2014-04-23 13:49:44.61184+00 by Dan Lyke 6 comments
Newspaper sums up the marijuana debate. Intended to do a two page spread, pro legalization on one side, con on the other. The con side ended up as a blank page with one sentence:
On behalf of the Dayton City Paper staff, we apologize, but we were unable to locate a debate writer who was able to submit a view opposed to the legalization of marijuana in Ohio at this time
[ related topics: Drugs Libertarian Writing Journalism and Media ]
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#Comment Re: made: 2014-04-23 15:25:54.23317+00 by: meuon [edit history]
I'm watching the rise of the "vape" market and the pro-weed stand interestingly. Has Colorado or Washington State seen an increase of serious crimes because of the easy availability of these things?
And I wonder, if they were available and legal, would I.... and my answer at this point in my life is "probably not". But I wonder how it affecting the people that "probably are".
If the primary difference in society is that people that already would smoke/injest a little weed are no longer criminals and are paying stabilized market prices for them, it's a very good thing.
I also wonder how much of this is to entice people to "Vote Democrat" in the next election.
#Comment Re: made: 2014-04-23 16:35:20.414058+00 by: Larry Burton
The federal government just needs to get out of the way on this.
#Comment Re: made: 2014-04-23 21:07:03.654983+00 by: ebradway
What we've seen in Colorado has been:
For the most part, however, I haven't noticed any difference in crime or behavior. I still haven't gone into a retail pot shop mostly because of lack of interest.
#Comment Re: made: 2014-04-24 03:10:09.211883+00 by: Mars Saxman
The Washington State liquor control board is a disaster, and they are continuing their pattern of incompetence with the marijuana-legalization rollout, but that was the price we paid for getting the conservatives to go along with I-502. Thus, there are no new pot stores here yet.
Still... almost nobody is getting arrested for marijuana possession anymore (something like a dozen cases total in 2013), and we have a mildly-discreet-but-not-at-all-underground delivery service in Seattle, for people who haven't bothered to get medical authorizations. What's changed most is that people don't really hide their pot use anymore; you don't have to feel weird and paranoid about driving with some marijuana in your car, or your purse or backpack, or whatever. People still don't smoke blatantly in public, but it's as minor a thing as walking around with an open beer can. You don't really want to do it, because the cops will hassle you, but all they're going to do is tell you to stop and maybe take your joint away. A second offense could get you a $27 ticket, which does not involve a court appearance, but this is basically only going to happen if you're a dick about it, or you encounter a super grumpy cop.
Pot was practically legal in Seattle anyway, because of I-75 and the medical marijuana industry, so we haven't seen much visible change. Perhaps the changes have been more dramatic in more conservative cities and all the small towns.
#Comment Re: made: 2014-04-25 00:56:18.019048+00 by: meuon
Mars, Eric: That's what I was hoping. The people that would enjoy some weed every now and then, would and could without being introduced to our legal system. DUI and chronic abuse of anything is bad, but those were problems even when it was illegal.
#Comment Re: made: 2014-04-25 08:16:11.119197+00 by: Shawn
Mars' description matches what I've been seeing/hearing. Out in the suburb towns, they're all scrambling to establish/renew moratoriums to "keep it out of [our city]" as long as possible.