Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

**Ender** · 11-06-2012, 08:50 PM

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The Rocky Mountain High just got a whole lot higher. On Tuesday night, Amendment 64 -- the measure which sought the legalization of marijuana for recreational use by adults -- was passed by Colorado voters, making Colorado the first state to end marijuana prohibition in the United States.

With about 36 percent of precincts reporting at the time of publishing, 9News and Fox31 report that Amendment 64 has passed.

The passage of the state measure is without historical precedent and the consequences will likely be closely-watched around the world. In an interview with The Huffington Post, the authors/researchers behind the book "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs To Know" pointed out that the measure in Colorado is truly groundbreaking, comparing it to the legalization that Amsterdam enjoys:

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A common error is to believe that the Netherlands has already legalized cannabis (the preferred term for marijuana in Europe). What has been de facto legalized is only the retail sale of 5 grams (about a sixth of an ounce) or less. Production and wholesale distribution is still illegal, and that prohibition is enforced, which is largely why the price of sinsemilla in the “coffee shops” isn’t much different than the price in American dispensaries.

Although Colorado "legalized it," it will be several months, perhaps as long as a year, before Colorado adults 21-and-over can enjoy the legal sale of marijuana. However, the parts of the amendment related to individual behavior will go into effect as soon as Governor Hickenlooper certifies the results of the vote, a proclamation he is obligated to do within 30 days of the election, The Colorado Independent reported.

It's a huge victory for the Campaign To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the pro-pot group behind Amendment 64. This is the second time Colorado voted on legal weed, in 2006 Coloradans voted the measure down, but not in 2012. Mason Tvert, co-director of the campaign, told The Huffington Post in an August interview why he thought this year might be different:

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The 2006 initiative would have simply removed the penalties for the possession of marijuana legal for individuals 21 years of age or older. The current initiative proposes a fully regulated system of cultivation and sales, which will eliminate the underground marijuana market and generate tens of millions of dollars per year in new revenue and criminal justice savings. It also directs the legislature to regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp, a versatile, popular, and environmentally friendly agricultural crop.

More importantly, voters are more informed about marijuana than ever before. They have also experienced the emergence of a state-regulated medical marijuana system that has not produced any serious problems, but has provided a number of benefits. We now know that marijuana cultivation and sales can be regulated, and that medical marijuana businesses do not contribute to increased crime. We have also seen marijuana use among high school students decrease since the state began implementing regulations, whereas it has increased nationwide where there are no regulations. And, of course, localities and the state have seen how much revenue can be generated through the legal sale of marijuana that would have otherwise gone into the underground market. Voters in Colorado no longer need to imagine what a legal and regulated system of marijuana sales would look like; they have seen it.

It's also worth noting that 2012 is a presidential election year, so we will benefit from increased voter turnout compared to an off-year election like 2006. Historically, the more people who vote, the more support marijuana reform initiatives receive.

Under Amendment 64, marijuana is taxed and regulated similar to alcohol and tobacco. It gives state and local governments the ability to control and tax the sale of small amounts of marijuana to adults age 21 and older. According to the Associated Press, analysts project that that tax revenue could generate somewhere between $5 million and $22 million a year in the state. An economist whose study was funded by a pro-pot group projects as much as a $60 million boost by 2017.

However, the big unknown still is if the federal government will allow a regulated marijuana market to take shape. Attorney General Eric Holder, who was a vocal opponent of California's legalization initiative in 2010 saying he would "vigorously enforce" federal marijuana prohibition, has continued to remain silent on the issue this year.

In September, Holder was urged by by nine former heads of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take a stand against marijuana legalization again. "To continue to remain silent conveys to the American public and the global community a tacit acceptance of these dangerous initiatives," the nine said in the letter to holder obtained by Reuters.

Earlier this month those same DEA drug warriors joined by former directors of the Office of National Drug Control Policy on a teleconference call to put additional pressure on Holder to speak out against Colorado's marijuana measure as well as similar initiatives on the ballot in Washington state and Oregon.

The drug warriors say that states that legalize marijuana for recreational use will trigger a "Constitutional showdown" with the federal government.

In a report published Sunday by NBC News, President Obama's former senior drug policy advisor said that if the marijuana initiatives pass, a war will be incited between the federal government and the states that pass them. "Once these sates actually try to implement these laws, we will sen an effort by the feds to shut it down," Sabet said.

But proponents of the legislation say they don't foresee federal agents interfering in states that have legalized cannabis, citing the federal government's silence on the issue this election cycle.

The DOJ has yet to formally announce its enforcement intentions, however, the clearest statement from the DOJ came from Deputy Attorney General James Cole, who said his office's stance on the issue would be "the same as it's always been." During a recent appearance on "60 Minutes" Cole elaborated, "We're going to take a look at whether or not there are dangers to the community from the sale of marijuana and we're going to go after those dangers," Reuters reported.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2079899.html

Mr. Hobbes · 11-07-2012, 01:23 AM

I voted for the decriminalization and taxation of pot, and I'm not sure if I made the right choice. Sure it's legalized, but the price is gonna go up. If I wanted to smoke, I could probably get it for cheaper when it's illegal.

**E.H. Munro** · 11-07-2012, 07:57 AM

That much is true, but decriminalisation has to happen, and it won't happen legislatively because too many states have private prison contracts that guarantee a 90% occupancy rate. So it's the voters that have to force the change.

**Dornado** · 11-07-2012, 08:00 AM

Anyone have a sense of what the prices are in places where it is decriminalized? The black market drives the cost up substantially as it is.

Marcus13 · 11-07-2012, 08:12 AM

This just makes me hate Indiana even more. My first offense EVER and they're about to hit me over the head with;

1 year Probation (which is going to cost me my salaried position)
6 month Suspended License
....for three grams.

**Diable** · 11-07-2012, 08:12 AM

The states are going to legalize so that they can tax it. So you won't be seeing third world prices.

OneBadLT123 · 11-07-2012, 06:50 PM

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Originally Posted by Diable

The states are going to legalize so that they can tax it. So you won't be seeing third world prices.

Thats the catch. I wonder how many people that voted yes for this actually thought they are going to get it on the cheap and walk the streets smoking away lol

**Vuchato** · 11-07-2012, 06:59 PM

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Originally Posted by OneBadLT123

Thats the catch. I wonder how many people that voted yes for this actually thought they are going to get it on the cheap and walk the streets smoking away lol

people complain about the tax on cigarettes but they're still way cheaper than weed. (sure there's much more supply at the moment, but its a massive difference)

**Diable** · 11-07-2012, 07:03 PM

I have been thinking about looking up what sort of revenue Washington expects to gain. I would assume that they will try to tax it so that the prices do not collapse, but would remain competitive with whatever the local gangbangers were selling on the corner. Even if you got just half the business and taxed it you'd be talking about an awful lot of money. Of course if they let everyone grow six plants that is going to curtail their profits.

I would guess a lot of people will be studying this highly informative infomercial. I stumbled on that while looking for something totally unrelated, it is amazing how advanced this shit has become.

Mr. Hobbes · 11-07-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus13

This just makes me hate Indiana even more. My first offense EVER and they're about to hit me over the head with;

1 year Probation (which is going to cost me my salaried position)
6 month Suspended License
....for three grams.

That really bad luck. Something like that is usually up to the cop's decisions. I've heard stories where folks get caught with pot, and all the cop did was pour water in the bag and break the pipe. No penalty.

Looks like the guy who pulled you over was having a bad day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diable

I have been thinking about looking up what sort of revenue Washington expects to gain. I would assume that they will try to tax it so that the prices do not collapse, but would remain competitive with whatever the local gangbangers were selling on the corner. Even if you got just half the business and taxed it you'd be talking about an awful lot of money. Of course if they let everyone grow six plants that is going to curtail their profits.

IMO most of the pot around he comes from the unemployed or the self-starters. You'd have to be pretty dumb to buy pot from a guy slangin on University Ave, since he's probably a cop. When I was in HS, tons of people sold pot.

If you wanna grow, all you need is time, a house and knowing a guy. With that video you posted, a determined person doesn't even need to know a grower. He just needs to know sellers. And that's easy, since there's a pot store every few blocks.

Mr. Hobbes · 11-07-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBadLT123

Thats the catch. I wonder how many people that voted yes for this actually thought they are going to get it on the cheap and walk the streets smoking away lol

I was in downtown the other day, and went a few blocks walking next to this girl smoking a joint. Never seen that before, and all I could do is laugh a little.

**Prince** · 11-07-2012, 08:26 PM

In terms of prices, I don't think they'll be too bad. The quads I buy currently are $110/$120, but I've done research on medicinal/tax free bud prices and I have seen good strains going for $120/ounce or in other words four times the amount of weed for the same price I'm paying. Price will vary depending on the location, but with a tax factored in weed could actually put the price around the same we are paying now or even a little less. If the movement gains traction in the long run, then the supply of bud should grow exponentially to even further drive the prices down. IMO, the price levels have nowhere to go but down from black market prices.

Pacers Fan · 11-07-2012, 08:35 PM

You're getting some bad prices on those quads.

**BlakeJesus** · 11-07-2012, 08:36 PM

There's also the bonus revenue of edible that shops can offer, I have to imagine they could find something super popular where the profit margin was significantly higher than the cost to make.

Mr. Hobbes · 11-07-2012, 08:38 PM

http://www.priceofweed.com/

This is a weird industry.

11-07-2012, 01:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mr. Hobbes Legend Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 19,469 Rep Power: 21474863	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use I voted for the decriminalization and taxation of pot, and I'm not sure if I made the right choice. Sure it's legalized, but the price is gonna go up. If I wanted to smoke, I could probably get it for cheaper when it's illegal. __________________ don't edit me bro

11-07-2012, 07:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
E.H. Munro Baddest Honky Mofo Alive Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 24,482 Rep Power: 21474869	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use That much is true, but decriminalisation has to happen, and it won't happen legislatively because too many states have private prison contracts that guarantee a 90% occupancy rate. So it's the voters that have to force the change. __________________ If everyone loves you you're doing it wrong. "Opium is the religion of the masses." Fred Reed The Power of 99 Press "He thinks it's going to be fun being governor. It's only fun being governor of New York if you have money to spend, and I spent it all." Nelson Rockefeller on his successor, Hugh Carey.

11-07-2012, 08:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dornado Community Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: WI Posts: 10,482 Rep Power: 10609191	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use Anyone have a sense of what the prices are in places where it is decriminalized? The black market drives the cost up substantially as it is. __________________

11-07-2012, 08:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Marcus13 Jesus Shuttlesworth Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indianapolis Age: 25 Posts: 14,030 Rep Power: 3023601	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use This just makes me hate Indiana even more. My first offense EVER and they're about to hit me over the head with; 1 year Probation (which is going to cost me my salaried position) 6 month Suspended License ....for three grams. __________________

11-07-2012, 08:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
Diable Limehouse Blues Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,407 Rep Power: 14865553	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use The states are going to legalize so that they can tax it. So you won't be seeing third world prices. __________________

11-07-2012, 07:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Diable Limehouse Blues Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,407 Rep Power: 14865553	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use I have been thinking about looking up what sort of revenue Washington expects to gain. I would assume that they will try to tax it so that the prices do not collapse, but would remain competitive with whatever the local gangbangers were selling on the corner. Even if you got just half the business and taxed it you'd be talking about an awful lot of money. Of course if they let everyone grow six plants that is going to curtail their profits. I would guess a lot of people will be studying this highly informative infomercial. I stumbled on that while looking for something totally unrelated, it is amazing how advanced this shit has become. __________________

11-07-2012, 08:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
Prince Formerly Known as Quite Frankly Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 23 Posts: 11,969 Rep Power: 4606109	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use In terms of prices, I don't think they'll be too bad. The quads I buy currently are $110/$120, but I've done research on medicinal/tax free bud prices and I have seen good strains going for $120/ounce or in other words four times the amount of weed for the same price I'm paying. Price will vary depending on the location, but with a tax factored in weed could actually put the price around the same we are paying now or even a little less. If the movement gains traction in the long run, then the supply of bud should grow exponentially to even further drive the prices down. IMO, the price levels have nowhere to go but down from black market prices. __________________ 2032 KVBL Champions: Milwaukee Bucks (Prince) Lineup - PG D'Angelo McMillian \| SG Eddy Sweet \| SF Cameron Clothier \| PF Mario Rogic \| C Greg Hope \| 6th man C Andre Wright Finals MVP: Greg Hope 2033 KVBL Champions: Milwaukee Bucks (Prince) Lineup - PG D'Angelo McMillian \| SG Joseph McDaniels \| SF Cameron Clothier \| PF Mario Rogic \| C Greg Hope \| 6th man C Peter Acres Finals MVP: Greg Hope Fear the Deer Minnesota Timberwolves

11-07-2012, 08:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
Pacers Fan Legend Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Age: 22 Posts: 16,420 Rep Power: 21474863	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use You're getting some bad prices on those quads. __________________ Indeed.

11-07-2012, 08:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
BlakeJesus Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wisconsin Age: 23 Posts: 17,045 Rep Power: 12803038	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use There's also the bonus revenue of edible that shops can offer, I have to imagine they could find something super popular where the profit margin was significantly higher than the cost to make. __________________ Jalen Rose - "Positions were created so the novice could follow the game. You ARE your skillset." 2024 KVBL Champions: Atlanta Hawks 2026 KVBL Champions: Atlanta Hawks 2027 KVBL Champions: Atlanta Hawks

11-07-2012, 08:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mr. Hobbes Legend Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 19,469 Rep Power: 21474863	Re: Amendment 64 Passes: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana For Recreational Use http://www.priceofweed.com/ This is a weird industry. __________________ don't edit me bro

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