Weed likely to be legalized in Mi in16. Leaders kicking and screaming about it.

[brizee]

Pretty disappointing all around especially from the mayor.

In the long run inconsequential as it already has 2 or 3 to 1 support and it's a year and a half out.

I don't smoke or have an interest in starting even if legalized, but just keep your mouth shut, and find a way to take advantage of this wave of cash coming your way in a piss poor city/state.

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/artic...o_legalize_pot

[Jimaz]

We need to legalize it and get this issue behind us so we can deal with more important problems.

We have been addicted to obsessing over this meager weed for far too long. It's just silly.

I don't even want to use it either.

[iheartthed]

"I'm a former prosecutor, I'm against it,"Duggan said.

Press pause.

[Lowell]

But, but, but... how are we going to fill up all those prison beds we're bonded for? What are you going to say to those who lose their legal system and prison staffing jobs.

When I read that about Duggin my first curiosity was, how many users and distributors of cannabis did he jail and or fine as prosecutor? How much in forfeiture was gained? Anybody know that or how that could be determined?

I can't understand how else he could hold such an out-dated outlook about such a relatively benign substance [compared to an addictive poison like alcohol]? He's pretty bright on just about everything else.

[Honky Tonk]

I can't understand how else he could hold such an out-dated outlook about such a relatively benign substance [compared to an addictive poison like alcohol]? He's pretty bright on just about everything else.

I, personally, don't find Dug-in that bright. I do find him a good con man and schmoozer, but I knew that when I voted for him. He was the lesser of two evils. He can't condone cannabis legalization, even if he lights up most evenings. It would turn every conservative and religious leader against him, and put more ammo in the hands of those who want to get rid of him.

[Ray1936]

Do what ya gotta do, but don't smoke it around me. Cigarette smoke is bad enough.

Yes, I have a bad habit. I like a glass of Merlot or some such in the afternoon. But I don't slop it on other people.

[KJ5]

No quote from Bill Schuette? Is he too busy trying to scheme up a way to have gay people legally declared witches to give us some heinous, reactionary quote about marijuana?

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

No quote from Bill Schuette? Is he too busy trying to scheme up a way to have gay people legally declared witches to give us some heinous, reactionary quote about marijuana?

Perhaps he's crafting a claim that the evil gays will flood the market with pot that turns everyone else into an evil gay.

I'd say legalize the pot, tax it, take this whole business away from the dealers and cartels, and put a nail in the coffin of this part of the failed war on drugs.

[Wheels]

Tax the pot and fix the roads!

[Zacha341]

I don't smoke so I have no personal gain the law changing.

But I'm wondering when are some employers and industries going to get the 'memo' that weed is a-ok now that is being legalized? 2016 too?

As it stands now drug test screenings are standard for certain kinds of employment. Random tests are part of certain career paths.

They really need to get that memo.

[BankruptcyGuy]

I don't smoke so I have no personal gain the law changing.

But I'm wondering when are some employers and industries going to get the 'memo' that weed is a-ok now that is being legalized? 2016 too?

As it stands now drug test screenings are standard for certain kinds of employment. Random tests are part of certain career paths.

They really need to get that memo.

Even in states where marijuana is "legal" [[it's legal nowhere; it's still unlawful to possess under federal law), no state law prohibits private action based on marijuana consumption. Your landlord can still ban it [[even medical marijuana), your boss can still fire you for smoking it, your use of it can be used against you in a probate court [[child custody, etc.) hearing. I recall reading a story about the person who camped out in line to be the first to buy "legally" under Washington law. He, a security guard, was fired the next day.

Colorado politicians estimated $100 million in annual tax revenue. The actual take in the first year was $53 million. Now, $53 million is nothing to sneeze at, but it's not going to "fix the roads," as I've heard some claim. It would be as impactful to the state's overall budget as cutting the film subsidy.

[G-DDT]

I never wanted it legal even when I was smoking it [[and no, I had no Capone-esque vested interest in keeping it underground). I think what tipped it for me, was catching a comic in High Times a loooong time ago that theorized the scenirio of what if "weed" were legal. 1.) Folks would be smoking Marlboro Panama Reds, and we'd have to hear the constant whining of how the price keeps hiking up. 2.) Folks wouldn't be brought together by it being underground. It would no longer be communal [[the "germ-sharing" part of passing a fliz-zoint around never bothered me, either-seemed part of what "funk and soul" is, and I never contracted any illness.). Folks would be keeping there stuff to themselves. 3.) Herb, in the natural sense, would be co-opted. It would become a interpolation, saturation, and straight up pollution of unnatural by-products added to it. Which brings me to....

Towards the last two years of my "ganja-connoisseur" [[can't believe that term was in spell-check program) days, someone secretly changed the formula of the grass folks were getting, and it was not with Folger's crystals. I've tried it all, and yet, this stuff, typical of sensimilla, had no seeds, but was plastic-like. That stuff I called "Ken & Barbie" weed. Then there was stuff available around 9-11 that wouldn't light, no matter how dry it was. I called that stuff "Asbestos weed". Finally, towards the end, the stuff folks were getting was giving me this God-awful pharmaceutical sickness I hated. It made me miserable, depressed, and unalert. It was unlike any of the stuff I ever smoked. That was straight up "Clockwork Orange". One rare occasion, someone got ditchey Mexican dirtweed that was a breath of relief compared to all of that.

All that crud is looong behind me, and I don't miss it one bit. I still remember it like yesterday [[which makes folks laugh as to how I could remember things if I was doing that stuff? Probably not that good of stuff, eh? Actually, my memory is that dang strong and persistent, grass couldn't cloud it out.), though. Which makes me all wonder: what the heck are folks smoking from the "Government"? Can it be classified anywhere near to being like the stuff folks enjoyed for decades? I used to hear old hippies say that the LSD folks did in the '90s was not anywhere near as good or pure as the stuff from the '60s. So, how "altered" or "pharmaceutical" is all of that?

[G-DDT]

Anyway, I found an interesting and ancient article about "demon weed" from our own papers, that I will scan, post and transcribe in another thread for kicks.

[Scottathew]

Decriminalize and regulate weed. Decriminalize and regulate prostitution.

I'll never do either, but the beauty is that I can choose not to do those things that I personally find unappealing.

[Cliffy]

I don't smoke so I have no personal gain the law changing.

But I'm wondering when are some employers and industries going to get the 'memo' that weed is a-ok now that is being legalized? 2016 too?

As it stands now drug test screenings are standard for certain kinds of employment. Random tests are part of certain career paths.

They really need to get that memo.

Because taking certain substances can impair judgement. That is why most employers don't want you coming into work from the bar.

[Zacha341]

Yep. SO, if you smoke you then you know there are still consequences and judgements.

Even in states where marijuana is "legal" [[it's legal nowhere; it's still unlawful to possess under federal law), no state law prohibits private action based on marijuana consumption. Your landlord can still ban it [[even medical marijuana), your boss can still fire you for smoking it, your use of it can be used against you in a probate court [[child custody, etc.) hearing. I recall reading a story about the person who camped out in line to be the first to buy "legally" under Washington law. He, a security guard, was fired the next day.

[Zacha341]

Oh I really get it Cliffy. Absolutely judgement is altered along with mood and perception. Umm, that is the purpose for getting 'high' aside from the medical use.

Who'd PAY good money for direct purchase of and or invest the substantial cost towards growing, cultivated the most enriched crops to have NO effect?!

But I don't want to step onto an airplane with a pilot who just smoked weed or got their 'drink' on. Not a good time to have the 'slows' hit during pre-flight check list check, the crucial V1 lift-off or cruising alt 32,000 ft. etc.

Because taking certain substances can impair judgement. That is why most employers don't want you coming into work from the bar.

[CassTechGrad]

I’m opposed to marijuana because of the devastating effect it is having on the planet and the direct and indirect negative impact it is having on human life.

The massive amount of energy needed to grow marijuana indoors comes from coal fired power plants which pollute the air. The materials needed to equip the greenhouses are manufactured using petroleum and other toxic substances. The chemicals, trees, and raw mineral products needed to make rolling papers, matches, and other paraphernalia used to smoke pot damage the planet and hurt the environment. The run-off from fertilizers used to grow marijuana outside pollutes rivers and streams. Trucks and cars that transport the pot give off exhaust fumes which foul the air we breathe. So how many lives are lost world wide due to the bad air, bad water, toxic soil, and a polluted environment because of all the poisons we create to get high? Normally, liberal publications attack industries that do this much damage to the planet but the pot business strangely gets a pass.

[Hypestyles]

in the midst of all this, what are people saying, if anything, about industrial hemp cultivation for non-smoking uses? [[paper, rope, etc.?)

[Honky Tonk]

Decriminalize and regulate weed. Decriminalize and regulate prostitution. I'll never do either......

I don't know, for the right money, if she's cute......

[Downriviera]

I'm missing Django's comments on this thread.

[Zacha341]

Maybe NPR or Daily Kos can do some investigative articles on all that......?

It does not fit the right 'narrative' that is why there's little discussion. Maybe Monsanto can get their share of weed acreage. Then maybe the media will take hold.

Anyway, you can best bet when weed becomes a corporate, consumable commodity full-out, it will not matter what impact it has agriculturally or whatever. Wall street positioning will be key. By then perhaps even the employers will catch up to modify their screening policies for some jobs.

And yeah, the casinos here in the D allow people toting oxygen canisters in the casinos right along side folks lighting up cigarettes and cigars. I saw this often when I was a gambler. No problem, ahem. Lots of things get a pass if the money factor warrants such.

Normally, liberal publications attack industries that do this much damage to the planet but the pot business strangely gets a pass.

[Zacha341]

Agreed. I'd love to hear his comments about now. Miss him.

I'm missing Django's comments on this thread.

[slick]

Tax the pot and fix the roads!

Pot for potholes!

[Honky Tonk]

Pot for potholes!

I have a few old t-shirts from back in the day with potholes in them.