I'm all for decriminalization, in that I think drugs should be more or less treated like alcohol. The current situation is absurd, and largely the fault of our judiciary rather than the elected...
I'm all for decriminalization, in that I think drugs should be more or less treated like alcohol. The current situation is absurd, and largely the fault of our judiciary rather than the elected government -- this is a step in the right direction IMO.
I mean, Colorado is probably the best case of how to deal with legalization of marijuana, which is what you want, they treat it like alcohol. Which makes more sense than letting people smoke it in...
I mean, Colorado is probably the best case of how to deal with legalization of marijuana, which is what you want, they treat it like alcohol. Which makes more sense than letting people smoke it in public spaces.
And I think New York (home state) is in a similar boat to Colorado, but I can't find anything for this because New York is really lazy when it comes to breaking down their laws, which makes that Colorado site, that I linked above, all the better.
Of course it's a little harder to use "treat it like alcohol" as an argument against public smoking in Germany, given that public alcohol consumption is legal and quite common here. American laws...
Of course it's a little harder to use "treat it like alcohol" as an argument against public smoking in Germany, given that public alcohol consumption is legal and quite common here. American laws around alcohol are much more strict (needlessly so).
The analogy I like is that people can’t come up to me and put their alcohol into my mouth, so they shouldn’t be allowed to put crack/meth/tobacco/weed smoke in my lungs. Smashing bottles on the...
The analogy I like is that people can’t come up to me and put their alcohol into my mouth, so they shouldn’t be allowed to put crack/meth/tobacco/weed smoke in my lungs. Smashing bottles on the street is similarly analogous to junkies leaving needles behind.
I agree, but I do have to wonder whether a Germany without public drinking is even plausible. It seems disingenuous to advocate for the prohibition of one without doing so for the other as well.
Of course it's a little harder to use "treat it like alcohol" as an argument against public smoking in Germany, given that public alcohol consumption is legal and quite common here
I agree, but I do have to wonder whether a Germany without public drinking is even plausible. It seems disingenuous to advocate for the prohibition of one without doing so for the other as well.
I mean, drinking in public is significantly less annoying to others around you than smoking in public. I don't think the prohibitions on public drinking in the US make sense; they're holdovers...
I mean, drinking in public is significantly less annoying to others around you than smoking in public. I don't think the prohibitions on public drinking in the US make sense; they're holdovers from prohibition. Whether I'm drinking a beer or a soda in the park doesn't affect others unless I'm behaving poorly due to drunkenness, and that's something that's already regulated separately.
But I'd want stricter handling of tobacco smoking more than weed -- far more people smoke cigarettes next to the bus stop than weed. Even with the new law, most people smoke weed at home. But it's a lot harder to prevent people from smoking cigarettes in the train station than just making rules, since afaik there are technically rules about that already? But like... before covid Berlin had tons of smoking bars and it was miserable to go out to one with friends as someone with lung issues. Might still have them, I just don't go out as much.
absolutely, what folks do in their private life is none of other people's business. However, when the behaviors they exhibit in public have the potential to be emulated by others prone to social...
this is a step in the right direction IMO
absolutely, what folks do in their private life is none of other people's business. However, when the behaviors they exhibit in public have the potential to be emulated by others prone to social pressure, it becomes a matter of public health.
It's not just that, people are openly smoking crack and meth on buses and subway cars where other people are forced to breath it in. There are needles scattered everywhere in the parks.
potential to be emulated
It's not just that, people are openly smoking crack and meth on buses and subway cars where other people are forced to breath it in. There are needles scattered everywhere in the parks.
No, it's quite a lot worse. The DTES was always not great, but this is far worse, and not contained to one area. Imagine if what you saw down on Hastings a few decades ago was basically everywhere.
No, it's quite a lot worse. The DTES was always not great, but this is far worse, and not contained to one area. Imagine if what you saw down on Hastings a few decades ago was basically everywhere.
Can I add one exception to that? 'Private life' is one thing but I run up against this all the time as a landlord. When people are in a shared dwelling or even if they live close to other houses...
what folks do in their private life is none of other people's business.
Can I add one exception to that? 'Private life' is one thing but I run up against this all the time as a landlord. When people are in a shared dwelling or even if they live close to other houses and are smoking inside or outside, the smell of cannabis smoke is a real issue. Yes, you're 'legally' allowed to possess and use it (Canada), but that doesnt mean its not affecting other people's enjoyment of their own home and that IS illegal here. Its very similar to the music issue - yes, you can play death metal all you want, but once it starts intruding into other people's space because of the volume it's a problem.
I have had more than one smoking tenant cause issues with their neighbors and especially people with kids don't want to be smelling the stink. The biggest one was a blowup that nearly ended in a fist fight and they weren't even in the same house, next door neighbors who were tired of the smell coming into their yard. It's a regular issue as its hard to find renters under 35 who dont smoke cannabis occasionally. I much prefer occasional drinkers to occasional smokers because it doesnt bother anyone else.
This was an issue before legalization anyways though. I had a neighbor in an apartment that would come home, light up, and crank his music. We complained to the landlord and we were the ones who...
This was an issue before legalization anyways though. I had a neighbor in an apartment that would come home, light up, and crank his music. We complained to the landlord and we were the ones who ended up moving. Post legalization people in my sphere seem to be consuming edibles instead of smoking it.
Edit: FWIW last time I checked I still can no longer smell marijuana so maybe its a bigger issue and I'm noseblind.
MDMA is decriminalized in BC. You're allowed to carry as much as 2 grams. Mushrooms are basically ignored by police in Canada. They're widely available online and are sold in brick and mortar...
MDMA is decriminalized in BC. You're allowed to carry as much as 2 grams. Mushrooms are basically ignored by police in Canada. They're widely available online and are sold in brick and mortar stores in several cities. Even selling shrooms in the open in a retail store downtown the police end up giving up after two or three seizures.
I'm all for decriminalization, in that I think drugs should be more or less treated like alcohol. The current situation is absurd, and largely the fault of our judiciary rather than the elected government -- this is a step in the right direction IMO.
I mean, Colorado is probably the best case of how to deal with legalization of marijuana, which is what you want, they treat it like alcohol. Which makes more sense than letting people smoke it in public spaces.
And I think New York (home state) is in a similar boat to Colorado, but I can't find anything for this because New York is really lazy when it comes to breaking down their laws, which makes that Colorado site, that I linked above, all the better.
In Germany we are just starting to have this debate.
Of course it's a little harder to use "treat it like alcohol" as an argument against public smoking in Germany, given that public alcohol consumption is legal and quite common here. American laws around alcohol are much more strict (needlessly so).
The analogy I like is that people can’t come up to me and put their alcohol into my mouth, so they shouldn’t be allowed to put crack/meth/tobacco/weed smoke in my lungs. Smashing bottles on the street is similarly analogous to junkies leaving needles behind.
I agree, but I do have to wonder whether a Germany without public drinking is even plausible. It seems disingenuous to advocate for the prohibition of one without doing so for the other as well.
I mean, drinking in public is significantly less annoying to others around you than smoking in public. I don't think the prohibitions on public drinking in the US make sense; they're holdovers from prohibition. Whether I'm drinking a beer or a soda in the park doesn't affect others unless I'm behaving poorly due to drunkenness, and that's something that's already regulated separately.
But I'd want stricter handling of tobacco smoking more than weed -- far more people smoke cigarettes next to the bus stop than weed. Even with the new law, most people smoke weed at home. But it's a lot harder to prevent people from smoking cigarettes in the train station than just making rules, since afaik there are technically rules about that already? But like... before covid Berlin had tons of smoking bars and it was miserable to go out to one with friends as someone with lung issues. Might still have them, I just don't go out as much.
absolutely, what folks do in their private life is none of other people's business. However, when the behaviors they exhibit in public have the potential to be emulated by others prone to social pressure, it becomes a matter of public health.
It's not just that, people are openly smoking crack and meth on buses and subway cars where other people are forced to breath it in. There are needles scattered everywhere in the parks.
I wasn't aware it was this bad; that's truly unfortunate.
somebody left a used needle in my mailbox a few months ago...
(at least they had the decency to cap it first?)
I haven't been to Vancouver in a couple decades, so I'm curious: is that not how it's always been? Doesn't sound very different from what I remember.
No, it's quite a lot worse. The DTES was always not great, but this is far worse, and not contained to one area. Imagine if what you saw down on Hastings a few decades ago was basically everywhere.
I haven't been in a couple decades either, but damn this isn't what I remember.
Can I add one exception to that? 'Private life' is one thing but I run up against this all the time as a landlord. When people are in a shared dwelling or even if they live close to other houses and are smoking inside or outside, the smell of cannabis smoke is a real issue. Yes, you're 'legally' allowed to possess and use it (Canada), but that doesnt mean its not affecting other people's enjoyment of their own home and that IS illegal here. Its very similar to the music issue - yes, you can play death metal all you want, but once it starts intruding into other people's space because of the volume it's a problem.
I have had more than one smoking tenant cause issues with their neighbors and especially people with kids don't want to be smelling the stink. The biggest one was a blowup that nearly ended in a fist fight and they weren't even in the same house, next door neighbors who were tired of the smell coming into their yard. It's a regular issue as its hard to find renters under 35 who dont smoke cannabis occasionally. I much prefer occasional drinkers to occasional smokers because it doesnt bother anyone else.
This was an issue before legalization anyways though. I had a neighbor in an apartment that would come home, light up, and crank his music. We complained to the landlord and we were the ones who ended up moving. Post legalization people in my sphere seem to be consuming edibles instead of smoking it.
Edit: FWIW last time I checked I still can no longer smell marijuana so maybe its a bigger issue and I'm noseblind.
I'd love it if we could just decriminalize the fun drugs.
Yeah. I don’t see a single person on the streets doing shrooms or LSD or MDMA.
MDMA is decriminalized in BC. You're allowed to carry as much as 2 grams. Mushrooms are basically ignored by police in Canada. They're widely available online and are sold in brick and mortar stores in several cities. Even selling shrooms in the open in a retail store downtown the police end up giving up after two or three seizures.
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/not-much-more-police-can-do-to-stop-magic-mushroom-sales-public-safety-analyst-says-1.6847879