St_Francis_P: Wayne Frith, of Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE), is opposed to the idea. He said marijuana comes with dangerous health ramifications.

"The simple truth is the health implications and public safety implications are horrible with this drug. Somehow we've created this myth that marijuana is a harmless play drug and it's not. It needs to be controlled. To equate it with alcohol and put it o the general public, I mean what's next? Selling it at Wal-Mart and having young people steal it? That's the wrong track to go down," said Frith.

Came for the "Won't somebody think of the children!" rant; leaving satisfied.

Odds are that this politician has relatives in,and/or political ties to tobacco, liquor distilleries and hog farming.

St_Francis_P: hubiestubert: St_Francis_P: Wayne Frith, of Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE), is opposed to the idea. He said marijuana comes with dangerous health ramifications.

"The simple truth is the health implications and public safety implications are horrible with this drug. Somehow we've created this myth that marijuana is a harmless play drug and it's not. It needs to be controlled. To equate it with alcohol and put it o the general public, I mean what's next? Selling it at Wal-Mart and having young people steal it? That's the wrong track to go down," said Frith.

Came for the "Won't somebody think of the children!" rant; leaving satisfied.

To be fair, it's not like kids have access to weed now, right?

Sure; but wait until they sell it at Walmart. And young children steal it. I have nightmares about that!

[www.techcentral.ie image 300x200]

Who would want the quality of weed they sold at WalMart - really?

Why oh why couldn't it be House Joint Resolution 420?

On a more serious note, if the feds have made it clear that marijuana will never be legal, why are states even bothering? The Constitution and past precedent have made it very clear that the feds trump states.

Marijuana: The most destructive drug on the streets... if this were ever legalized we would see deaths caused by it shoot up drastically, whether it be driving accidents, overdose, addiction or violent murders a la "reefer madness". Oh, you mean none of that would happen and the state would actually make money as opposed to wasting money on frivolous drug prosecutions? Nevermind, then.

GAT_00: Hey look, someone else trying to make state law that ignores Federal law expressly forbidding it. Let's see how well this worked the last 900 times that was tried and assume that this one will totally hold up this time.

Aarontology: Yeah, I'm sure the feds will love that.

They make a lot of money persecuting the "Drug War"... the fact that marijuana will never completely disappear simply means their funding for eliminating it will never completely disappear either.

Aarontology: AmorousRedDragon: They make a lot of money persecuting the "Drug War"... the fact that marijuana will never completely disappear simply means their funding for eliminating it will never completely disappear either.

Yep. There's a shiat ton of money involved in keeping it illegal and keeping people locked up.

Many people don't realize that.

Whar Hero tag? WHAR???

/Ooooo, brownies!
//Mucnh, munch.

GAT_00: Hey look, someone else trying to make state law that ignores Federal law expressly forbidding it. Let's see how well this worked the last 900 times that was tried and assume that this one will totally hold up this time.

Still a step forward if you want it legalized. It has to become pretty apparent that a large majority of states and their people don't want it kept illegal before federal level Pols will get onboard.

eddyatwork: Why oh why couldn't it be House Joint Resolution 420?

On a more serious note, if the feds have made it clear that marijuana will never be legal, why are states even bothering? The Constitution and past precedent have made it very clear that the feds trump states.

Same reason there are anti-abortion laws either on the books or permanently sitting in states' legislative bin: the instant the feds ever change position on the issue (and nothing is never "never" in government), they are up and running. Also, it is a way to pressure the feds. If enough states were to pass marijuana-legalization laws, the feds have to start deciding if holding the criminalization line is really worth it - enough states telling the feds to fark off could lead to insurrection (I don't really think you would get Civil War 2, but not many government types would want to chance it if it wasn't important; and is marijuana really the issue to rally behind as the break-point?

that our governing body does not perform to the will of the people is reason to remove those in office.

adults do not need a mommy or daddy figure telling them smoking this is illegal or consensual sex between adults is illegal. bullshiat.

i hope i live long enough to see laws change or politicians die en masse. i'm good either way.

cbackous: eddyatwork: Why oh why couldn't it be House Joint Resolution 420?

On a more serious note, if the feds have made it clear that marijuana will never be legal, why are states even bothering? The Constitution and past precedent have made it very clear that the feds trump states.

Under what constitutional power can the fed say it is illegal?

serious question.

Interstate commerce clause

Subby working on his bid to sell Twinkies and Funyuns in same stores

Never, never mix Twinkies and Funyuns!

hubiestubert: I don't smoke the stuff, but I AM tired of the waste of resources devoted to this crap. Waste of police resources, waste of court time and fees. Yes, it will mean a drop in seizures, but I think that we can survive cops and attorneys buying seized property as a side line.

THIS! I've never smoked myself, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying it. I used to be hard core against it....and cigarettes and alcohol too. Catholic school was awful. Anyway, back on track. I buy my pipe smoke at a tobacconist where they specialize in cigars, loose tobacco and wine. There are plenty of head shops in my area that are probably already set to sell, they're just waiting for the go ahead. I highly doubt it would be available at "Wal-Mart and having young people steal it". Hell, they keep their smokes locked up with an 18+ employee holding the key.

Regulate it, put a tax on it, sell it.

cbackous: EvilTaxi: cbackous: eddyatwork: Why oh why couldn't it be House Joint Resolution 420?

On a more serious note, if the feds have made it clear that marijuana will never be legal, why are states even bothering? The Constitution and past precedent have made it very clear that the feds trump states.

Under what constitutional power can the fed say it is illegal?

serious question.

Interstate commerce clause

So by growning it for personal use, i affect the illegal commerce of it, thus I cant grow it?

Pretty much. Same reason most other things like weapons laws. Because lots of things can be "interstate commerce," Congress can use the elastic clause to write laws to do almost anything.

What happens if all 50 states legalize.... it would almost be like a vote... [Democracy joke goes here]

Regulate it, put a tax on it, sell it.

Sounds so simple, yet is so hard.

GAT_00: AbbeySomeone: Aarontology: AmorousRedDragon: They make a lot of money persecuting the "Drug War"... the fact that marijuana will never completely disappear simply means their funding for eliminating it will never completely disappear either.

Yep. There's a shiat ton of money involved in keeping it illegal and keeping people locked up.

Many people don't realize that.

- - -

It always saddens me to hear this argument. Pray tell me, where is the money tree? You mean to tell me there isn't a money tree?

The most convenient thing prohibition jerks always fails to mention is that the money isn't free. Where do you think the money to incarcerate comes from? Ooooh yeah...taxes. So, what say you about your states deficit? If the state deficit isn't such a big deal, why are you so concerned if the federal government has their credit rating demolished? And we are back to money, and the fact that your state has a huge issue balancing the books. Yes (derp), we must lock up all marijuana users even though it has been and can be proven every day of the week across the board that alcohol is a far more dangerous drug. The money to incarcerate still isn't free.

Am I being redundant? Well, that's what these abolitionist sound like.., except they are not only redundant but they have lost their purpose. Give up the easy money, you prohibition based wack off non profit farkholes...get a real job, and quit leaching off the stupidity of our less educated. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I wonder how many times you have referred to others as worthless. Now that's ironic.

It doesn't matter to me if this bill is passed or not. However, I am tired of the same old arguments, and that people keep repeating it no matter how many times they have been disproven.

wonder what they would ask for a joint? $10? no thanks, idiots, cheaper on the streets.

also, gov't owned liquor stores? is that where welfare recipients go to cash their welfare checks for booze?

Aarontology: Yep. There's a shiat ton of money involved in keeping it illegal and keeping people locked up.

ecspecially when the prison can put inmates to work for 5 cents an hour for private profit.

"Sounds like a problem in the making. We have enough drugs out here now. I just think people will just abuse it. Some people might really need it for their health, but selling it in ABC stores, I don't think is a good idea," said Hill.

Don't like it? Don't smoke it.

Wayne Frith, of Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE), is opposed to the idea. He said marijuana comes with dangerous health ramifications.

Alcohol comes with dangerous health ramifications. CAFFEINE comes with dangerous health ramifications. This argument is crap.

In VA ABC stores are state owned and often staffed with State Troopers. So lets say for the sake of argument that VA legalized the sale of Marijuana via ABC stores. Can you imagine the first time the ATF asked for help rating a ABC store. The ATF might think it's tough but there are a lot more state troopers in VA than ATF agents at all, let alone at some raid. Do the state troopers and local police allow the ATF to arrest a State Trooper for doing the duty he was assigned? If so how does the federal government stand on this, do they really want to piss off all the states rights people as well?

cantsleep: Regulate it, put a tax on it, sell it.

Sounds so simple, yet is so hard.

Cracked has an article this week about legal dispensaries. Yes, that's what needs to be done. Yes, it will be difficult. Yes, it will take a long time to hash (hehe) out.
But I think it will happen eventually. I wouldn't be surprised if it's done before 2020.

GAT_00: Hey look, someone else trying to make state law that ignores Federal law expressly forbidding it. Let's see how well this worked the last 900 times that was tried and assume that this one will totally hold up this time.

This is becoming civil disobedience at the state level, and I support it.

And I don't even use pot.

hubiestubert: It needs to be controlled about as stringently as we control liquor sales.

Fold marijuana under the ATF and as a taxation issue, and be done with it. License the sales, so that you can control quality, and upgrade OIU laws to include marijuana, and then reap the taxes on the product, as well as the jump in legal sales. Folks who grow can have a legal outlet, and the ancillary industries can be reaped as well. Fiber, seed, and more.

I don't smoke the stuff, but I AM tired of the waste of resources devoted to this crap. Waste of police resources, waste of court time and fees. Yes, it will mean a drop in seizures, but I think that we can survive cops and attorneys buying seized property as a side line.

I agree with this guy ^^ not a smoker myself but would reduce the strain on law enforcement and cost to our government and being able to legally sell it adds revenue for state, local, and federal governements as you could tax it. so far as policing it treat it like alcohol. my thoughts are I work in the healthcare industry people are gonna smoke it and it doesnt destroy your brain like meth and doesnt impair your functioning any less than alcohol.

cenobyte40k: In VA ABC stores are state owned and often staffed with State Troopers. So lets say for the sake of argument that VA legalized the sale of Marijuana via ABC stores. Can you imagine the first time the ATF asked for help rating a ABC store. The ATF might think it's tough but there are a lot more state troopers in VA than ATF agents at all, let alone at some raid. Do the state troopers and local police allow the ATF to arrest a State Trooper for doing the duty he was assigned? If so how does the federal government stand on this, do they really want to piss off all the states rights people as well?

I can't speak as to what state troopers would do, but when the fark has the federal government given a fark about what "states rights people" think?

cenobyte40k: In VA ABC stores are state owned and often staffed with State Troopers

I've been in VA ABC stores plenty of times, and not once have I ever seen a state trooper in one.

MoronLessOff: cantsleep: Regulate it, put a tax on it, sell it.

Sounds so simple, yet is so hard.

Cracked has an article this week about legal dispensaries. Yes, that's what needs to be done. Yes, it will be difficult. Yes, it will take a long time to hash (hehe) out.
But I think it will happen eventually. I wouldn't be surprised if it's done before 2020.

I actually agree with you. I'm 46 now, and until about 5 years ago would never have believed it wouild happen.
As a side note, my wife is a recovering alcoholic (3 years sober, I'm very proud of her) and I wish to God she had been a pot smoker instead of a drinker.

That's like selling itching powder in a mustard gas store.
Who would be crazy enough to take that sort of risk?
What if someones skin was mildly irritated?

A good idea that'll never work until rules are changed at the federal level.

Too many agencies, state and otherwise depend on that sweet, sweet anti-drug money they get for locking up harmless potheads to send to privately owned prisons.

Way to much cash in the "War on Drugs" to abandon..

So in other words Virginia is going to be a dry state after the feds come in and seize the stores and all their contents under federal drug laws.

LOL!!!! EPIC FAIL!!!!

A bunch of legal dispensaries just got raided in WA even though in WA they are legal. Apparently undercover cops were able to obtain marijuana from them using false ID cards (green cards or whatever they are called). There are multiple charges pending.

WA is trying to do the same thing VA is doing now. Now people are mad over the DUI part of it. I guess many people think that driving while high isn't as bad as driving while drunk (and it might not be).

FYI, in Virginia, all liquor is sold in state-sponsored Alcohol Beverage Control stores. They only sell liquor and VA-made wines. They are rather uncommon. That is to say, there isn't one on every corner or in every strip mall. Beer and wine can be sold pretty much everywhere. This bill wouldn't put pot in Walmart.