Legalized Pot: Should the Feds Shut it Down?
Two states have decriminalized marijuana possession and use. The federal government is now eyeing ways to reverse what voters approved. We want to hear your thoughts on the issue Tampa Bay!
Voters in Washington and Colorado went to the polls in November and decided it was OK with them if people possessed up to 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use. They’re already lighting up in Washington, and Colorado pot smokers will get their day in January when their new law goes into effect.
All of this is subject to change, however, since the federal Controlled Substances Act technically makes pot use, cultivation and possession illegal, according to the Huffington Post. The Obama Administration is already hosting meetings to discuss how it should respond to the new state level laws in Washington and Colorado.
Right now, the Post reports, several options are on the table — none of which include allowing the state laws to stand:
- Having federal prosecutors bring low-level marijuana users up on charges and then striking when the defendants file motions for dismissal based on the state laws. This would enable the federal government to gain a court ruling that says the federal law has dominance over the state legislation voters approved.
- Letting the U.S. Justice Department file lawsuits against the two states to stop them from setting up regulation systems for marijuana and taxes on its sale.
- Removal of federal grants for the two states, which essentially strikes them in the purses.
In an earlier Patch story, we asked readers if they thought Florida should consider legalizing marijuana like Colorado and Washington have. The majority of people who commented thought it was time for voters to have a say.
Now Tampa Bay, we want to hear from you about this new development in the issue! If the Obama Administration takes action against the two states, is that appropriate in your eyes? Or would it be too Big Brother like and an infringement on states’ rights? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Bill Spradlin
8:12 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
I think that marijuana should be removed from the Controlled Substance Act.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
12:29 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
C'mon Bill, we all know it should remain right there with it's equals....you know, heroin, LSD, Mescaline and Peyote. I know I experienced the same effects from all the above......thankfully, we have the Govt to tell us what to do and think. How dare you question them.
kip sampson
8:19 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
unfortunately with the nobama win, we will see even more BIG GOVERNMENT, which is exactly what we don't need. This and a whole lot o issues should be state controlled and state monitered. What's even more frightening, is having some flunky working in Social Security dept, making the decision if your mother or father should get the heart transplant or the lung transplant they need or not, with the obamacare system in place
Michael D.
9:37 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Kip,
So it was Obama's fualt that states don't have the right to police themselves on the issue of pot. Hmmmm... research much?
Harrison Act of 1914 - Wilson (Democrat) gave the states the right determine penalties for Narcotics
Uniform State Narcotics Act (1925) - Coolige (Republican) gave the Federal Government the right to procesucute and control enforcment Narcotics
Federal Bureau of Narcotics founded (1930) - Hoover (Republican)
Marjana Tax Act (1937) - Thedore Roosvelt (Democrat) the taxation of medical marjana under the Harrison Act
Narcotics Control Act (1956) - Dwight Eisenhower (Republican) mandatory sentencing for drug use
Creation of DEA (1973) - Nixon (Republican)
Anti Drug Abuse Act (1986) - Regean (Republican) reenforced madatory sentencing for drug offenses
So Kip, by history it clearly shows that it was Obama who took away the rights of the States for enforce the Drug Laws for their states. It seems to me that Republicans want big government as much as Democrats. Just the sheep that follow them believe their taglines they are for smaller government and lower taxes. The last President to raise taxes on the wealthy, George H. Bush. Raise of military spending and monitoring of the citizenship Patriot Act George W. Bush. Both parties want big government. Please check your facts and history before making an agrument.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
12:41 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Although what Michael D stated is factually correct, Kip is semi-correct with his Obama rhetoric. Even after he campaigned with the lies of not stepping on states rights, the Obama administration revved up the "war on weed."
Bush was a saint compared to Obama when it comes to the DEA trampling on States rights.....but don't worry, you won't hear many lefties speaking out against it. Heck, you won't hear many righties speaking out either and if they do, it's like Kip......it's anti-Obama and not anti-Federalism.
I love how Sherri, the author of article, states "according to the Huffington Post." Wow, I didn't realize HuffPo decided what's Constitutional or not. Guess I should quit reading for myself and simply rely on indoctrinated people to tell me what to think. C'mon, Sherri, if you are going to attempt to be a journalist, do some freaking research on your own....form your own opinion. Read the 10th Amendment and you will have an answer to the question.
Contrary to popular belief, the Federal Govt isn't God, nor is it our mommy or daddy....even though the Obama administration has put forth the idea of the "Federal Family." What a phrase.............well count me as part of those who abhor that family.
The States created the Federal Govt.....not the other way around. The Fed is the baby....child...offspring of the States. Again, how many of you let your children dictate what occurs in your lives??
10th Amendment.....look it up.
kim
12:49 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Nothing worse than an uniformed yet opinionated freeper.
Michael D.
2:25 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Samuel,
both parties trample on states and individual rights. We give away a little more of our liberty and freedom each day.
The data center that holds all text messages, phone calls, emails is gorgeous.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
9:59 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Michael D, you think Romney would have filled that place with a bunch of Mormons??
Have you heard of William Binney? He verified what many already knew.
But hey, why worry about matters of true importance.....we have Fiscal Cliff nonsense to talk about for the next few weeks.
Dizzy Lizzy
8:36 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Legalize it. Leave the states alone who have already done so. Quit wasting money fighting this and move forward.
Patty Crespo
9:12 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Legalize it and take it off of the Controlled Substance Act and keep the Federal Government out of it!
Jim Pavek
9:47 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Maybe it is time to take a different look at the marijuana issue. It is definitely a fact that current laws are not working and that people are going to use marijuana in spite of legal consequences. Whatever legislation is passed it must be aimed at one paramount issue: We need to have laws is place that discourage drug use by our youth and step up realistic education as to all drugs that can be harmful when used inappropriately
Nicky Roberts
9:43 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I like your thinking Jim! The problem with the way the information is presented at this time: all drugs are equally harmful & addictive. Inaccurate at best. Kids respond by assuming that adults who taught them this don't tell the complete truth, are being manipulative or are just ignorant.
Many of the kids smoking pot today believe, having done their own research, that pot is not only not harmful but that it is a safer drug than alcohol and or smoking cigarettes. (Which they may even witness their parents and other adults abusing.)
There appears to be legitimate support for this point of view in the research.
I have 2 concerns: My first concern is that young adults are getting caught up in the legal system for a drug that is no more destructive than alcohol or cigarettes and, my second concern is that because many young people might, because they have been given incorrect information about pot, be inclined to question the validity of information given to them about serious drugs like heroine and cocaine.
I would think it better to be in a position to educate my kids about pot int he same way I have about alcohol & Cigarettes.
I prefer the approach of giving people accurate information, free of religious or political rhetoric & bias, legalize pot & use the extensive amount of funding we currently spend on capturing, prosecuting & incarcerating drug users to help those who are addicted to life endangering drugs like cigarettes, alcohol, heroine, crack etc.
Goin' Commando
11:39 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Kip is not only a sore-loser on the election, but displays amazing ignorance of the facts.
Go ahead, kip, keep complaining and listening to loudmouth Rush. But don't confuse the Rush/Hannity/O'Reilly BS with the truth about what the Federal government does or doesn't do, as Michael D. has so clearly shown to all of us.
John A. Seed
12:24 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I laugh at the way people divert from the ultimate conclusions that we truly need. History is important but let's take a stand to move forward in our perception of the marijuana debate. So, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew pot. So, Nixon was the one who finalized the legislation that attacks our freedom as Americans. What's next? I and many other professionals of various fields have been using pot for over 40 years. Where is the demon we're told to fear? It's far past time to let go of the propaganda that has polarized people over this issue. I lived in Florida for 15 years and witnessed high drug usage of every kind along with rampant alcoholism. Here is the simple truth. America is about freedom of choices. Give the people what they want. If a state chooses to legalize drugs, gambling or prostitution, let them work it out in their own time. I'm not in favor of prostitution but I would never stand in someones way if that's what they wanted. We're told that our government is looking out for our best interest by protecting us from so called corruption. We are in the trouble we're in because of our government being so corrupt. They need to back off and leave the states alone. Giving the states power over these types of decisions may be the only chance we have as a nation to regain any semblance of what America once was.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
12:46 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Amen, John.......what you have stated is quite obvious to those of us who truly believe in Freedom and Liberty.
It really boils down to:
Tyranny vs. Liberty. Freedom vs. Oppression.
kim
12:54 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I agree completely. How many agents have lost their lives in pursuit of pot? Too many. Pot is not dangerous and it does not lead to heavy drugs like herion or meth or cocaine. They should legalized pot and let people grow and smoke it without having to be afraid of being arrested. Make it legal and just let people have the choice. I have to laugh. I watch old movies and they have people drinking and they made it look sophisticated, but where pot was concerned you had the "Reefer Madness". What a crock. I grew up in the sixties and never got in to drugs but I believe it should be legal and if it were I would probably light up myself.
Michael D.
2:24 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
It isn't the government's job to tell us what we can and can't put in our bodies.
rick barasso
12:53 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Cigarettes kill 400,000 people a year. Let's start there first
Peter J Dunlay
2:29 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I live half of the year in Colorado. Regardless of the change to State Law, people in CO really don't much care one way or the other. Some do. Some don't. Been that way for years. The Police appreciate being relieved of having to enforce unenforceable laws so they can devote their time to fighting real crime. If people knew the real story about cannabis and how and why it was made illegal they might think differently. It has to do with political influence of the Liquor Industry and a bit of Racism thrown in for the heck of it. That was back in the 1920's. Here we are today...
Mark Russell
3:34 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
The day the federal government makes its move to counteract the will of its people is the day the revolution should start
Michael D.
3:52 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Mark,
They have been doing that for decades, just selling it as the will of the people. It is fear tactics.
Maureen
5:11 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Wow, lots of heat in this discussion. Interesting.
I have known alcoholics who posed far more danger to themselves and others than pot smokers. If alcohol is legal, marijuana should be as well. Whatever the concerns for pot use are, they apply to a legal drug of choice, booze. But the government tried to outlaw alcohol. When that failed, made it a good source of tax income.
The constitution of the USA allows for states to have power not specifically given to the federal government. I have visited Utah, where alcohol is forbidden for sale except at private clubs, and have heard of "dry" counties in some states.
The people of Washington and Colorado have the right to laws pertaining to intoxicating substances, as far as I know. What happens, though, when someone under the influence of pot travels to a nearby state and gets arrested there? I suppose DUI is DUI, and that state's penalties would prevail.
There are much bigger fish to fry than to grind the wheels of the federal government over this issue. (Could it be that the feds may not like the states getting tax revenue here?)
Chip Douglas
5:38 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Legalize it, but tax the hell out of it like cigs, alcohol, etc. Also, allow 1 oz. per household which as long as you're not a quote un quote Pothead it should be suffice. Moderation is the key ;)
Calvin N
7:08 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Vote for Ron Paul next time. Or a libertarian. This registered Republican did.
Tim Henline
9:37 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
The US has spent six billion +dollars plus countless lives on the war against drugs. Failure of this pursuit is public knowledge. History showed that during prohibition, the harder the government fought it, more people responded by taking it underground. Legalization of pot removes all of the illegal growers, smugglers, and street level dealers. It also removes the manpower and equipment used to fight it. There is an historic moment that the Feds should think through before kicking themselves in the behind and biting their own hand. It is the will of the people- leave it that way. If the feds want to be constructive, go after these pill addicts- they are the true thugs and trouble in society-at least here in Florida. And better yet, go after the companies that continue to push sales incentives to the doctors who are overdosing these addicts, who in turn are a true plague on our society-that would be a fight worth taking!