November 7, 2008
War On Drugs Department
Jobs For Pot Smokers
The ONDCP blog is touting their latest set of anti-drug ads. Each one depicts a fictional job title---Burrito Taster, Couch Security Guard, TV Remote Control Operator---and concludes with the tag line "Hey, not trying to be your mom, but there aren't many jobs out there for potheads."
The obvious flaw with this argument is the plenty of pot smokers have gone on to really great jobs. One of them, in fact, is going to be President of the United States in a couple of months.
I thought it would be a great idea to come up with a list of people with pretty impressive jobs who have smoked up, but Radley Balko beat me to it:
Barack Obama, president-elect. Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the U.S. John Kerry, U.S. Senator and 2004 Democratic nominee for president. John Edwards, multi-millionaire, former U.S. Senator, and 2004 Democratic nominee for vice president. Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, 2008 Republican nominee for vice president. British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, and and Chancellor Alistair Darling. Josh Howard, NBA all-star. New York Governor David Paterson. Former Vice President, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Oscar winner Al Gore. Former Sen. Bill Bradley, who smoked while playing professional basketball. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and former New York Governor George Pataki. Billionaire and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Read the whole thing.
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After having worked for sixteen years with the same company, I was hit by a co-worker and we both went for U-A's. I failed and was fired. I was not under the influence at the time, could not defend myself and got unemployed benefits denied. That's a shame. I am a very good person and have never done other drugs including Cocaine, crack, crank, meth or any related drugs. I don't smoke cigarettes, drink beer, coffee or even pop. Guess you could say I'm pretty boring. I drink on occasion. I think smoking pot is quite mild compared to a lot of idiots out there who drink and drive and kill people. Have you ever heard of anyone going through withdrawl from smoking pot? Me either. I hope Obama does some modifications to the laws and regulations of marijuana. There are tons of good, hard working people out there sitting at home on their thumbs because of a natural plant. If God didn't want us to have it, he would not have made it available. At least I'm not out stealing and doing worse to get money for harsher drugs.
[Note: I have removed this commenter's name as she informed me it was a top Google result and may have been keeping her from getting another job.]
That's kind of how I feel about it, and I don't even smoke.
I totally agree. God created this plant for a reason. I have never understood how men could have the audacity to outlaw one of God's creations.
I had my job for nearly 10 years. After 8 years the company had changed names 4 times and decided to join the "drug-free work place" program. I got popped on a random screening for marijuana and got the boot. My opinion is this : What I do on my time, at my home, is my business! Random drug testing is a total violation of my right to privacy, the practice should be banned under the rights given in our constitution. Smoking pot is a God given right! There is nothing more natural; pick it, dry it, roll it, smoke it!
The company, by the way, has suffered production losses, a total lack of morale, and a huge increase in accidents and injuries. All of this because a couple of top idiots thought they could save money on insurance premiums!
Now, as I look for another job, I have to explain how I was terminated for failing a random drug screening. This has not helped me find a job to support my family or pay my bills. On top of that I've had to quit smoking (temporarily) so I have a chance of finding a job. The whole situation makes me sick. This country was founded on the ideals of freedom of choice. Now, it seems, our choices are being made for us by a narrow-minded few who are ignorant of the facts about marijuana. I say put the issue on a national ballot and see what percentage of Americans feel the same way I do.