who came up with is stuff never drove high!!
Q: How does marijuana affect driving?
A: Marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills required to drive safely: alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.Marijuana may play a role in car accidents. In one study conducted in Memphis, TN, researchers found that, of 150 reckless drivers who were tested for drugs at the arrest scene, 33 percent tested positive for marijuana, and 12 percent tested positive for both marijuana and cocaine (1). Data have also shown that while smoking marijuana, people show the same lack of coordination on standard "drunk driver" tests as do people who have had too much to drink (8).

http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteenstxt.html#driving

That's what I'm Screamin!!!

This man knows where it's at. This is one of my arguments about legalizing marijuana. Having it be legal would benefit the economy and we all know how much help our economy could use right now! Having marijuana legal would allow both parties-economy and users/smokers-to benefit: the economy would benefit by making a profit and users/smokers would start paying a lower price on the streets! That would be nice for college students like myself!

Cool Video--Even Montel Williams is down for the cause!!

Awoo for Minnesota

FuN WeeD FaCT of the DaY!
In 1974, the average THC content of illicit marijuana was less than one percent. Today most commercial grade marijuana from Mexico/Columbia and domestic outdoor cultivated marijuana has an average THC content of about 4 to 6 percent., although some samples have tested as high as 25 percent THC.

~brought to you by justthinktwice.com. A wonderful site thanks to the DEA!

So I was in a GooD MooD and decided to find some articles and some photos about this blog of mine. Here's one worth mentioning.

Check it http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/17829419.html

Minnesota is the 13th state in the United States to join the fight and helping to legalize marijuana for medical reasons-it's a step closer to maybe, hopefully, have it be legal for all reasons!! That would be nice!