Mary Jane

[mikeyg]

Why is pot considered to be so bad?  I mean, it doesn't have nearly as negative long term affects as tabacco and alcohol, so why are people so against it?  Not to mention, who is the government to tell me what and what not to do with my body?

[Siberian Husky]

its not only the government..it just seems morally wrong to intake such an unnecessary stimulant...but this is solely my opinion..i am not biased to those who endulge in this sort of behavior..i only see this as a vice if you are significantly inflicting yourself or others  mentally, emotionally, or physically...beacuse even coffee..or boxing as a sport..these are both physically inflicting things that people dont frown upon...so i have no leg to stand on if i say that its bad simply because it does harm to your body...

i personally wouldnt involve myself with someone personally or intimately if they did drugs of any kind..even smoking or drinking socially..i just dont personally approve of it...some of my friends do it...and i respect their lifestyle and do not preach to them or rub anything in their faces..and i expect the same respect in return in the form of not doing it in fornt of me or actively bringing it up in front of me...

[mikeyg]

Is it then morally wrong to take medicine to help recover from an illness?  they both serve the same purpose:  to make you feel better.

[Siberian Husky]

theres a difference...

NEEDING medicine..

and WANTING medicine...


i also frow upon takin tylenol or motrin if one doesnt NEED it..see where im coming from?

[Siberian Husky]

also i dont want this turning into some debate...it sounds like you just want my approval..or your attempting to persuade..or something..

im fine with what i believe in...i dont judge anyone for doing such things..its just a part of me being me..

[mikeyg]

I guess, but atleast you understand why it shouldn't be restricted (or I think you do atleast)

[mikeyg]

oh, and this is cute, we have the same number of posts.

[TheHammer]

Ha, agreed, allowing alcohol and cigarettes but forbidding pot is hypocritical. Also, I don't see why anyone should say me anything on how I have to live my life. It is also no point that the government wants to safe the money it would have to spent for the treatments of marijuana - cigarettes and alcohol are much more harmful, and the government does not much to reduce these number of patients (at least regarding alcohol, and at least where I live).

Plus, consider this. Government is making pot legal and also nationalises the distribution: no money wasted for cops searching for drugs, less criminals (because the state's monopol would easily swamp them out...perhaps to harder drugs, but hey, that is my fantasy here, so please), more money for the state through drug income (okay, well, let us say this money is spent for poor children or for me, or something). Hehe, that would be cool...

By the way, I neither consume alcohol, cigarettes, nor any other drugs. I completely agree with siberian husky on this point. I have no problem with people searching for the little "extra" in life with drugs - although that normally does tell me something about them - and I sympathise with their will for freedom.

[mikeyg]

perhaps someone who believes it should be illegal can explain why they feel that way.

[pianonut]

if you have the right to bear arms, you should have the right to smoke.

but, being that i do think that marijuana is addictive - i think other options should be made available to kids (other than tv, drugs, sex).  probably the option of something to do with their time.  this is a dillema for parents when they try to work and be a parent, too.  unless you have unusually disciplined kids, you usually see the path of least resistance followed.  i agree with chinese parenting.  one activity after another one, until dinner, at which time they help cook, serve, or clean up - and then get to homework.  it leaves no time for anything but sound sleep (which is what a lot of teenagers are lacking nowdays - with the invent of the computer).

exercise is a good stimulant. swim team or a sport you like.  you'll feel better about everything!  even if you just exercise for yourself (for about 1-2 hours).

[BoliverAllmon]

I think it is hypocritical. It wouldn't bother me to ban all three substances.

[mikeyg]

But why ban instead of just allow?  I mean, just because some people don't like doing things, doesn't mean those things chould be illegal.

"Oh no, Jimmy-Joe doesn't like brushing his teath.  Better make that sh*t illegal".

[pianonut]

in an odd sort of way, i agree.  when you make it illegal, people just want to do it more.  with all substance addiction, the person who is involved has to realize that they are hurting themselves and that they don't want it anymore.  it seems that if people will kill for certain drugs, it must be really addicting.  of course, if drugs come too easy, then there will be a lot more people that 'just try it' for the first time. 

i don't believe the government should decide everything.  parents should start teaching their children when they are very small about what values they have as a family.  they might be different from culture to culture, but generally the same.  no one wants their child a drug addict, sex addict, alcoholic, tv addict, whatever.  until you become a parent, you don't really understand 'freedom within limits.'  i think that's what it's all about.  giving less and less limits, until age 18, where it's pretty much their own world.  reinforcing limits is really much harder than i thought...even at younger ages.  you have to be really 'mean' when they are younger so they listen to you when you are older.  i spoiled my kids too much.  now, they just expect everything.  i try to say," look, when i was your age" - but they tune it out and want me to be nice no matter what.

tough love.  but, lots of activities to do.  you have to be mean and nice at the same time.  otherwise, your kids see right through it and feel unloved by being spoiled.  also, if all the members in a family stick together (aunts, uncles, gramma, grandpa) then everyone around the child is thinking the same thing.  unfortunately, that isn't always the way it works, and some people don't really want the extended family involved.  this is harder on kids imo.

[mikeyg]

But you have to let your kids grow into the people they are going to be.  you can't restrict/govern/own them too much.

Mistakes are the best teachers.

[dave santino]

What is it about you Americans and your attitude towards alcohol? Some of you make it out to be worse than smack or charlie, and you're all pretty uptight about it. 21 to drink? Gimme a break. You should be more like us in Europe and know how to handle your drink, and integrate it into everyday life as you would any other drink. The Puritanical attitude becomes very irritating very quickly, just so you know. As for pot, why not?! Never did me or anyone I know any harm.

[mikeyg]

I don't know.  One day soon though, we'll be rid of all these conservatives and liberals and the world will be happy.  We need more libertarians.

[BoliverAllmon]

But you have to let your kids grow into the people they are going to be.  you can't restrict/govern/own them too much.

Mistakes are the best teachers.

yeah right. you have to govern your children otherwise they live in prison.

[dave santino]

yeah right. you have to govern your children otherwise they live in prison.

Children shouldn't be "governed", they aren't subjects of your little principality, they're human beings, and if you have to do anything to them, you should try to guide them, whilst allowing them to find their own way of doing things. If a kid wants to try pot, let them, let them see if they like it, and if they do, so what? It'd be different with something harder, say heroin, but pot is harmless in the long run. Loosen up.

[Siberian Husky]

exactly..you cant rely on the by product from the mistake's experience to properly direct someone...some mistakes simply cant be undone...

for instance..

i ordered an extra large stuffed crust pizza..but i HATE the cheese stuffed crust..i was intending on having the sauce stuffed crust//but it slipped my mind and didndt specify which stuffed crust i wanted so i suppose the guy assumed i wanted the stuffed cheese...

well 15 minutes pass and i get my pizza...to my horrible surpise it was stuffed cheese...

this was by far the worste mistake i have ever done..and i couldnt just walk back and return a whole extra large pizza because i forgot to specify the type of crust stuffing...

twas a horrible night the rest of the evening..this pizza was the first of many unfortunate events...when i opened the stuffed cheese pizza box once i arrived home, i knew then and there i had been cursed as lighting struck and sizzled my newly pirchased spongebob collection boxers that had been hung up to dry on the laundry line out back...my mouth became stale..dry..with a taste of death in the air...at this specific moment..i knew i would dread everybite of this pizza...okay well maybe just the crust bites..but whatever shut up im tryna be super emo-dramatic cause im bored at home...

i salivated no more, the bread and cheese morsals entered my mouth at a stalling rate...it seemed as if the pizza itself knew its company wasnt welcomed in my home...the pizza took on a persona of its own, as it began to perform snippets of interpretive dance themes from the hit movie "A Journey Through The Circle,"....

the italian pie and i lost all connection..the potentiallove that was to be circulating between us was long dead, there was no connection and i knew it was time to let go, there was no use in my leading this pizza on, there was no future for us, i couldnt bare to think of digesting such a wrong treat...so wrong for me..so tainted...so...cheesy...

i walked up to the pizza in its 3rd act of the interpretive dance...

i says to the pizza..i says.."Look..Mr Pizza Pie"
Pizza: "oh you can just call me Antonio"
Me: "well,..Antonio..as you may have noticed..my interest in you has far died once i purchased you at the pizza shop for only 11.99 because of that coupon i saved."
Pizza: "im not understanding...."
Me: "well its just not the same with you...your just not..the right one..do you understand now?"
Pizza: "what exactly are you trying to say here???"
Me: "look..i dont think we can be..its just..not the right time"
Pizza: *GASP!!*
Me: "Its not you..its me..really..im just..i cant handle so much cheese.."
Pizza: " oh is it because im not saucy like all those other permiscuous slutty pizzas! IS THAT IT! HUH!!?"
Me: "well its not that they are slutty, they just satisfy me better.."
Pizza: *SLAP* "HOW DARE YOU!!..i cook.and clean..and feed you!..and this is what you give me?!?..i dress nice for you with the propper toppings everyday!..and you havnt touched me in MONTHS!"
Me: "im sorry...its just the way things are..no hard feelings"
Pizza" No hard feelings my @$$!..im going to my mothers!..and taking little Dominic with me!!..i'll see you in court jack @$$"
.............


and this people..is the story of my life...

someone..quick..play the violin..

[BoliverAllmon]

Children shouldn't be "governed", they aren't subjects of your little principality, they're human beings, and if you have to do anything to them, you should try to guide them, whilst allowing them to find their own way of doing things. If a kid wants to try pot, let them, let them see if they like it, and if they do, so what? It'd be different with something harder, say heroin, but pot is harmless in the long run. Loosen up.

do you even have kids? pot can easily lead to heroin. maybe govern was a harsh word for you, but you have to guide and direct your kids. You have to show them right from wrong. You have to tell them that certain things are inappropriate and not exceptable.

[mikeyg]

The use of herione only comes about as the result of the druggie subculture which accures because marijuana is illegal.

[BoliverAllmon]

I have heard that argument before. Don't know if I agree, but have heard it.

[Bob]

(singing) "Spiderman!  Spi....    (stops abruptly)


"Oh..."


Bob, feeling foolish now, tries to leave quietly without being seen.

[bernhard]

perhaps someone who believes it should be illegal can explain why they feel that way.

Some opinions against making marijuana legal.

“Marijuana legal? Get out of here!”
(I am a drug dealer. I have no education, no skills to contribute to society, and if I had to get an honest job my life would be real tough. Thanks to marijuana being illegal I live in a nice penthouse, I have two Porsches and a huge retirement pension. Make it legal and the system soon will start asking of qualifications and who know what else. I would out of the market! I might even have to pay tax!)

“I believe marijuana should be and remain illegal. Users and dealers should face the heaviest penalties on the book.”
(I am a corrupt policeman and if marijuana was ever to become legal I would loose a major part of my income)

“I believe marijuana could be legalised in let us say five years, bur for now it is better if it remains illegal.”
(I am the CEO of a big tobacco company. Being much nicer, marijuana would be an unfair competitor to our products, already under severe persecution. However, in five years time our research team will have a viable commercial strain of marijuana to drop in the market and make a killing – then we might even lobby for its legalisation).

When faced with unreasonable and illogical situations, always ask: Who is profiting?


 

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[bernhard]

in an odd sort of way, i agree.  when you make it illegal, people just want to do it more.  with all substance addiction, the person who is involved has to realize that they are hurting themselves and that they don't want it anymore.  it seems that if people will kill for certain drugs, it must be really addicting.  of course, if drugs come too easy, then there will be a lot more people that 'just try it' for the first time. 

i don't believe the government should decide everything.  parents should start teaching their children when they are very small about what values they have as a family.  they might be different from culture to culture, but generally the same.  no one wants their child a drug addict, sex addict, alcoholic, tv addict, whatever.  until you become a parent, you don't really understand 'freedom within limits.'  i think that's what it's all about.  giving less and less limits, until age 18, where it's pretty much their own world.  reinforcing limits is really much harder than i thought...even at younger ages.  you have to be really 'mean' when they are younger so they listen to you when you are older.  i spoiled my kids too much.  now, they just expect everything.  i try to say," look, when i was your age" - but they tune it out and want me to be nice no matter what.

tough love.  but, lots of activities to do.  you have to be mean and nice at the same time.  otherwise, your kids see right through it and feel unloved by being spoiled.  also, if all the members in a family stick together (aunts, uncles, gramma, grandpa) then everyone around the child is thinking the same thing.  unfortunately, that isn't always the way it works, and some people don't really want the extended family involved.  this is harder on kids imo.

Yes, but the problem is that the same reasoning cam be applied to pretty much anything. For instance, would you support a ban on sugar and chocolate?(two substances that are far more addictive and bad for you) Waht about TV?

And what about context?

Best wishes,
Benrhard.

(who does not touch sugar or chocolate since he figured out it is bad for you).

[gorbee natcase]

curiosity never killed the cat,just got it stoned

I don't know. One day soon though, we'll be rid of all these conservatives and liberals and the world will be happy. We need more libertarians.

     and librarians lol

[greyrune]

do you even have kids? pot can easily lead to heroin. maybe govern was a harsh word for you, but you have to guide and direct your kids. You have to show them right from wrong. You have to tell them that certain things are inappropriate and not exceptable.

Pot leads to heroin??? Yeah most, heroin users smoked weed before moving on, but i can pretty much guarantee they all drank and smoked tobacco as well, do these lead to heroin too?  They've probably all tried a saucy stuffed crust pizza, this too must lead to heroin use.  Most stoners are perfectly happy with weed, in fact the majority that i know who smoked every day (it's not that uncommon, most of the stoners you knew in school did it even if you didn't know) would never ever touch another drug.  The fact that it's illegal might nake the draw towards other drugs slightly but i don't think it's a big factor.  If you are the type of person who's going to get into hard drugs then of course weed'll be your first step but if it wasn't there you would have started with shrooms instead.

Legalising is a great idea though.  Governments are always looking for more money without raising income tax, legalise weed and tax it heavier that tobacco.  Instant millions right there.  Smoking might become a cultural thing like drinking and as a moderately used, social drug it's far less destructive to scoiety and no worse to the person in question.  Yes there will be people who start to smoke properly but as a legal drug they'll get over this stage pretty soon.  Look at holland, most kids i know from there who smoked weed (and it's by no means all of them, just because it's legal doesn't mean everyone goes out and does it) did it quite a lot from about 14 or 15 to about 16 or 17 then pretty much stopped.  Whereas in Belgium, which was where i was smoking weed, i quit before i moved to england, the ones who smoked started at the same age but most are still now smoking at 19 or 20, there's a sub culture which would be destroyed with legalisation.  It's like tobacco, everyone who does it wishes they didn't, it would become the same with stoners.  Anyway it wouldn't hurt anyone except those doing and it's so rediculously easy to get hold of it might as well be legal.

[BoliverAllmon]

people who get involved with pot start to hang around people who sell pot and possibly sell other harder drugs. They therefore are exposed to these drugs.