What are your thoughts on marijuana?

[Mothling]

For those who only got what they know about pot from the government and D.A.R.E., I recommend you go here[/u][/url] for some facts on the subject.

I found on that website a scientific test that claimed that pot was infact one of, and if not the, safest drugs a person could take, and this is including the blessed legal alcohol and cigarettes.

On an ending note, I just have to mention how baffled I am that people are all for cigarettes and alcohol, yet against pot, when the facts (not the propaganda) all point to pot being less damaging to your system. Not mentioning that fact that alcohol, for example, can turn people into violent hysterical maniacs, whereas pot makes people giggly and relaxed. I have a feeling this all boils down to the basic fact that the majority of people (not all of you) are simply reacting based on what they're told to think by authority, and not by their own conclusions.

Go go gadget logic!

[Rebecca]

I'm with the pro-legalization group. Coming into college and seeing that people can be productive and enjoy pot on a casual basis greatly clashed with my previously ingrained schemas that pot is the "gateway drug" as pushed on 8-year-olds. I've tried it a couple times, wasn't really my thing, but I definitely have a respect for it.

First of all, do not believe propaganda. It's propaganda.

Propaganda is the dissemination of information aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense, often presents information primarily in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.

Second, marijuana criminalization is prohibition, just like the alcohol prohibition of the 1920's, despite no logical reason for it's illicit nature. All (reputable) studies indicate that it is not habit-forming, and does not decrease your brain function as a result of long term use.

Reasons to end prohibition: Whenever prohibition is in effect, groups come in to fill the economic demand. These groups are commonly called gangs, due to their social fringe nature. These gangs become funded through the demand on the black market for such illicit drugs. The present example of this is Mexican gangs who sell marijuana here in the states and bring the money back to Mexico. The Mexican government is actually at risk now of losing their power, the gangs make 5 times the amount the government receives in aid from the US, and is able to corrupt the police and pose a physical threat to the populace, demanding taxation of their own.
Buying pot doesn't fund terrorists, it funds Mexican gang-lords. But you see, the demand doesn't go away simply because it's prohibited. The only way to combat this is to allow a legitimate supply to enter the economic system. US growers selling to US buyers, crippling the foreign drug lords.

In addition, the war on drugs allocates millions of dollars to investigate, arrest, try, and jail people for marijuana dealing and using. In the grand scheme of things, this does not combat the war on drugs, it only puts arrest records on those involved and wastes tax payer money.

One more point, there is no regulation of pot when in an illicit nature. No one may legally buy it and thus everyone may illegally buy it. Then there's the quality issue: because it's not regulated the happenstance of "lacing" or glass shards is higher than if it was regulated.

Reasons for legalization: Regulation and Taxation, just like alcohol and tobacco. Tobacco is regulated by age, only 18-year-olds may buy it. Alcohol is also regulated by age, you must be 21 to buy it, but it's also regulated by where you can buy it, where you can drink it (in your home or private business with a permit), and also limits of influence while operating machinery (0.08% alcohol level or less if of legal age). Marijuana would be easily regulated by using the model in place for alcohol, thus protecting society from whatever dangers occur from use while not regulated (see above). In addition, a tax could be applied to help our struggling economy.

[One could make an argument here that with marijana legalized and thus decriminalized, the money that would be allocated to the war on marijuana would be allocated to harder drugs. However, I'm NOT making this point specifically because I believe the conception of the war on drugs is erroneous. Rather than arresting addicts and small timers while drug lords make loads of cash on hard drugs, I say decriminalize hard drugs and treat the drug problem as a social health problem in the manner most of Europe does. Their system actually works, and their rates of use is miles lower than here in the US.]

Only wins for legalization when compared to the reality of prohibition.

[wenxina]

Karmas Rebecca for actually presenting a well-argued POV.

[Rebecca]

thanks

[sarahcullen90]

Marijuana isn't itself really addictive. It's the THC in it. And my mom's husband is a pill junkie. He doesn't smoke pot, he's addicted to prescription drugs.
I think pot is ok, and my second cousin will only smoke pot, and not take his pain medication, because there are less side effects for him and make him feel less pain. (His kidneys haven't worked in 11 years)
I've tried it. I tried it when I was molested by my uncle. It was a good escape.
Am I addicted? No.

[CourtneyDax]

I used to be an all out supporter of the legalization on marijuana, but now I consider myself woefully ignorant of the reasons why it should stay illegal so now I support it with an open mind.

[Hellbound Hyperion]

I've never been a huge fan of smoking or drinking, but I know that limiting these activities is in no way a moral incentive to get people to stop doing them. I'm for legalization, totally.

[elenasaur]

I've never tried it. Probably one of fifteen people in my grade who haven't...

I don't really have an issue with it. Alcohol's a bit worse, though I can't make an experience-based comparison. I'm all for it being legalized. But I kind of doubt it will happen. It's sort of a political-career ruiner. And during times like these, I feel like marijuana legalization is not exactly at the forefront of the President's mind. If they were to tax it though, they would make a lot of money, and save a lot from the war on drugs. Maybe they should try a new stimulus plan for the economy.

[Talkie Toaster]

I've tried it, i know people that use it and all i can say is some of those people i know are horrible drunks and actively seek out a fight... but those same people on pot are the funniest and happiest people you would know

[Midnight Butterfly]

Never tried it and don't have much of an opinion on it.
I don't think it's as popular as other illegal drugs in the UK, I may be wrong.
I have never taken drugs but a few of my friends do. They kinda know how to control their habbit at the minute and it doesn't make them different people. I just hope their habbit doesn't spin out of control

[AngelFaith]

I'm jumping in on a dead thread here, but I was scrolling through older threads and this one caught my eye. You usually don't see drugs discussed on forums.

While there's no such thing as a "safe" drug, I do think marijuana is one of the "safer" drugs out there, as long as you don't over-do it. I don't approve of people smoking way too much and then going out in public and making a fool of themselves (similar to people who get way too plastered in public).

However, for recreational and private use I think it's fine. My boyfriend and I occasionally enjoy a joint after a hard day at work and my friends and I sometimes have a session together. We end up looking like the guys from That 70s Show, but we stay at home and just enjoy it amongst ourselves.

[Miss. Rogueh]

I have been smoking weed for 10 years now. I started it my freshman year of highschool. It made me feel smarter. There is alot of information in my head that I just can't process or call up at will unless I have smoked. I can gather and focus my thoughts and have complex conversations on topics like Quantom Mechanics, or Light (Partical or Beam?), Evolution, The Extintion of the Dinosaurs or any other creature, Black Holes... The list goes on and on. As time went on I developed cronic pain in most of my joints (yes i get the ironic funny), my back and my teeth. Now I smoke as a pain reliever. I do think it should be legalized but if it does there will be so much more regulations on it that it wont be woth it anymore. The taxs on them will be way to much for somone such as me who doesn't have health care we will end up buying it off the streets again anyway. I would like to hear someone suggest a way to test if someone is driving under the influence because thc will stay in your system and make you test positive for any test for days/weeks/months (depending on your body composition) There is no way to test if someone is actively being affected by the drug. I would love to be able to stop by the coffee shop and pick up a dime bag, but so many things would just make this impossible to implement and control in America. Legalizing it for medical uses is different then legalizing it for recreational uses. Just something to think about...

[Angel Beast]

I think it's great for medical purposes. It gave a friend of mine an extra 7 years of life after being diagnosed with cancer. Outside of medical purposes don't see the point.

[whitecandy]

^^ Agreed. I think it has a place in helping with certain medical problems, and can make people whose lives would otherwise be insufferable a little better. I don't really understand it's use other than that, but I guess if it gives its users some enjoyment without harming anyone, then who am I to judge? I don't, and never have done, this or any other drugs (apart from maybe a drag once when I was about 17 but I didn't get anything from it so never bothered again) but I do smoke cigarettes and like a glass (or bottle!) of wine every now and again, which could be judged the same by others, using substances to ease stress, have fun and socialise...

[alex_krycek]

i have tried marijuana many years back. i can say that it didn't do anything for me. so i stayed away. i figured why do something that does nothing for me and risk getting in trouble w/ the law, parents, etc.

i do believe, however, that the effects of marijuana are not that bad. i believe that if the government stepped in and regulated the production and sales of marijuana, that they could sell it cheaper, make it pure (not thinned out w/ harmful materials or non-opiates), and reduce violence on the streets associated with the sales of marijuana.

put short, i've tried it. didn't like it. but i wouldn't object to others using it, but would prefer them to use it WHEN it's legal.

[Mayor Of F♥ckville]

Blah.. I better go pick up a fat sack of nugs and some brownies with my last check.

[Just Willow]

I've never tried it, but I thin kthat drugs are stupid. Why do people do that to their bodies? It's ridiculous, adn illegal for a reason. those are my views

[AngelFaith]

May 12, 2010 18:02:42 GMT -5 Just Willow said:

I've never tried it, but I thin kthat drugs are stupid. Why do people do that to their bodies? It's ridiculous, adn illegal for a reason. those are my views

Wow, that's a lot of judgement there. I mean, if we were talking about people shooting heroin through their eyeballs I'd get it, but seriously?

But, each to their own opinion I guess.

[Just Willow]

May 12, 2010 18:31:26 GMT -5 AngelFaith said:

May 12, 2010 18:02:42 GMT -5 Just Willow said:

I've never tried it, but I thin kthat drugs are stupid. Why do people do that to their bodies? It's ridiculous, adn illegal for a reason. those are my views

Wow, that's a lot of judgement there. I mean, if we were talking about people shooting heroin through their eyeballs I'd get it, but seriously?

But, each to their own opinion I guess.

Yeah, I'll respect other people's opinions on them, but when it comes to drugs I stick pretty closely to mine.

[Talkie Toaster]

May 12, 2010 18:02:42 GMT -5 Just Willow said:

I've never tried it, but I thin kthat drugs are stupid. Why do people do that to their bodies? It's ridiculous, adn illegal for a reason. those are my views

It really depends on the drug, is it that just because a drug is legal makes it better?

read this article

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/oct/30/drugs-adviser-david-nutt-sacked

"Alcohol ranks as the fifth most harmful drug after heroin, cocaine, barbiturates and methadone. Tobacco is ranked ninth,"

"Cannabis, LSD and ecstasy, while harmful, are ranked lower at 11, 14 and 18 respectively."

here is the link to the Professors full paper: www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/opus1714/Estimating_drug_harms.pdf