Cy Young and the legalization of weed

[PaloAltoCougar]

Junkie's link in the pro sports forum to Tim Lincecum's bust for pot possession brings up a question I've had about weed. Though I've smelled a lot of it over the years, I've never gotten high off of pot, so I'm curious about its effects. While I'm certain no one here has any personal experience, can anyone tell me if weed affects one's driving skills the way alcohol does? Does one get progressively more wasted the more one smokes (the way blood alcohol levels climb with increasing booze consumption)?

I ask this because over the years I've warmed up to the idea of pot legalization, and I'd probably be on board if I were confident that it would not cause a material increase in driving accidents. Legalize it, tax it, and reduce a lot of jail and law enforcement expenses. DUI laws would remain in full effect. I also think there would be a lot less domestic violence if people were having a pleasant toke or two rather than getting wasted on Jack.

Do you strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana?

[I.J. Reilly]

Marijuana slows down your reaction time, and affects your driving in that way.

The high you receive depends on the concentration of the THC in the plant. You can have a "stronger" high, if that makes sense. It takes a few hits, depending on your preferred method of inhalation and the strength of your weed, to get high. Depending on type, the buzz can last for differing amounts of time and people sometimes react slightly different to different varieties.

Being high has a much smaller effect on driving abilities than being drunk does. You can still see straight when you are high.

[creekster]

Junkie's link in the pro sports forum to Tim Lincecum's bust for pot possession brings up a question I've had about weed. Though I've smelled a lot of it over the years, I've never gotten high off of pot, so I'm curious about its effects. While I'm certain no one here has any personal experience, can anyone tell me if weed affects one's driving skills the way alcohol does? Does one get progressively more wasted the more one smokes (the way blood alcohol levels climb with increasing booze consumption)?

I ask this because over the years I've warmed up to the idea of pot legalization, and I'd probably be on board if I were confident that it would not cause a material increase in driving accidents. Legalize it, tax it, and reduce a lot of jail and law enforcement expenses. DUI laws would remain in full effect. I also think there would be a lot less domestic violence if people were having a pleasant toke or two rather than getting wasted on Jack.

Do you strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana?

Marijuna use does impari driving abilites (or so I have heard). The quesiton is really whether you would be more or less liekly to have people DWS (Driving while stoned). I recall reading some studies suggesting you would actually have a lower incidecen of DWS if it was legalized.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Marijuana slows down your reaction time, and affects your driving in that way.

The high you receive depends on the concentration of the THC in the plant. You can have a "stronger" high, if that makes sense. It takes a few hits, depending on your preferred method of inhalation and the strength of your weed, to get high. Depending on type, the buzz can last for differing amounts of time and people sometimes react slightly different to different varieties.

Do you know if it's "testable" the way BAC can be determined instantly with a breathalyzer?

[Pheidippides]

Junkie's link in the pro sports forum to Tim Lincecum's bust for pot possession brings up a question I've had about weed. Though I've smelled a lot of it over the years, I've never gotten high off of pot, so I'm curious about its effects. While I'm certain no one here has any personal experience, can anyone tell me if weed affects one's driving skills the way alcohol does? Does one get progressively more wasted the more one smokes (the way blood alcohol levels climb with increasing booze consumption)?

I ask this because over the years I've warmed up to the idea of pot legalization, and I'd probably be on board if I were confident that it would not cause a material increase in driving accidents. Legalize it, tax it, and reduce a lot of jail and law enforcement expenses. DUI laws would remain in full effect. I also think there would be a lot less domestic violence if people were having a pleasant toke or two rather than getting wasted on Jack.

Do you strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana?

I'll take a hit of whatever you're having.

Actually, I've long thought that you should legalize it, commercialize it and tax it like alcohol or cigarettes. I think the same thing about prostitution as well.

[creekster]

Do you know if it's "testable" the way BAC can be determined instantly with a breathalyzer?

I dont think there is a breathalyzer, but there is indeirct evidence, like how many bags of opened doritos are found in the car.

[I.J. Reilly]

Do you know if it's "testable" the way BAC can be determined instantly with a breathalyzer?

I'm not sure about that. You can test fairly easily if someone has taken drugs (I think), but I don't know how you would determine someone's high.

My bet, though, is that if there was whiff of making it legal, someone would develop a way to test it. You can be busted for DWI when you take prescription drugs and drive, so they must have some way of determining these things, or at least a judgment call.

[Art Vandelay]

Marijuna use does impari driving abilites (or so I have heard). The quesiton is really whether you would be more or less liekly to have people DWS (Driving while stoned). I recall reading some studies suggesting you would actually have a lower incidecen of DWS if it was legalized.

Any truth the rumor, frequent bong hits is a common cause of poor typing?

[myboynoah]

Do you strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana?

Not only yes, but HELL YES!!!

I'm a real Neanderthal.

[creekster]

I'm not sure about that. You can test fairly easily if someone has taken drugs (I think), but I don't know how you would determine someone's high.

My bet, though, is that if there was whiff of making it legal, someone would develop a way to test it. You can be busted for DWI when you take prescription drugs and drive, so they must have some way of determining these things, or at least a judgment call.

DUI/DWI does not require a test or a level for a conviction. You just have to be able to rpove intoxication or influence, which can be shown by erratic driving, etc. Driving with a BAC above thelegal limit is a crime regardless ofthe quality of your driving. Those are different things.

[I.J. Reilly]

DUI/DWI does not require a test or a level for a conviction. You just have to be able to rpove intoxication or influence, which can be shown by erratic driving, etc. Driving with a BAC above thelegal limit is a crime regardless ofthe quality of your driving. Those are different things.

There you go.

You have exposed my ignorance surrounding the laws about driving while under the influence of alcohol

[SeattleUte]

Do you strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana?

No.

But I've never tried it.

I've heard prolonged use causes man boobs.

[creekster]

Any truth the rumor, frequent bong hits is a common cause of poor typing?

I resemble that remark!

[creekster]

No.

But I've never tried it.

I've heard prolonged use causes man boobs.

WHIle it can have hormonal effects, I think the man boobs are more likely to come from the snack food that follows the pot-induced munchies.

[I.J. Reilly]

As far as PAC's question about opposing marijuana's legalization, I'm pretty split on it. Since I'm a teetotaler and prohibitionist by religion, I'm pretty reluctant to legalize people recreationally mind altering. OTOH, the economic arguments for it are pretty strong, and as far as altering substances, it is pretty mild when compared against both alcohol and tobacco, albeit in different ways. Legalization would also help unclog the courts and jail system. Basically, I see both sides to it and am just fence-sitting until I find a really compelling argument, probably like many other American voters out there.