THE DEA POSITION ON MARIJUANA AND THEIR FUTURE

 

THE DEA POSITION ON MARIJUANA AND THEIR FUTURE

 

Dated: January 2011

 

Marijuana is properly categorized under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 U.S.C. § 801, et seq. The clear weight of the currently available evidence supports this classification, including evidence that smoked marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no

accepted medicinal value in treatment in the United States, and evidence that there is a general lack of accepted safety for its use even under medical supervision.

 

The campaign to legitimize what is called “medical” marijuana is based on two propositions: first, that science views marijuana as medicine; and second, that the DEA targets sick and dying people using the drug. Neither proposition is true. Specifically, smoked marijuana has not withstood the rigors of science–it is not medicine, and it is not safe. Moreover, the DEA targets criminals engaged in the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana, not the sick and dying. This is true even in the 15 states that have approved the use of “medical” marijuana.1

 

On October 19, 2009 Attorney General Eric Holder announced formal guidelines for federal prosecutors in states that have enacted laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The guidelines, as set forth in a memorandum from Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden, makes clear that the focus of federal resources should not be on individuals whose actions are in compliance with existing state laws, and underscores that the Department will continue to prosecute people whose claims of compliance with state and local law conceal operations inconsistent with the terms, conditions, or purposes of the law. He also reiterated that the Department of Justice is committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act in all states and that this guidance does not “legalize” marijuana or provide for legal defense to a violation of federal law.2

 

While some people have interpreted these guidelines to mean that the federal government has relaxed its policy on “medical” marijuana, this in fact is not the case. Investigations and prosecutions of violations of state and federal law will continue. These are the guidelines DEA has and will continue to follow.

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration Website (The DEA)

 

The DEA Policy on Marijuana

 

The DEA Drug Abuse Chart

 

The DEA has been very successful, with the war on drugs.  Over 1/2 of the people in the federal correctional system are in on drug charges.  1 out of 6 inmates are there for marijuana charges, which is about 1/3 of the federal prison population.  What will be their role when Attorney General Eric Holder ends this war as we know it?  Over 1/3 of the Department of Justice budget goes towards  incarcerating people in the federal correctional system.  And the DEA claims that marijuana is properly categorized as a schedule one substance under the controlled substance act. 

 

I understand and accept that they are a law enforcement group and their job is to enforce the law as it is written, to the best of their ability.  I do not believe that their positions are not based on facts or research, but is based on old politics from the Ronald Reagan Administration, that are discriminatory ideals that is about to change under the Obama Administration.

 

The FBI main focus is on anti-terrorism and it has been that way since 9/11. And I feel with new drug reform legislation, the DEA can become more effective as a law enforcement group and I will tell you why.

 

It is my position and this is a speculation based on research and personal experience.  America is about to be hit with a major influx of heroin out of Afghanistan.  America's presence in Afghanistan  since 2001, has not decreased the production of the poppy plant.  In fact more heroin is being produced now than before.

 

Afghanistan is a very poor country, over 40% of the population makes under $1.25 a day and about 70% of the population is illiterate. And half of the GDP is from heroin production.  So we know their intent, once American troops leaves this country.  And the plot thickens. 

 

Many of our troops leaving Afghanistan are addicted to opiates, the VA health system is overwhelmed with newly addicted opiate users.  I think there is a correlation between the newly opiate addicts and the veterans committing suicide.   22 veterans are committing suicide everyday and many veterans are being diagnosed with PTSD.  While the VA in many cases cannot complete a veterans claim for assistance within a year.  The VA is backed up and overwhelmed, because there was no exit plan for America and I think the war just begun for many Americans in our backyards.

 

If you was the enemy what would you do, with the current situation.  Many veterans will be unemployed, unemployable, sick mentally and physically and disparate.  The next major act of terrorism will be the spread of Afghan heroin.   And a lot of innocent people are going to be hurt.  While our streets will be flooded with disparate well trained killers, trained by the United States military in need of money and a fix.

 

For this reason, I believe Attorney General Eric Holder has to scale back and change the role of our law enforcement groups, to battle against the new and real threat, which is afghan heroin, with an intent to destroy America in an act of terror unlike any before.

 

If you ask the drug dealers, heroin has not hit the streets yet in it raw form.  Sure there are opiates out there like oxycontin, but dope is not available at the moment, but this is about to change once America leave Afghan. And the DEA will become more important than ever, as the FBI will again have to infiltrate the drug trade as a priority in the fight against terror. And to do this many of the marijuana offenders will have to be set free from prison, to incarcerate real threats of America.  The war on drugs as we know it must end, so that a new chapter can begin.  Drug reform laws are a necessity and should be welcomed without partisanship.  

 

Frank Paul Jones

President and Chairman of the NCNCHINC

Attorney General Eric Holder to Announce Sentencing Reform on Drug Charges

 

Attorney General Eric Holder to Announce Sentencing Reform on Drug Charges

 

The head of the Department of Justice Eric Holder, may as soon as next week announce drastic changes on the drug laws in the United States.  This will be the first major reform since the crack epidemic of the 1980's.

 

Listen to the Story

 

Click hyperlink above to hear the story:

 

Eric Holder said, "the drug wars are now 30,40 years old."  He said, "there have been a lot of unintended consequences.  There has been decimation of certain communities, in particular communities of color." 

 

He realized that the war on drugs is a war on black people and people of color and it is destroying our communities and our youth and it is a time for change. Listen for yourself.  The Obama Administration has recognize that the current drug laws are discriminatory., according to NPR (National Public Radio) a reliable source.

 

Frank Paul Jones

President and Chairman of the NCNCHINC

The Federal Laws and Positions on Marijuana is a Hypocrisy

 

The Federal Laws and Positions on Marijuana is a Hypocrisy

 

During the months between June thru September 2001, I had an episode of insomnia, I stayed up for about three months consecutively, with at most on any given day 1 hour sleep from about 8 AM to 9AM.  I remember the approximate dates because I was under the care of Dr. Hardy at the time of 9/11.  I remember seeing the second jet hit the World Trade Towers, it was around that time that I was put to sleep using 800 mg of Seroguel.

 

Dr. Hardy put me to sleep with 800 MG of Seroguel. It worked well however the side effects caused my diabetes to worsen. My onset of diabetes was a result of a drug called Olanzapine given me prior to Seroquel, which is in my VA medical records.  Now I take Geodon and it does the same thing, it is a matter of time before my glucose goes up uncontrollably. They are slowly but surely killing me.

 

I am diagnosed as being bipolar and schizophrenic, with grandiose delusions and they know I have a sleeping problem that they associate with these diagnoses.  I am not going to go into why I have this diagnosis, but I am going to explain my dilemma.  I am being treated for delusions, while I agree to take the medications only to get sleep.  I am in it for sleep which is the bottom line, because the patterns of my thoughts are still unchanged after over 20 years. They cannot change my memories and they know this, because I remember what I remember and I still believe I was put under hypnosis and given truth serum in the process, but perhaps (maybe) it was all in foul play.  I do not know, but I still remember things that are said to be untrue by my treating physicians.  For this reason I am unhappy with my treatment at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center. 

 

My doctor took away my controlled substance that assisted me with sleep as a result of drug abuse (marijuana).  But they too had side effects also and were highly addictive.   I went to rehabilitation because of this and have been clean since February 2013.  But rehab on a federal installation did not take my marijuana addiction seriously, they released me a week early, because my only problem was weed.  But it is a schedule 1 substance according to the DEA, I find this to be a hypocrisy.    Because while cocaine addicts and opiate addicts, not only stayed for the whole 4 weeks but are often encouraged to stay an additional 4 months, yet these are schedule 2 substances.  So the federal laws and positions are not consistent with the psychiatric treatments offered by the federal government.

 

I admit, I needed documented clean time and I only stopped because it is illegal and I could not afford street drugs on my fixed income without becoming a criminal.  I had a court case opened and  I was not receiving services I needed by Vocational Rehabilitation all because marijuana is such a bad drug. I had a choice of not eating and paying my bills to sleep or take the prescribe meds with side effects and be able to eat and pay my bills. And as a direct result of my quitting, my court case was dismissed.  But still if it is the worst drug on the streets, I should have been treated by the federal facility as so and I was not.  Marijuana addiction is not taken seriously by the FEDS at  medical centers, it is only taken seriously by the courts and that is a travesty of justice and medical hypocrisy. 

Obama Care Makes Economic Sense in Florida

 

Obama Care Makes Economic Sense in Florida

 

The federal government will pay the full cost of Medicaid expansion to Florida for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The portion paid by the federal government will eventually decrease to 90 percent by 2020 and stay there, under the law.  But it is my understanding that Florida, still chooses to opt out of the federal Medicaid expansion program, to save money and this does not make economic sense or show any compassion for the citizens of Florida who cannot afford healthcare and are uninsured.

 

If the state of Florida opts out of the Medicaid expansion program, we will lose out on about $12 billion in new federal funding over the next 10 years, for an estimated savings according to Gov. Scott of $1.9 billion.  This law would allow for the state to enroll 1.6 million more on people into Medicaid rolls.  1.6 million who have no health insurance today in the state of Florida would have health insurance in October 2013.

 

This would create jobs in the medical field and Florida has a shortage of doctors already and many of our physicians are aging out.  By adopting Medicaid expansion, instead of doctors that we are already experiencing a shortages in leaving to states that will have the money for their services the opposite effect will happen , more doctors especially young ones and young hospital professionals would gravitate towards Florida, from states that is opting out like Texas and other republican states in the nation.  Because what Florida fails to recognize in their opting out of Medicaid expansion, is that people go to college all those years for a financial payoff in the form of jobs and careers.  And they have student loans to payoff.  Obama Care is a $14 billion stimulus package to the Florida's economy.  And young doctors have to start somewhere to gain experience and Medicaid expansion offers them an opportunity to get started in their medical careers and gives 1.6 million more people medical assistance in the process. A win-win plan for Florida.

 

Florida's unemployment rate is higher than the national average  and in Highlands County where I live which is an agricultural rural area it is over 8%.   Obama Care would mean immediate jobs in the healthcare industry and we do have a lot of retirees and nursing homes here as well and this could mean better care for many of our citizens.  Sure Medicaid pays less then Medicare, but it beats a blank check.  It beats treating the uninsured.  And in this tough economy for many health care professionals, it beats unemployment.  This is the reality of the matter. It my not create the best jobs in the medical field, but it damn sure beats working at McDonald's, which is about all that is being offered to many people in place like Highlands County, Florida.

 

It would be an attraction to major big corporate employers to the state of Florida. One of our major pitfalls, is the lack of insured Floridians who are unemployed. If you was a car company, computer manufacturer, retail store or any factory or plant or business in general, would you prefer to hire someone who has health insurance already or someone off of the streets uninsured for many years.  Do the math? It will cost more to insure the uninsured than the person who is insured prior to employment.  Just like it cost more to insure a person over 45 years old than it cost to insure someone in their 20's.  For this reason is so hard for middle age America to gain employment. But the Medicaid expansion program will attract potential employers to Florida, because it would reduce the risks associated with company benefits such as health insurance and life insurance.  It will create a healthier potential workforce in the state of Florida and would see immediate results.

 

More jobs means more tax revenue, more healthcare professional in Florida means a better real estate market. While Florida claims a savings of $1.9 billion, how much of the $12 billion gained will become tax revenues?  Not to mention again a stronger and healthier workforce that might be able to better compete for big corporate employers.  The bottom line and common sense tells us that more healthcare means a healthier economy in the state of Florida.

 

The only solution is a voters registrations drive to get these oppressive legislators out of office.  We need to renew our voting block and if the black community can join alliance, with the gay and lesbian community for marriage equity, if we can join alliance with Mexicans for immigration reform we can join alliance, to strengthen our voting block, we can forge an alliance with our own pot smoking youth to strengthen our voting blocks, hanging pants and all.  This is about life or death and to judge them is to condemn ourselves.

 

Frank Paul Jones

President and Chairman of the NCNCHINC

The Military Ruined my Life



 

When I took this picture, I wondered if people could see the pain in my eyes.

 

The Military Ruined my Life

 

I was 17 year old, when I was emancipated by my father to become a solider in the United States Army.  My mother passed away when I was 16 years old, she had a stroke when I was 11 years old and never fully recovered. Unlike today a stroke back then was a death sentence for many.  I realize now I never really had a chance to mourn over my mother's death.

 

I was a typical urban New Yorker, with an urban mentality.  I wasn't really a bad kid, but probably misunderstood by many, especially by my superiors in the military, my chain of command.  When I joined the Army it was considered the old Army and a lot of guys in the military served in Vietnam.  They were most certainly misunderstood by civilians by the peace movements.  Vietnam wasn't a popular war and I believe a lot of the guys that served in Vietnam were troubled prior to even putting on a uniform.  Back then there was a draft, but when I joined it was the beginning of the all volunteer a Army.  Whereby those who were drafted could get out and those who joined did so on their own accord, so they say.  But the reality of the matter was many of the volunteers joined because of an ultimatum, go to the military or go to jail and that was the reality that was not written on the dotted lines.  Joining the Army in  that economy wasn't as popular as it is today.

 

My father gave me my ultimatum, either go to school, get a job or get out of his apartment.  By joining the Army I did all three.  But I wasn't really ready for what I got myself into.  After about 8 1/2 months, I was discharged expeditiously.  They said I was apathetic.  My mother died just a year before I joined, I was 17 years old when I joined and all they could say was I was apathetic.  However throughout my enlistment I was shown no empathy, but was constantly pressured, harassed and accused of being maladaptive.  I received a general discharge under honorable conditions and received the old GI bill upon discharge.  The little self esteem I had  after my father's abuse and lack of empathy, was stolen from me.  I did not stop there.

 

When I was 21 years old, I reenlisted.  I left a job as a correctional officer in the State of Florida to do this.  I felt I had something to prove and I had one mission on my mind, "get a honorable discharge."  They sent me to Fort Polk Louisiana.  A place where I thought I finally found a home in the U.S. Army.  I was a good solider and felt I was treated fairly.  There were ups and downs and there were lonely days, which is expected in the Army.  Hell we stayed in the field 6 months out of the year, training for what was to come, desert warfare.  But this was peace time and because of the memories of Vietnam politicians could not sell a war to the American people yet.  Then came my nightmare, I was sent back to Swienfurt Germany  (Bavaria).

 

Again I was mistreated by my Platoon Sergeant, but I could handle it.  But the thing that broke me was, one night we went to town and this dude named Tally was being kicked out of the Army for selling drugs and he worked for the First Sergeant.  His girlfriend came on to me and we had sex in the club, it was just a tease, but I talked about it and it got back to Tally.  I did not know he loved her and thought she was just a promiscuous hooker.  She was not his wife and he was going back tot he States within a week and she was playing the field.  I still do not know if I did something wrong because she came on to me and all I knew was he was getting kicked out of the Army.  I really did not know she was his girlfriend, she did not act like that in the club, she was all over me and he was there and said nothing about it to me.

 

So a dude named Ronald Washington, who was my roommate, who was a dud.  Meaning like me the first time was maladaptive.  I looked out for him and thought he was my friend.  But he took a contract from Tally to rape me in exchange for Tally's drug connections, which was the First Sergeant. They drugged me with something at the club and we walked back as it took effect.  As I laid in my bunk powerless and unable to defend myself Ronald Washington raped me as paybacks for Tally.

 

The next morning when I woke up I thought it was a bad dream.  But I went to the restroom and his semen came out of my rectum when I used the bathroom, because I had a stomach ache.  I realized it really happened.  I attacked him, but I was weak at the time and it was broken up.  I went to the infirmary, they took a sample from my rectum and that was the end of it.  No article 15 or court martial and I was told if I try to harm him.  I would receive disciplinary action.  And the mistreatment continued by my Platoon Sergeant.  But I had one mission on my mind and that was "to get a honorable discharge."  And I did!  But something happened the night before I left Germany.  Three men from my unit were killed, I was in a covert unit and was accused of destroying it. And the DOD never forgave me for this. I found out what happened to me month later, by I think his name was McDonald, we called him Mac. He told me just before he ETS to go home. 

 

I again reenlisted after I went home for about 5 months and was sent back to Fort Polk, but to our rivalry unit.  Instead of going to the 1 of the 10th Field Artillery, I went to the 3rd of the 19th Field Artillery.  They did not receive me well, I was mistreated again, but I did not have it in me anymore.  I married a stranger, because I vowed to myself this time, "if I ever get  raped again I would kill the person who did it."  Not knowing I might have killed the others who violated me.  I did not want to live in the barracks, because their seemed to be too many closet homosexuals in the Army. This is something I learn about combat arms, a lot of guys screw their buddies.  There were a lot of homosexuals in the military back then and probably still are even before "don't ask don't tell."  I got kicked out on a BCD special, after I went AWOL.  I just could not handle the pressure anymore.  This was 1987, I first joined in 1976.

 

In 1991, I was arrested at the White House for threatening then President George H.W. Bush.  I believe because of my covert status, I was not charged.  One month later I was arrested again in California and then convicted for sending threatening communications through the mail.  I was convicted on one count of a four count indictment for threatening then Janet Jackson's live-in boyfriend Rene Elizondo.  I thought she was my wife.  I am now diagnosed as being schizophrenic and bipolar, with grandiose delusions.

 

Today nobody believes anything I say, about my stays in Germany, my tours in the Army and about my covert status while serving in the military, because I am "delusional."  Since I was 32 years old, I could never find a job worth a damn, even after finishing college.  I am not very educated, but I do have two A.A.S Degrees, finishing on the top of my class both times.  That is what the Army did for me.  They used my and then spit me out and throw me away.

 

Frank Paul Jones

Health Care Reform and Medical Marijuana - The Black Youth

 

Health Care Reform and Medical Marijuana - The Black Youth

 

It is my goal to act as a facilitator and reach out to our younger generation.  I vow to this today!  I am talking about the young men and women in their late teens, 20's and early 30's.  I believe we as a community are weak only because we are overlooking our younger generation.  We disapprove of their behavior, things like wearing their pants below their waistline, their use or abusive language in camaraderie, such as the use of the term nigger (Nigga)  and other things I cannot think of off the top of my head, that are relevant in  today's society.  We put them down for smoking marijuana, forgetting all the beer and wine we drank which is medically proven to be much worst.  And the sad thing about this is they are a generation of the lost tribe, because many of their parents went AWOL and did not properly raise them or mold them to survive in this unfair and dangerous world as they themselves fell victimized by the crack epidemic.  And today they easily forget, but the children certainly remember and are acting on it each day.

 

We unfairly judge them, even though they did not ask to come to this planet, but out of lust in many cases they were born and you know it. They were born out of lust and they are still not being shown any love, by their lustful parents, who are still on their personal agendas.  Not realizing they will eventually be our caretakers and tax payers.  Today they depend on us, but tomorrow we will depend on them. So we will get what we put into them.  Like anything worth having, you have to work at it diligently.

 

But are we so selfish and arrogant to not seize the opportunities and perhaps last hope for our own refuge.  Because as sure as time passes by, either you will get older or die.  We cannot do what we once could do in our youth.  And the youth in our community are not being nurtured to ever be independent and self sufficient, none the less take care of us.  We are dealing ourselves losing hands, only because we are selfish and are only thinking of ourselves in the moment.

 

I think the most significant contemporary issue now faced in American society is the marijuana dilemma.   We can ignore it and self destruct or become proactive and address it.  If we think marijuana is a problem drug like the crack our generation abused or the heroin or alcohol the generation before us abused, we should address it as so.  We should not turn our backs on our youth, but instead we need to mechanize them into becoming a political force that must be duly recognized by the status quo.  With our leadership it can happen and they can become the leaders of tomorrow.  And trust me, when I say one day they will be forced to lead ready or not.  Let us hope they are properly prepared by us by our actions.

 

I believe that health care reform coupled with medical marijuana legislation, may well solve the problem we are faced with today in the black community.  The problem is that our youth are self medicating with marijuana to the point of abuse.  In many cases this is due to depression as a result of abuse.  Many of the young adults in the black community had to raised themselves or was abused and neglected and this is a fact.  We leave in a times whereby unemployment without an unemployment check is reality for too many people, who have to depend on food stamps to eat.  We have a workforce of 62%, only 6 out of 10 people have a job today and the numbers double in the black community.  We are living in a times of hopelessness and despair.  When I was growing up times were no where near as hard as they are today, yet still I went astray.  So how can I blame these younger adults for their actions today. They are being dealt a losing hand to begin with, whereby I created my losing hand. So who I am to judge their behaviorisms?

 

Back when I was child, heroin hit the streets hard.  And to mitigate their addictions, they were handed methadone a drug that was even worst.  But it was accepted by society as a treatment for heroin addiction.   I say thank the Lord that our biggest problem with our youth is marijuana. Because when it came to a drug of choice, they are smarter than the last three generation for alcohol to heroin to crack and now it is marijuana?   Because the good thing about marijuana is that with the legislation being proposed and already passed the treatment for this abuse can be the drug itself.

 

When you understand all the proven good uses that marijuana has, you will realize that our children stumbled onto something that may be illegal today, but is good for them in so many other ways.  The fact that it is a crime is the main problem and not the drug itself.  And with health care reform, they will be able to get it for free, which will eliminate a lot of street crimes, because they will not have to break the laws to get their drug of choice.

 

And if it is prescribe because of mental problems such as insomnia, depression or even substance abuse, because people do abuse prescription drugs, it can be dealt with as so, under the new health care reform bill known as Obama-Care.  This will put an end to a lot of the crimes being committed in the black communities across the country and Florida and put our children under psychological care, in one shot deal.

 

But we must be proactive because many states are opting out of health care reform to include Florida.  The oppressive legislators must hear our voices in the 2014 elections.  For this reason we must start a voters registration drive unlike ever before, because all they understand is a voting public.  Hanging pants with a voters registration card is as much a threat as any other voter. 

 

Anyone against legalized marijuana for medical uses and health care reform, hates our black youth and wants to destroy them to kill us all off.  Therefore any black man or woman in his/her 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's which is the main voting block in the black community, are self destructive fools.  Wakeup to our children's dream, because they had a dream too.  Help them realize it!

 

Frank Paul Jones

President and Chairman of the NCNCHINC

 

 

 

Federal Marijuana Bill HR 2306 and Florida State of Florida Medical Marijuana Petition

To: The Citizens, Churches and Non Profit Organizations in the State of Florida

From: Frank Paul Jones - President of the NCNCHINC

RE: Federal Marijuana Bill HR 2306 and Florida State of Florida Medical Marijuana Petition:

 Date: 5 August 2013

A Marijuana Report on Federal Bill -
HR 2306 & Florida Medical Marijuana

A must read for the chiefs with an attention span:

HR-2306: To limit the application of Federal Laws to the distribution and consumption of Marijuana, and for other purposes.

Medical Marijuana in the State of Florida Petition:

.

On 23 June 2011; Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass), introduced a bill sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank, that would end the prohibition of marijuana by the Federal Government of the United States of America.  It would remove marijuana as a controlled substance and limit the Federal Governments role to interstate transport, leaving the states with the rights to legalize the drug.

Now in the State of Florida a non profit organization known as United for Care, being backed by John Morgan a famous personal injury lawyer is sponsoring a petition that will legalize marijuana for medical purposes in the State of Florida.  They need 700,000 signatures on the petition by February 1st, 2014, to get it on the November 2014 ballot and then 60% of the votes to make this law, here in the State of Florida.  And money is needed to create the buzz necessary to get the word out across Florida.

It will be an uphill battle because still over 600,000 signatures are needed at the time of this writing, but it can be done.  But I am a man of vision and see this as an opportunity for us to create more political empowerment in poor communities across the State of Florida and America.  Because this is a relevant issue in the Hip Hop Community, whereby many of them are absent at the voting booths.

It is my position that legal marijuana for medical purposes, is a major step towards the legalization of marijuana period.  I believe that marijuana will be as big to America as the common aspirin.  Marijuana has so many wonderful and proven medical uses, as you will see at the end of the article, which means if this bill is passed, many people who use it now will be able to use it legally for medical purposes in the future, without committing a crime in the process.

I realize that many people are against this bill because they are against drugs.  But a drug is a drug and the pharmaceutical industry is booming, selling drugs that are doing more harm than good in many cases.  They are pushing many drugs that have awful side effects that are laterally killing people.  If you are against drugs you are against the pharmaceutical industry which is a war you can never win.  So take a reality check on the subject and at least read my argument as to why this is so important and is in need of the attention of all people who care about our youth as well as the many sick people these bills will help.

What many peoples concerns are, is that many of our youth use marijuana as a recreational drug.  Yet on the same page they realize we for example in the black communities across the country, live in a sick community and society.  We are infected with diseases of single parenthood, crime infestation due to illegal drugs and I say again illegal drugs, an enormously high illiteracy rate causing super high unemployment, redlining practices eliminating any chance for new investments on the properties in our communities that are being condemned everyday.  So I ask is their abuse really recreational or are they sick in need of professional care?

It is my position that, we do have a problem with our people self sedating themselves.  But the reality is that we are a sick community of people and it would be better if these drugs were administered by a doctor to address the many aliments that exist within our communities.  A fight for marijuana is a fight to better our community and not to worsen it.  Marijuana is here and is not going away, the question is, are the oppressive laws that are incarcerating our youth going to be eliminated.  Anyone against the legalization of marijuana is against black people in general, because the drug is not going away, our youth are sick and are self medicating  due to oppressive laws, repressive laws and their station in America. 

Only six out of ten Americans have a job today, therefore the actual unemployment rate is 40%, it is probably more like three out of ten in  the black community or 70% unemployment.  These are the real numbers!  This is the reason for so much hopelessness.  Legalized marijuana will not restore hope in itself, but it would reduce the incarceration rate of our youth, giving them a chance at life, which is too often stolen due to the law of the land.  And like any medications, often other services are required, meaning in some cases psychological and/or psychiatric help will come with the prescriptions and man y of the problems faced by our youth could be addressed professionally.

I wrote the NAACP about this matter, I want to know their position on this agenda.  Mr. Al Hinson, the President of the NAACP here in Avon Park, FL., recently addressed the lack of minority representation here in Avon Park, FL. And was only able to produce ten bodies at that City Council meeting.  The NAACP is weak here in Highlands County and in the nation, only because they are out of touch with today's relevant issues concerning our youth and because of that they are not able to reach our younger population, who are AWOL at the voting booths nationwide.  Why?  Because they are still fighting for Martin Luther King's dream and not the dream of our younger generation. This is not the 1960's, we are in the 21st century.  We must attempt to reach our youth, which will be the leaders of tomorrow.  They are crying out for help, but are being ignored due to the arrogance of yesterday's leaders who are dying off due to old age.

I realize I may be on the wrong side of history, when it comes to marriage equality,  but I know I am on the right side of the God of my understanding, on that issue.  But too many black leaders today are on the wrong side of history when it comes to the legalization of marijuana.  I did not hear Al Sharpton, Benjamin Todd Jealous or Jesse Jackson, speak up to end the prohibition of marijuana or even to make it legal for medical purposes, but they found the time to lend their hands to marriage equality.  Why?  Marriage equality is not a black issue as prominent to us as the marijuana dilemma that is destroying our black youth everyday, simply because they are self medicating over issues unresolved.  They are crying out for help, but are being ignored, yet we know they need help and refuse to give it to them.  Like I said a prescription for marijuana could also mean other forms of professional help as a requirement, if the reason is due to a mental disorder and recreational use can sometimes be a symptom of depression and other issues.

It is a  reality that the movement to legalize marijuana has reached the U.S. Congress and it is a real issue that has now reached Florida politics and must be addressed as we must reduce government spending.  1.1 million people or 1 out of 6 in federal prison are in for marijuana related crimes and most of them are non violent offenders.  Only to leave behind parentless children?  This has to be address and the I say black leadership is AWOL and as a result the black voting block is weakened today.  And this is an opportunity to generate a new interest in black politics in America and Florida.

Nobody knows how much is being spend to retain the prohibition of marijuana.  Here are things to consider:

Cost of keeping marijuana illegal:

• cost of active law enforcement +
• cost of prosecution (and defense!)
  of accused offenders +
• cost of incarceration of convicted
  offenders +
• billions of dollars in tax revenue
  that would be generated if drugs were legal and taxed +
• cost of foster care and social
  services for children of incarcerated offenders.

It was estimated by the top economists that at a minimum the end of prohibition
would save us $10B to $14B annually instantly and our marijuana crop is now
worth about $34B and if taxed could bring in at least $7B annual tax revenue.

I think the prohibition of marijuana is bad policy, because it is destroying too
many lives and is disenfranchising to many young Americans.  We have the soil to grow it and should take the leadership position on this one.



Here in the Heartland of Florida, we have the fertile soil, sunlight and plenty water. The changes of these laws could literally save our economy, therefore it has to be at least debated by Floridians, especially in the Heartland.  And black leadership across the nation should take this opportunity, to begin a voters registration drive like none other before and wakeup our children to today's politics by paying attention to their issues and not just theirs.  I say a vote is a vote and they (Oppressive Legislators) fear the voter, even if their pants are below their underwear's.  The black Hip Hop vote is a vote that could be trained to vote for what is good for our community.  We need a voters registration drive now, while an issues of relevance is on the table for the young black voters in Florida.  And this is not a black issue, many whites who are young and AWOL at the booths can be woken up.

If HR: 2306 is passed, what will it mean to the Nation and the State of Florida? If medical marijuana become law in Florida, what would it mean to our legal system and our economy?  The Federal Government decision is about smaller government and the decision to downsize is written in stone, it must and will happen.  Many services must be reduced at federal level to include law enforcement groups.  The question is where do they downsize?  We are in a war against terrorism, which is the FBI's priority and the DEA is in a war against young black America, it is war we can no longer afford to fight, because it is destroying the American Family (black and white) and the American people as a whole, at a financial cost the country realizes it can no longer afford.

It is my position that for there to be relevant changes in how we accomplish the economic recovery and maintain smaller government, there has to be legislative changes all the way down to the ordinances in our cities throughout the nation and HR 2306 is an example of how to create more revenue and both execute smaller government thru legislative change.

It is my hope that not only does this bill be passed but also be modified because it does not address an important issue as to if marijuana is ultimately legalized by the State of Florida and other states in the nation and in the world as a whole.

The issue is commerce:  Florida and California are the main potential production states of  marijuana in our Nation.  These two states depend on agriculture and both got hit hard by mortgage foreclosures.  Both states need money bad and the marijuana crop is the U.S. is our most valued crop and could be a turning point for both economies.    As California is well on their way Florida has been a backwards state with a lot of oppressive ordinances, laws and rules and we need legislative changes ASAP.  And now the opportunity has knocked on our doors in Florida, with the legalization of medical marijuana in the State of Florida

The problem with HR 2306 as it is written is that it does not allow interstate commerce of marijuana which hurts large scale production states that could immensely profit from its exportation, such as Florida.

As the law stands this could create a pipeline for the underworld and the government will lose a lot of money as a result of illegal transport across State lines.  Interstate commerce has to be addressed in this bill.

Here in Highlands County and the Heartland of Florida, we have a lot
of unsheltered territory.  We have a agriculture market that is weakening as fruit prices are going up due to labor shortages, farmers are having a difficult time clearing their trees as less workers are laboring the fields.  Why?  Because the pay is too low for the work and therefore we depend on foreign labor?  These are the type of issues that must be addressed.

A HR: 2306 addendum should be added to allow interstate transport from one State to another by air or ground or sea to any State or country that allows legal marijuana sales.

The State of Florida and the State of California are our main agricultural States.  The Florida Department of Agriculture has to be subsidized by marijuana growers in the State of Florida.  Understand marijuana will grow plentiful in the Heartland of Florida.  Here we have plenty open space to produce the crop, sunlight and water, but we cannot simply replace agriculture farmers with marijuana farmers we must protect our food industry in America.  So farmers has to have an incentive to grow food in their bank accounts.

Marijuana Farming should have legislative intent  that goes beyond the obvious which is smaller government and new tax revenues from a new source.  And it should address many other issues contingent to the legalization of marijuana in Florida.

 

Things on the fly that should be address:

 

#1: Marijuana Agriculture subsidy Act of Florida:

 

When you have two crops that come from the same place and one cost $1,500 per pound and another $.99 per pound.  They have to balance out at the department
labor and the supermarket.  By keeping marijuana at high prices we can lower the prices of fruits and vegetables and increase the wages of the agricultural labor force across the board.

 

#2: Marijuana Fair Licensing Act: 

 

Let us face it, most of the farmers already control the land to produce the crops here in the Heartland.  Most of the contracts will naturally go to the agriculture farmers to grow the marijuana crop, but not all the fields, as a marijuana plant the size of a football field could produce a million dollars in crops annually easily.

 

A) Only citizens of the United States of America and Florida can commercially farm marijuana in the State Florida.

 

B) Minorities have to be guaranteed a percentage of the cultivation licenses and worldwide distribution and like I said part “and a mean a nice slice of the state taxes” must go to subsidize the fruit and vegetable industry here in the State of Florida and in the Heartland.  This has to be fair and reasonable for both sides.

 

C) Permanent residents of the state should have a priority for the employment on marijuana plants on location in Florida and the Heartland, to include positions such as security of these valued crops and the harvesting of them as well as packaging and caregivers of medical marijuana.

 

D) Military Veterans should have a priority as venders/distributors of Marijuana.  Venders must be Florida citizens without a felony conviction or with pardon/clemency from the Federal government or state from which he/she distributes out of.

 

3) The Florida Infrastructure Development Act: 

 

After we subsidize agriculture of off the top, to secure our labor forces and bring down the price of fruits and vegetables.  Insure that this market is a living wages industry and protect our local labor force, we have to set an agenda to help our overall economy.  Here the governor has to set his own initiative.  We need public
transportation here in Highlands County and the Heartland in the form of buses
and connecting trains and buses to go into production as a nationwide transport network and hub.

Medical Uses of Marijuana making it legal to many who use it illegally

The medical use of marijuana has been known since ancient times.

Here’s a list of the most popular medical conditions marijuana is famous for
alleviating:

Asthma: over 15,000,000 Americas are affected with asthma. Marijuana would be beneficial for 80% of them if it were available. The treatment of marijuana
and asthma has been used for thousands of years – it is a proven medical treatment.

Glaucoma: causes 14% of all blindness in America. Marijuana smoking would help thousands that suffer from it.

Tumors: both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors have reacted promisingly to the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana was given a bad name through yellow journalism. It was said to cause health problems – when instead it has been successfully used in tumor research – millions of individuals have used it for treating themselves
after the bad effects of conventional medicine.

Cancer:
marijuana and cancer, nausea relief (Aids, cancer therapy, sea sickness) are all treated successfully with marijuana.

Chemotherapy treatment has some nasty side effects that include nausea. When the patient is already in such bad condition, not being able to eat is just too much -
marijuana treatment is the best known way for these people to combat the nausea
caused by chemotherapy.

Epilepsy: 60% of epilepsy patients would benefit by marijuana smoking. Smoking marijuana is also a major source of relief for Multiple Sclerosis and other nervous systems and muscular weaknesses. Tremors and Back Pain are among this group of ailments that respond favorably to smoking marijuana.

Antibiotic CBD disinfectants: medical use of marijuana has been proven as an
antibiotic. There are many uses for a cannabin, including treatments for
gonorrhea and herpes. If research were allowed, CBD antibiotics would, without
a doubt, be used in every hospital.

Arthritis: and other ailments like Cystic fibrosis and Rheumatism benefited from the marijuana topical analgesic until 1937. Marijuana was in nearly all conventional medicine before it was outlawed – without any proof or reason what-so-ever. Smoking marijuana is good for some ailments, but for others the topical treatment really gets to
the problem.

Lung Cleaner: smoking marijuana is the best way to clean the lungs of smog,
dust, and phlegm associated with tobacco. People that have become addicted to
tobacco have switched to marijuana smoking and find it is far better for their
lungs and health in general. Marijuana is not addictive in the same way tobacco
is – it can be done, without withdrawals.

Sleeping and relaxation: marijuana lowers blood pressure and dilates the arteries – relieves stress – creates a feeling of happiness and contentment. Most all conventional
sleep and relaxants have bad long range effects, and many people complain about
short range bad effects. Marijuana has no short or long range side effects.

Heart Disease and Marijuana

Uses of Medical Marijuana

Marijuana and Medical Use

How to Use Medical Marijuana

Marijuana Medical Use

Marijuana depression click on the chart image below to see the full spectrum of
marijuana’s therapeutic use.

Medical use of marijuana is so broad it is hard to imagine how or why the whole world
of people would do without this most needed medicine.

If conventional medicine had a track record like medical marijuana, we would only
need a few doctors because everybody would be healthy and laughing most all the time like they do when they are able to enjoy their marijuana. Happiness is getting the use of marijuana full time for everyone in the world.

Marijuana brain-marijuana and emphysema – marijuana and migraines – marijuana and
appetite -marijuana Alzheimer’s- and many other ailments are treated today with the illegal medicine with good results and NO SIDE EFFECTS.

Conventional medicine, can’t make any claim their drugs won’t cause more medical problems than they cure. The side effects are so outrageous it is a wonder so many educated people are so passive as to accept such risky stuff they call medicine. The medical use of marijuana is getting more important to sick people
all the time.

Medical marijuana research ,Marijuana is the most important medicine on the face of
the earth – none other has ever come close! Medical Marijuana Uses are beneficial for any human immune system. Real medicine, for healing the ailments other kinds of medicine won’t begin to deal with.

 

 

Below is a reservoir of info.  HR: 2306 & Hyperlinks:

 

Hyperlinks:

 

New Federal Bill put before the Congress to Repeal Marijuana Prohibition HR 2306:

 

Federal Marijuana Law:

 

Florida Marijuana Law:

 

Nationwide state by state – Marijuana Laws:

 

The Price to Keep Marijuana Illegal:

 

Medical Marijuana Directory: