direct democracy

Medical pot: Will Colorado’s “green rush” last?

"Twenty states have now legalized the medical use of marijuana for the treatment of things like glaucoma, the effects of chemotherapy, and chronic pain; defying federal laws that still consider marijuana more dangerous than cocaine and methamphetamine. In Denver, if you want to find a medical marijuana dispensary, just look for the green cross. You won't have to go far. There are 204 of them in the Mile High City -- that's roughly three times the number of Starbucks and McDonald's combined. They come in all sizes and shapes. There is the health food store motif and '70s style head shops. There are storefronts pitching low cost weed, and boutiques offering gourmet ganja." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMedical pot: Will Colorado’s “green rush” last?

Feds will continue to jail pot dealers ‘in all states’

"The White House has pledged to continue to jail those who traffick in marijuana or sell it to minors — even in two US states where its recreational use is now legal. Deputy Attorney General James Cole defended the federal decision not to challenge new laws legalizing marijuana in Colorado and Washington states. Cole pledged that in addition to blocking cannabis cultivation and distribution, US authorities would work to prevent the export of marijuana to places where the substance is still illegal, 'whether the state has legalized it or not.' And he added that Justice Department officials 'reserve the right… to challenge the state laws at a later time.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds will continue to jail pot dealers ‘in all states’

It’s Jury Appreciation Day!

"Although the right to a jury trial is guaranteed by the American Constitution, it has been under a relentless attack over the years. Most Americans are unaware that 95 percent of the cases in our criminal justice system never go to trial. And, in the few cases that do go to trial, jurors are typically misled about their prerogative to acquit (“jury nullification”). In November, Cato will be re-releasing an e-book, Jury Nullification: The Evolution of a Doctrine, by Clay Conrad. Glenn Reynolds reviewed the initial publication here. Let me take this opportunity to report on several positive developments that will help to revive the doctrine of jury nullification in American law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIt’s Jury Appreciation Day!

NJ Weedman on Jury Nullification vs. The Drug War

"NJWeedman, a medical marijuana patient fighting bone cancer and a pot legalization advocate, found himself in trouble after being pulled over by a New Jersey state trooper with more than a pound of marijuana in his possession, as well as a large sum of cash. This was sufficient to trigger a 'possession with intent to distribute' charge, and he faced up to a decade in prison if convicted. Because he represented himself and argued not for his innocence but against the morality of the law itself, NJWeedman believes he was acquitted by 'jury nullification.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNJ Weedman on Jury Nullification vs. The Drug War

Who is the real big bucks bully in the gun control debate?

"For many years, the gun ban lobby has portrayed the National Rifle Association as the big money bully in the gun control debate, but stories published today and yesterday suggest that the real big spender is anti-gun New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has dumped a wad of cash into thwarting a Coloradorecall election in defense of two Democrats who could get the boot for backing that state’s new gun control laws. Today’s reports say Bloomberg has spent $350,000 against an estimated $100,000 put up by the NRA in the Colorado battle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWho is the real big bucks bully in the gun control debate?

Washington Appeals Court Bans Advisory Votes On Traffic Cameras

"Washington state's second highest court supports red light cameras and speed cameras to such a degree that it ruled on Monday that voters are not even entitled to a non-binding ballot question to see whether the public supports a city's policy. The ruling took a step further than a decision handed down last week allowing a city clerk to reject a valid petition, despite a state law mandating it be processed (view decision). The court ruled the very subject matter of photo ticketing is off-limits." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington Appeals Court Bans Advisory Votes On Traffic Cameras

Colorado county puts seceding to form 51st state on November ballot

"Residents in one rural Colorado county will get an opportunity to decide in November if they want to break away and form the 51st state. In an unanimous vote on Monday, commissioners in Weld County voted to include the initiative on November’s ballot. Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway (R) said that more than 85 percent of residents support the effort to break away a create a state called 'North Colorado.' Cheyenne, Sedgwick and Yuma counties have already put similar initiatives on their ballots. Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, and Washington counties have also held discussions about joining the new state." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado county puts seceding to form 51st state on November ballot

Mellow mood at first Seattle Hempfest since pot legalization

"In the mid-1990s, McPeak recalled, police at Hempfest conducted undercover buy-and-bust operations, periodically slapping handcuffs on vendors of pot brownies and removing them from the premises. But this year, instead of writing tickets for public pot smoking — which remains forbidden in the state — police were handing out about 1,000 bags of Doritos tortilla chips bearing information on the state’s pot laws. 'It feels great that instead of issuing citations for public smoking, the police are issuing Dorito bags,' McPeak said. 'That seems like a big deal.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMellow mood at first Seattle Hempfest since pot legalization

Zurich unveils ‘sex boxes’ for prostitutes

"The city of Zurich on Thursday unveiled a sex drive-in which local authorities say will enable them to keep closer tabs on prostitution, a year after voters backed the plan. Due to be opened officially in a ceremony on August 26th, the nine so-called 'sex boxes' are located in a former industrial zone in the west of the metropolis, the city said. With over 1.8 million people, the Zurich conurbation makes up almost a quarter of Switzerland's population, and the city itself has long been home to a red-light district. Work on the new site cost 2.1 million francs ($2.2 million), below the voter-approved budget, while running costs are expected to be around 700,000 francs a year." Continue reading →

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Seattle police distribute marijuana education via Doritos bags at annual Hempfest

"Seattle police plan to mingle with the 85,000 people expected to attend this year’s Hempfest to hand out bags of Doritos with information about what is and is not legal now that Washington’s Initiative 502 has been passed. The vote legalized possession and established a statewide system of regulations for the growing, processing and distribution of marijuana. The bags include a link to an FAQ on SPD’s website entitled 'Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle,' which explains the nuances of Washington’s new law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSeattle police distribute marijuana education via Doritos bags at annual Hempfest