[RetroGrow]

A bill is being introduced to legalize (I hate that term. Should be decriminalize) cannabis on a federal level.
It seems more & more that we will see decriminalization.

"Flanked by more than 150 advocates from around the country, Oregon Democrat Earl Blumenauer on Monday put forward his legislation allowing states to legalize medical marijuana in an effort to end the confusion surrounding federal pot policy.

Blumenauer’s legislation, which has 13 co-sponsors — including GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California — would create a framework for the FDA to eventually legalize medicinal marijuana. It would also block the feds from interfering in any of the 19 states where medical marijuana is legal.

At a press conference outside the Capitol, Blumenauer didn’t attack the Drug Enforcement Administration for targeting marijuana dispensaries or blame the Justice Department for forcing marijuana businesses to operate in a legal gray zone. Instead, he pitched his legislation as a solution to the confusion surrounding federal marijuana policy.
“Frankly, the people in the federal hierarchy are in an impossible position,” Blumenauer said, adding: “It gets the federal government and the Department of Justice out of this never-never land.”
On the heels of successful referendums legalizing marijuana in both Colorado and Washington state, Blumenauer and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) introduced legislation to end federal marijuana prohibition and set up a scheme to tax the drug.
The activists surrounding Blumenauer had just come from a four-day conference on medical marijuana, and many of them were veterans of campaigns to legalize the treatment in their home states. Some held a sign that wouldn’t be out of place at a tea party rally against the Affordable Care Act — “GET POLITICS OUT OF MY MEDICINE.”
Karen Munkacy, a doctor who helped lead the pro-medical marijuana side of a successful referendum in Massachusetts, said her breast cancer diagnosis forced her to “choose between breaking the law and suffering terribly. And I chose to suffer terribly.”
Scott Murphy, an Iraq War vet, said medical marijuana could help returning soldiers handle post-traumatic stress disorder or physical injuries. Murphy noted 22 veterans killed themselves each day in 2012.

“If medical marijuana could help just one veteran, it would be worthwhile,” he said.

Blumenauer’s bill isn’t likely to pass, but Americans for Safe Access Policy Director Mike Liszewski said bills in four states — New Hampshire, Illinois, New York and Maryland — have a chance of becoming law this year. In New Hampshire, where backers fell just a few votes short of overriding a governor’s veto last year, advocates are “really confident.” The state’s new governor, Democrat Maggie Hassan, supported medical marijuana as a state legislator."

https://dyn.politico.com/printstory.c...4-14FC0F16192B

[DemonPigeon]

I think Legalization has an edge over decriminalization:

1) If tax is paid it'll still be cheaper over illegal purchases
a) It'll make the government reluctant to lose that revenue
b) Challenge the idea of stoners who don't "contribute" to society or the economy

2) We can't get hit by civil sanctions either, remember decriminalisation doesn't mean you can't be forced into rehab or fined as a civil offender, just not imprisoned as a criminal offender.

I hope it does go legal, maybe then the UK will follow suit soon :-)
Though it seems a long way away from us at the moment.

[wantaknow]

it will be like prozac if you recorded as having it for medical reasons you cant own a gun ,

[Hydro-Soil]

Originally Posted by DemonPigeon

I think Legalization has an edge over decriminalization:

1) If tax is paid it'll still be cheaper over illegal purchases
a) It'll make the government reluctant to lose that revenue
b) Challenge the idea of stoners who don't "contribute" to society or the economy

2) We can't get hit by civil sanctions either, remember decriminalisation doesn't mean you can't be forced into rehab or fined as a civil offender, just not imprisoned as a criminal offender.

I hope it does go legal, maybe then the UK will follow suit soon :-)
Though it seems a long way away from us at the moment.

My plan is different.

No matter what legislation is passed that makes it legal, I plan on teaching as many people to grow as possible. I, for one, am working toward the day when there's almost no taxes to be made because everyone and their neighbor is nearly self-sufficient.

Colorado is slowly warming up to be a wonderful foothold against the feds.

We'll storm the U.K. after we cover America. LOL

Stay Safe!

[Morcheeba*]

i could care less if its decriminalization or legalization as long as the FEDS gets out of the way and allow the states to decide for themselves.

plus w/the feds out of the way a Re-Scheduling is more likely.

im in the deep south where mmj is still mocked but if the feds stepped aside then im a less likely target for arrest / prosecution for growing my meds........sure i could still face arrest if my state rejects legalization / decrim / mmj but ill take my chances in front of a jury.


the end of Cannabis Prohibition is near.


peace

[BudToaster]

okay, so taxes are a policy tool, a way to influence behavior ... so taxing medical marijuana is taxing sick people. Is this to encourage them to stop being sick? thereby not needing the substance anymore? prisons do that, too.

[GP73LPC]

these five things must be dealt with before the feds will move forward.

1. Prison Industrial Complex
2. Law Enforcement Profits
3. Alcohol Companies
4. Tobacco Companies
5. Big Pharma

money is being made bigtime on keeping MMJ illegal. until these 5 things are addressed i don't see the feds changing shit unfortunately.

but at least we are starting to see politicians talking

[RetroGrow]

Originally Posted by GP73LPC

these five things must be dealt with before the feds will move forward.

1. Prison Industrial Complex
2. Law Enforcement Profits
3. Alcohol Companies
4. Tobacco Companies
5. Big Pharma

money is being made bigtime on keeping MMJ illegal. until these 5 things are addressed i don't see the feds changing shit unfortunately.

but at least we are starting to see politicians talking

I disagree. The tide is finally changing. At some point, rationale will prevail over ignorance, prejudice, and demagoguery. These things belong in the past, and we must move forward. Build schools, not prisons. We must not be denied to make our own medicine. Big pharma kills and addicts millions. Even President O'hypocrite is beginning to loosen up, and it being his last term, I feel he will come around to the rationale, despite all the bribery by alcohol/big pharma. Public opinion can't be ignored by politicians. We will prevail in the end, because, after all, we have been right all along.

[DreamsofTesla]

Originally Posted by Hydro-Soil

My plan is different.

No matter what legislation is passed that makes it legal, I plan on teaching as many people to grow as possible. I, for one, am working toward the day when there's almost no taxes to be made because everyone and their neighbor is nearly self-sufficient.

Colorado is slowly warming up to be a wonderful foothold against the feds.

We'll storm the U.K. after we cover America. LOL

Stay Safe!

Overgrow the government! That's what I'm talkin about!!

[2 Legal Co]

As I expected, I'm finding that with our Colorado Constitutional Amendment 64 having passed. I really don't use alcohol anymore. It's very rare that I feel the urge to take a drink now.

With my pipe at the ready, not hidden away. It's just way more convenient to take a puff. Well everyone here knows what I'm talking about.

Overgrow the Government is a reality here anyway.

Now that I've found that Marijuana really is a weed AND grows like one....

All I need is more seeds.
Growing additional strains will be an interesting process too.

Everyone just needs to keep up the pressure on our elected officials. They'll co-operate when they see the handwriting on the wall. Especially the ones who don't want to lose their jobs!