Poll: Recreational pot should be legal

The majority of those responding to an online Argus-Courier poll said that the recreational use of marijuana should be legal in California.

About 42 percent felt that pot should not be legal for recreational use.

Here are some of the comments:

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“About time it is made legal!”

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“Absolutely.”

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“Although I realize this is a losing battle, I and my neighbors are being held hostage by a large ‘legal’ medical marijuana garden in a back yard along with a Pit Bull guarding it. Police can do nothing about because of our City Council’s view on it. Come harvesting time, our neighborhood is so completely overwhelmed by the ripe smell of marijuana and we can’t even go outside. We are also unable to sell our homes simply because we are required to disclose it. Legalizing marijuana will only compound this problem and those that don’t currently live in these conditions will soon learn the negative aspect of this law. Try living in our shoes.”

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“As long as it’s regulated the same as alcohol and tobacco smoke.”

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“But smoking laws must include smoking pot, cigarettes and cigars. Smoke in your own home, not in public.”

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“Don’t we have enough problems with alcohol intoxicated drivers? Imagine a bunch of stoned people behind the wheel on our roadways … yikes. And all the potential issues of second hand smoke in public places. Not funny. Plus, the elimination of illegal grow farms on public property that divert streams and pollute with pesticides needs to continue. No, no, no on recreational. We do not need more marijuana, we need less!”

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“I have major concerns that to many users will drive while under the influence. We need a speedy method for detecting if a driver is under the influence before allowing anything other than medical use. Plus, we need to tighten up greatly on the abuse of medical marijuana. Only a small number of those receiving prescriptions appear to be justified. Too many laws are ignored, especially in this state.

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Get over it. Legalize it. Tax it. Move on.”

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“In watersheds with intensive pot cultivation, illegal marijuana farms literally sucked up all of the water during the streams’ summer low-flow period, leaving nothing to support the fish. Marijuana growers are killing the environment.”

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“It’s about time. Should have been done long ago.”

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“Not unless it is controlled and regulated like we do with tobacco and alcohol. What we have now is crazy.”

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“How amazing that cigarette smoking is frowned upon yet this is the latest fad. Recreational marijuana absolutely should not be legalized in California. First and foremost, Federal laws must be changed in order for the states to have the right to do this. Second, reliable testing methods and levels have not been established in order to establish if someone is ‘under the influence.’ Then there are those of us who are highly allergic to marijuana smoke. It makes me instantaneously nauseous. When you exhale, you affect me and everybody around you. I am even affected by the smell of the smoke on you and your clothing (aka third-hand smoke). Most marijuana smokers are too wrapped up in themselves to consider any of this. So if those two legal issues get solved and if anyone can figure out how to smoke it and NOT exhale, then go for it.”

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“People already do it, no need to waste resources trying to stop it. Regulate and tax it like cigarettes.”

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“Heartbreaking to see promising young lives sidetracked from education and ambition to getting high. Don’t tell me that it is harmless. I’ve seen too much.”

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“Having grown up in the ’60s and ’70s I have seen how people high on pot behave. I’m disappointed that this is the direction our society is going.”

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“Not nearly as dangerous as alcohol. Might as well. Would be good for economy and put pressure at federal level.”

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Sadly, marijuana still causes terrible problems for young people. Older stoners, not so much.”

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“That is just what is needed to add to the DUI’s, cell phone use while driving, red light runners, hit-and run-drivers, etc., another excuse for killing someone. Also can add making a left hand turn exiting the North McDowell Boulevard post office. Still a lot of near accidents due to ‘privileged’ drivers.”

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“The environmental impact of marijuana growers and the associated crime (home invasion robberies) is not worth the risk.”

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