Marijuana Policy Highs: The Top Pot Stories Of 2011 (SLIDESHOW)

WASHINGTON -- It's been a tumultuous year for marijuana drug policy, from the federal government's crackdown on medical marijuana in California and the hundreds of shops forced to close, to the riots and lawsuits sparked by the federal action.

In the weed haven of San Francisco, three of the best-known medical marijuana dispensaries shut their doors after receiving warning letters from U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag. The state's oldest dispensary, the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana, based in Fairfax, Calif., also closed following federal threats.

The ramped-up enforcement actions came even as a Gallup poll reported 50 percent of Americans favored pot legalization, up from just 36 percent in 2006, and petitions seeking fewer legal restrictions on marijuana garnered more signatures than any others submitted through an online portal at the White House website.

Beyond California, marijuana has made significant advances this year.

Delaware became the 16th state to legalize the drug for medical use, while Connecticut reduced possession of a half-ounce or less of pot from a criminal misdemeanor to a noncriminal infraction. And in November, Govs. Lincoln Chafee (I-R.I.) and Chris Gregoire (D-Wash.) called on the Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, which would allow it to be dispensed for medicinal use.

With or without legal changes, Americans haven't stopped using pot. The FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report revealed marijuana-related arrests were up last year. In 2010, police made 853,838 arrests for pot-related crimes -- more than half of drug arrests nationwide, and among the highest numbers of marijuana-related arrests ever reported by the bureau.

HuffPost has compiled a slideshow of the year's advances and setbacks in medical marijuana policy. Which do you think is the most significant?

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Comments

[icruiz]

06:15 PM on 01/06/2012

Of the 853,838 arrests for pot-related crimes, how many were ticketed for pot, after the initial pull over for something different? I don't know anyone who smokes pot, out stealing to support their habbit,( though, of course there could be)

[AndyWright68]

03:53 PM on 01/04/2012

There are people who still think pot is a gateway drug and that they must save those people from themselves. Just sickening.

[Rexter]

09:41 AM on 01/03/2012

The momentum is underway for a repeal of the prohibition and some sanity to return to dealing with the marijuana issue and its legal status and codification in the U.S. Few, except for those in the federal enforcement community who depend on the prohibition for their livelihood, can actually defend the folly that has been perpetrated using marijuana as the catalyst for the war on drugs by falsely demonizing it. No one is buying into that lame argument any longer, it's time for a change.

[Robert Gudzikowski]

12:22 AM on 01/03/2012

Its about time for america to set an example and prove how cruel and unusual the punishment for this ruptured duck crime has become. Everyone must own their part in this love,hate relationship with outdated legislature being carried out against people who are the only victims of their crime.

[majesticjkr]

06:43 PM on 01/02/2012

The numbers of pot arrests are going to just go up and up, more and more people are choosing pot over getting drunk, people are sick of getting drunk and waisting so much money on nights out. its no fun anymore waching your money getting urinated in a bush on that long walk home. pots cheeper you dont have to dress up and you have fresh food on stand by, your partner will benifit too when its bed time, you know what im talking about.

[pampiep]

10:18 AM on 01/02/2012

This isn't illegal because people get high on pot.. it's all about industrial hemp. Hemp is the most dangerous plant in history. Dangerous to the 1% and their corporations that is. Hemp can make plastic, rope, fiber, food, and the list goes on and on.. but it can also be fuel. Henry Ford was a hemp farmer and at one time, his cars ran on 100% hemp fuel.

There was a conspiracy by some very rich people in the 30's to vilify pot and to close down the hemp industry. Get informed people.

http://www.jackherer.com/

[Andrew Bugbee]

02:08 PM on 01/03/2012

Testify brother, TESTIFY! The problem is that people who are against pot are unwilling to see the truth because they've already made up their minds. I voted for Obama and USED to like him until he became a fascist dictator by signing the NDAA into law. Most conservatives have a rigid value/belief system and are unwilling to change their position in light of new realiities.You SHOULD flip flop when new information is consumed.

[rewith85man]

01:22 AM on 01/02/2012

If people want to get high, let them do so unless they commit crime(s).

[RevRayGreen]

12:18 PM on 01/01/2012

various sound bytes from calls to talk radio here in central Iowa from myself & fellow Iowan supporting marijuana law reform taking on reefer sad Iowan ,former IA CONgressman Dr. Greg Ganske on Jan Mikelson show 1040 WHO Radio, plus my announcement of ending the NORML - IA Facebook page at midnight 12/31/2011.... all news I will support you will find at the Green Central Station Facebook page..starting 1/1/12

http://youtu.be/x60FfOL3rG4

[AlfredE69]

10:32 AM on 01/01/2012

President Obama, why do you want to have Willie Nelson arrested for smoking a doobie?

[claygooding]

02:38 AM on 01/01/2012

Good luck with next year all,,,I hope you all took an oath to use the safest drug known.

America does not have a marijuana problem,,we can find marijuana in any town in America.

If you will build more prisons,,we will come.

[chaminga]

08:58 PM on 12/31/2011

"An Illinois man was charged in September after marching with a "samurai sword" on Interstate 65 south of 61st Avenue, Indiana State Police said.

Cicero, Ill., resident Bryon Womack, who initially identified himself as "Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs" when police asked for his name, was charged with attempted carjacking, resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana."

State troopers came across a shirtless Womack carrying a nearly 3-foot-long sword on the inner shoulder of Interstate 65 about 2:30 p.m. Sept. 4 in Merrillville, police said. The 43-year-old was discovered south of an abandoned Toyota, which was left in the middle lane of the expressway near U.S. 30.



Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/michigan-city/d2f4a3fc-aad8-5caf-8062-2f0dc666837a.html#ixzz1iAQJdA00

[claygooding]

02:33 AM on 01/01/2012

And your point is?

No one claims marijuana makes stupid people smarter and to insinuate that marijuana is going to cause others to do similar actions is a little premature.
For every story you hear similar to this there are millions of people using cannabis and not doing stupid stuff.

[chaminga]

09:40 AM on 01/01/2012

I have insinuated nothing. I thought it was a funny story that fit well under the head line of The Top Pot Stories Of 2011. Your awfully uptight about a noxious weed. Geeez.

[OhioYippieHippie]

03:17 PM on 01/30/2012

DRUNK PEOPLE COMMIT FAR MORE CRIMES THAN POT SMOKERS. GET REAL MAN. THREE CRAZY PEOPLE HAPPEN TO HAVE MJ ON THEM AND 300 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THE THOUGHT POLICE ON THEIR A$$ GET REAL THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THESE STUPID LAWS NO MATTER WHAT THE GOV SAYS.

[Sh00Fly]

07:24 PM on 12/31/2011

HAPPY last 4:20pm of 2011!!!!
Let's see how long it will take for this to get posted.

[majorwiblit]

07:47 PM on 12/31/2011

22 mins,,,,lol,,,boy this is a hoping thread!!!!
happy 4:20 to you!!!

7:47pm

[canpete]

06:34 PM on 12/31/2011

nothing like a pot story to bring out the drug heads from mom's basement...

[majorwiblit]

06:59 PM on 12/31/2011

yes it does,,

[DianePVK]

04:20 PM on 01/03/2012

You may be surprised to find out that all kinds of normal people use pot. Your stereotype is WAY outdated.

[canpete]

11:37 PM on 01/03/2012

sorry, being a druggie is not normal....

[majorwiblit]

05:30 PM on 12/31/2011

Can we have a thread this New Years Eve,,,were people can come and enjoy,,and have a
good time???,,,wink,,wink,
It would be fun!!!!!
Can it be this thread?????????????

[Sh00Fly]

02:46 PM on 12/31/2011

Full moderation for this thread too? You cyber hall monitors need to enjoy a bongload.