This month has seen lively discussion in newspapers and television across America, on a topic previously given scant copy by mainstream media - the possible legalization or decriminalization of marijuana and/or other drugs as a solution to the violence near the Mexican border and as possible remedy for the nation’s economic woes. A sampling of these perspectives follows, along with related You Tube videos:
Oregon: April 1, 2009 – Column – It’s Time, At Least, To Have The Conversation
North Dakota: April 2, 2009 – Column- Obama Has A Hazy Pot Policy
Video: MSNBC kicks off our mainstream TV news sampling of the debate, first replaying President Obama’s light-hearted dismissal of the Cannabis legalization question, then hosting a discussion:MSNBC Holds a “Legalize Marijuana” Debate
Connecticut: April 3, 2009 – Editorial - Marijuana Bill Deserves Passage
Colorado: April 3, 2009 – OPED – This Is the Truth on Drugs … Any Questions?
Video: CNN’s American Morning ran a week-long series on the drug war, with logical perspectives by U.S. Representative and presidential candidate Ron Paul, a champion of the Constitution.Ron Paul on CNN - says Legalizing Marijuana could Reduce Crime
Massachucettes: April 5, 2009 – Column – A New Conversation On Drug Prohibition
Washington: April 6, 2009 – Column - Finally, a Little Honesty About America’s Inept War on Drugs
Video: The former Police Chief of Seattle, Norm Stamper, a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) and on the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) , appears on Democracy Now! Former Seattle Police chief calls for Legalization of all Drugs!
California: April 6, 2009 – Column - Let’s At Least Begin Talking About Legalizing Drugs
Video: California got the “Tax & Regulate” bandwagon rolling last Feburary when San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced a bill to legalize Cannabis: Legalize Marijuana as Solution to Economic Crisis
Pennsylvania: April 8, 2009 - Editorial - Recession Hits Drug Policy
Michigan: April 9, 2009 – Column - Wave White Flag In The Drug War
Video: Conservative commentator Glen Beck of the Fox News Channel believes legalization is preferable to the gray area of unenforced marijuana laws: Glen Beck – Legalize Marijuana & Stop the Violence
DC – April 12, 2009 – OPED - We Tried a War Like This Once Before
Colorado: April 12, 2009 – OPED - The War on a Plant
Video: Penn Jillette, of “Penn & Teller” fame, believes that everyone in the world has smokes marijuana (except for himeself and his kids) and that it should be legalized:Penn Says: Legalize Marijuana
Time Magazine: April 13, 2009 – OPED - It’s High Time
Texas: April 15, 2009 – Column - Time for Serious Debate on Legalization of Drugs
Video: Seriously, though, this guy talks fast and makes a lot of sense:Legalize Marijuana…
‘Nuff Said!
2 Comments
Interesting blog. The Boomers passing the generational torch to Generation Jones may be a game changer in the movement to legalize weed. Obama, and many of his key appointees, are members of GenJones–born 1954-1965, between the Boomers and Generation X. Many top national commentators (from Newsweek, NBC, CNN, etc.) have spoken about the importance and relevance of GenJones as the new generation of leadership.
Jonesers are by far the biggest pot smokers compared to the other generations. While Boomers are associated with pot, it was only a small, albeit very visible, segment of Boomers who actually smoked pot back in the day. Govt. and independent studies show that Jonesers as teens (in the 1970s) smoked 15 to 20 times more pot than Boomers did as teens. And not only did Jonesers smoke much more grass than any other generation of teens in US history, but still today–in middle-age–smoke it a remarkable amount. The data is really striking.
Additionally, one of the key collective personality traits consistently attributed to Jonesers is their pragmatism; they are far likelier to put aside ideology and deal with drugs in a realistic and practical way.
If ever there was a generation of leadership open to legalizing pot, it probably is Generation Jones. And if there ever was a time that the country might be open to this change in drug laws, perhaps it”s now…
Cool! – I’m a Joneser (1956)- didn’t start tokin til I was 20, but I been Jonesin ever since – 32 years now and my MD says I’m in good health. – Mingo
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