Marijuana is legal to possess (up to 4 ozs in the home) within the state of Alaska.
Marijuana possession by adults is not a criminal offense in 15 states, with maximum quantities varying by state. (Ohio most friendly at 3.5 ozs)
Marijuana possession for medical use is legal in 13 states and several municipalities with requirements for qualifying varying by state.
And for most adults willing to use a modicum of common sense, marijuana possession is defacto legal nationwide, given that it's very easy to procure and once you have it within your private residence, the chances of a legal arrest are infintesimal provided you are not engaged in other activity that might warrant police entering your home.
What we're most likely to see given the new administration in Washington DC is more states legalizing marijuana for medical use and many of the same states decrimnalizing adult possession for an ounce or two.
This does not address the major societal problems of leaving cultivation and commercial distribution illegal, but that in itself is a separate topic.
Marijuana possession by adults is not a criminal offense in 15 states, with maximum quantities varying by state. (Ohio most friendly at 3.5 ozs)
Marijuana possession for medical use is legal in 13 states and several municipalities with requirements for qualifying varying by state.
And for most adults willing to use a modicum of common sense, marijuana possession is defacto legal nationwide, given that it's very easy to procure and once you have it within your private residence, the chances of a legal arrest are infintesimal provided you are not engaged in other activity that might warrant police entering your home.
What we're most likely to see given the new administration in Washington DC is more states legalizing marijuana for medical use and many of the same states decrimnalizing adult possession for an ounce or two.
This does not address the major societal problems of leaving cultivation and commercial distribution illegal, but that in itself is a separate topic.
The most recent package to Mexico is actually only in the millions. (I'll chase a cite for that and report back)
That's likely a political bone at this moment because he's got other issues that are frankly a whole lot more pressing at this time.
While there is certainly an urgency to publicly acknowledging the utter futility of trying to "fight the drug war" in Mexico, he can for the moment lob them a few million. And 12 months from now when they report back that nothing has really changed, but "don't worry, we expect to see improving results SOON", he might even lob them a few more million.
But roll the clock forward into 2013 and if Obama has been reelected for a fresh four years and Mexico then reports what is inevitable - that the Mexican drug cartels are just as powerful, or even more powerful than they were in 2008, I'd like to hope he's smart enough to say, Enough Is Enough.
It's a drag having to wait. But I've been on the front lines of reforming marijuana laws in North America since 1999 and when I see the tremendous progress made during the past ten years, I remain confident that the progress will continue.
There's absolutely no rational or reasonable support for continuing 21st century Prohibition. And since that case cannot be made, the lies and propaganda fostered by law enforcement and the Prohibitionist industry will prove to be insufficient for maintaining the policy.
*Of course it's an invasion of privacy. But a private employer and a small number of government jobs have the legal right to demand urine samples for whatever reason they deem neccesary.
Fortunately, only about 40% of private employers make such demands and most are pre-employment, though that of course doesn't make it any less invasive.
I personally believe any person with self-respect should give strong consideration to not working for companies that make such demands without reasonable cause (workplace accidents etc). But that is another topic.
===
*While legalizing commercial distribution of marijuana would certainly create some tremendous potential for tax revenues at all levels, it's ruefully dishonest to suggest that those revenues would be much help in solving the huge public financial woes that face our nation.
That noted, tax revenues in combination with the elimination of some $40B a year spent nationwide for marijuana Prohibition would certainly not hurt our public financial sector.
Well the good news is that in the year 2009, there is literally no one in the US Congress who goes out of his or her way to jockey marijuana Prohibition.
And the mainstream media - which in 1999 when I started to work for MAPinc was likely about 75% in editorial favor of marijuana Prohibition - is today completely inverse with less than 20% of major newspapers running editorials that might favor increased emphasis on marijuana Prohibition.
Finally, the voting population is of course moving our way, methodically year by year.
Voters aged 18 to 30 endorse legalizing marijuana at about a 65% pace while voters age 60 and above do so at about a 35% pace.
Every day approximately 8,000 voters in the latter demographic die.
Every day approximately 10,000 voters enter the former demographic.
When we do the related math, we can see that we can reasonably expect an overall endorsement for legal marijuana to increase nationally about 1.5 to 2% each year.
Current national is between 40 to 45% depending on how the question is worded.
We're less than 15 years from a population that in most areas of the USA should be able to carry a ballot proposition. And in that same time, increasing numbers of jurisdictions will cede to voter influence and via their legislatures repeal at least the marijuana component of 21st century Prohibition.
Therefore, in the meantime - Don't be shy about routinely (twice a year is good) letting your elected officals know in writing that you want them to vote in support of repeal.
Don't be discouraged by the canned letters you will usually receive in return where they tell you how important it is to keep marijuana illegal. Make your voice heard.
Also, you can use the resources at MAPinc http://www.mapinc.org to let the mainstream media in your community and state know how you feel and also you can get your opinions in print for other people in your community to see the message.
Finally, if you yourself are a cannabis consumer, exercise pragmatic common sense behavior and don't make yourself a careless victim of a marijuana possession or distribution arrest.
I am not working for MAPinc at this time, but can direct you on how to use their resources if that is helpful. Just send me a PM via the Rx site here.
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Under what circumstances?
I'll presume for the moment you're talking about during a traffic stop. Since coming to Florida 12 years ago I've been stopped eight times and have only once been asked once about pot. It happened that a friend and I had in fact been sharing a joint and were surprised when a cop jumped in behind us off a side street and pulled me over because I had not made a full stop at a previous stop sign.
By the time we pulled over a few blocks up, we had disposed of the evidence.
He of course could smell it and demanded to know "where's the reefer?" (he actually used that word..heh). We of course told him that we didn't know what he thought he smelled, but there was no pot in our possession.
Another cop shows up and they detained us long enough to search my truck cab, finding nothing.
I'll give him credit for being respectful to me in what was a tough spot since he "knew" there had been some pot, but there was no longer any pot.
After the short search turns up nothing, he made one last attempt. Told me, "Okay."
Takes off his mirrored sunglasses and looks me right in the eye.
"Okay...Today is Amnesty Day."
(I stifle a smile)
"Tell me where the pot is and we won't arrest you for possession."
Sorry. I don't mean to be uncooperative, but there is no pot.
"sigh..."
One final look through the truck cab, writes me a ticket for the stop sign violation and we're on our way.
===
Have never had a cop in any traffic stop ask me if I have been drinking.
I only drink a couple times a month as is and am usually not the driver afterwards.
Were I to be asked that question while driving and I had been drinking, I would of course reply, "No, I have not been drinking".
If driving and I had NOT been drinking, the reply would be the same.
In any non-driving situation, if a cop asked me either question my reply would likely be, "Why do you ask?"
I'll presume for the moment you're talking about during a traffic stop. Since coming to Florida 12 years ago I've been stopped eight times and have only once been asked once about pot. It happened that a friend and I had in fact been sharing a joint and were surprised when a cop jumped in behind us off a side street and pulled me over because I had not made a full stop at a previous stop sign.
By the time we pulled over a few blocks up, we had disposed of the evidence.
He of course could smell it and demanded to know "where's the reefer?" (he actually used that word..heh). We of course told him that we didn't know what he thought he smelled, but there was no pot in our possession.
Another cop shows up and they detained us long enough to search my truck cab, finding nothing.
I'll give him credit for being respectful to me in what was a tough spot since he "knew" there had been some pot, but there was no longer any pot.
After the short search turns up nothing, he made one last attempt. Told me, "Okay."
Takes off his mirrored sunglasses and looks me right in the eye.
"Okay...Today is Amnesty Day."
(I stifle a smile)
"Tell me where the pot is and we won't arrest you for possession."
Sorry. I don't mean to be uncooperative, but there is no pot.
"sigh..."
One final look through the truck cab, writes me a ticket for the stop sign violation and we're on our way.
===
Have never had a cop in any traffic stop ask me if I have been drinking.
I only drink a couple times a month as is and am usually not the driver afterwards.
Were I to be asked that question while driving and I had been drinking, I would of course reply, "No, I have not been drinking".
If driving and I had NOT been drinking, the reply would be the same.
In any non-driving situation, if a cop asked me either question my reply would likely be, "Why do you ask?"
Probably as good a time as any to remind The Reader at Large that continuing in that same vein, my personal advice during any encounter with police would be resolute:
1) Never...never.....never.....NEVER consent to a police search of your person, vehicle or other private property.
It is NEVER a good idea to consent to a police search, even if you believe you are 100% clean of any wrongdoing. Even in such cases, you are wasting important time that the officer(s) could be using for other more important work.
1a) Never ever resist a search other than verbally, or else you can be subject to arrest for anything from "resisting arrest" to "assaulting a police officer".
Repeatedly make it clear that any search is being done without your consent.
===
In the case of a request to search your person, police do have the legal right to pat you down without your consent for the purpose of ascertaining you are not carrying anything that could do them harm. This right does not extend to them being allowed to go into your pockets, nor does it extend to your being required to empty the contents of your pockets.
If they pat you down, detect something obviously non-dangerous in your pocket (such as a plastic bag...or hell, anything) and they ask you, "What is that in your pocket?" you are not obligated to reply.
---
In the event you are someone who might upon occasion carry illegal contraband, my suggestion is that you deliver it as safely and quickly as possible from the point of acquisition to your private residence. Don't smoke pot in your vehicle unless you can quickly and easily dispose of all contraband.
1) Never...never.....never.....NEVER consent to a police search of your person, vehicle or other private property.
It is NEVER a good idea to consent to a police search, even if you believe you are 100% clean of any wrongdoing. Even in such cases, you are wasting important time that the officer(s) could be using for other more important work.
1a) Never ever resist a search other than verbally, or else you can be subject to arrest for anything from "resisting arrest" to "assaulting a police officer".
Repeatedly make it clear that any search is being done without your consent.
===
In the case of a request to search your person, police do have the legal right to pat you down without your consent for the purpose of ascertaining you are not carrying anything that could do them harm. This right does not extend to them being allowed to go into your pockets, nor does it extend to your being required to empty the contents of your pockets.
If they pat you down, detect something obviously non-dangerous in your pocket (such as a plastic bag...or hell, anything) and they ask you, "What is that in your pocket?" you are not obligated to reply.
---
In the event you are someone who might upon occasion carry illegal contraband, my suggestion is that you deliver it as safely and quickly as possible from the point of acquisition to your private residence. Don't smoke pot in your vehicle unless you can quickly and easily dispose of all contraband.
And with the previous post, we'll be respectfully bowing out of further participation in the Politics Forum.
The Rx Mod team has decided that since a handful of members seem unable to restrain themselves from profane blasts, direct insults of other posters and/or general sophmoric drunken name calling, we're going to designate the Politics Forum as essentially being Rubber Room 2.
Questions, comments regarding public drug policies and/or civil liberties issues (my personal areas of expertise) are welcome via PM.
But otherwise, I'll only be found in Sports forums and OS
The Rx Mod team has decided that since a handful of members seem unable to restrain themselves from profane blasts, direct insults of other posters and/or general sophmoric drunken name calling, we're going to designate the Politics Forum as essentially being Rubber Room 2.
Questions, comments regarding public drug policies and/or civil liberties issues (my personal areas of expertise) are welcome via PM.
But otherwise, I'll only be found in Sports forums and OS
How in the hell did I miss this gem from barman?
<table id="post6721026" class="tborder" width="100%" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="thead" style="border-style: solid none solid solid; border-color: rgb(253, 222, 130) -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130); border-width: 1px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal;">
05-30-2009, 02:50 AM <!-- / status icon and date --> </td> <td class="thead" style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130) -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 0px; font-weight: normal;" align="right"> #18 </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td class="alt2" style="border-style: none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130); border-width: 0px 1px;" width="175"> barman <script type="text/javascript"> vbmenu_register("postmenu_6721026", true); </script>
Late Night Rx. Mod.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Clearwater FL
Posts: 28,493
Blog Entries: 1
</td> <td class="alt1" id="td_post_6721026" style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(253, 222, 130);"> <!-- icon and title -->
<hr style="color: rgb(253, 222, 130); background-color: rgb(253, 222, 130);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> And with the previous post, we'll be respectfully bowing out of further participation in the Politics Forum.
The Rx Mod team has decided that since a handful of members seem unable to restrain themselves from profane blasts, direct insults of other posters and/or general sophmoric drunken name calling, we're going to designate the Politics Forum as essentially being Rubber Room 2.
Questions, comments regarding public drug policies and/or civil liberties issues (my personal areas of expertise) are welcome via PM.
But otherwise, I'll only be found in Sports forums and OS
<!-- / message --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="alt2" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130); border-width: 0px 1px 1px;">
</td> <td class="alt1" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130) -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px;" align="right"> <!-- controls -->
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Did you honestly believe you were going to quit posting in politics forum?
Just admit staying out of this forum is much alike trying to not look at a nearby trainwreck while driving.
<table id="post6721026" class="tborder" width="100%" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="thead" style="border-style: solid none solid solid; border-color: rgb(253, 222, 130) -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130); border-width: 1px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal;">
Late Night Rx. Mod.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Clearwater FL
Posts: 28,493
Blog Entries: 1
</td> <td class="alt1" id="td_post_6721026" style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(253, 222, 130);"> <!-- icon and title -->
<hr style="color: rgb(253, 222, 130); background-color: rgb(253, 222, 130);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> And with the previous post, we'll be respectfully bowing out of further participation in the Politics Forum.
The Rx Mod team has decided that since a handful of members seem unable to restrain themselves from profane blasts, direct insults of other posters and/or general sophmoric drunken name calling, we're going to designate the Politics Forum as essentially being Rubber Room 2.
Questions, comments regarding public drug policies and/or civil liberties issues (my personal areas of expertise) are welcome via PM.
But otherwise, I'll only be found in Sports forums and OS
<!-- / message --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="alt2" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130); border-width: 0px 1px 1px;">
</td> <td class="alt1" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(253, 222, 130) rgb(253, 222, 130) -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px;" align="right"> <!-- controls -->
</td></tr></tbody></table>Did you honestly believe you were going to quit posting in politics forum?
Just admit staying out of this forum is much alike trying to not look at a nearby trainwreck while driving.
