First Ever Federal Legislation Introduced to Allow States to Control Marijuana Laws

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Quote:Legislation To End U.S. Marijuana Prohibition Coming Thursday

tokeofthetown.com — The first bill ever introduced in Congress to end federal marijuana prohibition is coming on Thursday, June 23. Historic, bipartisan legislation which would end the United States' war on marijuana -- and allow states to legalize, tax regulate and control cannabis commerce without federal interference -- will be introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

Full Story: http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2011/06/legislation_to_end_us_marijuana_prohibition_coming.php

Quote:Neill Franklin, a former Baltimore narcotics cop and executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, said, "Clearly the 'war on drugs' has failed, and nowhere is that more clear than with respect to marijuana. It baffles me that we arrest nearly 800,000 people on marijuana charges in this country each and every year at taxpayer expense when we could instead be taking in new tax revenue from legal and regulated marijuana sales. Making marijuana illegal hasn't prevented anyone from using it, but it has created a huge funding source that funnels billions of dollars in tax-free profits to violent drug cartels and gangs. More and more cops now agree: Legalizing marijuana will improve public safety."

Full Story: http://copssaylegalize.blogspot.com/2011/06/first-ever-marijuana-legalization-bill.html

Really this depends on what the states do with the legislation and how it is enforced.

Washington State has already gotten the gears moving in enacting their own laws in anticipation of the bill being passed.

Quote:'New Approach Washington' Files Initiative To Legalize Marijuana
...
Key Features of New Approach Washington 2012 Marijuana Law Reform Initiative

* Distribution to adults 21 and over through state-licensed, marijuana-only stores; production and distribution licensed and regulated by Liquor Control Board (LCB)
* Severable provision decriminalizing adult possession of marijuana; possession by persons under 21 remains a misdemeanor
* Stringent advertising, location, and license eligibility restrictions enforced by LCB
* Home growing remains prohibited; except, initiative does not affect Washington's medical marijuana law
* Estimated $215 million in new state revenue each year1, with roughly $40 million going to state general fund (B&O and retail sales tax) and $175 million (new marijuana excise tax) earmarked:
o Evidence-based prevention strategies targeting youth, chosen in consultation with UW Social Development Research Group2
o Dedicated funding stream for Healthy Youth Survey3
o Washington's Building Bridges program for at-risk youth4
o Science-based public education materials regarding health risks of marijuana use hosted by UW Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute5
o Research by UW and WSU into the short- and long-term effects of marijuana use, including driving impairment
o Dedicated marijuana Quitline analogous to tobacco Quitline operated by state Department of Health6
o Additional marijuana-related public health educational programs administered by Department of Health at the state and local level
o Biennial evaluation of impacts of law by Washington State Institute for Public Policy7
o Washington's Basic Health Plan
o Community health centers
* THC blood concentration of 5 ng/mL or higher is per se Driving Under the Influence8
* Remedy provision that stays implementation of any provision found to be preempted by federal law until federal law changes

http://newapproachwa.org/sites/newapproachwa.ngphost.com/files/New_Approach_Washington_Marijuana_Initiative.pdf
http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2011/06/new_approach_washington_files_initiative_to_legali.php

Proposition 19 in California ended up being a stealth anti-competition law which would have screwed over smaller medical marijuana grow-ops if it was passed.

Don't be so quick to compromise to legalize weed. Read a bill before throwing your weight behind it. Don't assume anything.

The federal bill simply opens the door to state laws good and bad, which appear to be driven towards taxation and monitoring while making it legal, pharma/corporate commercialization is a concern as this evolves. Keep an eye on the details of the state bills on this one.

The federal bill/act will be introduced to US Congress on Thursday, June 23rd (today).

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Potential outcome..

Quote:Fresno county bans medical marijuana dispensaries
Contributor: Alicia Coates
Published: 8/09 9:48 pm

For all intents and purposes, medical marijuana dispensaries as we know them now, have been banned in Fresno County.

Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance with a 4 to 1 vote.

The new law forces all 15 dispenseries in the county to close within the next 7 months.

The ordinance only allows medical marijuana to be grown indoors at a handful of industrial areas in the county.

Those areas must be 1,000 feet away from neighborhoods and schools.

But the board admits, the ordinance is poorly written and there are many issues that still need to be addressed.

The board says the ordinance sets the foundation to move forward with the medical marijuana issue and they are willing to talk it out with everyone involved.

The county will meet with dispensary owners and patients in the coming weeks to talk about any changes they want to make to the new ordinance.

Then the issue will be revisited in 90 days.

http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Fresno-county-bans-medical-marijuana-dispensaries/yf5OFaeuiEONgtVRO5NR1Q.cspx

Fresno here are your elected representatives in charge of the district. Let them hear it. Do they represent an 80% consensus .. systems of representation that select a dictator for a 4 year term these 5 individuals are all handed powers to speak for ~1 Million people.

Fresno County Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the County and a number of special districts within the limits of state law and county charter, the Board is empowered to adopt ordinances, establish programs, levy taxes, appropriate funds, and appoint certain officials. In addition, members of the Board represent the County on numerous intergovernmental bodies.
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/Departments.aspx?id=122
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=17799