Called my wife's sister this am and told her about the "recreational marijuana" bill passing in California and she said "that's all we need here now". The Bill for recreational marijuana passed in California. We are now hoping that many who are thinking about moving to Colorado, where recreational marijuana is also legal, will stay in California. A lot of young folks moved to the Denver metro area after pot was legalized in the state. Due to this Bill passing, Pot Shops popped up all over Denver metro and now the same will happen in California, especially in So California where all the "hip" cities are.
I was surprised about that one because Fresno wouldn't even allow medical... Well, I won't be buying any....I'm not the old hippie type, wasn't the young hippie type either...tried it once when I was about 24 and didn't care for it, never touched it again. I don't have a problem with some who like to do it on occasion instead of a drink maybe...but every day and you become unproductive. Hopefully people won't be driving while smoking pot, bad enough some drink and drive. There are some scary people on the road.
I think that we should not be having people who are in prison for nothing worse than using pot. Personally, I can't see why it should be any more illegal than drinking is. If done in moderation, and in a safe environment, I think that smoking pot is probably no worse on our body than the intoxication poisoning from drinking alcohol is. It is not legal to be driving under the influence of ANY drug, so people doing that would still be arrested , just like if they were drunk.
From my past medical experience, in both Emergency Medical Services and Senior Health Care, why add another thing that can/does in pare a person that is using it? Just like alcohol and drugs, being high from smoking marijuana, can cause deaths in vehicle accidents, domestic violence and other criminal things. I've been to accidents where the person wasn't drinking or using drugs, but had been or was smoking marijuana. Being high from MJ can cause a death in a vehicle accident which ends up being Vehicular Manslaughter to the person who was high. Vehicular Manslaughter is a prison sentence. Other people go to prison due to marijuana can definitely be due to being a dealer and grower of numerous plants. Yes, if it's not legalized, people can buy pot underground, but seeing Pot Shops and large pot growing/selling industries popping up all over the place sure isn't my idea of a good society. Perhaps Ken could chime in on this, since he was in Emergency Medical as well.
One thing too is people react differently. The reason I never touched it again was my first experience was not good. I'm a believer of what you do in your home is fine with me, as long as you stay home and don't endanger my life or anyone else's driving. Some people shouldn't be driving anyway in my opinion.
Chrissy, gotta watch saying "I'm a believer of what you do in your home is fine with me". Why? Lots of criminal activity occurs in the home by people. And, unfortunately, a lot, and I do mean "a lot" of folks don't stay at home, when they should. My "smoking pot" experience wasn't bad, back in the mid 70's. Didn't do it much, but did hit a Bong and joint at times. Back then, my ex-BIL made Bongs out of the Sparkletts Water Bottles. The large bottle that sit on top (upside down) of a cooler. One hit and listening to Steppenwolf or Led Zepplin.......WOW!!
Okay, I believe in doing anything you want in your home as long as it's legal. So, that would mean..no meth lab. I would be okay with zero tolerance laws. That's what they had in Hungary and I never heard of many accidents especially ones caused by drunk drivers. Hungary was very lenient on what age you had to be to get a drink but very strict on driving with even one drink. When we lived there my son visited and he was 19 and he was served beer without even showing an ID.
A similar bill passed in Maine too. Although I was opposed to all of our referendum items, that was the one I was the least concerned with. I don't think it was necessary but I don't really care. I would have rather they simply removed the laws pertaining to the plant altogether and let parents police their children rather than the police, and let adults do what they want. As it was, the only referendum item that lost in Maine was the gun banning one.
Unfortunately, Ken, a lot of parents of today don't "police" their kids. A lot of parents don't know half of the things their kids do away from home and sometimes, even at home. A lot of kids will admit "my parents don't know some of the things I do and I'm glad they don't". Also, unfortunately, some parents are extremely liberal and plainly don't care what their kids do. For example, I loved spending the weekend with my cousin's when I was in high school. Why? Their parents were very, very liberal, whereas my step-parents definitely were not. On Saturday night, my cousin's parents went bowling (bowling league). After they left, it was like "let the party begin" to my cousin's and I joined in. Can't remember if we drank any alcohol, but we sure brought out snacks, had fun and laughed out butts off. Had the house cleaned up before they came home. As far as "letting adults do what they want", I'm 100% sure that's there are a lot of adults out there that would love hearing you say that.
My daughter and I know exactly what my 17 yr old grandson does. So far so good...not saying he's not had a drink at a party because he's admitted it but he'll spend the night at that person's house or call his parents for a ride. That is a very strict rule...you drink, you don't drive...if you do...you can take the bus because your new car will be taken away. He gets that. At family celebrations my daughter will allow him a glass of wine or similar...she knows he will be going to college away from home in sept and doesn't want him to go all crazy. I also read his twitter acct which is pretty telling and so far nothing horrid. He does have friends over when parents aren't always home but the liquor cabinet and the wine fridges are locked. My daughter also bought a breathalyzer but she hasn't used it....she would though if he drove home and looked like he had a drink.
What is funny, not really, but, is what the parents of a teen will say when the teen is arrested for robbery, armed robbery, car jacking or even murder........"he's not that kind of kid." Just how many parents know their teen is part of a gang and/or deals drugs? Parents will act so shocked when their teen is arrested for something. And, sometimes, the kid who gets arrested isn't even a teen yet. Heck, I remember, when I was in my Senior year in high school and bought my first car for $75. I could drive it in our driveway, but wasn't allowed to take it out on the road (old dirt County road) because I didn't have my license or insurance yet. However, when my step-parents would go to the store in town, I'd drive it down the road to the highway. Turn it around and drive back to the farm. Luckily, nobody was on the road when I was, so nobody ever mentioned to my step-parents that they had seen me driving it. But, do remember one time, I had just pulled into the driveway at home, got out of the car, looked down the road and seen my step-parents car coming. There was still some dust in the air from my car, but they didn't see me on the road or go into the driveway. I did end up getting my license, insurance and driving to school a few weeks before I graduated. Again, sometimes, parents who say they know what their kids are up to, do they really?
Some do, some don't...depends on a lot of things...also wether if it's minor or major. My parents knew I didn't do anything wrong and they were right. I knew my daughter had a drink or two at some parties but she never got in trouble in any way...almost once. In college she had a fake ID and got caught but nothing happened. She only told me years later...she was maybe 20.
Parents who don't pay attention or care what their kids are doing are unlikely to produce responsible children regardless of laws and police actions. Of course, some kids will turn out okay regardless, just as others will go bad despite parental efforts. Nevertheless, it is not the responsibility of the government or police to raise our children, and I strongly believe that it is not in the best interest of society as a whole to encourage it. Personally, I would not enroll another child of mine in a public school. I have been a foster parent, a single father of an adopted son, and my wife and I have raised our nephew, whom we homeschooled, and that was by far the superior option. I know several parents who are raising responsible children so I know that it can be done. However, if the parents don't care, I don't think that the police are a good substitute.
This is one area I didn't an excellent job in..raising my children. They are intelligent, moral, kind, honest and hard working people. They went to public schools but I can't complain, we always lived in very good school districts. At home I made sure they were doing what they were supposed to. Besides my husband my entire goal and focus were my kids. Yes, I didn't work so that gave me the time to do it. I stressed education and morals. They weren't spoiled at all, I was probably on the stricter side but still gave them love and affection. They had well balanced lives. Personality wise they are like night and day...very different but I think heredity plays a part in that. My son is the mellow one, like I am, and my daughter is more the go getter like her dad. I couldn't be any prouder or happier with my 2 kids...you reap what you sow is very true in my case. I'm also seeing my kids following in my footsteps as they raise their children. So that also makes me happy. It's harder for them as they all work but they still do an excellent job.
Usually bong opens highways to better and more dangerous and exotic drugs like Heroin. I helped bury 3 of my young friend who OD'd and it was hard to take. wiki