Portland Will Vote to Legalize Marijuana

Petition signature collecting starts next Friday. 27,255 signatures are required by July 7th to get Measure 8 on next year's ballot.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland, Oregon could be the next major U.S. city to legalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Measure 8's ballot caption explains that it, "Assets criminal penalty exemption for possession of marijuana in Portland."

The measure would allow possession of less than an ounce of marijuana for people over 21. Possession of less than an ounce at this time is a misdemeanor.

The ballot measure would not decriminalize pot, activist Parker Bell told reporters, it would legalize it, which means that the measure would bring commerce and money into it.

The opponents of Oregon's medical marijuana program, passed twice by voters, have been very active in recent weeks and months preparing legislation that could overturn the voter endorsed law. Police in Oregon have also been busy conducting grow raids all over the state. The DEA also moved into Oregon, bringing more pressure and scrutiny on the program. Since moving in, the federal agency has tried without success to subpoena the names and personal information of a number of OMPP patients.

It is widely suggested by anti-drug organizations that medical legalization laws are a front for proponents of total legalization. Now Bell is going to try to see what Portland voters think about exactly that, though it is not clear if it is a direct reaction to increased police intervention.

Portland would not be the first U.S. city to remove pot from the crime dockets, in fact there are about a dozen, including Oakland, Seattle and Denver, which have passed similar measures.

But in Denver, people quickly learned that their own mayor had no apparent use for it. He quickly reminded voters that marijuana was still illegal under state law, and they would still be arrested for it, in spite of the new city law.

So now you have city laws being passed that states won't recognize, and state laws being passed that the federal government doesn't recognize, as in the case of medical marijuana.

Opponents of legalization say it is a bad idea to legalize marijuana because of the message it sends to kids. Others contend that the children of peaceful people who smoke marijuana should not be denied their parents because they were arrested for possessing and smoking a natural substance people have used for thousands of years.

Petition signature collecting starts next Friday. 27,255 signatures are required by July 7th to get Measure 8 on next year's ballot.

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

Audit the Audit

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mathew September 9, 2010 1:49 pm (Pacific time)

I am in drug court for alcohol and am not able to use any mind altering substance but have smoked marijuana prior to my sobriety in 2010 I am behind those who want to legalize marijuana and help people from fall into alcoholism because the government thinks there is something wrong with getting hungry and sleeping

15 years young July 15, 2010 2:31 pm (Pacific time)

i dont know why they think weed is a bad message for kids. the only way id think it would be bad is if kids my age just decide to be lazy asses all there lives and smoke weed as an occupation. i smoke weed alot im not gonna lie but i get good grades i play football and stuff i think it be cool for everyone to smoke as long as they can handle them selves and not throw away there future trying to enjoy this herb too much

NO NAME May 28, 2010 11:42 pm (Pacific time)

I THINK THESE R ALL GOOD POINTS...BESIDES THINK ABOUT IT, HOW MANY POTHEADS DO YOU READ ABOUT OR SEE ON THE NEWS THAT ROBBED A CAR OR BANK OR MURDERED SOMEONE. THE ONLY THING YOU ARE GOING TO DO AFTER SMOKING WEED IS EAT YOURSELF TO DEATH AND VEG OUT ON THE COUCH!!!! THEY JUST DONT WANT TO LEGALIZE IT CUZ THE COPS WONT HAVE A STASH FROM THE DEALERS THEY BUST!!!THEY JUST DONT KNOW TO TAX IT!!! JUST SAY YES TO LEGALIZING WEED!!!

adam May 12, 2010 4:02 pm (Pacific time)

It still confounds me that tobacco and cigarettes have been legal for so long, but there's still a fuss over marijuana. I personally don't smoke it, but I have tried once or twice using high quality stuff. What I took away from my experiment was the alcohol impairs you much more intensely than marijuana. I would certainly never condone anyone smoking then driving, but marijuana doesn't make you make rash decisions as alcohol does (overlooking over-eating). Bear in mind this is just my opinion, but the plant has too many uses to be overlooked, and this suspicion of it makes myself suspicious. There seems to be a secret behind its continual illegality.

Job April 15, 2010 12:53 am (Pacific time)

Brain damage is the least the prozealots have to fear, from the stated remarks it appears it has been a foregone experience.

Kristi April 12, 2010 4:12 pm (Pacific time)

Legalize it! I'm an undercover smoker because society has deemed it bad without knowing the wonderful life giving naturally growing herb's effects! Good for depression, anxiety, pain, adhd and much more! Sure the pill givers will not be able to afford as many luxuries anymore but hooray to the thousands of regular real people that will now be blessed with the many wonderful effects of the Herb that God gave us! It is a teacher plant, here for a reason, use it and it will teach you something!!! I can't wait until it's legal..and it's gonna be my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've got huge numbers in support..it started in cali and it's spreading fast!!! Hooray for justice!

jeff January 16, 2010 9:08 am (Pacific time)

Nobody has said anything about the money Oregon will save by not looking for it.

green =) July 12, 2009 11:59 pm (Pacific time)

all of you talk about the medical side of it, but not only that but marijuana would be more economical as well, you can get more paper off of one acre of marijuana than you can off of 400 huge trees, not to mention you can break down the compounds in hemp to create a biodiesel to run our cars.. so we have medicine, biodiesel, and paper, off of 1 plant.. hmmm... now why is it still illegal?
oh by the way, i use to have very severe OCD (obsession compulsion disorder) anxiety, and depression, and since i have started using marijuana i am happier, my obsessions and compulsions have decreased by 85% and i now have control of my anxiety, and no amount of pills could do that for me, not to mention it helped me overcome my anorexia. so if marijuana could help me that much, just imagine how much it could help the other 90% of the world that uses it

Editor: No way green, you are just looking at a small example of our work in this area. We have talked about the many industrial uses many times and I promise we will in the future.

Jordan May 21, 2009 10:49 pm (Pacific time)

It is time to legalize all drugs federally if you ask me. not just pot. Look at other countries that have done it. It works quite well. They have few drug problems then us by far.

old timer Alaskan March 29, 2009 9:24 pm (Pacific time)

There is absolutely NO kind of smoke that is good for your body to inhale. Period. I cough up huge chunks of black, tar goo constantly. Due to smoking marijuana, some might say heavily, for over twenty years. The stuff i smoke is very potent, all natural, home grown dank. I used to get a sweet tingly feeling in the back of my jaw at first. Then it was in my throat, next my chest, and now, I dont get any tingly feelings. Its like my throat, esophagus and lungs are coated with resin. Its making it harder to get a good full breath, and my lung capacity is nowhere near what it was. I was a top swimmer in high school, and could hold my breath under water and swim 275 meters, under water, breast stroke. And yes, getting high every day. Im sure a lot of you out there know exactly what i mean about that tingle. I love to grow and smoke, and i dont plan on quitting, but i have cut back a bit, take smaller bong hits, and use the volcano (vaporizer) as much as possible. Of course anything that grows out of the ground should be legal to use as is, with no processing or addition of chemicals. All natural weed is good weed indeed. Flush for a week to make sure its clean. Bottom line, its all good, but no one should be able to make money off of it, and every one who wants to can grow as much as they want. Its not real cheap to grow fine quality dank, however, the best and number one ingredient, love, is free to give. Put into her what you want to get out of her, and enjoy it. But dont over do it, I used to enjoy that tingle. PEACE!

MR> MAN March 30, 2009 6:04 am (Pacific time)

So the opponents of marijuana legalization say that it would send a bad message to the kids, but what message are we sending with everything that is legal now. Like cigarettes and alcohol. Its ok to smoke cancer sticks till your old and have to have a whole in your neck to breath through. Or its ok to drink get drunk in public and get into confrontation or even drive a vehicle and injure others because you went to the bar after work and didnt realize how drunk you were until you were driving home. Its all about ignorant politicians and there one track money hungry minds. To bad there is not a bunch of corrupt rich pot smokers who are willing to give large contributions to the politicians to vote in the favor of legalization. Because we all know this countrys ran by the people with the biggest bank accounts and the little guy lives under the illusion of democratic principles set forth by our four fathers. If you ask me the government is the rich people puppets.

Very Annoyed March 27, 2009 10:57 am (Pacific time)

To the person who used to live in Alaska, GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin is an ex marijuana consumer. Mrs. Palin smoked her pot in Alaska, which her campaign points out was legal in Alaska at the time. This is a curious defense as John McCain is an advocate for the federal arrest and prosecution of medical marijuana patients and providers who operate legally under California law. Like any good politician Mrs. Palin she now claims she didn't enjoy her marijuana, and that adults (besides her) should still be arrested, even though she wasn't. "'I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled.'" The paper quoted Palin as saying she opposed legalization of marijuana because of the "message" that would be sent to her children. The arrest of 800,000 adults a year for cannabis does send a message- about the perpetual ignorance of government. A better message for children is that one day they will be adults, and they will have adult decisions to make. Mrs. Palin's marijuana stance seems to be typical political hypocrisy; convenient and intellectually dishonest. Today, Alaska still has the country's best marijuana laws. According to NORML an adult can posses up to one ounce of pot at home, with no penalty. Of course, the logic behind Alaska's policy ends there as possession of over 4 ounces is a felony offense. If legal marijuana is good enough for the GOP Vice Presidential candidate, why not for all Americans? After all, where would John McCain be if Mrs.Palin had been arrested and put through the drug court deferred probation nonsense so many other defendants face?

army dude 420 February 20, 2009 7:56 am (Pacific time)

im in the army and i still cant find a single reason not to smoke or consume the wonderful plant i honestly think it should be legal for example my cousin has cerebral pulsy a glass eye and is paralized from the waist down and just the smoke in the air relaxes his muscles and honestly seems to bring his i.q. up in ways that you dont see normaly i guess you could say in a way it brings out his true personality that is trapped behind a wall when cannibus isnt in his system i think the only reason its illegal is because of money. think about it medicine makers will lose money, 5o% of people in prison are for non-violent drug charges so there goes all the money to the government for incarcirating regular people and ruining there lives so they can keep driving around in there porshes and lambos. plus the alcohol and tobaco companys will lose money cause i know if i had the option to go to a bar or an establishment where i could smoke i would smoke duh! VOTE RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Derrick Egemo January 27, 2009 10:41 am (Pacific time)

The main thing that needs to be taken into consideration besides the lower crime rates aspect of legalization, is the economy. Right now our economy is at a major down fall. I believe the legalization of marijuana, and opening of shops wich supply and sell marijuana will act as an aid in our economic struggle. I honestly think cannabis could really be nurtured into a billion dollar industry. Providing our national debt with just one more beam of support. One more thing would be the crime rates, less worry of looking over your shoulder, then less worry of being robbed or gunned down. I am a major cannabis fanatic! I am all in favor of POT and am chompping at the bit to help and even lead anyone who wants to legalize the Green!!!!

school kid December 10, 2008 1:05 pm (Pacific time)

i think it should be legal... nothing else just legal. not for me but just for tha fact cigerrets are worse

April O December 2, 2008 9:26 am (Pacific time)

I would smoke weed everyday if it were legal. I know it would decrease criminal activity. I love weed. It helps me cope with the fact that DHS took my boys cause I`m a survivor of DV. I`ll be able to look once they are 18 in PA somewhere I`ve got 11 years to go.

April O December 2, 2008 9:25 am (Pacific time)

Anonymous October 19, 2008 12:40 pm (Pacific time)

I SMOKE POT AND I LIKE IT A LOT

legaliz pot 2008 October 17, 2008 8:54 pm (Pacific time)

pot isnt going to kill you or your not going to smoke a bowl and go rob or kill someone you might eat a little to much or sleep but the thing is the goverment is more worried about pot with there anti drug posters and commercials but i ask were are all the commercials for crack and heroin i mean come on they say marijuana is a gateway drug but thats only true if you let it be. i have been smoking for 6 years and my life is fine. in ammsterdam when they legalized marijuana people were smoking more but after awile the numbers went down becuase alot of people think of it is going against the police and the goverment then once it gets legalized it you dont get the rush anymore so what im trying to say is just fucking legalize pot its not hurting anybody and its alot safer then alcohol i mean come on what cuases more deaths per year i ding ding ding we have a winner alcohol so what i say is the goverment needs to get over them selfs and legalize in oregon it is a misdemeanor for any thing less then an ounce seriously wtf? i mean come on if thats not one step away from legalized then shoot me

bob October 14, 2008 12:37 pm (Pacific time)

Woo! Awesome. Do it.

stoner420 October 6, 2008 10:34 am (Pacific time)

i smoke pot and im proud of it!! i am not brain dead nore am i retarded. my vocabulary is pretty extensive and i am not deamed unstable or incapeble of forming full sentences due to lack of brain cells. i was told by the doctors that i would not be able to have children i went through 4 misscariges and my heart was broken. i started smoking pot. i now have a beutifull little girl who is the world to me. my doctor told me she was my miricle child. i have god to thank for creating marijuana. for i fully belive god created it for healing. and i truly belive if i had not started smoking pot i would not have my angle with me now.

NOT RNL September 2, 2008 10:57 am (Pacific time)

RNL you are totally wrong. Marijuana actually inhibits cancerous cell growth. Many studies have been done to show the MANY MANY MANY uses of marijuana in medicine AND in economical practices. RNL is the exact person that is narrow-minded and making it harder for Marijuana to become a legal substance. It is of the earth, not manufactured or processed and poses NO DANGER TO ANYONE. Keeping it illegal is only making things worse, to not see this is to be ignorant. END OF STORY. RNL you have no idea what you are talking about and should actually research something beforing spouting your nonsense and making yourself look like a complete fool. It is quite literally a universal medicine, many doctors have studied the drug, written reports on how amazing it is. THINK IF IT WERE LEGAL, it would have even more practicality in medicine.

Nate July 10, 2008 4:38 pm (Pacific time)

I just recently started smoking weed around 2 years ago after me and my girlfriend broke up. I now smoke marijuana on a daily basis. I don't beleive Marijuana decreases your abilities in life, i am a collge graduate and am very comfortable finicially. There is nothing more soothing then coming home from work / gym and smoking a fat bong rip before making dinner. I use to drink everyday but i switched to smoking and i only drink occasionally. I come from a very religious family if my parents knew i smoked pot they would be ashamed, but its only because they havent tried it. Most people who want it banned are the people that have never tried it. Im all for :)

Public Opinion July 7, 2008 5:30 pm (Pacific time)

Alcohol and cigarettes are worse than weed in terms of bodily damage. Alcohol is a main factor in so many crimes, deaths, abuse, etc.. (I dont know why it's not restricted more). The superficial effects of weed include, laziness, laughter, sleepiness and hunger (it also relieves stress). It is true, taking it out of the hands of drug dealers and the youth would be better- I think crime rates would lower (especially crimes that include victims) and grocery commerce would skyrocket :D Where can we sign the petition to support this? Petitioners should put the petition online (facebook, myspace, {Go Daddy online to set up website for it})

U of O stonner July 4, 2008 4:52 pm (Pacific time)

dude legalize it so we the people can roll it up and smokith it!!! smoke weed every day!

MICHAEL HOLLEY July 2, 2008 9:09 am (Pacific time)

i think pot is not bad.But im not saying it is good for you either. alcohol isnt bad unless it is being abused..like driving after drinking..tobacco causes cancers and many other illnesses like emphyzema..deadly diseases..chewing and dipping tobacco causes gum disease and things like that..Pot has never killed anybody nor has it caused cancer,diseases,or anything of that nature and it keeps people out of trouble..trust me i know..What has pot did to anybody for it to be illegal?? i mean at least make an age limit or something..THE ONLY REASON IT IS ILLEGAL IS BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT CAN NOT MAKE PROFIT AND PEOPLE ARE STILL ABLE TO GROW IT ON THE STREETS!! LEGALIZE IT!!

crack is whack but pot is not May 22, 2008 8:16 pm (Pacific time)

have you noticed when people talk down about maurijuana tehy say stuff like "some studdies have shown tehy marijuana can blah blah blah" if it was so proven they would say Studies have proven marijuana will blah blah blah, but they never say that LEGALIZE IT WEED IS GOOD and chill dealers are violent tobacco kills alcohol cause many many hospital emergencies, crime, and traffic accidents. but pot, ha. it is jesuses drug

Sandi May 15, 2008 10:35 am (Pacific time)

Why not. There has never been a violent crime associated with pot "smokers" only dealers. Cut out the dealers, and let's chill out. I think it's safer than alcohol or cigarettes.

brona May 2, 2008 5:09 pm (Pacific time)

its a CRIME ITS A CRIME! WEED SAVED MY LIFE AND STOPPED ME BEING ANOREXIC

jim April 15, 2008 10:41 am (Pacific time)

Alcohol and cigarettes....man those two things are about as toxic as you can get, but they're legal. Honestly, I moved here from Iowa, and the weed out there is sooooo lame compared to here. This phuqn weed out here makes me drool on myself, while sitting on the couch..hahahaha. Well until the totality of my saliva glands dry up hahaha. But seriously, this sheet is da bomb!! It's nice though because I can take two hits and be buzzed for about 2 hours, and MAN the smell is soo icky sticky!! My first impression of the NW buddage was compared to picking up honeycomb!! prickly, spikey, sticky, and a hella smellage...thank you jesus!!

Dream_giver83 April 10, 2008 1:36 pm (Pacific time)

For those of you who don't want to legalize weed b/c you think it's bad for you...That's your opinion. The facts don't lie people...and since when do any of you or the govt. have the right to tell me what I can and can't put into my body? Oh yeah, since the alcohol prohibition began in the 1920's, it just got worse after that. I'm not for or against drug use...but people are going to do it whether it's legal or not. The war on drugs has only made more crime. And for those of you who are against it, I feel like you're pushing your beliefs on me by saying it's okay for it to be illegal...I don't make you smoke it, so don't make it impossible for me to smoke it...It's my body and my right! Just because something is bad for you (like alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine) doesn't give anyone the right to tell me that I can't do it...Shouldn't do it is maybe the right thing to say, but not can't! I just want to know what happened to our constitutional rights? For me it's not so much that I'm a pot head...b/c I'm not...I hardly ever smoke...But I feel that every once in awhile I have a right enjoy a joint that has no side effects and is the safest thing I can do to relax...I'm hardworking, college graduate, responsible, mother, and wife, and now I'm being told I"m a criminal for doing something that's less harmful to me that aspirin? It just doesn't make any sense...So how about those of you who have a misunderstanding about marijuana stop judging me b/c I don't judge you for your decision not to do it. Lets start abiding by our constitution again and stop getting on our Moral Horses trying to tell everyone else how they should live.

Jimmy April 1, 2008 6:49 am (Pacific time)

How are the signatures for measure 8 collected? I will be moving to portland in a month and would like to endorse this bill if possible.

Justin March 6, 2008 4:47 am (Pacific time)

hopefully this will go over better than it did in Denver.. I don't understand what kind of government we live in when we need to vote for legalization THREE times then appoint a committee to see why the police aren't listening to the voters' wishes.. We can rule out democracy (our votes don't matter) and a republic (the officials aren't listening to the laws that were passed multiple times).. what's left, totalitarianism?

Matthew March 6, 2008 4:00 am (Pacific time)

Policies as Perilous Paths or Pursuits of Penultimate Purpose I am glad that some other facets were focused on by my fellow students. I must say that what you have identified can be problem areas (in reference to addressing social contexts and psychology of lawbreaking) Specifically, the problem has some roots in the nature of prohibition which gives rise to these harms you refer to. It is, in part, the so-called "black market effect". (The 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine finds that, "There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone on the basis of its particular drug effect.” The report further states, “Instead it is the legal status of marijuana that makes it a gateway drug.") Also, I have noticed that since young people eventually realize that they were virtually and literally lied to regarding marijuana facts, what can result is a generalized mistrust of government information and controlled substance laws. Even the American College of Physicians acknowledges that marijuana should definitely not be a Schedule I controlled substance, as it currently is (alcohol and tobacco have a special exemption.) And the social context that sees someone as committing a crime (albeit a consenual and non-violent "crime") is a construct and, historically, a very short term one at that. Therefore, the problem, of course, is not the plant itself but the seriously flawed laws and policies which create the problematic exposure to unneccessary and avoidable risks and harms. These collateral problems that we mentioned are actually greatly allieviated by the removal of criminal prohibitions. With other substances that actually are harmful, harm reduction techniques are applicable. There are modern day examples of places pursuing this path, I might add. Some European countries immediately come to mind. (Although they have been becoming a bit more conservative and regressive lately, the total scope is one of progression. "Two steps forward. One step back".) Of course, nothing is a panacea. This is simply a much more sensible approach. An important thing to do (then, now, and in the future) is to fully implement harm reduction strategies. "Harm reduction is a public health philosophy that seeks to lessen the dangers that drug abuse and our drug policies cause to society." From: http://www.drugpolicy.org/reducingharm/ What do you think? "Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." --Unk. "The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this." --Albert Einstein, "My First Impression of the U.S.A.", 1921 " Q. What About All Those Scary Advertisements and Stories? A. Most sensational claims of health risks cite no studies or sources at all. Others rely on a handful of inconclusive or flawed reports. The government uses exaggeration and scare tactics to discourage marijuana use, like the "Reefer Madness" campaign of the 1930s and the Partnership for a Drug Free America today. Unfortunately, that just glamorizes drug use and leads to distrust. " From: 10 Things Every Parent, Teenager and Teacher Should Know About Marijuana (Cannabis) http://www.fcda.org/tenthings.html By the way, the Drug Free America Foundation actually do tell lies (and they really don't cite sources or studies of the best available science, if they cite anything at all.) Lies. Amazing. See for yourself: http://www.dfaf.org/marijuana/ "Marijuana is not only harmful, but addictive and potentially deadly." --DFA, 2008 You all do know that there have been zero deaths from marijuana consumption in all of human history? None. Zero. It is also literally impossible for a human to reach a lethal dose (even in the future.) How about these apples? From: http://www.equalrights4all.us/content/view/284/1/ "Researchers have great difficulty determining the lethal dose for marijuana because the sheer volume of plant material required causes death long before a toxic reaction can occur. A deadly dose of marijuana would require eating hundreds of pounds of cooked marijuana in a few minutes. Consuming so much marijuana or anything else would cause death by choking. DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young found that a lethal dose of marijuana would require an adult to smoke 1,500 pounds of cannabis in 15 minutes. That would mean absorbing more than 75 pounds of pure THC in the smoke. It is now known that THC binds to specific receptors in the brain and throughout the human body where a natural cannabis compound called anandamide normally attaches. These natural cannabinoid receptors enable the body to digest and expel marijuana compounds without any toxic injury whatsoever. The human body's ability to metabolize THC and other marijuana compounds harmlessly is the reason 5,000 years of history fail to show a single death caused by ingesting or smoking marijuana." ... "Our youth can not understand why society chooses to criminalize a behavior with so little visible ill effect or adverse social impact... These young people have jumped the fence and found no cliff. And the disrespect for the possession laws fosters a disrespect for laws and the system in general... On top of this is the distinct impression among the youth that some police may use the marihuana laws to arrest people they don't like for other reasons, whether it be their politics, their hair style or their ethnic background." "Federal and state laws (should) be changed to no longer make it a crime to possess marijuana for private use." "State laws should make the public use of marijuana a criminal offense punishable by a $100 fine. Under federal law, marijuana smoked in public would merely be subject to seizure." President Richard M. Nixon's National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse "Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding" March 1972 "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marihuana in private for personal use... Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce [28g] of marihuana." --Jimmy Carter, U.S. President Message to congress, 1977 In October 1973, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana. See: The Impact of Marijuana Decriminalization: An Update Eric W. Single Journal of Public Health Policy, Vol. 10, No. 4 (Winter, 1989), pp. 456-466 ... "I support decriminalization. People are smoking pot anyway and to make them criminal is wrong." --Sir Paul McCartney, Musician September 1997 ... Oregon Legislature Ends 24 Years Of Marijuana Decriminalization July 3, 1997 - Salem, OR, USA http://norml.org/index.cfm/docs/www.walthamtheband.com/pdf_files/index.cfm?Group_ID=3751 Governor John Kitzhaber (D) signed legislation at the eleventh hour last night that recriminalizes the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. A press statement released today from the governor admits that he signed the measure "with a good deal of reluctance." ... Activists Charge Oregon's Largest Newspaper Sides With The DEA In Promoting Marijuana Recriminalization Bill http://www.marijuananews.com/marijuananews/cowan/how_the_oregonian_cribs_its_edit.htm May 8, 1997, Portland, Oregon: Marijuana reform activists fighting to save the state's marijuana decriminalization law have charged The Oregonian with being a willful participant in the "War on Drugs" after the paper ran an editorial endorsing recriminalization that relied almost exclusively on a Drug Enforcement Administration handout. The May 3 editorial supporting the current legislative effort to recriminalize marijuana in Oregon (H.B. 3643) stated that the "marijuana available today is maybe 60 times as potent as that of the 1960s." This statement is almost identical to language that appeared in chapter one of a 1994 DEA pamphlet: "Drug Legalization: Myths and Misconceptions." Ironically, annual evidence gathered from the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Potency Monitoring Project indicates that marijuana potency has remained relatively stable for almost the entire 20+ years it has been measured. According to a 1995 pamphlet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services entitled Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know, "Most ordinary marijuana has an average of 3 percent THC." This is virtually the same figure that NIDA reported in 1982 (3.34 percent). The Oregonian editorial also relied heavily on the 1994 assumptions of Dr. Richard Schwartz of Georgetown University who argued in an unpublished paper that marijuana decriminalization encourages marijuana use. Schwartz's findings also appeared in the DEA handout. However, according to the only federal study ever conducted regarding the impact of marijuana decriminalization on use (Monitoring the Future Occasional Paper 13: Marijuana Decriminalization: The Impact on Youth 1975-1980), Schwartz's assumption is incorrect. The study's conclusions are as follows: The data show "absolutely no evidence ... of any increase, relative to the control states, in the proportion of the age group who ever tried marijuana." "The degree of disapproval young people hold for marijuana use, to the extent which they believe such use is harmful, and the degree to which they perceive the drug to be available to them .. [was] found to be unaffected by [decriminalization.]" There exists no evidence "of an increase in the frequency of use in the marijuana-using segment of the population. ... In fact, both groups of experimental states showed a small, cumulative net decline in lifetime prevalence as well as in annual and monthly prevalence after decriminalization." Prior to the May 7 editorial, The Oregonian also printed a quote from Darin Campbell, lobbyist for the Oregon Association Chief's of Police, who falsely implied that Oregon was the only state that maintains marijuana decriminalization. In reality, 10 of the 11 states that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the 1970s continue to remain decriminalized. These states presently represent one-third of the U.S. population. "What justifies such bias and misleading sensationalism," asked Portland NORML activist Phil Smith, a former writer for The Oregonian. "When will The Oregonian stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution?" For more information, please contact Sandra Burbank of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse @ http://www.mamas.org/ MAMA's Conclusion The harm done to families and children due to the current national drug policy far exceeds the potential harm from drug use, misuse and abuse. Our drug policy alienates those who need help the most, and punishes innocent families, especially children. Harm reduction, with respect for human dignity, is the most sound approach.

stoner February 9, 2008 10:53 pm (Pacific time)

wear do you sighn

miz February 4, 2008 1:05 pm (Pacific time)

im sorry people.... but saying pot helps organized crime is true...... BUT it wouldnt if it was legal. youd be getting a better quality from stores then you would from your dealer. so there for eleminating buying off the streets.

Rich February 4, 2008 12:04 pm (Pacific time)

I was born and raised in Alaska where Marijuana was legal all my grown up days. There was a reason they decided to outlaw it. It was because of the effects on the youth. For some reason marijuana is very alluring to kids and is very addictive. Children in the class who are high do not learn and become a burden on society.

Anon January 27, 2008 5:56 pm (Pacific time)

Let's do it Oregon!! If the government denies all funding, we can become completely self sufficient. We should stage a smoke-out in pioneer square. I'd like to see them arrest the WHOLE city. Note the emphasis on whole.

Luis Hirschlieb January 25, 2008 3:48 pm (Pacific time)

Marijuana: has been used for ages; Evidence of the inhalation of cannabis smoke can be found as far Back as the Neolithic Age... Since then, NOT A SINGLE HUMAN HAS EVER DIED BECUASE OF IT- ITS NEVER KILLED ANYBODY. Because it’s Practically non- Toxic to us with an LD50 of between approximately 50 and 86 g for a 68 kg (150 lb) female or Male person respectively. This would be equivalent to 1-1.8 kg of cannabis with a 5% THC content (roughly average) taken Orally. In fact: We Have body Parts Meant to Take in Cannabinoids!!! These are Our CB1 and CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors and they help Regulate many important body functions including * appetite * bone density * mood regulation * reproduction * blood pressure * Learning capacity * motor coordination ... One of the major functions of this system is the protection of nerve cells from damage by over activation of neurotransmitters. it also doesnt give you lung cancer becuase it constricts bloodflow to malicious tumors in their early days and stops them from forming (unlike nicotine which makes them grow faster) its not illegal becuase its dangerous to you... try smoking poison ivy, youd get a rash everywhere in your body the smoke touched (severe rash inside your lungs and your throat would swell shut, extreme pain) but thats legal. if it was about protecting you, it wouldnt be. but wait... you cant just outlaw a plant.

Think for Yourself!!! January 24, 2008 1:55 pm (Pacific time)

Anyone who opposes this bill has no true understanding of the subject. The only reason it was prohibited in the first place was so profiteers in the rope and oil businesses back in the thirties would not go out of business. The fact is cannabis hemp has so many industrial uses, all eco-friendly... Biodegadible Plastic anyone? Also 500 economists, including Nobel prize winning Professors wrote a report to the GOVT about benefits of legalization vs. prohibition... See the MIRON REPORT. it also states things like the number of deaths caused by other substances legally consumed. i.e. tobacco, alcohol... guess what, MARIJUANA= 0.000. There is no evidence that it causes BRAIN DAMAGE. If there were a legitamate reason for prohibiton then I would not argue. Evidence people... if you wish to oppose this, back it up by researching the subject.

NUNZIO BAGLIERE January 16, 2008 5:29 pm (Pacific time)

MAKING POT FOR MEDICAL USE WILL MAKE ALL THE DRUG COMPANYS VERY VERY VERY UNAHPPY !! AND THERE PROFITS WILL TAKE A LICKEN !!! FROM NUNZIO BAGLIERE E MAIL NUNZIO61@VERIZON.NET

bud January 15, 2008 7:57 am (Pacific time)

Some things are a matter of fact and some things are a matter of opinion. Let's establish the facts about marijuana: 1. It's a naturally growing herb. 2. It isn't poisonous. 3. Some people enjoy it and some don't. 4. It does not make a person violent or aggressive in any way, as alcohol often does. These are known, well established facts. Based on these facts, I say it should be unconstitutional for marijuana to be illegal. Government doesn't interfere with our use of parsley, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, or any other herb. It's a "God given" right for humans to nurture and harvest earth's vegetation. I could understand outlawing a plant which is deadly poison - but government doesn't even do that. No deadly poisonous plants are illegal. It doesn't make any sense.

bud January 15, 2008 7:38 am (Pacific time)

The deadline for collecting enough signatures is in July 2008 for the measure to get on the November 2008 ballot.

Tim King Salem-News staff January 13, 2008 9:16 pm (Pacific time)

Diana, I should be able to tell you and I will look into it, I do not think this was voted on in the last election but I will find out and post here, thanks.

diana January 13, 2008 8:24 pm (Pacific time)

so was this bill passed in portland or no?

Sean January 11, 2008 1:31 pm (Pacific time)

vote for Ron Paul!!!!

Anonymous January 10, 2008 10:54 pm (Pacific time)

THis person is a dumbass. And obviously don't know wha tthe effect sof are marijauna. F$^& the law. Who can tell sus how to liv eour lives. I only hav eone life and I am making th emost of it. Why aren't cigerettes and alcohol illegal they are way worst fo ryou and statistic form our governemt prove this. Plus the legalization of marijuana woul dhave a great on Americas economy which is somethign we need righ tnow. Jus ttake one hit and seeei fthat doesn't change your views. Oh and learn to know wha tyour tlkaing about bwefroe you say somethign. Not one person ha died becasue of smokign marijuana and marijuana isn't physically addicting. in fact studies have shown that coffee is more addicting.

harlembabe January 5, 2008 5:48 pm (Pacific time)

weed may help you sometimes with pain but its not helping you...u are just hurting yourself by taking weed...and once u take it u will get addicted. you may think that this is funny nd i dont know wat im talkin about but weed just leads to ur death...listen to me nd do wats right

someone who has brains December 2, 2007 10:47 am (Pacific time)

"I think weed should be legalized because when you get hurt and you smoke some it takes away the pain." that is exactly why NOT to legalize it.

ALISON G November 29, 2007 9:27 am (Pacific time)

okay weed should for sure be LEGALIZED its better then drinking caz drinking has wat more effects such as liver damage and wat about all the drunk driver who get in accidents or all the alcholics who abuse there children and family weed just put ppl in a good mood but you cant ovrdose on it like pills and all that other shit i think this world is so fucked up PLUS god made weed so hes telling us to smoke up why else would he put in on earth!

badmofo529 November 28, 2007 6:24 am (Pacific time)

It should bevlegalized because it is the only drucg you cannot overdose on. even legal drugs like alcohol and prescriptions you can o.d. on. whats wrong with flying sometimes. nothing bad ever happens to me when i smoke, it only makes me really good at guitar hero.

peter November 18, 2007 3:12 pm (Pacific time)

i've smoked it, it is great for recreational uses. But most of all it could help with diabetes. Ok, America is the fattest country, I work out while "high" I don't feel the pain when sober. If we were to get fat people to work out "high" we would be saving people from McDonalds Diabetes. I only know this because im in high school, and the law has been cramming this BULL in our heads. My friend and me have estimated that 40%-60% of Sandy High School smoke Marijuana. By the way Marijuana has been illegal for less than 1% of its time known to man.

bong November 13, 2007 10:33 am (Pacific time)

man weed was put here for us to take advantage of usin it it can help u out in the long run wit stress problems, medical problems, and many more issues that u may have LEGALIZE IT SMOKE MARRY JANE

Devin November 13, 2007 9:38 am (Pacific time)

I think weed should be legalized because when you get hurt and you smoke some it takes away the pain.

Mikel November 8, 2007 11:58 am (Pacific time)

Pancho Villa? Not my role model, but your point is well taken. Actually, cannabis has been safely used in the Middle East since way before tobacco use in Western Europe. When RNL states that it started with the Baby Boomers, it makes me wonder what HE's been smoking.

Mathers November 8, 2007 11:39 am (Pacific time)

if weed is legalized in portland what about all of the other cities in the sorounding area? I live 20 minutes away from portland and every town on the max light rail has avid supporters of this. All of oregon should should legalize it. My dad almost died in an alcohol related car accident and to this day he still cant stop drinkin. Marijuana is a safer alternative

Anonymous November 6, 2007 3:49 am (Pacific time)

If Portand legalizes it, what about the surrounding areas? It would suck to be right on the asscrack between Portand and Beaverton or something and be SoL

Brian November 6, 2007 2:39 am (Pacific time)

"Federal laws supersede state; state laws supersede city; the Constitution (and Amendments) supersedes them both. It is the nature of our judicial system. Such attempts then at legalizing marijuana at a local level are doomed to failure without corresponding legislation from the federal government." Sorry James you are not entirely right, the reason california 215 laws are still in contention is because federal laws are all direct extrapolations of the constitution and or foreign policy, so they are still engaging in court battles trying to prove that they are upholding the constitution by making marijuana an illegal substance. Of course these court battles aren't resolving anytime soon, since there is really no part of the constitution that says anything about marijuana or implies that it should be illicit at all. Actually the more communities pass this kind of legislature the faster the Fed's will have to resolve this, something they don't want to do as they believe it might not go so well for them. Btw I'm a political Science major, not some moron conspiracy theorist neo-hippy.

R N L November 5, 2007 4:52 pm (Pacific time)

What people seem to forget is that marijuana can have very harmful effects, it brings some long-term damage to the brain (permanent lack of concentration, loss of sensation, damage to memory). Alcohol will only do that if you seriously abuse it, and as far as I know in developed places, you are not allowed to be completely drunk to a point where you can pass out.

Tobacco may be harmful but it is part of our traditions as a western civilization since the Renaissance. Marijuana use only seriously started with the baby boomers after the second world war (Perrin 2007).

Also, marijuana isn't the only harmful substance when you buy it off the street, there are also other things that people who sell it mix into it (this is also the case for other drugs) and that can cause serious harm. (Wood 2006).

Finally, you people seem to forget that marijuana has a very good purpose, for criminals! It funds organized crime and researches done in 2005 showed that in the US over 5 billions in losses were due to marijuana and the various activities surrounding it's production and sell. (Celvin 2006).

Kappie, marijuana doesn't slow cancer at all. It's a placebo effect, your wife works in a pharmacy, she can probably explain to you the whole placebo effect. The use of marijuana in cancer is to relieve pain.

Beside if it is legalized for people over 21, people should really consider the fact that children like to mimic. It is proven that parents who take any take of drug greatly increase the chance of their children using this drug, so does the whole society view on this drug. (Wood 2007).

United States can pick what they want to do, hope you guys don't pick to shoot yourself in the foot another time (even though you seem to be doing that at least twice a day so one more time or one less doesn't change much, right?).

This is published because we like to see other points of view, but the "shoot yourself in the foot" part we take exception to. For one, you aren't clear, are you dinging us for mistakes in stories? Yes, that happens. We are the smallest group in the world doing this number of stories for the world every day, so mistakes happen, yes.

But our list of mistakes is very small next to one post of yours. The good part is that we are here to itemize these points of yours, most of which are blatantly false, (Do you get this out of an old DARE handbook or something?) and whereas the government usually keeps the truth of this subject quiet, we are here to attach am amplifier to it.

You state "very harmful effects, it brings some long-term damage to the brain (permanent lack of concentration, loss of sensation, damage to memory)." That is pure propaganda. If a person did nothing else but sit around stoned for several years they would be affected, but not permanently according to Doctor Phillip Leveque of Salem-News.com. He is a physician and he has prescribed medical marijuana to more people I believe, than anyone else in Oregon. He has fallen victim to people like you who use falsehood to push the propaganda, I'm sure you have to work to ignore how far off your argument is. Legal prescribed drugs kill thousands each year, marijuana has never killed a single person. It has been used consistently for thousands of years, to the earliest Biblical times.

So you stick up for that liver rotting substance called alcohol, you think tobacco is OK because it has cultural value? Geez, I've heard it all now.

As far as the additives, you again clearly have no idea what you are talking about and you have no street knowledge

But my favorite, the one that really shows you don't know your apple from a hole in the ground, is "Marijuana use only seriously started with the baby boomers after the second world war (Perrin 2007)."

I don't know what grade you missed or where you grew up, but Pancho Villa, a Mexican bandit who invaded the United States in the early 1900's, was a known marijuana smoker and so were the men who rode with him. The Hearst Newspaper chain used to taunt him over it through their articles consistently. So again, you are a propagandist who thought they could get away with something, and you didn't. People can read your statements and then learn the truth.

The worst thing is that you demonize this simple herb that helps people, something God put on the earth, and you are doing nothing about the meth problem that is tearing the heart out of the community. Your lies are the 'see through" variety and you talk about the impact on kids, want to go there for a moment?

Well for starters, they don't believe anything because you, the "authorities" of this world keep lying to them, over and over. I have seen some improvements in the newer generation of DARE and kids have no business getting involved with any substances, but honesty is the best policy and you in particular, are not a conveyor of that.

The last thing you state is completely true; criminals are very much involved in the growing and transport of pot in Mexico, so pull the wool off your eyes and pay attention to why it should be legalized overall. In the meanwhile we are here to answer questions for medical marijuana users, you are entitled to your opinion, I would love to engage you in an open debate on this subject. You know where I am, let me know if you think you are up to it.

Tim King

Mike LaDouche Crandall October 31, 2007 2:38 am (Pacific time)

I cannot thnk of anything original to say as usual. "Dood, don't bogart that joint." That's funny, huh? I heard that on a TV show and thought I would act cool by repeating it, although I am a major-league douchebag!!

nick October 30, 2007 9:32 am (Pacific time)

the only bad thing that ever happened to me when smoking weed was when i ate too many tacos and threw up

Joey October 29, 2007 11:49 pm (Pacific time)

now i have to find out where to sign, gimme info!

James October 29, 2007 11:01 pm (Pacific time)

Federal laws supersede state; state laws supersede city; the Constitution (and Amendments) supersedes them both. It is the nature of our judicial system. Such attempts then at legalizing marijuana at a local level are doomed to failure without corresponding legislation from the federal government.

JohnFromChicago October 29, 2007 9:14 pm (Pacific time)

To those of you who say pot should be legal because it is far less harmful than alcohol, I say you're wrong!! It should be legal because the fascist government has no damn right to tell you what to do in your own home. It's doesn't matter if you want to stab yourself in the foot repeatedly with a fondue fork, it's none of the governments goddamn business - whether it's good for you or not! I hope this gets passed, and sets a precedent for all of us across the country. But beware ... this will ramp up. If it goes like California did, the Feds will start busting people for small amounts if the local cops don't. They won't just let this go. So brace yourselves, and be prepared to take this to the civil rights level. BTW, vote for Ron Paul. He will end this stupid drug war, and the human carnage left in it's wake. There is a money bomb movement for him this November 5th. If you think government has gotten way too big, and you want your freedom back, consider dropping Dr Ron $10 or $20 this November 5th. It could be the best thing you could do for your own liberty!

Timmeh! October 29, 2007 7:55 pm (Pacific time)

Hopefully this law passes in Australia!!!!!

union October 29, 2007 6:50 pm (Pacific time)

Awesome! I hope they set the precedent for the other cities.

me October 29, 2007 5:55 pm (Pacific time)

the 30th amendment to the constitution of the united states of america you may get high

BlayzeR October 29, 2007 3:21 pm (Pacific time)

Well there's not much that can be stated anymore to prove how right we are about Legalization. The problem we face is judgmental, I'm right your wrong idiots who just so happen to make there way into politics and law enforcement. The idea that just because you think one way that all people should think the same is the definition of Insanity. I for one have used marijuana to help with the treatment of Cancer and Nausea. Before the cancer I did smoke pot, but to me at that point in my life it was just a harmless social substance. However after having my eyes completely opened to it's uses for medicine and everyday living, I find it absolutely a slap in the face that it hasn't been legalized. The simple fact that we still choose to accept the cliche idea that "Alcohol is an American Tradition" is absolutely appalling. How many of our children and loved ones do we need to lose due to Alcohol before you realize that your championing a KILLER! If laws were subject to a debate instead of a "rigged" vote, then Marijuana would have been legalized years and years ago. The facts are simple and straight forward. Alcohol and cigarettes as well as legal medicines (the taxable drugs) are FAR AND AWAY more dangerous and horrible for our society in EVERY way then pot. Look at the numbers if need be. Thousands if not millions of people each year die from legal medicines, car crashes caused by alcohol, emphizema, lung cancer, and a host of other illnesses and drawbacks to the LEGAL substances. How many died from pot? ZERO, NONE, Nobody! But yet we continue to live in a hypocritical do as I say not as I do world. I could go on and on about how much better for our economy, country, and human race it would be to just legalize marijuana and marijuana byproduct's such as hemp. In closing how about those of us who aren't hypnotized by the propaganda and negative media outpouring of lies, band together and truly fight for our rights before they are taken away forever and replaced with yet another Failed Government program.

matt October 29, 2007 2:50 pm (Pacific time)

yeah everyone knows several people who have been hurt badly from alchohol, yet hardly anyone hurt from pot.

Jerry Usted October 29, 2007 2:05 pm (Pacific time)

Amazing how this country learned absolutely nothing from alcohol prohabition and how it elevated the mob from sidewalk hustlers to big business. Make all drugs legal and you will bankrupt the gangs. That will never happen because you would also bankrupt the DEA. There is too much money in keeping drugs illegal for anything to ever change.

Word2URmoms October 29, 2007 1:53 pm (Pacific time)

We must start somewhere, what sucks is the trump cards of the state and federal governments. I hope that the state of Oregon is backing the local cities..

Anderson October 29, 2007 12:41 pm (Pacific time)

SWEET! I'm moving to Portland in March! Maybe attending a future cannabis cup isn't such far fetched dream after all.

Bobby Romanski October 29, 2007 12:38 pm (Pacific time)

I think the Oregon and USA constitution already infer that marijuana is already a right. Therefore, I don't think we shouldn't need legislation for this. prisonplanet.com

Anonymous October 29, 2007 12:11 pm (Pacific time)

hell yeah go oregon... even though i dont live there

Jeffrey Henderson October 29, 2007 12:06 pm (Pacific time)

Stop the DEA from harassing sick people. Support Ron Paul!!!

Philip Palmer October 26, 2007 5:26 am (Pacific time)

Go Portland. The majority of the American people support you.

A College Educated, Socially Respons October 25, 2007 1:37 am (Pacific time)

LONG overdue. I hope this passes and that policymakers have enoug h common sense to do what is right.

Grey October 22, 2007 6:59 pm (Pacific time)

Mateo, Editor, et al... Yes, PCS less than 1oz is a violation only, punishible only by fine or revocation of an ODL. When the MedMary law went into effect it caused alot of confusion among line officers, especially those that understood the public voiced a choice, but not how to enforce that choice. Did we destroy the plants of those found to be in violation of the new law? Where were we to turn at 3am when someone tried using the card and we had no way to verify the truthfullnes of them? And most of all, the departments that kept the plants alive were considered to be in violation of Federal law, there-fore began to loose their Federal Funding. The hippies from the past are todays policy makers and they have no idea the quagmire they are going to put us all in if this passes. PDX can say good-bye to any Federal funding, for any project, be it a bridge repair or a new off-ramp, because Uncle Sam will take the money away from the upstart child on the Left Coast. I suppose PDX can then sell it, tax it, and use the profits for the things they want that they wont be able to apply for to from the Feds.

nunzio bagliere October 17, 2007 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

THE FEDERAL GOVERMENT WILL CHANGE ON NEXT ELECTION GIVING BACK THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE VOTERS AND MECDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA WILL BE HERE FOR CANCER PATIENTS ALONG WITH OTHERS AND NOT FOR DRUG COMPANYS WHO MAKE THERE MILLIONS ON THE VICTIMS !! FROM NUNZIO BAGLIERE E MAIL NUNZIO7@VERIZON.NET

Neal Feldman October 16, 2007 3:29 pm (Pacific time)

Best of luck to this effort in Portland. Ah well...

bamboozler October 16, 2007 1:18 pm (Pacific time)

Hemp prohibition is the result of a lie. When lies come home to roost they crap on the liars. It's another example of the Federal government fussin' with stuff it shouldn't! IMHO, marijuana/hemp and bamboo are two plants that we are way behind in utilizing! They could both play major parts in on energy conscious stage if can get over ourselves. dp

James October 16, 2007 11:07 am (Pacific time)

Mateo, Federal law does not even need to get inviolved. regardless of what the city of Portland feels it can do, the Officers of PPB can and probably will still arrest and cite under state law. And, a correction to the article, Possession of less than one ounce is not a misdemeanor it's a violation, like a traffic ticket.

Editor: James, that has been the impression I am under also, until I came across the latest information yesterday. Here is what the state says, "Although Oregon has not legalized marijuana, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is punishable only by a fine of $500 up to a maximum of $1000. This is not a criminal conviction."

Mateo October 16, 2007 8:55 am (Pacific time)

This is obviously great news in the Cannabis Community I give kudos to the people who are behind this collecting the signatures, but is this going to be another Medicinal Marijuana-esque issue where Fed law will trump State law, and in some way keep arresting people possessing any amount of marijuana...anyone know of any way they could possibly do that i.e. loopholes in the law or some shit like that?

Vic October 16, 2007 7:00 am (Pacific time)

I have had three friends die as a result of drinking...two in car crashes and one who drowned. Can't say I know of anyone who has died as a result of smoking pot....

Jeff October 16, 2007 4:27 am (Pacific time)

What A State! I have been seriously thinking of moving from the mid west to Oregon for I already know I would qualify for medical marijuana. Now I need to save the $$ to do it before I end up in prison. I am on Marinol but my insurance company will only pay for 60-2.5 mg pills a month, not enough to do the job. My doctor (off the record) told me to supplement my Marinol with msrijuana to comtrol severe nausea and vomiting from 2 neuropathic diseases from diabetes type 2 effecting my digestive system. In short all my meals must be liqufied unless I want to just eat ice cream all the time, because it won't make me sick. Legalize marijuana it is a SOFT drug not a hard drug like Alcohol or tobacco and it is the safest most effective drug that controls nausea and vomiting better than any drug known to man with the widest safety margin known to man, Peace~:)

Bullybeer October 16, 2007 12:34 am (Pacific time)

Yes,It would be good to finally make marijuana legal,So many positive research is just starting to come out. Like that it helps alzheimers,..I hope legalization is on the way.

bamboozler October 15, 2007 10:54 pm (Pacific time)

You'd think this would be the kind of thing the snack food and furniture reupholstering lobby would get behind, wouldn't you? lol dp

Kappie October 15, 2007 10:02 pm (Pacific time)

It still amazes me, alcohol, tobacco are legal but pots not.. We give patients methadone, and coke, Shoot you give your kids ridlin for the love of god (of course most adhd can and has been proven to be cured by diet and giving the proper guidance and support of real parents......) it is meth... Hello... Mj has shown to slow and in some cases stop certain types of cancer.. The list of things it can do besides get you a little toasted is huge.. People are sick, they just cannot get past what dad the drunk or closet party boy has been taught by the old reefer madness spiel our government put out to keep Mexicans out of our country in the old days(don’t believe me just watch the history channel documentary on Mj or shoot read a book ....). I smoke way more often than my parents ever drank.. Yet unlike my parents I have never gone on rages and beat my kids, my wife or anyone else for that matter. Nor do my eyes roll back in my head and my mouth wretch vomit everywhere whilst on my way to the hospital because of alcohol poisoning. I am a attentive father with great kids my oldest son is in advanced classes he is in first grade, another is 4 and spells just about everything there is to spell, my little girl is 8 months old and is on her way, already saying dad, mama, good, hi, and just took her first step... Yep 8 months... we smoke every day.. My wife is in pharmacy school with a 3.5 GPA and works full time.. I am a stay at home dad... We are NOT hippy's. We listen to people who admire us for what kind of family life we have, loving kids we have, people we are, and then we go home and light up a bowl kick back and enjoy what we have and what we are working for just waiting for people to understand it’s not the drug. It’s the wrong people doing them for the wrong reason.. We need good people and understanding parents that have values that can teach their kids to be responsible adults.. Teach responsibility not Hate and Anger… BTY I don’t think youths should be allowed to do any drugs or alcohol… nor do I believe people should drive on Mj or anything else… But I do think my wife and I should be able to watch a sunset or a movie and smoke a fatty… Education Nation My People. May America again be the voice of reason and not the voiceless, beaten, cowering dog hiding in its house snapping at the world…. Education is the way to Peace…

that is great October 15, 2007 9:46 pm (Pacific time)

i smoke weed i dont drink beer worse of all it killed my mom drunk driver hit her win crossing the road

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