Marijuana - Let's talk some sense

Big Dan

Howdy Folks,

I'm bringing this topic up because I think it needs to be discussed. California currently has legalized medical marijuana for which the federal government accepts tax money on yet it the enforcement arm (DEA) will send in SWAT teams to shut it down. It seems something is wrong here.

We already have legalized more harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco. One has to wonder why marijuana is still illegal. There are thousands of non-violent people in our jails and prisons for marijuana possession and sales. All it does is keep prisons and lawyers in business.

At a time when we could really use the tax money doesn't it make sense to legalize it and tax it?

I'm sure there will be many counter arguments so let 'em rip.

Cheers,
Dan

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popowich

I can't have a beer, blow in your face, and get you intoxicated.

Not sure if marijuana works that way, never smoked.

On that note, I don't like smoke in general except campfire smoke

You'd have to limit it to peoples houses.

I really don't care what you do in your house as long as it is not affecting my house / life.

I could care less if you are smoking up in your apartment.

I believe the smoke is bad though similar to cigarettes and increases your chances of lung cancer and other lung problems.

-Raymond

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Raven

I don't think pot should be legal. It is a drug. It is being inhaled into your lungs, anything inhaled into your lungs can't be good for your lungs. It impairs your judgement.

Marijuana increases heart rate by 20–100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug.7 This may be due to the increased heart rate as well as effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias. This risk may be greater in aging populations or those with cardiac vulnerabilities. Effects on the Lungs
Numerous studies have shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50–70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increase the lungs’ exposure to carcinogenic smoke. Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer;8 however, a recent case-controlled study found no positive associations between marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper digestive tract cancers.9


Read more


For the record
I feel the same way about alcohol and cigarettes. Companies are making big money to eat away at peoples bodies like lungs, liver. And lets then there is the drinking and driving how many has died in those accidents.

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Mark1

I used to think like you Dan back in the 70s. Trouble now is that most of ot is 10 times stronger than it ever was, if it didnt mess with your brain you wouldnt take it and for many it is a stepping stone for something a little harder. It is also hard enough keeping drink drivers off the road but driving under the influence of drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I accept that in many cases it is less addictive than tobacco or alcohol and your argument is sound regarding the affects. However have you noticed how over say the last 10 years smoking tobacco is now very much reduced with countries round the world banning smoking in public places and for me quite right too. Unfortunatel in the UK alcohol is far too cheap and kids as young as 12 are turning up with liver failure through drink. Again the issue is todays strengths even wine has an alcohol incease of 20% compared to 10 years ago.
The States have it right not allowing drinking until age 21 and enforcing it, should be the same in the UK.

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phoebe1966

I agree with Mark, whilst a little marijuana doesnt seem all that bad, would there be a possibility of it leading to something else.

Big Dan

I cannot say I disagree about the high and it harming your lungs but so does cigarette smoke. Stoned drivers are only doing 4 MPH (miles per hour = 7 KM/h) anyhow j/k.

Alcohol gives you a high it's just a different kind. There have been studies that concluded that marijuana smoke is less toxic than tobacco smoke even morse so because you don't smoke marijuana as frequently as tobacco.

Let's face it Tobacco just became unpolitically correct almost over night. As much as it's taxed I still don't see it being banned. You have to wonder why.. The government is just making their extra tax dollars off of addicts.

I do agree with Mark on the potency aspect even the stuff I got a teenager was noticeably weaker than whats out there today but that doesn't necessarily mean you get 'higher' you just smoke less of the potent stuff because lets face it once your high your high smoking more will just make you pass out sooner.. If your smoking to pass out your wasting your money.

A know a few people who smoke on weekends and get up to go to work everyday. For that matter I know two people who smokes /everyday\, goes to work every day and supports their families. When compared to alcoholism how many people to you know that drink every day and can continue to provide for their families?

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phd7

I agree also. ban them all (including alcohol) or ban none . It hypocritical otherwise. MaryJane is inhaled with tocacco anyway.

On the other hand,regarding the point that it leads to harder drugs, this may be because one who wans to buy some is forced to go to dealers who also provide access to harder drugs, making it easier to succumb to the temptation. Otherwise it could be argued that alcohol could also lead to harder drugs because if one wants one artificial high, one will seek more. This case is not put forward with alcohol because it is sold legally and one doesn't need to seek out some shady character in order to get it.

No point legalising alcohol and tobacco and imposing harsh jail terms on those who choose a slightly different recreational drug, as far as I can see. It seems to be more of a decision that successive governments have bought into because it would be politically difficult to change it

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RJD

Ripped from the NORML website:




Alcohol is an intoxicant; cannabis is not.




The word intoxicant is derived from the Latin noun, toxicum, meaning: “a poison.” It’s an appropriate description for booze. Alcohol is toxic to healthy cells and organs, a side-effect that results in some 35,000 deaths per year. Ethanol, the psychoactive ingredient in booze, is carcinogenic following its initial metabolization, which is why even moderate drinking is positively associated with increased incidences of various types of cancer. Heavy alcohol consumption can depress the central nervous system — inducing unconsciousness, coma, and death — and is strongly associated with increased risks of injury (Booze plays a role in about 41,000 fatal accidents per year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.) and acts of violence. In fact, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Crime Statistics, alcohol consumption plays a role in approximately one million violent crimes annually.
By contrast, the active compounds in marijuana, known as cannabinoids, are remarkably non-toxic and actually mimic chemicals naturally produced by the body, so-called endocannabinoids, that are vital for maintaining one’s proper health. Unlike alcohol, marijuana is incapable of causing fatal overdose — cannabinoids do not act upon the brain stem — and its use is inversely associated with aggression and injury. Finally, lifetime use of cannabis is not associated with increased risk of mortality or various types of cancer — including lung cancer — and may even reduce such risk.
Given our government’s demonization of the cannabis plant and its users it’s a wonder that anyone — much less over half of America — is finally recognizing these facts. That said, this awareness does not yet translate into majority support for legalizing cannabis, which Rasmussen reports remains below 50 percent — meaning that we still have our work cut out for us.

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RJD

Please take a minute and read this. It may change your perception a bit. I am not a regular user of weed, but I know what it does and what is does NOT do...

About Marijuana - NORML

Mark1

That message is completely opposite to the current UK tv advertising campaign against it!