Are you asking law enforcement officers to ignore ticketing someone who is breaking a law? If they find evidence of a law being broken, should they look the other way? We spend a lot of our tax dollars to make Missoula a safe place where we can raise our children. Regarding Masterson’s complaint that law enforcement was “busting” someone every day, with “the vast majority of these incidents involving young adults” - congratulations to our law enforcement officers. That is what they are paid to do.
There is also an oversight group of citizens who monitor whether our laws are enforced. They are called voters, or taxpayers, and are citizens who want our “young adults” protected. Maybe marijuana arrests are up because more users are taking note of the lower priority that Masterson advocates.
I hope deputies for the county enforce the law, and let prosecutors play the games. Recent changes are being made in Amsterdam as their society has found its liberal laws are destructive. Initiative 2 needs to be repealed.
Rod Dietz, Missoula
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STB226 wrote on Dec 18, 2008 9:17 PM:
" Well "Vrede", since alcohol prohibition was repealed, alcohol addiction and abuse now kills thousands of people each year, not to mention the lives and families torn apart by its abuse. How do you explain that with your twisted pro-marijuana logic?
Logically, your beloved Initiative 2 is going to draw more stoners to Missoula. The abuse problems that Missoula already has aren't enough for you and Masterson apparently.
You must think people just "wake-up" one day and start using Heroin, Cocaine and Methamphetamine. If you ask one the'll tell you they started with alcohol and marijuana and worked their way up. Most did not intend on becoming hooked. But it happens. Why make it easier by telling cops to ignore the gateway drug?
Also, 53% of voters is not a "Missoula mandate" especially considering that hundreds of votes cast for the initiative were by "out of town" University Students who like to get high before they go downtown to get drunk.
If you and Jon Masterson really want to make Missoula a better place, (which I doubt), then take your precious life-blood marijuana and go somewhere else! "
Logically, your beloved Initiative 2 is going to draw more stoners to Missoula. The abuse problems that Missoula already has aren't enough for you and Masterson apparently.
You must think people just "wake-up" one day and start using Heroin, Cocaine and Methamphetamine. If you ask one the'll tell you they started with alcohol and marijuana and worked their way up. Most did not intend on becoming hooked. But it happens. Why make it easier by telling cops to ignore the gateway drug?
Also, 53% of voters is not a "Missoula mandate" especially considering that hundreds of votes cast for the initiative were by "out of town" University Students who like to get high before they go downtown to get drunk.
If you and Jon Masterson really want to make Missoula a better place, (which I doubt), then take your precious life-blood marijuana and go somewhere else! "
Steven wrote on Dec 19, 2008 12:03 PM:
" STB, it's one thing to disagree with Masterson. It's another thing to question his motives, implying that he doesn't have Missoula's best interests in mind. He is one of the most generous people you will ever meet, and he's trying to make a positive difference for all tax payers. That's coming from someone who's never used marijuana, by the way. "
STB226 wrote on Dec 19, 2008 5:43 PM:
" Sorry Steven, I do question whether Masterson has Missoula's best interests in mind.
He states in his report that the Missoula Police made 284 misdemeanor pot busts last year in a City with 65000 citizens. Less than half of 1%. Considering MPD only has 102 Officers, that's 2.7 busts per Officer. Wow!
Masterson describes this as "skyrocketing" in his report which is utterly rediculous. Low Priority, even if it did apply to the city, does not mean "No priority". 2.7 busts per Officer, most of which were probably the result of an arrest for another offense, (which Masterson makes no mention of), is not "Skyrocketing".
So yes, I believe that if Masterson really wants to make Missoula a better place, 1. He wouldn't advocate an addicting drug that destroys lives and families and contributes to criminal activity. 2. He wouldn't use untrue and enflaming language in an "official" report.
I'm sure he is a very nice person but I also believe he should practice what he preaches and make marijuana a low priority. Focus on helping drug addicts in Missoula instead. "
He states in his report that the Missoula Police made 284 misdemeanor pot busts last year in a City with 65000 citizens. Less than half of 1%. Considering MPD only has 102 Officers, that's 2.7 busts per Officer. Wow!
Masterson describes this as "skyrocketing" in his report which is utterly rediculous. Low Priority, even if it did apply to the city, does not mean "No priority". 2.7 busts per Officer, most of which were probably the result of an arrest for another offense, (which Masterson makes no mention of), is not "Skyrocketing".
So yes, I believe that if Masterson really wants to make Missoula a better place, 1. He wouldn't advocate an addicting drug that destroys lives and families and contributes to criminal activity. 2. He wouldn't use untrue and enflaming language in an "official" report.
I'm sure he is a very nice person but I also believe he should practice what he preaches and make marijuana a low priority. Focus on helping drug addicts in Missoula instead. "
Chet Wise wrote on Dec 20, 2008 8:59 AM:
" Marijuana is safer than alcohol. It should be treated the same, regulated and taxed.
Do you ever consume alcohol Mr. Dietz? I'm guessing that if you do, you are probably quite responsible about it and don't cause much trouble. How about if even though you are a responsible hard working individual who sometimes drinks alcohol responsibly we are going to take that away from you because some other people don't regulate their consumption so well.
How many people died at the hand of organized gangsters during prohibition? Did they choose their death? No, the gangsters who killed them did. Did all of the people who died from consuming alcohol choose their deaths? Yes. When will people realize that marijuana has never killed anyone. Why does the government consider us "adult" enough to self regulate our alcohol consumption, to our death if we choose, but they say we aren't capable of making a safer choice.
I always thought that in a free country, choices which do not have any negative impact upon others should be yours to make. I guess this country really isn't free after all.
Chet "
Do you ever consume alcohol Mr. Dietz? I'm guessing that if you do, you are probably quite responsible about it and don't cause much trouble. How about if even though you are a responsible hard working individual who sometimes drinks alcohol responsibly we are going to take that away from you because some other people don't regulate their consumption so well.
How many people died at the hand of organized gangsters during prohibition? Did they choose their death? No, the gangsters who killed them did. Did all of the people who died from consuming alcohol choose their deaths? Yes. When will people realize that marijuana has never killed anyone. Why does the government consider us "adult" enough to self regulate our alcohol consumption, to our death if we choose, but they say we aren't capable of making a safer choice.
I always thought that in a free country, choices which do not have any negative impact upon others should be yours to make. I guess this country really isn't free after all.
Chet "
STB226 wrote on Dec 20, 2008 9:14 PM:
" Marijuana never killed anyone Mr. Wise? Tell that to the family of the guy killed by a marijuana intoxicated driver last year at Hwy 93 and Miller Creek Road.
I agree alcohol, when consumed "responsibly" is not necessarily harmful. It can be consumed without becoming intoxicated. Nevertheless, those who are not responsible and choose to get intoxicated,(or get there by accident), cause more problems for communities and law enforcement than you can immagine. And they hurt and kill people other than themselves albeit unintentionally all of the time.
Today's marijuana contains a very high THC content, (15% to 20% compared to 3% to 5% in the 1960's). A couple of hits of today's marijuana and you are going to be blasted.
So, by your logic Mr. Wise, I would have to trust that, the above blasted individual,(who is responsible while sober), will not in a state of impaired judgment brought on by his/her "innocent" use of marijuana, get behind the wheel of a 3000 pound vehicle on my street and kill me or someone else.
Frankly, I have enough to worry about with the alcoholic drivers in this town without enabling more stoned drivers to join the mix. "
I agree alcohol, when consumed "responsibly" is not necessarily harmful. It can be consumed without becoming intoxicated. Nevertheless, those who are not responsible and choose to get intoxicated,(or get there by accident), cause more problems for communities and law enforcement than you can immagine. And they hurt and kill people other than themselves albeit unintentionally all of the time.
Today's marijuana contains a very high THC content, (15% to 20% compared to 3% to 5% in the 1960's). A couple of hits of today's marijuana and you are going to be blasted.
So, by your logic Mr. Wise, I would have to trust that, the above blasted individual,(who is responsible while sober), will not in a state of impaired judgment brought on by his/her "innocent" use of marijuana, get behind the wheel of a 3000 pound vehicle on my street and kill me or someone else.
Frankly, I have enough to worry about with the alcoholic drivers in this town without enabling more stoned drivers to join the mix. "
Justin Michels wrote on Dec 22, 2008 2:09 PM:
" Dear "STB226", you seem to be jumping to some outlandish conclusions--and are definitely in a minority with your close-minded opinions. I understand that fear of the unknown is a very powerful motivating factor, but please take into consideration the world that you are living in. You are deathly afraid that a 'stoner' will run you off the road, but have absolutely no statistics to back this up--because studies have shown drivers to typically be MORE cautious while under the influence of cannabis.
If you are afraid of what mind-altering substances do to young people's minds, then you should refer to the warnings being put forth from the FDA about the dangers of prescribed anti-depressants (now the most widely prescribed drugs in the country!) Typical side-effects include nausea, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, tremors, headaches and much more; they are also known to cause suicidal thoughts and even contribute to psychotic behavior (like Columbine and the woman who drowned her five children in a bathtub.)
Now, in a free country doesn't it sound reasonable that I should be able to choose a natural medicine (as defined by groups like the AMA and ACP) instead of a dangerous and largely untested pharmaceutical concoction? And since you claim that more people die now from alcohol addiction and abuse than when it was prohibited, are you suggesting that alcohol prohibition was a good idea? Al Capone has been succeeded by terrorists, is this good? "
If you are afraid of what mind-altering substances do to young people's minds, then you should refer to the warnings being put forth from the FDA about the dangers of prescribed anti-depressants (now the most widely prescribed drugs in the country!) Typical side-effects include nausea, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, tremors, headaches and much more; they are also known to cause suicidal thoughts and even contribute to psychotic behavior (like Columbine and the woman who drowned her five children in a bathtub.)
Now, in a free country doesn't it sound reasonable that I should be able to choose a natural medicine (as defined by groups like the AMA and ACP) instead of a dangerous and largely untested pharmaceutical concoction? And since you claim that more people die now from alcohol addiction and abuse than when it was prohibited, are you suggesting that alcohol prohibition was a good idea? Al Capone has been succeeded by terrorists, is this good? "
STB226 wrote on Dec 23, 2008 1:07 AM:
" Mr. Michels, again, try your argument with the family of the person killed last year at Brooks and Miller Creek. I guess that driver was less than "typical"?
How many of these incidents would be too many for you?
Your medical marijuana is already legal in Montana. No "local" cop is going to break your door down and arrest you for it.
I for one will take an Advil if I have a headache.
Do you ever wonder why there are so many anti-depressant drugs out there? Perhaps because alcohol & marijuana are both CNS depressants? Another reason why many start using CNS stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine.
Substance abuse, of all kinds, (legal or illegal), has had tremendous costs to communities, individuals, families and taxpayers. I think on this point we can agree.
Closed minded? Perhaps. I was raised in the 60's & 70's and witnessed the drug-culture develop and grow. Nothing I saw was good. Most of the people I knew who got involved, (just to have fun!) are now middle-aged nobodies on "anti-depressants".
Are you "closed-minded" in reverse? Perhaps we can agree to disagree. "
How many of these incidents would be too many for you?
Your medical marijuana is already legal in Montana. No "local" cop is going to break your door down and arrest you for it.
I for one will take an Advil if I have a headache.
Do you ever wonder why there are so many anti-depressant drugs out there? Perhaps because alcohol & marijuana are both CNS depressants? Another reason why many start using CNS stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine.
Substance abuse, of all kinds, (legal or illegal), has had tremendous costs to communities, individuals, families and taxpayers. I think on this point we can agree.
Closed minded? Perhaps. I was raised in the 60's & 70's and witnessed the drug-culture develop and grow. Nothing I saw was good. Most of the people I knew who got involved, (just to have fun!) are now middle-aged nobodies on "anti-depressants".
Are you "closed-minded" in reverse? Perhaps we can agree to disagree. "
Justin Michels wrote on Dec 23, 2008 2:20 PM:
" STB226,
I don't have any information about the accident you refer to, but I'd be willing to bet that marijuana was NOT the only contributing factor. Beyond this, how many sober people get into deadly accidents every year? Maybe we should outlaw cars, wouldn't that be more effective?
We can agree to disagree, but you are arguing against my personal freedom and have failed to give me one solid reason as to why. And as far as your observation that "Nothing I saw was good" is concerned, once again I think that you should try to open your mind a bit. What about the anti-war protests that ended our war in Vietnam, were the 'stoners' that organized and attended them wrong? Do you think the world would be better if Steve Jobs hadn't dropped acid and helped to pioneer the personal computer? What about Johnny Cash or Ken Kesey, were they also just worthless nobodies? But maybe you are right, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were hemp farmers who were also known to exchange 'smoking mixtures' and look where it got them. Now please excuse me while I go drink my everclear and huff some gas; you've got no problem with that right? "
I don't have any information about the accident you refer to, but I'd be willing to bet that marijuana was NOT the only contributing factor. Beyond this, how many sober people get into deadly accidents every year? Maybe we should outlaw cars, wouldn't that be more effective?
We can agree to disagree, but you are arguing against my personal freedom and have failed to give me one solid reason as to why. And as far as your observation that "Nothing I saw was good" is concerned, once again I think that you should try to open your mind a bit. What about the anti-war protests that ended our war in Vietnam, were the 'stoners' that organized and attended them wrong? Do you think the world would be better if Steve Jobs hadn't dropped acid and helped to pioneer the personal computer? What about Johnny Cash or Ken Kesey, were they also just worthless nobodies? But maybe you are right, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were hemp farmers who were also known to exchange 'smoking mixtures' and look where it got them. Now please excuse me while I go drink my everclear and huff some gas; you've got no problem with that right? "
STB226 wrote on Dec 25, 2008 1:00 PM:
" Ended the Vietnam War?. Are those the same stoners who spat in the face of our returning soldiers and called them baby killers after they got drafted and told to go to Vietnam Mr. Michels? That was good too?
Personal freedom? I'd like to have the freedom to go and cut down any tree or hunt a deer, bear or elk any time I want and anywhere I want. But I can't because there are laws. You don't see me crying about it.
No sober person would have thought of the P.C.? Get real.
It does amaze me however that we live in such a beautiful place yet so many people have to self-intoxicate themselves to enjoy it.
Well Mr. Michels, your liberal stars may be alined. Congress, Senate & Presidency.
If they don't legalize your precious weed there can be only 2-reasons.
1. They buy into the objective data presented by the notorious DEA regarding the dangers of Marijuana and that it should stay illegal.
or,
2. They don't want to piss off the voters of the "real majority" and get tossed out of office in 2 or 4 years.
Which do you think? "
Personal freedom? I'd like to have the freedom to go and cut down any tree or hunt a deer, bear or elk any time I want and anywhere I want. But I can't because there are laws. You don't see me crying about it.
No sober person would have thought of the P.C.? Get real.
It does amaze me however that we live in such a beautiful place yet so many people have to self-intoxicate themselves to enjoy it.
Well Mr. Michels, your liberal stars may be alined. Congress, Senate & Presidency.
If they don't legalize your precious weed there can be only 2-reasons.
1. They buy into the objective data presented by the notorious DEA regarding the dangers of Marijuana and that it should stay illegal.
or,
2. They don't want to piss off the voters of the "real majority" and get tossed out of office in 2 or 4 years.
Which do you think? "
Justin Michels wrote on Dec 26, 2008 2:05 PM:
" STB226, If you honestly believe the data presented by our 'notorious DEA' is objective then you've got much more to worry about beyond arguing with me concerning what I should or should not be putting into my own body.
And as far as the 'real majority' goes, what do you suppose was the most popular question on Obama's Change.gov site earlier this month? Beyond that, "more than a dozen of the top 50 vote getting questions pertained to amending America's drug policies..." according to an article at The Hill's Congress Blog (where lawmakers come to blog.) So do you really want to know what I think?
Considering the economic crisis, the more than 5,000 deaths in Mexico's corrupt (and U.S. taxpayer funded) drug war, the record-setting poppy harvests in Afghanistan and refusal of many South American countries to keep killing their own citizens in our "War on Drugs"--I think the only option left is for our leaders to finally heed the advice of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc) Given the amount of propaganda you have obviously been fed, this may sound quite frightening; but I guarantee your children will be far better off once we stop lying to them and face reality. "
And as far as the 'real majority' goes, what do you suppose was the most popular question on Obama's Change.gov site earlier this month? Beyond that, "more than a dozen of the top 50 vote getting questions pertained to amending America's drug policies..." according to an article at The Hill's Congress Blog (where lawmakers come to blog.) So do you really want to know what I think?
Considering the economic crisis, the more than 5,000 deaths in Mexico's corrupt (and U.S. taxpayer funded) drug war, the record-setting poppy harvests in Afghanistan and refusal of many South American countries to keep killing their own citizens in our "War on Drugs"--I think the only option left is for our leaders to finally heed the advice of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc) Given the amount of propaganda you have obviously been fed, this may sound quite frightening; but I guarantee your children will be far better off once we stop lying to them and face reality. "
Vrede wrote on Dec 18, 2008 8:31 AM:
High profits for dealers are a consequence of pot prohibition not of the plant itself.
Holland has not changed it's pot laws, though Amsterdam is reducing the number of 'coffee shops' somewhat.
Please respond Rod Dietz. I'm sure there are more factual errors you can come up with. "