United States Of Confusion

United States Of Confusion

I am truly confused and I am an American. Why are we called the “United States” when there is very little legislation we are united about?

What’s with our system of laws?

Federal laws are generally applicable in all states. However, under constitutional laws, states are allowed to create, implement and enforce their own laws in addition to federal laws. This is because every U.S. state is also a sovereign entity in its own right and has the power to create laws and regulate them according to their needs. Some categories of laws that vary from state to state are: gun control laws, child custody laws, trucking, and motor carrier laws, business and corporate laws, and marriage licensing laws, especially with regards to same-sex marriage. Oh, and marijuana laws. Case in point:

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Four states have legalized marijuana for recreational use. In Alaska, adults 21 and older can now transport, buy or possess up to an ounce of marijuana and six plants. Oregon voters approved a similar measure allowing adults to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in public and 8 ounces in their homes, set to take effect July 1, 2015. Colorado and Washington previously passed similar ballot measures legalizing marijuana in 2012. In February, a measure approved by voters went into effect in the District of Columbia that legalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Other states have passed medical marijuana laws allowing for limited use of cannabis. Some medical marijuana laws are broader than others, with types of medical conditions that allow for treatment varying from state to state. Other states have passed laws allowing residents to possess cannabis oil if they suffer from certain medical illnesses. Most recently, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a law legalizing the possession of up to 20 ounces of cannabis oil. *

So the states march on, some passing laws allowing the medical and/or recreational use of marijuana. But ultimately it is still illegal on the federal level. Confused yet?

*Information is current as of April 17, 2015.

This article appeared in View From The Hot Tub, Livinoutloudmag.com, July 2015 edition.

Livin La Vida Local

Livin La Vida Local

(This post is dedicated to Kellers Bakery in Linthicum, MD, where they make the most delicious jelly turnovers I have ever tasted.)

I recently discovered through Facebook that the bakery we visited daily on our way home from school in the 60’s is closing after 53 years in business.

This is just another reminder that the local business is an endangered species.

Who’s to blame? We are. Lured in by the promise of lower prices, consumers flock to corporate-run, well here I would say retailers, but corporate ownership invades every aspect of our lives. Have you tried to find a doctor in private practice?

We don’t have to sit back and let this happen. According to an April 29, 2015, blog post on the Wilmington Chamber Website, “Wilmington Ranks as Second Best City in U.S. to Start a Business”, knocked out of first by Boulder, Colorado.

So what can you do? Live local. Local home sales rose 28% in June, the biggest jump in our area in nine years. There will be new residents in this group, let your new neighbor know about the local businesses in your area. Another way to live local is to shop local and ask your local purveyor to price match if their price is higher. If your local shop doesn’t carry an item you want, ask them to order it for you. We can make a difference if we show local businesses that we will support them. Let’s keep our existing local businesses in business and encourage those who are chasing the American dream of owning their own business to open it here.

Looking for local? Just a sampling of local businesses:

On Facebook: Buylocalilm
Wilmington NC Locally Owned Businesses

On the web: Wilmingtonchamber.org
www.feastdowneast.org/supportingrestaurants.html
http://www.tidalcreek.coop
http://www.portcityproduce.com
bluemoongiftshops.com
http://www.jfountaintire.com

This article appeared in the August edition of Livin' Out Loud magazine.