With Marijuana legal in 23 states, the number of overdose fatalities was “significant”. So significant that maybe our political “leaders” should take real hard look at just how are legal system treats those that like to, as they say, “indulge” in a toke or two, or maybe a bong hit.. Or three..
The rate of absolutely zero deaths from a marijuana overdose remained steady from last year, according to figures released this month by the Centers for Disease Control. But while Americans aren't dying as a result of marijuana overdoses, the same can't be said for a range of other substances, both legal and illicit.
A total of 17,465 people died from overdosing on illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine last year, while 25,760 people died from overdosing on prescription drugs, including painkillers and tranquilizers like Valium, according to CDC figures. Opioid overdose levels rose so sharply in 2014 -- spiking 14 percent from the previous year -- the CDC described the levels as "epidemic."
"More persons died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2014 than during any previous year on record," the CDC reported earlier this month.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marijuana-deaths-2014_56816417e4b06fa68880a217?cps=gravity_2425_6609451196260840349
I do not personally “indulge” in the use of smoking Marijuana in my life these days, but I firmly believe that the time has come to look at this issue from a different perspective, and I will support any, and all political candidates that wish to do the same via commonsense legislation to legalize this product and keep non violent offenders (a majority of whom are young African American, and the poor), out of the prison system where lives are forever torn apart, and never the same over irrational laws.
Heck, the legal consumption of alcohol kills more Americans every year, and nobody is “up in arms” about that. End the hypocrisy, now.
As Brother Bob Marley once sang: “Stir It Up”. It’s long overdue to stir it up.
Be safe out there.