F. Aaron Smith Criticizes Marijuana Eradication Efforts on KTVU-TV 07/29/2009
Comments (10)
July 30, 2009
July 30, 2009
MPP spokesperson F. Aaron Smith responds to a raid on an illicit marijuana growing operation in Sonoma, CA. These raids usually target operations run by Mexican drug cartels and are the direct result of the prohibition of marijuana. He compares them to alcohol bootleggers and asserts that taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol will put these criminals out of business and save police time and money. 07/29/2009
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10 Comments, Comment or Ping
ChrisfromTN
This is my favorite no-brainer. Do we really want to continue to pay for well-armed gardeners? I mean, seriously, if we do, then let’s prohibit fescue. Once every week or two, the cops could show up at my house, cut my grass (their speciality), and chase off any robbers or vandals.
What we should be eradicating are these seriously crazy prohibition policies. I think one of the main problems is that the “prohibition industrial complex” is made up of decent people who are our friends and perhaps even our family who are simply trying to oppose something they think is wrong. Even worse, these folks, some of whom we love and respect, will ignore the facts. Enter conflict. It’s just another example of the divisive nature of prohibition.
Jul 30th, 2009
c
aaron great short, to the point, and sensible reply.
Aug 1st, 2009
Gabe Lewin
About the piece in the Sacto Bee: I am wondering why you did not mention that a major benefit of the legalization of MJ is the legalization of hemp, which could have huge benefits for the economy, the fight against global warming, energy independence yada yada…
I have written to the Bee several times pointing out that in all the discussion about pot there is never a mention about the elephant in the room:viz. Hemp.The do not respond or publish my efforts. I have to wonder if they are afraid to tread on the toes of big oil, paper, and cotton….
Aug 6th, 2009
Ba Marley
“Some questioned the effectiveness of these raids …”
Well, duh. War on Drugs is a scam on the American people. It’s a self-perpetuating scam that enables the federal gov to take our tax money, buy weapons, helicopters & soldiers, confiscate land, and fill their prisons with workers (another scam on the people.) Why don’t they send these enforcers to the border & keep out the illegals instead? Or why don’t they put these enforcer-thugs to work raising hemp as a crop – which would be a good & productive use of money, time & labor.!? Look at the “carbon footprint”of these marijuana busts – helicopter fuel, truck fuel. I thought we had a huge global warming problem, of which growing plants helps by removing carbon from the air. Yet they kill the plants & fill the air with carbon. Marijuana has been PROVEN by scientific research to cure so many diseases, alleviate pain, reduce nausea, stop muscle spasms, help PTSD – MS – arthritis – lupus – hepatitis – glaucoma. PROVEN. Yet this government that now wants us to trust them with our HEALTHCARE – tells us via new “drug czar” that marijuana has no medical value, then spends our money, allowing illegals in the country, polluting the air, destroying medicine for thousands of people. Even when MJ has never caused a death, it’s impossible to overdose, decreases violence and helps the sick.
People, better stand up against these scams – federal gov involvement in healthcare and war on drugs. Enough is enough and it’s now TOO MUCH.
Aug 8th, 2009
A Plan to Rally Around
The cartels would be poorer and our public lands safer if we implemented a Personal Use and Cultivation Permit: $100 per year for a dozen plants. Split the proceeds between the States and the Fed.
Let’s put the cartels out of business.
Let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
Aug 12th, 2009
Snacks
Here is the idea, they said these Marijuana growers are the 21st century bootleggers. Do you know the history behind bootleggers?
Putting alcohol inside their boots to supply the overwhelming demand for liquor.
I like the arguement, lets legalize marijuana and put these drug cartels aka cold blood murderers out of business, or atleast devastate them. Starve them.
Lower their customer base.
I do not know how long it will take, but I am assured that one day, marijuana will be legalized. It comes back to responsibility. Everyday I am hearing more and more about alcohol causing deaths. People who drink vodka and drive their car filled with family members, and killing other innocent victims.
Alcohol cooks the brain, burns out your liver and seriously effects judgement.
They are spending a lot of resourses to fight a battle that is not going away. Transforming this effort to taxable entity makes sense.
I saw a news segment on Oaksterdam, CA. That is really encouraging to see a legitament business profit from the sale of marijuana. Imagine the money to be made from a regulated product. How many people WOULD smoke marijuana if it were legal. I think more than cigarettes. I mean lets tax the hell out of cigarettes, even more than it is now in New York, lets get people off cigarettes and onto marijuana.
Everyone will agree, growing up with the style of video games today, Television and its content, the Internet, and what science has developed is changing. I repeat myself, growing up today is a lot different than growing up in the mid to late 1900’s. Everything is changing.
Sep 3rd, 2009
Henry James
The main problem with legalizing marijuana is simple and silly but very difficult to resolve: People who have supported this prohibition for several decades would be too embarrassed by repeal. How could they face fellow citizens who’s lives they have ruined or the relatives of those killed by police in raids FOR NO GOOD REASON?
They need someone else to blame for deceiving them before they will admit they are wrong, and Nixon, Reagan, et. al. are protected by the fawning and profiting media. When the public gets it’s scapegoat, we will have repeal.
Sep 11th, 2009
robert Vetter
Tax and regulate marijuana and fight real bad guys!!!!
Sep 22nd, 2009
Benjamin D.
Haha, I love how they airlifted the plants without wrapping them up. Scattered seeds FTW, Johnny Appleseed with Marijuana. GG law enforcement.
Legalize it
Don’t criticize it
Sep 25th, 2009
charles whitebear
axes,taxes, and more taxes. We the people who use greens for medical purposes already have enough problems as it is! And I believe that buying for personal use, or growing a set amount for personal use for medical reasons should not be taxed! My Greatgrandmother was a toker for medicinal use.I remember as a child watching her burn a bud for her arthritis. Why can’t we just legalize it and leave us little guy’s alone. If big buisness wants to grow hemp for commercial use, such as rope,clothing ect., then tax them not us little people who have already lost enough and continue to sink in the mire and muck of “Big Brother & The Others” who’s greed has already done so much damage. Peace I’m Out Bear
Oct 27th, 2009
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