And for the topic of oil drilling off-shore in both Pacific and Atlantic regions, the same questions can be asked:TRUMP V. CALIFORNIA, CANNABIS EDITION: Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León told us late Thursday he is consulting with former Attorney General Eric Holder on possible responses to current Attorney General Jeff Sessions' announcement he was rescinding Obama-era guidelines that had limited marijuana-related prosecutions in states where the drug was legal under state law. Holder was enlisted by the state Senate to help battle Trump on multiple fronts last year.- "Recreational marijuana was passed by the voters, so it's constitutional," de León said. "We are researching ways that we can uphold the Constitution and the will of the people of California against an overreaching federal government that is meddling in our state's ability to govern as we see fit."- Meanwhile, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a prepared statement that his department will "vigorously enforce our state's laws and protect our state's interests."
TRUMP V. CALIFORNIA, OIL EDITION: - "Trump aims to open California, Florida, Atlantic waters for oil drilling," by Ben Lefebvre: "The Trump administration unveiled a plan Thursday to open vast new stretches of federal waters to oil and gas drilling, erasing the policies put in place by previous Democratic and Republican administrations and setting up a conflict with state governments fearful about the risk of spills." Story- Gov. Jerry Brown joined Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in a joint statement decrying the proposal. "This political decision to open the magnificent and beautiful Pacific Coast waters to oil and gas drilling flies in the face of decades of strong opposition on the part of Oregon, Washington and California - from Republicans and Democrats alike," the governors said ... "For more than 30 years, our shared coastline has been protected from further federal drilling and we'll do whatever it takes to stop this reckless, short-sighted action."
I will note that again as introduced in the title, the Trump Administration over the last year has tried to stick with their campaign promises. These promises were centered around shrinking the over reach of the federal government and giving states back their individual rights.
As for the first issue of marijuana which has been controversial, the state of California voted 'yes' on legalization. Although, on a federal level, the drug is still listed as a 'Schedule 1' drug - which according to 'Wikipedia' means:
This is the list of Schedule I drugs as defined by the United States Controlled Substances Act.[1] The following findings are required for drugs to be placed in this schedule:[2]1) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.2) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.3) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.
Except as specifically authorized, it is illegal for any person:1) to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance; or2) to create, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense, a counterfeit substance.[3]
Remember that in order for the federal government to regulate a drug or substance like marijuana, the 'classification' needs to be changed from 'Schedule 1' to a lower class. This means for street legal sales of the drug, the government cannot institute 'a standard' by which all retailers/manufacturers have to abide by. Which leaves the manufacturing to be unregulated (potency, labeling, etc.). This is the most dangerous aspect about the issue thus far. How do you know what you are buying?
As for the second issue of oil drilling off shore, I refer you to a blog post I wrote earlier regarding the beautiful beaches off the coast of southern California which have been ruined by 'tar balls' from off shore oil drilling platforms. Do coastal states still deserve to have clean water (oil free) wash up on their shores? Or is the interest of 'big oil' still outweigh the interests of the residents along those shores?
These are just a few thoughts to think about over the wonderful weekend. Have a great remainder of the day.
Related Articles:
A California Dream Spoiled By Big Oil
No comments:
Post a Comment