Marijuana laws- O/T

[cubsfan-budman]

Originally Posted by glchen

I didn't read through all of the posts and I don't want to get into a long discussion on this, but I personally believe that marijuana is worse than alcohol. The reason that people think that alcohol is worse is because it's legal. If you completely legalize pot, can you imagine what could happen if you have one of those mega corps the size of the beer companies commercializing this? If every 15 minutes on TV, you saw a commercial trying to convince you to buy this brand of pot or this other brand?

The other comparison is to cigarettes. I think it'd only be a matter of time before legalized pot goes down the road of smoking where the government puts all of these warning labels on cigarette packs. It'd be the same thing w/ pot.

Finally, I think marijuana would be the first step for many users to the road of harder drugs like cocaine. Pretty soon, you would want a bigger hit.

I'm fine w/ medical use for those who need it for pain relief. However, recreationally, I don't think so.

Edited to add: Alcohol is in another realm because there are thousands of years of Western and Asian history of drinking alcohol. I wouldn't be surprised if cavemen drank regularly. However, the history of different cultures smoking pot is minuscule.

I don't know you or anything about your experiences, but this sounds like the words of someone who's never tried marijuana. Marijuana and cocaine are completely different. Someone who was interested in the "high" that marijuana gives them wouldn't look to cocaine for something similar. That's like saying that drinking coffee makes you want to try cocaine. They're far more alike.

From *MY* experience, the whole "gateway drug" notion is a sham...something that came with the whole "Reefer Madness" culture, which is based on misinformation about pot.

(Full disclosure, I do not smoke pot and haven't for nearly 10 years)

[glchen]

Originally Posted by cubsfan-budman

I don't know you or anything about your experiences, but this sounds like the words of someone who's never tried marijuana. Marijuana and cocaine are completely different. Someone who was interested in the "high" that marijuana gives them wouldn't look to cocaine for something similar. That's like saying that drinking coffee makes you want to try cocaine. They're far more alike.

From *MY* experience, the whole "gateway drug" notion is a sham...something that came with the whole "Reefer Madness" culture, which is based on misinformation about pot.

(Full disclosure, I do not smoke pot and haven't for nearly 10 years)

I will admit that I have never tried marijuana and I have also never tried smoking. I do drink with friends, however. I also drink coffee every now and then.

Please educate me. Are you saying that marijuana is basically the same as caffeine? So right now, people can drink coffee and drive at the same time. So are you saying that people should be allowed to drive and smoke pot at the same time? It's not that much different? Also, I believe pregnant women are allowed to drink coffee on a limited basis. So you would say, they can also smoke pot every now and then? No problems?

[cubsfan-budman]

Originally Posted by glchen

I will admit that I have never tried marijuana and I have also never tried smoking. I do drink with friends, however. I also drink coffee every now and then.

Please educate me. Are you saying that marijuana is basically the same as caffeine? So right now, people can drink coffee and drive at the same time. So are you saying that people should be allowed to drive and smoke pot at the same time? It's not that much different? Also, I believe pregnant women are allowed to drink coffee on a limited basis. So you would say, they can also smoke pot every now and then? No problems?

I am not trying to suggest the caffeine and pot are the same thing. I am saying that pot is an unlikely gateway to something "harder" like cocaine, because they have nothing in common. Caffeine and cocaine have much more in common, based solely on the effects that they cause.

Anyhow, another thing worth dispelling is this crazy idea of a "dealer" as some Scarface kingpin. When I smoked, I bought from my buddy. He was pacifist and Pink Floyd aficionado. He bought from a grower who was an old "head"...basically a left over hippie...that was the "end of the line" so to speak.

Everyone that *I* know (I live in Central TX, not Downtown Detroit), bought weed in the same way.

So, there's that.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by cubsfan-budman

From *MY* experience, the whole "gateway drug" notion is a sham...something that came with the whole "Reefer Madness" culture, which is based on misinformation about pot.

(Full disclosure, I do not smoke pot and haven't for nearly 10 years)

I haven't smoked in nearly 10 myself. I can agree with you about the origins of the "gateway" notion. However, I believe it's also a notion that has become somewhat credible nowadays. It lies simply in the potential upsale depending on the dealer.. Suck 'em in with weed, and then turn 'em on to something more profitable. I will concede that this is definitely NOT the case with all dealers though. Upon legalization, I believe that this upsale factor goes away..

[teetwoohsix]

I posted this link earlier in this thread, and I beg all of you people who are against legalizing it to go to this site and educate yourselves to the failed war on drugs: http://www.leap.cc/

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Watch the 20 minute video of Jack Cole, giving you the STATISTICS. It's a real eye opener, and it gives you the bigger picture.

Sincerely, Clayton

[Leon]

Originally Posted by teetwoohsix

I posted this link earlier in this thread, and I beg all of you people who are against legalizing it to go to this site and educate yourselves to the failed war on drugs: http://www.leap.cc/

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Watch the 20 minute video of Jack Cole, giving you the STATISTICS. It's a real eye opener, and it gives you the bigger picture.

Sincerely, Clayton

Thanks for posting that link Clayton. For those that are opposed I hope they will watch it and then let us know if they are still opposed. I would be extremely interested. It's a REAL eye opener when 80,000 judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and supporters are behind the end of the illegality. It also gives an idea why it really is still illegal, as Joe above said....there is so much money being made off of keeping it illegal that business and profiteers are fighting tooth and nail.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for posting that link Clayton. For those that are opposed I hope they will watch it and then let us know if they are still opposed. I would be extremely interested. It's a REAL eye opener when 80,000 judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and supporters are behind the end of the illegality. It also gives an idea why it really is still illegal, as Joe above said....there is so much money being made off of keeping it illegal that business and profiteers are fighting tooth and nail.

I just watched two minutes of a couple of videos including one by Cole. From what I got, these are about legalizing along ALL drugs not just pot. Is that the topic of this thread and does everyone who supports legal pot also support legal coke, heroin and crack?

[packs]

Alcohol killed 2.5 million people last year. Every year tobacco causes 20 percent of all US deaths. I don't see how you can say cigarettes or alcohol aren't any worse than any singular drug. If an adult can be given the choice to drink or smoke or not to drink or smoke, why can't they also be given the choice to do drugs or not do drugs? You're already making that choice every day as it is.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by glchen

I just watched two minutes of a couple of videos including one by Cole. From what I got, these are about legalizing along ALL drugs not just pot. Is that the topic of this thread and does everyone who supports legal pot also support legal coke, heroin and crack?

Hi Gary-

No, the topic at hand is just a discussion about legalizing marijuana. But, if you listen to the whole Cole video, you will clearly see why the war on drugs has failed (big time) and the statistics alone will shock you. Again, please watch the whole clip when you can. He lays it out way better than I can.

I don't recommend anyone use drugs or alchohol or tobacco- but I 100% feel we, as Americans, should have the freedom to choose what we do with our bodies and minds (they are ours, aren't they? ). As long as the individual isn't hurting someone else in any way, what is the problem? Who am I to say because I don't like something that no one else should have the right to do it? I guess that's my point. There are a lot of things I don't personally like or agree with, but I would never want that alone to remove someone else's right to do it if that's what they wanted to do. I hope that made sense

Liberty and freedom- what does that mean?

The Cole video (the whole thing ) is, well, shocking. I've yet to see any one but you comment on it- any one else watch it?

Sincerely, Clayton

[Leon]

Originally Posted by teetwoohsix

Hi Gary-

No, the topic at hand is just a discussion about legalizing marijuana. But, if you listen to the whole Cole video, you will clearly see why the war on drugs has failed (big time) and the statistics alone will shock you. Again, please watch the whole clip when you can. He lays it out way better than I can.

I don't recommend anyone use drugs or alchohol or tobacco- but I 100% feel we, as Americans, should have the freedom to choose what we do with our bodies and minds (they are ours, aren't they? ). As long as the individual isn't hurting someone else in any way, what is the problem? Who am I to say because I don't like something that no one else should have the right to do it? I guess that's my point. There are a lot of things I don't personally like or agree with, but I would never want that alone to remove someone else's right to do it if that's what they wanted to do. I hope that made sense

Liberty and freedom- what does that mean?

The Cole video (the whole thing ) is, well, shocking. I've yet to see any one but you comment on it- any one else watch it?

Sincerely, Clayton

I watched most of the clip and it is VERY eye opening. I am only a little surprised that there are so many on this board that are against the legalization of it. There is a lot of ignorance and denial still in society. Hopefully people will educate themselves more and become more tolerant of others rights. I agree with you 100% Clayton.

And Wazoo- you are a very smart young man. NO way should marijuana be used by adolescents. No where have I ever heard that be an acceptable practice. Just like alcohol or tobacco shouldn't be either...( I can't stand tobacco but understand it's somewhat of a relaxer for smokers, but yuck )....

One last thing too- I appreciate the discussion that has been in this thread and the fact no one has completely flipped out. Anyone on the board knows that these discussions are very rare and will remain that way, especially on the front page.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for posting that link Clayton. For those that are opposed I hope they will watch it and then let us know if they are still opposed. I would be extremely interested. It's a REAL eye opener when 80,000 judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and supporters are behind the end of the illegality. It also gives an idea why it really is still illegal, as Joe above said....there is so much money being made off of keeping it illegal that business and profiteers are fighting tooth and nail.

Thanks Leon-

I figured it would wake some people up, considering the source. I think it's easier for people to just assume because drugs are illegal, that there is no real problem. Quite the contrary. I wish everyone would watch the videos and listen to what they are saying- especially those of you with kids.

Keep your heads in the sand, and keep letting the cartels get RICH. Keep wasting billions of dollars fighting something that just keeps growing, like cancer. The more money spent "fighting the war" the stronger the drugs get, and the bigger the loads are, coming across the border. The deaths will continue, and the prisons will keep overflowing. Families get wrecked, homes lost, and the time spent chasing plants is more time taken away from more important things, like solving unsolved homicides, rapes, etc.

Drug abuse is a medical problem, not a crime. Look at the countries that have legalized (Cole's video, again, gives the statistics).

Sincerely, Clayton