I have had jury duty a few times in the past ten years and two of the roughly three times they have been for marijuana trials. The first was a “family guy” that was growing pot for personal medicinal purposes. That was about ten years ago and I was dismissed. Today I was questioned for a trial with a kid that had a DUI and I think they were trying to prove marijuana use. I don’t know if they actually found marijuana on him. Once again I was dismissed, this time due to my son that has a substance abuse problem.
You would think a mom with a son that has a substance abuse problem I would be against the legalization of marijuana. I cannot believe the time, money and energy our society spends for criminalizing marijuana. Especially when there are worse drugs that are legal. The time and money we spend on these non-violent crimes could be spent for more beneficial programs. I am not going to go into a rant on the legalization of marijuana, but it just seems to me that the money to prosecute marijuana usage could to toward rehabilitation programs before they hit the hard drugs and become a bigger problem to our society. Supposedly due to the “deregulation” of marijuana the pot that comes over the border from Mexico is not only pure marijuana but it is laced with harder drugs such as methamphetamines which then can lead to experimentation and tolerance for harder drugs, compounding addictions that no professional will be able to help. The drugs have taken over. This may be the worst terrorist we will fight.
Then there is the cigarette industry, that we all know is the most detrimental to our health and one of the most addictive drugs out there and it is legal. Often times depicted as cool. Sure marijuana is said to be a gateway drug, but are we really preventing the usage by making it illegal or are we clogging our court systems? Alcohol, has destroyed how many lives and relationships, but it is socially acceptable. I would put our energy towards preventing the problem than making innocent victims criminals.
Please don’t get me wrong I am not saying that I approve of drug usage, but obviously the system is not working and we need to come up with a better way to deal with the drugs that are so prevalent today to our youth and later if they are so lucky to become adults.
I have not meant to offend any of you, and those with different ideas don’t think poorly of me. I respect your opinions. Deep down in my heart I know there has to be a better way.
Addendum: Here is a more sober and analytical take on the recent Rasmussen poll on the status of legalization of pot: Is America Ready to Legalize Pot
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