The California State Sheriffs Association claims marijuana seriously impairs driving and has other adverse consequences (AP, Mercury News, June 28). Yet researchers find that while obviously inadvisable, marijuana only modestly affects driving (Journal of Drug And Alcohol Dependence, June 23, 2016). Marijuana users know their performance is impaired and compensate by slowing down and being especially attentive. By contrast, inebriated drivers are seriously impaired. They merely think they are in control; in fact, they speed, weave across lanes, have lethally slower reaction times, and cause thousands of accidents (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2015). [continues 161 words]
The California State Sheriffs' Association claims marijuana seriously impairs driving and has other adverse consequences. Yet researchers find that while obviously inadvisable, marijuana only modestly affects driving (Journal of Drug And Alcohol Dependence, June 23, 2016). Marijuana users know their performance is impaired and compensate by slowing down and being especially attentive. By contrast, inebriated drivers are seriously impaired. They merely think they are in control; in fact, they speed, weave across lanes, have lethally slower reaction times, and cause thousands of accidents (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2015). [continues 113 words]
Just as cotton is grown for fabric and twine, so is industrial hemp; just as nut trees yield seeds for food and oils, so does hemp; just as hay is grown for animal feed, so is hemp; just as agricultural products are used for building materials, so is hemp (Oakland Museum of California hemp exhibit). Opposition to industrial hemp stems from the misconception that hemp is psychotropic. It is not. Hemp is a variety of cannabis (sativa) containing less than 1 percent Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal compound effecting euphoria. [continues 106 words]
Oakland Museum's marijuana exhibit is worth visiting. In the center section, a large glass case encloses mature marijuana plants. On the side of the case, different strains are mounted beneath magnifying glasses. Materials made of hemp are displayed: rope, cloth, edible, cooking oil, etc. An illustration depicts the mechanism by which cannabinoids affect the body. Cubicles surround the centerpiece. In one there is video of politicians condemning marijuana. Opposite the video are posted photographs and quotations from famous personalities praising or denouncing marijuana. Visitors' opinions are posted as well. [continues 120 words]
One of the benefits of ending the bankrupt war on marijuana would be making money available for truly needed programs. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on investigating, arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating marijuana "criminals," we could instead upgrade infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings), further beautify parks and beaches, support sustainable energy research, hire more teachers, reduce tuition, award scholarships, more effectively steward natural resources, safeguard retirement portfolios, improve and expand drug abuse rehabilitation services, increase medical research, award grants to the arts, museums and other nonprofits, subsidize Medicare for All, etc. [continues 95 words]
The War on Drugs did not begin with the Nixon administration, but it certainly accelerated with the passing of the Controlled Substances Act (1970). Subsequently, the Reagan and Bush administrations injected the war with steroids (Chasing the Scream, 2016; The New Jim Crow, 2010). Nixon professed the war was necessary because drugs threatened society, were highly addictive and devastating to health. He made no distinction between heroin, which is indeed highly addictive and deleterious, and marijuana, which is not. In truth, Nixon's reasons were spiteful. Blacks and hippies were Nixon's betes noires. He was furious that they demonstrated against the Vietnam War and agitated for civil rights. Nixon's actual intent is evidenced by this quote from his domestic policy chief, John Ehrlichman, in 1994: "By getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin ... we could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night.... Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did." (Harpers, July 1, 2016.) In November, Californians will have an opportunity to negate Nixon's malfeasance and the Reagan and Bush administrations' mean-spirited, profligate anti-drug campaigns. Vote "yes" on the marijuana referendum! William Todd-Mancillas Chico [end]
Dolores wakes up in the morning with menstrual cramps. She takes Motrin and calls in sick. David has been working in the garden all day and his back aches. He takes Tylenol. Jan wrenched her wrist. To make matters worse, she has the mother of all headaches. She binds her wrist with an Ace bandage and takes two aspirin. Would you describe as recreational their use of analgesics? Should we insist that they get doctors' written recommendations before being allowed to purchase them? Obviously, the answer to both questions is "No." [continues 136 words]
One of the contentions maintained for justifying the illegality of cannabis is that it lacks therapeutic value. We could go back and forth expressing our opinions on whether cannabis can be therapeutic, but it would be more productive to consider the evidence. Carl Sagan, one of the most profound philosophers and scientists of the past 100 years, devoted the last years of his life to persuading the public to accept scientific methodology as a preferred means of answering important questions. He summarized the scientific method as myriad procedures for: specifying in quantitative terms a question, objectively gathering empirical data answering that question, then interpreting results in the absence of preconceived notions. [continues 120 words]
In favoring Measures G and H, letter writer Cynthia Stevenson asserts that water should be used for the growing of food only. To be consistent, however, she would also favor prohibiting the growing of any inedible plant and tree. Good luck with that. Were Charlton Heston alive I could just imagine his proclaiming, "You'll take my Sweet William away from me when you can pry it away from my cold, clammy garden gloved hand." ("But beware! I've a pistol in the other.") [continues 165 words]
Can you imagine the following people agreeing on anything: Pat Robertson, former Denver lead felony prosecutor Titus Peterson, Ron Paul, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, retired L.A. Deputy Chief of Police S. Downing, John McCain, Bill Gates, Bob Kerry, former Chief Justice John Paul Stevens, Koch brothers, George Soros, former Surgeon General Joceylin Elders, former Secretary of State George Schultz, Senator Rand Paul, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Bill O'Reilly, Nancy Pelosi, former Seattle Chief of Police Norman Stamper, Dr. Andrew Weil, Milton Friedman, Connecticut Governor Malloy, Newt Gingrich, Walter Cronkite, California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom? [continues 146 words]
