Decriminalizing alcohol will only lead to millions of Americans becoming alcoholics and greater profits for mobsters.
June 24, 2011 11:00 AM Subscribe
Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced legislation on Thursday that would end the federal prohibition of marijuana. “Criminally prosecuting adults for making the choice to smoke marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources and an intrusion on personal freedom," said Frank. The bill was shot down in the House Judiciary Committee. "Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent," said chairman Lamar Smith, who can be contacted here.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Short news article and "contact this guy" framing really both make for a pretty crap post. If it's a topic worth posting about above and beyond just being a bit of politicking, someone can take a better stab at this and make a decent post out of it. -- cortex
I can't read about this for another 5 hours and 17 minutes yet...
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 11:04 AM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 11:04 AM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Ron Paul and Barney Frank really need a buddy cop sitcom.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:05 AM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 11:05 AM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]
But, but, but, ifin' States Rights is a good thing when harassing Illegals and Negroes and whores who want abortions an' such, an ifin' States Rights is a good thing when it comes to lettin' states much more gently and hands-offly regulate insurance companies, why are it bad thing when it comes determinin' mary-wany policy? Why Congressman Smith, y'all's Governor and fellow Republican even likes to wax poetic abut succession!
posted by orthogonality at 11:07 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by orthogonality at 11:07 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
The bill appears doomed on arrival ...
There is obviously zero chance of this passing, so what's the point of even introducing it? To give simpletons like Lamar Smith another chance to grandstand?
posted by ryanshepard at 11:08 AM on June 24, 2011
There is obviously zero chance of this passing, so what's the point of even introducing it? To give simpletons like Lamar Smith another chance to grandstand?
posted by ryanshepard at 11:08 AM on June 24, 2011
You introduce bills like this to keep the pressure on. It took decades of zero-chance Medicare bills to get the one that passed.
posted by orthogonality at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by orthogonality at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
Lamar Smith got $48,000 from the pharmacutical industry and $30,300 from the beer, wine, & liquor industry in 2009-2010.
posted by dirigibleman at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by dirigibleman at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Really? REALLY? I understand being anti-decriminalization, I understand being anti-marijuana, but that's just BALLS-OUT FUCKING LYING.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [13 favorites]
Really? REALLY? I understand being anti-decriminalization, I understand being anti-marijuana, but that's just BALLS-OUT FUCKING LYING.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [13 favorites]
Alcohol kills more people than marijuana ever could and when is the last time you heard of someone overdosing on marijuana? NEVER. Habitual marijuana smoking is no more deleterious to the health than cigarettes, which also are legal. Prohibiting marijuana makes no sense except to drug dealers (due to resulting high prices) and cigarette manufacturers (who fear competition).
posted by Renoroc at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Renoroc at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
There is obviously zero chance of this passing, so what's the point of even introducing it? To give simpletons like Lamar Smith another chance to grandstand?
To give more attention to the issue? To see where people stand on it? The fact that it's even being introduced is a sign of some progress.
posted by Cloud King at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2011
To give more attention to the issue? To see where people stand on it? The fact that it's even being introduced is a sign of some progress.
posted by Cloud King at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2011
...so what's the point of even introducing it?
You can easily apply that attitude to gay marriage bills all over the country that, gasp, seem to be going through. Someone has to lay down those first railroad tracks.
posted by griphus at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
You can easily apply that attitude to gay marriage bills all over the country that, gasp, seem to be going through. Someone has to lay down those first railroad tracks.
posted by griphus at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Lamar Smith got $48,000 from the pharmacutical industry and $30,300 from the beer, wine, & liquor industry in 2009-2010.
Correction - whores and simpletons.
posted by ryanshepard at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011
Correction - whores and simpletons.
posted by ryanshepard at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011
Sigh: "...to previously failed gay marriage bills that, gasp, now seem to be going through."
posted by griphus at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by griphus at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011
"Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs freed from prisons to lead productive lives and greater profits for drug cartels reduced profits for the militarized police forces and privatized prison systems who fund funded by overburdened tax payers, and decreasing violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, since smuggling of marijuana will decrease in profitability. Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent, is firmly rooted in our nation's founding principles."
Fixed that for truth.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011 [24 favorites]
Fixed that for truth.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011 [24 favorites]
Won't let me contact him since I'm in the wrong district.
posted by josher71 at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by josher71 at 11:12 AM on June 24, 2011
who can be contacted here.
Is there a particular way you feel about this, some issue you're pushing? I can't really tell.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:14 AM on June 24, 2011
Is there a particular way you feel about this, some issue you're pushing? I can't really tell.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:14 AM on June 24, 2011
First call is free.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:15 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:15 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Renoroc: "and when is the last time you heard of someone overdosing on marijuana? NEVER. "
Oh my God! Look at those dragons!
posted by zarq at 11:15 AM on June 24, 2011
Oh my God! Look at those dragons!
posted by zarq at 11:15 AM on June 24, 2011
Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
But you guys, criminalization has been working out great for the last 40 years! We all know that the best way to treat public health problems is to make people into criminals!
Guys? Hello?
posted by rtha at 11:15 AM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
But you guys, criminalization has been working out great for the last 40 years! We all know that the best way to treat public health problems is to make people into criminals!
Guys? Hello?
posted by rtha at 11:15 AM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Is there a particular way you feel about this, some issue you're pushing? I can't really tell.
I know a lot of people will want to contact him, so I included the link.
Me? I think he's a cunt.
posted by Taft at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I know a lot of people will want to contact him, so I included the link.
Me? I think he's a cunt.
posted by Taft at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent
The courts blame the legislative branch and the legislators blame the courts. Probably a sign of, you not, not the very best in public policy.
posted by enn at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
The courts blame the legislative branch and the legislators blame the courts. Probably a sign of, you not, not the very best in public policy.
posted by enn at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Folks, logical arguments is fine for what they is, but what they ain't is game-changing.
And Lamar ain't interested in telling you the truth, he's interesting in keeping the status quo the status quo ante because so far, keeoin' things as they is has worked out pretty good for old Lamar. He's an Honorable Member of Congress as things are now; change things, an' he might have to work for a livin', albeit probably as a lobbyist for the same folks he works for now, and I don't mean his constituents.
Quit with your logic and get out and knock on doors if you really want change.
posted by orthogonality at 11:18 AM on June 24, 2011
And Lamar ain't interested in telling you the truth, he's interesting in keeping the status quo the status quo ante because so far, keeoin' things as they is has worked out pretty good for old Lamar. He's an Honorable Member of Congress as things are now; change things, an' he might have to work for a livin', albeit probably as a lobbyist for the same folks he works for now, and I don't mean his constituents.
Quit with your logic and get out and knock on doors if you really want change.
posted by orthogonality at 11:18 AM on June 24, 2011
There is obviously zero chance of this passing, so what's the point of even introducing it?
To bring the conversation to the table in an adult way. It's easy to sit in the trenches of mefi where legalization/ decriminalization is discussed regularly, but for a lot of people, the issue has enough inertia that they don't even consider the possibility that it ever could change.
Two high profile politicians dragging this on to the national stage as a federal issue, in a bi-partisan way has a lot more impact to the topic than we've seen before.
posted by quin at 11:19 AM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
To bring the conversation to the table in an adult way. It's easy to sit in the trenches of mefi where legalization/ decriminalization is discussed regularly, but for a lot of people, the issue has enough inertia that they don't even consider the possibility that it ever could change.
Two high profile politicians dragging this on to the national stage as a federal issue, in a bi-partisan way has a lot more impact to the topic than we've seen before.
posted by quin at 11:19 AM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
This is why centrists/moderates can go fuck themselves. I like the extremes on both sides better for actually having courage to stand up for correct policy when it isn't popular.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 11:20 AM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by furiousxgeorge at 11:20 AM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
Hey, it worked in Hamsterdam.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 11:21 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Threeway Handshake at 11:21 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels Phillip-Morris (who fund violence along the U.S.-MexicoCanada border).
posted by bonehead at 11:25 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by bonehead at 11:25 AM on June 24, 2011
Do all bills have to start out in committee like this? Why can't they just bring it to the floor?
American here, so excuse my ignorance.
posted by swift at 11:27 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
American here, so excuse my ignorance.
posted by swift at 11:27 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I thought of an idea the other day that I call the "Giant Pool Of Ignorant Voters". It's a theory akin to the "Giant Pool Of Money" (which, you know, talks about global investment money seeking the best return on investment), except this one explains why craven politicians steadfastly take policy positions that they know damn well are bad ones: they're afraid of how they might look to the GPOIV. See also: immigration policy, marriage equality. I bet a private off-the-record poll of Congress members would reveal about a 350-85 margin in favor of legalization.
posted by norm at 11:28 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by norm at 11:28 AM on June 24, 2011
This is why centrists/moderates can go fuck themselves. I like the extremes on both sides better for actually having courage to stand up for correct policy when it isn't popular.
Moderates can't be in favor of marijuana legalization? Then what do you call people who favor full-on legalization of all illicit drugs?
posted by Bookhouse at 11:29 AM on June 24, 2011
Moderates can't be in favor of marijuana legalization? Then what do you call people who favor full-on legalization of all illicit drugs?
posted by Bookhouse at 11:29 AM on June 24, 2011
I bet a private off-the-record poll of Congress members would reveal about a 350-85 margin in favor of legalization.
I bet you are incorrect. These guys have a very significant personal financial stake in the status quo. IAATM*
*It's Always About The Money
posted by COD at 11:30 AM on June 24, 2011
I bet you are incorrect. These guys have a very significant personal financial stake in the status quo. IAATM*
*It's Always About The Money
posted by COD at 11:30 AM on June 24, 2011
ey Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced legislation on Thursday that would end the federal prohibition of marijuana.
Obviously they're high.
posted by mmrtnt at 11:32 AM on June 24, 2011
Obviously they're high.
posted by mmrtnt at 11:32 AM on June 24, 2011
Bookhouse: "Then what do you call people who favor full-on legalization of all illicit drugs?"
Libertarians.
That's right, I just called you a libertarian. Come at me!
posted by charred husk at 11:33 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Libertarians.
That's right, I just called you a libertarian. Come at me!
posted by charred husk at 11:33 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't like to think that I live in a bubble but I have a hard time finding people who agree with the conventional wisdom on this. But yes this is the right thing to do. If you are in congress and oppose this you are doing a bad thing. You are personally responsible for keeping thousands of people in cages. You are causing more human misery than Jeffrey Dahmer. It doesn't make you a monster but it does make you either a fool or a coward and a sufficiently powerful fool or coward is simply more dangerous than a lone psychopath.
posted by I Foody at 11:34 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by I Foody at 11:34 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Sorry but this is straight up bullshit. I don't vote D for bullshit half measures, if they had any spine they would have rammed through legislation that offers true freedom. With this weak ass bullshit I can smoke weed but I can't take vicodin wihout permission. Another reason that D is a sinking ship, it is time we get off.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:38 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by Ad hominem at 11:38 AM on June 24, 2011
Fight for your right to take vicodin, Ad hominem, you crazy diamond!
posted by Mister_A at 11:44 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by Mister_A at 11:44 AM on June 24, 2011
*It's Always About The Money
There's very little other explanation. Cannabis use has been at least semi-mainstream since the late 1960s. Hell, Nixon's own people recommended legalization, if I understand correctly. Sure, we had a few Just Say No years in there, but, for the most part, cannabis use has been tolerated, if not downright accepted, for most of these politicians' entire adult lives.
To maintain this twisted worldview where cannabis perverts and debases users in such an environment would take either profound ignorance or willful defiance.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:44 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
There's very little other explanation. Cannabis use has been at least semi-mainstream since the late 1960s. Hell, Nixon's own people recommended legalization, if I understand correctly. Sure, we had a few Just Say No years in there, but, for the most part, cannabis use has been tolerated, if not downright accepted, for most of these politicians' entire adult lives.
To maintain this twisted worldview where cannabis perverts and debases users in such an environment would take either profound ignorance or willful defiance.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:44 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by griphus at 11:04 AM on June 24, 2011 [13 favorites]