'Dramatic change' to marijuana laws?


Law & Order | 208071 hits | Jun 25 9:59 am | Posted by: andyt
32 Comment

A new bipartisan bill would remove marijuana from the company of heroin and cocaine in federal regulations, leaving it to the states to legalize pot – or not. Inter-state trafficking would remain a federal crime.

Comments

  1. by avatar andyt
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:05 pm
    “Right now, the US is in this crazy situation where 12 states have legalized medical marijuana – which puts them in direct opposition to federal law,” says Phil Cook, professor of public policy, economics and sociology at Duke University. “This law would remove that awkward conflict.”


    Lamar Smith (R) of Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said his committee would not consider the bill. "Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent."


    “No longer can reform advocates be laughed off as a bunch of Cheech and Chongs,” says Tom Angell, media relations director for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, an international organization of criminal justice professionals who claim first-hand awareness of the waste and harms of current drug policies.

    “Hopefully having this national debate will help more people to understand that marijuana prohibition harms public safety by giving drug cartels and gangs a huge source of tax-free profits, just like alcohol prohibition did for Al Capone and his colleagues during the 1920s and 30s,” says Mr. Angell.

  2. by avatar DanSC
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:23 pm
    Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent."

    He's right. As long as there is a federal law completely banning marijuana, the state laws are technically illegal. Any real, legitimate legalization effort would have to start on the federal level.

  3. by avatar andyt
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:39 pm
    Whis is why these federal lawmakers want to abolish that law.

  4. by avatar Wada
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 6:44 pm
    Isn't Harper on the wrong side of this fence?

  5. by CrazyNewfie
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:03 pm
    Legalization is the only way :)
    Either ban everything, or legalize pot. How is it ok to go out and get wasted drunk, maybe start a riot over a hockey game, set a few cars on fire, and start a few fights, BUT it's not ok to sit at home and smoke a little weed? Anybody who thinks so I don't think knows what they're talking about. Alcohol is a way more dangerous drug than marijuana.

  6. by avatar Smacle
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:07 pm
    "Wada" said
    Isn't Harper on the wrong side of this fence?


    How do these things always come back on Harper. It's on Canada.

  7. by avatar Wada
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 8:37 pm
    Then let us have a referendum. Until then it's on Harper or whoevers government is at the helm.

  8. by avatar Freakinoldguy
    Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:37 pm
    This law has to pass in the US before any major changes in Canadian law will happen since the US market is the driving force for our criminal enterprises.

    As it stands now the 5 plant law is really just a stop gap measure to control export of Marijuana to the states and this new US law, if passed, would eliminate the need for Canada to enforce or enact any of what some people percieve as draconian laws regarding the growth and consumption of marijuana, except for the same types we use for alcohol.

  9. by Trautsla
    Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:03 am
    Man made alcohol, god made pot. Man makes mistakes, god does not

  10. by avatar CommanderSock
    Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:34 am
    Looks like the US is powering full steam ahead for decriminalization. Yay for them.

    Now the question is, when will it be legal here in Canada?

  11. by avatar Freakinoldguy
    Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:39 am
    "CommanderSock" said
    Looks like the US is powering full steam ahead for decriminalization. Yay for them.

    Now the question is, when will it be legal here in Canada?


    My guess would be pretty quickly after they legalize it.

  12. by rickc
    Sun Jun 26, 2011 3:25 am
    Its a shame that this bill does not stand a snowballs chance in hell of passing in the house. The Republicans love to beat the drums of smaller federal government, less regulation,and States rights when it suits their needs. This bill would satisfy all of those mantras. Its easy to talk the talk. Now is their chance to walk the walk, or be called out on their hypocrisy.

  13. by avatar DanSC
    Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:07 am
    "Trautsla" said
    Man made alcohol, god made pot. Man makes mistakes, god does not

    God also made poison ivy and ebola, so I don't see your point.

  14. by avatar ShepherdsDog
    Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:19 am
    I think animals developing a taste for naturally fermented fruit and grains came first...then some smart primates thought, 'How can we replicate this?' Soon after came the resultant brain damage, then came NASCAR and double wide trailers



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