01-29-2009, 05:18 AM
I don't think it is appropriate to confuse the medical aspects with the recreational aspects. Very different topics. There are a large number of drugs that are abused. Uppers, downers, diet pills etc. The medical systems have methods to control the release of drugs. Those methods can, of course, be abused but that is an issue for the controlled substance laws. They are enforced or not. Doctors who abuse the prescription rules often lose their licenses. I can find no logical reason to deny people in medical need access to useful treatments. It is not up to you or I to determine who these people are.
In a similar vein I suspect that lots of people abuse the handicap parking placards. Somehow some very able bodied people seem to acquire or use someone else's handicap stickers to the disadvantage of those in need. I find little to concern me about a percentage of people who may acquire medical cannibis and use it for recreational purposes. There's always someone growing their own.
I can well recall Operation Intercept under President Nixon when Mexican pot was effectively stoped at the border. It was quite successful at the time and resulted in many misguided youth (not me) turning to harder and more additive substances. A number of my old classmates died. It wasn't necessary.
So politically I would immediately favor having the State of Hawaii develop and support a program of medical cannibis distribution. If someday a ballot initiative asked for my vote for decriminalizing pot I would vote for it. I don't use the stuff myself but believe the whole subject has been driven by the wrong motivations and has produced wasteful and costly results.
Adults should have the simple right to make some decisions for themselves as long as they do not negatively impact others.
In a similar vein I suspect that lots of people abuse the handicap parking placards. Somehow some very able bodied people seem to acquire or use someone else's handicap stickers to the disadvantage of those in need. I find little to concern me about a percentage of people who may acquire medical cannibis and use it for recreational purposes. There's always someone growing their own.
I can well recall Operation Intercept under President Nixon when Mexican pot was effectively stoped at the border. It was quite successful at the time and resulted in many misguided youth (not me) turning to harder and more additive substances. A number of my old classmates died. It wasn't necessary.
So politically I would immediately favor having the State of Hawaii develop and support a program of medical cannibis distribution. If someday a ballot initiative asked for my vote for decriminalizing pot I would vote for it. I don't use the stuff myself but believe the whole subject has been driven by the wrong motivations and has produced wasteful and costly results.
Adults should have the simple right to make some decisions for themselves as long as they do not negatively impact others.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Punaweb moderator