Marijuana laws- O/T
 

Since this isn't Democrat or Republican based I will start a thread about the new, legal marijuana laws. It will be interesting to see what the Federal govt. does. I read that if completely legalized it could be a 100 billion dollar a year industry in the US. I don't know what exactly the alcohol industry is but I think it could be almost, if not as, that big. With over half of the population, in every poll I have ever seen in years, wanting it to be legal.....it seems it's only a matter of time.

Wow! I guess it's time to get my Cheech & Chong albums out!

should be legal, in my opinion.

i have heard that those figures on how big the industry might get (and the taxes able to be levied from it) are pretty over-inflated. Not sure if that's true or not, but it should be legal and every little bit helps. Very strange that something like that wouldnt be left up to the states anyway.

I have never, and I mean NEVER, spoken with anyone that thinks pot is worse than alcohol, in almost any way. ....As for the revenue, if we count all of the money (41 billion?) it takes to enforce the laws against marijuana, then it seems the economy could benefit quite a bit from legalization. Who knows, but I think it's inevitable it gets legalized everywhere in the US eventually. Here are a few snippets-


Including lost tax revenues, a 2007 study found that enforcing the marijuana prohibition costs tax payers $41.8 billion annually, Forbes reports.

Marijuana growers account for $14 billion a year in sales in California, making it the state's most valuable cash crop, TIME reports.

It's estimated that illegal marijuana is a $36 billion industry in the U.S., MadameNoire reports.

Mendocino County, California's zip tie program aimed at regulating medical marijuana growing by charging permits for each plant raised $600,000 in revenue in for the Sheriff's department in 2011.

The city of Oakland, California raised $1.3 million in tax revenue from medical marijuana dispensaries in 2011, 3 percent of the city's total business tax revenue, according to The New York Times.

All they need is a commensurate increase on the Doritos tax at the same time and tax revenue should skyrocket.

Leave my Doritos alone please.

How appropriate that they now have a product called "Munchies."

just like alcohol "home brew", it should also be legal to grow your own for personal use.

edited to add: The Libertarian party was pushing for the States to be able to make their own laws regarding Marijuana and take control away from the Feds. But most "radical" ideas which take control away from the Federal gov't get no attention from the media or are swept aside.

I've long been a proponent of legalizing marijuana and I'm very happy to see some progress being made. It will still be a long time before it becomes legal on a national level but we have to expect that the process will be slow.

It's not an entirely harmless drug, but it's light years safer than alcohol or tobacco. Having teenagers getting really stoned and then getting behind the wheel of a car is certainly among the many dangers, so I think some aspects of marijuana use cannot be allowed. Smoking and driving is a no-no.

It could become a very lucrative business, it would generate tax revenue, and it would put a huge dent in the U.S.- Mexican drug war, which is taking the lives of thousands of people. There are still many who think it's a terrible thing so we have to accept baby steps on the road to legalization. But so far, so good.

I'm sure that's the number being thrown around but it doesn't make sense. That would be $300 for every person in this country including children. If 30% use, that's $1,000 each. I'm pretty sure if I have a choice between spending $1,000 per year or just grow a few plants next to my tomatoes, I'm growing. And if I have a neighbor who doesn't have a garden, I'll grow a few more for him.

I'm not aware of a easy marajuana test similar to a breathalyzer, how could it be determined if a driver is under the influence? Many of the symptoms are similar to lack of sleep.

if making it leagle can help to decrease the debb, and not wasting the tax money on some "govt programs" it should. These tuff times and the situation the govt is in with debt, all options should be open to generate some revenue.

Scene at a McDonalds in 2 years:

" I'll take a McChicken biscuit, sweet tea, and a reefer"

The McJoint....new to the dollar menu.

(sigh) sad to see our country sliding down so fast...anything goes it seems.

legalizing marijuana would be an indication of our country sliding UP.

shouldnt have been illegal in the first place.

C'mon Smoky, I highly doubt this would be the scenario. :D

I agree with Barry, I also think liquor & tobacco are far more damaging than marijuana. And, adults should be able to make sound decisions about how to regulate, tax, and sell it in a responsible manner, just as they do with alchohol. I think it would be a win-win for the government (state and federal) and the people, kinda like a "no brainer".

This is not the reason the country is sliding down so fast. But I won't get into that :)

Sincerely, Clayton

I've always been a supporter of legalization, because I think that if legalized it could be very good for the economy(for the record, I don't smoke). It will however also mean changes across the board in regards to police, courts, IRS, etc.... Plus the fact that it wouldn't legitimatize drug dealers, it would only put it in the stores. It would also potentially take away the "gateway" factor. It's not that weed itself is a gateway to other drugs, it's the potential "upsale" factor associated with some dealers.. It could also potentially take the "nursery" industry to a whole new level, turning jobs that are now done by migrant seasonal workers, into somewhat legitimate jobs that could pay enough to be worth it for the typically unemployed person to do, which could have greatly positive effects for the Welfare system.(While we're at it, I think that legalized and regulated prostitution could also fit a similar bill, as to the positive effects on not only the economy, but the healthcare system as well)

The police and courts will put up the biggest fight. It's a major stream of income for the police and courts. It's money that they not only count on, but their budgets are built around. Now that money will be re-directed elsewhere through taxes and simple redistribution. The courts and police will either a)ask for more money, b)have to make major cut-backs and/or layoffs, or c)step up the typical fundraising by being even more overly strict in handing out tickets.

I am truly curious why any informed and intelligent person would feel this way? Please help everyone else (here) understand your thinking. It's intriguing.

Thanks, I want to understand as well.

I have heard the argument many times that it would take jobs from the enforcers, but there's a way to change that- the enforcers could be trained to regulate, farm, sell, tax, and transport, amongst other things.They could keep their payscale and benefits, and stay employed by the same agencies. The money saved from the failed war on drugs could be used to keep anyone from losing their jobs.

"If I ruled the World"........:D

Sincerely, Clayton

For those who feel legalizing marijuana would send the country into a downward spiral...it's been illegal for a very long time, but if you want to buy some you can find it pretty much anywhere at any time, in any part of the country. It's as ubiquitous as beer. So making it illegal hasn't kept it out of circulation. But making it legal will keep small time users out of prison, will put violent dealers out of business, could add tax revenue to the economy, and could make for a very valuable cash crop. Whatever negative effects pot has, and even diehards will admit there are some, they've been going on for as long as I can remember (assuming I can remember anything anymore from smoking so much pot...:))

Great post Barry +1 :D

You make great points, thank you.

Sincerely, Clayton

going to a show stoned on pot is a very dangerous thing $$$$$$:)

I've never smoked it, or anything else.......and never will. The smell actually makes me nauseous. Ironic considering what it's often used for.

That said, I'm in favor of legalization. I've been around it plenty in my life, and believe me when I say, pot heads are far less annoying to me then drunks.

The problems caused by the prohibition of it, seem to far out-weigh the problems of legality.

As long as it's done in the privacy of ones home. I also don't want to make it ok to openly use while out in public. It should have the same limitations they have on tobacco in several states, but a bit stricter.........in consideration of people who DON'T smoke.

tahe jobs from enforcers? no one enforces this, at least not in new york anyway. Anyone who wants it can easly get it anyway , may as well have the taxes from it help pay out way out of debt

Well, it stinks for one thing.

It could be left to the discretion of the officer, I imagine. Maybe they can do a residue test on the skin.

Not perfect, and opens the door to wrong place, wrong time, wrong people to be around.........but it's an option.

I didn't word it right I guess.

Sincerely, Clayton

Why not just do the same type, with a bit of tweaking, field sobriety test as they do on DWI's? If someone smoked a joint but has all of their faculties, enough to pass a field test, then so be it. If they look like they can't keep their eyes open or are dizzy then they can video them for proof. I believe almost every cop car has video now. Now if the driver just has the munchies but can still function, then directions to the nearest Taco Bell are in order :)..

Then you bring the fatigue factor into the equation.. What's to differentiate normal fatigue from being high? Although, I think some states are starting to look a little more closely at fatigued driving.. Whether the fatigue is intentional(pot) or un-intentional(sleep-deprived), what's the difference? Why not lump 'em together?

im sure they could come up with some test and some , amonut, that says your too high to drive.

point is anyone who wants it gets it anyway. very easy to get. damn i was actually in calli for the 1st time this summer, and walking down that broadwalk (forgot the name) must of been 20 "Medical" store fronts, with guys who looked like they just got out of prison dresses in doctor scrubs trying to sell it to anyone! lmao (just thought it was funny that medical is leagle, but they werent giving it to only sick people)

One of the worst things about pot being illegal is there are countless people who are caught with a few grams of it (a small stash) that end up doing prison time. Do you know how much it costs to incarcerate somebody (I don't, but I assume it's not cheap)? Do you know how much it costs to house tens of thousands of these guys, most of whom are not the least bit dangerous? Give them a $50 fine and move on.

There was a big stink about this after Hempfest (Seattle) this year - basically, prescribers had their booths set up and were medically qualifying anyone who walked up and wanted some pot. I believe about 25% of the sellers had their licenses revoked.

As someone who lives in Washington and has all of his relatives living in Colorado, I'm feeling pretty good about this.

I agree that it is a sign of sliding (I don't see the McDonald's thing happening since they aren't selling liquor or cigarettes).

Without getting into the debate too much (it isn't what I come to this site for) I will explain my side.

My thinking is when you talk about a sliding down you are talking about the logic that controls the actions of the people making the decision.

Every time someone says they SHOULD legalize it their arguments are one of two (or both):
1: It isn't worse than Alcohol or Tobacco
2: It will raise revenue by taxes and/or cutting down on law enforcement

So both arguments don't actually demonstrate how the actual element being legalized would be helpful to the persons in the society that use it. Yet it just talks about how society as a whole can benefit by those who don't have the willpower to stay away from it.

In the first argument, saying that it isn't worse is the wrong way to look at it. If you think things that are legal are worse than things not illegal, than maybe it would be better to look at making the legal things illegal not vice versa. Marijuana does have health concerns similar to those who smoke, it doesn't have the nicotine, but it has more tar production (http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm).

The second case is just greed over acting logic. We could cut out law enforcement and increase tax if we legalized murder-for-hire also. Yes I know that is an extreme analogy, but it is just an analogy to point out the logic of the argument. If someone is caught with some they are still law breakers non the less. They knew the law, but decided to break it. So if people have a careless outlook on the law for this one subject that says a lot about their ideas of being above the law in other areas as well.

I am going to go back to looking at photos of cards now.

...side note: For those that say it is easy to obtain, it depends on the company you keep. I have no clue where to obtain any. I don't know anyone who openly has that information.

Maybe is actually says more about "The Law", then people who do, or do not, think they are above the law.

When it comes down to it, you can conceivably create a law based on any particular lawmakers or segment of the society's pet peeve. In some areas of the world, this is a very common occurrence, sometimes with harrowing consequences.

Sometimes, as they say......."The Law is an Ass".

Many laws are repealed on a regular basis, because they are no longer relevant with our present society...........and you can still google a large number of simply ridiculous laws that are still on the books in many states, but usually never enforced.

It's a constantly evolving thing. Has nothing to do with the sliding of society IMO.

When they first banned hemp production, because of pressure from the lumber industry, I don't think that was a step forward for society, so it's hard to argue the slide back down to me.

Well, the McDonalds thing was a feeble attempt at satire. Never a serious thought.

I base my other observations on 1 Corinthians 6:20.

I appreciate where you are coming from Andy, many people feel the way you do.

The alchohol thing. There is no refuting the fact that alchohol has caused numerous hardships on whole communities, which is why they wanted to prohibit it back in the 20's. The people kept drinking and it created a black market, which helped create organized crime. The people were going to drink regardless, and they did. They realized they(the government) would cut the organized crime back out of the picture, regulate it, tax it, and give people the right to decide for themselves if they wanted to drink or not.

I don't drink, but I like the fact that I can if I want to. It doesn't bother me that others drink, hell, I'll buy someone a drink :D

If marijuana is not as destructive to society as something that is, like alchohol, why is everyone so against it being legal to adults who choose to use it?

I think if the voters in a state vote by majority to legalize it, the states voice should be recognized and let the state work out the details. Our economy could benefit from the tax dollars, which could be put into a multitude of things, like schools, hospitals, police and fire departments, transportation- which would benefit the community as a whole.

It has nothing to do with greed, it has everything to do with being realistic about people wanting the right to do it legally. Adults, with laws similar to DUI, and not using it in a public place (being respectful to the community).

Keeping it illeagal keeps creating criminals out of every day ordinary people. It also keeps giving the drug cartels just another thing to smuggle into the country to get rich off of. I guess I could go on and on, I just feel it's hypocritical to say alchohol is ok but marijuana is scheduled up there with cocaine and heroin (I know you didn't say that Andy, I'm just saying in general).

Thanks for listening,

Sincerely, Clayton

It was making strides towards legalization in the 30's. However they further cracked down on it thanks to political pressure from Du Pont, because eliminating hemp, left very little competition for Nylon..

I never understood the point of getting high...or drunk for that matter. If people's lives are so pathetic that they have to alter their state of mind to escape reality, that really does say a lot about the decline of America.

Well, I can't explain for other people, I have no desire to do either- but I do know that people legitimately use it as medicine. It does help sick people, with many different ailments.

Others use it recreationally, like they do alchohol. And, some people's lives may be that bad- I don't know.

Sincerely, Clayton

There's no end to the things that people do in order to escape reality. Hobbies for instance. Reading for another.

What's actually "pathetic" is judging others for how they choose to spend their time if it doesnt affect you one way or the other.

I think the pharmaceutical companies have their hand in the pot(no pun intended) this time... Working in the trades, I've know plenty of people who use it as a natural painkiller to get through the day. It's gotta be better than keeping yourself hopped up on pills. I don't do either, but I'm not one to judge, I just kept my distance for potential safety reasons.. But that's a whole other discussion..

Back to the task at hand now. Full legalization could potentially lead to more people self-medicating(this can be good or bad depending on your viewpoint, I just see it as they're doing it anyway). I think that could potentially have a positive effect on the health-care system, if people aren't going to the doctors just to get prescriptions for pain-pills as often.

Quite a lot of ground to cover. I'd thought about individual replies, but it would just be a mess.

I find it incredibly odd that it's being pushed towards legality at a time when
Smokes can be sued for secondhand smoke by someone in the apartment next door.
Cities will ban Pate(Boston), using oil with trans fats in the deep frier(Boston), soft drinks larger than 20 oz?(NYC), donating canned food to homeless shelters(NYC), Bottled WATER:eek:(Concord Ma) Among other things.
Seriously, we're banning soda, but pot is just fine?!

The overall attitude here surprises me. Nearly everyone is very down on McGwire, Canseco, Sosa, and a bunch of others for taking stuff that was
A)probably Illegal although some of it could have been bought at GNC.
B)Not specifically against the rules - Baseball had rules about illegal substances, but NONE against performance enhancing substances at the time.
But Pot? Which is
A) Illegal
B) Banned by all sports under WADA
Should be legalized and is more than ok to smoke even if it isn't yet legal
:confused::confused::confused:

As far as it not being any worse than alcohol or tobacco.
It's worse, if only because it has the worst features of each.
Dulls the senses AND messes with the lungs.
What do people die of most in fires? Smoke inhalation.
What's the primary form of using pot? Smoke inhalation.
Nuff ced on that.
(had to slide some bit of baseball refernce in somehow)

While I was in High school and from what I've heard the available stuff wasn't anywhere near as good as what's around now, there was a crash involving a van and kids the next town over. All high, 12 in the van something like 8 killed.
Last year a guy was rescued after he fell into the tracks on the red line. On his way home from hempfest. He was pulled out just before the train came.
Even the drunks know better than to stagger close to the edge.

I don't know of anyone jailed for some tiny amount. Maybe that's just a Mass thing, but it's usually allowed to slide with a ticket or plea bargained. The guys who go to Jail are usually the ones being d**** about getting caught. Just like everything else, if you're respectful and not lying or evasive it usually goes ok.
As of last year small ammounts aren't dealt with at all here.

To be sure, there are some advantages to making it legal. Being able to tax it is one thing, making it traceable is another. Now there's no telling who's actually making the money, the only thing likely is that whoever that is isn't all that nice.
Even the domestic growers cause problems that might not go away with legalization. I'm not sure if it's online, but the Holmes on homes episode where they rehabbed a growhouse that had been rented was astounding. Tapped off the underground main electrical feed, built tunnels to vent the house to somewhere to hide the odor plus a massive ammount of mold from the humidity. And that's in Canada.

Prohibition didn't create organized crime. It was exploited very profitably by organized crime, which was already around.
Prohibition may have sort of created NASCAR........I'm ok with that, others may not be.

And just to lighten up a bit. While I've never smoked friends did. (I was the guy who stayed straight so they wouldn't get lost in the woods or drown in the pool)
And even I think that the band that covered Peter Toshs "I smoke two joints" made the pace way too fast.:D

Steve B

I am Jewish- side out. :)

Nothing I have read here about keeping it illegal, to me, makes any sense at all. Go figure. For those that don't want it to be legal, that is your right. And as a democracy we will continue to revise laws as to what most people want, thank God and Bless America. Now back to watching "Reefer Madness".

I understand there are a bunch of people who don't like any aspect of making pot legal, and although I support legalization I know where they are coming from. It's not health food, and some people do use it as a crutch.

But one thing to consider is that we've had a war on drugs for decades now, and by any measure it's been an absolute failure. There are more illegal drugs around than there were before the war started. We can't stop the flow into the country, we can't stop people from using them if they want to, and it's a multi-billion dollar illegal business.

Now I'm not suggesting we legalize heroin or cocaine. That would simply kill thousands of people and would be a terrible idea. But legalizing marijuana, while maybe not a perfect solution, may in fact do more good than harm. I know on the surface that might sound crazy, but those who support the legalization do actually believe that. Of course, there will always be detractors and there's no question it will always be a hot button issue.

Well-said. Disagreeing is one thing - insulting people because its the only way to make your point, is another.

legalization of 420
 

I think marijuana should be legalized. There are about 90 or so dispensaries within a 65 mile radius of where I live. For California it's a new faucet of income. The cities generally charge a 2-3% sub tax along with the current sales tax for the businesses that are in the marijuana dispensary industry. Marijuana will always be here. Consumed and sold. So some people figured why not tax it and generate some revenue for the states.

It's safer to buy it in a store than have to go to some street corner and possibly get robbed. Or lose your life. Get the criminals out of the picture.

Some people use it for ailments, recreational use or just simply want to relax. Like you would with a beer or a glass of wine.

Obama, Bush, Clinton and Reagan's wife have used marijuana just to name a few. So what does that mean? That Marijuana users can even become president of this great nation. Thank goodness I don't have to start naming congressman, senators or governers because I would be here all day.

Eric P.

+1 Well said again Barry :)

Steve, I appreciate your well written response, as well as your opinion; the laws you cited on the eastcoast are ridiculous, in my opinion.

And, you are right;I was wrong when I said prohibition created organized crime. But in 1925 Al Capone's gang was pulling in $70,000,000.00 a year from bootleg booze, gambling, and prostitution......and that was in 1925 !!!

Athlete's, with the money they get paid, are expected to be drug free. Plus, kids look up to them as role models; they are held to a higher standard. But, they can still enjoy alchohol, right? I'll never be convinced that marijuana is worse than alchohol. Just look at the statistics, how many deaths per year are attributed to each.

There will always be professions where you can not do the job while under the influence of anything....bus drivers, for example. You couldn't even come to work if you'd had a drink in the last 8 hours. Jobs where people's lives are in your hands.....

I just believe in freedom, that's what it boils down to for me.

Sincerely, Clayton

Some people work hard and need much-deserved distractions that others might not approve of. Denying an adult a cold beer after a hard day of work should have always been a crime, in my opinion. And if that same person would instead prefer to light up a fatty, then I'll lift my beer while he tokes.

You've got your right to disagree, and you get the same number of votes that I get. Nothing could be more fair.

Can we please make sure my son does not see this thread. I just last month was in the school office cause they found him with his binder and in it had 35 reason this was good for him to smoke. Told him I wish he put this much thought in his school work and not this topic. lol

I too have no problem on it being legal as long as it is an age of at least 18.

LOL....Agreed though. Most people I have seen that are for legalization feel it should be similar to alcohol in most respects. I think 21 yrs of age would be better but would be open to debate.

I likewise favor legalization and regulation. Not a perfect solution certainly but light-years better than criminalizing smoking at home by adults in my view.

One of my neighbors (and friends) is Keith Stroup, founder of NORML. We've discussed this issue many times and I find his arguments for legalization convincing, not that I was an especially hard sell. :)

Mark

Currently the government doesn't get a nickel of tax revenue from marijuana, and spends hundreds of millions (maybe billions) of dollars incarcerating low level nonviolent offenders who get caught carrying pot. That's a huge financial drain on this country.

Legalize it and it would bring in revenue, and then release all these low level users from prison and save the enormous expense. Was there a bigger issue in the election of 2012 than bringing in revenue and cutting expenses in order to balance the budget? Well, here's at least a small start.

My dear Jewish friend Leon,
The O.T. has many warnings about things that impair (mostly drink), but marijuana could certain be substituted very easily.
I can see why the world Biblical view would be at odds with the secular views and I think that is reflected on this post. Not surprising really.
It's never "side out" until your final whistle blows.

Genesis 1:11
Genesis 1:12
Genesis 1:29

Sincerely, Clayton :)

Comprehension is a dying trend. Side out merely means your turn. Had I said "game over" then your statement would ring true. As I said above, we are in America and eventually what the masses want is what we will do. There is no reasonable answer that I have seen or heard to not legalize given the legality of alcohol, tobacco etc....There are many, many reasons to legalize it and only a few reasons not to. I am not advocating the use of it only the legalization, which makes complete sense to most Americans. I believe it is inevitable and a good thing. God Bless America.

+1

I've enjoyed having a rational discussion about this topic, when we are constantly hearing about a "fiscal cliff" and "job creation" and things of such, I can't help but wonder why we as a nation can't find a middle ground. This is one of those topics that I feel , if done properly, could not only help our economy, create jobs, and at least put a dent in the enormous debt that will not only continue us down this spiral, but also leave too big of a burden on the children (tomorrows future). By no means am I (like Leon) advocating the use of it, but just hoping common sense will begin to make sense at some point.

We must close the divide in this country to work out all of the problems-there has to be a middle ground.

If you care to, read what these people have to say: http://www.leap.cc/

From good people who have been on the front lines of the "war on drugs".

Sincerely, Clayton

A parallel topic that came up earlier is how it would be tested for, in the case of DUI/DWI situations, or workplace injury, etc.

As it is now (from what I understand) is that if you're in a workplace accident, they can drug test you and if they find that you've got THC in your system, you're screwed...but the test that they use will detect pot smoked days or weeks earlier. So, while you may not be "under the influence" at the time, you'd still have the detectable residue of your actions days or weeks prior. Alcohol is out of your system in 12 or so hour's time, so the tests of your inebriation are more reliable.

I don't know if there are tests that allow someone to test for inebriation from pot. This seems like something that *I* would want straightened out before I decided to recreationally smoke (or for medical reasons, for that matter). The threat of being punished for "being under the influence" of pot that I smoked 2 weeks ago would be deterrent enough for me.

Very good points made. And with the legalization would (probably) come millions of dollars for research. I am extremely confident that urine, hair follicle or other tests could be invented to test the THC in one's system and how long it has been there. No, this is not perfect but what we have been doing is a witch hunt, a drain on resources and quite honestly, imho, just plain stupid. It is time for a change, especially when each of the last several presidents have admitted to doing it (though maybe one of them didn't inhale :)).

+1

While everyone's looking at job "creation". Why not take a look at job "legitimization" as well. A good place to start would be the strip-clubs. Our government manages to regulate the hell out of the clubs and dancers, based on what they feel are morals, but somehow the dancers themselves have managed to not be taxed, as well as a large portion of these clubs cash income(dancer fees, door charges....) Dancers are "technically" subcontractors instead of employees, which makes it easier for them to hide from the system. Rather than focusing on regulating morals, why not regulate the clubs a little more, so that we can legitimatize these jobs and tax them. Not only will these people begin to show as employed, but it will take away that loophole that has allowed them to both, have jobs, while being able to milk the welfare system...

Now, I'm not saying all dancers are milking the system, but there's definitely a large percentage that is doing so..

Coverage you can count on.
 

You have to dance 30 hours a week to get health care.

And if you dance 20 hours a week each at two different strip clubs, you're still not covered. Well I guess we all knew that.

Welcome to part-time USA.

I'm not sure if that was sarcasm or not. If it's not. Where is this at? I'm not sure how the clubs are treated in "other" areas of the country. But I know in Ohio they're all treated as sub-contractors to the clubs, giving the clubs the opportunity to basically file as just another bar, while everything else is pretty much shoved under the table.

Not sarcasm. Just a statement about the unintended consequences of non-partisan government regulation. I could care less about strip clubs.

One added cost of legalization....
 

....An awful lot of drug sniffing dogs will have to be retrained. :eek:

Thoughts from the Front Lines !!
 

Morning,

As a Proud Coloradoan and Ex-law Enforcement, I have wished for this day for 30 years. And I haven't had a toke in at least 25 years or so. The reason's have all been laid out, the cost over the last 70+ years to fight this battle is in the Trillions. The moneys put into the pockets of the Cartels is in the Billions. The legitimate uses for Hemp, and now the New legitimate use of Hemp are going to transform our economies in small and big ways, in ways that have not even been imagined yet.

Little word of advice, Buy Stock in company's specializing in providing products (Grow Lights, Ect) to the Medical Pot industry now. You Will make money!!

To the members that seem to want to pass judgement on those who would indulge in this type of behavior, or wish to proclaim your Religious background into this debate or use it to judge anybody here, remember "Judge Not, lest ye be Judged!!"

I drink a few Beers almost every weekend.....Does that say something about me? Keep your comments about anothers Legal behavior to yourself, I don't appreciate it and I'll bet I'm not the only one!

Are there going to be some Hiccups...Oh Yeah !!! Our Governer has called and talked to the Federal Attorney General twice in the last two days to get clarification of what the Feds intend to do about our flouting of Federal Laws. We haven't heard an answer yet, either he isn't telling our Gov anything or what he's telling him is not going to be good for us.

As I said I haven't toked in 25 years, and don't intend to any time soon, but I am 56 and they say it helps with the Arthritists, so I'll never say never!

Another Big issue that hasn't really entered the discussion so far are about the individual rights that are/will be infringed upon with the Legalization in Wash/Col. Example, a Doritos Manufacturer has a plant in Denver and has a Drug policy of drug testing randomly, so Joe Pot head takes the test tomorrow and flunks it for Pot, they Fire him. The court cases are waiting in the background, he is and should sue them for unlawfull termination. Because they have no right to tell him that he cannot indulge in a Perfectly Legal substance on his own time at his home! (There is no test that tells when it was imbibed, just that you did it in the last 30-45 days). That would be the same thing as telling me that I can't go home and have a Beer. So Joe is in violation of Federal Controlled Substance act, but in compliance with State Law, I don't start teelling me what I already know, that Fed trumps State. I see the Lawsuits already and you can take that to the Bank !!!

As to those that mentioned about the DUI and testing for driving under the infuence of Pot, they do indeed have tests that can be administered Roadside that test levels of cannabis.

Proud to Call Colorado my Home, be a Coloradoan, and to be on the front line of a new Era in rational Drug Policy's !!!!

YeeHah:D:D:D:D:D:D

Wow, this battlefield is going to be fun to watch. Who says the election is over? Can't wait to see the Feds and States battle over this one.

A great discussion / debate with ramifications well beyond the issue at hand. Watch carefully how this plays out.

jeff

Interesting discussion and another slow news day so I decided to use dictator privileges and move this to the front page where more folks can join in, if they so desire. Party on......:cool:

It's not an issue at all. Ammendment 64 will still allow an employer the right to restrict the use of marijuana by employees and refuse employment to those that use it. It's kind of like this. Colorado also has a concealed handgun law (right to carry). Don't employers have the right to prohibit guns in the workplace regardless of the law? Sure they do. I'm not sure what some of you guys are thinking.

Devil's advocate here....so an employer can say "if you drink beer on the weekend, at your own house and responsibly, I won't hire you"? Sounds smart to me. :eek:

I have no opinions that I'd like to share about what hippies do in their spare time, which is all the time, but I did think it was funny when I saw Leon posted at exactly 4:20 :)

I disagree. It is and will be an issue. An employer can prohibit guns in the workplace from a security/safety perspective but cannot prohibit someone from owning a gun. Likewise, I believe it will be difficult for employers to prohibit the use of marijuana outside the workplace if it is legalized as long as the employee doesn't show up high. Much like you can drink all you want at home but can't show up drunk. Watch for the first court case wherein an employee is fired for failing a drug test due to marijuana use a state where it is legal and see the sparks fly.

jeff

I'm a child of the 60's so you know where I stand on this.

The big problem and it's always been the same but no one brings it up.
Here it is in a nutshell. This country's economy is oil and drug crime based.
Legalize pot and it takes a huge chunk of the economy. Not as many cases, not as many lawyers, judges, cops, jails, jailers.
That's the main reason this country does not legalize drugs. They continue to throw Billions at the war on drugs and fail but it keeps all these people employeed. Imagine a country with less crime because we don't need a black market for drugs? Well the economy would implode.
It is said they will get 50 million in tax revenue from legal pot but spend 500 million on health costs. I say bull. As for me, my days of drug use are long over but to see people still going to jail for a couple of joints is criminal.

Marijuana laws- O/T
 

Medical marijuana should be sold at Police stations. No. Strike that. The cops would steal it. :)

I'm not saying it couldn't be challenged, but I'm not sure that the employee would win. Maybe an attorney can chime in. However, if an employer can fire an employee for other things they do outside of work (I could name several, but FaceBook postings come to mind), I'm pretty sure an employer can impose their own marijuana policies.

You can thank William Randolph Hearst for that...............

As a teenager, I find it an issue to those under the age of 18. It truly needs to be monitored, especially those who are minors. I am strongly against the usage of marijuana and studies have proven it quite damaging to adolescents. Just thought I would chime in with my perspective.

Tax Generating Revenue?
 

I don't think that the money raised by the legalization of pot is going to be as much as people think? It will be taxed at an extremely high rate and the number of locations that it will be available will be limited thus most people are probably not going to buy it through the "legal" outlets. If it stays legal, it will be taxed at 25% in the state of Washington. It will be interesting since it is federal law trumps state law...

I had something poignant to say but just forgot :D

You understand there are more places to buy marijuana in Colorado than Starbucks?

This in every sense of the word is a "cash crop".

Well, I dont think that places to get it will be limited. In Colorado you can grow. Everyone who grows is a potential "dealer"...and there's no way to tax those transactions, any more than you can tax my homebrew beer.

That said, I'd guess that most sales would happen through the normal means, especially after the novelty of growing/harvesting/drying/etc wears off.

Maybe I missed in this in one of the prior posts. Anyone trying to be hired by a company for a job will be tested for drugs. If they test positive for drugs no job. Does this not concern anyone? Legalized in Colorado, more people out of work.
Joe