MARIJUANA.......

I see no reason why marijuana should not be legalized. It has been used for centuries as a painkiller. I would rather see someone using marijuana to manage pain then getting hopelessly addicted to Oxycontin.

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Hi Mexi-can, I to think it does have some benifical uses in pain and sickness,but there is such a slippery slope,that it gets into the hands of so many people that aren't sick...I've made many a stupid decision,while feeling I was in such a great and enlightened head by buying things I shouldn't have,like cars etc....Many a man has awakened the next morning,and regretted what took place that past night,and wound up paying child support for 21 years!!!(it happens all the time)
Many Blessings Mexi-can,Bob

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I know medicinal marijuana is legal in 13 states. I think you have to grow it yourself though, is that right? And I believe that there is a limit on how many plants you can have, how much you can have, etc.

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it doesn't help ashmatics does it?, I am severely allergic!

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well yah learn somehting new everyday..lol
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=132

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The only way I would say it should be legal is if a Dr. precribes it. And in it's natural state. Buying it on the street you don't know what you are getting and can cause more harm than good.

I have known people taking chemo and it did help with their side effects..

But to just legalize it for everyone IMO is a mistake. I just had a friend whose son was in a car while the driver was high and jumped a stop sign.. Now what if he had killed someone. Not everyone tolerates it as well as others. It does effect your reflexes.. I tried it as a teen and never did it again.. It made me feel as if I wasn't there. Hard to explain... But let's just say.. I couldn't even feel the gas pedal to drive 2 blocks home..

So again for medical reasons if it truly works it needs to really be monitored. :)

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If it was legalized, there'd still be everything you see now. People would still grow it for crazy potency etc. People would still abuse it, and kids would start with it to zone out, and go on to other stuff. I'm not a prude...I've been around it tons, although I never could smoke it and function, personally. Just went to sleep. Lol.

Not sure, but doesn't smoking...no matter what it is...hurt our health? Hmmm.

Nah, I wouldn't legalize it. And I'd close down all cigarette manufacturers too. Let smokers grow their own tobacco.

And..and quit making wineries seem like something posher than alcohol. It's booze, no matter how you glorify it. I've watched and am still watching people I know DIE from all of the above...sigh. I suppose I'm biased.

Edited on February 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM Permalink

Wait...as far as for dying people, chronic pain sufferers, etc? Sure.

Edited on February 1, 2009 at 2:55 PM Permalink

Deedle, I think the was just talking about legalizing it for medicinal purposes.

But, could I ask - how do you feel about alcohol? Do you feel that marijuana's effects are more potent or damaging than drinking? And, do you think it's ok for alcohol to be legal?

(I'm not criticizing, I'm really interested in your perspective)

Edited on February 1, 2009 at 6:06 PM Permalink

Thanks Darcy and I've only just joined this thread so I'm sure I missed plenty.

I don't feel I'm knowledgable enough on the topic to say whether or not the effects of pot are MORE potent or damaging than drinking. But I do think I know enough to say it is potent and damaging. So is booze. So is nicotine. What I fear is mass production and too much availability of a 'good' thing. I don't think that mass production of nicotine and alcohol products has been a good thing. I don't think that the same with pot is going to be any better....especially when companies add addicting qualities to it in order to keep you smoking THEIR brand. I just don't know enough to say at THIS time that I'd say go ahead and legalize it. Already we can't even keep our smoking or drinking under control.

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Well I agree that for some people smoking and drinking are out of control. I suppose it is the same with marijuana for some. Pot is no exception - too much of anything is not good for you.

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deedlerock wrote:

Not sure, but doesn't smoking...no matter what it is...hurt our health? Hmmm.

Nah, I wouldn't legalize it. And I'd close down all cigarette manufacturers too. Let smokers grow their own tobacco.

And..and quit making wineries seem like something posher than alcohol. It's booze, no matter how you glorify it. I've watched and am still watching people I know DIE from all of the above...sigh. I suppose I'm biased.

I agree...

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I don't smoke it, but after researching it.....it's amazing all the things it helps medically....the other industries it would work in/for also....paper, clothing, rope, etc.
After watching my mother die of stomach cancer, I wish I had it for her. The amount of pain she went through, no one should have to endure and "pain" meds don't work. Most that are prescribed tend to either knock a person out or they cause delusions, anxiety and other symptoms that tend to be worse then the original symptoms.

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It should be legal. It being illegal is stupid.

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DarcyDoo wrote:I know medicinal marijuana is legal in 13 states. I think you have to grow it yourself though, is that right? And I believe that there is a limit on how many plants you can have, how much you can have, etc.

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DarcyDoo wrote:I know medicinal marijuana is legal in 13 states. I think you have to grow it yourself though, is that right? And I believe that there is a limit on how many plants you can have, how much you can have, etc.

Edited on February 2, 2009 at 7:59 AM Permalink

I say legalize it!!

I don't smoke it now but I have no problem with other people smoking it as long as you take care of your business first like going to work everyday, paying your bills, etc....then if you wanna relax and smoke a doobie, I see nothing wrong with it.

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I can't think of a single reason in the world for it to be illegal in the first place. I just don't think it is the governments business to "protect" me from a harmless plant. It never hurt anyone and never will. the only thing that hurt anyone with Marijuana is the governments sensless prohibition.

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and by the way it really does not help for pain but does for nausea. It does however make one lazy and makes simple things more interesting.

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deedlerock wrote:If it was legalized, there'd still be everything you see now. People would still grow it for crazy potency etc. People would still abuse it, and kids would start with it to zone out, and go on to other stuff. I'm not a prude...I've been around it tons, although I never could smoke it and function, personally. Just went to sleep. Lol.

Not sure, but doesn't smoking...no matter what it is...hurt our health? Hmmm.

Nah, I wouldn't legalize it. And I'd close down all cigarette manufacturers too. Let smokers grow their own tobacco.

And..and quit making wineries seem like something posher than alcohol. It's booze, no matter how you glorify it. I've watched and am still watching people I know DIE from all of the above...sigh. I suppose I'm biased.

perhaps biased but I don't like th eway you want to control what others can do. If you choose not to use alcohol, tobacco and marijuana it is your choice, but really where do you get the idea you should have any say in what others are allowed to do? Whether it hurts them or not it is just not yours or the governments place to tell others what they can and cannot do.

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I think it is way less trouble then the legal booze everyone consumes everyday,,and health wise,,I barried my best friend at the age of 44 from cancer of the liver from drinking,,haven't barried anyone from weed yet!!

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mexi-can wrote:Shouldn't it be legalized for Dr. prescription?, or even street use

I believe it should be legalized for medicinal purposes only.

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wizard_of_ice wrote:and by the way it really does not help for pain but does for nausea. It does however make one lazy and makes simple things more interesting.

HAHA.....WIZ!

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mexi-can wrote:On my opinion, I think drinking really impairs you thinking gaucho bad. I have not heard of anyone dying of an overdose of marijuana.....They probably thought they were, but when they woke up all they wanted to was eat alot of whatever.....lol...And by they I mean me too, back in the day. It doesn't make you violent. You aren't gonna rob a store....your too relaxed......ya might hit your mama's purse a few times but not a store. If a store is robbed its not because they were stoned off weed alone but I'm sure their was a little chronic in there.

LOL! Love the way you put that, Jaimie. So true!

I'm all for legalizing marijuana, especially for medicinal purposes. The herb itself does help to relax a person, puts you in a better head space, so you don't have to think about pain. And it makes a person get the munchies...which is a good point in why it should be legalized for terminally ill patients who find it so difficult to eat any food sometimes, and maintain a healthy body weight, thereby forcing their decline much faster.

To be quite frank, I think this country should get smart and legalize it across the board, like Holland.

We waste too much money fighting the illegal import of this drug by organized criminals, when it could be a substantial cash crop for creating money that can be used toward much better purposes.

The expense we put into fighting this drug makes little to no sense, when it could be put into the economy along with the income from the herb, rather than into areas of imprisoning people just for carrying minimal amounts of pot, for having paraphenalia on your person, for suspicion of intent to sell, etc.,...the list goes on. And we as tax payers foot that bill, when it could all be avoided.

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There's a huge difference between the basic, natural herb itself, and the stuff you'd get on the streets.

I smoked when I was young...when that was all you got, just the herb. Anymore, it's so stepped on (other drugs added to it...usually crack). It's just nasty. I've lost interest.

Also, I'd like to say that... as far as the question "isn't anything we smoke bad for us?". Yeah, probably. But natural herb would be a LOT less harmful than cigarettes...which are also laced with chemicals. Around 800 different chemicals, including arsenic, and saltpeter, warfarin, ...the list goes on.

Truth is, if we were smoking anything that were simply the herb itself, from pot to cigarettes, to cigars...it'd all be a lot less harmful, and a lot more enjoyable.

And a lot less profitable for the seller in the current market system. So, we'd need an over-haul in the general thinking process.

Plus, you can get the benefits of marijuana from eating it, rather than smoking it. So, it'd be just like eating just about any other herb out there, but with a little extra side-bonus. :)

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wizard_of_ice wrote:and by the way it really does not help for pain but does for nausea. It does however make one lazy and makes simple things more interesting.

lol. It certainly makes me more creative. Funny how a little plant can have so much to give. Poor little thing, gets such a bad rap.

They say todays' marijuana is more potent than that of the 70's era. Sure, because it's more than just marijuana. It doesn't even smell the same. If people in the crime fighting business of today had tried the pot of yesterday, and tried the pot of today...they might realize, it's not the HERB that they are fighting. It's the additives. Chronic just makes me agitated. That's not what good mj should do. So, I don't touch the stuff anymore.

It would be nice to see it legalized for medicinal purposes. But it would have to be hydroponic all the way.

And, it would have to be monitored like a prescription drug.

Edited on February 2, 2009 at 12:15 PM Permalink

BonJohn wrote:I think it is way less trouble then the legal booze everyone consumes everyday,,and health wise,,I barried my best friend at the age of 44 from cancer of the liver from drinking,,haven't barried anyone from weed yet!!

Right on, guy. I agree. I've seen first-hand evidence in my own lifetime that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that alcohol is MUCH more harmful that marijuana.

Seen it, smelled it, touched it, lived it. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

I've lost more than enough friends to drunk driving stupidity and other idiotic moves due to alcohol (fights that led to death, imprisonment due to doing really dumb things while under the influence of alcohol). But I've never, not once in my life, known someone to get into trouble while under the influence of just marijuana.

Anyone who says they smoked it and really weird things happened to them...well, it's my guess that it was more than just plain herb, more to it than just THC. I've known people to lace their smoke with really nasty stuff....besides just crack. Another reason I don't buy anymore...other than it's not worth the risk. The punishment out-weighs the crime by far too much.

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I'm all for the legalization of marijuana (would make my life so much easier :O, ha!) and not just for medicinal reasons either, I think if alcohol is legal then so should mari-jane be too!! people don't get stoned and go round beating others but alcohol is well renowned for making people violent!! i also know for a fact that marijuana is not a gateway drug that leads to harder drugs at all, i've smoked for 15 yrs and i have never ever in my life touched anything harder and know plenty of people who are the same...........i reckon the whole world should take a leaf (pun not intended) outta the dutch book, if people want to smoke weed then it is an infringement of their human rights to stop them!

Edited on February 2, 2009 at 12:48 PM Permalink

sammy07 wrote:I'm all for the legalization of marijuana (would make my life so much easier :O, ha!) and not just for medicinal reasons either, I think if alcohol is legal then so should mari-jane be too!! people don't get stoned and go round beating others but alcohol is well renowned for making people violent!! i also know for a fact that marijuana is not a gateway drug that leads to harder drugs at all, i've smoked for 15 yrs and i have never ever in my life touched anything harder and know plenty of people who are the same...........i reckon the whole world should take a leaf (pun not intended) outta the dutch book, if people want to smoke weed then it is an infringement of their human rights to stop them!

I think it should be legal in all instances. But there's got to be some kind of restrictions on who has access to it. That's where I see a problem. You and I both know it is addicting. I've smoked since I was about 13, and I'm 45 now. I'm not willing to give it up completely,...but I won't buy it anymore. You prolly know what I mean.

I just really wouldn't want to see instances where it gets into the hands of children. I was too young when I started smoking. And had it been legal, I might have started earlier, if I could have hid it from my family well enough. As it was, my mom busted me a few times, grounded me, etc.,... but it didn't stop me. Because I was addicted.

I think it has more to do with whether or not you're of a *severely addictive personality. My niece is. And I believe strongly that that is why she went on to using harder substances, while I didn't.

I've never tried heroin, or meth/crack. I got caught up in doing some coke with friends back in the 80's..for a few months. But I hated the way it made me feel.

So, I don't believe it either....I don't buy into the fact that marijuana just IS a gateway drug. I think it has to do with a person's personality, not the drug they start out with. The term "gateway drug" is just a catch phrase. Another one of those coporate scare tactics. Kind of falls into the same silly word-play toy box as GW's catchy phrases. If it weren't for politicians inventing these words to put into people's heads, we'd have our own opinions that probably wouldn't match up, or be as drastic.

You're either going to use, or you're not, and it doesn't take starting out on mj to get to the harder stuff.

*changed to reflect that I recognize my own addiction. It's just not as severe as someone who does move on to harder stuff.

As in anything in life, there are varying degrees of addiction. And I think that some of the attraction to marijuana, for some people, is the excitement of the fact that it is illegal.

Edited on February 2, 2009 at 1:48 PM Permalink

I say outlaw alcohol and legalize marijuana.

If people got high from smoking oak leaves would the government outlaw oak trees?

It is a plant. In it's natural state without chemicals.
It has medicinal uses and should be legalized not just for those uses but for recreational use as well. Many plants are helpful to humans. Purple foxglove is used to make digitalis (a heart medication).

I think that statistics would show that more people are injured due to alcohol than due to marijuana.

Just my 2 cents worth...and NO I don't smoke it but I used to.

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ya got to legalise it . cause if this plan to get everyone to quit smoking ciggs, works ...the the tabacco farmers will need somthing to do!

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RNNAL wrote:I say outlaw alcohol and legalize marijuana.

If people got high from smoking oak leaves would the government outlaw oak trees?

It is a plant. In it's natural state without chemicals.
It has medicinal uses and should be legalized not just for those uses but for recreational use as well. Many plants are helpful to humans. Purple foxglove is used to make digitalis (a heart medication).

I think that statistics would show that more people are injured due to alcohol than due to marijuana.

Just my 2 cents worth...and NO I don't smoke it but I used to.

basicaly wasting away a mother nature gift!
from ropes,to clothes,to a regulated medicine its being wasted taxfree!

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At one time it was America's crop.Stronger and more durable then cotton,easy to grow.Many old bibles where made from it,super strong ropes,etc.etc.It was illegalized so we could buy synthetic stuff from chemical companies.
And I've never heard of anybody burnin one and goin out to shoot people.

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As one of those that have a medical marijuana card, I can only say it needs to be legalized for medicinal purposes for sure. I don't smoke a lot but when I need it I am eternally grateful that I am allowed to have it. I do like to cook with it though and it is a very mellow pain reliever that doesn't jar my senses in a crash or knock me out like I've been hit with a rolling pin. For people that have a doctor's script, they can obtain the card for 100.00 per year unless you are on Medicare. Then it is 20.00 per year. You are allowed to grow your own plants (up to a total of 18) or you can buy from a licensed grower (which is where I get mine). Not only is it much cheaper but it is not stepped on either. You can't just waltz into the doctor's office and say I hurt real bad and need it. You do have to go thru the whole testing process etc. to be a viable candidate. Street pot is so dangerous because it has so many things dumped in with it and it doesn't smell like it should or have the same effects. It isn't anything I want. Just give me the pure herb. It's much more pleasant.

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Whiskey wrote:As one of those that have a medical marijuana card, I can only say it needs to be legalized for medicinal purposes for sure. I don't smoke a lot but when I need it I am eternally grateful that I am allowed to have it. I do like to cook with it though and it is a very mellow pain reliever that doesn't jar my senses in a crash or knock me out like I've been hit with a rolling pin. For people that have a doctor's script, they can obtain the card for 100.00 per year unless you are on Medicare. Then it is 20.00 per year. You are allowed to grow your own plants (up to a total of 18) or you can buy from a licensed grower (which is where I get mine). Not only is it much cheaper but it is not stepped on either. You can't just waltz into the doctor's office and say I hurt real bad and need it. You do have to go thru the whole testing process etc. to be a viable candidate. Street pot is so dangerous because it has so many things dumped in with it and it doesn't smell like it should or have the same effects. It isn't anything I want. Just give me the pure herb. It's much more pleasant.

Great minds think, and act, alike.

I should look into this for myself. I have rheumatoid athritis. But I suspect it wouldn't be legal here in Wisconsin.

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Ghost_Writer37 wrote:

RNNAL wrote:I say outlaw alcohol and legalize marijuana.

If people got high from smoking oak leaves would the government outlaw oak trees?

It is a plant. In it's natural state without chemicals.
It has medicinal uses and should be legalized not just for those uses but for recreational use as well. Many plants are helpful to humans. Purple foxglove is used to make digitalis (a heart medication).

I think that statistics would show that more people are injured due to alcohol than due to marijuana.

Just my 2 cents worth...and NO I don't smoke it but I used to.

basicaly wasting away a mother nature gift!
from ropes,to clothes,to a regulated medicine its being wasted taxfree!

darryl wrote:At one time it was America's crop.Stronger and more durable then cotton,easy to grow.Many old bibles where made from it,super strong ropes,etc.etc.It was illegalized so we could buy synthetic stuff from chemical companies.
And I've never heard of anybody burnin one and goin out to shoot people.

Actually, we do have production of Hemp in this country. It's controversial, but only because some people just don't seem to understand that it's not the same thing as the marijuana that we smoke to get high on.

Still, though, it's a pretty big industry.
I have hemp twine that I've used to make skull caps with. And beaded wrist bracelets, and ankle bracelets, and chokers...and roach clips ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp

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I live in the "pot capital of Canada". British Columbia. I couldn't believe when I first moved here, people smoking it on the beaches and outside and not worried what the cops thought. And I went to a rock concert in Vancouver, GM place, and lots of peeps were smoking it right in their seats, passing it around, while we listened to John Cougar Mellencamp.

The cops do have bigger things to worry about usually...my suburban city used to be the murder capital of Canada. The cops *are* concerned with all the "grow-ops" here though of which there are many...people who grow the weed hydroponically in their homes and sell it on the street.

Anyway, there is a study I have read that indicated that people who smoke it too regularly who have depression, it could make depression worse. I have concerns about it being as easily available as buying a package of cigarettes since it's a psychoactive substance and classified as technically a hallucinagen.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071023183937.htm

Other studies I have read, stated marijuana *may* increase risk of psychosis in some people.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/07/26/pot-psychosis.html

edit: don't know why that last link isn't clickable?

Edited on February 3, 2009 at 12:17 AM Permalink

Marijuana is very far from being an hallucinigen. Any one who claims this is so is either ignorant or using the statement as a propaganda tool. I remember in grade school in the 60's they showed us all a film where a guy smoked it and looked in a mirror and a monster came out of it at him. This type of intentional lie is likely the cause of other more dangerous drugs being used as people stop beleiving something is dangerous because they have been lied to so much. Once you realize the government and other authority figures are intentionally lying to us to control you it is hard to take anything they tell us seriously.

and as far as inducing "psychosis" in "some" people....well hamburgers can too...not very likely for either but just as possible.

The only harm caused by marijuana is the harm done by the governments who attempt to ban it. It is so silly to take someone who smoked or otherwise ingested a simple weed and put them in jail.

And in truth...it isn't any of the governments business anyway.

Edited on February 4, 2009 at 1:25 PM Permalink

Whiskey wrote:As one of those that have a medical marijuana card, I can only say it needs to be legalized for medicinal purposes for sure. I don't smoke a lot but when I need it I am eternally grateful that I am allowed to have it. I do like to cook with it though and it is a very mellow pain reliever that doesn't jar my senses in a crash or knock me out like I've been hit with a rolling pin. For people that have a doctor's script, they can obtain the card for 100.00 per year unless you are on Medicare. Then it is 20.00 per year. You are allowed to grow your own plants (up to a total of 18) or you can buy from a licensed grower (which is where I get mine). Not only is it much cheaper but it is not stepped on either. You can't just waltz into the doctor's office and say I hurt real bad and need it. You do have to go thru the whole testing process etc. to be a viable candidate. Street pot is so dangerous because it has so many things dumped in with it and it doesn't smell like it should or have the same effects. It isn't anything I want. Just give me the pure herb. It's much more pleasant.

The problems you mentioned about the weed being stepped on or having other substances added to it are only taking place because of the fact it is outlawed. this will cause the ones who sell it to be less than honorable folks because the ones who would be honest or reasonable about it cannot get into the business.

Edited on February 4, 2009 at 1:30 PM Permalink

I shudder when I read of people suggesting that marijuana has no bad side effects. Tell that to a friend of my sister....her son tried to be hip & fit in, and smoked it for the first time with some friends. Thing is, he tried to fly from the roof of a building.......he thought he could do anything......he couldn't have an open casket.

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Jacqui wrote:I shudder when I read of people suggesting that marijuana has no bad side effects. Tell that to a friend of my sister....her son tried to be hip & fit in, and smoked it for the first time with some friends. Thing is, he tried to fly from the roof of a building.......he thought he could do anything......he couldn't have an open casket.

I've heard of things like this happening. In fact, I was at a party one time where we were passing around a few joints, and a bowl or two all at the same time, between about 8 people. Then the lights went out, and a strobe light was turned on, and suddenly my boyfriend's arm looked like it was breaking into pieces and falling to the floor. Fights broke out, and bad things happened all night long. I left. But I don't remember the walk home.

I found out later that the pot was laced with PCP.

I'm truly sorry about your sister's friend. But I highly doubt that what he'd smoked was just marijuana.

btw; this was a long time ago. And my point is that usually there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. That's why I do not advocate smoking street drugs. You just never know what's in that baggie.

Edited on February 4, 2009 at 4:05 PM Permalink

I could see some drugs like PCP or LSD doing that but not usually marijuanna. Although I have known many who have drunk beer and wrecked their car. Any time you drink or smoke you have to take on some responsibility for your behavior. Sad to hear of anyone going off the roof of a building.

I smoked it everyday when I was younger say between about 15 yrs old until about 30. Sometimes even in large amounts lol....I can say it does not cause delusions or hallucinations of any kind. Everyone is different , true, however I would rather take the risks myself and be responsible for my own actions than have the government babysit me and control my life and tell me what I can and cannot do. It is just not the job of the government to protect me from myself.

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Jacqui wrote:I shudder when I read of people suggesting that marijuana has no bad side effects. Tell that to a friend of my sister....her son tried to be hip & fit in, and smoked it for the first time with some friends. Thing is, he tried to fly from the roof of a building.......he thought he could do anything......he couldn't have an open casket.

So sorry to hear about your sisters friends son but I have to agree with Beth, certainly sounds like something more than marijuana was consumed on that occasion! a person who is not on any drugs whatsoever is more likely to believe they can fly than someone who is stoned!!! marijuana just doesn't affect the brain like that (well, not mine anyway), people are far more cautious when they are stoned, it doesn't make you loose your mind in anyway shape or form in fact it enhances ALL of your senses, makes you more aware!
I am not saying that is a good thing for everyone and i can certainly see how it could enhance mental disorders too which is exactly why strict control is necessary.

Edited on February 4, 2009 at 4:27 PM Permalink

weed is equal to alcohol,abuse it and you gonna get screwed!

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