One of the best ways today to determine if a person makes decisions based on emotion rather than science is to ask them their position on cannabis. To be fair, all of us were deceived by our government. Yet few Americans have much trust in government, so that’s a dog that don’t hunt any more.
If you’re anti-cannabis, you’re a dinosaur. This doesn’t mean you should use it. Pro-cannabis or not, this is not a drug for kids and teens. Drugs can be dangerous. We grew up being told aspirin was safe. The medical community warned millions today against taking it for heart health. Adults need to focus on responsible use.
Cannabis Facts
The BEST research today comes from “Marijuana-Impaired Driving: A Report to Congress, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July 2017.” [source]
Safety should be our most important concern. We all want to be safe. The DOT looked at the speed at which the driver drove relative to the speed limit as a result of cannabis and alcohol use by the drivers.
Subjects on cannabis showed reduced mean speeds, increased time driving below the speed limit and increased following distance during a car following task. Cannabis had no effect on variability of speed.
Subjects on alcohol drove at higher mean speeds (over speed limit), greater variability in speed, spent a greater percent of time driving above the speed limit, and were more aggressive, i.e, took more risks.
In the combined alcohol and cannabis condition, cannabis mitigated some of the effects found with alcohol by reducing the time spent above the speed limit.
Crash Risk
Highest risk of crash involvement was for drivers with high alcohol concentrations (above .12 BAC) — crash risk 20–200 times that of sober drivers.
Drivers with BACs between .08 and .12 were estimated to be 5–30 times more likely to crash than sober drivers.
Drivers positive (high or stoned) on THC were estimated to be at elevated risk (1–3 times that of drivers not positive for THC), similar to drivers with BAC levels between .01 to < 0.05.
Cognitive Effects
A big, longer-term study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in August 2012 followed 1,037 New Zealanders from birth to age 38.
The study found global declines in cognition, including an average drop in IQ of about 6 points in people who had used cannabis. Notably, deficits were not found in people who started using cannabis as adults, but were strong in people who took up the habit as teens. [source]
Protect our kids and teens. A legal market does this best. Criminals sell to anyone.
Dangerous Drugs
In Hawai’i news today, a 7-month-old girl died in February due an overdose of an antihistamine — cause of death was “diphenhydramine toxicity.” The infant suffered a fatal does of the active ingredient in Benadryl. Her nanny, Dixie D. Villa, may spend the rest of her life in prison for negligence.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) announced this morning they have joined forces on historic legislation to reform the nation’s cannabis (marijuana) laws and help victims of the War on Americans over drugs. This failed action disproportionately harmed minority communities.
Their legislature, Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, decriminalizes cannabis and expunges of prior cannabis-based convictions at the federal level. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle support this legislation — something our elected officials seem to agree upon today.
“Racially motivated enforcement of marijuana laws has disproportionally impacted communities of color. It’s past time to right this wrong nationwide and work to view marijuana use as an issue of personal choice and public health, not criminal behavior.”
Rep. Jerry Nadler, Chair House Judiciary Committee
Representative Nadler chairs the powerful House Judiciary Committee. This is the first time in U.S. history to have the support of this committee. Nadler’s panel held a “historic” hearings earlier this month seeking input how to reform the federal laws. Representative Nadler is also a top political ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is also from California.
California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis in 1996, and legalized recreational cannabis January 1, 2018.
“As marijuana becomes legal across the country, we must make sure everyone — especially communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs — has a real opportunity to participate in this growing industry.”
Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)
Dangerous People
Their legislation focuses on repairing communities damaged most by the four decade long War on Americans over drugs, which is part of the criminal justice reform action in Congress.
Fifty percent of annual tax revenue generated by the cannabis industry would be reinvested in community programs to support job training, re-entry services, legal aid, literacy programs, youth recreation, mentoring and substance abuse services.
There are over 26,000+ medical cannabis patients in Hawai’i. Director of Risk Management for the state’s top employer, AltRes, John Fielding claims anyone using cannabis medicinally or recreationally has a vice. Won’t hire cannabis users. He’s a dangerous guy. Judges people and doesn’t know the medical science. Tells people he’s a Catholic Christian. Jesus isn’t impressed.
Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) CEO Constance Hee Lau fired me February 25, 2019 for being a medical cannabis patient. Had been an outstanding IT employee for the company for nearly six months. HR had told me there would be no problem with my legal prescription.
Privileged Connie Lau receives $5.7 million compensation. Chairs the Consuelo Foundation — dedicated to compassionate care and the spirit of Jesus. She’s the cruelest and most incompetent professional of my 40 year career. Consuelo isn’t impressed.
How is it possible a human being can be so hateful and arrogant? Takes away a person’s job and means of supporting his family. Treats me like a leper. She is one very sick Witch!
Repairing the Decades of Damage
Harris and Nadler would use community grants would to incentivize minority-owned small businesses interested in entering the cannabis industry, provide funding to reduce barriers to cannabis licensing, and re-employ individuals disproportionately harmed by the War on Americans over drugs.
“At a point in time when simultaneously one person could have their life ruined in New York for the exact same action that makes someone in California a millionaire, now more than ever we must end the prohibition of marijuana.”
Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director
Justis Strekal and NORMAL support “The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act,” as it addressed the national interest of legalizing cannabis and restore the rights of Americans who have suffered under the cruel and failed policy of criminalization.
“It is time to change this history.”
Wanda James
Wanda James, from Denver, Colorado, and first African American woman to own a cannabis dispensary, applauded Harris and Nadler for their “focus and dedication to ending the generational damage done by mass incarceration due to federal cannabis prohibition.”
Don’t be a dinosaur. They’re extinct because they were too stupid and stubborn to change. End the Refer Madness.
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Ko’olau of Kaua’i. I am the Defiant One
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