Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

Former Washington, Colorado cops explain: What’s really going to change now that marijuana is legal?

"Following wins for marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado on Tuesday night, a former Seattle police chief and a former Denver police officer sat down with Raw Story to discuss what the laws will actually do and how they think things will change. The possibility remains that the Obama administration may file suit against Colorado and Washington to prevent them from implementing regulatory schemes or granting permits for retail sales. Meanwhile, the Obama administration’s U.S. Attorneys have been adamant about busting hundreds of medical marijuana outlets." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Washington, Colorado cops explain: What’s really going to change now that marijuana is legal?

Mexico says marijuana legalization in U.S. could change anti-drug strategies

"President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto and his team are scrambling to reformulate their anti-drug strategies in light of what one senior aide called 'a game-changing' referendum in the United States. Mexico spends billions of dollars each year confronting violent trafficking organizations that threaten the very security of the country but whose main market is the United States, the largest consumer of drugs in the world. With the Washington’s urging and support, Mexican soldiers roam the mountains burning clandestine plantations filled with marijuana on its way to the United States." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMexico says marijuana legalization in U.S. could change anti-drug strategies

British Columbia Public Supports Marijuana Legalization

"In Canada's westernmost province, which has been a hotbed of marijuana cultivation and culture for several decades now, only 14% of those polled believe possession of a joint should lead to a criminal record, down six points from last year, and 74% would be comfortable living in a society where adult cannabis consumption was taxed and legally regulated under a public health framework, an increase of four percentage points from last year. Strikingly, support for full legalization was higher than support for the half-measure of decriminalization. While 75% supported legalization, only 62% wanted decriminalization." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBritish Columbia Public Supports Marijuana Legalization

Canadians call for marijuana referendum after two U.S. states legalize it

"The youth wing of Canada’s third-ranked Liberal Party said in a statement the result of the referendums in Tuesday’s US presidential election 'is an important first step and inspiration to activists in Canada who want to see Canada embrace a smart drug policy.' 'The citizens of Washington and Colorado are sending a clear message to the world today: prohibition isn’t working,' the group’s spokesman David Valentin said in a statement. Valentin and others argued that Canada was losing billions of dollars in potential revenue from taxing marijuana sales while 'wasting' money on enforcement of drug laws." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCanadians call for marijuana referendum after two U.S. states legalize it

Preparing for the upcoming federal confrontation on legalized marijuana

"What seems to be pretty much a given is that the DEA will not go after consumers. They simply don’t have the staff to do it. 99% of possession arrests are by state and local police — if they’re not doing it under the new law, then the feds can’t do much about it. So, as with medical marijuana, they’ll go after the big suppliers. That’s almost impossible to defend against — the government’s ability to seize property and the visibility of large suppliers makes it easy picking. So the smart thing would be to push for a lot of small suppliers — make it hard for the DEA to go after them and less of a loss if they do." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPreparing for the upcoming federal confrontation on legalized marijuana

Three More Cities Vote to Ban Red Light Cameras

"Voters in League City, Texas spoke loudest against the use of red light cameras. At the end of the evening, 77 percent of the electorate sent a message to the city council that they wanted the automated ticketing machines removed. The message was reinforced with photo enforcement foes pulling off a clean sweep against incumbent city council members. Heidi Thiess defeated the number-one camera supporter, Councilman Mick Phalen, and Geri Bentley ousted Councilman Phyllis Sanborn who had voted to approve the camera contract. Todd Kinsey opposes cameras and won an open council seat." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThree More Cities Vote to Ban Red Light Cameras

Marijuana industry in Israel grows with government support

"The medical marijuana industry in Israel is growing rapidly — with no organized government or religious opposition to be found. Today, there are more than 10,000 Israelis who have the government’s go-ahead to use medical marijuana, a major jump from just a few hundred in 2005. Next year, marijuana may be available in pharmacies, a step just a few other countries have made. The lack of opposition means Israel is poised to keep moving forward on research." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarijuana industry in Israel grows with government support

U.S. waives Jones Act to help get fuel to Northeast

"The Department of Homeland Security's waiver of the Jones Act allows foreign-flagged vessels to begin shipping petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, from the Gulf of Mexico to Northeastern ports effective immediately. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act, was created to support jobs in the maritime industry. It requires goods moved between U.S. ports to be carried by ships built domestically and staffed by U.S. crews." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. waives Jones Act to help get fuel to Northeast