Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/87831
VOICES HOT BUTTONS Time to call a truce with marijuana? the Western states' ballots this year. This reflects the national trends, as other states consider laws liberal- izing pot use. Another seven states had legislation pend- ing for legalizing medical marijuana. "If people would Approaching this month's national election, three states had measures on the ballot that went beyond the now somewhat com- mon practice – codified in 17 states – of legalizing marijuana for medical use. The initiatives in Washington, Oregon and Colorado would make certain quantities of the drug legal to sell for use beyond medical purposes. In large part, Overdrive readers favored some form of legalization, with a majority even endorsing the expanded freedom on Legalize it! Billy Richardson: The gov- ernment should have no say- so in what one puts in their body. That's what freedom is — to have liberty over what affects oneself. Shelle Lichti: Go figure. Something natural that has proven benefits is illegal, but alcohol, [which] does far more harm, is legal. Jason Lerato: Legalize it all examine the drug … they would see it's a very good drug for arthritis, headaches, cramps from menstrual issues, cataract pain, and on and on," wrote owner-operator Don Lanier in comments at OverdriveOnline. com. "Too many people still believe the reefer- madness-style propa- ganda against this plant. Marijuana should be legalized and taxed and sold to those 21 and over for recreational and medical use." Among the commen- the way. Anthony Brandmeyer: Legalize it and tax it, and put the same rules on it as alcohol. Nelson Santiago: Legalization opens the door to taxation. "Decriminalization" is more like it. I don't smoke it myself, but I've never seen anyone die from smoking it. Unlike cigarettes. tary, a recurring theme was the deleterious societal effects of the four-decades-old "war on drugs." Its stiff penal- ties have, many argue, trapped otherwise minor offenders in a culture of criminality, oftentimes from a young age. "I remember when President Richard Millhouse Nixon declared the 'war on drugs,'" wrote Paul J. Laperriere, Pierson, Iowa-based owner of Big Boyz Trucking. "People laughed at it then, and people laugh at it now. We are further behind now than we were when it first started. All we have done is make criminals out of our own citizens." Not all commenters were for legalization, Keep it illegal! Robert Pulliam: The only reason they legalize it is so they can tax it. If they thought drunk drivers were bad, wait until the masses are all high on weed. Lawrence Jay Harrod: We have enough idiots in this country without adding to the collective. Brenda Miller: We have had medical marijuana here long Keep it illegal, no exceptions. Feds should let each state decide approach. 19% 11% Legalize it nationwide for medical purposes. Participate in our monthly Hot Buttons poll, probing mainstream political and other issues, via OverdriveOnline.com. of course, but common ground existed in treat- ing prohibitions on use while driving with strict penalties. "Driving while impaired from any substance is very dangerous and irre- sponsible," noted Ralph Burket, summing up the sentiment. enough that I can say for a fact most people just look for an excuse to ask their doctor for a prescription. If I were hiring, I would not hire anyone with a prescription for pot. Let them sue me. It's a state law, not a federal one, and I as a boss have a right to say it isn't safe. Sad part: My dad, who could use it for pain, doesn't because of the fact that it isn't federally protected. 8% 6% neutral. I'm Watch for our Hot Button questions and have your political voice heard at: 10 | Overdrive | November 2012 Facebook.com/OverdriveTrucking @OverdriveUpdate LEGALIZE IT Legalize it nationwide for any use . 56% OverdriveOnline.com poll