https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:53:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317407 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:29:32 +0000 MsLipGloss 1317407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: @prettylizy: I didn't know about the potential DUI issue . . . that, in and of itself, is serious cause for me to consider my position regarding legalization. </p> <p>@prettylizy: I also agree with you regarding your emotional feelings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317403 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:28:47 +0000 cyndistar3 1317403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm all for it. Banning it is obviously not working so why not regulate and tax it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317387 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:24:28 +0000 prettylizy 1317387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Intellectually I think it's a good idea to get it out of the hands of criminals, and tax the bahjeezus out of it. Emotionally I think it's crap and don't want it anywhere that is easily accessible and seemingly acceptable. I think pot stinks in ever sense of the word and driving while under the influence of cannabis is hard to 'road test' (no breathalizer for that). It just makes me nervous to think about more people having easy access to another something that make driving dangerous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317384 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:23:58 +0000 yoursilverlining 1317384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Vegmama: bath salts are scary - they make people CRAZY! Those are illegal in our state too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317360 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:13:41 +0000 Vegmama 1317360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! If it's regulated &amp; taxed, it would be HUGE for the government. I really hope it works. Also, there are idiots who drink alcohol and act very foolish ... there will be idiots who smoke pot &amp; do the same. People smoke bath salts, so yeahhhh ... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317346 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:05:31 +0000 MrsStormy 1317346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am totally in camp legalize it, but I live in Ca (where it is legal for medical use- and it is EASY to get a perscription) and have seen how hard it is for police to issue DUI's for this. Since it is in your system for a month they don't have an effective method of determining if you are CURRENTLY under the influence. I think that could be a major and I don't know how they would fix that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317342 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:02:13 +0000 Lindsay05 1317342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I, unfortunately, was exposed to the darker sides of marijuana when I was in school. And by darker, I mean being at drug dealers homes where they were trafficking it out of their homes and their were some seriously shady people coming and going all the time. It scared the hell out of me! If it were legalized, these kind of at home operations would no longer be a concern (for marijuana at least). I also know of plenty of people who use it medicinally and recreationally who are very active successful members of the community. Why not legalize it to a) tax it b) allow cops to focus on more important things c) use the tax money to research the hell out of it and its effects on people. The people who will suffer the most are the ones who are already using because the cost of it would skyrocket. Just because its legal does not make it 'harmless'. But if people want to abuse it, go hard. The gov't should place regulations on it just like everything else, which I am sure they would. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317322 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:56:10 +0000 Sunderling 1317322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to be a daily light user, I switched to vaporization instead of smoking pretty early on to avoid the harmful effects of combustion. I only used it evenings/weekends or days off, and only if I wasn't planning on going out anywhere. The lack of any change in my personality or intelligence level during that time was actually what convinced my husband to be in favour of legalization. I stopped because he didn't want me doing something that was currently illegal, and it took about a week and a half of irritability before I was totally fine with the idea of not using it for a long period of time.<br /> I know several people who are current medium-heavy pot users and are fully functioning members of society, and many more who are occasional recreational users and have no particular urge to smoke more. I do know of one person who had to stop because it made him anxious and paranoid, and a couple who felt they were too dependent on it and were spending too much money.<br /> I'm in favour of legalization because of my own experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317292 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:45:27 +0000 LuLu Mom 1317292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All for it! Regulate it and tax it...get money instead of losing money on prosecuting it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317249 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:31:16 +0000 MrsSCB 1317249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I know people who regularly smoke pot who are very productive members of society, and also at least one person who is not (though he has other issues). But I also just wanted to suggest that because pot is still illegal most places, it's possible people who have tried it don't necessarily feel comfortable speaking up about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317246 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:30:30 +0000 mrs. bird 1317246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: sorry, I didn't follow that. It's terrible in what way? Because it's misused by some people? Most things are, but I can still buy cough syrup at the pharmacy &amp; choose not to abuse it. My husband is an alcoholic, it doesn't mean the entire country should be punished for drinking &amp; alcohol causes physical addiction, pot does not. Studies have shown teens have a harder time getting alcohol vs getting pot, making it legal doesn't mean you allow young people to use it or that it shouldn't be controlled, it's just the opposite. And I can't address your firearms comment, could you clarify? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317224 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:24:04 +0000 Cherrybee 1317224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: You're right, of course you don't have to use something to have an opinion on it. I just thought it was interesting how many people prefaced their "legalise it" viewpoint with "I've never tried it and I never intend to". If it's so harmless that it should be legalised then why have they never tried it and never intend to?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317171 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:10:08 +0000 mrs. bird 1317171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aimed: are the harmful effects from just one use that you're referring to related to smoking it? because while inhaling smoke of any variety isn't great for your body, marijuana doesn't need to be smoked and people can avoid those harmful effects by using it in other ways if they want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317157 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:06:49 +0000 Greentea 1317157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: @mrs. bird: well... I guess the bottom line for me (I have a looooot of experience with this unfortunately) is along the lines of what cherrybee first said. I find it to be a terrible thing and I don't think it should be any easier... maybe how some people feel about firearms? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317144 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:01:38 +0000 mrs. bird 1317144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: i don't think people need to personally use something to have an opinion on whether the government should have the right to punish people for its use. i don't need to try meth to say it should be illegal because it is dangerous to society and strongly addictive and harmful to individuals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317130 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 10:56:16 +0000 mrsjazz 1317130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I actually know plenty of people who are regular pot users who are not losers. They are productive members of society. I can't say how pot has or hasn't affected them healthwise but I can say anecdotally that the few people I am talking about have steady, well-paying jobs and don't sit around on the couch all day. I used to smoke it recreationally but I didn't like how it made me feel like my body was made of lead. </p> <p>We can't go back and ban cigarettes and alcohol. Prescription drug use is rampant. I've seen people's lives devastated by alcohol and cigarettes. And so many lives have been devastated by the war on drugs and minor offenses with marijuana. Obviously the way we've been doing things now is not working, I'm ready for a change! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1317047 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 10:31:59 +0000 Chastenet 1317047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's much less harmful than alcohol or cigarettes - so I say yes &amp; tax that! Would also save lots of money currently wasted on locking people up for pot offenses and on the "war on drugs". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316745 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 09:10:11 +0000 pui 1316745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Sums it up nicely! Tax the crap out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316712 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 09:01:50 +0000 hilsy85 1316712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it should be legalized because it's harmless or because it isn't damaging to lives--it definitely is. @dagret: I worked at an outpatient substance abuse facility and had maaaany clients who literally smoked all day, every day, and often felt like they needed to smoke in order to get through the day. </p> <p>I think its more of a case of--people are doing it anyway, and will do it anyway, and I would rather have regulations on it than have illegal drug dealers be the one controlling the distribution, not to mention making all the money off it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316657 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 08:27:43 +0000 dagret 1316657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For it - legalize it, regulate it, tax it. I have seen many, many more people whose lives have been derailed by legally prescribed pain meds- I could list at least 12 people off the top of my head who started abusing prescription opiates and ended up on heroin. But I can't think of anyone I know who smokes pot to function. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316620 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 08:06:29 +0000 MsLipGloss 1316620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Even though I have never tried it, and never intend to (for the same reasons that I would never try a cigarette), and would vote to legalize it, it's not because I think it's harmless. I think marijuana is *much* worse than cigarettes in many aspects (including, but not limited to, its causal link to mental illnesses ranging from paranoia and hallucinations to depression and suicide, and increased risk for heart attacks, etc.)</p> <p>I'm not even sure that it (marijuana) should be used in medicine to treat pain and nausea (there are several reasons for that), although other THC-based drugs to treat pain and nausea are already FDA approved and prescribed, and scientists continue to investigate the medicinal properties of cannabinoids.</p> <p>I also don't think any regular users will admit that it has--or can--done/do them any harm. I certainly haven't met any who have ever admitted that to me. I guess at the end of the day what it comes down to for me is what I want our resources dedicated to . . . prosecuting child molesters, rapists, and other criminals, or prosecuting someone for having a baggie of pot when they got pulled over for a broken tail light. In a perfect world, we could do it all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316590 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:34:33 +0000 Cherrybee 1316590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: We will be watching with interest from across the pond.... I hope it works, I really do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316582 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:27:32 +0000 mrbee 1316582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I have also seen talented people stripped of all ambition by pot... especially when used heavily by minors. But we've tried the whole war on drugs thing for marijuana, and it hasn't been going very well. At some point, I think it makes sense to try something different! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316581 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:27:07 +0000 BananaPancakes 1316581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Legalize it! All for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316578 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:24:37 +0000 Cherrybee 1316578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Ahh! It's borderline legal here anyway the law is so lax on it. I don't think I know anyone who fits that description, myself, but it might just be because the only successful people I know I know from work (and you don't admit that to a colleague, do you?!)/ Our *real friends* are all struggling musicians and ex party girls/guys. We fall into two camps now - those who have grown up (and given up) and those who haven't.... and let me tell you, there's nothing sadder than a mid thirties stoner hanging around the student pubs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316569 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:15:53 +0000 mrbee 1316569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I know a lot of people who fit that description! The thing is, marijuana usage is still illegal on the federal level in the US (even in Colorado) and so a lot of people are careful about admitting that they use a controlled substance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization/page/2#post-1316566 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:11:47 +0000 Cherrybee 1316566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: That's a very good point - and this is why I'm not running the country, because I don't have the answers. Nothing is ever simple. But I strongly believe that turning a blind eye to the issues and saying "oh, let's legalise it, people are going to do it anyway and, hey, we can tax it" just isn't good enough. </p> <p>It's amazing how many people who have commented here fall into the "well I've never tried it and I never will but, hey, legalise it" camp. The same camp as most of these politicians who are relying on reports and cleanly, concisely presented scientific research to make their decisions. Where are all the "I'm a regular user and it hasn't done me any harm" people??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization#post-1316564 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:10:12 +0000 Aimed 1316564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: agree! Unlike cigarettes, pot can change personalities and the health effects are horrid. I am in the camp that cigarettes should be banned though due to their health effects.<br /> I get the alcohol argument, but think you can drink responsibly, but I don't think you can smoke cigarettes or pot responsibly as even one is damaging to your health and the health of those around.<br /> I totally get the 'tax it' argument though.<br /> I suppose I just feel if we had been more careful with legalizing cigarettes back in the day, so many lives would have been saved, and pot is even worse for your health and once something is legalized it's virtually impossible to ban it even if the effects are terrible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization#post-1316556 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 06:57:19 +0000 mrbee 1316556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: but we did ban alcohol here in the States, with a constitutional amendment no less! Prohibition was widely regarded as a disaster on many levels though... except for organized crime, which made out very well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-about-recreational-marijuana-legalization#post-1316552 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 06:52:57 +0000 Cherrybee 1316552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Exactly! And that fact alone disproves any arguments that legalising marijuana will allow us to control it's use, encourage sensible use etc. Alcohol is legal but does our society interact with it responsibly - no! So shouldn't we be looking at alcohol and asking if it should be banned rather than adding even more legal substances into the mix? </p>