Marijuana legalization victories could be short-lived

[geetrue]

Even though President Obama won the states of Washington and Colorado I have the funny feeing that the feds are going to come down hard on this new law that permits anyone 18 and over to purchase and use pot.

The NFL has already said that it's no pot rules are still in effect.

http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-lega...022257328.html

(Reuters) - Votes making Colorado and Washington the first U.S. states to legalize marijuana for recreational use could be short-lived victories for pot backers because the federal government will fight them, two former U.S. drug control officials said on Wednesday.

They said the federal government could sue to block parts of the measures or send threatening letters to marijuana shops, followed up by street-level clampdowns similar to those targeting medical marijuana dispensaries the government suspects are fronts for drug traffickers.

"This is a symbolic victory for (legalization) advocates, but it will be short-lived," Kevin Sabet, a former adviser to the Obama administration's drug czar, told reporters.

"They are facing an uphill battle with implementing this, in the face of ... presidential opposition and in the face of federal enforcement opposition," Sabet said.

Colorado and Washington state legalized the possession and sale of marijuana for adult recreational use on Tuesday through ballot measures in defiance of federal law, while a similar initiative was defeated at the polls in Oregon.

The initiatives appeared to reflect growing national support for liberalized marijuana laws, as indicated by a Gallup poll last year that found 50 percent of Americans favored making it legal, versus 46 percent opposed.

[Sailor Steve]

So what it comes down to is the Federal Government openly opposing the will of the people. This could be entertaining.

[geetrue]

Here's an interesting side note.

Ian Millhiser, senior constitutional policy analyst with the left-leaning Center for American Progress, said the federal government, even if it sues to challenge the Colorado and Washington initiatives, cannot force police in those states to arrest people for marijuana infractions.

in other words no matter what the feds do to the state the local law enforcement don't have to do a thing to the users.

[Buddahaid]

And I doubt any will since they are likely as cash strapped as every other force. Maybe a Sheriff here or there will but that's all. The Feds will still fight it uselessly just like they did during prohibition, but what I'll find more interesting is will the Mexican drug gangs leave now? Will the toxic secret plantations disappear?

[the_tyrant]

Marijuana is a difficult substance to regulate, because it stays in your bloodstream for so long. You will test positive up to one month after smoking it.

Even if it is legalized, there will be many places that demand that you are not on it. For example, driving, work, school, etc. until new testing measures are developed, it is effectively illegal anyways

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

Even if it is legalized, there will be many places that demand that you are not on it. For example, driving, work, school, etc. until new testing measures are developed, it is effectively illegal anyways

Even if I wanted to smoke it(never really liked all that much in college), I can't. My line of work(aircraft mechanic) requires random pee tests for drugs. If I fail one, I lose my job and very possibly my A&P certificate allowing me to work on airplanes and then my career is out the window. At 48, I don't want to start thinking about a new career.

[RickC Sniper]

Originally Posted by geetrue

in other words no matter what the feds do to the state the local law enforcement don't have to do a thing to the users.

The job of the local authorities will be to enforce the age limit, the possession limit, and the illegal use of it in public.

[Buddahaid]

Guess it all depends where you live but I've watched a cop say to a group smoking "That better be pot."

Around where I live they pretty much have bigger fish to fry all the time. Sure, you'll get busted lighting up in a car but rarely for just having it in public.

[geetrue]

Originally Posted by RickC Sniper

The job of the local authorities will be to enforce the age limit, the possession limit, and the illegal use of it in public.

I didn't know the age limit was 21, thank you, but I did know that it was legal to possess one ounce or less on your person in downtown Denver for several years now.

I do know that the feds rarely bother anyone growing pot of less than 100 plants (if it's not for sale) and that is in California or any of the other states.

I also know that Colorado is one of the few states that allow marijuana to be in energy drinks among many other non FDA approved items you can purchase and consume (not good says I )

[RickC Sniper]

Originally Posted by geetrue

I didn't know the age limit was 21, thank you, but I did know that it was legal to possess one ounce or less on your person in downtown Denver for several years now.

No, it is not legal under current law to carry up to one ounce. It is only a considered a class 2 petty offense though. Up to 8 ounces is still a misdemeanor for the first offense More than that and 2nd or 3rd time offenses the penalty starts getting stiff.
http://www.hebetsmccallin.com/marijuana-possession.html

I also know that Colorado is one of the few states that allow marijuana to be in energy drinks among many other non FDA approved items you can purchase and consume (not good says I )

To my knowledge currently you can only legally purchase marijuana from a licensed dispensary, and you need a prescription. Lots of people don't like a smokey room so there are many ways to ingest it. The FDA would have a hard time inspecting things that are homemade.
Maybe national legalization is needed so the FDA can set standards and inspect.
Check out the menu!
http://legalmarijuanadispensary.com/...erred-products