Question for recreational users of marijuana

[lapislzi]

When (and I hope it's "when") marijuana is legalized, how is that going to change the public perception and private use?

Let me be clear: I have used it; decided it wasn't for me; know plenty of people who use it; have no problem being around when it's being used. Usually, it's when the kids are out/asleep and the party's winding down, and someone breaks out the dope. Or the smokers go outside and light up. Fine. It's understood that it is a somewhat clandestine activity. I've also made clear to my own teenager that I think it should be legal, regulated, and that, like alcohol and tobacco, should only be used by adults. (I don't know anybody who smokes marijuana in front of their children, whatever their age, although several of my friends have let their kids know they smoke.)

How is that going to change? Will it be OK to smoke it in front of our kids the same way we drink a beer or smoke a cigarette? Will we light up whenever we feel like it at a party? You can't walk down the street drinking a glass of wine, but you can smoke in public. So many questions!

I would like smokers to weigh in with their opinions and experiences.

Medical marijuana is a completely different issue...can we keep them separate for the purposes of discussion?

[T Wolf]

1. When (I hope Ilive long enough) it becomes legal ala alcohol, there SHOULD BE no difference

in the reaction of others and the behavior of tokers to that of drinkers.

But I would not bet on that acceptance happening too quickly.

It will be similar to the first inter-racial couples daring to go our in public in the past. It was "legal" but not accepted at all. Mixed couples still get stares and comments, just not from everyone.

It will be a slow change in societal reaction.

But, like the few brave mixed couples of the pat, some will be out there, pushing the envelope of acceptance.

[Recursion]

2. As long as it's smoked it will have the same stigma as tobacco smoking

And since its odor seems at least to me more powerful than cigarette smoke (I'd put it on par with a cigar) it will probably cause a bit more friction than cigarettes do; and Cambridge MA is already considering a bill to ban smoking outdoors in public places.

My bigger question is if it were fully legalized a la alcohol, what will RJR and Brown & Williamson do when they get their hands on it.

[lapislzi]

3. GMMJ

I don't like the sound of that. Not that I'm ever going to smoke it, but nothing big tobacco ever does benefits anybody except big tobacco.

OTOH, it might rescue some jobs and an industry that's become moribund. Just a thought.

[Ezlivin]

4. Coin-operated bongs on street corners

"Hemp-o-mats" where vending machines dispense your choice of herb.

"Toke Time" replacing Happy Hour.

Cannabis Country Tours instead of Wine Country Tours.

Spring Break will strip grocery store shelves bare, but most celebrants will be asleep before midnight.

Reality: A lot of adults sitting at home in the evening, firing up a joint/pipe/bong/vaporizer and relaxing after a day's work.

[lapislzi]

5. Plenty of folks I know do that already

Just out of sight of the kids and away from the window.

But I like the idea of cannabis tasting parties :)

[EOTE]

9. I don't expect a whole lot to change.

The biggest difference I expect is in the price and quality we receive. I'd imagine bud will become a lot better and cheaper for the most part. Which means I'll be able to give my lungs a break by smoking a small amount of kind rather than a larger amount of the crud I usually get.

[babydollhead]

21. I have little social support for my vice

I do not drink. If I drank, I would have social support, even encouragement, "Would you like a drink?" I have to hide. Hide from my kids, smoke on the way to a friends house, bake it. Nothing is wrong with partaking in the herb, except that I keep outgrowing my dealers, and have to hide to imbibe.

[lector]

6. smoke

My wife and I have been smokers of gods weed for at least 25 years each; (more for me) People say it eats brain cells... I look at my wife; she was an AVP for a fortune 500 co. She ran 5 offices in 3 states went back a received a Masters in MSMIT (brick and mortar, not on line) while she was working.
She graduated with a 4.1 Suma. She did that while flying all over the dam country on business. The job she did while getting the degree was good enough to get her a nice promotion. So much for the it makes you stupid theory.
Me, hell I have never the sharpest tool in the shed but I have done well for myself.

[lapislzi]

7. I'll say it again: I have no problem with it or its users

Provided they use responsibly, do not get behind the wheel of a car, or are responsible for the care of children. I feel the same way about other illegal substances and alcohol. Even some OTC drugs can make you loopy temporarily.

[FrancisTreptoe]

8. Interesting questions.

I smoke roughly 4 to 5 times a week in my spare time (usually at the end of the day to relax after school and work) and I only feel comfortable doing it around or with people i trust.

Unfortunately i think it will take at least 20 to 30 years for marijuana to become legal for personal usage, but for that to happen its needs to become socially acceptable for at least 75% of the population and we just don't have the numbers at the moment thanks to the goddamn baby-boomers.

Will it be OK to smoke it in front of our kids the same way we drink a beer or smoke a cigarette?
With drinking and smoking becoming decreasingly popular things to do around our children, I don't think Marijuana will be looked at any different. In fact when Marijuana does become legal, I think the government will make some extreme regulations about mixing smoking pot/children.

Will we light up whenever we feel like it at a party?
I suppose it just depends on the party you are at, but at most of the parties i go to (college parties) Marijuana is just a regular party drug to have around. Any drugs that are non-psychedellic's are rare(except for coke). I think it will take a very long time for Marijuana, even if it is legal for personal usage, to be acceptable at parties that consist of mostly adults.

You can't walk down the street drinking a glass of wine, but you can smoke in public.
When Marijuana is legalized for personal usage i think that it will be illegal just to smoke on the average street corner. There may be certain spots where you can smoke, but i'm sure for the most part it will be illegal to smoke just out in public. It will take many years after legalization for society to allow that.

[Xicano]

10. The issue is about "rights" as well as "common sense".

Its about the government's misuse of the interstate commerce clause to prohibit a right. Its also about the fact that prohibition doesn't work. When you can't even prevent drugs from being sold and used inside of prisons, how on earth can anyone expect it to work in the general public?

Its a waste of money and police resources, creates a black market enriching criminal empires, thus, creating greater endangerment to the public. It violates the fundamental principle of the human right of having autonomy over one's own body. You cannot even remotely refer to a system as promoting and protecting freedom when it disallows autonomy over one's own body. Outside of slavery, you cannot get further away from the principle of freedom than suppressing autonomy over one's own body.

As far as I'm concerned public perception has about as much place in this issue as it does about what food I chose to eat.

Well, that's my opinion anyway.



Peace,
Xicano

[lapislzi]

12. I totally agree with you...

Every good reason to make it legal. I was just asking questions about attitudes if and when the legal status changes.

Food has never been illegal; while it is ludicrous to think that someone would make a comment about the food you're eating, believe me, it happens. And if you think you own your body, try being visibly pregnant for one day. People think your body is public property. It used to drive me nuts that strangers thought they could just walk up and touch my belly (or later, my baby; or to make comments like, "that baby should be wearing a hat!")

Where there are people, there will be busybodies. That's not what this is about. I meant societal attitudes in the Big Picture.

[Xicano]

15. Hi lapislzi

Ain't it the truth. That is how some people think they have some sort of say over your body. Drives me crazy.

Anyway, I just thought to post in a way I knew I was preaching to the choir.


:hug:



Peace,
Xicano

[musiclawyer]

11. I am in CA

People already smoke in public. Anyone who went to a world series game can vouche for me.

But over time. People won't smoke as much. They will vaporize. Less expensive (because you use so little) and better for you. If I was allowed to, I could give you a link for a pocket sized vaporizers that cost $100 bucs. I see those alot at Raider games. Hand to mouth, a puff, back in your pocket. No one even notices.

I have told my high school age kids I would rather have them take a few vapor puffs ( because that's all you need) rather than drink in college.

Adults get buzzed with adult children. That happens all the time. Most adult stoners I know are pretty responsible in introducing thier kids to the herb at an appropriate time and manner.

I do think that cannabis will be more and more out of the closet and within a decade; there will be vapor bars here in CA and elsewhere along the west coast.

And once the nation realizes how great cannabis makes your sex life, the nation will drink less alcohol, which makes your sex life worse.

[costahawk1987]

13. Huh? Oh.

People probably would smoke more in front of their kids. They already drink in front of them, which is far worse. Neither is necessarily "OK" though. Sure, hell yeah, fire up the blunts whenever at parties. Pass 'em my way. We wouldn't need to get paranoid about burning incense or spraying air freshener either. Nosey neighbors would have to stick to more important issues, like our sex lives. As for walking down the street smoking a doobie, I've done that just so nobody could snitch on me for my apartment smelling like ganja. Damn, I wish I had some! I should make a call.

[AngryAmish]

14. I suspect it will be something like this:

[EstimatedProphet]

16. Look to the Netherlands as an example of what it will probably be like

[killbotfactory]

17. Don't expose anyone to the smoke who doesn't want to be exposed to it

Don't expose minors to it.

It's not that hard to be mildly considerate when smoking.

[musiclawyer]

18. There is no smoke from vaporizing

Not that one should vaporize in front of young minors either. That's why the pocket vaporizers are the future

[the redcoat]

19. Well, I think the public perception has ALREADY changed.

I think the trend in public opinion is pretty clear. People are beginning to understand that weed is not anywhere near as dangerous as, say alcohol, and unlike alcohol, they're seeing that it can have positive effects on people's lives. I expect there will always be a group of people who demonizes it, but I think, if legalized, public perception will only continue to move the way it has for decades.

[CreekDog]

20. It could result in people thinking "Everybody Loves Raymond" is funny

:shrug: