Pubdate: Fri, 15 Feb 2008
Source: Santa Barbara Independent, The (CA)
Copyright: 2008 The Santa Barbara Independent, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.independent.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4348
Author: Chris Meagher

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ON THE BALLOT?

Jack Herer Leads Santa Barbara Group's Attempt to Get Marijuana 
Legalization on the November Ballot

A group has formed in Santa Barbara to put an initiative on the 
November ballot that would legalize cannabis for industrial and 
nutritional products, medicinal preparations, and for recreational 
and euphoric use. The group announced the California Cannabis Hemp 
and Health Initiative Campaign on Friday at a press conference on the 
steps of Santa Barbara City Hall. The initiative would also include 
clearing all criminal records for people involved in non-violent 
cannabis, hemp and marijuana offenses.

The group, headed by Jack Herer - called by Dr. David Bearman the man 
responsible for the rejuvenation of the U.S. hemp industry - argues 
that not only does cannabis serve as a medicine to many sick, but 
that cannabis is the only way to reverse the greenhouse effect and 
can be used as paper, fiber, and food as well. The U.S. government, 
they say, is hiding these facts.

"I can know about cotton, flack and nylon," said Herer at the press 
conference, "but there's not a word of hemp in the schools." Herer, 
who ran for president of the United States twice as a member of the 
Grassroots party, said that for 5,000 to 6,000 years 60 to 80 percent 
of the world's production of fuel and clothing was made from hemp. 
The group is hoping that the dialogue will begin to introduce the 
idea that a hemp cultivation program can eliminate greenhouse gasses 
while replenishing the atmosphere and replacing fossil fuels with 
hemp bio-fuels.

The press conference unknowingly coincided with an announcement on 
Friday by the American College of Physicians that endorsed cannabis 
as medicine. The college, which is the second largest physician group 
in the United States and includes 124,000 members, also advised the 
government to stop hindering research on the drug and to repeal its 
prohibition.

For the Santa Barbara-based efforts to get the legalization 
initiative on the California ballot, valid signatures from roughly 
434,000 people are needed. The group is also looking to bring the 
discussion to Congress this summer via the Government Oversight 
Domestic Policy Subcommittee, which is chaired by former presidential 
candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-OH, a supporter of marijuana 
decriminalization.

Hemp cultivation is illegal in the United States, but because of 
California's Proposition 215, state law allows marijuana use for 
medicinal purposes. However, federal law supersedes state law, which 
has caused problems for many dispensaries in California. No 
dispensaries have been busted by federal agents in Santa Barbara, but 
many owners received threatening letters from the federal government, 
and some closed their shops. Still, the number of shops in Santa 
Barbara and Goleta hovers around one dozen.

"We have a failed drug policy," said Bearman on Friday.  "We need to 
change the policy for the sake of the economy, for the sake of 
health, for the sake of people, and for the sake of peace." Bearman, 
who is a candidate for the open 3rd District Board of Supervisor seat 
in Santa Barbara County, said it is "obscene" that laws prevent 
people from getting medication that can help them, and that the 
present day drug laws "eviscerate the Constitution."

A discussion and debate on the ballot initiative will take place on 
Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Public Library's 
Faulkner Gallery. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake