Washington voters legalize recreational pot use

[sage]

SEATTLE — The big question after Washington and Colorado became the first states to vote to legalize and tax the sale of recreational marijuana is whether the federal government will let it happen without a fight.

The Justice Department is offering no enlightenment on that front.

The U.S. attorneys offices in Denver and Seattle have issued identical statements saying the feds will continue to enforce federal law, and that the DOJ is reviewing the ballot measures.

State laws can be ruled invalid when they "frustrate the purpose" of federal law, and the DOJ could sue to try to block the measures from taking effect on those grounds. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

Washington's initiative 502 legalizes possession of up to an ounce beginning Dec. 6, with sales at state-licensed stores at least a year away.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012...lized-pot.html

[sage]

Two States down, 48 to follow!

http://www.thatspoppycock.com/wp-con...ose-Deaths.jpg

[Grindelwald]

I just think this is a big waste of time when there are much more pressing issues facing the country.

[sage]

I just think this is a big waste of time when there are much more pressing issues facing the country.

Waste of time & money is what the war on drugs is!

The U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about $500 per second.
http://www.drugsense.org/cms/wodclock

[demopublican]

I just think this is a big waste of time when there are much more pressing issues facing the country.

I agree that enforcing silly pot laws is a waste of time.

[Grindelwald]

The police that enforce the laws do not make the laws. It would be more trouble for the government to pass legislature making marijuana illegal than to just leave it be.

[The Eternal White Belt]

Are freaking serious??? Do you know how much time, effort and money goes into fighting the drug war in this country?? It's astronomical.

[Grindelwald]

Can you provide links to back up anything you say?

[The Eternal White Belt]

Sorry, I don't have time to develop an annotated bibliography, but here are some links you may find enlightening.


http://www.drugsense.org/cms/wodclock

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/bu...anted=all&_r=0

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05...ed-meet-goals/

http://brown.edu/Student_Services/He.../marijuana.php

http://www.allaboutcounseling.com/li...uana-overdose/

[AttackPlanR]

The police that enforce the laws do not make the laws. It would be more trouble for the government to pass legislature making marijuana illegal than to just leave it be.

You really should watchthis short video which was aring here in CO before the election.