• Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) submits bill to federally legalize marijuana
    27 replies, posted
[quote=Politico]U.S. Sen. Cory Booker is proposing a far-reaching bill that would both legalize marijuana at the federal level and encourage states to legalize it locally through incentives. The New Jersey Democrat’s bill, called the Marijuana Justice Act, has virtually no chance of passage in the Republican-controlled Congress and in a presidential administration that’s decidedly anti-marijuana. The bill would remove the federal prohibition on marijuana and withhold federal money for building jails and prisons, along with other funds, from states whose cannabis laws are shown to disproportionately incarcerate minorities. Under the legislation, [b]federal convictions for marijuana use and possession would be expunged and prisoners serving time for a marijuana offense would be entitled to a sentencing hearing.[/b] Booker's bill comes as New Jersey considers legalizing marijuana. Legislative leaders have expressed support for a bill introduced by Democratic state Sen. Nicholas Scuatri. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Murphy — the heavy favorite to be elected governor — has said he would sign such a bill. [b]“This is the single most far-reaching marijuana bill that’s ever been filed in either chamber of Congress,”[/b] Tom Angell, chairman of the group Marijuana Majority, said in a statement. "More than just getting the federal government out of the way so that states can legalize without [Drug Enforcement Administration] harassment, this new proposal goes even further by actually punishing states that have bad marijuana laws.[/quote] [url=http://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/08/01/booker-seeks-federal-marijuana-legalization-113716]Source: Politico[/url] Sure it won't pass, but it's a critical step in gaining support for a movement against the wrongful incarceration of so many over a drug that's harmless when compared to other Schedule I's.
Legalizing weed may seem like a silly thing to be up in arms over compared to issues like war and infrastructure but you must remember that hundreds of thousands of people who have commited no harm are locked up in prisions for no real reason.
[QUOTE=Sky King;52529791]Legalizing weed may seem like a silly thing to be up in arms over compared to issues like war and infrastructure but you must remember that hundreds of thousands of people who have commited no harm are locked up in prisions for no real reason.[/QUOTE] But how will the poor private prison system make a profit if people can't be arrested for possessing some leaves?
[QUOTE=Sky King;52529791]Legalizing weed may seem like a silly thing to be up in arms over compared to issues like war and infrastructure but you must remember that hundreds of thousands of people who have commited no harm are locked up in prisions for no real reason.[/QUOTE] Not to mention the abundance of health benefits of marijuana
Good. No reason for it to be illegal.
[QUOTE=Toybasher;52529880]Good. No reason for it to be illegal.[/QUOTE] but what about my christian values, think of the children, etc
Good on him. I fully support this.
[QUOTE=Wiggles;52529860]But how will the poor private prison system make a profit if people can't be arrested for possessing some leaves?[/QUOTE] Honestly anybody involved in the private prison industry that peddles creating criminals in order to use them for labor should be treated with disgust the same we way we look at slave owners.
Doesn't this guy vote with the pharmaceutical industry's wallet? What changed?
[QUOTE=Sky King;52529925]Honestly anybody involved in the private prison industry that peddles creating criminals in order to use them for labor should be treated with disgust the same we way we look at slave owners.[/QUOTE] haha wouldn't it be terrible if a large portion of one of two political parties in your country was heavily invested into the privatization of these kind of government functions? That would be awful if they ever received a majority rule haha
[QUOTE=unrezt;52530034]Doesn't this guy vote with the pharmaceutical industry's wallet? What changed?[/QUOTE] The overwhelming support of legalization in NJ right now is kind of difficult to ignore, unless you are the Fat Ass.
[QUOTE=Snowmew;52530088]The overwhelming support of legalization in NJ right now is kind of difficult to ignore, unless you are the Fat Ass.[/QUOTE] If we get either a Democratic supermajority in the senate or Phil Murphy as governor this November it's pretty much a guarantee that marijuana will be legalized in NJ within the first 100 days of next year.
At the very least decriminalise possession.
Christie just raised the Tobacco age from 19 to 21, likely preparing for the legalization.
Hopefully when it's officially legal Canada wide next year it will incentivise the states to follow suit.
[QUOTE=unrezt;52530034]Doesn't this guy vote with the pharmaceutical industry's wallet? What changed?[/QUOTE] Maybe he won't run for office next term and wants to prepare for a 2020 oval office bid? At least he isn't pulling a fat ass and campaigning while he is still in office and ignoring his duties.
[QUOTE=djjkxbox;52529861]Not to mention the abundance of health benefits of marijuana[/QUOTE] Well, Marijuana and it's benefits are questionable. It all depends on the individual obviously. One thing that is for sure is the fact that it does seem to do damage brain synapses overtime (This is only confirmed for brains still going through their development stages), which can make a chronic smoker (who started at a young age) "slow" compared to others. However, besides that issue, I fully support the legalization as people (age of majority) frankly have a right to do whatever they wish in terms of consumption and health habits. Alcohol destroys the liver, and tobacco can destory your lungs and cardiovascular system. Marijuana shouldn't be getting the shitty treatment when it's frankly not nearly as damaging as tobacco anyways. We can get rid of the damned black markets and a create a safe, free-market for this drug to boot. I expect social conservatives to bitch, but hell, there actually might be a chance of this making it through. Trump believes in leaving this issue to the states, and frankly....this is the way to get the federal government out of it.
[QUOTE=TheManInUrPC;52530911]Well, Marijuana and it's benefits are questionable. It all depends on the individual obviously. One thing that is for sure is the fact that it does seem to do damage brain synapses overtime, which can make a chronic smoker "slow" compared to others. However, besides that issue, I fully support the legalization as people (age of majority) frankly have a right to do whatever they wish in terms of consumption and health habits. Alcohol destroys the liver, and tobacco can destory your lungs and cardiovascular system. Marijuana shouldn't be getting the shitty treatment when it's frankly not nearly as damaging as tobacco anyways. We can get rid of the damned black markets and a create a safe, free-market for this drug to boot. I expect social conservatives to bitch, but hell, there actually might be a decent chance of this making it through. Trump believes in leaving this issue to the states, and frankly....this is the way to get the federal government out of it.[/QUOTE] Need a source on marijuana causing brain damage for sure in chronic users, as the only thing I have seen is some links between that and very early marijuana use in a persons life.
[QUOTE=1chains1;52530933]Need a source on marijuana causing brain damage for sure in chronic users, as the only thing I have seen is some links between that and very early marijuana use in a persons life.[/QUOTE] [url]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4250161/[/url] It basically confirms what you said about it damaging brains in developmental stages. I'm gonna go ahead and retract my earlier statement and simply rephrase it to adolescents. Further research obviously needs to be done. (I was too generalized.) I can only cite from testimonies of friends that chronic smoking of the drug seems to have a negative effect on their memory and ability to think, but then again even a few of them were smoking in during their teenage years also. (Early as 16). Again, I never said any of these things should keep us from legalizing it anyways. There are way too many benefits (not gonna factor in the subject of health) that come with bringing it into a legal market.
[QUOTE=TheManInUrPC;52530911]Trump believes in leaving this issue to the states, and frankly....this is the way to get the federal government out of it.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.newsweek.com/marijuana-legalization-marijuana-jeff-sessions-640904[/url]
[QUOTE=Crumpet;52531515][url]http://www.newsweek.com/marijuana-legalization-marijuana-jeff-sessions-640904[/url][/QUOTE] He never said he wasn't going to enforce laws that are in place. The what the Executive Branch does.....enforce laws. [url]http://www.businessinsider.com/where-donald-trump-stands-on-weed-legalization-2016-11[/url] He has also shown support for Medical Marijuana, and he carried out that support in a spending bill a few months ago. [url]http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-marijuana-trump-administration-2017-first-statement-2017-5[/url] Again, and I reiterate this a million times, the purpose of the executive branch is to enforce laws, send a bill to his desk and you might see a different side of the man.
[QUOTE=GordonZombie;52530267]At the very least decriminalise possession.[/QUOTE] Legitimate question, what's the difference between decriminalization and legalization?
[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;52532138]Legitimate question, what's the difference between decriminalization and legalization?[/QUOTE] Decriminalization is the difference between the law saying to arrest someone or just fine them. Basically, it's still illegal but the penalties are less harsh. Legalization would allow marijuana to be government regulated and taxed, as well as make it so anyone (likely over 21) can possess weed up to a certain amount at any given time.
[QUOTE=Flicky;52532390]Decriminalization is the difference between the law saying to arrest someone or just fine them. Basically, it's still illegal but the penalties are less harsh. Legalization would allow marijuana to be government regulated and taxed, as well as make it so anyone (likely over 21) can possess weed up to a certain amount at any given time.[/QUOTE] Alright, thanks for clearing it up. I always heard the argument of "legalize weed, decriminalize the others" and would get confused
I gotta say, never tried weed nor ever really considered trying it, but if this goes somewhere and eventually leads to being legal for recreational use in Florida, I'm gonna bake me some fat pot brownies and, in turn, get baked af
[QUOTE=TheManInUrPC;52532074] He has also shown support for Medical Marijuana, and he carried out that support in a spending bill a few months ago. [URL]http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-marijuana-trump-administration-2017-first-statement-2017-5[/URL] Again, and I reiterate this a million times, the purpose of the executive branch is to enforce laws, send a bill to his desk and you might see a different side of the man.[/QUOTE] Jeff Sessions is super against any change in marijuana policy, last I checked. edit: I don't want to trust what donald trump because he lies and if he doesn't lie he changes his story the next day.
"But think of the children!" Says Donna Republican, age 45, as she smokes a cigarette, swallows a Tylenol tablet and drinks a cup of coffee.
I'd say legalize marijuana and decriminalize drug use of hard drugs while heavily targeting drug dealers/producers of harder drugs, but not users.
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