[CFrance]

Originally Posted by KeepingItReal

So 1 in every 10 people that smokes pot we know are going to become addicted, are we saying this is an acceptable amount to become addicted?

Just like it must be acceptable for one in 10 to become alcoholics? Prohibition didn't work either.

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Just like it must be acceptable for one in 10 to become alcoholics? Prohibition didn't work either.

It's not acceptable, that's the whole point, but alcohol was made a legal substance so we're left to deal with the fallout. Just as we can all agree that restricted access hasn't worked for alcohol ...It won't work for pot.....Why would we want to make it even easier to get pot?

[PennBF]

At the gratitude of many this is my last note on the subject since it is a waste of time. BUT, to show the lack of knowledge and understanding there was a point that the addicts have an "Addictive Personality". In fact there are certain chemical reactions within the brain of an addict and it causes them to demand more once they have been exposed to the various drugs. Given this undisputed medical fact it means that users with this trigger actually cannot control their demand for the drug thus between 15-20% of users will ultimately be addicted. It is not a "personality disorder" but a medical problem. How many actually knew this? Once addicted and after a period of usage and the current level does not satisfy like it did when the user first started they move to more harmful drugs and more harmful usage. How many youths start out with one hit of coke and before long are using 5-10 a day and "wasted". How about the pot is no longer good enough or satisfies and the harder drugs are moved to. It is not a personality disorder it is a medical brain chemical problem. How many of you had the one shot of scotch and then had to have another, etc.etc.etc. You have an addiction problem. AA meeting are filled with persons with these problems. OK for those who are bored with my notes I am going to respect their wish and will move on. I only hope some of this reaches at least one person and all of my time has not been a total waste.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by KeepingItReal

Just as we can all agree that restricted access hasn't worked either...Why would we want to just make it easier to get?

I believe legalizing, taxing, and restricting will work better than leaving it like it is, with dealers going after elementary school kids and stalking the ghettos, etc. Your way isn't working either.

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I believe legalizing, taxing, and restricting will work better than leaving it like it is, with dealers going after elementary school kids and stalking the ghettos, etc. Your way isn't working either.

Restricting is a joke. Fourth graders in Colorado at least were not trying to sell pot at school before it was made legal there. Just wait and see the additional problems legalization will create if it happens and you likely think it was really working pretty well now! But it will be too late again.....

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by KeepingItReal

Restricting is a joke. (snipped)

You think restricting access to pot is a joke. I think it is better than unrestricted access.
Let's agree to disagree and leave it at that.

[ron122049]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

You think restricting access to pot is a joke. I think it is better than unrestricted access.
Let's agree to disagree and leave it at that.

I agree with you. We have someone on a mission here. ENOUGH ALREADY!

[PennBF]

Just another couple of kids DUI's! I wonder if parents who suffer these terrible pot accidents still think making it more available is the answer??

"The Pine Plains teen on trial in a car crash that killed two friends tested positive for marijuana at the hospital that evening Three more prosecution witnesses testified in Dustin Hale's trial Friday Hale, 17, is accused of driving at high speed and under the influence of marijuana when he crashed his 2000 Subaru Impreza on Schultz Hill Road about 3:50 p.m. Aug. 29. Two fellow Stissing Mountain High School students, Gian Paolo Stagnaro, 17, of Pine Plains and Zachary Pruner, 16, of Stanfordville, died in the crash.
Hale is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter and two counts of second-degree manslaughter, all felonies. Opening arguments and testimony started Thursday."

I know I said I would no longer write in but spare me my brief violation of the commitment to highlight the profound risks. I know it could have been alcohol. BUT it wasn't. It was that other drug that would now be easier to get and kill our youth.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by PennBF

As they say..you can't fix "stupid". OK, cigarette's are bad, alcohol is bad. Now how does saying that reduces the impact of pot.

Penn, I understand that you are deeply committed to your beliefs, and I think the volunteer work you do is very important.
However that doesn't mean the rest of us are stupid, i.e., those of us who believe pot should be legalized and restricted, as opposed to being sold on street corners.

[rubicon]

Will it be a better/safer/cleaner world if our government legalize marijuana? Will the number of people smoking marijuana decrease or increase if marijuana is legalized? Will the behavior of people at work, in school or at other social settings change for the better or for the worse? Will those citizens not marijuana users have to petition their representatives for safety and health laws to protect them from the adverse effects of smoke and/or intoxicated drivers. Will labor laws have to be created to protect workers from industrial accidents? Will employers have the right to refuse employment to people who smoke marijuana because it will disrupt their business environment. will employers be able to fire marijuana users whose performance/absentee record etc is less than satisfactory. Will unions protect marijuana users in the same manner they protect under performers. How will the law treat people who commit crimes under the influence of marijuana? what will state/federal governments do to people who use their food stamps to buy marijuana? HBow will society respond to those marijuana users have hallucinations at business or social events? What will...............

[B767drvr]

Here's a link from a Time magazine article titled, "Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal a Success, Says Report - Time"

Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal a Success, Says Report - TIME

An excerpt:

>>"Judging by every metric, decriminalization in Portugal has been a resounding success," says Glenn Greenwald, an attorney, author and fluent Portuguese speaker, who conducted the research. "It has enabled the Portuguese government to manage and control the drug problem far better than virtually every other Western country does."

Compared to the European Union and the U.S., Portugal's drug use numbers are impressive. Following decriminalization, Portugal had the lowest rate of lifetime marijuana use in people over 15 in the E.U.: 10%. The most comparable figure in America is in people over 12: 39.8%. Proportionally, more Americans have used cocaine than Portuguese have used marijuana.

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[TNLAKEPANDA]

Originally Posted by blueash

As you consider your vote on the liberalization of the control of marijuana proposed for Florida, you may want to consider this pointed reminder of the risks of pot. It doesn't take an overly sharp intellect to grasp the dangers of drugs and this case once again cuts to the quick with its brief but rapier like analysis of the unfortunate death of Barry Wilson.

Ky man dies from pot

Just about anything can kill you! Poor eating and drinking habits are far more likely to kill you and cost you a lot of money.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

Here's a link from a Time magazine article titled, "Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal a Success, Says Report - Time"

Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal a Success, Says Report - TIME

An excerpt:

>>"Judging by every metric, decriminalization in Portugal has been a resounding success," says Glenn Greenwald, an attorney, author and fluent Portuguese speaker, who conducted the research. "It has enabled the Portuguese government to manage and control the drug problem far better than virtually every other Western country does."

Compared to the European Union and the U.S., Portugal's drug use numbers are impressive. Following decriminalization, Portugal had the lowest rate of lifetime marijuana use in people over 15 in the E.U.: 10%. The most comparable figure in America is in people over 12: 39.8%. Proportionally, more Americans have used cocaine than Portuguese have used marijuana.

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Thank you for that information.

[rubicon]

Portugal is not the United States and such a comparison is useless. How are we different let me count the ways

[B767drvr]

>> The Cato report's author, Greenwald, hews to the first point: that the data shows that decriminalization does not result in increased drug use. Since that is what concerns the public and policymakers most about decriminalization, he says, "that is the central concession that will transform the debate."

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