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ch1ck3n.s0up
Troubled Loner



Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 2,573
Loc: Hunting Fungi
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
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U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits
#18813176 - 09/07/13 09:55 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/29/us-usa-crime-marijuana-idUSBRE97S0YW20130829
U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits
A man lights his pipe at the 4-20 pro-marijuana rally in Civic Center Park in downtown Denver April 20, 2013. REUTERS-Rick Wilking By David Ingram WASHINGTON | Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:01pm EDT (Reuters) - In a move marijuana advocates hailed as an historic shift, the Obama administration on Thursday began giving U.S. states wide leeway to experiment with pot legalization and started by letting Colorado and Washington carry out new laws permitting recreational use.
The Justice Department said it would refocus marijuana enforcement nationwide by bringing criminal charges only in eight defined areas - such as distribution to minors - and giving breathing room to users, growers and related businesses that have feared prosecution.
The decisions end nearly a year of deliberation inside President Barack Obama's administration about how to react to the growing movement for relaxed U.S. marijuana laws.
Advocates for legalization welcomed the announcement as a major step toward ending what they called "marijuana prohibition."
"Today's announcement demonstrates the sort of political vision and foresight from the White House we've been seeking for a long time," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, an advocacy group.
"I must admit, I was expecting a yellow light from the White House," he said in a statement. "But this light looks a lot more green-ish than I had hoped. The White House is basically saying to Washington and Colorado: Proceed with caution."
Marijuana remains illegal and tightly controlled under federal law, even as about 20 states, plus the District of Columbia, allow the use of medical marijuana. Voters in Colorado and Washington legalized recreational use in groundbreaking ballot measures in November 2012.
Obama had signaled he did not want a new crackdown, telling ABC News in December: "It does not make sense, from a prioritization point of view, for us to focus on recreational drug users in a state that has already said that's legal."
The leeway for the states will go only so far, though, if Colorado, Washington or other states show they are unable to control the drug, the Justice Department said in a statement.
Forty-two percent of Americans age 12 or older have used marijuana at some point, according to a 2011 survey by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Obama has said he used marijuana when he was young.
One opponent of marijuana legalization said his group would redouble efforts to spread word of the negative effects the drug can have on adolescents.
"This is going to really quicken the realization among folks that more marijuana in our communities is not a good thing," said Kevin Sabet, a co-founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the Obama administration should not decline to enforce laws that it finds inconvenient or that it does not like.
"This sends the wrong message to both law enforcement and violators of federal law. Apprehending and prosecuting illegal drug traffickers should always be a priority for the Department of Justice," Grassley said in a statement.
EIGHT AREAS IN FOCUS
The Justice Department could have sued to block the Colorado and Washington laws from taking effect under the theory that they conflict with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the primary U.S. anti-drug law.
Coupled with the decision not to sue, the Justice Department sent a four-page memorandum to federal prosecutors nationwide outlining eight priority areas for marijuana enforcement.
While department officials said they are committed to enforcing federal restrictions on marijuana, prosecutors have now been told not to expend effort on cases unless they fall in one of the eight areas.
The areas include distribution to minors, situations when marijuana revenue is going to other criminal enterprises, trafficking across state lines and growing on public land.
The criteria mean, for example, that federal prosecutors will not charge a marijuana dispensary simply because it is large or profitable, said a Justice Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
But the criteria also stop short of guaranteeing immunity for anyone, leaving business and individuals open to prosecution if the case fits one of the eight areas, the official said.
Colorado and Washington will need to have regulatory systems to protect against those types of crimes, or else risk giving up the whole experiment, the department said in a statement.
Attorney General Eric Holder had a phone call on Thursday with the governors of Colorado and Washington to inform them of the decisions and told them there would be a "trust but verify" relationship between the Justice Department and the states, said the department official.
State officials said they shared Holder's concerns.
"This reflects a balanced approach by the federal government that respects the states' interests in implementing these laws and recognizes the federal government's role in fighting illegal drugs and criminal activity," Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, both of whom are Democrats, said in a statement.
(Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis and Jonathan Kaminsky; Editing by Howard Goller and Cynthia Osterman)
-------------------- "Inspiration ~ Move me brightly ~ light the song with sense and color ~ hold away despair ~ more than this I will not ask ~ faced with mysteries dark and vast ~ statements just seem vain at last" --Jerry Garcia, Terrapin Station "Officer, I'm going to remain silent, and I would like to speak with a lawyer. I'm not resisting, but I don't consent to any searches.
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Toe_Jam
Bluefoot Bandit



Registered: 04/15/10
Posts: 3,693
Loc: Around some corner...
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up] 1
#18814152 - 09/08/13 07:12 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Get that ball rollin.
Oh, yeah. This too.
WE JOCKIN ON YALL BITCH ASS!!!!
-------------------- God lay his finger at the Mouth of the Serpent March 1984   A pleasing land of drowsy head it was, Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye, And of gay castles in the clouds that pass, For ever flushing round a summer sky. -Castle of Indolence
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Chuckfinely
another round for me an my buddy

Registered: 06/27/13
Posts: 628
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Toe_Jam]
#18814171 - 09/08/13 07:21 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Shame i had to go catch a pot related charge last year that's in motion right now
i'm screwed even if they straight legalized in my state tomorrow
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Gilgamesh18
Herbivore Man

Registered: 03/01/12
Posts: 11,671
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Chuckfinely] 2
#18814325 - 09/08/13 08:45 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I just wish they would reschedule it a federal level it is complete nonsense that it is considered worse than amphetamines at least officially.
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Repertoire89
Cat



Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 21,773
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#18814621 - 09/08/13 10:32 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Can anyone find a legit source for this? I've looked and so far only found RT and HP, both of which have 0 credibility. Still looking.
Oh and Al Jazeera which I don't even know.
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Repertoire89
Cat



Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 21,773
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Repertoire89]
#18814634 - 09/08/13 10:37 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Alright so here's a legit source
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/August/13-opa-974.html
Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, August 29, 2013 Justice Department Announces Update to Marijuana Enforcement Policy
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an update to its federal marijuana enforcement policy in light of recent state ballot initiatives that legalize, under state law, the possession of small amounts of marijuana and provide for the regulation of marijuana production, processing, and sale.
In a new memorandum outlining the policy, the Department makes clear that marijuana remains an illegal drug under the Controlled Substances Act and that federal prosecutors will continue to aggressively enforce this statute. To this end, the Department identifies eight (8) enforcement areas that federal prosecutors should prioritize. These are the same enforcement priorities that have traditionally driven the Department’s efforts in this area.
Outside of these enforcement priorities, however, the federal government has traditionally relied on state and local authorizes to address marijuana activity through enforcement of their own narcotics laws. This guidance continues that policy.
For states such as Colorado and Washington that have enacted laws to authorize the production, distribution and possession of marijuana, the Department expects these states to establish strict regulatory schemes that protect the eight federal interests identified in the Department’s guidance. These schemes must be tough in practice, not just on paper, and include strong, state-based enforcement efforts, backed by adequate funding. Based on assurances that those states will impose an appropriately strict regulatory system, the Department has informed the governors of both states that it is deferring its right to challenge their legalization laws at this time. But if any of the stated harms do materialize—either despite a strict regulatory scheme or because of the lack of one—federal prosecutors will act aggressively to bring individual prosecutions focused on federal enforcement priorities and the Department may challenge the regulatory scheme themselves in these states.
A copy of the memorandum, sent to all United States Attorneys by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, is available below.
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Heffy
BrauMeister



Registered: 08/30/04
Posts: 3,262
Loc: International Traveller
Last seen: 5 years, 8 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Chuckfinely]
#18814957 - 09/08/13 12:04 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Chuckfinely said: Shame i had to go catch a pot related charge last year that's in motion right now
i'm screwed even if they straight legalized in my state tomorrow 
If the charge you are up on is no longer a crime, I don't think you can be convicted.
I believe they are also obligated to let you out of prison if you have a conviction under laws which are abrogated.
-------------------- I am the king of Rome, and above grammar! - Emperor Sigismund
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ch1ck3n.s0up
Troubled Loner



Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 2,573
Loc: Hunting Fungi
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Repertoire89]
#18814989 - 09/08/13 12:12 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Repertoire89 said: Alright so here's a legit source
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/August/13-opa-974.html
Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, August 29, 2013 Justice Department Announces Update to Marijuana Enforcement Policy
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an update to its federal marijuana enforcement policy in light of recent state ballot initiatives that legalize, under state law, the possession of small amounts of marijuana and provide for the regulation of marijuana production, processing, and sale.
In a new memorandum outlining the policy, the Department makes clear that marijuana remains an illegal drug under the Controlled Substances Act and that federal prosecutors will continue to aggressively enforce this statute. To this end, the Department identifies eight (8) enforcement areas that federal prosecutors should prioritize. These are the same enforcement priorities that have traditionally driven the Department’s efforts in this area.
Outside of these enforcement priorities, however, the federal government has traditionally relied on state and local authorizes to address marijuana activity through enforcement of their own narcotics laws. This guidance continues that policy.
For states such as Colorado and Washington that have enacted laws to authorize the production, distribution and possession of marijuana, the Department expects these states to establish strict regulatory schemes that protect the eight federal interests identified in the Department’s guidance. These schemes must be tough in practice, not just on paper, and include strong, state-based enforcement efforts, backed by adequate funding. Based on assurances that those states will impose an appropriately strict regulatory system, the Department has informed the governors of both states that it is deferring its right to challenge their legalization laws at this time. But if any of the stated harms do materialize—either despite a strict regulatory scheme or because of the lack of one—federal prosecutors will act aggressively to bring individual prosecutions focused on federal enforcement priorities and the Department may challenge the regulatory scheme themselves in these states.
A copy of the memorandum, sent to all United States Attorneys by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, is available below.
-------------------- "Inspiration ~ Move me brightly ~ light the song with sense and color ~ hold away despair ~ more than this I will not ask ~ faced with mysteries dark and vast ~ statements just seem vain at last" --Jerry Garcia, Terrapin Station "Officer, I'm going to remain silent, and I would like to speak with a lawyer. I'm not resisting, but I don't consent to any searches.
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The Psyentist
Figment of my Imagination


Registered: 07/30/13
Posts: 82
Loc: Central Florida
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Heffy]
#18815002 - 09/08/13 12:15 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Heffy said:
Quote:
Chuckfinely said: Shame i had to go catch a pot related charge last year that's in motion right now
i'm screwed even if they straight legalized in my state tomorrow 
If the charge you are up on is no longer a crime, I don't think you can be convicted.
I believe they are also obligated to let you out of prison if you have a conviction under laws which are abrogated.
Neither is true. Although, it is unlikely the case would go forward if legalization happened in his state tomorrow. But, they still have that power.
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jonnymushroom
the man of many teks

Registered: 07/27/13
Posts: 262
Loc: dugg in somewere
Last seen: 9 years, 10 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#18815316 - 09/08/13 01:46 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Good information.
Thanks chick
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dokunai
Cactus, Cannabis, Cubensis

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 1,878
Loc: Hyphal Heights, USA
Last seen: 7 years, 14 days
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Repertoire89] 1
#18815393 - 09/08/13 02:09 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Repertoire89 said: Can anyone find a legit source for this? I've looked and so far only found RT and HP, both of which have 0 credibility. Still looking.
Oh and Al Jazeera which I don't even know.
How are Reuters and Huffington Post not legitimate news outlets? Because you don't like their political slant? I don't want to start any political discussion here, that was just a guess... but I mean come on... Reuters and HuffPo are just going to conspire to print something totally made up? Really? That would be a huge fucking deal and have very bad consequences for them.
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dark3st
Stranger


Registered: 08/02/13
Posts: 3,332
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: jonnymushroom]
#18815401 - 09/08/13 02:11 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Florida is next.
-------------------- Back.. I'm going to do it...I'm getting sober from opiates ... I got weed, gabapentin, propranolol, and GHB, I have 100mg tramadol left. I can do this. I can do this. OFINTQWGVGAKGCYKBUBX free dark P. Tampanensis prints to ODD members.
no stamps atm FREE SEEDS for ODD WCA members ONLY I have these seeds: Orange, red, and yellow sweet peppers, Purple poppies, White Habanero, Yellow Thai, Bolivian rainbow peppers, milk thistle, red chilly pepper, HBWR.
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Repertoire89
Cat



Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 21,773
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: dokunai] 1
#18815531 - 09/08/13 02:56 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
dokunai said:
Quote:
Repertoire89 said: Can anyone find a legit source for this? I've looked and so far only found RT and HP, both of which have 0 credibility. Still looking.
Oh and Al Jazeera which I don't even know.
How are Reuters and Huffington Post not legitimate news outlets? Because you don't like their political slant? I don't want to start any political discussion here, that was just a guess... but I mean come on... Reuters and HuffPo are just going to conspire to print something totally made up? Really? That would be a huge fucking deal and have very bad consequences for them.
They've done it on many occasions, they're literally as credible as the daily show or infowars.
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dark3st
Stranger


Registered: 08/02/13
Posts: 3,332
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Repertoire89]
#18815563 - 09/08/13 03:09 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Those are two different extremes. Your as credible as a horse eating fish.
-------------------- Back.. I'm going to do it...I'm getting sober from opiates ... I got weed, gabapentin, propranolol, and GHB, I have 100mg tramadol left. I can do this. I can do this. OFINTQWGVGAKGCYKBUBX free dark P. Tampanensis prints to ODD members.
no stamps atm FREE SEEDS for ODD WCA members ONLY I have these seeds: Orange, red, and yellow sweet peppers, Purple poppies, White Habanero, Yellow Thai, Bolivian rainbow peppers, milk thistle, red chilly pepper, HBWR.
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crimsonking91
Stranger

Registered: 02/19/13
Posts: 188
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: dark3st]
#18815683 - 09/08/13 03:45 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I don't buy it, they still do raids untill fed law changes I don't just take someones word they're not gonna arrest me. They lied like this before when obama said he had bigger fish to fry.
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ch1ck3n.s0up
Troubled Loner



Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 2,573
Loc: Hunting Fungi
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: Repertoire89]
#18815762 - 09/08/13 04:04 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Repertoire89 said:
Quote:
dokunai said:
Quote:
Repertoire89 said: Can anyone find a legit source for this? I've looked and so far only found RT and HP, both of which have 0 credibility. Still looking.
Oh and Al Jazeera which I don't even know.
How are Reuters and Huffington Post not legitimate news outlets? Because you don't like their political slant? I don't want to start any political discussion here, that was just a guess... but I mean come on... Reuters and HuffPo are just going to conspire to print something totally made up? Really? That would be a huge fucking deal and have very bad consequences for them.
They've done it on many occasions, they're literally as credible as the daily show or infowars.

I might acknowledge the Huffington post as being more biased than most, but Reuters not credible???
-------------------- "Inspiration ~ Move me brightly ~ light the song with sense and color ~ hold away despair ~ more than this I will not ask ~ faced with mysteries dark and vast ~ statements just seem vain at last" --Jerry Garcia, Terrapin Station "Officer, I'm going to remain silent, and I would like to speak with a lawyer. I'm not resisting, but I don't consent to any searches.
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lessismore
Registered: 02/10/13
Posts: 6,268
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#18815821 - 09/08/13 04:23 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Here we 'only' get a $350 fine for smoking weed in public
unless we got 100g on us, then its $1400
they just take your weed
same with lsd.. unless you got over 10 blotters I think
if you grow weed the take your plants and you get a fine then you grow again
2.nd or 3rd time you go to jail , usually 3rd iirc
same with driving without a license, 3rd time is jail usually, or they take your car most people don't learn (know someone who has been stopped without license about 20 times) :-) I'd say driving without a license is a worse offence than growing weed for personal consumption, but a lot of people do it
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lessismore
Registered: 02/10/13
Posts: 6,268
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: lessismore]
#18815849 - 09/08/13 04:34 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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and if you sell weed+grow in medium amounts you might get in prison for a week if unlucky, but those that sell earn a good hourly wage
:-)
still worth it for them if they get prison for a week, they earn a lot
I don't see a problem selling weed or LSD
it's not exactly dangerous drugs, it's just hippie drugs
meth,coke,heroin that's the bad stuff , but not so bad if you know what you get and know the drug those are the ones that should be class A, not weed/LSD/MDMA - they're very safe
but mostly all drugs should be legal in an informed society
except maybe fentanyl.. and such dangerous drugs, too dangerous
I wonder what would happen to RCs if LSD was legalized, they're about as dangerous as fentanyl... 2mg is an overdose with many RCs.. dangerous stuff (3-4mg can fit on 1 blotter easily) currently they're easy to get... $0.3 a hit for 12hr trip
makes no sense that LSD is illegal or weed is illegal, costs lives everyday
I've syntetic MJ once, and I used to know what good weed looked like, still I got tricked... smoked 10g of the shit before I found out.... hard as stone, but my friend said it was good lol people have died from that crap
Edited by lessismore (09/08/13 04:45 PM)
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dokunai
Cactus, Cannabis, Cubensis

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 1,878
Loc: Hyphal Heights, USA
Last seen: 7 years, 14 days
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: lessismore]
#18815993 - 09/08/13 05:17 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I could see someone having a problem with the op/ed section of any given publication for whatever reason they believe in... but this is more like fact based reporting about policy decisions. Are Reuters or HuffPo really going to print factually verifiable material that is false? I mean, I'm not saying I'm a fan of any of these particular publications, but shit it just doesn't fucking make sense to lie in a way that's so easily falsifiable. IDK, I guess partisan loyalism is more important than anything these days, so expect very little from your elected representatives. Why would a senator with $600 million net worth really care if you are working 20 hours a day to make the minimum payment on your mortgage?
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The Psyentist
Figment of my Imagination


Registered: 07/30/13
Posts: 82
Loc: Central Florida
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Re: U.S. allows states to legalize recreational marijuana within limits [Re: dokunai]
#18816094 - 09/08/13 05:44 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Every major news organization has an agenda. Some may blatantly lie. But, most don't.
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