Marijuana Legalized in Two States

[Moderated]

Fun fact: Still totally illegal there, no matter what the state says.
Federal law > State law

 

[RedDeadFred]

I know here in Canada it is still very much so illegal but I have never gotten the impression anybody really cares. Most cops will only bust ya if you are growing or dealing a significant amount. Outside that they just take it away n send you on your way.

Ya, it's gotten to the point where it might as well be legal.

OT: This is pretty awesome. I did not see this coming at all TBH. Has the discussion of seriously legalizing it in these states been going on for a while? This is the first I've heard of it.

 

[GTwander]

Fun fact: Still totally illegal there, no matter what the state says.
Federal law > State law

Fun made-up statistic:
Local law enforcement to federal coverage is 60:1.
Feds aren't going to have the manpower or resources to go after an average stoner - and the moment they start is when people get up in arms about a misuse of said resources.

 

[seventy two]

Funny coincidence, I live in Washington and almost all my non-immediate family lives in Colorado. I personally do not partake but am happy to see it legalized, most of my friends complain about taxes but it is unreasonable to honestly not expect it.

 

[Aeonknight]

It cracks me up when people get upset over this yet drink alcohol which destroys many more lives then pot. Everyone knows at least 2-3 drunks who's lives are controlled by alcohol. Seriously, the hypocrisy is so strong it stings.

I know just as many drugs addicts as I do alcoholics

And don't worry, now that its legal in those states the ratios will even out or become more unbalanced.

Though this raises my curiosity. I voted yes on measure 80 (Oregon to make it legal, failed 45 to 55%) but I visit Washington a few times each quarter.... I wonder if I smoke while I am there for a couple of weeks, but then return to my job in oregon, if I get a drug test if I will get fired even though I wasnt breaking the law when I smoked?

And interesting question, but not one I will put to the test any time soon! Particularly with oregon as a fire at will state

I would imagine it'd be based off of where the company HQ is as to whether or not they choose to acknowledge the legality of it.

Could also be at the discretion of the company itself.

 

[asinann]

And it's still illegal federally, so you can still be busted, you just go to a nicer prison.

 

[Aigaion]

I live in Washington State and it has not actually been a huge fanfare here. Although we are all excited that it passed, it's mostly because the tax revenue goes to schools and it will keep people who are just harmless casual pot smokers from having a criminal record.
We are all really excited, however, about the legaization of gay marriage. That's a pretty big deal, and hopefully more states will follow suit.

 

[Pebkio]

I live in Colorado, one of the States to legalize. Guys, you must listen: We were wrong. It's been mass chaos in the streets. 60,000 have overdosed already. The gangs run the city now.

Oh no wait, none of those things have happened.

---

Marijuana isn't being legalized: federal law supersedes everything states do, and federal agents will be obligated to arrest anyone who tries to sell or smoke it. Unless the federal laws are found to be unconstitutional, which they won't be, considering the Supreme Court makeup, there's going to be a quick injunction issued by the courts and this will all die off in a couple of years. Please don't think that this has changed anything, regardless of your position on marijuana.

Medical marijuana has been legal for a good while now and I drive by two dispensaries on the way to anywhere which haven't been raided by Feds even though marijuana is still federally illegal in all cases.

---

Education is important here, I would not touch weed because I don't want a mental illness. Each to his own I suppose.

Yes, education IS important. That why you should educated yourself instead of just listening to your one friend that you respect. (Yes, I followed your response)

I don't smoke Marijuana so the only thing I really care about this is State's rights and personal rights. However, education tells me that cigarets are more harmful than marijuana. So is alcohol, for that matter. I drink soda and I'm pretty sure it's more harmful than marijuana. The only harm I personally think it does is smell badly.

---

Now, there is one thing that I'm still worried about. And that's businesses still refusing to hire someone who has THC in their blood-stream. Marijuana might be legal state-wise, but that doesn't stop employers from denying employment because you toke. I should go ask them. Just walk up and ask. I should set aside a day to do that... in fact.

 

[Cowabungaa]

For some reason my first thought upon seeing this topic was:

"I can see this starting a schism in the United States that could spark a new civil war in a century or so." Or well, at least not staying very United forever.

Still, good on those states.

 

[MammothBlade]

Education is important here, I would not touch weed because I don't want a mental illness. Each to his own I suppose.

Unless you have a family history of Schizophrenia you very likely have nothing to worry about.

Sod drugs and this rebel culture.

Because everyone should shut up and agree with everything the government says.

It's about personal freedom, not some rebel counter-culture. If someone else wants to take some soft recreational drugs to relax and have a good time, why should the government deny them that as long as they respect others' rights?

 

[Judgment90]

Looks like people in Colorado can now legally and literally become...

*puts on sunglasses*

"Rocky Mountain High".

 

[Tiger Sora]

This is great news. Now I can only hope that Kentucky will legalize it then I can be happy.

But it's already in the Colonel Sander's blend of secret herbs and spices.

Looks like people in Colorado can now legally and literally become...

*puts on sunglasses*

"Rocky Mountain High".

!!!*Slams the guitar cords*!!!

I suspect an influx of people looking to live in these states.

 

[Moderated]

Fun made-up statistic:
Local law enforcement to federal coverage is 60:1.
Feds aren't going to have the manpower or resources to go after an average stoner - and the moment they start is when people get up in arms about a misuse of said resources.

I don't think I stated a statistic, but okay.
I was just saying how legally, states cannot make a law that overrules federal law.
Anyway, I think the US army, swat, etc could take a few police officers, most of whom wouldn't fight. Those who did fight, lets just say it wouldn't go well for them.

 

[launchpadmcqwak]

Education is important here, I would not touch weed because I don't want a mental illness. Each to his own I suppose.

Wow...that post is going too cause a ruckus...

 

[sunsetspawn]

Fun fact: Still totally illegal there, no matter what the state says.
Federal law > State law

Lrn2Constitution

Specifically the 10th Amendment...

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"


and a little 9th...

"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."


The SCOTUS won't touch this shit with a ten foot pole because they would have to rule in favor of Washington and Colorado.

I predict that President Choomwagon and the Justice Department won't comment on this whatsoever and the feds and media will quietly ignore those two evil pothead states.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Fun fact: Still totally illegal there, no matter what the state says.
Federal law > State law

Lrn2Constitution

Specifically the 10th Amendment...

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"


and a little 9th...

"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."


The SCOTUS won't touch this shit with a ten foot pole because they would have to rule in favor of Washington and Colorado.

I predict that President Choomwagon and the Justice Department won't comment on this whatsoever and the feds and media will quietly ignore those two evil pothead states.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but smoking Marijuana isn't a god-given right granted by the Constitution, so it doesn't fall under either of those amendments.

California legalized marijuana for recreation a while back and the Fed has been very active in cracking down on potheads there. [http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/marijuana-arrests-skyrocket-california]

They're going to crack down on these two states, too.

 

[Moderated]

snip

Lrn2Constitution
Specifically Article VI Section 2...
"This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding."