House votes to decriminalize marijuana as GOP resists national shift on pot

[baseline bum]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/house-marijuana-republicans-election/2020/12/04/db2b00a8-35b0-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html
House votes to decriminalize marijuana as GOP resists national shift on pot

By
Mike DeBonis
Dec. 4, 2020 at 1:59 p.m. EST
The House endorsed a landmark retreat in the nation’s decades-long war on drugs Friday, voting to remove marijuana from the federal schedule of controlled substances and provide for the regulation and taxation of legal cannabis sales.

The vote was 228-to-164 and marked the first time either chamber of Congress has voted on the issue of federally decriminalizing cannabis.

The measure is not expected to pass into law, and, due to political skittishness, it was only voted on after the November election and more than a year after it emerged from committee. But the House took a stand at a moment of increasing momentum, with voters last month opting to liberalize marijuana laws in five states — including three that President Trump won handily.

Friday’s vote, however, was largely along party lines, with Democrats voting overwhelmingly to support the federal decriminalization bill and all but five Republicans broadly opposing it.

“We are not rushing to legalize marijuana — the American people have already done that. We are here because Congress has failed to deal with a disastrous war on drugs and do its part for the over 50 million regular marijuana users in every one of your districts,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a longtime liberalization advocate. “We need to catch up with the rest of the American people.”

Top Republicans — including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — made derisive public comments about the bill this week, painting the measure as a frivolous diversion from the task of funding the federal government and delivering a new round of emergency coronavirus aid to Americans.

One headline from McConnell: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) decides to “puff, puff, pass” on emergency coronavirus relief.

“It’s just unbelievable how tone-deaf they are to these small businesses and the jobs, the families that are tied to them,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in a Fox News Channel interview Thursday, slamming Democratic leaders for holding the vote.

But some are warning that Republicans risk finding themselves out of step with their own voters, who are increasingly embracing the loosening of marijuana restrictions — including outright legalization.

On Election Day in South Dakota, for instance, 54 percent of voters opted to legalize marijuana, while only 36 percent of voters chose the Democratic presidential ticket. In Montana, the 57 percent who voted to legalize marijuana nearly matched the number who voted to reelect Trump. And Mississippi became the first state in the Deep South to legalize medical marijuana use, with 62 percent of voters approving a ballot measure in a state where Trump won 58 percent of the vote.

Fifteen states have now authorized some form of recreational cannabis legalization, while 36 states have approved medical marijuana programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level would not end the vast majority of cannabis-use prosecutions, which happen in state courts. But it would end troublesome conflicts between state and federal law for those states that have loosened pot restrictions and greatly ease commerce for the multibillion dollar cannabis industry.

Public opinion appears to back up the state electoral trend. In October, Gallup found that 68 percent of Americans said the use of marijuana should be legal, the highest support for marijuana legalization since the polling organization first asked in 1969.

Only 8 percent of Americans say marijuana should be completely illegal

While overwhelming proportions of Democrats and independents supported legalization, Republicans were split: 52 percent said it should not be legal and 48 percent said it should be legal — a figure that is slightly down from recent years.

But that near 50-50 split among Republican voters is not even close to being mirrored in the GOP lawmaker ranks. Only two of 17 Republicans, Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), supported the bill in the House Judiciary Committee.

The prospects of winning Republican support for the House bill were complicated by some of its provisions — such as the establishment of a 5 percent federal excise tax that would in part fund programs for “individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs,” such as job training, legal aid in seeking to expunge marijuana convictions, and mentoring programs.

The bill also provides for the expungement of federal marijuana convictions dating back to 1971 and bars the denial of federal public benefits or security clearances based on marijuana offenses.

That has turned off some libertarian-minded Republicans who might otherwise support eliminating marijuana restrictions. “Tax and spend,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who said he would have considered voting for the bill had Democratic leaders allowed a vote on an amendment to eliminate the tax component.

Gaetz said Friday that he was voting for the bill despite the flaws: “The federal government has lied to the people of this country about marijuana,” he said. “My Republican colleagues today will make a number of arguments against this bill, but those arguments are overwhelmingly losing with the American people.”

Gaetz is among a small group of outspoken Republicans who say it is a matter of political malpractice that the party has not taken a softer line on federal marijuana laws.

“The leadership is sort of stuck,” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), referring to the infamous 1936 prohibitionist film “Reefer Madness.” “I always jokingly say … they were all in the theater watching. And they’re still sort of this belief that marijuana is going to destroy the world somehow.”

Pro-pot activists are facing another major setback in winning support in the Republican ranks: the Nov. 3 loss of Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), who emerged as an especially fervent advocate for the cannabis industry in the Republican ranks. It is unclear who — beyond Paul, a libertarian often estranged from his party’s leadership — might take up the mantle.

Still, marijuana legalization advocates say the House bill represents a watershed moment in the long struggle to roll back marijuana prohibition, and many see it as only a matter of time before it becomes an issue of bipartisan concern.

Maritza Perez, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, said the partisan nature of the marijuana debate on Capitol Hill reflected the deeply divided nature of Congress rather than an intractable difference on policy.

“The tide is really turning on this issue, and I think it’s just something the government can’t ignore anymore,” Perez said. “Congress is going to have to come to the table and address this.”

The imperatives go beyond the political shift, according to Randal John Meyer, executive director of the Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce, who said businesses in states that have legalized marijuana are facing an increasingly incoherent legal and regulatory framework.

“It’s reached a critical tipping point where the basics of letting someone work and do their job consistent with state law and state licenses runs against the federal prohibitionist stance of Republicans,” said Meyer, a former aide to Paul. “That tension can’t hold; it’s reaching past the breaking point.”

Republicans, he added, are going to increasingly find their anti-pot stance at odds with their more fundamental pro-business, anti-regulation tenets: Referring to the descheduling effort, he said, “The Democratic Party is trying to actually generate new business and new industry with this and to help recover the economy.”

But interviews with several Republican lawmakers revealed a fundamental reticence to loosen pot restrictions — even in states that have already seen voters endorse legalization measures.

In Arizona last month, 60 percent of voters chose to pursue legalization, but Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) said she was not inclined to loosen federal laws given her concerns about addiction after speaking to teens in recovery programs.

“Every one of them — they said they started by using marijuana,” she said. ‘I am not saying that every person that smokes marijuana is going to be addicted to harder drugs, but I am concerned that we have so much costs associated with addiction in our country.”

“With all that’s going on in our world, I just don’t necessarily think this is the time,” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), who represents a state where two-thirds of voters chose to legalize marijuana last month. “There are certain points to be made. But the bottom line is my concern for urban areas, concern for kids.”

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), who represents a state where cannabis use has been legal for nearly seven years, said he backed easing some of the commercial restrictions on the pot industry. But, he said, “Going as far as this bill goes is going to make sense someday. I’m not sure it makes sense right now.”

Advocates say they plan to redouble their efforts in the new Congress, but a much tighter Democratic majority could mean the bill expected to pass Friday — known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act — might not come up again in the House, let alone in the Senate, where McConnell has expressed firm opposition to legalizing pot. Democratic wins in the Jan. 5 Georgia special elections, however, would sideline McConnell and could open a narrow window for compromise action.

Perez said the trend is clear, and more Republicans are bound to change their views: “I really do believe that November’s elections can help really start to shift some of these members, realizing that this is going to happen and they need to get on board,” she said.

[CosmicCowboy]

They could still win it in the senate even if republicans pick up the Georgia seats. There are 10 Republican senators in MJ legal states. McConnell might be willing to lose the vote to save seats in 2022.

[Joseph Kony]

i dont know why this is a partisan issue. weed being illegal federally in 2020 given how many states have legalized recreational use is beyond stupid

[CosmicCowboy]

i dont know why this is a partisan issue. weed being illegal federally in 2020 given how many states have legalized recreational use is beyond stupid

I agree. They can still leave it to the states to regulate. As it is, the MJ companies are fucked by the feds. They don't have access to banks and low cost bank loans and get totally fucked by the IRS tax code. They have to pay taxes on 100% of income but can't deduct any expenses because the IRS considers them "illegal" businesses.

[Splits]

Biden can just direct his AG to reschedule it from level 1 and effectively have the same outcome if McObstruction fails to bring it to a vote.

[Will Hunting]

They could still win it in the senate even if republicans pick up the Georgia seats. There are 10 Republican senators in MJ legal states. McConnell might be willing to lose the vote to save seats in 2022.
McConnell won’t even bring the bill to the floor.

[MultiTroll]

McConnell won’t even bring the bill to the floor.
Can Bitch prevent a bill from coming to the floor?
No way to bypass the cunt?

Probably on the cartels' payroll thus wants to keep it illegal.
Along with selling his soul to Satan and whatever else that cull has done.

[Will Hunting]

Can Bitch prevent a bill from coming to the floor?
No way to bypass the cunt?

Probably on the cartels' payroll thus wants to keep it illegal.
Along with selling his soul to Satan and whatever else that cull has done.
It’s basically an unwritten rule that the majority leader is the one who sets the agenda and brings bills to the floor. Schumer could bring the bill to the floor but he’s too much of a pussy to defy norms.

[koriwhat]

how about relief instead of weed legalization! priorities are skewed with the left for sure.

[Spurminator]

1334924404791406595

pArTy oF pErSoNaL reSpOnsiBiLitY aNd FReeDoM

[MultiTroll]

how about relief instead of weed legalization! priorities are skewed with the left for sure.
Why not both?
Not like all those multimillionaire politicians are busy doing anything else.

[baseline bum]

how about relief instead of weed legalization! priorities are skewed with the left for sure.

What fucking relief? McConnell isn't doing shit and hasn't done anything on the COVID stimulus front in eight months.

[koriwhat]

Why not both?
Not like all those multimillionaire politicians are busy doing anything else.

Because no one needs weed right now when everyone is struggling to survive while these same pothead politicians care more about ruining our economy, putting small businesses out of business, creating a culture of snitches, etc... Weed should be at the end of their priority list but guess what the left is merely trying to pander like always.


What fucking relief? McConnell isn't doing shit and hasn't done anything on the COVID stimulus front in eight months.

You're always so easily triggered and want to blame the right over everything. I guess you're all in for the "new green deal" because that's the same nonsense the left has tried to put in their bills and the same that gets struck down because once again priorities aren't in order when it comes to the left. By all means blame who you want but try to think outside your echo chamber for once.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It’s basically an unwritten rule that the majority leader is the one who sets the agenda and brings bills to the floor. Schumer could bring the bill to the floor but he’s too much of a pussy to defy norms.

Party politics not being addressed in the Constitution is a huge problem.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

how about relief instead of weed legalization! priorities are skewed with the left for sure.

Why not both. Maybe you have an issue considering more than one thing at once but most are not so limited.

[koriwhat]

Why not both. Maybe you have an issue considering more than one thing at once but most are not so limited.

Yeah yeah yeah more passive aggressiveness from mr. condescending a-hole Fuzzy. Fuzzy move along already... You and I are obviously not alike and thank the Lord for that! God bless you and hope you find some humility one of these days.

[clambake]

Because no one needs weed right now when everyone is struggling to survive while these same pothead politicians care more about ruining our economy, putting small businesses out of business, creating a culture of snitches, etc... Weed should be at the end of their priority list but guess what the left is merely trying to pander like always.



You're always so easily triggered and want to blame the right over everything. I guess you're all in for the "new green deal" because that's the same nonsense the left has tried to put in their bills and the same that gets struck down because once again priorities aren't in order when it comes to the left. By all means blame who you want but try to think outside your echo chamber for once.
Echo chamber, huh? You, sir, are on record saying zombies stole the election.

Why not go to your safe zone as derps jizz rag again?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Yeah yeah yeah more passive aggressiveness from mr. condescending a-hole Fuzzy. Fuzzy move along already... You and I are obviously not alike and thank the Lord for that! God bless you and hope you find some humility one of these days.

That wasn't passive aggressive, dim. That was me saying that others are not as limited mentally as you are directly.

And classifying people that think they are smarter than you as arrogant is setting the bar so low as to be meaningless.

At the end of the day people and congress can consider more than one thing even if you are averse to it.

[koriwhat]

Echo chamber, huh? You, sir, are on record saying zombies stole the election.

Why not go to your safe zone as derps jizz rag again?

You're weird bro and not in a good way either. Get help and find some inner peace and humility too while you're at it.


That wasn't passive aggressive, dim. That was me saying that others are not as limited mentally as you are directly.

And classifying people that think they are smarter than you as arrogant is setting the bar so low as to be meaningless.

At the end of the day people and congress can consider more than one thing even if you are averse to it.

You're so smart you waste so much of your precious time on a sports message board going back and forth with someone you don't know, who is so beneath you(right?), and who you think so little of. Smart people don't waste time because time is money. You waste time here because you're a simpleton with an ego that's so inflated. It's ok Fuzzy, at the end of the day you and i will end up in the same predicament one day and you won't have anything to say at all. You're a nobody just like the rest of us on this big ol' rock.

God bless your black cold heart buddy. :tu

[koriwhat]

Clam and Fuzzy, yall can stop wasting your time replying to anything I have to say from here on out. Just like those before yall, Chump and Blake, you losers will be ignored too. Sad thing is, just like Chump and Blake, I'm damn sure I'll live rent free in the minds of you two losers and yall will blow up my notifications because yall can't and won't stop obsessing over every little thing I say here. Yall can't move along for whatever reason and that's more telling about how pathetic you two truly are.

God bless yall regardless!

[baseline bum]

You're always so easily triggered and want to blame the right over everything. I guess you're all in for the "new green deal" because that's the same nonsense the left has tried to put in their bills and the same that gets struck down because once again priorities aren't in order when it comes to the left. By all means blame who you want but try to think outside your echo chamber for once.

You bitched about COVID aid, McConnell hasn't done shit for it since late March. Sorry if facts hurt your feelings.

[TimDunkem]

McConnell is the one who let the HEROES Act die. It passed in May. It isn't a Dems againts Repugs thing. It's just facts...

[boutons_deux]

i dont know why this is a partisan issue. weed being illegal federally in 2020 given how many states have legalized recreational use is beyond stupid

pot, the war on drugs, go back to harry anzinger in the 1930s "reefer madness" was to take down blacks

it's really The RACIST War on Drugs, cops "fry" knitters and Mexicans by planting joints on them or throwing on the ground, eg, NYC under Julie Annie

BigPharma and BigAlcohol don't want people using less patent drugs, drinking less booze, so they finance campaigns against decriminalization/recreational use.

iow, and as always, the oligarchy, not the people, runs the govt and country.

[DMC]

They could still win it in the senate even if republicans pick up the Georgia seats. There are 10 Republican senators in MJ legal states. McConnell might be willing to lose the vote to save seats in 2022.
Not sure if MJ legal states want it decriminalized nationwide. They have a commodity now.

[baseline bum]

McConnell is the one who let the HEROES Act die. It passed in May. It isn't a Dems againts Repugs thing. It's just facts...

Faggot never even came with a counter until right before the election to try to buy votes for Trump.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

You're weird bro and not in a good way either. Get help and find some inner peace and humility too while you're at it.



You're so smart you waste so much of your precious time on a sports message board going back and forth with someone you don't know, who is so beneath you(right?), and who you think so little of. Smart people don't waste time because time is money. You waste time here because you're a simpleton with an ego that's so inflated. It's ok Fuzzy, at the end of the day you and i will end up in the same predicament one day and you won't have anything to say at all. You're a nobody just like the rest of us on this big ol' rock.

God bless your black cold heart buddy. :tu

I come here an average of about once every few weeks.

And I know you, Joey, and I have detailed how I know you.

As for why I fuck with you it is because you are the toxic combination of stupid and arrogant with a side of easily triggered.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Clam and Fuzzy, yall can stop wasting your time replying to anything I have to say from here on out. Just like those before yall, Chump and Blake, you losers will be ignored too. Sad thing is, just like Chump and Blake, I'm damn sure I'll live rent free in the minds of you two losers and yall will blow up my notifications because yall can't and won't stop obsessing over every little thing I say here. Yall can't move along for whatever reason and that's more telling about how pathetic you two truly are.

God bless yall regardless!

Calling out rent free for people replying to your posts while calling out several out of the blue. Your lack of awareness suits you.

[koriwhat]

You bitched about COVID aid, McConnell hasn't done shit for it since late March. Sorry if facts hurt your feelings.

Cool story bro... I never bitched about COVID aid one bit yet here you are just like JPB peddling fake news as always. Pat yourself on the back because no one else is going to do it for you bum. Facts literally mean nothing to you and you've proved that, with a handful of others here on ST, time and time again.

[baseline bum]

LOL low information joey

[tenbeersbold]

Yeah because the idiots in the ghetto will just become peaceful and sell raffle tickets to fund their Cristal and Vuitton lifestyle...
Keep signaling but it ain't virtue its stupidity yer full of

[TimDunkem]

Ten beers good. Weed bad.

[baseline bum]

Ten beers good. Weed bad.

:lmao

[koriwhat]

LOL low information joey

Just like clockwork those like yourself make asinine claims and when yall are called out yall simply turn to insults. It speaks volumes about just how credible you are and how you possess no integrity. You're a hack bro.

[baseline bum]

LOL low information joey

[koriwhat]

LOL low information joey

LOL no information bum

[clambake]

LOL no information bum

Has there been any conversation about covid since November 4, Joey?

This is a real easy question, Joey.

[baseline bum]

LOL low information joey

[koriwhat]

RENT FREE bro!

[Blake]

Because no one needs weed right now when everyone is struggling to survive while these same pothead politicians care more about ruining our economy, putting small businesses out of business, creating a culture of snitches, etc... Weed should be at the end of their priority list but guess what the left is merely trying to pander like always.



You're always so easily triggered and want to blame the right over everything. I guess you're all in for the "new green deal" because that's the same nonsense the left has tried to put in their bills and the same that gets struck down because once again priorities aren't in order when it comes to the left. By all means blame who you want but try to think outside your echo chamber for once.

Druggy ranting about his weed

[koriwhat]

^ RENT FREE bro... crazy stalker weirdo

[Blake]

^ thin skinned druggy that wants to dish it then cries when people won't leave him alone

[CosmicCowboy]

I think Texas is going to approve expanded medical this year in the house. It has bipartisan support. I am definitely getting a card if it actually becomes law.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

RENT FREE bro!

Rent free means that you are referenced when not around. You are posting in this thread thus people commenting on you is not rent free.

This is both stupid and arrogant on your part.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Clam and Fuzzy, yall can stop wasting your time replying to anything I have to say from here on out. Just like those before yall, Chump and Blake, you losers will be ignored too. Sad thing is, just like Chump and Blake, I'm damn sure I'll live rent free in the minds of you two losers and yall will blow up my notifications because yall can't and won't stop obsessing over every little thing I say here. Yall can't move along for whatever reason and that's more telling about how pathetic you two truly are.

God bless yall regardless!

You calling out clambake here is him being in your head rent free as he is not posting in here.

In contrast I am posting here so it is not rent free.

Can you see the difference?

[TimDunkem]

:lmao

[spurraider21]

how about relief instead of weed legalization! priorities are skewed with the left for sure.
the house has passed bills about both

[phxspurfan]

why do old white male boomers hate weed so much. Its not like they didnt grow up Grateful Dead and Ozzie fans, all fucked up on acid n shit

[boutons_deux]

why do old white male boomers hate weed so much. Its not like they didnt grow up Grateful Dead and Ozzie fans, all fucked up on acid n shit

evidence?

[hombre]

^ RENT FREE bro... crazy stalker weirdo

You should maybe lookup the definitions of rent free and passive aggressive before you use them again.

[CosmicCowboy]

why do old white male boomers hate weed so much. Its not like they didnt grow up Grateful Dead and Ozzie fans, all fucked up on acid n shit

Who says we do? If you are talking about politicians, its because the beer drinking frat boys went into politics. The stoners went into business.

[Spurminator]

Who says we do? If you are talking about politicians, its because the beer drinking frat boys went into politics. The stoners went into business.

Republicans' position on weed has nothing to do with their personal experience. As always, it has to do with courting the evangelical white vote.

[Spurminator]

Also doesn't help that the private prison lobby fills their coffers.

[baseline bum]

Republicans' position on weed has nothing to do with their personal experience. As always, it has to do with courting the evangelical white vote.

Can't forget the money from drug companies too

[phxspurfan]

Who says we do? If you are talking about politicians, its because the beer drinking frat boys went into politics. The stoners went into business.

Everyone knows big business runs politics.


And :lol frat boys are clean :lol sure buddy. In the 60s/70s/80s no one was clean.

[phxspurfan]

Republicans' position on weed has nothing to do with their personal experience. As always, it has to do with courting the evangelical white vote.

ok this makes more sense

[koriwhat]

the house has passed bills about both

The lawyer has spoken... The house can pass whatever they'd like yet it doesn't mean squat unless the senate votes on it with a majority win. I would never hire you if I needed council. You're a scrub bro.


You should maybe lookup the definitions of rent free and passive aggressive before you use them again.

You should probably just stay out of this altogether.

[spurraider21]

The lawyer has spoken... The house can pass whatever they'd like yet it doesn't mean squat unless the senate votes on it with a majority win. I would never hire you if I needed council. You're a scrub bro.
You got mad that the house passed a weed bill instead of focusing on relief and i brought to your attention that they have already done their part on a relief bill

[koriwhat]

You got mad that the house passed a weed bill instead of focusing on relief and i brought to your attention that they have already done their part on a relief bill

I never got mad. I just think their priorities are skewed. You're a joke of a lawyer and a joke altogether.

God bless you either way.

[koriwhat]

Btw, what's in the dems relief bill crap lawyer? Please give us the their bullet points and lets see how skewed their priorities truly are.

[Spurminator]

I never got mad. I just think their priorities are skewed. You're a joke of a lawyer and a joke altogether.

God bless you either way.

Priorities? They passed a relief bill before they passed the weed bill.

Are you fucking retarded? It's okay to just admit you're wrong. That's a good step towards becoming a better person, if you're really interested in that.

[koriwhat]

Priorities? They passed a relief bill before they passed the weed bill.

Are you fucking retarded? It's okay to just admit you're wrong. That's a good step towards becoming a better person, if you're really interested in that.

Again, what's in their relief bill and we can talk all day about how skewed their priorities truly are. You won't post anything in that bill because just like the last one that passed their priorities were all over the place when reality should've been focused strictly on "We The People".

Call me whatever you'd like but you're totally disingenuous.

[spurraider21]

I never got mad. I just think their priorities are skewed. You're a joke of a lawyer and a joke altogether.

God bless you either way.
They passed the relief bill before the weed one. Guess they had their priorities in order.

[koriwhat]

They passed the relief bill before the weed one. Guess they had their priorities in order.

Again, bullet points... Is that "relief bill" really for "We the People"? You keep dodging that question time and time again because just like the last "relief bill" you know their priorities aren't aligned with "We the People".

[Blake]

Again, bullet points... Is that "relief bill" really for "We the People"? You keep dodging that question time and time again because just like the last "relief bill" you know their priorities aren't aligned with "We the People".

Jesus you're a fucking idiot

[clambake]

Again, bullet points... Is that "relief bill" really for "We the People"? You keep dodging that question time and time again because just like the last "relief bill" you know their priorities aren't aligned with "We the People".

What are the bullet points in trumps healthcare plan that he’s worked on for 4 years, Joey?

[spurraider21]

Again, bullet points... Is that "relief bill" really for "We the People"? You keep dodging that question time and time again because just like the last "relief bill" you know their priorities aren't aligned with "We the People".
feel like you should know the answer to this question before complaining about the bill

[koriwhat]

^
https://img.cinemablend.com/filter:scale/quill/b/3/f/4/a/9/b3f4a9219ce49c6b208460973641b5f6af8ba130.jpg

[Spurminator]

Again, what's in their relief bill and we can talk all day about how skewed their priorities truly are. You won't post anything in that bill because just like the last one that passed their priorities were all over the place when reality should've been focused strictly on "We The People".

Call me whatever you'd like but you're totally disingenuous.

The bipartisan package includes an additional $300 weekly unemployment benefits, $288 billion aid for small businesses, and another $1,200 in direct payments to everyone. If you don't think that's enough for "we the people," maybe you prefer the $2.2 trillion Democrat proposal that's been on the shelf since May.

[koriwhat]

feel like you should know the answer to this question before complaining about the bill

But the reality is, do you know the answer? You're just complicit because you lack integrity. Lol

[koriwhat]

The bipartisan package includes an additional $300 weekly unemployment benefits, aid for small businesses, and another $1,200 in direct payments to everyone. If you don't think that's enough for "we the people," maybe you prefer the $2.2 trillion Democrat proposal that's been on the shelf since May.

What else is in that bill you're withholding?... You know the guts of which I am getting at yet you're not posting on.

How about you show me the guts of the last bill while we're at it too. Lol

[Spurminator]

What else is in that bill you're withholding?... You know the guts of which I am getting at yet you're not posting on.

How about you show me the guts of the last bill while we're at it too. Lol

Aid for state and local governments or lawsuit protection for businesses? You think we should hold up aid for "we the people" over those things?

[spurraider21]

But the reality is, do you know the answer? You're just complicit because you lack integrity. Lol
yes they included another round of stimulus checks and increased unemployment benefits

[koriwhat]

Aid for state and local governments or lawsuit protection for businesses? You think we should hold up aid for "we the people" over those things?


yes they included another round of stimulus checks and increased unemployment benefits

Around and around yall go... Tribalism and partisanship at its best!

[Spurminator]

Around and around yall go... Tribalism and partisanship at its best!

You didn't answer the question. You're dancing around it because you're too stupid to express an actual point of view. Not sure why I bothered. Back to ignore with your dumb ass.

[spurraider21]

Around and around yall go... Tribalism and partisanship at its best!
:lol how is this tribalism

- you got mad that the house passed a weed bill supposedly instead of focusing on covid relief
- it was pointed out to you that they did pass a relief bill
- you then whined about priorities
- it was pointed out to you that the relief bill was passed earlier than the weed bill
- you then whined about whether the bill was actually helping people
- it was pointed out to you that the relief bill included more stimulus money and unemployment benefits for the people
- now you're mad about "tribalism"

[koriwhat]

You didn't answer the question. You're dancing around it because you're too stupid to express an actual point of view. Not sure why I bothered. Back to ignore with your dumb ass.

So you want me to answer on what little they want to do for "We the People" and how much they want to do for "Corporate America" and those in their pockets? I'm not buying it... People are losing their businesses, livihoods, relationships, etc by the minute and you're running around in circles trying your damndest not to pinpoint the blatant bs of the left's bill(s).

Like i was on your ignore list anyhow bud. You constantly reply to me so who are you fooling? Lmao

God Bless and have a wonderful day!

[koriwhat]

:lol how is this tribalism

- you got mad that the house passed a weed bill supposedly instead of focusing on covid relief
- it was pointed out to you that they did pass a relief bill
- you then whined about priorities
- it was pointed out to you that the relief bill was passed earlier than the weed bill
- you then whined about whether the bill was actually helping people
- it was pointed out to you that the relief bill included more stimulus money and unemployment benefits for the people
- now you're mad about "tribalism"

Tell me how many voted on that "New Green Deal" when it was put on the house floor? Both left and right, how many? Now go through these "relief" bill(s) and tell me what bs is in them exactly.

You're a tribalist who thinks you're not. More power to you!

As well, you know how many lawyers I trust? The answer is null.

[spurraider21]

Tell me how many voted on that "New Green Deal" when it was put on the house floor? Both left and right, how many? Now go through these "relief" bill(s) and tell me what bs is in them exactly.

You're a tribalist who thinks you're not. More power to you!

As well, you know how many lawyers I trust? The answer is null.
why are you bringing up the green new deal? we were talking about the relief bill, which unlike the GND, actually passed in the house

you seem to trust trump's lawyers as it relates to the election

[koriwhat]

why are you bringing up the green new deal? we were talking about the relief bill, which unlike the GND, actually passed in the house

you seem to trust trump's lawyers as it relates to the election

Nah, I seem to trust exactly what I've read in those bill(s). Sneaking in bs isn't "relief" to no one. You can keep pretending all you'd like or swerve when it's advantageous to your argument but it won't matter. We can all read what's in those bs bill(s) regardless of your nonsense.

[spurraider21]

Nah, I seem to trust exactly what I've read in those bill(s). Sneaking in bs isn't "relief" to no one. You can keep pretending all you'd like or swerve when it's advantageous to your argument but it won't matter. We can all read what's in those bs bill(s) regardless of your nonsense.
what issue did you have with the relief bill?

[koriwhat]

what issue did you have with the relief bill?

Lmao Now you want me to answer you when you can't even be genuine enough to tell the truth. Good one SR! :tu

[spurraider21]

Lmao Now you want me to answer you when you can't even be genuine enough to tell the truth. Good one SR! :tu
seems like you really dont care whats in the bill and just want to be all tribal and shit on the dems no matter what tbh

[koriwhat]

seems like you really dont care whats in the bill and just want to be all tribal and shit on the dems no matter what tbh

They literally aren't the dems though... They're fighting for power in order to destroy our Republic but whatever. We're done here. :tu

[spurraider21]

They literally aren't the dems though... They're fighting for power in order to destroy our Republic but whatever. We're done here. :tu
no substance as usual. have a good rest of your sunday

[hombre]

They literally aren't the dems though... They're fighting for power in order to destroy our Republic but whatever. We're done here. :tu

Here you go you dumb fuck -
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/01/coronavirus-stimulus-update-house-passes-democratic-relief-bill.html

[koriwhat]

Here you go you dumb fuck -
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/01/coronavirus-stimulus-update-house-passes-democratic-relief-bill.html

i'll stick to my assessment while you keep funding choirs and libraries no one can attend. :tu

[boutons_deux]

Here you go you dumb fuck -
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/01/coronavirus-stimulus-update-house-passes-democratic-relief-bill.html

That's a compromise bill. First HEROES Act passed was $3T+

Bad faith asshole sadistic Repugs want to hurt Americans and America badly, do nothing, and dump it on, and blame, the Dems

[Winehole23]

mass expungement in IL :clap

1344748952374145028

[Spurminator]

What is low level though? They need to expunge the felony convictions for "dealing" small amounts.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

What is low level though? They need to expunge the felony convictions for "dealing" small amounts.

Personally I think any non-violent marijuana convictions should be expunged.

[ChumpDumper]

The current state of GOP resistance on a more local level. Key phrases: "cry in his arms" and "follow me on Parler."

1357740302631661570

[baseline bum]

The current state of GOP resistance on a more local level. Key phrases: "cry in his arms" and "follow me on Parler."

1357740302631661570

How the fuck do you overdose on weed? :lmao

[ElNono]

How the fuck do you overdose on weed? :lmao

She does have a drug problem, tbh

[Winehole23]

How the fuck do you overdose on weed? :lmaoedibles and dabs can render people non-communicative/unresponsive, but I don't think it's dangerous to your health to be stoned to the bone unless you're driving or operating heavy machinery at the same time.

do any of the docs around here know, is there any such thing as ODing on weed?

[koriwhat]

edibles and dabs can render people non-communicative/unresponsive, but I don't think it's dangerous to your health to be stoned to the bone unless you're driving or operating heavy machinery at the same time.

do any of the docs around here know, is there any such thing as ODing on weed?

Lol OD on weed... HAHAHAHA!

[Winehole23]

TX DPS decided not to test weed for most misdemeanor cases early last year:

Texas state crime labs won’t test suspected marijuana in low-level cases (https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/26/texas-marijuana-misdemeanor-cases-wont-go-to-dps-crime-labs/)


1371447502310928386

[Winehole23]

The situation comes after the Texas Legislature changed the definition of marijuana last year in order to legalize hemp, drawing a new distinction between two substances that can look and smell the same. The illegal drug changed from the cannabis plant to cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC, the compound in the plant that produces a high.

As lawmakers moved that legislation forward, DPS asked them for additional funding to test THC levels — and thus determine if cannabis is marijuana — in both felony andlow-level possession cases. McCraw's letter (https://www.dps.texas.gov/CrimeLaboratory/documents/thcMethodologyUpdate.pdf) this month said the legislature did not provide money for testing in misdemeanor cases, so “DPS will not have the capacity to accept those.”

[Winehole23]

Mississippi Supreme Court quashes successful pot legalization initiative, throws out popular referendum process.


The initiative process was added to the Mississippi Constitution in the 1990s as Section 273. It requires petitioners trying to get any initiative on the ballot to gather one-fifth of signatures from each congressional district. Mississippi had five congressional districts at the time that was written. But the state dropped to four districts after the 2000 Census, and language dealing with the initiative process was never updated.


“Whether with intent, by oversight, or for some other reason, the drafters of section 273(3) wrote a ballot-initiative process that cannot work in a world where Mississippi has fewer than five representatives in Congress,” Justice Josiah Coleman wrote for the majority in the ruling Friday. “To work in today’s reality, it will need amending — something that lies beyond the power of the Supreme Court.”


In a strongly worded dissent, Justice James Maxwell wrote that he believes the secretary of state correctly put Initiative 65 on the ballot. Maxwell wrote that the majority opinion “confidently and correctly points out” that the Supreme Court cannot amend the state constitution.


“Yet the majority does just that — stepping completely outside of Mississippi law — to employ an interpretation that not only amends but judicially kills Mississippi’s citizen initiative process,” Maxwell wrote.
https://apnews.com/article/ms-state-wire-mississippi-marijuana-health-4f81d577aeb2ed8a04849f62c86c707e

[boutons_deux]

similarly, Confederate slave state MO's citizens voted to expand Medicaid.

The racist Repug governor blocked it, knowing it would help MO's poor black people who he wants diseased, suffering, and dead early.

[Ef-man]

Guess Clarence Thomas is the enlightened on in supreme court as he is open to changing laws/policies against use and cultivation of mj. Who knew?

Clarence Thomas, one of the Supreme Court's most conservative justices, said Monday that because of the hodgepodge of federal policies on marijuana, federal laws against its use or cultivation may no longer make sense.

"A prohibition on interstate use or cultivation of marijuana may no longer be necessary or proper to support the federal government's piecemeal approach," he wrote.

His views came as the court declined to hear the appeal of a Colorado medical marijuana dispensary that was denied federal tax breaks that other businesses are allowed.

https://news.yahoo.com/clarence-thomas-says-federal-laws-153300526.html

[Winehole23]

decriminalization messed up their business model

1437788545243037705

[Winehole23]

Legal weed is the fifth most lucrative crop in the US


“Legal cannabis sales have gone through the roof in the US, yet the Department of Agriculture refuses to acknowledge or track the value of annual harvests like it does for all other crops. To fill this data gap, Leafly has just published its inaugural Cannabis Harvest Report (https://leafly-cms-production.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/02140733/LeaflyCannabisHarvestReport_2021.pdf), revealing that the crop now pulls in more money than cotton and is the fifth most valuable agricultural product in the US. According to the report, American growers produced and sold 2,278 metric tons of weed in 2020. The authors explain that this is enough pot to roll more than 2 billion joints or fill 57 Olympic-size swimming pools. For lovers of ridiculous units of measurement, that’s also around 1.7 million washing machines’ worth of weed. It’s worth noting, however, that this doesn’t even take into account the entire cannabis crop produced in the US last year. For simplicity, the researchers only included data from the 11 states where adult-use cannabis is available to purchase at licensed dispensaries. Combined sales from these states amounted to $6.2 billion, and supported a total of 13,042 licensed farms in 2020. To put that into perspective, this makes cannabis the fifth most valuable crop in the US, ahead of rice and peanuts and behind only wheat, hay, soybeans and corn. In Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon, cannabis was the single most valuable crop on the market last year, and it ranked second in Arizona and third in Michigan and Illinois. Amazingly, the year’s cannabis harvest in Alaska was worth more than double the combined value of all other agricultural productshttps://blog.seedsman.com/cannabis-is-now-the-fifth-most-valuable-crop-in-the-us/

[Winehole23]

Watch Brandon resist it now. I'd be surprised if it went anywhere, but this is tactically savvy.



Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced legislation on Monday that would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and eliminate legal hazards facing many cannabis-related businesses while regulating its use like alcohol.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-republicans-move-decriminalize-marijuana-federal-level-2021-11-15/

[Winehole23]

Ah, I had missed this. The GOP bill is a minimization of the Schumer/Booker/Wyden CAOA discussion draft from July, lowers the excise tax to 3%, and gives it to the cops.

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/senators-schumer-booker-and-wyden-1167488/

[RandomGuy]

Ah, I had missed this. The GOP bill is a minimization of the Schumer/Booker/Wyden CAOA discussion draft from July, lowers the excise tax to 3%, and gives it to the cops.

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/senators-schumer-booker-and-wyden-1167488/


The bill diverges in several important ways from draft legislation proposed in July by Senate Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Mace's bill would impose a 3% excise tax on cannabis, compared to an increasing Senate tax proposal that would top out at around 25%.

Where the Senate proposal would give the Food and Drug Administration a primary oversight role, the Republican legislation limits FDA involvement to medical marijuana and makes the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau the primary regulator for interstate commerce.

Hmm. Interesting arguments both ways. Not fully sure which would be more appropriate, but given the level of woo around the medical benefits of THC and other products, it would seem to tip in the balance of the FDA, which has scientific chops when it comes to health issues, rather than what amounts to law enforcement at the ATF.

[MultiTroll]

https://www.bing.com/images/blob?bcid=syc9eHTGOBEELw

[CosmicCowboy]

The Schumer/Booker bill is fucking ignorant. Total Decriminalization while adding a 25% tax on "legal" growers (plus the additional state and local taxes) is pure Drug Cartel Welfare. There is no way the legal US growers will be able to compete. The states that have legalized have already set up "seed to sale" tracking of pot sales in order to regulate purity, allowable pesticides and herbicides, etc.

[CosmicCowboy]

Fuckhead Schumer just announced legislation in the Senate that he promised would be released in April has been moved to "later in the summer".

[Winehole23]

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/31/economy/scotts-miracle-gro-cannabis/index.html

[Winehole23]

1548039837072011264

[CosmicCowboy]

Ah, I had missed this. The GOP bill is a minimization of the Schumer/Booker/Wyden CAOA discussion draft from July, lowers the excise tax to 3%, and gives it to the cops.

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/senators-schumer-booker-and-wyden-1167488/

Schumers 25% tax was ridiculous. It guaranteed legal weed couldn't compete with the black market.

[boutons_deux]

Overdosing on weed is becoming more common as growers breeds stronger and stronger strains

I haven't read that anybody dies from overdosing on weed but they can get really fucked up sick and it's not always short-term

[CosmicCowboy]

Overdosing on weed is becoming more common as growers breeds stronger and stronger strains

I haven't read that anybody dies from overdosing on weed but they can get really fucked up sick and it's not always short-term

Agreed. Some of the new stuff can really get you really fucked up.

[SnakeBoy]

Agreed. Some of the new stuff can really get you really fucked up.

It's also much more addictive

[CosmicCowboy]

It's also much more addictive

Everything in moderation. Doubt it's physically addictive. In the old days with Mexico dirt weed you could stay stoned 24/7 and still function. This new stuff is something else.

[koriwhat]

It's also much more addictive

Mental addiction, yes. Physical addiction, not at all.

[koriwhat]

Overdosing on weed is becoming more common as growers breeds stronger and stronger strains

I haven't read that anybody dies from overdosing on weed but they can get really fucked up sick and it's not always short-term

:lmao:tu:lol

[CosmicCowboy]

I realize my tolerance is way down from college days but I burned a cookies hybrid bud a couple weeks ago in Colorado about the size of a pinto bean and got way too fucked up.

[ElNono]

You won't OD on cannabis alone. The problem is what they mix it with to make all these other products, and whether you have other health issues like cardiac problems, etc.

This is exactly why we should have a regulated market for these products.

I haven't touched weed in years (despite you can grow and consume your own legally here in California), but the plant hasn't changed.

[CosmicCowboy]

You won't OD on cannabis alone. The problem is what they mix it with to make all these other products, and whether you have other health issues like cardiac problems, etc.

This is exactly why we should have a regulated market for these products.

I haven't touched weed in years (despite you can grow and consume your own legally here in California), but the plant hasn't changed.

Thats the whole point of having legal cannabis. The states doing it right have seed to sale tracking so you can be sure you aren't getting product laced with fentanol or sprayed with some nasty insecticide.

[ElNono]

Thats the whole point of having legal cannabis. The states doing it right have seed to sale tracking so you can be sure you aren't getting product laced with fentanol or sprayed with some nasty insecticide.

Technically, it's not the whole point. There's money in taxes to be made as well. But agree that should be the primary reason.

[CosmicCowboy]

Technically, it's not the whole point. There's money in taxes to be made as well. But agree that should be the primary reason.

Its ok to have a reasonable sin tax but Schumer's 25% was bullshit.

[ElNono]

Its ok to have a reasonable sin tax but Schumer's 25% was bullshit.

Well, I dunno about that. Take cigarette taxes. They are at ~50% average across the nation.

But it is a different market, and more specifically, there's a wide black market for cannabis, so the calculation should be different.

The issue here is tax stacking. Whatever is the federal, you have to add state tax as well.

[baseline bum]

I haven't touched weed in years (despite you can grow and consume your own legally here in California), but the plant hasn't changed.

Carolina reaper and habanero are technically the same plant, just selective breeding makes the reaper worlds hotter. Same shit with weed, even the stuff I used to smoke 15 years ago in Cali blew the shit away I smoked in the 90s in Texas.

[ElNono]

Carolina reaper and habanero are technically the same plant, just selective breeding makes the reaper worlds hotter. Same shit with weed, even the stuff I used to smoke 15 years ago in Cali blew the shit away I smoked in the 90s in Texas.

There has always been better/worse weed, more/less concentrated THC. The fact is a plant will give you ~10mg of THC, and there has been cases of people injecting up to 330mg of pure THC on them and still didn't die (ie: here (https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/marijuana/can-you-overdose-on-marijuana)).

The point being that smoking the plant will likely never cause you to OD on it, regardless of how 'strong' is it. But once you hit commercialization, there's all sorts of additives and shit that gets added to these products (who can forget tar and a bunch of carcinogens in tobacco?), but then you're not smoking the plant anymore, you're ingesting a cocktail of shit.

[Winehole23]

Dumb Dems don't know how to use power when they have it.


Senate Democrats on Thursday unveiled long-awaited legislation to end the federal prohibition of marijuana, but opposition from Republicans and some Democrats is expected to pose a challenge to passing the measure…. Schumer said the bill would legalize cannabis by removing the drug from the Controlled Substances Act and ’empowering states to create their own cannabis laws instead.’ But the newly introduced bill faces tough opposition from many Republicans in the evenly split Senate, as well as resistance from some Democrats, threatening its chances of passage in the upper chamber.https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3569126-senate-democrats-roll-out-long-awaited-bill-to-legalize-marijuana/

[SnakeBoy]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12046605/Marijuana-30-PERCENT-schizophrenia-cases-young-men.html

" Researchers backed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated 30 percent of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21 to 30 are linked to cannabis addiction."

[ChumpDumper]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12046605/Marijuana-30-PERCENT-schizophrenia-cases-young-men.html

" Researchers backed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated 30 percent of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21 to 30 are linked to cannabis addiction."

Do you believe cannabis is addictive and causes schizophrenia?

[Ef-man]

Do you believe cannabis is addictive and causes schizophrenia?

"Reefer madness" is no joke to the homeschooled.

P.S. They also believe you will go blind from masturbation.

[SnakeBoy]

Do you believe cannabis is addictive and causes schizophrenia?

It can be addictive, that's not even debatable.

The science says it is linked to schizophrenia. Do you disagree with the science?

[ChumpDumper]

It can be addictive, that's not even debatable.What is the treatment for pot addiction? Are there withdrawal symptoms? DT-type stuff?


The science says it is linked to schizophrenia. Do you disagree with the science?IOW you don't believe it causes schizophrenia.:tu

[leemajors]

May be linked.

[ChumpDumper]

I mean at best Snacks is shitting on koriwhat.

[SnakeBoy]

What is the treatment for pot addiction? Are there withdrawal symptoms? DT-type stuff?

IOW you don't believe it causes schizophrenia.:tu

I knew you would fold. You always do.

[ChumpDumper]

I knew you would fold. You always do.I never questioned any science there.

You agree the Daily Mail headline is sensationalist.:tu

Thanks for folding on the addiction questions.:tu

[Ef-man]

May be linked.

More like schizophrenics use drugs because they are sick.

[SnakeBoy]

I never questioned any science there.


Do you believe cannabis can be addictive? Yes or no

Do you believe cannabis addiction is linked to schizophrenia? Yes or no

[ChumpDumper]

More like schizophrenics use drugs because they are sick.

Have they tried bootstraps?

[ChumpDumper]

Do you believe cannabis can be addictive? Yes or noYes, though it looks like the addiction is described much differently from, say, heroin addiction.


Do you believe cannabis addiction is linked to schizophrenia? Yes or noLinked? Yes. I believe many mentally ill people take marijuana as they have little alternatives for any real treatment.

"Behind" as your breathless Daily Mail article you got from TexAgs states, no.

Do you believe casual marijuana use causes schizophrenia? Yes or no.

[Ef-man]

Have they tried bootstraps?

Eh, their lack of faith in baby Jesus in the manger, studying his baby Einstein lesson plan, is the root cause, has to be.

[SnakeBoy]

Yes.



Linked? Yes.

So you completely agree with the study you took issue with. Thanks for playing :lol

[ChumpDumper]

So you completely agree with the study you took issue with. Thanks for playing :lolIt was the article and your characterizations I took issue with.

The numbers in the article and study are not of cannabis addicts.

You are disingenuous to act like they are.

I take issue with your willful conflation of terms for aggie politics.

Do you understand the numbers in the article were not numbers of cannabis addicts?

Yes or no.

[Winehole23]

1660640138987175942

[Winehole23]

amazing what you can do with a one vote majority

[Winehole23]

The blanket pardon applies only in DC and for people caught with pot on federal lands.


In Proclamation 10467 of October 6, 2022 (Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana), I exercised my authority under the Constitution to pardon individuals who committed or were convicted of the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and section 48–904.01(d)(1) of the Code of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code).https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/12/22/a-proclamation-on-granting-pardon-for-the-offense-of-simple-possession-of-marijuana-attempted-simple-possession-of-marijuana-or-use-of-marijuana/

[Thread]

The blanket pardon applies only in DC and for people caught with pot on federal lands.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/12/22/a-proclamation-on-granting-pardon-for-the-offense-of-simple-possession-of-marijuana-attempted-simple-possession-of-marijuana-or-use-of-marijuana/


Get your ass back over in that other thread about Inflation, bub. CC is waitin' on you and here you are hiding out.

ha, ha.

[Winehole23]

proposed rescheduling

1785479222116364505https://x.com/SanhoTree/status/1785479222116364505

[SnakeBoy]

1887116529466065370