Vermont Senate approves marijuana legalization 16-13

[TheOldSchool]

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

They trash pot yet accept the multitude of alcohol problems and death...

Musta hit too close to home, heh?

No. It's a far safer alternative to alcohol, the economic boom to states that have legalized it have been huge, and marijuana use among minors is actually down.

You are on the side of the drug cartels for wanting to keep it illegal. That's pretty despicable.

Would you please post some empirical evidence that pot use among minors is down?

Not that you'll care of course but: Colorado's Teen Marijuana Usage Dips after Legalization

 

[Katzndogz]

Legalized pot harms the lower class the most...

Legalized pot is making America’s lower class poorer and less responsible
August 20, 2016 | Pot for the poor! That could be the new slogan of marijuana-legalization advocates.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize the use of medical marijuana. There are now 25 states that permit the use of marijuana, including four as well as the District of Columbia that permit it for purely recreational use. Colorado and Washington were the first to pass those laws in 2012. At least five states have measures on the ballot this fall that would legalize recreational use. And that number is only likely to rise with an all-time high (no pun intended) of 58 percent of Americans (according to a Gallup poll last year) favoring legalization. The effects of these new laws have been immediate. One study, which collected data from 2011-12 and 2012-13 showed a 22 percent increase in monthly use in Colorado. The percentage of people there who used daily or almost daily also went up. So have marijuana-related driving fatalities. And so have incidents of children being hospitalized for accidentally ingesting edible marijuana products.

But legalization and our growing cultural acceptance of marijuana have disproportionately affected one group in particular: the lower class. A recent study by Steven Davenport of RAND and Jonathan Caulkins of Carnegie Mellon notes that “despite the popular stereotype of marijuana users as well-off and well-educated . . . they lag behind national averages” on both income and schooling. For instance, people who have a household income of less than $20,000 a year comprise 19 percent of the population but make up 28 percent of marijuana users. And even though those who earn more than $75,000 make up 33 percent of the population, 25 percent of them are marijuana users. Having more education also seems to make it less likely that you are a user. College graduates make up 27 percent of the population but only 19 percent of marijuana users.

The middle and upper classes have been the ones out there pushing for decriminalization and legalization measures, and they have also tried to demolish the cultural taboo against smoking pot. But they themselves have chosen not to partake very much. Which is not surprising. Middle-class men and women who have jobs and families know that this is not a habit they want to take up with any regularity because it will interfere with their ability to do their jobs and take care of their families. But the poor, who already have a hard time holding down jobs and taking care of their families, are more frequently using a drug that makes it harder for them to focus, to remember things and to behave responsibly. ‘ Legalization and our growing cultural acceptance of marijuana have disproportionately affected one group in particular: the lower class.’ The new study, which looked at use rates between 1992 and 2013, also found that the intensity of use had increased in this time. The proportion of users who smoke daily or near daily has increased from 1 in 9 to 1 in 3. As Davenport tells me, “This dispels the idea that the typical user is someone on weekends who has a casual habit.”

Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and lecturer at Yale, says “it is ironic that the people lobbying for liberalized marijuana access do not appear to be the group that is consuming the bulk of it.” Instead, it’s “daily and near-daily users, who are less educated, less affluent and less in control of their use.” In fact, the typical user is much more likely to be someone at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, whose daily life is driven, at least in part, by the question of how and where to get more marijuana. Just consider the cost. Almost a third of users are spending a tenth of their income on marijuana. And 15 percent of users spend nearly a quarter of their income to purchase the drug. The poor have not only become the heaviest users, but their use is making them poorer. To all the middle-class professionals out there reading this: Do you know anyone who spends a quarter of their income on pot? Of course not. But these are the people our policies and attitudes are affecting.

MORE

See also:

Pot smoke is worse for you than you thought
August 2, 2016 | Mellow music, chill vibes and an amazing array of snacks — even though stoners may be great company, they might be bad news for your health. And yes, that holds true even if you don’t inhale.

A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, found that just one minute of marijuana smoke impairs blood vessel function to the same extent as tobacco. However, the cardiovascular effects of pot smoke last three times longer. The study was performed on rats, which researchers say have arteries that function in a similar way to humans. When blood flow increases, arteries widen, a process known as flow-mediated dilation (FMD). While studies have previously been performed to determine the effects of second-hand tobacco smoke on FMD, this study was the first to study second-hand marijuana smoke in this way.

Both types of smoke compromise FMD, however, researchers discovered the effects can last up to 90 minutes after exposure in the case of marijuana smoke, while FMD returns to normal levels 30 minutes after tobacco smoke exposure. A reduced FMD increases the risk of heart attack, narrowing arteries and other heart issues.

While the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke are well-documented, there is scant research on marijuana smoke due to its illicit nature, which requires approval from numerous federal agencies prior to experimentation. “At this point, we’re saying that inhaling any smoke is detrimental to your health,” says study author Matthew Springer, Ph.D., in statement. “I think that people should avoid inhaling smoke, whether it’s from tobacco or marijuana cigarettes, forest fires, barbecues — just avoid smoke. To be safe, it’s best to avoid Grateful Dead tribute bands, too.

http://nypost.com/2016/08/02/pot-smoke-is-worse-for-you-than-you-thought/

Putting them in prison instead of so much better for them

They must think going to prison is better. Prison is voluntary.

 

[Katzndogz]

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

They trash pot yet accept the multitude of alcohol problems and death...

Musta hit too close to home, heh?

No. It's a far safer alternative to alcohol, the economic boom to states that have legalized it have been huge, and marijuana use among minors is actually down.

You are on the side of the drug cartels for wanting to keep it illegal. That's pretty despicable.

Would you please post some empirical evidence that pot use among minors is down?

Not that you'll care of course but: Colorado's Teen Marijuana Usage Dips after Legalization

Perhaps they have already moved on to harder drugs.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Okay. Already a state I avoid, so no big deal. Massachusetts will likely legalize by vote in November. It will still be illegal on my property and in my vehicle. Just like drunkenness is. No need for that shit, ever.

and yet that is the one drug you should be doing....

No...he needs Thorazine.

 

[martybegan]

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

They trash pot yet accept the multitude of alcohol problems and death...

Musta hit too close to home, heh?

No. It's a far safer alternative to alcohol, the economic boom to states that have legalized it have been huge, and marijuana use among minors is actually down.

You are on the side of the drug cartels for wanting to keep it illegal. That's pretty despicable.

Would you please post some empirical evidence that pot use among minors is down?

Not that you'll care of course but: Colorado's Teen Marijuana Usage Dips after Legalization

Perhaps they have already moved on to harder drugs.

that's kind of a stretch.

 

[Moonglow]

 

[Katzndogz]

Why would you carry it around in your vehicle?

I don't and never will carry it anywhere. However, I have relatives-in law who carry it and use it regularly. They've been told it is not allowed anywhere around me, but I know that has been violated more than once. Thankfully for them I found out too late to call the police.

The police won't respond to a report that someone has pot now. Legalize it and there's no way the police are going to come out.
Unless.
Tell the police that the user is trying to force you to buy from him or her and threatening violence if you don't.

 

[Moonglow]

In other words, become a liar...

 

[Anathema]

The police won't respond to a report that someone has pot now. Legalize it and there's no way the police are going to come out.
Unless.
Tell the police that the user is trying to force you to buy from him or her and threatening violence if you don't.

My intent is to tell the police they can come get this turd off my property now, or they come get both of us when I shoot their asses for tresspassing.

 

[Katzndogz]

The police won't respond to a report that someone has pot now. Legalize it and there's no way the police are going to come out.
Unless.
Tell the police that the user is trying to force you to buy from him or her and threatening violence if you don't.

My intent us,to tell the policethey can come get thus turd off my property now, otherwise come get both of us when I shoot their assets for tresspassing.

I had an elderly neighbor pot addled. I dragged her out by her ankles and dumped her in the hallway. The fool couldn't get up. Help, I've fallen and I can't get up! I let her lay there yelling.

 

[Katzndogz]

In other words, become a liar...

If it works, sure. Get the addict's ass in jail defending against a charge of possession for sale.

I was so frightened. I simply didn't know what to do. I can't afford to spend the food money on drugs I don't want.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

Weed doesn't mellow you out, does it?

Quite the opposite, right?

Depends which strain it is. I can tell you for sure it relaxes muscles that are in constant contraction from my pinched spine..Works better that the pills I am prescribed..

I wouldn't know, never tried it. I do know the NIH is right to continue the federal ban of the crap because it has no medical value whatsoever. There's nothing that pot does that isn't better accomplished with modern medicine.

then you dont know much about pot do you?...

The NIH does and they don't go by pothead propaganda that so captivates you. They go by science. Pot is medically unnecessary and the federal government is right to continue to keep it as a controlled substance.

my wife is an epileptic and pot does what none of those "wonder" drugs you talk about do....it stops the tremor in her right hand and decreases erratic electrical impulses in her brain.....if i hadnt moved she would be part of a study at UCI Med center right now.....so much for the bullshit you just said.....

 

[saintmichaeldefendthem]

Weed doesn't mellow you out, does it?

Quite the opposite, right?

Depends which strain it is. I can tell you for sure it relaxes muscles that are in constant contraction from my pinched spine..Works better that the pills I am prescribed..

I wouldn't know, never tried it. I do know the NIH is right to continue the federal ban of the crap because it has no medical value whatsoever. There's nothing that pot does that isn't better accomplished with modern medicine.

then you dont know much about pot do you?...

The NIH does and they don't go by pothead propaganda that so captivates you. They go by science. Pot is medically unnecessary and the federal government is right to continue to keep it as a controlled substance.

my wife is an epileptic and pot does what none of those "wonder" drugs you talk about do....it stops the tremor in her right hand and decreases erratic electrical impulses in her brain.....if i hadnt moved she would be part of a study at UCI Med center right now.....so much for the bullshit you just said.....

Yes, your anecdote trumps the science that the NIH relies on for its policy decisions. I see that now. How can I have been so blind?

 

[Slave2the$]

Legalized pot harms the lower class the most...

Legalized pot is making America’s lower class poorer and less responsible
August 20, 2016 | Pot for the poor! That could be the new slogan of marijuana-legalization advocates.
See also:

Pot smoke is worse for you than you thought
August 2, 2016 | Mellow music, chill vibes and an amazing array of snacks — even though stoners may be great company, they might be bad news for your health. And yes, that holds true even if you don’t inhale.

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

Weed doesn't mellow you out, does it?

Quite the opposite, right?

Depends which strain it is. I can tell you for sure it relaxes muscles that are in constant contraction from my pinched spine..Works better that the pills I am prescribed..

I wouldn't know, never tried it. I do know the NIH is right to continue the federal ban of the crap because it has no medical value whatsoever. There's nothing that pot does that isn't better accomplished with modern medicine.

then you dont know much about pot do you?...

All I know is the family and friends that use pot are worse off financially, go job to job, are less educated, have family problems, multiple children with multiple women etc than the the family and friends that don't use pot. It may be different for you. IDK, maybe if we all smoked pot we would all be super sucessful?

 

[WillowTree]

Why are none of the Presidential candidates offering to end the bizarre situation where MJ is illegal under Federal law, but legal in the states that choose to legalize it? Why not just leave it up to the states and get the Feds out of it?

The current situation causes some serious banking problems, as nationally affiliated banks are virtually prohibited from opening accounts for LEGAL MJ-related businesses, because they are still ILLEGAL under Federal law.' Thus, these businesses are forced to deal on a "cash only" basis, and must deal with having ridiculous amounts of cash on hand that has to be secured.

It also inhibits investment in these companies.

It's insanity.

Freedom and personal liberty!!!!! Awesome.

Oh, here we go again. I hope you allow your pilots and surgeons that Liberty!

There is a time a place for use....Not all the time and not every place..

Why not? You said it's perfectly safe? Right?

 

[Moonglow]

Why are none of the Presidential candidates offering to end the bizarre situation where MJ is illegal under Federal law, but legal in the states that choose to legalize it? Why not just leave it up to the states and get the Feds out of it?

The current situation causes some serious banking problems, as nationally affiliated banks are virtually prohibited from opening accounts for LEGAL MJ-related businesses, because they are still ILLEGAL under Federal law.' Thus, these businesses are forced to deal on a "cash only" basis, and must deal with having ridiculous amounts of cash on hand that has to be secured.

It also inhibits investment in these companies.

It's insanity.

Freedom and personal liberty!!!!! Awesome.

Oh, here we go again. I hope you allow your pilots and surgeons that Liberty!

There is a time a place for use....Not all the time and not every place..

Why not? You said it's perfectly safe? Right?

Where did I say that?

 

[Slave2the$]

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

They trash pot yet accept the multitude of alcohol problems and death...

Musta hit too close to home, heh?

No. It's a far safer alternative to alcohol, the economic boom to states that have legalized it have been huge, and marijuana use among minors is actually down.

You are on the side of the drug cartels for wanting to keep it illegal. That's pretty despicable.

Would you please post some empirical evidence that pot use among minors is down?

Pot use amount teens where I live is like 75%. This is just from talk with neighbor kids and my nieces and nephews. We've got a bright future when you think about how the chemistry of many young brains are being altered.

 

[WillowTree]

Why are none of the Presidential candidates offering to end the bizarre situation where MJ is illegal under Federal law, but legal in the states that choose to legalize it? Why not just leave it up to the states and get the Feds out of it?

The current situation causes some serious banking problems, as nationally affiliated banks are virtually prohibited from opening accounts for LEGAL MJ-related businesses, because they are still ILLEGAL under Federal law.' Thus, these businesses are forced to deal on a "cash only" basis, and must deal with having ridiculous amounts of cash on hand that has to be secured.

It also inhibits investment in these companies.

It's insanity.

Freedom and personal liberty!!!!! Awesome.

Oh, here we go again. I hope you allow your pilots and surgeons that Liberty!

There is a time a place for use....Not all the time and not every place..

Why not? You said it's perfectly safe? Right?

Where did I say that?

WH so it's not safe?

 

[Moonglow]

Why are none of the Presidential candidates offering to end the bizarre situation where MJ is illegal under Federal law, but legal in the states that choose to legalize it? Why not just leave it up to the states and get the Feds out of it?

The current situation causes some serious banking problems, as nationally affiliated banks are virtually prohibited from opening accounts for LEGAL MJ-related businesses, because they are still ILLEGAL under Federal law.' Thus, these businesses are forced to deal on a "cash only" basis, and must deal with having ridiculous amounts of cash on hand that has to be secured.

It also inhibits investment in these companies.

It's insanity.

Freedom and personal liberty!!!!! Awesome.

Oh, here we go again. I hope you allow your pilots and surgeons that Liberty!

There is a time a place for use....Not all the time and not every place..

Why not? You said it's perfectly safe? Right?

Where did I say that?

WH so it's not safe?

Do you feel the need to back me into a corner for a purpose?

 

[Harry Dresden]

Gloom and doom. Fuck off.

They trash pot yet accept the multitude of alcohol problems and death...

Musta hit too close to home, heh?

No. It's a far safer alternative to alcohol, the economic boom to states that have legalized it have been huge, and marijuana use among minors is actually down.

You are on the side of the drug cartels for wanting to keep it illegal. That's pretty despicable.

Would you please post some empirical evidence that pot use among minors is down?

it all depends on who does the surveys....there are these
Colorado's Teen Marijuana Usage Dips after Legalization
Pot Use Among Colorado Teens Appears to Drop After Legalization
Teen marijuana use falls as more states legalize
Legalized Medical Marijuana Doesn't Increase Teen Usage, Study Finds
and last but not least
High School and Youth Trends
and then these...
Study shows increased youth marijuana use in Colorado
Fed study says pot use by youth on rise in Colorado, leads nation – The Denver Post