Finally - the 21st century! Mary Jane users are not criminals and should not be treated as such! Way worse things out there including alcohol! And as far as more accidents, absenteeism, what a bunch of propoganda! Marijuana - safer than peanuts!

You would think that the media would have learned a small lesson last night about putting "their spin" on the news. Your job is not to opine, but rather to report the facts without bias and spin. This headline immediately saps all credibility of this author, and therefore NBC.

The voters voted. They mean what they voted for. They're not stupid.

That's not then the time for the all knowing governors and law enforcement "experts" to come in and essentially say how wrong the voters are.

Nice work Colorado. Truly common sense. Now stand behind your vote and don't put up with the efforts to protect the money that prohibition creates for law enforcement. Prohibitionists... we're sick of your circular logic and failed drug policies.

The thing that doesn't seem to be taken into consideration is that most of the people who are interested in smoking it are already doing it. Other countries who have legalized small amounts of recreational pot have not seen huge increase in use, or crime or loss in productivity.

The thing that doesn't seem to be taken into consideration is that most of the people who are interested in smoking it are already doing it. Other countries who have legalized small amounts of recreational pot have not seen huge increase in use, or crime or loss in productivity.

So smoke it in your home. Most places you can't light up any more anyway.

I can't help but think President Obama had to enforce marijuana laws to satisfy the DEA and other federal agencies and to ensure a second term. Now that he's a lame duck, who knows? He's certainly no stranger to cannabis, and look where he is now. I wouldn't be surprised if he legalized MEDICAL marijuana for the entire country before his second term is up. Why not? I really believe it's coming. Write to President Obama! I did! Google "email President Obama" and you'll find the link. If he hears from enough of us it just may make a difference. We who are suffering need this!

DAWG POUND, you forgot the most important one: CHOOM!!!

Hopefully the tax revenue potential can be realized and more states will follow. Three easy steps to fix our economy, pay off the debt, and lower the taxes for EVERYONE:

1) Legalize and tax pot (like Colorado and Washington)

2) Legalize and tax prostitution (like Nevada)

3) Tax churches (if churches were taxed then everyone would only need to pay 10% income tax)

Debt and tax problem solved.

I find it strange a Hickenlooper has never smoked a joint, hell, back in the early 70's I was in the Army with a Hickenlooper who smoked weed.

I can't help but think President Obama had to enforce marijuana laws to satisfy the DEA and other federal agencies and to ensure a second term

(Insert sarcasm) And if he didn't, you're saying the DEA wouldn't have re-elected him? DAMN....I didn't know that, but I do remember Bush telling MADD that neither he, nor Laura drank any more, and they re-elected him too.

I guess anything is possible. (remove sarcasm)

That’s where you’re supposed to smoke it. It only legalizes possession up to an ounce, it doesn’t make it legal to smoke in public.

DAWG POUND, you forgot the most important one: CHOOM!!!

Like the website said... There are thousands of synonyms... Hell, I didn't even realize that one until I looked it up, LOL!

How do you measure when someone’s too impaired to drive under the influence of marijuana? That is my concern. Conceivably, if you are involved in an auto accident and you have THC in your system, you could be hit with driving under the influence. There needs to be some kind of standard. Alcohol is legal, but there are legal limits - there should be legal limits for marijuana too.

Great Comments all! Add "Lleno" to the cannabis list, also end the tax loopholes, corporate welfare and have only a minimum deduction and basic "Safety Net", cut military excess, abolish the DEA and grow hemp for 200 different products ioncluding clothing, rope, food and fuel! I hopey-changy really happens now!

I have done way more stupid stuff while drunk than after smoking weed.

Usually after smoking dope, I would melt into the couch and watch a movie.

Reminds me of the movie North Dallas Forty.

At the end Nick Nolte is questioning the Coach and says "Chit you got us all shot up with stuff a helluva lot more stronger than this so we can play on Sunday."

GrayLady25

How do you measure when someone’s too impaired to drive under the influence of marijuana?

A very good question. Because today such a thing would require a blood test (urine doesn't yield the necessary info). At one time I know my state was experimenting with a roadside blood test device but that obviously raises all sorts of legal issues. And I live in an ultra-red Southern state (SC) where it will probably be another 50 years before even medicinal maijuana is legalized. They were just looking to screw over motorists. It might have been 25 days since someone smoked but they would be treated the same as someone who just lit up. For now the whole thing has been dropped.

Think I`ll move to Colorado buy a pizza franchise. After all no Cheetoes or gold fish,gotta have something good for the munchies.

Glad they legalized it. In two states at that. That's two markets the Cartels just lost. And some tax revenue for the DEA to actually go after the Cartels with. Or for other busts like Meth and Cocaine. I live in California and don't use it. But know that it is a huge source of revenue for any state. And criminalizing it costs taxpayers way to much. Legalizing it also brings out safer places to smoke and obtain it. Reducing crime behind it. Take the profits away from gun toting criminals and put them in the hands of Business owners.

"The Government isn't acheiving it's "stated" goals" means that the "Unstated Goal" of the War on Drugs is to have the DEA "Go on Forever!" The Portugal laws and "model" works, ours never will achieve the "Stated Goals" and everyone now knows it - Violence and useage up, respect down! The Drug Kingpins must fall, the DEA along with it and we must have ALL these resources, taxes and savings re-directed into our looming "hole" of a "Fiscal Cliff" (rated: "Class 10" on the Western River scale) that our House of Representatives will only make worse by remaining Tea-baggish! They would rather see America fail than raise taxes on the Rich! So taxes go up, budgets get cut and eliminated, churches get taxed and they can legall campaign from the pulpit, and hemp become a valueale commodity again along with "Cousin Cannabis"!

Debt and tax problem solved.

I like the sarcasm. When has a politician ever been able to spend within their means. As long as they have access to the public's wallets they have absolutley no restraint. The only difference is one party is more moneygrubbing than the other.

All you have to do is drink salt water the night before a urine test.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120526204134AA1AATU

bigdogg464

Jeremy,

All you have to do is drink salt water the night before a urine test.

and what are you going to do on a random that you do not know about? OR if instead of a piss test they do a hair test ( I had to do the hair test to get my last job. )

Fact of the matter is, IF you know the test is coming yes you can get around it. If there is an accident and you are taken to the clinic and the test performed right there, your hosed.

and I will be laughing.

Self employed, it's not an issue for me.

Jeremy maybe they can work in the industry? No testing required if you work maintaining plants selling product. Marketing, Ect. Or maybe not have a JOB = Just over broke

And actually use some creative skill and create a business? Create some jobs behind an already used product. Hell they all know how to weigh it. Whats good whats bad. And on and on.

“The violence associated with it has become greater,

What kind of oximoronic statement is that? Cannabis induces calm, peaceful behaviour quite the opposite of violence. If you don't know what you are stating when you write this drivel, don't even bother to comment on it as you don't know what you are talking about.

Jeremy, your points are target on. I think the can of worms you cited is exactly why the govenors are cautioning their constituents, regardless of what their personal feelings about marijuana usage may be. Until or unless marijuana is reclassified at the Federal level, there will be a ton of pitfalls no matter what individual states do. What is really needed for legalization is a test that can accurately determine whether or not a person is under the influence of marijuana right now.

I'm surprised that no one is discussing the largest implication of these measures... State rights vs federal laws. There is enough medical evidence now available to have marijuana taken off of schedule one. There is a case in federal court challenging schedule one classification. We'll see where that goes.

Cigarettes and alcohol kill, we don't dispute those facts; yet marijuana remains the federal boogeyman while alcohol and cigarettes are sold in all 50 states.

Slowly, inexorably, no matter how hard the right wingers dig their heels in, this country is moving left. First, gay marriage (no, I'm not gay, but my wife and I have gay friends) is becoming legalized in more than one place...and by the will of the voters. Then there is the legalization of marijuana (I live in Washington state, where both gay marriage and legalizing pot are going to pass on the ballot). Forty years ago no one would have imagined that pot would get legalized, but here we are. Pot smokers have known for years that the majority of the negative things about pot are a fallacy: it's not a "gateway drug", nor does it turn you into a raving lunatic, nor does it turn you to crime to support your "addiction". For many, of which I count myself as one, pot is far less destructive than alcohol. If I drink too much (and I don't drink any more) I get sick and puke my guts out, but if I smoke too much pot (yes, I still smoke it) I simply go to sleep. At age 56 I will continue to smoke it, because I enjoy the effect.

Now if only the Federal government would abandon their Reefer Madness stance on this we can proceed to normalizing it everywhere...

“You’ll lose productivity, you’ll have accidents on the highway, you’ll have absenteeism, and you’ll really have a much more weakened society if you have widespread use of marijuana,”

Uhm, there already is widespread use of Marijuana...

Bad and more than faulty Precedent. Federal Law TRUMPS State Law if it conflicts at the basis

Not if the federal law is unconstitutional.

Under the 10th Amendment, all powers not specifically granted to the federal government are reserved for the state and/or people. (Paraphrased).

However, the feds have used the commerce clause to try and abort almost all attempts by the states to actually USE the 10th Amendment. Most likely, at least for the time being, Gonzales v. Raich will be used. I expect it to be overturned in the future however.

The feds accomplished the same purpose in regulating the drinking age. Since alcohol regulation is a STATE power, the feds could not mandate a national drinking age (and there is none). They could, however, make the state an "agent" of the federal government by bribing (or blackmailing depending upon your point of view) with federal funds. in this case, they said "don't raise the drinking age, we won't release highway funds". The states couldn't afford it and caved.

Cigarettes and alcohol kill, we don't dispute those facts; yet marijuana remains the federal boogeyman while alcohol and cigarettes are sold in all 50 states.

The really stupid thing is, while marijuana (cannabis) is a Schedule I Controlled Substance...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Schedule_I_drugs_(US)

...things like Cocaine and Methamphetamine -- Methamphetamine -- are only a Class II.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Schedule_II_drugs_(US)

Explain that!

Red Sailor

If you don't know what you are stating when you write this drivel, don't even bother to comment on it as you don't know what you are talking about.

I do not believe he was referring to cannabis as inducing violence among the users. Rather he was stating that violence has continued to go up amongst those who produce it and bring it to market (cartels) as well as those who sell it to end users (gangs and drug dealers). Surely you know that your friendly neighborhood dealer doesn't obtain his product out of thin air.

Add Colorado to the list of states that will not be invited to the new Republic States of America. Snooze you lose.

I really dont appreciate being called a pothead just because I believe in the legalization of marijuana- I havent smoked it in 30 years, I own 2 businesses, and I think of myself as being an intelligent and hardworking citizen, good neighbor, wife, mother shall I go on and on? Take your "Pothead" jokes and stick them where they belong.

The early 80's it was called lovely, it only came from Washington D.C. It was dipped in some form of Chemical.

Meanwhile, the Tea-Bag Governor down south of CO in NM is having the NMDOH try and exclude PTSD today from the list of approved symptoms for cannabis use! She really wants the whole program shut down, a program that is considered one of the better state models for medical cannabis use, and she wants to do it on the backs of returning veterans and others with PTSD (3,000 total is the news report). What an ass of a Governor!

I thought we were going to have an exodus to Ontario, Oregon, from Boise ,Idaho and its surrounding areas. There go all my hopes for cheaper rents.lol. Oregon voted no go! Wa., is going to have an influx of young college students moving there from Moscow Idaho. I am fairly confident that eventually marijuana will be legal throughout the US someday. I am pro legalization, although not a user, because I see no difference in allowing alcohol to be legal and not pot. I am also against making people criminals because of its use. The government can help solve their budget issues by taxing. All obvious points, yet, we are still here debating this nonsense. Check out who belongs to LEAP { law enforcement against prohibition}. They are in our war on drugs, and have come to the realization that we are creating criminals, where none exist.

I can't believe it's this difficult to get the federal government to admit it made a mistake. They consider pot in the category as Cocaine, Heroin, Crack, Meth, etc... give me a break. The feds are going to lose this one... they just need to give up. There's still plenty of dangerous drugs out there to continue funding your DEA storm troopers...let the people have their pot.

DUUUUUDE !!!!

Beth-440386, #132- EXACTLY. If it's not UNconstitutional and I, myself, don't believe that it's UNconstitutional. It's a Federally Controlled Substance.

I think there is a "sustained" and "lingering" impact, or effect/affect, and yes, call it "a negative impairment to funtionality", that is at the basis where it differs from "recreational" alcohol or cigarette use. (Then throw in MUCH unfortunate firsthand experience of observing and being on the receiving end of THAT impact)

P.S. I'm not posting anything here in hopes of coming out with the most popular posts, either! Just beginning with most of the arguments of Proponents that I've seen and read lean A LOT toward Infantile, I believe. And Medical Marijuana, or at least the majority of it, is just one more in a long line of Made in the USA EXPLOITATION-FARCE-RACKETS. (Mr Ponytail Man in his slick suit has been to my State, from CA, too!)

Hopefully the tax revenue potential can be realized and more states will follow. Three easy steps to fix our economy, pay off the debt, and lower the taxes for EVERYONE:

1) Legalize and tax pot (like Colorado and Washington)

2) Legalize and tax prostitution (like Nevada)

3) Tax churches (if churches were taxed then everyone would only need to pay 10% income tax)

Debt and tax problem solved.

Indie071: Yeah right? Do you realize how much money we spend per year on drug rehabilitation? Do you really want to get into the facts? My brother was ADDICTED to marijuana. It's not a drug that is so easily removed from your system and he spent countless dollars trying to purchase it. Only stupid people think that this is drug they can handle; just like those who are into cigarettes and soon becomes addicted. Increase usage of marijuana and you will increase addictions everywhere else.

Second, while prostitution is not legal, you can get certain deductions on your taxes for it. Bet you didn't know that? And yes, they already tax prostitution.

Third, taxing churches won't help the economy. Obama will just figure out a way to spend it on something else, like FEMA. And since I live in NY, we all know how INEFFECTIVE FEMA can be. The churches however, were great! They provided tons of supplies and volunteers.

Just my opinion.

Actually Rhee, I do believe it's unconstitutional. I believe the entire concept of "federally controlled substances" is unconstitutional. The constitution gives the federal government no right to regulate "substances" -- and that includes alcohol and/or drugs. The feds have been using the commerce clause to get its way over many of these issues, but I don't think it can continue.

As to marijuana itself, I really don't have personal experience with the stuff and have no desire to, however, I don't see it as any worse than a combination of alcohol and cigarettes. The one thing I CAN say ... I've never seen a violent pot smoker, but I've sure seen a lot of violent drunks. Then there's the whole "war on drugs" thing ... that we've lost.

Not true Unhappy-1583758 ... sorry whatever happened to your brother, he's an exception to the rule.

Beth-440386, #1.44- I think it relates to the "Common Welfare" (not Behavior Modification-wise, though); and a specific example would be a recent news article about a Drug Company and it finally just "apologizing" after many years and MANY-MANY SERIOUS-SERIOUS Birth Defects, but the United States was one Country that banned [that] drug! FEDERALLY BANNED IT; and good thing, No? Wasn't that a 'Federal regulation" of a controlled substance? (as in being a prescription drug)

Sorry, I'm rushing to get this reply to you and can't go specifically look up what I'm referencing from. (My Son just finished cooking dinner and we're going to sit down and watch 'The Civil War' HE'S WAITING FOR ME!)

Please, reply again, if you'd like. I'll try and check back later tonite or tomorrow morning.

That is what I first thought of when I saw this. Just call the majority of voters in your state "potheads." LOL

His brothers biggest problem was likely everyone telling him he was an addict when he may not have been.

I have seen it time and time again back when I was younger.

Some poor guy just likes to have a good time and some self righteous family member decides it's time to take things in hand and then the guys life goes to complete and total @!$%# as he gets told that he has a "problem" and "no control".

Brainwashing is what it is, tell a person that they are a loser with no control of their life long enough, and eventually they will start to believe it and act the part.

What needs to be pointed out to the President and the idiots in Congress is that this lack of action on decriminalizing pot only makes them look like hypocrites.

You've got both the Dems and GOP unwilling to budge on who should pay more taxes and how to generate revenues with or without new taxes. At the same time you have a sitting President who (like many sitting Presidents before him) has chosen a federal law to ignore and/or manipulate that results in the increase of spending.

If you are going to make it easier for law-breakers to be legal then why not start with something that you can tax the $h!t out of and actually generate the revenues that will help support things like the Dream Act.... or better yet, BETTER EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST ILLEGALS!

The clear solution is in front of them, but they still scramble around like a bunch of old men who can't find the reading glasses that are right on top of their heads!

Unhappy-1583758

Yeah right? Do you realize how much money we spend per year on drug rehabilitation? Do you really want to get into the facts? My brother was ADDICTED to marijuana. It's not a drug that is so easily removed from your system and he spent countless dollars trying to purchase it. Only stupid people think that this is drug they can handle; just like those who are into cigarettes and soon becomes addicted. Increase usage of marijuana and you will increase addictions everywhere else.

Alcoholics go to rehab too. So do prescription pill abusers. Both of those substances are still legal. What is your point exactly? You are operating under the foolish assumption that banning a substance decreases the use and dependency of it. And that is simply naive!

Tell me, if we get into the "facts" would any of that info cover the failed prohibition of the 1920s? You might find some good "facts" there in your history book! It is the one that doesn't say "Holy Bible", in case you are wondering.

Legalizing pot won't guarantee the increase in the numbers of addicts. It will simply send less of them to jail for non-violent crimes. That is another area we are spending lots of money on too; prisons. And I'd wager there is more money going towards over crowded jails than rehab centers.

Where exactly are you getting your facts again? Cause the church probably isn't your most reliable source regardless of how many blankets and canned beans they gave you last week!

This battle has just begun and is nowhere near over as far as the feds are concerned. They will crack down on the retail establishments as they did in Californian with the paper trail that these new laws will create. Although it may sound good at the surface the retail establishments will see the first wave of the fed crackdown with the public targets these laws are creating. Considering the inevitability of the crackdowns in Colorado and Oregon the only viable path around the fed prohibition is a full decriminalization and unfettered private cultivation.

To the question on testing for pot from someone driving a car...according to the Governor of Colorado...you just need a bag of Cheetos.

@DG W

no matter how hard the right wingers dig their heels in,

It isn't about Right Wingers genius, it's about lobbyists for the corporations who would/will lose profits when MJ is legalized. Many of the people fighting it are Left Wingers, Left Wingers with financial ties to oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, lumber companies etc. A lot of the people who voted in Prop64 in Colorado are Right Wing, a lot of them, me for instance. I have a family member who is almost old enough to remember when it was still legal, who is very Right Wing, who also voted for it. Many of my Right Wing friends supported it. I also know a large number of my Left Wing friends who were very against it and voted it down. Prop 64 didn't pass on purely partisan lines, it took both sides to make it pass. And all your partisan propaganda will not change the facts, this is not and never has been a partisan issue, it is and always has been about big business lobbyists.

Agreed, ""You'll lose productivity, you'll have accidents on the highway, you'll have absenteeism" is this why congress isn't working? Maybe Boehner can explain this to us just as he's explained the Republican's new tax plain! How about let's give our politicians a breathalyzer test when they get to work or better yet after work, we all know the drinking starts when they get to work and doesn't stop until they go to sleep in the afternoon!

I think it relates to the "Common Welfare"

Hi Rhee ..

Hope you enjoyed the show .. and dinner! :)

Anyway, I see where you're going with this, and maybe a federal ban ISN'T a bad thing, I just don't think the Constitution gave the feds the ability to do it. They use the "commerce clause" to get away with almost every breech of the constitution, and so far it's been work. I don't think it will work forever though.

As to the "common welfare", that's a general statement, and not a specific thing.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE DUI FOR MARIJAUNA! THIS IS HOW!

For people in the State of Washington, read carefully! The police do not have to prove how intoxicated you are, they merely need think you are based on nothing. You then need to prove otherwise in court. Many police processing stations/jails do not do blood tests, they only do breath and sobriety tests.

Fact is if you get pulled over and the cop smells weed, you are glassy eyed you could get arrested and charged for a DUI, have to get processed in jail and get a lawyer to fight the case.

Unless of course you are a DUI judge like Judge Timothy Ryan in Snohomish county. Then you just get to walk away from it. But learn from him, don't volunteer for any tests. Don't believe me? look this up, I know for a fact I am right about all of this.

Graylady,You can tell an impaired driver under the influence of pot because they drive slower which in California would be a good thing.

All drugs should be legalized. The legalization law in Washington is so strict that I actually voted against it even though I am for legalization. The government needs to get out of the whole telling people what they can do with their own bodies business. The war on drugs has only succeeded in earning America the highest incarceration rates in the industrialized nations.

This isn't going to work out like the dope smokers think it will. A similar situation came up a few years ago, but for something that actually has a US Constitutional amendment to back it up - Montana and I think one other state passed laws saying that firearms produced in and for use in the state were no longer subject to federal firearms laws, so people could make legal machine guns, silencers, etc.

Here's how it worked out - the ATF sent letters to all the dealers saying basically "it's nice that you have that new law, but you're still subject to federal legislation."

This will be no different.

Fine, but just make sure you are smoking it at home and don't go drive while you're still high.

Until there is a reliable quickie test (ala the "Breathalyzer" or skin test or whatever) that can detect THC, pot will not become legal in this country. That's a fact. Isn't there some budding entrepreneur out there that can invent this?

PS - I thought the Cheetos comment was pretty funny.

To all you folks who say "tax the S*it out of it"...

That is not likely to work out at all, because if the taxes on pot are too much, trade in marijuana will remain in the black market. The after tax price of white market (retail) marijuana needs to remain lower than the non taxed price of black market marijuana or people will continue to buy weed on the black market.

Thank you but there is a problem brewing in this that is shocking. According to the articl which I agree is slanted it states the pot will be sold in state liscensed stors and taxed there. That makes the state in direct conflict with federal law. Looks like they want that and are on track to take this to the highest court on whether the state or the feds can make laws governing controlled substances. Best thing is these staes have taken the first step in decriminalizing posession of small amounts of of the substance and can see immediate benefits in both revenues not only on taxes but also on their court systems which now are overloaded with cases on this. If the states are smart they will leave the prosecution to the feds and that should get them to pass it off to the states.

There's been one academic study finding a 9% decrease in DUI-related deaths after a state legalizes medical pot. And cops can certainly arrest someone for impaired driving without doing a BAC test. I know someone who got a DUI after failing a field sobriety test, who had taken non-prescription pain relievers and antihistamines.

Too bad, hopheads. The DEA is still out there looking for you. Doesn't matter what the states do. You have to change Federal Law and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hey, your boy just got re-elected. Go blame him.

“You’ll lose productivity, you’ll have accidents on the highway, you’ll have absenteeism, and you’ll really have a much more weakened society if you have widespread use of marijuana,” Bensinger said.

All he'll lose is his job! Use IS widespread and he knows it!

“You’ll lose productivity, you’ll have accidents on the highway, you’ll have absenteeism, and you’ll really have a much more weakened society if you have widespread use of marijuana.”

This is about as credible and telling us to go watch Reefer Madness for information on pot use. Someone needs to break it to this fossil that tons of people already smoke and function just fine in society. Of course, I'm sure he's just another puppet spouting what he's told to spout.

Add Colorado to the list of states that will not be invited to the new Republic States of America.

Geez...you can keep that idea!

On the other hand...let's let the Republican states secede again. I mean, after all, the deep South consumes a lot more Federal dollars than anyone else!

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/08/americas-fiscal-union

Additionally, creating criminals damages society in ways that are difficult to quantify and are therefore not fully appreciated. Not only are people being victimized but the long term damage of creating a criminal means higher future unemployment, a huge loss of future tax receipts, high cost of enforcement, prosecution, incarceration and ultimately, higher future crime rates and gang activity.

Yes but that creates more need for a police state and more money for bureaucrats who run it. Plus you take away their right to vote which even further secures your position.

If the State sells it and taxes it tell the Feds to go jump off a cliff. Instead they will leave John Public out to dry when the heavy hand comes down.

The War on Drugs.

It's what fills the coffers of our Prisons for Profit system, the majority are in for non-violent drug charges.

It's an enormous cash cow to law enforcement both in terms of revenue given for "the war" and assets seized, often by vague association and of questionably unconstitutional means.

It's a wonderful, meaningless straw dog issue used by politicians during election years and/or to just distract the public from seeing the incompetence and corruption of those in charge.

It fuels very rich and powerful lobbyists who work, surprisingly, for the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries.

It's really about time we end it but there's so much entrenched corruption and profiteering fueling it, it'll STILL be a long and arduous battle.

And freedom may still lose in the end.

From the Article:

Former DEA Chief Peter Bensinger, an outspoken opponent of marijuana legalization, said legalization would lead to an increase in crime and threaten public safety.

“You’ll lose productivity, you’ll have accidents on the highway, you’ll have absenteeism, and you’ll really have a much more weakened society if you have widespread use of marijuana,” Bensinger said.

I love how there is no need to connect legalization with increased-"widespread use". People who are using are using, people who don't typically use, don't start (habitually?) using just because it's legal. Come on, who here hasn't been offered some prohibited drug at some point in their past...it's ALWAYS been accessible...how about we stop subsidizing this black market and bring it out in the open for business-people to exploit rather than criminals and terrorists to profit from.

This is all about keeping large amounts of money flooding into private prisons, unnecessary government bureaucracies and of course the "War on Drugs" is a perfect excuse for treading on civil liberties and the Bill of Rights when "thinking of the children" doesn't cut it.

Let's put the drug cartels out of business, lets remove the stranglehold that pharmaceutical companies have over pain relievers, and lets just make a general move towards pragmatic legislation rather than trying to treat government as the morality police.

lets remove the stranglehold that pharmaceutical companies have over pain relievers

Actually, as soon as it is nationally decriminalized, this may be an unforeseen consequence. There are a huge number of potential patents the drug companies can cash in on. And cash-in they will on people unable or unwilling to smoke something. On the existing system that does clinical studies on compounds and doctors who can only write prescriptions for FDA approved drugs. I really wouldn't tout pot as medicine in this way, because it invites big business.

Come to think of it, you may see the similar things even just for the recreational herb. Anybody can grow it. But anybody can brew their own beer. How many people brew their own beer and never ever buy some? I can't think of anybody, though I know some who brew their own, they still buy it too. And it ain't tough to brew beer, the yeast do all the work. Trust me, once it's all legal, big money will come in. In a generation or two, they'll be just another big money lobby in the government.

@ Pragmatic-3918582

That's true. Well, then that would be a good pro-business argument as well...doubt the GOP would get behind this however.

Why shouldn't pharma have access to using the active ingredients in mj for their drugs?

Trust me, once it's all legal, big money will come in. In a generation or two, they'll be just another big money lobby in the government.

That's fine, plenty of tax revenues come from selling tobacco and alcohol products, why not go back to allowing everything else as well?

People who are using are using, people who don't typically use, don't start (habitually?) using just because it's legal

Exactly! Back in my younger days I smoked al lil weed, had always been around guys/girls who snorted coke too, but I have never, ever tried cocaine in my life, popping pills either, weed was good enough for me.

This is all about keeping large amounts of money flooding into private prisons, unnecessary government bureaucracies and of course the "War on Drugs" is a perfect excuse for treading on civil liberties and the Bill of Rights when "thinking of the children" doesn't cut it.

Very good points!

At least the War on Drugs is a great jobs program!

Peter Bensinger would be breaking into your car to steal your stereo were it not for the DEA

(I feel the same about the DMV)

Seriously- the image of Pete Bensinger breaking into my car to supplement his unemployment is too funny! (PS, Pete, if you're reading this, my stereo isn't worth it, Dude.)

I can't; because the company I work for "adheres to federal law".. but if I could.. I'd fire one up in celebration with Colorado!

Go NORML

Why do you gotta be a smoker to eat Cheetos? Those things are tasty!

Mmmm...Cheetos. And porn..... Now that's an orange mess waiting to happen!

And you seem to believe that regulating it and controlling its supply - e.g. limiting sale to 21-and-over - will make things worse. Could you maybe explain how that could possibly be? You seem to offer only outrage, indignation and poor writing. Care to add some facts?

Typical thought of those who don't know - just because it's legalized doesn't mean everyone's going to run and try it for the first time and end up heroine addicts - give me a break! Lives ruined by marijuana addiction? That's funny. I see much more pathetic lives with alcohol users - in places like the UK and New Zealand law enforcement spends about 70% of their time strolling through "entertainment" areas where dozens of bars sit in a row with fight after fight after fight. People passing out in the street, puking their guts out, flashing their beer balls - you'd never see 2 potheads fight after smoking a dubey, except maybe over a sammich (and yes, I know the correct spelling grammar nazis).

He mad..........

I call MALARKY to both his name and comment (Cheech and Chong...yeah right, I doubt you ever got them either)! Marijuana is not physically addictive, nor is it debilitating to most people. Some of us are quite productive when using it in fact. But, I will add to that "all things in moderation" applies. As with alcohol or for that matter, reeses peanut butter cups. People should not be made out as criminals just because they choose to unwind with pot, instead of booze. Many families each year are destroyed and people even die from ingesting that stuff but it's legal

CheechnChongs

I've seen countless lives ruined by this addiction and its effects.

And it has been illegal for decades, yet somehow these poor addicts are still able to get ahold of this drug.

How exactly does throwing drug-users in jail and imposing massive fines on them actually treat their addiction?

How does making these substances illegal prevent people from using them when vast numbers of people are already using them and continue to do so?

Are you incapable of drawing the connections between the failures of the prohibition of alcohol and this?

Are you incapable of drawing the connections between prohibition laws in the 1920's and the rise of power and wealth of organized crime? Where do you think the South American drug cartels get all the money they need to buy vast amounts of military weapons and bribe politicians and recruit mercenaries? Are they selling Avon?

Are you incapable of drawing the connections between how gangs without educations or legitimate work manage to afford to buy expensive firearms and ammunition? If you can agree that it's because they're selling drugs...do you understand why they aren't selling Tylenol or Aspirin, or making their own bathtub gin?

To CheechnChongs,

Should we then resort to the same tired, pathetic, selfish rejoinder that conservatives like you employ when legislation is passed that doesn't make liberals happy?

I'm sure you are familiar with the old conservative bullcrap saying "America, love it or leave it".

Well, if you don't like the laws that Americans pass by popular vote, then perhaps you should leave the country.

Or perhaps you should just calm down and have another beer or...an OTC drug?

I've seen countless lives ruined by this addiction and its effects. What a wonderful direction our country is going. Sadness

Really? like Alcohol or cigarettes is any better, when they are both much much more harmful. Because so many pot heads kill people in traffic accidents. Get real!and get out of your basement. Ppl have and always will use whatever they want regardless of its legality.

And how many millions of lives have been taken by cigarettes. if you're gona argue, then at least be realistic. You sound like some bigotted conservative, who thinks bcz its illegal makes one drug better than another. Drugs are drugs and if you use to much of anything it can hurt you. DUH!

Yes, it is a wonderful direction our country's going in. but I guess you prefer to incarcerate someone for smoking a joint that costs the tax payers.

Why not legalize all drugs - give em all the drugs they want! Then sit back and let Darwin take over. . .

Drugs are drugs. Food can be used as a drug. I don't see super fat people going to jail? Food can be an addiction and we let Darwin decide that one. Want to know why the republican party is losing ground fast.

They want the Freedom for the NRA and Booze and Cigarettes. Yet want to Jail people for TABOO Drugs Restrict what the church tells them is bad. They forgot that there is a separation between Church and state. I love small government. But I also love the separation between Church and state. Freedom from both suits us all better.

It is hypocritical to tout small government on only some issues. And want laws that prohibit others choices. Due to moral religious beliefs.

Pot addictive you say? Perhaps not physically but mentally you say?

Horse Biscuits! There's far more addicted (physically and mentally) to the caffeine in coffee and soft drinks than any mental addiction to pot. You try and stop drinking Coffee you'll get withdrawal symptoms...no so on pot... and as for any mental addiction...what causes mental addiction? DOING SOMETHING YOU ENJOY! And what the hell is wrong with that?

Honestly? I don't know how people really enjoy smoking pot. I couldn't stand it. It tastes awful. It smells like hell. And all I want to do is sleep when I get high on it.

"I've seen countless lives ruined by this addiction and its effects."

I guarantee you that the ruination you've seen has to do with the draconian laws and penalties enacted upon good people.

Cheechnchongs,I did it back in the day.One day I stopped,had no withdrawals or desire to smoke it any longer.I still don't smoke it and won't if it's legal.At my age I don't need anything to mellow me out and help me sleep.I've loved cheetos since I was a little kid.During the time when I did partake I showed up for work on time,had a great yearly appraisal,paid my bills and taxes and didn't get in any auto accidents.Come to think of it I never ever got sick not even a cold.Marijuana is not the evil herb some people want you to believe.

Why not legalize all drugs, and let Darwin take over? Because every dumbass who gets hooked and overdoses will want free medical care and rehab, and the libs will want to give it to them. When they can't afford their drug because they got stupid and fired from work because they showed up jacked, they want to steal your TV set or car to trade it for more drugs.

This doesn't happen much with pot, but there are enough damned meth-head scrappers stealing air conditioners for their next fix, and the recyclers will take them even though there is a brand new tag on it. Stealing manholes for the iron, even entire street plates.

They really need to end the prohibition and take all the money wasted arresting and jailing 750,000+ people and put that to better use. There are less arrests for all violent crimes.....seems to me someone is making money in the criminal system by arresting pots smokers.

Colorado has the right idea on this completely using laws to regulate and monitor legalization the same way alcohol and tobacco are now currently done.

The amount of money saved just in court fees, jails, police, etc...will help balance the states budget and the taxing of sales so that the tax goes to schools and education is going to help the states population.

I would say alcohol and tobacco are far more addictive and destructive to people's lives and more people die each from those two than will ever die smoking pot.

I also believe if this law was passed nationwide it would be beneficial not only to saving the cost of the court's money, time and jailing of people. It would also help to end the black market and drug czars funneling it into the country.

The savings and taxes would help to reduce the National debt and give more funds to fight real crimes by actually going after those who steal people's hard earned life savings with white collar con games.

It is time to put an end to the practice of Making money by putting casual pot smokers in jail in this Country. This is not helping our people nor is it worth the cost to the Nation.

this argument that legalizing marijuana would be the downfall to our country and society is the most absurd thinking ive heard since my time in the military. where is the out cry to limit alcohol and tax it to no ends. ask any ER doctor and he will tell you without a doubt that alcohol causes more deaths and leads to more health issues than those that use marijuana. again no talk bout reign in the abuse of alcohol. could it be that our "great thinking leaders" are being controlled by them thru contributions to allow them to go back to washington and "lead" our country into the turmoil that has plagued us for decades. what about all of us vets that have come back from deployments(again great decision made by leaders that forgot to gather all the facts) and find that marijuana is better in helping us cope with PTSD. But apparently giving us pills to pop like they are candy is perfectly legal. jesus i cant believe that this is the country that i fought for. with leadership like this and people being so close minded makes me unproud to have served overseas. im afraid that this is just the beginning our country is in need of a war alright but one here and one with us vets taking the lead and going after the ones up on the hill

Okay how does "stoners" sound?

And I would argue that a good portion of the world's population are drunks whether they admit it or not. So yeah go ahead and say drunks. I also don't want to deal with someone who is stoned or drunk. People who are stoned can get violent too.

No Nighwalker they can't.

I have known some bipolars who could get violent when high but, pot was the least of their problems.

cjc3593,I like the label stoner.It's nothing to be ashamed of.

Further evidence that the President (woo hoooo!!) is NOT a knee-jerk liberal. He is, as he has always been, a center-left moderate. One can only hope his stance on pot moderates during his second term the way his stance on gay marriage did in his first.

So did Bush, so whippty do.

@ Jo Mamma

I thought Bush made it through the national guard (all 3-days he attended) wrecked with booze and failed his way through Harvard strung out on coke

I hope the evangelical Republicans in Congress respect "State's Rights" on this one and don't waste taxpayer money on a huge legal battle...but I am not hopeful.

You can't just look at a person and know they smoke pot. The unkempt, forgetful, stereotype idiot doesn't always apply. CEO's, lawyers, doctors, TEACHERS, firemen, engineers, polititians; all are known to go home and roll up a big fatty when they get home, or keep a bong or one-hitter in the drawer.

Oh, yeah. Especially teachers. Every teacher I know smokes weed daily.

The Governor is missinformed...

The munchie of choice is Doritos. Which brings into question any other opinion he may have on the subject.

Mmmmmm........Doritos.

smartfood

Have to disagree... DEFINITELY fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!

I'm with you Dog !!!

Nice spicy pork tamales.

Cocaine is grown from the soil too. Legalize that.

Poppies

Nightwalker your not in touch with reality. Cocaine does not grow, it's manufactured for poppies, completely different. Dumb comments like yours is how misinformation spreads.

Coca and Poppies have to be processed into drugs. Not so with Cannabis.

You shouldn't call someone dumb that fast. Poppies are grown for heroin you idiot

Harl60 better do some research, Cocaine comes from the coca tree. heroin, morphine, codine and opium come from the opium poppie. Just a little FYI.

Not to mention that cops can no longer seize your stash for themselves. No wonder the LEO/DEA are so mad, no more free highs for them.

It always comes down to the money, follow the billion$ and billion$ through police and DEA budgets, private prison budgets and profit$, Big Pharmas billions in profits, lobbyist$ bought and paid for by everyone, Kingpin billions and billions! pretty soon you see why the "Status Quo" is highly concerned, as was well said in "Blazing Saddles" ... "Gentlemen, we have to protect our Phoney Baloney Jobs!"

The Pharmaceutical companies are too powerful to allow legalization of Marijuana, it would replace many of their most popular drugs.

Exactly.

For future reference, it's "serf."

Well no, it's an issue of federal preemption. Because we are one country with 50 states (and several territories), we have federal, state and local laws. Federal laws, the laws of the country and the U.S.Constitution, will always preempt the laws of an individual state and state Constitutions.

For example, a state cannot vote to pass a law that takes away rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, though it CAN vote to add additional rights.

Crux of the legal arguments in the California PROP 8 case (gay marriage) before the Supreme Court - "a state cannot vote to pass a law that takes away rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution . . "

The 10th Amendment says otherwise as long as the law isn't in the US constitution or an Amendment of it. Which the current drug laws are not. IMO the current drug laws are unconstitutional.

"U.S.Constitution, will always preempt the laws"

Yes and no, Yes federal law is always above state laws, however the Constitution explicitly states that the the feds have no business with what occurs inside a states borders, except where it involves "interstate commerce". That is the crux of the issue, over time "interstate commerce" has been re-reinterpreted to mean basically nothing, as far as the courts are concerned everything involves "interstate commerce". That is obviously garbage, kind of like going into a law dictionary and crossing out the definition of "official misconduct" and writing in "exemplary public service", but its what our federal government has been reduced to.

But we are not in a Democracy...as a democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding on what's for dinner! We live in a Democratic Republic, protected by the Constitution that was well built in it's time (not ALL men were deemed "created equal" back then). the current Prohibition against cannabis is indeed unconstitutional, but it was fear and greed - especially greed that went ahead and put prohibition in place based upon federal laws and a "regulatory" tax-stamp basis! One of the reasons - besides the billions involved, is that there is no good way to adequately regulate a plant this robust, that many can grow (especially hemp), and that many can apparently grow well. Once a department, law or budget is in place, it is nearly impossible to eliminate! Only the lack of budgets and funds will starve the Drug Kingpins and DEA to the ultimate benefit of all other pressing domestic needs, programs and budgets! The profits, taxes and jobs based upon new (and no-longer-underground) hemp and cannabis industries can replace the "thugs with badges" and cartel hitmen who want this war to go on for another 40 years! Between this and our right to Jury Nullification, I sure hope things become changey!

We actually live in a plutocracy as for as application anyway.

Or vice versa

Or vice versa

Hell is going to the country in a handbasket?

You got it all wrong! Alcohol is the drug that is destroying people's lives. More people die, kill, maim and end up in prison from alcohol than all the illegal drugs x 10 put together. It's not drugs that destroy people's lives, it is the unconstitutional laws used against people that truly destroy their lives! Under our constitution, no-one has the right to enforce their morality on others, no matter what YOU think! What part of that do you not understand??????

That's only because alcohol is legal and more widely available to the people in this country. Open up giant cocaine, meth, and heroin factories that market these products to society they way alcohol is and I guarantee you see an increase violence, crime, and ruined lives due to increased drug use. Put things into perspective before you make comparisons.

Exactly, Jnik... exactly. X-D

You are free to step out of the basket and avoid the trip.

"Pot will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no pot"........Phrank Phreak

Natural high from a job? All I get from my job is stress and more stress. Then I stress eat, so I guess my job gives me the munchies!

Ralph, you need to smoke a joint and mellow out. People do not do crazy things when they are on dope. Where do you get your information from, the movie Reefer Madness. LOL

If your argument is accurate, then ALCOHOL and TOBACCO should be criminalized.

If you need (Alcohol) . . If you need (Tobacco) to get high to feel good about yourself or escape realty then perhaps you have some unresolved phsyco social issues.

Completely ridiculous Ralphie boy!

Ralphie Mortse: You say:

They call it dope for a reason. People do crazy things when they are high on pot just like thy do when they get high on anything. If you need to get high to feel good about yourself or escape realty then perhaps you have some unresolved phsyco social issues. People will be injured and killed if you legalize rubber necking falling off the chair smoking dope. Like wow man...you are getting a Dell dude....Brain cells are destroyed just like relationships when you start toting the weed. Clean up your act. Get high on life and if you want to escape realty for a while...try getting a job it releases a natural high from endorphins and they do not cause the munchies:)

I see you have no idea of what you speak.....I smoked weed when I was young and guess what?? I started smoking it again when I started in menopause at 40 years of age.....EVERY doctor I've seen since I turned 40 (now 52) has wanted to write me a prescription for anti-depressants.....drs. get kickbacks for prescribing certain drugs, especially anti-depressants...I refuse to take a pill every day when I am quite content, happy AND a productive member of the workforce for 36 years now. What I can't tolerate (besides ignorance as grand as yours) is not being able to sleep for HOURS many nights....so I blow weed when I can't sleep....should I be locked up? Am I endangering my long term marriage? Am I not "high on life"? because I can't sleep because of NATURAL hormone imbalances??? May I suggest I don't "need" to get high, but choose to smoke so I can get much needed rest so I can put in my next 8-12 hours, AS I HAVE FOR THE PAST 36 YEARS. You go on being smug and superior and keep thinking you have the tiger by the tail....LIFE will teach you when you know nothing of what you speak, it is usually best just to keep quiet.

@ Ralphie Mortse,

I beg to differ oh wise one,

Can you cite references for those claims?

IThere are those of us, out here in the wilds of America, that don't trust big corporate pharmaceuticals.

There are those of us who only use cannabis as an analgesic medicine because our physiology can not tolerate the chemical cocktails prescribed by doctors. IE: Addictive painkillers.

When I medicate, I don't commit acts of craziness. After which I retire for a good nights sleep that I wouldn't get without it. The mainstream treatment for my ailment would be a cortisone shot in my spine and we've seen what that's brought us lately with the meningitis outbreak.

The way I see it, God put the Flora and the Fauna here for a reason. And I trust his products much more than Squibbs' or Mercks'

No sir, you are merely spouting the same old fear mongering propaganda that's been spouted since day one of the prohibition. By the way, propaganda is just another word for brain washing. Yours is apparently squeaky clean and programmed with what your masters want. Good little drone. Free your mind by trying it before you knock it. If we can get your eyes opened I'm sure your mind will follow.

kelly, thank you for sharing your story. I too have been through the horrors of having every doctor I see try to prescribe me an antidepressant.

I, unlike you, however listened to them and started taking them. I went through the whole list, one after another, and I am horrified to say that I believe the kickbacks are the only things that keep these things prescribed.

First of all, they didn't work for me at all. They don't seem to really work "well" for anyone. And the withdrawals for when you decide to try to get out are worse than you could ever imagine.

Being that the antidepressants have a long half life and build up in your system, they also take a very long time to be eliminated. Meaning 2 or 3 days after you quit, you can expect a couple weeks of cold sweats, trembling, nausea, insomnia, tremors, sensations of being electrically "zapped", and all-in-all wishing you could just be in a coma. You might as well be trying to kick heroine. I have been addicted to opiates in the past and didn't experience withdrawals anywhere close to what I experienced with each and every antidepressant I tried.

On the flipside, pot has been shown to relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even reduces the instances of mania in bipolar patients. I just read a study that says it is also beneficial to adults with attention deficit disorder. And the addiction/withdrawal for it?

Why doctors would be so ready to prescribe antidepressants, and even force them on patients, all while condemning pot and it's use is completely beyond me.
Maybe what some guy said above is right...it's all about the kickbacks doctors get. Come on...big pharma brings in billions of dollars, and for antidepressants, it costs them a fraction of a penny to create one. They cause little psychoactive effect so they don't have the potential for abuse (won't get shut down by the FDA), but if the user tries to quit, they feel like they're going to die unless they start taking it again (returning customers), and the recipe to make them requires equipment the common man couldn't dream of owning. Pot is a weed...at least it grows like one. Everyone can grow them, indoors or outdoors (believe me, I managed a small indoor garden using nothing but flourescents and aluminum foil). If people could grow these worthless antidepressants in their back yard, do you think doctors would be so obsessive over recommending them to you? I think not...

Ralph Mortse, you are getting a little mixed up. Dope is called dope because it makes you dopey. Yes, you get high but you rarely do "crazy" things, unless crazy is eating a whole box of cookies on your own. There is nothing wrong with escaping reality once in a while, in fact it is fun, you should try it. It doesn't mean you are a psycho. BTW, you sound very wound up yourself, almost as though your head is going to explode. People are killed, injured, and lose plenty of brain cells from drinking alcohol and that is legal. So, lighten up man do what you have to but don't judge others because of their choices. The Dude Abides.

State's rights do not exist or this would not even be an issue. They will be allowed to keep their new law, ONLY if congress lets them.

"State's Rights(tm)" is just a sales pitch much like "family values" and "severely conservative" is. It's all to lure in the double-digit IQ-voters to the polls.

That's why the GOP always parades out their brain trust every primary to get the fundies and baggies all frothing at the mouth. I don't think the Bible-Belt or Southern Gentry would have bothered to go to the voting booth if they first didn't get reassured that the GOP believes wholeheartedly in the right fairy tales by throwing some support behind people the likes of Santorum or Perry.

In the end, it's all about the money, and the mushballs will vote for anything their GOP-overlords demand in the way of fiscal policy so long as they keep spouting off racially-charged, sexist or bigoted statements and promise to help blur the lines between separation of church-and-state

But if we've learned one thing, it's that Bachman's husband and Mr. Larry "Wide-Stance Men's Room Tapdance" Craig are the straightest men alive, and we shouldn't bother getting morality advice from anyone other than Mark Sanford and Newt Gingrich.

The Democrats are far from the moral elite, but at least they don't typically try to support oppressing others based on their particular flavor of internal conflicts

Make marijuna legal and replace the murders of dealers and pushers with highway accidents killing childern and women, and work place accidens maiming and killing people. Like any pothead, you refuse to see the long term consequences of what you advocate. We already have over 17,000 drunk driving deaths and 280,000 injuries each year. Right now only 400 deaths a year can be related to Marijuana use and driving. Once the use is more widespread in the US that 400 number will rapidly increase. At the same time, since other drugs like cocaine, heroin, and the like continue to flow into the US, the drug war and the 9,000 or so deaths each year in Mexico will continue. Or maybe you think we should make all the drugs legal? Yeah, no more drug war. No more 9000 dead a year in Mexico. Of course Driving under the Influence of Drug driving deaths skyrocket in the US. So maybe we double our deaths due to drinking and durgs. Think things through for once, even if it hurts.

@Perry-951512...Mass exodus to Colorado...funny but true, I'm in!!!