I've always wanted Chris Christie to run, because I liked how he was able to reach across party lines just so things get accomplished. I never heard him bash people just for the sake of bashing. He gave credit where credit was due. I heard him once say that he opposes gay marriage but it's up to the people of a state to decided that, and not him, which I liked. But now after hearing he would prevent states from legalizing pot, I'm withdrawing my support. I though Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights?
Andrew Seidman Posted: Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 12:17 PM
image:
Gov. Christie says he would “crack down” on states that have legalized marijuana if he were elected president.
Under federal law, marijuana is classified as an illegal Schedule I drug. But in recent years, Colorado and Washington legalized the sale and possession of pot for recreational use. The states collect taxes on sales.
The Obama administration has taken a hands-off approach in those states, allowing them to experiment with legalization.
Asked by conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday if he would change course and enforce federal law, Christie said, “Absolutely.”
"I will crack down and not permit it,” he said. “Marijuana is a gateway drug. We have an enormous addiction problem in this country.
“We need to send very clear leadership from the White House on down to federal law enforcement: Marijuana is an illegal drug under federal law, and the states should not be permitted to sell it and profit from it.”
Christie, a Republican, traveled to New Hampshire this week and says he’ll decide whether to run for president in 2016 by early summer.
New Jersey legalized medical marijuana before Christie took office in 2010.
Gateway drug my a$$. I've been smoking every day for 15 years straight and have never once had an urge for any other drug.
[Edited on 4/15/2015 by BoytonBrother]
[Edited on 4/15/2015 by BoytonBrother]
I hear Mother's milk is a gateway to heroin addiction.
No drug is as destructive to our society or more of a "gateway drug" as alcohol, but we also know from experience that prohibition is not an effective policy. Mr. Christie is being naive or stupid or both.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/yale-study-alcohols-gateway-effect-much-larger-than-marijuanas/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22712674
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/04/12/study-the-gateway-drug-is-alcohol-not-marijuana/
http://www.pbinstitute.com/alcohol-real-gateway-drug/
While I am inclined to agree that Chris Christie is an inflated sack of smelly stuff - what, exactly have ANY of the candidates of ANY/EITHER party done towards legalization - nationally or state by state?
I've always wanted Chris Christie to run, because I liked how he was able to reach across party lines just so things get accomplished. I never heard him bash people just for the sake of bashing. He gave credit where credit was due. I heard him once say that he opposes gay marriage but it's up to the people of a state to decided that, and not him, which I liked. But now after hearing he would prevent states from legalizing pot, I'm withdrawing my support. I though Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights?
Andrew Seidman Posted: Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 12:17 PM
image:Gov. Christie says he would “crack down” on states that have legalized marijuana if he were elected president.
Under federal law, marijuana is classified as an illegal Schedule I drug. But in recent years, Colorado and Washington legalized the sale and possession of pot for recreational use. The states collect taxes on sales.
The Obama administration has taken a hands-off approach in those states, allowing them to experiment with legalization.
Asked by conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday if he would change course and enforce federal law, Christie said, “Absolutely.”
"I will crack down and not permit it,” he said. “Marijuana is a gateway drug. We have an enormous addiction problem in this country.
“We need to send very clear leadership from the White House on down to federal law enforcement: Marijuana is an illegal drug under federal law, and the states should not be permitted to sell it and profit from it.”
Christie, a Republican, traveled to New Hampshire this week and says he’ll decide whether to run for president in 2016 by early summer.
New Jersey legalized medical marijuana before Christie took office in 2010.
Gateway drug my a$$. I've been smoking every day for 15 years straight and have never once had an urge for any other drug.
[Edited on 4/15/2015 by BoytonBrother]
[Edited on 4/15/2015 by BoytonBrother]
And yet you had to edit this post twice to get it right. 😉
Jkeller, and that was to fix typos.....and after re-reading, I could use a few more edits. Or maybe it's the pot. Either way, forget Christie. He seemed in touch, but I guess not. I was hoping he'd answer this question the same way he answered the gay marriage question....let the people of each state vote on it. CO and WA are doing just fine, thanks for your concern Christie.
Meh, JMO but Christie is still clinging to hopes of a Presidential bid so is pandering to the Tea party.
He will never get the nomination so should stop with the Tony Soprano tough guy act.
The Genie is out of the bottle and more states will follow suit once they see how much money they can reap from legalization. The Dark Ages are finally coming to an end with respect to ganja legalization.
I've always wanted Chris Christie to run, because I liked how he was able to reach across party lines just so things get accomplished. I never heard him bash people just for the sake of bashing. He gave credit where credit was due. I heard him once say that he opposes gay marriage but it's up to the people of a state to decided that, and not him, which I liked. But now after hearing he would prevent states from legalizing pot, I'm withdrawing my support. I though Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights?
I remember reading your posts re: CC & never understood the support. Besides this most recent stance on pot, all one has to do is look at his record in NJ. He's a lot of noise & rhetoric, but his accomplishments and positions are nothing to brag about, if truth be told.
As far as your closing line , "I thought Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights? Well, the answer to this is only when it doesn't fit the GOP agenda & policies.
I've always wanted Chris Christie to run, because I liked how he was able to reach across party lines just so things get accomplished. I never heard him bash people just for the sake of bashing. He gave credit where credit was due. I heard him once say that he opposes gay marriage but it's up to the people of a state to decided that, and not him, which I liked. But now after hearing he would prevent states from legalizing pot, I'm withdrawing my support. I though Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights?
I remember reading your posts re: CC & never understood the support. Besides this most recent stance on pot, all one has to do is look at his record in NJ. He's a lot of noise & rhetoric, but his accomplishments and positions are nothing to brag about, if truth be told.
As far as your closing line , "I thought Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights? Well, the answer to this is only when it doesn't fit the GOP agenda & policies.
The search for a perfect candidate continues. Could take until the end of time.
I am not in favor or people smoking anytime, anywhere they want to, which is something legalization could help promote. If they want to legalize it, put some restrictions on it, you can buy it at the corner newsstand, but you can only smoke it in your own home or in your car (while the car is parked). If you have a shtty job and want to go out and smoke on your lunch break, well that is your business and nobody elses.
I know you're all saying well what about concerts, have separate smoking areas for pot and one for cigarette smokers, before the show, at intermission, and after the show, but not in your seats during the show because you make involuntariy smokers of others who may not want that. Open air ampitheatres, no, there is not enough wind to clear the air sometimes, have separate rooms or trailers for people to do that in. [including the bands they are so corruptible!]
Nobody should be driving while they are high. If the state wants the tax money, fine, let them set up pot factories or inspectors like the FDA who tour privately owned pot factories and make sure they are in compliance with quality control standards, so people know what they are buying and can get a predictable high.
Colorado has a whole industry out there, it's corporatized now. Regular businesses with factories, not just some guy in the basement with plants and lights.
I really don't like pot, but it is a reality of the world and several decades of people who want to smoke it, denying that doesn't help anyone. Nobody should be sitting in jail because they were smoking pot, and the people who go on to other drugs would have done so anyway, because they have a need to feel better which is what drugs help them do. The state ought to get out of people's bodies and their own personal decisions but they do have a right to protect public safety ie. test bus or train drivers, pilots for drug usage that could effect their performing their jobs.
Gov. Christie ought to take a poll and find out (anonymously of course) how many people in his state smoke pot, or want it legalized. He might be surprised at the results.
[Edited on 4/16/2015 by gina]
I've always wanted Chris Christie to run, because I liked how he was able to reach across party lines just so things get accomplished. I never heard him bash people just for the sake of bashing. He gave credit where credit was due. I heard him once say that he opposes gay marriage but it's up to the people of a state to decided that, and not him, which I liked. But now after hearing he would prevent states from legalizing pot, I'm withdrawing my support. I though Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights?
I remember reading your posts re: CC & never understood the support. Besides this most recent stance on pot, all one has to do is look at his record in NJ. He's a lot of noise & rhetoric, but his accomplishments and positions are nothing to brag about, if truth be told.
As far as your closing line , "I thought Republicans were against Federal government infringing upon state rights? Well, the answer to this is only when it doesn't fit the GOP agenda & policies.
The search for a perfect candidate continues. Could take until the end of time.
Certainly you jest. With possibilities of Ted (I shut the government down) Cruz, Donald (the birther) Trump, CC, Carly (miserable record at HP) Fiorina...as a start, it appears the conservative list is approaching perfection.
I would like to personally thank Chris Christie for publicizing his views on marijuana. Polls consistently reflect that as each year goes by, Americans become more and more left-leaning on the subject of marijuana. Which means that Mr. Christie has virtually guaranteed that he will never get elected.
I remember reading your posts re: CC & never understood the support. Besides this most recent stance on pot, all one has to do is look at his record in NJ. He's a lot of noise & rhetoric, but his accomplishments and positions are nothing to brag about, if truth be told.
MartinD28, I can't really pin-point it, but I've always enjoyed listening to him speak, and he's usually somewhat reasonable, which is all I can expect out of a politician. And I can sometimes support a politician even if I don't agree with the politics, for the sake of seeing action and results.....just to see what happens, and I think that's what NJ got with Christie.
Granted, a lot of the news I've heard about him lately hasn't been favorable in the least. Especially about this pot issue. How could he be so foolish to take that stance in this day and age? All he has to say is "it should be up to the states to decide."
I am not in favor or people smoking anytime, anywhere they want to, which is something legalization could help promote. If they want to legalize it, put some restrictions on it, you can buy it at the corner newsstand, but you can only smoke it in your own home or in your car (while the car is parked). If you have a shtty job and want to go out and smoke on your lunch break, well that is your business and nobody elses.
I know you're all saying well what about concerts, have separate smoking areas for pot and one for cigarette smokers, before the show, at intermission, and after the show, but not in your seats during the show because you make involuntariy smokers of others who may not want that. Open air ampitheatres, no, there is not enough wind to clear the air sometimes, have separate rooms or trailers for people to do that in. [including the bands they are so corruptible!]
Nobody should be driving while they are high. If the state wants the tax money, fine, let them set up pot factories or inspectors like the FDA who tour privately owned pot factories and make sure they are in compliance with quality control standards, so people know what they are buying and can get a predictable high.
Colorado has a whole industry out there, it's corporatized now. Regular businesses with factories, not just some guy in the basement with plants and lights.
I really don't like pot, but it is a reality of the world and several decades of people who want to smoke it, denying that doesn't help anyone. Nobody should be sitting in jail because they were smoking pot, and the people who go on to other drugs would have done so anyway, because they have a need to feel better which is what drugs help them do. The state ought to get out of people's bodies and their own personal decisions but they do have a right to protect public safety ie. test bus or train drivers, pilots for drug usage that could effect their performing their jobs.
Gov. Christie ought to take a poll and find out (anonymously of course) how many people in his state smoke pot, or want it legalized. He might be surprised at the results.
[Edited on 4/16/2015 by gina]
Gina you do realize there are stringent restrictions in Colorado and Washington state concerning where you can buy and smoke Ganja right?
Just as drinking alcohol in public is against the law everywhere I have ever been, except New Orleans, and must be purchased in stores with licenses to sell I highly doubt any state that legalizes ganja will allow you to smoke it in public or buy it at your local newsstand.
CC is so out of touch. Gateway drugs are prescription drugs - benzos, anti-depressants, pain relievers - if used incorrectly. Ever see a bagful of what kids get from their parents' medicine cabinets to swap at parties or sell?
Alcohol doesn't lead to drug use. It may accompany it, but it doesn't drive it.
Just MHO.
I would like to personally thank Chris Christie for publicizing his views on marijuana. Polls consistently reflect that as each year goes by, Americans become more and more left-leaning on the subject of marijuana. Which means that Mr. Christie has virtually guaranteed that he will never get elected.
He will be indicted before he's ever nominated for anything.
Latest story is he's evaded taxes to the tune of $150,000 since becoming governor.
Must be a clerical error or maybe common core math.
If there is actually a true "gateway drug" it has to be tobacco.
If there is actually a true "gateway drug" it has to be tobacco.
Totally agree.
Another blunder by Christie. With all the other priorties and problemsfacing America that need fixing he singles this out as something that he needs to "crack down" on. Yikes. I understand he was asked the question about it, but he doesnt understand the issue. If he did he could at least acknowledge that there are far too many peoples lives ruined for a J and its costing billions for this sham war on cannibis.
I would like to personally thank Chris Christie for publicizing his views on marijuana. Polls consistently reflect that as each year goes by, Americans become more and more left-leaning on the subject of marijuana. Which means that Mr. Christie has virtually guaranteed that he will never get elected.
He will be indicted before he's ever nominated for anything.
Latest story is he's evaded taxes to the tune of $150,000 since becoming governor.
Must be a clerical error or maybe common core math.
or his accountant is stoned all the time. 
Another blunder by Christie. With all the other priorties and problemsfacing America that need fixing he singles this out as something that he needs to "crack down" on. Yikes. I understand he was asked the question about it, but he doesnt understand the issue. If he did he could at least acknowledge that there are far too many peoples lives ruined for a J and its costing billions for this sham war on cannibis.
Would you expect anything else from a former federal prosecutor???
Another hypocrite politician pandering to the anti-crime at any cost nuts in his party. As someone mentioned above, not only is he proving he'll say anything to any particular crowd at the moment, but his actual record in NJ is not very impressive.
I am not in favor or people smoking anytime, anywhere they want to, which is something legalization could help promote. If they want to legalize it, put some restrictions on it, you can buy it at the corner newsstand, but you can only smoke it in your own home or in your car (while the car is parked). If you have a shtty job and want to go out and smoke on your lunch break, well that is your business and nobody elses.
I know you're all saying well what about concerts, have separate smoking areas for pot and one for cigarette smokers, before the show, at intermission, and after the show, but not in your seats during the show because you make involuntariy smokers of others who may not want that. Open air ampitheatres, no, there is not enough wind to clear the air sometimes, have separate rooms or trailers for people to do that in. [including the bands they are so corruptible!]
Nobody should be driving while they are high. If the state wants the tax money, fine, let them set up pot factories or inspectors like the FDA who tour privately owned pot factories and make sure they are in compliance with quality control standards, so people know what they are buying and can get a predictable high.
Colorado has a whole industry out there, it's corporatized now. Regular businesses with factories, not just some guy in the basement with plants and lights.
I really don't like pot, but it is a reality of the world and several decades of people who want to smoke it, denying that doesn't help anyone. Nobody should be sitting in jail because they were smoking pot, and the people who go on to other drugs would have done so anyway, because they have a need to feel better which is what drugs help them do. The state ought to get out of people's bodies and their own personal decisions but they do have a right to protect public safety ie. test bus or train drivers, pilots for drug usage that could effect their performing their jobs.
Gov. Christie ought to take a poll and find out (anonymously of course) how many people in his state smoke pot, or want it legalized. He might be surprised at the results.
[Edited on 4/16/2015 by gina]
Gina you do realize there are stringent restrictions in Colorado and Washington state concerning where you can buy and smoke Ganja right?
Just as drinking alcohol in public is against the law everywhere I have ever been, except New Orleans, and must be purchased in stores with licenses to sell I highly doubt any state that legalizes ganja will allow you to smoke it in public or buy it at your local newsstand.
True, there are laws on the books for alcohol but the reality of it is, people go out, get drunk, and still drive around, all of which are illegal. I saw a video on the situation in Colorado, they have small stores that sell it, and it looks very casual. I think in some cities in New Jersey it could go that way if it were legalized. Gov. Christie might try just decriminalizing it whereby people just get fines when they catch them, the state collects money, the courts are not jammed up with cases, and if people are discreet they won't have to worry about it.
If there is actually a true "gateway drug" it has to be tobacco.
Why? What does that lead to? Most smokers seem to just spend their life addicted to that, what type of high do they get from it that leads them to other drugs, and what drugs do you think it leads to?
yup Gina. Christie is not gonna be president. he has alot of connections with the incarceration industry thats why he takes this position. i bet i could fly into NJ right now and find a joint within 60 mins of getting off of the plane. he needs to worry about new jersey and quit playing around with his pipe dreams of being president. concentrate on the job you have and not the one you don't/won't
I am not in favor or people smoking anytime, anywhere they want to, which is something legalization could help promote. If they want to legalize it, put some restrictions on it, you can buy it at the corner newsstand, but you can only smoke it in your own home or in your car (while the car is parked). If you have a shtty job and want to go out and smoke on your lunch break, well that is your business and nobody elses.
I know you're all saying well what about concerts, have separate smoking areas for pot and one for cigarette smokers, before the show, at intermission, and after the show, but not in your seats during the show because you make involuntariy smokers of others who may not want that. Open air ampitheatres, no, there is not enough wind to clear the air sometimes, have separate rooms or trailers for people to do that in. [including the bands they are so corruptible!]
Nobody should be driving while they are high. If the state wants the tax money, fine, let them set up pot factories or inspectors like the FDA who tour privately owned pot factories and make sure they are in compliance with quality control standards, so people know what they are buying and can get a predictable high.
Colorado has a whole industry out there, it's corporatized now. Regular businesses with factories, not just some guy in the basement with plants and lights.
I really don't like pot, but it is a reality of the world and several decades of people who want to smoke it, denying that doesn't help anyone. Nobody should be sitting in jail because they were smoking pot, and the people who go on to other drugs would have done so anyway, because they have a need to feel better which is what drugs help them do. The state ought to get out of people's bodies and their own personal decisions but they do have a right to protect public safety ie. test bus or train drivers, pilots for drug usage that could effect their performing their jobs.
Gov. Christie ought to take a poll and find out (anonymously of course) how many people in his state smoke pot, or want it legalized. He might be surprised at the results.
[Edited on 4/16/2015 by gina]
Gina you do realize there are stringent restrictions in Colorado and Washington state concerning where you can buy and smoke Ganja right?
Just as drinking alcohol in public is against the law everywhere I have ever been, except New Orleans, and must be purchased in stores with licenses to sell I highly doubt any state that legalizes ganja will allow you to smoke it in public or buy it at your local newsstand.
True, there are laws on the books for alcohol but the reality of it is, people go out, get drunk, and still drive around, all of which are illegal. I saw a video on the situation in Colorado, they have small stores that sell it, and it looks very casual. I think in some cities in New Jersey it could go that way if it were legalized. Gov. Christie might try just decriminalizing it whereby people just get fines when they catch them, the state collects money, the courts are not jammed
up with cases, and if people are discreet they won't have to worry about it.
Actually it is not casual in Colorado Gina it is very Regulated. Stores require licenses which are not easy to get and the ganja must be documented from grower to customer sale.
It is also illegal to smoke in public so your theory that it will be easy to get and people will be smoking in public is incorrect.
LOL come on Bill....it's been illegal and i've smoked inside every bar in indianapolis over the last 35 years
LOL come on Bill....it's been illegal and i've smoked inside every bar in indianapolis over the last 35 years
And that has nothing to do with my discussion with Gina. She speculated that people would eventually be able to openly smoke in public and buy ganja at the local newsstand which will never be legal.
The industry is and will be highly regulated. Of course there will be people, like yourself, who will smoke in public but it will never be legal to smoke in a public place unless they allow smoking bars.
There will always be people breaking the law but it will still be the law and that is my point. IMHO it will never be casual as gina implied.
Don't get me wrong I am all for legalizing ganja and I am really looking forward to the day here in Mass. where I can legally buy it here but like I said it will be highly regulated if and when it is just as it is in other states.
[Edited on 4/17/2015 by Bill_Graham]
I am not in favor or people smoking anytime, anywhere they want to, which is something legalization could help promote. If they want to legalize it, put some restrictions on it, you can buy it at the corner newsstand, but you can only smoke it in your own home or in your car (while the car is parked). If you have a shtty job and want to go out and smoke on your lunch break, well that is your business and nobody elses.
I know you're all saying well what about concerts, have separate smoking areas for pot and one for cigarette smokers, before the show, at intermission, and after the show, but not in your seats during the show because you make involuntariy smokers of others who may not want that. Open air ampitheatres, no, there is not enough wind to clear the air sometimes, have separate rooms or trailers for people to do that in. [including the bands they are so corruptible!]
Nobody should be driving while they are high. If the state wants the tax money, fine, let them set up pot factories or inspectors like the FDA who tour privately owned pot factories and make sure they are in compliance with quality control standards, so people know what they are buying and can get a predictable high.
Colorado has a whole industry out there, it's corporatized now. Regular businesses with factories, not just some guy in the basement with plants and lights.
I really don't like pot, but it is a reality of the world and several decades of people who want to smoke it, denying that doesn't help anyone. Nobody should be sitting in jail because they were smoking pot, and the people who go on to other drugs would have done so anyway, because they have a need to feel better which is what drugs help them do. The state ought to get out of people's bodies and their own personal decisions but they do have a right to protect public safety ie. test bus or train drivers, pilots for drug usage that could effect their performing their jobs.
Gov. Christie ought to take a poll and find out (anonymously of course) how many people in his state smoke pot, or want it legalized. He might be surprised at the results.
[Edited on 4/16/2015 by gina]
Gina you do realize there are stringent restrictions in Colorado and Washington state concerning where you can buy and smoke Ganja right?
Just as drinking alcohol in public is against the law everywhere I have ever been, except New Orleans, and must be purchased in stores with licenses to sell I highly doubt any state that legalizes ganja will allow you to smoke it in public or buy it at your local newsstand.
True, there are laws on the books for alcohol but the reality of it is, people go out, get drunk, and still drive around, all of which are illegal. I saw a video on the situation in Colorado, they have small stores that sell it, and it looks very casual. I think in some cities in New Jersey it could go that way if it were legalized. Gov. Christie might try just decriminalizing it whereby people just get fines when they catch them, the state collects money, the courts are not jammed
up with cases, and if people are discreet they won't have to worry about it.
Actually it is not casual in Colorado Gina it is very Regulated. Stores require licenses which are not easy to get and the ganja must be documented from grower to customer sale.
It is also illegal to smoke in public so your theory that it will be easy to get and people will be smoking in public is incorrect.
I saw a special I think it was on PBS, and the stores that were selling it seemed like they were just selling it giving people a receipt and that was it. I don't know the legalities involved, but I do think that decriminalization would make more people smoke it in a more open way. Even at the Beacon during the ABB concert runs, people would be arrested outside the theatre sometimes, and that did not stop people inside from reportedly smoking at some of the shows. I grew up when those horrible Rockefeller drugs laws were intitiated in New York State, and there was not one concert where people weren't smoking in the venues.
I don't know. I always thought it was pretty easy to get away with smoking anywhere. sure I've been caught a couple, uh few, times but always just told "don't do that" and take away my weed. with legalization its starting to seem more strict in some ways. I wouldn't say one way or the other what is going to happen over time.......but my lifestyle isn't gonna change one bit. well except that I'm old and don't go to the places I used to go as much if at all.
