Posted on 05/31/2018 11:08:58 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
Some 22.3 percent of fatally injured motorists who were tested for drugs tested positive for marijuana in 2016, a figure that researchers say has "increased substantially" in recent years as states have legalized the drug for recreational or medicinal use, according to a new report.
The finding, in a study released Thursday by the Governors Highway Safety Association, was one of several regarding the growing prevalence of drugs in vehicle fatalities. The report also found that 44 percent of drivers killed in automobile accidents in 2016 who were tested for drugs tested positive for one or more substances – a number that was up 28 percent from 10 years prior. That figure eclipsed the 37.9 percent who were known to have been tested for alcohol and tested positive – a figure that actually fell in the last decade, from 41 percent in 2006.
ISTB (I’ve said this before):
As a former pothead, I despise marijuana.
Smoke in the lungs is generally a bad thing no matter the source. The lungs are not as good a detoxifier as the liver is. The lungs are actually much better at absorbing, by Design.
‘As a former pothead’
I too am disgusted that I used it so much in a former life...
‘I despise marijuana.’
but I don’t despise it; while I wouldn’t smoke or vape it now (nor would I smoke or vape anything else), I can see possible values from its calming effect for such things as insomnia or anxiety attacks, as long as the delivery were in capsule for using lowered THC amounts...
“Not to mention lung problems, COPD and lung cancer. It has all the same carcinogens as tobacco.”
—
Then why is it treated differently?
.
I guess only the dead ones know for sure.
Is there a test that can set a quantitative figure of THC in the body? A test that can determine whether the amount is likely to cause impairment?
I'm not aware of one. Certainly not one that an officer can use roadside.
“Why would you make an unfounded accusation like that? Are you deliberately stupid, or was it an accident?”
It arises from the prime theorem of the pot prohibitionist: “People who think pot is bad are willing to tell any lie about pot, no matter how extreme, irrational, or malicious. Anyone unwilling to engage in unrestrained lying is, res ipsa loquitur, a pot smoker, and can for that reason be scorned and disregarded.”
“I’m not aware of one. Certainly not one that an officer can use roadside.”
Nor I. However, that doesn’t stop the prohibitionists from asserting as fact a thing that remains to be demonstrated.
Nope. THC metabolites stay in your system 30+ days...depending on your body type. Fatties get to keep the THC longer, it loves fat.
It arises from the prime theorem of the pot proponent: “People who think pot is good are willing to tell any lie about pot, no matter how extreme, irrational, or malicious.
I’m an unabashed proponent of legalization.
I think it has some beneficial medical uses, but believe the vast majority of those with medical cards are full of sh!t.
I am a proponent of legalization for three reasons, primarily:
1. I believe the relative harm to individuals, families and society is far less than many legal substances.
2. Keeping it illegal only feeds the ever growing police state. Civil liberties have been trampled on in the name of the WoD.
3. The harm done to civil society in any eradication campaign would far, far outweigh any benefit.
Generally, it’s a CULTURAL battle, not one of science. The science is clear.
Alcohol and Opioids do far more harm to individuals, families and society than pot. But you have many on this forum lit up on Alcohol and/or Opioids right now, hypocritically posting against marijuana.
Yep. Some of these folks comment as if they’re living in the 1950s. Comparing cannabis to drunks behind the wheel is ludicrous.
The Libertarian Legacy.
I remember a neighbor...biggest pothead you ever met, from lik,e the eight grade...but looked like a redneck. His alcoholic boss took him aside at a bar one night and whispered “I think some of the crew is smoking dope.” Then he(the boss) walked across the street and did a drunken face-plant half way to the next bar.
“Certainly not one that an officer can use roadside.”
California has awarded CHP 10s of millions of pot taxes to find one. One that will stand up under scientific scrutiny, court review...and is affordable.
So far, nothing proposed. And I agree with many here that it’s an issue that needs more resources assigned.
alcohol IS a drug ...
“People who think pot is good are willing to tell any lie about pot, no matter how extreme, irrational, or malicious.”
That, what you just said right there? That is a lie.
Not even a sophisticated, subtle lie, but just a Pee-Wee Herman “I know you are, but what am I?” type of lie.
At least the authors of the “study” had some reason to hope that some people would neglect to ask:
1. Who was at fault in these accidents?
2. How do you know that the drivers with pot metabolites in their blood were actually impaired?
Try to do better. You’re letting the side down.
It’s interesting to see all the FR dopers self-identify.
“Not to mention lung problems, COPD and lung cancer. It has all the same carcinogens as tobacco.”
—
Then why is it treated differently?
Exactly. Big Tobacco is now Big Marijuana. And no one will fess up to it until the lung cancer cases start skyrocketing, and then they will put some stupid Surgeon General warning on the packaging that marijuana will kill you. But they will have made their billions at that point.
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