420 Policies and Laws

[Crow]

Virginia (United States) // Cannabis in the Commonwealth: Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates on Marijuana

One of, if not the, highest profile election this year is the Virginia gubernatorial race. Things are beginning to heat up as we enter the final two month stretch before the election on November 5th and NORML thought it was worth looking at how the issue of marijuana law reform has come into play.

There are three candidates on the ballot vying for the position: Terry McAuliffe (Democrat), Ken Cuccinelli (Republican), and Robert Sarvis (Libertarian).

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Republican Ken Cuccinelli made some statements about marijuana policy early in the campaign, but has largely remained silent since the beginning of this year and has not answered specifics such as which measures, if any, he would support and sign into law.

Responding to a student question while speaking to a class at the University of Virginia, Ken Cuccinelli said he was “evolving” on the marijuana issue.

“I don’t have a problem with states experimenting with this sort of thing I think that’s the role of states,” Cuccinelli stated, “I’m not sure about Virginia’s future [re: marijuana legalization], but I and a lot of people are watching Colorado and Washington to see how it plays out.”

What I expressed to [the students] was an openness to observe how things work there, both in terms of the drug side and the economics. One issue that is often discussed is how the war on drugs itself has played out. Have we done this the right way? It’s been phenomenally expensive.”

Discussing the issue at a later event, Cuccinelli said that, “[If we are] going to put people in jail and spend $25,000 [to] $30,000 a year for a prison bed, do we want it to be for someone who’s pushing marijuana or pushing meth? I’ll tell you what, that $30,000 for the meth pusher is well worth the deal.”

He stated that “I’m ready to watch and learn. I’m not ready to do it [legalize marijuana] but I don’t want to just never ever say never to the possibility in the future.”

He clarified this isn’t an issue he expects to take up if he wins the election. “I don’t want you to think that I’m going to land in the governor’s office and sign a legalization bill. I don’t think you have to worry about it getting to the governor’s desk but it’s worth knowing what your candidate’s saying.”

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Continued...

[Crow]

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) issued the following statement regarding the Department of Justice’s announcement today.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board would like to thank the Obama Administration, particularly Attorney General Eric Holder and the Dept. of Justice for its guidance today.

We would also like to thank Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson for their leadership and efforts on this issue these past nine months. As Gov. Inslee stated today, the Department of Justice today helped lay a path forward for Washington and Colorado to implement its systems of producing, processing and retailing recreational marijuana.

The Board’s primary rule-making focus has been to create a tightly regulated market with emphasis on public safety and restricting youth access. In his letter, AG Holder shared the same concerns. We believe the action taken today by the federal government is the result of the conversations by our state elected leaders with the Dept. of Justice as well as the open and transparent system in which the rules have been crafted. The Board is confident that Washington’s recreational marijuana system will meet most, if not all, of the federal government’s stated concerns.

With the federal government’s approval the Board will continue to move forward and implement I-502 and carry out the will of Washington State voters.

[Crow]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by the United States Department of Justice --

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/A...3-opa-974.html

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS from the United States Department of Justice --

http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resou...2756857467.pdf

[Crow]

Statement from Governor Jay Inslee

“We want to thank the Attorney General for working with the states on this and for finding a way that allows our initiative to move forward while maintaining a commitment to fighting illegal drugs. This reflects a balanced approach by the federal government that respects the state's interests in implementing these laws and recognizes the federal government’s role in fighting illegal drugs and criminal activity.

Attorney General Holder also expressed a willingness to work with the states on a financial structure that would not run afoul of federal law. The news today is an affirmation of good work by the state Liquor Control Board as it has devised a responsible system of implementing our voter-approved law. We can assure the Attorney General that Washington state will remain vigilant in enforcing laws against the illicit marijuana market. Since voters approved Initiative 502 last year, the state has been working to implement it. Today’s announcement from Attorney General Holder is a confirmation that the process can continue to move forward as planned. We appreciate that the federal government will allow the voice of Washingtonians to be heard on this issue.”

[Crow]

Feds won't challenge pot laws of Washington and Colorado



The federal government will not try to block Washington state’s recreational marijuana legalization law, Gov. Jay Inslee announced this morning.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered his long-awaited decision on a potential legal challenge in a phone call with Inslee and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper just after 9 a.m., according to Inslee’s staff.

Colorado’s legalization law, also approved last November, also will stand.

“We have found a way forward,” Inslee declared in a news conference, thanking Holder and President Barack Obama and signaling that much more work is ahead.

“What I’m hearing from the federal government is that they believe there’s a reason to trust the states of Washington and Colorado,” Inslee said. “We’re going to need to show that this system works.”

Holder’s Justice Department described the decision as part of an “an update to its federal marijuana enforcement policy” to focus on eight specific concerns, including preventing marijuana from spreading beyond states where it is now legal.

The other things the DOJ hopes to prevent are the distribution to minors, violence related to distribution, revenue going to criminal enterprises, the use of marijuana as a cover for other illegal activities, drugged driving, pot growth on public lands and use on federal property.

Continued...

[sirloot]

...one step closer to Full US legalization ?

Eric Holder Says DOJ Will Let Washington, Colorado Marijuana Laws Go Into Effect

WASHINGTON -- The United States government took a historic step back from its long-running drug war on Thursday, when Attorney General Eric Holder informed the governors of Washington and Colorado that the Department of Justice would allow the states to create a regime that would regulate and implement the ballot initiatives that legalized the use of marijuana for adults.

A Justice Department official said that Holder told the governors in a joint phone call early Thursday afternoon that the department would take a "trust but verify approach" to the state laws. DOJ is reserving its right to file a preemption lawsuit at a later date, since the states' regulation of marijuana is illegal under the Controlled Substances Act.

full post here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3837034.html

[Crow]

I should retract my previous statement... There is no such thing as sobriety for the Seattleite/Washingtonian/Cascadian/Blahblahblahblahblah; after all, crow juice is the lifeblood of our race --



Then for me, there's the nicotine (snus, electric liquid)... I guess it's just one less component in the equation (for the time being )

[sirloot]

Orange crush .. no pic .. just rolled the last of it

[Crow]

I've got a couple of bowls of Afgooey left.. Thinking about trying some CO2 oil after I take some time off to enjoy sobriety.

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... and just like that -- it's in my system now

[nicodude]

Good evening my friends!

Hey everyone, whats going on? I'm stoned and a little bored so I figured I'd start a game, lets play what are you smoking tonight? Anyone smoking tonight? If so post a picture and tell us what it is!

If your not comfortable posting pictures thats fine, just tell us what your smoking, all I ask is that you post what you have in your possession or what your smoking right now, not last week, last month or last year, keep it honest.


Right now I have-

OG Kush BHO



Sour Diesel




My new waterpipe-





Sour Diesel, Master Kush, OG Kush Butane Hash oil

[Crow]

[Crow]

Congress to Hold Hearings on State and Federal Marijuana Conflict

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has scheduled a hearing to address the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws.

“It is important, especially at a time of budget constraints, to determine whether it is the best use of federal resources to prosecute the personal or medicinal use of marijuana in states that have made such consumption legal,” Senator Leahy stated, “I believe that these state laws should be respected. At a minimum, there should be guidance about enforcement from the federal government.”

The hearing is scheduled for September 10th and both Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole have been invited to testify.

The hearing comes after 20 states have approved of the medical use of marijuana and two states have legalized it for recreational use. The Department of Justice had promised clarification for these states regarding how, or if, the federal government intends to respond, but has thus far failed to provide any clear policy or guidance. It is the hope of Senator Leahy these hearings will address the concerns of these states and provide them a way to move forward with their state approved marijuana laws.

NORML will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Source

[Crow]

Yep, I've had the Blue Dream... Any strain crossed with Blueberry is a winner in my book

[BadAxe]

You guys know the strain Blue Dream? Just got an oz of the stuff, and wow, fruity tasting, and packs a PUNCH. Great for relieving pain while relaxing at the same time as the couch is a lovely place to be with this strain.

[sirloot]

Courtesy of Breal.TV