LAist: BBC Buys Marijuana in LA: 'This place is like Amsterdam'

Boberto96

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:05:15 -0800

All I can say is: Watch the movie "Super High Me." Exact same idea as Super Size Me, however, the guy smokes pot hard for 30 days (or business as usual as he calls it) - Doug Benson is his name, legendary stand-up comedian. The movie is based in California and revolves around the issue of marijuana being viewed as the "stupid drug" and the need for state vs. federal regulation. The DEA is constantly lambasted (with good reason) for rogue-agent type activities, such as shutting down dispensaries even though they were in possession of all (and then some) legal and ethical accreditation. The war on drugs makes too much money for too many people. Judiciary makes big dough for, prison systems in America are run as a private business (jamming 500 recreational users of marijuana - made dirty only by definition - into a prison is a great way to keep the funding coming) Fact!: California spent more than $10 billion on pot in 2006, even at a nominal tax rate they could have made a KILLING... instead it slips through the cracks, and more money is wasted trying to stop it!

jrb

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:30:56 -0800

"I agree with the LA City Council in putting a moratorium on new locations until further study." I have to agree with that as well. First let me say that I've always counted myself among the "let's legalize it" crowd. But what was once a very earnest, good intentioned, political movement, to gain safe access for patients who need medical MJ, has now become nothing more than an enterprise. The real shame is that most dispensaries are now nothing more than a way for pot growers and pot dealers to achieve some measure of legitimacy. IMO what needs to happen is; 1.) The federal government needs to end the nationwide prohibition against the recreational use of marijuana, and let the individual states decide. 2.) We need to get a state voter initiative passed that would legalize recreational use. 3.) The state legislators need to come up with a method to tax it, and regulate it. 4.) Then the feds need to leave the states who approve recreational use ALONE!

Zach Behrens

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:28:15 -0800

I certainly hope the days of "legal" pot in CA are not numbered. The issue needs to be discussed, not just enforced and ignored. I agree with the LA City Council in putting a moratorium on new locations until further study.

qwerty

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:12:48 -0800

Hadn't heard of that incident. It doesn't surprise me in the least that the DEA would pounce on any excuse possible to close down a few clubs. I'm surprised that they wait for any excuses at all, really. I'd thought that they would have raided all of the clubs by now. I guess that's what the moratorium was for, buying us a few more months in wonderland. There was an article in the times (NY) today about growers up north and how their neighbors are complaining. One guy was actually quoted saying that he was outraged at the large amounts of electricity being used to grow. Unacceptable carbon footprint or whatever. I hadn't heard that one before. The days of "legal" pot in CA are numbered.

jrb

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:17:08 -0800

"Uh, jokes usually need a point to be funny." I thought ph was referring to what happened a couple weeks ago. The DEA closing down six clubs because some over medicated dufus had an accident driving under the influence, and had products with that club's name on them. Since the ATF doesn't close down distilleries every time there's a DUI accident I feel a bit stongly that it's just selectivce prosecution, and DEA harrassment.

qwerty

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:32:49 -0800

Uh, jokes usually need a point to be funny. Furthermore, equating potheads with "gas-guzzling SUV drivers"? Uh, what? "Prius" would have made much more sense. The BBC article is highhanded and is dripping with the author's contempt for drugs. I'm glad you felt the need to publicize your quams David Willis, thanks for ruining it for the rest of us!

jrb

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:32:25 -0800

"That was actually a joke." Sorry ph. I like to pounce on right wing wankers. My appologies.

phdiaz

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:23:43 -0800

That was actually a joke - loosely inspired by Denis Leary when he was doing stand up. No sense of humor these days around here.

marc22386

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:18:18 -0800

the entire collegiate population of california knew this to be true about two years ago.

jrb

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:15:23 -0800

"Did I miss anything?" Yes you're obviously missing your brain. I rather doubt that as many people a year get hit by high drivers as they do drunk drivers. But by all means have yourself a good rant. The DEA loves you.

phdiaz

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:21:36 -0800

Don't you see - all he really wanted to do was write an instruction manual. Now more people who wouldn't otherwise have figured it out on their own will now know how to get it. Which means more fat and high people walking around LA just being wasted space, taking up my oxygen, and driving around in gas guzzling SUV nearly sideswiping every non-SUV vehicle out there while on the cell phone talking about "like how awesome was like Grey's Anatomy like last night?" and texting the passenger in the 3rd row "like bfd, u total r my bff" and flicking a cigarette onto the street on their way to a Clean Up CA Bonfire. Did I miss anything? UK 1 , US 0. :)

Zach Behrens

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:05:13 -0800

LOL kifbox. Yes 90039, stories like these only give the DEA more ammo for raids. The industry might be slowly killing itself, but you never know.

BartlettPears

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:03:01 -0800

I went to amsterdam for the 4th time in December/January and when i got there I realized that SoCal had taken over as the best place for cannabis. Needless to say it was nice to come home.

kifbox

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:57:48 -0800

So...he went to a doc...for a pot 'script...and he got one...and this is news (to the British public).... To bad you can't get a dentist in the UK as easily as you can get legal weed here in CA...

helloitabot

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:50:42 -0800

It's cheaper in amsterdam. And the cops won't arrest you for smoking weed in public.

90039

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:41:20 -0800

this is the beginning of the end