Should Pot be Legal?

[mawilson 2,133]

not exactly decriminalized when there is a fine you have to pay, eh?

You have to pay a fine for illegal parking too, Charles. Do you think illegal parking is criminal too?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

it is when there is no criminal penalties - no prison time or criminal record for possession of a small amount for personal consumption. It is treated like a minor traffic violation.

[doodlebug 3]

Sorry, but I think you have no idea what you're talking about. All speculation or hasty conclusions drawn from limited exposure...

All in all I think that many people would be surprised to learn who among their acquaintances are habitual pot smokers. They tend to lead pretty ordinary lives, go to work, get everything they need to get done done.

I am not speculating. I know. They are dumb because they are not scientists or an engineer. And, they don't earn high grades in school. Eventhough they live ordinary life, which anyone would be able to live ordinary anyhow, doesn't mean you have to be a pot user to do so.

Ok, confession time. Up until I took my present job I was a daily smoker. The only reason I stopped is because of the random tests I must submit to. While I am not a doctor or engineer I am doing exactly the job I always wanted to do and I dare say I am successful at it. My job requires analytical and logical thinking to solve complex problems. It also requires a good memory.

I have always kept my smoking at home, after work as any responsible drinker would do. I never went to work stoned and I don't drive while under the influence. I made straight A's in college and graduated at the top of my class.

There are people that don't do anything with their lives for reasons other than smoking pot. You can't blame the pot for their lack of ambition but you can blame it on their own lack of drive to succeed.

aren't they supposed to give you some type of notice for the tests? I mean I know they're random but I still thought you got about 24 hours notice or something. I read somewhere if you drink like a gallon of green tea the night before and keep on drinking water water water the day of, while taking a vitamin b vitamin that morning so the pee is yellow, you'll pass with flying colors. I wouldn't just do it though, I'd try it out using a kit myself first to see if it really works. That is if I were someone who actually smoked the stuff.

[Fandango 1,440]

Sorry, but I think you have no idea what you're talking about. All speculation or hasty conclusions drawn from limited exposure...

All in all I think that many people would be surprised to learn who among their acquaintances are habitual pot smokers. They tend to lead pretty ordinary lives, go to work, get everything they need to get done done.

I am not speculating. I know. They are dumb because they are not scientists or an engineer. And, they don't earn high grades in school. Eventhough they live ordinary life, which anyone would be able to live ordinary anyhow, doesn't mean you have to be a pot user to do so.

Ok, confession time. Up until I took my present job I was a daily smoker. The only reason I stopped is because of the random tests I must submit to. While I am not a doctor or engineer I am doing exactly the job I always wanted to do and I dare say I am successful at it. My job requires analytical and logical thinking to solve complex problems. It also requires a good memory.

I have always kept my smoking at home, after work as any responsible drinker would do. I never went to work stoned and I don't drive while under the influence. I made straight A's in college and graduated at the top of my class.

There are people that don't do anything with their lives for reasons other than smoking pot. You can't blame the pot for their lack of ambition but you can blame it on their own lack of drive to succeed.

aren't they supposed to give you some type of notice for the tests? I mean I know they're random but I still thought you got about 24 hours notice or something. I read somewhere if you drink like a gallon of green tea the night before and keep on drinking water water water the day of, while taking a vitamin b vitamin that morning so the pee is yellow, you'll pass with flying colors. I wouldn't just do it though, I'd try it out using a kit myself first to see if it really works. That is if I were someone who actually smoked the stuff.

Yeah, they send you an email sayin 'go drink the green tea tonite cos your random drug test is tomorrow'

[irishgirl73 0]

yes I think it should be legal.................smoke away people smoke away

[Savanphil 3]

sure why not...

[Reynaldo 0]

shouldn't it?

[GaryC 7]

aren't they supposed to give you some type of notice for the tests? I mean I know they're random but I still thought you got about 24 hours notice or something. I read somewhere if you drink like a gallon of green tea the night before and keep on drinking water water water the day of, while taking a vitamin b vitamin that morning so the pee is yellow, you'll pass with flying colors. I wouldn't just do it though, I'd try it out using a kit myself first to see if it really works. That is if I were someone who actually smoked the stuff.

No warning, they just tell you when you show up for work to go to the clinic. I am now a supervisor/specialist so I don't have to worry about the random tests now but if I get hurt with anything more than a scratch I would still have to be tested. I used the tea's that you refer to. They do work. I also used some sort of a pill that you drink with massive amounts of water and they also work. But you need at least 4 hours head start for that. I have gotten out of the habbit for the last 2 years. I don't really miss it much but would partake if a friend offered. For me it was always the same as someone drinking a few beers after work. It was a way to relax and unwind.

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

not exactly decriminalized when there is a fine you have to pay, eh?

You have to pay a fine for illegal parking too, Charles. Do you think illegal parking is criminal too?

garner enough parking tickets and find out

[Otto 83]

aren't they supposed to give you some type of notice for the tests? I mean I know they're random but I still thought you got about 24 hours notice or something. I read somewhere if you drink like a gallon of green tea the night before and keep on drinking water water water the day of, while taking a vitamin b vitamin that morning so the pee is yellow, you'll pass with flying colors. I wouldn't just do it though, I'd try it out using a kit myself first to see if it really works. That is if I were someone who actually smoked the stuff.

No warning, they just tell you when you show up for work to go to the clinic. I am now a supervisor/specialist so I don't have to worry about the random tests now but if I get hurt with anything more than a scratch I would still have to be tested. I used the tea's that you refer to. They do work. I also used some sort of a pill that you drink with massive amounts of water and they also work. But you need at least 4 hours head start for that. I have gotten out of the habbit for the last 2 years. I don't really miss it much but would partake if a friend offered. For me it was always the same as someone drinking a few beers after work. It was a way to relax and unwind.

Message to all - no matter what they tell you, it's almost never 'random'...

[deemabrouk 0]

Well... I gotta say I became a Believer in making it legal After I went to Amsterdam... The Main reason being.. The Police over there didnt even Carry Arms (guns)/ or weapons, It felt completely Safe there at all times.. the people were SO Polite.. the Netherlands has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_...ders-per-capita

Netherlands;

Variable Amount/description Rank

Crime > Assaults 44,129 [14th of 58]

Crime > Car thefts (per capita) 2.33559 per 1,000 people [15th of 55]

Crime > Drug offences 47 per 100,000 people [20th of 36]

Crime > Illicit drugs

major European producer of ecstasy, illicit amphetamines, and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering

Crime > Murders 183 [40th of 63]

Crime > Murders (per capita) 0.0111538 per 1,000 people [51st of 62]

Crime > Rapes 1,648 [20th of 66]

Crime > Rapes (per capita) 0.100445 per 1,000 people [22nd of 65]

Crime > Total crimes 1,305,640 [14th of 61]

Crime > Total crimes (per capita) 79.5779 per 1,000 people

USA;

Variable Amount/description Rank

Crime > Assaults 2,238,480 [1st of 58]

Crime > Car thefts (per capita) 3.8795 per 1,000 people [9th of 55]

Crime > Murders 12,658 [6th of 63]

Crime > Murders (per capita) 0.042802 per 1,000 people [24th of 62]

Crime > Murders with firearms 8,259 [4th of 32]

Crime > Murders with firearms (per capita) 0.0279271 per 1,000 people [8th of 32]

Crime > Rapes 89,110 [1st of 66]

Crime > Rapes (per capita) 0.301318 per 1,000 people [9th of 65]

Crime > Total crimes 23,677,800 [1st of 61]

Crime > Total crimes (per capita) 80.0645 per 1,000 people [8th of 60]

[deemabrouk 0]

And I'll add this to.. Once you make something forbidden - it becomes even more desirable.. EXAMPLE.. in the Italian household drinking wine is a normal thing.. Kid were always offered a sip.. depending on the age.. you could even get a little glass of the red wine on the table.. America has put a a "forbidden" twist on something like this.. and Alcoholism is Much more of a problem in the States than in Italy were wine and water are like the same thing

"In Italy, in contrast to America, drinking is institutionalized as part of family life and dietary and religious custom; alcohol (wine) is introduced early in life, within the context of the family, and as a traditional accompaniment to meals and a healthful way of enhancing the diet. Drinking is not, as it is in America, associated with transformation of status from adolescence to adulthood; alcohol use is not an illicit activity for Italian youth; and heavy, consistent use of alcohol in Italy does not carry with it the same `problem' connotation that it does in America. Such an approach to the socialization of alcohol use should make it less likely in Italy than in America that drinking will be learned as a way of trying to solve personal problems or of coping with inadequacy and failure." Jessor, R., et al., "Perceived Opportunity, Alienation, and Drinking Behavior Among Italian and American Youth," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

I think the same situation can be put toward MaryJane....

[randolady 1]

I say yes! The fact that it is currently illegal doesn't prevent people from smoking up. There are a lot of benefits to legalizing pot, such as government regulation of the quality and clearing out jails/prisons of harmless smokers.

[ace13 0]

I wonder what a pack of Marlboro Greens would cost? Would we tax it to death? Would it end up cheaper than it is on the black market? Hmmm.

How is legalized pot working in other countries, like the Netherlands?

[homesick_american 1]

I say legalize it and tax the hell out of it. Then we can focus our efforts on more harmful drugs like cocaine and heroin.