Does Marijuana ruin lives and entire societies?

[bill.french]

He can grow it legally, but when he sells it to me its technically illegal, he's supposed to only supply it to people with medical need or to the cannabis clubs who then distribute to those with medical need. So technically yes, he is a drug "dealer" but he's just an everyday guy, went to college, works in the mortgage industry, etc. You wouldn't be able to pick him out of a lineup.

Why do you continue to cast personal judgements? Does that make you feel good? Do you feel its for my own benefit? Are you simply frustrated and don't deal with differences in opinion well?

so he doesnt grow it legally since he sells it to you? why is he able to grow this illegal plant "legally?" who gave him this right?

where does one get the "pass" from the government ? isnt his practice monitored by members of the DEA to make sure he not selling weed illegally to you?

a mortgage guy? If I knew my loan officer was working on my loan (credit report and personal info on his p.c.) and growing weed in the same home I would flip out.


not all weed is "bought from growers" think how much weed is bought from drug dealers who sell coke, X, meth etc???? alot

if they only sell weed then they know someone higher up..

 

[Lestat]

Also Ariel makes a great point which I believe could be personally relevant to me. I am once again opening myself up for flames and insults, but I do so knowingly.

I have a very active mind. I have been told that I "think too much" at times. It can be annoying to some even. I find that weed sort of balances me out of bit, makes it easier for me at times to just sit back, relax, and enjoy life.

Now I could go to a psychiatrist, and I am sure they would have no shortage of drugs to put me on. I have a lot of experience with these through school and also my mother, my two ex girlfriends, and many of my friends use drugs daily to control their moods and theoretically "get more" out of their day to day life. I'm talking about drugs like Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax, Ambien, and in some cases even stronger anti psychoctics. I pass no judgement on these people as I believe the body of knowledge behind these drugs (although new, and limited) is sound.

I myself prefer weed. I like that is is temporary. I feel the effects for about an hour, then the effects start to become almost unnoticable. I also like the fact that it doesn't have to be a daily thing for me like Paxil would in order to get some benefit from it. I like that it doesn't make me tired, or reduce the "highs" and "lows" in my life, instead it does what I stated before, allows me to just sit back and relax. I love taking a toke and just sitting at the beach and watching the waves. Something that I also enjoy sober, but I get antsy sooner and cannot enjoy it to the same degree.

As a bonus, marijuana enhances food, music, movies, TV, and even casual conversation as it heightens all of the senses. Its also great for sex and makes orgasms more intense (many psychotropic drugs have the opposite effect).

The single greatest downside of marijuana use for me is the social stigma, which I see as a product of a concerted effort to demonize it. Is it benign and simply "no big deal" no, I am not saying that, but I think many people have a baseless view of it derived from anti drug campaigns that get massive amounts of funding.

Anyway, there you go, plenty of new ammo for those out there who are not interesting in anything resembling a contructive or ingelligent discussion.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I don't think beer or wine would ever be consumed if it was only available in non alcoholic forms.

The limits we put on alcohol use are only when driving or at a public bar, but in the privacy of your own home you can do whatever you want.

I agree with you in the sense that I do not want weed smoked publicly, just as I don't want cigarettes or cigars smoked publicly as well. Its incredibly intrusive!

I wasn't referring to non-alcoholic stuff. As for limits I'm saying they wouldn't apply to pot like they do to alcohol. Venturing out into public after a couple drinks is a lot different than doing the same after smoking a joint. The half life is different, the effects are different. You can control your alcoholic intake more precisely than that of pot. You basically admitted that pot is smoked to get high, as you implied in the bold statement above. So, alcoholic drinks can be enjoyed with and without its effects. Pot, not so much. How pot consumption could ever be regulated on the same level of effectiveness as alcohol consumption is an issue that's preventing it from ever being fully legalized.

 

[Lestat]

I wasn't referring to non-alcoholic stuff. As for limits I'm saying they wouldn't apply to pot like they do to alcohol. Venturing out into public after a couple drinks is a lot different than doing the same after smoking a joint. The half life is different, the effects are different. You can control your alcoholic intake more precisely than that of pot. You basically admitted that pot is smoked to get high, as you implied in the bold statement above. So, alcoholic drinks can be enjoyed with and without its effects. Pot, not so much. How pot consumption could ever be regulated on the same level of effectiveness as alcohol consumption is an issue that's preventing it from ever being fully legalized.

i agree with you there, regulation is part of the hurdle for legalization. Its tougher to control for than booze.


and yes, pot is smoked to get high, just as I feel most booze is consumed to get a slightly altered state going. This is not 100% true, some people enjoy wine food pairings simply for the flavor, and some thing the same about beer or even a good scotch, but many people only drink for the buzz, I am that way, if I don't want to get my buzz on, I'd MUCH prefer an iced tea!

 

[heatherrae]

I agree 100% I think alcohol and weed are equally as "bad" I happen to enjoy one more than the other, just like almost everyone else.

The way I view alcohol is this. Alochol comes with a lot of risks and negative effects. EVERYONE shoulders those risks, not equally, the users have greater risk of liver disease and what not, but we all have the risk of traffic accidents, domestic violence, etc.

We as a country and society have chosen collectively to accept those risk and allow our population to use alcohol (not without restriction though). This is very unfair to those who never touch alcohol right?

I propose the same for weed. Legalize and regulate it. The risks are minimal for non users, but lets gain concensus and move forward.

As I am sure you know we tried banning alcohol as a country once and the effects were disastrous, not only that, it goes against one of the underlying principles of this country, personal freedom and liberty (to an extent).

I'm not in favor of people with kids getting drunk in front of their kids or spending the rent money on booze, either. Just because alcohol causes equal problems doesn't mean pot is A-OK. I'm not against the legalization of pot. I just think it is a sad crutch that is destructive and unhealthy. So, is the cheesecake I just ate, but I won't go there...lol.

 

[Lestat]

I'm not in favor of people with kids getting drunk in front of their kids or spending the rent money on booze, either. Just because alcohol causes equal problems doesn't mean pot is A-OK. I'm not against the legalization of pot. I just think it is a sad crutch that is destructive and unhealthy. So, is the cheesecake I just ate, but I won't go there...lol.

agreed... except for the sad crutch and destructive part.

 

[blueta2]

All good addictions ruin lives. Booze, tabacco, weed, rx meds etc.......

Weed ruined my ex and still ruins him. It's not the vise that ruins someone, it's the person.

 

[-Ariel-]

All good addictions ruin lives. Booze, tabacco, weed, rx meds etc.......

Weed ruined my ex and still ruins him. It's not the vise that ruins someone, it's the person.

+1
word

 

[Lestat]

All good addictions ruin lives. Booze, tabacco, weed, rx meds etc.......

Weed ruined my ex and still ruins him. It's not the vise that ruins someone, it's the person.

well said.

 

[timtim]

All good addictions ruin lives. Booze, tabacco, weed, rx meds etc.......

Weed ruined my ex and still ruins him. It's not the vise that ruins someone, it's the person.

great post.