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

Caryn Ann Harlos carynannharlos at gmail.com
Mon Jan 16 22:13:00 EST 2017


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,
>
>
>
> [image: ALP Logo]
>
>
>
> 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 <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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 <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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 <(317)%20850-0726> Phone
>
> 317-582-1773 <(317)%20582-1773> 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 <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Lnc-business mailing list
> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>
>
>



-- 
*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 <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
<http://www.lpcolorado.org>
Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
<http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
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