Marijuana is finally on the ballot!

[zabu of nΩd]

I don't know where you got the idea that something could be legalized without being decriminalized. I suspect you're just getting the terms confused.

But, of course, if it's legal in a State but illegal at the Federal level I guess technically you can be arrested for doing something "legal".

 

[Eligos]

Illegal by Federal law, legal by State law.

And yeah, you can get arrested for it.

 

[skeptik]

My problem was that I assumed Dakryn would be supporting the stronger term, rather than the weaker term, so when he described the legalization (as opposed to decriminalization) as a problem, I took it to assume that decriminalization must have been more thorough, which didn't seem to make sense. That would assume that legalization didn't include decriminalization, and legalizing something yet keeping it criminal sounded awfully stupid to me, so I looked up the terms after I posted that and now I'm clear of the distinction. I'm just surprised Dakryn would favor decriminalization over legalization.

 

[Eligos]

Decriminalizing allows the current drug cartel to keep conducting business. Legalization requires you to register your business just as you would with any other industry.

 

[unknown]

I actually read an article the other day about pot growers in Humboldt are pissed because it might drive them out of business. They're pretty concerned about pot being legalized. never would of thought of that

but as a whole, I'm in favor for it. and where are the facts for the MADD spokesperson's nonsense?

 

[razoredge]

Oh yeah, Its going to put alot of people out of work and many will move toward other criminal acts. It aint all peaches and cream as so many with narrow scope want to paint it.

 

[panzerfaust666]

Increasingly I find myself in support of legalization, more and more. It do however think it's borderline embarrassing that the U.S. will get it legalized before us. Ah well.But overall, I think the legalization would be great, especially when people compare it to Alcohol....its almost pathetic that it's been so frowned upon for so long. From what I know, It would do wonders for many States, especially Michigan.

 

[Srontgorrth]

Just to clear things up, decriminalization is "legislation that makes something legal that was formerly illegal."

So it IS pretty much synonymous with legalization.

Though the fact that the Federal government still has a law/Supreme Court ruling makes it illegal with the feds.

If marijuana is decriminalized in Cali, I really doubt the federal government will due much about it. Really, what would they do? Send the whole DEA to California and send people to Federal prisons? Not gonna happen.

I actually read an article the other day about pot growers in Humboldt are pissed because it might drive them out of business. They're pretty concerned about pot being legalized. never would of thought of that

Yeah I read that yesterday too, its sort of amusing, but overall its quite selfish of them if anything.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Just to clear things up, decriminalization is "legislation that makes something legal that was formerly illegal."

Source plz, this sounds inaccurate. Though I'm sure there are many pro-weed activists who use "decriminalization" as a euphemism for "legalization", I highly doubt they are the same thing like your definition suggests.

 

[Srontgorrth]

Source plz, this sounds inaccurate. Though I'm sure there are many pro-weed activists who use "decriminalization" as a euphemism for "legalization", I highly doubt they are the same thing like your definition suggests.

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=decriminalization

though the Merriam Webster one is more accurate:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalization

"to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation"

However, Dictionary.com says that its "to eliminate criminal penalties for or remove legal restrictions against."

Whatever the case may be, in California they are making it legal to carry an ounce or less of marijuana for recreational use, and also grow some of your own.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Yeah I'm pretty sure the one on that Princeton site is wrong.

 

[skeptik]

Oh yeah, Its going to put alot of people out of work and many will move toward other criminal acts. It aint all peaches and cream as so many with narrow scope want to paint it.

Who is being put out of work by the legalization of marijuana? The law enforcement agents fighting the "war on ******? Also, stop being so condescending and arrogant.

 

[Srontgorrth]

Oh yeah, Its going to put alot of people out of work and many will move toward other criminal acts. It aint all peaches and cream as so many with narrow scope want to paint it.

The gangs and cartels that profit off of drug trafficking will simply drop marijuana off of their list and focus on the other drugs which they have already been trafficking in the first place.

 

[Dak]

My problem was that I assumed Dakryn would be supporting the stronger term, rather than the weaker term, so when he described the legalization (as opposed to decriminalization) as a problem, I took it to assume that decriminalization must have been more thorough, which didn't seem to make sense. That would assume that legalization didn't include decriminalization, and legalizing something yet keeping it criminal sounded awfully stupid to me, so I looked up the terms after I posted that and now I'm clear of the distinction. I'm just surprised Dakryn would favor decriminalization over legalization.

Legalization requires more government involvement, and decriminalization less government involvement, so why would you be surprised?

Legalization would involve registering your business, etc., as others pointed out. You could still get in trouble for not meeting the legal requirements for it. I can grow as many potatos and grapes as I want, which can both be turned into something that will alter your state of mind. Why not marijuana?

@ Sront: Which is why I am for decriminalization of all drugs.

 

[Pessimism]

@Healthcare: It was hilarious watching the Republicans attack the bill with their massive media outlet... it was sad to see them succeed in warping the minds of most however. They really did a number between getting people to believe the literal phrase "Cram it down OUR throats!", and that socialism = nazi/communism... :sigh:. What was really funny though was that when you asked people if they wanted "A" or "B" in healthcare reform, they would typically say yes - then they would point it out in the bill. The bill that passed though is still shoddy, gutted, and missing a few key things - I digress.


Hypothetically, if the federal government were to lift the illegality of marijuana, and big tobacco started to produce.. well, blunts, would you buy them?

Personally, not a chance in hell. We all know what they put in cig's, and I do believe it would be safe to assume they would find ways to add substances to increase the packaged lifespan/addictive quality of the pot.

 

[Tonka Time]

I hope it passes. I also hope that the age is lowered to 18.
People that are against legalization piss me off.

 

[Dak]

It's going to be fun to watch a lot of states refuse to implement it (the healthcare bill) due to the ridiculous price tag that goes along with it. This could be a spark that starts serious secession talk if it isn't struck down.

 

[Srontgorrth]

Legalization requires more government involvement, and decriminalization less government involvement, so why would you be surprised?

Legalization would involve registering your business, etc., as others pointed out. You could still get in trouble for not meeting the legal requirements for it. I can grow as many potatos and grapes as I want, which can both be turned into something that will alter your state of mind. Why not marijuana?

@ Sront: Which is why I am for decriminalization of all drugs.

As am I, especially since its been successfully done in Portugal.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Legalization would involve registering your business, etc., as others pointed out. You could still get in trouble for not meeting the legal requirements for it. I can grow as many potatos and grapes as I want, which can both be turned into something that will alter your state of mind. Why not marijuana?

How could this possibly make sense? Pot would still be illegal if it's decriminalized, so presumably running a business on it would also remain illegal. How is it more convenient for a businessman to be running an illegal business as opposed to simply having a few requirements to meet before operating legally?

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

Well this needs to happen anyway in every state, but it's a drop in the bucket of Cali's problems.

This.