Marijuana legalization opponents make the case for legal pot

I'm feeling good about Oregon legalizing recreational marijuana in a few weeks. Measure 91 has been polling well. Donations on the "Yes" side have far exceeded those on the "No" side.

And legalization opponents haven't been able to come up with any persuasive arguments against Measure 91. 

They keep yammering about the risk to children, but this flimsy contention has been thoroughly demolished. See "Legalizing marijuana controls use by youth. Vote for Measure 91." 

Here's a few more pro-Measure 91 blog posts.
Pro-marijuana legalization clear winner in Salem City Club debate
Strangest reason to legalize recreational marijuana in Oregon

Most encouraging of all, Portland uber-legalization-activist Russ Belville has persusively demonstrated that every argument raised by the No on 91 folks actually is a reason in favor of making cannabis legal.

Brilliant, dude. I stand in awe of both your reasoning and social media skills.

Yesterday The Huffington Post ran a piece by Belville, "No on Measure 91 campaign makes the case FOR legalizing marijuana." It features five videos that show snippets from a No on Measure 91 press conference where opponents of marijiuana legalization did Measure 91 a favor by uttering absurdities.

Have a look. And read. I've excerpted key sections of Belville's post.

There's no such thing as "medical" marijuana!

 

Julie Russell, a marriage and family counselor, told the media that "The advocates of this Measure 91 want you to believe that marijuana has medicinal value, which couldn't be anything further from the truth."  It may not be shocking to hear that in Idaho or Oklahoma or Mississippi, but Oregon has had medical marijuana since 1998.  We just topped 69,000 registered patients.  Our legislature has voted to expand medical marijuana twice.  Our state government even swiped medical marijuana program money to balance other state budgets.

Kids can easily get marijuana now!

 

Connie Ramaekers, a thirty-year career drug prevention counselor, described the current state of prohibition and its effect on kids.  "The kids are telling me, they say, within five minutes they can get marijuana!  It's much easier than tobacco or alcohol to get into their hands!"

Why do you suppose that is, Connie?  Because drug dealers don't check ID!

We just can't afford to legalize marijuana!

 

Project SAM's Dr. Kimber Richter, flown in from the East Coast and put up in Portland for the weekend, joined the press conference to predict that legalization of marijuana would cost us far more than it brings in from tax revenue.  "We won't even be able to project what the public health harms will be, and the costs that we're seeing now -- the $1 in tax revenue for the $10 in social costs -- who knows where that's going to be with marijuana?"

That's the classic Sabet Conjecture -- Kevin Sabet's idea that since alcohol and tobacco cost us ten times what they make in taxes, so too would it be with far safer, non-toxic, less addictive marijuana.  Somebody in the media needs to ask Sabet and Richter and anyone else floating this ludicrous claim to quantify the $450 million in social costs Colorado's experienced, since they've raised $45 million to date in tax revenue.

There's not enough drug treatment in Oregon!

  

Serenity Lane professional rehab Dr. Ronald Schwerzler warns the media that "There's no adolescent [drug] treatment, by the way, in the state of Oregon.  You cannot get your adolescent treated.  You almost have to wait until they're 18.  By then, the damage has been done."

Well, then it is a good thing that Measure 91 devotes 25% of its tax revenue to drug prevention, treatment, and mental health programs, huh?

There will be mass advertising for marijuana to our kids!

 

The most audacious claim comes from professional rehab specialist Mandi Puckett, the head of the No on 91 campaign.  "Again, the biggest concern that we as moms have is how this is going to affect kids.  With mass commercialization, advertising, promoting, normalizing marijuana use. That's what comes along with Measure 91."

Perhaps Mandi Puckett didn't read Section 7 of Measure 91, which states, in part:  "Powers and duties of Oregon Liquor Control Commission.  (1) The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has the powers and duties... (2) includ[ing] the following (g) To regulate and prohibit any advertising by manufacturers, processors, wholesalers or retailers of marijuana items by the medium of newspapers, letters, billboards, radio or otherwise."

Comments

[tucson]

States that allow medical marijuana for chronic pain relief have fewer overdose deaths from prescription painkiller opioids like oxycodone/oxycontin.

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1898878

Medimari does help some people sometimes.

Indica dominant strains, at least 80% indica, seem to work best for pain. Kryptonite is a recommended strain in this regard with strong sedative, muscle relaxing and pain relieving effects without too much head buzz.

[yo]

marijuana is bad for you

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290812.php

too late for Oregon and other states. The cat is out of the bag and use will become even more widespread. Beware of the potent concentrates like hash oil which can induce psychosis.