Landmark Election

[Bearsy]

Today, voters in Michigan and Massachusetts passed Marijuana Policy Project's landmark ballot initiatives to change marijuana policy in their states. Of the 13 marijuana policy statewide initiative victories in the history of the country, we just scored the second and third most important. (The first was California's medical marijuana law in 1996.) MPP's Massachusetts initiative was the first time in history that a decriminalization initiative appeared on any statewide ballot, and voters passed it by what appears to be an overwhelming majority. The measure removes all criminal penalties for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana — replacing it with a $100 fine, which can be paid through the mail without lawyers or court appearances, just like a speeding ticket. And Michigan voters passed MPP's medical marijuana initiative, making Michigan the first Midwestern state to permit medical marijuana use by seriously ill patients (and the 13th in the U.S.). Michigan now becomes the second largest medical marijuana state in the country (second only to California). And as a result of tonight's victory, almost one quarter of the nation now resides in states with medical marijuana laws. Despite formidable opposition (including lies and dirty tricks from our opponents), common sense won — in large part because of thousands of MPP supporters who donated as generously as they could to both campaign committees. The majority of these donors don't even live in Michigan or Massachusetts but donated because this is what the movement for changing marijuana laws is all about — a partnership between people across the country, giving whatever they can afford in order to push change forward. The people of Michigan and Massachusetts owe a debt of gratitude to thousands of people in the other 48 states and Washington, D.C., who donated money for victories that they won't personally see in their own states. And this is exactly how it works: In the upcoming two-year cycle, we're going to be choosing a new slate of states, and we'll all pitch in nationwide to pass those too ... which includes passing bills through state legislatures too. Thank you to all Michiganders and Massachusettsens(?) for your help in voting for these historic initiatives. One step closer to personal freedoms and compassionate care for EVERYONE that needs it. :peace:

[lysergic]

Can i get a hell yeah? freedom for Americans is in on it's way. maybe. wouldn't that be cool?

[Oneironaut Zero]

Smoke if ya got it.

[Original Poster]

Hell yeah! This is awesome! And I thought this was about Barack Obama ._.

[Descensus]

I am very happy with the results of this.

[juroara]

THIS ISNT AN OBAMA THREAD?? how dare you trick me I can cry for KING!

[tkdyo]

youre welcome

[Adam]

That is still a huge fine!! I don't think we even get that here, I'm sure they just take what you have away from you if they can even be bothered and tell you to run along...

[Bearsy]

Aye, it is still a lot, but it's also a step in the right direction, and on a large scale. People get angry/frustrated with marijuana reform because it happens in such small incriments, but that's really the only way to get it done.

[Descensus]

Thank you to all Michiganders and Massachusettsens(?) for your help in voting for these historic initiatives. One step closer to personal freedoms and compassionate care for EVERYONE that needs it. :peace: It's "Bay Staters"

[Bearsy]

Ok, thanks A total tally of the MPP initiatives from this election: MPP and our allies across the country passed nine out of 10 marijuana-related ballot initiatives yesterday ... and also defeated a bad initiative. This makes yesterday the most successful day in MPP's 14-year history. MICHIGAN: MPP's medical marijuana initiative passed by 63% to 37% in Michigan, making it the 13th state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and jail. While any new medical marijuana law is a great victory, this one is especially notable, since Michigan is now the first medical marijuana state in the Midwest, and the second largest medical marijuana state in the country (with California being the largest). See http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/ for details. MASSACHUSETTS: MPP's landmark initiative to decriminalize marijuana in Massachusetts passed by 65% to 35%. The measure removes the threat of arrest and jail for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana, replacing it with a $100 fine, which can be paid through the mail without lawyers or court appearances, just like a speeding ticket. This is the first time in history that voters have passed a statewide initiative to decriminalize marijuana! See http://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/ for details. CALIFORNIA: A measure that would have required the loss of public housing benefits for recent drug convictions lost by a 70% to 30% margin. (The measure would have also increased spending on prisons and law enforcement, as well as increased penalties for gang-related activities and other crimes.) CALIFORNIA: A measure that would have expanded the number of drug offenders diverted from prison into treatment — as well as improving the marijuana decriminalization law that was originally enacted by the state legislature in 1975 — lost by 60% to 40%. See http://www.prop5yes.com/ for details. BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA: A measure (which received $5,000 from the MPP grants program) to expand the non-residential zones where medical marijuana dispensaries can locate, issue zoning certificates, and bring Berkeley marijuana possession limits in line with recent court rulings passed by 62% to 38%. See http://www.yesonjj.com/ for details. FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: A measure (which received $3,972 from the MPP grants program) to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement passed by 66% to 34%. See http://www.sensiblefayetteville.com/ for details. HAWAII COUNTY, HAWAII: A measure (which received $19,800 from the MPP grants program) to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement passed by 53% to 39%. See http://www.projectpeacefulsky.org/ for details. FOUR DISTRICTS IN MASSACHUSETTS: Voters in four out of four state House districts passed four nonbinding public policy questions directing each district's state representative to vote in favor of legislation that would allow seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana if they have the approval of their physicians. See http://www.dpfma.org/ for details.

[Reality_is_a_Dream]

Just wanted to apologize for making my 'mirror' thread, I thought that the title was refering to the Obama election. So, um, Sorry Elis! (and mods, and everyone else) And about the pot decrimonalization, I am happy. I just may try this new craze called "refer". When do you think it'll be legal?

[Oneironaut Zero]

Just wanted to apologize for making my 'mirror' thread, I thought that the title was refering to the Obama election. So, um, Sorry Elis! (and mods, and everyone else) And I apologize for jumping down your throat about it. Are you a resident of Massachusetts? It would explain your enthusiasm, and why you created the mirror thread.

[Reality_is_a_Dream]

And I apologize for jumping down your throat about it. Are you a resident of Massachusetts? It would explain your enthusiasm, and why you created the mirror thread. In fact I am, and the only thing preventing me form trying it out (was) geting caught. And both my parents voted yes on 2 (the decri-yadda of pot) and want to legalize it, so I think that I am basically in the clear. And you didn't "jump down my throat". You're supposed to look out for those kinds of things.

[Oneironaut Zero]

Yeah. I really hope they just go ahead and legalize it. I honestly don't see any logical reason that alcohol is legal, when pot isn't. Try as they might, no one has been able to sufficiently rationalize that to me. If anything, it should be the other way around. And you didn't "jump down my throat". You're supposed to look out for those kinds of things.

[Reality_is_a_Dream]

I think that if they outright ban alcohol, it will be the way pot is now. Or at least was! They should only have alcohol that is less than 15% alcohol, and lust water down beer and such so it is under the limit. It if is just absolutely gone, the situation will be worse than it is now.

[Bearsy]

This is a response to the post Ninja9578 made in this closed thread We'll have to wait and see. I'm torn. Pot is definitely not as dangerous as some people think, but decriminalization may lead to overuse. Overuse, like with any drug, can kill you. I don't think very many people will overuse it then because (even though most people believe otherwise) it's about as addictive as caffeine, which isn't as bad as alcohol (which I have no problem with) or cigarettes (which should be banned.) Not true. According to which US Government authority you want to believe, the lethal dose of marijuana is either about one-third your body weight, or about 1,500 pounds, consumed all at once. In summary, enormous doses of Delta 9 THC, All THC and concentrated marihuana extract ingested by mouth were unable to produce death or organ pathology in large mammals but did produce fatalities in smaller rodents due to profound central nervous system depression. The non-fatal consumption of 3000 mg/kg A THC by the dog and monkey would be comparable to a 154-pound human eating approximately 46 pounds (21 kilograms) of 1%-marihuana or 10 pounds of 5% hashish at one time. In addition, 92 mg/kg THC intravenously produced no fatalities in monkeys. These doses would be comparable to a 154-pound human smoking at one time almost three pounds (1.28 kg) of 1%-marihuana or 250,000 times the usual smoked dose and over a million times the minimal effective dose assuming 50% destruction of the THC by smoking. Thus, evidence from animal studies and human case reports appears to indicate that the ratio of lethal dose to effective dose is quite large. This ratio is much more favorable than that of many other common psychoactive agents including alcohol and barbiturates (Phillips et al. 1971, Brill et al. 1970). It's literally impossible to overdose on cannabis. Drug..................Deaths per year TOBACCO..............340,000 to 450,000 ALCOHOL(Not including 50% of all highway deaths and 65% of all murders)............. 150,000+ ASPIRIN(Including deliberate overdose)........... 180 to 1,000+ CAFFEINE (From stress, ulcers, and triggering irregular heartbeats, etc.).......... 1,000 to 10,000 "LEGAL" DRUG OVERDOSE (Deliberate or accidental) from legal, prescribed or patent medicines and/or mixing with alcohol - e.g. Valium/alcohol........... 14,000 to 27,000 ILLICIT DRUG OVERDOSE (Deliberate or accidental) from all illegal drugs........... 3,800 to 5,200 MARIJUANA.......... 0 in the history of EVER And here's a relative addictiveness scale for you...

[Bearsy]

Oh, and no worries, RiaD. Did you see my response in the other thread in ED?

[Reality_is_a_Dream]

It's what led me here And yea, but I think that they would need to do it gradually. Otherwist, everyone would be totally wasted for the next 30 years

[Original Poster]

MARIJUANA.......... 0 in the history of EVER And here's a relative addictiveness scale for you... Actually, there's one, but the girl had heart problems and she was proscribed it so she was smoking a LOT. I forget the whole story but basically it made her have a heart attack. Your first time getting high you have an increased chance of a heart attack if you get seriously baked because your body has no tolerance to the effects.

[Bearsy]

Mmm I don't know how accurate that is... the mainstream media and the Drug Czar's office would be all over it. Do you have any sources?

[Original Poster]

No I just remember a friend telling me about it a couple years ago.

[Universal Mind]

Marijuana causes people who smoke it to die of spontaneous combustion. It is a real problem in Amsterdam and Vancouver.

[DeathCell]

No I just remember a friend telling me about it a couple years ago. I'm going to let you in on a secret... Anytime someone tells you a story like that it's 9/10 times fake.

[Original Poster]

Normally I wouldn't have believed it, but I happen to trust this guy and I trust he at least read it somewhere. You ever think maybe the powers that be intend to keep weed as a popular drug by advertizing it as a harmless social stigma? Want to rebel against society in a harmless way and enjoy yourself, too? Smoke pot. That's how the government turns all would-be revolutionaries into lazy stoners.