cannabisnews.com: MMJ Dispensaries Should Get on 502 Bandwagon

function share_this(num) {
 tit=encodeURIComponent('MMJ Dispensaries Should Get on 502 Bandwagon');
 url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/27/thread27084.shtml');
 site = new Array(5);
 site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
 return false;
}












  MMJ Dispensaries Should Get on 502 Bandwagon

Posted by CN Staff on September 07, 2012 at 05:00:28 PT
Seattle Times Editorial 
Source: Seattle Times 

Washington -- Seattle's medical marijuana stores have been living in a dream. Some have been so complacent as to oppose Initiative 502, the decriminalization measure on the Nov. 6 ballot. They didn't want a state marijuana tax. They didn't want regulation by the Liquor Control Board, and they didn't want a blood-THC standard for driving under the influence. They had what they wanted, marijuana unregulated and tax-free, protected by the forbearance of liberal politicians.
Now they don't have it. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has moved to shut down 26 of Seattle's 145 dispensaries because they are within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or, in the case of a Shoreline dispensary, a public trail. The DEA spokeswoman says all the remaining marijuana stores are illegal, too. An outspoken Seattle attorney now advises his cannabis clients: "Close, and close fast."Closed doors are not what the people of Washington want. More than 58 percent of voters favored medical cannabis 14 years ago, and more people support it now. We believe they are ready for the next step, marijuana decriminalization for general adult use. I-502 is a vehicle for the people to say that. It is a way to push back against the Obama administration, which has been much less liberal on this issue than many had hoped. Everyone involved in medical cannabis should support Initiative 502. It does not offer unregulated freedom; the people of Washington are not ready for that. We believe they are ready to bring marijuana above ground to license it, tax it and regulate its sale and use. Initiative 502 asks for that. It is a step forward.Source: Seattle Times (WA)Published: September 7, 2012Copyright: 2012 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/skE0mgGuCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help    
     
     
     
     





Comment #40 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 21:00:54 PT
Goodnight.
We need to get some rest and gear up for the new week.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #39 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 20:06:21 PT
Hope
You're funny. Have a good night how ever much is left of it. I must be getting old. During the week I never make it past David Letterman's Monologue. LOL!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #38 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 19:48:37 PT
Lol!
Borrowing a line from our President... I'm not sure what that says about you, FoM.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #37 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 18:21:47 PT
Hope
You are one smart and strong woman. You have always made sense to me. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #36 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 17:52:12 PT
I thought that was probably what you meant.
But as the end of a busy day winds down, my brain is winding down, too. I'm always amazed at it in the last year or two. It's a bit more drastic in it's slow down at the end of the day .... and often slower to start at the beginning, than it used to be.Portal's so clear begin to dim.I forget what I was saying...Or thinking...As the day goes on.:0)Waxing poetic as the evening wanes toward night.Wow. I'm on a roll!Sort of.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #35 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 17:34:43 PT
Hope
I think I worded that wrong. They are for having more drug laws then Democrats I meant.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #34 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 17:32:31 PT
Hope I Found This Article
Excerpt: The Gallup poll released on Monday showed that Democrats, at 57 percent, were more likely to support legalization than Republicans, only 35 percent of whom favored such a move.URL: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread26751.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #33 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 17:28:50 PT
Hope
 Most polls over the years the Republicans always are lower then the Democrats. I guess I never remember a poll that was the opposite. I could have missed them though.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #32 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 17:19:34 PT
I tend to agree with all of that except maybe this
"They are against drug laws way more then Democrats." 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #31 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 17:05:50 PT
Hope
My worry about the Republicans is they want to make Medicare into a Voucher System. It won't change anything for people our age but it will hurt people younger then we are. They won't stay out of women's affairs. They are against drug laws way more then Democrats. They take money from the Federal Government the same as Democrats do. They don't concern themselves except when politcally necessary about Veteran's care and want to take away from the Veterans but want more money for defense. There is money to be made that way. They don't care about our crumbling bridges and highways even though they drive on them too. They don't want to pay more taxes to help our country even though they have way more then most people which isn't a problem accept they don't want to pay a fair tax. I wish everyone could make a decent living but many fall through the cracks and most it isn't because they wanted life to be that way.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #30 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 16:44:41 PT
Comment 26
We're all in this together on this big blue marble. I understand the concept of a well balanced and well maintained society. Part of it is as much individual freedom and liberty as possible. Some wisdom must be called for and exercised.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #29 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 16:36:27 PT
Liberals and Conservatives.
I think most Liberals probably have pointy heads and most Conservatives have flat heads.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #28 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 14:50:49 PT
Hope
Yup! LOL! No not really I don't want the job. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #27 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 14:49:04 PT
Comment 24.
We might.:0)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 14:48:58 PT
Takers and Givers
What I mean by those 2 terms is the rich in charge just want more wealth and those who are givers don't expect so much but don't want the poor and disabled to suffer anymore then they already are. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 14:47:29 PT
And the weak and the strong.
The rich and the poor.The strong must take care of the weak and the rich must help the poor.Or it's all wrong.And the good, the bad, and the ugly. And the fat and the skinny.:0)That article from Dankhank says Liberal and Conservative too many times for me to stomach. I love him, though, and I'm glad to see he's still kicking.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 14:45:33 PT
Hope
We should be the ones in charge. You and I would make a better world! LOL!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 14:09:12 PT
Lol!
And we agree once again.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 14:08:30 PT
Takers 
I've listened to both sides and it's so in the eye of the beholder. Some of the many people I know that consider themselves Republicans are not "Takers" at all. They deem themselves being taken from, by big government that's all into everybody's business. Yet they don't see who the biggest "Takers" are and they don't mind too much that there is a lot of foolish, predatory governing afoot. It doesn't really have anything to do with them or their lives, so that don't give a traveling tinker's dam. They naively support huge for profit industries that tend to eat people and families alive, for profit. "It's jobs", they say. "I obey all the rules of government and it can't possibly hurt me." "Do right and you won't fall into the system." The same, "I have nothing to hide" and don't mind being searched, or having their homes searched, or their very body fluids and hair follicles searched through, by as many others as necessary. It's all good to them. "La ti da."Many a small community has been sorry it bought into being a part of a prison industrial scene.There are all kinds of takers and most people have very little, if any, compassion for others. It's the way it is. And we all push back and forth for some semblance of the way we'd like things to be.That's life.
[ Post Comment ]

 


Comment #21 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 14:02:18 PT

Hope
There will always be takers and givers. There will always be hawks and doves. This is a good article DankHank posted on Facebook.***The Fascinating Differences Between The Conservative and Liberal Personality http://www.alternet.org/fascinating-differences-between-conservative-and-liberal-personality
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #20 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 13:29:04 PT

It's what it takes. 
All kinds. United. United to make life better for everyone, and all kinds, to benefit society as a whole. To benefit the human race.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #19 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 12:42:21 PT

Hope
Takers don't know any other way but to take. The more they get the more they want. It's almost like an addiction but it's an addiction to money not a substance.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #18 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 12:34:07 PT

Hope
Democrats are more concerned with the middle class, Veterans and the poor and Republicans are more for big business. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #17 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 12:24:52 PT

Politics
I don't understand the Republican's "Are you better off?" campaign. That looks like a mistake.Some people are better off, actually and some people are about the same. The rich and wealthy business people, bankers, real estate people, and insurance people got us into this mess, by trying to get more rich and wealthy... no matter what. Now the Republican party is trying to tell us to put the party of the rich and wealthy back in power? And how many not so rich and wealthy are falling for that? A lot. It's like they've been brainwashed. I don't get it. They're saying that if we allow the rich and wealthy to be able to purchase a few more luxury homes and cars and jets, that they will make sure there are more good paying jobs available to all the people? Talk about drinking the kool-aid.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #16 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 12:01:48 PT

"The difference is very big."
Elaborate, please.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #15 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 11:57:47 PT

Governor Gary Johnson
I really like him a lot. I think he would probably make us an excellent President. Having said that, I'm wondering if, maybe, next time? I hate to see our first dark skinned President be a one termer. It was a long time coming. I think it is a sign of respect and openness between humanity's races... which I think is good. The United States citizenry voting a dark skinned man into the top position of a powerful and wealthy government is a sign, I think, of a society, a citizenry, maturing, and growing, and getting better and smarter as a whole. Which is good.I really suspect the President, whoever it is, is more a figure head of some sort than the single most powerful man on earth. Or something. I could be wrong. He looked pretty powerful managing the Bin Laden event. He doesn't look so strong, to me, in his management of this issue. He should be trying to stop people that are out to harm others, if he is the most powerful man in the world, and put there by trust of the citizenry. Those people he should be stopping, or at the very least, holding them back, are the prohibitionists and the prison, drug testing, and law enforcement industries and other such megalomaniacs.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 11:44:18 PT

Hope
I know I don't lean to the right at all so I only see it from my perspective. People that are or lean toward the Democrats would find it hard to vote for Johnson because of his views on all the other important issues that we care about. The difference is very big. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #13 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 11:35:15 PT

I tend to think you could be right.
But still, I know some people that voted for President Obama last time will express their disappointment in his administrations activities towards this particular political and voting bloc, (those who wish to see serious drug policy reform, and in particular, wish to see the laws concerning cannabis changed as quickly as possible... to save lives), by voting for Gary Johnson, specifically because of this serious and important policy issue. A policy that causes greif, fear, hatred, retribution, destruction, sorrow, and even death. Regularly. Daily.Some adviser, somewhere, better open his or her eyes and get to looking at the bigger picture. The popular vote might matter a little.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 11:24:27 PT

Hope
If people want to vote for Gary Johnson it should only take away votes from Romney, like Nader did to Gore, since Republicans and Libertarians are closer in ideology then Democrats. It's when a Green like Nader runs against a Democrats that it hurts that Party since Greens and Democrats are closer in ideology.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #11 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 11:17:08 PT

And
There are many weaknesses and illnesses that cannabis seems to ease the suffering of. Not just cancer. I used cancer as an example because it strikes so many of us that it could easily touch their lives and might be more familiar to them than perhaps the suffering from MS or Aids might be.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #10 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 11:11:44 PT

Nader has come to mind a lot in the last few weeks
It could happen. For Martha's sake, I hope it doesn't. A marvelous article by Steph Sherer. Thanks, Ms. Sherer. Well said.And, yes. It's way more serious than "They" seem willing to admit. Way more serious. Lots of people might easily come to regret not realizing how important. Their arrogance and pride, their noses in the air in disdain and disgust, ("Not important", "Not on the agenda." "Below us.") and not seeing the drop off in front of them.In advising the people, like Romney and the Obama administration, the entire Congress, all the reps and govs, and all the "advisers" that entails, let me say this. The cancer in my house, or my friend's house may not mean much to you, but it means a lot to me and and it means a lot to my friend. And it will mean a lot to you, too, if any of these needs arise, in, or near, you or yours. That's where it's most real. Then your altruism might not be as worthy of as much esteem as you, apparently, think. While you supporters of keeping cannabis illegal are being all high and mighty and altruistic and self righteous and parentish on everyone, someone is suffering terribly and unnecessarily because of your self righteousness and foolishness.And yes. The popular vote probably does count a little.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by Hope on September 08, 2012 at 10:22:00 PT

Off topic
This made my head spin.I keep up with the news, all news, national and world news, as well as local, rather diligently. No one can read every news article in the world, but I read a lot. Why is this article the first I've heard of this in my sifting of important national news? Why wasn't this in Google or Yahoo news reports, big time, before now? Why wasn't this considered serious enough to make the mainstream media before now? If it did, it was somehow made rather unnoticeable. This seems horribly important to me, as far as having a clue as to what's going on in the United States and how right or wrong things are with our society. News wise this seems to me to be extremely important news. People should be talking about this. I think this is very disturbing and very news worthy.Stepdad takes swing at soldier who killed his daughter to cover up Obama assassination plot Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/stepdad-takes-swing-soldier-killed-kid-cover-obama-assassination-plot-article-1.1148820#ixzz25tqJIkwL
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 08, 2012 at 09:36:20 PT

afterburner
Articles like that make my head spin. I don't know what people expect.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by afterburner on September 08, 2012 at 09:12:31 PT

FoM #6
Steph Sherer,
Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access.
Could Pro-Pot Candidate Gary Johnson Be Obama's Ralph Nader?
Posted: 09/04/2012 9:21 am.
Follow: Barack Obama , Ralph Nader , Elections 2012 , Gary Johnson , Medical Marijuana , New Mexico , Colorado , Marijuana , Nevada , Oregon , Washington , Politics News
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steph-sherer/could-propot-candidate-gary-johnson_b_1853219.html

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 07, 2012 at 19:52:00 PT

Excerpt From Huffington Post Article
I thought this was the important part of the article.***HuffPost's Ryan Grim recently reported on GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's position on legalizing medical marijuana:Campaigning in New Hampshire during the GOP primary, Mitt Romney was asked on several occasions whether he supported medical marijuana. He became visibly frustrated.
 "I have the same position this week I had last week when you asked the question," he said, before arguing fairly loosely that medical marijuana should be banned because it might lead to broader marijuana legalization, which might in turn lead pot smokers to try hard drugs."The entryway into our drug culture for our young people is marijuana," Romney said. "Marijuana is the starter drug. And the idea of medical marijuana is designed to help get marijuana out into the public marketplace and ultimately lead to the legalization of marijuana overall. And in my view, that's the wrong way to go."Romney suggested his questioner approach Democrats instead and promised to fight legalization. "I know there are some on the Democratic side of the aisle that'd be happy to get in your campaign," he said. "But I'm opposed to it, and if you elect me president, you're not going to see legalized marijuana. I'm going to fight it tooth and nail."Complete Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/07/paul-ryan-marijuana-legalization_n_1866180.html
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by HempWorld on September 07, 2012 at 15:59:24 PT

Oregon OCTA Needs Help I've Heard...
Dear friends and supporters,
Marijuana policy reform activists in Colorado, Washington and Oregon are fighting to pass ballot initiatives this November to legalize, regulate and manage marijuana for adults.
But while Colorado and Washington have raised millions of dollars, Oregon's grassroots campaign, Measure 80 (http://octa2012.org/), is in serious need of our help. And now. While Measure 80 has already won the support of the NAACP, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and other important allies, they also face tough opposition from Oregon's District Attorneys and other law-enforcement special interests. 
As a community of hemp and cannabis activists, we have a responsibility to help on every front of "the war to end the drug war". We have that chance in Oregon now. Please, make an investment in making history. Donate to Measure 80 today: https://www.c-esystems.com/octa/donation.aspx

OCTA
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by museman on September 07, 2012 at 14:27:16 PT

listening to people instead of political agendas
"If the funders of this referendum could come up with language that pleases home growers, medical patients, and existing businesspeople, they'll get more votes. I haven't heard or seen any opposition to the initiative in Oregon. It's not that difficult. Just sit down and listen to the stakeholders."Spot on!The last 'OCTA' was so full of problems, -number one being the negation of a persons right to grow their own- that the 'MMJ community' were split down the middle and the initiative failed. I seem to remember some people pointing fingers at the medical growers and accusing them of 'sabotaging' the initiative, when in fact it was simple lack of communication with them, and a kind of animosity that seemed almost like it was government supported.For the first time in my life, I have finally gotten the opportunity to grow 'legally' and without the hardship of having to say, carry water over great distances just to get a few months of stash. I was not much into the profit motive then, and I'm even less into it now (even though not so long ago I was accused right here of having a 'profit agenda' -based on the kind of assumption that comes from unmitigated ignorance). I could not in any good conscience vote on an initiative that was worded the way OCTA 2008 was worded.This one however shows that there has been feedback and communication. The only people in Oregon that oppose it now are cops, lawyers, and other status quo 'professionals' with their own 'for profit' motives in the For Profit Justice System.When you include the people in your politics, you become a representative. Imagine that!LEGALIZE FREEDOM
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on September 07, 2012 at 14:06:41 PT

article
you know there's something wrong with it when it's endorsed by a conservative, corporate media outlet that uses "liberal" every other word like a slur.We can all wish for the MJ community to "unite" in peace and strive together, but it will never happen. Should it even happen? I don't think so. Dissent is a fundamental human right.  With diversity comes creativity, and the means to formulate the best solution.If the funders of this referendum could come up with language that pleases home growers, medical patients, and existing businesspeople, they'll get more votes. I haven't heard or seen any opposition to the initiative in Oregon. It's not that difficult. Just sit down and listen to the stakeholders.We can preach to people and tell them to vote "yes", but the best way to actually get yes votes is to write a better law.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by disvet13 on September 07, 2012 at 12:03:24 PT:

remember the alamo (california)
i believe it was the medical marijuana growers who stonewalled the last california vote on legalization. their lack of support for the initiative, for their own agenda, was a leading cause for the failure for everyone. if we learn nothing from history....steve deangelo...we all suffer.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by ekim on September 07, 2012 at 06:32:30 PT

think twice
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/big_brother_in_your_car_20120906/
[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment