I know that this is an issue that has been discussed ad nauseum but today California is voting on the legalization of Marijuana for 21 year olds. Law has a maximum of 1 ounce on your person and I believe gives a maximum 25sq. ft. growing garden.

I am highly upset with the way this law is worded, but nonetheless it is what I believe to be a step in the right direction.

Do you want this to pass? Why/Not?

Note, most election stuff should go in the "The Official Election Result" thread. But, since this is a "special" topic, it can stand.

I've heard that a few weeks ago it was probably going to pass, but the opposition has really rallied and now it will probably fall.
I'm more open to it being passed, but we'll see what happens.

I'm one of the few who will say that I could not care less about pot. If it passes "yay", if it doesn't pass "whatever".

If I HAD to put this on my list, it would be in the bottom 5 somewhere.

When government can figure out:

1. A way to test drivers on the spot, like the breathalyzer, then it will be legal.
2. How to tax it and how much, then it will be legal.
3. A way to create a dependency class, then it will be legal.

It always comes down to the money. So if they can figure out a way to tax it, spend it, and monitor it, then it will be legal...everywhere. It's really only a matter of time.

Yeah, I agree that the pot issue isn't the most important thing to worry about. You'd think California had more important things to focus on, like that pesky huge deficit they are running.

tk421;542457 wrote:Yeah, I agree that the pot issue isn't the most important thing to worry about. You'd think California had more important things to focus on, like that pesky huge deficit they are running.

They'll be busy (apparently) electing a man as governor who has no clue what he's doing, and who is so beholding to the public unions (the main reason the state is in debt) that he'll be powerless to do a damn thing.

Honestly, the whole state can slide into oblivion for all I care, except I know it will be my tax dollars that ultimately help bail them out.

I like smoke but do I want it legal .....
I'll get back to you after i get more brownies

I hope this passes. It simply makes sense. Which is why it probably won't.

Fine with it, as long as they restrict use to a respectable area - say 50 foot radius area? I don't want to smell it - just reeks. I hate that we have college students toking up at the local park, but we can deal with it. If they don't bother us, we won't bother them.

Hell, make it so you can't smoke it in public places. That makes sense at least to me.

Manhattan Buckeye;542571 wrote:Fine with it, as long as they restrict use to a respectable area - say 50 foot radius area? I don't want to smell it - just reeks. I hate that we have college students toking up at the local park, but we can deal with it. If they don't bother us, we won't bother them.

you cannot smoke in public places, cannot carry on school grounds, cannot smoke around anyone younger than 21 or give it to anyone under 21.

I want this to pass pretty bad, there are more "important" things on the ballot but that does not mean that this issue should be ignored, that is a pathetic excuse.
Early on support was pretty high, but it has become more like a 50/50 standoff the closer the election got. There has been some debate on just how well the polls have represented the actual view on support for the issue. I think its going to pass based on the minority support in the state for the issue. Just my opinion.

This ballot will actually save California alot of money, not only will they no longer arrest for simple possession, they will make revenue off of the selling and taxing of the legal marijuana.
Honestly, it should of never been outlawed and this is a long time coming.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101101/hl_nm/us_drugs_alcohol

Honestly, if Californians want to turn their state into a utopia for ex-hippies and potheads, I could care less. It's why I believe in states rights vs. the federal government bullying states to fall in line. Just pay your own way, please, and don't come crying to the feds for a handout when you are bankrupt. Solve your own financial problems.

So are you against this type of legalization then Writer? And why? I know you don't care about California for some reason but how would you vote if this were an Ohio issue and why?

I'd have to see how it was going to be regulated, first. I'm very libertarian when it comes to drug use, etc. I honestly don't think it's government's business -- but I do recognize the public safety factor (driving while stoned, etc.) I lean toward legalization of pot, prostitution, gambling and assorted other victimless crimes...realizing that doing so would also create added government to provide a watchdog (the necessary downside).

Ok. There are things about this proposition that I don't like but I think the problems can be fixed later.

It seems anymore that people want perfect legislation the first time which is a pipe dream.

I mean there are some places where the problems are so egregious that they should be fixed beforehand (healthcare bill, etc) but most things can be sorted out afterwords.

Ha please pot does not impair you at the same level that alcohol does. Legalize across the board

Classyposter58;543128 wrote:Ha please pot does not impair you at the same level that alcohol does. Legalize across the board

This.

Classyposter58;543128 wrote:Ha please pot does not impair you at the same level that alcohol does. Legalize across the board

Not exactly true. It really depends/varies on the person. There's people who take 2 hits and can barely hold their eyes open, much less drive safely. Just like there's people who can't or shouldn't drive after drinking 2 beers.

Not looking good right now. People are stupid.

You shouldn't drive after drinking or smoking.

But that doesn't mean that either should be illegal.

Well, I think we should keep in mind, just like Californians are doing, that there are alot of public jobs that depend on pot being illegal.

CenterBHSFan;543146 wrote:Not exactly true. It really depends/varies on the person. There's people who take 2 hits and can barely hold their eyes open, much less drive safely. Just like there's people who can't or shouldn't drive after drinking 2 beers.

This.

This looks like it's going to fail. California doesn't do anything right.

CenterBHSFan;543155 wrote:Well, I think we should keep in mind, just like Californians are doing, that there are alot of public jobs that depend on pot being illegal.

I don't doubt that every cop, lawyer, judge, jail employee, prosecutor, etc voted against this in an attempt to keep their jobs.

Pretty distasteful but I bet it's true.

I Wear Pants;543169 wrote:I don't doubt that every cop, lawyer, judge, jail employee, prosecutor, etc voted against this in an attempt to keep their jobs.

Pretty distasteful but I bet it's true.

You'd think there are enough real crimes occurring to keep them busy.

dlazz;543167 wrote:This looks like it's going to fail. California doesn't do anything right.

Indeed.