Capitol Ideas

By Flibberdigibbit

February 17, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this

Now They’re Taking Candy from a Baby?

The magnanimous state senate ought to waste the power of representative government and try tackling the origins of Coca Cola, while they’ve got nothing better to do.

Everyone knows it’s still flavored with decocainized coca-leaf extract, which means it has as much cocaine as these lollipops have cannabinoids.

By Virgil

February 17, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this

The government would be better off finding a way to tax marijuana production and sales, instead of going after candy makers who are obviously riding a short-lived fad. Marijuana to most people is, as Paul McCartney once said, a “harmless giggle”. Legalize it and leave people alone. The big “Gateway Theory” that marijuana use leads to hard drug use is all a load of crap proffered by the Feds so that they can keep their profits and payoffs from the illegal drug trade.

By MissHeavenSong

February 17, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this

Who wants pot breath? I sure would’nt but i would not be surprised if i were able to buy this pot pop at publix in the near future…

By Reality Check

February 17, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

When will people realize that you can’t legislate morality?

By John

February 17, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

My god, I can not believe this is where my tax money goes. These are the same idiots that think making seatbelt laws actually saves lives. I can not believe people do not get upset about this kind of rediculous legislation. Why do they feel they have to keep it out of the kids hands when that is the parents job. I’ll tell you why, it’s because everytime kids have an unexpected holiday that parents were not aware of, the parents get all up in arms because they have to find daycare at the last minute. Think about parents, if you prepared to have the children you have, This wouldn’t be an issue. So with that said, if you can’t take care of your own kids, THEN DON’T HAVE THEM.

By Sara

February 17, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

This administraion, also known as The Conferderacy of Dunces, looks under rocks at ways to waste our tax dollars. Typical erosion of personal freedoms.

By Paul

February 17, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

We actually are paying tax money to prohibity lollipops that have no drug in them whatsoever but only because they TASTE like the most harmless drug on the planet. If you want to keep them from kids, only allow them to be sold in liquor/beer stores. But completely? We have monkeys in charge of our money. But of course we sheep/citizens will allow it.

By Rick B

February 17, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

Just like my pastor says..”How do you boil a frog”? If you put him in a kettle of hot water he will jump out..instead put him in cold water and turn the heat up slowly and before the frog knows it, he is COOKED!! Give you kids pot-flavored candy and later they will assume that pot is OK too…duhhhh!! Will all you parents get a brain!!! Be parents and stop trying to be a “friend” to you child!!!

By Chad

February 17, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

Hey Sara- What administration are you talking about? This silly proposal comes from an atlanta democrat looking to get his name on something in an election year. But your knee-jerk attack “the administration” response does reveal your agenda- if people would think for just a second before automatically blaming everything on Bush, Purdue, Republicans, or “the administration,” we’d have a much more useful debate.

By Glenn

February 17, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

Vincent Fort , Thank You for representing the city of Atlanta so well. With all the pressing issues in the state & area you have gone after lollipops. With all the concerns the state government needs to be involved with like transportation , education , & environmental issues, we have you to tackle the flavors of candy issue. I would hate for you to tackle any kind of offensive policies involving big business . That would affect the motives of the real reason your in politics wouldn’t it. I hear there is a convenience store on North Avenue selling paper made from hemp . Sounds like another chance for you to show how much you care for your constituents children.

By John

February 17, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

At what point did the world start to revolve around kids? Maybe some of us adults would like to eat some mary jane candy. Make it illegal for anyone under 21.

By William

February 17, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of buffons that comprise the State Legislature.

By Larry

February 17, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Seems to me that you would want to encourage your small children to eat these disgusting candies. Then you would remind them that they are pot flvoured. They would then grow up hating the taste of pot. We could then creat “crack pops”, “meth pops”, etc. Maybe the legislature should create a government funded program to distribute these pops at elementary schools so that our children would then grow up hating the taste of drugs … “yeh … that’s the ticket”.

By Maery

February 17, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

With so many other pressing issues, our wonderful Georgia (a.k.a. Good Ole’ Boy) legislature is worried about lollipops that don’t get you high, just taste like pot. I think they ought to make real pot pops - you would be amazed at how many people you know, church members, friends, relatives and acquaintances smoke pot - probably 70% of everyone you know. Bet your teenagers are doing the same. They don’t talk about it, but they do it. Pot is only a gateway drug if that’s your mentality to begin with.

By Mel

February 17, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

Typical election year bill. Cycle is always the same. Pass it with fanfare. It’s obliterated on its first court test but by that time the election is over and it’s forgotten - until the show starts again in two years.

By Kenneth Noteboom

February 17, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

This makes you think what’s next. Product names derived from the word Cocaine even though the product itself doesn’t contain Cocaine?

I’m sure Pepsi is all for this new law. Say goodbye to Coca-Cola.

By Sara

February 17, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

Chad,I can think on my own thank-you. I don’t need you or your tiny infant size Y chromosome to guide my thoughts.

By a dissident

February 17, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

Hey Vinny,

Is cigarette smoking a gateway drug, you feckless imbecile?

Love, informed Georgia residents

By Gman

February 17, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Ok… this is pretty freakin’ stupid. A law to prohibit the sale of candy that taste like pot? For one, why would you want to taste pot flavored candy. I’m sure it taste much like your average lawn.

And for those who say this is a gateway to trying the real thing? Like that’s gonna happen. Who wants to try something when the candied version taste like crap? This is just some hype during an election year to catch the thoughts of voters. Can I have my tax money back on this?

By Alexander

February 17, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

Noteboom, where do you think the “pep” comes from in Pepsi and Dr. Pepper, they too owe their origins to the other stimulant contained in the coca-leaf, and I’m not talking about caffiene.

And guess what? Many of these colas still use decocainized coca leaf extract in their flavoring. I guess we really already have “crack-pop” widely available.

By Flibberdigibbit

February 17, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

Frankly Vincent, I’d be a bit more concerned about the kids’ access to chips and soft drinks at the corner convenience store.

After all, many schools already ban these junk-foods from their lunch-rooms.

Only a heartless fiend would try to take-away a child’s lollipop!!

By Billy

February 17, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

Stupid. Remember booze is OK even though it is much worse than Pot because the Guvment gets a lot of tax revenue. Its all about money. Pot is the drug of choice but the alcohol industry has politicians paid off. If it was a beer lollipop or a tobbacco lollipop that would be OK. More Government lies and hypocrisy. The people see it however that is why pot will be legal soon. people are tired of Government telling us what to do and buy and eat and smoke.

By Lisa M

February 17, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

Georgia politicians drunk on Bourbon and Barbecue paid off by the booze industry to keep a lid on Marijuana. Typical crooks in action

By chad

February 17, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

Legalize and Tax Marijuana. If you can drink beer you should be able to smoke Marijuana.

By griffinsbridge

February 17, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Here in the UK, we have just legalised Cannabis for Medicinal use. Give it 10 years, itll be taxed and available in shops. We’ve had hemp flavours in many things for years, we have hemp farms that grow for the textile industry. Now THATS Freedom!

Id like to quote the late great Mr Bill Hicks a few times:

“making pot Illegal is like saying GOD made a mistake!”

By Flibberdigibbit

February 17, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

Griffinsbridge, I don’t suppose the crown could be talked into taking back your Puritans?

We’re straining under the weight of moral imperialism on this side of the pond.

By MIKE R.

February 17, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

how dumb….there’s iran building nuclear weapons, and we’re focusing on “pot-flavored” suckers??? that goes to show that the government is full of morons without a working brain

By Scott

February 17, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

This pot flavored lollipop will get the Democrats at the State House all up in arms but god forbid they show the same outrage over the flood of illegals in this state! Just last week the bafoons had the nerve to oppose a bill that would charge illegals 5% to wire money out of the country. More proof why Democrats in this state have become so obsolete!!!!

By Conservative But Not Stupid

February 17, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

If you put enough sugar in anything, it will taste good. I’m with Gman. Where’s my tax check.

And to Rick B, you must be joking?! A lollipop, I don’t care what the name is, is not going to lead to drug use. I was part of that generation of college pot-heads and quickly realized that smoking pot burned worse than cigarettes, made my mouth as dry as the Sahara and cost me my life savings in runs to the nearest convenience store for almost any food I could get my hands on. Please tell me you aren’t suggesting that the same behavior will result from a 1/2 cup of oil flavored (ugh!) sugar on a stick. You can’t be that uptight.

By Julie

February 17, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe this is an issue! There are SO MANY PROBLEMS in this state, and a legislator wants to waste time with pot flavored lollipops? Who cares? Don’t let your kids buy them if you don’t want them to try them. I’m SURE they don’t taste very good as anyone who has mistakenly tasted bong water can attest. Rick B -if you or anyone else thinks a pot flavored lollipop is going to lead the way to pot smoking children -you’re so out of touch it’s amazing you know about the Internet and blogs. I don’t smoke pot anymore and haven’t in years, but I think it should be legalized and taxed like booze. Hemp is also an incredible resource for everything from paper and fabric to fuel, and we’re completely ignoring it as a nation even though any educated person knows that marijuana grown for hemp CANNOT make you high. AH -the stupidity of some people!!!!

By Joe.M.

February 17, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

Fort’s a moron. He can’t vote for equality among parents for the benefit of children but he brings about this legislature.

I can’t wait to vote against him in November.

By Suck On This

February 17, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

For you Bible-thumpers out there:

Matthew 15:11 —

“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

Sounds to me like it’s OK to inhale (but not exhale?). As our legislators are all good Christians (they say so in all of their campaign literature), perhaps they should heed the word of their Savior.

I know Paul made a reference to the body as a temple (1 Corinthians), but the King trumps the Ace in this game.

By Concerned Parent

February 17, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

By the response I have read most of you don’t have children. I for one think it is a good idea to ban it from market. Lollipops that taste like marijuana come on now. I guess they couldn’t do any better then that. Take it off the market our kids don’t need lollipops that taste like marijuana. Our kids need us more then every today for protection, guidance, love, and etc.

By Hunter

February 17, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

There is nothing wrong with a flavor of candy. I don’t like licorice, maybe I can get that one banned.

If government would legalize pot, it will be as much of a cash stream as alcohol (Can we say prohibition?) & regular cigarettes do.

Yes, I have two boys. Unfortunately they do not live in Mayberry with Opie Taylor. Opie, sounds short for opium. Maybe there was a hidden agenda back then.

By Conservative But Not Stupid

February 17, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, Concerned Parent, but I happen to have birthed a doctor and an attorney, thank you.

Go buy one of those lollipops and taste it for yourself. See if it makes you crave drugs.

You are missing the point of more utterly stupid government regulations and wasting of the public patience, and I’M A REPUBLICAN. If you are as involved with your kids as you insinuate you are, then you have no worries. Why would you then be interested in our elected officials creating more ways to spend YOUR money? THINK ABOUT IT.

By Alan

February 17, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

If pot flavored suckers are to be banned, shouldn’t alcohol-free beer be banned, too? Time to stop brewing O’Douls, I guess.

By Conservative But Not Stupid

February 17, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

BRILLIANT, Alan!

By Flibberdigibbit

February 17, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

Marijauna = giddiness, hunger and thirst Alcohol = stupor, emotional & physical imbalance Caffiene = alertness, insomnia, Road Rage

Puratinical-mania aside, which of the above is a real threat to a well-ordered society? And which are legal?

By Yolanda

February 17, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Over 15,000 people die a year on our roads from a LEGAL substance. Alcohol. I don’t know of ANYBODY killed on Pot maybe ticketed for driving too SLOW. Crazy how we allow stuff that is worse for you all in the name of the tax revenue and declare war on Marijuana all because of money not substance. Our Government is a joke.

By Colin Thomas

February 17, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Let’s see a plant that grows in the dirt that makes people slow and stupid and hungry. Alcohol makes people fight and drive cars into trees. And the Government is worried about Pot lollipops? How much idiot gas do they pump into the Georgia capitol each day?

By JJ

February 17, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

How many people die a year from Cirrhosis of the liver from smoking Marijuana? Pot should be legal and liquor should be outlawed if you are looking at it from a social health concern. I have two teenage kids. Of the two vices I would much rather see them smoking Pot then drunk on booze killing themselves on the highway.

By Patrick

February 17, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

Bless our brilliant public sevants - can we add an additional $300,000 in funding to the bill, to cover jail construction for those convicted of posession with intent to sell lollipops ?

By angrytaxpayingvotingstateworker

February 20, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

What the heck??? This is all the legislature has to worry about?? Hmmm teachers votes are bought and paid for by the political machine. Other state workers are ignored. Health care insurance costs out pace state employee incomes. Republican’s short change important program in order to make the education lobby happy. Hey here is a suggestion the next time you find pot, meth,or heroin in your kids back pack call his teacher maybe they can help. I am sick and tired of the reporters and politicians pandering to educators, and of the legislature worrying more about the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Brown Cold Water Trout being the Official Fish or some crap than public safety and state workers in general. Who gives a crap if there is a lollipop flavored like marijuana, have they ever smelled it??? The stuff has a stench, it stinks, and it can not possibly taste good. If kids wanna eat that flavor then let them. Oh and by the way PARENTS BE PARENTS, watch you kids and take the time to raise them and this is not an issue. OH MY FREAKING GOD! Why don’t you ask why the State Patrol can not hire enough Troopers? Why? Because the local agencies now pay more and have better benefits, and no one wants to have to go through all that training. Trooper starting pay $30000+ or Cobb County starting pay $35000+, hmmm you think about it. Or even worse DPS Motor Carrier Compliance Officers starting pay $20000 +/- or Gwinnett County $35000+ you make the call, and the legislature worries about stinking pot flavored suckers. OH MY GOD!!!! Does anyone else see a problem here?

By Robert

February 20, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Dear angrytaxpayingvotingstateworker:

Why do you direct anger at teachers? Teachers starting salary is lower than most of those others that you mention! Depending upon the school system, a first year teacher can make as low as $24,000 per year. And, a teacher has a bachelors degree!

And, do you really think that teachers votes can be bought? Remember, our increases in salary have been just as poor as yours over they past few years (inflation outpacing our increases). Do you really think that we have forgotten this? Just because stupid Perdue wants to attempt to buy the teacher vote does not mean that we are dumb enough to fall for it!!!

And, the legislature certainly does not pander to educators! Most of the legislations of late has done nothing but prove to be a thorn in a teachers side and not helped education one bit. They require more and more paperwork of teachers (be sure to document the day and time that little Johnny hit little Sally so that we don’t get sued) (multiple meetings after school to write our own standards)and that gives us less and less time to actually teach.

You need to stop and think of the facts before you explode all over teachers for no good reason, especially in a blog that has nothing to do with teachers!!!

By Tom

February 20, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

As a Democrat — even I have to say this is one of the stupidest bills to ever come from my party, nad as said before the first time it comes into court will be overturned.

The FDA has become a joke in our society and this just even expounds that more..

I’d be more concerned about the “Legal” chemicals and preservatives in the lolypop rather than the flavor it’s trying to imitate!

Just remember, We are the boss.. - election time is coming and if this is the best that a legislature can do for “Our” money then they need to be replaced with someone else that can do the job right.

By angrytaxpayingvotingstateworker

February 20, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Robert,

Pull the wool over someone elses eyes. Teacher’s salaries in 90% of school systems start at well over $35,000 ++ and you guys got step increases and raises while the rest of us got nothing. Oh and you all can join a union while the rest of us are prohibited from doing so. Hmm looks like you all leverage that against a public who does not know any better, do not get me wrong I am p** in general about the whole thing. Consider though that many of us, especially in law enforcement, work 10-12 hour days and earn no overtime. We are on call 24-7 and yes we chose this life, but we also do not get spring break, summer break, christmas break, etc. I just wish for once you teachers would come off your high horse perch and look at the rest of those struggling to make ends meet. You all wonder why it takes 6 hours to get your license renewed, its because the DDS can not retain good employees because the pay is so low. You complain about customer service, look at what you pay these people. Educators are not the only people with degrees, many brave young men and women have them who want to serve, but can not afford to. Here is the point of the whole thing…..YOU HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THIS.

By Logan42

February 21, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

As a parent I think it’s a bad idea to encourage pot smoking in this manner. It’s like giving a child a cigarette-flavored with nicotine lollipop. Marijuana slows down the brain function and puts the user in a ether world. It destroys the lungs faster than cigarettes. Most pot smokers I’ve seen are lazier than non-smokers. They live in their own made-up world. I think it makes them rather stupid, although they think they are “smarter”.

Regarding teachers, Georgia teacher salaries are highest in the South and 11th in the nation. Starting salaries are $35,000 and up. Some State employees start out at $18,000. Unlivable in this day and time.

By J.T.

February 24, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

I don’t use drugs. I don’t smoke pot. I don’t advocate drug use. I’m against it (I’ve seen too many lives ruined because of them). However….Here’s the logic that is being used in this case:

Sucking on a pot flavored lollipop will lead to smoking pot

thus

• Hearing about someone’s sexual exploits will lead to the person having sex themselves.

• Eating beef will lead to someone wanting to butcher the cow himself.

• Seeing a news report about murder will lead to people committing murder themselves.

Folks…these pot flavored lollipops have been around for a long time….I gotta believe they taste nasty, but to each his own.

The only reason ol’ Vincent Forte is kicking about this is that his name hasn’t been in the news lately. Check it out! He and a couple of the other legislators occassionally align themselves with an issue so that they can get their name in the news. It’s their way of assuring that they’ll get re-elected. If their constiuents have heard their name bandied about then it must meant the legislators are doing their job.

Don’t help Forte out. Ignore him.