In order for marijuana to become legal; states must pass the law first.

[ej510]

It will never happen federally. I believe California will become the first state to legalize marijuana.

[iamthebandfanman]

1. i think its impossible to get every state

to do it.

maybe a majority of the 50 would be enough though.

[JuniperLea]

2. From your keyboard, to Goddess' eyes!

I've watched too many people die a horrible, painful death due to AIDS and cancer, who would have benefited from using The Weed. It's not enough to have California on the medical use bandwagon. In times like these with so many out of work and without medical benefits, who can afford to go to a doctor for a prescription?

It's ridiculous that alcohol is available on every street corner, but The Weed is still illegal. The Weed is so freaking benign in comparison.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Amen and praise FSM!

I like your thinking, Juniper. :-)

[cbc5g]

3. If California legalizes it will be a short time before all states besides the ultra red ones will

The economic stimulus from tourism and increased revenues would make other states notice.

[MADem]

4. A number of states have, in effect, decriminalized it.

Some allow possession of small amounts or medical use; other states (like MA) give people a ticket, like a parking fine.

Handy link: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4516

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Alaska has had decriminalized marijuana since 1975.

See Ravin v. State, 537 P.2d 494 (1975) http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/ravin.html

We are allowed to possess up to an ounce for personal use with no penalty. It's still illegal to sell, however.

Various right-wing nutbags have tried to recriminalize marijuana here in the intervening years, but the original precedent stands.

[ej510]

7. I believe; california will pass it and tax it , something similar to the tabacco tax.

[navarth]

9. That's awesome! Good for you, AK. What about Palin?

I can't imagine a nazi like her would allow that

[Blue_In_AK]

10. It hasn't been high (so to speak) on her agenda,

especially since it's common knowledge that she has partaken of the noble weed herself in the past.

I think it would be tough to try to criminalize it here after all these years, especially since many of the lawyers, judges, and legislators have or do now smoke themselves, and this I know from personal knowledge.

[janx]

13. And some sports stars too, no? Well...at least one major one.

:rofl:

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I won't mention any names,

but I've got some great shots from last week of said sports star. I'll send you a PM when I get my photos up at my website. I have even better pictures of KA, who speaks fondly of Forrest. :)

[janx]

15. Please do! I followed it for awhile--more via PM,

but I know KA was a little disappointed this year. On another note, KA might want your photos for his journal...(?)

Please, please don't forget to let me know when the pics are up. Also, I'm sending my email address to you via PM.

[lunatica]

8. A California legislator is working on it

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090313/us_time/08599188495600



Can Marijuana Help Rescue California's Economy?

Could marijuana be the answer to the economic misery facing California? Democratic state assemblyman Tom Ammiano thinks so. Ammiano introduced legislation last month that would legalize pot and allow the state to regulate and tax its sale - a move that could mean billions of dollars for the cash-strapped state. Pot is, after all, California's biggest cash crop, responsible for $14 billion a year in sales, dwarfing the state's second largest agricultural commodity - milk and cream - which brings in $7.3 billion a year, according to the most recent USDA statistics. The state's tax collectors estimate the bill would bring in about $1.3 billion a year in much needed revenue, offsetting some of the billions of dollars in service cuts and spending reductions outlined in the recently approved state budget.

more...

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. I would actually expect it more in the liberal/libertarian northeast -

Vermont, maybe.

[lfairban]

12. Never say never

All you have done is to find a convenient way to evade the issue. Here in Ohio, when the Medical Marijuana issue last came up, one legislator said he did not want to vote for it because it would give false hope to people because it was still a federal crime. So now we have you saying that it must come first from the states, and the state legislator saying it must come first from the feds.

Second, never say never, as in an Afro-American will never become president.

Third, we do NOT need the president laughing at the concerns of his constituents. It has a tendency to shrink his base. His answer can clearly be seen as a major blunder. What good did it do? Do you really think he would handle the situation the same if he had it all to do over again?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. should we be promoting smoking?

if it is in the form of tablets, capsules for medicinal purposes yes!

[Holly_Hobby]

22. Here

http://marijuanavaporizer.com/benefits.html#How-Does-It-Work

[janx]

17. Medical marijuana is legal in New Mexico, and the state has

licensed a non-profit to grow it.

New Mexico licenses nonprofit business to produce marijuana for medical uses

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Health has licensed a nonprofit business to produce medical marijuana, the first business approved under a state program that allows patients with specified conditions to have and use small amounts of marijuana.

The department refused Wednesday to release the name of the business or where it is located, citing safety concerns.

Department spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer said the name is being withheld to ensure that the supply is safe and that patients visiting the producer would not be put in jeopardy.

"We don't want a producer to be robbed," she said.

__________________________

(more at link)

[CrownPrinceBandar]

18. Thank you!.......

I get so tired of folks putting legalization/decrim at the foot of the Feds. If the states go the way of legal/decrim, the Feds will follow suit. As it goes now, its not the Feds responsibility (I wish someone would tell the DEA that, though).

[MadHound]

19. Sorry, but it has to happen federally first,

After all, federal law trumps state law, which is why Ashcroft was going after medical marijuana dispensers, even though they were legal in the state.

The biggest law in regards to this would be getting rid of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811), or at least remove marijuana from the Act. We also have to get rid of the federal sentencing guidelines regarding marijuana.

Changing the state laws without first changing the federal laws simply means that we will have agents of the federal government arresting and prosecuting people instead of state and local law enforcement.

[Bluenorthwest]

20. The Federal Gov is the key

14 States at least have Medical Marijuana laws, and thus far the largest problem with those programs is the Federal Government imposing their will on the States.
And of course, CA is now looking to legalize and raise tax money, because Marijuana reform has nothing to do with the economy, except for the part where it is the largest cash crop in CA.

[ej510]

21. I do not beleve a democratic prsident like Obama would trump states issues like this.