Does The Mississippi Narcotics Team Have ANYTHING To Do?

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfsong SparklingWaves: your input is always valued! Thanks for sharing that - it definitely rings true with me. Also alcohol + dope = aggression/violence (i have the pleasure of having both an alcoholic and a druggie for a father...). Its one of the main reasons i dont want cannabis legalized in the UK - theres enough abuse here as there is.

In my experience alcohol + pot = dizzy and throwing up. Such a bad combo lol.

 

[Shimmer]

You know why I don't like pot?
For the same reason I don't like cigarettes.

Because the person next to me can't smoke it without me having direct contact with and effect from the smoke.

I don't smoke, and drinking doesn't affect me when Jane Doe does it while standing next to me. She can stand next to me and pound shots until she passes out, and I'll never have to deal with the negative effects, as long as I don't drink.

Not the same with smokes and pot.

 

[ratmist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer You know why I don't like pot? For the same reason I don't like cigarettes. Because the person next to me can't smoke it without me having direct contact with and effect from the smoke. I don't smoke, and drinking doesn't affect me when Jane Doe does it while standing next to me. She can stand next to me and pound shots until she passes out, and I'll never have to deal with the negative effects, as long as I don't drink. Not the same with smokes and pot.

Heh, you've never sat next to some of the smelly barflies I know around here... if offensive smell, unwanted come-ons, aggressive tendencies and endless drunk-babble isn't something you have to deal with.

If you mean carcinogens, fair enough, but I've never had anyone smoke right next to me who wasn't willing to put out the cig or stand so that I wasn't downwind of them if I asked politely and didn't act like a jerk about it. Not nearly so easy to ask a drunk person to stop drinking. If you mean the classic side-effects of pot, well... frankly the people I know that are habitual marijuana users are so damned stoned that they pose no threat to anyone. If they get aggressive, they can't remember why they were feeling that way after a few seconds, so it's not like it's going to start a riot - unlike drunk folk. If they get paranoid, usually the delusions are more amusing than threatening, so again, it's just annoying. There is the odd user that is very addicted and has problems, but that can be compared to the many people who drink, sometimes to excess, without ever becoming an alcoholic, versus those that become alcoholics for whatever reason.

Now that smoking is banned in public places in Scotland, I don't have to worry about secondhand smoke at all or rule-out going into pubs once well-known to be extra smokey, which is nice. England followed suit and it was lovely to sit in a pub in Cambridge recently and actually see the ceiling for once. On the downside, now I can see everyone a bit clearer, and some of them really need the old veil o' smoke, if ya know what I mean.

 

[tiramisu]

X

 

[Shimmer]

Ratmist:
No, I mean I can't stand next to someone who smokes, anything, without tasting it, inhaling it, ingesting it, and dealing with the after effects of it.

I don't like the pot to alcohol argument because, though alcoholics smell repugnant sometimes, their habits don't cause issues within my body. (Leaving, of course, DUI/DWI out of the situation, merely discussing imbibing, not subsequent choices.)

Smoking is banned in public in the city of Arlington, and I love it.

 

[ratmist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raerae In my experience alcohol + pot = dizzy and throwing up. Such a bad combo lol.

God yeah. Totally not my thing.

But ciggies + alcohol? Divine. It was hard to give up the cigs, especially when I would go out for drinks with friend, but when they made smoking illegal in public places (including pubs) it was a lot easier, and I didn't miss it anymore.

 

[ratmist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer Ratmist: No, I mean I can't stand next to someone who smokes, anything, without tasting it, inhaling it, ingesting it, and dealing with the after effects of it.

Yeah, that's why I was actually very pro anti-smoking legislation, despite my liberal bent. I do not believe in making other people uncomfortable out of sheer selfishness. That being said, if I'm outside, I move out of the path of smoke rather than get annoyed at strangers around me that are smoking. I don't think cigarettes should be made illegal, but I do believe they're terrible for one's health. I wish my friends would quit for the sake of their health. One of them was only able to kick the habit when the anti-smoking legislation came through, because it meant he could go to the pub and not be surrounded by smoke or by people actively smoking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer I don't like the pot to alcohol argument because, though alcoholics smell repugnant sometimes, their habits don't cause issues within my body. (Leaving, of course, DUI/DWI out of the situation, merely discussing imbibing, not subsequent choices.)

Well, I was being more general about affects. In general, in about 95% of my experiences, the people who were threatening to cause me the most immediate harm to my body were drunk people. Some drunks can get extremely aggressive, so I just interpreted that as there's still the possibility of them causing issues within my body. I don't mean to downplay the medical side of second-hand smoke. Some people - I'm assuming you're one of them, based on your comment - are extremely allergic, asthmatic or otherwise very easily harmed by smoke. In cases like that, it isn't fair to have to be near smoke, but if one is outdoors, I still think in general the option to move away from the smoke is still fairly balanced by the smoker's right to smoke.

I just wanted to point out that in my experience, for example, it's a lot easier to just move away from someone (especially a stoner) who's smoking, or ask them to move away from me (if that's the appropriate action to take), and thereby remove my body from the clouds of carcinogens, than get past a group of rowdy drunks outside the rough pub near my flat when it's 2am and they're completely off their heads. Add in the element of their favourite football team losing (I live next to a local footbal stadium), and it can get pretty bad around here. The worst a stoner outside will do to me is make me sniff the air and think, "Hmmm... smells like skunk". Where do I want the cop to be? Outside or nearby the pub, dammit, keeping the freaking peace and making sure I'm not going to get raped or murdered, rather than wasting time by chasing down (well, walking down more likely) the harmless stoner.

That being said, years ago I did live with two heavy smokers who also smoked a lot of weed (and by a lot, I mean around 10g a week). I did not enjoy sitting in the smoke, but I had cheap rent.

I know I'm gonna die one day, and the chances of it being lung cancer are probably equally likely at this point to be genetic or due to pollution. Whatchoo gonna do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer Smoking is banned in public in the city of Arlington, and I love it.

I did not know that - what is the legislation exactly? Surely that doesn't include outdoor places like public parks? Surely it's just in enclosed public places like restaurants/bars/clubs? I'm kinda surprised - wouldn't have thought any town/city as a whole, in Texas, would do that.

 

[Simply Elegant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimmy not per se...but teens who don't see the harm in what they're doing run a very high risk of becoming hardcore addicts, dealers or drug runners later on in life. alot of city, county and state governments are cracking down on teen drug use for that exact reason. there's no way to tell at sixteen if a person is going to become addicted to harsher substances, the only way to know is when it actually happens. if the cops can keep that day from coming, i say more power to them. nip the problem in the bud, you know?

Yeah I know. Prevention is better, I agree. I never really condoned it, but I've tried it before and that's been my experience. I know it has really bad effects.

 

[MxAxC-_ATTACK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratmist Whatchoo gonna do? I did not know that - what is the legislation exactly? Surely that doesn't include outdoor places like public parks? Surely it's just in enclosed public places like restaurants/bars/clubs? I'm kinda surprised - wouldn't have thought any town/city as a whole, in Texas, would do that.

In some places in the United states (certain Citys) you Can not even smoke OUTSIDE in public places such as parks . .. In Ojai, Ca, you cant even smoke in your car with the windows down while driving on main street.

 

[ratmist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MxAxC-_ATTACK In some places in the United states (certain Citys) you Can not even smoke OUTSIDE in public places such as parks . .. In Ojai, Ca, you cant even smoke in your car with the windows down while driving on main street.

Hmm. That's interesting. The smoking-while-driving thing makes sense from the safety aspect; the same logic is definitely applied to cellphones and driving. As for a public park or national reserve, for example, I'd argue that a smoker pays just as much tax to enjoy the outdoors as a non-smoker, and so long as he/she doesn't cause a fire, I don't see why they can't enjoy a cigarette in tax-supported outdoor, fully ventilated public areas.

 

[Dreamergirl3]

I really feel for you. They were just doing their job, though.

I've been lucky to have been let go by a few cops, but have been caught by a few dick ones, too. And I'm not calling them dicks because they're cops, I have a great respect for anyone who puts their life on the line to protect, they really were assholes. Trust me on that.
It's not the cops that are wrong - it's the law.
If you're interested in finding out how you can help change that, check out NORML. Sadly though, until it changes, the law is the law, and you have to suck it up and deal with the consequences, however sucky they may be.

I do not believe marijuana is a gateway drug.
I do not believe marijuana clouds your mind and spirit.
I am dead serious when I say marijuana helped saved me from committing suicide. Not even a myriad of therapists and talks or self help books did that on their own.. trust me, when it came to me wanting to kill myself, I DID seek help.

Good luck to you girlie.

 

[xolovinyoo]

LOL, thats what ya get for smoking bomb. i got caught for smoking weed once but never got any harsh consequence like that only a call to a parent *thank goodness. & yeah, smoking stoges (cigarettes) have also recently been banned from parks where i live. but that doesnt stop anybody.

 

[lipstickandhate]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with marijuana. I think it sucks you got caught, but you're lucky that you have the chance to escape a permanent record. Until the drug is made legal, you always run the risk of being caught. If you disagree with the law, get involved with credible organisations that are pushing to make it legal.

QUOTE]

 

[Shimmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratmist I did not know that - what is the legislation exactly? Surely that doesn't include outdoor places like public parks? Surely it's just in enclosed public places like restaurants/bars/clubs? I'm kinda surprised - wouldn't have thought any town/city as a whole, in Texas, would do that.

Quote:

* Eliminates “designated smoking areas” in restaurants and in combination restaurants and bars. * Eliminates smoking in a bar, night club, sexually oriented business, billiard hall, bingo parlor or bowling center unless the establishment does not allow any person under the age of 18 to enter, does not open into a restaurant, hotel, motel or any other establishment where smoking is prohibited, and is fully enclosed from floor to ceiling by solid walls with a stand alone heating/ventilation air conditioning system. * Establishes a 50-foot “no smoking” arc outside of each entrance and openable window of a nonsmoking facility. * Prohibits smoking in all places that have shared heating/ventilation air conditioning systems unless all of the tenants of a facility with the shared HVAC system meet the requirements for exceptions granted under certain conditions to bars, night clubs, sexually-oriented businesses, billiard halls, bingo parlors and bowling centers. * Expands to prohibit smoking in the buildings or grounds of a hospital or healthcare facility, which includes an ambulatory surgical center, rehabilitation center or minor emergency treatment facility. * Eliminates numerous exceptions to the existing ordinance. Smoking is not allowed in public schools within the Arlington Independent School District, public libraries, museums, hospitals and healthcare facilities, retail or service establishments, theaters, auditoriums and other enclosed entertainment venues. * Requires “No Smoking - City Ordinance” signage to be posted at all public entrances within establishments that do not meet ordinance exceptions.

You can pretty much smoke in your car or in the parking lot walking up to an establishment, or on your property. That's...about it.
Arlington's Smoking Ordinance

 

[SparklingWaves]

Teacup, please let us know you are okay. I am worried about you. Please keep posting. I am here for you.

 

[purrtykitty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiramisu As a law student-- you have nothing to complain about ... this day was coming to you and I am sure you had this in the back of your mind; I would hire a lawyer immediately and deal with the consequences of your personal actions that brought you to this point.

heyyyyy, i'm a law student, too!

 

[FullWroth]

I'm gonna quote the words of a former friend of mine, who really enjoys the (equally illegal) activity of street racing: You've gotta pay to play.

I personally think marijuana should be legalized, and the only limits placed on it should be in terms of making sure only quality stuff is produced and that people who don't use it aren't inconvenienced (so, similar to current smoking laws, where you can't just light up in a crowd of people or anywhere you want in a building, etc). It's my personal opinion that we're wasting time and manpower, as well as overfilling prisons with people who really don't belong there, with this stupid war on drugs (at least where marijuana's concerned).

But the fact of the matter remains that it's illegal, and you knew that when you chose to use it, and now you're paying the price. Yes, it's not so fun that your friend more or less set you up in a panic, but even if you hadn't had any of the other stuff on you, if the cops had busted you right then and there, they would've still found illegal stuff.

So, you're gonna have to pay if you wanna play. It may be wrong or not, it may be immoral or not, but it all boils down to what current law is. Previous commenters are right - get a lawyer. ASAP. Even if you never end up using them in court, you need a plan, and you need it from someone who understands how to navigate the system instead of just rebelling against it. As well-intentioned as your parents are, "fight the man!" isn't going to help you work the system to your advantage in the end.

Good luck.

 

[wolfsong]

FullWroth:

Its not such a stupid war when you consider the fact that smoking cannabis whilst your brain is still developing (up to around early to mid 20's) dramatically increases the likelihood and severity of mental illness - primarily schizophrenia (30-40% increase is the last figure given – and I have had close friends suffer from this among other disorders, and they were all heavy pot smokers from a young age). Also if you consider cannabis being a 'gateway drug' as someone mentioned, to other drugs/criminal behaviour, it becomes more of an issue.

Added to this is the fact that people will always try for the easiest/cheapest methods available even when legal forms are present (buying fags 'off the backs of trucks', piracy media, counterfeit products, and add to this making/buying the cheapest/strongest cannabis). How does this solve any of the gang behaviour issues that surrounds drugs? There will still be rival drug gangs/producers vying for custom, there will still be crime committed because of these drugs (addicts, dealers etc). All that will change would be that the police will have little to no authority concerning the drug itself. These sellers would still have custom, not just because they can sell stronger/cheaper cannabis than what can be sold legally, but because a great deal of cannabis users are under the age that the government could ethically allow the sale of it to.

The UK government would likely only allow the sale from certain company’s or rule that a hefty licence will be needed – and heavy tax to those that sell cannabis. It would be too good an opportunity for the government to make some cash off it for them to pass up (look at the bloody speed cameras – yes some have a potentially life saving purpose, but many are just ugly government piggy banks). On top of this the government would control the strength and amount people can buy, and to what age. The UK is very conservative, and the issues and implications of legalizing cannabis are probably too great for such a country to allow – at least in the laid back manner that Amsterdam does (and they themselves have restrictions).



Just my two pence.

 

[eulchen]

basically im all for legalizing marijuana.

i know the possible health risks of smoking pot, but i also know the helath risks of smoking cigarettes and drinking lots of alcohol. in Germany you can drink starting at the age of 16. think about the damage alcohol can do at that age. i dont have the exact statistics, but every year there are thousands of people that are killed because of alcohol abuse, thousands that die because of smoking diseases (carzinoms?)... while the actual fatalities caused by pot smoking is minimal. in no way i want to play down on the risks of smoking pot, but in reality, they are far less dangerous than those of the legal drugs we can access easily.

now, while drinking and smoking is somewhat socially accepted (though at least the smokers have to step back somewhat) pot smoking is still connected with criminalization and regarded as a gate-way. cigarettes and alcohol arent considered to be gate-ways. i wonder why? maybe because you dont have to become a criminal to get them? i really think legalizing marijuana would also reduce the danger as a gateway.

and then i always remember the statistics from the netherlands... where pot smoking actually receded after it was legalized.

so, to sum my 2 cents up... if it was up to me, marijuana as a soft drug like alcohol and cigarettes would be legalized... or all three of them would be banned altogether (now thats radical. i know its not possible to ever happen because we all need our flush from time to time...)

*author of this post hates cigarette smokers, drinks pretty much at parties once or twice a month and has tried pot but just doesn´t see the appeal of it.

 

[tiramisu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purrtykitty heyyyyy, i'm a law student, too!

--hijacking this thread a bit...

I am in awe of the both of us then purrtykitty!! ... I am oddly glad to feel a bit less guilty about stopping in the middle of briefing cases each night and somehow finding the time to check up on Specktra or shop on mac online

I am not the only one!!!