Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker, and Rand Paul Join Forces for Pot

New York Magazine ^ | Jaime Fuller

[nickcarraway]

Senators Kristen Gillibrand, Cory Booker, and Rand Paul announced that they plan to unveil legislation that would lift the federal ban on medical marijuana on Tuesday. The bill, which adheres to the unfortunate and by no means necessary rule that all attention-grabbing legislation must feature a tortured acronym, is called the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act, and would “allow patients, doctors and businesses in states that have already passed medical marijuana laws to participate in those programs without fear of federal prosecution," according to a statement released by the co-sponsors. Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia, but federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration are still able to shut down dispensaries owing to federal law.

At first glance, this looks like an odd team to champion medical marijuana, but Gillibrand and Paul have a history of being called an "odd couple" —they worked together on a bill that would change how the military deals with sexual-assault cases in 2013; last year, the senators co-sponsored bills to repeal the Authorization for Military Force in Iraq and help parents pay for child care. Paul and Booker have been called a congressional "odd couple." too, for working together on a criminal-justice bill that sought to help young nonviolent offenders.

Paul also happens to be interested in differentiating himself from the rest of the crowded 2016 presidential field, something that might be helped by his increasingly burnished bipartisan credentials in issues near and dear to many young voters' hearts.

Several other 2016 candidates have said that pot is an issue that should be left to the states, but most seem to take that position as a way of avoiding discussion on the topic altogether.

Regardless of whether this bill succeeds, the United States will likely welcome a few more states to the legal-weed fray by the time we have a new president. A handful of states will likely put marijuana legalization on the ballot in 2016, while other states have state legislatures considering legalization. And during an election cycle when marijuana is on everyone's mind, Paul is going to be the presidential candidate with the most to talk about.

[Liberty1st]

Puthy?

[PGR88]

I am mildly in favor of pot legalization. Do what you want with your body. The Just don’t force society to subsidize you when you f*** your life up.

Having said that, its not an issue I would care to promote, or one that would get me to stand on a podium with Kirsten Gillibrand.

I assume Rand Paul is just trolling for some part of the hipster vote.

[Liberty1st]

WOAH....”Lighter than steel, but can withstand 10x the impact w/o denting”.

[Maelstorm]

Give it time. They are just waiting. They need a reason to exist with smoking on the way out. Never trust do gooders who make too much money doing good.

[Ken H]

"Medical marijuana" is a bullsh*t scam and nothing but the push down the slippery slope to legalization.

Regardless, the Tenth Amendment says it's up to the states to make that decision, rather than fedgov.

[Ken H]

Does anybody think Bush or Rand will be president?

Rand Paul, not a prayer.

Jeb Bush, I can't say but I don't count him out. As of right now, I think he has about as good a chance as any of the current contenders.

[familyop]

They're so glamorous.

Overdose of medical cannabis caramel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3bFZDy4rUk

[manc]

typical of the desperation of Paul and his libs pals. He is trying to get the kids and druggies to vote for him . Of all the problems we face and he does this.

Paul go and join the far left will you and stop calling yourself a republican or conservative

[bigdaddy45]

You know this for a fact? You’ve never talked to someone who’s gotten genuine relief from Medical Marijuana?

[ConservingFreedom]

The cardinal canon of medical ethics is "first do no harm."

So all medicines with harmful side effects are bullsh*t scams that should be illegal? or just marijuana?

[philman_36]

BMW’s New Electric Car Sheds Weight With Hemp

The i3 will be available in North America by early 2014 with a starting price of $41,350 (US)

While any mention of hemp always seems to perk ears, the fact that hemp was used to make parts of the i3 shouldn’t come as a surprise. BMW has been testing and using natural fibers like hemp since the 1990′s, when government pressure to use recyclable materials forced most European car makers to go greener.

Starting out with trunk liners and airbag parts, BMW eventually expanded into making door panels out of hemp. By 2006, hemp panels were used in all of BMW’s 5 series models. Many luxury European car makers – including Mercedes and Audi – now make use of hemp in some form.

The i8 will be the next electric car sold by BMW. The hybrid supercar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h

[JimRed]

I have no objection to medical use of marijuana, only to the 60s-70s docs who will (for a fee) prescribe it for a hangnail.