Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Senate Minority Leader Says Pot Kills, OK in Pill Form

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell chimed in as to his reason for not backing medical marijuana — because people die from marijuana. (Luckily, no asked about his thoughts as to masturbation, as it leads to hairy palms and blindness.)

 According to The Huffington Post, McConnell was answering a letter from a constituent who questioned the senator about medical marijuana.

He not only voiced his concern about medical marijuana legislation introduced by Rep. Barney Frank because pot kills but that one of the ingredients of pot, tetrahydrocannabinol, is available in pill form for the treatment of some illnesses.

 "Because of the harm that substances like marijuana and other narcotics pose to our society, I have concerns about this legislation. The detrimental effects of drugs have been well documented: short-term memory loss, loss of core motor functions, heightened risk of lung disease, and even death," he stated.

 So not only does McConnell believe that marijuana could kill, no doubt "Reefer Madness"-style, but that you should also take a pill instead of growing your own. Interesting, to say the least.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A Tale of Two States: While Pro-Pot Initiative to Hit Washington's Ballot, California Legalization Efforts in Disarray

In contrast to Washington state's well-organized initiative to legalize pot, California's efforts are split between four potential proposals.

 Pro-pot groups in the Golden State felt emboldened by the 42 percent of voters who supported legalization the last time it was on the ballot in 2010.

However, their efforts have split into four factions, whose stand on the issue range from codifying and setting up an enforcement agency for existing medical marijuana laws to outright legalization of cannabis for recreational use.

 Less than 10 percent of the medical marijuana industry is contributing to the causes, the Los Angeles Times reports. Speculation for the reasons behind the lack of support include apathy, the fear of more competition with downward pressure on prices and ongoing federal raids against the businesses.

 Monied backers who supported California's legalization efforts are also less likely to back the new efforts. Instead, they're more likely to put their cash behind the initiative in Washington because its already been OK'd to appear on the state's ballot.