Rand Paul, Corey Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand – Get the Federal Government Out of States where Medical Marijuana is Law.

From Reuters: Rand Paul, introduces legislation today to prevent the Federal government from prosecuting individuals in states where Medical Marijuana is legal. He is joined by Democrat Senators, Corey Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand:

Paul has been an outspoken critic of the war on drugs and has said pot users should not be put in jail. He has pushed to legalize hemp, a less-potent version of the plant, for industrial purposes.

Last month, he accused former Florida governor Jeb Bush, a potential rival, of "hypocrisy" for opposing medical marijuana in Florida after admitting to pot use as a student.

Medical marijuana is now legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia, and voters have approved it for recreational use in four states and Washington, D.C.

But it remains illegal at the federal level. That disparity locks marijuana businesses out of the banking system and exposes users to arrest.

Paul's legislation would ensure that buyers and sellers in those states would not risk federal prosecution if they are complying with state and local laws, according to congressional aides and a marijuana-advocacy group.

(Reuters)

What may at first appear to be bucking the “system”, is in essence, a state’s rights issue, as well, as a money saving issue – on the one hand, saving Federal dollars by not prosecuting these individuals and businesses in States where legalization of medical marijuana is legal, and 2) by allowing the businesses in these states to take full advantage of competing in the marketplace (job creation).

Smart move again, Senator Paul.

The Long Cold Winter - Massachusetts

The Long Cold Winter - Massachusetts

It has been one of those winters, winters that are so cold, dark and snowy that one is inclined to do little except plow out and rake the roof, bake in the oven (to further warm the house) eat soups and stews and play online video games, catch up on reading and basically hibernate.

With all of the atrocities taking place in the world – too many to count, it further weighs on a mind already besieged by yet another round of snow , while politics, which generally appeals, is at the point of where to being. It is not writer’s block per se; it is winter block in all its unfathomable glory.

How does one get out of this rut? Perhaps wait it out, there’s little to be done to grab winter by the horns at minus 7 in the morning.

Yes, complaining, and waiting for a thaw of sorts, even an even 32 would be a heat wave comparably.

Therefore, a few links of interest are in order:

Sunshine News ”Six Questions for Rand Paul” worth the read as that is usually a conservative leaning area of the Fl State and they have, apparently embraced Paul.

On the changing faces of politics - From Newark: Bookers BBF’s in Washington, Rand Paul, Newt Gingrich and Ted Cruz” offers a glimpse into what can happen and how the government body elect should communicate. Although reading the comments are rather disheartening What is most interesting is those on the left will give no quarter, while those on the right are inclined to move an inch. (Unless one of those mentioned is a primary opposition opponent.

Best of Christmas-Holidays Pol’s and Polls

For starters the Holiday season normally gives one a break from all of the nonsense that is politics –if only briefly – if at all. The two national stories that most amused this season were the latest GOP poll by Zogby and the Festivus Tweets by Rand Paul (R-KY) joined by Corey Booker (D-NJ).

The Zogby Poll analyzed by Breitbart, is so typical of polling thus far, that is bears little notice, except that it has been picked up by most outlets without so much as a notice of the smallest available sample and largest margin of error seen in a 2016 poll to date. Leading the pack in this poll: Romney, Jeb Bush and Rand Paul for the Republicans and of course, Hillary Clinton for the Democrats. In this scenario she beats them all handily. Of the 231 potential voters, however, 19% were not yet decided on who would be a good choice of candidate. (Brietbart) Need one waste ink on this piece- yes, apparently, even if one has to point out how ridiculous this poll truly is.

Followed by something more amusing, Rand Paul’s annual Festivus grievance tweets. The tweets topics ranged from government waste, his hair, sweater vests worn by Mitch McConnell, and the work he’s done with Corey Booker on reduction of sentencing for non-violent offenders (WHAS11). The full list on Twitter: twitter.com/SenRandPaul

Corey Booker shot back a few in agreement as well as taking a shot at Paul’s hair (Twitter: Corey Booker) suggesting if he were to shave his head, he would be more aerodynamic for any potential 2016 runs.

One needs a little levity mixed with reality as well as some genuine bi-partisanship from one’s potential leaders (or in this case state leaders in the US Senate).