Colorado’s pro-pot initiative could threaten medical marijuana paradise

Yahoo! News ^ | Liz Goodwin

[Condor 63]

DENVER—A ballot initiative in Colorado that could make the state the first to effectively legalize marijuana has an unlikely bunch of people very nervous: owners of the state's medical marijuana dispensaries.

Despite an expected surge in demand, some fear passage of the initiative, called Amendment 64—which legalizes the buying and selling of up to one ounce of pot at a time for customers over the age of 21—could goad the federal government into a crackdown on the dispensaries, ending their industry's three-year miniboom.

If the amendment passes, the "best-case scenario [is] you get a million new customers," the owner of one medical marijuana store in downtown Denver told Yahoo News. "It would be wonderful." But he asked not to be named, spooked by the prospect of bringing attention to his store in case of increased federal action.

Both President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who face off in their first debate on Wednesday night at the University of Denver—giving the state initiative the potential to reverberate nationwide—have signaled their opposition to states that flout the federal drug law with legalization measures.

[andyk]

Oh noes! FReeper heads explode!

[CORedneck]

Some folks may not like this but IMHO, it should be a state decision on marijuana, not federal.

[ThunderSleeps]

Both President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who face off in their first debate on Wednesday night at the University of Denver—giving the state initiative the potential to reverberate nationwide—have signaled their opposition to states that flout the federal drug law...

And yet hussein's so-called "Justice" Dept. has repeatedly gone after Arizona for attempting to enforce federal law? You know, without rampant hypocrisy and lying, liberals wouldn't have anything...

[gunsequalfreedom]

Jefferson is on your side... and so am I.

[mojo114]

FYI

[TADSLOS]

A diagnosis for testicular cancer no longer required to get your weed.

[Condor 63]

“Some folks may not like this but IMHO, it should be a state decision on marijuana, not federal. “

Don’t have any problem with it....

as long as you will concede Alabama has the same right in regards to illegal immigrants.

[familyop]

Those of you outside of Colorado, take a good look. It's what the State is all about on every issue (environmentalism, regulations, social issues, all), contrary to denials, and that includes Colorado Springs.

[Zeneta]

I suppose I won’t need that custom designed microwave anymore.

As long as I get my KFC, all will be well.

[rwfromkansas]

Not libertarian, but this is the one cause I support. Don’t smoke, but think it’s time this is legalized. Alcohol is far worse.

[TigersEye]

Too bad I’m voting for it. Gardeners don’t need drug dealers.

[OneWingedShark]

You missed a big reason: the War on Drugs is the single most destructive policy WRT the Bill of Rights due the legal justifications for sustaining it.

[gunsequalfreedom]

I’m with you on that one. Good list.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Alcohol is far worse.

But, but, but ... COMMUNION WINE! </woddie>