House to Vote on Marijuana Legalization Friday.

[SergeStorms]

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/house-vote-marijuana-legalization/

The legalization of marijuana is in a delicate place: While most states have legalized it for recreational or medical purposes, it’s still illegal at a federal level. But that could soon change.

This week, the House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill that would decriminalize marijuana use on a federal level. This is a move that is overwhelmingly popular among Americans: An April 2021 poll from Pew Research found that 91% of U.S. adults think marijuana should be legal, either medically, recreationally or both at the federal level.

And while the vote would open the door to radically change how weed is used in the U.S., analysts expect it to face hurdles in the Senate.

Currently, 37 states have legalized cannabis for medical use, and 18 have legalized it for both medical and recreational use. But since it’s still illegal under federal law, it poses significant challenges for marijuana businesses, including being barred from accessing financial services and unable to obtain loans or bank accounts.

Please, please, please. This is crucial to so many pain and symptom management patients who could benefit from the use of medicinal marijuana. They can't use it because it's a federal schedule one drug, the same as heroin.

I didn't think I'd ever see this day come.

[Emile]

1. Smart move by democrats. All polls show the majority of people

want it legalized.

[GoodRaisin]

45. Agree. This is something would be "R" voters want that they

will see their elected Republicans vote against. Good for us at election time.

[samnsara]

2. ive lived in legal land for 10 years now...

..i am still amazed i can drive to the local pot shop and buy pre rolls for 2-3$ a gram

[luv2fly]

4. Prerolls for 2-3 $ a GRAM?

Seriously? That is dirt cheap. Down in IL they want 10 times as much for a 1 gram preroll.

[Traildogbob]

10. Yes

But have ya seen the price for the not yet legal stuff. I have not shopped in a number of years, but I do remember a time when pot was $20 a “Lid”. (Oz) damn I’m old, talk about inflation. Seems you are getting a well under illegal market price. Today 27 grams are close to $300, I am told. I got priced out long ago. Good wine is much more reasonable. But if we get it, I will be in line. My county and many around here in WNC use to have acres and acres of tobacco fields. A major part of local economy for land owners that farmed it, to not be taxed so bad they had to sell the land. Those acres now could make those folks a good living. The acres not subdivided now, because of the fall in tobacco farming here.
This could be a HUGE 2022 platform. Compared to what GQP offers. I am
Certain the weed folks out number evilgelicals. The poles will be packed as tight as a bad preroll.

[luv2fly]

17. A lid is easily over $300 or $400 in the legal IL shops

Depends on the THC content. I remember the term too... we used to get 30 dollar lids in college. I still can't believe people find legal pot now for 2 or 3 dollars a gram, the equivalent of 60-80 dollars an ounce. Unfathomable to me after having purchased in more than a few legal states and the prices were always about the same.

[jalan48]

31. Now there's a term I haven't heard in awhile.

[Traildogbob]

32. Hey, thanks for the info

Back in the day though, your Lid would be loaded with seeds and stems to make weight, and any potency was a pig in the poke. I like the thought of “choosing” potency and type of high and not have cops stormy a sleepy apartment you went to to get some weed. Probably be dead before NC Christian’s ever allow legal shops here. If we had 1/10 of the Guns Stores, Churches and Dollar stores for weed stores, we would have a dozen in this county. When I left the Navy and came here for college, MOST of these western counties were dry, no alcohol. Yet Moon Shine was booming. Took a long time, but Christian’s lost, and many drink as much as others. Back then the Western Carolina University students would make a B line to The county housing Asheville, for Booze. And law enforcement in the two counties from college to there had a ball and made a fortune busting illegal beer haulers. Beer Bong Kavanaugh would have a record a mile long.
Anyway, enjoy your legal blunts, Doobies or whatever we called them in the days of Lids.

[catsudon]

65. we're being abused in virginia....

we have the most expensive marijauana in the usa.

[Walleye]

3. Never thought I'd see this either. But then I never thought I'd see a president from Delaware

[musclecar6]

5. I thought

50 years ago, that eventually marijuana would be legalized. It’s always been a much better drug than alcohol on so many levels, both recreational and of course medicinal for so many ailments. Did that happen. Of course not. Even today, we can’t seem to get enough federal congress people to put us over the finish line, when 91 percent of the country along with 37 percent of states okay medical and 18 okay both. I mean how fucking stupid is our congress? Obviously quite stupid.

Ya think it’s cause the booze lobbyists keep stuffing the coffers of enough congress people to vote against it ?

[AllyCat]

7. The tavern keepers lobby is the problem in Wisco.

Also, I would imagine the private prison lobby doesn’t want it either.

[True Blue American]

6. They do not have the time to pass

Daylight Saving, or voting rights bills but they have time to legalize Pot?

[Emile]

8. It's not like cannabis users haven't waited long enough!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. Does anybody really know what time it is?

Does anybody really care?

Light 'em if you got 'em.



I hear you about the voting rights bills.

[madinmaryland]

51. ...and after you pass me the popcorn and potato chips, pass the Voters Rights Bills!

[Autumn]

56. I'm pretty sure that Dems have the time and energy to handle more than one thing at a time.

[getagrip_already]

9. Will cannabis be removed from schedule 1?

Schedule 1 drugs are drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Cannabis doesn't fall into either category, although alcohol does.

Until it is removed from schedule 1, it isn't truly legal.

For example, my employer can test me for drugs and dismiss me if I test positive. Many states formally add clauses in state contracts that state employers will test for drugs.

Unless cannabis is reclassified to fall outside those requirements, I still can't use it. No federal or state worker or contractor can. Nobody with a merchant mariner credential, pilots license, or cdl can either.

Many occupations require random drug screening.

Just making banking easier doesn't make it truly legal at the federal level.

[SergeStorms]

19. That's my understanding....

that it will be removed from all federal schedules. It will no longer be illegal, so no reason to have it on any federal schedules for illicit drugs.

This is huge for me too, for anyone who has signed an opioid contract and has to have urinalysis every month. I've had to jump through their stupid hoops for 20+ years now.

[jmowreader]

27. According to the federal description...

…using a drug for its psychoactive effects qualifies as abuse.

Alcohol has a few medically accepted uses. The biggest one is the treatment of antifreeze poisoning. Ethylene glycol is metabolized by the same pathway as ethanol, but the main metabolic product of ethylene glycol is oxalic acid, which destroys the kidneys. Your body would much rather metabolize ethanol than antifreeze, so the treatment is, quite simply, to get you totally shitfaced and keep you that way until there’s no more antifreeze in your urine. The DAK Americas (they make polyester, which uses ethylene glycol as one of its ingredients) SDS for this chemical contains an excellent screwdriver recipe for just this reason.

[getagrip_already]

33. that used to be true of alcohol, but isn't any longer...

The ama no longer lists alcohol as a preferred treatment for any condition. There are better drugs available for what it used to be used for, including dt's.

All in, alcohol is a very destructive drug in our society, as opposed to cannabis.

[KS Toronado]

12. Love to see the day when people can grow their own for their own use legally.

[SoonerPride]

30. In Oklahoma you can.

You can have up to 6 plants.

As long as you have a medical ID card, which is super easy to get.

A licensed patient or their caregiver may legally possess six mature marijuana plants and six seedlings; mature plants are flowering plants, while seedlings are non-flowering. The states allow an equal amount of each so that you may maintain a continuous growth cycle of your medical marijuana.

[getagrip_already]

34. in MA, it is rec legal, and you can grow it.....

Up to 6 plants per person, or 12 per household. There is no limit on the amount you can have if you grew it.

[KS Toronado]

39. As usual KS is behind the times

I'd be happy with 1 in my garden.

[getagrip_already]

41. outdoors is trickier.....

We have to place them in a locked enclosure which can't be seen from another structure or any road or pathway. Makes it hard to do legally unless you have land in a remote location.

And then there are the rippers... You spend all season growing beutiful plants only to have some teens come in at night and take the whole darn garden.

Much less stressful to grow indoors.

[Buckeyeblue]

58. In MI you can have up to 8 plants

[brooklynite]

13. ...after which the Senate won't pass it.

[Mariana]

66. Let them be on record as killing it, then. nt.

[The Wizard]

14. Most of those opposing are looking for a bribe.

As soon as they figure out how to get their vig Congress will legalize it. Big pharma stands to lose, so they'll be sending bribes to offshore money laundries.

[OhioTim]

15. I Live In a Medical Marijuana State,

and support legalization, but we have to be real because a big portion of people just want to get stoned legally.

[LiberatedUSA]

49. So?

A big portion of people like to get drunk legally. Being high is way less destructive than being a black out drunk.

[Mariana]

67. Of course they do. So what? nt.

[BannonsLiver]

16. A completely pointless exercise

DOA in the senate. Thanks founding fathers!

[Emile]

18. Even Republicans are starting to realize the poll numbers. So it still has a chance in the Senate.

[BannonsLiver]

21. Zero chance.

[SergeStorms]

22. It would need 60 votes.....

whether we can get those 60 votes is anyone's guess.

[Loge23]

20. The least they can do

The prohibition of cannabis, rooted in racism, is now yet another tool of the theocrats to impose their peculiar brand of self-flagellation on the masses. It's about no relief, you must suffer like the rest of us - unless you buy our legalized alcohol products and/or our Zanax or Valium or other overpriced chemicals from our Holy Pharmaceutical Industry.
Like many of us oldsters now, I have been enjoying cannabis - in moderation of course - for well over 50 years now. Low and behold, it never led to an addiction! In fact, during the peak of my working years (an MBA and executive level employment btw) I discontinued my use of cannabis due to the marijuana testing (popularly known as "drug" testing), since I drove a company vehicle. I simply stopped - for years - without any ill effects. Imagine that.
Now that I'm retired, I enjoy my cannabis once again. It suits me. Unfortunately, I live in state of prohibition but the underground procurement system has never been much of problem, save for the lost revenue in taxes to the idiots who stand in the way.
In a country and world that appears to be coming apart at the seams, a little cannabis goes a long way to alleviating the outrage and frustration of watching the planet go to hell in the proverbial handbasket.
It's far, far past time but I have little to no faith that the fossils in government will agree. We'll see.
In the meantime, roll me another one.
As for addiction, it is a big problem for many people and I don't mean to minimize that. I also don't think that cannabis is its' cause.

[Fritz Walter]

23. "analysts expect it to face hurdles in the Senate."

No shit, Sherlock!

Big Pharma is going to fight this tooth and nail! It directly threatens their business model. Those companies -- which are already making obscene profits off other necessities like insulin, and epi-pens -- are going to pour millions if not billions into GQP senators' PACs or directly into campaign warchests.

[Emile]

25. I hate to see Democratic Senators blow it on cannabis!

[Polybius]

28. Well Rand Paul has said he will be a Yes vote

So we can lose Manchin, who surely will vote No.

[Emile]

29. Manchin last time I checked was undecided.

[albacore]

70. Lying... like Collins. Can't trust them at all. nt

[getagrip_already]

35. actually, big pharma wants to own it.....

They want it to be treated like any regulated drug. They just don't support the current production, distribution, or retail system since they can't control it.

And they absolutely hate that it can be grown at home.

So yeah, they will oppose the current bill, but may propose changes they can use to control it.

[Warpy]

24. Too bad it didn't come 3 years ago

It would have made a lot of people healthier as they exited lockdown instead of wigged out.

Research needs to continue, but preliminary data show that teasing various single compounds out is not working all that well. It seems you need the whole range of alkaloids for the best symptom relief with fewest side effects. It will be interesting to see what compounds they have yet to discover in this incredibly useful plant.

[Fritz Walter]

46. Amen, Warpy!

I'm living proof of your point.

Whether by divine providence, karma, or sheer luck, I got certified by the State of Florida as a medical cannabis patient well before lockdown. Had it not been for my access to this resource, I'm not sure how well I'd have coped.
Or even "if I'd have coped".

[scarytomcat]

26. Please end the war on cannabis.

I will get in line when it happens. Fuck Nixon, he was an asshole crook.

[getagrip_already]

36. law enforcement will lobby against it in the senate....

It is a huge source of revenue and power to them. They hate it here in MA since it became legal. They can't just throw kids in jail and ruin their lives over a silly joint.

And they can't seize property, or levy fines.

[Emile]

37. I think we need to start drug testing cops and politicians, that would

bring legalization!

[Midnight Writer]

38. We have tested this in several State "laboratories". Society did not crumble in legal States.

Personally, I think pot is far safer and less debilitating than alcohol.

Pot prohibition simply props up a criminal underground, not just inside our country but in Mexico and Central and South America.

[hunter]

40. How will cops harass people they don't like if cannabis is legal?

That's the most important question.

.

.

.

[H2O Man]

42. Recommended.

I live in NYS, where it is now legal. Like the vast majority of people of my generation, I trusted my high school health teacher's warnings that exposure to a single hit of the demon weed could cause birth defects in my ancestors. Then, more than a decade later, Nancy Reagan's "Just Say Know!" Surely, thousands of American youth died from second-hand exposure to this extremely dangerous narcotic. Even more suffered from listening to the Beatles' "White Album" backwards while under the influence of "pot."

Yet, if my state's politicians deem the newest wave of much more potent pot to be safe, I am whiling to try it. I do insist -- purely for safety -- that there be two medical doctors, a psychologist and a social worker, my late high school health teacher, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a part-time municipal officer capable of doing five sit-ups present. Might as well throw in the White Album and a turn-table that plays backwards.

Pray for me.

[SergeStorms]

43. Tots and pears, H2O Man.

I'm in upstate New York, and I'd like to use medical marijuana for a sleeping aid. I now take 2 different medications to sleep that I'd like to get free from.

I'm a pain and symptom management patient since April 2000 because of a botched spinal fusion. In New York you have to sign an opioid contract to receive Methadone, and part of that contract is a monthly urinalysis that checks for the presence of any "street" drugs or other prescription medications I'm not supposed to be using. I'm hoping that if marijuana is taken off the federal schedule of illicit drugs that I might even be able to get off the Methadone.

Ya' gotta have a dream, right?

I'll make sure we get some qualified EMTs outside your front door in case you freak out, OK?

[H2O Man]

44. Luckily,

I am on a break from furiously playing two pianos with wild abdomen, and am now reading your response. I had a spinal fusion & cage in 2002. So I can relate. Sleep is a rare thing most nights.

After the surgery, they gave me an Rx for pain-killers. I said I didn't want them, and noted one of my brothers became addicted to them. They said, "You'll need these, kid." And I did benefit from taking half of one per day. But soon it was one, then two, ..... and scheduling the day around them. So I decided to quit. I told my youngest that I might be a shit for three days, and she assured me I had been one my whole life. I was ready!

Three days quickly became three months. Lennon's "Cold Turkey" became my favorite song. But I carried on. Two years later, I ran into a brother-in-law at one of our friend's calling hours. He was planning to quit. I told him to keep in touch, because withdrawal takes one into the dark depths, often with thoughts that were not real. He did quit, but killed himself a few days into withdrawal.

I know a number of people my age that have terrible problems with pills and patches and heroin. These days, Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done" takes on new meaning. It's a tough fight, and I think people should have access to what helps them to survive.

Back to the piano!

[SergeStorms]

52. Faster! Faster!! Faster!!!

That movie is a scream. It's hard to believe it ever worked on keeping someone from taking a puff.

Yeah, I've cut back to the lowest level I've been on since my operation, but I just can't seem to get rid of the lowest dose. Maybe if I can find some of that stuff you're using to play that piano of yours.............

[H2O Man]

55. Ha!

That flick was a cult classic!

It seems like centuries ago that I was young, and injuries didn't last long. I think old ones started stopping by to visit when I was in my 40s; moved back in during my 50s; and appear to be seeking to evict me from my body since my 60s. Having my younger son running around my lawn with 150 lbs on his back, yelling, "C'mon old man! Let's get you back in shape!" has not helped. But it is funny when I've taken a hit or two while working in the garden.

I've had a couple injuries in the past several years where, in the ER/ICU, they've attempted to give me pain-killers. While vacationing in the ICU, I insisted that at least one nurse must have a bowl of weed in their car for lunch time. Their ignored my demands. Even the doctor in charge ignored my request that she find a pot brownie for me. I was even willing to just consume a lump of hash. No luck.

On the serious side, chronic pain sucks. It just fucking sucks.

[GoodRaisin]

50. I'm also in pain management but

I refused the opioids because I didn’t want to get hooked and I sure didn’t want to be drug tested every 30 days. I had spinal fusion a little over a year ago and also am told I need more. I also have a spinal cord injury from my condition which is permanent. I’m managing my pain and muscle spasms with a combination of Lyrica, Baclofen, Diclofenac Sodium, and Tylenol. It helps, but still leaves a lot to be desired. There is nothing I would love more than having the freedom to grow my own medical marijuana beside my corn and tomatoes, but I live in North Carolina, where the Freedumb Party (Republican Taliban) has decided they know what’s better for my pain than I do. I hate these evil fucking people with a passion. I’d move to a real “freedom” state, but my entire family and support system is here.

So, I am another one who shares your dream.

[SergeStorms]

53. Best of luck to you.

There must be someone in your area that grows their own. Some of those good old boys grow the finest green on the east coast. I have friends in Tennessee that grow their own, and it's kick ass, or so they tell me anyway.

I'd recommend a nice indica for sleeping, and a sativa/indica blend for the daytime. Ahhhhhh...... maybe someday, huh?

It's very admirable that you went without pain meds after your spinal fusion. I was in my early 50s when I had mine, and I really don't think I could have done it. 22 years later and I'm still on a low dose, and it was a real bear to whittle it down this far.

Best of luck to you, GoodRaisin!

[GoodRaisin]

54. Thanks, gonna need it

and same to you. Hoping enough libertarians will cross over and help make our dreams become our realities. Take care SergeStorms.

[pecosbob]

47. A lot of local political turf-wars and corruption accompanied the rollout here in Nevada

They weren't prepared and it was a bit of a cluster-f***. I'm sure you all heard about the Russian Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Dumber pouring money into campaign chests here to get licensing (MAGA candidate for Governor Adam Laxalt).

Everything from the beginning here has been geared toward industrialization and away from any kind of private mom and pop operation. Part of the legislation was a clause that prohibits private individuals from growing at home if within five miles of a dispensary. There are at best few dozen grower/distributors here and grow operations are permitted only in secure facilities in certain commercial zones in the city/county. You can tell where they are by the run-over skunk smell. No outdoor growing. Nevada is not really a great place to grow pot and the bottom line is that the weed next door in California is a lot better and a lot cheaper.

[Emile]

48. I hope this vote will be on CSpan.

[True Blue American]

57. All votes are on CSPAN.

1 for the House, 2 for the Senate. Even voice votes.

[Emile]

59. Live on C-SPAN right now!

[Emile]

60. Rep. Cliff Bents R-Oregon

Worried

[Emile]

61. Republicans all worried there's no money for law enforcement.

No money for turnip growers either. This is about marijuana legalization not funding the police, hell we already do that.

[Emile]

62. Raskin points out the hypocritical republicans with their cocaine

fueled orgys. Bwhaha I love Raskin!

[brooklynite]

63. "I didn't think I'd ever see this day come"

And you won't. Yes, the House will approve it. No, the Senate will not.

[wanda4rafi]

64. And there needs to be a blanket pardon for those still serving time

whose only crime was selling pot.

[AntivaxHunters]

68. I can't tell you how happy I am

this is happening.

I live in Colorado and despite it being fully legalized here, since it's not legal on the federal level, doctor's can't prescribe me it for pain relief & since I'm on Medicaid, the cost for using weed edibles to micro dose with comes straight out of my pocket. And it royally sucks ass.

See, I'm unable to use opioids because I've been addicted to Hydrocodone post-surgery. And because of that pre-disposition, I have to be incredibly careful. Weed gummies solve that and takes away the pain I have from the antibiotic resistant superbug infection I have.
And believe me, the amount of pain I'm in can be completely debilitating to where I am unable function like a normal person.

This is a huge step forward for many of us & I wish this had happened years ago. I remember how joyous I was when Bernie came out in 2016 as the first major candidate of a political party to fully endorse weed legalization. I was elated with joy thinking that this would really help me and many others. Obviously that didn't happen but today we have a big chance to fix a big wrong once for all.

Watch the "NO" votes closely.
Let's get this done folks!

And, just a bit of a "LOL" for you all. This was made ion 2016 immediately after Bernie endorsed weed legalization in 2016 & to this day it still cracks me up lol

[blogslug]

69. Final vote on passage of the bill happening now

https://www.c-span.org/video/?519065-1/house-debates-bill-federally-decriminalize-marijuana

[blogslug]

71. H R 3617 Passes

220 - Yea

204 - Nay

[Emile]

72. Who were the Dems that voted against a party platform vote?

[blogslug]

73. Don't know that bit yet

I do know that Cuellar of TX voted Nay.

[blogslug]

74. The vote record is out

Here's who voted Yea and Nay and who didn't vote at all:

https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022107

[Emile]

75. Henry Cuellar TX was one

[superpatriotman]

76. Gaetz voted Aye

As did Mast (FL) and McClintock (CA)

Broken clocks and what not.

[obamanut2012]

77. MMJ is a huge business down here, and DeSantis is all involved in it

So, I suspect a vote against it would be a slap against DeSantis.

[Zeitghost]

78. Is this legalization...

Or decriminalization? I keep seeing both terms being used and they are not the same. Decriminalization which removes criminal penalties while still keeping it technically illegal is not ideal. You get a lot of the downsides of legalization without a lot of the benefits.

[Emile]

79. Legalization, but states can keep it illegal at the state level.