SbstratAlchemist said:

Popular opinion has been steadily rising in favor of marijuana legalization.  One of the most recent polls taken indicated over 50% nationwide support, which is a new all-time high.

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All-time... high?

BlindSophist said:

SbstratAlchemist said:

Popular opinion has been steadily rising in favor of marijuana legalization.  One of the most recent polls taken indicated over 50% nationwide support, which is a new all-time high.

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All-time... high?

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Indeed.

BlindSophist said:

Enlil said:

Washington matters more than any other place...until they legalize, it doesn't matter what the states do

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This isn't true and you're playing their game.

Obama said he'd shut down the CA dispensaries, and what happened? A few major ones got shut down, the rest are open, now the DEA's up to its neck in lawsuits.

Your pessimism confuses and infuriates me!!!

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Enlil said:

Dude...until it's legal federally, it doesn't matter what the states do...federal law makes it illegal in every state...it doesn't matter what obama does either, because that could change at any time for any reason...until it's legal federally, or the federal law is deemed an unconstitutional exercise of power, it's illegal.

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This is only one interpretation of the federal government's powers, and it's an unpopular one.

The federal government will SAY its law is the law of the land, but this is not true, in legal theory or in practice. It doesn't have the resources to meaningfully impose its laws. A couple dispensaries in Ca have been shut down, but more are open than ever, it's easier than ever to get a card, local governments are taxing it, and an initiative to fully legalize it for everybody nearly passed in 2010.

When you have DEA officers patrolling the streets, then get your panties in a knot; but this is not what we're dealing with.

You're a troll, aren't you?

BlindSophist said:

Enlil said:

Dude...until it's legal federally, it doesn't matter what the states do...federal law makes it illegal in every state...it doesn't matter what obama does either, because that could change at any time for any reason...until it's legal federally, or the federal law is deemed an unconstitutional exercise of power, it's illegal.

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This is only one interpretation of the federal government's powers, and it's an unpopular one.

The federal government will SAY its law is the law of the land, but this is not true, in legal theory or in practice. It doesn't have the resources to meaningfully impose its laws. A couple dispensaries in Ca have been shut down, but more are open than ever, it's easier than ever to get a card, local governments are taxing it, and an initiative to fully legalize it for everybody nearly passed in 2010.

When you have DEA officers patrolling the streets, then get your panties in a knot; but this is not what we're dealing with.

You're a troll, aren't you?

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Enlil said:

BlindSophist said:

I just don't get why you're so sure legalization will be such a torturous, agonizing process when it already has been.

Many states are on the doorstep to full legalization. California came damn close in '10. The feds are trying to discourage it, but they're not all-powerful, and their resolve in this matter is close to breaking.

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First, it's not legal anywhere in the US...that's the fact you're going to have to accept at this point...

Secondly, mainstream America may soon accept the idea of being able to grow and smoke weed for personal consumption...but the idea of big grow operations to sell weed...that's a bit less accepted...

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that seems strange to me. you like to concentrate on federal involvement, but think that they'd be cooler with people growing their own weed and not benefiting from it?

Enlil said:

Washington matters more than any other place...until they legalize, it doesn't matter what the states do

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sure it does. the feds only have so much manpower and money to put into this. at some point, the scale tips, and there's not much they're going to be able to do about it.

28064212 said:

It already is legal for me.
/end thread

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wildchild68 said:

Enlil said:

BlindSophist said:

I just don't get why you're so sure legalization will be such a torturous, agonizing process when it already has been.

Many states are on the doorstep to full legalization. California came damn close in '10. The feds are trying to discourage it, but they're not all-powerful, and their resolve in this matter is close to breaking.

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First, it's not legal anywhere in the US...that's the fact you're going to have to accept at this point...

Secondly, mainstream America may soon accept the idea of being able to grow and smoke weed for personal consumption...but the idea of big grow operations to sell weed...that's a bit less accepted...

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that seems strange to me. you like to concentrate on federal involvement, but think that they'd be cooler with people growing their own weed and not benefiting from it?

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Enlil said:

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Doc_T said:

floatingwater said:

Doc_T said:

Colorado will legalize weed in the next decade or two.
MMJ has helped people realize that the laws are goofy.

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Yeah.. colorado also is maybe the only medical state that lets the state government make a dime off of medicinal sales also. DING DING DING..
thats money for the state created by the stoners voters.

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K3y distinction noted.

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Enlil said:

One is a legal argument..the other is an observation on public sentiment...
I think people will be much more likely to accept decriminalization for users than dealers...
But, it is a legal reality that until the federal laws change, prosecution is always a possibility.

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floatingwater said:

Actually there is potentially money saved on the resources in law enforcement that would have otherwise gone to busting small time offenders.

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wildchild68 said:

floatingwater said:

Actually there is potentially money saved on the resources in law enforcement that would have otherwise gone to busting small time offenders.

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yeah, but you also have to factor in the huge sums of money they make from busting those small time offenders. i had to pay over a grand for simply possessing a piece of resin covered glass.

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