Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 9:59 am | By: Radical Russ
(Jacksonville.com) TALLAHASSEE — It might not solve the state’s budget crisis, but a bipartisan pair of lawmakers think they’ve found another item that should be taxed: the bong.
Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, and Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, have both filed legislation that would subject a range of pipes often used to smoke crack or marijuana to a 25 percent tax.
“What we hope to do is get rid of the charade, the hypocrisy,” Rouson said.
It’s something of a personal crusade for Rouson, who can still recite from memory the date he finally broke his own substance-abuse problems. The lawmaker said he’s been clean for more than 11 years after struggling with crack, alcohol and marijuana.
Wow, he still has enough memory to remember a single date in his own personal history. What a feat. I can still remember my first ever junior high locker combination (9-18-36). Whoo-hoo.
Wise said, the aim is to increase the cost of peddling the pipes.“We’re trying to get to the wholesalers and jack up the price big-time,” Wise said.
So let’s see, these two geniuses, Senator Ironic Surname and Representative Memory Master, are going to combat the head shop industry by taxing pipes and bongs that remain legal because the pipe or bong itself isn’t illegal until someone smokes pot out of it. The problem, you see, is that they can’t just shut down the “charade” because technically, you could smoke tobacco out of those pipes and bongs.
OK, besides the two obvious questions, “Why not just tax the pot they put in the bongs?” and “Won’t people just make apple / potato / honey bear bongs?”, I’m seeing a third question that’s a bit more subtle: how do you define a tax on certain legal items you don’t like because people do illegal things with them without also taxing the similar legal items people don’t do illegal things with?
In other words, how do you tax a pot pipe without taxing the tobacco pipe? I suppose you define its composition (e.g. made of glass) and construction (e.g. has a carb) and tax only those, but if you do that, aren’t you just making a stronger case for the legality of pipes and bongs that will be made to beat the tax? Here’s a plastic bong with a cork in the carb… is that subject to the 25% tax now? If not, is it now defined as a tobacco pipe under Florida law? What about this stainless steel pipe with screwed-on disposable bowl, carb, and mouthpiece covers and a carabiner for your keys? Is it a pot pipe or a decorative keychain? What’s the tax on keychains?
Besides, they specifically allow an exemption for hookahs, because of the Middle Eastern cultural aspects. So let me get this straight: a foreign culture has centuries of history smoking flavored tobaccos from a multi-user bong, that’s OK, but our domestic culture has decades of history smoking cannabis from a single-user bong and that’s not OK. And of course, nobody would consider buying a not-taxed-25% hookah and smoking cannabis out of that, would they?
If you could write statutes that distinguish the difference between a pot pipe and a tobacco pipe in order to tax them separately, wouldn’t you be able to write statutes to just make the pot pipes illegal?
Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 8:00 pm | By: Amanda
Thank you for contacting me to express your views on the War on Drugs. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
I believe we cannot ignore the serious effects that drugs have on healthy families and communities, and I believe there should be serious consequences in place to discourage people from using and selling drugs. I am very concerned about reports that drug use among children is at unacceptable levels. This problem cannot be ignored. I believe it is vitally important that all of us, including parents, kids, public officials, law enforcement officers and health professionals, address the nation’s drug problems in a way that tackles all sides of the issue.
To combat the drug control problem in the United States, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) focus on preventing use through community action and education, healing America’s drug users by providing treatment and support resources where they are needed, and disrupting the drug market by attacking the economic basis of the drug trade.
Additionally, the U.S. government is working with foreign governments to curb the dangerous international trade in illicit drugs. Collaborative anti-drug initiatives include raising public awareness on the dangers of the illegal drug trade; judicial reform to improve the enforcement of drug laws around the world; and providing viable, sustainable economic alternatives to drug cultivation.
As discussions continue on how best to combat the destructive influence of drugs in America’s communities and around the world, please be assured I will keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of your views. If I can be of any further assistance to you on this or other issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 4:47 pm | By: Radical Russ
Join us this weekend on Saturday at 6pm Pacific for another episode of NORML SHOW LIVE! (http://live.norml.org) We’re going to the movies, or at least a small part of the movies is coming to us. Actor Hal B. Klein from independent films “Nobel Son”, “Killer Movie”, and “Bottle Shock” joins us to talk about (what else?) cooking! Hold on, there’s a 420 angle to his recipes that will definitely add some flavor to our first hour.
In our second hour, writer/director Tao Ruspoli is our guest. His new movie, “Fix”, is a race-against-time thriller that stars Ruspoli, Olivia Wilde, and Shawn Andrews traversing Los Angeles to get to a rehab before missing a deadline sends Andrews’ character back to prison. We’ll explore the realities of addiction and Los Angeles life that serve as the backdrop of his film.
We’ve also got the week’s top news stories with Cannabis Karri, debunking and opinion by “Radical” Russ, and your calls live at 347-994-1810. Call in and give your thanks for this holiday weekend.
Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 4:20 pm | By: Radical Russ
Perth, Australia's Karnivool
Karnivool is a five-piece alternative rock/progressive rock music group from Perth, Western Australia formed in 1997 as a high school band which played parties using a set of covers of Nirvana and Carcass with some originals. By 1998, lead singer Ian Kenny changed their set to entirely originals, removing all early members— and the band was named Karnivool, perhaps derived from an anecdotal description that the original members were “a bunch of clowns” around Perth.
In 1999 the band released its debut self-titled EP, Karnivool, and in March 2001 they released a second EP, Persona. At the 2001 West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMi Awards) the band won ‘Best Original Metal Act’, with “Fade” from Persona nominated for ‘Most Popular Local Original Song’. Shortly after they won the WA State Final of the National Campus Band Competition, and they competed in the National Finals held in Hobart, Tasmania.
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Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 4:00 pm | By: Amanda
I will say that I have not been a supporter of medicinal marijuana, but I am open to researching the merits of it as a medicine. If you have any data from studies that have been conducted I will certainly look them over.
One of my greatest concerns is the use of medicinal marijuana by individuals within the work place. There is a clear mind/mood altering affect on users of marijuana. I would not want someone working next to me that has been drinking alcohol any more than someone who has smoked marijuana. As a business owner the safety of our staff is paramount and I am not comfortable with employees entering the workplace with reduced faculties.
Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 12:00 pm | By: Amanda
Thank you for taking the time to contact my office about H.R. 2835, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.
I appreciate you bringing this situation to my attention, and I agree with you that a person should not be denied access to needed medical care for legally following their doctor’s advice. The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act is currently in the House of Representatives and has not been introduced in the Senate; however, I do not support the legalization of marijuana or any legislation that declassifies it as a Schedule I drug.
Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.
Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 8:00 am | By: Amanda
Marijuana is a very dangerous drug and the legalization of it is a controversial issue. Our nation is looking for ways to prevent our young people smoking cigarettes while also dealing with the enormous health costs associated with long-term smoking. If we were to simultaneously eliminate society’s attempts to restrict marijuana smoking, we would be sending mixed messages to our young people and encouraging an expensive as well as destructive habit. It is also very dangerous for anyone attempting to drive on our streets, operate hazardous equipment, or pilot public transportation such as commercial aircraft while under the influence of mind altering drugs. The rights and protections to our society always need to be weighed with individual rights to engage in destructive behavior.
Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 8:00 pm | By: Amanda
Thank you for contacting me with your support for H.R.2835, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this issue.
As you may be aware, marijuana is a Scheduled I substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Marijuana was placed in this most restricted category because it was found to have a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in the U.S. and lacks accepted Safety standards for use.
While I have heard the arguments for using marijuana for medicinal reasons, I am also aware of the availability of other legal drugs that can better treat the symptoms allegedly alleviated by marijuana. I believe doctors and medical professionals, in consultation with their patients, should be making medical treatment decisions, however, doctors are limited to prescribing drugs that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers to be safe for their intended use. The FDA, which uses rigorous scientific studies to determine the safety of a proposed drug, does not consider marijuana to be safe or effective. You may refer to the FDA’s statement on medicinal marijuana at:
http://www.fdagov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2006/ucm108643.htm
There are ongoing studies on the toxicology of marijuana and cannabis but there are currently no peer-reviewed studies that have proven the safety of marijuana use for either recreational or medicinal use. The American Medical Association recommends that marijuana remain a Schedule I controlled substance and a recent study at the Mayo Clinic showed that THC (tetrahydrocannabional) was less effective than standard treatments in helping cancer patients regain lost appetites. As the father of three, I also believe allowing the medical use of marijuana sends the wrong message to our children that using this drug poses no risk and is harmless. Additionally, legalizing marijuana would only make it that much more difficult for our law enforcement to distinguish between medical and recreational users.
The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act would prevent federal authorities from prosecuting pharmacies, growers and users of medical marijuana in states that have legalized use for medical reasons. Rest assured that while we may disagree on this issue, I will keep your specific thoughts firmly in mind as Congress continues to discuss this important issue.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 4:20 pm | By: John Doe
Coolie High
The West Coast rapper formerly known as Coolie or Coolwadda is primed and ready for his solo debut on Asphalt Entertainment, LLC, the label he recently formed with close friend and business associate, Keith K-Mack Boles. Coolie High is the culmination of many months on the mic, spitting verse after verse on track after track. Born Stacy Wagner and raised by a single mom in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, Coolie was a hip-hop baby who came to the life through breakdancing. Coolie and his friends started freestyling because there wasn’t really anything else to do once the breakdancing era played out.
Coolie has been making a name for himself in the rap game for more than a decade. In 1995, he joined a crew called The Tone Def Clique, where he met fellow rapper Chico. The two would eventually partner up to become Chico and Coolwadda, and release two full-length albums, WILD N THE WEST (MCA) and PARALLEL(456 Ent.). Both projects garnered modest success, critical acclaim, and put them in the company of numerous platinum selling producers, including Chris The Glove Taylor (Dr. Dre) and Mahogany (Jay-Z).
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Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 4:00 pm | By: Amanda
Thank you for contacting me regarding the use and decriminalization of marijuana. I sincerely appreciate hearing from you on this issue.
The Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v. Raich regarding medical marijuana made it clear that the U.S. Congress has the authority to regulate the use of marijuana within the states. Any change to the drug laws to allow medical marijuana would require a change in law passed by Congress and signed by the President.
While I am a strong believer in personal freedom, I do not support the recreational or medical use of illegal drugs regardless of whether the drug is marijuana, cocaine, or any other illegal substance. Congress has made decisions to protect our nation from certain illegal drugs, and allowing each state to make its own decision would adversely affect the protections that exist against those substances.
Hearing the views of all Georgians gives me the opportunity to better understand how important issues could impact the people of Georgia and the future interests of the nation. As your representative, I appreciate your opinion. Unfortunately, this is one of the issues I feel strongly about and I cannot support legislation to decriminalize marijuana use.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact me. For additional information regarding current legislation and the Third District, I invite you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/westmoreland.
GATOKER: @RR: Your stash is full. Fatal Memory error.
RevRayGreen: again thanx for everyone celebrating w/me
eleven1176: @TS You and me both, brother. Here's to the future
eleven1176: How to Quit Smoking Marijuana http://tinyurl.com/yh44u4w Reading this got me to thinking how much I love smoking MJ.
Track Snack: It is maddening that a bunch of brain washed reefer madness zealots are all that stand in the way of ending so much pain and anguish.
Track Snack: @eleven; Both my wife and I have both lost our mothers at an early age due to breast cancer. I really hope this is looked into deeper, as I would [...]
eleven1176: "Medical Marijuana" Takes On New Meaning for Metastatic Breast Cancer http://tinyurl.com/ycjdo2l
The Bluzguy: I wrote to educate George Wills, and urge fellow stash-mates to do the same. Thx, MrSpof!
MrSpof: Rocky Mountain high http://tinyurl.com/ye9duru 'Inside the green neon sign, which is shaped like a marijuana leaf, is a red cross. The cross serves the fiction that most transactions [...]
Mikey: Mike's from San Fran too! Yeah I'm quite sure he burns. I'm willing to bet a pipe gets passed around AFTER all the dangerous stuff at the Mythbuster camp too.
Mikey: Hey check it out! Another upstate New Yorker! Howdy from Corning neighbor! It gets lonely out here in the wilderness. This puffs to you in the hopes that Albany will [...]
Marijuana-Related Health Costs Minimal Compared To Those Of Alcohol, Tobacco; California Medical Association Says Pot Prohibition Is A "Failed Public Health Policy"; Oregon: State NORML Affiliate Opens First 'Cannabis Café'. […]
American Medical Association Calls For Scientific Review Of Marijuana's Prohibitive Status; Dutch Marijuana Use Lower Than European Average, Study Says […]
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
Some of the nation’s top athletes discuss why today's pros are turning to cannabis — and away from alcohol and painkillers — off the field, and question why pro sports leagues are continuing to sanction those who do. Moderator: Steve Bloom, Author, Pot Culture; editor, celebstoner.com * Toby Grear, MMA fighter * Sean Neumann, Documentary Filmm […]
Cannabis Law Reform's Missing Link: Law Enforcement Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper; LEAP and NORML Advisory Board; Author of Breaking Rank Putting the Mexican Cartels Out of Business Mexican drug cartels now employ over 100,000 soldiers and are responsible for nearly ten thousand deaths per year. Their largest source of income is marijuana. […]
Florida lawmakers propose 25% “bong tax”
and roasting 
somewhere 
Hope all is well with everyone 
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