November 9, 2012

Welcome To The Future: Thanks I-502 And Amendment 64

November 9, 2012
washington state marijuana regulations

washington state legalizes marijuanaThe future is here, or at least in Washington. Even though I’ve been against I-502 for personal reasons (making marijuana commercial), I will undoubtedly embrace the new situation here in Washington. Being that I’ve stood against it, I’ll be the first to thank those that got it through. Even though I don’t like the law, I do like the conversation that it has started. Even big money can’t corrupt the one love bud as long as its good. No matter how I feel about things the War on drugs and the legalization of marijuana is bigger than me.

What I find most reassuring about the passing of I-502 is that over half of the registered voters voted yes. With that, I propose that the quantity of smokers in this state is very large (It seems you can’t judge a book by its cover). The reason I point this out is because a large number of patients voted against it. Whenever one of my non-smoker friends asked me where my vote was going, I would explain to them why I didn’t believe in it as a purist but they believe this is the right direction. Statewide legalization is a great step, but I only wonder how long it will last. Perhaps the only thing going for this legislation is that it will be controlled by the state thus making any federal threats weak when they threaten dangling carrots.

The face of marijuana is ever changing with the recent dropping of it from D.A.R.E. program to Robert Platshorn’s “Should Grandma Smoke Pot?” campaign but the fight isn’t over. We still have to worry about things like employee rights, parental rights,renters rights – as well as 48 other states and the Fed.

It’s a great thing that has happened for the movement or cause pending on what you want to call it but there’s still much to do. Just remember weed was legal at one time in Alaska and it took 3x for medical to stick in Arizona.

I want to thank all the I-502 supporters for pressing on and creating a bigger picture conversation. Even though I don’t agree with the law, I do agree with the message. As time goes on the rest of the nation will see that Washington and Colorado did not collapse due to some form of legalization, in fact it will prosper.

When 502 passed a lot of belly aching occurred among the patients, I say suck it up. We all voiced our opinion and despite best efforts the pro-502 campaign had a shit ton of money that went into marketing and squashed all the naysayers. Marijuana is now somewhat legal or at least it is not frowned upon especially in my state where more than half of the voters approved it and that doesn’t even include all those that use it.

Ironically my prescription expired on Nov.5th, the same day weed was made legal in Washington. I’m going to enjoy smoking the last of my medication and to find out more of how to get legal weed process. Whose going to own the shops? Where will they be? Where do I apply? What are going to be the checks and balances and how much goes to the state? Its a whole new world, just like when medical first got into play but nonetheless there will be new jobs, new taxes but best of all not new problems. Life happens and if anything weed makes it all better and who doesn’t like that?

Much respect to all those involve in this campaign a thank you but don’t take a break. As a smoker I don’t feel any safer from my life being ruined by something I believe in, it already has that potential being I’ve been ignoring a 2 gram ticket in Wyoming that my employer knows nothing about. Other people still have a say in my life if they don’t like my smoking; my employer, my renter, anyone with a hair up their ass against me can use cannabis use against me in a court of law. But I do appreciate the conversation and sentiment with whats been done. As we grow up we have to recognize certain things, you can’t always get what you want but if you try sometime – you just might find, you get what you need.

The battle against future wrong doings from the failed war on drugs has yet to be done. Just like how the corporation you work for can fuck you in the drive-thru so can the government in a world where weed is federally wrong. Thank you weed warriors, to the Eddy Lepps, Chris Williams, and Randy Lleibenguths of the world. The conversation is getting better hopefully the rest of the world will wake up to the failed war on drugs. I look forward to telling you about the new Washington and how long it last.

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