I’m of the opinion that marijuana should be legalized. Not just for medical reasons, but socially, as well. Just as alcoholic drinks are socially acceptable, pot should be legalized.
Call me a “Hippie.”
Not surprisingly, there is no proof marijuana leads to harder drugs. In fact, I don’t know of any of my pot smoking friends from my youth, whose life was altered for the worse because they smoked marijuana.
I still remember an old Dragnet episode where Jack Webb and Harry Morgan, in the roles of Joe Friday and Bill Gannon respectively, entered an apartment of a young couple “stoned” on marijuana. They were oblivious to their infant having drowned in the bathtub. Such was the “evil” of marijuana that was perpetrated by the conservative Jack Webb.
As with almost all the Dragnet episodes, the incident didn’t happen.
Alcohol, on the other hand, destroyed more than a few lives of people I knew.
Even back then, the argument against marijuana use, from people who couldn’t support their arguments with facts about marijuana, seemed nothing more than fear mongering. People still believe it to be a “gateway” drug, because that’s what they “heard.” Actually, it’s less harmful to the body than alcohol and alcoholics are more common as hard drug abusers than pot smokers.
My opinion is that it should be treated with the same restrictions given to alcohol and tobacco products.
No driving under the influence and you must be over 21 to purchase. It can’t be sold by private individuals and a limit on how much can be possessed, to name just a few examples. Also, tax the crap out of it and use that tax to fund schools. Since I won’t be buying it, make it so damn expensive that those who do buy it will keep my school taxes lower.
Prosecution for possession is a waste of money and resources on a victimless crime. The law needs to be changed and rather than trying to eliminate from society a plant that isn’t a threat to the public health, it should simply be regulated.
A large majority of Pennsylvania voters favor legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, but they are divided over whether possession of even small amounts for recreational use should be legalized, according to a poll conducted by Connecticut’s Quinnipiac University.
The survey showed that 85 percent of voters believe adult Pennsylvanians should be allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it.
But voters are narrowly split on whether possession of small amounts of the drug should be legal for recreational use. According to the poll, 48 percent support such legalization and 49 percent oppose it, a gap within the survey’s margin of error.
I say those who oppose its recreational use should be given the opportunity to try it and then give another shot at offering an opinion.
Recreational use approval will be nearer the 85% mark. Peace and love, man… Peace and love.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
