The law would remove any federal regulation of pot, and it would leave it to the states to impose any regulations. This would be a huge step towards legal pot. How awesome would it be to get pot legalized and online poker legalized before the end of the year?

This is why this matters:

"Sixteen states and the District of Columbia — including the “Left Coast” of Washington, Oregon and California — have voted to allow medical use of marijuana — with a doctor’s prescription — to relieve pain. But federal laws against possession and sale of marijuana have continued in force."

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepol...-legalize-pot/

Fuckin A

aren't most weed offenses prosecuted under state law though? maybe I'm missing something but I don't think it would change weed regulation in practice, for the most part.

obviously it's the 1st step toward true deregulation but there's little chance this gains traction. fingers crossed though.

 

Originally Posted by Hank H1LL

aren't most weed offenses prosecuted under state law though? maybe I'm missing something but I don't think it would change weed regulation in practice, for the most part.

obviously it's the 1st step toward true deregulation but there's little chance this gains traction. fingers crossed though.

A huge problem is federal uncertainty. There are plenty of reports where marijuana stores are raided by federal agents not by the state authorities.

On top of that, there's a lot of movement in some states to move towards legal weed, and this would be a huge push in that direction. I'm guessing some states will not legalize it, but leaving it up to the states will lead to legalization in many places, especially due to the weak economy. It's a big step forward in my opinion.

yea, that's the only thing I could come up with. it would still be illegal to privately possess/sell in most states, just like it is today.


<3

 

Originally Posted by edwardt1988

I'm guessing some states will not legalize it, but leaving it up to the states will lead to legalization in many places, especially due to the weak economy. It's a big step forward in my opinion.

agree with this. any idea how much support they'll find for this bill?

 

Originally Posted by Hank H1LL

yea, that's the only thing I could come up with. it would still be illegal to privately possess/sell in most states, just like it is today.

already legal in various ways to grow/consume/posses and even sell in 16 states... if you don't think the vast majority would follow suit after federal decriminalization, I don't know what to tell you. this is a MASSIVE first step, even if this bill doesn't gain any traction. just the fact that after 40 years they are finally trying is huge.

stop being a:

 

Originally Posted by Hank H1LL

aren't most weed offenses prosecuted under state law though? maybe I'm missing something but I don't think it would change weed regulation in practice, for the most part.

obviously it's the 1st step toward true deregulation but there's little chance this gains traction. fingers crossed though.

Its actually quite the opposite. There are still Federal laws in place that forbid legalization so it really doesn't matter if the states have it legalized cuz the Feds can come in and enforce Federal Law. This would leave it up to the states and so then they can decide on their own if they want to legalize with no fear of Federal ramifications.

In my opinion if this gains any traction in Washington this is a larger step towards legalization much more so then if legalization was passed in Cali this past November

I told my fiancee this would happen in the next 10 years about a week ago. Didn't expect it to happen in next 10 days. pretty sweet

 

Originally Posted by TheWacoKidd

the feds have been raiding medical marijuana operations in states where it is legal

Yeah feds shut down the dispensaries here in Spokane. This bill would be a huge step in the right direction imo.

there will always be a strong interest from tobacco corps in suppressing legalization, but eventually, perhaps decades in the future, federal decriminalization is bound to happen.

the question is when will the tipping point occur? I don't think the culture of congress is ready to take that step but we'll have to wait and see...

 

Originally Posted by Rocket Surgeon

I guess I never understood why tobacco companies don't see weed as an opportunity. They have all the capital and personnel to start up massive grow operations, market a product, and mega profit.

Also, this won't make it out of committee. And if it does, repubs will shoot it down, else they'll face the wrath of church going nanny staters.

I used to always say one day in the future we will be able to buy pre-rolled, packaged joints in a box of Marlboro from a vending machine. that's the society I want to live in, lol

Jebus doesnt like weed

 

Originally Posted by Underdog

Nope. It pains me to say this, but "liberal" Democrats suck on this issue. This bill goes nowhere.

Ugh. I hope you're wrong, but you're probably right. Why is it that Democrats won't stand behind this? I really don't get their reasoning

Big step in the right direction. I still think the feds wont take the bill seriously until 26 states are medically legal.

Frank's online poker bill had 48 co-sponsors and that didn't get anywhere. This one has 6. I'm no expert on this sort of thing, but it would appear there are very few representatives who want to be associated with this bill. Too bad really, but they gotta start somewhere.

What makes people think this is something Democrats would go for? I guess I have never seen it as a donkey/elephant issue. There's a lot of money and jobs involved in the war on drugs, not to mention the long standing negative impressions that have been ingrained on people since the days of "Reefer Madness".