Do a lot of people in CO smoke pot? Should MJ be legal? (Denver: excise tax, gangs)

[DurangoJoe]

Originally Posted by no1brownsfan

Here is the thing with Ohio. We are one of the last to do anything. It took years to get casinos approved in the state, all the while people were taking their money to our neighboring states, like PA, MI, and WV when we could have kept the money here. While NE Ohio where I live is largely democratic, the southern half of the state and other rural parts is considered "the bible belt." Now, I'm libertarian, and do believe in God, but I'm no "bible thumper" as I don't believe that morality can be legislated by government. But, we would have to deal with the "bible thumping" crowd to get legislation passed for marijuana legalization. And you know, they ain't having it! They will fight it tooth and nail. I mean, it is possible, but I would imagine it would fail several times before it got passed. Hell, we couldn't even get medical weed on the ballot this year.

Ohio is already decriminalized so it already has more lenient penalties. Eventually they'll take the next step. Voters are finally succumbing to pragmatism and figuring out that as taxpayers, it's lunacy to continue to support a crazy war on drugs. One where the war itself causes much more damage to society than the substances being demonized.

In Ohio, less than 100g (almost 4 oz!) is only a $100 fine. A QP is a lot of tokin' with only a $100 fine as the penalty.

LegalJoint: Ohio Marijuana Law

[DurangoJoe]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Congress SUCKS, in just about every case, and they suck in the direction of what big money wants them do, so we the people have to take it away from them and do it ourselves. It's backwards, but in our nation the people have to lead and the Congress will follow.

Spot on Mike, hence the need to drive this at the state level and that's what's happening. It was a hard battle over the years to get to what was achieved on 11/6 but once it happened, many state legislators are now stepping forward with plans for new laws. The national conversation is going strong and the taboo of legalization has been broken. Many more are coming and it's been long time coming.

Mason Tvert, who of course headed the CO effort will tell you that this was actually a very long process spanning about 8 years of planning, influencing voters through previous initiatives, and the targeting of the proper demographics.

In short, it was an effort that the poor reefer madness junkies never believed that stoners could accomplish. It was well planned, well financed, and one of the most intelligent political campaigns ever run. Colorado has provided the model for how to do it elsewhere in the country moving forward.

It does strike me as disingenuous though how all of a sudden, some in congress actually paid attention to what the voters did in CO & WA, and realized that if they don't smarten up about the issue, they'll be out on their keisters looking for a new career.

We've been trying to tell them all along......

[no1brownsfan]

Originally Posted by SoButCounty

Ohio is already decriminalized so it already has more lenient penalties. Eventually they'll take the next step. Voters are finally succumbing to pragmatism and figuring out that as taxpayers, it's lunacy to continue to support a crazy war on drugs. One where the war itself causes much more damage to society than the substances being demonized.

In Ohio, less than 100g (almost 4 oz!) is only a $100 fine. A QP is a lot of tokin' with only a $100 fine as the penalty.

LegalJoint: Ohio Marijuana Law

I'm aware of that. Funny thing is you can get in a lot more trouble for having paraphenalia such as a roach, or a bowl with resin, than the actual possession. I think any sale of any amount though is still a felony. At any rate, it's about time people are waking up to the lies and BS that prompted prohibition anyway. It's all about the government pandering to special interests! I absolutely laugh when I hear pot being called "the gateway drug." Funny, because I've never tried any other substances, other than of course alcohol and tobacco.

[CosmicWizard]

no1brownsfan wrote: It's all about the government pandering to special interests! I absolutely laugh when I hear pot being called "the gateway drug."

Many of us participating in this thread can easily recognize the truth of your statement and laugh along with you, but as this thread bears out, there are still a few sleepy heads who believe that mj is a "gateway drug" because the government and their butt kissing scientists tell them so.

[Xander_Crews]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

no1brownsfan wrote: It's all about the government pandering to special interests! I absolutely laugh when I hear pot being called "the gateway drug."

Many of us participating in this thread can easily recognize the truth of your statement and laugh along with you, but as this thread bears out, there are still a few sleepy heads who believe that mj is a "gateway drug" because the government and their butt kissing scientists tell them so.

I read somewhere that heroin use is going up because of all the kids hooked on pain killers these days. They realize heroin is more efficient and start doing it instead. ...And they still tell us that Cannabis is a gateway drug. Thank god for the internet, the misinformation that was spread is being undone via education, the way it should be.

Proud to be a Coloradoan right now.

[davidv]

In other news, Douglas County is moving to ban the cultivation and sales of marijuana.

I wonder how many other cities and counties will follow.

[DentalFloss]

Originally Posted by davidv

I wonder how many other cities and counties will follow.

Hopefully none. No individual has the right to tell another individual what they can and cannot do with their own body. Anyone who claims such a power is delusional.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by DentalFloss

Hopefully none. No individual has the right to tell another individual what they can and cannot do with their own body. Anyone who claims such a power is delusional.

Douglas County is not outlawing the consumption of marijuana, just the sale. People who want to imbibe may do so. The decision makes sense considering the majority of voters in Douglas County voted no on 64.

You may choose what you want to do to your own body, but when I have to pay for it (increased insurance fees, or higher emergency room visit charges, ambulance charges, etc. because you have no insurance, drunk driving accidents that hurt people or damage property, etc.), it is then in the interest of the community to regulate the activity.

What I like about Amendment 64 is that it gives you the ability to smoke in private. It prohibits smoking in public and reinforces the ban on behavior that is detrimental to the community (DUI, etc.)

Douglas County clearly does not want the baggage that will come with allowing MJ stores to operate, and it is within their rights to regulate the product -- just like Amendment 64 says.

[Xander_Crews]

Originally Posted by davidv

Douglas County is not outlawing the consumption of marijuana, just the sale. People who want to imbibe may do so. The decision makes sense considering the majority of voters in Douglas County voted no on 64.

You may choose what you want to do to your own body, but when I have to pay for it (increased insurance fees, or higher emergency room visit charges, ambulance charges, etc. because you have no insurance, drunk driving accidents that hurt people or damage property, etc.), it is then in the interest of the community to regulate the activity.

What I like about Amendment 64 is that it gives you the ability to smoke in private. It prohibits smoking in public and reinforces the ban on behavior that is detrimental to the community (DUI, etc.)

Douglas County clearly does not want the baggage that will come with allowing MJ stores to operate, and it is within their rights to regulate the product -- just like Amendment 64 says.

Cannabis users cost society much less than other legal, more loosely regulated, everyday substances. Alcohol, tobacco, and food come to mind. Obesity is a way bigger cost to society than Cannabis, but food is not regulated the same because people would all of a sudden go "what about my rights?!" if someone tried to tell them what they can and can not eat.

Douglas county will be left behind by the rest of the state, eventually realize their mistake, and loosen up a bit.

But my main point I wanted to make is the cost to society is absolutely negligible when compared to more common, already legal substances.

[allprolab]

I hope Douglas co doesn't receive any of the tax money for schools if they ban the sale of cannabis.