Poll: Time to legalize recreational pot

By a close margin, respondents in an online Argus-Courier poll said they would vote for Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational marijuana, on the Nov. 8 ballot. Just over 50 percent of respondents said they would support the measure.

Here are some comments:

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“It’s about time.”

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“No, I’m not voting to legalize pot. How well has that worked in Colorado?”

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“No, people are not responsible with alcohol, prescription drugs, etc., and California wants to legalize pot? What a joke. It’s already an out of control ‘medicinal’ drug. What about the second hand smoke affects? Like cigarettes, it’s offensive, and harmful. Look at the stats in Colorado, car accidents, psychosis patients in the hospital, etc. It would end up costing more than any supposed income it may generate. No on 64.”

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“Not for me. There is nothing in this proposition to protect those like me from exposure to marijuana. Do they even know how much is too much? No wonder law enforcement types are against it. The growers seem to be against this proposition. My guess is that they don’t want to follow the rules and regulations and pay for the permits. If this mess does pass, look for illicit growing to explode. Our own version of moonshine.”

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“Prop. 64 does not allow for sufficient protection for those who do not want to be exposed to marijuana. Plus the standards and technology to definitively ascertain if somebody is ‘under the influence’ does not exist yet. Add on to this that the marijuana growers themselves are against this proposition, likely because it would make them conform to similar laws that regulate the manufacture of drugs. Besides any of that, the federal government has never decriminalized marijuana so this proposition is unconstitutional.”

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“The current law isn’t stopping anyone from using it. This would give the police one less thing to worry about. I do though, advocate ingestion rather than smoking. Smoking anything is just really bad for your lungs.”

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“We do not need to risk more people driving under the influence.”

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“What about respiratory problems? Second hand smoke? Small children having access? Neighbors Breathing it? Driving while high? Excessive ground water usage? Drug wars over crops? High medical costs from medical complications? Increased hospital emergency room demands? Students attending school while high? Use in parks, sport games, school grounds, public areas? Gateway to other drugs potential with many? Many issues are prevalent in the anti-smoking and e-cigarette fight.”

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“Will we consider legalizing recreational public land growing, recreational stupidity and recreational driving while under the influence? What a hairball in a bong.”