June 2005: Milton Friedman and Nobel Prize Economists Call for Rational Marijuana Regulation

Costs of Marijuana Prohibition: Economic Analysis:

"Replacing marijuana prohibition with a system of taxation and regulation similar to that used for alcoholic beverages would produce combined savings and tax revenues of between $10 billion and $14 billion per year, finds a June 2005 report by Dr. Jeffrey Miron, visiting professor of economics at Harvard University.

The report has been endorsed by more than 530 distinguished economists, who have signed an open letter to President Bush and other public officials calling for 'an open and honest debate about marijuana prohibition,' adding, 'We believe such a debate will favor a regime in which marijuana is legal but taxed and regulated like other goods.'

Chief among the endorsing economists are three Nobel Laureates in economics: Dr. Milton Friedman of the Hoover Institute, Dr. George Akerlof of the University of California at Berkeley, and Dr. Vernon Smith of George Mason University."

April 3, 1998: New Zealand Drug Policy Forum says "legalize, regulate and tax the sale of cannabis"

The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #36, 4/3/98: "The New Zealand Drug Policy Forum Trust, a group of highly respected doctors and professionals, released a report this week (3/29) urging the government to legalize, regulate and tax the sale of cannabis products in that country. The report, a draft of which was issued last year for public comment, says that in addition to massive savings in law enforcement expenditures, tax revenue on the sale of cannabis would bring in $50 million. The group is confident that the report will start the ball rolling toward a more rational discussion of cannabis policy in New Zealand."

Decriminalize Pot: Prisons Need Room Needed for Pedophiles & Politicians

digg - Decriminalize Pot: Prison Room Needed for Pedophiles & Politicians: "Texas Ind. gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman for the decriminalization of marijuana to avoid further clogging state prisons with nonviolent offenders. 'We've got to clear some of the room out of the prisons so we can put the bad guys in there, like the pedophiles and the politicians,' said Friedman, a humorist and author."

FuturePundit: Soy Better Than Corn For Biomass Energy

FuturePundit: Soy Better Than Corn For Biomass Energy:

"CIA Factbook:

US Land Area: 9.2*10^8 ha

Arable Land in US 18% or 1.7*10^8 ha

Table 822 Cropland:

In Crops: 1.4*10^8 ha

U.S. Census Bureau:

Land in Farms 2002: 3.8*10^8 ha (1953 4.9 10^8 ha)

US Annual fuel consumption: 6.7*10^11 liters

JourneyToForever
website:

Crop liters oil/ha
------------------
corn (maize) 172
oats 217
cotton 325

hemp 363
soybean 446
pumpkin seed 534

rice 828
sunflowers 952
peanuts 1059

rapeseed (canola) 1190
olives 1212
jatropha 1892

avocado 2638
coconut 2689
oil palm 5950

==========================================

If we could increase the land in crops by about 20%, we could devote about 3*10^7 ha to oil crops. If we could average 1,000 l/ha*, we would have 3*10^10 of oil. That is about 5% of our current use. In order to run our transportation system on bio-diesel, we must bridge a gap of at least 4 doublings.

Could we bridge the gap? Pushing as hard as we can on automotive technology, we could certainly double fleet efficiency. We might even be able to quadruple it.

1,000 l/ha* is not a stretch. But, of the crops with good oil yields, the only ones on the list above that have any promise and which are not tropical or sub-tropical, are rapeseed and sunflower. However, we have increased corn yields by over 8 times in the modern era. So we might be able to close the gap that way.

*1l of raw oil=~800ml of bio-diesel

Clearly, the algae approach, if it does not interfere with agriculture would be preferable to plowing up that much additional land.

Posted by: Robert Schwartz on July 14, 2006 07:35 AM

Nebraska Gubernatorial Candidate For Hemp Ethanol

Seeing Red: Nebraska | Sustainable Energy | Wind and Biofuels: "[Nebraska Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Hahn ] had a heads-up on what I was interested in discussing: topics like nuclear power, ethanol, the state's 'least cost' energy law, the role of wind power and tax incentives for hybrid cars. I also asked him about peak oil and global warming. He even surprised me by talking about hemp farming, which while legal in Canada, Europe and China, is strictly controlled to the point of non-existence in the United States on the assumption – mistaken in my view and apparently in Hahn's as well – that it would encourage illegal pot production. Governor Schwarzenegger in California just vetoed a bill that would have made hemp farming legal there." -- By Bill Moore

Cellulosic Ethanol: Benefits and Challenges

Cellulosic Ethanol: Benefits and Challenges: "Is there enough land for large-scale biofuel production?

Yes. In 2005, a study jointly supported by the U.S. departments of Energy and Agriculture examined whether land resources in the United States are sufficient to sustain production of over 1 billion dry tons of biomass annually, enough to displace 30% or more of the nation's current consumption of liquid transportation fuels. By assuming relatively modest changes in agricultural and forestry practices, the report of this study projects that 1.3 billion dry tons of biomass could be available for large-scale bioenergy and biorefinery industries by mid-21st Century while still meeting demand for forestry products, food, and fiber."

The Plant of 25,000 Uses





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Lieutenant Governor for LEGAL HEMP!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THIS ELECTION! Please REGISTER ONLINE to vote, right now. It only takes a few minutes and empowers you for a lifetime.

We are not powerless against THE MACHINE. There are brave leaders and advocates who have sacrificed much in the name of this worth cause, so much as to make themselves available to support us at the highest state government offices.

A vote for LYNNETTE SHAW FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA on Tuesday, Novemeber 7, 2006 is a vote for rational marijuana management.

From the California Official Voter Information Guide, page 101:
"The war against patients and their physicians must stop, Medical Marijuana has been legal for ten years, but the authorities continue to arrest caregivers, patients and doctors. This is a waste of time, people, and taxpayers' money

My "Marijuana Peace Plan" has been in operation for nine years in Marin County. This program has removed many illegal drug dealers from our streets, protected patients and improved the quality of the medicine. Please join with me and WIllie Nelson to help save the family farm with industrial hemp and to protect your medical rights.

I am Lynnette Shaw, and I would appreciate your vote for Lt. Governor of California" - Lynnette Shaw
There are a lot of complex issues that we may not have much power to influence; however, this is an example of why it is worthwhile to become a registered voter and let your voice be heard on election days! If you didn't REGISTER in time for this election, that's fine... go ahead and take just a few minutes to register ONLINE right now so that you will be eligible for all future elections.

Knowledge is indeed power and when we know about candidates who represent OUR INTERESTS, and VOTE FOR THEM in sufficient numbers, we will become the change we seek to create in the world.

Video Hallucinigen

Stare at the video closely , that look away when told to. This makes your vision go all funny for a few seconds. Interesting.