• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Vermont governor wants legislation to legalize marijuana

Anomalism

Anomalism

Banned
DP Veteran
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
3,237
Reaction score
2,159
Location
Florida
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Libertarian - Left
Vermont governor wants legislation to legalize marijuana | Reuters

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said on Thursday he would seek to legalize marijuana through the legislative process, instead of through the ballot box, for the first time in the United States. In his State of the State address, the Democratic governor said more than 80,000 Vermonters reported using marijuana last year, contributing to a black market. He said legislators needed to proceed step by step to regulate marijuana. "That's why I will work with you to craft the right bill that thoughtfully and carefully eliminates the era of prohibition that is currently failing us so miserably," he said, according to a copy of the address on his website.
Click to expand...
 
A smart and brave governor. I hope the legislature cooperates.
 
code1211 said:
I don't understand the reluctance in this.

It's a tax windfall if regulated by the government.

Don't our lying thieves understand that the profits are being taken and no protection money is being drained off to the government.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on if your campaign is receiving donations from pharmaceutical companies. There's financial incentive to legalize marijuana from a tax position, but politicians also have to keep their campaign contributors wishes and needs in check.
 
akrunner88 said:
I guess it depends on if your campaign is receiving donations from pharmaceutical companies. There's financial incentive to legalize marijuana from a tax position, but politicians also have to keep their campaign contributors wishes and needs in check.
Click to expand...

They probably have a staff member who does nothing but figure the relative value and future potentials of the bribes offered.

Like a Capologist in the NFL team management staffs.

Of course, there is no cap in American Political greed. They always assure themselves of unlimited potential through limited review.
 
code1211 said:
They probably have a staff member who does nothing but figure the relative value and future potentials of the bribes offered.

Like a Capologist in the NFL team management staffs.

Of course, there is no cap in American Political greed. They always assure themselves of unlimited potential through limited review.
Click to expand...

Well I am glad that this is one issue conservatives and liberals can come together on.
 
akrunner88 said:
Well I am glad that this is one issue conservatives and liberals can come together on.
Click to expand...

Not all conservatives are on board, in fact Chris Christie has no problems defying the voters of NJ. NJ voters approved the medical marijuana act and donut boy has done everything in his power as governor to prevent dispensaries from opening.

Hopefully NJ voters will throw him out of office and find a governor who respects the will of the voters in his state.
 
code1211 said:
They probably have a staff member who does nothing but figure the relative value and future potentials of the bribes offered.

Like a Capologist in the NFL team management staffs.

Of course, there is no cap in American Political greed. They always assure themselves of unlimited potential through limited review.
Click to expand...

I have always believed the politicians happily take big pharmacy money in exchange for keeping the status quo on marijuana. After all, how much money do big pharmacies and the rehab business make out of this failed policy. There is still lots of work to be done in the crusade to remove marijuana from Schedule 1. In my opinion that is the big battle which needs to be fought.

I do not want politicians telling me what meds I can be prescribed, that's a doctors job.
 
This won't stop the black market only grow it just like it has done in CA, and CO.
lol.
 
ludin said:
This won't stop the black market only grow it just like it has done in CA, and CO.
lol.
Click to expand...

Over time as laws are relaxed the black market will shrink. I can tell you that street prices for marijuana have fallen by as much as a third in my part of the country. And I live in a State were there is no medical marijuana law unless you have a seizure disorder, and only then the cannabis is in oil form. The oil is virtually stripped of THC, after all we wouldn't want a patient having a free ride lol It has been clinically proven that in most conditions that cannabis aids, the CBD is much more effective in combination with THC.

But the governor of my State knows better than the doctors doesn't he ?
 
ludin said:
This won't stop the black market only grow it just like it has done in CA, and CO.
lol.
Click to expand...

The reason for removing the drug from Schedule 1 is to relax the criteria so it may be studied for its medical benefits. It has nothing to do with marijuana being sold on the streets. Prices are falling for cannabis in those States were is it legal. Economist have long said the price will fall as the equilibrium on price and supply balances. Personally I would rather buy my product from a dispensary, buying off the streets you never know what pesticides have been used on the plant.
 
akrunner88 said:
I guess it depends on if your campaign is receiving donations from pharmaceutical companies. There's financial incentive to legalize marijuana from a tax position, but politicians also have to keep their campaign contributors wishes and needs in check.
Click to expand...

Not only pharma but beer and alcohol companies have traditionally had a interest in keeping pot illegal. They believed it would impact their sales. It has turned out that it might actually increase alcohol sales.

Alcohol sales get higher after weed legalization contrary to industry fears | US news | The Guardian
 
yankintx said:
Over time as laws are relaxed the black market will shrink. I can tell you that street prices for marijuana have fallen by as much as a third in my part of the country. And I live in a State were there is no medical marijuana law unless you have a seizure disorder, and only then the cannabis is in oil form. The oil is virtually stripped of THC, after all we wouldn't want a patient having a free ride lol It has been clinically proven that in most conditions that cannabis aids, the CBD is much more effective in combination with THC.

But the governor of my State knows better than the doctors doesn't he ?
Click to expand...

yet CA and CO has proven this not to be true and the black market has expanded.
 
yankintx said:
The reason for removing the drug from Schedule 1 is to relax the criteria so it may be studied for its medical benefits. It has nothing to do with marijuana being sold on the streets. Prices are falling for cannabis in those States were is it legal. Economist have long said the price will fall as the equilibrium on price and supply balances. Personally I would rather buy my product from a dispensary, buying off the streets you never know what pesticides have been used on the plant.
Click to expand...

the black market doesn't care and that hasn't stopped it.

Forbes Welcome
 
ludin said:
yet CA and CO has proven this not to be true and the black market has expanded.
Click to expand...

We have a black market on marijuana in states where it is illegal and in states where it is legal. What is the incentive for keeping it illegal?
 
Texmex said:
We have a black market on marijuana in states where it is illegal and in states where it is legal. What is the incentive for keeping it illegal?
Click to expand...

drive through a drug infested neighborhood and you tell me.
 
ludin said:
drive through a drug infested neighborhood and you tell me.
Click to expand...

So, by keeping marijuana illegal doesn't that force more people to buy on the black market? Wouldn't having a place for legal purchases lessen the number of people driving through drug infested neighborhoods?
 
ludin said:
yet CA and CO has proven this not to be true and the black market has expanded.
Click to expand...

As I already said, the price and supply equilibrium are just now realigning. Its simple economics 101, be patient, this is a new economic frontier. The same situation happened in the Netherlands, lots of illegal weed being sold, that needs to be shut down ASAP which is what then Dutch have done. The issue of it being sold illegally is something which is up to the local law enforcement to administer, it does not hinder the movement. If anything it helps, people who don't want there children coming in contact with cannabis, they should be all for the control of distribution and its regulation. Its not the legal stuff there kids are getting hold of, its the stuff being sold under the table. I could go on and compare the prohibition of alcohol to marijuana but that's another topic. Alcohol is addictive, destroys families, causing untold misery, and costs the tax payers millions in police hours with those DUI's. You pick your poison, but many of us know the truth and I for one do not drink. My choice, seen it cause so much unhappiness, but if you want to drink its cool your choice.
 
ludin said:
yet CA and CO has proven this not to be true and the black market has expanded.
Click to expand...

The black market will still exist on some level. But CO has made a ton of money off of the dispensaries and plenty of people go to them instead of going through illegal means. Crime also hasn't gone up. The problem is that now everyone is moving into the state and exploding home prices.

I hope other states start the legalization process and get it over with. They'll make money and perhaps people will slow their moves into CO.
 
ludin said:
drive through a drug infested neighborhood and you tell me.
Click to expand...

Crime in CO has not increased because of the dispensaries.
 
Ikari said:
The black market will still exist on some level. But CO has made a ton of money off of the dispensaries and plenty of people go to them instead of going through illegal means. Crime also hasn't gone up. The problem is that now everyone is moving into the state and exploding home prices.

I hope other states start the legalization process and get it over with. They'll make money and perhaps people will slow their moves into CO.
Click to expand...

I would prefer to go to a legal dispensary, I can choose which strain works for me medically. The dispensaries have knowledgeable staff and you know your product is pesticide free.
 
Ikari said:
Crime in CO has not increased because of the dispensaries.
Click to expand...

I believe that was one of the reasons the opposition to the legalization was using. So far it has been proven wrong, then again if these so called experts had bothered to look at the only situation similar, the Netherlands, they would have seen it was not true. Do not let the Federal government get away with leaving patients without medication that works. This is not a partisan issue, its a States rights concern, the feds need to stay out.
 
ludin said:
the black market doesn't care and that hasn't stopped it.

Forbes Welcome
Click to expand...

There is a black market for most things. Except alcohol, which flows freely thru out our society. I don't touch the stuff, it rarely leads to anything positive. Its usually the opposite as alcohol brings out aggression in some folks. Am I advocating prohibition of booze, nope. Its your choice to drink, as its mine to consume cannabis for medical reasons.
 
Texmex said:
So, by keeping marijuana illegal doesn't that force more people to buy on the black market? Wouldn't having a place for legal purchases lessen the number of people driving through drug infested neighborhoods?
Click to expand...

you didn't answer the question as normal.
you tell me what issue with drugs is by driving in a drug infested neighborhood.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom