Posted on 09/18/2022 2:30:38 PM PDT by Libloather
Since the marijuana legalization era began in 2012, the federal government has operated under an unwritten understanding that it would not enforce marijuana laws in states where the drug is legal.
So, how is that working out?
The Los Angeles Times looked for answers in rural California and published the results in a new series this month. California legalized the recreational use of marijuana by referendum in 2016. Proponents promised that a taxable and orderly marijuana trade would be the result, a clear improvement over the violent black market trade that had preceded legalization. They promised that the legal marijuana trade would squeeze the illegal trade out of business.
The exact opposite is now happening.
In short, the consequences of federal nonenforcement and reduced state penalties for marijuana offenses are not pretty. The emergence of a regulated marijuana trade has not reduced crime in California - rather, it has spread crime out into the rural areas and turned local politics across the state into a morass of corruption.
Local politicians now take and demand huge bribes in exchange for growing licenses and legislative support for expanding the industry. According to one source quoted by the Los Angeles Times, bribe requests are typically in the low six-figures. Federal law enforcement authorities have at least been somewhat involved in running sting operations and prosecuting corrupt officials. But for every rock they turn over, there have to be dozens they miss.
And that's just the legal trade. Given the relative absence of federal drug enforcement and reduced state criminal penalties as a result of Proposition 64, illegal and completely unregulated marijuana growing operations have sprung up across California. Heavily armed camps filled with violent armed men, often tied to cartels, now dot the countryside. The neighbors are far too scared to ask questions...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
We will be voting on whether to allow weed stores in our small city. ugh.
All I know is that I’ve had to leave my favorite park a few times due to a big bunch of people lighting up that Tijuana stink weed.
CC
We tried to tell them
Weed is used as a get out the rat vote tool and it works.
I’m old enough to remember the Welcome Wagon
The state lottery was also suppose to help the schools. How did that turn out?
If whiskey grew on trees, distilleries would need heavily armed guards to protect their farms. And as for the cartels, the influence of organized crime is reduced by making the growing and selling of weed legal.
He's long gone from here, but what scares me he is out on the road driving around somewhere.
“Look !
A Squirrel !!!”
.
That messes Stoners Up for Days!
Two things for certain everytime the vote comes. Massive amounts of money, usually from outside interests, pushing to legalize. No money to push against.
Don’t say yes.
The weak-minded will get even more stupid.
A not-quite-bright neighbor has been in the hospital for over 5 months while her family decides what to do about her. If she comes back here, it will be marijuana every day.
I sent this editorial in an email to my "A-List" email buddies a few minutes ago.
My intro was:
All,
I have opposed the legalization of ALL "recreational" drugs for my entire life for moral, legal and health reasons!
For example, have you EVER wondered why the "No Smoking" crowd was so opposed to cigarettes and is so supportive of "weed?"
Those states/localities (e.g. Washington, DC) that have legalized marijuana have had, IMHO, a VERY BAD experience with said legalizaion!
This short editorial neatly packages the situation!
FReegards,
FRank
I have not yet received any feedback FRom my email buddies.
Nothing in the article about the LEO’s confiscating the Mariguana sellers money and the armored cars transporting it.
That has not been the experience in those areas where this noxious weed is legal!
Did you even read the editorial?
Best not to purchase stuff made in ANY state where weed is legal!
E.g. Morgan and Morgan here in Flori-Duh!
Siskiyou County is essentially run by thousands of cartel-connected pot growers who, by force of arms, govern access to public lands, and even tracts of private land, nearly none of which they own.
It’s a disaster that Patton’s 3rd Army would be hard-pressed to rectify. Today’s panty waists have zero chance, when they even have a clue at all.
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