The Happy Agnostic Man

"Incoming Seattle Mayor Wants to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol"

2009-12-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

MPP.org has posted a very interesting article recently. It looks as if Seattle mayor-elect Mike McGinn will support efforts to legalize marijuana in the great state of Washington. Looks like next year will be a big year both for California AND Washington. By next November I think there is a good chance we will have at least one state to legally recognize that it's time to END PROHIBITION!

Today's Question of the Day:

What impact will having the mayor of the state's largest city have on state-wide legalization?

* Today's Poll *

2009-12-26T09:27:00.000-08:00

Generally speaking, is the recreational usage of marijuana safer than that of alcohol, equal to alcohol, or less safe than alcohol?

An explanation of your response is welcome but not required :)

YES WE CAN!

2009-12-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

We CAN legalize marijuana in this country. I don't believe this commercial is enough to persuade a prohibitionist to see the truth, but it certainly won't hurt!

It's Christmas!!

2009-12-25T10:50:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone. May the light of the Lord shine upon you :)

2009: The Year In Review – NORML's Top 10 Events That Shaped Marijuana Policy

2009-12-24T08:23:00.000-08:00

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has posted it's top 10 events of 2009 that have helped the progression of reform. Here is a list of the ten events:

Obama Administration: Don't Focus On Medical Marijuana Prosecutions
Public Support For Legalizing Pot Hits All-Time High
Lifetime Marijuana Use Associated With Reduced Cancer Risk
AMA Calls For Review Of Marijuana's Prohibitive Status
California: Lawmakers Hold Historic Hearing On Marijuana Legalization
Maine Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Dispensaries Coming To Washington, DC In 2010
Oakland: Voters Approve First-In-The-Nation Medical Marijuana Business Tax
Rasmussen Poll: Majority Of Americans Say Marijuana Is Safer Than Alcohol
Many Teens See Medical Cannabis As Alternative Treatment Option
Oregon NORML Opens 'Cannabis Café,' Media Frenzy Follows

I can't wait to see what 2010 will bring. With the Obama administration halting its prosecution of those using medical marijuana in states where it is legal, I think we will see a few more states be added to that list. Even more exciting, California will most likely have a bill to legalize pot on the November ballot. Here is an excerpt from the article telling about this:

The initiative would allow cities and counties to adopt laws to allow marijuana to be grown and sold, and to impose taxes on marijuana production and sales. It would make it legal for anyone who is at least 21 to possess an ounce of marijuana and grow plants in an area of no more than 25 square feet for personal use.

Of course, this would be winning only half the battle. Even if California does legalize pot, the feds still have laws against it. The federal government needs to remove its laws concerning the personal use of marijuana and leave it up to the states to decide how they want to treat it. Ohio has already decriminalized the personal possession of up to 100 grams of pot. In Ohio, if you are caught with no more than that 100 grams, you will at worst pay a fine (much like traffic violation) and maybe have a couple months of probation. Unless you are selling it, or unless you are cultivating more than 100 grams, you really have no chance of going to jail for possession only.

The sad thing is that in most states, if you are busted for simple possession, you will have tougher consequences than in Ohio. As soon as there is a bill in Ohio to legalize the personal possession and cultivation for personal use, you had better count on seeing me raising support for it.

Here is the question of the day: Do you feel like the federal government should decide what happens to adult Americans who responsibly use marijuana recreationally? Or should the states get to decide on what their own laws will be without federal interference?

Follow-Up to Tuesday's Question of the Day

2009-12-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

Cmill's last point in his first comment of yesterday's post reminded me of a certain celebrity currently under fire due to his marital, and extra-marital, behavior. I'm not going to focus on his infidelity, but rather the prenup he has with his wife. I saw on the news that his wife signed an agreement when they married that would guarantee her certain dollar amounts when she stayed married to her husband for certain numbers of years.

I actually found this to be more disturbing than the affairs themselves. I hate it when a marriage is set up with the expectancy of eventual divorce. This makes it a business agreement, not a marriage. As Cmill hinted at, there are certain benefits that come with a legal marriage...

So here is the follow-up question: Should a legal marriage be granted to people who make it clear that there is at least a reasonable likelihood that it will eventually end when it is no longer convenient? And if such a marriage exists and is found to be basically a business agreement, should the government have the right to revoke or annul such a marriage?

Question of the Day!

2009-12-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

CNN reported Tuesday that Mexico City has officially legalized gay marriage. Below you will find a link to the story.

I think it is great that Mexico City has taken this giant leap forward. I honestly have always viewed Mexico as a much more conservative, traditional country that would look down on such behavior of its citizens. After seeing the capital of our ally country to the south finally grant the civil rights these humans deserve, I am calling on OUR capital to DO THE SAME! In the late 90's D.C. voted to allow the medical usage of marijuana, and some dumbass had to screw it up and put a block on it, among other things the capital had voted on. Within the last couple weeks that ban has been lifted, thus allowing ill D.C. residents to get the medicine they have the right to. As great as this is, D.C. needs to legalize same-sex marriages and set yet another example for the rest of the country.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE NOW!!!

So here is a two-part question. Do you believe Washington D.C. in particular should legalize gay marriage? Why or why not?

CNN Report on Mexico City Legalizing Gay Marriage and Adoption

First Happy Blog Ever

2009-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello world. Today I am writing my first blog. Starting January 1st, I will be updating my blog on a daily basis. I will be discussing my thoughts on a variety of topics, including religion, education, health care, gay marriage, and the ongoing battle for the legalization of marijuana. Those are just the first five issues that I thought about.

Here is a little about myself: I am 21, straight, married, and about to be a dad. I used to be a devout Apostolic Pentecostal Christian, but now I'm just a happy agnostic man. I am a high school graduate, though I do plan on furthering my education hopefully soon. I feel the federal and state governments should be working together to provide health care for everyone. I am not gay but I fell gays should be able to legally marry. And last of all I feel it is a terrible injustice for a responsible adult to be charged with breaking the law, simply because he or she likes to smoke some pot from time to time.

I would love to hear everyone's opinions on what I have to say about anything at all. Please leave me comments so we can discuss...whatever you want.

Thanks for reading!