Forum Post: Having some of the most liberal Marijuana enforcement in the country for almost ten years hasn’t hurt the Seattle economy.
Posted 11 years ago on Nov. 17, 2012, 6:28 a.m. EST by factsrfun
(8310)
from Phoenix, AZ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
“Despite a longstanding national prohibition on marijuana, minor marijuana possession has been the lowest enforcement priority for the Seattle Police Department since Seattle voters passed Initiative 75 in 2003.”
http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/11/09/marijwhatnow-a-guide-to-legal-marijuana-use-in-seattle/
“Seattle area has the nation's third-strongest local economy”
areas with large populations of "hipsters" tend to have great local economies. i think it has more to do with seattle being a hub for the youth culture and that particular youth culture values a lot of "green" lifestyle choices.
Still seems to put a flaw in the argument that increased cannabis use creates a drag on the economy. If anything the increased freedom that people feel in Seattle may contribute to the creativity needed for economic growth.
oh hipsters smoke them some weed now.
the hipsters and I will be waiting for you down on Beale St.
[Removed]
Marijuana was decriminalized in NY in the 1970s. There is absolutely no talk here of legalization; in fact, we've already had this discussion and it was those very people of the 70s who have stood so firmly opposed. Quite frankly, sobriety - in the home, in the work place, in virtually all instances - is the better option. Many of you who promote legalization are destined to spend the rest of your lives high.
This looks like some talk to me, seems you're not new to lying.....
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/04/us-usa-marijuana-new-york-idUSBRE85310V20120604
or maybe you just haven't been high in a while and your brain has grown dull.....
Cuomo is just catching face time. Consider that a joint is one gram or less; also that public smoking is banned on the very same basis as the public consumption of alcohol; also that smoking in bars, for example, would never be permitted for the very same reasons tobacco is not permitted. True, minorities area up in arms over Stop and Frisk but it targets illegal weapons specifically; those snagged on drugs are not being arrested for possession of marijuana. It's just not considered serious enough to warrant the court's time.
Note also that it did not make the ballot; there is absolutely no discussion here of either further decriminalization or legalization - nobody cares.
I have not been high in over thirty years; I've never liked the numbing of my brain.
http://norml.org/laws/penalties/item/new-york-penalties-2
you mean civil rights advocates are up in arms. you are a fool it's plain to see now.
oh my now you seem to know all about "the talk" that has been out there, you are just all over the place, one thing we have determined is that you are a LIAR not sure if there is really much value in discussions with a liar, they tend to just move from one lie to another as you did here.
Let's see if your capable, what do you think about the actual point of my piece that cannabis seems to help the economy?
USA - % World and Prison population.
So You Stole A VCR From Sears One Time In 1990. Should You Really STILL Be In Jail?
People are starting to wake up
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lynne-lyman/california-votes-to-refor_b_2089469.html
This is good news - the 3rd strike policy/law was/is seriously flawed. Punishment should fit the crime. Stolen pack of gum = Life in prison - ummm - NO
Killed person to steal a pack of gum = life in prision - YES
Crashed the economy - throwing millions of people into the streets as a direct result - people die due to the effects of the economic crash. CRIME was committed to cause the crash/meltdown = Criminal charges? - Yes I should think so. Punishment? - ummm - loss of all possessions of any monetary value by all of the criminals involved? SURE - Sounds Like a Fair punishment - Hidden off shore possessions as well to be included. DEATHS caused as a result of the crimes - OH - YEAH - can't forget about that - Life in Prison? - Sounds about right along with loss of all possessions of any monetary value. Of which victims should receive restoration.
If medical Marijuana is OK - why the change in federal policy regarding it? Federal raids on Medical Marijuana increases.
http://link.upworthy.com/4fcfcb2462047742c9927ebbq8c8.3s/UKmi38gKfAiOocwJCb68b
This is a long piece but a good one, in it he talks a bit about what brought the turn around, if it really was, in this interview Obama says he doesn't support small producers, however that is exactly what his Justice Dept. has allowed.
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164981433&m=165052466
Chris Williams has been sentenced to a lifetime in prison for operating a medical marijuana business in Montana -- one of the 18 states where medical cannabis is perfectly legal. How is this justice? Please sign the petition today!
Don't Sentence Chris Williams to 80 Years in Prison!
take action
please share it helps!
share on facebook share on twitter share via email
Many people with terminal illnesses rely on medical marijuana to ease their pain. In 18 states, including Montana, it is legal for growers to sell marijuana to those with prescriptions. So why did federal police recently arrest a provider in Montana -- and sentence him to 80 years in prison?
Chris Williams claims that he did nothing wrong. As a co-owner of Montana Cannabis, he worked with his community to ensure that his supply was going to the people who needed it for their health. Williams frequently gave property tours to law enforcement officials, politicians, and community leaders. Does that sound like someone engaged in illicit activity?
No matter your personal feelings on marijuana, it is deeply unjust that Williams was unable to use Montana's statewide legalization of medical marijuana as a defense in his trial. Williams now faces 80 years in prison, away from his business and his teenaged son. This is far more severe than the punishments given to many convicted sex offenders. Chris Williams should not have to suffer for the disconnect between federal and state law on this issue. Sign the petition to stand behind him today!
Thank you for taking action,
Kathleen J. Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
it is immoral to imprison people for cannabis while permitting alcohol
Or Tobacco or processed sugar or food dye or artificial sweeteners etc. Things that kill. Marijuana does not kill.
They arrested him because he broke a federal law which supersedes state law. He refused a plea deal and is now appealing it. This is deliberate and looks exactly like an attempt to force a state v fed supreme court case.
I have read that 95% of cases are settled with plea deals, I feel that is too high I think it reflects a distortion within our system that often denies people their day in court, and by extension justice.
We just did this, facts.
What was the plea deal? I believe the federal law is wrong. Marijuana/Hemp should be legal. MJ a personal choice. Hemp a very versatile plant that can be used to make paper, fabric. plastic, building material etc.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-convicted-in-pot-case-refusing-plea-offer-3980860.php
There are three avenues to pursue when it comes down to altering the drug laws. Each avenue contains vastly different consequences. It is necessary to critically think through those three avenues and the repercussions. This is an intentional move. He knows exactly what he is doing.
The petition will not help him. It is simply a tool to draw awareness. In a way, it actually cheapens his stance. He didn't need that.
Thanks for the link to the article = http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-convicted-in-pot-case-refusing-plea-offer-3980860.php
I think this issue needs public attention. The plea deal sounds like it was made with the intent of quashing legal appeals process follow-up.
I am proud of the guy for choosing to fight for what is right.
Of course it was.
I find it quite admirable that he knew what he was up against, understood the consequences and proceeded anyway. I do not think that creating emotional drama is necessary and cheapens his stance.
That is because you are an individual who will look at the facts presented with an open mind - needing no encouragement to look in the 1st place.
Currently to get wide spread attention from the public at large - it takes an initial hook to get most to look at an issue.
DKA, I think you are underestimating the public at large. In fact, in a world of spin it is actually more harmful.
85 years in prison seems to me to be an emotional gut buster in truth - I mean the guy could have taken the plea deal and been sentenced to 10 years - but he has chosen to fight. So I do not see it as spin - not on his part for sure.
I don't think it was spin on his part. I just don't think that it needs to be spun. It is what it is. It can stand on it's own. People have a tendency to underestimate honesty.
It is a case that should be able to stand - all on it's own merits. It is a needed case to halt criminalization of something that should always have been a matter of personal choice.
It has the capacity to do that.
The arguments provided here are easily destroyed because people fail to follow through on those avenues and will pull from whatever source they can to justify their own high.
More attention needs to be placed on the thousands upon thousands being killed due to prohibition/criminalization.
More attention needs to be placed on how the system actually works rather than attempting to drum up emotional drama that leads to a bunch of people standing around patting themselves on the back for agreeing with each other.
Yes - people need to know how to make a real difference. Like the Move to Amend campaign.
First dispensary approved in AZ!!
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2012/11/arizonas-first-medical-marijuana.html
Phoenix Arizona always had some kind of mystic ring to it for me.
Prolly means nothing to the people who live there. Just sayin, is all.
Take Barack Obama for instance he once was a smart young pot smoker, now he’s a befuddled beer man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-k6q3shqlc
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/09/01/ale-chief-white-house-beer-recipe
gardening is also a time honored tradition
LOL. WH would do better w/ Michelle planting weed in that organic garden huh?