Page A-2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, October 30, 2013
and many readers
could just look
out their windows
and see the same
thing.
Last year,
my father called
me when he
By DAN MANCUSO, received his paper
in Arkansas with
Publisher
a plant on the
cover. He asked,
“What’s that on
I know I am about to open a can
the front page?”
of worms here. I expect this to bring I replied that it was Cannabis. “Oh I
a barrage of letters both pro and con, didn’t know it had flowers,” he said.
but isn’t that what a good opinion I told him that the flower is what
piece is supposed to do?
contains the medicine. “I thought
I don’t know why the prior you smoked the leaves,” he said.
owners chose to run the plant on the I explained that the leaves contain
front page each year. So, why do I do cannabinoids and that when eaten or
it? Because like it or not, it is a major juiced it was a cure-all that doesn’t
economic driver in this community. I have the side effects that smoking
also believe that many people don’t causes. “Huh,” he replied. Then he
realize how beautiful the “Devil went on to tell me about the NASCAR
Weed” actually is. We could have race that day.
run a photo of a beautiful tree in fall
Cannabis was labeled the killer
colors, I was told. Yes, I could have, drug back in the 1930s. Opponents
Life in the
Valley
of Riches
claimed that its use causes murder,
insanity and death. Oddly no one in
documented history has died from an
overdose of the plant’s drug, THC.
In 1936, the federal government
funded the movie “Reefer Madness.”
The movie included a hit-and-run
accident, suicide, homicide, rape, and
a rapid descent of the cannabis users
into madness. Congress held a hearing
and after two hours they voted to take
action. The evidence used to make
this decision was later proven to be
utterly false, but that really doesn’t
matter because it garnered the effect
it desired and that is the Marihuana
(yes, that is how they spelled it) Tax
Stamp Act of 1937, signed into law
by President Roosevelt. A violation
of the Tax Stamp Act was a felony
with a maximum fine of $2,000 and/
or 5 years in prison. According to
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Attorney
Bruce Alan Block, over 20 million
people have been sent to jail for its
possession.
The law did not make
possession or use of cannabis illegal,
as that would be a violation of the
10th Amendment. What it did do
was require a person possessing it
to have a “tax stamp.” In order to
get this stamp you first must have it
in your possession, thus a violation
of the act. Since that time the law
has been found unconstitutional and
Cannabis has been added to the list of
controlled substances such as heroin
and cocaine.
The main complaint that I most
often hear is that the growers don’t
get taxed on the sale of the plant.
With the dispensary law having
passed the tax free days may be at an
end. Like most business when you
sell something for $10 and your cost
is $5 you only pay taxes on the $5
profit, less overhead. Any dispensary
owner worth his salt will be issuing
1099’s for tax mitigation purposes.
The lower price for the product will
be offset by one simple fact, you
can’t go to jail for selling it. Seems
to me that this is a win-win for most
Oregonians, pro or con.
Many people in this area have
strong feelings against this plant.
They grew up in an era when the
government was still on its high
horse about how evil this plant was.
The funny thing to me is that in that
same time period people hid their
children at home who had afflictions
like Down syndrome or other genetic
abnormalities. Today, TV shows are
built around people with disabilities.
Maybe its time to stop treating the
plant like the red headed stepchild
and really take some time to see what
this plant really can do.
As I write this, we have about
six Oregon State troopers in town
pulling over all sorts of cars looking
for Cannabis. Forget the meth labs
and the heroin dealers, they are too
hard to find, I suppose.
I would like to hear your
opinions on this subject. I only ask
one thing, keep it factual.
Thank you for picking up this
week’s paper, enjoy! ~ djm.
Letters to the Editor
Illinois Valley News welcomes Letters to the
Editor.
Please e-mail them to
dan@illinois-valley-news.com
POLICY ON LETTERS:
‘Illinois Valley News’ encourages letters to the
editor provided they are legible and not libelous
or scurrilous. All letters must be signed, including
name, address and telephone number. The latter
need not be published, but will be used to verify
authenticity. The “News” reserves the right to edit
letters. Letters are used at the discretion of the
publisher.
***
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, includ-
ing statements made as fact are strictly those of
the letter writers)
Letter to Editor
“Listen up People!” or should I say,
“Wake up America!” I read that stupid ballot
and I can’t imagine it passing. Who ever
thought of that crap needs to resign from office.
I didn’t vote them into office! How do you like
them now? At least Simon Hare did well by not
voting for it. If you really want law and order
in this county, here’s where you begin: Tax
dollars need to be set aside first and alone for
the Sheriff plain and clear. The tax dollars set
aside shall go directly in to the Sheriff’s account
for law enforcement only! Then, when and if
he runs out of money we’ll know who to go
to and find out where it went. See how simple
that is? The Meth Poison and users along with
the waste will be handled properly. The funds
will pay for jail, etc. as the Sheriff sees it. Then
there will be a straight line of responsibility to
track. Got it? Not the so called general fund. As
it stands, your tax dollars are not being used for
our protection or as it should be. I’m sure some
of it is, but I don’t think the tax dollars are being
used wisely. Recall option is there for a very
good reason. Do you remember these words?
“Together we stand, divided we fall?” Well,
if you do, then get together. If you don’t then
blame yourself!
Hey! I have an idea…what about
growing hemp. Wow! That caught your
attention, huh? Marijuana was something I
was brainwashed about during my days of law
enforcement. Then one day I had a vision. Who
put it here? Do you follow me so far? I could
honestly go on for quite awhile, but would it
do any good? I finally woke up at 71 years of
age. I’m ashamed of myself for not waking up a
lot sooner. But, I’ve been awake since. From 20
years ago - I apologize to the so called Hippies
for not understanding way back then. They
were right about a lot of things back then. Not
everything, but a lot of things. I’ve read a lot
about cannabis over the years and found a lot
of doctors, attorneys, judges, law enforcement,
etc. use it for medicine and recreational use and
no one died from it like alcohol and some of the
prescription pills that are FDA approved.
At this point I want to say, “I hope I’m
not offending anyone with this writing. It’s only
my opinion.” Now then, I’ve spoke with a great
number of folks that have no problem with
paying a very reasonable amount of taxes on it.
As it is now, the money they get from it buys
gas, lumber, food, clothes and so much more.
That alone should tell anyone that the money
is going back into the community for support,
retail and wholesale alike. Yea! Oregon,
Colorado, etc. Let’s put folks back to work with
Pot…Hemp…If we don’t have the money, how
can we hire contractors, buy a beer, go out to
dinner, etc.? We all need to work. I could write
a book, but you get the message don’t you?
I love our Valley, so let’s set the
example for the rest of the country. Become the
friendliest city/county in America. Quit fighting,
mind your own business, help each other and
make peace, not war.
I love you all!
Ken LeGaux
P.S. We have a good Sheriff. He wants to
help us. Let’s keep him. I vote no on #17.
I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
Oct 31 & Nov 1
IV Haunt at Jubilee Park 6-10 p.m.
investigate the inner workings of leaves and how they “change”
colors on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 2
Nov. 6
Ecologist Rich Nawa is leading two easy 1-mile hikes at Il-
linois River Forks State Park to see salmon spawning. The hikes
are planned for October 27 and November 2 from 1 to 3 p.m.
both days. Meet Nawa at Forks State Park before 1 p.m. Look
for his green Corolla in the parking lot. Then, depending on river
flow conditions, the group will drive to Little Falls on the Illi-
nois River near Kerby to hike about one-half mile to see leaping
salmon from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The trail is steep and rocky near the
falls.
JoCo Library Cave Junction Branch. TED Talks: Endangered
Cultures Wednesday, November 6, 6-8 p.m. Join us for a presen-
tation of films, photos and a discussion led by Barry Snitkin.
Nov. 2
Day of the Dead Costume Party Saturday, November 2.
Takilma Community Building 9367 Takilma Rd. Cave Junction
Doors open at 7:30. Music 8 p.m.-midnight. Only Natural, DJ
GALxSEE, Frankie Hernandez. All proceeds benefit The Dome
School.
Nov. 2& 3
FIBERMANIA 2013! Registration is now open for booth
space and classes. Event will take place November 2 & 3 at the
Josephine County Fairgrounds. Fiber producers and artists from
Oregon, California, and Washington have taken part in this an-
nual event over the last three years. Booth spaces are 10’ X 10’
and are available for $75.00. Classes have various fees depend-
ing on the class. There will be classes in spinning, weaving, tat-
ting, needlework, and knitting.
For information and to register go to www.fibermania.org or
you may telephone Diana Shultz at 541-218-1169. FiberMania is
sponsored by the State of Jefferson Alpaca Association.
Nov. 6
Young Master Gardeners are meeting at the I.V. Library to
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
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Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
POSTMASTER: Please send
address changes to P.O. Box 1370,
Cave Junction OR 97523
Illinois Valley News is published at
221 S. Redwood Hwy.,
Cave Junction, OR 97523
Telephone (541) 592-2541
FAX (541) 592-4330
Since 1937 periodicals postage
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Nov. 6
FREE Health Talk Parenting with Love and Logic: learn
strategies to help improve parenting skills. Wednesday, Novem-
ber 6th, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Elementary School: 520
W. River St., Cave Junction. Led by Jody Conrad M.S. School
Psycologist. Presented by Healthy U: 541-592-4888 or www.
healthyucenter.org FREE!
Nov.8
JoCo Library Cave Junction Branch. Intro to Computing Fri-
day, November 8, 10-10:30 a.m. Local computer expert Chris
Funk will start his three-part computer series with an introduc-
tion to the basics on a computer.
Nov.8
FREE Movie Night Two Angry Moms - Fighting For The
Health of America’s Children Friday, November 8th, 6:30-8:00
PM at Healthy U-535 E. River St., Cave Junction (in the very
back of the I.V. Family Resource Building). Part exposé, part
“how-to”, Two Angry Moms chronicles the efforts of leaders in
the better school food movement as they take on the system na-
tionwide. FREE!
Nov. 9
Parenting with Love and Logic® Wednesday, November 6th,
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Evergreen Elementary 520 W. River St, Cave
Junction. Learn strategies to help improve parenting skills. Jody
Conrad, M.S. School Psychologist. FREE event with compli-
mentary childcare available. Please call Healthy U to register.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One year in Josephine
County - $30.50
One year in Jackson and
Douglas counties - $32.50
One year in all other
Oregon counties and
out-of-state - $39.00
Illinois Valley News does not refund subscriptions.
Remainder of subscription will be donated to the
charity of your choice.
541-592-4888 or visit www.healthyucenter.org
Nov. 9
6th Annual Acorn Festival and Scarecrow Contest will be
held at the Selma Community Center at 18255 Redwood Hwy
in Selma from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn how to process and cook
with acorns. Fun and educational activities for kids and adults
alike.
Scarecrow contest enter to win a $100 first prize. Voting ends
at 4 p.m.
5 p.m. potluck dinner. Hosted by the Cultural & Ecological
Enhancement Network ( CEEN) Call Suzanne at 541-291-8860
for more details.
Nov. 16
IV Cheer invites you to its 1st breast cancer awareness
Zumba-Thon, Sat. Nov. 16 at IVHS. To sign up call Bobbi
Loyd I.V. High Cheer Coach (541) 659-2028 FAX TO (541)
592-4853.
Nov. 16
The Spiral Living Center will present a delicious Local Foods
Dinner, silent auction, music and a short talk on the history of
farming in the Valley on Saturday, November 16th, at the Illinois
Valley Senior Center, 520 East River Street. The event will begin
at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will allow Spiral Living
Center to continue to offer programs such as the IV Farm and
Garden Festival, other free skill-share events, bicycle repair, and
gleaned produce to people in the Illinois Valley. The dinner feast
consists of many courses of locally grown, harvested or gathered
food. Advance Tickets are available for $12 each or 2 for $20, or
you may purchase unsold tickets at the door for $15 each. Con-
tact SLC Director Debbie Lukas (541) 592-3386, or send check
to Spiral Living Center, PO Box 2093 Cave Junction, OR 97523.
Paypal is accepted via the website www.spiralliving.org. Dona-
tions of cash, auction items and food are welcome!
News - Dan Mancuso
dan@illinois-valley-news.com
Circulation - Kimberly Potter
office@illinois-valley-news.com
Advertising / Composition
Dan Mancuso
dan@illinois-valley-news.com
Mailroom - Millie Watkins
Office Manager-Laura Mancuso
office@illinois-valley-news.com
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POLICY ON LETTERS:
‘Illinois Valley News’ encour-
ages letters to the editor pro-
vided they are legible and not
libelous or scurrilous. All let-
ters must be signed, including
name, address and telephone
number. The latter need not be
published, but will be used to
verify authenticity. The ‘News’
reserves the right to edit letters.
Letters are used at the discre-
tion of the publisher.