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Even if you completely legalized marijuana, deaths from marijuana-impaired drivers would still be dwarfed by deaths from alcohol-impaired drivers by a factor of at least 20. Studies have been done on the impact of alcohol vs. marijuana in terms of driving impairment, and there's no question that alcohol is far more dangerous to be driving with. That said, the ridiculous notion that legalizing marijuana will lead to a substantial increase in the number of impaired drivers is simply that. Ridiculous. Selfish people who drive under the influence of anything are going to do that regardless of the laws. What your post shows is that you can't debate the legalization of marijuana on the merits. You have to invent these slippery slope arguments that detract from the real issue at hand.

I hear the arguments that we already have enough problems, so why legalize one more drug. That's a silly argument, however, because it implies that there aren't any benefits to legalizing marijuana. For one, legalizing it will provide one less excuse to California law enforcement to run roughshod over the 4th amendment rights of citizens in an attempt to get their hands on an ounce or two of marijuana. It will also reduce the influence of foreign cartels in the California marijuana market. This is a stupid issue because California already has de facto legalization already. Anybody with any sort of ailment (minor lower back pain or clinical depression, for example) can go to a family doctor in California and get a medical marijuana card.

Even if you completely legalized marijuana, deaths from marijuana-impaired drivers would still be dwarfed by deaths from alcohol-impaired drivers by a factor of at least 20.

I completely agree with you, however, that's whole different argument. A completely valid argument, mind you,but different nonetheless.

What your post shows is that you can't debate the legalization of marijuana on the merits. You have to invent these slippery slope arguments that detract from the real issue at hand.

First off, my comment was in response to the gov's statement, nothing more, ok? You are the one who added your little manifesto about the legalization, etc etc.

Second, my wife is a 2 time breast cancer survivor who, as the only way to stop the violent nausea, smoked pot. So don't tell me about inventing ANYTHING, got it? You don't know me, and have absolutely NO IDEA what I am about or what I have been through.

So, take your all knowing attitude and shove it...freak'n kook.