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Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

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31–40 of 78 posts

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#31
post #5

As already pointed out in another comment, don't volunteer that you have pot on you. At least make 'em work for it. Oh, you were thinking they were going to go easier on you? It doesn't work that way. On the one hand, yes, current marijuana laws in most states and at the federal level are ridiculous and unproductive. On the other hand, as a Washington resident what do you think I left at home on a recent motorcycle t…

>>> As already pointed out in another comment, don't volunteer that you have pot on you. At least make 'em work for it. Oh, you were thinking they were going to go easier on you? It doesn't work that way.

Actually it does.

I've had several incidents in states where medical marijuana is legal, but you have to have a card. Possession without the card is illegal. Both times we were up front with the cop and he thanked us for being honest. He only gave us a citation for a fine, confiscated our weed and then sent us on our way.

Or you can "make em' work for it" like you said. You can bet the cops are not only going to get you on the possession, but then you get arrested and now if you're driving and you test positive for THC, now you're looking at an impaired driving or driving under the influence, which can get you reckless driving or reckless endangerment if you had passengers. If you were a real douche to them, then they start looking at obstruction or impeding an investigation. Sure, if you get yourself a decent lawyer, most of those charges could be dropped, but that doesn't change the fact you spent a few nights in jail, had to post bond and now have a court date and now have to explain to your employer why you missed three days of work.

Trust me, it's always better to cooperate with the cops. Being a dick is just going to get you more trouble.

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#32
post #5

As already pointed out in another comment, don't volunteer that you have pot on you. At least make 'em work for it. Oh, you were thinking they were going to go easier on you? It doesn't work that way. On the one hand, yes, current marijuana laws in most states and at the federal level are ridiculous and unproductive. On the other hand, as a Washington resident what do you think I left at home on a recent motorcycle t…

>>> As already pointed out in another comment, don't volunteer that you have pot on you. At least make 'em work for it. Oh, you were thinking they were going to go easier on you? It doesn't work that way. Actually it does. I've had several incidents in states where medical marijuana is legal, but you have to have a card. Possession without the card is illegal. Both times we were up front with the cop and he thanked u…

There is a difference between not cooperating and being a dick. You can do the former politely and not incriminate yourself.

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#33
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have a Federal system, though states' rights have been weakened over time. A US State has sovereignty that the Feds may not impede on. The boundary between state sovereignty and national sovereignty has been contentious throughout history. States rights are good because it allows California to be a leader in emissions laws (example.) States rights are bad because they make inter-state commerce and travel more peri…

And yet the legal age of drinking is magically 21 in the entire country. That one really makes my head spin.

You caught where he said, '... though states rights have been weakened over time..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Minimum_Drinking_Age_...

"The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (23 U.S.C. § 158) was passed on July 17, 1984 by the United States Congress. It punished every state that allowed persons below 21 years to purchase and publicly possess alcoholic beverages by reducing its annual federal highway apportionment by ten percent."

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#34

>James Siebe, a lawyer in Coeur d’Alene, put it another way: “Come on vacation, leave on probation.” Who the hell is going to Idaho for a vacation aside from neo-Nazis.

Idaho is a very pretty state, especially the northern regions, and I have been very happy with my vacation time spent there. Have you ever heard of the Idaho National Laboratory? They study cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Or how about the advanced manufacturing and electronics facilities in Boise? There's lots of reasons to go to Idaho.

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have a Federal system, though states' rights have been weakened over time. A US State has sovereignty that the Feds may not impede on. The boundary between state sovereignty and national sovereignty has been contentious throughout history. States rights are good because it allows California to be a leader in emissions laws (example.) States rights are bad because they make inter-state commerce and travel more peri…

Hence the name 'United States', and not Germany or Canada.

Federal Republic of Germany. Just `Germany' is roughly equivalent to saying just `America'. As an example, education is in the purview of the German states. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalism_in_Germany

Canada also has a federal system. See eg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federalism

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have a Federal system, though states' rights have been weakened over time. A US State has sovereignty that the Feds may not impede on. The boundary between state sovereignty and national sovereignty has been contentious throughout history. States rights are good because it allows California to be a leader in emissions laws (example.) States rights are bad because they make inter-state commerce and travel more peri…

Hence the name 'United States', and not Germany or Canada.

Odd that you would pick those two countries as your examples. Both are federations comprised of a number of separate sovereign governments. Or, for that matter, the United States of Mexico shares that trait of its name with America. (An actual counterexample would be France, a unitary state.)

The Constitution of Canada far more clearly lays out what is and is not the role of the Federal and Provincial governments than the US 10'th amendment does for states rights. Canadian provinces, then, are sovereign themselves (tho not independent). The federal government can't decide it doesn't like an Ontario law and block it any more than it could an American law.

The States of the United States then sound far less like united, sovereign states than the members of some federations without United in their names.

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#37

>James Siebe, a lawyer in Coeur d’Alene, put it another way: “Come on vacation, leave on probation.” Who the hell is going to Idaho for a vacation aside from neo-Nazis.

Lots of people visiting Yellowstone National Park

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#38
The US Constitution makes states almost like countries. For those who don't know, laws are different, sometimes in major ways, when you cross a state line.

And that's just fine. A big problem in politics is trying to push 300M people to all follow the same set of laws. That's how we ended up with illegal marijuana in the first place.

Vote for what you believe in in your state, and leave the rest alone. Singapore doesn't nees the same drug laws as California. Mississippi doesn't need the same minimum wage as Massachusetts.

And when you travel, it's a good idea to follow a baseline of behavior that is acceptable almost anywhere. If you don't live there, you are a guest.

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#39

Even if the cop sees the card, is it probable cause for a search? Comparing it to gun laws and interstate travel, a gun permit seen in a wallet probably wouldn't lead to a search if the driver simply said there is no gun in the vehicle. Pot seems like it would be under more scrutiny in a red state than guns sadly.

Interestingly with guns if you have a concealed carry permit from state A that is accepted in state C but not in state B which you must pass through in transit between you can't be held liable for violating state B's gun laws as long as you are just passing through between point where your permit is valid. Thanks to the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act, or FOPA.

Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted

#40

>James Siebe, a lawyer in Coeur d’Alene, put it another way: “Come on vacation, leave on probation.” Who the hell is going to Idaho for a vacation aside from neo-Nazis.

You've obviously never been to Coeur d’Alene. It is a vacation destination for many up here and I don't think there anyone would consider it a haven for neo-Nazis.
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