Knowing that alchohol will never be banned and weed never legalized I have some observations;
There is no such thing as drinking and driving responsibly. If drink and intend to drive, you are irresponsible. Any alchohol in your system will affect your reflexes. Are you really willing to bet how much it will on someone elses life?
People who drink and drive go at excessive speeds, drive off the road and into other cars. People who smoke a joint speed along at 5mph on neutral at the most usually they just stay on their couch
People who drink too much puke, people who smoke too much weed simply fall asleep
People who drink get beligerant and start fights. People who smoke weed giggle at everything.
People who drink want more and more until they pass out. People who smoke weed, smoke 1 joint and proceed to eat every cheeto in the house.
Alchohol is processed. Weed is simply grown and then dried(naturally). It grows wild in many cornfields. How do you outlaw something that is grown naturally and not processed in anyway to use?
Weed is no more a gateway drug than alchohol is
Weed was a cash crop until the early 60s. It saves the topsoil, can be used in fabric, paper, body oils and lotion, rope and many many more things.
Nixon had a study done on weed. He didn't like the findings and the report was squashed. Growing marijauna was suddenly outlawed.
I agree moderation is the key. There is no good reason though that one is legal and one is not.

I agree. I think the laws are weird and inconsistent in regards to alcohol and other drugs. However, people do smoke weed and then drive - not just at 5mph.

I agree. People who use pot and no other drugs are usually just regular working people. I know there are exceptions but for the most part people don't go robbing and stuff to get pot. They might shoplift a ringding but that's about it.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I still do not think weed should be legal.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I would have rather have weed legalized than alcohol simply because alcohol makes people mean and violent.I have never known anyone to get mean and violent from smoking pot.

Sounds exactly right to me.

I have seen much weirder reactions to pot than the aforementioned.

Paranoia - that is one big problem that seems to come from smoking pot. And yes - I've seen it cause fights, so can't say it doesn't cause violence.

I've also known more than one college friend to have SEVERE puking reactions to smoking pot.

The smell of pot burning is the most disgusting smell to me. I find it obnoxious and offensive for a person to light up in the presence of others who are non-smokers. However, if nondrinkers are in the presence of someone enjoying a glass of wine (moderation!), nobody else has to deal with the stench.

Finally, the "grown naturally" argument - natural does not mean "good" - there are a lot of things that occur in nature that are toxic, or otherwise unhealthy. Pot is not healthy. Nobody can argue that it is.

Nope. My vote is for alcohol over pot any day. In moderation, of course.

I always believe in moderation in drinking, and NEVER drinking and driving. And DEFINITELY never smoking pot and driving...

I always felt that if pot was illegal, then alcohol should be illegal. Maybe every car made should have a breathalyzer attached to the ignition/steering wheel so that if you are under the influence of alcohol or pot, you simply cannot start your car.

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Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

[quote=devinmom;2973600]

Paranoia - that is one big problem that seems to come from smoking pot. And yes - I've seen it cause fights, so can't say it doesn't cause violence.

QUOTE]

The one time I tried it in college this is what happened to me and let me tell you it will never happen again, it scared the crap out of me!

We don't drink or do any sorts of drugs, but know people who do and as long as it doesn't effect ME I'm good, but as soon as it's invading my space (the smell or smoke or someone getting an attitude from it) then it bothers me. I don't mind having people drink around me, but if they are drinking and running their mouth off or behaving badly then it bothers me and we won't even hang out with those people anymore.

I think more smoking is done in private so unless you smell it you aren't really effected by someone who does it. But yes there have been accidents from people under the influence of drugs, they don't usually say exactly what they took in the papers or anything, but I am sure you could get arrested for smoking pot and driving if you were pulled over?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

I've never used pot but I would have no problems with it being legal. To me, it's no more dangerous than booze if used in moderation. I've seen people get more paranoid or angry when they were on "legal" drugs prescribed to them and they were allowed to drive and work while on these drugs. I wish our laws were more consistent

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

My ex was a pothead and he was mean. And I don't drink or smoke or anything like that (never have).

Did he drink also or do pills while smoking pot ?Or was he mean only when smoking pot?

Drank (beer), no pills, couldn't find any triggers as to what caused his mean episodes. I think he might be ODD (oppositional defiant disorder)-that's the closest thing I can find.

Pot makes you stupid, just like drinking. Kills brain cells leading to Memory loss.

I have seen it actually HELP patients in the field that I work in... I cant stay that it makes you stupid. I think that is a stereotype and generalization.

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

There are lots of people who are able to deal with anxiety, side effects of cancer and chemo, eye problems, circulatory problems, and many other illnessess by using pot.
I have never in my life (I grew up in San Francisco in the 60s & 70s) met anyone who was made stupid by smoking pot. I have met stupid people who smoke it and smart people who smoke it throughout the years but NEVER met nor heard of nor read any news articles or any other written material for that matter about anyone who used to be not stupid and now is because they smoked/smoke pot.
Sorry that is just so NOT true.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I agree... There are stupid people who smoke it... You are so right...

If the governement was smart they would legalize it and tax it just like they do alchohol and cigarettes...

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

The problem with legalizing pot is that it is a gateway drug... since legalization of marijuana in Holland, heroin addiction levels have tripled... I don't think that is just a coincidence,
Also, just making it legal doesn't make the problem go away, it would lead to increased use. They tried it in Alaska in the 70's and ended up recriminalizing it in the 90's with the problems they had...
Before you make your judgements, check out both sides of the arguement. The arguement for legalizing and the arguements against...

#1 Marijuana is not a gateway drug. It is in fact a terminus. Most marijauna users have never used any other illegal drug
#2 Marijuana kills brain cells. Fact, the claim that marijauna kills brain cells is based on a speculative report that dates back a quarter century and has never been supported by any scientific study
#3 In the Netherlands, for most age groups the use of cannibus is similer to the United States. For young adolescents is actually less than in the US. The Dutch government remains commited to decriminalization
#4 Weed is not addictive. Less than 1% of americans smoke it on a daily basis.
#5 A hemp industry has re-emerged, with hundreds of companies worldwide offering thousands of hemp products. China, Australia, England, France, Spain, Hungary, Romania and Canada are among the countries growing, using and exporting hemp. The U.S. is the only major industrialized nation to prohibit the growing of industrial hemp.

If a person is an idiot when he is drunk he would probably be an idiot high
What other totally natural plant is illegal in the United States
If pot is illegal why isn't alchohol?

"If a person is an idiot when he is drunk he would probably be an idiot high"
The sad part is there are many people who do not need either to be idiots...

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

Your statement is based on misleading information. It is WELL documented that it is a gateway drug. While your claim that "most marijuana users have never used any other illegal drug" may ring true, the following statement is undisputable: MOST heavy drug users HAVE USED MARIJUANA

It's all how you choose to look at the facts.


Pot is NOT physically addictive, true. But it IS well documented that it is psychologically addictive, which, unfortunately, can be just as powerful an addiction.



Good question. My theory is that alcohol (wine) is so present in biblical history.

Anything can be abused. Pot, alchohol, food, money...

IMHO, pot should absolutely remain illegal.

"Anything can be abused. Pot, alchohol, food, money...

IMHO, pot should absolutely remain illegal."

So just out of curitosity, does that mean we should make food and money illegal too?? Once again it goes back to responsibility...

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

My vote goes to legalization. I honestly have less problem with pot smokers than with drinkers. Both can be abused, but I will take a pot-head over a drunk any day.

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Mary

I agree with you!!!

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

Me too!
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The whole gateway drug thing is all based on theory NOT facts. The facts are that the long-term studies have proven that it is NOT the "gateway" drug that the public of America has been led to believe that it is.


There are various factual reasons as to why Pot is illegal. Mainly due to the fact that it cannot be patented thus rendering the taxation of growing and sales almost impossible. Alcohol involves recipes that can be patented. Go back and read the history surrounding these facts, study the 1920's,30's,40's. Nylon, believe it or not also played a big part in the criminalization of MaryJane.

I worked drug rehab for 15 yrs and I would rather been in a room full of people who were stoned on pot than drunks anyday!very few of the stoners wanted to fight but the drunks , that was all they wanted to do!As for pot being the gateway drug, thats bull crap the gov. is feeding people.
Also pot is great for people who are paralyzed and have muscle spasams. I had a client who was paralyzed and he took the meds to prevent spasams but it didnt work very well. Just a few tokes off a joint, and his spasam ended.

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To satisfy your curiosity, food and money are required for survival in our world. Pot? Not so much...




I think we agree on the point that everything requires responsibility


For medicinal purposes (as prescribed by an MD), I'm in favor of the use of marijuana. Not recreationally. Too many problems, as stated above (health, psychological addiction, gateway to use of other drugs, etc).

Question to those who feel pot use should be legalized: What do you teach your children about pot, and/or what messages do you send your children about smoking pot?

Do you tell them that they shouldn't partake only because it is illegal? Or do you tell them what is dangerous about it?

I have had this discussion with my 23yr old DD and 17yr old DS - and they know that I do not see marijuana any more harmful than alcohol. If they choose to use marijuana it would not bother me. Just like drinking, I do not want to see them over-imbibe. My DD has tried MJ but did not like it, so for her it's a closed issue.

My DS may want to try it when he gets older and that's OK. Regardless of what anyone thinks, once the kids go to college or move out the opportunity to try it is going to come up. Because we have discussed it, I believe he will be responsible.

The legality is of course an issue - In Texas the penalty is 1/4 oz-5 lbs: 6 months - 2 years, $10,000 fine (I had to look it up). It is something to take into consideration.

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Mary

I have a tendency to chose my battles very carefully... There are much worse things that kids could be doing then smoking pot. My son has tested clean many times however my 20 year old step daughter is a regular user. She is in college, gets good grades, lives at home and does not go out drinking and driving with her friends... She is, by the way, still a virgin also. At the age of 20 now a days that is amazing. I can tolerate the pot smoking. She does not do it around people who mind the smell nor does she do it in front of my younger child. Instead of bringing home pot she could be bringing home HIV or Hepatitis...So I will tread carefully on what battle I pick.

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

My personal observations are that every one of the arguments against pot could be used for anything that humans can (and do) abuse.

Is pot a gateway drug? My belief is that it is only a gateway drug in the sense that the people selling it are already doing something illegal so they will have more illegal drugs in their inventory.
Think of it as going to the Ford dealership to buy an Escort. It is the salesman's job to try to get you to buy the Excursion.

Is it addictive? Only in the sense that any behavior can be addictive. If you choose to allow it to become a habit, that is an individual choice. Every person has addicitions, it's about control.

Do people become mean, lazy, stupid etc.? Not unless they were that way going in. People tend to put their best foot forward when they are straight but they are less inhibited about their behavior when stoned.
Weed tends to have a relaxing affect so fighting and violence aren't a usual reaction. Unless of course it's over the last donut. Then the argument will probably be put off until tomorrow.

The worst side affect that I can think of to smoking pot is the possible addiction to foods with names ending in "ito".

While not admitting to any illegal acts in writting, I will say that I loved the 70's and if marijuana was legalized I would choose a joint over a glass of wine anytime.

Of course these are just my opinions and ramblings.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Please elaborate on "Or do you tell them what is dangerous about it?" What is so dangerous about it?

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

yea, i was wondering the same thing.

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[quote=devinmom;2974060]Your statement is based on misleading information. It is WELL documented that it is a gateway drug. While your claim that "most marijuana users have never used any other illegal drug" may ring true, the following statement is undisputable: MOST heavy drug users HAVE USED MARIJUANA

I tend to disagree that Pot is a gateway drug. In my many years working in social services I have observed much and have come to the conclusion that most times in most circumstances the people who smoked pot and say it led them to other drugs it's often that the people themselves have either addictive personalities or that the person is looking for something outside themselves and if not for pot they would find something else.

They tend to not be satisfied with pot because it's not numbing them or disconnecting them from whatever is bothering them. So they look for something strong.

It's not people trying pot and getting some strange uncontrollable feeling "I must try cocaine and heroin now the pot's giving me a hunger for it". That is as ridiculous as saying coffee is a gateway to meth. Based on scientific studies people who overdrink coffee behave in much the same way as tweekers do that make coffee a gateway drug to meth?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I don't want to be argumentative, but that's like saying most alcoholics started with beer. Does that mean everyone who has had a beer will become an alcoholic?

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Mary

What about cancer, emphazyma (sp?), bronchitis - all the things associated with smoking, but without the filter?

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I started this thread so I feel at this point I must make something clear. I do not smoke pot, tobacco or drink alchohol. My grown children do not smoke pot,tobacco or drink alchohol. Pot is illegal, period. I think that it just truly hypocrital for it to be illegal. Judging by the comments that follow others feel the same way. My biggest arguement is that the hemp crop, used for much more than a quick high, would be very beneficial. The Mississippi delta is dying. 6" of topsoil has been washed away from the plain states, guess where it winds up. They don't call it the muddy Mississippi for nothing. This crop would be a win for everyone. But because of the ignorance that surrounds the topic it is rarely discussed. Alchohol is legal and marijuana isn't, that just makes no sense.

Just to put in my vote. I have no problem with legalizing pot. I think we might actually be able to pay off our nation debt if we legalized it and taxed it. It would be a great export. It grows well here and is useful in many products. When I was in thailand I bought a lot of clothes made of hemp. They felt great and wore well. Its very like linnen. Its great for paper making and cosmetics. I bet the medicinal value would be trememdous if we could actually fully research it. Can you imagine the positive effects on our pharmaceutical companies and our economy if they could bring a whole host of new drugs to the market based on something that grows so easily. I bet the lives of many cancer/Hiv patients would be drastically impoved as well. Americans see things only as black or white good or evil. We tend to over react and go on witch hunts instead of fully undertanding things first.

Most alcoholics probably DID start with beer. It is probably considered the gateway alcohol, like pot is considered the gateway drug.

Thus far, though, I don't think anybody on this thread has made a generalization that "everyone who has had a beer (or tried pot) will become an alchoholic (or drug addicted). So I don't see how you'd think anyone would come to that conclusion.

I have worked with too many drug-dependent students in inpatient facilities who have said in their intake evaluations that they started by experimenting with pot. So that is how I have seen the "gateway" status of pot up close. Just my perspective.

I'm glad this discussion has come up. It's interesting to me!

Now you have me curious...you said you've tested your son many times...

If pot's not harmful, why is he being tested?

From my perspective, I would consider it a gateway drug.

That's not based on any personal observations or reading. It's just common sense.

Right now, it's an illegal mind-altering substance.

I would have to assume that anyone who is of a mind to cross the line and toy with such things probably does so by first putting their toe across the line as a "first step" to test the waters of living on the wild side.

I assume if they're curious about drugs that they'd start with something low-level... just like it's not uncommon for teenage girls to start a drinking career with wine coolers.

As with many things, once a line is crossed it's easier to keep taking steps in the wrong direction. If that first step doesn't lead to destruction and actually provides some pleasure, it's easy to take another step. And then another. And then another....

Will everyone? No. But will some? Sure.

[quote=annadrose;2974341]
I stand by this. I guess nobody wants to comment on it but I think it's important so I will repeat it. People get addicted because they have addictive personalities or because something is missing in their lives not because they smoked a joint at a concert.

Please give me one example of a person who smoked pot and went to harder drugs that was not a person who was troubled in life. I have never met nor heard of one.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I know a person who has smoked weed for about 25 years, went to the harder stuff, coke, hash even mainlined once or twice..... this person is a lawyer and a damn good one! He does smoke his weed every night , nothing more . He has been my lawyer before also. He has represented many big cases in our area and won. He looks like a GQ man

I do not think smoking weed will lead to bigger things. It depends on the person's addictive personality. . I know I will get flamed for saying this but (Who cares if they smoke pot?), If I had a son or a daughter that smoked pot, didn't get into any trouble, was in school ( college), worked , had good grades, didn't party otherwise who are we to judge? I know my 20 yr old smokes it every once in a while, He works full time, lives in Vegas, has a house. If I thought he was getting out of hand, then I would say something to him. But he supports himself and he is doing very well.

When I worked Hospice and my dad was dying from cancer, I did go out and get some for him. He was able to eat and at least keep his strength for awhile.
I would love to see it legalized for cancer treatment.

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My mom was a heavy pot user when I was a child. I can tell you that it definitely altered her mind and personality... Pot was one of the ingredients that lead to the breakdown of my parents' marriage -- took away the inhibitions and my mom strayed from her marital vows more than once and she did so for all of the family and world to see. She would not have done this if she was not under the influence of pot. This I firmly believe.


I believe that it should be legalized for certain medicinal purposes but otherwise, I'd like for it to stay illegal.

"Now you have me curious...you said you've tested your son many times...

If pot's not harmful, why is he being tested?
HE got in trouble with the courts, NOTHING drug related and that was part of his probation. He had to prove he was not doing drugs...

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!

I too would like to see it legalized for cancer patients. I'll also comment that I do not think pot is a gateway drug. I know many people who use pot who do not use other "hard" drugs. These aren't your 20 somethings in college either. They are professional working 30-50 year olds.

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I did not come to any conclusion - I'm just trying to make a point that anything can be a gateway to a problem. Obesity starts with just one donut, but that doesn't mean everyone who eats donuts will become obese. Just like I don't think using marijuana is going to lead the majority of people to harder drugs. It can...but as so many have stated, it has so much to do with your personality, lifestyle and emotional stability.

I'm also enjoying this discussion!

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Mary

I have to agree with you IrishBlonde, it depends on the person's addictive personality.

I also had a friend that had colon cancer and the only thing that helped him deal with chemo was smoking a joint, I too would love to see it legalized for cancer treatment.

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

I do honestly think that people would be amazed at the amount of people in their 30's, 40's and even 50's who smoke pot. I see it every day in the field I work in. These people are not doing harder drugs and function just fine.


" took away the inhibitions and my mom strayed from her marital vows more than once and she did so for all of the family and world to see" I find it VERY VERY hard to believe that all this was from smoking Pot....Perhaps she was not happy, perhaps it was a deeper issue and pot gave her the courage to go out and find something to make her happy. I truly do not think that you can blame that on pot...

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GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!! # 20!!!