Q: Will kids be allowed to smoke marijuana?
A: No! It will still be illegal for anyone under 21 to buy, own or use marijuana. The only people under 21 years who will be able to use marijuana legally are medical patients.
A: No! It will still be illegal for anyone under 21 to buy, own or use marijuana. The only people under 21 years who will be able to use marijuana legally are medical patients.
Q: What is the difference between cannabis and marijuana?
A: No difference. They are two names for the same plant. If the THC content is less than 0.3% it is usually called Hemp.
A: No difference. They are two names for the same plant. If the THC content is less than 0.3% it is usually called Hemp.
Q: Will people be allowed to smoke on the street?
A: No.
A: No.
Q: Will people be allowed to smoke on buses?
A: No.
A: No.
Q: Will people be allowed to smoke in restaurants, schools, hospitals, offices, cars, planes, taxis, or public buildings?
No, No, No, No, No, No, No, and No. Cannabis will be much more restricted than cigarettes.
No, No, No, No, No, No, No, and No. Cannabis will be much more restricted than cigarettes.
Q: Will people be allowed to drive stoned?
A: No.
A: No.
Q: Will pilots and bus drivers be allowed to work while stoned?
A: No.
A: No.
Q: Will kids start smoking more marijuana when it is legal?
A: Probably not. In the first two states to legalize there is no increased use of cannabis by 12 to 17 years olds (according to the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
A: Probably not. In the first two states to legalize there is no increased use of cannabis by 12 to 17 years olds (according to the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
Q: Doesn't cannabis harm developing brains, up until 25 years old?
A: Scientific studies are mixed.
There is evidence that kids who are more likely to develop mental illness are more likely to start smoking cannabis, but that does not mean that cannabis caused the mental illness.
Kids who use a lot of illegal, unregulated cannabis are exposed to neurotoxic heavy metals, pesticides, mold, and other contaminants. It is possible that all of the associated long term neuropsychiatric effects of chronic use in young people are due to toxic contaminants.
Those who want adult legalization recognize that some cannabis will leak out from the legal adult market to younger users, even though that will still be illegal. That does not mean kids will use more cannabis than now, just that the cannabis they use will be safer.
A: Scientific studies are mixed.
There is evidence that kids who are more likely to develop mental illness are more likely to start smoking cannabis, but that does not mean that cannabis caused the mental illness.
Kids who use a lot of illegal, unregulated cannabis are exposed to neurotoxic heavy metals, pesticides, mold, and other contaminants. It is possible that all of the associated long term neuropsychiatric effects of chronic use in young people are due to toxic contaminants.
Those who want adult legalization recognize that some cannabis will leak out from the legal adult market to younger users, even though that will still be illegal. That does not mean kids will use more cannabis than now, just that the cannabis they use will be safer.
Q: What will the tax be?
A: To be determined.
A: To be determined.
Q: Will home grow be allowed?
A: For medical patients yes, with restrictions. For adult users (recreational) maybe. Many details have yet to be worked out.
A: For medical patients yes, with restrictions. For adult users (recreational) maybe. Many details have yet to be worked out.
Q: Didn't legalizing marijuana bring in much less money than expected?
A: In California yes, but in Nevada they have received much more in taxes than expected. Many people think California has not received as much revenue as had been projected because of over-taxation and over-regulation, so the California illicit market is thriving. But Nevada tax revenues significantly exceeded projections.
A: In California yes, but in Nevada they have received much more in taxes than expected. Many people think California has not received as much revenue as had been projected because of over-taxation and over-regulation, so the California illicit market is thriving. But Nevada tax revenues significantly exceeded projections.
Q: Does NORML say it is okay to drive stoned?
A: No. NORML's Principles of Responsible Use states clearly:
"The responsible cannabis consumer does not operate a motor vehicle or other dangerous machinery while impaired by cannabis, nor (like other responsible citizens) while impaired by any other substance or condition, including some medicines and fatigue.
Although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription drugs with motorists, responsible cannabis consumers never operate motor vehicles in an impaired condition. Public safety demands not only that impaired drivers be taken off the road, but that objective measures of impairment be developed and used, rather than chemical testing."
A: No. NORML's Principles of Responsible Use states clearly:
"The responsible cannabis consumer does not operate a motor vehicle or other dangerous machinery while impaired by cannabis, nor (like other responsible citizens) while impaired by any other substance or condition, including some medicines and fatigue.
Although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription drugs with motorists, responsible cannabis consumers never operate motor vehicles in an impaired condition. Public safety demands not only that impaired drivers be taken off the road, but that objective measures of impairment be developed and used, rather than chemical testing."
Above written by Roger Green, MD, FAAP
Dr. Green's note: Note that I joined Doctors For Cannabis Regulation and accept their Declaration of Principles and Mission Statement. I have pledged not to exaggerate the benefits of cannabis nor to minimize the risks.
"DFCR’s physician members strive neither to minimize nor to exaggerate scientific literature about the risks and benefits of cannabis use. DFCR promotes evidence-based strategies to prevent recreational marijuana use by minors and misuse by adults. Through education of physicians and the public, DFCR supports the legalization and effective regulation of cannabis in the United States and around the world."
I accept responsibility for any and all errors or admissions in the above answers. If you find an error please let me know at hudsonvalleynorml@gmail.com.
Dr. Green's note: Note that I joined Doctors For Cannabis Regulation and accept their Declaration of Principles and Mission Statement. I have pledged not to exaggerate the benefits of cannabis nor to minimize the risks.
"DFCR’s physician members strive neither to minimize nor to exaggerate scientific literature about the risks and benefits of cannabis use. DFCR promotes evidence-based strategies to prevent recreational marijuana use by minors and misuse by adults. Through education of physicians and the public, DFCR supports the legalization and effective regulation of cannabis in the United States and around the world."
I accept responsibility for any and all errors or admissions in the above answers. If you find an error please let me know at hudsonvalleynorml@gmail.com.