Cannabis for California

[Alex]

Were people in jail for purely alcohol related offenses -- as opposed to other criminal activities surrounding bootlegging and speakeasies -- released simply because Prohibition ended?

Yes, theoretically it would be a commercial enterprise (though it also legalizes growing for personal use up to certain limits. But because of limits related to commercial operations I doubt you'll see it in your corner convenience store but rather still pretty much limited to pot-only outlets. One of the rules in there is that any business licensed to sell pot can not employ anybody under the age of 21. So either that will keep a lot of business away from selling pot or it will cut off a lot of entry level employment to young adults. It also does not change, so far as I can see, the criminal punishments for selling pot if it is to a minor, which are much harsher than selling alcohol or cigarettes so I doubt many businesses would take the risk.

[Kevy Baby]

I am also curious how (if it were to actually pass) they are going to reconcile this new law with Federal regulations. State law isn't supposed to be able to supersede Federal law

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, Kevy, but federal law does not have to be enforced. Obama's Justice Department has chosen not to enforce federal law re medical marijuana in California. So I guess it will all depend on the direction of the wind.


(and that works for GD's hypothetical, too.)

[€uroMeinke]

So when can we grow our own Poppy beds and put the Taliban out of business?

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

So while their original crime will be wiped out, they will still be required to serve sentence for the crime of not paying.

I know what you're saying, and logically it makes sense. However if they weren't arrested to begin with then they wouldn't be in jail for a bail violation.

Originally Posted by Alex

Yes, theoretically it would be a commercial enterprise (though it also legalizes growing for personal use up to certain limits. But because of limits related to commercial operations I doubt you'll see it in your corner convenience store but rather still pretty much limited to pot-only outlets. One of the rules in there is that any business licensed to sell pot can not employ anybody under the age of 21. So either that will keep a lot of business away from selling pot or it will cut off a lot of entry level employment to young adults. It also does not change, so far as I can see, the criminal punishments for selling pot if it is to a minor, which are much harsher than selling alcohol or cigarettes so I doubt many businesses would take the risk.

You can't sell alcohol if you are under 18. You probably wouldn't be able to pick up a pack of Camel Mary Jaynes at the local 7-11 but I suspect some smaller liquor stores and smoke shops would sell it.

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

But it's still gonna happen.

Like it doesn't already. Disneyland, concerts, the beach, the park, blah blah blah. People already smoke pot in public, they just do it discretely.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

People already smoke pot in public, they just do it discretely.

Or, not so discretely, like at my school. I smell pot 3-4 times a day around campus.

It's never made me even remotely loopy though.

I have more complaints about the amount of cigarette smokers on campus though (they don't have designated areas at OCC). I can barely walk anywhere without gagging on that crap.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

You can't sell alcohol if you are under 18. You probably wouldn't be able to pick up a pack of Camel Mary Jaynes at the local 7-11 but I suspect some smaller liquor stores and smoke shops would sell it.

That's not quite right, you can sell alcohol in convenience stores (for example) if you're under 18 so long as your under direct supervision of someone over 21. And you can certainly hire people under 18 even if they aren't going to be the one selling it.

The language in the marijuana initiative doesn't just bar under 21 from ever selling the stuff it bars anybody under 21 from being employed by an establishment licensed to sell the stuff. So you can't hire a high school kid to come sweep floors in the morning or stock shelves or whatever.

Originally Posted by From the initiative text

age limits and controls to ensure that all persons present in, employed by, or in any way involved in the operation of, any such licensed premises are 21 or older;

I've no doubt that some small establishments would be ok with such a restriction but I think it will either be rule that keeps mixed use pot selling establishments at the fringe or, if it is widespread will cut off a lot of employment opportunities to young adults.

[Alex]

Thinking more about it, I was focused on the employment part of that language, but if nobody under 21 is even allowed into a business selling pot then that would mean no customers in the store under 21 either. I'm guessing that's not a restriction that any convenience store would accept.

So these would be pot only establishments or maybe bars would start selling pot since they're already all 21.

[Gn2Dlnd]

GD, I hope you didn't think I was saying that my inconvenience is worth someone going to jail. Not at all. I think most drugs should be legalized, with the possible exception of crystal meth. That sh!t makes people craaaazy.

Nevertheless, there is the issue of keeping pot smoke to oneself. Unlike open container, which is fairly obvious, if not by sight then by smell, weed can disappear in an instant. At this point in history, I can ask someone to move along with their smoke, I still have the threat of the cops on my side. When legalized, I expect that a hearty "fvck you" might greet any request to take their pot smoke elsewhere. Not saying it should stay illegal, just wondering how our social contracts are going to adapt. Maintaining my sobriety trumps your desire to get fvcked up, if your method of achieving fvcked-uppedness impinges on my sobriety. I'm sure there are those who would disagree.

DP, catching a whiff of weed in an open area is not a big deal for me. Being in a room, or at a venue where I can't escape it, is.

[Not Afraid]

The smell of pot doesn't bother me, but I was never a bit pot smoker. The smell of a good cognac, well that's another story.