Bruce Mirken on CNBC Power Lunch 07/16/2009
Comments (36)
July 16, 2009
July 16, 2009
MPP spokesperson Bruce Mirken is questioned by the hosts of CNBC Power Lunch about the compelling rationale behind regulating and taxing marijuana like alcohol in California. Experts agree that such a plan could generate over a billion dollars in revenue for the state, as well as bolster the economy and relieve the fear of arrest from the otherwise law-abiding population of marijuana consumers. 07/16/2009
The opinions expressed below by our viewers and posters do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Marijuana Policy Project. These views are those of the individual authors alone. MPP does not condone or support the illegal use of marijuana. We do encourage open and frank discussion, but if a comment has been posted that is in some way significantly inappropriate, please e-mail us at socialnetwork@mpp.org to report it. Thank you, and we're looking forward to what you think!
36 Comments, Comment or Ping
BuelahMan
Bruce,
I don’t know what is happening lately, but you guys are getting through the rhetoric and laying it out perfectly straight. I hope it is a sign that people are getting more receptive, even in the media and politics.
Friedman a lifetime MPP member? How very cool, even though I disagree with many of his policies.
Another wonderful interview.
Jul 16th, 2009
adle1984
Bruce, you’re soooooo the man!!!
Jul 17th, 2009
Guy#1
” Or pipe dream!” HAHAHAHAHA I really really really hate their puns so much.
Jul 17th, 2009
Chris
Great Job Bruce! Seems like more and more people are coming to their senses these days and considering this an issue that needs to be taken seriously in this nation. The social consequences of prohibition are astounding compared to if it were just legalized and regulated.
Jul 17th, 2009
Guy#1
Even though she kept cutting you off, another great job Bruce.
Jul 17th, 2009
David
I love how Bruce cuts through the BS right away. That’s what needs to be done. Common sense needs to come to the forefront and be given the spotlight every time we bring up the issue of legalization and you did just that.
Good stuff, Bruce! Thanks again for all your hard work! Thanks to everyone at MPP!
Jul 17th, 2009
Chadwick
CNBC dumped the prohibitionist for once? Aww, shucks!
Great job Bruce. Always glad you’re on our side.
~ Chadwick
Jul 17th, 2009
Mike Stroup
From a physical health perspective, people should not smoke cannabis. They should vape and/or consume edibles. The main reason cannabis should be re-legalized is that failure to do so violates God’s will for people to live in freedom with liberty, as acknowledged and cited in the Constitution of the United States. What someone freely chooses to do or not do, that does not violate the rightful freedom and liberties of another, is none of anyone else’s damn business, or government at any level. Prohibitionists should get another hobby, something that does not include trying to run other people’s lives. I wonder what it would be like to live in a free country.
Jul 17th, 2009
adle1984
@ Mike Stroup: “I wonder what it would be like to live in a free country.”
It’d probably be like Portugal. It’s pretty sad that Portugal is leading the way on this issue while USA is still lagging behind…
Jul 17th, 2009
J Simmons
Nice work Bruce! You always present the issues in a very articulate and convincing manner.
Why do corespondents always feel the need to make jokes when they talk about this issue? It isn’t very funny that almost 6,000 people were murdered last year in Mexico due to the drug war and it isn’t funny that hundreds of thousands of Americans are arrested for marijuana every year.
Jul 17th, 2009
G
You are my hero Bruce.
http://iblowminds.com/2009/07/17/mpps-bruce-mirken-on-cnbc/
Jul 17th, 2009
Nate D
Bruce, great job. You always do a great job. Keep up the good work guys.
Jul 17th, 2009
Samuel Taylor
Awesome! You handled that interview with great skill Bruce.
Legalized Cannabis = unemployed criminals
Jul 17th, 2009
Tired of lies
Fantastice job Bruce! Clear, focused, and to the point. Way to burn through the BS and get your points across. In a time when science has raised public awareness on the enviornment and our health, how can prohibitionists conceive that we the people shouldn’t have a healthier choice over alcohol and tobacco??
Jul 18th, 2009
Brent In KY
Great job, too bad they had to ruin a very adult debate, full of truth and facts, to add a joke, about HIGH TAXES, what are they 10? Im glad everyone thinks its funny to arrest sick and dying americans daily in 37 states!
We have them on the run, they are crapping themselves, they know dam well this isnt going away this time and we are going to fight till the end. We just need some legislators to relize they will get re-elected if they support us, thats the only thing holding them back at this point! So they need to know they wont get elected if they are a prohibitionest, then we will see some real change.
Jul 18th, 2009
kent
Bruce great job but next time try to have some of the figures for courts ,prisions ,police I think when you show them the numbers they will think twice
And Steve I know you are reading this do some home work Iff 870,000 people are busted and only 1/2 get a lawyer (simple posession at $2000 to $2500 per charge ) how much money do lawyers make
Or check out 5,500,000 people on probation do the math what about the cost of prisions in Florida they say $20,000 to house an inmate per year WRONG!!!! closer to $30,000 to $40,000 a year I have seen you on CNBC and always thought you are a stright forward person that will shoot down antiquated and misinformed ideas (during the banking meltdown YOU are the one talking head I could rely on for real info )
Jul 18th, 2009
Emory
Great Job Bruce! I’m proud to be a mpp member. I somewhat agree with Kent, but I think all that information and stats should be a back up for now. It is nice to see people just speaking openly and sensible.
Jul 18th, 2009
Joe
As always, Bruce is a great spokesperson, he speaks very well, clearly and comes across as respectful and educated. Can’t say that about most prohibitionists!
Jul 18th, 2009
C
Great job Bruce in addition to presenting our best points you come off as a friendly guy and interviewers like you to be there because of that. That kind of thing can’t be learned and will help us as much as donations
Jul 19th, 2009
Brew
That was a best interview yet. To have the noble prize winning economist, Milton Friedman, thrown in as a life long member of MPP, amazing, simply amazing!
Jul 19th, 2009
Spoon
Nice work, Bruce. I watch all of these interviews and have been waiting for someone to answer the question “Why won’t people keep growing it themselves?” The simple rule of economics that says that they don’t need to go that route once it’s legal for the same reason that most people don’t brew their own beer or make their own wine. Clearly, some people are going to grow their own, but, again, the laws about home-brewing can be used as a guide for home growing: in small amounts there is nothing to tax.
The Milton Friedman answer left them stunned, too. It was great to watch because I knew the answer before you said it. The long pause after your statement about his lifetime membership was priceless.
Keep up the good work. The message appears to be making increasing headway.
Spoon
Jul 20th, 2009
Jesse Lee
“Brillant idea or a pipe dream?” and “Are the taxes going to be high?” All of the networks are having a field day with these catch phrases on leagalizing pot. Personally, these catch phrases are making me sick…I know it’s journalism, but grow up people this is a serious issue.
Jul 21st, 2009
FiddleMan
Wonderful interview, Bruce! You are the man! The Milton Friedman stuff really fell into place! Great!
I must say that I too am growing so weary of these stupid puns! Ridiculous statements such as “Brilliant idea or a PIPE DREAM?”, “Are the taxes going to be HIGH?” – Or – my least favorite of all – “Is America going to POT?” I have completely discontinued the use of the term “Marijuana” and “Pot” when I speak of repealing Cannabis Prohibition. With “Marijuana” being the Harry Anslinger term used to create prohibition and the phrase “Going to Pot” meaning to deteriorate – These are not good words or phases for us!
Is there anyway to try to ask reporters to stop this obnoxious trend? I call it a “trend”, but it has been going on for decades. These reporters are not being cute – they are being harmful!
One may say that the reporters are “just trying to be cute”, but keep in mind that stupid little tricks such as calling Hemp or Cannabis “Marijuana” is what enabled H.J.A. to convince the government to outlaw this wonderful and very useful plant…
We need to NOT ALLOW stupid puns concerning our Noble Cannabis Cause! We also need to remind people that this horrible and immoral Prohibition that has been forced upon us is NO LAUGHING MATTER!
Prohibition is an Evil, Immoral, and Economically Destructive Global Horror that must stop!
Legalize Cannabis Now!
Jul 21st, 2009
Bob
This one was great because we got some time to talk. But this is a rarity.
If anyone sees a news story about cannabis reform and you don’t like anything about, do something about it. If our side doesn’t get enough time to talk, call the station and complain. If the hosts badger us or brush off our arguments, call the station and complain. If no one questions prohibitionist assertions that are obviously false or require some sort of proof, CALL THE STATION AND COMPLAIN.
Getting on the reformist comment boards and complaining about the unfairness of it all does NOTHING! The reason the format for these shows hasn’t changed much is because we don’t call and make enough noise.
You know who does, though? Prohibitionists. They call stations in droves if anything bothers them, and the producers listen. That’s why they make the dumb jokes, cut us off, give us mere seconds to lay out our arguments, reject our legitimate ads, and make it seem like we are on the defensive.
They will listen to us, too. Its all about the ratings. If people who are tired of the war on cannabis make it very obvious that the tide is turning, and that they risk offending a much larger demographic than they had previously thought, we will see changes very quickly.
We are winning on this issue, but preaching to the choir does not accomplish much. Just make one phone call. Or dozens. But do it.
Jul 21st, 2009
james
hey bruce do you think that folks could live and let live but ….if i want to smoke pot is it or is it not my choice or does uncle sam have to to take away all forms of plesure in our lives…i dont mind giving him a 20 dollar bill for a nice bag …or is mexico still going to receive all this american cash .made here spent here ,raised here ….you will have to see how many folks turn out for the vote bruce… stay on there asses we are counting on you!!!!!……
Jul 21st, 2009
Shealyn Costner
Finally someone that has the balls to step up & try to make a stand on this issue. Marijuana is so much less dangerous than alcohol its ridiculous that its illegal in the first place. Regulating and taxing it would definitely help if not fix the problem with the economy. If this goes in Cali, the rest of the US will start to pick up on it…hopefully..since the government is fucking retarded anyway.
Jul 30th, 2009
Autumn H.
I thought that interview was awesome! Every little bit helps in educating the public about the benefits of this GOD given plant! I’ve embeded this video onto my website for all my friends to view and help spread the word!
Jul 30th, 2009
Autumn H.
Just …one more thought. I know that we have a right to be angry but, it’s best to present ourselves and our community in a professional way. I’ve found that I get a much more coherent response from those opposing when they’re given FACT without emotion….y’know….childish name calling from a place of anger.
Jul 30th, 2009
Pepper
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Come on, Everyone!
Jul 31st, 2009
C. Davis
Regulated marijuana is also safer. You don’t have to worry about violence while obtaining or poisoned product.
Aug 3rd, 2009
Becky Johnson
Ending the prohibition of cannabis and beginning an era or taxation and regulation is exactly what common sense calls for, not to mention protecting personal freedom and choice. However, I despaired at Bruce’s apparent acknowledgment of Mexican Drug Cartels operating on California’s public lands. I find precious little evidence such grows are being done by the Cartels. In fact, I think these reports are part of a conspiracy to scare the general public into supporting further funding of CAMP and DEA raids on these tiny, scattered, illegal grows. These reports evoke racism (by the use of the word “Mexican”), anti-immigrant sentiment (illegal aliens), and over-estimate the size of the grows. For instance, 10,000 plants = 1/2 acre. While Bruce’s comment “There’s a reason they’re not growing grapes on those hillsides” was great, challenging the government to PROVE that these really are the work of “Mexican” “Drug Cartels” staffed by “illegal aliens” would have been even better.
Aug 26th, 2009
Hans
“without asking if these taxes would be high”……………………………… really?
Aug 26th, 2009
Andrew
Really CNBC dont down grade u guest like that ur women there could care less what he is thinking git some one who makes news fun not making the news BS
Aug 26th, 2009
Domingo A Torres
I encourage everyone to watch the movie documentary titled “The Union” you can rent it at your local neighborhood movie rental store or go on-line. Here you will learn the true facts about Marijuana and its history. My comment on the cost of purchasing and taxing Marijuana is that its extremely too much to paid and overly exaggerated to make it look lucrative in a time where the economy is in dire need of some revenue relief. The revenue argument sounds good, but it should not be the basis for making Marijuana legal. Marijuana has merit without cost. It is a natural weed that grows easily anywhere, without cultivation or costly pharmaceutical processes. God meant it to be so, for the purposes it provides. Men make prostitutes of things that can bring them into money and disrespect the wholeness within. Marijuana is a holy plant to be respected and its use valued and cherished appropriately.
Aug 27th, 2009
Hendog
AMEN DOMINGO !!! AMEN. To even think we have been denied the worlds most medicinal/ and most useful plant that grows on this planet is an OUTRAGE! There should be ZERO reasons for the government to make ANY laws against growing it! And please keep in mind..”We The People” are *supposed* to be the so called “Government”..but sadly that is not the case..Its We The People VS they the “Government” because the people have spoken on this issue 100’s of years ago..our fore fathers enjoyed sitting out on the porch at night looking up into the heavens enjoying a sweet bowl of Hemp! We used it for everything..and everything was good that was made from it. It so sad that we have been lied to and the masses have been brain washed. But the Wake & Bake Generation is standing up for what is right and more and more people around the globe are finding out the truth about Cannabis..thank God for that. Good Job Bruce..hell GREAT JOB!
Aug 30th, 2009
jim pettinato
The phrases that bothers me the most are : 1) “__That being said__” 2) “__At the end of the day___” 3) “__I’m not in the buisness of.___”
Oct 8th, 2009
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