Green Party U.S. Senate Candidate Calls For The Repeal of Federal Laws Criminalizing Marijuana

By Duane Roberts

Duane Roberts, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, calls for repealing federal laws prohibiting marijuana from being used for "medicinal, recreational and industrial purposes." Roberts urges passage of Prop 19 saying it will send a message to the political establishment.

For Immediate Release
September 9, 2010
Contact: info@voteforduane.org

ANAHEIM, Calif + Duane Roberts, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, calls for repealing federal laws prohibiting marijuana from being used for "medicinal, recreational and industrial purposes." Roberts urges passage of Prop 19 saying it will send a message to the political establishment:

"As I officially kick off my campaign for the U.S. Senate today, one of the first declarations I make is to call for the repeal of all federal laws on the books which make it a criminal act for people to grow, sell, and use marijuana for medicinal, recreational, and industrial purposes.

"According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 800,000 people are arrested each year in this country for using a plant of which the evidence suggests is far less dangerous to consume than alcohol, tobacco, and some well-known prescription pharmaceuticals.

"This is a tremendous waste of taxpayer money. Not only does this clog the court systems and fill up the jails and prisons with non-violent offenders, but it diverts the limited resources of police, prosecutors, and judges away from pursuing individuals who engage in violent crimes against others.

"Repealing federal laws criminalizing marijuana will save the U.S. government billions of dollars it spends trying to eradicate this plant and give the people of each state an opportunity to experiment with different models of legalization, as California is doing with Prop 19.

"Recent polls suggest a majority of Californians support Prop 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. If this initiative passes, it will be for the first time since 1913 that it will be legal under state law for people to possess marijuana for personal consumption.

"Despite some flaws in the way it is written, I strongly urge all Californians to vote 'yes' on Prop 19. Don't make perfect enemy of the good. Its passage will create huge shock waves throughout the entire political establishment -- everywhere from Sacramento to Washington, D.C.

"By casting your ballot in favor of Prop 19, you'll be sending a strong message to politicians across the nation that the one hundred year old witch hunt they've been waging against persons who grow or use marijuana -- fueled by racism, fear, paranoia, and utter stupidity -- is over with."

http://www.voteforduane.org

###