BigBuff423 Posted May 16, 2014 Posted May 16, 2014 Interesting topic and I truly do not know where I stand on the issue of legalizing marijuana. I am a retired FBI Agent and work for myself consulting primarily on murder (real crime) trials. However, during the middle part of my career, I ran drug task forces for a number of years. Admittedly, I didn't deal with the casual users of marijuana. I dealt with organizations trafficking in cocaine and, later on, meth. I did deal with some Mexican Cartels trafficking in marijuana; however, the drugs were secondary to the murders, kidnappings, etc., that are always part of these organizations. I did interact with street level drug users purely from an intelligence gathering perspective. I provide this background only to offer a foundation for the following responses. After working in the drug world for 11 years in the above capacity, to me, marijuana compared to powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, meth, PCP, etc., is like comparing apples to oranges. I have no moral opposition to the legalization of marijuana. I do not subscribe to the "slippery-slope" theory in terms of the subsequent legalization of other drugs. I also look at the idea of marijuana being a "gateway" drug much as I do with the idea that violence on television and in video games leads to violence in children and young adults: Generally speaking, research shows it is not true; however, for specific individuals it is true. I am a big believer in personal responsibility. I am also a big believer in looking at things realistically. The reality is this: (1) The vast majority of people use alcohol in a responsible manner and they would probably do so with marijuana. (2) Marijuana is much like cigarette and alcohol use in regard to physical harm. The casual user is probably not going to suffer major problems. Habitual use can cause severe health problems just as habitual use of cigarettes and alcohol. (3) For a minority of people, marijuana can be psychologically addicting. In the end, most of the reasons I hear to not legalize marijuana are pretty specious - but I am still trying to decide where I stand. As a side bar in response to a couple of posts I read: I never arrested anyone, nor do I know of any other law enforcement officer arresting anyone, so that the prisons in this country could profit. Thank you for your well thought out and cogent response. Thank you for your service in law enforcement and for your continued work as a consultant and thank you for being honest about your undecided position. Also, thank you for adding that last statement. Because I frequent these boards quite a bit and post, and recently in the shoutbox gave my location, I will refrain from stating my job / career / profession, but will say I have quite a bit of contact with those involved in the marijuana / narcotics trade and use and say that for the most part, I agree with nearly everything you said...including the undecided portion of your statement. Either way, it is refreshing to read someone put some real thought into their post and take the time to provide a back-drop for their reasoning. Sincerely, it's a dangerous job fraught with many personal sacrifices and while you did (and to some extent still do) get paid to do the job, it is never even remotely close in appropriate relation to the risks involved. Well done, and please, when you can, post more often. Take care.
CodeMonkey Posted May 16, 2014 Posted May 16, 2014 As a side bar in response to a couple of posts I read: I never arrested anyone, nor do I know of any other law enforcement officer arresting anyone, so that the prisons in this country could profit. I can't imagine anyone in law enforcement would do that. However it would not surprise me if the lawmakers, who routinely receive bribes from lobbies, acted this way.
KD in CA Posted May 16, 2014 Posted May 16, 2014 I can't imagine anyone in law enforcement would do that. However it would not surprise me if the lawmakers, who routinely receive bribes from lobbies, acted this way. I think it's safe to assume those bribes, er, contributions are behind virtually everything that passes through federal and state legislatures. If we applied the same standard to Congress as we do to white collar corporate criminals, 95% of Congress would be in prison.
Mr. WEO Posted May 16, 2014 Posted May 16, 2014 I suppose the reason so many players get addicted to legal prescription opiates is also just to "get high" based on your appalling lack of evidence. But what else is new! Well....opioids are analgesics--and they are addictive. Weed isn't an analgesic--not is the manner in which these guys are using it. Like nearly every one who smokes it, they just want to get high--because it's enjoyable.
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted May 16, 2014 Posted May 16, 2014 Like nearly every one who smokes it, they just want to get high--because it's enjoyable. Just like Cigarettes !!!! (only better)
RuntheDamnBall Posted May 17, 2014 Posted May 17, 2014 Well....opioids are analgesics--and they are addictive. Weed isn't an analgesic--not is the manner in which these guys are using it. Like nearly every one who smokes it, they just want to get high--because it's enjoyable. Yes, but the Indica strains are more conducive to pain relief as well.
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