DEA looking at rescheduling marijuana | The Compost Bin | Forums

@jl 

Good points jl. However cannabinoids are much more "many and varied" with differing drug interaction effects both individually and in combination with the "entourage effect". CBD has shown to have fewer negative side effects, but where second hand smoke is concerned, I'm proud of NY's stance on smoking in public. It may well qualify as intrusive governance, but it is essentially protecting people from smokers who would not otherwise respect the ethic of "To each their own as long as it does not harm anyone else." I regard that as a higher calling that necessitates the "intrusive governance". Second hand smoke DOES harm others. It has even killed non-smokers. People should do it in their home, and not expose other people who did not volunteer to be exposed. The same goes for smoking joints. The drug interactions of marijuana are broader and more varied, and joints are more often the domain of recreational smokers and hence are very high THC which not only has more negative side effects in general, but can be devastating to anxiety sufferers by amplifying their anxiety, it can be devastating to anyone in the schizoid spectrum of disorders with induced paranoia, anxiety, and other potential negative side effects. THC is shown to have negative side effects that can harm. Where there is potential of harm to others through involuntary exposure, there must be preventative measures to protect those people. Such measures are only necessary when marijuana becomes air born either by smoking or vaping.

If everyone exposed to secondhand smoke of any given kind did so with full consent, that is one thing, but those laws were passed to protect those who do not consent.

Cigarette smoke is sharp and by far the nastiest smell and sensation. I agree about that. I agree that marijuana smoke is much more mild. Cigar and Pipe tobacco are also much more mild. But all smoke carries air born tar which damages the breathing passages, and all tobacco is a carcinogen. Alcohol does horrible things to people, but it does no direct harm to others who are simply within proximity. All harm to others from alcohol is by proxy through the actions of the drinker either by driving or acting violently. I have a problem with the harm alcohol does to both those that drink it and those that are harmed by proxy.

Marijuana does more than tobacco or alcohol when it crosses the blood-brain barrier. I do not like or support recreational use, but I understand that decriminalization will have benefits. As I already expressed, the only limitations I would place would be for second hand smoke so there is no involuntary exposure, and that high THC should be monitored to a degree under doctor's supervision as a preventative measure against the negative side effects. Since tinctures and other alternate methods of use are available, I have zero pity in restricting those who smoke with exactly one exception: certain medical uses benefit from smoking in a measurable benefit of quick uptake. For that small subset of people, they should be able to smoke to themselves as needed medically, but should do so mindful of limiting others to second hand exposure. There already exist ashtrays which capture second hand smoke, I would say that a device could and should be developed to catch as much second hand smoke as possible and to have those people use the device when out in public to protect others.

I know people that home brew alcohol, for personal use and for friends. They don't sell it but I don't have a problem with them making, distributing, and would have no problem if they sold it. There are people we know in common who are not responsible drinkers, and when they visit my friends, those people are cut off at a certain point, and are not permitted to drive.

All these issues require careful consideration and necessitate a degree of management imposed upon those who do not self manage and do not consider the repercussions to others. This is where I reiterate the ethic: "To each their own, as long as they do not harm others."

Till you, I thought I was the only NY'er on the forums here. I am a native born NY'er but no longer live there.

Where in NYC are you and are you a native? If you're a native, where from?