[Spliffdaddy]

I don't feel real good about what I did today.

Yesterday I got a call from the department of defense police 6th security forces squadron. They asked me to come down to the local air force base and see if I could help them with a problem. So I took a trip out there and was met by some hardcore dudes that escorted me onto the base. I wondered what sort of problem they'd need my help with. I mean, this is me we're talking about. Apparently they needed some sort of surveillance equipment, since that's what I'm doing for the winter.

They took me to an area that consisted of small homes and apartments. A pleasant looking place, really. We walked toward a small screened pavilion that had picnic tables and a few grills and whatnot. Just a place to hang out and have fun.

"We've been having some problems here", they said. "Some folks are coming in here to do drugs...and we need to find out who it is."

Drugs? I thought. Wow, you mean some members of our military are snorting cocaine or shooting heroin - or worse, that evil crystal meth stuff?

"We've found evidence over near the back corner inside the pavilion. Small piles of tobacco where somebody has been cleaning out cigars..." Before he could finish I said "they're rolling blunts, huh?"
"Yessir, smoking marijuana, we believe", He confirmed.

I kinda grinned and did a Snoop Dogg gangsta thing with my hands. So these hardcore military folks are gonna stop at nothing to bust a pot smoker. Holy cow. That's just wrong. I've smoked more pot than anybody else. And I've even been caught a few times - but, damn. I have a lot of respect for anybody in the military. It's a tough job. The least the government could do is let 'em smoke a little weed every now and again. They deserve it!

"We need to find out who's doing this, and when we do we plan to keep them around long enough to pay for the cost of the evidence collection and their prosecution." the hardcore dudes informed me, "after that, they're outta here".

OMG. That's just wrong with a capital W. The guy's smoking a blunt. So freakin what? I would be more pissed if I thought the government was going to spend my tax money on a video surveillance system in order to apprehend a pot smoker. But no. They're gonna make the pot smoker reimburse the government for the cost of it. They're gonna make a soldier pay for it - AND then ruin his career.

So, today I went over there and installed a couple of hidden cameras and couple of video transmitters - and rigged up one of the nearby 'apartments' with a digital video recorder, some video receivers, and a monitor. They're sure they will catch the pot smoker(s) this weekend - since it always happens on weekends.

I feel really bad for whoever they catch. because whoever it is - they're a better person than myself. A soldier who is risking his life to protect my own life. A soldier that probably doesn't make much money - and may even have a wife and kids. A ruined career, disgrace to his country, and a bill for $2,388.

Sometimes I don't like like what I do. This is my last week of doing it, though. There were plenty of worthwhile things I accomplished - and one or two things that I'm ashamed of. This is one of them.

So tell me I did the right thing. Justify my actions. I won't be sleeping well tonight.

[Kevin]

I really don't know what to say. He isn't dealing? Just smoking it?

Uh..

[subego]

Why didn't you turn down the job?

[Dr Reducto]

If you don't like it, don't join the military. Whoever it is knows it's a very serious thing in the military, and to not smoke up if they are in it.

[sek929]

They would not be looked down apon if they got staggering drunk, of course.

Is the problem simply mis-information about what the drug is capable of? Or something else?

[Spliffdaddy]

Originally Posted by subego

Why didn't you turn down the job?

Good question.

The business I'm running has a new owner. Sales have been down for the last few weeks. While I could have 'hidden' this job from him - and declined it, that would have been a form of theft in my estimation. It isn't my call to make.

I was under pressure to make money, mostly. Otherwise I could have simply told the military dudes we were too busy. Of course, then they would have ended up spending ten times as much money with another company - caught the potsmoker anyways - and stuck him with a bill for twenty grand. At least that's what I tell myself. Who knows, really.

Does anybody know if the soldier will go to jail? The military police dudes are acting like it's a big deal. I'm just stunned. Wonder what would happen if a soldier commited a real crime? I'd hate to think.

[Doofy]

Last thing needs to happen in the field is the grunts forgetting which target to hit.
Last thing needs to happen in a firefight is the grunts forgetting how to take their safeties off.

And don't tell me that weed don't screw with your memory.

[Spliffdaddy]

But they're allowed to drink alcohol.

It doesn't make sense.

[Doofy]

Booze doesn't affect long-term memory function in the same way that weed does.

Plus, there's another point to be noticed. Weed ain't legal, booze is. Regardless of personal feelings in the matter, them's the rules (which soldiers and police, of all people, should adhere to).

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Doofy

Booze doesn't affect long-term memory function in the same way that weed does.

That's pure B.S.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by sek929

That's pure B.S.

The difference in mental faculty between the people I know who were into weed and those who were into just booze is blindingly obvious to me.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Ahhhhh yes, the two people you know mean you can make authoritarian statements about the issue.

On a purely unrelated note, I agree with you though.

greg

[vmarks]

Spliffdaddy, TNproud2b,

You've got conflicts.
You've got loyalty to your employer and chose not to harm his business by turning down a job.
You've got loyalty to a soldier for the job he does, and want to avoid harming him, especially after the MPs (I'm presuming) are telling you what they intend to do that will harm him.

You are having trouble reconciling the two, which is why you're posting here and not sleeping so well right now.

The truth of the matter is that the soldier has made his choice, and despite what you think of the severity of the choice (minimal in your mind) it was his to make.

From what little I know, it will probably result in a misconduct discharge. http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:...&client=safari

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

Ahhhhh yes, the two people you know mean you can make authoritarian statements about the issue.

20 years in an industry famed for its excessive consumption, hunny bun.

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

On a purely unrelated note, I agree with you though.

The sky is falling!! The sky is falling!!1!1!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Doofy

Booze doesn't affect long-term memory function in the same way that weed does.

Either does pot. Pot effects short term memory.

Plus, there's another point to be noticed. Weed ain't legal, booze is. Regardless of personal feelings in the matter, them's the rules (which soldiers and police, of all people, should adhere to).

I am not advocate of smoking pot. I would never advocate anyone to take a habit.

But there is NO, and I mean NO logical reason Alchohol is "legal" and pot "isn't"

One can easily kill you and others, the other just makes you stupid for a few hours.

And some people it doesn't even do that.

Those laws are BS,

There are other scarier drugs out there right now.

Many states have even turned it into a Misdemeanor now where you just get fined.

[Spliffdaddy]

Thanks for the link, vmarks. Since it's happening on an Air Force base, I'm assuming the pot-smoker is in the Air Force. Which is both good and bad, compared to what happens to pot smokers in other branches of the military. Bad, in that it's a serious offense....and good in that there seems to be at least some recourse for personnel who haven't been in trouble before.

Still, being dishonorably discharged and losing all benefits is a high price to pay for smoking a blunt (OK, smoking a blunt every weekend in this case). In the civilian world, you would expect to be arrested just long enough to be processed for fingerprints and mugshots, and face a $250 fine, at worst.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that their investigation yields a punk-ass 16 year old kid that's living on base with his parent(s) - and not a soldier with a family and a ten year investment in military service.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Either does pot. Pot effects short term memory.

Wasn't what I meant... My bad for poor grammar, let me rephrase:

"Booze doesn't, in the long term, affect memory function in the same way that weed does."

Originally Posted by Kevin

I am not advocate of smoking pot. I would never advocate anyone to take a habit.

But there is NO, and I mean NO logical reason Alchohol is "legal" and pot "isn't"

There's one - they can't do roadside DUI tests for pot yet.

Originally Posted by Kevin

Many states have even turned it into a Misdemeanor now where you just get fined.

Did you see this story posted by moodymonster in this thread the other day?

Criminals who commit assault, burgle commercial premises or have small quantities of Class A drugs could be cautioned rather than dealt with in court under new Home Office guidelines.

Class A = smack, coke, rock, PCP.
Caution = slap on back of wrist, no fine, no time.

Don't ask me, I don't make the rules!

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Since it's happening on an Air Force base, I'm assuming the pot-smoker is in the Air Force.

In the civilian world, you would expect to be arrested just long enough to be processed for fingerprints and mugshots, and face a $250 fine, at worst.

Dude, civilians don't fly B2s on exercise (air crew), nor check that those planes are fully functional and that the nuke ain't gonna accidentally fall out of the bomb bay (ground crew).

Give it up, you have no case.

[Spliffdaddy]

I know I have no case.

But it's still unfair. We're asking people to risk their lives - and in some situations, to almost certainly die - for a cause they may not even understand or believe is worthwhile. We pay them very little - we keep them away from their families for up to a year at a time - they can't quit until their enlistment period (years!) is complete - and they're supposed to have no lapse in judgement and make no mistakes. The penalties for seemingly minor infractions are severe, and can include prison time for what's considered a misdemeanor in civilian life.

It's complete and total BS.

How can you *not* have respect for somebody that's willing to meet that challenge?

How can you *not* excuse somebody for making a mistake under those conditions?

Call me a wuss, but there's no way I'd survive in the military.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

How can you *not* have respect for somebody that's willing to meet that challenge?

Oh, I respect the guys who do this kind of job - they're awesome - but look at it this way:

If your house is on fire do you want a stone cold sober fireman to attend your rescue or one who's had a couple of hits on the bong an hour previously?

There's the argument that you wouldn't want a drunk fireman to rescue you either - but the drunk fireman can report in to the station (assuming he's had an emergency call-in rather than been on scheduled standby) and excuse himself from duty. What's he gonna do if he's taken the bong hits? He can't excuse himself from duty by saying he's done that because he'd incriminate himself - so he'd have to roll in and perhaps as a result could screw up your rescue.

[ThinkInsane]

It doesn't necessarily mean that it's an airman, just because it's on an Air Force base. Lots of civilian employees working there, lots of spouses and kids. Could be someone smoking while they are supposed to be working (either civvie or service). And it's the SP's job to not allow drug use on the base.

Whether pot should or shouldn't be legal (should be, in my opinion, but again, irrelevant to the conversation) doesn't change the fact that CID is going to go by what the law says, not what we wish it said.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Doofy

Wasn't what I meant... My bad for poor grammar, let me rephrase:

"Booze doesn't, in the long term, affect memory function in the same way that weed does."

Ok, if that is what you meant I agree.

However, booze kills brain cells, while THC inhibits the way they interact with eachother after heavy use.

IMO, killing the cells outright is worse. Plus, I've seen about a million more destructive and retarted acts perpetrated by drunk people over the stoners.

I'm not advoating it. I understand that it is a form of addiction, I just find it silly (like Kevin said) that one drug can be legal and another which is on the same level is not.

[Kevin]

I don't even consider pot on the same level as alcohol. Pot Is less harmful to you.

[andi*pandi]

tough choice. you did the right thing with your boss by doing the job... but what about warning them. Nah, probably be traced back to you.

[isao bered]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

I know I have no case.

But it's still unfair. We're asking people to risk their lives - and in some situations, to almost certainly die - for a cause they may not even understand or believe is worthwhile. We pay them very little - we keep them away from their families for up to a year at a time - they can't quit until their enlistment period (years!) is complete - and they're supposed to have no lapse in judgement and make no mistakes. The penalties for seemingly minor infractions are severe, and can include prison time for what's considered a misdemeanor in civilian life.

It's complete and total BS.

How can you *not* have respect for somebody that's willing to meet that challenge?

How can you *not* excuse somebody for making a mistake under those conditions?

Call me a wuss, but there's no way I'd survive in the military.

hmmmmm... you can have lapses in judgement and make mistakes - just not of that particular sort. and it's not like those terms are unknown to those who have entered into the contract.

for some not using prohibited substances may be a challenge (or become one); however, for the majority it doesn't seem to be too great of a challenge. but if you think it's bad because of the marijuana policy, you probably would like the policy on some "nutritional supplements" even less.

and for those that think the military looks the other way regarding alcohol, that is not always the case. alcohol is a legal substance and abuse of it is treated differently, but you can be discharged for alcohol-related incidents and continued alcohol abuse as well.

be well.

laeth

[iLikebeer]

Originally Posted by Doofy

Oh, I respect the guys who do this kind of job - they're awesome - but look at it this way:

If your house is on fire do you want a stone cold sober fireman to attend your rescue or one who's had a couple of hits on the bong an hour previously?

There's the argument that you wouldn't want a drunk fireman to rescue you either - but the drunk fireman can report in to the station (assuming he's had an emergency call-in rather than been on scheduled standby) and excuse himself from duty. What's he gonna do if he's taken the bong hits? He can't excuse himself from duty by saying he's done that because he'd incriminate himself - so he'd have to roll in and perhaps as a result could screw up your rescue.

Same problem with any jobs that could be life critical. If he repairs avionics or works in a machine shop, if someone is drunk there is alcohol in their blood. Depending how much someone smokes, it could be there in blood tests for only a few days or always. Maybe he hasn't smoked in 2 weeks, but if he screws up on the job he still tests postive for pot.

I've seen people at places of work get a blood test after an accident and test positive for alcohol and pot. They were idiots and might not have even smoked recently, but that goes against them too even if they are innocent. You don't want drunk or stoned people working on F16s or anything like that. You can test a worker if you suspect he's drunk and fire them or send them home. You won't get a definitive answer if you suspect a worker is stoned, just knowledge that they have smoked sometime in the last few weeks. That innaccuracy in testing is why it's illegal and why many companies require a drug test. They don't want the liability of having workers that will always test positive after an accident and they don't have an accurate way to know whether you smoke on your time or both your AND their time.

[The Godfather]

Originally Posted by sek929

Plus, I've seen about a million more destructive and retarted acts perpetrated by drunk people over the stoners.

I'd like to make a stop to this specific kind of argument for good:

You see a million more destructive and retarded acts by drunks, because there are a billion more drunks than there are stoners. It is no indication that pot makes people less idiotic than alcohol.

[Spliffdaddy]

Sure there is.

When was the last time somebody got angry and shot their brother while stoned?

or punched a cop

or fell off a barstool

[ghporter]

First and foremost, use of controlled substances by military members is prohibited; they're told this from the get-go. It's like "if you use any illegal drugs while in the military, we'll do everything we can to find you and prosecute you vigorously." And that means some pretty hard time in some pretty nasty places, too. A military member is told from the very begining that they are special, and held to a much higher standard than normal civilians, and thus are also subject to more stringent punishment if they violate those standards.

Smoking pot is something that used to get a GI nonjudicial punishment, a fine and maybe extra duty. Today, you can spend a LONG time in a very harsh prison for even one toke. If a person can't handle waiting until he's out of the service to get high, he's obviously not suited for service. And he's obviously too stupid to figure out that people know what he's doing too.

Either way, they DO get caught and sent to prison. And reduction to E-1 and forfeiture of all pay and allowances (even if they're supporting a family-though there are ways for the Government to help that family out). AND a Bad Conduct Discharge (which makes them ineligible for jobs much higher than sweeping floors, at least for several years).

Being in the military (and as ThinkInsane points out, there are people from all SEVEN uniformed services on air bases nowadays) means being committed to doing "the right thing" 24/7, even if you're tempted to get high, blow off work, do less than you might, or otherwise let everyone else down. And the people that do let others down make far more work for them. FAR more, because not only do they have to spend the time dealing with legal issues, they also have to get the job done, and they start out without enough people to do that.

Spliff, I have NO sympathy for anyone who uses ANY controlled substance while in the military. I knew people who had when I was a young Airman, and I had to deal with the consequences of an Airman under me who did when I was a Master Sergeant. The former was kind of goofy (the system wasn't particularly quick in booting the two guys I knew as an Airman), while the latter was tragic and profoundly difficult in more ways than I can explain. It's a choice that most people make correctly; leave that stuff alone.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by The Godfather

I'd like to make a stop to this specific kind of argument for good:

You see a million more destructive and retarded acts by drunks, because there are a billion more drunks than there are stoners. It is no indication that pot makes people less idiotic than alcohol.

Actually, you would be surprised at the amount of pot users in this country. Both habitually and recreationally. In both cases stoners rarely break the law outside of possesing pot. When did you last hear about a stoned driving accident? Or a stabbing taking place outside of a hemp bar? Know any pothead that went to jail for a crime that wasn't possesion?

Most current smokersI know (personal experience, of course) are hard-working good little drones with nice cars, good jobs, and fancy de-grees. They have chosen weed over alchohol (I have plenty of successful booze-hound friends as well).

It's one intoxicant over the other, I have no plans on smoking when I have a family, nor would I plan on getting wasted at a bar every Saturday night (which I do, now).

I am surprised you don't already have the "mellow forgetful stoner" image in your head, what would his destructive act be? Eating a cake with his hands?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by The Godfather

I'd like to make a stop to this specific kind of argument for good:

You see a million more destructive and retarded acts by drunks, because there are a billion more drunks than there are stoners. It is no indication that pot makes people less idiotic than alcohol.

No, that alone doesn't.

Anyone that makes these statements above, tells me they have NO CLUE what pot does to you.

It's a very weak "buzz" compared to alcohol.

[Tuoder]

Originally Posted by Kevin

No, that alone doesn't.

Anyone that makes these statements above, tells me they have NO CLUE what pot does to you.

It's a very weak "buzz" compared to alcohol.

Different weed and different people make far different expiriences. I have been seriously blown before. I have been very drunk, too. Heck, I've been both. For me, it is way easier to get very screwed up on weed.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Tuoder

Different weed and different people make far different expiriences. I have been seriously blown before. I have been very drunk, too. Heck, I've been both. For me, it is way easier to get very screwed up on weed.

Getting wasted on weed is FASTER but unlike booze at some point the THC will have no more receptors to bind to in your brain, you physically can't get anymore intoxicated by the drug. I have experienced this many times. It'll be late and I would have already smoked a blunt, the next blunt I smoke does nothing, absolutely nothing. The brain can only assimilate so much THC in a single sitting, any extra is simply a waste of pot.

We all know this is not the case for alchohol, which will keep intoxicating you until you die.

There IS a lethal dosage for weed. I'm not certain, but I've heard it is as high as smoking a pound of weed in one day, which even a heavy smoker would find impossible.

[Tuoder]

Originally Posted by sek929

Getting wasted on weed is FASTER but unlike booze at some point the THC will have no more receptors to bind to in your brain, you physically can't get anymore intoxicated by the drug. I have experienced this many times. It'll be late and I would have already smoked a blunt, the next blunt I smoke does nothing, absolutely nothing. The brain can only assimilate so much THC in a single sitting, any extra is simply a waste of pot.

We all know this is not the case for alchohol, which will keep intoxicating you until you die.

There IS a lethal dosage for weed. I'm not certain, but I've heard it is as high as smoking a pound of weed in one day, which even a heavy smoker would find impossible.

Personally I have never been drunker than I have been high, and I have been drunk enough to pass out and puke everywhere. My point it that you are saying these things like they are universally true, and what we are talking about is terribly subjective and differs from person to person.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Tuoder

Different weed and different people make far different expiriences. I have been seriously blown before. I have been very drunk, too. Heck, I've been both. For me, it is way easier to get very screwed up on weed.

It's EASIER to get high than drunk.

But alchohol is MUCH more powerful than weed.

This is a proven fact not up to debate.

You can drink yourself dead.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Kevin

It's EASIER to get high than drunk.

But alchohol is MUCH more powerful than weed.

This is a proven fact not up to debate.

You can drink yourself dead.

Tuoder, yeah, what kevin said.

It is widely accepted that Alchohol is a far more dangerous substance than THC. THC hits you much faster, but as I said before, does not accumulate in the same fashion as booze.

Much of the damaging effects of pot are largely due to the Cannabanoids, and not the THC. (edit, I understand THC IS a cannabanoid, but many of the addictive effects are in large due to the other families of cannabanoids)

There are several ways to inhale or ingest THC that leave little to no ill effects in the body. Smoking it is by far the most "unclean" way to get high on pot.

[Tuoder]

Originally Posted by Kevin

It's EASIER to get high than drunk.

But alchohol is MUCH more powerful than weed.

This is a proven fact not up to debate.

You can drink yourself dead.

Very, very few things are not up for debate. Alcohol's effect of killing a person when too much is had is a reflection on the toxicity of alcohol, not the psycoactivity. Marijuana is far less toxic than alcohol, that does not make it "weaker". I am merely stating that different drugs affect different people differently. I am also stating that this is how it works for me and acknowledging that how high or drunk that one considers themself is highly subjective. I only said that I have felt more affected not only more quickly, but more intensly with marijuana than alcohol.

[Spliffdaddy]

I'd agree with that.

Marijuana, when used rarely, can significantly distort your perception of time and cause paranoia - to some extent.

Here's some good examples...

The first few times I was stoned, I would be driving along in my car and when I'd come to a stop sign I was afraid to come to a complete stop because I thought my car would fall backwards. Also, it always seemed that I was passing the same houses over and over again - as if I was driving in circles for hours on end and couldn't make myself stop doing it. What should have been a five minute drive would often feel like it took half the day.

When I was 17 I worked at a steakhouse as a busboy. During one busy Sunday afternoon I was taking the trash out to the dumpster with a few other coworkers. One of them fired up a joint of some absolutely kick-ass weed. So I hit the joint a few times and went back inside. My boss asked me to clean the wall behind the soup pots near the salad bar. Something I'd never done before. It was busy and there were people all around me as I knelt behind the soup pot thingy and began scrubbing the wall. All of a sudden I felt totally stupid because people were watching me and I was scrubbing a wall. I was almost in a state of panic because I had no idea why I was scrubbing a wall. It's the same feeling you'd get if you were to drop your pants in a steakhouse and start jerking off - accidentally.

After that day, I was hooked on pot. I loved that stuff. While alcohol only seemed to affect your coordination - pot affected the brain itself. I was still coordinated and I didn't get a hangover. Even the most trivial tasks would become awesome, life changing experiences. I could focus completely on whatever I was doing.

I miss those days. *snif*

[Dark Helmet]

What do you expect with conservative America?

[Spliffdaddy]

I don't know what I expect with conservative America.

All I know is the liberals are almost always the ones smoking pot - and trying to legislate its legality.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

All I know is the liberals are almost always the ones smoking pot - and trying to legislate its legality.

And god bless em for it.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

I'd agree with that.

Marijuana, when used rarely, can significantly distort your perception of time and cause paranoia - to some extent.

Yep, exactly.

Pot, in a way, almost discourages the casual "drug users" because of it's ability to play off your own emotions. It makes you anxious, then you become more anxious because of your anxiousness, and so on and so forth.

Like Spliff said, I am able to use it to "focus" on mundane tasks like cleaning my room, or doing the dishes. Things I have problems doing when I am sober, due to distractions. It also serves as my coffee for the evening. After work I am beat, dead tired, wouldn't think of washing a dish if my very life depended on it. After smoking (usually a very small amount, 1/4 of a bowl ) I feel refreshed and more relaxed. If I were to have a beer after work I'd probably end up passing out on the couch.

I don't encourage smoking before work (unless your job is mindlessly easy)
I don't encourage smoking to feel "good"
I don't think it makes you "creative"

My point here is: Pot has many adverse effects, but not enough as to be classified outside the realm of Caffeine, Nicotene, and Alchohol. (IMO Nicotene is far worse than any of these)

Consenting adults who enjoy it should be treated no differently than the guy at the bar, or the chick smoking a cig. Those who "freak out" on it rarely use it again, while those who can control and enjoy their high prefer it to Alchohol for hangover and physical impairment reasons.

[Dark Helmet]

I've done Pot a zillion times and I can honestly say in my opinion i have far less negative effects over alcohol.

Booze just sorta turns you into an idiot and you think you are hotter when everyone else doesn't agree.

[Spliffdaddy]

Update on the surveillance cameras...

Seems the people walking into the pavilion after dark were noticing the faint red glow of the infra-red LED illuminators on the hidden cameras. Reviewing the recorded video showed a lot of pointing fingers and waving. Some even danced for the cameras.

Oops. Looks like I made a poor decision when I chose the cameras. I should have used cameras with less noticeable IR's (like 'invisible' 930 nanometer wavelength), instead I was concerned with getting good lighting - and used cameras with 35 'semi-visible' IR LEDs. To the cameras, it looked like a sunny Spring day inside the dark pavilion. Too bad the red glow caught the eye of the people inside.

It's all good, tho. They intend to leave the cameras in place for another week - then move them to their new cyber cafe. There's your tax dollars at work! or something.

Hopefully, the pot-smoker(s) learned something from all this. After all, it was a lot of effort to try to catch them. I know I'd get the hint if it were me. Maybe the best thing possible happened. The pot-smoker(s) will stop smoking pot *and* keep their military career from being ruined.

But, I still failed at my job. Not intentionally - so I don't have to feel too much like a dumbass.

[Tuoder]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I've done Pot a zillion times and I can honestly say in my opinion i have far less negative effects over alcohol.

Booze just sorta turns you into an idiot and you think you are hotter when everyone else doesn't agree.

For me it is a trade off. I really dislike hard liquor, so I have to drink a good deal of beer to get me drunk. I don't even like beer. I would not drink beer if it did not get me drunk. Now pot, I don't usually have to have much and I don't need to wait. It also doesn't make me sick, like alot of hard liquor would. But, marijuana possesion is always a crime, and while I consider it unlikely that I would ever get busted, that would really screw things up for me in the future.

Why can't I just smoke in peace?

[Dark Helmet]

Pot smoking is a fine line for me, if I do too much I get really barfy and I have to sleep it off. If I do the right amount though I am good.

[Spliffdaddy]

Getting busted for simple possession won't affect your life. It's a misdemeanor just like a speeding ticket. I've never seen a job application ask if you've been convicted of a misdemeanor.

I'm sure there are a handful of jobs that require a totally drug-free background, but those would be obvious.

Hell, it's not as bad as being convicted of DUI.

[Kevin]

Thing is, if you are caught with pot around here it's just a $100 ticket.

Get caught with a bowl? $750

That is just nuts.

[Spliffdaddy]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Thing is, if you are caught with pot around here it's just a $100 ticket.

Get caught with a bowl? $750

That is just nuts.

That's true in most states. Doesn't make any sense, but laws aren't required to make sense.

Drug paraphernalia carries a stiffer penalty than the drugs themselves...provided you aren't in possession of a lot of drugs.

[Tuoder]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Getting busted for simple possession won't affect your life. It's a misdemeanor just like a speeding ticket. I've never seen a job application ask if you've been convicted of a misdemeanor.

I'm sure there are a handful of jobs that require a totally drug-free background, but those would be obvious.

Hell, it's not as bad as being convicted of DUI.

I guess I should say that I was under the impression that it would screw things up. I am aware that things vary from state to state, and to tell the truth I am not too sure what the rules are. I have seen applications that asked if the applicant had ever committed a crime, but it was for a sort of small place. I think they meant anything but tickets, but you get the idea. I don't smoke enough to really have to worry about drug tests. I just passed one as a matter of fact. But I don't think that I will have to be too worried about a totally drug-free background. I don't plan on working for the DEA or anything.