The real winner of this election cycle: Mary Jane

[Os Cangaceiros]

Just thought you all might be interested, but marijuana has just been legalized (yes, legalized, not just decriminalized) in the states of Colorado and Washington. It was up on the ballot in three states, failing to pass in Oregon. In addition medical marijuana is now legalized in Massachusetts, and marijuana has been decriminalized in the Detroit municipal area.

It is true, of course, that the federal government will continue to prosecute marijuana cases. HOWEVER, it will be extremely difficult for them to enforce the law in states in which local authorities do not participate...as this (http://reason.com/blog/2012/11/07/colorado-and-washington-have-legalized-m) article points out, out of 750,000 marijuana arrests last year (mostly for possession), 99% were carried out by state or local cops.

So it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

[Karabin]

I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. I myself am strongly against marijuana usage (including that of any other illicit drug), and I always would have thought that other communists would be the same. Apparently not, though, from what I have seen on this forum.

[Let's Get Free]

That's great, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm not 12 years old anymore, I got shit to do.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I think that, regardless of one's personal feelings towards marijuana, the fact that the 750,000 figure of people getting handed down punishments (everything from being inconvienced to long terms of imprisonment) simply for using the marijuana may, MAY get somewhat dented (not just because of these states, but the influence this policy will have on other states) is definitely a good thing.

[Let's Get Free]

I think that, regardless of one's personal feelings towards marijuana, the fact that the 750,000 figure of people getting handed down punishments (everything from being inconvienced to long terms of imprisonment) simply for using the marijuana may, MAY get somewhat dented (not just because of these states, but the influence this policy will have on other states) is definitely a good thing.

Of course.

[Sea]

I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. I myself am strongly against marijuana usage (including that of any other illicit drug), and I always would have thought that other communists would be the same. Apparently not, though, from what I have seen on this forum.Regardless of your feelings towards cannabis, one only has to look at the usage trends of the Netherlands to know that making pot illegal has nothing to do with it not being smoked.

[Flying Purple People Eater]

I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. I myself am strongly against marijuana usage (including that of any other illicit drug), and I always would have thought that other communists would be the same. Apparently not, though, from what I have seen on this forum.
Why are you against marijuana usage?

I guess people will be too fucking high and disgusting and slummy and lumpen to take part in proletarian revolution.

[Lucretia]

Yes. Soon you'll be able to buy pot on the above-ground market as you do a magazine. A major victory for socialists everywhere.

[Flying Purple People Eater]

Yes. Soon you'll be able to buy pot on the above-ground market as you do a magazine. A major victory for socialists everywhere.
It really is like the pizza-party shit I've seen described. 'Pissed off about how you're being treated? Want to set up a protest? Have a pizza (and don't complain)!'

[Os Cangaceiros]

Why are you against marijuana usage?


We will never be able to emulate the magnificent glorious comrade Aleksei Stakhanov if we're stoned all the time! :ohmy:


Yes. Soon you'll be able to buy pot on the above-ground market as you do a magazine. A major victory for socialists everywhere.

*shrug* Doesn't have much to do with socialism, communism, revolution etc. Still newsworthy, though, and it could probably be argued that it represents growing cracks in the war on drugs, an institution that is very detrimental, in many communities throughout the USA and also internationally.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

I was thinking of moving somewhere, Washington seems pretty cool right now :thumbup1:

[Karabin]

I think that, regardless of one's personal feelings towards marijuana, the fact that the 750,000 figure of people getting handed down punishments (everything from being inconvienced to long terms of imprisonment) simply for using the marijuana may, MAY get somewhat dented (not just because of these states, but the influence this policy will have on other states) is definitely a good thing.

That is a good point. De-criminalizing marijuana would be a much better alternative to keeping it a criminal offence, especially since marijuana isn't necessarily something that will ruin people and cause violence.


Why are you against marijuana usage?

On a personal level, I am against drugs because of some issues that friends and family have had with it. On broader scale, I feel that the consumption of marijuana and other depressants/hallucinogens (including sweet, sweet alcohol) has no real benefit for the working class, and if anything only inhibits their productivity. Wouldn't turning up stoned/drunk to work, staying home to get stoned, symptoms of withdrawal etc. be considered by most communists as detrimental to the working class? Potentially some might say that this has its benefits in fighting capitalism, but in a socialist or even communist society I see this as a huge detriment and problem.

Then again, perhaps once we have reached our glorious red utopia the usage of drugs and consumption of alcohol will become pointless, for we would live in eternal working bliss.

I should also point out my personal distaste for the hippie subculture as one of the reasons of my Anti-Drug attitude. Damn them and their long hair and colorful clothing!

[o well this is ok I guess]

That's great, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm not 12 years old anymore, I got shit to do. Smoking weed at 12?

eternal working bliss. That sounds horrible
Can we not do that

[Aurora]

Maine and Maryland legalise gay marriage too :thumbup1:

[Yazman]

Mod post: Originally posted this as a thread and then saw this one; so I merged them.

Colorado has legalised the usage & regulation of marijuana. It is to be regulated in a way similar to alcohol, and the growing, production, possession, sale and usage of marijuana are to be totally legalised in the state of Colorado.

The following article states that a similar measure passed in Washington state as well.

Snippet from article:
It's been quite the night for marijuana in several ballot measures across the country.


Voters in Washington state and Colorado appear to have voted "yes" on measures that would legalize the sale of pot to adults, without the need for a doctor's prescription. Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana ballot measure.


Oregon voters have to decide on a similar measure to those passed in Washington and Colorado, which would allow marijuana use for any individual over the age of 21, but it appears to have been defeated.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/massachusetts-votes-favor-medical-marijuana-bill-041305835--election.html

Here is the wikipedia article on Colorado's ballot measure:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Amendment_64_%282012%29

Also I think it's worth mentioning on the topic of ballot initiatives, it appears that the death penalty is going to be banned in California. Hell yes!

@Karabin: You might be against it but my position is this; it doesn't matter whether you personally are against it or not. If somebody wants to smoke or drink, it's up to them. It's their decision. I firmly believe in personal sovereignty - that is, we own our own bodies, and therefore it is our decision what goes into them so long as they are not directly harming another person. As a result I do not believe it is the government's business to decide whether somebody can smoke marijuana or not, especially when health-wise, it is no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. Furthermore, I don't think it's our job as revolutionary leftists to decide what people put into their bodies - I want us to have more freedom, not less.

[Anarchocommunaltoad]

Unfortunately states don't really have a say on this sort of thing. It's unconstitutional until the constitution gets a new amendment.

[bcbm]

if anything only inhibits their productivity. Wouldn't turning up stoned/drunk to work, staying home to get stoned, symptoms of withdrawal etc. be considered by most communists as detrimental to the working class?

sounds like a good strike action to me

[Luc]

woot woot! cant wait till Canada legalizes (if it'll ever happen..) sick of seeing people locked up for a little green.

heres to hopeful legalisation in USA, Canada and all countries :thumbup1:

more drugs less laws

[Geiseric]

Weed is completely different from all other drugs, in that it is as addicting as Asparin, with just as many side effects! This is great news, the war on drugs is code for the war on ethnic minorities, and shedding the false views on drugs and criminality held by the american public is in my opinion a good thing.

Let's hope this domino effects into california, where the country's largest prison population is (I think). 6x more Black Youth are arrested for weed than white people, so this would be a step forward.

[CryingWolf]

What happens to the prisoners currently held for marijuana possession and/or distribution?

[cynicles]

That's great, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm not 12 years old anymore, I got shit to do.
That's a snobbish attitude, marijuana and hashish are very popular amongst large working class demographics in a number of different countries.

[Anarchocommunaltoad]

I see Marijuana on a level a little higher than alcohol simply due to the fact that I could easily develop a psychological addiction to it (Melancholy prone). I don't think i'd smoke myself stupid (stoner) but i haven't done yet for the same reasons Batman doesn't kill.

[Os Cangaceiros]

What happens to the prisoners currently held for marijuana possession and/or distribution?

I don't know, but prosecutors in Washington will probably throw out pending marijuana possession cases. Cops in Washington say that they'll no longer arrest people for possession.

Washington police and prosecutors winding down marijuana possession cases (http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2012/nov/07/washington_police_and_prosecutor)

Also this:


The legalization of recreational marijuana in the U.S. states of Washington and Colorado will force Mexico to rethink its efforts to halt marijuana smuggling across the border, the main adviser to Mexico's president-elect said Wednesday.

Luis Videgaray, head of incoming President Enrique Pena Nieto's transition team, told Radio Formula that the Mexican administration taking power in three weeks remains opposed to drug legalization. But he said the votes in the two states complicate his country's commitment to quashing the growing and smuggling of a plant now seen by many as legal in part of the U.S.

Mexico's new gov to review pot fight after US vote (http://abcnews.go.com/story?id=17667177)

[#FF0000]

420 blaze it dorks

[Anarchocommunaltoad]

420 blaze it dorks
Get a job Hippy:D:laugh::D

[Os Cangaceiros]

420 blaze it dorks

No need to tell this dork twice.

I just wish I could blaze it in Boulder, Petrograd of the stoner insurrection.

[Yazman]

MODERATOR ACTION:


Get a job Hippy:D:laugh::D

Don't make posts like this. It's a one-liner/spam and it's not allowed. While there can be exceptions for one-line posts such as if you're asking a legitimate question, this is not one of those circumstances. If you do it again you're going to get infracted. This is your only warning.

This isn't Chit Chat. Only make a post if you're contributing meaningfully to the discussion or legitimately trying to learn. Otherwise, don't post at all.

This post constitutes a warning to Anarchocommunaltoad.

[Aurora]

There's been loads of non-political one liners in this thread including the post before and after that one, but you choose to target the new guy? Coward

Either enforce the rule for everyone or fuck off.

[Yazman]

MODERATOR ACTION:


There's been loads of non-political one liners in this thread including the post before and after that one, but you choose to target the new guy? Coward

Either enforce the rule for everyone or fuck off.

This isn't the place to comment on a moderator action. If you have input or criticism of something a member of the board administration has done, please send them a PM.

Otherwise, don't post. Because this is off-topic and if you do it again, I'm infracting you. In future if you have something to say about it send me (or somebody else in the BA) a PM about it. Off-topic posting isn't allowed.

To everybody else: Keep the discussion on-topic and on track please. Let's not have any more of this thread derailing crap. I don't want to see any more off topic posts.

This message constitutes a warning to Aurora.

[#FF0000]

i got an infraction for my post btw

[Os Cangaceiros]

http://assets.theagitator.com/wp-content/uploads/COHead.jpg

http://assets.theagitator.com/wp-content/uploads/WAHead.jpg

[Yuppie Grinder]

It really is like the pizza-party shit I've seen described. 'Pissed off about how you're being treated? Want to set up a protest? Have a pizza (and don't complain)!'

"Bluntedness is directly proportional to revolutionary potential" - Lenin.

[Yuppie Grinder]

I see Marijuana on a level a little higher than alcohol simply due to the fact that I could easily develop a psychological addiction to it (Melancholy prone). I don't think i'd smoke myself stupid (stoner) but i haven't done yet for the same reasons Batman doesn't kill.

Bullshit. I have never met anyone in my life who was "psychologically addicted" to weed. That's a myth. I am dependent on weed the same way I am dependent on tacos. I may consume them a lot, but I can take a break whenever, and have in the past. Alcohol, on the other hand, does very often lead to addiction.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Meanwhile, in other drug war related news...




St. Paul police kicked a man in the face as he lay on the ground and tried to explain that his mother couldn't quickly get to the ground because she'd recently had surgery, a lawsuit says. Police then shot a "flash-bang" grenade directly at the woman, setting her afire and seriously burning her legs, according to the lawsuit.

The St. Paul City Council is slated to approve a $400,000 settlement in the lawsuit Wednesday, Nov. 7, equaling the largest payout in a St. Paul police lawsuit, according to the city attorney's office.

Six other police misconduct cases have led to nearly a half-million dollars in payouts this year, according to the St. Paul city attorney's office. The city also recently settled for $385,000 a data privacy lawsuit involving St. Paul officers.

An investigation continues into a separate case in August in which a St. Paul police officer was seen on video kicking a suspect who was on the ground.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21941479/st-paul-pays-record-tying-400k-settle-police

[ckaihatsu]

[I]t doesn't matter whether you personally are against it or not. If somebody wants to smoke or drink, it's up to them. It's their decision. I firmly believe in personal sovereignty - that is, we own our own bodies, and therefore it is our decision what goes into them so long as they are not directly harming another person. As a result I do not believe it is the government's business to decide whether somebody can smoke marijuana or not, especially when health-wise, it is no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. Furthermore, I don't think it's our job as revolutionary leftists to decide what people put into their bodies - I want us to have more freedom, not less.


The political argument can always be made for revolutionary discipline -- not that anyone should be an automaton, of course, but it's always more about limitations, line-drawing, etc.

While the working class is still coerced to be beholden to property, the clock is against us and all revolutionary efforts put forth will add to real ongoing struggles.

That's actually the most I think anyone / any comrade can say regarding political practice and personal habits -- we're in it together, etc....