jmansweed
Owner/Operator J and J Organics
A critique of the new priorities of the attorney generals office regarding marijuana legalization and recommendations from the common pothead
Yet again, the U.S. government has missed an opportunity to make positive moves on cannabis legislation. In truth, the new priorities of the Attorney Generals Office are indistinguishable from any previous priorities. Are we suppose to think that keeping marijuana out of the hands of the youth has not been a priority? Or that state to state trafficking will now become a more persecuted crime? The statement released, outlined below, is pure rhetoric designed to appear as if somehow, Holder has created a new outlook to federally illegal cannabis. In reality, he has only reinforced the current policies of the government. The grey areas of legalization continue, opening the door for further manipulations and incarcerations.
The most recent legislation in the United States allows States to dictate the law regarding recreational and medicinally used cannabis. Attorney General Eric Holder announced on August 29 of 2012 that the Federal Government would not try and stop statewide endorsement of cannabis use demanded by citizens of both Washington and Colorado. The U.S. Dept. of Justice released a memo describing the federal governments expectations in regards to cannabis use. The Department's guidance in this memorandum rests on its expectation that states and local governments that have enacted laws authorizing marijuana-related conduct will implement strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems that will address the threat those state laws could pose to public safety, public health and other law enforcement interests .A system adequate to that task must not only contain robust controls and procedures on paper; it must also be effective in practice." The memo continues to outline priorities of enforcement while confirming that federally cannabis will remain illegal:
1. the distribution of marijuana to minors;
2. revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels;
3. the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal under state law in some form to other states;
4. state-authorized marijuana activity from being used as a cover or pretext for the trafficking of other illegal drugs or other illegal activity;
5. violence and the use of firearms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana
6. drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public health consequences associated with marijuana use;
7. growing of marijuana on public lands and the attendant public safety and environmental dangers posed by marijuana production on public lands;
8. preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property.
These new priorities of enforcement clearly indicate a policy of corruption. The U.S. government is now sanctioning federally illegal activity while leaving open the opportunity to persecute for state sanctioned crime. The only individuals who seem to have their mind bent by marijuana are the ones not smoking it. If these 8 priorities need attention perhaps a venue in which prison is avoided would better suit the american public. After all, that is the purpose of legalization; To avoid persecution of non-violent people who covet a plant and allow them access to contribute taxes and benefits to their community. A positive aspect of this memo is the clear exposure of what issues are most important to the federal government allowing individuals to respond with more logical solutions and legislation than Eric Holder and his team have conjured up.
1. It is incredibly important to educate children and adults alike on the dangers of all drugs, including marijuana. How effective will these policies be however, and/or what efforts will be made in this regard? To compare with efforts to control tobacco, a report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) from 2011 shows that today, over 88% of smokers started well before the age of 18, even after implementing multiple methods of cultural and legal influences. The current methods the CDC invests in are Counteradvertising mass-media campaigns (i.e. TV and radio commercials, posters, and other media messages targeted toward youth to counter pro-tobacco marketing). Comprehensive school-based tobacco-use prevention policies and programs (e.g. tobacco-free campuses). Community interventions that reduce tobacco advertising, promotions, and commercial availability of tobacco products. Higher costs for tobacco product through excise taxes. Banning smoking in public places.
In theory, these services are all positive but the fact remains most of them have not worked beyond creating new venues of which to hold parties responsible and proceed to persecute them when the youth are impacted. Often with government priorities, the goals surround finding parties responsible and making them pay the victims, without ever offering logical solutions in between. Taxes on tobacco products fund the advertising against the product itself. In an effort to maintain freedom of speech the unconstitutionality of making tobacco advertising illegal is real, therefore this is the current method. One aspect of this advertising is revealing, the CDC has reviewed statistics from other countries with similar campaigns and decided the best campaign Include ads that provoke strong negative emotions, such as fear and anger. Fear and anger are part of the problem. To develop long term patterns that improve access to education and information we must supply support and initiate conversation. Education is the number one solution to many issues we see today, more specifically, access to good education. Marijuana, tobacco and all drugs known to be associated with potential health issues should clearly be implemented earlier in the educational process and more thoroughly. With limited investments, its important The Attorney Generals Office insures this is a priority rather than persecution of more individuals. Many dangers and benefits of cannabis are unknown. Federally mandated legalization would allow professional experimentation and further study to determine what is important in regards to such education.
2. To eliminate revenue from illegal sales of cannabis related products, the simple solution would be to federally legalize and endorse marijuana. This is the most obvious of new priorities implemented to further the process of persecuting people for a crime involved with distribution of a state sanctioned, federally illegal substance. Federally legalized cannabis will eliminate the demand for illegally smuggled or produced marijuana. This is plain and simple.
3. State to state differences in legalization is a compounding issue. Recently for example, I was driving from Colorado to Oregon after a backpacking trip. In Idaho, I was pulled over for going 83 mph in an 75 mph zone. A K9 picked up on a bowl I had from my travels and I was issued a paraphernalia ticket amounting to over $400.00 in fines. Kindly, the officer never gave me a speeding ticket. How many states will increase revenue by entrapping drivers for an innocent situation like mine? I was legally allowed to smoke in Colorado. State to state legalization opens the door for manipulative practices at the expense of the common, tax paying citizen. Again, federal sanctioned legalization would eliminate this issue.
4. Any business utilized as an illegal drug cover-up operation is already federally illegal. The same rules would apply if the federal government simply legalized cannabis, eliminating the states responsibility to act heavy handed with cannabis producers and consumers. Simply enforce the current laws.
5. Violence and firearms are not an issue for cannabis producers or users. The vast majority of violence associated with cannabis is when illegal drug smugglers bring multiple drugs including cocaine and heroin into the country. Improving prioritized border security and eliminating the need for cartel controlled marijuana is far more effective than grouping cannabis producers and users with extraordinarily more dangerous drugs. Again, federally legalize cannabis.
6. Driving under the influence of cannabis or alcohol is already illegal and persecuted for.
7. Federally legalized cannabis would eliminate any need for gorilla growing on illegal sites or preserved public land.
8. This is as simple as legislation designating non-smoking areas.
It seems obvious to me, but Im just your common pothead ..
Yet again, the U.S. government has missed an opportunity to make positive moves on cannabis legislation. In truth, the new priorities of the Attorney Generals Office are indistinguishable from any previous priorities. Are we suppose to think that keeping marijuana out of the hands of the youth has not been a priority? Or that state to state trafficking will now become a more persecuted crime? The statement released, outlined below, is pure rhetoric designed to appear as if somehow, Holder has created a new outlook to federally illegal cannabis. In reality, he has only reinforced the current policies of the government. The grey areas of legalization continue, opening the door for further manipulations and incarcerations.
The most recent legislation in the United States allows States to dictate the law regarding recreational and medicinally used cannabis. Attorney General Eric Holder announced on August 29 of 2012 that the Federal Government would not try and stop statewide endorsement of cannabis use demanded by citizens of both Washington and Colorado. The U.S. Dept. of Justice released a memo describing the federal governments expectations in regards to cannabis use. The Department's guidance in this memorandum rests on its expectation that states and local governments that have enacted laws authorizing marijuana-related conduct will implement strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems that will address the threat those state laws could pose to public safety, public health and other law enforcement interests .A system adequate to that task must not only contain robust controls and procedures on paper; it must also be effective in practice." The memo continues to outline priorities of enforcement while confirming that federally cannabis will remain illegal:
1. the distribution of marijuana to minors;
2. revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels;
3. the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal under state law in some form to other states;
4. state-authorized marijuana activity from being used as a cover or pretext for the trafficking of other illegal drugs or other illegal activity;
5. violence and the use of firearms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana
6. drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public health consequences associated with marijuana use;
7. growing of marijuana on public lands and the attendant public safety and environmental dangers posed by marijuana production on public lands;
8. preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property.
These new priorities of enforcement clearly indicate a policy of corruption. The U.S. government is now sanctioning federally illegal activity while leaving open the opportunity to persecute for state sanctioned crime. The only individuals who seem to have their mind bent by marijuana are the ones not smoking it. If these 8 priorities need attention perhaps a venue in which prison is avoided would better suit the american public. After all, that is the purpose of legalization; To avoid persecution of non-violent people who covet a plant and allow them access to contribute taxes and benefits to their community. A positive aspect of this memo is the clear exposure of what issues are most important to the federal government allowing individuals to respond with more logical solutions and legislation than Eric Holder and his team have conjured up.
1. It is incredibly important to educate children and adults alike on the dangers of all drugs, including marijuana. How effective will these policies be however, and/or what efforts will be made in this regard? To compare with efforts to control tobacco, a report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) from 2011 shows that today, over 88% of smokers started well before the age of 18, even after implementing multiple methods of cultural and legal influences. The current methods the CDC invests in are Counteradvertising mass-media campaigns (i.e. TV and radio commercials, posters, and other media messages targeted toward youth to counter pro-tobacco marketing). Comprehensive school-based tobacco-use prevention policies and programs (e.g. tobacco-free campuses). Community interventions that reduce tobacco advertising, promotions, and commercial availability of tobacco products. Higher costs for tobacco product through excise taxes. Banning smoking in public places.
In theory, these services are all positive but the fact remains most of them have not worked beyond creating new venues of which to hold parties responsible and proceed to persecute them when the youth are impacted. Often with government priorities, the goals surround finding parties responsible and making them pay the victims, without ever offering logical solutions in between. Taxes on tobacco products fund the advertising against the product itself. In an effort to maintain freedom of speech the unconstitutionality of making tobacco advertising illegal is real, therefore this is the current method. One aspect of this advertising is revealing, the CDC has reviewed statistics from other countries with similar campaigns and decided the best campaign Include ads that provoke strong negative emotions, such as fear and anger. Fear and anger are part of the problem. To develop long term patterns that improve access to education and information we must supply support and initiate conversation. Education is the number one solution to many issues we see today, more specifically, access to good education. Marijuana, tobacco and all drugs known to be associated with potential health issues should clearly be implemented earlier in the educational process and more thoroughly. With limited investments, its important The Attorney Generals Office insures this is a priority rather than persecution of more individuals. Many dangers and benefits of cannabis are unknown. Federally mandated legalization would allow professional experimentation and further study to determine what is important in regards to such education.
2. To eliminate revenue from illegal sales of cannabis related products, the simple solution would be to federally legalize and endorse marijuana. This is the most obvious of new priorities implemented to further the process of persecuting people for a crime involved with distribution of a state sanctioned, federally illegal substance. Federally legalized cannabis will eliminate the demand for illegally smuggled or produced marijuana. This is plain and simple.
3. State to state differences in legalization is a compounding issue. Recently for example, I was driving from Colorado to Oregon after a backpacking trip. In Idaho, I was pulled over for going 83 mph in an 75 mph zone. A K9 picked up on a bowl I had from my travels and I was issued a paraphernalia ticket amounting to over $400.00 in fines. Kindly, the officer never gave me a speeding ticket. How many states will increase revenue by entrapping drivers for an innocent situation like mine? I was legally allowed to smoke in Colorado. State to state legalization opens the door for manipulative practices at the expense of the common, tax paying citizen. Again, federal sanctioned legalization would eliminate this issue.
4. Any business utilized as an illegal drug cover-up operation is already federally illegal. The same rules would apply if the federal government simply legalized cannabis, eliminating the states responsibility to act heavy handed with cannabis producers and consumers. Simply enforce the current laws.
5. Violence and firearms are not an issue for cannabis producers or users. The vast majority of violence associated with cannabis is when illegal drug smugglers bring multiple drugs including cocaine and heroin into the country. Improving prioritized border security and eliminating the need for cartel controlled marijuana is far more effective than grouping cannabis producers and users with extraordinarily more dangerous drugs. Again, federally legalize cannabis.
6. Driving under the influence of cannabis or alcohol is already illegal and persecuted for.
7. Federally legalized cannabis would eliminate any need for gorilla growing on illegal sites or preserved public land.
8. This is as simple as legislation designating non-smoking areas.
It seems obvious to me, but Im just your common pothead ..
