There is no greater compliment you can pay me than to listen to my words and put them into action in your own home state. Kudos to Lee Arnold (Stasher Moustafa Rex) who published this op-ed in the Charleston Gazette:
West Virginia finds itself in a unique position to lead the way in this aspect of the changing landscape of marijuana law.
Production in West Virginia is so prolific, it is included in the federally funded Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area region with Kentucky and Tennessee. Despite this, the state continually ranks in the top 10 in estimated marijuana production. In other words, the money being spent on marijuana eradication efforts through the law enforcement’s “drug war” efforts are falling flat and doing little more for our economy than misappropriating funds into a losing battle. In the case of marijuana, it is a battle that has no legitimate reason to be waged to begin with. The effort might be making things worse.
Prohibition can be blamed for nearly all of the violence claimed to be associated with marijuana. The dangers are directly related to law enforcement efforts. Prohibition only makes criminals rich. We learned that the hard way with alcohol prohibition, but apparently failed to apply the logic elsewhere.
With our already booming marijuana market, it is time we capitalize on it by taxing and regulating.
This is the mission of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. A new chapter of NORML is forming in West Virginia, and we intend to take these issues to our Legislature and ask them to consider reforming an antiquated law drafted in fear with misinformation and enforced with fear and the spread of misinformation. This effort will have to be led on the state level. Those interested in getting involved can contact us at wvnorml@gmail.com.
i live in WV..i totally agree 100% ..the reason why the US govt wont legalize it is for one its political and two they all cant siphon off weed profits into their pockets..it could make a lot of money for the state..but..as usual..WV will always be behind on everything…the politicians wont do it here bc they want to ge re elected into office instead of helping people..
Love the farmer story , how true!!
We need to take a stand for the legalization in WV. Lets lead the way for decriminmialization , legalization
and give our selves the opporytunity to grow it legally sell it legally smoke it legally and give the police something else to do with their helicoptors.
Lets give those who would benefit from its medicinal properties an oportunity to obtain it easily without risk of being arrested for trying to ease the effects of chemotherapy. Lets get liscences to grow it for sale on our land and supplement our incomes or make it our livelihood if we desire to make our living that way.
Lets get out to vote in record numbers when it is time and let the state and federal government know we
want those rights.
We can do it , but we must all stand together ,speak with one clear loud , intelligent voice and VOTE .
We are poised to get what we really want , but we have to all be willing to commit and follow through.
if you have never voted before it is time to register and do it when the issue comes up. If you never vote again at least be willing to vote one time. vote on legalizing marijuana in West Virginia.
( Cannibus Legallis Westviginiallis )
The Mountain State Wild Wondreful Legal
How about that on a liscence plate?
Thats what I think,
Bruce
yay west virginia you rock
Subject: THE POWER OF A BADGE
DEA officer stops at a farm in WV , and talks with an old farmer. He tells the farmer, “I need to inspect your farm for illegally grown drugs.” The farmer says, “Okay , but do not go in that field over there,” as he points out the location.
The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, ” Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.” Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the farmer. “See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish…. On any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand? ”
The farmer nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.
A short time later, the old farmer hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the farmer’s big Santa Gertrudis bull……
With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he’ll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified. The farmer throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs…..
” Your badge. Show him your BADGE !
Very nice statement! Go WV!
Most of the commenters on this story at the Charleston Gazette were hipocrites I guess too many in the closet in WV But we do have some dam mean state cops I think they recruit them off death row I registered and left my comment Hope it makes some wonder
Very nice, I hope it brings people together to fight for your state.
I have been leaving ads like this in my local papers since march of this year for a Norml Chapter in KY, I havent had any responce to 5 diffrent such articals. I wish you better luck than I have had in KY. Your efforts in WV will help break the Ice in KY when it come to drug reform. You and TN Norml are the two biggest hopes I have of awakening the movement here in KY. SO thank you.