legalizing and regulating marijuana

meh, I hope it remains illegal. The folks in the inner cities need something to earn a living and if they lose this business then they'll have to start selling harder drugs. What would you do - work at McDonald's for minimum wage or sling a few dimebags on your own time and make 5x as much money? If it is legalized, these proprietors would have to switch to a more harmful (but more lucrative) product. OTOH, the stuff that is grown for "medicinal" purposes in Cali is AMAZING and I would assume that would translate to a quality crop elsewhere. Hmm....

And yes, I know I am dating myself by using the term "dimebag."

Gems and Rhinestones wrote:

LeatheЯmaИ wrote:

marijuana? never heard about it :roll:

i wonder if i'm the only one on this message board who has actually never smoked it even once?

To me, that is kind of like saying, "I've never drank alcohol."

You're not missing much... but it can be fun (occassionally).

(edit): but I do think it is a MUCH better alternative to alcohol. Less damaging physically (not addictive or carcinogenic and you wake up the next day feeling great), socially (nobody beats up someone else when they are hih), and spiritually (the conclusions you come to during the experience are sometimes profound).

he still stands wrote:

To me, that is kind of like saying, "I've never drank alcohol."

You're not missing much... but it can be fun (occassionally).

(edit): but I do think it is a MUCH better alternative to alcohol. Less damaging physically (not addictive or carcinogenic and you wake up the next day feeling great), socially (nobody beats up someone else when they are hih), and spiritually (the conclusions you come to during the experience are sometimes profound).

I think it depends on your definition of addiction. While yes it is not physically addictive, it is very much psychologically addictive. As is just about everything in life is.

I've known plenty of people who smoke everyday because they 'can't function' without it. That to me is an addiction.

Thorns2010 wrote:

I think it depends on your definition of addiction. While yes it is not physically addictive, it is very much psychologically addictive. As is just about everything in life is.

I've known plenty of people who smoke everyday because they 'can't function' without it. That to me is an addiction.

it less addictive than chocolate, coffee, or cheeseburgers. Should those items be criminalized, too? They are are all more harmful to the body...

Its about time! Less harmful than alcohol. Did I mention Oregon has the finest green around???

he still stands wrote:

Thorns2010 wrote:

I think it depends on your definition of addiction. While yes it is not physically addictive, it is very much psychologically addictive. As is just about everything in life is.

I've known plenty of people who smoke everyday because they 'can't function' without it. That to me is an addiction.

it less addictive than chocolate, coffee, or cheeseburgers. Should those items be criminalized, too? They are are all more harmful to the body...

I'm not advocating keeping it illegal or making it legal. I was just making a comment that in my opinion marijuana IS addictive.

At the end of the day, it is still harmful to the body, at least when it is inhaled, so it annoys me when people say 'well it isn't as bad as.......'

Thorns2010 wrote:

At the end of the day, it is still harmful to the body, at least when it is inhaled, so it annoys me when people say 'well it isn't as bad as.......'

then use a vaporizer... or put 1/4 oz and a stick of butter in a pan and simmer at 225 degrees for 1 hour (don't burn it) and then use that for some brownies or whatever else you would bake with butter...

now how is it bad for you (physically)?

I'm not saying EVERYONE should to it because, for some reason, some people do it way too often. And it does bother me too when people claim it is a panacea...

Personally, I don't know if it needs to be legalized, as already said it would put many out of a job, though I feel that it would employ many too as farms would be created and dispensaries, etc.

But... I do feel that medical marijuana is necessary, for there is no reason to strip someone of a medicine which can potentially have astronomical healing effects. MS, AIDS, glaucoma, etc. There have been a multitude of scientific studies done to illuminate the healing properties of marijuana, so if nothing else it should be legalized for those whom need it in that way.

As someone that will partake on occasion. I prefer decriminalization. I have a feeling the 1/8th at the liquor store is gonna be quite a bit more than I'm paying now.