George Soros Primary Financier of "bogus" Marijuana Reform	Ethan Nadleman Drug Policy Alliance (DPA)	Rob Kampia Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)

In this essay I will be explaining why their highly promoted "tax and regulate" model for Marijuana Re-Legalization must be vigorously rejected in favor of a model, such as MERP, which protects the personal cultivation of Marijuana from ANY taxes, regulations or other forms of government interference.

(2) The Campaign to "Tax and Regulate" Marijuana

Since Obama won the November 2008 election there has been incredible interest in Re-Legalizing Marijuana from the American People.  This was first noticed when the foremost request at Obama's website (www.change.gov) was to Re-Legalize Marijuana. 

Unfortunately Obama "just said no."

This "changing of attitude," in support of Re-Legalization, was beautifully summarized in the following article in the Christian Science Monitor:

The American movement to legalize marijuana for regular use is on a roll. Or at least its backers say it is.

They point to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said in early May that it's now time to debate legalizing marijuana – though he's personally against it. Indeed, a legislative push is on in his state (and several others, such as Massachusetts and Nevada) to treat this "soft" drug like alcohol – to tax and regulate its sale, and set an age restriction on buyers.

Several recent polls show stepped-up public support for legalization. This means not only lifting restrictions on use ("decriminalization"), but also on supply – production and sales. The Obama administration, meanwhile, says the US Drug Enforcement Agency will no longer raid dispensaries of medical marijuana – which is illegal under federal law – in states where it is legal.

The push toward full legalization is a well-organized, Internet-savvy campaign, generously funded by a few billionaires, including George Soros. It's built on a decades-long, step-by-step effort in the states. Thirteen states have so far decriminalized marijuana use (generally, the punishment covers small amounts and involves a fine). And 13 states now allow for medical marijuana.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), recently told a Monitor reporter that three reasons account for the fresh momentum toward legalization:

1) the weak economy, which is forcing states to look for new revenue;
2) public concern over the violent drug war in Mexico; and
3) more experience with marijuana itself.

Legalize marijuana? Not so fast
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0522/p08s01-comv.html?page=1

Then in early 2009 a new mantra began emanating from the Mainstream Corporate Media, basically equating Marijuana Legalization with the "taxation and regulation of Marijuana."  In fact this article (above), is just one of hundreds of recent articles that talk about "taxing and regulating" Marijuana as if that were the only possible model for Marijuana reform.  Just click on the following link to survey hundreds of additional articles calling for the "taxation and regulation" of Marijuana:

Google [marijuana "tax and regulate"]

But it should be made clear that what is being discussed is not really Marijuana Legalization but rather Marijuana Decriminalization. In other words you may eventually be able to buy Marijuana Legally, but you will never be able to freely cultivate you own Marijuana.  And if you do attempt to "grow your own" the chances are very good that you will still go to jail.  And on top of that you will probably be paying "street prices" of $300 to $500 per ounce when you could be growing it yourself for around $20 to $30 per ounce: and that would be under High Intensity Discharge Lamps.  If you grew it outside it would be free!

So I would think that any intelligent activist would prefer the MERP Model to a stupid "tax and regulate" model based on "price per ounce" alone.

And just about all of the moneyed "drug reform" organizations (e.g., NORML, DPA, MPP, DrugSense, Stop the Drug War) are fully behind the "tax and regulate" model.  What most activists don't yet understand is that these organizations do not support the right for adults to be able to cultivate their own Marijuana as WOULD be the case under the MERP Model.  Furthermore the MERP Model WOULD allow you to grow all the Marijuana you would like to grow without ANY taxation or regulation. 

So which model do you want to support?:

In the past months I have had conversations with Allen St. Pierre (NORML), Dave Borden and Dave Card (Stop the Drug War), Mark Greer (Drug Sense) about my "No Tax, No Regulate" model.   I have also attempted to talk to Rob Kampia (Marijuana Policy Project) and Ethan Nadleman (Drug Policy Alliance) but they apparently think they are too important to waste their time talking to me.   What is most important is what they all have in common:

(1) They all have received money from George Soros who is working feverishly to insure that adults will not be able to cultivate their own Marijuana.

(2) They are all in support of a movement towards a "tax and regulate" model which will prohibit personal cultivation.

(3) They are all showing increasing hostility towards people like myself that believe we should be able to grow our own Marijuana like we can currently produce our own home-brewed beer or wine: without any taxation, regulation or government interference.

(4) They will not engage in any public debate or discussion about protecting the right to "untaxed, unregulated" personal cultivation by adults as enumerated by the MERP Model.

Don't take my word for it.  Take the time to visit each of their websites and see how much they talk about their initiatives to allow adults to grow their own Marijuana without any taxation or regulation for personal cultivation.

Let me get you started by listing the "mission statements" for each organization:

The Marijuana Policy Project
Comment: Please notice that nowhere do they say anything about you being able to cultivate your own Marijuana.  Surprised?

MPP's Vision Statement
MPP and MPP Foundation envision a nation where marijuana is legally regulated similarly to alcohol, marijuana education is honest and realistic, and treatment for problem marijuana users is non-coercive and geared toward reducing harm.

MPP's Mission Statement (as approved by the board on December 1, 2008)
1. Increase public support for non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.
2. Identify and activate supporters of non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.
3. Change state laws to reduce or eliminate penalties for the medical and non-medical use of marijuana.
4. Gain influence in Congress.
http://www.mpp.org/about/mission-statement.html
http://www.mpp.org

The Drug Policy Alliance
Comment: Please notice that nowhere do they say anything about you being able to cultivate your own Marijuana.  Surprised?

Mission and Vision

The Drug Policy Alliance Network envisions a just society in which the use and regulation of drugs are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights, in which people are no longer punished for what they put into their own bodies but only for crimes committed against others, and in which the fears, prejudices and punitive prohibitions of today are no more.

Our mission is to advance those policies and attitudes that best reduce the harms of both drug misuse and drug prohibition, and to promote the sovereignty of individuals over their minds and bodies. [SNIP]
http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/mission/
http://www.drugpolicy.org

NORML
Comment: Please notice that nowhere do they say anything about you being able to cultivate your own Marijuana.  Surprised?

Policy Statement

NORML supports the right of adults to use marijuana responsibly, whether for medical or personal purposes. All penalties, both civil and criminal, should be eliminated for responsible use. Further, to eliminate the crime, corruption and violence associated with any "black market," a legally regulated market should be established where consumers could buy marijuana in a safe and secure environment.
http://www.norml.com/index.cfm?Group_ID=3415
http://www.norml.com

Stop the Drug War (DRCNet)
Comment: Please notice that nowhere do they say anything about you being able to cultivate your own Marijuana.  Surprised?

DRCNet Mission Statement
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Stop the Drug War (DRCNet) calls for an end to drug prohibition (e.g. some form of legalization) worldwide and its replacement with a sensible regime of control through regulation. In the interim, DRCNet supports philosophically compatible policy reforms and programs to reduce the excesses of the drug war and its attendant harms. [SNIP]
http://stopthedrugwar.org/about/mission
http://stopthedrugwar.org

DrugSense
This is a web portal for DrugSense - Media Awareness Project (MAP) - Drug Policy Central (DPC).  Here you will find all the services our group of organizations has to offer in one place. By registering as a member you can benefit from many additional resources. Sign up today!
http://www.drugsense.org

DrugSense/Media Awareness Project Staff (4/20/2002: San Francisco, California)
Front row (L to R): Doug Snead, Jo-D Harrison, Stephen Young, Matt Elrod
Back row (L to R): Richard Lake, Mary Jane Borden, Mark Greer, Phillipe Lucas (absent Debra Harper)
http://www.drugsense.org/html/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=15

I highly encourage you to go to each website and attempt to find anything supporting the "untaxed, unregulated right for adults to cultivate Marijuana."  If you find anything supporting the right for adults to cultivate their own Marijuana please let me know:

newagecitizen@comcast.net

I have known many of these people for years and I still think they are all great people.  But until they come out in support of "untaxed, unregulated adult cultivation," through a model similar to MERP, I can no longer characterize them as "true" proponents of Re-Legalization.  It saddens me to say this, but I do not see how they can look us in the eyes of the "true" proponents of Re-Legalization and say they are honest brokers of progressive drug policy. 

(3) What is really going on here?

Let me summarize from the top of the Globalist Power Pyramid. 

Way up at the top of the pyramid we have the fact that the only thing propping up the International Banking System is the infusion of illicit drug money from Terrorist Groups, Drug Cartels and "black operation" contingents within our own CIA, NSA etc.  This money finances the "black military operations" to the tune of around 40 to 60 billion dollars a year.  George Soros is actually high up in this pyramid and has major interests in military contractors such as the Carlyle Group.

Lower on the pyramid you have state and local governments that are desperate for additional tax revenue and keenly aware that demographic changes are resulting in increased calls for the legalization of Marijuana.  This demographic shift, in favor of Re-Legalization, will be really bad for the drug testing labs, local courts, police departments and other entities that profit from the current prohibition of Marijuana.  But it seems obvious that they also recognize their days are numbered.

So in essence they have decided that if you can't beat them, through Marijuana Prohibition, you might as well join them and tax the hell out of Marijuana through a "tax and regulate" model.

The following surveys make quite clear that there is an unstoppable demographic shift, in support of full Re-Legalization, that will only grow with each passing year.  And this is the reason that the status quo prohibitionists are being forced into this "fall back" position.  It is only a matter of time before they are forced to Re-Legalize Marijuana due to the changing demographics. 

(1) As you can see from the following graph nearly 50% of adults between 20 and 50 have used Marijuana and nearly all of them understand that Marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as alcohol, tobacco or most pharmaceutical drugs.

Why Marijuana Legalization is Gaining Momentum
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/why-marijuana-legalization-is-gaining.html

(2) In early 2009, the first time in US history, there is now a majority of Americans that want to see Marijuana Legalized, and not just for medical purposes.  This was first reported in a recent Zogby poll that was conducted in the first quarter of 2009.  52% of the respondents said it is time to Re-Legalize Marijuana.  And of equal importance is the fact that only 37% are opposed and another 11% are simply "not sure." 

Majority Of Americans Want Pot Legalized: Zogby Poll
[Click here for more articles on Zogy Pot Poll]

A majority of Americans, in a poll released Wednesday, say it "makes sense to tax and regulate" marijuana. The Zogby poll, commissioned by the conservative-leaning O'Leary Report, surveyed 3,937 voters and found 52 percent in favor of legalization. Only 37 percent opposed.

A previous ABC News/Washington Post poll found 46 percent in support. In California, a Field Poll found 56 percent backing legalization.

Responding to the poll at a press conference Tuesday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an open debate on legalization.

Voters were asked: "Scarce law enforcement and prison resources, a desire to neutralize drug cartels and the need for new sources of revenue have resurrected the topic of legalizing marijuana. Proponents say it makes sense to tax and regulate the drug while opponents say that legalization would lead marijuana users to use other illegal drugs. Would you favor or oppose the government's effort to legalize marijuana?"

(3) It is also interesting to look at the long term trends by looking at older Zogby polling data on the issue of Marijuana Re-Legalization.  I prepared this chart in 2003 and projected majority support no later than 2012.  Most of the "moneyed" drug reform organizations scoffed at the projection as far to optimistic.  But as usual, I was absolutely on track with my projections.  If anything I wasn't optimistic enough:

It is instructive to consider what Allen St. Pierre, head of National NORML, had to say about these new findings:

"Public support for replacing the illicit marijuana market with a legally regulated, controlled market similar to alcohol, complete with age restrictions and quality controls, continues to grow, and appears to have achieved majority support on the west coast – where many voters are already familiar with the state-licensed use and, in some cases, sale of medical cannabis.  As voters and legislators continue to look for alternative ways to raise tax revenue for public services and reduce law enforcement costs in this troubled economy, we expect the public's support for taxing and regulating cannabis to continue to grow -- not just on the west coast, but nationwide."

Zogby Poll: Nearly Six Out Of Ten West Coast Voters Support Taxing And Regulating Marijuana Like Alcohol
National Support For Pot Legalization Grows To 44 Percent
February 19, 2009 - San Francisco, CA, USA
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7806

It is also worth noting that it was the California chapter of NORML (Allen's organization) that helped to finance the Zogby poll and composed the question as a referendum on "taxing and regulating" Marijuana:  Here is how the question was worded:

"Scarce law enforcement and prison resources, a desire to neutralize drug cartels and the need for new sources of revenue have resurrected the topic of legalizing marijuana. Proponents say it makes sense to tax and regulate the drug while opponents say that legalization would lead marijuana users to use other illegal drugs. Would you favor or oppose the government's effort to legalize marijuana?"

What is going on here is what Noam Chomsky refers to as the "manufacture of consent."  NORML finances Zogby to conduct the poll in such a way that "untaxed, unregulated personal cultivation" is simply not a choice:  Then they will use the poll results to support their "tax and regulate" model while effectively keeping the MERP Model "off the table."  So if they have anything to do with it Zogby will never conduct a poll that asks whether you rather have your government be the new "drug dealer" or whether you would prefer to grow it yourself without any taxation or regulation.

So to summarize. . .

What is going on is that the status quo has decided that Marijuana Prohibition can no longer be sustained. So they have decided the best way forward is to profit from creating a new global "tax and regulate" model that will prohibit personal cultivation.  So unless you are a complete idiot it is clear that they are trying to sell us on the "fall back" position of "tax and regulate" while doing everything in their power to stop us from considering better models, such as MERP.

It is up to us to let them know we aren't a bunch of "stoners" . . . we're not that stupid.

(3) The Hypocrisy of "Taxing and Regulating" Marijuana

Before getting into the important reasons let's just consider the hypocrisy of what they are attempting to do here.  Since Marijuana emerged as the most popular and safe illegal drug -- in the1960's -- local, state and federal government has been busting users and sending growers off to prison.  In 2008 a record 870,000 American Cannabis consumers were busted and the lion's share of these were for mere possession.  And many of these consumers became targets for subsequent harassment after their arrest became part of their "criminal record."  Many other were barred from receiving college tuition grants.     So doesn't it seem ironic that the same people that were busting you for smoking Marijuana now want to effectively become your local dealer?

"So doesn't it seem ironic that the same people that were busting you for smoking Marijuana now want to effectively become your local dealer?"

Bruce W. Cain
Editor, New Age Citizen
Author of the MERP Model

Sorry but I've only got two words to express my outrage at such a stupid, hypocritical idea: Fuck that!  Is there anyone out there that is not absolutely outraged at this idea?  How dumb do they think the American People have become?

Then on top of that we find that the "moneyed" drug reform organizations (e.g., MPP, DPA, NORML etc.) are in full support of this stupid "tax and regulate" insanity?

(4) Two additional reasons why "Taxing and Regulating" Marijuana is such a bad idea.

But is not just greed and stupidity that should compel us to reject the "tax and regulate" model that these idiots think we're going to accept.  There are also two major additional reasons why the "tax and regulate" model makes no sense:

* Destroying the Mexican Drug Cartels
* Providing cheap affordable Marijuana for Medical Patients

California was the first state to legalize Marijuana for Medical purposes with the passage of Proposition 215 in November of 1996.  In the next 12 years hundreds of dispensaries (e.g., "compassion clubs") opened up across the state.  But what many don't understand is that the price of the Marijuana, in these dispensaries, is just as expensive as it is on the street.  You are still effectively paying between $300 and $500 per ounce, depending on potency and psychotropic effect.  Yet under the MERP model it would only be costing you about $20 to$30 per ounce if you decided to grow it yourself indoors: something the "tax and regulate" model is not going to allow.

And given the greed of Soros and our government it is pretty fair to assume that the "tax and regulate" price is going to be at least as high as the current dispensary prices in California.

So today California patients, such as Angel Raich, would have to pay over $35,000 per year just for her 7 grams of daily medicine if she was dependant on a dispensary for her medicine.

7 grams * $14/gram * 365 day/year = $35,770 per year

Yet under the MERP Model the same medicine would be free if grown outside and would only cost $2,555 per year if grown hydroponically under high intensity discharge lamps at a cost of $28 per ounce:

7 grams * $28/ounce * 1 oz/28 grams * 365 day/year = $2,555 per year

So it is pretty clear that, since many "medical patients" are to sick to work they would never be able to come up with the $35,000 per year for their medicine.  Under MERP it would only cost $0 to $2,500 per year.  So from a "medical perspective" it would seem that the MERP Model makes far more sense than the "tax and regulate" model.

Now lets consider the effect of both models in terms of destroying the Mexican Drug Cartels, Destroying their American-based operations and reducing the Cartel-related violence that terrorizes Mexico.

If the "tax and regulate" model price remains as high as the current street prices it is certain that the Mexican Drug Cartels will still be able to compete through their illicit distribution system, though they might have to undercut the price a bit.  Such a environment will not destroy the Cartels and they will continue to exist.  And so the violence experienced by Mexican citizens will continue unabated.

Yet under the MERP Model there would be so little profit that it would no longer be worth their while to even involve themselves in Marijuana distribution: which constitutes 70% of their drug profits.  And any enterprise, legal or illegal, that looses 70% of their revenue flow, is definitely going out of business.  And this will provide immediate relief and benefit to both Cannabis consumers and Mexican citizens.  MERP is a "win-win" here as well.   I encourage you to watch the following video to better understand how MERP would destroy the Drug Cartels:

If you don't want to watch the video you can also read through the transcript:

Re-Legalize Marijuana: A Better Way to Destroy the Mexican Drug Cartels

But the bottom line is this.  MERP will destroy the Drug Cartels within weeks of its implementation.  Any "tax and regulate" model will not.  MERP will allow the sick access to cheap effective medicine.  Any "tax and regulate" model will not. 

I challenge any of the "moneyed" drug organizations to dispute these claims.  None of the "heads" of these organizations could prevail against me in a debate over these claims.  And it has little to do with my intelligence or the any stupidity on the behalf of the Kampia's, Nadleman's, St. Pierre's of he world.  It's just the fact that arguing for a "tax and regulate" model is like arguing that the earth is flat.

The earth is NOT flat.  And a  "Tax and Regulate" Model  is NOT a good idea if we are truly considering the "greater good" of society. 

MERP is the answer most of us are looking for.

(4) Conclusions

First off I do want to reiterate that I harbor no anger against the "moneyed" drug reform organizations that are "pushing" this "tax and regulate" model.  I just think they are "hands down" out of their minds if they think we are stupid enough to go along with this.

Secondly, I want to make clear that I could personally care less if you ever get to smoke another gram of Marijuana in your respective lifetimes.  Most of you have done nothing to earn this right.

And finally I want to say that it is really up to all of us to do whatever we think it takes to leave our children with a better planet from which they can raise their children.  And I do think that allowing every adult to grow Marijuana for smoking, for food (e.g., hemp flour from the non-psychotropic seeds) and for every other gift it might bestow upon us -- as the MERP Model would allow -- is a very smart idea.

And if you also think the MERP Model has merit, please get on our mailing list and visit MERP Headquarters often.  Your marching orders will be posted in the very near future.  And if we all pitch in I see the MERP Model getting implemented as early as 2009. 

In the end it is all up to us.  As the Beatles once said "all of us is all we need" if we really expect to realize that "sea of green."  Obama's days, of saying "Yes we can't" are no longer acceptable to a majority of Americans.  Either he Re-Legalizes Marijuana under a "no tax, no regulate" cultivation model, or he gets booted from the office of the Presidency.

I'm not taking no for an answer and hopefully, neither are you.

Yours in Peace and Freedom,

Bruce W. Cain
Editor of New Age Citizen
Author of the MERP Model

In the town where I was born,
Lived a man who sailed to sea,
And he told us of his life,
In the land of submarines,

So we sailed on to the sun,
Till we found the sea green,
And we lived beneath the waves,
In our yellow submarine,

We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine,
We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine.

And our friends are all aboard,
Many more of them live next door,
And the band begins to play.

(Trumpets play)

We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine,
We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine.

(Full speed ahead, Mr. Parker, full speed ahead!
Full speed over here, sir!
Action stations! Action stations!
Aye, aye, sir, fire!
Captain! Captain!)

As we live a life of ease
Every one of us is all we need,(is all we need)
Sky blue, and sea green,(sky of blue and sea of green)
And a yellow(and a yellow) submarine.(submarine) ( Hahaha! )

We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine,
We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine.

(fading)

We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine,
We all live in yellow submarine,
yellow submarine, yellow submarine.

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