In North Carolina, the deadline has come and passed officially for any hope of residents of the state to be able to legally use cannabis medicinally. North Carolina's House Bill 577 was not given any priority, and did not get approved.
It is no mystery that the reason why so many refuse to take the time and speak out again, and again, on this important issue is because of fear. It is illegal, and to speak out against it makes you a target for scrutiny. Regardless of that, even if it is just a few of us that are speaking out, our voices are not alone, we will never give up hope that one day we can use our medicine without fearing persecution.
It was affirming to hear an open minded politician (on this subject) stating publicly.
"I don't care whether you are a Democrat or a Republican this is not a partisan issue, it's a bipartisan issue, it's a human rights issue, it is a compassionate treatment issue, it is something that all of us regardless of our political party or registration, can embrace, work together on, and change the policy. Not only in North Carolina, but in this country."
(Rep. D) Kelly Alexander (Mecklenburg District, NC)
It is kind of nice hearing that type of attitude, and we just need to get more people who are thinking like him in office.
For example, Mitt Romney.... He stopped to talk to a young man in a wheelchair, and by listening to the dialogue and watching the video, you will see someone who wants to maintain the status quo.
According to recent polls by CNN Mitt Romney At Top of GOP Field.
I really want to see our country get past this compassionate use issue, and reschedule cannabis on the Federal level, so states can take care of it's residents. Why are so many people so quick to get behind someone who fundamentally goes against what you agree with?
As an Independent voter, I get the luxury of simply voting for who I think would be the best man for the job, (or do the least damage) I could never simply vote along a certain political parties line. I know we could find someone more open minded, and qualified, other than someone like.... Mitt Romney?
As an Independent, I am considered a swing vote, and since there are a lot of us out there, our swing vote can make or break an election for a candidate.
We, are the swing voters who use cannabis to help with our pain, our stress,.. are a huge part of the population, and we are always at risk of facing imprisonment. In our own country we are treated like second class citizens, fortunately the world is coming around to a different way of thinking regarding whether drugs should be a health and rehabilitative issue, instead of a law enforcement issue.
The Global Commission On Drug Policy was released this month. In it's opening statement it declares: "The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world. Fifty years after the initiation of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and 40 years after President Nixon launched the US government’s war on drugs, fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed."
But for some reason our Federal Government disagrees...
So next years budget proposal for fighting the war on drugs is estimated to be around 26 billion we have already spent over a trillion dollars, and then unconvincingly stating that drug use has gone down, and the war should continue.
193 Billion usd cost on war on drugs 2007
I hope people realize that if they are not paying attention to the policies of the politicians they are voting for to represent them, then this cycle of being ignored will continue. When they want your vote the most, put them to the task and call them out on this issue, and if they are against it, find out why they are. Then turn around and ask yourself why you would support them on election day.The activists that show up, and openly speak out on the bills that matter to us, are being ignored. More support is needed to change public opinion, especially in the South East of the country. Not one state in the South East has budged.
In North Carolina, the next chance for reform will be in 2013. There is a big election between now and then, and by the time they even remotely consider it again, billions of dollars will of been wasted, and millions of lives will be affected. That sure is a big elephant in the room to just ignore
