CT Governor Opposes Decriminalization
April 2nd, 2009 by Rick
On Monday, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, said she opposes the decriminalization of marijuana. With a bill regarding that issue already headed to the General Assembly, two of Rell’s spokesmen stopped short of using the word “veto,” but they both said that Rell opposes the concept.
Spokesman Rich Harris said:
The governor opposes illegal drug use and possession. Whether it’s a little or a lot, marijuana is an illegal drug.
This is where our way of doing things in this country makes absolutely no sense. If the constituents want marijuana decriminalized and it makes it way into the General Assembly and it passes, how can one person, who has obvious biased feelings towards the issue, have the power to veto it? We elect the politicians to represent us yet we also elect a politician that presides over them and can reverse any decisions that they made for us in the first place. As Spock would say, “That’s not logical.”
Even though Rell is a cancer survivor, she vetoed a bill in June of 2007 that wanted to legalize medical marijuana. The state House of Representatives voted 89-58 while the Senate voted 23-13, both shy of the two-thirds margin that was needed in both chambers to override the veto. Her reasoning of the decision was that although she had sympathy for those who wanted to use marijuana for pain management, she said that her sympathy could not overcome her concerns that those seeking to obtain the drug would need to break the law to purchase it.
Well, there’s a good way to avoid people breaking the law. Change the law! Her statement does not even make sense. If medical marijuana was legalized then those people wouldn’t be breaking the law to purchase their weed. Is she implying that people would pretend to be in pain or sick to qualify for medical marijuana? Shouldn’t that be left up to the physicians? What right does a politician have on who qualifies? All the states have to do is legalize medical marijuana and then let the doctors decide from there.
It will be interesting to see how this issue pans out. If Rell successfully vetoes again, then Connecticut might just become the black sheep of the New England family. If they manage to override this veto then the law would reduce the penalty for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana from the current level of a misdemeanor to an infraction with a maximum fine of $121.
New Jersey Governor Gives Thumbs Up to Pot Bill
February 27th, 2009 by PerryNew Jersey Governor Jon Corzine said he would “absolutely” sign the medical marijuana bill proposed by the New Jersey legislature.
Corzine is a Democrat running for re-election next fall, and said laws should be made so that patients are comfortable and there are safeguards against abuses.
The Senate approved the bill Monday. It faces an uncertain fate in the Assembly. New Jersey would be the 14th state to approve MMJ.
Governor, Why Is Pot Still Illegal?
October 3rd, 2008 by Perry
Paul Armentano, a cannabis legal expert and member of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws,) is calling out names. He lists seven governors (6 Repub., 1 Dem.) who single-handedly shot down reforms that would have made marijuana either legal or decriminalized.
Now get out there and put some pressure on your local representative. Remember, this movement has to start at the roots…
Arnold on Pot, Explains Everything
September 25th, 2008 by PerryWell, at least now we know why the governator wasn’t solving our budget problems… he was too busy toking up with Tommy Chong.
Knowing this, and looking back at the media shots for his movie Twins, I can’t help but forgive him. I mean, how can you get mad at that face? You just can’t. Continue Reading
