[OrangeBlossomBaby]

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.

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.

[JGibson]

Originally Posted by AMB444

This is my main concern.

It's for "home use" only? So you can get stoned but can't leave your house until you feel sober?

What if they injure themselves/anyone else in a car accident?

What if they show up to work stoned (doctor, nurse, city bus driver)? Is an employer able to legally fire them?

Just a lot of things that don't seem to be addressed yet.

What about all the people who are popping Xanax driving and going to work?

Oh, it's okay because Big Pharma is pumping out that chemical pill, and the pharmaceutical can do no wrong.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by JGibson

What about all the people who are popping Xanax driving and going to work?

Oh, it's okay because Big Pharma is pumping out that chemical pill, and the pharmaceutical can do no wrong.

Oh my gosh, what if they have a gun in their car????

[DaddyD]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Although I don’t smoke it (I don’t enjoy the paranoia I get from the high), I love the smell. Unlike the smell of tobacco, ganja has a very pleasant odor. Hell, I would consider burning ganja incense if it was available.

You should try edibles / gummies--in my experience it's a very different high, much more of a "body" high, less of a "head" high. I don't like smoking, either, but edibles hit differently & really help me get a solid night's sleep.

[fishon]

Vote yes and partake of the weed and you’ll be in the same boat as Hunter Biden.

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by Cindy619

Top 10 Addictions - What Are The Most Common Addictions?

1. Nicotine
2. Alcohol
3. Marijuana
4. Opiods
5. Cocaine
6. Inhalants
7. Methamphetamine
8. Heroin
9. Benzodiazepine
10. Barbituarates

This list is 100% incorrect. Y’all need to do your homework.

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by AMB444

This is my main concern.

It's for "home use" only? So you can get stoned but can't leave your house until you feel sober?

What if they injure themselves/anyone else in a car accident?

What if they show up to work stoned (doctor, nurse, city bus driver)? Is an employer able to legally fire them?

Just a lot of things that don't seem to be addressed yet.

What if they got drunk and then went to work! OMG!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by fishon

Vote yes and partake of the weed and you’ll be in the same boat as Hunter Biden.

You missed reading the site rules?
(After 10 years)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by AMB444

This is my main concern.

It's for "home use" only? So you can get stoned but can't leave your house until you feel sober?

What if they injure themselves/anyone else in a car accident?

What if they show up to work stoned (doctor, nurse, city bus driver)? Is an employer able to legally fire them?

Just a lot of things that don't seem to be addressed yet.

Those things are already addressed with a little phrase that some people like to call "operating while impaired." And employers already have policies that prohibit drug or alcohol use or impairment on the job. That isn't going to change.

[AMB444]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Those things are already addressed with a little phrase that some people like to call "operating while impaired." And employers already have policies that prohibit drug or alcohol use or impairment on the job. That isn't going to change.

Surely you can't deny this will allow more people to appear in public impaired/stoned, on beaches, jobs, etc and have it be considered "acceptable". You want to be rushed to the ER and the possibility of your nurse/Dr impaired by pot use? If passed this new law will only encourage that behavior.

[AMB444]

Originally Posted by jimkerr

What if they got drunk and then went to work! OMG!

Not sure what your point is.

[AMB444]

Originally Posted by JGibson

What about all the people who are popping Xanax driving and going to work?

Oh, it's okay because Big Pharma is pumping out that chemical pill, and the pharmaceutical can do no wrong.

Not sure what your argument is here. I never condoned "Big Pharma".

[MorTech]

Really? You want to continue to kidnap people at gunpoint and lock them in a cage for inhaling smoke from burning vegetation? Drug laws ARE crimes!

[fishon]

It's not changing Federal laws or mandatory drug tests.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

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.

I agree,
In Florida, with the mass of seniors, a field sobriety test is not an accurate means of telling if one is impaired. A conviction for DUI requires a blood alcohol test and testing for pot is not (unless I am mistaken) an easily administered test for law enforcement.
I doubt many of our seniors could pass a field sobriety test, if sober by standing on one foot, walking a straight line or closing their eyes and touching their nose. Should they be operating a motor vehicle? That's a different issue.
As for increased tax revenues, my opinion on the misuse of tax revenues is also another issue. Kind of like when a state "legalizes" the lottery, saying it is an "education" lottery and the revenues would be used for public schools, when in reality only 29% goes to the use of public education, IF that. Increased tax revenues should never be an excuse for legalizing something that everyone knows will be misused.
Recreational use of pot helps NO one any more than recreational use of alcohol, so lets all just quit making excuses for just taking the easy way out of every difficult decision in life. We have laws for a reason. We have a visa system for vetting persons entering our country. We have limitations on use of certain dangerous drugs for a reason. We have traffic laws to keep people safe, etc.
Making excuses for being lazy and taking the easy way or greedy way on a subject is not being responsible.