[SJSAMPLE]

Pilots, engineers, bus drivers can’t already get weed, if they really wanted?
Really?

People go to work DAILY under the influence of perfectly legal prescription drugs, just like they do with alcohol.

Legal weed wouldn’t be the doomsday that many want to predict.
Of course, it will essentially defund a law enforcement scheme that’s addicted to the war on drugs.

[lormand]

Barney hits the "broken clock is right twice a day" syndrome on this one.

[theDentist]

Pilots, engineers, bus drivers, etc have lives in their hands, and undergo drug testing at least annually, if not more often, and randomly.
The tests these days can be via urine to a hair sample. And depending on the length of your hair, they can detect marijuana as far back as 3 years.
Now, knowing how litigous this society is, would you as an employer keep on a Pilot, engineer, bus driver etc. if you knew that they smoked? Suppose there were an accident, and in the investigation someone were to say that you knew that pilot/driver smoked (and even if they hadn't in months), what would you say your chances were of being dragged into a lawsuit?
I think it should be decriminalized, btw.

[usurper]

Of course, it will essentially defund a law enforcement scheme that’s addicted to the war on drugs.

I think most cops would probably support legalization of pot. They consider minor possession a complete waste of their time. They see everyday the lives completely destroyed by drugs like meth and the crime and violence associated with them and think pot? Who cares?

As far as proceeds go pot enforcement costs a heck of a lot more than any proceeds recovered from property seizures or fines.

Legalize it, TAX it and defund the cartels. All other drugs should remain unlawful. And one last thing, drug test all welfare recipients, no cash for pot heads.

[Rebelbase]

Agreed. Anyone who thinks that illegal weed means people can’t get it are foolishly naive. It’s everywhere.

The law enforcement/court system will fight this tooth and nail as it will cause huge loss of funding and justification for jobs when 1/2 the court cases are canceled and there’s no more seizing property for weed offenses.

[vets son]

I agree with decriminalizing it. Pot is available in any town or city in the U.S. You can get arrested for DUI whether it’s legal or not. Legalize it and tax the hell out of it. The current, very successful continent wide distribution of this currently illegal drug is mind boggling. Both politicians and law enforcers that must be getting their cut will be eliminated.

[TCats]

“It will essentially defund a law enforcement scheme that’s addicted to the war on drugs.”

It would do this and also give Alcohol purveyors some stiff competition. That is probably the reason it can't pass.

I see a lot of opposition here. I'm for legalizing, regulating and, to the extent reasonable, taxing MJ. It would, as you point out, make a good part of the war on drugs unnecessary, would cut into the Cartels enormous profits and get the already widespread use out in the open and in a fashion where it can be seriously regulated.

To me, it is the same as what the repeal of Prohibition did.

[ChrisInAR]

It sounds like people still, even these days, are wrapped into the mindset of Reefer Madness....

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!