Some new hope for drug reforms

[sumoashe]

Found this interesting and a hopeful sign.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/legalization-hits-the-hill-20130206

Now if people would speak up a little more on this it might get pushed threw eventually. Taking pot away from the cartels would go a long way for crime rates and prison over population. But it won't happen unless the people speak up and fix a 75 year old pointless debate.

Next would be prosecuting the banking assholes caught laundering 800 million in cartel money. It's ridiculous that people get life in prison for an ounce and these dicks get off scott free cause our government won't go after rich people. No matter what their crimes. The gov said that they are to important and prosecuting them would upset the financial world to much. Even though they were all fired immediately after the scandal broke.

[sumoashe]

What, drug reform another topic people don't wanna touch? I'm coming from the good pot does for cancer patients and the fact it's use makes them criminal's. Let alone all the other medical benefit's we are probly missing out on by not allowing research into it. Hell, researchers in spain found that a processed form of it actually started to kill brain cancer. But we can't even do research in the US. Note to mention the lost tax revenue, money that instead goes into the pockets of drug cartel's. We tried prohibition with alcohol, saw how well that worked. But we continue to do it over a godamn plant, expecting a different outcome.

[Dozyproductions]

Perspective. People have been arguing about this ever since r3v existed... and never before that.

But... a 50% excise tax... no thanks ;)

[sumoashe]

From my understanding the excise tax is only on wholesale transactions. As in grower to dispensary, not on final customer sales. Granted this would raise retail pricing, but with the legality aspect taken out the growth in customer base should make up for that. But you already live in a state that has a retail market, well so so. I'm not sure what pricing is for you guys but I would see prices raise only marginally.

[Dozyproductions]

Pricing in a place like Northern California can be on average $10/g for the good stuff... it then becomes $20/1.3-.6G in San Diego, so Southern California. That same stuff in a state like Tennessee can grab you $30/1.1-1.5G. I don't want Tennessee prices.

I'll just grab some wine after typing this and poison myself that way. At least it's legal.

[M-technik-3]

I see no issue making it legal except for how are you gonna regulate it when it comes to people operating motor vehicles and things of that idea? No Breathalyzer is gonna show the level of stoned.

Can't say common sense either as most just don't give a flying @#$%.

Also at what age do you make it legal? 18....25? The abuse I saw out in California on Venice beach was crazy. Everybody had a doctor ready to write a script out for you.

They won't prosecute white collar crime like that because it might get back to them with implications that it was condoned or allowed. Much like inside trader action was illegal to use commoner's but not to Congress.

[sumoashe]

The plan is to have it regulated the same as alcohol, including the 21 age limit. They even want it to be run by the ATF. As far as DUI/DWI issues I have a feeling it would be run the same as someone being pulled over while being coked up ect. While there is no way to tell how high they are, the chances are that if your being pulled over it's cause your driving crappy and warrant it. Ergo it's a DUI/DWI regardless. For the venice beach thing, believe thats mostly due to the cool/hip factor rather than being people smoking cause it's a regular thing for them. Once the cool/being bad aspect is taken away, it might change.

One of the major plus side's is also the legalization of industrial hemp. This one thing is worth it all. Given all the job creating industries that go with it, not to mention the environmental benefits.

[M-technik-3]

I still don't see a major swing in the way the country see's things at the moment. Another ten years maybe.

[sumoashe]

Heard another ten years, ten years ago. And ten years before that. Granted with all the other issues going on right now it'll be difficult. But seems the logic is finally starting override the propaganda. The two legalization laws that are in effect in washington and colorado where put into place via a populace vote. So the momentum is there. Specially with the bonus of a pretty good sized tax revenue to a cash straped country.

[M-technik-3]

There was talk of overriding WA and CO's change in Washington a few months ago what became of that.

[sumoashe]

Afik there was talk of that, but it's been pushed back because of the state's gov and population saying they were going to do it anyways regardless of what the fed says. Basically stated their doing it cause it's what's best for their state, and even if overturned by the fed they would not prosecute cases or waste resources pushing the fed's unjust agenda.

[CorvallisBMW]

Proud that one of my Oregon Congressman is sponsoring this: http://www.klcc.org/Feature.asp?FeatureID=4231

[mrsleeve]

Make it legal, your employer can and will still shit can your ass for busting a piss test

[Rsully70sev]

Make it legal, your employer can and will still shit can your ass for busting a piss test

How does this make sense? If it were legal, then it wouldn't be illegal to have it's presence in a drug test. It's been said numerous times it would be treated similar to the laws regarding alcohol. No employer can fire you for having a few beers after work, but if you show up drunk that's another story. IMO the same would apply with marijuana. Showing up smelling like pot, eyes red, etc. could be grounds for termination. Recreational use shouldn't be a reflection of a persons work ethic or abilities.

[BraveUlysses]

How does this make sense? If it were legal, then it wouldn't be illegal to have it's presence in a drug test. It's been said numerous times it would be treated similar to the laws regarding alcohol. No employer can fire you for having a few beers after work, but if you show up drunk that's another story. IMO the same would apply with marijuana. Showing up smelling like pot, eyes red, etc. could be grounds for termination. Recreational use shouldn't be a reflection of a persons work ethic or abilities.

I agree, but as long as it's illegal on a federal level employers will have no problem establishing rules that allow for firing for pot usage in your time off.