It is both tedious and infuriating to read that current laws are inept at dealing with the sale of so called designer drugs from the smoke shops that engage in this trade. How could it be possible that they are allowed to peddle these drugs under the guise of “herbal remedies” but not for human consumption, yet clearly the contents are used in ways not permitted for consumption?
While these drugs are being developed and marketed in backroom laboratories, there seems to be complete paralysis and helplessness in attempting to combat this scourge. In Europe, “smoke shops” do not exist as you see them here. Anywhere that openly markets and sells drug paraphernalia and these soft-sounding drugs like “bath salts” and “herbal remedies” would be immediately shut down and stiff fines imposed. How can this be tolerated?
When will the law get ahead of this dangerous curve? Then there is the rush of individuals and clinics to sell “medical marijuana” to treat an ever burgeoning population who feel they require it. What ever happened to proper medical care and science!
Maxwell Coulthard
Mesa
VofReason posted at 2:08 pm on Wed, Jun 20, 2012.
Yes oil and drugs just about the same. Hmmm, on allows you to travel to and from work, creates energy and allows goods to be transferred. The other just gets you high and unproductive. Yup, just about the same thing, sucks the wealth from the country. Makes perfect sense- to someone.......
Cerulean posted at 12:58 pm on Wed, Jun 20, 2012.
The U.S. Treasury Dept. estimates that U.S. citizens spend $18 to $39 billion each year in illicit drugs imported from Mexico. That is HUGE! And it says nothing of the billions that tax payers spend to fight a ‘War On Drugs’. So, like petroleum, drugs are an addiction that sucks the wealth from our country.
It is obvious that a very large segment of the U.S. population use mind altering drugs for whatever reason. I would rather our growing population of elderly have the freedom to medicate with Marijuana than spending me into the poor farm with Medicare approved prescription painkillers.
vrsicks posted at 3:31 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
@chatmandu002
You expect potheads to keep other potheads legal? You've got to be kidding....
I see people driving drunk and getting DUI's all the time, yet bars are still in business. I don't understand how your idea makes any sense.
chatmandu002 posted at 12:16 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Let the "potheads" have their way. Make these "smoke shops" civilly responsible for the products they sell just like the bars are civilly responsible for the drunks that kill people on the roads. A few multimillion dollar lawsuits may entice the smoke shops to think twice about what they are selling.
Accuracy posted at 9:00 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
The Arizona medical-marijuana law, approved by voters in November, decriminalizes distribution, possession and use of marijuana for medical purposes under specified circumstances. Medical-marijuana – used as an acceptable product that doctors can prescribe for some of their patients with conditions that cause intractable pain.
Maxwell Coulthard’s question was: “ Then there is the rush of individuals and clinics to sell “medical marijuana” to treat an ever burgeoning population who feel they require it. What ever happened to proper medical care and science!”
Better yet, do doctors understand the science (of marijuana) and how to apply this science?
Meanwhile, Arizona asked Federal courts to clarify the conflict between state medical marijuana and federal marijuana laws, as the drug remains illegal for any use under federal law.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:14 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Max,
You seem to be complaining about Big Government and its ineffectiveness. Should be make government even bigger? Or should we make it smaller. Physician/US Representative Ron Paul says make is smaller and allow the citizens to suffer from their own bad choices. And his less free enterprise, less libertarian conservatives say we need to get government out of the healthcare industry.
So what is it? More regulation, more effective regulation, more police, more of what?