Initiative 81

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not idea what you all are talking about. I don't see anyone being locked up for drugs in DC. Pot, heroin, LSD, Mushrooms... In fact, short of robbing a bank which is slightly frowned upon, it is a free for all. You can run red lights and stop signs, heck even the police do it.

So this will not change much except give people free reign to do drugs openly for all to see. People will get stoned in the streets and instead of 5% of the population passed out, you will get 10% lets say.

And this idiotic argument that people on weed and mushrooms are perfect little mellow high angels, while the only ones killing people driving around around those drunkards, this is the same as those pushing these drugs as being perfectly safe for everyone to partake in.

I don't buy this "DC is going to be a wonderfully better place now that drugs are legal" argument.

https://mpdc.dc.gov/publication/marijuana-arrest-data 12k people is a lot of people.

That is seven years worth of non-custodial "arrests."

With fines...that trap people in the system....they get arrested for not paying fines. Try harder.

So now it is to damaging to fine people??? how is that trapping the in the system? You take a risk, and you suffer the consequences. You drive recklessly, you are moe likely to get hurt or worse, hurt others. You can't have a society with some kind of rules, and some kind of punishment. The justice system must be reformed fur sure, but I am completely against living in anarchy which is where DC is headed.

Fix the justice system first, then start relaxing some of the rules. DC needs to prove that it can enforce the laws on the books before they start relaxing more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Super PACS are spending this kind of money, you can guarantee that they are paying people to post to blogs like this one, pushing their pro drugs agenda. Some of the replies you read on this site are right out of the Trump playbook: aggressive and nasty, and kicking below the belt. Cheap shots.

Who are these mysterious pacs? Is it Qanon? I, myself, only contribute to private prison supporting pacs. I’m excited that you’re taking such a common sense but hostile approach to the potential reform of laws that keep poor folks out of prison for long periods of time. Rather than them seeking medical treatment, which we all know doesn’t work, and may cause us valuable beds, we need to double down on our current approach which has been a tremendous success.

This isn’t outside groups. This is about a lady, a district employee, who’s depression was cured by mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms. I know it sounds nuts because your knee jerk reaction is outrage at that possibility, but it’s true.

This is insightful: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-mushroom-decriminalization/2020/10/08/b19a1a70-0712-11eb-991c-be6ead8c4018_story.html

Mason Marks, an attorney and physician who teaches health law at Harvard Law School, said “there will still be many critics, but it’s difficult to argue that decriminalization is a bad idea.” Racial justice protests over police shootings that galvanized the nation this summer have made the ballot initiative more relevant, he said.

Comment section of that post article is worth reading too.

I am not opposed to decriminalization, but I want it done properly, and minimum laws enforced. If the initiative 71 decriminalizing pot is any indication, DC will also refuse to enforce the mushroom law and people will be tripping in public, just like the roll and smoke in front of schools now. No thanks. not until the Mayor gets a backbone and starts enforcing at least 10% of our laws, especially those around drugs and alcohol.

This is how I feel too. People used the same medicinal need argument for pot and look where that got us. There is a better way to make needed medicine available. Regulate it the way other narcotics are regulated.

Where did it get us? I don't even follow the dog whistle here. Now I can have edibles delivered to my house and get a buzz and a good night's sleep after my toddler goes down so that I can wake up refreshed and lawyer another day away. Are people really just this traumatized by smelling pot smoke that they think DC is a hellscape since legalization?

If you actually live here you should remember that before it was legalized kids were buying "Spice" at bodegas and frying their brains and randomly attacking people on the street because they thought it would get them high and it was actually super dangerous. Legalizing pot has not been a bad thing.

Edibles delivered to your house? that is completely illegal. Which goes to prove that DC is not enforcing anything if they are openly allowing distribution. As far as your morbid memory of the past, in case you have not noticed, not much has changed. There are still shootings, and people are still stoned, except the latter has only increased and in a more public manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No to more public intoxication, no to unregulated "medications," and no to turning the populace into a bunch of lotus eaters. Lots of plants are poisonous. How is the argument that plants are by definition innocuous reasonable at all? And if you really want to be pedantic, fungi are not plants, you silly junkies.

Seriously, haven't any of you, when talking to too many Boomers, wondered how many more brain cells they might have had if they hadn't taken drugs in the '60s and '70s? Or are they your parents, since I assume the push for this is coming from Millenials as well as old hippies, and they raised you with stories romanticizing their youthful depravity so you think it's healthy and right?

Lol. Wut?

You sound like you have something stuck so far up yer bum bum you could turn a lump of coal into a diamond, man.

You are such a poet. Way to elevate the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not idea what you all are talking about. I don't see anyone being locked up for drugs in DC. Pot, heroin, LSD, Mushrooms... In fact, short of robbing a bank which is slightly frowned upon, it is a free for all. You can run red lights and stop signs, heck even the police do it.

So this will not change much except give people free reign to do drugs openly for all to see. People will get stoned in the streets and instead of 5% of the population passed out, you will get 10% lets say.

And this idiotic argument that people on weed and mushrooms are perfect little mellow high angels, while the only ones killing people driving around around those drunkards, this is the same as those pushing these drugs as being perfectly safe for everyone to partake in.

I don't buy this "DC is going to be a wonderfully better place now that drugs are legal" argument.

https://mpdc.dc.gov/publication/marijuana-arrest-data 12k people is a lot of people.

That is seven years worth of non-custodial "arrests."

With fines...that trap people in the system....they get arrested for not paying fines. Try harder.

So now it is to damaging to fine people??? how is that trapping the in the system? You take a risk, and you suffer the consequences. You drive recklessly, you are moe likely to get hurt or worse, hurt others. You can't have a society with some kind of rules, and some kind of punishment. The justice system must be reformed fur sure, but I am completely against living in anarchy which is where DC is headed.

Fix the justice system first, then start relaxing some of the rules. DC needs to prove that it can enforce the laws on the books before they start relaxing more.

Seek help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not idea what you all are talking about. I don't see anyone being locked up for drugs in DC. Pot, heroin, LSD, Mushrooms... In fact, short of robbing a bank which is slightly frowned upon, it is a free for all. You can run red lights and stop signs, heck even the police do it.

So this will not change much except give people free reign to do drugs openly for all to see. People will get stoned in the streets and instead of 5% of the population passed out, you will get 10% lets say.

And this idiotic argument that people on weed and mushrooms are perfect little mellow high angels, while the only ones killing people driving around around those drunkards, this is the same as those pushing these drugs as being perfectly safe for everyone to partake in.

I don't buy this "DC is going to be a wonderfully better place now that drugs are legal" argument.

https://mpdc.dc.gov/publication/marijuana-arrest-data 12k people is a lot of people.

That is seven years worth of non-custodial "arrests."

With fines...that trap people in the system....they get arrested for not paying fines. Try harder.

So now it is to damaging to fine people??? how is that trapping the in the system? You take a risk, and you suffer the consequences. You drive recklessly, you are moe likely to get hurt or worse, hurt others. You can't have a society with some kind of rules, and some kind of punishment. The justice system must be reformed fur sure, but I am completely against living in anarchy which is where DC is headed.

Fix the justice system first, then start relaxing some of the rules. DC needs to prove that it can enforce the laws on the books before they start relaxing more.

Seek help.

Oh dear, I flustered you. Relax... it will all be good in the end. I understand you are still procession your disfunction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not idea what you all are talking about. I don't see anyone being locked up for drugs in DC. Pot, heroin, LSD, Mushrooms... In fact, short of robbing a bank which is slightly frowned upon, it is a free for all. You can run red lights and stop signs, heck even the police do it.

So this will not change much except give people free reign to do drugs openly for all to see. People will get stoned in the streets and instead of 5% of the population passed out, you will get 10% lets say.

And this idiotic argument that people on weed and mushrooms are perfect little mellow high angels, while the only ones killing people driving around around those drunkards, this is the same as those pushing these drugs as being perfectly safe for everyone to partake in.

I don't buy this "DC is going to be a wonderfully better place now that drugs are legal" argument.

https://mpdc.dc.gov/publication/marijuana-arrest-data 12k people is a lot of people.

That is seven years worth of non-custodial "arrests."

With fines...that trap people in the system....they get arrested for not paying fines. Try harder.

So now it is to damaging to fine people??? how is that trapping the in the system? You take a risk, and you suffer the consequences. You drive recklessly, you are moe likely to get hurt or worse, hurt others. You can't have a society with some kind of rules, and some kind of punishment. The justice system must be reformed fur sure, but I am completely against living in anarchy which is where DC is headed.

Fix the justice system first, then start relaxing some of the rules. DC needs to prove that it can enforce the laws on the books before they start relaxing more.

Seek help.

Oh dear, I flustered you. Relax... it will all be good in the end. I understand you are still procession your disfunction.

Your writing is unintelligible- COVID got your tongue?

[Anonymous]

Drugs got her tongue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Super PACS are spending this kind of money, you can guarantee that they are paying people to post to blogs like this one, pushing their pro drugs agenda. Some of the replies you read on this site are right out of the Trump playbook: aggressive and nasty, and kicking below the belt. Cheap shots.

Who are these mysterious pacs? Is it Qanon? I, myself, only contribute to private prison supporting pacs. I’m excited that you’re taking such a common sense but hostile approach to the potential reform of laws that keep poor folks out of prison for long periods of time. Rather than them seeking medical treatment, which we all know doesn’t work, and may cause us valuable beds, we need to double down on our current approach which has been a tremendous success.

This isn’t outside groups. This is about a lady, a district employee, who’s depression was cured by mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms. I know it sounds nuts because your knee jerk reaction is outrage at that possibility, but it’s true.

This is insightful: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-mushroom-decriminalization/2020/10/08/b19a1a70-0712-11eb-991c-be6ead8c4018_story.html

Mason Marks, an attorney and physician who teaches health law at Harvard Law School, said “there will still be many critics, but it’s difficult to argue that decriminalization is a bad idea.” Racial justice protests over police shootings that galvanized the nation this summer have made the ballot initiative more relevant, he said.

Comment section of that post article is worth reading too.

I am not opposed to decriminalization, but I want it done properly, and minimum laws enforced. If the initiative 71 decriminalizing pot is any indication, DC will also refuse to enforce the mushroom law and people will be tripping in public, just like the roll and smoke in front of schools now. No thanks. not until the Mayor gets a backbone and starts enforcing at least 10% of our laws, especially those around drugs and alcohol.

This is how I feel too. People used the same medicinal need argument for pot and look where that got us. There is a better way to make needed medicine available. Regulate it the way other narcotics are regulated.

Where did it get us? I don't even follow the dog whistle here. Now I can have edibles delivered to my house and get a buzz and a good night's sleep after my toddler goes down so that I can wake up refreshed and lawyer another day away. Are people really just this traumatized by smelling pot smoke that they think DC is a hellscape since legalization?

If you actually live here you should remember that before it was legalized kids were buying "Spice" at bodegas and frying their brains and randomly attacking people on the street because they thought it would get them high and it was actually super dangerous. Legalizing pot has not been a bad thing.

Edibles delivered to your house? that is completely illegal. Which goes to prove that DC is not enforcing anything if they are openly allowing distribution. As far as your morbid memory of the past, in case you have not noticed, not much has changed. There are still shootings, and people are still stoned, except the latter has only increased and in a more public manner.

It's not illegal, you just don't understand the law. And yes, spice & synthetic drug use is down. Shootings aren't tied to weed being available, and people being stoned is not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Super PACS are spending this kind of money, you can guarantee that they are paying people to post to blogs like this one, pushing their pro drugs agenda. Some of the replies you read on this site are right out of the Trump playbook: aggressive and nasty, and kicking below the belt. Cheap shots.

Who are these mysterious pacs? Is it Qanon? I, myself, only contribute to private prison supporting pacs. I’m excited that you’re taking such a common sense but hostile approach to the potential reform of laws that keep poor folks out of prison for long periods of time. Rather than them seeking medical treatment, which we all know doesn’t work, and may cause us valuable beds, we need to double down on our current approach which has been a tremendous success.

This isn’t outside groups. This is about a lady, a district employee, who’s depression was cured by mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms. I know it sounds nuts because your knee jerk reaction is outrage at that possibility, but it’s true.

This is insightful: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-mushroom-decriminalization/2020/10/08/b19a1a70-0712-11eb-991c-be6ead8c4018_story.html

Mason Marks, an attorney and physician who teaches health law at Harvard Law School, said “there will still be many critics, but it’s difficult to argue that decriminalization is a bad idea.” Racial justice protests over police shootings that galvanized the nation this summer have made the ballot initiative more relevant, he said.

Comment section of that post article is worth reading too.

I am not opposed to decriminalization, but I want it done properly, and minimum laws enforced. If the initiative 71 decriminalizing pot is any indication, DC will also refuse to enforce the mushroom law and people will be tripping in public, just like the roll and smoke in front of schools now. No thanks. not until the Mayor gets a backbone and starts enforcing at least 10% of our laws, especially those around drugs and alcohol.

This is how I feel too. People used the same medicinal need argument for pot and look where that got us. There is a better way to make needed medicine available. Regulate it the way other narcotics are regulated.

Where did it get us? I don't even follow the dog whistle here. Now I can have edibles delivered to my house and get a buzz and a good night's sleep after my toddler goes down so that I can wake up refreshed and lawyer another day away. Are people really just this traumatized by smelling pot smoke that they think DC is a hellscape since legalization?

If you actually live here you should remember that before it was legalized kids were buying "Spice" at bodegas and frying their brains and randomly attacking people on the street because they thought it would get them high and it was actually super dangerous. Legalizing pot has not been a bad thing.

Edibles delivered to your house? that is completely illegal. Which goes to prove that DC is not enforcing anything if they are openly allowing distribution. As far as your morbid memory of the past, in case you have not noticed, not much has changed. There are still shootings, and people are still stoned, except the latter has only increased and in a more public manner.

You can thank Andy Harris, a meddler from a Trumpian part of Md for the current state of things. We were supposed to have some autonomy in the decision regarding the taxation and sale of cannabis, but he and other enlightened conservatives have driven us to a gifting economy. I’m sure you care. Anyway, keep drinking that wine. I hope the physical it takes on your body, in comparison to the more benign, effects of cannabis, and even mushrooms, don’t cloud your judgment. Take care.

[Anonymous]

How old are you folks posting? Be honest. Are you over 65? What is your socioeconomic status? What experience have you had with drugs? I’m 38 and I gladly signed yes to initiative 81. I have traveled the world. Eaten mushrooms legally in Amsterdam. I went to the Van Gogh museum tripping and it was fun. All told I net 340k a year. I live in the district and would consider myself a fiscally conservative and extremely social liberal person. Who are you. What do you do? Are you a conservative Christian? A banker? Do you live in the city? Please expound so I understand who I can conversing with. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The whole purpose of Initiative 81 seems to be to give police and the prosecutor's office a pass on doing their jobs which is to enforce the law. Instead of addressing the drug problem or reforming the system, DC just wants the voters to let them off the hook. Public drug use is getting worse in the city - why is the proposed solution to decriminalize drugs even more??

For many of us who live in the city with young kids, it's becoming untenable. And for those of you with babies and toddlers who are unconcerned about the impact of these decriminalization laws, come talk to me once your kids are old enough to see what's happening and ask questions. If you are truly committed to raising your kids in the city long term, you should be troubled by these initiatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole purpose of Initiative 81 seems to be to give police and the prosecutor's office a pass on doing their jobs which is to enforce the law. Instead of addressing the drug problem or reforming the system, DC just wants the voters to let them off the hook. Public drug use is getting worse in the city - why is the proposed solution to decriminalize drugs even more??

For many of us who live in the city with young kids, it's becoming untenable. And for those of you with babies and toddlers who are unconcerned about the impact of these decriminalization laws, come talk to me once your kids are old enough to see what's happening and ask questions. If you are truly committed to raising your kids in the city long term, you should be troubled by these initiatives.

Is 11 old enough for you? And no plans to move. We have open and honest talks about drugs. I've never taken anything more than alcohol, but I'm familiar enough with what the various did are around here.

I'm not trying to shelter my kids from drugs. They will make their own decisions. I'm just going to make sure they understand. And if they need help they'll call me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole purpose of Initiative 81 seems to be to give police and the prosecutor's office a pass on doing their jobs which is to enforce the law. Instead of addressing the drug problem or reforming the system, DC just wants the voters to let them off the hook. Public drug use is getting worse in the city - why is the proposed solution to decriminalize drugs even more??

For many of us who live in the city with young kids, it's becoming untenable. And for those of you with babies and toddlers who are unconcerned about the impact of these decriminalization laws, come talk to me once your kids are old enough to see what's happening and ask questions. If you are truly committed to raising your kids in the city long term, you should be troubled by these initiatives.

Is 11 old enough for you? And no plans to move. We have open and honest talks about drugs. I've never taken anything more than alcohol, but I'm familiar enough with what the various did are around here.

I'm not trying to shelter my kids from drugs. They will make their own decisions. I'm just going to make sure they understand. And if they need help they'll call me.

Yeah we are not on the same page. I am simply not ok with my kids seeing open, public drug use. I’m also not ok with my kids using drugs. I don’t know any parents who are as laidback about this as you are. If not wanting to see drug use means I’m sheltering my kids, so be it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole purpose of Initiative 81 seems to be to give police and the prosecutor's office a pass on doing their jobs which is to enforce the law. Instead of addressing the drug problem or reforming the system, DC just wants the voters to let them off the hook. Public drug use is getting worse in the city - why is the proposed solution to decriminalize drugs even more??

For many of us who live in the city with young kids, it's becoming untenable. And for those of you with babies and toddlers who are unconcerned about the impact of these decriminalization laws, come talk to me once your kids are old enough to see what's happening and ask questions. If you are truly committed to raising your kids in the city long term, you should be troubled by these initiatives.

Is 11 old enough for you? And no plans to move. We have open and honest talks about drugs. I've never taken anything more than alcohol, but I'm familiar enough with what the various did are around here.

I'm not trying to shelter my kids from drugs. They will make their own decisions. I'm just going to make sure they understand. And if they need help they'll call me.

Yeah we are not on the same page. I am simply not ok with my kids seeing open, public drug use. I’m also not ok with my kids using drugs. I don’t know any parents who are as laidback about this as you are. If not wanting to see drug use means I’m sheltering my kids, so be it.

Then move to Gaithersburg. Living in a city means that your kids will see homelessness, will see poverty, will see occasional drug use. They will also see and experience many positive things that they would not be able to living in suburban sprawl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole purpose of Initiative 81 seems to be to give police and the prosecutor's office a pass on doing their jobs which is to enforce the law. Instead of addressing the drug problem or reforming the system, DC just wants the voters to let them off the hook. Public drug use is getting worse in the city - why is the proposed solution to decriminalize drugs even more??

For many of us who live in the city with young kids, it's becoming untenable. And for those of you with babies and toddlers who are unconcerned about the impact of these decriminalization laws, come talk to me once your kids are old enough to see what's happening and ask questions. If you are truly committed to raising your kids in the city long term, you should be troubled by these initiatives.

Is 11 old enough for you? And no plans to move. We have open and honest talks about drugs. I've never taken anything more than alcohol, but I'm familiar enough with what the various did are around here.

I'm not trying to shelter my kids from drugs. They will make their own decisions. I'm just going to make sure they understand. And if they need help they'll call me.

Yeah we are not on the same page. I am simply not ok with my kids seeing open, public drug use. I’m also not ok with my kids using drugs. I don’t know any parents who are as laidback about this as you are. If not wanting to see drug use means I’m sheltering my kids, so be it.

Maybe I'm not explaining it well. Let's try sex education as a corollary. I don't think abstinence-only is a good way to teach kids. Of course I don't want to encourage my kids to have sex as teenagers, but that is something that I can't fully control. They will be in situations where they will need to make those decisions on their own. Teaching them everything good/bad/ugly about sex seems like the right approach. At 11 it's been pretty limited, but it's an ongoing conversation.

Same goes for drugs. I don't want them to take drugs. I think the best way to get there is not abstinence-only. It's teaching them about why people do drugs, what they say feels good about it, and what the downsides are. Facts, not scare tactics. That way they also know they can trust me if they have questions about it or if they made a poor choice and need help.