[BillY41]

Gateway drug! Decriminalize personal possession, no smoking in public.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

"Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which takes the form of addiction in severe cases. Recent data suggest that 30% of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder. People who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults."

From: Is marijuana addictive? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

What the heck is marijuana use disorder?? Lol. It should be legalized, its not addictive. Liquor is addictive, cigarettes are addictive and legal.

[Get real]

It is a friggin plant....who cares????? It grows naturally. Have at it.

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I read that 75% of Americans support the decriminalization of the use of Marijuana.

Do you?

Yes

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Since I have seen the effects is has on users over the years I do not support its legalization.

Follow the money.

Who and what entities lobbied through its legalization?

Who/what entities stand to benefit?

States will tax it so stand to gain although they (taxpayers) will bear some of the costs of pot use.

What the difference between smoking marijuana vs the drinking at City Fire everyday. On average they drink 4 to 6 drinks every time they belly up to the bar.

[Petersweeney]

The tax gains from sales are offset by the people who are are on public assistance b/c of MJ abuse -lazy and unemployable….basic fact that you won’t hear about from MSM….

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I read that 75% of Americans support the decriminalization of the use of Marijuana.

Do you?

Yes….and they should put a federal tax on it and for the first 20 years the tax goes direct to deficit…..🤣😂

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by Garywt

It is legal in MA but I didn’t vote for it. The main issue for me is people driving. I have never used it and don’t plan on it. I am trying some Hemp gummies for a few health issues but that is all.

So there way more DUI involving alcohol than those involving marijuana
Heck just go to any square and see all the alcohol abuse every day starting at 11:00 am daily

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

Back in high school - I saw a bunch of kids who snuck out and came back to class just reeking of horrible odors. I never tried it or had the desire to try it. I guess you can call me ‘old-fashioned’ :-) :-). People who did it just never appealed to me - or were just not the type of people I (personally) wanted to spend time or be associated with. Just my personal preferences - likewise- if people don’t like the way I live - I certainly wouldn’t want to force it on anyone - either. To each his/her own!

Also, I just have this impression that someone has to deal with ‘shady’ characters to acquire drugs. And if someone is willing to do that - I just prefer to keep my distance from them. I could be wrong - but that is how I feel - you are all free to feel the way you want - as long as you aren’t endangering others - go for it! If you want to use drugs or drink until you are tipsy - go for it - I just hope and pray you stay away from the golf cart or car until you are sober.

I don’t think I am better than you or you are better than me - just a personal preference - it is just not the type of lifestyle I want to associate with - I believe everyone has free will to make those lifestyle decisions for themselves - they can live with the consequences - if any.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Petersweeney

The tax gains from sales are offset by the people who are are on public assistance b/c of MJ abuse -lazy and unemployable….basic fact that you won’t hear about from MSM….

Except that 75% of Americans have used MJ, and 30% are using it. Sorry, you are incorrect. But, if you have some references to support that I would love to read them.

[JeanC]

Originally Posted by Art cov

A friend just came back from New Orleans. Where he stayed (French quarter) it’s legal there. He said the place stunk with pot smoking and every corner had people selling it. It’s a amazing cigarette smoking is so bad for people’s health, but pot smoking does so good. Nothing bad, it stinks and destroys in the long run. Most kids who smoke weed, start with it but then try other drugs. I remember how at bus stops some of the kids smelled the bus when they got on after smoking a joint. I guess if it was in the brownies and not smoked we would’ve only knew because of their yeah man speech. But they were 13 yr olds. If you sit out on the lanai and the smoke drifts to you, what do you think? Remember pot smokers enjoy company who indulge with them. Hey, the dancing will change at the squares, it could be entertaining!

You do realize NOLA stinks with or without pot.

Also FYI. Most pot these days are being consumed via dab pen. It’s almost odorless. I’ve seen folks use them in the squares and in the golf course. You would never know it.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

As of last year, there were around 4000 people already in jail and serving time for "possession" of marijuana as the primary charge. Fewer than 10% of cannibis-related incarcerations were for trafficking. Possession alone can incur up to 7 years in federal prison. It doesn't usually, but it can. It's on the books.

It doesn't even matter if it's 7 years, or 7 days. Once you're in for possession, you are a convicted criminal and your chances of getting a decent job are down the tubes.

Please read my previous post about what they were "really" arrested for...

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It should be legalized, not just decriminalized. The Florida law is a joke, designed to make money for the state, and for the doctors who pretend to be regulating the sale of Marijuana to only those who have a medical condition. In Florida, anyone who wants a license to buy Marijuana can get one, if they are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money every year to the doctors and to the state. The screening process is totally ineffective.

I agree 100% with this post. I went for a screening. After spending about five minutes with an assistant a doctor came in and told me that I was eligible and signed a paper. I was then told that I had to pay $350 for that visit plus $75 for the license and then about $150 month for the product. After that, the license has to be renewed every ten months.

I provided no proof or even evidence of the conditions that I have. They simply took my word. I got the impression that no one gets turned down. The whole thing seemed like an assembly line process.

When I objected to the $350 charge, I was told that if I didn't want to pay, they wouldn't put the paperwork through. I said that that was fine and walked out.

The whole thing currently is a scam. It ought to be sold in liquor stores just like alcohol is.

I tried some that a friend with a license had and found it did nothing to relieve my pain. I also repeatedly asked the nurse and doctor if I had to stay high all the time in order to relieve my pain or if there were residual effects and could not get a straight answer.

People are simply claiming ailments, some of which may be legitimate, but buying this for recreation purposes.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It should be legalized, not just decriminalized. The Florida law is a joke, designed to make money for the state, and for the doctors who pretend to be regulating the sale of Marijuana to only those who have a medical condition. In Florida, anyone who wants a license to buy Marijuana can get one, if they are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money every year to the doctors and to the state. The screening process is totally ineffective.

Very true. Especially ’The Florida law is … designed to make money for the state and for the doctors who pretend to be regulating the sale of Marijuana [due] to … a medical condition…. if they are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money every year to the doctors and to the state This is the law, and I follow it, knowing that this is the primary medication that is preventing greater—or possibly complete—loss of what little is left of my eyesight due to glaucoma.

In other states where marijuana is legal, for example Washington, the cost can be half, more or less, of what it is here, there are no ridiculously high—and ongoing—fees to state and doctor, and yes it’s true too that those who use it recreationally can buy it as freely as they can buy liquor.

I cannot even go through security at the airport, since TSA is federal and thus illegal; documented medical necessity is irrelevant. Does this make sense?

Originally Posted by Petersweeney

The tax gains from sales are offset by the people who are are on public assistance b/c of MJ abuse -lazy and unemployable….basic fact that you won’t hear about from MSM….

Please provide documentation for what otherwise sounds like a glibly stated opinion. I can speak only for myself when I say that I am not ‘lazy,’ ‘unemployable’ (though I am retired), and most certainly not on ‘public assistance’! Thank you. (And what is ‘MSM’?)

[DanBrew]

It is a very attractive plant. Why you can't grow a few on your own lanai baffles me. The DEA runs a cost of around $3.1 billion per year and the flippin IRS can't give me my $9k back they owe me. It is yet another failed federal government program that sucks cash from taxpayers. The feds will never decriminalize it for that reason. Remember, there is but one thing that creates bureacracies, and that is bureaucrats.