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News Wire: BNSF looks to 'weed' out marijuana shipments before they start

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Posted by Brian Schmidt on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 10:53 AM

With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada — and the expectation that pot will become a $5 billion business by 2020 — the rail industry now has a shipping code for cannabis and related products. Effective Feb. 2, a new Sta...

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/02/19-bnsf-looks-to-weed-out-marijuana-shipments-before-they-become-a-problem

Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine

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Posted by kgbw49 on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 11:18 AM

I am sure they will smoke them out.

(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

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Posted by Miningman on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 11:38 AM

Reefer madness I tell ya! 

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Posted by rdamon on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 1:35 PM

Giving pot shipments the highball!!

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Posted by csxns on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 3:13 PM

Replace Coal with Pot.Big Smile

Russell

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 5:31 PM

Will it have a 49 STCC code?

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Posted by Ulrich on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 5:34 PM

Most of it will go courier I'm sure. The potheads will not wait for rail or truck.. this will be a big revenue booster for the courier companies. 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 7:38 PM

They should have made the code 420.

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Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 12:57 AM

It's high time they established protocol.

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Posted by alphas on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 1:29 AM

I'm no fan of pot based on what's happened with some of my relatives.    Two who have drug problems got started on pot.   Another claims he only smokes it and doesn't use anything else.    But when he smokes it he gets mean and starts abusing his wife.    That ties in with what a police friend of mine has told me from his experiences.   Namely, that its a myth that those you use it only get mellow.    Some get very mean and aggressive.   Especially those you also get mean and aggressive when they are drinking.

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:14 AM

alphas
Especially those you also get mean and aggressive when they are drinking.

Indeed - it's a personality thing.  Some get mean, some get morose, some get silly.  I think a lot depends on what they've seen others do when they drink as they are growing up.

And it could be that both peel away a level of propriety, showing a person's true colors.

Without wandering too far into the minefield - when they come up with a test (a la breathalyzer) and establish levels of intoxication (as with alcohol), I'll be less opposed.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:41 AM

Boy, it didn't take any time at all for this thread to drift from transportation to people's personal views on the morality of drug abuse.

Just sayin'.  Devil

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Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:54 AM

Off the rails and into the weeds?  Embarrassed

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:00 AM

LOL!

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:35 AM

Actually this topic does force one to contemplate a host of other issues.

Does this mean that our North Border will soon rival our south for smuggling of illegal contraband?

Should we build a wall to try and contain the risk?

What about marijuana being shipped from South America to Canada for resale? Mut they route out beyond US territorial waters to avoid the risk of seizure?

I believe that possession in the USA  is really not so much illegal as it is "regulated". I believe there is a tax that one can pay and get a stamp that permits ownership for lawful purposes. I wonder if Canadian distributors  could obtain such a stamp permitting their merchandse to pass legally through this country from Mexico into the final destination. And, if this was done, would BNSF reconsider it's policy?

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Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 8:48 AM
I believe that the stamp was the first control until it was classified as a Class 1 drug.  Until it is reclassed at a federal level not much will happen. The states that have approved sales have done so in violation of federal law.
I believe that the stamp was the first control until it was classified as a Class 1 drug.  Until it is reclassed at a federal level not much will happen. The states that have approved sales have done so in violation of federal law.
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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:15 PM

rdamon

Off the rails and into the weeds?  Embarrassed 

We have rule G, do you thing this means there may be a rule "P"?

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:03 PM

rdamon
I believe that the stamp was the first control until it was classified as a Class 1 drug. 

You are right. I forgot about Richard Nixon's crusade against that  threat to the republic.

Still, seems like I was told there are extensive legal  plantings in Kentucky. They grow it to keep  a stock of viable seeds, just in case anyone ever wants to make rope with the fibers. That's an old memory, vintage 1980s

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Posted by jeffhergert on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:28 PM

Convicted One

Actually this topic does force one to contemplate a host of other issues.

Does this mean that our North Border will soon rival our south for smuggling of illegal contraband?

Should we build a wall to try and contain the risk?

What about marijuana being shipped from South America to Canada for resale? Mut they route out beyond US territorial waters to avoid the risk of seizure?

I believe that possession in the USA  is really not so much illegal as it is "regulated". I believe there is a tax that one can pay and get a stamp that permits ownership for lawful purposes. I wonder if Canadian distributors  could obtain such a stamp permitting their merchandse to pass legally through this country from Mexico into the final destination. And, if this was done, would BNSF reconsider it's policy?

 

Iowa has a drug tax stamp.  It doesn't allow a person to legally possess or sell illegal drugs.  I recall it being sold as an attempt to tax illegal transactions, but actually is more of a way to increase penalties on those possessing illegal drugs over a certain amount.  (I believe having over a certain amount you are presumed to have the intent to sell.)  About the only people who actually buy the tax stamp are stamp collectors. 

Jeff

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