Don’t criticize it, legalize it! :weedspin – http://world.time.com/2013/10/14/north-americas-largest-city-moves-to-legalize-pot/
Though deprived of sunlight and breathing the smog-ridden air of Mexico’s mountain capital, the marijuana plants, from a strain known as purple kush, reach 0.9 m in a brick home at a middle-class suburb. They are alimented with electric lights and kept behind closed curtains by the owner, who says he grows them to smoke himself. If police found them, he could be nailed for drug production and face a hefty prison sentence under laws designed to tackle the country’s ultraviolent cartels.
But that situation could change with a series of bills that Mexico City legislators plan to file at the end of this month to legalize and regulate marijuana consumption. Proposals include the setting up of cannabis clubs to grow herb for their members and tolerance of anyone carrying up to 30 g, or just over an ounce, of marijuana. Leftist lawmakers say the measures would free up police to focus on serious crime and take a step toward ending the country’s catastrophic drug war, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives in the past six years. “The war against drugs is a failure. We are not going to win it,†says assemblyman Vidal Llerenas, who is working on the legislation. “We cannot hope for a drug-free world. But we can hope to limit the damage and take the profits away from organized crime.â€
The Mexico City bills are part of a wave of marijuana proposals across the Americas in the wake of the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington voting to legalize cannabis last November. The Uruguayan lower house has passed a legalization law, which the Senate is expected to vote on this month, and advocates are looking at measures from Brazil to Argentina to Canada. While the U.S. was long a world leader in drug prohibition, U.S. legalization has now become an influential force outside its borders. Alison Holcomb, the chief architect of the Washington State law, has spoken across the continent this year, including at a recent forum in Mexico. “I have seen a sea change in thinking. People are no longer asking if it can be done, but how it can be done,†says Holcomb, who is the drug-policy director for the ACLU in Washington State. If the Mexican capital, which is the largest city on the continent, were to legalize marijuana, it would add even more momentum to the prolegalization wave, possibly paving the way for similar measures in other Mexican states and in neighboring Central American nations like Guatemala.
(MORE: Uruguay’s Marijuana Laws Open New Chapter in Global Pot Debate)
Like in Washington State, Mexico City aims to take advantage of a federal system to forge a drug policy independent of the rest of the country. The Mexican capital’s assembly, dominated by the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, has the same power as state legislature. In recent years, it has carried out a wave of socially liberal reforms, including the legalization of abortion and same-sex marriage. To supporters, this makes the capital a progressive beacon of hope in a conservative, Catholic country; to critics, it is a den of sin. Mayor Miguel Ãngel Mancera, who took power last year, has spoken positively about marijuana reform, and some speculate he could use the issue to make his mark during his six-year term.
A 2009 Mexico federal law decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs, including up to 5 g, or about a sixth of an ounce, of marijuana. However, police are still arresting many people with a little over this amount, filling police stations and prisons with relatively harmless criminals, Llerenas said. The assemblyman is looking at legislation for anything up to 30 g of cannabis to be taken out of the hands of prosecutors and handled by “dissuasion committees,†which would advise people to go to treatment if caught repeatedly.
Meanwhile, the idea of cannabis clubs aims to circumvent federal laws against selling marijuana as members would be simply paying to grow for their own use. Lawmakers are considering the idea of associations with up to 100 members, who would pay a subscription and receive about 50 g of marijuana per month. The Mexican drug-policy-reform group Cupihd, which has done extensive research into the issue, believes such clubs could take up 70% of the Mexico City marijuana market, which it estimates is now worth about $30 million a year. “With clubs, marijuana can be regulated without profits, and give the users control,†says Cupihd director Jorge Hernández. “They can open a space to show that regulation is better than denial and failed prohibition.†Mexico City could be used as a laboratory for policymakers across the country — and, indeed, the continent — to observe and learn from, Hernández says.
(MORE: U.S.-Friendly Latin American Organization Calls for Marijuana Reform)
However, such clubs could still be open to challenges from Mexico’s federal government over violation of drug-production laws. President Enrique Peña Nieto has said he is personally opposed to marijuana legalization but in favor of a new debate on the issue. The U.S. federal government’s call to not intervene in Colorado and Washington State could have an influence on decisions south of the border. “We look foolish trying to be champions of prohibition, when the United States is legalizing,†the lawmaker Llerenas says.
While former President Felipe Calderón waged a military-led offensive against drug cartels, Peña Nieto has focused on crime prevention and reducing homicides. Mexican cartels make billions of dollars trafficking cocaine, heroin and crystal meth as well as marijuana to the U.S., so legal cannabis in Mexico City would have only a minor impact on their business. However, advocates see the move as an important step in gradually shifting drug policies in Mexico and the U.S.
It is yet to be seen how much resistance the Mexico City marijuana proposals will meet. Opponents include conservative parent groups and the Catholic Church. “It is irresponsible to say that marijuana is not harmful,†says Father Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Mexico City. “We need to hear the voices of the families of addicts in this debate.†However, the same groups are also robustly opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage, but failed to stop them being legalized in the capital.
On the other side, Mexican politicians and personalities from across the spectrum have recently spoken in favor of marijuana legalization. A newspaper advertisement supporting reform was signed by 67 prominent figures, including actors Gael GarcÃa Bernal and Diego Luna, two former Health Secretaries, Nobel laureate Mario Molina and Calderón’s former Interior Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont. Former President Vicente Fox has become a particularly robust advocate, saying he would even like to work with a U.S. Internet impresario in a marijuana company. “This is not an issue of left against right,†Hernández of Cupihd says. “Many in the political class are coming to realize that something has to be done.â€
Yet another potential nail in the WoD coffin. I’ll burn one to that! :stoned
Nice post brutha. Keep the movement going and soon we will take over this bitch. :weedpass:
Seeing any reduction in the money the drug gangs make in Mexico would be nice.
I always wonder just how much money obama paid mexihole for salting the country
with thousands of illegal guns? That was his think tanks best idear for getting guns banned
What a bunch of fuking dumbasses his administration are. I wonder how many years it will
take to discover all the bs destruction obammy has perpetrated upon this country.
Any of you guys discvover yet that obamacare was just obamas way of thanking the insurance
companies, same way he fuked us all to thank the bankers & wall street. IDK about you, but my
shitty health insurance policy just Doubled in price.
I know they are having open enrollment right now for uninsured peeps. But I was under the impression that Obama Care would not go into effect till January 1St..
How did it double your policy already?..scary stuff
I will say this the government shut down has my Pension Check late and my bene card Frozen until they get shit figured out…Without My Bene Card I cant afford my meds..Fuk , My Seizure meds are like 200 bux a week..something crazy like that..nuts.
The politicians need to Go Lemming Themselves off a cliff and Get the Government Working Badly again..
Schaefer Beer , The one to Have , when your having more than one..
:offtopic: sorry to rant
Damn tibs sorry to hear about your bene card, but I can’t agree with you more on the jumping off the cliff. Just get rid of all the fuckers, it has been clear for awhile now they don’t have our interests in mind. You stupid bunch of pussies cant come to a damn agreement so lets shut down. No wonder the rest of the world cant stand our government. We want to dabble in other countries affairs but cant take care of our own shit on our shore line. :wacked:
How did it double your policy already?..scary stuff
Mine has been going way up since Ocare was announced, too. $200 per month in 13, and I get to see what 14 holds at the end of this month. Scary indeed!
I will say this the government shut down has my Pension Check late and my bene card Frozen until they get shit figured out…Without My Bene Card I cant afford my meds..Fuk , My Seizure meds are like 200 bux a week..something crazy like that..nuts.
The politicians need to Go Lemming Themselves off a cliff and Get the Government Working Badly again..
Looks like they may strike a deal today, so hope that helps you out, Tibs. All pretty much just kicking the can down the road, though. Would it be so hard to just pass a damn budget? No need for CRs with a budget in place – fools!
And I haven’t heard anyone mention Shaefer beer in about 20 years. Do they still make that swill? I swear I drank a twelve of that when I was in college, and I didn’t even catch a buzz.
sorry to rant
Damn tibs sorry to hear about your bene card, but I can’t agree with you more on the jumping off the cliff. Just get rid of all the fuckers, it has been clear for awhile now they don’t have are interests in mind. You stupid bunch of pussies cant come to a damn agreement so lets shut down. No wonder the rest of the world cant stand our government. We want to dabble in other countries affairs but cant take care of our own shit on our shore line. :wacked:
:goodpost Rant on, brother Swish. I could not agree more!
I know they are having open enrollment right now for uninsured peeps. But I was under the impression that Obama Care would not go into effect till January 1St..
How did it double your policy already?..scary stuff
I will say this the government shut down has my Pension Check late and my bene card Frozen until they get shit figured out…Without My Bene Card I cant afford my meds..Fuk , My Seizure meds are like 200 bux a week..something crazy like that..nuts.
The politicians need to Go Lemming Themselves off a cliff and Get the Government Working Badly again..
Schaefer Beer , The one to Have , when your having more than one..
I had my health insurance locked in a 4-year deal, they could not change my rate for 4 years,
but that just lapsed at the end of this month. The reason everyone’s insurance is going to double
just like mine did is obama is helping out the health insurance folks the same way he helped out the
banking industry & wall street. The republicans are in obamas pocket, this whole gov’t shutdown thang
is just protective coloration to make it look like they really do care. Why should they care? They won’t be
forced to comply & neither will their aides. Congress has voted themselves into a higher class than the rest
of us, they are above reproach & we, the true Americans are second-class citizens & we have been for some
time now.
Why should they care? They won’t be
forced to comply & neither will their aides. Congress has voted themselves into a higher class than the rest
of us, they are above reproach & we, the true Americans are second-class citizens & we have been for some
time now.
:goodpost Truth – time to break out the good ole tar and feathers!
I know they are having open enrollment right now for uninsured peeps. But I was under the impression that Obama Care would not go into effect till January 1St..
How did it double your policy already?..scary stuff
I will say this the government shut down has my Pension Check late and my bene card Frozen until they get shit figured out…Without My Bene Card I cant afford my meds..Fuk , My Seizure meds are like 200 bux a week..something crazy like that..nuts.
The politicians need to Go Lemming Themselves off a cliff and Get the Government Working Badly again..
Schaefer Beer , The one to Have , when your having more than one..
I had my health insurance locked in a 4-year deal, they could not change my rate for 4 years,
but that just lapsed at the end of this month. The reason everyone’s insurance is going to double
just like mine did is obama is helping out the health insurance folks the same way he helped out the
banking industry & wall street. The republicans are in obamas pocket, this whole gov’t shutdown thang
is just protective coloration to make it look like they really do care. Why should they care? They won’t be
forced to comply & neither will their aides. Congress has voted themselves into a higher class than the
of us, they are above reproach & we, the true Americans are second-class citizens & we have been for some
time now.
And miraculously at the eleventh hour the debt default will be averted. Everyone in Washington will be back slapping and kissing each other’s asses. They will expect us to do the same…..sick of those mofo’s and wish someone would lock’em in their chambers and set fire to the place.
Sail and grow
Deep inside
The brave align
Green we stay
-Boss Keloid Lung Valley
I still think if we could get our right to demand satisfaction back the congress could be repaired-overnight
This is how it works, the right to demand satisfaction disappeared due to the proliferation of ambulance
chasing attorneys, I would guess 1890’s- 1910. Back then if you had a problem with someone you could
slap the dude & Demand Satisfaction. If satisfaction was not forthcoming a duel would be agreed to be fought.
Of course many times the other guy would simply slip out of town early in the morning & never be seen or heard from again
I count even that as a form of satisfaction
If however the guy showed up, the duel would commence and whoever was left standing Would Be Satisfied.
I’m sure You all can see how this would return Congress’ accountability back into the Citizen’s hands!
I still think if we could get our right to demand satisfaction back the congress could be repaired-overnight
Now you’re talking, Jones. Bring some Jacksonian vibe back to Washington – I can dig it! Power to the people, and screw the federal bankers. :horns up
Too bad most of today’s Americans would probably call him a wacko even though he would set them free…