Rep. Steve Cohen Headlines Pot Conference

(AP)  Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen acknowledged feeling a little lonely as he addressed a crowd of self-described pot smokers just off Capitol Hill.

After all, sharing a stage with Cheech and Chong and calling for loosening drug laws isn't usually in the campaign playbook of a sitting congressman.

Cohen, a two-term Democrat from Memphis, didn't seem to care Wednesday night as he headlined the pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project's 15th annual gala, where the famed stoner comedy duo of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong won a lifetime "trailblazer" award for helping push marijuana use into the mainstream.

"Most of my colleagues didn't want to be here and aren't here. Maybe that says something about my political judgment," Cohen joked to a few hundred people at the $250-per-plate dinner, where sponsors displayed pot "vaporizers" and hemp clothing.

A longtime advocate for legalizing medical marijuana for people with chronic illnesses, Cohen also argues that the government is wasting billions of dollars and wrecking people's lives by cracking down on petty drug offenses.

He said his own campaign polls have shown nearly 3-1 support for medical marijuana.

"And that's in Memphis, Tenn.," he said. "This is an issue that's important. It's a freedom issue. It's an intelligence issue. ... I'm proud to be here."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Marijuana Nation
Cheech and Chong on Washington Unplugged

Cohen threw in some marketing advice for the crowd, which also heard from former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico and actor Larry Hagman.

"If you renamed marijuana something like Jack Daniel's or Jim Beam, it'd be a lot more popular," Cohen said. "You need to get a good name for it."

His suggestions were well-received - Cohen got nearly as loud an ovation as Cheech and Chong.

Thirteen states have legalized medical marijuana, and New Jersey is poised to become the 14th after the state's legislature passed a bill this week.

The Marijuana Policy Project is the chief lobbying arm of the legalization movement.

[ky7474]

I thought the GOP likes to come across as the party of Christians, which I strongly disagree with, so why do repubs. stand so strong behind big corrupt companies that bankrupted our economy and will do it again and a fearmongering war machine that continue's to place our brave soldiers in harms way in many cases for corrupt motives? Then they see millions of American's from every walk of life, being abused, lives destoryed, organized crime being bolstered, corruption everywhere and they seem to have no compassion at all. When cannibis legalization is voted on they feel it is their duty to oppress those who think differently than they do. Christian's are to be a light unto the world, not a tool of oppression on anyone especially other Christians, unless they've become judge and jury on everyone's salvation. That would be very close to blasphemy, you don't want to go there. Do some research, seek the truth before you vote. Why would Christians want to combat against a persons freedom of choice concerning a plant that was provided for mankinds use by GOD HIMSELF and then have no problem with manmade synthetic pharmacutical drugs that kill people everyday? It makes no sense.

[FauxNews]

I think marijuana is not being legalized because it would interfere with our government's guarded supply chain of opium in Afghanistan. Also, a cheap pain killer is the last thing our medical (monopoly) industry wants on the market. So, your not only fighting close-minded right-wing militants like me, you're fighting against the Army-Afghanistan opium cartel, doctor's that charge $100 per visit to get a prescription, and pharmacy and insurance companies that are taking any money you have left. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

[Dgunner]

This is just food for thought . If tobacco were to become illegal? Are the people who want this killer wiling to pick up the welfare tab on the hundreds of thousands of native -americans that make thier living and spend thier profits from tobacco in thier communities and businesses as they travel this nation? Lest we forget the people who employe to grow reap and process. You can not begin to master the doulble edged sword without first fixing a handle there unto!Ghandi

[FauxNews]

The term "drink responsibly" was coined by the Alcohol Industry to give the illusion that addicts are capable of controlling their drinking using some internal moral force. 100,000 people die each year because they are not responsible. Over a million Americans have been killed by alcohol since 911, which means just one drug is 500 times more deadly than all the terrorist attacks. It would be ridiculous to legalize another drug.

[AttentionDeficit]

Alternately, it would be rediculous to continue giving a legal leg up (protected by the criminal justice system) over a much less toxic drug such as marijaua

[earthling76]

So lets make alcohol illegal again. Would that untwist your panties?

Who wants to be the new Al Capone?

[FauxNews]

earthling76, I said, "Opiates, like morphine"; however, with all the posts, I may have worded something wrong. I have no problems with compounds in marijuana being used for medical purposes. It's legal for the pharmaceutical and medical industries to do that right now. They do it with morphine and it's illegal on the street. From what you are saying, I agree there should be more medical research.

Drugs that debilitate people should not be allowed on the streets. There are enough alcohol related deaths every year to prove that people are not responsible.

Glad to hear you don't subscribe to one party or group and good luck on the kids across the street.

[earthling76]

Debilitating drugs are on the streets despite their legality. The fact that there are alcohol related deaths is not evidence that all people are incapable of consuming alcohol responsibly. The majority of people who drink do so responsibly.

[earthling76]

by FauxNews January 15, 2010 4:20 PM EST
Opiates, like morphine, are used in hospitals every day. And just like marijuana users, cocaine users will tell you it helps relieve pain.

Thats because it does.

Debilitating drugs are on the streets despite their legality. The fact that there are alcohol related deaths is not evidence that all people are incapable of consuming alcohol responsibly. The majority of people who drink do so responsibly.

[ky7474]

Moderation with responsibility is the key to many of these conversations. The problem is prohibition eliminates the possibility of using in moderation and being responsible. People that want to abuse any manner of drug or substance is going to do it regardless of legality or not. Why punish the many who choose to be responsible and moderate in their choices? People will always fight against the mainstreaming of cultures into areas they don't believe in, and they should fight. The fearmongers and insecure are the one's for prohibition.

[FauxNews]

People don't use drugs responsibly. Tens of thousands die every year from alcohol abuse. More drugs will produce more death. However, I guess the white middle class is now willing to accept this in order to get high.

[earthling76]

Correction. Not everyone uses drugs responsibly. Approximately 100,000 Americans die every year from the health effects of consuming alcohol, however, it has been estimated that about 91% of Americans consume alcohol. It may be from the best of intentions that some would have our government ban alcohol again but just as before that would only create more crime and death. The fact that is going to have to be accepted in order to contain the effects of man's appetite for drugs and alcohol is that we cannot legislate morality. Not that it is okay that people die but that less harm is done to our society when we do not compound the negative effects of abuse by criminalizing people. Legalizing cannabis does not mean more people will use it. I ask you, if it were legalized would you start using cannabis? I bet you would not. Besides, no one has ever died as a direct result of consuming cannabis. No one has ever overdosed on marijuana.

[quapawsix]

Hey rightwingers you need a joint worse than these people do. May be if your Icon Rush would smoke it he would be a nicer person to.

[earthling76]

by OregonJames January 14, 2010 7:03 PM EST
I am in complete agreement with legalization, but I don't support taxing and regulating it.

I am not trying to be rude but only in a perfect dream world would legal cannabis not be taxed. I would rather pay a tax for legal, unadulterated cannabis than become a criminal. I would not abandon the efforts to legalize cannabis just because of a tax. I would not be against a step in the right direction because that step may not be perfect. Besides it may be the only way to motivate the government to move forward.

[AttentionDeficit]

earthlink76: i agree.

[earthling76]

It may be true that marijuana is easy to grow if you are not to concerned with the quality. Quality cannabis cultivation is another story. It can be very expensive and time consuming depending on your methods. Proper cultivation of this plant can be easy if you have the knowledge, time, and money to invest in this venture. Americans are a people of convenience and for the majority of people it would simply be easier to purchase their cannabis from a trusted, legal source. Besides not everyone has a green thumb.

I have visited Amsterdam twice and have been able to personally witness a society that has a responsible policy towards cannabis and it was a glaring example of exactly the opposite of what all the drug warriors predict would happen if cannabis consumption were tolerated. The availability and quality is high, despite the taxes, and they have less consumption per capita than we do in the U.S. Small business owners supply high quality cannabis at reasonable prices (about 8 - 20 dollars a gram).

If you have ever read any of my posts on this subject you would know that I am in favor of ending cannabis prohibition in order to provide a legal and safe market for consumers. You would also know that I am a consumer advocate because legal, personal cannabis cultivation would control the costs that would most likely be inflated if big business takes over the market. Just like home brewers help to keep the cost of beer down. If you have the ability to cultivate cannabis either for personal use or in an attempt to start a private, small business enterprise then you should be permitted to do so legally.

There will be a need to regulate this industry once it is legalized. Many unethical entrepreneurs will try to add adulterants to cannabis either after or while in the cultivation stage that may not be beneficial to the user. Their fertilizers, pesticides and cloning enhancers may not be fit for human consumption. Such is the nature or unregulated industry. The small amount of taxes that would be charged to the consumer would be more than enough to pay for this oversight and regulation. I do not think that not taxing recreational cannabis is a realistic position considering that it is like alcohol and tobacco in one respect. They are luxury items that any rational, responsible person would chose to temporarily do without for economical reasons. These are taxed and yet people still readily consume these products at their convenience. Taxes would be a small price to pay for having a legal, reliable and safe cannabis market.

It would not cost billions to regulate the cannabis industries because as with most consumer supply industries violations of the laws are often brought to the attention of regulators by the consumers and the communities themselves. As we have already witnessed with the medical marijuana dispensaries, products can be quickly experienced and if the quality or effect is not acceptable then the consumers simple look to competing suppliers. The market would regulate itself because the consumer votes every time he/she tokes.

Why would there be a demand for a black market product when the citizen can just patronize the legally operated shop which is regulated and taxed to insure the safety and quality of the product? A legal market would be a more enjoyable community of cannabis consumers. Who wants to tolerate a typical illegal drug dealer who all to often is unreliable, over priced, and under weight? If given a choice I would choose to purchase from a trusted local shop, pay a small tax, and respectfully consume cannabis. If you want to insist upon your idea of the perfect method of legalization and refuse to compromise in any way then it will be to the detriment of the main goal, ending cannabis prohibition. Like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

[FauxNews]

westernkypika is probably one of those armchair liberals who thinks legalizing marijuana is ok, but legalizing heroin and cocaine is not. Legalizing marijuana won't make the drug dealers go away, they will just deal stronger drugs. If you don't legalize all drugs, you will still have the same problems you mentioned.
I certainly can't argue with liberals who say crime will go away if you legalize all crimes.

[AttentionDeficit]

fauxnews: w.f. buckley was in favor of pot legalization, and it was stated in his magazine. was he an "armchair liberal"? a difference between pot and heroin/cocaine is that pot is demonstratably safer than those two (and alcohol, too). the most widely used illegal drug is marijuana. do you feel that legalization of pot would cause an increase in the use of heroin or cocaine? if people are not interested in the stronger drugs, the negative impact of those drugs would be limited. "if you don't legalize all drugs, you will have the same problem you mentioned". do you include alcohol in your list of drugs which should be either wholesale permitted or prohibited?

[FauxNews]

Buckley also said that Bush was not a conservative, so does that mean Bush was not a conservative?

Both conservatives and liberals have a desire for drugs (and alcohol), because a drug will temporarily cure what they are too stupid to fix.

[westernkypika]

FauxNews is probably an overweight alcoholic who's favorite movie is probably "Reefer Madness". Open your eyes. You cant win the war on drugs. Never have, never will. Instead, you fuel an underground markets where violence pursuits and money is going over the border to mexican drug cartels all untaxed by states that need the tax revenue most, but instead the states are spending to eradicate a plant. A plant that never will be eradicated. Kids are put at risk by going to drug dealers who are pushing kids on harder drugs. Do your research next time.