"No formal campaign opposition has emerged, but opponents can be expected to argue that legalizing marijuana would result in greater consumption, exposure to second-hand smoke, increased automobile and industrial accidents and reduced academic achievement." No formal campaign opposition has emerged, but opponents can be expected to argue that legalizing marijuana would result in greater consumption: Doubt it. Maybe for a while until the 'taboo' of it passes over. It will most likely be the same people who smoked before yet they will be more open about it since they won't have to worry about having their freedom taken away for smoking a relatively harmless plant WHEN compared to tobacco and alcohol and the thousands of prescription pills with hundreds of dangerous side effects. exposure to second-hand smoke: Thought it said you won't be allowed to smoke in public? This statement kind of goes along with the above. increased automobile and industrial accidents and reduced academic achievement: Erm, can't see how it's any different from alcohol? In fact I'd be more worried about someone driving drunk as opposed to driving high since most people know that being intoxicated on alcohol is far worse than marijuana, but still you should NOT be doing either anyway. And, lol: reduced academic achievement? Because all students are going to start smoking marijuana now, right? If any student wants to smoke marijuana, they would have by now anyway. Most people know it's easier to buy black market marijuana than it is to get a hold of alcohol and cigarettes. Also this may eliminate some of the "hell yeah, smoke weed er' day and don't give a f*ck!" crowd, since they'll soon realize what they're doing isn't all "illegal and rebellious" anymore. California Voters to Decide Whether to Legalize Marijuana - AOL News
I hate the types of statements these articles make. Yeah they could argue all those points and then we could show them the evidence against what they are saying and shut them the hell up. Use increasing? Its possible but where is the evidence they are basing that on? Amsterdam has less use than US and more lenient laws. Hmmmm wonder how that works reduced academic achievement? yeah cause we are legalizing it for high school kids. Ohhh yeah my bad, maybe they mean college level. Ohh wait Colleges are one of the highest alcohol problem areas . Hmmmm wonder where that will come from? exposure to second-hand smoke. Yeah cause the first thing us childish stoners want to do is blow a nice big hit in your face. I don't know about Cali, although I was under the impression, but WA has regulations about smoking in public places already. These things always try to make it seem like everyone who wants it legal is a self destructive drug addict. Yet at most of the public debates I have seen, it is the legalization side that is clean cut, calm, intelligent, and has science behind what they say. I didn't read the link just what was quoted.
x2, I agree. Unfortunately most of the mass public reads the opposition articles, etc, first/only so most of them already have a set decision.