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What Will President Trump Mean for Pot?
Posted by CN Staff on November 11, 2016 at 05:43:09 PT
By Elisabeth Garber-Paul
Source: Rolling Stone
USA -- There are plenty of things to be scared about during Donald Trump's presidency: who he'll nominate to the Supreme Court, the potential gutting of the Affordable Care Act, whether he'll further strip women of their bodily autonomy and the treatment of millions of Muslim citizens, just to start.While it may seem like a sad second prize in the wake of an election that could potentially roll back decades of American progress, for those paying attention to a few state referenda, there was some good news Tuesday night: California, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts each passed laws to make recreational use of marijuana legal for adults, while North Dakota, Arkansas, Montana and Florida each voted in new (or, in Montana's case, improved) medical marijuana bills. (The only state to have a referendum on the ballot that did not pass was Arizona, where opponents spent an impressive $6 million on campaigns largely based on misinformation.)
Though it remains to be seen if Trump has a mandate from the people, it seems clear that these successful referenda represent, at the very least, a mandate on marijuana policy. Not only did eight of the nine initiatives pass, they passed at much higher margins than most had expected. "We were surprised not so much in the victories as the spread," says Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, an anti-prohibition advocacy group. Tvert points in particular to the 71 percent of Florida voters who approved the most robust medical marijuana program the South has ever seen. Erik Altieri, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), agrees. "This is clearly no longer a regional issue confined to the West Coast," Altieri told Rolling Stone in an email. "But an American one."And it's true. Twenty-eight states plus Washington, D.C., now offer some form of medical marijuana, while eight (plus D.C.) offer full recreational legalization as well. The latest polls suggest upwards of 60 percent of Americans support full legalization, while an impressive 89 percent believe pot should be available for medical use. And the overwhelming approval of the referenda on Tuesday proved that voters are willing to support marijuana at the polls.Many people predicted that the referenda would go through – especially California's all-important Prop 64. But the hope was this surge in state programs might finally mean a push at the federal level, where marijuana is still classified by the DEA as a Schedule I drug – alongside heroin and LSD – meaning it has no recognized medical use, and is highly illegal. Clinton's campaign had said that she was open to it being moved to Schedule II, meaning it would be available for federal medical testing. But with her upset this week, what will happen to marijuana policy in America?At this point, the marijuana industry might be best described as cautiously optimistic about President-elect Trump. In 1990, he famously declared that the only way to win the War on Drugs was to fully legalize – but he predictably walked that back during his recent campaign. More recently, he said he was in favor of medical marijuana at a federal level, but less so of recreational pot, meaning measures such as the one in Colorado.That being said, he seems to be a strong proponent of states' rights, meaning if voters pass measures, he's probably not going to interfere. "I would be incredibly surprised if they were to try to make this a issue," says MPP's Tvert."You would have Donald Trump arguing that states do not have the right to do what they want, and should have to do what the federal establishment tells them," he says. "In doing so, they would shut down countless local businesses, putting thousands of people out of work, in order to put marijuana back into the hands of Mexican drug cartels."Taylor West, deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, agrees that the incoming president will probably let states set their own regulations. "Trump has said on more than one occasion that he thinks states should be allowed to set their own policies," she says. "And this election made it clear that's the will of American voters as well."But others, like NORML's Altieri, say the problem probably isn't going to be Trump, but the people the 45th president will likely appoint to his cabinet. "Attorney General Chris Christie or Rudy Giuliani has the potential to be devastating to the marijuana legalization movement," he says, referring to two potential members of the Trump administration who have vocally opposed any kind of marijuana legalization, including for medical use. "[Especially] if they are allowed to have their personal predilections drive policy as opposed to taking their marching orders from President Trump."Tvert believes a President Trump wouldn't let them push for this – noting any cabinet member serves at the pleasure of the president – and thinks that he wouldn't waste so much political capital on an issue with so much popular support.However, it's not just Trump that legal marijuana advocates have to deal with – it's Congress. In a press release following the election, the NCIA wrote that two of the biggest issues for the movement will be opening up banking access – since pot is illegal under federal law, cannabis businesses are forced to deal in only cash – and allowing pot companies to take business deductions, since they currently cannot under federal policy. "It really boils down to the Republican-dominated Congress standing true to their pro-business values and putting this legislation in front of him to sign," says NORML's Altieri.The biggest silver lining of the four newly legalized states is that now lawmakers – including California's 53 representatives – have a responsibility to their constituents to push for better marijuana policy. Tvert points to Republican Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado, who was opposed to his state's legalization measure in 2012 – but two years later sponsored federal legislation that would make it possible for marijuana businesses to legally use banks. "There are maybe some [lawmakers] who are neutral or trying to lay low, and now they see they can be [pro-pot] because their constituents support it," Tvert says, adding that lawmakers who had previously been hostile to marijuana measures would now probably not "go out of their way to lobby against it," as to not upset their constituency."I can't speak for humanity," says Tvert, "but in terms of marijuana policy things are better than ever – both at state and federal levels." Source: Rolling Stone (US)Author: Elisabeth Garber-PaulPublished: November 11, 2016Copyright: 2016 Straight Arrow Publishers Company, L.P.Contact: letters rollingstone.comWebsite: http://www.rollingstone.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/vKctVP7bCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #36 posted by FoM on November 18, 2016 at 06:34:28 PT
Jeff Sessions
Maybe AG. Oh boy.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #35 posted by rchandar on November 18, 2016 at 04:42:54 PT:
Trump Seeds
No change, in other words. But hopefully no lawsuits threatening the existing order.GBA
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Comment #34 posted by Hope on November 17, 2016 at 06:11:15 PT
Reading further....
"These substance use disorders cost over $420 billion a year in the form of health care costs, lost economic productivity, and cost to the criminal justice system. We measure numbers like this for other illnesses, too, and the cost for substance abuse disorders far exceeds the cost of diabetes."Hmmm. "Cost to the criminal justice system"? Is that a "Cost" of diabetes and other "Illness".It shouldn't take a genius to see how expensive and useless that has to be.I don't think Mr. Trump has the "Nerve" to ask his criminal justice pals to step out of this picture and stop "Treating" the "Illness" of addiction with fear and cruelty.
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Comment #33 posted by Hope on November 17, 2016 at 06:01:23 PT
I'd like to see a breakdown list of "Cost".
Surgeon General Murthy Wants America To Face Up To Addictionhttp://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/11/17/502402409/surgeon-general-murthy-wants-america-to-face-up-to-addiction"And substance abuse disorders cost the U.S. more than $420 billion a year."Does that mean citizen paid cost... or government resource paid cost? How much of that is law enforcement, body fluid and hair testing, and jail and criminal records? What is it really costing in tax resources specifically? How much is all the accusation and fear mongering costing?
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Comment #32 posted by Hope on November 16, 2016 at 12:31:59 PT
MikeEEEEE
I know very little about him, either. I know I never really thought of him as an admirable or attractive person, about anything. But, it looks like I'm fixing to find out quite a lot more about him.*Half grimacing*
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Comment #31 posted by MikeEEEEE on November 16, 2016 at 12:09:14 PT
Trump and history
Hope, I agree, I like that he won't take a regular salary. I've been thinking about trump"s psyche with my limited knowledge of him.
After speaking with several people who voted for him, one issue that keeps coming up is change. That is, trump was for change, and Clinton was the same old system. I thought about that idea and it reminded me of history, more of a warning from history. After WWI, the German economy was in the toilet, the people were desparate for change. Of course, you probably know the leader they elected (who promised Germany would be great again), and resulting second World War.
But in considering that situation with the current disaster, trump is no hitler: first, trump never served in war, WWI made hitler the monster he was, second, trump is a family man, and hitler had no children. When bush was president, I used to think, I hope doesn't touch anything, that way the damage would be minimal.
Most people agree, we will have to wait and see with trump.
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Comment #30 posted by Hope on November 16, 2016 at 10:40:51 PT
Something I like.
His forgoing his salary.
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Comment #29 posted by Hope on November 16, 2016 at 10:39:10 PT
Our CEO
Running the Federal government like a business.Will he clean house? He's portrayed himself as nervy. Will he have the nerve to get rid of the Czar of drugs? "You're fired!"Will he end the stupid war on drugs and try one on murder or kidnapping, or rape or something sensible? Will he call the federal dogs off the potheads and set them on murderers? Will he make the whole thing more fluid and negotiable, and less a hulking, resource sucking, compassionless, unresponsive beast?
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Comment #28 posted by Hope on November 16, 2016 at 09:03:23 PT
Well, duh!
"In reviewing the limited evidence on medical cannabis, it appears that patients and others who have advocated for cannabis as a tool for harm reduction and mental health have some valid points," says Walsh.Marijuana could help treat drug addiction, mental healthhttps://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/uobc-mch111516.php
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Comment #27 posted by Sam Adams on November 15, 2016 at 22:19:36 PT
Rhode Island
my money is on the Ocean State to be next, Vermont had their chance & blew it
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Comment #26 posted by MikeEEEEE on November 15, 2016 at 17:15:07 PT
Republicans & predictions
GCW,
do not underestimate trump, he is the ultimate in "Learn by your mistakes president." Unfortunately, you wouldn't want your doctor to learn by mistake with you, yes, trump has the potential to screw it all up.Right now many people are concerned and distracted by trump, and rightly so.
But to focus more on policy, any predictions on where the next legalization domino may fall in the northeast?I'm thinking about a few progressive locations like New York City, or Vermont.
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Comment #25 posted by The GCW on November 15, 2016 at 16:03:37 PT
Wondering:
1. Has trumpot smoked the superplant? If not, He'd be the 1st in quite a while that didn't...2. Now that Maine and Mass have RE-legalized, how long till neighbor states chime in and move accordingly? -That's kind of the prediction isn't it?
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Comment #24 posted by MikeEEEEE on November 15, 2016 at 16:00:45 PT
Oleg - forget about 2 C
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/11/10/game-over-climate-report-warns-warming-still-underestimatedIt's really pathetic that the end times were caused by human activity guided by corporations and the stupid masses.
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on November 15, 2016 at 14:31:32 PT
Hope
That's wonderful!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #22 posted by Hope on November 15, 2016 at 14:11:48 PT
Texas Tribune
Texas legislators file bills aimed at decriminalizing marijuanahttps://www.texastribune.org/2016/11/14/texas-legislators-file-marijuana-bills/
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on November 15, 2016 at 14:09:12 PT
Texas' 2017 marijuana reform
Bills frame Texas' 2017 marijuana reform debatehttp://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2016/11/bills-frame-texas-2017-marijuana-reform.html
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Comment #20 posted by Oleg the Tumor on November 14, 2016 at 16:33:55 PT
Did We Just Win the Battle but Lose the War?
I'm glad to see that Mary Jane won big at the ballot (except in Arizona where passing the measure would have adversely impacted the price and profits of a thriving cottage industry in repackaging plant material) yet, I am struck by the compartmentalization of it all. So the humans will be allowed to smoke cannabis but our cars still cannot? No bio fuels? No paper? No paints, varnishes, etc.?The genius inherent in this plant was discovered many, many years ago. Its crowning glory would have come, not just from the smokable bud, but from the utility of the plant as a whole, and specifically the oil in the seeds - the chemistry of which inspired Rudolf Diesel to reinvent the engine because, as he said, "Germany has no oil wells."And look what happened to him…I am hoping that scientists in the "cannabis free" states will start "heading for daylight" ASAP to develop as many commercial uses as possible before the black ops ignoids eventually show up to "defend the interests of their investors" from the "cannabis-slave" states. (History is rhyming again, isn't it?)In 2016, what is needed is a petroleum substitute liquid fuel for vehicles, not more drilling, fracking and irreparable damage to the earth!We are like frogs in a pot of water slowly being brought to a boil by people who have been told, Yes, you can have your daddy's old job at the mill, factory, or mine back. You might as well add whaling ship crew to that as well.Periodically, technology upends the status quo. The technical term for this is called, "Disruption".John D Rockefeller would look at all biofuels and say, "Competition Is STILL Sin!"After four years of a Trump presidency, I'm hoping that there still might be a chance of staying below 2°C. But after eight years - it just might be a lost ball game.So much for the idea of leaving a better world for your kids then you received from your parents.Oh, but you'll have a good job right to the very end.
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Comment #19 posted by John Tyler on November 14, 2016 at 13:05:18 PT
Christie II
Christie’s demotion in the Trump administration has more to due to the “bad blood” between Ivanka’s husband (son in law and close Trump advisor)and Christie. It seems that years ago Christie prosecuted Ivanka’s husband’s father for some crime. Christie won the case and the father went to jail. Now it is payback time for Christie. This is already sounding like a TV drama.
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Comment #18 posted by Sam Adams on November 14, 2016 at 09:05:02 PT
excellent local editorial
it's rare to see this much honesty in the mainstream media...http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/20161113/editorial-making-marijuana-legalization-work>>But the point of legalization is to get police out of the pot business.
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Comment #17 posted by Sam Adams on November 13, 2016 at 21:28:37 PT
Christie
don't worry, Christie may be gone but they've got somebody else from Goldman Sachs taking his place on the team.The usual hedge-funders, bankers, and religious wackos are all there. Trump is just the spokesperson that delivered the win. Trump is obviously way too dumb to do much at the White House himself.Not sure how Trump could be unaware of the bridge incident since it happened several years ago. He was perfectly fine w/ Christie up until now.
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Comment #16 posted by John Tyler on November 13, 2016 at 20:13:26 PT
Yes we cannabis!
Cannabis is one of those unique things that everyone (at least over half of everyone) can agree on now. Liberals or conservatives, old or young, black or white and in between, (pardon me if I left anyone out) all seem to love cannabis. Yes we cannabis! Trump won Florida by a small percentage, but Medical cannabis won in a 71% yes landslide. That is astounding. Keep up the good work.
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Comment #15 posted by The GCW on November 13, 2016 at 13:35:30 PT
patrioticdissension,
Finally something I agree with trumpot on. -c.c. is disgusting.
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Comment #14 posted by patrioticdissension on November 13, 2016 at 11:31:16 PT:
Insiders say Trump disgusted by Chris Christie.
President-elect Donald Trump is so disgusted with Chris Christie’s handling of the Bridgegate scandal that he’s kicking the New Jersey Gov. out of his inner circle, The Post has learned. https://nypost.com/2016/11/13/trump-is-dumping-christie-over-bridgegate-insiders/ Looks like Christie won't be holding any positions where he can "enforce federal laws against marijuana" as he had previously stated. hooray!
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Comment #12 posted by runruff on November 13, 2016 at 10:43:03 PT
My prediction:
I am betting on trumps ego. He realizes that he will now leave an historic legacy and does not want to be the Bafoon who was dumber Than W. I believe Trump will try to behave and support popular policies. He has already caused a change in Aleppo and improved our relationship with Russia.
I did not vote for him but I have hope for him.
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Comment #11 posted by MikeEEEEE on November 13, 2016 at 09:54:05 PT
Trump Proud
I was talking to a few people who were proud of voting for trump. It reminds me of when bush was elected. Years later those same idiots were embarrassed. I'm predicting these people who voted for trump will be embarrassed years later, maybe sooner. I usually tell them I'm proud I didn't vote for this moron, or bush too!!!!On cannabis policy, the cat i$ already out of bag. We shall see if trump uses his storm troopers
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Comment #10 posted by runruff on November 13, 2016 at 09:42:42 PT
Gold rush of 1849...
I remember reading that it was not the man swinging the pick that struck it it rich, it was the man that sold it to him!
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Comment #9 posted by John Tyler on November 13, 2016 at 08:08:53 PT
money talks
Now that the cannabis industry is up and running and growing they are going to have to play the Washington lobbyist game big time. (It is like another branch of government.) The industry has the people’s vote, now they will have to get the powers that be in DC to listen to them. In DC the only language that gets listened to is money. Let’s support our industry so our votes get respected and out voices get heard. Let’s keep going. Nothing succeeds like success.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on November 12, 2016 at 22:10:01 PT
Mason Tvert
is a smart man. I have a lot of confidence in him. I'm hoping he's right.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by Sam Adams on November 12, 2016 at 05:53:35 PT
Cannabis Confidential: NFL players
Cannabis Confidential: NFL players weigh in on medical marijuana vs. painkillershttp://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17938762/nfl-players-weigh-medical-marijuana-vs-painkillersIT'S HIGH TIME to get the lowdown on marijuana in the NFL. (See what we did there?) So, with a promise of anonymity, we asked 226 players from the AFC and NFC for real talk on pot use in the league.* Spoiler alert: When it comes to going green -- from legalization of marijuana in the U.S. to the efficacy of pot for pain control -- NFL players just say yes.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 11, 2016 at 16:44:11 PT
Will the Trump Administration Weed Out MMJ?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/medical-marijuana-cannabis-trump-election/
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Comment #5 posted by Lucas on November 11, 2016 at 12:37:29 PT
Happy Kennedy
that pic is a terrible example of stereotypeÉ Blacks use Drugswhen less than 10% of the population of Mass is Black, a pic of a happy Kennedy type would be much more on point
http://2t7fb4f44s1b6q50vz57qrak.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Patrick-1200x675.jpg
LOL!
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Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on November 11, 2016 at 12:16:55 PT
positive propaganda
great picture!http://assets.blog.norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ma-legalized.jpg
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on November 11, 2016 at 12:15:47 PT
Plant a seed
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/10/grow-your-own-shops-say-there-budding-demand-for-pot-information/L3nRgzZdK4xKHICmqwzI9I/story.htmlGrow-your-own shops say there's a budding demand for pot information>>>Elected officials aren't the only ones gearing up for legalized marijuana after voters this week approved the sale of the leafy drug in stores beginning in 2018 and the cultivation at home even sooner.Storeowners who sell products used to grow marijuana say that in the 48 hours since Question 4 was approved, they've seen an uptick in first-time customers interested in becoming ganja gardeners.ÒA lot of people now are really getting the green light, and thinking to themselves, 'Hey, why donÕt I do this myself?' said John Napoli, owner of Boston Gardener , a hydroponic and organic gardening supply store in Roxbury. 'Foot traffic has doubled in the store in a few days.'
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Comment #2 posted by Soupherb on November 11, 2016 at 09:09:33 PT:
kaptinemo
Ditto...
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Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on November 11, 2016 at 07:43:18 PT:
We'll see just how serious Trump is about
the Constitution he'll swear to uphold.Here's the money-where-your-mouth-is challenge: Donald Trump understands the solemn duty that comes from the Oath of Office – swearing to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." https://www.greatagain.gov/policy/constitutional-rights.htmlHe will defend Americans' fundamental rights to free speech, religious liberty, keeping and bearing arms, and all other rights guaranteed to them in the Bill of Rights and other constitutional provisions. This includes the Tenth Amendment guarantee that many areas of governance are left to the people and the States, and are not the role of the federal government to fulfill. (Emphasis mine - k.)There it is. If the Tenth applies to anything, it applies to the issue of cannabis law reform as exemplified in popular State-level referenda and legislation. To use the Federal laws to try to negate the demonstrated political will of the people is to courts charges of hypocrisy.Besides, Trump is supposed to be the consummate businessman. If he can't see how cannabis law reform has led to the production of billions in profits in 'green' States, he doesn't deserve to call himself a businessman.
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