[Lnc-business] Marijuana Resolution - Request for Co-Sponsors

Mon Feb 13 09:15:39 EST 2017

Caryn Ann,

Without focusing on any other aspects and problems with it, I consider this particular paragraph to be a fatal flaw in this resolution.

"WHEREAS, the demand for drugs remains unabated under prohibition -- a policy that has never succeeded.  One-third of Americans have used cannabis, and despite strict penalties against narcotics, heroin use is an epidemic that now kills more Americans every year than do automobiles and homicide.  Further, drug warfare drives up crime which endangers Americans and terrorizes the people of supplier countries, such as Mexico;"

While heroin in a terrible drug and I am sure this is true, mention of heroin in this resolution does not belong.  For one the information doesn't seem to flow in the paragraph.  Now if it were linked in that paragraph by saying that marijuana prohibition has possibly resulted in greater heroin use, I would have an even bigger problem with it even though this might be true.  

Someone might reasonably assume that maybe we were advocating for stronger penalties against heroin.  It's a trend I see in my state legislature.  They move to increase penalties for heroin USE.  My suspicion is that Sheriffs are feeling the trend towards cannabis legalization. As drug cartels ramp up their heroin distribution in the face of loss of profits from cannabis sales,  those benefiting from what is effectively modern day slavery are seeking to capitalize on this and keep their cash cow prisons.  We must not give them assistance in attempting to keep their mechanism to put peaceful people in cages. Interestingly enough, in those cages you can still get heroin. Heroin use is a health issue, not a crime issue. As long as a user disposes of their needles properly and does not drive impaired and does not expose others to harm, those people have a right to choose to potentially harm themselves.  They get to decide the risk for their own life.

This is entirely the wrong direction that we should be going and must absolutely avoid even the mistaken appearance to be advocating for increasing penalties on heroin.  We are advocating for an end to the drug war.  We advocate for an immediate end to the drug war on ALL drugs.  Leaving ANY drugs illegal creates potential markets for drug cartels to exploit and continue the violence that surrounds their way of doing business while continuing to keep alive modern day slavery under the guise of public good.

That said we must take what progress we can and if as seems to be the case, we can make gains towards freedom of choice regarding one drug such as cannabis we must take that opportunity.  As somebody that spends a fair amount of time lobbying the legislature in the state with the most draconian drug laws in the country, I can say that our preference of legalizing everything generally won't work if pushed for all together.  Unfortunately piece by piece is the way we have to proceed at the present time.  The sheriffs will use those other drugs to adequately obfuscate the issue otherwise and we will find ourselves for another year left without any significant progress than we desire.  We must take baby steps towards freedom with regards to drugs in order to make progress, but be prepared to make a giant leap if by some chance the opportunity ever arises by some unexpected opportunity.  

At the same time as we push for reducing cannabis we must be sure to not needlessly bring other drugs into THAT conversation to give the sheriffs and other leos  a mechanism to generate fear.  However when THEY needlessly bring other drugs into the cannabis conversation we must be ready to point to the real answer of taking power away from the cartels and following the direction Portugal went by treating all drugs the same.

What am I saying in a nutshell?  The mention of heroin needs to go.

Daniel Hayes
LNC At Large Member

On Feb 13, 2017, at 02:49 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all, I am reviving this to avoid putting on agenda for next meeting if we can talk about via email.  The last revision from Chair Watts is:

WHEREAS, cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I drug under the United
States Controlled Substances Act, which is an inappropriate classification because it impedes
legal research by industries and universities. Further, the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine concluded cannabis’ medical benefits after reviewing relevant scientific literature, including dozens of works documenting its therapeutic value;

WHEREAS, cannabis is a mild drug with few harmful effects and zero documented fatalities. Labeled, quality-controlled cannabis products are far safer than unlabeled, untested black-market drugs;

WHEREAS, the demand for drugs remains unabated under prohibition -- a policy that has never succeeded.  One-third of Americans have used cannabis, and despite strict penalties against narcotics, heroin use is an epidemic that now kills more Americans every year than do automobiles and homicide.  Further, drug warfare drives up crime which endangers Americans and terrorizes the people of supplier countries, such as Mexico;

WHEREAS, millions of peaceful Americans have been arrested, imprisoned, fined, or otherwise needlessly criminalized and stigmatized, potentially for life, because of their use of cannabis;

2 million American citizens have been imprisoned, representing the highest incarceration rate of any nation on Earth and 25% the world’s prisoners;  

WHEREAS, over $1 trillion have been spent nationally enforcing drug laws, including those pertaining to cannabis, with the Drug War’s “asset seizure” program has raising over $13 billion for law enforcement across the country, incentivizing the arrest of otherwise peaceful citizens which is often applied in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner;

WHEREAS, existing cannabis laws represent vast government over‐reach into the personal lives of our fellow citizens, violating founding American principles of personal liberty and choice;

WHEREAS, the citizens of seven states, including Colorado, Washington, Alaska, California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts have voted to fully legalize cannabis, with more states likely to follow, and over 20 states with medical cannabis laws in effect;  

WHEREAS, the economic benefit of legal cannabis products is significant, generating $6.7 billion in 2016 for the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Libertarian Party National Committee supports the full legalization and federal descheduling of cannabis, medical cannabis, and industrial hemp products.

On Sat, Jan 21, 2017 at 5:20 PM, Jon Watts <jon.watts at alaskan.com> wrote:

Caryn,

I looked at this WHEREAS, and had a prompt from the almighty before I awoke to adjust it somewhat, if this seems useful..

Jon

Original:

WHEREAS, the demand for drugs remains unabated under prohibition -- a policy that has never succeeded.  One-third of Americans have used cannabis, and despite strict penalties against narcotics, heroin use is an epidemic that now kills more Americans every year than do automobiles and homicide.  Further, drug warfare drives up crime which endangers Americans and terrorizes the people of supplier countries, such as Mexico;

Suggested change:

WHEREAS, the demand for drugs remains unabated under prohibition -- a policy that has never succeeded. Drug warfare drives up crime, which endangers Americans and terrorizes the people of supplier countries, such as Mexico, as contrasted with drug decriminalization success stories such as Portugal. One-third of Americans have used cannabis, despite strict penalties. Heroin use is an epidemic that kills more Americans every year, a scourge that can be reduced through the voluntary solution of cannabis replacement, as shown in a recent study by Yanhua Ren, et al, published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Here’s a link to the study, if you’re curious..

http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/47/14764 

From: Caryn Ann Harlos [mailto:carynannharlos at gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 6:13 PM
To: Jon Watts <jon.watts at alaskan.com>
Cc: Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>; Libertarian National Committee list <lnc-business at hq.lp.org>

Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] FW: Marijuana Resolution - Request for Co-Sponsors

Chair Watts submitted the following revised resolution- with the following note to the LNC after seeing the comments- "I’ve adjusted and distilled based on everyone’s inputs.  I really appreciate your having taken the time to look at it.  I believe we really have an opportunity to increase individual freedom here.  I forward this new draft for your consideration feeling that it’s close, but can be sharpened more.  I’m glad to hear your thoughts and apologize in advance if I missed any of your inputs or their spirit."

WHEREAS, cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I drug under the United
States Controlled Substances Act, which is an inappropriate classification because it impedes
legal research by industries and universities. Further, the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine concluded cannabis’ medical benefits after reviewing relevant scientific literature, including dozens of works documenting its therapeutic value;

WHEREAS, cannabis is a mild drug with few harmful effects and zero documented fatalities. Labeled, quality-controlled cannabis products are far safer than unlabeled, untested black-market drugs;

WHEREAS, the demand for drugs remains unabated under prohibition -- a policy that has never succeeded.  One-third of Americans have used cannabis, and despite strict penalties against narcotics, heroin use is an epidemic that now kills more Americans every year than do automobiles and homicide.  Further, drug warfare drives up crime which endangers Americans and terrorizes the people of supplier countries, such as Mexico;

WHEREAS, millions of peaceful Americans have been arrested, imprisoned, fined, or otherwise needlessly criminalized and stigmatized, potentially for life, because of their use of cannabis; 

2 million American citizens have been imprisoned, representing the highest incarceration rate of any nation on Earth and 25% the world’s prisoners;  

WHEREAS, over $1 trillion have been spent nationally enforcing drug laws, including those pertaining to cannabis, with the Drug War’s “asset seizure” program has raising over $13 billion for law enforcement across the country, incentivizing the arrest of otherwise peaceful citizens which is often applied in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner;

WHEREAS, existing cannabis laws represent vast government over‐reach into the personal lives of our fellow citizens, violating founding American principles of personal liberty and choice; 

WHEREAS, the citizens of seven states, including Colorado, Washington, Alaska, California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts have voted to fully legalize cannabis, with more states likely to follow, and over 20 states with medical cannabis laws in effect;   

WHEREAS, the economic benefit of legal cannabis products is significant, generating $6.7 billion in 2016 for the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Libertarian Party National Committee supports the full legalization and federal descheduling of cannabis, medical cannabis, and industrial hemp products.

On Sun, Jan 15, 2017 at 7:58 PM, Jon Watts <jon.watts at alaskan.com> wrote:

Colleagues,

I’ve adjusted and distilled based on everyone’s inputs.  I really appreciate your having taken the time to look at it.  I believe we really have an opportunity to increase individual freedom here.  I forward this new draft for your consideration feeling that it’s close, but can be sharpened more.  I’m glad to hear your thoughts and apologize in advance if I missed any of your inputs or their spirit.

In peaceful freedom,

Jon Watts

Chairman

Alaska Libertarian Party

(907) 687-4884

jon.watts at alaskan.com

From: Starchild [mailto:sfdreamer at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 11:54 PM
To: lnc-business at hq.lp.org
Cc: Jon Watts <jon.watts at alaskan.com>
Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] FW: Marijuana Resolution - Request for Co-Sponsors

            I like David's proposed revision because I think the phrase "people of color" despite being widely used is itself racist and therefore best avoided, but I do think it would be worthwhile to address somewhere in the resolution the disparate impact of the "War on Drugs", perhaps by citing some of the statistics about how often members of various groups are arrested, or who is in jail.

            Exactly what the current draft language is, isn't clear to me, but I am certainly supportive of the general idea, especially to the extent it goes beyond discussing only marijuana and references the fundamental right to put whatever we choose into our own bodies. 

            Also potentially worth mentioning is the March 2016 poll that found 61 percent of Americans support legalizing cannabis – http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/10/14/legal-marijuana-laws-by-state-map-united-states/62772/

            The above link also includes a map (updated 11/23/16) listing the current state-by-state status of marijuana laws (the reason I first looked up the page, per Ken's suggestion that we include such info).

            Thanks to Jon Watts for taking the initiative in pushing for a resolution on what continues to be a perennially important topic in the fight to defend freedom in the United States.

Love & Liberty,

                                   ((( starchild )))

At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee

                                (415) 625-FREE

                                  @StarchildSF

On Jan 9, 2017, at 11:00 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:

Hello everyone I am bumping this for further comment before Chair Watts submits something revised to me.

On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 4:52 PM, Jon Watts <jon.watts at alaskan.com> wrote:

Thanks!

Jon

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7 active, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> 

Date: 12/22/16 2:25 PM (GMT-09:00) 

To: Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org>, Jon Watts <jon.watts at alaskan.com> 

Cc: David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net>, "Demarest, David P." <david.demarest at firstdata.com> 

Subject: Re: FW: [Lnc-business] Marijuana Resolution - Request for Co-Sponsors 

I am bumping this for further input before Chair Watts submits a revised proposal for me.

-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 4:12 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org> wrote:

I will be happy to give input.  I am currently a little bogged down with cracking the whip to get the website fixed and to get the IT committee filled out, but the CBD decision is absolutely ridiculous.  There are tons of stories of kids who are getting help with CBD, when no other medicine from the pharma companies helped, and this new rule is sentencing kids to having seizures. I mean, seriously, WTF?

When I used to do my radio show, I used to emphasize the three different categories:  Recreational, Medicinal, and Industrial. I think we should engage MPP or some other outside group like them to give us some stats.  # of states with full-legal. # of states with medical THC. # of states with medical CBD.  # of states with Industrial Hemp.   That's a very good place to start.  

We could tie in the DEA's latest action as to why full legalization is necessary; because we can't trust the DEA to discern what's "legitimate" and what's "illegitimate" if they're taking CBD away from kids.

Industrial Hemp is very good from a "green" perspective, too. Hemp paper is stronger and better. The Constitution is written on hemp, which is why it still exists (unlike tree paper, which is not environmentally friendly and not as long-lasting).

We can talk about the violence caused by prohibition. Racism. Incarceration. Making people felons and destroying lives.

And all of this nonsense to keep some people from blowing off steam?  Personally, I reject the entire notion that it's required to "keep people being productive".  Who the hell is anyone to claim what I must produce, or not?  I'm an individual, not a cog in a machine.

And that's what offends me, as a non-user of marijuana.  I am an individual.  I am an adult. I make my own damn choices. 

---

Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
LPKY Judicial Committee

On 2016-12-18 17:44, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:

Ken, I would really love to see your proposed amendments, and Chair Watts would as well.  I agree with you, and would love to see a more solid policy statement.  Will you assist in making this better? 

-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 3:42 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org> wrote:

I do want to reiterate that I'd love to see us bring out a solid policy statement in this regard.  

The recent DEA action to reclassify CBD as Schedule I is completely inexcusable. CBD, beyond other potential health benefits, is medicine for kids with seizures.  The DEA claims that this totally ridiculous action is to enforce some UN mandate.  

This is an opportunity to once again tell the public that the consumption of marijuana, regardless of the THC content, is a peaceful, voluntary act. For some people, it's about material (industrial hemp). For other people, it's medicine (CBD, THC). And yes, for some, it's relaxation (recreational). None of these are violent. Violence is introduced by the state, when laws are written to prohibit these otherwise peaceful actions. 

I don't consume marijuana, but I don't have to be personally affected to support the life and liberty of others. 

Despite popular opposition to full legalization, this latest action by the DEA matters to us here in Kentucky -- a state that continues to expand its industrial hemp production and passed a medical CBD bill in the past couple of years.  I've already contacted congressmen in KY, two of which support Industrial Hemp and CBD (Massie-R, Comer-R).  I'm hopeful that they'll be successful in overturning the FDA on the CBD classification.  You have to be one special kind of sick jerk to deny kids medicine that stops them from having seizures. 

---

Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
LPKY Judicial Committee

On 2016-12-18 14:28, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:

Thank you David. I have sent this google link to the Alaska Chair to follow along, and he plans on tweaking the resolution.  On behalf of the Alaska Affiliate, I thank my fellow committee members for their attention to this.  It is important to the affiliate. 

- Caryn Ann

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 12:21 PM, David Demarest <dpdemarest at centurylink.net> wrote:

Ken: Points well taken and I agree with both.

Caryn: I have the following additional suggestion:

"Whereas, the enforcement of cannabis and other drugs laws has been racist and represents the new Jim Crow, disproportionately targeting and impacting people of color and minorities;

Suggested revision: Whereas prohibition has never worked, is almost universally ignored, serves primarily as job security for public law enforcement and is often applied in an arbitrary discriminatory manner;

                Justification:

I would note that racism may well be a factor in prohibition being enforced "in an arbitrary discriminatory manner". However, racism is a separate but even more important issue that has no place in government and would be better handled privately by the application of the more powerful tools of economic and social ostracism (boycotts, free-speech editorials, shunning, et cetera).

In the long run, there is nothing that government can do that we cannot do better by using our rational-self-interest developed social contracts starting with the Golden Rule and axiomatic action prohibitions based on the Non-Aggression Principle. I trust the average person to handle these issues in a far more effective and moral manner than self-serving elected officials that all too often cave in to the election-driven cronyism inherent in non-competitive governance.

~David Pratt Demarest

From: Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org] On Behalf Of Caryn Ann Harlos
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 12:14 PM
To: Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org>
Cc: Libertarian National Committee list <lnc-business at hq.lp.org>
Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] Marijuana Resolution - Request for Co-Sponsors

Thank you Ken, I will do that.  If you want to privately email me other things you would change the Alaska Chair is actively seeking feedback.

-Caryn Ann

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 11:11 AM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org> wrote:

While you are providing AK feedback, I would like to suggest the removal of a couple of things....

"Whereas, cannabis is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco;"   

I don't like the use of "comparatives".  Saying that cannabis is less harmful than tobacco and alcohol only encourages the nanny-statists to ban tobacco and alcohol.   IMO, we should be framing all arguments from a "people have the right to do what they want to do", not a "well those guys are allowed to do that and that's worse."

"Whereas, existing cannabis laws have not had a significant impact on cannabis availability;"

This should also be removed. There are many people who would use cannabis as a medicinal who are forbidden from doing so.  For that matter, the DEA just reclassified/clarified CBD as Schedule I.  It suggests that the laws don't work anyway so why is there a need to change them?

There are some other things I'd change, and re-arrange, but the two above should be removed IMO.

---

Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
LPKY Judicial Committee

On 2016-12-18 09:08, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:

That is a fair point I will bring to Alaska's attention.  Thanks!

-Caryn Ann

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 6:29 AM Sam Goldstein <goldsteinatlarge at gmail.com> wrote:

Caryn Ann, 

Other than being entirely too long, I cannot support any resolution that "calls on  federal and state legislators to develop new programs".  Our goal is to shrink government at all levels, not to increase it.

Live free,

Sam Goldstein 

Libertarian National Committee

Member at Large

8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101

Indianapolis IN 46260

317-850-0726 Phone

317-582-1773 Fax

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 3:01 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:

I withdrew this from the agenda and deferred to ask by email vote.  The Alaska affiliate requested me to bring this before the LNC - requesting co-sponsors 

Whereas, cannabis is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco;

Whereas, existing cannabis laws represent vast government over

-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus

_______________________________________________
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Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
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-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus

-- 

In Liberty,

Caryn Ann Harlos

Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann. Harlos at LP.org

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus

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Lnc-business mailing list
Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
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