41 replies to this topic

[Floppin]

(Reuters) - Colorado and Washington became the first U.S. states to legalize the possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday in defiance of federal law, setting the stage for a possible showdown with the Obama administration.
But another ballot measure to remove criminal penalties for personal possession and cultivation of recreational cannabis was defeated in Oregon, where significantly less money and campaign organization was devoted to the cause.
Supporters of a Colorado constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana were the first to declare victory, and opponents conceded defeat, after returns showed the measure garnering nearly 53 percent of the vote versus 47 percent against.
"Colorado will no longer have laws that steer people toward using alcohol, and adults will be free to use marijuana instead if that is what they prefer. And we will be better off as a society because of it," said Mason Tvert, co-director of the Colorado pro-legalization campaign.
The Drug Policy Alliance, a national advocacy group that backed the initiatives, said the outcome in Washington and Colorado reflected growing national support for liberalized pot laws, citing a Gallup poll last year that found 50 percent of Americans favored making it legal, versus 46 opposed.
Supporters of Washington state's pot legalization initiative declared victory after the Seattle Times and other media projected a win for marijuana proponents.
Early returns showed pro-legalization votes led with 55 percent versus to 44 percent opposed with about 60 percent of ballots tallied in the state's all-mail-in election system.
The outcomes in Colorado and Washington, which already have laws on the books legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, put both states in further conflict with the federal government, which classifies cannabis as an illegal narcotic.
The U.S. Department of Justice reacted to the measure's passage in Colorado by saying its enforcement policies remain unchanged, adding: "We are reviewing the ballot initiative and have no additional comment at this time."

http://www.reuters.c...E8A602D20121107

Eat a fuging dick War on Drugs.

[Floppin]

more:

Under the recreational marijuana measures in Colorado and Washington, personal possession of up to an ounce (28.5 grams) of marijuana would be legal for anyone at least 21 years of age. They also will permit cannabis to be legally sold and taxed at state-licensed stores in a system modeled after a regime many states have in place for alcohol sales.
Oregon's initiative would have legalized state-licensed sales, as well as possession and cultivation of unlimited amounts of pot for personal recreational use.
The Colorado measure will limit cultivation to six marijuana plants per person, but "grow-your-own" pot would be still be banned altogether in Washington state.
Tvert said provisions legalizing simple possession in Colorado would take effect after 30 days, once the election results are certified. Colorado's amendment also mandates establishing rules for sales and excise tax collections once the state legislature reconvenes in January.
"The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will," Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who opposed the measure, said in a statement. "This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through."

[logic1977]

I think this is great, and hope they can the federal government to go along with it.

I don't personally partake, but it seems stupid to spend so much time and energy fighting it. Prohibition now is as stupid as it was for alcohol.

[Inimicus]

I wonder what this means for drug testing at work. Marijuana will still be illegal in the eyes of the feds so does that mean that employers can still use a positive result on a drug screen as grounds for termination?


Its very interesting ground Colorado and Washington have stepped into.

[pstall]

smoking a doobie will help you deal with the fisal cliff a whole lot better. we will have a hell of alot more freedoms than money in a few years so rock and roll.

[Floppin]

This is going to be a true test of Federal power vs State power regarding self legislation.

[catfang]

People will still buy weed from dealers vs. the state run stores. Dealers will be cheaper.

[logic1977]

I wonder what this means for drug testing at work. Marijuana will still be illegal in the eyes of the feds so does that mean that employers can still use a positive result on a drug screen as grounds for termination?


Its very interesting ground Colorado and Washington have stepped into.

Alcohol is legal, but if you are found drinking at work many employers will fire you. I would expect this to work the same way.

This isn't a brand new concept, so a few issues will need to be worked through, but it shouldn't be all that hard.

[Floppin]

People will still buy weed from dealers vs. the state run stores. Dealers will be cheaper.

Hahahaha, no fuging way. Marijuana prices are artificially high because of the illegality of it. With shops being able to cultivate and sell their own product produced in controlled indoor grow operations, there's no way illicit "dealers" will be able to undercut the price point.

You seem to be under the impression that the marijuana is going to be distributed by state owned stores, which is NOT the case. The stores will be privately owned, only they must register with the state to be legal dispenseries.

[Floppin]

Alcohol is legal, but if you are found drinking at work many employers will fire you. I would expect this to work the same way.

This isn't a brand new concept, so a few issues will need to be worked through, but it shouldn't be all that hard.

Well obviously, but he was referring to a drug screen. And seeing as how marijuana can stay in your system for up to 30 days, there's very little way to prove whether you partook legally at home, or at the job.

[I Registered To Post This]

smoking a doobie will help you deal with the fisal cliff a whole lot better. we will have a hell of alot more freedoms than money in a few years so rock and roll.

the war on drugs: the insane, wasteful, pointless boondoggle "fiscal conservatives" can get behind.

[catfang]

Hahahaha, no fuging way. Marijuana prices are artificially high because of the illegality of it. With shops being able to cultivate and sell their own product produced in controlled indoor grow operations, there's no way illicit "dealers" will be able to undercut the price point.

You seem to be under the impression that the marijuana is going to be distributed by state owned stores, which is NOT the case. The stores will be privately owned, only they must register with the state to be legal dispenseries.

I thought I read that it would be distributed by state run stores. Oops

[pilot2011]

I have no problem with it. Let some states try out certain social issues and see how they fare. A little trial and error is worth it; as long as the states have the power, and not DC.

[pstall]

the war on drugs: the insane, wasteful, pointless boondoggle "fiscal conservatives" can get behind.

im not supporting the war on drugs needle nose.

im saying that being able to smoke will be helpful when there is no real money to throw around. take off your bias visor so you can see bettter. lol

[Davidson Deac II]

This just in. Large numbers of Huddle members planning to move to Colorado.