Unintended Consequences - Doper Division

Currently there is much discussion of the number of job openings with few or no applicants. One reason no one seems to address is drug tests. Most employers require drug tests. Their reasons may vary insurance requirements, contracts, and personal preference but it is barrier. Self inflicted on the part of applicants, to be sure, but a barrier none the less.

 The decriminalization of the evil weed, or, in my state (CO) legalization, has caused unintended, or unforeseen, consequences.

 A lesser but real factor is the escalating housing costs in the urban areas where you find most jobs. In the Denver area a small apartment rents for $1,200 a month. $12 an hour times 40 hours times 4.33 weeks less 60% (taxes, federal, state, local) nets around $1,247. Two incomes are needed. Deduct child care and???? At $18 an hour the net is around $1,870. That leaves just over $600 for food, transportation, utilities, and insurance.

 A realistic look at inflation is somewhere in the mid teens at a minimum (real world – not government speak).

 Do I have answers? No, none that stand a chance until the economy completely collapses.

 For a different perspective I ran this by my 46 year old son who works in a factory environment. He is in his fifth year of sobriety and was never a drug user beyond a toke or two in social situations.

 He has no problem working with pot smokers, so long as they don’t get high on the job, and tells me many have as much trouble stopping pot as he did with alcohol.

 As always, YMMV.

 

Social Distancing

“Medical” marijuana dispensary, Garden City, CO. 0830 this morning I was at the next door auto parts store. Already 87° and bright sun out of a clear sky, I counted 14 people standing in line waiting to get in. All were 6’ apart, but horror, not all wearing masks!

There were signs offering curb side delivery.

Note the next door business. Convenient?

There was a newspaper article from Cheyenne about a man arrested for grievous bodily harm. Seems his illegally purchased “weed” turned out to be sagebrush and he was unhappy with his supplier.

He probably lacked gas money to come to Colorado. Pity.

ADDENDUM: Sent to me by a cousin.

Reminds me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Heemeyer

Potheads

Legal pot is a boon for Colorado so say proponents. Not so fast say the detractors. From our local rag.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/opinion/other-voices-study-finds-pot-is-hurting-colorado/

The source can be looked at as being prone to bias. Not saying they are but the source needs to always be considered.

Like any other crop, the quality is in the hands of the producers.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/state-flags-colorado-wellness-centers-for-bad-pot/

Asked a local LEO friend his/her opinion.

“Shitheads will always find something to fuck up”.

Tad cynical or a clear view of human nature?

The po po in neighboring states have their opinion, and that opinion is negative. Drive in their states with Colorado plates and you will get looked at, hard. Bullshit stops, and,

 “Can we check your car for drugs?”

Soon after pot became somewhat legal in Colorado, two of us traveling across Kansas on I-70 were stopped three times. No citations were issued.

 Bless dash cams!

 No getting back three wasted hours which bites when you are self employed.

I'm a Doper

Colorado has legal marijuana. The legal locations seem to be in the 1890’s bordello sections, those small incorporated area next to larger incorporated area, that are much more “flexible” toward businesses frowned on by the local movers and shakers.

My sister recommended a salve offered by the local emporium.

Bought some ($40 for about 4 oz) and used it on my knees. It is helping. Long term may  better than my daily 10,000 mg of MSM and two tablespoons of coconut oil  although I will continue those.

The quacks keep talking about knee replacements. Yeah, when I’m reduced to crawling.

The place is exceptional clean. The armed security and controlled access isn’t something you see elsewhere. Two checks of my photo idea. Cash only, please.

http://naturesherbsandwellness.com/medical-marijuana-greeley-co/

The last time I smoked some herb was around 1970 so I’m not up to date on pricing. The place offers from grams to ounces. Prices on an ounce was $250 to $350. That money would buy a nice quantity of quality sour mash, just saying.

Good thing the place is isolated from the surrounding area. The smell is noticeable. I could visualize long term LEOs sniffing and frowning.

During my short time there, I noticed a mix of customers you might see at Wal-Mart. They did seem to have enough sense to leave the premises before firing up.