Dia Spriggs wrote in a message to Alex Vasauskas:
> For example, Car & Driver magazine has done studies of both
> the
 DS>  
 DS> Why in heavens name would Car & Driver do a study of substances
 DS> that are illegal in most places and only then under strict medical
 DS> supervision for some conditions?  That's absurd..don't they have
 DS> anythign better to do?  Like people should really know that when
 DS> they go out and do MJ and drive what the effect will be?   As in
 DS> arrest for a controlled substance?
It is irresponsible to perform an activity that is potentially
hazardous to others while a person does not have his/her full
faculties, whether due to intoxication, fatigue, or disease.
However, the reason many people have problems with certain
substances, particularly ones that are illegal, is that they
don't know all of what to expect from the drug or how they should
pay special attention to modify their behavior while they are being
influenced by the drug.  Their wrong choices, especially with
illegal substances, are often due to a lack of reliable information
regarding drug effects and the lack of an open example and discussion
by others of socially approved behavior while under the influence.
It is important for people to have reliable information regarding
the effects of any substance they might take, whether it is legal
or not, so that, if they are inclined to use something, they can
prepare to act responsibly when they do it, such as having a
designated driver.  It is important for them to know more than
whether or not a substance is legal because those with more mature
cognitive development who are inclined to use a substance and who
behave in their private lives according to moral right and wrong
will distinguish the illegality brought about by prohibition as
being politics that is unrelated to right and wrong.
According to government figures, tens of millions of people use
marijuana.  According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, ten million
alone have been arrested for possessing it since 1965, and the
current rate of arrest for marijuana possession is one every 49
seconds.  Also, legal, medicinal use of marijuana is increasing.
There are alot of people who can use reliable information about
it.  _Car & Driver_ should be respected for having had the temerity
to have developed some of that information so that people could
have some information on which to act responsibly rather
potentially causing harm out of ignorance.
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