Tag Archives: California

Politics

Senator Harris’ bill, like Prop 64, is another gimmick

Yesterday Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Jerrold Nadler introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, a bill to federally legalize, commercialize, and tax the use of marijuana.

Senator Harris owns much responsibility for the marijuana problems that plague the state of California.  When she first ran for Attorney General in 2010 she promised not to go after the marijuana industry.  She kept the hands-off approach, allowing illegal growers whose plants continue the destruction of the environment in California. Four federal district attorneys still prosecuted marijuana growers, despite Harris’ opposition. Continue reading Senator Harris’ bill, like Prop 64, is another gimmick →

Drug Policy

Can states regulate marijuana?

 Many people tell us that the solution to the problems of marijuana legalization is “regulating,” so that the stronger stuff will no longer be sold.  Let’s go back to the marijuana of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, they say. (THC levels had skyrocketed from 3.6% in the 1990s to around 20% in Colorado and more than 20% in Washington.) Can states regulate marijuana? 

Since states are the “laboratories of democracy,” and several states have had legalization for years, we can evaluate whether or not regulation works.

The answer is no.  Continue reading Can states regulate marijuana? →

Child Endangerment

Michigan Vote NO Marijuana, No on Blowing up Homes

Michigan “homes are blowing up from ‘blasting’ marijuana, a risky business,”  warned former judge Brian MacKenzie last year.  In Battle Creek, on July 22, 2018,  a massive fire displaced more than 60 people in a four-story apartment building.  The explosion started in a marijuana lab.   Since the Michigan ballot would allow 12 plants per residence — more than any state — it offers an invitation to hide drug labs in the home or apartment.  Could your family or neighborhood be next?

Another butane hash oil fire erupted in Battle Creek earlier this year, seriously injuring the young man who started the fire.  Firemen find butane hash oil fires far more dangerous than ordinary house fires because of their heat and explosiveness.  Continue reading Michigan Vote NO Marijuana, No on Blowing up Homes →

Child Endangerment

More child abuse deaths related to marijuana

At least two more child abuse deaths related to marijuana use occurred in May.   In Florida, Charles Lee left a baby, aged one,  alone.  He went into the front yard to smoke pot with a 15-year-old and the baby drowned in a backyard pool.  It is not clear what Charles Lee’s relationship is to the parents, but they had entrusted him with the child at the time.

In Salt Lake City, a father smoked pot and fell asleep on the floor.  He left out a loaded gun and his two year-old shot himself.    Both these incidents reflect the irresponsibility, forgetfulness and selfishness that surround using pot.  Unfortunately, the victims are so young.

Parents Opposed to Pot has found 11 incidences of children drowning in pools, five of them in Florida and two in California. Continue reading More child abuse deaths related to marijuana →