Category: News and Views
A few years ago, I was all gung ho about the possibility of legalizing cannabis for recreational use. All constitutional issues aside, I have reached this conclusion because I believe that the States aren't ready for some change. Drugs and sex are two taboo subjects where the parents of our youth refuse to admit that their child is using. We only just began reforming our sex education programs in schools, while so little time is devoted to teaching students about safe drug use. The fact is that even though you can't overdose on pot, some of the strains released in Colarado from smoke shops contain dangerously high levels of THC which can speed up your heart rate and potentially lead to an unpleasant experience. Often times there is a misconception that just because something is legal means that it is safe. Saying that smoking a joint is safer than drinking a beer is false, because some people can't handle marijuana just like some can't handle their alcohol. Also their are certain ocupations where I would not want an employee being high on the job. You can't just legalize pot for some and not others. Also I think we need to focus on eliminating jail sentences for personal drug users before we even think about legalizing pot outright. Our criminal justice system is full to the brim with minor offenders most of whom commited drug related crimes. perhaps in 10 or 20 years if drug use is considered more socially acceptable I would be on board with such a proposal, but not today. Now don't get your little stoner panties in a tizzy. I'm not against you, I just simply encourage heiring on the side of caution. Any comments and opinions are appreciated.
Great topic.
I live in Colorado, and I’ll tell you that we don’t actually have more people smoking pot then we had before it was legal.
You’ve pointed out some things pot can do, but you can’t use it at work, nor come to work high, just like you can’t drink on the job.
Many company’s still test people that have to operate things like heavy equipment.
If they are drunk on the job, they get fired legal, or not.
I personally don’t think people have decided because it is legal, it’s good.
Food is legal, soda, candy, cigarettes, you name it, and so how is pot worse?
Too much sugar can raise your heart rate in some people too, but you can buy cake by the sheet.
Crime has actually gone down, because the police have less work in forcing the pot laws.
People are going to use what they’ll use, legal or not.
I see it a good move.
Take the crime element out of it, and you have good business.
Colorado collects good tax revenues from it.
Agreed with what wayne said. On top of that. Stop and think of where most of the pot actually comes from. It comes from Latin america. It comes from and fuels the brutality those people experience on the daily, along with more harmful drugs, that are not as socially accepted.
By stopping the sail of pot by people who will only use that money to cause harm, we can also ethically raze tax income.
Only people who won't really make a good deal on this setup are the private prison owners. But fuck them. They derive income by lobbying for a system in which it becomes easier and easier to end up behind bars, and harder and harder to get back out.
My only concern is making sure they don't make Medical Marijuana strains recreational. You need a whole lot more, when you are treating something painful, than if you "Just wanna get a buzz on..."
Really, when I need my medicine, I try to keep myself at home, unless I'm not going to a business meeting.
Blessings,
Me
Employment has been helped in Colorado as well.
We have farms now that produce product localy. This is another way pot has helped the community by being legal.
Even the girl scouts benefit.
Any time you can unload 300 boxes of cookies in from of the pot store in 2 hours, that's progress. Smile.
I want to move to Colorado and start a Bud and Breakfast. If they'd just legalize it here in Texas, already, I wouldn't have to move.
Come on. I'm here and would love to have your visit. Smile.
Yeah but, couldn't the cartels just bypass the tax revenues by bringing it to the customers directly? All they would need to do is continue lowering the price to stay competitive.
Amelia: true, they could do that, but I wouldn't bother buying pot on the black market for a small savings myself, because it's both unregulated and you're dealing with crazy people. I don't really see that any differently than people who used to sell pirated media on the streets. You really don't know what you're getting with either one. And if people are dumb enough to buy pot from someone they don't know, they get what they get. That's their problem, not mine or anyone elses.
It actually be more expensive.
If you are talking places like Colorado and California, it is grown locally.
If you have to import it illegally, it cost more to get the product to the customer.
Next, you need to create a customer base.
Because it's legal, people don't have a need to buy it on the black market.
You can simply go to the store, look at different brands, type, taste just like buying anything else.
You know what you're buying is quality, and it is legal.
You don't need the black market product.
For your information. Here in Colorado, the street dealers have been put out of business, and have had to move to different products, or quit if they don't.
They simply lost their customers.
Street people mix crap like PCP in that and I think that stuff makes you paranoid. Don't ask how I know. But when someone you know, thinks the feds put bugs in the house, you get scared. Or, that they're being investigated, and call the non-emergency number, asking police questions, because they're paranoid, you don't get stuff off the streat. Some mix with other drugs, and that's worse. I'll buy where it's safe, thanks.
And, I know what Wayne's talking about. Being able to know what's there, makes it better. "Something for pain," it's there.
"Sleep?" It's there.
Waking up? Need I answer?
And, the thought stuff you get isn't packaged, but fresh as new Tomatos, that's grate.
Speaking of medical Marijuana, I just had surgery last week. I need to kill some pain, and be able to eat.
TTFN
Isn't it Obvious?
Exactly. You don't know what you're buying when you buy from a dealer. But if you buy medical from california, for example, labs test what dispensories put out. You can check on websights and look to see who is selling quality product...
where as you buy something on the streat, and it may look ok, smell ok... But once you start smoking it, it may have an off smell, or an off taste... that may be the first and only clue you get that its contaminated or laced.
If it doesn't smell right. Fuck it, i'm out...
Plus yeah... Most dealers I knew are not exactly reputable people. lol
In Colorado, you don't have to pretend it's medicine.
If the stuff sucks, you can return it for a refund.
You're going to get fresh, and quality, if the store wants to remin in business. Lol
Yes, capitalism is doing it's thing, even for pot. Now, dealers have had to spike their pot with other things to get people to buy it, but this goes back to my earlier post about not buying from some random person on the street. I even have had dealers give me free stuff both in the Capitol Hill area of Denver and also around the 16th street mall. Both times, it was spiked with something else.
That, is scary. I remember my first try on pot, I thought I was gonna lose my guts. Now, I have the legal stuff, it doesn't matter, because, it never makes me feel rotten. Tired? Well, that's the part that's good, because, when I'm tired, it puts me out. They even have strains that keep you up.
Strains that keep you up? You mean some sort of sativa that I haven't tried apparently. I have not found a single one that wakes me up, but that would be cooll. I was told that Green Crack, yes that's the real name, does that, but never had the opportunity to try it.
You know what? I've never ever smoked pot in my life, and I'm in favour of controlled legalization.
Pot's a lot like alcohol. Observe the following commonalities:
1. Many people who use it habitually can take a little, and it won't affect them seriously;
2. Neither, in moderation, is dangerous except perhaps to pregnant women;
3. Both can become habit-forming but neither is designed to be;
4. It is easy to test for marijuana consumption, and easy to test for alcohol consumption
All these things being said, I strongly believe it would be in our best interest to legalize pot, but put restrictions on it the same way there are on alcohol, such as:
1. Just as you can't have open alcohol in your car, you can't have pot or pot paraphernalia in your car (it has to be in your trunk, not accessible to you or your passengers while driving);
2. Just as you can be arrested for being drunk in public, you should be able to be arrested for getting high in public under similar circumstances;
3. Many people who drink socially know better than to drink on the job, and the same stricture could be applied to marijuana. Do it on your own time, or you'll get fired if you're caught being stoned while at work.
Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't legalized it a long time ago, then tried to corporatize it the same way tobacco companies operate. They would make an absolute killing. Not only that, but legalizing it would probably change the way it's being distributed, and would likely result in a higher likelihood of a safe, noncontaminated product.
I feel like people think crime rate and people getting stoned would skyrocket. The truth is, at this point, that if you want to get high on marijuana, you're going to find a way, and the worst you're likely to get if caught is slapped on the wrist. A lot of people have at least tried it, and they're not deadheads. This isn't to say it has no risks - it damn well does, with long or habitual use - but if we're letting people drink past a certain age - hell, we have establishments where drinking is most of the point - then why are we cracking down so hard on a different sort of intoxicant?
As I said at the start of this, I'm not a user and I still feel like there's lot of prudish misconception going around about it.
Frankly, my only problem with pot is if I'm around people who are smoking it, and I get a lot of the second-hand smoke. I don't like the way it smells, really, so I try and get away from it. I have noticed, in fact, a distinct similarity between pot-smoke and the way a skunk smells when it sprays...and don't laugh, or dismiss it because quote-unquote good pot smells better. I've gotten a whiff of it many a time, and every time, bar none, there has been at least some similarity to skunk.
Anyway, I guess that's beside the point. My main argument is that alcohol is legal and controlled, and pot should be too, based on similar grounds. I've yet to see convincing evidence why marijuana is worse than alcohol to a great enough extent that it should be illegal to smoke, greater than "because we said so, that's why". That reason is a pretty shallow one.
It is regulated exactly as you describe.
The states make a killing in texes revenues.
So do the operators of the trade.