You Break, You Buy
September 22nd, 2008 by Perry
Two Colorado folk are trying to get reimbursed somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 for 39 pot plants the local police illegally seized, and then returned a year later, completely ruined.
I’m not the resident hydroponics expert, but I’m sure sitting in a police basement with no light, can’t be good for plants. Some of the plants were so badly decomposed they had turned into a black, moldy liquid. No report on whether or not the couple tried to smoke the liquid.
2006 Marijuana Mid-Term Results
November 8th, 2006 by Alex
Well, all the results are in and it’s time to get them out to the public. The conclusions from these mid-term elections are mixed. Seeing how close some of the major ballots came to being passed, it looks like we’re on the right track towards legalization.
Honorable mentions go to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Massachusetts for passing ordinances and low level resolutions aiding in the deprioritization of marijuana arrests.
Read below to see official sites and measure summaries:
California
Measure P (Santa Barbara) - Complete pot deprioritization
Measure K (Santa Cruz) - Complete pot deprioritization
Measure Y (Santa Monica) - Complete pot deprioritization
Colorado
Amendment 44 - Legalization of up to 1 ounce of marijuana for adults 21+ years old
Montana
Initiative 2 (Missoula) - Complete pot deprioritization
Nevada
Question 7 - Remove all civil penalties for the private possession, create state-wide system for taxation & distribution
South Dakota
Initiated Measure 4 - Allow the physician-authorized use of cannabis for medicinal purposes
[all data via NORML]
Colorado Mid-Term Results: No Go on 44
November 8th, 2006 by Tim
Looks like weed smokers won’t be converging on Colorado as the mecca of marijuana any time soon. SAFER Colorado was handed a defeat in their campaign to make up to one ounce of weed legal for the personal use of 21+ year olds.
Still, Mason Tvert - the SAFER’s campaign director - has taken it in stride and had this to say:
It’s quite clear that a number of people in Colorado are in agreement that marijuana prohibition is not working. We think this is the first step in a 5- to 10-year process.
He added that it’s going to be a tough battle to change 75 years of marijuana prohibition overnight, but SAFER is up to the challenge.
I agree with Mason in that I believe this is the beginning of a slow, uphill struggle. The bright side is that the ball has started to roll and is gaining size and speed with each day.
[via Denver Post]
Marijuana Reform Breakdown
November 4th, 2006 by Alex
TalkLeft has put together a nice, quick breakdown of the upcoming marijuana reform initiatives that are taking place in Colorado, Nevada and South Dakota. This years’ mid-term elections are not only important because of the obvious Democrat vs. Republican struggle, but also because these measures might be the first steps toward legalization.
Public opinion is starting to swing in many states. Organizations like LEAP and SAFER Colorado are doing their part to improve awareness and promote the benefits of herb rather than the demonization and scare tactics employed by the US government.
Overall, even if these measures don’t succeed (and I sure as hell hope they do), I still believe we are on the path towards a more intellectual approach to smoking. When you compare the benefits and drawbacks against many other legal substances in the US, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
[via TalkLeft]
Pro-Marijuana Billboards in Colorado
October 27th, 2006 by Alex
In Colorado, the leading front for marijuana reform is developing. SAFER Colorado is making a strong push for publicity before the upcoming vote on Amendment 44.
So, what’s the best way to get the word out? The same way anyone who wants to successfully promote something does it - with a hot broad in a bikini. Damn smart move.
On a more serious note, this ad clearly points out the obvious benefits of marijuana over alcohol. When stated so clearly, it’s hard to ignore the evidence. Hopefully, a majority of the Colorado people feel the same way and start pushing the US one step closer to legalization.
[via Cannabis Culture]
DEA Fights Colorado Pot Legalization
August 28th, 2006 by Alex
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) is now inserting its large nose into Denver’s legalization movement. One agent in particular, a Mr. Michael Moore (not to be confused with the documentary director), has sent numerous emails to political campaign heads asking for support in the fight against Safer Colorado’s initiative. This should raise the alarm on multiple levels, especially the right of state legislations to create their own laws without interference from the federal goverment.
The emails being sent by DEA Agent Michael Moore state that he has $10,000 ready to start the anti-legalization campaign and that all interested parties should contact him at this DEA office. Now, Colorado law prohibits state employees from using state resources to advocate any political point of view. Unfortunately, the DEA is regulated by federal law, not state law. The feds are regulated by something called The Hatch Act. Passed in 1939 and amended in 1993, it is aimed at stopping partisan politics. In other words, it prevents the majority party in the goverment from using tax payer money against the opposing political party and its political movements.
What this means to the average Joe, is that the DEA is side-stepping this act, slipping through the cracks if you will, to oppose a law that will basically render their jobs impotent. Of course a a government agency that makes its livelihood our of tracking, arresting, and prosecuting drug offenders is going to fight the Colorado ballot initiative.
The federal government needs to respect the constitution and the ideologies that it was built upon. Unfairly influencing state level ballots is highly unethical and, as far as I’m concerned, dirty tactics in their War on Drugs.
Leading up to this vote, tFS is going to keep a close eye on the happenings in Colorado. Also, expect to see some more amusing information on the DEA. I’m sure native Coloradans can’t wait to see some “fair and unbiased” facts in DEA sponsored commercials. Riiiiight.
[via Newsvine]
