High expectations? States weigh marijuana reform

[bloomington-lib]

Source: Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington is one of four states where measures to legalize and regulate marijuana have been introduced, and about two dozen other states are considering bills ranging from medical marijuana to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.

"In terms of state legislatures, this is far and away the most active year that we've ever seen," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, which supports reforming marijuana laws.

Nadelmann said that while legalization efforts are not likely to get much traction in state capitals anytime soon, the fact that there is such an increase of activity "is elevating the level of public discourse on this issue and legitimizing it."

"I would say that we are close to the tipping point," he said. "At this point they are still seen as symbolic bills to get the conversation going, but at least the conversation can be a serious one."

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, a Seattle Democrat who is sponsoring the legalization bill in Washington state, said that she "wanted to start a strong conversation about the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana."

Under her bill, marijuana would be sold in Washington state's 160 state-run liquor stores, and customers, 21 and older, would pay a tax of 15 percent per gram. The measure would dedicate most of the money raised for substance abuse prevention and treatment, which is facing potential cuts in the state budget. Dickerson said the measure could eventually bring in as much to state coffers as alcohol does, more than $300 million a year.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/ap_on_bi_ge/us_legalizing_marijuana

[Democrats_win]

1. It's a good idea to sell it in liquor stores compared to what Colorado did.

In CO we have medical dispensaries. They've become a big problem and most cities are quickly banning them. First, they are targets of robberies. Liquor stores have been dealing with that for decades while the dispensaries are way behind the curve. Also, dispensaries are showing up near schools which upsets people. If states do decide to allow marijuana sales, the liquor stores are a good place to sell it.

[msongs]

2. the alcohol industry would like to control pot sales - grow your own should be legal nt

[intheflow]

11. "most cities are quickly banning them."

This is bullshit. Westminster, Superior, Broomfield, and Centennial are hardly "most cities," and both Westminster and Centennial are in the midst of legal challenges to those rulings. Breckinridge has just completely legalized pot, you don't even need to go through a dispensary. Colorado is a big state, and a few wealthy, conservative suburbs around Denver is not even close to being "most cities" in the state.

[Robb]

16. I know of several small towns that have issued moratoriums

(moratorii??)

Anyhow, they put the brakes on to figure out what to do next. I suspect they're waiting for the next bill. Colorado's way is confused, hopefully the new bill will clear things up.

[intheflow]

17. Moratoriums are not bans.

They are periods designed to study the issue. But that's not the same thing as banning outright, which is what the post claimed. And it was the "most cities" comment I really objected to, since 4 or 5 towns do not constitute "most cities" in any state.

BTW, I just got back from Crawford. Christmas-gifted your book to my friend who just moved near the rim. :hi:

[Robb]

19. Heh.

Thanks. I believe it's propping up uneven table legs in the finest homes across the country. :D

[BakedAtAMileHigh]

20. Hilarious

According to the FBI there have been 198 bank robberies in CO so far this year: the number of dispensary robberies is less than half that. Do you think banks are a bad idea? And seriously, allowing liquor stores to sell medical marijuana is idiocy. I suggest you educate yourself before speaking on the subject in public.

[alfredo]

30. But a good micro brew and a bud makes for a mellow evening.

[Andy823]

3. Good idea,

There are a lot of things facing cuts in Washington sate, as well as most other states, and this could really help out. Why let the drug dealers pocket all the money spent on pot ever year, when the states could make it legal and gain a new source of income for their treasury? It's not as bad as alcohol and that's legal, so using some of the money for substance abuse is also a good idea!

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, bloomington-lib.:thumbsup:

[Jamastiene]

5. A girl can dream, can't she?

I would love for it to be legalized.

[marginlized]

6. You want to balance the Budget ??

If we can just downsize the whole "War on Drugs" ... not to mention gain some revenue by taxing it.

[Ter]

7. 15% tax

Tax tax tax, it's not the answer.

[OregonBlue]

10. Teabag talking point. All government is not bad. All taxes are not bad.

[Zhade]

23. 15% per gram is ridiculous. though. It penalizes us.

What is the tax on liquor?

[Matariki]

28. Ha. I bet it would still be cheaper than buying it as an illegal substance.

Not to mention the cost to society for drug enforcement and jailing people.

I think it's a great idea, tax and all.

[Zhade]

31. As a patient, I buy it legally. I already pay tax on it!

Now they want to increase it, which places an additional economic burden on me to keep from going blind.

I don't have a problem with taxes. I do have a problem with them doubling the tax.

[Matariki]

33. well hopefully it will be paid for with your mandatory insurance

;-)

[Ter]

24. All taxes (as well as tolls) on people like me are ALL bad

Double or triple the tax on the rich, and have those making under $100,000 pay ZERO taxes on anything. Have those make $100,000-$250,000 pay low taxes, and stretch it up the ladder. And government intervention is usually (not always) bad.

[Royal Sloan 09]

8. K & R, Solution = Legalize, eom

[Statistical]

9. 15% per gram. WTF does AP not even require reporters to understand percentages

You define tax in tax per unit (example: $0.30 per gallon) OR in terms of percentage (15% of income).

"15% per gram" doesn't even make sense.

I think the proposal would be 15% sales tax on marijuana (which incidentally would cover a gram, a pound, or even a ton).

[defendandprotect]

12. Good for Washington state -- hope they make it!!

[Wizard777]

13. Time to end YET ANOTHER miserably fail Republican declared war. Time to start Harm Reduction.

[naaman fletcher]

18. To be fair the WOD is pretty equally a DEM and REP failure.

And actually, for a very long time it was Milton Friedman and the right-leaning economists who were making the intellectual case for legalization, with William F. Buckley pushing it in National Review, and with the PJ O'Rourke type Republicans (now mostly a thing of the past)championing it among the masses.

Of course the GOP is now mostly fundie assholes, but outside of the west coast I don't think you would really see the Democratic Party as a whole being more pro-legalization that the GOP.

[Wizard777]

25. It was Reagan (R) who "Officially" declared the war.

Reagan is also the first to drop the "war like" and go strictly "war." I can still remember Anslinger and even Nixon saying "War like." Because for a President to issue the word War against the American people is a constitutionally defined act of treason.

[naaman fletcher]

27. Yes that is a good point...

thanks.

[Flaneur]

32. And Democrats kept voting for more drug war.

It's a bipartisan thang, or maybe it was a bipartisan thang. Some Dems seem to be coming around a bit, not much, but a bit.

Guys like Jim Webb, Kucinich, Conyers, Bobby Rush

[Wizard777]

34. Treason is a vile and evil thing born of conspiracy.

In treason the only loyalty is to yourself.

[ixion]

14. Have the discussion, legalize it, and let's start healing

the social fabric is in tatters after years of "drug wars".

[Flaneur]

15. The state to watch this year is California.

Legalization will be on the ballot in November, and it's currently polling above 50%, but just barely.

The bills in CA, MA, NH, and WA are unlikely to move swiftly, although the California bill gets a hearing and a committee vote in a couple of weeks.

[mitchtv]

21. It's hard to get dispensaries outside LA

Riverside/ Coachella Valley has maybe one ;they've been zoned to oblivion. Palm Springs may have one or two soon however.

[Flaneur]

29. It depends on how redneck the local government is.

I live in a small town in Sonoma County. We have three dispensaries.

[Zhade]

22. Please end the insane war on this medically-proven beneficial plant!

I owe my eyesight to herb.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

26. Politicians in smoke-filled rooms? Like the good old days

Why do you think they call them political PARTIES?

:party: