Tag Archive for 'marijuana'

29
Apr

Yes we can

06
Dec

A response from Boxy Lady

My ongoing correspondence with my employees in Washington continues.  Back in October, I wrote to Rep. Henry Waxman and Senators Feinstein and Boxer regarding the report issued by the Global Cannabis Commission in particular, and this country’s backwards, illogical marijuana laws in general.  Yesterday, Senator Boxer’s office sent this reply:

Dear Mr. Adams:

Thank you for contacting me about the legalization of marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you.

Although I do not support the legalization of drugs for recreational use, I do believe that medical doctors should be allowed to use their best judgment, consistent with federal law, in deciding on the most effective treatment for their patients, especially those with terminal illnesses.

Again, thank you for writing to me. Please feel free to contact me again about this or any other issue of concern to you.

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Polite, curt and completely dismissive towards the substance of my letter.  I hold onto my naive idea that those who are elected to represent my interest should at least pay me the courtesy of actually addressing my concerns.  As such…

Senator Barbara Boxer

I appreciate your office taking the time to respond to my letter.  What I do not appreciate is the fact that you did not even bother addressing the specific issues that the letter addressed.  I’ll cut to the chase and ask you two specific questions.

When all the scientific, medical and criminal evidence tells us that marijuana poses significantly less harm to the individual user and to society as a whole than legal substances like alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs, why do you and your colleagues insist on maintaining the illogical stance of complete prohibition?

Further, when our state is facing a financial crisis, why would you and your colleagues continue to ignore the potential tax revenue from a cash crop with an estimated worth of up to $14 billion?

As always, thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Nick Adams

03
Oct

So, California needs $7 billion?

Image via Flickr Thomas Hawk

At least, that’s what The Governator thinks.  The LA Times has the scoop:

In a letter obtained by The Times, the governor warns that tight credit has dried up funds California routinely relies on and it may have to seek emergency aid within weeks.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, alarmed by the ongoing national financial crisis, warned Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson on Thursday that the state might need an emergency loan of as much as $7 billion from the federal government within weeks.

Where in the world could California possibly get $7 billion from?  If only there was a substance that could be grown easily across the entire state, that we could then tax and export around the country at a premium price.  Something that could easily bring in billions of dollars to the state’s economy.  Also, it would be great if it didn’t do as much harm to society as alcohol and tobacco, and there was already a demonstrated demand for it.  Wouldn’t that be great?  I’m gonna go smoke a joint and think about this some more.

27
May

Another non-response from Henry Waxman

 

And here I was thinking that I might get an actual substantive answer from someone who is elected to represent my interest in Washington.  Silly me.

————————

May 27, 2008

Mr. Nick Adams
8335 1/4 Blackburn Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90048-4217

Dear Mr. Adams:

       Thank you for contacting me to follow up on our recent
correspondence concerning H.R. 5843, a bill to remove federal
penalties for the personal use of marijuana.  Although we have a
different perspective on the issue, I appreciate having the benefit
of your view.  I hope you will continue to keep in touch in the
future on matters of concern.

     To learn more about my work in Congress or sign up for
periodic e-mail updates, please visit www.waxman.house.gov and
http://oversight.house.gov.

     Again, thank you for contacting me and I hope you will
continue to keep in touch on issues of concern.

       With kind regards, I am

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Member of Congress.

—————————–

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

 

The Honorable Henry Waxman
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Representative Waxman,

I’m just curious as to what your perspective is.  I have taken the logical and common sense tact that there is no reason to continue the criminalization of a substance that has been demonstrated to be significantly less harmful to the user and to society than alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs.  Since you have refused to even address the points that I made in my original letter, it’s impossible for me to know where you stand.  I’ll repeat:

Right now, thousands of your constituents in Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are partaking of marijuana in the comfort and safety of their own homes, harming no one.

Why continue to treat them like criminals?

 

Sincerely, 

 

Nick Adams

15
May

A reply from Henry Waxman

I contacted Rep. Waxman and urged him to support HR 5843.   This is his reply. 

May 13, 2008

Mr. Nick Adams
8335 1/4 Blackburn Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90048-4217

Dear Mr. Adams:

       Thank you for contacting me to express your support for
the legalization of recreational drug use.  I appreciate your taking
the time to get in touch.

       As you know, studies show that illegal drugs damage the
human brain, and many of these drugs have addictive properties
and take a huge toll on drug users, their families, and communities.
While I do not support the legalization of recreational drug use, I
believe that individuals suffering from terminal diseases such as
cancer and AIDS should receive compassionate pain relief through
drugs and therapies, including medicinal marijuana.  I have also
long advocated the use of needle exchange programs as an
effective public health measure.

       For decades, federal and state governments have pursued
anti-drug policies that stress punishment over prevention and
treatment.  As a result, first-time nonviolent drug offenders have
overwhelmed prison systems.  I believe we must bring balance to
our policy and have consistently supported significant increases in
funding for prevention and treatment programs.  I have also
strongly opposed mandatory sentencing laws for first-time
nonviolent offenders.

       Although we have a different perspective on this issue, I
appreciate your taking the time to contact me, and hope you will
stay in touch on issues of concern.

        To learn more about my work in Congress or sign up for periodic
e-mail updates, please visit www.house.gov/waxman and
www.oversight.house.gov.

       With kind regards, I am

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Member of Congress.

———————

My reply:

The Honorable Henry Waxman
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Rep. Waxman,

Thank you for your reply. In your letter you state the following:

As you know, studies show that illegal drugs damage the
human brain, and many of these drugs have addictive properties
and take a huge toll on drug users, their families, and communities.

First of all, we must keep this conversation specific to marijuana.  By using phrases like "illegal drugs" and "these drugs" you’re attempting to lump marijuana in with significantly more dangerous and physically addictive drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth.  That’s the same tactic used by the DEA, Partnership for a Drug Free America, etc.  You and I both know that this is a  scientifically and medically unsound comparison to make.  We know this, of course, because of the findings of doctors and scientists.  I pointed you toward some of those findings in my initial letter. As one of the many individuals whom you are charged with serving, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using such transparent tactics in the future. Frankly, it’s an insult. 

I contacted you specifically about HR 5843.  This is a bill that would decriminalize possession of a substance that we know to be less harmful to the user and to society than alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs.  Ironically all those substances can "damage the human brain…have addictive properties and take a huge toll on drug users, their families, and communities." 

I eagerly await a more logical and fact-based response. 

Sincerely,

 

Nick Adams

 

 

 

 




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