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Subscribe to RSSWashington State's new law makes it legal for adults to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, but some speculate the federal government will prosecute those who use marijuana on federal land because federal law prohibits marijuana use. NBC's Kristen Dahlgren reports.
Washington and Colorado say you can legally smoke marijuana for fun now, but here's the catch: You can't legally buy it.
Voters in those states passed initiatives last month to legalize recreational use of marijuana. As of last Thursday, it's legal under Washington law for anyone 21 and over to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of "solid marijuana-infused product" (in other words, a pound of pot brownies) or 72 ounces of "marijuana-infused liquid."
In Colorado, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed Amendment 64 to the state Constitution on Monday, legalizing not only recreational use but also home growing, unlike in Washington.
Entrepreneurs are already planning stores to get more buck for the bhang.
PhotoBlog: Pot smokers gather under Seattle's Space Needle to celebrate
"Part of the mission of our company is to transform marijuana from a back-alley drug being sold by criminals into a premium product being enjoyed by responsible adults," said Jamen Shively, chief executive of Diego Pellicer Inc., a new company that hopes to open a chain of stores in Washington and Colorado as soon as the legal issues are cleared up.
The company is named for Shively's great-grandfather, who grew hemp in the Philippines. It eventually became the biggest hemp supplier in the world around the turn of the 20th century. ("It's a family business," said Alan Valdes, a veteran securities trader who recently joined the company as chairman.)
"We're creating the category of premium marijuana," said Shively, who worked as a corporate strategy manager for Microsoft Corp. from 2003 to 2009 before leaving for a specialty food startup. "If you are producing or intending to produce premium-grade product that's in line with our ethos, we're interested in talking to you."
Americans to feds: Keep your hands off our pot
But Diego Pellicer and its customers may be in for a long wait.
The federal government still insists that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance and that buying and selling it for any purpose remains a federal crime. Federal authorities officially even frown on the pot that patients get at medical marijuana dispensaries, although their policy is to look the other way in those cases.
For recreational users, well, "you're a felon," said Mark A.R. Kleiman, editor of the Journal of Drug Policy Analysis. "Period. End of paragraph."
And so is your retailer.
"Regardless of any changes in state law ... growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law," said Jenny Durkan, the U.S. attorney in Seattle. She said the Justice Department is reviewing its options in Washington and Colorado.
Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization
Shively said that under no circumstances would his company violate federal law.
"Let's suppose tomorrow that Washington state issued licenses and said, 'Go ahead, guys, have at it.' We would say to the state of Washington respectfully, 'Thanks, but no thanks, because we haven't heard from the federal government.'"
Until then, Diego Pellicer is rounding up funding and private shareholders to be ready if and when the Justice Department changes course.
"I think it's going to be hard for the Obama administration to slap this down," Valdes said. "Washington is a liberal Democratic state that helped (President Barack Obama) get elected. The people voted for him — it would be a slap in the face."
Like Amsterdam: Washington bar owner lets patrons get stoned
Dan Satterberg, the prosecuting attorney in King County, Wash., which is home to a thriving marijuana scene in and around Seattle, thinks the Justice Department will try anyway.
The Washington and Colorado laws require state agencies to facilitate something the federal government considers an illegal act — the sale and distribution of marijuana. That raises an important states' rights question that only the courts can sort out, he said.
Satterberg told NBC station KING of Seattle that he expects the states and the Justice Department to wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court within the next couple of years to argue the issue.
KING: Clearing up the new marijuana law: What's legal?
Overlooked in the immediate reaction to passage of the initiatives, both pro and con, is an important public health question, said Kleiman, who is a professor of public policy at the University of California-Los Angeles and co-author of "Drugs and Drug Policy: What Everyone Needs to Know."
It's not the question you might expect — how much does legalization increase marijuana use? — but "how much does legalization increase abuse?" he told NBC News.
Assuming marijuana use follows the pattern of alcohol use, most of the marijuana consumed in the U.S. is used by the 20 percent minority of people who abuse it, he said. Most pot users use it now for light recreational purposes, but if it's legal, how big will that 20 percent grow?
"Nobody knows," he said.
Questions like that are why it might, in fact, be wise for the federal government to step back and let Washington and Colorado serve as laboratories, so policy makers can "find out what happens."
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If it does, Shively and Valdes will be ready.
"We are building our entire business on the premise it will be sufficiently legal in the next few months or a year," Shively said — a business that will include merchandising beyond simple sales of premium pot.
"Be looking out for really beautiful vaporizing products," he said. "That will be really hot."
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Leave a Comment:
i love this country, but i HATE our govt at all levels. they can take anything and turn it into a complete and total clusterf**k.
for example: i'm in washington state, i have .5 oz of weed. i run into 2 dudes on the sidewalk: one washington cop and one fed cop. both of them see my weed. washington cop just keeps walking--fed cop arrests me and i get sent to to prison for 10 years.
take a look at any governmental issue and i GUARANTEE you that it is made inherently more complicated and expensive than it has to be due to the involvement of these do-nothing racketeers some people call "politicians"...the best i can hope for is that doctors do the same shi**y job on politicians that our politicians are doing to us...
We want people to live healthy and free and we are the idiots
Freedom would mean individual choice, as in I choose to smoke some pot. I think Devo said it best:
I'll say it again in the land of the free
Use your freedom of choice
Freedom of choice
Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom of choice!
Ed, you my friend are a fool. It is simplistic thinking like yours that are a bane on society. Just like the guilty until proven innocent drug testing laws courtesy of RayGun
We are NOT friends....My friends do not call me a fool. I wouldn't call you one either...You can be that way if you like though, probably an effect of taking drugs into your body
So, Ed - "We want people to live healthy and free and we are the idiots." You said it, Ed. You want people to live in a manner that YOU think is healthy, and you want them to live "free", and you are the idiots. I wouldn't have called you an idiot - just out of courtesy - but you said it yourself. If you really want people to live free, stop putting them in jail for doing something that doesn't have anything to do with you.
Well, I guess if you think pumping drugs and alcohol into your body is good form you, then you are already beyond hope LOL
Toke it if ya Got It! Where you Got it Don't Matter!
This is going to create a huge number of jobs for drug sniffing dogs & their handlers. Someone's got pot on him, give him a coupon to the local pizza joint, or donut shop.
Pot is going to make you see things so much better LMAO...........so funny
I don't know about it making you see things so much better. After all it's just pot. You watch too much TV I guess. It's not like that at all. Basically you get high, yes and just want to relax. Perhaps be productive and work on a project ( paint the living room ) and be left alone.
Sure, but you are not the only user in the country. There are many that have guns but don't go out and kill people, it is still good that it is illegal to kill. There are some that can drink and not drive, but still good that it is illegal to do so. Just because there exists some people that can use a drug and not get addicted does not mean that it is good for everyone....
Ah I see now Ed, I see the connection in smoking a little weed in the privacy of my own home and walking around the streets with a loaded gun and shooting people. Great analogy Ed.
Not for you I know, but you cannot deny abuse....We all know it is there. Funny how a non user is the bad guy though LOL
This is the same catch-22 that Pennsylvania has regarding fireworks. You're allowed to sell them, but only out-of-staters can buy them. Then, those out-of-staters cannot set them off in PA, drive them across state lines, or set them off in any of the nearest states. So I'm a felon.
And for people saying that weed kills, well...I'm sorry for your losses, but those losses are even fewer than deaths caused by alcohol and that's legal. Cigarettes have more toxins to smoke and are a direct cause of cancer...but they're legal. If one is to wage a war against weed, then why not wage a war against alcohol and cigarettes? Why? Because alcohol and cigarettes provide money and are distributed by conglomerates with power. There is no such conglomerate for weed but, if there was, I'd guarantee you pot would be legal.
So you argument is that since we already have stuff that is bad for you that is legal, we should get MORE of it out there?? ya, that'l be good LOL
Oh, Yolorado. Until they find a way for a corporate stooge to make a gazillion dollars from it, weed won't be fully legal.
Grow it.
Full legalization. The gov isnt going to get away with taxing people to death on this.
If you want the criminal element to go away. Do right. Dont manipulate the situation to try and screw people, it will only blow up in your face.
I suggest the public keep track of who is doing what, and any funny business, have the person fired from their position, or voted out. No more BS. The people want it LEGAL.
The "no growing" provision, is a deliberate attempt to circumvent the will of the people. And prevent people from obtaining what is a legal substance.. I hope people simply continue to ignore the law, and clog the courts. Civil disobedience is how you make the point.
Legalizing pot for people who want to grow there own and smoke it, its ok in my book. Having the Federal government get involved with regulating the use, distribution and comsumption of pot is dead wrong. They can't even figure out a budget or balance their books. I would keep it at a state level, mandated by state law and tell the federal govenment to go @%$k yourself.....that is all
Something the Media and the uninformed need to STOP in Reference to Cannabis is these STUPID words like DUDE and MUNCHIES. (NOTE) Not all Cannabis user's talk like a Soco surfer and everybody doesn't want Cheetos and the such while buzzing at least the users who've been around for awhile. Please Stop we are all Adults.
I can envision a Weed of the Month Club. For a membership fee of just $49.99, we'll send you a 1/4 oz of a different variety of weed each month.
Makes a great Christmas gift.
Will this help us keep our social programs from the pot tax so the pot smokers don't have to work?
Ever hear of logical fallacy? It when you come up with some harebrained scenario and pass it off as fact.
Does anyone who smoke pot have a real job?
I know someone who earns in excess of $275k as a salesman and smokes till the cows come home.
Really? Do you have any idea how many Americans smoke pot? Everyone I know that smokes it, and that's quite a few, have "real" jobs. If you bothered to look, I'm sure you can find some stats on the subject.
Wow, you are so out of touch. Willis your cave, go back to it.
I remember in "my day" there was a place known as just "The Farm..I know what that sounds like, but those of you from my generation know what I am talking about...I saw a TV program some years back where they revisited this place...they asked the guys there didn't they use to have other dreams and aspiriations that they never got to, and it was answered yes, they did, but.....they didn't care LOL
No, Willis. No one who smokes pot has a real job. Case in point. Bill Maher. He smokes pot and he is on welfare and food stamps. Probably medicaid, as well. eyeroll
Anyone else agree when someone runs out of things to say, they should stop saying things?
It's still not good for humans or the country, you all are just rationalizing excuses cause you want to use....LOL
I make no excuses, nor did I need permission.
I've been a regular smoker for 12 years now. Been working as a General Manager for the same company for 9 years. Providing my family with food, shelter, education and opportunities for over 20 years. So...yes, most of us DO have real jobs, thanks.
We in Colorado are also allowed to grow our own, on our own or with others, and we are allowed to give it away. Don't worry, we're a generous lot, so the legal marijuana will be quite available.
Hey Gops, since you are un-willing to create new 'jobs', we will now create our own home grown products.............'trickle up' anyone??
Hey dude can I buy Pot with food stamps...........LMAO
Willis why don't you hook up with ED and take a drive down his old Dirt Road?
Looks like we will have more than drunks on the road killing people, pot heads now too. It will be just like alcohol, those who use it will say I can handle it. Duh! We sure are getting to be a great nation to raise our kids??? Drink and get high, that the way we are showing them.
Norway has been doing 'it' for decades, they have a better standard of living and a longer life spand.
This may be a good way to reduce the 'drug lords'.
"Entrepreneurs are already planning stores to get more buck for the bhang."
Thank you author for making me laugh right before my finals!! Lmao
Once we are allowed to grow a couple of plants ourself, there will be no taxes, no stores, the extra income created will be from the money saved not buying from a highly marked up process, but by having your own. If I was looking for a business to do well in this environment it would be the supply of grow materials such as lights, pots, and fertilizers.
It's actually a hassle, to grow your own. Take it from experience. Here, in Colorado, the "grow-your-own" movement was vibrant at the start of the medicinal marijuana movement. Now, not so much.
bingo
Give the man a business license.
Growing takes a lot of back breaking work. Its the same as any farm operation. It isnt a sit and watch the money grow operation, at all.
Many gardeners will grow just for the fun and challenge, some will do a bonsai look, entryway trellis of arched plants with hanging buds and grow lights in led instead of a chandeliers, whole new decorating industry will grow around your indoor plant, coming soon.
George, I will give you the fact that their are enthusiasts for just about anything. Yes, there are home-growers, just as there are home-brewers. They do make a fine product, and will claim it is superior to the store-bought product. However, the rest of us prefer the ease and convenience of a store!
Our federal government is what is ruining this country!! They can't get along with each other & play the blame game. They STEAL our money & use it for the stupidest things!! Federal government needs to shut the f*ck up where weed is conerned. Catch REAL criminals, not someone who just wants a little buzz. You can't overdose on it & die, I've never heard of raging on weed and if anything you slow down & watch more carefully when you're high & driving. Unlike alcohol which kills tens of thousands every year and it's perfectly legal.
For now, transportation through the mail, is still VERY illegal! No, in Colorado, you have to go to one of the, more than a 1000 dispensaries, to get your weed.
@ED
Ed's new addiction is the internet. Ed, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and I respected yours for the first couple comments, but what makes you think that you are so right to sit there and bash everyone for believing in wait they believe in? It's simple minded people like you that is to blame for running our country into the ground to begin with. Yes it will obviously put a lot more money into our economy, yes it will obviously create a lot of new jobs, and yes you obviously have no idea what you are going on about. I'm sorry to hear about your brother, but I have an absolute hard time believing it was a "stoned" driver. Time for a reality check ED! You want to throw out sob stories, here is one. My Uncle died in combat for the freedom that people like yourself strive to take away from us everyday, just because their uneducated opinions. I have smoked a lot in my past, and once in a blue moon I still do, but I hold a well paying job and it sure as hell hasn't "FRIED" my brain. GO ON SOMEWHERE ELSE!
And you have a right to YOUR opinion..I'll stash it right there with other drug users comments LOL
I still find it hillarious that the verbal abuse here comes from the drug advocates LOL
Go ahead and do that Ed:) I'm sure you're just a lonely person trying your hardest to obtain some kind of attention. You've succeeded in that for sure. I kind of feel sorry for you. Spending all day arguing with people. What a life Ed. Majority rules against you on this topic however. Pleases me to death:) Good chatting with you!
Most doctors would say that Pot smoking is not good for your health,your body is a gift from God to be taken care of,pollution is bad for the body,even pollution of it with drugs like Pot,and other drugs not essential isn't taking care of it. And Jesus teaches,the body is a temple for God's Holy Spirit,which Jesus left with us.And also wars don't take care of the body,wars kill the innocent along with the guilty,even innocent fetuses and children,and Jesus says if you do it to the little children you do it to me.God told Abraham,He doesn't kill the innocent along with the guilty,which is the nature of wars,and the Bible says God doesn't kill the innocent,not even by mistake,as men do in wars,God doesn't make mistakes,men do.Even if it's allowed don't do it,take care of yourself.Jesus says,love fulfils all God's Laws,love God,put God first,and love others as you love yourself.
No one hear asked for a religious ceremony. How dare you try and force your religion on anyone.
You have two things going on here. YOUR bible and allopathic medicine. One needs statistics to be validated as a claim, and one is a belief. Neither has anything to do with me.
Well, if you need some kind of data to know that taking burning smoke into your lungs is bad for you, or that something that makes you forget what you are doing is not a good thing, then you are already beyond reason and in extreme denial LOL
While any smoke (smog, coal exhaust... ) in your lungs is not good, pot is worth the very little risk it presents.
As far as forgetting what I am doing? sorry, weak at best. I forget what I'm doing when I'm stressed and troubled. I'd prefer the 'pot" forgetfulness (which has never happened to me while UI) than the forgetfulness I experience when under stress, when multitasking, etc.
Al,
Keep your goddamned religion to yourself, stuff it where the sun don't shine, I don't want it! Religions are nothing but a load of crap! My body belongs to me. What I ingest and eat is none of your friggen business. Mind your own life and leave me alone! I have to be going --- I have an orgy to get to.