Election Day Thread

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

What exactly was the marijuna resolution? Was it just that it wasn't illegal according to the state of Washington anymore? Because the federal laws are still on the books.

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

That was what I said last night. "I wonder how long till they block it?"
Also, how did Colorado legalize marijuana before Oregon?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

Really? Doesn't the administration have the power to tell the DoJ to stand down? There's a lot of speculation that Obama may do this, now that he is a second-termer.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Really? Doesn't the administration have the power to tell the DoJ to stand down? There's a lot of speculation that Obama may do this, now that he is a second-termer.

Obama has a history of backing Holder big time and Holder has stated before that his DoJ is not ok with the legalization of marijuana and will go after states that do legalize it for recreational purposes. From a law enforcement prospective, these laws will create some major problems since MJ is still considered an illegal substance by the Fed Gov and in all of the other states.

How will law enforcement stop someone from obtaining 20lbs of MJ in Vancouver, WA and just driving south to Portland, OR and selling it on the streets? Or better yet, someone who's from CO drives down for a weekend in Santa Fe and gets pulled over by NM state trooper with a bag of MJ?

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

How will law enforcement stop someone from obtaining 20lbs of MJ in Vancouver, WA and just driving south to Portland, OR and selling it on the streets? Or better yet, someone who's from CO drives down for a weekend in Santa Fe and gets pulled over by NM state trooper with a bag of MJ?

Wouldn't this scenario be the same for states where MJ is legal for medical use and then they drive to another state where it is illegal?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Mevara

Wouldn't this scenario be the same for states where MJ is legal for medical use and then they drive to another state where it is illegal?

Ah, but crossing state lines makes it a federal issue. What if the marijuana law is written so that it can't be transported across state lines?

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Ah, but crossing state lines makes it a federal issue. What if the marijuana law is written so that it can't be transported across state lines?

Does it really have to be that specific? Once you leave that state you are out of their jurisdiction so the laws no longer apply. I was just trying to make a point to PiKA2001 that whether or not MJ is recreational or medical the same rules of crossing state lines applies.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Mevara

Wouldn't this scenario be the same for states where MJ is legal for medical use and then they drive to another state where it is illegal?

Yes but medical MJ and recreational MJ are two different topics and I don't think it's fair to say, "well, medical MJ cardholders can do this...why can't Joe Smith do it?"


Very interesting article here about how Mexico may stop interdicting drugs headed into the United States illegally because of the two US states that legalized MJ. Wasn't one of the main arguments against AZ's immigration bill is that AZ's bill meddled in the diplomatic relationship between the US and MX? Sorry, but I really can't see the DoJ just letting this go through as voted on.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/election/...fight-after-us

The main adviser to Mexico's president-elect said Wednesday that votes legalizing recreational marijuana in the U.S. states of Washington and Colorado will force Mexico and the United States to rethink their efforts to halt marijuana smuggling across the border.
Luis Videgaray, head of incoming President Enrique Pena Nieto's transition team, told Radio Formula that the Mexican administration taking power in three weeks remains opposed to drug legalization. But he said the votes in the two states complicate his country's commitment to quashing the growing and smuggling of a plant now seen by many as legal in part of the U.S.
"These important modifications change somewhat the rules of the game in the relationship with the United States," Videgaray said. "I think that we have to carry out a review of our joint policies in regard to drug trafficking and security in general."

"Obviously we can't handle a product that is illegal in Mexico, trying to stop its transfer to the United States, when in the United States, at least in part of the United States, it now has a different status," Videgaray said. "I believe this obliges us to rethink the relationship in regards to security ... This is an unforeseen element."
The Obama administration has said little about how it will handle pot legalization in the two states.

[ASTalumna06]

My friend's status update today:

"Last night, I made a bowl of Romney noodles Obama self."

iChuckled.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

What exactly was the marijuna resolution? Was it just that it wasn't illegal according to the state of Washington anymore? Because the federal laws are still on the books.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

Full text of the law here: https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/e...plete_text.pdf

Or, to read the summary from the voters pamphlet, here (it's Initiative Measure 502 on the left): https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/e...ers-Guide.aspx

Washington voted to legalize, regulate and tax the sale of marijuana for adults 21+ just as we do alcohol. Stores will be able to apply for licenses to sell it, citizens and companies can apply to grow and produce it, the product itself will be tested for quality standards (no joke), and sales will be taxed. No use in public allowed, no DUI allowed, and the law permits blood testing if pulled over for suspicion of DUI.

Our state already has marijuana as the least priority of law enforcement, and even though marijuana is illegal to the feds, we've had medical marijuana here for a couple of years. Not a single law enforcement agency came out against this Initiative, and in fact TWO former U.S. Attorneys based in Seattle were key supporters, among many other people. Last night on TV, Rick Steves - he of globetrotting fame - was interviewed by TV news from the Pro party. It has a ton of support here, from suburban families to politicians to lawyers to law enforcement.

The Justice Department may decide to sue. Many would say that was one of the intentions of passing this bill - baiting the feds into changing the classification of marijuana. But without suing, the feds will have a hard time forcing their hand - it's not like the FBI is going to be pulling people over and busting into homes with 5 plants. If that starts happening, they'll have a PR crisis on their hands.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

The Justice Department may decide to sue. Many would say that was one of the intentions of passing this bill - baiting the feds into changing the classification of marijuana. But without suing, the feds will have a hard time forcing their hand - it's not like the FBI is going to be pulling people over and busting into homes with 5 plants. If that starts happening, they'll have a PR crisis on their hands.

Not necessarily. The feds can very easily force their hand without suing or busting into anyones home. You know how Congress got the drinking age to 21, don't you?

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Not necessarily. The feds can very easily force their hand without suing or busting into anyones home. You know how Congress got the drinking age to 21, don't you?

Yeah I was wondering what road the Federal government would take. Considering it is a slap in the face, there could be a couple, but just withholding funding could be one of them.