Alaska Ponders Pot Initiative
Friday, August 20, 2004
ANCHORAGE, Alaska "” The last frontier just may become the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana (search) completely.
Backers of a controversial ballot initiative want pot to be treated just like alcohol. If voters pass the measure, it would be legal to grow, smoke and sell any amount of marijuana so long as one is 21 years of age. The state would regulate the cannabis industry just like it licenses booze and cigarettes.
"Alaskans are independent and I think Alaskans believe people should have the maximum freedom of choice," said Ken Jacobus, a pro-marijuana attorney. "Adults can choose cigarettes, they can choose alcohol."
But state Attorney General Gregg Renkes (search) said he opposes the initiative.
"It's going to lead to a higher rate of addiction for marijuana and other drugs, it will increase the burden on the state and I think it's really a disservice to our young people," Renkes said.
Alaskans can currently possess small amounts of pot for use in their homes and medical marijuana (search) is allowed. But the state has the highest drug addiction in the country and is among the nation's leaders in unemployment, child abuse and domestic violence.
"Alaskans are independent and I think Alaskans believe people should have the maximum freedom of choice," said Ken Jacobus, a pro-marijuana attorney. "Adults can choose cigarettes, they can choose alcohol."
I agree Aught. Its awful funny that pain medication that is made in a lab, is very addictive, and can be taxed is easily legal, but medical Weed is illegal.
Of course, dopers wish to legalize marijuana. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why.
I absolutely despise those who hide behind the, "marijuana for medicinal purposes!". How many of them do you think genuinely gives a fly about people who are severely ill? Honestly? How many who are for this, are severely ill? Really.
For those who are severely ill and are for this use...try asking them how they felt towards marijuana use prior to their illness.
As for choosing cigarettes & alcohol (they have to hide behind that too, huh?)...how many complain of this, having this choice? How many who are pro-marijuana are anti-smokers, down on alcohol or drunk driving? Oh sure, that's all we need now...a bunch of stoned individuals out driving the streets. At work, in our schools etc. etc.
To me, based on what I've heard and from who...it's clear to me that the majority of the people who are for this ARE dope smokers.
i hate it when they say pot doesnt hurt your brain...i've seen first hand what it does. theres a guy that worked this summer at the mill. he admits to smoking pot. becaues of smoking it, he talks slurred and goes into la la land alot. i think dope should be enforced alot harder than it is. its taking its toll on our country.
A question here.... How many here suffer from either MS or Terminal Cancer?!? When my late father was in the process of dying from Pancreatic cancer he of all people tried medicinal pot in an attempt to increase his desire to eat. Needless to say his system was to far gone for it to work. [&:] With that type of cancer it may not have been a help anyway. It did help him deal with the severe nausea from the chemo though. Nope, it did not save his life...it did ease somethings for a shortime and I am grateful for that....
There is also a friend I have that many here know....he has MS, and would rather smoke than take many of the drugs that dope him up beyond being able to cope! And those are precriptions for cripes sake that he cannot function on.... So for those that want to say BS to the medicinal aspect....watch you father die, or a friend suffer first! And see how it can help...in whatever small way. Then make your decision!!
If medicinal marijuana was legalized it would be no worse than taking some legal prescription drugs. I imagine it also helps better in many cases too. Pain killing drugs are addictive over a period of time and what few are effective can make a person very sick. Take Hydrocordone for instance............even in prescribed doses and on a full stomach some people get sicker than a dog.
For certain instances, I am for its legalization. Not for recreational use but for medicinal purposes.
Very subjective, albeit understandable-to a point. When we create laws & policies based upon a subjective view (personal)...we run into problems. It serves the minority and not representative of the majority, usually.
Yes, I've known someone close to us who died a few years ago from cancer. Prior to his death, I asked what pain medication he chose to use. Believe it or not, he used Tylenol. Stronger system? Tougher character? Perhaps both.
If you took 100 people for the legalization of marijuana, how many do you suppose are genuinely for the legalizations due to medicinal purposes?
If you took 100 people who smoked dope, how many do you think smoke due to pain?
Legalized, how many patients with acute pain opt to smoke it? Previous usage?
I believe the numbers to be very small, on the whole.
Dopers were for the legalization for obvious reasons. When "for medicinal purposes" circulated, they were all over it.
If you can't take people through reason, appeal to their emotions.
This isn't truly about marijuana for medicinal purposes...just look, they are trying to make it legal for all people to grow, smoke & sell, provided they are 21 years of age and above.
People DO have motives, give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Using the emotions of others as a shoe in.
You may say it helps ease the pain, while a grieving mothers says it killed her son. You may say it should be legalized, while the mother asks for stiffer enforcement.
This may seem calloused, but I don't believe in sacrificing the whole for the sake of a few.
I contend that legalizing marijuana would do more harm than good.
Funny you should mention a co-worker under the influence while working at the mill. Unless a person has been in a mill, it's difficult to imagine all the possible dangers of working in one.
Years ago, my father, brother in-law and husband worked for L.P. sawmill. All were aware of the drug use (marijuana) that occured prior to work & during the lunch hours. Everyone knew who the users were and usually knew when they were under the influence. A few times my husband came home very angry, angry from feeling his life was put on line that night by a co-worker who was doped up.
Due to the problems and concerns of the worst happening, the company incorporated random drug screening. This was hotly debated, however everyone did feel safer.
For those who valued their job more (and you were smart if you did, it was one of the highest paying employers) abandoned drug usage and for those who couldn't give it up-were weeded out and replaced with new workers.
Legalize it. If people are using it at work fire them just like you would if they were getting drunk at work. If they are driving under the influence arrest them same as a drunk driver.
Prohibition didn't work for alcohol and it sure isn' tworking for marijuana.
BTW, haven't smoked in years.
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Alaska wants to get high!
