Quote:
Originally Posted by kalimus
Nothing that can be proven, because one is legal and instantly detectible, the other is illegal and not. IMO, that's a bad discussion point. And have to be high to hold a job? Maybe if they spent less time smoking and more time studying, they wouldn't be cleaning carpets.  But... I can't prove that either.
"Probable cause" is pretty open to interpretation. I would be willing to bet, that every person reading this post would have assumed those guys to be smoking weed without Adam having to say so, just by the mention of them going outside, and coming back in stinking of body spray. In that case, I would agree with "a reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime" (which is what smoking weed is).
As for alcohol being more dangerous than pot... probably. But a lot of smokers that I know are convinced that being high doesn't impair them in any way at all, which is bullspittle, although I don't think they are impaired as much as a drunk. However, I see a lot of other problems with pot being legalized. They already can't keep control of drunk drivers. Now you've got more high drivers? Or, because it's not legal, you've got people out at the bar, getting hammered AND high, and THEN driving home. You're just adding one problem on top of another.
My BIGGEST problem with it, is that if a drunk gets pulled over, you can prove on the spot that he's drunk. You can't do that with pot. A drug test would only show that you've smoked in the past few weeks. No problem right? Because it's legal. But what's that you say? Their eyes maybe are bloodshot, or they're having a hard time focusing? Pretty much happens to me when I'm sleep deprived. You can't PROVE they are high at the time.
That all said, if they could fix some of these problems (which they can't right now), I would probably be "more ok" with it. I know people who smoke. They do it at home. They don't bother anyone. They have jobs and are never high at work. No problem with that at all. But legalizing one more substance for availability to the people that can't be responsible? I don't see a rational point for it. Unfortunately we are all "punished" for the screw-ups of morons. :(
Not an attack on anyone's opinions or beliefs. I just like thought-out discussions. |
I'd like to reply to some of your points. True, education pays for itself. At one time I was pretty poor and did most anything to make a buck. People need their carpet cleaned as much as being served at a burger joint.
Now, I earn a decent wage in the medical field. As to the assumption of probable cause due to the body spray: Smelling like a french whore isn't a crime and neither should be used to insert probable cause. There are nurses that go out to smoke cigs on our smoke-free campus and come back in reeking like a pole dancer. They did not break any federal, state, or local laws; just a hospital policy. I, on the other hand, do not care if I reek like an ashtray because I do not have patient contact.
In regards to playing "Chemical Roulette" with alcohol and drugs in a bar: It's already happening and has been happening for quite some time. With the right connections you can acquire most anything (pot, pills, coke, smack, etc) so I also don't think legalization would increase the availability of pot by astronomic proportions.
I feel that legalization will remove the criminal element and stigma from the herb; especially for those that use it as medicine. Also, I don't feel that more people will smoke because it is legal. I think by now we have reached an osmotic equilibrium with those that smoke. By now, everyone knows a smoker if they are aware that they puff at all.
The grass is medicine that helps people with various conditions that "legal"chemically derived pharmaceuticals can't relieve. Sure, pot is viewed as a recreational drug by many but for others it's relief - a natural product of Earth and not some chemical concoction produced in a lab.
Also, I know everyday smokers that lead responsible; successful, and productive lives. Generally good people. They'd never hurt a fly and give you the shirt off their back. If they ran into Adam's trap they would be considered criminals.
Forward thinking states exist and hopefully soon all will join in the legalization of medical marijuana. I also feel that as more states get strapped for cash they will discover that legalization leads to taxation - Just like they did with the booze.