Looking ahead at implementation of legal cannabis in CO and WA

[RainDog]

TO NOTE - for reference. This article on the mainstream news site "Yahoo" uses FOUR anti-legalization sources for quotes and ONE source for pro-legalization. This uneven sourcing skews the article - iow - makes it propaganda for the anti-legalization forces. This uneven reliance on sources against legalization does not reflect the American populace.

This is how you know this issue is about "an appeal to power" to maintain power for certain groups at the expense of others.

The Yahoo source for this article is Reuters news agency, whose articles are picked up by regional news outlets.

It's interesting when you start looking at how public opinion gets its talking points.

http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-legalization-victories-could-short-lived-022257328.html

(Former Drug Czar Advisor Kevin) Sabet said he expected the Obama administration would at some point file a federal lawsuit to challenge and seek to block aspects of state-level legalization measures and that this "is going to be caught up in the courts for quite a while."

But federal action was not expected to snuff out state-sanctioned marijuana in those states - especially the ability of individuals to possess an ounce or less of the drug without risk of arrest by local police. (Sabet) said U.S. Attorneys could send letters to Colorado and Washington governors warning them not to implement provisions to regulate and tax marijuana at special stores. Or the federal government could wait until such a system is created and sue to block it, he said.

Robert DuPont, who served as drug czar for former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford and opposes legalization, said he welcomed a confrontation. "I think it's time to resolve it," he said.

Ian Millhiser, senior constitutional policy analyst with the left-leaning Center for American Progress, said the federal government, even if it sues to challenge the Colorado and Washington initiatives, cannot force police in those states to arrest people for marijuana infractions. "If I were Barack Obama, I would look at this and say I would rather have young voters with me," Millhiser said.

I had to LOL when I saw a member of the DuPont family weighing in here about the dangers of legalization. The more things change...

[Kennah]

1. Wouldn't it be a kick in the ass if ...

... CO and WA sued the federal government over federal law infringing on state's rights?

[RainDog]

2. I think the wise path would be rescheduling hearings

or a ruling based upon the decades of evidence to support rescheduling, even though the DEA has refused to consider such a hearing until they were sued by a patient organization, Americans For Safe Access.

I hope this is an opportunity to show how state and federal legislators can work together to implement the will of the people.

[liberal_at_heart]

11. I don't understand why they won't reschedule it

Thousands of doctors across the country say that marijuana has medical benefits. The reason it is a classified 1 drug is because it is said to have no medical value and is highly addictive. They are using faulty science to keep it schedule 1.

[napoleon_in_rags]

9. These are rocky waters.

I crunched the numbers for WA, and there is a LOT of money in terms of state revenue (almost 1 billion a year) if they implement this right. That money in WA funds social programs, including our beloved Basic Health, and also goes into the general fund to pay for schools, police, etc.

Things go south fast if the DOJ/DEA reaches in after failing to defeat our billion dollar pot illegal pot industry, and proceeds to shut down our legal one which is funding out social programs. The real political kick in the ass about this isn't about the revenue going to local illegal growers, that money at least stays in our economy. Its about all the revenue going to overseas cartels. I laughed off the "Fast and Furious" allegations about DOJ handing guns to drug cartels, but if they literally force a situation where our funding for schools and health care are going to the same cartels... Well, damn. I would be really disappointed.

I have faith though. This for me was the most exciting part of this election, because whether its a good idea or not, it actually shows me that the people really can direct the future of their states, maybe we're not stuck in a status quo directed by some distant elite, but rather can make our own choices and destinies. I think those in charge are sensitive enough to feel that positive excitement and youth involvement, and look deeply enough to know its not about getting high (which we can already do) its about controlling our own destinies.

[Kennah]

12. +100

The feds have refused to budge on what I believe is now 18 states with medical marijuana, plus two will recreational marijuana. As with medical marijuana, the world didn't end. This won't end the world either, but people just need to get past the past.

[patrice]

3. About that sourcing, maybe we should consider that just like obstructionism in Congress, this is

an issue that opposition to the Obama administration wants to own (also like whatever becomes of the Dream Act), so we're going to see as much foot dragging and feints and obfuscation as they can generate.

I'm hoping real strong that NORML has lawyered up real good with the best that's available for the sake of the issue itself, NOT the politics.

[99th_Monkey]

4. This is NO way for Obama to thank his base

or the public who elected him, esp. people like Bill Maher who gave Obama $1million donation
and so many other of his supports who also support legalization.

Bad juju Barry. Call off your dogs please. Do the right thing here, or at least get out of the
way, i.e. look the other way.

[Scootaloo]

5. Yes, DAMN OBAMA for being mentioned in a speculative yahoo article!

Fiend, blaggard!

[RainDog]

6. LOL n/t

[99th_Monkey]

10. "Sabet said he expected the Obama administration would ... file a federal lawsuit..."

This is a statement of fact, about something a real person (our Drug Czar) said, and it's being reported:
&quot Former Drug Czar Advisor Kevin) Sabet said he expected the Obama administration would at some point file a federal lawsuit to challenge and seek to block aspects of state-level legalization measures and that this "is going to be caught up in the courts for quite a while." "

IMHO NOW is precisely the time for Obama supporters who also support legalization to stand up and be counted, and put as much pressure on the administration as possible, so the DEA and DoJ stop spending our hard-earned tax dollars to ruin decent, peaceful and otherwise law-abiding citizens lives. This is not a frivolous issue for hundreds of thousands of people already behind bars, costing taxpayers through the nose, at the rate of roughly $40,000 per year each.

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, more than 80 percent of the increase in the federal prison population from 1985 to 1995 was because of drug convictions. Prison overcrowding is directly a result of those convicted of drug offenses. Room has to be constantly made for these non-violent criminals, and many violent felons have to be released on parole as a result.

http://www.squidoo.com/prison-overcrowding-is-quickly-becoming-a-major-problem-in-the-united-states

[RainDog]

7. In terms of political calculations

The Democratic Party demonstrated this week that it is the party of diversity, and, yes, the future.

Obama oversaw one of the major changes in legislation to start the move toward healthcare as a right - more than anyone since FDR.

This issue is not simply about recreational cannabis, but also about justice because of the way the WoD has been used to target minorities via stop and frisk - and simply b/c of power within society. Obama did deal with crack law sentencing, and Michelle Alexander has been a great advocate for a ceasefire on the war on poorer parts of the population via drug laws.

So, I don't know what's going to happen...I do know the Drug Agencies have been pressing for this since before the election and they won't stop until something changes.

Things are changing, and will continue to change - we'll all see how this plays out.

[Selatius]

8. This is between the Justice Department and Obama.

Under the Controlled Substances Act, the head of the DEA and the FDA determine what classification a drug such as THC found in weed is.

If Obama really wanted to get ahead of this issue, he'd simply tell the head of the Justice Dept. to stop the raids on dispensaries or risk being canned.

The other explanation is that Obama simply doesn't see weed as a major national issue, so the status quo would reign. That's somewhat understandable although very short-sighted in my opinion. Major economic issues and issues of war and peace are at the front burner currently.