Month of 01/Apr/2006 to 30/Apr/2006

A new study in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences concluded that vaporizers create a safe, non-smoked means of consuming marijuana. A vaporizer, researchers determined, can deliver THC and other cannabinoids (marijuana's unique, active components) without the tars and other potentially harmful contaminants contained in smoke.

This new study directly contradicts claims by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (and more recently by the Food and Drug Administration) that marijuana cannot be used safely because of the harm caused by smoking it. If vaporizers provide a safe way to consume marijuana, what argument do they have against marijuana use? Oh, right -- their passionate, decades-long, all-evidence-to-the-contrary-be-damned, take-no-prisoners devotion to the prohibitionist cause. Unfortunately for them, that viewpoint just got harder to defend.

The Economist provides a thorough analysis of why the FDA statement against medical marijuana is demonstrably inaccurate, and why marijuana has medicinal value "whether politicians like it or not."

U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) thinks the president should fire drug czar John Walters for poor job performance.

Key quote:

He said that he wrote Walters calling for more action on meth and the response he received was "basically, bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo."

Walters and the Office of National Drug Control Policy continue to place much more emphasis on fighting marijuana use, said Grassley.

Bureaucratic nonsense and misplaced priorities at ONDCP? Who knew?

Perhaps we Nevadans can offer the drug czar a tip (seems he could use a little guidance). We're going to pass a sensible initiative that puts our priorities where they should be -- on, say, addressing dangerous drugs like methamphetamine -- not on prosecuting responsible marijuana users.

Send a message to the bureaucrats in Washington: Help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Any questions?

The storm of controversy around the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement against medical marijuana is heightening. In addition to the Las Vegas Sun op-ed, numerous editorials around the country have accused the FDA of putting politics before science. It seems we're not the only ones who see the FDA's statement as a continuation of the federal government's war on marijuana users: They're so devoted to the prohibitionist cause that they're willing to lie about the science when insisting that marijuana has no medical value. If they can't have an honest debate on the merits of marijuana for medical use, how can we trust them to tell the truth about taxing and regulating marijuana?

Here's a list of editorials we've found that are critical of the FDA's statement. Please let us know if there are any to add to the list -- or better yet, post them yourself in the comments section.

The New York Times

Scientific American

Chicago Tribune

New York Daily News

St. Petersburg Times

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Rocky Mountain News

The News Journal

The Republican

The Oregonian

Los Angeles Daily News

The Capital Times

Slate.com

The Tennessean

The Journal Times

San Diego Union-Tribune

The Charleston City Paper

The Economist

The Las Vegas Sun agrees with our take on the FDA and editorialized against the recent declaration that marijuana has no medicinal value, calling it a "transparently political move."

In a statement not worth the paper it's printed on, bureaucrats at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have put politics above sound science on the issue of medical marijuana -- setting off a firestorm in the scientific community. It seems the FDA would rather align itself with prohibitionists in Congress and the drug czar's office than physicians and scientists, who make short shrift of the FDA's statement.

Key quote:

Dr. Daniele Piomelli, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine, said he had "never met a scientist who would say that marijuana is either dangerous or useless."

Studies clearly show that marijuana has some benefits for some patients, Dr. Piomelli said.

"We all agree on that," he said.

The Nevada Appeal published an op-ed today by CRCM Campaign Manager Neal Levine in response to the misinformation in Guy Farmer's earlier opinion piece.

Working for CRCM, that is. We're hiring team leaders and field staff to generate grassroots support for the marijuana initiative all across Nevada. This is an exciting opportunity to use your skills and dedication in the campaign to fix Nevada's marijuana laws -- and make history in the process. Get all the details here and apply today!

Alaska's House of Representatives yesterday stymied Governor Murkowski's attempt to re-criminalize marijuana under state law. The governor had inserted penalties for marijuana possession into Senate legislation seemingly designed to address methamphetamine abuse. The House, however, refused to go along with the governor's effort to circumvent Alaskans' constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy and the will of the people. While the prohibitionists still have some time to respond -- the legislative session runs through May 9 -- this vote clearly throws a wrench in their efforts.

This week's CityLife features a guest column by CRCM's own Neal Levine about our recent dustup with the Myrna Williams campaign.

Border agents in Laredo seized 1,500 pounds of marijuana coming into the U.S. from Mexico last week. Considering that the U.S. Department of Justice "Drug Threat Assessment 2006" stated that "Most of the foreign-produced marijuana available in the United States is smuggled into the country from Mexico via the U.S.–Mexico border by Mexican DTOs [drug trafficking organizations] and criminal groups," it's not surprising that we occasionally catch a thousand pounds here and there. Unfortunately, most is still making it into the U.S., where it will be sold to provide millions of dollars in profit to violent gangs and criminals.

Let's take a serious step toward taking money out of the hands of marijuana traffickers and dealers. Please help us pass the initiative to tax and regulate marijuana in Nevada. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

A resident of Cincinnati has filed suit to challenge the city's recently increased penalties for marijuana possession.

A federation of Scottish police officers has called for removing marijuana and other drugs from the criminal market. The group is arguing that they should be licensed in the same way cigarettes and alcohol are, in order to redirect police resources to more important priorities.

Key quote:

[T]he federation believes millions of pounds are wasted on enforcing existing laws, with little impact on the availability of drugs on the street.

While this group supports the obviously drastic change of regulating all drugs, our initiative focuses solely on regulating marijuana. Nonetheless, it's interesting to see police officers pointing out how many resources are squandered by efforts to curtail the criminal market.

Authorities in Los Angeles confiscated more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana from a Jamaican marijuana-trafficking organization. The marijuana, worth more than $25 million, was seized from eight drug dealers -- all of whom had felony records, had been previously deported to Jamaica, and re-entered the U.S. illegally. Not only do we have our own local drug dealers, we are attracting more from overseas! The lucrative market for illegal marijuana continues to thrive, with criminals and trafficking organizations in complete control of marijuana use in our communities. Let's take back control: tax and regulate marijuana, put it into a tightly regulated system, and take profits out of the hands of violent gangs and drug dealers.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Our old friend Guy Farmer wrote another opinion piece back in 2002.

Key quote #1:

[I]n my opinion, the decriminalization of marijuana could well be the first step toward legalization of much more dangerous drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine ...

This is a curious statement, since taxing and regulating marijuana is about, well, marijuana -- not other drugs. Cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine are, as Mr. Farmer points out, "much more dangerous drugs," and they should be dealt with as such. Marijuana, by contrast, is less dangerous than alcohol. Why should it remain in the criminal market where the sales finance violent gangs and drug dealers?

Key quote #2:

Carson City Justice of the Peace John Tatro, who has dealt with hundreds of drug addicts during his seven-plus years on the bench, says that about half of the people arrested for methamphetamine also test positive for marijuana.

Mr. Farmer again relies on the "gateway theory" to suggest that marijuana use leads to methamphetamine use. Numerous studies have debunked the gateway theory, including one commissioned by the White House in 1999 from the Institute of Medicine, which stated, "There is no particular evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone ... It does not appear to be a gateway drug to the extent that it is the cause or even that it is the most significant predictor of serious drug abuse." To put it plainly, nearly 100 million people in the U.S. have tried marijuana; if marijuana really were the gateway to harder drugs, there would be 100 million hard drug addicts in this country, which there clearly aren't.

Key quote #3:

Drivers in three recent fatal traffic accidents in Nevada were marijuana smokers.

What Mr. Farmer doesn't consider is that these tragedies occurred under the current system of law, in which driving under the influence is illegal. Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other substance will remain illegal under a tax-and-regulate system, and in fact the initiative doubles the maximum penalty for killing someone while driving under the influence.

Our initiative is a sensible alternative to the current marijuana laws, which just don't work. Taxing and regulating marijuana will take money out of the hands of violent gangs and drug dealers, and with sensible regulations and safeguards in place, we can gain control of marijuana use in our communities. Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Christopher Bellecy of Carson City responded to the anti-initiative opinion piece in the Nevada Appeal.

Comedian John Fugelsang posted an irreverent critique of the government's war on marijuana users that ranges from I, Robot to colonial crops to Elvis. It's both hilarious and, shall we say, unorthodox.

Voters in Provincetown, Massachusetts, approved a resolution to reduce criminal charges for marijuana to a $50 fine for possession of less than an ounce. A local resident brought the citizen petition to a town meeting out of concern for police overtime costs generated by officers having to appear in district court for minor marijuana cases. Cheers to the citizens of Provincetown for recognizing a waste of local resources -- and doing something to change it.

We have a chance to make a change for the better here in Nevada. Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

An Indiana college student who was charged with marijuana possession has joined with Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the American Civil Liberties Union to sue the federal government to overturn the Higher Education Act (HEA). This misguided act denies federal education funding to students convicted of a drug offense while enrolled in college -- like this student, who was caught with less than a gram of marijuana.

Key quote:

"While any non-drug offender, from a murderer to a shoplifter, can receive financial aid, an individual who is caught with any amount of a controlled substance, including a small amount of marijuana, is automatically denied aid by the federal government," the lawsuit said.

The HEA is a terrible law that unfairly denies educational opportunities to students. What's the lesson in that?

The Nevada Appeal printed a downright nasty opinion piece about the marijuana initiative on Sunday. Author Guy Farmer says we are "East Coast potheads" who will make marijuana available to kids at corner stores and want to increase methamphetamine addiction in Nevada. Isn't that considerate? He sprinkled some personal attacks in with the outright lies.

We have a simple response for Mr. Farmer: Our marijuana laws aren't working. Anyone who wants to use marijuana can get it, and the thriving criminal market for marijuana is funneling profits to violent gangs and drug dealers. What's the solution? Tax and regulate marijuana. Take it out of the criminal market, gain control over how it is bought and sold, and take money out of the hands of criminals.

Now a few specific comments that we would like to address ...

Key Farmer quote #1:

If you want to make marijuana available to your children and grandchildren at local convenience stores, that's your business.

In truth, the initiative places strict controls on where and to whom marijuana can be sold. It specifically forbids the sale of marijuana at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, casinos, dance halls, or any place that sells alcohol. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed to enter a licensed retail store, and these stores cannot be located with 500 feet of a church or school. Furthermore, the initiative increases the penalties for anyone selling or giving marijuana to a minor. In other words, we are not putting marijuana in the local convenience store, and we are taking the sale of marijuana out of the hands of drug dealers who do not card.

If you oppose us, fine. We can agree to disagree. But don't fib -- it's unbecoming. (Although, before we accuse Mr. Farmer of lying, perhaps we should keep in mind he may have written this piece against the initiative without actually bothering to read it.)

As his attack continues, Mr. Farmer relies heavily on the so-called "gateway theory," even quoting Congressman (and noted fanatical prohibitionist) Mark Souder.

Key Souder quote:

"Far from being a 'benign' substance, marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug that is frequently the first step into the abyss of lifelong drug addiction."

The gateway theory is simply a myth. In fact, the very report that Souder quotes contradicts him! The authors of the report -- from the Christchurch Health and Development Study in Christchurch, New Zealand -- specifically note that their conclusions can be used to argue for the relaxing of marijuana prohibition laws just as easily as for strengthening them. The study explains that the criminal market, rather than marijuana itself, may be the actual "gateway" that encourages hard drug use. That's a key piece of information Mr. Farmer doesn't clarify for his readers.

Key Farmer quote #2:

And just last month the Appeal published a graphic example of how marijuana can lead to the use of hard drugs. It was the story of 17-year-old Cyndle Bell of Carson City and her personal battle against meth addiction.... [which] reported that Cyndle "started drinking at 11 and smoking pot at 12"

If you re-read the above sentence carefully, you'll notice this young woman started drinking before she started using marijuana. Wouldn't that make alcohol the gateway? Maybe she took some ginseng, or her parents were divorced?

Maybe Mr. Farmer believes we should ban alcohol as well? Since alcohol is a far more dangerous substance than marijuana, he would have a stronger case. Anyone remember how that one turned out ... ?

Key Farmer quote #3:

So let's join our civic leaders in supporting the Partnership Carson City coalition designed to alert local parents and children to the costly and noxious effects of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs, including marijuana.

Here it seems suspiciously like Mr. Farmer is comparing marijuana to methamphetamine. Judge for yourself: the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reports 500 methamphetamine deaths last year. And the number of deaths from marijuana? Zero for last year. Actually, that's zero for all of recorded medical history.

Key Farmer quote #4:

But when [a change in marijuana laws] becomes an expensive community health and law enforcement problem, as illicit drugs clearly are in Carson City, then it's everyone's business, and we don't want any part of it.

Several points on this one: (1) Despite what Farmer notes, marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and other illicit drugs -- in fact, it's not as dangerous as either alcohol or tobacco, two substances that are controlled through systems of taxation and regulation. (2) Taxing and regulating marijuana wouldn't create a law enforcement problem because under that system, marijuana wouldn't be "illicit." (Here, Guy, we'll help you out. According to Merriam-Webster, "illicit" means "unlawful.") (3) Finally, the initiative wouldn't create an expensive health problem. In fact, according to a 2002 UNLV study, the initiative would generate $14 million in tax revenue to fund drug and alcohol education and treatment programs.

We're happy to correct Mr. Farmer's misunderstandings. In fact, we're willing to help him out -- he can send us any future pieces about the marijuana initiative, and we'll review them for further inaccuracies. That way the people of Nevada will know they're getting the whole truth and nothing but the truth when it comes to the marijuana initiative.

Local blog Las Vegas Gleaner appears cynical about the Review-Journal's poll numbers.

Key quote:

Same poll finds people are against smoking, and that includes pot, and against the the Rolling Stones, but for raising the minimum wage. Fine. Now roll out the Hafen-Porter numbers already, ferchrissake, so we can behold the magnitude by which the R-J's pollster exaggerates Republican might.

The Review-Journal today published poll results that show 34% in support of the marijuana initiative and 56% opposed to it, with 10% undecided. While that may look like a bad sign on the surface, we here at CRCM don't find it discouraging. Our internal polling has shown much higher than 34% support for the initiative, and November is many months from now. (Fun fact: Jesse Ventura polled with 7% support in April of the year he was elected governor of Minnesota.) After all, we've only just begun to get out our message to Nevadans. In contrast, the federal government spends millions of dollars every year on anti-marijuana advertising in Nevada -- think maybe that's had an impact on voters' initial opinions?

We are going to reach out to every voter in this state with an effective, positive message, and we intend to win this campaign. What's clear is we are currently behind, although we are within striking distance of victory. But here's the hard part: We can't do it without your help. If you support passing the marijuana initiative, please get involved today. Volunteer a few hours of your time. Make a donation, small or large. Tell your friends and family how important the initiative is, and send them to www.RegulateMarijuana.org. And last but not least, register to vote and make your voice heard on Election Day. With your help, we're going to tax and regulate marijuana in Nevada ... and make one heckuva come-from-behind story.

Today, April 7, 2006, is the 73rd anniversary of the repeal of alcohol prohibition in the U.S. Although the 21st Amendment -- which overturned the 18th Amendment that originally outlawed alcohol -- was not passed until December 1933, President Roosevelt signed emergency legislation on April 7 to allow the sale of beer (and reportedly had a shipment of cold ones delivered to the White House).

Imagine! The people of our country recognized the utter failure of prohibition: the complete failure to end drinking, the criminalization of responsible citizens, the flourishing of violent crime organizations. And what did America do about it? We stopped. We refused to continue pursuing a failed policy. Such common sense, it's almost hard to believe.

By contrast, the prohibition of marijuana has continued for almost 70 years, and for more than 30 years we've been fighting a war on marijuana. And what do we have to show for it? The complete failure to end marijuana use, the criminalization of responsible citizens, and the flourishing of violent crime organizations.

Let's make another commonsense decision: Pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

A recent piece from the Herald News examines the propaganda of marijuana prohibition. The author ultimately argues that marijuana should be taken out of the criminal market in order to focus on more important priorities:

Key quote:

But what about securing our ports against terrorist threats and harder drugs, such as heroin? .... At a time of serious security concerns and government deficits, a hard look needs to be given to ensuring that public funds are spent effectively.

Nevadans deserve to have their tax money spent on solving serious problems, not on punishing nonviolent marijuana users. Help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

CRCM needs your help to reach out to voters! We are excited to announce new extended hours for volunteer phone banking on Wednesday and Thursday nights, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Can you spare an hour or two to call voters about the marijuana initiative? Please lend your time -- we can't pass the initiative without your support! And we're still open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and noon to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Anyone who wants to help out is welcome to stop by the office anytime during regular office hours -- no appointments necessary.

Can't make it in during these hours? Just give Krystal a call -- at (702) 425-2242, ext. 810 -- or e-mail her to make an appointment, and we'll keep the light on for you.

The new government of Canada will not consider legislation to remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. While this is not unexpected -- the bill was left over from the previous administration -- it is still disappointing that our neighbors to the north won't consider a reasonable marijuana policy. After all, Canada's marijuana prohibition hasn't decreased supply and in fact has led to a thriving criminal market. Say ... that sounds kind of familiar ...

Our marijuana laws don't work, and Nevada is ready for a better policy. Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

A recent study of 3,000 mothers and children has revealed yet another "gateway" to marijuana: A change in the mother's marital status is "a significant predictor" of a child's marijuana use. So now we've got herbal supplements and mom's remarriage causing marijuana use.

In reality, the gateway theory is just a myth used to explain why something less dangerous than alcohol is illegal. And studies that say your mother's marital status or taking ginseng can lead to marijuana use ... well, they don't exactly improve the credibility of this myth.

Cincinnati's marijuana laws just got a lot less reasonable: The City Council voted to increase penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. The previous law made possession of up to 100 grams a minor misdemeanor that resulted in a $100 fine. Now, it's a fourth-degree misdemeanor leading to immediate arrest and a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. This is a ridiculously draconian penalty for nonviolent marijuana users, and Cincinnatians know it -- dozens spoke out in front of the Council to oppose the increased punishments, and City Council members expressed strong concerns about the law. The citizens of Cincinnati deserve better than this step backward into bad marijuana policy.