tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post4498361048154461717..comments2024-03-28T02:29:13.507-07:00Comments on Legal Ruralism: The wild west in our backyard.Lisa R. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16469550950363542801noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-44811741175539512982011-09-14T09:47:49.608-07:002011-09-14T09:47:49.608-07:00This is an extremely complicated problem that has ...This is an extremely complicated problem that has many untested "solutions" that could backfire. Like Jason, I'm not sure that legalization is the solution here. This is not merely about fighting illegal marijuana- it's about stopping vigilantes who are causing all kinds of serious damage and who have no respect for justice or the law. I also believe that police and law enforcement officials need to have increased resources and authority in the region.Azarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08580226894068193339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-30997185600998741362011-09-09T23:53:21.240-07:002011-09-09T23:53:21.240-07:00During the last major elections, it was interestin...During the last major elections, it was interesting to see how both sides of this political debate used racialized notions to incite a reaction from taxpaying citizens. This notion that drug related violence comes from outside our national borders (which manifested during the 1980s’ campaign of ‘The War on Drugs’) has only fueled liberal and conservative discourse surrounding the increase militarization of the border. <br />Many proponents were using the same language of the 1930s prohibitionist to describe the current state of cannabis in the country-which was also a highly racialized discourse, blaming Italian gangs for the deteriorating morality in the country.oceguerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09779330146502912142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-86190238549315183612011-09-07T18:09:21.509-07:002011-09-07T18:09:21.509-07:00The impact of the illegal marijuana industry on th...The impact of the illegal marijuana industry on the North Coast is tremendous. There are some who estimate that half (if not more) of Humboldt's economy is based on the growing of pot.<br /><br />A high school friend of mine now works at a local car dealership. At the end of every growing season, a number of young men will come onto the lot and purchase a new pick-up, in full, with cash. No one says anything, but they all "know" where the money came from. The illegal income makes a big impact on the whole local economy.<br /><br />Many folks take a wink and nod attitude towards marijuana growing, but ever since the "Mexicans" arrived, that attitude is shifting.<br /><br />It is true that marijuana grows were protected by booby traps and guns long before Latino cartels started operating heavily in public lands, but the aggressiveness of the cartel guards has shocked many.<br /><br />Legalization may help, but I am afraid that even after legalization that some tax dodgers will continue to operate illegal grows. If there is still an incentive to illegally grow marijuana, I worry that we won't be rid of the Latino drug cartels. We will probably still need CAMP in a marijuana legal world.ScottA.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18192646741353414328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-74327692301347157642011-09-06T21:26:52.854-07:002011-09-06T21:26:52.854-07:00Whether marijuana is legalized or not will do litt...Whether marijuana is legalized or not will do little to actually stop the illegal use of state and federal land for illicit uses. Growers will turn from growing marijuana to manufacturing methanphetamines, which will cause far worse environmental problems.<br /><br />To me it seems the best solution is to give law enforcement more means in which to patrol the areas being used in order for early detection and to catch the offenders.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01504747620898238135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-1766207150951792722011-09-05T19:10:26.651-07:002011-09-05T19:10:26.651-07:00If marijuana is legalized, I don't think rural...If marijuana is legalized, I don't think rural producers would be able to compete with the corporate producers that would no doubt jump into the market. That begs the question: what would rural producers do? <br /><br />Since the fishing and forestry industries continue to struggle, production of some other illicit product could take on greater prominence. Policy makers might want to consider a subsidy for rural (or at least small-scale) pot grows if the drive for cannabis legalization ever gets serious.Scarecrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02175915711253730674noreply@blogger.com