{"id":1496,"date":"2012-03-05T09:06:55","date_gmt":"2012-03-05T09:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/?p=12718"},"modified":"2012-03-05T09:06:55","modified_gmt":"2012-03-05T09:06:55","slug":"calling-all-activists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/calling-all-activists\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling All Activists!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/calling-all-activists\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-Smokeout-City-Hall-March-148.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"tommy Chong\" title=\"Marijuana.net and Tommy Chong\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-12727\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/calling-all-activists\/attachment\/2012-smokeout-city-hall-march-148\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-12727\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-Smokeout-City-Hall-March-148-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>When the 2008 election was still up in the air, Barack Obama was campaigning as a medical marijuana-friendly candidate.\u00a0 In that time, we have seen numerous states struggle towards legalizing medicinal marijuana, and still others that have already passed their legislation are finding constant resistance in the forms of unconstitutional bans and arbitrary paperwork that continually holds up the process of getting safe medicine to patients.<\/p>\n<p>California has seen more dispensary raids from the IRS and DOJ during Obama&#8217;s reign than during all of GW Bush&#8217;s eight years.\u00a0 Why is this happening?\u00a0\u00a0 We need to raise our voices, louder and more unified than ever.\u00a0 America stands at a crossroads, but now more than ever patients and all citizens must stand behind what they believe in. In this modern era of instant communication, our country can have a stronger, more powerful voice, if only we are willing to use it.<\/p>\n<p>For people who care about the laws of our land and the future it endows, there is so much that can be done.\u00a0 Stand up and make your vote count!\u00a0 Become active in your community.\u00a0 Join a protest at city hall, help spread education and awareness about all the benefits of medical marijuana, or maybe even go as far as to head to D.C. and march on the state capital. Show them who we are by making our presence known through peaceful protests.\u00a0 For those who are less inclined to leave the home, or who simply cannot, there is still much that can be done.\u00a0 Concerned citizens should call their legislators, write a letter to your congressmen, sign petitions, send emails, start a blog and rile up some additional supporters and encourage them to get involved.<\/p>\n<p>Dispensaries have flourished in recent times and have grown some of the finest medication in the world.\u00a0 Colorado, California and other states have led by example, but make no mistake,we still have a long road ahead.\u00a0 The medical marijuana system may not be perfect yet, but it is working in the right direction.\u00a0 Other states, like New Jersey and Hawaii, have passed laws that allow for programs, yet their laws were poorly constructed and they remain unusable.\u00a0 In Hawaii you can get a card to allow you to medicate legally, but there contain no provisions for legally procuring medicine.\u00a0 It is legal to grow and own up to seven plants, but it is still illegal to purchase marijuana plants or seeds to begin a personal grow operation.\u00a0 Also, many employers utilize zero tolerance drug policies that make no exceptions for people who are otherwise abiding by state laws.\u00a0 How does a patient grow their own plants if they can&#8217;t hold down a job, therefore they have no income for a home to grow in, or even have money to feed themselves?<\/p>\n<p>Americans need to stand up now and tell all the power-hungry naysayers that we will no longer tolerate the abuse of power and stifling of freedoms.\u00a0 We the people have no more excuses for being lazy.\u00a0 If you can&#8217;t figure out how to get involved, then look no further.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\" target=\"_blank\">Marijuana.net<\/a> will spell it out for you.<\/p>\n<p>Are you in California?\u00a0 Cypress Hill&#8217;s San Bernadino <a title=\"SmokeOut\" href=\"http:\/\/smokeoutfestival.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">SmokeOut<\/a> was Saturday March 3rd, and two days earlier was the March on LA&#8217;s City Hall to demonstrate unhappiness with how laws are being carried out.\u00a0 Thank you to those who made it out. There is more for us to do.\u00a0 Those near San Francisco will also have their opportunity to ensure Safe Access.\u00a0 <a title=\"San Francisco Safe Access meetings\" href=\"http:\/\/www.safeaccessnow.org\/article.php?id=7083\" target=\"_blank\">March<\/a> will see several County Board Meetings that need people to help out.<\/p>\n<p>Maryland is another state seeking to pass laws in favor of medical marijuana.\u00a0 They need help to guarantee it passes. Furthermore, the right law needs to be passed so that Maryland does not become another New Jersey or Hawaii.\u00a0 Want to help? Check <a title=\"Maryland Safe Access\" href=\"http:\/\/salsa.democracyinaction.org\/o\/182\/p\/dia\/action\/public\/?action_KEY=9595\" target=\"_blank\">this<\/a> out.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan is reviewing its current laws and is looking to alter them with several bills that will give its program a chance to grow into something as grand as California, and not stumble where the Golden state has.\u00a0 Concerned citizens near Lansing are holding a <a title=\"Michigan Pro MMJ forum\" href=\"http:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/2012\/03\/01\/4302768\/marijuana-activists-gather-to.html\" target=\"_blank\">forum<\/a> on March 4th to coordinate a uniform front as they approach legislators and hope to pass a proper set of laws.<\/p>\n<p>We can&#8217;t list what every state is doing right here, but we encourage you to find out and help wherever you are. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\" target=\"_blank\">Marijuana.net<\/a> has been covering developments for some time so please check our archives to find what is relevant.\u00a0 Here are a few other resources for anyone who wants to help.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Americans for Safe Access\" href=\"http:\/\/www.safeaccessnow.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Americans for Safe Access<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Marijuana Policy Project\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mpp.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Marijuana Policy Project<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Drug Policy Alliance\" href=\"http:\/\/www.drugpolicy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Drug Policy Alliance<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"New Approach Washington\" href=\"http:\/\/www.newapproachwa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">New Approach Washington<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"NORML\" href=\"http:\/\/norml.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"LEAP\" href=\"http:\/\/www.leap.cc\/\" target=\"_blank\">Law Enforcement Against Prohibition<\/a><\/p>\n<p>One more thing.\u00a0 For those who find that political activism is the right thing to do, don&#8217;t stop with marijuana laws.\u00a0 This country needs more people to help it be the best it can be.\u00a0 As more people stand up for what they believe in, America will find itself less dominated by the interests of corporations and power-grabbing politicians.\u00a0 It is our country, fight for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-Smokeout-City-Hall-March-148.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"tommy Chong\" title=\"Marijuana.net and Tommy Chong\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-12727\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/calling-all-activists\/attachment\/2012-smokeout-city-hall-march-148\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-12727\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-Smokeout-City-Hall-March-148-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>When the 2008 election was still up in the air, Barack Obama was campaigning as a medical marijuana-friendly candidate.\u00a0 In that time, we have seen numerous states struggle towards legalizing medicinal marijuana, and still others that have already passed their legislation are finding constant resistance in the forms of unconstitutional bans and arbitrary paperwork that continually holds up the process of getting safe medicine to patients.<\/p>\n<p>California has seen more dispensary raids from the IRS and DOJ during Obama&#8217;s reign than during all of GW Bush&#8217;s eight years.\u00a0 Why is this happening?\u00a0\u00a0 We need to raise our voices, louder and more unified than ever.\u00a0 America stands at a crossroads, but now more than ever patients and all citizens must stand behind what they believe in. In this modern era of instant communication, our country can have a stronger, more powerful voice, if only we are willing to use it.<\/p>\n<p>For people who care about the laws of our land and the future it endows, there is so much that can be done.\u00a0 Stand up and make your vote count!\u00a0 Become active in your community.\u00a0 Join a protest at city hall, help spread education and awareness about all the benefits of medical marijuana, or maybe even go as far as to head to D.C. and march on the state capital. Show them who we are by making our presence known through peaceful protests.\u00a0 For those who are less inclined to leave the home, or who simply cannot, there is still much that can be done.\u00a0 Concerned citizens should call their legislators, write a letter to your congressmen, sign petitions, send emails, start a blog and rile up some additional supporters and encourage them to get involved.<\/p>\n<p>Dispensaries have flourished in recent times and have grown some of the finest medication in the world.\u00a0 Colorado, California and other states have led by example, but make no mistake,we still have a long road ahead.\u00a0 The medical marijuana system may not be perfect yet, but it is working in the right direction.\u00a0 Other states, like New Jersey and Hawaii, have passed laws that allow for programs, yet their laws were poorly constructed and they remain unusable.\u00a0 In Hawaii you can get a card to allow you to medicate legally, but there contain no provisions for legally procuring medicine.\u00a0 It is legal to grow and own up to seven plants, but it is still illegal to purchase marijuana plants or seeds to begin a personal grow operation.\u00a0 Also, many employers utilize zero tolerance drug policies that make no exceptions for people who are otherwise abiding by state laws.\u00a0 How does a patient grow their own plants if they can&#8217;t hold down a job, therefore they have no income for a home to grow in, or even have money to feed themselves?<\/p>\n<p>Americans need to stand up now and tell all the power-hungry naysayers that we will no longer tolerate the abuse of power and stifling of freedoms.\u00a0 We the people have no more excuses for being lazy.\u00a0 If you can&#8217;t figure out how to get involved, then look no further.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\" target=\"_blank\">Marijuana.net<\/a> will spell it out for you.<\/p>\n<p>Are you in California?\u00a0 Cypress Hill&#8217;s San Bernadino <a title=\"SmokeOut\" href=\"http:\/\/smokeoutfestival.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">SmokeOut<\/a> was Saturday March 3rd, and two days earlier was the March on LA&#8217;s City Hall to demonstrate unhappiness with how laws are being carried out.\u00a0 Thank you to those who made it out. There is more for us to do.\u00a0 Those near San Francisco will also have their opportunity to ensure Safe Access.\u00a0 <a title=\"San Francisco Safe Access meetings\" href=\"http:\/\/www.safeaccessnow.org\/article.php?id=7083\" target=\"_blank\">March<\/a> will see several County Board Meetings that need people to help out.<\/p>\n<p>Maryland is another state seeking to pass laws in favor of medical marijuana.\u00a0 They need help to guarantee it passes. Furthermore, the right law needs to be passed so that Maryland does not become another New Jersey or Hawaii.\u00a0 Want to help? Check <a title=\"Maryland Safe Access\" href=\"http:\/\/salsa.democracyinaction.org\/o\/182\/p\/dia\/action\/public\/?action_KEY=9595\" target=\"_blank\">this<\/a> out.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan is reviewing its current laws and is looking to alter them with several bills that will give its program a chance to grow into something as grand as California, and not stumble where the Golden state has.\u00a0 Concerned citizens near Lansing are holding a <a title=\"Michigan Pro MMJ forum\" href=\"http:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/2012\/03\/01\/4302768\/marijuana-activists-gather-to.html\" target=\"_blank\">forum<\/a> on March 4th to coordinate a uniform front as they approach legislators and hope to pass a proper set of laws.<\/p>\n<p>We can&#8217;t list what every state is doing right here, but we encourage you to find out and help wherever you are. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\" target=\"_blank\">Marijuana.net<\/a> has been covering developments for some time so please check our archives to find what is relevant.\u00a0 Here are a few other resources for anyone who wants to help.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Americans for Safe Access\" href=\"http:\/\/www.safeaccessnow.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Americans for Safe Access<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Marijuana Policy Project\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mpp.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Marijuana Policy Project<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Drug Policy Alliance\" href=\"http:\/\/www.drugpolicy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Drug Policy Alliance<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"New Approach Washington\" href=\"http:\/\/www.newapproachwa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">New Approach Washington<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"NORML\" href=\"http:\/\/norml.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"LEAP\" href=\"http:\/\/www.leap.cc\/\" target=\"_blank\">Law Enforcement Against Prohibition<\/a><\/p>\n<p>One more thing.\u00a0 For those who find that political activism is the right thing to do, don&#8217;t stop with marijuana laws.\u00a0 This country needs more people to help it be the best it can be.\u00a0 As more people stand up for what they believe in, America will find itself less dominated by the interests of corporations and power-grabbing politicians.\u00a0 It is our country, fight for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1521,1231,384,1175,1036,1335,1522,1236,457,46,56,9,196,185,51,299,1523,1524,1,3,1525],"tags":[4089,3801,2962,3745,7,3905,4090,3806,3031,2629,2636,2774,2763,2631,2877,4091,4092,4093],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1496"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1496"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1496\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}