Rolling Cannabis Politics Thread

Many officers in NYPD will be sad now that they have one less excuse to racially profile. Of course, when they can legally kill an unarmed black man for 'suspicion of selling loose cigarettes on the street', this should not present any insuperable problems.

It was interesting to see how all this stuff is being handled on the west coast. I can only assume it will wind down like marriage equality, with the rest of the states following the lead of NYC and just totally ending most enforcement and the lagging federal government eventually more or less forced (or who knows, committed) to following suit. When even Oklahoma is heading in this direction ...

Bike tour guy in San Francisco predicted the hills around Mendocino will soon be to pot what Sonoma/Napa is to grapes.

too bad the hills around Mendocino are all on fire atm and not the good kind of blazing

I'm supposed to be going to a wedding in Idyllwild this weekend, forest fire map thing is not looking too encouraging

sorry that would more be for a forest fire thread than this one ;_;

more on topic: angelenos, what's the process for legal pot purchasing? just walk into a dispensary and have id or something?

not an angeleno, but yeah it should be that easy.

that's how it works in Oregon

also, cash only

sounds good!

I think it also depends on what city you're in, most cities are not allowed that kind of access yet. West Hollywood does, Oakland, I think.

http://www.thecannifornian.com/cannabis-news/california-news/legally-buy-recreational-marijuana-california-starting-jan-1/

I bought a couple of edible things last week out west, mostly for the sake of curiosity (I've never smoked so much as a cigarette before). In Ashland, Oregon, we had to be buzzed in (har) to this modest place, barely more than a couple of counters, and the average dude behind the register checked my wife's ID, showed her what they had in stock (there were dried plants, pipes n stuff, lotions, tinctures, edibles, et al.), then she paid in cash. I can't remember if credit was an option, but they did put a few flyers in the bag re: safety and keeping kids away, etc. In San Francisco, totally different experience. There was this insanely high-end (har again) place down the street (hxxps://apothecarium.com), so I went there, showed my IL ID, they took a picture of it, had me fill out some info, then had me wait in a really nice lounge until they called my name. They were extremely nice and professional, answered my questions, offered suggestions, gave me a first time customer discount, then let me pay with credit. I looked into it a bit more, and apparently there are some strictly medical places in CA that do require a prescription or card, but in SF I needed nothing but an ID. And an out of state ID, for that matter. Anecdotally, I saw more dispensaries in Portland but less open use. In San Francisco it was the converse.

FWIW, I packed the couple of things I bought in my carry on bag and took them home. TSA doesn't care about that stuff, and even if anything somehow got on their radar I believe the policy is to refer (har?) it to the local police. But of course local police increasingly really doesn't care short of someone packing a huge duffel with drugs.

Here in Illinois, things are a lot stricter. Pot is legal for medical use, but the official medical uses are pretty serious issues (cancer, IBS, PTSD) that require lots of hoops - doctors, fees, cards, etc., totaling probably a good hunk of time and I think a few hundred dollars in fees. Even so, my pal got his card from some quack, and while he still had to jump through hoops and did get it for a medical condition, that medical condition (insomnia, essentially) is not on the approved list. Still, he said it was pretty easy. The local place he buys whatever from, though, involved several waiting rooms and doors and codes and security and paying with cash.

DC seems to have it weirdest. They voted overwhelmingly to legalize for recreational use, then the federal gov intervened. So apparently there is this whole grey area system of buying some trinket from a dealer/dispensary/shop and then they throw in the pot as a "gift."

It's all fascinatingly ad hoc.

navigating the DC craigslist for people giving out "gifts" was crazy but it worked out ok for me when i was there.

DC has actual stores now

But are they cash for goods or is this gifting thing still going on?

So apparently there is this whole grey area system of buying some trinket from a dealer/dispensary/shop and then they throw in the pot as a "gift.”

(there’s also a delivery service in dc and boston called high speed where the “goods” being sold are juices)

But are they cash for goods or is this gifting thing still going on?

So still gifting.

_ FWIW, I packed the couple of things I bought in my carry on bag and took them home. TSA doesn't care about that stuff, and even if anything somehow got on their radar I believe the policy is to refer (har?) it to the local police. But of course local police increasingly really doesn't care short of someone packing a huge duffel with drugs._

still incredulous about this part. Did you have actual stinky weed, or just edibles that could pass as snacks? Is this hearsay or did they actually see the stuff , identify it, and shrug?

Edibles. No big clumps of stinky weed. But if you put your carry-on through the x-ray they rarely inspect it, and unless you leave, like, a bottle of liquids in there, they really have no reason to open your bag, ever. Drugs are not TSA's mandate, especially small quantities. They are looking for bombs and weapons and other hazardous stuff. From their site:

"Possession of marijuana and cannabis infused products, such as Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, is illegal under federal law. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law, including possession of marijuana and cannabis infused products. TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but in the event a substance that appears to be marijuana or a cannabis infused product is observed during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.."

So they are not looking for it, but if for some reason they found it - and again, why would they, unless something else in your bag flagged you - sure, in theory you could get in trouble, the same way the feds could theoretically shut down any shop (because it's illegal on a national level). But the last part is key: "TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer." Which means local police. And increasingly local police don't give a shit about personal use amounts.

I did see it recommended in multiple places not to pack it in checked baggage, though, if you're worried, because those bags do get searched/sniffed more often than when you're just zipping through security.

still incredulous about this part. Did you have actual stinky weed, or just edibles that could pass as snacks? Is this hearsay or did they actually see the stuff , identify it, and shrug?

edibles are usually individually wrapped, so there's nothing to smell even if they don't just smell like gummies or mints or cookies or w/e

would never take the risk of trying to get anything illegal through security

I don't think I would make a habit of it. But certainly encourages you to let your guard down after you've spent a week where open use and stores are a thing, even in the middle of nowhere, and when even the TSA website comes as close as they are legally able to saying NBD.

Good article here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2018/02/07/can-you-fly-marijuana-within-legalized-states/312169002/

Basic takeaway, marijuana (medical or otherwise) is *always* illegal/not allowed in airports, even in states where it is fully legal, but there is barely any enforcement if it is found. (Apparently the TSA originally ok'd possession for air travel before immediately backing up and away to its current ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ position.) The worst that will generally happen is they would contact the local police, and it sounds like the worst the local police will do is either tell you to bring it back to the car, give it to a friend, throw it away, etc. In the article it says Denver in 2015 busted something like 26 people, and none of them were even ticketed. By 2016, they didn't bother even keeping records. This, of course, is in states where it is legal, but I think the presumption is that is where you'd be bringing it from, anyway. Definitely don't see why you would ever be stopped when you get to where you're going. YMMV, of course.

I would not be to concerned with personal use quantities. Idk I bring stuff with me all the time

throwing a vape pen in your toiletry bag is something that is nbd ime

flying w/ plant material would scare me a little though

if it can be mistaken for a legal product - an e-cigarette, a cookie, gummy bears, i don't think there is much risk if you have a tiny, personal amount

Also depends on where you're flying back to. If I'm headed into DFW or Love Field, I wouldn't bring back anything that isn't an unmarked edible.

all the articles on cannabis dosages are lol worthy to me lately

one problem with legalization is it opens it up to people who have never tried pot and will try it and are clueless how to consume it

i dont need a fucking scientist to tell me an edible will mangle my shit

The TSA can’t even find the things it is looking for.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2017/11/09/tsa-misses-70-of-fake-weapons-but-thats-an-improvement/

I don't know, I disagree. For example, the edibles we bought were very clear that the doses could take 1-2 hours to kick in, and once they did their effects could last a few hours (which is longer than smoking, afaik). So they have pretty gentle warnings on them not to take more if you don't think they're doing much, since "dosage" could be different for everyone, and instead wait a little. One person might get what they want from a 5mg dosed square of chocolate, another might need the whole bar. This is really important for the people taking it for health reasons. Trial and error, gradually up dose until you know what works and how it works.

xpost

The way edibles are made now, with THC isolate and production standards makes the dosing very valuable IMO - you can know the smaller amount to take to feel something but not "mangle my shit."

eh i worded myself poorly

i just worry that with the influx of norms using this stuff there will be some bad side-eye - ex. a woman recently chastised smoking joints while buying edibles in a dispensary, as a new user. nobody is gonna make me feel bad for smoking

I found myself in a weird situation this past weekend, hobnobbing with venture capitalists and start-up CEOs and bullshit like that. One guy was telling me about his business plan, which was vague bs but I played along. It involved monetizing aspects of pro video gamers and also music festivals. Well, I said, half-joking, if you're partnering up with video game players and concert goers, then clearly your next step is cannabis. His eyes go wide and he looks at me like I am some sort of genius rather than a layman stating the obvious. He turns to a partner of his and says something like "Stephanie!!! Ask Josh what the third platform of our plan is after video games and concerts!!!!" She turns to me: "What's the third platform?" "Drugs?" I say again. And she loses it as well. Buncha geniuses, reinventing the wheel.

Related, he told me his investment strategy in this nascent industry is putting money into European companies, figuring they'll swoop in when it's easier. Similar to someone else I know investing in sort of brick and mortar shops, figuring (probably correctly) that once all is legal and on the up and up someone like AmBev will just buy shit up and they can cash out. Then again, I also know of folks already making so much money they're literally burying cash in their backyard. I personally think if/once Michigan goes largely legal this November that's pretty much the tipping point for legalization. This was interesting, at least as an armchair observer:

https://www.bridgemi.com/quality-life/whats-legal-and-what-isnt-under-michigan-recreational-marijuana-plan-slideshow

lol

Yeah I think MI is going to be a big deal. We've got like 10 million people and are within a half a day's drive from Indianapolis, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Toledo, Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, etc which is another couple of million. And to my knowledge none of those places have anything like Michigan's existing medical system with hundreds of stores and relatively easy to get cards so weed tourism seems like it would be novel.

Some private investors bought 130 acres recently near two major highways with plans for a huge grow / processing / testing facility ostensibly for the medical market but I imagine they doubt that will be a limitation for very long.

states' rights! states' rights!!

https://www.civilized.life/articles/congress-removes-medical-marijuana-veterans-protections/

https://www.flylax.com/en/lax-marijuana-policy

sweet

wow

tight

when come bring gra$$

Looking forward to my upcoming trip to California

and your return therefrom

Could be

lax indeed

woot woot

I literally just read a story the other day about TSA being dicks in CA, and referring everything they find to local police - despite local police not giving a shit. As it said, you won't get arrested, but you might miss your flight.

oh will I tho *lights doobie*