Will legalization in Colorado affect the festival?

[Mel]

I believe the Governor still has to sign something or another in a few weeks to make it all official, and you never know what's going to happen between now and then ... just sayin' it might be wise to wait a month before getting your setup going.

I've heard some people make similar claims about the amendment not being "ideal" ... however, the way I look at it is as long as we made a "break through" that's all that really matters.  If it turns out that in 5 years it's legal at the fed level and other states have made similar strides (with better legislation), then Colorado can revise the amendment (even though it would be a PITA).  It just had to start somewhere.

The Guv still has to sign it into law, however I think that AJ has already done so, years ago. 

They have about a year to figure out how to regulate it, etc. So, no shops will be opening before 2013.

You are able possess up to 1 oz as soon as he signs it.  You are not allowed to give it away, however, how you can be stopped, I dunno.  You are able to possess 3 immature and 3 mature plants.  You are not allowed to partake in public, but only in the privacy of your home.  The THC level cannot be greater than .3%.  The rest of the law deals with commercial manufacture and sale, etc.

Interestingly, Hemp is still illegal, and won't be in front of the legislature until 2014.

In Boulder County, the Amendment passed with such an overwhelming majority, that the DA dropped all pending MJ related cases, without ballot certification from the Guv. (Just read today 11/16, that Denver County has dropped all cases too).

I suspect that this summer and future summers at TBF will be relatively unchanged.  The folks that are currently tokin' will continue, T-ride has typically looked the other way unless there are problems, but pot smokers rarely cause problems, unless alcohol or other drugs are in the mix. 

I sincerely doubt that there will be many new smokers, that have been set free by the constraints of deterrence.

[Linds]

In Boulder County, the Amendment passed with such an overwhelming majority, that the DA dropped all pending MJ related cases, without ballot certification from the Guv. (Just read today 11/16, that Denver County has dropped all cases too).

I saw that too, Mel.  Unfortunately, our DA here in Routt County (Steamboat) has decided to move forward with existing petty MJ possession cases.  As a former DA (back in Texas -- ancient history), this really disturbs me.  While it was illegal at the time of the offense, it's legal now (or will be soon), and there's a very good chance that juries will find these people not guilty.  What that does is force defendants to take their case to trial if they want to get the charges dismissed.  Poorer defendants will end up pleading out, getting punished, and having the offense on their record because they can't afford the attorney's fees for a trial, even though they would have a good shot at acquittal if they pushed the case to trial.  Wealthier defendants can afford a jury trial, and will probably get acquitted.  Either way, it just doesn't seem fair that these people have to go through the expense, stress, and humiliation when the voters of this state have already decided that what they did isn't a crime.

Sorry for the soap box.  This sort of unfairness just gets me steamed, especially when all those resources we use to prosecute the tokers can be used to fight, you know, actual crime.  Can you tell I was never cut out to be a prosecutor?    I say, smoke 'em if you got 'em.

[Mel]

Sorry for the soap box.  This sort of unfairness just gets me steamed, especially when all those resources we use to prosecute the tokers can be used to fight, you know, actual crime.  Can you tell I was never cut out to be a prosecutor?    I say, smoke 'em if you got 'em.

As the daughter of a Mormon attorney who had me trained at age 5 to tell strangers that I was to become the first female supreme court justice, I can relate to not being cut out for prosecution.

There must be a benefit to continuing with the prosecutions, I'm assuming that they stand to make money on the cases, although I can't imagine that its worth it. 

To continue to prosecute under the "spirit of the [existing] law" is silly.


 



 Listening to: Greensky Bluegrass

[TellurideTom]

Sorry for the soap box.  This sort of unfairness just gets me steamed, especially when all those resources we use to prosecute the tokers can be used to fight, you know, actual crime.  Can you tell I was never cut out to be a prosecutor?    I say, smoke 'em if you got 'em.

As the daughter of a Mormon attorney who had me trained at age 5 to tell strangers that I was to become the first female supreme court justice, I can relate to not being cut out for prosecution.

There must be a benefit to continuing with the prosecutions, I'm assuming that they stand to make money on the cases, although I can't imagine that its worth it. 

To continue to prosecute under the "spirit of the [existing] law" is silly.

It's also less cost effective. It costs the court system every time they have to prosecute a case regardless of how petty the crime is. It would save the taxpayers and the county money if they would just drop the cases but some DA's have such a big ego they can't let them go.

[Linds]

It's also less cost effective. It costs the court system every time they have to prosecute a case regardless of how petty the crime is. It would save the taxpayers and the county money if they would just drop the cases but some DA's have such a big ego they can't let them go.

That's pretty much the long and short of it, Tom.  I used to work for one of those "big ego" DAs in Texas, and every decision we peons made was centered not around what was ethical and right, but what would make "The Elected" look good.  It was so, so wrong.

In the end, the egos in our local governments will just have to suck it up.  My county went something like 63% in favor of Amendment 64.  (I'm sure San Miguel County's was similar.)  As much as it pains the local powers that be, they'll eventually have to submit to the will of the people.

[landshark]

It's also less cost effective. It costs the court system every time they have to prosecute a case regardless of how petty the crime is. It would save the taxpayers and the county money if they would just drop the cases but some DA's have such a big ego they can't let them go.

That's pretty much the long and short of it, Tom.  I used to work for one of those "big ego" DAs in Texas, and every decision we peons made was centered not around what was ethical and right, but what would make "The Elected" look good.  It was so, so wrong.

In the end, the egos in our local governments will just have to suck it up.  My county went something like 63% in favor of Amendment 64.  (I'm sure San Miguel County's was similar.)  As much as it pains the local powers that be, they'll eventually have to submit to the will of the people.

The trend has always supported this fact and I am so proud of CO!!!!!! Why does it take the Gov so long to catch up with the actual times. Is oral sex still illegal in some States. Hua, do they have camera's

The revenues this creates is huge and will be a light at the end of the Fiscal tunnel. Could actually flip everything around if managed correctly.

Apathy, do you think apathy will set in to cheetos , Goldfish and the channel changer? Nope not me. Peaceful free thinkers. I knew the 70's trends would roll around again.  So proud to live in CO and so glad I voted. Pretty exciting these days, lots of issues to weigh

[landshark]

One more small thought on this issue. What effcts do you think this new law will have on Business. Are you kidding. My brother moved to Amsterdame long ago to open his Business.

 Open minded folk.

Our reputation will stand tall and folks are going to flock here. This is the negative. Hold steady!

[TellurideTom]

We'll have to see what the new legislation introduced effects the passage in Colorado and Washington.
Most politicians are also waiting on word back from the DOJ on how they will deal with it.
It does look promising though.

[rguylls]

This might motivate me to apply for a vendor's booth.  Fritos, Oreos, Bugles, etc. 

Any menu suggestions would be appreciated!

[oddfired]

This might motivate me to apply for a vendor's booth.  Fritos, Oreos, Bugles, etc. 

Any menu suggestions would be appreciated!

Deep fried brownies?

[landshark]

This might motivate me to apply for a vendor's booth.  Fritos, Oreos, Bugles, etc. 

Any menu suggestions would be appreciated!

Deep fried brownies?

Ya know I was wondering about the Legality of a food booth all hemp related. Would that be like a Beer Booth. Someday. Think about it

[oddfired]

The gov signed it: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20121210/NEWS01/312100022

Sale and public consumption are still illegal.  Soooo, if you just have toooo much money, maybe you could get a booth and just give it all away??  I think since you have to buy tickets the festival could be considered private (not public) if PB saw things the same way.

[Auntie Hope]

The gov signed it: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20121210/NEWS01/312100022

Sale and public consumption are still illegal.  Soooo, if you just have toooo much money, maybe you could get a booth and just give it all away??  I think since you have to buy tickets the festival could be considered private (not public) if PB saw things the same way.

So who wants to run the "Rent a Bong" booth next door.

Just kidding........... 

[Lisa Delia]

I'm still thinking about the deep-fried brownies.   

 Listening to: Wildwood Weed

[landshark]

I'm still thinking about the deep-fried brownies.   

Remember that Cup Cake truck we were talking about? Gives it a whole new spin Lauren and Lisa

This could be our new nitch. EW how about a Fest Cup Cake Truck.