Crg



I grew up in the sixties and I'm no virgin when comes to pot. I know from experience that it can be addictive just like any substance that replaces your naturally produced version of the chemical, cannabinoids in this case. But you have to be educated in the use of herbal medicines to understand the long term and short term dangers of frequent use and concentrations that your body retains for a period of time depending on your metabolism and environment.

I haven't used it in over twenty-five years and I'm not sure I'd want to get back in that loop again. The chemicals in marijuana are complex and variable and the more complex your diet becomes, the more you may become dependent on that complex diet.
When I can grow my own "herb" and regulate my use of it myself, I'll consider it legal.

+1  as being the most sense relating to the OP

I don't know about the science behind the various compounds involved but speaking from the experience of working with people with substance issues and as a lay person, there are many downsides, many being addicted to even harder substances saying they stopped going near pot because of the way it messes up the head.  If it ain't addictive at least psycholigically why is it that you'll have known people prepared to lift the floorboards in order to find a tiny amount of hash they've dropped on the floor mid-session?  I personally suspect the long-term damage caused to large sections of society by it's constant use has yet to be tallied up accurately.

Governments seem to like to keep the ball in play in many societies because the tendency to lean one way or the other can influence a vote.  Given that and the fact that alcohol and cigarettes are far more damaging substances to society and the national budget it makes seeing Marijuana still as a moral issue indefensible.  So my two cents point to the decriminalization of it rather than legalisation, then if Governments want to keep using as a vote swinging tool then the reputations of some really good people that just like to goof off with a bit of weed don't get destroyed by harmlessly being a small part of a cynical game.

Legalization I don't know, it's not as safe as some would like to think in terms of the long term mental health issues that I've come across so I think of it in such a way as would I give my kids the green light to use it in a carefree way and there would be no consequences for them then the answer is a BIG no.

Just my eighth of an ounce on the subject.

I believe it should be legal everywhere. Right now! Right here! In my living room!

Rimshot


It only leads to heavier drugs...

What does?  Drinking alcohol?  Smoking Cigarettes?  Playing bass? 

craigb
Playing bass?   

My style has been referred to as playing at bass.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=275423&songID=11209000

This all I have to say on the matter.

JR

Sure, it's just a joke, but I've played darts in bars for over 25 years and it's a pretty accurate version of the extremes.  I've seen all of the top items caused by alcohol and all of the bottom ones from the many people up here that smoke weed.  I haven't seen any of those on weed get very out of hand.  The Mexican issue is probably far less to do with weed and far more to do with harder drugs like cocaine (or, yes, even Tequila).

 The way in which drugs in general were introduced into this country in the 60's or "sold" to the young generation is what led to weed being made illegal IMO. There wasn't as much knowledge about it back then and weed was included in along with the harder drugs.

 It wasn't so much the drug itself as it was  the observable outcome of individuals who were in that culture IMO. The kids were admittedly messed up,not working and out of their minds. At least this is what the GP saw.The legislators attempted to do something constructive about it and their answer included outlawing weed.

 I can't say that was necessarily a bad thing overall...do you want your brain surgeon to step out back for a couple of tokes before your surgery? How about we let airline pilots smoke a few doobies before the take you up to 35000 feet.

 No matter what laws we pass we won't prevent anyone from doing it. But maybe we are putting the brakes on a few instances that could be life threatening. You might say,I smoke it at home...thats ok,do you want your pilot doing that the night before? Is that ok? How about the guy who has it in his system because he has been hitting it for 20 years. It is his business if he wants to do that, but what kind of an employeee will he make in the office? This is why we have drug testing.

 I agree with the poster who said that we shouldn't put these guys in jail who smoke and sell it. A fine would suffice. Jail time is too harsh IMO for this.

 I have to ask though, if a machine operator accidentally took off a persons arm because he was high and weed is legal,then can he still be held liable on the basis that he was high. What if they were not at a place of employment,but at a friends house using a chipper? I think the charges would be lessened.

 While I do think that alcohol causes more damage than weed I don't think that weed is or has ever been immune from causing both personal,financial and work related damages...if for no other reason than that the "I just don't care,I'm sailin' like a kite" feeling isn't always what is called for in a place where quick decisions and a clear head are required.

 If alchohol were illegal again alongside weed would the two balance out? I think maybe they would. Any substance can be abused and any substance will be abused regardless of any law, but how many millions of people will have access to weed if it is legalized?In doing the math whatever bad things come from weed will be exponentially increased.

I totally think it should be legalized.  And I think they should tax the hell out of it.  California alone would make up the budget deficit in about... Oh.... Six months or so....

Seriously, though.  I actually do agree with CraigB's generalized cartoon.  I don't drink much or, really, at all.  Maybe a beer once every three months, and usually in a social situation.  I don't find being drunk any fun.  I'd much rather have a bong hit and chill on the sofa at the end of the day.  And, I usually do.  

The good news from California is that if I'm caught with some.... What? Less than a 1/4 ounce, I think (dude, that a LOT of weed)...It's your basic $100 ticket these days.  Thank God.  I'm MUCH less worried being such a hideous criminal these days.  But I'm still a criminal.  And such an up-standing citizen, too!  Poor thing.  She was always such a good girl..... 

When I was in school in Ohio, half the population smoked it, no one talked about it, no one knew who smoked it unless you made the proper 4:20 friendly statements, etc...  It was all very hush-hush.  When we moved to California I was stunned and amazed at how open people were about it.  Stunned and amazed.  I'm still usually pretty shocked when someone mentions it in polite conversation.  I think that's pretty sad.  No one gives a **** about alcohol.  And I truly think alcohol has a much worse possibility for disaster in both the short term and the long run.  But, I pass no judgments.  Drink up, boys.  Just don't hurt anyone.

I NEVER drive if I've been near the stuff.  That would be idiotic.

AND, I've never gone to anything harder. I truly don't see how it's a gateway to anything but too many M&Ms.  My choice, though.

Now.  To whom do I send my $100 fine for fessin' up?

Hahahha! GOOD POINT, Craig.  You got me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFEGyJ98ZYU