cannabisnews.com: Hailey Officials Not Swayed By Pro-Pot Vote





Hailey Officials Not Swayed By Pro-Pot Vote
Posted by CN Staff on June 01, 2008 at 12:30:51 PT
By Terry Smith, Express Staff Writer
Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Idaho -- Hailey city officials will continue with their anti-marijuana lawsuit despite an election earlier this week in which the city's electorate approved three pro-pot initiatives for the second time."I have no intention of withdrawing it," City Councilman Don Keirn said Wednesday. "The whole purpose of the lawsuit is to get this in front of the court. We need a declaratory judgment, maybe now more than ever.
"In theory, the judge will say this whole thing is illegal and that's the end of it. I'd like to get it behind us."Keirn, Mayor Rick Davis and Police Chief Jeff Gunter filed a lawsuit earlier this month in Blaine County 5th District Court seeking a ruling on three marijuana reform initiatives that were approved by the electorate last November."I have no intention of withdrawing it either," Gunter said Thursday. "Just because it passed twice doesn't mean it's not in conflict with state law and we need to have it resolved."Davis was on vacation and could not be reached for comment.The three initiatives, one to legalize medical use of marijuana, another to legalize industrial hemp and a third to make enforcement of marijuana laws the city's lowest police priority, were first approved in November. They were approved by voters once again on Tuesday.Marijuana advocate Ryan Davidson, the man who initiated petition drives to get the initiatives on the ballots, said Wednesday that Hailey city officials should follow the will of the electorate."If they don't do that, I think they should be recalled," said Davidson, a former Bellevue resident who now lives in Garden City and is chairman of The Liberty Lobby of Idaho.In Tuesday's election, the medical marijuana initiative passed with a 58 percent positive vote, up from the 53 percent it received last November.Also passed was the industrial hemp measure, which received 56.5 percent voter approval, up from the 53 percent it received in the first election.The police priority initiative was approved at 53 percent, up from the 51 percent it received in the first vote.Defeated for a second time was an initiative to require the city to tax and regulate distribution and use of marijuana. Forty-seven percent of the electorate voted for the initiative on Tuesday, the same percentage that voted for it in November."I think this is just a great expression on how people feel on the issues and they're not going to change," Davidson said. "I was right to do it the first time and I was right to do it again. When the people speak on an issue two times like that, it speaks volumes. I don't think there was any question that they knew what they were voting for this time."Now it's tough to ignore the mandate from the voters."But Councilman Keirn doesn't see the vote as a mandate at all, pointing out that less than 20 percent of Hailey's electorate voted in Tuesday's election."We don't have a huge mandate there," he said. "You figure all the numbers and it's not that large."Note: Marijuana lawsuit to continue in 5th District Court.Source: Idaho Mountain Express (ID)Author: Terry Smith, Express Staff WriterPublished: May 30, 2008Copyright: 2008 Express Publishing, Inc.Contact: letters mtexpress.comWebsite: http://www.mtexpress.com/Related Articles:Pot Prevails Again in Haileyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23959.shtmlHailey To Vote on Pot Initiatives Againhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23951.shtml
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on June 03, 2008 at 08:26:48 PT
BGreen
I need to believe that he is good for our country. I will give him a chance. This is the hardest possible job. It's all new now. I couldn't ask for more at this point as far as politics go then Obama becoming our next President. To like a President is half the battle. Kennedy and Reagan were likeable. It doesn't seem important but it is.
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Comment #29 posted by BGreen on June 03, 2008 at 08:16:33 PT
I agree, FoM
I don't expect our president to be the smartest and wisest person in the world.I would, however, like it if, no matter where our president was, they would be one of the smartest and wisest people in the room.Bill Clinton was smart and wise, but his lust for absolute power irreparably corrupted his judgment.Once again, I pray Obama doesn't let us down.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on June 03, 2008 at 05:41:56 PT
BGreen
I wanted to tell you something. When Bobby Kennedy was assassinated I was very young and crushed. When Clinton came along he turned me totally off. Obama is wise and we need wise in the White House and that is including worldly wise.
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on June 03, 2008 at 05:34:31 PT
OverwhelmSam
I agree. The one thing that I wanted to add to your comment is experience. Obama is young enough to be able to relate to the failed drug war from seeing it and living it.
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Comment #26 posted by OverwhelmSam on June 03, 2008 at 05:06:55 PT
Paul's New Republic
Obama will be President; McCain doesn't even stand a chance. Fortunately, Obama actually supports many of Ron Paul's general policy: Limit the Federal Government to the struct interpretation of the United States Constitution. All other matters of government are retained by the states and ultimately, the People.
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Comment #25 posted by BGreen on June 02, 2008 at 21:26:00 PT
Obama
Barack is one year older than me. He graduated in 1979 and I graduated in 1980. I hung out with a lot of people from the class of '79, and, judging from Barack's history, we would have been in the same crowd in high school.I still hang out with some friends I've had since high school, and we are pretty much the same as we were, just with better jobs and more maturity. LOLThat's why I'm allowing myself to have a little hope for the future regarding Barack Obama. I've never had anybody occupy the white house who was so much like me.I pray he doesn't let us all down.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 20:37:00 PT
Hope
I think we will learn alot about our character as a country as we head towards the general election. We'll learn what is important to us and what is just stuff. Stuff clutters my brain. We have a chance to turn our country around now. We've moved on and in a way passed the torch to a younger person. I hope it breaks the great divide.
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on June 02, 2008 at 20:24:19 PT
Cool, FoM!
Here's hoping this is the start of something good for a better country and a better future, for everyone.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 16:18:47 PT
OverwhelmSam
It is over and what a relief. Tomorrow's rally in Minnesota will be incredible I bet. What a race this has been. He actually beat the Clintons. Obama Plants Flag At 'X', Where RNC Will Be HeldST. PAUL (WCCO) ¯ Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama plans to speak at the Xcel Energy Center Tuesday night, after the final two primaries close in South Dakota and Montana.The location of the speech is interesting because it's also where the Republican National Convention will be held in September.URL: http://wcco.com/local/obama.xcel.center.2.738758.html
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Comment #21 posted by OverwhelmSam on June 02, 2008 at 16:09:13 PT
It's All Over, But the Crying
Obmam Wins! Sure, the are a few post mortem protocols to observe, but that's it for Hillarious.
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Comment #20 posted by charmed quark on June 02, 2008 at 15:48:43 PT
sadly, the courts will overturn these
Generally, a local law can't overturn a higher law. So the hemp and medical marijuana referendum will get overturned. Of course, the mayor could have decided to do like California with the Feds - the local police could leave the med users and hemp growers alone but there would be no protection from the state.But making marijuana offensives the lowest priority COULD stand - it depends on details of the state law about "evenness" of enforcement. Not that statutes are ever enforced in an evenhanded manner, but there may be some regulation requiring an attempt at evenhandedness. A lot of states passed such laws to prevent the local police from ignoring things like antidiscrimination laws.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 13:28:55 PT
Just a Note
I am almost 100 percent sure about this x offender not being a drug offender but I can't be absolutely sure. I don't know if town hall meetings are archived anywhere either to check it out. 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 13:09:56 PT
ekim
I didn't hear it but that is really good news. Finally I can see a little light. Webb will be someone who will be closely involved with an Obama presidency I think.
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Comment #17 posted by ekim on June 02, 2008 at 13:02:55 PT
did anyone hear the interview with Jim Webb
last week when the Senator told Diane Rehm that he feels that drug use should be a med issue not a criminal one.
The Senator said that half of adults have reported Cannabis use in there life. Diane asked Mr. Webb if he was in the half that had tried Cannabis he said yes i did.
He also talked about how the drug war was harming the inner city people.http://www.wamu.org/search/WAMU 88.5 FM American University Radio - The Diane Rehm Show for ...May 27,
2008 ... The Diane Rehm Show offers listeners thoughtful and lively
conversations on ... Jim Webb, Democratic Senator from Virginia; former
Assistant ...
wamu.org/programs/dr/08/05/27.phpWAMU 88.5 FM American University Radio - The Diane Rehm Show for ...May 26,
2008 ... The Diane Rehm Show offers listeners thoughtful and lively
conversations on an array ... 10 - Senator Jim Webb: "A Time to Fight"
(Broadway) ...
wamu.org/programs/dr/08/05/26.php
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 12:56:19 PT
observer 
I was doing some work and listening but not really watching the town hall meeting and this person asked Obama about jobs for x offenders since he was one. This person now helps other x offenders get a job and has been inspired by Obama. The interesting thing was this person wasn't an x drug offender but Obama started out and said this. He said we have way too many of our young people serving time for non violent drug offenses and this must change. He didn't have to mention drug offenders to answer the persons question but he did!
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Comment #15 posted by observer on June 02, 2008 at 12:45:53 PT
non violent drug offenders and prison
Senator Obama ... is talking about non violent drug offenders and prison.Political calculators know that jailing people for taking cannabis is wrong, and that the majority of people are against it, so they like to drop sly hints they might change things. Let's hope this is not another "I inhaled" tactic to lull tokers into thinking things will really change here. Once in office, the arrests and broken promises continue. Sure would be very nice to see a change in this department. A little less duplicity from politicians would be most refreshing. 
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Comment #14 posted by museman on June 02, 2008 at 10:44:07 PT
amerikan style democracy inaction
Further revelation of how we have a government of the Special-people, by the special-people, for the special-people.A vote is like those coupons on cereal boxes; a 'cash value' of about 100th of a cent, therefore relatively without value or worth.I agree that the vote could be a powerful thing as evidenced from the initiatives of the people to try and straighten out the corrupt world of contrived, false value, but as long as the power to accept or deny the vote rests in the hands of the power elite (-evidence-every-where-you-look-) then the vote is a mere token of their game, the outcome of which has already been decided. There are many ways to control and manipulate the people; laws, police, prisons, and enforcement of the economic illusion. TV and movies warp, and wrap people. People have looked to their TV sets pretending they are the supreme qualifier of the truth, for a couple of generations now. If it's not accepted by mainstream media, for example (internet is now becoming mainstream) it has no apparent value, and as an 'unpopular' song writer for almost 40 years, I can testify that the majority of people go for the acceptable and 'mainstream popular' just like they have since the '70's when the music icons of the 60's were nearly all bought and sold - the ones who weren't disappeared into media obscurity -.All my life I have suffered poverty, because;#1. Having 'served' as cannon fodder once, I refuse to be any man's slave or servant, no matter what the 'pay.'#2. As a poet/songwriter I refused to compromise my integrity for a fistful of dollars.#3. The rich ain't givin it up.The only difference between me and the millions of others who suffer poverty, is that I could have sold out, and didn't. I had the opportunity, skill, and talent, (it doesn't take much) to create mainstream popular music about teenage sexploits, and urequited sex (I don't consider it 'love') but I conscientiously chose otherwise. I tried to 'work' at the various mindless 'jobs' available to my creed and class level, and in the process gained many skills from auto-mechanics to computer repair, including some programming skills during my last attempt at giving credibility to a college education. I've done landscaping, welding, many many fruit/veggie harvest and picking. I've farmed, been a stone-mason, and a healer/midwife. - and many other 'jobs' and labors.Through it all I kept my integrity, and my honor. I kept at the music, for reasons other than material 'success' and after a lifetime of doing these things, I have nothing but memories -which is OK because I can take them with me, while all the material crap stays here. To this day, however, I am still being judged, oppressed, invalidated, discredited, and mocked by 'mainstream consciousness.'When you spend an entire lifetime 'outside looking in' there are things a person can see that aren't necessarily being witnessed by the 'inside.' The transparency of the economic/political/social world has been apparent to me since I was a child.I only offer the personal history as an example of a facet of reality that usually gets trampled on in the rush to catch the proverbial carrot-on-the-stick, and hope to create an understanding that we always have a choice. Making choices that are based on right, natural, intent, with integrity and honor, as opposed to fearful compromises with the wrongheaded powers-that-be is the real and only 'vote' that will ever count.**********************Has anyone ever noted, how throughout history, those who created; art, music, great architecture, great fiction, were all mostly (if not all) born below the ranks of the rich? The rich fund the artists with pittance, keeping them in poverty to squeeze their torment into inspiration, then when they have died, suddenly their art is incredibly valuable? (to the rich.)I don't think the rich have any room for creativity in their obsessive desire for control. I believe that they collect art as a kind of mockery of things they can never have, and as tokens of their power and control, not because they have any appreciation of the art. Same thing with other great arts, including music. What happened with us is that some of the artists, like Lennon for example, saw the truth after the contracts, and he was killed for it. Funny how inspired musicians usually lose their muse after they 'make it.'The rulers of this world, and all their boot-licking servants, have no redeemable qualites. It is a shame, and they would be deserving of pity, if it weren't for the fact that they go around killing and destroying things in the name of their comfort and power.The time is coming, soon I believe, when real values, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, including love, honesty, respect, and personal integrity have more value in the collective consciousness than, money, property, clothing and 'pretty faces.'People will begin to realize that it's been up to them all along, and that all anyone ever had to do to effectively 'win' their game, is to just NOT PLAY IT!It's simple but profound revelation, easily grasped by those not eagerly slavering like dogs for the leavings of their masters tables, but to be a slavering dog is mainstream acceptable.That 'mainstream' is the most polluted 'way' in existence. Time to paddle to the shore.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 10:32:42 PT
Just a Note
I am watching Senator Obama in Michigan and he is talking about non violent drug offenders and prison.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on June 02, 2008 at 09:48:36 PT
WA: State Seeks Medical Pot Limits
Meeting today at Department of Health open for observation.By Brad Shannon, The Olympian June 2, 2008 A Department of Health meeting with interest groups about a legal limit on medical-marijuana supplies has been opened for the public to observe from an separate room today. The agency expects to miss its July 1 deadline for setting a limit for a 60-day supply for medical-marijuana users. But a draft rule is expected to be submitted by then for public hearings and rule-making later this summer, DOH spokesman Donn Moyer said.Activists want to see a larger supply of pot allowed for patients under the 1998 voter-approved medical-marijuana law. But some expressed fears that state health regulators would meet behind closed doors with police and prosecutors to discuss a lower-than-appropriate limit.Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.theolympian.com/stategovernment/story/465997.html
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Comment #11 posted by sm0k3y on June 02, 2008 at 09:00:38 PT
Here's a link to that Vid
http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/video-seth-rogen-and-james-franco-smoke-up-at-mtv-awards/ I can't believe you can win votes and nothing happens because of it. I've never heard suck Bs in my life.
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Comment #10 posted by ripit on June 02, 2008 at 06:59:37 PT:
o.t.
so anybody catch the mtv skit? i don't have cable and havn't seen mtv in years but i keep hearing about a skit with weed with seth rogan
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Comment #9 posted by gloovins on June 01, 2008 at 22:55:30 PT
my take
Hey Hailey Wake UP! Why dont you serve the will of the voters (twice now) and be a unique city in Idaho where one takes the cannabis plant and it works for you...industrial hemp and all the other 25k different uses of this plant. Instead of lawsuits against the will of the voters go for the next level and try and be different. The will of the People are with you. Start farming steps to help large scale industrial hemp fields. Sell it for food, textiles, fuel and pulp. You're golden. Oh wait, thats Colorado. Okay, you're progressive! Do it - Haily officials going ahead with this anti-measure lawsuit are just ignorant, stubborn prohibs hell-bent on unsurping the will of the People of Hailey. They need to think about it and what the voters are really trying to tell them. 
They want alternatives. They want change and most of all, I think, they want their voice (and vote) TO BE HEARD !!!!Mucho amore all - = )
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on June 01, 2008 at 21:36:50 PT
Did you ever watch children playing a game
and when one particularly spoiled child loses... he says, "That doesn't count! Let's do it again!" and he'll continue with his "That doesn't count"s... until he wins... then, of course, it 
"counts"?That's what these so called "officials" are acting like. Childish bullies. Spoiled brats.Another special election needs to be called in Hailey to elect a more representative city council. Get the spoiled brats and bullies out! 
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on June 01, 2008 at 21:30:49 PT
"We don't have a huge mandate there"
Mandate or not, it's the vote count, the vote that actually got voted, that's supposed to matter, even if it's just one.Haily "Officials" are low and crass traitors to the supposedly sacred American democracy and the representative republic. We had to accept losing when we didn't win the votes. Now... we win and we still have to accept losing?No!
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on June 01, 2008 at 20:27:25 PT
The number of total voters doesn't matter
But Councilman Keirn doesn't see the vote as a mandate at all, pointing out that less than 20 percent of Hailey's electorate voted in Tuesday's election."We don't have a huge mandate there," he said. "You figure all the numbers and it's not that large."Sometimes the "will of the voters" belongs to the few who actually get off of their posteriors and show up to vote.Apathy about the issues is the main reason people don't show up to vote. If people had their panties in a bunch as much as City Councilman Don Keirn, Mayor Rick Davis and Police Chief Jeff Gunter, the people would have shown up to vote in the way City Councilman Don Keirn, Mayor Rick Davis and Police Chief Jeff Gunter demand they vote.RIP = The will of the voters.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #5 posted by Storm Crow on June 01, 2008 at 18:25:03 PT
Slow learners.....
Ain't they! They'll get their reality check come election time. 
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Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on June 01, 2008 at 15:59:12 PT
hailey
I don't know much about this area but the newspaper has a big picture of Sun Valley ski resort, it must be nearby. Typically in these types of towns it's old-time ranchers vs. newcomer ski bums.The ski bums and outdoorspeople are transient and I'd guess the town government represents the ranchers 100%, they always use the MJ laws to harrass & go after the skier types.In most mountain towns the cops know they can pull over just about any local skier's car & find weed in it if necessary. Utah is notorious for pulling over & searching people with outdoor sports gear like skis, kayaks, mountain bikes, etc.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 01, 2008 at 15:51:33 PT
ripit
That is good news about your sister and brother in law voting. I realize more then ever how much voting counts.
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Comment #2 posted by ripit on June 01, 2008 at 15:28:39 PT:
so do elections ..
mean nothing?i'd expect this from the chief but you would think the mayor would get the message! i'm proud to report that my sister and brother-in-law both voted for all 4!
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on June 01, 2008 at 13:31:55 PT:
Keirn, puff, puff, pass!
Obviously the citizens of Hailey need a new councilman now more than ever! I am amazed at how these knot heads think they know more than the people that elected them. I have to wonder, is this guy just stupid or is someone with money and influence getting to him?I'd say, people of Hailey next election your work is cut out for you!
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