Marijuana Reform Breakdown
November 4th, 2006 by Alex
TalkLeft has put together a nice, quick breakdown of the upcoming marijuana reform initiatives that are taking place in Colorado, Nevada and South Dakota. This years’ mid-term elections are not only important because of the obvious Democrat vs. Republican struggle, but also because these measures might be the first steps toward legalization.
Public opinion is starting to swing in many states. Organizations like LEAP and SAFER Colorado are doing their part to improve awareness and promote the benefits of herb rather than the demonization and scare tactics employed by the US government.
Overall, even if these measures don’t succeed (and I sure as hell hope they do), I still believe we are on the path towards a more intellectual approach to smoking. When you compare the benefits and drawbacks against many other legal substances in the US, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
[via TalkLeft]
LEAP - An Organization to Support
August 23rd, 2006 by Alex
An organization known as LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) is another, albeit large, example that legalization is gaining steam and soon poised to become a national issue on a Presidential level.
LEAP was founded in March 16th, 2002 and is made up of current and former members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities who are speaking out about the failures of the United States’ existing drug policies. This should make an extremely strong impression on anyone who hears what they have to say. Executive Director, Jack Cole, doesn’t hide his viewpoint:
The war on drugs has been, and forever will be, a total and abject failure. This is a war on our own people. What if, today, we had legalized regulation of drugs and spent $69 billion a year on mandatory minimum education? Mandatory minimum health care? Jobs for anybody who wanted to work? Decent housing? We could do that kind of stuff with the money we’re wasting on the war on drugs.
The fact that so many educated, respected and involved individuals are beginning to speak out and bring attention to a more than obvious error in our country’s approach should be an eye opener. Jack Cole is here again to drop another one:
By the summer of 2008, I want 10,000 law enforcement members and a million private citizens who support what we’re doing. If we get those numbers, and I’m almost sure we will, we will elevate the discussion of legalized regulation of drugs to the level of a presidential campaign issue. Then, we can show the candidates that they won’t lose one more vote than they’ll gain. We will end the prohibition on drugs.
The implications of this are gigantic and to give an actual horizon of action is a step forward by itself. If not by 2008, 2012 should be the year that national legalization begins to take serious hold and has a legitimate chance to change our country.
If you can, get involved with LEAP today.
