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Debate: Washington state's legalization of marijuana
Yesterday in WA state I-502 was passed. What are the pros and cons as you see them of this act? What should the federal government do?
In plain language, here is what Initiative 502 will do:
This law legalizes the possession of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. The only marijuana that would be legal to sell in this state would be grown by specially-licensed Washington farmers and sold in standalone, marijuana-only stores operated by private Washington businesses licensed and regulated by the state. There would be a 25% sales tax, with 40% of the new revenues going to the state general fund and local budgets, and the remainder dedicated to substance-abuse prevention, research, education and health care. Advertising would be restricted. A new marijuana DUI standard that operates like the alcohol DUI standard would be established.
Closing Statement from russell lester
So far the biggest change I have personally seen is that their are more people open about their use of pot, and to tell the truth a general improvement in mood and communication. Some of my friends have reacted with a powerful pro democracy sentiment that was absent in them prior to the passage by this state of legal recreational pot use and gay marriage, a strong identification with Washington State and unprecedented loyalty to the state. There remains a lot of curiosity as to the Federal response and to the longer term effects. What if for example this has the unintended consequence of affecting the federal supremacy of law? I am very grateful to all who contributed and read this conversation thank you.
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Random Chance 30+
why should any other authorities be involved?
get money out of it and it won't be abused most of the time
crime connected to it will be rare if it is easily, readily and plentifully available. there will be
no reasons for greed, crime and so on.
abuse of it might happen and more than likely will, as with virtually any other commodity
humans are involved in using.
i don't have a problem with it being legalized.
legalize prostitution too, so women can control their own lives and list all occupations as
prostitution, which is what they are anyway.
a good way to really grow is to get to and admit the real truth and stop separating and
demonizing one another for being different.
put governors in every car, truck, motorcycle, train,bus and so on, to slow everything down
so that one can enjoy the ride........man, this is good stuff. Life is good.
I don't smoke it but others might.
Figure out the bumps after a trial legal period of time, and I don't mean incarceration.
completely outlaw, ban and get rid of all cigarettes and don't let any "official departments or agencies" have access to
putting anything in the weed.
Use this as initiative to begin eliminating most laws as most are worthless and created for the wrong reasons with
the wrong results. those results show they don't work.
dave goldstein