Somerville rocks, so why does our Mayor oppose Question 2?

[ron_newman]

Somerville has a well-deserved image of being a haven for offbeat and creative types, so I'm confused and disappointed to see Mayor Joe take part in a press conference opposing Question 2.

As the city's press release itself points out, "Question 2 would decriminalize marijuana use and make possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable only with a fine similar to a traffic violation." (Actually, the police can also seize the marijuana.) That seems to me like just plain common sense. It saves the city money by not wasting police and court time on prosecuting a victimless "crime".

The campaigners against Question 2 call themselves the "Coalition for Safe Streets", but this question has nothing to do with either safety or streets.

Why did you do this, Mayor Joe?

Comments

[exsplusohs.livejournal.com]

I always wonder if these rabid anti-marijuana people have ever been around someone who is REALLY STONED. Compare that with someone who is REALLY DRUNK.

I'd say the latter is much more frightening.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

Precisely!

There was that anti-drug ad about 2 years ago, "The Couch is Safe" that had 3 teens sitting on a couch stoned and playing video games and talking about how the couch is safe, while other kids are out on weekends doing things and engaging in life. All I could think was that how many of those kids that were out "living" would end up in fights or maimed/killed by drunk drivers?

Yup, the couch is safe.

[exsplusohs.livejournal.com]

The mayor's speech should have included that. "If Prop 2 gets passed, HUNDREDS of citizens will be staying home on weekends! The QMart will run out of Cool Ranch Doritos! MAYHEM WILL RULE THE STREETS."

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

Yes, and the Police Union would be up in arms because there would be no more drunken fights outside the Sligo at 2am to break up. Instead, there would be bunches of people sitting in doorways and staring at their hands and giggling quietly to themselves.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

LOL, I love QF MART.

[nathanjw]

I always wonder if it's "QF Mart" or "Q Mart F".

[nungnung.livejournal.com]

This is an ongoing topic of conversation between my husband and I. Today, we're convinced it's "Q Mart F." Tomorrow, who knows?

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I decided it was QF Mart because I was hoping QF stood for "Quality Food."

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

well, consider the track record of keeping drunk drivers off the road... and people are now afraid if you LEGALIZE something, that people will go forth and do that ... and well. stoners legally driving! oh noes!

also yes, the feds. if the police carpe diem the pot, they will now have to DO something with it. legally, and that'll get logged, tracked, reported, and well, all kinds of bad stuff. then the feds get sad and push back.

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[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

My understanding of the law is that you can still be arrested for driving while impaired if you are driving erratically. But hell, how many stoners do you know that even own cars? And it's not like they're going to go drive someplace to get pizza or Chinese- that's why there's delivery.

[ron_newman]

Yep, this question has No Effect Whatsoever on any law related to driving cars.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

But Ron.... {{ sniff sniff }} what about THE CHILDREN???? :: wail ::

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I've told you and told you, it doesn't matter how much you complain, we are not raising the point total for children in Death Race!

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

I suppose the thing with the bbq sauce is out too, then?

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Definitely. You'll have to settle for lemon pepper.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

Shit, now I have to go buy a different wine. Bastard!

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

my point being that driving impaired doesn't really seem to address the problem. people keep doing it; pull their license - they will drive without one/etc.

how many? millions, i'm sure; personally? most of them. they DO have jobs to goto ;)

delivery? costs extra. tips? no way! bogus! some of the stoners i've run into are cheap bastids too ;)

#

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

An interesting point- alcoholism and the compulsion to get drunk is pretty well-documented, but getting high on weed has not been shown to be physically or psychologically addictive or the source of destructive behavior. They do claim, however, that it's a "gateway" drug that leads to other more destructive drugs.

Which is sometimes true because once kids get stoned and it doesn't turn into "Reefer Madness" or any of the other bullshit things they teach in DARE programs, kids wonder if the things they're told about other drugs are a pack of hysterical lies as well.

Ultimately, the failure of "drug educators" to tell kids the truth about drugs and instead blanket them with "just say no" causes more harm than good. It would be like teaching kids they can get pregnant from kissing and after they find out they don't, well, they figure the story about getting pregnant from fucking is a lie as well and they end up knocked up like the underage unmarried daughter of a vice presidential candidate.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

i really don't have any faith in "studies", that's been a load of bull for decades nows. see: nutritionism ;) if we can't get FOOD right, what do we know?

can't speak to gateways or other antics. people do what they do, and you can only blame their parents and society; see: south park the movie.

let it be known: kissing WHILE fucking can lead to pregnancy!

and the father of that child... nice!

#

[gwodder.livejournal.com]

it's easier to convince the drunk person to do something s/he doesn't want to do

[exsplusohs.livejournal.com]

I'm actually going to disagree with that. I've watched a lot of COPS (Yes, that counts as research and no, I'm not proud of the fact that I've watched so much but what can I say, I lead a decadent lifestyle) and the drunk people are, more often that not, always really freakin' combative.

If I were a cop, I'd feel much safer arresting someone who was stoned than someone who has that superhero mentality that alcohol gives some people.

[gwodder.livejournal.com]

Oh I don't mean easier for cops to manipulate, I mean for the average citizen