With Marijuana legal in 23 states, the number of overdose fatalities was “significant”. So significant that maybe our political “leaders” should take real hard look at just how are legal system treats those that like to, as they say, “indulge” in a toke or two, or maybe a bong hit.. Or three..
Am I driving okay? I think we’re parked, man...The rate of absolutely zero deaths from a marijuana overdose remained steady from last year, according to figures released this month by the Centers for Disease Control. But while Americans aren't dying as a result of marijuana overdoses, the same can't be said for a range of other substances, both legal and illicit.
A total of 17,465 people died from overdosing on illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine last year, while 25,760 people died from overdosing on prescription drugs, including painkillers and tranquilizers like Valium, according to CDC figures. Opioid overdose levels rose so sharply in 2014 -- spiking 14 percent from the previous year -- the CDC described the levels as "epidemic."
"More persons died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2014 than during any previous year on record," the CDC reported earlier this month.
And now the sad part….
Despite the changing tide in American attitudes toward marijuana for both therapeutic and recreational uses, legalization is still vigorously opposed by groups like the pharmaceutical lobby (who stand to lose big if patients turn to medical marijuana for treatment) and police unions (who stand to lose federal funding for the war on drugs).
Even among 2016 presidential contenders, Democratic hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is the only candidate from either party to support outright legalization of marijuana by removing it from the federal list of Schedule 1 drugs, which includes substances like heroin and LSD.
Have to admit, this guy is right! Bernie Sanders introduces bill to end federal ban on potSen. Bernie Sanders introduced legislation this week to end the federal prohibition on marijuana, going far beyond Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in his acceptance of the drug.
The bill - called the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act - would remove marijuana from the federal list of Schedule I drugs, defined by the Drug Enforcement Agency as the "most dangerous" substances that have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Although states would still be allowed to ban the drug, other states that have legalized it would face no barriers from the federal government.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-introduces-bill-to-end-federal-ban-marijuana/
Wow. Now that’s “progressive thinking” on a whole new scale: Don’t you think?
Want to generate some tax money for all those quality of life programs Bernie Sanders wants us to enjoy in this country? Here’s a “novel” idea:
Pot Legalization Would Generate Billions In Tax Revenuehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/20/legalizing-marijuana-tax-revenue_n_3102003.html
Pot Legalization Could Save U.S. $13.7 Billion Per Year, 300 Economists Say
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/17/economists-marijuana-legalization_n_1431840.html
I do not personally “indulge” in the use of smoking Marijuana in my life these days, but I firmly believe that the time has come to look at this issue from a different perspective, and I will support any, and all political candidates that wish to do the same via commonsense legislation to legalize this product and keep non violent offenders (a majority of whom are young African American, and the poor), out of the prison system where lives are forever torn apart, and never the same over irrational laws.
Heck, the legal consumption of alcohol kills more Americans every year, and nobody is “up in arms” about that. End the hypocrisy, now.
As Brother Bob Marley once sang: “Stir It Up”. It’s long overdue to stir it up.
x YouTube VideoBe safe out there.