Legalizing Recreational Marijuana in CA - Up for Vote

I think it's appalling to consider someone "weak" for occasionally indulging in intoxicating substances. In fact I think it shows a great deal of strength to see a person who drinks or smokes only during appropriate circumstances. Why? Because they're smart enough to only use those substances when it's not going to impact them negatively (health aside, people do a lot of unhealthy shit outside of drugs, eating mcdonald's or over exercising for instance). If they were weak they would do things whenever they want because it's "enjoyable", but they don't. It's easy as hell to smoke all day long. I've done it, and I remained functional. But I also realized there's a time and a place, so I started limiting myself. I used to get high before work and school every day (I'd usually wake and bake). I realized that it was costing me a lot of money, and even though it wasn't really impacting my productivity I chose to cut down anyways.

I have a lot of various thoughts on this subject but I'll try to limit it to certain ones to maintain a coherent layout. On the "needing to be high to enjoy something" point... that's complete bullshit. If you enjoy an activity, you generally are going to enjoy it regardless of your state of mind. It's not that being high makes something fun, it's that it makes it that much more fun. That, or it changes the way you experience that thing in a way not obtainable through ordinary human brain chemistry. Food for example. I love food. By all means I should be a fat kid. But I don't only enjoy food while high. I just enjoy it a bit more, the tastes of foods are exaggerated. And to break away from the typical stoner stereotype, I don't always have the munchies while high. A lot of times smoking will actually make me less hungry.

Speaking of stereotypes, earlier in this thread someone was saying how they don't want a bunch of giggly stoners interrupting their education. That's fine. But not everyone who smokes (I'd wager not even the majority) turns into a giggling idiot. Like I said earlier I used to get high and go to class. This was a daily thing. I wasn't in the back of the class giggling at nothingness with a blank mind. I actively paid attention, took notes, and participated in discussions. Only once did anyone ever notice and say something. Yes, I suppose I laughed a bit more at things than I normally did (I'm usually a pretty serious person) but not at anything inappropriate. If it weren't for his intimate knowledge of the effects of the ganja (being a daily smoker himself), he probably wouldn't have even noticed. I've had more people ask me if I'm feeling ok or whatnot when I'm sober than high. It's really just the fools with the "Omg I'm sooooo high lolololol" mentality that you notice. There's a lot of people that smoke without letting anyone know, and I'm sure quite a few people on this board know people like this.

On the stoned driving argument.... I do it all the time. Now, I'm not saying I'm a model of responsibility or that what I do is what other people should, but among the stupid acts I've partaken in, stoned driving is near the bottom of the list. Before I get flamed for willingly driving while stoned, let it be known that I've also driven while drunk. Exceedingly so at times. So if you flame me for something, flame me for that because I'll agree with you all day. Drunk driving and stoned driving are two completely different things. Drinking overall makes you slower. You're slower to react and your judgment is impaired, as are your general motor skills. This is not the case with weed. The main negative effect of weed while driving is shortened attention span. This is easily overcome by paying fucking attention, which you should be doing while driving anyways. The other problem stems from being used to the way it affects you. Any person who smokes frequently (several times a day) will tell you that it's not impossible to do something high. There's a reason that people can function while being high: It's not exactly incapacitating. But if you only smoke once a week or less, you're going to get much higher due to a lack of tolerance (both physical and perceived - you seem way higher because you're not used to it). This can cause problems when driving for numerous reasons. The easiest is paranoia. Paranoia creates anxiety, and anxiety is bad for driving as it can lead to bad judgment. Also, zoning out... but again that's a matter of paying attention, which like I said you should be doing anyways since you're driving. With all that being said, I in no way condone intoxicated driving. I don't like it and try like hell to avoid it, but sometimes that's impossible. I'm not exactly wealthy so cabs are usually out of the question. That being said, stoned driving is much easier to manage than drunk driving and I can say this from experience. Hell, sometimes it seems like I focus more when I'm stoned than sober because I know I need to compensate.

Another point on that topic: People are going to do it regardless of legal status. When I delivered pizzas I'd roll a few joints or a blunt before I went in for my shift and smoke after giving people their food driving around their neighborhoods. I've known multiple people that will do the same and pre-roll weed for road trips. Hell, I've known quite a few people who will smoke from a pipe while driving. I don't agree with doing that as it's very distracting and dangerous, but it happens. Everywhere. Whether you like it or not, people are going to drive while stoned. Hell, there's a lot of people who are going to get stoned while driving. A lot of them might even be better drivers than you (I've had cops follow me for miles looking for a reason to pull me over). Really though I think it depends on how well a person can drive in general. If you ask me, only about 10% of the population should even be allowed to drive. I've seen so many assholes pulling stupid shit that endangers them and the people around them way more than me being stoned does. You have 1 person who speeds 10-20mph over the speed limit and weaves in and out of traffic. Then you have 1 person who goes the speed limit and only changes lanes to legitimately pass someone. Who do you really think is more dangerous? I know that when I drive while high it only amplifies the defense stance I take.

I think that's enough fuel for now. Also hello guiz this is my first post in like years.
 
Even if smoking pot is wrong, I don't think it's wrong enough to warrant the money spent on punishing it. I've got no interest in the stuff. I've got less interest in wasting jail space and court time - court time and police time - fighting people that do have an interest in it. They're really not THAT big of a deal, and I'd prefer authorities spend their time more productively. It's all about money. We've got budget issues. People will buy drugs. We should get taxes from it. Same with hookers. I could care less if some skeezy old man gets crabs, so long as my taxes don't go up again. If some stoner wants to waste his life away - not my problem, so long as Uncle Sam gets more of his money than mine. Think about your wallet, then legalizing all these purely moral crimes becomes less a bad idea. It's not like you'll have to smoke anything.
 
Yeah as long as there are child molesters being released early because of overcrowding, while theres someone convicted of possession/distribution of marijuana taking up a cell, our country has some seriously fucked up priorities.
 
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