Archives for category: Marijuana

Insists on dividing people up into groups– then assigning a separate value to each group.

 

Cheers on military forces that are not in the habit of winning decades of undeclared wars in distant lands.

Credits The Troops with defending American rights and freedoms- as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

 

Stopped supporting a draft a long time ago.

 

Spends money on gunboat escorts for ferries on Puget Sound while terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry.

 

Spends months promoting the idea of buying stuff to celebrate Christmas.

 

Brags about freedom- then goes with a control freak approach on individual liberty.

 

Lies about the stories associated with federal holidays.

Celebrates independence from a powerful central government.

Tries to make people feel guilty for not properly observing some federal holidays.

 

Talks about legalizing marijuana while including restrictions that leave prohibition and the drug war in place for adults age 18-20, those who want to grow a plant at home, possess more than an ounce, or possess marijuana from non-state sanctioned outlets.

 

Talks about placing high taxes on legal marijuana.

Dealers, traffickers and cartels are good with this idea.

 

Supports a Homeland Security police state that can’t keep heroin and cocaine out of the US.

 

Tolerates reporters who do not ask questions.

 

Tolerates politicians who lie about clean energy.

 

Supports a Drug War that places us all at risk.

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Study: State spent $200M on pot enforcement

After I-502 passes-

How much will be spent on prohibition Re: adults age 18-20, those possessing more than one ounce, those growing a plant, and those who obtain marijuana from other than state sanctioned outlets?

 

How much will be spent on DUI testing and enforcement?

Driving while impaired testing/legal limits for marijuana-

The concern is that bodily fluids may test positive for residual evidence of marijuana use (not abuse) unrelated to driving while impaired.

This is not to defend operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs or marijuana– the concern is to avoid wrongful DUI arrests for people who are not impaired.

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

Has I-692 caused problems on the highways?

If this is an honest concern- what has the state been waiting on?

People have been able to get behind the wheel after using marijuana for decades.

This will remain so- even if recreational use of marijuana never becomes legal.

Maybe the Washington State Patrol sees this as a non-issue.

Some will say there is no reason to be concerned about being forced to submit to a marijuana impairment test because in order to be stopped for impaired driving- you have to show impairment?

This leaves out the possibility of being involved in an accident through no fault of your own- rear ended, hit a deer, etc.

During the accident investigation you are asked to submit to a test- maybe you appear to be stressed out, nervous, in shock, emotional, etc.

Perhaps you’ll be forced to prove your innocence at a DUI checkpoint?

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Preserving a free society, free markets, free trade, private property rights, & a minimal bureaucracy where SWAT raids are used to go after adults who want to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard.

 

Democrats are A-OK with the violent SWAT raids too- they just talk less about personal responsibility, individual liberty, constitutional principles, smaller, limited government, free enterprise, private property rights, etc.

He got paid to say this-

 

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.

 

 

Photo- Calm, warm day at Deception Pass State Park

 

Independence Day is over- put away all the freedom talk.

 

Medical marijuana has been legal here since 1998. It is still extremely controversial.

 

See comments below this article for lots of controversy:

“The ordinance effectively bans medical marijuana within city limits but positions the city for the possibility that a conflict between state and federal laws will someday be resolved.”

 

This past spring- a police raid was conducted on a Port Townsend residence because of the odor of legal medical marijuana:

UPDATED: No suspects charged in morning raid
Police discover medical marijuana license on site

Raid first- ask questions later.

 

Preserving a free society, free markets, free trade, private property rights, & a minimal bureaucracy where violent SWAT raids are used to go after adults who want to peacefully grow a marijuana plant in the back yard.

Democrats are A-OK with the violent SWAT raids too- they just talk less about personal responsibility, individual liberty, constitutional principles, smaller, limited government, free enterprise, private property rights, etc.

 

Over the past two years- as an unpaid volunteer- I was able to collect more than 1000 signatures in the Port Townsend area for marijuana legalization.

In the case of the initiatives I volunteered for- legalization meant ending all penalties for adults at the state level.

Marijuana should be just as legal as a glass of wine.

 

Those who oppose medical marijuana frequently say that it is just a scam for people who want to get high.

People attend Happy Hours at bars all across America- just because they want to get high.

Maybe these folks just want to get high:

Oregon producer, French winemaker pair to produce sublime wine

 

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

 

 

Photo- Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary from Crescent Beach- Vancouver Island in the distance

 

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

 

The people who run both major parties & the conventions that nominate presidential candidates agree on the Drug War.

Ditto for the TV networks that host presidential debates & ask scripted questions of candidates.

 

Tennessee Cop Robs Driver Of $22,000 After Traffic Stop

 

The drug war places us all at risk-

High speed drug related car chases

Drug raids at the wrong address

 

Botched Paramilitary Police Raids

Dogs killed in SWAT raids

Student left in Drug Enforcement Administration holding cell for nearly five days

Guilty until proven innocent roadside searches-

Part One:

 

Part Two:

“While testifying under oath, Officer Michael Reichert admits to planting drugs or drug scents on cars in hotel parking lots for K9 “training” without notifying the owners. He then lets unsuspecting motorists drive away with drug scents still on their vehicles.”

 

Related: Settlement Means No More Highway Robbery in Tenaha, Texas

 

Local media video promotes the Drug War-

Serious subject matter- covered like an elementary school field trip down to the fire station- except- students might come up with some intelligent or interesting questions at the fire station.

With drugs streaming into Washington, state turns to National Guard for help

 

Possibly of interest-

State and local law enforcement agencies do not conduct suspicionless checkpoints in Washington State.

 

Border Patrol checkpoints came to Jefferson County, WA in 2008.

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists.

The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50

At that same forum a lady asked:

“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”

US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.

Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.

Question about providing ID is at 0:35

 

Checkpoints ended here in 2008- possibly due to well informed citizens and local protests. Looks like they weren’t vital to national security after all.

War on Terror- credibility squandered.

 

Las Vegas DUI Checkpoint 05/01/2010 1of2

 

DUI Checkpoint Refusal

 

Video collection- DHS checkpoints

 

 

Photo- The Pacific Coast at Westport, WA

 

Federal spokespeople are paid to participate in information suppression schemes.

These are the same people who will tell you all about how free you are next time a federal holiday rolls around.

 

Marijuana is bad because it is illegal. Marijuana is illegal because we said so-

 

More info here

 

 

US foreign policy goals and objectives are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.

 

Your vote is critical in this key election year.

 

Safety concerns require that arrest statistics must be kept secret.

Aug 2010-

A US Border Patrol spokesperson tells the press:

“Border Patrol spokeswoman Jenny Burke said Monday that the agency will not release any information on the number of arrests made by agents who work out of the Port Angeles station, the names of those arrested, what they were arrested for and the disposition of their cases”

“The number of arrests for Port Angeles’ or any other station is “law enforcement-sensitive,” Burke said.”

“The names of those arrested and other facts about them are not available for release under the 1974 Privacy Act, she said.”

 

The Department of Homeland Security is in the business of keeping terrorists out of the US.

‘Uptick’ in heroin use seen on North Olympic Peninsula

 

Marijuana is more harmful than prohibition.

 

Gunboats are required to protect ferry boats on Puget Sound.

 

Your favorite politician has a plan to create jobs and clean energy.

 

Fusion centers can stop the sorts of violent crimes Americans have been familiar with for decades.

 

 

Photo- Lake Crescent, WA

 

 

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

 

The people who run both major parties & the conventions that nominate presidential candidates agree on the Drug War.

 

Ditto for the TV networks that sponsor presidential debates & ask scripted questions of candidates.

 

Local media video promotes the Drug War-

Serious subject matter- covered like an elementary school field trip down to the fire station- except- students might come up with some intelligent or interesting questions at the fire station.

With drugs streaming into Washington, state turns to National Guard for help

 

The drug war places us all at risk-

High speed car chases

Drug raids at the wrong address

Botched Paramilitary Police Raids

Dogs killed in SWAT raids

Student left in Drug Enforcement Administration holding cell for nearly five days

Guilty until proven innocent roadside searches-

 

A powerful central government knows what’s best for each one of us.

How about legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34)

 

Cross-state hazmat evacuation operation conducted to rid communities of toxic products sold by legal drug dealers:

Peninsula residents turn in unused drugs in take-back day

 

Post 911 efforts to keep terrorists from visiting the homeland- still unable to keep illegal drugs out-

‘Uptick’ in heroin use seen on North Olympic Peninsula

 

“Marijuana smuggled into the United States, whether grown in Mexico or transshipped from other Latin American source areas, accounts for most of the marijuana available in the United States.”

Allowing legal, domestic production of marijuana would serve to eliminate a portion of distraction and potential corruption at the border– but we can’t have that in a free society.

 

Much talk about a chance to vote for marijuana legalization in November.

 

Legalization?

Unfortunately, I-502 does nothing to end guilty until proven innocent police raids on peaceful people.

 

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

In a free society- where marijuana is legal- the following event would never happen-

“Port Townsend Police raided a house Wednesday morning, and learned by that afternoon the resident apparently had a license to grow medical marijuana.

About 8 a.m. April 11 police raided a home on the 300 block of Hendricks Street after the receiving a tip from passersby that a strong odor was emanating from the residence.”

 

I-502 does nothing to end guilty until proven innocent police raids on the homes of peaceful people.

 

Hey ACLU of Washington- how can the I-502 drug dog/SWAT team tell if there is more than 1 ounce or a single plant growing behind a peaceful homeowner’s door?

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

 

Related-

July 17, 2008-

“The Washington Supreme Court ruled July 17 that police cannot arrest passengers simply for being in a car that smells of marijuana.”

 

“…one vulnerability or gap anywhere across the globe has the ability to impact security thousands of miles away.”

 

Post 911 efforts to keep terrorists from visiting the homeland- still unable to keep heroin out-

Welcome Home Troops

 

Meanwhile- Sensitive Dept. of Homeland Security documents are released to the public at a garage sale.

Zero reporting on how these sensitive documents left the workplace- any violation of procedures?

 

What stops hardcore terrorists from blowing themselves up in crowded airports just prior to entering security checkpoints?

 

“…training members of the Afghan national security forces, even after dozens of them have killed U.S. personnel in the last few years.”

 

The federal government must have magic crime fighting powers to stop terrorists. The magic powers don’t work on crimes like bank robbery or drug trafficking.

 

March 2012- Military airfield security procedures in Afghanistan fail to keep unauthorized, speeding vehicle off the tarmac during Defense Secretary visit.

 

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists. The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50.

Post 911 efforts to keep terrorists from visiting the homeland- still unable to keep illegal drugs out-

Homeland Security: Smugglers Recruit South Bay Youth to Act As Drug Mules

Your thoughts Vice President Biden?

More from Western Washington-

Ferndale brothers sentenced to 40 months in prison for dealing heroin

Everson man gets prison for selling cocaine to informant

Alleged heroin dealer arrested in Centralia

20 grams of cocaine and a loaded shotgun seized at Port Angeles.

 

Urban Shield SWAT event- Preventing Terrorism Aim Of Operation ‘Urban Shield’

Preventing Terrorism?

More like reacting.

 

“Fusion centers maximize our ability to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity. They assist the FBI by providing information made available by the combination of knowledge, expertise, and information within local law enforcement and homeland security agencies operating throughout the nation, and our participation allows us to provide a national perspective on regional threats and trends so we can better inform decision makers at all levels. The exchange of intelligence that takes place in fusion centers aids other intelligence and law enforcement organizations—including the JTTFs—in their investigative operations and serves as a critical tool for collaboration at all levels.”

Waiting in line policy to show special biometric ID fails to prevent hardcore criminals from crossing into the US- even while packing large quantities of contraband. Maybe an enhanced driver license or U.S. Passport Card will keep terrorists out- they wouldn’t be smart enough to just ride on in with shipments of illegal drugs.

We’ve got the upper hand-

It will be easy to spot an attempted strike. Expect the bad guys to be sloppy- the packages they send will look like they were put together by drunken 3rd graders, or Wile E Coyote.

Terror watch lists fail to prevent illegal drug shipments from entering North America-

“Today, traffickers operating from Colombia continue to control wholesale-level cocaine distribution throughout the heavily populated northeastern United States and along the eastern seaboard in cities such as Boston, Miami, Newark, New York, and Philadelphia.”

“Heroin is readily available in many U.S. cities as evidenced by the unprecedented high level of average retail, or street-level, purity. Criminals in four foreign source areas produce the heroin available in the United States: South America (Colombia), Southeast Asia (principally Burma), Mexico, and Southwest Asia/Middle East (principally Afghanistan).”

 

DHS-

“Protecting communities along on our borders is vital to our homeland security, as well as to our economic prosperity.”

“As we move forward, we’ll continue to work to ensure our borders are safe and secure, while facilitating the legitimate trade and travel that is so essential to our economy.”

“Ten years after the September 11th attacks, America is stronger and more secure today, thanks to the strong support of Congress; the tremendous work of the men and women of DHS and our local, state and federal partners across the homeland security enterprise,” said Secretary Napolitano.  “The Department’s FY 2013 budget request preserves core frontline priorities by cutting costs, sharing resources across components, and streamlining operations wherever possible.”

Looks like terrorists can cross into the US just as easily as illegal drugs do.

 

“Marijuana smuggled into the United States, whether grown in Mexico or transshipped from other Latin American source areas, accounts for most of the marijuana available in the United States.”

Allowing legal, domestic production of marijuana would serve to eliminate a portion of distraction and potential corruption at the border– but we can’t have that in a free society.

 

 

photo- Mystery Bay, WA

 

3,000 gallons of diesel spill in Interbay train yard

 

Much election year talk about clean energy, jobs, the economy, etc.

Leaky rail cars and overturned trucks transporting hemp to processing facilities don’t require a toxic waste/Hazmat response.

 

Instant, non-experimental jobs program/revenue generator requiring zero tax dollars-

Allow U.S. farmers to answer the global demand for Industrial Hemp.

 

 

Photo- Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA

 

A symbol of freedom & federal government credibility

 

Why must we be ruled from Washington D.C.?

 

Why do Americans bother to celebrate independence from a powerful central government?

 

Why are Americans OK with False Advertising?

 

DEA-

“The Internet also contributes to marijuana’s popularity. Websites exist that provide information and links extolling the virtues of marijuana. These sites provide forums for user group discussions, post documents and messages for public discussions, and advocate the “legal” sale of marijuana. Several web sites advertising the sale of marijuana and providing instructions on home grows have also been identified.”

The people who run The Drug War are opposed to web-based forums for user group discussions & people who post documents and messages for public discussions, and advocate the “legal” sale of marijuana. Maybe if they had their way- they’d hand down a totalitarian mandate forbidding free & peaceful adults from sharing ideas on the internet– moving to suppress ideas- sort of like banning books.

 

President Obama’s YouTube Forum deems marijuana legalization questions “inappropriate”

 

“Every place where drugs become legalized, matter of fact is more people on welfare, more people who are dependent, more people with bad health outcomes, fewer people who are able workers who can pay attention on the job, and a drain of money into illegality. Because immediately behind legalized marijuana, comes cocaine and heroin. And the very people who were busy selling marijuana branch into even more aggressive sale of the harder illegal drugs. So, I think it is a big net economic loss and a job killing idea.” – Newt Gingrich

Yes, Speaker Gingrich-

Just like when marijuana was legal- in the days when Americans were inventing and producing light bulbs, automobiles, airplanes, etc.- when there were no drug gangs or cartels, federal drug czars, people on welfare, violent SWAT raids on peaceful homeowners, etc.

Speaker Gingrich-

It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.

“Which of the enumerated powers delegated to the federal government under the Constitution gives them the authority to prohibit the cultivation or use of marijuana at all, for any reason?”

“If the Federal Government can regulate growing a half-dozen cannabis plants for personal consumption…then Congress’ Article I powers…have no meaningful limits. Whether Congress aims at the possession of drugs, guns, or any number of other items, it may continue to appropria[te] state police powers under the guise of regulating commerce.”

“Nowhere does the Constitution authorize the federal government to prohibit drug manufacture, sale, or use. Nowhere does the Constitution authorize the federal government to ban anything.”

 

The people who run both major parties & the conventions that nominate presidential candidates agree on the Drug War.

Ditto for the TV networks that sponsor presidential debates & ask scripted questions of candidates.

 

A powerful central government knows what’s best for each one of us.

How about legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34)

 

Instant, non-experimental jobs program/revenue generator requiring zero tax dollars-

Allow U.S. farmers to answer the global demand for Industrial Hemp.

 

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

Why should the force of government/majority rule be connected in any way to these sorts of adult choices?

 

Medical marijuana-

Government authorization/permission documents & procedures for marijuana should be the same required for a glass of wine.

Imagine having to go to a pharmacy with a prescription in order to buy a glass of wine-

Doesn’t sound like freedom to me.

 

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

 

 

Legalization?

Unfortunately, I-502 does nothing to end guilty until proven innocent police raids on peaceful people.

“Port Townsend Police raided a house Wednesday morning, and learned by that afternoon the resident apparently had a license to grow medical marijuana.

About 8 a.m. April 11 police raided a home on the 300 block of Hendricks Street after the receiving a tip from passersby that a strong odor was emanating from the residence.”

 

Marijuana legalization (not really) in Washington State –

Not asking people to vote against it– just want people to have an honest understanding of what is in play.

 

Many people seem to think I-502 will be a first step in the right direction- & that improvements can come later.

Alcohol prohibition ended in the 1930s. The federal government imposed alcohol prohibition on adults age 18-20 in 1984. It wasn’t until 2011 that voters authorized private liquor sales in Washington State.

“On Octtober 23, 2000, President Clinton signed legislation instituting a phased in financial penalty for States which do not implement a .08 per se[1] blood alcohol limit.[2] Even so, the .08 debate is not necessarily over. This legislation gives states until 2004 to adopt .08 BAC as their per se limit. Failure to adopt this standard within this time frame would result in a loss of a portion of federal highway funding.”

We’ve had medical marijuana here since 1998– efforts to smooth out rough edges have not gone well.

Makes sense to get it right the first time.

 

I do believe- if I-502 creates a train wreck with the feds- that may be a good thing.

The average voter who does not care much about liberty or marijuana will be angered to see the feds try to interfere with what people want locally.

 

How will I-502 end violent SWAT raids on people who want to grow a plant at home or possess more than 1 ounce?

Hey ACLU of Washington- how can the I-502 drug dog/SWAT team tell if there is more than 1 ounce or a single plant growing behind a peaceful homeowner’s door?

A Tucson, Ariz., SWAT team defends shooting an Iraq War veteran 60 times during a drug raid, although it declines to say whether it found any drugs in the house and has had to retract its claim that the veteran shot first.

 

 

NORML- (supports I-502)

“Additionally, at NORML we also support the right of consumers to grow their own marijuana, and there is no such legal protection in the WA initiative.”

 

Driving while impaired testing/legal limits for marijuana-

The concern is that bodily fluids may test positive for residual evidence of marijuana use (not abuse) unrelated to driving while impaired.

This is not to defend operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs or marijuana– the concern is to avoid wrongful DUI arrests for people who are not impaired.

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

Has I-692 caused problems on the highways?

If this is an honest concern- what has the state been waiting on?

People have been able to get behind the wheel after using marijuana for decades.

This will remain so- even if recreational use of marijuana never becomes legal.

Maybe the Washington State Patrol sees this as a non-issue.

Some will say there is no reason to be concerned about being forced to submit to a marijuana impairment test because in order to be stopped for impaired driving- you have to show impairment?

 

This leaves out the possibility of being involved in an accident through no fault of your own- rear ended, hit a deer, etc.

During the accident investigation you are asked to submit to a test- maybe you appear to be stressed out, nervous, in shock, emotional, etc.

Perhaps you’ll be forced to prove your innocence at a DUI checkpoint?

 

NORML- (supports I-502)

“We fully recognize the per se DUI marijuana provisions in I-502 are arbitrary, unnecessary, and unscientific, and we argued strongly with the sponsors for provisions that would require proof of actual impairment to be shown before one could be charged with a traffic safety offense.”

 

Call off the drug dogs & tax payer-funded SWAT raids?

No- I-502 leaves the Drug War fully in place for adults age 18-20- possibly resulting in a drug related conviction barring eligibility for scholarships, future employment, etc.

“A single arrest can result in a lifetime of collateral consequences, making it harder to get a job and find a place to live.”

I would have thought the ACLU would be the last to propose dividing adults into groups of 1st and 2nd class citizens- those age 18-20 being prohibited from acting on their natural rights.

All adults should receive the protections and benefits of lifting a marijuana prohibition which is more harmful than the effects of adult marijuana use.

 

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

Why should the force of government/majority rule be connected in any way to these sorts of adult choices?

 

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.