End Marijuana Prohibition In SC: News Via NORML - Holy Hemp! Pat Roberston Supports Ending Cannabis Prohibition In An Effort To Get ‘Smart On Crime’

December 22nd, 2010 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

Break out the recorders! Don’t let this one get away!

If I didn’t watch it with my own eyes I might not believed it possible: Televangelist and former Baptist minister Pat Robertson making a cogent argument on alternatives to arresting and incarcerating citizens who use drugs, with a clear emphasis on legalizing the possession of a few ounces of cannabis.

The 700 Club segment on alternatives to crime helps promote a new right-of-center organization that seeks to actively lobby for reform of the criminal justice system principally as a poor use of scant public funds called Right on Crime. Notable conservative activists such as Americans for Tax Reform’s Grover Norquist, American Conservative Union’s David Keane and Prison Fellowship Ministries’ Pat Nolan are spearheading this important new front in the now 40-year-old effort to reform cannabis laws.

Also, with unbelievable karmic timing, Pat Robertson endorses ending Cannabis Prohibition for possession of a few ounces at the 4:20 mark of the video.

Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Video direct link: http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/Archive/Club/700Club121610_WS&WT.mc_id=EmbedPlayer

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 10:55 am and is filed under Cannabis and Culture, Cannabis and the Law, NORML Executive Director, News, Strategies for Reform. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a trackback from your own site.

69 Responses to “Holy Hemp! Pat Roberston Supports Ending Cannabis Prohibition In An Effort To Get ‘Smart On Crime’”

Hippieland.net Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:59 am
Actually there is growing right wing support for cannabis legalization.But your right,who would have figured?
barf Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
if you ever needed a real sign of the xtrian apocalypse, here it is……… next will be hemp for jesus….
ray christl Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
This is good news,and an effort to bring a different demographic to the RIPS vs DIMS paradigm. Ron Paul and Judge Napolitano are having an affective development on the body politic.
It also shows you the DIMS are impotent in picking ‘low hung’ fruit. WarBama is such a massive disappointment.
Gov. Gary Johnson deserves our full support in 2012 !
Brandon Lee Boucher Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:22 am
Praise God!
Nash_1 Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:44 am
Slowly but surely the tides are turning.Law enforcement and prison industry will squeeze and milk every drop of these pathetically labeled criminal funds/policies.
Until finally the majority of the public force this onto their representatives.
Not all people slapped with possession drug records(multiple or not) are bad folks, but the hurdles and stigmatization to move forward in life is unbelievable.
Even though I never thought I would see eye to eye with Mr.Robinson , I’m glad he had the courage , to come out with this. One does not need foresight anymore to see the negatives everywhere of these polices turning our citizens into 3rd class citizens.
Anna Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:45 am
This was the first thing I saw on the internet this morning, and all I can say is that Mercury must have come out of retrograde. This is mind-blowing and a great holiday gift from the Christians!
fishcreekbob Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:58 am
Lord be praised. Take that all you atheists. Ya that’s right God planted the first seed.
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YellowJuana Cake Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
WOOOOO HooooooOO! I think this is a wonderful endorsement that will help us gain more support from faith-based conservatives.
truthandconsequences Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Praise the Lord!?
BTW, check this out. A court in Montana was unable to seat a panel of jurors who would convict under the state’s marijuana laws.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/22/montana-jury-marijuana-mutiny_n_800074.html
fishcreekbob Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
It was the ministers that inspired the citizens our founders for what we are supposed to be today.
Michael Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Uhm, pushing religion down the throats of non-violent prisoners is not going to solve anything.
Stompedonmyrights Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
As you can plainly see that a light has been shined on a old lie, I like to call it Congresses Constructive Fraud placed upon the people by denying them this God given plant depriving Citizens of their natural rights under the US Constitution. They have done this for the sake of the society but in fact the Constructive Fraud has been very harmful to the Nation as a whole. But now this Constructive fraud has a light on it and will be seen for what it has always been, A Fraud! I bet as the light growns brighter the folks like this here the Televangelist and former Baptist minister Pat Robertson running away from this fraud. Many like him will soon follow, even those in the Government will do an about faceas this constructive fraud is lite up and debated. I personally think our Government yelled FIRE! in a crowdy movie house (America) when there was none. They cause harm when they did this act of constructive fraud, people got trampled & killed under the panic they willfully and wantonly created for their personal gain. This is a violation of Common Law, a crime has been comitted, we have a harm upon the American population willfully commited by the Federal Goverment, each State on it’s own entered willfully into this Constructive Fraud with the Federal Government inwhich the RECO Law should come upon those violators.
Mike Goldman Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Someone should excerpt a short clip of this and post it to Youtube for wide redistribution.
Tom T. Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Hahaha…that is really funny! Sadly a lot of sheepish people listen to this man to guide them morally in their own lives. So it could have some actual impact on the issue…but really funny, and very ironic and strange to actually watch him say that.
Chris Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:32 pm
This is FANTASTIC! I am thrilled that a few well-known names on the political Right are seeing the light re: marijuana prohibition. I don’t understand why it took them so long.
Besides, we must never forget that it was the Left wing PROGRESSIVES of the early 20th Century that started all of this drug law craziness in the 1st place. Mostly due to racial hatred, ‘cuz a lot of these laws were aimed @ Asian, Black, & Hispanic segments of US society: the Food & Drug Act of 1906, the Harrison Narcotics Act (both of which occurred when Teddy Roosevelt was POTUS, IIRC)….& then after alcohol Prohibition was eliminated by the 21st Amendment in 1933, the Progressives had to find another whipping boy, & that turned into the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 (FDR — another Progressive POTUS) due to Black & Hispanic populations in the South.
Maybe now that we have BOTH sides of the political aisle questioning marijuana Prohibition we can get serious about making it legal again.
Anonymous Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Bout time
todd kern Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
pot laws …
i feel only after the border are safe and the cartel’s are either dead or in jail for there killing and crimes can we think of making pot league.
we need to take back the land and the rights of all there in and a bout there.
we did not make it this way but the cartels did . why should we feel bad about the law we are forced to make to keep the us safe !!!!
if we went back to having pray in school and the teaching of the bible in the first place , sorry to say this but i do believe in god and my saving grace … but there are many that dont feel this way . if they just used the bible as a way to live. and things to hold as a way to treat others and a life’s book of instructions we would be better off…. only then would we have a start…
as for obomba i am sorry but this law that was passed about gays is wrong wrong wrong ……
how many times in the bible does it talk about gay and how its against god.!!!!
i stand with you in the lord and believe your right but first things first…
john Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
is the sky falling i know weve made gains on public opion, but damn thats sweet to hear
Iva Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Okay, I am starting to believe in Santa again. I had to keep listening because I couldn’t believe my ears!
ray Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I’m so confused. I’m not supposed to agree with Pat Robertson on anything! It’s great to have conservatives like Beck and Robertson somewhat on our side. It’s gonna take a lot more examples of this to let the Bible Belt know it’s ok to disagree with our drug laws and at the same time be smart and tough on crime.
CDXX Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:19 pm
If you consider how many [numerous] times I have insisted that God is the solution, you might understand how elated I am to see this post on NORML. I completely understand that this post suggests that faith can lead one away from drugs,and as far as hard drug addiction is concerned, my spirit is equally lifted. I’m still whirling with amazement that some prohibs have finally taken this position on our Holy Sacrament…Thank God!!! So! for those who do believe in God and God’s Holy Sacrament, it would be appropriate to view this with all the seriousness of a heart attack. God’s gift is the answer. Genesis I:29,30,31
KC Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Further proof that the legalization of marijuana isn’t a liberal vs. conservative issue. Liberals should want it legal for taxation and regulation purposes, and conservatives should want it legal for civil rights and personal freedom reasons. Can’t we just do this already?
BryanF Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:39 pm
This is encouraging to see a largely conservative media source such as the 700 club hint at rational cannabis policy. Older and socially conservative segments (700 club audience) of the population have received argueably the greatest deal of cannabis propaganda throughout their lifetime. For the audience to be exposed to sound cannabis rationale from one of their own is a strong step.
Joel: The other Joel Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Maybe Pat Robertson will debate against some well known prohibitionist over this issue on his 700 Club. I’m sure he will get a lot viewers.
David Kemp Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Finally compassion is shown from mainstream American religious leaders. Maybe they’ve been reading Dr Weil. I say recommended theologian studies should now accompany getting your mmj card. God only knows how much a lack of ethics exists even in the current underclass of mmj patients and supporters, much less the society as a whole. Everyone should be familiar with Tillich, St Augustine and Luther! Great going Rev Robertson! Now if only the Pope would get on board would I actually believe in Santa Claus.
Weedshouldbelegal Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Huzzah!!!!
claygooding Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
wow,I gotta quit vaping before looking at stuff like this.
Now I have to wait 4 hours and read this again.
US: Holy Hemp! Pat Roberston Supports Ending Cannabis Prohibition - Marijuana.com Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
[...] [...]
Lagosa Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Well that will be seen by the Religious people sitting on the fence and may push them to our side!
citizen Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
win
Joel: The other Joel Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I couldn’t watch a whole hour of it,but I did watch the first 4 minutes. I agreed with him.
During the early 1980’s, it started out as faith and self mind control and it was working until the politicians and the police force got involved with “Tough On Drugs” and scaring the people with their anti-gangs seminars and town hall meetings trying to persuade the public that their method is better.
Then came the frantic lies of Joyce Nalepka to Nancy Reagan.
Jeanne Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I can not beleive some one finally has a brain. Even if it Pat Robertson, that want cannabis legal even if for a small amount.People do not deserve to be put in jail for a plant that God has given us!!
Amy Kyle Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:45 pm
This is HUGE down here in the Bible Belt. Something else to add to my list. They mentioned Texas, I hope we ARE making changes in the way people think.
Thank You for publishing this story, As a Conservative Republican myself, People just don’t understand that this issue crosses the line in so many ways.
jon Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
glad to hear that some of my fellow christians are thinking criticly and using common sense when it comes to matters like this.
Steven Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I’m not a fan of corporate religion, I’ve been very hurt by the last church I went to and although these guys still don’t promote Marijuana but they seem to have the correct idea. This is the most honest discussion I’ve seen from a Christion organization I’ve seen yet.
Chris Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
If I had not been high when I heard the news, the shock would have overtaken me.
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Nic Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Looks like somebody did the math.
Too many laws, too many prisons, too many police.
Too many ruined lives.
Enough is enough.
Rational Voice Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 pm
HFS! I’m speechless…
Igor Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Amazing that there is something that I agree with Pat Robertson about.
There’s got to be a catch somewhere. Surely.
Of course, he’s just jumping on the bandwagon at the last minute, before it leaves the station. I never remember him saying anything against Prohibition before. This is just a ploy to attract new listeners… a younger audience…be cautious.
Massvocals Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 4:57 pm
heath care is not constitutional and its a republic form of government a constructional republic pat
and reform of the marijuana laws which are base in prohibition you know about that right hate the sin not the sinner , so make it all illegal and jail em all ah so now costing you cash ahhh yayayayay
GOD wants you out of the policy of man stick to gods laws and by the herb all are legal
Holy Hemp! Pat Roberston Supports Ending Cannabis Prohibition In An Effort To Get ‘Smart On Crime’ | Herbal Bud Smoke Shop Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 4:59 pm
[...] full post on NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform Share and [...]
NagaSadhu Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Unbelievable and at 4:20 too! “God works in mysterous ways”.
David Conner(VA) Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:16 pm
“Building more prisons than schools”
hrmmmmmm, looks like things are starting to make sense now. Never saw this one coming! This is awesome, nothing in this country will get done unless BOTH SIDES are in alignment. And until now, due to the polical games played which prevent politicians from acting to change our policies, both of our ‘twin’ parties have been on the wrong side of this issue. Election after election, both parties try and top each other by being harder and harder on drugs.
But it looks like they are just pushing these failing policies harder and harder on honest, tax-paying and hard working americans that are making one PRIVATE choice: to smoke marijuana.
PLEASE, let us close prisons, convert them to schools and divert these taxes into education. Both education to prevent hard drug abuse and education to better prepare our children for the future because right now, we are failing on BOTH fronts!
David Conner(VA) Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:18 pm
nothing will change in drug policy until both liberals and conservatives begin to realize that it’s an issue they can both get behind. and it definitely looks like that is starting to happen.
skeptical_Toker Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Prison fellowship is just using the government to brainwash prisoners into their faith. It has no evidence that it helps the public out at all. This is bullshit. Protect the separation of church and state.
dennis roberts Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:52 pm
One toke over the line, sweet Jesus, one toke over the line. dennis
Mrs. Rat'sRectum Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:56 pm
He must have finally realized that by digging a grave for someone else provides work for the unemployed until there are so many unemployed that putting them in prison to make work for someone else is prohibitively expensive.
He must also finally have realized that the nation has to find a sustainable way to keep revenues flowing into the public coffers while cutting programs if it is not going to raise taxes. President Obama said as much today in his news conference, however he did not mention legalizing cannabis. He’ll want to use the “cat’s paw” for that–someone else will have to do all the hard work and he’ll sign it into law.
Really though, it must be money.
The faithful, being out of work these days, must be contributing less in the collection plates. Legalizing cannabis would make jobs.
Let’s have the geographic regional conferences to legalize cannabis, and may the best plan be adopted by the authorities. The time is now.
Let’s not let another spring go by and let U.S. farmers miss the time cannabis should be planted because of prohibition.
Okie Nate Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Amen, it is about time Christians get behind the movement because they see the insanity of Prohibition. Marijuana is not a crime, God gave us the Herb bearing seed to use and prosper.
Russ Belville, NORML Outreach Coordinator Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Don’t forget that this guy agreed with Jerry Falwell about 9/11 being caused by gays, feminists, and “abortionists”. Pat himself claimed God sent Hurricane Katrina to punish New Orleans for hosting a gay pride convention. Still, for ol’ Pat to connect the dots from a couple of ounces of pot to mandatory minimums to creating criminals of youth to wasting time and money was a miracle.
As for the rest, I’m fine with prisoners (ones that deserve and require imprisonment) given the opportunity to find religion and religious fellowship, so long as there are equal opportunities at redemption given without religion (access to education, non religious fellowships, etc.) for the non-believers.
Peter Meeter Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 7:29 pm
This means all the hypocritical ” Devil ( & most of them are ) worshipping liars that call themselves Christians that there actually is one real Christian out there .
Peter Meeter Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Hmmm, good point, Russ .Guess i should of read all the posts ( especially yours ) before making any comments . Ol’ Pat has gotten better but, obviously has still got some polishing up to do .
Maybe God will give him another chance -
woodpicker Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Praise the Lord and pass the Puna Butter!
Atlanta Toker Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Every minister or men of the cloth that really cares about the people in his church should feel the exact same way. If they really care about the people in their community they will start drives within the church and communities to stop arresting individuals every 37 seconds for posession of marijuana. It is immoral. You know its interesting that a backwoods preacher can finally see the truth but the United Nations which if fully aware that 10’s of thousands of people are dying every day in this world over this very issue and the United Nations are mute. When will the United Nations finally show some balls and state that any penalty for the posession of marijuana is immoral. How about it United Nations? You cant let the the US Govt buy you off forever, If you allow that youll lose credibility. (Thats funny right there now, the word credibility and the United Nations in the same sentence. lol)
Rev.sLeezy Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Holy Smokes. HOLY SMOKES.
The Rev.sLeezy
Cory Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I’ve always thought that the constituencies of social conservatives as a major stumbling block for legalization, under the premise they will come out in droves to protect their children from candidates supporting perfectly acceptable adult behavior. But with the recent shift in polling trends over the past five/six years, due to electoral shifts from the generational gap, I view this as further signaling a tipping point in the shift of cultural mores. The plan to convert prisoners to see the holy light sounded eerily akin to scientology, but secularists like myself party with succubus.
THE TRUTH DOCTOR Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Russ..your brilliant . You seem to have a way with taking the words directly out of my mind and mouth then putting it on ” paper ” . Couldn’t agree with you more .
I also agree that Christians are not Christians when they justify persecuting anyone using Marijuana while they use Alcohol and other ” man made ” drugs . I have a friend named, Don Chin who deeply believes he is a Christian, lives in a near million dollar home, uses drugs containing caffeine and drinks Alcohol then condems me because of a medical need of Marijuana .
Ridiculous .
JDNCGAZ Says:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Even HIS GOD allows him to see the light.All of the plants on this planet are here for a reason.Marijuana just happened to be the most misunderstood, or was it.The people who smoke pot responsibly function just fine on a daily basis.The government and RELIGOUS factions of this country are the ones who fight legaization the hardest.
My daughter asked me would I let a 12 yr. old smoke pot? I said no of course, ALTHOUGH if said child insisted on doing it anyway I would also prefer they do it at home so they can be supervised.This is responsible parenting.THANK GOD MY CHILDREN ARE GROWN AND RAISED!!!!In this day and age if your 12 yr old is smoking pot and gets caught ,they can say goodbye and so can the parents since parents are responsible for their childrens actions,Just more money and federal funds to be wasted on incarcerating the population of this country.We lead the world in number of prisons and number of people in prison.When are the people of this country going to wake up and demand a stop be put to this failed policy?
CDXX Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:31 am
35 Jon
36 Steven
40 Rational Voice
50 Okie Nate
Checkout Christians for Cannabis .com
42 Massvocals
Genesis I:29,30,31…God’s law.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Now! everyone is talkin’ God. He was there when we needed him – we just weren’t there. Be proud of God and his gift of Sacrament. Can’t ya feel God’s love!
True American Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:33 am
2012 here we come!
True American Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:35 am
We even got the NUTS onboard now….Yeah! Hm I guess – Right
Paul csuhta Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:29 am
I have supported doctor robertson for 25 years as a member of the 700 club and the user of medicinal marijuana for longer and people should listen to this man he’s been very successful in life any news many things take his word on this 1
Auxesis Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:59 am
The religious proselytizing on these comments is ridiculous. Decriminalization and legalization needs to be bipartisan, religiously tolerant, and accepting movement. That being said, I agree with Buchanan on pot, despite his insane religious views and homophobia.
Marijuana Law Reform – NORML | nugslist Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:21 am
[...] Holy Hemp! Pat Roberston Supports Ending Cannabis Prohibition In An Effort To Get ‘Smart On Cr… Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:55:45 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director Share This Article [...]
J Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:53 am
I’m not religious but I think if hell exist it just froze over!!! Maybe someone can get in contact with these religious organizations who are serious about ending prohibition and add them to our team and finally end the war on drugs!!!
Don Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:09 am
I’m happy to have another voice in our favor – and it’s a very recognizable and powerful one (in that it reaches lots of people who may have been waiting for a sign from God). As an athiest, I disagree with almost every word that comes out of his mouth however. But, maybe now our elected leaders will pay attention; I know, I’m probably dreaming…
If I get the chance, Gary Johnson will definately get my vote to become the next president.
Walker Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:25 am
I have always placed value on Dr. Robertson’s viewpoints. Historically, his insight has preluded future events.
A Preacher For Pot? « Darren Monie Says:
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:40 am
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