Legalizing Weed?

Aussie45

DH and I have a friend who just got busted for having enough weed for a felony. He got it from his dad and was traveling back with his tail light out =D> Beyond the obvious stupidity, that A) if he was gonna do it, only bring enough to get charged with a misdemeanor and fix your fucking tail light before you start driving home 10 hours or so.

So this of course sparked a discussion between me and DH. I've done weed and alcohol and I've always personally felt alcohol gets you more fucked up. I didn't like weed because it didn't give me that "high" that I liked. DH has never gotten drunk, smoked a cig, or done drugs so he doesn't really have a first hand experience. I personally don't care if they legalize it. It's not my thing and I wouldn't vote to make it legal because it affects me exactly zero percent, but I could care less if it's legalized. I don't think it's any worse than alcohol and same laws should apply (no being under the influence while driving). DH is completely opposite. He thinks it would increase weed usage by a ton. I think everyone that's gonna do it is pretty much already doing it. I'm sure there's a few that would try it, but if doubt the number is huge.

What say you? All for it or no?

Aussie45

@NandaB‌ Sorry, smoked. Didn't even notice that

Like in the fault in our stars.

SW: "If you want me to be a teenager, don't send me to Support Group. Buy me a fake ID so I can go to clubs, drink vodka, and take pot."
Mom: "You don't take pot, for starters."
SW: "See, that's the kind of thing I'd know if you got me a fake ID.

Aussie45

Can you tell I wasn't a huge fan? Lol, I feel like an odd duck out because I've smoked it and I'm probably the only person I've ever heard of that's tried it but doesn't like it.

Aussie45

NandaB said:

You must have done it wrong

Clearly. Maybe I just need to do it now that I have a kid. Something to relax me at night might not be such a bad idea.

It was a friends pot and he was a total jerkwad so there's a good chance it was just super shitty. Oh well.

vlagrl29

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair share of drugs in the past and have personal experience with someone very close to me dying from an overdose.  It's true that driving drunk is way worse than driving high, but I also do see it as if it's legal more people will smoke it, but I also don't see it as a gateway drug because I had friends that only smoked weed and did nothing harder.  I think it all depends if you have an addictive personality or not.

vlagrl29

I recently had a friend that went to CO and I guess bought some weed laced graham crackers and wasn't patient enough for it to get in his system.  Ate way too many and was high for 24 hours. LOL

notkateanymore

I don't like it, but I don't like to be mellow. I prefer my drugs to be of the upper variety.

Aussie45

vlagrl29 said:

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair

vlagrl29 said:

I recently had a friend that went to CO and I guess bought some weed laced graham crackers and wasn't patient enough for it to get in his system.  Ate way too many and was high for 24 hours. LOL

This sounds like the kind of shit I would pull (and have pulled before). It's like aw man I'm not feeling it, take a bunch more, 10 minutes later, shit....shhhhhiiiitttt. Welp, I feel it..

vlagrl29

Aussie45 said:

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair

I recently had a friend that went to CO and I guess bought some weed laced graham crackers and wasn't patient enough for it to get in his system.  Ate way too many and was high for 24 hours. LOL

This sounds like the kind of shit I would pull (and have pulled before). It's like aw man I'm not feeling it, take a bunch more, 10 minutes later, shit....shhhhhiiiitttt. Welp, I feel it..

hahaha.  I was always impatient too, but my problem was not wanting the feeling to go away and I would keep doing it and then have a hell of a hang over the next day.

Aussie45

@vlagrl29‌ Same. I've stopped doing everything because I can't keep it under control and either I go to far or like you I don't want it to stop and feel like shit the next day. One does tend to miss it

Aussie45

And by everything, I mean drinking. I swear I'm not a pill poppin' junkie y'all.

vlagrl29

I haven't done any of that stuff in oh about 7-8 years.  I was getting tired of it about a year before that.  Sometimes though what I wouldn't give for an all night long party, but then I remember I would have to parent the next day and that would truly suck.

fintin

I don't think more people will habitually smoke. I do think people who wouldn't have tried it before will try it at least once, just to see. I'm also one of the few who don't like smoking weed because it makes me paranoid and I'm constantly looking at the clock fascinated by how slow time passes.

Edited because my phone decided I was done typing.

meglew

It is on the ballot for our state next month.  It was voted down in 2012, but I think it will pass this time.  My biggest issue is that with it legal, I can guarantee my dumbass neighbors will be smoking on their back patio every weekend and I HATE the smell and don't particularly care to expose my kids to it as they try and play on their swingset in the backyard. :-)

I am all for taxing the hell out of it, but I seriously roll my eyes when people say there will be no repercussions to legalization and that it is such a win-win situation.

hlm184

I would try it if it were legal.  And in brownies, I won't smoke anything ever.  I think DH also would, again, if it were legal.

It's on the ballot this year in the state I vote in, and I voted for it (absentee).

jensriot

notkateanymore said:

I don't like it, but I don't like to be mellow. I prefer my drugs to be of the upper variety.

Me too.

 

I say legalize it, regulate it, tax it. I imagine the revenue potential is huge. I'm personally not a fan of pot, but I have no problem with it being legal.

Spin313

I'm torn. I don't have a problem with medical marijuana, but most people could probably get a prescription for some bullshit condition if they had a doctor that didn't care. There's something to be said for legalizing it, and taxing the heck out of it. But personally, I hate cigarettes and wish smoking of all kinds were banned from public spaces. Also, if you legalize it, I think a lot of people who wouldn't do it before would give it a shot.

There's a sticky situation with companies who drug test employees, as well. Does weed count if it's legal? Is this a future Hobby Lobby situation where employees say "it's not illegal, you can't decide for me" and companies say "tough cookies, we will"...?

thechickencoop

vlagrl29 said:

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair share of drugs in the past and have personal experience with someone very close to me dying from an overdose.  It's true that driving drunk is way worse than driving high, but I also do see it as if it's legal more people will smoke it, but I also don't see it as a gateway drug because I had friends that only smoked weed and did nothing harder.  I think it all depends if you have an addictive personality or not.

I 100% disagree with the bolded.  You are impaired.  This is really my issue with legalizing marijuana.  I'm all for smoking it; smoked a lot in the past, would again.  BUT, and I've said this before here, there's no way to test your level of impairment like a breathalyzer would with alcohol.  The mouth swab drug tests can test residue, so could come up positive a few minutes after you smoke or 10 hours (for example) and you wouldn't be high anymore, just still showing up positive.  The issue with a urine test is that if you're not a habitual smoker (ie it's not in your system), you can get high and have a negative urine test like, 30 minutes still afterwards because it's not through your system yet.  

Other than that though, I'm all for legalization, I could care less if people smoke pot in their homes, I'm sure I would, but yea, the whole driving/working/operating machinery/etc is a very grey area.

magentawarped

Legalize it. It's less dangerous than alcohol, and we let people drink like crazy. I prefer to smoke, personally. Legalize it, regulate it, put the tax money from it into schools.

Also, you're not the only one who's tried it and doesn't like it...I know a few. My SIL is actually allergic.

vlagrl29

NandaB said:

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair share of drugs in the past and have personal experience with someone very close to me dying from an overdose.  It's true that driving drunk is way worse than driving high, but I also do see it as if it's legal more people will smoke it, but I also don't see it as a gateway drug because I had friends that only smoked weed and did nothing harder.  I think it all depends if you have an addictive personality or not.

You know someone who OD'd on pot?? I don't think that's a thing

no, cocaine….but to me they are all drugs and I put them all in the same category even if some are stronger than others.

penguingrrl

I'm pro legalization. It doesn't impair you more significantly than using alcohol does. I think laws regarding use similar to laws restricting alcohol would be appropriate (no walking down the street smoking a J, must be 18 to purchase, etc) and of course employers can have similar restrictions in place regarding use/impairment in the workplace as they always would.

The tax revenue could be fantastic.

I haven't touched it in a while, but mostly because of the potential for legal repercussions. If it were legal I would be likely to partake in a brownie or whatever once in a while. IME that's no more impairing than the glass of wine or single drink many of us enjoy on a regular basis.

And I'll bet that if/when legalization happens research will quickly be done to test impairment more precisely than current tests allow.

magentawarped

vlagrl29 said:

NandaB said:

vlagrl29 said:

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair share of drugs in the past and have personal experience with someone very close to me dying from an overdose.  It's true that driving drunk is way worse than driving high, but I also do see it as if it's legal more people will smoke it, but I also don't see it as a gateway drug because I had friends that only smoked weed and did nothing harder.  I think it all depends if you have an addictive personality or not.

You know someone who OD'd on pot?? I don't think that's a thing

no, cocaine….but to me they are all drugs and I put them all in the same category even if some are stronger than others.

That's kind of like saying Asprin and Oxycodone are the same.

zbeesma86

Legalize it. Does more good than bad. 

I've seen very ill people eat weed treats & their whole demeanor changes. It allows them to eat & want to eat! It stops the pain for them to enjoy their life & visit with friends & family. They aren't so blazed they don't know their names. They eat one or 2 treats & are able to function. 

There is a big difference in eating weed treats/candy and smoking a bowl. The high is different. 

I hope it passes. There are a lot of misconceptions out there & I hope people see the good it can do. 

Aussie45

Ya, we were watching news and they had a weed for vets program. Veterans who have PTSD and a lot of other different disorders went from taking up to 17 different types of pills and not feeling like themselves, to smoking once or twice a day and able to control their anxiety better.

My friend (the one that got arrested) has anxiety and is supposed to be on prescription pills to help him with it. He hates the way they make him feel. He also has a stomach problem where he can't eat and anything he does makes him vomit (not sure if the doctors ever diagnosed him, but he's been hospitalized for it and can't eat acid-y or spicy foods). I mean, I don't agree with him driving back with a felony worth of weed, mostly because it's illegal, but I mean if he can smoke that and it makes him feel calmer, then is that really any worse than a glass of wine at night?

I do think once it starts to become more legalized that they will develop different tests for testing to see if it's in your system.

notkateanymore

Did y'all hear about the kid who took the heroin to school and started passing it out as candy?

zbeesma86

notkateanymore said:

Did y'all hear about the kid who took the heroin to school and started passing it out as candy?

oh shit. that's no bueno.

vlagrl29

NandaB said:

NandaB said:

I go back and forth a lot between thinking its ok to legalize or not.  I've done my fair share of drugs in the past and have personal experience with someone very close to me dying from an overdose.  It's true that driving drunk is way worse than driving high, but I also do see it as if it's legal more people will smoke it, but I also don't see it as a gateway drug because I had friends that only smoked weed and did nothing harder.  I think it all depends if you have an addictive personality or not.

You know someone who OD'd on pot?? I don't think that's a thing

no, cocaine….but to me they are all drugs and I put them all in the same category even if some are stronger than others.

That's kind of like saying Asprin and Oxycodone are the same.

Yea...I'm very sorry about your friend, but they aren't the same anymore than a beer is the same as heroin.

I get that, but all illegal drugs kinda give me the same feeling as in a not happy feeling when I think about them.

zbeesma86

Again. Misconceptions. Educate yourself before you vote.

 Heroin comes from a plant but people cut it with different things. Other chemicals. 

Pot is a plant but you don't cut it with anything. & once it is legalized. The pot with be regulated. They will know where it comes from & farms/grow houses will be watched & monitored. 

vlagrl29

zbeesma86 said:

Again. Misconceptions. Educate yourself before you vote.

 Heroin comes from a plant but people cut it with different things. Other chemicals. 

Pot is a plant but you don't cut it with anything. & once it is legalized. The pot with be regulated. They will know where it comes from & farms/grow houses will be watched & monitored. 

I do think it would be "healthier" if it was legalized.  Some of the stuff out there is laced with some crazy things.

zbeesma86

vlagrl29 said:

zbeesma86 said:

Again. Misconceptions. Educate yourself before you vote.

 Heroin comes from a plant but people cut it with different things. Other chemicals. 

Pot is a plant but you don't cut it with anything. & once it is legalized. The pot with be regulated. They will know where it comes from & farms/grow houses will be watched & monitored. 

I do think it would be "healthier" if it was legalized.  Some of the stuff out there is laced with some crazy things.

For sure. If it were legalized you'd feel hella safer & wouldn't be buying from a stranger with pot. It would be government grade & approved. 

I don't get lacing weed. I've seen it & it's horrible damage. It's scary!

zbeesma86

cjcouple said:

zbeesma86 said:

Again. Misconceptions. Educate yourself before you vote.

 Heroin comes from a plant but people cut it with different things. Other chemicals. 

Pot is a plant but you don't cut it with anything. & once it is legalized. The pot with be regulated. They will know where it comes from & farms/grow houses will be watched & monitored. 

This is good point, there were some issues when I was in high school that some people were lacing the weed with other drugs and if I remember correctly I think there were a couple deaths associated to it. Perhaps they were just hospitalized, but I can't remember exactly just that it was a concern.  That was one of the reasons I stayed away a long time because you didn't know where it came from.

Yep. I've  seen some messed up shit with that.  

Did undercover on a drug house dealing opium. Dude would take a small tar ball & roll it in weed & smoke it out of a pipe. Talk about chasing the dragon 

kcisthebombdotcom

meglew said:

It is on the ballot for our state next month.  It was voted down in 2012, but I think it will pass this time.  My biggest issue is that with it legal, I can guarantee my dumbass neighbors will be smoking on their back patio every weekend and I HATE the smell and don't particularly care to expose my kids to it as they try and play on their swingset in the backyard. :-)

I am all for taxing the hell out of it, but I seriously roll my eyes when people say there will be no repercussions to legalization and that it is such a win-win situation.

What's the downfall to legalization? Ftr I never liked pot but I don't give a shit who does it. I think alcohol is much more impairing actually.

meglew

Well, there will be more impaired drivers any way you slice it.  Also, with legalization happening at the state level (specific on our ballot, which is what I am speaking to), there are the issues of federal vs. state laws and the "gray area" that arises between the two.  The overwhelming sentiment (in my opinion), that I get is look at all the money and we will deal with the fallout later, whatever that may be and I kind of think that is crap.

ETA:  Sorry, this is in response to KC.  I forgot to quote you.

zbeesma86

meglew said:

Well, there will be more impaired drivers any way you slice it.  Also, with legalization happening at the state level (specific on our ballot, which is what I am speaking to), there are the issues of federal vs. state laws and the "gray area" that arises between the two.  The overwhelming sentiment (in my opinion), that I get is look at all the money and we will deal with the fallout later, whatever that may be and I kind of think that is crap.

ETA:  Sorry, this is in response to KC.  I forgot to quote you.

Legalizing pot isn't going to change anything about driving. People drive drunk & reckless & high all the time. I'm sure more people drive coked out that you'd want to hear about. 

It's medical marijuana in the ballot. Not free for all pot fest. A couple dispensaries will pop up & people will buy their weed & smoke at home. Or have it available to those who are sick. 

& money wise- think of all the money they can and will make off taxing it!! Plus dispensaries & farms will need workers so more jobs will open up as well 

 Are we going to get out of our trillion dollar debt? No. Are people going to break the rules? Of course. People push the limits. But this is going to help more than it hurts. 

meglew

zbeesma86 said:

meglew said:

Well, there will be more impaired drivers any way you slice it.  Also, with legalization happening at the state level (specific on our ballot, which is what I am speaking to), there are the issues of federal vs. state laws and the "gray area" that arises between the two.  The overwhelming sentiment (in my opinion), that I get is look at all the money and we will deal with the fallout later, whatever that may be and I kind of think that is crap.

ETA:  Sorry, this is in response to KC.  I forgot to quote you.

Legalizing pot isn't going to change anything about driving. People drive drunk & reckless & high all the time. I'm sure more people drive coked out that you'd want to hear about. 

It's medical marijuana in the ballot. Not free for all pot fest. A couple dispensaries will pop up & people will buy their weed & smoke at home. Or have it available to those who are sick. 

& money wise- think of all the money they can and will make off taxing it!! Plus dispensaries & farms will need workers so more jobs will open up as well 

 Are we going to get out of our trillion dollar debt? No. Are people going to break the rules? Of course. People push the limits. But this is going to help more than it hurts. 

Actually, medical marijuana has been legal in our state for some time.  The ballot measure for us in November is specifically for recreational pot usage, same as the measures passed in WA and CO in 2012.

thechickencoop

NandaB said:

Well, there will be more impaired drivers any way you slice it.  Also, with legalization happening at the state level (specific on our ballot, which is what I am speaking to), there are the issues of federal vs. state laws and the "gray area" that arises between the two.  The overwhelming sentiment (in my opinion), that I get is look at all the money and we will deal with the fallout later, whatever that may be and I kind of think that is crap.

ETA:  Sorry, this is in response to KC.  I forgot to quote you.

I disagree with your first statement. Strongly. Driving impaired (or just unsafely) is against the law and still will be even if pot is legalized. I still maintain that its going to be 90% the same people who already smoke. And really they already drive high, or not. The few people who are going to try it for the first time (or the first time since college) are not gonna jump in their minivans and hit the highway. They just aren't because pot does different things to different people, but it doesn't make a sane rational person suddenly think they can drive safely while under the influence. Just like MOST people don't drive drunk even though alcohol is legal, because its dangerous.

************

Stuck in the box.  That is an interesting way of thinking about that.....hmmm

HBirdie

It's legal here, nothing new besides a few dispensaries popping up. Hasn't affected most people at all.

I do see the potential for issues with drug-free work environments. I wonder how it works in most places in my state... I should look into that. I know at my old workplace, they could still fire you for having it in your system if they did a random drug screening (which happened once a year or so), even after it was legal. And can't you turn a test positive days after you've ingested?