Washington & Colorado legalize recreational use !

[Stanky Danky]

Obama: Marijuana Users Not High Priority
By DEVIN DWYER | ABC News – 5 hrs ago



President Obama says recreational users of marijuana in states that have legalized the substance should not be a "top priority" of federal law enforcement officials prosecuting the war on drugs.

"We've got bigger fish to fry," Obama said of pot users in Colorado and Washington during an exclusive interview with ABC News' Barbara Walters.

"It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it's legal," he said, invoking the same approach taken toward users of medicinal marijuana in 18 states where it's legal.

Obama's comments on marijuana are his first following Colorado and Washington voters' approval of Nov. 7 ballot measures that legalize the recreational use and sale of pot in defiance of federal law.

Marijuana, or cannabis, remains classified under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I narcotic whose cultivation, distribution, possession and use are criminal acts. It's in the same category as heroin, LSD and "Ecstasy," all deemed to have high potential for abuse.

Obama told Walters he does not – "at this point" – support widespread legalization of marijuana. But he cited shifting public opinion and limited government resources as reasons to find a middle ground on punishing use of the drug.

"This is a tough problem, because Congress has not yet changed the law," Obama said. "I head up the executive branch; we're supposed to be carrying out laws. And so what we're going to need to have is a conversation about, How do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that say that it's legal?"

The president said he has asked Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department to examine the legal questions surrounding conflicting state and federal laws on drugs.

"There are a number of issues that have to be considered, among them the impact that drug usage has on young people, [and] we have treaty obligations with nations outside the United States," Holder said Wednesday of the review underway.

As a politician, Obama has always opposed legalizing marijuana and downplayed his personal history with the substance.

Obama wrote in his 1995 memoir, "Dreams from My Father," that he would smoke pot regularly with his high school buddies who formed a "club of disaffection." The group was known as the "Choom Gang," says Obama biographer David Maraniss.

"There are a bunch of things I did that I regret when I was a kid," Obama told Walters. "My attitude is, substance abuse generally is not good for our kids, not good for our society.

"I want to discourage drug use," he added.

While the administration has not prioritized prosecutions of marijuana users and small-scale distributors in states where it's legal, it has not ceased prosecutions altogether. The Justice Department has continued raids on pot providers – including in states where they are legal – in an approach that experts say is more aggressive than Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

"I never made a commitment that somehow we were going to give carte blanche to large-scale producers and operators of marijuana – and the reason is, because it's against federal law," Obama told "Rolling Stone" in an interview earlier this year.

It "is a murky area," Obama told the magazine, "where you have large-scale, commercial operations that may supply medical marijuana users, but in some cases may also be supplying recreational users. In that situation, we put the Justice Department in a very difficult place if we're telling them, 'This is supposed to be against the law, but we want you to turn the other way.' That's not something we're going to do."

Obama and the Office of National Drug Control Policy say the negative impacts of widespread marijuana legalization loom large.

Legalization would lower the price of "weed," thereby fueling its use and triggering more widespread negative health effects and subsequent costs of care, the administration says in its official policy position. Officials also say legalization would do little to curb drug violence or eliminate cartels.

"When you're talking about drug kingpins, folks involved in violence, people who are peddling hard drugs to our kids and our neighborhoods that are devastated, there is no doubt we need to go after those folks hard," said Obama.

"It makes sense for us to look at how we can make sure that our kids are discouraged from using drugs and engaging in substance abuse generally," he said. "There's more work we can do on the public health side and the treatment side."

Colorado and Washington are the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana, presenting a fresh challenge for the Obama Justice Department to navigate in a second term.

While public opinion has shifted toward legalization over the past few years, Americans remain divided about the personal use of pot.

Fifty percent of American adults oppose legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use, while 48 percent would support such a measure, according to a November ABC News/Washington Post poll. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 points.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who personally opposed legalization, on Monday formally approved the voter-backed amendment to the state constitution legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

The measure will allow individuals to possess one ounce of pot and up to six marijuana plants and licensed stores to sell marijuana starting next year.

Washington State last week officially became the first to allow recreational use of marijuana when a voter-approved ballot measure took effect.

In both states, pot use remains illegal in public. Eighteen states have approved the use of marijuana for medicinal use with a doctor's order. Federal law still prohibits all use and sale of marijuana.

[USbongLord]

What a steaming pile of shit that was.
Coughing blood...lol

twat.

yer hard on for me is epic..and kinda cute old fart...heres a hug...twat?..is that the farm yer from?

Sorry Bong...I've been coughing up blood from the weed here in Colorado and it's made me weak. There are thousands of us now...blood is everywhere.

Send spoon...hurry.

See..I knew it...coors river runs red

[Uncle Ron]

Are you in Federal law enforcement?

Nope...
...if I were, I would consider myself to be the lowest form of hypocrite I've ever had the displeasure of knowing.
No disrespect intended to members of law enforcement, just given my propensity for smoking the ganja, I'm not a good fit.
During a period of my previous profession, I trained members of law enforcement at various levels - local, state, federal, and international.
...

[dconstrukt]

from my buddy who LIVES in WA.

yo my homeboy whatzzz up

anyways, this place is becoming fun. you can't go for a walk these days without smelling the sweet scent of purple haze in the air... in fact, the local police have been instructed not to enforce the laws for the next 30 days if people decide to smoke in public...

http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2012/ ... ana-bakery

[Slip & Sal]

I think some one needs there menopause meds, hey Ol' stale fart.

where has the love gone guys???

but you're all cracking me up continue.

[cantona7]

[quote="dconstrukt"]from my buddy who LIVES in WA.

yo my homeboy whatzzz up

anyways, this place is becoming fun. you can't go for a walk these days without smelling the sweet scent of purple haze in the air... in fact, the local police have been instructed not to enforce the laws for the next 30 days if people decide to smoke in public...

http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2012/ ... ana-bakery[/quote

I haven't noticed it like this yet. Have t been to the hill in awhile though.

[cantona7]

update:

my brother was downtown in the university district today. apparently open air and un hidden cannabis markets have opened in the area. guys shouting out strains, signs etc. will have to check this out in person to confirm though.

[mafufero]

That's very encouraging, Cantona7. I've noticed that hotels in Seattle are on par with those in Amsterdam as far as price. I was thinking about going in August to the hempfest.

[Uncle Ron]

update:
my brother was downtown in the university district today. apparently open air and un hidden cannabis markets have opened in the area. guys shouting out strains, signs etc. will have to check this out in person to confirm though.

Thanks for the info...
This got me thinking - IF the Feds want to crack some ass, they could raid these markets, arrest the lot, or at a minimum confiscate EVERYTHING.
If not because of the weed, think tax evasion... No vendor is licensed, none of the merchandise is taxed, which one might think the WA State tax officials would be looking at.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxe ... Washington
But they haven't (yet), so there is hope. I suggest to these vendors that they be mindful lest they face tax evasion charges. Food for thought.
For all the peeps who live in or are visiting these States, minimize the influence of organized criminal elements by buying LOCAL...
Locals should grow their own if possible, or start/join a co-op. A pleasant byproduct of co-oping is growing weed with strangers who become friends. Nirvana...
Plant the seed, free the weed...
...

[redeyezman]

Maybe they will outlaw dirt/water to prevent people from growing? Slip it in with the outlawing of ammo, and get two birds with one stone?

[Old Fart]

And old fart...yer just an old queen... ....make sure ya smoke plenty of that weed,enjoy yer hack hack...I love drama...makes for good times

Good news…because of my chronic blood spewing cough and the irreversible damage caused by medical weed in Colorado…my doctor has approved my medical weed card for another year.

[Uncle Ron]

...and now this!
Club 64 is charging $29.99 admission price.
That's like t'Nes charging an entry fee just to smoke.
Watch the pretentious fucktards hit their stride... Mine is better than yours. Oh yeah, we should have a competition to see who's the best in town.
I've read the writing on many walls and they all point to the fleecing of cannabis users, in most cases self-inflicted.
Anyone who pays $29.99 to sit in a room and smoke weed, you deserve to be fleeced. It's like paying to watch the sun set but from a "special" location.
What'll be next... stoner-only excursions to "insider" locations where the "cool kids" hang?
As I said, pretentious fucktards will be in full force. I'm glad to be on the outside looking in... hopefully the world will learn what NOT to do when it's their turn. Doubtful though, stoners being the same around the world.
Enjoy...

Members-only marijuana clubs open in Colorado
By By KRISTEN WYATT | Associated Press – 5 hrs ago
DENVER (AP) — Recreational marijuana clubs opened Monday in Colorado, less than a month after the state governor signed into law a constitutional amendment allowing recreational pot use.
With a reggae soundtrack and flashing disco-style lights, Club 64 in an industrial area just north of downtown Denver opened Monday afternoon, with some 200 people signed up. The opening came less than 24 hours after club organizers announced they would charge a $29.99 admission price for the bring-your-own pot club.
Two Colorado clubs were believed to be the first legal pot dens in the nation.
New Club 64 members were firing up bongs and exchanging hugs before the sun set Monday, and they also planned to ring in the new year together.
"Look at this!" an excited Chloe Villano exclaimed as the club she created over the weekend opened. "We were so scared because we didn't want it to be crazy. But this is crazy! People want this."
Colorado's marijuana amendment prohibits public consumption, and smoke-free laws also appear to ban indoor smokeouts. But Club 64 attorney Robert Corry, who cut a ribbon at 4:20 p.m. for the new club, said private pot dens are permissible because marijuana isn't sold, nor is it food or drink. Villano, the club owner, said the pot club would meet monthly at different locations, with the $29.99 membership fee good for only one event.
On Monday, the pot club was meeting in a hemp-based clothing store near downtown. Hooded sweatshirts and backpacks were shoved to a corner. In the main area, a few small tables sat next to a screen showing "The Big Lebowski."
A bar decorated with blue Christmas lights handed out sodas and Club 64's official snacks — Goldfish and Cheetos. The snacks were inspired by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who warned marijuana users the night of the marijuana vote, "don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly." Club 64 gets its name from the number of the amendment.
The Denver Post reported that a similar pot club opened earlier Monday in the small southern Colorado town of Del Norte (del-NORT').
Corry said the pot clubs are intended for people who can't use marijuana at home because of local ordinance or because their landlords threaten eviction.
"It's just a place for adults to exercise their constitutional rights together," Corry said. "We're not selling pot here."
Among the new Club 64 members planning to ring in the New Year was Joe Valenciano of Denver. He heard about Club 64 yesterday and signed up immediately.
"We need more clubs like this," Valenciano said.
An hour after opening, no police were seen outside Club 64. Villano said the club wanted to open symbolically at 4:20 p.m., but that the party wouldn't get going until about 9 p.m., when DJs were scheduled to start as members prepared for pot-filled countdown to burn in the New Year.
Kristen Wyatt at http://www.twitter.com/APkristenwyatt

[Uncle Ron]

Adding to what I wrote above, I wonder what the clubs will provide for beverages and Scooby-Doo stoner snacks once they are permitted?
Wanna bet they will charge a premium for these products? Wait for it.....................
...$5.99 mineral water; $7.99 organically produced juice; $14.99 Chicken sandwich - (bun w/lettuce (organic), tomatoes (organic), free-range chicken (organic feed), etc..); for the vegan crowd, hold the chicken...

In the archives dating back a couple of years, a few people read the writing on the wall and informed the masses.
Now, those protestations have come to light...
Stoners are what?...
...

[Sailor59]

A fool and his money.......

[USbongLord]

im setting up a ticket booth now...recon i didnt see tha comin neither