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Leafly.com reports:
[On Thursday] the United States' capital, Washington D.C. (not to be confused with the state of Washington, which debuted its retail stores last week), officially decriminalizes cannabis. Under the new law, police officers can no longer demand identification from people caught possessing up to one ounce of cannabis, nor can they arrest people if they simply smell cannabis on them. Instead, they will confiscate any "visible contraband" and issue a ticket with a fine of $25.
Possession of amounts greater than one ounce can still result in arrest and being charged with a crime, but this is still a small victory for D.C. residents, especially blacks, who are being penalized and face having their lives ruined over a small amount of cannabis. Now how's about you look into legalization next, Nation's Capital?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by anubi on Saturday July 19 2014, @09:21AM
Just as I hate to fund patent trolls, I feel this is a step in the right direction to stop mandating the funding of gangs and organized crime. This marihuana fiasco is just as bad as that alcohol fiasco back in the 20's, which provided the funding to gangland America.
There are some things one has a helluva time trying to enforce - and this ranks right up there with sharing music and peeing in the pool. Somebody may not like it, but it is hard as hell to enforce.
Now, speaking as one seeing the units in my industrial complex being used for growing pot - once anyone who wants some can grow some, then the bottom is going to fall out of the "risk markup" of this stuff and these buildings will revert to more practical uses. All these kids being lured into the life of easy money by the "crime" of growing pot will find few customers willing to buy anywhere close to current street prices. All this money has been going into the wrong hands, being used to buy guns for gangs and the like, so they can "protect their turf" against anyone else trying to make a buck there.
I, for one, will welcome the end of this damned federally enforced monopoly where only the crooks have the goods.
And there are a lot of other federally enforced monopolies that should follow in its path.
AFAIK, the only monopoly I respect is called a "natural monopoly", and that one exists because of economies of scale.
All I ask is that the marihuana be used responsibly, no different than paint, fuel, or motor oil. Those can make a helluva mess if misused. So can many other things... and we seem to get along with them.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2, Informative) by theronb on Saturday July 19 2014, @02:24PM
Both the "marihuana fiasco" and "alcohol fiasco" seem to have arisen from the perceived need to address the social problems caused by the minority of users who cannot control their intake or the associated behaviors. For alcohol, this appears to be about 10% of the general population (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism#Epidemiology [wikipedia.org]). So rather than do the rational thing and provide counseling and treatment, we have tried to prohibit even occasional, casual use. Legalization, coupled with extensive public health education and treatment measures would seem to be much more rational, fair and economical. Now, what do we do about the much more highly addictive substances? I don't think the same legalization model works for crack, heroin and meth but what's the answer?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by mcgrew on Saturday July 19 2014, @04:17PM
Both the "marihuana fiasco" and "alcohol fiasco" seem to have arisen from the perceived need to address the social problems caused by the minority of users who cannot control their intake or the associated behaviors.
That's true of alcohol, but not marijuana. Look up "Harry Anslinger". He was the head of the federal narcotics unit and pushed for marijuana to be outlawed so he could divert anti-pot money to fighting heroin.
Marijuana was outlawed on the backs of lies for the benefit of liars. Its being against the law is actually what leads to harder drugs; the potsmoker sees he has been lied to, and figures that what they say about crack is probably bullshit as well -- and you buy pot from people who sell all kinds of illegal drugs. Everywhere except Colorado, where all kinds of crime both property and violent and use of other drugs has dropped sharply since legalization.
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 20 2014, @12:30AM
Harry Anslinger
Another name you're likely to encounter is Fred Vinson, a congressman and notorious liar who was obviously destined to become Chief Justice of the USA.
The Fiorello LaGuardia commission of 1938 told the truth about marijuana--and was ignored by the Feds.
The Truth About Marijuana [googleusercontent.com] (orig) [wordpress.com]
The Prohibition of Marijuana in Three Acts [counterpunch.org]
-- gewg_
(Score: 3, Insightful) by PinkyGigglebrain on Saturday July 19 2014, @06:27PM
For more info about how Hemp got turned from a common textile plant that had some medicinal uses in 1936 into the "reefer madness" that we hear about today
"The Emperor Wears no Clothes" by Jack Herer
Background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor_Wears_No_Clothes [wikipedia.org]
read on-line: http://www.jackherer.com/thebook/ [jackherer.com]
Buy it: http://www.amazon.com/The-Emperor-Wears-Clothes-Conspiracy/dp/1878125028 [amazon.com]
After reading this book I went from being a "Just say No" spouting anti-drug teen to a staunch advocate of Cannabis legalization.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 1) by anubi on Monday July 21 2014, @08:18AM
Looks like it will be an interesting read. And thanks, Jack, for making it public.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]