Border Bleeding and the Legalization of Marijuana Nation Wide Within the Decade
I currently live in one of the two states that exercise full control on liquor. This means that my state, Pennsylvania, along with Utah, controls the sale and distribution of liquor and wine through state stores, as opposed to private liquor stores. In other words, if you want a bottle of Jack or Shiraz you must purchase it directly from the state. Even beer must be purchased from an authorized distributor by the case, or from a restaraunt in volumes of less than a case. There are no beer isles in our grocery stores, and no 40s in our gas stations. Since PA is the largest retailer of liquor and wines in the world, generally the prices in PA are cheaper than anywhere around. But if there is a product that you want that the state does not sell, you are either tough out of luck, or you must commit the crime of illegally importing the product across state lines into Pennsylvania. It is even illegal to possess the unoffered liquor in the state if hefty dues are not paid to bring it in, and only licensed importers are allowed to do so. (And god help you if you choose to sell these products)
Here in PA we have a term for this: border bleed. Profits are lost at the borders, and illegal activity of importing unregistered liquor takes place. So how does this relate to marijuana legalization? See me past the squiggle.
The crimes of punishment for border bleed as far as the consumer are few and far between. There are not inspections at borders checking for illegl liquors of pasenger cars, and unless you try to sell it, the chances of getting caught during consumption are incredibly small. In fact it is one of the least pursued statutes in Pennsylvania. Enforcement officers know that it goes on in large detail, but enforcement on large scale would be nearly impossible, so while the law is on the books, it is rarely enforced.
Which brings us to Marijuana. If Washington and Colorado are able to go forward with implementation of legalization, we will see a border bleed unprecedented. Geographically the states surrounding Washington and Colorado include Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. By two states legalizing, you have the potential of 9 states being in direct contact with border bleed. These 9 additional states will have the decision of heavily prosecuting their citizens, or decriminalizing possession. Additional states such as Oregon, California, Nevada, New York, and Massachusettes are considering full legalization as well, pending the outcome of Washington and Colorado.
More at: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/29/1165621/-Border-Bleeding-and-the-Legalization-of-Marijuana-Within-the-Decade
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