Legalize Marijuana in the United States!
Target:
President Obama
Sponsored by:
According to government surveys, some 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year, and more than 14 million do so regularly despite harsh laws against its use. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it.
Marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose.
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."
Of those charged with marijuana violations, approximately 89 percent, 738,915 Americans were charged with possession only. The remaining 90,710 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture," a category that includes all cultivation offenses, even those where the marijuana was being grown for personal or medical use. In past years, roughly 30 percent of those arrested were age 19 or younger.
Marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose.
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."
NORML supports the removal of all penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This policy, known as decriminalization, removes the consumer -- the marijuana smoker -- from the criminal justice system.
More than 30 percent of the U.S. population lives under some form of marijuana decriminalization, and according to government and academic studies, these laws have not contributed to an increase in marijuana consumption nor negatively impacted adolescent attitudes toward drug use.
Enforcing marijuana prohibition costs taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually and results in the arrest of more than 872,000 individuals per year -- far more than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Of those charged with marijuana violations, approximately 89 percent, 738,915 Americans were charged with possession only. The remaining 90,710 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture," a category that includes all cultivation offenses, even those where the marijuana was being grown for personal or medical use. In past years, roughly 30 percent of those arrested were age 19 or younger.
NORML supports the eventual development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could buy marijuana for personal use from a safe legal source. This policy, generally known as legalization, exists on various levels in a handful of European countries like The Netherlands and Switzerland, both of which enjoy lower rates of adolescent marijuana use than the U.S. Such a system would reduce many of the problems presently associated with the prohibition of marijuana, including the crime, corruption and violence associated with a "black market."
According to government surveys, some 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year, and more than 14 million do so regularly despite harsh laws against its use. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it.
Marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose.
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."
Of those charged with marijuana violations, approximately 89 percent, 738,915 Americans were charged with possession only. The remaining 90,710 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture," a category that includes all cultivation offenses, even those where the marijuana was being grown for personal or medical use. In past years, roughly 30 percent of those arrested were age 19 or younger.
Marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose.
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."
NORML supports the removal of all penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This policy, known as decriminalization, removes the consumer -- the marijuana smoker -- from the criminal justice system.
More than 30 percent of the U.S. population lives under some form of marijuana decriminalization, and according to government and academic studies, these laws have not contributed to an increase in marijuana consumption nor negatively impacted adolescent attitudes toward drug use.
Enforcing marijuana prohibition costs taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually and results in the arrest of more than 872,000 individuals per year -- far more than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Of those charged with marijuana violations, approximately 89 percent, 738,915 Americans were charged with possession only. The remaining 90,710 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture," a category that includes all cultivation offenses, even those where the marijuana was being grown for personal or medical use. In past years, roughly 30 percent of those arrested were age 19 or younger.
NORML supports the eventual development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could buy marijuana for personal use from a safe legal source. This policy, generally known as legalization, exists on various levels in a handful of European countries like The Netherlands and Switzerland, both of which enjoy lower rates of adolescent marijuana use than the U.S. Such a system would reduce many of the problems presently associated with the prohibition of marijuana, including the crime, corruption and violence associated with a "black market."
We signed the "Legalize Marijuana in the United States!" petition!
# 100:
9:59 pm PDT, Oct 3,
Name not displayed, Louisiana
# 99:
4:32 pm PDT, Oct 1,
Kayla Hadley, Tennessee
i cant believe tommy chong got arrested over weed. if the government wants to illegalize something then they need to get rid of beer and liqour it is so deadly people die every day from the use of those i have never heard of one person dying from the use of weed... and i doubt they have either
i cant believe tommy chong got arrested over weed. if the government wants to illegalize something then they need to get rid of beer and liqour it is so deadly people die every day from the use of those i have never heard of one person dying from the use of weed... and i doubt they have either
# 98:
11:17 am PDT, Sep 12,
Name not displayed, California
the time has come.
the time has come.
# 97:
11:09 am PDT, Sep 12,
Alfreda Phillips, California
I don't smoke it, but I think it should be treated just like alcohol.
I don't smoke it, but I think it should be treated just like alcohol.
# 95:
2:13 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Mike Hinkle, South Carolina
I am a licenced massage therapist who specializes in AIDS, Cancer, & Geriatric care. I cannot fathom the position that many of our "leaders" have taken towards this natural medicine. How can these people who profess to care for the needs of the people that they represent look at a patient-person and knowing that they may die without this alternative therapy...Knowing that a 5 yr old daughter will be without her mother because they will not sign legislation that will allow this young girl to have her mother many more yrs. Allowing people to suffer is not a stance of a person whom I would call a leader!
I am a licenced massage therapist who specializes in AIDS, Cancer, & Geriatric care. I cannot fathom the position that many of our "leaders" have taken towards this natural medicine. How can these people who profess to care for the needs of the people that they represent look at a patient-person and knowing that they may die without this alternative therapy...Knowing that a 5 yr old daughter will be without her mother because they will not sign legislation that will allow this young girl to have her mother many more yrs. Allowing people to suffer is not a stance of a person whom I would call a leader!
# 94:
9:12 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Name not displayed, California
I don't smoke it personally, but I don't understand why it is illegal here in the US! Portugal legalized and they're fine!
I don't smoke it personally, but I don't understand why it is illegal here in the US! Portugal legalized and they're fine!
# 93:
8:35 pm PDT, Aug 27,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
Years of scientific research have not been able to prove the popular belief that marijuana is as harmful as they say it is, on the contrary it has only proven to have certain anti-cancerous properties and also to be a very potent antidepressant. I therefore say that marijuana is like homosexuality; it is your choice to smoke as it is your choice to select the one you love. we are free to do what we feel right to do, and it is our right to choose if we want to smoke marijuana or not with out being penalized to do so.
Years of scientific research have not been able to prove the popular belief that marijuana is as harmful as they say it is, on the contrary it has only proven to have certain anti-cancerous properties and also to be a very potent antidepressant. I therefore say that marijuana is like homosexuality; it is your choice to smoke as it is your choice to select the one you love. we are free to do what we feel right to do, and it is our right to choose if we want to smoke marijuana or not with out being penalized to do so.
# 92:
7:49 am PDT, Aug 21,
MICHAEL RENNIE, Georgia
IF THEY LET STATES SELL IT THEY COULD MAKE CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS FOR STATE GOVERMENT. WHICH STAT NOW A DAYS DOES NOT NEED EASY MONEY. NOT ALL PEOPLE HAVE TO BUY IT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DONT DRINK OR SMOKE SO IT IS YOUR CHOICE
IF THEY LET STATES SELL IT THEY COULD MAKE CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS FOR STATE GOVERMENT. WHICH STAT NOW A DAYS DOES NOT NEED EASY MONEY. NOT ALL PEOPLE HAVE TO BUY IT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DONT DRINK OR SMOKE SO IT IS YOUR CHOICE
# 91:
6:48 pm PDT, Aug 20,
Joe Pierce, Connecticut
"Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes." -Abraham Lincoln
"Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes." -Abraham Lincoln
# 90:
6:36 pm PDT, Aug 9,
Walter L Bradley Jr, Massachusetts
# 89:
4:50 pm PDT, Jul 29,
Cindi Corbin, Florida
the irony is that there is only legalization for certain drugs,and those that do not cause overdosing,or harm to others(drinking,dui)are not able to be legally available;that is absurd;why you would not legalize this and control with taxation is so surreal.
the irony is that there is only legalization for certain drugs,and those that do not cause overdosing,or harm to others(drinking,dui)are not able to be legally available;that is absurd;why you would not legalize this and control with taxation is so surreal.
# 88:
3:16 pm PDT, Jul 29,
Taira Norris, Florida
It's about choice!
It's about choice!
# 87:
10:57 am PDT, Jul 29,
Scott Goodman, Florida
# 86:
3:42 pm PDT, Jul 21,
Name not displayed, Montana
I feel that is should be legaize it.
I feel that is should be legaize it.
# 85:
10:31 am PDT, Jul 2,
Raymond Ables, Alabama
# 84:
8:41 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Wanda Montgomery, Iowa
# 83:
11:37 am PDT, Jun 30,
Name not displayed, Arizona
# 82:
8:27 am PDT, Jun 30,
Brian Davis, Georgia
Another longterm survivor of HIV here and i believe it helps me immensely also.LEGALIZE NOW
Another longterm survivor of HIV here and i believe it helps me immensely also.LEGALIZE NOW
# 81:
6:16 am PDT, Jun 30,
Gregg Levendoski, Georgia
I suffer for 20 years from HIV/AIDS and am considered a long term survivor . I have gone through many medications. MANY making me sick and unable to eat. Now I am told that the meds have degenerated my bones. I stay in pain. The pain killers make me nauseated and unable to eat. I use Marinol but it only works to a point. But the smoked marijuana is the ONLY thing that works for me. Using this is risking my freedom every-time if I am caught. this should not be so. It is time to legalize it and help us out and STOP the discrimination of people who are sick and in pain just because there are closed minded people who make our laws.
I suffer for 20 years from HIV/AIDS and am considered a long term survivor . I have gone through many medications. MANY making me sick and unable to eat. Now I am told that the meds have degenerated my bones. I stay in pain. The pain killers make me nauseated and unable to eat. I use Marinol but it only works to a point. But the smoked marijuana is the ONLY thing that works for me. Using this is risking my freedom every-time if I am caught. this should not be so. It is time to legalize it and help us out and STOP the discrimination of people who are sick and in pain just because there are closed minded people who make our laws.
# 80:
6:39 pm PDT, Jun 29,
Sean Levendoski, Arizona
mary jane should have been legal a long time ago. i have never seen an angry pot head, or seen any one get hurt from smoking pot. if it was legal then the government would have a tax on it like cigarettes or alcohol and i would be willing to pay that tax. please please legalize mary jane. it will make the world a happier place.
mary jane should have been legal a long time ago. i have never seen an angry pot head, or seen any one get hurt from smoking pot. if it was legal then the government would have a tax on it like cigarettes or alcohol and i would be willing to pay that tax. please please legalize mary jane. it will make the world a happier place.
# 79:
4:18 pm PDT, Jun 29,
Michael Schmidt, Illinois
there are more important things for the police to deal with these days such as murders and other more heinous crimes against humanity. Time to hang this one up and go after more important criminals
there are more important things for the police to deal with these days such as murders and other more heinous crimes against humanity. Time to hang this one up and go after more important criminals
# 78:
3:54 pm PDT, Jun 29,
David Levendoski, Arizona
Whats the hold up. It should have been legalized a long time ago. I say dont elect anymore assholes who vote against legalazation.
Whats the hold up. It should have been legalized a long time ago. I say dont elect anymore assholes who vote against legalazation.
# 77:
3:10 pm PDT, Jun 29,
Martha Levendoski-Torres, Georgia
We are HIV Positive and using medical marijuana would greatly help our quality of life, ease our pain and neuropathy, help us with appetite and nutrition. I am not a criminal and should not be treated as such, I have enough problems with my health!
We are HIV Positive and using medical marijuana would greatly help our quality of life, ease our pain and neuropathy, help us with appetite and nutrition. I am not a criminal and should not be treated as such, I have enough problems with my health!
# 76:
4:37 pm PDT, Jun 27,
Todd Sica, Vermont
NOW is the time! It IS the one cash crop whose earning potential is limitless. As far as the medicinal value I am both a proponent and user of non-presciption marijuana
NOW is the time! It IS the one cash crop whose earning potential is limitless. As far as the medicinal value I am both a proponent and user of non-presciption marijuana
# 75:
7:15 am PDT, Jun 27,
Sherry Sica, Vermont
I truely believe mariajuana should be leaglized for its benifits. The MS patient who can't cut their food, it cuts back on the shaking. THe person with migraines can't function, can hit a couple of puffs. I am a migraine suffer it does work for these things. Thats the reason for MEDICAL marajuana. PLEASE pass this it has more benifits than people realize. Its a NON HABIT forming pain killer.
I truely believe mariajuana should be leaglized for its benifits. The MS patient who can't cut their food, it cuts back on the shaking. THe person with migraines can't function, can hit a couple of puffs. I am a migraine suffer it does work for these things. Thats the reason for MEDICAL marajuana. PLEASE pass this it has more benifits than people realize. Its a NON HABIT forming pain killer.
# 74:
9:47 pm PDT, Jun 26,
Katelyn Dupee, Hawaii
# 73:
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7:52 pm PDT, Jun 26,
Christopher Dupee, Hawaii
Marijuana has had a long history with human life. Before the smear campaign run by the government back in the 1930's marijuana had numerous uses. The roots of the plant can be made into a "tea" and used topically to alleviate rashes. Smoking the aerial portion of the plant causes an intoxicant effect that rarely inebriates the user to the same degree as alcohol except in extremely high doses. To date NO ONE has ever died from ingestion of marijuana alone. In fact the LD50 for delta-9 THC is so high (128mg/kg oral in monkeys) that it's essentially impossible to ingest enough to overdose, you'd fall asleep first and wake up with a tolerance too high to do it again. The prohibition of marijuana has done almost nothing toward preventing it's use. Instead we see hoards of otherwise law-abiding individuals being sentenced to lengthy prison terms for what before the 1930's was viewed as a beneficial plant. We've spent billions if not trillions of dollars on "the war on drugs" but with little effect. Numerous things can be made with this plant; clothing, food, fuel, etc. To legalize ad regulate this plant may serve to boost our economy through increased tax revenue. For the MSDS on THC please see http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/thc_data_sheet.shtml. There comes a time in every society where the people must reverse the mistakes of previous generations. Now is the time to rectify our mistakes with marijuana. |
# 72:
1:03 am PDT, Jun 23,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
dear sir its time to open up room in the prisons and stop destroying the working man by imprisoning him for smoking or having an herb ty
dear sir its time to open up room in the prisons and stop destroying the working man by imprisoning him for smoking or having an herb ty
# 71:
4:18 pm PDT, Jun 15,
Jackie Stefanski, Pennsylvania
# 70:
9:46 am PDT, Jun 13,
Name not displayed, France
# 69:
8:50 am PDT, Jun 12,
Connie Spall, Florida
I suffer from severe Anxiety, insomnia and Fibromyalgia. Prescription pills weighed me down and brought me to the ground with addiction. I have been 3 years clean of prescription pills and began smoking a small amount of marijuana, per someones advice. My life has changed, pain has subsided, I actually sleep at night as well as have a new found peace in my life. Where is the WRONG in this?
I suffer from severe Anxiety, insomnia and Fibromyalgia. Prescription pills weighed me down and brought me to the ground with addiction. I have been 3 years clean of prescription pills and began smoking a small amount of marijuana, per someones advice. My life has changed, pain has subsided, I actually sleep at night as well as have a new found peace in my life. Where is the WRONG in this?
# 68:
11:20 am PDT, May 23,
Matthew Commeville, California
Hemp can help save the enviroment.
Hemp can help save the enviroment.
# 67:
10:15 pm PDT, May 21,
Matthew Aldini, Texas
Grew up with marijuana my whole life around my parents. After living that life and growing up I can say marijuana is not harmful in anyway, its medicine for the soul... keeps you happy!
Grew up with marijuana my whole life around my parents. After living that life and growing up I can say marijuana is not harmful in anyway, its medicine for the soul... keeps you happy!
# 66:
7:42 am PDT, May 20,
John Mercuria, New Jersey
Legalize Marijuana to make the United States Great Again! Pull us out of this down ward spiral and put this country on top. Its what we do best, we grow food for the world, why not grow Marijuana for it as well. It could be our greatest export, beyond that American pot smokers would be happy to pay taxes on it like cigarettes, it would support the big government we have now... and I hate to say it but probably need; to keep infastructure and the various good government services flowwing well, (Healthcare; Military; Search and Rrscue; border patrol; mail service; financing; police force; etc. The US Government gives a lot of awesome services that help the common person, and employs americans) It also doesn't mean that if you work certain jobs like a surgeon that you wouldn't be tested and prohibited from using, allow companies and certain government/medical services to allow them to prohibit use on a job by job basis. Also if you could earmark some of the pot tax to develop better green energy we could eliminate our need for oil and those other countries that are basically becomming a power house, because our government is not supporting better green energy development.
Legalize Marijuana to make the United States Great Again! Pull us out of this down ward spiral and put this country on top. Its what we do best, we grow food for the world, why not grow Marijuana for it as well. It could be our greatest export, beyond that American pot smokers would be happy to pay taxes on it like cigarettes, it would support the big government we have now... and I hate to say it but probably need; to keep infastructure and the various good government services flowwing well, (Healthcare; Military; Search and Rrscue; border patrol; mail service; financing; police force; etc. The US Government gives a lot of awesome services that help the common person, and employs americans) It also doesn't mean that if you work certain jobs like a surgeon that you wouldn't be tested and prohibited from using, allow companies and certain government/medical services to allow them to prohibit use on a job by job basis. Also if you could earmark some of the pot tax to develop better green energy we could eliminate our need for oil and those other countries that are basically becomming a power house, because our government is not supporting better green energy development.
# 65:
1:44 am PDT, May 19,
Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 64:
4:17 am PDT, May 17,
John Curotto, Connecticut
Hemp would be a great way to fight global warming. It stores carbon quickly, as an annual plant, and it can be used for stop forest destruction for paper, and fiber for clothing and many other applications. Why sites like Care2 have not promoted this aspect of its legalization is shameful!!
Hemp would be a great way to fight global warming. It stores carbon quickly, as an annual plant, and it can be used for stop forest destruction for paper, and fiber for clothing and many other applications. Why sites like Care2 have not promoted this aspect of its legalization is shameful!!
# 63:
9:20 am PDT, May 14,
Jeremy Ober, Ohio
YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA i love weed
YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA i love weed
# 62:
12:04 am PDT, May 14,
Kt R, Utah
# 61:
4:01 pm PDT, May 13,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 60:
9:51 am PDT, May 13,
Ronald Gilbert, Ohio
# 59:
8:56 am PDT, May 13,
Michael Rock Jr., Idaho
We need to leagalize this already. It's time. Stop letting the man control what we do.
We need to leagalize this already. It's time. Stop letting the man control what we do.
# 58:
9:33 am PDT, May 12,
Major Heitz, Oklahoma
# 57:
6:27 pm PDT, May 8,
Daniel Oden, South Carolina
The reason i think marijuana should be legalized is bcause people are chilled when they smoke marijuana. And when they drink they cause a hasle and commet crimes and do sume stuff. We would never do that while we were high. because marijuana dosent make you bad things drinking does. So please support this petition
The reason i think marijuana should be legalized is bcause people are chilled when they smoke marijuana. And when they drink they cause a hasle and commet crimes and do sume stuff. We would never do that while we were high. because marijuana dosent make you bad things drinking does. So please support this petition
# 56:
2:40 pm PDT, May 6,
Cherokee Chastain Ash, Oregon
The prohibition of Marijuana is more harmful to the user & to society than the use of it.
The prohibition of Marijuana is more harmful to the user & to society than the use of it.
# 55:
6:11 pm PDT, May 3,
Michael Crawford Jr., California
# 54:
8:48 am PDT, May 3,
Linda Thomas, Texas
It is illogical to place the use of an inocuous substance in the same reference and society as criminal violations such as theft and assault etc... By refusing to recognize its proven effects, the present legistration is restricting it to such dangerous associations.
It is illogical to place the use of an inocuous substance in the same reference and society as criminal violations such as theft and assault etc... By refusing to recognize its proven effects, the present legistration is restricting it to such dangerous associations.
# 53:
5:43 pm PDT, May 2,
Codie Reed, Arkansas
# 52:
3:27 pm PDT, May 2,
Joseph Wilson, Oregon
# 51:
6:49 am PDT, May 2,
Mathias Rodriguez, New York
My body, my choice!
My body, my choice!
