# Prop 19 (marijuana) debate. The stupid, it burns. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 28, 2010, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336 "2010-09-28T09:33:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/1 "2010-09-28T09:33:45Z")
From an AP article: > [@](#): > > “If the price drops, more people are going to buy it. Low-income people are going to buy marijuana instead of buying food, which happens with substance abusers,” said Pleasant Hill police Chief Pete Dunbar, who also speaks for the California Police Chiefs’ Association, one of many law enforcement groups against the measure. > > As a result, he said, legalizing marijuana would only encourage the cycle of theft and violence driven by people who need money to buy drugs. So, Chief Dumbar, you are actually saying that cheaper weed will make people stop eating. Then, presumably because they have the munchies, and are broke from all the pot they bought at a discount, they will go out and steal. :rolleyes: Are you f’ing serious? If this is the best that the opposition can do… Can anyone here make any kind of cogent argument against this measure? Because for sure folks like Chief Dumbass haven’t been able to do it. The measure is now predicted to pass, so I guess Chief Dumbar and his donut eating cronies will have to find actual criminals to catch. The horror. [Link](http://www.theeagle.com/nation/California-divided-over-measure-to-legalize-pot) ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/2 "2010-09-28T13:23:14Z")
But if it’s cheaper won’t they have to steal _less_? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/3 "2010-09-28T13:25:39Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > But if it’s cheaper won’t they have to steal _less_? Think of Chief Dunbar, in this setting, as a labor-union spokesman. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/4 "2010-09-28T15:15:12Z")
The polls seem to be indicating that this measure has a chance of passing. [http://www.opposingviews.com/i/california-s-pro-pot-prop-19-makes-huge-gain-in-poll](http://www.opposingviews.com/i/california-s-pro-pot-prop-19-makes-huge-gain-in-poll) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/5 "2010-09-28T20:00:03Z")
I work for the USPS. Once this passes, I wonder if the bosses will insist that the union allow drug testing on a more frequent basis. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/6 "2010-09-29T02:09:32Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > The polls seem to be indicating that this measure has a chance of passing. > [http://www.opposingviews.com/i/california-s-pro-pot-prop-19-makes-huge-gain-in-poll](http://www.opposingviews.com/i/california-s-pro-pot-prop-19-makes-huge-gain-in-poll) If the [The Broudus Effect](http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/marijuana/pot-legalization-prop-19-polls/) is real, it looks like it really could pass. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/7 "2010-09-29T02:23:26Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I work for the USPS. Once this passes, I wonder if the bosses will insist that the union allow drug testing on a more frequent basis. I’d settle for heightened monitoring of package-tampering. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/8 "2010-09-29T02:29:56Z")
Not sure I catch your drift, here… ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/9 "2010-09-29T13:19:25Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I work for the USPS. Once this passes, I wonder if the bosses will insist that the union allow drug testing on a more frequent basis. I don’t see why a company should be able to able to test for legal substance use outside of work hours. Unless you’re using heavy machinery or driving a train or something there is absolutely no reason to allow it. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/10 "2010-09-29T13:35:57Z")
Marijuana use will not be legal in California if 19 passes- it merely won’t be against state laws. It’s still going to be against federal law to possess it. Unless federal law states only that it’s illegal to buy, sell, or transport it, not to use it, I suspect that federal employees like postal workers will still face sanctions if they use. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/11 "2010-09-29T13:43:45Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > > I work for the USPS. Once this passes, I wonder if the bosses will insist that the union allow drug testing on a more frequent basis. > > I don’t see why a company should be able to able to test for legal substance use outside of work hours. Unless you’re using heavy machinery or driving a train or something there is absolutely no reason to allow it. Presumably, regardless of the [quasi-]legality of using it outside the workplace, employers would still want to prohibit working while under the influence. Is there currently a test for marijuana intoxication, as opposed to simply having THC in one’s system? In the past, one of the obstacles against marijuana legalization that I’ve heard thrown up is that there’s no practical way for police to determine a driver’s intoxication level, as they can for alcohol with a breathalyzer. Assuming that hasn’t changed, and there is nothing in place similar to blood alcohol limits for DUI, what are the legal implications of working or driving while stoned? (And although some may staunchly disagree, assume for a moment that it _is_ possible for one to be “too stoned to drive,” or that there exists a level of intoxication where driving reflexes are impaired.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/12 "2010-09-29T13:45:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Not sure I catch your drift, here… Just thinking that postal workers working the package line in a legal-pot state might be tempted to, you know . . . **reseal** certain damaged-in-shipping packages . . . ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/13 "2010-09-29T14:38:54Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > So, Chief Dumbar, you are actually saying that cheaper weed will make people stop eating. This is a GOOD thing. Americans are far too fat as is. Perhaps legalizing Marijuana can help us eliminate this national scourge? ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/14 "2010-09-29T14:47:13Z")
I had a long discussion with little Dan about this the other day. My concern is that if the Justice Dept allows the open sale of marijuana in CA, then it strengthens the resolve of other states to overrule what they see as bad federal laws. This could range from prayer in schools to abortion restrictions. How would you justify sending in federal marshals to enforce an injunction against teacher-led prayer in school while letting stores openly advertise a federally banned substance? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/15 "2010-09-29T15:09:52Z")
I don’t see how you got from legalized marijuana to teachers leading prayer in public schools Dan. It’s not like the law will force anyone to use marijuana if they choose not to. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/16 "2010-09-29T15:29:25Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > From an AP article: > > > [@](#): > > > > “If the price drops, more people are going to buy it. Low-income people are going to buy marijuana instead of buying food, which happens with substance abusers,” said Pleasant Hill police Chief Pete Dunbar, who also speaks for the California Police Chiefs’ Association, one of many law enforcement groups against the measure. > > > > As a result, he said, legalizing marijuana would only encourage the cycle of theft and violence driven by people who need money to buy drugs. > > So, Chief Dumbar, you are actually saying that cheaper weed will make people stop eating. Then, presumably because they have the munchies, and are broke from all the pot they bought at a discount, they will go out and steal. :rolleyes: Are you f’ing serious? If this is the best that the opposition can do… > > Can anyone here make any kind of cogent argument against this measure? Because for sure folks like Chief Dumbass haven’t been able to do it. > > The measure is now predicted to pass, so I guess Chief Dumbar and his donut eating cronies will have to find actual criminals to catch. The horror. > > [Link](http://www.theeagle.com/nation/California-divided-over-measure-to-legalize-pot) That’s just hilarious. Some people think all drugs = heroin. So I’ll be so broke from buying that $60 quarter bag that I’ll have to steal my Cheeto’s and M&Ms. Do these morons realize that a quarter ounce of pot is a LOT and would last your average stoner longer than a weekend? It’s not like coke, where you get a tiny little gram for $100 and it’s gone in 15 minutes and so is your high. Coke is horribly uneconomical. Nobody starves to death and turns into a life of crime from buying weed. If that were the case, you’d see college students ripping off 7-11s about every ten minutes in this country. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/17 "2010-09-29T15:34:45Z")
“Cocaine is just nature’s way of telling you you have too much money.” – Richard Pryor ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/18 "2010-09-29T15:41:15Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > Marijuana use will not be legal in California if 19 passes- it merely won’t be against state laws. It’s still going to be against federal law to possess it. As I mentioned in another thread, I fully expect the usual suspects who scream about states’ rights when guns are involved to embrace legalization of pot on the same grounds. Any time now… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/19 "2010-09-29T15:52:13Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > > I work for the USPS. Once this passes, I wonder if the bosses will insist that the union allow drug testing on a more frequent basis. > > I don’t see why a company should be able to able to test for legal substance use outside of work hours. Unless you’re using heavy machinery or driving a train or something there is absolutely no reason to allow it. The employer has the right to have people working for it that are not impaired. Pot does not leave the system as fast as alcohol does. Someone can get drunk on Friday night and show up to work Monday morning functional. Not so with pot, which can take up to 30 days to clear out of one’s system. ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336/20 "2010-09-29T16:04:10Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The employer has the right to have people working for it that are not impaired. Pot does not leave the system as fast as alcohol does. Someone can get drunk on Friday night and show up to work Monday morning functional. Not so with pot, which can take up to 30 days to clear out of one’s system. I, for one, would like to see a cite that getting high Friday night will leave you still high on Monday. Also, can you hook me up with your dealer? Because you must be getting some amazing shit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prop-19-marijuana-debate-the-stupid-it-burns/555336.md?page=2)