Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Legalization of recreational marijuana user amounts in Minnesota was on the ballot.

Strangest, the highest percentage of ballots for the legalization candidate was in the AG race, where Noah Johnson had endorsed Ellison because both supported legalization. The early voting, with the Monahan scare tactics shook at voters early, (without any substantiation to it), might likely be an explanation of the Noah Johnson vote total; i.e., some who were overly affectionate of the #metoo attack upon innocence until proven otherwise might have shunned early voting for Kieth until it became apparent to all that the Monahan family was blowing smoke. Link. With two candidates supporting legalization fifty-four and a half percent of voters went that way. That is as great a majority as Walz-Flanagan had over Jeff Johnson, and exceeded Tina Smith's victory percentage. The numbers do not lie.

So, why is it not happening? Yes, new office holders get sworn in at the start of next year; but folks there on the hill in St. Paul, once sworn in, should not ignore something voters want.

Get the criminals and criminalization out of the picture; free any incarcerated marijuana-user prisoners; tell Jeff Sessions he's a throwback and should quit; and generate tax revenue in amounts Colorado and Washington are realizing from their sane and considered policy leadership.

If Bob Kroll does not like the idea, he can learn to be accepting. It is now the Twenty-first Century, J. Edgar Hoover's gone years ago, and "law and order" nonsense did not do too well at the polls. It worked briefly, for Nixon, but we all know how Nixon turned out.

Decriminalization of a pain killer not addictive as are opiates simply makes sense. It is a medicine and has been recognized as such for millennia prior to Rome, prior to the Columbus voyaging, prior to Jesus, Mohamed or Joseph Smith founding religious followings.

It gives pleasure and relaxation which are things most other politics cannot offer in any measure.

FURTHER: Strib, Stanek defeated:

Hutchinson, 39, narrowly defeated Stanek early Wednesday morning with all 422 precincts reporting, gaining more than 2,300 votes over the sheriff, who was seeking his fourth term.

"It was a long night and an even longer campaign, but with 100 percent of precincts reporting, I'm proud to say that we won our race for Hennepin County sheriff!" Hutchinson shared on social media.

The message continued: "Together, we're going to make Hennepin County a safer and more welcoming place, no matter where you come from, what you look like, who you worship or who you love."

Too bad he did not go on the say, "... or what you smoke so long as you do not annoy others with it or drive impaired." We can wait. Stanek's ouster is a breath of fresh air. Badge heaviness might be on the wane.

___________UPDATE__________
Sessions out. A Robert Bork named Matt Whitaker got tapped to do in Mueller, and that requires leadership stronger than Pelosi to confront and disarm. She gave a terrible speech on TV this morning.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=matt+whitaker&t=ffhp&ia=news

Slate. Leaves behind an oil slick. Orphan Annie fans may remember Daddy Warbucks' associates, Punjab and The Asp. This Whitiker is The Asp.

FURTHER: The undated Sessions resignation letter is online at several places; e.g., here.

FURTHER: Prejudging Mueller, link. The Atlantic. Earlier, again The Atlantic.

_____________FURTHER UPDATE______________
Strib carries Trib, the ChiTrib item, "In a divided nation, a consensus is emerging on one issue: Weed!-- Michigan voters made their state the 10th to legalize marijuana, and 32 allow it to be consumed in some way. By STEVE CHAPMAN Chicago Tribune - November 8, 2018 — 5:41pm"