OT: When We Go High

JohnInCarolina

https://news.gallup.com/poll/323582/support-legal-marijuana-inches-new-high.aspx

Amazing to me how quickly public opinion has turned on this issue. 

This thread need not be political either.  In fact this might be less problematic than the Pfizer thread, I'm not sure.  

Botch

This thread need not be political either. 

I learned, early on, that statement is a forum equivalent of telling someone, "You should wear a facemask..."  

Gulfcoastguy

Mississippi passed medical marijuana this election with my vote being yes.

HeavyG

We do seem to have reached a tipping point in the last few years but it certainly hasn't been an "overnight success". I've been donating a few bucks most years to NORML since I was in high school in the 1970's and it is nice to finally see enough attitudes changing so that the stupid war on drugs might become history. I will say that this has taken a lot longer than I thought but better later than never.

Still a lot of work to be done at the federal level tho.

JohnInCarolina

I have a good friend from high school who did jail time - he was locked up for over a year - for the crime of simply being unwilling to rat out his dealer to the cops.  

He was lucky that when he got out we were in the middle of the tech boom and he knew how to code, so he landed a good job right out of jail.  But many many others are not so lucky.  

Gulfcoastguy

Due to a genetic blood lipid issue I have been taking a medication for 25 years that puts a strain on my liver. That means that I have to severely limit alcohol and fat consumption. Cannabis edibles would be nice but I don’t see my state being that reasonable within my lifespan.

frazzdaddy

If nothing else enforcement consumes way too much of the limited LEO/judiciary resources that could be put to much better use. 

bucky925

At 60 years old I never expected to see it legal nation wide in my lifetime, and still don't.

ColtsFan

I like the data behind it. Legalize it, tax it and carry on. Not legal in Indiana but you can bet your asz that if taking a hit or consuming some edibles eases my chemo treatment side effects I’m gonna do it. 🧐

lousubcap

No news there.  Given the trend there is no reason to think it would lessen.  Once again State's rights- and that will evolve over time.
Moved to the greater L'ville area in 1998-live in a dry county (fortunately worked in a wet county and the county line liquor store did great business).  Within 10 years the dry county sorted out the $$ and switched gears-by vote, not executive fiat.  
Of course the state totally lags any hint of becoming forward thinking in my life-time.  Medical or more marijuana relaxations may be a bit out there but no worries with meth!
Horse racing for the win here but I want a sports book without having to visit Indiana, although that road trip is quite easy to make.  

Gulfcoastguy

ColtsFan said:

I like the data behind it. Legalize it, tax it and carry on. Not legal in Indiana but you can bet your asz that if taking a hit or consuming some edibles eases my chemo treatment side effects I’m gonna do it. 🧐

That was the situation with one of my relatives dying of cancer recently. At the time it was illegal. Theoretically it is possible that someone risked their freedom to give my relative 2 months of relief without needing morphine. All theoretically of course.

TEXASBGE2018

Legalize and tax it, and penalize it like drinking and driving. Problem solved. But that’s my limit, no other drugs should be legalized. 

JohnInCarolina

TEXASBGE2018 said:

Legalize and tax it, and penalize it like drinking and driving. Problem solved. But that’s my limit, no other drugs should be legalized. 

I think that's an entirely reasonable position here.  

Battleborn

TEXASBGE2018 said:

Legalize and tax it, and penalize it like drinking and driving. Problem solved. But that’s my limit, no other drugs should be legalized. 

That is what we have done here (not real sure where the tax money is going though, supposed to go to schools). I will say, anecdotally, that it very rare that I arrest someone with meth, heroin, crack, etc...that doesn't also have other, more "serious" priors. You can almost trace their drug use.

Oregon just decriminalization all drugs under a certain amount. The penalty is now a $100 civil fine and/or addiction screening. There is no money built into their new laws for rehab, only the screening. I don't think that is going to work out how they think it will. But what do I know?

frazzdaddy

Battleborn said:

TEXASBGE2018 said:

Legalize and tax it, and penalize it like drinking and driving. Problem solved. But that’s my limit, no other drugs should be legalized. 

That is what we have done here (not real sure where the tax money is going though, supposed to go to schools). I will say, anecdotally, that it very rare that I arrest someone with meth, heroin, crack, etc...that doesn't also have other, more "serious" priors. You can almost trace their drug use.

Oregon just decriminalization all drugs under a certain amount. The penalty is now a $100 civil fine and/or addiction screening. There is no money built into their new laws for rehab, only the screening. I don't think that is going to work out how they think it will. But what do I know?

Agree, wo rehab you are just changing where they end up.

YukonRon

Oregon and other states are looking to or have legalized some other narcotics, besides cannabis. Michigan, Illinois and other states have seen some outstanding returns on their meager transitions. 

Once the states ok it, it is up to the counties how and to sell it. Even in places like Colorado, Washington, California, and even Oregon, can sell it as medicinal or recreational, both or not at all.
Long time coming, even longer to be universal as a domestic product.

keener75

That's what we do here. Canada legalized in October 2018 and I honestly have not noticed anything different other than it being much easier to buy quality bud. The biggest worry I have is that now edibles are legal and they package it in a way that would look appealing to a child. A small package of Strawberry gummie bears that a four year old found could have serious consequences.
Put them in pill bottles or something. 

thetrim

Just be careful if someone offers you something at a BBQ cookout.  

ColtsFan

thetrim said:

Just be careful if someone offers you something at a BBQ cookout.  

#BestBrowniesEver

HeavyG

Legalize them all. That would also allow for useful research into the many benefits many of these substances possess. We're finding that some shrooms and MDMA can be useful in treating PTSD.

Get the Feds out of the way of doctors treating patients with painkillers, etc., etc.

No doubt some folks will develop problems with some of these substances (just like with alcohol, cigarettes, twinkies, donuts, etc.) but offering treatment rather than incarceration will save many billions of dollars and ruin far fewer lives.

Ozzie_Isaac

I think they should go after big Pharma and the docs who push opiates.  Throw that whole lot in jail.  If legalizing Marijuana can reduce opiate use at all, then I would see that as a net positive.

ColbyLang

Legalize & tax. Zero tolerance in the workplace. Prove to me where the tax money is going. Saw the CNBC episode on it with Marcus Lemonis. California taxes weren’t going where they were supposed to 

Botch

keener75 said:

The biggest worry I have is that now edibles are legal and they package it in a way that would look appealing to a child. A small package of Strawberry gummie bears that a four year old found could have serious consequences.
Put them in pill bottles or something. 

Sadly, we in yankeeville still market detergent that way...

nolaegghead

Hmmmm....tastes like...earwax.

Ozzie_Isaac

ColbyLang said:

Legalize & tax. Zero tolerance in the workplace. Prove to me where the tax money is going. Saw the CNBC episode on it with Marcus Lemonis. California taxes weren’t going where they were supposed to 

The taxes never go where they promise.

nolaegghead

Money goes into the general fund, so you are looking for marked bills or a budget increase in an area?  Saying funds are specifically earmarked is marketing.  If a state is running a deficit, doesn't that money first pay it down?  

Just screwing with everyones' heads here. 🤪

U_tarded

I have experienced some legal dispensaries in NV and Colorado they edibles are damn hard to open.  I don’t really see kids being able to get into them and they are expensive enough I don’t see a reasonable person getting careless.  Note I said reasonable.  Biggest issue I see is there isn’t a way to test intoxication like with alcohol.  You could have THC a few days prior and it still show on a blood panel.  Go on a bender drinking and less than 24 hours your body clears it out. 

*edited for my horrible grammar/spelling 

Ozzie_Isaac

My issue is their inability to keep it out of schools.  Even while being illegal, due to the easy concealability wax pens and edibles are all over the schools.  It is an extension of the vaping issue.  Back in the day you had to be committed to sneaking a smoke, and even then you still smelled.  Kids can hit a vape in class while the teacher has their back turned.

JohnInCarolina

Ozzie_Isaac said:

My issue is their inability to keep it out of schools.  Even while being illegal, due to the easy concealability wax pens and edibles are all over the schools.  It is an extension of the vaping issue.  Back in the day you had to be committed to sneaking a smoke, and even then you still smelled.  Kids can hit a vape in class while the teacher has their back turned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUXb7do9C-w

EzraBrooks

Ozzie_Isaac said:

My issue is their inability to keep it out of schools.  Even while being illegal, due to the easy concealability wax pens and edibles are all over the schools.  It is an extension of the vaping issue.  Back in the day you had to be committed to sneaking a smoke, and even then you still smelled.  Kids can hit a vape in class while the teacher has their back turned.

Before COVID, I was on a flight in a window seat with an open middle, and then a younger (late teens or early 20s) girl at the aisle.  While boarding, I overheard her conversation on the phone telling someone they kicked her out of rehab and she was coming home, really needed money for pills because the pain is so bad, etc.  Then during the entire flight, she was vaping every time the flight attendant wasn't looking.  I didn't say anything because a) I'm not a Karen, b) she wasn't bothering me, and c) the girl probably was going to lose it without getting a fix.  So yeah, if you can get away with it on a plane, I'm sure you can get away with it during math class.

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

My issue is their inability to keep it out of schools.  Even while being illegal, due to the easy concealability wax pens and edibles are all over the schools.  It is an extension of the vaping issue.  Back in the day you had to be committed to sneaking a smoke, and even then you still smelled.  Kids can hit a vape in class while the teacher has their back turned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUXb7do9C-w

Not sure what you are saying here.  That PSA is typical of the 80s just say no mentality.  And overly simplifies a complex and devastating problem.  People use drugs regardless of their upbringing.  It impacts all walks of life.