Measure to legalize marijuana will be on California's November ballot (Dude)

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 24, 2010

[Zakeet]

Supporters of the initiative collected well more than the 433,971 signatures needed for it to go before voters in the fall, again putting the state at the forefront of the nation's drug debate.

An initiative to legalize marijuana and allow it to be sold and taxed will appear on the November ballot, state election officials announced Wednesday, triggering what will probably be a much-watched campaign that once again puts California on the forefront of the nation's debate over whether to soften drug laws.

[Snip]

With polls showing that a slim majority of voters support legalization, the legalization campaign will be trying to appeal to a slice of undecided voters who are mostly mothers. "It's always easier for people to say no than to say yes for an initiative," said Mark Baldassare, the pollster for the Public Policy Institute of California.

[Oakland marijuana entrepreneur] Lee hopes to raise as much as $20 million. He will probably be able to tap a handful of wealthy advocates who have supported efforts to relax drug laws, including multibillionaire investor George Soros and George Zimmer, founder of the Men's Wearhouse. Zimmer has donated at least $20,000.

[Ken H]

Drugs are serious enough that I don't believe states rights can overcome it. Similar to slavery or anything that's national. I'd like to see it as an amendment matter though.

IOW, you support fedgov in its use of the Commerce Clause to trample the Tenth Amendment. Looks like you and Nancy Pelosi have a similar expansive view on the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce:

"The Constitution gives Congress broad power to regulate activities that have an effect on interstate commerce," she notes in a news release. "Congress has used this authority to regulate many aspects of American life, from labor relations to education to health care to agricultural production. Since virtually every aspect of the heath care system has an effect on interstate commerce, the power of Congress to regulate health care is essentially unlimited."

[Tolsti2]

What are fire ants good for then?

[Tolsti2]

I just see illegal drugs as too important, they ruin the concept of ‘life, liberty and the persuit of happiness’.

They’re a fundamental scourge on society, as well are those that use them. I like the Singapore system when it comes to them.

[ajay_kumar]

So you do not believe in personal responsibility?
You think the “village” should be your mother?

[Persevero]

You are making a far higher percentage of Americans get stoned.

Get it?

[Tolsti2]

People that use them are already not using judgement well enough to be personally responsible by definition. They are no longer using their own wits, but are under then influence of the drug. I’m nearing 40 and I know how this stuff works, seen it enough.

[ChrisInAR]

I never “admitted” to doing anything.

Actually, considering how companies drug test these days, it’s easier to deal than it is to smoke....& since pot stays in your system much longer than the hard drugs to, drug testing actually PROMOTES the use of the harder drugs ‘cuz a user’s body will “clean” out faster w/ tyhe hard stuff than they would w/ pot.

[Tolsti2]

Since sobriety appears impossible for you, what illegal drugs do you do?

[Mister Da]

Ask God! I didn’t make the scripture, he did.

If you want to quibble with the Bible, be my guest.

Quibble: To evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial distinctions and objections.

[ChrisInAR]

Anything I can get my hands on. That’s just the way potheads are, remember. LOL

[Tolsti2]

Quibbling is bring up the bible in the first place when it comes to illegal drugs. When something that stupid happens, I tend to go with it.

[ajay_kumar]

If you want to get stoned, go to your nearest liquor store.
A bottle of Whiskey, Gin, Vodka will get you stoned out of your mind. And it costs probably less than an oz of pot.

So why is’nt every one getting stoned?
It is because most of us value our health, and our family.

Now just explain to me why illegal drugs is a multi-Billion dollar business. In spite of all the laws on the books!

[ajay_kumar]

yes, and repeating my reasons for doing so..

>> Less burglaries and robberies committed by addicts who can not afford the high street prices of illegal pot

>> Fewer cops needed to arrest pot smokers

>> Fewer jails needed to house arrested pot smokers

>> Fewer judges needed to preside over court trials

>> Fewer bailiffs needed in court trials

>> Fewer defense lawyers needed and subsidized by tax payers

>> Fewer court buildings to try pot smokers

>> Fewer criminal gangs making profits on selling pot

>> Bring in additional tax revenues on legal sale of pot

>> Pot is illegal now, and it does not stop any one from obtaining it

[Tolsti2]

All fantasy. The downside will be worse. CA’s already a mess, if this passes, forget it. We’re on a steady slide to the left anyway, it’s a shame to have this issue lost to them as well, but I guess it’s inevitable.

[ChrisInAR]

If you want to get stoned, go to your nearest liquor store. A bottle of Whiskey, Gin, Vodka will get you stoned out of your mind.

Different strokes for different folks. As for me & my house, I HATE alcohol. I hate its bitter taste, I hate its addictiveness, I hate the violence that it brings in people, I hate vomiting my guts out, & I simply hate being drink.

I'd much rather kick back, smoke a joint & watch TV & laugh w/ my friends while we wait for the pizza delivery guy to knock on the door.

[ChrisInAR]

Do you live in CA?

[mstar]

I leave you with words from the Bible, King James version, Genesis 29-31: 29
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

Maybe a study of this passage from the original texts, along with some common sense, might be good here. If you take this passage literally, one could be liberally pouring steak sauce on the "meat" of a poppy plant, and possibly end up a heron/opium addict. Think maybe the Lord gave us the hemp plant to make hippie baskets and rug.

[Tolsti2]

Are you kidding?

[ChrisInAR]

Then the CA law won’t affect you, will it?

[gargoyle]

...If I said no, you wouldn't believe me. If I said, I wish, but don't have the resources, you'd say “ahhha!”. Yea, I've smoked herb, in the past. I had some good times and bad times with drugs. I don't condon it, but I'm not in denial about it. Today I got home at 8:30P from work. My wife is very ill, from cancer, and I have no time for imbibing these days. I wish I had the luxury to stay home and have friend over cookouts, for working on a garden, growing vegetables and HERBS. There are more pressing issues to deal with, and because I'm a responsible person, my fun time at home is secondary...