cannabisnews.com: Legislators Weigh Legalizing MJ v. Decriminalizing
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Legislators Weigh Legalizing MJ v. Decriminalizing
Posted by CN Staff on January 13, 2010 at 16:49:23 PT
By Jim Camden, The Spokesman-Review 
Source: Spokesman-Review
Spokane, WA -- While the Legislature wrestles with a huge budget shortfall that forces hearings on everything from closing state institutions to raising college tuition, the most heavily attended hearing Wednesday involved a non-budget item.Marijuana. Should the state legalize it, or turn it into a civil infraction? Or just wait a few months to see if voters pass an initiative to legalize it?
Although, technically, it’s not quite true this has nothing to do with the budget because House Bill 2401 would legalize marijuana, regulate its growth and sale and generate as much as $300 million a biennium in revenue in taxes and fees, Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, the bill’s sponsor said.Dickerson, D-Seattle, is a co-sponsor of HB 1177, which would turn possession of small amounts of marijuana into an infraction similar to a speeding ticket. That bill’s prime sponsor Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Des Moines, is a co-sponsor of the legalization proposal.Both got support from the Washington State Bar Association as well as the King County bar and medical associations. Both got thumbs down from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and other law enforcement officials.The hearing by the House Public Safety and Preparedness Committee was the most packed of the afternoon, and people with pink hair or head to foot tattoos sat next to the typical coat-and-tie lobbyists.The most impassioned pleas came from people who regard marijuana as a cure or treatment for diseases, or a civil right. They suggested the state legalize marijuana despite federal laws against it, and assert a state’s rights defense based on the 10th Amendment.Others said cities, counties and the state could save money on arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people for small amounts of marijuana.But the reviews were not all positive. Riley Harrison, a ninth grader from Ridgeview Middle School in nearby Yelm, said 10 of his classmates were recently caught selling marijuana; legalizing pot would send the wrong message to him and other students.“What message does the Legislature want to send to the youth of Washington. That you’re willing to give up?” Harrison asked.Rick Smith of the group that filed the initative earlier this week also suggested the Legislatlure do nothing on the issue.“We’re going to take it out of your hands, and we’re sorry about that,” Smith said. Just wait for our initiative; it’ll take care of everything.”The committee scheduled a vote on the two bills next week.Complete Title: Legislators Weigh Legalizing Marijuana v. Decriminalizing ItSource: Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)Author: Jim Camden, The Spokesman-Review Published: January 13, 2010 Copyright: 2010 The Spokesman-ReviewContact: editor spokesman.comWebsite: http://www.spokesman.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/JbtrB5U6CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by Jack of Spades on January 15, 2010 at 13:04:51 PT:
Why 9th grade sellers?
...Because marijuana criminalization makes it "safer" to use minors to distribute the substance.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Paint with light on January 13, 2010 at 22:25:55 PT
Why a 9th Grader?
Because he sounded more intelligent than the cops who were going to testify.Because his grade level was higher.They are using a 9th grader to try to make their point!Next they will march up a pregnant lady and have you listen to an ultrasound.Listen you can hear it.squish...squish...pot.....squish...squish...bad..squish...squish.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #4 posted by observer on January 13, 2010 at 17:33:25 PT
Legalize It
Marijuana. Should the state legalize it, or turn it into a civil infraction? Or just wait a few months to see if voters pass an initiative to legalize it?Act like competent legislators, who respect the will of the voters (as opposed to the will of the police unions, or the will of the prison guard associations, or the will of big pharma).Legalize it. Do what New York did to the federal prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's. Legalize it. Sure, those with a vested interest in jailing pot smokers, the drug war camp followers (those who profit from incarcerating peaceful people for cannabis, narcs, prosecutors, the treatment racket, the testing industry, etc.) will squeal like stuck pigs. Ignore them and legalize marijuana anyway. Then (1920s) ...
"Prohibition led to widespread disrespect for law. New York City alone had about thirty thousand (yes, 30,000) speakeasies. And even public leaders flaunted their disregard for the law. They included the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, who owned and operated an illegal still." http://mapinc.org/url/fiVvAtNj
Now (2010) ...
Cannabis Prohibition led to widespread disrespect for law. Los Angeles alone had more openly operating medical cannabis clubs than there were Starbucks coffee shops. And even public leaders flaunted their disregard for the law. They included the last three Presidents of the United States who admitted taking the illegal drug in the past. 

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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on January 13, 2010 at 17:18:36 PT
He's not My kid!
"""Riley Harrison, a ninth grader from Ridgeview Middle School in nearby Yelm, said 10 of his classmates were recently caught selling marijuana; legalizing pot would send the wrong message to him and other students."""1. I wonder if this kid was also caught and put up to this spew. -I have been caught skiing through an in-bounds closure and was forced to write a letter to the editor against such activity, to be published in order to avoid penalty; is this the same angle?2. Has the kid ever seen other students selling beer at school? Whiskey? Cigarettes?3. Is the kid's dad a law enforcement officer who would cut His allowance if the father made less money or lost His job? Would the kid lose His cell phone and be unable to text?4. What's the message to the students pertaining to beer, wine etc.5. Is the message to students, cannabis is bad and people who use it deserve to be caged and there's nothing wrong with alcohol?6. Is the message, that it's ok to discriminate against other people who You don't agree with?7. Will this kid's opinion change in a few years once He finds out the truth?8. Did a cop send this kid it? What's the going rate?9. Do any other kids like this kid? Does He have any friends?10. Are the rest of the kids at this school this dumb?
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Comment #2 posted by HempWorld on January 13, 2010 at 17:12:37 PT
OT Sorry to Bother Again, But I See Another Big
Quake Coming in California!Prepare! Water, food, etc.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on January 13, 2010 at 17:09:48 PT
Rick Smith
"We’re going to take it out of your hands"Amen brother!
[ Post Comment ]


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