Here it comes, for better or for worse.

[immaculate]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/drug-war-has-failed-report_n_870096.html

I mean, I knew it was going to happen once I realized the corporate stakes. Once I learned that cannabis compounds are already patented, that the federal government is supporting operations, that Wall St. money is behind all of this, when guys like Bret Bogue came out publicly saying things in interviews like, and I paraphrase, "I've got so much money behind me, fuck stoners, if you only knew the people and money I have behind me" as he pulls out a 3 ft custom glass tube and rips it into the cameras face. Just had to get the right money in the right place, and slowly influence public opinion favorably.

Weed references are in every movie, every tv show, every celebrity...from what I gather, it wasn't so blatant before.

And I guess it will be cool to have "organic" family-owned operations, just like there are craft breweries and local farms. But seeing how the government is trying to eliminate those options rather than create them, I can't see how it will be different for the cannabis scene. Is this about patients or is this about money. No, it should not be legal ONLY for patients. Fuck that. People love to grow the plant. It's more than being a patient on a drug thats the same as oxycontin. It's a healthy, symbiotic relationship between man and the earth. It is purely natural. It is not a synthetic, destructive, negatively addictive relationship.

So cool! It's only a matter of time. And great! Business opportunities abound! Or do they?

Just hope it doesn't encourage Budweiser and Abercrombie stoners, but inevitably this will happen. Or already has, some might argue.

The report cited U.N. estimates that opiate use increased 34.5 percent worldwide and cocaine 27 percent from 1998 to 2008, while the use of cannabis, or marijuana, was up 8.5 percent.

you know why? cause errbody already smoke the shit!

Anyway,

 

[HomerSimpson]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/drug-war-has-failed-report_n_870096.html
Just hope it doesn't encourage Budweiser and Abercrombie stoners, but inevitably this will happen. Or already has, some might argue.

I think one look at the Cali Med market. Easy to say it already has.

Kush this purple that.

 

[longearedfriend]

as long as people can one day smoke without fear of persecution

not feel like/be a criminal

I know there would be a lot of benefits for society with legalized herb

 

[aggregatebuzz]

what does being a hostage pay

 

[GrassRoots]

Here it is for those who don't like clicking links:

New York — The global war on drugs has failed and governments should explore legalizing marijuana and other controlled substances, according to a commission that includes former heads of state, a former U.N. secretary-general and a business mogul.

A new report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy argues that the decades-old "global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world." The 24-page paper will be released Thursday.

"Political leaders and public figures should have the courage to articulate publicly what many of them acknowledge privately: that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that repressive strategies will not solve the drug problem, and that the war on drugs has not, and cannot, be won," the report said.

The 19-member commission includes former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former U.S. official George P. Schultz, who held cabinet posts under U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon. Others include former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, former presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, writers Carlos Fuentes and Mario Vargas Llosa, U.K. business mogul Richard Branson and the current prime minister of Greece.

Instead of punishing users who the report says "do no harm to others," the commission argues that governments should end criminalization of drug use, experiment with legal models that would undermine organized crime syndicates and offer health and treatment services for drug-users in need.

The commission called for drug policies based on methods empirically proven to reduce crime, lead to better health and promote economic and social development.

The commission is especially critical of the United States, which its members say must lead changing its anti-drug policies from being guided by anti-crime approaches to ones rooted in healthcare and human rights.

"We hope this country (the U.S.) at least starts to think there are alternatives," former Colombian president Cesar Gaviria told The Associated Press by phone. "We don't see the U.S. evolving in a way that is complatible with our (countries') long-term interests."

The office of White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske said the report was misguided.

"Drug addiction is a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated. Making drugs more available – as this report suggests – will make it harder to keep our communities healthy and safe," Office of National Drug Control Policy spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said.

That office cites statistics showing declines in U.S. drug use compared to 30 years ago, along with a more recent 46 percent drop in current cocaine use among young adults over the last five years.

The report cited U.N. estimates that opiate use increased 34.5 percent worldwide and cocaine 27 percent from 1998 to 2008, while the use of cannabis, or marijuana, was up 8.5 percent.

 

[pearlemae]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. In case someone misunderstood IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. Pot will become legal when big PHARMA has all of its ducks in a row to make billions, while the little people( us) will still be criminalized cause pharma can't have any competition. It will always be about the MONEY!!!!!!!!

 

[BlueBlazer]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. In case someone misunderstood IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. Pot will become legal when big PHARMA has all of its ducks in a row to make billions, while the little people( us) will still be criminalized cause pharma can't have any competition. It will always be about the MONEY!!!!!!!!

Sad and unfortunate, but so true.

 

[whateverman]

I can see it now... Nobodies who thought their weed smoking comprised some kind of unique personal identity yapping along the lines of "...I remember when weed used to mean something. Now it's all mainstream, mannnnnnnnn."

Three cheers for a significant step towards keeping our brothers and sisters out of prison. Everything else is superfluous. I'm skeptical of corporate takeover too, but I'd rather be tasked with explaining to my buddies why their Camel Kush 100's are dogshit than to be tasked with requesting Bubba leave the cell while I take a dump.

 

[bentom187]

^ your gonna get both if you ask the govt or pharma for permission.

 

[whateverman]

^ your gonna get both if you ask the govt or pharma for permission.

Expand plz.

 

[bentom187]

if you want to follow govt rules,you'll end up in jail or smoking crap.
why would anyone give their rights up? i didnt mean to be offensive but its no time to stand still or complain,it can change.