Colorado and Washington legalize cannabis: what does it actually mean?

So, as many of you know, the states of Colorado and Washington have (finally) legalized the sale of cannabis to those 21 or older. Congrats to all those who worked so hard to make this possible. This is historic step (no, leap) in the right direction; towards ending this ridiculous witch-hunt and the unjustifiable prosecution of thousands. Hopefully more states will follow the example, as will other countries.

But what does this 'legalization' actually mean? Cannabis is still illegal on a federal level (a dangerous drug with NO medical benefits, they say). Can a citizen living in Colorado grow a bunch of three meter tall ganja plants in their back yard without fear of prosecution? Can 'street dealers' hawk their merchandise on street corners without risking arrest? Can a person buy and sell pounds of weed and not have to worry about the feds breaking down the front door in the middle of the night? What exactly are the rules for legal cannabis use? Will it be any different now than it was last year (especially since Obama won a second term)?

Would love to hear some opinions





The article I read:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/massachusetts-votes-favor-medical-marijuana-bill-041305835--election.html

According to CO law as I have read it.... You can't sell weed on the street, it is to be bought in specialty stores only (I assume dispensaries). You need to be 21 to buy it and can't hold over a zip, you also can't smoke in public. You can grow up 6 plants in a secured area but I'm not sure what they define as secure.

Hopefully Obama will realize that this is what the people want and not be a dick about it on a federal level. I'm sure Romney would have squashed this ASAP so we're lucky he didn't win. Let's just hope this goes well for CO and WA so it spreads to the rest of the states and eventually the world over.

Does that mean even someone from out of state can purchase within CO?

Hi im from Canada, and I was also wondering about this..... I think this is good but also can cause more problems if the federal government is just going to keep getting involved. Its ruining us just make it federally legal for fuck sakes LET US GROW

Winter Woman said:

Does that mean even someone from out of state can purchase within CO?

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I was wondering that myself.

finally a step in the right direction!

Well I read through it and nothing is in there about restricting the sale of cannabis to Colorado residents. It states that you have to show a government i.d., just like alcohol, to buy it. Also, it says nothing about protecting people from being fired for failing a drug test. Partake at your own risk I guess.

Winter Woman said:

Does that mean even someone from out of state can purchase within CO?

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Nope, as long as you have ID showing your over 21 your good.

Carne Seca said:

Well I read through it and nothing is in there about restricting the sale of cannabis to Colorado residents. It states that you have to show a government i.d., just like alcohol, to buy it. Also, it says nothing about protecting people from being fired for failing a drug test. Partake at your own risk I guess.

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id assume that means testing positive for marijuana wouldnt disqualify you for a job in a state in which its legal. thats like testing positive for alcohol in a country in which its legal and you're old enough to be under the influence of it.

it would be quite ignorant (and probably illegal) to not hire someone because they use a substance thats legal within that state.

Does this mean that a non resident could also go to CO and buy seeds or clones?? anyone know?

lol i am proud to have seen this in my lifetime!

themanwiththeplan said:

id assume that means testing positive for marijuana wouldnt disqualify you for a job in a state in which its legal. thats like testing positive for alcohol in a country in which its legal and you're old enough to be under the influence of it.

it would be quite ignorant (and probably illegal) to not hire someone because they use a substance thats legal within that state.

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Unfortunately most companies follow federal drug policies. If you test positive you won't get the job or if you're already working you will get fired. Nothing has changed there. As far as State employees? I couldn't tell you. I would think they follow federal guidelines.

Vapekush said:

According to CO law as I have read it.... You can't sell weed on the street, it is to be bought in specialty stores only (I assume dispensaries). You need to be 21 to buy it and can't hold over a zip, you also can't smoke in public. You can grow up 6 plants in a secured area but I'm not sure what they define as secure.

Hopefully Obama will realize that this is what the people want and not be a dick about it on a federal level. I'm sure Romney would have squashed this ASAP so we're lucky he didn't win. Let's just hope this goes well for CO and WA so it spreads to the rest of the states and eventually the world over.

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I will operate under the pre-legalization assumption: if the police, their dogs, rats (snitches) and utilities monitors can't find it ... it's secure. cn

Carne Seca said:

Unfortunately most companies follow federal drug policies. If you test positive you won't get the job or if you're already working you will get fired. Nothing has changed there. As far as State employees? I couldn't tell you. I would think they follow federal guidelines.

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You are exactly right. That was one of the biggest worries of companies. They can be as strict as they want on their drug tests still.

themanwiththeplan said:

id assume that means testing positive for marijuana wouldnt disqualify you for a job in a state in which its legal. thats like testing positive for alcohol in a country in which its legal and you're old enough to be under the influence of it.

it would be quite ignorant (and probably illegal) to not hire someone because they use a substance thats legal within that state.

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Making that same assumption in another state, another time ... has cost me a great deal. The employer shrugged and pointed to Federal law. There is no coverage there. cn

Hi guys.
I'm from the UK.
I hope this gets sorted as I know our brown-nosed politicians will quickly follow.
They always do. Let' face it, we didn't have a powerful lumber or plastics trade in the thirties when it got criminalised here.
Then we send our troops in for stuff that has sweet FA to do with us now (our oil/petrol isn't cheap anyway) and we are now supposed to be part of europe, not the USA.
But you can grow your own in (Euro) Spain.
WTF?
It's us growers in the UK that are getting well and truly shafted.

27 states legalized the consumption of alcohol before the feds ended prohibition.

This track we're on has only one stopping point.

Can I point out that now that Obama doesn't have to win a re-election, this would be the time to end the War on Some Drugs? Despite his old school rhetoric, this has got to be the next right wing social domino to fall, after limiting gay rights.

themanwiththeplan said:

id assume that means testing positive for marijuana wouldnt disqualify you for a job in a state in which its legal. thats like testing positive for alcohol in a country in which its legal and you're old enough to be under the influence of it.

it would be quite ignorant (and probably illegal) to not hire someone because they use a substance thats legal within that state.

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It's not legal in this country. It's a schedule 1 narcotic regardless of what any state says.

cues said:

Hi guys.
I'm from the UK.
I hope this gets sorted as I know our brown-nosed politicians will quickly follow.
They always do. Let' face it, we didn't have a powerful lumber or plastics trade in the thirties when it got criminalised here.
Then we send our troops in for stuff that has sweet FA to do with us now (our oil/petrol isn't cheap anyway) and we are now supposed to be part of europe, not the USA.
But you can grow your own in (Euro) Spain.
WTF?
It's us growers in the UK that are getting well and truly shafted.

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I think the worldwide conservative surge is on the wane. Hopefully the U.K. will show common sense once again and relax their penalties.