Don't Fall for Marijuana Legalization War Hype!

So, recently, I've been coming across this article on marijuana forums.

War breaks out within the marijuana legalization movement

Here's my comment to the article on the Examiner site:

This war is fake, made up. It's meant to disrupt and disturb efforts of the marijuana legalization movement with totally outrageous claims and fear mongering.

In my opinion, it sounds more like a government initiated program to disrupt the funding to marijuana legalization efforts of groups like NORML, MPP, and others who've been in the trenches for marijuana legalization for a long time.

It's almost Nixon-like.

Set up a fake "legalization" organization, use the media to get the word out, and then use this org. to dilute funds away from REAL legalization efforts while clawing at the social fabric of the marijuana movement.

The efforts of groups like NORML and MPP seek complete legalization of marijuana and the freedom to smoke at will. Regulation and taxation only occur at the commercial level as is the case with ANY product.

I would hope that people have the sense to read the words of this article and see right through it for what it is - NONSENSE.

Since I have more space, let me point out some problems.

First, let me break down the characters and plot in this fairytale article. First, we have the evil "Cannabusiness Community" - the antagonist. Then, we have their henchmen - NORML, MPP, and DPA. Finally, we have the hero of this tale - MRPP. The plot of the article is that our fabled henchman are driving marijuana policy in such a way that it helps to develop the cannabusiness community. Now that we have the characters and plot set up, let's commence to root out the nonsense.

Who is this "cannabusiness community"?

This community evolved after the first Medical Marijuana Initiative, Proposition 215, gave Californian citizens the right to consume Cannabis in November 2006.

It is comprised of "reform organizations" including the "Marijuana Policy Project," NORML and the "Drug Policy Alliance." It is also comprised of dispensary owners, "Medical Marijuana" growers and distributors of "Medical Marijuana Cards" such as Paul Stanford. And what do they all have in common? They do not want you to ever have the right to grow your own Marijuana: even as an adult.

What is MRPP or MERP?

Simply put, they are the Marijuana Re-Legalization Policy Project run by Bruce W. Cain who is also the author of that fairytale article, go figure. He pushes "his" "MERP" model which is nothing more than Jack Herer's California Cannabis Hemp & Health Initiative minus any plant restrictions.

Even Cain says on his own page

I do fully support Jack Herer's CCHH Initiative for California. This is the only initiative that largely conforms to the MERP Model. The only fly in the ointment is that it restricts the number of self cultivated plants to 100. MERP allows unlimited numbers of self cultivated plants.

By the way, no one knows what "MERP" stands for exactly. I still don't get why it isn't just MRPP. I'll use MRPP to refer to this organization.

So, why is this all nonsense?

It's nonsense because all of it is unfounded. Think about it. What medical marijuana dispensaries have a problem with the legalization of marijuana? Last time I checked, the DEA was busy shutting down these dispensaries. Marijuana legalization would keep these businesses open and operating. As it stands, they are targets of the prohibitionists. Legalization is the goal of NORML, MPP, and the DPA.

NORML's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty. [link]

Because MPP believes that the greatest harm associated with marijuana is prison, we focus on removing criminal penalties for marijuana use, with a particular emphasis on making marijuana medically available to seriously ill people who have the approval of their doctors. [link]

The Drug Policy Alliance Network (DPA Network) is the nation's leading organization promoting policy alternatives to the drug war that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. [link]

The Real Problem: Bruce W. Cain.

He creates this illusion of conflict by trying to make us believe that these organizations are somehow working against legalization efforts. He misconstrues the concept of medical marijuana as the end all to the marijuana movement. In his mind, he believes this "cannabusiness community" is somehow driving all of the marijuana policies to create this quasi-legal atmosphere where marijuana prices can remain high thus preserving profits.

It's delusional at best.

What really pisses me off?

The thing that truly pisses me off comes towards the end of the fairytale article.

Withdraw all financial support to NORML, DPA, MPP and the rest of the Cannabusiness community.

First of all, the so-called cannabusiness community desires legalization because they desire openness and profit at the same time. They don't get charity. Even Cain admits, they make "literally millions of dollars each year". Even if that's a call to stop buying from them, how else are people going to get their medicine - go back to the black market?

At the same time, NORML, MPP, and the DPA get their funds from donations. In my opinion, they're doing an awesome job with those donations in this current sociopolitical climate.

Gaining Perspective

Prohibition is the problem. I am sure we can all agree to that. Prohibition is what's causing the high price of marijuana. I don't think anybody can disagree with that. Folks like Jack Herer and Dennis Peron along with groups like NORML, MPP, and the DPA have been promoting legalization for a long time with success.

Raw legalization is not going happen and it's not going to happen overnight.

Unfortunately, we live in a nation where common sense and intelligence are NOT prized, obviously. We live in a nation where money and greed rule supreme. The man with the brilliant mind is only as useful as the amount of money his ideas generate not the benefit those ideas may bring to the people. And unfortunately, we have to operate within that environment.

That means we have to play that game.

To get legalization of marijuana, we'll have to make it sweet to the people while at the same time making prohibition bitter. The great thing about that struggle is that all we need is to promote the truth. Marijuana prohibition was founded on and perpetuated through myths and lies since 1936. It is one of the largest drains on taxpayers, soaking up billions every year. It is the most socially devastating policy that promotes arresting and incarcerating millions of people who most likely wouldn't hurt a fly.

Now, is not the time to weaken these organizations by diluting their funding to other non-organizations like MRPP whose ideas for legalization belong to someone else and whose ability to confront prohibition is nonexistent.

Why I compare this article to a government ploy?

When I read some of the misinformation and unfounded delusions in that fairytale article, all I can hear is the propaganda during the Civil Rights movement. The US government, during that time, was guilty of wiretapping various leaders of the Black community. They were responsible for flooding Black communities with crack cocaine. The government lead major propaganda campaigns to demonize and discredit Civil Rights leaders. It was an ugly time.

I know that the legalization efforts of NORML, MPP, and the DPA are working - slowly, but surely. Prohibition rhetoric is at all time high. The people who benefit from prohibition - local, state, federal authorities and criminals - don't want prohibition to end. The Byrne Grant Program provides too much funding to authorities and they're addicted to the money. They're addicted to having people believe they're heroes. Busting potheads is just too easy. And, the criminals appreciate the ability to markup prices due to high risks.

But, the truth prevails so that rhetoric promoting prohibition is NOT working. Besides, the prohibitionists contradict themselves constantly. For example, why does it take a SWAT team to arrest a pothead when potheads are shown in ads to be lazy, weak, etc. Do you really need a 7-man paramilitary force to put a pothead like that in prison? DOUBTFUL.

So, what's a good tactic for prohibitionists?

Dig into the old playbook. Disrupt the marijuana legalization movement from within. Sabotage and espionage are the tools of war. The greatest defense is to simply seek the truth and not fall for the nonsense from a guy like Bruce W. Cain, the Freeway Ricky Ross of the marijuana movement.

DO NOT SMOKE HIS CRACK!!