Slog - Comments on Massachusetts Decriminalizes Marijuana

Comment by Non

Non — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:10:10 -0800

Thanks for getting that done here in Seattle, Dominic et al.

And PS, because you never flaunt it, I'd like to point out that your street-cred is off the charts dude.

Comment by Gordon

Gordon — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:20:45 -0800

y'all do realize ...

that if Washington started selling marijuana in state-run liquor stores ... it would really help fight our impending budget crisis and would cut a lot of crime from the city ... never mind allow the police to fight real problems like gang violence, et al

Comment by Gordon

Gordon — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:25:36 -0800

y'all realize ...

if Washington State started selling Marijuana in State Liquor Stores ... that would go a long way towards helping with our impending deficit never mind allowing the police to target real problems like gang violence et al

Comment by matt mernagh

matt mernagh — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:35:52 -0800

i think you answered your own question on the cops claims about violence in the street. people have wizened up to these suggestions. people no longer trust the police as they once did. hence their claims are met with more scrutiny. i believe because of the war on drugs police credibility is almost completely shot. this is a health issue not a criminal issue. the $100 fine should be considered a tax. oddly voters supported state income tax. a tax and regulated marijuana marketplace would eliminate state income tax needs.

Comment by zadig

zadig — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:54:15 -0800

I have two thoughts on why the scare tactics backfired, and they sadly don't include "The public got smarter":

1) The local police have lost a lot of credibility lately. To make a long story long, our governor recently said that cops won't get expensive paid details at construction sites anymore, and that we'd have to use lower-paid flaggers like every other state. The police went on the airwaves to rant about how old people will be mowed down at intersections and children, think of the children! They even interfered with some construction sites that were trying to use flaggers.

The upshot was that the cops were seen as being a bunch of scare-mongering, self-serving liars. They lost a lot of credibility. I think that spilled over into the pot discussion, because (to my ears) the pot scare-mongerers sounded just like the paid-detail scare-mongerers.

2) I also think that in bad economic times people want to get stoned.

Hope this clears things up. Just one person's opinion from MA.

Comment by uncle baggy

uncle baggy — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:05:04 -0800

The proper way to celebrate this election is to bake some brownies.

Comment by adaminboston

adaminboston — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:14:53 -0800

As a gay Massachusetts resident, let me just say it's good to live here. Let me also say it just got even better (and any hot Cali guys looking for husbands don't be afraid to come on over and bring some of that good Humboldt product with you).

I will say I'm sad my two ideas for the Marijuana decriminalization ballot measure lawn signs never took off:

1) Keep off my grass, vote yes on question 2.

2) Yes Weed Can!

That's all.

Comment by flamingbanjo

flamingbanjo — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:15:23 -0800

Hopefully by providing a high-profile example of how the foretold disasters do not occur with decriminalization it will make it easier to pass laws like this elsewhere. The price tag for savings on imprisonment will also provide a nice advertisement.

I don't think a majority of Americans are afraid of marijuana like they once were. The scare tactics just seem comical to everybody under sixty.

Comment by adaminboston

adaminboston — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:17:32 -0800

I will say I'm sad my two ideas for the Marijuana decriminalization ballot measure lawn signs never took off:

1) Keep off my grass, vote yes on question 2.

2) Yes Weed Can!

That's all.

Comment by Non

Non — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:24:40 -0800

"Yes Weed Can!"

alsome, I love it.

Comment by Brad

Brad — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:35:30 -0800

I'm not sure why this is such a big deal. I grew up in Ohio and there possession of less than 100 grams results in a $100 ticket with no criminal record. There are other states that have similar laws.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:40:00 -0800

@2 for the insightful and economically positive viewpoint.

Remember, demon rum used to be banned too. Now it's a cash crop for the state.

Comment by scotlanded

scotlanded — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:41:23 -0800

Michigan passed medical marijuana! Baby steps!

And stem cell research :D

Comment by Dominic Holden

Dominic Holden — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:46:05 -0800

@ 11) This is a big deal because it was done by a public vote--not by the legislature--after the modern drug war was established. It proves that voters are immune to cops blocking pot reform. The fact that the opposition campaign seemed to boost the margin of victory gives a green light to decriminalize pot, eliminating fines entirely, around the country.

Comment by max solomon

max solomon — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:47:20 -0800

"decriminalizing" posession of small amounts while keeping production & sale illegal is retarded. it's still not legal to posess. you get a ticket.

Comment by barton

barton — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:55:33 -0800

decriminalized pot? liberal president? light rail for seattle? god I love today

Comment by scotlanded

scotlanded — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:18:54 -0800

Michigan passed medical marijuana! Baby steps!

And stem cell research :D

Comment by Kaitlyn M

Kaitlyn M — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:54:32 -0800

Things are lookin up.
YesWeedCan :)

Comment by Mike Jones

Mike Jones — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:10:18 -0800

Nothin' should change in Massachusetts... Smoking cannabis has been going on before this law, and will go on after.... of course.... It's a shame that marijuana is not decriminalized by our federal govt. As a business owner, I would MUCH rather hire a bunch of "potheads" as they have been tagged, then alcoholics BY FAR!!!!!!!!! People who enjoy smokin' some weed can still make it to work the next day, Unlike drunks who come in hungover and not able to use they're basic motor skills properly because of the night before.....

Psalm 104:14 states that we herb is on this planet fot the causeth of man anyways... I should be allowed to obligate myself to the mandates of my established religion...

Comment by Mike Jones

Mike Jones — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:10:25 -0800

Psalm 104:14 states that we herb is on this planet fot the causeth of man anyways... I should be allowed to obligate myself to the mandates of my established religion...

Comment by Greg

Greg — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:54:05 -0800

I will smoke weed in celebration when it becomes legal, sometime around my retirement.

Comment by dutchie from amsterdam

dutchie from amsterdam — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:52:49 -0800

cool, with the tightning drug laws and law and order atmosphere here in the netherlands in a few years we will be able to send our politicians over to learn from th liberal amarican drug laws.

its bonkers but it might be true.....

by the way, thanks for ellecting the way lesser of the evils.