(11-21-2019, 06:15 PM)jagibelieve Wrote: I've got mixed feelings about this.  I don't use the drug myself (though I might have been known to partake in my teens), but I have seen where it helped family members going through chemo.  There certainly is a medical benefit and the more I learn about CBD the more that I am in favor of having that option available for people.

On the other hand I have also seen where the abuse of the drug has caused hardship because of employment matters as well as motivational matters.

I kind of look at it like this.  On my off-days from work when I am out on my property in the middle of the woods, I partake in some beers and sometimes a bit of bourbon.  It helps me relax and I enjoy it.  However, I am not driving anywhere, operating dangerous machinery or otherwise endangering others while doing so.  I know that there are others that will abuse alcohol and drive while drunk that kill people or themselves due to accidents.  My only fear is that people that drive while "high" or operate dangerous machinery while "high" will do the same.

The other thing is, I've seen where people that abuse the drug (marijuana) have no motivation and are un-employable.

I think that the key word here is abuse.  In my case for example, if I'm off of work, on my property out in the woods not planning to drive anywhere I should be able to use mind-altering drugs if I choose to do so whether it be alcohol or marijuana.  It's the ones that "wake and bake" that present a danger to society much like the ones that wake and have a drink.  If you need ANY drug just to "operate normally" you have a problem.

When it comes to employment, it's up to the company in question.  Pretty much every company/agency that I have ever worked for tested for illegal drug use.  That's company policy not something that the government needs to dictate.

I agree with you regarding abuse. A lot of people can abuse just about anything. You can abuse alcohol. You can abuse marijuana. You can abuse prescription drugs. You can abuse food. You can abuse just about anything really. Of course there's risks and there's going to be a population of people within that community who make mistakes while under the influence. And I am sure the justice system will be more than happy to rightfully bend them over the table and give them exactly what they deserve in a court of law. 

All is fair. My biggest reasoning for legalizing it and making it obtainable like alcohol is fairly simple. Crime. It may not drive crime rates down in general but it'll certainly allow police to go after bigger and badder issues within their communities that are dealing harder drugs, committing serious offenses and it'll allow them to allocate more resources to investigate other situations instead of worrying about some kid down the street in a hoodie peddling a little reefer on the side for $20 here or $40 there. 

It may very well have a direct impact on Mexico's influence as well with their "imports" across the border that seems to easily go untouched and unnoticed most of the time. The medical benefits are there as well. It also hurts the black market which is better for everyone in the long run who partake in it on the side to self medicate. Plenty of home batched oils have been linked recently to harmful lung conditions. And it's mostly because of the at home chemicals being added to it. 

Most jobs are also very stressful. Alcohol is also hard on the body. Marijuana? Maybe not so much. Especially if you opt to ingest it instead of smoking it or vaping it. But the abuse is important. I am glad you mentioned it. I think it offers opportunities for researchers to further our advancements in how the human psyche works and how it's not always the substance that hooks you but it's really the individual with an addictive personality that is hampered with it. As cited earlier. You can abuse many things. 

But many things can also be considered addictive. Sex, violence, video games, gambling, religion, weight lifting, the desire to gain monetary value at the expense of human lives with mindless self indulgence, etc. Some people are publicly shamed for their respective addictions. Unless the risk is different. It's okay if you spill oil in the ocean and endanger an entire species. But if it means netting your corporation and board of directors millions upon millions of dollars annually? No big deal. We'll clean it up and hire a good publicist. 

I think with many things that we've seen in our country over the last century that's as touchy as a subject as this one. It'll come with a lot of growing pains. But in the long run it'll be for the best.

---