Do you wish you weren't?

If you could go back to before the time you had that first joint, knowing how it would take you over and consume you, would you still smoke it?

none of Hickenlooper’s worst fears were realized.

To the bitter disappointment of moralistic statists.

"none of Hickenlooper’s worst fears were realized."

Had he feared being sued by Nebraska and Oklahoma because Colorado's "legal" marijuana was crossing over into their "illegal" states, that fear would have been realized.

But he doesn't give a FF.

How many courtrooms will close? Jails? Prisons? I say ... none. Zero savings. Zilch.

And the $1-billion-a-year cannabis business will pump $100 million in taxes into state coffers this year.

Sure it will. I say half that. If they're lucky. But they'll need all of it to cope with twice as many people smoking dope -- especially teens.

Had he feared being sued by Nebraska and Oklahoma because Colorado's "legal" marijuana was crossing over into their "illegal" states, that fear would have been realized.

But he doesn't give a FF.

Why should he? The suit is going nowhere: www.denverpost.com/news/c...otus- denies-oklahoma-and-nebraskas-proposed-lawsuit-against

Marijuana consumption has not changed much from pre-legalization levels and there has been no significant increase in public health and safety problems, he said.

No, no, no - the sky is falling. I know because the moralistic statists tell me so.

And the $1-billion-a-year cannabis business will pump $100 million in taxes into state coffers this year.

This is being espoused as a WINDFALL $100 million tax increase for the state.

But is it really?

Let’s do the math.

Potheads were spending $1 billion on “something” and the taxes on that “something” resulted in $100 million in taxes before pot was legalized..

Now after pot is legalized, the potheads take the same $1 billion and transfer that same money into buying pot which “pumps the same $100 million in taxes into state coffers.”

For this old country boy, ill equipped in the dealings of high finance … that is called, a “wash.”

To paraphrase the “Where’s the beef” catchphrase, “Where’s the increase?”

Let’s do the math.

Potheads were spending $1 billion on “something” and the taxes on that “something” resulted in $100 million in taxes before pot was legalized..

Now after pot is legalized, the potheads take the same $1 billion and transfer that same money into buying pot

That's publik skool math. Potheads were spending on black-market pot on which no taxes were paid; now many are spending their pot money in legal stores and paying taxes.

You're a libtard.

You'really not conservative or Christian.

I find nowhere in the New Testament that we should cage those who inebriate themselves.

The Soviet Union wanted us on drugs to make us stupid.

The drug alcohol makes those of us who use it to excess stupid - but trying to ban it was even stupider, as is the ban on other drugs.

It is also understand christian.

Sorry, I don't speak whatever language that is.

Un christian.

I find nowhere in the New Testament that we should cage those who inebriate themselves.

I find no where in the new testament that we should jail murderers.

Acting against murder is in defense of its potential victims; what victimization do you act against with drug bans?

Let’s do the math. Potheads were spending $1 billion on “something” and the taxes on that “something” resulted in $100 million in taxes before pot was legalized..

Now after pot is legalized, the potheads take the same $1 billion and transfer that same money into buying pot

That's publik skool math. Potheads were spending on black-market pot on which no taxes were paid; now many are spending their pot money in legal stores and paying taxes.

Well, of course … sure … naturally.

Ah, such an amazingly simple deduction.

So simple that even I should have thought of it.

But, wait …

Let’s consider your hypothesis closely and then do some more of that “publik skool math.”

First, we need to ask: What were the drug dealers doing with the money they received from selling black-market pot?

Were the burning it, flushing it down the toilet or disposing it in any other way … so that taxes would never be paid on it?

Of course they were not.

Then what were they doing with the money?

The drug dealers were spending the money they received from selling black-market pot on fancy cars, flashy clothes and numerous other lavish items … on which they PAID taxes.

While the money can change hands a few times in the “underground economy” … it however does eventually come back into “lawful” circulation, being spent on legit purchases and taxes are paid.

Ergo, for this old country boy equipped with “publik skool math”… that is STILL called, a “wash.”

Est-ce pas droit … is this not right ?

As for me I think Heroin dealers should be shot and killed. Then stepped on and thrown into the landfill. Or fed to the birds.

Comprende piss ant?

black-market

OMG! Where is the SWAT to erradicate the obvious evil-doers and save us from ourselves?

black-market

OMG! Where is the SWAT to erradicate the obvious evil-doers and save us from ourselves?

Not to fear, they are near.

SWAT juat captured and charged two suspects in the death of two Oklahoma men found dead in a burning pickup last year in northeast Weld County, Colorado.

And Experts praise the SWAT response to Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs.

Oh, don’t get started pouring on the accolades … for I can go on all night.

I leave you with with this, for your listening pleasure: S.W.A.T theme song.

You just have to Click, then sit back and enjoy.

The drug dealers were spending the money they received from selling black-market pot on fancy cars, flashy clothes and numerous other lavish items … on which they PAID taxes.

And legal dealers will also spend their proceeds in taxable ways - leaving the legal market still taxed one more time than the illegal market.

When someone sells your kids some heroin and ruins their life.

This thread is about pot - but I'll take this opportunity to note that only in a legal regulated market can age restrictions be effectively enforced, which is why as a national average kids for years have reported that they can get pot more easily than beer or cigarettes.

As for me I think Heroin dealers should be shot and killed.

I think the right way to go is to first legalize only pot, and see if that leaves us with a war on drugs we can actually win.

The drug dealers were spending the money they received from selling black-market pot on fancy cars, flashy clothes and numerous other lavish items … on which they PAID taxes.

And legal dealers will also spend their proceeds in taxable ways - leaving the legal market still taxed one more time than the illegal market.

But that does NOT create more money ... the same amount of money is still changing hands in circulation.

It has been a couple years now since Colorado started to allow people to sell and buy pot legally. Last year, Colorado brought in $53 million in taxes as a result. Nowhere is it stated that $53 million is above and beyond the taxes they normally receive. It is to be noted that the state fell far short of it $70 projection.

“Publik skool math” shows that even if the $70 million projection is met, that's still mere drop in the bucket when considering the state's total budget of $27 billion. Yet the potheads are still promoting what a wonderful windfall pot sales are producing in taxes.

Shameful … just shameful.

Est-ce pas droit … is this not right ?

But that does NOT create more money

Who said it did? It creates one more opportunity to tax.

Last year, Colorado brought in $53 million in taxes as a result. Nowhere is it stated that $53 million is above and beyond the taxes they normally receive.

Feel free to present evidence that there was a corresponding drop in other tax revenues.

It is to be noted that the state fell far short of it $70 projection.

“Publik skool math” shows that even if the $70 million projection is met, that's still mere drop in the bucket when considering the state's total budget of $27 billion.

All irrelevant to your stupid and rebutted claim that it was a wash. Poor you.

I thank you for your time, and I wish you a most pleasant evening …

I find nowhere in the New Testament that we should cage those who inebriate themselves.

Should Christians Support the ‘War on Drugs’?

life is about choices... FREE WILL God gave us free will... but is it really free will when free will doesn't come with punative results for poor free will choices?

Now, this is where a libtard like you does what libtards do... make conservatives out to Be heartless and psychotic. Oldest libtard trick in the book

"I leave you with with this, for your listening pleasure: S.W.A.T theme song."

Now THIS is a theme song:

"The drug dealers were spending the money they received from selling black-market pot on fancy cars, flashy clothes and numerous other lavish items … on which they PAID taxes."

They paid taxes on the purchase, correct. PLUS, some of that money goes to pay for the wages (and taxes) of the people who work at the store. And some of that money goes to pay corporate taxes.

People fail to realize that the consumer pays all the taxes the government receives. They're just hidden.

"The suit is going nowhere"

Should it go nowhere? Don't the citizens of Nebraska and Oklahoma have a valid point? Don't they have a right to protect their children from drugs crossing from an adjacent state?

If noxious smoke was drifting from Colorado to other states, must that be allowed also? What about factories dumping pollutants into rivers that flow to other states?

We can stop that behavior but not drugs?

One article touts that Colorado had a $53 million dollar increase in taxes off the sale of legalize marijuana.

Legalization proponents consider that to be “found money.” To that, I say … bullshit.

They fail to consider that hospitalizations involving patients with marijuana exposures and diagnoses increased from approximately 803 per 100,000 to 2,413 per 100,000.

So what Colorado is really doing, it is “stealing” $53 million from insurance companies, Medicare and Medicate for their increased costs to cover the radical increase in those hospitalizations.

Money is not being created, it is just changing hands … robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The dullard didn't even read the article he posted.

And the two states are already moving to join a pending suit in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

Nebraska and Oklahoma should be able to stop the flow of an illegal drug from Colorado into their states.

And the two states are already moving to join a pending suit in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

Continue to hammer Colorado with lawsuits ... fire with both barrels.

They fail to consider that hospitalizations involving patients with marijuana exposures and diagnoses increased from approximately 803 per 100,000 to 2,413 per 100,000.

Dr. Andrew Monte, a toxicologist at the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado, said he's not surprised to see an increase of hospital and ER visits related to marijuana use.

"When the availability of any drug goes up," you see more hospital visits, said Monte, who was not involved in the new study. "That goes for a new high blood pressure drug to marijuana."

Monte, who co-wrote a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine on marijuana tourism in February, said there are usually three reasons people come to the ER after using marijuana. He said in his experience, people come in for treatment if they exacerbate underlying symptoms with the drug, for example, irritating their lungs if they have asthma, for cyclic vomiting related to high concentrations of THC ingestion and general intoxication from marijuana.

The smallest group is made up of "people who come in intoxicated," Monte said. "We only see one or two for marijuana intoxication. I would say disproportionately we see edible agents lead to more intoxication."

From above :“In the short run, there have been a lot fewer public safety and health issues than the governor feared in the beginning,” said Freedman, who is often referred to as the state’s marijuana czar. “In the beginning, we had problems with edibles and hash oil fires but now, for the most part, Colorado looks a lot like it did before legalization.”

"Even though SCOTUS declined to hear Oklahoma and Nebraska's pot suit against Colorado, the plaintiff states can still take their case to U.S. District Court"

The dullard didn't even read the article he posted.

Did I say "has reached the end of the road" or did I say "is going nowhere", dullard and coward?

hospitalizations involving patients with marijuana exposures and diagnoses increased from approximately 803 per 100,000 to 2,413 per 100,000.

"determine if the visit indicated possible marijuana exposure or used a diagnosis /billing code indicating marijuana. Use of these codes does not mean that the visit is motivated by marijuana exposure but simply that it is a possibility." [emphasis added] - cdpsdocs.state.co.us/ors/...rts/2016-SB13-283-Rpt.pdf

Should it go nowhere?

Yes: "A decision in the Plaintiff States’ favor will hinder Colorado’s ability to channel demand for recreational marijuana into a regulated and monitored market. This is more likely to aggravate, rather than subdue, the cross-border trafficking on which the Plaintiff States’ allegations of injury rest. The Plaintiff States seek to invalidate only those laws that enable Colorado to regulate the supply side of its recreational marijuana market. Compl. at 28–29 (seeking invalidation of only COLO. CONST. art. XVIII, §§ 16(4) and (5) and related statutes and regulations, which authorize marijuana-related facilities and empower the State to strictly regulate them). They do not challenge Colorado’s authority to legalize marijuana generally, nor do they seek an order compelling Colorado law enforcement officials to take any particular actions against marijuana traffickers. They in fact disclaim any intent to do so: “Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana or to strip Colorado authorities of prosecutorial discretion.” Br. in Supp. at 15." - coag.gov/sites/default/fi...usbriefoppositionneok.pdf

"Did I say "has reached the end of the road" or did I say "is going nowhere",

Are you saying there's a difference between those two expressions?

Are you saying there's a difference between those two expressions?

Of course - one can be in motion without getting any closer to one's desired destination.

"A decision in the Plaintiff States’ favor will hinder Colorado’s ability to channel demand for recreational marijuana into a regulated and monitored market."

That's the problem. Colorado is NOT channeling demand for recreational marijuana into a regulated and monitored market.

If Colorado is unable, or unwilling, to regulate it's own industries to the point where it's negatively impacting other states, then that right to regulate should be removed.

"one can be in motion without getting any closer to one's desired destination."

I agree. Now, back to my question. What's the difference between "has reached the end of the road" and "is going nowhere"?

Use of these codes does not mean that the visit is motivated by marijuana exposure but simply that it is a possibility."

Right. (Wink...Wink)

It more of a POSSIBLITY they all had ingrown toenails. (Snicker).

Of course - one can be in motion without getting any closer to one's desired destination.

Being in motion means one hasn't reached the end of the road; not getting any closer to one's desired destination means one is going nowhere.

If Colorado is unable, or unwilling, to regulate it's own industries to the point where it's negatively impacting other states, then that right to regulate should be removed.

So unregulated legal pot will less negatively impact other states?

Marijuana is made legal … hospital visits increase fourfold … and we are suppose to believe that the increase in the hospital visits has no correlation with marijuana being made legal, but maybe with ingrown toenails.

Marijuana "exposure" doesn't mean the visit was in any way caused by marijuana - oxygen "exposure" is at 100% for hospital/ER visits.

Right ... Sure.

Got it.

Oh, BTW - how many people are admitted to the hospitals from "exposure" to oxygen?

hospital visits increase fourfold

What's funny and ridiculous is that you think this is what the report said.

how many people are admitted to the hospitals from "exposure" to oxygen?

Not "from" - "with". And I already told you the answer: 100%.

did I say "is going nowhere"

It has already gone to another court.

Nice foot shot.

Continue to hammer Colorado with lawsuits ... fire with both barrels.

Obama enforces federal law differently in different states as the potheads cheer him on.

It has already gone to another court.

Where it will continue to go nowhere.

"So unregulated legal pot will less negatively impact other states?"

I never said it should be unregulated. I said Colorado shouldn't regulate it because they've shown they're incapable.

go nowhere

consider source

Are you saying there's a difference between those two expressions?

His feelings.

I never said it should be unregulated.

That's where the suit would leave it - as I already quoted: 'They do not challenge Colorado’s authority to legalize marijuana generally, nor do they seek an order compelling Colorado law enforcement officials to take any particular actions against marijuana traffickers. They in fact disclaim any intent to do so: “Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana or to strip Colorado authorities of prosecutorial discretion.”'

“Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana or to strip Colorado authorities of prosecutorial discretion.”

Keep going, dullard.

Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana or to strip Colorado authorities of prosecutorial discretion. Just that Colorado's affirmative authorization of the manufacture, possession, and distribution of marijuana presents a substantial obstacle to Congress's objectives under the CSA to establish a national, comprehensive, uniform and closed statutory scheme to control the market in controlled substances in order to prevent the abuse and diversion of those substances.

Keep going

That's where the source I quoted stopped, halfwit.

Colorado's affirmative authorization

That is, their regulation of legal pot, whose end would leave unregulated (by Colorado) pot. Do try to keep up.

That's where the source I quoted stopped, halfwit.

Too dim to find and read the actual decision. So predictable.

"That is, their regulation of legal pot, whose end would leave unregulated (by Colorado) pot."

Colorado's regulation of pot legalized the manufacture, possession, and distribution of it. Ending Colorado's regulation of pot ends that legalization and places marijuana under federal control.

Too dim to find and read the actual decision.

What "decision"?

Ending Colorado's regulation of pot ends that legalization

Wrong - ending regulation in no way implies re-establishing penalties, and the suit does not call for such.

Colorado's regulation of pot legalized the manufacture, possession, and distribution of it. Ending Colorado's regulation of pot ends that legalization and places marijuana under federal control

Actually, Colorado decriminalized pot at the state level. It remains as illegal as ever.

Hypothetically, a President Trump could decide to enforce the Federal law and to withdraw any and all form of Federal benefits to renegade states, or perhaps the Federal government could charge, try, and convict the Governor for aiding, abetting, facilitating, or promoting the citizenry of Colorado in the violation of Federal laws.

That there is no State criminal statute against pot does not change the fact that there is a Federal statute that President Obama is failing to enforce. A different president may choose to fully enforce the Federal law. Or not.

"Actually, Colorado decriminalized pot at the state level. It remains as illegal as ever."

Nope. Colorado actually legalized it for those 21 and older. No penalties. You can grow it, buy it, smoke it, carry it around and give it to friends.

It is still, however, illegal at the federal level but Obama has said the DOJ will not enforce federal law in states that legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use.

Yes, Trump can change that policy. I hope he does. And I agree with you that the Governor of Colorado should be arrested and charged with sedition, along with anyone in the state legislature who voted for legalization.

"Wrong - ending regulation in no way implies re-establishing penalties, and the suit does not call for such."

Once again you're putting words in my mouth. Ending regulation ends the Colorado legalization program. The federal government would then be responsible for enforcing federal marijuana laws in Colorado. Colorado cannot be forced to enforce federal law. Nor can Colorado be forced to write state laws making marijuana illegal.

But then you'd have a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner.

You know what? I'm with you on this one. Colorado should NOT re-establish penalties. Let's see what REAL Libertarian freedom is like.

Nope. Colorado actually legalized it for those 21 and older. No penalties. You can grow it, buy it, smoke it, carry it around and give it to friends.

Nope. Colorado has no authority to override Federal law. Pot is unlawful today in all 50 states. It is just that the Obama Administration is not enforcing the law. It is no more legal than open borders or sanctuary cities.

http://law.justia.com/codes/us/2013/title-21/chapter-13/subchapter-i/part-d/section-841/

Prohibited acts A - 21 U.S.C. § 841 (2013)

§841. Prohibited acts A

(a) Unlawful acts

Except as authorized by this subchapter, it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally—

(1) to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance; or

(2) to create, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense, a counterfeit substance.

(b) Penalties

Except as otherwise provided in section 849, 859, 860, or 861 of this title, any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be sentenced as follows:

(1)(A) In the case of a violation of subsection (a) of this section involving—

(i) 1 kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin;

(ii) 5 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of—

(I) coca leaves, except coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves from which cocaine, ecgonine, and derivatives of ecgonine or their salts have been removed;

(II) cocaine, its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts of isomers;

(III) ecgonine, its derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers; or

(IV) any compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of any of the substances referred to in subclauses (I) through (III);

(iii) 280 grams or more of a mixture or substance described in clause (ii) which contains cocaine base;

(iv) 100 grams or more of phencyclidine (PCP) or 1 kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP);

(v) 10 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

(vi) 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N- [ 1- ( 2-phenylethyl ) -4-piperidinyl ] propanamide or 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of any analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide;

(vii) 1000 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana, or 1,000 or more marihuana plants regardless of weight; or

(viii) 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, and salts of its isomers or 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers;

such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 10 years or more than life and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be not less than 20 years or more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $10,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $50,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 20 years and not more than life imprisonment and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $20,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $75,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits a violation of this subparagraph or of section 849, 859, 860, or 861 of this title after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense have become final, such person shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment without release and fined in accordance with the preceding sentence. Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, any sentence under this subparagraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 5 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 10 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under this subparagraph. No person sentenced under this subparagraph shall be eligible for parole during the term of imprisonment imposed therein.

(B) In the case of a violation of subsection (a) of this section involving—

(i) 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin;

(ii) 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of—

(I) coca leaves, except coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves from which cocaine, ecgonine, and derivatives of ecgonine or their salts have been removed;

(II) cocaine, its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts of isomers;

(III) ecgonine, its derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers; or

(IV) any compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of any of the substances referred to in subclauses (I) through (III);

(iii) 28 grams or more of a mixture or substance described in clause (ii) which contains cocaine base;

(iv) 10 grams or more of phencyclidine (PCP) or 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP);

(v) 1 gram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

(vi) 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N- [ 1- ( 2-phenylethyl ) -4-piperidinyl ] propanamide or 10 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of any analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide;

(vii) 100 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana, or 100 or more marihuana plants regardless of weight; or

(viii) 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, and salts of its isomers or 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers;

such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be not less than 20 years or more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $5,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $25,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $8,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $50,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, any sentence imposed under this subparagraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, include a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, include a term of supervised release of at least 8 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under this subparagraph. No person sentenced under this subparagraph shall be eligible for parole during the term of imprisonment imposed therein.

(C) In the case of a controlled substance in schedule I or II, gamma hydroxybutyric acid (including when scheduled as an approved drug product for purposes of section 3(a)(1)(B) of the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000), or 1 gram of flunitrazepam, except as provided in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D), such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years or more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $1,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $5,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $2,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $10,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, any sentence imposing a term of imprisonment under this paragraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 3 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 6 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under the provisions of this subparagraph which provide for a mandatory term of imprisonment if death or serious bodily injury results, nor shall a person so sentenced be eligible for parole during the term of such a sentence.

(D) In the case of less than 50 kilograms of marihuana, except in the case of 50 or more marihuana plants regardless of weight, 10 kilograms of hashish, or one kilogram of hashish oil, such person shall, except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 5 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $250,000 if the defendant is an individual or $1,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $500,000 if the defendant is an individual or $2,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, any sentence imposing a term of imprisonment under this paragraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 2 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to such term of imprisonment.

(E)(i) Except as provided in subparagraphs (C) and (D), in the case of any controlled substance in schedule III, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 15 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $500,000 if the defendant is an individual or $2,500,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both.

(ii) If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $1,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $5,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both.

(iii) Any sentence imposing a term of imprisonment under this subparagraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 2 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to such term of imprisonment.

[...]

(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, §401, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1260; Pub. L. 95–633, title II, §201, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3774; Pub. L. 96–359, §8(c), Sept. 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 1194; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §§224(a), 502, 503(b)(1), (2), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2030, 2068, 2070; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §§1002, 1003(a), 1004(a), 1005(a), 1103, title XV, §15005, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–2, 3207–5, 3207–6, 3207–11, 3207–192; Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §§6055, 6254(h), 6452(a), 6470(g), (h), 6479, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4318, 4367, 4371, 4378, 4381; Pub. L. 101–647, title X, §1002(e), title XII, §1202, title XXXV, §3599K, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4828, 4830, 4932; Pub. L. 103–322, title IX, §90105(a), (c), title XVIII, §180201(b)(2)(A), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1987, 1988, 2047; Pub. L. 104–237, title II, §206(a), title III, §302(a), Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3103, 3105; Pub. L. 104–305, §2(a), (b)(1), Oct. 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 3807; Pub. L. 105–277, div. E, §2(a), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–759; Pub. L. 106–172, §§3(b)(1), 5(b), 9, Feb. 18, 2000, 114 Stat. 9, 10, 13; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title III, §3005(a), title IV, §4002(d)(2)(A), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1805, 1809; Pub. L. 109–177, title VII, §§711(f)(1)(B), 732, Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 262, 270; Pub. L. 109–248, title II, §201, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 611; Pub. L. 110–425, §3(e), (f), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4828, 4829; Pub. L. 111–220, §§2(a), 4(a), Aug. 3, 2010, 124 Stat. 2372.)

You are correct that pot remains illegal in all 50 states at the federal level.

Yes, Trump can change that policy. I hope he does.

Trump: "In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/10/29/trump-wants-marijuana-legalization-decided-at-the-state-level/

Colorado cannot be forced to enforce federal law. Nor can Colorado be forced to write state laws making marijuana illegal.

Agreed.

But then you'd have a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner.

That's what the suit calls for: an end to the regulation - "affirmative authorization" - of pot but not its legality ("Plaintiff States are not suggesting the CSA requires Colorado to criminalize marijuana").

You know what? I'm with you on this one. Colorado should NOT re-establish penalties. Let's see what REAL Libertarian freedom is like.

You're not with me on this one because I don't want pot legal for children (nor does pot being sold anywhere by anyone strike me as a good idea). But again, that's what the suit calls for - which is why my answer to "Should the suit go nowhere?" is "yes".

"Trump: "In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state"

I'd like to see that (and a whole lot of others issues) decided by each state, too. But it wouldn't work. Already the legal marijuana in Colorado is being found in the surrounding states where it remains illegal.

"which is why my answer to "Should the suit go nowhere?" is "yes".

Because the suit doesn't call for re-criminalization?

Already the legal marijuana in Colorado is being found in the surrounding states where it remains illegal.

And alcohol from elsewhere is found in dry counties; what's the proper policy conclusion?

"And alcohol from elsewhere is found in dry counties"

False analogy. It's perfectly legal to possess and consume alcohol in a dry county. A "dry" county is one which does not sell or serve alcohol.

The suit calls for ending the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. It does not prevent Colorado from enacting new marijuana laws. What's your problem with that?

The suit calls for ending the "legalization program", i.e. regulation, of marijuana for recreational use. It does not prevent nor require Colorado's enacting new marijuana laws. You pointed out the problem with that: "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner."

Already the legal marijuana in Colorado is being found in the surrounding states where it remains illegal.

If alcohol from elsewhere were found in Alaska's "local option communities" that ban the sale, importation, and possession of alcohol*, what would be the proper policy conclusion?

*https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/9/pub/ABC/DryDampCommunities/Localopt01-22-15.pdf

"You pointed out the problem with that: "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner."

Which is why Colorado would voluntarily re-enact their old laws. No one has to force them.

"If alcohol from elsewhere were found in Alaska's "local option communities" that ban the sale, importation, and possession of alcohol*, what would be the proper policy conclusion?"

The conclusion would be that it's difficult, if not impossible, to keep recreational drugs from crossing local borders. This same conclusion led to national Prohibition.

Should it lead there again? If not, why should the same difficulties with regard to marijuana lead to (or keep us at) national marijuana prohibition?

'You pointed out the problem with that: "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner."'

Which is why Colorado would voluntarily re-enact their old laws.

Far from clear. Their old laws saw dealers on less than every street corner - but did a poor job (if national averages are any guide) in keeping pot away from kids, while ensuring that ONLY cartels and other criminals profited from the pot trade.

"Far from clear."

Fine. So they wouldn't. I really don't care whether they do or they don't. Why is this an issue with you?

"Should it lead there again?"

Let's see. Alcohol is finding it's way from one community in Alaska to another community in Alaska. You're asking if we should consider going back to nationwide Prohibition because of that?

Answer: No.

"If not, why should the same difficulties with regard to marijuana lead to (or keep us at) national marijuana prohibition?"

Since Alaska's problems are not interstate, Congress doesn't have the authority.

Alcohol is finding it's way from one community in Alaska to another community in Alaska. [...] Since Alaska's problems are not interstate, Congress doesn't have the authority.

If a significant amount of the alcohol in Alaska comes from the lower 48 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it did), there's your "substantial effect" basis for congressional action.

I really don't care whether they do or they don't.

Really? You don't care if the suit leads Colorado to consider its least bad remaining option to be "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner"? I don't want to see Colorado thus cornered.

"If a significant amount of the alcohol in Alaska comes from the lower 48 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it did), there's your "substantial effect" basis for congressional action."

Is it? Seems farfetched, in that they can literally go next door to get whatever they want.

The marijuana coming out of Colorado, however, is real and presents a problem to the adjacent states. Perhaps Colorado should spend some of that tax revenue to keep a lid on it.

"You don't care if the suit leads Colorado to consider its least bad remaining option to be "a free-for-all -- children smoking dope, cartels moving in and growing tons of it, dealers on every street corner"?

Colorado should consider it's experiment in legal marijuana to be a failure and simply go back to the way it was before Amendment 64.

Seems farfetched, in that they can literally go next door to get whatever they want.

And where did next door get it?

Do Nebraska and Oklahoma have no state-grown pot?

Perhaps Colorado should spend some of that tax revenue to keep a lid on it.

(Pun intended?) I'd like to see these states reach a solution with discretion and prudence - of which the suit offers none.

Colorado should consider it's experiment in legal marijuana to be a failure

How has it failed?

"How has it failed?"

Colorado is being sued because they failed to keep their crap within state lines. You call that success?

How has it failed. Buy a fucking clue for once.

"And where did next door get it?"

Who cares where they legally got it and why does that concern you?

"Do Nebraska and Oklahoma have no state-grown pot?"

You mean state-grown pot that they sell to recreational users including children? I mean, that's the is issue here, right? Or do you wish to change the subject?

"I'd like to see these states reach a solution with discretion and prudence - of which the suit offers none.'

I'm guessing the lawsuit was the result of a failed attempt to reach a solution with discretion and prudence. No? You think Nebraska and Oklahoma just decided one day to commit millions of dollars t to a lawsuit?

Colorado is being sued because they failed to keep their crap within state lines. You call that success?

That means nothing to the evaulation of success unless and until Colorado loses the suit.

Who cares where they legally got it

If next door got it from the lower 48 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it did), there's your "substantial effect" basis for congressional action.

You mean state-grown pot that they sell to recreational users including children?

Pot grown in Nebraska and Oklahoma, in violation of state law, would be sold to recreational users - and, due to lack of effective regulation in the black market, that would include children - yes.

If that exists in more than negligible quantities, then that situation remains comparable to that of Alaska's "local option communities" that ban the sale, importation, and possession of alcohol and their neighbors who let their interstate-commerce-acquired alcohol into those communities.

I'm guessing the lawsuit was the result of a failed attempt to reach a solution with discretion and prudence.

I doubt the suit was their first move - but I have no idea whether their final offer to Colorado represented discretion and prudence as opposed to, say, a desire to beat the Reefer Madness drum for the voters.