# Pitting the Straight Dope **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 16, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841 "2006-04-16T02:03:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Orange\_Blossom\_Special](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/df788c/32.png) [@Orange\_Blossom\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orange_Blossom_Special)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/1 "2006-04-16T02:03:33Z")
Why does the registration agreement say that discussion of illegal drugs isn’t allowed, but at the same time there can be [a Cecil adams report on the front page](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060414.html) explaining how marijuana probably isn’t that bad for you? Hypocrites. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/2 "2006-04-16T02:05:37Z")
Were you under the delusion that the forum mods had any power whatsoever over Mr Adams’ columns ? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/3 "2006-04-16T02:10:06Z")
Besides, we’ve had _tons_ of discussions on the physiologic effects of all sorts of licit and illicit drugs over the years. What gets locked down are questions about how to grow or obtain the stuff, how to get higher off of it, and similar. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/4 "2006-04-16T02:11:09Z")
Sonce when is discussion not allowed? There have been hundreds of threads on leaglization of various drugs and on the effects they have on a person who uses them. What’s not allowed is suggestions for usage. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable policy. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/5 "2006-04-16T02:14:04Z")
Besides that, the registration agreement doesn’t say any such thing, and the posting guidelines say: > [@](#): > > Illegal (in the USA) Drugs - You are allowed discussion of the effects of drugs, but do not discuss where to buy them. Limited discussion of past use of drugs is OK, discussion of current use is not. Please include a disclaimer that the drug is illegal in the US. Reasonable policy. The Reader doesn’t want to be liable if someone suggests that you absolutely have to see such-and-such movie under the influence of such-and-such substance and that said substance can be had from Vinnie the Heel who does business at the corner of 16th and Main, or be in the line of fire if we have a “[told you I was hardcore](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=I+told+you+I+was+hardcore)” type thread. Geez, with that thread title I thought they went and retconned the registration agreement after that weak “What do drugs taste like?” modding. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/6 "2006-04-16T02:18:36Z")
What we have here…is a failure…to communicate. In other words: Why can’t **OBS** read? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/7 "2006-04-16T02:27:49Z")
\*I was gonna post a reply until I got high. I was gonna post a note to the OP, but then I got high. Now the \*\*Mercotan \*\* and \*_Mudd \*\* said it all, know why? Cause I got high because I got high because I got high!_ With **Nyquil** and other cold dope remedies, don’t get me wrong. I have right now one of those colds from hell. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/8 "2006-04-16T03:25:51Z")
While we’re on this topic, how are we (and by “we”, I mean “Members who don’t live in the US”) supposed to know which drugs are legal in the US and which aren’t? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/9 "2006-04-16T03:29:58Z")
> [@Martini Enfield](#): > > While we’re on this topic, how are we (and by “we”, I mean “Members who don’t live in the US”) supposed to know which drugs are legal in the US and which aren’t? Don’t act smug, citizen. You know damn well that ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/10 "2006-04-16T03:44:29Z")
> [@Martini Enfield](#): > > While we’re on this topic, how are we (and by “we”, I mean “Members who don’t live in the US”) supposed to know which drugs are legal in the US and which aren’t? Oh, that’s easy. Alcohol and tobacco are legal. Everything else, isn’t. Just say no, kids! ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/11 "2006-04-16T03:46:06Z")
> [@Martini Enfield](#): > > While we’re on this topic, how are we (and by “we”, I mean “Members who don’t live in the US”) supposed to know which drugs are legal in the US and which aren’t? Easy. If the drug’s effects are any fun whatsoever, the US has made them illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/12 "2006-04-16T03:49:46Z")
> [@Martini Enfield](#): > > While we’re on this topic, how are we (and by “we”, I mean “Members who don’t live in the US”) supposed to know which drugs are legal in the US and which aren’t? That’s easy. If you’re unsure as to whether a drug is legal or not, simply take it down to your local police station and ask. That’s what they’re there for, y’know. ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/13 "2006-04-16T04:20:57Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > Oh, that’s easy. > Alcohol and tobacco are legal. > Everything else, isn’t. > Just say no, kids! You have criminalized ASPIRIN!?!? YOU BASTARDS!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/14 "2006-04-16T05:41:00Z")
> [@Orange Blossom Special](#): > > Why does the registration agreement say that discussion of illegal drugs isn’t allowed, but at the same time there can be [a Cecil adams report on the front page](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060414.html) explaining how marijuana probably isn’t that bad for you? Hypocrites. :rolleyes: Holy fuck. You’re the SECOND MORON to post this exact thread. It’s like you people have short-term memory loss or something. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/15 "2006-04-16T07:44:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That’s easy. If you’re unsure as to whether a drug is legal or not, simply take it down to your local police station and ask. That’s what they’re there for, y’know. And the award for missing the point goes to… ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/16 "2006-04-16T07:52:43Z")
> [@Martini Enfield](#): > > While we’re on this topic, how are we (and by “we”, I mean “Members who don’t live in the US”) supposed to know which drugs are legal in the US and which aren’t? That’s easy. If the kids are talking about using it, it’s illegal. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/17 "2006-04-16T08:21:25Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > That’s easy. If the kids are talking about using it, it’s illegal. Holy shit! Am I going to get busted for possession of pre-mixed Jim Beam and Cola? :eek: Answer ‘no’, because it’s vile… ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/18 "2006-04-16T08:27:57Z")
Meh, they ought to legalize “it”. I even feel strongly enough about it that I’d join a mass gandhi style civil disobedience protest and get arrested if there was any chance it’d make the national news and contribute towards its actual legalization. From a realistic standpoint they couldn’t imprison every weed smoker if they got organized and went out on to the streets and did it publicly. But weed smokers are naturally quite lazy… so it probably isn’t going to happen. _sigh_ Anyway, I don’t think even discussion of current use could ultimately be prosecuted. Unfortunately the government could still harrass the SDMB and convince them to stop, but I don’t think the ultimate court battles would side with the government on appeal unless there were actual discussions about drug transactions between users. I suppose the Chicago Reader can do whatever they want with their own boards but they seem to be taking a cowardly position IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/19 "2006-04-16T10:49:48Z")
I don’t really have a horse in this race, but in one respect I have to agree with the OP. Given the tempest in a teapot over Rico’s recent decision, the placing of the article on the front page just seemed more ill-timed than ill-advised. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841/20 "2006-04-16T11:19:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That’s easy. If you’re unsure as to whether a drug is legal or not, simply take it down to your local police station and ask. That’s what they’re there for, y’know. And be sure to take a good few kilos of it, you don’t want them not to have enough for testing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-straight-dope/352841.md?page=2)