[Vpoll] Marijuana, Weed, Pot

[scUM Hater]

Legalize it, tax it. National debt instantly goes down.

 

[Booslum31]

Legalize it, tax it. National debt instantly goes down.

It would be tempting to agree with you if I thought that the National debt would go down. Giving the government more money to do something responsible (like pay down the debt) is like giving a Meth addict $200 bucks and telling him to go get a good meal.

Honest questions here...not being sarcastic...

1) Do you think fatalities on the road would go up if it were legalized?

2) Do you think cops should be able to check for impairment (stoned) if they pull you
over?
3) will work place productivity go up?

4) Will our kids get SnapChat photos of their friends taking a hit?

5) What's wrong (other than rampant addiction and abuse) with the pain killers
currently on the market?

6) If you have strong religous beliefs, have you rectified or rationalized this with your
faith?

7) Won't those who sell grass now just move on to the more dangerous illicit drugs...
do you think we would really be putting some crime element out of business?

8) Are those who want it legalized being intellectually honest about their motivations
...do they (at their core) really believe that it's harmless?

9) Are those who are falling in-line just being lazy (americans never do that) or have
they truly thought it out?

10) Do you believe everybody who you hear say "only weed" helps with what hurts
them.

11) Lastly, Are we not supposed to endure ANYTHING anymore and is it now necessary
in our culture to seek "help, pleasure, relief, euphoria, escape, etc. at every turn?

I just think it makes us soft...in every sense of the word. I'm only fifty, but I've yet to see the government take control of something and then the cost went down and coruption went away. If legalized, those in favor of big and bigger government certainly get a win.

 

[LoveThee]

It would be tempting to agree with you if I thought that the National debt would go down. Giving the government more money to do something responsible (like pay down the debt) is like giving a Meth addict $200 bucks and telling him to go get a good meal.

Honest questions here...not being sarcastic...

1) Do you think fatalities on the road would go up if it were legalized?

No, people driving high are more likely to go slow than fast. You know when you are too high to drive just like people who drink know when they're too drunk to drive. Will there be some irresponsible people? Yeah, of course. But does that make us want to outlaw alcohol too? No, and weed is far healthier than alcohol.

2) Do you think cops should be able to check for impairment (stoned) if they pull you
over?

Yeah, definitely. Its not easy to cover the smell, they may have red eyes, and you could probably tell. You can tell if someone is stoned by talking to them.

3) will work place productivity go up?

It probably won't go up. It won't go down either. People who are motivated to excel are going to excel regardless of their pot smoking.

4) Will our kids get SnapChat photos of their friends taking a hit?

They already do.

5) What's wrong (other than rampant addiction and abuse) with the pain killers
currently on the market?

Theoretically nothing, but how can you neglect the rampant addiction and abuse.

6) If you have strong religous beliefs, have you rectified or rationalized this with your
faith?

What is immoral about smoking something from the earth?

7) Won't those who sell grass now just move on to the more dangerous illicit drugs...
do you think we would really be putting some crime element out of business?

This is an interesting question. A bunch of dealers these days are teenagers, thats how drugs get into schools. With weed being legalized, the high school dealers are out and they don't have a way to get extra cash. That would change the drug culture.

Adult dealers is more complex. They would likely have access to harder drugs. But I am willing to bet a large portion of dealers would not get close to harder drugs. As Buster Bluth pointed out, cocaine and harder drugs are used by a very small percentage of weed smokers. It likely wouldn't be as lucrative of a market. Organized crime would go away (to a degree) just like the mob did when alcohol prohibition ended.

8) Are those who want it legalized being intellectually honest about their motivations
...do they (at their core) really believe that it's harmless?

Yeah. It's less harmful than alcohol.

9) Are those who are falling in-line just being lazy (americans never do that) or have
they truly thought it out?

Don't know what this means.

10) Do you believe everybody who you hear say "only weed" helps with what hurts
them.

Don't know what this means.

11) Lastly, Are we not supposed to endure ANYTHING anymore and is it now necessary
in our culture to seek "help, pleasure, relief, euphoria, escape, etc. at every turn?

Marijuana has medical benefits. It would be no more an escape or relief than alcohol or tobacco. Only difference is its less harmful. It would be social like drinking, not a crutch that people need. Weed is not that type of drug for responsible people.

Answers under the bold

 

[Black Irish]

It would be tempting to agree with you if I thought that the National debt would go down. Giving the government more money to do something responsible (like pay down the debt) is like giving a Meth addict $200 bucks and telling him to go get a good meal.

Honest questions here...not being sarcastic...

1) Do you think fatalities on the road would go up if it were legalized?

2) Do you think cops should be able to check for impairment (stoned) if they pull you
over?
3) will work place productivity go up?

4) Will our kids get SnapChat photos of their friends taking a hit?

5) What's wrong (other than rampant addiction and abuse) with the pain killers
currently on the market?

6) If you have strong religous beliefs, have you rectified or rationalized this with your
faith?

7) Won't those who sell grass now just move on to the more dangerous illicit drugs...
do you think we would really be putting some crime element out of business?

8) Are those who want it legalized being intellectually honest about their motivations
...do they (at their core) really believe that it's harmless?

9) Are those who are falling in-line just being lazy (americans never do that) or have
they truly thought it out?

10) Do you believe everybody who you hear say "only weed" helps with what hurts
them.

11) Lastly, Are we not supposed to endure ANYTHING anymore and is it now necessary
in our culture to seek "help, pleasure, relief, euphoria, escape, etc. at every turn?

I just think it makes us soft...in every sense of the word. I'm only fifty, but I've yet to see the government take control of something and then the cost went down and coruption went away. If legalized, those in favor of big and bigger government certainly get a win.

Good points and questions. Here's my take:

1.) Not really. Weed's a "chill at home" type drug. Some people may toke & drive, but those are the same irresponsible people who would drive drunk anyway. They're already a risk.

2.) Yes, absolutely.

3.) I doubt it.

4.) They already are

5.) I think rampant addiction & abuse is the obvious downside

6.) Yes. It's hard for me to cast judgement at recreational pot smokers while I'm slugging back a glass of whiskey at a poker table.

7.) I don't think criminal weed dealers will suddenly get a legit 9-5 job because pot is legal. They'll likely move into another illegal trade.

8.) Most probably believe its harmless, but some are probably not thinking beyond "I like it and it hasn't killed me yet."

9.) I can see a good deal of falling in line. Lots of Americans want to be seen as tolerant, with it people. It's not cool to seem like a parental scold (I don't mind it, but I'm not cool).

10.) I think there are some medicinal benefits, but I'm sure plenty of people are just looking for a convenient excuse to smoke up.

11.) I agree 100%. Life sucks for a lot of people, but we are largely becoming a soft society filled with cop-outs and excuse makers. Sometimes you just have to suffer.

+1 to your ending statement. Governmental involvement in legalizing weed will likely make it so complicated that a vibrant black market will still exist.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Honest questions here...not being sarcastic...

1) Do you think fatalities on the road would go up if it were legalized?

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2) Do you think cops should be able to check for impairment (stoned) if they pull you over?

Of course.

3) will work place productivity go up?

Who cares? If people aren't performing, fire them. You wouldn't go to work drunk, would you?

4) Will our kids get SnapChat photos of their friends taking a hit?

Is this serious? They probably already do. If your kids have the internet, they have seen things muuuuuuuuch worse.

5) What's wrong (other than rampant addiction and abuse) with the pain killers currently on the market?

Tens of thousands of people die annually from them? The rampant addiction and abuse isn't a small deal, so I don't know why you're taking them out of the equation so easily.

6) If you have strong religous beliefs, have you rectified or rationalized this with your faith?

No law should ever give a crap about religious feelings. This is a moot point. Regardless, you'd have to be a hypocrite to be against cannabis and drink alcohol. God hates hypocrites.

7) Won't those who sell grass now just move on to the more dangerous illicit drugs... do you think we would really be putting some crime element out of business?

Those other drugs are already there, the demand isn't there. People want to use cannabis because it's harmless. People are stupid, they don't want to **** their lives up with meth. Education is key, obviously. So we should stop lying to our kids about this stuff.

8) Are those who want it legalized being intellectually honest about their motivations ...do they (at their core) really believe that it's harmless?

Tests have shown that you'd need something like 5000x the amount of THC it takes to get high for it to be toxic. In other words, it's humanly impossible.

Obviously smoking anything isn't healthy. But you don't have to smoke cannabis. You can eat it and you can vaporize it. Vaporized cannabis isn't smoke, it's just air.

I wonder if you take the same approach to the advil that will wreck your liver and kidneys if you misuse it.

9) Are those who are falling in-line just being lazy (americans never do that) or have they truly thought it out?

I would say the same thing about the other side, and challenge anyone to come up with some reasons why it should be illegal. So far, it looks 100000% illogical.

10) Do you believe everybody who you hear say "only weed" helps with what hurts them.

I've never heard someone say that with beer. The vast majority of people use cannabis for enjoyment. Hangover-free relaxation.

11) Lastly, Are we not supposed to endure ANYTHING anymore and is it now necessary in our culture to seek "help, pleasure, relief, euphoria, escape, etc. at every turn?

A pretty damn weak reason. It's he same as the classic "can't add any more vices to the list" rubbish, no? It's what an intelligent person convinces themselves of because they were raised being told constantly that the ol' jazz cigarettes will turn you into a pathetic loser.

I just think it makes us soft...in every sense of the word. I'm only fifty, but I've yet to see the government take control of something and then the cost went down and coruption went away. If legalized, those in favor of big and bigger government certainly get a win.

What? Government is in control right now. The government won't be "taking control" of anything. Honestly what are you saying??

 

[Booslum31]

Thanks for your responses Buster. I've really just stared kicking this around in my mind since the topic has heated up and started getting traction. These were some of my initail concerns/thoughts on the issues. one might look at my list and say it's more of a list of biases and misconceptions. Though your responses did little to make me more comfortable with the concept, it was good to hear your thoughts and points. It really was. It's pretty clear you've givin this some serious consideration. I will as well as we move forward.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Thanks for your responses Buster. I've really just stared kicking this around in my mind since the topic has heated up and started getting traction. These were some of my initail concerns/thoughts on the issues. one might look at my list and say it's more of a list of biases and misconceptions. Though your responses did little to make me more comfortable with the concept, it was good to hear your thoughts and points. It really was. It's pretty clear you've givin this some serious consideration. I will as well as we move forward.

The basic thing I tell people is this... Ask young people you know, that don't smoke ,if they can find some marijuana right now. Then ask if they will start smoking if it is legalized. The answers should help you see who are the people that are going to make up the majority of smokers if it is legalized.

 

[chicago51]

The basic thing I tell people is this... Ask young people you know, that don't smoke ,if they can find some marijuana right now. Then ask if they will start smoking if it is legalized. The answers should help you see who are the people that are going to make up the majority of smokers if it is legalized.

I don't smoke marijuana and if it was legal I still would not smoke.

I say make it legal. I am totally against people smoking it. As someone who volunteers I would still speak out to the teens in my community to not smoke pot. Marijuana though has not killed anyone. If people want to smoke it all power to them; it is their choice.

 

[Downinthebend]

I don't smoke marijuana and if it was legal I still would not smoke.

I say make it legal. I am totally against people smoking it. As someone who volunteers I would still speak out to the teens in my community to not smoke pot. Marijuana though has not killed anyone. If people want to smoke it all power to them; it is their choice.

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

 

[chicago51]

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

I don't know. I really don't.

I think the war on drugs is a waste. I think the gang violence and people blowing each other away in parts of my city is largely over drugs.

Then again I do not necessarily feel good about something that could actually harm and kill you being available around the corner.

 

[greyhammer90]

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

See the yellow ones? I'm cool with those being legal, though obviously regulated. (Notice where alcohol and tobacco stand...)

 

[Buster Bluth]

.

 

[IrishSpartan]

honestly weed doesnt negatively effect me in anyway but making me a little groggy the next day. To me its the same as drinking, and the whole concept of being a gateway drug is kinda true. But ultimately its up to the user not the drug itself. I hope it gets legalized in pennsylvania not only because of legal use for myself but economy wise. As most of you can tell I attend school in michigan where medical marijuana is legal and very profitable. My roomates father is a caregiver (legal name for a grower and supplier) and makes 200k+ per year.

 

[Buster Bluth]

 

[Redbar]

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

I don't know. I really don't.

I think the war on drugs is a waste. I think the gang violence and people blowing each other away in parts of my city is largely over drugs.

Then again I do not necessarily feel good about something that could actually harm and kill you being available around the corner.

I believe all drugs should be legal and regulated. That is not to say that companies shouldn't drug test, I think they should if they want to. But I do not think being a drug addict in and of itself is a crime. An addict should be counseled, weened, and hopefully kick. If they register as an addict it should become part of their health record. There should be consequences there always are, but prison should be for people who commit crimes against society not crimes against themselves.

 

[Bobias]

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

I don't know. I really don't.

I think the war on drugs is a waste. I think the gang violence and people blowing each other away in parts of my city is largely over drugs.

Then again I do not necessarily feel good about something that could actually harm and kill you being available around the corner.

How is this any different than Walgreens or CVS which are actually on a lot of corners who dispense legal/deadly/addictive drugs right now. Oxycontin is the exact same thing as street heroin only higher grade and made in a lab by a massive pharmaceutical company, and we all know that heroin is highly addictive and very dangerous. Adderall and similar ADD medications are simply a high grade form of speed, and a less potent form of methamphetemine. All I'm saying is that they are already selling potentially deadly drugs on the street corner right now anyways. And you can't be serious if you think everyone who gets a prescription filled from those stores really needs all the medication they are being prescribed.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

honestly weed doesnt negatively effect me in anyway but making me a little groggy the next day. To me its the same as drinking, and the whole concept of being a gateway drug is kinda true. But ultimately its up to the user not the drug itself. I hope it gets legalized in pennsylvania not only because of legal use for myself but economy wise. As most of you can tell I attend school in michigan where medical marijuana is legal and very profitable. My roomates father is a caregiver (legal name for a grower and supplier) and makes 200k+ per year.

So, when medical marijuana was allowed in Michigan he didn't change professions...

 

[Redbar]

honestly weed doesnt negatively effect me in anyway but making me a little groggy the next day. To me its the same as drinking, and the whole concept of being a gateway drug is kinda true. But ultimately its up to the user not the drug itself. I hope it gets legalized in pennsylvania not only because of legal use for myself but economy wise. As most of you can tell I attend school in michigan where medical marijuana is legal and very profitable. My roomates father is a caregiver (legal name for a grower and supplier) and makes 200k+ per year.

Nicotine is a much bigger gateway drug than marijuana. I'd say caffeine is a bigger gateway drug than weed. I would argue most weed heads and alcoholics start smoking cigarettes long before they start with a harder drug AND they probably continue smoking cigarettes long after they quit the "dangerous" drug. Same with caffeine.

 

[greyhammer90]

Buster could you show a reputable study that shows vaporization is as safe as "air"?

I don't really care, because it's the safer than tobacco as it is now, but I've seen tons of conflicting info on vaporizers. It ranges from "completely and utterly safe" to "just more safe"

 

[Bobias]

Would you use this logic for the other illegal drugs?

I believe all drugs should be legal and regulated. That is not to say that companies shouldn't drug test, I think they should if they want to. But I do not think being a drug addict in and of itself is a crime. An addict should be counseled, weened, and hopefully kick. If they register as an addict it should become part of their health record. There should be consequences there always are, but prison should be for people who commit crimes against society not crimes against themselves.

Exactly how I view it. Addicts should get help, not prison. It is a massive waste of money to incarcerate someone for drug possession when they really need help. Prison and a record does nothing to help anybody. I also don't think that we should encourage it either. They are terrible drugs to become addicted to, and is a struggle for everyone who knows the addict in addition to themselves. I just don't think that murderous Mexican drug cartels should be the ones to profit off of this when it is the American and Mexican people who suffer.

We need to use the money made off of the sale of these drugs to provide rehabilitation and treatment to these individuals. Or at least use all of the money used to incarcerate these people to provide rehab options. It just makes sense to me from a business standpoint when the legalization could bring in sooo much money and the money saved from incarceration could be put to rehabilitation and treatment options. It kills two bird with one stone IMO.

 

[Bobias]

Buster could you show a reputable study that shows vaporization is as safe as "air"?

I don't really care, because it's the safer than tobacco as it is now, but I've seen tons of conflicting info on vaporizers. It ranges from "completely and utterly safe" to "just more safe"

Vaporization is definitely a step in the right direction, but I have read that a vast majority of current vaporizers use a ceramic heating element that releases fine particulates when heated and not really meant to be inhaled through. There are glass on glass vapes coming to the market now, but they are expensive and fragile. Again, its definitely a step in the right direction, but eating would definitely be the right the safest. There are concentrate vaporization tools that don't use ceramic heating element, are affordably priced, and completely free of impurities, but concentrates are fairly expensive to make or purchase.

 

[choo choo]

I don't think that it is a big problem for people that want to do it, but I just...oh, dude my dog is laying there, just staring at me as I type this. What? Do you ever think that your dog is trying to communicate to you telepathically? Sometimes when I'm eating something, my dog just stares at me without blinking for, like, a really long time. Totally freaks me out. Some animal style fries from In & Out would be so good right now. My keyboard is making more noise than usual. Should I be worried about that? I am watching Ren and Stimpy right now and I totally get it because Ren is all bossy and really high strung, but Stimpy is just out to be happy and have a good time and he is good to Ren no matter how mean Ren is to him. I had a mean boss and I tried to just be nice to him no matter what and...wait, what was the question?

lmao...perfect answer

 

[Buster Bluth]

Buster could you show a reputable study that shows vaporization is as safe as "air"?

I don't really care, because it's the safer than tobacco as it is now, but I've seen tons of conflicting info on vaporizers. It ranges from "completely and utterly safe" to "just more safe"

The air we breathe is not 100% safe, that's the kicker. You breathe in bad substances every day if you walk by the wrong thing.

If people don't know: if you vaporize cannabis, there is no smoke. The smoke is where the toxins are. Cannabis burns at 230 degrees, you vaporize cannabis between 180-200 degrees, so you get basically pure THC with vastly reduced toxins. It's a hot air filled with THC.

For what it's worth reputable studies out of UCLA have found no link between lung cancer and cannabis whatsoever. It's the smoke though that can scar your throat and neck.

I am first in line to get the word out about the ills of smoking cigarettes. Hell my dad smoked his whole life and it killed him. Cigarette manufacturers are evil, in my book. But the facts are that cannabis is so freaking benign that it's idiotic for it to be illegal.

We used to not only say that marijuana causes cancer, but that it kills brain cells. That is also ridiculous. The tests that the government did on this included hooking a gas mask up to monkeys and forcing them to breathe in pure marijuana smoke. In other words, they smothered them. Then they cut their brains open and saw all of the dead brain cells. NO ****.

The War on Drugs is top five in my book of "reasons to lose faith in the federal government." Vietnam and the Iraq War are up there too. This is just as bad and maybe even worse.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Vaporization is definitely a step in the right direction, but I have read that a vast majority of current vaporizers use a ceramic heating element that releases fine particulates when heated and not really meant to be inhaled through. There are glass on glass vapes coming to the market now, but they are expensive and fragile. Again, its definitely a step in the right direction, but eating would definitely be the right the safest. There are concentrate vaporization tools that don't use ceramic heating element, are affordably priced, and completely free of impurities, but concentrates are fairly expensive to make or purchase.

Pax Vaporizer doesn't do any of that cheap ceramic malarkey. I have read about that though. I blame China.

 

[greyhammer90]

Pax Vaporizer doesn't do any of that cheap ceramic malarkey. I have read about that though. I blame China.

Lol Pax is manufactured in China.

No escape...

 

[Buster Bluth]

How is this any different than Walgreens or CVS which are actually on a lot of corners who dispense legal/deadly/addictive drugs right now.

Lobbyists, marketing, and propaganda.

"Don't let Billy get Reefer Madness like all the n****s! We've got to ban marihuana and throw all of the dealers in prison! Save our children and society!"

..and then Billy's mom overdoses on her pain meds and no one says anything about it.

No one has ever, EVER, overdoses on cannabis. Again, you'd need to take 5000x the amount to get high, in one single sitting, for it to be deadly. Tens of thousands die ever year from legal drugs.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Lol Pax is manufactured in China.

No escape...

lol I know I was just playing.

I thinking I read on Reddit that the ceramic thing was blown out of proportion and that it's only unsafe before the ceramic is made. I'm not sure and haven't seen a study to say anything either way.

Anywho, for the "vaping is safe" study, not a bad find: Vaporization as a "Smokeless" Cannabis Delivery System

 

[Buster Bluth]

Those guys at Harvard are idiots. I'm sure they're wrong:

 

[arndtjc]

1) Do you think fatalities on the road would go up if it were legalized?

Although unpredictable, I'm sure the rate would stay the same

2) Do you think cops should be able to check for impairment (stoned) if they pull you
over?

Absolutely! Although it does need to be tested in a FAIR way, not the whole 5 ng/l crap

3) will work place productivity go up?

I don't think it will have an effect either way

4) Will our kids get SnapChat photos of their friends taking a hit?

Up to who your kids hang out with

5) What's wrong (other than rampant addiction and abuse) with the pain killers
currently on the market?

Insane side effects, big pharm companies in general

6) If you have strong religous beliefs, have you rectified or rationalized this with your
faith?

Not religious, sorry

7) Won't those who sell grass now just move on to the more dangerous illicit drugs...
do you think we would really be putting some crime element out of business?

If there's a pot dealer that is going to sell something other than weed, they're already doing it. Crime rate goes way down, because its not illegal anymore!

8) Are those who want it legalized being intellectually honest about their motivations
...do they (at their core) really believe that it's harmless?

Absolutely 100%. I think the majority of us have done our research to the point where we've exhausted all resources in thinking the way we do.

9) Are those who are falling in-line just being lazy (americans never do that) or have
they truly thought it out?

I'm not quite sure what this means, sorry...

10) Do you believe everybody who you hear say "only weed" helps with what hurts
them.

Most of them, yes.

11) Lastly, Are we not supposed to endure ANYTHING anymore and is it now necessary
in our culture to seek "help, pleasure, relief, euphoria, escape, etc. at every turn?

Well, I totally agree, but someone coming home after a long day of work and smoking a bowl, is no different from someone coming home and having a couple beers. People don't just smoke pot to escape, they use it to unwind from a stressful day, heal their aches, and sometimes dive into a deep thinking state of mind.

Unfortunately, my job has a strict anti-drug policy which obviously includes the reefer, so I've had to abstain from it for quite a while. I hope one day soon I can partake once again!

 

[RDU Irish]

Anyone know the stats on how many citizens are jailed for pot related offenses or what percentage of the population have ever had a pot related arrest?

Complete waste of time and money. Let idiots eat twinkies in their mom's basement on their own dime and spend more time prosecuting real crime that hurts more than Sean Hannities feelings.