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).