For school what is your'r thoughts

[bobbymcco]

Please tell me your thoughts on the subject!

The legalization of marijuana in Colorado has been overall good for the economy. As an industry it provides millions of tax revenue dollars to both state and local funds. In addition to providing the funding for the licensing and regulation of the industry, the funds are used for a variety of benefits such as education and treatment programs that might otherwise go unfunded. Legalizing marijuana on a national level would expand the revenue benefit to a federal level through the provision of jobs and tax revenue. In addition, legalization on a federal level would enable marijuana companies to list their stocks on all U.S. exchanges and enable investors to invest in a manner similar to the alcohol industry.

One of the drawbacks to the marijuana industry in Colorado has been that like cigarettes, marijuana smoke has been found to be carcinogenic. While THC has been found to inhibit carcinogens, researchers warn that marijuana smoke is still carcinogenic. Another drawback is the potential for abuse and addiction. Research has found that the THC levels has increase as much as 300% since 1960. The effect of this is to increase intoxication-related risks such as car crashes. The state of Colorado has identified this as a growing trend. However, overall, the legalization have been of benefit.

Anderson, L. (2018) Marijuana: effects, medical uses and legalization.

Colorado Department of Revenue (2018) Marijuana tax data. Colorado Department of Revenue.

Colorado Division of Criminal Justice Publishes Report on Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado (2018) Colorado Department of Public Safety.

Denver Women’s Recovery (2018) What it’s like living in a state where marijuana is legal. Denver Women’s Recovery.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Please tell me your thoughts on the subject!

My state (Massachusetts) has recently legalized recreational marijuana. I personally voted against it, however, because I think it will lead to an increase in driving while under the influence. Some of my concerns are: the difficulty of testing for marijuana as compared to alcohol, the variable length of time it can stay in your system, and the unpredictable strength of the samples people may be using (because I still think many people will avoid the taxes by buying it illegally).

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/car-crashes-higher-in-states-with-legal-marijuana-study-finds/

 

[piccolopat]

Employers will still have their drug free policies, especially those in states where having such a policy gives them a discount on their Workers Comp premiums. With alcohol you can get drunk on a Friday night and it will be out of your system by Monday morning. My understanding is that is not the case with marijuana. It may be legal in your state, but if it is in your system when your employer does random drug testing, you will still lose your job. I'm also concerned with DUI for the same reason. If it weren't for the lure of tax revenues, I'm not sure if these states would have pursued legalization.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

My state, Illinois, seems to be on the brink of legalizing recreational marijuana when the new Governor takes office.

My biggest concern is DUI. From what I understand, there aren't good testing methods. Not sure you can administer the same field sobriety tests.

As guess working for a DUI attorney, we may see an increase in clients as all of this works its way through the court system.

 

[cabanafrau]

I do think it has very valid uses for medicinal purposes. Outside of that realm, my personal observations over several years of observing a rather large proportion of long-term recreational users leads me to believe it's much less benign and not nearly the mellowing agent widely assumed. It's pretty eye opening to stack the mellow, stoner image up against the usage and consumption present in the number of domestic violence, burglary, robbery, assault and other violent crimes.

 

[LSUmiss]

I do think it has very valid uses for medicinal purposes. Outside of that realm, my personal observations over several years of observing a rather large proportion of long-term recreational users leads me to believe it's much less benign and not nearly the mellowing agent widely assumed. It's pretty eye opening to stack the mellow, stoner image up against the usage and consumption present in the number of domestic violence, burglary, robbery, assault and other violent crimes.

Agreed. And, I used to work in substance abuse. You can absolutely be addicted to marijuana. It’s not as innocuous as ppl like to believe. But, you can be addicted to alcohol too so that to me has nothing to do with it’s illegality.

 

[cabanafrau]

Agreed. And, I used to work in substance abuse. You can absolutely be addicted to marijuana. It’s not as innocuous as ppl like to believe. But, you can be addicted to alcohol too so that to me has nothing to do with it’s illegality.

From what I've seen many who are addicted to marijuana are in that position for much the same reason alcoholics are addicted to alcohol -- looking to escape or muffle things they don't want to acknowledge or deal with. A lot of the spinout plays out very much the same as the savage destruction alcohol can leave behind too.

 

[LSUmiss]

From what I've seen many who are addicted to marijuana are in that position for much the same reason alcoholics are addicted to alcohol -- looking to escape or muffle things they don't want to acknowledge or deal with. A lot of the spinout plays out very much the same as the savage destruction alcohol can leave behind too.

And I witnessed even more denial b/c most of the marijuana addicts believed it was impossible to be addicted.

 

[cabanafrau]

And I witnessed even more denial b/c most of the marijuana addicts believed it was impossible to be addicted.

Absolutely. I see it play out in a different arena, but it's the same defensive denial. Because so many cling so hard to the idea that "nothing proves marijuana is addictive" mantra I worry that legalization is going to simply shift a bunch of vulnerable people from choosing alcohol to making "a healthier choice" of marijuana to self medicate -- and winding up on the same road to nowhere. That harmless idea of even daily marijuana usage makes the mj addicts double down all the more viciously -- literally.

 

[amberpi]

I'm all for legalization - but I'm for legalization of everything hoping that there will be less IV drug disease, less crime, less ods due to bad drugs (I think that's a thing, right?), increased funds to go toward recovery programs, and less people in jail for being addicts. That said, if they legalized it here, I wouldn't be running out to start smoking, I just think it's a better solution for a crap issue. I feel the same way about prostitution. Protect the sex workers and tax what is already happening.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Its to hard to test, to hard to know what level you are at. See no reason for legalizing as it would lower liquor taxes as more people choose this recreation over vodka.
Though i cannot see why anyone would choose anything over vodka.
Medically I'm all for it.
As for the less to do bad drugs.
I would think that would increase.
Bad drugs are often cheaper alternative to get high.
I would think they become more prevalent.

 

[sjrec]

I struggle with this. For medical usage, no question. Why shouldn’t someone use marijuana for pain relief instead of powerful painkillers? And for usage to be a major crime seems way out of proportion.
I worry about people (especially young adults) that are already taking certain types of medications (ex. for anti anxiety) and use them with marijuana when the long term effects of doing that aren’t known.

 

[brockash]

Please tell me your thoughts on the subject!

The legalization of marijuana in Colorado has been overall good for the economy. As an industry it provides millions of tax revenue dollars to both state and local funds. In addition to providing the funding for the licensing and regulation of the industry, the funds are used for a variety of benefits such as education and treatment programs that might otherwise go unfunded. Legalizing marijuana on a national level would expand the revenue benefit to a federal level through the provision of jobs and tax revenue. In addition, legalization on a federal level would enable marijuana companies to list their stocks on all U.S. exchanges and enable investors to invest in a manner similar to the alcohol industry.

One of the drawbacks to the marijuana industry in Colorado has been that like cigarettes, marijuana smoke has been found to be carcinogenic. While THC has been found to inhibit carcinogens, researchers warn that marijuana smoke is still carcinogenic. Another drawback is the potential for abuse and addiction. Research has found that the THC levels has increase as much as 300% since 1960. The effect of this is to increase intoxication-related risks such as car crashes. The state of Colorado has identified this as a growing trend. However, overall, the legalization have been of benefit.

Anderson, L. (2018) Marijuana: effects, medical uses and legalization.

Colorado Department of Revenue (2018) Marijuana tax data. Colorado Department of Revenue.

Colorado Division of Criminal Justice Publishes Report on Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado (2018) Colorado Department of Public Safety.

Denver Women’s Recovery (2018) What it’s like living in a state where marijuana is legal. Denver Women’s Recovery.

As a fo

My state (Massachusetts) has recently legalized recreational marijuana. I personally voted against it, however, because I think it will lead to an increase in driving while under the influence. Some of my concerns are: the difficulty of testing for marijuana as compared to alcohol, the variable length of time it can stay in your system, and the unpredictable strength of the samples people may be using (because I still think many people will avoid the taxes by buying it illegally).

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/car-crashes-higher-in-states-with-legal-marijuana-study-finds/

These are basically my feelings as well, along with the message that it sends to young ppl. I'm a school counselor and I can't tell you how many high school kids tell me how they don't thing there's anything wrong with marijuana, don't believe it's a gateway drug and honestly some truly think it has health benefits (not in terms of feeling less pain etc., but that it actually keeps them healthy.) I was shocked and thought they were kidding, but some truly think like this because states are legalizing it. I also think there is definitely a population of ppl. who would never think of doing something illegal, but if it's legal, the mindsets change and it's not really a big deal, it's just a choice etc.

I will also say that on a criminal justice standpoint; many times drugs is the most efficient way to catch, convict violent criminals. Sure, there are some ppl. who totally live a clean life, except for their minor drug dealing, but the vast majority of drug dealers live a pretty constant criminal life committing many many crimes, but the drug possession, selling, manufacturing etc. has the most concrete evidence; who h is often the best/only way to get them taken out of society for a certain period of time. Before I became a counselor I was a paralegal and I can't tell you how many times we couldn't take extremely violent criminals to trial for their violent crimes due to victims recanting (mainly dv and gang related cases) not enough solid evidence etc., but were able to easily get convictions on the drug charges. While many who support the legalization of certain drugs heavily condem all of these "non-violent" criminals incarcerated for half their lives and tax payers footing the bill over all of these "minor drug offences" because they portray the picture that they're just harmless addicts; the truth is, it is just not the case 95% of the time.

Having said all of that, I 100% support the medical use of marijuana.

 

[LSUmiss]

As a fo

These are basically my feelings as well, along with the message that it sends to young ppl. I'm a school counselor and I can't tell you how many high school kids tell me how they don't thing there's anything wrong with marijuana, don't believe it's a gateway drug and honestly some truly think it has health benefits (not in terms of feeling less pain etc., but that it actually keeps them healthy.) I was shocked and thought they were kidding, but some truly think like this because states are legalizing it. I also think there is definitely a population of ppl. who would never think of doing something illegal, but if it's legal, the mindsets change and it's not really a big deal, it's just a choice etc.

I will also say that on a criminal justice standpoint; many times drugs is the most efficient way to catch, convict violent criminals. Sure, there are some ppl. who totally live a clean life, except for their minor drug dealing, but the vast majority of drug dealers live a pretty constant criminal life committing many many crimes, but the drug possession, selling, manufacturing etc. has the most concrete evidence; who h is often the best/only way to get them taken out of society for a certain period of time. Before I became a counselor I was a paralegal and I can't tell you how many times we couldn't take extremely violent criminals to trial for their violent crimes due to victims recanting (mainly dv and gang related cases) not enough solid evidence etc., but were able to easily get convictions on the drug charges. While many who support the legalization of certain drugs heavily condem all of these "non-violent" criminals incarcerated for half their lives and tax payers footing the bill over all of these "minor drug offences" because they portray the picture that they're just harmless addicts; the truth is, it is just not the case 95% of the time.

Having said all of that, I 100% support the medical use of marijuana.

I used to do adolescent substance abuse treatment too & heard all of the things you mentioned. And I used to tell them even if it were legalized here, it will never be legal for a kid your age to use it!

 

[brockash]

I used to do adolescent substance abuse treatment too & heard all of the things you mentioned. And I used to tell them even if it were legalized here, it will never be legal for a kid your age to use it!

Right, but I think the legalization of it period changes the mindset... Sure it's not currently legal for you to use, just like it's not legal for you to buy tobacco, drink, vote etc., but it will be shortly. When I was in high school, even though alcohol was illegal, I didn't see alcohol as big of a deal as marijuana and alcohol was much more readily available as it was basically in everyone's house as opposed to marijuana. - Of course it would not have been difficult to get marijuana either, but I think societies view of legalizing something changes, no matter the age restrictions.

 

[luvsJack]

I support the legalization of it. It may not be "better" than alcohol but its not any worse.

The National Institute for Drug Abuse doesn't classify it as "addiction" but as Marijuana Use Disorder that CAN lead to addiction but doesn't always.

Legalization would give more control over it. What's in it, who gets it, how its sold, etc.

Its illegal now and probably easier to get than alcohol for a 15 year old. Legalize it and some of that goes away.

As for the other crimes committed, aggression, etc. Do you realize how often alcohol is involved in violent attacks and crimes? And yet, its still legal.

There just isn't a clear argument for marijuana being illegal and alcohol being legal. We tried making alcohol illegal, it didn't work.

 

[HeatherC]

I personally, think it is much more insidious than most may realize. For medical reasons, I’m fine with it. Otherwise, I do believe ingesting any foreign substance into your lungs can’t be good for the body. Common sense tells me that.

It also affects the brain and actually changes the structure of the brain. That can’t be great for your body either.

I also believe a lot of the stuff I see and hear about in the news is because people or kids are not thinking with clear heads as a result of using it far too much. It does, after all, stay in your system for up to a month. I know it clouds thinking.. In the past couple days, I have seen news stories of young adults flipping out and harming others. I believe if they were testing for marijuana it would show up in a lot of their systems. Just heard of a 20 year old getting out of his car and beating an elderly man because he was driving too slow. Another one I heard of is a 24 year old came home asking to borrow money from the parents and when they didn’t give him enough he stabbed them several times.
Can I prove it is related to Marijuana ? Not at all. But I believe we are hearing more of these stories because people are using it more and their heads are not clear.

To me it can be likened to alcohol. Some people can drink socially and responsible and live normal lives. Others can’t and it changes them and destroys lives and makes them act in ways they normally wouldn’t.

When I hear these stories, I always wish there was a study done of how many of these violent arrests are a result of drugs, marijuana and alcohol.

 

[Kitty 34]

Michigan just past the law this fall so OP I will get back with you if you're still around......

 

[mrodgers]

My belief is there isn't a study done that doesn't have an agenda behind it. It's difficult for me to believe a study done on marijuana when it was advocated for so long with falsehoods to keep it a "bad thing." Now I'm suppose to believe what the "experts" say when there are billion dollar industries threatened by the legalization of the plant?

What I do have is personal experience, a LOT of personal experience. Was probably one of the biggest pot smokers back in the late 80's and early 90's in my town. What I managed to do while embracing the activity was work almost full time in high school, graduate high school, continue working at the same job while going to college going through essentially 4 years of credits in a 2 year associates degree, graduate, get a "real" job, and maintain that "real" job for 24 years as currently 5th in non-management seniority over 15 (I think) facilities worldwide. The only thing that keeps me from management is I'm too bull headed to fit into the politics of management. I'm a worker and couldn't do a pencil pushing job. Quit when I met my (ex)wife.

My experience with addiction is, you find out you're out of pot and you're really bummed out. Then you go on with your day as normal.

Prior to legalization around the country, I don't believe there is a single pot smoker who would tell you truthfully they have not driven under the influence. Personal experience back in the day, it is VERY difficult to drive.... the speed limit or above. I would not do this today, but my experience tells me that the idiots on their phones all over the roads is FAR more detrimental than people smoking pot.

Current experience in the workforce, every day there are people at work who smoked on the way to work, hid behind inventory or other areas during the work day, and smoked on lunch break. This is production workers up through upper management.

Look around your neighborhood whether in a legal or illegal state. You live with pot smokers. You work with pot smokers. You go roam around the grocery store with pot smokers. You are already driving every day with pot smokers. You are going to the gym with pot smokers. You are going out to eat with pot smokers. They are out there... everywhere you look. You just don't know it.

 

[low-key]

I say dope for everyone