Quote:
Originally Posted by Switter
It's really not like alcohol. I know, I had smoked it for many years. People who make this comparison usually have never smoked it.
Something to keep in mind is there is currently no "instant" way to detect if someone is under the influence of marijuana while driving.
That said, the main reason I will vote no is a little bit different probably than most people. Marijuana is a motivation killer and it makes you far less likely to engage with the people around you (like your family). I've seen it time and time again. But worst of all, the vast majority of young people who smoke it are men. Once we sanction it, will more young men smoke it? I don't know the answer but we already have a crisis of young men dropping out a society. How many people in The villages have their adult male children living with them compared with female children? How many of those have mental health issues or substance-abuse problems? It's a vicious circle, lack of opportunity leads to substance-abuse leads to mental health issues leads to inability to function leads to even fewer opportunities. I feel legalization will disproportionately impact young men and make an already bad situation worse.
I'm not saying voting no is going to change this but making it more accessible is definitely not going to help.
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There IS, however, a way to instantly tell if someone is "driving while impaired." Those balance tests, checking pupils, and "touch your nose" tests can determine if someone is impaired. They don't even need to be doing drugs or alcohol. They might simply have chosen not to put in their contact lenses that morning and can't see well enough to drive.
Driving under the influence of cannabis is just as potentially dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or any other mind-altering substance, and would be treated as such. If you had a glass of wine an hour ago, then you're probably fine to drive. If you took a drag off a joint an hour ago, you might be fine - or might not. HOW you drive will determine that. Do your drugs, take your chances, accept the risk of causing an accident or attracting the attention of the police.
The drug being legal or illegal has ZERO effect on how well or poorly you drive.