Posted on Nov 5, 2014
SSG(P) Instructor
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More and more states are legalizing...including my home state of Oregon. What impact will it play on the uniformed services? I see more and more troops experimenting and exploring recreational pot use, which will make them pop HOT, most likely getting them into rehab and then out of the military. I see a decrease in the quality of recruits as well as a smaller pool of eligible poolees. I think this will be a detriment to society, but will raise much revenue for the state. I think the military will always struggle to compromise with pot use and will probably eventually be an Article 138 or NJP in your service record...I think we will see many more stoned drivers and there will be an increase of accidents and maybe even fatalities. I also predict that the opiate addiction will be most impacted...those that take drugs for pain will find some natural relief with some the of pot medicines.
I voted against, however my wife voted for. She said it should be decriminalized...I'm not totally convinced but it is entirely different if you get caught with a small bag vs. 50 lbs of pot...2 cases in Oregon in the last month....both cars were headed to WA.
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Capt Richard I P.
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Edited 10 y ago
SSG(P) (Join to see), i recognize your concern. I think CW2 Joseph Evans put it well and succinctly, as usually, in that we already deal with substance abuse problems, we know how to handles this. I think the benefit of its legalization will exceed its detriment, one easy to anticipate impact on the military: more ability to focus on other crimes or at least harder drugs in our support to LE and partner nations in the areas where we fight drugs. All throughout USSOUTHCOM and in other areas in the world the US military advises trains and mentors partners against and in some cases acts directly against Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). Marijuana used to be a major cash source for these TCOs, now with Washington and Colorado there is surely already reduced profit in it, the more we legalize the more it eats into that revenue stream, freeing us and our partners to focus on the really bad stuff: human trafficking, murder for hire and organized theft.
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SSG(P) Instructor
SSG(P) (Join to see)
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It was against my core values to vote YES, but deep in my heart I wanted to. I am a conservative...a moderate conservative...I can't believe we have seen legalization. Brazil legalized everything and now just treats addictions...so it's a medical expense instead of a criminalization expense. I don't have the answers....just seems so surreal.
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Capt Richard I P.
Capt Richard I P.
10 y
SSG(P) (Join to see) I respect your courage in struggling with a challenging issue. A key turning point in my political development was recognizing that when I do not know the right answer, I cannot very well use my voice or vote to direct the coercive power of government and tell other people what to do. Simple answer: if I don't know what's right, I should vote for the government should leave it up to the people.
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SGT Cryptologic Linguist
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I don't want to smoke or use this crap...but if some if the moany goes to education, I'm all for it
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Capt Richard I P.
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Edited 10 y ago
SSG(P) (Join to see) having answered your question directly above, I'm also going to comment to drive traffic to another thread that's tangentially related. I'm much more worried in terms of mission and life protection in the legalization of arming our 'Armed Forces.' Given the constitutional protections of the right to self defense and the training we have received I find it inexcusable that we are prohibited from being armed when in a duty status to protect ourselves and each-other. With the rise in active shooter and 'lone wolf' terrorists, this is a far more concerning issue to me than substance abuse. Check out this thread from SSG(P) (Join to see) and let me know what you think on it.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/concealed-carry-for-cac-holders?page=1&urlhash=317183#317183
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