Thoughts on legalizing marijuana

[Anna]

Pot isn't anything even compared to the damage that cigarettes do. Habitual users are cotton heads,
but they were that way before they started smoking dope .

[45-70.gov]

the comparison  between  other things...whats worse whats not...what legal whats not


detract from the question


DO YOU BELEIVE IN FREEDOM OR NOT???


DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR OTHER PEOPLE OR NOT???

[ChungDoQuan]

I'd personally like to see the War on Drugs money spent on the healthcare costs of alcohol. 25-40% of everybody in hospitals today are there because of drinking. Probably 10% of everyone in the ICUs. It costs $22.5 billion a year just to treat alcohol overdose and withdrawals--- something like $176 billion in alcohol related healthcare costs. Alcohol is DANGEROUS if abused. With pot, the biggest risk is that some stoner might slowly run over you on their way to get Twinkies--- not much of a problem now, I guess. I support legalization. With my occupation, it will NEVER be ok for me to smoke pot. I've never heard of anyone hospitalized for marijuana. The laws make it a dangerous drug--- those laws can mess your life up; the pot, not so much.

[yellowtail3]

The laws make it a dangerous drug--- those laws can mess your life up; the pot, not so much.

CDQ has absolutely nailed it.

[Empty Quiver]

Pot isn't anything even compared to the damage that cigarettes do. Habitual users are cotton heads,
but they were that way before they started smoking dope .

I couldn't agree more.

[Victor3]

I'd personally like to see the War on Drugs money spent on the healthcare costs of alcohol. 25-40% of everybody in hospitals today are there because of drinking. Probably 10% of everyone in the ICUs. It costs $22.5 billion a year just to treat alcohol overdose and withdrawals--- something like $176 billion in alcohol related healthcare costs. Alcohol is DANGEROUS if abused. With pot, the biggest risk is that some stoner might slowly run over you on their way to get Twinkies--- not much of a problem now, I guess. I support legalization. With my occupation, it will NEVER be ok for me to smoke pot. I've never heard of anyone hospitalized for marijuana. The laws make it a dangerous drug--- those laws can mess your life up; the pot, not so much.

 Very good. 

I'd like to see a 'trial period' where the stuff was made completely legal for adults to grow/use everywhere in the US for a year and carefully document what happens. I'd wager we'd see a lot more evidence of good than bad overall.

If by some miracle this happened to come about, I wouldn't start using it and don't think I personally know anyone who would. There would be people using it that otherwise wouldn't, but I wonder how many people would actually start a habit?

Would it shut down illegal importation? Cause price to drop to a fraction of what it is now? Could I get me some good rope? 

[Anna]

I'm sick of watching some kid lose his job because he took a few hits off a joint one month ago !
While the evening drunks roll into work the next morning and get a pass .
I've seen guys go through a 5th of crown every day after work, pass out but get up the next day and
nothing happens to them. These company's need to hit them first thing in the morning and not wait
untill noon. Halliburton does a yeast test,they can come pretty close to how much you drink with that
test . Meth heads also, they get off work on Friday, party all that night drinking lots of beer and pass
 a urine test on Monday . The way to catch them is do a hair sample, that will date back about 90
days. If your going to get the pot heads at least be fair about it with the others .

[Swift One]

The only thing dangerous about pot is the propaganda about it created by our very own govmnt.  A responsible person will drink booze and not get in trouble with it,  not let it become his life, and not let it destroy him.  A responsible person smoking pot will be the exact same way...but happier.....
 
I have never heard of someone on grass whipping the crap out of his wife.  I have never heard of someone on grass and wanting to rob someone.  I have never heard of someone on grass and not being calm as hec.

[Anna]

I get em all the time and they crack me up sometimes. " Hay like doctor lady, that cop dude whacked me with this big stick thing and man it really hurt . All I did was ask him if he had any donuts left
in his car. Man what a rude bogart ! " 
Not to mention he had three pounds stashed in the trunk of his car he told me was for his own personal consumption .   

[ironglow]

While I am sure he addicts will still be in denial, I'll post this from the National Institutes of Health:
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
 
  In recent years, more attention has been given to drugs other than alcohol that have increasingly been recognized as hazards to road traffic safety. Some of this research has been done in other countries or in specific regions within the United States, and the prevalence rates for different drugs used vary accordingly.  Overall, marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers and motor vehicle crash victims. Other drugs also implicated include benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines
 
..and this'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
 
 Why is Drugged Driving Hazardous?
Drugs acting on the brain can alter perception, cognition, attention, balance, coordination, reaction time, and other faculties required for safe driving. The effects of specific drugs of abuse differ depending on their mechanisms of action, the amount consumed, the history of the user, and other factors.   MarijuanaTHC affects areas of the brain that control the body’s movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment, as well as sensations. Because these effects are multifaceted, more research is required to understand marijuana’s impact on the ability of drivers to react to complex and unpredictable situations. However, we do know that—

• A meta-analysis of approximately 60 experimental studies—including laboratory, driving simulator, and on-road experiments—found that behavioral and cognitive skills related to driving performance were impaired in a dose-dependent fashion with increasing THC blood levels.¹²
•       Evidence from both real and simulated driving studies indicates that marijuana can negatively affect a driver’s attentiveness, perception of time and speed, and ability to draw on information obtained from past experiences.
•       A study of over 3,000 fatally injured drivers in Australia showed that when marijuana was present in the blood of the driver, he or she was much more likely to be at fault for the accident. Additionally, the higher the THC concentration, the more likely the driver was to be culpable.¹³
•       Research shows that impairment increases significantly when marijuana use is combined with alcohol.¹⁴ Studies have found that many drivers who test positive for alcohol also test positive for THC, making it clear that drinking and drugged driving are often linked behaviors.
• '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

    Find it here:   http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving

[Anna]

Ironglow, your data is absolutely correct. But you should see someone on the verge of nicotine
poisoning. They are totally out of control and drive their cars like it is a screaming tube of death.

[ironglow]

Ironglow, your data is absolutely correct. But you should see someone on the verge of nicotine
poisoning. They are totally out of control and drive their cars like it is a screaming tube of death.

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  Anna;
        You are probably correct in nthat statement, I understand nicotine to be among the more addictive substances.
   I fully expect to be bombarded by the old "pot vs alcohol" argument.   I'm not in favor of either addictive substance and that argument is juvenile at best.  It is much like saying; 
    " you think I'm silly for snuffing just a tiny bit of asbestos every day.. asbestos is not nearly so bad as strychnine!"..

[nw_hunter]

Facts point out that Marijuana is safer to use than Alcohol.That's just the way it is.
Health related costs associated with alcohol (FAR) exceed those with MJ. Fact!
Alcohol has been linked to certain cancers.......MJ has not. Fact! Alcohol is more addictive (by far) than MJ Fact!Alcohol causes aggressive behavior in some people. MJ does not Actually... just the opposite.Fact! Ask any LEO or retired LEO on GBO if they would rather deal with pot smokers or Drunks?The Pot smoker may try to hug the LEO, but he damn sure ain't gonna try to whup him

Alcohol use (ALONE) is the cause of nearly 40,000 deaths each year in the US.The Comparable figure for Marijauna is zero!

Should we legalize Marijuana? Why not? It's less addictive and harmful to the human body, and it's far cheaper on the American tax payer than alcohol. We tried to stop the use of Booze and it didn't work. Do you think we are going to stop something as easy to grow as MJ

[powderman]

In all honesty, as bad as I've hurt with the bulged discs pressing on the sciatic nerve, if I'd had a legal mj pill I'd of tried it. I would see no difference in a mj pill and narcotic meds. However, I would NOT smoke it, I do not intend to get hooked on smoking ever again. POWDERMAN. 

[williamlayton]

Dadgoneitall---I am a walking time bomb. You folks what got any sense will not come to Deer Park, Texas by GOD. wegot a swat team full of crazed nicoteen addicts just waitin fer someone to run over.
Wait a minute--I had me a drag and I am all calm again and full of love--+---I got do-nuts. The coffe is in full effect/affect and my body is functioning on all cylinders.
Hummmmm---the sunrise is good----if'n I just had a fat boy.
Awwww heck fire--I don't have a job to go too soas to git fared from.
Hay--that is good too.
I slept thru the fiscal cliff thing---maybe it will come out oun dvd soas i can watch what I missed.
See-ya in a minute---Got to get a cup of coffee.
Blessings

[ironglow]

NW says;
  " Facts point out that Marijuana is safer to use than Alcohol.That's just the way it is."
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  As I showed clearly in post #279, neither one is either beneficial or harmless..so why bother volunteering for na addiction to either one?

[yellowtail3]

In all honesty, as bad as I've hurt with the bulged discs pressing on the sciatic nerve, if I'd had a legal mj pill I'd of tried it. I would see no difference in a mj pill and narcotic meds. However, I would NOT smoke it, I do not intend to get hooked on smoking ever again. POWDERMAN. 

Don't worry about getting 'hooked on smoking', Pman... weed doesn't have any nicotine, wholly different. It isn't addictive... you'll be alright. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[ironglow]

In all honesty, as bad as I've hurt with the bulged discs pressing on the sciatic nerve, if I'd had a legal mj pill I'd of tried it. I would see no difference in a mj pill and narcotic meds. However, I would NOT smoke it, I do not intend to get hooked on smoking ever again. POWDERMAN. 

Don't worry about getting 'hooked on smoking', Pman... weed doesn't have any nicotine, wholly different. It isn't addictive... you'll be alright. Hope you're feeling better soon.

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  Yeah; despite what the National Institutes of Health says..YT is correct..

[BUGEYE]

The dangers of grugs aside, the DEA is constantly finding human trafficing of young girls for prostitution.  plus anyone IMO who wants it legalized is hoping to buy their dope without embarrassing their family.
I've tried MJ and booze.  they both endanger the lives of innocent people.

[yellowtail3]

[size=78%]I've tried MJ and booze.  they both endanger the lives of innocent people.[/size]

I'm relieved that you didn't do any harm to your fellow citizens.


To answer talks about drugs and gangs... let me offer a solution: let free Americans can grow their own cannabis  for their own use, without having to worry about being arrested or taxed or harassed by gov't employees, whom they can't fight back against. If they get harassed by their busy-body fellow citizens, they can call the cops or smack the busybodies across the beak.


You'll suddenly find the drug gangs much less noteworthy. Same will be true of various gov't types (DEA comes to mind, along with thousands of DOJ functionaries) but they can find real jobs somewhere.

[Empty Quiver]

The dangers of grugs aside, the DEA is constantly finding human trafficing of young girls for prostitution.  plus anyone IMO who wants it legalized is hoping to buy their dope without embarrassing their family.
I've tried MJ and booze.  they both endanger the lives of innocent people.

I believe their time would be better spent searching out the human traffickers. Now that is a life that has been hand selected for ruin. At this time they are a by catch? I am all for changing that particular statistic.


We are on the very leading edge of decriminalizing dope. It won't be too long before the truth emerges, and my personal experience leads me to believe twelve years, three election cycles will see an end to most weed arrests. I might just be wrong, too. You can go ahead and gloat at that time. Contrary to popular opinion Dear Leader won a second election. Not so much because he is a winner but because he was up against a loser. Keep that in mind about these drug laws, they are losers. That doesn't mean the drug users themselves are winners, but they are not all losers either.

[magooch]

So how does legalizing pot affect our yutes?  Are they going to be allowed to use it legally?  Will the law simply ignore when where and how pot is used and by whom?  Will pushers be ignored?  For my part, I don't want it anywhere around me.  I don't think nonusers should have to even smell it--anywhere.

[yellowtail3]

So how does legalizing pot affect our yutes?

I don't know.

Are they going to be allowed to use it legally?

Probably not, but maybe. Is that a choice for parents to make, or will the state reserve that choice to itself?

Will the law simply ignore when where and how pot is used and by whom?

For the most part, it ought not be the state's business, in my opinion.

Will pushers be ignored?

'Pusher'? That's a nasty pejorative. Anyhow... I say, let folks grow their own if they'd like. If they'd prefer to buy from someone else who has better growing skills - just as I might take my car to a mechanic, rather than doing the work myself? - that's their choice.

  For my part, I don't want it anywhere around me.  I don't think nonusers should have to even smell it--anywhere.

Some folks feel that way about cigarettes, too, and it's getting to where it's illegal to smoke in public. What kind of folks like those laws?

[ironglow]

    Already alcoholics boast of their great consumption, undoubtedly cocaine users would say cocaine is harmless;
  while crack smokers may claim the wonders of crack and meth users would praise meth over the stubs of their teeth..
   Perhaps they would all be better off without their addiction of choice; but heaven forbid that anyone tries to inform them of such.

[Empty Quiver]

So how does legalizing pot affect our yutes?  Are they going to be allowed to use it legally?  Will the law simply ignore when where and how pot is used and by whom?  Will pushers be ignored?  For my part, I don't want it anywhere around me.  I don't think nonusers should have to even smell it--anywhere.

From what I have gathered cigarettes and liqueur sales are a pretty good example of how the reefers    will be sold and regulated. No it is not perfect but as it stands it is regulated and sold by felons. You fool only yourself if you think the DEA and laws are regulating the sale of dope. What is regulating the dope market is demand, period, end of story, DEMAND plain and simple.


This is the same crowd that will be double damned, and hell no, I won't give up my guns just because they pass a law right, right? Will that law stop you ? Oh' hells no you say I'll bypass that in a heartbeat they'll never catch me Why I've ( insert plan here)  as a matter of fact I have a lathe and a buddy has a mill and we got's a fine lincoln welder and access to some sweet ordinance grade steel and by God just like my great, great, great, grand daddy did I'll build my own rifle gun. Yea that's exactly what I'm a gonna do.


Substitute moonshine, dope, bullets, blackpowder, squirrels, deer, bear gallbladders, you name it friends. Until it becomes legal but regulated it will be a nightmare.Repeat after me, Ya'll go ahead now, I wish upon a star, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, make dope unavailable tonight. There you go you have added much to the cause. Very nearly as much as the billions spent in the interdiction theater.


I hope you were clicking your heels as that is the most important part, you were clicking weren't you?

[dukkillr]

Perhaps they would all be better off without their addiction of choice; but heaven forbid that anyone tries to inform them of such.

Your argument is morphing, perhaps as you see it failing, perhaps just randomly. 
 
Still, not even 1 person in the previous 10 pages has suggested that it should be illegal or even frowned upon to, "inform" someone of the consequences of their, "addiction of choice".  That would free speech, and I will stand for that every single day of my life.  If you think that is the argument you are opposing, you are missing the point, badly.

[Brett]

when you come home from work and find your 30 year old kid,that stills live at home, still playing video games, with no job, i want everyone to be greatfull we legalize marijuana. i am very against it.

Like dude, Ha, ha, that is sooo funny!  Wow man I could like down a whole pizza right now!  Anybody seen the remote. 

I have to agree with Highwayman.  Most of the pot heads I new back in school haven't amounted to much.

[williamlayton]

HUMMMMMM--the only way I would get in trouble with my family is if I didn't share.
Folks--pot is as easy to avoid as is a can of blackeyed peas.
I smoked a bunch and one day just quit---lost weight doing it---Lay's had to lay off a whole shift.
I smoked a good'un in Amsterdam last year and it was a joy. I have not had the urge for one since. NOW--by urge, I mean want one---If I wanted one I could find it---This IS Houston.
Blessings

[Brett]

I really don't know what the answer is.  I can see much truth in the arguments from both sides. 

Organized crime will not go away if we legalize drugs.   They will find other lucrative crimes but they will not a suddenly seek respectable careers.  They will just switch to pushing hard drugs, human trafficking, illegal gambling, etc. 

The argument that weed is better than booze because God made weed is just plain stupid.  God made arsenic and rattlesnakes too and both are deadly.

If we don't house and feed the dopers in prison we will likely house and feed a good percentage or them with government hand outs such as subsidised housing, food stamps, etc.   So I don't see any cost savings there.

I sure don't want my surgeon,  airliner pilot or train conductor to be a pot head. 

As far as lives lost due to the drug war... well I don't feel too bad for those who loose their lives because they choose to engage in illegal activities.  And the cops, drug agents... well they know or should know of the risks before they signed on for the job.

I think the jury is still out on the long term health effects of smoking pot.   

I do agree with the whole personal freedom thing, however I sure wouldn't want my surgeon, airliner pilot or train conductor to be a stoner either.

I kind of agree with a trail period similar to that of the assault weapons ban.  Say we legalize it for a period of maybe 5 or 10 years and keep a close eye on the effects it has on all of the areas discussed.  Organized crime rates, school drop out rates, DUI rates, health problems associated with smoking pot, etc.

After the trail period we should have a clearer picture of what works better.

Of course the assault weapons ban proved to be a flop but some are still arguing that one too.

[BUGEYE]

Well if you listen to the dopers here, I'm the only person on Gods green earth that became intoxicated by smoking MJ.  it happened, I was as drunk as if I'd had a 12 pack of beer.  and I was an experienced drinker at the time, so I knew how to make a comparison.
It's dangerous, because if you didn't get high from using it, you wouldn't be using it.