Medical Marijuana in PA?

[lifesaver]

OK Venter, I'll get the ball rolling. triblive.com/news/adminpage/5415738-74/medical-marijuana-pennsylvania#axzz2s0lqMPj2


Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana in PA?
Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana in PA?
Should we decriminalize the use of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use?
Should we end the war on drugs?

My short answers to the above. Yes, yes, yes, and after a lot of thought on the last question, yes.

Let's discuss!

[Venter]

Jan 31, 2014 16:04:13 GMT -5 lifesaver said:

OK Venter, I'll get the ball rolling. triblive.com/news/adminpage/5415738-74/medical-marijuana-pennsylvania#axzz2s0lqMPj2


Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana in PA?
Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana in PA?
Should we decriminalize the use of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use?
Should we end the war on drugs?

My short answers to the above. Yes, yes, yes, and after a lot of thought on the last question, yes.

Let's discuss!

What is there to discuss?
You answered all of your questions correctly!

Now... if they outlawed Aspirin, think of what a headache that would be.

[lifesaver]

Feb 1, 2014 10:10:57 GMT -5 Venter said:

Jan 31, 2014 16:04:13 GMT -5 lifesaver said:

OK Venter, I'll get the ball rolling. triblive.com/news/adminpage/5415738-74/medical-marijuana-pennsylvania#axzz2s0lqMPj2


Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana in PA?
Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana in PA?
Should we decriminalize the use of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use?
Should we end the war on drugs?

My short answers to the above. Yes, yes, yes, and after a lot of thought on the last question, yes.

Let's discuss!

What is there to discuss?
You answered all of your questions correctly!

Now... if they outlawed Aspirin, think of what a headache that would be.

Geez Louise, nobody?  Not even it'll be a cold day in hell you dirty hippie? 

[getysbg]

It's only the last one that I have any problem with. I DON'T want herion, , etc more easily available. I agree with Obama ( gasp, let me grab my chest ) MJ is like alcohol, so let's tax it and sell it in privately run liquor stores.

[Venter]

Let me preface this with the fact - I've never done illegal drugs.
Even the legal ones I've done, are the ones prescribed to me - and only those when absolutely necessary.
Never gotten high, and never really liked getting drunk on the few occasions I can recall being drunk.
Even "buzzed" gets me beyond the level of control I prefer to have over my senses.

So I am looking at this as a Social Issue, as opposed to my own Personal Desires to get high:

• Over my lifetime, I've been around MANY people who smoked pot, and I much preferred their company to those who are drunk.
  
• Saying that a pot smoker will become a heroin addict, is like claiming that anyone who drinks beer will become an alcoholic.
• People who are susceptible to addiction will find their level of addiction - in other words an alcoholic may be addicted to beer; that doesn't mean he will "advance" to Everclear! A person doesn't need to get to the level of Crack or Heroin in order to be considered an addict!
• I'm addicted to Chocolate, but that doesn't mean I intend to snort straight cocoa for my fix. I don't even go to semi-sweet!
  
• I used to drink about 6 or more Diet Pepsi a day, and I didn't think anything of it. An "addiction" or a "habit" I don't know - but about a month ago, I just stopped drinking it. I made a conscious effort, and just did it. But that is MY metabolism - my chemical makeup. I do not crave it; do not need it; but I'm not afraid to drink a few on occasion. I was the same way about beer many years ago.
• Not everyone will react to a stimulus in the same way.
• Not everyone will have the same trip, on the same drug, at the same time.
• Some are "happy drunks", some are motherfuckers after drinking the same amount of beer or liquor.

ANYTHING that you overdo, affects your life in a negative way - whether it is drugs, or typing useless shit on the internet

[diogenes]

we have a budding Aristotle...moderation in all things...concur with the majority of the points made re MJ and remembering that "coke" in its original form was part of our culture in the 20's and 30's (even to the point of being part of the lyrics of popular music) makes me wonder about why "it" ended up on the "do not use" list. So maybe some research into the history of coke, crack, and heroin and their effects on society might be useful...but who to trust, remembering the early gov't films on MJ, that is one question.

[Fire Marshal Bill]

I am in favor or licensing and taxing every level or narcotics/drugs. License and tax the manufacturer, the seller/distributor and of course tax the consumer.

We often hear of “bad dope” on the streets and people dying from using it. If it is regulated and controlled to keep it clean and free of contaminants, it may save some lives.

If it is available from a regulated source and price controlled such as the liquor stores, it may be cheaper than buying it from someone on the street.

If it is regulated and sold only to adults, like tobacco and alcohol are, it MAY provide better control.

Then double the punishment for manufacturing, and selling without the proper license, and of course for driving under the influence.

Who knows, if we make it legal, perhaps some people will no longer want to use drugs because it no longer has the thrill.

I myself have never done drugs, except when prescribed, and I stopped them as soon as I could. There were days when I did some very heavy drinking, but that has stopped. I agree with Venter, people can become addicted to almost anything. But why not make it legal so there is more control over it.

[HoneyBadger]

I recently ate a brownie which made me feel absolutely euphoric. Of course, I was so confused by the way I felt that I immediately went to bed to sleep it off. To be fair, I was warned just to eat a small piece but it tasted so good that I was piggish.

In answer to Lifesaver's questions I vote yes, yes, yes, and yes. I'd like to try a smaller piece of brownie.

[davew]

Yes to all of them except the drugs that people constantly have trouble getting off of (methampehatamines and heroin, crack cocaine), I wouldn't want to see those legalized. There is a methadone clinic near here - I can't think of a bigger group of freeloaders, and they are a real cost to society. I'd like those things to be criminal, because people can't seem to control themselves with them.

Went to college with a guy who did heroin one single time. He said he didn't feel right the entire next day, and when we asked him if he'd do it again if he had the chance, he said "definitely!". Despite it being months later, he was still hopeful he'd be able to do it again. I can't think of anything else that has that kind of effect (well, one thing, but it isn't drugs).

As for pot, etc, I have zero interest in tying up the court system with people doing or selling small amounts of pot. What a waste.

[lifesaver]

Feb 3, 2014 8:57:55 GMT -5 davew said:

Yes to all of them except the drugs that people constantly have trouble getting off of (methampehatamines and heroin, crack cocaine), I wouldn't want to see those legalized. There is a methadone clinic near here - I can't think of a bigger group of freeloaders, and they are a real cost to society. I'd like those things to be criminal, because people can't seem to control themselves with them.

Went to college with a guy who did heroin one single time. He said he didn't feel right the entire next day, and when we asked him if he'd do it again if he had the chance, he said "definitely!". Despite it being months later, he was still hopeful he'd be able to do it again. I can't think of anything else that has that kind of effect (well, one thing, but it isn't drugs).

As for pot, etc, I have zero interest in tying up the court system with people doing or selling small amounts of pot. What a waste.

Then why limit the illegal substances to certain drugs?  Why not criminalize ice cream, or Big Macs?  They can make people fat, which is also a HUGE burden on society, I'll venture even bigger than people visiting methadone clinics.  And there are people who can't seem to control themselves from food that makes them fat.  Can you see where I'm going here?  I believe  that drug addiction is a huge issue in our society today.  Heroin is prevalent in Adams County.  We now see drug OD's, and yes even a few deaths here on a regular basis.  And these aren't always lowlifes of society.  Criminalizing drugs is not working. ANY drug. Punish those that use unlawful methods to obtain their drugs rather than punish them for having, or using them. Tax and regulate their production so those that choose to use actually know what they are getting. Then focus on education so those who tend to become addicted to anything, whether it is drugs, alcohol, food, sex, exercise may not do so because they have a better understanding of what addiction means and also have a personal accountability for their actions.  If they then choose to stick a needle in their arms and OD then, well sorry for your luck, you knew the consequences going in.  And, in my opinion, nothing is a worse waste of money than to force people into drug or alcohol rehab, or things like methadone programs, when they have no intention of stopping and are just working the system to get out of some charge, or satisfy their probation requirements things of that sort.  Until you make the conscious decision that you want to kick your addiction you will not be successful.  Then, yes, throw all the money and support to help you do it that you can!

As far as marijuana goes, it is my belief that for the most part a blind eye is turned to those here who use it for recreational use.  No different that the legal use of alcohol.  No one really cares about the small time user, unless you do something else to raise an eyebrow, things like having it in your system if you have a work related injury, or are involved in an accident, just like someone who has a few drinks, or, if you are doing some other type of criminal activity along with it.  The possession of a small amount of marijuana is just an aside tacked on to the more serious offense. 

Have I ever used marijuana?  I was born in the 50's, which would have made me a teenager/young adult in the 60's and 70's.  Draw your own conclusions.  I will say that I do not use it currently because it is not worth throwing away my job and profession I worked so hard for, that or any other currently illegal substance in the face of current laws. I would NEVER stick a needle in my arm because I am educated enough to know the possible consequences. I've seen the effects of addiction first hand, because of what I do, and even within my own family.  I quit smoking over twenty years ago because I realized that it was bad for my health. Never looked back. If the law is changed it wouldn't make much of an impact on me, for the same reason that I wouldn't slam down three or four beers before going to work.

[lifesaver]

Feb 2, 2014 10:57:06 GMT -5 getysbg said:

It's only the last one that I have any problem with. I DON'T want herion, , etc more easily available. I agree with Obama ( gasp, let me grab my chest ) MJ is like alcohol, so let's tax it and sell it in privately run liquor stores.

If recreational marijuana use is legalized people could grow their own, much like some people make their own beer and wine. 

[paulkellett]

I see no state interest in prohibiting some one who is dying from lighting up. I think the war on drugs has targeted the exact wrong side of the business. When a drug dealer can make well in excess of the minimum wage, whatever that ends up being, then there will always be drug dealers. The wealth created by dealing is what is seen by the kids, the jail is not what they pass everyday, but the new BMW or lexus is. So, I say bring back the dunce cap. If you are caught even with small amounts, do not ruin a kid's life with jail or even a criminal record, give the kid the old Probation Before Judgement, and have them clean up trash in orange (or pink) jump suits and let the other kids laugh at them. That way when some one says hey, lets get high, the kid can say, no I do not wish to be laughed at. Currently the war avoids the rich kids who know enough never to be caught with more than one day's supply and Mommy and Daddy will never let Jr. get in trouble and ruin his chances at a good college. If we are honest, no young woman says "you know if this works out the way I planned, in a few weeks I will be a crack whore turning tricks for my next fix"
I agree that marijuana is not the same o a gateway drug, and that alcohol has no moral superiority to it. But very few folks who embrace the drug or alcohol lifestyle are what I would consider good role models for my kids. I just think that this war should be waged here, do not blame Columbia or Afghanistan for our addictions. There will always be someone to step up to supply if the money is right, so we have to confront the demand end. The illegal drug market in this country is bigger than the welfare program, so it is not just poor folks who are to blame. I think we need to take the "cool" factor out of getting high and show it as it really is- a pathetic retreat of cowards who do not wish to face reality. We should also look to provide counseling support for those who's reality really does suck.

[davew]

LS - i don't think methamphetamines and heroin can be compared to big macs that well. Some percentage of people who abuse food will be unable to turn down a big mac. How many people who abuse food would turn down $3 heroin or methamphetamines?

There are some things that can be given to otherwise non-diseased people that will hook those people, anyway. Heroin, crack and meth would probably be in that category.

Food can be given to people without a predisposition for abusing food and they can turn it down without issue. The same people without any predisposition wouldn't be able to do heroin a half dozen times and then avoid it.

I've never done any of them, I saw them as a way to find an outcome in the future that wasn't good - even just trying them is something I never felt the need to risk. But I've seen and heard enough from people who have done heroin to realize that it's not like eating big macs or ice cream.

I do think obese people should be underwritten as a separate category in health and life insurance (essentially they can be to some extent), and fully charged for their situations. I think a lot of people who aren't all out completely unable to control themselves would all of the sudden have more discretion with food.

[lifesaver]

Feb 3, 2014 15:34:36 GMT -5 davew said:

LS - i don't think methamphetamines and heroin can be compared to big macs that well. Some percentage of people who abuse food will be unable to turn down a big mac. How many people who abuse food would turn down $3 heroin or methamphetamines?

There are some things that can be given to otherwise non-diseased people that will hook those people, anyway. Heroin, crack and meth would probably be in that category.

Food can be given to people without a predisposition for abusing food and they can turn it down without issue. The same people without any predisposition wouldn't be able to do heroin a half dozen times and then avoid it.

I've never done any of them, I saw them as a way to find an outcome in the future that wasn't good - even just trying them is something I never felt the need to risk. But I've seen and heard enough from people who have done heroin to realize that it's not like eating big macs or ice cream.

I do think obese people should be underwritten as a separate category in health and life insurance (essentially they can be to some extent), and fully charged for their situations. I think a lot of people who aren't all out completely unable to control themselves would all of the sudden have more discretion with food.

davew, you are comparing apples and oranges.  I'm talking addictions.  And an addiction, is an addiction, is an addiction.  Some may be more socially "acceptable" than others.  The results of addiction can be the same, no matter what the cause.  It can devastate a life, or a family.  I think paulkellet has it right in his post when it comes to the war on drugs.  I can tell you from first hand experience that an alcoholic, or a heroin addict going through withdrawl looks EXACTLY the same, no matter if you are a well respected member of the community or a bum off the street. And it's not pretty, believe me. And addicts don't become addicted to a $3 bag of heroin (actually I would be suspicious of a $3 bag of heroin), or a $3 Big Mac (I think they cost more than $3 too, haven't had one for years!), even though every now and then I get a craving for one . The last heroin addict I had contact with told me he had a 25 bag a day habit, and that's not what landed him in the hospital.

[philliesfan]

I suppose that I lean toward making it legal for medical purposes only, however maybe I have missed something over the years, why does it seem like all of a sudden marihuana has become the "magical cure all) drug for so many illnesses? You have a headache-smoke a joint, you have arthritus-smoke a joint, losing your hair-smoke a joint? I really being sarcastic but it just seems like every time you turn on the news, someone has an illness and the only cure is to smoke weed?

[davew]

Pretty much because people just want to smoke weed, I think, and they'll use every excuse they can use to smoke it. It's probably less harmful than some drugs that are regularly prescribed, I guess. If someone really thinks that it solves everything, I'm satisfied to let them believe it as long as they don't want a nickel out of my pocket or agreement from me without the same type of clinical proof a drug has to go through.

[lifesaver]

Not only do I support legalizing medical and recreational marijuana use in PA, after a lot of soul searching I also support ending the war on drugs and decriminalizing the USE of any drug illegally. Legalize marijuana and tax the bejesus out of it. Charge people for the MEANS they use to obtain drugs if  it's a crime (prescription fraud, robbery, theft etc.) Then focus on education and pass laws to protect minors.  When it isn't a lucrative, profitable business to deal drugs it may be a deterrent to drug dealers to set up shop.

I believe, for the most part, that the recreational use of marijuana in Adams County is pretty much a non issue.  As long as you don't flagrantly flaunt it no one cares.