NBA players using "lockout" money wisely???

[SaltyDawg]

I don't have any research in front of me, but I've never heard of marijuana impaired drivers being a major problem or significant cause of traffic fatalities. I do know that talking (talking, not dialing, not texting, just talking) on a cell phone is equivalent to the impairment of someone with a BAC of 0.14. Do you think marijuana impairs drivers worse than cell phones? I don't. Mostly because there is no reduction in inhibition nor an increase in aggressiveness.

You're implying that there is blood in the streets due to an epidemic of pot users hurting people. That simply isn't the case.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Gameface again."

Very well put. I never hear about marijuana impaired drivers causing wrecks. For as many people that are out there smoking weed, you'd think we would hear about it all the time if it was a problem.

NBA players are out there playing basketball high every day (according to Charles Oakley). If they can do that, they can definitely drive.

Pot isn't like alcohol. I understand that alcohol impairs the ability to drive and anyone that has ever had a drink knows this. Pot, on the other hand, does not. And anyone that has ever smoked pot knows this.

I have heard about many NBA players getting busted with pot on the car (smelling like they just smoked). I have not heard about a single one of them getting in an accident that was blamed on the pot.

 

[DutchJazzer]

i heard of old people causing traffic accidents.

so old people should be illegal though

 

[NUMBERICA]

I know there would be some outrage if this ever came to pass, but I think at... I don't know... 60, drivers should have to re-take the written and driving tests to retain their licenses. People should be able to drive as long as they are able, but in my opinion, it is irresponsible fantasy to just assume that a driver's ability doesn't wane with age like literally everything else in life does.

 

[SaltyDawg]

.....alcohol, when drinking in moderation, has nutritional value....and even serves for medicinal purposes. Marijuana on the other hand, has no nutritional value and serves only as a pain killer while causing other unhealhful conditions, regardless whether it's illegal or not!

Tell that to the many states where marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes. It obviously has some nutritional value if they are using it as medicine in several states. Not only that, but it is a natural plant (not poisonous). It has to have some kind of nutritional value.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

I don't have any research in front of me, but I've never heard of marijuana impaired drivers being a major problem or significant cause of traffic fatalities. I do know that talking (talking, not dialing, not texting, just talking) on a cell phone is equivalent to the impairment of someone with a BAC of 0.14. Do you think marijuana impairs drivers worse than cell phones? I don't. Mostly because there is no reduction in inhibition nor an increase in aggressiveness.

You're implying that there is blood in the streets due to an epidemic of pot users hurting people. That simply isn't the case.

This is what I originally said in response to Salty comparing Viagra to pot.

"Because Viagra isn't impairing anyone's senses to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else. Unless you're Remington Steele perhaps. If he took one, he'd be killin' hos."

At no point did I say pot related car accidents are an epidemic. What I did say is that, unlike Viagra, it impairs people. I think even you admit such. So I'm not sure what the confusion's about. People get so personal about pot on one side or another. I'm a big proponent of making pot legal. But I think you too would agree that you wouldn't want pot-impaired drivers on the road.

The number of accidents or fatalities due to pot may be low, maybe even very, very low, especially compared to alcohol related deaths or even cell phone related ones which I agree need to be dealt with, but they're fatalities nonetheless.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

I know there would be some outrage if this ever came to pass, but I think at... I don't know... 60, drivers should have to re-take the written and driving tests to retain their licenses. People should be able to drive as long as they are able, but in my opinion, it is irresponsible fantasy to just assume that a driver's ability doesn't wane with age like literally everything else in life does.

This. And they should have to re-take it every 3-4 years.

 

[SaltyDawg]

This is what I originally said in response to Salty comparing Viagra to pot.

"Because Viagra isn't impairing anyone's senses to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else. Unless you're Remington Steele perhaps. If he took one, he'd be killin' hos."

At no point did I say pot related car accidents are an epidemic. What I did say is that, unlike Viagra, it impairs people. I think even you admit such. So I'm not sure what the confusion's about. People get so personal about pot on one side or another. I'm a big proponent of making pot legal. But I think you too would agree that you wouldn't want pot-impaired drivers on the road.

The number of accidents or fatalities due to pot may be low, maybe even very, very low, especially compared to alcohol related deaths or even cell phone related ones which I agree need to be dealt with, but they're fatalities nonetheless.

You implied that marijuana is "impairing anyone's senses to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else." I think the "to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else" is what is being disputed.

If people getting in wrecks because of marijuana was a problem, then I wouldn't want to share the road with them. If it was not a problem, I wouldn't care (much like sharing the road with someone who takes a tums, or aspirin, doesn't bother me).

If you have some evidence that marijuana makes driving more dangerous, I would love to see it. These guys (found by a quick google, so I don't know how credible or not) say it doesn't make driving anymore dangerous:
https://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5450

Based on how it affected me back when I used to smoke weed, I would say that smoking weed would not make my driving any more dangerous. If anything I would say it makes you more cautious and pay more attention.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I know there would be some outrage if this ever came to pass, but I think at... I don't know... 60, drivers should have to re-take the written and driving tests to retain their licenses. People should be able to drive as long as they are able, but in my opinion, it is irresponsible fantasy to just assume that a driver's ability doesn't wane with age like literally everything else in life does.

This x1000000000000000000. Old people and young teenagers seem to be responsible for 75% of non-alcohol related wrecks.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The other 25% is girls texting on their cell phones.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

You implied that marijuana is "impairing anyone's senses to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else." I think the "to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else" is what is being disputed.

If people getting in wrecks because of marijuana was a problem, then I wouldn't want to share the road with them. If it was not a problem, I wouldn't care (much like sharing the road with someone who takes a tums, or aspirin, doesn't bother me).

If you have some evidence that marijuana makes driving more dangerous, I would love to see it. These guys (found by a quick google, so I don't know how credible or not) say it doesn't make driving anymore dangerous:
https://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5450

Based on how it affected me back when I used to smoke weed, I would say that smoking weed would not make my driving any more dangerous. If anything I would say it makes you more cautious and pay more attention.

https://www.duiblog.com/2009/04/23/does-marijuana-affect-driving-ability/

Studies contradict each other. So there's obviously no definitive evidence. But I've smoked pot and been impaired. Otherwise, why smoke pot? Let's be a little ****ing honest here. And if I am impaired, I personally feel I wouldn't want me on the road. But that's just me.

 

[SaltyDawg]

https://www.duiblog.com/2009/04/23/does-marijuana-affect-driving-ability/

Studies contradict each other. So there's obviously no definitive evidence. But I've smoked pot and been impaired. Otherwise, why smoke pot? Let's be a little ****ing honest here. And if I am impaired, I personally feel I wouldn't want me on the road. But that's just me.

Being "impaired" is way too general. Being "impaired" can mean a lot of things, and not all of them make driving more dangerous.

Aspirin (and many other totally legal drugs) impairs you, but I don't think it makes driving more dangerous. Alcohol (and many other totally legal drugs) also impairs you, but it does make driving dangerous.

I guess what I am trying to say is just because something may impair you, doesn't mean it impairs your driving. Marijuana has been shown to not impair driving in many studies. And as a former pot smoker, I can also say that I don't think it impairs driving.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

It also, as evidenced, has shown to impair driving and your anecdote of driving safer when under the influence is weak at best bro. I drove safer when under the influence of alcohol. That doesn't mean I should have been driving. And impaired in how I'm using it is quite obviously closer to that of alcohol than aspirin. Again, no one's smoking up because it doesn't do anything for them. They're smoking up to get high. People who're high shouldn't be driving imo.

 

[SaltyDawg]

It also, as evidenced, has shown to impair driving and your anecdote of driving safer when under the influence is weak at best bro. I drove safer when under the influence of alcohol. That doesn't mean I should have been driving. And impaired in how I'm using it is quite obviously closer to that of alcohol than aspirin. Again, no one's smoking up because it doesn't do anything for them. They're smoking up to get high. People who're high shouldn't be driving imo.

Well it's not "my" anecdote, lol. As you found out in the link you posted, it is supported by several studies.

If you think you drove safer when you were drunk, then you're crazy. And several studies support this, with none that I am aware of disputing it.

When you say people are getting "high" that can mean a lot of things. Some of those things can hurt your ability to drive, but not all of them. Yes, smoking marijuana makes you "high" and I am not arguing that. But it is not the same "high" as drinking alcohol, not the same high as smoking crack, not the same high as shooting up heroin, not the same high as taking acid, etc. And of course, none of those are the same "high" you get from a cup of coffee, a cigarette, a Viagra, and so on.

Like I said, just because you are technically impaired in some fashion doesn't mean your ability to drive is impaired. Several studies have said marijuana does not hurt the ability to drive. Most people who have smoked the stuff will also say it doesn't hurt the ability to drive (myself included). There is very little (if any) evidence that says it does make driving dangerous (or impairs the senses to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else, as you said). Generalizing words like "impair" or "high" to try to make it seem worse doesn't prove anything. Yes, some people who are "high" will be more dangerous, but not all people who are "high" will be. Marijuana is on the lower end of the "high scale" and it doesn't really hurt the ability to drive, as several studies have determined.

Weed and alcohol are totally different highs bro. I don't know if you have ever smoked weed or not, but it's totally different. Alcohol absolutely does impair the ability to drive, no question about that. I doubt there has ever been a study that found otherwise. But marijuana is totally different. It doesn't affect you the same way alcohol does. You don't lose coordination, balance, etc. All it does is calm you down. It's like a coffee, but the opposite.

 

[carolinajazz]

I know there would be some outrage if this ever came to pass, but I think at... I don't know... 60, drivers should have to re-take the written and driving tests to retain their licenses. People should be able to drive as long as they are able, but in my opinion, it is irresponsible fantasy to just assume that a driver's ability doesn't wane with age like literally everything else in life does.

...when I moved my 86 year old Dad to S.C. a couple of years ago, I told him his driving days were over and I sold his car down in Fla. before we left. He still wanted to have a drivers license so I took him to DMV in S.C. to get it changed over. He couldn't even find the viewer with his forehead to take the eye test! They passed him anyway!!! Crazy country we live in, huh?

 

[SaltyDawg]

...when I moved my 86 year old Dad to S.C. a couple of years ago, I told him his driving days were over and I sold his car down in Fla. before we left. He still wanted to have a drivers license so I took him to DMV in S.C. to get it changed over. He couldn't even find the viewer with his forehead to take the eye test! They passed him anyway!!! Crazy country we live in, huh?

lol, sounds like those guys at the DMV were smoking weed.

 

[carolinajazz]

Yes, smoking marijuana makes you "high" and I am not arguing that.....Marijuana is on the lower end of the "high scale"........It's like a coffee, but the opposite.

...now THERE'S some "classic" lines from the Dawg man! Kinda of like "we went to different schools together!"

 

[SaltyDawg]

...now THERE'S some "classic" lines from the Dawg man! Kinda of like "we went to different schools together!"

I thought that might be a bit confusing, lol.

What I meant is, marijuana has roughly the same impairment as coffee, but in the opposite way. Coffee wires you up, marijuana calms you down. Neither is anything like alcohol, and neither impairs the ability to drive.

Now I should also clarify: I am not saying if you smoke 10 pounds of weed you'll still be able to drive. You'd probably be asleep by that point. If you take too much of anything it will hinder the ability to drive. If you eat a couple of those big *** steaks they give for free to anyone who can finish them, you probably won't be in any condition to drive. But if you only smoke the amount most people usually smoke, you'll be fine to drive.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Well it's not "my" anecdote, lol. As you found out in the link you posted, it is supported by several studies.

If you think you drove safer when you were drunk, then you're crazy. And several studies support this, with none that I am aware of disputing it.

When you say people are getting "high" that can mean a lot of things. Some of those things can hurt your ability to drive, but not all of them. Yes, smoking marijuana makes you "high" and I am not arguing that. But it is not the same "high" as drinking alcohol, not the same high as smoking crack, not the same high as shooting up heroin, not the same high as taking acid, etc. And of course, none of those are the same "high" you get from a cup of coffee, a cigarette, a Viagra, and so on.

Like I said, just because you are technically impaired in some fashion doesn't mean your ability to drive is impaired. Several studies have said marijuana does not hurt the ability to drive. Most people who have smoked the stuff will also say it doesn't hurt the ability to drive (myself included). There is very little (if any) evidence that says it does make driving dangerous (or impairs the senses to the point that it could hurt or kill someone else, as you said). Generalizing words like "impair" or "high" to try to make it seem worse doesn't prove anything. Yes, some people who are "high" will be more dangerous, but not all people who are "high" will be. Marijuana is on the lower end of the "high scale" and it doesn't really hurt the ability to drive, as several studies have determined.

Weed and alcohol are totally different highs bro. I don't know if you have ever smoked weed or not, but it's totally different. Alcohol absolutely does impair the ability to drive, no question about that. I doubt there has ever been a study that found otherwise. But marijuana is totally different. It doesn't affect you the same way alcohol does. You don't lose coordination, balance, etc. All it does is calm you down. It's like a coffee, but the opposite.

When I said drive safer, I meant I purposely drove with more caution.

And I've said many a time in this thread that I have smoked too. Not habitually like you seem to proudly claim. But probably about 20 times in my life. And while many of the times I felt nothing (I probably didn't inhale or something or the **** just sucked), there were others where I did and should not have been driving.

For the record, I get it. Impaired is a general term. But, getting back to my original point, since you chose to do so again, comparing Viagra to pot is just silly. One or certainly can impair your mental faculties, the other does not. And I've taken Viagra once before to see what it was like so I speak from experience.

It was weird by the way.

 

[carolinajazz]

And I've said many a time in this thread that I have smoked too. Not habitually like you seem to proudly claim. But probably about 20 times in my life.

...20 times.....is habitually!!!

 

[bigb]

I know there would be some outrage if this ever came to pass, but I think at... I don't know... 60, drivers should have to re-take the written and driving tests to retain their licenses. People should be able to drive as long as they are able, but in my opinion, it is irresponsible fantasy to just assume that a driver's ability doesn't wane with age like literally everything else in life does.

My grandmother is a perfect example of this. There is no way she should ever, EVER be allowed behind the wheel. We just celebrated her 85th birthday. With that, she had to renew her driver's license. I'm not sure how she passed the eye exam. There is no way in hell she could pass a driving exam. They should have taken away her license 15 years ago. The sad part is, even her kids agree, but yet she keeps her license. The problem is, none of her kids are willing to step in and take it from her because that means they'll be responsible for getting her everywhere she wants/needs to go. She's going to end up killing someone else or her own self, and that's just a tragedy.