So what does happen if every state in the Union legalizes cannabis? I don't believe

[1monster]

that the ban was constitutionalized as was alcohol. Would it need a Constitutional amendment be needed, or do Amendments 9 and 10 take care of the issue?

[Tesha]

1. What makes you think "every state" will do it?

Won't this break down along the same "Dumbfuckistan"/rest of the country
lines as so many of the social issues already do?

Tesha

[BloomTownie]

3. Need to see that map!

Where is Dumbfuckistan anyways?

[Arugula Latte]

10. ...

[BloomTownie]

11. Thanks - thought so! nt

[1monster]

8. You missed the point of my question. I didn't even suggest that it would

happen. Just what if?

Cannabis has legitmate medical uses. Right now, states that have legalized medical marijuana and the Federal government are giving no respect to those state laws.

It was a theoretic question about what would be necessary to have federal government respect the will of the people.

[CBGLuthier]

2. Lets just start with one and see what happens.

Nasty State Rights vs. federal bullshit battle would be just ahead.

And no, we don't need a constitutional amendment. We need civil servants who respect and understand the constitution, unlike say fucking Eric Holder.

[RZM]

4. Medical marijuana and decriminalization of small amounts are the first steps

A full on legalization campaign is a bit premature right now. But as the legalization cause gains small victories and inches toward the ultimate goal, the culture of (non)enforcement will gradually change along with with it. I doubt there will be a 'Roe vs. Wade' moment here, where it becomes legal with a landmark decision.

You can't hope for much in conservative states right now, but you can hope for small victories in liberal states to set the tone and pace for the future of this issue.

[yardwork]

5. Well, Obama is all about states' rights when it comes to anti-gay constitutional amendments

so to be consistent he should leave alone states who choose to make marijuana legal. Right?

[BloomTownie]

6. In the ideal situation

Cannabis is legal and the backwards people in this country will finally open their minds. This website will need tons of new servers to keep up. The Rethuglicans would be toast (at least as it stands today).

[HopeHoops]

7. As long as the federal government treats it as a Schedule I drug, you're fucked.

[loyalsister]

9. There is nothing constitutional about it

Not in the ban or argument for legalization. The ban is codified in legislation in support of federal policy. In order for state laws to be successfully applied, the federal policy would need to be changed. ie, federal law trumps state law which trumps local city\county ordinances. It generally results in confusions when they are not aligned.
A change in schedule classification would not automatically overturn state laws. But, it would make it more difficult to enforce them.
I would think that if a significant number of states decriminalized or legalized cannabis, it would create a stronger impetus to change federal policy.

[Romulox]

12. The DEA could legalize pot--without any legislation--as an administrative matter.

No, the Constitution doesn't need to be amended to stop persecuting pot smokers.

[Modern_Matthew]

13. Shouldn't be up to the states.

Banning nature is about as dumbfuckery as it can get.