"Google it" versus human interaction

I have been noticing an on-going trend to forgo discussions with real people and opt for using google as the go to place to answer whatever question your heart desires.  Back a few years, prior to google, individuals that possessed knowledge were valued.  The holding and retention of information created discussions among individuals.  These discussions eventually turned into friendships, friendships turned into relationships where none existed and so went the world.  It certainly can be argued that the advent of the internet and its social media appeal gives rise to more opportunities to discuss matters and seek out and create more relationships easier and faster.   It is the quality of the relationship that sounds the tornado warning.   Now enter Google, literally at our finger tips, to ask and answer questions at break neck speeds. Why bother having a discussion with anyone except you and your device?  How intimate.



So why is it so important that we have real conversations with real people?  Human nature is the answer.  I can explain the concept of high tech high touch but it may be moot given we live in a world where device interaction is more important than human interaction.

I believe speaking directly to people and knowing how to "read" them will be a skill that will be taught in the future.  So maybe its time to raise up your head, take a look around and speak.  The world will be a better place.

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal

Over the last few decade it has been interesting to watch our federal government continue to classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug. If it wasn't such a serious offense it would be laughable. Actually it is laughable and STUPID! The DEA defines Schedule 1 as substances, or chemicals as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote (https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml)

There is little doubt today that marijuana has a host of medicinal affects for a host of ailments in different parts of the body including the mind.  Even in backward states, like Georgia, the state has legalized medical marijuana oil use for certain medical conditions after parents of afflicted children embarrassed the legislators by leaving the state, splitting families creating undue economic and emotional  hardships, to states where it was legal in order to treat their children.   But the federal government through militarized agencies, like the DEA, spy, plot, survey, interrogate, arrest, imprison and other tactics against its own citizens who choose to use marijuana continue to classify in the same class as Heroin.

From NORML  (http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/recent-research-on-medical-marijuana)

Humans have cultivated and consumed the flowering tops of the female cannabis plant, colloquially known as marijuana, since virtually the beginning of recorded history. Cannabis-based textiles dating to 7,000 B.C.E have been recovered in northern China, and the plant's use as a medicinal and mood altering agent date back nearly as far. In 2008, archeologists in Central Asia discovered over two-pounds of cannabis in the 2,700-year-old grave of an ancient shaman. After scientists conducted extensive testing on the material's potency, they affirmed, "[T]he most probable conclusion ... is that [ancient] culture[s] cultivated cannabis for pharmaceutical, psychoactive, and divinatory purposes."

Let me get back to the point of this post which is why marijuana should be legal.  I will keep it simple. I understand there are religious and social objections against legalization and I will not get into them in this writing.  Attempting to change one's opinion that is tied to deep religious or social belief systems is an impossible undertaking, a fool's errand.

1. Stop putting children in jail - This is number one and my number one reason for legalization.  Nothing good comes from jailing kids for marijuana use and selling.  It is less expense to keep kids in school instead of youth detention camps and it is certainly better for society if we keep kids in school instead of prison.

The notion that marijuana is a gateway drug is as ridiculous as saying breast milk is a gateway drug.  Every pot smoker, in all probability, was nursed on breast milk.  Does this make breast milk a gateway drug?

2. Have an alternative to alcohol - Everyone understands, unless their heads are in the sand, alcohol is a very dangerous drug negatively affecting every aspect of life from individuals, families to society at large.  It kills, it creates violence, it affects brains, rips families apart, creates economic hardship and creates huge expense to our healthcare system.  But if you watch the commercials you would think beer is the new "mana" from heaven where all who drink are surrounded by beautiful people all having a great time with no worries in the world.  They never show the aftermath.  Morning news shows on major networks have their co-hosts regularly point out the virtues of wine with many times wine in hand.  There is a certain mind set out there that wine is safe. Crazy if you think about it. The point is society needs a better and safer alternative.  Those who argue alcohol and marijuana are the same or similar are just IDIOTS.  Thank God state legislators, now 26 states, noticed the tax revenue collection potential.  This was enough incentive to make the other issues manageable.

3. Medical Benefits - Marijuana medical studies are being conducted all over the world with many proven benefits being used every day on people of all ages, including children.

4.  Tax Boom - In 2015 Colorado collected more from pot sales than alcohol ...collected almost $70 million in marijuana taxes during that time, nearly double the $42 million collected from alcohol taxes. (http://time.com/4037604/colorado-marijuana-tax-revenue/).  Even small towns are benefitting as seen in this 2016 story - From small towns that barely dot the map to the state’s largest urban areas, revenue from retail marijuana sales is helping communities address homelessness, send children to college, patch potholes, secure water rights and fund an array of projects.

Aurora is using $1.5 million of its revenue from pot sales and fees to address its homeless issue. Money also is going to road improvements and a new recreation center.

Adams County has earmarked more than $500,000 for scholarships for low-income students. Wheat Ridge keeps its revenue in the city’s general fund, and it’s used in a variety of areas. The same goes for Northglenn, where five marijuana stores generated $730,000 in 2015. The money will go toward water purchases and capital improvements to infrastructure and city facilities. (http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/05/27/colorado-marijuana-sales-tax/55118/)

5. Redirect law enforcement budgets - Too much is spent by law enforcement to combat, detain, arrest, imprison and  parole offenders for breaking one of many marijuana laws. From the Huffington Post we find: Marijuana prohibition now costs state and federal government as much as $20 billion a year, an economist told The Huffington Post — and legalization efforts are only just beginning to chip away at that.

That number comes from Jeffrey Miron, a senior lecturer at Harvard University who in 2010 studied the likely impacts of drug legalization, finding that about $8.7 billion would be saved on law enforcement and another $8.7 billion would be generated from taxes on marijuana. Accounting for inflation, that would add up to about $20 billion now, he said. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/20/marijuana-prohibition-costs_n_3123397.html)

It is interesting to note you will be able to smoke medical marijuana in Florida (law passed in 11/2016 election) by if you cross into Georgia you could face several years in prison.  How is this fair?  Terror tops the list when to comes to protecting citizens.  Why are we chasing pot smokers versus re directing resources to fight terror.  What about inner city crime?  Cities, like Chicago, have already had over 500 murders at the time of this writing.  Redirect to fight and solve violent crimes.  Many communities have overstretched police resources.  Having them freed up from chasing kids smoking pot, or anyone for that matter, allows them to focus on severe threats.

This sums it up for me.  Thank you