That Wasn't Me
In today's Daily News, my picture appeared in the center of an article I never wrote and whose views I do not endorse to begin with.
The article, written by Debra J. Saunders of the San Francisco Chronicle, was in support of the legalization of marijuana, which is something I would agree to only if a hot poker was pointed in my general direction.
Imagine taking out a loan with a bank officer who has just toked up. While it may help explain a lower than normal interest rate, it could put the bank in jeopardy later on. Or a 45 year-old mother of two on the operating table of a plastic surgeon who is high. She could come out up looking like Rocky Balboa after a fight.
Besides, research has shown that marijuana can lead to the more hardcore stuff later on. Though I don't think that possession should carry all the weight of a felony, I don't think it should be legalized aside from using it for medicinal purposes. And should legalization ever come aside from that, then I'm going to leave the country and move to a mountaintop retreat in Tibet.
So, I suppose you would be fine with taking out a loan with a bank officer who just consumed a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Several beers can do more brain cell damage than a single joint, yet it's perfectly legal to consume as much beer or other alcoholic beverages as one can afford or stand. It's also perfectly legal for the Budweisers of the world to advertise their products on televison or elsewhere as a means to boost sales and, of course, alcoholic consumption.
Personally, I've never tried marijuana or any other drug that's currently illegal, and I have no intention of starting now or anytime soon. And I believe the Libertarian Party - for which I have an affinity - is committing a huge mistake by making *legal* drug use a front and center issue in their platform. However, contrary to what you suggest, reserach shows that the use of certain drugs is no worse than consuming beer or wine, and that same research shows that drugs are no more addictive than alcohol, and that same reserach further shows that marijuana use doesn't necessarily "lead to the more hardcore stuff later on" any more than PBR leads to Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
People should be left to their own devices so long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others. Soemone sitting on their couch on a Saturday night puffing a joint while watching Netflix is maybe causing some harm to himself or herself, but is in no way causing harm to anyone else.
Your entire spiel could be used as the text below a poster of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. There is a real world out there that you seem to not understand. The response above pretty much lays it out, but somehow I don't think you are going to get it.
Of course not, John, being a Manischewitz girl myself, but booze doesn't lead to other things. Booze is just booze. The alcohol thing is something I grapple with, though the difference between drugs and booze is that you can take a swig or two and be perfectly sober, but with drugs you are either high or not.
Oh please, David. I work with kids, so I passed "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" long ago.
As someone who works with the public every single day, i must say that without marijuana, being a waiter would be far, far more difficult. for every nitwit lying customer, or slow train of dilapidated old people dying slowly in front of me while i balance a 50 pound tray above my head, i thank marijuana for not flipping out, and causing me to lost my job.
yes, you read correctly, marijuana has helped me maintain employment.
Gail, i am sure you are quite proud of having never smoked marijuana, much the same way some rednecks are probably proud to have never been in a synagogue, or a black church. you are probably thinking this is a bit of a stretch, but not really. consider that each of the items in question here are meant to expand your mind, and make in more in touch with your spiritual side. you should expand your horizons to realize that victimless crimes are truly not criminal in nature, that there are many ways in this world to meditate.
think of the money this country is missing out on by:
A. Cultivating it and selling it, taxing it.
B. Releasing all the potheads from jail.
C. Freeing up police officers to help on IMPORTANT cases.
D. Intelligent, well educated people like myself would not have to hide something we know in our hearts, heads, and yes, lungs, is not wrong.