Comments on: “If A Measured, Rational Debate Over America’s Extremist Drug Policies Can Take Place In Time Magazine, Then It Can Take Place Anywhere.”

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[...]“If A Measured, Rational Debate Over America’s Extremist Drug Policies Can Take Place In Time Magazine, Then It Can Take Place Anywhere.” | NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform[...]…

By: NeuroGenesis1:29

NeuroGenesis1:29 — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:12:20 +0000

#88 Jack Elam Says:
May 8th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

RE:
Mr. Elam,
- It bothers me everyday that a PLANT with a 5000-year safety-record,
(Gift of Nature, Creation of God, Product of Favorable Evolution, etc),
is considered to be, (inherently), criminal,
whereas humanly-altered, (trans-species genetically, chemically modified),
questionably-safe and artificially-contrived foods and food-additives
are given the Government’s greatest blessing, despite their departure from NATURE.
(OrganoChloride-based sweeteners, hydrogenated vegetable-oils, genetically-modified crops
containing animal-DNA, for example…).

By: Jack Elam

Jack Elam — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:26:49 +0000

Well, I am late to the debate, but I hope someone still sees my post.
For decades, the Federal definition of marijuana has prohibited the people from growing cannabis to make useful products, and has impeded the recognition of its medical properties.
Much of the discussion is about legalizing, decriminalizing, or rescheduling marijuana. This misses the point.
Cannabis is a plant with a myriad of uses, while marijuana is a definition with sinister connotations which is conflated with cannabis.
The time is right for a reasonable definition of marijuana which permits the States to tax and regulate the many uses of cannabis.
There is a simple definition which clears up the confusion, and maintains the popular historical understanding of marijuana.
It is just a restatement of Section 802, Item 16 of the Controlled Substances Act:
The term ‘marihuana’ means all parts OF THE SMOKE PRODUCED BY THE COMBUSTION of the plant Cannabis Sativa L. Period.
Of course, this will require congressional action, thus political support, but that is the body which disregarded reasonable advice, and made it illegal in the first place.
With this new definition in place, we can engender the ideals promised in the Preamble of the US Constitution.

By: Former POW

Former POW — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:18:10 +0000

Just one question for Conservatives….You are against abortion which is murder yet you still support the mass murder of Americans who have cancer when you knew there was a cure since 1974? How do you look at yourselves in the mirror knowing you are mass murderers?

Government Study http://www.alternet.org/story/9257

Current Research http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19285265

By: TheBrazenOne

TheBrazenOne — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:13:59 +0000

Mr. Gogek must get all his information from the federal government. He is just, quite simply, another talking head, putting out misinformation, to which the dumbed-down American public, who rarely do their own research, will take as the gospel. Alcohol makes me completely stupid, unable to carry on an intelligent conversation, let alone funtion in today’s society – ’tis why I do not imbibe in the fire water. However, I have no problem wityh anyone who does. But I’d like to know the difference between the alcohol user, who comes home after a terrible day at work & has his drink of choice to relax, and the god-awful, criminal (you know I’m using SARCASM here!), loser pot-head who chooses to come home after the same terrible day at work and smoke a bowl full of that scourge of the arth, Marry-wanna? I see no difference, except that weed is illegal. Due to so much government misinformation! Weed is definitely the kinder, gentler “drug.” It’s time to completely legalize the recreational use of weed by responsible adult, who, in fact, are much more responsible than adults who choose to drink alcohol. Free the BC Three, and peace, folks!

By: mrs.sab

mrs.sab — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:43:05 +0000

I e-mailed the Tn. Nurses Association and they replyed that they had not taken a position on the med.mj. Who else do I contact and how often do I contact them befor they have me blocked???? I smoke a pack a day sometimes more. I spend $200.00 a month on marlboro.( Thats includind giving to the ones that are running a little short at work.)
Just think of the money I could save if they would let me have my drug of choice. I dont drnk so I can get a buzz from one beer. Ive seen alot of bad stuff happen to those that drink. SAD,SAD things. I have watched my uncle shake all over because his body was craving that stuff. If I was going to have a choice between the alcohol or the weed, I would choose the weed hands down.

By: MIKE STROUP

MIKE STROUP — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:53:50 +0000

Re-legalized cannabis would result in less access for teens, not more, as current cannabis vendors are only profit motivated and do not “card” underaged customers. When again legal, adults would continue to have access to cannabis, but without the current criminalization which violates the Constitution of the United States. The perception of a spike in use will largely be due to the fact that those surveyed will feel more free to respond honestly about their use. It is literally true cannabis users get intoxicated with each use, and this is as true with ethanol users. It is true most ethanol users do not get “intoxicated,” but, again, this is also true for cannabis users as well. Both ethanol and cannabis are only used voluntarily for their effects, be those minimal effects from one or two drinks, or one or two puffs, to too much more which is over indulgence. If ethanol or cannabis users were not seeking the effects of those mind altering substances, which biologically occur with even the smallest perceptable doses, people would not use either. Please note the significant difference between the two drugs, one actually being several mostly related drugs prevalent in the flowers of a common shrub, and the other some of the excrement of suffocating yeast cells. Cannabis is a relatively mild toxin, the overdosing of which causes virtually no physical harm, particularily if it is eaten rather than smoked, as smoke is a known carcinogen. There has never been a death from injesting too much cannabis. Alcohol on the other hand is very physically addictive, and unsupervised and unmedicated addiction withdrawl can and does kill. Ethanol will eventually destroy your liver, give you a “wet brain,” and can and does kill after only one over indulgence. Irresponsible consuption of ethanol and cannabis, and all other mind-altering recreational chemical compounds for that matter, can in fact degrade performance and “sap initiative and drive,” and “increase confusion.” Here the problem is not the recreational drug choice, rather it is irresponsible consumption. Anyone who thinks cannabis use makes you “stupid” needs to read some of Carl Sagan’s books. As far as cannabis being a “looser” drug, that could only be true if you consider our President and Michael Phelps to be loosers. Speaking of loosers, I never noticed that many winners in a neighborhood bar, which is of course an ethanol users version of an opium den. The truth is that cannabis prohibitionists’ position is on the wrong side of the objective facts, the Constitution of the United States and God’s will for mankind to live free with liberty and justice. Prohibitionists are much like those who were once very sure the earth was flat. But the main problem with prohibitionists’ position as expressed in our current drug policy is not just that they are wrong, it is actually counter productive. For example, prohibitionists are now directly responsible for many dangerous drugs being readily available to our children. Prohibitionists had their chance for some 70 years and have managed nothing better than chronic failure at a cost of more than a trillion dollars, millions of damaged lives and the degradation of the domestic tranquillity of several allies nations. Also, prohibitionists created and guarantee huge un-taxed profits for drug cartels, fund terrorists and promote gang violence. It is past time to stop doing what does not work, and trust the adult citizens of this nation to live their own lives as they see fit, while fully respecting the God-given rights and responsibilities of others.

By: higg1947

higg1947 — Sat, 02 May 2009 01:16:50 +0000

Matt-

Ohio may have more drug overdose deaths then traffic deaths but not from marijuana. There is no lethal dose of marijuana. That can’t be said of alcohol or many prescription drugs. The people in the study on chronic users and schizophrenic behavior smoked an average of 20 joints a day for over 20 years. I know a lot of people that smoke cannabis but I don’t know of anyone smoking twenty joints in one day let alone every day for twenty years. I’m guessing but that level of cannabis use is probably the equivalent of drinking a quart of hard liquor a day which would probably kill some and certainly incapacitate most of the rest. I don’t think you would want to put adults who drink alcohol responsively in jail because some drinkers abuse it and go on to cause accidents that kill people.

While it is illegal, so is driving 56 MPH in a 55 MPH speed limit. I would expect that you have driven over the speed limit on occasion but I don’t think you would feel it is justified to arrest you and possibly put you in jail for driving one MPH over the limit.

I watched a documentary called Marijuana nation where they went to Amsterdam and interviewed people in the coffee shops that also sold marijuana. One shop owner stated that he sold liquor and cannabis in his shop and never had a fight or any problems with the smokers in over twenty years. How does that compare with most bars in this country?

You’re correct about the drug cartels profiting from cannabis but the solution is to let me legally grow my own or let local farmers do so and the cartels won’t get another penny from me. In fact, the money I save and the farmers earn will go into our economy and help the recession.

Finally, there’s actually a fair amount of research on the physical and mental effects of marijuana use and most of them show that the method of ingestion, combustion, is the cause of the few negative side effects of using marijuana. Vaporizers are a way to eliminate the few potential health problems of consuming cannabis.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:58:15 +0000

I am not arguing that alcohol and tobacco are not bad–I will even concede that they may be worse than marijuana. I honestly don’t know which is worse because there is suprisingly little actual research done on effects of pot. At the very least, there have been studies that show an increase in lung-related diseases and schizophrenic disorders from chronic marijuana users that are significantly higher than for non-users. Ohio recently reported that drug overdoses have surpassed traffic accidents as the leading cause of death in that state. Amsterdam’s statistics indicate increasing cannabis related health problems, due in part to the increasing potency of today’s marijuana. We should fund additional research into the truth about marijuana’s impact on health. That knowledge would enable continued dialog from an informed populace.

I think you should join a campaign to lobby congress to legalize marijuana–its your right as an American. But in the meantime its illegal….despite what some of you think you don’t get to choose which laws you follow no matter how sure you are that you know better. If its not addictive, why not start a campaign to stop buying pot just to strangle the Mexican drug cartels who are profitting from your choice?

With them out of the way, and it would not take long if you all actually stop, the case to legalize American grown marijuana might be easier to make. And you would certainly have a good platform from which to speak.
#1 You have proved Marijuana is not addictive because millions stopped for X months (I would bet 2 months would do it)
#2 You helped the “war on drugs”
#3 You have shown that marijuana users are active citizens in our democracy.

Its easier to continue to blame the government, but I think the above would be much more effective. Join me!

By: higg1947

higg1947 — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:16:33 +0000

For years my daughter and I would argue over my smoking weed.While I wouldn’t smoke in front of her, as you all know, the smell is quite noticeable and in the house, even more so. I mentioned,and she knew, that I never smoked a cigarette in my life and very seldom drink alcohol. I explained that I read every thing I can on weed and most of the research showed it to be fairly harmless. In fact current research indicates it might even reduce or prevent a brain chemical that leads to dementia. I also told her of a friend of ours that came down with testicular cancer and told us his chemo treatments were so bad that he would have told his doctor to stop the treatments and he would except the consequences if he didn’t have cannabis to stop the projectile vomiting. Tragically he had a recurance and died years later.

Finally, I asked her what exactly did I do when I was smoking weed that was so bad. She thought about it for a moment and then said I ate a lot and I laughed a lot. I was stunned and for a moment so was she. Then we both started to laugh and although she doesn’t smoke, she isn’t worried for me any more.

The idea that I could be arrested and put in jail for smoking cannabis in the privacy of my own home is outrageous.