I'm very anti-marijuana for the most part (I'd like to see more *legit* research, so I'm in favor of the rescheduling of it on the federal drug schedule), but that's a toe tapper of a song for sure.
Yeah, I just thought it was a fun song. I've never been into pot, and the whole schizophrenia thing is concerning. If I refused to listen to music I disagreed with, that would be very limiting.
Amusing story: I once asked my pastor what he thought of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," and he said something like, "Well, it's more theologically correct than a lot of Christian songs."
Watching someone descend through marijuana use induced schizophrenia is a horrible thing, and I was lucky not to be in the front row, but the suffering of the family was hard to watch. I don't think enough people realize the dangers and I'm fairly certain legalizing pot has been a large contributor to the growth of the zombie population walking our streets today.
Well, in my younger days I've smoked more pot (among other things) than I care to admit in public and there are (or were) certain strains that did indeed make people paranoid. These strains were deemed bad and the...ahem...investor/dealer soon found himself holding the bag (lol) because...who wants that!
I havent smoked it in years, life's responsibilities got in the way...home, family, career etc but my opinion of it hasn't changed. It should have been decriminalized instead of legalized as, as soon as government gets involved, a bureaucracy forms around it for licensing, taxation, regulation and enforcement driving the price up.
It's a simple matter of leaving it alone and not putting taxes and regulations on the existing "black" market. If you are going to do it, that's the way.
To decriminalize it is to take away the penalty, the punishment for personal possession. It would still be mercado negro (for dealers or importers) There are many people who needlessly have a criminal record for what is now legal in many states.
The analogy I suppose could be like other laws...its still "illegal" to jaywalk, spit on the sidewalk, curse in public, drive one mile over the speed limit but I can't recall the last time anyone was charged or convicted for any of those "crimes".
And no, I don't condone cursing in public as it lowers acceptable societal behaviors/standards/norms...I'm only speaking to what is not enforced today. nmewn
The analogy I suppose could be like other laws...its still "illegal" to jaywalk, spit on the sidewalk, curse in public, drive one mile over the speed limit but I can't recall the last time anyone was charged or convicted for any of those "crimes".
In 1969, an Oakland cop ticketed me for jaywalking through a red light at 3:30 a.m. with nary a vehicle in view. I didn't reply to the ticket, and a year later, CHP in San Jose jailed me for it. After 40 hours in jail, and being transported to Oakland, some friends bailed me out. The judge was about to tell me to pay the fine, but rescinded it when I informed him that I had spent 40 hours in jail.
I'm very anti-marijuana for the most part (I'd like to see more *legit* research, so I'm in favor of the rescheduling of it on the federal drug schedule), but that's a toe tapper of a song for sure.
ReplyDeleteI likewise never use marijuana; although I might once I reach retirement, should I ever, and find that no one still depends upon me.
ReplyDeleteThat second song is Willy covering a 1980 classic.
Yeah, I just thought it was a fun song. I've never been into pot, and the whole schizophrenia thing is concerning. If I refused to listen to music I disagreed with, that would be very limiting.
ReplyDeleteAmusing story: I once asked my pastor what he thought of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," and he said something like, "Well, it's more theologically correct than a lot of Christian songs."
Watching someone descend through marijuana use induced schizophrenia is a horrible thing, and I was lucky not to be in the front row, but the suffering of the family was hard to watch. I don't think enough people realize the dangers and I'm fairly certain legalizing pot has been a large contributor to the growth of the zombie population walking our streets today.
ReplyDeleteTom, I like your old pastor!
Well, in my younger days I've smoked more pot (among other things) than I care to admit in public and there are (or were) certain strains that did indeed make people paranoid. These strains were deemed bad and the...ahem...investor/dealer soon found himself holding the bag (lol) because...who wants that!
ReplyDeleteI havent smoked it in years, life's responsibilities got in the way...home, family, career etc but my opinion of it hasn't changed. It should have been decriminalized instead of legalized as, as soon as government gets involved, a bureaucracy forms around it for licensing, taxation, regulation and enforcement driving the price up.
Anyways, my two cents.
nmewn
I don't know a lot about it, but it seems part of it is genetics.
ReplyDeleteI've never really understood the difference between "decriminalize" and "legalize."
It's a simple matter of leaving it alone and not putting taxes and regulations on the existing "black" market. If you are going to do it, that's the way.
ReplyDeleteSo, you leave it illegal, but don't enforce the law?
ReplyDeleteTo decriminalize it is to take away the penalty, the punishment for personal possession. It would still be mercado negro (for dealers or importers) There are many people who needlessly have a criminal record for what is now legal in many states.
ReplyDeleteThe analogy I suppose could be like other laws...its still "illegal" to jaywalk, spit on the sidewalk, curse in public, drive one mile over the speed limit but I can't recall the last time anyone was charged or convicted for any of those "crimes".
And no, I don't condone cursing in public as it lowers acceptable societal behaviors/standards/norms...I'm only speaking to what is not enforced today.
nmewn
The analogy I suppose could be like other laws...its still "illegal" to jaywalk, spit on the sidewalk, curse in public, drive one mile over the speed limit but I can't recall the last time anyone was charged or convicted for any of those "crimes".
ReplyDeleteIn 1969, an Oakland cop ticketed me for jaywalking through a red light at 3:30 a.m. with nary a vehicle in view. I didn't reply to the ticket, and a year later, CHP in San Jose jailed me for it. After 40 hours in jail, and being transported to Oakland, some friends bailed me out. The judge was about to tell me to pay the fine, but rescinded it when I informed him that I had spent 40 hours in jail.
lol...now they're pooping & peeing in the street and the cops don't even arrest them for that!
ReplyDeleteThe times they are-a-changing...for better or worse.
nmewn
Gringo, you didn't happen to be part of the Alice's Restaurant Massacree, did you?
ReplyDelete