Tons of people smoke weed...I think it should be legal. With that said, I don't think people should smoke and drive, just like someone shouldn't drink and drive.

As for having kids and voting, I think that people should have to pass I.Q./personality tests before they are allowed to drive or spawn.

Yup, they walk amongst us!

And he'll probably sue the PD for damages.

The human brain isn't fully developed till ages 21-25. That being the case....if your brain hasn't fully developed you shouldn't be able to vote, drive, or drink in my opinion. But wth it's just my opinion.

I would agree with Aunt Audrey, if we didn't allow and expect 18 - 25 year olds to be the ones that are sent to war, and to be the ones who sacrifice their lives for this country. That gives them the right to vote, in my mind.

In theory I agree with junebug, in practice eugenics is a slippery slope to be avoided at all costs.

Who exactly is it that decides what the correct iq and personality is to be allowed to drive or spawn?

Jcake I don't think they should be in the military that young either.

I'm of the opinion that there are a lot of 18 year olds who are thoughtful and hard working and able to vote intelligently and be good parents. The problem is you only hear about the less thoughtful and less accomplished young people. This discussion is interesting but I'm surprised at how many think that even 21 year olds are too young for a lot of adult things. Remember that not that long ago. You were a senior citizen at 35 and probably dead by 45. People married and began to procreate at a much earlier age.

I agree with fran. The stereotypical image of young adults being immature and irresponsible is just that. In my opinion, there are just as great a percentage of 25+ people that don't meet the implied minimum standards as there are in the young adult age range.

When I volunteered at the local high school, I met many students that were intelligent, responsible, hard working, kind and thoughtful people. Getting to know them really helped with the perspective about the younger generations.

Too many thoughts to comment on, here's a few

- With California's medical marijuana law, a $40 "doctor's exam" results in a card that allows you to buy or grow your own and makes you immune from arrest for possession within the permitted guidelines. The use is widespread among all age groups and that's nothing new. Like it or not, alcohol is more dangerous and produces more driving deaths and problems at the workplace and among families.

- Can't give IQ tests for drivers licenses - clearly unconstitutional, and that would probably take half the drivers off the road (Ha!). Public transit in most places could never handle the increased load.

- The military depends on nabbing recent post-high school youngsters to fill the ranks. They know their targets for recruits are those disproportionately from small towns and lower economic circumstances, who don't have a college interest or ability and for many that are wandering aimlessly in their lives it gives them a reasonable thing to do. Serving in the military in and of itself shouldn't enhance anyone's rights. These days, it's also a very small percentage of the population that ever gets into a uniform. But it is a Win-Win for the services and for the young people who do join, many grow up and find direction for their lives while serving their country. Though, not all do.

- For too many young people, having relationships and having children (at too young an age) is about all they can accomplish when they're biologically able. This is also not new.

"Who exactly is it that decides what the correct iq and personality is to be allowed to drive or spawn?"

Me! Me! Me! I volunteer!!! I'd be very happy to decide who may have pets, too.

They probably didn't say "joint" because it's slang. I would guess not everyone thinks of pot when they hear joint. Could be a roast. Or a bar. Or a knee replacement. :-)

But lit! In their underwear!

don't mind the medical, but for sure like any drug you should have to have a script...I can so clearly remember "Joe Friday" (dragnet, 1950's) commenting on this new (maybe not so well known) drug could cause as many accidents as drunk drivers...

Grow ops for medicinal marijuana is legal here. You can grow your own for your own use.

Our hugely popular hospital lottery had to take one of the luxury homes off prize list, because right next door was a grow-op. The stench was horrible and all the neighbours complain, and it's also in a school district. There are numerous roof vents where the smell comes from. The hospital offered the house value in prize money which was very noble indeed. What will happen to the prize house, I have no idea.

The US military (and ISIS) depend on recruiting those incomplete young brains.

This isn't conjecture. The human brain is still forming it's cognitive development until at least 20.

*I* don't think a KID should be making far-reaching commitments before 20 -- including religion, marriage, parenthood, and the military. It's sad to have to 'choose a career' at 18.

The brain *isn't* mature until maybe 25 years of age.

That's why recruiters just have to bang the drum & wave the flag, & those young chests swell with pride & those kids sign on the dotted line.

For the ones who don't get carried away with drums & flags, there are always hot cars (army recruiters in a small town near me used to drive Trans Ams with Army logos) & the promise that the young person will become an *important* person with a job that will earn him/her a great deal of money (& a hot car)& a great deal of respect.

The saddest, I think, are the promises of a college education to the kids who graduated from high school without being able to read & write.

It happened a lot in that little town.

"The brain *isn't* mature until maybe 25 years of age."

For some, it never happens.

The whole patriotism thing used in recruiting and with regards to military service is phony, as if the 99%+ of the population who never enter the military aren't patriotic and can't serve their country in other ways.

I know plenty of people in their 40s, 50s, 60s and more whose brains aren't fully functional. This naturally got off topic quite quickly and many seemed to miss the point. The issue isn't pot, (or a kettle or marijuana or...) it's that it was a pretty stupid thing to do to try to hide it as s/he did. And it's something that makes you shake your head and laugh so you don't cry.

AFAIC once a kid hits 18 they should be allowed to finish high school if they haven't and then they go into the military for 2-3 years and start learning some often-needed discipline and unlearning the spoiling so many have had beaten into their heads for so many years. Learn if they haven't that there are repercussions for your actions. Learn that you are NOT the only person in the universe and there's more in your life than your cellphone. And more.

I firmly believe if you come out of school unable to read or write, and assuming you have "normal" learning capabilities, you're not prepared to face the world. And most can't and most shouldn't be living with their parent(s) all their lives.

There's a lot of great, intelligent kids out there. They should be given the chance to fend for themselves in this world and face the world with the tools they need. And the ones who think shooting someone for their shoes is appropriate have some learning to do too. You can't teach common sense, but you can destroy a lot of it from what I"ve seen of many parents over the years.

Ironic and interesting that i was just reading implications about how great teachers were and how disrespected they are and now reading (more accurately, IMO) how too many kids come out of school unable to read and write. Perhaps if kids had some discipline they would be able to do their jobs better, as some need to do, again, IMO.