Marijuana

[Aisling]

I'm curious to know your reasoning why it should not be legalized. I saw alot of "eyerolling" in your post, but no rationale why you are so against it.

I'm not shaylyn, but I posted my reasoning in post # 18 if you're interested.

 

[enchantingodin]

I didn't answer the poll because there wasn't an "other". I mean come on - you know you always have to have an "other"....

Seriously though, I would agree to legalize it ONLY if they came out with some kind of device like the breathalyzer for alcohol. Thus having corresponding laws for legal driving limits, etc. etc.

I personally don't care if people want to get high. Knock yourself out. Just don't ever put my family in danger by doing so. Can that happen already? Of course. But I would rather there be some sort of regulation in place along with it.

Besides, think about how much money our country could profit from by doing so... trillion dollar debt? What trillion dollar debt?

 

[poohbear227]

I'm not shaylyn, but I posted my reasoning in post # 18 if you're interested.

Thanks! You brought up interesting points. It's hard to say whether people who currently do not smoke marijuana would start. I'm guessing maybe youth would. But if it did get legalized, I would hope that there would be limits and restrictions~age restrictions, driving restrictions, work restrictions, etc...

I guess to you I would say it might be worth your while to do some more research on marijuana and its effects.

I will say there is a huge difference between someone who is high on pot and someone who is drunk on alcohol.

I am very pro-marijuana being legalized. I will also admit that I use it sometimes. Some people come home from work and want to relax with a beer, I prefer a "cigarette". I have two masters degrees, a professional certification, stable job doing research and working with children, stable and happy lifestyle. I don't tell people at work that I do this sometimes because they would likely judge me into a very stereotyped category which far from describes me. As for drinking, I have the occassional glass of wine, beer or a mixed drink at a restaurant. I despise being around drunk people & avoid bars. I am VERY against drinking and driving (or being under the influence of anything intoxicating and driving). I would be extremely against driving and being high.
But I do feel that what I do in the privacy of my own home or my own backyard should be my own business.

Marijuana use is legal in many other countries in the world and it seems to be a non-issue because no one makes a big deal out of it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If it's legalized to the general public, will people who never wanted to smoke it then smoke it because it's legal?

I don't think so. I don't have any urge to smoke marijuana, legal or not. Legalizing it wouldn't change my mind. Heck, where I live possession of an ounce or less is a civil offense - the worst that can happen if you're caught is a $100 fine.

But no, just because something becomes legal doesn't mean everybody and her brother is going to run out and do it. We're progressive in some ways but not in others; when they finally legalized tattooing here a few short years ago, you didn't have throngs of people lining up to get inked.

But if it did get legalized, I would hope that there would be limits and restrictions~age restrictions, driving restrictions, work restrictions, etc.

Work restrictions should be easy. Pretty much every company has rules against working under the influence (of anything); and most do preemployment drug tests. Doesn't marijuana stay with you for a while?

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't smoke it but I don't see it being legalized as a bad thing. I've been around people who have smoked pot and they are completely different from drunks. I wouldn't want them driving or operating machinery but at home in their own space I couldn't care less.

 

[Aisling]

I've been around people who have smoked pot and they are completely different from drunks. I wouldn't want them driving or operating machinery but at home in their own space I couldn't care less.

I'm REALLY scared of drunk drivers. That's where my problem with legalizing pot lies.

 

[poohbear227]

Work restrictions should be easy. Pretty much every company has rules against working under the influence (of anything); and most do preemployment drug tests. Doesn't marijuana stay with you for a while?

See, I think work restrictions would be the challenge. Marijuana does stay in your system for quite some time-I think it's something like 3 months. So, if someone were to smoke pot on a weekend and go to work (sober) a few days later, they would still fail a urine test. Not because they are still "high" but because the drug stays in your blood for that long. I am 100% against people being under the influence of anything aside from caffeine at work, so being able to put in restrictions like that is the one and only thing I would be concerned of with legalization of marijuana.

There are MANY people who smoke pot responsibly in this country-way more than you think. MANY people who smoke pot do not always fit that stereotyped profile that people think of. But, just like alcohol, there are also plenty of people who do no act responsibly. Not a reason to continue to keep it illegal (as alcohol is physically addictive and that has been legal for a long time).

 

[tvguy]

The reality is, it doesn't matter what the states say. Voters passed a law here in California, and the Feds keep raiding medical growerss and sending growers to prison under federal law. Some throught when President Obama took office that the mind set would change, but marijuana seems to be something the Republicans and Democrats in Washington on united on, it's a crime.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Legaliiiize it, time to recogniiiiize it...

 

[Aisling]

There are MANY people who smoke pot responsibly in this country-way more than you think. MANY people who smoke pot do not always fit that stereotyped profile that people think of. But, just like alcohol, there are also plenty of people who do no act responsibly.

This is a good point.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm REALLY scared of drunk drivers. That's where my problem with legalizing pot lies.

I am too. I just don't see the two as the same thing. Of course there is always the danger of someone stoned driving but they probably do that already any way. From what I've seen a pothead tends to be slow and their reactions will be slow. That's not a good thing but the reckless weaving and high speed nonsense seems worse to me.

I would like it if the penalties for driving while stoned would be harsh.

 

[LuLuO]

I'm REALLY scared of drunk drivers. That's where my problem with legalizing pot lies.

I too am really scared of drunk drivers. I am also scared of drivers who are on prescribed pain meds, anti-depressants, parents who were up all night with a screaming baby, the woman who was reading a book but still managed to pass me in the fast lane, and the guy who was texting and almost ran me off the road.

Does anyone know if pot related driving incidents have increased in areas that have decriminalized it?

I support pot being legalized. I don't think it will be though. The pharmaceutical companies have a lot of political pull and want to keep people buying their expensive medications instead of being able to grow pot in their back yard or basement.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I have never heard of anyone being pulled for driving while high. Not saying it never happens, but maybe it's rare?

I am honestly shocked that so many are into the idea of legalizing pot. I have the need for it for my medical condition, but I would partake even if I didn't have a health issue.

The government could make a killing with taxes, domestic violence might go down (you see lots of angry drunks,but no angry pot heads). It would great tons of jobs for farmers, inspectors and distributers. Oh, and the sale of snack foods would quadruple!

I do think it really does need to be monitored by the government. Way back in my high school days, I had 2 REALLY bad trips. They had to have been laced with something.

I just knew I would get flamed for this thread, but I am pleasantly surprised how many are not against the legalization on pot, esp for medicinal purposes.

 

[poohbear227]

I too am really scared of drunk drivers. I am also scared of drivers who are on prescribed pain meds, anti-depressants, parents who were up all night with a screaming baby, the woman who was reading a book but still managed to pass me in the fast lane, and the guy who was texting and almost ran me off the road.

Does anyone know if pot related driving incidents have increased in areas that have decriminalized it?

Not sure, but I have read that the crime rate in Amsterdam is much lower than many major U.S. cities.

Another interesting fact is, in 2010, the number of alcohol related deaths in the U.S. was 85,000. The number of tobacco related deaths was a whopping 435,000. The number of marijuana related deaths??? ZERO.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Not sure, but I have read that the crime rate in Amsterdam is much lower than many major U.S. cities.

Another interesting fact is, in 2010, the number of alcohol related deaths in the U.S. was 85,000. The number of tobacco related deaths was a whopping 435,000. The number of marijuana related deaths??? ZERO.

WOW! Sort of makes a good case for legalizing it. Maybe the alcohol deaths would decline if heavy drinkers switched to marijuana. Thanks for the info!

 

[KatheeME]

Am I the only one who does not believe it should be legalized?

I live in a state where it is legal "for medical purposes" If you want an Rx, you can get one, it is SO easy. People are on Craigslist selling their weed!

Now they are talking about having pot clubs where you can go smoke pot together. Give me a break! That's not for medical reasons, a club for smoking pot!

I agree, there are medications to take! It's proven to kill brain cells and lead to other drug use in many cases. Don't give me the line that it's the same as alcohol, it's not! Not entirely.

 

[C.Ann]

I have no problems whatsoever with it being made legal for medicinal purposes and prescribed by a doctor, just as other medications are..

I think it's cruel and inhumane to allow people to suffer needlessly - as long as there are legal guidelines in place..

 

[Charade]

I don't care either way. Even if it were legalized, I still wouldn't want to partake. My concerns are DWH (driving while high) and the government doing the same thing to cigarettes where they tax the crap out of it while at the same time telling people how bad it is.

Even the government says it's bad (or worse than tobacco) for you.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I agree, there are medications to take! It's proven to kill brain cells and lead to other drug use in many cases. Don't give me the line that it's the same as alcohol, it's not! Not entirely.

The reason there is even a reason to discuss marijuana is because medications fail to relieve the pain that marijuana will. It can be a lifesaver for many. Our brain cells are dying every second. If you are a responsible user, it's not going to kill more brain cells that we normally use. And you are right, it is nothing like alcohol. Alcohol, can cause cirrohsis of the liver, pancreatitis, hypertension, osteoporohsis.. More than 60 diseases have been linked to alcohol consumption. So you are absolutely right, it's nothing like marijuana. It doesn't even cause lung problems if you eat it instead of smoking it.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I have no problems whatsoever with it being made legal for medicinal purposes and prescribed by a doctor, just as other medications are..

I think it's cruel and inhumane to allow people to suffer needlessly - as long as there are legal guidelines in place..

Agree 100%