“Marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit.”
— White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske,
7/09 Fresno, Calif. press conference

Multiple DEA Raids Target Marijuana in Hawaii

“Neither the trappings of robes, nor temples of stone, nor a fixed liturgy, nor an extensive literature or history is required to meet the test of beliefs cognizable under the Constitution as religious. So far as our law is concerned, one person’s religious beliefs held for one day are presumptively entitled to the same protection as the beliefs of millions which have been shared for thousands of years.”
– Judge Jack Weinstein, New York State, 1977

Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible

Cannabis and Longevity
by Chris Bennett – Wednesday, October 21 2009
In 1939 Joges Candra Ray, an Indian researcher who wrote a paper identifying the ancient Vedic Soma as cannabis, pointed too ancient references regarding longevity from Soma’s ingestion. and other researchers have commented on this and a connection to cannabis as well.

From CANNABIS AND THE SOMA SOLUTION
(Trineday, 2010)
In the article Beliefs about Aging and Longevity in Ancient China, Alain Corcos notes: “The sacred intoxicating drink, named haoma by the Iranians and Soma by the Aryans in India was believed to cure disease and to confer immortality. Hemp was an active ingredient of both drinks” (Corcos, 1981). Interestingly, the Anandakanda (Root of Bliss) a considerable text of 6900 verses on tantric alchemy and yoga, which is thought to have originated around the 12th or 13th century AD, has similar references to cannabis and these are believed to have been based on the descriptions of Soma.

What Pete has described is in essence what happened with the end of alcohol Prohibition. As to the Federal influence, that in an of itself is determinant upon just how much political capital prohibs have; compared to the enormous gravitas of the economy, all their pseudo-moral posturing will be checkmated by balance sheets.

As to where I’ll be in 35 years? Dead, most likely…but not before this blight on our civil liberties called drug prohibition is ended.

In two months, I’ll be 65 (Senior Discounts, here I come!) Still ride my Harley. I’m not sure I, nor you, would want me around in 35 years. LOL However, I’ve maintained a simple goal for my life for a very long time. To be able to relax and take a legal toke. That’s all.

What will happen is that enough states will assert themselves for financial and other reasons, that Congress will eventually pass a bill that specifically avoids words like “legalize,” but that changes federal authority to be that of assisting the states in enforcing their laws related to marijuana. That will give the states the go-ahead to legalize and regulate. After a significant number of states have done so, Congress will step back in and start legislating national regulations, like age of use, etc. The President will never be directly involved because all Congressional bills on the subject will be buried inside massive appropriation bills.

Call Obama to ask for this man’s immediate pardom.

Open thread: The Obama Admin’s Anti-Marijuana Manifesto
CANNABIS CULTURE – In an attempt to clear up the Obama White House’s seemingly vague position on marijuana prohibition, US Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske has given a lengthy speech outlining why cannabis is Bad For America.

Feds Raided Homes As Well As THC Ministry
At least six and perhaps as many as a dozen homes were raided Wednesday during a federal drug sweep on the Big Island. “I know of about six others who were raided,” said Roger Christie, founder and director of The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry, whose downtown Hilo sanctuary and Wainaku residence were searched by federal agents, assisted by local police.

KopBusting Ex-Narc Plans To Sue Police for Millions
CANNABIS CULTURE – Ex-narcotics officer Barry Cooper is fuming over a police raid on his home and plans to sue the officers and officials involved for $30 million, calling their conduct “obvious retaliation” for a sting operation he pulled on Texas police for his show KopBusters.

Lil Wayne trounces PM on YouTube
Harper’s online speech draws 8,100 viewers, but still ranks below rapper’s video channel.

Life’s Acceptable Risks
So why not ban hockey? Playing would be a crime punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of not less than $1,000. Organizing a game would be a much more serious offence. That would get you up to seven years in prison. And since there’s a lot of money involved in hockey, the fine would have to be up to, say, $1 million.