Colorado’s cannabis law includes a 15 percent excise tax on wholesale product that is set aside for school construction capital.
Does anyone call it recreational alchohol? Of course not.
Pew poll data shows 63 percent of Millennial Republicans -- those born between 1981 and 1996 -- support legalized marijuana. But it's a divisive topic if the applause during Thursday's pot debate at CPAC, an annual gathering of conservatives, is any indication. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson argued for its legalization, casting it as a safer alternative to alcohol; "Having a debate right now over whether or not to legalize marijuana is kind of like having a debate over whether the sun is going to come up tomorrow," Johnson said. On that same panel, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (N.Y.) said marijuana today is stronger and more dangerous than in the past. [Hunter Schwarz]Even earth haters are beginning to see the green.
Vermont Senate Minority Leader Joe Benning is one of the state’s strongest proponents of legalization. The Republican from Caledonia has written opinion letters to local newspapers arguing that legalization will ensure safer pot products and give the state an economic boost. Vermont Republicans illustrate a national upswing in conservative support of marijuana legalization. [Burlington Free Press]Cannabis is already legal in parts of South Dakota but getting the means of cultivation, seeds and clones past Marty Jackley's gestapo is daunting.
Minnesota's marijuana makeover was kicked into high gear Tuesday with a tour of a new cannabis-growing plant. "Nine months ago, this was all farmland. It's pretty amazing," said Dr. Kyle Kingsley, CEO of Minnesota Medical Solutions, as he led reporters through his sleek new plant in Otsego, about 35 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The high-tech, ultrasecurity, super-secret building is one of two marijuana factories in the state. The other is in Cottage Grove, operated by LeafLine Labs. [St. Paul Pioneer Press]Public Policy Polling released a survey commissioned by Minnesota NORML from January 18-21, 2015. 49% of Minnesotans want legal cannabis ala Colorado and Washington, 44% are opposed; men embrace legalization 51/43. 76% of respondents condone therapeutic access. Even Republicans showed support at 61% and American Indians showed overwhelming approval at 93%. 54% believe cannabis prohibition is not more effective than alcohol prohibition, 51% think Minnesota’s economy would benefit from market legalization.
North Dakota has legalized cannabis so getting the means to cultivate onto the Standing Rock tribal nation is already taking place. But distribution of finished product remains smoke and mirrors unless states and tribes adopt a regulatory strategy and form compacts.
Progressives overwhelmingly support legal cannabis while liberals are too afraid to offend a non-existent base. Clearly, South Dakota ‘Progress’ doesn’t have a progressive spine and should just join the SDGOP.
Letting the earth haters lead on cannabis reform will result in the defeat of Democrats nation wide if we don't step up to the bong, listen to voters and send the message to end Prohibition.
.@ChrisChristie Against legalizing Weed. Says it leads to addictions/loss of self control. Weighs 300 lbs. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/tXjFu4mxfE
— Benny (@BRios82) August 4, 2015
How Congress turned on the DEA and embraced weed http://t.co/m86GzsOWlb via @jimhigdon pic.twitter.com/418k912ahx
— POLITICO Magazine (@POLITICOMag) July 31, 2015
The photo of the "rotund" NJ Guv-nah is a hoot - him lecturing on "addictions, self-control" and all that. He doesn't stand a chance.
ReplyDeleteSome level of hypocrisy can be revealed in all contrarians, with the worst being "liberal" personal-right deniers. My favorites are liquor imbibers - and in some cases liquor and cocaine. Rednecks. Those are ok, but death to pot smokers. Methinks the introspection component is too much for their widdle minds.
How does Guvnah Jeb stand on this issue? Hilary scares me on this one too. Biden also on the record against. Both may feign during the campaign to grab votes and then stall like Christie in NJ when the chips are down. El Presidente' needs to make the definitive move - any time soon would be fine.
The Christie quip is par for the course. As for Jeb: who cares? Clinton is already evolving on cannabis as a revenue source for states and Obama has plenty of time to lobby Dems to reverse Prohibition especially since there are GOPers on board.
ReplyDeleteyou're quite sure Hilary is the one? I wouldn't bet the ranch on it personally. She carries tremendous baggage - with likely more to be seen. Good chance a year from now one will look back and be saying "what the f*#k happened here".
ReplyDeleteI don't want to be sweating out election night wondering who is going to win, Duff. I want a crushing defeat of the GOP agenda.
ReplyDeleteIf She's anything like her husband . . . her victory won't be a crushing defeat of the GOP agenda. Her corporate and Israeli ties link her to them. We agree on the one thing She would be good for: SCOTUS appointments and ridding us of Citizens United, now that Roberts' Court has unburdened future courts from the principle of stare decisis.
ReplyDeleteThis non-stop war shit is a big deal to a lot of us, however, and She offers no relief. That, and She inspires absolutely nothing as a leader.
Onward and upward, eh?
Exactly why she needs to choose a progressive to run with, Duff. Your choice for #2 on the ticket?
ReplyDeleteWe know VP's have historically been window-dressing. To waste a hard worker like Franken in that position would be a shame - and I don't think he has the stomach for the fight.
ReplyDeleteWithout exercising too many brain-cells, Dickless Cheney is the first/only VP that comes to mind who (over)exercised the power of that office. We all know he usurped power from Bush (how difficult was that) and was the actual President, but he was very effective at manipulating Dems in the Senate also via the VP's Constitutional responsibility as Senate President. He totally outclassed them, including Hilary with her eagerness for war.
My choice would be the best person to bully Republicans in the Senate and manage the out-of-control bureaucracy with an iron fist. It sure hasn't been Joe Biden. Who is that person?
You know the Repukes will be the same jerks to Hilary as they've been to Barack. Don't go looking for "compromise/bi-partisanship" cuz it just ain't there.
We're looking for mean sonsabitches Mr. Kurtz . . . . mean sonsabitches.
We're drifting into the weeds a little bit here, Duff. The Democratic Party can only win if it attracts enough young voters to the general election: it's just that simple.
ReplyDeleteRunning a government effectively, and winning an election are not incongruous efforts. You sure can win an election being mean sonsabitches (to the GOP) - and that is how to effectively run a government after you win it.
ReplyDeleteDick Cheney is my example of running a government from top to bottom. Horrific consequences, but the management example is there. John Thune is the most readily available example here of winning with a mean spirit. Some shit named Wadhams? Lies and bullying ruled the day. Whatever it takes. Modern American politics.
Dems need to cast a wide net to win an election. Getting out the vote in general is critical - far more than pandering to millenials. Effectively governing then becomes critical or you've wasted your time. A VP candidate needs to be more than window-dressing to pull that off. Tell 'em what it means - show 'em you can win - show 'em what you'll do. Mean sonsabitches.
I don't see any of that in the Dem candidates on the dais. Circling the drain . . .
Al Franken can be a mean SOB. Here he is on cannabis: "Drug abuse isn’t immoral; hypocrisy about it is."
ReplyDeleteWhich works best: a Joe Biden/Patty Murray or Bernie Sanders/Julian Castro ticket?
ReplyDeleteI like Al too Larry . . . but he voted right out of the box to (re)confirm Michele Leonhart when thousands petitioned him to not do that. He knew what She was when He did that. Make matters worse - you never see his name associated with those in the Congress leading the charge for rescheduling, reigning in the DEA, or creating a scenario to allow dispensaries to use the banking system . . . to name a few. I believe He has been an effective Senator representing Minnesota businesses, protecting the poor, and the rights of women. He should have his Senate retirement scenario more in hand now that he's in his second term - I know He doesn't want to become a Fox News/Limbaugh talking point, but it's time for him to begin taking a more active (National) role. I'd bet Hilary likes him just fine too.
ReplyDeleteI like Joe - but He's not the guy. We're all watching Bernie . . . wondering if Hilary will burn-up/out. Neither is the type of communicator necessary to carry the day. Then again, I gave Obama money early . . .
You got me. I never had much luck with the ponies either . . . .
ReplyDeletesame shit different piles
Can a Sanders/Murray ticket beat a Trump/Mia Love ticket, guys?
ReplyDeleteAre you backing Rand Paul, Dave?
ReplyDeleteSo true hypocrisy reigns.
ReplyDeleteI am not backing Rand. He is not half the person Ron is in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI would love to vote for a peacemaker though!
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing very little about legal cannabis in Montana: you?
ReplyDeleteIm hearing more about illegal cannabis here, sad but true. Only a matter of time though!
ReplyDeleteVenturing further into the weeds, how do you and and the locals feel about closing BDC, Dave?
ReplyDeleteTruthfully I have no connections to that place so I have no feelings about it. I like the history of it being a more self-sufficient working farm, seems more beneficial. It is just an institute now.
ReplyDeleteBe well!