Saturday, 27 Apr On this day ...
Marijuana: The Smoke of Hell vintage movie poster c 1942. Wikimedia // Cannabis Culture
Q1. In an interview last week, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk said he takes "a small amount" of doctor-prescribed ketamine "once every other week or so" to treat a form of depression.
Ketamine is used medically as a general anesthetic and to treat depression. But it can also lead to hallucinations and out of body experiences, and for those reasons it is also used recreationally.
When questioned if his ketamine use was good for his business he said "Tesla is worth as much as all other car companies combined. From an investor standpoint if there is something I'm taking, I should keep taking it."
Does Musk's use of ketamine make you feel better, worse, or no different about his ability to run SpaceX and Tesla than if he didn't use it?
Ketamine is used medically as a general anesthetic and to treat depression. But it can also lead to hallucinations and out of body experiences, and for those reasons it is also used recreationally.
When questioned if his ketamine use was good for his business he said "Tesla is worth as much as all other car companies combined. From an investor standpoint if there is something I'm taking, I should keep taking it."
Does Musk's use of ketamine make you feel better, worse, or no different about his ability to run SpaceX and Tesla than if he didn't use it?
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Better
4%
6%
2%
8%
3%
1%
3%
6%
4%
3%
Worse
22%
18%
26%
11%
20%
31%
24%
16%
22%
27%
No different
64%
68%
60%
75%
67%
55%
68%
69%
62%
59%
Don't know
3%
2%
3%
3%
2%
3%
0%
4%
2%
3%
Don't care
7%
6%
9%
4%
8%
10%
5%
5%
10%
8%
Q2. In 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize possession of "hard" drugs like heroin, meth, and fentanyl, though a handful of other states have legislation pending.
In Oregon, the measure passed via ballot with 59% of the vote. Instead of jail time, those in possession of small amounts would face a $100 fine, which was waived if they sought counseling. The idea was to free up jails and get addicts the help they need.
However, the overdose-death rate in the state increased by 40% in 2021 and kept rising. Violent crime in the state also increased, and there was no uptick in users seeking counseling.
Earlier this year, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek pledged to sign legislation repealing the principal components of the 2020 measure, a repeal supported by 60% of Oregonians.
Do you think any other states will try decriminalizing hard drugs within the next decade?
In Oregon, the measure passed via ballot with 59% of the vote. Instead of jail time, those in possession of small amounts would face a $100 fine, which was waived if they sought counseling. The idea was to free up jails and get addicts the help they need.
However, the overdose-death rate in the state increased by 40% in 2021 and kept rising. Violent crime in the state also increased, and there was no uptick in users seeking counseling.
Earlier this year, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek pledged to sign legislation repealing the principal components of the 2020 measure, a repeal supported by 60% of Oregonians.
Do you think any other states will try decriminalizing hard drugs within the next decade?
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Yes, and I'd like them to
17%
18%
14%
8%
15%
25%
28%
23%
11%
11%
Yes, but I'd not like it
31%
38%
26%
55%
28%
14%
39%
22%
34%
32%
No, but I'd like them to
12%
12%
12%
2%
14%
20%
20%
16%
8%
8%
No, and don't want them to
34%
28%
40%
34%
34%
34%
12%
37%
39%
41%
Don't know
5%
3%
7%
1%
6%
7%
0%
2%
8%
7%
Don't care
0%
0%
1%
0%
2%
0%
0%
0%
1%
Q3. If marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in your area, what impact, if any, have you noticed that it has had?
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Has not been legalized in my area
33%
34%
33%
34%
31%
32%
38%
31%
31%
33%
Noticed a lot of negative impact
12%
9%
15%
25%
8%
2%
6%
8%
17%
12%
A little negative
6%
8%
4%
11%
6%
3%
6%
8%
6%
4%
Both negative and positive
8%
9%
6%
9%
10%
7%
8%
9%
9%
7%
A little positive
6%
5%
7%
1%
8%
9%
3%
11%
4%
6%
A lot of positive
13%
13%
12%
3%
14%
21%
23%
17%
8%
8%
No impact
17%
16%
17%
13%
17%
20%
11%
13%
19%
22%
Don't know
5%
5%
5%
4%
4%
6%
5%
3%
5%
8%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
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