Depend on what study your looking at livinginthewoods. They all point the other way based on what your for.

Its really funny now because the real legal growers are fighting the legalization since it will put them out of business within a few years. The same people who fight for the freedom are the same ones who fight against it.....

living in the woods...what good would it do to scream for states rights when the federal government is excercising their right through the Federal Agency...the food and Drug administration. It is the far left that wishes for the fed to have their hands in just about every aspect of a citizens life. Sorry, we loose on this juncture of intrusive government.

The Michigan Prosecuting Attorney has taken it upon himself to eliminate co-ops and dispensaries in Michigan, so it's not just a Federal issue. They're just driving it back underground.

I love Americas "selective" capitalism

I thought this country was all about the "free" market....lol

The cartells will be very pleased....

So here we have San Francisco, a "sanctuary city" that refuses to uphold Federal immigration laws and is proud to thumb their noses at the Fed, are allowing the Fed to intimidate landlords into running legalized (by the State) dispensaries out of business.

I guess the California politicians are having their voices heard. Protect the criminals, but to hell with the sick.

What a waste of government resources. Marijuana has been used medicinally and recreationally since before the 3rd century B.C. Anybody actually think they're going to stamp it out? Oh well, I guess the corner drug dealers, and pharmasutical companies who pump out the Oxy and such are now doing the happy dance. Now we can have more addicts, gang violence and full jails. Dumb!

Can I still grow tomatoes? I hear that if you eat too many, they can make you sleepy.

@!$%# Holder and Obama both of these bastards are bad for the USA and need to go

I remember Obama in 2008 I will leave medical MJ alone as long as they follow State Law hmmm.

Well you lying sack of @!$%# you lied and voting for this ass clown will only bring more pain and suffering to our once Great Nation..

Bush was not the greatest President but he left medical MJ alone here in Cali & he sent me (2) Tax refund checks 8) to help out my family,..

Obummer has done nothing but take take and put us middle class folks in the poor house.

I make good money and I'm responsible work hard pay my taxes and give money to support our troops etc.... Over 50% of the US population want to legalize so get off your high horse.

This just goes to show you what the Obama administration thinks about state's rights. Bush had issued orders to his justice department to leave the dispensaries alone so long as they were operating above board within the scope of the CA law. Obama came into office saying he would do the same. Then Obama showed his true stripes, did an about face, and ordered the justice department to shut down all the dispensaries in CA. He has his justice department sending letters to the dispensaries' landlords telling them that if they allow a,dispensary to operate in their property that the justice department will use federal asset forfeiture laws to seize the property. To avoid a legal confrontation with the state by coming in and actually shutting down dispensaries the federal government is simply intimidating landlords into doing their job for them and forcing the dispensaries out. The reason the Obama administration is doing this is that their buddies in the big pharmaceutical companies were worried that medical marijuana was cutting into the sales of some of their drugs, particularly opiod pain pills. They called in a marker for all their campaign contributions and got the federal government to shut down their competition. To hell with what is best and most effective for the patient, Obama had to help his corporate pharmaceutical buddies protect their bottom line.

@Chris Hongry: It took me a while to find The Most Rediculous Post in this Thread, but I did, and you are the winner.

BS! Most responsible Americans hate potheads, they just drain society with their problems.

Please cite your source.

High freaks driving better not injure any of my family, catch a bullet for it.

Your family is 92.182% more likely to be injured by someone under the influence of alcohol or legal prescription medications than by someone who is simply "high", and nearly 400 times more likely to be injured by someone texting.

It's quite clear you have virtually no knowledge on this subject, but that's quite alright - we'll be glad to get you some of that fancy 3rd-grade level education.

It is the far left that wishes for the fed to have their hands in just about every aspect of a citizens life.

I think you are confusing the majority of progressives today with the algore liberals of the 80s&90s.

A lot of what is considered the "left" nowadays are people like me who used to consider themselves conservative until conservative came to mean corporate brainwashed, superstitious, religious, whack job.

You want to talk about fiscal responsibility? I'm with you! You want to talk about respecting the constitution, including the 2nd amendment? I'm right there with you! You want to talk about keeping the government out of peoples personal lives? I'm all for it!

Problem is, conservative politicians talk about that stuff all day long but when it comes time to start doing something, all they do is steadily sell our country out to the special interests of big money and religious fools!

I definitely do not agree with the nanny state aspect of the far left but most democrats are moderate at best right now with most of them leaning slightly right of reagan.

You can keep the moneygrubbing, sun/son worshipping republicans!

If I was ever to move back to the conservative side, I would likely be a libertarian. They are still corporately owned like most political movements but at least they don't have the churches hands on their puppet strings too.

Wonder why the Federal Government is not sending letters to the illegal immigrants realtors? The pharmaceutical and alcohol industry is not paying them to. We are free, free to be slaves to our corporate masters.

@Chris Hongry

Just a few changed words and your statement makes a lot of sense.

BS! Most responsible Americans hate alcoholics, they just drain society with their problems. Drunk freaks driving better not injure any of my family, catch a bullet for it.

FEDERAL LAW TRUMPS STATE/LOCAL LAW, alcohol is not a controlled substance, federally legal, get over it, get a life, whatever problem you have causing you to want to get drunk (your daddy raped you) get some help.

Chris I do respect your opinion and I definitely do not know your stance on alcohol but I just don't understand how anybody can be for alcohol but against pot. I have never known somebody smoking weed that came home and beat the crap out of his wife or kids. I have never known a pot smoker that has forgotten his entire night only to find out that he did something stupid. You apparently have no idea who is smoking. They are your doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots, friends, family and strangers. Don't judge people unless you want to be judged. I for one don't even drink much anymore because I would much rather feel hungry, happy and sleepy. I am also a very productive member of society and I have a wonderful life and sorry buy my daddy didn't rape me my country did!!!

The CULT OF POT extremists think they are different from right wing extremists. Which always makes me laugh.

Californians think they are above federal law the same as people in Arizona. Stupid people just don't understand that the nonsense they push in the name of their sacred belief (legalization of pot or stopping illegal immigrants) is the exact same strategy used by the people they are against. So promoting brat like laws that try to override federals laws shows how insolent littel righteous extremists are.

Marijuana should be legalized, I believe. But I don't have to have my @ssh*le state think it is superior to federal law to do it. That goes on any topic. You don't have to be a Pot Cultist to believe in the legalization of marijuana in a way that makes sense. You just have to be not stupid.

And let's not forget Nancy Reagan's campaign - "Just Say No!" LOL - that was a total joke although she meant well for kids.

It would be interesting to see a copy of this letter from DOJ included in the story.

Yes it would and it should be made public.

The feds sadly are suffering from severe control issues that cost Them a lot of money while the sales and corresponding taxes from MM will negatively effect this state.

Control Issues are never a positive disorder--in fact they can cause much more harm then good!

EX. Taking the use of Credit cards away from MM users and dispensaries in CO> will effect and lower the amount of sales taxes received and used to help benefit the state of Colorado.

While trying to maintain control the Feds have become Out Of Control!

derek...you'd be right, except for this little tidbit of info...:

The federal CSA of '72 says that a state's scheduling of controlled substances is preeminent and trumps federal scheduling.

Title 21 United States Code (USC ) Controlled Substances Act Section 903. Application of State law.

states ARE superior to federal law in this matter. feds are breaking the law here against our states and our citizens. in fact, oregon has rescheduled marijuana to schedule II, which places it in the medical category. the feds are the ones who are the extremists in their illegal war against medical marijuana...

For those saying that GW left dispensaries alone in CA, you are 100% incorrect. Do some searches on raids; they were a regular occurrence under his watch.

GW and Obama are lockstep against the people on this one.

If the mob cant get their cut they dont want the public to have it , they have no problem with booze cause their henchmen and the legal system thrive on it and their cut is good profit. It is an evil system that does not work

JustAnotherGuy,

Folks that make the type of statements made by Chris are basing their opinions on a Reefer Madness type understanding... they have no experience on the topic, and thus the ridiculous comments.

You are correct... walk into a corporation/lawfirm/Dr Office and you will regularly pass by successful, well adjusted, smokers.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.. it just would be nice if those opinions were based on actual facts.

Since November, the Justice Department has sent out 600 letters across California threatening landlords who rent space to medical marijuana operations. Since November, nine San Francisco pot clubs have shut their doors

Another example of the government doing the bidding of its people.... Just like their refusal to enforce our immigration policy. Perhaps the two issues are connected. Illegals bring us the majority of our marijuana. We have lost this country.

get the hell outta here kornfed! nobody brings us the majority of our herb...marijuana is our number one crop that we grow, earning more than corn and wheat! stop spitting out propaganda like it's fact.

Marijuana Called Top U.S. Cash Crop

Contrasting government figures for traditional crops -- like corn and wheat -- against the study's projections for marijuana production, the report cites marijuana as the top cash crop in 12 states and among the top three cash crops in 30.

The study estimates that marijuana production, at a value of $35.8 billion, exceeds the combined value of corn ($23.3 billion) and wheat ($7.5 billion).

"The fact that marijuana is America's No. 1 cash crop after more than three decades of governmental eradication efforts is the clearest illustration that our present marijuana laws are a complete failure," says Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington D.C., a group that focuses on removing criminal penalties for marijuana use.

Kampia, whose comments were included in the study's press release, adds, "Our nation's laws guarantee that 100 percent of the proceeds from marijuana sales go to unregulated criminals rather than to legitimate businesses that pay taxes to support schools, police and roads."

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=2735017&page=1#.T6caZMVI5ZM

SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY TWO "medical" weed clinics...ha ha.

Like there are even that many 'sick' people who need the treatment to begin with. What a farce.

Even if it is the top cash crop in 12 states, it does not mean that we still dont get the majority of our marijuana from outside the US. Are you trying to hurt me with the corn comparison? lol. I have no doubt that if marijuana were made legal, that it would be the number 1 cash crop in every state that had the climate to grow it. It is a magnificent plant!

The opponents always make the same error that they do with Latinos. If they see a Latino in an emergency room (or even someone who looks vaguely Latino, such as a Philippino) they assume that the person is an illegal immigrant. When people see a "normal" cross-section of patients going into a medical marijuana dispensary that they are all dope addicts who have no medical reason.

I can only tell you my story. I am 68 and have back problems (from both arthritis and a maltreated herniated disc) as well as severe osteoarthritis. I have had one knee replaced and the other knee, one hip and one shoulder are not far behind. But I am allergic to all opiates. This means that when I take opiates, they do not help the pain at all, but trigger a histimine release, causing me to itch extremely badly, runny nose, swollen eyes and face, no sleep --- but zero pain relief. The good news is that I also cannot become addicted and can tolerate doses that would be deadly in a normal person. I survived a knee replacement by having lidocaine dripped via catheter directly onto the femeral nerve trunk. I did one major abdominal surgery for a hiatal hernia by simply "gutting" through it. I swore that I would never do that again.

About 15% (about 1 in 7) of all Americans have a similar allergy to opiates. This is a huge percentage that no one wants to discuss. This causes huge problems, mostly because American physicians are some of the worst-trained in the world in pain management. For many people who are in severe continuous pain, marijuana is the only available alternative.

For others, such as those with multiple schlerosis, peripheral neuropathy from diabetes (a rapidly increasing number), lupus, fibromyalgia, shingles, and many other very painful issues, opiates are not much help because the dosages required are often so high as to be life-threatening. And with long-term pain many people are afraid of building up tolerances and becooming addicted.

Another issue that is important is that many people with cancer have serious nausea from the treatments. This is bad because a person undergoing cancer treatment needs not to be losing weight, or becoming dehydrated. Vomiting a lot during chemotherapy can actually unbalance electrolytes and dehydrate a person to a life-threatening. There are no known anti-emetic drugs that come close to marijuana for these people.

Marijuana has been shown to be the most effective pain killer for both MS and diabetic perpheral neuropathy in forman clinical trials. For reasons unknown, purified THC or other variants that do not get a person "high" have turned out to be ineffective. Many people with MS obtain prescriptions for THC and then trade the pure THC for smokable marijuana or hash. For people without these painful illnesses, they put a couple of drops of the THC on a tobacco cigarette and smoke it that way.

A major problem is that researchers are simply not interested in doing studies on medical marijuana. NIH is very shy of giving grant money for such studies because of the chance of running afoul of right wingers in Congress. But medical science is actually pretty much taking a pass on an alternative to opiates that is non-adicting and to which patients do not build up a tolerance.

Speaking for myself, I will still buy marijuana and use it to self-treat pain. It works and works well. It is especially good just before going to bed because it relieves pain quickly enough that I can just do it right when I am ready instead of having to take it a half hour before if I go to bed to give it time to take effect and it is effective enough that I can get to sleep without being bothered by so much pain that it keeps me awake.

There IS, however, some bright news on the horizon. There are pain killers called anti-nerve growth factor in the final stages of clinical trials. The trials (on people with severe osteoarthritis) were stopped for a while because of a fear that people taking it were taking up activities like tennis and mountain-climbing and having to have knee and hip replacements at record rates. And when they looked at the bony parts removed, there was also a fear that the drug might be killing the living bone itself (osteonecrosis.) The first was "fixed" by simply counseling patients better about the consequences of removing a vital bodily signal. And the latter turned out to be unfounded on closer examination of the bones. These trials have since been resumed. This is important because anti-nerve growth factor (ANGF or NGF) operates very differently. It actually prevents the pain signal being sent in the first place instead of allowing it to be sent, but interfering with the brain's ability to "feel" the signal. This is a part of a new medical initiative in monoclonal antibodies and appears to be just a crack in a much larger door. The drugs being tested seem to have minimal side effects --- in fact slightly less than a placebo and are not dosage sensitive (meaning that it is difficult to overdose.) They are not addictive and do not cause the patient to build up a tolerance.

This family of ANGF drugs is what will eventually put the medical marijuana dispensaries out of business since it can deal effectively with opiate allergies as well as types of pain that cannot be cured but that can seriously compromise quality of life.

The smart thing for the Feds to have done would to have simply ignored it until there was a safe, reliable, non-controlled substance alternative available --- as soon as 6 mos to a year. I simply cannot fathom why this administration is going after state-legal marijuana dispensaries except a desire to remind California voters that federal law trumps state law, even when it makes no sense at all.

You people are seriously hemped up dillusional. Let's for a sec compare alcohol prohibition and your safe Mary Jane arguments.

Prior to the repeal of alcohol prohibition (which for this discussion we will just call prohibition), there was this outlandish argument concerning organized crime. It was said that the repeal of prohibition would end organized crime. Likewise, it was said Alcohol is just a harmless drink. That it encouraged social interaction. That if it was taxed and regulated it would help the economy while driving the black market out of business. Today it is pot. The same arguments are being made. Legalize dope and it will destroy the cartels. Pot is harmless, no one has ever died from pot. We can tax and regulate pot. It will help the country with it's economic problems. People that smoke pot are more social, blah blah blah.

So, 1st off - the argument concerning organized crime. Repeal DID NOT destroy the mob. It did NOT end bootlegging and it certainly did not end the mob violence. In fact, what it did do is allow organized crime to set up "legit" businesses in which they could launder money, and did the direct opposite of the desired objective.

2ndly, the harmless drink argument. Prior to repeal, there were fewer than 1k deaths a year caused by the result of drunk driving. There were fewer than 3k incidents of traffic accidents as a result of intoxicated drivers. There were far fewer incidents of domestic abuse, reported rates of alcoholism, and the associated diseases prior to repeal than today. So the harmless drink argument - people consuming responsibly, well we can see how THAT has turned out. And I don't need to beat the drunken dead horse in disclosing the obvious.

3rdly, repeal did not dispense the black market. The black market is still alive and kicking. Bootleg booze still occurs. But of course, no one wants to hear about that. The taxation of liquor DID NOT solve economic woes, but only added more to them. Especially when we look at increased medical costs, courts, policing, insurance rates, jails, substance abuse programs and the like.

So let's look at the argument about how POT doesn't kill. Perhaps you can't die from an overdose on weed. But a smoked up driver is just as dangerous on the road as a drunk. Here in Montana, I can point to a number of articles involving potheads under the influence of weed killing people in vehicle crashes. In particular an 8 yr old boy as a result of a smoked up doper on a motorcycle. A public servant named Judy Wang killed by a pot smoker because he was high and running late to attend a "bong" party. Or even an article about a smoked up, med pot card holder, who was using pot laced brownies and committing sexual assaults on teenage girls, granted he didn't kill them, but what he did certainly was life altering.

We can even look at the argument about how pot is safe. Really? Do you hemp addicts realize the paper you roll your dope in, is chock full of the same chemicals, the same carcinogens as cigarettes? In fact it is exactly the SAME paper. Or how you believe a bong doesn't leach metals to be inhaled directly into the lungs. Even your pro pot advocates acknowledge the dangers of smoking dope. But the desire to get high supercedes common sense.

The argument about how "med pot" helps patients is a farce. Med Pot is the SAME POT that dope heads smoke. The misnomer of that med tag does not change the fact it is pot. It only identfies the supposed usage of that dope. Likewise, legalizing pot isn't going to end drug cartels. It isn't going to end drug trafficking, and it sure as hell isn't going to solve the economic woes of this country. To believe it will is a pipe dream. And for those that think pot isn't as dangerous as booze, consider that when it is your 8yr old killed by a high on pot motorcyclist...

SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY TWO "medical" weed clinics...ha ha.

Like there are even that many 'sick' people who need the treatment to begin with. What a farce.

Yes, it is a farce. But it shows that the public has a demand for it. The public wants it, just like they wanted alcohol. As a user of both, I can tell you that marijuana is by far the least destructive drug. Its time to stop the silliness and legalize it.

Phew. I sure am glad I did not severe ties with my local distributors. Reading this I am now anxious to get home and burn a fat one.

And the government makes no money off of my distributors but you go feds. Bunch of idiots. After all the money our government has waisted to no prevail I need to remind then, marijuana is here to stay!

Even here in Arkansas it's trying to get on the ballot this year. The poll numbers are 47% FOR and 46% against. With only 7% in the middle right now. which I thought was amazing to be here in Arkansas. We had a 30 day extention to get 30,000 more signatures starting last week.

The guy who put it for a vote this year doesn't smoke nor ever thought about smoking marijuana. A close friend or relitive has cancer was able to eat and sleep smoking marijuana. He thought it was a shame she had to break the law to get help.

hey will, i vape my buds. no tar, no carcinogenics. as for stoners driving, it's just as dangerous to drive sober. i.e.,

"[In] cases in which THC was the only drug present were analyzed, the culpability ratio was found to be not significantly different from the no-drug group."

REFERENCE: G. Chesher and M. Longo. 2002. Cannabis and alcohol in motor vehicle accidents. In: F. Grotenhermen and E. Russo (Eds.) Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Potential. New York: Haworth Press. Pp. 313-323.

"Cannabis leads to a more cautious style of driving, [but] it has a negative impact on decision time and trajectory. [However,] this in itself does not mean that drivers under the influence of cannabis represent a traffic safety risk. … Cannabis alone, particularly in low doses, has little effect on the skills involved in automobile driving."

REFERENCE: Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs. 2002. Cannabis: Summary Report: Our Position for a Canadian Public Policy. Ottawa. Chapter 8: Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis.

"This report has summarized available research on cannabis and driving.
… Evidence of impairment from the consumption of cannabis has been reported by studies using laboratory tests, driving simulators and on-road observation. ... Both simulation and road trials generally find that driving behavior shortly after consumption of larger doses of cannabis results in (i) a more cautious driving style; (ii) increased variability in lane position (and headway); and (iii) longer decision times. Whereas these results indicate a 'change' from normal conditions, they do not necessarily reflect 'impairment' in terms of performance effectiveness since few studies report increased accident risk."

REFERENCE: UK Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (Road Safety Division). 2000. Cannabis and Driving: A Review of the Literature and Commentary. Crowthorne, Berks: TRL Limited.

"Overall, we conclude that the weight of the evidence indicates that:
1) There is no evidence that consumption of cannabis alone increases the risk of culpability for traffic crash fatalities or injuries for which hospitalization occurs, and may reduce those risks.
2) The evidence concerning the combined effect of cannabis and alcohol on the risk of traffic fatalities and injuries, relative to the risk of alcohol alone, is unclear.
3) It is not possible to exclude the possibility that the use of cannabis (with or without alcohol) leads to an increased risk of road traffic crashes causing less serious injuries and vehicle damage."

REFERENCE: M. Bates and T. Blakely. 1999. "Role of cannabis in motor vehicle crashes." Epidemiologic Reviews 21: 222-232.

"In conclusion, marijuana impairs driving behavior. However, this impairment is mitigated in that subjects under marijuana treatment appear to perceive that they are indeed impaired. Where they can compensate, they do, for example by not overtaking, by slowing down and by focusing their attention when they know a response will be required. … Effects on driving behavior are present up to an hour after smoking but do not continue for extended periods.
With respect to comparisons between alcohol and marijuana effects, these substances tend to differ in their effects. In contrast to the compensatory behavior exhibited by subjects under marijuana treatment, subjects who have received alcohol tend to drive in a more risky manner. Both substances impair performance; however, the more cautious behavior of subjects who have received marijuana decreases the impact of the drug on performance, whereas the opposite holds true for alcohol."

REFERENCE: A. Smiley. 1999. Marijuana: On-Road and Driving-Simulator Studies. In: H. Kalant et al. (Eds) The Health Effects of Cannabis. Toronto: Center for Addiction and Mental Health. Pp. 173-191.

CRASH CULPABILITY STUDIES

“For each of 2,500 injured drivers presenting to a hospital, a blood sample was collected for later analysis.

There was a clear relationship between alcohol and culpability. … In contrast, there was no significant increase in culpability for cannabinoids alone. While a relatively large number of injured drivers tested positive for cannabinoids, culpability rates were no higher than those for the drug free group. This is consistent with other findings.”

REFERENCE: Logan, M.C., Hunter, C.E., Lokan, R.J., White, J.M., & White, M.A. (2000). The Prevalence of Alcohol, Cannabinoids, Benzodiazepines and Stimulants Amongst Injured Drivers and Their Role in Driver Culpability: Part II: The Relationship Between Drug Prevalence and Drug Concentration, and Driver Culpability. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 32, 623-32.

“Blood samples from 894 patients presenting to two Emergency Departments for treatment of motor vehicle injur[ies] … were tested for alcohol and other drugs.

… Based on alcohol and drug testing of the full range of patients … alcohol is clearly the major drug associated with serious crashes and greater injury. Patients testing positive for illicit drugs (marijuana, opiates, and cocaine), in the absence of alcohol, were in crashes very similar to those of patients with neither alcohol nor drugs. When other relevant variables were considered, these drugs were not associated with more severe crashes or greater injury.”

REFERENCE: P. Waller et al. 1997. Crash characteristics and injuries of victims impaired by alcohol versus illicit drugs. Accident Analysis and Prevention 29: 817-827.

“Blood specimens were collected from a sample of 1,882 drivers from 7 states, during 14 months in the years 1990 and 1991. The sample comprised operators of passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles who died within 4 hours of their crash.

… While cannabinoids were detected in 7 percent of the drivers, the psychoactive agent THC was found in only 4 percent. … The THC-only drivers had a responsibility rate below that of the drugfree drivers. … While the difference was not statistically significant, there was no indication that cannabis by itself was a cause of fatal crashes.”

REFERENCE: K. Terhune. 1992. The incidence and role of drugs in fatally injured drivers. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Report No. DOT HS 808 065.

ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE STUDIES

“Marijuana's effects on actual driving performance were assessed in a series of three studies wherein dose-effect relationships were measured in actual driving situations that progressively approached reality.

… THC's effects on road-tracking after doses up to 300 µg/kg never exceeded alcohol's at bacs of 0.08%; and, were in no way unusual compared to many medicinal drugs. Yet, THC's effects differ qualitatively from many other drugs, especially alcohol. Evidence from the present and previous studies strongly suggests that alcohol encourages risky driving whereas THC encourages greater caution, at least in experiments. Another way THC seems to differ qualitatively from many other drugs is that the formers users seem better able to compensate for its adverse effects while driving under the influence.”

REFERENCE: H. Robbe. 1995. Marijuana’s effects on actual driving performance. In: C. Kloeden and A. McLean (Eds) Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety T-95. Adelaide: Australia: HHMRC Road Research Unit, University of Adelaide. Pp. 11-20.

“This report concerns the effects of marijuana smoking on actual driving performance. … This program of research has shown that marijuana, when taken alone, produces a moderate degree of driving impairment which is related to consumed THC dose. The impairment manifests itself mainly in the ability to maintain a lateral position on the road, but its magnitude is not exceptional in comparison with changes produced by many medicinal drugs and alcohol. Drivers under the influence of marijuana retain insight in their performance and will compensate when they can, for example, by slowing down or increasing effort. As a consequence, THC’s adverse effects on driving performance appear relatively small.”

REFERENCE: W. Hindrik and J. Robbe and J. O’Hanlon. 1993. Marijuana and actual driving performance. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Report No. DOT HS 808 078.

TABULATED SUMMARY OF ROAD TRIALS OF CANNABIS AND DRIVING
Table compiled by the UK Department of Transport (2000)

DRIVING SIMULATOR STUDIES

“Overall, it is possible to conclude that cannabis has a measurable effect on psychomotor performance, particularly tracking ability. Its effect on higher cognitive functions, for example divided attention tasks associated with driving, appear not to be as critical. Drivers under the influence of cannabis seem aware that they are impaired, and attempt to compensate for this impairment by reducing the difficulty of the driving task, for example by driving more slowly.

In terms of road safety, it cannot be concluded that driving under the influence of cannabis is not a hazard, as the effects of various aspects of driver performance are unpredictable. However, in comparison with alcohol, the severe effects of alcohol on the higher cognitive processes of driving are likely to make this more of a hazard, particularly at higher blood alcohol levels.”

REFERENCE: B. Sexton et al. 2000. The influence of cannabis on driving: A report prepared for the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Road Safety Division). Crowthorne, Berks: TRL Limited.

also you do realize most cancer patients don't really want to smoke bud, they need medicine. so they use edible marijuana, such as brownies or cookies or tea, etc. etc....and just the other day, a sober driver killed a kid out here...come on, sober drivers kill too, einstein.

Some people blame this on Obama, and I agree to a point, but seriously, do you think it would have been different under McCain or Romney? LOL

Some people blame this on Obama, and I agree to a point, but seriously, do you think it would have been different under McCain or Romney? LOL

I certainly dont. I blame the Government entity. Lets face it, not much changes from one POTUS to the next. Once the parasite has settled in, it just needs a host to survive all on its own.

Kornfed

Once the parasite has settled in, it just needs a host to survive all on its own.

lol...welfare, foodstamps, section 8, free lunches, reduced fees/transportation free...ya - don't we know it.

Korn-You are right not much ever changes with MMJ or any other issue and why? BOTH parties are bought and paid for by the very same corporate entities. This illusion of choice is laughable really. Democrats or Republicans don't run our plutocracy corporations do.

The feds are "cracking down" on a few medical marijuana dispensaries, while Walgreens and CVS's, who sell hard core drugs such as morphine, etc., are springing up on every street corner and where children are encouraged and welcomed.

We got Pill Mills poping up across our border into Oklahoma running 150+ people a day through them as I have a friend who goes over there.

He says the waiting room looks a three ring circus freak show .............. ha.

A common thread among you liberals is that we, especially conservatives, are under control of the "Corporation". Would those Corps. include Amazon, Microsoft, GE, NBC, Time/Warner, or Anything owned by George Soros, etc. below are couple lists (one I know who made it and why, the other I have no idea about)

So really, which corporations are running this country?

Perhaps it is time to consider that those TEA party types aren't too far off the mark. Smaller is better. Smaller government, smaller corporations. Maybe it is time to start enacting some of those Anti-trust laws. And Maybe it it time to go back to the 10th amendment, and give the states the right to govern themselves the way the people want it governed. I don't have to live in California(glad I don't), but I do kinda have to live in the US.

Does this not demonstrate that it doesn't matter who is in control of the Justice Dept., without proper controls at all levels, they will abuse those powers. Even though, technically, they are still following the laws on the books. (And here, you people thought your belov-ved leader was one of you, when he is just another doop for Corporate America)

That's right. And What do you think government bureaucracies do? They have to justify their existence, too. Why do you think that while the rank and file Police generally support gun ownership, many of Chiefs of Police support gun control, they know that if you pass control laws, crime goes up, more demand for police which means bigger budgets and bigger budgets mean higher salaries. (If anyone can prove that anywhere in the free world, the passage of gun laws coincided with a decrease in crime please let me know, and I'll show you a minimum 50% increase in law enforcement budgets over the next few years)

Remember, if these guys show an improvement in their stated goals, more than likely they will get a budget cut, so all of a sudden drugs are rampant, we need to increase Gov't funding (and it seems like liberals are always on the band wagon to raise taxes and increase government spending). Maybe it's time you step back and look at it from the perspective of "What Am I paying for?" Am I paying for government oppression and regulation that makes no sense? (well of course you are, you want to legalize dope)

BTW, I would stand four square and three deep with you to legalize drugs if you could show me that you people could do it responsibly, and I know a few (precious damn few) that are, but most of you people are beyond irresponsible and well on your way to being a danger.

And no, I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THE STUFF, I have had no need, my life does not need chemical alteration to make it bearable. If I want to get high I go flying(I rent the plane) and if I need a rush, I jump out (I own the parachute)

This is a list of companies that caved to liberal pressure to stop sponsoring A TV and Radio talk show host, based on their view of what was Politically Correct (many of the comments they used were taken out of context or were sarcastic in nature, but were printed verbatim) {it comes from StopBeck com, you decide if this is censorship} Consider this, what if the TEA Party decided to actively participate in this tactic and boycott any company that supported liberalism. (Remember, according to liberals, it is the conservative that control most of the wealth, so I think it should be easy to crash these companies that support your causes, but we realize this is generally counter productive, I wish you guys could learn that)

• ADT (added 11/5/10) (statement)
• Aegon (added 9/14/09)
• Airmiles.co.uk (added 10/20/09)
• Allergan (added 8/17/09)
• Allstate Insurance (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Ally Bank/GMAC Financial Services (added 8/17/09)
• Alpro Soya (added 01/11/10) (statement) [see note 5]
• American Express (added 12/7/10) (statement)
• AmMed Direct (added 10/6/09)
• Ancestry.com (added 8/24/09) (statement)
• Anheuser-Busch (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Apple (report) [see note 6]
• Applebee’s (added 8/27/09)
• Ashley Furniture (added 8/28/09)
• AT&T (added 8/24/09)
• AVON (added 7/29/10) (statement)
• Bank of America (added 8/25/09)
• Bell & Howell (added 8/27/09)
• Best Buy (added 8/17/09)
• Best Western (added 2/5/10) (statement)
• Binder & Binder (added 9/2/09)
• Blaine Labs (anti-fungal & scar treatments) (added 8/24/09)
• BMW (added 4/1/10) (statement)
• Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Brez (anti-snoring strips) by Airware Inc. (added 8/21/09)
• British Airways (added 12/14/09)
• Broadview Security (added 8/17/09)
• Brother International Corp. (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Cadillac (added 5/8/10) (statement)
• Campbell’s Soup Co. (added 8/24/09)
• Capital One (added 9/2/09)
• Celsius (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Citrix Online/GoToMyPC (added 10/6/09)
• Clorox (added 8/23/09)
• Closing.com (Closing Corp.) (added 8/28/09) (read statement here)
• Coca-Cola (added 6/24/10) (statement)
• Concord Music Group (Hear Music) (added 10/6/09)
• Constant Contact (added 10/15/10) (statement)
• CVS (added 8/17/09)
• Dairy Crest (added 7/5/10) (statement)
• Dannon Co. (added 9/2/09)
• Diageo (Guinness, Cuervo, Baileys’, etc) (added 10/5/09)
• DirecTV (added 8/27/09)
• Discover (added 9/2/09)
• DITECH (added 8/24/09)
• EggLands Best (added 9/21/09)
• Elations Co. (added 8/24/09)
• Equifax (added 10/6/09)
• Eulactol USA (maker of Flexitol) (added 10/6/09)
• Farmers Insurance Group
• Fly.com/TravelZoo (added 7/21/10) (statement)
• FreeCreditReport.com/Experian (added 8/24/09)
• GEICO
• General Mills (added 8/27/09)
• George Foreman Cooking (added 2/20/10) (statement)
• GetARoom.com (added 10/6/09)
• GlaxoSmithKline (added 1/12/10) (statement)
• Halifax (added 2/14/11) (statement)
• Healthy Choice (owned by CongAgra)
• Helzberg Diamonds (added 12/1/10) (statement)
• History Channel (added 11/11/09)
• Hoffman La Roche (maker of Boniva) (added 10/6/09)
• Holiday Inn (added 5/12/10) (statement)
• Honda (added 1/31/10) (statement)
• HSBC (added 9/2/09)
• Humana (added 9/14/09)
• ICAN Benefit Group Insurance (added 9/2/09)
• Idaho Potato Commission (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Infiniti (added 9/2/09)
• Intersections Inc. (added 2/16/10)
• ING DIRECT (added 01/07/09) (statement)
• Jack Daniels (Updated 12/28/09) [see note 4]
• Jelmar (CLR cleaner manufacturer) (added 9/2/09)
• Johnson & Johnson (added 8/24/09)
• Jordan McKenna Debt Counseling Network (added 9/2/09)
• Jordans (added 2/14/11) (statement) [see note 8]
• Kaplan Tutoring (added 7/8/10) (statement)
• KFC (UK) (a Yum Brands! subsidiary) (statement) (added 7/12/10)
• Kodak (added 1/21/11) (statement)
• KRAFT Foods (added 8/20/09) (read statement here)
• KRAFT Foods (UK) (added 11/13/09)
• Lawyers.com (owned by LexisNexis)
• Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Logo TV (added 3/23/10) (statement)
• Lowe’s (added 8/24/09) (statement)
• Luxottica Retail (parent company of Pearle & LensCrafters) (added 9/14/09)
• Match.com (added 3/17/11) (statement)
• Mars (maker of Snickers, M&Ms, Pedigree, etc..) (added 10/20/09) (read statement here)
• Marriott International (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Men’s Wearhouse
• Mercedes-Benz (added 9/2/09)
• MetLife Bank (added 8/5/10) (statement)
• Metropolitan Talent Management (added 10/6/09) [see note 3]
• Michelin (added 11/18/10) (statement)
• Monsanto (added 2/4/11) (statement)
• Natwest (UK) (added 12/11/09)
• Nestle (added 05/03/10) (statement)
• Northland Juices (added 4/8/09) (statement)
• NutriSystem (added 8/24/09) (statement) [see note 7]
• ooVoo (added 10/6/09)
• Overture Films (added 10/6/09)
• Polaroid (added 10/2/10) (statement)
• Premier Foods (UK) (added 11/18/09)
• Premier Inn (UK) (added 12/20/09)
• Procter & Gamble
• Progressive Insurance
• Prudential (added 1/28/10) (statement)
• PUIG Beauty (added 12/14/09)
• Purity Products (added 6/8/10) (statement)
• Radio Shack
• Re-Bath (added 8/17/09)
• Reckitt Benckiser (UK) (added 12/04/09)
• Regions Financial Corporation (added 8/27/09)
• Republic of Macedonia (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Roche [see note 1]
• S.C. Johnson
• SAM (Store and Move) (added 8/27/09)
• Sanofi-Aventis
• Sargento Cheese
• Scarguard (added 10/6/09)
• Schiff Nutrition (maker of Tiger’s Milk & Fi-Bar) (added 10/6/09)
• Sears (added 5/18/10) (statement)
• Seoul Metropolitan Government (added 10/6/09)
• Simplex Healthcare (Diabetes Care Club) (added 9/2/09)
• Smith & Nephew (added 2/9/11)
• Sprint (added 8/23/09)
• StarKist (tuna) (added 2/8/10) (statement)
• State Farm Insurance (added 8/12/09) (statement)
• Subaru (added 10/6/09)
• Sylvan Learning (added 2/20/10) (statement)
• Tesco (added 12/19/09)
• Toyota-Lexus USA (added 10/6/09) / Toyota (GB) (added 2/3/10) (statement)
• Travelers Insurance (added 8/27/09)
• Travelocity
• TurboTax (added 3/10/10) (statement)
• UPS (added 8/23/09)
• United Healthcare (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• United States Postal Service (added 9/14/09)
• US Fidelis (added 2/16/10) (statement)
• Verizon Wireless (added 8/21/09)
• Virgin Atlantic (added 01/08/10)
• Vodafone (added 07/02/10) (statement)
• Vonage (added 8/24/09)
• Volkswagen (added 2/16/10)
• Waitrose (added 10/4/09) [see note 2]
• Walmart (added 8/17/09)
• Weight Watchers (added 2/20/10) (statement)
• Western Union (added 2/16/10)
• Woodland Power Products (added 10/6/09)
• Wyeth Consumer Healthcare (added 9/14/09)
• Yorkshire Tea (added 2/9/11) (statement)
• Zoosk (added 8/2/10) (statement)

I got this online, and have no idea who compiled it or ranked the companies, so take it as you will, but I do know a few of the companies histories and the ranking seem to be fairly accurate.

Aloha Air Group, Inc. 100%
American Apparel, LLC 100%
Barnes & Noble, Inc. 100%
Diamond Resorts International 100%
Foot Locker, Inc 100%
Frederick's of Hollywood, Inc. 100%
Google Inc. 100%
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. 100%
IAC/InterActiveCorp 100%
Loews Hotels Holding Corporation 100%
Myriad Restaurant Group, Inc. 100%
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation 100%
Powell's Books, Inc. 100%
Progressive Corporation 100%
Recreational Equipment, Inc. 100%
Sonic Corp. 100%
SPS Studios, Inc. 100%
Starbucks Corporation 100%
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 100%
Working Assets Funding Service, Inc. 100%
Apple Computer, Inc. 99%
Costco Wholesale Corporation 99%
Amerada Hess Corporation 98%
Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc 97%
L.L. Bean, Inc. 97%
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts 93%
Sharper Image Corporation 93%
Signet Group plc 93%
E. & J. Gallo Winery 92%
Hilton Hotels Corporation 84%
Crate and Barrel (Euromarket Designs Inc.) 83%
Estee Lauder Companies Inc., The 80%
Gap Inc. 77%
JetBlue Airways Corporation 75%
Netflix, Inc 72%
The Robert Mondavi Corporation 62%
Triarc Companies, Inc. 59%
Brown-Forman Corporation 57%
eBay Inc. 57%
Sun Microsystems, Inc. 57%
VF Corporation 57%
Foster's Group Limited 53%
CVS Corporation 51%
UAL Corporation 51%

Good, keep shutting them down.

There is no good reason for these illegal drug dens.

All they do is encourage the terrorists who supply the illegal drugs.

I can point to a number of articles involving potheads under the influence of weed killing people in vehicle crashes.

Put up or shut up. If you can point to numerous articles, do it.

Fact of the matter is, no one can link a single death to cannabis usage. I guarantee you that everyone of the instances you didn't list had something else as the cause.

You can smoke one day and still have it in your system up to 60-90 days later. Do you think someone is still under the influence of cannabis a month after smoking?

We spend over 8 billion a year trying to stop people from using cannabis and the number of users still keeps growing.

Deaths from alcohol usage every year: About 100,000

Deaths from tobacco usage every year: Nearly 500,000

Deaths from cannabis usage every year: Zero

There is no valid reason cannabis is illegal. In the 1930's when Henry Ford was making fuels, fabrics and plastics with it, the petroleum, textile and lumber industries banded together with some evangelicals to put out a movie called Reefer Madness to help keep their hold on their respective industries.

Now we can add the private for profit prison industry into the fold. They need a lot of non violent cannabis smokers to fill their facilities.

Dirp,

what are you talking about? Show me some research that shows MJ to be the big bad evil drug that you are talking about. Weed is less harmful than booze and yet at any time I can grab a bottle of gin or a 12 pack and get wrecked out of my mind. Tell me the last time you saw a group of people high on MJ starting a huge brawl for no reason other than someone stepping on their Puma. MJ is not harmful regardless of what you were told your entire life. Now lets talk about all of the "legal" drugs that are pushed on people everyday by doctors because they get a kick back from the pharm companies for selling their new pills. Do you ever watch some of the ads on these new wonder drugs? The warnings and side effects take up more time than what the actual drug does.

In closing, please read up on mary jane a little bit and not from some government website.

That is all!

NYMike,

Right on. You nailed that one. THe problem is that we were all taught from a young age that weed will kill you and make you do hard drugs. It is the old fear tactic. It is not working anymore since there is so much research out there that has debunked all of the weed myths.

DumbFarmBoy: (hey you picked the name, not me)

BTW, I would stand four square and three deep with you to legalize drugs if you could show me that you people could do it responsibly, and I know a few (precious damn few) that are, but most of you people are beyond irresponsible and well on your way to being a danger.

What's with the "you people" remarks? You do realize how fishy that sounds? Takes your credibility and kinda trashes it, ya know? Beyond irresponsible? Well on your way to being danger? WTF are you rambling about? Could you be any more of a fear monger? Hate much? Stereotype much? I bet you just can't stand those hippies, huh? I wonder what Jesus would have to say about your attitude?

And no, I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THE STUFF, I have had no need, my life does not need chemical alteration to make it bearable. If I want to get high I go flying(I rent the plane) and if I need a rush, I jump out (I own the parachute)

Ah, the "we must do drugs because we are miserable" stance. Did you ever stop to THINK that happy people do drugs, too? You sound like a D.A.R.E. rep.

Do you have a family? Loved ones? Do you realize how hypocritical you are to chastise drug users for "being well on your way to being a danger" yet you put yourself in danger every time you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

And BTW: WTF does your long ass post have anything to do with the topic of this thread? But, I will add this: BOTH parties (Dem/GOP) are bought and paid for by corporate entities. So what's your point?

@livinginthewoods

Where are all the TPers and libertarians screaming about states rights and the 10th amendment when you actually need em'?

Give me a @!$%#ing break. Any time we libertarians scream about the Tenth Amendment and states rights you libs ARE THE FIRST ONES TO RIP US FOR IT. "How'd that states rights thing work out during slavery" you all say. Sorry dude but you don't get to pick and choose when states rights should apply and when they shouldn't. Like it or not this is what happens when you put so much faith in the Federal government, to bad you have to reap what you sow when it comes to this issue.

@NYMike

There is no valid reason cannabis is illegal. In the 1930's when Henry Ford was making fuels, fabrics and plastics with it, the petroleum, textile and lumber industries banded together with some evangelicals to put out a movie called Reefer Madness to help keep their hold on their respective industries.

Since you are calling others out for not providing sources I'd like you to go ahead and provide some to back up these claims. The movie was originally put out some church as a message about morality. There is about as much credible evidence supporting the idea that "big business" had anything to do with this as there is that cannabis is dangerous. Both ideas are utter garbage, kind of hard for you to criticize people for believe one bit of BS when you apparently believe the other bit of BS.

You know, it is worth it just to hear the Cult of Pot crying.

Its like left wing Creationists. You know, only applying the science they want to believe.

Legalize pot. Then TAX THE S**T OUT OF IT. It is no more dangerous than alcohol and it is about damn time we paid off some national debt.

Joe420, One step at a time. First make it legal to buy it and have it. Then point out that it's OK to drive on it too. They all think pot's the same as alcohol. They're willing to legalize and tax it on that basis. Pointing out that pot is the opposite of alcohol will only confuse them and slow the whole process. Save the whole truth for later. They can't handle it all at once.

Den O'synn:

Then point out that it's OK to drive on it too.

In California, you are allowed to drive with alcohol in your system up to a level of .08.

Well, I agree that obama is a liar. But show me a politician that is not.

Obama has pissed me off as much as any other president but the only thing we have had for a very very long time, is the chance to choose between the lesser of two corporate owned evils.

I will be voting for obama. Not because I like him or agree with everything he has done, I will be voting for him for the same reason that most repubs will be voting for mittens; cause I would vote for the devil himself before I would vote for the other guy.

It is an easy choice for me, another do nothing corporate shill(obama) or the new american hitler(romney)

If conservative super PAC money manages to elect mittens as POTUS, kiss what
little freedom you have left, goodbye because it will be privatized like
everything else.

Cant, afford to pay RomneyCo Disaster Response Services LLC? Then, let your
house burn! You don't deserve to own a home! Don't worry, we have RomneyCo
private debtors prisons for the irresponsible made homeless by there own bad
decisions.

Can't afford to send your kids to RomneyCo Private Education and Mormon
Indoctrination Centers? Shouldn't have had kids! Don't you know how to practice
personal responsibility(as long as it's not birth control)? Don't worry we have
RomneyCo factory jobs for the children of deadbeats.

Can't afford to pay RomneyCo Law Enforcment Services Inc.? Then, you deserved
to get raped! It's not our fault your parents couldn't afford to send you to
college. Being irresposible is the same as asking for it!

Can't afford to pay RomneyCo Voter ID Services? What makes you think you
deserve to vote? We have to save the votes for the most important citizens,
those that are publicly traded!

Can't afford to pay RomneyCo Healthcare Services? Please hurry up and
die!

Don't worry we know what is best for people like you. Here, get on
this freight train with the rest of your friends and family, and we will send
you somewhere where they will make it all better.

Is that the world that conservatives want? I doubt it but, that sure seems to
be the way they are headed! @!$%# that!!!!

Brilliant assessment. My sentiments exactly. I am a medical marijuana patient who will definitely be voting for Obama!

cause I would vote for the devil himself before I would vote for the other guy.

You, Sir, are part of the problem. That whole mentality is a huge problem in this country.

livininthewoods, go smoke another joint and chill out. You've gone off the deep end!

Livinginthewoods - I could not have put it any better. Good job. Now Chris Hongry and Realist - go take your happy pills.

Thanks Suds. Chris I find your comment very amusing since I actually own my own home, bought and paid for and you seem like you are about 16.

I will be glad when school starts back up and the vine is not like a playground during the day.

yabecoo

Yes, we are ALL gonna run right out there and vote for Romney. Give me a break.

Personal freedom and government are inversely related to each other. Less gov't = more happiness.

Personal freedom and government are inversely related to each other. Less gov't = more happiness

Tell that to the people in Rwanda and other places in that part of the world where there is practically no government at all just feudal warlords and organized crime! Do you work for the krotch bros or just drink a lot of their koolaid?

The ONLY way to get these corporate whores to listen to the populaces concerns IS NOT to vote for them. If people continue to vote for the "least worst" option the concerns of the left "MMJ" will never be given any thought at all IMO.

Politicians who don't lie "Nader" are relegated to obscurity and ridicule by our corrupt corporate system in the form of bribery for air time, the privatization of debates funded by GOP/DNC leaders and the corporate media outlets black balling a real candidate for the people.

Its always funny that Obama supporters don't see that he isn't on the side of liberals but corporatists. His policies show this as clear as day. The campaign rhetoric is just that.

Livinginthewoods

There is a difference between no government and minimal government. Rwanda has no government. The US has a bloated titanic government that is still unable to accomplish anything. What we need is a reasonable government. For some reason throughout history, the less reasonable a governing body becomes, the larger it needs to become in order to accomplish ever less.

Marijuana is illegal because commercial hemp production (which George Washington, first president of the US, had a part in) was too competitive to a number of distinct industries (paper, rope, fuel, textiles) that were controlled by people wealthy enough and influential enough to demonize the substance and push the government into supporting its ban (which the government is more than happy to do because it allowed them to criminalize a portion of the population, thereby justifying the existence of their increased size).

The only difference from one US government to the next is strategy. Bush was fine with CA marijuana dispensaries because present day Republicans prefer to leave the states to do their dirty work with regards to citizen management while using the resources of the federal government to payback their industrialist sponsors and drive forward their particular agendas. Present day Democrats have a strategy of limiting states rights to justify an increase in the size of the federal government and expansion of their powers. This serves the financial and banking worlds (a little more than industrialists, but what's the difference, it'll come back around).

All in all, once everyone has been corrupted, the size of the government no longer matters. This is all coming from someone who doesn't drink, smoke pot, cigarettes or do any drugs stronger than an aspirin.

In my opinion, if a person wants to waste their life smoking pot, fine. If they have legitimate pain and sickness helped by pot, all the better. If it is just something they do every once in awhile for fun, cool.

Codifying it so that a person who smokes pot is seen as a criminal - an actual enemy to society - is a good sign of just how far down the wrong path we have gone. Potheads can be lazy, but are they really enemies to society? What about an investment banker who uses the savings of ordinary people to make credit default bets that could make them billionaires or lose everything? I would say they are an enemy to society.

How is it that a government that is spending as much as this one and growing to the size of this one doesn't address that issue in any substantial way?

And that's the point. Marijuana is a distraction from the real enemies to our society. Just like abortion, gay marriage and late night talk shows are all distractions to the real issues.

Issues such as:

- Corrupt banking cartels

- Incomprehensible tax laws

- Corporate insanity

-The steady decline in small business assets and the rapid increase in corporate assets (while giving the latter tax breaks for not creating jobs, while taxing and regulating the former out of existence - where did you think those jobs went? The unemployment level is where it is at because there is a war on small business owners from one side of the nation to the next.)

"W" was in the oil pockets and Obama is in the pharmaceuticals. I will admit that this is ONE thing that Obama pissed me off about. It's about the only thing he has upset me about.

For all the haters; Yes you could go on and on about how much you dislike Obama and what he's done. Don't, I don't care what you think. Facts, not half truths the Rep keep trying to feed us. Just because they keep yelling louder and longer doesn't make their propaganda any more true.

I don't know. Part D was a Bush administration gift to Big Pharma. To not be able to negotiate with the drug prices and fine those that choose not to enroll by a rigid deadline, puts Bush in their pocket too.

Almost for got to add this. Over 10% of all money lobbied every year, comes from the pharmaceutical industry.

Kitty1985... Thank you for the voice of reason here. My wife is undergoing chemo treatments for cancer and I don't mind telling anyone who will listen (open, rational minds only, please) that the herb, Cannabis Sativa, has been a Godsend. I wish people would just mind their own business. The world would be a better place for it. Then law enforcement could spend their time, resources and (our) money on fighting real crime and real criminals. But then, of course, a good portion of our politicians would be in jail. Would they not?

"The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced."Frank Zappa

Great quote by Zappa!

TOUCHE KITTY!

Look we all know that Pres. O is smart but also a dreamer without guts!

However he is more realistic than the idiotic alternative. EX. Romney went to London to show face, yet left shortly after his wife's horse did not win the metal. The guy was literally only there to show support to his wife and her expensive horse---not for the Olympics, the US athletes or for international communications. He was only there for his wife.

IF the wife's horse was not going to perform ya wanna bet he would have gone to the Olympics!

Sam, your wife is lucky to have you in her corner. I wish her well.

Good one yes. Who are and where are the puppeteers?

This is it exactly - it doesn't matter who gets elected. The election is just voting masturbation so Americans can feel like they put 'their' person in charge.

The reality is - big business owns America. They own the people who make the laws and decisions. We matter not in the least.

Our Constitution has been sh*t upon by these people.

Chris Hongry

Bitter much? My goodness, you're all over the place with all of your nastiness. What is wrong with you? Someone needs to smoke a joint and chill and THAT would be you Chris.

Anjisan1963..."Calling the shots." Perfectly put. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

"Coporations are people." The United States Supreme Court

"Corporations are people, my friend." Willard "Mitt" Romney

"Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." Benito Mussolini

America; the best government money can.

Me too. I don't smoke but I need someting to feed my mellow side after hearing all this pol'tics crap.

"as a matter of fact I know it's not a majority vote for it in this country." Please cite your source. My sources show over 70% support for medical marijuana.

Not enough? It sure is more than what Pharma needs to sell their 'goods'.

How the hell did y'all make enough sense out of post #8 to manage a response? I'm sure as hell no grammar/spelling nazi but, damn! Maybe pot would work out better for you than whatever your on now.

Livinginthewoods - No doubt, LOL.

K, MM also helps relive athritis, upset belly, headaches for some, nausea, glacoma, and gosh knows what else. It can even temper Hot Flashes and help one sleep better.

Hence it helps relieve much pain from various ailments and diseases

and is much healthier than taking a chemically manufactured pill or shot that become addictive. While MM has never been proven to be additive! Why it is not a drug as many of you prefer to label it, it is a natural weed!

You are right, I have never heard of a case related to Pot Poisoning, but have heard of many (especially college kids) who suffer severely from Alcohol poisoning.

Hey, Mr. Vilsack why don't you go get another bottle of scotch!

I know right....

The federal government has always just kicked the can down the road with this issue. The polls so far in Colorado are looking pretty good for the law to pass.

Sooner or later DC is going to have to grow up and have civilised (I know its tough in Washington) conversation about this like adults.

I do not understand how the Feds can pass up quick, easy tax money instead of wasted DEA payrolls.

With the feds in the mix there will be no state or business making money on pot. The only thing a state legalization will do is allow people to grow their own.

the only thing wrong with allowing (?) people to grow their own is that not everyone has a garden space. I keep ignoring Obama's pharma rap, but ......

Suds and GregE...

'Cause it's a money game the Feds. It gives them something to do, no matter how ludicrous, and they can justify their existence. There is no reason one shouldn't be able to grow enough for their own consumption. No different than the veggies in the garden. No harm, no foul.

And then... everyone can mind their own bloody business. You would think they could find bigger fish to fry, wouldn't you?

It's kinda' like weapons of mass distraction.

Which is a ittle strange to say the least.

Most States that have Medical Marijuana laws also make the dispensaries be "non profit." I've also seen people that are against Medical MJ say that the dispensaries aren't in it to help people because if they were they would do it for profit. WTF!?

Why is that the same people don't have an issue with BIG PHAR making, BIG, profits? Its just seems amazingly hypocritical.

I've been thinking about moving to a state that is recreational. When all these states start losing tax paying citizens to states who are not prejudice, then maybe they will wise up. Waiting till November though it is supposed to be on the MO ballot this year too.

Leo, wishing cancer and pain on people who do not agree with MMJ does not help the cause. But I wish you well, my friend, as I think you are a classic example of why there should be MMJ vs. pharmaceutical drugs available with no repercussions.

The only people who have ever died from pot are the ones the cops shot when they bust down your door, oh ya don't forget the family pets too. I drive all over this country and have never seen a mitt romney bumper sticker, only one obama sticker and 1000's of ron paul stickers. We the people have had our country stolen from US. we have got to get it back, don't know how, but we have to. I am going to vote ron paul but also know that a vote for ron paul takes away from mittens and gives it to oblahblah.

Colorado seems to love Ron Paul. SO many signs and bumper stickers here but very little for Obama and Mutt. Interesting. You have also provided food for thought when it comes to voting this fall.

Worn out.. there is only one way for the people to take back this country. And, that is to stop buying products from corporations that do business in ways that effect us and our freedom of choice. Corporations have been able to influence our political system with money, but they have forgotten, that there money comes from people buying there product. If we stop buying there products they will either have to bend to the wishes of the public, or go belly up. Its the only way to take america back from corporations.

Been screaming for Ron Paul For YEARS I only HOPE the people have opened their eyes , BUT with them all haveing the pull with unlimited CORP. $$$$$ FOR THE TAKEN so its a CRAP SHOOT unless people scream loud enough to be heard ? over the cash !

Tahoe- I agree. Until this plutonomy is broken we are all subjects and serfs. What we want is of no importance to the corporate representatives in the government.

Worn out-- Can you explain why Paul ran under the Republican nomination when he knew he would never get the nomination? Can you explain why he has turned down the independent nomination? I think it is a scheme for him to collect donations for campaign when he will not take the independent nomination? I think he is lining his pockets and many others. Did you know that you CAN NOT write in a canidate in all states, which means Paul has no chance to win on write ins. He could not claim enough electoral votes due to the states who will not allow a write in. Plus Paul is for Right to work and that is a law that produces a race to the bottom in wages for middle class workers. Paul is no better than the other guys, he's actually worse

kcroofer- Isn't it great to live in a country where you can have an opinion? I have mine and you have yours. Just tell me your not an Obamabot, because where I stand oblahblah has been much worse than any president we have ever had. I would like to have a president that will work for our best interests instead of special interests, the UN, or corporations. A government that will let US choose if we want to drink raw milk, use cannibus for medical reasons, grow a garden and not look at my DON'T TREAD ON ME STICKER and think I'm a terrorist. Neither of these two vying for the next presidents job are good for US. There is a great evil out there and you sir are a slave.

Yup I'm voting my paycheck, which is Obama. You sir are the exact person I love to laugh at. I ask for some reason why Paul will not step up to the plate and you rant and rave about something else. Let me guess the next thing your going to talk about is how our founding fathers set up this nation in the mindset of God, and that this country needs to go back to that. Nope that was hundreds of years ago and alot has changed in time. Hell they believed in slavery, them some real honest americans who own slaves. I guess I cant expect too much when people believe everything Infowars puts on their website.

PS- Can you please give me an explanation, how Paul can win enough electoral votes when some states DO NOT allow a write in candidate? And then explain why he continues to collect money for his bogus campaign. Paul his self many times during the Rep. debates he claimed he would not run for the independent party, because he doesn't want to split the votes. Any explanation please would be a first, other than changing the subject.

We will live under this blanket of lies and persecution until we stand up and take it off once and for all. We will live under it until we take OUR government BACK from the Corporations, Wall Street, and the American Pseudo-Royalty.

Until we are once more a Nation OF the PEOPLE, BY the PEOPLE and FOR the PEOPLE, we will continue to suffer as we do now.

Sorry Rage but we have created an elite class - peopled it with lawyers - and allowed them to exclude themselves from the laws that they pen. It is kind of like asking the wolf to guard the sheep then being suprised when a couple come up missing but do nothing in response.

Chapter 10 - Orwell's Animal Farm

'All animals are created equal except some animals are more equal then others'

or to paraphrase N.P. - 'We are not interested in what the public wants, we know what is good for them'

"It's a game. We [tax lawyers] teach the rich how to play it so they can stay rich--and the IRS keeps changing the rules so we can keep getting rich teaching them." - John Grisham

"The government consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government; they have only a talent for getting and holding office." H.L. Menken

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. No problem can be solved from the level of consciousness that created it." Albert Einstein

"Corporations are people."- The U.S. Supreme Court

"Corporations are people, my friend."- Willard "Mitt" Romney

"Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power."- Benito Mussolini"

People get the government they deserve." Alexis de Tocqueville

"We're not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money. But, you know, part of the American way is, you know, you can just keep on making it if you're providing a good product or providing good service. We don’t want people to stop, ah, fulfilling the core responsibilities of the financial system to help grow our economy." —on Wall Street reform, Quincy, Ill., April 29, 2010

"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." -- defending his tax plan to Joe the Plumber, who argued that Obama's policy hurts small-business owners like himself, Toledo, Ohio, Oct. 12, 2008

"I've now been in 57 states -- I think one left to go." --at a campaign event in Beaverton, Oregon

Obama

We actually have 65 states it is just that 14 of them are called territories, and one is the District of Columbia. I guess they don't deserve representation.

Amen, Nick. He blatantly lied. But Mutt will be worse where MMJ is concerned.

And I'm assuming you have empirical evidence to prove that doctors are working for the cartels? Links please... I would love to read about this.

Even if the scripts were not legit it is better than supporting the Mexican drug cartels...don't you think?

Got news for you Steven...I know for a fact...we grow a lot better buds here than anything you can get from Mexico. Theirs is about $$$ we like quality.

Boy, Steven. You are so misinformed.

How many prescriptions for narcotic painkillers are legitimate? What's your point? At least the marijuana can't kill anybody, as opposed to legal drugs both prescription and over the counter that kill thousands every year.

Steve-And you are an authority on whats legit to whose medical condition? Are you a doctor? Are all these MMJ users your patients? Please. Doctors work for cartels? haha Have you ever seen a bag of schwag? SMH.

Bob - they'd probably have smarter gun laws in the southwest if that were true for all Americans. I feel bad for anyone not buying domestically or from Canada. I wouldn't want to be within 600 miles of a cartel, let alone buy anything that could have come from one. If my only option was Mexican (eww, NASTY) I wouldn't enjoy it enough to do it.

Righty-o Greg. No more "Reefer Madness." It's like Josef Goebbels; "If you repeat a lie often enough..."

Nah just keep it low-key, we don't need it legalized. Move to a decriminalized state if it means that much to you. Possesion is less harsh than a speeding ticket here - I think you get like 3 strikes in 10 years or something like that, then the penalties get harsher.

Sorry Gone4now I have to disagree with you on that.

Low key implies that you can cultivate and cultivation penalties are still harsh in decimalized states. Legalization will allow people to grow their own and actually be low key. That in turn would force the Feds hand in attempting the impossible task of enforcing the prohibition without an infrastructure capable of doing it at the local level.

The feds are using (your favorite euphemism for someone that is in the US without the benefit of proper residency documentation) to make the southern border impenetrable to smuggling for anything but unwanted guest workers from south of the border countries. Add to that drones flying overhead with sophisticated sensors the NSA capturing all forms of electronic communication under the guise of safety from terrorism and you have the worst case scenario of a police state capable of preventing the product from getting to the consumer.

Why is it that so many think the Cartel is behind ALL marijuana? Back in the day, yes. Today? Not so much especially since many grow their own or they get red cards and visit dispensaries. Dispensaries do not buy MMJ from the cartel - there are legal grow houses with strict rules that meet the supply and demand and are taxed to the hilt. Cartels are on the streets not in dispensaries. Good grief.

Its a giant jobs program to law enforcement agencies state and federal, private prisons, prison guards unions while a guaranteed market control through patent of any future medicines with MJ to big pharma. Not to mention a gifts to banks laundering money, reduction of competition from the alcohol industry, paper industry ect..ect..ect..

Geez Midnight, you hit that nail RIGHT on the head. Drove it all the way in with the first swing, too!

Oh and tax the heck out of it if you want to - just like the other "sin taxes"... Use the revenue to fund some legitimate programs that are running out of funding...

Brandonmhill.. Are you suggesting that using marijuana is a "sin?" Beside that, there are enough taxes already. The government had their chance and they blew it. To hell with them. Everyone, who wants to, should be able to grow enough for their own consumtion. Were not talking about Opium Poppies, ya' know?

"Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." H.L. Menken

Yeah! HaHa! Reminds me of JoeRogans bit about carpet bombing the middle east with pot smoke!

Cannabis is scheduled as a Schedule 1 drug while the Oxy's are scheduled as a Schedule 2 drug and even Cocaine is scheduled as a #2 drug.

tucsand

That is because the cannabis is more dangerous to the bottom line of the pharmaceutical companies.

Potheads don't have billion dollar lobbyists on their side. Marijuana will never be legal till we get corporate money out of politics!

But what if I need a Snickers bar, ice cream or a bag of Cheetos and there isn't anybody I can go to? I'll have to think about this one.