Comments on: Majority Supports Marijuana Legalization Initiative in Washington State

By: hello1

hello1 — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 02:33:31 +0000

Not sure about the second point but you’re absolutely wrong on the first point.

The law would mean the cops have to test for actual THC in your blood, and THC only stays in your blood above the 5ng threshold even in heavy users for a few hours. At the moment in the law there’s no specifying the difference between THC and THC-COOH (which stays in your blood for weeks) So it’s actually a step up.

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/marijuana_test.htm
“But THC is detectable in the blood for a short time, usually a few hours, because it is rapidly metabolized into molecules known as metabolites. At least 80 different metabolites are formed from THC. These metabolites are stored in body fat and are gradually eliminated from the body through feces and urine.”
http://norml.org/legal/drug-testing/item/the-abcs-of-marijuana-and-drug-testing
“In general, THC only remains detectable in the blood of cannabis consumers for a few hours (though low, residual levels may be detected in chronic smokers for up to 12-24+ hours if more sensitive technology is used).” http://www.canorml.org/healthfacts/drugtestguide/BloodTestProfiles.gif

What is stored in your fat isn’t THC, but by-products of it, and that’s what they test for in urine tests, not actual THC. This law means they have to test for actual THC in your blood. Furthermore, they still need evidence you’re under the influence to test you.

By: nik12

nik12 — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:29:55 +0000

Thanks for the post Jon. Any news on Oregon? I see you posted already about Colorado too. Thanks again.

By: darkcycle

darkcycle — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:25:08 +0000

That might be true if it were legal to drive with marijuana in your bloodstream NOW. But right now, if you’re tested and you have ANY THC in your blood AT ALL, you are charged. The question arises, then, will there be additional TESTING for THC and it’s metabolites? Answer is, it’s not likely. Even in DUI checkpoints, they may pull you over and shine a flashlight in your face, but they won’t pull you out and TEST you unless you are stinking of booze, or are slurring your words and unresponsive. The lack of a roadside test for cannabis presents another deterrent to testing too. To test you they will need to transport you, and take a blood draw. This means transportation and manpower, because you must remain in custody for the duration. It’s a false argument. It’s illegal already.

By: BeerNotWar

BeerNotWar — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:08:22 +0000

Please don’t be so short-sighted as to delay the day that we can stop wasting millions of dollars and destroying thousands of lives with this assinine drug war. You’re never going to pass a legalization intiative that doesn’t have provisions for preventing driving high and that has no impact on dispensaries. And it’s not at all clear to me that the DUI issue is even genuine, from what I’ve read.

We need to take the first step to legalization. Once it’s clear that nothing bad happens to a state that does this, support for the drug war will vanish and we can craft laws that are even better.

By: figman

figman — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:43:32 +0000

It’s my understanding that this initiative will cause more problems than solve.
1. THC blood levels will be so low that you could be charged w/ a DUID two weeks after smoking Pot and Police on their suspicion can force a blood test on you

2. Licensing for the Sale of Pot will fall under the Liquor Control Board and Licensing will be like the recent sell off of Liquor Licensing. Those currently selling Medical Marijuana have no priority rights and see a complete lose of their Investments if they can’t secure a new license.

I intend voting No as this Initiative is too short sighted.