Upstream | February 17, 2012 | 123 comments

‘Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol’ claims enough signatures for Colo. ballot

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KB723
By Stephen C. Webster
Friday, February 17, 2012 15:39 EST

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol said Friday morning that it had turned in more than enough valid petition signatures to get their initiative on the ballot later this year.

The activists said they had submitted 12,000 additional signatures, on top of the 163,000 submitted earlier this year. The additional signatures were required after the Secretary of State said that a random sampling of entries found less than 50 percent were valid.

In order to secure a spot on the Colorado statewide ballot, initiatives must carry at least 86,105 valid signatures. Out of the 163,000 signatures initially turned in, only 83,696 were declared valid, forcing the campaigners to carry out an extended effort.

If Colorado voters opt to legalize marijuana in November, the law won’t exactly change: the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause guarantees that states cannot overrule the federal government.

Still, the proposed initiative calls for the law to allow adults over 21 to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home. It would also establish a regulatory framework for the sales of marijuana at storefronts, but gives local governments the opportunity to deny permits for commercial activity related to marijuana.

Campaigners and health experts insist that while it has many drawbacks, using marijuana is actually safer than using alcohol, and causes fewer health effects than smoking tobacco. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency insists that legalizing marijuana “will come at the expense of our children and public safety.”

California voters turned down a similar initiative in 2010 by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent. A Gallup poll published in Oct. 2011 found that, for the first time ever, more than half of Americans favor legalization, marking a dramatic turnaround from just15 years ago when more than 70 percent of Americans favored continuing prohibition.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/?p=386178

"Smoke up Johnny!!!" =)
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123 comments // ‘Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol’ claims enough signatures for Colo. ballot

  • galwayman
    • 0
      galwayman  

    • Marijuana should be legal and not only regulated like alcohol but taxed as well to pay for domestic programs! In 1932 the U.S. government,before it was made illegal, passed a one hundred dollar an ounce tax on marijuana. This law was never repealed! It's about time that it was put to good use!

    • 3 months ago
  • ThirdSection
    • +1
      ThirdSection  

    • So, next time people from the East Coast start going on about how insane Colorado is, I can ask them how close they are to legalizing marijuana in their states!

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +1
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • ThirdSection:

      Ummm, I am from the East Coast, and I am not sure I ever recall anyone going on about how insane Colorado is. I am sure there are cases of this, as with all regions and all states, but I don't think it's that rampant. I will say this, out side of the very eastern edge of your state is awesome (Colorado Springs is a wee off), but the eastern edge is FAR too much like Kansas.

    • 3 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +1
      Ambill94  

    • I am for legalization, and handling it like alcohol is one option. However, any argument against legalization that doesn't also include an argument to criminalize alcohol again is nothing but jaw flapping.

      The most dangerous drugs to our society backed by statistical evidence and not just my saying so, are alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs...to say nothing of the havoc that sugar creates...

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • Ambill94:

      Yes Sugar is also Dangerous... I drink coffee pretty much all day during the week and have tried using Honey instead of sugar, I am not really sure which is safer to be honest... =))=

    • 3 months ago
  • ThirdSection
  • KB723
  • wolfess
    • +1
      wolfess  
    • Ambill94:

      You're right! Have you seen the list of side effects for most of the drugs on the market today?
      Dr.: I'm giving you this drug for your jock itch -- it has a few minor side effects including possible e.d., (don't all drugs have that these days?) double vision so don't drive while taking this, and in a limited number of cases, cancer and heart attack.
      Patient: Gee doc, I think I'll stick with my calamine lotion then.
      I was trying to be funny, but it seems like in some cases the cure is worse than the disease!

    • 3 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • 0
      Ambill94  
    • wolfess:

      You are 110% correct. I have just started a neutritional regimen that will, over time, allow me to ditch the current 9 Rxs I am taking now. 6 of them for heart alone...each one has scary potential side effects...great book everyone should read: Death By Presciption" by Ray Strand...

      Great comment wolfess!!!

    • 3 months ago
  • wolfess
    • 0
      wolfess  
    • Ambill94:

      I know what you're talking about with the 9 scripts for your heart -- Mike had a triple bypass less than 2 weeks ago, and while he is taking fewer meds than he used to, he's still taking far too many to my way of thinking, and the side-effects scare the hell out of me, but his heart is in such bad shape NOT taking them would be a sure prescription for death. I might have to see if I can find your book -- my cholesterol since menopause has been a 'tad' high so the dr actually told me to take fish oil tablets and get more exercise so I have been taking 3-4 tabs a day and walking my youngest schnauzer every day it's decent outside (this winter has been good for that :-), and as soon as Mike recovers some more I'm going to make him go with us b/c that is probably the best thing he can do for his heart.

    • 3 months ago
  • franabar
    • +1
      franabar  

    • To all who defend to the death (literally) the wonderfullness of pot or any other drug. You remind me of my generation who defended smoking cigarettes. Or the people who defend guns. We are ready to die for our loves and we do - alot.
      Good luck and see you in the hospital breathing your last agonizing breath. Sorry lol

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • deane
    • +1
      deane  

    • Legal marijuana is not a danger to public safety, unless you have a gun or encounter someone who has a gun. Guns are a total buzz kill.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • WisconsinNorm
    • +2
      WisconsinNorm  

    • I am for legalization. However, if pot is legal, everybody could potentially grow it. This is where it all breaks down. Don't give me that "it's hard to grow good stuff" crap. That is why we have schools of agriculture. I just had a customer of mine get busted for a big pot farm in his basement. It is not "hard" to grow.

      So this great notion that "wonderful tax revenue" will be generated from the masses to do great works for the masses-like fixing the brain of someone I knew since grade school who has been stoned now for 50 years and is experiencing some major difficulties communicating at the earth level-will soon prove useless as private "hobby growers" supply their friends for absolutely nothing.

      Supply it like alcohol...Another great joke. The most corrupt distribution network on earth intended to do one thing and one thing only-maximize tax income.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • wally60
    • 0
      wally60  
    • WisconsinNorm:

      it can be regulated have you tried to grow tabbaco lately the atf will be on you like you were a drug dealer or moonshine you can buy any of these at a store but try to make it yourself and we will see you at the big house

    • 3 months ago
  • WisconsinNorm
    • 0
      WisconsinNorm  
    • wally60:

      It is funny you mentioned tobacco. I grew a few tobacco plants in the back yard for years. I would hang them in our enclosed porch to dry. I loved the smell. I didn't smoke tobacco and still don't. I quit doing it when my kids were small-the "mixed message" thing.

      It is so easy to grow. Wisconsin farmer's lucky enough to grow tobacco as a cash crop are highly envied. Those permits are a hot commodity.

      Anyway, it is not illegal to grow tobacco and make your own cigarettes or cigars-if you really are good at growing and rolling. You just can't sell any. Basically, the same regulations being requested for pot.

      I just hope when pot is legal, all the high school kids don't grow it. The junior high kids. The grade school kids. This is just being too naive. Good luck to all of you. My kids ended up being quite responsible when drugs and alcohol were concerned. They all seemed to marry "level headed" women as well. I can't imagine what my grandchildren could run up against. It is most annoying even thinking about it. Good luck to them as well.

    • 3 months ago
  • wally60
    • 0
      wally60  
    • WisconsinNorm:

      norm

      i knew the indians grew tobacco.didnt think we could.pot and most other drugs are already avaliable to kids everywhere .its up to us parents to educate our kids.i have three kids only one smokes he is a good kid i teach moderation in all things.good to hear from you

      wally

    • 3 months ago
  • wolfess
    • +2
      wolfess  

    • This is so cool -- if this goes all the way I have no doubt but what it will be voted in; and that means this would be a good way for all 50 states to 'git-er-done' :-)!!!

      Pwr 2 the pot-smokin' 99%! 'GIT-ER-DONE'!

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • GRC54
    • +2
      GRC54  

    • I just love it when many politicians say they want less government and less regulations. This is one area that they can put into effect their own words. Grow it then tax it so now you can smoke it as 21 is the perfect age for any bill of this nature. I think it's about time people in the Federal Government take their collective heads out of each others ass and tell their prison backers to lock themselves up in their own jails.
      Free the potheads Free the weed.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • Skeptikat
    • +4
      Skeptikat  
    • Image

    • Why were 86,000 signatures invalidated in the first place? Because the privatized prison lobby owns the Colorado legislature. They signed a deal for expansion that will have thousands of inmates transferred from crowded California jails to Colorado- this year. Not only that, but the prison lobby succeeded in lengthening mandatory minimum jail sentences to increase their profits. That's the real story. Do you think maybe the staff at private prisons get kickbacks for stacking up minor infractions against inmates, planting evidence, falsifying reports? As long as they have so much room they have to "borrow" inmates from other states, no one is getting out early for good behavior, and the prisons are going to hang on to their little cash cows as long as they can. The article doesn't say on what grounds the signatures were rejected. I would think a rejection rate of 5 - 10% would be high, but 50%?? There is NO WAY this isn't rigged!

      http://michiganmessenger.com/52712/private-prison-company%E2%80%99s-growth-went-...

      Maybe if enough of us call the Colorado Governor's office to let them know they aren't pulling this crap in a vacuum, they won't cheat on the recount. As much. It's worth a shot:

      http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovHickenlooper/CBON/1249674240317

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • bertfish
  • KB723
  • Skeptikat
    • +3
      Skeptikat  
    • KB723:

      Prop 19 contained very restrictive language that would have allowed only large-scale growers in a limited number, selected by lottery. It smelled like a Philip Morris power grab just waiting to happen. That was under Schwarzeneggar, too. Ahhhnold was a dick, don't believe the hype. We're working on getting another bill going, and should have support from the state this time around. Jerry Brown is the awesomest governor ever- he just gets the job done and basically lets people who try to obstruct him know that they need to STFU or there will be hell to pay. He just has that "boss" thing. He should spend some time with Obama, be his Yoda. Brown has 20 years on the Pres, and this is his 3rd term as Governor. The man knows things...

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • sugarmountian
  • KB723
  • PressCore
    • +6
      PressCore  

    • The Federal Government legaly only has jurisdiction when citizens of
      States cross State lines, on federal reservations inside Colorado, in
      the airspace over Colorado, so far as I understand the U.S.Constitution.
      Also the U.S. only has jurisdiction in assisting Colorado to control the
      Organized Crime elements & gangs trafficking in it. Ironicly since it was
      they themselves who enacted the present interstate Prohibition in 1972
      after SCOTUS vacated the original 1937 Prohibition, yes, it's their mess.

      It was tricky Dick Nixon who advocated the creation of the DEA because,
      like the intolerant redneck fool he was he associated Cannabis with the
      Protest & Occupy movement. As always, the corrupt DEA Nixon created
      is full of shit. Colorado's proposed legalization would dry up the $$$
      revenues feeding the black market & gang activities in trafficking. And
      would keep citizens' money in their own hands where it belongs if they
      don't choose to buy it and pay a tax on it. Home, home on the range.
      Where the deer & the antelope play. Where never is heard a discouraging
      word, and the skies are not cloudy all day.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • PressCore
    • +1
      PressCore  
    • KB723:

      It always pays to think positively. And wherever you find people who do
      their lives are much more serene for doing so. Though humans are only
      1/2 divine in nature, they have 100% of the divine power to create their
      reality. Our ideas will eventualy become our thoughts. Our thoughts our
      words. Our words our actions. Our actions our habits. Our habits our
      character. Our character will eventualy become our destiny. It's one
      thoroughly curved, Karmic circuit KB723. Everything we originate comes
      back to us somehow. Bhuddists learn tolerance through passivity, yet
      act positively with even the most modest of ambitions because they know
      they create their own reality by interacting with the universe. I'm all for the
      prudent use of Cannabis as a prophylactic measure to prevent illness
      whether by eating the leaves in salads, jiuceing the Omega 3 oils in it,
      and using inhalers to absorb the pollins in the colas for those not alergic.
      Smoking is the fastest delivery method, and likley the most sure way for
      those needing medical MJ to treat an illness. But since all humans have
      been evolved with brain & body receptors, it's never a good idea, imho
      to deprive ourselves of the blessing Nature has provided us with to make
      life less stressful. Stress hormones can kill anyone slowly, which is avoidable.

    • 3 months ago
  • warman1138
  • KB723
  • jimstoner
    • +9
      jimstoner  

    • Anybody know why 50% of the signatures were declared invalid? Asking the D.E.A. anything about legalization is like asking an athlete if sports should be abolished. Legalizing marijuana "will come at the expense of our children and public safety". No more criminal records or street corner dealers for your kids and a large chunk of organized crime revenue eliminated. Sure, it's gonna hurt children and public safety. No, it's going to hurt the careers of D.E.A. agents and that's all they are concerned about. The D.E.A. should not have a voice in the discussion because of their huge conflict of interest.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
    • +3
      KB723  
    • jimstoner:

      The DEA is part of MIC as far as I can Tell... Stuffing a Banana in a tail pipe is what I would choose they would be doing, other than checking my Trash to see if I was a National Geographic subscriber.... =)

    • 3 months ago
  • jimstoner
    • +8
      jimstoner  
    • KB723:

      Think of it. The two groups who would be against legalization the most, would be organized crime and law enforcement. The only people who benefit from prohibition.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • sugarmountian
  • jimstoner
  • KB723
  • Leen61
  • KB723
  • EmperorThan
  • KB723
  • EmperorThan
  • Skeptikat
  • KB723
  • VFORVENDETTA
    • +2
      VFORVENDETTA  
    • Skeptikat:

      Yep, absolutely correct, my wife and I visited there as a possible consideration for relocation, not on your life! it's a very pretty place-of course Colorado is beautiful-but Colorado Springs is seriously overwhelmingly conservative, there was one teeny tiny little part of town that was supposed to be progressive, and we talked to a woman (a very hippy type of woman, our kind of people who owned a local small business) and asked her about the music scene, she said there really wasn't much of one, if I wanted to see anything really great, you pretty much had to go to Denver, anyway, I think Coloradans are great, and like I said it's a beautiful state, but Colorado Springs Scared the shit out of us, Take care.

    • 3 months ago
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • KB723
  • franabar
    • -2
      franabar  

    • dearest kb723
      I thought you could tell by my references to the 50's that I'm beyond the age of supporting MJ. I am an RN and saw the results of smoking shit both physically and mentally. I would be in favor of studying the consequences of marijuana use especially during pregnancy. As far as alcohol I have a sad story. In 2008 my 43 yo HS Biology teacher son was walking in the crosswalk after dinner and drinks (left his car behind) A drunk driver hit and run killing him outright. This man's level was 0.24. We are still going to court.Now you know where I stand on drugs and alcohol use, Sorry can't support you with this lol

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • PressCore
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +3
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  
    • franabar:

      I have encountered a village of Mic Mac native americans while traveling with my grandfather, there where two people waiting to get on the elders' council at 102 years of age... and it was a small village. They all smoked a native variety of marijuana literally "religiously" on a constant basis... So I guess what I am saying is that I would love to see what solid peer reviewed unbiased and variable recorded tests would tell us about the consequences of smoking weed.

      Oh wait we have, go read any real medical study done on marijuana since 1987 when the "king demonist" finally admited to slanting, cheating and flat out falsifying the results of mairjuana trials. They all indicate negligable to favorable results, with exception of those with certain nervous disorders or predisposition to physchotic behavior.

    • 3 months ago
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • Konkey__Dong
    • 0
      Konkey__Dong  
    • Image
    • PressCore:

      I wish that were true. Some of my friend have smoked dried dog shot.

      Also (hehehe) this sheriff's bulletin says there is a new fad among younger kids today called Leroy Jenkem. Basically you shit and piss in a bottle or jar, put a balloon on top and let it sit out in the hot sun for hours or days. The gas separates into the ballo0n and if you take the balloon like a whippet you get a high like coke only with hallucinations.

      http://67.19.222.106/crime/graphics/jenkem.pdf

      According to them it is Also known as Winnie, Shit, Runners, Fruit from Crack Pipe, Leroy Jenkems,Might, Butthash, and Waste.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • Konkey__Dong
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • Image
    • Konkey__Dong:

      Very Coool, lets have one of these outstandingly Beautiful helpers show us what is behind curtain number three... It looks as though you and another loved one have Won a round trip ticket to Robinson Carusoe's Island... Many Thanks for Playing... =)

    • 3 months ago
  • Konkey__Dong
  • KB723
  • mybologna
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
    • +3
      attilatheblond  
    • KB723:

      My friend, I have a really weird admission to make, Have never partaken of the herb. But in my giimpy old age, and with the inability to tolerate just about all meds for my problems, it seems a good time to take it up.

    • 3 months ago
  • PressCore
    • +3
      PressCore  
    • KB723:

      Good sentiment, bro. I hope the offer extends to me as well when next I visit
      the mile high city and stop by with some good homebrew for you. Atillatheblond
      sounds like a good candidate the Cannabis. It's known to immunize people
      against many infectious diseases, and will treat or cure many degenerative
      diseases.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • KB723
  • wolfess
  • wolfess
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • KB723:

      Would have to be in an edible. The smell of the smoke has always made me violently ill. Yep, always have had atypical reactions to many things, which is why I can't take most meds to begin with.

      I make a good brownie. Might as well make it therapeutic too!

    • 3 months ago
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • wolfess:

      LOL. My sister is 10 years my senior and used to work in an industry that was mostly women. The younger women, still in their party hearty years, always wanted her to go out with them. Sometimes she would. I always got her hangover so I was glad when she slowed down.

      Anyway, one event was mid week and she did go, but stuck to one white wine spritzer, knowing she had a big meeting early next morning. She was bright eyed as she waited for her staff to stagger in for the meeting. When they all had their coffee, she started the meeting with: And this is EXACTLY why pot is better. You kiddies need to get over this drinking phase of your lives!

      Then there was the time her dog got into the brownies.....

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • wolfess
  • wolfess
    • +1
      wolfess  
    • KB723:

      We used to have a copy of 'The Anarchists' Cookbook' and there was a recipe for them in it, but we lost our copy the day our house burned down :-(. I would think it would think it would be like adding spice to anything -- just crumble it up and add it to the brownie batter :-).

      Pwr 2 the toklas brownie eaters! LEGALIZE marijuana NOW, goddammit!

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • wolfess
  • KB723
  • wolfess
  • KB723
  • wolfess
  • KB723
  • wolfess
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
    • 0
      attilatheblond  
    • wolfess:

      We have a golden retriever and I will not allow him to drink alcohol. Every Golden I ever knew who would steal a bit of drink would develop a real problem. Funny dogs when imbibing, but too big to be that uninhibited. A friend's Golden took sips here and there, mostly unnoticed, during a party. He and the couch had a disagreement. Evidently the couch kept moving every time the dog tried to jump up on it. He finally went at it from across the room. It was not a pretty site as he sailed over it and into the corner it was diagonally in front of.

      That was when others noticed the dog had been filching their drinks. He was not a happy pup next day.

      Then there was the friend whose basset hound developed a taste for scotch. What a crank she was in the morning.

    • 3 months ago
  • TomQPublic
    • 0
      TomQPublic  
    • wolfess:

      make "cannabudder" then use the cannabudder for the oil called for in a good box bro wnie mix. Mine are rather strong. I make a 9x13 pan and about 2 square inches is PLENTY. I made the gross error of consuming too much. No, I didn't get sick, but I was so zoned out, I couldn't enjoy the party I was attending. My cannabudder is made with a crockpot method, allowing it to cook overnight.

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
  • artemis6
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
    • +9
      Hardytoo  

    • Seven former (Provincial) Attorneys-General in the Province of BC, this week wrote a letter to the Federal AG, saying the same things as discussed here.
      (AGs here are appointed, not elected, and it's quite common that during cabinet-shuffles during a single "sitting" a new AG can be appointed).
      The point is that, in this case, some of these AGs are from political parties not in power. But they all agreed with each other. The feds now have a big say, and they don't want to piss-off the DEA (who influence them to the hilt). It is a big deal tho, cuz this is the closest we've come to decriminalization/legalization of the weed. Their reasons were so powerful, the taxation & regulation issues were covered, but they put heavy emphasis on cutting down gang violence which is a huge deal here. I do believe they will at least get a hearing, maybe even a formal Parliamentary Commission - which would bring us to "yes."

    • 3 months ago
  • KB723
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