High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform

Dantheman62 · 12-28-2009, 06:20 PM

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Writer Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Writer – Mon Dec 28, 9:39 am ET

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington is one of four states where measures to legalize and regulate marijuana have been introduced, and about two dozen other states are considering bills ranging from medical marijuana to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.

"In terms of state legislatures, this is far and away the most active year that we've ever seen," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, which supports reforming marijuana laws.

Nadelmann said that while legalization efforts are not likely to get much traction in state capitals anytime soon, the fact that there is such an increase of activity "is elevating the level of public discourse on this issue and legitimizing it."

"I would say that we are close to the tipping point," he said. "At this point they are still seen as symbolic bills to get the conversation going, but at least the conversation can be a serious one."

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, a Seattle Democrat who is sponsoring the legalization bill in Washington state, said that she "wanted to start a strong conversation about the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana."
Under her bill, marijuana would be sold in Washington state's 160 state-run liquor stores, and customers, 21 and older, would pay a tax of 15 percent per gram.

The measure would dedicate most of the money raised for substance abuse prevention and treatment, which is facing potential cuts in the state budget. Dickerson said the measure could eventually bring in as much to state coffers as alcohol does, more than $300 million a year.

Fourteen states, including Washington state, already have medical marijuana laws, and 13 have decriminalization laws on the books, St. Pierre said. About two dozen cities across the country, including Seattle, make marijuana offenses a low law-enforcement priority.

This month, a group campaigning to put a marijuana legalization measure before California voters said it had enough signatures to qualify for the 2010 ballot.
That proposal would legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and older. Residents could cultivate marijuana gardens up to 25 square feet. City and county governments would determine whether to permit and tax marijuana sales within their boundaries. And in Nevada earlier this month, backers of a move to legalize marijuana there filed paperwork creating an advocacy group aimed at qualifying an initiative for the 2012 election.

For all the article...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/...zing_marijuana

Céline · 12-28-2009, 06:22 PM

i am so glad to be canadian

Dantheman62 · 12-28-2009, 06:28 PM

Why? What's the laws in Canada on marijuana?

JesterTerrestrial · 12-28-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantheman62

Why? What's the laws in Canada on marijuana?

Smoke em if you got em!

The law society is defunct!

Céline · 12-28-2009, 06:38 PM

The laws are very liberal here about possession and smoking pot.

Cops will not interfere unless you are being "obvious" or are dealing.

The hydroponic pot growing industry is huge in this country...and there are many hydroponic stores as well as head shops (pot paraphernalia store)

Smoking for medical reasons is legal....and our government grows hydro pot in Saskatchewan, for all the people with a prescription...

Farmers are fighting for the right to grow hemp...that should change soon too.

Dantheman62 · 12-28-2009, 06:43 PM

Woohoo! I'm moving to Canada!
Hmmm, maybe not, it's way too cold there!
Plus I live in California, where it's almost legal, close enough, I never followed the laws anyway! LOL

Humble Janitor · 12-28-2009, 07:51 PM

It should at the very least be decriminalized if not legalized. This is a public health issue and certainly not a drug issue. If we keep spending all this money on keeping pot illegal, it takes resources away from tackling much more dangerous substances (Oxycodone is a HUGE problem in Vermont).

Céline · 12-28-2009, 07:58 PM

From what i was told...

Hemp was made illegal because the pulp and paper industry wanted to corner the market...they must have had some great loby-ers...

i agree..is is a health and social issue...NOT a legal one.

The money directed at the drug wars have little to do with stopping drug use.

12-28-2009, 06:20 PM	#1
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Writer Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Writer – Mon Dec 28, 9:39 am ET OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington is one of four states where measures to legalize and regulate marijuana have been introduced, and about two dozen other states are considering bills ranging from medical marijuana to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb. "In terms of state legislatures, this is far and away the most active year that we've ever seen," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, which supports reforming marijuana laws. Nadelmann said that while legalization efforts are not likely to get much traction in state capitals anytime soon, the fact that there is such an increase of activity "is elevating the level of public discourse on this issue and legitimizing it." "I would say that we are close to the tipping point," he said. "At this point they are still seen as symbolic bills to get the conversation going, but at least the conversation can be a serious one." Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, a Seattle Democrat who is sponsoring the legalization bill in Washington state, said that she "wanted to start a strong conversation about the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana." Under her bill, marijuana would be sold in Washington state's 160 state-run liquor stores, and customers, 21 and older, would pay a tax of 15 percent per gram. The measure would dedicate most of the money raised for substance abuse prevention and treatment, which is facing potential cuts in the state budget. Dickerson said the measure could eventually bring in as much to state coffers as alcohol does, more than $300 million a year. Fourteen states, including Washington state, already have medical marijuana laws, and 13 have decriminalization laws on the books, St. Pierre said. About two dozen cities across the country, including Seattle, make marijuana offenses a low law-enforcement priority. This month, a group campaigning to put a marijuana legalization measure before California voters said it had enough signatures to qualify for the 2010 ballot. That proposal would legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and older. Residents could cultivate marijuana gardens up to 25 square feet. City and county governments would determine whether to permit and tax marijuana sales within their boundaries. And in Nevada earlier this month, backers of a move to legalize marijuana there filed paperwork creating an advocacy group aimed at qualifying an initiative for the 2012 election. For all the article... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/...zing_marijuana

12-28-2009, 06:22 PM	#2
Céline Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,285	Re: High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform i am so glad to be canadian

12-28-2009, 06:28 PM	#3
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform Why? What's the laws in Canada on marijuana?

12-28-2009, 06:38 PM	#5
Céline Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,285	Re: High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform The laws are very liberal here about possession and smoking pot. Cops will not interfere unless you are being "obvious" or are dealing. The hydroponic pot growing industry is huge in this country...and there are many hydroponic stores as well as head shops (pot paraphernalia store) Smoking for medical reasons is legal....and our government grows hydro pot in Saskatchewan, for all the people with a prescription... Farmers are fighting for the right to grow hemp...that should change soon too.

12-28-2009, 06:43 PM	#6
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform Woohoo! I'm moving to Canada! Hmmm, maybe not, it's way too cold there! Plus I live in California, where it's almost legal, close enough, I never followed the laws anyway! LOL

12-28-2009, 07:51 PM	#7
Humble Janitor Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,201	Re: High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform It should at the very least be decriminalized if not legalized. This is a public health issue and certainly not a drug issue. If we keep spending all this money on keeping pot illegal, it takes resources away from tackling much more dangerous substances (Oxycodone is a HUGE problem in Vermont).

12-28-2009, 07:58 PM	#8
Céline Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,285	Re: High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform From what i was told... Hemp was made illegal because the pulp and paper industry wanted to corner the market...they must have had some great loby-ers... i agree..is is a health and social issue...NOT a legal one. The money directed at the drug wars have little to do with stopping drug use.