Marijuana Legalization. Yay Or Nay.

**Cheshirekatt** · 11-21-2003, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by aly
What I took from the commercial:

Smoking pot can cause you to be distracted and not care about your responsibilities. While you're busy "just chillin", the child you're watching can get into trouble.

Of course, many things can make you become distracted from babysitting, not just pot. However, I still took it as a powerful message.

Gotcha, and I agree totally. Being a parent is a huge responsibility. It's one of the reasons I don't have kids! lolololol

But to be fair, you could substitute almost anything in for the pot (alcohol, cigarettes, tv and let's face it, sleep deprivation!) and still have a valid commercial.

**2kitties** · 11-21-2003, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by aly
Of course, many things can make you become distracted from babysitting, not just pot. However, I still took it as a powerful message.

Right, that's why you shouldn't smoke pot while you babysit. don't drink and drive, or smoke and babysit.

**aly** · 11-21-2003, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by 2kitties
Right, that's why you shouldn't smoke pot while you babysit. don't drink and drive, or smoke and babysit.

Yup - thats all I was saying.

**Cheshirekatt** · 11-21-2003, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by aly
Yup - thats all I was saying.

Considering I was born in 1970, and my mom was a total hippie I guess I should consider myself lucky that I made it to adulthood!

**lbaker** · 11-21-2003, 06:52 PM

OK, I didn't want to go here but I have to say this "off the record". I still will smoke an occasional joint, I have since the 60's. I now own my own home after 30 yrs. I've raised two wonderful productive children and many loved dogs & cats. I have a good job I've had for 15 yrs. I pay taxes, have never been in trouble with the law and harm no one. I always told my children to wait until their bodies are developed before they make up their minds about other things because "growing up" hormones can do crazy things to your bodies anyway. I may get thrown off this this site because of my statments here, I hope not. On my visit to Amsterdam with my son they had two homicides in that year in the whole country, both domestic, nothing like the "Murder Capital" that my own city, Washington DC is because of the hard drugs that are so pervasive in this city. Oh doG, this is an ugly situation. I'll see you later.

**mugsy** · 11-21-2003, 07:49 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. I doubt seriously if you'll be banned for being honest. You just made my point.

**mahayana** · 11-21-2003, 08:03 PM

"Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line the Man comes
and takes you away' Buffalo Springfield

**Tonya** · 11-21-2003, 08:41 PM

My own personal experience - when I drank, I was ten foot tall, bullet proof, funny, smart, a great driver, etc. In short, I was dangerous. When I smoked pot, I was sleepy and mellow and just sat around and smiled at people. Pot was much less dangerous for me than alcohol.

That's exactly right!

I guess since everyone's spilling the beans, I mind as well be totally honest.

Most of my family smokes pot.

My mom on one hand pigs out and gets stupid. I think it's very unhealthy for her and she shouldn't.

My brother, on the other hand is very intelligent. Pot seems to make him smarter because he is less tense. He has a prescription for it because he has a stomach problem that makes it difficult for him to eat. He has a decent job and a house and all that good stuff.

My other brother chose not to touch it. Which I think is wonderful.

I graduated with honors and a 3.9 GPA. I made it into the "Who's Who in America" book in highschool. That is the top percentage of students in the US. I has head delegate for the girl's state. I was in many clubs, the editor of the school paper, starter for basketball, and student body president. I smoked pot the whole time. The only time that I ever got myself into trouble was when I drank.

My husband is by far the most hard working man that I have ever met. He's had two jobs since we've been together. Both companies have ranted and raved to me about what a great worker he is. Just at his holiday party last week, the boss was talking about how he wished he had a 100 Mike's. Mike is very intelligent. He picks up anything that he is taught and excels in it. He always does projects around the house. He painted his own bike, did the electrical, is currently painting our house...Mike smokes pot.

I have no problem with it. The only thing that matters to me is that our son never sees or smells it. He only smokes late at night after Jaden is in bed to unwind. He goes through phases. Sometimes he'll smoke everyday. Other times, he'll go months without it.

I haven't smoked pot since I was 19 or so. Not because it is illegal or because I had a bad experience. Just because I don't care for the high.

I think it is all on the individual. Some people have no right messing with anything, others can handle it. It is up to them to make the decision.

I would much rather see my loved ones smoke pot then drink. I will always discourage drinking and drugs with Jaden...but deep down I would be much more disappointed if he came home drunk then stoned when he is older.

Marijuana is a peaceful relaxant. People don't get violent or crazy on it like they do alcohol. If marijuana should be banned, so should alcohol.

**micki76** · 11-21-2003, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by micki76
To not agree with someone’s decision to or to not smoke pot isn’t infringing on their “personal choice” rights. Where should we draw the line of “personal choice”? Should we legalize other drugs? Which ones? Which ones remain illegal? Acid isn’t addictive, but it can be harmful and dangerous to others if the person has a bad experience. Do we only outlaw addictive drugs? If so, there goes cigarettes and alcohol.

I repeat, where do you draw the line? Do we allow people to shoot heroin on the basis that it's their body and they should be allowed to destroy themselves? Do we allow people to snort crank on the same basis? Do we allow people to use the yard poisons and that red dye that caused cancer? Laws are laws for a reason. Some may be antiquated in some opinions, but many are in place for good reasons.

Some of you say yes make it legal, but not in public. Why not? You can smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol in public. If you’re not ashamed and there’s nothing wrong with it then why be forced to hide away in your home or car?

There will always be people that want something legalized and others that want to keep the status quo. If you want pot to be legal then do something about it, likewise if you don't want it legalized do something about it. This is America. Majority rules. Make your choices through your representatives that you elect.

My personal experience with pot is bad - yours may be good. I’m glad that the pot smokers here aren't stupid, lazy and good for nothing, but virtually all of the stoners I've ever personally known are.

**Cheshirekatt** · 11-21-2003, 09:15 PM

Well, and there may very well be a big difference between a casual pot smoker and a 'stoner'.

Just like the difference between a casual drinker and an alcoholic.

And personally, I DO think all these things should only be done in the privacy of ones home.

I for one am sick and tired of having to breathe other people's second hand cigarette smoke! It's sick and gross and I don't feel I should have to smell like smoke just because someone else is having a nic fit.

**Tonya** · 11-21-2003, 09:18 PM

Well, and there may very well be a big difference between a casual pot smoker and a 'stoner'.

Just like the difference between a casual drinker and an alcoholic

AMEN!!!

**mahayana** · 11-21-2003, 09:45 PM

Micki- which candidate for high office should I vote for? One of the problems with trying to legalize pot is that politicians can't get elected if they even admit they ever smoked it!

**Twisterdog** · 11-21-2003, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by Cheshirekatt
Well, and there may very well be a big difference between a casual pot smoker and a 'stoner'.

Just like the difference between a casual drinker and an alcoholic.

And personally, I DO think all these things should only be done in the privacy of ones home.

I for one am sick and tired of having to breathe other people's second hand cigarette smoke! It's sick and gross and I don't feel I should have to smell like smoke just because someone else is having a nic fit.

I agree. I think one should be able to do absolutely any old thing they want to, in the privacy of their own home, and as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

I personally don't want the government telling me what I can or can't smoke or drink. If you aren't harming someone else, go for it. That's my motto.

If Joe Blow wants to sit on his couch and drink a fifth of whiskey every day, until he dies of liver failure ... hey, that's sad, but he's an adult, it's his business. Just so he doesn't drive drunk, neglect his kids, or expect my tax dollars to fix his problems.

Same thing if he wants to shoot heroin or smoke pot or eat twelve pints of ice cream per day. His problems, his house, his money, his life. Just so he isn't hurting anyone else, what right does the government have to tell him to stop?

**mugsy** · 11-23-2003, 09:19 AM

My roomie at school was saying she would be afraid that the cost of health care would rise. I don't see it. Any thoughts?

I think that the money saved in the court system and the money raised in taxes would offset any (if any) health care increases. I just don't think that the health care industry would see any difference.

**Cheshirekatt** · 11-23-2003, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by mugsy
My roomie at school was saying she would be afraid that the cost of health care would rise. I don't see it. Any thoughts?

I think that the money saved in the court system and the money raised in taxes would offset any (if any) health care increases. I just don't think that the health care industry would see any difference.

I guess it wouldn't be any worse than the health care costs for treating cigarette smoking related illnesses.