[hrothgar]

mike777, on Aug 4 2010, 06:03 PM, said:

An advantage of state laws is one can view the Republic as a set of 50 laboratories where different laws can be tried out.

I would hate to see such a major change such as legalization of drugs at a federal level as a first step.

If we are going to legalize drugs lets experiment with it in one tiny state and see how it works out. In general it is going to be easier to amend, fix or delete a bad law in a state.

One can always roll the law out on a national basis if it works.
------------


Keep in mind suchthings as booze and cigs are legal and gangs, the mob etc are involved to the tune of billions of dollars. Making something legal in fact will mean sort of making it legal and leave plenty of room for criminal activity.

One concern is if drugs are legal with it lead to more usage. Will more usage lead to more DUI or child abuse?

I dont know but would prefer to take it in small steps and find out rather than roll such a change out in 50 states.

I don't have any objection to this type of experimentation; however, I don't think that individual states get to pick and choose on these issues.

If you want this type of experimentation, then you need to start by changing the Federal statues.

[mike777]

pigpenz, on Aug 3 2010, 09:42 AM, said:

November ballot in California prop 19 which would legalize pot for those over 21 yrs of age and allow people to grow their own in a 5x5 foot area.....what do you think.

btw where are you allowed to smoke this pot>

For instance, at a bar, in public, at work?

How about around young children or while driving?

How much pot can you sell to other adults?

Can you smoke in your home if there are young children in the room?

Those who advocate a position I hope have thought these issues through and have answers


In any event you can see how regulations and tax issues are just getting started.

One can just imagine all the issues regarding keeping this stuff out of the hands of those under 21 or those who wish to avoid taxation.

[hrothgar]

mike777, on Aug 4 2010, 06:26 PM, said:

pigpenz, on Aug 3 2010, 09:42 AM, said:

November ballot in California prop 19 which would legalize pot for those over 21 yrs of age and allow people to grow their own in a 5x5 foot area.....what do you think.

btw where are you allowed to smoke this pot>

For instance, at a bar, in public, at work?

How about around young children or while driving?

How much pot can you sell to other adults?

Can you smoke in your home if there are young children in the room?


In any event you can see how regulations and tax issues are just getting started.

Why don't you go off, Google the answers, and report back to us with an actual fact...

[Phil]

hrothgar, on Aug 4 2010, 10:28 AM, said:

Why don't you go off, Google the answers, and report back to us with an actual fact...

I have a feeling Mike already has and he's baiting you:

Prop 19

[Lobowolf]

Perhaps it's the Tenth Amendment that should be repealed...[/irony]


"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

[Lobowolf]

It's really worth pointing out that this law wouldn't "strike down" federal anti-drug laws.

Whatever activities violate federal law still violate federal law (as in the medical marijuana situation in California). If the federal government's position is strongly opposed to recreation marijuana use, then they can send DEA agents out on marijuana cases. The LAPD doesn't have to do the feds' job. In fact, this would be consistent with the DOJ position in the Arizona immigration case - if it's a federal issue, then states shouldn't be passing their own criminalization laws in the first place. It's been a happy coincidence that both the state and federal government position has been strongly anti-drug, but what if down the road the federal government decided for political reasons to decriminalize marijuana, or not enforce the laws on the books? Then it would be entirely improper for states to have laws against marijuana, because they could enforce those laws vehemently and undermine the federal position on the issue.

This is essentially part B of medical marijuana (where it's not illegal per state law). The feds can bust you for violation of federal law; the locals won't.

[luke warm]

mike777, on Aug 4 2010, 10:26 AM, said:

pigpenz, on Aug 3 2010, 09:42 AM, said:

November ballot in California prop 19 which would legalize pot for those over 21 yrs of age and allow people to grow their own in a 5x5 foot area.....what do you think.

btw where are you allowed to smoke this pot>

For instance, at a bar, in public, at work?

same places you can drink would be a good start... presently i can't drink in public (i.e. walking down the street, although my backyard is okay - for now) or while driving or at work

Quote

How much pot can you sell to other adults?

as much as they want? how many cases of beer can you buy?

Quote

Can you smoke in your home if there are young children in the room?

how many glasses of wine have you drunk in that situation?

Quote

One can just imagine all the issues regarding keeping this stuff out of the hands of those under 21 or those who wish to avoid taxation.

the same is true for alcohol (arguably the most dangerous drug, as in threats to life and limb, in the world) and cigarettes now

Lobowolf, on Aug 4 2010, 12:16 PM, said:

Perhaps it's the Tenth Amendment that should be repealed...[/irony]


"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

hence that all powerful commerce clause

[pigpenz]

JoAnneM, on Aug 3 2010, 01:07 PM, said:

jeez, how many people are we going to have to hire in California to go measure those 5x5' areas. You just know there will be entire backyards filled with the stuff, just like there are "vacant" houses being used right now for pot farms.

I am not against legalizing, per se, but it will just unleash different ways for people to break the law.

none
unless you work for law enforcement and want to do checking.

[mycroft]

pigpenz, on Aug 4 2010, 06:43 PM, said:

unless you work for law enforcement and want to do checking.

...or more likely, unless you work for law enforcement and someone has committed the crime of Contempt of Cop, or has "likely" committed a crime that will be very hard to prove (compared to having 25.1 ft. sq. of grass growing area).

And what do you want to bet that 80% of the checks will be on gardens owned by, shall we say, people less likely to buy sunscreen?

<what, cynical, me?>

[mike777]

I can certainly see the neighbors calling the cops, alderman and mayor etc to complain about all the pot growing next door or all the selling of pot of out the neighbors yard or how the neighbors' pot smoke is creeping into where their kids play.


I can see how enforcement, taxation, collection is going to be a nightmare.


There has been huge kickback against the medical pot stores.


Even if you favor legalization a quick read of the prop lists pages of stuff on how smoking, growing or selling pot is illegal in many ways. In many cases you can still go to jail for pot related crimes.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vig-public...sis-prop-19.pdf

[pigpenz]

mike777, on Aug 5 2010, 05:21 PM, said:

Even if you favor legalization a quick read of the prop lists pages of stuff on how smoking, growing or selling pot is illegal in many ways. In many cases you can still go to jail for pot related crimes.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vig-public...sis-prop-19.pdf

yes, like there should be against alcohol.

[Winstonm]

pigpenz, on Aug 5 2010, 07:38 PM, said:

mike777, on Aug 5 2010, 05:21 PM, said:

Even  if you favor legalization a quick read of the prop lists pages of stuff on how smoking, growing or selling pot is illegal in many ways. In many cases you can still go to jail for pot related crimes.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vig-public...sis-prop-19.pdf

yes, like there should be against alcohol.

I never knew it was illegal to grow alcohol - guess I'm going to have to plough under that field of 100 proof.