I-502 marijuana possession now legal in WA.

[Steelheadin360]

I think its great! I dont see pot any different then cracking open a beer, maybe because i grew up with my hippie aunt and uncle hanging around. But at the samew time they are gonna tax the crap outta this stuff just like they do alcohol. Some people are freaking out about this law because they think its gonna be easier for minors to get ahold of pot. OPEN YOUR EYES! it is easier for my little brother to go to high school and buy pot then it is for me to find my favorite fishing jigs, and all i have to do is open my computer.

The real beauty about this law is that it frees up alot of law enforcments time to go after actual drugs, like herion, which is a huge problem. The other thing is now everyone thinks cops are gonna be pullng people over just to check if they are high. not gonna happen. and your not gonna get a dui if you had a little puff off your buddies roach yesterday. You have to act impaired before they can even ask you for a blood test. The new dui law mesaures a chemical that leaves your body with an hr or two of smoking, depending on how much you have smoked, the chemical that give you that high feeling, not the chemical they drug test you for. And when your high and driving, you are the most careful driver on the road, you dont hear headline like "stoned driver crosses yellow line, kills two." that stoned driver is 10 and 2 on the steering wheel doing 4 under the speedlimit running a perfectly straight line down the road. Right to Krispy Kreme to get a dozen originals and some chocolate milk.

And the feds.... I doubt they are gonna do anything about this. they didnt do anything about the medical laws, and if you broke your arm in 1st grade they would write you a presriction for a pound of killer kush and you would be on your way. And if they do sue and the law gets booted out, everyone will just go back to seeing their "guy" on payday.

And one last thing (i have drank a hole pot of coffee this morning im sorry) When you drink alcohol in excess, you get loud and roud, you think you are the bees knees, and your common sense and inhabitions go out the window, you lose motor function and you will generally over react about everything. You can sit down and smoke a bowl, Your happy, everyone is your friend, you think things over before doing them, and most of the time you are just gonna flip on the xbox, grab a bag of nacho cheese doritos and some Dew and thats it. and in a hr or two you are back to normal, no hang over! And smoking pot for recreation doesnt make you a stoner, just as grabbing a few beers doesnt make you a drunk. and im done

[MotoBoat]

A few thought as I read the many responses to the Mary Jane law passing. First, being a product of the 60's. I was able to experience "Acapulco Gold Marihuana", the one with exploding seeds! Then "tie stick" came on the scene. Then a girl friend, returns from her native State of California with a local product with a flavorfull name called "purple haired sensamelion" (sp??). Each having a higher THC level than it's predecessor. Resulting in being high on AG, or super high on the other two herbs.

The one common thread of all three types, besides the skunky smell of the two better ones. Is when added with alcohol, the combination of being stoned on Mary J, and buzzed on alcohol. In my, opinion is not the same as being high on either separately. Even one drink, added to being high on pot, raised being "high" to an entirely new level. That could be a big problem when behind the wheel. Those never experiencing both together, not knowing there cumulative effects!

Second, the drug business is inherently a cash business. How much cash get's declared and therefore becomes taxable? Legalizing for the sole purpose of tax relief for the government is "NEVER" a good reason, IMHO. Simply because enough is never enough when it comes to money and the Gov. Ever see a Government tax disappear, other than a toll for a roadway? Ever see a Government with a surplus?...

Legalizing for the purpose of relieving the burden on the jail system is also ludicrous. I am not saying herb drug dealers or those partaking in the herb, should be treated as criminals. Just debating the reasoning.

When considering, the problem is likely to be, to light a sentence for crimes committed, to deter the criminal. A question I ask myself is "Is the legal system set up for failure"? I mean, are there that many dishonest people out there to create the overload in the jail system we experience? How many are repeat offenders due to a "light jail sentence?"

I recently attended a city hall meeting. For the sole purpose of addressing the concerns of the neighborhood, knowing a drug house existed. For three years, the house has been under investigation. Three years of resources!! Why so long with no conviction? We were told surveillance by the police has been deemed illegal by our legislators. That many other tactics, that the police were not willing to divulge, were no longer legal. That there hands were tied. That what they have done, legally, normally scares the occupants of the drug house to move on. Move on!!!!!!!!

What does that solve? Except "out of sight out of mind" or relocation to another jurisdiction's problem? What keeps them from coming back during the next "scare tactic" and "relocation". In my mind, forcing them to relocate does not solve the problem. But does keep the police in the business of "attempting" to solve crime.

Our jails are stuffed with criminals, court systems with suspects. Many of which are repeat offenders. Is this a designed scare tactic, intended to inflict fear into the general public? And keep the cops in business?

We can enter a country with special ops, drones, and whatever classified tools exist. To kill whomever we (our esteemed government) deam necessary. But can't take out the cartel! Why? Is it as simple as I bribe you (government officials), to allow me (the cartel) to stay in business, and you look like your trying to catch me. By busting a few of my traffickers, and a raid here or there of my fields? Flying around in helicopters, to access and destroy my crop is costing me product, and pissing me off. But not putting me out of business, not by a long shot. That is a waste of resources, to not servail that crop in order to go up the chain of command to the top, unless the top is not your intent. But the appearance of drug control is.

You might think I am against cops and for drugs, but it is the opposite. I am just not blind to what is going on. If the problem is not effectively dealt with, the problem does not go away. And I do believe I have heard "we are loosing the war on drugs" more than once. And " we are undermanned and under gunned". Really? Why? Oh not enough revenue! Really, there is a surprise........not!

Not enough revenue is a common theme for our Government, when reasoning why enough is not getting done.

To make a informed decision concerning May Jane. One should be educated with the drug. I have "heard" through the media. That the herb leads to addiction and drugs classified as more habitual and worse for you. I can't comment since my testing of cigarette's in the form of tobacco and in the herb form. Were not consumed in the apparent quantities necessary, to cause addiction to either. Nor leading to another more serious drug. Curious experimentation was the driver, not the herb.

Hmmm, I see it is almost time for a fried egg sandwich. Why does the subject cause hunger? Food appears to be my addiction!!

[renpeg]

Im glad the law past. I do not understand how marijuana can be outlawed but alcohol, tobacco, acetaminophen, and many other prescription and over the counter drugs are still legal even though they have more affections and can kill you. Hell their warning label tell you this.

I see this law as the stepping stone for the federal government to not only rethink marijuana, but also Industrialized hemp.
Industrialized Hemp could revolutionize our county. It can be made to produce fuel,food,paper, clothing,rope and a million other things. without using all the chemicals that are currently used to grow cotton,corn,soy beans ect

[MotoBoat]

Im glad the law past. I do not understand how marijuana can be outlawed but alcohol, tobacco, acetaminophen, and many other prescription and over the counter drugs are still legal even though they have more affections and can kill you. Hell their warning label tell you this.

I see this law as the stepping stone for the federal government to not only rethink marijuana, but also Industrialized hemp.
Industrialized Hemp could revolutionize our county. It can be made to produce fuel,food,paper, clothing,rope and a million other things. without using all the chemicals that are currently used to grow cotton,corn,soy beans ect

Don't rule out the flavor enhancing ability of some foods, like brownies and such. Isn't there a hemp fest, held in downtown Seattle every year?

[Steelheadin360]

Hemp fest- ya man!

and magic cookie bars are pretty.. well... magical

[AJ's Dad]

-

[Bodofish]

Put the shovel down, the hole is getting deeper.

[sickbayer]

although I am all for it taxing and regulating it, I really believe it sends a bad message to adolescents that there is nothing wrong with pot smoking? Pot smoking changes the brain chemistry in teens. I would like to see clear guide lines. As for my opinion you can smoke as much as you want no harm or foul to me.

[AJ's Dad]

-

[Bodofish]

Put the shovel down, the hole is getting deeper.

????????

Wow really? And go out of may way to make it easy.........

I have a very finely tuned sense of humor and can find funny in just about any situation however there is a line and in my opinion that crossed it. Poking fun at a prominent segment of our population by suggesting their mandatory drug use by miss quoting the bible, somehow just doesn’t strike me as funny. Maybe it is but I just don’t see it.

[dicinu]

I for one am Happy about the law I do see issues with DUI's but the money it will generate for the state will be great. I Smoke Sunday - Thursday due to my Insomnia I have. I do not have a medical Card nor do I smoke for recreational use I used too when I was younger but all I did was gain weight. Now I smoke around about 30 mins before I want to hit the sack and I am out like a light. better than the Pills my doctor gave me and a lot cheaper it also helped me with my Migraines, I only got those at night mainly due to lack of sleep.

The fed gov is talking of taking Washington's and Colorado's Budgets away if we do not rid the law, this could be a good or a bad thing. if we generate the money I think we will it will be a good thing. ( what are your thoughts of the last bit of Info.)

[AJ's Dad]

-

[Big D]

I figured this post could get a little warm and I'm sure that folks have valid and strong opinions on both sides of the fence but as I stated in the original post: For conversation purposes only (NO JUDGEMENTS) and now I'm asking for the thread to get back on topic.
If you have an opinion on the passage of (I-502 marijuana possession now legal in WA.)
Please feel free to share otherwise knock it off.

[Augwen]

25+ years ago in Oregon, you could have up to 6 plants. When you got pulled over they would ask if you had pot and sell you a $15 stamp for the tax on pot. You stuck it on the bag and they did not bother you. Oregon had gone so far as to interview 50 people that were going to be the state growers. They had 2 places that were being set up to put together the pot for sale in the state liquor stores (sound familar). Along came the Feds and threatened to take all the Fed money away. Oregon almost went for it because on paper, they were going to make more than what the Feds gave them every year anyway. More pressure was applied and Oregon decided to not go forward. Wherever it goes this time around is OK with me. The Feds will have to deal with it sooner than later as the American people seem to want it legalized.

[Bodofish]

We have some rather senior senators on key commities, so in affect we are uncle fed. Them tennis shoes are all over the hill.

[racfish]

Finally its decriminalized. At least at the state level. The Feds still got the 1940 bug up their coulos.So many people die from drunk driving its scarey. In wWa state you'll get 5 years for murder but get 10 years for smoking a joint in public. Go figure. Ive had a medical marijuans license for years now. Ever since my Kidney surgery years ago. Im glad it passed but its written really stupidly. Who in the heck carries an ounce on their person. Nobody I know. Also the DUI thing is really poor. Pot stays in your system 30 days so the dui thing is really unfair. Leave it to the state for a good idea but managed poorly. Reminds me of the WDFW another state fiacal.

[Dustin07]

I'm late to this game, but still want to play.

Kids aren't dumb, they know pot doesn't kill. Last survey I read said within any given month you will find 500,000 WA state residents that have smoked pot. There really is no logical reason for pot to be illegal. especially considering pharmaceuticals are working on synthetic THC patents to duplicate what natural pot can already do. especially when compared to how one night of binge drinking can kill you, whereas pot does not.

In the last 100 years how many new legitimate expenses has our government picked up without an offsetting new source of revenue? there are plenty. highways, technology. things that both side would agree we need that fall into neither socialist or conservative camps.

Then there is the cartels and their murderous hoodlums. If people are already smoking like crazy, why encourage them to buy out of a van supporting these killers? why not regulate it and tax it?

Ever seen a bar fight? Ever seen a pot fight?

I dont even smoke but I voted for it.

[Dustin07]

I do like the smell though, it smells like rock and roll.

[tnj8222]

I got my medical recomendation have for years. No big deal now its just more legal.

[BARCHASER10]

I dont think they will loosen up the money laundering laws. The Feds have worked pretty hard to keep drug money out of our financial system. Its a slippery slope once they allow that to happen. Pot shops will be strictly a cash biz with a great big safe in the back room. Once the bad guys figure that out, pot shops will be a popular place for armed robbery. Besides, the little bit of profit a bank may get out of doing biz with a pot shop is not worth the risk of getting prosecuted.