Marijuana

[poohbear227]

I agree, there are medications to take! It's proven to kill brain cells and lead to other drug use in many cases. Don't give me the line that it's the same as alcohol, it's not! Not entirely.

I'm confused by your post: are you saying that prescription meds should be favored over marijuana for medicinal purposes? If so, are you saying that prescription meds do not have unpleasant, unsafe, and/or in some cases fatal side effects just from ingesting them?

About the brain cells thing, yes it can kill brain cells but these cells grow back. You might want to read up on exactly what marijuana does to the brain and how permanent the effects actually are (they are not permanent).

You are 100% correct though-it is not the same as alcohol. The liver damage that is caused by alcohol abuse is permanent & will kill you.

But, there is also a HUGE difference between alcohol use and marijuana use and alcohol ABUSE and marijuana ABUSE. I cannot help but laugh when people assume, if you smoke pot, you must be the type of person who is high every second of the day.

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Shouldn't be legal, but should be decriminalized.

 

[LuLuO]

I agree, there are medications to take! It's proven to kill brain cells and lead to other drug use in many cases. Don't give me the line that it's the same as alcohol, it's not! Not entirely.

Can you point me to the studies that prove Marijuana has a long-term negative effect on the brain?

There are "medications" that people can take but they are not safer or better than marijuana just because they are legal. I take tramadol for chronic pain. I've only been on it three months and started to build a tolerance after six weeks. I could take a dose at breakfast and feel okay until my next dose at dinner. Now I start to feel like crap around 2pm. If I miss a dose I begin going through terrible withdrawl. So, you can't tell me that tramadol is better for me because it is legal.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Can you point me to the studies that prove Marijuana has a long-term negative effect on the brain?

There are "medications" that people can take but they are not safer or better than marijuana just because they are legal. I take tramadol for chronic pain. I've only been on it three months and started to build a tolerance after six weeks. I could take a dose at breakfast and feel okay until my next dose at dinner. Now I start to feel like crap around 2pm. If I miss a dose I begin going through terrible withdrawl. So, you can't tell me that tramadol is better for me because it is legal.

That's my situation. My body is addicted, but it's of no use to me anymore (the med).

Do you guys remember a few years ago when all the news were talking about Ambien drivers falling asleep behind the wheel the morning after? So pharmacuetical and legal is not always better.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Can you point me to the studies that prove Marijuana has a long-term negative effect on the brain?

There are "medications" that people can take but they are not safer or better than marijuana just because they are legal. I take tramadol for chronic pain. I've only been on it three months and started to build a tolerance after six weeks. I could take a dose at breakfast and feel okay until my next dose at dinner. Now I start to feel like crap around 2pm. If I miss a dose I begin going through terrible withdrawl. So, you can't tell me that tramadol is better for me because it is legal.

Good point, and I believe alcohol can have a long term affect on the brain, can't it?

 

[Handbag Lady]

I fully support the legalization and taxation of pot.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I fully support the legalization and taxation of pot.

Again, I am overwhelmed by the number of people who support this. Taxation especially, would be a huge help in reducing the deficit. I see a win/win. I know not everyone agrees with this, but that's why education needs to be put out there to clear up misconceptons. "Reefer Madnees" was propaganda that came out by the churches in the 30's to scare kids away from marijuana.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Again, I am overwhelmed by the number of people who support this. Taxation especially, would be a huge help in reducing the deficit. I see a win/win. I know not everyone agrees with this, but that's why education needs to be put out there to clear up misconceptons. "Reefer Madnees" was propaganda that came out by the churches in the 30's to scare kids away from marijuana.

This!
And let's not forget one of the main reasons pot became illegal: William Randolph Hurst went on an anti-pot campaign to criminalize it because hemp was destined to replace wood for paper and that affected his interest in the timber market. It's sick to think pharmaceutical companies have so much pull in politics that they can control opinions about different products, and then continue to allow ones on the market that they know are harmful!

 

[KitKat_Tink]

I completely think it should be legalized. Those who don't want it don't have to partake in it. It is safer than alcohol, its not physically addictive, and it helps many many people with various things.

It is psychologically addictive but anything can be psychologically addictive. Like I could be psychologically addicted to running because I like the feeling I get from it. Same aspect as people getting high.

And today there are so many more options than smoking. You can eat it, you can drink it, you can vaporize it (which only gives you the THC, none of the other chemical parts), and they even sell pills you can take.

I personally have seen many people who have benefited from it and its far less dangerous than the barbitiuets (sp) doctors will prescribe for people with migraines and other chronic pain.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

This!
And let's not forget one of the main reasons pot became illegal: William Randolph Hurst went on an anti-pot campaign to criminalize it because hemp was destined to replace wood for paper and that affected his interest in the timber market. It's sick to think pharmaceutical companies have so much pull in politics that they can control opinions about different products, and then continue to allow ones on the market that they know are harmful!

I do remember reading about Hearst and his part in criminalizing it. And you did make a good, although upsetting point, about the power of the pharma companies. Their lobbyists are so powerful that they, like most lobbysists, are puppetmasters to politicians. Who is fighting for us? And that's where it makes me really mad. We will never accomplish anything going up against lobbyists.

 

[Aisling]

But, there is also a HUGE difference between alcohol use and marijuana use and alcohol ABUSE and marijuana ABUSE. I cannot help but laugh when people assume, if you smoke pot, you must be the type of person who is high every second of the day.

Aw, don't laugh. The only experience I have had with pot is my cousin back in the 70s who was stoned more often than not. He was known in the family as the guy who stayed in his room all day, wouldn't get a job, and put his parents through hell with his laziness. I remember him always being slooooooow when he spoke and walked. Thirty years later he quit cold turkey because his kids begged him to. He's still a walking zombie and I wonder if all that pot screwed up his brain.

He's probably an exception, because statistically I must know others who smoke pot but I just don't see the evidence.

My parents always told me if I ever smoked pot I'd become a pothead like my cousin. That made me fear it.

I guess I have a lot to learn about pot!

 

[Charade]

I do not agree with taxing marijuana like they do cigarettes (which are pretty hefty (a pack of smokes costs $12 in NYC)). Why should they be taxed any more than the normal sales tax rate?

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I would never vote to legalize MJ until I knew what type of penalties would be enacted in you physically harmed someone or put other people in harm because of your use of it or while under the influence of it. Please don't laugh - - this is a very personal thing for me. You have absolutely no idea what "recreational" use of MJ has done to our family and I don't care to share such intimate details....but let's just say that it affected all of my siblings and I to varying degrees, and some in very bad ways, life-scaring ways (and none of us have ever used it, just been affected by those who have).

I don't dislike the issue of using it, I dislike the way that SOME people may act or enganger other's lives while using it...the same way that prescription drugs used improper or alcohol can.

 

[shortbun]

I'm 100% for totally legalizing pot. I know some pot heads who are against it because they say the government will mess with the potency of it. Interesting discussion.

 

[tvguy]

I do not agree with taxing marijuana like they do cigarettes (which are pretty hefty (a pack of smokes costs $12 in NYC)). Why should they be taxed any more than the normal sales tax rate?

The tax on cigarettes is designed to discourage their use and help pay the medical bills for those who suffer chronic diseases from smoking.

Doesn't matter what you are smoking, inhaling smoke into your lungs is bad for your health.

 

[rie'smom]

As a child of the 60's and 70's I can tell you that smoking a joint does not get you anymore intoxicated than having a drink or two. If it was legal, would some people still be stupid and abuse it, yes just like the idiots who drink too much.

I really think that all drugs should be legalized. If someone is bound and determined to use drugs they will whether they're legal or not. I say let the police use the money and time spent on drug users and sellers to chase the child molesters and the murderers. It will also take care of overcrowding in jails.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It is psychologically addictive but anything can be psychologically addictive. Like I could be psychologically addicted to running because I like the feeling I get from it. Same aspect as people getting high.

I can vouch for this. I've become addicted to HGTV over the last couple of months, to the point that I watch the same shows every three hours!

 

[Tiger926]

I'm going to have to say no. In Canada, people are selling their medical marijuana licenses, as well as drugs to those who are not ill. ...If it's legalized, I shudder to think what will happen. As teachers we are very scared of that...

I can tell you firsthand what marijuana does to the body as I teach at-risk students at an alternative school who almost all smoke up. Our school is the burn out capital of the area - marijuana is addicting, it does present as learning challenges, kills motivation and is a gateway drug. In developing teenagaers, the incidence of psychosis can be very high. Just check the research on marijuana and psychosis in teenagers. There is a lot misinformation on this thread about the addictive properties and side effects. As far as whether it's dangerous or not...people can justify what they want about any addictions they have...and there is a lot of that on this thread.

It doesn't matter if it's less physically addicting than alcohol, as it's still a drug that actively changes your brain chemistry. Driving while high is becoming a big problem as well. New studies are also showing that the smoke is highly dangerous as well, and from an addiction standpoint, addiction doctors here and in Great Britain are saying that they are having more struggle with getting people off of marijuana as it`s used so often (major cumulative effects). Lots of great research being done here in Canada - I subscribe to daily Canadian addiction news, and I get daily news links from around the world in regards to addictions of all kinds. Prescription drugs are a big disaster, and many people are also mixing those with marijuana too, and that is not good either.

If needed for medicinal purposes, that's another argument entirely, but as I pointed out, Canada is having major problems within the medicinal area, and the people who actually may benefit from a medicinal standpoint, aren't able to get it in many cases.

I wish the OP good health, Tiger

 

[Charade]

The tax on cigarettes is designed to discourage their use and help pay the medical bills for those who suffer chronic diseases from smoking.

Doesn't matter what you are smoking, inhaling smoke into your lungs is bad for your health.

Then why legalize marijuana and then tax it through the roof only use those funds to discourage people from smoking it (and pay for medical treatment)? Just keep it illegal but don't make it's use criminal with jail time. Just a big fat fine.

I still don't support taxing things to discourage people from using a product.

 

[goofy!]

I think it should be legal for everybody. But then, my parents are Dutch immigrants, so I grew up going into Amsterdam cafes and seeing joints listed on menu board.

Also, give the drug cartels one less product to make a profit on. And let the drug enforcement agencies focus on the truly dangerous drugs.