reform
Medical Marijuana in Michigan: Half glass empty or glass half full?
By Jamie Goswick It’s been a whirlwind of a month in Michigan. First, the state passed a set of bills (HB4209, HB4210 and HB4827) implementing a new licensing system for the state’s medical marijuana program, which was then quickly passed by the house and then signed by Governor Rick Snyder. The same week the bills […]
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90 Minutes
Why is 90 minutes so important? It is about the average run time of a movie. It is the allotted time for a regulation soccer match. Ninety minutes is probably the length of your bosses lunch break. On Wednesday night, it represents the amount of time Americans have to formulate their opinion on who they will be casting their vote for the United States Presidency.
For political junkies the presidential debates offer a breath of fresh air. This is where the two candidates will actually be face to face and respond to each other. The system is not perfect, but this true reality show offers more than the same campaign speech rehashed over and over again to a receptive crowd. They certainly are not perfect, as many important topics will be skipped over, but in this age of hiding behind talking points, Wednesday’s 90 minutes may be the closest thing we get to an intellectual conversation about fixing this country.
Unfortunately for marijuana activists, it is unlikely that the “M” word will even be muttered during the 90 minutes. Even as politicians and residents remain sharply divided on medical marijuana dispensary raids, this issue will continue to be avoided. Though elections are won and lost on the issues, we never seem capable of moving forward. Roe V. Wade was decided 40 years ago, yet we are sure to hear the two men in suits talk at length about abortion rights. School vouchers, tax rates, the deficit, and tort reform, are all important but have dominated debate questions for many elections now. Instead of tackling a new age issue in marijuana reform, we are likely going to be relegated to hearing about the same old issues.
One would think that in 90 minutes, there surely is time to talk about those who struggling, about compassionate relief. Well if 90 minutes is too short for that, perhaps the wasted money and lives on the war on drugs can be fit in? Hmm,no? Certainly all of the lives (many of them teens) that are ruined by incarcerations linked to low level marijuana possession will get its day in the sun. Again you say no? Then personal freedom, in a country founded on the very principle should definitely spring marijuana into the presidential debate. Of course a discussion on returning rights and liberties to the people likely has virtually no chance of taking place whether the debate is 90 minutes or 90 days.
Click here for a schedule of all of the Presidential debates and a list of the moderators
Rep. Barney Frank Says Supports Marijuana Reform and Personal Freedom
Longtime supporter of marijuana reform, Representative Barney Frank, recently told CNN that he supports marijuana reform and believes in “personal freedom”. When talking to Erin Burnett about individual freedom, Congressman Frank said “I think is a great hypocrisy. I think frankly it contributes to a good deal of the sense of unfairness you have among younger people who are told they shouldn’t do this because it’s got all these negative effects, but then older people are engaging in all kinds of things that have a greater impact on people.” Mr. Frank also said he ate a marijuana brownie that made him “sleepy”. The congressman said he prefers a cigar instead. While he does not smoke marijuana much or gamble, but that others do and it is their right to do so and it should not be the government’s priority to regulate these behaviors. Barney Frank is also an outspoken supporter of same sex marriage and was wed to his partner, James Ready, in July of 2012.
Marijuana Gets Political As GOP Convention Gets Underway
This week the Republican National Convention has commenced. The goal of the convention will be to officially nominate former Governor Mitt Romney as the Republican candidate for president of the United States. The convention has been forced to do a balancing act because Hurricane Isaac has been looming. The guest speakers, which included Ann Romney, Rick Santorum and Chris Christie, were tasked with the goal of painting Mitt Romney as the man who can turn our country around. Absent from any of the speeches was marijuana reform, even as it is becoming a large concern for many Americans. The convention will continue throughout the week, however, since mainstream coverage will ignore the issue, marijuana.net would like to take this time to discuss some political updates that will not make it to the airwaves this week.
The two party system in the United States has disenfranchised many and created a sentiment that we have very limited choices. This could explain why the United States Medical Marijuana Chamber of Commerce has now officially endorsed a president that has overseen the largest attack on medical marijuana patients in 16 years. Fear of Mitt Romney seems to have prompted the endorsement. Thomas L. Leto III, President and Founder of the group said in a statement this week “The Economic Potential of the Cannabis Business in the U.S. is Limitless and President Obama understands this, It is our impression that Mr. Romney just doesn’t get it. Mitt Romney is known for his business success and would probably be able to forecast how large the legalized marijuana is set to grow in the coming years. However, his campaign has been forced to embrace far right wing ideals which would likely prevent him from enacting reform measures. Many are confident that an Obama second term would see a less toxic atmosphere for marijuana, while many fear the unknown with a Romney presidency.
We would also like to touch on another political issue that will likely fly under the radar this week. The NAACP has announced their endorsement of Washington States Initiative 502. New Approach Washington has been instrumental in collecting enough signatures from residents in order to get the issue of marijuana legalization and regulation in front of voters this November. As reported by marijuana.net last week, the group also backed Colorado’s Ammendment 64, a ballot initiative that will also face a vote by residents and is similar to Washington’s Initiative 502. NAACP President of the Alaska, Washington State, and Oregon chapter, Oscar Eason, Jr. said “Treating marijuana use as a crime has not only failed, it has perpetuated racial inequities through unequal enforcement.” He also went on to say “African Americans are no more likely than whites to use marijuana, but we are much more likely to be arrested for it.” This sentiment also matches the rationale for the NAACP backing of the Colorado legalization efforts.
As the road to the White House unfolds we will continue to provide updates. Next week is the Democratic National Convention to be held in North Carolina. While we expect a dodging of the marijuana issue there, we would like to remind the president that he could truly galvanize a large voting base by demonstrating some concern for reform and medical patients. We would also hope that Hurricane Isaac passes through with minimal damage. Our hearts, once again, are with the Gulf region.
Michigan Voters could get to Election on Repealing Marijuana Prohibition
Although twelve months 2011 is heading in to the sunset, it won’t be doing this silently. This season saw many much talked about occasions within the marijuana community. So stay updated as Marijuana.internet will recap this wild year for marijuana later within the week. Meanwhile however, we have interesting updates for example advocates organizing in Michigan for any ballot initiative that will repeal marijuana prohibition.
When the ballot initiative collects enough signatures then your problem is going to be placed at the disposal of the voters. This prospect has already been losing light on which looks to become another eventful year for marijuana reform. The particular petition drive is placed to start The month of january 12, 2012. The web site https://help.repealtoday.org/ continues to be established to start the legal procedure for getting this problem around the ballot. They have published the next statement: “We really are a coalition of Michigan parents, instructors, lawyers, doctors, health care professionals, former law enforcers and many more with an array of skills and values. We feel police should stop enforcing marijuana prohibition and rather refocus their focal points to arrest violent crooks along with other real risks to public safety.”
2011 already trained us that federal raids and political muscle is going to do little when it comes to removing advocates from going after sensible marijuana reform. Rising in the ashes from the political scare tactics were many cities pushing for marijuana decriminalization, medicinal marijuana and legalisation. Among the greatest profile groups, New Approach Washington, includes many current and former U.S. lawyers in addition to idol judges (Get more information at our previous coverage of recent Approach Washington). There’s considerable try to be achieved before we are able to think that marijuana legalisation is going to be at the disposal of voters. However, in the event that were the situation this is an legendary event. For just one, while Michigan has legalized medicinal marijuana consequently of the similar ballot initiative, condition Attorney General Bill Schuette has consistently fought against from the program. He’s his displeasure with Kalamazoo voters who chosen to create marijuana enforcement its cheapest priority, and reported that condition law would still reign supreme, regardless of the wishes of Kalamazoo citizens.
A voter started repeal of marijuana prohibition in Michigan may likely setup more lawsuits between Mr. Schuette and Michigan citizens. If advocates maintain their vigor, 2012 might be full of much more highlights than 2011. Because this year shuts, come along in celebration for which will probably be a much greater year for sensible reform.