Ask Blog of Bile - NJ Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act
Posted on May 21st, 2008 by bosco Categories and Tags: Uncategorized, Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee, DEA, drugs, Entertainment, freedom, liberty, lobbyists, marijuana, New Jersey, prohibition, regulation, Senior Services Committee, state house, Trenton, your rightsBile was kind enough to forward me an email stating that A.804: The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was going to be heard by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. The email suggested using this link to send an email (or letter) to the members of the committee. Now I thought short and fleetingly about whether or not I should send a letter. I ended up typing something up, but I’m not sure if it would help or hurt the cause. That’s where you guys come in. Based on this letter, which may or may not be emailed tomorrow morning, what do you think, help or hurt?
I am composing this letter to give you my opinion on the “NJ Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act”. I will be forthright. I think it is an egregious breach of my civil liberties that I am not allowed to do whatever I like with my body. I also think that for the majority of people marijuana has very limited medical use. Obtaining a government issued license (registry identification card) to use marijuana would highlight the infringement of my rights. This begs the questions, why am I writing you to support this act?
People’s opinions do not change overnight. It takes time for people to fully understand something. Society is slowly discovering the true effects of marijuana, both positive and negative. Any legislation that would make people more familiar with the actual effects of marijuana as opposed to the propaganda produced by the government could cause a shift in public opinion. For these reasons I think you should help pass this act.
I understand that for some of you this is exactly the opposite of what you wanted to hear. One of the major arguments I hear opposing medical marijuana is that it will cause people to think marijuana use is acceptable. My response to that is simple. It is. There are eleven of you on this committee. Though you may never admit it, chances are six of you have tried marijuana. Obviously you lived through the experience. I can think of far more lethal plants that are currently legal, Atropa Belladonna comes to mind. Passing this act could help the public to realize that our current policy of incarcerating people for choosing to use a drug that is relatively harmless is futile.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any questions or would like to speak to me in person I would be happy to oblige you. I live in Trenton so I can actually bike down to the state house. My address and phone number are attached.
Blog of Bile PS: Oh and for the record, my opinion changes overnight, but I’m a weirdo.
3 Responses to “Ask Blog of Bile - NJ Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act”
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May 21st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Sounds good to me. I’m not familiar with the liberalness of NJ pols but I know in NH while they have failed in getting marijuana re legalized they have made significant increases in support in just a few years. Pols are typically oppertunists. If they receive enough support for a particular thing they will likely go along with it. Your letter will be counted in the pro category and regardless of the outcome the more pro the better.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 am
So really we can settle most matters with an American Idol style phone vote in. Maybe get P. Diddy a shirt that says "vote for A.804 or die". I really like the change the perception message of this letter. Good job bosco.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
No reference to the drug war and spending my money on incarcerating pot dealers? Doesn’t NJ have a budget deficit? The sooner NJ legalizes marijuana, the sooner they can start taxing it.