Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2014
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2014 Village Voice Media
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: William Breathes

CAN I CARRY POT ON A PLANE IN-STATE?

Dear Stoner: I'm flying from one Colorado city to another. Is it
legal to carry marijuana on me?

Durango Unchained

Dear Durango: We're not saying you can - and we're not saying you
can't. We've written in the past about how the Transportation
Security Administration doesn't really have any law-enforcement
capabilities. So if the TSA finds that quarter-ounce of Tangerine
Haze tucked in with your tighty-whities during a routine search and
actually feels like stopping you, agents will hand you over to local
police, who will enforce local law. In Colorado, that quarter-ounce
is technically legal under state law, and the cops really would have
no reason to detain you or take your marijuana. That is, unless
you're at Denver International Airport or Colorado Springs Municipal
Airport. Both instituted special rules making marijuana possession
illegal on the property when recreational cannabis sales began
earlier this year, though officials at both have said they really
aren't increasing patrols for pot. Violators at DIA face fines
ranging from $150 for first-time offenders up to $999 if you're dumb
enough to get caught three times or more.

But good news: Durango's airport doesn't seem to have those
stipulations (though we guess it might if the facility catches wind of
this). Same goes for Telluride, which merely put up signs reminding
passengers that once they get on a plane, they're entering federal
airspace and are no longer protected by Colorado law. Aspen officials
also say they'll probably ignore minor cases handed over to them by
the TSA that would otherwise be legal under state law. This is an
approach that cops have taken for years in California, where police at
major airports like San Francisco International have an unofficial
policy of allowing people with medical cards to fly with pot, no problem.

So, to recap: Odds are you're fine, and really the worst that happens
is you'll be asked to throw out your herb or pay a fine. It's up to
you, but I think TSA is more concerned with how much toothpaste you
have on you than with a few joints of Sour Diesel stinking up your
Dopp kit.

Dear Stoner: Is there any kind of placement agency for medical
marijuana employees?
Bro K.

Dear Bro: Yes, there are companies out there that do
cannabis-industry staffing. A couple of places to check out would be
HempTemps.com and THCJobs.com; O.pen Vape has also put on cannabis
job fairs. But if you want immediate work, your best bet might be to
check Craigslist.
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MAP posted-by: Matt