Marijuana to be Legal in California

[CanceledCzech]

Ok, so it's not going to be legal, but, well, just look. http://laist.com/2008/06/30/californ..._for_eve_1.php Ok... so, yes this article is a year old. More than that, actually. But if you click on the link they provide (this one http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm#1341) and you scroll down far enough, you will see this: Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Release Non-Violent Marijuana Offenders from Jail. Initiative Statute. Summary Date: 11/18/09 Circulation Deadline: 04/19/10 Signatures Required: 433,971 Proponent: Charles Jacob Repeals state laws that make it a crime to possess, cultivate, transport, distribute, or use marijuana or hemp. Provides persons convicted or serving time for non-violent marijuana offenses be immediately released from prison, jail, parole, or probation, and have their convictions erased. Authorizes Legislature to adopt laws to license and tax commercial marijuana sales. Allows doctors to prescribe or recommend marijuana to patients, regardless of age. Prohibits testing for marijuana for employment or insurance purposes. Bars state from aiding enforcement of federal marijuana laws. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Savings in the several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Unknown but potentially major tax and fee revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products. (09-0044.) (Full Text) Which lead to this link (full text): http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/ini...ve_09-0044.pdf This is really awesome. Even if if doesn't pass, it's still huge.

[guitarboy]

I didn't read any of that, but I though the California government just kind of avoided this and it wasn't passed

[cygnus]

yeah it would be awesome... maybe it'll happen eventually. but there will always be plenty of federal douchers like the ones who closed down legal medical dispensaries.

[Hidden]

People on this site seem to be slightly obsessed with marijuana... Apparently its legalization would be good for the economy.

[cygnus]

haha slightly obsessed.

[Hidden]

Hmm, well, perhaps a bit more than slightly. ;P

[cygnus]

well there are many people who aren't going to give up on legalizing it. ever since nixon started the 'war on drugs' things have been pretty ridiculous. i just wouldn't use the word 'obsessed.'

[Hidden]

I dunno... I've just never really thought about it much, and neither do most of the people I talk to. At least as far as I can tell they don't; maybe I'm just being incredibly naive. Then I come here, and everyone talks about it like it's such a great thing. Plus I was raised being told "drugs are bad, kids." I've heard that in Europe instead of "don't do drugs" they say to "use responsibly," and that they have less drug abusers. But when I went to Spain pretty much everyone smoked, so I'm a bit confused.

[cygnus]

you're 16, so don't worry. it'll be a bigger deal for you when your 60, in pain, and an insomniac.

[Hidden]

...You think I'll get into drugs when I'm a little old lady? o.0

[cygnus]

yes.

[Hidden]

Remind me about this thread in 50 years.

[cygnus]

ok

[Supernova]

But when I went to Spain pretty much everyone smoked, Mmm, I'll fit right in when I go there this summer and that they have less drug abusers. But when I went to Spain pretty much everyone smoked, so I'm a bit confused. but, to be serious, that's because they're not abusing anything...

[guitarboy]

People on this site seem to be slightly obsessed with marijuana... Apparently its legalization would be good for the economy. Smoke some and you'll know why. I've been pretty stoned a good majority of my high school career. Mmm, I'll fit right in when I go there this summer My friend got to go to school in Amsterdam because the sister university or something like that is there. He's been going there every summer since.

[Supernova]

My friend got to go to school in Amsterdam because the sister university or something like that is there. He's been going there every summer since. Lucky bastard

[Hidden]

but, to be serious, that's because they're not abusing anything... My lungs were abused. =( Oh, and I was referring to cigarette smoke, btw.

[Bearsy]

I've heard that in Europe instead of "don't do drugs" they say to "use responsibly," and that they have less drug abusers. But when I went to Spain pretty much everyone smoked, so I'm a bit confused. Use ≠ Abuse

[Supernova]

My lungs were abused. =( Oh, and I was referring to cigarette smoke, btw. oh... *facepalm* well yes, that is quite lung-abusive. Everything I said was not concerning cigarettes. You see what I'm saying about marijuana though, use does not imply abuse.

[Hidden]

Yeah... I guess that was sort of off-subject. I actually don't recall seeing/smelling any pot. But then again, that was 8th grade, so I'm not sure I even knew what it was. o.o

[guitarboy]

Yeah... I guess that was sort of off-subject. I actually don't recall seeing/smelling any pot. But then again, that was 8th grade, so I'm not sure I even knew what it was. o.o It's a bit different then cigarette smoke, though ;-;

[SaMaster14]

it actually doesn't matter if California passes the law or not, since marajuana being legal is agaist federal law. If the feds wanted to, they could come into Cali and close down every single seller of marijuana or medical marajauna store. The feds just don't think that the time and money spent would be worth it, so they don't enforce the law.

[Supernova]

True, but the real issue this is getting at isn't whole stores selling pot, just consider, when someone gets caught using or selling pot, 99% of the time it's by city or state police, who under this law would not be allowed to assis t in the enforcement of federal marijuana laws. So, it does matter, quite a bit.

[SaMaster14]

true. I just think that if it is made totally legal the government might find that a bit over the top and actually do something to stop it.

[Hidden]

I don't think the federal government really cares... But isn't it not good for the state and federal laws to be different? Like if California's law says it's legal and federal law says it's illegal, doesn't federal law take precedence?