Colorado approves RECREATIONAL use of marijuana

I heard in passing something about marijuana being legalized in Colorado. But when I payed closer attention later, I was very surprised to hear that it won the vote to be allowed for recreational use! This is amazing to me honestly, it's really a first in the US.

Thoughts?
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-Dave #2


3.2.0-33

I heard in passing something about marijuana being legalized in Colorado. But when I payed closer attention later, I was very surprised to hear that it won the vote to be allowed for recreational use! This is amazing to me honestly, it's really a first in the US.

Thoughts?

Support too for medical marijuana in MA.

I've been watching a documentary on the History Channel about Prohibition in the US in the 1920's. It's amazing the parallels between the "War on Booze" then and the the "War on Drugs" now.

Without a doubt, the current drug smugglers studied in detail the methods and tactics of the Bootleggers back then. Plus they have improved on them to combat the vastly superior financing the DEA has now compared to the miserly financing the enforcement agencies had back in the 1920's. Has the money, man hours and efforts spent catching the end users and street level pedlars (i.e. the bottom level) really accomplished anything ?

The documentary stated that arrests for public drunkeness and drink driving actually increased during the time prohibition was in force. It also told how other violent crime increased because police efforts were diverted into catching drinkers rather than chasing "real crime".

As I said in another thread

"How much money could the US government save by slashing the budget of the DEA ?"

"How about making them legal, but at the same time taxing them, at a rate that covers the state/federal costs for the troubles and health issues they cause. Also ban all advertising on them."

You can't legislate morality.

Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it

it is not that they fail to recognize that the Prohibition has failed.
rather that if you take marijuana out of the war on drugs there is no war on drugs being as marijuana is 95% of what the money is being spent on.
what would the dea be with 95% of their budget cut,
something reasonable maybe?
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it is not that they fail to recognize that the Prohibition has failed.
rather that if you take marijuana out of the war on drugs there is no war on drugs being as marijuana is 95% of what the money is being spent on.
what would the dea be with 95% of their budget cut,
something reasonable maybe?

First off.. I question those numbers. When Legalization last hit the ballot in California it FAILED. Of course those trying to defeat it outspent those favoring the legalization. And they seemed to be a be more coherent. But I do not believe that is why it failed. I believe it failed because NEITHER side was being honest about it. It was either the killer weed or completely harmless. Neither is true of course.

You have a planet that tends to distract and space out the brain when smoked. There are some risks from cancer, although that is much worse from tobacco. I think it is fair to say that smoking ANYTHING regularly is probably really bad for you. And I think it is safe to say that some people just function better when their brains are dulled.

If it is legalized it will not produce massive revenues. It is too easy to grow
and if legal there is nothing hindering someone from growing it. This would however remove it as a tool from criminal enterprises, and allow those that just smoke a bit of this plant every now and then to not fear to call for help if someone tries to take advantage of them, robs them blind (dude, someone took everything.. but the plants we can't call the cops!! oh man bummer....)

I would love honest discussions on it. As usual between the hype and fear the truth is in the middle, and being ignored.

The first Apartment I lived in here in the US in 79 were surounded by pot plants not flowers. Moved to Stockton and saw a pot plant on a street over in 1981 and it topped a 6 ft fence.
Nothing was done about either.
I am with you Janice, we should let Pot be legal. I am to tired tonight, but how much could we save in $ by making it legal?
Savings in Jail $
Savings with eradation?
Federal spending on opposing state voters?
Trying to end the flow from other countries?
Too many more to list.
I think the Feds just need to let it go like Alcohol. Prohibition didn't work nor is the war on Pot.
I think the Feds need to listen to the people.


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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Cash Donation Specialist

http://fox40.com/2012/11/19/14-of-california-drivers-get-behind-the-wheel-while-impaired-by-drugs/

14% of California Drivers Get Behind the Wheel While Impaired by Drugs

The survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety shows 14% of drivers are testing positive for drugs, and of the drugs found, marijuana was the most prevalent by 7.4%.

The survey also noted that 7.3% of drivers tested postive for alcohol. Of those who tested positive for alcohol, 23% also tested positive for at least one other drug.

Gary. where did that come from.? I am talking Pot, not ot the rest of the hard core drugs.
Let's stick to Pot per Soft's request.









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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Cash Donation Specialist

If people want to smoke pot that is up to them, I simply don't wish to and never have done. If I need to unwind and relax I find that a nice meal, good company, a few beers, followed by some decent port, is fine for me. If others need something more mind blowing then so be it. I have some good friends that regularly use pot, I think they are a bit silly to do so, but that is their choice, and of course they are still my friends.

However there is evidence that using pot is a gateway to harder drugs, once the effect starts to wear off and people want something stronger to maintain the buzz. What Colorado has done it basically what Police Commander Paddick did in South London some years ago, which was roundly condemned at the time. It was thought that going softly or legalising it would take the hard drug dealers out of the loop.

This report is some years old now, but for the moment I cant find anything newer.

Pros & Cons

More up to date are these.

Drugs Tsar

Work effect

Netherlands

It’s a sensible and pragmatic approach that understands that people like to get high and that marijuana and hashish are not any different from alcohol.

I drink beer because I find it refreshing on hot summer afternoon or after some physical exersion. It opens the back of my throat and I enjoy the "beer buzz."

Being a newly transformed modern day moderate liberal, I think people have a right to put what ever they find in nature into their mouths or lungs. Be it weed, mushrooms or frog licking.

But I also want to lean forward and make progress. I believe people have the right to injest what ever they want, be it natural or unnatural substances.

And I believe it should be codified at the federal level to prevent any backward state from oppressing its residents.

Ya, sure, some people will go over board at first. But once people get used to it, they'll figure out their own personal limits.

Gary. where did that come from.? I am talking Pot, not ot the rest of the hard core drugs.
Let's stick to Pot per Soft's request.

marijuana was the most prevalent by 7.4%