Marijuana Legalization Comes With Complications..

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I wonder how many states will do this. B.C. in Canada has a fairly strong group lobbying for legalization of marijuana as well..

 

Quite often the beginning of a path to self destruction.

 

I'm all for legalization of it, perhaps oddly.   But it's going to go on no matter what, so at least the quality of the stuff would be controlled and hope BC follows the same path as some of the States are doing and even one person getting a 'laced' one is too many.
 
Just because something is legal, though, doesn't give anyone the right to use it while working, any more than drinking on the job, surely?

 

 
That's a good point Mara. Although I don't employ people any more, I did used to have about 4 or 5 guys working for my small company on a full time basis. I certainly would not have allowed them to drink, or be under the influence of drink or drugs during work time for safety reasons, and also for quality reasons.
 
I also believe that smoking marijuana/pot can and does have a long term effect on a heavy users thinking capacity, even after they have quit their habit. I have read that this is more evident amongst users who started in their early teens or sooner.
 
For those reading this that may claim that smoking a couple of joints doesn't do any harm...Answer me this..
 
Would you leave your children in the care of a babysitter that was wasted??

 

Well said, Frank!  I surely wouldn't!  In fact, there was a time when nearly everyone I knew smoked weed but each of them graciously understood it was simply off-limits in my home and around children.  And nary a one cared I didn't join them any more than they would have cared if I didn't drink, either.
 
While I think it's about the same when it comes to short and long term harm as alcohol, neither should be used when it endangers others.
 
(Remember opening a bus loop washroom door (for driver's use only) and literally have smoke billow out - and not from cigarettes either.  And have some drivers swear that it made them better drivers.  Huge sigh).
 
Yup, legalize it but add the same legal restrictions as for other drugs and alcohol.

 

I totally agree with all of the above.  I use to smoke a lot of pot, when I was younger and I am not ashamed about it.  In my generation everyone did, guys and girls alike. So, I have first hand experience and I cannot imagine smoking that before or during work.  First of all, unlike alcohol, I feel that it makes a person lazy, so, how could someone work after smoking a joint.  I know I wouldn't be able to, but, I never did do that because I feel there is a time and a place for everything.  Certainly NOT at work.  I agree with Mara in that the same rules and legal aspects that apply to alcohol, should apply to smoking pot.  Plus, BC bud, is probably the absolute best pot in the world and supposedly the most potent.  I wouldn't want to work with someone that just smoked that and I certainly wouldn't want a babysitter looking after my Mick after smoking a joint.
 
Cheers: Rich

 

I'm smiling as I was being literal when saying that nearly everyone I knew (except me, honestly) smoked grass when I was younger ... glad you knew enough to not risk life and limb when 'feeling lazy' - grin.

 

Well, it was an experience that I don't really regret, but, I gave that up 25 years ago.  I still have some friends that smoke that crap every day, albeit, they are quite a bit burnt.  It is a proven fact that it does and will eventually burn someone out.  To be honest, I don't miss it at all and I don't drink much either.

 

I have not done any real research, but I'd be tempted to bet that alcohol has caused tons more damage to people than marijuana.  Of course you would not want your children or anyone to have to be subjected to  being cared for by  marijuana-ingesting people any more than having them looked after by people under the influence of any other drugs (of which there are many, including "legal" ones.)
 
 

 

Anything in excess tends to do our poor bodies and minds in over time ... mind you, not including eating bacon in that as surely bacon is in a food group all it's own and must, simply must, be healthy for us - huge smile!
 
Suspect you're right, Redwing ... 'grass' at least doesn't kill livers like alcohol does and like you, Richardo, I rarely drink.  That said, I'm happy as a clam to open a bottle of cold white wine for dinner.
 
Surely the quality of grass should be regulated so users are protected as much as possible, just like food and alcohol is regulated.  Some things have been around 'forever' and humans being human, it's use won't end - so if the governments face reality, at least those choosing to smoke would be safer.

 

Like others I don't mind if it was legalised in the UK as I wouldn't go near it with a barge pole personally (just like cigarettes), as Nev mentioned already about thinking capacity, marijuana has the potential to do more damage as it can affect the firing of neurons in your brain & through the central nervous system (so I'd prefer to keep all 90 billion neurons firing correctly ), which I would say is more damage than alcohol to your liver/blood, Alcohol is more like a toxic that our livers can purify (assuming we drink enough water and aren't heavy drinkers, just 4-7 nights a month say), whereas if parts of your central nervous system are damaged we don't currently have the medical know how to fix that but we can get blood transfusions and liver transplants for those who go over the top.
 
I don't drink all that much alcohol anyway (I'd probably be considered something of a moderate drinker), the only reason alcohol seems to cause more damage is because it is quite easily available from ages ranging 16-24, your more likely to see someone falling over drunk than someone smoking marijuana since alcohol is legal and marijuana isn't.
 
Anyway we could compare the damages of alcohol and marijuana till the ends of time, just like scientists and medical researchers have for years now, but just like a report a few months ago that said consuming some alcohol each week could lead to better health (forgot the exact terms in it, short/long term) there will always be a different opinion.

 

Never had one in my mouth and never will.
It screwed one of my Sons brains after years of heavy abuse.
When asking him something there is a delayed response.
He has kicked the habit 15yrs ago however you can see what damage it has done.
He was studying to become an Architect and dropped out. (Shame)
Now a Truck Driver.
What could have been.

 

You could be right, Woodyblade - but over here, there is marijuana in elementary schools, sadly.  And alcohol and grass available in all high schools.

Really do think kids are far from stupid and it's never enough to simply say, "Just say no" ... if we show them exactly what happens, whether using too much alcohol or grass, it may make a difference in their choices, at least.  And at the very least, if grass is legalized - well, perhaps the same as people who used to die from 'bathtub gin'when alcohol was illegal.  No easy answers, I guess.

Oh Doug, what a horrible shame about your son - simply heartbreaking for you, I'm sure!
 
p.s. Is that you little Luce, Doug?? 

 

Hi Mara. No that's not my Luce.
I found it on the net and cropped as much as possible.
Such a beautiful image.

 

Regardless, can see why you have it - that kitty is just adorable!!

 

Just to add my 2 cents, I knew someone who worked at Cadburys in Birmingham UK, while at work they could eat as much chocolate as they wanted, this normally lasted about 2 weeks before they got that sick of it they stopped eating it all together.
 
from what I've seen most people start drinking, smoking etc as they go through a rebellious stage in life as an early teenager, and the more you tell some teenagers not to do something the more determined they become to do it. I Just think psychology is the answer not law. 
 
But then again, is it possible to portray a tough rebellious, lawbreaking person eating fruit and veg, and being 'T' total. or to make a teenager realise that the way they treat their bodies now will affect their health when they get old, as in 25/30 yrs old. I'm sure we all remember been 14 and thinking being 30 was a life time away.

 

I would gather its the same with schools over here Mara (in regards to marijuana, post 13), but don't know for sure as I never mixed with the wrong crowds, I wasn't the best of students, still messed about in classes sometimes but didn't go near smokers and the lot.
 
I've said before elsewhere, I was drinking bits of alcohol from about 12/13 years old and was getting served in some pubs from about 16/17, I've been sick about 2-3 times since I started (first time I was 16), you think I'd have learnt my lesson by now
 
I still feel young compared to a 30 year old Match 
Though being honest I turn 22 in March, I've noticed the last few years have flown by, "in the blink of an eye" would be an appropriate phrase.

 

As you get older, Woody the years will seem to pass you by even faster than it seems for you now.
I often wonder where did the last 30 yrs go.
30yrs ago seems like yesterday.
 
I gave up drinking Alcohol many years ago.
Not nice waking up on a cold toilet floor with your arms around the bowl.  :nod:

 

Ooooh, Doug is so so right, our Woodyblade!  Some meanie makes the clock of life spin faster the older we get - eep!
 
Glad you avoided the 'traps' awaiting so many school kids now ...but as to drinking and getting sick - woe and grin!  Might I suggest you try drinking straight Scotch on ice with no mixer - and in fact, avoid mixed drinks or mixing different types of drinks? ... only suggesting it as I too was able to be served alcohol in my mid-teens and a wise old man shared the above hint with me and while it could be mind over matter, have never been sick nor had a hang-over - huge smile!
 
Match and Woodyblade ... and all our young, lovely ones here ... there will come a time (far sooner than one expects) when you look in the mirror and honestly think who, who, who is that person looking back at me ... because inside, where it really counts, you'll still be 20 or 30 not what the physical body is reflecting back.  (Luckily my vision is poor right now so I can simply 'pretend' when I look in the mirror - huge hoot!).