It's been proven to have medical benefits. I do believe that marijuana should be legalized, and many other illegal drugs, too. Although we may have some moral issues with that, many countries (such as Switzerland) have done this and the crime rates have plummeted and drug use has declined. If the production, sale, and distribution of illicit drugs could be legitimized, we could see an end to gangs and violent drug cartels. The war on drugs has failed miserably - I think it's time we tried a new tactic.
I do not think it should be legalized. In my opinion, legalizing it will make kids want to go one step further in doing things that are forbidden. I think that using it for medical purposes is alright as long as it is monitored closely.
I second, Sheryl's comment. Marijuana is not addictive like other legal drugs we have. Alcohol? Personally, I do not see the harm. People that want to use it do with or without it being legalized. Why not help cut the crime down and add jobs to our economy. If I have to be around second hand smoke, I'd rather it be Marijuana, rather than cigars/ cigarettes. Neither would be great!
I definitely believe Marijuana has medicinal value. No doubt about that.
Recently a woman in California was charged and convicted for possession, even with a prescription and after review of her medical records and realizing she indeed need it to function, charges were not dropped and she will be spending time in jail, now mind you she had an Rx, it was "legal." Still this citizen is being prosecuted to the extent of the law. It just does not make sense.
Cases like this, is only one side of the coin when it comes to the legalization of the substance. But let's face it the other side of it, is the fact some people are just not very smart, and once legalized there will be no rules per say on where you can smoke.
I am appalled when I see others smoking weed in the presence of children, now this is my personal opinion, and I stand by it. Not every smoker is a "conscious smoker" Some have respect for others who do not want to be exposed (may it be cigarette or weed second hand smoke), but some do not and when it comes to children, they really don't get a say so in the matter. Not too long ago on the local news they showed a home movie of a man (charged with child endangerment) as he placed a joint in his toddler's mouth and had him smoke it. The kid was no older than 3 or 4 years old.
It's a tricky subject, and I find myself torn when it comes to my input on that particular question of legalizing weed. I think the list of pros is extensive, medicinal purpose, the creation of jobs to harvest it, reduced crime rate and drug cartel activities and so on. I do not oppose it but there has to be a way for the substance to be regulated instead of banned. Only the government could do that...and that opens a whole new can of worms.
Unless we are going to make alcohol illegal (which we unsuccessfully tried once before), marijuana should be legal. It would be better to disconnect marijuana from the same distribution chain as the harder drugs. It would be preferrable to have a teenager growing marijuana in his or her backyard than buying it from someone who is potentially also dealing meth, cocaine, lsd, ectasy, etc. I was annoyed that while they should have been devoting their time to stopping terrorists, the FBI decided instead to raid a clinic in California containing terminally ill cancer patients using marijuana -- incredible waste of taxpayer funds and a distraction from more important activities. I am not sure that it makes that much sense to devote so much time, attention, and resources to the war on drugs -- but we should at least decriminalize the ones which are not potentially lethal.
The worst thing I've ever heard a stoner do is raid their neighbor's kitchen. As for excessive drunks, pill poppers & "hard drugs"...I have seen with my own eyes how ugly that can be. Hell, I'm living with a crack.head..(not by choice, she's family)
If the government would regulate it, they could make serious money from taxing it like cigarettes. Not to mention, the price vs. quality would probably balance out to be a bit more fair than I have heard stories of.
Also, I doubt people who don't smoke now would start just because it was made legal again. (yes, it used to be legal) As for it being a "gateway" to other things...that's just a BS excuse spread as propaganda that caused the herb to be made illegal to start with and it's a primary reason why it's going to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Eh, I guess it would depend. Marijuanna does have some medical benefits, but its harmfullness sorta outweighs the benefits. Though, if it were made legal, there would be a lot less hoarding and smuggling of the drug, and therefore a lot less trouble. I think it should be made legal...if used in moderation.
Theresa that was the point of my comment and actually yes it does...they incourage cancer survivors to drink wine in moderation....and pot was legal it just wasnt illegal yet....there is a difference. Either make it legal and not for medicinal purposes only....and yes I agree that making pot legal isnt going to make people start smoking it anymore than I think giving condoms to kids will encourage them to have sex.
Sorry what I meant to say is it was never legal they just hadnt made a law making it illegal...there is a difference...and Emily I would like an answer to....what harmful effects?
Lori you are right. I hadn't thought of that. A glass of red wine per day does have many benefits. However, I was thinking more along the lines of excessive drinking when I left that comment. Too much vodka, etc.
If I'm not mistaken, as "late" as the early 1900's all drugs were allowed into the US because no studies had been done on their negative aspects. So I was mistaken in my earlier comment as to past legalities.
If you tell a kid not to do something and don't give a valid reason (scare tactics don't count) they will most likely jump in head first.
This may be news to some, but I smoked my first joint with my parents. I can give it up for years at a time with no problem, actually I haven't smoked in a long time.
Anyway, it has had many medical & mental benefits for me. This is proven by the fact that when I smoked regularly I was on a lot less "legal drugs" and didn't have any side effects. When I was on a bunch of pills that were supposed to be "for my own good" I felt like total shit. That's just my experience though.
Theresa but we still havent gotten a comment from Emily on the evils of pot. It should have been decriminalized back in the 60's. And I have never bought the smoking pot leads to harder drug use....what do you think?
As to the "gateway" effect...I'm not dumb enough to fall for that. Nobody should be. Besides, people can do acid before they ever smoke weed. Thus, the odds are not favorable & people have too much free will for that to be a solid argument. Just thought I'd clarify that right quick...
Hmm...We could let NORML be the "FDA" of weed. I wonder how that would work.
As to "evils of pot"...I want concrete evidence before I'll believe that. Show me one court case where a guy got stoned & shot his wife because he was high & smoked too much. Tragic, but it doesn't seem possible. Mentally ill stoners don't count for statistical reasons. Also the mental illness would lend to "reasonable doubt" in any case.
The original gateway drug is probably coffee and donuts or maybe tea and crumpets.
The way we deal with intoxicants now is insane. We have a sanctioned one, alcohol, and a large number of illegal ones. As a result we have overflowing prisons, inner city turf wars, robberies, burglaries, assaults, and politicians and public employees being bought by organized crime. It's silly. We're causing most of the drug related problems and deterring very few people from using them.
Legalize, regulate, tax. We do it now with alcohol.
Marijuana, banned. Don't ask me why! It's a proven fact that it has more than half as much tar than ciggarettes, and let me tell you, that it effects your lungs, heart, teeth, and skin! I for one do not wish to get cancer because of a simple puff of smoke. It is definetly my opinion, and I respect your wishes and thoughts just as much as I respect teachers, students, parents, family, friends...
I do not wish to have my opinion questioned, as all the above statements are true.
Nippy made a very good point. I think....and this is only my opinion....Lunar is wound very tight and probably should get stoned.....lol...just kidding...sort of
Lori, I got the same vibe. Sharing opinions is one thing, but being semi-hostile about it isn't really necessary. Besides, I meant for this to be a debate. When I debate I listen..and question. That's just how it works. Although if I were so wound up about a subject and really wanted to back up my claims I would have listed at least one source instead of just using thinly veiled hostility.
Somehow I think there's more to Lunar's beef than just tar content of a few joints.
Nippy, you have an excellent point about the coffee & tea. Those are the most widely used and nobody thinks a second thought of drinking either for caffeine. Oddly enough, some teas have caffeine properties & relaxing properties at the same time. So I heard....
I voted for marijuana legalization for medical purposes when I lived in Colorado. The referendum was worded so that only people who had cancer, AIDS or something very dire could get pot. Anyone who walks in off the street couldn't get it.
The Republican governor didn't like it, but he would fulfill the will of the people in some way.
And what happened? The Federal Government got involved. The DEA bitched and they declared that it wouldn't happen.
So much for state's rights. The states have no freakin' rights when it comes to something that will make peoples death easier.
Lori, Your comment about having a friend that does meth, yet never smoked a joint is exactly what I was trying to convey earlier in my mini-rants about the "gateway myth". I feel bad for your friend, as I have seen many people do that and end up totally in the dumbs as a result of it. They smoked a lot of "bathtub brew" though. I tried to tell them to get it from an actual chemist but they wouldn't listen. Turns out the making it for them was substituting most of the ingredients, as if it wasn't creepy enough coming from a real lab...
A-motivational Syndrome....I didn't know that actually had a name. I must be an exception to that. Even when I was a heavy smoker, the biggest "side effect" was an increased ability to concentrate & sit still. As a matter of fact, I did better "brain work" stoned than not. That was a primary reason for me to smoke at all.
I read a book a few years ago on Adult ADD/ADHD that said people who do that are most likely undiagnosed suffers and just don't know it. Apparently the guy who wrote the book had done something of a study on it, as he wrote almost two chapters on the subject.
I suppose it is a possibility for me because most of my family has some variant of the problem. It is too bad that no official studies can be done since the drug is illegal. All we have now is mostly user observation.
Please provide details below to help Gather review this content. If it is found to be inappropriate and in violation of the Gather Terms of Service, action will be taken.
Please select the part of the post you are reporting.
Please select why you are reporting this content.
Please enter a description.
You have successfully submitted a report for this post.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 45
Recently a woman in California was charged and convicted for possession, even with a prescription and after review of her medical records and realizing she indeed need it to function, charges were not dropped and she will be spending time in jail, now mind you she had an Rx, it was "legal." Still this citizen is being prosecuted to the extent of the law. It just does not make sense.
Cases like this, is only one side of the coin when it comes to the legalization of the substance. But let's face it the other side of it, is the fact some people are just not very smart, and once legalized there will be no rules per say on where you can smoke.
I am appalled when I see others smoking weed in the presence of children, now this is my personal opinion, and I stand by it. Not every smoker is a "conscious smoker" Some have respect for others who do not want to be exposed (may it be cigarette or weed second hand smoke), but some do not and when it comes to children, they really don't get a say so in the matter. Not too long ago on the local news they showed a home movie of a man (charged with child endangerment) as he placed a joint in his toddler's mouth and had him smoke it. The kid was no older than 3 or 4 years old.
It's a tricky subject, and I find myself torn when it comes to my input on that particular question of legalizing weed. I think the list of pros is extensive, medicinal purpose, the creation of jobs to harvest it, reduced crime rate and drug cartel activities and so on. I do not oppose it but there has to be a way for the substance to be regulated instead of banned. Only the government could do that...and that opens a whole new can of worms.
If the government would regulate it, they could make serious money from taxing it like cigarettes. Not to mention, the price vs. quality would probably balance out to be a bit more fair than I have heard stories of.
Also, I doubt people who don't smoke now would start just because it was made legal again. (yes, it used to be legal) As for it being a "gateway" to other things...that's just a BS excuse spread as propaganda that caused the herb to be made illegal to start with and it's a primary reason why it's going to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
It's an unfortunate country we live in, I think.
Emily - What exactly do you mean by it's "harmfulness"? Have anything to back up that view? I've never heard of how it is harmful. Do tell.
This may be news to some, but I smoked my first joint with my parents. I can give it up for years at a time with no problem, actually I haven't smoked in a long time.
Anyway, it has had many medical & mental benefits for me. This is proven by the fact that when I smoked regularly I was on a lot less "legal drugs" and didn't have any side effects. When I was on a bunch of pills that were supposed to be "for my own good" I felt like total shit. That's just my experience though.
Hmm...We could let NORML be the "FDA" of weed. I wonder how that would work.
The way we deal with intoxicants now is insane. We have a sanctioned one, alcohol, and a large number of illegal ones. As a result we have overflowing prisons, inner city turf wars, robberies, burglaries, assaults, and politicians and public employees being bought by organized crime. It's silly. We're causing most of the drug related problems and deterring very few people from using them.
Legalize, regulate, tax. We do it now with alcohol.
I do not wish to have my opinion questioned, as all the above statements are true.
I haven't said a word.
Although, to be technical about it your belief in a fact might not actually be considered a textbook opinion. That's just splitting hairs though...
I do appreciate your input.
Somehow I think there's more to Lunar's beef than just tar content of a few joints.
So I heard....
The referendum was worded so that only people who had cancer, AIDS or something
very dire could get pot. Anyone who walks in off the street couldn't get it.
The Republican governor didn't like it, but he would fulfill the will of the people in some way.
And what happened? The Federal Government got involved. The DEA bitched and they declared that it wouldn't happen.
So much for state's rights. The states have no freakin' rights when it comes to something that will make peoples death easier.
Your comment about having a friend that does meth, yet never smoked a joint is exactly what I was trying to convey earlier in my mini-rants about the "gateway myth".
I feel bad for your friend, as I have seen many people do that and end up totally in the dumbs as a result of it. They smoked a lot of "bathtub brew" though. I tried to tell them to get it from an actual chemist but they wouldn't listen. Turns out the making it for them was substituting most of the ingredients, as if it wasn't creepy enough coming from a real lab...
Stupid typos...
I read a book a few years ago on Adult ADD/ADHD that said people who do that are most likely undiagnosed suffers and just don't know it. Apparently the guy who wrote the book had done something of a study on it, as he wrote almost two chapters on the subject.
I suppose it is a possibility for me because most of my family has some variant of the problem. It is too bad that no official studies can be done since the drug is illegal. All we have now is mostly user observation.