Legal weed in the US

Grim... · **Posted:** Wed Jan 01, 2014 23:39

So the News at Ten has just told me that Colorado has legalised weed.

Goodness.

myp · **Posted:** Wed Jan 01, 2014 23:42

For recreational use as well, not just medicinal.

It's the way forward though. Just like prohibition diverted money to criminals and lead to dangerous products, so it has with other drugs too. Decriminalisation, regulation and taxation has worked in other countries.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

Curiosity · **Posted:** Wed Jan 01, 2014 23:59

SilentNight wrote:

For recreational use as well, not just medicinal.

It's the way forward though. Just like prohibition diverted money to criminals and lead to dangerous products, so it has with other drugs too. Decriminalisation, regulation and taxation has worked in other countries.

*citation needed

myp · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 0:01

Curiositree wrote:

SilentNight wrote:

For recreational use as well, not just medicinal.

It's the way forward though. Just like prohibition diverted money to criminals and lead to dangerous products, so it has with other drugs too. Decriminalisation, regulation and taxation has worked in other countries.

*citation needed

http://www.spiegel.de/international/eur ... 91060.html

BikNorton · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 10080

Same problem as California - it's a federal offense, so even though the state is fine with it the DEA/ATF/FBI can come romping in to fuck up your shit. There's a film* that has several scenes of pot dispensaries complying entirely with their medicinal permits being raided and shut down.

* Super High Me. It used to be on Netflix UK, dunno if it still is.

Pundabaya · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5016

Colorado and Washington both legalised weed. Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks are both no 1 seeds for the NFL playoffs. Coincidence?

Pundabaya · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5016

This guy has it about right, I think.

GazChap · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 1:07

Reminds me of this:

Mr Russell · **Joined:** 6th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 12247

So how does this compare to Amsterdam?

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16562

I dunno but the Colarado tourism industry is set for a boom.

MaliA · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:30

Mr Russell Sprouts wrote:

So how does this compare to Amsterdam?

It has fewer mentally ill people walking around the city but that'll soon change.

Mr Russell · **Joined:** 6th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 12247

MaliA wrote:

Mr Russell Sprouts wrote:

So how does this compare to Amsterdam?

It has fewer mentally ill people walking around the city but that'll soon change.

I meant with the laws. As in, is it only medicinally legal, but they could still technically be shut down by law?

MaliA · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:37

Mr Russell Sprouts wrote:

MaliA wrote:

Mr Russell Sprouts wrote:

So how does this compare to Amsterdam?

It has fewer mentally ill people walking around the city but that'll soon change.

I meant with the laws. As in, is it only medicinally legal, but they could still technically be shut down by law?

Yes. How Bik described it.

Trooper · **Joined:** 4th Mar, 2010 **Posts:** 22280

MaliA wrote:

Mr Russell Sprouts wrote:

So how does this compare to Amsterdam?

It has fewer mentally ill people walking around the city but that'll soon change.

Will it though?

I'm not debating that heavy weed use causes mental issues, but will legalisation lead to more heavy use? I'm guessing that will be a metric that won't be willingly shared...

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

Trooper wrote:

MaliA wrote:

Mr Russell Sprouts wrote:

So how does this compare to Amsterdam?

It has fewer mentally ill people walking around the city but that'll soon change.

Will it though?

I'm not debating that heavy weed use causes mental issues, but will legalisation lead to more heavy use? I'm guessing that will be a metric that won't be willingly shared...

It may well lead to a migration of heavy users to the state.

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16562

If they are already heavy users then that rather suggests that they're fine wherever they are. It'll more likely attract causal users for weekends.

Trooper · **Joined:** 4th Mar, 2010 **Posts:** 22280

Doubtful I would have thought, if they are a heavy user then they already have a ready supply...

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16562

I think the public health argument is a bit of a dud really. There's loads of things that should be illegal if we are going to protect people from themselves to that extent. The fact is that it is something which a sizeable proportion of the population enjoy doing and usually cause little harm to themselves or to anyone else, there should be a really, really sound reason for it to continue to be illegal.

Grim... · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:20

Trooper wrote:

Doubtful I would have thought, if they are a heavy user then they already have a ready supply...

But an illegal (and possibly more expensive) ready supply.

Anyone know anything about the prices?

Curiosity · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:22

It's certainly an interesting development, and selling the concept via the "Look how much fucking money we'll make!" is a smart idea, as is pledging the first 40 million to building schools.

I hope they keep it like this for a while, as if nothing else it provides a fantastic test case.

Grim... · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:25

markg wrote:

I think the public health argument is a bit of a dud really. There's loads of things that should be illegal if we are going to protect people from themselves to that extent. The fact is that it is something which a sizeable proportion of the population enjoy doing and usually cause little harm to themselves or to anyone else, there should be a really, really sound reason for it to continue to be illegal.

By that argument, though, should they legalize heroin too? Granted, as I understand it it does more than a little harm, but where do you put the cut-off point?

[edit]Cocain would have been a more sensible choice, I feel

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16562

Heroin isn't nearly so popular, I'd say that 90% of the people I know who are my sort of age smoke or have smoked weed, a bare few ever tried heroin. The laws should serve the population.

Grim... · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:30

markg wrote:

The laws should serve the population.

The laws should be for the good of the population, IMO. Otherwise America would probably still have slavery.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

The war on drugs is a tool of state oppression, nothing more.

Edit: Oh, that video was already linked! It's pretty rock solid.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

Grim... wrote:

markg wrote:

The laws should serve the population.

The laws should be for the good of the population, IMO. Otherwise America would probably still have slavery.

Depending on whether you'd count slaves as part of the population, of course.

Mr Russell · **Joined:** 6th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 12247

Cras Kringle wrote:

Grim... wrote:

markg wrote:

The laws should serve the population.

The laws should be for the good of the population, IMO. Otherwise America would probably still have slavery.

Depending on whether you'd count slaves as part of the population, of course.

Depends if they're called Benson or not.

Squirt · **Joined:** 31st Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 6518

You count them as three fifths of a person, as laid down in the US constitution!

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

Quote:

Will it though?

I'm not debating that heavy weed use causes mental issues, but will legalisation lead to more heavy use? I'm guessing that will be a metric that won't be willingly shared...

There was a women (who I guess is involved in this legalisation) on the radio being interview about this.

She was asked about pot causing mental health issues in teenagers and replied that it wasn’t an issue as an ID card showing you are 21 or over will be needed to buy any!

Like thats worked so well with beer in the US :DD

I would imagine you will only get more users with it being legal, more so if its cheaper that street dealers. I bet there are plenty of people who would smoke it if we were legal and therefore risk and hassle free to obtain.

Pundabaya · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5016

Grim... wrote:

markg wrote:

I think the public health argument is a bit of a dud really. There's loads of things that should be illegal if we are going to protect people from themselves to that extent. The fact is that it is something which a sizeable proportion of the population enjoy doing and usually cause little harm to themselves or to anyone else, there should be a really, really sound reason for it to continue to be illegal.

By that argument, though, should they legalize heroin too? Granted, as I understand it it does more than a little harm, but where do you put the cut-off point?

[edit]Cocain would have been a more sensible choice, I feel

Cocaine is an interesting one, as it's use has historically had more to do with fashion and it being a status symbol. Who'd use coke if it was available legally, at a reasonable price?

The other thing to remember with weed, it opens up the hemp business again.

Grim... · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 15:19

Are there laws in place for driving while stoned? And a breathalyzer-type way to check someone (beside waving a packet of crisps under their nose)?

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16562

I'm fairly certain it's illegal and if you have a crash they can test your blood or something. Not sure about roadside testing.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

As far as I am aware, the common (only?) tests for cannabis use can only confirm that you've taken it in the last month, not whether you are currently under the influence.

Wullie · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 6183

LewieP wrote:

As far as I am aware, the common (only?) tests for cannabis use can only confirm that you've taken it in the last month, not whether you are currently under the influence.

Nah, there's blood & saliva testing too. Saliva being the one they could do at the side of the road.

Mr Dave · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 15:35

LewieP wrote:

As far as I am aware, the common (only?) tests for cannabis use can only confirm that you've taken it in the last month, not whether you are currently under the influence.

Depends.on what you.consider.tests. Stuff like eye behaviour is a heavy indicator and I wouldnt be surprised.to see it used in absense if a suitable chemical test. Not the only thing either.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/up ... on-tactics has some info, not cannabis exclusive though.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

Mr Dave wrote:

Stuff like eye behaviour is a heavy indicator and I wouldnt be surprised.to see it used in absense if a suitable chemical test.

Can't convict on that though. Just like if you pull someone over for drink driving and they're too pissed to stand, that observation only provides you with enough justification to bring them in and get them to do a breathyliser or urine test.

Mr Burrrrt · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 15:41

Quote:

Driving under the influence of marijuana will remain illegal. A vehicle operator also is not allowed to smoke while driving.

Anyone with whose test results show five nanograms or more of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, per milliliter of whole blood while driving can be arrested for DUI.

The blood test is designed to tell how high a person is at the moment, not whether they have been using pot in the past several days or weeks, like urine tests that some employers use.

The blood test measures active THC in the blood stream while the urine tests measure a metabolite of THC, the form it takes after being broken down by the body.

Colorado law allows drivers to refuse the blood test. However, that comes with harsher penalties than a DUI.

Mr Dave · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 15:50

Cras Kringle wrote:

Mr Dave wrote:

Stuff like eye behaviour is a heavy indicator and I wouldnt be surprised.to see it used in absense if a suitable chemical test.

Can't convict on that though. Just like if you pull someone over for drink driving and they're too pissed to stand, that observation only provides you with enough justification to bring them in and get them to do a breathyliser or urine test.

I imagine that if.there was no accurate breath/piss test, they'd be using other indicators rather than letting you go, it not being the alcohol.level but rather the imparement it causes being the reason for.the.drink driving.laws. Same here.

It'd just make getting a conviction less trivial.

Zen-Chan · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 326

I read this on the BBC website yesterday.

It didn't seem to explain who was actually making it, though - is it produced by the government or is it some sort of contracted/licensed company?

Bamba · **Joined:** 25th Jul, 2010 **Posts:** 11128

Zen-Chan wrote:

I read this on the BBC website yesterday.

It didn't seem to explain who was actually making it, though - is it produced by the government or is it some sort of contracted/licensed company?

Remember that it's already legal in places in the US for medicinal use so there are loads of companies in existence already with a license to legally grow and supply it. This just widens the market for them essentially.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 16:32

If weed was legal over here then I imagine I would buy some, but bake it into cakes rather than smoke it. I'd be interested in hearing what others would do (though not interested enough to start a new topic).

Mr Dave · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 16:40

Curiositree wrote:

If weed was legal over here then I imagine I would buy some, but bake it into cakes rather than smoke it. I'd be interested in hearing what others would do (though not interested enough to start a new topic).

I would do nothing different. Aside from civering my nose as it's not a pleasant smell.

It has never appealed, and I don't think my brain requires any encouragement to be mental.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

Curiositree wrote:

If weed was legal over here then I imagine I would buy some, but bake it into cakes rather than smoke it. I'd be interested in hearing what others would do (though not interested enough to start a new topic).

I would go to a shop and buy some weed and then roll it up and smoke it like a cigarette.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 16:54

I have no idea if I would just do it once, or occasionally or more often. I did smoke a very few spliffs in Uni, but it never really did anything to me and I HATE smoke, so it didn't appeal. I'm lazy though, so would likely only do it once unless someone else make me the cakes or whatever. Plus some of my friends went proper mental in Uni or just became basically useless from smoking too much, so I'd be wary of quantities. Or something. I dunno really.

Bamba · **Joined:** 25th Jul, 2010 **Posts:** 11128

I used to smoke quite a lot but got bored of it years ago and have rarely touched it since. If it was legal Mrs B and I would almost certainly do it at least once because the idea of getting stoned and vegging out just the two of us does have an undeniable appeal, but I'm not convinced we'd do it very often. Hmm, unless it served well as a hang-over reliever in which case it might see some more use...

myp · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 18:39

Cannabis is not my cup of tea at all, but those who sincerely believe it (and other drugs) should remain criminalised and classified should therefore logically support the same for alcohol and tobacco. They are pretty much the worst drugs for ruining lives of not only the users, but also their friends and family.

Mr Russell · **Joined:** 6th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 12247

Can't see me using it very often if there's the risk of being pulled over whilst driving and subsequently blood tested.

Bobbyaro · **Joined:** 18th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 11843

Bring on the weed, man!
Let's be honest, I am sure if you wanted to you could get your hand on some weed. Is it really the legality that is stopping you?

asfish · **Joined:** 5th Dec, 2010 **Posts:** 3353

I would smoke on weekends etc it if it were legal over here. I like what it does to me.

I haven't smoked for years now as I don't know anyone I can it from anymore, I've seen people dealing "something" outside my local parade of shops, but I'm not going to get involved there as I wouldn't risk my job with any sort of Police entanglement.

krazywookie · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 20:47

I used to smoke it in a little diddy pipe. It was best cause didn't involve tobacco. Eventually though i did roll it and that led to me smoking fags. I have been quit smoking for.... 4? 5 years? So that alone is enough to put me off. Although i imagine if i could get it legally and know it was high quality (That's the other problem nowadays, its all sprayed with chemicals and shit) then i would have the odd brownie or a wee pipe now and then.

Be Excellent To Each Other

Legal weed in the US
In Colorado, at least

Who is online

Be Excellent To Each Other

Legal weed in the US In Colorado, at least

Who is online

Legal weed in the US
In Colorado, at least