Wanted to check the pulse of normal Americans on this. Especially would like to hear from people in legal states and what the impact has been.
Marijuana Legalization
- Thread starter Someguywhodoesntlikeyou
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I'm almost to the age were I don't want it anymore and my drinking has come down to nothing. They can legalize it if they want but I don't need the government to sell me my bud considering I've had it my whole life to the point I don't want it as much as I used to. Half ounce last 6 weeks and I'll hit a few pens.
WildcatfaninOhio
All-American
Voters approved a ballot measure to legalize pot sales and home grow in Ohio back in November of 2023. Each municipality can decide for themselves if they want dispensaries or not. By last summer a dispensary near me that had previously been opened for medical only, opened as medical and recreational. No downside that I'm aware of. Last I read, total sales in Ohio since last summer have topped $240 million. 10% of that goes to the state treasury in taxes.
I don't use very often. Usually only a 10mg gummy after a night of indoor volleyball. Just enough to help me relax and then get a good night's sleep. Occasionally a couple tokes of flower out of a small pipe I have.
One thing I have noticed is that I smell it out in public way more than I have in the past. Especially during any large gatherings of people. I was in downtown Cincinnati a few months ago for an outdoor art show known as "Blink". Hundreds of thousands of folks walking the streets and the riverfront. Pot smell everywhere, and a very well-behaved and chill crowd.
I don't use very often. Usually only a 10mg gummy after a night of indoor volleyball. Just enough to help me relax and then get a good night's sleep. Occasionally a couple tokes of flower out of a small pipe I have.
One thing I have noticed is that I smell it out in public way more than I have in the past. Especially during any large gatherings of people. I was in downtown Cincinnati a few months ago for an outdoor art show known as "Blink". Hundreds of thousands of folks walking the streets and the riverfront. Pot smell everywhere, and a very well-behaved and chill crowd.
I was at conference in Las Vegas last August and walking down the strip you’d think I was at a Bob Marley concert.
My wife and I partake occasionally but I really have no issues with it being legal in communities that want it and the tax revenue and job creation in my opinion are a net benefit
I'd much rather be around stoners than drunks.
Sadly alcoholism runs in my family and while I haven’t been afflicted by it I have definitely felt the effects of it and always been aware of my drinking.
We have medical here in FL, I have a card. I go buy about once a month, the prices have come down quite a bit in the last year or so. The full rec legal was voted on this past Nov but surprisingly did not pass with a 55 % vote 60% threshold is what is required to pass. The medical card is fine and all but it’s pretty lame to have to pay a $100 fee every 7 months for renewal certification but this does not require appt with doctor, it’s just a phone call/email. There is also a yearly fee of $75 to renew the actual card.
I really haven’t encountered an increase in people out in public smoking here much, would guess because it isn’t fully legal. We sure have plenty of dispensaries though, I have probably six different places within about 5 mins from my house. I am not totally familiar with alll the cannabis laws in FL for personal growing purposes or public consumption. I usually just smoke flower or eat gummies., never been into the vape/carts much.
I really haven’t encountered an increase in people out in public smoking here much, would guess because it isn’t fully legal. We sure have plenty of dispensaries though, I have probably six different places within about 5 mins from my house. I am not totally familiar with alll the cannabis laws in FL for personal growing purposes or public consumption. I usually just smoke flower or eat gummies., never been into the vape/carts much.
Lived in CO the last 7 years (now in FL) and legalizing marijuana hasn't produced the expected revenues, has led to increases in crime and lowering property values around dispensaries. Even in Deep Blue CO, some are thinking it was a mistake to legalize it.
I don't use it for any purpose so it doesn't affect me from that standpoint. There is recent research that shows habitual marijuana usage is not without longer term side effects so it's looking like it's just as harmful as alcohol usage.
FWIW, I voted against legalizing it in FL due to the shortcomings I saw in CO.
I don't use it for any purpose so it doesn't affect me from that standpoint. There is recent research that shows habitual marijuana usage is not without longer term side effects so it's looking like it's just as harmful as alcohol usage.
FWIW, I voted against legalizing it in FL due to the shortcomings I saw in CO.
I've had more than my fair share of weed over the years. Don't partake nearly as much as I used to but would rather do that than drink. It's not a habit for me as I can go months without it but if I'm around someome who has it, I'm taking a few puffs.
No, that’s a lie. Anyway here in Ohio I haven’t noticed much difference. Smell out in crowds more, that’s about it.
The people I know who use it most frequently are losers.
I'd have to find the articles I read. 'Research says' is always fraught with potentially bad conclusions. IIRC, the articles said long term users tended to be unmotivated, under employed, generally in poor physical shape, had problems maintaining relationships, stuff like that not necessarily a lot of physical consequences. That's purely from memory so I could be misquoting.
I absolutely don’t doubt that chronic marijuana use is bad for you, much like most things. But there is no way it’s as bad as alcohol, which is basically legal poison. Anyone that’s ever drank a lot can tell you that the following morning.
Using weed as the reason for those things sounds like a coping mechanism and not taking ownership of your problems.
Same as myself BC. I used to smoke it quite a bit, but I haven't actually smoked any flower for a couple of years; I only use carts now, and usually only 3-4 times a week. I actually like the convenience of the carts as opposed to flower.
I actually qualify for a medical cannabis card, but I will never get one due to the fact that, per Ky. law, you cannot own any firearms if you get a card. As long as I can stop by a shop and pick up a cart I'm happy. Btw, I voted yes on legalization for my state, Ky.
I’ve watched alcohol abuse destroy lives. Shatter families. Cause bankruptcies. Prison. Deaths.
Of all the “potheads” I knew in high school and college I’m willing to wager that their outcomes are far better than people who abuse alcohol.
Thank you for your response.
I know chronic smokers who have held fantastic jobs for many years and also know some who can't ever seem to make it to work, much less hold a job long term. My opinion is that the latter was a lazy loser before they ever even thought of smoking.
Maybe and it is quite possible that peoples genetic make up is different so it affects them differently. Most people can drink frequently and never become an alcoholic but others find it difficult to even have one drink without turning into a raging alcoholic.
I have drank some as a teenager but never done drugs of any kind. I found that I don't need drugs or alcohol to enjoy life and have found that most people I know who do, those usually aren't doing it to enjoy life more, it's usually to forget what is going on in their life. They just seem to use it as a coping mechanism. With that said as long as they aren't bothering me or it isn't causing laws to be broken such as driving impaired, drug related crimes, etc then I don't care what they do.
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You need to quit hanging out with losers. Several I know who responsibly partake are freaking genius in several STEM fields
I live in a state where it's legal recreationally. Hasn't really seemed to have any negative affects on anything. It's more expensive than going to a dealer, but it's incredibly easy to just walk into a dispensary and buy whatever you want. There are even places that will deliver it right to your house.
As a 36 year old who was never really into the drug scene when I was younger, I'd have no clue how to find a dealer these days. Plus, I don't really like to smoke so the edibles are a much better option. I very much like that I can walk into a dispensary, order some cherry flavored gummies that are regulated and tell me exactly how much THC they have, and walk out without ever having to worry about anything.
The worst thing I've done while high so far since it's been legal here is DoorDash a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts and eaten them all at once. Okay maybe I've done that a few times, but it's still safer and less harmful than alcohol.
It really should be legalized on the federal level.
As a 36 year old who was never really into the drug scene when I was younger, I'd have no clue how to find a dealer these days. Plus, I don't really like to smoke so the edibles are a much better option. I very much like that I can walk into a dispensary, order some cherry flavored gummies that are regulated and tell me exactly how much THC they have, and walk out without ever having to worry about anything.
The worst thing I've done while high so far since it's been legal here is DoorDash a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts and eaten them all at once. Okay maybe I've done that a few times, but it's still safer and less harmful than alcohol.
It really should be legalized on the federal level.
Yes, it's a lie. Weed certainly has longer term negative side affects. But you said "it's just as harmful as alcohol usage" which is absolutely not true. Show me the last person to die from a marijuana withdrawal or organ failure due to too much marijuana. That's a daily occurrence many times over due to alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumption is literally the #1 cause of preventable death in the US.
I lived in Oregon when they legalized it about 10 years ago, moved to Maryland and live in Illinois now, so all legal states. I don't partake myself but my wife takes gummies at night to help her fall asleep. It's great that she can walk in, talk to the people working about what she wants to take it for and they give her suggestions, flavors, etc. I think it's funny that it's not legalized in all states. I've been in a couple of the dispensaries here in town and they are super nice. Here is a picture of the one that she gets her gummies from:
I don't care either way too much, but somehow Kentucky has managed to make it seem more illegal with all the hoops you have to jump through to get a card.
I think mainly edibles as they do not want to pollute their lungs with smoke.
lol same. I have one friend that has parents that grow it. And they charge too much and I have to drive to shively to get it so f that. Other than that my best guess would go hang out under the 65 bridge. I’m sure I’ll find some drugs there
Been legal in NY to sell for a few years now, so I find these posts interesting int hat I have to remember some states it's still not legal.
IDK, never really cared for using it, even though I smoked a lot in my college years. I am fine if they legalize it and don't think anyone should be arrested for it or thrown in prison.
But I will say, you go to cities where it's now legal, and you see a heck of lot more people clearly ripped out of their mind. You smell it 10x as much. In the duplex apartment we lived in for a while, you'd smell it from people driving by. There's always 1-2 people at the gym everyday that must have just smoked a blunt before coming in. I don't think the legalization has been a 100% success as many of us, myself included, thought it would be. Sure seems like some have taken this as an opportunity to just be high all day long. Which.. I guess is the problem with any substance, be it alcohol, pills etc.
IDK, never really cared for using it, even though I smoked a lot in my college years. I am fine if they legalize it and don't think anyone should be arrested for it or thrown in prison.
But I will say, you go to cities where it's now legal, and you see a heck of lot more people clearly ripped out of their mind. You smell it 10x as much. In the duplex apartment we lived in for a while, you'd smell it from people driving by. There's always 1-2 people at the gym everyday that must have just smoked a blunt before coming in. I don't think the legalization has been a 100% success as many of us, myself included, thought it would be. Sure seems like some have taken this as an opportunity to just be high all day long. Which.. I guess is the problem with any substance, be it alcohol, pills etc.
Regular user since the mid 90s. Rarely drink alcohol. Fully support legalization for medical and recreational. Currently live in backwards ass Kentucky where it’s always two decades slow.
I have a couple local connects, but usually just head up to Michigan to stock up a few times a year. More bang for the buck. More variety. Better weed. I can get 2 ounces of some shit with a name in Michigan for $120 or I could pay the black market dealer up the road $200 for an ounce of the same homegrown he’s had for the last 9 months.
The legality issue doesn’t stop me. Never has. I just think it’s funny that possessing a certain dried flower is the same as possessing a tomato in most of the country and a serious criminal offense in the shitty part.
If the drunk next door can legally buy his vice (that’s much worse) almost anywhere, I shouldn’t have to drive several states away for mine and risk jail time to do it. It’s a damn plant. Lol.
I have a couple local connects, but usually just head up to Michigan to stock up a few times a year. More bang for the buck. More variety. Better weed. I can get 2 ounces of some shit with a name in Michigan for $120 or I could pay the black market dealer up the road $200 for an ounce of the same homegrown he’s had for the last 9 months.
The legality issue doesn’t stop me. Never has. I just think it’s funny that possessing a certain dried flower is the same as possessing a tomato in most of the country and a serious criminal offense in the shitty part.
If the drunk next door can legally buy his vice (that’s much worse) almost anywhere, I shouldn’t have to drive several states away for mine and risk jail time to do it. It’s a damn plant. Lol.
Do you have any statistics to back that up?
Marijuana doesn’t have an attainable lethal dose in humans. You would need to smoke your body weight in one sitting to die from weed, and that’s impossible. Not to mention, most folks don’t have the money to buy 200 pounds of weed at once. You’d pass out (and sleep really well) after your first ounce if you made it that far.
Alcohol certainly has a lethal dose. Try to drink a half gallon of 100 proof bourbon in one sitting with no built up tolerance.
A person cannot die from marijuana withdrawal as the drug is only psychologically addictive. Yes, they might turn into a raging prick with insomnia and a decreased appetite, but it won’t kill them ot make them deathly ill if they stop cold turkey. Same can’t be said for alcohol or opioid withdrawal.
Smoking marijuana can cause lung damage, but it takes a lot longer to screw up your lungs smoking weed than it does to mess up your liver with alcohol.
There are thousands of deaths a year from alcohol poisoning, chronic conditions caused by alcoholism such as sclerosis of the liver, plus all the crimes committed while under the influence of alcohol like domestic violence, sexual assault and DUI crashes.
I do think weed should have the same DUI laws as booze.
Agreed.. and this seems to be a problem with.. shall I say.. the impoverished demographic of weed smokers? There is absolutely no regard for their smoking habits. They'll smoke while driving, smoke around kids, smoke/vape in areas and buildings they shouldn't.
There is a large portion of society who took MJ legalization to mean "I'm going to do this any time, any place and for however long I like". And not only is that a safety issue for others, but it really can't be good for your brain to be high 24/7. Every weed smoker likes to say "I can work just fine when I'm high!" yet.. I've never actually seen it. Instead, I just saw slow people having a tough time doing simple tasks as drive-thrus, store counters, convenient stores.
We seem to have pushed the pendulum too far in the other direction when it comes to MJ use, in that it's totally and completely 100% harmless to your health and the health of others. It's for sure safer than pills, and it's safer than alcohol.. but it's still something that shouldn't be done all day every day.
I guess I don’t really understand why we’re talking about the 5% sociopath chronic users anyway. I mean we always have the 5% of degenerates. Were people also against legalizing sports betting because of the degenerates? Of course people that smoke all day everyday are likely losers. So are people who gamble, drink, eat, or masturbate all day are to. Who cares? I see no reason why our laws should be made to stop the 5%. There are far more people who just want to enjoy a hit or two on Friday night after a long week and like going to a store and buying it instead of a drug dealer with it potentially laced. I know I’m personally happy that in college my kids will be smoking legal vetted stuff from a store instead of potentially laced stuff from a guy who also sells heroin.
Me? I never said we should keep it illegal.
My point was more towards those who think this drug has zero setbacks, side-effects, etc.
I also think the very pro-weed crowd needs to realize this needs to be treated similarly to alcohol and other drugs when it comes to driving, working, public use etc. I actually think it was in the other legalize thread here that a pro-weed person tried to say if you can't drive and smoke, then that should apply to caffeine because it's also a "drug".
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