One of the indirect though no less serious consequences of marijuana prohibition is the mischaracterization of clinical research in order to support the federal government’s bankrupt policy.
For example, last week the Obama administration called for the expansion of states to enact laws criminalizing motorists who drive with the residual presence of drug or inactive drug metabolites in their body. In the case of marijuana, these policies are especially egregious because its metabolites may remain present in urine for weeks or months after past use. Further, studies have consistently reported that the presence of marijuana metabolites is not associated with psychomotor impairment or an elevated risk of motor accident — a result that should be self-evident given that cannabis metabolites only form in urine after the drug’s primary psychoactive compound, THC, has been broken down and converted by the body over a period of several hours.
So how does the federal government justify its call for implementing such an inane and discriminatory policy? Simple. By claiming that supposed ‘marijuana and driving menace’ is so prevalent and severe that lawmakers have no other choice but to enact such inflexible and nonsensical policies to halt it.
Now I’ve written on the subject of cannabis use and psychomotor performance numerous times, including recently authoring the white paper Cannabis and Driving: A Scientific and Rational Review. In short the science says this: there appears to be a positive association between very recent cannabis exposure and a gradually increased risk of vehicle accident; however, this elevated risk is below the risk presented by drivers who have consumed even small (read ‘legal’) quantities of alcohol.
Does this conclusion support the blanket criminalization of marijuana or the enactment of the sort of zero-tolerant per se driving laws outlined above? No more so than such a conclusion advocates for a return to alcohol prohibition.
So what’s the administration to do? That’s easy — just fund more research. And what to do when that federally funded research fails to produce the results they were looking for? That’s even easier: just claim that they do anyway.
Such is the case with a just-published study in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs assessing the psychomotor skills of subjects on a battery of off-road driving simulator tests both before and after smoking marijuana (and/or placebo).
During the course study, subjects were asked to respond to various simulated events associated with automobile crash risk — such as avoiding a driver who was entering an intersection illegally, deciding to stop or go through changing traffic lights, responding to the presence of emergency vehicles, avoiding colliding a dog who entered into traffic, and maintaining safe driving during a secondary (in-the-car) auditory distraction. Subjects performed these tests sober, and then shortly (30 minutes) after smoking a single marijuana cigarettes (or placebo).
So how did the subjects perform? Much to the apparent chagrin of the investigators, just fine.
“No sex differences or interactions of sex and marijuana were observed for any of the driving tasks. Participants receiving active marijuana decreased their speed more so than those receiving the placebo cigarette during a distracted section of the drive. An overall effect of marijuana was seen for the mean speed during the distracted driving (PASAT section). [N]o other changes in driving performance were found.”
In short, subjects had no greater likelihood of responding adversely to any of the simulated events after smoking marijuana than they had prior to consuming cannabis.
Of course, these are not the sort of results that NIDA — who provided funding for the study — or the Drug Czar’s office are looking for. Therefore, the authors are required find some outcome — any outcome — supporting the administration’s claim that driving under the influence of cannabis is a serious and significant threat. How do they do that in this case? Simple; by stating subjects lack of impairment was, in fact, implicit evidence of their impairment!
“Persons smoking the placebo cigarette showed an improvement in performance of the PASAT during the driving task, likely attributable to practice effects. Under the influence of marijuana, however, no differences were found between PASAT performance during practice testing and while driving. Participants who smoked active marijuana decreased their speed during this section of the drive, suggesting additional compensatory skills were used.”
In other words, the authors are claiming that because subjects on one specific test (the auditory distraction test) drove more slowly when completing the task after smoking marijuana than they did prior to consuming cannabis, but otherwise manifested no difference in the outcome of said test — or on any other test for that matter — that this is somehow strong evidence that marijuana has a significant and adverse impact on driving.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Under the influence of active marijuana, participants exhibited increased drowsiness, although this did not appear to affect their driving [emphasis mine]. Participants under the influence of marijuana failed to benefit from prior experience on a distracter task [what the authors want the reader to emphasize] as evidenced by a decrease in speed and a failure to show expected practice effects. This study supports the existing literature that marijuana does affect simulated driving performance [ditto], particularly on complex tasks such as divided attention. It is anticipated that many teenagers and young adults driving under the influence of marijuana are doing so while conversing with friends in the car, listening to music, talking on the cell phone and/or text messaging others. These behaviors divide the driver’s attention and are particularly dangerous under the influence of marijuana [what the authors really, really want the reader to emphasize].”
And that, my friends, is just the latest example of how marijuana prohibition corrupts, and how absolute marijuana prohibition corrupts absolutely.
so i assume that the tests were done with people who have never used marijuana before? otherwise they would know right away if they were given the real thing or a placebo……
and if that is the case, then we are studying people driving while getting high for the first time….. and they are STILL driving better than the average driver…..
but the average american is just dumb enough to eat up everything the ONDCP and NIDA have to say on the subject of drugs….. (its usually the same ones who think the government lies all the time….. i could never figure out the connection… but its there)
Absolutely! The anti-pots have their heads so far up their asses it will be 3010 before Everyone will be asking “What was all the Fuss about?” But what wont surprise me is allot of the anti-pots will be right on the band wagon as soon as all the other anti-pots are! Fucking Sheeple!
I just got into an argument with my study abroad apartment roommate, maybe an hour ago. He once had an internship with the DEA. He showed me one article citing “numerous studies” I showed him Tashkin, HNSCC, and 4 studies showing THC’s angiogenesis preventative effects in tumors along with inciting tumor cell death. He resorted immediately to ad hominem calling me “…The most ignorant drug addict he’s ever met…” I realize this is off topic, but the lead of this article is all too appropriate for what just happened to me.
He believes that Amsterdam is a country in economic shambles for no reason other than its marijuana policy. How can people think so irrationally as to simply ignore facts.
and just how do they propose to test for remnants of drug metabolites, perhaps left over from use or contact weeks ago? while an officer can always find some reason to legally pull someone over (failure to use your turn signal the full 100feet prior to making a turn; operating motor vehicle in such a way as to make the front wheel touch the center dividing line slightly), and an officer is always allowed to order someone out of the vehicle after making a legal stop, if the driver is not drunk, and has not come into contact with marijuana in weeks, what basis in the law is the officer going to have to test urine or blood for these metabolites? absent some reason they can put to words that looks like probable cause to a judge, they can’t compell a sample… so they are going to have but one recourse to enforce this new policy… enforced conent. they’re going to start off by asking really nicely… ‘you ain’t no drug addict, now, are ya son?’, ‘well then, you wouldn’t mind if i just went ahead and took a lil sample now, wouldja?’… there wouldn’t be anything wrong with this investigation technique, save for one minor detail: the vast majority of people don’t know that they don’t have to consent and that their refusal to consent cannot provide a basis for their continued or extended detention! fight all attempts to enforce this policy, and every other policy, even if you really have nothing to hide, DO NOT CONSENT!!! every person who folds under the pressure of the police state helps the state trample the rights of us all.
The argument that marijuana legalization would make roads more dangerous makes me absolutely furious.
The number one issue of importance is that those who smoke and get high KNOW they are high and KNOW when they are incapable of driving. If they feel unsure, they have have the mental capacity to pull over and halt.
In fact, those who are really really stoned will often feel uncomfortable and paranoid driving. Compare this to drunk drivers who will say their “fine” and ram their car into a tree at 80 mph.
Yet the same arguments get recycled.
This is an outrage! I will not stand for this nonsense! This is a severe violation of human rights! I will boycott driving if this goes through.
Why are you guys in support of strewing baby entrails on our nation’s highways? THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
Stronger laws for driving…urine tests during routine exams. The government is spooked by the amount of people that are coming around to the legalization side. I guess they figure if they prosecute you and take away your vote, you won’t be a threat to their agenda anymore.
The whole country needs a revamp of patriotism the Jefferson way. It is our duty to resist anti-democratic tactics.
Historic statewide initiative in California to legalize, control, and tax cannabis. Help build national support for the movement. Sign up on the website, join the campaign! taxcannabis.org
Wow, as an experimental psychologist I find that conclusion disgusting. I think it’s time to write these guys a note.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMM the smell of Impeachment
By the way I”LL shit in your cups, u want a nike sign or some soup
we can get sofisticated too
ARGH! I’m going to have to stop visiting this site… My blood boils over every time I do!
“Look, the people you are after are the people you depend on. We cook your meals, we haul your trash, we connect your calls, we drive your ambulances. We guard you while you sleep. Do not… fuck with us.”
When are people going to realize that those with power want control of everything? I’ve always thought that as well #8. Persecute/prosecute all cannabis consumers to the point of each having a felony conviction then they lose their right to vote. Cannabis can be re-legalized. It’s entirely possible. To the point I’m just sick and tired of all the lies when people can see the truth. I can understand that some things are better left unsaid when it comes to certain topics but cannabis? Would this open pandora’s box? Would this make the world more peaceful? When it comes to the way things are it’s always more than what you think and less about what you may know. THINK. THINK. THINK. THINK.
They want to keep the black market money going to the criminal element, there is no other reason prohibition still exists.
seems to me this study proves that those under the influence of cannabis are SAFER drivers…
@sean…if your roommate thinks amsterdam is a country he’s got bigger problems than having been an intern for the dea…sigh…
What seems to be happening ,my conclusion only,is when( an or the)administration wants certain things to be tolerated or passed they will use a “worser evil” to get what they want,ie,” drugs are bad”,or in other words,get off our asses on what we want,and we will give you,(not the people),what you want. Tit for Tat. Simple Politics.
Total shit! I’m a felon for less than a gram of THC (2nd offense). Don’t ever move to Wisconsin. Don’t even visit.
In December of 1971 I was retired from the US Army after being wounded in the line of duty overseas. I tried to become a police officer but due to my injuries from the Army I could not sign up. Same thing with being a fireman. In March of 1972 I was caught with a small amount of pot and was convicted of a felony. On that day a decorated veteran became an outlaw. The laws concerning marijuana need to be changed NOW! America’s jails and prisons are full of non violent people whos only fault was smoking a little herb.
This is why I have been warning folks of entertaining this false notion of marijuana impairment even in the most casual ways.
We must argue the facts. We allow .05 for alcohol (or is it .08?). We allow personal discretion for a myriad of prescription and over the counter drugs (may cause – use caution) that impair a person far more than marijuana. I hear no outcry over these things.
I still submit that coffee users will cause more accidents over time than marijuana users based on the fact that stimulents cause aggreesive behaviour and THAT is what causes most accidents besides alcohol.
Give an inch and they will take a mile.
This bogus blood on the highway nonsense is the last argument they have and it is as bogus as every other they have used in the past.
Marijuana use does not significantly impair a persons ability to operate a vehicle safely. I can proove it. That is the mantra.
It sounds like Matunos is calling for a no tolerance policy on alcohol, because that is what causes thousands of traffic deaths per year.
Does Obama know about this? This is very sad. Shame on him if if does. He’s lost my vote.
Regarding the summary statement, there are so many flaws here, I don’t even know where to start:
“…This study supports the existing literature that marijuana does affect simulated driving performance [ditto], particularly on complex tasks such as divided attention. . .”
If someone is driving under the influence of cannabis and they are impaired, then they should be treated the same as someone who is driving under the influence of alcohol. If I had a beer last week, and I get pulled over, does that mean I’m under the influence and should not be driving? NO! It’s in the past and has no bearing.
“. . .It is anticipated that many teenagers and young adults driving under the influence of marijuana are doing so while conversing with friends in the car, listening to music, talking on the cell phone and/or text messaging others. These behaviors divide the driver’s attention and are particularly dangerous under the influence of marijuana. . .”
My God, sometimes I really can’t believe that we have people in this world that are actually this stupid.
First of all, legalization advocates are AGAINST selling to teenagers, or anyone under age 21 (same as the alcohol laws).
Secondly, there has already been substantial PROOF that texting while driving, whether you’re a teenager or an adult, is extremely dangerous and should not be done. Anything that distracts a driver’s attention, particularly young, inexperienced (teenage) drivers, are dangerous by themselves. . .driving under the influence (DUH!) is just a given. I will say this again, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS A CRIME! If someone is driving under the influence, then arrest them and charge them with a DUI.
Once again, even with alcohol sales being restricted to adults 21 and over, there have always been (and will continue to be) morons and sneaky, stupid kids that will steal liquor from their parents, get loaded and get behind the wheel of the car and hurt themselves or someone else.
Does this mean that the alcohol (or in this case, cannabis) caused the accident? Should either the alcohol or the cannabis be put on trial? NO! Should the person who made the choice to get behind the wheel while under the influence be put on trial? Yes, because that person MADE A CHOICE!
And let’s be honest: most cannabis consumers (e.g. Stoners) don’t even have the desire to leave their house, much less actually get in a car and drive somewhere; so really this whole argument is a moot point:)
Let’s put personal responsibility and accountability back into the creation and enforcement of law. . .
Mind-Expansion is Education
Let’s stop making mind-expansion a crime!
Denying science – the only way to fight legalization!
Just like Nixon and the Schafer Commission… so sad.
So by driving slower (I would see this as a good thing) when distracted, you are showing signs of being dangerously intoxicated (by non-psychoactive metabolites of a non-toxic plant)?
Of course that makes sense! Common sense FTW!
It’s funny that on this web site just two short years ago everyone was saying the Democrats and Mr. Obama were going to deliver us from this insane prohibition. I wrote back then, “it was the Democrats that started the prohibition. Why do you think they are going to change it now?”
This war will be won by the states. Learn about your local candidates understand their views and support the ones that are pro legalization. Don’t be fooled by one party. If you must support one party, support the party that has now and always has stood for the repeal of the prohibition, the Libertarians.
Prohibition of marijuana is about money, corporations will turn us to stone before we realize, Californians need to send a message next November, a message of revolution, revolution of conscience, tell the corporations to back off on their overseeing attempts. When these kind of historic events become imminent, we see what happened in 9/11, they scare the shit out of people with terrorists tactics to make us forget the revolutionary subject and give away our rights and privacy, people, wake up, it is time to put a stop on marijuana prohibition. POWER TO THE PEOPLE, cheaper medicine, materials and less dangerous re-creative drugs. If marijuana does not become legal soon, people will start voting only for candidates that support a full drug reform, when it happens, the shit will really hit the fan, corporations will do what it takes to prevent it from happening, just stare.
so well said. these people were probably slowing down to the speed limit, what a novel concept. i say roll-em up, smoke-em up, put it in cruise and stay in your lane. scew you DEA!
# undrgrndgirl Says:
May 17th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
seems to me this study proves that those under the influence of cannabis are SAFER drivers…
Stoners just kick back, are mellow and don’t drive anywhere; drunks are the ones who love to get behind the wheel. I bet they’ll piss test to qualify for national health care. What the hell’s going on in America?
The Nazi party and the prohibition party came in power at the same time, and they are both very much related.
All you have to do is believe in the psychopath who leads them, and if you don’t then you are at risk being seen as criminal and may lose your job, your family, and your freedom.
AMEN 27
Mr. Paul Armentano, would there be any chance in your mind that the Obama administration is trying to put these measures in place in more states that don’t already have this law to help support re-legalization when it happens?
I firmly believe so myself because one of the major reasons politicians and other people alike claim Cannabis should not be re-legalized is because there is no way to detect if a driver is under the influence of Cannabis (at least currently in most states). Even though we all know there is an abundance of documented studies, articles, and information showing that Cannabis DOES NOT impair a user’s driving capabilities.
I know the Obama admin knows there is growing support for re-legalization nationwide and that this support is only going to continue to grow. Especially since the number one idea on Change.org was re-legalizing Cannabis (for the second year in a row I believe).
So I think they are definitely trying to appear tough for this very important upcoming election year, but at the same time they also know that re-legalization is going to be a big topic come 2012, and they stand to lose a lot of votes behind anti-Cannabis reform measures.
Let’s say Cannabis is re-legalized in California later this year. There is going to be a huge movement that spreads from the west coast to the east coast (as it usually happens this way) to re-legalize Cannabis. This is only going to garner even more support from the general public because once other people and/in other states see how much money California is making off of Cannabis related sales, they are going to want a piece of the pie as well. So it is my thinking that when re-legalization happens in California (either this year or any other election year), the general public support for re-legalization is going to shoot up even that much more. Then this will make it hard for the Obama admin to ignore the climbing support for re-legalization and if we have enough percentage of nationwide voters who want it re-legalized, having this roadside test put in place in more states will make it much easier for the Obama admin to defend its support for the re-legalization of Cannabis.
Do you understand where I am coming from with this? After reading many articles on this subject I did a little brain-storming and figured this very well could be the case.
Please reply and let me know what you think; I would love to hear your expert opinion!
Thank you for your time and consideration, and please KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK! 🙂
Wait, so now they’re arguing that distractions are dangerous while high? As if they’re not dangerous while not high? A distraction is a distraction. I would say (And this is purely unscientific) that aside from paranoia (Which only exists because of the dangers of being CAUGHT), if you smoked a blunt, you’d be calmer and thus less likely to panic in distracting situations. The less you panic, the more clearly you can think.
“Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.” -Thomas Jefferson
And if they don’t believe and still support the lies,fie on them.
“The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Restriction of personal freedoms…using bodily fluids to prove a person criminal without any harm to other citizens and no visual proof…military tactics against persons in violation of a misdemeaner, evident of clear violations of civil rights.
Aside from LEAP and others who feel they are civil servants, police are becoming glorified gang members and the law makers themselves the mob bosses. Jefferson was right…vote out all incumbants that do not side with less government for the people (rather than for the money grubbers) and keep doing so until they believe we still mean something. Also, when you see someone with a lot of financial backing BEWARE and consider the other candidates. Money and power go hand in hand, especially after the supreme court decision that gives big business an extra voice.
“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” -Thomas Jefferson
Americans Rule! Don’t We?
Thank you for your continuing efforts to progress our movement. I read daily and act on every form of legislature I can. Although my representatives do no always listen to my views, I do continue to remind them that people like me placed them in the position they are in to speak our voices. One day our efforts will be rewarded, and yours shall be ten fold.
That’s all well and good… and you’re right about this new policy being bullshit (two steps forward, one step back), but honestly– defending the right to drive stoned (as you do in regards to the study you brought up) doesn’t help us.
The only way people will really listen is if they understand we are in favor of HARSHER DUI laws, not softer. Though I agree, the metabolite testing is complete bullshit. When/if marijuana is legalized these tests will cease to hold up in court (it will become unconstitutional) until that time, it’s just another example of how they catch us “evil” pot smokers.
This is what happens when Science becomes for-profit.
Results (whatever results you wish) to the highest bidder.
Kinda like the financial rating agencies.
In my state, Missouri, a person can already be tested for intoxication while driving. Whether it be drug or drink – it’s just processed as a DUI. I have a feeling most states are like this. Actually a person can get a dui for driving on cough syrup, while sleepy or sick too.
It doesn’t bother me that people can get into trouble for driving stoned. It bothers me that a person will test positive days to months after smoking.
I agree, I will boycott driving if this goes through. Otherwise I would always be “under the influence” and would rather deal with a difficult life not driving than the difficulties & expense related to a DWI or similar charge.
Marijuana medicinal plant will eventually be legalized everywhere because guess what: it should not have been illegal in the first place, and people are starting to wake up to this simple fact. Marijuana medicinal plant would never have become illegal, had it not been for the racist prohibitionist Harry Anslinger and his infamous Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which was motivated not by scientific discoveries, but the most ignominious racist considerations. This status quo cannot be preserved with respect to marijuana medicinal plant that has been used by humans for over 10,000 years without one single fatal outcome, without any physical withdrawal syndrome as opposed to alcohol and most controlled prescription drugs. Cannabis use has been shown to suppress violent behavior, and I am sure that in the future it will be shown to be a “barrier”, rather than a “gateway” to alcohol and hard drug use. In all the polls over 80% of participating public want medical marijuana legalized, since its current classification by the DEA as Schedule I drug is against all scientific reality. But why listen to me in this respect when it is enough to listen to none other than the American Medical Association which now recognized the remarkable medicinal properties of Cannabis Sativa medicinal plant, and is urging the government to change its classification ASAP.
The “opponents” of marijuana legalization for at least medical use clearly remind me of Marxists, as I fought Marxism long ago just like I fight the Cannabis prohibition right now. After Karl Marx labeled religion “opium for the people”, subsequent Marxists suppressed religion despite the people’s will (just like the prohibitionists do right now with respect to marijuana) saying in effect, “We’ll take opium from the mouths of fools, they will thank us later”. The same thing, that is the Government assuming the role of a final arbiter of what is or is not “good” for the people, instead of the people determining this for themselves.
Thank you very much for the enlightening article Paul Armentano! It is really pathetic when people try to keep the truth hidden in such ways. It wasn’t long ago that the catholic church threatened Galileo for trying to tell the truth. Eventually, the truth won out! I just hope this truth wins out before thousands more otherwise law-abiding citizens lose their freedom and have their lives ruined to support the lies. I can only hope that this article reaches the eyes and ears of those who have not already joined the choir!
And wouldn’t slowing down be EXACTLY the right thing to do when confronted with multiple distractions?
and again, the same stale reference to teenagers-the constant implication being that this will open the floodgates to teens everywhere getting their hands on marijewanna, as if they don’t already have way easier access to it than I do as a professional mature adult. And as such, I take extreme exception to the idea of lumping responsible adult users like myself in with a bunch of inexperienced, impulsive teenagers.
It’s all false arguments.
The biggest point about legalization and regulation is that, as an adult, I should have way easier access to marijuana than teens do, but right now it’s the other way around.
If this DUID law gets passed nationwide (what they’ll do is compell states to comply but making it a condition of receiving federal funding for highway improvements).
I say if this passes, everyone that responds to the blogs on this site should spontaneously get together and have a drive-in on Washington (similar to a sit-in).
In the meantime, mainly because traffic tickets are one expense that I don’t need in my life, but also because of the per se laws, I have been on a successful campaign for the last 6 years to not do anything behind the wheel that would in the least way summon the attention of law enforcement. I’m the best driver on the road anywhere.
So in the meantime, catch me if you can!
Glen-
“science becomes for-profit,” not unlike big pharma, eh?
Keep supporting the pseudo-socialist moralizer crowd and this is what you get! Not that the rightwingnuts are any better…LOL!
Change is scary and I think they are scaered to death. I wish someone would’ve had the balls back in the day to dispute that stupid, cocaine crazed movie they titled Reefer Madness. But that’s when the Pharmaceutical companies had just begun. The government would rather publicly crumble than loose the funds they receive from the Pharmaceutical dependency running rampid through our country. But it’s legally prescribed, so it’s ok. BS, it’s a full blown heroin addiction and everyone hooked is too embarrassed to admit it. Marijuana would generate far more funding to our government at a safe earth friendly rate than pain pills ever could and it doesn’t make you want to murder people when you run out, like the terrible withdrawls assosvciated with pain medicine and alcohol! The only legal substances, that our government get a cut from are harmful to our health. marijuana is not.
Testing for what was in your system in the past and has no affect on your current abilities to drive is purely discriminatory. All tests, for any substance, need to be scientifically acurate and non-discriminatory. Equalize all test results to show alcohol use positive (above .08) a month after use (then fry the baby entrail spreaders a month later) or stop the witch hunt against cannabis. The zero tolerence stance is corruption at its worst.
Thanks Paul. Keep up the good work. The truth will set us free.
#4. um… dave
I don’t know how it is in your State, But,In Ohio, If you Refuse testing when you are asked, You Instantly Lose your License, On the Spot! and are Considered “Under the Influence” and Arrested.
Some will not even “Ask” they do it quickly and will say you refused and arrest you, Especially if they find a seed or other Indicating factor, Reinstatement fees went from $75.00 several years ago to $500.00 NOW. It`s all about Fine Generation, Court Costs and Treatment Center Fee`s. MONEY!!!!!!!!!!
The whole point is, Cannabis is a safer alternative because it wears off faster and does NOT Impair Judgment like Alcohol does, people are aware of their level of impairment and adjust accordingly.
When most folks sit down to a meal,
thankfully, wisdom usually prevails when a person
has had enough to eat, they will push away from
the table, satisfied and aware not to overdo it…
but,
have you EVER heard of a cop insisting that
he or she has enough power and to please not try
to give any more to them?
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!ButWhaddAboutDeChilldrens?!
(Help!.I’ve fallen into a Mantra, and can’t get Out!)
#33. I sure hope that you are right John. Not to get too off topic but I believe the new Arizona policy on illegal immigrants was probably used to divide the masses and gather votes as well. Yet, I do not have much “hope” for the Obama administration because he has been ignoring the issues that he had defended in his campaign. From now on voters need to vote for politicians who strongly defend their policies and respect the people that ask them serious questions. BTW I hope that Obama would not support this new policy it would break my heart for him to support new oppressive DWB style laws.
But these skewed results are no evidence of conspiracy. These types of summaries are just experts defining the data for those of us who might misunderstand or misrepresent the raw data. Don’t you understand how dangerous cannabis is? The science (as interpreted by government approved experts) proves it. This administration promised to let science lead policy and it is following through on that promise. Can’t you see that?
I’ve been driving about as long as I’ve been smoking pot, which is over forty years. In that time I have gotten exactly three moving violations, and none in the last twenty-four years. I have had no collisions. None. I treat traffic laws with the attention and respect they deserve, and I drive the speed limit under all circumstances. But—according to these idiots, I’m a danger to everyone else on the road because I might have some residual pot in my system. If I’m driving properly, what’s the problem?
What’s being done to remedy the overwhelming amount of residual incompetence behind the wheel being exhibited by all those lousy drivers out there who don’t smoke pot? What’s their excuse for driving like morons?
The federal government needs to be dismantled and rebuilt using good honest people. There has never been a more draconian empire throughout history. If you think the middle ages were bad, wait until the Fed takes control of the United States.
The walls of prohibition are crumbling. It won’t be long now. November will be very interesting to say the least. No retreat, no surrender.
And anyone who has smoked will tell you that it makes them a more aware and cautious driver. I also detest when babylon plays the “paranoia” card. The only reason I would ever become paranoid from smoking is if I suddenly saw a cop outside my window.
Paranoia is not caused by smoking cannabis, it is caused by the “fear” of being thrown in jail with criminals and murders. Most cannabis smokers are hard working stand up citizens, the only negativity that comes along with cannabis is which is produced by MEN through the means of illegal black markets, cartels, and violence.
So what happens when a nonviolent “drug offender” with no criminal record is unconstitutionally incarcerated? They have to fight for their life, and learn how to become a demon or they risk getting raped and shanked. If that nonviolent offender makes it out of prison do you think he will be the same non-violent stand up citizen?
Obama….wake the fuck up man…what the fuck are you doing? Quit clowning around and make the change happen that you promised your voters.
I am fiddleing right now….we will never be legal….there is a big hole of crude oil gushing in the Gulf of Mexico, but pot is safely criminalized and categorized as a level one narcotic…sounds reasonable..our only hope is that California leads the way and maybe becomes it’s own country when the this US civilization does finally tank…and it will with the backassward thinking we continue to do. Be scared…save your seeds and hide your weed
are you shittin me?? for thirty two years, ive been driving after using cannabis….now, i understand we should not take chances like that but i must be truthful when i say that i trust me wayyy more after a draw or two of the pyrex then any amount of alcohol.hell, i am cautious and attentive more so then when i am not consuming. i try to tell people its a way of life for us.i gave up alcohol just to do a couple hoobers every three or four hours or so like on week ends. i wait for after work during the week .what an awesome peace to the end of the day…hell, i get more stuff done at the end of the day then i do all the rest of the day at work.ill be glad to point out that, i have not had an accident ever while using cannabis .the green is a great utility…when can we finally benefit from its awesome comfort….
The aggravating factors of driver impairment go far beyond substance abuse. People are driven to distraction in a myriad of ways while driving. Many of the perfectly legal advertisements, technologies, and social interactions we think are necessary for GDP are often on par with even full blown drunk driving.
Like many people, I know what time of the night to be wary of the drunk drivers and what areas of town are prone to a high concentration of that behavior. But it is all the soccer moms with 12 screaming kids, the tweens and others texting, and the generally zonked out overworked masses that have always caused me so much grief.
The biggest hurdle for many in states with per se laws already in place is that even if you are the most responsible, you take a serious risk of being sampled even if not at fault in an accident once you get hospitalized. Most people in this nation do not have access to real public transportation. Even in the cities with the best transit systems, it is limited to mainly the core urban centers. This leaves most people who need other forms of transportation to do things like grocery shop, etc at a huge risk even if they were to try and work that lifestyle choice in.
I guess the point with that little tidbit is that a lot of the groups who love to foster most of the DUID laws are a strange mix. I’ve found too many of them live in urban locations where public transit works or works
“well enough” to help sway their decisions. I just wish they’d realize that 85% of the country or more does not, or cannot access these systems. We are stuck with the system we have and we all know there is a great risk in venturing into the public domain. It is a social contract.
When I first read through the new ONDCP plan, that was one of the largest highlighted areas of concern I had. People simply do not realize how unbalanced the current thresholds are and how many prescription drugs can land you into the same trouble as the “illicit” ones if you happen to wind up in a bind over this. Millions of Xanax/Valium/Etc users be warned. Those barbiturate residues are on par with cannabis. It doesn’t matter if you use it only in the evening when you got home to manage your anxiety. The next day you’ll light up the tests for most states as if it were the 4th of July.
I’ve lost family members from drunk and “other” driving. Both are just as dangerous in my view. I just cannot stand by though and watch people systematically persecuted for existing. Like I said, it is a social contract and everyone needs to understand the fine print involved. Not just keep persecuting the morally objectionable fruit hanging from this tree.
now, let me throw this in as well. if cannabis were legalized and driving under the influence became stricter…i would gladly honor the laws to gain my personal freedom back….GLADLY…how can saliva testing be brought out as a rational form of testing for the road as well as for us to keep our good jobs…..come on folks…
Could cannabis seeds someday be the next fuel for our cars?
It’s fearmongering spread by the industries that don’t want pot legalized. I think big pharma is behind a lot of it. I’d sure as hell rather smoke weed for depression or pain than be on one of those pain meds and be snowed over, or on an antidepressant and doubling my size in blubber.
You WILL obey and buy the products of Wall Street! Period. Dissenters will be thrown to the mercy of the courts. If you have any money, it is to be spent only on “approved” products to make the wealthy elite more wealthy and elite. Politicians are the errand boys of the elite, and police the enforcers for the politicians. Not much “mystery” to it.
Sounds like the Obama administration is suffering from the “residual effects” of Big Pharma’s wallets. Also,#41 very well said,but it seems that the actual FACTS are not enough to over ride the deep pockets of Big Oil,Pharma,Tobacco,Cotton,Alcohol and Chemical co’s. Until,and even after, California becomes legal we are going to hear more and more BS studies about the harmless weed. But, as we all know, THE WORLDS MOST BENIFICIAL NATURAL RESOURCE “Cannabis” is only benifical to the people,not to big Corp’s bottom line.Just like the NIDA,National Institute on Drug Abuse,”OUR” Government, does not want to hear the benifical effects of Cannabis.We need to MAKE them hear us with our VOTES people.Pass it on!! The Domino’s are starting to fall!!
I voted for Obama. Hell, I even donated money to his campaign because I thought he really would bring change by applying rational thought and science to public policy. I now see him for who he really is: a power hungry politician who wants the federal government to control every aspect of our lives. Maybe those “nuts” who claim that he wants to take their guns away are on to something. In any case, I will be working against his re-election. I would rather have Sarah Palin take my rights away than a Democrat who smooth talked me out of my cash and into voting for him. Anyone here who thinks Obama represents your interests had better wake up soon!
It is a lie that marijuana impairs your physical and mental capabilities. As a patient, I use cannabis during my workouts to ease my chronic pain. I use a rowing machine, I do martial arts, I go for long hikes while I am medicated. If I was impaired in anyway I could not maintain balance and perform physical feats of precision.
Although I believe the experienced marijuana user can drive while under the influence, I think there should be laws preventing it. Any cannabis user/patient can agree on this. It is a damn shame that our law makers can’t see that all they are doing now is attacking patients/users; and our roads and highways could be made safer if we banned hand held cell phones for example, and other real distractions for drivers.
It is all just a matter of when. I say the tipping point for medical use in the states will be around state number 19-20, when about 1/3rd or more of the states make medical cannabis legal, that will start a chain reaction for all states to have legal medical cannabis. Very shortly after that, once California has led the way, all the other states will line up to re-legalize
Corruption justs creates more laws. The laws create more UNICORNS. The more laws the Feds throw at us, the more control they have. With all the bullshit going on around our borders, what makes the government so fearful of MARIJUANA PROHIBITION going down the tubes and rebel against the power of the masses in this country that wants marijuana legal. It just shows us that our voting power does’nt mean shit. The FEDERAL OVERLORDS are losing their stranglehold on the American people and devise other terror tactics and laws to stay in control. Thew NEW WORLD ORDER is alive and well in this country and the 21ST CENTURY INQUISITORS are still going to enforce their trade, to create more UNICORNS. MARIJUANA PROHIBITION will just keep the drug cartels going and the mentality of violence go hand in hand with unjust laws and the eye of the beholder with one blind eye shut and the other eye wasting our tax dollars on a drug war that was lost when it was created. I guess corruption is golden and the laws are silent on peoples rights.
How does a guy that has “admittedly” smoked weed not understand how harmless it is. I’m starting to wonder if our president has ever smoked before in his life.
So Rand Paul won the primary by a landslide. Rand Paul believes in full legalization and ending the drug war.
Rand Paul is a LIBERTY CANDIDATE.
NORML says “what movement” and “it’s not viable” when I talk about the liberty movement… STILL NOT VIABLE NORML???
The Liberty Movement IS THE KEY to legalization.
[Editor’s note: Thanks or your uninformed and bias political opinion.
Has Rand Paul been elected to the US Senate? No. Did he beat an unpopular and feckless campaigner? Yes. Have voters been against incumbents since 2006? Yes. Do they uniformly support so-called liberty candidates? No, hardly. Could Rand Paul have been a viable candidate without his father’s fundraising machine? No. How far did Ron Paul’s large money stash get him in presidential politics? Not very far (About as far as Mitt Romney’s got him). Could Rand Paul get elected to the Senate from KY? Maybe. But not likely in KY’s general election if he sounds like some kind of wild-eyed revolutionary. If he is elected can he (or any single Senator) legalize cannabis? No.
Don’t let your political bias and zeal for so-called ‘liberty’ candidates to end the 73-year-old war on cannabis consumers take over rational thinking and political reality in Washington DC when 218 members of the Congress and minimally 60 senators are needed to actually amend the federal laws that prohibit cannabis…and a President actually willing to sign the bill into law.
The so-called liberty movement is NOT the key to the legalization of cannabis. The political candidates of today that claim to support ‘liberty’ are the same populist-sounding crowd that got elected in 1994….how much ‘liberty’ did they bring to cannabis consumers?
Getting cannabis consumers to organize for their own liberation (ie, more than one percent of cannabis consumers have to come out of their smokey closets), placing binding voter measures on the ballot, electing supportive/un-electing non-supportive politicians–from any party–and litigating bad laws are what actually changes prohibition laws.]
What’s new, Obama’s a liar and he’s a typical politician. If there’s no money for politicians to make in the marijuana industry…they will all be against it. We have to figure out a way for politicians to make money in order for them to back pot legalization.
#64 I voted for him to, never again I can still hear him laughing.
to 54…..amen anaman
If we do a list of famous people who have smoked pot and not been held back because of it…
you not only start off with the last 3 presidents and 2 olympic gold medalists, you also include the Beatles, Doors and Rolling Stones. How is that bad company to be in?
pee to work pee to drive how insane this country is becoming when do the american people have rights anymore how communistic this country is becoming the govt.is going to win the war on weed or make all pot smokers walkers and unemployed. if you refuse a pee test you lose your job now if they have thier way if you dont pee you lose your license something has to be done iam tired of being criminalized for smoking weed at home on the weekends
Three jeers for Obama. A new slogan might be No You Can’t. But seriously what would the headlines have read if he rejected the initiative. Can’t you just see it now.
PRESIDENT ENDORSES DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Any and every business in a capitalistic system must must forever expand or else cease to exist. That’s not a critisism of anything, just a fact. The drug testing industry is no different. Increase revenue or else face decreased investment. First they wanted to test the military, But “we don’t want to test civilians”. Then it was transportation workers, “but only those in key jobs, not the general public”. Then it was the general public if they wanted a new job, “but not random testing of existing employees”. Then of course it was random testing, but not school children… etc. This has been the story every since Reagan nullified the 4th 5th and 10th amendments. Eventaully they’ll want a hair sample your from dog.
And why shouldn’t they. Pot smokers don’t vote that issue, or else things wouldn’t be the way they ARE. We could learn a lot from the Tea Party, or the gun nuts, or those who brave enough to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. They detect the congress critters most against their issue and target them for defeat. You history lovers may remember may remember a drug warrior named Bobb Barr. When Washington D.C. voted to legalize medical marijuana he said fine, were just not going to count the votes. He was targeted, he got spanked, and last I heard he’s on our side now.
That is total BS and sadly, exactly what I have learned to expect from our government. I recently was forced to go to drug treatment for a marijuana charge. I met a guy there who has a DUI charge in South Dakota because of THC in his blood. He was not under the influence of anything while driving. They arrested him for a standing warrant and took his blood by force against his will. Unbelieveably Fuct and a violation of human rights.
California’s move to allow the people to vote to legalize pot this novemeber is huge.
You NORML supporters may want to help out LEAP as well. Together we can change things.
P.S. Jesse Ventura 2012!
Oh no!! Don’t support Jesse Ventura, a liberty candidate!! NORML told me I can’t!
Holy Smokes. Why is it LE has such a problem with the end of prohibition? Why? It makes no sense. Oh I remember. “Follow the Money, follow the money.” Their paychecks are paid by it.
Rev.sLeezy
TULCOTHS
Holy Smokes. As Russ said, “Your prohibition ends where my skin begins.”
Rev.sLeezy
– Zero-tolerance “per-se” testing / DUID statutes are
unscientific, (because they don’t actually test for present indicators of impairment)
mean-spirited, (for unjustly condemning those who are not actually “intoxicated”),
a makeshift contrivance, enacted solely for the convenience of NOT having to determine what threshold-levels of
inactive “detectable compounds” constitute actual impairment.
– There are newly developed and more reliable roadside tests which detect only RECENT cannabis use,
such as coated-magnetic-nanoparticle meters,
(which measures actual THC), and saliva testing.
– More attention ought to be given to these breakthrough technologies,
and less to outmoded, pissed-stained urine-testing…!!!
– Until these supplant less accurate methods, (i.e. measuring INACTIVE metabolites),
present and future cannabis legislation must strongly acknowledge and refute the flaws inherent
in zero-tolerance per-se modalities, as this portion of one state’s proposed medical marijuana program does:
“a person, (patient), shall not be considered to be under the
influence solely for having cannabis metabolites in his or her system.”
#27 is absolutely correct. The commies call gullible people who will vote away their rights & freedoms, “useful idiots”. The only political party that wants to end pot prohibition are the libertarians. There’s no hope of reforming the Democrats. Because, they believe in big govt & this means less freedom & civil rights for the common man. The only hop is for Libertarians to vote Republican & reform that party back to pre-Nixon days. I’ve talked to a lot of Democrats & only one is so hard line Obama that she can’t admit her voter’s remorse. Find out what political candidates are for ending big govt & restoring our civil rights, like regulating cannabis via re-legalizing. They’re out there & they’re never Democrats. So, get over it already & join the new American Revolution. Throw out any incumbent from any party who’s record shows they only care about themselves & their image.