The primary goal of drug legalization advocates has always been to get to full marijuana legalization. Colorado is now targeted by legalizers in an attempt to scam us into legalizing marijuana outright. On Sept. 28th, the United States Department of Justice sent a letter warning pot dispensaries in California that they are in direct violation of federal law and they must close their doors within 45 days. Title 21, United States code, Section 856(a) provides: "It shall be unlawful to knowingly and intentionally rent, lease, or make available for use, with or without compensation, a building, room, or enclosure for the purpose of unlawfully storing, distributing, or using a controlled substance." [continues 184 words]
On Nov. 2, voters have an important decision to make on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Backers would have you believe that legalization would do everything from shutting down cartels to reducing the prison population. Legalization advocates have three basic arguments in support of Prop 19. 1. Marijuana legalization will stop the bloodshed in Mexico by successfully disbanding cartels, which derive 60 percent of their income from the sale of marijuana. In a recent article in the Los Angeles Times Mexico President Felipe Calderon stated "Making pot legal undermines Mexican efforts against drug cartels." According to Calderon, marijuana is only a "small portion" of their fortune. The truth is marijuana is merely a small percentage of cartels' illegal money making empire. How small you might ask? According to a brand new report out from RAND, marijuana represents 15-26 percent of a cartels fortune, if Prop 19 passes, it would only reduce their proceeds by 2-4 percent. [continues 594 words]
On Jan. 12, 2010, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano's bill AB-390 will be voted on by the Public Safety Committee. If it passes, it's scheduled to move on to the Public Heath Committee the very same day. I believe that Assemblyman Ammiano is violating the Constitutional rights of millions of Californians, and his own oath of office by introducing legislation to legalize marijuana. How? The 5th amendment to the United States Constitution states: "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process." Procedural due process guarantees the Government can not deprive one of their right to Life, Liberty, or Property, without adequate notice. Your Liberty can not be taken without procedural due process. Substantive due process places substantial limits on Governmental infringement of fundamental, constitutionally protected rights. [continues 544 words]
Drug-legalization advocates believe they have a constitutional right to use illegal street drugs. They take that belief a step further by systematically changing our drug laws. These groups are the same ones who were behind Proposition 215, the medical marijuana scam, and Proposition 36, the treatment and get-out-of-jail-free con. Those of us with common sense can make the connection between drug use and crime and the victimization of innocent people. These groups simply dismiss those claims, arguing that they have a constitutional right to use illegal street drugs. What about our right to live in safe communities? What about our right to live in crime-free communities? [continues 57 words]
Regarding "Planners reject ban of medical pot sales" (Nov. 22, Page A-1): As an anti-drug activist, I'm furious and outraged. Over the summer, I met with Police Chief Roy Wasden and other members of his staff. I was assured that the city of Modesto would indeed ban marijuana dispensaries. For that reason, I did not attend the Nov. 21 meeting. Marijuana dispensaries must be banned. Drug legalization advocates such as the Drug Policy Alliance, The Marijuana Policy Project and NORML have one goal in mind -- to legalize all drugs. Their carefully crafted words and their use of our compassionate nature is nothing more than a ploy to legalize marijuana as medicine. [continues 116 words]
