Marijuana Legalization

[DrLeftover]

And we should discuss impairment that endangers others, whatever the source.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Sources tell CBS 3 that blood tests on the crane operator involved with Wednesday’s deadly building collapse in Center City detected the presence of a prescription painkiller and marijuana.

The blood, along with urine, was taken from 42-year-old Sean Benschop at the hospital approximately two hours after the collapse at 22nd and Market Streets, which killed six people and injured 13.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/06/07/sources-crane-operator-in-building-collapse-had-pot-painkiller-in-his-system/

 

[DrLeftover]

One thing I do find interesting in the recreational use debate is that most supporters of legalization for said use ignore the hazards of breathing in the smoke. No, marijuana does not have the chemistry book's worth of ingredients found in commercially produced cigarettes, but it is still smoke. And breathing any smoke is not the best thing in the world for your lungs and there have been very few clinical studies of the long term effects of doing so.

 

[DrLeftover]

Nobody is lobbying Congress to legalize factory smoke for recreational use.

And, to an earlier point, what do you want to know about "where I'm coming from" for underage users? I'm "coming from" the same place as everybody else with underage drinkers, underage drivers, underage sex, and underage voting. All are crimes of one degree or another and subject to whatever penalty is mandated by law in the local jurisdiction.

Why should pot be different?

 

[DrLeftover]

So in spite of the current war on tobacco, the wide eyed idealists are all in favor of allowing, perhaps even encouraging, others, including school age children to develop the smoking habit. Only smoking something other than tobacco, which, when legalized, will also be commercialized, and you'll have RJ REYNOLDS weed in packs available at the corner store.

Or am I missing a key point in the discussion?

 

[DrLeftover]

What war on tobacco and if legalized why would it be advertised and sold in stores as you suggested?

We'll take these one at a time.

How many examples do you want? Are three to begin with OK?

To protect the people of Florida from the dangers of tobacco.

http://www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/Contents-13/Tobacco-Free-Beaches-Parks-The-Issue/

Smoke-Free Entryways and/or Sidewalk Laws in San Diego County

El Cajon Municipal Code 8.32
Sidewalks and Entryways – All public places
Del Mar Municipal Code11.08
Sidwalks – All sidewalks and those segments of any street lined with a sidewalk. This provision applies to all streets and sidewalks to which the public is provided regular access but does not apply to private residential property.
Solana Beach Municipal Code 6.16.030
Entryways – Within 20 feet of all entryways and all enclosed areas available to and customarily used by the general public and all businesses patronized by the public.

http://www.smokefreesandiego.org/laws/local-laws/entryways-sidewalks/

Even if no one in your home smokes and none of your guests smoke in your home, if you are a resident in a multi-unit building, secondhand smoke can still find its way into your home. Secondhand smoke can drift through:

Open windows and doorways
Shared air and heating vents
Electrical outlets
Cracks in plaster and sheet rock
Gaps around pipes and other structural openings

Live Smoke Free can help residents who are suffering from secondhand smoke exposure in their rental unit.

http://www.mnsmokefreehousing.org/tenants/tenant_index.html


As for the retailing of that other smoking substance once legal.....

Is there a buck to be made?

 

[DrLeftover]

To be taxed, the outlets have to be controlled, and "hey buddy" on the corner probably doesn't have a CPA for a bookkeeper.

 

[DrLeftover]

Many convenience stores and other retailers sell age controlled items and have their cashiers card anybody who looks too young to buy whatever it is.

 

[Sinon]

Many convenience stores and other retailers sell age controlled items and have their cashiers card anybody who looks too young to buy whatever it is.

I can attest to this. Five years in retail, and we were required to card anybody who looked under 25. Made for some awkward moments, but it's better than getting our license revoked.

 

[Sinon]

What's your point? They're age-restricted products just the same.

 

[KratomPW]

I think once MJ is legalized it should only be lightly regulated. People should be allowed to drive under the influence of MJ. One insurance company says marijuana users are safer drivers than non-smokers. I've even got the study to back up my claim: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/4/prweb9375729.htm

What do you guys think?

 

[DrLeftover]

7 11's don't sell liquor, just tobacco and beer...

AP FIVE ALARM FLASH
Beer is not an alcoholic beverage.

more to follow

 

[DrLeftover]

Yes.

Depending on the jurisdiction.

Not all laws regarding adult beverages are created equally... even within the same state, the law regarding what may be sold where may be different from county to county, or from inside a city to a rural store.

 

[DrLeftover]

True, but weed laws can be through city, county or state depending who wants weed to ve sold where...

.... if Uncle allows it.

 

[Sinon]

Beer and hard liquor are different...

Can you buy a bottle of Jack Daniels at a convenient store / gas station?

You can, depending on whether the store stocks it or not. The gas station in the town just outside where I live does stock alcohol, but the one I use (because it's cheaper) on the other side of town does not. It depends on individual store licensing.

 

[DrLeftover]

And then you have this part of the equation where the courts themselves can't agree on what to do:

HASTINGS, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has reinstated charges against a medical marijuana user who provided pot to another user without charge.

There is no dispute that Tony Green provided less than 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana to Al Thornton in western Michigan's Barry County in 2011. Both were qualified to use the drug.

A judge had dismissed the case, and the state appeals court agreed in January. But the Supreme Court says some protections in the medical marijuana law don't cover transfers like Green's.

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Charges-revived-in-medical-marijuana-case-4612000.php

 

[Jazzy]

What do you all think about what these Moms have to say?

The 'Marijuana Moms of Beverly Hills' who throw cannabis-infused dinner parties and say taking drugs makes them better parents.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2343868/The-Marijuana-Moms-Beverly-Hills-say-taking-drugs-makes-better-parents.html#ixzz2WmbawsRb

 

[DrLeftover]

I think it speaks for itself.

 

[DrLeftover]

".... and tax it " I believe I said.

but this is a bit much

July 10, 2013 10:54 AM

DENVER (CBS4)- The taxes on recreational marijuana might go a lot higher than first thought. Smokers buying at shops in Denver may pay up to 35 percent in taxes.

Colorado voters will be asked to approve two state taxes totaling 25 percent on all retail marijuana sales in the November election. They may be asked to approve an additional city tax for Denver.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock wants to add an additional five to 10 percent city tax on top of that.

Hancock said the money is needed to pay the costs of regulating the drug.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/07/10/taxes-on-recreational-pot-sales-could-top-35-percent/

 

[Evil Eye]

So they're going to handle it so poorly people will still be buying illegally?

 

[DrLeftover]

Kinda looks that way.

Besides, you expect any less?