Don't Bogart that joint Arnold!
We'll contract a shipper later!
Although I am not a pot smoker (if take a toke of a joint I get lost in the pattern in the carpet for an hour or two) I was excited for marjuana advocates who managed to secure over 700,000 signatures from California residents this past week.
In essence, it was a big step forward for the organizers, who are seeking to place a measure on the November ballot to legalize old "Mary Jane" for personal use.
In the second phase of the procedure enough signatures (and identities) must be verified for the bill to go forward - at which point supporters of the forward-thinking measure - will have a shot at decriminalizing possession and use of the leafy plant.
In the event voters say "yeah" come November, it will be legal for citizens 21 and older to grow and possess up to an ounce of the "killer weed" (as it was once referred to in the bygone days of reefer madness).
In addition, local governments would be able to tax and regulate cannabis (although it would still be considered a banned substance under Federal Law).
At the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival last October 31st, one activist asked me to sign his petition for the legalization of marijuana in the State of California.
I did better than that.
I whipped out my video camera and allowed him to shoot off his mouth about the proposal on camera (and summarily posted it at my YouTube web site).
Post: 11/01/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dncp7qGNzs
As the tongues began to wag, the movement strengthened and gathered steam in California.
Interesting that Californians are urging the Government to go beyond limited "medicinal marijuana" use - to now include the relaxant across the board (along the same lines as the public sale of liquor) for adults of mature age.
When you consider all the- fuss, legal entanglements, and costly waste of judicial resource in recent years over the issues - it is easy to fathom why folks say the heck with it.
Go for the whole enchilada, dude!
My readers may recall that I supported the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes over the past year-and-a-half and have been vehemently opposed to the nasty DEA Raids (and subsequent rights violations that occurred when the shake down commenced against pot users and legal dispensaries).
On occasion, I attended protests at FBI Headquarters at the Federal Building, to protest the para-military-style raids.
Post: 10/10/07
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/medical-marijuanarally-october-11th-los.html
Post: 10/11/07
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/dea-retaliate-against-protestorseve-of.html
Post: 10/12/07
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/feds-raid-downtown-la-medical-marijuana.html
Post: 03/07/2009
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/medical-marijuanafocus-on-doctors-not.html
Post: 03/02/09
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/medical-marijuanapara-military-style_02.html
Post: 05/06/08
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/05/deaabuse-house-judiciary-committee-to.html
Post: 04/24/09
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/04/medical-marijuanacharles-lynch.html
In spite of the fact these innocent victims followed the letter of the law (i.e. obtained a prescription from a practising physician and purchased their medicine through legal pot dispensaries) DEA Agents continued to bust down their doors, terrorize them at gunpoint, and confiscate their marijuana (and cash).
Curiously, for the most part, no charges were laid.
Something didn't pass the smell test, though.
At one rally downtown, a member of a pot dispensry was handing out invitations for a party later that night, to celebrate some headway being made in the local courts on the issues.
As it turned out, DEA agents were in the midst of the throngs undercover (posing as supporters of medicinal marijuana) in a bold-faced deceitful effort to surreptitiously glean information and dredge up names and addresses of parties involved in the movement (so they could bust their a**es).
It was a despicable ploy which they later made good on.
In fact, on the heels of learning about the party to be held a few hours later, the agents dashed back to their headquarters - rustled up a posse of agents - and proceeded to raid the medical facility to retaliate against the protesters for tossing the spotlight on their reprehensible pottie-raids which landed their top brass in hot water with White House officials.
In fact, shortly after I made a demand of the Department Director (in a searing post levelled at the heinous conduct of the DEA) she "resigned".
In response to my post, a handful of agents stepped forward and noted for the record, that the despicable DEA Direcctor previously punished them (with swift and severe demotions) for whistle-blowing.
http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/main/posts/2006/sep/03/karen_tandy_retaliates_against
For a short while, the raids wound down, then flared up again just after Barack Obama took office.
After thousands of citizens signed a petition demanding an end to the DEA Raids, the White House relented.
One day out-of-the-blue, I received an e-mail communication informing me that just minutes prior, the President issued a directive to DEA field Directors around the country to cease & desist with the DEA raids.
On the heels of that communication, I immediately penned a post and was one of the first journalists to publish Barack's new policy online.
Post:: 10/19/09
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/medical-marijuanafederal-government.html
In restrospect, the inevitable is going to happen.
Instead of digging in their heels, the DEA should work with California lawmakers and residents of this great state, to end the bitter fight on the marijuana battleground (where law enforcement is being put to shame daily).
Richard Lee, a backer of the legalization (who has expended at least a million bucks of his own on behalf of the cause to date) heralds the signature/ballot initiative as a historic step toward ending cannabis prohibition.
Of course, there have quite a few marijuana bills floating around the state, but this is the first one submitted for the all-important signature count.
A proposal to legalize pot passed in a crucial committee phase, but the clock ran out in the legislature, so it is stalled right now in a haze of sweet-smelling smoke.
There may be a few mirrors in there, too.
Judge Gray - a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge - supports the ballot measure (in spite of fact he is a non-smoker) and appears to echo my own thoughts ("what we've been doing with marijuana in our state and this country has not been working").
Then why not act.?
Of course - there must be a proper debate - so the voice of the "people" may be heard.
For instance, on a web site for "Californians for Drug Free Youth", the director argues that legalization will lead to an increase in drug use by youths.
If I wanted to play devil's advocate, I might make the pitch that the youth of America is more inclined to be excited at the prospect of participating in an activity that is illegal (the thrill of getting caught is an adrenalin rush, after all).
Another thought springs to mind - a sort of knee-jerk reaction - to the controversy as well.
In Europe, teenagers are allowed to drink wine with dinner at casual family and social events without the blink of an eye.
Researchers have speculated that because of the mature (sophisticated) approach to wine - and alchohol intake - there are fewer alcoholics in European Nations.
That makes sense to moi.
After all, if a child is denied a privilege, they are inclined to seek the experience more fervently.
Perhaps, if North Americans did not make such a taboo about the practice, the controversy might just wither away.
Just a thought triggered by a drug-induced stupor, no doubt.
Kidding!
Once marijuana use is legal - and endorsed by parents, teachers and voters of the state - it may lose its appeal to the wild young bunch.
Maybe Californians should give it a try, test the waters, if you will.
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