Dan Bernath on Fox & Friends 07/09/2009
Comments (25)
July 9, 2009
July 9, 2009
MPP spokesperson Dan Bernath speaks about the failure of marijuana prohibition on Fox & Friends. This segment was produced the day after MPP released an ad in California promoting the taxation and regulation of marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. Several California TV stations refused to run the ad, drawing criticism from many sources. Also appearing on the segment is prohibitionist John Lovell of the California Peace Officers Association. 07/09/2009
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!
25 Comments, Comment or Ping
Phillip
Im not sure why there is law enforcement lobbyists out there trying to what? Save the jobs of cops that are unnecessarily arresting people for a plant?
Making a profit from taking peoples property, and doing more harm than good with there SWAT teams.
When are one of you gonna call them on it?
Jul 9th, 2009
rick
Canabis, once made legal, will be much lower in price than “street”. “Street” prices are so high because of the inherent risks of being caught doing an illegal activity. Ten out of 10 drug dealers “Just Say NO!” to legalization as it will put them out of business.
Jul 9th, 2009
Anthony
I do believe everybody at NORML and the Marijuana Policy Project are doin a great job with the debates on these show but plz, sometime on these showd talk about the 25,000 products that can be made from Hemp, include the over 1,600 petrochemical products it could also replace and the fact that hemp produces ten times as much ethanol per yield than corn does. If more people knew about all the green technology we could make from hemp, they would think more carefully about ending marijuana prohibition. Just work it in sometime, and Great Job again.
Jul 9th, 2009
HW
The terribly lame prohibitionist argument — “With all the problems associated with alcohol and tobacco, why would we want to add another social ill?”
Cannabis is already HERE! It’s been here for decades, available through a thriving black market. We aren’t *adding* anything — just the rational ideas of eliminating criminality and undercutting cartels. Why in the world is this so hard to understand?
Jul 10th, 2009
tintala
How would they know it would cause more problems, cannabis has never been legal in the 1st place, we didn’t legalize it and see that ppl were buying off the black market more, then , illegalize it becaue it made it worse…. terrible, non sustained argument, again….. HEMP would serve the country also. We would have 3 economies.
HEMP: fiber, food, fuel
POT: recreational (taxED)
medicanal: taxed
This would creat it’s own “green economy” create millions of jobs, and farmers would have a miracle crop to depend on , and DUPONT would be fucked , they wold have to stop spreading their modified seeds and fertilizers, they are the EARTH KILLERS> WE need CANNABIS LEGAL NOW, why on earth do these farts fight it like it’s meth?
Jul 14th, 2009
tintala
let’s not forget the PRISON INDUSTRY which makes billions on prohibtion by arresting and incarcerating. THis is not a democracy, it’s a dictatorship,
SHAME ON YOU OBAMA!
Jul 14th, 2009
Brinna Nanda
Might be better NOT to nod your head affirmatively, as the drug warrior spews yet more unsubstantiated propaganda.
Also, yes, I agree with Phillip. Go on the offensive. Ask why law enforcement is trying to influence legislation rather than simply enforcing it. This is a huge conflict of interest which MUST be addressed.
Jul 14th, 2009
tensity1
As others have pointed out, ask why law enforcement is trying to influence legislation instead of enforcing it; hint at their self-interests in prohibition; ask why they are giving opionions (not facts) on what should be a public health issue (are they doctors?); make a point that marijuana has always been there–nothing new is being added, and that regulating and taxing, if anything, recoups costs to society. In fact, since there is no scientific dispute as to the harms of tobacco and alcohol, compared to the relative harmlessness of marijuana, propose trading marijuana with alcohol and tobacco–legalize marijuana and make illegal tobacco and alcohol (again). I’d gladly take that offer. Let’s see how law enforcement and general society like that idea.
Jul 15th, 2009
tensity1
One last thing: I’m tired of hearing about all these “social problems” associated with marijuana, one of the more recently recycled boogeyman of the moralizing, illogical prohibitionists. They need to be called out on exactly what these social problems are, what their facts are–get them blubbering (I know these segments don’t exactly give enough time to refute things point by point). Then make the point that if these social problems are real, they already exist; and legalizing, regulating, and taxing will only cut down on any social costs by reducing demand and use (especially in the PRECIOUS CHILDREN!) and collecting revenue to offset any economic burden marijuana is (not) causing.
Jul 15th, 2009
Drew
The BIG difference between marijuana and gambling is that marijuana adds value to society (contrary to their claims), it creates something new, it’s a resource. By contrast, gambling adds nothing, all it does it consume; it takes other’s money and shuffles it around to others.
People grow marijuana and there is something that didn’t exist before, plants spring to life, wealth is created. A gambling establishment does not create any wealth, it just takes it from some people and hands it to others, nothing is created. (In general the govt. doesn’t care since they just want to skim a percentage of every transaction, whether or not it’s adding value or destroying it.)
Dear MPP, it seems every time y’all appear on Fox the conversation focuses on money and revenues. Thus my $0.02 is to crank up Numbers (spreadsheet) and any time Fox invites you on, have all sorts of numbers ready.
The prohibitionists are their own worst enemies. The speculative cost to society argument they keep relying on pales in comparison to the debt tar pits they keep shoving our society (and bullying the rest of the world) into via their jailing, trashing, heavy-handed prohibitionist practices.
I agree it’s better to not get caught in a tit-for-tat conversation trying to defend against their false assumptions, but (at least for Fox and other financial shows) I would focus on their track record of insane spending to promote their (illogical, failing, and unachievable) “utopia” of a “drug free america.” Clearly the Fox stations believe their viewers are focused mainly on money issues (vs. human rights, states rights, religious freedoms, health benefits of cannabis, etc…).
Jul 15th, 2009
R.O.E.
Good job Dan..
Did I hear that right? After the ad ran Brian said”Sounds reasonable..”? Wow ,didnt expect that out of him. Are people really changing their veiw of prohibition?
Ok now my comments on John..
Hes talking about what the price of and OZ at 450$ + 50$? Well hate to tell him,but thats If price remained the same. It wont remain if legalized. The price will most definiatey drop. Maybe get back to the days of 10$ lids?+ 50$ tax? I’ll go for that with some kick ass kush!
Then John trying to compare lottery to cannabis? Thats wack! You can pend your whole retirement in a lottery or gambling, ever known anyone to spend thier retire ment on cannabis? HELL NO! That like comparing apples to a steak! Or something there of. Not even close to the same thing.
Now the one that we all debunk so easily…Why add this to a already troubled society? LOL Hello Mr. John…Your not adding it you moron! ITS ALREADY HERE!! HELLO, ANYONE HOME MCFLY?
Ok I’m done venting. All you at MPP have been doing an extordanary job. Keep up the good work.
Jul 17th, 2009
R.O.E.
Ok guess I wasn’t done venting..
Yes!! We need to call these prohibs on their self interests in keeping cannabi illegal. They have no incentive at all to throw away their jobs. Like John keep trying to say that there would be no taxes collected?..well how bout the billions we would no longer spend on fighting the wod’s? Isnt that saving money even if his illogical statement was true?
Yes!! Lets bring up the ‘green’ value of this arguement!! Lets stop driving up the cost of food using it in our gas tanks! Hemp is a much better source of fuel than corn. Yes we all know of the many many more uses for HEMP. The rest of the world needs to hear it also. Get them thinking about thier wallets or pocketbooks. Money speaks! How bout the benifit to the enviroment(AL GORE ARE YOU LISTENING!! Ohya he doesnt really care bout the eviroment,just wants to make billions off it scaring the hell outta the general public). Correct me if Im wrong, but doesnt one acre of HEMP produce 4x the O2 than one acre of trees? Could stop deforestation also,can tell me that wouldnt help the planet.
Just wanted to put this out there,keep everyone thinking.
Jul 17th, 2009
gearld
I do not no why everyone think’s it COST MORE to buy your Medication on the street in my state they charge the same price as the Medication Marijuana Co-Opps that take a donation, THERE is no difference in price unless you no someone on the streets or in one of the Compasion networks, WE NEED TO MAKE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AVALIBE FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT FOR MEDOCAL REASONS now that the Bar restriction law has been lifted each state can decide on what they would like to do on making Medical Marijuana avalible tp patients…LOOK IT UP 7/17/2009
Jul 17th, 2009
Timothy
The United States *needs* legal marijuana and has 4 a long, long time.
Timothy
Jul 17th, 2009
ScooobySnack
Yes this might have been a lame responce for our cause BUT since the new adminastration we are talking about it more in the media than ever. Let keep this fire burning! Keep it in the media…Keep it on TV….We will and have made progress. Lets all stay focused and not dwell on the negative.
Jul 17th, 2009
Wotlos
To everyone at MPP your doing a great job. Just one thing, you have got to get someone in those short debates with some authority, I mean come on I watched that Don Level badger on for a full minute before Dan could even get an oportunity to studder. And I’m sorry Dan but we need someone who can really take charge of a debate, someone who can address each detail of the others rebuttle. For instance as soon as he started speaking about how no one is going to buy legal marijuana, because it going to remain at street value price and have an additional $50 thrown on…… COME ON!!! Big freakin green light Dan. Jump in! Stop him right there, say “No sir I’m sorry your wrong, with the proclamation of legalized marijuana and the simple understanding of supply and demand, there is no doubt that prices would fall dramatically.” Very simple. Someone placed in these situations should be ready for these statements. I’m sorry, but to me it shows lack of conviction.
Jul 17th, 2009
Domingo A Torres
You know one can for ever argue the antithesis of any social causing problem, and believe me we have many, not only in this country, but all the around the world and they are not all under illegal substances. The point of the matter here is that there is a great part of the population that have been using Marijuana responsibly for generations, discretely and they are not criminally minded people. This country like others try to set up a puritanical state within the standards of their laws, which is so hypocritical when you think of all the pollution they have created with the intellectual technologies they have defended. Making Marijuana legal does not take away from, what has already been established in its use illegally. However it does redirect the use of wasted tax payer money to a better use of it in much needed areas of our country. In a free society one has the right to choose whether or not to remain sober from social intoxicating substances or indulge responsibly within the regulations of good conduct and not within a congressional dictatorship of subjective prohibition.
Jul 18th, 2009
nancy
I am a 55 year old women with major arthritis in many areas of my body. I also
have trouble wanting to eat much, and get sick to my stomach if i take “ibuprophen” or pain pills. SO, i NEED Marijuana to get me though the day. YES, it helps ease the pain, and YES, it gives me the appetite i need to keep my body alive..and to be able to rest in the evening is a Blessing for sure.
But what made me comment in the 1st place was a comment made by “Tintala” on 7-14-09…….Barack Obama isn’t the problem here, you must be a closet Republican or a trouble maker….
Jul 18th, 2009
Nancy B
I knew someone who got arrested for distributing marijuana. He knew that there were about $34,000 where the police found his stash. For some odd reason, the newspapers only reported $14,000. Where did the other $20,000 go?
Jul 20th, 2009
dave
Did you hear the lady, 44 billion dollars a year to fight drug abuse, seems like its a waste of billions, so legalize drugs, SAVE 44 Billion and pay the deficit PLUS add the 1 billion from taxes, see my point, I think you’d make-save more money than even taxing it by not wasting this money put towards the fight of it, hmmmmmm statistics, how many people die from drugs, 3rd highest killer are prescription drugs, tabacco kills 400,000 a year, alcohol 55,000, cocaine 5000, and marijuana ZERO! ZERO! ZERO! seems our government allows the population killers to be ok like prescriptions not studied long enough by FDA, tabacco and alcohol, but they spend 100 billion a year to the DEA instead of feeding hungry americans , I think they fear taxation will fail because she did have a point, some will grow there own, but so many smokers dont want to or know how to grow and should have a place to buy and pay taxes on it, it is time consuming and takes a green thumb to grow nice plants right! And she’s wrong about people who drink and dont get drunk, if I have one drink, I DO FEEL IT! but am not drunk so she thinks shes the judge to know what its like if i take only 1 puff and lightly feel high, shes a hypocrit! never even smoked but she can put it down, LOL she’s ignorant! Sheople!
Jul 20th, 2009
dave
Lets look who hires these people and who owns teh media, C.F.R.(council on foreign relations) Whos bright idea was it to make a law like the H.R. 875, I bet the ones who fear “The Gersons Therapy”-youtube it! this therapy cures cancer, so if teh HR 875 goes into effect her therapy wont work! Sheople Please WAKE UP! Our Country is UNDER ATTACK! BEWARE North Amercian Union, NAFTA, understand the TRUTH! Who is “THOMAS CRYER”
Our Health and Liberty is under ATTACK! youtube movies like “IRAQ FOR SALE” , “Freedom to Facism” tehn you’ll understand THOMAS CRYER to well and how his Great Victory is proof of your enslavement by your so trust worthy leaders, Our presidaent is a puppet learn whos really controlling ewverything “THE OBAMA DECEPTION” will show you whos dangerous to USA. “PRISONPLANET.COM” Nice website to educate yourself or “educateyourself.com” as well
Jul 20th, 2009
Michel
The doctor opposing legalization has just proven another reason for legalization. She claimed that cigarettes are at an all time low through taxation and negative ad campaigns. Wouldn’t that be the same if pot were to be legalized and taxed? The opposition is always talking in circles.
Jul 23rd, 2009
Wiseoleman
Everyone here is Right!!! Tax it. regulate it. it will be safer then, than now to Purchase without fear of arrest or harassment.
But one question? What do we do now about Pee test.. Are the companies gonna just stop that test for THC and continue with the rest of the test, It’s also the insurance companies that require that of any large company hiring employees. What about that part?
Jul 23rd, 2009
John Morgan
They say oh it will do this and that to the people of the US. I say prove it Congress. What about my tax money going to prisons for people I don’t think should be there for silly marijuana charges. Is that not money for the economy. Caffeine kills more people every year then marijuana does dangers my ass. Old stupid and set in their ways how about some CHANGE. John Lovell goes on to say the tax will make it cost more than street prices. If I’m not mistaken does Congress not make up tax laws. He must be in on the Mexican cartel that is why he wants them to have are money. John Lovell you are a terrorist.
Jul 23rd, 2009
tintala
SO JOHN got more speaking time than DAN, Screw JOHN LOVELL! AND screw the new drug CZAR for being a hypocrite, OBAMA< it’s lookn less and less that I RE-eLECT you…. BEtter do some thinking oh and don’t forget about INDUSTRIAL HEMP when you have that apipheny.!
Jul 23rd, 2009
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