Look I think the problem that people have with the WOD is not pot or no pot. I think the problem is government seizures of property without cause or warrant. No knock warrants executed by the fistful. The 4th Amendment, the 5th Amendment ignored and gamed.
That is the problem. Not pot. The question is, is the government by their actions making things better or worst. That is the fundamental question, not second hand contact high questions.
I and many others avoid pot not because it is against the law, but because it is stupid. For the same reason I don’t drink a fifth of vodka every night. Is it against the law to drink a fifth of vodka every night? No. But I don’t do it because I don’t want to destroy my liver. Do some people drink a fifth of vodka every night? Probably. Again the question is, is the government making the situation better or worst? Do people see more destruction of lives and lively hood from the actions of the government or from pot consumption. I think right now the government is causing more disruption and destruction trying to stop a problem than the problem itself could ever create. That is the point.
Some idiot low I.Q. cop beating up an old man at a nursing home is not terribly uncommon. Nor is an instance of cops not providing medical attention and killing an injured driver: http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2010/03/clackamas_county_settles_for_1.html
This case in Clackamas County is once again evidence of cops not asking a simple question, am I making the situation better or worst?
This is a matter of Police Institutional standards, expectations and training methods. If cops don’t reform they risk wide spread deadly violence against them by the lawless who will do the violence, and apathy from the law abiding who will let it happen.
The practices and expectations of LEO in this country are disgraceful. The whole rotten mess needs to be re-tooled. It can be done, but it must be done by LEO who run the institutions, develop standards and implement training.
As an EMT, I have been on a call to the nursing home for an unruly, violent elderly male, probably his meds were off complicating the problem. The cop there was very hesitant to use force, as he did not want to physically harm the patient while trying to help. He understood the situation perfectly. We talked the man down and into the ambulance. No violence, no injury. Digoxin poisoning happens to the elderly, not their fault. Lots of other meds can add up in their bodies and do similar things. Sundowning can happen. The list of possibilities is endless. Compassion cannot be taught, though. Sometimes cops become cops for the wrong reasons. I am thankful that in my town there are decent cops. I am lucky.