Medical Marijuanna

[TklDuo-Ann]

I was just wondering what others around here think about the whole medical marijuanna debate? Do you think those who use pot medicinally should be treated like criminals? Should pot be legalized for only medicinal purposes? Should pot be legalized period?

My own opinion is that, at the very least, it should be legal for medical use. There are many proven health benefits to it. For people like myself for whom most processed prescription meds cause more problems than they help, it's really a necessity.

But, even if you don't need it medicinally, I think it should be legal. It's proven that there are fewer problems resulting from that than there are from booze. Plus, if they regulate it like they do with tobacco products, they can tax it and clear a good deal of state and national debt, put the money towards needy programs, etc.

Soooo.....what do others think?

Ann

 

[General Zod]

I can see for medicinal purposes,but that's all I say that because say it does get legalized across the board What I think will happen is that people will want other types of illegal drugs to be legalized IE crack,cocaine,etc etc

Also How many more DUI type of drivers will be out there on the road?

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Also How many more DUI type of drivers will be out there on the road?

I don't think that would be much of an issue. Most of those I know who smoke stay put and just enjoy the pain relief. You'll always have a few jerks like with booze. But, if they actually ENFORCE the DUI laws, they'd make a lot of headway in correcting that.

Ann

 

[venray]

I have to go with straight (no pun intended) legalization and regulation.

The revenues earned by the States would help in lots of ways.....


Ray

 

[General Zod]

The revenues earned by the States would help in lots of ways.....


Ray

That's all the states need More money to waste on the local/state politicians pet projects 😡

 

[venray]

Revenues from the sale of pot could be designated for drug rehab programs and other social reform programs to actually help the locals....


R

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

That's all the states need More money to waste on the local/state politicians pet projects 😡

Hmmmm.....food for the hungry, better health care, affordable housing, shelter and retraining for the homeless.... Yep. I guess you're right. It would be a total waste. This isn't a political issue...or shouldn't be.

Ann

 

[General Zod]

I can actually aggree with that Ray But how long will it take for that revenue money to be diverted to other stuff? I don't think I could trust the politicians with that extra money No matter how much tax money they get it is always overspent

I really am not trying to start a flame war here with anyone Just tryin to play devils advocate 😛

 

[venray]

No, your points are valid. The revenues would have to be carefully regulated ...set up in advance as to which soail programs would get them and what % they would get to add to their budgets, not to replace their budgets.

Not to mention that dealers who use pot to get their "clents" started, would have a much harder time of it.....Just my opinion, mind you...

As for DUI's...I dont drive when I drink, I dont drive stoned......Each individual must be responsible for their own actions. I dont't believe legalization will "create" more users than there already are.... 🙂

 

[drew70]

I agree with Ann. Legalize it and regulate it. First thing you gotta do is to be sure to germinate the seeds before planting. If you go with hydroponics, maintain the water temperature, and be careful of mold and bacteria. Prune once a week and make sure they get lots of sunlight. If you're growing indoors, line a small room or closet with aluminum foil and use Gro-Lux full spectrum florescents. Let the plants hang upside down for several days once they're harvested so that the THC is distributed into the leaves and flowers. Sample the finished product with a well cleaned bong or toker. US Bongs are nice but I don't think they make them any more. Never put ice or Peppermint Schapps in a bong, use warm water only, as it will better moisturize the smoke and cause significantly less lung damage. Sit back in an easy chair in a room with florescent posters and ultra-Violet "black" lights, preferably from Peter Max or R. Crumb. If you have a 5-disk CD player, load it with the following CD's: Beatles - Abbey Road, Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy, Pink Floyd - Animals, Frank Zappa - Apostrophe, and Jeff Beck - Blow By Blow. Have plenty of junk food and soda handy.

There was some more to add to this, but...uh....I forgot what it was. 😉

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

I have an aunt out in AZ. It grows quite well out there and there are fields of it in many areas near her. The authorities have decided not to waste time running after those who come along to harvest some....as long as they don't harvest enough to sell it. If they see someone, they instruct them to be careful and stay home after they smoke. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

GREAT response Drew.

Ann...living in a state where you have to fight for your rights to everything

 

[steph]

It's legal here medicinally in Cali Ann~we're very fortunate. I'm not a smoker myself but I fully support it and even worked on the campaign to get it legalized. I know like me, you work(ed) in health care~my cancer patients find it especially helpful after a treatment w/regard to nausea, headaches etc. I wish more states were like us in this one respect.

XOXO

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Yep. Cali. seems to be ahead of the rest of the country on several fronts.

For anyone who may be interested.... http://www.yahooka.com/

Ann

 

[featherfingers]

 

[LeeAllure]

There's a guy I know

by the name of Joe White, who works
for an organization called
changetheclimate.org and he/they are
lobbying to change the marijuana laws.

I'm sure there are other groups, but if
you're interested in supporting major
efforts along this path, throwing your
weight behind a group like this may be
a very effective way to go.

And Drew? SO funny 😉

Lee

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Thanks for the tip, Lee. I'll have to look into them.

Ann

 

[sole seeker]

I have to go with straight (no pun intended) legalization and regulation. The revenues earned by the States would help in lots of ways...

I agree. I would treat it just like booze, same age to smoke as to drink.

But... what I suspect is more controversial is that I propose fixing the legal age for drinking and marijuana to be 21-years-old across the nation. I would lower the age to 18-years-old for all members of the armed forces. (If you're old enough to die for your country - you're old enough to drink or smoke marijuana.) The only exception I would make to the age requirement would be medical.

 

[ticklkitten]

Hey, I don't smoke it myself, I haven't in years but I am all for getting it legalized to be used medicinally. Pot is a lot less harmful than many drugs out there (it SO is not in the same category as crack, cocaine etc...) and it can do some good for certain people. The other above listed drugs don't have a plus side.

 

[Oddjob0226]

I think it's a great idea for medical use. I have an aunt who uses eyedrops made from marijuana and it has helped her great. As far as legalizing it for fun, shoot, we as a mass of people can barely safely & responsibly handle driving 55, fast food, gambling, sex, cigarrettes, alcohol, over the counter meds, paint and glue, snuff, you name it. Other people I mean, not me. Even toad licking was made illegal in TX because people were doing it too much. Toad licking! Legalizing absinthe, though - where do I sign the petition?

 

[Oddjob0226]

The other above listed drugs don't have a plus side.

I had pharmaceutical cocaine used on me when I had nose & sinus surgery, so it does have a medical plus side. I know LSD showed promising uses in treatment in psychosis & alcohol addiction before the Beatles turned it into a toy. Heroin (at least chemically similar drugs) kills intense pain. Crack..... well, it's not medical, but crack just makes people feel good. Other people I mean, not me.

 

[giantfan121262]

I have believed that it should be legalized because, in the general scheme of things, it's really not much more harmful than booze. Of course, the stuff reacts differently depending on the person but so does alcohol. Like Ray said earlier, you tax it just as you would booze or cigarettes.

Playing devils advocate for a second, eventhough I would want to legalize it, I can see a couple of reasons why that won't happen. True pot is considered a soft drug, but I can see where if pot WAS legal, there can be debates regarding the legalization of harder drugs like coke. Advocates will say, "well, you legalized pot, why won't you legalize this, that or the other". Another reason is that the revenues generated from the tax could be misappropriated so easily. This is the American government we are talking about. Those drug rehabiliation facilities that were supposed to be built with those funds will be a pipedream.

If you want my op FWIW, legalize it.

Oh, Drew70, BTW, I love all your ingredients for pure enjoyment, but you HAVE to add the movie by Pink Floyd, :The Wall".

 

[He-Man]

What I think will happen is that people will want other types of illegal drugs to be legalized IE crack,cocaine,etc etc

Maybe, but then again, alot less people might be able to afford the stuff ( one comedian on Blue Collar TV joked about that.)..so maybe there'll be less people using it. lol

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Hmmmm.... Some great responses, folks! Keep them coming.

I know there will be a lot of questions and concerns. But, if they really took an objective look at things, I think they'd realize that it's actually less harmful in the big picture than booze is. It also may lead to many folks choosing to stick with the legal stuff rather than risking jail time...and more expense and more danger of contamination and more danger of being attacked chasing after hard drugs. I hear a lot of people say that pot is a gateway drug. I suppose that may be true for those who are already inclined to use other drugs and have addictive personalities. But, I don't think it's a strong enough arguement to stop legalization. If it's the buzz that they're after, they can get that from drinking too. So, I don't see the difference.

Ann....who'd be growing it in my garden right now if I could

 

[drew70]

Oh, Drew70, BTW, I love all your ingredients for pure enjoyment, but you HAVE to add the movie by Pink Floyd, :The Wall".

Excellent idea! I couldn't agree more. Hey, how about making it a double feature with "Heavy Metal"!

 

[ticklkitten]

I had pharmaceutical cocaine used on me when I had nose & sinus surgery, so it does have a medical plus side. I know LSD showed promising uses in treatment in psychosis & alcohol addiction before the Beatles turned it into a toy. Heroin (at least chemically similar drugs) kills intense pain. Crack..... well, it's not medical, but crack just makes people feel good. Other people I mean, not me.

I suppose I didn't think about the pain killing effects of heroin and actually crack has these same effects... BUT the side effects to these drugs is much greater... marijuana can cause lung cancer much like cigs and has some psychological addictive properties but really, think about prescription drugs today and their side effects. The FDA often approves drugs that have side effects worse than the condition they are supposed to be treating.