Legalization and Taxation of Cannabis in the U.S.

     Here are a few good reasons that myself, as well as many others think it may be a good idea for the decriminalization of cannabis use in America.  Especially during these extremely tough economic hardships. 

     The government could save billions, as well as make billions in the long run if they stopped spending so much keeping it legal.  They could TAX it obviously, and I'm sure nobody is going to complain that they are being taxed, I mean come on, they are buying their favorite herb from a store,  where they will in turn spend more money cause they will be happy, and hungry. 

     If that is not enough for you to sign this petition, open your mind, read on, THERE WAS NEVER A TOUGH PROBLEM SOLVED WITHOUT SOMEONE OPENING THEIR MINDS TO NEW IDEAS, so I ask you to please sign my petition, if I could get the registered cannabis patients in California alone to sign this, that's a quarter of a million people. I am not aiming to get 10,000 signatures like some petitions I have seen, I want MILLIONS, because I know for a fact that if every cannabis user in the country signed this, it would be in the upwards of 10's of millions. 

     I am not advocating the smoking of marijuana, for there are many methods of cannibis use, some of which do no more harm than a fudge brownie(not that that's great for you, but it's certainly not illegal). 

     Please read on if you want, then sign this petition that we the people of America can show President Obama how serious we are, and how we think this may be another one of the many things that should be done to aid our failing economy. 

     Did I mention that hemp can be used for FUEL?? As well as add JOBS.
 
20 million arrests so far, each costing the tax payer on average 2,000$ is costing the government billions of dollars. Over 90% of these arrests are simple possession alone.

The money used to fund marijuana prohibition could be used to better schools or other public services.

It would end the black market trade over marijuana, putting thousands of dealers out of business.

Would decrease the number of gangs and drug cartels operating in the u.s.

If it were legalized it could be regulated, prevented it being laced with harmful chemicals or other drugs and bring in millions in revenue if it were taxed like tobacco

Hemp can be used to make alternative fuels, biodegradable plastic, paper, rope, and much much more, this alone would be a tremendous boost to our economy

It would disassociate marijuana users from hard drug users if it were legalized. When the Netherlands legalized marijuana they observed a DECLINE in hard drug use such as cocaine and heroin. A commission was put together to study this and concluded that since marijuana was no longer illegal users did not have to go the same dealers that dealt with hard drugs or be forced to be associated with them.

It would end the overcrowding of our jails, the u.s. has the highest incarceration rate of any modernized country.

It would end the thousands of students that are forced to drop out of college each year due to a loss of finaicial aid over a marijuana conviction.

It would end the home foreclosures, job losses, and the loss of housing opportunities to millions of Americans who have never committed a violent crime.

Decriminalization does NOT increase the use of marijuana, 13 states have decriminalized marijuana in the U.S. without a single one reporting an increase in use.

Cigerette smoking rates, something FAR more addictive than marijuana, has been cut in half in the last 20 years, and we didnt have to arrest 20 million people to do in, while marijuana use has not been curbed at all by the failed war on drugs.

Tobacco and Alcohol, substances far more addictive and harmful than marijuana, not to mention substances with ZERO medical applications are legal and regulated, while marijuana which is impossible to overdose on and much less addictive than cigerettes and alcohol remains illegal

The government tried prohibition before with alcohol, but this was repealed soon after due to the increase in organized crime, overcrowding of jails, and the general public witnessing the "before" and "after" of prohibition. The same situation exists now, except marijuana was made illegal before it was in wide spread usage, preventing a "before" picture being made my the general public.

It would allow police officers to allocate more time to searching for and prosecuting violent criminals.

When the punishment for drug use is more detrimental to an individual than the negatives effects of the drug itself it harms society as a whole.
The point of prohibiting a drug is to prevent people from harming themselves, however if by trying to change a user you harm them more than the drug would have what has been accomplished? No where is this principal more apparent than in marijuana prohibition, where millions are incarcerated and lose their jobs, often their families and houses and are exposed to to real criminals and violent offenders while in jail.

In 1972, Proposition 19 was introduced, which would have legalized cannabis statewide; it was rejected by 66% of the voters.[11] The terse initiative read as follows:[12]

(2) This provision shall in no way be construed to repeal existing legislation, or limit the enactment of future legislation, prohibiting persons under the influence of marijuana from engaging in conduct that endangers others.

     In 2008, the Repeal of Marijuana Penalties Initiative failed to qualify for the ballot. 

     Did I mention that hemp can be used for FUEL??

President Obama was supposed to end federal funding on Cannabis club raids performed by the DEA.  Last week in my home town, a patient collective was raided.  The DEA took all goods and money, but made no arrests.  Everyone who thinks this is absurd has a voice, and we can use the internet to speak.  Come together, and let's make this happen!!  You can read the article on the link below for more info on our cannabis raid.  There is also a letter to President Obama
http://blog.norml.org/2009/01/12/o-blow-off-obama-site-ducks-marijuana-reform-questions-again/