Debate, and discuss, just dont Bore me.
Live free or die!
Published on June 29, 2005 By Dr Guy In Politics

In a direct snub to DC, The Rhode Island senate has passed, 33-1, a bill to allow medical marijuana to be grown and used by patients

More power to them!  While the SCOTUS grabs more and more power for the government, it is refreshing to see that the states, especially some of the liberal ones, are thumbing their nose at the Feds!

The feds cannot dictate to the states what laws are enforced, and the FBI is not the SS yet. During the 55 mph debacle, many western states complied with the letter of the law (max Speed 55), but did not enforce it or just slapped a $5 fine on violaters.  Now it is the NE states (NH and Souter, RI and MM) that are doing the same thing.

I salute these states and hope the fever spreads!

While this may seem to be a very liberal thing, in actual fact it is a very libertarian thing (read conservative).  We can only hope this rebellion grows against the growing power of the feds (Yes Bush is part of it, but not the instigator, nor is it a left right thing).

The Feds have far too much power, by the purse string.  In that, at least, Bush did lessen it a wee bit by reducing taxes.  many complained that their reduced federal taxes were eaten up by the states.  Good.  Why send money to washington just so they can dictate how you spend YOUR money!

Live Free or Die!

you go Rhode Island!


Comments
on Jun 29, 2005
That's my home--we always have been free thinkers--in fact, we declared our independence before the rest of the colonies (funny, England wasn't prepared to fight to keep us!)
on Jun 29, 2005
Wasn't RI a blue state?
on Jun 30, 2005
My state's rights self congratulates the effort, but would you be just as excited if San Diego gave the same Screw You to the fed and started allowing the "clinics" in Tijuana to start spilling over into the US? Just as many people swear marijuana is their only hope for relief from what ails them, many in Tijuana swear that peach pits cure cancer.

Careful what you celebrate, it may be the very thing that turns to bite you.
on Jun 30, 2005

That's my home--we always have been free thinkers--in fact, we declared our independence before the rest of the colonies (funny, England wasn't prepared to fight to keep us!)

The Mouse that Roared!

on Jun 30, 2005

Wasn't RI a blue state?

True Blue!  So is California, and to a lesser extent Oregon.

on Jun 30, 2005

My state's rights self congratulates the effort, but would you be just as excited if San Diego gave the same Screw You to the fed and started allowing the "clinics" in Tijuana to start spilling over into the US? Just as many people swear marijuana is their only hope for relief from what ails them, many in Tijuana swear that peach pits cure cancer.

Careful what you celebrate, it may be the very thing that turns to bite you.

While some will celebrate RI's decision as a victory for MJ users, I see it is a victory for States Rights.  That is what it is all about.  And your comparison of Tijuana?  The problem is the right to negotiate treaties with foreign nations is explicitly given to the feds by the constitution.  So that is a non sequitur.

on Jun 30, 2005
Would be even better if Rhode Island's state motto was "Live Free or Die", instead of my home state of NH's.

As for the issue... not sure how I feel about it. Still mulling it over.
on Jun 30, 2005

Would be even better if Rhode Island's state motto was "Live Free or Die", instead of my home state of NH's.

As for the issue... not sure how I feel about it. Still mulling it over.

Hey, I knew it was one of those little New England states!  Sorry for usurping your motto!

Mull away, and send some of them Green Mountain boys to take care of those Rhode Island reds!

Chickens that is!

on Jun 30, 2005
Wasn't RI a blue state?


Why actually it is! So what does that mean? All states both blue and "red" are getting sick of being stepped on by Uncle Sam.
on Jul 01, 2005

Why actually it is! So what does that mean? All states both blue and "red" are getting sick of being stepped on by Uncle Sam.

Now if they would just vote that way.........

on Jul 01, 2005
While some will celebrate RI's decision as a victory for MJ users, I see it is a victory for States Rights. That is what it is all about. And your comparison of Tijuana? The problem is the right to negotiate treaties with foreign nations is explicitly given to the feds by the constitution. So that is a non sequitur.


I didn't mean a "treaty", I merely asked if you would celebrate San Diego allowing Tijuana "clinics" to operate in their city.

As long as there is an FDA, and the FDA still classifies Marijuana as a Schedule I med, this isn't a state's rights issue.
on Jul 01, 2005

california law has allowed it for some time, but the recent SCOTUS ruling allowed the federal government to bust these clinics and growing operations under FEDERAL law. Mark my words, they'll do the same to Rhode Island.

They probably will.  That is not the point however.  The point is defiance.  Sure it is a hollow victory, but then if the state police dont assist the feds, they are not going to be doing much busting as they already have their hands full with other crimes.  There will be some symbolic ones tho.

on Jul 01, 2005

I didn't mean a "treaty", I merely asked if you would celebrate San Diego allowing Tijuana "clinics" to operate in their city.

But to allow a foriegn entity to operate without federal permits is to create a defacto treaty.  And that is why they would get busted.

Besides, the TJ clinics would not come north.  They have a lot less regulations south of the border.  You an actually get excellent care if you can find a good honest one.  I got a crown for $160 down in Los Algodones.