I know alcohol causes a lot of accidents, but...?

Question

I know that drivers under the influence of alcohol can generally be more dangerous and idiotic than those that are under the influence of weed, but smoking weed still does make people slow and less quick to respond to things and can cause accidents, and depending on how the individual metabolizes it, they can have hallucinations and be more at risk to develop schizophrenia and be a hazard because of those problems. I know it may seem harmless to legalize it, but if it was legalized, wouldn't that cause a spike in the overall use of it by the general population and therefore cause even more accidents because people drive around under the influence of it? How can legalizing a hallucinogenic substance make it safer than when it was illegal, and how can we not expect there to be more problems if people start using it because it's not against the law?

And no pulling facts like "because there's no proof that it's dangerous" out of thin air. It's obvious that weed does have bad effects...

Ryan's idea makes sense, but it's impossible for there to be a cop to watch every single driver that's under the influence (there'd be a lot) and prevent accidents... I agree that many use it to rebel, but then they stay addicted to it as adults even after their rebellious attitudes have faded but they still need their fix of weed...

NOT A HALLUCINOGENIC????? HA!!!!!!!!

Then why do I KNOW several people who have freaked out on it? I even ended up helping a friend take care of someone they knew who was seeing things and having a breakdown after using the stuff... So medical research and studies count as "propaganda" now do they? Interesting...

Answer 1

How can legalizing a hallucinogenic substance make it safer than when it was illegal, and how can we not expect there to be more problems if people start using it because it's not against the law?

Great question. Legalizing a hallucinogenic substance first of all would let doctors prescribe it to people who use it while on chemotherapy to give themselves an appetite. Making mary j. legal would mean the government would regulate its production, so that every ounce you got would be pure and unadulterated: no pesticides, no acid, nothing but the "pure" stuff.

I would expect more problems with people high behind the wheel. People will always jump behind the wheel at inappropriate times. Being high is already one of them; but, yeah, I agree with you it will likely increase the number of people using it which will, in turn, increase the number of people taking the risk of driving while high.

Answer 2

Being the moron who was calling it safer than Coca Cola a few moments ago...

You're right that people probably shouldn't drive while smoking pot. Keep in mind, lots of people drive while smoking pot because of their general irresponsibility (would do the same with alcohol, which is more dangerous) or because it is illegal and they cannot do it in a more relaxed environment... like in a public park or in their homes, especially when they are young and live with parents (not that people should be smoking it when they're too young anyway)

Pot does not cause hallucinations and does not cause schizophrenia. It can aggrevate existing schizophrenia and of course I totally agree that a schizophrenic person should not be taking it... but that's a problem which should be solved by making health care accessible so people can be aware of their own personal health conditions... maybe they could even ask a doctor if pot will negatively affect them if it were legal.

The fact is that just because some people may use it irresponsibly does not mean we have to make its use illegal... alcohol is considered perfectly respectable when used responsibly and marijuana should be the same. Other drugs should be illegal because the fact is, they can't be used long without abusing them because they are highly addictive, drugs like cocaine, heroine, or cigarettes, but it also doesn't help that we put users in jail instead of helping them... it ruins their lives and guarantees they'll NEVER become productive members of society.

And I say it's less dangerous than Coke because Coke is both physically addictive AND more dangerous for your body.


Oh, I'd also like to point out that numbers of people on marijuana who cause accidents are inflated, because when marijuana is found on your person, whether you've smoked it or not, after an accident, or if you try to run away because you are afraid of being caught with the marijuana, legally an accident which may not have otherwise been considered your fault is automatically your fault.


hey zeroambition, not to mention nyquil, right?

Answer 3

Heres a complete theory but maybe if they were to legalize it the government can tax the hell out of it and use that money for driving prevention techniques such as hiring traffic patrols and setting up road blocks. This is the same way would help catching people drinking and driving. Also i believe that many people smoke it because it is illegal and theres that rush and rebelion there. At first i think users would increase but it would eventually become lame like cigarettes.

Answer 4

You've been listening to the propaganda designed to scare kids into not smoking marijuana, granted it does make you a bit slower, but it is not hallucinogenic. I do not believe it would cause more people to use it if they legalized it, some people are more prone to use if it is taboo, the natural rebelliousness in some. Alcohol is far more dangerous than pot, I have never seen anyone so stupid on marijuana that they drive on the wrong side of the road or pass out.

Answer 5

I'm lost. What is your question? If you are comparing DUI to driving while on illegal drugs, you should know that most states DUI laws include being under the influence of ANY drug, including over the counter medications. If that is not related to your question, I don't have a clue how to respond.

Answer 6

Just because it is legal does not mean it would be subject to unrestricted use. You could still be driving under the influence, and companies could still require a drug free workplace.
But I agree with you, I think it should stay illegal.

Answer 7

Your argument is basically that we shouldn't legalize something if people might abuse it and use it in a way that contnues to be illegal. Do you have any idea how many things we should make illegal? Keeping something illegal because of possible abuse rules out almost everything. Advil has muscle relaxers in it, and if you take way to much you shouldn't drive. Do we outlaw Advil?

Answer 8

I don't think if marijuana was legalized that more people would start using. I think that it wouldn't be as taboo as it is now. But I think it should be legalized for medical purposes and for research.

Answer 9

Well there was this thing called prohibition and we all know how well that worked out. same thing with weed.

Answer 10

Drugs are for losers. It is illegal for a reason