Budd is a former NRA Director from Western NY & Past Chairman / Presently Sitting BOD member of SCOPEny.org Budd & I sat on the SCOPE BOD together.
Regards PB
THE RIGHT SIDE
BY BUDD SCHROEDER
JANUARY 23, 2919
WILL NEW YORK GO TO POT?
The legislature is in session and no man's life and property is safe. It is an old saying, but this year it is really a possibility. Cuomo's State Of The State message was definitely not comforting for the taxpayers and those who believe in conservative principles. According to a legislator the budget starts out with a $3 billion deficit. Look for more creative ways for him to draining the working persons pockets.
He want's to spend more money and has creative ways (he says) to raise it. Legalizing marijuana is one way he is counting on. That is making it legal for "recreational purposes." There are several reasons that this is not a good idea. But let's look at the bright side first.
It will create jobs, businesses, and the need for more bureaucrats to rule over it. Fewer arrests will be made which with help the court systems reduce their backlogs. It should stop the street sales of pot which will give law enforcement more time to arrest "real criminals."
There should be no more smuggling to get pot in the state. Could be a trade deal with Canada just to get the supply here to meet the demand. It could give pot farms a really good money crop, but with a deal like this they already have the thought of controlled growing of this cash crop. Jobs for more bureaucrats and another source for taxation.
The real reason could also be a bit more sinister. Anyone who uses pot is automatically breaking a federal law when it comes to firearm ownership. If a person uses marijuana, even if prescribed by a physician, that person may not own a gun. It is considered to be a federal crime and if a person uses it, and wants to buy a gun, they cannot pass a background check.
The 4473 Federal Form specifically asks the question about using marijuana. To answer positively is an automatic denial. If a person says no and it can be proved later that the person lied, that is a federal felony and can result in several years for perjury. Cuomo must really like that. He hates guns and gun owners and this is a really good feeling for him.
T
here is a rumor (from a reliable source) that Governor Cuomo wants to hire 100 State Troopers who will report directly to him and not be accountable to the Superintendent of State Police. Who know? If that happens, could they be directed to enforce the SAFE Act and the proposed new restrictions?
Could the rumor about him wanting to require people to give up their passwords to their social media sites if they want to get a pistol permit? Maybe the governor doesn't believe in the right of privacy, and free speech along with his disdain for the Second Amendment.
The recertification of pistol permits did not meet with the desired response and there is still a big question that has not been answered. What are they going to those (who seem to be a majority) who didn't comply. Could that be one of the reasons Cuomo wants the extra State Police personnel? We just don't know yet.
Some have wondered if the recertification was a prelude to his desire to register all guns like rifles and shotguns. It would be easy for police to go to everyone who has a hunting license to see if they had complied. We all know that registration leads to confiscation and this would be a good way for him to do it. It worked for a despot named Adolph in the 1930's. He hated the civilian possession of guns, too.
But, back to the subject of marijuana. We know that medical marijuana has benefits for pain and other disorders and under the supervision of a doctor can be beneficial. However, there are some downsides to recreational use.
According to many reports, it is as bad for lungs as tobacco. A big minus considering how many diseases are linked to cigarettes. That is a big financial drain considering the medical costs and early deaths.
As Cuomo explained it, it would be forbidden for people under the age of 21 to smoke it. However, the young people are forbidden to to drink or buy cigarettes if they are under 21. How well is that working out? We know about the parties and the rules are often ignored. With pot being legal, what kind of penalty would be imposed? Who would care?
Another argument is that Prohibition didn't work so why not legalize pot? OK alcohol is also a mind altering substance and the law was a failure so it is again legal. People made wine and moonshine and didn't obey the laws. Now, it is again legal and controlled. It is know that marijuana has been "home grown" in gardens and attics.
However there are other downsides. Marijuana, being a definite mind altering drug has a permanent effect on the brain up to the age of 25 according to other studies. Figuring out that young people will smoke it because it is available and is "cool to do" will make it more popular than it is now.
It is almost a sure bet that people of all ages are not going to sit at home and puff on a joint for "recreation." They will light up between classes and not be in the best frame of mind for serious learning. Many will smoke while driving and operating machinery which can have devastating results.
Perhaps, before the law is passed, it would be a good idea to get all the data from the states that have legalized pot and get the numbers regarding any increases in vehicle accidents, crime, lowering of school achievements or general health negative trends. Then, determine if there is an increase in the use of hard drugs to see if pot is really a gateway to drug addiction.
Then make the determination of whether it is worth making a mind altering drug available and easy to buy. Conservatives hope the law won't pass.
-30-
