TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross

It's all fun and games until the feds crack down

December 7, 2012 @ 9:40 am

The New York Times reports the Justice Departing is debating what to do about states like Washington and Colorado that legalize pot.

Would the feds actually try to strike down an voter-approved initiative -- passed by a blue state no less? Absolutely. This is serious stuff. It's partial secession. It means local police won't help with federal pot investigations, and it means that the US government, which uses anti-drug treaties to punish foreign countries that legalize pot -- would be letting its own states do exactly that.

So the challenge to federal power is real, and if Washington and Colorado, which will legalize pot next month, want to keep their laws, there's only one way to do it. Get other states to do the same thing so that as with gay marriage, it reaches a critical mass. Then the feds might back off.

But that means newly liberated pot smokers can't act like jerks.

Smoke-ins at the Space needle? Bad! One colleague tells me she was at a bus stop, and a smoker walks up and says "Come on you should try it, it's legal now." No!

Americans don't want to live surrounded by Harold and Kumar.

And the other states are watching. If they keep seeing pictures of giggly people barely able to string a sentence together with droopy eyelids playing Reggae at the Space Needle, nobody else is going to vote for this.

The gay marriage movement was smart -- the first couples in line for licenses had been together longer than most straight couples. They were well-dressed, sober, and even conservative-looking. They didn't fornicate on the courthouse steps.

More Dave Ross

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (7)


  • Add A Comment

  • HLC wrote...
    Maybe the DOJ will step up.
    December 7, 2012 9:11 am
    They could demand the SPD enforce the drug laws of this country or lose funding. The SPD going after criminals, naw forget I said that. Easier if they turn their back and go after wood carvers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    You Rightys who feel strongly a about States Rights
    December 7, 2012 9:31 am
    Should put your Bias against marijuana aside and join with the Dems in keeping the Feds out of our in State business
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Get real, Dave. If the feds haven't done much in the last 10+ yrears, they're not about to start now.
    December 7, 2012 9:31 am
    And can you really imagine Eric Holder busting Obama's base ?

    Well, maybe he might find a Libertarian or two to make an example, but I even doubt that.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RichardCheese wrote...
    .
    December 7, 2012 9:33 am
    oh dear lord i actually find myself on the same page as dave ross. the world for sure is coming to an end. can't wait for all the 420 references
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dizzle wrote...
    It was symbolic
    December 7, 2012 11:24 am
    I would be very surprised if the Feds let this slide; the implications are just too great and they go way beyond just pot use.

    The local media really bought off on this vote being a valid one, but it is clearly illegal in this country. I say this as a non-smoking supporter of the initiative.

    But whether it passes muster with the Feds or not, the vote will further prompt the national discussion that needs to be had. Time to dismantle the corrupt, violent industry of pot distribution, and the equally corrupt drug enforcement industry that needlessly & unsuccessfully fights it.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Maybe the Feds will finally wise up
    December 7, 2012 1:33 pm
    do they still have pot listed on the schedule of narcotics, or are they finally beyond that insanity?

    Up to the point where the behavior affects somebody else, no government at any level has any business dictating to adults what substances they either must or cannot ingest.

    You want to smoke your brains out? OK with me. But keep your witless arse out from behind the wheel of a 2,500 pound guided highway projectile. I'd say, "until you wise up", but I'll settle for "at least until the buzz wears off".

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    If the feds do decide to show up
    December 7, 2012 6:04 pm
    maybe it would be time to take to the streets and force the cops to arrest thousands of people for lighting up. There will be so many pot smokers in jail they'll have to let Gary Ridgway go free just to make some room.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }