NY Times calls for legalizing pot (1 Viewer)

[DrJ]

I never realized so many lawyers were uptight douches. Oh wait, yeah I did.

Why so mad?

Not mad, it's just an observation.

 

[Otis]

I never realized so many lawyers were uptight douches. Oh wait, yeah I did.

Why so mad?

Not mad, it's just an observation.

Weird that you're taking this so personally and stopping to name calling. I don't think anyone has a problem with you smoking pot. We all seem to support it. We just don't want to screw up our lives as a result. Why does that affect you so?

 

[DrJ]

I never realized so many lawyers were uptight douches. Oh wait, yeah I did.

Why so mad?

Not mad, it's just an observation.

Weird that you're taking this so personally and stopping to name calling. I don't think anyone has a problem with you smoking pot. We all seem to support it. We just don't want to screw up our lives as a result. Why does that affect you so?

You're so cool, man.

 

[Otis]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

 

[proteus126]

There is the fact that no one's career is getting ruined over weed and all, but hey, you're on a roll.

Some folks hold a clearance. There are over a million people with the most common clearance level, Secret. Then there are some folks who hold higher clearances that are subject to random drug testing. Getting popped for posession, or having it show up in your urine, can mean loss of clearance and subsequent termination since one condition of your employment is the ability to maintain a clearance.

Personally, I am at that stage of my federal DOD R&D career where I am very specialized in a narrow technical field where the only application is military. No way I could continue to work in this field either as a Fed or in private industry on a federal contract without a clearance, and I'd have a tough time shifting fields and still making comparable money. Additionally, I have enough invested in the retirement plan (FERS) that I really don't want to lose it over a recreational drug.

I'm with the majority here that it should be totally legal, but I'm not prepared to risk my job and my retirement over it. I made that decision going in and plan to live with it. I'd rather not have to but it isn't a big deal either way. There is plenty of time in retirement to smoke up, watch the waves come in, and listen to Buffet. Deferred gratification and all that! If I drop dead before then, that just leaves more for the rest of you.

 

[DrJ]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

 

[Otis]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

Why are you afraid to answer? You're a weird dude.

 

[Otis]

There is the fact that no one's career is getting ruined over weed and all, but hey, you're on a roll.

Some folks hold a clearance. There are over a million people with the most common clearance level, Secret. Then there are some folks who hold higher clearances that are subject to random drug testing. Getting popped for posession, or having it show up in your urine, can mean loss of clearance and subsequent termination since one condition of your employment is the ability to maintain a clearance.

Personally, I am at that stage of my federal DOD R&D career where I am very specialized in a narrow technical field where the only application is military. No way I could continue to work in this field either as a Fed or in private industry on a federal contract without a clearance, and I'd have a tough time shifting fields and still making comparable money. Additionally, I have enough invested in the retirement plan (FERS) that I really don't want to lose it over a recreational drug.

I'm with the majority here that it should be totally legal, but I'm not prepared to risk my job and my retirement over it. I made that decision going in and plan to live with it. I'd rather not have to but it isn't a big deal either way. There is plenty of time in retirement to smoke up, watch the waves come in, and listen to Buffet. Deferred gratification and all that! If I drop dead before then, that just leaves more for the rest of you.

This is going to upset DrJ.

 

[DrJ]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

Why are you afraid to answer? You're a weird dude.

Married for 13 years, 2 kids, I stopped growing weed when I had children. Which was also a misdemeanor offense should I have been caught.

 

[Otis]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

Why are you afraid to answer? You're a weird dude.

Married for 13 years, 2 kids, I stopped growing weed when I had children. Which was also a misdemeanor offense should I have been caught.

Interesting. Did you stop growing weed because of the kids and not wanting to get caught.

 

[DrJ]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

Why are you afraid to answer? You're a weird dude.

Married for 13 years, 2 kids, I stopped growing weed when I had children. Which was also a misdemeanor offense should I have been caught.

Interesting. Did you stop growing weed because of the kids and not wanting to get caught.

Why do you care so much?

 

[[icon]]

It would be a good start. This country has gone to Satans britches now that we do not honour our Christian roots.

Some quality bait here

 

[DrJ]

There is the fact that no one's career is getting ruined over weed and all, but hey, you're on a roll.

Some folks hold a clearance. There are over a million people with the most common clearance level, Secret. Then there are some folks who hold higher clearances that are subject to random drug testing. Getting popped for posession, or having it show up in your urine, can mean loss of clearance and subsequent termination since one condition of your employment is the ability to maintain a clearance.

Personally, I am at that stage of my federal DOD R&D career where I am very specialized in a narrow technical field where the only application is military. No way I could continue to work in this field either as a Fed or in private industry on a federal contract without a clearance, and I'd have a tough time shifting fields and still making comparable money. Additionally, I have enough invested in the retirement plan (FERS) that I really don't want to lose it over a recreational drug.

I'm with the majority here that it should be totally legal, but I'm not prepared to risk my job and my retirement over it. I made that decision going in and plan to live with it. I'd rather not have to but it isn't a big deal either way. There is plenty of time in retirement to smoke up, watch the waves come in, and listen to Buffet. Deferred gratification and all that! If I drop dead before then, that just leaves more for the rest of you.

This is going to upset DrJ.

Nah, he's cool bro.

 

[MattFancy]

There is the fact that no one's career is getting ruined over weed and all, but hey, you're on a roll.

Some folks hold a clearance. There are over a million people with the most common clearance level, Secret. Then there are some folks who hold higher clearances that are subject to random drug testing. Getting popped for posession, or having it show up in your urine, can mean loss of clearance and subsequent termination since one condition of your employment is the ability to maintain a clearance.

Personally, I am at that stage of my federal DOD R&D career where I am very specialized in a narrow technical field where the only application is military. No way I could continue to work in this field either as a Fed or in private industry on a federal contract without a clearance, and I'd have a tough time shifting fields and still making comparable money. Additionally, I have enough invested in the retirement plan (FERS) that I really don't want to lose it over a recreational drug.

I'm with the majority here that it should be totally legal, but I'm not prepared to risk my job and my retirement over it. I made that decision going in and plan to live with it. I'd rather not have to but it isn't a big deal either way. There is plenty of time in retirement to smoke up, watch the waves come in, and listen to Buffet. Deferred gratification and all that! If I drop dead before then, that just leaves more for the rest of you.

Was going to post this same thing. Well said.

 

[Apple Jack]

There is the fact that no one's career is getting ruined over weed and all, but hey, you're on a roll.

Some folks hold a clearance. There are over a million people with the most common clearance level, Secret. Then there are some folks who hold higher clearances that are subject to random drug testing. Getting popped for posession, or having it show up in your urine, can mean loss of clearance and subsequent termination since one condition of your employment is the ability to maintain a clearance.

Personally, I am at that stage of my federal DOD R&D career where I am very specialized in a narrow technical field where the only application is military. No way I could continue to work in this field either as a Fed or in private industry on a federal contract without a clearance, and I'd have a tough time shifting fields and still making comparable money. Additionally, I have enough invested in the retirement plan (FERS) that I really don't want to lose it over a recreational drug.

I'm with the majority here that it should be totally legal, but I'm not prepared to risk my job and my retirement over it. I made that decision going in and plan to live with it. I'd rather not have to but it isn't a big deal either way. There is plenty of time in retirement to smoke up, watch the waves come in, and listen to Buffet. Deferred gratification and all that! If I drop dead before then, that just leaves more for the rest of you.

Was going to post this same thing. Well said.

If you could be subject to a drug test, and the stakes are high, then it would be stupid to smoke. I think everybody can get on board with that.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

There does seem to be a distinct difference between people that actually get drug tested and those that do not. I'm assuming Otis and Henry Ford and other private lawyers are not being drug tested. They're the ones that got the original pushback.

 

[Otis]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

Why are you afraid to answer? You're a weird dude.

Married for 13 years, 2 kids, I stopped growing weed when I had children. Which was also a misdemeanor offense should I have been caught.

Interesting. Did you stop growing weed because of the kids and not wanting to get caught.

Why do you care so much?

Me? I'm not the one getting upset and calling folks names for their choices that don't affect me.

 

[NREC34]

They don't test where I work except when they hire or suspect something. But they could if you get in any type of accident or so I have heard.

 

[Otis]

There does seem to be a distinct difference between people that actually get drug tested and those that do not. I'm assuming Otis and Henry Ford and other private lawyers are not being drug tested. They're the ones that got the original pushback.

I'm not worried about drug testing, but what about in buying it? What if I happen to go to some guy's house the day the Feds decide to roll in?

Again, just not a risk I'm comfortable taking. But I understand that's different for others.

 

[urbanhack]

There does seem to be a distinct difference between people that actually get drug tested and those that do not.

This.

 

[DrJ]

DrJ, do you have kids and are you married? How old are you? Am I close in guessing no, no, and 25ish?

Part of this has already been mentioned. And you're very wrong.

Why are you afraid to answer? You're a weird dude.

Married for 13 years, 2 kids, I stopped growing weed when I had children. Which was also a misdemeanor offense should I have been caught.

Interesting. Did you stop growing weed because of the kids and not wanting to get caught.

Why do you care so much?

Me? I'm not the one getting upset and calling folks names for their choices that don't affect me.

Neither was I.

 

[urbanhack]

There does seem to be a distinct difference between people that actually get drug tested and those that do not. I'm assuming Otis and Henry Ford and other private lawyers are not being drug tested. They're the ones that got the original pushback.

I'm not worried about drug testing, but what about in buying it? What if I happen to go to some guy's house the day the Feds decide to roll in?

Again, just not a risk I'm comfortable taking. But I understand that's different for others.

Agreed. Obviously your source is the biggest risk in buying right now. Luckily, I get it from "normal" people who would not be flagged by the Feds.

 

[Bronx Bomber]

Is there a breathalyzer equivalent for weed? How does driving while impaired get handled in current legalized states?

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

There does seem to be a distinct difference between people that actually get drug tested and those that do not. I'm assuming Otis and Henry Ford and other private lawyers are not being drug tested. They're the ones that got the original pushback.

I'm not worried about drug testing, but what about in buying it? What if I happen to go to some guy's house the day the Feds decide to roll in?

Again, just not a risk I'm comfortable taking. But I understand that's different for others.

Right, I guess in my view this risk seems very very low. I don't forgo driving due to the risk of a fatal car accident. Seems like pretty much the same idea here.

 

[Otis]

There does seem to be a distinct difference between people that actually get drug tested and those that do not. I'm assuming Otis and Henry Ford and other private lawyers are not being drug tested. They're the ones that got the original pushback.

I'm not worried about drug testing, but what about in buying it? What if I happen to go to some guy's house the day the Feds decide to roll in?

Again, just not a risk I'm comfortable taking. But I understand that's different for others.

Right, I guess in my view this risk seems very very low. I don't forgo driving due to the risk of a fatal car accident. Seems like pretty much the same idea here.

Could be, although not being able to drive impairs my ability to live my life pretty seriously--surely a lot more seriously than not smoking pot. So the risks may be similar but the reward end of the equation is vastly different. But I hear you.

 

[Henry Ford]

I guess it just comes down to what the benefit is that you get out of smoking. If it would better your quality of life and you are abstaining for fear of a simple possession charge, that's a bit paranoid. You only live once and time moves quickly. Waiting to live how you want to live until a bunch of corrupt ##### say it's okay, when it's right in front of you all along, seems more like overkill than caution to me. Mind you, I don't smoke much at all these days and can take it or leave it.

If some of us were busted for pot, it would risk our ability to practice law and perhaps worse would cast a serious stigma and reputational harm. I have a wife and two children to support and I'm fortunate to have a lucrative job. No way do I risk it. The risks are either different for others or others just don't care about the risks. I have way too much to lose.

I'm a lawyer that buys and smokes pot. I know at least a few other lawyers that also do it. As far as I can tell, lawyers don't smoke pot any less than similarly situated people in other professions.

It's possible that I'm underestimating the danger, but I don't think so. The chances seem very remote that anything bad will happen if I'm even reasonably careful. With that said, I went like 10 years without it because I didn't know where to get any and I was too intimidated to try to ask around to find some. I understand why people want to be cautious.

It really depends on where you are. Louisiana, there's a disciplinary action against a lawyer who was found in possession roughly every month or two. Sometimes extremely harsh penalties follow:

http://www.lasc.org/opinions/2014/14B0390.PC.pdf

Three year suspension. If he hadn't entered into a consent discipline order, he'd have been disbarred. It's serious business around here.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

somebody start the fbg poll...legal or not US wide

 

[Henry Ford]

somebody start the fbg poll...legal or not US wide

Seems a little self-serving for a BBQ restaurant owner to want marijuana legalized.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

It really depends on where you are. Louisiana, there's a disciplinary action against a lawyer who was found in possession roughly every month or two. Sometimes extremely harsh penalties follow:

This does surprise me. I'm still willing to take the chance though.

 

[Henry Ford]

It really depends on where you are. Louisiana, there's a disciplinary action against a lawyer who was found in possession roughly every month or two. Sometimes extremely harsh penalties follow:

This does surprise me. I'm still willing to take the chance though.

You're in Maryland. I have a feeling things are different there.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

somebody start the fbg poll...legal or not US wide

Seems a little self-serving for a BBQ restaurant owner to want marijuana legalized.

the minute it goes legal...i'm selling deep fried twinkies with bacon on top of pecan pie with vanilla icecream.

 

[Henry Ford]

somebody start the fbg poll...legal or not US wide

Seems a little self-serving for a BBQ restaurant owner to want marijuana legalized.

the minute it goes legal...i'm selling deep fried twinkies with bacon on top of pecan pie with vanilla icecream.

I think you might have a market for those already.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

It really depends on where you are. Louisiana, there's a disciplinary action against a lawyer who was found in possession roughly every month or two. Sometimes extremely harsh penalties follow:

This does surprise me. I'm still willing to take the chance though.

You're in Maryland. I have a feeling things are different there.

Yeah, in 65 days it'll be decriminalized here. I've talked to my wife about having some sort of decriminalization day party but I doubt if it'll actually happen. The first day falls on a Wednesday so might be tough to get something going.

 

[Henry Ford]

It really depends on where you are. Louisiana, there's a disciplinary action against a lawyer who was found in possession roughly every month or two. Sometimes extremely harsh penalties follow:

This does surprise me. I'm still willing to take the chance though.

You're in Maryland. I have a feeling things are different there.

Yeah, in 65 days it'll be decriminalized here. I've talked to my wife about having some sort of decriminalization day party but I doubt if it'll actually happen. The first day falls on a Wednesday so might be tough to get something going.

It really is insane around here. I'm about 85% certain that if one of my neighbors were smoking weed in the backyard, another neighbor would call the police.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I'm about 85% certain that if one of my neighbors were smoking weed in the backyard, another neighbor would call the police.

I'm conducting a vigorous study to figure out the percentage likelihood of this happening in my neighborhood. So far there has been no police response to hundreds of backyard smokes, but I think the sample size might be too small. I'll have to keep at it to make sure my results are reliable.

 

[Henry Ford]

I'm about 85% certain that if one of my neighbors were smoking weed in the backyard, another neighbor would call the police.

I'm conducting a vigorous study to figure out the percentage likelihood of this happening in my neighborhood. So far there has been no police response to hundreds of backyard smokes, but I think the sample size might be too small. I'll have to keep at it to make sure my results are reliable.

At least my property taxes are low.

 

[Slapdash]

I'm about 85% certain that if one of my neighbors were smoking weed in the backyard, another neighbor would call the police.

I'm conducting a vigorous study to figure out the percentage likelihood of this happening in my neighborhood. So far there has been no police response to hundreds of backyard smokes, but I think the sample size might be too small. I'll have to keep at it to make sure my results are reliable.

Keep up the good work for science.

 

[Ilov80s]

I'm a teacher and a drug arrest of any sorts definitely could end your career.

 

[Apple Jack]

I'm a teacher and a drug arrest of any sorts definitely could end your career.

BUT THEY MAKE MORE MONEY

 

[The General]

somebody start the fbg poll...legal or not US wide

Seems a little self-serving for a BBQ restaurant owner to want marijuana legalized.

 

[DrJ]

They don't drug test teachers, subs, anything in my district.

 

[Ilov80s]

They don't drug test teachers, subs, anything in my district.

You have to be drug tested in every teaching job I am aware of in addition to have a background check. I had to have a background check just to get admitted to the College of Ed and another one just to observe classes at public schools for my pre-student teaching hours.

 

[dutch]

They don't drug test teachers, subs, anything in my district.

It's not the testing it's the getting caught, moral turpitude issues.

 

[Henry Ford]

They don't drug test teachers, subs, anything in my district.

It's not the testing it's the getting caught, moral turpitude issues.

I'm sure IT professionals have a similar background and moral turpitude requirement to that of lawyers and teachers. No doubt he has a learned perspective on this issue.

 

[DrJ]

They don't drug test teachers, subs, anything in my district.

It's not the testing it's the getting caught, moral turpitude issues.

I'm sure IT professionals have a similar background and moral turpitude requirement to that of lawyers and teachers. No doubt he has a learned perspective on this issue.

You might be surprised. Lots of teachers rolling through my hood.

 

[Henry Ford]

They don't drug test teachers, subs, anything in my district.

It's not the testing it's the getting caught, moral turpitude issues.

I'm sure IT professionals have a similar background and moral turpitude requirement to that of lawyers and teachers. No doubt he has a learned perspective on this issue.

You might be surprised. Lots of teachers rolling through my hood.

Why, are you going to suddenly realize that your perspective in your corner of the country isn't the same as the state of affairs everywhere in the nation?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Eh. I appreciate your opinion Dr J which is why I want it legalized. It sucks that I would likely lose out on a job if all things being equal were I arrested for any pot charge.

I think we're all on the same page here, but risking your career is a very real reality to many people who live in areas where it's still treated like bank robbery.

Were I to get arrested for pot or dui , I'd lose my job. And my future job prospects would be diminished ... If that's laughable to you, I'd love to know the field you work in so I can work in that field as well.

I'm in IT. I've never been asked to disclose non felony charges. And I show up high to take my drug tests, just on the principal of the matter.

I'm in IT and the higher-ups forced me to let my best programmer go last year because he failed a drug test for weed.

 

[Henry Ford]

Eh. I appreciate your opinion Dr J which is why I want it legalized. It sucks that I would likely lose out on a job if all things being equal were I arrested for any pot charge.

I think we're all on the same page here, but risking your career is a very real reality to many people who live in areas where it's still treated like bank robbery.

Were I to get arrested for pot or dui , I'd lose my job. And my future job prospects would be diminished ... If that's laughable to you, I'd love to know the field you work in so I can work in that field as well.

I'm in IT. I've never been asked to disclose non felony charges. And I show up high to take my drug tests, just on the principal of the matter.

I'm in IT and the higher-ups forced me to let my best programmer go last year because he failed a drug test for weed.

And when new prospective employers call about his termination, what is your company's policy on explaining why he was let go?

 

[DrJ]

Eh. I appreciate your opinion Dr J which is why I want it legalized. It sucks that I would likely lose out on a job if all things being equal were I arrested for any pot charge.

I think we're all on the same page here, but risking your career is a very real reality to many people who live in areas where it's still treated like bank robbery.

Were I to get arrested for pot or dui , I'd lose my job. And my future job prospects would be diminished ... If that's laughable to you, I'd love to know the field you work in so I can work in that field as well.

I'm in IT. I've never been asked to disclose non felony charges. And I show up high to take my drug tests, just on the principal of the matter.

I'm in IT and the higher-ups forced me to let my best programmer go last year because he failed a drug test for weed.

And when new prospective employers call about his termination, what is your company's policy on explaining why he was let go?

Going to guess it doesn't matter much. Skilled programmers are in high demand. But dude sucks at taking drug tests.

 

[DrJ]

And besides, legalizing doesn't actually do anything for that issue as Mile High pointed out. Hospitals can say they aren't hiring cigarette smokers from what we've seen recently. It might not be that long before employers can deny fatties. Legalizing doesn't necessarily change much in regards to drug testing/employment opportunities. I'm sure these places get better rates on their insurance (health, accident, etc) for drug testing, which is why most every large company does test.