Posted on 02/24/2017 2:29:00 PM PST by ColdOne
During yesterday's news conference, press secretary Sean Spicer says allowing recreational marijuana to stand is encouraging the abuse of other drugs.
"When you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people... there is still a federal law that we need to abide by when it comes to recreational marijuana and drugs of that nature."
(Excerpt) Read more at kfiam640.iheart.com ...
A certain percentage of people are going to be outliers, and live outside the expected norms. They're going to be a little bit bad, because it isn't their nature to succumb to authority. Back when I was a teen, you could be a little bit bad by sneaking a few cigarettes or some Boone's Farm. They weren't things that would kill you. When marijuana is illegal, it fulfills the need of outliers to be a little bit bad, but probably not dead. If marijuana is legal, it's acceptable. So those folks who want to be a little bit bad? They'll turn to something more deadly to stay outside the norms.
The answer is something our society isn't ready to accept. That would be a decent and healthy life style.
Yeah, I wish he'd leave this one alone. Too much stuff to worry about rather than chasing people around and boosting the jail population over this.
My understanding is that it's not a law change, but a regulatory change by the FDA. It's still classified along with heroin and meth.
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Note the word similar. From my perspective, no matter what they do, people are going to use pot and throwing them in cages for it is ludicrous, costly and a total waste of law enforcement resources....Just my opinion.
The problem with legalization is twinfold. One pitfall is that state residents who use the drug make themselves unmarketable to the federal government for anything from miltary service to federal employment, and security clearances. The second problem is how does a state determine if one is driving under the influence, and how long after partaking does one remain in a state illegal to drive a motor vehicle? I believe people who are ADD and AHAD are destroyed by the use pot, they cannot cope as do normal people who may have more/larger active brain mass. Trump is right that the federal government has a say on DRUGS in this country - he is trying to stop the drugs coming into the USA, from Mexico, S. America and Asia/SE Asia, Mid East. Regulated selling of drugs as prescriptions might be possilbe but for those ADD,AHAD people it is a serious no go. States Rights Issue maybe but since illegal drugs transit US Boarders or state lines jurisdiction is in question - the federal government does have the FDA - and the FDA is the bottomline on allowance/usage of drugs and supplements.
Fascinating. Then why are those in Congress/Senate etc, not randomly drug tested like those way down on the private sector food chain are?
Bad idea. I don’t use drugs but the W.O.D. is a Constitutional disaster. Trump needs to leave this alone. Focus on what got him elected!
Trump isn't going to go after recreational pot smokers. Spicer poorly fielded a "gotcha" question, that's all.
Trump isn't stupid. Going after pot smokers in states that have legalized it isn't worth the political capital. It wasn't part of Make America Great Again plan.
No doubt there is a nationwide opiod epidemic. The rates are lower in States with legal marijuana.
We should probably remember that President Trump’s brother died of alcoholism, and therefore he has strong opinions about these issues. But the fact is that the WOD is a huge failure. It has done nothing but promote organized crime and erode the freedoms and rights of the people. Whatever benefit that comes from saving people from themselves is simply not worth it. President Trump should not spend his political capital on this issue.
The country doesn’t want another round of Drug War. This is a bigly mistake.
Yeah, I'm sure AG Sessions is going to get right on that. Don't hold your breath (unless you're holding in bong hits).
“The country doesnt want another round of Drug War.”
That sums it up pretty well. The last 30 year drug war cost us trillions just trying to enforce it while they left the borders wide open. It was a sick joke.
While I think marijuana should be legal, I disagree that it isn’t addictive.
Ultimately when you have the majority of Americas wanting legalization, and voting for it in a lot of the biggest states, enforcing it on the federal level becomes impossible. It’s just a matter of time.
Still medical only in New Mexico. No recreational use allowed. That being said, law in NM is that up to 1 ounce is a small fine of $50-$100 and up to 15 days in jail. 1 to 8 ounces is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and up to 1 year in jail. Over 8 ounces is felony possession. So simple possession is pretty much being ignored.
When I was out with a pot smoker, and I could tell because their eye lid edges were a bright pink, I would tell them no smoking while were out. And, don't fall asleep and get me killed because I would come back to haunt them and if I survived I would kill them myself.
Here in Washington State, the government wanted it legal for the money and only the money. Nevermind the kids breathing second-hand pot smoke. And, never mind the danger on the roads with someone who is stoned.
Couple the pot smokers with the alcohol impaired, it is dicey on the roads.
Who has jurisdiction I think is the correct question.
I didn't see Spicer's answer to the question, so I'll have to take your word for it. Thanks for the post.
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