20 Million Arrests, and Counting
By Paul Armentano
This November, moments before millions of voters flock to the polls to elect America’s 44th president, law enforcement officials will make their 20 millionth marijuana arrest. Yet in the days leading up to this appalling milestone, it’s unlikely either candidate will call for — or even so much as entertain — any change in U.S. pot policies. It’s even less… return to article
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Reader Comments (54)Page 1 of 1 pagesThe drug Czar needs to be held accountable for all the lies he tells. It just isn’t right that he can get away with this.
Marijuana is not the gateway drug. The prohibition of marijuana is the reason why so many young people are introduced to a criminal society.
It is a fact that if marijuana was legalized usage would not rise. In fact in countries where marijuana is legal usage is around half of that in our own country.
Marijuana prohibition causes young people to have disrespect for the law. It is the cause for disrespect to the police.
Now, 872,000 americans will criminal records. They will have difficulty getting an education because of it. The saddest part of this is that like you read above, 1 out of 4 of these people are under age 18. 3 out of 4 are under ago 30.
The so called drug warriors say that they don’t want to see marijuana prohibition end because it would be sending the wrong message to kids. They think they are “protecting” them.
Well then why are all these arrests coming against kids?
They are not protecting them… they are ARRESTING them!!!
Wake up congress!!!
Posted by rayeatts on Sep 25, 2008 at 4:23 PM As a medicinal marijuana patient who has been arrested, I know first hand the hurt of our country’s current marijuana laws.
It’s unfortunate that many people still blindly believe marijuana propaganda without going beyond the DEA’s line of offense to become informed on the reality of marijuana’s benefits.
Marijuana has dramatically increased the quality of my life. As a college student, who’s suffered from life-long depression and anxiety, marijuana has helped me place things in perspective; placing things in life in a much more logical manner.
The only negativity I’ve experienced from marijuana consumption was the mental trauma of being unjustly arrested.
I can only hope for a marijuana accepting world, someday in my lifetime.
Posted by makerstar on Sep 25, 2008 at 4:29 PM The arresting of our youth in such numbers is staggering! I believe the actual prohibition of cannabis is the culprit here. If it was taxed and regulated such as alcohol, then the drug dealers would be out of a job. They don’t care who they sell to. As a matter of fact, I read where there is an estimated 1,000,000 high school student dealers in this country. Why? Kids aren’t dumb and they see that the “mark up” is in the 200-300 percent range while huge profit margins make it impossible to work at Burger King. Not to mention they also have a captive market, five days a week.
That being said, does anyone think that there are more than a handful of public servants who would stand up to purveyors of this senseless war on people? Not many… but just maybe there are enough voters that can change this futility in the coming years. It has to be fixed. It’s broke.
The real danger of pot is arrest.
Posted by Meddy on Sep 25, 2008 at 4:37 PM How is it that the pot smoking peace generation of the sixties has elected a war-mongering President and permitted a civil liberties trampling judicial system grow up around it? It is time we made good on the theme “The times they are a-changin.” Massachusetts voters need to send a message to the misguided drug loving warriors who are railing so loudly against Question 2.
Posted by jmalmo on Sep 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM It’s ludicrous. A simple (or not so simple) plant God created banned by man. With so many ways to help people- medicinal, industrial, environmental, agricultural- how is it that this plant has maintained a bad reputation for so long? What is it that drives individuals and organizations to follow faulted information which in turn harms innocent people?
I encourage all people to take some sort of action against this absurdity whether you post a comment, contribute to an organization, or write the government. If you want something done about this or feel it is wrong, please chip in.
Posted by goldnchild on Sep 25, 2008 at 5:10 PM I agree with NORML that pot laws should be removed.
This must happen. Lets stop funding bike gangs and organized crime.
Grow your own. Smoke your own.
Please visit
www.leap.cc
www.norml.org
Posted by BWK1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 5:42 PM As usual, Armentano makes a valid argument. Screw decriminalization; legalize and regulate! The reason I take this stance (viewed as extreme by some) is that decriminalization does nothing to remove the profits and associated violence from black marketeers.
I think most people realize cannabis is relatively harmless. Those that don’t are simply ignorant or biased. If cannabis was marketed as an alternative to alcohol, violence would drop in this country. There would be more peace. Drug warriors and politicians couldn’t have that, now could they?
They’ve been leading through fear and perpetuated ignorance, but people are starting to see through the smoke…
I’d like to see more drug war reporting on ‘In These Times!’
Posted by PSYOP on Sep 25, 2008 at 7:08 PM Political pressure. What pressure have we applied? Not much, obviously, or more would have happened. Why not? Because we are responsible adults, we work for a living, we obey all the laws of this great country, except one. Most all of what we do do is ignored by the media, because we don’t do it big enough, or loud enough. We have our global marijuana march every year, but who cares, certainly not the media. We put a few hundred people in a bunch of cities across the world, nobody notices, because we seem to be so few. The “Hippies” during Viet Nam did it right, large, and loud. What’s wrong with us? We are responsible adults, can’t take time off of work for such stuff? Their are many reform organizations around. Why don’t they get together, and work as one? Damned if I know.
Posted by Ironman on Sep 25, 2008 at 7:19 PM I feel it is time for revolution like in the past we can use taxation without Representation. Our so-called leaders ignore the 75% + that say end this illegal war against us. We are a free country and we are being jailed for pure greed. Our so-called leaders take PAC money from the so-called legal drug companies and keep putting us in jail. They should be jailed for stripping us of our rights as free Americans. End the War On US (drugs) now!
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 7:40 PM How many of you have sent letters to your elected officials? Respectfull letters, no name calling, or threats, just a nice friendly letter. Tell them the facts, tell them how you feel about the WoD, and be sure to tell them that you are a registered voter. You are registered, aren’t you? You do vote don’t you? If not, then shame on you. If you aren’t, and you don’t, what the hell do they care what you think? Do you have a favorite reform organization? Do you donate, doesn’t have to be a lot, whatever you can afford. I do, when I can. Money talks, BS walks.
Posted by Ironman on Sep 25, 2008 at 7:45 PM OK where do we start?!? Marijuana, hemp, both in the cannabis family should be legal, because it was just decriminalizing would not have any effect on the failed War on Drugs, what a joke. This plant is not harmful and can’t even be compared to alcohol or any other drug its a plant that God put on this Earth. It could taxed as alcohol, tobacco, or any other crop. The government is afraid to admit that they were wrong. This plant can be used for many things! If our government was as smart as they think they would do research and see that our Founding Fathers grew HEMP (George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) and also Benjamin Franklin owned one of the first paper mills in America and it processed hemp. For years, 90% of all ships’ sails and ropes were made from hemp. Until the 1820s 80% of all textiles, fabrics, clothes, linen, drapes, bed sheets were also made from it oh and don’t let me forget the first Bibles, maps, Betsy Ross’s flag, the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were made from HEMP!!! In 1916, the U.S. Government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees needed to be cut down. Government studies reported that 1 acre of hemp equals 4.1 acres of trees. Plants were in the works to implement such programs; Department of Agriculture. Hemp called “ Billion Dollar Crop.” It was the first time a cash crop had a business potential to exceed a billion dollars; Popular Mechanics, Feb, 1938. Must I say any more?!? Get the facts get the knowledge its not bad it can raise this economy and anyone can cultivate this plant and sale it to the Government for our taxes like it was from the 1631 until the early 1800s. Its time for a change stop putting innocent people in jail and lets put drug dealers out of business. Hope this info was useful.
Posted by JohnD on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:15 PM I write my elected officials every week. I get the same canned letter in return it states to end the War On US (drugs) would send the wrong message to the youth of our country. I assume this means they would rather put the youth of our country in jail and give them a felony record and have them scared for life. Our representatives only follow the directions from the major corporations that are making billions off this war and ignoring us, the ones they are sworn to represent. Sounds good but does not work if they represented us the war would end and the millions in jail would be freed.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:17 PM A good soul
I sit and watch ad after ad on TV for this drug and that drug to cure anything from ED to legs that will not be still. It makes me think I need to make another plea to other Americans again today. I fight the War on Drugs (US) it waste 100 billion and ruins thousands of lives every year. We could fund universal health care for all Americans then the drug users that want or need help could get it. All we ask is stop putting us in jail. For against, or neutral ending this war would be a WIN/WIN for every American!! Please help if you can, read the facts look back in history its all there..
WAR ON DRUGS (for idiots or perhaps just uninformed citizens)Legal Drugs = Made and patented by major drug companies and thanks to our leaders (house/senate) they can charge what ever they want 1000s of percent bringing them billions in profits. Part of which is spent supporting PACs (political action committees) they pay our leaders (house/senate) to keep a few drugs illegal and keep putting non-violent good Americans in jail.
Illegal Drugs = Originally made illegal because they were enjoyed by mainly people of color the poor and powerless (it was used as a new way to enslave them). The most used drug, the Hispanics introduced marijuana and blacks enjoyed it then as today. It was said (in1937) marijuana makes darkies think they are as good as whites! Our FED government already holds the Marijuana patent! The major drug companies cannot make money on our Herb of choice. It is estimated the major drug companies (legal drugs) would lose 80 % of their profits if marijuana were make legal. It cures or helps with insomnia, depression, chronic pain, headaches, minstrel pain cramps, muscle spasms, and thousands of other day to day problems or if you just want to get a buzz like drinking a few beers without the health problems (marijuana has no down side like liquor no hangover cannot overdose will not kill you or your liver kidneys like alcohol does it can be ingested or smoked). Also the buzz, sorry, but if you use it every day as a prescribed medicine you do not get the same buzz just relief from your particular problem (mine is depression). We do not have a PAC and cannot afford to buy the vote of our so-called leaders. But we are the estimated 75% that our so-called leaders keep ignoring, jailing, lying to, lying about, and enslaving. We are tired and need your help please!
LEGALIZE, REGULATE, TAX (THE INCOME FROM TAX IS ESTIMATED TO BE 50 BILLION A YEAR WE COULD ADD DENTAL AND EDUCATION TO THE LIST OF THINGS THIS ACTION WOULD PAY FOR!!)
Get rid of drug deals and drug dealers over night sell it over the counter in Wal-Mart for Gods sake (the legal drug guys do). You can also grow it yourself if you are so inclined you could have free medicine. That is why the major drug companies do not want it legal neither do the major alcohol pushers, GEO corp. they run the private jails and charge as much as 45K a head per year (over 2,800,000 of your fellow citizens are casualties of the War on US so far). They all have PACs and our leaders are bought and paid for (they lie) please help us stop the madness called the War on Drugs (US).
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:25 PM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Anslinger
Criticism of Anslinger in the 1970s and later years
In the 1970s and later, Anslinger was a target for a lot of criticism from opponents, and of course from Jack Herer and other pro cannabis activists. Many call him the “drug czar”. It appeared that Anslinger was also responsible for racist themes in articles against marijuana in the 1930s:Cheif Spirit Warrior Woman,
My friend you have my permission to change the name send it to as many as you can. My efforts are used to reach one person at a time and unite to stop the War on Drugs!
I am just glad a few people read this article. I am surprised when I talk to people how little they know of the real truth and history of the War on Drugs. The article I used to write my blog was on wikepedia. It did not list as a direct quote but rather that Anslinger was responsible for these racist themes. But in my heart I can hear the man say these very words. Further today there is no doubt in my mind the war is waged to feed the machine the 100 billion dollar machine our leaders have created. It has gotten out of hand many good Americans are in jail being tormented and will return as felons unable to vote. Our very way of life is threatened due to this war on us. Any information I can find to get anyone’s attention I feel is a good thing. Compared to the lies our leaders are using to put us in jail it is a small thing. Following are other ideas or themes used in the original Drug War theme.Spread the word.
Thanks Fred
“Colored students at the Univ. of Minn. partying with (white) female students, smoking [marijuana] and getting their sympathy with stories of racial persecution. Result: pregnancy"[9]
“Two Negros took a girl fourteen years old and kept her for two days under the influence of hemp. Upon recovery she was found to be suffering from syphilis."[citation needed]
“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."[citation needed]
“Marijuana makes Negroes eat other Negroes when they get the munchies."[citation needed]
“...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."[citation needed]
“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."[citation needed]
“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men."[citation needed]
“Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"[citation needed]
“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother."[citation needed]
“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."[citation needed]
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:35 PM And what is even more astounding that 90% of these 872,000 arrests are for possession only. Those approximately 795,000 possession arrests equal 5% of all arrests made in this country for anything and everything.
That means that virtually 5 out of every 100 police officers are doing nothing but busting people for pot, instead of focusing on murderers, rapists, thieves and thugs. Or looked at in another way, it amounts to a full five percent effective reduction in our police force . . . and for what? Such a waste of resources.
Posted by Brinna on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:35 PM DRUG WAR FOR IDIOTS:
You can go to a doctor he can prescribe an opium derivative or a synthetic heroin they even have a THC pills. So why are some drugs illegal and some are legal. Even the most unsophisticated individual should be able to see the War on Drugs is a scam. It is a way to take 100 billion of your money plus the 50 billion lost in tax revenue and blow it. If you are on the receiving end (our representatives Senate/House) you get rich. The most important thing to me is the estimated 2,000,000 of our fellow American citizens in jail. They are non-violent marijuana users responsible free Americans with rights! They are your sons, daughters, parents and even grand parents. They are having homes taken away from third generation owners. They are the old man down the street that everyone likes jailed. They are college students having their futures ruined. They are mothers having their children taken away. They are sick people being deprived of a medicine that works for them. They are disabled people having their Medicare benefits taken away. They are mothers kicked out of public housing and made homeless. They are good young people with no record being raped and even killed in jail. They come out changed scarred for life with distrust for our system and fear for there so-called protectors. They are one in every three blacks. They are mainly the poor and powerless that can be discarded by our so-called leaders (Senate/House)! For what? Growing a weed that helps people, makes them feel better or just to get a buzz and relax in our hectic world (much like drinking a few legal beers without the health hazards of liquor). It is there God given right as Free Americans and they will not conform to a law that is wrong and based on lies started for pure racism in the 30s !!!
While the fat cats go to the doctor and get OxyContin (opium derived), which is much stronger and more addictive than opium ever dreamed of being ask Rush (Yet legal). Millions take the so-called legal drugs every year (legal = owned by major drug company and producing 1000% profits to them). Between liquor and so-called legal drugs 600,000 die every year. So why, when people VOTE and make marijuana legal, doctors in 12 states prescribe it. The FEDS STILL (emphasis on STILL) under the direction of our so called leaders (Senate/House) go in and arrest the doctor, his patients, the guy selling the weed, the guy renting the building to the guy selling the weed, even the one in the car with a person selling the weed even if they do not know about it and sending them all to jail? Without a fair trial they are not allowed by the federal judges to present the truth to defend them that is why they have a 99% conviction rate! With mandatory federal minimum sentences they do hard time with long sentences at 45K a year per person. (Ask why here) WHY YOU ASK?
It is all for pure simple greed period end of story!!
Corporations and others that do not want weed legal because it would cost them $$$$$:
Major pharmaceutical companies = estimates are as high as 80% loss. Billions in profits if marijuana were make legal. (It cures many common ailments maybe yours depression, insomnia, cramps, chronic pain, migraines, and many others!) With no side effects you cannot even overdose with weed it is impossible.
Drug Czar DEA = They would lose there jobs we save 20 billion of our $$$$$ so do not expect them to tell the truth about this war they will say anything you suckers will believe to keep the war, there job, going! And the money and power that goes with it.
Liquor industry = estimates are as high as a 40% market loss billions.
Private Jail industry = Total loss they would have to close we would save billions.
Drug Testing industry = Loss 44,000,000 a year
Our Representatives (Senate/House) = They would lose millions contributed to them through PACs every year from the corporations above.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:46 PM Palin we hear you!
By Cherokee Fred, Hussein - Sep 4th, 2008 at 7:48 am EDT
Also listed in: 7 groups
Forgive me for I am stupid…
I am a stupid poor white old man; my leaders (Senate/House) say I am not smart enough after 60 years on this planet to make my own decisions. So let me see if I have this correct? If Palin feels marijuana users should be put in jail and she is an admitted marijuana user, should she not be put in jail? If a bank robber publicly admitted to robbing a bank you can bet the FEDs would lock that person up! I don’t think Palin meant SHE should go to jail, she meant we should have the same old double standard. If you are a rich person on Oxycodine (An opium derivative very strong and addictive) its ok LEGAL. But if you are poor or black and smoke (a harmless doctor prescribed) weed in a state that people have voted it legal, you go to jail ILLEGAL. I hear what you are saying Palin. You are saying let my only son spend the 20 years in jail to insure your PAC check is covered?
So the message you are sending our children is if you have money and power you can get away with anything. If you are poor or black or both you go to jail to feed the machine. The machine our so-called leaders (Senate/House) built using racism in the 30’s and still maintains it today. The Machine that now consumes 100 billion dollars a year of our money and puts 2 million non-violent good Americans in jail, to you they are disposable (this number goes up every day including one in three blacks)! Just because we are poor or black or both we are still Americans. Humans with feelings and rights just like you and by the way we are not stupid! We hear you Palin.. Another Bible thumping hypocrite!
How long do you think we (75%) are going to put up with this double standard? My opinion is not much longer!
A stupid old man fighting this War on Us every day!!
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:57 PM A poem by the mother of an only son jailed to insure our so called leaders get their PAC check on time!
The “War on Drugs” is a guise to control and confuse
It’s a war against the rights that they want us to loseAs the losses mount up and the prisons continue to fill
I sickeningly wonder how much more blood they’ll spill
By far, the most debilitating loss I’d personally face
Are the years stolen from my child, that I can’t replaceAnd the memory of the tears on his tortured face . . .
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:03 PM Legalize marijuana because it’s the only reasonable action and because the current situation is more than unacceptable. Criminality of marijuana is imbecilic, unethical and dangerous.
See NORML’s blog for the facts.
Actually, see any honest discussion concerning marijuana, all of which present data which screams for legalization.
Posted by Morning Angel on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:07 PM I have a very simple request, quit putting our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and yes even grandparents in jail.
To feed the 100 billion dollar machine they (our so called leaders) consider sacrificing us as the cost of doing business. Reminds me of slavery except that it effects all races not just the black race. Although 1 in 3 blacks will be jailed due the this war on the American people
I feel our so-called leaders should be put in jail. For waging this war on the American people and our free way of life. Originally for racist reasons and now for personal gain by our representatives!!
I feel in 100 years people will look back and view this era as our leaders enslaving us for pure greed. Name one other thing that keeps this war going? Drugs still flow people want them and as Americans we will have them. The cost keeps going up on the fight and the supply side. Good people are put in jail to be molested and raped by the real bad guys. So the only people that are happy are the corporations that make money off the way it is. Also the PAC’s that feed our leaders a regular supply of reelection money. In my mind they are committing a crime against the American People, God Help Us.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:09 PM The days of protect and serve are over! The era of, “To Punish and Enslave” is in full swing. I am 60 and I remember when cops were viewed as public servants and fear was not the first think to come to mind when you saw a cop following you. Now they are trained to be like vultures and heaven forbid they should smell marijuana from last night or from a friend you just dropped off. You will be grounded cuffed and put in jail your car will be impounded. Most people today living paycheck to paycheck cannot pay the expenses of our so-called legal system. So as many before them they cannot afford to be protected by our laws and end up in jail for being non affluent.
I for one feel our representatives are the ones that should be put in jail. They continue to fight what I call, War on the American People! For personal gain or some inbred religious bull shit, they continue to put us in jail. It is still hard for me to understand if I am hurting no one and minding my own business why I should be put in jail? But our representatives driven by power and money sacrifice us as unimportant, a cost of doing business. If the PAC money were to stop tomorrow do you think they would still have the same motivation for putting us in jail? Polls indicate up to 76% of Americans feel the drug war is wrong and they want the government to stop putting us in jail. But as long as we allow the system we have where our politicians are bought and paid for with PAC money. They will vote with the money and continue to sacrifice us and take the money.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:14 PM I am lucky I do not need drugs legal or so-called illegal. I have health and wealth so I consider myself very lucky. But what about the millions of Americans that take drugs everyday the rich take the legal the poor get the illegal drugs. They seek the same relief for there suffering be it physical or mental. But why treat the one (rich) and jail the other (poor)? Who has the right to say your choice is illegal and I will put you in jail? Who made these laws and for what reason? I have read every comment on this site and others it gives me hope! More Americans are becoming aware of the truth. You have looked at history and understand the truth today. Our leaders are enslaving the poor for pure greed. They feel (house/senate) that they have the right to overrule a vote by the people in states were medical marijuana has been make legal by OUR VOTE they do not!
They continue to sacrifice the poor, black. Hispanic, and powerless Americans while the rich bible thumping hypocrites look the other way. Our leaders (house/senate) using fear propaganda pass laws that take away our freedom guaranteed by the constitutions and bill of rights and we do nothing. They own the media and you only hear what they feel you need to hear; freedom of speech is in jeopardy. They say if you take the blue pill you go to jail if you take the red pill it gives billions to the so called legal drugs dealers and that is ok, because they fund our re-election. Stop enslaving our fellow Americans and respect a majority vote by the people or there will be War On US (drugs).
I am ready to fight for the right of all Americans use the old “TAXATION WITOUT REPRESENTATION” logic it applies today for sure!
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:18 PM Corporations will not allow a weed, which anyone can grow, to replace billions in profits for there particular industry! Look at the fight in Calif. It has been voted legal people say it is miracle herb and relieves there various suffering. But driven by our representatives FEDS will still go in the state and put you in jail. It is simple as long as we allow PACs to give what equates to legal bribery to our representatives they will continue to support the corporations and enslave us as part of doing business. I know I am old but can’t anyone else see this connection? It is time for us to join together and march in the streets to restore our freedom of choice. We must insist that our representatives respect the 76% nation wide that say end the WAR ON US and represent us. As free Americans we must demand our rights be restored. Allow us to grow our weed if we wish and exercise our rights as Americans with out fear of the FEDS stealing our land and illegally putting us in jail. Simply to ensure corporate profits keep flowing and insure the rich get richer and the poor continue to be raped in jail for exercising there right of choice that has been stolen for corporate greed.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:22 PM Drug War Chronicle - world’s leading drug policy newsletter
Feature: US Sentencing Commission to Examine Alternatives to IncarcerationMY RULE AS A NATIVE AMERICAN AND CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 4:17pm
Like Bob Mare I have a new rule.Free Americans taught the Bill of Rights and the Constitution in school if you paid attention you may be able to relate to the following.
Our representatives are sworn to represent us is this correct? We are the 75% of free Americans that say end the War on U.S. (drugs) let the marijuana people go and live in peace. Free the millions you have jailed based on the lies behind this War. We will give you six months or we the 75% will band together and prosecute you for not doing as sworn!
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:31 PM Reprint from high times
These are not my words but those of our first Drug Czar so don’t shoot the messenger please. Share with everyone you can and help me spread the truth and stop the War on the American People. Save 100 billion that is wasted putting Americans in jail for being Americans! One in three blacks in jail this is the future unless you help stop the madness!
I can say with forty years of personal research these are all racist lies. Marijuana is a cure-all for people with insomnia, depression, chronic pain, and many other problems, it can cure, with no side effects! Lets change the name from marijuana (a Spanish sounding name used to demonize bud) lets call it cureallX or CAX for short. Now it sounds like the so called legal drugs millions take every day.
Most people do not know why marijuana was made illegal read the thoughts of our first DRUG CZAR. He used lies and our countries racism to further his career and demonize marijuana it was all a bunch of BS. It was all to save the white women from the darkies, it was said marijuana made darkies uppity!!
Today it is for pure greed everyone wants part of the 100 billion of our money spent to keep the myth and lies alive and keep putting the darkies in jail!! Stop the madness end this racist war save the 100 billion. It is estimated that universal health care for all Americans would cost 70 billion a year. We could take the 30 billon left over and party!!!
Harry Jacob Anslinger(May 20, 1892 – November 14, 1975) held office as the Assistant Prohibition Commissioner in the Bureau of Prohibition, before being appointed as the first Commissioner of the Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) on August 12, 1930.
It appeared that Anslinger was also responsible for racist themes in articles against marijuana in the 1930s:
“Colored students at the Univ. of Minn. partying with (white) female students, smoking [marijuana] and getting their sympathy with stories of racial persecution. Result: pregnancy”
“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”
“Reefer makes darkies uppity”
“Two Negros took a girl fourteen years old and kept her for two days under the influence of hemp. Upon recovery she was found to be suffering from syphilis.”
“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.”
“Marijuana makes Negroes eat other Negroes when they get the munchies.”
“...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.” (Blacks/Hispanic)
“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”
“Marijuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing”
“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”
“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.”
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:37 PM Reprint MPP
I am not a religious person but I would praise the day this War On U.S. (drugs) was over. Many people suffer and have there lives destroyed every day, as our so-called leaders refuse to hear our pleas. They choose not to do as sworn and represent us we are the majority!
For God’s sake end this madness against us that is waged for one reason GREED. I read the FED numbers on this war another 870 thousand of our fellow citizens have been exposed to our justice system; there is no justice for us. We are the Poor, Black, Hispanic and powerless of our great country. Some of the middle class are even beginning to notice the alarming rate of incarceration of our kind and they also say enough is enough.
Yes we seek relief from an herb that was used by our founders for many reasons. We are not stupid we know the facts of the war and why today it is still waged by our so-called leaders (house/senate).
All we ask no demand is stop putting us in jail, quit invading our homes, quit destroying our lives, quit stealing our property, quit giving us a criminal record, quit taking away our children, quit forcing us into rehab, quit wasting our time and money. We are the majority you are sworn to represent (house/senate) and we feel it is time you did your job.
I do not advocate the use of any drug. I demand we have the right to choose!
Cherokee Fred Hussein
aka Stupid old man
Posted by hood1 on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:44 PM Lets give this article record comments, we need this to be a national issue. Legalization is prbobly the greatest shot in the arm this country could ever get. Lowered federal spending on wasteful organizations like the DEA, increased tax revenue from sales, a whole slew of new jobs when the pot entrepanuers of tommorow create their multi fasetted corporations, and a generation of youth who will be free from the tyranny of pot prohibition.
Please keep up the coverage, our leaders need to know we care!
Posted by qotsa7777 on Sep 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM Please support HR5843!
Please spread the word of the Majority’s desire to have Cannabis Prohibition repealed!!!
Posted by Dennis on Sep 26, 2008 at 12:28 PM I am treating Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Carcinoma with Cannabis Oil. I have met with a degree of success. The visable signs of the Basal Cell lesions were no longer visible on my forehead, (2 lesions.) I allowed the doctor at the VA to do a biopsy on these two lesions, and one at the back of my head. The results were positive for Basal, and Squamous carcinoma. I was disapointed, but not discouraged. I will just continue to treat all the lesions on my head neck, and face.
The doctors at the Va will say I have FAILED. I agree with them to a point, I’m not finished treating them yet. I feel that by the visible signs of the cancer no longer being detectable, I have succeded to a degree. These pinheads, caught up in the feds crap don’t see the big picture, aren’t asking the right questions. What made the visible signs of the cancer go away? The cells that are gone were cancerous after all. What caused aptosis,(cell death), in these cells, if not some compound(s) in the cannabis oil, then what? Why does our government allow OVER 500,000 people to DIE every year in this country, when there IS a cure for cancer to be found in the Cannabis Plant? Population Control? Just plain GREED? ALL OF THE ABOVE?
One 1934 newspaper editorial said that “Marijuana influences Negroes to look white people in the eye, step on white mens shadows, and look at a white woman twice.” Now if that aint a reason to put people in jail, I don’t know what is. Give me a break.
Posted by Ironman on Sep 26, 2008 at 1:13 PM http://www.blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2003/12/22/whyIsMarijuanaIllegal.h html
If you have never seen what’s on this site, you need to.
Posted by Ironman on Sep 26, 2008 at 1:15 PM I love Cherokee Fred (hood1)! Everywhere I go, I see his anti-WOD posts. You really have waged war against the drug warriors, we need more like you behind our cause - keep preaching the truth, brother!
Posted by PSYOP on Sep 26, 2008 at 4:18 PM What’s $20 billion a year, when we’re about to blow $700 billion?
It’s not like we’d ever spend it on anything useful.
Posted by Ben Masel on Sep 27, 2008 at 2:37 AM Our country is in peril today anyone that speaks the truth should be on guard. Our leaders do not want to hear the truth they are addicted to the money and power. The only problem is, it is our money and we voted to give them the power! Please vote this election do some research do not vote on face value as many I have spoken to intend to do. They do not understand the issues or even what their chosen representative stands for. This is sad to me although in the past I have made the same mistake. I am retired now and tend to read and do research on every move I make because I have the time. After my personal drug raid brought to me by my now XX daughter in-law using trailer park justice. She called the local DEA and had my house raided I had never given the War on Drugs much thought. They found nothing except my tomato plants (I grow antique tomatoes in the basement to find one that taste right) and I did not go to jail growing tomatoes is still ok thank god. But it did upset me I felt violated and wanted to know why. Today I have spent months in research and have read everything I can find on the war which I call War on US or War on the American People or War on the American way of life, well you get the idea. I have posted my opinions on any web site I can and I state my evaluation of war facts. What amazes me most is that our so-called leaders are all singing from the same hymnbook, which is very unusual. The main reason I get from them (house/senate) is, “making marijuana legal would send the wrong message to the youth of our country” this seems to be the main theme. If you ask me it would send the correct message to our youth. Drugs are not for kids they are for adults that is why they should be regulated and taxed like alcohol. Under age kids should not have access as they do today with the underground market we have in place. So if you want to take drugs out of the hands of our youth make them legal for adults (like alcohol) regulate and tax. Estimated tax income from marijuana sales is 50 billion a year (conservative) use that money to fund universal health care for all Americans. So if a drug user of any drug and there will always be the few that will abuse anything, give them aid not a $45,000.00 a year jail cell. Please help me fight this War On US I am not advocating use of any drug I am saying I will fight to allow responsable adults to have freedom of choice. Stop taxation without representation we are the majority lawyers, cops, doctors, professionals, auto mechanics, sewer workers, construction folks, baby sitters, people in pain, people who just want relief for a few hours, the ones of us that see the truth. I do what I do because I see the massive destruction this war causes our country, it confuses the young they see the lies. Old people like me see that this is not right a person in his own home not bothering or harming anyone should have the small freedom to do as they damn well pleases. If you are one of the bible thumping hypocrites (Palin) we do you no harm we wish you luck and peace and thump all you wish. All we ask is quit putting us in jail, stealing our property, putting our youth in jail ruining their lives, their faith and trust in our great country. We are the majority and we are looking for representation we demand our rights and voices be heard. We are also running out or patience 872,000 non-violent Americans were jailed last year casualties of the war more than all violent crimes combined. Not to mention the wasted 100 billion spent to wage this illegal war on our way of life. If you need information on the war visit the many sites evaluate the information make your own decision but do not believe the DEA they have too much to loose if the truth were known. Our so-called leaders are drunk on power and money and are out of touch with the people they are sworn to represent they lie.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 27, 2008 at 3:33 AM Drop me a line I will try to help hood1@hoodstuff.com if I am set up and jailed for the truth please put some bucks in my prison account so I can buy my legal smokes that is my sad addiction!!
Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man aka hood1 fighting this War on US every day!!
Posted by hood1 on Sep 27, 2008 at 3:52 AM “While young people suffer the most under current anti-pot laws, they lack the financial means and political capital to influence politicians to challenge them. They also lack the money to adequately fund the drug law reform movement at a level necessary to represent and protect their interests.”
It sounds as if Mr. Armentano is letting the largest segment of marijuana consumers off the hook for helping with legalization efforts. Any person who can afford to use marijuana on a regular basis can afford to spend $25 a year to support legalization efforts.
If every one of the estimated number of marijuana consumers did that, the movement would have $600,000,000 to work with. Currently the regular membership of the three largest pro-legalization organizations puts in only $9,000,000 a year. A few billionaire supporters add another $9,000,000.
$600,000,000 a year would allow us to mount massive education campaigns to alter public perceptions of marijuana and to fund effective lobbyists to pull politicians off of their dependence on drug companies and others who pay them to keep marijuana illegal.
Posted by Buzzby on Sep 27, 2008 at 5:59 PM It would take less if we would vote to elect someone that would do as sworn represent the majority.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 27, 2008 at 8:34 PM I found a unicorn mien drug czar! A man paralyzed from age four doing something that made him feel better and you bible thumping hypocrites killed the poor young man. Of course he was black so what does it matter, right? When you die you will be haunted by the souls of men like this one.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jonathan Magbie died while serving a 10-day sentence for marijuana possession in a Washington, D.C., jail. Magbie, a quadriplegic since age 4, used his chin to operate a motorized wheelchair and required a ventilator to help him breathe. The jail could not provide the medical help he needed, and by the time he was taken to a hospital, he was dead. Magbie was a first-time offender who told the judge that marijuana made him feel better and that he didn’t think there was anything wrong with using it.
Can you find one? The drug czar said anyone jailed for possession was a unicorn and did not exist?
Help end the War On US (drugs)Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man
Fighting this war daily please help THEY LIE WE FIGHT!
hood1@hoodstuff .com
Can you find one?
Posted by hood1 on Sep 29, 2008 at 7:19 AM I have already posted some very good info on this situation, I just wanted to let some people know that all Bible thumps aren’t against Marijuana. I go to church regularly I believe in pot, God put that wonderful plant on this planet for a reason to cure and heal. If you go at people like all you Bible thumping hypocrites its gonna make all the religious folks think bad of us that support marijuana we have to come together as one instead of fighting against everyone. Not everyone is educated on the facts. People have to be taught not degraded like it is now!!!!
Posted by JohnD on Sep 29, 2008 at 6:55 PM Some people do not get the point this man is dead!!
Then you have people like Palin yes I smoked it, did me no harm but in the name of God I will put you in jail. What do you call these people not saying all people that go to church are BTH but many are. They wish to impose their morality on others much like the crusades thousands killed because they did not believe the same as the christians. So the cristians killed them in the name of god. I am native American and live by the law live and let live. Follow your own path I will follow mine but do not kill me for not being a follower.
Posted by hood1 on Sep 30, 2008 at 5:18 AM I am tired of the oppression. I was thinking why this war is waged and continued? Then it hit me while reading another article that described Rachel Hoffman as a hippie-ish free spirit. (Hoffman was killed in a botched drug buy the cops set up forcing her a MJ user to go covert undercover to buy cocaine) In this country of diversity some still think everyone should be the same, like them. There is a faction not unlike the KKK that feels free spirits have no place in this land. If you do not dress a certain way or attend a particular church or some other imposed criteria you have no value. They are racist or something akin to one they want everyone to be like them and act as they do.
This will never happen, only one problem these people are in control of our country today.
They call themselves conservatives, Christians, religious fundamentalist, protectors and other names. They have one goal to make everyone the same like them. I do not wish to remove their rights to be as they are. I live by the golden rule and the theory Live and Let Live. I am Native American I feel lucky I accept people for what they are and get along with anyone. But I will never fit the mold these people insist we conform to. I am like Rachel a hippie-ish free spirit.
That is why I fight the War on US (drugs) my people are being raped, murdered, jailed and eradicated. Last year 872,000 non-violent drug related (mostly marijuana possession only) were not helped but thrown in jail. I have tried to think how could our so-called leaders put non-violent good Americans (I have read their stories these are not criminals) in jail and ruin their lives. It must be because we are hippie-ish free spirits and the people in power fear us. The fear is from 72 years of our government using our money to spread lies and propaganda and the followers have bought in on their lies. I see them as followers they follow and there is nothing wrong with that I follow sometimes. But I am a free spirit and I prefer to lead. This must be the reason we are prosecuted the way we are. Many hippies enjoy a bit of smoke from time to time not that I do. I do not promote any drug use I insist that we have our rights as American citizens given back. I demand our government quit demonizing us and recant the lies and propaganda you have spread over the years. We are normal people just like others all we ask for is quit putting us in jail quit wasting the 100 billion of our money every year. Let the 2 million non-violent drug related prisoners out of jail. Leave us the hippie-ish free spirits alone we are non-violent fun loving people and do no harm. But we will never be like you even if you jail us and persecute us we will fight back. Like the crusades many wars were fought to oppress people unlike themselves or Hitler wanting to purify his race by killing everyone unlike him. We will never conform we are free thinkers and we understand the truth. This war is a scam based on racism. It is time to end the War on US (drugs) let us live in peace this is all we DEMAND!!Please help hood1@hoodstuff.com
Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man
Posted by hood1 on Sep 30, 2008 at 7:13 AM Punished for consuming Cannabis. I cannot remember all the details. A man needed a liver transplant. He was refused this transplant because he was a medical cannabis patient. He is DEAD now. He was not arrested, he was not jailed, he was just condemned to DIE.
Posted by Ironman on Sep 30, 2008 at 8:02 AM Welcome to the Chior. Yes, the Chior. We all agree that the WoD is absurd. We all agree that things need to change. WE ALL agree. Where are those who disagree? If you disagree, please post your reasons here, so they may be discussed. Let us start with “The wrong message to our children”. Would legalization send “The wrong message to our children”? In what way?
Posted by Ironman on Sep 30, 2008 at 8:11 AM From one person to another no matter the race, sex, religion, etc, we need to come together to make an impression. It bothers me that people us God as a weapon and its WRONG!! When someone needs meds no matter what it is they should be allowed its not everyone else choice. If someone wants to drink alcohol do they get put in jail if their the right age and obey the law?!? What about tobacco do the people that use tobacco go to jail if they are the right age and if there under he age do they go to jail for buying it?!? NO they don’t!!!!! IT all comes down to one person in the 30’s that made this change so he would have a job and he scared everyone to think that Marijuana was so....... dangerous well if it was so dangerous would our founding fathers grow Hemp the very first Bibles were wrote on hemp that should say something. I like to think that I am a christian, and again no matter race, sex, religion, or not, we are all human beings we all have that in common and no one should be treated any different. It should be with liberty and justice for all!
Posted by JohnD on Sep 30, 2008 at 5:20 PM The fact is that alcohol is legal, and it is a much worse drug than pot. That could be medically proven.
Posted by zajk on Sep 30, 2008 at 6:13 PM Why is cannabis DANGEROUS? It’s addictive. Is it really? Yes. The reports put cannabis at the same addictive level as, or just below caffiene. For some people, liberal estimate is 10%, very liberal I believe, cannabis is as addictive as herione. This is NOT a true physical addiction. It is a psycholigical dependency. In other words, it’s all in their heads.
http://www.procon.org/viewbackgroundresource.asp?resourceID=1492
Here is just one report.
If anyone wishes to dispute this, please post your response here.
Posted by Ironman on Oct 1, 2008 at 10:20 AM LEGALIZE REGULATE TAX
BUT QUIT PUTTING MY FELLOW AMERICANS IN JAIL!!!!
NOW PLEASE
Posted by hood1 on Oct 1, 2008 at 3:06 PM Why is cannabis DANGEROUS? Cannabis consumption can lead to psychosis. Just exactly what is psychosis? What is psychotic behavior? I know that when I drank alcohol, I went totaly balistic for no apparent reason, IE violent. Is this psychotic behavior? I have NEVER become violent,(psychotic) when intoxicated on cannabis. Alcohol is MUCH more DANGEROUS than cannabis, on this I think we all agree. Those who disagree please respond. DEA, ONDCP, NIDA, response is welcome.
Posted by Ironman on Oct 2, 2008 at 9:00 AM It is Saturday I am reading the sad stories of the latest casualties of the War on US (drugs). It makes me sick to think of someone smoking a bit of weed to make them feel better, they like it they are over 18 over 60 sometimes, it is a free country right? Sitting in there own home relaxing, hurting no one. They just worked all week making your hamburger, bagging your groceries, selling you a lawn mover, the guy next door, the old lady with all the flowers in her yard. They are not criminals they are just seeking a little relief from life with there herb of choice, we do have freedom of choice, don’t we? They are the poor, black, white, Hispanic, they love their freedom, and we do have freedom right? They are the backbone of our country the working men, woman, grandparents, grandkids our so-called leaders just ruined their lives. They came to their house, trailer or apartment and violated their rights ignoring the constitution and bill of rights that was written to protect all people. They handcuff them put them in a police car and take them to jail. They strip off their clothes, take everything they have away, embarrasses them, humiliating them, they do not understand why they must endure this treatment they have hurt no one, they work hard pay taxes, cut their grass, go to church, contribute to society, are in the military or veterans, why does our country wage war on them?
God help us it is for pure greed. To me this is the worst sin a person can commit to destroy another humans life for greed and power. But our so-called leaders do it every day of the year 875,000 were arrested last year mostly for weed use our leaders are breaking the backbone of America. This year someone will be arrested every 36 seconds for simple drug use they hurt no one. Millions take drugs ever day the ones with insurance take the so called legal drugs (they are stronger more addictive and kill 500,000 a year yet they are legal) the poor take the so called illegal drugs (they are not addictive and have no side effects like alcohol, it will kill you, they choose a herb given to us by god it is a weed grows everywhere has been around since creation it cannot kill or harm you) Our so-called leaders (house/senate) lie, plot, cheat and take money to continue this War. They override a vote by the majority of Americans in 12 states that say if you are legal age and you choose marijuana to make you feel better or cure your ailment you have a guaranteed right of choice in this our great country. But our so-called leaders (house/senate) will still arrest you and ruin your life. To make sure the PAC (political action committee representing those that would lose the most money if this war were ended) checks will clear the bank god help them they lie and enslave our fellow Americans for pure greed and power! They will spend eternity being haunted by the spirits of men like the one below.
Jonathan Magbie, RIP: Washington D.C., died Oct. 30, 2004. A wheelchair-bound, 28-year old, African-American paraplegic who needed a respirator to breathe at night. Jonathan was sentenced to 10 days in jail for the possession of one single joint. His mother tried frantically for days to get Jonathans respirator to him through the jails paperwork. He died on the fourth day of his jail sentence from respiratory failure, just a few miles from the White House, ONDCP, DEA and other multi-billion federal bureaucracies waging a war on cannabis, when in stark reality their war is directed at folks like Jonathan Magbie. Jonathan told the judge at his trial, it (weed) made him feel better and he could see no harm, yet his life was taken by our leaders (house/senate).Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man
Fighting this War on US (drugs) daily THEY LIE WE FIGHT!
Please help hood1@hoodstuff.com
Posted by hood1 on Oct 4, 2008 at 7:49 AM I hate the most quoted reason by our so called leaders to continue the War on US (drugs) the old “It would send the wrong message to our youth.” LIE! I say regulate and tax would be the better message! This would limit our youths access to drugs the control is now in the hands of street dealers they will sell to anyone with money. If legal, regulated and taxed like beer it would limit access by under age users. Todays message is we will lie and abuse your rights and put you in jail for something you know is a lie. This is giving our youth fear, contempt and hate for our system of drug control and for those that continue to lie and ruin their lives. Giving them criminal records which forces them deeper into so called illegal drugs. The message today is if you are poor, black, powerless we hunt you down and jail you. If you have money you can use what ever drug you wish oxicodone, loreset, valuim, vikadin, perkoset, codene and many other so called legal drugs (the legal ones kill 500,000 a year are more addictive and stronger than weed which has killed no one in the past 5000 years of use) Our so called leaders say as long as the major, so called legal drug companies, keep paying us money through PACs we will continue the war to protect the so called legal drug pushers market share. These are not my thoughts, I am in touch with our youth, these are their words and beliefs!! Help tell our so called leaders (house/senate) to STOP the war on us LEGALIZE, REGULATE, TAX limit access by our youth!! Now please!!,
Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man
Posted by hood1 on Oct 4, 2008 at 8:38 AM Why is Cannabis DANGEROUS? It effects short term memory. Yes, when you are intoxicated. Have none of these idiots who spout this as a reason to keep cannabis illegal never heard of an alcohol induced BLACKOUT? This is memory loss to an extreme.
Posted by Ironman on Oct 4, 2008 at 9:47 AM Ironman speaks the truth listen and read to find out why our so called leaders keep 2 million Americans in jail and waste 150 billion of our money 100 billion to fight the war and 50 billion lost in tax revenue if we did the smart thing LEGALIZE - REGULATE - TAX now please!
Posted by hood1 on Oct 4, 2008 at 9:54 AM Why is cannabis DANGEROUS. It has a detrimental effect on cognative abilities. Yes, again, while you are intoxicated. These effects wear off about the same time the intoxication wears off.
Tell ya what, lets get a drunk to do a dessertation on quantum nuclear mechanics. As you can see THEIR reasons get more rediculous as you campare, and examine them.THEY have ABSOLUTELY NO reason for their laws, except money, and the corruption that comes with it. The BIGGEST drug pushers in the country pay them off regularly. They call it donations. Alcohol, tobacco, big pharmacuetical companies.
Posted by Ironman on Oct 4, 2008 at 12:43 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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