direct democracy

Boulder DA Stops Marijuana Possession Prosecutions

"The district attorney in Colorado's Boulder County announced Wednesday he will dismiss all pending small-time marijuana and paraphernalia possession cases, saying that given overwhelming support for Amendment 64 in Boulder County he would be hard pressed to find a jury to convict. Boulder police Chief Mark Beckner told the Daily Camera that his department would now stop issuing tickets or making arrests for mere marijuana possession of less than an ounce and paraphernalia." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBoulder DA Stops Marijuana Possession Prosecutions

Ron Paul and Barney Frank tell Obama: Respect state marijuana laws

"Reps. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Barney Frank (D-MA) on Thursday called for the Obama administration to respect state marijuana laws, as California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) did on Sunday. Voters in Colorado and Washington state both approved referenda legalizing the limited recreational use of marijuana. However, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration still classifies marijuana as a schedule I drug: the most restrictive classification, reserved drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medicinal value." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul and Barney Frank tell Obama: Respect state marijuana laws

HOA Installs Radar, Issues Speeding Tickets

"A homeowners association in Colorado has set up a radar system and begun issuing tickets to speeders. Drivers caught violating the max. 30 mph speed limit in the community will be subject for fines from anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on how fast they are driving. If the violating driver is a visitor of the subdivision, their ticket will be given to whichever homeowner they are visiting at the time." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHOA Installs Radar, Issues Speeding Tickets

Another California City to Put Traffic Cameras to Public Vote

"Documents show not only did the public in overwhelming numbers urged the council to drop the use of cameras entirely, but state officials also weighed in heavily against their use at specific intersections. The ballot measure was offered as a compromise intended to head off a motion to disband the camera program entirely. The compromise passed by one vote, that of Councilman Steve Adams whose brother is paid to approve red light camera citations. Just prior to the vote, local activists warned his participation would be seen as an ethical violation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnother California City to Put Traffic Cameras to Public Vote

Latin American leaders urge review of U.S. pro-marijuana referenda

"The leaders of Mexico and three Central American nations called Monday for a review of anti-drug policies after two US states voted to legalize marijuana. The presidents of Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and Belize called on the United Nations to hold a special session by 2015 to examine the 'successes and limits' of current strategies against drug trafficking. In a joint declaration read by Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the leaders asked the Organization of American States (OAS) to draft a report on the impact of last week’s referenda in the US states of Colorado and Washington." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLatin American leaders urge review of U.S. pro-marijuana referenda

Colorado reps seek state exemption from federal pot prohibition laws

"In the wake of this week’s historic vote to legalize marijuana in Colorado, the state’s three Democratic U.S. House members are drafting legislation aimed at easing the tension between the new state law and longstanding federal prohibition of the drug. Congressional staffers told the Independent that Colorado Reps Diana DeGette (CD1), Ed Perlmutter (CD7) and Jared Polis (CD2) are working independently and together on bills that would exempt states where pot has been legalized from the Controlled Substances Act." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado reps seek state exemption from federal pot prohibition laws

California Gov. Brown tells the Obama administration to back off on marijuana

"California Gov. Jerry Brown said Sunday on CNN that the Obama administration should respect states that choose to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes. 'It’s time for the Justice Department to recognize the sovereignty of the states,' Brown said, noting that a number of states had medical marijuana laws. 'I believe the president and the Department of Justice ought to respect the will of these separate states.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia Gov. Brown tells the Obama administration to back off on marijuana

Montana Voters Nullify Obamacare Mandates

"The 'Montana Health Care Freedom Act' otherwise known as Referendum 122, prohibits the state and federal governments from requiring the purchase of health insurance or imposing any penalty, tax, fee or fine on those who do not purchase health insurance. The prohibition does have some restrictions, but the good thing about this…these rules are being set by the state of Montana, not the the Federal Government . Referendum 122 Passed 66% YES to 34% NO. This makes Montana the 3rd state to nullify Obamacare after the SCOTUS decision that called it 'constitutional' this summer." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMontana Voters Nullify Obamacare Mandates

220 marijuana cases dismissed in King, Pierce counties after legalization

"King and Pierce County prosecutors are dismissing more than 220 misdemeanor marijuana cases in response to Tuesday’s vote to decriminalize small amounts of pot. In King County, 175 cases are being dismissed involving people 21 and older and possession of one ounce or less. I-502 makes one ounce of marijuana legal on Dec. 6, but King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg decided to apply I-502 retroactively. 'Although the effective date of I-502 is not until December 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,' Satterberg said in a statement." Continue reading →

Continue Reading220 marijuana cases dismissed in King, Pierce counties after legalization

With Two States Legalizing Marijuana, Are Drug Warriors In Washington Freaking Out?

"Voters in Colorado and Washington made history Tuesday night. The states’ marijuana legalization initiatives, I-502 in Washington and Amendment 64 in Colorado, brought what many marijuana advocates are calling the beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition in America. But the power of the people -- and the states -- have one big hurdle to clear before the ban on pot is lifted: The feds. Only this time, the people may have built more than drug warriors' boots can stomp out." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWith Two States Legalizing Marijuana, Are Drug Warriors In Washington Freaking Out?