New York Times calls for federal legalization!
- Thread starter Gunky
- Start date
Nesta
Well-Known Member
The fact that the New York Times "reached that conclusion after a great deal of discussion among the members of The Times’s Editorial Board" is more than a small step.
The NYTimes carries some weight, their Op-Ed pieces are widely viewed & get people thinking about issues. And this editorial will help people form their opinions. Both people who haven't been dwelling on marijuana reform & those on the fence -who could be nudged into the pro-legalization camp.
The Times can help sway opinions, among decision makers & regular folks. Momentum is building for the legalization of marijuana & this kind of strongly worded advice from a major, mainstream institution can only help.
Tommy Dukes
Live everyday like it's your last
Even Nixon himself stated that marijuana should be made legal for personal use, even though his proposed laws were the most damaging on a Federal level, towards the marijuana movement. He wanted to crack down on minorities and hippies and saw giving the DEA and other government agencies thousands of tax payer dollars to fund a NEVER-ENDING War on Drugs as a way to facilitate this.
“Federal and state laws (should) be changed to no longer make it a crime to possess marijuana for private use.”
―Richard M. Nixon
Gunky
Well-Known Member
The conclusion that prohibition of cannabis and the drug war harm people far more than cannabis consumption is becoming mainstream. Even the prez says it's less harmful than alcohol or tobacco. The rather conservative Washington Post now publishes Radley Balko's hard-hitting anti-drug-war columns. More states will soon legalize and within a few years it will be taken off Schedule I, I predict. Who knows, perhaps the retiring Obama, no longer subject to elections, might get the justice department to just remove it! Even though that could be reversed, people will take it as a go ahead and investment will proceed apace. Once we are there it becomes very difficult for any agency to try to reinstate prohibition.
CarolKing
Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
NEWSPAPERS
NY Times Supports Legal Weed, But Won’t Let Staffers Toke
By Chris O'Shea on July 28, 2014 9:30 AM
Talk about a buzz kill, brother bear. Over the weekend, The New York Times declared that it supported the complete decriminalization of marijuana, and yet, it won’t let employees share a bong in the newsroom.
A Times spokesperson told The Huffington Post that potential employees will still be required to pass a drug test before getting hired. “Our corporate policy on this issue reflects current law,” said the spokesperson. “We aren’t going to get into details beyond that.”
In a series of editorials, the Times said that pot should be legalized — just like tobacco and alcohol — and states should be responsible for making the call:
There are no perfect answers to people’s legitimate concerns about marijuana use. But neither are there such answers about tobacco or alcohol, and we believe that on every level — health effects, the impact on society and law-and-order issues — the balance falls squarely on the side of national legalization. That will put decisions on whether to allow recreational or medicinal production and use where it belongs — at the state level.
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NY Times Supports Legal Weed, But Won’t Let Staffers Toke
By Chris O'Shea on July 28, 2014 9:30 AM
A Times spokesperson told The Huffington Post that potential employees will still be required to pass a drug test before getting hired. “Our corporate policy on this issue reflects current law,” said the spokesperson. “We aren’t going to get into details beyond that.”
In a series of editorials, the Times said that pot should be legalized — just like tobacco and alcohol — and states should be responsible for making the call:
There are no perfect answers to people’s legitimate concerns about marijuana use. But neither are there such answers about tobacco or alcohol, and we believe that on every level — health effects, the impact on society and law-and-order issues — the balance falls squarely on the side of national legalization. That will put decisions on whether to allow recreational or medicinal production and use where it belongs — at the state level.
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grokit
well-worn member
That would be the best lame-duck move ever, give mj a presidential pardon!
Jared
Cannabis Enthusiast
Your post implies that my post said it was a small step or unimportant. Which isn't the case. I simply said its about damn time. Its actually way way past time.
That would be the best lame-duck move ever, give mj a presidential pardon!
If that happens I will eat my hat.
Chill Dude
Well-Known Member
NEWSPAPERS
NY Times Supports Legal Weed, But Won’t Let Staffers Toke
By Chris O'Shea on July 28, 2014 9:30 AM
Talk about a buzz kill, brother bear. Over the weekend, The New York Times declared that it supported the complete decriminalization of marijuana, and yet, it won’t let employees share a bong in the newsroom.
A Times spokesperson told The Huffington Post that potential employees will still be required to pass a drug test before getting hired. “Our corporate policy on this issue reflects current law,” said the spokesperson. “We aren’t going to get into details beyond that.”
Well, I guess it's understandable that the NYT still won't let employees do bong loads in the newsroom. That said, I don't think they will allow tequila shots in the newsroom either LOL.
What is not reasonable IMO is to continue with pre employment MJ testing. It's ridiculous! While I certainly understand why most companies wouldn't want their employees under the influence of MJ or alcohol during work hours. Th use of MJ while off the job should not be an issue. I mean, I can do a session right now and still test positive for THC a month later. It makes no sense!!
grokit
well-worn member
Now the LA Times has chimed in as well, how courageous of them 
U.S. sees profound cultural shift on marijuana legalization
More than a third of adults have smoked it — including the last three presidents. Dozens of songs and movies have been made about it.
Marijuana is no longer whispered about, nor hidden in back rooms and basements. It has come into the open in American life despite decades of prohibition and laws treating the drug as more dangerous than meth and cocaine.
When the New York Times' editorial board called this weekend for the U.S. government to end its ban on weed — and let states decide how to regulate it — the newspaper reflected what a majority of Americans have told pollsters: Marijuana should be legal.
The status quo, according to advocates and even the president, has resulted in the disproportionate arrests of minorities and the poor...
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-marijuana-legalization-shift-20140728-story.html#page=1
U.S. sees profound cultural shift on marijuana legalization
More than a third of adults have smoked it — including the last three presidents. Dozens of songs and movies have been made about it.
Marijuana is no longer whispered about, nor hidden in back rooms and basements. It has come into the open in American life despite decades of prohibition and laws treating the drug as more dangerous than meth and cocaine.
When the New York Times' editorial board called this weekend for the U.S. government to end its ban on weed — and let states decide how to regulate it — the newspaper reflected what a majority of Americans have told pollsters: Marijuana should be legal.
The status quo, according to advocates and even the president, has resulted in the disproportionate arrests of minorities and the poor...
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-marijuana-legalization-shift-20140728-story.html#page=1
Kief
Medicated
Parts 2 and 3 of this 6 part New York Times Editorial series are posted for your reading pleasure.
Part 2: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/29/opinion/high-time-the-injustice-of-marijuana-arrests.html?op-nav
Part 3: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/o...l-marijuana-ban-is-rooted-in-myth.html?op-nav
This issue keeps getting bigger, thank you New York Times. Spread the word.
Part 2: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/29/opinion/high-time-the-injustice-of-marijuana-arrests.html?op-nav
Part 3: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/o...l-marijuana-ban-is-rooted-in-myth.html?op-nav
This issue keeps getting bigger, thank you New York Times. Spread the word.
Nesta
Well-Known Member
re: Part 3: In retrospect this is clearly such blatant propaganda. Are we such an ignorant & gullible nation? [Yes, I'm afraid we are]. It's one thing to trick people in the 1930's, but 70+ years later & the myth is just starting to crumble?
Here's part 4: 'Health' - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/opinion/what-science-says-about-marijuana.html?op-nav
You gotta give the Times credit, they're all in - & this is good stuff.
MindFork
Part-Time Toker
Legalization will happen, and we should all be thinking about good cannabis education for kids and new tokers (soon to be vapers). I foresee far too many people abusing cannabis because they think it's totally safe and ok to use.
There really isn't a "small dose" of MJ. You're either high, or you're not high. Only people who use daily build up enough tolerance that they can have a tiny bit and feel "mostly normal" like someone who has a glass of wine with lunch and goes back to work.
I think we can all agree that MJ isn't conducive to doing most types of work. Even when legal, being high at work is just a bummer for everyone involved.
Also, I think it is easier than most people realize to become dependent on MJ. Not "addicted" in the truest sense, but dependency is pretty easy. Some kind of educational info is needed to point out the warning signs like occasional use turning into daily use, turning into use earlier and earlier in the day, turning into wake and bake 7 days a week.
There really isn't a "small dose" of MJ. You're either high, or you're not high. Only people who use daily build up enough tolerance that they can have a tiny bit and feel "mostly normal" like someone who has a glass of wine with lunch and goes back to work.
I think we can all agree that MJ isn't conducive to doing most types of work. Even when legal, being high at work is just a bummer for everyone involved.
Also, I think it is easier than most people realize to become dependent on MJ. Not "addicted" in the truest sense, but dependency is pretty easy. Some kind of educational info is needed to point out the warning signs like occasional use turning into daily use, turning into use earlier and earlier in the day, turning into wake and bake 7 days a week.
MindFork
Part-Time Toker
Sorry, but there is a lot wrong with wake and bake 7 days a week, productive at work or not.
Cannabis can have a very positive effect on consciousness when used wisely, in moderate doses, with plenty of "recovery" time in between sessions. (20 hours at a minimum and 44 hours ideally, putting the sweet spot at 6pm-10pm with a day off here and there.)
Going past that point will have detrimental effects on cognitive ability, emotional self-expression and individual presence (and empathy) when communicating with others.
Blunting emotional self-expression is probably the most harmful aspect of cannabis abuse. Yes, abuse. Someone who gets drunk all day long, every day is usually trying to drown out some unhealed emotional pain. This usually applies to cannabis overuse as well.
I know I'm going to take a lot of flack for this, and that plenty of people will chime in that they are emotionally "fine," productive at work, etc. Well, try taking a week off and see if you get better at your job and connect with people more. A bonus will be that you remember your dreams again, and in that process one can be shown underlying emotional issues that had been neglected because of the feeling of well-being that cannabis induces.
All I am advocating for here is healthy usage, and I know that differs from person to person. However, I have known many people who abused cannabis, ultimately to the detriment of their loved ones, their career and their own emotional well-being. It is a powerful, seductive substance that should be used wisely with full awareness of its potential dangers.
Cannabis can have a very positive effect on consciousness when used wisely, in moderate doses, with plenty of "recovery" time in between sessions. (20 hours at a minimum and 44 hours ideally, putting the sweet spot at 6pm-10pm with a day off here and there.)
Going past that point will have detrimental effects on cognitive ability, emotional self-expression and individual presence (and empathy) when communicating with others.
Blunting emotional self-expression is probably the most harmful aspect of cannabis abuse. Yes, abuse. Someone who gets drunk all day long, every day is usually trying to drown out some unhealed emotional pain. This usually applies to cannabis overuse as well.
I know I'm going to take a lot of flack for this, and that plenty of people will chime in that they are emotionally "fine," productive at work, etc. Well, try taking a week off and see if you get better at your job and connect with people more. A bonus will be that you remember your dreams again, and in that process one can be shown underlying emotional issues that had been neglected because of the feeling of well-being that cannabis induces.
All I am advocating for here is healthy usage, and I know that differs from person to person. However, I have known many people who abused cannabis, ultimately to the detriment of their loved ones, their career and their own emotional well-being. It is a powerful, seductive substance that should be used wisely with full awareness of its potential dangers.
Jared
Cannabis Enthusiast
Nesta
Well-Known Member
After the Times called for legalization the White House issued a statement in response. No surprise there I guess. What I didn't know is that the White House is required by law to take a stand against any attempt to legalize a Schedule 1 drug.
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com...onse-on-marijuana/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
The fight to legalize will not be won easily. The article above highlights some of the bizarre hurdles that we'll need to overcome to succeed. For example: "The [White House] drug czar, though, isn’t allowed to recognize [marijuana's medical benefits], and whenever any member of Congress tries to change that, the White House office is required to stand up and block the effort. It cannot allow any federal study that might demonstrate the rapidly changing medical consensus on marijuana’s benefits and its relative lack of harm compared to alcohol and tobacco."
The anti drug feelings are deeply entrenched, no matter how hypocritical, in the minds of many Americans, and therefore in the laws & bureaucracy as well.
Here's the statement from the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/07/28/response-new-york-times-editorial-marijuana-legalization
And this is the Times reply to the White House: http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com...n-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=0
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com...onse-on-marijuana/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
The fight to legalize will not be won easily. The article above highlights some of the bizarre hurdles that we'll need to overcome to succeed. For example: "The [White House] drug czar, though, isn’t allowed to recognize [marijuana's medical benefits], and whenever any member of Congress tries to change that, the White House office is required to stand up and block the effort. It cannot allow any federal study that might demonstrate the rapidly changing medical consensus on marijuana’s benefits and its relative lack of harm compared to alcohol and tobacco."
The anti drug feelings are deeply entrenched, no matter how hypocritical, in the minds of many Americans, and therefore in the laws & bureaucracy as well.
Here's the statement from the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/07/28/response-new-york-times-editorial-marijuana-legalization
And this is the Times reply to the White House: http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com...n-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=0
grokit
well-worn member
Yet the president's hhs secretary can remove marijuana from schedule one status by executive action.
"Cannabis could be rescheduled either legislatively, through Congress, or through the executive branch... "The HHS Secretary can even unilaterally legalize cannabis: "If the Secretary recommends that a drug or other substance not be controlled, the Attorney General shall not control the drug or other substance."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remova...le_I_of_the_Controlled_Substances_Act#Process
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Papa Woody
"The vapor is strong with this one"-Obi Onda Woody
"The Obama Administration continues to oppose legalization of marijuana and other illegal drugs because it flies in the face of a public health approach to reducing drug use and its consequences"
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Jared
Cannabis Enthusiast
There I fixed that quote for them.
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Chill Dude
Well-Known Member
Okay, I call bullshit! Abstain from cannabis for a minimum of 20 hours or ideally 44 hours and of course only between 6:00 and 10:00. What a crock of shit. Please give me a credible source for this information, or did you just pull it out of your ass. What a joke!