Florida can pass all the pro-marijuana laws it wants, but pot’s still a Schedule I controlled substance under Federal law – and Federal law trumps state law when it comes to drugs. And guns.
So, I’ll make this easy for you. Marijuana use = no Second Amendment right. Period. End of discussion. It doesn’t matter what the state says. And here’s why…
One Toke Over the Line: Medical Marijuana Snuffs Out Gun Rights – The Gun Writer.
I voted NO on the Medical Pot question. I think it was a stupid half-step and will create a new batch of corrupt medical practices dedicated to the issue of Marijuana Medical Cards & Permits. Remember that the regulations on legal pain killers left a bunch of less than honest doctors without their income.
Aside from that and back to the article, Cynthia Clark makes some very good points that you should consider if you were thinking on enjoying a toke or two or actually need it.
Sorry, Cynthia, but Federal drug laws are forbidden by the penumbra emanating from the 21st Amendment.
I can tell you with absolute knowledge that this is exactly the way it is playing out here in CO. Yes, it’s legal in the state of CO to possess and use marijuana. Yes, you can still be fired from your job for it. And, yes, you will lose your permit, or you will be denied your permit during the application process, and you will be denied the purchase of a firearm over it.
Not saying I agree with it, just that it is happening that way. The article is a warning to be heeded for anyone who is a gun owner or wants to be a gun owner.
Yep. If people want their pot to be legal, the state measures are only a half-step.
Our state “legalized” it a couple years ago, and we had county-level ballot measures this election asking if the county should allow businesses selling it in unincorporated areas, and if the county should level a 3% tax on sales (these were separate measures). I voted No on allowing businesses, but Yes on taxing it; same logic you’re thinking on allowing it, but I figure if the county is going to allow it (read: if the business measures pass), they may as well levy a small tax (which is NOTHING compared to the taxes on tobacco products).
Ultimately, though, if pot users (medicinal or recreational) want to keep their other rights, marijuana will need to be de-listed from the federal drug laws. Good luck with that.
Miguel, I voted no for the same reason. The big money behind it up here in Central Florida is a lawyer named John Morgan (Morgan and Morgan) who seems to have pushed it so he can be the lawyer to go to when someone wants to establish their pot shop.
Plus, I don’t like that whole “make it legal and tax it” thing. Why should we want to hand that money over to the state? If it’s legal, just sell it in the wine aisle in Publix, or in the local liquor store. The state will make enough money taking down their drug enforcement squads. Or consider this: alcohol created by a chemical reaction in a chemical factory sells by the 55 gallon drum and is exempt from taxes. Alcohol created by yeast fermenting something (grapes, barley, potatoes, whatever) is taxed. Same exact chemical; one is taxed, one isn’t. If it’s distilled, it’s taxed again.
As for what akatsumaki says, they’d better have some serious money and a really good team of lawyers because that’s about a hundred years of “settled law” that side is dismissing.
Wouldn’t selling it next to the alcohol mean it is taxed?
Personally I say legalize all drugs. Like you stated that would free a lot of money better spent than jailing people for drug crimes and enforcing a never-ending war on drugs. It’d probably reduce petty crimes associated with drug use too if you can buy your mass produced heroin at the drug store for $5.
We don’t want people drinking with firearms. We should not want stoned people with firearms (although THC has a different aggression and disinhibition profile).
It’s a mess.
It highlights something else. We see state laws with varying tolerance for both drugs and firearms while their is overarching federal laws. We need consistency. The states of CA, CT, NY, etc should not be allowed to have more restrictive laws for firearms. The 2A trumps (pun intended) them all.
Oh, and may Kamala Harris rot in hell.