The supporters (i.e. pot smokers) will say:

“Marijuana…

What, pffft – That’s no big deal, dude?”

[via CNN] (CNN) — Medical marijuana advocates are hoping state governments can succeed where their efforts have failed by asking federal authorities to reclassify pot as a drug with medical use.

Shortly before Christmas, Colorado became the fourth state to ask the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic in the same league as heavyweight painkillers including oxycodone. The governors of Washington and Rhode Island filed a formal petition with the agency in November, and Vermont signed onto that request shortly afterward.

All four are among the sixteen states and the District of Columbia that have laws on the books that allow the medical use of marijuana, even though the drug remains illegal under federal law. Meanwhile, federal authorities have asserted their power by raiding dispensaries in states including California and Washington.

Supporters say the public is on their side, and the state requests show the feds are increasingly isolated on the issue. But they acknowledge it’s still an uphill battle.

“I don’t think that we’re going to see to much change in Washington’s position on this until public opinion and state-level support reaches a little bit higher a tipping point,” said Morgan Fox, a spokesman for the D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project. The DEA said it would “reply accordingly,” but noted that similar petitions had been rejected before. DEA spokeswoman Barbara Carreno told CNN that the agency gives “great respect” to state governments, but their requests would get “the same attention as a petition from a medical group or anything else.”

Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug by the DEA, meaning it’s dangerous and has no medical use. Medical marijuana advocates, including the states that have petitioned the agency, say it should be listed under Schedule II, comparing it to other prescription painkillers that have a high potential for abuse. [Read More]

A drug which has a high potential for abuse?

“Wha?!” You say, “That’s crazy talk!”

Well…

It is unless you have a real life job like mine, in law enforcement?

And know better.

But hey, don’t take MY word for it.

Take Sciences.

[via Scientific American] Smoking pot and driving isn’t safe

Who knew, getting behind the wheel while high could be trouble? According to a study (A 20 year study at that!) published in October in the journal Epidemiologic Reviews, marijuana use increases the risk of car crashes. People who took to the road within three hours of smoking pot, as well as those who tested positive for the drug, were more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in a car crash. And that risk increased for those who smoked more frequently and those showing a higher level of the drug in their urine. [Read More - More 'D-Ohs!' In Scientific Research]

I mean honestly…

I cannot think of anything MORE awesome, than not only having to deal with 10-55 drivers (driving drunk) on the road, causing accidents?

Than having to deal with pot smoking drivers AS WELL AS drunk drivers on the road as well…

Toss in the hazards of texting while driving, with the driving while under the influence of your particular poison and dude?

Good times ahead…

Let me tell ya!

*shakes head sadly*