Author Topic: Pot legalization gains momentum in California  (Read 12247 times)

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Offline Americanhero1

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Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« on: October 08, 2009, 11:46:42 AM »
SAN FRANCISCO – Marijuana advocates are gathering signatures to get as many as three pot-legalization measures on the ballot in 2010 in California, setting up what could be a groundbreaking clash with the federal government over U.S. drug policy.

At least one poll shows voters would support lifting the pot prohibition, which would make the state of more than 38 million the first in the nation to legalize marijuana.

Such action would also send the state into a headlong conflict with the U.S. government while raising questions about how federal law enforcement could enforce its drug laws in the face of a massive government-sanctioned pot industry.

The state already has a thriving marijuana trade, thanks to a first-of-its-kind 1996 ballot measure that allowed people to smoke pot for medical purposes. But full legalization could turn medical marijuana dispensaries into all-purpose pot stores, and the open sale of joints could become commonplace on mom-and-pop liquor store counters in liberal locales like Oakland and Santa Cruz.

Under federal law, marijuana is illegal, period. After overseeing a series of raids that destroyed more than 300,000 marijuana plants in California's Sierra Nevada foothills this summer, federal drug czar Gil Kerlikowske proclaimed, "Legalization is not in the president's vocabulary, and it's not in mine."

The U.S. Supreme Court also has ruled that federal law enforcement agents have the right to crack down even on marijuana users and distributors who are in compliance with California's medical marijuana law.

But some legal scholars and policy analysts say the government will not be able to require California to help in enforcing the federal marijuana ban if the state legalizes the drug.

Without assistance from the state's legions of narcotics officers, they say, federal agents could do little to curb marijuana in California.

"Even though that federal ban is still in place and the federal government can enforce it, it doesn't mean the states have to follow suit," said Robert Mikos, a Vanderbilt University law professor who recently published a paper about the issue.

Nothing can stop federal anti-drug agents from making marijuana arrests, even if Californians legalize pot, he said. However, the U.S. government cannot pass a law requiring local and state police, sheriff's departments or state narcotics enforcers to help.

That is significant, because nearly all arrests for marijuana crimes are made at the state level. Of more than 847,000 marijuana-related arrests in 2008, for example, just over 6,300 suspects were booked by federal law enforcement, or fewer than 1 percent.

State marijuana bans have allowed the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to focus on big cases, said Rosalie Pacula, director of drug policy research at the Rand Corp.

"It's only something the feds are going to be concerned about if you're growing tons of pot," Pacula said. For anything less, she said, "they don't have the resources to waste on it."

In a typical recent prosecution, 29-year-old Luke Scarmazzo was sentenced to nearly 22 years and co-defendant Ricardo Ruiz Montes to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking through a medical marijuana dispensary in Modesto.

At his bond hearing, prosecutors showed a rap video in which Scarmazzo boasts about his successful marijuana business, taunts federal authorities and carries cardboard boxes filled with cash. The DEA said the pair made more than $4.5 million in marijuana sales in less than two years.

The DEA would not speculate on the effects of any decision by California to legalize pot. "Marijuana is illegal under federal law and DEA will continue to attack large-scale drug trafficking organizations at every level," spokeswoman Dawn Dearden said.

The most conservative of the three ballot measures would only legalize possession of up to one ounce of pot for personal use by adults 21 and older — an amount that already under state law can only result at most in a $100 fine.

The proposal would also allow anyone to grow a plot of marijuana up to 5 feet-by-5 feet on their private property. The size, Pacula said, seems specifically designed to keep the total number of plants grown below 100, the threshold for DEA attention.

The greatest potential for conflict with the U.S. government would likely come from the provision that would give local governments the power to decide city-by-city whether to allow pot sales.

Hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries across the state already operate openly with only modest federal interference. If recreational marijuana became legal, these businesses could operate without requiring their customers to qualify as patients.

Any business that grew bigger than the already typical storefront shops, however, would probably be too tempting a target for federal prosecution, experts said.

Even if Washington could no longer count on California to keep pot off its own streets, Congress or the Obama administration could try to coerce cooperation by withholding federal funds.

But with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement earlier this year that the Justice Department would defer to state laws on marijuana, the federal response to possible legalization remains unclear.

Doug Richardson, a spokesman for the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the office is in the process of re-evaluating its policies on marijuana and other drugs.

Richardson said the office under Obama was pursuing a "more comprehensive" approach than the previous administration, with emphasis on prevention and treatment as well as law enforcement.

"We're trying to base stuff on the facts, the evidence and the science," he said, "not some particular prejudice somebody brings to the table."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091008/ap_on_re_us/us_marijuana_legalization

Offline Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2009, 01:39:24 PM »
Wish I could be outraged by this, but I'm not. Hard to get incensed by a little Mary (no pun intended) when Bolshevik CA authorities are routinely letting murderous, raping schvartzes and other scum walk out of jail after a couple years or not charging them at all.

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2009, 01:42:31 PM »

Offline Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2009, 01:42:57 PM »
ROFTLMAO where did you find that emoticon?  :::D

Offline Americanhero1

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Offline briann

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2009, 02:16:08 PM »
One issue I have with this (as a californian) is the culture it brings.  The redlight district in Holland became a magnet for weirdos and ultimately crime for this reason.  If they did this in parts of California, it would become even worse. 

Also, I dont like the idea that my kids would live in a culture where Pot smoking is common-place.  I understand that it would be regulated and safer, but most people would prefer it be FAR away from where they live.




Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2009, 02:24:04 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
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Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2009, 02:25:11 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2009, 02:31:10 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2009, 02:32:25 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2009, 02:36:53 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline muman613

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2009, 02:38:28 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.

This is total BS... Pot is not a 'gateway drug' and I have known many who used it while attending university. It also doesn't make you aggressive, it makes you more mellow and less likely to be violent. I used it for almost 20 years and never had I become violent because of pot...

PS: Many more cigarette smokers are more violent than pot smokers..
You shall make yourself the Festival of Sukkoth for seven days, when you gather in [the produce] from your threshing floor and your vat.And you shall rejoice in your Festival-you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are within your cities
Duet 16:13-14

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2009, 02:38:44 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.

That is such BS pot is not a gateway drug.
Pot does not make people agressive.

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2009, 02:42:57 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.

That is such BS pot is not a gateway drug.
Pot does not make people aggressive.

Look I was in high school and had 5 friends that we always hung out together. 2 used pot. They were more likely to vandalise, rob cars, pick fights etc. Anyone around my old estate that smokes pot turn out to be aggressive and/or drug dealers. Your saying that's ok?
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #14 on: October 08, 2009, 02:44:43 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.

That is such BS pot is not a gateway drug.
Pot does not make people aggressive.

Look I was in high school and had 5 friends that we always hung out together. 2 used pot. They were more likely to vandalise, rob cars, pick fights etc. Anyone around my old estate that smokes pot turn out to be aggressive and/or drug dealers. Your saying that's ok?

That is people you know.
Just because that is how people acted that you know does not mean everyone will act that way
I know people who are pot heads and they are mellow people.

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #15 on: October 08, 2009, 02:50:33 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.

That is such BS pot is not a gateway drug.
Pot does not make people aggressive.

Look I was in high school and had 5 friends that we always hung out together. 2 used pot. They were more likely to vandalise, rob cars, pick fights etc. Anyone around my old estate that smokes pot turn out to be aggressive and/or drug dealers. Your saying that's ok?

That is people you know.
Just because that is how people acted that you know does not mean everyone will act that way
I know people who are pot heads and they are mellow people.
No you are wrong This is just an example of what pot does. Anywhere in Ireland, anything to do with drugs leads to crime and decay. And it all starts with pot, a friend offers you pot, you give into peer pressure, then you become an addict (most cases not all) then you start with harder drugs.
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline muman613

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #16 on: October 08, 2009, 02:51:19 PM »
I know doctors and engineers who smoke pot... It doesn't make them violent or anti-social, on the contrary... It makes them more sociable, like wine does... Drugs are always subjective in nature, that is each person has his/her own reaction to the substance. I will certainly assert that hard drugs like cocaine and meth are definitely dangerous and should never be legalized.

You shall make yourself the Festival of Sukkoth for seven days, when you gather in [the produce] from your threshing floor and your vat.And you shall rejoice in your Festival-you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are within your cities
Duet 16:13-14

Offline muman613

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #17 on: October 08, 2009, 02:52:41 PM »
Quote
<snip>

That is people you know.
Just because that is how people acted that you know does not mean everyone will act that way
I know people who are pot heads and they are mellow people.
No you are wrong This is just an example of what pot does. Anywhere in Ireland, anything to do with drugs leads to crime and decay. And it all starts with pot, a friend offers you pot, you give into peer pressure, then you become an addict (most cases not all) then you start with harder drugs.

Maybe thats in Ireland... But here in CA it doesnt work like that... Most professionals here have tried and used pot and they don't have the reactions which you describe... Im sorry that you have this experience... I hope your friends find a way out of the desperation caused by hard drugs. Do not blame pot for their problems... They are to blame..

PS: I am against legalization because I believe it will lead to sliding on other social issues.
You shall make yourself the Festival of Sukkoth for seven days, when you gather in [the produce] from your threshing floor and your vat.And you shall rejoice in your Festival-you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are within your cities
Duet 16:13-14

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #18 on: October 08, 2009, 02:53:02 PM »
This is a really bad idea and would cause even more decay. Whats the point of making it legal?

They could tax the hell out of it
So they don't care what could happen to society as long as they tax it?

A lot of people smoke pot because they think they are going against the law.
If they tax it the people might see it as cigarettes
But pot is much more dangerous than cigarettes as it makes you more aggressive and you are more likely to use heaver drugs. Sources: Life experience. Both my ex-friends and my cousin are now smack heads. They started using pot, then E, then crack and so on. You don't see most cigarette users going on hard drugs.

That is such BS pot is not a gateway drug.
Pot does not make people aggressive.

Look I was in high school and had 5 friends that we always hung out together. 2 used pot. They were more likely to vandalise, rob cars, pick fights etc. Anyone around my old estate that smokes pot turn out to be aggressive and/or drug dealers. Your saying that's ok?

That is people you know.
Just because that is how people acted that you know does not mean everyone will act that way
I know people who are pot heads and they are mellow people.
No you are wrong This is just an example of what pot does. Anywhere in Ireland, anything to do with drugs leads to crime and decay. And it all starts with pot, a friend offers you pot, you give into peer pressure, then you become an addict (most cases not all) then you start with harder drugs.

That is the same with cigarettes you become addicted Alcohol you become addicted and become an alcoholic.

Where do you get most cases it leads to harder drugs?

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #19 on: October 08, 2009, 02:56:36 PM »
I know doctors and engineers who smoke pot... It doesn't make them violent or anti-social, on the contrary... It makes them more sociable, like wine does... Drugs are always subjective in nature, that is each person has his/her own reaction to the substance. I will certainly assert that hard drugs like cocaine and meth are definitely dangerous and should never be legalized.


People who smoke pot are cowards who can't face reality thus turning to pot to forget about reality and if anyone says what your doing is wrong they become aggressive. I have experienced this many times. It's a very slippery road and if it becomes legal, you know around the house a child can pick it up and get hooked. Are you prepared to risk the lives of children because you love smoking dope? (and harder drugs for a bigger kick)
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #20 on: October 08, 2009, 02:59:01 PM »
Every drug prescription or not have side effects so why not ban them too then since they might lead to hard drug use

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #21 on: October 08, 2009, 03:01:34 PM »
Every drug prescription or not have side effects so why not ban them too then since they might lead to hard drug use
Because with pot being made legal like cigarettes you won't need a prescription and have as much as you like.
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline Americanhero1

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #22 on: October 08, 2009, 03:05:07 PM »
Every drug prescription or not have side effects so why not ban them too then since they might lead to hard drug use
Because with pot being made legal like cigarettes you won't need a prescription and have as much as you like.

That being the case the government could regulate it and make pot a lot weaker.
The pot bought on the streets are laced with stuff making them m ore potent and dangerous.

Offline Irish Zionist

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #23 on: October 08, 2009, 03:08:13 PM »
Every drug prescription or not have side effects so why not ban them too then since they might lead to hard drug use
Because with pot being made legal like cigarettes you won't need a prescription and have as much as you like.

That being the case the government could regulate it and make pot a lot weaker.
The pot bought on the streets are laced with stuff making them m ore potent and dangerous.
Yes goverment makes it weaker then pot heads will want stronger pot and we are in bigger trouble as the drug dealers can buy it legally now, no risk and just make it stronger and sell it for profit.
The banding together by the nations of the world against Israel is the guarantee that their time of destruction is near and the final redemption of the Jew at hand.
Rabbi Meir Kahane

Offline muman613

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Re: Pot legalization gains momentum in California
« Reply #24 on: October 08, 2009, 03:09:28 PM »
I like how here in NorCal there is medical marijuana stores. There are many very potent strains but I think this is a good thing. Also it is relatively easy to grow the stuff {I did this for myself about 10 years ago}...

You shall make yourself the Festival of Sukkoth for seven days, when you gather in [the produce] from your threshing floor and your vat.And you shall rejoice in your Festival-you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are within your cities
Duet 16:13-14