Odessa
You don't have to be crazy in the this world,but sometimes it helps
Apr/27
2012
2012
Smoking Pot While Driving? Really?
On the way to work I was going down a road with two lanes in each direction. I was mostly side by side a little red sports car, specifically a Chevy Cobalt Coupe. At a light, I glance over and noticed she had one of those off-center ponytails that I think look goofy. Then I see her lean down and bring her fingers to her lips. I say "No way" to my self. While going down the road I see her do the same thing at two more lights, the last one punctuated with a little shake like she burned herself. Then at the next one I see her bring a pipe to her lips. I guess the roach she was sucking on was getting to small.
After her exhale, she looks around and notices my stare. Yes, by this point I am staring in disbelief. After brief eye contact I roll my eyes and shake my head while looking away. Then she pulls out her cell phone. Perhaps she needed to call her dealer to hook her up with some more cheeba. I mean, it is only 8 am and if she needs a doobie that early its gonna be a long day.
Am I some prude? Hardly. There is a reason I recognized what she was doing. I don't anymore because it made me feel stupid (and she was looking less than bright in my book). Even though I have no problem with people using a bit of weed recreationally, I look at smoking weed and driving the same way I look at drinking and driving: It ain't cool. I really didn't want to get her jammed up with a possession on top of a DWI, so I didn't call the cops with her plate when I got to work (and luckily I didn't hear about any accidents this morning).
To the chickie-poo with the doofy ponytail thinking she is so cool getting high first thing in the morning - You're not cool. Actually you are pretty pathetic. Also, you are surrounded by glass and I (and every other commuter around you) can see you. Next time I might not feel so charitable.
10 comments
Comment from: u235 [Member] 
Wow yes, you ARE far more charitable. I would have called 911 and given them her description, location and plate number.
Driving under the influence of anything is right off my radar. I don't tolerate the threat to me or my fellow motorists or pedestrians in the least.
Driving under the influence of anything is right off my radar. I don't tolerate the threat to me or my fellow motorists or pedestrians in the least.
04/28/12 @ 09:58
Comment from: Ryan [Visitor]
She's probably a chronic user. You should understand that a high for a daily smoker is one you can function normally on. Myself, I don't drive when I'm high because it makes me stressed. I'm high now. But I know that after about a half hour I'm good to drive in the afterglow.
04/28/12 @ 14:36
Comment from: Ryan [Visitor]
It's hard to describe because each person handles highs differently. But I can say that if she was smoking a pipe while driving she's either the stupidest thing with a driver's license or she's able to fully function without distraction.
04/28/12 @ 14:39
Comment from: jim [Visitor]
I'm more worried about seniors than potheads. Although I suppose neither are dangerous considering they're both only going 5 mph.
05/11/12 @ 19:55
Comment from: jeremy [Visitor]
Uhh, did you ever think that there could be a reason other than her trying to be cool? I don't think people risk getting caught smoking pot just so they could look cool doing it. Maybe she was doing it that early because it helps her stay awake, or be more alert, or it could help pains that she has. Or maybe she was just having a bad morning or something and had to relax a little so she wasn't driving all stressed out. So what does time have to do with anything? and it's not like drinking and driving because pot doesn't control you like that, it's different for everyone! So it could actually make her a better driver, which would be a good thing. Of course you didn't think of any of this because you were too busy rolling your eyes and shaking your head. And the fact that you had all that to say about her smoking while driving, but not her talking on the fucking cell phone while driving, really pisses me off. But no, obviously her calling her dealer for more "cheeba" is much more of a worry than her actually using a phone while driving. Probably because you do the same, so I hope if someone ever sees you driving and using your cell phone, that they not feel so "charitable".
08/31/12 @ 00:51
Comment from: odessa [Member]
Jeremy,
FYI, I don't yak on the cell phone when driving and if you bothered to read any other posts you'd see that at least couple of folks here aren't too charitable about that either. Harping on that here would have been redundant. My issue was not with her getting stoned, it was getting stoned while driving. I used to enjoy a good toke now and again myself until I realized it made me stupid. I need my brain to work so I stopped. Toking up or couple shots of vodka, both dull the reflexes. I've done both so don't bull shit me that pot is OK. Doing either and driving is foolish. And yes, that goes for idiots that can't hang-up their cell phone, too.
I just hope if Jeremy thinks smoking some holy weed and going for a drive makes him a better driver that he lives far, far away from me.
FYI, I don't yak on the cell phone when driving and if you bothered to read any other posts you'd see that at least couple of folks here aren't too charitable about that either. Harping on that here would have been redundant. My issue was not with her getting stoned, it was getting stoned while driving. I used to enjoy a good toke now and again myself until I realized it made me stupid. I need my brain to work so I stopped. Toking up or couple shots of vodka, both dull the reflexes. I've done both so don't bull shit me that pot is OK. Doing either and driving is foolish. And yes, that goes for idiots that can't hang-up their cell phone, too.
I just hope if Jeremy thinks smoking some holy weed and going for a drive makes him a better driver that he lives far, far away from me.
08/31/12 @ 17:14
Comment from: jeremy [Visitor]
Just because pot makes you stupid and you a bad driver doesn't mean that it makes everyone that. pot affects everyone differently.
08/31/12 @ 22:02
Comment from: odessa [Member]
Keep telling yourself that. Just because one is used to the feeling of being stoned doesn't mean that it effects that person differently. Just because I can down a half dozen shots of vodka and walk a straight line doesn't mean I'll get behind the wheel.
And btw, I'm a very good driver. Just ask my insurance company.
And btw, I'm a very good driver. Just ask my insurance company.
08/31/12 @ 22:46
Comment from: Jen [Visitor]
If you've done your research, not a single death can be connected to smoking marijuana. Not even a "sober" bistander.
For most marijuana partakers, limitations are recognized, understood, and followed. If someone is unable to adhere to traffic laws while under the influence, the last thig they want to do I drive when high. Others, as Jeremy mentioned, smoke for more serious reasons and are not affected in away that inhibits their ability to respond to their surroundings appropriately. Pain is a major factor, as is depression.
It's unfortunate to me that a group of people related by something so harmless could be judged so harshly by so many people.
For most marijuana partakers, limitations are recognized, understood, and followed. If someone is unable to adhere to traffic laws while under the influence, the last thig they want to do I drive when high. Others, as Jeremy mentioned, smoke for more serious reasons and are not affected in away that inhibits their ability to respond to their surroundings appropriately. Pain is a major factor, as is depression.
It's unfortunate to me that a group of people related by something so harmless could be judged so harshly by so many people.
10/15/12 @ 16:29
Comment from: odessa [Member]
Jen, do YOU have stats to support that claim? Legitimate stats and not from some half-baked pro-pot website, please.
There are ways of dealing with pain. I know about pain. I have had chronic pain since I was a teenager. Pain is no excuse for taking anything that alters one's reflexes or perceptions just before or, as in this case, while driving.
Besides, if the young woman, perhaps even a teenager, had a legitimate medical reason for partaking, it is unlikely that she would be toking up in her car in the morning. Regardless, it is illegal in this jurisdiction to possess or use pot for any reason. Personally, I don't have a problem with people getting high, just people getting high while sharing the road. Besides, she seemed a bit more concerned with and distracted by her joint than with getting to her destination. A distraction is a distraction and they all adversely affect driving.
Don't forget that I did NOT call the cops. However, I am sure she would have been pulled over if a cop had seen her toking up while driving, so smoking that shit while driving is plain stupid. Perhaps the pot impaired her judgement.
There are ways of dealing with pain. I know about pain. I have had chronic pain since I was a teenager. Pain is no excuse for taking anything that alters one's reflexes or perceptions just before or, as in this case, while driving.
Besides, if the young woman, perhaps even a teenager, had a legitimate medical reason for partaking, it is unlikely that she would be toking up in her car in the morning. Regardless, it is illegal in this jurisdiction to possess or use pot for any reason. Personally, I don't have a problem with people getting high, just people getting high while sharing the road. Besides, she seemed a bit more concerned with and distracted by her joint than with getting to her destination. A distraction is a distraction and they all adversely affect driving.
Don't forget that I did NOT call the cops. However, I am sure she would have been pulled over if a cop had seen her toking up while driving, so smoking that shit while driving is plain stupid. Perhaps the pot impaired her judgement.
10/15/12 @ 22:05
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