announces the release of

                                                                                          A Better Way

  Welcome to all that sought out this site and this concept. I have created a model for the production, inspection, distribution and consumption of cannabis. To my knowledge it is the only comprehensive "seed to roach" body of thought. My plan to regulate cannabis is designed to create a new industry and at the same time, provide the American economy with a significant boost in investment, employment and taxes. We have all heard, "legalize it and tax it". What I describe is how we should go about doing just that. 

  My name is John Hunter. I have witten a little book entitled A Better Way-A Fresh Pespective on Legal Cannabis. I am also responsible for the content presented here (unless otherwise noted). I must admit that the title A Better Way sounds a bit...arrogant. However when you consider the hurdle, prohibition, it is not that difficult. Prohibition, as a baseline, will produce thousands of murders, billions of illegal profits that will be used to corrupt, adulterated product and sixty million citizens engaging in an act of civil disobedience. The last forty years tells us the next year will be like the last. That is not hard to improve. Provide for less murders, less illegal profits, less corruption, no adulterated product, sixty million citizens no longer classified as criminals, and throw in that it makes big money and what is not better?

  That argument is forty years old. It was just as valid forty years ago. But it did not move public opinion. Annual polls conducted by Gallup indicate growing support for legalization as a recent development, within the last ten years. The argument hasn't changed but the invention of medical marijuana has struck a compassionate chord for those that receive therapeutic benefit from cannabis. This appeal to the compassionate has been successful, but just as importantly is that the generation that is reaching end of life status is significantly anti legalization. The why is interesting and even debatable, but moot nonetheless. The important thing is the majority will shift around December 2011. If history has tought us something about this issue, it is being right doesn't matter, whoever has the most votes is "right."  

  Support for legalization was at about 44% in October 2009. That is about 130 million citizens. That is a lot of people. What I find interesting is the 44% don't have a specific model to support. They just feel anything would be better than what we have. I have designed a model that I believe would meet the needs of users and non-users. I also believe the model would create 2.5 million permanant jobs, provide work for hundreds of thousands tradesmen during the five year construction phase, redirect the current funding for prohibition and provide a $100 billion annual contribution in taxes. If 44% supports the undefined, how many would like all the benefits just listed? I think more.

  If you like what you see here, what you read here...then share it with others. The object is that the 130 million supporters of the undefined, become aware. They will make the right choice. They will not only say "legalize it," but also "do it this way." I cannot overstate the value of requiring the opposition have to respond to a specific model. We have provided them the luxury of making "false choice arguments." These arguments appeal to some basic misconception being exploited for its fear factor. Without an alternative they can make the argument that the legalization will leed to teenagers selling joints to school kids to support their meth habits. As ludicris as this might sound, the argument is deflected and the opportunity lost to expose the misleading faults in their argument. America gets its sound bite. Case closed. This stonewalling behavior has been endured for the last forty years. We still have prohibitionists preaching "gateway theory." This argument has literally been considered a fallacy for forty years. It was debunked four decades ago (for you Lincoln fans, thats two score). It is a stalling tactic,

  We fell into the trap of arguing the minutia. Never the big question. Always the details. More details and then more, forever. The war is never won because the decisive battle is never contested. Take their options away from them, go on the offensive and make them answer questions. For instance, "Senator. What part of The Plan do you find objectionable-the 2.5 million new jobs or the $100 billion in new taxes. Maybe the elimination of violence in the cannabis trade?" The question puts them squarely on defense.

  In the book, I have presented the argument that we are already familiar with in a consise manner. I also explain what a comprehensive system of regulation should be concerned with. I deal with the specifics of who, where, how, and how much plus the why behind each decision. Also, in the design process, I have tried to create a system that will be eternal. That will meet the needs essentially forever. Half step and half measures will produce something mediocre. My solution is bold, and if followed, will create a seminal moment in history. Not just here in America but everywhere else as well. In other countries where the price is already established, the model I created would work; western Europe, Canada, Australia. The Mexican production and smuggling of cannabis will simply stop. No longer will thugs grow plantations of weed in public places. All of that is not just different, it is better.

What I Believe

  I wrote A Better Way to enlighten people that the coming decision to legalize marijuana is not to taken lightly. It is one of the biggest decisions our generation will make and as such we owe it to ourselves, our children and to society in general to make an informed choice. To legalize cannabis without concerning yourself with the who, where, why, how and how much is absurd. I believe that a comprehensive system of regulation can be the main selling point for legalization if it is done correctly. Providing a well reasoned alternative will appeal to those that feared legalization was some ambiguous hell. Control will be much improved, regulation will provide data that prohibition has been unable to provide. With regulation we would know exactly how much cannabis America consumes. We will know who smokes, who sells, what they smoke, what they sell, where they smoke it, and where they sell it. If you can think of any other pertinent info, we could probably capture it. That is control; not dogs, guns and jails inflicted on less than 2% of the perpetrators. 

  Starting with a blank sheet of paper to begin the design of your system, you must get the priorities correct. In this case the first priority is safety of the product. Second is the maximazation of jobs and third is the maximazation of taxes. I have addressed these priorities and have designed a system that I defy anyone to improve. I have taken the industry and divided the jobs into the lowest possible quota, thereby creating the maximum number of jobs. I have centralized the production for security and inspection, thereby minimizing the cost. I have applied the simplest, least invasive manner of tax that guarantees compliance. Nearly half of the tax will come from hard working Americans paying income and social security taxes on their legitimate employment in the trade. I believe that Americans can be trusted with a simple set of rules and a couple grams of weed. I believe that Americans deserve these jobs. I believe Americans deserve a government that works a little more efficiently. Since they have been unable to provide for the people, the services in relation to the money spent, we should take it upon ourselves to design that for them as well. Record federal deficits with no relief in sight, nearly all states in the red (46), cities will follow. Republicans and democrats have not demonstated any competence. They all had chances but they failed at every turn. Why should I have to convince anyone of their incompetence? Haven't they done that all by themselves?  

  Just like you wouldn't let a vegatarian prepare your meat, a prohibitionist is the last person to design a system of regulation. So, for those that don't know, the product cycle for cannabis is: Production, Inspection, Distribution and Consumption. My plan deals with each of these aspects and does so in a fresh and enlightened manner keeping in mind the priorities described above: Safety, Jobs and Taxes. This plan does not cater to and is not designed to enrich any "special interests." It truly is a plan of the people, by the people and for the people. The corporations are left out as they should be. This plan allows for cannabis users to take care of their own and also keeps it out of sight for those that would rather not be exposed.

  I have tried very hard to create a plan that really does spread the wealth. There will be no one person, organization or corporation reaping billions of profits. Instead, I have created a system where millions of Americans will make an acceptable middle class living. All cannabis would be grown and sold fresh, locally by individuals with government inspection, oversight and facilitation. Consumers will have a very simple, easy to understand set of rules.

What about Medical Marijuana?

  The push for therapuetic marijuana has done more to move public opinion than all agruments to date.And I support the right of the people to access cannabis for whatever ails them. If somebody gets relief from smoking a little weed then by all means. Better that than a few shooters.

  However, for those that think their recreational needs will be met by a state to state mish mash of cannabis laws will be mistaken. Most states that have medical marijuana today are restrictive to what ailments are allowed MM. If you don't have MS, AIDS or chemo induced nausea, most likely you are left out. For the state of California where $135 dollars to a "doc in the box" will get you a medical card all I can say is that $135 is a lot of money to have some otherwise unemployed MD write you a script for something you know more about than he or she does. The Plan provides safe access for all persons of age and provides for the resumption of industrial hemp.

  But, I will not lie to a doctor to get medical marijuana for recreational use, That is insulting, demeaning and shameful. I will not do it, and I will not apologize about my preference for weed. I am offended by the stoner jokes and the "what have you been smoking" less than witty comebacks.