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Ahnold Wants to ‘Debate’ Legalization

Wed, May 06, 2009 11:43 am

more: staff picks, california, legalization

During a press conference on Tuesday, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said it’s “time for a debate” on the legalization of marijuana, particularly as a way to raise revenue in the cash-strapped Golden State.

“I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I’m always for an open debate on it.” Schwarzenegger said. “And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?”

It’s well known that the governor of the nation’s premiere marijuana growing state is no stranger to Mary Jane. He famously puffed a joint after winning the Mr. Olympia competition, a scene captured forever in the film Pumping Iron.

Schwarzenegger’s comments lend additional momentum to a bill introduced in February by California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, of San Francisco, which would legalize marijuana for adults and reportedly raise at least $1.5 billion in tax revenue in its first year.

Further Coverage:

California Should Study Pot Laws

Majority of Californians Support Legalization

» add a comment

legalizeitnow

Jun 30 2009, 2:08 pm

i honestly have about a ounce of faith left in our country. if this doesnt get legalized i will probably move to either canada or germany. think of all the money that will be made? jails wont be so packed, cali and the usa will have more money coming in to help out our debt, schools suck ass period here this plus new health care is what we need. i love my country but i refuse to live somewhere were some of our biggest problems have easy answers and because some old guy doesnt like it, it wont happen. somthing has to give.
there are lots of problems here but this is the answer to some of the major ones.

anonymous

Jun 21 2009, 10:20 pm

quit living in past stony,and wash your funky matted hair.

bigboy

Jun 21 2009, 10:07 pm

pot is suppose too relieve us of the racial bullshit . id rather smoke.

HU210

May 31 2009, 6:04 am

Ya ARKY weed is great. Seems to make it up to the Masterpiece on the Mississippi in the late fall.

Hemp Man

May 30 2009, 9:04 pm

Something I've noticed is that our elected officials are not listening to the people. Example: 85% of Americans were against the stmulus pkg. Think about it people. they gave the money right back to the people who got us in this mess we are in. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Here in this state, our govemor succeeded in raising our gigarette taxes to fund a trauma center for the state. 65% of the people were against it. Maybe we do need a trauma center here at the cost of 75 million dollars, but when u got 300 million in reserve and expecting 2 to 3 billion in stimulus money. WHY RAISE OUR TAXES, MAKE US PAY FOR SOMETHING WE DIDN'T CAUSE. Now the point here is we really need to start voting for the politicians who will maybe listen. I'm all for all out legalization of marijuana. I really like to grow my own and it really grows good in the Mississippi River Delta. Razor Bud know what i mean Verne

Bongbarian

May 28 2009, 10:46 am

Taxing issues are huge, especially to Cal (&NY) but there are many more ways for the Gubvinator to take advantage of the Green Rush. Do a small bong hit & give it some thought Arnold.

barrack obama

May 21 2009, 2:39 pm

CALL 1 973 409 3274 and PRESS #.. VOTE to LEGALIZE MARIJUANA OBAMA SAID HE WOULD PASS THE BILL IF HE REVIECES A MILLION VOTES... NO SHIT!
This is not a joke
Join the movement!
Copy and paste this to as many videos as possible!
Together we can end this hysterical war against marijuana!

old hippie

May 18 2009, 7:36 am

treehugger sucks a treeroot...been smokin shit since 1963,some good, most is average smoked lotsa good hash in Germany(real Thai stick is the bomb, tropical products are good, Oaxacan weed is really nice and spicy, purple bud Ozark deer woods is three toke knock you down dead....treehugger don't know shit

old hippie

May 18 2009, 7:35 am

budsbuddy

May 14 2009, 10:14 am

I dont inderstand the problem... legalize it, tax it like we do cigarettes, and regulate it like we do alchohol. As long as it is controlled and monitored, whats the harm.

treehugger

May 12 2009, 1:07 pm

Stoney - no doubt, can't argue that, just find me a Whig with a green t-shirt, and I'll sign.

dittohead

May 12 2009, 12:31 am

i just meant in the movies. however, if we are talking eaqual opportunity killin' research the zebra killings in LA. and snipers are technically different than s/k. Less personal. they would all benefit from legal weed.

treehugger

May 11 2009, 10:08 pm

Well, there was that one from DC., but he was trained by the white man.

treehugger

May 11 2009, 10:01 pm

Well...there was that one from DC, but he be'd trained by the white man.

Dittohead

May 11 2009, 9:56 pm

forgot serial killers. Whites are always portrayed as serial killers

treehugger

May 11 2009, 9:50 pm

you're talking about usa, after we dropped out of the way, and gave them their rope, now they got kids that weigh 300 lbs. at age 6!
I mean the white/hispanic catholic, prodestant global regime.

Stoney republican

May 11 2009, 7:47 pm

the average portrayal of the white male is generally represented by the likes of larry the cable idiot, grease monkies and lower blue collar types. Sitcoms represent minorities and women as the business owner or the opressive boss. Whats this mean?

treehugger

May 11 2009, 5:53 pm

It would appear that the O' is a no-go!
I don't have a pessimistic outlook, just not looking good, so far, based on the past 100 years.

stoney republican

May 11 2009, 5:13 pm

and correct. This last election was the same as it ever was. The guy with the most cash won. He talked change but the admin is made up of the same old faces. You can see the string in obamas back if you look real close.

stoney republican

May 11 2009, 5:10 pm

It sucks that we have only a two party system. And they claim that the electoral college is put into place to even out the vote. That sucks too. But point me to a better system. the negative outlook about the future i dont share. I belive that the hate is dying out. From my perspective there were atrocities in the past. But America is an evolving organism. We are melding together culturaly as always. If only we could get together and throw out those stinking irish.

treehugger

May 11 2009, 2:12 pm

But, IF I had to choose, it's the team that helps the less fortunate - but I want to keep my gun. See?

treehugger

May 11 2009, 2:08 pm

Not when my choice is some bought-and-paid-for ass or elephant. NOTHING is that simple, every issue has to stand on it's own merits, regardless of party affiliation. Find me one of those, and I'll register to vote. But I plead guilty to a posession charge, not democrat, or socialist, or republican, or totalitarian, just a pot head who didn't fell like bending-over that day (too many ludes).

I already have voted, really but pleading guilty. For the asshole that shot John Lennon or Kennedy or MLK, and the 10,000 doin life as non-violent offenders!!!

The white man may be powerful, be he isn't even safe from himself. I don't profess to know the future, but I do know where this planet is heading - and it ain't pretty. You don't have to worry that our sun will burn-out in 4 billion years, or that an asteroid will kill half of you within 40,000 years, or that you could be looking at an ice-age within 8 years if you keep polluting - cuz you won't have an animal or plant to consume in less than 1,000.

White man's days are numbered...Just a thought...

stoney repblican

May 11 2009, 1:15 pm

Thats disappointing, treehugger. I really thought someone as bright as you would be engaged inthe process. Writing letters without voting for the right(or left) leaders.
VOTING IS THE CORNERSTONE OF JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY!

treehugger

May 11 2009, 12:41 pm

210 - but don't forget the part BEFORE ya'll starting adding shit, "but the actual state of agriculture and commerce, the peace, the contentment and satisfaction of the great mass of people, give the lie to their assertions."
Then, against Washington's advice, then they added 9 no 11 no 22 no 13 no 17.....

treehugger

May 11 2009, 12:32 pm

lab3 - I've never registered to vote cuz all that shit about red t-shirt/blue t-shirt is 1/2 the problem. Ya'll been aruing that shit since the second or third president. Ya ani't tired yet? Ya'll just ain't made the right color t-shirt for me...green! The planet, the plant, the plan for the future of mankind.
They claim pot makes you stupid, temporartily for short-term..can't find the glasses on your head, maybe. But I'll put my brainpan against any recent college grad anyday. "Makes em lazy too", yet these kids are now pushin 300 .lbs at age 6, diabetic, risk of stroke, collapsed lungs cuz their boobs are too big. Yah, that sound healthy and productive to me.
Anyway, you don't need to be a registered voter to send letters to an elected official, you're still a resident/constituant/tax payer.
E-BOMB, maybe then...

stoney republican

May 11 2009, 9:38 am

Although i agree that Arnold would make a fine President, you cant pick the constitution apart. If its in there its in there.

HU210

May 10 2009, 9:12 pm

Ya I rekon an argument could be made about Washington , Jefferson, ect. citizenship. However, they were also the first Americans-eh? so all were qualified to serve the country they'ed just founded.

Let’s examine what the Constitution says. What are the requirements to become president? Section 1 of Article II of the U.S. Constitution states that a president must:
(Note: MUST, is a substantive predicate)

-be a natural born citizen of the United States;
-be at least 35 years old;
-have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

MauiWoweeRaquel

May 10 2009, 4:10 pm

Make my dream come true Ahnold!! xoxo

Please Vote for me for Miss High Times at :

http://misshightimes.com/users/mauiwowee

Mahalo!!!

Peace & Aloha

Raquel xoxo

gstlab3

May 10 2009, 2:00 pm

WELL IF BY DEBATE THEY MEAN AN OPEN VOTE., HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT WOULD VOTE YES TO LEGALIZATION STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE? IF MARIJUANA OFFENCES FALL UNDER FEDERAL GUIDLINES AS IN MY STATE OF VIRGINIA.,YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR RIGHT TO BE A FULL CITIZEN WITH NO SAY IN THE PROCESS., BY THE LOSS OF VOTING "PRIVELEDGES" ie: "a soverieghn/CONSTITUTIONALY GUARENTEED right"!!! WHAT A BETTER WAY TO SILLENCE DISENT OF THE MINORITIES AND THE FREE THINKING CLASS OF THE GOVERNED?!!??!! I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BREAKDOWN OF THE STATES THAT REMOVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR MARIJUANA OFFENCES AND OTHER THINGS LIKE BEING DECLARED A FELON FOR NONPAYMENT OF COURT COSTS AND FINES RELATED TO DRIVING WHILE SUSSPENDED/ IN VIRGINIA THEY DO THIS EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A DUI OR AN ACCIDENT OR RECLESS DRIVING CHARGES.,ALSO THEY HAVE DEBTORS PRISONS IN VIRGINIA.,IT IS FELONIOUS TO NOT PAY FINES AND COSTS AS IT IS TO BE BEHIND ON CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS. EVEN WITH DISABILITIES AND THE INABILTY TO WORK DOSE NOT PLAY IN VIRGINIA.YOU WILL GO TO PRISON IN VIRGINIA IF YOU ARE POOR AND DISABLED.DO NOT COME TO VIRGINIA!!!!!!

treehugger

May 10 2009, 11:28 am

can't stop us now!
Go to NORML.com (send em $25, $1,000 if I was growin, while you're there) click on Take Action and type in your zip code. Then you can send a letter to your state rep's and the prez and his crew. Use the damn shift key for your name and address (these people have 10 years of college - and sucking dicks or taking-it-in-the-ass) so punctuation is prudent. send them this:
WE PETITION THAT...

When you called the War on Drugs an "utter failure" in 2004, you were right. A 2008 Zogby poll found that 3 out of 4 of Americans agree with you.

When appointing the head of your Office of National Drug Control Policy, please select someone with health, science, or education credentials rather than a military general, law enforcement official, or "tough on drugs" politician. The next "Drug Czar" should base policy on proven methodology rather than counterproductive ideology. At a minimum, he or she should support these measures:

*Ending the racially unjust disparity in sentencing for crack and powder cocaine.

*Ending the practice of prosecuting patients in states with medical marijuana laws.

*Eliminating the federal law that denies financial aid to students with drug convictions.

We all know that the War on Drugs is failing because handcuffs don't cure addictions -- doctors do. You have the opportunity to bring us the change we need. Will you?

Sincerely

put your name here, sit back, and breathe deeply :)

HU210

May 10 2009, 9:31 am

MMJ anyone?

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090508/OPINION01/905080356/1035/archive

treehugger

May 10 2009, 9:27 am

The Federalist Party was an American political party in the period 1792 to 1820s. The Federalists controlled the federal government until 1801. The party was formed by Alexander Hamilton, who, during George Washington's first term, built a network of supporters, largely urban, to support his fiscal policies.

These supporters grew into the Federalist Party, which wanted a fiscally sound and strong nationalistic government and was opposed by the Democratic-Republicans. The United States' only Federalist president was John Adams; although George Washington is believed to have been broadly sympathetic to the Federalist program, he remained an independent his entire term.

Ya think any of them were born in the USA? Arnold for pres!

treehugger

May 10 2009, 9:10 am

jax - then you might actually have to read something, and compose a letter, and use the shift key! and type in your zip code. Go to NORML.com

HU210

May 10 2009, 8:32 am

Only those with short attention spans or with a need for instant gratification dont read lengthy posts. Many lengthy posts have very valuable info that can be utilized in the legalization debate. Thus teaching those who wish to learn and do something about getting weed legalized.

This isnt to say that there not lengthy nonsense,off topic etc., posts. But those are easy to identify in a few setences or even by the posters handle.

Happy Mothers Day. we wouldnt be here without ya.

jax

May 9 2009, 11:56 pm

to dj 420 - i'm with you... no you're not the only one who doesn't want to read an entire book instead of normal blogging - i just want to know where to go to vote where arnold says he would legalize marijuana if he got one million votes for legalization

HU210

May 9 2009, 7:48 pm

Fuck de Consdeetooshuun-Ahnold for de President!!

treehugger

May 9 2009, 2:03 pm

snowman - How can you legalize something and still prosecute as criminal? Legal, is legal.

But with guidelines, like everything else, liquor, cigs, dynamite. Over 21, unless you got the medical card, no bodagos in residential neighbohoods, same restriction as liqour for personal consumption - drink yourself to death, but don't sell it for profit without a permit, and no walk-in customers. You take your extra stash to the dispensary or local co-op to sell.

But the Attorney General said you must operate as non-profit! Medical insurance probably won't cover it yet, they want to tax the shit out of it, and we're to operate as not-for-profit? I don't want to charge the terminally ill $1,000 an oz either, supply and demand is supposed to set the price, for us capitalists anyway.

treehugger

May 9 2009, 1:43 pm

facelock - sorry you puked, happened to me on my first and only hit of crack, but never with weed. Sounds like you need the indica not sativa if you're paranoid, but then a good Dr or dispensary will tell you that.

chris - it will take only one State Attorney (probably CA) hopefully with assistance from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to bring the raids cases to the Supreme Court. Once they rule - the bullshit will end. Like that. Like it never happened. Then you get them to release those non-violents out of prison.

treehugger

May 9 2009, 12:53 pm

worse, why waste the brain cells listening to them rant?

hey dittohead

May 9 2009, 11:25 am

I made a mistake. Rush Limbaugh's attack on cancer and AIDS patients: "The FDA says there's no -- zilch, zero, nada -- shred of medicinal value to the evil weed marijuana. This is going to be a setback to the long-haired, maggot-infested, dope-smoking crowd." (Rush Limbaugh on his radio show, April 21, 2006.
So we aren't supposed to have lice, but rather maggots. My mistake. But really, to associate with such a person. Why?

treehugger

May 9 2009, 10:56 am

Man, that brings back memories, forgot all about him. But I never thought weed uv gotten this far!

Aww

May 8 2009, 10:44 pm

The poor poster wants us to feel sorry for them for wanting us to be locked up?

Whatever.

anomenis

May 8 2009, 10:17 pm

hey i love weed but i think im kinda against legalization, i used to want it to be legalized but now that selling weed is my only job i wud be poor...

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 8:55 pm

Referrendum- politicians hate them. they always show just how disconnected they are from the will of the constituents.

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 8:48 pm

Wlliam F Buckley Jr. Republican... Started a little news magazine. Pro Pot. He will be missed.
And if you have trouble reading the long comments... ADD. Medical pot may help.

BIG SULLY

May 8 2009, 2:10 pm

TIME FOR THE POT HEADS TO DO IT LEGALLY HAHA

And

May 8 2009, 1:33 pm

William F. Buckley, Jr. was in favor of ending the war on Marijuana users.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

May 8 2009, 1:32 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Buckley#Death

timothy stoner

May 8 2009, 12:20 pm

its time for the BIG DAWGS to take the stoners side.I doubt that BOB RILEY gov. ALABAMA will take our side

gra$$ root$

May 8 2009, 10:56 am

so that'll be you response to your legislators when they're starting to listen? Uh, I have reasons to want to legalize it, but it'll take to long to tell them to you. Then no, you're not the only one.

dj420

May 8 2009, 10:30 am

am i the only one who doesn't bother to read the really long ass comments? just wondering.......

treehugger

May 8 2009, 9:57 am

national reeferndum? Absolutely! Don't spend decades creeping our way to the finish. Start over where we were when they criminalized it. You need a license to grow commecially, just like any other crop. Legal is legal.

Mandatory training or inspections of the procucts being sent to market, (no one I know wants to smoke DDT) same restrictions as to the number of tomatoes I can grow as an individual - as many as I want. But if I sell some back to my neighborhood co-op or to a friend, then I should pay taxes on it just like everything else.

treehugger

May 8 2009, 9:50 am

ok, but it was the golden 90's unrealistic real estate capital gains, and investor commissions/profits that shut down the global economy. Not to mention opening the door for assholes like Bernard Madoff. Ya think he's the only one out there?

If you're referring to what I think you are, the carbon credits?, it does seem strange, but they are actually willing to TRY something instead of decades of talking. And there's no doubt, in a capitalistic society, money talks and those corporations will respond with better technology = cleaner air water.

treehugger

May 8 2009, 9:42 am

freetown - not sure where they got $50 an ounce tax, I think the prices will drop by at least half when it's legal. So $150 an ounce, less if you have a medical card. I can't see charging the terminally ill $1,000 (or anyone for that matter) for an ounce of medicine unless insurance pays 100%!!! So, $150...give 'em 1/6=16.66%=$25 as a sin tax(damn christians), plus sales tax.

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 9:39 am

Regan's tax cuts put us in the economic golden years of the 90's. Nancy Pelosi's bid "ideas" has has an instant price tag of over a trillion. My children are the ones to foot that bill. Where was the support for the Tea Parties if you dont like government spending?

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 9:30 am

Are you suggesting a National Refferendum on Legalization? Could you imagine the voter turnout on that Election Day?

treehugger

May 8 2009, 9:29 am

who was it Einstein that said, "...don't let your education get in the way of learning". Something like that, just because you have a degree - doesn't mean you're smart. I dropped college (while I was still in high school) when Reaganomics kicked in. How could they not have seen that coming? How many trillions has it cost us, and your grand kids? How long before they add the quadrillion box to the deficit counter in times square?

What about Nancy, I thought they were at least trying some ideas out there?

treehugger

May 8 2009, 9:21 am

to the contrary - you don't actully think that we can run this country without gov't do you? It isn't so much more gov't or less gov't, conservative/liberal, tax more or tax less. Everything is more complex than that, and each issue needs to be considered on it's own merits.

Moreover how responsive they are to your concerns, it shouldn't take 60 years to reverse something that took 60 day to enact. We enact laws based on the concerns of a few elites, and don't bother to actually take the pulse of the constituants.

Remove the politics/bureaucracy, and get the vote from the people. With the technology we have to today, every voters voice should be heard. Remove the politicians, lower the gov't employees to mayber 20% of our workforce (currently 33%) and you get a 15% refund on your income tax by taking a few minutes to complete an online survey or casting your own vote. And perhaps those people can go out and be productive members of society - instead of sitting around for hundreds of years arguing "wear a red shirt, no wear a blue shirt". Just a thought...

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 9:09 am

CNN.com has a great story in editorial and opinion on how the GOP are gonna get controll of the house back after Nancy Pelosie and "Dingy" Harry Reid run everything in the ground. Expect it around mid term election time. I like you treehugger. You seem real edjumucated!

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 9:03 am

toche' puttie tat!

treehugger

May 8 2009, 8:20 am

Stoney - you're assuming he even knew his mother.

treehugger

May 8 2009, 8:18 am

OMG - who was it that enacted the Patriot Act into law? What a pathetic excuse. After fucking-over the Afghans, then letting this guy attack u.s. military and embassy targets for 20 year - this is what you come up with?

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 8:08 am

to the hater: its a ahame your mother didnt hug you more.

stoney republican

May 8 2009, 6:52 am

Anyone know who William F. Buckley was?

dittohead

May 8 2009, 6:37 am

re:republicans...
Say true. I am for the freedom to explore one own conciosness. The Legislation you speak of was put into place by a Republican president, true. But it was passed by a Democrat controlled congress. It was a bi-partasin effort to take away freedom. I have yet to see any lawmaker of any stripe put his balls on the line until yesterday. It was a proud moment in legalazation battle. it was orchestrated by a republican governer. When marijuana becomes legalized it will be under republican rule, watch it will. I figure this primarily because the democrat party is to busy trying to take away my guns my SUV, and my right to smoke in public to try to fix any problems of the past. How can you entrust the same party that is hell bent on making smoking cigaretts illegal to legalize the smoking of something that is not. I challange the logic.

F D Law

May 8 2009, 2:20 am

I slang some good azz sht to Arnold he said "Ill be back"

anonymous

May 8 2009, 12:47 am

Runnnn... goooo.... get to the choppaaaaaaa

^*-*^

May 7 2009, 11:48 pm

http://daretoact.net/

freetownbrown

May 7 2009, 8:36 pm

ive researched how much the suggested tax ($50 per oz.) is but i cant find a suggested retail. 50 per lid seems steep. wonder what they think value is. will they use the same street values they use to prosecute?

treehugger

May 7 2009, 8:21 pm

freetown - it means no more pissing-for-a-paycheck. At least for us. The gov't employees will still spit, pee, pull hair, and god knows what's next(stool samples?), for their paychecks.

treehugger

May 7 2009, 8:18 pm

Granted, if you like commercial television, and all their commercials, you've probably never heard of him. But make a list of the topics he's discussed, and the people he's interviewed - and you'd be hard pressed to find much better, without all the partisan/sensationalism bullshit most commercial networks cram down your throat (in between all their commercials).

Just my opinion.

freetownbrown

May 7 2009, 8:18 pm

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENS IF A SUBSTANCE IS LEGALIZED?

treehugger

May 7 2009, 8:09 pm

my bad Danny, it's secure. I was lookin at the bottom of the page, or waiting for a pop-up, instead of looking at the address. And I'm not high :(

All I'm saying about Rush and the rest is quit the bullshit. You can argue red vs. blue until the end of time, or you can look around the marvels of the universe while you're here. Your choice.

Dittohead

May 7 2009, 7:47 pm

Rush has the largest talk radio audience in the world. If noone under 80 listenes to him why do the democrats find him such a threat. they try to shut him down with "fairness" doctorines.
Rush is an Abbie Hoffeman. He said things deemed not right and challenged the government.
Its my patriotic duty to challange my government.
AND NOONE UNDER 80 EVEN KNOWS WHO THE HELL CHARLIE ROSE IS!!!

treehugger

May 7 2009, 7:41 pm

Danny - tried to e-mail Arnold, but they blocked it cuz I'm in FL (already sent them one). Too bad! Also, I went to join norml but they page didn't appear secure. Is there another way in?

btw - anyway to get a hi-res of some of the centerfolds for my desktop? Other than unpacking my scanner (which probaly won't work with XP/usb 2.0).

Love your myspace backround.

treehugger

May 7 2009, 7:17 pm

Umm - Bill Moyers, there ya go. We should set Charlie Rose loose on Obama. That'd fix 'em.

Rush? Does anyone under the age of 80 actually listen to that shit?

My vote? I don't! I refuse to be labeled red or blue. Ass or Elephant? Nothing is that easy, it's all shades of gray. Every discussion/debate has people that have good ideas and some really stupid ideas. You have to take the best of all your constituants ideas, and put them to good use. Not debate it for 50 years until we're all dead.

danny danko

May 7 2009, 5:58 pm

My message to the few remaining prohibitionists - Give up. Surrender. It's over and we've won. There is nobody to defend your point of view anymore. We accept your apology but it's gonna take us some time to forgive you.

My message to my fellow puffers - The war on flowers is over if you want it. Have you joined NORML yet? There's nothing to be afraid of. Click HERE to join. The tide is turning and we've reached the tipping point. Let's continue the momentum with a flood of new memberships! Who's with me?

i vote!!!!!!

May 7 2009, 1:01 pm

It’s great to finally see fellow tokers (Arnold) stand up for what’s just and right. We Americans who live in the greatest country on earth need to ban together and send a message to capitol hill that legalizing Mary Jane would be beneficial to every one; both on the local; state and federal levels. As far as I am concerned Mr. Governor is that the debate on this matter has been going ever since congress passed legislation banning cannabis on information that has been proven to be nothing short of out right lies and propaganda. The war on cannabis is a loosing battle that is costing the government billions a year on what?? Nothing! The only reason there is a criminal element involved is that it’s illegal. Take that out of the equation and what do you get? Another taxable substance that is less harmful to you than both alcohol and tobacco. And one more thing Mr. Governor was that joint you burned after winning the Mr. Olympia any good? I was just curious!!!!

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 11:40 am

Hows this for bi partasinship. I am impressed so far with the new administration.(lets all be honest, the last 6 yrs of the bush admin. was a nightmare even for conservatives.)
It would be cool if Obama and Ahnold got together with a wicked-fat blunt...

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 11:32 am

I Love that idea. "things, they are a changin" :]

danko

May 7 2009, 11:05 am

Honestly, I'm an Obama loving democrat but we need to be bi-partisan in the fight to free the flower. I welcome republicans, conservatives, greens, liberals, Rinos, communists, libertarians, cops, lawyers and everyone else. We have a big tent (grow-tent?) in this movement and you're right. The mag does bash the right but only because the right has been bashing our cause and the mag for many years. Join us and we'll forgive the past over a fat spliff!

Dittohead

May 7 2009, 10:53 am

The Way he spoke he must have balls like grapefruits!!!

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 10:51 am

WERD UP DANKO!

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 10:49 am

Enough Obamabashing! Back on point. As a reader and activist and norml member i find it a shameful waste of resources to chase after politicans, who in turn are just chasing votes. Good to see that its mabye going somewhere. now what do we do to get behind Arnold?

danko

May 7 2009, 10:47 am

“What stands out about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s comment is not that he thought it, but that he said it,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “There has been enormous fear at a political level about saying out loud and on the record that we should think about this.”

to the contrary

May 7 2009, 10:35 am

Obama said in his speaches that government was he solution to all of our problems. Conservatives know what the problem is...GOVERNMENT!

Dittohead

May 7 2009, 10:32 am

To the contrary... Rush teaches smaller government. all conservatives do. Have you ever listenet to Rush, or what people say about him. I challange you to listen to him for a solid show. You are to smart to listen to gossip, go to the source. I dare you.

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 10:28 am

Pardon my assumption. I apologize. However,that is precisley what I am here about. I have been a Hightimes reader and sometimes subscriber. Do you know what a buzzkill it is to get out your fresh copy of HT and a fatty only to read a totally skewed opinion of my political party. HT magazine has slammed my party for decades. Its nice to see a positive artical, for once.

rush

May 7 2009, 10:24 am

Worships the government. I do not therefore look up at rush, but rather look down on him.

There

May 7 2009, 10:22 am

There you go again saying obama is my choice when he isn't.

Limbaugh Rocks

May 7 2009, 10:20 am

Furthermore... I challange anyone to tell me how smaller government intrusion in my personal life, free speach, and stopping the government from taking my cash is an idea they dont want to get behind. Those are principals that Rush speaks for.

Limbaugh Rocks

May 7 2009, 10:15 am

How dare you all sound like a bunch of robot lemmings and say i dont think for myself. When your OBAMABOT ditches the teleprompter we will talk about thinking for ones self.

you

May 7 2009, 9:58 am

Limbaugh?

You just have to have a hero that does your thinking for you don't you.

umm

May 7 2009, 9:57 am

By saying "my man" you assuming I am a democrat? That is a wrong assumption.

Limbaugh Rocks

May 7 2009, 9:30 am

The Democrat Party is the party of labels...the black vote...the latino vote... the soccer mom vote. Those are labels. Thats how they see us, little blocks of people with no individuality.

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 9:24 am

That is as unfair a generalazation of Republicans as the generalization about Democrats liking killing babies (i.e. abortion, but not the issue here.) Fact remains, in the town hall meeting your man in the suit laughed at what he certainly thought as a bunch of "dumb stoners." My man spoke sensibly, and it was aired around the world. That is all your party is about, generalizations, and lables. go ahead lable me. God dont lable you.

you know

May 7 2009, 8:41 am

The majority of republicans want the harshest sentences for any drug use, so go ahead and be a republican. As for me, I will pander to my own belief of freedom without some man in a suit dictating to me what I can and can not experience in my own consciousness.

stoney republican

May 7 2009, 8:23 am

SUPRISE!!!!! Does anyone see the political irony here. Go ahead accuse me of being partasin, but, HIGHTIMES has been pandering to the democrat party as long as anyone can remember... While Obama laughs and chastises us, a Republican governer takes the wheel and encourages an open debate.

Oh Yeah

May 7 2009, 3:42 am

Finally! An open debate. Since its Cali Put Rob Van Dam on one side of it and let the opposition sqirm at the questions there forced to answer. Oh and look up "Arnold is Numero Uno" on youtube, looks like he's got a plate of brownies there to me.

Graham Hancock c2c

May 7 2009, 12:34 am

The war on drugs and the drug laws have handed over the keys to our consciousness to massively publicly funded armed state bureaucracies and somehow the con trick is so cleverly done that most of us accept this without question. We demand our independence. We demand our freedom. Our rights as individuals. Even our rights to own guns, and yet we passively accept that our government, those men in suits, may control what we experience or do not experience with our own consciousness. The government knows that if everyone experienced being "high" that the government's grip on everyones hearts and minds would be broken forever.

We have to respect the adults' right to explore his or her own consciousness, because if I am not sovereign over my own consciousness, then I am not sovereign over anything, and its a waste of time to talk about freedom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdJrJ1cqwzc

Hot Off MSN

May 7 2009, 12:25 am

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StockInvestingTrading/a-budget-cure-marijuana-taxes.aspx?gt1=33002#pageTopAnchor

rdf0ster

May 7 2009, 12:21 am

ah yes the money is starting to call them, millons on taxes this is good they are getting weak time to have a million smoker march on washington . bu hu ha ha ha

tagman

May 7 2009, 12:10 am

GO AHNOLD

May 6 2009, 11:18 pm

in the end im sure the government does profit off crime.

May 6 2009, 11:16 pm

go watch conan. you know he smokes bud in that movie. well backstage im sure. i bet you if you handed him a joint somewhere he knew no one was watching, he'd puff on it.

SmokeWeedTillIDie

May 6 2009, 11:06 pm

Ahnold get down! Get to da chopa! Legalize it now Ahheee!

Jah Love

May 6 2009, 9:52 pm

Herbs for the use of man. Without a question. It probably could take us out of debt and whatevers else. I just hope this doesn't become a joke because the Terminator's the first one with political power to speak up about it.

SD_Stoner

May 6 2009, 8:15 pm

ha arnold u old ass pothead, im glad he is the govenor of california and hopefully he is serious and isnt just talkin out his ass. and look at amsterdam they get so much tourism and income cuz weed is legal. i mean if it was legal in california we could have weed festivals and the cannibis cup here instead of goin all the way over there

unknownstoner

May 6 2009, 8:10 pm

the government doesnt profit from it, cuz they have to pay ppl to prosecute marijuana offenders, and then pay for them to be in jail

heyheyheysmokeweedeveryday

May 6 2009, 8:01 pm

the government profits of off crime...if u think about it...

ariana!

May 6 2009, 7:29 pm

i think it shud be legalized!! becuz the government is jez tryna fuck us over and kill us by 2020!! so we shud jez burnn itt uppp and not give a fxck!! til that day comes; real talk! fck the politics theyy do that shit too jez keep it on the downn lowww; butt yee! legalizeee!!!

SKUNKASS

May 6 2009, 5:36 pm

LEGALIZZZZZZZE IT, AND I WILL ADVERTISSSSE

cannabisxchick

May 6 2009, 5:33 pm

I honestly think they should legalize it.I mean i think if each person smoked a blunt at least once a day they'd have a better day at work,or if you come home and ur ur havin a bad day puff on that blunt on ur front porch with no care in the world cuz it's legal..Alcohol kills more people every year but yet it's legal.I smoke bud everyday,im a normal girl,with a job and responsibilitie's i just like to come home after a hard days work and light up a joint and just chill out..I see nothing wrong with it at all.So hopefully one day they'll come to their senses and legalize it :)

Debate?

May 6 2009, 5:33 pm

Our prison system is overloaded,and some are under funded so badly that they risk closure for failure too meet federal specifications. Our court system and judicial system is log jammed with trials,appeals,and hearings. Our elected officials
are sitting on ass doing nothing but alternately wringing their hands and figuring how they can get more money for nothing. We
are spending millions in Mexico fighting a billion dollar industry,and continuing to spend millions here,too fight the war on drugs that has utterly failed. The time for debate is gone. It's time too shit or get off the pot! You can remove 70%
of the cartels cash flow by legalizing pot now,and ending the
cartels pot market by November,or when we all harvest our own.
Fuck them all.grow your own

SNOWMAN

May 6 2009, 5:20 pm

Don't legalize! Just decriminalize!

5blunts aday keepsthedoctor away

May 6 2009, 4:53 pm

legalize it legalize it!

make it happen governator!

doobiebrother

May 6 2009, 4:49 pm

I wish that marijuana would be legalized. I just attended a NORML march here in Cleveland. Afterwards, a bunch of people smoked in front of the justice center and there was not a cop in site. They must understand that potheads are generally peaceful. So, hopefully the enthusiasm in Cali makes its way towards my area.

chris

May 6 2009, 4:47 pm

they should debate on legalizing to whole country instead of one or two state imagine that reveune but 5 times as more

eL ozzy

May 6 2009, 4:45 pm

can we smoke weed?..."yes we can!"

Arnold I love you...

May 6 2009, 4:34 pm

>w< Thank you for saying this because we'll start bringing faith into this country.

dankbuzz420nMD

May 6 2009, 4:30 pm

i think this is a great step forward in legalization and or decriminalizing of the great plant.there already seems to be a "buzz" in the air about the topic. i find more and more people with it on there mind. a revolution is coming.
p.s thankgoodness for sour diesel n my neck of the woods

sergie420

May 6 2009, 3:59 pm

yes, lets debate and win
arnold, your fuckin old man

peacelock

May 6 2009, 3:48 pm

but it makes me paranoid., and last time i smoked i puked.. its supposed to be good for the body & mind.. but mine is rejecting it. i love what the majority of marijuana smokers stand for, most are eco-friendly and anti-warmongerers. but i just dont enjoy it anymorre. i hate that i cant smoke and just chill with my bredren and sistren.

anonymous

May 6 2009, 3:44 pm

Hell Yeah! Viva La Marijuana! ha.

JoePuffa

May 6 2009, 3:34 pm

Right Cali lead the way to greener pastures and Legalize it

Stained Glass Torture

May 6 2009, 3:32 pm

It's a proven fact that Marijuana is not only the safest "drug" known to man, it smells and tastes damn good too! But seriously, i'm a smoker and cigarettes are so dangerous, they kill people who don't even smoke! There are millions and millions of alcohol related fatalities...NEVER have you heard of a case when someone gets into their car after smoking a joint and running a bunch of kids over!!! www.stainedglasstorture.com .Legalize, legalize freedom!

po aka MC

May 6 2009, 3:25 pm

Mother Nature gives us a lot of things.......LIFE & POT..............are the best 2.......I love Mother Nature!

peter oakes aka MC

May 6 2009, 3:21 pm

Over 10,000 years of usage on this planet and not one death has been caused by smoking marijuana.......that right there should tell the government to legalize it......marijuana could on it own take us out of this recession....no doubts in my mind.......pot never hurt anyone.......if every one on this earth smoked weed it would be a much more peaceful place.....for everyone.

anonymous

May 6 2009, 3:14 pm

Lead the way for us California.

Steve-o

May 6 2009, 2:17 pm

i lik where this could be goin

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