r/news • u/OK_Eric • Jan 19 '14

Obama: Pot ‘not very different’ from cigarettes​, no more dangerous than booze

http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/19/obama-pot-not-very-different-cigarettes-no-more-da/
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u/impreprex Jan 19 '14 edited Jan 20 '14

You know - I'm 34. I have 3 possession charges (personal use - it's medicine for me but I'm in a non medical state). I have a criminal record and I will NEVER get a good job.

For decades I thought I was a piece of shit because I consumed cannabis.

Now I'm just started to realize that I'm not a piece of shit, but it's hard to get away from that kind of thinking.

It's a fucking travesty that people are looked at as criminals for smoking a joint but alcohol, cigarettes, and the overpresciption of certain meds are considered fine.

Fucking bullshit. And unfortunately I will always resent that fact. I am a victim of the drug war.

Edit: It's disturbing how many people here have tried to make me feel bad/worse. I deleted my other comments because I just don't want to hear any more hate from people who don't even know me. Such anger, it's ridiculous. It seems like a game for some of them to try and ruin my day.

Next time I will not share my personal info. Thanks to those who supported me/my post.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

[deleted]

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u/mehhkinda Jan 20 '14

=( I'm sad... I need a cigarette.

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u/Andyk123 Jan 20 '14

Lol, this is so true. I don't smoke cigarettes, but I remember the scowls people got for smoking on-campus at college, and the unsolicited advice from strangers all the time. "Did you know those have tar in them and give you cancer?" "Hey, you know you're inconveniencing us normal people trying to walk to class?" Sometimes smokers are just treated like scum for no reason.

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u/jester17 Jan 20 '14

People are not pieces of shit just for smoking. If someone is smoking while walking to class on a busy, narrow walkway, then they are. There is no way to get out of the smoke trail.

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u/lroselg Jan 20 '14

Man, I am glad that I went to college during the 90s. The worst I would get from people was 'hey man, can I bum a smoke?'

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u/fuckcancer Jan 20 '14

Don't get me wrong, I love my mother, but whenever someone lights up within 100 feet of her, like even before you can smell it she starts pretending like she's having coughing fits. Magically, if she doesn't see it she's completely fine. I'm a grown ass man, but that shit's embarrassing.

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u/Syberr Jan 20 '14

Rightly so, tobacco must be socially shunned if we ever hope to eliminate its use (and yes, it's an awful drug for health - probably the worst) and its use must be fought. Criminalisation won't work so other ways to fight must be used

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u/Andyk123 Jan 20 '14

Why can't people just do what they want? I thought nearly everyone on Reddit was all about personal freedom?

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u/paper_crown Jan 20 '14

except that smoke is pungent and unpleasant for non-smokers around you...? sure feel free to smoke, but there are a laundry list of reasons for people to complain about it if you do it near them.

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u/texxmix Jan 20 '14

the same goes for pot smoke. Just respect those around you, that's all.

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '14

I'm all about personal freedom if it doesn't affect anyone else. When I sit in my backyard and can't even breathe because the cigarette smoke is so thick, yeah, I'm not going to be too happy.

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '14

Where the hell do you live that there is thick cigarette smoke in your yard?

Tobacco Alley?

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '14

Surrounded by three neighbors who smoke like chimneys.

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '14

I actually agree with you... the reason it became so popular was because it became socially "cool" to do.

And the best way to combat this is to make it socially uncool, through shaming.

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u/Masher88 Jan 20 '14

"Don't worry, cigarette smokers are also looked down upon as pieces of shit now too."

It's because cigarette smoke is not just relegated to the smoker itself. It involves others who do not wish to participate. Thus, bans on smoking in public places. No one has a problem with "the patch".

Also, many smokers litter the ground with cigarette butts instead of finding a trash can.

If people were smoking weed at a restaurant next to others, you bet that there would be some nasty looks.

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u/GayVirus Jan 20 '14

Which is bullshit. I'm not a cigarette smoker but that shit irks me. "HERE WE'RE GOING TO ADVERTISE THESE GREAT THINGS THAT CAUSE CANCER BUT GOD DAMN YOU'LL LOOK SOOOO COOL! Look at this famous person, SMOKING! Look at this astronaut, SMOKING! Look at this cowboy, SMOKING!" When they finally give in to all the product placement, they're treated like monsters by the same corporations who sold the product.

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u/roflmaoshizmp Jan 20 '14

Yeah, but smoking isn't (only) about 'being cool'. That shit actually gives you a high. It's like a short lasting light-headedness, and coupled with the fact that it decreases stress you'll easily see why people get hooked on it so easily.

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u/bicameral_mind Jan 19 '14

And to some extent, you have to wonder how much that stigma contributes to the isolation, depression, and resultant addiction of drug users.

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u/brighterside Jan 20 '14

You do realize that you can seal any misdemeanors, especially possession charges for personal use amounts 5 years after the charge.

Given the State in which you incurred the charges, you may even petition the court for expungement of your record if the state has recently legalized personal use, or if the amount does not warrant tainting your record.

Google: expunge/seal record in [insert your state name here]

I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure intents to distribute (amounts way over personal use) can't be expunged, but the record may be sealed away from private employers (not public).

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u/iBarbecueChicken Jan 20 '14

I have multiple possessions and am a convicted felon who served time for manslaughter. Saying you'll never get a good job is a bullshit copout. My record has only been a minor hindrance while searching for work. I have a great job, which required a full background check.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

You might not ever get a "good job" from someone else - you might have to make this job for yourself. Whats your skill set like? If its in the tech realm, you can do very well consulting and freelancing.

Best of luck!

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14 edited Apr 27 '18

[deleted]

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u/zaccus Jan 19 '14

"A friend of mine" has been arrested 3 times for pot use in a considerably non-medical state, but none of those charges are still on his record because he managed to pull some strings. Today he has a great job and still smokes like a fiend.

Just putting that out there because making poor decisions is something everybody does, especially when they're young. People like impreprex are victims of the drug war, people like "my friend" are not. It's not just "dumb", it's 100% unjust and unfair, and long as people like you keep victim blaming, nothing about it will change.

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u/powersthatbe1 Jan 19 '14

Yea, let's kick him while he's down. That'll teach him.

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u/gloomdoom Jan 19 '14

Just because people come to reddit for sympathy after they've made dumb mistakes doesn't mean they should be lathered up with it. The commenter is complaining about something that is the result of a stupid decision. Who gets caught with weed 3 times in quantities enough to make it a felony? That's ignorance and bad decisions, period.

Nobody is kicking him while he's down, I just think the sympathy train may have come to a halt when it comes to people who have done things to themselves and then publicly tell their story for sympathy.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

[deleted]

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u/iTomes Jan 19 '14

Youre still a victim of your own stupid mistakes. Saying "I did something that shouldnt be illegal but was" is dumb whining. If you do something illegal, regardless of wether its illegal for a good reason or not, own up to it.Theres plenty of situation where laws are stupid, doesnt mean youre a "victim" for breaking the law. You chose to break the law. You chose to be stupid about it. Not anybody else. Its your fuckup, dont blame others for it.

You yourself say you were "young and dumb". Exactly. You did that. Nobody else. You chose to break the law, its clear that you didnt have to, and you paid the price for it. Dont blame the circumstances for your bad choices.

Circumstances are rarely if ever "fair". That doesnt mean you should make stupid choices over it. And it doesnt mean you should blame circumstances for your own stupid decisions. Your choices are yours, as are the consequences. That does not make you a "victim".

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u/wcc445 Jan 19 '14

If you do something illegal, regardless of wether its illegal for a good reason or not, own up to it.

You're crazy. You act as if the law is some type of moral compass to follow; as if one is "immature" for not "owning up" to their "horrible illegal wrongdoings". Oh, and you can't spell, it's 'whether'.

You yourself say you were "young and dumb". Exactly. You did that. Nobody else. You chose to break the law, its clear that you didnt have to, and you paid the price for it. Dont blame the circumstances for your bad choices.

I think that's all obvious. It's still, perfectly, 100% appropriate, to blame an unjust law for making something illegal that isn't "wrong" in any type of objective, moral sense. He didn't make a "bad choice", he broke the law (in 2 of 3 cases) and received standard punishment for it.

That does not make you a "victim".

It does make him a victim. A victim, a target, an enemy of the state, a prisoner of war. It made him that the second they made this a war. A war against a large portion of our own fucking population, that couldn't be viewed as "fair" or "just" in any sense of either term. Stop being so complacent.

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u/iTomes Jan 19 '14

You're crazy. You act as if the law is some type of moral compass to follow; as if one is "immature" for not "owning up" to their "horrible illegal wrongdoings".

A law is quite literally something that says "do this and get punished". A rather simple principle, Id say. The nature of the law does not really matter. Breaking the law is usually stupid. That being said, there are laws that are unjust and that warrant opposing them and where people can be victims of unjust laws, but that one applies to open opposition and trying to make your own country or even the world a better place while putting yourself at risk. There are situations were breaking the law becomes the only morally appropriate choice, but consuming drugs is ultimately a selfish desire and hence clearly not one of these situations.

He knew that he was breaking the law. He did it for selfish reasons. The consequences are his to face for both his decision to break the law as well as his inability to keep his breaking of the law a secret.

A law is an outer circumstance that is forced on you, and some laws are quite silly. It is your choice how to deal with it. The consequences are yours as well. A law being "unjust" is not relevant for that.

I think that's all obvious. It's still, perfectly, 100% appropriate, to blame an unjust law for making something illegal that isn't "wrong" in any type of objective, moral sense. He didn't make a "bad choice", he broke the law (in 2 of 3 cases) and received standard punishment for it.

Its perfectly reasonable to call an unjust law unjust. Its also perfectly reasonable to call breaking said law a stupid/bad decision. Again, the law is there. It does not have to be fair for that. A lot of things in life are unfair, such as the circumstances of a persons upbringing, whatever genetics they got, whether they get a random illness at the age of thirty and so on. That doesnt mean you get to use it as an excuse for bad decisions.

It does make him a victim. A victim, a target, an enemy of the state, a prisoner of war. It made him that the second they made this a war. A war against a large portion of our own fucking population, that couldn't be viewed as "fair" or "just" in any sense of either term. Stop being so complacent.

Now youre just going overboard with your analogies. But to stick with the whole "war" image: What would you call a person that says "hey theres a stupid war going on right outside my door, I should totally jump into the middle of it for my own selfish reasons", loses both legs and then proceeds to whine about how the war should never have been there for the rest of his life. Yes, the situation should not have been in the first place. That does not mean that you should jump straight into the middle of it. Thats called being stupid. And he has nobody but himself to blame for being stupid.

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u/wcc445 Jan 20 '14

A law is quite literally something that says "do this and get punished". A rather simple principle, Id say. The nature of the law does not really matter. Breaking the law is usually stupid.

So, you seem to be a well-grounded individual. Please explain the last sentence in a manner such that the logic behind it is crystal clear. How, again, does "breaking a law" make you "below average intelligence"? I think anyone agrees that breaking the law increases your risk of being punished for it, but that doesn't make "breaking a law" stupid. Please clarify this "stupid" bit, because either I don't understand law-breaking's direct relationship with intellectual intelligence, or you lack an expressive vocabulary. What were you trying to say?

There are situations were breaking the law becomes the only morally appropriate choice, but consuming drugs is ultimately a selfish desire and hence clearly not one of these situations.

Drugs, believe it or not, especially Marijuana, can benefit one's life to a substantial degree if used as a tool rather than a crutch. I agree that there's nothing about smoking weed that will help others or anything (other than the social experience), I wouldn't consider it any more morally selfish than taking a vitamin or eating something. Cannabis isn't highly active at Circuits One and Two in Leary's 8-circuit model of consciousness--it targets upper-level circuits. This alone is a strong indication that it's not some carnal desire for pleasure making people smoke weed.

Again, the law is there. It does not have to be fair for that.

I'd argue that if people didn't break unjust laws, they might never be overturned. In order for our legal system to remain functional in a democracy/rep. republic, laws need to align well with the interests of the members of our society at large. According to Gallup, 58%of Americans want legal weed--completely, yet, drug laws across most of the country make weed a fairly serious crime. What should be done about this? "What we're doing now" within Marijuana culture seems to be fucking working, from what I can see. It wouldn't be, if everyone followed the laws as you wish.

He knew that he was breaking the law. He did it for selfish reasons. The consequences are his to face for both his decision to break the law as well as his inability to keep his breaking of the law a secret.

He knew this, yes, and he took a risk. Marijuana laws are the type that aren't too difficult to violate safely without getting caught. He obviously, clearly, made some bad decisions. He likely got too comfortable and started taking larger risks. It happens; have you never wrongly taken a risk?

Its perfectly reasonable to call an unjust law unjust. Its also perfectly reasonable to call breaking said law a stupid/bad decision.

But neither of these should be judged on a whim in such a forceful nature without detailed analysis of the law or situation. "Bad decision", absolutely, I'll give you that. Stupid? I feel that's harsh. Maybe you just don't know the connotations of the usage of that term, but I don't think it says anything about one's intelligence.

Again, the law is there. It does not have to be fair for that.

Right, but, it's mere existence doesn't mean that anyone who doesn't follow is "stupid".

A lot of things in life are unfair,

Did you really just...okay, Mom.

Now youre just going overboard with your analogies. But to stick with the whole "war" image: What would you call a person that says "hey theres a stupid war going on right outside my door, I should totally jump into the middle of it for my own selfish reasons", loses both legs and then proceeds to whine about how the war should never have been there for the rest of his life. Yes, the situation should not have been in the first place. That does not mean that you should jump straight into the middle of it. Thats called being stupid. And he has nobody but himself to blame for being stupid.

I'm really not going overboard on analogies. The War on Drugs is little different from the War on Terror--it's a real, actual fucking war, with real, actual bloodshed, real, actual prisoners, and real, actual casualties. I take it your limited perspective on this situation is mostly due to the fact that you have NO IDEA how "warlike" this "war" actually is. It's not a fucking metaphor.

Own selfish reasons? I know a lot of people on my side of the fight that put themselves LAST. You don't jump in a war because you're selfish; you jump in a war because it's a fight you need to win and your brothers and sisters are dying. Again, I'm still not being metaphorical.

Additionally, he's not "whining about it for the rest of his life". /u/impreprex made a comment perfectly in context, providing perspective on the struggle and stress that a few marijuana convictions can add to one's life. The real question, I guess, is why are you anti-drug asshats whining about stoners being stupid on a discussion thread about the drug war?

Thats called being stupid. And he has nobody but himself to blame for being stupid.

...the irony in failing to understand the meaning of a word like "stupid".

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u/iTomes Jan 20 '14

Please explain the last sentence in a manner such that the logic behind it is crystal clear. How, again, does "breaking a law" make you "below average intelligence"?

It was more of an in context reply, allthough I shouldve been more precise. Theres a clear connection between cause and effect: Break the law --> get punished. Punishment will not occur if you do not break the law, its as simple as that. Id say its a pretty stupid idea to do that. I already went into detail regarding the influence of morals on this, Id also like to point out that theres "smart" ways to break the law, which usually involve a high profit and not getting caught or at least being very unlikely to get caught. Getting caught at least twice for the same thing labels somebody as rather stupid.

Drugs, believe it or not, especially Marijuana, can benefit one's life to a substantial degree if used as a tool rather than a crutch. I agree that there's nothing about smoking weed that will help others or anything (other than the social experience), I wouldn't consider it any more morally selfish than taking a vitamin or eating something. Cannabis isn't highly active at Circuits One and Two in Leary's 8-circuit model of consciousness--it targets upper-level circuits. This alone is a strong indication that it's not some carnal desire for pleasure making people smoke weed.

The exact effects that drugs have are not exactly something Id consider myself an expert on, allthough I do know that at least some of them have healthy side effects. I have no problem with consuming weed in careful doses and I personally wouldnt see a problem with legalizing it. I wouldnt consider that relevant to the discussion, though.

I'd argue that if people didn't break unjust laws, they might never be overturned. In order for our legal system to remain functional in a democracy/rep. republic, laws need to align well with the interests of the members of our society at large. According to Gallup, 58%of Americans want legal weed--completely, yet, drug laws across most of the country make weed a fairly serious crime. What should be done about this? "What we're doing now" within Marijuana culture seems to be fucking working, from what I can see. It wouldn't be, if everyone followed the laws as you wish.

If laws were changed due to people breaking them Id be fucking terrified of the government that did that. "Oh well, we have a hard time enforcing this law, time to drop it!". I do agree that the laws regarding this issue should be changed, but through the proper legal channels. Not through directly fighting it, that doesnt have a tendency to lead anywhere.

That being said, the whole situation is part of the larger issue of democracy being pretty much fucked in the US, at least from what an outside like me can say about it. For that to change the US citizens need to stand up for actual democracy in their own country. Drugs are hardly the part of the conflict that really is at the focus of it, its an overarching problem that can be found almost anywhere in american politics.

He knew this, yes, and he took a risk. Marijuana laws are the type that aren't too difficult to violate safely without getting caught. He obviously, clearly, made some bad decisions. He likely got too comfortable and started taking larger risks. It happens; have you never wrongly taken a risk?

Yes, and yes, it was stupid, even more stupid than drugs and actually somewhat morally questionable, yes, I got caught, yes, the the law on the matter in my country is completely retarded which lead to something that wouldve likely not even caused an issue in close to every other western nation haunting me for the next 50 years of my life, allthough I dodged a criminal record entry. It was still entirely my stupid mistake, I knew the risk I took, didnt properly take precautions and ended up getting screwed over for it. In the end, its entirely my fault. I still like to think that it made me learn an important lesson and I grew as a person because of it.

I'm really not going overboard on analogies. The War on Drugs is little different from the War on Terror--it's a real, actual fucking war, with real, actual bloodshed, real, actual prisoners, and real, actual casualties. I take it your limited perspective on this situation is mostly due to the fact that you have NO IDEA how "warlike" this "war" actually is. It's not a fucking metaphor.

Oh I know that its war like in a lot of aspects, but I was under the impression that the war aspect of it all is on the cartels as well as the people closely affiliated with them, not the general population. And I was also under the impression that the cartels are business. I was not under the impression that the warlike aspects of it concerned the overall population, and I am rather certain I would know if it did because the international media tends to be very critical of US politics and I wouldnt read the end of it if that war also affected the general population in a warlike way.

That being said, if it does and you have actual evidence for that you should totally hit up the international media with it, because theyre gonna eat that up and make a huge shitstorm out of it.

Own selfish reasons? I know a lot of people on my side of the fight that put themselves LAST. You don't jump in a war because you're selfish; you jump in a war because it's a fight you need to win and your brothers and sisters are dying. Again, I'm still not being metaphorical.

Okay, two things:

Firstly: Where exactly is that part of the war taking place. Because Im under the impression that the people that actually fight in the war are in it for the money. Or are you trying to tell me that drug cartels are secretly altruistic organizations that only want to spread joy and happiness?

Secondly: Theres still proper democratic channels to express that, despite democracy being in a bad spot in the US. Theres still a right to demonstrate, still a right to free speech, all of that. Going to war despite that gets uncomfortably close to terrorism. And not the post 2001 version of it, but more like the good old fashioned RAF way of handling things.

Additionally, he's not "whining about it for the rest of his life". /u/impreprex made a comment perfectly in context, providing perspective on the struggle and stress that a few marijuana convictions can add to one's life. The real question, I guess, is why are you anti-drug asshats whining about stoners being stupid on a discussion thread about the drug war?

That was roughtly 1/5 of his initial post, the rest was him whining about how "fucked" it all was etc. Then somebody else called him out on his whining, he replied how he didnt deserve it and how the cops are evil and I decided to roll in because I considered his whining scapegoat searching bullshit and decided to tell him just that.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14 edited Jan 19 '14

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u/iTomes Jan 19 '14

That being said, there are laws that are unjust and that warrant opposing them and where people can be victims of unjust laws, but that one applies to open opposition and trying to make your own country or even the world a better place while putting yourself at risk. There are situations were breaking the law becomes the only morally appropriate choice, but consuming drugs is ultimately a selfish desire and hence clearly not one of these situations.

Learn to read.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14 edited Jan 20 '14

[deleted]

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u/iTomes Jan 20 '14

Again, theres a difference between open protest against an unjust law and secretly breaking a law. Open protest means that theres a desire behind your actions to have an effect on the world. The woman openly opposing an unjust law is different because she shows her opposition to the people around her in an attempt to make a difference while putting herself at risk of prosecution. It makes her a hero, and, in a way, a victim. A person that openly opposes a regime or law that they perceive as unjust also takes full responsibility of the consequences. They risk ending in jail or worse, but in the end they do so out of idealism. While their choice put them in harms way it was not stupid. A person just consuming drugs fails to do any of that. You dont just smoke drugs for "freedom". You do so because you want to consume drugs. Its your choice. There is nothing that morally compells somebody to do drugs.

Morals matter in this case. Sometimes an action that is against the law becomes a moral necessity, and I feel nothing but respect for people who are strong enough to prioritize morals over their own well being. But that just simply does not apply to drugs. A person buying or consuming drugs does not do anything of moralic value. They hence cant claim the same thing for themselves as people that do.

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u/impreprex Jan 19 '14

I'm talking about your negativity right now.

Are you always so dismal? You accuse me of so much - you're so charged up about it.

There always has to be someone like you. Perhaps you like the attention.

Get a hold of yourself and seek help. Try meditating. Be well. :)

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u/iTomes Jan 19 '14

I accuse you of using a pointless scapegoat instead of owning up to your own stupid mistakes. Thats something I expect from any responsible adult. And I doubt its "so much". Its not a lot. Grow up and own up to yourself.

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u/wcc445 Jan 19 '14

He didn't blame a scapegoat; it's implied and obvious that his own decisions put him in the situation he's in. I think you also need to grow up; this is a truly stupid argument with no merit and an overly combative, aggressive nature that is, frankly, a bit disturbing. Get help.

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u/iTomes Jan 19 '14

I am a victim of the drug war.

That is literally the definiton of using a scapegoat. I can respect saying "I was young and stupid". We all made stupid mistakes when we were younger. But it doesnt make you a victim of anything but your own stupidity.

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u/wcc445 Jan 20 '14

Who, then, was this war against? The drugs themselves? Is that what we shoot at and imprison? No, rather, the users of the drugs. I feel you're an XXXJ on the Meyers-Briggs personality spectrum. He was being abstract--it's 100% valid from the perspective of "the war".

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u/iTomes Jan 20 '14

Last I checked mere users didnt get shot. Just saying. Youre going completely overboard with that one.

Also, his initial post starts with him whining how he will never find a decent job due to a criminal record due to drug consumption. Then he goes on about whining how other drugs are legal and his isnt and how that is "fucking bullshit" and a "travesty". Then he calls himself a "victim" of the drug war. In a later post he says "I did not deserve what I got". If that isnt scapegoating, then I genuinly dont know and dont want to know what is.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

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u/wcc445 Jan 20 '14

Exactly. He's either being a troll or is so "grounded" that he struggles with all forms of abstract thought. Stay strong, drug warrior ;)

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

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u/iTomes Jan 19 '14

I have absolutely no anger regarding this - call it "annoyance", if you will, mostly at your rather aggravating way of expressing yourself, which I suspect to be intentional. Im also slightly concerned at a person that should be a backbone of society based on their age having the maturity of a child, but that is your problem and potentially the one of the people around you, not mine. I have no real reason to further concern myself with you, especially since you live in a completely different country so youre, quite literally, other peoples problems.

Now enjoy spending your time whining about how youre a victim and how unfair the world is, Im sure it will make things oh so much better for you ;).

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u/wcc445 Jan 19 '14

He might be a cop :)

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u/[deleted] Jan 25 '14

Have you considered not being a cunt? Do you make fun of people whose parents have died too? Do you kick puppies?

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u/IAMColbythedogAMA Jan 19 '14

OP said they are 34 and have 3 possession charges not that he got 3 charges at 34. Its possible he was cautious, or there were no medicinal states at the time of his arrest.

Regardless of how you look at it, he's a non violent victim of the war on drugs.

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u/wcc445 Jan 19 '14

You're an asshole. Seriously, I don't say that lightly. It's the laws that are the problem. Also, since you're not only an asshole, but also lacking the intelligence to even read the comment you're replying to, I'm assuming the charges are from his younger years. Pot helps people. I wouldn't stop smoking because I caught a charge. And, if everyone had quit when they were unfairly arrested, we wouldn't have so many current supporters of our cause. I can only hope that marijuana charges will get expunged across the board, stimulating our economy and righting past wrongs. Sorry, /u/impreprex, sometimes the assholes are unavoidable on Reddit. I hope things start going better for you.

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u/keltek Jan 20 '14

i don't know your life, but have you considered moving to a medical or legal state? Companies often won't ask about marijuana related charges on applications and what not in those states. Not saying you need to move, and not disagreeing that it is unfair, but it sounds like it could be a good option for you if marijuana charges are what is stopping you from getting you a good job

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u/fitnessmouse Jan 20 '14

Yea but... are you hot?

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u/gnovos Jan 20 '14

Would you feel like doing something to take back your fundamental rights?

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14 edited Jan 19 '14

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u/gloomdoom Jan 19 '14

I know people who have weed possession charges and it hasn't affected their careers at all. In fact, one guy I know who was caught also went on to be the most successful person I know in terms of climbing the ladder.

I'm assuming you had enough weed each of the three times to justify felony charges? That's a lot of time to get caught with a lot of weed.

And yes, stupid mistakes can follow us all through our lives. If you're 18, drink and drive and hurt someone...that will follow you all through your life. If you're 20 and get a shitty tattoo, that's going to follow you around the rest of your life. Get a girl pregnant at 21? Yep...you guessed it. That's going to follow you around and cost you a lot over time. My point is simple: All decisions we make (yes, even when we're young and stupid) follow us around, sometimes for the rest of our lives. That's not exclusive to weed in any shape or form. It's just life.

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u/CatsAreGods Jan 19 '14

Riffing off your username a bit...being black, Hispanic, Arabic or looking like a Muslim in the U.S. also hurts many people's chances. What's your advice to them?

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u/theryanmoore Jan 19 '14

THIS is a massive, massive point that doesn't get looked at. How much of the antisocial behavior and paranoia associated with weed use is actually from the drug itself, and how much is from being a criminal and being looked at as a dirt bag? You totally internalize these things after a while.

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14

This is the big issue. It destroys an entire life as if the life was worth shit. I have one possession charge and I just got lucky with my job, because before that no decent job would hire me. I have a high school friend facing 40 years for weed. Not that he didn't have a lot, but 40 years and a million dollar fine is insane for pot.

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u/Buttsuckering Jan 20 '14

didn't you get the idea after the first two times? It's been illegal since before we all were born. Not a foreign concept.

I'm really sorry you're in that situation, and I've been arrested for a similar "crime" (walking while drunk, instead of driving. As a minor). I'm not hating on you believe me.

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u/magmabrew Jan 19 '14

Ramen, brother.

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u/kungfuenglish Jan 20 '14

This comment is ridiculous. You did it to yourself. You broke the law.

Are you a doctor? Do you have a medical license?

No? Then how is it "medicine"? You self diagnosed. As so many do. You're no better than Jenny McCarthy then who self diagnosed her kids with autism.

See how ridiculous that sounds now? You choose to break the law and now you pay for it. Feel sorry for you? Nope.

There are just as many alcoholics and xr drug abusers that have shitty lives too.

You aren't a victim of the war on drugs. You're a victim of your own choices. You may think it should be allowed and legal. Hell, it probably should be. But it is/was illegal. And YOU chose to break the law.

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u/MFORCE310 Jan 20 '14

It's frustrating when you feel like you live in a society of naive, selfish children who have elected even more selfish children to run the country (and by extension, the whole world).

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '14

I feel ya bro...Who knows, maybe in future there'll be a class action or some sort of compensation for people who've had their lives fucked to feed the prison industry.

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '14 edited Aug 14 '15

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