FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: President Jimmy Carter Opposes Legalization, Supports Project SAM and Endorses Work of Patrick Kennedy and Kevin Sabet

Contact: BRAD NELSON, 215-962-7080, brad.kevinsabet@gmail.com

 At meeting with state legislators in Atlanta, the President says the dichotomy of "punishment versus rehabilitation" oversimplifies the issue; worries about legal marijuana being marketed to kids; presumes marijuana revenues will be outweighed by the costs of abuse; says he favors arrests for users leading to treatment, assessments, warning hearings

(Atlanta, GA) - President Jimmy Carter, at a meeting that included state legislators and regulators from Colorado and Washington, as well as most of the states targeted for legalization in 2016, and attended by the nation's premier public health scientists like former White House Deputy Drug Czar Thomas McLellan, announced that despite mischaracterizations, he "opposed the legalization of marijuana" and predicted the experiments in Washington and Colorado would go badly. He also said that he didn't believe in imprisoning users of marijuana, but favored SAM's approach of arrests with treatment referral and health assessments.

President Carter has been falsely characterized as supporting legalization by pro-marijuana lobbyists nationwide. Today, he set the record straight:

"I do not favor legalization. We must do everything we can to discourage marijuana use, as we do now with tobacco and excessive drinking," President Carter told the crowd.  "We have to prevent making marijuana smoking from becoming attractive to young people, which is, I'm sure, what the producers of marijuana....are going to try and do."

The President also said "I hope that Colorado and Washington, as you authorize the use of marijuana, will set up very strict experiments to ascertain how we can avoid the use of marijuana... There should be no advertising for marijuana in any circumstances and no driving under the influence. We need to avoid the use of marijuana, particularly among young people." President Carter endorsed the strict list of 12 regulations created by National Families in Action's "But What About The Children?" campaign.

"I'm very proud of Patrick Kennedy and his Project SAM, Smart Approaches to Marijuana," the President said. "I wish him and Kevin Sabet every success in your independent project to make sure marijuana is handled responsibly."

When asked about decriminalization from a Washington state legislator, President Carter remarked that he believes arrests for marijuana should be in place and result in a warning hearing, treatment, and screening. He opposed permanent records for people with marijuana use.

"I said this 35 years ago....that I didn't want to make it so that a person could possess...or smoke marijuana with impunity but that they could be chastised, offered treatment, etc."

SAM Co-Founder and former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy commented:

"President Carter's endorsement of Project SAM and rejection of legalization is completely in line with those of us who support mental health treatment and rehabilitation. His leadership on this issue is profound, and we are grateful for his support."

SAM Director, former Obama administration advisor Kevin A. Sabet, said:

"We are overjoyed that President Carter endorsed Project SAM and our commonsense approach to marijuana use. Those of us who have watched for years as Big Tobacco has hooked our youth and denied the harms of smoking are now seeing this play all over again with regards to marijuana in our society. President Carter's incredible leadership on this issue will help us set the record straight about a drug that is 5-6 times stronger than a generation ago."

Source: www.learnaboutsam.com

  

California Supreme Court rules cities and counties across California have constitutional right to “Ban Marijuana Dispensaries”

Today, on May 06, 2013, the California Supreme Court ruled that cities and counties across California have the constitutional right to “Ban Marijuana Dispensaries” within their jurisdiction.   During the court proceedings, several of the justices stated their belief that legally, cities have the constitutional right to determine what businesses may or may not operate within their city [and county] limits, independent of State Law. The State of California cannot demand that dispensaries must be allowed without the consent of the city, itself.  In the wisdom of the California Supreme Court, this ruling is a huge victory for cities and counties of our state.  It is also a victory for our society, our culture and the very futures of our children.

Santa Cruz, California: Progressive Policies on Marijuana Devastate the Community

The City of Santa Cruz is located along the beautiful coast of California, sandwiched in between the cities of Monterey and San Francisco.  It is home to the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the roller coaster ride, the “Big Dipper”.

Unfortunately, it has also become famous for being a beacon for the ‘Illegal Drug-Culture’, attracting like flies, thousands of ‘Illegal drug’ enthusiasts, including drug addicts, homeless, and mentally ill, from all across America.

Santa Cruz slowly changed from being a tiny coastal fishing village and morphed into a politically progressive city that enthusiastically embraced and nurtured the culture of illegal drugs by being one of the first city’s in America to allow marijuana dispensaries to legally sell their wares within the city limits.  It was also one of the first cities to create an ordinance making crimes associated with marijuana the ‘Lowest of the low” meaning that a person would receive a ticket for not cleaning up his pet dogs feces on public property before giving a ticket to a person smoking marijuana; even if that infraction occurred directly in view of a “Peace Officer”.

As you will see, the results of their elective leader’s progressive attitude on illegal drugs has caused much harm to the citizens of Santa Cruz and now they have formed a citizens group named, “Take Back Santa Cruz”.  The Citizens of Santa Cruz have had enough and are now fighting back.

It was on that fatal day in February, when the City of Santa Cruz had to finally come to grips and recognize that their city had major problems with drugs.  Two of their finest Police Officers/Detectives were murdered by a mentally deranged person with a long history of criminal activity, who had recently moved to the city.  In the history of the City of Santa Cruz, these were the first police officers to be killed in the line of duty.

Since that tragic day, their local and liberal newspaper, “The Santa Cruz Sentinel” has published several condemning articles regarding the issues surrounding the rampant illegal drug activity in their city and the terrible long and short term ramifications it has had on the SCZ community; including their children.  (Sentinel Article 1, Sentinel Article 2)

In summary, the City of Santa Cruz example should be a warning to all of the cities, counties, and states across America for why we should never allow those like NORML, Americans for Safe Access, Drug Policy Alliance, Marijuana Policy Project to convince Americans to allow marijuana to be legal within our communities, whether for the ruse of so-called medical marijuana or for legal recreation use.

Welcome to the official launch of "The Truth, Nothing but the Truth" by Ronald L. Kirkish

Dear Reader,

One of our greatest Presidents, Harry S. Truman, while campaigning across the country, was told by the crowd “give em’ hell Harry!”  and in response Harry yelled back, “I just speak the truth and they think it’s hell!”  In this manner, I hope to follow in his footsteps.   

This is the first of many comments that I intend to offer that will provide the readers with ‘The Truth, the Whole Truth’ to the citizens across America and hopefully the world to inform you about issues surrounding marijuana and drug abuse overall.

I would like to thank my wonderful friend, Ms. Alex Datig, of NIPITINTHEBUD for all of her time and energy that she has put in to help me create this blog.  Without, her tireless energy and passion I would never have been able to even contemplate performing this very important task.  She will always be appreciated and forever, my drug warrior buddy!  Thank you Alex!

To my mentor, Dr. Paul Chabot, I would also like to express my appreciation for your support and encouragement in taking on this daunting task.  But, I know that with your help, we will be able to change the world as it is today and put the ‘Evil Genie of Drug Abuse’ back in the bottle where it belongs.

Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge my mentor and friend of many years now, Ex-Gilroy City Councilman Mr. Paul Kloecker.  From the beginning Councilman Kloecker has helped me more than he will ever know.  He has been a tough mentor at times, taking me to the “woodshed” when I incorrectly use apostrophes (really upsets him, a lot!).  But most of all, he has given me very sound advice that I will forever appreciate and hopefully, never forget because I know that if I do forget, I will immediately get a phone call or email with some very harsh criticism; a truly growing experience!  You have truly been a great friend and mentor, Paul.

To the readers,  I hope that you will enjoy reading this blog and consider sharing it with others including your friends, family members, neighbors, fellow work mates, members of your clergy, elected leaders in your cities, towns, and officials of your states, across America.

Ronald L. Kirkish

Coalition for A Drug  Free California  - CDFC, Dr. Paul Chabot

NIPITINTHEBUD – Alexandra Datig

International Faith Based Coalition – IFBC – Bishop Ron Allen, Ph.D

Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana – CALM – Carla Lowe & Scott Chipman