Legalization of marijuana

[robman2629]

Alright folks, Colorado passed a law to legalize marijuana for recreational use. From my understanding, a state can not pass a law that trumps a federal law. Going through CJ school, we had this debate many a times about how would it be if it were legalized. It seems as though we wouldnt have to worry about drug cartels that mainly distribute marijuana because we would be able to grow our own. However, what would happen with the people in jail for selling, trafficing, or possesion of marijuana? And how about if this does happen, what about the push to legalized more drugs like heroin or crack. Lets here your thoughts, ready...GO!

[Eddie N]

New amendment to the state constitution. It's now going to be a right.

[B27]

The feds will make the state an offer they can't refuse.

[Maine04657]

It is not LEGAL because the state voted and says it is. What has happened is states are saying it is ok to IGNORE federal law. The DEA can still go in and arrest all involved and shut down any of these places if they desire to do so. Odd how pot gets people to vote yes but a right like the 2nd that is in out founding documents no state will stand up and fight for...

[cycloneman]

Originally Posted by Maine04657

It is not LEGAL because the state voted and says it is. What has happened is states are saying it is ok to IGNORE federal law. The DEA can still go in and arrest all involved and shut down any of these places if they desire to do so. Odd how pot gets people to vote yes but a right like the 2nd that is in out founding documents no state will stand up and fight for...

Not exactly true. Louisians just did. We passed it by 74%. Protection of the 2nd that is

[hogger129]

I think Mary Jane should be legal for medicinal purposes, not recreational use. We have drunks on the roads killing people in record numbers, now we'll have to worry about somebody high as a kite driving down the highway in a car.

[al45lc]

In fact, according to the CDC, the number of drunk driving incidents nationwide are down considerably, so I'm not sure how you came to your conclusion otherwise.
I voted for the amendment, the law as is federally makes no sense in a world where alcohol and tobacco are allowed, it's sheer hyprocrisy.
There is NO evidence that MJ is a gateway drug, that's propaganda by the old school chronies who looked the other way when their fellow hypocrits were caught drinking and driving, and when tobacco companies were allowed to put carcinogens in tobacco.
MJ is NOT as addictive nor as mind altering as alcohol according to research, and not as carcinogenic as tobacco.
Treat it like booze, driving and all, and we will see no real increase in lawlessness, a decrease in crime (it would be legal) and an increase in our much needed tax base.
It's a win-win, if people can put aside their silly bias against it.
And NO, I don't smoke anything, period. Never have, never will, and I've been tested for it many times for employment and for security.

[Nighthawk]

We can't control it anyway. Legalize it and tax it to death like tobacco.

[JohnBrainard]

The problem with legalizing and taxing is it changes who becomes dependent on the substance. Democrats can't afford for smokers to quit smoking because they're addicted to the money the taxes bring in.

[Twicepop]

This is probably not going to be a popular opinion, but here goes. In my opinion they should legalize the stuff, the problems come from the laws, not the useage of pot. We as a country declared a "War on Drugs" many years back, have spent billions maybe trillions by now, of dollars fighting this war, and are no closer to winning it than when they started. What they have done is create fortunes for those that are in the drug trade. Risk drives up prices and profits, and those in the selling of drugs have made an incredible ammount of money because of the risks/laws. Look at the fortunes that were made during Prohibition, and this is no different. As long as people want this product someone will take the risk to get it to them. Prohibition didn't work and neither is this.

[carver]

Originally Posted by Twicepop

This is probably not going to be a popular opinion, but here goes. In my opinion they should legalize the stuff, the problems come from the laws, not the useage of pot. We as a country declared a "War on Drugs" many years back, have spent billions maybe trillions by now, of dollars fighting this war, and are no closer to winning it than when they started. What they have done is create fortunes for those that are in the drug trade. Risk drives up prices and profits, and those in the selling of drugs have made an incredible ammount of money because of the risks/laws. Look at the fortunes that were made during Prohibition, and this is no different. As long as people want this product someone will take the risk to get it to them. Prohibition didn't work and neither is this.

I agree 100%! There is no "War On Drugs", never has been! You can't fight a war against an idea, nor can you fight a war against an inanimate object such as drugs. In a War there are two sides, inanimate objects can't finght back! The "War" has always been against the people who may, or may not, use drugs. You, and I!

[g1nomad]

I foresee Colorado's tourism revenue to increase?

[carver]

Originally Posted by g1nomad

I foresee Colorado's tourism revenue to increase?

Now that's funny!

[jbmid1]

That was also a clever way to get people to the polls who might not have participated otherwise. This is probably what gave the state to Obama.

[01brian]

Originally Posted by jbmid1

That was also a clever way to get people to the polls who might not have participated otherwise. This is probably what gave the state to Obama.

Interesting thought, but we are just plain full of loons anyway. Mostly from the influx of the californians in the late 80's and early 90's.

[al45lc]

Originally Posted by jbmid1

That was also a clever way to get people to the polls who might not have participated otherwise. This is probably what gave the state to Obama.

Possibly, however many fiscal conservatives such as myself have come to the conclusion that this is the best way.
Many I know said so. And most of us voted a straight Republican ticket.

[targetacqmgt]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

We can't control it anyway. Legalize it and tax it to death like tobacco.

What he said

[jack404]

reports here of 2 US states giving recreational pot the OK and another 3 within a few weeks

Washington and Colorado voters approved legalisation of marijuana for recreational use, making them the first U.S. states to decriminalise the practice.
Washington will allow those at least 21 years old to buy as much as one ounce (28 grams) of marijuana from a licensed retailer. Colorado's measure allows possession of an ounce, and permits growing as many as six plants in private, secure areas. Oregon voters rejected a similar measure.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-elect...#ixzz2BZRUJMy9

[Maine04657]

Originally Posted by cycloneman

Not exactly true. Louisians just did. We passed it by 74%. Protection of the 2nd that is

So in LA now you no longer have to fill out a 4472 to buy a firearm? You no longer need to get a tax stamp for what are no longer NFA items to you? You no longer need a CCW to carry?

There is a huge difference between SAYING your protecting as right and passing a law that somehow lets your state IGNORE federal law.

Here in Maine we like other states have a state Constitution. In ours you look to Article 1 section 16 it says " The people have the right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned"! The problem is Federal law trumps state law thus we have to fill out 4473's to buy a firearm. We have to abide by NFA laws. We have to get a CCW to carry. Even though our state Constitution specifically says it can not be so...

[cycloneman]

Originally Posted by Maine04657

So in LA now you no longer have to fill out a 4472 to buy a firearm? You no longer need to get a tax stamp for what are no longer NFA items to you? You no longer need a CCW to carry?

There is a huge difference between SAYING your protecting as right and passing a law that somehow lets your state IGNORE federal law.

Here in Maine we like other states have a state Constitution. In ours you look to Article 1 section 16 it says " The people have the right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned"! The problem is Federal law trumps state law thus we have to fill out 4473's to buy a firearm. We have to abide by NFA laws. We have to get a CCW to carry. Even though our state Constitution specifically says it can not be so...

Just passed. I know what jindal is up to. He has refused fed money for hurricand issac and has refused to implament obamacare and to accept money for it. He was in favor of the admendment to our constitution over gun rights. I see this as keeping us out of the fed grip. I think there is more than just me thinking about what could be later down the line.

[jim brady]

Federal laws trumps State law. Period. Passing this might make those who use it feel empowered, but it really makes no difference. Of course, with Eric Holder running the DOJ, the feds might not enforce it - UNLESS they can get revenue from fines. Might just help pay for Obama Care.

The 'Loonies" here in Colorado? We had the same thing in California in the 1960's - folks moving there from the East Coast who re-created California to their likeing. I live here in rural Colorado (where people are really people), and only go into Yuppieville (Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins) as absolutely necessary.

Sort of like the folks who move to the U.S. to escape from cesspool countries and bring their culture and problems with them. Makes sense to me........ Socialist Professors and Teachers steer their little robots to vote for Socialism - maybe the law should be changed so that out-of-state students must return to their home states to vote?

[robman2629]

I would be for legalizing it if it were absolutely controllable. But you cant control it. Just like alcohol though, there are people still making moonshine. The biggest thing is what about people serving time for possesion or sale of marijuana? Do we just let them out? Or do we say because they got arrested before the las passed they have to stay? California tried to do this years ago and it got shot down because federal law is higher than state so even if it does pass, its pointless. Im actually surprised that we havent had a proposition yet here in Maine. The biggest fight up here was to get gay marriage legalized. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Renee]

Colorado Governor is waiting for a call from Erick Holder tomorrow, 10-08-12, to see how the Feds. are going to handle this.
The state of Colorado wants to use the tax revenue for schools. That is a fact.
It's a wait & see. We already have pot shots for Medical purposes.
R.

[jim brady]

'They wanna use the tax revenues from pot sales for schools'? NO WAY!!!! I live in Colorado, too. They said the same thing about the State Lottery funds going for State Park funding. You betcha they used it like that. In a pigs eye they did. The 'Temporary Tax' to fund that C-470 Highway, remember how it was going to be paid for in ten years and then the tax removed. Never happened. The list goes on and on.

IF the State gets away with letting people grow and sell pot - and I seriously doubt that the Feds will let them after Eric Holder is gone - any revenue from pot is going straight into the State piggybank/slop trough and spent on whatever the hogs in the State Capital want to spend it on. Who's going to stop them? They won't listen to me, and I don't think they will listen to you.

Medical Purpose Marijuana. Lots of really sick young folks out there. Must be some bug going around school campuses and dorm parties. For $400 it's easy to find an MD to write you a perscription for the same bug. Sounds like you got sold a bill of goods.

[CCHolderinMaine]

Originally Posted by jim brady

Federal laws trumps State law. Period. Passing this might make those who use it feel empowered, but it really makes no difference. Of course, with Eric Holder running the DOJ, the feds might not enforce it - UNLESS they can get revenue from fines. Might just help pay for Obama Care.

The 'Loonies" here in Colorado? We had the same thing in California in the 1960's - folks moving there from the East Coast who re-created California to their likeing. I live here in rural Colorado (where people are really people), and only go into Yuppieville (Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins) as absolutely necessary.

Sort of like the folks who move to the U.S. to escape from cesspool countries and bring their culture and problems with them. Makes sense to me........ Socialist Professors and Teachers steer their little robots to vote for Socialism - maybe the law should be changed so that out-of-state students must return to their home states to vote?

It does and here's the bigger rub; The feds get to pick and choose what laws they uphold and which ones they wink at. Pass a medical Marijuana law? Keep it under control and it's a "state's rights" issue. Maine decides to uphold our constitution and completely legalize all firearms? The feds would send in so many people the state would tip over.