Why is marijuana illegal?

[redneck that is not it]

No, that is not true. The majority of Americans are for regulating cannabis like alcohol and tobaccl. If a majority had anything to do with it, then the 80% of people supporting MMJ in the CNN/Time poll would have their wishes recognized- Oct 23-24, 2002

Yes, should be allowed to use marijauana 80%

No, marijuana should remain illegal 17%

Not sure 3%

Then there is the issue of jailing people over MJ that the majority of people do not agree with despite the several hundred millions of dollars a year spent on demonizing MJ. From www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5052 From the Zogby polls of Nov., 2002


1. In light of the tragic events of Sept. 11th and the increased attention to the threat of terrorism, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose arresting and jailing nonviolent marijuana smokers?

Strongly support 18%
Somewhat support 15% Support 33%
Somewhat oppose 22%
Strongly oppose 39% Oppose 61%
Not sure 6%

The majority of people have nothing to do with MJ laws. The fact that there are no major polls this year on the issue should tell you something. The government does not want the proper question asked much less the new numbers known. When asked "Should marijuana be regulated like alcohol and tobacco?' you can expect an answer of 70% or more. They do not want the question asked much less answered and the majority of people are being ignored.

Now why is marijuana illegal and what made it illegal in the first place when society had no problems with it and it was commonly used as medicine- www.encyclopedia.com/searchpool.asp?target=marijuana

[surfrgirl338]

Well I would have to hop on the "somewhat support" group band wagon redneck, as a retired nurse I do KNOW that cannibis is useful in the
"!!medicinal!!" field. It DOES alleviate nausea, it does help in Glaucoma and it appears to lessen the pain for those that have cancer. But, you see that is the problem. Most if not all of the *drugs* that are on the street today were originally intended for medical use NOT the *feel good, escape from reality* uses that they are being used for today. Oxcycontin is another example. This drug came out for those with intractable pain. But it has become worth a jail sentence and loss of their license to many Drs. who have dared perscribe it for their patients and, the patients that use it. BECAUSE of those that would *abuse* it. Cannibis if leagalized would be the proverbial *slippery slope* in the drug world. If legalized then why not cocaine? Heroine, why not all the others? I am not for legalizing it but I do wish they could come up with something else to do with the non-violent offenders who are soaking up three hots and a cot in our jails and state pens for it. I would much rather see an exchange program among the criminal element lets say for instance,
three non violent druggies released for a life term for one sexual diviant that has harmed a child? Now that law I could definately get behind!!

[me]

This is a copy from something at Democratic Underground- www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=28114

Some people might be interested in acquiring knowledge on the cannabis issue with information on the Internet. The first five things I would check out follow. The Canadian Senate Report is quite comprehensive. The first four things would get you a high school diploma with cannabis major and f you read the Canadian Senate Report that would make you a graduate on the level of a community college in cannabis.

1. The movie “Grass” - www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1110.html This movie will follow the history of cannabis prohibition with narrative by Woody Harrelson

2. The Emperor of Hemp - www.crrh.org/hemptv/docs_emperor.html This movie is about Jack Herer that wrote the famous book that started the cannabis reform movement. His book is titled “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” and has an online edition

3. The Emperor Wears No Clothes - www.jackherer.com/chapters.html This is required reading for a basic base of knowledge to come to an informed decision on Cannabis Prohibition.


4. A Drug War Carol- www.adrugwarcarol.com/index.html This is a cartoon format that spins the story of thingy ens to apply to the story of Cannabis Prohibition.

5. “Report of the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs” www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/ille-e/rep-e/summary-e.pdf This is the report from Canada by a Senate committee that is an authoritative text on the issues of cannabis that was released in August of 2002.

The 5 most important historic reports that all called for an end to criminal prosecution of cannabis follow. If you would read all five, you would be one of the few people in the world to do so, and you could consider yourself well educated on the cannabis issue. You would be a college graduate in the cannabis perspective.
1. Canadian Senate Report on Illegal Drugs- August 2002 - www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/ille-e/rep-e/summary-e.pdf

2. Shafer Commission report known as The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse - March, 1972- www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/nc/ncmenu.htm

3. The La Guardia Committee Report - 1944 - www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/lag/lagmenu.htm

4. The.La Dain Commission report known as The Report of the Canadian Government Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs - 1972 - www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html

5. The Wootton Report from the UK in 1968 - www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/wootton/wootmenu.htm