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Plainsman1963

DEA: Pot law would strain cops
09-20-06 | RockyMountainNews.Com | David Montero

Opponents of the proposed ballot measure that would legalize possession of marijuana statewide said today that its passage would put further strains on federal law enforcement.
Drug Enforcement Agent Jeffrey Sweetin said by making the state a place for legalized possession of small amounts, drug runners will begin trafficking in large amounts of marijuana to sell. Large amounts, he said, becomes a federal problem.

"It will clearly impact what we do," he said. "Right now, a smaller amount of focus is on pot, but if this passes, we will be able focus less and less on other drugs and pot will become a major focus."

Standing with medical professionals and Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, they all urged voters to reject Amendment 44 in November. That measure seeks to legalize possession of marijuana by adults across the state.

Supporters of the amendment have said that legalizing marijuana possession for adults — less than an ounce — would free up law enforcement to pursue drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine. They have also claimed prohibition isn’t working and use the prohibition of alcohol in the ‘20s as an example of a failed policy.

 

king cola

I got news for this guy, pot already gets smuggled in large amounts! It's been a federal problem since 1937, prohibition is to blame for the problems of any civilian making a profit off it, but even when something is legal it gets shipped in large amounts, that's why we have trailer trucks to make deliveries. Prohibition created the problems we have and according to them, the only way to handle the problem is to continue prohibition

Impact what they do? Small amount of focus is on pot, they are DEA agents, any drug bust they could make is their focus.

Any adult can have about a ounce of pot. Then the DEA shouldn't have much to say about it because if someone is caught with a large amount they could still make a bust until pot is completely legalized. Alcohol was all over the place when it was illegal, it was even being smuggled in large amounts from places like Canada. Now that it's legalized it still continues to get shipped in large amounts because it's a legal product and a top selling one throughout the country that people want. Doesn't the DEA have a brain to make the comparison? If pot was completely legalized they wouldn't have to focus on it because it would be legally sold in stores and regulated and not out on the street bein sold to anyone under 21.

Buzzby

Awwww! Poor federal law enforcement! This is a problem for the people of the State of Colorado - why? The feds can continue to do whatever they want. If what they want is contrary to the will of the people of Colorado, why should those people worry about it?

And a state problem. There will be no change in the state laws concerning trafficking. By far the vast majority of arrests for marijuana are performed by state and local law enforcement. Close to 90% of pot arrests are for minor possession, so the new law would free up law enforcement at all levels to work on more serious matters. For that matter small amounts are also illegal by federal law. If the DEA wants to patrol the streets of Colorado picking up pot smokers, they could do that, too.

Why is it, then, that the Drug Czar said that marijuana is the biggest problem in America and most enforcement efforts are directed towards it?

I'd say that it's inappropriate for public officials to campaign against what is a citizen initiative.

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carlover_36

Once again the propoganda to increase prejudice against Marijuana and users finds it's way into the news.I find it very upsetting knowing that the opinions of US citizens are once again ignored and treated as being wrong.If the folks are worried about trafficing,why don't they just legalize the use and growing of Marijuana?Keep it illegal to sell.If we just grow our own then aint no need to buy it from someone,and if ya got a friend that cann't grow then share some of yours.No more problems.

vladimir

anyone have poll numbers on this vote?
I'm pretty excited about this thing. Even if it doesn't pass, it's great to see such activism, people taking a stand for what is right.

...and maybe this will bring more pot to kansas....

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If a drug (or technique or process) were ever to be discovered which would consistently produce a plus four experience in all human beings, it is conceivable that it would signal the ultimate evolution, and perhaps the end of, the human experiment.