Medical marijuana is on the ballot here, and I have questions

[matreshka]

I am going to be voting for it.  As someone with a chronic illness I know how it helps and it better than taking many of the pharmaceuticals out there and its certainly not addictive like opiate pain killers.

My questions are for people in states where medical marijuana is legal.  Is it effectively regulated? Is it taxed? Are there instances of people without medical marijuana cards getting mj from a dispensary?  have crime rates gone up directly related to marijuana dispensaries and usage?  Does anyone have any first hand experience using a dispesary?

I am being so nosy because I want to encourage voters I know to vote yes and I know these are some questions they may have.

[momof31995]

Baby steps so many people drink the Kool-aid about marijuana being a gateway "drug" that they need convinced that it is a viable medication to be accepted. Alcohol actually got its start as a medical treatment before it became a beverage. I actually have to deprogram my kids after DARE classes they come home with the marijuana is awful mentality so I have to re-educate them about it.

[godotherightthi]

 The question was - "have crime rates gone up directly related to marijuana dispensaries and usage"...considering there weren't dispensaries the year before, one crime related to the despensaries WOULD be an increase.

Two people were killed, not too funny when it happens in your neighborhood - within a quarter mile of an elementary school.  I have no idea whose bright idea that was.

 

Quoting Mommy_of_Riley:

1 shooting happened so the crime rate went up?

HaHaHa!!!

Quoting godotherightthi:

It was just legalized last year (I think?) in Arizona - a MJ provider not too far from our house was involved in a shooting.  So yes, I'd say crime goes up.

 

[ExecutiveChick]

Legalization, yes! It's not here in Texas but I spend a lot of time in Cali and have employees in Colorado and have not heard of any negatives around having dispensaries other than when the Federal Government decides to shut them down which is total BS IMHO. I do know that the State and City revenues associated with Medical MJ Dispensaries has been a net positive in both of these states.

I would vote yes with no hesitation if it came up here in TX. Heck, I would even give serious consideration to investing in a dispensary. You should look into this as a small business opportunity.

I know in Cali and CO. you can't purchase without a card.

[grammajuie]

 I might be jumping off of a cliff here, but I think all drugs and prostition should be legal and regulated.  That would bring in tax dollars, cut the crime rate and prison population, and put pimps out of business and protect the prostitutes.

I'm just sayin'

[tnmomofive]

I am in favor for medical purposes.

[Kate_Momof3]

It just passed in CT for medicinal usage. In order to open a dispensary here you need to have a pharmacist willing to dispense, no less than 25 approved patients, $25,000 for licensing and I believe a connection to a legitimate pharmacy.

So essentially they made it legal, but impossible to get. I am waiting for my MRI results to get to my neurologist and if my MS has progressed, I'm going to get over my discomfort about discussing it with him and get myself a card.

[GardenerArtist]

it needs to be legalized, prohibition does not work.  It would also save money on housing prisoners for these "crimes".  It would totally get rid of the role of the dealers that cause so much violence.

I know someone who has degenerated discs, is in immense pain all the time. Dr. put him on morphine pills, but the pills make him throw up, so he tokes a few puffs, then takes his med and is not nauseated.  It has useful purposes. 

I tried it 3 or 4 times, it makes me sleepy, so it isn't anything I am interested in using for myself.  I am novocaine resistant and have bad reactions to many drugs, and hate painkillers. My body  is weird that way.  But I am all for anyone else using it.  I know lots of people growing their own little stashes.  The biggest selling magazine around here is "Weed", on how to grow it and all the cultivars. 

[Carpy]

I am too, but i say screw the government. They need to keep their paws off of it.

Quoting momof31995:

Personally I am for straight legalization meaning it should be available for rec use too tax it and regulate it like tobacco and alcohol. It is no different than alcohol actually when a person is high they do not feel the need or have the ambition to drive unlike alcohol. Of course unless the twinkie supply is low. I believe the medical benefits far outweigh any argument actually against marijuana. It is not a drug for one you cannot overdose on it so no dosage regulations are needed. The list of conditions and diseases it helps or cures is endless. Also if it is legal crime rates would go down because you would not have illegal dealers out there but of course you would have the bootleggers like with moonshine but the would be the rarity instead of the norm. My state is actually trying to change the language of the law to exclude marijuana from the controlled substance lists which will decriminalize it if not legalize it. There are several websites you can visit to read more , NORML is a great source.

[momof31995]

Quoting Carpy:

I am too, but i say screw the government. They need to keep their paws off of it.

Quoting momof31995:

Personally I am for straight legalization meaning it should be available for rec use too tax it and regulate it like tobacco and alcohol. It is no different than alcohol actually when a person is high they do not feel the need or have the ambition to drive unlike alcohol. Of course unless the twinkie supply is low. I believe the medical benefits far outweigh any argument actually against marijuana. It is not a drug for one you cannot overdose on it so no dosage regulations are needed. The list of conditions and diseases it helps or cures is endless. Also if it is legal crime rates would go down because you would not have illegal dealers out there but of course you would have the bootleggers like with moonshine but the would be the rarity instead of the norm. My state is actually trying to change the language of the law to exclude marijuana from the controlled substance lists which will decriminalize it if not legalize it. There are several websites you can visit to read more , NORML is a great source.

I am all for paws off my weed too but unless the gov can regulate and tax it there is no way it will be legalized in this instance it is give a little to get what you want.

[momof31995]

Quoting grammajuie:

 I might be jumping off of a cliff here, but I think all drugs and prostition should be legal and regulated.  That would bring in tax dollars, cut the crime rate and prison population, and put pimps out of business and protect the prostitutes.

I'm just sayin'

Fist off marijuana is not a drug and is natural in its properties. Unlike other drugs you cannot overdose on it . How many times have you heard of someone dying of an overdose of marijuana? I can tell you the number is 0. Any man made drug be it presciption or other has an overdose potential. Now prostitution should be legal if a man wants to pay for sex then let him and if a woman or man wants to sell sex so be it. It is out there and it is done why should they get by tax free? Any way that should not be a law it should be a personal choice. Like Marijuana there is no valid argument to keep it illegal.