Why is cannabis illegal?

[henrah]

Seriously, why? I've been completely perplexed by this for a long time, especially when thinking about how alcohol and tobacco are legal.

I'd like to know your facts and opinions on why cannabis is illegal and why it should stay illegal as there are probably many things that I'm not taking into consideration. I can sometimes be very biased and subjective when it comes to cannabis advocation, so don't be like me and please try to be as objective and unbias as possible.
Henrah

[dnephi]

Why isn't alcohol illegal when it is so bad?  Why is tobacco legal if it kills many people and drains money from the economy?  Those are some questions that personally I have to the converse of your question, with a certainty that cannabis should also be illegal.

Drugs are bad, mmkay?

[xhunterjx]

In my opinion, any substance that alters your mind, the way you feel, or your health should be illegal.

[prometheus]

Including caffeine?

There's no good reason for why cannabis is illegal.

Actually, here it is semi-legal and it will probably be legal soon.


Why isn't tobacco illegal. Because tobacco is made by multinationals that have strong lobby's. Same with alcohol.

When tobacco companies try to dump their product in the third world because western people have gotten too smart to use tobacco then third world countries try to refuse to allow tabacco. But then the WTO gets angry because they see this as trade restrictions.

When farmers in Colombia produce normal products the western world won't pay for it. So they produce cocaine because the western world is willing to pay for that. But then the US sends their army after these farmers, destroying their crops with chemical weapons.

[xhunterjx]

yes, quite possibly including caffeine.

I agree that cannabis is better for you than alcohol and tobacco, but why would you want to alter your mind?

If that is not enough, can people atleast respect the laws their countries have set rather than trying to fight it?

[prometheus]

Eating McDonalds influences your health in a negative way ( I think you meant to include that last bit, surely you don't want to ban things that influence your health in a positive way?), so would you ban McDonalds?

[henrah]

It's not about fighting the laws, it's not about rebelling. Though that is what's happening in essence, it's not the reason for it. It's because we (cannabis smokers) think that the law against cannabis is silly and unjust. Would you ask women in the early 1800's to respect the law and not rebel against it for equality?

I think - and mind this is only my own opinion - the reason why drugs (this time I'm referring to the illegal variety) are illegal is because of their detrimental properties and the extent to which they are detrimental. Obviously speed and heroin are extremely detrimental (thus illegal) because A) their effects (altering the state of mind) last a long time, and B) they are physically addictive. Now, alcohol and tobacco (or more specifically: nicotine) are also physically addictive, and their effects can last a long time (alcohol especially); yet they are legal. Salvia Divinorum is completely legal, and I think the reason for that is that it's effects only last for 10minutes or less. This means that even though your state or reality is altered, it is only for a short while, and the after effects diminish extremely quickly. Salvia being legal leads me to believe why most illegal drugs are illegal: because of the length of their effects and how detrimental they are.

There have always (since it was known that it was detrimental) been anti-smoking advertisements, and the effects are well documented, yet it's still legal. There are clinics setup all over the world to help those addicted to alcohol and cigarettes, and this is because they are physically addictive (to the best of my knowledge with tobacco, definately with alcohol). Cannabis is only psychologically addictive, which is far less detrimental than being physically addictive.

As prometheus noted, there is a huge lobby system behind alcohol and tobacco now, and they're gotten to the point of no return i.e. it's hardly likely that they'll be criminalised effectively for ever (there was that time when alcohol was criminalised, and many people got sick from drinking improperly brewed alcohol). So there's little we can do to stop alcohol and tobacco from effecting people. But there will always be cannabis smokers, and in my view it's silly for a government to spend money (if they are, which I'm sure they are) on trying to stop it when they could allow it and make money.
Henrah

[xhunterjx]

touche henrah.

i dont know what to say to that.

[zheer]

  The difference between tobbaco and cannabis is clear, cannabis can put other people in dange,if you are driving it can slow down your reaction,pluz it really damages brain cells. However alcahol is also very illegal in some situation,infact most do go to gail if they are a threat to society.

[xhunterjx]

  The difference between tobbaco and cannabis is clear, cannabis can put other people in dange,if you are driving it can slow down your reaction,pluz it really damages brain cells. However alcahol is also very illegal in some situation,infact most do go to gail if they are a threat to society.

That is what I have to say Henrah 

[cziffra]

  The difference between tobbaco and cannabis is clear, cannabis can put other people in dange,if you are driving it can slow down your reaction,pluz it really damages brain cells. However alcahol is also very illegal in some situation,infact most do go to gail if they are a threat to society.

That is what DWIs are for.  Of course, part of being a responsible toker is to not do anything that would jeopodize the health of others, that includes driving or operation heavy machinery. 

However, in the privacy of ones own home, why should one not be allowed to enjoy the herb?  people routinely sit down at lunch or dinner and enjoy a beer or 6, why not smoke some bud instead?  You'll enjoy your meal more, I guarntee it.

Not to mention, it has already been shown that decriminalising it does not signifigantly increase usage.  There are many states in the US where it has been decriminalised, i.e. id you get caught with less than an ounce they just take it and slap you with a fine, and there has actually been a decrease in usage.

The fact is the illegal drug trade is the third largest industry in the world, and it is completely run by criminals.  This just does not make sense.  So much violent crime is to blame because of this so called "War on Drugs", and the situation is not improving. 

There really is no reasonwhy marijuana should be illegal.  I asked my dad recently why hethought I shouldn't do it, and his only reason was because it was illegal.  It's time to reform the laws to fit the changing times.

viva la ganja

[henrah]

Hehe nice comeback hunter

It is true zheer, cannabis can put other people in danger whilst driving under the influence, but to the best of my knowledge that is the only situation where you can be a danger to others when you're stoned. In most situations where alcohol could prove dangerous, cannabis will have the opposite effect. More people are likely to act out at others in a violent way under the influence of alcohol than cannabis. Picture this: in Cardiff, many police officers have to go around in riot vans to stop violent disputes that occur after a long nights drinking. If you were to replace the alcohol in that situation with cannabis, the picture would be quite different. Instead of losing their inhibitions and wanting to fight someone for simply bumping into them or stepping on their heel, they would most likely say sorry (even if they are the ones being bumped into) and probably joke about it.

Now I might be a bit biased here.
What might happen if you drink too much alcohol? You might puke (and the chances are high), say things to people that you really wouldn't if you were sober, pass out, and more than likely not remember doing any of it. What might happen if you smoke too much cannabis? You might puke (though the chances are less than that of alcohol, though proper testing will need to be done to find out the actual ratio), think more about things you're going to say, say less, fall asleep, and more than likely remember doing it (but not the falling asleep, because it's not humanely possibly to remember when you fall alseep).

Sometimes I do become quite biased against alcohol when comparing it to cannabis, so please correct me if I'm wrong on anything. Actually, here's an idea: why not do a comparison between them but being biased towards alcohol, i.e. the opposite of what I did? I very much want to hear the point of view of someone who favours alcohol more, as I feel that will make this topic more objective if we combine our thoughts.

Btw Cziffra, it's still illegal in those states, and also here in England. It hasn't been decriminalised if they confiscate it and fine you, the law has just been lessened that's all.
Henrah


Oh, one more thing I want to mention. Visit www.thc4ms.org and read the story of how 3 people are being taken to court for giving cannabis chocolate to MS sufferers to help them ease their pain completely for free. They aren't receiving any money for their cannabis chocolate, as far as I know. The maximum sentence these 3 individuals can get is 14 years, and they've been told that they have no legal defence in court.

[johnny-boy]

I don't think cannabis should be illegal. But I do believe people that use it (and any other mind altering drug) should be responsible for their actions while under the influence.

Caffeine illegal?  Are you mad?


John

[zheer]

I don't think cannabis should be illegal. But I do believe people that use it (and any other mind altering drug) should be responsible for their actions while under the influence.

Caffeine illegal?  Are you mad?


John

  My mother is a medical Doctor,and she works with people that have drug,alcahol and other related problem, since she has met many cannabis users, she says it has rewind the lives of many, most crimes are related to cannabis and other drug realated crimes, simply because if you dont have the money you will steel the money and many do to feed the habit. Therefore it costs the government a lot of money to rehab, convict,and sort these people out. In short the statistics show that there is a link between crime and drugs,and staistice also show that health problems related to cannabis are high,basically it is self harm,people die and gert hurt, prisons are filed with these sorts.

[pianistimo]

maybe it depends on the type of useage.  as zheer is saying - some people are addicts - and others are using it for pain management.  if  a person is in a lot of pain - that is different than not working out one's problems so one can cope with reality.  i have no strong views against it on the medicinal basis.  why should we take away someone else's cure. 

zheer's mother is probaby right about younger people's useage - that it might become a habit that is not easily given up.  and, perhaps makes people somewhat dependent on it.  as with alcohol and tobacco.  tobacco doesn't seem to affect people's attention and driving skills.  but alcohol and drugs do.

if it was legal - maybe there would be less of an interest in it.  who knows?  perhaps more car accidents?

[henrah]

most crimes a related to cannabis and other drug realated crimes, simply because if you dont have the money you will steel the money and many do to feed the habit. Therefore it costs the government a lot of money to rehab, convict,and sort these people out.

What you should realise is that many - if not all - of the cannabis users you are referring to have an addictive nature, and if not with cannabis it would be with anything else: other illegal drugs, alcohol, sex, attention, speed (not the drug). It's these people that skew the statistics, in my opinion.

Also, a smart government wouldn't be spending money and filling jails convicting people of dealing and smoking cannabis if they legalised it and controlled it.

Criminals will always need guns, but they will only need drugs if they are illegal and unnatainable legally. If - say - all illegal drugs were legalised, drug tycoons wouldn't be able to sell any of their drug stock because customers could get it legally and be sure of it's content. Given the chance to choose between buying off of a dealer and not knowing what might've gone into the drug and buying from a legal source with knowledge of how the product is developed and what is in it, I'm pretty sure that the latter option will be chosen. That's why so many legal alternatives to ecstacy pills are available: because customers want to enjoy them safely and with the knowledge that nothing bad has gone into them (rat poisin is rumoured to be in illegal ecstasy pills as well as ibuprofen and other pharmecuticals) as there is wide knowledge of the effects a bad ecstasy pill can have on the human body, including death.

[pianistimo]

perhaps for addicts - one drug leads to another.  and, as with pregnant moms who deliver crack babies - people don't often think of the impact it will have on future generations until the damage is done.  the deformities and withdrawl symptoms that babies have to suffer because of the parents is kinda selfish, imo.

[johnny-boy]

  My mother is a medical Doctor,and she works with people that have drug,alcahol and other related problem, since she has met many cannabis users, she says it has rewind the lives of many, most crimes are related to cannabis and other drug realated crimes, simply because if you dont have the money you will steel the money and many do to feed the habit. Therefore it costs the government a lot of money to rehab, convict,and sort these people out. In short the statistics show that there is a link between crime and drugs,and staistice also show that health problems related to cannabis are high,basically it is self harm,people die and gert hurt, prisons are filed with these sorts.

“the single most significant predictor of an accident is the driver's state of sobriety” -DUI.com

Drivers that kill under the influence should be treated as murderers.

John

[henrah]

if it was legal - maybe there would be less of an interest in it. who knows? perhaps more car accidents?

Exactly Pianistimo, there would be a decrease in usage by the users that only smoke it because it's illegal.

I think that in comparison to driving under the influence of alcohol, you'll be less likely to crash if under the influence of cannabis. Though your reactions are slowed, you'll be going slower than usual, and you'll be a lot more careful aswell. Obviously driving in a state of mind other than complete sobriety and alertness is bad, and so there'll be 'Smoking and Driving' adverts I predict, though I don't think the statistics will be as rough as that with drink driving.

  In short the statistics show that there is a link between crime and drugs,and staistice also show that health problems related to cannabis are high,basically it is self harm,people die and gert hurt, prisons are filed with these sorts.

And this means you should ignore the health problems related to alcohol and tobacco too, seeing as they are already legal and 'fine'? As far as I'm concerned, alcohol and cannabis are equally detrimental, alcohol possibly being even more so than cannabis. So why the difference in legal status?

[henrah]

“the single most significant predictor of an accident is the driver's state of sobriety” -DUI.com

Drivers that kill under the influence should be treated as murderers.

John

I think this boils down to responsibility and maturity. Those that would drive under the influence of cannabis would also DUI of alcohol, heroin, LSD and anything else, just like those that are predisposit to becoming addicted to one thing are just as likely to become addicted to something else.

[maul]

they are physically addictive

Speed is not physically addictive. Only mentally.

[henrah]

Ok, thanks for correcting me. Do you know the addictive properties of other drugs (including alcohol and tobacco, and pharmecuticals if you wish)? Would you be able to list them for us?

Thanks,
Henrah

[xhunterjx]

a common defense of cannabis users is "Atleast I don't do herioin, cocaine, etc."

what many people fail to realize is that most drug abusers start out with cannabis.  it is the "gateway drug" which leads to way more serious drugs that can cause more serious problems.

thats why it should stay illegal.

[henrah]

Hunter, those types of people would be on the more serious drugs irrespective of whether they started with cannabis or not. The only way to stop those types of people from getting into the more serious drugs is to make them live a completely sheltered life, with no contact with any illegal drug whatsoever.

In my opinion hunter, cannabis will be more of a gateway drug if it stayed illegal than if it were legalised as it is the easiest to get hold of and many use it simply because it's illegal. The change in legal status will devoid those that use it to rebel, and those that do will use anything else illegal for the same purposes: graffiti, theft, burglary, other illegal drugs. The buzz is still the same for them, cannabis is simply easier for them to get hold of and also their less likely to be caught smoking cannabis than stealing things from a shop.

If not cannabis, ecstasy. If not ecstasy, the next illegal substance or activity that is the easiest to do and which comes with the lesser chance of being caught. It's all about the buzz for these types of people, and I have the utter disrespect for them.

[Kassaa]

I prefer tea over coffee. However, I don't like milk in my tea.

And, in addition to my previous sentence, do you really think it's possible for a government to control cannabis without it have far-reaching consequences for privacy and freedom?

[prometheus]

Here, cannabis is legal. We have the lowest number of cannabis users of Europe. Also, it isn't a 'gateway' drug.


Alcohol is as much a gateway drug to cannabis as cannabis is to cocaine.

Also, the whole point of something being a 'gateway' drug is kind of irrelevant. It has nothing to do with the duty of the state.

The whole driving issue is irrelevant too. Driving under influence is illegal. Be it legal alcohol, legal prescribed medication or cannabis. The effect cannabis has on driving is different for everyone and it may even have a positive effect. Some drugs increase your ability to drive.

[Kassaa]

Here, cannabis is legal. We have the lowest number of cannabis users of Europe. Also, it isn't a 'gateway' drug.


Alcohol is as much a gateway drug to cannabis as cannabis is to cocaine.

Also, the whole point of something being a 'gateway' drug is kind of irrelevant. It has nothing to do with the duty of the state.

The whole driving issue is irrelevant too. Driving under influence is illegal. Be it legal alcohol, legal prescribed medication or cannabis. The effect cannabis has on driving is different for everyone and it may even have a positive effect. Some drugs increase your ability to drive.

But do you think it's actually controlled well here?

[henrah]

But do you think it's actually controlled well here?

Is there anyone growing/selling/smoking cannabis illegally? Have there been any arrests of illegal cannabis dealers?

Please give as much information as you can on the cannabis status in Holland, and how it might not be being controlled that well. The more the better.
Thanks,
Henrah

[Kassaa]

Is there anyone growing/selling/smoking cannabis illegally? Have there been any arrests of illegal cannabis dealers?

Please give as much information as you can on the cannabis status in Holland, and how it might not be being controlled that well. The more the better.
Thanks,
Henrah

The coffeeshops are still being controlled by drug syndicates that also deal in heroin and cocaine. I don't know how it is now, but some years ago there were way more illegal coffeeshops than legal ones.

[henrah]

The coffeeshops are still being controlled by drug syndicates that also deal in heroin and cocaine.

Why is that? I would've thought that the government would be controlling it. Why, when the government legalised it, is it still being sold by illegal drug syndicates? Or have these syndicates been legalised too?

That's a bit of an odd loop. Weed being supplied to coffee shops legally by illegal syndicates that could be shut down by police for dealing in illegal drugs.

[Kassaa]

Why is that? I would've thought that the government would be controlling it. Why, when the government legalised it, is it still being sold by illegal drug syndicates? Or have these syndicates been legalised too?

That's a bit of an odd loop. Weed being supplied to coffee shops legally by illegal syndicates that could be shut down by police for dealing in illegal drugs.

The supplying of cannabis is still illegal, five weed plants are tolerated. This is weird, yes. I think Prometheus can enlighten us more on this matter .

[johnny-boy]

Prometheus can enlighten us more on this matter

Why? Is Promey a pothead?

Only kidding Promey. You're okay in my books (even if you are a pothead).

John

[henrah]

What I find perplexing is that you only have to smoke weed to become a pothead, and not smoke weed in excess. However, you have to drink alcohol in excess to become an alchy. 

[henrah]

One of the usual traits that comes with 'being a stoner' is loss of memory right? Check this out: https://www.chanvre-info.ch/info/en/Regular-cannabis-use-grows-new.html

Supposedly, regular use of cannabis increases learning memory, which is quite an oxymoron to the weed stereotype!

Imagine this: "Weed: it helps you learn!"

[Kassaa]

One of the usual traits that comes with 'being a stoner' is loss of memory right? Check this out: https://www.chanvre-info.ch/info/en/Regular-cannabis-use-grows-new.html

Supposedly, regular use of cannabis increases learning memory, which is quite an oxymoron to the weed stereotype!

Imagine this: "Weed: it helps you learn!"

That stereotype has more to do with the retards using cannabis than the effect of cannabis itself .

[henrah]

Speaking from my own experience, I can't deny that. I've always had a rubbish memory. But, I have felt an increase in my memory's capabilities since I stopped smoking the herb.

But do you really think of cannabis users as retards on the whole?

[gruffalo]

i think that cannabis is worse when in the wrong hands, than when alcohol is in the wrong hands.  most times if i get into a fight or mugged on the way home, the people starting it are usually high. whenever i say hoodies drunk they dont really care. also, i dont think alcohol can be compared to canabis simply because alcohol can be a suitable lunch time or evening drink, as a small portion. whereas after one spliff, although it wont send you to the moon, one has already gained that affect that can cause danger whether its driving or walking the streets. now, i dont condemn ppl that smoke canabis, because i used to do it, my friends still do it, and i happily watch them do it and i think in the right hands its ok. i just think it affects me badly when im on the receiving end of someone elses toking session. the only reason i dont do it now is because of general smoke intake. i sing, so i cant smoke.

Gruff

[zheer]

  My friend did smoke the stuff, and at the time i was a tobacco smoker so i asked him to give me some cannabis to smoke, the effect was a temporary high, it had a feel good factor that is addictive, but i found it harsh on the longs so i stoped.

[henrah]

Wow, I never would've thought that people who are high would start fights. Thanks for sharing the experience with us Gruff, you've definately contributed to this topic's objectiveness. But Gruff, how can you be sure that the people who started the fight were high? Did you see them smoke up before hand? Also, alcohol can't be a suitable lunch time drink at any rate. As soon as you take a sip of wine or beer, and as soon as you take a puff on a jay, it effects you. Though the effects might not be noticeable at that level of intake, they still effect you.

Zheer, if you don't mind me asking, how did you smoke the cannabis you were given? Pure through a bong, pipe or roll up; or with tobacco through a bong, pipe or roll up? I've often found that cannabis is smoother on the lungs than pure tobacco smoke, unless it's really bad soap bar (dirty hash that looks like OXO cube). Was it green weed or brown solid weed that you smoked?

[Kassaa]

But do you really think of cannabis users as retards on the whole?

Well, yes. The people I know who used it went from the highest level of education to the lowest because they wanted to hang out and chill with their 'homies', have been suspended from school for some days etc. There is not a single good reason to use it other than yeh man I like to be high wheoyyyyyyoooww . (Cannabis as medication excluded.)

[zheer]

Zheer, if you don't mind me asking, how did you smoke the cannabis you were given? Pure through a bong, pipe or roll up; or with tobacco through a bong, pipe or roll up? I've often found that cannabis is smoother on the lungs than pure tobacco smoke, unless it's really bad soap bar (dirty hash that looks like OXO cube). Was it green weed or brown solid weed that you smoked?

  Roll up with tobacco, i think it was brown solid weed, which he melted or something.

[henrah]

Ah yes Zheer, now I can understand why it's harsh on your throat. Hash here in England is really harsh, and I know from experience. It has many dirty things in it which are countless and unknown, and all I can say is that the next time you ask your friend for some cannabis, make sure it's the green plant!

Ok Kassaa, so from your own experience, it turns good school going people into drop-outs? I'm sorry to hear about the people you know who used it, and I agree they are 'retards' to a certain extent. I also know a couple of people (good friends in fact) who have gotten so dependent on it that they dropped out of school, and it annoys me that they can't use weed responsibly. Again, these types of people also abuse other drugs, which in my experience is true: they get high to get high, and if that means getting high off MDMA, ecstasy and acid, they don't mind. But what I'm trying to say is that these people will never change, and they will always abuse, and that the current marijuana laws are prohibiting those of us who are responsible cannabis users and also funding drug dealers and gangs. Many of the dealers I know only sell cannabis to make up the money between big hard drug sales.

I just found out about Question 7 in Nevada. Have a look for yourself at https://www.regulatemarijuana.org/ I think they are doing a really good thing, which is effectively halting the selling of weed to young people (to a certain extent, as even here in England there are over 16's buying cigarettes for under 16's). Although the program does have a few problems with existing laws, I think it will work really well; and being under 21 myself, if I lived in Nevada I would still be voting for it and supporting it.

What do you guys think of Question 7?

[gruffalo]

Wow, I never would've thought that people who are high would start fights. Thanks for sharing the experience with us Gruff, you've definately contributed to this topic's objectiveness. But Gruff, how can you be sure that the people who started the fight were high? Did you see them smoke up before hand? Also, alcohol can't be a suitable lunch time drink at any rate. As soon as you take a sip of wine or beer, and as soon as you take a puff on a jay, it effects you. Though the effects might not be noticeable at that level of intake, they still effect you.

yes, they were walking with it and the smell was all over them. its such an obvious smell i am 100% sure.

a beer at lunch time on a hot day is rather nice and does not leave me in state where i am unable to work properly.

Gruff

[johnny-boy]

There is one difference between alcohol and pot usage. People drink alcoholic beverages for the taste (I love wine for example). It’s in the realm of “food stuff”.

There are a lot of food and drink people consume that aren’t good for them, but they choose to risk their health for their eating and drinking pleasure.

People smoke pot for one reason, and one reason only – to get a buzz (with the exception of the poor souls who use it for medicinal purposes).

John

[henrah]

People smoke pot for one reason, and one reason only – to get a buzz (with the exception of the poor souls who use it for medicinal purposes).

John

That I'm going to have to disagree with Johnny-boy (hehe your name ties in with the sentence well ).

I like the increase in creativity it gives me, and also the keenness that comes from sativa strains, that I prefer over indica strains because indica varieties give you more of a lazy/sleepy mong. Also the increased perceptions of the senses. In fact, I really enjoy playing piano after a nice jay, I sometimes get really sucked into the music and kinda return to reality after finishing it, much like how Lang Lang does (though his expression is much more obvious/exaggerated - notably after slow romantic deep songs like Chopin and Liszt nocturnes).

I won't deny it though, the buzz is nice; but there are many more enjoyable factors in smoking a jay. Rolling them is an even more fun task than smoking them, especially when it comes to contemporary designs! Those that smoke it just for the buzz usually smoke it through a bong as it's quicker for them and requires less materials: just a bong, weed and an implement of fire.

[henrah]

a beer at lunch time on a hot day is rather nice and does not leave me in state where i am unable to work properly.

Gruff

I think that is mainly due to the amount of alcohol you are consuming in comparison to the amount of weed that is found in the common joint. I think you'd find that a small 'mini' with very little in is just like smoking a normal roll-up cigarette (which around here we call rollies), in the same sense that drinking a bottle of beer is much like drinking a bottled non-alcoholic beverage.

However, given a choice between smoking a 'mini' at lunch and drinking a beer at lunch, I would drink the beer but not smoke the 'mini' simply because I don't know the maximum amount of weed that would compare to the amount of alcohol in a bottle of beer, and all weed differs in it's potency. However, armed with the knowledge of how potent the cannabis is and how much would be too much (i.e. two beers maybe) I'd prefer the 'mini' because I enjoy smoking a 'mini' more than drinking a beer. Now if you gave me a southern comfort and coke (which I sometimes call a somfort and coke) I'd probably choose that, mainly because I don't like beer that much and also because it would last longer than a 'mini'.

[johnny-boy]

Hey Henrah, Are you sure the buzz from pot isn't giving you a false sense of reality?

I knew a guitar player once that said he plays much better when bombed out from booze. I heard him once when he was bombed. It was embarrassingly poor playing. He thought it was a great performance though.

In my younger days when I played out in a bar band, after the customers had a few drinks they thought we were great. Hmm…

I will say alcohol does loosen up one’s inhibitions – which could be a dangerous thing.

John

[prometheus]

i think that cannabis is worse when in the wrong hands, than when alcohol is in the wrong hands.  most times if i get into a fight or mugged on the way home, the people starting it are usually high.

Maybe they are high on cocaine.

[prometheus]

Prometheus can enlighten us more on this matter

Why? Is Promey a pothead?

Only kidding Promey. You're okay in my books (even if you are a pothead).

John

I abstain from even alcohol. I never tried anything. But I think drugs should be legal. Then the government should discorage it. Just as with alcohol and tabacco.

As for the currect system in practice; those people who are willing to produce cannabis will make a lot of money because it is illegal. So criminal organisations will be able to gain money. And those people that want to start a coffee shop, normal people, will have to pay criminals. So basically because all drug money still goes largely to criminals nothing has been solved.

I predict it will be totally legal within a few years.

[gruffalo]

Maybe they are high on cocaine.

no, i clearly smelt the draw. a little research into how these guys go about their lives suggests they prefer to use canabis. they also dont have the money to do coke.