Marijuana consumers deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Marijuana Nationwide!
Fear of Marijuana Legalization Nationwide is unfounded. Not based on any science or fact whatsoever. So please prohibitionists, we beg you to give your scare tactics, “Conspiracy Theories” and “Doomsday Scenarios” over the inevitable Legalization of Marijuana Nationwide a rest. Nobody is buying them anymore these days. Okay?
Furthermore, if all prohibitionists get when they look into that nice, big and shiny crystal ball of theirs, while wondering about the future of marijuana legalization, is horror, doom, and despair, well then I suggest they return that thing as quickly as possible and reclaim the money they shelled out for it, since it’s obviously defective.
The prohibition of marijuana has not decreased the supply nor the demand for marijuana at all. Not one single iota, and it never will. Just a huge and complete waste of our tax dollars to continue criminalizing citizens for choosing a natural, non-toxic, relatively benign plant proven to be much safer than alcohol.
If prohibitionists are going to take it upon themselves to worry about “saving us all” from ourselves, then they need to start with the drug that causes more detriment to our society than every other drug in the world COMBINED, which is alcohol!
Why do prohibitionists feel the continued need to vilify and demonize marijuana when they could more wisely focus their efforts on a real, proven killer, alcohol, which again causes more detriment to our society than all other drugs, COMBINED?
Prohibitionists really should get their priorities straight and/or practice a little live and let live. They’ll live longer, happier, and healthier lives, with a lot less stress if they refrain from being bent on trying to control others through Draconian Marijuana Laws.
Nope. Wrong. Stoners do not deserve equal rights and protections simply because stoners say so.
Nothing you stated was convincing.
The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol. Your lack of concern for detrimental effects on society is evidenced by arguing for MORE of it because it occurs with alcohol use…. so ‘legalize pot’.
Let me use an argument advanced by stoners for legalizing pot… but then point out key differences. Responsible alcohol consumption leads to tax revenue on purchases by alcohol users who DO NOT contribute to societal ills; e.g. car accidents. OTOH, pot use over time leads to loss of cognitive function and car accidents similar to that for alcohol abuse.
If pot were legalized, it would be taxed and the benefits in tax contributions would far exceed those of alcohol consumption. States that don’t legalize are missing out on a huge tax benefit. Have you taken a look at Colorado’s tax debt lately? Results are pretty shocking!
Also, people who smoke pot, and don’t mix it with anything else, drive like an old lady.
Pot + Stress = Paranoia (Paranoia makes you want to be more cautious not less.)
Alcohol + Stress = Overconfidence
(Overconfidence causes people to do things they wouldn’t normally do, like go 100 miles an hour down a highway because he wants to see how fast the car can go.)
Alcohol is still the most prevalent cause of car fatalities closely followed by distracted driving. We know this because we are on insurance journal, after all, and agents should know the causes of the majority of our auto accident claims. I’ve never once had a call that one of my clients was hit by a Pot-smoking driver. On the other hand, I’ve had so many calls about accidents relating to drunk-driving, I can’t even calculate the number. If I could swap every liquor store for a marijuana store, I’d do it in a heartbeat because I know it would save so many lives.
Your argument is not very sensible and most of your facts are incorrect.
Once weed is legalized in more states, we’ll have a better sample to measure the ‘auto accidents claim’ suggestion that you threw out. Based on your comment, meth should be legalized because there are so few auto accidents caused by meth users.
Nice try though.
Continue dreaming about legalization of pot in any new states.
If you had any common sense, you’d have heeded the warnings in the article, which I doubt you read – other than the title, because it warns lawyer about legal practice regarding pot. The warning is based on case laws, not opinions of the author.
Here’s an important excerpt, because you couldn’t have read the article and posted what you did…
“Any lawyer that goes into this should be aware that a literal reading of federal law permits such a prosecution,” said Sam Kamin, a University of Denver marijuana policy law professor, whose research five years ago found lawyers more susceptible to being disbarred than criminally charged for cannabis-related work.
“It probably makes sense for a lawyer to at least talk to a legal ethicist or get an opinion from a legal ethicist.”
Nope.
That’s a silly argument using wild, irresponsible, unsubstantiated speculation.
Taxing pot is the FIRST argument stoners make. But they don’t have enough brain power to recall how often that stance has been rebutted effectively in the past. Revenue and cost measures are NEVER studied together in a scientific manner. It’s only been one or the other.
Taxing pot also creates another source of revenue that robs stoners of money they’ll need when they get older and their cognitive powers are greatly diminished relative to people who don’t ‘stone away their lives, day after day’. Ah, but live for the day, if you will, behind closed doors – because it’s still illegal as regards Federal Laws.
re-posted because a dozen stoners visited a website they know nothing about to censor sensible posts that oppose pot legalization…
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Nope. Wrong. Stoners do not deserve equal rights and protections simply because stoners say so.
Nothing you stated was convincing.
The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol. Your lack of concern for detrimental effects on society is evidenced by arguing for MORE of it because it occurs with alcohol use…. so ‘legalize pot’.
Let me use an argument advanced by stoners for legalizing pot… but then point out key differences. Responsible alcohol consumption leads to tax revenue on purchases by alcohol users who DO NOT contribute to societal ills; e.g. car accidents. OTOH, pot use over time leads to loss of cognitive function and car accidents similar to that for alcohol abuse.
Reply
“The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol.”
Sensible? Ha. Wastefully expensive? Yes. Someone appears to reject the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution. What other parts of the Constitution do you oppose?
SensibleArgument can correct if I am wrong, but I was assuming that he/she meant that if you are against the legalization of marijuana due to its impact on society, it makes more sense to go after alcohol instead. Meaning someone concerned about that should either go after alcohol before marijuana or neither.
By the way, the 21st Amendment changed Constitution. It is a dynamic document.
@Ron. Thank you. I agree with SensibleArgument. I was responding to AlJohn’s gibberish.
He/She was advocating the federal prohibition of alcohol. I was simply noting that this has already been tried — and failed.
December 13, 2017 at 5:59 pm
PolarBeaRepeal says:
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@Ron; The Constitutional Amendments are the only way to change it, and that requires a 2/3 vote in BOTH Houses of Congress. Good luck with that, given the 51 Republican Senators and 239 Republicans to 193 Democrats.
Another rabbit hole avoided thru application of facts and logic!
December 14, 2017 at 8:23 am
Ron says:
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At what point was I advocating for a change in the Constitution? I only pointed out the FACT that it is a dynamic document that CAN be changed.
December 15, 2017 at 3:01 pm
DNCs Coll(F)usion GPShip Strzok an IceberGowdy says:
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re-posted:
Nope. Wrong. Stoners do not deserve equal rights and protections simply because stoners say so.
Nothing you stated was convincing.
The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol. Your lack of concern for detrimental effects on society is evidenced by arguing for MORE of it because it occurs with alcohol use…. so ‘legalize pot’.
Let me use an argument advanced by stoners for legalizing pot… but then point out key differences. Responsible alcohol consumption leads to tax revenue on purchases by alcohol users who DO NOT contribute to societal ills; e.g. car accidents. OTOH, pot use over time leads to loss of cognitive function and car accidents similar to that for alcohol abuse.
Reply
re-posted to circumvent stoner’s efforts to silence the truth:
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Nope. Wrong. Stoners do not deserve equal rights and protections simply because stoners say so.
Nothing you stated was convincing.
The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol. Your lack of concern for detrimental effects on society is evidenced by arguing for MORE of it because it occurs with alcohol use…. so ‘legalize pot’.
Let me use an argument advanced by stoners for legalizing pot… but then point out key differences. Responsible alcohol consumption leads to tax revenue on purchases by alcohol users who DO NOT contribute to societal ills; e.g. car accidents. OTOH, pot use over time leads to loss of cognitive function and car accidents similar to that for alcohol abuse.
don’t like weed? Cool, don’t smoke it. Do like weed? Don’t get behind the wheel when you do decide to partake, and please don’t smoke it around my kids.
Don’t like alcohol? Cool, don’t drink. Do like a shot and a beer now and then? That’s fine, just don’t get behind the wheel when you do decide to drink, and learn your limits because hangovers suck. If you find it becoming a problem, there’s lots of programs out there that can help.
Feel like a cigarette? Pretty nasty habit, and expensive to boot, but hey, it’s your body. Please observe posted signs telling you where it’s acceptable
Wanna hit up the casinos or the track? Go for it. It’s your money, do what you want with it. If it becomes a problem, you can have yourself voluntarily banned from the casinos as long you you want, or join gambler’s anonymous.
Bottom line: The government doesn’t care as long as you ultimately don’t hurt anyone and Uncle Sam gets his fair share.
Why all the anger, Yogi? I’ve not attacked you in the least. And, if you notice I didn’t suggest anyone do anything; what I said was that I don’t care what people do legally as long nobody gets hurt.
You voice your opinion, I’ll voice mine and let others have their own say. Now, if it makes you feel any better, please call me a libitteral snowflake progressive stoner. It doesn’t bother me in the least and I harbor no animosity to you.
Repeatedly referencing things that you interpret as vices to support legalization of marijuana indicates you haven’t learned from your prior mistake. It seems the judgement of stoners is distorted to the point that their brainwashing is permanently embedded thru the effects of prolonged use of marijuana. This is consistent with current studies of the damaging effects of long term use of marijuana.
Perhaps stoners believe they can make a lucrative career as a pot vendor in a state where it is legal? Unfortunately, Federal Laws that trump local and state laws will be upheld by the current AG, unlike the two flunkie AGs appointed by Obama. All the states that enacted legalization made the mistake of assuming a Dem would be in the WH after Obama. Oops!
Alcohol: Not all users abuse it. Adverse effects are permanent if use is continuous/ prolonged, at an abusive level.
Tobacco: adverse effects for some after prolonged use. Effects can be reversed if use is discontinued. Not all users continue prolonged use; i.e. cessation programs are increasingly successful.
Risk Taking / Gambling: Long term participation effects are adverse. Not all participants are addicted. Cessation programs are effective.
Illegal Drugs: A wide variety of outcomes, depending on the drugs, users, family / community support. Many outcomes are negative / fatal for certain drugs. Recovery programs effectiveness depend on the drugs and the individuals.
AIJohn, new problem with heavy recreational users just diagnosed. It is called “Scromiting”. The user alternately screams and then vomits. If he is driving, he would be very dangerous indeed.
There is no need for Big Govt to ‘protect’ citizens if a drug that is harmful is never legalized. Local law enforcement does that job, along with local DMVs that license drivers…. as part of ESSENTIAL (not BIG) government.
You are showing your ignorance of the term ‘Big Govt’, and your lack of logic in debating by trying to show hypocrisy among Conservatives where it doesn’t exist.
Polar, saw an interesting case a few years ago on a dude insured by Farmers. The guy decided to grow Marijuana in his home for later illegal sales. Well, he had the powerful lights hooked up to grow it, an electrical short caused a fire which burned up the house. Well, the mortgagee was paid for their interest, but the guy was not paid and he is in jail as we speak. Another harmful side effect of Marijuana.
If you’re soooooo concerned with government waste, start with Medicare, Medicaid, and The IRS, among a few others.
After you’ve resolved the waste and fraud in those social programs, which is hundreds of times larger than the cost of drug law enforcement, we’ll discuss the latter.
December 13, 2017 at 7:09 pm
CCC says:
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PolarBeaRepeal: I’m right there with you on other government waste. Some of those other programs may be a little more complex to resolve. Ending MJ prohibition would be pretty simple. A few $Billion saved is a few $Billion earned, right?
December 15, 2017 at 3:02 pm
DNCs Coll(F)usion GPShip Strzok an IceberGowdy says:
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Nope: you forgot all the misery pot will bring upon society. Fail.
December 18, 2017 at 9:47 am
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Wrong, again.
Federal efforts reduced the levels of pot that WOULD have been in the hands of US citizens had those laws and law enforcement efforts existed.
To deny such is to prove a lack of logic by stoned stoners who’re unable to think clearly due to being … dazed and confused.
December 18, 2017 at 9:48 am
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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‘not existed’ not ‘existed’. bear culpa… too eager to post and exit.
December 18, 2017 at 2:20 pm
CCC says:
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LOL. “Federal efforts reduced the levels of pot that WOULD have been in the hands of US citizens had those laws and law enforcement efforts existed.”
Good example of opinion.
Fact: $Billions/year spent over decades = more availability, higher potency, and more usage of said plant.
Cry for more Big Government all you want. They’re not going to save you on this one…
December 18, 2017 at 2:47 pm
CCC says:
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Another great example of opinion: “you forgot all the misery pot will bring upon society.”
Fact: Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Currently, eight states and D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana, with more states considering in 2018.
It’s just a matter of time before the Feds cave. Bad news for you Big Government types…
December 12, 2017 at 3:37 pm
alexjonesisakook says:
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Hmmm…I seem to remember doing quite a bit of “scromiting” in college after a hard night of drinking as well. Not fun, and it’s one of the reasons I don’t drink that much today (more than 20 years later). To each their own. If marijuana is legal in your state and you’ve chosen to smoke it but it makes you “scromit”, you probably shouldn’t smoke it.
Pot is illegal under Federal Law. If you think a state law that violates Federal Law will protect you from a new, swamp-draining Federal Govt that intends to uphold the law instead of breaking it like the last White House Administration, you’re in for a big, unpleasant surprise.
Yogi–You’re absolutely correct, pot IS illegal under federal law, and federal law supersedes state law. However, realistically can you see the federal government spending the time and money to go into to states where pot is legal and shutting down every operation? Whether they should or not isn’t what I’m arguing, I’m asking if they WILL. The amount of resources that would be necessary to do so wouldn’t be worth the end result. Maybe they WILL decide to crack down…won’t affect me in the least.
As I’ve said before, I haven’t touched the herb for over 20 years now. It simply doesn’t interest me. That being said, I don’t care what other people do as long as nobody else gets hurt. EVERY behavior has consequences, from drinking to smoking to gambling to eating high sugar foods. It’s up to the INDIVIDUAL to make their own decisions and accept whatever consequences accordingly. If you don’t like those activities, please don’t participate in them.
I harbor no animosity toward you or Agent, and I accept that the feeling isn’t necessarily mutual, and I’m sorry. I’ve made it a point to try and read all sides of a story before I make my decisions. On some issues, I lean towards the right. On other issues, I lean toward the middle. In other issues, I simply DON’T CARE, as is also my right.
life is way, WAY too short as it is. If you happen to be reading this right now, chances are you have a decent income and a stable job, which means you’re better off than 90% of the world. Live and let live. Be a kind person, raise your kids to be kind to others, and accept others as the individuals they are. It’s a bummer that this post will probably be deleted soon, but before it is, I sincerely wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas.
Nate Newton, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys retired and then got caught with a big load of Marijuana in his car trunk. Said it wasn’t his and didn’t know where it came from. Apparently, the courts disagreed and sent him to prison. More than a misdemeanor in my judgment.
If marijuana was not illegal, he would not have engaged in that behavior which lead to a law enforcement officer taking time to pull him over, someone else to gather evidence to present to the DA, the DA to put together and present charges to a grand jury, the grand jury to spend time deliberating and indicting, a court case in which money and time went spent convicting him, incarceration costs, appeals, rehabilitation, and other costs.
All of this for one single offense involving a plant.
Sure, you’re a fiscal conservative.
December 15, 2017 at 3:04 pm
DNCs Coll(F)usion GPShip Strzok an IceberGowdy says:
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@Ron; pot is illegal, and he knew it. Can’t do the time? Don’t do the crime.
December 18, 2017 at 9:09 am
Ron says:
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Please quote me where I said he should not have been arrested and did the time. At the end of the day, you and I are paying for his arrest through his incarceration, because of a plant.
December 18, 2017 at 9:52 am
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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@Ron; his arrest was due to his actions.
Others who were NOT arrested for pot dealings used good judgement.
Use your good judgement the next time you post, to ensure your post makes sense/isn’t baiting or trolling.
December 12, 2017 at 3:41 pm
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Scromiting and screaming at the sky are pretty close, and indicate stoners are likely anti-Trump and anti-Sessions because both are going after renegade states that legalized pot over the last decade. Stoners are afraid their arrest records will never be purged. So, many are using desperate tactics to try to hide facts from the public, like censoring comments by conservatives that rebuke their claims about the lack of detrimental effects of recurring pot use.
Straw Man Argument. The plant isn’t the issue as much as the stoners on the highways, in other public places, causing damage and injury to innocent, law-abiding citizens.
Further, stoners harm their families by their actions. Think about it and tell me how being arrested help their family’s reputation. Ready, steady, … GO!
Straw Man Argument. ANYONE on the highways or other public places causing damage and injury to innocent, law-abiding citizens is and should remain illegal.
The issue here is in fact the legal status of a relatively harmless plant. Please protect us, Big Government! lol
Straw man argument that this plant is harmless. It is mind altering, mind damaging and turns the brain to mush and leads to other more dangerous drugs. If you are using, you need intervention before it is too late.
Al, you made a reference “stoners on the highways, in other public places, causing damage and injury to innocent, law-abiding citizens.” where are your facts on this when the actual data suggests that the rise in accidents “caused by” marijuana is not actually the only drug in their system. More often than not they have other drugs in their system. Agent, the whole gateway drug has been proven wrong countless times. Use current, not antiquated, arguments.
December 13, 2017 at 9:18 am
Captain Planet says:
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Agent wrote, “It is mind altering, mind damaging and turns the brain to mush and leads to other more dangerous drugs.”
Sounds like you are describing alcohol, bud. I’ll challenge you, Agent and Yogi. You pick a “stoner” and I’ll pick an “alcoholic”. We’ll see who does more damage. I’d be willing to place a large wager on the alcoholic does more harm to himself/herself and others in his/her environment. So, do you want to bet?
December 18, 2017 at 9:56 am
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Straw Man Argument; marijuana doesn’t cause the accident. It is the bad judgement of the user. Same logic applies to the users of guns for illegal purposes; e.g. armed robbery, shootings, and murder.
The bad judgement of pot users, to use a mind altering drug, caused the accidents and damage and harm to innocents. Substitute ‘guns’ for the same result in cases of armed robbery, shootings, and murder.
December 13, 2017 at 7:58 am
PolarBeaRepeal says:
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‘relatively’. LMAO at the need to use the qualifier.
LMAO. No substance is completely harmless, but compared to a multitude of legal mind-altering substances, including sugar and caffeine, marijuana is relatively harmless. The qualifier is appropriate.
December 13, 2017 at 6:05 pm
PolarBeaRepeal says:
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LMAO at ‘relatively’, again!
December 13, 2017 at 7:14 pm
CCC says:
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I hear your family reunions are a ‘relative-ly’ good time! lol
December 18, 2017 at 9:57 am
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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LMAO at ‘no substance is completely harmless’. Such a vain attempt to sustain a failed debate position.
December 12, 2017 at 5:51 pm
Craig Cornell says:
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I actually have a great deal of experience with abusers of marijuana. I also have spent a great deal of time talking to experts in mental health and rehabilitation about marijuana, and I have kept up-to-date on the science.
Want to consume marijuana? Cool. It doubles your chances of mental illness if you smoke regularly, meaning bi-polar and schizophrenia, according to the Los Angeles County Dept. of Health study over a 10 year period
Addiction rates are widely reported to range between one in 10 people who consume marijuana and a higher rate of 1 in 6 who start in high school. (Many people still claim marijuana is not addictive.)
It is believed to stall emotional development in regular users who consume marijuana in their late teens and early 20s. And damage to IQ is an accepted scientific fact for young users.
Marijuana as a medicine is nearly exclusively effective without THC, the element that causes the high. But those who push marijuana as a medicine rarely mention that THC-free marijuana is the answer.
All of this sound good for society? For young people?
From Scientific American today:
“Marijuana consumption by Colorado high school students has dipped slightly since the state first permitted recreational cannabis use by adults, a new survey showed on Monday, contrary to concerns that legalization would increase pot use by teens.”
We are not doing our young people any favors by keeping this plant illegal on the Federal level.
We need to be better parents and teach our kids right from wrong, not rely on Big Government to do it for us.
What happened to the number of young people admitted to emergency rooms in Colorado due solely to consumption of THC products? They skyrocketed.
“We need to be better parents . . .” by sending our kids the message that marijuana can damage your brain, cause psychosis, and possibly result in mental illness.
Most teenagers think marijuana is “medicine”. Thanks to adults who don’t know any better.
@Craig Cornell: Agreed. Talk to your kids and make them aware of the harmful effects of everything from marijuana, to sugar, to too much screen time. Just don’t rely on the Feds to do it for you…
Craig, people say it’s not physically addictive. I don’t think anyone doubts just about anything can be mentally addictive, say, to rates ranging from 1 in 10 to 1 in 6. What they cannot prove is a physical withdrawal due to how marijuana is metabolized. Hence, no physical addiction. I have seen alcoholic DTs, though.
Good point, Captain Planet. Mental addiction can be applied to almost anything by building daily habits. Some people have addictions to food they know is not good for them; there is even an addiction for sex which is purely mental addiction. Food and sex are apart of our normal lives, but when using these things as a crutch for emotional distress or to run from problems, they become a mental addiction. Pot can be a mental crutch, and like all things: sex, food, alcohol, doctor-prescribed medication, we should be aware when they begin to affect our lives negatively and make adjustments so we don’t hurt our families and ourselves.
Pot is not a physically addictive substance, and could be prescribed as medicine, and is being prescribed as medicine to people with epilepsy and seizures with success.
The issue is this: Your doctor can legally prescribe you opioids for your pain and potentially cause you to become physically addictive to the drug; you can walk into a liquor store and purchase epic amounts of alcohol; you can go to the grocery store and buy processed food filled with sugar; and yet, we are making such a big deal about a green plant that grows practically everywhere, has no physical addiction, and apparently, a good percentage of people in the U.S. are using it or not opposed to its use based on the number of votes toward legalization. The logic against pot doesn’t make sense, and the majority of people in the U.S. see that.
Soon the negative stigma to marijuana will be eliminated through education for an even greater majority of the people. Poll after poll has shown this to be true. Funny how the same people who speak of catering to the will of the people, like to ignore the will of the people when it goes against their beliefs.
Once we stop wasting taxpayer dollars and law enforcement resources, we can start addressing real issues having truly negative effects on our great country.
I would buy your argument if you could tell me what science says today about the damaging aspects of marijuana, especially for people in their late teens and early 20s. But if you can, you are rare. You are both well informed and honest (a truly rare combo today).
And for nearly every proven medical use of marijuana – which are in fact quite few, such as people with MS, Parkinsons, etc. – the medical effectiveness does not require the high from THC.
Also, unlike alcohol or other illegal drugs, anyone can grow pot in their garage, making it easy to get into the hands of teenagers and young adults (that’s right, the Black Market is expanding in states like Colorado. Another false argument.)
Craig–
It’s nice to see someone who can disagree civilly and without resorting to personal attacks. Your arguments are well thought-out and intelligent. I truly hope you have a nice evening.
December 13, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Craig Cornell says:
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I have clients that run drug rehabilitation clinics. The Executive Director of one clinic here in California just shrugs with disgust when I tell her that people like you treat marijuana addiction as no big deal because “just about anything can be mentally addictive”.
She handles tough cases: people on probation and parole. People with HIV. She tells me that 30% of the people she treats have marijuana as their only issue.
Parents of high school kids in affluent areas are wising up about the dangers. But it is estimated that 75% of African Americans smoke pot regularly. (What do you think the future of their kids looks like?)
@Craig Cornell: Your concerns are valid. What is the answer?
MJ is already a Schedule I federally illegal drug. Do we make it MORE illegal? Do we waste MORE federal dollars ‘fighting’ MJ? So far, as your post indicates, this has proven to be a failure.
I could be wrong, but I think it’s time for a new approach. Remove MJ from the federal schedule and leave it up to the States and local governments to decide how they want to regulate, tax, research, and educate.
Craig,
Can we agree that marijuana use is prevalent in the NBA? Anywhere from 60% – 70% of players are documented to use it. Yet, they manage to be some of the best athletes on the planet. I don’t see them “scromiting” all over the court. I am calling BS on your anecdotal evidence. Only issue – really? And, you can’t genuinely be trying to draw a direction connection between HIV and marijuana. I bet your director does handle people on probation and parole because it’s insane we tie criminality to using marijuana. But, it’s one way to incarcerate African Amercians (75% of them use, right – that seems like a good demographic for our prisons to attack), keep them impoverished, and stigmatized. There is a better way than to jail people who smoke up. And, luckily, we have some states leading the charge on doing exactly that.
You clearly haven’t taken the time to learn anything about the subject.
Almost no one is in prison for marijuana use alone. It is estimated that only 1% of all Federal prisoners are there on marijuana charges, and those charges were almost always plead down from more serious charges.
My position has always been the same: legalize marijuana after the majority of parents know the science about the dangers.
You are promoting falsehoods and should have enough pride to take the time to know what you are talking about.
December 13, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Ron says:
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“My position has always been the same: legalize marijuana after the majority of parents know the science about the dangers.” How do you know this is not already the case? How would you be able to confirm this standard has been met?
I advocate for legalization and using 1/2 of the savings in taxes toward education. The other half can go to helping those who need rehabilitation.
December 13, 2017 at 2:54 pm
SensibleArgument says:
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Can I ask a question, Craig?
Can you explain what income demographic your clinic mainly deals with? Is it lower-income populations?
I really respect what you do for a living and just want to take a moment to thank you for the assistance you are providing for others. I also want you to understand that people like myself have grown up in middle-class communities where smoking a joint was as common as alcohol, and over the years these people in my community have completed college, gotten steady jobs, and raised families. Some don’t smoke everyday, but aren’t opposed to smoking a bit of a joint in a social setting. One of by buddies, who got his PHD, and is doing miraculously better than most of us, takes pot regularly.
I know it’s difficult to not hate pot when you see the destructive effects it’s having on these people. I kind of feel the same way about alcohol because it has ruined many lives in my family, and many of my customer’s lives.
I’m not supporting pot just because I think it should be legalized because alcohol is legalized. I’m supporting pot because I see people with epilepsy and seizures who benefit from the treatment. I see veterans who go from pain medication to pain medication, and they believe pot works best for them. I see friends who use it instead of the prescribed anxiety and depression medication because it does not make them suicidal. I see friends who take it because of insomnia, and they don’t want to take Ambien because they might end up sleepwalking instead of being in bed.
If you haven’t heard about the benefits, I recommend you look into it. Maybe talk to some people who aren’t in your rehabilitation center, but also smoke pot, and ask them about why they take it?
There are two true sides to this story, and when we pass laws, we need to acknowledge both sides, and do what is best everyone; banning pot would be banning the benefits as well as the dangers and could negatively effect people, treating pot more similarly to alcohol or opioids with similar restrictions on selling ages and prescriptions would allow people to continue to benefit from pot and limit access for youths.
December 13, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Captain Planet says:
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Craig,
You are correct, they aren’t imprisoned for using, they are imprisoned for possession, sometimes trace amounts or empty paraphernalia. Users, you know, possess what they use. You are the one still trying to peddle falsehoods. You and I both knew what I was talking about.
December 13, 2017 at 11:47 am
Kevin says:
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Question to ask yourself. Why is it that the feds fighting it this hard when they The Federal Government, DEA, DHHS, are involved in 8 yes”8″ MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATENTS WHY? 6630507 is one registered patent held by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( DHHS) documenting “medicinal benefits of cannabis”,. Is there a coverup look it up yourself.
he best answer for “We The People” is to VOTE YES IN 2018. The more people Attorney General Jeff Sessions sends to private prisons, the more money he shoves in his pockets. From announcing he wants federal law enforcement agencies to bust people for a little bit of weed, to ordering federal prosecutors to find ways to convict more immigrants, Sessions is looking for ways to provide more clients to private prisons that are contracted by the federal government… Sessions now profits from Cannabis correct? Refer Madness was a “Scare Tactic”movie from the 1930s Wake up and think Legalizing Cannabis creates more jobs that starbucks can’t create by 2020. Jeff Sessions does have shares in two funds that include holdings in two leading private prisons companies. It’s more than a conflict of interest.
Funny how the same people who believe in Big Government control for everything else make exceptions for intoxicants that damage children and then claim the moral high ground . . .
Funny how the same people who believe in Small Government control for everything else make exceptions for telling people what they can and can’t do & put into to their own bodies.
Funny how the same people who believe “let States make their own laws” think the Federal Government should step in when they don’t agree with the laws the State enacted.
DNCs Coll(F)usion GPShip Strzok an IceberGowdy says:
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@Craig; it’s not funny. It’s a sign they’ve been stoned for a long while and don’t have the ability to reason through the laws, and are likely to have a criminal arrest record they are currently trying to hide or erase by pushing for legalization. Yes, most have arrests for pot, and are the most aggressive proponents for legalization in order to clear their arrest records.
It’s a pipe dream. They’ll soon awaken from the dream to face reality of statutory laws being rescinded by the SCOTUS.
Not me or any of my 23 friends who’ve partaken on and off their whole lives. Not sure what world you live in, but even the cops here in Texas are realizing their jobs are best served in murders, theft, and chasing drunk drivers.
The last encounter I had with an officer and pot was when a fast food employee was caught smoking it behind my office building a couple months ago. The officer made the fast food employee sit on the curb in front of the office, didn’t confiscate his pipe, and after a few minutes let him go; not even a ticket.
Face it, Yogi, you’re one of a handful of people that cares about this. Plenty of upstanding citizens are partaking with clean records and will continue to partake with clean records and no arrests.
Why do you waste your time with this guy? IT DOES NOT MATTER what facts you throw back at him, he only believes what he believes. There’s literally nothing you will ever be able to say to convince him otherwise, he’ll just keep repeating the same talking points and negative vitriol and if you dare call him out on it, he’ll report you to the moderators (who by now are also sick and tired of it). It’s what bullies do and what drives him.
Just ignore him. Post whatever you want to post and let him rant about whatever latest political rant he feels like repeating under multiple screen names. You see, it’s not you that he’s mad at, but something deep rooted in himself that he can’t accept so he acts out by trying to bring others down.
December 18, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Captain Planet says:
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I hear you, alexjonesisakook – we should all stop feeding the troll.
December 20, 2017 at 10:27 am
Agent says:
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The stoners come out on every pot argument, down vote anyone that disagrees with them. Kind of like the Global Warming hoaxer freaks. The brain turns to mush with continued use and they end up scromiting.
Marijuana consumers deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Marijuana Nationwide!
Fear of Marijuana Legalization Nationwide is unfounded. Not based on any science or fact whatsoever. So please prohibitionists, we beg you to give your scare tactics, “Conspiracy Theories” and “Doomsday Scenarios” over the inevitable Legalization of Marijuana Nationwide a rest. Nobody is buying them anymore these days. Okay?
Furthermore, if all prohibitionists get when they look into that nice, big and shiny crystal ball of theirs, while wondering about the future of marijuana legalization, is horror, doom, and despair, well then I suggest they return that thing as quickly as possible and reclaim the money they shelled out for it, since it’s obviously defective.
The prohibition of marijuana has not decreased the supply nor the demand for marijuana at all. Not one single iota, and it never will. Just a huge and complete waste of our tax dollars to continue criminalizing citizens for choosing a natural, non-toxic, relatively benign plant proven to be much safer than alcohol.
If prohibitionists are going to take it upon themselves to worry about “saving us all” from ourselves, then they need to start with the drug that causes more detriment to our society than every other drug in the world COMBINED, which is alcohol!
Why do prohibitionists feel the continued need to vilify and demonize marijuana when they could more wisely focus their efforts on a real, proven killer, alcohol, which again causes more detriment to our society than all other drugs, COMBINED?
Prohibitionists really should get their priorities straight and/or practice a little live and let live. They’ll live longer, happier, and healthier lives, with a lot less stress if they refrain from being bent on trying to control others through Draconian Marijuana Laws.
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If pot were legalized, it would be taxed and the benefits in tax contributions would far exceed those of alcohol consumption. States that don’t legalize are missing out on a huge tax benefit. Have you taken a look at Colorado’s tax debt lately? Results are pretty shocking!
Also, people who smoke pot, and don’t mix it with anything else, drive like an old lady.
Pot + Stress = Paranoia (Paranoia makes you want to be more cautious not less.)
Alcohol + Stress = Overconfidence
(Overconfidence causes people to do things they wouldn’t normally do, like go 100 miles an hour down a highway because he wants to see how fast the car can go.)
Alcohol is still the most prevalent cause of car fatalities closely followed by distracted driving. We know this because we are on insurance journal, after all, and agents should know the causes of the majority of our auto accident claims. I’ve never once had a call that one of my clients was hit by a Pot-smoking driver. On the other hand, I’ve had so many calls about accidents relating to drunk-driving, I can’t even calculate the number. If I could swap every liquor store for a marijuana store, I’d do it in a heartbeat because I know it would save so many lives.
Username checks out
Your argument is not very sensible and most of your facts are incorrect.
Once weed is legalized in more states, we’ll have a better sample to measure the ‘auto accidents claim’ suggestion that you threw out. Based on your comment, meth should be legalized because there are so few auto accidents caused by meth users.
Nice try though.
Continue dreaming about legalization of pot in any new states.
If you had any common sense, you’d have heeded the warnings in the article, which I doubt you read – other than the title, because it warns lawyer about legal practice regarding pot. The warning is based on case laws, not opinions of the author.
Here’s an important excerpt, because you couldn’t have read the article and posted what you did…
“Any lawyer that goes into this should be aware that a literal reading of federal law permits such a prosecution,” said Sam Kamin, a University of Denver marijuana policy law professor, whose research five years ago found lawyers more susceptible to being disbarred than criminally charged for cannabis-related work.
“It probably makes sense for a lawyer to at least talk to a legal ethicist or get an opinion from a legal ethicist.”
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“The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol.”
That route has already been tried. It didn’t work out so well. Read a history book, please.
So, you must now realize that you should abandon your “pipe” dream of legalization of pot.
AI, I am told that Marijuana users operate in a “hazy” zone most of the time.
No more hazy than those who watch Faux Newz. In fact, much less hazy.
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“The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol.”
Sensible? Ha. Wastefully expensive? Yes. Someone appears to reject the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution. What other parts of the Constitution do you oppose?
You should now realize your quest is futile; i.e. Jeff Sessions is AG of the US.
CCC,
SensibleArgument can correct if I am wrong, but I was assuming that he/she meant that if you are against the legalization of marijuana due to its impact on society, it makes more sense to go after alcohol instead. Meaning someone concerned about that should either go after alcohol before marijuana or neither.
By the way, the 21st Amendment changed Constitution. It is a dynamic document.
@Ron. Thank you. I agree with SensibleArgument. I was responding to AlJohn’s gibberish.
He/She was advocating the federal prohibition of alcohol. I was simply noting that this has already been tried — and failed.
@Ron; The Constitutional Amendments are the only way to change it, and that requires a 2/3 vote in BOTH Houses of Congress. Good luck with that, given the 51 Republican Senators and 239 Republicans to 193 Democrats.
Another rabbit hole avoided thru application of facts and logic!
At what point was I advocating for a change in the Constitution? I only pointed out the FACT that it is a dynamic document that CAN be changed.
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Nope. Wrong. Stoners do not deserve equal rights and protections simply because stoners say so.
Nothing you stated was convincing.
The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol. Your lack of concern for detrimental effects on society is evidenced by arguing for MORE of it because it occurs with alcohol use…. so ‘legalize pot’.
Let me use an argument advanced by stoners for legalizing pot… but then point out key differences. Responsible alcohol consumption leads to tax revenue on purchases by alcohol users who DO NOT contribute to societal ills; e.g. car accidents. OTOH, pot use over time leads to loss of cognitive function and car accidents similar to that for alcohol abuse.
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re-posted to circumvent stoner’s efforts to silence the truth:
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Nope. Wrong. Stoners do not deserve equal rights and protections simply because stoners say so.
Nothing you stated was convincing.
The sensible thing for you to argue would be for prohibition of alcohol. Your lack of concern for detrimental effects on society is evidenced by arguing for MORE of it because it occurs with alcohol use…. so ‘legalize pot’.
Let me use an argument advanced by stoners for legalizing pot… but then point out key differences. Responsible alcohol consumption leads to tax revenue on purchases by alcohol users who DO NOT contribute to societal ills; e.g. car accidents. OTOH, pot use over time leads to loss of cognitive function and car accidents similar to that for alcohol abuse.
don’t like weed? Cool, don’t smoke it. Do like weed? Don’t get behind the wheel when you do decide to partake, and please don’t smoke it around my kids.
Don’t like alcohol? Cool, don’t drink. Do like a shot and a beer now and then? That’s fine, just don’t get behind the wheel when you do decide to drink, and learn your limits because hangovers suck. If you find it becoming a problem, there’s lots of programs out there that can help.
Feel like a cigarette? Pretty nasty habit, and expensive to boot, but hey, it’s your body. Please observe posted signs telling you where it’s acceptable
Wanna hit up the casinos or the track? Go for it. It’s your money, do what you want with it. If it becomes a problem, you can have yourself voluntarily banned from the casinos as long you you want, or join gambler’s anonymous.
Bottom line: The government doesn’t care as long as you ultimately don’t hurt anyone and Uncle Sam gets his fair share.
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Why all the anger, Yogi? I’ve not attacked you in the least. And, if you notice I didn’t suggest anyone do anything; what I said was that I don’t care what people do legally as long nobody gets hurt.
You voice your opinion, I’ll voice mine and let others have their own say. Now, if it makes you feel any better, please call me a libitteral snowflake progressive stoner. It doesn’t bother me in the least and I harbor no animosity to you.
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For future reference:
Alcohol: Not all users abuse it. Adverse effects are permanent if use is continuous/ prolonged, at an abusive level.
Tobacco: adverse effects for some after prolonged use. Effects can be reversed if use is discontinued. Not all users continue prolonged use; i.e. cessation programs are increasingly successful.
Risk Taking / Gambling: Long term participation effects are adverse. Not all participants are addicted. Cessation programs are effective.
Illegal Drugs: A wide variety of outcomes, depending on the drugs, users, family / community support. Many outcomes are negative / fatal for certain drugs. Recovery programs effectiveness depend on the drugs and the individuals.
re-posted:
Like smoking pot? Good; get arrested and try finding a lawyer to erase the arrest from your records so you can get a decent job later in life.
re-posted to circumvent stoner’s efforts to hide the truth:
AlJohn FranKonyers Hypocrite Groapologists says:
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Like smoking pot? Good; get arrested and try finding a lawyer to erase the arrest from your records so you can get a decent job later in life.
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AIJohn, new problem with heavy recreational users just diagnosed. It is called “Scromiting”. The user alternately screams and then vomits. If he is driving, he would be very dangerous indeed.
People that pretend to be conservative and then beg for Big Government to “protect” us from a relatively harmless plant make me want to scromit. lol
@CCC: No one here is ‘pretending’ to be conservative.
AI, dope heads will defend their precious mind altering drug until their last scromit.
There is no need for Big Govt to ‘protect’ citizens if a drug that is harmful is never legalized. Local law enforcement does that job, along with local DMVs that license drivers…. as part of ESSENTIAL (not BIG) government.
You are showing your ignorance of the term ‘Big Govt’, and your lack of logic in debating by trying to show hypocrisy among Conservatives where it doesn’t exist.
Polar, saw an interesting case a few years ago on a dude insured by Farmers. The guy decided to grow Marijuana in his home for later illegal sales. Well, he had the powerful lights hooked up to grow it, an electrical short caused a fire which burned up the house. Well, the mortgagee was paid for their interest, but the guy was not paid and he is in jail as we speak. Another harmful side effect of Marijuana.
Big Government has spent $Billions/year for decades in the ‘fight’ against marijuana.
What is the result of all the money and all the resources spent? More availability, higher potency, and more usage of the plant.
A “so-called” conservative that supports this failed expenditure at the federal level is the poster child for hypocrisy.
Read the article again. The most dangerous thing about this plant is that it is illegal at the federal level. Talk about ignorance.
If you’re soooooo concerned with government waste, start with Medicare, Medicaid, and The IRS, among a few others.
After you’ve resolved the waste and fraud in those social programs, which is hundreds of times larger than the cost of drug law enforcement, we’ll discuss the latter.
PolarBeaRepeal: I’m right there with you on other government waste. Some of those other programs may be a little more complex to resolve. Ending MJ prohibition would be pretty simple. A few $Billion saved is a few $Billion earned, right?
Nope: you forgot all the misery pot will bring upon society. Fail.
Wrong, again.
Federal efforts reduced the levels of pot that WOULD have been in the hands of US citizens had those laws and law enforcement efforts existed.
To deny such is to prove a lack of logic by stoned stoners who’re unable to think clearly due to being … dazed and confused.
‘not existed’ not ‘existed’. bear culpa… too eager to post and exit.
LOL. “Federal efforts reduced the levels of pot that WOULD have been in the hands of US citizens had those laws and law enforcement efforts existed.”
Good example of opinion.
Fact: $Billions/year spent over decades = more availability, higher potency, and more usage of said plant.
Cry for more Big Government all you want. They’re not going to save you on this one…
Another great example of opinion: “you forgot all the misery pot will bring upon society.”
Fact: Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Currently, eight states and D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana, with more states considering in 2018.
It’s just a matter of time before the Feds cave. Bad news for you Big Government types…
Hmmm…I seem to remember doing quite a bit of “scromiting” in college after a hard night of drinking as well. Not fun, and it’s one of the reasons I don’t drink that much today (more than 20 years later). To each their own. If marijuana is legal in your state and you’ve chosen to smoke it but it makes you “scromit”, you probably shouldn’t smoke it.
Pot is illegal under Federal Law. If you think a state law that violates Federal Law will protect you from a new, swamp-draining Federal Govt that intends to uphold the law instead of breaking it like the last White House Administration, you’re in for a big, unpleasant surprise.
Yogi–You’re absolutely correct, pot IS illegal under federal law, and federal law supersedes state law. However, realistically can you see the federal government spending the time and money to go into to states where pot is legal and shutting down every operation? Whether they should or not isn’t what I’m arguing, I’m asking if they WILL. The amount of resources that would be necessary to do so wouldn’t be worth the end result. Maybe they WILL decide to crack down…won’t affect me in the least.
As I’ve said before, I haven’t touched the herb for over 20 years now. It simply doesn’t interest me. That being said, I don’t care what other people do as long as nobody else gets hurt. EVERY behavior has consequences, from drinking to smoking to gambling to eating high sugar foods. It’s up to the INDIVIDUAL to make their own decisions and accept whatever consequences accordingly. If you don’t like those activities, please don’t participate in them.
I harbor no animosity toward you or Agent, and I accept that the feeling isn’t necessarily mutual, and I’m sorry. I’ve made it a point to try and read all sides of a story before I make my decisions. On some issues, I lean towards the right. On other issues, I lean toward the middle. In other issues, I simply DON’T CARE, as is also my right.
life is way, WAY too short as it is. If you happen to be reading this right now, chances are you have a decent income and a stable job, which means you’re better off than 90% of the world. Live and let live. Be a kind person, raise your kids to be kind to others, and accept others as the individuals they are. It’s a bummer that this post will probably be deleted soon, but before it is, I sincerely wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas.
Feds don’t need to ‘go into states where pot is legal’. They’ll just cut off Federal funds and watch the states comply with Fed pot laws.
They don’t believe in civility. You should have been out here during the President Obama years.
Nate Newton, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys retired and then got caught with a big load of Marijuana in his car trunk. Said it wasn’t his and didn’t know where it came from. Apparently, the courts disagreed and sent him to prison. More than a misdemeanor in my judgment.
If marijuana was not illegal, he would not have engaged in that behavior which lead to a law enforcement officer taking time to pull him over, someone else to gather evidence to present to the DA, the DA to put together and present charges to a grand jury, the grand jury to spend time deliberating and indicting, a court case in which money and time went spent convicting him, incarceration costs, appeals, rehabilitation, and other costs.
All of this for one single offense involving a plant.
Sure, you’re a fiscal conservative.
@Ron; pot is illegal, and he knew it. Can’t do the time? Don’t do the crime.
Please quote me where I said he should not have been arrested and did the time. At the end of the day, you and I are paying for his arrest through his incarceration, because of a plant.
@Ron; his arrest was due to his actions.
Others who were NOT arrested for pot dealings used good judgement.
Use your good judgement the next time you post, to ensure your post makes sense/isn’t baiting or trolling.
Scromiting and screaming at the sky are pretty close, and indicate stoners are likely anti-Trump and anti-Sessions because both are going after renegade states that legalized pot over the last decade. Stoners are afraid their arrest records will never be purged. So, many are using desperate tactics to try to hide facts from the public, like censoring comments by conservatives that rebuke their claims about the lack of detrimental effects of recurring pot use.
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Straw Man Argument. ANYONE on the highways or other public places causing damage and injury to innocent, law-abiding citizens is and should remain illegal.
The issue here is in fact the legal status of a relatively harmless plant. Please protect us, Big Government! lol
Straw man argument that this plant is harmless. It is mind altering, mind damaging and turns the brain to mush and leads to other more dangerous drugs. If you are using, you need intervention before it is too late.
Al, you made a reference “stoners on the highways, in other public places, causing damage and injury to innocent, law-abiding citizens.” where are your facts on this when the actual data suggests that the rise in accidents “caused by” marijuana is not actually the only drug in their system. More often than not they have other drugs in their system. Agent, the whole gateway drug has been proven wrong countless times. Use current, not antiquated, arguments.
Agent wrote, “It is mind altering, mind damaging and turns the brain to mush and leads to other more dangerous drugs.”
Sounds like you are describing alcohol, bud. I’ll challenge you, Agent and Yogi. You pick a “stoner” and I’ll pick an “alcoholic”. We’ll see who does more damage. I’d be willing to place a large wager on the alcoholic does more harm to himself/herself and others in his/her environment. So, do you want to bet?
Straw Man Argument; marijuana doesn’t cause the accident. It is the bad judgement of the user. Same logic applies to the users of guns for illegal purposes; e.g. armed robbery, shootings, and murder.
The bad judgement of pot users, to use a mind altering drug, caused the accidents and damage and harm to innocents. Substitute ‘guns’ for the same result in cases of armed robbery, shootings, and murder.
‘relatively’. LMAO at the need to use the qualifier.
LMAO. No substance is completely harmless, but compared to a multitude of legal mind-altering substances, including sugar and caffeine, marijuana is relatively harmless. The qualifier is appropriate.
LMAO at ‘relatively’, again!
I hear your family reunions are a ‘relative-ly’ good time! lol
LMAO at ‘no substance is completely harmless’. Such a vain attempt to sustain a failed debate position.
I actually have a great deal of experience with abusers of marijuana. I also have spent a great deal of time talking to experts in mental health and rehabilitation about marijuana, and I have kept up-to-date on the science.
Want to consume marijuana? Cool. It doubles your chances of mental illness if you smoke regularly, meaning bi-polar and schizophrenia, according to the Los Angeles County Dept. of Health study over a 10 year period
Addiction rates are widely reported to range between one in 10 people who consume marijuana and a higher rate of 1 in 6 who start in high school. (Many people still claim marijuana is not addictive.)
It is believed to stall emotional development in regular users who consume marijuana in their late teens and early 20s. And damage to IQ is an accepted scientific fact for young users.
Marijuana as a medicine is nearly exclusively effective without THC, the element that causes the high. But those who push marijuana as a medicine rarely mention that THC-free marijuana is the answer.
All of this sound good for society? For young people?
From Scientific American today:
“Marijuana consumption by Colorado high school students has dipped slightly since the state first permitted recreational cannabis use by adults, a new survey showed on Monday, contrary to concerns that legalization would increase pot use by teens.”
We are not doing our young people any favors by keeping this plant illegal on the Federal level.
We need to be better parents and teach our kids right from wrong, not rely on Big Government to do it for us.
What happened to the number of young people admitted to emergency rooms in Colorado due solely to consumption of THC products? They skyrocketed.
“We need to be better parents . . .” by sending our kids the message that marijuana can damage your brain, cause psychosis, and possibly result in mental illness.
Most teenagers think marijuana is “medicine”. Thanks to adults who don’t know any better.
@Craig Cornell: Agreed. Talk to your kids and make them aware of the harmful effects of everything from marijuana, to sugar, to too much screen time. Just don’t rely on the Feds to do it for you…
LOL at ‘dipped slightly’ stat.
WE are doing Society a great favor by supporting Jeff Session’s aggressive stance on illegality of pot in Federal Law.
Craig, people say it’s not physically addictive. I don’t think anyone doubts just about anything can be mentally addictive, say, to rates ranging from 1 in 10 to 1 in 6. What they cannot prove is a physical withdrawal due to how marijuana is metabolized. Hence, no physical addiction. I have seen alcoholic DTs, though.
Good point, Captain Planet. Mental addiction can be applied to almost anything by building daily habits. Some people have addictions to food they know is not good for them; there is even an addiction for sex which is purely mental addiction. Food and sex are apart of our normal lives, but when using these things as a crutch for emotional distress or to run from problems, they become a mental addiction. Pot can be a mental crutch, and like all things: sex, food, alcohol, doctor-prescribed medication, we should be aware when they begin to affect our lives negatively and make adjustments so we don’t hurt our families and ourselves.
Pot is not a physically addictive substance, and could be prescribed as medicine, and is being prescribed as medicine to people with epilepsy and seizures with success.
The issue is this: Your doctor can legally prescribe you opioids for your pain and potentially cause you to become physically addictive to the drug; you can walk into a liquor store and purchase epic amounts of alcohol; you can go to the grocery store and buy processed food filled with sugar; and yet, we are making such a big deal about a green plant that grows practically everywhere, has no physical addiction, and apparently, a good percentage of people in the U.S. are using it or not opposed to its use based on the number of votes toward legalization. The logic against pot doesn’t make sense, and the majority of people in the U.S. see that.
Soon the negative stigma to marijuana will be eliminated through education for an even greater majority of the people. Poll after poll has shown this to be true. Funny how the same people who speak of catering to the will of the people, like to ignore the will of the people when it goes against their beliefs.
Once we stop wasting taxpayer dollars and law enforcement resources, we can start addressing real issues having truly negative effects on our great country.
I would buy your argument if you could tell me what science says today about the damaging aspects of marijuana, especially for people in their late teens and early 20s. But if you can, you are rare. You are both well informed and honest (a truly rare combo today).
And for nearly every proven medical use of marijuana – which are in fact quite few, such as people with MS, Parkinsons, etc. – the medical effectiveness does not require the high from THC.
Also, unlike alcohol or other illegal drugs, anyone can grow pot in their garage, making it easy to get into the hands of teenagers and young adults (that’s right, the Black Market is expanding in states like Colorado. Another false argument.)
Craig–
It’s nice to see someone who can disagree civilly and without resorting to personal attacks. Your arguments are well thought-out and intelligent. I truly hope you have a nice evening.
I have clients that run drug rehabilitation clinics. The Executive Director of one clinic here in California just shrugs with disgust when I tell her that people like you treat marijuana addiction as no big deal because “just about anything can be mentally addictive”.
She handles tough cases: people on probation and parole. People with HIV. She tells me that 30% of the people she treats have marijuana as their only issue.
Parents of high school kids in affluent areas are wising up about the dangers. But it is estimated that 75% of African Americans smoke pot regularly. (What do you think the future of their kids looks like?)
@Craig Cornell: Your concerns are valid. What is the answer?
MJ is already a Schedule I federally illegal drug. Do we make it MORE illegal? Do we waste MORE federal dollars ‘fighting’ MJ? So far, as your post indicates, this has proven to be a failure.
I could be wrong, but I think it’s time for a new approach. Remove MJ from the federal schedule and leave it up to the States and local governments to decide how they want to regulate, tax, research, and educate.
Google & Read the “Cole Memo”
Craig,
Can we agree that marijuana use is prevalent in the NBA? Anywhere from 60% – 70% of players are documented to use it. Yet, they manage to be some of the best athletes on the planet. I don’t see them “scromiting” all over the court. I am calling BS on your anecdotal evidence. Only issue – really? And, you can’t genuinely be trying to draw a direction connection between HIV and marijuana. I bet your director does handle people on probation and parole because it’s insane we tie criminality to using marijuana. But, it’s one way to incarcerate African Amercians (75% of them use, right – that seems like a good demographic for our prisons to attack), keep them impoverished, and stigmatized. There is a better way than to jail people who smoke up. And, luckily, we have some states leading the charge on doing exactly that.
You clearly haven’t taken the time to learn anything about the subject.
Almost no one is in prison for marijuana use alone. It is estimated that only 1% of all Federal prisoners are there on marijuana charges, and those charges were almost always plead down from more serious charges.
My position has always been the same: legalize marijuana after the majority of parents know the science about the dangers.
You are promoting falsehoods and should have enough pride to take the time to know what you are talking about.
“My position has always been the same: legalize marijuana after the majority of parents know the science about the dangers.” How do you know this is not already the case? How would you be able to confirm this standard has been met?
I advocate for legalization and using 1/2 of the savings in taxes toward education. The other half can go to helping those who need rehabilitation.
Can I ask a question, Craig?
Can you explain what income demographic your clinic mainly deals with? Is it lower-income populations?
I really respect what you do for a living and just want to take a moment to thank you for the assistance you are providing for others. I also want you to understand that people like myself have grown up in middle-class communities where smoking a joint was as common as alcohol, and over the years these people in my community have completed college, gotten steady jobs, and raised families. Some don’t smoke everyday, but aren’t opposed to smoking a bit of a joint in a social setting. One of by buddies, who got his PHD, and is doing miraculously better than most of us, takes pot regularly.
I know it’s difficult to not hate pot when you see the destructive effects it’s having on these people. I kind of feel the same way about alcohol because it has ruined many lives in my family, and many of my customer’s lives.
I’m not supporting pot just because I think it should be legalized because alcohol is legalized. I’m supporting pot because I see people with epilepsy and seizures who benefit from the treatment. I see veterans who go from pain medication to pain medication, and they believe pot works best for them. I see friends who use it instead of the prescribed anxiety and depression medication because it does not make them suicidal. I see friends who take it because of insomnia, and they don’t want to take Ambien because they might end up sleepwalking instead of being in bed.
If you haven’t heard about the benefits, I recommend you look into it. Maybe talk to some people who aren’t in your rehabilitation center, but also smoke pot, and ask them about why they take it?
There are two true sides to this story, and when we pass laws, we need to acknowledge both sides, and do what is best everyone; banning pot would be banning the benefits as well as the dangers and could negatively effect people, treating pot more similarly to alcohol or opioids with similar restrictions on selling ages and prescriptions would allow people to continue to benefit from pot and limit access for youths.
Craig,
You are correct, they aren’t imprisoned for using, they are imprisoned for possession, sometimes trace amounts or empty paraphernalia. Users, you know, possess what they use. You are the one still trying to peddle falsehoods. You and I both knew what I was talking about.
Question to ask yourself. Why is it that the feds fighting it this hard when they The Federal Government, DEA, DHHS, are involved in 8 yes”8″ MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATENTS WHY? 6630507 is one registered patent held by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( DHHS) documenting “medicinal benefits of cannabis”,. Is there a coverup look it up yourself.
he best answer for “We The People” is to VOTE YES IN 2018. The more people Attorney General Jeff Sessions sends to private prisons, the more money he shoves in his pockets. From announcing he wants federal law enforcement agencies to bust people for a little bit of weed, to ordering federal prosecutors to find ways to convict more immigrants, Sessions is looking for ways to provide more clients to private prisons that are contracted by the federal government… Sessions now profits from Cannabis correct? Refer Madness was a “Scare Tactic”movie from the 1930s Wake up and think Legalizing Cannabis creates more jobs that starbucks can’t create by 2020. Jeff Sessions does have shares in two funds that include holdings in two leading private prisons companies. It’s more than a conflict of interest.
Funny how the same people who believe in Big Government control for everything else make exceptions for intoxicants that damage children and then claim the moral high ground . . .
Funny how the same people who believe in Small Government control for everything else make exceptions for telling people what they can and can’t do & put into to their own bodies.
Funny how the same people who believe “let States make their own laws” think the Federal Government should step in when they don’t agree with the laws the State enacted.
Dilly Dilly!!!
Good thing the Internet is again free from heavy handed Progressive regulation. Keep on getting rid of Obama era regulations Mr. President.
Agent,
Please tell us more on what this will accomplish, and how the old rule was heavy handed regulation…
@Craig; it’s not funny. It’s a sign they’ve been stoned for a long while and don’t have the ability to reason through the laws, and are likely to have a criminal arrest record they are currently trying to hide or erase by pushing for legalization. Yes, most have arrests for pot, and are the most aggressive proponents for legalization in order to clear their arrest records.
It’s a pipe dream. They’ll soon awaken from the dream to face reality of statutory laws being rescinded by the SCOTUS.
How many stoners supporting legalization on this comment page have been arrested?
I’ll guess it’s over 90%.
never even got a speeding ticket, actually. Thanks for playing, though!
Not me or any of my 23 friends who’ve partaken on and off their whole lives. Not sure what world you live in, but even the cops here in Texas are realizing their jobs are best served in murders, theft, and chasing drunk drivers.
The last encounter I had with an officer and pot was when a fast food employee was caught smoking it behind my office building a couple months ago. The officer made the fast food employee sit on the curb in front of the office, didn’t confiscate his pipe, and after a few minutes let him go; not even a ticket.
Face it, Yogi, you’re one of a handful of people that cares about this. Plenty of upstanding citizens are partaking with clean records and will continue to partake with clean records and no arrests.
Wrong. ‘One of a handful’ is YOUR assessment, using imaginary stats in your head.
And so is YOUR imaginary, guess stat that over 90% of stoners commenting on this page have been arrested. Practice what you preach. Too Funny!!!
SensibleArgument, Ron, Confused, UW, Captain Planet, Doug, etc–
Why do you waste your time with this guy? IT DOES NOT MATTER what facts you throw back at him, he only believes what he believes. There’s literally nothing you will ever be able to say to convince him otherwise, he’ll just keep repeating the same talking points and negative vitriol and if you dare call him out on it, he’ll report you to the moderators (who by now are also sick and tired of it). It’s what bullies do and what drives him.
Just ignore him. Post whatever you want to post and let him rant about whatever latest political rant he feels like repeating under multiple screen names. You see, it’s not you that he’s mad at, but something deep rooted in himself that he can’t accept so he acts out by trying to bring others down.
I hear you, alexjonesisakook – we should all stop feeding the troll.
The stoners come out on every pot argument, down vote anyone that disagrees with them. Kind of like the Global Warming hoaxer freaks. The brain turns to mush with continued use and they end up scromiting.
Stoners! Here’s your ‘get out of your prior convictions’ ticket… from Calibfornia (no surprise there):
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/California-offers-second-chance-to-people-12437505.php
…. people convicted of pot crimes get a 2nd chance in CA. It’s a sure way to clean out other states of stoners with arrest records.
Just the title of this article “Lawyers Handling Marijuana” is terrifying.