Thread: More states could join legal marijuana wave this year

More states could join legal marijuana wave this year

By Megan Woods | Fox News
3 hours ago

Residents in nearly a half-dozen states could vote this fall on legalizing recreational marijuana, as the push to loosen pot laws spreads despite a tough-on-drugs message from the current Justice Department.

Michigan, Rhode Island and Connecticut are leading the conversation this election cycle on whether to legalize the use of recreational marijuana. Pro-pot advocates are organizing in those states in hopes of getting a legalization measure on the ballot.

Similar efforts are underway in Illinois and Vermont, which has already legalized recreational use but could vote this year on green-lighting commercial sales. Other states are considering legislation.

If successful, they'd join the nine other states and Washington D.C., that have already legalized recreational use.

“This is what the citizens want, as proven by the nine states that have approved it for adult-use and more than 30 others who have adopted medical programs and decriminalized procession and use,” said Marco Hegyi, CEO of marijuana cultivation company GrowLife.

In Michigan, officials are still working to validate signatures after over 360,000 were gathered in support of a legal-pot ballot measure. Roughly 250,000 are needed to qualify.

Fox Business Briefs: Federal health advisers endorse medicine made from marijuana plants for the treatment of severe seizures in children with epilepsy.

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, but under the Obama administration states were given the leeway to make their own legislative decisions on marijuana use.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions pulled back on that guidance in January, but Colorado Republican Sen. Cory Gardner has since said President Trump has offered assurances legal-pot states will be protected.

While tensions between the states and Washington rise and fall, pro-legalization groups continue to face opposition from critics who warn that loosening drug laws is not the right move.

"We're concerned that we're moving in a direction that's going to have a very negative societal impact on homes, on young people, on driving, crime -- all those types of things that have a normal impact from alcohol or drug abuse is going to be accelerated with the legalization of marijuana,” said Mike Griffin, public affairs director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

In addition to the states that may put legal pot to a vote, others are considering legislation, including New Jersey and Delaware.

“A stronger and fairer New Jersey embraces comprehensive criminal justice reform -- including a process to legalize marijuana,” tweeted New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

Gubernatorial candidates from around the country, including Democrats Jeff Apodaca of New Mexico and Andrew Gillum of Florida, also are making legalization part of their platform.

“Legalization of marijuana is a civil rights & economic issue — and Florida deserves a Governor who isn’t afraid to say so,” Gillum tweeted.

While critics still see marijuana as a gateway drug with negative health and societal impacts, others are swayed by the potential for more tax revenue.

In 2014, the first full year that recreational marijuana was legal in Colorado, $63 million was collected from medical and recreational marijuana together in tax revenue, according to The Washington Post.

“We believe that expanding access to cannabis is a boon for local economies and also provides people with a safer alternative to other substances, such as alcohol or opioids,” said Carlos Gutierrez, director of business development at Prime Harvest.

At the start of 2018, all but four states -- Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas -- have legalized at least one form of marijuana use.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018...this-year.html

Sundown in America!

You must have been very happy with Obama because if he wouldn't have been elected your pot agenda would still be up in smoke. Considering the importance you put on damaging our country with the spread of this vile weed, maybe you should personally send Obama a letter of gratitude. Just a thought because he would probably appreciate your personal thanks more than we appreciate your constant heralding of his accomplishment on the issue. Just saying.

LOL!! Oh, don't be bitter!!

It wasn't Obama, it was the states. If the states hadn't legalized, he would have never issued the Cole memo. If Sessions hadn't reversed the Cole memo, Trump and Gardner would have never made a deal to make it legal. If Trump hadn't agreed to make it legal and protect the states, Schumer would have never supported legalization.

I thank them all, but it all started with the states, so I thank them most of all. The War on Drugs has been a travesty for our country in every possible way imaginable. The whole issue isn't solved yet, but at least 70% of it has the chance to be by state option with the legalization of marijuana.

And everyone who gives a damn about individual freedom and civil rights knows that is great thing for our country and citizens.

Originally Posted by Judy

LOL!! Oh, don't be bitter!!

It wasn't Obama, it was the states. If the states hadn't legalized, he would have never issued the Cole memo. If Sessions hadn't reversed the Cole memo, Trump and Gardner would have never made a deal to make it legal. If Trump hadn't agreed to make it legal and protect the states, Schumer would have never supported legalization.

I thank them all, but it all started with the states, so I thank them most of all. The War on Drugs has been a travesty for our country in every possible way imaginable. The whole issue isn't solved yet, but at least 70% of it has the chance to be by state option with the legalization of marijuana.

And everyone who gives a damn at individual freedom and civil rights knows that is great thing for our country and citizens.

Oh, come one. It was the Obama administration that stood by and allowed it to happen. His DOJ could have stopped it easily had Obama wanted him or her to so. Of course you already know this.

Why would he want to? The states were doing the right thing for their citizens.

Originally Posted by Judy

Why would he want to? The states were doing the right thing for their citizens.

It was never about their citizens one way or the other. It was about lining their greedy pockets. Furthermore, I have no doubts that some of those drug profits will go to support illegal aliens. After all, the states legalizing it are basically sanctuary states or pretty damn close. Of course you know this too.

Better their drug profits than our taxes.

Originally Posted by Judy

Better their drug profits than our taxes.

I don't want anyone in this country subsidizing illegal aliens, that includes potheads.

Then you better figure out how to get 'em out here.