Voters in Colorado and Washington on Election Day in favor of ballot measures that remove criminal and civil penalties for the adult possession of cannabis. The votes mark the first time ever that voters have decided at the ballot box to abolish cannabis prohibition.
In Colorado, 55 percent of voters decided in favor of Amendment 64, which allows for the legal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and/or the cultivation of up to six cannabis plants by those persons age 21 and over. Longer-term, the measure seeks to establish regulations governing the commercial production and distribution of marijuana by licensed retailers. Initial returns show the measure passing with 54 percent support.
In Washington, approximately 55 percent of voters decided in favor of I-502, which regulates the production and sale of limited amounts of marijuana for adults. The measure also removes criminal penalties specific to the adult possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for personal use. Initial returns indicate that 55 percent of voters backed the measure.
State lawmakers in Colorado initially prohibited the possession of cannabis in 1917. Washington lawmakers initially outlawed the plant in 1923.
Commenting on the historic votes, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 provide adult cannabis consumers with unprecedented legal protections. Until now, no state law has defined cannabis as a legal commodity. Some state laws do provide for a legal exception that allows for certain qualified patients to possess specific amounts of cannabis as needed. But, until today, no state in modern history has classified cannabis itself as a legal product that may be lawfully possessed and consumed by adults.”
Armentano continued: “The passage of these measures strikes significant blow to federal cannabis prohibition. Like alcohol prohibition before it, marijuana prohibition is a failed federal policy that delegates the burden of enforcement to the state and local police. Alcohol prohibition fell when a sufficient number of states enacted legislation repealing the state’s alcohol prohibition laws. With state police and prosecutors no longer engaging in the federal government’s bidding to enforce an unpopular law, the federal government had little choice but to abandon the policy altogether. Today, history begins to repeat itself.”
Separate marijuana law reform measures proved to be equally popular among voters. In Massachusetts, 63 percent of voters approved Question 3, which eliminates statewide criminal and civil penalties related to the possession and use of up to a 60-day supply of cannabis by qualified patients. It also requires the state to create and regulate up to 35 facilities to produce and dispense cannabis to approved patients. Massachusetts is the 18th state since 1996 to authorize the physician-recommended use of cannabis.
In Michigan, an estimated 65 percent of Detroit voters approved Measure M, which removes criminal penalties pertaining to the possession on private property of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults over age 21.
A statewide ballot measure to legalize the therapeutic use of cannabis in Arkansas appears to have narrowly failed by a vote of 49 percent to 51 percent. In Montana, a referendum that sought to ease legislative restrictions on the state’s medical marijuana law also failed. Oregon’s Measure 80, which sought to allow for the state-licensed production and retail sale of cannabis to adults, garnered only 45 percent of the popular vote.
The ballot measures in Colorado and Washington will take effect once the vote totals have been formally ratified, a process that typically takes up to 30 days.
NORML will provide additional updates on various other local measures throughout the day. Stay tuned to the NORML blog for more information.
GERMANY!!!!!!
What will happen to those that have been convicted for cannabis related crimes up to the point of legalization?
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Congratulations, NORML. You’re the best!
So close for Arkansas.
This is certainly a step in the right direction!
Full legalization for all.
End Marijuana Prohibition in the USA permanently.
I’m from this backward state of Georgia but that didn’t stop me from stoking one up in celebration for Colorado and one for Washington last night!
This is great. I think I’m going to be like Johnny Apple Seed. Start planting seed everywhere I go. Jimmy Pot Seed. Oh happy day. And for all those narrow minded, brainwashed picks that don’t like it. You can all just kiss a big red monkey’s axx.
Thanks NORML
Without the help of NORML, neither state would have succeeded!
Thanks for all of your hard work, guys and gals of NORML!
Congratulations to all. I never thought I’d see the day, but we all know the fight is still not over. The Feds are not going to take this lightly. Will this be a classic case of State Law vs. Federal Law? Or will this be the exception to the rule? Never the less, thank you voters and supporters who made it possible.
This is awesome! How does this effect opening a business in Colorado i.e. a lounge/coffeeshop?
Congratulations to Colorado and Washington state. You have given precious hope to the rest of the country, and I’m thinking pretty much the rest of the world. This is gonna snowball over the next 4 years. I think each state holds an annual ballet. The next three years will be very telling and are crucial. State after state are going to want in on this when they see all the cash being crammed into those two states. By the time the next presidential election rolls around, you will see candidates all for this going nation-wide. Think this is big today? Give it three years and look at the map, as well as the next red and blue boys.
This should spread like wildfire. Time to keep accurate records of money saved and made, police time freed up for to deal with real crime, effect on the rate of alcohol related crime and disease as well as an honest appraisal of any negative effects. Faced with evidence that this is a great decision other states will follow suit rapidly. One thing to keep in mind, “smoking” anything is very bad for your body – heart lungs and everything else. Find an alternate way to ingest.
Isn’t marijuana possession and cultivation somewhat decriminalized in Alaska?
[Paul Armentano responds: Cannabis is contraband under the law in Alaska. The Supreme Court for the State previously ruled that the state’s Constitutional privacy protections include simple possession in one’s home, but neither Court nor state statute defines cannabis as anything but an illegal commodity.]
Prohibition has been proven useless.
Next step: Federal legalization; take the money out of the criminals hands and give it back to the tax payers.
NORML activists, I’m impressed and I am happy for you.
The news brought a tear to my eye last night.
I was so moved because this is more than a movement about Cannabis.
This is a civil rights’ movement victory.
Bring a end to prejudice, oppression, and stereotyping that we have all been subject to.
Now we got this ball rollin’, don’t stop, the world’s ears have perked up, now is the time to speak and be heard people!
As a Colorado resident and registered voter my thanks go out to the proponants and the sensible voters of my home state who have passed this landmark legislation.
After 95 years of prohibition it is about time that the people see that it is just not right to criminalize the weed which is far less harmful that either tobacco or alcohol. It has taken a long time for our government to realize the value of a properly regulated and taxed commodity which will certainly aid our cash strapped school systems and state and local goverments.
It is about time we removed most of the criminal elements and can legally enjoy the benefits. It is also a good hard slap in the faces of the alcohol and tobacco industries who have paid off our governments for so many years to restrict the lawful usage of marijuana by adults accross this country while lobbying to keep their own nasty, harmful products readily available.
It is definitly a step in the right direction and I am glad to see that the folks in Colorado and Washington are leading the way toward sensible reform and the repeal of a long lived prohibition. More power to us all but we should be careful not to abuse this new freedom and have it taken away from us as happened in Alaska.
I cannot wait for the first legal pot shops to open in Colorado. I am planting the seeds to my new herb garden right away. Thanks again to the voters in Colorado and Washington for this sensible action and may it become a trend that spreads like wildfire accross this great nation. Thank you all.
I was floored when I heard these results last night – congrats to everybody involved with these initiatives! That being said, be warned: the first few years of these laws will not be easy ones. The feds are going to concentrate unbelievable amounts of resources to these two states in an attempt to circumvent voter will. As more states see that the sky doesn’t fall and follow the lead of these pioneers, the pressure will lessen until, some happy day, the laws change at every level, but this will be a long and arduous process, even now. The state governments of Washington and Colorado may prove to be stumbling blocks as well. Specific rules and regulations to implement these measures will still need to be worked out, and we have seen from how some states implemented medical laws that they cant all be trusted to follow the explicit will of the voters. Anybody living in these two states who is knowledgeable of the cannabis market and particularly production should try to involve themselves in the rule making process. At least write to your state representatives and offer what advice you can to make sure the lawmakers don’t bungle the implementation of these laws. The governor of Colorado was on tv last night saying that the state may not be able to implement the law to the extent the voters would like because it is still in conflict with federal law. Of course that is the point of these laws: the federal law is a proven failure, and every avenue of redress at the federal level has failed to this point. Its time to stop complying with bad laws. Keep making your voices heard!
feds,and the dea take notice,the people have spoken,if u arrest somebody for possesion,u will be arrested for being ignorant baffoon,can u dig it!burn em up!!aloha!!!
I’m in Florida far away from all of this good news but I’m happy to say WE DID IT! This is the only thing that will save our country. I’m very proud of everyone who is an advocate and has put in much of their time to make this happen. Thank you to the one’s who are doing time in prison that have fought for this. God bless everyone and let’s get the rest of the country on board.
Any idea if New York will ever wake up?! I don’t want to move!!
Life is full of surprises, I am an old man and I never expected to see Cannabis legalized in any state. I am glad that Colorado and Washington State have done so. Now the money won’t flow to Mexico and the cartels there. This action by the Voters is a step forward to end the idiotic “Drug War” which has done more harm than good. Smoke it on weekends and don’t drive a car or operated any other dangerous machinery. I never thought I would live to see this event!
Having won reelection, Obama could do the right thing and call the Feds off from their raids and threats on the medical marijuana programs duly approved by 18 states plus D.C. After all, he’s living proof that you can smoke your brains out in high school and still grow up to be a pretty damn good President… Any educated guesses on the likelihood that he will? The people, in whom sovereignty resides, have made their wishes clear.
Thank you NORML! Been with you for 36 years now! Oh happy Day!
Continuing to educate the public to quell the tide of false information that leads people to believe that marijuana is dangerous and needs to be illegal. I am a disabled person suffering with several abdominal issues that have no medication to help. Marijuana has been listed as a pain relief for my issues. Other pain medication, such as codeine causes constipation which is the worst answer to me problem. So I am left with no medication to help. I hope my state, at least allows medical marijuana soon. Why are opiates, which are illegal, used in medicine but not marijuana? Ignorance, that is why. Thank you for getting the correct information out there.
Thanks everyone at Norml for all your hard work! Will industrial hemp be legal to grow in either state?
Legalization Without Taxation….like Jack Herer wanted!!!
I have been wondering that to Ingvar. I can’t find any information on what Colorado or Washington and going to do with all the people that have been convicted of marijuana offenses. Will they be let out of jail and prison and will possession charges be removed from peoples record so it is no longer held against them? NORML please find out any info on this you can as it needs to happen NOW.
[Paul Armentano responds: These measures are not retroactive.]
When will Texas open its eyes ?
Also I am donating $4.20 to NORML to thank them for all their help in making Cannabis legalization a reality and I encourage everyone else to do the same.
I am so overwhelmed I feel reborn. After all this time and so much trouble that prohabition has caused. Two states have legalized pot. I don’t even live there and I’m still thrilled. Paul’s right, the beginning of the end. Anslinger saw marihuana growing in the road ditches and wondered how he could outlaw a weed. Well…. He did and then some. With tax dollars. Start throwing your seed any where you want but never waste another seed.
Hooray for Colorado & Washington! This indeed is a historical moment & a giant step for freeing the weed. Thank you NORML for the obvious hard work & devotion you gave for us little folks. A good question from above regarding the fate of those already in jail/prison for simple possession & I pray that they too shall be set free to go back to their families & love ones. Lets keep our voices heard & keep the faith – Peace!
its about time! hopefully everbody stays smart and respectfull with it. cause they will be trying really hard to find a bad for there propaganda machine. great job colorado. and great job norml! thank you and i will always stand up for your great work and commitment to freedom.
Federal prohibition should be de-funded and repealed, preferably at the same time. It’s a waste of time to de-fund it while keeping the laws on the books, then later to have to revisit the issue to change it again to repeal or remove cannabis out of its oevre of illegal drugs.
Use the sequestration to de-fund it, get agreement on that, then just free cannabis from the federal prohibition.
End this stupid War on Drugs, end Marijuana prohibition for all states!!!
Great victories! I didn’t expect Washington’s I504 to pass due to the added DUI law. I think that Colorado’s would’ve been better if there were no excise, or “sin,” taxes, if the age was 18 instead of 21, and if it were retroactive, but we’ll take what we can get at this point, I suppose.
Wanna support a better initiative? Live in Ohio? Read it, sign it, and get others to do the same! http://responsibleohioans.org/amendment
That is the start soon it will be totally legal
So does that mean we can take a vaction to colorado or do u have to be a citizen of the state
Truly amazing going into work today in Denver. Everybody talking about it because everybody voted on it.Mostly high fives and smiles. They say that things won’t get rolling till 2014 so be patient
Now it is time to fully implement OPERATION OVERGROW. Let’s plant ONE BILLION Marijuana seeds on every square inch of public land in Washington DC this spring of 2013. When the early summer shines on Washington and millions of Marijuana plants are growing everywhere maybe the Feds will get the message. Plant and grow them into submission
To those who ask what will happen to the people already incarcerated thanks to the years of ignorant laws and prohibition, I heard the answer on the news this evening. Those who are currently serving time or are on probation will not be released nor their records expunged. The new law is not retroactive and they are still considered criminals. Sad, but true. Also, the law does not come fully into effect until the secretary of state ratifies it or throws it out altogether. We could still lose on this issue but if that happens the state legislature might get tarred and feathered. If it is ratified, then the legislature and law enforcement will have to figure out how they are going to regulate, tax and enfoce the new law. There is still a lot to be done before the pot shops can open for business and marijuana can be sold like booze and tobacco is now. And yes, this new law will allow the commercial growing and production of industrial hemp. This will be a major boom for poor farmers all over the state, not to mention those who will make and sell the many products that hemp can become.
I wonder if Utah will ever legalize it?
I am an Alabama resident that has a felony on my record just for growing ONE plant for personal use to help me with anxiety and sleep problems. I know that Alabama isn’t that close to any good law changes even though there is a ballot for medical, but when I heard the good news it made me cry with joy. Good job NORML and all others involved, you have given me something to look forward to!
I really hope this catches on Nation wide. I certainly wish the bible belt states would pick up on this..
Oh Happy Day. I just can’t leave this alone. I can’t figure how the DEA can justify still having marijuana a schedule 1 drug with 18 states considering it a relief for sick people. It’s been several years now, a time before medical marijuana. i ask my doctor about pot. He looked at me as if my head was on fire. He went through the schedule 1 spill word for word and explained that he was required by law no to talk about it. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I understood his position. His medical license was on the line. But the part, required by law not to discuss it. These are the most intelligent in the country. Appereny that has changed because doctors are now recommending marijuana. This is how far is has came. Its difficult for me to get my mind around all this but logic tells me. From intimidating the top minds in our nation to having two states where its considered legal. It would appear they have been playing games with people’s lives in a time frame where they could just faze out prohibition. It’s time to just let it go.
Thanks NORML
“What will happen to those that have been convicted for cannabis related crimes up to the point of legalization?”
Peter Tosh sang: Let them ganja prisoners free… let them freeeeeee! 😉
im in CO so the eye of the storm here and it is fuckin BEAST.
this is going national soon, let the revenue commence. also along the lines of people in prison for related crimes, i think the law of HABEAS CORPUS kicks in there?
? who can actually make pot legal in the USA? or what has to be done to do it other then state by state?
End this obtuse law that keeps millions from their shot at the American dream. Seems if men and women are able to relax and unwind long enough to reason it is time to move forward with life and get involved.
John
regarding civil state-level cannabis law reform as reasoned and willed by the constitutional jurisdiction of the people and federal goverment jurisdiction protocol.
of course, the drug-law enforcement process proceeds like the machine it is.
however, the reason and will of the people is clear:
the controlled substances scheduling system is arguably irrelevant, and it isn’t sacrosanct policy, but it is still a major contending factor to be dealt with logically.
who do we need to negotiate with then? if it’s a matter of reason, then it is negotiable.
drug-law treaty metaphysics does not reflect modern civil sensibilities as expressed by the people.
unlike cannabis, alcohol wasn’t ever enmeshed in international opium control treaties.
the pre-21st century attitude of ‘government control’ must shift to one of post-20th century ‘civil regulation’, as it is a matter of cognitive liberty.
this is a task of logic and semantics.
This is the greatest thing I have ever heard i live in upstate NY wish they would do it here but I don’t think they ever will but like the article said it will make other state’s think about it and how much it cost’s them to arrest 750,000 people in NYC for small amouts of pot and put them in jail fantastic
Regarding the CO law and the 6 plant limit – My last 1 plant grow of White Widow lasted my smoking habit for over a year so no worries here.
Cheers
JJ
im very happy about I 502 being passed, but
how come you’re not allowed to grow weed in your own home?
dont get me wrong im happy to have any legalization get passed, but why wasn’t the law written to allow personal home cultivation?
one more question.
why is 1 ounce the magic that lawmakers decide citizens can posess?
just curious because every law written or proposed only wants to allow people to posess an ounce.
*magic number
Thank you voters in Colorado and Washington for getting rid of an archaic law for a substance that has never harmed a living soul. I hope this will be a wake up call for voters in other states to rise up for what is right!
So proud of my state!! here is washington we also passed gay marriage Tuesday. haha no one ever talks about wash state until they legalize pot. will keep checking on the NORMAL website for updates. Dec 6 is the date we can legally posess all that we now keep tucked in our freezers.
@gothcgrrl420. I’m not sure why an ounce is the magic number – I think there are some current laws out there that have 1 ounce as the misdemeanor/felony line, and it may be modeled off of that. Since the “ounce” is a common term, it could also have some psychological connections that the propaganda folks said was a good middle ground term to use – and the appearance of an ounce is pretty unintimidating, where say a pound looks like a huge amount.
Based on the way the ad campaigns were run here, I speculate that the home grow rules stem from a few things. One is to make it similar to liquor law where you can make your own beer and wine, but when you get to spirits, you need a special license which can be difficult for the average bathtub moonshiner to obtain.
New Approach also had a very smart ad campaign where they appealed to the current economic situation, and the focus on the deficit and overall government spending has been very prominently featured in the media. And we’ve got a really high violet crime rate this year, and the more money for law enforcement really hit home.
The last major point that I speculate had a lot to do with no home growing is the concern about kids. New Approach really pushed an ad campaign about putting regulations in place to make it more difficult for kids to get weed.
I think these three points definitely won votes from the non-user demographic, because it was a logical social and economic argument vs. the old “it’s the same as alcohol” argument.
I know there has been a lot of controversy over the DUI definitions in the law, and where I understand where they are coming from, as a responsible marijuana user, I’m as opposed to people driving under the influence of ANY judgment altering substance. Speaking of which – traffic has been slower for the last two days and I like to drive fast… get out of the left lane my fellow stoners!!
my question now is, what happens to employers who wish to continue to drug test???? they still have the right to know the people who work for them are not under the influence of anything that may cause an unsafe situation…this is very important seeing that their is presently no test to tell if one is high or just has herb in their system from a couple days ago…..
Lockedout- I suspect they still will test and deny/approve employees just as they’ve always done. Employers can do it with legal products too. For example, Geisinger medical group (which runs hospitals and clinics) won’t hire anyone who smokes cigarettes and if you test positive for nicotine they can fire you. Until it’s legal across the board I don’t think we’re going to see a great amount of change in employers drug testing policies.
@lockedoutoftheshed:
What you say may be true for urine tests, but not for saliva tests. Those remain THC-positive for a few hours to up to 24 hours, depending on the cutoff used. There are also field sobriety tests designed to measure actual impairment. Thus, urine tests (which do NOT prove current impairment) are really unnecessary for workplace safety.
@washington gal thanks for trying to clarify the 1ounce rule. i dont agree with it, but baby steps i guess. down the road hopefully WA and CO voters can modify their laws and do away with posession limits.
if theres no limits for how much alcohol a person can have, why should there be a 1 ounce limit with canabis?
is owning more than 1 ounce of marijuana really a danger to society?
lol i think not. 1 ounce of weed is not a lot if you like to cook it into food. my prefered method of getting high btw.
i hope to be in washington state next year. hopefully someone will be cool enough to sell me some good bud.thank u for any response.
By having a 1oz / 6 plant limit the law ensures that the federal government is powerless to stop you because their process deals with severe crimes and excessive amounts. Makes federal law moot, in a way, the limit the feds can’t come get u in other words.
Sorry to yell here, but…
HALLELUJAH!
I have been praying to the Savior that this day would come, and now it has – God is good, all the time. This makes me think of when Moses set the Hebrews free. CO and WA are our Moses. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see toads raining down on DEA headquarters, and everyone in the drug czar’s office come down with painful boils. Even if all that DID happen, they still would not let our people go.
I was thinking about the taxes they’re going to establish on it. I was thinking, if they even decided to make it a 100% tax free item (yeah, right), they would still be getting tons of cash not having to spend over 10 billion a year putting us in prison. And the thing where they’re worried about no one buying it due to everyone growing v- so klet every single one of them grow it. It’s called sales tax, people. To grow, you need lights, soils, nutes, and a whole slew of little things. The gardening industry and retail outlets would BOOM if everyone grew it.
This is great,now we need the feds to wake up and make weed legal nation wide,they will never win the war on POT…..
I agree, gothicgrrl420! What’s the harm in having a pound on hand to create infusions and such that are safer for our bodies! But yes, definately baby steps. I read some of the Jan 2011 DEA position on marijuana propoganda report this evening… and wow. There was a section where some CA residents were quoted complaining about homeless people looking for/getting work and eating the food provided for the homeless during harvest times. I like to imagine that this report was put out to subliminaly fuel support for MJ so the people and the states can more easily “win” federal support without as much of a monetary investment.
Folks, the law for Colorado basically says you can have a fair amount of marijuana, just no one can know about it; like keep it in a safe. You can have up to one ounce on your person, like well you go to buy it. But I don’t think you are required to use up everything you already purchased previously before you can go buy another oz.
This law is set up so marijuana produced in Colorado stays in Colorado for the most part. This help in two ways, Mexican weed will see its market shares decrease and down near to nothing within Colorado once production of local marijuana is up to speed. Also, Since people can only produce a set amount, there will only be so much marijuana to go around, thereby limiting the export of Coloradian marijuana to surrounding states.
This is will be an on going process; as the market switches over from illegal pot to legally produced local marijuana; as regulated by the prices.
@Lawrence – FYI in NYC a small amount of pot (under an oz I believe) is just a ticket and 1/2 the time you don’t even get that if the officer isn’t a prick.
Be damned…never thought I would live long enough to see the day. Paul Armentano I should remember you in my will. No one has worked harder to right this gross American injustice then you have.
[Paul Armentano responds: Thank you for the compliment and the acknowledgement, though there are many, many others that have worked just as hard.]
Glad for all who will actually be able to LEGALLY smoke! Just hope that the “Bible Belt” will eventually fall like 18-dominos…
Would simply enjoy be able to smoke again. Sure thought the 70’s were going to OK smoking.
Hurting from too much Federal Service…could use medicinal or just plain old “legal” smoke!
Just shows that even though I served my country – many time over – that I would dearly enjoy something that would help w/my pain and not ruin my organs.
All this kinda makes me wanna go moon the drug czar’s office. >D
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/federally-legalize-marijuana/Y3KVHZhl
Quit calling it pot! That sounds illicit and makes it sound bad to all those do-gooders. Say or call it weed which is what it is. Weed sounds natural and green which is also what it is. Pot sounds to do-gooders like it’s some kind of concoction that’s cooked up by witches or something. Get smart.
WA I-502 was ingeniously written to prevent the Feds from stopping it. The only thing that is going to go into effect on Dec 6 is the legalization of 1oz of cannabis for personal use (plus the DUI provision). The Feds cannot force any State to enforce Federal law and the DEA isn’t going to go into Seattle and start busting people. Very little will change in Seattle because people haven’t been charged with cannabis possession for a couple years, and very few in the last 9 years. The rest of the state will see a big change. The distribution system won’t even be formalized for another year, so the Feds can’t sue to stop a system that hasn’t even been created yet. It was ingeniously written in such a way to prevent Federal interference.
We should all do something to reward Colorado for what they did. Plan a trip, buy a lot, build a house, buy a plot. What if we all did that; do you think they would notice; maybe even like it? Me I’m going to open a rest home for all of the burnt-out stoners. We are going to need a place to crash someday…..
If it was up to me I wouldn’t legalize ALL drugs for rec. use. Just 3, the 3 natural ones: Cannabis, Psilcybin muSHROOMS and Peyote Mescaline. They are great drugs that grow naturally in plant/fungus state. All other drugs would be legal for SCIENTIFIC USE. That’s what I would do. But weed only would make the USA perfect alone.
Please sign the White House petition to let Marc Emery complete his sentence in Canada
http://wh.gov/XXp9
I think this is a great step forward for legalization but here in Missouri I don’t think it will make a bit of differance, living here I realize why cannabis was made illegal in the first place. All through growing up I never used it, I associated it with trashy people as did everyone else because the only people you see who use it around here is trash and I didn’t want to become that. But now I realize I didn’t we cannabis making trashy people, it was just trashy people who use it and gave it a bad name. God gave us intelegence and god gave is weed. All good things must be used in moderation. Smoke responsibly Colorado, show the world it’s not garbage!
will Colorado’s new laws allow out of state people to drive into Colorado and visit a grocery store and purchase a gram or two.. or do you still have to be a Co resident
Thank you voters in Colorado and Washington for getting rid of an archaic law for a substance that has never harmed a living soul.
Even though it’s easy to grow, most people will not be interested in doing it themselves, sot here’ll still be a huge taxable industry there. The limits on plant numbers and once possession limits are twofold to keep the feds out and also to prevent massive zoning issues as hundreds try to turn their residences into industrial pot farms when the law goes live.
I also echo that I thought I would never see this day even as a young adult and am very happy about it not because it impacts me but on principle alone. I know people whose lives have been ruined by these laws. Not just a few, a DOZEN. Half of them graduated high school with me. I don’t smoke, but I have tried it, and it’s really obvious weed is basically benign. Sorry for double post!
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here
by searching for activism
I am proud to have donated money to Norml! Everyone keep up the hard work and keep fighting! Lets make 2013 an even more historic year for the legalization movement! Stay positive and keep pushing forward! Love you guys!
Well it’s about time. call it what it is,,, Cannabis. Marijuana was made up to persecute Mexican American workers back in the 1930’s. Maybe the DEA’ers could retrain as health workers…. Cannabis is NOT a criminal issue. Utter insanity by Harry Anslinger made it criminal.
I live in fl have chronic hep c and really need medical use . But here in the south i wonder if it will ever happen ? Times are changing and im two old to fool with the grow room thing i loved in my twentys my nerves cant take worrying about the law anymore i would love to see change come to my home state soon im so tired of having to get my herb from ” drug dealers” i cant tell u how bad i feel having to give my hard earned money over to guys who sell crack cocain and other real drugs because my medicin is illegal i hope and pray for change and i know right from wrong legalization is the right choice only then will this country truly control its real drug problems. Sincerly matter in destin fl.
Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this information together.
I once again find myself spending way too much
time both reading and leaving comments. But so what,
it was still worth it!
So Im a Wa resident. Guess what.. Here’s how the law plays out. You “can” recreationally use.. But employers will still slam you for drug tests… And still treat it as an illegal substance despite the law. Also.. Your not allowed to purchase it. Which.. Unless you guys have a magic wish ring.. Or find a huge sack while walking down the street certainly is a road block.
So.. Here’s wa’s law. You can smoke it as long as your ok with being fired from you job.. And as long as you don’t get any smoke. You have to just look down at your arm and say… “Hey wow.. How’d that joint get there.. Guess Ill take a hit”. Then… YOu get fired from your job when they piss test you.
Is it just me… Or did Wa just get totally ripped off. To me.. This is a cop-out law aimed mostly at having to spare the cops from busting people at huge venues like concerts.
So if your ok with no job, and marijuana magically materializing sense you can’t buy it… You can smoke it.
Crock of shit!!!!
And here’s another thing… Outlaw piss testing marijuana in the work place if the state you live in has “legalized” it. I shouldn’t have to get fired from my job because I smoked a joint. And frankly to me, sense I have a good job, it’s worse then being arrested.
[Editor’s note: Legalization is better than prohibition, warts and all. Period. BTW, even in WA, and numerous other medical cannabis states, patients are NOT exempt from drug testing laws either.
Undoubtedly, as cannabis becomes more and more legal, in more in more states, drug testing laws/practices for cannabis will abate.
However, even if a product is legal, like tobacco, more and more employers test for it. Will cannabis be treated differently?
No doubt that new legislation has to be introduced in states to create legal protections re testing and ‘drug’ use outside of the workplace.
While cannabis consumers in WA (and CO) can’t yet legally buy the herb in a retail shop, both states are on their projected targets of first of the year access of legal cannabis for adults.
Lastly, the economic and moral benefits of legalization were immediately realized less than two weeks after the November elections when both states ceased arresting thousands of cannabis consumers monthly and with the prosecutions of hundreds more charged with cannabis crimes. Hundreds have also been let out of jail or prison post these historically important votes.]
I agree. If employers were testing for previous alcohol consumption and terminating those who drank. The laws regarding testing would certainly be different. The tax revenue generated from legalized marijuana won’t be realized if our civil rights are authorized for violation. The argument that’s been used was to combat illegal drug use. With marijuana not being illegal it now becomes obvious to more Americans(WA,CO)that drug testing for legal substances is wrong. Now people are saying. What the heck gives someone the authority to violate my rights. Like we’re property.
Look up the United for Care petition sponsored by Morgan and Morgan. It just happened last week. Now we just need to vote come Nov. 4th!
It is surely a failed policy to prohibit cannabis. We should rather focus on prohibiting the abuse of it.
1st off I’m a former 7+yr vet of the Army and current reservist. I was also a LAPD motor officer for 6yrs during which I attended college. I now currently work for a 3 letter Fed Le agency as Fed Leo. With that said ever since I was a civilian Police officer and even on as a Fed Leo.
Me and the majority of my colleagues both civil and federal actually hated this so-called law, it’s exactly as the days of Al Capone and Elliot Ness. Its a stupid and useless law that is 100% political and not due to toxicity or similar reasons. Its big Pharma nothing more.
Alcohol and Tobacco are a thousand time more toxic and booze kills more people the world over than any other substance. Its more addictive and again much more toxic and more importantly Alcohol kills innocent people by car, boat or just by being drunk aka fights etc.
It also wastes millions if not billions of dollars that could otherwise be used to counter or battle more dangerous drugs like meth or crack. Its wastes so much resources for us in LE that’s its not even funny. Its time to get rid of this useless law once and for all so we can fight real crime.
Regarding abuse? Well my who is a 20+yr Cardiologist Surgeon has said it would be no different that chocolate. Remember Marijuana is to 99% of people NONE addictive and its why most arrests or serious crimes are selling and or dealing it NOT using it.
The ONLY reason why we have crime cause of pot is prohibition nothing more. This similar to concealed carry permits (guns) like in TX the opponents like always cry wolf like oh the streets will be like the OK corral or people will be shooting each other for the smallest arguments etc etc etc. But decades later NONE of that has happened.
The same types also said this of pot that oh all people will become potheads. That is pure lies and ignorance. Ive been in Le over 20yrs and any fool can get pot. This is fact if one does not smoke or take it legal or not for whatever? They won’t even if it was made legal and whoever made up that BS is a moron. I don’t drink or smoke. Its ludicrous if you don’t like pot hell you won’t just start up for any reason. Total idiocy.
Lastly yes this law will fall soon as our and most other federal agency’s are out of resources for it. So much money lost and nothing to show. I’m glad those states who have and will have it legalized. They should be proud to have started the historical snowball that will crush this stupid law once and for all.
Again as a Fed Leo I’d love to watch all these Pot kings, dealers and suppliers fall to powerless nobody’s and will be happy to have all our states having some income to cover all of Obama’s destruction to our country. Keep it up people you too NORML. LE is behind you as well. We’re also with the 2nd amendment as well.
Vote everyone and make your local and federal politicians hear your voices loud and clear.
Stay safe everyone!
I meant my wife is a MD sorry I use voice as I hate typing and got a cold. So again pardon the typos as I have not fined tuned it yet. Oh yes my wife who is again is a Cardiologist suggests if you do use it do NOT smoke it the carcinogens are the same as smoking cigarettes etc. So use a vaporizer. But only if its legal in your area as trust me you do not want jail time and a huge fine for non DE-criminalized states. Even with the just a ticket states will cost you a pretty penny so if you do use this do it at home and only indoors. Its not worth it to get caught over this trust me. As I was a LAPD officer and the job is stressful as is and we hate useless laws like this that have killed fellow officers and now as a Fed leo, fellow agents. For a freaking weed. Sigh..We have booze,meth,crack,coke,heroin and hundreds of other very dangerous substances and we’re wasting our time with Pot it is so frustrating and as it is now also very dangerous to us in Le. My Dr wife also agrees that this little plant has so much benefits some yet to be unlocked. But its big Pharma we are battling but they will lose its inevitable now. About freaking time. Pardon the rant.