Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization - Washington State - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

**yortbogey** · 12-07-2012, 04:15 AM

Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization

Washington State's new law makes it legal for adults to possess up to one 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.

With marijuana possession now legal in Washington state, and soon in Colorado too, residents face a confusing mishmash of federal and state laws when it comes to whether and where they can get high.

That's because the federal government still bans pot growing and possession, regardless of what state laws say.
Last night, just hours before legislation legalizing pot in her state went into effect, U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan of Washington warned residents that "growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law."
Her words could be a buzzkill for Washington's pot-lovers, yet at midnight -- the moment Washington's law went into effect -- marijuana smokers lit up beneath Seattle's Space Needle, reveling in the joy of living in a state that allows possession of pot, even if state law still says it is illegal to smoke it in public.

"It's too good to be just for the young," Pat Edmonson, 67, of Whidbey Island, Wash., said as she smoked marijuana in Seattle's City Center with a crowd of about 100 others who were lighting up, despite the no-pot-in-public rule.
State leaders have appealed to the Justice Department for guidance.

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes encouraged celebrants to enjoy their highs inside closed doors.
"I think that they should acknowledge this newfound right," he told NPR station KUOW. "I think they should celebrate in the privacy of their homes if they choose to do so. And be thankful that we’re no longer arresting some 10,000 Washingtonians a year in the state of Washington and spending well over $100 million in law enforcement resources on that."
In Colorado, a measuring legalizing marijuana use and possession for those over 21 will go into effect next month. But one place where federal laws will have an impact: college campuses.
"In order not to lose federal funds, we need to comply with federal law," University of Colorado at Boulder spokeswoman Malinda Hiller-Huey told The Denver Post.
College students on campuses across the state will be issued criminal tickets if they are found with marijuana, The Post reported. Off-campus, however, students of legal age will be able to grow and use small amounts of marijuana, per the new amendment, according to the University of Colorado.
While Colorado's new weed measure doesn't have any provisions about driving under the influence built into it, Washington state will have a zero-tolerance policy.
"We've had decades of studies and experience with alcohol," Washington State Patrol spokesman Dan Coon told The Associated Press. "Marijuana is new, so it's going to take some time to figure out how the courts and prosecutors are going to handle it. But the key is impairment: We will arrest drivers who drive impaired, whether it be drugs or alcohol."
It's unclear whether the Justice Department will try to stop the decriminalization of pot in Washington and Colorado. The laws in both states allow adults 21 and older to possess a small amount of marijuana, which will be sold in state-licensed stores and taxed heavily, potentially bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars a year for school, health care and government needs.
Before the vote passed in his state, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper acknowledged the legal challenges his state would face.
"It's probably going to pass, but it's still illegal on a federal basis. If we can't make it legal here because of federal laws, we certainly want to decriminalize it,” he told NBC’s Brian Williams.
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia already have laws allowing for the medical use of marijuana, according to the National Council of Legislatures. The measures in Washington and Colorado go a step further, explicitly allowing people to smoke pot for more than just medicinal purposes.

DIDM · 12-07-2012, 05:24 AM

well they won't be able to use state resources

so since we are broke as fuck, the money to federally enforce it will be hard to come by. Also, there are no stores selling it now, so what exactly can they do?

This movement is too big to stop, more than half the population want it regulated and taxed, and we are at 17+ states and DC with medical

2 legal states

7 states looking at legalization and regulation

by 2015 this fight will be over and we will all breathe a little better

megayields · 12-07-2012, 05:36 AM

Uhhh you keep poking that bear....he's gunna swing back and really put the hurt on you, they can hold back ALL kinds of monies states get and NOT spend a dime and you think it's bad now??? Lol...wait till they cut off a but load of educational monies......your going to hear an uproar from the quit middle classes when Johnny has a crappy school and no books...

greenbamboo · 12-07-2012, 06:16 AM

poke that bear with a big stick, then hit em with a .50 when it stands up. mount that mf'er on yer wall

12-07-2012, 05:13 PM

California has a lot of national park land. It is while driving on public highways/freeways through this national park land that many, many people are busted by the feds. It's already happening. Don't toke or carry on federal land for now.

LeeROI · 12-07-2012, 05:40 PM

I'm old enough to remember when Montana was forced into the 55 mph speed limit or risk losing federal highway money. Montana was also forced to raise the minimum drinking age to 21 under the same threat, IIRC.

I'm not happy about the 5 ng "impairment" rule but I do think it gives Washington state a solid defense against losing federal highway funds.

Time will tell . . .

Hydrosun · 12-07-2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeROI

I'm old enough to remember when Montana was forced into the 55 mph speed limit or risk losing federal highway money. Montana was also forced to raise the minimum drinking age to 21 under the same threat, IIRC.

I'm not happy about the 5 ng "impairment" rule but I do think it gives Washington state a solid defense against losing federal highway funds.

Time will tell . . .

My understanding is that it is 5ng of THC, not a metabolite SO if true the test will be weather or not the person is actually HIGH, not that they smoked days ago.

All that being said I have no idea how much smoking it takes to get 5ng into my system and I know for certain that alch not cannabis impairs driving.

The first few impaired cannabis driver cases in WA will be very important.

Puffaluffagus · 12-07-2012, 07:20 PM

we'll see what happens when the first "driving high" case gets fought in court.

We have a family friend who is very well off and loves fast cars and drives them that way, usually after having a few drinks.
I can't even begin to count how many speeding tickets and dwi's he's had, but what he also has is a great attorney, goes to court on everything, and beats it every time.
They argue the validity/accuracy of the test, and a bunch of other stuff to cast reasonable doubt, and out the door he goes.
I think i good attorney should be able to beat a driving high case pretty easy.

vapedg13 · 12-09-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffaluffagus

we'll see what happens when the first "driving high" case gets fought in court.

We have a family friend who is very well off and loves fast cars and drives them that way, usually after having a few drinks.
I can't even begin to count how many speeding tickets and dwi's he's had, but what he also has is a great attorney, goes to court on everything, and beats it every time.
They argue the validity/accuracy of the test, and a bunch of other stuff to cast reasonable doubt, and out the door he goes.
I think i good attorney should be able to beat a driving high case pretty easy.

Yep but guess who gets to pay the attorney fees for a good lawyer your looking at 5-10 g...the average joe medical patient or citizen cant usually afford that... its public defender time

you all here about how fox news is setting up marijuana driving test ...fixing the test results

Wise · 12-10-2012, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIDM

This movement is too big to stop, more than half the population want it regulated and taxed, and we are at 17+ states and DC with medical

2 legal states

7 states looking at legalization and regulation

by 2015 this fight will be over and we will all breathe a little better

What states are considering legalization and regulation?

12-07-2012, 04:15 AM	#1
yortbogey To Have More ... Desire Less Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 10,983	Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization Washington State's new law makes it legal for adults to possess up to one 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. With marijuana possession now legal in Washington state, and soon in Colorado too, residents face a confusing mishmash of federal and state laws when it comes to whether and where they can get high. That's because the federal government still bans pot growing and possession, regardless of what state laws say. Last night, just hours before legislation legalizing pot in her state went into effect, U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan of Washington warned residents that "growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law." Her words could be a buzzkill for Washington's pot-lovers, yet at midnight -- the moment Washington's law went into effect -- marijuana smokers lit up beneath Seattle's Space Needle, reveling in the joy of living in a state that allows possession of pot, even if state law still says it is illegal to smoke it in public. "It's too good to be just for the young," Pat Edmonson, 67, of Whidbey Island, Wash., said as she smoked marijuana in Seattle's City Center with a crowd of about 100 others who were lighting up, despite the no-pot-in-public rule. State leaders have appealed to the Justice Department for guidance. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes encouraged celebrants to enjoy their highs inside closed doors. "I think that they should acknowledge this newfound right," he told NPR station KUOW. "I think they should celebrate in the privacy of their homes if they choose to do so. And be thankful that we’re no longer arresting some 10,000 Washingtonians a year in the state of Washington and spending well over $100 million in law enforcement resources on that." In Colorado, a measuring legalizing marijuana use and possession for those over 21 will go into effect next month. But one place where federal laws will have an impact: college campuses. "In order not to lose federal funds, we need to comply with federal law," University of Colorado at Boulder spokeswoman Malinda Hiller-Huey told The Denver Post. College students on campuses across the state will be issued criminal tickets if they are found with marijuana, The Post reported. Off-campus, however, students of legal age will be able to grow and use small amounts of marijuana, per the new amendment, according to the University of Colorado. While Colorado's new weed measure doesn't have any provisions about driving under the influence built into it, Washington state will have a zero-tolerance policy. "We've had decades of studies and experience with alcohol," Washington State Patrol spokesman Dan Coon told The Associated Press. "Marijuana is new, so it's going to take some time to figure out how the courts and prosecutors are going to handle it. But the key is impairment: We will arrest drivers who drive impaired, whether it be drugs or alcohol." It's unclear whether the Justice Department will try to stop the decriminalization of pot in Washington and Colorado. The laws in both states allow adults 21 and older to possess a small amount of marijuana, which will be sold in state-licensed stores and taxed heavily, potentially bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars a year for school, health care and government needs. Before the vote passed in his state, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper acknowledged the legal challenges his state would face. "It's probably going to pass, but it's still illegal on a federal basis. If we can't make it legal here because of federal laws, we certainly want to decriminalize it,” he told NBC’s Brian Williams. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia already have laws allowing for the medical use of marijuana, according to the National Council of Legislatures. The measures in Washington and Colorado go a step further, explicitly allowing people to smoke pot for more than just medicinal purposes. __________________ i got a river for a soul... Darlin' I'm a nightmare... Dressed like a daydream~~~
	Quote

12-07-2012, 05:24 AM	#2
DIDM Malaika Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Potland Posts: 2,431	well they won't be able to use state resources so since we are broke as fuck, the money to federally enforce it will be hard to come by. Also, there are no stores selling it now, so what exactly can they do? This movement is too big to stop, more than half the population want it regulated and taxed, and we are at 17+ states and DC with medical 2 legal states 7 states looking at legalization and regulation by 2015 this fight will be over and we will all breathe a little better __________________ Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. Og Mandino Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-07-2012, 05:36 AM	#3
megayields Grower of Connoisseur herb's. Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: (831), (775), and .....? Posts: 4,796	Uhhh you keep poking that bear....he's gunna swing back and really put the hurt on you, they can hold back ALL kinds of monies states get and NOT spend a dime and you think it's bad now??? Lol...wait till they cut off a but load of educational monies......your going to hear an uproar from the quit middle classes when Johnny has a crappy school and no books... __________________ *Iron City Seeds* *NextGen Agricultural Consulting & Iron City Seeds* I grow and am motivated by the pure genius of Heath Robinson! The more people I meet the more I like my dog
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-07-2012, 06:16 AM	#4
greenbamboo Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 37	poke that bear with a big stick, then hit em with a .50 when it stands up. mount that mf'er on yer wall
	Quote 7 members found this post helpful.

12-07-2012, 05:13 PM	#5
SeaMaiden Guest Posts: n/a	California has a lot of national park land. It is while driving on public highways/freeways through this national park land that many, many people are busted by the feds. It's already happening. Don't toke or carry on federal land for now.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-07-2012, 05:40 PM	#6
LeeROI Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 433	I'm old enough to remember when Montana was forced into the 55 mph speed limit or risk losing federal highway money. Montana was also forced to raise the minimum drinking age to 21 under the same threat, IIRC. I'm not happy about the 5 ng "impairment" rule but I do think it gives Washington state a solid defense against losing federal highway funds. Time will tell . . .
	Quote

12-07-2012, 07:20 PM	#8
Puffaluffagus Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Foildog knows what time it is Posts: 807	we'll see what happens when the first "driving high" case gets fought in court. We have a family friend who is very well off and loves fast cars and drives them that way, usually after having a few drinks. I can't even begin to count how many speeding tickets and dwi's he's had, but what he also has is a great attorney, goes to court on everything, and beats it every time. They argue the validity/accuracy of the test, and a bunch of other stuff to cast reasonable doubt, and out the door he goes. I think i good attorney should be able to beat a driving high case pretty easy.
	Quote