Street-Legal Weed: Another Social Experiment?

Not to judge too harshly, but the news stories showing the lines at recreational pot shops in Colorado lately might say volumes about whether this great experiment will work.  I’m sorry, but I didn’t see too many executive types in those long lines, nor did I see what I might describe as geeks (meaning those techies who create new and exciting things for us).

     Instead, I saw what I would have stereotypically expected to see: old hippie types, tatted up and ratty haired stoners, and a general bunch of those on the lower end of the socio-economic scale.  Of course, there are executives, et al, who smoke the devil weed but I really doubt they would be interviewed on national TV to say they couldn’t wait to get home, lay on the couch, and light up.

     While I clearly am generalizing, I don’t think I am too far off the mark to say that this experiment may show its downside way before we can see some socially redeeming value.  No doubt there was lots of pot out there before legalization, and ironically it probably cost less than what the new shops are charging now.

I have seen many teen stoners online praising the legalization, and also saying they want to move to Colorado as if their whole life now revolves around smoking and getting high.  Wow!  And do they know that the legal age is 21 and that it cannot be smoked in public?  Getting together with a few buds (and “buds”) at the playground to take a toke or two would still be illegal.  And the fines would likely be higher than before.

     But who knows, maybe it will make our country a little mellower.  Maybe we will generate more intellectuals, more creative geniuses finding the cures for cancer, or more literary giants.  Or maybe, just maybe, we will have more unemployed, more traffic accidents, more neglected kids, and less incentive to make a better life.  Just as long as they have weed to take away the sharp edges of life, who cares about college, career advancement, and role modeling.  I think this experiment is going to stink up the lab.

Let's Dig Deeper Into Poverty

The current buzz in Washington is about income inequality.  It is clear that the gap has widened between the top 10% to the bottom 10%.  The hot issue about to be addressed in Congress is the extension of unemployment benefits.  As of this writing it is not clear how that will go.

But maybe we should dig deeper into the reasons for poverty and attack some of those reasons before we just handout more taxpayer money.  It may feel good to help others this way, but in some cases --not all -- we are enhancing this cycle of dependency.  Or at least decreasing the sense of urgency to get a job and be self-sufficient.

There many reasons people may be below the poverty level.  Here are just a few ideas to consider working on at a more basic level.  The "teach a man to fish" philosophy is in play here.

1.  Continue to fund Head Start.  This program has shown its worth in preparing very young children for social interaction and learning, and helps to ensure success in school.

2.  Institute a nationwide "gatekeeper" system where each government aid applicant provides his or her background regarding education, health issues, children (which may include going after child support), and other issues of daily living.  Once this information is known, targeted aid, called "wrap-around" can be tailored to the individual or family.  Just throwing money at people and expecting them to make all the right choices is folly.

3.  Consider a work program, or at least a standardized work training program for those who are able.  Preparing people to work will increase their success at getting and holding jobs.

4.   Provide adequate childcare for those willing to work, but only after assessing if there are appropriate family members who could provide care.  Offer parenting classes where indicated with other incentives if needed.  Parental involvement is crucial in any children's plan.

5.  When indicated, provide an incentive to staying off illegal and harmful drugs, through treatment, increased personal funding, or a deferred prosecution if the person has violated the law.  These incentives can help whole families by giving them choices to make.

This plan would not be any less expensive than the current welfare/food stamp/housing programs, but the infrastructure is already in place in nearly every county in the country.  Funds would be needed to add or expand those "best-practice" programs using existing social agencies.  The results could be fantastic.