Justin_M's blog

 Texas state representative Doc Anderson is trying to push legislation through that would effectively ban the possession of Salvia Divinorum making it a class A misdemeanor. The internet seems to have played a role in the growing awareness and concern around Salvia Divinorum, with videos of users appearing on YouTube.

  Mostly, they are of teenagers and young adults and their behavior while under the inlfuence of Salvia. Speaking from my own personal experience, Salvia is not a dangerous drug, nor is it a durge on society and isn't readily available to all youngsters. Salvia extract is sold in many hed shops and herbal smoke shops in Texas (which you must be at least 18 to even purchase anything) and many other places in the U.S. and can also be purchased online.  I won't try to pull one over on you, Salvia is a weird trip, but it lasts for only a few mintues and when used responsibly  it can be an interesting means of self-exploration. Traditionally its been used as both an intoxicant and a medicine for thousands of years in Mexico, Central and South America. Using salvia extract is an activity that requires a time and a place,  mood and setting. You certaintly don't want to try it while driving a car or concentrating on something important, but...under the right circumstances, in the proper set and setting, and when used responsibly it can be a very neat experience. However, its not something that should be made illegal, many who try it do so sparringly because its so intense. If stricter regulation need to be in place then so be it, I won't be that upset, I'm a grown person and can do whatever I wish within the limits of reason, morality and the law. Salvia should not be totally illegal, not to beat a dead horse, but alcohol is something available (to those of age to purchase) and completely legal as well  and hundreds, if not thousands, of people, including minors, are lost in incidences directly attributed to alcohol, but...when used responsibly and for its intended consumers, within limits, can be a nice way for adults to enjoy themselves. Responsible, sensible, otherwise law abiding,  people should not have to face  such harsh penatlies when in misdemeanor possession of small amounts of what I would define as "soft drugs" i.e. salvia, cannabis. If any criminalizing of these substances should be considered, misdemeanor violations should be handled as civil infractions, not criminal charges. Confiscation of the contraband and civil fine not to exceed $150 for adult 21yrs or older, minors and adolescents will pay the same fine, parents/ guardians notified, mandatory drug awarness, possible community service. Teenagers shouldn't do drugs...period, however I'm an adult and  I can take responsiblity for my decisions and for those who share the same view point as I do regarding recreational/medicinal use of certain substances, it shouldn't be a criminal offense to have just a little bit in your possession for personal use. I would never make the claim that all drugs should be legal because theres alot of crap out there you do not need to put in your body and no offense to law enforcement who like busting stoners but in my opinion its a waste of time and money when someone with a few grams of pot or (possibly in the neear future) salvia, is arrested and put in jail.

Not everthing has to be illegal.

 

How does one go about getting a proposal or voter initiative on a ballot? Just curious if anybody has some input. I've been toying around with some ways to be pro-active with my free time.

and maybe the media wouldn't have blackballed Ron Paul. I know he didn't have a shot in hell, realistically, but it would have been cool. And so his campaign fades into the obscure world of political history. Probably the only republican that could have easily swayed my vote.

Viva la revolucion de Ron Paul! Viva la!

 

 "WASHINGTON - Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday after a grueling marathon, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House."  - An exerpt I pasted from a yahoo news article. I'm pretty sure this isn't OFFICIAL and by no means am I trying to count eggs before they hatch but I think I'm right in saying alot of people saw this coming a little earlier down the road. So I guess we'll see how things will go through till November. I personally think Both candidates (McCain/Obama) will pretty much carry on the same they have for the past year attacking credibility, experience, decision making, etc. Thats how it works I guess, you make the other person look as inept as possible. Either way it's going to be close. A monumental part in history is unfolding before us and it's just a few months away. I'm casting my vote for Obama but either one would be vastly better than the pile of political crap that passes as the presidential administration we have now.

 

 

Speak out, post comments, blogs, have a conversation with someone, anything to shed light on subjects that the government and the media won't.

 

Also try this link because the one in the Blog " I'm right you're wrong-" doesn't work properly.

Take a gander http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/>

Since 1937 the US government in cooperation with state, federal law and, at the time, newly formed and still current drug enforcement agencies have waged a relentless and costly war on Cannabis and cannabis users with no real conclusive evidence to support their claims against the plant or its users, citing it produced temporary insanity, aggression, psychosis and an entire slew of out right lies and half-truths. Still, our glorious powers that be cling to those ancient, outdated and false myths not realizing that the Constitution which they claim to uphold and defend, yet violate time and again, was originally written on paper made from hemp. Even the Bible was once printed on hemp paper. In fact, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp on their plantations. They certainly didn’t tell me that in school!
 
 Marijuana is currently a schedule 1 drug under US drug policy, meaning, by federal definition, it has no medical or industrial use whatsoever, despite being disproven over and over since 1972, not to mention the 5,000 years of recorded hemp use in  history and to current knowledge not a single death directly attributed from its use as a medicine or a recreation. The affects of Marijuana on the human body are far less dangerous and harmful than alcohol or tobacco. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning or alcohol related incidents or illnesses, everytime you imbue (drink) alcohol it destroys brain cells, amongst other things, pot doesn’t. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. Marijuana smoke does not contain nearly the amount of cancer causing agents or chemicals found in tobacco. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose or increase your risks of developing serious or potentially fatal lung conditions. According to the prestigious European medical journal, The Lancet, "The smoking of cannabis, even long-term, is not harmful to health. ... It would be reasonable to judge cannabis as less of a threat ... than alcohol or tobacco."  Marijuana also poses less of a danger to the human body than caffeine, prescribed pharmaceuticals, even OTC aspirin brands. Not only that, but Marijuana prohibition causes more problems than it solves and ruins thousands of more lives than it supposedly tries to save and costs American tax payers billions every year. DEA agents raid state-sanctioned despencaries in California, arrest doctors, growers, patients and raid the homes of the sick and terminally ill. In 2006 over 80% of marijuana violations were for possession alone by offenders. Why not keep those cells and dollars open to be spent on real criminals? It cost on average around $30,000 annually to feed, clothe and shelter a single inmate. I don’t know about you, but I would rather my tax dollars be spent keeping real criminals in prison or repairing roads, building schools and programs that benefit humanity. Minor marijuana infractions should not merit the consequences involved. College students should not loose scholarships or the availabilty of financial aid for school nor should honest people be denied or loose their jobs because of misdemeanor pot offenses. I myself was a victim of prohibition’s indescriminate tactics and totalitarianism. I lost my scholarship, and was evicted from my dorm complex not to mention placed on academic probation and cited a restraining order for those dorms on top of an $1,100 fine, all in spite of the fact I maintained a 3.4 GPA while I was a student. All for possession of an empty baggy, and an empty package of papers.
 
  Medical and general marijuana research is impeded by the limited availability and regulation of samples by drug agencies as well as a negative media frenzy. How can we learn the truth when our "free" country denies or suppresses information on the benefits of marijuana and hemp and the media networks feed on "reefer madness"? Even if industrial hemp was legalized by the Federal Government that alone would create a multi-billion dollar industry that would stimulate our slowing economy and provide jobs for thousands of hard working, honest people. Not too mention help save our Planet by creating "eco-friendly" products. Its one of the best renewable recources we could ask for. Thousands of medicinal and commercial uses and it will grow naturally almost anywhere! No pesticides or anything like that, just dirt, water, a mild climate and sunlight. Marijuana is wholesome, and its medicinal and responsible recreational users are not criminals but victims of an increasingly overbearing drug war and a similar governing regime. Federal prohibtion laws are fueled by propaganda and speculation, not hard evidence. The laws should be abolished, with marijuana legislature granted to the independant states to decide. I don’t advocate the use of marijuana nor do I condone its use, necessarily, because I feel that its something no one should touch until the age of 18 or older, because of the degree of responsibility and awareness needed for responsible adult use. Anyone who has told anyone that pot is a dangerous and addictive substance with no benefits at all, is a liar or severly misinformed. I at least hope you or someone will read this and hopefully gather something useful from it.
 
Take a gander http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/