• 🛑Hello, this board in now turned off and no new posting.
    Please REGISTER at Anabolic Steroid Forums, and become a member of our NEW community! 💪
  • 💪Muscle Gelz® 30% Off Easter Sale👉www.musclegelz.com Coupon code: EASTER30🐰

Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use

SFW

www.TrannyUrine.com/
Registered
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
9,403
Reaction score
3,109
Points
0
Age
94
Location
w/Geared Jesus ♂
IML Gear Cream!
Amendment 64 Passes

s-MARIJUANA-LEGALIZATION-large.jpg





The Rocky Mountain High just got a whole lot higher. On Tuesday night, Amendment 64 -- the measure seeking the legalization of marijuana for recreational use by adults -- was passed by Colorado voters, making Colorado the first state to end marijuana prohibition in the United States.

With about 36 percent of precincts reporting at the time of publishing, 9News and Fox31 report that Amendment 64 has passed.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a vocal opponent to the measure, reacted to the passage of A64 in a statement late Tuesday night:

The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will. This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug so don?t break out the Cheetos or gold fish too quickly.

The passage of the state measure is without historical precedent and the consequences will likely be closely-watched around the world. In an interview with The Huffington Post, the authors/researchers behind the book "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs To Know" pointed out that the measure in Colorado is truly groundbreaking, comparing it to the legalization that Amsterdam enjoys:

A common error is to believe that the Netherlands has already legalized cannabis (the preferred term for marijuana in Europe). What has been de facto legalized is only the retail sale of 5 grams (about a sixth of an ounce) or less. Production and wholesale distribution is still illegal, and that prohibition is enforced, which is largely why the price of sinsemilla in the ?coffee shops? isn?t much different than the price in American dispensaries.

Although Colorado "legalized it," it will be several months, perhaps as long as a year, before Colorado adults 21-and-over can enjoy the legal sale of marijuana. However, the parts of the amendment related to individual behavior will go into effect as soon as Governor Hickenlooper certifies the results of the vote, a proclamation he is obligated to do within 30 days of the election, The Colorado Independent reported.

It's a huge victory for the Campaign To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the pro-pot group behind Amendment 64. "Over the past eight years in Colorado, we have argued that it is irrational to punish adults for choosing to use a product that is far less harmful than alcohol," Mason Tvert, co-director of the campaign, said in a statement. "Today, the voters agreed. 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."

This is the second time Colorado voted on legal weed, in 2006 Coloradans voted the measure down, but not in 2012. Tvert told The Huffington Post in an August interview why he thought this year might be different:

The 2006 initiative would have simply removed the penalties for the possession of marijuana legal for individuals 21 years of age or older. The current initiative proposes a fully regulated system of cultivation and sales, which will eliminate the underground marijuana market and generate tens of millions of dollars per year in new revenue and criminal justice savings. It also directs the legislature to regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp, a versatile, popular, and environmentally friendly agricultural crop.
More importantly, voters are more informed about marijuana than ever before. They have also experienced the emergence of a state-regulated medical marijuana system that has not produced any serious problems, but has provided a number of benefits. We now know that marijuana cultivation and sales can be regulated, and that medical marijuana businesses do not contribute to increased crime. We have also seen marijuana use among high school students decrease since the state began implementing regulations, whereas it has increased nationwide where there are no regulations. And, of course, localities and the state have seen how much revenue can be generated through the legal sale of marijuana that would have otherwise gone into the underground market. Voters in Colorado no longer need to imagine what a legal and regulated system of marijuana sales would look like; they have seen it.

It's also worth noting that 2012 is a presidential election year, so we will benefit from increased voter turnout compared to an off-year election like 2006. Historically, the more people who vote, the more support marijuana reform initiatives receive.


On the same night that Colorado passed Amendment 64, Washington state passed Initiative 502 which regulates and taxes sales of small amounts of marijuana for adults, The Associated Press reports. Oregon also had a marijuana measure on the ballot, but as of publishing and with 47 percent of precincts reporting, it looked as if it would not pass.

Under Amendment 64, marijuana is taxed and regulated similar to alcohol and tobacco. It gives state and local governments the ability to control and tax the sale of small amounts of marijuana to adults age 21 and older. According to the Associated Press, analysts project that that tax revenue could generate somewhere between $5 million and $22 million a year in the state. An economist whose study was funded by a pro-pot group projects as much as a $60 million boost by 2017.

"Today, the people of Colorado have rejected the failed policy of marijuana prohibition," Brian Vicente, also a co-director of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana, said in a statement. "Thanks to their votes, we will now reap the benefits of regulation. We will create new jobs, generation million of dollars in tax revenue, and allow law enforcement to focus on serious crimes. It would certainly be a travesty if the Obama administration used its power to impose marijuana prohibition upon a state whose people have declared, through the democratic process, that they want it to end."

The big unknown still is if the federal government will allow a regulated marijuana market to take shape. Attorney General Eric Holder, who was a vocal opponent of California's legalization initiative in 2010 saying he would "vigorously enforce" federal marijuana prohibition, has continued to remain silent on the issue this year.

In September, Holder was urged by nine former heads of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take a stand against marijuana legalization again. "To continue to remain silent conveys to the American public and the global community a tacit acceptance of these dangerous initiatives," the nine said in the letter to holder obtained by Reuters.

Earlier this month those same DEA drug warriors joined by former directors of the Office of National Drug Control Policy on a teleconference call to put additional pressure on Holder to speak out against Colorado's marijuana measure as well as similar initiatives on the ballot in Washington state and Oregon.

The drug warriors say that states that legalize marijuana for recreational use will trigger a "Constitutional showdown" with the federal government.

In a report published Sunday by NBC News, President Obama's former senior drug policy advisor said that if the marijuana initiatives pass, a war will be incited between the federal government and the states that pass them. "Once these states actually try to implement these laws, we will see an effort by the feds to shut it down," Sabet said.

But proponents of the legislation say they don't foresee federal agents interfering in states that have legalized cannabis, citing the federal government's silence on the issue this election cycle.

The DOJ has yet to formally announce its enforcement intentions, however, the clearest statement from the DOJ came from Deputy Attorney General James Cole, who said his office's stance on the issue would be "the same as it's always been." During a recent appearance on "60 Minutes" Cole elaborated, "We're going to take a look at whether or not there are dangers to the community from the sale of marijuana and we're going to go after those dangers," Reuters reported.


Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use
 
Good for them. A big win for people who believe in personal responsibility and freedom.

I can't wait to see the revenue this raises for the state.
 
I'm sure the head jew is very happy with this victory :joint:


:coffee:
 
Every person I meet from Colorado has experimented with drugs. They also sound like there is some brain damage...
 
I've been to Colorado many times.....pot was pretty much legal there anyway
 
Washington State did the same.
 
I voted in favor of I-520 to decriminalize/legalize recreational Marijuana use in WA, and I am glad it passed.

Now, we'll see (if) the U.S. Justice Department will interfere.


Voters approve I-502 legalizing marijuana
Washington state voters made history Tuesday by legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.


By Jonathan Martin
Seattle Times staff reporter

Washington enthusiastically leapt into history Tuesday, becoming the first state, with Colorado, to reject federal drug-control policy and legalize recreational marijuana use.

Initiative 502 was winning 56 to 44 percent, thanks to overwhelming support from King County, and more modest support from at least a dozen counties, rural and urban.

Washington joined Colorado, where a similar legalization measure passed. As the vote counts rolled in at I-502's election-night party in Seattle, crowds burst into cheers.

"I'm going to go ahead and give my victory speech right now. After this I can go sit down and stop shaking," said Alison Holcomb, I-502's campaign manager and primary architect.

"Today the state of Washington looked at 75 years of national marijuana prohibition and said it is time for a new approach."

The vote puts Washington to the left of the Netherlands on marijuana law. As of Dec. 6, it will no longer be illegal for adults 21 and over to possess an ounce of marijuana. A new "drugged driving" law for marijuana impairment also kicks in then.

Tuesday's vote also begins a yearlong process for the state Liquor Control Board to set rules for heavily taxed and regulated sales at state-licensed marijuana stores, which are estimated to raise $1.9 billion in new revenue over five years.

Many legal experts expect the U.S. Justice Department, which remained silent during presidential-year politics, to push back and perhaps sue to block I-502 based on federal supremacy.

Voters approve I-502 legalizing marijuana | Local News | The Seattle Times
 
IML Gear Cream!
Way to go Co. and WA. :callme:

Now we just have to convince those damn Feds that this is a good & reasonable idea.
 
Way to go Co. and WA. :callme:

Now we just have to convince those damn Feds that this is a good & reasonable idea.


The thing is that you would think the Feds would be on board with this. That way when they keep fucking us out of god given rights or bill of rights we all will be smoked up sayin "yeah it's all good It's gonna get better man"
 
For those in California: What has this medicinal use marijuana law done to the typical street level pot dealer?

Is there no such thing as a pot dealer anymore when any crooked Dr will give you a weed card?

Just curious. :coffee:

As a resident of Ca and smot poker, I will try to answer your Q.

There are still street level distributors, which I haven't had to deal with in sometime. But, having some regulations is a good thing. The prices are a bit better and so is the quality. Most places give out freebies with a minimum donation. Besides, it's also great to buy any strain you desire whether it be indica, sativa or a hybrid, rather than just what your guy has on hand at that time.
 
Obama will do the right thing, now that he doesn't need to qualify for another term. Good things are coming.
 
The thing is that you would think the Feds would be on board with this. That way when they keep fucking us out of god given rights or bill of rights we all will be smoked up sayin "yeah it's all good It's gonna get better man"

You do raise an interesting and valid point. :joint:

Wake & bake anyone ?
 
Azza does

:coffee:
 
IML Gear Cream!
One of the "concerns" about the amendment here in CO is that it'll lead to drug tourism and oh how horrible that'll be. Thing is, the current medical marijuana industry is already generating significant tax revenues for the state and localities (e.g. Denver) that host the shops.

Drug tourism can only give that a huge boost, putting the state coffers in a much healthier position and making it politically impossible to try to undo the amendment in the future. Other states may then see their residents spending disposable income over in CO (dope, lodging, skiing, restaurants, etc) and get worried at the cash transfer and resulting drop in local tourism. I wouldn't be surprised to see legalization spread to other states purely as a fiscal issue. And if the backward neighbors like UT, KS, WY, etc never pass such laws, more power (and money) to CO. It's all win from here on out.
 
One of the "concerns" about the amendment here in CO is that it'll lead to drug tourism and oh how horrible that'll be. Thing is, the current medical marijuana industry is already generating significant tax revenues for the state and localities (e.g. Denver) that host the shops.

Drug tourism can only give that a huge boost, putting the state coffers in a much healthier position and making it politically impossible to try to undo the amendment in the future. Other states may then see their residents spending disposable income over in CO (dope, lodging, skiing, restaurants, etc) and get worried at the cash transfer and resulting drop in local tourism. I wouldn't be surprised to see legalization spread to other states purely as a fiscal issue. And if the backward neighbors like UT, KS, WY, etc never pass such laws, more power (and money) to CO. It's all win from here on out.

the novelty dies down after a while. even Amsterdam today in the 2000's is not like it was in the 80's. the cannabis cup used to be huge back then now it's kind of lame.
 
Beyond just recreational use, MJ has so many, many true medicinal uses. Once the herbalists start making tinctures, salves, and the like, we'll be less reliant on the crap foisted on us by big pharma.

This is a win is many different ways.
 
Since they passed medical MJ in Michigan there are very few small time dealers left. And I haven't seen regs or shitty weed in 3 years, which is what they would typically sell. Much better for everyone involved, and the state is making a lot of money from the program. The feds do come and shut down places that are too blatant or politically visible, but if you are smart and conservative about it you get no problems.

I'm sure Michigan will be looking to do this soon, as long as the state still has a way to get paid. Right now the state makes $100 per person per year that is in the Medical program, if they just legalized it and applied state tax to all MJ sales it would be a lot more revenue.
 
Back
Top