Judge Jim Gray on The Six Groups Who Benefit From Drug Prohibition

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Judge Jim Gray on The Six Groups Who Benefit From Drug Prohibition

Рет қаралды 192,244

14 жыл бұрын

In 1992, Jim Gray, a conservative judge in conservative Orange County, California, held a press conference during which he recommended that we rethink our drug laws. Back then, it took a great deal of courage to suggest that the war on drugs was a failed policy.
Today, more and more Americans are coming to the realization that prohibition's costs-whether measured in lives and liberties lost or dollars wasted-far exceed any possible or claimed benefits.
Reason.tv's Paul Feine interviewed Gray about drug policy and the prospects for reform. The interview was shot by Alex Manning and edited by Hawk Jensen.
Judge Jim Gray is the author of Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs.
Approximately 8.30 minutes.
Go to reason.tv for downloadable iPod, HD, and audio versions.
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Пікірлер: 573

@viralnews8056 8 жыл бұрын

We need more judges like this man, Thank you for speaking common sense.

@KimonSheri 17 күн бұрын

He is a good man

@rayrcarr 9 жыл бұрын

One of the best 8 minute talks I have ever heard on the subject. Thank you Judge Gray

@MasterCytron 11 жыл бұрын

Being a long time chronic pain sufferer myself, this video is music to my hear! God bless you, Judge Jim Gray!

@Roy-gy8su Жыл бұрын

Suffer from severe pain right now and unlike their cronies who get given whatever drugs they need to take care of their pain I can't even get a lousy 10 hydrocodone a month to relieve this agonizing pain that I lay there and cry from sometimes at night 67 years of age and being treated like some little child and can only have what mommy or daddy allows me and the doctors are nothing more than government agents

@sleepyhead8681 Жыл бұрын

Red vein Kratom(Bali and Thai) are legal and hit opioid receptors. The gov almost made it sch one under Oboma and several states but only like 10.

@KimonSheri 17 күн бұрын

He is quite a man. I know him personally from long ago

@realmichaud 10 жыл бұрын

"the government has just as much of a right as what I put into my body as I put into my mind, its none of their business!".....amen to that!

@lilsaam 4 жыл бұрын

Amen!

@StevelaFrench 8 жыл бұрын

If all Conservatives were as sensible as this man, I know who I'd vote for. Sadly, they're not.

@mikeaskme3530 6 жыл бұрын

@Al Falcon that is a lie.

@Mr.Ut21 2 жыл бұрын

Lol, its not just conservatives. Bill Clinton, the great Arkansas cocaine smuggler, intensified the war on drugs in the 90's when he was POTUS. Federal laws are passed by Congress. So yeah, Liberals vote for drug conteol, also.

@BigAssNigga311 2 жыл бұрын

@@Mr.Ut21 Bill Clinton ran as the "im not like the hippie democrats" type of democrat. He's what Joe Biden and Joe Mancin basically are, moderate and more conservative democrats. they are not liberals and its disingenuous to act like they are. It's still conservatives that are the problem. Your argument really would have worked on someone who doesn't understand how these political positions work.

@jeankutzer1556 Жыл бұрын

Conservatives, so called defenders of individual liberty recently made prostitution a felony in Texas. Hypocrites.

@billhughes5638 9 жыл бұрын

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? This guy was kicking prohibition butt in 1992!! And he STILL speaks the truth why cannabis needs to be re-legalized.

@michaelpizzo92 5 жыл бұрын

I like the "re-legalize" point. I always feel the word legalize almost implies government is granting the use of something that in it's natural state would be illegal somehow.

@sveinnolafsson3209 10 жыл бұрын

this is really a war over who Owns people.

@midas2092 6 жыл бұрын

One that no nation can win. Nations age crumble, ideals don't, even if the ideal is mild hedonism.

@KimonSheri 17 күн бұрын

👍

@vinoberg 14 жыл бұрын

Great video. Im adding this to my favorites so I can link anybody still for the war of drugs to it and save myself the argument.

@elisesrn 9 жыл бұрын

LEAP is doing an exceptional job in a grassroots movement to educate the public.

@crispytaco4822 8 жыл бұрын

Legalize it or don't I'm going to smoke it anyway.

@bonson9156 8 жыл бұрын

+Crispy Taco fuckin right!

@bonson9156 8 жыл бұрын

dongydongy nothing wrong with that at all

@rocketman697 7 жыл бұрын

Not even coffee?

@micknielsen7102 7 жыл бұрын

Mr. Taco wouldn't it be better if you didn't have to risk losing your freedom and a good chunk of change for using a naturally unrefined growing plant? The truth is people either haven't learned the lesson of failed alcohol prohibition or they have succumbed to government propaganda and conditioning intended to expand the reach of government and police powers into every aspect of our lives. Drug prohibition is only a vehicle that carries that agenda. I'm not saying that the people who instigated alcohol and drug prohibition were not well intended because I believe they were, the problem is they were ignorant of basic human nature and that's why the prohibitions inevitably fail. The real problem is in the face of obvious failure today's proponents of drug prohibition have been so worked over psychologically to not recognize they were wrong and undo it like people did with alcohol prohibition, It's a form of cognitive dissonance!

@cravinbob 7 жыл бұрын

No coffee? No alcohol? No jogging? No aspirin?

@sefd9291 9 жыл бұрын

Legalization would steer majority to legal sources.

@A7alpha 9 жыл бұрын

What he calls the Holland effect for marijuana, I like to call the Italy effect for alcohol. The drinking age in Italy is 16, yet no teenagers get as drunk or messed up as they do in the here in the States. Why? Because it doesn't give you that "bad boy" title. Yes, they do drink it, but forget about keg stands and those other stunts whose sole purpose is to get you hammered.

@KristiGilleland 9 жыл бұрын

A7alpha I saw that same thing in Germany as well.

@neilemac 9 жыл бұрын

A7alpha But Europeans cultured; where here???? "Around here, it's hot dogs & home runs" was the uninvited response spewed in my face by an egotistical 'loudmouthed' guy refuting my comment at a student party when I was voicing concern over 'red tape' of the US bureaucracy toward 'working rights' as an 'immigrant student.' In other words; shut up, be 'patriotic,' and don't question authority. No wonder the world's a mess, yes; it's not Europe running the world.

@randallanthony1794 6 жыл бұрын

I don't use drugs,that said this guy seems 100percent correct.time to start helping than causing harm.

@CMilliron1988 10 жыл бұрын

This guy could fix our country's debt

@KimonSheri 17 күн бұрын

This man indeed can fix our nation.

@V3rnSqwd5611 7 жыл бұрын

"The prisons guards union is the strongest political lobbyist we have." That's why it will be nearly impossible to ever change these laws, they have the money and political connections to haunt anyone who tries to fix this broken system, because as long as it's broken they make money.

@TheMojoincc 10 жыл бұрын

This man has major balls.

@timothymason809 2 жыл бұрын

Huevos grande

@mikemendillo5584 6 жыл бұрын

Legalize all of them,,,, Right on Judge !!!!

@beverlymitchell8798 6 жыл бұрын

crack head i knew it.

@mikemendillo5584 6 жыл бұрын

Beverly Mitchell. You know nothing,, lol !!! Now go stick your head back up your Ass!

@tray-oq1nj 6 жыл бұрын

Beverly Mitchell go get drunk and flush your kids meds.

@DOTA2FroggyStyle 10 жыл бұрын

His policies are reflective in what's happening in Colorado now. The only issue we're facing is where/how to tell if a person is driving under the influence of pot.

@Ookmongani 11 жыл бұрын

Sir, thank you so much for your honesty.

@Tolli.Forker 13 жыл бұрын

All parents and families need to watch this!!!

@YuriRadavchuk 8 жыл бұрын

Big pharma is also in the winning team because of psychedelics, MDMA and cannabis prohibition.

@corners3755 6 жыл бұрын

did leave that big one out didnt he

@emiliocus2560 5 жыл бұрын

Along with the Alcohol and Tobacco companies cuz lets be real no one would use that poison if the 3 you mentioned above were legal and regulated. Also this can only work with proper drug education cuz there are to many sheeps running around in the world today to do their own research.

@KimonSheri 17 күн бұрын

Your Honor. You know me as Jim. You were my judge, years back. You are a fine man. Thank you your Honor. I replied to your email this morning. Just for reference

@renegade2142 14 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jim Gray and Reason. I wish politicians would listen to you.

@CountArtha 12 жыл бұрын

This guy reminds me of my favorite teacher back in high school.

@isidoreaerys8745 4 жыл бұрын

“and #2 is grapes by the way, if you care.” I do care. Thankyou.

@michaele.3270 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@alisonhilll4317 7 жыл бұрын

he forgot the CIA

@TheClaygooding 14 жыл бұрын

Judge Grey is one of our most viable spokespersons in the advocacy of marijuana law reform and drug war rethinking. We have done this too long without any accountability to the federal bureaucracy that has spent over a trillion dollars since 1972 in this insane war. And there are more drugs available now than ever.

@robertmartin3194 6 жыл бұрын

"And we're going to be successful"

@NATESOR 12 жыл бұрын

It's incredibly frustrating that such a crystal clear, well-thought-out, logical, reasoned, considerate, and eloquent argument against the utter insanity that the war on drugs is... Will not mean jack-shit to some people. Most people... I hate people.

@bl00df4rt 13 жыл бұрын

I've heard all of the these same arguments about a million times (and, yes, I agree with them). This guy though, does explains them in a much more engaging and interesting way.

@catfishfriend 14 жыл бұрын

"The government has as much of a right to control what I as an adult put into my body as it does what I put into my mind: it's none of their business."

@dawnelliott8794 2 жыл бұрын

Love Judge Jim Gray! I'm curious to hear his stance today.

@badfish13 12 жыл бұрын

And he said "tax the silly stuff" haha!

@Krupification 14 жыл бұрын

Great interview!

@9879SigmundS 7 жыл бұрын

Great interview.

@waldosunshine 14 жыл бұрын

A conservative for proactive drug reform? I LIKE IT! This guy is great

@dharmasanctuary 12 жыл бұрын

A very articulate speech about the errors of government in dealing with drugs...amazing there are so many trolls commenting on this video....this is a sign that the message is clear and important.

@420captain 11 жыл бұрын

My Older brother interviewed the Judge twice and both were published in High Times. He is a very smart man and wise.

@stevester1983 13 жыл бұрын

Judge Jim Grey - Not afraid to stand up and tell the truth !!

@hypnocil10 3 жыл бұрын

this guy deserves a medal

@carlfreeman20 14 жыл бұрын

Spot on - well said!

@timothymason809 2 жыл бұрын

I am sick with LUMBAR SPINAL stenosis and live in severe pain everyday. Help us.

@057wolf 11 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I wanna know too. It sounded awesome.

@VegetoStevieD 8 жыл бұрын

Prohibition infringes on religious civil liberties, unless you actually believe the Federal Government has the right/authority to decide what is and what isn't a religion, in which case you are wrong.

@saalanc 14 жыл бұрын

Brilliant!

@MikeSynonymous 14 жыл бұрын

It's so very rare that a spokesperson for narcotic legalisation is so well spoken! I hope he is successful!

@tybrands 13 жыл бұрын

Jim Gray for the Supreme Court!

@juneruse6497 10 жыл бұрын

love this ... "people who support the status quo are on the wrong side of history" Conservative. Liberal, Progressive, Democrat, Republican ... all need reminders that systemically we need change ~ systemic change is a challenge as it involves a paradigm shift ...

@lootbrute6467 10 жыл бұрын

HERO

@deiselden 11 жыл бұрын

well done jim ,great points you make.

@anneturner2404 2 жыл бұрын

2022 I’m just hearing him !! 👍👍👍 Chronic Pain is killing me. Regulate & decriminalize !!! He’s 100% wonder where he is now ???

@f1lt3r 12 жыл бұрын

Yaaaaay, logic and common sense! Johnson/Gray 2012!

@Tapecutter59 11 жыл бұрын

Nobody is more committed to a crusade than a convert. While he was locking people up in the 70's others (in less formal attire) were making the same arguments. Perhaps not quite so eloquently but the logic was the same. Having said that, he deserves credit for his efforts to set thing right. It takes a big man to attack a system that has served him so well. As someone who has smoked for 40yrs, there seems to be a rash of "respectable individuals" speaking out, lets hope it continues to grow.

@oldblubblub 10 жыл бұрын

I'm all for the legalization part but why tax it? Is it so that the state can have even more money to waste? Furthermore, I would find it rather hypocritical that the same government that locks people up for pot would now be making money off of it.

@craigstock7471 10 жыл бұрын

The entire idea is and has been to make money. Either way, legal or not, THEY will always want a cut.

@thefabulousgreenbean2194 9 жыл бұрын

Jordan Colburn It's a good question, maybe the taxes would support health programs and addiction recovery where needed.

@VegetoStevieD 8 жыл бұрын

+Jordan Colburn Everyone always says "tax it" because we're all living under the assumption (which seems correct) that no one in power actually does anything just because it's the right thing to do.

@iLuvMkLA 11 жыл бұрын

This video needs to be at 30 million views.

@dcourtn1 12 жыл бұрын

I love Jim Gray. He is a true libertarian.

@bittergunowner12 14 жыл бұрын

Wow this guy is spot on!

@deluge17895 11 жыл бұрын

I appreciate it man

@apalsenberg 14 жыл бұрын

07:16 Holland: The legal age is 18 and not 16 !! 16 is for beer.

@supreme84x 11 жыл бұрын

Great job

@richyrich561 4 жыл бұрын

There’s a man who knows what’s up!

@randomlyunknown2012 12 жыл бұрын

when alcohol was banned due to the constitutional amendment for that short period, productivity had increased and accidents had decreased because people weren't drinking casually during the day. Even though the bootleg market was big, it was nothing that was affecting people in the public anymore. The same principal can and should be applied to any of these other drugs.

@SuperMachineElf 14 жыл бұрын

Dude, awesome.

@Solarcloud 12 жыл бұрын

This is an awesome video

@HomeFreeinmySUV 10 жыл бұрын

What a hero.....the system is so corrupt...and he is so correct. This film must go everywhere...but the police and politicians area controlling all this...and benefiting from it...how will the people change that???

@paraguayo2 12 жыл бұрын

Why hasn't this gone viral?!!

@MsPrincesspaulina 6 жыл бұрын

Finally, someone who makes sense on this issue.

@gofigureejc 13 жыл бұрын

You said it Jim!

@skota7416 6 жыл бұрын

God bless you

@garrethdavis 11 жыл бұрын

Fantastic.

@hypnocil10 8 жыл бұрын

well spoken

@AliAbassi1 14 жыл бұрын

wow very strong points and a very good speaker

@joshwhoisthatguy 12 жыл бұрын

Well, if it dosen't go well know we'll welcome you guys in a heartbeat.

@NeutralAtJSP 13 жыл бұрын

I think it's fantastic a conservative judge had the courage to speak up like this, even now. It's a shame that here, in the United Kingdom, there's no chance for any realistic reform based on scientific evidence and public freedom until at least the next general election, and I predict potentially a while longer than that.

@maciejnowak666 11 жыл бұрын

Judge Grey has the most reasonable and level headed argument for legalization of pot. We need more sane people like that. Radical hippies don't help in the argument or the PR

@bootaypleaza670 9 жыл бұрын

Jim Gray for President!

@neuroboost2585 6 жыл бұрын

His logic is undeniable

@SajoieDeVie 11 жыл бұрын

I love Judge Gray. I hope he is on the LP ticket in 2016 so that I can vote for him again.

@NPertinaci 12 жыл бұрын

i love you judge jim gray

@AnthonyPellegrinoOfficial 12 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video. He mentioned the companies that benefit from drug prohibition generally but only specifically mentioned the ones that benefit directly. He missed the lumber industry, the textile industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the alcohol industry. All these industries benefit as well.

@i3o83 14 жыл бұрын

For everyone wondering, the song at the beginning and end is "Don't do me harm" by Beight

@JayDDeeee 12 жыл бұрын

Settle down.. They are both on the right side of this and are both fighting the good fight. Spend your time contacting others and spreading the message of liberty instead of infighting..

@Silvsilvchan 14 жыл бұрын

My two main complaints with Reagan. 1: Intensifying the drug war. He wasn't the one who started it, that was Nixon, but he certainly made it a hell of a lot worse. 2: Failing to balance the budget as he promised in 1980. These two things stand in the way of me viewing him as a good president.

@flowers6576 2 жыл бұрын

Gov't needs to listen to this man (& all others saying the same thing)!

@OnlyHempFuture 13 жыл бұрын

Amen Brother! ~ OneLove ~ JBB

@CountArtha 14 жыл бұрын

This guy reminds me of my high school history teacher - in a good way.

@theaceofspades39 11 жыл бұрын

voted for Gary Johnson this morning and saw Gray was the VP which was a very nice surprise

@viennabandd 13 жыл бұрын

Judge Jim Gray for U.S President; This man is bang on. End The War On Drugs. irra

@JMB488 11 жыл бұрын

Why doesn't this have more views?

@ghuegel 14 жыл бұрын

You're right, and I think there's a larger problem about people's attitude towards the government -- as though the gov't is there to immoral behavior, regardless of whether the "criminal" is doing anybody harm or violating anybody's rights. But I can live with the argument presented in the video if it helps convince people of the right conclusion, even if the rationale is incomplete (valid, but incomplete).

@dylanroberts93 11 жыл бұрын

No problem it was HARD to find it's on myspace.

@PalmliX 13 жыл бұрын

@Volume5 Good point

@residentzombie 14 жыл бұрын

The Constitution and Bill of Rights were only drafted on hemp paper, but the final version was written on parchment paper.

@donkeykong919 11 жыл бұрын

Couldnt of said it any better.

@MipsieB 14 жыл бұрын

Smart guy, wise words. Just one thing, the legal age for coffeeshops in the Netherlands is 18, not 16.

@foozlesprite 13 жыл бұрын

I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I've never even tried an illegal drug. But I support a reform of drug laws. The people I've been around who drink nearly ruined my life (and DID ruin theirs). Smoking hurts both the smoker and the people/animals around them. The pot users I've seen are mellow. I'd love to see pot made legal and taxed for extra government income, instead of having millions of dollars wasted against such an unharmful drug. The harder stuff is different, though.