Marijuana
 

What do you think of marijuana. In America, the walls of the unfounded proaganda seem to be crumbling, or at least you can hear them start to crack. I'm wonder what the feeling is in other parts of the world.

Overrated. (In America)

lol by whom? I'm talking about the prohibition not using it itself. I wouldn't call the damage of the prohibition overrated, I'd say it's very damaging.

By everyone it seems, where I'm from at least. And I mean using it is overrated, not the damage it causes. Around here it's "cool" =.=

The fact that they want to legalize it is extremely stupid, and it is a bad show on heir part. Even from inside America it's seen as a desperate measure by the government to fix all the unnecessary mistakes that's it's made.
Some of my friends, the ones who really aren't all that politcally involved, think it a wonderful idea! Well, it's crap. If you legalize pot, what's gonna happen? People are going to get sick, and need to see specialists, they won't have the money, and then what? We'll be in just a bigger problem!
They say the recession's over? Bull. Total. Bull. I can tell you from being in the bottom right now, it's not over. It's just getting a little better.
So, yeah I think it's total crap.
Hope it helps...
~HonoraryJapaneseGirl~

Please explain how the government is trying to legalize marijuana usage to fix all the unnecessary mistakes it has made. I have never heard this theory before, and would like to hear more details.

Actually from the studies I've read (as old as they may be), tobacco is more harmful than marijuana; one reason there is medical marijuana. Alcohol abuse is far more dangerous health wise and addicition wise. The American diet in America seems to be more dangerous after some of the other threads...

Legalizing it would surely free up our jails and make room for the real criminals.

Hey it would probably even help the get medical marijuana racket out of the health care system.

Think of the problems of alcohol during the American prohibition. Black market, large wealthy mob etc etc.

My opinion is legalize it and treat it like alcohol / tobacco. Its hard to do though in a nanny state.



Almost worth calling it a depression, but Americans are told they can't use that term.
Unemployment is not going down (and its far worse than anyone can truley calculate because of the way it is calculated). And that fake stimulus package that the government raves about is being debunked right on the ABC evening news... sad...

But think of all the GREEN jobs you would be creating if marijuana was legalized.... you also be saving the environment from global warming by planting MORE trees.../ plants...

10 reasons prohibition is bad:


1. Prohibition encourages people to see the law as unrealistic and whimsical, instead of with the respect and obedience a real law deserves.


2. Prohibition creates organized crime.


3. Prohibition permanently corrupts law enforcement, the court system, elections, and politics in general.


4. Prohibition overburdens police, courts, and the penal system.


5. Prohibition causes physical harm.
Because alcohol was illegal, its purity was not regulated. While fruit, vegetable, and grain alcohol is usually safe, alcohol made from wood is not — but it is difficult to tell the difference until too late. The same happens today with illegal drugs — most overdoses are accidental, a result from not knowing the purity or strength of the drug. All of this a result of prohibition!


6. Prohibition prevents the treatment of addiction
It’s a lot harder to say you have a problem when it could land you in jail.


7. Prohibition is ridiculously expensive.
Experts estimate that legalizing marijuana would save $7.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition. $5.3 billion of this savings would accrue to state and local governments, while $2.4 billion would accrue to the federal government. The report also estimates that marijuana legalization would yield tax revenue of $2.4 billion annually if marijuana were taxed like all other goods and $6.2 billion annually if marijuana were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco.


8. Prohibition (a.k.a. 'The War on Drugs') is a complete failure, and is essentially impossible to win


9. A regulated, legal market in marijuana would reduce marijuana sales and use among teenagers, as well as reduce their exposure to other more dangerous drugs in the illegal market.


10. Marijuana's legalization would simplify the development of hemp as a valuable and diverse agricultural crop in the United States, including its development as a new bio-fuel to reduce carbon emissions.

This is an interesting topic. I did search information about marijuana by Google. I was sooooooo surprised that some professionals said it is less harmful to human health than tobacco and alcohol, at least marijuana does not make people addictive. Of course, it's also said that, if someone over abuses marijuana, death is over there.

Anyway, no matter what I have read and told, as well as reports, to most of Chinese people, marijuana is quite evil. If someone around us uses marijuana, he/she is unacceptable.

I think, people should have more positive ways for relaxation. Marijuana cannot really help. ;)

Marijuana does not and has never directly caused death, ever.

Chinese people have been using Marijuana as medicine for well over 2000 years.

2,700-Year-Old Marijuana Found in Grave

To consider someone "unacceptable" because they use a plant is, to me, "unacceptable".

Thanks for you information!!! ;)

I Fix'd it.

This argument is utter nonsense. Marijuana is illegal, and those who use it are breaking the law. Those who knowingly break the law deserve whatever penalty they get. We can't choose the laws we wish to obey, and those we wish to ignore. Words can't describe the stupidity and ignorance of those who claim that marijuana is "beneficial", and that marijuana hurts no one.

Marijuana has killed tens of thousands of people in Mexico over the last few years. Smuggling pot into America to satisfy the illegal wants of America's stupid and ignorant has led to the formation of bloodthirsty gangs, who kill anyone and everyone who stands in their way.

This bloodshed is not the fault of the law, it is the fault of the lawbreakers. Yet, those who smoke pot do as weak-willed and weak-minded people often do, and reassign blame to someone else: "it's the government's fault all those people are dying, and that the jails are full of drug offenders" they say.

Others, who are equally stupid, claim that they "grow their own", or buy it from Canada, so that they aren't contributing to the mass murder occurring along the Southern Border. But that's not entirely true. At one time or another they have smoked marijuana smuggled in from Mexico.

People driving under the influence of marijuana often get into traffic accidents, and many of these accidents result in serious injury or fatalities. Marijuana smoke contains many of the same noxious chemicals found in tobaccos (fertilizer, insecticides, etc.), so smoking marijuana is not a safe alternative to tobacco.

Added to this is the increased likelyhood of mental illness which young users may contract as a result of smoking marijuana. Studies have proven a link between marijuana use and schizophrenia in young marijuana smokers, and these studies are becoming more and more frightening. It's estimated that as many as half of those suffering schizophrenia today may have had the onset of their disease caused by smoking marijuana.

Once again, marijuana is illegal, and those who smoke it are not rebels or enlightened-beings-to-whom-mortal-laws-do-not-apply, they are merely lawbreakers, and often stupid ones at that.

Tobacco is legal, and it is heavily taxed. The government collects billions of dollars in tax revenue from the sale of tobacco. Unfortunately, the cost of health care, lost productivity, and early death far outweigh the revenue gained from taxation. The argument that the taxing of legalized drugs would somehow increase tax revenue is an empty one.

Billions are already spent treating drug addiction, how much more would be spent if everyone over the age of 18 were allowed to use drugs? You might argue that marijuana is not addictive, but how many heroine, cocaine, or crack addicts have you met that have never smoked marijuana? "If you think that gets you high, you should try this!"

The road to addiction starts with a single joint, hit, sniff, or whatever. This road leads to crime, heartbreak, prison, and often death. Those who are lucky find rehabilitation, and a strong regret for ever having started down the road in the first place. The rest count the minutes until their next hit, or count the day on the calender as they sit behind bars.

Drug laws and enforcement should not be relaxed, they should be strengthened. Making drugs illegal does not necessarily increase crime. Drugs are illegal in Japan, and illegal drug use here is uncommon. Why? Because Japan enforces drug laws without mercy. There is no "slap on the wrist" for those who are arrested for using or dealing in drugs. Marijuana residue found in an ashtray in your car or home is enough to send you to prison. People in Japan take the law seriously, and give it the respect it deserves. Those who break the laws do so knowing the consequences, and they deserve no sympathy When they are caught, they usually take responsibility for their actions, and serve their time quietly.

Marijuana may have been used in China for 2700 years for medicinal purposes, but that is no longer the case. If you think Japan is tough on illegal drug use, you should see how China enforces their drug laws. In China it is far easier (and less expensive) to simply execute drug dealers and hardcore addicts than it is to imprison them, so that is the most common punishment. Execution often occurs minutes after conviction, there are no appeals.

There is no merit to marijuana use, legal or illegal. Any medicinal benefits which smoking marijuana provides can be found in tablet form, so the actual smoking is not necessary. These tablets (marinol) are available now, and have been available for many years to those who have a prescription for them. It has never been necessary to allow people to grow and smoke medicinal marijuana when they can simply go to any drug store and get a pill which provides the same treatment.

They work quite well here in Japan.

They don't sound like a bright bunch of fellows. My brother has emphysema. His lungs collapsed walking up a hill oneday and I had to carry him to hospital.

Marijuana is very bad for you.

EDIT: Oh, and to make matters worse, he's addicted, and still smokes. He's at risk of death, yes.

I like your little references. As if it makes what you're saying to be more true.

I can find a reference to say almost anything I want, but I prefer to use personal experience.

Oh, and nobody listen to him. He does not know what he's talking about.

Where some people have good self control, others may not. In fact, I recall, once we'd smoked and finished our weed, we'd drain the bong with a sift to get out any weed that had not burned so we could smoke it again.

We loved it that much, we could have smoked well over $100 AUD in a single night.

Also, even though some of us did not smoke cigarettes, few people enjoy smoking weed without tobacco mixed in. It's not hard to have gone through a few smokes a day in just spinning out a mix, adding to the addiction.

Regardless of what Mr. Sound Science here will try and have you think, inhailing large amounts of smoke of any kind is not good for you and never will be.

Marijuana is extremely addictive. Not many people are sure why, it's a placebo. But it can drown out your life in trying to feed it.

Of course, many people can keep it under control, and they'll form up the better half of statistics. I'm sure, also, with a clean and regular supply, any herion addict could live a successful and healthy life without any problems.

But every once in a while, someones life goes down the toilet, usually with a noose around their neck. It's up to you whether or not taking away the enjoyment of everyone for the sake of an unfortunate few is worth it or not, but it's something you have to consider. Not much different than wearing a motorbike helmet; most people will never need them, but we keep the law enforced for the sake of those who will.

Nuff said.

If those here that say marijuana shouldn't be legalized and that they lean towards the reports that say it is harmful/evil, would you then say bring back prohibition on alcohol and start one on tobacco? Why or why not? I mean alcohol is addictive, physically unhealthy to an extent, and gets you drunk.

I think alcohol is only bad for you if you're irresponsible. It's far from impossible to stay..not addicted. I know plenty of people that drink beer, not because they want to get drunk, but because they like beer. And they usually have one beer at a time. It's a drink for some people, but for others it's a way to get trashed. Hopefully you can tell the difference of irresponsible and responsible.

I would say it's the same with tobacco and marijuana, to an extent, but I don't know much about either of those.

Weed is way stronger than grog.

Tobacco, well, it's for stupid people.

But, can I ask you; why should we actually bother to legalize weed? There are plenty of people who can say why not. But let's hear someone who says why we should. Give us some good reasons.

"grog" yes if we are talking about miller lite; but microbrew beer, liquor/wine no.

I would think that is a little harsh to say tobacco is for stupid people. With this logic the same could go for those who lots of eat deep fried food or heavy deserts regularly. The same as to drink until intoxication.

I think my post on page one summed up my opinion on this for legalization, but many others in this thread summed it up better than me... especially on the arguments of prohibition.

Look at the costs of medical marijuana as well. Take this burden out of the health care system.

The question is really how is this different than alcohol?
There are no studies I have read here or anywhere that can prove without a shadow of a doubt that the physical or mental issues associated with the body outweigh the issues with tobacco or alcohol.

Sure there would be those who would abuse it, but the same can be done with alcohol.

- That's why you can eat it, vaporize it, and drink it (in several different ways).


- Little references? Studies from the Harvard Institute of Health, New England Journal of Medicine, UCLA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many reputable sources are apparently insignificant.

But the studies you and Sangetsu reference (but fail to cite) in which marijuana causes psychosis, brain cell damage, and health damage were commissioned by the federal government -- where they forced Rhesus monkeys to inhale the equivalent of 1000 joints in 5 minutes through gas masks, causing brain damage due to lack of oxygen, not Marijuana. And these facts are STILL being championed by anti-marijuana associations and idiots like YOU.

Also you guys totally disprove any medicinal use of marijuana, yet you stick up for the synthetic marinol pills? If it doesn't have any medicinal value, why support marinol (which often causes nausea and a very uncomfortable sensation)?



10 reasons prohibition is bad:


1. Prohibition encourages people to see the law as unrealistic and whimsical, instead of with the respect and obedience a real law deserves.


2. Prohibition creates organized crime.


3. Prohibition permanently corrupts law enforcement, the court system, elections, and politics in general.


4. Prohibition overburdens police, courts, and the penal system.


5. Prohibition causes physical harm.
Because alcohol was illegal, its purity was not regulated. While fruit, vegetable, and grain alcohol is usually safe, alcohol made from wood is not — but it is difficult to tell the difference until too late. The same happens today with illegal drugs — most overdoses are accidental, a result from not knowing the purity or strength of the drug. All of this a result of prohibition!


6. Prohibition prevents the treatment of addiction
It’s a lot harder to say you have a problem when it could land you in jail.


7. Prohibition is ridiculously expensive.
Experts estimate that legalizing marijuana would save $7.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition. $5.3 billion of this savings would accrue to state and local governments, while $2.4 billion would accrue to the federal government. The report also estimates that marijuana legalization would yield tax revenue of $2.4 billion annually if marijuana were taxed like all other goods and $6.2 billion annually if marijuana were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco.


8. Prohibition (a.k.a. 'The War on Drugs') is a complete failure, and is essentially impossible to win


9. A regulated, legal market in marijuana would reduce marijuana sales and use among teenagers, as well as reduce their exposure to other more dangerous drugs in the illegal market.


10. Marijuana's legalization would simplify the development of hemp as a valuable and diverse agricultural crop in the United States, including its development as a new bio-fuel to reduce carbon emissions

Well put.

Why are everyone so against it?

Marijuana can be a beautiful drug as long as you don't misuse it.

just look at Amsterdam etc, The number of people that uses more dangerous drugs is lower there.

Exactly.

lol I'm afraid not. For one I don't smoke it. And I'm well aware of the 'rules of smoking' in Japan:
Japan Shocked By Marijuana Scandals
It's the same as in most countries around the world, it's used a lot in private because several decades ago America dictated to the world that it should be banned. Says there is talk among politics in Japan about the alcohol legality. Sounds dangerous, but I digress.

I don't want to get all preachy. I think the list above presents the standard fare of arguments already. This isn't about if mj is good or bad, the debate is complete, at least scientifically and logically; and no offense but I'd rather not argue about it unless somebody really wants to bring some valid references like the anti-prohibition side does. The reason this topic has come to mine and others' attention recently is because of the violence in the country to the south of here, Mexico. I would rather not travel there as I used to because of it. And other countries are affected as it worsens. Why wait until it's too late?

I know I said I wouldn't get preachy but I just have to say, I think the reason people dismiss the arguments is because they can't digest the idea that their governments and cultures lied to them so clearly about the dangers of a weed. Sorry, but they did. Please look at the evidence.

It's funny to me that as humans (Americans especially) it's completely natural to question politics and politicians, because for the most part we know them to be liars. But when it comes to the illegality of a plant, we assume they must have their priorities in order :rolleyes:


All the arguments against marijuana are a direct result of it's prohibition (gang crime, gateway drug theory, paranoia, marinol, etc.)

Yes, it's social conditioning from birth. This stuff is universal. Progress demands questioning the norm, though.

How can you say it's not bad for your health? I know it's bad; my whole family smokes it and I used to as well. I've seen what it does. It causes you to age a lot quicker and it destroys your lungs. Saying it has no bad health side effects is a plain lie; I don't care where you got it from, I know it's a lie.

I'm not reffering to any monkey tests, I'm reffering to a mentally challenged family in poor health.

I don't know what you're talking about for medicine. Is that directed at me?

None of the reasons you gave were decent. If people can't get their heads around the law, that's their own problem. It has nothing to do with weed as a substance.

No. I'm just saying it's bad for you.

Any substance that people use habitually and rely on is not good for you. Is that enough to make it illegal? No. Is it "worse" than tobacco and alcohol? No. But that doesn`t make it GOOD for you. It does hurt people, it does ruin lives.

I could really care less if it`s legal or illegal, as it exists in the same field as tobacco and alcohol. But I cannot stand the arguments that it is perfectly healthy, that it has never hurt anyone, etc. It`s addictive. People waste their lives obtaining and using it.
It`s not harmless. I think that continuing to say that hurts the cause more than just admitting that there are some people out there who cannot handle it. "Not usually that harmful" is closer to the truth.

But there hasn't been anything in marijuana to be addictive. That is the point many are trying to state. This is true, marijuana itself is not addictive. You cant say it is addictive when it is not. People have addictive personalities, they get addicted to things it happens. People are addicted to porn and gambling, but theses things are not in themselves addictive. Its the person who enjoys it so much that they become addicted to it. This is the same for marijuana. You cant blame the product for that, just the people using it.

Sure, smoking is inherently bad... But I'm saying you can eat it, drink it, and vaporize it -- yet you ignore these facts. Are you saying THC itself is bad for you health? Because that's just not true.

Believe it or not THC occurs naturally in the CB1 receptor and its splice variant CB1A, found predominantly in the brain with highest densities in the hippocampus, cerebellum and striatum.

(How THC Affects The Brain)

Are you saying your family wouldn't be mentally challenged had they not smoked marijuana? That's nonsense.

I have a family that is full of cancer, limes disease, and paralysis -- all of whom smoke marijuana for various medicinal purposes, yet you ignore me as though I don't have any "personal" experience.

There are legal alternatives at your local health store that are far more dangerous and unstudied.

Marijuana is PROVEN to have MEDICAL BENEFITS (your argument to the contrary is flat out ignorance)

This sums it up... now close this ****** topic.

Weed is the single most addictive thing I've ever been exposed to.

It does not cause physical craving, like tobacco. It effects you mentally, and you require it for shelter. It's extremely addictive, especially for people who're having a tough time in another aspect of their life and are looking for an escape route.

Well, next time you're in Thailand, hit me up. You can bake me some hash cookies and I'll try them out. I would not mind to.

The reality is, the best and easiest way will always be to smoke it. I doubt that will ever go out of fashion.

Yeah, and so does herion. But we're not really talking about pain relief, here; we're talking about it's usage in general.

Comparing Marijuana to Heroin just proves that you have no grasp on what it is you're arguing.

I wasn't compairing them. So who has no grasp?

I was just showing medicinal use and street use are very different things, and not relevant here.

But this is due to the person. Not the substance. You could say the same for almost anything. If someone likes it enough they will become addicted. Food, gambling, video games, porn, pop, they all fall under the same conditions you listed. Its the persons personality.

What is the point of this? Just because most people can get away with something, it does not mean we should not implement laws for the protection of minorities.

Mental dependance is much worse than physical dependance.

Stop posting them stupid referances. No one gives a damn where you copy and paste from. It brings nothing to your view.

Yes, but video games do not end up killing you. Porn does not ruin a teenagers life. Gambling is often a problem, and it's illegal in many countries. As is porn.

Regardless, this is the same selfish argument Josh put forward; just because one person can get away with something, it does not mean we should not concern for others.

But they are scientific findings proving his point. Why shouldn't he post them? He has information to back up his opinion.

Here he goes again...

Attack the comment, not the person, Josh. Regardless of how bad you are at it.

Actually, I started quiting weed when I was 14. I'd dropped out of school and sat down smoking and playing the PSone a lot. I played the Ninja game, Tenchu.

Eventually, I became inspired to start learning martial arts, and took up Ninjutsu and Kung Fu.

It was when I wanted to become better at these things that I knew I had to stop smoking. The only way to destroy one obsession was to take up another where the two were not compatible to co-exist.

I didn't manage to prooperly give up smoking until I was 15, but. Even though I'd tried desperately for several months as I wanted to become powerful, it was very hard.

I have many friends who would laugh so hard at you saying it isn't addictive. That's why I do not like your referances. There are freedom of speech laws in place in most countries; just because something is in a book, it does not mean for a moment it is true. You can write anything. I prefer experience.

No, they're not scientific and he's wrong. I know he's wrong. He thinks it isn't addictive; it is.