Tag Archives: illegal marijuana

Stopping The Drugs Entering America

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On March 20th, The Gateway Pundit reported that the Coast Guard intercepted more than 45,000 pounds of illegal drugs valued at over $500 million at Port Everglades in Florida.

The article reports:

Noem (Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem) said during remarks to reporters, “In the first 100 days of President Trump’s administration, he has already delivered on his campaign promises of making America safe again and to help the American people to be more secure as well.”

…“Today is a historic day. Here at Port Everglades, over 22.5 tons, or 45,000 pounds of cocaine and 50 pounds of marijuana, are valued at over a half a billion dollars, are going to be offloaded and taken out of circulation.”

“This is an unprecedented seizure of illicit drugs that is the result of 14 different interdictions of drug smuggling vessels off the coasts of Mexico, Central, and South America, by the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Stone and Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk. They’ve done incredible work here with their crews to remove these drugs out of the system so they can be destroyed.”

“These efforts were coordinated with the helicopter tactical squadron aircrews that you see with us today as well as Tactical Team Pacific, law enforcement detachments that were involved, and partner agencies that are operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.”

We won’t really end drug trafficking until we end the demand, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. We need to find ways to help addicts recover and reduce the demand for illicit drugs in this country.

The Pitfalls Of Legal Marijuana

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Recently, Our Patriot posted an article about some of the consequences California has faced as a result of legalizing marijuana. Unfortunately there is a lot of money being spent on legislators in a number of states to encourage them to legalize marijuana.

The article reports:

After a 2016 referendum, marijuana usage for recreational purposes was made legal in California. Legalization advocates said transitioning to a regulated, taxed market would be preferable to the chaotic, criminal trade that existed before. 

They assured us the legitimate marijuana industry would eventually drive out the black market. The current trend is in the other direction. 

In summary, the results of federal inaction and reduced state sanctions for marijuana infractions are unfavorable.

Instead of reducing crime, establishing a regulated marijuana sector has pushed criminality out into the state’s rural areas and sunk local politics to a new low in every corner of the Golden State. 

To obtain growing permits and legislative support for the industry’s expansion, local politicians now receive and demand enormous bribes. The Los Angeles Times cites an unnamed source who said bribe demands usually are in the low six figures. 

A degree of participation from federal law enforcement has been present in sting operations and the prosecution of corrupt officials. A number of stones must be missed for everyone that is turned over. 

The article concludes:

Officers in numerous departments confront or fear reprisal from drug traffickers and illegal marijuana farmers if they act on or even speak out against these groups. 

When authorities do undertake raids, the kingpins behind illegal grows are only somewhat inconvenienced, at best. Typically, only low-level personnel are targeted; cultivation can be back to work in a matter of days. 

The biggest irony is a record harvest and falling cannabis prices are threatening the legal trade, which has become so large, it is beyond the grasp of law enforcement. 

The Los Angeles Times puts it this way: the reduction in criminal punishments for significant marijuana infractions “lowered the cost of business” for black market farmers. 

The effects of the marijuana legalization trend in California need to be made known to the public.

Do not forget the suffering of a state already having problems under the hardships of energy shortages, rampant crime, and an escaping population trying to seek a better life elsewhere.

Other states have experienced similar problems with the legalization of marijuana. One county in Oregon has seen a dramatic increase in crime (article here).

In January 2021, CBS New in Colorado reported the following:

While alcohol is still the drug of choice, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation says 47% of drivers are testing positive for marijuana, followed by amphetamines and cocaine. The Colorado State Patrol says DUI arrests involving marijuana are up 48% in the last year.

Legalizing a mind-altering drug does not solve anything.