UCFKevin Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 If the government would end the "weed is illegal" BS they would not only SAVE billions of dollars wasted in the war on marijuana, but they would EARN billions of dollars from the taxation of it if they made it legal. There has never been a death as a direct result of smoking pot. I did a debate on this a few years ago. I don't recall all the facts but it's a ridiculous notion to have weed be illegal. I sure as hell wouldn't drive if I was stoned, just the same as I wouldn't drive if I was drunk. It's common sense. And at least with weed, when you're stoned, you're not gonna go insane and beat the crap out of someone. Name one angry stoner. There aren't any. But there are plenty of angry drunks out there. Link to post Share on other sites
dyermaker Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by UCFKevin There has never been a death as a direct result of smoking pot. I guess you're not counting the kid who got his face blown off in the commercial? Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 FACTS: No one has ever died from marijuana use. Marijuana does not lead to physical dependency. Marijuana is less dangerous than tobacco and people smoke less of it at a time. No independent government panel that has studied marijuana has ever recommended jail for users. Marijuana leads to non-violence and pacifism. Marijuana for medicinal use is also gaining renewed recognition. Marijuana is a medicinal herb that has hundreds of proven, valuable therapeutic uses - from stress reduction to glaucoma to asthma to cancer therapy, etc. Marijuana was a major active ingredient in 40-50% of patent medicines before its ban. Marijuana could replace at least 10-20% of prescribed drugs now in use. Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Name one angry stoner. There aren't any. Another of the many arguments the government has used against the plant oddly enough. And also a very true statement. Most people don't drive high at all. They don't have a desire to go cruisin' around like drunk people do...and if they do for some reason, they are usually the safest drivers on the road...going exactly the speed limit and following every traffic law in the books. Not that it's safe...but a parranoid driver is better than a drunk driver who thinks he's Dale Jr. I of course never drive high...too much work for me. I don't want to stress myself when I'm high...and driving isn't fun for me so NO THANKS. Link to post Share on other sites
Naive Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by stoneheather I don't know if that's what "they" say but you just convinced me!! ( sip, sip) LOL I'm right beside you, (siiiiiiiiippppp, siiiiiiiiiiiiiipppppppp) Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 are we fact posting. I'll bring my notes with my tomorrow...Oh wait...I've got the stuff bookmarked...just tell me when. Link to post Share on other sites
dyermaker Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by stoneheather Marijuana does not lead to physical dependency. That's not true. Marijuana dependency is a very overlooked problem in the zealous 'legalize it' movement. Of course, I don't think that's reason enough to illegalize it , but it shouldn't be overlooked. Marijuana leads to non-violence and pacifism. Well no wonder the government is against it! I think all drugs should be legal. A lot of people don't understand that dangerous drugs are dangerous because they can't be made safely. Not only would legalizing drugs make them a hell of a lot safer, but they also would totally cripple organized crime, including the Mafia and the L.A. gangs who profit off of drug sales. Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Number of American deaths per year that result directly or primarily from the following selected causes nationwide, according to World Almanacs, Life Insurance Actuarial (death) Rates, and the last 20 years of U.S. Surgeon Generals' reports. TOBACCO 340,000 to 450,000 ALCOHOL (Not including 50% of all highway deaths and 65% of all murders) 150,000+ ASPIRIN (Including deliberate overdose) 180 to 1,000+ CAFFEINE (From stress, ulcers, and triggering irregular heartbeats, etc.) 1,000 to 10,000 "LEGAL" DRUG OVERDOSE (Deliberate or accidental) from legal, prescribed or patent medicines and/or mixing with alcohol - e.g. Valium/alcohol 14,000 to 27,000 ILLICIT DRUG OVERDOSE (Deliberate or accidental) from all illegal drugs. 3,800 to 5,200 MARIJUANA 0 (Marijuana users also have the same or lower incidence of murders and highway deaths and accidents than the general non-marijuana using population as a whole. Crancer Study, UCLA; U.S. Funded ($6 million), First & Second Jamaican Studies, 1968 to 1974; Costa Rican Studies, 1980 to 1982; et al. LOWEST TOXICITY 100% of the studies done at dozens of American universities and research facilities show pot toxicity does not exist. Medical history does not record anyone dying from an overdose of marijuana (UCLA, Harvard, Temple, etc.). Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 to people who have addictive personalities, but for most, it is not. Some people will get addicted to anything...a tv show...a food...sex...gambling...etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Naive Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by dyermaker Not only would legalizing drugs make them a hell of a lot safer, but they also would totally cripple organized crime, including the Mafia and the L.A. gangs who profit off of drug sales. This is a great point! It would definitely take all this easy money from those people. Link to post Share on other sites
dyermaker Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 It's not just a psychological addiction though, marijuana alters your brain chemistry. I'm not saying that it's any worse than coffee, alcohol, or other such addictions, but we ought to be truthful in our analysis. Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 announcing that marijuana, or hemp as it was known then, was to become the next billion dollar drop.... http://www.jackherer.com/popmech.html Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 well that's enought for me I am going home to explore pot a little more! ( cough, cough) Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 but it is not AS addictive as the above mentioned. It isn't a proper comparison...but yes, the risk is definetely there. Marijuana alters your brain chemistry in some good ways...it levels out the processes of your left and right brain and actually makes you think more balanced than normally, when your left brain is more dominant. Link to post Share on other sites
dyermaker Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by loveregardless but it is not AS addictive as the above mentioned. It isn't a proper comparison...but yes, the risk is definetely there. Addiction is a scary thing regardless. I'm not saying that it's grounds for illegalization, but people should know the risks of behavior before they engage in it. Marijuana alters your brain chemistry in some good ways...it levels out the processes of your left and right brain and actually makes you think more balanced than normally, when your left brain is more dominant. It's my understanding that you're supposed to think with one side of your brain. I don't see how balancing the sides out is beneficial to you at all, do you have any medical links for that one? Sorry. Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 tomorrow I'll get you the link. I have the printed out info but I don't have it bookmarked. Of course its good to think with both sides of your brains. Everyone is either mostly left brain oriented or right brain oriented. Right brain is where abstract thinking and creativity exists. Left brain is where our logic and reasoning exists. Why would you not want a balance of both? Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Left Brain Logical Sequential Rational Analytical Objective Looks at parts Right Brain Random Intuitive Holistic Synthesizing Subjective Looks at wholes "Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones." Link to post Share on other sites
dyermaker Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by loveregardless Why would you not want a balance of both? I'm pretty sure you're supposed to think with one side of your brain. I don't know the science behind it, but it looks to me like this 'balance' thing is psuedoscience. I'm asking specifically for non-inductive research on why thinking with both sides of your brain is benefiicial. You'll get that tommorow? Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 haha, it's pseudoscience freak but dammit thats worth acknowledging, too. forget you...I'll go play by myself now. Link to post Share on other sites
honey2005 Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 If anyone knows actual facts about the two "drugs" they would know this was a silly question. The starter of the post did ask for our opinions. Pot also has no toxicity level and it does not damage the brain at all. Thats a lie... Acutally your statement is wrong. I just read today that large amounts of pot CAN cause damage to brain cells. People who smoke pot are also practically incapable of being brain washed. While those who do not...very much are. Just because we think it's wrong does not mean we are brainwashed. I however must disagree about marijuana being a gateway drug...if you would like I would do some statistic searching but this is largely untrue If you would like I have a very interesting textbook written by a doctor that proves this to be true. "Pot Heads" are the most free thinking, non violent, community oriented people I have ever come in contact with...at yet the only thing they get credit for is the "loser, criminal" stigma. And as of yet most of the "pot heads" that I have met have been people who only do it because it makes them look cool or because their friends are doing it. Educate yourselves people, with non biased facts...the whole truth is not even close to what they taught you in school. I prefer to believe something written by a distinguished doctor over someone who just tells me something online. I find it funny that those who do smoke pot are always looking for ways to justify their behavior. It's is aweful that good people get put into jail for as long as serious criminals for smoking pot. They're breaking the law, they deserved to be put in jail. I just wish that more people DID care one way or the other I do care one way or the other. I hope they keep it illegal. and if they do for some reason, they are usually the safest drivers on the road...going exactly the speed limit and following every traffic law in the books. Wrong again. Smoking pot and driving is just as dangerous as drinking and driving. I don't want to stress myself when I'm high...and driving isn't fun for me so NO THANKS. Too bad the innocent lives of the family of four in the car coming toward you isn't reason enough... Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 oh honey would you get off my ass. You can have an opinion but apparently you didn't read all of the other posts that have been made since that one. And I didn't say people that didn't smoke weed were brainwashed I was referring to a study conducted over seas some time ago that found "sober" peope very succeptable to brainwashing and people who smoked marijuana to be less succeptable to it. How old are you? Of course all your freinds that smoke are doing it to look cool. Why does a teenager do anything...please... They're breaking the law they deserve to be put in jail? Get over yourself and your oppressive government would you. And how dare you make a judment statement about me not caring about people getting killed by drivers under the influence. You do not know me and I can guarantee you that I have NEVER driven' f*cked up on anything...I was making a lighthearted statement about the behavior of people who do smoke and have no interest in driving around. Other than that...I'm sure that you are that much more well read than the rest of us. haha...cute little girl. Link to post Share on other sites
honey2005 Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 I'm 18, and I'm not on your @ss as you so rudely put it. Your comments were the ones that stood out to me, and exactly the opposite of what I learned today. I was just stating a point. I didn't say I was more well read than you, either. I don't spend my days surfing the internet trying to find information about illegal drugs to try and prove that they should be legal because I know what I'm doing is wrong and I don't want be a criminal. I don't do any kind of drugs, so yes, I have never driven "f*cked" up, nor will I ever, but it wouldn't be because I don't want to ruin the wonderful feeling of being stoned. Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 I don't have to justify anything to you or anyone else and it is elitist and ridiculous for you to be so self-righteous. I do not know where you got the idea that I am on a constant search to find made up statements to make myself feel better about my criminal behavior....in fact, it is quite the opposite. I am on a constant search for the truth, for reality, for the facts. Just because something is illegal doesn't make it wrong. GROW UP! and yes, you are on my ass. and obviously your defintion of a criminal is different than mine. Thats fine. It's your perrogative to be close minded and brain washed! Link to post Share on other sites
loveregardless Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 they should put you on display as a model example of their propaganda and misinformation working beautifully. They've done a good job with you little one. Link to post Share on other sites
dyermaker Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 Originally posted by honey2005 Acutally your statement is wrong. I just read today that large amounts of pot CAN cause damage to brain cells. Too much of anything can kill you. It's easier to overdose on potatoes than pot though, not even Bob Marley had enough to OD. Just because we think it's wrong does not mean we are brainwashed. To some extent, yes it does--because saying it's wrong because it's illegal is an appeal to an unqualified authority. If you would like I have a very interesting textbook written by a doctor that proves this to be true. You can't *prove* that it's a gateway drug, that's a theory. There are few facts in psychological research. And as of yet most of the "pot heads" that I have met have been people who only do it because it makes them look cool or because their friends are doing it. Anecdotal evidence isn't evidence at all. Chances are a lot of people you know smoke pot, you just don't know it. They're breaking the law, they deserved to be put in jail. I'm guessing you don't understand a thing about the prison system. They're overloaded with people who are doing nothing wrong. Listen, you can' t say it's illegal because it's wrong, and it's wrong because it's illegal. That's circular reasoning. I know potheads with better logic. too bad the innocent lives of the family of four in the car coming toward you isn't reason enough... *yawn* An appeal to emotion. It's fine if you want to think pot is bad, but if you're going to speak out about it, know what you're talking about. Don't cite medical evidence unless you have some proof that such evidence exists. Additionally, the whole 'drugs are bad' mantra is also illogical. Have you ever had caffeine? A perfect example of a legal but addictive drug. I wish someone would get you high. You might stop being so self-righteous. Link to post Share on other sites
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