Voice Your Opinion! Marijuana Re-Legalization Coming in 1st in 2nd Obama Poll

December 31, 2008 at 00:07:12

by Bruce Cain

What is more important, right now, is to get as many votes on "Re-Legalization" as possible. Here is how you can efficiently register your recommendation for Obama to Re-Legalize Marijuana.

(1) First goto
http://change.gov/

(2) Click on "Open for Questions: Round two"
(3) Click on "Open for Questions" link on new webpage.
(4) Click on "View Questions"
(5) Type "marijuana" in "Search questions" field and click

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Marijuana-Re-Legalization-by-Bruce-Cain-081230-709.html

Note: The following statistics were collected 12/30/2008 at 3:00 PM EST. This is important to know as the polling is continuing till at least 12/31/2008. At that time 44,298 people have submitted 36,864 questions and cast 1,962,040 votes.

I visited Obama's www.change.gov website to see if Marijuana Re-Legalization was leading again, as it came in first in during the first poll. At first I was disappointed because the first Re-Legalization question was ranked 26th of 36,864 questions. Still not bad. And the leading scoring question was a good one at that:

"I'm concerned about the banks who received tax payers money and have had no
accountability. Will this be corrected after President elect Obama is in
office?"

The leading question (above) below got 9,862 Yes and 600 no votes
But I then typed "marijuana" in "Search questions" field and clicked to find that 1,071 questions had been submitted regarding Marijuana Legalization. In other words a little less than 3 percent of the questions were focused on Re-Legalizing Marijuana.

And as I went down the list of "Marijuana" questions I noticed that many had overwhelming percentages in favor of Re-Legalization and many had "yes" responses of over 2,000. So there is little doubt that, in aggregate, Marijuana Re-Legalization is destined to come in first place in the second Obama poll. In fact I believe there is more support for Legalization in the 2nd poll than in the first. But Obama's website does not have the tools available to quantify this.

The only unfortunate aspect of the Marijuana questions is that they invariably insist on taxing and regulating it, which I believe to be a very bad idea. This "legalize and tax" model appears to be an instilled "Pavlovian" response of far too many Marijuana Re-Legalization advocates.

Still, it is great to see such support for Marijuana Re-Legalization. Perhaps this second poll will convince Obama that saying "No" to Re-Legalization is just going to seriously "piss off" the American People?
I would highly recommend that my readers consider the MERP Model for Re-Legalization over any "legalize and tax" model. The following links will provide all the background you need to understand the MERP Model that I had authored around 2000.

===========
Marijuana: Past, Present and Future from Bruce Cain on Vimeo.
http://www.vimeo.com/2056650

Why Lou Dobbs Should Support Marijuana Legalization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VKf5YfQb7s&

The MERP Project
The Marijuana Re-Legalization Policy (MRP) Project

http://www.newagecitizen.com/ReLegalization01.htm
http://www.newagecitizen.com/editorial_on_the_marijuana_re.htm

Bruce W. Cain Discusses the MERP Model, for Marijuana Relegalization, with "Sense and Sensimilla"
http://senseandsensi.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=270029

Video Biography of Bruce W. Cain
http://www.newagecitizen.com/Videos.htm
===========

its actually in second. when you do a search of course its going to be first. instead of doing the search, select additional issues on the left side.

here i did it for you, select additional issues on the left and there u go

http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions20081229/

well its total fail atm. its like number 20 something on the list

lol, maybe we should fix the economy first. I'm just saying...I want to keep my job and my money.

If they legalize it could fix the ecomony. Think of the money that won't be spent anymore criminilizing marijuana users combined with the amount of tax dollars it would bring in. Let's also factor in jobs. It would create jobs. If people suddenly have jobs, they're going to be able to make their mortgage payments and they'll be going out and buying stuff.


Everyone go and propose your own question, the more questions the more they'll have to see what we have to say. Make sure to vote on other marijuana questions too. The time is now, we MUST all stand together and be counted !!!

misshestermoffitt said:

If they legalize it could fix the ecomony. Think of the money that won't be spent anymore criminilizing marijuana users combined with the amount of tax dollars it would bring in. Let's also factor in jobs. It would create jobs. If people suddenly have jobs, they're going to be able to make their mortgage payments and they'll be going out and buying stuff.


Everyone go and propose your own question, the more questions the more they'll have to see what we have to say. Make sure to vote on other marijuana questions too. The time is now, we MUST all stand together and be counted !!!

Click to expand...

MissHester, I read the summary of MRP and question your opposition to taxation on MJ. Alcohol is currently legal to produce in one's home (beer and wine). This is not subject to taxation. The production of alcohol is not subject to taxation either. The SALE of alcohol products is taxed, often at a specific rate, and producers pay income tax as well. Likewise, I would favor taxation on MJ sales. It's no different from cheese or pig iron. If it's marketed, it's taxed. So you could grow freely for personal consumption but growing for resale would be taxed, just like any other commodity (knitting hats at home, whatever). Okay, my argument is not complete, but I thought I'd see what your response is.

I'm not sure what the question is specifically. If big gov is worried that too many people will grow on their own and they will miss out on that money, they could sell a yearly gardening license, but I would expect home beer brewers / wine makers to be subjected to a similar tax.

If stipulations are made on how much marijuana a person could possess I would expect similar stipluations to be place on alcohol possession. I.E. If people are only allowed to posses 3 ounces of marijuana, there should be a 3 case of beer / wine limitation too.

My question is that your proposal doesn't support the taxation of any aspect of legalized MJ, and that would, IMO, create an exceptional situation, where MJ is not the equivalent of any other agricultural commodity. Legalization should equal Normalization and MJ should be just another product, subject to gov regulation and taxation like any other.

There probably are state-by-state limits on how much beer/wine you can produce at home, but you don't hear of raids on homes for illegal alcohol production (Maybe moonshine). Nor is there a licensing requirement for manufacturing beer and wine at home. I can't see how there could be such a requirement for a substance you grow in your garden if it is legal. Commerce is another matter and is rightly subject to 'big gov' taking its cut (some may disagree, but I like taxes; they are used for stuff that I consider essential to my well=being). If Anheuser-Busch starts marketing MJ, I want the government to get a cut.

I think governments, local, state and fed, would seek to regulate commerce, but not private growing. If the government can't win 'the war on drugs', how can they expect to control private cultivation and consumption? Go from house to house looking for 5 plants at a time?

I think, also, that most MJ users, would prefer someone else to grow their weed, so there would still be a healthy commercial market which would provide plenty of government revenue from the buyer side, not the seller side.

misshestermoffitt said:

I'm not sure what the question is specifically. If big gov is worried that too many people will grow on their own and they will miss out on that money, they could sell a yearly gardening license, but I would expect home beer brewers / wine makers to be subjected to a similar tax.

If stipulations are made on how much marijuana a person could possess I would expect similar stipluations to be place on alcohol possession. I.E. If people are only allowed to posses 3 ounces of marijuana, there should be a 3 case of beer / wine limitation too.

Click to expand...

First of all, I never said they shouldn't tax it, but they shouldn't tax it at a rate higher than alcohol or tobacco. I did specifically say "think of the tax dollars it would being it".

Secondly I was talking about regulated possession. In med states they regulate how much ready to smoke weed you are allowed to have. Some states only allow a person to have 1 ounce of weed and still be legal. If the governement was to place limits on possession then those limits should to extend to the alcohol industry as well.

Thirdly I was only saying that if the government tries to puss out on legalization by citing that people could just grow their own and not be paying taxes, then gardening licenses could be sold. It's not that I think people would bother to buy them, but it's a great come back to their excuses. People have to have a license to hunt, to fish, to drive, yet there are thousands of people who still do those things without the license, they just have to not get caught. You don't think the cops go from car to car to look for licensed drivers do you? Do they go from house to house looking for fishing poles? No they don't.

Actually, you don't address the large-scale corporate production of mj that would surely follow legalization, only the current situation of many private cultivators and what might happen to them. I still think most smokers would prefer someone else produce their bud and it would probably evolve into large corporations because there's just too much money to be made.

I don't think I have any great disagreement with you, but I was curious about this aspect of your proposal. Anyway, your last response seems testy, so I'll butt out of your thread. I'm not sure why you don't care for this exchange, but I'm out.

misshestermoffitt said:

If they legalize it could fix the ecomony. Think of the money that won't be spent anymore criminilizing marijuana users combined with the amount of tax dollars it would bring in. Let's also factor in jobs. It would create jobs. If people suddenly have jobs, they're going to be able to make their mortgage payments and they'll be going out and buying stuff.


Everyone go and propose your own question, the more questions the more they'll have to see what we have to say. Make sure to vote on other marijuana questions too. The time is now, we MUST all stand together and be counted !!!

Click to expand...

"Fix" the economy is a huge stretch...even "help" the economy is a stretch too. I could go into more details, but one factor is all that needs to be said...we're 10 trillion dollars in debt. The reason we're in debt is because we've spent the last decade overvaluing our homes and issuing loans to people that couldn't afford the monthly payment. The only thing legalizing marijuana would do is help those people cope with the fact that they have no job and no home.

How much of that debt came from funding the DEA and the failed drug war? How about housing people who's crime was that they had pot? How much time in the courts has been taken up by marijuana cases? How about the money for the prosecuting and defense attornys? It really adds up?

Pumping more money into fighting against marijuana seems tragically stupid.

Several billion I know, but that encompasses a lot. The number exclusively in regards to marijuana, probably a lot too. Last number I remember hearing was on average about twenty billion gets spent TOTAL every year. But that means everything, not just marijuana.

Still, you can pinpoint hundreds of areas that have had money spent poorly...not just marijuana. Say you have this bucket of water with hundreds of tiny holes representing every problem. What does plugging one hole solve, nothing. Legalize marijuana (while I 100% support it) won't help the economy. There are bigger holes to plug, such as our education system, poor management of unions, healthcare, morgages, banks...and the list goes on and on. Sure, I'd love to have the legalization of marijuana, but saying it will help the economy isn't one of the reasons I support it.

The fundamental reason we are in a recession is a titanic collapse of the financial system specifically involving the housing market and the overvaluing of mortgages. Legalizing marijuana would not make a noticeable dent in solving that.

I will help the economy more than wasting dollars to fight it. It would create jobs too, and if America can use something, it surely is jobs.

Trying to keep it illegal is just pointless, people want it legal, it would generate revenue, tax dollars and save money fighting something that can't be fought.

Oor government is supposed to be of the people, by the people for the people, isn't it about time they stood by that creed?

misshestermoffitt said:

I will help the economy more than wasting dollars to fight it. It would create jobs too, and if America can use something, it surely is jobs.

Trying to keep it illegal is just pointless, people want it legal, it would generate revenue, tax dollars and save money fighting something that can't be fought.

Oor government is supposed to be of the people, by the people for the people, isn't it about time they stood by that creed?

Click to expand...

In order for that to hold true you would need to tell me that the majority of Americans want marijuana to be legal. Just because some people want it legalized doesn't mean a larger portion wants it to remain illegal.

Also, how would it create jobs? The tobacco industry employs only roughly one million people worldwide. Furthermore, the US is not the best suited spot to grow marijuana. If it became legal it would likely be countries outside of the US would profit more. The only reason farmers in the US make enough income to survive is because the US government pays them. The legalization of marijuana wouldn't create some influx of farmers, it would only likely create a few small large farms.

What the hell are you doing on a marijuana growing website when you are so against legalization?

How will anyone ever know how many people want it legalized when people aren't given the chance to voice their views without fear of future survailance and prosecution?

Legalization and the taxation of marijuana was the question that received the most votes in favor of out of all of the questions that were in round 1 of Obama's submittal. That tells me that the people are in favor of legalization.

I know legalization would create a job for me. I could grow in my yard and turn a tidy profit. Yes lost of people will try to grow, but how many will actually be successful? Once they've seen how much effort goes into it, they'll be more than happy to purchase instead.

Don't forget the market for edible marijuana products would also have a boom. I"m sure they wouldn't be allowed to made in regular bakeries, so think of that too.

Marijuana smoke shops, where you buy your stuff
More head shops since the stigma will be lessoned
Marijuana clubs where you chill and smoke instead of drinking like at bars.
Marijuana bakeries.
Marijuana candies.

Then there are all the industrial products that could also be made.

paper products. - fewer caustic chemicals are required to make paper from hemp than from trees. Hemp paper does not turn yellow and is very durable. The plant grows quickly to maturity in a season where trees take a lifetime.


plastics - Hempen plastics are biodegradable! Over time, they would break down and not harm the environment. The process to produce the vast array of natural (hempen) plastics will not ruin the rivers. Hemp products are safe and natural.


Foods - A large variety of food products can be generated from hemp. The seeds contain one of the highest sources of protein in nature. ALSO: They have two essential fatty acids that clean your body of cholesterol. These essential fatty acids are not found anywhere else in nature! Consuming pot seeds is the best thing you could do for your body. Eat uncooked hemp seeds. (1/3 of all americans are on lipitor, what if they could all eat hemp seeds and not have to pay for those prescriptions anymore? Medicines aren't made in American anymore anyway, there's $100 per person to be spend elsewhere).

clothing - Hemp clothing is extremely strong and durable over time.

I guess you aren't thinking outside the fact that it gets you high, it does so many other things. That's adding up to a lot of jobs. We could keep all that manufacturing here in the US. I bet there are a lot of people out there who are running out of unemployment that would gladly stand in line to receive a job in any one of these industries.

Please open your eyes to what the cannibis plant could do for us all.

http://www.world-mysteries.com/marijuana1.htm

First, I've ever said I was against legalization...never once. I've only said that I don't believe legalization of marijuana will help the economy. End of story there.

misshestermoffitt said:

I know legalization would create a job for me. I could grow in my yard and turn a tidy profit. Yes lost of people will try to grow, but how many will actually be successful? Once they've seen how much effort goes into it, they'll be more than happy to purchase instead.

Click to expand...

Wrong. Legalization would allow you to grow your own marijuana legally. How many people do you know that grow tomatoes, tobacco, grapes, apples, cotton...and on and on...and turn a profit. I'm betting zero. Why, because those people grow as a hobby. Profits are made by large farmers who own large pieces of land and have the resources to grow large crops. Legalizing marijuana would prompt the same thing to happen. A few large land owners would produce the majority of the marijuana sold. You think Amsterdam gets its marijuana from a bunch of people growing in their backyard lol. Heck no, they get it from professional growers, with professional equipment, who overpower small growers with their prices.

misshestermoffitt said:

Marijuana smoke shops, where you buy your stuff
More head shops since the stigma will be lessoned
Marijuana clubs where you chill and smoke instead of drinking like at bars.
Marijuana bakeries.
Marijuana candies.

Click to expand...

First of all, almost every major city has already made smoking illegal in clubs, bars, and restaurants. You can't legalize smoking there because then the cigarette smokers would be upset. You can't legalize both because then the nonsmokers would be upset. Sure, a few businesses might pop up, but thats hardly a case to legalize it.

misshestermoffitt said:

paper products. - fewer caustic chemicals are required to make paper from hemp than from trees. Hemp paper does not turn yellow and is very durable. The plant grows quickly to maturity in a season where trees take a lifetime.

Click to expand...

So wait, you'd be creating jobs by removing jobs? How does that solve anything?

misshestermoffitt said:

plastics - Hempen plastics are biodegradable! Over time, they would break down and not harm the environment. The process to produce the vast array of natural (hempen) plastics will not ruin the rivers. Hemp products are safe and natural.

Click to expand...

How does this create more jobs though? This is my point, what does the legalization of marijuana do to help the economy. Last I checked, the plastics industry isn't hurting, so how does this help? Sure, there are TONS of materials in the world that can replace other materials, but what does that prove? How does this help the economy?

misshestermoffitt said:

Foods - A large variety of food products can be generated from hemp. The seeds contain one of the highest sources of protein in nature. ALSO: They have two essential fatty acids that clean your body of cholesterol. These essential fatty acids are not found anywhere else in nature! Consuming pot seeds is the best thing you could do for your body. Eat uncooked hemp seeds. (1/3 of all americans are on lipitor, what if they could all eat hemp seeds and not have to pay for those prescriptions anymore? Medicines aren't made in American anymore anyway, there's $100 per person to be spend elsewhere).

Click to expand...

Again, so what. You've introduced a new food into our grocery stores. So in the peanut area there will be "hemp seeds". Again, big deal. Sure, great product, but its like adding a new kind of pretzel, big deal.

misshestermoffitt said:

clothing - Hemp clothing is extremely strong and durable over time.

Click to expand...

Again...sigh...replacing one with another. What does that do?

misshestermoffitt said:

I guess you aren't thinking outside the fact that it gets you high, it does so many other things. That's adding up to a lot of jobs. We could keep all that manufacturing here in the US. I bet there are a lot of people out there who are running out of unemployment that would gladly stand in line to receive a job in any one of these industries.

Click to expand...

All you did was show was uses the marijuana plant has...big deal. I already knew that. And your points are this...turn the plastics industry into a marijuana industry. Turn the cotton industry into a marijuana industry. What does that do? Our economy isn't in the dump because of those industries. Marijuana as a fuel source, then you can start talking. Otherwise, exchanging one material for another does absolutely nothing.

I'm all for the legalization of marijuana. Legalize it! But legalize it because its not a dangerous drug, calms people's nerves, or can be used to help people with illnesses. Legalize it because its less dangerous than a night of hard drinking. Legalize it because it doesn't have the addictive qualities of cigarettes.


Make a case that it should be legal because it would help the economy...that's where I save BS.

tasteskindasalty said:

"Fix" the economy is a huge stretch...even "help" the economy is a stretch too. I could go into more details, but one factor is all that needs to be said...we're 10 trillion dollars in debt. The reason we're in debt is because we've spent the last decade overvaluing our homes and issuing loans to people that couldn't afford the monthly payment. The only thing legalizing marijuana would do is help those people cope with the fact that they have no job and no home.

Click to expand...

Actually try 50 trillion or more. the debt your talking about is just loans which doesn't include are social programs but that's a whole another topic all together. Just like Alcohol prohibition was repealed it could help tremendously. granted it wouldn't save us but it would definitely help as long as Americans are getting the jobs and not illegals.

LowRider82 said:

Actually try 50 trillion or more. the debt your talking about is just loans which doesn't include are social programs but that's a whole another topic all together. Just like Alcohol prohibition was repealed it could help tremendously. granted it wouldn't save us but it would definitely help as long as Americans are getting the jobs and not illegals.

Click to expand...

Helping prove my point. The end of prohibition didn't help the economy, it helped the people suffering through it. World War II and the New Deal helped the economy.

Are you not aware that all in industries that I mentioned make their stuff OVERSEAS as in not in America. If we opened up all these industires here in america, think of all those jobs. If we opened all those industries here in america someone here in america would be needing to grow what was needed to be used.

Plastics made of hemp do not pollute during their making, the don't poison you while you use them and they are biodegradable. When was the last time you could say that about a pertochemical based plastic.

Henry Ford made a car where 70% of the car was made out of hemp based plastics and the car ran on hemp based fuel. Back in I think it was 2004, a hemp powered car drove around the US.

Ignoring the solutions does not make them any less viable.