OKC has an NBA team so they should legalize MJ... I did hear that recently.

I think you should be 18 and can smoke it anywhere you want as long as it is permitted, not just in your house. You can already buy cigarettes and smoke them pretty much anywhere at 18 years old, so why not weed? There should no regulations on how much you can buy and what kinds you can buy.

Agreed.....
MJ infractions are a cash cow for the state/local municipalities/prison system which of course they will refer{no pun intended}reefer madness or it being a gateway drug. Okla is still in a lot of ways bass awkards.

Dam people just admit it you wanna get high you really don't give a crap about its medicinal values..... You just wanna stay baked from the time you get home till you go to bed.

And what business is it of yours?

Dam people just admit it you wanna get high you really don't give a crap about its medicinal values..... You just wanna stay baked from the time you get home till you go to bed.

I would rather people be 'baked' than drunk.

I would rather people be 'baked' than drunk.

I would too..... Just go for recreational use and screw medical we all know that's what we want anyways.

Dam people just admit it you wanna get high you really don't give a crap about its medicinal values..... You just wanna stay baked from the time you get home till you go to bed.
I voted for Amendment 64 and I have never tried marijuana and no interest in trying it.

Dam people just admit it you wanna get high you really don't give a crap about its medicinal values..... You just wanna stay baked from the time you get home till you go to bed.

Not true of me at all, and I'm strongly in favor of decriminalizing and legalizing it. I've no interest in it for myself.

I would too..... Just go for recreational use and screw medical we all know that's what we want anyways.

I don't want it so that people can be "baked" at all. I want it to be fully legalized so that we can stop hiding behind a law which it's only purpose is to make money for police efforts and prison efforts. For those who simply want to be "baked", I'm sorry for them.

Dam people just admit it you wanna get high you really don't give a crap about its medicinal values..... You just wanna stay baked from the time you get home till you go to bed.

That's just dumb. That is like saying that someone that likes a drink just wants to get drunk from sun up to sun down.

Dam people just admit it you wanna get high you really don't give a crap about its medicinal values..... You just wanna stay baked from the time you get home till you go to bed.

Not me. I was touched by watching Dr. Gupta's special on CNN about the dramatic good the Charlotte's Web strain has done to help severely epileptic children in Colorado have a more normal life any child deserves to have. Conventional drug treatment doesn't work well and sedates them so much they may have get in wheel chairs, especially when they go out. At least a few Oklahoma parents have children in the same desperate way, so I feel compassion for their plights. Just getting up and moving to Colorado may not be feasible. I wish Oklahoma legislators would feel the very same way I do and quit showing cowardice, or a don't care attitude toward the issue. At least, there are one or two exceptions who are not too afraid to stick their necks out, such as State Sen. Connie Johnson. She wasn't too afraid and cared enough to co-host a seminar with the creators of Charlotte's Web and a Colorado doctor who approves of it last November at the State Capitol.

I don't want it so that people can be "baked" at all. I want it to be fully legalized so that we can stop hiding behind a law which it's only purpose is to make money for police efforts and prison efforts. For those who simply want to be "baked", I'm sorry for them.

Those who simply want to be baked will be regardless of the law. We're not stopping them by making it illegal. It's completely and totally ridiculous that it's not available for medicinal use, regardless of what people think about recreational use. In the past week, I've written five prescriptions for benzodiazepines for children with seizures and synthetic morphine for children with cancer and other serious illnesses. But I can't write one for marijuana? The law and lawmakers are just silly and they demonstrate their lack of understanding of the drugs they're legislating against.

As with same sex marriage, it's thought people should have the right to medical marijuana from this court case soon to come up:

Do Citizens Have A Right Under The Constitution To Use Medical Marijuana? | The Weed Blog (http://www.theweedblog.com/do-citizens-have-a-right-under-the-constitution-to-use-medical-marijuana/)

People that are wanting to use pot for medical uses are not stopped because it's illegal , they are still buying it and using it.

As with same sex marriage, it's thought people should have the right to medical marijuana from this court case soon to come up:

Do Citizens Have A Right Under The Constitution To Use Medical Marijuana? | The Weed Blog (http://www.theweedblog.com/do-citizens-have-a-right-under-the-constitution-to-use-medical-marijuana/)
Marijuana should have never been banned in the first place, unless it was done in the constitutionally approved manner that lead to the prohibition of alcohol.

I think you should be 18 and can smoke it anywhere you want as long as it is permitted, not just in your house. You can already buy cigarettes and smoke them pretty much anywhere at 18 years old, so why not weed? There should no regulations on how much you can buy and what kinds you can buy.

For the most part I agree with this, except for weed, unlike cigarettes, can cause intoxication. Therefore, I think the laws should mimic alcohol laws rather than tobacco laws.

For the most part I agree with this, except for weed, unlike cigarettes, can cause intoxication. Therefore, I think the laws should mimic alcohol laws rather than tobacco laws.


And you end up smelling like crap from the smoke.

Marijuana should have never been banned in the first place, unless it was done in the constitutionally approved manner that lead to the prohibition of alcohol.

Exactly!!

I was told today by a friend entering Colorado from Kansas, the mile markers were a countdown to mile 420. But at that mile the sign read 419.99. Highway people must've given up replacing 420 signs. The 419's would also be collector items.

Is this reality, or an urban legend?

Never heard of that happening but then we don't get a whole lot of plains news here unless it concerns fire/drought....or I-70 closing because of snow.

I suppose anything interesting on eastern CO interstate would be good.

So in states where it is legalized, should employers be allowed to drug test their employees and stipulate no marijuana use as a condition of employment?

So in states where it is legalized, should employers be allowed to drug test their employees and stipulate no marijuana use as a condition of employment?
Employers and landlords still have the right to restrict usage, employers have the right to drug test but then even though alcohol and prescription drugs have been legal for a long time they have the right to test for those as well. Especially for jobs where being under the influence could be a safety violation, those conditions have been around for a long time. Amendment 64 changed none of that.

Do not underestimate the drug testing industry.


So in states where it is legalized, should employers be allowed to drug test their employees and stipulate no marijuana use as a condition of employment?

So in states where it is legalized, should employers be allowed to drug test their employees and stipulate no marijuana use as a condition of employment?

If your boss can fire you for coming to work drunk, then why can't the boss fire you for coming to work high?

If your boss can fire you for coming to work drunk, then why can't the boss fire you for coming to work high?

My question has nothing to do with your condition while on the job. You can come to work straight every day and test positive for pot use in your off time. Most employers that test for drug use and don't allow employment if you test positive don't test for recreational alcohol use. And what about testing for NCAA athletes in Colorado? I guess my question is should those employers or organizations change their marijuana use policies in states where it becomes legal. I guess more a question for the proponents of legalizing pot.

I don't think people need fired for off job use of pot any more than for alcohol or tobacco. Further, in my opinion, employers shouldn't test employees for drug use unless they come to work impaired or act like that anytime on the job. Requiring testing all employees before they start work at the company may eliminate good people. Their legal record can be checked for involvement in drugs, including alcohol.

My question has nothing to do with your condition while on the job. You can come to work straight every day and test positive for pot use in your off time. Most employers that test for drug use and don't allow employment if you test positive don't test for recreational alcohol use. And what about testing for NCAA athletes in Colorado? I guess my question is should those employers or organizations change their marijuana use policies in states where it becomes legal. I guess more a question for the proponents of legalizing pot.

Employers, NCAA or whoever can still have drug restrictions and testing for employees, participants, athletes, etc. Colorado's new law changes nothing in regards to drug policies at work. Maybe over time some will stop testing for pot but at the moment they can still test all they want, which Im not sure I see any problem with.

Not really asking if they can, more if they should now that it is legal. I'm not really a proponent of legalizing it and was curious what the proponents of legalization thought about employer testing for using a now legal substance.

The tricky thing is that marijuana persists in urine and hair for longer than its psychoactive effects. I would think impairment would be an employer's concern, not whether an employee is using it in their off hours. Probably a good sniff as they walk in the door would be more accurate:).

Doesn't the fact that some employers test for it now indicate that they have been concerned that an employee is using it in their off hours. But they have been testing for using an illegal substance. It is the switch from illegal to legal that I'm asking about. Should they be testing for using a legal substance.

Doesn't the fact that some employers test for it now indicate that they have been concerned that an employee is using it in their off hours. But they have been testing for using an illegal substance. It is the switch from illegal to legal that I'm asking about. Should they be testing for using a legal substance.

Probably as long as an employers insurance provider gives a discount for drug testing employees, they will probably continue to test for it.

Is there a way to test for impairment in some method that is measurable?

Is there a way to test for impairment in some method that is measurable?

I think Colorado was trying to establish a THC level in blood. One problem is that a regular user who hasnt smoked that day and isnt impaired, might test over the limit.

I think Colorado was trying to establish a THC level in blood. One problem is that a regular user who hasnt smoked that day and isnt impaired, might test over the limit.

My interpretation, then, is "No", there's no quantifiable test for marijuana impairment.
THAT, IMO, is the biggest problem with legalizing marijuana.
Then, again, is there a quantifiable way to test for impairment for, oh, I don't know, meth? Oxycodone? others?

My interpretation, then, is "No", there's no quantifiable test for marijuana impairment.
THAT, IMO, is the biggest problem with legalizing marijuana.
Then, again, is there a quantifiable way to test for impairment for, oh, I don't know, meth? Oxycodone? others?

Probably field sobriety tests might be the best measure. If they can't stand up or take directions then maybe take them in for a blood test.

But about oxycodone and such, considering Oklahoma has some of the highest Rx drug use in the nation, there are no telling how many soccer moms picking up the kids or guys going to work who may be totally impaired by legal pain pills.

There is Performance Testing which is done daily upon arrival for work, with immediate results. Every day! No more crap shoot random or "intelligence testing", as they call pre-employment drug screens. The performance test could be followed up with urine, hair, or other things.

This has been around for 20 years but it can't tell if someone smokes pot at home, so it never caught on.


Is there a way to test for impairment in some method that is measurable?

Employers, NCAA or whoever can still have drug restrictions and testing for employees, participants, athletes, etc. Colorado's new law changes nothing in regards to drug policies at work. Maybe over time some will stop testing for pot but at the moment they can still test all they want, which Im not sure I see any problem with.

But what happens if a kid that plays at Univ of Colo gets caught smoking a joint? Assuming he's of legal age then nothing is even reported because he didn't break any law.

But what happens if a kid that plays at Univ of Colo gets caught smoking a joint? Assuming he's of legal age then nothing is even reported because he didn't break any law.

Between the player and the coach/school/conference/NCAA...? Guess that's for them to work out. It may be legal in Colorado but it doesn't mean employeers and organizations can't make their own work policies.

I suppose though, that an athlete who gets caught smoking by a coach could go unpunished. But hell, that could happen now. And it definitely happened in the past.

I don't think people need fired for off job use of pot any more than for alcohol or tobacco. Further, in my opinion, employers shouldn't test employees for drug use unless they come to work impaired or act like that anytime on the job. Requiring testing all employees before they start work at the company may eliminate good people. Their legal record can be checked for involvement in drugs, including alcohol.

Apparently, you've never owned a business

As far as testing, there is now a quantifiable standard for marijuana impairment that was implemented in legislation.

Marijuana is "banned" on State of Colorado college campuses and according to NCAA regulations for athletes. For private schools whether it is allowed on campus or not is up to their administration.

Employers can still ban use of marijuana as a condition of employment.

Apparently, you've never owned a business

No, I haven't owned a business before. Why? In Colorado are businesses now required by law to give drug tests before they can hire new help?

Man Allegedly High on Marijuana Made a Big Mistake on a Colorado Interstate | Video | TheBlaze.com (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/01/13/man-allegedly-high-on-marijuana-made-a-big-mistake-on-a-colorado-interstate/)

Sorry officer.

Is there a way to test for impairment in some method that is measurable?

Have them sing the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious song. Or tempt them with oreo's.

Have them sing the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious song. Or tempt them with oreo's.

Ha! I'm sorry, sir, but you're going to have to come with me. You're rated at 6 oreos impaired. Sad, too. 5 and you could have gotten back in the car.

The stoner jokes I guess are funny to some but the lazy, munchies loving stoner stereotype is pretty far off considering Colorado has long had the lowest obesity rate in the U.S. and probably could be considered the healthiest state.

As with same sex marriage, it's thought people should have the right to medical marijuana from this court case soon to come up:

Do Citizens Have A Right Under The Constitution To Use Medical Marijuana? | The Weed Blog (http://www.theweedblog.com/do-citizens-have-a-right-under-the-constitution-to-use-medical-marijuana/)
And that court has ruled again that citizens don't have the right to use marijuana for medical purposes: http://blog.sfgate.com/crime/2014/01/15/court-upholds-crackdown-on-pot-dispensaries/

Medical Marijuana Hearing Coming to the Oklahoma State Capitol Feb. 12!

A medical look at marijuana » Featured Story » The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK (http://www.enidnews.com/featuredstory/x1767988597/A-medical-look-at-marijuana)

I know a lot of people are against it, but OK passing a law to at least legalize medical grade cannabis would go a LONG way to shaking off some of the stereotypes that people across the country have about the state.

I have never tried marijuana. I had an opportunity in a visit to Amsterdam a couple of years ago, but my upbringing wouldn't let me. Now with COPD, I am very interested in it, but it would have to be legal medical marijuana, I don't have the guts (and the old "upbringing" thing raises it's ugly head) to break the law. I'm not suffering now and I don't know if I will, but I'm definitely a "wimp" when it comes to pain. I have to have anesthesia when I get a haircut or a manicure/pedicure. Now, baloney aside, count me in as wanting medical marijuana in Oklahoma.
C. T.

I have never tried marijuana. I had an opportunity in a visit to Amsterdam a couple of years ago, but my upbringing wouldn't let me. Now with COPD, I am very interested in it, but it would have to be legal medical marijuana, I don't have the guts (and the old "upbringing" thing raises it's ugly head) to break the law. I'm not suffering now and I don't know if I will, but I'm definitely a "wimp" when it comes to pain. I have to have anesthesia when I get a haircut or a manicure/pedicure. Now, baloney aside, count me in as wanting medical marijuana in Oklahoma.
C. T.
You should have gone to Amsterdam anyways, as it is a city that has plenty more to offer than weed and a red light district. It is a beautiful city with tons of charm and culture.

As for the COPD, I hope you find something that helps with the symptoms, and if it is medical marijuana, I wouldnt let some politicians who claim it is bad to stop you from properly treating yourself. There is nothing immoral about using a natural plant to treat pain and suffering.

Onthestrip,
I wasn't clear, I said "I had an opportunity in a visit to Amsterdam" when it would have more clear to say while visiting Amsterdam. Yes, I enjoyed our one week visit, the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's home, the markets, and of touring the city in general, a place where you are more likely to be run over by a bicycle than a car. We did visit the red light district, and stopped in a bar with the intent of trying marijuana, and in fact, one gentleman was smoking it, but as I said, I couldn't overcome the way I was raised so I didn't try it. As for politicians, I would ignore them, but laws? I couldn't ignore them. I wouldn't say it's immoral, but unfortunately, illegal.
Thanks for your concern,
C. T.
You should have gone to Amsterdam anyways, as it is a city that has plenty more to offer than weed and a red light district. It is a beautiful city with tons of charm and culture.

As for the COPD, I hope you find something that helps with the symptoms, and if it is medical marijuana, I wouldnt let some politicians who claim it is bad to stop you from properly treating yourself. There is nothing immoral about using a natural plant to treat pain and suffering.

State Sen. Johnson has bill to legalize marijuana in Oklahoma: Oklahoma Senator wants marijuana legalized, Says, ?Marijuana Has Not Killed Anyone? | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/01/20/senator-pushes-for-legalization-of-marijuana/)

Economists Predict Marijuana Legalization Will Produce 'Public-Health Benefits' http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2013/11/01/economists-predict-marijuana-legalization-will-produce-public-health-benefits/

I think Rep. Johnson would have better luck trying for medical marijuana first or even try to decriminalize it/lessen the penalty of possession. Baby steps would be better because we all know that full legalization isn't happening.

And Mark Woodward's quote, "I've seen it wreck more lives than any other drug" is the most bogus thing I've ever heard.

I think Rep. Johnson would have better luck trying for medical marijuana first or even try to decriminalize it/lessen the penalty of possession. Baby steps would be better because we all know that full legalization isn't happening.

And Mark Woodward's quote, "I've seen it wreck more lives than any other drug" is the most bogus thing I've ever heard.
That's just some more of Woodward's Reefer Madness nonsense. I'm sure, though, that Oklahoma's overly punitive laws against marijuana is what has really wrecked lives. For instance, it's not so easy to get the job you want, if you have a marijuana felony on your record.

Johnson has tried without success to get medical marijuana legalized several times from previous years. I don't know if she has also submitted a medical marijuana legalization bill this year.

Last year, Rep. Cory Williams tried to get his bill passed that would reduce the 2nd charge of possession of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor. The Speaker of the House, Shannon, wouldn't let the full House vote on it, apparently because he feared it would make Republicans voting in favor of it look like they were being soft on crime. I don't know if it will be tried again this year.

Even if this does pass both chambers, You better hope Mary Fallin is voted out as governor this year because you know she'll veto it. She's got too much money in her war chest from the Private Prison industry.

No comment.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p320x320/46777_10152184361120767_1447248882_n.jpg

I think Rep. Johnson would have better luck trying for medical marijuana first or even try to decriminalize it/lessen the penalty of possession. Baby steps would be better because we all know that full legalization isn't happening.

And Mark Woodward's quote, "I've seen it wreck more lives than any other drug" is the most bogus thing I've ever heard.

I agree. Legalization isn't happening in Oklahoma any time soon. Bringing penalties more in line with other states is the first step. After that, focus on medical marijuana.

I agree. Legalization isn't happening in Oklahoma any time soon. Bringing penalties more in line with other states is the first step. After that, focus on medical marijuana.

Actually, wouldn't a pilot program, overhauling current local (OK) liquor laws, in order to determine the veracity of the President's opinion, regarding the relative merits and drawbacks of the substances in question, be more advisable?

(uh . . . what wuz i sayin' . . .?)

This Just In (Breaking News): The Seahawks and The Broncos (ref. above "no comment" pic) have been busted for "transporting hookahs across state lines for non-medicinal purposes." An apparent violation of the standards, already courterized by the "baseball industry" and the "bicycling industry". Supporters of The Man Act are non-plussed at this development.

I think Rep. Johnson would have better luck trying for medical marijuana first or even try to decriminalize it/lessen the penalty of possession. Baby steps would be better because we all know that full legalization isn't happening.

And Mark Woodward's quote, "I've seen it wreck more lives than any other drug" is the most bogus thing I've ever heard.

Woodward should be fired for saying on KFOR that marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol. Studies have shown that stoned drivers are not as dangerous as drunk drivers. States that legalize medical marijuana see fewer fatal car accidents, according to one study, in part because people may be substituting marijuana smoking for drinking alcohol. At any rate, fatal car accidents didn't go up after medical marijuana was legalized.

While some people want to get high, other people want relief from allergies and find it by going to a drug store and pick out an antihistamine that may cause drowsiness, possibly leading to impaired driving. Yet, people seem to be handling the perils of the over the counter drug market in a good responsible manner, since I don't know of any crusades demanding banning drugs that can cause drowsiness. Neither do I hear Woodward harping about it. I think people can handle legalized marijuana in the same way.