Tim Pawlenty doesn't believe in medical marijuana - thinks users should be arrested

[Red Dawn]

One sided site with one sided commentary is fail. Just because he vetoed that bill doesn't mean anything. Perhaps he doesn't want his state to become a situation like cali where every dopehead claims the "medical" use loophole.

Most people don't have any problem with true medical use (I see it as no different than any other prescription drug), but the dopeheads hijacked that one a long time ago, ruining it for real medical need users.

Pawlenty is starting to look better every day.

Yeah if your idea of an uptight used Douchebag is looking good.

 

[Genx87]

Sure we can, it has nothing to do with presidential candidates, and everything to do with being the right thing to do for the country on so many levels it boggles the mind.

If the president isnt interested in dismantling the war on drugs. The party below him sure as hell wont. The sitting president is the defacto party leader while in office.

So unfortunately we as a country wont be quitting the ridiculous war on drugs anytime soon

 

[wirednuts]

No, law enforcement almost universally opposes medical marijuana, or any softening of marijuana prohibition. It's probably true in almost every municipality in the USA. It's in their economic interests. I'm sure Pawlenty was telling the truth about law enforcement's opposition to it. The laws prohibiting drugs are also essentially the Full Employment For Police Act.

thats inaccurate. i regularly hear officers talk about legalizing weed just so they can unclog the local jails, and seperate the good people from the losers. cops know most weed smokers arent bad people, and a lot of them feel bad when they have to arrest people for it.

 

[wirednuts]

If the president isnt interested in dismantling the war on drugs. The party below him sure as hell wont. The sitting president is the defacto party leader while in office.

So unfortunately we as a country wont be quitting the ridiculous war on drugs anytime soon

not until people realize just how much money and time were wasting on it. the facts are actually unbelievable at this point, and if you tell people facts about the war on drugs they think youre just an addict over-exaggerating. they dont think its a big issue, while in reality its tearing our society apart (prohibition is, not drugs!)

 

[ViviTheMage]

Why not give the girl some other drug(s)? There are a boat load out there with similiar side effects of mary jane....

not until people realize just how much money and time were wasting on it. the facts are actually unbelievable at this point, and if you tell people facts about the war on drugs they think youre just an addict over-exaggerating. they dont think its a big issue, while in reality its tearing our society apart (prohibition is, not drugs!)

We waste our time and money on a lot of stupid shit ... this one is just 'more' deserving of it apparently.

 

[Cutterhead]

Sure we can, it has nothing to do with presidential candidates, and everything to do with being the right thing to do for the country on so many levels it boggles the mind.

Could not agree more. I really think there is a right and wrong answer here, and it has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican. I am a registered Republican (albeit with admittedly libertarian-leaning views), and Pawlenty's decision really bothers me. So much, in fact, that I would not even consider voting for him if this is true. It's not a decision that even affects me or anyone I know personally, but it is such a poor decision that it leads me to question his entire legitimacy as a presidential candidate. I can only conclude that he is either A.) pandering to law enforcement or B.) pandering to ultra-(social)conservatives. Regardless of which is true, the key is that he made his decision without any consideration towards doing the right thing.

Maybe this gets him some votes in the Bread Basket or the Bible Belt, but there is no way coastal conservatives go for this close-minded BS en-masse. I agree with Fern's implication that this appears to be a lose-lose decision, so it does really boggle the mind why anyone would do this, particularly a presidential candidate. It's a national loser and a grand demonstration of piss-poor decision making, plain and simple.

 

[brandonb]

I just don't understand why if you are sick, you are somehow exempt from the laws... Why aren't there other drugs that can be legally acquired out there for terminally ill patients to use? Vicodins, or some other alternative. I'm sure there are plenty.

*I personally believe MJ should be legal anyhow, but I'm just confused by this entire issue*

 

[Fern]

I just don't understand why if you are sick, you are somehow exempt from the laws... Why aren't there other drugs that can be legally acquired out there for terminally ill patients to use? Vicodins, or some other alternative. I'm sure there are plenty.

*I personally believe MJ should be legal anyhow, but I'm just confused by this entire issue*

You just answered your own question.

Vicodin, oxycotin etc are illegal, unless prescribed by a physician for pain management etc.

Why should physicians be prohibted from prescribing MJ as a pain management drug if they think it useful? Moreover, as far as being a dangerous drug MJ is much less so than those currently permitted to be prescribed.

Fern

 

[BoberFett]

I just don't understand why if you are sick, you are somehow exempt from the laws... Why aren't there other drugs that can be legally acquired out there for terminally ill patients to use? Vicodins, or some other alternative. I'm sure there are plenty.

*I personally believe MJ should be legal anyhow, but I'm just confused by this entire issue*

So you're saying pumping your body full of one chemical is OK, but doing it with another chemical is not OK?

You're right, you are confused. You clearly don't understand the concept of freedom.

 

[xj0hnx]

Huh? That statement you quoted makes complete and perfect sense.

No, this part doesn't ...

he felt marijuana poses "serious public safety and health risks."

Than he should be all up on alcohol's nuts too, since a fuck ton more people die from alcohol than pot.

 

[PokerGuy]

Why should physicians be prohibted from prescribing MJ as a pain management drug is they think it useful? Moreover, as far as being a dangerous drug MJ is much less so than those currently permitted to be prescribed.

Fern

I'm totally in agreement, I don't see why MJ should be singled out in terms of doctors not being able to prescribe it. Some of the stuff they can prescribe is obviously much worse. It's the dope heads that will use that loophole that screw it up for everyone else.

 

[xj0hnx]

Why not give the girl some other drug(s)? There are a boat load out there with similiar side effects of mary jane....

Name one.

 

[brandonb]

You just answered your own question.

Vicodin, oxycotin etc are illegal, unless prescribed by a physician for pain management etc.

Why should physicians be prohibted from prescribing MJ as a pain management drug is they think it useful? Moreover, as far as being a dangerous drug MJ is much less so than those currently permitted to be prescribed.

Fern

I agree, but the point being, is if you are terminal ill and you are looking to find an illegal drug without a prescription be it MJ, or Vicodin, or whatever, that is illegal. Being terminally ill does not make you exempt. No matter the drug.

I have no issues with MJ being distributed with a prescription. But since that is not available, what is stopping doctors from prescribing another alternative?

The answer is that people are wanting MJ because it's MJ, nothing more nothing less...

If Tim made MJ legal for medical purposes and prescribed (especially when there are alternatives out there), wouldn't that create unnecessary headache for Police? If they see someone smoking up on their porch, they are going to stop, and check for a prescription. Before they could just immediately assume its illegal. What it's going to do is cause police to not enforce the current drug laws out there because it's a grey area. Making MJ effectively legal for everybody.

I don't disagree with that, as I don't care if MJ is legal or not, because I don't see it as potentially harmful... I just don't see how vetoing MMJ is going to do much of anything. Either legalize it or don't.

 

[brandonb]

So you're saying pumping your body full of one chemical is OK, but doing it with another chemical is not OK?

You're right, you are confused. You clearly don't understand the concept of freedom.

Bober, I respect you on these forums, but this has nothing to do with freedom. I should be free to own my own land, but I don't. I rent it from the government due to whatever reasons. The government can force me to mow my lawn, or they can fine me. If I don't pay the fines, they can take the land. That is not freedom. Long grass doesn't hurt anybody. Its just long grass... And its eco friendly! It feeds to birds. But anyways. Freedom is just an illusion. Both you and I know this.

 

[xj0hnx]

I agree, but the point being, is if you are terminal ill and you are looking to find an illegal drug without a prescription be it MJ, or Vicodin, or whatever, that is illegal. Being terminally ill does not make you exempt. No matter the drug.

I have no issues with MJ being distributed with a prescription. But since that is not available, what is stopping doctors from prescribing another alternative?

The answer is that people are wanting MJ because it's MJ, nothing more nothing less...

Marijuana treats the most serve side effects of popular cancer treatments, many of the true medical marijuana patients would never have thought about smoking pot.

If Tim made MJ legal for medical purposes and prescribed (especially when there are alternatives out there), wouldn't that create unnecessary headache for Police? If they see someone smoking up on their porch, they are going to stop, and check for a prescription. Before they could just immediately assume its illegal. What it's going to do is cause police to not enforce the current drug laws out there because it's a grey area. Making MJ effectively legal for everybody.

Which is why it needs to be legalize, regulated, and taxed, just like alcohol. The REAL problem are the pussy footed half measures.

 

[woolfe9999]

thats inaccurate. i regularly hear officers talk about legalizing weed just so they can unclog the local jails, and seperate the good people from the losers. cops know most weed smokers arent bad people, and a lot of them feel bad when they have to arrest people for it.

No, it isn't inaccurate. Whatever the views of some individual police may be, when they are represented officially in these matters, it is rare for law enforcement to take any different position other than for maximum prohibition.

I'll draw on a couple examples here. I represented someone applying for a license to start up a dispensary here in the bay area. The bay area is undoubtedly one of the most liberal areas of the country, and we heavily favor medical marijuana AND outright legalization by a wide margin here. Yet the sheriff's office did everything in its power to try to get this permit denied.

Another local example. In San Jose (silicon valley), just 30 minutes south of here, there are some 75 dispensaries operating. Apparently the city there is about to pass an ordinance limiting the number to 10 and shutting most of them down. The effort is spear headed by the San Jose PD.

- wolf

 

[crownjules]

I can only conclude that he is either A.) pandering to law enforcement or B.) pandering to ultra-(social)conservatives. Regardless of which is true, the key is that he made his decision without any consideration towards doing the right thing.

You forgot the big money option c) Big Pharma. If something is available that's grown for pennies on the dollar when compared to the research and manufacturing costs of designer drugs and has the same basic effect, who's going to buy the latter? That's what they fear at least and I have little doubt they're pumping lobbying dollars into politicians that will keep up the WoD so they can maximize profits.

 

[xj0hnx]

No, it isn't inaccurate. Whatever the views of some individual police may be, when they are represented officially in these matters, it is rare for law enforcement to take any different position other than for maximum prohibition.

I'll draw on a couple examples here. I represented someone applying for a license to start up a dispensary here in the bay area. The bay area is undoubtedly one of the most liberal areas of the country, and we heavily favor medical marijuana AND outright legalization by a wide margin here. Yet the sheriff's office did everything in its power to try to get this permit denied.

Another local example. In San Jose (silicon valley), just 30 minutes south of here, there are some 75 dispensaries operating. Apparently the city there is about to pass an ordinance limiting the number to 10 and shutting most of them down. The effort is spear headed by the San Jose PD.

- wolf

Medical marijuana, and legalization don't cut into individual cops operating budgets.

 

[xj0hnx]

You forgot the big money option c) Big Pharma. If something is available that's grown for pennies on the dollar when compared to the research and manufacturing costs of designer drugs and has the same basic effect, who's going to buy the latter? That's what they fear at least and I have little doubt they're pumping lobbying dollars into politicians that will keep up the WoD so they can maximize profits.

Most assuredly. Of course, if all the drugs laws were repealed, or at least relaxed, they would undoubtedly shift their influence.

 

[woolfe9999]

Medical marijuana, and legalization don't cut into individual cops operating budgets.

That may or may not be, but the fact remains, law enforcement is at the forefront of institutionalized opposition to drug legalization in this country.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Pawlenty sounds like another in a long line of Republicans who support having big government in the privacy of people's homes. He's a "Big Government-in-the Bedroom" Republican.

 

[fskimospy]

The truly stupid part about all this is that I'm willing to bet a pretty large portion of our current governors, congressmen, and every president since Clinton have smoked weed. They all almost certainly have plenty of friends who have smoked weed. They all know how small of a deal it is, yet for ridiculous political reasons everyone continues to pretend its some dangerous drug that needs to be reigned in.

I personally believe all drugs should be legalized, but I can recognize how reasonable people can disagree on some of them. Reasonable people cannot disagree on weed I think, there is simply too little evidence to support its continued criminalization.

 

[BoberFett]

Medical marijuana, and legalization don't cut into individual cops operating budgets.

No, but confiscation of homes and automobiles due to finding a lone joint does.

Or sometimes even straight up robbing people under the guise of upholding the law.

http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2011/01/medical_marijuana_asset_forfei.php

That's not representative government. It's the mob.

 

[crownjules]

It was recently ruled that California's penal system was in serious violation of Constitutional rights due to overcrowding. They were ordered by the USSC to reduce their prison population by 34K. And they're not the only state facing this problem. With problems like these, putting people in jail for smoking a plant is assinine. We need that space for serious criminals who actually pose a threat to society.

 

[Fern]

Medical marijuana, and legalization don't cut into individual cops operating budgets.

I think it does. Spend a day sitting in court and tally up the revenue collected by the county for fines and court costs people busted for pot, joints or bongs must pay.

Just as with speeding tickets that money is available for LE's budget.

Fern