Marijuana Blog

A new book coming out on June 19^th chronicles the life of President Obama, including some stories about his enthusiastic and often controlling use of marijuana as a High School student in Hawaii. If the stories are true, not only was Barry Obama a lover of the ganja back then, he was also the dominant figure in his group of friends, and often a controlling one at that.

Barry and his “Choom Gang” were a group of pot smokers, and as leader, Barry was the trend setter. He started “roof hits” (hotboxing a car) and would also “intercept” hits at different places in the rotation, stealing an extra puff, something considered a breach of rotation etiquette in most places today. Maybe it was then too and Barry was just so dominant in his group that no one called him on it.

After all, it takes a certain amount or arrogance to run for political office, and even more to run for and become President of the United States. Not everyone has that ability, or the confidence to try to lead massive groups of people.

But all this brings up the question: why is Barry so against marijuana now? It obviously didn’t ruin his life or make him sit on the couch all day eating Cheetos. He didn’t get busted so he was allowed to go to college and be a lawyer, Senator and President of the United States. He didn’t need rehab and stopped smoking weed on his own without any 12 step programs or sponsors.

Maybe his war on medical marijuana has less to do with his personal feelings and more to do with needing campaign money from Big Pharma.

Two bills have passed the Judiciary Committee in the Rhode Island House and Senate, bills that would make possession of up to an ounce of marijuana punishable by only a fine, whereas right now offenders could get up to one year in jail.

Under H 7092 and the Senate version, S 2253, possession of up to an ounce would only get the offender a $150 fine in most cases. A poll taken in the state in January showed 65% of likely voters favored a reduction of penalties for simple possession of marijuana.

“My forty years as a public health advocate have convinced me that decriminalizing marijuana possession is a sensible move for both public health and public safety,” said Dr. David Lewis, professor of community health and medicine and founder of the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. “From a public health perspective, marijuana presents far fewer health risks than cigarettes or alcohol. Public safety will benefit after a shift from criminal to civil penalties for marijuana possession because law enforcement officials will be able to attend to more serious crimes. Contrary to common fears, the evidence from many states shows that decriminalizing possession does not result in a significant rise in marijuana use.  I’m grateful that Rhode Island is moving toward a less punitive policy.”

Dr. Glenn Loury, professor of social science and economics at Brown University said of the bills, “H 7092 and S 2253 represent the beginning of a new way forward for marijuana policy in the Ocean State – an approach that moves away from punitive law enforcement tactics by placing a greater emphasis on public health.”

Small steps, but steps in a positive direction. The less marijuana users go to jail, the better. Both bills now have to be voted on in their respective chambers.

Source: http://www.opposingviews.com