Sacramento Bee: Weed goes mainstream

[marmar]

Weed goes mainstream

By Peter Hecht
[e-mail]

Published: Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 1A


John Wade, 43, a San Francisco commercial lighting specialist, takes a quick hit from a marijuana cigarette on the golf course to steady himself before putting.

Sarika Simmons, 35, of San Diego County, sometimes unwinds after the kids are asleep with tokes from a fruit-flavored cigar filled with pot.

And retiree Robert Girvetz, 78, of San Juan Capistrano, recently started anew – replacing his occasional martini with marijuana.

"It's a little different than I remember," he says. "A couple of hits – and wooooo. … "

As California voters prepare to decide in November whether to become the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a new Field Poll conducted for The Sacramento Bee reveals that weed already is deeply woven into society. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/08/2944518/weed-goes-mainstream.html#ixzz0w1CKjmWN

[Warpy]

1. It's always been mainstream, at least in the cities

and most people I know smoke once in a while. Some are even daily users, maintaining a high functioning level.

Trying to pretend it's not mainstream has been an exercise in futility. Declaring war on a plant is one of the silliest things our wonderful government by the people has ever done.

Legalize it. Tax it. Sell it behind the counter to slow kids down. Take the profit out of the black market and bust the gangs. Continuing prohibition makes no sense at all on any level.

For the record, I don't use it, it sets my asthma off. I would, however, appreciate the ability to make loaded brownies once or twice a year. They'd probably help my chronic pain considerably.

[XOKCowboy]

9. +1 - Pols like the "War On Drugs"

It brings them donations from Big Pharma to keep it illegal. It keeps a huge federal bureaucracy (DEA) in place and it plays well to the stupid and uninformed.

Legalize it NOW!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Now let's start plotting healthcare costs in Ca, both psychological

and physical. We'll see what's what.

[FreakinDJ]

4. Alcohol related medical problems will fall like a rock

Diabetics should not drink ever.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. Give that man a cigar!! Not to mention it has some health benefits

as well, I wonder if lowered stress levels can affect someone in a positive manner?

[formercia]

6. Big Pharma will get you for that statement.

How many Billions are spent each year for mood altering drugs? A lot.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. According to some who are invested in big pharma, not enough

however I've done the math and it works out rather nicely.

[FreakinDJ]

7. from a person who does not drink or smoke pot

its a slam dunk no brainer

If fact I should jump up on my soap box and claim I'm tired of paying for the Federal Government's ignorance

[FreakinDJ]

3. Too late to put the Gennie back in the bottle on that issue

Pot being legalized is a done deal as far as Californians are concerned and already there is a made dash to start farming to get a little extra cash

Going to be interesting to see the Fed's response.

[SpiralHawk]

10. "Oh Noes" - Republicon Pharisees on Prescription DRUGS

[FirstLight]

11. it will be interesting to see how this effects employer drug tests...

Ironically, many employers in city areas don't do pre-employment drug screens.... here in my rural town, about 95% DO.

I have been told that a medical card is still not okay and don't even bother applying for a job, there's no protection, HIPAA laws offer no refuge. I have chronic arthritis, and alcohol exacerbates the problem. Since jobsearching has begun to take over my life, I have had to quit in preparation for the inevitable pee test...(if they go for hair, forget it.) My sleep patterns are fucked and my pain level is through the roof, and i am sure my liver does not appreciate me popping tylenol like chicklets.


and what about those drug tests they give when there's an accident? Pot stays in the system so long, any weekend or evening usage can get you seriously screwed..

I hope that this passes, and that employers will wise up, and maybe someone can develop a more accurate test so that those of us who use it in our 'off hours' are protected.

either way i forsee some major legal battles forthcoming... hopefully CA will lead the way in teaching tolerance for such a beneficial NATURAL medicine.

[Wednesdays]

12. Mainstream? Not here in Oklahoma, according to the law.

I sat in a courtroom where they handed down sentences for misdemeanor possession.

The first case: $700 fine plus court costs. The second case, $1000 fine.

In both cases, the possession was small amounts for personal use. Both were first offenses. :(