[Dinith88]

What is your take on the issue of legalizing marijuana?

[PennyLane]

I'm all for it!!!

[Peatness]

I have mixed feeling in regard to the legalization of marijuana. On one hand I feel that if it is used responsibly it can be a relatively harmless substance (yes I am aware of the health risks however like smoking this is a personal choice) with proven medicinal benefits. IF used responsibly. Here is where the problem arises... We already have a major issue with people drinking and driving, by legalizing marijuana we are compounding that problem. Not only will we continue to have drunk drivers but now we will have to contend with drivers who are high on pot or both drunk and high. I don't think society has shown itself to be responsible enough to ensure the safety of our loved ones. I am against the legalization of another mind altering substance. I would be curious to know how the police plan to deal with the problem of driving while under the influence of marijuana. Other than visual cues how would they assess drivers without a urine or blood test? Well there's my two cents, if people acted more responsibly I would have no problem with the legalization of this substance. It is unfortunate that we live in a society were the minority hold the most influence with it's destructive and dangerous behaviour.

-Peat-

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Medical use ONLY!!!

[Robinellah]

Marijuana should be legalized...

[angelbear]

I and thousands of others suffer with chronic pain of some sort. I have a hard time getting the legal perscription narcs I need because dr's fear investigation. Meanwhile most of us subsidize or inadequet narc RX's with legal alcohol. So I say if they are going to regulate the heck out of my poor doc's Rx pad then legalize the wacky weed so I can self medicate without fear of losing my license(nursing). JMHO

[angelbear]

Oh and just in case you were wondering I would not use the stuff on the job just as I do not use my perscription narcs on the job. Both would be wrong in my opinion. BTW does anyone know where I need to look online to find out what the law is concerning use of perscription narcs by licensed nurses?

[kim93079]

I would like to see it legalized, not for my own benefit but for my patient's. I am a strong believer in Marinol and current research on Cannibas in MS patients. My sister died of MS and one of the last things she said to me was "Hey do you know where I could get a joint?" She was on several meds but marijuana was the only thing that treated the pain of the neuropathy. I have done a lot of research and most of our beliefs on marijuana are a lot of government propaganda. There is a documentary called "Grass" and I would recommend that everyone watch it. There have never been any ill effects PROVEN to come from marijuana, although smoking it has all the effects of any inhaled smoke into the lungs. I would also suggest the Snoop DVD Puff Puff Pass tour. It has several doctors from UCLA denouncing the government;s claim that it is bad for you.

I just think that before you make assumptions you should decide what are the facts and find as much knoweledge on the topic. We were taught in our first semester of nursing school that most ppl's beliefs have come from someone else, usually their parents.
Okay all that to say, do the research and open your eyes to what you honestly believe not what you were force fed through media.

[RNKITTY04]

People are smoking and will continue to smoke whether its legal or not. Pot is a natural substance, and has proven health benefits, it is not man made like crack or LSD. I think it should be sold and taxed, if your pulled over and appear to be under the influence you go to jail.
Alcohol was illegal once too, that didn't stop people from drinking, I think I heard that bootlegging is what helped set the Mafia up for a long and happy career.

JMHO

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

No, no, no. But not because I don't have compassion for those who feel that smoking a joint relieves their pain, it's because of secondhand smoke.

Bad enough to be subject to cigarette smoke and its effects, let alone marijuana's.

I wouldn't want to be the HH Nurse who has to care for someone using it for medicinal purposes.

Picture me driving with a contact high..... (trust me, this is not a pretty picture) .... and then getting pulled over ..... and then trying to explain why I'm illegally high after caring for a patient who can get legally high.