Marijuana

[iNuBBiN]

Do you use it, are you against it, should it be legal, should it not? Your thoughts....

If you are un-sure which to choose I advice everyont to watch this Documentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoK6NztH3eQ

[Dean]

http://images1.memegenerator.net/Carl-Sagan/ImageMacro/2794303/SMOKE-WEED-ERDAY.jpg

[Benjamin]

Do I use it? Absolutely not

Will I ever? Absolutely not

Should it be legalized? Actually, yeah I think it should. I'm a firm believer that the amount of people who chose to not smoke pot only because it's illegal is pretty damn small. I'm also a firm believer that there are a good amount of people that do it only because it is illegal. If it became legal, there wouldn't be a significant jump in people using it. Also, it could be controlled by the government. If people are going to make the bad choice of having this drug, we matters well get money off of it. Furthermore, legalizing marijuana will reduce crime rate by ridding the people that sell it illegally.

Oh, and kids, don't do drugs. You couldn't do anything more harmful to yourself.

[Dean]

Oh, and kids, don't do drugs. You couldn't do anything more harmful to yourself.
Except weed.
http://images1.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4989734/YOURE-GOING-TO-DIE-SMOKE-WEED-EVERY-DAY.jpg

[iNuBBiN]

Oh, and kids, don't do drugs. You couldn't do anything more harmful to yourself.
Are you saying by smoking weed, people are doing serious harm to there bodies over cigarettes and alcohol ?

[Benjamin]

Are you saying by smoking weed, people are doing serious harm to there bodies over cigarettes and alcohol ?

No, I'm saying Cigarettes, Alcohol, Marijuana, Crack, Cocaine, Meth, etc. do serious harm.

[iNuBBiN]

No, I'm saying Cigarettes, Alcohol, Marijuana, Crack, Cocaine, Meth, etc. do serious harm.

How does it do harm?

[Benjamin]

How does it do harm?

http://media.nscdn.com/uploads/cache/images/1245891392-795145-400x445-Watermelon_lol_wut.jpg

[Avo]

How does it do harm?
....I'm not sure if you seriously believe cocaine is good for you. So I'm not sure if a serious answer should be given.

[Dean]

He's asking how weed is harmful.

The answer being that it isn't, at least not as much as anything else listed there.

[Jeff]

I have never heard ONCE, about any deaths from smoking weed. It isn't exactly the best for you, but it's certainly not as bad as something such as alcohol. Our country could actually profit if they legalized weed.

[Benjamin]

I have never heard ONCE, about any deaths from smoking weed. It isn't exactly the best for you, but it's certainly not as bad as something such as alcohol. Our country could actually profit if they legalized weed.

See: Gateway Drug.

But yeah, I agree that it should be legalized.

[esaul17]

See: Gateway Drug.

But yeah, I agree that it should be legalized.

Is there really evidence toward it being a gateway drug? Especially if it is legal?

But either way, this means that "Cannabis may encourage one to use harmful drugs" not "Cannabis is a harmful drug". Which is an important distinction.

[Dean]

To my knowledge there isn't really any evidence that proves the whole concept of gateway drugs as true. As far as I'm concerned, if you use one thing and then feel the need to move onto something harder, as much as anything it's down to other factors such as the person you are, the lifestyle you lead and the manner in which you use the drugs you're already using, etc.

I don't smoke it that regularly myself but I've used enough and I've never had any real desire to use harder drugs. I can't really think of anything that I'd say against legalising it that doesn't also apply to stuff that's already legal.

[Benjamin]

Is there really evidence toward it being a gateway drug? Especially if it is legal?

But either way, this means that "Cannabis may encourage one to use harmful drugs" not "Cannabis is a harmful drug". Which is an important distinction.

Of course it's a gateway drug. I shouldn't have to pull up an article/study to prove it either. Person smokes pot, person enjoys it, person does it more often, person doesn't get as high after smoking after each time, person tries other drugs to get to that same high, person gets addicted, person either dies of overdose or is lucky enough to go into treatment, or person gets arrested for selling/abusing it.

This is what happens to too many damn people that don't pay a second of attention in Health class. Am I really the only one on these boards that doesn't do drugs? Christ.


To my knowledge there isn't really any evidence that proves the whole concept of gateway drugs as true. As far as I'm concerned, if you use one thing and then feel the need to move onto something harder, as much as anything it's down to other factors such as the person you are, the lifestyle you lead and the manner in which you use the drugs you're already using, etc.

I don't smoke it that regularly myself but I've used enough and I've never had any real desire to use harder drugs. I can't really think of anything that I'd say against legalising it that doesn't also apply to stuff that's already legal.

If poll every cocaine/meth addict, 99% will tell you that they started with weed. Yeah, I guess some people may fight the urge such as yourself, but that's the same thing with cigarettes and cancer. Some people will get lucky.

[Jeff]

See: Gateway Drug.

But yeah, I agree that it should be legalized.

So you're agreeing, yet disagreeing? This leaves me confused.

As far as gateway drugs are concerned, that is a theory, not really proven to be true.

[Benjamin]

So you're agreeing, yet disagreeing? This leaves me confused.

As far as gateway drugs are concerned, that is a theory, not really proven to be true.

Evolution is also a theory.

And I'm saying I'm ok making money off the people who make the choice to use Marijuana rather than maintaining its use as illegal and not making any profit at all.

[Dean]

Evolution is also a theory.

And I'm saying I'm ok making money off the people who make the choice to use Marijuana rather than maintaining its use as illegal and not making any profit at all.
Yep, and there's plenty of evidence to say evolution is real, unlike gateway drug theory. Also, http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Scientific_theory

[Benjamin]

I'll put it this way: not believing in the gateway concept is just as outrageous as not believing in evolution. I guess that's just me though.

[Dean]

I'll put it this way: not believing in the gateway concept is just as outrageous as not believing in evolution. I guess that's just me though.
There's evidence to support evolution. There isn't for the idea of gateway drugs. I don't see how you can equate disbelief in one with disbelief in the other.

[iNuBBiN]

See: Gateway Drug.

But yeah, I agree that it should be legalized.
Drinking soda is a gateway to becoming a caffeine addict. Taking aspirin is a gateway to becoming a pill addict. Drinking water made me wanna try beer. I think that documentry said like only 1 percent of regular pot smokers move onto harder drugs. It's impossible to die from weed unless you have millions to buy that much. Go watch that entire documentary and the doctors and higher educated researchers will prove wrong and thing you have to argue about

[Timothy]

Of course it's a gateway drug. I shouldn't have to pull up an article/study to prove it either. Person smokes pot, person enjoys it, person does it more often, person doesn't get as high after smoking after each time, person tries other drugs to get to that same high, person gets addicted, person either dies of overdose or is lucky enough to go into treatment, or person gets arrested for selling/abusing it.

This is what happens to too many damn people that don't pay a second of attention in Health class. Am I really the only one on these boards that doesn't do drugs? Christ.



If poll every cocaine/meth addict, 99% will tell you that they started with weed. Yeah, I guess some people may fight the urge such as yourself, but that's the same thing with cigarettes and cancer. Some people will get lucky.

http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/29/marijuna-as-a-gateway-drug-the-myth-that-will-not-die/

There's a lot of misinformation out there concerning marijuana. Don't believe everything you heard in health class.

[Benjamin]

I'm more basing my information on talking to a man personally who told his drug history and he completely endorsed the gateway theory. He started with pot, got bored, etc. I'll compensate and say it depends on the person.

If you guys want to find excuses to smoke pot, then I guess carry on. I hope one day pot is legalized so that people such as yourselves give the money to the government and in turn the people instead of pot dealers. I will always be proud of myself for never being in the same room as an illegal drug.

But I'll ask this again: Am I the only on these boards that doesn't do drugs? :lol:

[Timothy]

I don't really drink or do drugs (I'm not against pot or alcohol if the situation is right, though). I got most of my experimenting out of my system when I was a teenager.

The gateway theory isn't completely without merit, but its significance is exaggerated.

[Dean]

Of course it's a gateway drug. I shouldn't have to pull up an article/study to prove it either. Person smokes pot, person enjoys it, person does it more often, person doesn't get as high after smoking after each time, person tries other drugs to get to that same high, person gets addicted, person either dies of overdose or is lucky enough to go into treatment, or person gets arrested for selling/abusing it.
Correlation =/= causation. Just because that happens it's not strictly all because they smoked pot, and it isn't as though it has that sort of sway over everyone who uses it or even a majority. And more often than not, I'd wager that to get to the point where you feel as though weed's effect has been nullified you'd have to abuse the stuff pretty seriously.


This is what happens to too many damn people that don't pay a second of attention in Health class. Am I really the only one on these boards that doesn't do drugs? Christ.
Don't be like that. You're intelligent enough to discuss this civilly.


If poll every cocaine/meth addict, 99% will tell you that they started with weed. Yeah, I guess some people may fight the urge such as yourself, but that's the same thing with cigarettes and cancer. Some people will get lucky.
99% of serial killers are probably batshit, but that doesn't mean that 99% of people who are batshit are serial killers.

Here's a couple more articles:
http://www.physorg.com/news202619339.html
http://scienceblog.com/12116/study-says-marijuana-no-gateway-drug/

[TimeSpree]

I've smoked it for 6 years and have never been tempted onto harder stuff, I know the risks and consequences which can be caused by other substances, through a few unfortunate instances involving my other mates, do what you like, if people feel it helps them be relaxed, focus more and/or concentrate then I respect them, if it's because their friends do it then likelihood is they are mentally weak, meaning they are probably innevitably going to develop the mental illnesses which have been linked with the drug anyway.
Another thing, if you do, then I compel you to smoke Super Silver Haze and listen to Burning In The Skies through to Waiting For The End, oh my god.

[Dean]

I do it because I just like doing it now and then haha. That plus I have diagnosed anxiety problems so sometimes smoking something or other helps calm me down. Self-medication I guess.

[Benjamin]

I am fully aware of the relationship between correlation/causation. I'm not dumb enough to think everyone that smokes pot will definitely try meth. But the odds go up for sure which is all that I was trying to say and I admit I should have worded it differently. I wasn't trying to say everyone in this thread is going to drug treatment, just that your odds go up (however much that might be) of that unfortunately happening. But of course, there's other lurking variables such as unemployment, relationship issues, etc.

I have come to grip that my health education has been a little misleading. They made the theory as a fact. I won't blame myself for believing them though. But again, I still believe there must be some statistic showing at least a little higher chance of trying stronger drugs if you smoke pot.

And again, I agree with everyone here that pot should be legalized.



I do it because I just like doing it now and then haha. That plus I have diagnosed anxiety problems so sometimes smoking something or other helps calm me down. Self-medication I guess.

There's other solutions to combat anxiety other than pot.

[travz21]

I don't and never have done drugs, but I believe all of them should be legalized. Every single one.

[Benjamin]

I don't and never have done drugs, but I believe all of them should be legalized. Every single one.

Yes.

[Dean]

There's other solutions to combat anxiety other than pot.
:shrug: I'm aware of that. It's not like I said it's the only method I ever use.

I'm gonna leave it at that if you're just going to keep asserting that you're right without backing yourself up. That and, sorry if you don't mean it but, I kind of get a snobby vibe from the way you're talking about people who use it.

[Benjamin]

:shrug: I'm aware of that. I didn't say it's the only method I ever use.

You came across that way, haha. Sorry.

[Gloomy Mushroom]

The only reason why weed isn't legalised is because they can't tax it.

But I wouldn't personally smoke it because unless I've grown it myself, I don't know what has been put in it.

[Benjamin]

The only reason why weed isn't legalised is because they can't tax it.

But I wouldn't personally smoke it because unless I've grown it myself, I don't know what has been put in it.

How would it be any different then cigarettes?

[iNuBBiN]

But again, I still believe there must be some statistic showing at least a little higher chance of trying stronger drugs if you smoke pot.
Or maybe people do harder drugs because since it's illegal the only way to get it is to buy from drug dealers who offer you the other drugs because they are much more expensive and they try to pressure you into buying them. If you take drug dealers out the equation and make it buyable like ciggs or beer then drug dealers wouldn't be there to offer other drugs

[Gloomy Mushroom]

How would it be any different then cigarettes?

Because they tax the shit out of cigarettes? And the tobacco industry is larger than the oil industry so they can't really ban it. They can convince people not to quit.

And oh I just quit from cigarettes and yes I knew what I was doing to my body, it's been my choice to smoke since I was 19 (moving onto 22 this year) quitting only to breastfeed and pregnancy.

I wouldn't classify tobacco as a drug - it doesn't alter the brain's functions, it more or less gives you other things like risking heart disease further and a stroke, unlike weed where it does alter the brain's functions, as does alcohol. Major tobacco companies already have strict enough production regulations let alone going to the effort to spike an already poisonous habit with ice or meth.

[Benjamin]

Or maybe people do harder drugs because since it's illegal the only way to get it is to buy from drug dealers who offer you the other drugs because they are much more expensive and they try to pressure you into buying them. If you take drug dealers out the equation and make it buyable like ciggs or beer then drug dealers wouldn't be there to offer other drugs

That's the same case for pot.

But yeah, that's essentially why it should be legalized.


Because they tax the shit out of cigarettes? And the tobacco industry is larger than the oil industry so they can't really ban it. They can convince people not to quit.

And oh I just quit from cigarettes and yes I knew what I was doing to my body, it's been my choice to smoke since I was 19 (moving onto 22 this year) quitting only to breastfeed and pregnancy.

I wouldn't classify tobacco as a drug - it doesn't alter the brain's functions, it more or less gives you other things like risking heart disease further and a stroke, unlike weed where it does alter the brain's functions, as does alcohol. Major tobacco companies already have strict enough production regulations let alone going to the effort to spike an already poisonous habit with ice or meth.

But if it became legal, Marijuana companies would start up and they could tax it just like cigarettes.

Tobacco isn't a drug? Nicotine has plenty of negative effects on the body including, in some cases, cancer.

[esaul17]

First, I have never had alcohol, cannabis, or a cigarette, so don't talk down to me like I am some druggie here (not that using drugs is really something to insult in and of itself anyway).

Second, you can't just state a hypothesis like you did and say you don't need actual evidence because it just sounds so plausible (and one guy told you it was true!). I would like to see evidence on legal marijuana acting as a gateway drug.

[Benjamin]

First, I have never had alcohol, cannabis, or a cigarette, so don't talk down to me like I am some druggie here (not that using drugs is really something to insult in and of itself anyway).

Second, you can't just state a hypothesis like you did and say you don't need actual evidence because it just sounds so plausible (and one guy told you it was true!). I would like to see evidence on legal marijuana acting as a gateway drug.

First, I was never trying to say everyone in this thread is a druggie, which I already explained.

Second, I know that if you smoke pot, it's not automatic by any means that you'll try harder drugs. Like Dean said, Correlation =/= causation. But how many people do you hear of that just jump right into meth? The people that are meth heads most likely first had weed, or some other drug at that level. You have to climb the ladder to get to the top. Perhaps there are a few souls out there with really, really fucked up lives where they get access to Meth when their 16. But that's not common at all.

In essence, if you don't want to ever risk having dangerous drugs don't take any drugs, such as weed and alcohol, in the first place which you and I seem to understand. If you do get in that situation where you smoke some pot, be smart and control yourself.

[ThaHandyman]

Never have used it, never will, have friends that do.

I am against it, and don't think it should be legalized. Anything that's being smoked has the chance to cause your body harm, and you can deny it til your blue in the face but it is a gateway drug.

I didn't see anyone bringing up the 'emptying the prisons' debate on here yet, but lets not kid ourselves. If legalized, some company would get big selling it putting all the small time dealers out of business, leaving them to sell stronger drugs to keep makin $.

It's a dead end, and doesnt help anybody anywhere.

[Dean]

Is anyone going to actually post anything to support their claims that it's a gateway drug? Until then, you're the ones who are in denial I'm afraid.


Never have used it, never will, have friends that do.

I am against it, and don't think it should be legalized. Anything that's being smoked has the chance to cause your body harm, and you can deny it til your blue in the face but it is a gateway drug.

I didn't see anyone bringing up the 'emptying the prisons' debate on here yet, but lets not kid ourselves. If legalized, some company would get big selling it putting all the small time dealers out of business, leaving them to sell stronger drugs to keep makin $.

It's a dead end, and doesnt help anybody anywhere.
But guns are okay, right?

[Gloomy Mushroom]

Just because you start using weed doesn't mean you're going to start using ice or meth. That's ridiculous and a big generalization. It's also like saying if you abuse prescription drugs that you'll end up using illegal drugs. It's also like saying you're an alcoholic because you abuse alcohol, and soon that'll lead you to start using heavier drugs. Bullshit. And unsupported.

Dumbledore - Actually it's the combination of tobacco and nicotine that makes cigarettes make toxic than weed. When was the last time I heard of weed producing chlorine gas when technically if weed was to be producing chlorine gas/carbon monoxide, the person who manufactures it would have to be available to very expensive machinery.

In the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) weed is legalised for medicinal use - therefore making weed not that bad. If weed can be used for medicinal uses, and it's been proven that it can relieve glaucoma etc then it can't be that bad. Plus, the manpower involved in producing weed would be too much to even consider manufacturing it on a large scale. Not everyone dedicates years to growing stashes of it. The loss of income to the company would be too great to even consider producing it in mass.

And actually you want to talk about the long term effects of weed, they are really jack shit to alcohol and cigarette use. Statistically wise, there are more alcoholics than weed junkies. So what? Do we ban alcohol? Do we ban advertising of alcoholic beverages like they did to cigarettes?

In this town, you actually get more in trouble being drunk in a public place than having been caught with a few grams on you.

[Blackee Dammet]

Bake it in brownies.

[Benjamin]

But guns are okay, right?

I lol'd at this. I know, right?

I'll contradict my past posts and say Marijuana isn't necessarily a gateway drug at all. But there are cases where it is (I've heard one told to me personally). It's quite clear to me now that the health education at my school is pretty fucked up seeing as though they made it seem like a done deal that gateway drugs are for real. But yeah, I can't find one damn article to prove otherwise.

@Handyman:

You're essentially saying that if we legalize pot, the number of users is going to skyrocket or something. Prove it.

[ThaHandyman]

You're essentially putting words in my mouth. I don't think the number of users will 'skyrocket', no. Many people still uphold the negative connotation associated with weed, it doesn't mean everyone's just gonna jump on the train at once, no. I doubt the number of users will initially jump to high at all, actually. I do however, believe that the crime rate will more or less remain unchanged.



And yes lollercopters omgz guns are okay ;) unless you're stoned.

[esaul17]

You're essentially putting words in my mouth. I don't think the number of users will 'skyrocket', no. Many people still uphold the negative connotation associated with weed, it doesn't mean everyone's just gonna jump on the train at once, no. I doubt the number of users will initially jump to high at all, actually. I do however, believe that the crime rate will more or less remain unchanged.



And yes lollercopters omgz guns are okay ;) unless you're stoned.

I just must say that the number of drug dealers selling cigarettes and alcohol is very low and always has been except with alcohol during prohibition. Sure big companies may make obtain licenses and keep small time drug dealers down, but this will likely just drive them out of business, and thus reduce the crime. And it will certainly reduce the crime as users (as even if the rate of use sky rocketed it is no longer illegal, so it has to reduce crime).

Dumbledore- sorry if I misunderstood your other post. You seemed to say "am I the only one here why doesn't do drugs?" as if one had to be a user to disagree with you. Glad we seem to have cleared things up.

[Dean]

And yes lollercopters omgz guns are okay ;) unless you're stoned.
Well, being stoned does inhibit your capacity for aggressive behaviour... :P

[TimeSpree]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCDnR6Px-co

[Ryo Hazuki]

Really, I don't think there's enough evidence of a gateway drug concept.
Now, I'm 23 and I've never smoked anything at all except when I was young I picked grass of the ground, rolled it up in notebook paper, lit it with my moms lighter, put it to my lips and said.. eww and left it at that never to be tried again.

But I do not think that weed is wrong at all, and I don't have anything against people using it safely and I do believe it should be legalized.

P.S I did get offered drugs quite recently, but I declined.. :lol:

[F-ck Casey]

it's a gateway drug for those that want to walk through that gateway. first drug i ever tried was pot, loved it. still do. fuck, i'm high right now. then i moved on, i wanted to try other things. i smoke every day, if other stuff is offered, i'll take it.

this probably contradicts something i said earlier in the thread, because i'm sure i've replied to this topic before. but whatever. i think some of you could benefit from smoking a fat fucking blunt. especially handyman.

[ThaHandyman]

Pray do tell what benefit I would gain from smoking weed.

[F-ck Casey]

you'd be a lot more cooler

[Agent O]

I've tried weed a good number of times over the last couple of years and I can strongly say that I will never venture beyond that and try other drugs. It's all about will power.


Pray do tell what benefit I would gain from smoking weed.

Umm just like any other drug it makes you feel spaaaaaaaacey and you look like this guy:

http://jahworks.org/files/2011/02/stoner.jpg

[El Muerto]

Well, I've tried a lot of shit and didn't really like it. I'm sticking with alcohol. :)

[Niklas]

I like Marijuana. I Smoke it sometimes, have fun with it. But it isn`t a gateway drug. Plus, there are WAY more Deaths caused by Alcohol and other Drugs than Smoking Weed. Plus, there is Medicinal Marijuana, so imo it wouldn`t be prescribed if it were harmful as many people claim it to be.

Edit: And if you smoke pot, you get in a relaxing state of mind, not like Alcohol, which turns most of the Users into Brainless, Aggressive Assholes. My 2 Cents. :)

[F-ck Casey]

Well, I've tried a lot of shit and didn't really like it. I'm sticking with alcohol. :)

Yeah, kill your liver instead.

Medicinal Marijuana is only prescribed in like, what, 2 states? Maybe a little more? The stigma behind marijuana is still in full force in the United States, as seen earlier in this thread by people claiming they know people that died of overdoses or something. Totally baseless and has no merits to stand on it's own two legs.

Agent O is right, it's about willpower. It's a gateway drug, but only if you want to try other things. Marijuana is the safest out of all the narcotics in the world. Tylenol is more dangerous.

[ThaHandyman]

you'd be a lot more cooler

But you smoke and you're a 5* douche?

As to whether or not it's a gateway drug, I have a friend that only smokes every now and then, and I have a friend that started with weed, and is now one of the biggest dealers on campus and does anything she can get for free (anything).

I mean the stuff is illegal for a reason, whether you believe the motive was political or in the best interest of the people is up to you.

[Dean]

That's just anecdotal evidence. I can just as well point out that I know plenty of people who've used it to various degrees and aren't even remotely on that level. I know people who've gone the other way too, but to be honest they were idiots in the first place. Like, there was a guy from school that I used to skate with who would set himself on fire and stuff long before he was doing any drugs, and the last time I checked all he does is shoot heroin.

There just isn't a consensus either way though. Some people are going to be more predisposed to developing problems with harder stuff once they get access to it anyway, and others have the sense to realise their limits.

[El Muerto]

But you smoke and you're a 5* douche?


Touché haha

[Paul]

Do I smoke weed? Everyday. Do I think it should be legalized? You're god damn right I do. They should set it to an age restriction level to buy like alcohol (21+).

I started smoking weed my junior year of high school (I'm now 23 years old). Outside of weed, the only other drugs I have done are shrooms (just once) and some prescription pills. Never had the urge to try cocaine or meth so to say weed is a gateway drug really depends on the person.

Fuck...now this topic made me want to smoke. I haven't smoked in about 2 weeks because I have job interviews lined up and honestly it's not like other drugs where you will drive yourself crazy if you haven't had it in a couple days (see: cokeheads).


you'd be a lot more cooler

jS30OfLFbRM

[Adam]

I do it because I just like doing it now and then haha. That plus I have diagnosed anxiety problems so sometimes smoking something or other helps calm me down. Self-medication I guess.

Funnily enough, weed usually makes my anxiety problems an awful lot worse. But, I guess it effects people differently, etc. That said, when I'm up for it, I do enjoy getting stoned from time to time.

Should it be legalised? Yes. You could regulate who buys/sells it and crime rates would drop.

[Xero21]

Alcohol is much more dangerous than weed. That's a fact. Having one legal and one illegal is ridiculous. If anything, it should be the other way around. (I don't do either of them)

[Benjamin]

Alcohol is much more dangerous than weed. That's a fact. Having one legal and one illegal is ridiculous. If anything, it should be the other way around. (I don't do either of them)

Agreed.



I mean the stuff is illegal for a reason, whether you believe the motive was political or in the best interest of the people is up to you.

I'm with you that it's bad and all, but what good, in your opinion, does it do to have it illegal? People use it whether it's illegal or not. I think latest statistics show that nearly 50% of High School students have used it.

[Moridin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSxJs0WQhGk

[Timothy]

I mean the stuff is illegal for a reason, whether you believe the motive was political or in the best interest of the people is up to you.

It's illegal because it's always been illegal. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the sky is blue, cats vs. dogs, no pot for you, asshole -- this is the way things are. Some people have the intellectual curiosity to ask "why?" But, for the most part, people just go with the flow. That's why this asinine "debate" still rages on.

[Gloomy Mushroom]

It's illegal for the reason that the government can't tax it other than that it's nothing but a piss weak drug that gets too much undeserved attention.

[Benjamin]

It's illegal for the reason that the government can't tax it other than that it's nothing but a piss weak drug that gets too much undeserved attention.

Can't the government just change the law an make it taxable? I don't understand.

[Timothy]

Sarah, the government can tax anything. :lol:

[Benjamin]

Sarah, the government can tax anything. :lol:

Yeah :lol:.

To me, that's the whole point of legalizing it. Instead of pot dealers getting money, the government does which would be a big improvement.

[Gloomy Mushroom]

Sarah, the government can tax anything. :lol:

Not without suppport it can't.

i.e. the only reason why the governent hiked up cigarette prices here is because it got lower and upper support and 'encourages people to stop smoking'. That's bullshit, anyway. Like they are trying to tax petrol here and this carbon tax shit Gillard is talking to Obama about. The only party that supports marijuana use in parliament is the Greens, because of the medicinal uses. The family support party holds more seats and influence (and not to talk about independents like Nick Xenoph-what ever his last name is) in parliament than the Greens. And everyone else sees marijuana as a threat. If they were to legalise marijuana, the tax wouldn't go through because it'll be stopped by the Greens.

[Benjamin]

Not without suppport it can't.



Who says it wouldn't get support?

[Gloomy Mushroom]

Who says it wouldn't get support?

I don't know how the American mumbo jumbo parliament processes taxes but it definately would not get support here. The only reason why the ACT legalises it, because it's not covered by our medicare system and doctor's and the state government make it hard to obtain. If a petrol tax can't get support here or a carbon tax, what's the likely hood of a marijuana tax?

[travz21]

Honestly, let people do any kind of drugs they want. Make it legal, tax the hell out of them, and put that money to good use. Instead, with the way it is now, we don't get any tax money from them, they go to jail, and our tax money pays like $80,000 per person per year to "reform" them in prison. That's totally backwards of how it should be. They should stay out of jail and be paying a ton of money in taxes instead of going in jail and wasting our tax money.

We don't need these people in prison to begin with. The majority of them don't harm anyone else and will either kill themselves from drug use, go homeless, or actually get a job and keep doing drugs and paying taxes if we legalized drugs. But with how it is now, they just suck money out of the economy in so many ways without contributing anything.

[F-ck Casey]

It's illegal because it's always been illegal. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the sky is blue, cats vs. dogs, no pot for you, asshole -- this is the way things are. Some people have the intellectual curiosity to ask "why?" But, for the most part, people just go with the flow. That's why this asinine "debate" still rages on.

This is exactly the mindset that the government wants everyone to have when it comes to marijuana. But then you actually look into it, because you're around high people sometimes and you're not seeing rapes in the streets and lynchings and shit, and you realize maybe it goes deeper than that, man.

I'm fucking baked.

Nevermind taxing it, if you think they aren't already making more than enough money from the importation of marijuana and other drugs, you're out of your mind. The US government was directly responsible for bringing cocaine back to the United States in the 80s, and starting the crack epidemic. Sure, they could tax it and make more, I guess, but why go through the hassle? Liberal states like California don't even want it to be fully legalized, it's still a misdemeanor, you get a $100 fine. We'll never have an Amsterdam.

Like I said, I'm high. So I'm rambling. It was also originally banned because it was a huge rival to the paper industry, with hemp, and could have been what we use every day in basic chores. But a spear campaign, like always, took out the intended target. And all of us freethinkers get the shaft. Why can't I drop a tab and see the universe? Because people are trapped inside a box they build for you early on? No thanks, man. You guys can have your Zoloft and whatnot.

@Adam: I have intense paranoia as a result of prolonged use of marijuana :P obviously.

[TimeSpree]

This is exactly the mindset that the government wants everyone to have when it comes to marijuana. But then you actually look into it, because you're around high people sometimes and you're not seeing rapes in the streets and lynchings and shit, and you realize maybe it goes deeper than that, man.

I'm fucking baked.

Nevermind taxing it, if you think they aren't already making more than enough money from the importation of marijuana and other drugs, you're out of your mind. The US government was directly responsible for bringing cocaine back to the United States in the 80s, and starting the crack epidemic. Sure, they could tax it and make more, I guess, but why go through the hassle? Liberal states like California don't even want it to be fully legalized, it's still a misdemeanor, you get a $100 fine. We'll never have an Amsterdam.

Like I said, I'm high. So I'm rambling. It was also originally banned because it was a huge rival to the paper industry, with hemp, and could have been what we use every day in basic chores. But a spear campaign, like always, took out the intended target. And all of us freethinkers get the shaft. Why can't I drop a tab and see the universe? Because people are trapped inside a box they build for you early on? No thanks, man. You guys can have your Zoloft and whatnot.

@Adam: I have intense paranoia as a result of prolonged use of marijuana :P obviously.

This is why everybody should get stoned.
Same here, in the UK, a family member of mine gets prescribed one of the strongest breeds for pain in her back, the government already make money of it here, so I'll be damned if the U.S don't do it.

[Dean]

Funnily enough, weed usually makes my anxiety problems an awful lot worse. But, I guess it effects people differently, etc. That said, when I'm up for it, I do enjoy getting stoned from time to time.

Should it be legalised? Yes. You could regulate who buys/sells it and crime rates would drop.
Probably. For me, if I start to feel anxious sometimes just smoking something is the easiest way to calm down again. Not a lot, just one cigarette or something like that.

[jessiexo]

Lol have I ever smoked weed? Nope.

Do a lot of my friends smoke weed? Yup.

Should it be legalized? Sure? I don't really care.

But to my observations, every single one of my friends that did start smoking weed started slacking in school, not caring much anymore, etc. To me, it's not so much that weed ITSELF is harmful, rather the 'lifestyle' and attitude that is attached to it.

Anyways, I've done a lot of research on weed. It IS actually more harmful than people think (especially since its illegal... all the additives are alarming) but no more dangerous than cigarettes and alcohol.

[F-ck Casey]

Anyways, I've done a lot of research on weed. It IS actually more harmful than people think (especially since its illegal... all the additives are alarming) but no more dangerous than cigarettes and alcohol.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/BigShow36/th6ono1hw.gif

[Theazninvasion68]

In terms of what happens to people?

Well, long term use is correlated (I think its a moderate, high moderate) to loss of motivation, and partial memory loss/impairment.

Thats as far as my research goes. :lol:

[iNuBBiN]

Pray do tell what benefit I would gain from smoking weed.

Your basic human ego will be taken away, and you will have millions of thoughts about what you want in your life and how you as a individual see's the world. Not thinking about what some 3rd party tells you what life is but what you believe it means.

75% of the time I smoke, I do it with like 5 people in a room and then we will all talk and ask questions about the world. Thats what I love about it. I dont really like being at parties and doing it. I like sitting there and discussing things and talk about something that actually means something

The reason its illegal is because it would cost the medical field billions of dollars because no one would keep buying perscreption pills and just smoke weed. Theres tons of things that weed helps. Instead of having all these pills to take for different things for pain and stuff, a simple plant that you can grow with dirt and water would do the same thing a expensive pill would. Everyone would grow it and not by it also

[Benjamin]

Except anyone with half a brain wouldn't use weed as their only medicine. I call BS.

[esaul17]

While it does have medicinal benefits, people who act like it would replace all other medications really are overselling it. I have no issue with it being legal, but I do wish some people didn't seem to be following it almost like a cult.

[F-ck Casey]

I've tried various anti-depressants since I was in middle school (graduated in '07), and I can honestly say weed is the only thing that makes me feel remotely normal. When I'm not, I'm grumpy, bi-polar, sad and honestly, lost. Like, I'm not ever really serious on this board, because... I mean, it's a Linkin Park board. But I'm dead serious when I say that this is the best medication for me. For some, pharmaceuticals work, for others, it doesn't, but they just take them anyway, and try to trick their minds into believing it's working.

I'm a card carrying member of NORML. I'm not shy about my usage, everyone in my life, down to my parents, grandparents, co-workers and even my bosses know I smoke (though, I don't flaunt it). I guess I'm one of the few where, in my off time, I'm high, and I'm allowed to be lazy and carefree. I can smoke before I go into work, and get everything done that I'm required and then some, because this job is paying for a roof over my head (where I can smoke pot).


Your basic human ego will be taken away, and you will have millions of thoughts about what you want in your life and how you as a individual see's the world. Not thinking about what some 3rd party tells you what life is but what you believe it means.

75% of the time I smoke, I do it with like 5 people in a room and then we will all talk and ask questions about the world. Thats what I love about it. I dont really like being at parties and doing it. I like sitting there and discussing things and talk about something that actually means something

Man, I'd love to smoke with you and your friends. All we ever do is watch Glenn Beck, or Hannah Montana. Also, I think you might be confusing marijuana with, I don't know, LSD or something. You're making it out to sound like this deep, psychological trip into a world where Inception is a reality, when, for me, and basically everyone I know, it just makes them more relaxed and friendly. If I really smoke the fuck out, then I'll start into politics, but I'm the same way with a couple of drinks in me as well. Marijuana isn't an upper, or a downer. It's not a trip, or an experience. It's just... mellow, man.


The reason its illegal is because it would cost the medical field billions of dollars because no one would keep buying perscreption pills and just smoke weed. Theres tons of things that weed helps. Instead of having all these pills to take for different things for pain and stuff, a simple plant that you can grow with dirt and water would do the same thing a expensive pill would. Everyone would grow it and not by it also.

If it was legalized, it wouldn't be as widespread as you're making it out to be. More than likely, the only thing we'll see in our lifetime is something like medical marijuana being legal, and perhaps most of the 50 states eventually adopting the decriminalization of marijuana. It's still illegal to buy or sell, but anything under an ounce is a slap on the wrist and a fine (like $100 or something). Where as, now, it's a night in jail and a court appearance where you're likely going to see a charge of possession (over an ounce is intent to distribute). With it being decriminalized, there would be less non-violent drug offenders crowding up the space that should be saved for real criminals. Don't get me wrong, though, drug dealers more often than not belong in jail, just because of the methods of their practice. I hate having to have a dealer, it feels disgusting and dirty.

If medicinal was legal across the country, then I would more likely than not be able to get a card so I could smoke it and not face any penalties (for a number of reasons). It's a good idea, yeah, but honestly, I don't see it happening any time soon. Not in my neck of the woods, anyway. Being the bible belt and full of tight ass conservatives.

On the whole "everyone would grow it"... if it was legal, I'm sure the state (or, LOL, the government) would charge you if you wanted to. Yeah, you could do it illegally, but that's stupid when you can do it legally for a fee. Anyway, you would only be allowed so much room to grow, it's not like you'd be able to buy a huge plot of land somewhere and create a magical forest of marijuana.

I get that you like weed, I do too, but you've got to think about this stuff. Oh, and if anything, I bet you would see a slight decline in usage of marijuana in casual smokers, because the stigma of it being a "bad" thing to do would be gone. Your local priest wouldn't be at home smoking a blunt or anything. You have to admit, the only reason anyone ever tries a narcotic is because of the negative social stigma attached. We're all young and impressionable when we try these things, it only makes sense.

Oh, yeah, I'm high. :D

[11:54]

The way things are now are they way I think they should be. That being said, I've been around people who smoke weed regularly (more so, every day), and they are honestly some of the stupidest people I've ever been around. They lack some major common sense, it seems. Now, really, how many people that "smoke weed erday" become much of anything? Unless you're a rapper or something.

[esaul17]

The way things are now are they way I think they should be. That being said, I've been around people who smoke weed regularly (more so, every day), and they are honestly some of the stupidest people I've ever been around. They lack some major common sense, it seems. Now, really, how many people that "smoke weed erday" become much of anything? Unless you're a rapper or something.

I can't help but think that people who smoke often (maybe not every day, but still frequently) are probably perfectly successful, but people who seem to center their whole identity around the fact that they use are less likely to be so.

[Dean]

The way things are now are they way I think they should be. That being said, I've been around people who smoke weed regularly (more so, every day), and they are honestly some of the stupidest people I've ever been around. They lack some major common sense, it seems. Now, really, how many people that "smoke weed erday" become much of anything? Unless you're a rapper or something.
The guy in those pictures for one, funnily enough - Carl Sagan.

Then there's Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Michael Phelps, Richard Branson, Stephen King, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Jobs... I could go on. But hey, I'm sure you're smarter and have achieved a hell of a lot more than these guys. There are plenty of musicians, actors etc that I could mention too, but obviously if you're successful there it doesn't count.

[Benjamin]

The guy in those pictures for one, funnily enough - Carl Sagan.

Then there's Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Michael Phelps, Richard Branson, Stephen King, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Jobs... I could go on. But hey, I'm sure you're smarter and have achieved a hell of a lot more than these guys.

Obama admitted smoking pot? When? Haha.

[Dean]

I've only read the other autobiography type thing he wrote, but apparently Dreams Of My Father is full of stuff about how he smoked a lot.

[11:54]

I can't help but think that people who smoke often (maybe not every day, but still frequently) are probably perfectly successful, but people who seem to center their whole identity around the fact that they use are less likely to be so.

That's what I was getting at.

[Dean]

Fair enough. Next time you try to make a point, try a little harder to say what you actually mean.

[11:54]

Fair enough. Next time you try to make a point, try a little harder to say what you actually mean.

Agreed. I was typing and trying to have a conversation with my mom at the same time. Shit never comes out correctly when distracted.