# Where do pot smokers go when they die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 17, 2001, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244 "2001-04-17T04:02:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fecal\_nugget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b38774/32.png) [@fecal\_nugget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fecal_nugget)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/1 "2001-04-17T04:02:33Z")
Simple question that has simply tapped all my resources but this one: What State (of the USA, you pun-hurling buncha…) has the most lenient policy toward marijuana possession? I’m sure it’s illegal all across the “land of the free”, but where is it the least punished? ---
**Author:** ![loislane138](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@loislane138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loislane138)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/2 "2001-04-17T08:21:25Z")
well, I don’t know about the rest of the country, but here in louisiana, you can pay $600 go through a series of classes and then have the arrest taken off your record. So, if you’re rich enough, you can smoke pot all you want in louisiana. LP ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/3 "2001-04-17T09:42:39Z")
In the movie **Idle Hands** , two, ah, dopers were killed by their best friend (or more specifically, his possessed hand). They were faced with the long tunnel leading to the Light, and decided to just stick around as undead zombies, because that tunnel was a long way, and it would’ve been just too much work to go all that way, man. As far as the OP, I dunno. Probably not so much a specific state in space, but rather in time–either before or after the whole idiotic insanity of the “War”. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/4 "2001-04-17T11:04:26Z")
I think in Alaska, it’s still legal to possess pot. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/5 "2001-04-17T13:20:02Z")
I’ve heard the same thing, AWB. Also, I’ve heard that in California that anything under a certain amount (1/2oz or 1oz) is confiscated and you are issued a ticket for $100. End of story. It might vary city to city in CA. A friend who used to live in LA told me that, so take that FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/6 "2001-04-17T16:00:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AWB \* > \*\*I think in Alaska, it’s still legal to possess pot. \*\* Well, let me stamp out some ignorance right now; marijuana is not legal to possess in Alaska. From the [NORML state by state marijuana laws page](http://www.norml.org/legal/state_laws1.shtml): > [@](#): > > **ALASKA** > > Possession: > \< 8 oz.: 0 - 90 days; $1,000 > \>/= 8 oz.: 0 - 1 year; $5,000 > \>/= 1 lb.: 0 - 5 years; $50,000 > \>/= 25 plants: 0 - 5 years, $50,000 > On a school bus: 0 - 5 years; $50,000 > Within 500 feet of school or recreation center: 0 - 5 years; $50,000 > Manufacture or delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver: > \< 0.5 oz. for remuneration: 0 - 1 year; $5,000 > \>/= 0.5 oz.: 0 - 1 year; $5,000 > \>/= 1 oz.: 0 - 5 years; $50,000 > Maintaining a structure or dwelling for manufacturing or delivery: 0 - 5 years; $50,000 > > Suspended imposition of sentence with 2 - 3 years of probation available for 1st offense if offense is a misdemeanor. ---
**Author:** ![Spydergirl\_87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Spydergirl\_87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spydergirl_87)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/7 "2001-04-17T16:13:46Z")
They just legalized pot in Canada for “medical” purposes. Ow! My Glaucoma! ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/8 "2001-04-17T17:19:20Z")
Alaska’s marijuana laws are misunderstood. In [Ravin v. State of Alaska (1975)](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/legal/l1970/ravin.htm), the Alaska Supreme Court decided that the constitutional right to privacy allows the possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use in a private place (such as the home). It is still illegal to grow, buy, sell, possess in a public place, or possess a large amount. In fact, Alaska has one of the highest arrest rates of any state for marijuana violations. There was a ballot initiative last Novemeber that would have legalized (as far as the state government is concerned) all aspects of the marijuana trade. It was defeated by a wide margin. Keep in mind that there are still federal marijuana laws. ---
**Author:** ![heembo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@heembo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heembo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/9 "2001-04-17T19:10:14Z")
I believe they go to High-ven if they have been good little smokers. If not, they go to hell, where all you can smoke are stale cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/10 "2001-04-17T19:58:36Z")
Where do pot smokers go when they die? They go to pot, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2001, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/11 "2001-04-17T23:57:41Z")
Michigan’s proposed “medical marijuana” law contains a rider that allows the use of pot for personal use. I don’t see this getting passed, though. ---
**Author:** ![sk8rixtx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@sk8rixtx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sk8rixtx)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/12 "2001-04-18T05:37:43Z")
Maracino(Like the cherry), California, I belive has the least strict laws of marijuana possession in the country. There, or Alaska. Not sure. Then again, I heard this from some 60 year old driving instructor guy, so who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/13 "2001-04-18T07:46:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sk8rixtx \* > \*\*Maracino(Like the cherry), California, I belive has the least strict laws of marijuana possession in the country. There, or Alaska. Not sure. Then again, I heard this from some 60 year old driving instructor guy, so who knows? \*\* I think you mean Mendocino. Occasionally it will be legalized on a local level, but the thing is the state and federal laws still apply, so you can still be arrested. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/14 "2001-04-18T13:54:47Z")
Here’s a radical idea: If you don’t smoke it, you don’t possess it, you don’t get caught, you don’t get in trouble, you don’t have to consider your ultimate fate in the afterlife regarding the issue, nooooo worries. Of course, I know you aren’t gonna even consider this option, so whatever. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/15 "2001-04-18T19:42:02Z")
When California passed Proposition 215 (allowing the medical use of marijuana), I heard that Janet Reno stepped in and screamed “It’s still against Federal law!” and basically shut any and all above-the-table medical marijuana commerce down in California. Is this true? ---
**Author:** ![fecal\_nugget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b38774/32.png) [@fecal\_nugget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fecal_nugget)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/16 "2001-04-19T06:03:27Z")
thanks for all the input folks, but does no one have \the dope\ on the issue? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > \*\*Of course, I know you aren’t gonna even consider this option, so whatever. \*\* If you “know” this, than why did you post? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/17 "2001-04-19T06:48:28Z")
Look, **FN** , I gave you a link to all the state laws on marijuana, now be a good little pothead; drag your butt out of the beanbag chair, put down the bong and do your own research. Then report back to us on your conclusion; we’ll be holding our breath. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/18 "2001-04-19T10:28:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fecal\_nugget \* > \*\*If you “know” this, than why did you post? \*\* Because it felt good to say it. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/19 "2001-04-19T11:27:12Z")
Now there’s a way to stamp out ignorance. :rolleyes: “You wanna know how much it’ll cost to run that pilot light? Here’s a radical idea: get an electric furnace or move to Hawaii and it won’t matter! But I know you won’t even consider that, so whatever.” ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244/20 "2001-04-19T12:36:48Z")
I’m just dropping by to remind you that this forum is called **General Questions**. Replies should therefore resemble _general answers_, preferably. In this case, debating the pros and cons of smoking pot seems rather pointless. **GuanoLad** , I think it’s fair to say that most people here realise what your opinion on drugs is. No need to rub it in, especially if it adds absolutely nothing. Carry on. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-pot-smokers-go-when-they-die/62244.md?page=2)