Quote Originally Posted by stinkyattic
Simple.
The stereotype continues to exist because of a perceived social stigma against smoking weed that prevents the more successful/professional/ambitious stoners among us from being open about our cannabis use.
If those of us who did not fit the 'stupid smoker' stereotype could make a point of being more candid about our own smoking, thus bringing marijuana use by professionals into the mainstream consciousness, that stereotype would be disproved and fade into the past.
I agree.

If all the professionals who smoke pot, all the doctors, lawyers, professors, politicians, corporate executives, and celebrities all came out of the closet at once, it would pretty much be instantly legalized. But, most of them do not want to put their careers on the line for something they consider a recreational past time, plus, many of them don't care that poor and lower middle class pot smokers are the ones more likely to get busted for weed.

Think about it. If you live in a tiny house, with the fence between you and your neighbor's house four feet away from your window, they probably can smell it when you smoke. Hopefully they don't rat on you.

If you live in a tiny studio apartment, it is a possibility that cops knocking on your door because of a loud party may see a bong sitting on your coffee table in plain view, which gives them probable cause to search your house.



Now imagine yourself living in a big two story house. Cops knocking on your front door are just going to see a staircase.

Now imagine that same house in the woods on 50 acres, with a half mile long driveway. No one is going to smell shit.

Now imagine your live in a gated community where cops need to get permission just to drive around it.

Think about buying it when you are poor. You buy in small amounts, frequently. You may have to drive awhile to get it. Or, it may be all around you. But, transporting weed is always sketchy. You will probably make transactions in a public area at some point.

Now, imagine your are filthy rich. You can pay people to deliver pounds of the best stuff to you. You never have to leave your house.

Imagine you got busted for weed. I just did. One lawyer never returned my calls. One passed the buck to another who did the same. The fourth lawyer finally talked to me. I had to pay a $2500 retainer fee. Fortunately my wife and I are good savers. But, if we were rich, I would've told my lawyer to find me the best criminal defense drug lawyer in the state of Maine, and the legal fees wouldn't even bother me.

The War on Drugs is a war on the poor and middle class.

We have to pattern ourselves after the gay rights movement.

I think in 10 or 15 years, weed will be generally decriminalized, and there will be areas of true legalization, like with gay marriage. I think those in the media are doing good to make people realize that pot is not a big deal. Family Guy is a total pothead show. Homer Simpson smoked weed. Montel Williams came out of the green closet. Mike Gravel and Barack Obama have admitted to drug use.

And thank God for California!