FROM OUR INBOX
true, this is the strongest argument against legalization that I have heard yet. A vastly expanded government would be a “bad trip” no matter what drugs were legalized. Meanwhile my advice is “make hay while the sun shines.” I am concerned about the consequences of marijuana users driving while under its influence. Marijuana changes perception of distance and depth, increases reaction time and the propensity to be distracted. I ammost concerned that peoplewill feel soberwhile still under its influence. Will police have equipment to test drivers as they do for alcohol? Does anyone even try to tell the public how to determine when it is safe to drive after smoking marijuana? I already try to avoid driving Friday and Saturday nights, because there are so many impaired drivers. – Joe S. P.J. O’Rourke comment: Joe, we address many of your concerns in this issue, and I wish I could tell you that we found easy answers to your questions. We didn’t. But I did talk to a friend of mine who is a State Trooper in a state that has legalized marijuana. He told me that all the State Troopers he’s talked to agree that they’d much rather deal with drivers stoned on pot than drunk drivers – more likely to be driving 5 mph in the fast lane and tell you how pretty your flashing blue lights are and less likely to pull a gun on you. Good for you to explore this topic. You need to differentiate between HEMP & MJ. They are cousins, and often confused in the public’s mind. – Duane C.
advocate, I don’t believe it is any of the government’s business what we do with our bodies AS LONG AS we aren’t hurting others. Parents need to instill these morals, not have govt. raise them. – Bryan D. P.J. O’Rourke comment: Bryan, you’re preaching to the choir. Amen. My husband and I have enough land that we could growmarijuana and make a heck of a lot more money than we do producing hay. I could see doing this if we were producing it solely for CBD oil. I would not feel comfortable producing marijuana for the purpose of making people high... I do not believe any mind-altering drug is harmless and legalizing marijuana could have serious consequences. However, you can argue if people are going to buy it anyway, then it should be regulated. Certainly anyone in jail for marijuana possession, or any other drug, should be released and provided with treatment (when necessary). If we legalize marijuana we need to change the whole of our society. We need universal Medicare so everyone has health care and access to treatment if they ever need it. We need to make college tuition free so everyone has an opportunity to succeed in life, no matter what neighborhood they are born in. When people have hope, they have a future, and they are much less likely to overuse substances that steal their drive to succeed. – B. P.J. O’Rourke comment: Dear B., I’m not sure I quite follow your “If we legalize marijuana we need to change the whole of our society” reasoning. However, if what you say is
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March 2019
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