What do you hear is the thought of SC residents on the marijuana initiative in AZ? I don't smoke but I recently read it's a felony to possess even one joint in AZ. That's outrageous so I hope it passes. The time definitely does not fit the crime.
It will be a challenge to pass C, lots of old folks see it as the devils work...just before they slink off to their liquor cabinet and get sloshed. Don't drink, don't smoke but i voted for it, the war on drugs has been an abysmal failure. While there is some downside to legalizing it, the upside is far greater.
Is alcohol used for medical purposes only? Marijuana is far less damaging to the health than liquor. Prohibition of that didn't work either. People should be able to decide if its ok for them or not.
Various edibles are used by people who don't want to smoke. A healthier alternative too since it doesn't effect the lungs. I've used it both ways when I use to imbibe.
All of it is far stronger now. The last time I smoked it was already much stronger and that was about 15 years ago. The legal stuff is also much more expensive. The medical MJ cards are expensive too and the fee is yearly. With leagatzation you can usually grow a few plants. That would be weaker because making it stronger requires cultivation knowledge. I used to live in Oregon near growers.
Before you get too excited or have a I don't care attitude about legal MJ you should look at states that are still struggling with the after affects of legalizing it. It is a mess here in CO because the government only looked at the tax revenues, but forgot they needed to figure out how to control usage and over indulgence. DUI is a nightmare because they can't determine the legal intoxication level. At outside music events (like Redrocks) even if you don't smoke, you have no choice, even though Redrocks says you cannot smoke in the park... people do anyway. Your only choice if you don't want to get high is to not attend. Police hands are tied because the crap is legal and the laws about usage are not set up yet. How about having a pot store open up a few blocks from the local high school. Sure the kids can't buy it, but they can't buy alcohol either, right. They will find a way. On top of the legal issues there was a kid that ate MJ cookies, the later affects drove the kid to jump to their death. OK, so there were probably medical/mental issues at play, but the fact is that the uncontrolled high contributed. And remember the feds can still come in and bust folks because on the federal level it is not legal. Early on in CO this happened a few times, but has since died down. It is not all about looking through the rose colored glasses, there needs to be a lot of thought put into it and common sense laws made before it is just made legal.
Still pot is not reason to send people to jail as a felony. Alcohol is worse or you can say equal and you don't go to prison. So its an unfair law that needs correcting.
The two are equally bad for the body in different ways IMHO, but yeah rules for alcohol and pot should probably be similar I suppose. No one has suffered liver damage due to pot smoking that I know of, however for young people there is scientific evidence that the long term affects could be reduced IQ. For someone my age the reduced IQ is already there (just putting it out there before someone else does) , still don't have any desire to partake. To each his own I guess. Just pointing out that legalizing it is only a small step, there is a lot of work afterwards. I guess I should also point out that it does create a whole new industry that brings in a lot of folks from other "dry" states moving in. It is a booming industry in CO, but has recently become saturated and the massive business profits are starting to level out. It has also created a new robbery target, pot stores are constantly broken into.
Colorado does have the difficulties of being the first. Never easy. But if more states legalize it will help with that issue. Since the feds don't recognize it, businesses have a difficult time with banks. It becomes a cash only business so robberies are more frequent in addition to the product robbery. Change has to start somewhere. The feds need to just legalize it. I doubt that's on the horizon.
I found this information from the Colorado DOT about driving under the influence of MJ in Colorado very interesting. If AZ passes the use of recreational MJ, I would hope they have readied these type of laws. Heaven knows the Northwest Valley has waaaaay too many drivers impaired already by senility, physical limitations and prescribed medications. Marijuana and Driving —:topsy_turvy:
California has it on the ballot too. One of the uses of the tax money is this: $3 million annually for five years to the Department of the California Highway Patrol for developing protocols to determine whether a vehicle driver is impaired due to marijuana consumption.
California will hopefully share the technology if they are successful in developing the quick test for marijuana impairment. Once the test is available maybe Arizona can give it another run at passage.
California did not pass the first try either. This proposition in California had some big flaws and I hesitated to vote or not but it wasn't as bad as the first one. Arizona was very close so maybe next time. Maybe Arizona should attempt decriminalization first, akin to a traffic ticket fine like it is in California now (until Jan 1 when it's quasi-legal). Decriminalization not as quite good but still acceptable and people are not charged with a felony for possession of a single joint as the are now in Arizona. But it seems people are going straight for the quasi-legalization theses days instead of the decriminalization step. This is needed to be able to grow and sell which cannot be done with decriminalization. I say quasi-legal because you still cannot posses more than an ounce or you go to jail. That's akin to possessing more than a case of liquor (not a scientific calculation). But who knows now. If Christie is in the cabinet as attorney general he may start raiding the states that have passed it anyway. He has said that he believes even possession of one seed should be grounds for arrest. Hang on...it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Washington legalized at the same time as Colorado, but took longer to implement , and license both growers and shops.* Most heavy users do not buy legally due to cost. Sales numbers through legal shops do not reflect the total usage. Plenty available 'on the street'.* No question that today's pot is far stronger than in the past. What is amazing is the variety and range of products offered in the legal shops.*
