Smack Ain't Whack Act of 2014

[TNF]

1. Why not?

2. The Regional Legal Drinking Age Act allowed Regions to set their own drinking ages. I think that's something we should go back to allowing.

3. They'd have the same effect, but the Sweet Sixteen Act would be more wide-ranging.

4. The repeal of that clause will just make the national BAC level what it was prior to last year, which was 0.08% rather than 0.05%.

[TNF]

The problem with Heroin comes with it's illegality more than anything else. Properly regulated and distributed heroin would be far safer and would result in far less accidental overdoses than the stuff currently being peddled on our streets.

[TNF]

The problem with Heroin comes with it's illegality more than anything else. Properly regulated and distributed heroin would be far safer and would result in far less accidental overdoses than the stuff currently being peddled on our streets.

But to high school sophomores?

Sure. Again, I'm a firm believer in the idea that persons 16 and older should be considered full fledged adults and should have all the rights that come with that, including the right to engage in the use of mind-altering substances. Hence my 'Sweet Sixteen' Act.

[TNF]

Hate to break it to you, but high schoolers are already doing these drugs. I'd rather them do them safely than in an alleyway somewhere with a needle they could be contracting AIDS or hepatitis from.

[TNF]

I never thought I'd say this, but I agree entirely with Sens. Lumine and Yankee. Perhaps we could amend this to include only the softer drugs (LSD, shrooms, etc.)? Or are those all already legal?

Those are all already legal.

I really think that it is imperative, at the very least, that cocaine and heroin be legalized. These are widely used drugs that would be far less dangerous if legal and regulated.

[TNF]

We have already done that, Alfie. Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013 ended prison-time for all drug offenders.

[TNF]

So what penalties do drug users face?

None. Hard drug use is decriminalized, soft drug use is fully legal.

[TNF]

Since people are free to go shooting themselves up in TNF's America, what is the point of this legislation, Senator?

To end the black market and bring those sales out into the open. I've made that clear from the very beginning of this thread.

[TNF]

So what penalties do drug users face?

None. Hard drug use is decriminalized, soft drug use is fully legal.

That system sounds perfect IMHO.

Not if it allows drug cartels to keep making money on the black market.

[TNF]

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2. Section 2 of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013 is hereby amended to read as follows:

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Section 2: Hard Drug Legalization

1. Existing criminal penalties concerning the sale of heroin, morphine, methadone, opium, amphetamine, ketamine, PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine and the substances, plants, or chemicals needed for their processing, shall be abolished throughout the Republic of Atlasia.

2. The commercial selling of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 shall be limited to persons over the age of sixteen.

3. All persons currently serving time in prison for the possession, transportation, sale, or consumption of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1, who have not committed any other crime, and who have not already been transferred to rehabilitation centers (as per the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013) to fully deal with the scope of their addiction are hereby granted amnesty. Those currently in rehabilitation programs shall be given the option of choosing to continue said programs or return home, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

4. The sale of substances mentioned in Subsection 1 shall be taxed at the following rates:

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5.4. The commercial sale of products mentioned in Subsection 4 shall be subject to a 25% excise tax at the point of sale.

6.5. No person shall be involuntarily committed to any rehabilitation program for drug abuse, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 3: Implementation
 
Unless otherwise specified herein, the provisions of this legislation shall take full effect January 1, 2015.[/quote]

Clearing a few things up with this amendment.

[TNF]

Senators who oppose this: what substances could you see yourselves voting in favor of legalizing, if not all of them?

[TNF]

Cocaine and heroin are the ones that have the absolute largest black market impact, and I'd say if we're going to legalize any of them, it has to be those two, precisely because the impact legalization would have.

[TNF]

Given that many oppose legalizing any of the drugs stated on the bill, perhaps a final vote would be wise if the sponsor has no further amendments?

I am preparing another amendment.

[TNF]

Bump!

Thank you for bumping this, Lumine. Unfortunately it might be tomorrow before I can get that amendment up. I'm in the process of moving and so I've got more limited time than usual, but I can guarantee you I'll have something for the consideration of the Senate at some point tomorrow.

[TNF]

I need just a bit more of an extension on this. Sorry guys. I've been moving for the past two days and didn't have internet access yesterday at all, so I'm kind of playing catch-up here. Would the Senate be more amiable to a bill devolving hard drug policy to the Regions?

[TNF]

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2. Section 2 of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013 is hereby amended to read as follows:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Section 2: Hard Drug Legalization

1. Existing criminal penalties established by the federal government concerning the sale of heroin, morphine, methadone, opium, amphetamine, ketamine, PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine and the substances, plants, or chemicals needed for their processing, shall be abolished throughout the Republic of Atlasia. Regional governments shall henceforth have all authority over policy concerning the sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 of this Act.

2. No Region may, however, enact any law providing for the commercial selling sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 shall be limited to persons over the age of sixteen. to persons under the age of sixteen.

3. All persons currently serving time in prison for the possession, transportation, sale, or consumption of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1, who have not committed any other crime, and who have not already been transferred to rehabilitation centers (as per the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013) to fully deal with the scope of their addiction are hereby granted amnesty. Those currently in rehabilitation programs shall be given the option of choosing to continue said programs or return home, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

4. The commercial sale of products mentioned in Subsection 4 shall be subject to a 25% excise tax at the point of sale.

5. No person shall be involuntarily committed to any rehabilitation program for drug abuse, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 3: Implementation
 
Unless otherwise specified herein, the provisions of this legislation shall take full effect January 1, 2015.[/quote]

[TNF]

How does that look?

[TNF]

I don't think any organization should be able to screen their employees for drug use. That's not any of your boss' business, so long as you aren't doing it during work hours.

[TNF]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

2. Section 2 of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013 is hereby amended to read as follows:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Section 2: Hard Drug Legalization

1. Existing criminal penalties established by the federal government concerning the sale of heroin, morphine, methadone, opium, amphetamine, ketamine, PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine and the substances, plants, or chemicals needed for their processing, shall be abolished throughout the Republic of Atlasia. Regional governments shall henceforth have all authority over policy concerning the sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 of this Act.

2. No Region may, however, enact any law providing for the commercial selling sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 shall be limited to persons over the age of sixteen. to persons under the age of sixteen.

3. All persons currently serving time in prison for the possession, transportation, sale, or consumption of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1, who have not committed any other crime, and who have not already been transferred to rehabilitation centers (as per the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013) to fully deal with the scope of their addiction are hereby granted amnesty. Those currently in rehabilitation programs shall be given the option of choosing to continue said programs or return home, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

4. The commercial sale of products mentioned in Subsection 4 shall be subject to a 25% excise tax at the point of sale.

5. No person shall be involuntarily committed to any rehabilitation program for drug abuse, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 3: Implementation
 
Unless otherwise specified herein, the provisions of this legislation shall take full effect January 1, 2015.[/quote]


How's that, bore?

[TNF]

Senators have 24 hours (as of the second amendment I offered) to object.

[TNF]

The amendment has been adopted. The Smack Ain't Whack Act of 2014 is now up for a final vote. Senators, please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

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2. Section 2 of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013 is hereby amended to read as follows:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Section 2: Hard Drug Legalization

1. Existing criminal penalties established by the federal government concerning the sale of heroin, morphine, methadone, opium, amphetamine, ketamine, PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine and the substances, plants, or chemicals needed for their processing, shall be abolished throughout the Republic of Atlasia. Regional governments shall henceforth have all authority over policy concerning the sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 of this Act.

2. No Region may, however, enact any law providing for the commercial sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 to persons under the age of sixteen.

3. All persons currently serving time in prison for the possession, transportation, sale, or consumption of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1, who have not committed any other crime, and who have not already been transferred to rehabilitation centers (as per the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013) to fully deal with the scope of their addiction are hereby granted amnesty. Those currently in rehabilitation programs shall be given the option of choosing to continue said programs or return home, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 3: Implementation
 
Unless otherwise specified herein, the provisions of this legislation shall take full effect January 1, 2015.[/quote]

[TNF]

AYE

[TNF]

This has enough votes to pass. Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[TNF]

Aye(s): President Pro Tempore TNF, Senator Goldwater, Senator Cynic, Senator bore, Senator Spiral
Nay(s): Senator Lumine, Senator Cassius, Senator Alfred F. Jones
Abstentions: Senator North Carolina Yankee

With 5 votes in the affirmative, three votes opposed, and one Senator abstaining, the Smack Ain't Whack Act of 2014 has passed the Senate and is now presented to the President for executive action.

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2. Section 2 of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013 is hereby amended to read as follows:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Section 2: Hard Drug Legalization

1. Existing criminal penalties established by the federal government concerning the sale of heroin, morphine, methadone, opium, amphetamine, ketamine, PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine and the substances, plants, or chemicals needed for their processing, shall be abolished throughout the Republic of Atlasia. Regional governments shall henceforth have all authority over policy concerning the sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 of this Act.

2. No Region may, however, enact any law providing for the commercial sale of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1 of Section 2 to persons under the age of sixteen.

3. All persons currently serving time in prison for the possession, transportation, sale, or consumption of the substances mentioned in Subsection 1, who have not committed any other crime, and who have not already been transferred to rehabilitation centers (as per the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 2013) to fully deal with the scope of their addiction are hereby granted amnesty. Those currently in rehabilitation programs shall be given the option of choosing to continue said programs or return home, effective upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 3: Implementation
 
Unless otherwise specified herein, the provisions of this legislation shall take full effect January 1, 2015.[/quote]