If we legalize marijuana, will smokers be allowed to ignore the "no smoking" signs?

Bull. If they are gonna let marijuana users smoke anywhere they want, they better not bust me for smoking my cigars anywhere a pothead it smoking his weed.

No way. I mean, the no smoking signs don’t say “no smoking tobacco” they just say “no smoking” period.

Smoking is smoking….
Can we get a reference on this?

It wouldn’t be right. It’s still second hand smoke to all the non-smokers around even if it is a different substance. That’s the main reason for the non-smoking signs/areas in the first place.

I think it will probably be pretty controlled; kinda like alcohol. It makes sense to do it that way as it’s a mind altering substance.

What do you mean “I heard”? You heard from whom/what? There aren’t even any bills anywhere to legalize marijuana, let alone any descriptions of what the provisions would be should such a (non-existent) bill be passed.

Anyway, it’s already being restricted, in LA (where you can legally buy it with a “medical card”) the rule is you have to do it in private (mainly meaning your own home).

no that’s a thing you do at home

lol sources please.

allowing smoking while driving is just laughable. seriously…. sources…

Sounds like unsubstantiated alarmist rhetoric to me.

Sounds like anti-drug propaganda to me. I expect they would or should have the same restrictions as alcohol use.

I agree with @Jeruba

Where is this happening at? I am not aware of any legalization of weed (outside of medical use) in any state. It is a federal offense to use/possess marijuana. I wasn’t aware states had a say in this (I believe they should however). I know where I live if someone would call the police on you for smoking a joint in your own backyard 20 men from the county drug taskforce would be holding guns at you while tackling you to the ground (I’m not kidding).

I can’t imagine marijuana smokers being given the right to smoke anywhere they want. Second hand marijuana smoke—Be for real!!

@Jabe73 California is taking steps to legalize marijuana. They want the tax revenues to reduce their deficit.

@WestRiverrat I do not understand how individual state can legalize it when there is a federal ban on it as a controlled substance. I’m not saying it isn’t happening but how do these states get around this? I heard when California first legalized medical use of weed for the terminally ill the DEA was still conducting raids on these suppliers because federally it was still a controlled substance. I do believe states should have full rights to legalize weed without federal interference.

@Jabe73 It’s “legal” in an individual state in that it’s not a state crime. Meaning that no state law enforcement officer has any reason to arrest anyone for it. It doesn’t remove federal agents’ ability to arrest someone for it.

Uhh…no.

So the propaganda begins—in California.

@MrItty Thanks for the answer, I never thought of it in that way. I’m surprised the overzealous feds didn’t arrest the state lawmakers that legalized marijuana to begin with. I wonder if any state will allow people to grow their own someday or the federal ban will be lifted.

NO.

I’m thinking that if weed is legalized, it would follow the same laws as tobacco ones. (Gotta be 18, don’t smoke in public, or at least nine feet away from the office, and so forth.)

I can’t imagine that a pothead could go around smoking in a restaurant or bar. Pot smoke smells worse than cigarettes anyway. in my opinion

Where did you hear this? The States, the Federal Government, private business are permitted to legislate and/or formalize whether and where smoking is allowed. If weed is legalized I can’t imagine that the where and the when wouldn’t be regulated in the same way smoking cigarettes is. Weed is a long way from being legalized and if and when it happens I’m sure that smoking weed in your car, or driving under it’s influence will be regulated in the same or similar way that drinking and driving is.

I can’t imagine it would be okay to smoke pot while driving….no way!

I have had my moments over the years being a 70’s girl and all..BUT…marijauna IS an intoxicant and DOES effect one’s driving.

I could care less about those that smoke for whatever reasons but don’t drive, drill my teeth or be my pilot while you’re freakin’ stoned. lol

I would not be surprised in FIXed News is reporting such claptrap or
Tearful Glenn Beck!

Such nonsense!

In a local news report sorry I don’t see it on first search a family was complaining that the ‘medical marijuana’ smokers in their building have zero restrictions, and that the police cannot do anything about it. An interview with the Police confirmed this.

It sounds like something someone who was really really high would say.

<toke>
Awww yeah, <toke>

.,, when this sh*t get’s legal <toke>

.. we gonna smoke it EVERYWHERE, man..<toke>

.. nobody can stop us, man <toke>
.. cause this ain’t TOBACCO man…

<snicker snicker snicker.. fall over laughing>

Ah, I found the source here and here

In Nosmo King’s kingdom you don’t smoke. Doesn’t matter if it’s tobacco, salvia, or cannabis. So don’t sweat it.

@YARNLADY The article says that the marijuana smoked in the apartments was for medical purposes. I’d think that if it were legal altogether, the smoking rules would apply to smokers of marijuana as well as tobacco.

“Wherever they are, if they have that medicinal marijuana card, they can legally smoke marijuana.”

Smoking anywhere for medical purposes is a whole separate issue from smoking anywhere for pleasure.

I hope it is “decriminilize” it and not “legalize” it. Either way smoking is smoking. That is a hateful smell.

@ubersiren My understanding of the legislation in California is that marijuana will not be legalized for recreational smoking, like cigarettes are, but rather for a prescription only, medical use. One version would also remove criminal penalties for people who grow their own, but not for the commercial growing and selling of marijuana.

Thanks for the sources @YARNLADY. It is a rather complex problem that may take a while to sort out. Generally, when people take medication it doesn’t bother anyone else. Most medications are in a form, like a pill or tablet, an inhaler, or something administered directly to the patient; it doesn’t have an impact on anyone else around them. Medical marijuana is different in that respect. I’m not sure what the solution is. One the one hand people shouldn’t be subjected to environmental pollutants that bother them, but on the other hand people shouldn’t be denied medicine that helps them. It’s certainly a dilemma that hopefully will eventually have a solution.

The only thing I can think of that might be similar is that my neighbor had thyroid cancer and was subjected to such high levels of radiation that he had to move out of his house and into his parents’ basement during his treatment. His parents were in their late seventies and would be dead before the radiation had any effect on them. But most medical treatments don’t have any impact on anyone but the person being treated. But people can’t deny other people medical treatment. Hopefully “they” will find a solution that works for everyone.

Ok… so let me get this straight…. they smoke in THEIR APARTMENT. where on either of those sources does it say anything about free reign smoking anywhere in public or driving?

Or did i miss that part?

I don’t believe they are free to smoke anywhere they want. They still have to respect the “no smoking” signs and I’m sure they wouldn’t be able to waltz into a restaurant smoking their blunt. Smoking in your own apartment is totally different than having unlimited access to everywhere else. I think you’ve misunderstood things a bit. And I’m sure marijuana smokers know when and where they can smoke but just like with everything else, not everybody follows the rules.

Wow! I did not know what I was clicking into before reading all your responses, But you all have opened my eyes to the how some may want to have this happen and the reality of the offenses made to the general public. I am for being healthy and if you have to use the substance for your health purposes then this individual may not have taken good care of their health when they were your and maybe thought they were made of steel. I need to research this further before quoting anything that is in the books. Thanks for the enlightment, have a wonderful day you all! ;-)

@SmoothEmeraldOasis

While I do not advocate abusing substances for emotional or other unhealthy reasons, marijuana does have it’s benefits for many conditions that are not necessarily reflective of ones own reckless health practices.

Glaucoma, anti-nausea and appetite enhancement are just a few things that marijuana can be helpful with.

as well as a full slew of terminal illnesses that it helps ease pain and suffering from.

@uberbatman

Yes.

Funny isn’t it..that the world is full of synthetic drug users but a natural substance is the core of such controversy. lol

Of course, every drug is derived from some original natural source, but…these substances would never have combined in nature on their own.

IMO..alcohol is THE worst drug ever.

@Coloma i wouldnt say worst, but its definitely in my top 3…

@uberbatman
True..crack and meth arn’t exactly champagne cocktails. haha

I believe, and mind you this my belief, that each of us has certain personal agendas, and certain things in life are meant to be utilzed for their personal gain. This is kind of how I concised it all. The mind is a powerful tool.

@SmoothEmeraldOasis

I agree 100%

I take it a step further as well..a belief of mine also, not stating an absolute truth )...that everyones life journey is custom tailored for their particular needs and growth. ;-)

Please keep the discussion to my question. I am all for removing the penalties from the use of marijuana, but not if it means free reign from No Smoking rules.

@Jabe73 , you are right about the federal thing. (Although then there’s the 9th and 10th Amendments, the ultimate federal laws, which really do show that drug laws are not supposed to a be a federal issue).

But they are a federal issue because American judges and politicians like to ignore the 9th and 10th amendments, a lot.

To answer your question, President Obama promised as a candidate, that he’d end DEA raids against medical marijuana facilities in states where such facilities are legal.

He has since mostly kept his promise, and had Atty General Holder formally announce the new policy last year, twice. A video of one of those times is right here:
http://youtu.be/kjZeW2fcQHM

And to everyone else, let’s set the record straight, here are some facts.
1. Medical Marijuana is already legal in California. It was legalized under Proposition 215, as well as Senate Bill 420. (Yes, it really was 420). There are over 1000 facilities right now in California, where you can purchase hundreds of varieties of marijuana, so long as you have a doctor’s note. Under law, doctors here are allowed to prescribe it for ANY condition. If you’d like to take a peek at California’s new marijuana industry, look at this trade journal right here, and flip through it: http://www.virtualonlineeditions.com/publication/?i=39514

And here’s a marijuana facility commercial: http://youtu.be/7-ngxOb4lTY

2. The upcoming November ballot initiative in California is for outright legalization. For all adults in California. But that does not mean that restaurants and other places will have to allow marijuana. They will not. And California courts have already decided that employers may continue to discriminate against marijuana users, medical or otherwise.

3. Federal Courts have ruled that individual States are not obligated to enforce conflicting federal laws. This, along with President Obama’s new drug policy, has allowed California to do what it is doing. thus saving hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money, too

@YARNLADY again…where the hell do you see this?

@uberbatman The discussion on the news report I referenced stated that the current attitude toward medical marijuana already allows ‘card holders’ to ignore all non-smoking rules, and I just wondered when the law passes, will they be able to smoke everywhere with no regard to non-smoking rules that are supposed to protect the rest of us (but obviously, per this report, do not)

@YARNLADY again, they are smoking in their apartment. Its not like anyone with med marijuana cards are out blazing in restaurants.

again, maybe im just too fucking high and missed it, but i fail to see/hear anything where it says medicial marijuana users are smoking in public places.

i fucking loathe the usage of “dope” in reference to marijuana. DOPE IS FUCKING HEROIN FOR FUCKS SAKE

@uberbatman They are smoking in a “SMOKE FREE” apartment building, which is supposed to mean inside and outside – and they admitted to smoking outside as well.

@YARNLADY He’s got the medical card. He’s got a reason to smoke. Either way, that’s not a public place. That’s his home. He can do as he wishes there. Especially if it makes him feel better.
Also. loldope.

@rangerr Rebuttal: If the smokers kept the smoke in their own homes, no one would even know they were doing it. The issue is when it disturbs the neighbors. If he wanted/expected to smoke, why move into a SMOKE FREE apartment building?

My question is – if we vote in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, will we lose all our SMOKE FREE protections, like those apartment dwellers have?

@YARNLADY I don’t know. I’m not him. Why don’t you give him a brownie recipe and ask, if you’re so concerned?

And I highly doubt smoking marijuana will be allowed in restaurants or buildings other than maybe apartments that are smoke free will ever be allowed.

Soooo you just extrapolated the whole driving and smoking thing on your own off of this short news report of a man smoking in HIS APARTMENT?

@uberbatman No, the reporters discussed what it meant, and it was the first I had heard of it.

@YARNLADY can we quote that part? I feel like im seriously missing something here…...

@uberbatman Apparently the video stops before the reporters chat part. What I’m asking is do you think this will happen? Will non-smokers lose their protection, just like the apartment dweller in the video has lost the enjoyment of his supposedly SMOKE FREE home.

I think its all a crock of shit. I think there is no data to back anything your saying here and something like that would never happen its merely fear mongering.

You will never see medical marijuana users smoking in restaurants(or other public places) or behind the wheel of a car.

@uberbatman I don’t like the undertone that sounds like you are calling me a liar, but I will overlook that unfortunate wording I hope you are correct, but, right back at you – where is your evidence?

@YARNLADY wellllll you keep saying that this thing was said yet provide no actual sources to back any of it so forgive me if i jump to these conclusions.

My evidence? well lets seeee there are plenty of restrictions against other types of intoxication in public(especially those behind the wheel of a car) so what is it that makes you think this will be any different?

@uberbatman And yet, the police will not do anything to help the people in the article and video I referenced, in spite of the fact that they live in a NON-SMOKING apartment building. What makes you think it will be any different if medical marijuana is legalized? The proof I have submitted flies in the face of your comments.

They are smoking in their apartment, in their home. Is it fair to deprive them of their medication that they need when its perfectly legal? I do agree though, if smoking in the laundry room or whatever, the police should be notified and something should be done about it. I still fail to see though how this could even remotely be extrapolated to even think it would ever be ok to drive while smoking weed. I mean seriously…..

@uberbatman So, on the one hand you say the laws will be enforced, yet on the other hand you say this person has a right to ignore the NO SMOKING rules because it is ‘medication’.That’s exactly what I am afraid of. In the referenced material, the police were not only notified, they admitted they could not enforce the rule.

@YARNLADY Why do you care so much about this apartment building?

@YARNLADY see there is a clear problem here. You fail to see marijuana as a legitimate medication. I really feel i cant go further with you and this conversation until you can accept the fact that it is.
percs oxys and all the other opioids are totally cool as medication but ohhh noo not that devil weed
I am also still at a lose as to where this whole driving thing comes into play….

@rangerr shouldnt you be out camping or something missy? :P

@uberbatman I accept that people should be allowed to use marijuana, but not at my expense.
@rangerr It’s the old slippery slope, if their rights to a SMOKE FREE environment can be trampled, so can ours.

@YARNLADY We get it. SMOKE FREE. SMOKE FREE. SMOKE FREE.
But if you don’t live in an apartment, I don’t see why the hell you are so worried about it. Nobody is going to go toke up in your living room, and nobody is going to be smoking in any public places that you go to.

I personaly want my air to be free of as many contaminates that is possible. But with our enviroment already being so contaminated I want more fresh air where I am, especially since I do not have the smoking habit

@rangerr How about some proof of that?

@YARNLADY how about some proof of the contrary?

im still waiting for some proof of this driving thing….

@YARNLADY I don’t need proof. Smoking is smoking. If smoking is outlawed somewhere public, they aren’t going to allow it. Why it’s legal in the mans home is because he needs it for a medical reason and he is in his own home. Like I said, if you have a problem with it, go talk to him.

How about some proof of where you are getting your arguments from?

@uberbatman If you don’t see the article I provided as proof that Marijuana smokers don’t have to follow the rules that are already in place, then I don’t see anything more I can say. If the people in the news article can have their rights violated, than we all can.

@rangerr Did you even look at the news reports I referenced. Those poor people rented an apartment in a smoke free building and now are subjected to smoke everywhere in the building and outside it. The police have stated they cannot do anything to protect the man and his family. If he can’t be protected, what guarantee is there that any non-smoker can be protected? I have already shown you my proof.

forget it… i feel like im arguing with an irrational wall

^

Okay, let’s be realistic here. If cigarette smokers have restrictions, if alcohol drinkers have restrictions, if gamblers have restrictions, if cell phone users have restrictions, why would marijuana users be any different? Even if the marijuana smoker would argue that it’s for medical purposes, there will always be someone else arguing that they shouldn’t have to be exposed to it. Therefore, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

[mod says] Flame off, folks. Remember to disagree without being disagreeable!

Could it be in pill form?