pot was passed in washington and calorado.

nothing always thought this was an lounge, if not mods can move it accordingly, sure there is a place to talk about politics here.

Wow. Does this mean anyone can buy and sell it?

Except it isn't corporate America producing and selling the MJ in Colorado, it's small business. If corporate America would take over, I'm sure the price would come down.

There's also limitations on the commercial growers. While it's more than 6 plants, the limit isn't high enough to attract corporate growers Plus, if you grow more than 99 plants the penalty from the Feds greatly increases. The Feds can, and have, made local busts for those growing more than 99 plants.

6 plants is more than enough for personal use. And I don't want unregulated MJ on the open market. First, who wants to smoke mites? Second, I agree with the taxes generated going to the education system here in Colorado. It's a much better option that the money going to drug rings.

Also, it was the people of Colorado (and Washington) that voted in the law. If the laws had no or few restrictions, the laws wouldn't have passed. (See Oregon) For some of us, Democracy is a good thing.

The good news is in Colorado, this was added to the State Constitution, so it will take a vote of the people to rescind the law and the politicians can't do it on their own.

Haha. How do get that out of what Kurt wrote? In this case, the law was written by and voted on by the people.

In an earlier post I said I thought the dispensaries would sell to "everyone". After some research, I was wrong. The dispensaries and pot shops will be seperate. However, I have a feeling many dispensaries will convert to pot shops.

Medical MJ will still allow people to have 2 ounces, instead of 1, and there's a tax that won't be applied to medical MJ. But, you have to pay for the doctor's appointment and approval annually.

I left out you won't be able to smoke in public.

I've seen critics complain about how this will create a market for "MJ tourism". Isn't this a good thing?

Colorado is very diverse politically. Some areas are very conservative and others are very liberal, so MJ won't be available everywhere.

There's one small mountain town called Nederland that is very pro MJ, even the sherrif and mayor. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't benefit from MJ tourism. It specializes in "high altitude" MJ. It has a strange demographic, made up of bikers and hippies. Typically, these two don't blend all that well, but they do have one thing in common.

I was looking at the actual proposition in WA. The state expects to collect a half billion in taxes within the first 18 months. Unauthorized growing becomes a major felony with massive fines. It was a felony before but now, since the state won't be getting their cut, it's really gonna hurt to get caught growing.

People who want to become suppliers will pay $1000 per year for a permit, will be limited to growing a certain amount and will be required to pay high taxes on what they sell. Anyone having anything to do with growing and distributing legal weed will will be in a big state database and should expect the bud police to come a callin' fairly often. Better not have a single plant over the limit or get whacked hard with fines.

I think Washington folks are going to be very surprised when they find out what was in the small print of what just passed there. Not that I'd know, but it looks like the price of an ounce is going to increase by a lot. Folks want pot to be legal? Be careful what you wish for.

The people fought hard for this one. We deserve it. It's just plain right. As far as 6 plants == I don't think I could smoke 6 plants in the time it took to grow 6 more. I would have to have a lot of help. I'm really disappointed with Oregon though. On our local channels they've had ads running against it that sound right out of the 70's killer marijuana commercials. I couldn't believe what I was hearing - physically and mentally dangerously addictive? WTF? I guess we're in a time zone all of our own. You guys just went back an hour. We went back 5 decades.

Lololol. Yeah. I'm glad.

At least in Northern California the price of medical mj from a dispensary is the same, if not better than 'street price' at least for small amounts (its all I would know) - and minus all the risks = transaction etc.

Note that here they set a real loose 'limit' - on the amount you can buy - just general like 'women - 1-2 ounces per month' - but then do not keep track of what you buy. I spend $20-50 every time I go shopping and now that I have tried all the edibles it will be more like $20 as a rule.

Along with the annual 'license' comes the right to grow - sooooo you will see more of that in the future where people will start growing their own - ('future' is now for a long time already) once you get it all set up I bet you can save some big money over time.

Not Oregon? WTF?

this thread got way off topic.

Times are obviously changing and shifting towards what the newer generation wants.

Let's face it if Gay Marriage can be legalized so can POT. It's just the demographics of the 18-29 year olds now see things differently.

Politically I can see how this could attract voters to come out and vote for the Senator responsible for giving these laws the light of day.

Let us not forget:

I have just finished booking my 'skiing trip' , and plan to see the Seattle Seahawks play...someone at home, soon

What I'm wondering is that if pot has become legal - will corporations still require drug testing for a job? There's a hell of a lot of profit in selling the testing kits or for clinics that do the testing. As far as I can see, it's insurance companies that force testing, not employers themselves. I'm sure there's money passing between them and insurance companies who require their corporate clients to test people. I've been disgusted with the way insurance companies are allowed to rip our rights up for decades now. I hope this move also starts to shatter their damned hold on our freedoms, too.

There're definitely provisions for testing in WA. Yes, it stays in your system for a long time but they've got that covered. Apparently they've determined a level they consider to be impaired. I didn't spend a whole lot of time reading the details but from what I could gather employers have to accept people even if they are THC positive. The only way it would work against someone if if they were positive beyond the limit set by the state.

Legalization is one thing. It appears to be a good thing. But legalization does not mean decriminalization. Not even close. Yep, they're making it available to people. But under their own VERY STRICT terms.

There are more fines and penalties attached to it than ever before. Just think, you're driving along and get pulled over. Maybe you haven't smoked in more than 24-hours. But the cop who pulled you over says you look impaired. So you get arrested and brought in and after testing they find you're just over the legal limit. That means court, lawyers, fines, state mandated (and certified for a hefty fee) rehab programs, increased auto insurance premiums. This could turn into a gold mine for the states.

It's highly likely that if this has happened before it became legal the cop wouldn't have thought (or wanted to bother) to test you for THC. But now that it's legal wanna bet that some wicked number like one in five people who fit a certain profile get stopped, arrested and tested? Why? Because most states are dead ass broke and this will be a boon to their very survival. Be careful what you wish for.

There are going to be costs - and there are going to be restrictions and control - as there well should be -

I carry my license documents in my car and my 'ID' in my purse. If they want to dick around with busting people to earn instant cash - whatever.

If I abuse the trust/endanger anyone or cause trouble then I deserve whatever I get - just like drunk driving or a laundry list of things.

Some people love the darkness and always want that to be predominant to any situation or conversation.

I prefer not to worry about all the possible negative ramifications - we didn't leave the world so i guess it is still Open season.

Can't rain on my parade - I couldn't be happier or feel more free -

Nobody knows what tomorrow brings - and after worrying about this for decades and being part of the problem, I am thrilled that - maybe for just a little while - things are progressing and I am part of the solution...

BE HERE NOW!

I'm not much worried about it either way - I'm not someone who could be considered a frequent flier. My concern is putting the kabosh on drug cartels, for profit prison systems and their forced slave labor, and the expense of a phony war on drugs for profit. I'm also stoked for the day when we can grow hemp for nutritional seeds and natural fibers to replace toxic ones - and for paper to save our forestry, etc. I'm sure that whether legal or illegal, it will be milked for every dime that they can get from us on it.