I think there are more pot smokers who don't vote than there are Republicans who will consider Obama

[CreekDog]

I'm commenting on the latest push to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries, and using heavy-handed tactics (asset forfeiture threats to landlords, for example).

That said, Obama's recent approach on jobs and other issues is much more vigorous and effective than the MO of earlier in the year and I think will garner him votes, ultimately. However, this move on pot dispensaries, will not, in my opinion.

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Oh, pot smokers vote in droves that is how they got all those

laws on the books that bother napping Eric and his boss so much. All up and down the West Coast are the pro Medical Marijuana voters, majorities in CA, OR, and WA have passed these laws. Voting majorities.
Also, there are millions of non users who support Medical Marijuana out of principle, for possible future need, and for the economic boon that it is in several areas, which would fold up and die without it, all talk of 'wine country' aside.

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. Yeah right. "Medical Marijuana" by any other name.......

How about the legalized "pill mills" in Florida? I thought we liberals were in favor of "regulation". Some of the posts on this issue remind of the gun nuts on the other side. "you'll pry this joint from cold dead thumb & forefinger". :eyes:

Sounds like the "medical marijuana" boom in CA was tantamount to Dr. Conrad Murray on steroids. :hi:

[Dr Fate]

3. I'm sure that if any liberals get busted or know someone who does, they will still support Obama.

With money as well as votes.

After all, they were able to show up to the polls in massive numbers and get the laws changed in the 1st place, so we know they are people who know how to work within the system.

I agree that Liberals who support alternative medicine or simply not jailing someone for catching a buzz are just like Far-Right, NRA, machine-gun toting absolutists.

Just as violent, just as unreasonable, and just as dangerous.

After all, the far left is just a liberal version of the tea party.

At least the tea party and the gun nuts want some things elected DEM centrists and Blue Dogs can support, such as lax gun laws.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Are you not a believer in medical marijuana?

There are a lot of really sick and terminally ill people that benefit from it. Are you opposed to the idea?

[Dr Fate]

5. No. Us centrists believe that the Leftist Pot Hippies are comparable to the NRA. Even worse.

But like I said, at least the tea party and the gun nuts want some things elected DEM centrists and Blue Dogs can support, such as lax gun laws.

The pot hippies must be even WORSE than the NRA and the gun nuts, I mean, at least the NRA puts some things out there our DEM reps, DEM executive branch and DEM justice department can get behind.

[krabigirl]

56. wow. centrists are against people making their own medical choices, I guess.

meh to centrists.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Nothing against medical marijuana, just stupid people whose rhethoric around this issue...

seems tantamount to gun nuttery. According to some here, the government should regulate the banks; regulate the mortgage companies; regulate the education system; regulate the insurance industry; regulate the environment; regulate the regulators; regulate any and everything that saves me from myself. But keep your government nose out of my pot pipe? :smoke: Is that the message in a nutshell? :shrug:

Look, I personally, think the war on drugs is a stupid one. But for now, we have laws that regulate drug use. Until those laws are changed, I don't think an administration can choose not to prosecute illegal distribution. There's no perfect system anywhere. And given half a chance, crooks will find a way to make money, even if it means breaking the law, it's the nature of being "a crook".

So to answer your question. NO. I don't even care that people use it recreationally, just as long as they're aware of "the law", and know the risks. :hi:

[Dr Fate]

7. At least the gun nuts have some positions that Obama and the DOJ can get behind.

So we have to say the pot heads are even WORSE and even MORE unreasonable than the gun nuts.

I mean, at least there are plenty of national elected DEMS can get behind the gun nuts, vote with them, take loads of money from the NRA, etc.

Also- I agree with your tactic of comparing the far left to the far right- moderate voters will see that they are both crazy and go with the DEM center (who will support lax gun laws but not lax pot laws).

Yup- it's the Pot heads who are like the gun-nuts, not the centrist DEMS who vote NRA.

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. Thank you "Dr.", for that unsolicited & "clear headed" analysis.

:smoke:




:rofl:

[Dr Fate]

9. And thank YOU for comparing Medical Pot advocates to the NRA. Someone had to say it.

Us clean and sober types know that it is the smoked out Liberals who should be associated with conservative gun nuts, not conservative and centrist DEMs who vote NRA.

I'm just glad the DOJ will be raiding medical clinics instead of those wholesome gun shows.

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. Not everyone pissed about this is a "medical pot advocate". You & I both know that.

;)

[Dr Fate]

11. If so, then that is why you are correct to compare stoners to violent tea baggers as well.

Anyone who is not stoned or riddled with cancer can clearly see the rational, logical links b/t the two.

Stoners who would rather buy pot in a legal setting and pay taxes on it should just go back to supporting gangs and the mob, like us centrists have been telling them to do.

MY GOD-does their drug-hazed, tea bag mentality know no limits?

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. Zealots, of all stripes, bug me, and that includes atheists. Gun rights nuts

call themselves "advocates" as well. I think people in the rational center hate what we see as extremists on a whole host of "issues". I don't care what people smoke, especially pot, but just don't preach to me about it. Change the laws, or challenge them in the courts, just don't be a preachy zealot about it.

[Dr Fate]

13. So long as we agree that centrist DEMS should continue to support the NRA, but not legal pot....

...then you and I are on the same page.

[Wait Wut]

14. Yup.

And, not all "medical pot advocates" refuse to support regulation. California screwed up by not regulating it more closely. They've been a good testing ground. Now, maybe we can move forward so that those that truly need it can get it. Seriously, a lot of pot smokers do more harm than good in this discussion.

I wouldn't want a liquor store next to my kid's school. I wouldn't want a MM dispensary next to it, either. Despite the claimed "good intentions" of many "advocates", the discussions and debates are dominated by those who really aren't all that concerned with those that truly could benefit from MM. They just wanna get stoned. Not a problem, I promise you. But, keep the discussion real and leave your personal usage at the door.

I lost a very, very close friend a couple of years ago in CO. MM helped her live a bit longer and made her remaining days less painful. She was even able to enjoy some Thanksgiving dinner with her family a month before she left. The anti-reg crowd is going to ruin it for people like her, and her doctor who did everything in his power to help her.

I support MM and it's regulation. I also support the decriminalization of marijuana. I do not support combining the two. Let's worry about the sick first, then the stoners. ;)

[Dr Fate]

15. I support the busts b/c I dont want to say anything bad about Obama.

If Bush was doing it, I might have a diff. take.

I would say something like "Well, so much for all this state's rights crap."

But, since these are Obama's benevolent Drug Warriors who are protecting my neighborhoods from the dangerous gateway pot- then I have to agree.

Stoners should not have a safe, legal place to buy pot. Not right now, in this day and age. It was a safer, viable system when the gangs and mob got all the money illegally, tax free- the sooner we force the hippies to go back to that safer model, the better.

Cancer patients? Pleeease. How many "clinics" do they need? Have they never heard of taking a cab across town b/f? LOL! Besides, I'm sure there are some gangs slinging some safer stuff on the corner.

[Wait Wut]

18. You, Dear Dr.

...have proven my point.

[Tarheel_Dem]

20. +1. Didn't take much, did it?

:rofl:

[Dr Fate]

21. Hope so. Obama's War on Pot and police busts are going to protect us.

And it WILL work and it WILL NOT be a waste of money.

The less acccess ANYONE has, the better.

I mean, it's one thing for a delicate cancer patient to smoke dope-I can see that, but it is NOT a good idea for a healthy adult to legally ingest these deadly, dangerous substances.

[krabigirl]

59. ..

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. You're actually ridiculous. Is that all you need? For us to bad mouth Obama?

On the internet? Would that make you go away? :rofl:

[Dr Fate]

22. No- I want us all to support his Liberal, Progressive War on Pot.

It's working too.

[Tarheel_Dem]

23. Pass the pipe!

:smoke:





:rofl:

[Dr Fate]

25. LOL! Save it for the Liberal "Tea" Baggers LOL! - I only drink harmless, 180 proof whiskey. nt

nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

29. Somewhere along the way, I think you switched from MM to something else.

You're making absolutely no sense. For your own sake, put down the pipe! :crazy:

[Dr Fate]

30. So long as we agree that the war on pot is WORKING, as you all have demonstrated over and over....

...then we is cool.

I'm sure the more sober voices here could list all the positive results from over the past 40 years.

LOL! No pipes here, just rows and rows of amber-colored bottles filled with healthy, wholesome, legal libations.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dr Fate]

33. I'm too busy sipping Rye and admiring all your examples of how pot busts are making us safer.

After all- that is why you support Obama's efforts to bust pot- b/c like me, you know the War on Pot is WORKING-and you have all the examples of how it is working at your finger tips.

That is what I admire about your posts the most- instead of attacking and insulting certain Liberals in general or attacking and attempting to insult an individual poster- you prove that these pot busts are making us safer with your facts and stats.

[Tarheel_Dem]

34. I'm convinced you're the sole reason pot hasn't been legalized yet.

I certainly hope you're not the poster child, we'll never end the WOD. :hi:

[Dr Fate]

35. It's b/c my success stories supporting the War on Pot are just as inspiring all the ones you listed!

Again- I love how you make your case with facts, stats and examples as to how busting pot heads is making us safer-as opposed to taking the easy way out and merely trying to insult people like a fuzzy-minded, lazy pot head would.

Keep it up- you are arming us with many helpful facts that will help us back up Obama's drug policies, which is half the war!!!

[Wait Wut]

26. "You're actually ridiculous"

:spray:

[Dr Fate]

28. What's that in your blue glass- a little harmless, Bombay Sapphire gin?

mmmmmmm!

Enjoy-Just make sure no school children are around!

[Tarheel_Dem]

16. Without a doubt, the most reasoned & rational post I've seen on this topic.

Thank You so much. No one is trying to take MM from the people who really need it. And as I've stated, I don't even care if people use it recreationally, but the "stoners" shouldn't even be a consideration in a serious discussion of this issue.

I work for a nonprofit health provider, and I know full well the benefits for terminally ill patients. But the left can't squeal about regulating everything under the sun, to protect us from ourselves, and turn around and say "except pot". Can't have it both ways. :hi:

[Dr Fate]

17. I agree. I'm looking for the posts that justifies Obama's Pot War the most.

Wish I had said it.

Exactly- we are not trying to take pot from sick people who need it- we just want to make criminals out the people who are harming themselves and others with this soul-stealing, dangerous substance.

[Wait Wut]

24. Thank you

:blush:

Since you work for a np health provider, have you heard of anyone doing real research? Every time I hear something positive, it gets lost somewhere in the intertubes. I know for a fact that it helped my friend. She kept a very accurate blog on what they were trying, the results and the pros and cons. I'm surprised there aren't more out there doing the same thing.

I think the most hopeful result was when he decided injecting it into her tumors. There was an obvious reduction in size and frequency, but not enough to save her. I can't help but think we should be doing more to discover what it is that was having that effect. Do you think doctors are just afraid of it or are they so brainwashed by history that they just see it as an illegal substance and nothing more?

[Tarheel_Dem]

27. I'll ask around. I work on the financial side, getting funding, etc.

But those are very good questions. Our clientele are terminally ill, and of course, I get to hear all the horror stories. Because of the generosity of this community, and government grants, no one is turned away, regardless of ability to pay. Controlling pain is goal #1, along with making sure the client is treated with dignity above all else.

I was so happy that both my parents, my stepdad, and my brother were able to access services like this to make their last months on earth practically pain free and respectful. :hi:

[Number23]

36. Girl, you KNOW that's the truth

Of all the things going on in the world right now, that this always appears to be such a MONUMENTAL issue on this board never ceases to amaze me.

I think some here think that the right to smoke weed should be put in the fucking Bill of Rights and carved on the side of Mt. Rushmore. It is absolutely bizarre.

[Dr Fate]

37. Exactly. Folks should take going to prison a little more lightly.

The pot hippies should keep their mouths shut before Sarah Pailin or Rick Perry puts them in jail too!

The Bill of Rights was printed on paper made out of the illegal weed- but dont tell the ignorant pot-heads- they might try to smoke it! LOL!

Also- I love all your points and facts about how the war on pot is working. Can I use those in my arguments? Thanks in advance.

[Number23]

38. It's apparent that you think your involvement in this thread is important and interesting.

[Dr Fate]

42. Not as fascinating as all of your facts supporting the successes of the war on pot.

Now THAT is interesting.

[Mr Deltoid]

50. Why do you attack someone who obviously agrees with you?

Be happy in that pod together!

[Number23]

53. I'd ask what the hell you were talking about

but that would infer that I care.

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. Bizarre doesn't begin to describe it. Thom Hartmann says libertarians are just Republicans

who wanna smoke dope, and get laid. Ron Paul enthusiasts are the most revolting when it comes to this issue, but I can't figure out the left, who seem to want to regulate EVERYTHING to save us from ourselves, but dope growers are off limits, and shouldn't be subject to "regulation"? :shrug: Consistency matters, doncha think?

As I've said, throughout this thread, I think the "War On Drugs" is stupid and a massive waste of much needed resources, but there are laws on the books. Deal with the laws first, preferably through the legislative process, and stoners shouldn't be allowed to scapegoat sick people just to get their heads bad. :hi:

[Dr Fate]

43. Thom Hartmann is a a strong "law & order" advocate of pot busts, just like all REAL liberals.

Nt

[Number23]

44. I know. The participation of a certain poster chasing after everyone in this thread

is exactly indicative of the type of folks that we're talking about.

but I can't figure out the left, who seem to want to regulate EVERYTHING to save us from ourselves, but dope growers are off limits,

I don't know. Doesn't seem like all that big a mystery what some of these folks are about.

[Dr Fate]

47. Regulation is fine, but I'm saying we need out right police busts and jail sentences.

I'm not saying we merely fine them or slap them on the wrist like when we "regulate" oil companies or food contamination, for instance- I'm saying we should have police raids, busts, property confiscation, shut down of operations, prison time, etc.

You know- liberalism.

And sorry, I am not chasing anyone around, just joining in on the topic and learning about how all these Progressive pot busts are making us safer.

[saras]

51. Government should regulate when the economic pressure is towards harm to innocents.

[Mr Deltoid]

48. The Federal government does not want it regulated

That is why the states have had to step in. The Federal Government wants it 100% illegal. It cuts into profits of big Pharma because so many are ending their Oxycotin addictions and using safe, effective, non corporate Medical MJ instead.

[Dr Fate]

49. We just want to regulate. By putting them in prison and taking their property.

You know, like when we regulated BP or the Banks.

[Dr Fate]

31. The real point here is that the War on Pot is WORKING.

Instead of trashing Obama and these benevolent raids, we should post positive examples about how the war on pot is WORKING and has made us more safe and more drug free.

Someone else care to go first?

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tsiyu]

41. Thanks for standing your ground in this thread while

being insulted.

I appreciate your logic and persistence.

[snort]

46. Ditto.

[Mr Deltoid]

52. "I appreciate your logic and persistence"

So do I, but probably not in the same way you do

:)

[Tsiyu]

55. We just lost another kid up here to pills

Cannabis hasn't been killing our Appalachian kids. Even meth is out.

The new escape of choice for marginalized Appalachian teenagers and young adults (and older adults) is prescription painkillers/anti-depressants.

A kid 24 years old died of an Opana/Xanax overdose two days ago. His friends allegedly drove him around dead for a few hours before they figured out he'd OD'd.

PHARMCOS make those products. And they are killing our kids fast. Cannabis isn't even on the radar. Too bad. Maybe if the kid only smoked a joint, he'd still be alive.

PILLS are the elephant in the room, but no one is calling the Pharmcos evil or greedy for spewing them out like candy with no compensation for the victims.

"Just another poor kid dead. Who gives a shit? Let's go after medical cannabis dipensaries! That'll save lives!!!!!!!"

This country is insane

[krabigirl]

58. It sure is. Do you work for Merck or ?

[WonderGrunion]

45. I was going to vote to legalize pot, but then I got high!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeYsTmIzjkw

[Dr Fate]

54. KICK as in Obama is going to kick/regulate those pot heads asses!!!

GO OBAMA!

[krabigirl]

57. .