First area to legalize Marijuana

[B-17engineer]

Ok Dan your right. I should apologize because I'd like to do the right thing when I'm older and not get in to drugs. I'm sorry I'll go smoke pot and maybe drink afterwards.

Is that what you want to hear. I could say what you guys said was BS and propaganda from pot smokers too.

 

[Lucky13]

How many drugs are we taking each day without thinking about it? Think about all those energy drink floating around on the market, aren't they in one way "drugs", since some people get addicted to them. How many drivers are using "speed" to get through a long hard drive, to stay awake, when they found out that coffee isn't longer working?

 

[B-17engineer]

But in energy drinks it isn't illegal. I'm done with this thread. Tear me apart all you want I still believe what I want.

 

[beaupower32]

Harrison, we are just haveing a good debate with you. We are not trying to change your views on it. I'm glad that you are against it, and we need more people like you. There are going to be times in your life where no one will agree with you, it happens. Your young enough that you really havent experienced a good debate like this where hardly anyone agrees with you. It happens. In the end, just enjoy the conversation. Yeah, things get heated, but thats the fun part of it. The big thing is never take it personally. Just smile and carry on!

 

[Amsel]

I agree. I am very pleased that you were standing up against the scourge of drugs, even if they are popular with others.

 

[pbfoot]

I think with the upcoming US Thanksgiving everyone should spark one up as every Jamestown resident was required to plant hemp as a crop

Why is pot illegal

In 1930, a new division in the Treasury Department was established — the Federal Bureau of Narcotics — and Harry J. Anslinger was named director. This, if anything, marked the beginning of the all-out war against marijuana.


Harry J. Anslinger

Anslinger was an extremely ambitious man, and he recognized the Bureau of Narcotics as an amazing career opportunity — a new government agency with the opportunity to define both the problem and the solution. He immediately realized that opiates and cocaine wouldn't be enough to help build his agency, so he latched on to marijuana and started to work on making it illegal at the federal level.

Anslinger immediately drew upon the themes of racism and violence to draw national attention to the problem he wanted to create. He also promoted and frequently read from "Gore Files" — wild reefer-madness-style exploitation tales of ax murderers on marijuana and sex and… Negroes. Here are some quotes that have been widely attributed to Anslinger and his Gore Files:

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."

"…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."

"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."

"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"

"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind

 

[Marcel]

Harrison, this is a good discussion, not an attack on you. But it's something that should be discussed in public. I quote from your text as it supports my point:

"Despite an overly punitive policy toward marijuana in the U.S., Americans still use more marijuana." Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts co-author Lynn Zimmer asks, "If the Dutch are using less marijuana, what purpose was served by arresting 642,000 Americans for possessing marijuana last year?" "

BTW I never used pot and I never will.

 

[Lucky13]

But in energy drinks it isn't illegal. I'm done with this thread. Tear me apart all you want I still believe what I want.

That's a shame Harrison! Don't take it personally, please! We're not trying to tear you apart more than slightly disagree with you...
That's good, stand firm to your beliefs and opinions, you'll need it when you grow older like some of the ancient gurus here on the forum! You'll more often than not meet someone that'll rub you the wrong way and you'll have a heated discussion, where a lot of hard words might be exchanged etc.
Even if we here might swap a few well chosen words occasionally between each other, I'd like to think that we respect each other, when it comes to beliefs, opinions and many other things, although sometimes the "Police" might have to show up here and wave their stick for things to calm down, in the middle of a argument...
Finally, I think that I can speak for everyone here when I say that we respected you when you joined here, and I think that you've earned even more respect for standing firm to what you think is right and not go down for one or another reason, cudos to you Harrison, don't change that!

You have a bright head on those young sholders, your dad can be proud!

 

[Amsel]

Overview
Marijuana, also referred to as weed, pot and grass, is an illegal substance made from the Cannabis sativa plant. Tetrahydrocannibol (THC) is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that provides a high or euphoric feeling. The amount of THC in the drug determines the level of the high, as well as its harmful effects. Physical and mental side effects are increased by more potent plants, which are determined by the type of plant, weather, soil and time of harvest.

Immediate Effects
Marijuana usually is smoked through a cigarette rolled with thin papers or through a pipe. The immediate effects include dry mouth and throat. Users typically experience increased thirst because of the dryness.

Immunity
Long-term marijuana use affects the immune system, which is vital to maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth. Doctors at Meriter Health Services report that continued use over a long period can lead to infections, tumors and cavities.

Teeth
THC interferes with the transfer of calcium through the body, a vital ingredient to healthy teeth. Long-term use of marijuana affects teeth and makes them more susceptible to rotting and decay.

Cancer
Marijuana's harmful effects on the mouth include the risk of mouth cancer. The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse reports that marijuana has been found to have a higher concentration of cancer-producing ingredients than cigarettes. Pot smokers typically hold the smoke in the lungs and mouth for longer periods than cigarettes, increasing the effects on the mucus lining in the mouth and exposure to the cancer-causing agents. The tar found in marijuana has developed tumors on the skin of animals in laboratory tests.

Self-care
A report by the American Medical Student Association says that marijuana users tend to get sick more than those who don't smoke pot. In addition to the lowered immune system and chemical poisons produced by the THC that linger in the mouth, marijuana users undergo personality changes that lead to poor hygiene and less attention to personal care. They lack energy and lose interest in everyday activities that once were important, including brushing their teeth, flossing and rinsing. The smoke from marijuana causes bad breath, and the lack of mouth care eventually produces additional problems for teeth and gums.

Marijuana's Harmful Effects On The Mouth | LIVESTRONG.COM

THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high" that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.1

Not surprisingly, marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

Research on the long-term effects of marijuana abuse indicates some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term abuse of other major drugs. For example, cannabinoid withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system3 and changes in the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine. Dopamine neurons are involved in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected by all drugs of abuse.....

Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. In one study, heavy marijuana abusers reported that the drug impaired several important measures of life achievement including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status. Several studies associate workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover.

Marijuana - InfoFacts - NIDA

 

[Marcel]

Not to make it a political thread, but I just noticed something which I found extremely funny:

Many US people, defending as less influence of the government as possible (guns law etc) claiming they could very well decide for themselves are now in favour of the government regulating the use of pot, while the Europeans, being all for regulations by the government (including me) are now more or less claiming people should decide for themselves whether to use pot and the government should stay out of it. Some funny form of hypocrisy from both sides

 

[Lucky13]

 

[Amsel]

I don't care if it is legal or not. To each his own. In my opinion, there should be severe penalties for supplying anyone under 21 with weed. Of all my aquaintences from high school, there is a marked difference in the lives of those that smoked weed heavily during adolescence and those that maybe smoked occasionally or not at all. It may seem harmless to adults but for teenagers the effects on the brain are harmful.

If marijuana is to be legalized then there should be a law implemented that somehow only legalizes American weed. A way to make it cheaper then weed smuggled in through Mexico. The skyrocketing violence in Mexico over the drug trade is alarming and will soon become a huge national security issue especially in the Southwest.

Are you refering to this post Marcel. I just can't agree that marijuana use is not harmful or is even good for you.

But if the government legalizes marijuana, it should also stay out of the business of telling private companies that they have to hire those that use weed. I don't want to see any lawsuits that state companies are discriminating against pot smokers.

As far as regulating the import of marijuana from our southern neighbors; one very proper role of the government is to protect our border areas from foreign violence and influence. National security is one of the few proper roles of a centralized government.

 

[Amsel]

I would even go as far to say that the govenments war on drugs has actually caused much more harm then any good. Most people will not abuse drugs even if they are legal and plentiful. In a free society people should be able to igest whatever they want. As long as they follow the laws of the land. Drug use is a personal choice and those that consume drugs should be responsible for their own actions and choices. We all know that drugs have harmful side effects so the more intelligent will continue to live healthy.

Legalizing drugs and regulating the border better would have a huge impact on the soaring violence in Mexico. It would take the black market out of the hands of the violent crime organizations and force the hundreds of thousands of criminals that are involved in the trade because of the lucrative amount of cash out of business.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Why? So I can other can go on there rants but I can't?

I never said alcohol was a billion times better! I never did. I am saying I don't want marijuana legalized. People tell me I don't have the facts well there they are. And I'm sure anyone on this site can find another way to tell me there wrong.

Then for the same reasons you do not want marijuana legalized, you should be wanting tobacco and alcohol to be made illegal. You keep siting health risks, well the other two are far worse when it comes to health risks.

Don't let me catch you drinking a beer when you get older!

Ok Dan your right. I should apologize because I'd like to do the right thing when I'm older and not get in to drugs.

That is a good attitude to have. No one is denying that.

I'm sorry I'll go smoke pot and maybe drink afterwards.

Is that what you want to hear. I could say what you guys said was BS and propaganda from pot smokers too.

Now you are just being dumb, sorry but no one has ever said that.

 

[Marcel]

Are you refering to this post Marcel. I just can't agree that marijuana use is not harmful or is even good for you.

But if the government legalizes marijuana, it should also stay out of the business of telling private companies that they have to hire those that use weed. I don't want to see any lawsuits that state companies are discriminating against pot smokers.

As far as regulating the import of marijuana from our southern neighbors; one very proper role of the government is to protect our border areas from foreign violence and influence. National security is one of the few proper roles of a centralized government.

Well I was actually referring to the whole discussion. I actually agree with you Amsel. Smoking weed is harmful. I only favour the legalisation because of the facts that I pointed out and actually you did as well.

 

[B-17engineer]

OK. Thanks

 

[lesofprimus]

Alright, so the big questions are:

Which is more harmful to your own body, drinking a case of beer a week or 4 joints???

Which is more harmful to u on the road, someone who drank a six pack or someone who smoked a joint???

Whose more prone to carjacking u at midnight, the dude who just drank a six pack or the stoner who just blew a fat bowl???

To be honest, I dont give a rats ass if it illegal or not....

 

[timshatz]

Not to make it a political thread, but I just noticed something which I found extremely funny:

Many US people, defending as less influence of the government as possible (guns law etc) claiming they could very well decide for themselves are now in favour of the government regulating the use of pot, while the Europeans, being all for regulations by the government (including me) are now more or less claiming people should decide for themselves whether to use pot and the government should stay out of it. Some funny form of hypocrisy from both sides

Europe: Pot is legal, guns are pretty much illegal.
America: Guns are legal, pot is pretty much illegal.

Glad we got the cleared up

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

To be honest, I dont give a rats ass if it illegal or not....

Agreed, same here. I don't smoke it. I am just playing devils advocate here.

 

[Torch]

Been reading this thread with interest, I'm still debating about the use of MaryJ for medicanal purposes, I think if it's controlled it could be useful for those who are in pain. I'll be a hypocrit and say yes I have my coctails when I'm home and at other functions and don't think alcohol should be illegal. But I have to say that growing up in a middle class area in Queens New York where kids had access to cash there was a steady business of MaryJ. I would say from 7th grade on when my friends and I started smoking there would eventually be a very obvious,visible downturn in school performance and athletic performance. I would say there was about 30 of us,close friends whom finally broke up into 2 groups, the Heads and the Jocks, I split with the jocks. This is just personal observation and experience. I know MaryJ is not supposed to be addicting but the majority of the Heads went on to try other drugs that which sadly to say led to 7 or 8 funerals which were sad to attend, especially when one of your friends is lying dead in Church and your other friends are blowing coke in the bathroom. Some of the Heads were carrying A averages and ended up by barely making it out of high school. As for the Jocks especially me, I got turned off by what I was seeing happening to my friends and made a decision that drugs were not for me. Plus there's enough idiots driving around drunk that to add stoners to the list would just increase the risk of something happening. The people who take booze and drugs to the extreme will always cause a problem for the rest of society. As for B17, your still young and you will go thru many more experiences in your life, just try to take the correct path that will make you happy..