Marijuana in Baltimore and Maryland - what's the science and what does legalization mean?

Submitted by scimore_podcast t3_z868f9 in baltimore

Hi Baltimore community!

With the legalization of possession of small amounts in recreational marijuana in Maryland coming next summer, we at the Sci'more Podcast are planning an episode on the science behind marijuana, its effects in recreational and medicinal circumstances, and what legalization really means.

If you have any questions you want answered about marijuana (about a biological effect, what legalization could look like etc) please share them here (or use our Anchor - https://anchor.fm/scimore)! We will look to answer them in this episode.

Thanks!

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

MD_Weedman t1_iya5kmk wrote

If you were a serious podcast, and wanted to explore the subject, why not do some homework and tell us that? What is your role in this?

9

r3rg54 t1_iycwa7x wrote

They are asking you to submit questions you may have so they can answer them.

11

nameisinusetryagain t1_iyah6g8 wrote

Yes, please. I would like to know information equivilant to the science of the metabolism of alcohol.

We know , as a general rule, that alcohol takes 1 and 1/2 per hour per unit to metabolize. One unit being 1 ounce of liquor, 4/5 ounces of wine and 12 ounces of beer. Yes these amounts vary based on the ABV (alcohol by volume). But they are a good starting point.

So..... with this science we know that an average sized person will be impaired (in terms of driving) for 1 and 1/2 hours per drink. And people can figure out how many drinks is too many before they hit the .08 BAC in MD for impaired driving.

Are there any similar benchmarks for people to use using marijuana?

If there are not, how will people know when they are legally impacted in terms of driving? How can people make an informed choice?

I smell weed coming from other peoples cars literally every day driving around 695. How many of those people don't know that their judgement is impaired because they've never been taught when is too much.

3

BlarghMachine t1_iyau9ag wrote

Kind of related but when I went to driving school they showed a video about impaired driving and the girl who had like three bowls showed no issue driving. I think mood and personal tolerance play a major role in the lack of or existence of impairment.

3

scimore_podcast OP t1_iydq6h6 wrote

Thanks for the question! We'll definitely discuss effects on the brain and issues around driving under the influence arising from this.

1

The_Waxies_Dargle t1_iycibbn wrote

Why does current weed stink so much? Weed used to have a fragrance, but it didn't seem offensive. I know the weed now is stronger by an order of magnitude, but when I'm sitting in my car and get a whiff it, and it seems like every other car is auditioning for the starring role in a Seth Rogan/Cheech and Chong cinematic collaboration, it's just a whole different olfactory experience than in the past.

2

S-Kunst t1_iya90fi wrote

Its long over due to call off the war on this drug, but lets be honest most people are not interested in its medicinal uses, but its party uses.

−14

BlarghMachine t1_iyah7sn wrote

I’ve never used really weed to “party” (I don’t really do enough to get silly high even tho I have the capacity to) it’s always felt regulatory. A way of resetting to zero - be it pain or anxiety - and refocusing to aid in functionality for me. Same goes for a lot of med patients. It’s nothing like it in process - but to me it’s like the difference between adderal for an ADHD brain vs a NT brain. Some ppl it’s super strong and altering/fun, and for other people it works w their brain less intensely and helps them feel “normal”. Tolerance also plays a major role.

7

The_Waxies_Dargle t1_iyci7v1 wrote

Oooh, I want some of those misinformed downvotes too!

I'm a Libertarian Nutjob who believes all drugs should be decriminalized. I will use delta gummies to help with sleep. That said...

The whole concept of medical marijuana is bullshit. There may be things it does, conditions it helps, etc. But it's not been studied or approved for anything by any of our regulatory agencies and at least two of my progressive medical / therapy providers refuse to use the term and think it's dangerous.

It just sucks that what is a right: my body, my choice, has to be wink/winked into existence with this sort of designation.

Also, can someone explain why a deep blue area like ours wasn't 100% at the forefront of all this decrim stuff given how destructive drug laws have been to communities that look like ours?

−5