Everyone,
Below you will find letters I have composed to Detroit's City Council, to the Mayor, to the Chief of Police, to my State Representative and Senator, to the Attorney General and Governor and our Congressman.
I request that the City officials support Detroit's right to vote on legalizing under 1 oz. of Marijuana for people over the age of 21.
I request the State not to overturn this law. I request that our Congressman do the same.
I ask that you do the same.
I list the Addresses for all people that I have written to, but realize that your State Representatives will probably be different as may your Congressman and Local Officials.
Thank you for your time and support.
All Councilmembers have the following Mailing Address:
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Suite 1340
Detroit, MI 48226
There names and titles (where applicable) and email addresses are:
Council President- Charles Pugh mailto:CouncilPresidentPugh@detroitmi.gov%20
Council President Pro Tem- Gary A. Brown mailto:councilmemberbrown@detroitmi.gov?subject=Inquiry%20from%20City%20Website
Council Member Saunteel Jenkins mailto:Jenkinscouncilmemberjenkins@detroitmi.gov
Council Member Ken Cockrel CockrelK@kcockrel.ci.detroit.mi.us
Council Member Brenda Jones bjones_mb@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Council Member André L. Spivey CouncilmanSpivey@detroitmi.gov
Council Member James Tate councilmembertate@detroitmi.gov
Council MemberKwame Kenyatta K-Kenyatta_MB@detroitmi.gov
Council MemberJoAnn Watson WatsonJ@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Dear Councilman and Council Aides,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in our City and in our country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and, as you see better than anyone, ours are running desperately short.
Ultimately finances come down to credit- trust- and whether or not you have it in the community that surrounds you.
I write with appreciation for the many good works you and your staffers do, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
What your credit now depends on is your support of Drug Prohibition.
As longtime members of this community you are aware that we have witnessed more than 21,000 people murdered since 1969 and almost every year more than 1,000 people are shot.
These statistics are only the crudest reminder of the hypocrisy of a nation that trusts its citizens to trade in Guns, but not in Marijuana.
Drug addiction is indeed the most serious health problem this country faces. But it is a crisis we face in education, a crisis we face medically and it is a crisis we face spirituality. Our dollars can no longer so over committed to the military solution.
Clearly you can see that we are running out of money.
Now consider that in 2006, Detroit Police seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half their total budget. Just imagine how many billions of dollars of pure profit is that working its way through our streets?
You have seen the consequences of our making drug dealers some of the richest and most powerful members of our community.
While legalization of small amounts of Marijuana will place a burden of change on this City’s residents, only emotion can lead us to overlook the facts:
· With Police officers no longer charged to incarcerate non-violent individuals carrying small amounts of Marijuana, they will be freed to take on more serious crimes. Without spending a dime you will multiply the effectiveness of our Police force.
· This will also increase trust between Police officers and citizens- most that consider use of Marijuana no worse than use of Alcohol.
· It will encourage regional and statewide solutions to these serious health and law enforcement issues as other communities realize they can no longer ask Detroit to shoulder the incalculable costs of America’s statist Drug policies.
As one person I am not claiming to have the answer to the problem of addiction and I am not asking that you lead an effort to legalize Marijuana.
I am asking that you support our right to vote on this matter.
To insist that this City hold the line set so long ago in the Drug Prohibition effort is an economic tyranny. It is taxation and it is incarceration without representation.
I write asking you to support Detroit’s right to vote on legalization of possession of 1 oz. of Marijuana for people above 21 years of age. Once again, I am not asking you to support it. I ask that you do support the people of this City’s right to vote on it.
And I write this sincerely to you Council Aides- speak your beliefs. Now is the time.
As this City, State, and country’s economic problems grow this law will be discarded, the same as with Alcohol Prohibition. Detroit has the right to be the first City outside the West to democratically declare our beliefs. If the State challenges our right to change the law so be it, but at least support our right to vote on this issue.
Before being liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, communists, libertarians, independents or otherwise we are first and foremost Detroiters. Stand up for our fellow citizens’ right to define their personal liberties or you will not represent me.
If you need my help on this issue in any way I am available to you. Know that I will be actively organizing and lobbying Local, State and Federal level as far as I am able.
With deepest respect in these difficult times,
-Andrew Rodney
Mayor Dave Bing
Executive Office
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 1126
Detroit, MI 48226
Dear Mayor Bing and Mayoral Aides,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in this City and in this country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and, as you know best, our accounts are running desperately short.
Ultimately finances come down to credit- trust- and whether or not you have it with your people. Not just in the marketplace, but in the community that surrounds you.
I write this letter with great appreciation for the many good works you and your staffers do, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
What your credit now depends on is your support of Drug Prohibition.
As longtime members of this community you are aware that we have witnessed more than 21,000 people murdered since 1969 and almost every year more than 1,000 people are shot.
These statistics are only the crudest reminder of the hypocrisy of a nation that trusts its citizens to trade in Guns, but not in Marijuana.
Drug addiction is indeed the most serious health problem this country faces. But it is a crisis we face in education, a crisis we face medically and it is a crisis we face spirituality. Our dollars can no longer so over committed to the military solution.
Clearly you can see that we are running out of money.
Now consider that in 2006, Detroit Police seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half their total budget. Just imagine how many billions of dollars of pure profit is that working its way through our streets?
You have seen the consequences of our making drug dealers some of the richest and most powerful members of our community.
While Marijuana legalization will place a burden of change on this City’s residents, only emotion can lead us to overlook the facts:
· With Police officers no longer charged to incarcerate non-violent individuals carrying small amounts of Marijuana, they will be freed to take on more serious crimes. Without spending a dime you will multiply the effectiveness of our Police force.
· This will also increase trust between Police officers and citizens- most that consider use of Marijuana no worse than use of Alcohol.
· It will encourage regional and statewide solutions to these serious health and law enforcement issues as other communities realize they can no longer ask Detroit to shoulder the incalculable costs of America’s statist Drug policies.
As one person I am not claiming to have the answer to the problem of addiction and I am not asking that you lead an effort to legalize Marijuana.
I am asking that you support our right to vote on this matter.
To insist that this City hold the line set so long ago in the Drug Prohibition effort is an economic tyranny. It is taxation and it is incarceration without representation.
I write asking you to support Detroit’s right to vote on legalization of possession of 1 oz. of Marijuana for people above 21 years of age. Once again, you do not have to support it, but I ask that you do support the people of this City’s right to vote on it.
And I write this sincerely to you Mayoral aides- speak your beliefs. Now is the time.
As this City, State, and country’s economic problems grow this law will be discarded, the same as with Alcohol Prohibition. Detroit has the right to be the first City outside the West to democratically declare our beliefs. If the State challenges our right to change the law so be it, but at least support our right to vote on this issue.
Before being liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, communists, libertarians, independents or otherwise we are first and foremost Detroiters. Stand up for our fellow citizens’ right to define their personal liberties or you will not represent me.
If you need my help on this issue in any way I am available to you. Know that I will be actively organizing and lobbying Local, State and Federal level as far as I am able.
With deepest respect in these difficult times,
-Andrew Rodney
Attorney General Mike Cox
G. Mennen Williams Building 7th Floor
525 W. Ottawa St.
P.O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48909
Cadillac Place, 10th Floor
3030 W. Grand Blvd.
Suite 10-200Detroit, MI 48202
miag@michigan.gov
Attorney General Cox and AG Aides,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in our State and in our country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and ours are running desperately short.
Ultimately finances come down to credit- trust- and whether or not you have it in the community that surrounds you.
I write with appreciation for the many good works you and your staffers do, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
What your credit now depends on is your support of Drug Prohibition.
As I am sure you are aware Detroit has witnessed more than 21,000 people murdered since 1969 and almost every year more than 1,000 people are shot. This IS a war and so many of this City’s residents are struggling for their very existence.
You have stated that your office will not stand for Detroit to enforce its own policy regarding marijuana arrests; this while your office is unable to enforce basic safety and security for this City’s residents; this State’s citizens.
To insist that Detroit hold the line set so long ago in this facet of our nation’s Drug Prohibition effort is nothing short of economic tyranny.
It is a policy of taxation, and incarceration and you have stated that it will be done without representation.
You cannot ask this City to hold the line, where your own office is incapable of having any impact. Continue to do so and, as a member of numerous conservative organizations, I will exercise every wit of my influence to oppose your bid for Governor.
Ignore this warning at your electoral and professional peril.
And I ask you, aides that have to toil through these letters- speak your mind. Now is the time. I apologize if this letter seems just another shrill demand- that is not me. But I have seen too many good people imprisoned, too much trust in the community destroyed, by this unequal law and I must speak up.
You all should be able to see the writing on the wall of this economic crisis. Just as Alcohol Prohibition was proven infeasible during the Great Depression so Marijuana Prohibition will be overturned as we are seeing in the West right now. Let Detroit be first in the East. The indescribable pain our citizenry has suffered these many decades proves that we must be allowed to make these decisions on a community level- on the level we are being asked to enforce these laws.
In 2006, Detroit Police seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half their total budget. Just imagine how many billions of dollars of pure profit is that working its way through this City’s streets while making drug dealers some of the most powerful members of our community!
To ask us to continue to bear the burden of enforcement is intolerable.
I have written a similar letter to every Councilmember to our Mayor, our Governor, every State and Federal representative I have and every enforcement official with a voice.
You are either with Detroit or you are against us. Please make the right decision.
With deepest respect in these difficult times,
-Andrew Rodney
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Governor Granholm and Aides to the Governor,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in our State and in our country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and ours are running desperately short.
Ultimately finances come down to credit- trust- and whether or not you have it in the community that surrounds you.
I write with appreciation for the many good works you and your staffers do, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
What your credit now depends on is your support of Drug Prohibition.
As I am sure you are aware Detroit has witnessed more than 21,000 people murdered since 1969 and almost every year more than 1,000 people are shot. This IS a war and so many of this City’s residents are struggling for their very existence.
The Attorney General’s office has stated that Michigan will not stand for Detroit to enforce its own policy regarding Marijuana arrests; this while the State of Michigan is unable to enforce basic safety and security for this City’s residents; this State’s citizens.
To insist that Detroit hold the line set so long ago in this facet of our nation’s Drug Prohibition effort is nothing short of economic tyranny.
It is a policy of taxation, and incarceration and you have stated that it will be done without representation.
You cannot ask this City to hold the line, where your own office is incapable of having any impact.
And I ask you, Aides that have to toil through these letters- speak your mind. Now is the time. I apologize if this letter seems just another shrill demand- that is not me. But I have seen too many good people imprisoned by this unequal law, too much trust in the community destroyed, and I must speak up.
You all should be able to see the writing on the wall of this economic crisis. Just as Alcohol Prohibition was proven infeasible during the Great Depression so Marijuana Prohibition will be overturned as we are seeing in the West right now. Let Detroit be first in the East. The indescribable pain our citizenry has suffered these many decades proves that we must be allowed to make these decisions on a community level- on the level we are being asked to enforce these laws.
In 2006, Detroit Police seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half their total budget. Just imagine how many billions of dollars of pure profit is that working its way through this City’s streets?
To ask us to continue to bear the burden of enforcement is intolerable.
I have written a similar letter to every Councilmember to our Mayor, our Governor, every State and Federal representative I have and every enforcement official with a voice.
You are either with this City or you are against us. Please make the right decision.
With deepest respect in these difficult times,
-Andrew Rodney
State Representative and Senator
Fred Durhal (6th District Representative)
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
freddurhal@house.mi.gov
Hansen Clarke (1st District Senator)
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
SenHansenClarke@senate.michigan.gov
Dear State Representative/Senator and Representative/Senatorial Aides,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in our City, State and in our country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and, as you see better than anyone, ours are running desperately short.
Ultimately finances come down to credit- trust- and whether or not you have it in the community that surrounds you.
I write with appreciation for the many good works you and your staffers do, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
What your credit now depends on is your support of Drug Prohibition.
As longtime members of this community you are aware that we have witnessed more than 21,000 people murdered since 1969 and almost every year more than 1,000 people are shot.
These statistics are only the crudest reminder of the hypocrisy of a nation that trusts its citizens to trade in Guns, but not in Marijuana.
Drug addiction is indeed the most serious health problem this country faces. But it is a crisis we face in education, a crisis we face medically and it is a crisis we face spirituality. Our dollars can no longer so over committed to the military solution.
Clearly you can see that we are running out of money.
Now consider that in 2006, Detroit Police seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half their total budget. Just imagine how many billions of dollars of pure profit is that working its way through our streets?
You have seen the consequences of our making drug dealers some of the richest and most powerful members of our community.
While legalization of small amounts of Marijuana will place a burden of change on this City’s residents, only emotion can lead us to overlook the facts:
· With Police officers no longer charged to incarcerate non-violent individuals carrying small amounts of Marijuana, they will be freed to take on more serious crimes. Without spending a dime you will multiply the effectiveness of our Police force.
· This will also increase trust between Police officers and citizens- most that consider use of Marijuana no worse than use of Alcohol.
· It will encourage regional and statewide solutions to these serious health and law enforcement issues as other communities realize they can no longer ask Detroit to shoulder the incalculable costs of America’s statist Drug policies.
As one person I am not claiming to have the answer to the problem of addiction and I am not asking that you lead an effort to legalize Marijuana.
I am asking that you support our right to vote on this matter.
To insist that this City hold the line set so long ago in the Drug Prohibition effort is an economic tyranny. It is taxation and it is incarceration without representation.
I write asking you to support Detroit’s right to vote on legalization of possession of 1 oz. of Marijuana for people above 21 years of age. Once again, I am not asking you to support it. I ask that you do support the people of this City’s right to vote on it.
And I write this sincerely to you Aides to the Representative- speak your beliefs. Now is the time.
As this City, State, and country’s economic problems grow this law will be discarded, the same as with Alcohol Prohibition. Detroit has the right to be the first City outside the West to democratically declare our beliefs. And we cannot allow a State that is incapable of enforcing security in our City to make this decision for us.
Before being liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, communists, libertarians, independents or otherwise we are first and foremost Detroiters. Stand up for our fellow citizens’ right to define their personal liberties or you will not represent me.
If you need my help on this issue in any way I am available to you. Know that I will be fighting this fight on the Local, State and Federal level as far as I am able.
With deepest respect in these difficult times,
-Andrew Rodney
Detroit Police Chief Warren C. Evans
DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT
1300 Beaubien
Detroit, MI 48226
Chiefofpolice@dpdhq.ci.detroit.mi.us
Dear Chief Evans and Chief-Aides,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in our City and in our country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and ours are running desperately short.
Ultimately finances, like civil security itself, come down to credit- trust- and whether or not you have it in the community that surrounds you.
I write with appreciation for the many good works you and the Detroit Police Department perform, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
What your credit now depends on is your support of Drug Prohibition.
As longtime members of this community you are aware that we have witnessed more than 21,000 people murdered since 1969 and almost every year more than 1,000 people are shot.
These statistics are only the crudest reminder of the hypocrisy of a nation that trusts its citizens to trade in Guns, but not in Marijuana.
Drug addiction is indeed the most serious health problem this country faces. But it is a crisis we face in education, a crisis we face medically and it is a crisis we face spirituality. Our dollars can no longer so over committed to the military solution.
Clearly you can see that we are running out of money.
In 2006, your Police Department seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half the total budget at that time. Just imagine how many billions of dollars of pure profit is that working its way through our streets?
You have seen the consequences of our making drug dealers some of the richest and most powerful members of our community.
While Marijuana legalization will place a burden of change on this City’s residents, only emotion can lead us to overlook the facts:
· With Police officers no longer charged to incarcerate non-violent individuals carrying small amounts of Marijuana, they will be freed to take on more serious crimes. Without spending a dime you will multiply the effectiveness of our Police force.
· This will also increase trust between Officers and Citizens- most who consider the use of Marijuana no worse than use of Alcohol.
· It will encourage regional and statewide solutions to these serious health and law enforcement issues as other communities realize they can no longer ask Detroit to shoulder the incalculable costs of America’s statist Drug policies.
As one person I am not claiming to have the answer to the problem of addiction and I am not asking that you lead an effort to legalize Marijuana.
I am asking that you support our right to vote on this matter.
To insist that this City hold the line set so long ago in the Drug Prohibition effort is an economic tyranny. It is taxation and it is incarceration without representation.
I write asking you to support Detroit’s right to vote on legalization of possession of 1 oz. of Marijuana for people above 21 years of age. Once again, I am not asking you to support it. I ask that you do support the people of this City’s right to vote on it.
And I write this sincerely to you Aides to the chief- speak your beliefs. Now is the time.
As this City, state, and country’s economic problems grow this law will be discarded, the same as with Alcohol Prohibition. Detroit has the right to be the first City outside the West to democratically declare our beliefs. If the State challenges our right to change the law so be it, but at least support our right to vote on this issue.
Before being liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, communists, libertarians, independents or otherwise we are first and foremost Detroiters. Please stand up for your fellow citizens’ right to define their personal liberties.
I understand that you do not pass these laws and please know that I have taken this plea to many Local, State, and Federal representatives and officials, but the opinion of your office is critical. The fight to be made is in how to enforce the people’s will- not in whether they should be allowed to express that will in the public forum.
With deepest respect and support in these difficult times,
-Andrew Rodney
Congressmen
Senator Carl Levin
269 Russell Office Building
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2202
Fill out the form on this page to Email: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Debbie Stabenow
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
http://stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm
Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
2264 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2215
https://kilpatrickforms.house.gov/email_me.aspx
Dear Congressman and Congressional Aides,
I do not take your time lightly.
We all know that we are at a crossroads in this country. Accounts have to balance- that’s capitalism- and ours are running desperately short.
Ultimately it comes down to credit and whether or not you have it with your people- not just in Washington, DC or in the marketplace, but in the community that surrounds you.
I could write of my appreciation for the many good works you and your staffers do, but with respect for all of your time I will cut to the chase.
Where you lack credibility in this community is in your stance on Drug Prohibition.
More than 21,000 people have been murdered in Detroit since 1969. The majority have been drug-related, and this figure does not count wounded.
In the first 6-months of 2004, 800 people were shot in Detroit.
At the same time the US experienced 100 people wounded in Afghanistan.
In the first 7-months of 2009, 700 people were shot in Detroit.
At the same time the US experienced 517 wounded in the War in Iraq.
The fact is that by inaction your office is supporting a policy that is destroying this community.
Drug addiction is indeed the most serious health problem this country faces. But it is a crisis we face in education, a crisis we face medically and it is a crisis we face spirituality. Our dollars can no longer be so over committed to the military solution.
You can clearly see that we are running out of money.
In 2006, Detroit Police seized drugs with a street value of $257,515,000- more than half their total budget. How many billions of dollars of pure profit is that on our streets? And whose budget is more likely to get cut- Police or dealers?
And I will not even speak to the human consequences of what making drug dealers the richest people in urban communities has done to this country, save the body counts mentioned above; the CRUDEST reminder of the hypocrisy of a nation that trusts its citizens to trade in Weapons, but not in Marijuana.
I am not claiming as one person to have the answer to the problem of addiction.
I am asking that my community be allowed to decide for itself where to make our stand.
To insist that this city hold a line set so long ago in the wider Drug Prohibition effort in the face of such terrible costs is an economic tyranny. It is taxation and incarceration without representation!
Support Detroit’s right to legalize possession of 1 oz. of Marijuana for people above 21 years of age.
If you do not stand with this city now; if you will not be counted than we will know that we cannot count on you.
I am not a tea partier. I am not a democrat. I am not a republican. I am not a conservative and I am not a liberal. I am a Detroiter. Stand up for our fellow citizens’ right to define their personal liberties or you will not represent me.
If you need my help on this issue in any way I am available to you. Know that I will be actively organizing and lobbying Local, State and Federal level as far as I am able.
With respect
-Andrew Rodney
If you've gotten this far, thank you readers.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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