Marijuana

[RosieTR]

So I was interested to hear that the President said he doesn't think marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol. I would agree with this sentiment, but around here I think people have gotten the idea that marijuana has *no effects* which is not true....unless you've tried to conduct business with different potheads than I have I'm not sure I've read a study that showed this, but anecdotal evidence on my part would indicate a deficit in short-term memory among heavy users. I tend to doubt that light to moderate use has lasting effects, and like alcohol, may have mild beneficial effects. There's another interesting article about that. Current studies have been hampered by a variety of issues, such as a lack of light to moderate users who would be willing to "out" themselves in the name of science. This is one of the things that I hope the legalization movement will improve. Since I think the drug war has failed on pretty much every single front and since I hope my tax money can get used for far more useful things, I voted for CO's amendment. I have not done pot in this century, but there are a whole host of reasons I think legalizing/regulating is a good idea:
-when I was in college, it became apparent that high school kids had an easier time getting pot than alcohol due to lack of regulation
-the drug cartels in Mexico may lose some of their power structure
-hemp, illegal to grow in the US although tacitly now legal in CO and maybe WA, is incredibly useful and more drought-resistant than corn, which could help farmers in the West in particular
-I'd hate for police to totally ruin a young person's life for driving while high but I also don't want to get hit by a high driver (or drunk driver, or any driver) so clarifying laws surrounding high driving could be helpful
-cigarettes and alcohol are as addictive, or more addictive and alcohol leads to more acute deaths
-the pain issue
-pot is not without its effects (but neither is caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, etc including mild pain killers such as acetaminaphen) but a schedule I narcotic? Above *cocaine* as a danger to society? Nope. Jailing people for this is a crime against humanity, IMO.
-now I have a gift idea for my mom's birthday

Anyway, this was discussed a while ago, but I thought the health article was interesting. Since it's more of a policy issue than a specific health issue, I figured it belongs here but feel free to move it.

[new2oregon]

I think there is less side effects than other prescription medication. Its legal here if you have it prescribed and you don't even have to smoke it because you can use it in food form. It does help people that can't eat because of cancer treatments etc. When you buy from a legal place its like going to a pharmacy so you are not dealing out on the street. Not the worse thing in the world.

[bae]

As long as people don't harm others while they are under the influence, or expect society to pay for the long-term consequences to their own health, I really don't care what substances they choose to entertain themselves with. Let a thousand flowers bloom.

I will say that almost every call I have been on over the past year or so that involved violent subjects also involved alcohol or some serious drugs, not a single pot user in the crowd.

[Tiam]

It seems like same sex marriage and gay acceptance has progressed more than marijuana legislative change. Which, again makes me believe the root of the resistance is in $$.

[bae]

I fully support the rights of gay married couples to smoke weeds and own assault rifles :-)

[CeciliaW]

I have to say I'm in agreement with Rosie and Bae on this one.

[bae]

I will say, as an elected official in the State of Washington, I am considering leasing some of my jurisdiction's land to pot farmers...

[Gregg]

Its part of my past, and probably my future, so experience tells me that yes, there is a decided effect from smoking pot. That's why we did it. I am fully behind legalization for all the reasons listed above and just because its idiotic to do otherwise IMO. The only part I'm waiting to see is how the under the influence while driving aspect shakes out. I would not be able to drive with the same reaction time and I would not be as aware of my surroundings if I were stoned compared to being straight. I'm just not sure where those chips (Doritos?) will fall.

[Alan]

Its part of my past, and probably my future, so experience tells me that yes, there is a decided effect from smoking pot. That's why we did it. I am fully behind legalization for all the reasons listed above and just because its idiotic to do otherwise IMO. The only part I'm waiting to see is how the under the influence while driving aspect shakes out. I would not be able to drive with the same reaction time and I would not be as aware of my surroundings if I were stoned compared to being straight. I'm just not sure where those chips (Doritos?) will fall.

And there's also the issue of drug testing in the workplace and THC's tendancy to remain in the body longer than alcohol. There are a host of safety regulations which must be adhered to and it will be interesting to see how many people's employment is adversely affected by their legal usage.

[JaneV2.0]

Drug testing was always a gross invasion of privacy. If someone is impaired, there are always performance tests.