Governor Vetoes Pot Decriminalization

If the vi wants to continue to grown and create a strong economy and better schools marijuana is great. I live in colorado have seen the transformation and yes there were stepping stones but it is working and not even a big deal now. Illegal drug dealers have diminished and drug related crimes. Isnt this something we want for the vi? Less crime better funded schools and happier people?! Alcohol causes the majority of the issues

No alcohol doesn't cause the majority of issues, ill considered legislation and corruption does as well as grossly inept senators.

If the vi wants to continue to grown and create a strong economy and better schools marijuana is great. I live in colorado have seen the transformation and yes there were stepping stones but it is working and not even a big deal now. Illegal drug dealers have diminished and drug related crimes. Isnt this something we want for the vi? Less crime better funded schools and happier people?! Alcohol causes the majority of the issues

That's an overwhelmingly broad statement when the new legislation is barely a year old and those on both sides of the fence aren't viewing anything as thus far proven whatever their position.

Marijuana has always been here so whether its decriminalized, completely legal or illegal makes very little difference to me. People can get it without restrictions either way. The only difference is that people who get caught with it won't have their lives ruined.

Yeah, especially those guys that run around with automatic weapons and firearms. Wouldn't wish to ruin their lives.

1. He did not say "legalize". He said decriminalize! It means it is still illegal but the penalties have changed. Jeesh. What that means is that the guys in jail whose children you currently support will be free to work.
2. Why would bus drivers be stoned because of this law? Driving drunk is still illegal even drinking alcohol for recreational purposes is still legal. The bill condemns and still makes criminal the use of MJ while operating a vehicle.
3. Why does medicinal MJ have to be first? There is no medicinal value of alcohol but the stuff is legal. Not decriminalized. Legal!
4. Stoners are moving to Colorado? Like who? Former presidents? Colorado has legalized it. Nelson's bill still makes it illegal. I think the stoners will prefer Colorado.
5. By changing the penalties for the still illegal use of marijuana, those who risk breaking the law by using it, may stop fueling drug dealers, which make things safer for us. Kinda like when the Kennedys had to find legitimate jobs after prohibition ended.

I hope the senate overrides. It's time to leave the Middle Ages.

It's time to leave the Middle Ages.

Yes, it's time to leave the Middle Ages and stop tossing ill-researched bills out for approval.

23 states and several European countries is not ill researched. Do you drink Old Tart? Beer? Wine?
Dabb you are so right. We are going to be in the wring side of history. Watch these bloggers pretend to avoid the issue.

DECRIMINALIZATION is not legalization!
It simply means CHANGING THE PENALTIES! From jail time to fines.

Address that!

Calm down girl. We're not the enemy here.
We just don't trust our senators to do their due diligence in producing a well researched and thought out bill.

I still think the reason for this bill is so negative Nelson can walk around with his baggie of pot.

Do you drink Old Tart? Beer? Wine?!

Only water, juice occasionally and milk in my morning coffee. How about you?

Nelson either already smokes pot or he doesn't. So levy a fine on him if he does. A victimless crime.
Again deJongh only vetoed it because Nelson tried to have him DeJongh recalled as governor, revenge. Not the best interest of the VI. Why can't anyone tell me that deJongh doesn't drink or use cocaine?

And I wish more violent criminals would actually smoke pot. They would mellow out. Versus drinking and fighting and beating us girlfriends.

Because we peons don't socialize with the governor, so we don't know. At least I don't. I have been to public events he hosted, and did not see him drink. Even if he did, I focus on how he does his job, and there are times when I feel like reporting him, the investment bankers, and the rating agencies for creating revenue bonds for every financial crisis. Would love to see how many creditors have been secured with same revenue stream.

1. Why can't anyone tell me that deJongh doesn't drink or use cocaine?

2. And I wish more violent criminals would actually smoke pot. They would mellow out. Versus drinking and fighting and beating us girlfriends.

1. Why do you want to know? Do you require that information of all the legislative body?

2. "Us girlfriends"? Sorry to hear you had such an experience but fortunately I've never had a relationship with a violent criminal.

I don't think the gov had a beef with the idea, it was just the way the law was written left too many potential problems. This is actually one of the best uses of the veto power of the executive branch. You outline your issues with it, send it back to the legislature, and they can make tweaks and pass the idea with a more well thought-out piece of legislation. It's a good part of the law-making process.

Hate to bust the bubble but even pot gets cut with all kinds of crap these days and is extremely expensive from what I've heard.
If you must smoke, grow your own.
No, I don't smoke pot nor would I. I actually like getting things done.

As to gov. Dejongh' s usage. I have no personal knowledge of whether he drinks or snorts. Why not ask him?

Hate to bust the bubble but even pot gets cut with all kinds of crap these days and is extremely expensive from what I've heard.

With all due respect, have you ever smoked pot, or at least in the last 20 years Alana? There is no 'cutting' pot, unless you just got some cruddy shake off an old bad of Mexican brick weed. They are beautiful, intact flower buds. It's not like some kind of powder you mix with clorox.

And you can get a nice little buzz for about the price of a single imported beer at Mojo's.

...from what I hear anyway....it's currently illegal here, so I personally would have no idea of course.....

I'll have to leave that to your expertise chrismi. I will admit to being out of touch myself in this area and only have heard stories regarding high prices and quality. No clue here, admittedly.

Calm down girl. We're not the enemy here.
We just don't trust our senators to do their due diligence in producing a well researched and thought out bill.

I still think the reason for this bill is so negative Nelson can walk around with his baggie of pot.

Actually, you support locking people in CAGES because they use a plant.

yes, you are the enemy, and a very despicable one because you don't even understand what you are supporting.

who cares if nelson is walking around with his baggie of pot... how many bars are on these islands?

FACT: Alcohol is a factor in 40% of all violent crimes today

About 3 million violent crimes occur each year in which victims perceive the offender to have been drinking. Crimes include: rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault. About two-thirds of violent crimes are characterized as simple assaults.

Based on victim reports, alcohol use by the offender was a factor in:

37% of rapes and sexual assaults
15% of robberies
27% of aggravated assaults, and
25% of simple assaults

https://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/alcohol-and-crime

“The central finding gleaned from the present study was that MML (medical marijuana legalization) is not predictive of higher crime rates and may be related to reductions in rates of homicide and assault. Interestingly, robbery and burglary rates were unaffected by medicinal marijuana legislation, which runs counter to the claim that dispensaries and grow houses lead to an increase in victimization due to the opportunity structures linked to the amount of drugs and cash that are present.”

They concluded:

“In sum, these findings run counter to arguments suggesting the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes poses a danger to public health in terms of exposure to violent crime and property crimes. To be sure, medical marijuana laws were not found to have a crime exacerbating effect on any of the seven crime types. On the contrary, our findings indicated that MML (medical marijuana legalization) precedes a reduction in homicide and assault.

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/increased-access-cannabis-associated-reductions-violent-crimes

So what are you REALLY supporting when you cheer on the blockage of a clear step in the right direction.

The studies are in, the proof is conclusive. Alcohol and Cannabis should SWITCH PLACES if nothing else.

Does Alcohol have any medicinal effect? no? SCHEDULE 1 DRUG(a category of drugs not considered legitimate for medical use)!

I see a bunch of old "knowledge" (propaganda really) being relied on in some posts in this thread. Do your research, read FACTS.
Don't be afraid of changing your mind, especially when the evidence is overwhelming.

Hate to bust the bubble but even pot gets cut with all kinds of crap these days

This is a complete lie. you are doing a disservice to your fellow islanders.

Look, the propaganda campaign from the failed war on drugs worked REALLY good on you pre-internet generations.

but it was all lies. every bit of it. you continue to post things like this and are undermining your self over and over.

Please spend some time doing your own research on the topic.

Did you know that THC/cannabis is not neurotoxic?

Did you know that alcohol IS NEUROTOXIC?

what are you supporting again? there is no way any legislation that moves closer to the sane treatment of a PLANT that is ONLY healthy for you can cause more problems, even silly small stepping stone moves like decriminalization.

"We just don't trust our senators to do their due diligence in producing a well researched and thought out bill."

The governor vetoed it due to flaws. Have them correct those flaws.

There are no flaws in the bill, the same standards that are already in place cover what he is concerned about; his statement is empty and ment to distract from the real political reason for blocking the bill... a personal vendetta

There are no flaws in the bill, the same standards that are already in place cover what he is concerned about; his statement is empty and ment to distract from the real political reason for blocking the bill... a personal vendetta

Just curious but did you actually read the reasons for the veto before concluding that there are no flaws in the bill? How, in your estimation, does the proposed bill match up to those in states which have adopted similar bills and, it if matches in toto, what (if any) concerns have come to light in those states once the bills became effective and what, if any, amendments have been proposed to those bills?

Just curious but did you actually read the reasons for the veto before concluding that there are no flaws in the bill? How, in your estimation, does the proposed bill match up to those in states which have adopted similar bills and, it if matches in toto, what (if any) concerns have come to light in those states once the bills became effective and what, if any, amendments have been proposed to those bills?

Yes, I have read the reasons for the veto.

Yes I do know (for the most part, granted I cannot quote verbatim) the various other bills.

Have you? DO YOU?

Do you know the workplace / OSHA regulations in place already? I have worked under them and am intimately familiar.

The proposed bill did not violate nor negate any of the IN PLACE measures for on the job security/safety (which are completely biased and unrealistic, so the bill fell short IMO)

do you know these things? have you read the OSHA regulations, do you know the VI government stance on substance use in the workplace? I do, I work not only for the federal government but with state employees and support them on all actions taken.

I stand by my above statement with research and deep personal understanding.

1. Yes, I have read the reasons for the veto. Yes I do know (for the most part, granted I cannot quote verbatim) the various other bills.

2. Have you? DO YOU?

Do you know the workplace / OSHA regulations in place already?

do you know these things? have you read the OSHA regulations, do you know the VI government stance on substance use in the workplace?

Why so combative? I simply asked a question. Having a barrage of questions rather belligerently hurled in response is rather unproductive. Thank you for your response in (1).

You have already made several statements in this thread, I was asking if they are just based on your opinion or research,

This is a very serious topic that under our current draconian laws ruins people's lives;I feel if deserves more than a passing glance and casual uninformed opinion offering.

Liquid Fuoride is correct.i have said also here that there are already laws in place for intoxication, workplace use of alcohol and marijuana, and DUI under federal law. Also OSHA. To have Nelson amend his bill to acknowledge the obvious is obviously unnecessary.
And yes, alcohol and marijuana should trade places.