good news about weed! in hawaii newspaper

[seattle420lover]

ALCOHOL VS. MARIJUANA

First off, I will say I don't smoke marijuana nor do I judge the
people that do, there's only one who can judge, and that's God.

If people want to smoke, it's up to them. Marijuana does not make
people violent and abusive toward their family members or friends.
Alcohol sure does, why is it legal is my question?

Alcohol has a long-term effect on our body, just as much as
marijuana, but yet it's looked at as the norm to go out and get
drunk, but the minute there's marijuana involved, it's the world's biggest sin.

Our prisons are overpopulated with marijuana possession charges, and
the taxpayers are paying for it. I'd rather see my money go somewhere
productive, like the Boys and Girls Club.

We spend millions on trying to eradicate the plants and dealers with
the FBI and local law enforcement, but yet "ice" rules the streets.
All because it's a federal law.

Marijuana doesn't make our world a dangerous place. Yea, it can make
it a unproductive one, but if people want to smoke and it makes them
feel better, then so be it.

I'd rather see that then all the money wasted on trying to eradicate
it, money that could go to rehab programs to keep people drug-free,
or programs for the youth of today, so they don't feel the need to go
and get high.

People are going to smoke no matter what, so legalize it and tax it,
but that's only my opinion.

Zeenice Roja, Kapa'a

letters@kauaipubco.c om
and there is MORE!

War on marijuana a waste of time, money | HonoluluAdvertiser.c om | The Honolulu Advertiser

WAR ON MARIJUANA A WASTE OF TIME, MONEY

The "War on Drugs" originated in the Nixon administration and
continues today with billions of dollars spent and hundreds of
thousands of prisoners caught annually. Yet to be won, the "war"
refers to the government's prohibition of illegal drugs such as
marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines. 2009 marks the 36th
anniversary of the beginning of the war with nobody celebrating
victory, mourning in defeat or begging for mercy.

This war has amounted to more than $12 billion in the government's
annual spending over the past 10 years. In the economic conditions of
America today, as we stare the Second Great Depression in the eye,
any means of revenue will help. Legalization and decriminalization of
marijuana will help save the government money and it will be able to
allocate its officers to more dangerous drugs.

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt campaigned to repeal the prohibition of
alcohol with the 21st Amendment. "Our tax burden would not be so
heavy," said Roosevelt referring to the country's dire economic
situation. With the combination of taxation of alcohol and reduced
enforcement policing alcohol, Roosevelt was looking to save millions
of dollars and profit with taxes from sale revenues.

President Obama currently supports medicinal marijuana and opposes
legalization or decriminalization. Should marijuana be legalized and
decriminalized completely, with the government taxing and enforcing
laws similar to those on alcohol, they are looking at profits of up
to $76 billion a year, predicts Harvard economist Jeffery A. Miron.

The evidence that marijuana is harmful is either not apparent or
significantly less than for other drugs. In 2001 the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention tallied 331 overdoses from alcohol
compared to none for marijuana. Marijuana consumption does not lead
to domestic violence. Illegal marijuana trafficking and the black
market is what causes domestic violence and gang wars, like the
current state of turbulence in Mexico.

More dangerous drugs than marijuana, such as crystal methamphetamine,
plague the Hawaiian Islands with their highly addictive properties
and dangerous side effects. Hawai'i currently has the highest rate of
meth users per capita in the United States. The Honolulu Police
Department reported in The Honolulu Advertiser that meth use has been
linked to property crimes, such as car theft or burglary, and violent
crimes. It was hypothesized that a crackdown on marijuana made more
people resort to the more dangerous drug, crystal meth. The
legalization and decriminalization of marijuana would allow more
officers to focus on the deadlier, more addictive, more violent drug
of crystal methamphetamine.

As people debate the time period the United States should fight its
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, citizens should also debate how much
longer they are willing to wage a war within their own country.
Similar to the "War on Terrorism," the "War on Drugs" is the United
States government waging war on its own citizens.

Marijuana has little negative externalities. It is possible for
history to repeat itself, and the government will overturn one of its
biggest policy disasters.

For change to happen, people need to speak out against the "War on
Drugs" and advocate for a different, more sensible policy. Wars are
fought against people, not things.

[seattle420lover]

thanks for the thanks! I knew it was good news

[MiSaNtHrOpE]

there's only one who can judge, and that's God.

sorry, but this statement causes all loss of credability in the article.

[seattle420lover]

take it up with the author who wrote the letter to the editor. not me. I just read em and report em have you ever written a letter to the editor?
if you ever do please post it here if you are not afraid that your boss or your pastor will read it.

[xMSx]

Why do you constantly challenge people to write their own letters solely because they offer you some constructive criticism?

[MiSaNtHrOpE]

I send emails mostly, It is much quicker and gives the opportunity for immediate response. Like when Phil Donahue was looking for ideas a for his "comeback" show.I emailed him with the idea or rebroadcasting a previous show that projected cannabis in a very favorable way. Received a reply in maybe two minutes...and that show was rebroadcast with open discussion and links to "hardball" discussion.

In other words I write to people now who get me results or at least replies. Mayor of Pittsburgh...Governo r ..etc.

I admit I used to do what you do. Actually physically writing to local state and federal authorities, with little response/reply.

My biggest platform for activism actually now is newsvine discussion.
It gives the opportunity to respond directly to the author of a particular article, or reply to anothers response...much like here, but with much less censorship. The membership is nearly infinite as are the topics. The replies are swift and merciless for the uninformed on a number of issues. Marijuana legalization be a reoccuring one of my favorites.
I appear as "dogmeat" (seemed appropriate @ the time).

[ANOK]

ALCOHOL VS. MARIJUANA
Yea, it can make
it a unproductive one, but if people want to smoke and it makes them
feel better, then so be it.

I seriously disagree with this statement.

People who smoke pot and do nothing are just lazy, and would be lazy whether they smoked pot or drank alcohol.

Smoking pot can make you more productive. It takes away the boredom of tedious tasks, it helps you concentrate, and it helps you be creative, if you are a regular smoker.

That statement is a serious stereotype that just doesn't hold up to reality, just the same as any other negative stereotype, such as it being a stepping stone, associated with Cannabis.

In fact the US Army did a test of this and found it to be untrue. The idea of it making you lazy came from the time when Cannabis was legal, and the racist media were stereotyping Mexicans as lazy.

[Legen...dary!]

Why do you constantly challenge people to write their own letters solely because they offer you some constructive criticism?

Seriously, that shit gets on my nerves.




And why don't you start like a "mega thread" where you and anyone else that wants to can post their letters to editors, instead of making a new thread for each individual letter.

[xMSx]

^ Vouch, seattle's mega thread must be done.

[msicidron]

sorry, but this statement causes all loss of credability in the article.

if you dont have the capacity to take this somewhat metaphorically and see how appropriate a statement like that is... i definitely dont want to hear your opinion

[msicidron]

I seriously disagree with this statement.

People who smoke pot and do nothing are just lazy, and would be lazy whether they smoked pot or drank alcohol.

Smoking pot can make you more productive. It takes away the boredom of tedious tasks, it helps you concentrate, and it helps you be creative, if you are a regular smoker.

That statement is a serious stereotype that just doesn't hold up to reality, just the same as any other negative stereotype, such as it being a stepping stone, associated with Cannabis.

In fact the US Army did a test of this and found it to be untrue. The idea of it making you lazy came from the time when Cannabis was legal, and the racist media were stereotyping Mexicans as lazy.

thanks. im also tired of the way the mainstream pro-ganj argument feels like it has to compromise by yielding to the other side on a few points...

they act like theyre arguing in favor of something bad...

[MiSaNtHrOpE]

if you dont have the capacity to take this somewhat metaphorically and see how appropriate a statement like that is... i definitely dont want to hear your opinion

sweetmeat you have no choice.

If you can't handle the discussion ,don't join in.

[Eyes0fRed]

Everyone has their own opinions, and if someones opinions are different from your own, but still allow you to make your own choices, then thats all we can hope for.

There are going to be people who think Pot makes you lazy, same as there will always be people who say Video Games make you lazy and Metal makes you violent. As long as people can allow you to be you without consequence, its a useless battle to make everyone agree with you.

Its nice to see a pro-legalization piece not centered around 'medicinal use'. Im not sick, but I still feel I should be able to do as I please so long as it doesnt impede others. Thank you for this!

[xMSx]

if you dont have the capacity to take this somewhat metaphorically and see how appropriate a statement like that is... i definitely dont want to hear your opinion

Then leave?

[seattle420lover]

I got an Idea and a question if you do not like this post why are you reading this?
is it,
“If it’s going to be, it is up to me”