MPP's Bruce Mirken Defends Sensible Marijuana Regulation on ABC World News 07/12/2009

[fredthemaggot]

legalizing weed isnt radical, its humane. i'm ranked 4 out of 46 in my grade but i just got expelled for selling weed. THE LAW IS A FUCKING CRIME!

[herbalvegas]

Why does the mainstream media still resort to mocking of a change in policy with marijuana. I thought they were supposed to be objective.

And the marijuana dispenser, who didn't like the idea of outright legalization, was only worried about his own business... got news for you: marijuana is safer than booze.

[coltfantim69]

the reason some dispensary owners wouldn't want it legalized is because they make a killing right now (and yes they pay taxes for their revenue)... DUH! why would u ask the opinion of a guy LEGALLY making profit providing the medicine to citizens with medal marijuana cards... if it's legalized and they have say "marijuana stores" like you'd have liquor stores, these guys will make no money. DUH!

[XMrCXify]

@coltfantim69 but then they could just open a marijuana shop if it was legal and if its legal all the former patients can still get it lol that guy acted like if it was legal then patients wouldnt be able to get it... shit.. this whole ordeal is nonsense and anyone with common sense would see that.. if marijuana was completely legal and trreated like alcohol everything would be just fine and everyone would still make their money geez more jobs and everything people its time o wake up

[DavySigfusson]

I think they underestimate just how much money they are spending every year in those pot busts, and swat raids on civilian homes.... I think it goes well over 2 billion per year... I've even heard professionals estimating it over 10 gigs

[matthewplamannemail]

that last sentance sure told me how fair and balanced this report was despite majority favoring it

[patm69037]

A good plant should produce more than two ounces, and two ounces should be no where near worth 800 dollars. I have no idea where they are getting these numbers.

[stypostve]

That fat ass man saying recrational Legal herbs going to mess up for Med people using it, is he Nuts are what, people have been smoking Natural Herbs before they even came up with mediical Marijuana,  Natural herbs giving his fat butt a job, needs to shut up

[steveo9001]

lololol "cant tell if hes smoking what they are" .... its pretty hard to control the sheep isnt it ?

[videosfromderelix]

Are you getting any of this? i am not against pot use but as soon as i disagree with poor little you for one little thing you start making assumptions.

[JygerIsHot]

They want to impose a tax far too high. $50 shouldn't be the tax on an ounce it should be the final price of an ounce

[cureworks]

Here's my problem with the California medical marijuana system.

If you are rich enough to afford a doctor then you can have it. If you are not rich enough, then risk imprisonment or die.

Why?

[videosfromderelix]

because a bunch of scared rednecks think universal health care means the evil black president is Hitler XP

[Gromlich666]

where the hell are you buying 2 ounces for 800 dollars???

[dozzi123]

haha

[ConnorBonnor80]

what the fuck you saying about san fran? hahaha

[ajwrp2008]

56% .........56 %.......... WTF if the bulk of people want a certain thing, why is it not legal, is this a democracy? Am i missing somthing?

[enlistedingodsarmy]

I know it's very frustrating but it can't happen overnight. This will take a year minimum.

[ffsallnamestaken]

Has to go through lobbyists, propaganda and voters that msot likely dont have right facts, doesnt matter what the people think..

[squirlboy006]

people only believe in a democracy when it bennefits them..... so 44% of people are wanting to be ignorant assholes and keep us going in a circle........

like this

O

[videosfromderelix]

well maybe if more of those people voted....

[ozzaman]

lol that guys eyes are so small! haha bet he's rate high. legalise it though!

[sk84ever515]

desperate measures? more like rational measures.....

[SheepDogProductions]

It really amazes (and frightens) me how people in the United States are so afraid of change, they will outright deny FACTS and rock solid EVIDENCE that is directly in front of their faces, because they are used to believing a certain way. They were brought up with a set of morals based on LIES and PROPAGANDA! None of that matters to them, because legalizing marijuana (a harmless drug) would require a radical change, and that SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF PEOPLE!

[ragingtortoise]

yeah, its dumb how a lot of people are more afraid of weed than cigarettes and alcohol

[videosfromderelix]

imagine if a new study showed the earth was a cube. You grew up thinking it was round, you might even insist that its round because it makes more sense. Thats probably how they see it.

[lilbob369]

no not probably! that has to be the way they think.has to be thoughts from inside the cube!

[videosfromderelix]

What im saying is they were raised to think that. Just as you were raised to think certain things that you cannot be changed on. I am sure you have your ignorance too. We all do.

[lilbob369]

yes my ignorance is life, liberty,and the pursuit of happiness! it`s an ignoran\

[videosfromderelix]

i love how you idiots get so worked up and teary eyed for those words when you dont even know what they mean XP

[lilbob369]

teary eyed idiots want to know what it means to you,so we know how to think! please tell us whats wrong with hemp. what do we do about sugar,beans,and shrimp?whats up with the price of alligator skins?do you call people idiots in real life,or just on here?do you think we need to inport more sugar? what did you say? i cant relax at the end of the day with a little pot? because you don`t think it`s a good idea?

[videosfromderelix]

listen to me you stupid piece of human trash i am sick of getting hatemail from you fucking retards who misread my posts. I SUPPORT POT USE SO WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I get death threats from inhuman garbage like you every day because you assume im against everything you do. Just shut your dumb fucking mouth and start reading my posts before your respond to them,

[ImTheHulk66]

@SheepDogProductions And yet the majority voted for change

[cyfuse]

These major news outlets need to quit with the fucking marijuana puns already. It is discussion that is finally being taken seriously, but it could go "up in smoke" because idiots think they're being clever making light of a serious problem.

[tintala]

in our society we give tobacco users special rooms to take their deathly drug, in airports we give special little rooms to smoke and drink before a flight. We cater to smokers and drinkers. what if their was a designated room for cannabis at airports or restaraunts, or malls or wherever the fuck there is smoking rooms for "CIGS".

[gheemunniept2]

bc cigs are population control

[industrialhemprocks]

more dispenseries open than starbucks....

well that doesnt sound wrong at all b/c caffein is actually more dangerous than cannabis could ever be..... cannabis isnt dangerous in fact... depending on how u consume it... even then it has no harmful effects...

[industrialhemprocks]

surgeons general warning.... the surgeon general warns.....cigarette smoking is dangerous.... dangerous!

legalize marijuana...

[bendtx]

Why not like a martini at the end of the day?

[hetfield08]

Because for some reason in this country we like to cater to retards and people who don't know how to control themselves.

[nicolethebuffydon]

and the reason for that is that SHEEP are easy to take care of and to manipulate.

[MrMincer]

because the world is not ready for such controveral yet completely reasonable habits.

most people in the world are stupid enough to think dogmatic, and thus it will take a long time to make people feel about marijuana the same way they do about alcohol.

[villel80]

Is this how it's came in Usa? Advertisements inform you better than news?

[InKa4484]

i love the puns in this "report" truly ignorant, but the news is not to inform people, it's to entertain and scare, this is truly pathetic.

[lynette1953]

it should be like a martini and time of the day.

[sciencepowerdavid]

"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance

within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."

-Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) U.S. President.

fuck neocons and modern repuclican prohitionist can suck my dick

[Budlord1028]

Bruce always looks like hes bake smacked out of his skull

[bleedingtheskies]

lol so i wouldnt care, go bruce.

[jonnythejokemaker]

and also if we were all growing hemp a.k.a weed wouldent our air be really really clean so wouldent it be takeing the polutance out of the air so breathing the (air) wont kill us ?

breathing air in LA is like smokeing 2 cigs.

[thccorp]

Yes, true but when it burns or rots it puts back what it took in while growing. The upside is if, we were to run our buses, trains and trucks on hemp diesel, we would not be adding new pollutants thus making it a neutral emitter, we would be less dependent on foreign oil. After the seed is crushed the cake left over is a most nutritional food , the pulp mixed withe lime makes the most energy efficient brick, there is no waist from hemp, $700 an acher would help a lot of farmers. Americans needed

[jonnythejokemaker]

all the major industries you buy the things you need to live will go out of business because hemp will fill that green natural cause we were looking so hard for and we put millions and millions of dollars to look for when it was just illegal the hole time! wow see what happens when we let the government take care of us?

[wakeborder711]

LEGALIZE IT!

[fredthemaggot]

weed is illegal still cuz of alchohol. the achohol companies fund all the anti weed shit. think about it if weeds legal they're gonna lose out on alot of customers.

[thccorp]

The pharmaceuticals a scared as well. alcohol manufacturers and distributors are the largest funding resource for PDFA (Partnership for a drug free amerika)but drug companies are also involved. our police need it illegal, a lot of law enforcement jobs sprang from drug war politics. its all bull shit when you think about your rights, it doesn't matter why its illegal,what matters? it is a complete violation of you rights to be arrested for smoking anything. Americans needed, apply within.

[fredthemaggot]

yeah true and also according to the government weed is a "recreational drug", i'm not an american but isnt one of your rights "the right to recreation" ?

[gheemunniept2]

TRUE and its actally backed by fact thanks to anheuser busch.

[SUPerFreakUsa]

Imagine an organisation who said they could stop the rain,They show pictures of floods and say this can happen to you ,, So you get to thinking , darnit , i dont want to get killed in a flood ,, so do what you have to to keep me safe , Heres a bunch of money , But it still rains ,Well of course it does we need more money ! .But some folks like the rain , Well we gotta get rid of them,, Theyre bad for business. 20 billion a year spent while violent criminals are set free because of overcrowding.

[Darshuiami]

excellent analogy

[ohmygawdyourweird]

It shouldnt even be looked at as a drug in the first place. When your a kid and you hear something is a drug and find out its not then BOOMPFFF you got a soon to be pot head because they're not properly educated like they should. ITS A HERB!

[chiefsfan42]

What a terrible piece. There are not more dispensaries than Starbucks. That was refuted by Starbucks as well as the city. That's just lazy journalism.

[gheemunniept2]

264 is high number. theres more than 264 starbucks in LA? that where all the road rage comes from.

[Cliquityklack]

I ditto Havenfall. Why can't i go to the supermarket and buy some popcorn nugs like buts...or at the least why can't i buy some special icecream...that has low thc in it (if the government wants to regulate it) ...wat's the difference between buying low grade legal marijuana and booze?

[Havenfall]

Why shouldn't it be like a martini at the end of the day? We all know alcohol can kill, ruin families, and all that stuff.

[Spiskummin]

A radical proposal? More like common sense!

[Tremordeth]

That what I was thinking.... RADICAL...OOOOOO!!!! monsters killing children... and monster called MARY FUCKING JANE!!!!!

[TheCannabisChannel]

prohibition doesn't work!

[TheSkinzilla]

2 ounces for $800? Fuck that, keep it illegal. I'm in Canada, and you can 2 up here for under $500

[Alytoner]

Man, those facts are false. They would charge ounces at cheaper prices than the black market.

[gheemunniept2]

u can go to harlem and get two for 120.

[odom602]

yeah,  ghetto ass schwag.

[jswiz666]

the fat man who dosen't want it legal is a greedy bitch i geuss he beleaves it would cut in to he buissness, what an asshole.

[dukeoforegon]

The value of the Hemp/Cannabis crop is 210 billion dollars just from the fuel oil market alone. The taxes and jobs generated by legalization would put California back in the black in no time.

[KissandpinkfloydRULE]

ive said it before and ill say it again KNOW MATTER WHER U LIVE THE GOVERMENT IS FUCKING RETARDED RNOUGH OF THIS PROPEGANDA BULLSHIT

[roberteckerson]

Radical? What you mean is common sense.

[lifesblood]

I hate the line at the end, "marijuana legalization was polled at 56% in favor of legal weed, we don't know if congress is smoking the same stuff they are." that makes it out to seem that you have to be high to see prohibition isn't working... I know a lot of people who don't smoke weed that would like it legal. If you want the public's trust, stop lying to us.

[stolendrugs]

i agree with most people on here saying that the are in favor of young people smoking rather that abuse alcohol because like most people reading this the parties that went on as a teen in high school always had some type of drug but it was the alcohol that made people do dumb shit like fight,crash their vehicle,puke all over themselves, pass out and not know what happened for the last 6 hours

[vx3k]

CALL 973 409 3274 and PRESS #.. ....to legalize weed!

Every vote counts! PLEASE CALL IT AND VOTE

[ffsallnamestaken]

I dont drink alcohol, i do smoke a ton of tobacco..

It would be nice to have a "alternative to alcohol" thats healthier then tobacco..

While cannabis is not like alcohol i think most know what im pointing at.

I also rather have kids smoking the media hyped "deathdrug" Cannabis at weekend nights rather then kids drinking alcohol and cant handle it..

[maynardforpresident]

where are all the responsible people like this.... right on!

[MrBubonicChronic]

i totally agree with you on the idea of kids smoking pot rather than drinking. i've recently experienced the dangers of alcohol. i am currently recovering from a head injury, thought it would be ok to have a couple drinks, and ended up having a seizure. a couple hours later i smoked some pot and felt much much better.

[Xiphion]

ruin it for people who really need it???? its gonna make it EASIER for people who really need it, what a complete dumbass

[nicolethebuffydon]

Parcial legalization is what is going to ruin it! Driving in to Vegas u can c a giant pot leaf billboard from Dr. Reefer bosting prescriptions for everything from cancer to back aches and insomnia. Leagalize it and people wont scam the system. DUH!

[mjok35]

that guys at the end is so dumb saying it shouldnt be like a martini. of course it should be. i highly doubt that guy has any serious medical problems which require medical marijuana and i also doubt he started smoking weed only after he got his mmj car

[coffeebuzzz]

That guy obviously owns a dispensary, and full legalisation would cut into his profit margin severly. Apparently these dispensaries are "non-profit" but sell MJ at $300 an oz, that is bullshit, it costs me only about $20 oz to grow top gear indoors and virtually nothing outdoors.

[ComingSoon1984]

"ruin it for people who really need it"

WTF is HE smoking? Do people who smoke marijuana go on a crusade to not let anyone else use it??

[MooseOfReason]

His profits will drop with the price. Imagine him as a mobster in the 30s. Think he'd be for ending alcohol prohibition?

Of course not!

[kramcas2]

Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington consumed marijuana and never intended for it to be illegal.

[vlady8me]

"Some people will abuse it and they're going to ruin it for people who really need it" says the man behind the bar.

"it shouldn't be like a martini then" says the reporter....

WTF!?!?! What part of DUI, MADD and the 21 yr old drinking age isn't exactly like "some people abusing it, ruining it for people who really need it"....like a martini at the end of the day?

END THE GREED FREE THE SEED

OVERGROW THE GOVERNMENT.

[empbac]

He wasn't a bar tender, he was a dispensary worker. Basically, he said he considers it to be of strictly medicinal value, and that's okay. But to deny people the right to use it like a martini if they so wish is also wrong. Freedom is what's important here, whether you would use it that way yourself or not.

Besides, if it's completely legalized, his job wouldn't be so lucrative anymore, as competition would drive prices down, so his opinion really shouldn't count on this issue.

[RustyCyler]

good luck guys, the rest of america is watching.

[muuplet]

when are they finally going to stop the stupid tongue-in-cheek puns and snide comments during reports on weed -_-

[thawhiteazn]

i know. all this "up in smoke" and other crap is really starting to 'grind my gears', to steal a phrase from family guy

[CantStopGaming]

"Up In Smoke" is the title of the first Cheech & Chong movie. It's not from Family Guy.

[thawhiteazn]

talkin about grind my gears lol

[sl9guitar]

fuckin thank you for this comment.. so tru.

they act like this is a fuckin joke..

LEGALIZE...

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

That shop owner just doesn't want any more competition. That's all that is.

[floydbumby]

thats right 250 canadian and thats triple a grade. as low as 150 for regular schwagg

[pomeroy82]

I'm really getting sick and tired of these medical marijuana users trying to BOGART the legalization movement only for themselves. Its a plant and anyone should be able to use it for themselves for what ever reason medical or recreational!

[floydbumby]

why can't the media just report the news anymore. Why did he say the bit at the end about the legislator smokin what the patients where smoking. This is bias reporting its an insult to the patients.He is callin pple who need their meds idiots and the like.His perception is that smoking cannabis makes you stupid or with out good judgement. A negative side effect if you will. Would he say anyhing about a cancer patient who lost their hair from chemo? A negative side effect if there ever was one.

[666norton420]

$800 for 2 oz?

lol

it's be about $250 here and that's canadian!

;d

[1Optek3]

i know wtf is up with 800 for 2?? its like 200 or 180 over here in Texas

[legi0naire]

Yeah price gonna drop when its legal, but don't tell them that.

Weed is €8-10 per gram, legal from shops but growth is still illegal, so thats why the price is still so damn high.

Taking the dealers away to legal shops, reduces the chance of contact with hard drugs, in some places hard drugs is cheaper the cannabis, thats how crazy the cannabis policy has come.

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

I know, man, I know. Anyone who would pay more than $100 an ounce has ZERO connections or is just a moron. Plant the seed and you can have it for free.

[thawhiteazn]

or they don't smoke crap weed. 400 an ounce is a pretty good price unless your workin whole sale and buying by the pound. anybody who would pay 100 dollars for an ounce must be smokin reggie

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

"400 an ounce is a pretty good price unless your workin whole sale and buying by the pound."

Bingo bonzo! I've NEVER seen a QP sell for more than $300.

[thawhiteazn]

of what, my friend?

[EscpdFrmPsykward]

If people are going to abuse a drug, why not marijuana? As opposed to alcohol or heroin or cocaine? They are gonna abuse something anyway, why not pot? It's the safest option.

[HomerBong]

im pro-legalizing all the way..  everybody different and hopefully can regulate themselves... fuck that facist ass asian dude.

[jrizos]

An alternative way to raise those tax revenues would be to increase police and fine people upwards of $1,000 per arrest. That way you don't have to wait for them to consume two ounces to get just $100. You take their money and they're forced to go find more, then you arrest them again.

[ZombieRabite]

jrizos: You won't make money that way for long. Governments that enforce laws on peoples' personal choices about themselves and their own lives and bodies walk a fine line. If they're too strict, they won't stay in power. Pissed off people take drastic actions. I'm not talking about voting...

[666norton420]

wow.. that's about the dumbest idea i've ever heard!

how do you increase taxes by increasing police forces, there by increasing tax use?

not that even considering people should be able to do what they want.

stupid fascist.

;s

[1Optek3]

thats a waste of money dumbass...and thats against human rights...dats inhumane dipshit...ur the kind of people that kills it for the rest of the human race....we are trying to get money not spend it...

[legi0naire]

1k fine for smoking a plant and not harming anyone??

Are u nuts or just dump?

[jrizos]

It's called a "counterpoint" idiots. Our existing criminal justice system profits off the persecution of everyday citizens and has deemed this strategy preferential to decriminalization and regulation. I just think that legalization for explicitly financial reasons is short-sighted and easily refuted.

[666norton420]

"I just think that legalization for explicitly financial reasons is short-sighted and easily refuted. "

not only does not one give two shits about what you think, no one SHOULD give two shits!

easily refuted my ass!

some days, it would be pretty scary for a cop to try to tell me what i can and can't do.

it's my life and when in the proper mood, if fucking kill someone trying to control me!

it's my life and i'll take yours to keep it that way.

;d

[stivesixsixsix]

Legalize marijuana and take the money out of the hands of criminals and drug cartels

[iTellYouNoLie]

sounds like they need to get it on the ballot for the voters...

[Innize]

Start a petition to get it on the ballot.

[mess4opana]

i agree but hell prop 215 was passed in 1996 and i am a patient. my rights ARE not being protected! im fighting in court now!

in other words we can pass another proposition but who is gonna enforce it. especially with the looming conflict between state and federal laws

[Fubargamer360]

Well i can kinda see where that one guy is coming from, but the bottom line is we dont know for sure and theres only one way to find out