Independence Day is over- put away all the freedom talk.

Medical marijuana has been legal here since 1998. It is still extremely controversial.

See comments below this article for lots of controversy:

“The ordinance effectively bans medical marijuana within city limits but positions the city for the possibility that a conflict between state and federal laws will someday be resolved.”

This past spring- a police raid was conducted on a Port Townsend residence because of the odor of legal medical marijuana:

UPDATED: No suspects charged in morning raid
Police discover medical marijuana license on site

Raid first- ask questions later.

Preserving a free society, free markets, free trade, private property rights, & a minimal bureaucracy where violent SWAT raids are used to go after adults who want to peacefully grow a marijuana plant in the back yard.

Democrats are A-OK with the violent SWAT raids too- they just talk less about personal responsibility, individual liberty, constitutional principles, smaller, limited government, free enterprise, private property rights, etc.

Over the past two years- as an unpaid volunteer- I was able to collect more than 1000 signatures in the Port Townsend area for marijuana legalization.

In the case of the initiatives I volunteered for- legalization meant ending all penalties for adults at the state level.

Marijuana should be just as legal as a glass of wine.

Those who oppose medical marijuana frequently say that it is just a scam for people who want to get high.

People attend Happy Hours at bars all across America- just because they want to get high.

Maybe these folks just want to get high:

Oregon producer, French winemaker pair to produce sublime wine

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

Photo- Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary from Crescent Beach- Vancouver Island in the distance

Much talk about a chance to vote for marijuana legalization in November.

Legalization?

Unfortunately, I-502 does nothing to end guilty until proven innocent police raids on peaceful people.

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

In a free society- where marijuana is legal- the following event would never happen-

“Port Townsend Police raided a house Wednesday morning, and learned by that afternoon the resident apparently had a license to grow medical marijuana.

About 8 a.m. April 11 police raided a home on the 300 block of Hendricks Street after the receiving a tip from passersby that a strong odor was emanating from the residence.”

I-502 does nothing to end guilty until proven innocent police raids on the homes of peaceful people.

Hey ACLU of Washington- how can the I-502 drug dog/SWAT team tell if there is more than 1 ounce or a single plant growing behind a peaceful homeowner’s door?

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

Related-

July 17, 2008-

“The Washington Supreme Court ruled July 17 that police cannot arrest passengers simply for being in a car that smells of marijuana.”

Legalization?

Unfortunately, I-502 does nothing to end guilty until proven innocent police raids on peaceful people.

“Port Townsend Police raided a house Wednesday morning, and learned by that afternoon the resident apparently had a license to grow medical marijuana.

About 8 a.m. April 11 police raided a home on the 300 block of Hendricks Street after the receiving a tip from passersby that a strong odor was emanating from the residence.”

Marijuana legalization (not really) in Washington State –

Not asking people to vote against it– just want people to have an honest understanding of what is in play.

Many people seem to think I-502 will be a first step in the right direction- & that improvements can come later.

Alcohol prohibition ended in the 1930s. The federal government imposed alcohol prohibition on adults age 18-20 in 1984. It wasn’t until 2011 that voters authorized private liquor sales in Washington State.

“On Octtober 23, 2000, President Clinton signed legislation instituting a phased in financial penalty for States which do not implement a .08 per se[1] blood alcohol limit.[2] Even so, the .08 debate is not necessarily over. This legislation gives states until 2004 to adopt .08 BAC as their per se limit. Failure to adopt this standard within this time frame would result in a loss of a portion of federal highway funding.”

We’ve had medical marijuana here since 1998– efforts to smooth out rough edges have not gone well.

Makes sense to get it right the first time.

I do believe- if I-502 creates a train wreck with the feds- that may be a good thing.

The average voter who does not care much about liberty or marijuana will be angered to see the feds try to interfere with what people want locally.

How will I-502 end violent SWAT raids on people who want to grow a plant at home or possess more than 1 ounce?

Hey ACLU of Washington- how can the I-502 drug dog/SWAT team tell if there is more than 1 ounce or a single plant growing behind a peaceful homeowner’s door?

A Tucson, Ariz., SWAT team defends shooting an Iraq War veteran 60 times during a drug raid, although it declines to say whether it found any drugs in the house and has had to retract its claim that the veteran shot first.

NORML- (supports I-502)

“Additionally, at NORML we also support the right of consumers to grow their own marijuana, and there is no such legal protection in the WA initiative.”

Driving while impaired testing/legal limits for marijuana-

The concern is that bodily fluids may test positive for residual evidence of marijuana use (not abuse) unrelated to driving while impaired.

This is not to defend operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs or marijuana– the concern is to avoid wrongful DUI arrests for people who are not impaired.

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

Has I-692 caused problems on the highways?

If this is an honest concern- what has the state been waiting on?

People have been able to get behind the wheel after using marijuana for decades.

This will remain so- even if recreational use of marijuana never becomes legal.

Maybe the Washington State Patrol sees this as a non-issue.

Some will say there is no reason to be concerned about being forced to submit to a marijuana impairment test because in order to be stopped for impaired driving- you have to show impairment?

This leaves out the possibility of being involved in an accident through no fault of your own- rear ended, hit a deer, etc.

During the accident investigation you are asked to submit to a test- maybe you appear to be stressed out, nervous, in shock, emotional, etc.

Perhaps you’ll be forced to prove your innocence at a DUI checkpoint?

NORML- (supports I-502)

“We fully recognize the per se DUI marijuana provisions in I-502 are arbitrary, unnecessary, and unscientific, and we argued strongly with the sponsors for provisions that would require proof of actual impairment to be shown before one could be charged with a traffic safety offense.”

Call off the drug dogs & tax payer-funded SWAT raids?

No- I-502 leaves the Drug War fully in place for adults age 18-20- possibly resulting in a drug related conviction barring eligibility for scholarships, future employment, etc.

“A single arrest can result in a lifetime of collateral consequences, making it harder to get a job and find a place to live.”

I would have thought the ACLU would be the last to propose dividing adults into groups of 1st and 2nd class citizens- those age 18-20 being prohibited from acting on their natural rights.

All adults should receive the protections and benefits of lifting a marijuana prohibition which is more harmful than the effects of adult marijuana use.

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

Why should the force of government/majority rule be connected in any way to these sorts of adult choices?

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.