Colorado and Marijuana

       I am not going to bore you with Colorado's legalization of marijuana.  I'm sure by now you've all made your jokes.  I am going to analyse what I believe will happen, in the next year or so, in the form of several scenarios.

1.  The federal government maintains it's position that marijuana is illegal.  (this is currently the case BTW) They tell the state of Colorado that they need to repeal the law making it legal.  Colorado will not do this.  The feds are then forced to attempt to enforce it by sending in DEA agents.  This could:
       A: Cause the Colorado national guard, which is at the governors disposal, to oppose them.
       B: Cause the state police to oppose them.
       C: Cause Colorado to attempt to secede.
This scenario is highly unlikely.

2.  The Fed attempts to force Colorado to repeal their law with military force.  This would play out exactly as above, but with a violent outcome much more likely.  This scenario is highly unlikely.

3.  The Fed turns a blind eye toward Colorado.  This is a likely scenario, because they definitely do not have an easy way of addressing this issue without looking weak.  Ignoring it is one solution.  And government as of late, is very good at ignoring the 500 lb gorilla in the room.

4.  The Fed gives in and repeals their own law making marijuana illegal.  This might make them look weak, but played correctly, it could be shown to be a cornerstone of democracy.  In this scenario the states would have the authority to make it legal, or make it illegal, individually.  This would mean that someone who legally purchased marijuana would not be forbidden from obtaining a concealed carry permit.  (Due to the federal ban, if you admit to having smoked it, you will be forbidden from obtaining such a permit)

This is a likely outcome, given that it is exactly how they handled abortion initially.

See they really can't force a state to bend to their rules without potentially sparking a revolution.  No one wants that.  (well, almost no one) So they are most likely going to allow states to make their own laws.

I would love to see Illinois do this as well, since it could be taxed rather heavily, the prices would still be lower than currently, and we might just pull ourselves out of debt.  Also, let's face it, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa are all prime growing areas for any cannabis cultivar, and the farmers could use a break.

The downside of course is that corn, and anything that eats corn, (like cows) would become very expensive, since farmers would be growing something else, until the markets stabilized.  

Colorado Shooting.

       We have all heard about the tragedy.  We all know the young man with a degree in neuroscience was a little off in the head.  It is a shame that someone could do something like that.  But there is a worse crime happening in its wake.
       There are those (mayors of L.A. and NY notably) who are using this event, before any facts are known, as a way to further their anti-gun agenda.  Demanding that the President, and the man running against him immediately declare what they are going to do about this.  "How do we keep this from happening again?"
       They want, essentially, the cart before the horse.  We don't yet even know what exactly happened, or why this young man snapped.  Or even why he booby trapped his apartment (by all appearances).  Yet there are those who will use any tragedy to further their own agenda.
       Why not wait, find out the facts, and then, if necessary, act.  I say "if necessary" because this is obviously a determined, insane, person.  No law will ever stop a determined, insane person.  This type of knee jerk reaction is understandable from a grieving parent, or a wounded bystander.  From a politician it is unacceptably filthy politics.
       I would point out to that demand tougher laws based on the action of one person invites a host of troubles.  I will refrain from my normal, condescendingly simple, examples; so as not to play at the same petty politics that others so willingly foul themselves with.

       First, let's find out exactly what happened.  Second, we need time to heal.  Third, debate whether change to the law may be needed, or whether this was just an isolated incident.  (again, laws cannot be based on the actions of a determined, insane person.) Fourth, after all of this is done, and if it is determined that a change is required, we need to find the best course of action.
       Any politician, journalist, blogger etc., demanding immediate action after this,or any other tragedy, is merely attempting to profiteer from it.  Those people, no matter what side of the aisle they represent, should be charged with inciting a riot.  (Research what that entails before disagreeing)  They certainly should not be re-elected.
       To any who have kept their peace, kept silent, and are waiting for the facts to be known: bravo!  There is hope for you yet.

"Keep calm and carry on"