Marijuana has been legalized by voters in Breckenridge, Colorado. The proposal overwhelmingly passed with voter approval of 72%. As much as an ounce of marijuana can now be possessed by anyone over 21 years of age.
Since state law in Colorado still makes it a crime to possess marijuana unless you are a medical cardholder, the largely symbolic measure is aimed at local law enforcement to send the message that small-time pot smokers should be left alone.
Successful passage of the measure comes as marijuana prohibition enforcement continues to be a struggle for communities across the country, amidst a surge in popularity of medical marijuana programs.
"The sky is blue and all the trees are green. My heart is warm like a baked potato. I think you know exactly what I mean, when I say it´s a spedoinkle day"
Name the movie and win my respect for a day. (Hint, it´s a movie about Edgar Packer on his way to Breckenridge, CO -based on the true story where Packer eats his traveling companions to survive a snow storm.)
btw. the federal govt won´t let this slide. They don´t want to look like their loosing their precious "war" on drugs.
You could be perceiving this as an instance where the Federal Government would sweep in and abolish this amendment. However, it is quite possible that they´ll use this as a way to legalize pot but for taxing purposes. Don´t rule this out yet. This is indeed good news.
Now with this said. Being under the influence of marijuana needs to be treated like being under the influence of alcohol. They have to have a way to measure the amount of safe THC in your blood. I am all for legalizing marijuana but in a responsible, civil manor in which it would also protect citizens in the process.
But that is just one opinion. Legalize it but do so in consideration of the welfare of everyone; whether they smoke it or not.
" I am all for legalizing marijuana but in a responsible, civil manor in which it would also protect citizens in the process."
So is everyone, I would imagine. But, since I don´t live in a bubble, and I know this means easier access to marijuana for irresponsible users, it´s probably not going to be the most "protective" law to pass in recent years.
And I´m not knocking your idea, because part of me says "Well, we have the legal right to consume alcohol after 21, WHY NOT this too?" I guess I´ve just become bitter after working in the field I do, and seeing the amount of young irresponsible people who jeopardize other peoples lives every day through stupid decisions.
Oh well I´m not saying the Federal Government should let this law be upheld. They should strike it down. But they should take it into consideration that a lot of people probably wouldn´t mind Marijuana being legalized. Honestly, I´ve smoked it in the past doing the rock and roll band concert thing. It´s not for me really. I don´t like things that alter my mind or body. Call me old fashioned. I don´t even smoke or drink.
I guess the point of view I was trying to put across is that if the government ever legalizes and regulates this; please do so responsibly. I have never had anyone close to me die due to a drunk driver, drugs, etc. But the whole marijuana thing needs to be treated like laws for smoking and drinking.
Age limit, taxation, no driving under the influence, no smoking it in businesses or public restaurants. Stuff like that. Just a responsible approach to this matter. I´m for it though.
Federal Government won´t strike it down, they want people to still think that states rights mean what they are supposed to.
I would have to laugh if they legalized it in public areas and not only because of a contact high, they are passing law after law to hold cigarette smokers by the short and curlies while taxing it for each penny they can, let pot be legal and smoked wherever that would be interesting.
Actually, they just announced that the DEA would be taking a more lenient stance in situations like this, where it is for medical purposes and has been approved by the voters.
I think it was Alfred Packer, and he was eating handburgers LOL. And actually he was in SW Colo looking for gold between Silverton and Lake City near Engineer Pass. I´ve climbed all over the area and I have to admit the tourists are delicious.
I used to live in Breckenridge in the 60´s and 70´s and it was awesome back then. Now too touristy, all the old mining buildings have been torn down and replaced with glass and steel, the price of everything is outrageous. I have no problem believing that the population overwhelmingly voted to legalize, even back then everyone smoked. Some of the best hash I ever smoked I consumed in a small apartment overlooking mainstreet. Used to play in Fatty´s Golf tournament every year. You use plastic wiffle balls and golf from the door of one bar to the next. The course is laid out to 9 bars starting at Fatty´s and runs in a big circle down main street and back to Angels Rest next door. By the time you finish you are just carrying the damn ball if yo can still walk.
This is where Prohibition will end, at the grassroots level, and it will spread till those at the top start to listen to "We the People". I guess Breckenridge now has a claim to fame, "Prohibition ended here". Congratulations to the brave and decent people of Breckenridge.
If we gave each state more power to do as the MAJORITY wish? I think it would be a fantastic idea to split the USA into 4 quadrants--each area is separated by common ideologies. Then people could just move to a conservative, bible-thumping state and be surrounded by those types and the crazy drug addicts and criminals can colonize a different area, and the moderates can occupy the other two areas.
But that´s a perfect world concept and no one wants that. Good for Colorado. Now that we´re on a roll, how about we ILLEGALIZE cigarettes? Since the Fed wants to protect us sweet, unsuspecting civilians from big bad products that can harm our bodies.
D- I still think that irresponsible people who want it, will get it, regardless of it´s legal standing. But I see what you´re saying and think that Quintessence´s approach is the best... legalize and regulate.
And it should be prohibited in public places like parks. I was at a park with my one year old son and some d-bag was smoking out. I´m not interested in my son getting a contact high.
We can make him our best friend. We can name him Tom or we can name him George! We can make him tall, or we can make him not so tall. Snowman! He´ll have a happy face, a happy smile, a happy point of view. If you build me a snowman, then I´ll build one for you. So, let´s build a snowman! We can make him our best friend. We can name him Bob or we can name him Beowulf! We can make him tall, or we can make him not so tall. Snowman! Hey! He´ll have a happy face, a happy smile, a happy point of view. If you build me a snowman, then I´ll build one for you. Snowman! Snowman! Snowman!
Greatest movie about cannibals in Colorado ever. @shaohu: This is the first thing I thought of when I saw the title too. :)
A huge victory for the people. Hopefully now others will see how harmless marijuana is, and hopefully this will spread across the country like a glorious wildfire.
and the DEA will definitely not come in and strike this down. In the capital city, Denver, marijuana has been legal for years.
It is currently treated pretty much like alcohol, meaning no driving, no public consumption, restricted to 21+, etc. Less than an ounce possession and consumption by adults has been completely decriminalized.
Colorado is a very, very marijuana friendly state. I am a caregiver registered with the state of colorado and am legally allowed to grow 99 plants, as well as posses, deliver, and sell marijuana to medical patients under full compliance with the law. LEOs with the state bureau of investigations, the county, and the city have all been by to inspect my warehouses and zero problems...some even complimenting me on the aroma and the professionalism of my operation =D
With obama now in office and no more raids coming through from the federal level, Colorado truly has become the forefront for the legalization movement, and adding Breck to the list of places that are showing we WANT decriminalization proves it =)
Good to see Breck decided to follow in Denver´s footsteps! Hopefully the entire state soon.
