Legalize It! Peter Tosh Family Endorses Prop 19

From: http://www.tokeofthetown.com/

Graphic: uuLyrics

"Some call it tampee. Some call it weed. Some call it marijuana. Some of them call it ganja. Legalize it; don't criticize it. Legalize it, and I will advertise it."

​When reggae legend Peter Tosh released the song and album "Legalize It" in 1976, a new anthem for the marijuana movement was born. And that same year, as a newly licensed 16-year-old driver, Legalize It was one of the first 8-track tapes (I know, LOL) I ever bought.

Now, in 2010, the family of Peter Tosh is, for the first time, coming out and announcing its strong support of California's Proposition 19 and the Just Say Now campaign to legalize marijuana nationwide, reports Michael Whitney at Just Say Now.

Part of that support is the launch of a new video from Peter Tosh's son Dave, intended to help mobilize voters to vote November 2, and to organize supporters to call voters for Prop 19 this weekend.

Peter Tosh's family released this statement:

Today, as Peter Tosh did back in 1976 with the release of Legalize It, the Peter Tosh Estate proudly speaks out for marijuana legalization. They do this in the name of Peter Tosh, his music, and their strong belief in the power of "Yes" on California's Proposition 19. Join them in the fight for legalization by supporting the Just Say Now campaign.

In the video, Dave Tosh endorses Prop 19:

My name is Dave Tosh. Peter Tosh has been a lifelong advocate for the legalization of marijuana. The song "Legalize It" from the album of the same name became the anthem and rally cry across the globe. On November 2nd, California can help make this dream a reality. Vote "Yes" on Proposition 19.

"On behalf of Just Say Now, I can say that we are deeply honored Mr. Tosh's family is carrying on the same legacy that marked his living years: speaking up for those whose voices weren't as prominent," said Aaron Houston, executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

"He was an early pioneer not only in music, but also in speaking out for marijuana legalization," Houston said.

"It truly is an honor to have the endorsement and support from the Peter Tosh family in these final days for the Proposition 19 campaign," said Whitney of Just Say Now. "Join us in the last four days to pass Prop 19: sign up to call young voters and put Prop 19 over the top."

Former U.S. Surgeon General Calls for Marijuana Legalization

By the CNN Wire Staff
Ex-surgeon general: Legalize marijuana

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Joycelyn Elders tells CNN resources can be better spent
* She says the drug's illegality is criminalizing young people
* "It's not a toxic substance," she says
* California's Proposition 19 would legalize marijuana use in the state


(CNN) -- Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders told CNN Sunday she supports legalizing marijuana.

The trend-setting state of California is voting next month on a ballot initiative to legalize pot, also known as Proposition 19. The measure would legalize recreational use in the state, though federal officials have said they would continue to enforce drug laws in California if the initiative is approved.

"What I think is horrible about all of this, is that we criminalize young people. And we use so many of our excellent resources ... for things that aren't really causing any problems," said Elders. "It's not a toxic substance."

Supporters of California's Prop. 19 say it would raise revenue and cut the cost of enforcement, while opponents point to drug's harmful side-effects.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a letter, obtained by CNN Friday, that federal agents would continue to enforce federal marijuana laws and warned Prop. 19, if passed, would be a major stumbling block to federal partnerships between state and local authorities around drug enforcement.

His letter was a response to an August letter from several former directors of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration urging the White House to block Prop. 19 if it's approved next month.

Elders stressed the drug is not physically addictive and pointed to the damaging impact of alcohol, which is legal.

"We have the highest number of people in the world being criminalized, many for non-violent crimes related to marijuana," said Elders. "We can use our resources so much better."

Court challenge aims to legalize all cannabis use

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Health Canada has faced court challenges over medical marijuana eight times and has lost all of them. In each case the decision came because the court felt regulations were too restrictive for those seeking legal marijuana

Advocates say previous rule a 'mockery'

Shannon Kari, National Post Published: Monday, June 01, 2009

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Medical marijuana advocates are planning a court challenge aimed at legalizing all cannabis use, in response to the latest restrictions announced by Health Canada.

The federal government announced last week that it would allow designated producers to grow marijuana for as many as two medical users, instead of a maximum of one, permitted under the old regulations.

The previous rules were ruled unconstitutional by a Federal Court of Canada judge in January, 2008, because they did not provide for a sufficient legal supply of cannabis for medical users without having to use the black market.

Health Canada appealed unsuccessfully to the Federal Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, which refused in April to hear the case.

It was the eighth time in the past decade that Health Canada has lost in court trying to uphold its medical marijuana policies and regulations, each time over restrictions on supply.

The federal government's decision to allow producers to grow for no more than two users is a "mockery" of the courts, said lawyer Ron Marzel, who was part of the successful Federal Court challenge to the previous regulations.

The most recent restrictions for medical producers that were struck down were virtually identical to ones that were found to be previously unconstitutional by the Ontario Court of Appeal. The rules "create an alliance between the government and the black market," to supply "the necessary product" wrote the appeal court in October, 2003.

One option for medical users is to go back to the Federal Court to ask it to find that the two-to-one ratio is also invalid.

However, the response from Health Canada would likely be to start another round of appeals in court, observed Mr. Marzel.

"It is time for the vicious cycle to end. It means we have to take it to the next level, to show the government it cannot thumb its nose at our courts," said Mr. Marzel.

The lawyer explained that he is organizing a court challenge this summer on behalf of a number of people in Ontario facing marijuana trafficking charges, and has asked that all charges be dismissed.

If he is successful, it would effectively mean that there is no prohibition on possessing or producing marijuana, for medical or recreational use.

"This is the only way. The courts have repeatedly given the government time to come up with a workable solution. They didn't do it. Health Canada has brought this upon itself," suggested Mr. Marzel.

For several months in Ontario in 2003 there was no valid prohibition against simple possession of marijuana, as a result of a Superior Court decision related to the flaws in the medical marijuana regulations.

Similar arguments will be made by Mr. Marzel in asking a court to strike down all prohibitions, unless Health Canada enacts regulations that allow for a legitimate supply for medical users.

skari@nationalpost.com