Holy Hempweed, Batman!

[pecksniff]

House set to pass marijuana legalization Friday​

The House is set to pass legislation on Friday to legalize marijuana nationwide, an effort that has unprecedented levels of support in both chambers of Congress.

The bill is likely to pass the lower chamber largely along party lines, with most Republicans expected to oppose it.

Proponents argue that legalizing marijuana at the federal level will simply reflect most states’ existing policies that allow it in some form.





They also frame the effort as a way to end the disproportionate punishment of racial minorities and people in low-income communities for possessing and using weed.

And with an overwhelming majority of Americans — as much as 91 percent in a Pew Research Poll last year — backing marijuana legalization for at least medical purposes, Democrats believe it’s a winning issue for them ahead of November’s midterms.

 

[phrodeau]

Doesn’t matter. With inflation, nobody can afford it.

 

[JohnnySavage]

The Big-Government Republicans will never allow an individual to decide what to do with their own body.

 

[jomar]

With billions of dollars on the line I can’t see why they’d vote against it.

Would seem hypocritical what with all the drugs and orgies the republicans have going on lately.

 

[pecksniff]

The Big-Government Republicans will never allow an individual to decide what to do with their own body.

Then we can be thankful for this brief window of time when the Dems control both houses.

 

[pecksniff]

With billions of dollars on the line I can’t see why they’d vote against it.

Would seem hypocritical what with all the drugs and orgies the republicans have going on lately.

I think Cawthorn might be having us on about that.

 

[jomar]

I think Cawthorn might be having us on about that.

You’re not suggesting he might engage in exaggerations and lies that are trumpian in proportion, are you!

 

[pecksniff]

Just three GOP lawmakers back marijuana legalization vote; two Dems vote ‘no’​

Only three House Republicans joined with all but two Democrats on Friday in support of legislation to legalize marijuana nationwide.

The three Republicans were Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Brian Mast (Fla.) and Tom McClintock (Calif.).

Meanwhile, Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas) and Chris Pappas (N.H.) were the only members of their party to join most Republicans in opposition.





All three Republicans previously voted in favor of a similar bill that the House passed in December 2020. The two other Republicans who backed the legislation at the time, former Reps. Don Young (Alaska) and Denver Riggleman (Va.), are no longer in Congress.

Gaetz is the only official GOP co-sponsor of the legislation, which passed on Friday.

The bill, titled the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, would eliminate criminal penalties for distribution and possession of marijuana and remove it from the federal list of controlled substances. It would also create a process to expunge marijuana-related convictions from people’s criminal records.

 

[LittleDixie]

FANTASTIC!!!!

Legalize it completely!

 

[pecksniff]

And move the Cannabis Cup from Amsterdam to San Francisco!

 

[pecksniff]

So, what happens now in the Senate? Will Harris have to -- or even get to -- cast the tiebreaker vote?

 

[pecksniff]

The bill, titled the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, would eliminate criminal penalties for distribution and possession of marijuana and remove it from the federal list of controlled substances. It would also create a process to expunge marijuana-related convictions from people’s criminal records.

I wonder if state-level convicts will be able to take advantage of that?

 

[LittleDixie]

I wonder if state-level convicts will be able to take advantage of that?

I hope so.

The question now will be "what taxes are they going to put on it?" Because you know that the government is giving up an income stream what with all of the drug money and houses and property they confiscate.

 

[pecksniff]

I hope so.

The question now will be "what taxes are they going to put on it?" Because you know that the government is giving up an income stream what with all of the drug money and houses and property they confiscate.

If the weed is ever completely legalized, the cigarette companies will take over the business -- they have all the infrastructure in place to grow, package and distribute -- and you'll buy packs of joints at gas stations, and pay a tax like you do for tobacco.

 

[YDB95]

That's all fine and dandy, but what I'd really like to see is some changes to the draconian sentences that are so often handed down just for drug possession.

 

[LittleDixie]

If the weed is ever completely legalized, the cigarette companies will take over the business -- they have all the infrastructure in place to grow, package and distribute -- and you'll buy packs of joints at gas stations, and pay a tax like you do for tobacco.

You're probably not wrong.

Unsurprisingly, I object to the "pay a tax like you do for tobacco" part. If it's not illegal, then the taxes you pay should be like the taxes you pay on milk. Or better yet, get rid of all sales taxes. But that's another issue.

I'm happy to hear us finally coming to our senses with drug policies in this country.

 

[Chobham]

Unfortunately it's not expected to pass the Senate.

I'm have no objection to the taxation part of the bill. There is going to be a cost associated with the legalization as reflected in the records of those states that have already legalized it. They have all experienced a significant increase in people driving impaired under the influence. What is problematic there is there is no threshold that has been absolutely identified. I'm sure that will be sorted out over time but the "driving while impaired" issue will remain. (The 'threshold' issue spills over into the workplace as well.)

Having the records of non-violent offenders expunged is another positive step.

Another point on the taxation. Kinda hard to tax a weed that anyone can grow on their own so the tax would only apply to commercial operations like any other sales tax.

 

[jomar]

And move the Cannabis Cup from Amsterdam to San Francisco!

Which reminds me, they never made Potfest as promised at the end (with cameo by Willie Nelson) of the excellent sleeper Beerfest.

If the weed is ever completely legalized, the cigarette companies will take over the business -- they have all the infrastructure in place to grow, package and distribute -- and you'll buy packs of joints at gas stations, and pay a tax like you do for tobacco.

They are poised to pounce. Meanwhile, they’re scienceing vapes.

 

[Rightguide]

That's all fine and dandy, but what I'd really like to see is some changes to the draconian sentences that are so often handed down just for drug possession.

Because you're into much harder drugs?

 

[Chobham]

If the weed is ever completely legalized, the cigarette companies will take over the business -- they have all the infrastructure in place to grow, package and distribute -- and you'll buy packs of joints at gas stations, and pay a tax like you do for tobacco.

I'd be thinking Monsanto if I were you.

 

[YDB95]

Because you're into much harder drugs?

Because I'm into getting treatment for those who need it rather than further stuffing our already-overcrowded prisons.

 

[JohnnySavage]

Then we can be thankful for this brief window of time when the Dems control both houses.

They don't have 60 votes in the Senate

 

[phrodeau]

New Hampshire is positioning to, not tax, but profit from weed sales.

https://amp.seacoastonline.com/amp/7244063001

 

[pecksniff]

That's all fine and dandy, but what I'd really like to see is some changes to the draconian sentences that are so often handed down just for drug possession.

Well, of course, this would not affect any drug but pot. One thing at a time.

 

[LLCox]

I have smoked pot almost every day since 1969. I quit last year and now they are going to legalize it. Figures.