Vermont Governor on Marijuana Legalization: It’s What ‘Enlightened States’ Do

[RussBLib]

Yeah, that helps to explain Texas' problem, and Louisiana, and Mississippi, and Alabama, etc. We're ruled by a bunch of Cro-Magnons who are more interested in opposing Obama and denying women and minorities rights than in looking out for their citizens.

So, we're headed to Colorado again....from Time magazine

Vermont Governor on Marijuana Legalization: It’s What ‘Enlightened States’ Do

In the next few weeks, as Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin nears the end of his time in office, his state could make history. If he has his way, Vermont will become the first state in the union to legalize marijuana through its legislature. The four states that have already legalized recreational pot—Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska—all did so by taking the issue to voters through ballot initiatives. The Vermont Senate passed a marijuana legalization bill in February and it is currently being debated in the House.

What makes it more cautious and sensible than others?

What I meant by that is: No edibles. And you can only have a small amount of marijuana at one time, an ounce or less. Tax rates that are low enough to drive out the black market drug dealers. No smoking lounges. In other words, avoiding the pitfalls and embracing a more logical policy. About one in eight Vermonters admit to buying recreational pot on a monthly basis. We decriminalized an ounce or less, so you virtually get less of a criminal penalty for buying [small amounts of] pot than you do speeding on the highway. Although we wish you wouldn’t smoke pot, just like we wish you wouldn’t drink too much, we’re going to let you do it without getting in trouble with the law—but you still have to go buy it from a drug dealer? They don’t care what they sell you from their cache, whether it’s marijuana or other drugs. They don’t care how young you are. That’s why we moved to a regulated market for alcohol.

much more at link. It's a good interview

[WDIM]

1. "It makes you kind of goofy and unproductive. "

That is such a lie and a stereotype Just look at the number of millionaires that use cannabis.

He is right though the arguments against legalization do not stand to reason. I have not heard a single solid argument on why it should be illegal.

"Its dangerous for kids" (i dont believe that it is) but so is a million other common household items. so is football and sports. So is going for a car ride. Regulation helps to keep it out of the hands of children more so than prohibition.

"it makes people lazy and unproductive" not true thousands of very successful users would show otherwise. It helps with job related stress and injuries. Every cannabis user i know is a productive upstanding citizen tax payer.

It is time for action at the national level. The federal government needs to declassify cannabis and allow states complete control over regulation. There should be zero federal involvement with the prohibition of a benign plant.

Glad to see more states becoming enlightened. We are still fighting for just medical in mine.

[Adsos Letter]

2. Thanks for posting this.

It is a good interview. One statement caught my attention:
"...we wish you wouldn't smoke pot, just like we wish you wouldn't drink too much..."

Governor, how about changing that to "we hope you won't smoke too much marijuana... ."

The comparison between indulgence and overindulgence is bogus (and may be unintentional).

[msongs]

3. phony legalization - long list of prohbitions - about the only prohibiton it needs is

perhaps a restriction on sales/distribution/use by minors, and "minors" is an arbitrary age

[RussBLib]

4. as much as I'd like to see the slam dunk legalizations

I will take the incremental steps forward, and Vermont is definitely going in the right direction.

It's kinda like the Bernie Sanders vs Hillary Clinton contest. Sweeping changes vs incremental changes. I'd prefer sweeping, but I'll take incremental.

[eridani]

5. No edibles = seriously stupid n/t