Group: Time to legalize marijuana

Maddy, a local advocate for reforming marijuana laws, believes pot should be decriminalized. The drug is harmless, he says, and prohibition destroys the lives of thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Marijuana is a gateway drug, he said, and compared the consequences to those of a much harder substance, methamphetamine: Those who indulge aren't just harming themselves; they're hurting their families and the community.

Also, Lindsey noted, marijuana is illegal. Possession of single joint is punishable by up to a year in the county jail.

Maddy, 23, is president of the Joplin Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a nonprofit lobby. The local chapter kicks off its public awareness campaign with a concert beginning at 7 p.m. today at Fat Pat's, 532 S. Joplin Ave. The acts slated are the Ben Miller Band, Cinna the Poet and Jah Roots.

Today was chosen because the date - April 20 - is a reference to 420, the counterculture code for time of day to get high.

"We'll have a table full of literature and merchandise from our chapter, as well as some fun games for people to participate in," Maddy said during a recent interview. "The main objectives will be to meet and greet the public, and to have a good time while spreading our message of legalization."

Maddy said that while the long-term goal of Joplin NORML is local decriminalization, there are no immediate plans to launch a petition drive to force a local initiative such as the kind that succeeded in the city of Columbia.

In 2004, voters there approved - by margins of about 2-to-1 - a proposal to allow the medical use of marijuana and another to set the maximum fine for possession of less than 35 grams at $250, with no jail time.

In Joplin, an initiative would require the signatures of 10 percent of registered voters to place the issue on the ballot during a regular election and 15 percent to conduct a special election, said City Clerk Barbara Hogelin.

At last count, she said, there were 33,047 registered voters in Joplin, so that would mean 3,305 signatures would be needed for a regular election and 4,958 for a special election. Marijuana is the fourth-largest cash crop in Missouri, according to the NORML Web site, and has a street value of about $340 million.

Twelve states, including California and New York, have decriminalized marijuana to some degree. Just under half of all states, including Kansas, require users to purchase and affix marijuana tax stamps to their contraband, although few users, if any, comply. The stamps, designed to impose taxes on illegal commerce, are primarily sought by stamp collectors.

"Marijuana prohibition needlessly destroys the lives and careers of literally hundreds of thousands of good, hard-working citizens each year in this country," Maddy said. "Joplin is no exception."

Also, he said, Joplin is a college town, and students face the withdrawal of federal financial aid if they are convicted of marijuana possession. But if possession of a small amount was reduced to the level of a traffic fine, he said, students would not risk loss of their financial aid.

"The vast majority of marijuana smokers, like most other Americans, are good citizens who work hard, raise families, pay taxes and contribute in a positive way to the communities they live in," Maddy said. "We should reflect this reality in our city, state and federal laws, and put to rest the myth that marijuana smoking is a fringe or deviant activity engaged in only by those on the edges of our society."

Maddy, a network administrator for a local company, said he smokes pot but has never been busted. Marijuana, he said, provides him a safer way to relax than using alcohol - and he doesn't have to worry about taking too much because "in recorded history, there has never been a marijuana overdose."

He also said marijuana does not cause the many thousands of deaths that are associated with alcohol and tobacco.

But Lindsey - who said he has never smoked any kind of cigarette, marijuana or otherwise - sees things differently. The police chief said he has never met Maddy, but he would be glad to talk to him about why he opposes decriminalization.

"The department supports the DARE program, and we teach that in all 14 elementary schools," he said, referring to the federal Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. "The DARE program centers around the gateway drugs of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. These drugs generally lead to increased drug use of the so-called harder drugs, and I firmly believe that."

Using marijuana, Lindsey said, is not a healthy choice. He said he believes the drug contains carcinogens and other hazards. Maddy said there is no conclusive evidence that regular use of marijuana is a health risk. He said that only a small percentage of those who try marijuana go on to use harder drugs.

Lindsey said he did not know offhand how many marijuana arrests are made each year in Joplin, but said the drug is "prevalent."

Possession of less than 35 grams (about 1 1/4 ounces) of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine.

Possession of 35 grams or more is a Class C felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of $5,000.

Stiffer penalties face those who sell or distribute, or deal within 1,000 feet of a school.

The term originated in 1971 at San Rafael (Calif.) High School among a group of about a dozen pot-smoking students who called themselves the Waldos. The term was shorthand for the time of day the group would meet, at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur, to smoke pot.

Globe Investigative Writer Max McCoy recently interviewed Kelly Maddy, the 23-year-old president of Joplin NORML, via Internet Chat. The following has been edited for length.

Maddy: Marijuana prohibition needlessly destroys the lives and careers of literally hundreds of thousands of good, hard-working citizens each year in this country. Joplin is no exception. It is a misapplication of police

force in our opinion that invites government into areas of our private lives that are inappropriate and wastes valuable law enforcement resources that should be focused on serious and violent crime.

Maddy: Joplin is a college town, and prohibition affects not just regular citizens, but students as well. The Higher Education Act of 1998 makes it possible to have your federal financial aid withdrawn because of a drug possession charge, even a joint. But in theory a rapist or murderer in effect could successfully apply for aid. We see a serious problem with that. When prosecuted as a municipal offense, like a traffic ticket, a marijuana offense would not prohibit a student their federal aid. To answer your other question, yes, Columbia, MO in 2004 presidential election passed

Maddy: That is something that is a future goal for us in Joplin. We are a very new organization and plan to hold events and forums to educate the public about the damage marijuana prohibition inflicts on the otherwise law-abiding citizen.

McCoy: That leads us to the April 20 event. First, tell me the significance of "4 - 20."

Maddy: The term 420 originated at San Rafael High School (California), in 1971, among a group of about a dozen pot-smoking students who called themselves the Waldos, who are now pushing 50. The term was shorthand for

the time of day the group would meet, at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur, to smoke pot. Intent on developing their own discreet language, they made 420 code for a time to get high, and its use spread among members of an

entire generation. A local radio station, 105.3, even runs a bit at 4:20 p.m. everyday to signify this code.

Maddy: We are holding a benefit concert with 3 regional bands, The Ben Miller Band, Cinna the Poet, and Jah Roots @ Fat Pat's on 6th and Main. We will have a table full of literature and merchandise from our chapter as well as some fun games for people to participate in. The main objectives will be to meet and greet the public, and to have a good time while spreading our message of legalization. Doors will be open @ 7pm, and the music starts @ 8pm w/ the Ben Miller Band followed by Cinna the Poet, and then Jah Roots. The admission is 5 dollars and all proceeds go to Joplin

McCoy: End of yes or no questions. You said you smoke, so tell me what it does for you.

Maddy: It provides me a safer way to relax recreationally in contrast to the person that uses alcohol. I know it won't make me violent or severely intoxicated (ie..alcohol) I don't ever have to worry about ingesting to much, because in recorded history there has never been a marijuana overdose, again unlike alcohol and tobacco that causes directly and indirectly

Maddy: For me no, but we make people who do need it for medical reasons criminals and deny them access to medication in some cases where it is a life and death matter for them. But it is a plant with many uses ... over 50,000 ... including industrial hemp which is a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis. Food, clothing, plastic, building materials, medicines, vanity products ... etc.

McCoy: My high school guidance counselor told me that marijuana would lead to harder stuff. Does it?

Maddy: There is no conclusive evidence that the effects of marijuana are casually linked to the subsequent use of other drugs. Statistically, for every 104 Americans who have tried marijuana, there is only one regular user of cocaine, and less than one user of heroin. Marijuana is clearly a "terminus" rather than a gateway for the overwhelming majority of marijuana smokers. In the Netherlands, where the lawmakers decided over 25 years ago to separate marijuana from the illegal drug market by permitting coffee shops all over the country to sell small amounts of marijuana to adults,

individuals use marijuana and other drugs at rates less than half of their American counterparts.

Maddy: According to the U.S. Institute of Medicine, fewer than one in 10 marijuana smokers become regular users, and most voluntarily cease their use after 34 years of age. By comparison, 15 percent of alcohol users and 32 percent of tobacco smokers show symptoms of drug dependence. Put in contrast with other drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and even caffeine, the effects of marijuana withdrawal are generally pretty mild.

Maddy: It is everywhere, it is a shame that Johnny drug dealer could set up shop in any school yard he chooses because we as adults can't tax and regulate it like alcohol and tobacco. To put it bluntly, I have never seen a

McCoy: Aren't you afraid that some of the pot you get will be laced with some kind of toxin?

Maddy: Quality is an issue while it is in the black market as well. The supply quality could all be taken care of if it was a tax and regulated drug. But from what I have read, there are no problems with serious issues such as toxins and herbicides. A dozen raw potatoes pose more of a threat toxicity-wise then marijuana. I think a lot of that fear stems from several samples taken in the 1970s that had trace amounts of a herbicide, known as Paraquat, that the Mexican government used on fields of marijuana.

McCoy: Isn't marijuana passé now? I mean, don't most people associate pot with hippies?

Maddy: According to recent statistics provided by the federal government, nearly 80 million Americans admit having smoked marijuana. Of these, 20 million Americans smoked marijuana during the past year. The vast majority of marijuana smokers, like most other Americans, are good citizens who work hard, raise families, pay taxes and contribute in a positive way to the communities they live in. Many successful business and professional

leaders, including many state and elected federal officials, admit they have smoked marijuana. We should reflect this reality in our city, state, and federal laws, and put to rest the myth that marijuana smoking is a fringe or deviant activity engaged in only by those on the edges of our society. Marijuana smokers are no different from their non-smoking peers, except for their marijuana use.

McCoy: Okay, we're down to the last question (maybe). Do you have any advice for somebody who is busted for pot in Joplin?

Maddy: I would say get legal assistance; you are going to need it. There is a directory of NORML lawyers on the national website at www.norml.org that can be referenced.

Maddy: Possibly! Ha Ha ... Marijuana users are just people with slightly more receptive taste buds ;)

Maddy: Use doesn't always equal abuse and people should have the freedom to make bad choices and learn, like we allow with other choices for adults that are not appropriate for children, as a free society we owe it to ourselves to stay that way.

In a free society, you don't need a valid reason to make something "legal". You need a valid reason to make something "illegal".

The push to criminalize marijuana in the early 20th century was completely based on fear, racism, and ignorance. Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol.

"Marijuana is a gateway drug, he said,..."

And hair will grow on your palms if you keep touching yourself.

Hey lets all get high, lay around and watch the illegal mexican invasion.

4 posted on 04/27/2006 1:56:59 PM PDT by samadams2000 (Somebody important make The Call.....pitchforks and lanterns.!)

5 posted on 04/27/2006 1:58:26 PM PDT by Redleg Duke (Kennedy and Kerry, the two Commissars of the Peoples' Republic of Massachusetts!)

"The push to criminalize marijuana in the early 20th century was completely based on fear, racism, and ignorance."

I don't beleive more disinformation and out-right lies have ever been used in any other "anti" campaign. People have been methodically and purposely misled for years.

A naturally occuring plant is "illegal". Unreal.

..in recorded history there has never been a marijuana overdose

Ummm. I've read of at least 2 in the last year right here on FR. I'm about to head out of work, but when I get home I'll try to run a search and find the stories. I believe the articles mentioned the THC factor was higher (pun unintended) than they'd ever seen before.

7 posted on 04/27/2006 2:04:37 PM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)

Hey lets all get high, lay around and watch the illegal mexican invasion.

Much better if we get drunk and watch the illegal Mexican invasion, right?

8 posted on 04/27/2006 2:05:23 PM PDT by Know your rights (The modern enlightened liberal doesn't care what you believe as long as you don't really believe it.)

I've read of at least 2 [marijuana overdoses] in the last year right here on FR.

I recall one case where a UK coroner could find no cause of death, but did find THC, and so ridiculously concluded that the THC caused the death. Please do track down that other case; I'll bet it's just as good for a laugh.

9 posted on 04/27/2006 2:07:29 PM PDT by Know your rights (The modern enlightened liberal doesn't care what you believe as long as you don't really believe it.)

What's unreal is that the same dumb*ss article keeps getting posted every two days.

11 posted on 04/27/2006 2:07:46 PM PDT by Richard Kimball (I like to make everyone's day a little more surreal)

You potheads

I'm not a pothead. You WOD bootlickers just keep on mudslingin'.

12 posted on 04/27/2006 2:08:51 PM PDT by Know your rights (The modern enlightened liberal doesn't care what you believe as long as you don't really believe it.)

the same dumb*ss article keeps getting posted every two days.

Link?

13 posted on 04/27/2006 2:09:28 PM PDT by Know your rights (The modern enlightened liberal doesn't care what you believe as long as you don't really believe it.)

This is the way I see it anyway (insert irony)

God made pot = bad
Man made booze = good

Also, Lindsey noted, marijuana is illegal.

LOL.

Why is it bad?

Because it's illegal.

Why is it illegal?

Because it's bad.

16 posted on 04/27/2006 2:15:24 PM PDT by toddlintown (Lennon takes six bullets to the chest, Yoko is standing right next to him and not one f'ing bullet?)

Maddy, a local advocate for reforming marijuana laws, believes pot should be decriminalized.

The drug is harmless, he says, and prohibition destroys the lives of thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

This "Crazie" doesn't know his butt from a hole in the ground and must be ignored.

Just another song of the "Sirenes" crafted to trap other numb noggins such as himself.

18 posted on 04/27/2006 2:27:31 PM PDT by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)

Hey lets all get high, lay around and watch the illegal mexican ~~invasion~~ cable.

There we go much better now.

"What's unreal is that the same dumb*ss article keeps getting posted every two days."

Well, can't argue with that.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.