General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLegal marijuana sales may spark Midwest interstate tension
Retailers legally selling marijuana for the past month in Michigan say they have drawn customers from surrounding Midwestern states where the drug remains illegal and, as Illinois prepares to joins the recreational market on Wednesday, officials are renewing warnings to consumers against carrying such products over state lines.
The dynamic is familiar for states on the West and East coasts where the sale and use of marijuana has been broadly allowed since Colorado's market opened in 2014, despite a federal ban that created a patchwork of legal and cultural snares. Nebraska and Oklahoma went so far as to file an unsuccessful lawsuit against Colorado, arguing that its marijuana law would have ill effects for surrounding states.
In the years since, the industry has wrestled with questions over companies' obligation to pay federal income taxes or follow laws on employee safety. Other thorny issues confronted state regulators, who were forced to determine suitable pesticides for growing cannabis plants, and which ingredients were safe to include in products meant to be eaten or burned. That terrain is usually reserved for federal agencies.
The tensest point, though, remains the illegal market that has survived in states with legal cannabis markets. Some of that product comes from outside the legal systems tracked closely by states' regulators, while other states have struggled to keep diverted legal marijuana from bleeding into the illegal market at home or in far-flung states.
https://news.yahoo.com/legal-marijuana-sales-may-spark-174318939.html
SCantiGOP
(13,862 posts)If you drive from Colorado to Nebraska, especially if you have East Coast license plates.
There are usually Nebraska State Troopers sitting at the state line waiting to stop "suspicious" cars, like the ones described in the sentence above.
Most of the weed in SC these days is coming from the Western legal states, and much of it is transported by vehicle.
Quemado
(1,262 posts)I've read stories about innocent people getting their vehicles literally turned inside out by Nebraska state police. Their crime? They drove 1 mph over the speed limit, or they forgot to turn on their turn signal to make a lane change.
Oh, and by the way, there's a law firm in Omaha that specializes in defending people who have had unfortunate encounters with Nebraska state police.
CanonRay
(14,079 posts)that people in Illinois don't want, why not send them pot?
brokephibroke
(1,883 posts)Which is more deadly? Screw Indiana.
Wounded Bear
(58,584 posts)Prohibition leads to smuggling. When two popular items are prohibited in neighboring areas, it sets up a natural trade corridor.
brokephibroke
(1,883 posts)Its not like they dont smoke week in Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa or Missouri anyway.
tblue37
(65,212 posts)to bust people bringing back alcohol from Missouri.
It was ridiculous.
RobinA
(9,884 posts)It's like when, as an adult, I see and hear teachers talking about doing things that, as a kid, they would have known never work. When they grow up and become teachers do they forget, or are they just dumb. Or sometimes I think the people who become teachers were different in school than the rest of us.
getagrip_already
(14,603 posts)To bag people who bought liquor tax free in NH and take it back to MA without paying tax. NH conveniently put these stores on the highway right at the border.
So NH started arresting and harassing the MA cops. It was very funny until Meldrim Thompson advocated for tactical nukes for the national guard. I don't think it was related, but you never know.
SCantiGOP
(13,862 posts)They had a much lower tax and no limit on what you buy as compared to VA and MD, so DC cops would stake out liquor stores and follow cars till they crossed the state line (this was legal under the "hot pursuit" provision).
Some small bar owners would find it cheaper to buy in DC than from a wholesaler.
RobinA
(9,884 posts)"while other states have struggled to keep 'diverted' legal marijuana from bleeding into the illegal market at home or in far-flung states." What's the problem? Illegal drug cartels complaining? This is typical of the mess that is our attitude towards illegal drugs, but especially MJ. You would think that Illegal State would prefer to have Joe Suburbanite Who Lives Near The Colorado Border bring home a few extra gummy bears to sell back home when he makes his cross-border run than have everybody feeding the black market.
tblue37
(65,212 posts)have some to offer guests at dinner parties. (I was a KU faculty wife back then.)
maxsolomon
(33,232 posts)Rather than buy at home from the illegal market and take the risks that entails. Not to sell.
Or so I heard from a friend of a friend.
maxsolomon
(33,232 posts)Once IN sees the tax revenue IL and MI are enjoying they'll loosen their tight asses up.
Love, WA.
getagrip_already
(14,603 posts)Rec legal states are all over the country, and the world hasn't ended.
On the other hand, opiods and fentanyl are flooding states like NE and OK, causing carnage on an unprecedented scale.
Who cares if someone grabs an oz and runs home? Really, it's just a profit center for the states where it isn't legal.
But ooohhhh. residents need to worry. not.
If they wanted to stop smuggling, they would ban cars and trucks and close airports. Make people walk across the border carrying nothing.
That would work. Maybe. They'd probably have to xray people to make sure they didn't have drugs in their gut or under their skin.
So just put up a solid wall and don't let anyone in or out. I'd be fine with that that for NE and OK.
SCantiGOP
(13,862 posts)Stoners are coming into our state and giving people the munchies. This horror must be stopped.
MagickMuffin
(15,924 posts)They have a headstart over Texas. We be lagging behind.
Yavin4
(35,408 posts)That's what happens to people when they start smoking weed.
lame54
(35,259 posts)Legalise it assholes