Schwarzenegger: Calif. Should Study Pot Laws

[fsaebud]

At least Congress had the fore-thought to not allow any immigrants to be President and this is a perfect example.

Arnold seems to have more loyalty to the way Austria thinks as opposed to the state he currently resides in.

Have you ever met an Austrian? Not exactly the most liberal country on the planet.

Go Home Arnold. Hasta La Vista Baby!

i have met a couple of Austrians and they think our political system is stupid with either choice A or choice B. and you know what i have to agree with them.

the Austrians have three political parties instead of two which i think is much better. and who says you have to be a liberal country to want legalization. By the way Austria has decriminalization for personal use and has Medical cannabis legislation, i guess they are not exactly the "most liberal country on the planet" right.....

don't make such sweeping generalizations it just makes your arguments look bad. not every Austrian is like Arnold most are kind and caring people

 

[kmk420kali]

not every Austrian is like Arnold most are kind and caring people

Prove it...and name that Stadium after Tookie!!

 

[BigTex]

Legal or not I'm gonna do what I want

 

[Euphrates]

Make a mountain out of a mole hill much ?
it's ok. let me clarify.
I was implying that instead of being heavaly taxed, and having taxes raised on it contiunally like alcohol and tobacco, which it would, it should instead be liken unto a tomato plant, granted it may not be 100% tax free, but it is still significantly less in taxes compared to all the taxes (sin-tax) that are added on to tobacco and alcohol, and what would be added onto cannabis if made comerical; so significantly less, that it is insignificant.

I also don't want some crappy company coming out with marlboro indica menthol lites either. Let the plant be.

I as well wouldn't mind paying small amount of taxes on cannabis as one would any other legal plant that is taxed. I am not trying to avoid taxation so much as over taxation.

 

[Blue Dot]

By the way Austria has decriminalization for personal use and has Medical cannabis legislation,

But cali ALREADY has that. Has had it for the last 13 years.

We've had decrim for as long as I can remember, under 1 oz = a misdemeanor ticket with no chance of incarceration (that's what decrim is).

My point was why is Ahnold saying we should look to Austria to see how this has faired when we ALREADY have it here?

All Arnold has to do is look outside his window to see how decrim and MMJ has worked.

The fact that he wants to look toward Austria proves he still has a bit of heart there (and I can't fault him for that) but thats not what I want in a politician as a CA citizen.

Don't get me wrong, I love Austria. I'm a huge skier and think Austrians are the best skiers ever and my dream is to ski the Streif (Hannenkham) at Kitzbuhel one day. LOL

Austrians that make me proud:

 

[FreedomFGHTR]

My point was why is Ahnold saying we should look to Austria to see how this has faired when we ALREADY have it here?

All Arnold has to do is look outside his window to see how decrim and MMJ has worked.

lol so true on random days I smoke spliff's or j's on the west steps of the capital. Occasionally on the East Steps when I want the politicians to get a whiff!

 

[kmk420kali]

But cali ALREADY has that. Has had it for the last 13 years.

We've had decrim for as long as I can remember, under 1 oz = a misdemeanor ticket with no chance of incarceration (that's what decrim is).

Here is the reality--

California's Marijuana Laws Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor under California Health and Safety Code Section 11357. Possession of one ounce (28.5 gms) or less is punishable by a maximum $100 fine. Jail time is possible for larger amounts or for hashish, which is an optional felony ("wobbler"). However, under Prop 36, effective July 1, 2001, first- and second- time possession-only offenders may demand a treatment program instead of jail. Upon successful completion of the program, their conviction is erased. Possession (and personal use cultivation) offenders can also avoid conviction by making a preguilty plea under Penal Code 1000, in which case their charges are dismissed upon successful completion of a diversion program. Possession offenses are expunged from the record after two years under Health and Safety Code Sections 11361.5 and 11361.7.
Possession of one ounce or less in a vehicle while driving may also be charged under Vehicle Code 23222, which is treated identically to HSC 11357 B.
No arrest or imprisonment is allowed for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. However, police often get around this provision by charging minor offenders with intent to sell (see below).


http://www.canorml.org/laws/calmjlaws.html

 

[JackTheGrower]

But cali ALREADY has that. Has had it for the last 13 years.

We've had decrim for as long as I can remember, under 1 oz = a misdemeanor ticket with no chance of incarceration (that's what decrim is).

My point was why is Ahnold saying we should look to Austria to see how this has faired when we ALREADY have it here?

All Arnold has to do is look outside his window to see how decrim and MMJ has worked.

The fact that he wants to look toward Austria proves he still has a bit of heart there (and I can't fault him for that) but that's not what I want in a politician as a CA citizen.

Don't get me wrong, I love Austria. I'm a huge skier and think Austrians are the best skiers ever and my dream is to ski the Streif (Hannenkham) at Kitzbuhel one day. LOL

Maybe it's a luke warm attempt to say fix the law to elect an Austrian as Prez?

 

[JackTheGrower]

im no expert, but i doubt it will go very far.

once he sees how much federal money the state will probably lose doing that vs. taxing weed.

...i think the feds will have some creative ways of making it look like a very bad idea

I'm not sure what the status of Senate Bill 714 is atm, but, I believe a complete review is possible.

The dice are rolling IMO...

http://blog.norml.org/tag/senate-bill-714/
http://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=117075
http://webb.senate.gov/email/criminaljusticereform.html

Jack

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

http://gov.ca.gov/speech/12236
Here is part of the Q/A that followed the above speech:
"
QUESTION: Governor, your comments yesterday about marijuana are making headlines and I want to ask you about those comments and about how serious you are about the possibility of legalizing marijuana in California.

GOVERNOR: I think that this is a discussion that we can have sometime after May 19th. Right now the most important thing is to let the people of this area know to help us with our firefighting efforts and to help us with the prevention, since we know 90 percent of the fires are caused by people. We want to make sure that the people understand that we’re all here standing—and I want to say thank you to the media, for the great turnout—to get that message out there that you can do a lot to prevent fires from happening. Go out there and have your 100-foot defensible space around the house, make sure to clear off all the needles and branches and leaves and all this off your rooftops. Make sure that you are doing everything that you can to not start fires yourself, to play with matches or have fireworks and so on. All of those things cause fires and so I think you can all help.

And what we are trying to do is form a partnership; you create the defense, we create the offense. So we need the people to come and be really good partners. That’s what this press conference is all about, not about anything else.

QUESTION: I understand but that has really—a lot of folks are talking about that and I think it’s a fair question. Obviously I wouldn’t like to ask it on this occasion but I think it deserves a response, sir, about kind of what you talked about yesterday and what—in terms of what it could bring financially to the state.

GOVERNOR: I have no idea. That’s why I said I think that the debates ought to happen after May 19th. Then we can debate about all kinds of different issues that could potentially bring more revenues, or not.

So that’s why I say I want to focus today on this" Where he goes on to speak about the current fires in CA.

I don't know what to expect on this issue, but it seems interesting that he brings it up now of all times.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Wednesday, May. 06, 2009 Pot legalization worth studying, governor says By Kevin Yama

Wednesday, May. 06, 2009 Pot legalization worth studying, governor says By Kevin Yama

I read in this thread about why Schwarzenegger talked about his homeland... It's mentioned in this article from the Modesto Bee.
----------------------------
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/691837.html


DAVIS -- As California struggles to find cash, Gov. Schwarzenegger said Tuesday it's time to study whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use.

The Republican governor did not support legalization -- and the federal government still bans marijuana use -- but advocates hailed the fact that Schwarzenegger endorsed studying a once-taboo political subject.

Schwarzenegger was at a fire safety event in Davis when he answered a question about a recent Field Poll showing 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenue for cash-strapped California. Voters in 1996 authorized the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

*
*
Poll:
Should California legalize the sale of marijuana?
Yes
No
Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting.

"Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said.

"I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has written legislation to allow the sale of marijuana to adults 21 years and older for recreational use. His Assembly Bill 390 would charge cannabis wholesalers initial and annual flat fees, while retailers would pay $50 per ounce to the state.

The proposal would ban cannabis near schools and prohibit smoking marijuana in public places.

Marijuana legalization would raise an estimated $1.34 billion annually in tax revenue, according to a February estimate by the Board of Equalization.

Ammiano has shelved the bill until next year because it remains controversial in the Capitol, according to his spokesman, Quintin Mecke.

Schwarzenegger said he would like to see results from Europe as part of a study.

The Austrian parliament last year authorized cultivation of medical marijuana. But Schwarzenegger talked with a police officer in his hometown of Graz and found the liberalization was not fully supported, said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for the governor.

"It could very well be that everyone is happy with that decision and then we could move to that," Schwarzenegger said.

"If not, we shouldn't do it. But just because of raising revenues -- we have to be careful not to make mistakes at the same time

 

[Blue Dot]

The Austrian parliament last year authorized cultivation of medical marijuana. But Schwarzenegger talked with a police officer in his hometown of Graz and found the liberalization was not fully supported, said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for the governor.

Have you even read this thread??

Cali authorized MMJ 13 years ago. Who gives a Flying Fuck what Austria thinks, he's the gov of CA, not Austria.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Have you even read this thread??

Cali authorized MMJ 13 years ago. Who gives a Flying Fuck what Austria thinks, he's the gov of CA, not Austria.

Blue Dot, Yes I am reading.. LOL

SlappyJack wrote on page one about


-----------------
Schwarzenegger brought up his native Austria and perhaps some recent dissatisfaction with more open drug laws.

“For instance in Austria, I’ve heard that they are unhappy with that and they want to roll back some of the decisions that were made in European countries. I’ve had dialogue with experts over there where I was born.
-----------------


I was trying to bolster that reference with that news paper article citing that it was a conversation with a policeman from his home town that formed his opinion.

Not unlike the struggle other Medical communities are experiencing in the USA, California included.

I have been a medical person over 10 years in California but I thought you knew that.

I haven't found any other reference to explain that statement made by Schwarzenegger.

Blue, to me, every scrap of information adds to my enjoyment of these "changing times."

Jack

 

[elmanito]

The only countries within the EU which have liberal drug policies are Spain and Portugal.The Netherlands did a step backwards.
California and Canada are even more liberal with their mmj policy than most of the European countries like Austria.Countries like Germany, Belgium, France and even the Netherlands is not allowed to have 1 ounce of marijuana.Be lucky that you all live in California.

Namaste

 

[esbe]

but everyone(adults)can grow 5 plants legal in holland, right bro?

 

[FreedomFGHTR]

The only countries within the EU which have liberal drug policies are Spain and Portugal.The Netherlands did a step backwards.
California and Canada are even more liberal with their mmj policy than most of the European countries like Austria.Countries like Germany, Belgium, France and even the Netherlands is not allowed to have 1 ounce of marijuana.Be lucky that you all live in California.

Namaste

That is exactly what I was thinking when I heard our governor say we need to examine the policies of other countries. I'm like motherfucker come out side and smell the flowers, thats cannabis your smelling here in California already!

 

[anarchist]

Sorry guys but we must be more optimistic.
We need more republicans like Arnold and Ron Paul. I can read between lines and I can tell you Arnold actually said: "I want marijuana legalized and taxed!"

Trust my intuition, marijuana will be free soon. Obama si very smart guy, he's not perfect since we don't live in perfect world but I like the fact that he is neutral and not openly supporting or cause. He's smart and before we know it marijuana we'll be legal. No one can stop us now. Our train is moving faster and faster and is unstoppable. Think positive and weed will be legal. We create our own karma and destiny, we just need to keep positive and work on spreading the truth. Internet is helping us a lot and it's invented by marijuana and LSD users. Thanks to internet our herb will be free because nobody can control the truth. Now is the time, we are witnessing historic change, we have black man for president, movie star for governor and we'll have our herb. Free cannabis, end harmful, insane and inhumane prohibition of our precious medicine. God gave us this plant and we must except this gift from our creator. We are part of the God, we are all ONE. Sixties are coming back and this time we will prevail.

We just have to think positive. Negative thinking will get us nowhere, our chance is finally here after decades of brainwashing prohibition madness. Think positive and you will accomplish anything you want as long it's truth but not lie.
Truth is on our side, God is on our side. They can't win and they know it, now they want also to legalize it. Trust me, I can read what politicians say between lines.

 

[fsaebud]

Prove it...and name that Stadium after Tookie!!

take a look at their famous five star prison (not that i can agree that tax payers money should be spent on such lavishness for prisoners but hey i don't live in Austria).

allot of people believe you can see just how civilized a society is by looking at its prisons. sucks about Tookie didn't know about him but its always sad to see public exicutions its just too barberic for a civilized country to use imo. you can't judge all austrains based on the fact that you have a crapy one for a governor.

sorry to get off subject. wasn't saying arnold is the apitimy of a good austrian but that most austrians that i have meet are nice people and to generalize about them is upseting to me, i wouldn't want them to generalize or talk bad about my country so i show them the same respect.

and blue dot much respect i just thought you hated austria :wink: dont let one man ruin it for you.

and gl to the people in cali who are pushing for real change all the tokers in the U.S are watching you guys hopeing for legalization and the domino effect following it.

 

[elmanito]

but everyone(adults)can grow 5 plants legal in holland, right bro?

Its tolerated to grow 5 plants for your own stash, but if there are any complaints by neighbours or the police catch you with the 5 plants, you must hand it over the 5 plants to the police, otherwise they can prosecute you if you refuse.Nowadays every grower is seen by the police as a "member of a criminal organisation" .The Netherlands is not so tolerant anymore as they used to be.

Namaste