Marijuana and Cannabis News

Make Sure You Don't Think About This While Getting High

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ in Culture, Legislation

Friday, May 4, 2012 at 6:20 pm

Hey, man. Whatever you do, don't think about this while smoking weed, or it could make your head explode and screw up your entire weekend.

Now that the Colorado Senate has passed a DUI marijuana bill with a per se cutoff point of five nanograms per milliliter (5 ng/ml) of blood, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has issued one of their nationwide action alerts, reports Michael Roberts at Denver Westword.

With the proposal headed to the Colorado House, where it has a good chance of passage, NORML is doing the right thing. This is an execrable piece of legislation. According to the best research available, there is no correlation between 5 ng/ml and driving impairment in most drivers. In fact, experienced cannabis consumers often drive better than their non-toking peers, according to at least one Australian study.

So far, so good: NORML is standing up for the interests of marijuana consumers in Colorado, as they should.

Since medicinal cannabis patients would likely be the group most heavily impacted by such an absurdly low per se limit, it's a good thing NORML is lining up against the measure.

And NORML is entirely correct in calling a 5 ng/ml limit "unscientific and unnecessary."

But here's where the cranial eruptions come in.

A "legalization" proposal headed for November's general election ballot in Washington state includes the same exact per se cutoff point for THC -- 5 ng/ml.

And NORML not only endorses Initiative 502, their media mouthpieces "Radical" Russ Belville and sidekick Ganja Jon (distinguished only by the fact that he's far more obnoxious than even Russ) have been acting as attack dogs against anyone who dares point out this glaring flaw in what, even otherwise, wouldn't be a very good excuse for real legalization.

I-502's other shortcomings include continuing the ban on home cultivation for everyone but patients, having a zero THC cutoff point for drivers under 21, and limiting possession to one paltry ounce. Yeah, it's a baby step alright -- the kind where they fall backwards after taking it.

So why is a DUI bill considered so bad that it's worth a nationwide NORML action alert when it's being considered in Colorado, yet the group supports an identical limit in Washington?

Are we really supposed to be content with a rule that NORML considers unscientific and unnecessary for Colorado? I mean this thing was so bad, it generated a nationwide action alert, after all.

Do we in Washington have "Victim" written on our foreheads, or something?

Maybe the most interesting question is this:

I wonder if they'll put out a "nationwide NORML action alert" when I-502 -- which they endorse! -- passes in Washington state, with its identical 5 ng/ml per se DUI?

Tags: dui, head explode, norml

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283 comments

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jontomas

So, let's get the WHOLE story on the Denver news:

From the Denver Post:

>>>" A bill making it easier to convict people of driving high on marijuana was among the more than two dozen bills sacrificed in the Colorado House Tuesday night during a gridlocked debate over civil unions.Earlier in the day, the controversial bill surmounted its final legislative committee, when the state House Appropriations Committee approved it 9-4."

So, this had NOTHING to do with politicians discussing the merits of DUI restrictions. It was just dumb luck.

As Russ Belville says:

>>>"Wow. A bill proposed and passed by ignorant people who are intolerant of marijuana consumers was left to die because ignorant people who are intolerant of homosexuality had to kill a bill to recognize even a second-class marriage right for gay people. I guess reactionary Colorado legislators are more afraid of gays than stoners."

Steve Sarich

Dear Mr. Tool,

The drug policy committee of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, who studied the per se DUID issue last summer, refused to endorse the bill. This is what slowed the bill down or it would have gotten to the floor long before the gay marriage debate had even started. They were still two votes short.Now that the Karshner study will be published shortly in the American Journal of Toxicology, their chances of getting it passed will be slim to none. The Commission will never be able to endorse the legislation. Sorry Mr. Tool

jontomas

Such spinning. Are you dizzy yet?

It got on the floor for a vote, and would likely have passed if it hadn't been for ruckus over the gay bill. I'll pass on your evaluation of its chances next time around.

It's too bad you're so insecure with your arguments, you must resort to name-calling.

Greenlv

You are a paid mouth, Troll.

Fuck you and 'what you stated', smug condescending asshole. Your words mean nothing. Nothing, you have no vote. 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

Greenliver

It's obvious you're the only troll here, and I've stated at least a hundred times in these forums that marijuana consumption is not a significant cause of auto accidents. - Again, stop lying about anyone paying me to post.

Greenlv

So you like DUI law then you State paid Troll, huh?

Steve Sarich

You're probably better off not getting all your "news" from Reprehensible Russ. The truth means nothing to him....or to you apparently.

jontomas

So when did Russ Belville become a reporter for the Denver Post?

jontomas

Greenliver

Are you going for troll of the year? You get my vote.

I know you're all out of substance, but it's better to stay quiet and let people think you're a fool, than open your mouth and prove it.

jontomas

Look again. The "news" was from the Denver Post. The commentary was just an interesting reflection. You're as lame as always.

Greenlv

'jontomas' is a paid propagandist Troll, just like his 'hero' that fat blow-hard, 'reprehensible russ'

Steve Sarich

This newest prohibition tactic, the per se DUID THC limit, was just killed in the Colorado legislature. It was killed last year in the Washington legislature. It would appear that jontomas was wrong about the "eventuality" of per se drug limits. Sorry Mr. Drug Czar. Sorry I-502.

One just has to wonder if NORML will claim some kind of bizarre "victory" for killing the per se limit in Colorado....while still steadfastly supporting it in Washington. If they do, you can bet they'll ask from more contributions.

I noticed that airbag Reprehensible Russ was still defending the per se limit on the NORML blog yesterday.... at the same time NORML was putting out legislative alerts warning against it. Do you think he and Mr. Kuhn are maybe miscommunicating on this issue? Perhaps there is some truth to the connection between marijuana a schizophrenia.

Just a word of warning to Reprehensible Russ..... after rabidly supporting the per se DUID limit....I'd avoid any NORML field trips to Colorado. I think you're even less popular there than you are here right now....and I wouldn't have thought that was nearly possible. NORML: get your stories straight.

Congratulations to the cannabis community in Colorado!

Steve SarichNo On I-502

AmKon Dot Net

Russ has been very clear stating he DOES NOT support the DUID provision.

jontomas

Steve. You are downright dishonest. Russ Belville NEVER supported the DUI provisions. He, like me, has just acknowledged they are a necessary evil.

Your lying like this just shows the emptiness of the position of those opposed to I-502.

jontomas

Greenliver

Don't you have something more important to do, like organize your lint collection?

Greenlv

"He, like me" says 'jontomas', laughable. What a celebrity wanna-be Troll. 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

Steve Sarich

NO....convicting innocent, un-impaired, patients and other cannabis users of DUIDs is just EVIL. DO NOT tell me it's "NECESSARY evil"! You and Russ are both tools if you think that we have to criminalize in order to legalize. The truly is the "New Approach" to prohibition....and we're having no part of it.

Evil is evil. Convicting innocent people definitely qualifies as evil. If you can't get that straight in your head, you're more screwed up than we all thought. If you think trading one evil for another is OK....you're just hopelessly stupid. That is NOT "legalization". At least Russ gets paid for saying stupid shit....you do it for free.

jontomas

You simply want to ignore the public is not comfortable without driving restrictions on marijuana consumption. Some people ARE impaired after consuming marijuana - mostly newbies or people who have consumed more than they should have. That problem is largely solved because most consumers prefer and choose not to drive when this happens. But a few consumers may not be so judicious. So the idea of having some driving restrictions is not bad. Their form just needs better adjustment.

Apparently it is you who is "hopelessly stupid," -- or hopelessly dishonest.

jontomas

Twisting away as always. - This changes nothing with regard to I-502. It's still VERY GOOD LAW with minor problems that will be solved shortly after re-legalization. If anything, Colorado's success shows this is true. I-502 ends marijuana prohibition - not just in Washington, but the whole country. That makes the minor problems pale to insignficance.

YES ON I-502

Dkakkerman

Why would we even want a law that is known to contain "minor problems?" Why not get it right the first time. That way we all can get behind this together

jontomas

That's a great idea for NEXT time. This is the initiative we have now. I'm not willing to let millions of marijuana consumers be persecuted and have their lives destroyed for the next four years waiting for the perfect initiative. - Are you?

Greenlv

Right On, Colorado!

Reprehensible Russ, a celebrity wanna-be punk, in simply glomming a self-image from a movement he could attach himself too. The name or nature of the movement do not matter. It is the ugly drive of his fat selflessness that propels that ton of lard. He would have been perfect stock for the third reich propaganda machine.We will not vote in a law, so we can all head to court to protect ourselves from it . 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

Wow. You've given up on debate and are in pure personal attack mode. Sick and pathetic. Get a life.

jontomas

Greenliver

It's clear to all you are the troll here. Now go crawl back under your bridge.

Greenlv

Fuck you, Troll.

jontomas

Remember, most of the current price of marijuana is the prohibition premium - that amount charged for the risks growers and vendors take. After re-legalization, that premium will be gone. Average quality marijuana will sell for around $50 an ounce, plus taxes. It's just a plant.

Greenlv

On the west coast, in Seattle-Tacoma, if you want the food-stamp weed like 'jontomas' the 'Reformer' is pushing, you can darn near buy it for that now. Then here come the taxes, that would double or more that fifty, on to a hundred or more. Want boutique weed? Good northwest green like ' jontomas' the smug ass, ain't ever had? It will be the same or more after the State power grab being labeled 'Legalization'.

Anything called Legalization must include growing at Home or it is a Lie.

Dbake0228

So these grower who have already turned in a signed confession, and prints to the State would just be willing to risk all this prosecution from the federal government, just for about what $15, $20 an ounce? No, it's not gonna happen, and if anyone does do it, they will be the dumbest bastards that the state can find.

jontomas

Nonsense. Good quality clone seedlings and young plants are cheap. Anyone can grow good quality marijuana for almost nothing.

jontomas

You're going to post till I'm proven wrong? LOL!! - Until the 12th of Never then.

Greenlv

Learn, little Liar, not everyone submits to ugly assholes like you. I got no problem posting until you are proven wrong in the Fall. Fuck You. 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

It seems no more than you. 8^)

The facts remain. Don't fear re-legalization. It's good for everyone.

Greenlv828

Really want that last word don't you zealot? Fuck you. 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

I-502 will pass, consistent with the great wave of marijuana reform sweeping the country and world. The fraudulent prohibition is over. Instead of whining about it, just adapt. That's the primary human survival trait.

Greenlv

Your words mean nothing to me, or to the outcome of 502, Nothing at all. You have no vote. 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

greenliver

You need to come away from that mirror. Clearly, all that only applies to you and the other greedy growers. I bring nothing but solid, unrefutable facts. That's why you are so hysterical.

Greenlv

What is your point, you smug punk? You just keep refuting facts, an idiot incapable of discussion. Just zealotry, preaching and smug, all you want it the last word. Do get a bonus for chasing off any real discussion that could have happened with your narrow rhetoric? Troll.

Understand you get No vote on 502. Nothing. Your words mean nothing, you're clearly a punk idiot. The point is that 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

greenliver

You're just repeating the same old non-points. What's the point?

Greenvl

Smug, condescending asshole to the end, Fuck off 'jontomas' you have no vote. Accept that, your voice matters not about 502, which by the way, is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

greenliver

You are in complete denial. No wonder you're coming apart at the seams. Re-legalization is coming. Just make a new plan. It will be all right.

Greelv

I don't give a fuck what you have 'explained' you pathetic paid Troll. You get not vote. None, You words mean nothing. 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass.

jontomas

greenlv

You would be more effective if you could leave off the hysteria, but, whatever.

I have already explained several times how the provisions of I-502 are not ideal, but the incredible boost of freedom to all marijuana consumers it will give FAR outshines those imperfections. Further, there is no reason to believe those minor flaws won't be eliminated soon after re-legalization. And yes, just being able to buy and possess up to one ounce IS re-legalization.

You not only want to deny the validity of I-502, but the whole great, growing success of marijuana reform. Washington and Colorado's (and possibly Oregon's) re-legalization initiatives are the cutting edge of that great wave. All Washington marijuana consumers, and lovers of liberty, should be proud of this opportunity to lead the way into the new world, where cops vs tokers will soon be a fading memory.

But, for SOME reason, you are trying to stand against this great day and say "no!"

That's like a gnat saying halt to an elephant. There's no stopping an idea whose time has come, and re-legalization's time is now.

jontomas

vapemaster

Again, give us all a break. You guys want to act like the holy shamans with the secret knowledge of how to grow marijuana. Brother!

I've been an intimate observer of the scene for more than forty years. Anyone can grow good enough for their own purposes. - It's just a plant.

Greenlv

Please stop being a bold-faced liar, Troll 'jontomas, it is real people you are trying to hurt with your DUI campaign, you can make your sell-out check some other way. Perhaps you could collect cans for a living bout what you make being a paid Troll 'Reformer' ain't it?

And yes, is 502 passes or not, it will be illegal to grow at home, that is why it is not legalization, idiot moron. Still your smug liar ass would call it Legalization. Hey, too bad you don't get a vote, 502 is Bad Law and Will Not Pass

Vapemaster

I know 5-6 dispensary owners and the shit... I mean shit... that he has to turn away is incredible

Everyone thinks they can just buy seeds and grow the kind......Nope its not that easy

jontomas

to vapemaster

Get over yourself. The difference between "killer" marijuana and the good marijuana anyone can grow is not that much, or that important, to the average consumer. Especially if you vaporize or eat it.

jontomas

To greenlv below:

It's a felony now for recreational consumers. Please stop the dishonesty. Of course, we will have home growing in all states once the re-legalization dust settles. Nothing more restrictive than alcohol policy is acceptable as a final goal.

Greenlv

Unless 502 passes then that would be a felony.

Vapemaster

I have strains that I have been growing for 20 plus years that noone gets unless they know me or the coop i belong to.

To get good quality strain now is hard everyone has their own cuts to strains.....its only if you have the original cut and kept it going to you have a killer.

If you go into the stores and look now... there is alot of shitty mediocore weed from allot of waana be.... I can do this its easy growers....hahahaha

AmKon Dot Net

Never heard of the law of supply and demand eh? The more the market is flooded with a product typically the cheaper the price becomes. High demand, but high supply = cheap-moderate prices. The price WILL drop.

AmKon Dot Net

Is there going to be a cannabis luxury tax? No, so your point is moot.

Also there's a 25% tax on sales, as is mentioned in the initiative itself, which is hardly maximizing revenue.

Greenlv

Then here come the taxes, that would double or more that fifty, on to a hundred or more. Want boutique weed? Good northwest green like ' jontomas' the smug ass, ain't ever had? It will be the same or more after the State power grab being labeled 'Legalization'.

jontomas

Right. Marijuana is just a plant. Good quality marijuana will be very inexpensive after re-legalization - $50 an ounce (or less at Wal-Mart 8^)

Greenlv

Never heard of luxury taxes and tight state regulation for maximized revenue, Eh? Your picture might be more apt to happen if you keep it out of the hands of the State. 502 only profits the government, the cops and the insurance companies.