[A CA Guy]

This isn't a personal choice issue beyond the choice of breaking or not breaking the law.

Alcohol has potential for abuse if not used in moderate or less quantities.
I think I told you before, I had my neck broken by a drunken driver before who made their "OWN CHOICE" to drink and drive.

Pot like cigarettes, is smoked and smoking is the fastest way to get things into the body and to the brain.
I used to think injection, but research said smoking is the #1 way.
Pot hits different areas of the brain, has been associated with moving on to harder drugs.
If you just have a joint on you, you maybe get a ticket. If you grow, distribute of have larger quantities, you have to make your "OWN CHOICE" about the risk of jail time and a criminal record.

PS: Will miss the beginning of your Drudge thread because I'll be picking someone up at LAX.

[lainie]

I'm sorry for your car wreck but that crime is different from social drinking amongst friends, at home or in restaurants or what have you. Of course alcohol has the potential for abuse, but the nanny state is not what needs to be making the call for individuals. Anything has the potential for abuse. The method one chooses has no bearing on anything.

The larger question here is why you think the federal government should be the final arbiter of the marijuana question -- when it is not for drinking and driving. Each state has its own laws regarding the latter, why not the former?

Have fun at LAX. (I know this is not possible..)

[bird4four4]

Pot hits different areas of the brain, has been associated with moving on to harder drugs.

Back this up. What is the area of the brain associated with moving to hard drugs? Is MJ the only thing that excites these areas? This is a huge scienific break through if true. I'd really be interested in the research. Link me up.