Posted on 06/08/2018 10:10:32 AM PDT by Mariner
President Trump said he likely will support a congressional effort to end the federal ban on marijuana, a major step that would reshape the pot industry and end the threat of a Justice Department crackdown.
Trump’s remarks put him sharply at odds with Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions on the issue. The bill in question, pushed by a bipartisan coalition, would allow states to go forward with legalization unencumbered by threats of federal prosecution.
Trump made his comments to a gaggle of reporters Friday morning just before he boarded a helicopter on his way to the G-7 summit in Canada. His remarks came the day after the bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed their measure.
One of the lead sponsors is Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), who is aligned with Trump on several issues but recently has tangled with the administration over the Justice Department’s threatened crackdowns on marijuana.
“I support Sen. Gardner,” Trump said when asked about the bill. “I know exactly what he’s doing. We’re looking at it. But I probably will end up supporting that, yes.”
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
The idea of “gateway drug” has been thoroughly discredited. It’ the refuge of simple minds.
Being born is a “gateway drug.”
“Life’ll kill ya.” - Warren Zevon
“Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) “
Is a Conservative’s conservative.
As a former pothead, I despise marijuana.
But I’m libertarian on social issues. When you take away people’s freedom to fail, you take away their freedom to succeed.
And if you’ve ever had your car sniffed by a dog at a traffic stop (I have, recently) and watched all those videos about cops planting drugs in cars (I have), you welcome the decriminalization of said drugs.
I’ve not touched marijuana since 1977, BTW.
This would be good. I take a Tenth Amendment view on this — it’s a state function, not a Federal one.
“What are the true risks of taking cannabis?”
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/15/what-are-the-risks-of-taking-cannabis
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“Marijuana-related deaths, suspensions & problems spike in Colorado – report”
https://www.rt.com/usa/316148-marijuana-related-deaths-injuries-study/
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4/21/18
“Think it’s harmless? Now nine in ten teens at drug clinics are being treated for marijuana use”
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There is a big difference between ‘compulsory’ and ‘encouraged’ behavior. We are a little off the original discussion of defining what a threat to national security can consist of, but I guess I am a little surprised at folks only a generation from the greatest generation objecting to encouraging healthy behavior in our youth.
Encouraging this behavior is not ‘mandating’ this behavior, but posters here seem to be spring loaded to confrontational discussion.
There are many laws that compel adherence to ‘moral’ behavior (prostitution, porn, gambling, etc). Some of these vises are so abhorrent that they do rise to a national concern, even though they are not delineated in the constitution (child trafficking for example).
I think this thread was specifically addressing federal regulation of marijuana. My concern, and I think where national security MAY or MAY NOT apply (to be determined), is where the uncontrolled availability to drugs threatens the health and well being of kids in school or on play grounds, potentially taking someone with a bright future and creating a drug addled juvenile looking to steal something for his next baggie of weed.
Its impossible to count the future loss in dollars or lives for decisions made today for the convenience of generating a tax revenue.
I was in my daughter’s home in Seattle a few weeks ago. She is a professional (engineering degree) at a large insurance company. Her husband owns his own internet based company that is quickly reaching the $10,000,000 value mark (yes, it is already highly profitable).
At their house I saw a “candy” bag about four inches square that said, “Weed tart”. It was a big “sweet tart” with 10 or 20% THC. Apparently it takes one or two hours to affect you. They consume it on occasion but sort of like how social drinkers drink alcohol.
I was still disappointed, though. But it’s their choice - and should be in a FREE country.
I should also add that I could easily legally get any drug I wanted, whether it was pot or oxy. So, why do I have a beer before dinner and call it at that? Perhaps it's not drugs or availability, but personal proclivity towards addiction and/or self-destructive behavior?
That being said, while it is indeed in the national interest to foster and encourage physical fitness, and perhaps also in the national interest to discourage drug addiction and other self-destructive behavior, there's a big different between "interest" and legally enforceable action(s).
That thin wavering line between liberty and tyranny can become awfully obscure. All it takes is an individual or group(s) to seize the initiative by pushing the limit to serve their own selfish ends towards gaining additional power.
As an aside, up until early 1900s, drugs had been widely available throughout all societies since the dawn of history. Seems to me it didn't stop the Egyptians, Persians, Greek, Romans, British, et al from creating & maintaining large scale military empires.
“Now nine in ten teens at drug clinics are being treated for marijuana use”
That’s funny right there, I don’t care WHO you are.
In Britain anyone under 18 caught with pot is compelled by the courts to attend rehab.
You’re just upset because you cannot use government to compel the behavior you want everyone to comply with...and it eats at you.
And it shows.
Anyone who thinks it's no big deal should spend some time cruising the highlights of inner city Seattle.
No good will come from legalizing pot...
It will also increase the “feeling” by the population where they are free - free to make their own decisions - and take responsibility for their own success or failure.
He must have smoking that straw man argument.
I cant say I disagree with anything in your last post.
I voted for him when he ran for Governor.
I pointed that out to a proponent. He explained that wasn't his problem.
It appears that some think the Constitution IS a suicide pact.
“Encouraging this behavior is not ‘mandating’ this behavior”
I agree wholeheartedly and think we could use more of it.
Drugs, alcohol, exercise, education and diet are all areas where the state would do well to encourage and set up role models for proper behavior.
Those encouragements should be thoroughly integrated into the schools and popular media.
Reminds me of that old “are you a liberal or a conservative” list.
line 75:
A conservative doesn’t believe one should smoke marijuana, so they choose not to.
A liberal doesn’t believe one should smoke marijuana, so they try to pass a law so that nobody can smoke dope.
I don’t think there is anything funny about it.
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