The state of South Carolina, is woefully behind, in the education of marijuana issues and the ignorance is blatantly clear, in South Carolina's, barbaric and overly punitive, marijuana laws and tax stamps. 14 states including Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Maryland, Montana, Rhode Island, New Mexico,and Michigan have now passed medical marijuana laws. Several other states are close behind, New Jersey is well on it's way to becoming the 15th medical marijuana state and Massachusettes has passed marijuana decriminalization laws.

More than 800,000 people, in at least the past two years, have been arrested for marijuana offenses. The ballooning, drug war, had a price tag of over 50 billion dollars in 2008.

Marijuana has proven medicinal value, backed with reliable,scientific research and medical studies, as well as, documented testimonies from medical marijuana patients. The federal government holds U.S. patents, on both THC and cannabinoids, that clearly indicate the medicinal value of marijuana. The federal government continues to deny, any medical value and has incorrectly labeled marijuana a dangerous, schedule 1 drug.

The devastating drug war against Americans & marijuana, has gone on now for over 30 years. Law enforcements' best efforts have not stopped marijuana, it is here to stay. The actions of law enforcement agencies, arresting home growers here in America, have in fact, substantially, increased the demand for black market, imported, marijuana. Black market, imported marijuana, is smuggled acrossed our borders in droves, by mostly, illegal aliens. The only way to remedy this problem, is to allow Americans to grow and possess their own marijuana, here in America, without penalty or punishment. The federal government grows marijuana and supplies marijuana to a handful of federal medical marijuana patients, for a program that has been closed to the rest of the public. Americans make up the government body, we elect persons to represent us. Logically, we should be able to grow our own medicinal marijuana by proxy. This barbaric, war mongering, federal law against Americans, who are not in the federal medical marijuana program makes no sense. Federal & State Marijuana laws have proven to be, deadly, inhumane and unjust to Americans who can improve their quality of life with marijuana. For many Americans, marijuana is a life saving medicine.

Tax and regulate??? Why tax it? Why regulate it? Why impose limits on it? IT'S JUST A PLANT!! There is plenty of tax revenue to be collected from all the supporting industry, manufacturing and product!

South Carolina is suffering, along with the rest of the America, through an economic crisis that could be easily resolved by freeing up hemp farming without restrictions, as well as repealing existing laws on marijuana. This, would promote,quality of life for medical patients and social users, create new industry, manufacturing,agriculture and employment in South Carolina and reduce non violent offenders who are over filling our prisons and jails.

Hemp industries from Canada, that import hemp product to the U.S., can barely keep up with the demand for hemp product shipped here. Hemp farming would be extremely beneficial to South Carolina, both ecologically and economically,as organic hemp can be grown with no pesticides or fertilizers, this, in turn, would help clean up South Carolina's soil and water ways, while decreasing, deforestation of valuable trees for paper and building product. Just one acre of hemp crop, produces the pulp of 4 acres of trees for paper and lumber product.Hemp used in building products, such as hempcrete, are at least twice as strong as regular concrete alone. The State of South Carolina would benefit from hempcrete when rebuilding bridges, roads and structures.

Billions of dollars could also be saved every year, by letting non-violent, marijuana offenders out of jail and prison, so that they may be productive citizens once again. By rejoining the work force, non-violent offenders would ease the heavy burden on tax payers, who are already cash strapped. Marijuana laws should be repealed in South Carolina. Repeal the harsh and senseless penalties, that serve no purpose of good intent, to the people they were meant to protect and serve. In fact, these very marijuana laws, that are in place today in South Carolina, have proven costly, destructive and have caused substantial social damage to society by retarding the progress of education on medical marijuana,marijuana for social use, hemp farming/industry and by arrests/imprisonment, that are disproportionately black Americans and young Americans for mere, possession of a plant.

In 1971 the disasterous "War on Drugs" was brutally waged against the American people. Since that time, there has been absolutely no effort for peace talks, negotiations or a cease fire. Over zealous politicians, controlled by corporate interests have turned a deaf ear to the American people. The brutal slaughter, torture and imprisonment continues to this day with militarized law enforcement carrying out check points, armed home invasions and SWAT raids, against Americans in their own country for possession of a plant.Viscious assaults, rape, murder, property theft, property seizure, sex slavery and torture have been carried out by real terrorists that wear badges and uniforms under the guise of law enforcement officers against American citizens under the cover of the War on Drugs. Marijuana users in America have and continue to suffer, human rights violations that are common occurance in third world countries. The War on Drugs " Marijuana" is without a doubt, clearly a complete failure and must be stopped immediately.

Legalization & decriminalization Lobbyists and politicians have tried to lump marijuana in with taxable, legal but dangerous drugs like cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol. There is a huge difference between marijuana and these other legal drugs. Marijuana/cannabis SAVES LIVES. Alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes ARE DEADLY. It is only by corporate rule and influence over law makers that marijuana/cannabis is still illegal today.

America, are you listening yet? We have the way out of your economic crisis, we know the path to peace, stability and ecologic health. Please join us in getting America back on her feet again and restore hope and a sustainable future for generations to come.

In closing, the U.S. Marijuana Party of South Carolina, will strive to educate on marijuana issues for medical, social use, agriculture and repeal of marijuana laws.

WE feel it is time for the 134 million *plus* Americans who smoke marijuana on a regular basis to stop hiding their love for this plant and unite as one large body of voters to demand an end to the unconstitutional prohibition of marijuana and the drug war. The U.S. cannot lock up 134 million plus people. The War on Drugs causes more harm than marijuana ever will. United, WE are a potential 15 million plus, vote political machine. WE want to live free and WE must be determined to stand up, be counted, demonstrate, rally, and write. Waiting for the government to silence us all in the American prison system is not an option! Too many of our brethren are there, in prison right now.

More Americans are in jail today for non-violent drug offenses than at any previous time in American history. More Americans are in jail today for marijuana offenses than at any previous moment in American history. The war against marijuana is a genocidal war waged against us by a government determined to eradicate our plant, our culture, our freedom and our political rights.

"WE seek to remove all penalties for adults 18 and over who choose to consume cannabis."

"We demand an end to the war on productive and otherwise law abiding citizens by the powers that be that claim to protect us."

"We demand the right to use any medication our healthcare providers and/or, we deem fit without government interference."

We demand the release of all people imprisoned on marijuana charges and that their criminal records be expunged.

We demand that all property seized in marijuana raids be returned to the rightful owners at once.

We demand that law enforcement officers make more efficient use of our tax dollars and use the resources they have at their disposal to go after violent criminals and crimes that actually have victims.

We demand the right to grow marijuana for personal consumption, just as alcohol can be brewed at home legally so long as it is not sold untaxed.

We demand humane treatment and an immediate cease and desist of the war on marijuana against Americans, for consuming something that is less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, both of which are legal and cause numerous deaths each year. Cannabis has never caused one.

WHAT DOES THE USMJP DO?

The United States Marijuana Party is here to help citizens take control of our out-of-control government and to return the power to the people as it should be.

WE are patriotic citizens who firmly believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

WE organize Marijuana Parties in states across the U.S.

WE are striving hard to have all 50 states represented by Nov. 2009

WE show up at, and hold protest and rallies in our communities.

WE write letters to the media, and our elected officials.

WE plan to run candidates on the Marijuana Party ticket in local, state, and national elections, and to debate this issue whenever and wherever the opportunity arises!

If you do not have a chapter of the US Marijuana Party in your area START ONE NOW!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR SOUTH CAROLINA'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL S.220!

Paste the link below into your address bar to send a message to your South Carolina legislatures:

https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/issues/alert/?alertid=10565216

Urge your Legislators to introduce medical marijuana legislation