Can Anyone Justify Banning Marijuana?

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Seriously is there any logical or sane reason why marijuana should be banned while tobacco and alcohol are legal? After all marijuana poses less of a threat to others than tobacco.

[GreasyJack]

I think the only even remotely compelling argument you can really make against it is the so-called "big marijuana" argument. In the case of tobacco, before the industrial production of cigarettes, tobacco was an infrequently enjoyed treat not unlike marijuana is for many people today. When industrially-made cigarettes emerged, they eventually made tobacco so cheap you could smoke constantly, which is when people really started to get addicted and when the health problems emerged.

If marijuana were made legal overnight, supposedly many of the big tobacco companies already have plans on the shelf to mass produce marijuana cigarettes. If marijuana becomes much cheaper and more accessible (and heavily advertised), the way people use it may change, resulting in health and social problems that do not usually emerge with how marijuana is currently used. I certainly know a few of my friends would be pack a day smokers if you could buy reefers at the 7-11!

But this argument certainly doesn't go against decriminalization and I suppose you could say that if we as a society are okay with mass-produced tobacco and alcohol we should be okay with mass-produced marijuana too. That tobacco is physically addictive whereas marijuana isn't is also a non-trivial distinction.

[Lobohan]

Not sane or logical. It's pretty much the Republicans. :D

[humanafterall]

Also, there is the "Gateway Drug" argument, which states that once a person gets a hold of marijuana, after some time, they'll grow bored of it, and turn to other, more dangerous drugs to get that feel-good rush of endorphines.

[GreasyJack]

Also, there is the "Gateway Drug" argument, which states that once a person gets a hold of marijuana, after some time, they'll grow bored of it, and turn to other, more dangerous drugs to get that feel-good rush of endorphines.

But the obvious retort to this is why aren't tobacco and alcohol (or even caffeine) also gateway drugs? The only thing that makes marijuana more of a gateway drug is that you have to buy it from a drug dealer who can often provide you with harder stuff, which would be moot if you could buy it at 7-11.

[WhyNot]

Also, there is the "Gateway Drug" argument, which states that once a person gets a hold of marijuana, after some time, they'll grow bored of it, and turn to other, more dangerous drugs to get that feel-good rush of endorphines.

Of course, the counter to that is the Gateway People argument, which goes that your weed dealer may deal in other 'harder drugs" and offer you some while you're there buying weed. Or that a party where there's weed being smoked is more likely than a party without weed to also have cocaine in the bedroom. It's the mingling of people who use multiple illegal drugs socially that causes marijuana users to try the "hard stuff", not boredom with weed.

Joe down at the 7-11 doesn't have heroin samples to give you when you go by your Marlboro Spliffs.


ETA: Or, what GreasyJack said.

[Martin Hyde]

There's really absolutely no reason to ban marijuana at all.

I'm a Republican but I do not believe in prohibiting personal choices as long as they aren't injurious to society at large.

I think the reasons for marijuana's continued prohibition are basically:

1. Often times people that communities and law enforcement don't take kindly to are pot smokers. What this means is that if they can't find any other crime to charge them with, when a guy with long hair and ratty clothes is spotted driving around town they can probably wait until he does a rolling stop and bust him for pot possession.

2. Once it was made illegal, it instantly became the same in many people's mind as every hard drug. Thus there are high institutional barriers to legalization.

3. The gateway drug movement of the 1980s happened at a time when many of today's soccer moms were coming of age, the idea is still prevalent despite it not being particularly supported by any science.

I'd go much further than just marijuana though. Basically anything that naturally occurs as a plant in the wild I don't think should be very regulated. I think you should be able to buy and sell cannabis, coca and poppy plants of all kinds. They should be totally legal to own, plant, grow, and sell the proceeds at any farmer's market.

I would be for the totally unregulated sale of other drugs such as LSD, meth, ecstasy and et cetera but the problem with those is you can't really sell them on the farmer's market level. Instead they have to be produced by a chemist, and if they aren't, it's not ideal to have random jack asses with home chemistry sets creating their own drugs. It leads to environmental problems as well as a product that can kill people due to improper preparation. So unfortunately I can't get behind a full legalization of the drugs that require some level of chemistry to produce.

I'd be fine with them being made professionally in pharmaceutical labs and sold at pharmacies to anyone who wants them (and isn't a minor.) The problem is, with hallucinogens and et cetera I'm not sure what pharmaceutical lab would want to be in the business of making them. The liability from lawsuits would be pretty nasty, anytime someone did something foolish while on the drug the company would be in danger of getting sued.

[humanafterall]

I never said I agreed with that argument. Weed should be treated like most medicines are treated. "Marijuana is not right for everyone. Consult your doctor before beginning an OTC cannabis regimen, to discuss any health risks that may or may not occur from its use." That kind of thing

[Marley23]

Also, there is the "Gateway Drug" argument, which states that once a person gets a hold of marijuana, after some time, they'll grow bored of it, and turn to other, more dangerous drugs to get that feel-good rush of endorphines.
"Gateway Drug" is more of a scare tactic than an argument. Some people do harder drugs after doing pot, but it doesn't follow that there's a natural progression from pot to cocaine and heroin. That would seem to be more about the people using the drugs than the substances themselves.

[Der Trihs]

But the obvious retort to this is why aren't tobacco and alcohol (or even caffeine) also gateway drugs? The only thing that makes marijuana more of a gateway drug is that you have to buy it from a drug dealer who can often provide you with harder stuff, which would be moot if you could buy it at 7-11.For that matter, the evidence that marijuana (or anything else) IS a "gateway drug" is extremely shaky at best. It's one of those phenomena that lots of the public take as a given while the scientists are still looking at contradictory studies trying to figure out what if anything is happening.

[Invisible Chimp]

Is driving while stoned as bad as driving while drunk? If you get into an accident, you can be tested if you've had something to drink that night. There isn't a similar test to see if you've used marijuana recently. THC can show up for at least a several weeks after smoking.

[WhyNot]

Is driving while stoned as bad as driving while drunk?
Very controversial question. So as not to hijack the thread, I'll just say: some studies say yes, some say no. Most studies don't empirically or statistically separate just stoned drivers from drunk and stoned drivers.
If you get into an accident, you can be tested if you've had something to drink that night. There isn't a similar test to see if you've used marijuana recently. THC can show up for at least a several weeks after smoking.

As I understand it, we do have the technology to do non-invasive acute marijuana intoxication testing through saliva (http://www.idmu.co.uk/drugtestcan.htm)or apocrine sweat glands (http://hermeticdiagnostics.com/), but for reasons I don't understand, they have not been brought to market. Probably because today, we don't care if you're acutely intoxicated or smoked your last joint 30 days ago - if you test positive to THC metabolites, you're charged with DWI.

Were marijuana to be made legal, you can be sure they'd find the financial backers to bring acute intoxication test kits to market though.

[Procrustus]

As for the "gateway drug" argument, it's pretty well established that more people who smoke pot don't try harder drugs than do. As for the argument some try to make, "yeah, but all hard drug users started with pot." Well, perhaps. But almost everyone of them also started out with milk.

As for DWI, the studies I've seen from the NTSB seem to indicate that you can be a dangerous driver while stoned, but not as dangerous as when drunk, Apparently Pot makes you more careful (but less skilled, obviously) while alcohol makes you reckless.

[Revtim]

You guys aren't afraid that jazz-playing Negroes hopped-up on the mary jane won't rape our women and house pets?

[PlanetCharlie]

Right. The "gateway drug" hypothesis is ridiculous. Not counting alcohol, marijuana is going to be the most easily accessible (in HS and college) and regarded as relatively benign (whether it is or not is up to others). So people who are that type, that want to explore drugs, do so, and it just happens that probably 90% of the time marijuana is the first drug they can get/try (there's no age limit/ID required to buy weed!)

[Rhythmdvl]

Pushing the idea that pot is a Gateway drug in this day and age is not Vaioble. Though some politicians base their arguments on it (Acertain someone in particular I won’t mention), as Asustenance it’s not interchangeable with other drugs—pot to heroin is Apples to oranges. While many (most) heroin users may smoke pot, it’s not the pot that caused them to Dellve into harder drugs, it’s a combination of individual personalities, circumstances, and contexts. To try and Compaq all those reasons into a simple ‘pot-did-it’ argument is Crayzy.

IMHO such opposition—the threat of impending disaster if policy X is not followed—is akin to stoking fears with simple pictures of an illegal Alien Ware reasoned objections to a particular immigration policy are lacking.

[Amasia]

Early, heavy marijuana use can trigger schizophrenia in some people. Not sure if that would justify banning it, but something to consider.

[Hambil]

I think the AMA put an end to this debate when they advocated legalizing it for medical use. At the very least it should, no NEEDS to be changed from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 drug.

[Foggy]

Well, the one and only time I got stoned on pot, I gave my friend a blow job. So based on that data point I would say that pot leads to gay sex.

:D

[Farmer Jane]

Sorry, but it's usually easy to pick out the stoner. I don't really care if people smoke pot, but do we really want to make escapism, poop jokes and munchies even more accessible? :D

[Miller]

You guys aren't afraid that jazz-playing Negroes hopped-up on the mary jane won't rape our women and house pets?

Well, I don't have any house pets.

[pkbites]

I always "harumph" when someone starts an argument over legalizing weed because the same people never make much of a peep over the outlawing of "drugs" that are [were!] already legal like flavored cigarettes or beer with caffeine in it. You paid no attention to the banning of those (heavily regulated) products being outlawed when they were up for review (and their prohibition signed into law by your savior Barrack Obama) so why should anyone pay attention to the drug you care about? Whats sauce for the goose is.................! Right?

[MrDibble]

I could justify banning marijuana by arguing that alcohol and tobacco should be similarly banned. I won't, though. Freak freely.

[aruvqan]

I got about 400+ of these as links in an email that I can forward along .... or if you have facebook [which I dont] the lady who compiles the articles posts her links here. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Granny-Storm-Crows-List/249740974909?ref=nf)


I will fully admit that the seriously technical ones I have not got the training to understand.


ACEA- see ARACHIDONYL-2'-CHLOROETHYLAMIDE




ADD/ ADHD



Marijuana and ADD Therapeutic uses of Medical Marijuana in the treatment of ADD (no date)


Recipe For Trouble (anecdotal/ news - 2002 )


Association between cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) and childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Spanish male alcoholic patients (full - 2003)


Cannabinoids effective in animal model of hyperactivity disorder (abst - 2003)


Cannabis 'Scrips to Calm Kids? (news - 2004)


Fitness to drive in spite (because) of THC (abst - 2007)


Science: THC normalized impaired psychomotor performance and mood in a patient with hyperactivity disorder (news - 2007)


Association of the Cannabinoid Receptor Gene (CNR1) With ADHD and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (full - 2008)


Cannabis Improves Symptoms of ADHD (full - 2008)


Cannabis use and adult ADHD symptoms. (abst - 2008)


Autism, ADD, ADHD and Marijuana Therapy (news - 2008)


Why I Give My 9-year-old Pot (anecdotal/news - 2009)


ADDICTION RISK- PHYSICAL

Women's Guide to the UofC (no date)


Cannabis Basics (no date)


10 Things Every Parent, Teenager & Teacher Should Know About Marijuana (4th Question) (no date)


Marijuana Myths, Claim No. 9 (no date)


Excerpt from the Merck Manual (excerpt - 1987)


Relative Addictiveness of Various Substances (full - 1990)

Anandamide, an Endogenous Cannabinoid, Has a Very Low Physical Dependence Potential (full - 1998)


Dependency and Cannabis (full - 1999)
Tod H. Mikuriya, M.D.

Chronic Morphine Modulates the Contents of the Endocannabinoid, 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol, in Rat Brain (full - 2003)


Long term marijuana users seeking medical cannabis in California (2001–2007): demographics, social characteristics, patterns of cannabis and other drug use of 4117 applicants (full - 2007)


Lack of behavioral sensitization after repeated exposure to THC in mice and comparison to methamphetamine (full - 2007)


Merck Manual - Marijuana (Cannabis) (excerpt - 2008)


Study of 4000 indicates marijuana discourages use of hard drugs. (news - 2008)


Adolescent Exposure to Chronic Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Blocks Opiate Dependence in Maternally Deprived Rats (abst - 2009)


The Surprising Effect Of Marijuana On Morphine Dependence (news - 2009)


Active Ingredient In Cannabis Eliminates Morphine Dependence In Rats
(news- 2009)


2-AG - see 2-ARACHIDONOYLGLYCEROL


AGING /USE BY SENIORS

The Peripheral Cannabinoid Receptor CB2 and CD40 Are Novel Biological Markers That Predict Outcome in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of Elderly Patients. (abst - 2004)


Pass the Doobie, pops (news - 2005)


Cannabinoid receptor stimulation is anti-inflammatory and improves memory in old rats (full - 2007)


Inflammation and aging: can endocannabinoids help? (full - 2008)


Cannabinoid receptor stimulation is anti-inflammatory and improves memory in old rats (full - 2008)


Aging and chronic pain using medical marijuana (article - 2008)


Cannabis and Alzheimer's disease (article - 2008)


Cannabis and movement disorders (article - 2008)


Cannabinoids Attenuate the Effects of Aging Upon Neuroinflammation and Neurogenesis. (abst - 2008)


CN BC: Expert Testifies Cannabis Helps Slow Aging (news - 2008)


Could Marijuana Substance Help Prevent Or Delay Memory Impairment In The Aging Brain? (news - 2008)


Marijuana may be good for the aging brain (news - 2008)


Older Adults' Pot Use Up (news - 2010)


Marijuana Use By Seniors Goes Up As Boomers Age (news - 2010)


Pot Breaks the Age Barrier (news - 2010)


AIDS – see HIV




AJULEMIC ACID/ IP-751 - a side-chain synthetic analog of Δ8-THC-11-oic acid

Marijuana-Derived Compound Targets Pain, Inflammation (news - 2002)


Ajulemic Acid (IP-751): Synthesis, Proof of Principle, Toxicity Studies, and Clinical Trials (full - 2004)

Ajulemic acid: A novel cannabinoid produces analgesia without a “high”
(abst - 2004)


Ajulemic acid (IP-751): Synthesis, proof of principle, toxicity studies, and clinical trials (abst - 2005)


Marijuana-Derived Drug Suppresses Bladder Overactivity And Irritation In Animal Models (news - 2005)

Cannabimimetic Properties of Ajulemic Acid (full - 2006)


Marijuana-Derived Drug Suppresses Bladder Pain In Animal Models
(news - 2006)


Cannabimimetic Properties of Ajulemic Acid (full - 2007)


In humans, ajulemic acid has a more favorable side-effect profile than THC for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain (full - 2007)


Letter: Preclinical assessment of abuse liability of ajulemic acid (letter - 2007)


Suppression of fibroblast metalloproteinases by ajulemic acid, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid. (abst - 2007)


Effects of IP-751, ajulemic acid, on bladder overactivity induced by bladder irritation in rats. (abst - 2007)


Ajulemic acid, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid, suppresses osteoclastogenesis in mononuclear precursor cells and induces apoptosis in mature osteoclast-like cells. (abst - 2008)


Suppression of human macrophage interleukin-6 by a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid. (abst - 2008)


Cannabinoids, Endocannabinoids, and Related Analogs in Inflammation
(full - 2009)


Ajulemic acid, a synthetic cannabinoid, increases formation of the endogenous proresolving and anti-inflammatory eicosanoid, lipoxin A4 (full - 2009)


ALCOHOLISM

Cannabis substitution: An Adjunctive Therapeutic Tool in the Treatment of Alcoholism (full - 1969)

Association between cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) and childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Spanish male alcoholic patients (full - 2003)


Endocannabinoid signaling via cannabinoid receptor 1 is involved in ethanol preference and its age-dependent decline in mice (full - 2003)


Cannabis as a Substitute for Alcohol (full - 2003)


Comparison of Cannabidiol, Antioxidants, and Diuretics in Reversing Binge Ethanol-Induced Neurotoxicity (full - 2005)


Role of cannabinoid receptors in alcohol abuse (news - 2005)


Effects of Alcohol and Combined Marijuana and Alcohol Use During Adolescence on Hippocampal Volume and Asymmetry (full - 2006)


The endocannabinoid signaling system: a potential target for next-generation therapeutics for alcoholism (full - 2007)


Report: Marijuana Less Harmful than Alcohol or Tobacco (news - 2008)


Cannabis reverses brain damage from alcohol (news - 2008)


Cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs. (full - 2009)

Daily marijuana users with past alcohol problems increase alcohol consumption during marijuana abstinence. (abst - 2009)


White Matter Integrity in Adolescents with Histories of Marijuana Use and Binge Drinking. (abst - 2009)


Pot Might Blunt Damage of Binge Drinking (news - 2009)


Maternal Marijuana use not Associated with Psychotic Symptoms , but Alcohol is
(news - 2009)


Cannabis as a substitute for heavy alcohol usage? (news - 2009)


Marijuana To Control Alcohol Abuse (news - 2010)


Study shows direct cellular interaction between endocannabinoids and alcohol in the brain (news - 2010




ALLERGIES AND CANNABIS

Allergy to Marihuana (abst - 1971)


Allergic Skin Test Reactivity to Marijuana in the Southwest (full - 1983)


Allergenic properties of naturally occurring cannabinoids. (abst - 1983)


Marijuana smoking and fungal sensitization. (abst - 1983)


Cannabis (hemp) positive skin tests and respiratory symptoms (abst - 1999)


Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Cannabis sativa pollen (full- 2007)


Attenuation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Through the Endocannabinoid System
(full - 2008)


Constituents Of Hashish And Marijuana May Help To Fight Inflammation And Allergies (news - 2007)


Marijuana Might Help Cure Allergic Contact Dermatitis (a.k.a. Poison Ivy)
(news - 2007)


Cannabis for allergic contact dermatitis (news - 2007)


Constituents Of Hashish And Marijuana May Help To Fight Inflammation And Allergies (news - 2007)


Sensitization and Allergy to Cannabis sativa Leaves in a Population of Tomato Sensitized Patients. (abst - 2008)


Hemp: A replacement for common food allergens? (news - 2009)





ALS / AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

Marijuana in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (abst - 2001)


Survey of cannabis use in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
(abst - 2004)


Delayed disease progression in ALS mice by treatment with a cannabinoid.
(abst on forum - 2004)


Cannabis' Potential Exciting Researchers in Treatment of ALS, Parkinson's Disease -URB597 (news - 2004)

Cannabis Relieves Lou Gehrigs Symptoms - New Study (news - 2004)


Cannabinol delays symptom onset in SOD1 (G93A) transgenic mice without affecting survival. (abst - 2005)


Increasing cannabinoid levels by pharmacological and genetic manipulation delay disease progression in SOD1 mice (full - 2006)


The CB2 cannabinoid agonist AM-1241 prolongs survival in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis when initiated at symptom onset
(full - 2007)

The endocannabinoid system in targeting inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases (full - 2007)


Emerging Role of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Prospects (full - 2009)


Cannabinoids as Therapeutic Agents for Ablating Neuroinflammatory Disease (full - 2009)


The endocannabinoid system in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. (abst - 2009)


Cannabis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Hypothetical and Practical Applications, and a Call for Clinical Trials. (abst - 2010)


Marijuana May Extend Life Expectancy Of Lou Gehrig's Disease Patients, Study Says (news - 2010)





ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

My Mother and Alzheimer’s (anecdotal - no date)


Marijuana reduces memory impairment (news - no date)

Effects of dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease. (abst - 1997)


US Patent 6630507 - Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants
(full - 2003)


Safety and efficacy of Dronabinol in the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease with anorexia (abst - 2003)


Open-label study of Dronabinol in the treatment of refractory agitation in Alzheimer’s disease : a pilot study (abst - 2003)


Neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component from Cannabis sativa, on β-amyloid-induced toxicity in PC12 cells (full - 2004)


Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology by Cannabinoids: Neuroprotection Mediated by Blockade of Microglial Activation (full - 2005)


Stimulation of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) suppresses microglial activation
(full - 2005)


Marijuana Ingredient May Stall Decline From Alzheimer's (news - 2005)


Marijuana Slows Alzheimer's Decline (news - 2005)


Marijuana May Block Alzheimer's (news - 2005)


Marijuana Ingredient May Help Alzheimer's (news - 2005)


Cannabinoids reduce the progression of Alzheimer's disease in animals
(news - 2005)


Pass the Doobie, pops (news - 2005)


Cannabis therapy (news - 2005)


The Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor as a Target for Inflammation-Dependent Neurodegeneration (full - 2006)


Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology (full - 2006)


Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for nighttime agitation in severe dementia
(full - 2006)


THC inhibits primary marker of Alzheimer's disease (news - 2006)


Marijuana's Active Ingredient May Slow Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease
(news - 2006)


Alzheimer's disease; taking the edge off with cannabinoids? (full - 2007)


Cannabidiol in vivo blunts β-amyloid induced neuroinflammation by suppressing IL-1β and iNOS expression (full - 2007)


Anti-inflammatory property of the cannabinoid agonist WIN-55212-2 in a rodent model of chronic brain inflammation (full - 2007)


The endocannabinoid system in targeting inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases (full - 2007)


Cannabinoid CB2 receptors in human brain inflammation (full - 2008)

Cannabinoid receptor stimulation is anti-inflammatory and improves memory in old rats (full - 2008)


Cannabinoids as Therapeutic Agents for Ablating Neuroinflammatory Disease (full - 2008)


Inflammation and aging: can endocannabinoids help? (full - 2008)


Cannabis and Alzheimer's disease (article - 2008)

Marijuana may be good for the aging brain (news - 2008)


Alzheimer's sufferers may benefit from cannabis compound (news - 2008)


Cannabis 'could stop dementia in its tracks' (news - 2008)


Could Marijuana Substance Help Prevent Or Delay Memory Impairment In The Aging Brain? (news - 2008)


Attacking Alzheimer's with Red Wine and Marijuana (news - 2008)


Pot joins the fight against Alzheimer's, memory loss (news - 2008)


Can cannabis offer hope for Alzheimer's? (news - 2008)


Cannabis-derived medicines may help Alzheimer's (news - 2008)


Emerging Role of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Prospects (full - 2009)


The activation of cannabinoid CB2 receptors stimulates in situ and in vitro beta-amyloid removal by human macrophages. (abst - 2009)


Marijuana could prevent Alzheimer's (news - 2010)



AM-251 - a synthetic CB1 antagonist

Inhibition of Rat C6 Glioma Cell Proliferation by Endogenous and Synthetic Cannabinoids. Relative Involvement of Cannabinoid and Vanilloid Receptors
(full - 2001)


Influence of the CB1 receptor antagonist, AM 251, on the regional haemodynamic effects of WIN-55212-2 or HU 210 in conscious rats
(full - 2002)

CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonism promotes remodeling and cannabinoid treatment prevents endothelial dysfunction and hypotension in rats with myocardial infarction (full - 2003)


Vasodilator actions of abnormal-cannabidiol in rat isolated small mesenteric artery (full - 2003)


Cannabinoid CB2 receptor activation reduces mouse myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: involvement of cytokine/chemokines and PMN (full - 2003)


Effects of cannabinoid receptor-2 activation on accelerated gastrointestinal transit in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats (full - 2004)


Up-Regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Is Involved in R(_)-Methanandamide-Induced Apoptotic Death of Human Neuroglioma Cells
(full - 2004)


The cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist, AM251, prolongs the survival of rats with severe acute pancreatitis. (full - 2005)


Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists cause status epilepticus-like activity in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of acquired epilepsy (full - 2006)


AM 251 produces sustained reductions in food intake and body weight that are resistant to tolerance and conditioned taste aversion (full - 2006)


Antinociceptive effect of cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212–2 in rats with a spinal cord injury (full - 2006)


Inhibition of Salivary Secretion by Activation of Cannabinoid Receptors
(full - 2006)


Cardiovascular effects of cannabinoids in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (full - 2007)


CANNABINOID-INDUCED HYPERPHAGIA: CORRELATION WITH INHIBITION OF PROOPIOMELANOCORTIN NEURONS? (full - 2007)


Cannabinoid action in the olfactory epithelium (full - 2007)


Cannabinoids Inhibit HIV-1 Gp120-Mediated Insults in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (full - 2008)


Attenuation of Experimental Autoimmune Hepatitis by Exogenous and Endogenous Cannabinoids: Involvement of Regulatory T Cells (full - 2008)


Acute hypertension reveals depressor and vasodilator effects of cannabinoids in conscious rats (full - 2008)


Activating Parabrachial Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors Selectively Stimulates Feeding of Palatable Foods in Rats (full - 2008)


Feeding induced by cannabinoids is mediated independently of the melanocortin system. (full - 2008)


Loss of cannabinoid receptor 1 accelerates intestinal tumor growth (full - 2008)


Synthetic and plant-derived cannabinoid receptor antagonists show hypophagic properties in fasted and non-fasted mice (full - 2009)


Endocannabinoids in the rat basolateral amygdala enhance memory consolidation and enable glucocorticoid modulation of memory (full - 2009)


Effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM 251 on the reinstatement of nicotine-conditioned place preference by drug priming in rats. (abst - 2009)


Spinal and peripheral analgesic effects of the CB cannabinoid receptor agonist AM1241 in two models of bone cancer-induced pain. (abst - 2010)

[Little Nemo]

Not sane or logical. It's pretty much the Republicans. :DActually, no, it isn't. Democratic politicians have often been just as eager to be seen as anti-drug as Republican politicians have. Bill Clinton, for example, expanded the "War Against Drugs" beyond what it had been under Bush and Reagan. And Barack Obama hasn't done anything about decriminalization beyond talking about the possibility.

[Marley23]

Early, heavy marijuana use can trigger schizophrenia in some people. Not sure if that would justify banning it, but something to consider.
It's something that should be kept in mind - and who knows, maybe it's a situation that would improve if the stuff were legal - but I don't think it justifies a ban.

I never said I agreed with that argument. Weed should be treated like most medicines are treated. "Marijuana is not right for everyone. Consult your doctor before beginning an OTC cannabis regimen, to discuss any health risks that may or may not occur from its use." That kind of thing
It can be used medically, but we're talking about recreational use here. Most people aren't using the stuff as a medicine.

I always "harumph" when someone starts an argument over legalizing weed because the same people never make much of a peep over the outlawing of "drugs" that are [were!] already legal like flavored cigarettes or beer with caffeine in it.
I've seen no evidence to support this.

[FarmerChuck]

just my two cents .

1. i can name more people who started on weed that tried harder stuff, which lead to harder stuff b/c one of the people in the group they smoked with wanted to try it so they went to cocaine and then acid. So i can think of more people who started with weed and got worse then started on weed and stopped

2. I have two friends who started smokeing weed in 9th grade they now have to smoke so much to get high now one of them is thinking about taking a break. Also its now almost impossible to have a conversation with either one of them... and they both forget stuff within hours of you telling them.

3. If it is made legal it will hurt the drug trade, however what if someone makes weed thats laced with something? this happens alot idk the terms but i know its laced with coc, acid, and herion often so would weed laced with stuff thats illeagal, become illeagal, and who would determine that? On this same note... this just my theroy maybe thats how weed is the gateway drug b/c people smoke stuff laced with other stuff w/o realizeing it?

4. Ok so lets let people do w/e drugs that occur natuarly i mean even beer/wine has a process to make it. Ok so lets say some idiot does herion and gets hooked... in my opinion should he void himself of any government aid if he looses said job, or developes a health condition? (this goes for weed 2 if people smoke so much that they space out they loose a job should they get unemployment?) And if you consider all that stuff people who smoke cigs, or drink 2 much should they loose any help? In my world yes.

[Marley23]

So i can think of more people who started with weed and got worse then started on weed and stopped
Most of the people I know who have smoked weed never moved on to anything else. One person's recollections don't prove anything.

2. I have two friends who started smokeing weed in 9th grade they now have to smoke so much to get high now
That's not how marijuana works. Your friends smoke more because they can afford more and want to smoke more, not because a couple of puffs don't get them high anymore. (I'm sure they can handle it better, but that's a different thing.) It's not heroin. You don't need to continually smoke more and more to get the same high.

Also its now almost impossible to have a conversation with either one of them... and they both forget stuff within hours of you telling them.
Are you sure that's because of drugs? ;)

3. If it is made legal it will hurt the drug trade, however what if someone makes weed thats laced with something?
If weed is legal and the other substance aren't, that's clearly illegal. And if we're talking about companies marketing the stuff on a national scale, they'd wind up being put out of business.

this just my theroy maybe thats how weed is the gateway drug b/c people smoke stuff laced with other stuff w/o realizeing it?
The theory is wrong, and that's not how it works, so no.

this goes for weed 2 if people smoke so much that they space out they loose a job should they get unemployment?) And if you consider all that stuff people who smoke cigs, or drink 2 much should they loose any help? In my world yes.
I don't think that's really relevant to the issue.

[Rhythmdvl]

just my two cents .

1. i can name more people who started on weed that tried harder stuff, which lead to harder stuff b/c one of the people in the group they smoked with wanted to try it so they went to cocaine and then acid. So i can think of more people who started with weed and got worse then started on weed and stopped
The number of people who have used marijuana dwarfs the number of people who have used heroin. Two (http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr4/2Usage.html)sample cites (http://www.heroinabuse.us/statistics-facts.html), but similar numbers are easy to find. What's not easy to find is credible cites that suggest heroin use is less than several orders of magnitude less than marijuana use. If you can name more people who tried heroin than smoked pot, you're hanging out with a very peculiar crowd.

Also, see posts above: you're confusing correlation with causation. More heroin users have drank milk than users who smoked pot. Milk is not a gateway drug.

You're also confusing anecdote with data.

2. I have two friends who started smokeing weed in 9th grade they now have to smoke so much to get high now one of them is thinking about taking a break. Also its now almost impossible to have a conversation with either one of them... and they both forget stuff within hours of you telling them. I have two friends who started playing video games in 9th grade they now have to play so much to fend off boredom (and spend so much on games and equipment) that one of them is taking a break. Also, they're blithering idiots who can't remember things I told them just hours ago.

But no one is claiming that there isn't the potential for abuse or for ill-adjusted people to overdo video games or The Marijuana. Also, no one is suggesting that without videogames or The Reefer our friends would be Harvard MBAs. No, they'd be idiots and headcases all the same.

3. If it is made legal it will hurt the drug trade, however what if someone makes weed thats laced with something? this happens alot idk the terms but i know its laced with coc, acid, and herion often so would weed laced with stuff thats illeagal, become illeagal, and who would determine that? On this same note... this just my theroy maybe thats how weed is the gateway drug b/c people smoke stuff laced with other stuff w/o realizeing it?
This is pretty much an urban legend, primarily because it's a waste of good drugs. It's an awful business plan--particularly if pot is legal--to add expensive, dangerous, and risky ingredients for the lulz.

Besides, what if someone makes a ham sandwich laced with something? If someone puts their coc on a sandwich before serving it to you, does that make you an addict? Why would the legality be any different?

4. Ok so lets let people do w/e drugs that occur natuarly i mean even beer/wine has a process to make it. Ok so lets say some idiot does herion and gets hooked... in my opinion should he void himself of any government aid if he looses said job, or developes a health condition? (this goes for weed 2 if people smoke so much that they space out they loose a job should they get unemployment?) And if you consider all that stuff people who smoke cigs, or drink 2 much should they loose any help? In my world yes.Yes, any form of government assistance should require regular and thorough screening for any intoxicating substances, as well as full blood work to make sure that they aren't overdoing the McDonalds or using numbers to represent words on a message board. Further, any dismissals or unfortunate circumstances should be investigated to be sure that there was no recreational substances involved. Lastly, social security and medicare should be completely scrapped because anyone who relies on it has clearly demonstrated poor judgment in the past. Besides, the purpose of most of those programs isn't to aid the needy; it's to enforce the morality of the populace and to ensure that only those deserving of help receive it.

[WhyNot]

I always "harumph" when someone starts an argument over legalizing weed because the same people never make much of a peep over the outlawing of "drugs" that are [were!] already legal like flavored cigarettes or beer with caffeine in it. You paid no attention to the banning of those (heavily regulated) products being outlawed when they were up for review (and their prohibition signed into law by your savior Barrack Obama) so why should anyone pay attention to the drug you care about? Whats sauce for the goose is.................! Right?

I'm against the banning of flavored cigarettes because it's stupid and only marginally in favor of the banning of prepackaged alcohol/caffeine combination because the combination of alcohol and caffeine can easily kill people. So do I get to play or not?

And I am concerned about the link - which does appear to be causative in genetically predisposed individuals - between marijuana and schizophrenia. I'm also concerned about the link between processed foods and obesity. These are public health concerns, but not reasons to ban either marijuana or Twinkies.

[Ludovic]

I always "harumph" when someone starts an argument over legalizing weed because the same people never make much of a peep over the outlawing of "drugs" that are [were!] already legal like flavored cigarettes or beer with caffeine in it. You paid no attention to the banning of those (heavily regulated) products being outlawed when they were up for review (and their prohibition signed into law by your savior Barrack Obama) so why should anyone pay attention to the drug you care about? Whats sauce for the goose is.................! Right?
This is like the argument that until we solve world hunger we're not allow to pit kicking puppies. Of course there are some people who don't care if harder drugs are outlawed, or, in another "gotcha ya!" "hypocrite" hallmark, didn't even know about the regulations in the first place, but there are at least two in this thread so far who do.

Make it three.

[Rhythmdvl]

This is like the argument that until we solve world hunger we're not allow to pit kicking puppies. Of course there are some people who don't care if harder drugs are outlawed, or, in another "gotcha ya!" "hypocrite" hallmark, didn't even know about the regulations in the first place, but there are at least two in this thread so far who do.

Make it three.

I didn't think his argument applied to me because unlike marijuana, nicotine is highly addictive and the primary demographic target market for flavored cigarettes was young people.

That and because Barak Obama is not my savior.

[Mr Smashy]

Is driving while stoned as bad as driving while drunk? If you get into an accident, you can be tested if you've had something to drink that night. There isn't a similar test to see if you've used marijuana recently. THC can show up for at least a several weeks after smoking.

This is the real problem with legalization of MJ. The OP said

After all marijuana poses less of a threat to others than tobacco.

I think only the whackjobs will argue that driving while stoned is actually safer than driving while smoking a Marlboro, at least for a big segment of the population.

And just by way of disclosure, personally I don't see justification for making *any* drug illegal, at least not at the federal level. If it's not in the constitution, they shouldn't be doing it.

[Marley23]

This is the real problem with legalization of MJ.
That was dealt with earlier in the thread. There is a test.

I think only the whackjobs will argue that driving while stoned is actually safer than driving while smoking a Marlboro, at least for a big segment of the population.
I'm sure it's less safe than driving while smoking a cigarette and safer than driving drunk. And if it's legal to drink but illegal to drive drunk, you can do the same for driving while high.

[DrFidelius]

Seriously is there any logical or sane reason why marijuana should be banned while tobacco and alcohol are legal? After all marijuana poses less of a threat to others than tobacco.

Two wrongs do not make a right. Just because other things are legal and dangerous to the individual and soceity it does not automatically follow that there is any reason to legalize a third substance of (alledgedly) lesser danger.

[Annie-Xmas]

I don't see ow weed can be any worse than many of the psychtopic drugs that are now legal. Because people can grow it on their own, it's also very hard to regulate.

Marijuana does have its medical uses, and should be recognized as such. As recreational drugs go, it is definitely not the worse.

[Marley23]

Two wrongs do not make a right.
Then again, rationality is a virtue in public policy.

[DrFidelius]

Then again, rationality is a virtue in public policy.

Agreed. I was justifying the current ban on pot, not stating my personal opnion.

I have been of the "legalize and tax it" group since the 1970s.

[Mr Smashy]

I'm sure it's less safe than driving while smoking a cigarette and safer than driving drunk. And if it's legal to drink but illegal to drive drunk, you can do the same for driving while high.

Let's focus on what the OP said, rather than changing the argument to create a strawman. No reasonable person would suggest that drunk driving is safer than almost anything (except maybe driving while blind, asleep, etc).

But the OP's quote was "After all marijuana poses less of a threat to others than tobacco"

[Rhythmdvl]

No reasonable person would suggest that drunk driving is safer than almost anything (except maybe driving while blind, asleep, etc).

Heh, you should post that to the Common Misconceptions (http://boardstest.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=607764)thread. You might be surprised. :(

[Boyo Jim]

Also, there is the "Gateway Drug" argument, which states that once a person gets a hold of marijuana, after some time, they'll grow bored of it, and turn to other, more dangerous drugs to get that feel-good rush of endorphines.

To me, pot was indeed a gateway to a more dangerous drug - cigarettes. I never smoked cigs until there was a dry spell of no pot available, and I bought cigs because they got me high. A different kind of high, and one that faded away in pretty short order, but by then I was hooked.

I never had any problem going for long periods without pot, but I was hooked on cigs for 20 some years.

[Marley23]

Let's focus on what the OP said, rather than changing the argument to create a strawman.
I responded to your comment and did not attribute a strawman argument to you.

But the OP's quote was "After all marijuana poses less of a threat to others than tobacco"
Perhaps he was discussing second hald smoke or comparing the risk of birth defects.

[gonzomax]

I caught part of Dr. Drew the other day when he was saying Marijuana was addictive. His claim was the more powerful strains of today are addictive physically and emotionally. He was, as always, very sure of his stance.
I am for the legalization and decriminalization. Prohibition is a failure. It corrupts the cops, the judicial system and the politicians. There is big money at the top of the weed pyramid, but society is not collecting the taxes for it. Instead we spend billions fighting it and clearly losing.

[Rhythmdvl]

His claim was the more powerful strains of today are addictive physically and emotionally. That doesn't jibe with experience. Whether it was 25 years ago or last week, there's always been a correlation between potency, method, and amount consumed. Pot doesn't affect your judgment the same way alcohol does, and it doesn't leap out and surprise you like heroin.

There's also a strong correlation between quality and price. Does that mean that a bunch of rich kids with good connections in the 60s, 70s, and 80s were getting physically and emotionally addicted? The claim strikes me as out of touch fear-mongering.



My friend wants you to know.

[Captain Amazing]

Isn't part of the problem with comparing marijuana, on the one hand, to tobacco and alcohol on the other that tobacco and alcohol use are much more tied into our society and culture than marijuana use? So, you could argue that, if tobacco and alcohol were discovered today, they would be made illegal based on just the health risks, but they're sort of "grandfathered in", because smoking and drinking are socially acceptable in the way that marijuana isn't? And, I'd argue with tobacco, that social acceptability is starting to go away. It's getting more and more expensive to buy cigarettes, and harder and harder to find places where it's ok to smoke.

[pkbites]

I always "harumph" when someone starts an argument over legalizing weed because the same people never make much of a peep over the outlawing of "drugs" that are [were!] already legal like flavored cigarettes or beer with caffeine in it.


I've seen no evidence to support this.


Then you haven't paid attention to other threads about the banning of such products.

[Boyo Jim]

First they came after the cigarettes, but I didn't speak because I don't smoke.

Then they came for the alcohol, but I didn't speak because I don't drink.

Then they came for the firearms....

You know, there being an ATF bureau, all three will happen sooner or later. :p

[Invisible Chimp]

Isn't part of the problem with comparing marijuana, on the one hand, to tobacco and alcohol on the other that tobacco and alcohol use are much more tied into our society and culture than marijuana use? So, you could argue that, if tobacco and alcohol were discovered today, they would be made illegal based on just the health risks, but they're sort of "grandfathered in", because smoking and drinking are socially acceptable in the way that marijuana isn't? And, I'd argue with tobacco, that social acceptability is starting to go away. It's getting more and more expensive to buy cigarettes, and harder and harder to find places where it's ok to smoke.

I would say marijuana is plenty part of our society and culture, but it's an underground culture. It's all very wink-wink, nudge-nudge. Stoner movies, Clinton's "I didn't inhale," 420, etc. It's all around us. You can't say the same for the other illegal drugs.

I wouldn't say alcohol was grandfathered in. It was made illegal because people saw the dangers. Then they saw the dangers of Prohibition were worse. Strangely, TPTB don't recognize the parallels to today's prohibition.

With regards to tobacco, I am reminded of the beginning of Pulp Fiction, where Jules tells Vincent that pot in Amsterdam is legal, but ain't 100% legal. So I feel it is with cigarettes in America today.

[TriPolar]

There is a good reason to make marijuna illegal. It's more fun to smoke it when it is.

[Marley23]

Then you haven't paid attention to other threads about the banning of such products.
I have. Of course "much of a peep" is sufficiently vague that it can mean whatever you think it means - "never make a peep" would be wrong on the face of it - but what I've seen on the board is that a lot of people here think smoking is disgusting but don't like the increasing restrictions on what adults can choose to do. It's the same with laws relating to things like trans fats.

[Captain Amazing]

I wouldn't say alcohol was grandfathered in. It was made illegal because people saw the dangers. Then they saw the dangers of Prohibition were worse. Strangely, TPTB don't recognize the parallels to today's prohibition.


Alcohol was made illegal after it had been in common use since the beginning of the country, and in the cultures that made up American culture for thousands of years before that. Prohibition failed because alcohol use was so fundamentally a part of people's experience that banning it was largely futile.

Marijuana isn't a part of American life to that extent. Its use is winked at by a lot of people because it's not seen as particularly hazardous, and there's a culture that developed around it, but there's an underground subculture that's developed around a lot of other illegal drugs. There's a heroin subculture, and a meth subculture, and a cocaine subculture, and a definite crack subculture. None of those are as visible in society as the pot subculture, just because the use of those drugs aren't as tolerated by the entire society.

[gonzomax]

That doesn't jibe with experience. Whether it was 25 years ago or last week, there's always been a correlation between potency, method, and amount consumed. Pot doesn't affect your judgment the same way alcohol does, and it doesn't leap out and surprise you like heroin.

There's also a strong correlation between quality and price. Does that mean that a bunch of rich kids with good connections in the 60s, 70s, and 80s were getting physically and emotionally addicted? The claim strikes me as out of touch fear-mongering.



My friend wants you to know.

That is what Dr. Drew said. The thread was is there anyone who can justify banning weed? Dr. Drew can.
I am for the legalization.

[Markxxx]

If you want an answer it's simple. Alcohol and cigarettes DO CAUSE issues and lots and lots of them.

Thus the answer follows, since we already have two LEGAL things that cause harm, why add anymore?

[Clothahump]

Is driving while stoned as bad as driving while drunk?
Yes. Impaired is impaired, whether from booze, weed, or texting. The people you kill are just as dead.

[Rhythmdvl]

That is what Dr. Drew said. The thread was is there anyone who can justify banning weed? Dr. Drew can.
I am for the legalization.I'm sorry, but because you mentioned him board rules dictate that I ascribe his entire position to you, make up some extra straw men arguments, and continue to argue with you about how wrong he is (while conflating his opinion and yours). I also must tell you what you really mean no matter how much you try and explain. You know, board rules and all. Oh, I think elevating it to close-to-the-line insults is expected, but not mandated.

Yes. Impaired is impaired, whether from booze, weed, or texting. The people you kill are just as dead.Not that I have any interest in defending chuckleheads who drive impaired, but I think the question was about relative impact on driving ability. That is, if one had no choice but to accept a ride from an impaired someone (say there's a hypothetical-defining emergency and no one around is sober), the person who smoked a joint is preferable to someone who is drunk, who is preferable to someone on acid. Clearly relative levels of intoxication can come into play (five bong hits v. two beers), but the correct answer is that you want to get home quickly so you hop in the car with the coked-up hedge fund manager.

[Malthus]

Isn't part of the problem with comparing marijuana, on the one hand, to tobacco and alcohol on the other that tobacco and alcohol use are much more tied into our society and culture than marijuana use? So, you could argue that, if tobacco and alcohol were discovered today, they would be made illegal based on just the health risks, but they're sort of "grandfathered in", because smoking and drinking are socially acceptable in the way that marijuana isn't? And, I'd argue with tobacco, that social acceptability is starting to go away. It's getting more and more expensive to buy cigarettes, and harder and harder to find places where it's ok to smoke.

It is clear from the history of drug and alcohol regulation that what determines the legal status of recreational drugs is some nexus between the harm that these products do and the social history of these products in our culture, with the latter far, far outweighing the former - which explains why cigarettes were never illegal (and the gradual social rejection of smoking is marching hand-in-hand with tightening regulation) and the attempt to outlaw recreational booze failed so miserably.

However ... I'm not sure how one gets from that description to a normative argument.

[Miller]

I always "harumph" when someone starts an argument over legalizing weed because the same people never make much of a peep over the outlawing of "drugs" that are [were!] already legal like flavored cigarettes or beer with caffeine in it. You paid no attention to the banning of those (heavily regulated) products being outlawed when they were up for review (and their prohibition signed into law by your savior Barrack Obama) so why should anyone pay attention to the drug you care about? Whats sauce for the goose is.................! Right?

I think those bans are stupid, too. But we're not pissing away millions and millions of dollars trying to keep Fruit Flavored Marlboros off the streets, or locking up people for decades because they poured a shot of Anchorsteam in their venti mochachino. If we ever start doing either of those things, I'll complain as loudly about those laws as I do about marijuana laws.

[LouisB]

and they both forget stuff within hours of you telling them. I do this and I haven't smoked dope in forty years. I think it's forty years, I can't remember anything anymore.

[Capitaine Zombie]

To me, pot was indeed a gateway to a more dangerous drug - cigarettes. I never smoked cigs until there was a dry spell of no pot available, and I bought cigs because they got me high. A different kind of high, and one that faded away in pretty short order, but by then I was hooked.

I never had any problem going for long periods without pot, but I was hooked on cigs for 20 some years.

I could sign this post.

[fusoya]

Reason enough to keep it illegal - legalizing it will please all of those "LEGALIZE IT, MAN" idiots. I seriously can't stand those people. If you want to get it legalized, put down the bong and put together an actual adult referendum. Nobody's gonna listen to a burnout wanna-be hippie who probably wasn't even alive in the 60s.

I wonder if the tobacco companies have a plan to make a marijuana cigarette that will include addictive chemicals? Surely in this day and age, that's something that would have to be disclosed, and who in their right mind would choose to buy the addictive recipe over the natural recipe? Ooooh I get it. Charge a tenth as much for the addictive version! Get stoned for less money!

Anyway, most of the other actual arguments against it are bullshit. The only gatewaying I ever did was from marijuana to LSD, and I stopped with the former when I discovered the latter. And I have no desire or interest to move on to anything else. And guess what, I can go MONTHS between trips with no ill side effects, and once I put down the weed, I had no withdrawal symptoms at all, because THEY AREN'T ADDICTIVE. Addictiveness and health dangers are the two big factors that should go into making something illegal, and both are minimal (less so with LSD, since it's a psychedelic where you REALLY need to know what you're doing to avoid mental implications, but it isn't gonna directly give you a heart attack)

Honestly, the #1 reason I DO want to see it legalized is because then the schools are going to have a much harder time flat out LYING to the students about the actual dangers vs their scare tactics. We were taught in health classes that potheads die from marijuana overdoses all the time, and quite often newcomers can die from heart failure on their very first joint. And I actually believed that stuff until halfway through college. Sure, it kept me off the grass (that and my severe intolerance for smoke), but that's no way to be educating us. If I ever ran into my high school's health teacher, it would take some serious restraint to stop me from punching her in the jaw. Oh yeah, and all the stories about the evil people who use Bart Simpson blotter paper and try to convince kids that their LSD is actually lick on tattoos? That didn't even make SENSE.....

[Marley23]

Reason enough to keep it illegal - legalizing it will please all of those "LEGALIZE IT, MAN" idiots. I seriously can't stand those people. If you want to get it legalized, put down the bong and put together an actual adult referendum. Nobody's gonna listen to a burnout wanna-be hippie who probably wasn't even alive in the 60s.
DUDE! You made a strawman out of hemp!

:rolleyes:

[Try2B Comprehensive]

Yes. Impaired is impaired, whether from booze, weed, or texting. The people you kill are just as dead.

Hear, hear! Safety first. No toking and driving, everybody.



Still- legalize it.

[Sitnam]

Legalize pot? We're approaching illegalizing cigarettes.

I don't know what would happen if I didn't have the government to tell me what to do with my body.

[Miller]

Reason enough to keep it illegal - legalizing it will please all of those "LEGALIZE IT, MAN" idiots. I seriously can't stand those people.

Reason to legalize it: all those hippies will finally shut the fuck up about legalizing it.

[Farmer Jane]

You can't "drive while high" in Colorado. It's covered under the 'driving while stupid' law. (You can't be under the influence of anything that impairs your ability to drive.)

Yeah, people have been going to court for that one. Cops pull you over, you smell like a stoner, awesome. you iz screwed.

Anyway, if we completely decriminalize pot, then the good pot will just get more expensive in dispensaries and the crappy stuff will be the affordable bit. unless you get it elsewhere. ;)

seriously though? MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

what
a
joke

hahahaha. walk past a dispensary and they'll have weed cupcakes, pizza, green cheesecake, etc. add that to the weird trend of chiropractors suddenly helping you apply for a license and it seems pretty shady.

it's not helping the legalize marijuana process. we had legalized medical marijuana in 2000 but it was hard to access. i voted for decriminalization in 04 but the rest of the state didn't. denver approved 'small amounts'.

now medical marijuana is a BUSINESS in colorado since the court lifted some restrictions.

[Farmer Jane]

Legalize pot? We're approaching illegalizing cigarettes.

I don't know what would happen if I didn't have the government to tell me what to do with my body.

heh. maybe we should just prohibit cigarette smokers to be banned from public medical assistance. ;)

[aruvqan]

You can't "drive while high" in Colorado. It's covered under the 'driving while stupid' law. (You can't be under the influence of anything that impairs your ability to drive.)

Yeah, people have been going to court for that one. Cops pull you over, you smell like a stoner, awesome. you iz screwed.

Anyway, if we completely decriminalize pot, then the good pot will just get more expensive in dispensaries and the crappy stuff will be the affordable bit. unless you get it elsewhere. ;)

seriously though? MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

what
a
joke

hahahaha. walk past a dispensary and they'll have weed cupcakes, pizza, green cheesecake, etc. add that to the weird trend of chiropractors suddenly helping you apply for a license and it seems pretty shady.

it's not helping the legalize marijuana process. we had legalized medical marijuana in 2000 but it was hard to access. i voted for decriminalization in 04 but the rest of the state didn't. denver approved 'small amounts'.

now medical marijuana is a BUSINESS in colorado since the court lifted some restrictions.

Actually edibles are better for MMJ patients, slower uptake and longer effects. Better pain control [sort of why a time release pain med is better than all at once.] Eating and vaporizing are better for you than smoking, and a majority of MMJ patients prefer not to smoke.

[Marley23]

Seriously though? MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

what
a
joke

hahahaha.
That would probably not happen if the stuff were legal.

[gonzomax]

Legalize pot? We're approaching illegalizing cigarettes.

I don't know what would happen if I didn't have the government to tell me what to do with my body.

We are? I know of nobody suggesting that. Just smoke away from others and few care.
The government had informed you of the health risks to you and the people around you. That is not telling you to do anything. Hell we tax cigarettes and give the growers tax breaks. That is what we should do with weed.
Can you imagine the people getting involved in the illegal cigarette trade? IT would be like weed and heroine.

[Farmer Jane]

That would probably not happen if the stuff were legal.

No more than alcohol campaigns during the Super Bowl, I'm sure. But as it stands, the proponents of decriminalization across the board aren't making a very good case for themselves if they turn the benefits (or lack of deficits) of marijuana use into a stoner joke.

[Farmer Jane]

Actually edibles are better for MMJ patients, slower uptake and longer effects. Better pain control [sort of why a time release pain med is better than all at once.] Eating and vaporizing are better for you than smoking, and a majority of MMJ patients prefer not to smoke.


Right. But playing on pothead stereotypes isn't the same as edibles for cancer patients.

When your mmj patients go from 2k to 60k, it makes officials do this: :dubious:

[gonzomax]

I am old and smoked dope many years ago. I did not get it. it just made me sleepy.
I have heard that the new strains are different in that regard. Is that true?

[Invisible Chimp]

I am old and smoked dope many years ago. I did not get it. it just made me sleepy.
I have heard that the new strains are different in that regard. Is that true?

I'm only 32. I've only smoked a few times. I assume I smoked newer strains than you. All it did was make me sleepy. I think the effects vary more by the person than what strain is smoked.

Even though I don't smoke, I am still for legalization. I don't think anyone has come up with a good argument against it yet.

[GreasyJack]

Right. But playing on pothead stereotypes isn't the same as edibles for cancer patients.

When your mmj patients go from 2k to 60k, it makes officials do this: :dubious:

What happened is that last year the Obama administration ordered the feds to stop prosecuting people who are in compliance with their state's medical marijuana laws. Before this, it was a big grey area where you could still get prosecuted by federal authorities, so medical marijuana was still quasai-underground.

Now that there's virtually no chance of getting prosecuted for it if you comply with the laws, I don't think it's surprising at all that significantly more people are taking advantage. Sure, there's some abuse, but it does help a great number of people. It's certainly no worse than the rarely-mentioned abuse of other prescription painkillers.

[aruvqan]

What happened is that last year the Obama administration ordered the feds to stop prosecuting people who are in compliance with their state's medical marijuana laws. Before this, it was a big grey area where you could still get prosecuted by federal authorities, so medical marijuana was still quasai-underground.

Now that there's virtually no chance of getting prosecuted for it if you comply with the laws, I don't think it's surprising at all that significantly more people are taking advantage. Sure, there's some abuse, but it does help a great number of people. It's certainly no worse than the rarely-mentioned abuse of other prescription painkillers.

Except the DEA is still nailing people following the law ... and Arizona has come up with such restrictive laws it is almost impossible to legally start a dispensary [you have 60 days from getting the OK to be open and selling product, but you cant buy product from anybody - either you have to grow it yourself or it has to be donated ... and the shortest time between seed and harvest is 8 weeks, and it still takes another month to dry and properly cure the herb on one that is specifically created to have such a short growing time. And I bet good old Sheriff Joe will keep on arresting people anyway, and handing them over to the feds ... laws be fucked.]

[Farmer Jane]

What happened is that last year the Obama administration ordered the feds to stop prosecuting people who are in compliance with their state's medical marijuana laws. Before this, it was a big grey area where you could still get prosecuted by federal authorities, so medical marijuana was still quasai-underground.

Now that there's virtually no chance of getting prosecuted for it if you comply with the laws, I don't think it's surprising at all that significantly more people are taking advantage. Sure, there's some abuse, but it does help a great number of people. It's certainly no worse than the rarely-mentioned abuse of other prescription painkillers.

It was mostly the CO courts, but yes, that too. State legislators did this: :eek: and then: :dubious: :eek::eek: when dispensaries popped up all over metro Denver and their medical marijuana card applications went through roof over the year. And of course, things like pot awards and festivals...er...conventions. So they've started regulating it a lot more.

eta: so for people who legitimately could use mmj, they'll need an ongoing specialist, a lot of paperwork, some $$ to get the license, some $$ to get a provider (aka dispensary) and pay $50 for 1/8.

dude, may as well keep paying $8/mo for your vicodin.