Governor Hickenlooper
Marijuana Industry News November 8, 2013
It had been an eventful week for marijuana law as voters passed several initiatives. Below we’ve recapped a few of the election highlights:
Michigan
Citizens in the Michigan metropolitan areas of Ferndale, Jackson, and Lansing chosen to decriminalize marijuana. In the 3 metropolitan areas, citizens 21 and older will be allowed to own as much as one ounce of marijuana on private property without penalty. The metropolitan areas of Flint and Detroit also have passed similar laws and regulations. Michigan voters approved medicinal marijuana in November of 2008.
Colorado
Citizens in Colorado made the decision to do something on the concept that marijuana might help purchase needed services. Voters passed a stride which will permit a 25% tax on marijuana. The 25% really is jeopardized if your 15% excise tax along with a 10% florida sales tax. The money produced is anticipated to pay for the expense connected with running the marijuana industry too for creating new schools in Colorado. Governor Hickenlooper said around the voter passed law by saying “We are grateful voters approved funding which will permit a powerful regulating atmosphere, much like liquor is controlled.” “We is going to do all things in our energy to make certain kids don’t smoke pot which we do not have people driving who’re high. This ballot measure gives Colorado the opportunity to regulate marijuana correctly.” However, much like Washington, you will find concerns the condition will phase the medical program which may pressure patients in have to pay more for his or her medication. Some experts have the taxes will end up being excessive.
Miami
As the law is not transformed in Miami, it’s obvious the minds of citizens have, like the relaxation of the nation. To gauge curiosity about medicinal marijuana, Miami voters were requested when they support medicinal marijuana. Apparently they are doing as 64% of voters approved to simply 36% disapproving. The idea am popular, it received 1,000 more yes votes compared to mayor did. The group People U . s . for Medicinal Marijuana, were pleased. They intend on attempting to introduce an amendment to Florida’s metabolic rate that will permit medicinal marijuana. Benjamin Pollars from the organization stated “This would be a really low turnout election in Miami Beach it’s a comparatively old electorate, but still it got near to 65 % from the election.” Medical treatment is a vital problem for Florida’s older population and it is no wonder
Marijuana Industry News October 4, 2013
Legalizing marijuana would finish underground community states Israeli Study…
Prohibition continues to be associated with stimulating organized crime on several occasion. Our neighbors towards the south, Mexico have observed an excessive amount of top notch bloodshed as cartel energy continues to be in a position to flourish. The calls to legalize and reduce cartel influence haven’t been more powerful. Israel, such as the relaxation around the globe is attempting to develop a plans for additional revenue and fewer violence. A recent study there came to the conclusion they might accomplish both through marijuana legalisation. “Realizing the large financial gains that will originate from legalisation demands the government take serious consideration in the proposal to legalize cannabis use under specific recommendations,” stated Yarden Gazit, who co-written the research in Israel.
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Washington and Colorado with changes to marijuana banking…
As continues to be recommended formerly by marijuana.internet and lots of other sources, the greatest hurdles within the legal marijuana industry relates to banking. Federal government bodies have compelled the banking institutions to prevent letting shops operate business accounts. The outcome is marijuana, cash, with no recorded paper trail. Individuals in the market happen to be lobbying to alter this. With Colorado and Washington continuing to move forward using their recently legalized leisure market, the requirement for modern banking us essential. Washington Condition Gov. Jay Inslee and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper wrote instructions to federal government bodies, including Secretary of Treasury, Ben Bernanke. In it they condition that banking is a necessary aspect of ensure a correctly controlled system.
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Marijuana Policy Project’s effective advertising campaign strikes again…
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has already established a string of much talked about and effective advertisements launched lately. They have specific the National football league and Dale earnhardt jr ., getting contradictions to light how alcohol is treated versus. marijuana. Sticking with similar theme, MPP has become setting up advertisements at bus animal shelters in Tigard Maine. “I prefer marijuana over alcohol since it doesn’t cause me to feel rowdy or reckless,” among the advertisements reads. “Why must i be punished?” On Election Day in November, citizens in Tigard they would like to legalize small quantities of leisure marijuana for grown ups. Metro, Portland’s public bus service has gotten some complaints concerning the advertisements but stated the advertisements were considered political advertising, and turn into inside their advertising recommendations.
 
Marijuana Industry News May 10,2013
Respect the usa Marijuana Law Attaining More Support in Congress…
 
Lately legislation continues to be introduced in Congress that will allow states to pass through and regulate their very own marijuana laws and regulations. H.R. 1523, Respect Condition Marijuana Laws and regulations Act of 2013 would supply legal protection against federal government bodies for individuals following condition law. The balance presently has 15 co-sponsors and it is taking pleasure in bi-partisan support. The GOP has typically was firm against marijuana reform, however, it matches a lot of their political criteria. This law would return more privileges towards the states, create more jobs, keep your government from our way of life. The GOP is beginning in the future around on marijuana with Alaska Repetition. Don Youthful now supporting HR1523. The 2009 week Repetition Youthful told news shops that marijuana is “a states’ privileges problem, period.” He was certainly straight to the stage around the problem. As they keeps he hasn’t used marijuana personally, he lately stated I have existed it because many people who’re dear in my experience tried on the extender.Inch Marijuana reform has clearly acquired incredible momentum even though this specific bill might not pass, the writing on your wall is clearly there.
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Colorado Congress Election to Tax Marijuana…
Last November, Colorado became a member of Washington inside a historic event by becoming 1 of 2 states to legalize leisure marijuana. Area of the benefit of legal marijuana would be the revenues it may potentially generate, especially as our economy still struggles. However, simply passing the legislation was just the start. Colorado has needed to envisage to correctly regulate the legal marijuana industry. Now we observed the initial step as condition congress chosen to tax the purchase of marijuana. Congress approved two taxes, a 15 % excise tax, along with a 10 % florida sales tax. Additionally they talked about restrictions how much could be bought (ounce for citizens, quarter ounce for non citizens). Governor Hickenlooper indicated he props up rules. Voters may have the ultimate say in November around the high tax rates.
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Mass. Health Authorities Approve Final Rules For Medicinal Marijuana Program
 
We at marijuana.internet wrote extensively concerning the Northeast being a hotbed for marijuana reform. Massachusetts seems set to have their marijuana program off the floor. Voters approved a medicinal marijuana law in November but there have been many particulars to become completed. The state’s Public Health Council approved a 60 page document setting out the parameters from the program. Patients is going to be allowed to possess up t 10 oz . of marijuana per two months. The rules includes needs that medical cannabis be examined for pesticides, mold, along with other risks. Massachusetts is going to be among the couple of states that enables minors to get a prescription. Individuals under 18, with existence threatening ailments may be eligible for a a medicinal marijuana prescription. Michigan is presently among the only other states which has permitted minors to legally obtain marijuana.
 
 
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Col. Gov Hickenlooper Shows He is Serious About Legal Marijuana By Seeking Task Force
Marijuana activists scored major victories several weeks ago on election day. Colorado residents voted to legalize, regulate, tax, and distribute marijuana. However, the decision is much more complex than simply saying “now everything is ok”. There many questions to be answered such as the future of current medical dispensaries, tax rates, and law enforcement concerns.
Because of the complexity of the situation, Governor Hickenlooper is seeking to put together a task force to deal with the situation. He recently said “We are working to create a task force to identify the policy, legal, and procedural issues that need to be resolved related to Amendment 64.” There are not many more details as to how the new law will move forward. However, Colorado lawmakers do appear serious in making sure the new law is upheld. Once the Amendment 64 goes into effect (Dec.6), adults 21 and over will be allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use. Some prosecutors in Colorado are not waiting until December 6th, and have dismissed current marijuana possession cases that would be legal next week. Authorities in Washington have also taken similar steps.
The situation in Colorado and Washington is showcasing that the conversation has turned an important corner. The economy needs new ideas and a decades long expansion of government has made the public weary. Marijuana reform could generate jobs and tax revenue and also provide the rare expansion of civil rights. Federal authorities could still try to desperately flex their muscle, but as more jobs and revenues are contingent upon legal marijuana it could become increasingly difficult for the feds to simply disregard state laws. So far Attorney General Eric Holder has been silent on the issue. Analysts are unsure if this shows he wishes to avoid the issue and permit the states to operate as they will. Others believe Mr. Holder will soon step down and already a lame duck so he may be waiting for successor to handle the issue.
We at marijuana.net are hopeful that elected officials will work alongside the people and abandon the failed policy of aggressively persecuted its own people for non-violent crimes. Additionally, Americans are ready for compromise. In a divided country, the word compromise has seemed to fallen by the wayside recently, but we want to see people behave as adults and work together. We may finally see this with the so called “fiscal cliff” debate as both parties appear ready to strike a deal. We may be seeing the same situation in Colorado as Governor Hickenlooper publicly voiced his opposition to Amendment 64 on multiple occasions. However, we are pleased to see that despite his personal view, he is recognizing his function and job as an elected official.
Colorado Governor Accused of Gang Mentality
The gang mentality of protecting your turf and merchandise is not a new concept, it may even be one of our oldest social norms. The idea has been well represented in movies and shows such as The Godfather, Goodfellas, New Jack City, The Wire, and Boardwalk Empire. Corporations in the real world, use lobbyists and economic leverage to accomplish similar goals. However, even if this sounds naïve, we are supposed to expect that our elected officials would refrain from these types of turf wars.
Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado has actually been accused of operating like a “Drug Dealer Protecting his Turf” in an article appearing on heraldnet.com. The Governor recently made statements against Colorado voters possibly legalizing marijuana in November. Despite a solid majority support for legalization in the polls, he recently said “detracting from efforts to make Colorado the healthiest state” and for “sending the wrong message to kids.” The statement is odd for several reasons. For one, while politicians are not accustomed too (by the looks of how many ballot initiatives are out there they would be well served to get used to it quickly) the people’s voices being accounted for, it may be unwise to lecture and condescend to the electorate. Children are always put in the middle by those defending failed marijuana policy, but does the Governor truly think the majority of his state are terrible and selfish parents who never took their children into consideration? Second, Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has addressed this for months by making concerned parents a significant part of their message. However, these parents actually WANT a regulated system so they can ensure it stays out of their children’s hands. The current and illegal/unregulated street vendor system can offer such protection.
Another reason why Governor Hickenlooper’s statements are out of place have to do simply with his choice of drugs. The Heraldnet article makes the “Drug Dealer” comparison because Mr. Hickenlooper is an avid brewer of beer. In fact he proudly has said “I’m the first brewer who’s ever been a governor.” When talking about tasty hops and barley the Governor seemed to have no issue with children’s health even as alcohol results in far more fatal car crashes, weight gain, and addiction. Additionally, we have to ask ourselves exactly how try to keep alcohol out of children’s hands. Instead of ignoring it, we as a nation have decided it would be a better idea to regulate, check identification to purchase, and even tax alcohol sales. However, if the Governor does not agree, is he merely protecting himself, and his turf as the facts betray his statements?
Politicians should have seen the writing on the wall and come up with new talking points years ago. The will of the people trumps any political rhetoric the Governor may recite. Challenging the people on a consensus issue seems to be a very nearsighted action. We truly live in a republic, so when the people get to participate in legislation directly, it is the most pure form of democracy offered in The United States, easily nullifying the contradictory statements of one lone Governor.