Comments for National Forest: Watch out for illicit pot gardens at http://lakeconews.com , comment 1 to 5 out of 5 comments http://lakeconews.com Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:02:09 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://lakeconews.com/content/view/1162/919/#comment-611 Thanks for the input Kristin. I am glad you are learning more about this issue. Have you gotten to the point in history where we decided as a nation to make pot illegal? A really glowing moment in our history. Hearst, who needed pulp for his growing newspaper dynasty had bought great swaths of forest land and saw hemp as competition to his bottom line. At the same time a fellow by the last name of DuPont saw natural remedies (i.e. cannot be patented except by God I guess) as a threat to his bottom line. This all occurred about the same time as midwifery was outlawed - pushed by a \"panel of doctors\" that also seemed to frown upon natural ways or simply feared competition. The history of hemp and this nation is very interesting. Especially the part where we named it Marijuana (Mary Jane) as part of our assault on the brown people we wanted to hassle. When we got tired of jacking brown skinned people around,we went back to hassling black skinned folks. I cringe at the thought of a panel of doctors deciding anything about medical care. We have that now in managed care, their interests are directly aligned to the bottom line and their bonus are tied to how little they spend on care. Don\'t forget, all doctors, just like lawyers, are practicing. Perhaps someday they will know what they are doing :wink: - Donna Christopher Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:35:46 +0100 http://lakeconews.com/content/view/1162/919/#comment-608 Donna, You make some valid points, especially the comparison to prohibition. I keep learning about this whole thing every day, see my reply in the discussion forum to another poster on the same subject. Seems we did tax this stuff long ago, it was just a strange system and brought on more illegal trafficking. Later the powers that be decided to change the classification to a schedule one drug status. My problem with the whole thing these days is two fold, first if California taxes pot the feds are going to get mad, second the system of medical marijuana users prescriptions seems somewhat suspicious. I would like to see a panel of doctors recommend medicinal use rather than the friendly MD at a $150 a clip rate. Would keep the slackers at bay and protect those who really need it. Until the feds and the state work things out it’s still an illegal drug and that’s where I stand on the issue. Kristin - kd006 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:42:02 +0100 http://lakeconews.com/content/view/1162/919/#comment-607 I think taxing sales would not be as big a problem as the Federal concerns. When, not if, that hurdle is overcome then I think it would be a lot like Prohibition was, sure everyone had a still in the bathroom or basement but it wasn\'t their idea of a good time. As a certified hillbilly I can tell you, those things can blow up. Most folks would rather just stop at the package store for a bottle. Large enough grows to generate a profit would not go unnoticed. Implement a system of licensing aka taxing growers. Hey if I open a brewery aren\'t there inspections and permits? An open store front would generate an open legit grower far more revenue than the wink\'n\'nod neighborhood dealer. Will there still be some below the radar dealings. Yup, just like alcohol and tobacco today. As far as continuing to by cheap plasticrap from China - thats a personal problem. Perhaps its a side effect of getting older but I\'m finding I need less and less of the crap I used to think I needed. Yeah, I know, overcoming our cheap crap addiction will be more difficult than changing federal law and taxing pot. - Donna Christopher Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:49:21 +0100 http://lakeconews.com/content/view/1162/919/#comment-605 Nice idea, what makes you think it would work? Wouldn\'t people still grow tax free weed for fun & profit? I know it sounds good to say we are loosing the war so why not tax and sell it like tequila and Marlboros. Until there is a system in place to regulate the sale of pot, which I don\'t see happening unless the federal folks allow it, illegal growing and sales will continue. With the amounts reported seized and destroyed and the amount still in circulation I can see the black market just going along their merry way. Just the cost of doing business. I also am concerned by our ever growing dependence on foreign imports, from food to TV sets. We (that\'s all of us have let our government run amuck for too long) but with the nature of things, money and power we gladly buy cheep imported products and ship our wealth overseas. Why do apostrophes & quotes show up as “ and other odd characters on this website? Help Elizabeth! - kd006 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 19:54:47 +0100 http://lakeconews.com/content/view/1162/919/#comment-604 “Most of the increase can be attributed to the proliferation of foreign Drug Trafficking Organizations,” Cullen said. Isn\'t it about time to end the artificial price support system that is now directly benefiting Narco-terrorism and the ancillary job security for the legal system/bailbond companys? Decriminalize and tax the holy heck out of cannabis. Revenue is enhanced at the local level and we eliminate the Mexican Drug Cartel element from our back yard. Of course I realize that won\'t happen -there\'ll be no common sense displayed around here! Vociferous arguments will be made about the dangers of a natural herb. We will allow China to poison our pets, our children and ourselves in the name of free trade and what appears to be a good bargain. Yet bring up decriminalization/taxation and the same crowd that turns a blind eye to an ever increasing amount of intentional poisoning of imported goods goes absolutely rabid at the idea. You know, the \'pot is the devils weed\' etc. Might be bad for you. Hey, I need a break. Anyone seen my pack of cigarettes and Bloody Mary? Oh, thats right, they\'re next to the triple cheeseburger and 150 ounce soda. Like fries with that? - Donna Christopher Sun, 08 Jul 2007 13:48:02 +0100