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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use
#14132529 - 03/16/11 05:57 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use March 16, 2011 - boston.com
PROVIDENCE (AP) — Rhode Island would become the first U.S. state to legalize marijuana for recreational use under legislation that would replace criminal penalties for possession with alcohol-style regulation and taxes on America's most widely used illicit drug.
The proposal would lift the ban on possessing marijuana for anyone over the age of 21. It would still be illegal to smoke it publicly, or while driving a vehicle.
Cash-strapped Rhode Island, which legalized medical marijuana in 2006, would stand to make tens of millions of dollars off the deal.
The legislation would allow individuals to grow up to three marijuana plants, but only if they've paid $100 per plant. Wholesalers would have to pay a $50-per-ounce excise tax, retail licenses would cost $5,000 annually, and all retail marijuana sales would be subject to sales taxes.
"It would do wonders to improve our budget situation," said Rep. Edith Ajello, D-Providence, one of five lawmakers sponsoring the bill.
Retired police officers and several Rhode Island residents told lawmakers that the long-standing prohibitions on pot fail to reduce its availability. Tight government regulation and taxes, they said, would recognize that pot is here to stay -- and raise some revenue in the process.
"This will allow police to return to tracking down violent criminals," said Jack Cole, a retired narcotics detective from New Jersey and a leader of a group of retired law enforcement officers who support legalization. "Prohibition has not worked."
But many lawmakers say the state's medical marijuana law is too new to consider legalizing the drug for everyone. Rep. John Carnevale, D-Providence, said the state needs to proceed carefully. Carnevale served 22 years as a Providence police officer, including three in the narcotics division.
"People say it's no worse than alcohol," Carnevale said. "Think about the problems we already have with alcohol. Why would we add another drug? What do we do the next time there's a downturn -- do we say 'OK, how much can we make on cocaine?'"
Some lawmakers would stop short of legalization and instead relax the penalties for marijuana possession. One legislative proposal would replace criminal fines and jail time with a $150 civil fine.
The debate is the latest example of how states throughout New England and the rest of the country are re-examining marijuana and its role as medicine, recreational drug and revenue generator. More than a dozen states now make marijuana a civil violation rather than a criminal offense. California voters last fall defeated a measure to legalize marijuana.
Rhode Island is one of 15 states that have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. On Tuesday state health officials announced three authorized medical marijuana dispensaries. The dispensaries aren't even open and yet Gov. Lincoln Chafee has already suggested imposing taxes on them.
"Our war on drugs has not been successful on marijuana," Ajello said. "We are moving toward accepting it."
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destructo_low
Oh yeah!




Registered: 10/07/08
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: veggie]
#14132553 - 03/16/11 06:00 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Although, the yearly retail license is quite high. They should lower it to $1000, and many people would jump on board.
Quote:
Some lawmakers would stop short of legalization and instead relax the penalties for marijuana possession. One legislative proposal would replace criminal fines and jail time with a $150 civil fine.
I don't understand their logic there though. Ok, so it isn't criminal to smoke a joint, but it's still "wrong", so we will fine you for it. Why not just tax it, leave people alone, and take some of the work load of the police force?
-------------------- There is a molecule for every purpose. There are only actions and reactions. Cut out the middle men. Everything I say is a lie.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: destructo_low]
#14132759 - 03/16/11 06:37 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
destructo_low said: Ok, so it isn't criminal to smoke a joint, but it's still "wrong", so we will fine you for it. Why not just tax it, leave people alone, and take some of the work load of the police force?
Because politicians are too chickenshit to do that and appear "soft on drugs". And of course, there are lots of knot-headed voters who swallow that BS as well.
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sporeRider
Proud sporeRider :)


Registered: 09/11/06
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Loc: usa
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Le_Canard]
#14132804 - 03/16/11 06:45 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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veggie's news updates  !!!! SPECIALLY this one hopefully the state actually passes this!!!! - would be a giant step forward
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guest1
Mycena




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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: sporeRider]
#14133005 - 03/16/11 07:20 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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destructo_low
Oh yeah!




Registered: 10/07/08
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Le_Canard]
#14133105 - 03/16/11 07:33 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
ToiletDuk said:
Quote:
destructo_low said: Ok, so it isn't criminal to smoke a joint, but it's still "wrong", so we will fine you for it. Why not just tax it, leave people alone, and take some of the work load of the police force?
Because politicians are too chickenshit to do that and appear "soft on drugs". And of course, there are lots of knot-headed voters who swallow that BS as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Federal Government steps in and tries to raid the places selling the marijuana, and I also wouldn't be surprised if Rhode Island counter sued using the tenth amendment. It makes me wonder why medical marijuana businesses that are raided or the states they reside in aren't doing that.
-------------------- There is a molecule for every purpose. There are only actions and reactions. Cut out the middle men. Everything I say is a lie.
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Joolz


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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: destructo_low]
#14133297 - 03/16/11 08:08 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I don't understand why they don't just turn marijuana into the same thing as alcohol and cigarettes. Tax it, put an age on it, and put laws in place to keep people from selling to minors.
-------------------- Prohibition didn't work for God; Eve ate the fruit.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Joolz]
#14133411 - 03/16/11 08:25 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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because asshats are holding onto the lie that weed is a "gateway" drug. And of course, there's always the "think of the children" argument they so love to trot out in times like these.
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gamer4life
Natures Child



Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 810
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: veggie]
#14133467 - 03/16/11 08:37 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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If this passes,I'll be like "come on children we're packing up and moving to Rhode Island".
-------------------- Legalize! Stop putting our children in prisons.
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skatealex2
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: gamer4life]
#14133615 - 03/16/11 08:57 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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awesome news. keep the legalization train rolling
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut



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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: skatealex2]
#14134144 - 03/16/11 10:43 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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That would be funny if Rhode Island was the first state to legalize.
California would be all like
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laruta_21
twat tickler



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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: skatealex2]
#14134264 - 03/16/11 11:05 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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This would definately make a name for Rhode Island. Hope it goes through. Other states will jump on board after they see how much moneys coming in. They're just scared to be the first ones doing it is all. If Rhode Island succeeds then they should be called Smallest state with the biggest balls. I'll gain some respect for our governement once legalization happens and I'm sure alot of people will too so its pretty much a win win situation.
The US economy will boom after it gets legalized even moreso after they jump on board with ethanol fuel production and everyone will truly see the benefits of cannabis. The rest of the world will change their laws after they see all the awesome shit going down here. I mean isn't it pretty much our fault their laws are like they are. The DEA is all over the world fucking shit up. This will be less thing they can get their greedy hands on and then slowly their terrorist organization will crumble after people realize what drug laws have done to innocent good people.
I think a whole idea of getting back to nature will also stem from legalization. I forsee see alot more vegetable gardens outside peoples homes... I mean what better incentive to work hard growing food then to have awesome buds growing right next to them. I just hope im still relatively young when it happens so I can enjoy it.
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rsrkt



Registered: 02/26/11
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: laruta_21]
#14134615 - 03/17/11 12:11 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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please please please be the start of something BIG!
if this passes, as someone already said, the rest of the world may benefit sooner rather than later because of it..
*fingers crossed*
-------------------- Psychedelic Guide - Heal Your Mind www.psychedelicsguide.com
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Rabid Jelly Bean
Stranger



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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Le_Canard]
#14135668 - 03/17/11 08:16 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
ToiletDuk said:
Quote:
destructo_low said: Ok, so it isn't criminal to smoke a joint, but it's still "wrong", so we will fine you for it. Why not just tax it, leave people alone, and take some of the work load of the police force?
Because politicians are too chickenshit to do that and appear "soft on drugs". And of course, there are lots of knot-headed voters who swallow that BS as well.
It almost doesn't matter that there is a civil fine when you can't smoke in public. No cop is going to stake out your house to hand you a ticket.
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destructo_low
Oh yeah!




Registered: 10/07/08
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Rabid Jelly Bean]
#14135712 - 03/17/11 08:31 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Rabid Jelly Bean said:
Quote:
ToiletDuk said:
Quote:
destructo_low said: Ok, so it isn't criminal to smoke a joint, but it's still "wrong", so we will fine you for it. Why not just tax it, leave people alone, and take some of the work load of the police force?
Because politicians are too chickenshit to do that and appear "soft on drugs". And of course, there are lots of knot-headed voters who swallow that BS as well.
It almost doesn't matter that there is a civil fine when you can't smoke in public. No cop is going to stake out your house to hand you a ticket.
But what happens when you're driving from your house to your friends with it in the car, and you get pulled over? It just needs to be legal. It's as simple as that. Decriminalization keeps the underground black market going, also.
-------------------- There is a molecule for every purpose. There are only actions and reactions. Cut out the middle men. Everything I say is a lie.
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blujay
pass it b*ch!



Registered: 04/01/09
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: destructo_low]
#14136222 - 03/17/11 11:13 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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If that civil war doesn't show up in the next 10 minutes, it better be fucking free. Liberty is gross reheated in the microwave.
Their charade has ended with enough hot lead in people who deserved much less. Just saying.
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Remix
grammer natze


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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: blujay]
#14136844 - 03/17/11 01:38 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
blujay said: If that civil war doesn't show up in the next 10 minutes, it better be fucking free. Liberty is gross reheated in the microwave.
Their charade has ended with enough hot lead in people who deserved much less. Just saying.
If the DEA keeps ignoring state laws and conducting raids like they have this could very well be a possibility within the next decade or so.
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joshisstoned
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Remix]
#14137473 - 03/17/11 03:55 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Decriminalization keeps the underground black market going, also.
yes. ohio has some of the "slackest" pot laws... $100 fine for under 112 grams. but if you get caught, you'll lose all licenses... professional, drivers, etc. our life is fundamentally changed for some bullshit charge. also, pot has actually went up in black market value because there's more pot due to less enforcement. funny cycle. they're still selectively enforcing the laws.
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Clownswor
The One The Only



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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: joshisstoned]
#14138175 - 03/17/11 05:47 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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yeah, i lost my stna from possession. no matter ill get it expunged and go back to school for something better, Hope this happens i remember reading there was a bill going threw ohio for medical pot.
-------------------- I am a connoisseur of sorts. Everything I post is fictional. None of what I post regarding cultivation of mushrooms is legit. Im am just an imaginary person living a imaginary life! Thank you. Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
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joshisstoned
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Re: Rhode Island looks at legalizing pot for recreational use [Re: Clownswor]
#14138214 - 03/17/11 05:53 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
remember reading there was a bill going threw ohio for medical pot.
the carrot in front of the horse! michigan we are not!
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