Should US Legalize Marijuana?

Guybrush · 02-03-2012, 06:31 PM

The problem health-wise with marijuana, as previously mentioned, is that it's unpredictable. Studies and even anecdotal evidence that we all love so much shows there is a link with schizophrenia. In a report I read some time ago, it said that basically all who smoke know someone, often some, who have had "bad trips" on cannabis. A large portion of these people experience personal crisis and may suffer with anxieties for a long time after, possibly their entire lives. We're not talking heavy users here, but casual smokers or even complete newbies.

The thing about alcohol abuse is you generally have to do it a lot and turn it into an addiction before it screws up your life. You know driving drunk is dangerous - it's predictable. The thing about cannabis is you never know if or when it's gonna happen and newcomers to the drug are likely at a disadvantage because they lack experience with the drug.

People underestimate the health dangers of cannabis. The fact that some people smoke their entire lives without noticing any profound negative effects doesn't mean it's gonna go that well for every other person who uses it.

I'd prefer decriminalization before legalization. I think it's ridiculous the way smokers have been chased by the law in the US, but on the other hand, I believe legalization will have a negative effect and if it's the best alternative, it's only because it's a lesser evil. In my opinion, society does not need to embrace a new way to mess with our heads unless it's the very last resort.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-03-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

Yes, but alcohol is more addictive than marijuana.

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/comparecht.gif

You may be able to get more intoxicated from a joint than you can from a glass of wine, but that doesn't change the fact that the effects of marijuana intoxication aren't near as bad as alcohol. A few puffs will get your average stoner high for a few hours, and they are not likely to go back for more for at least a few hours. Your average drinker is more likely to want another glass after they've had just one, or however many it takes to get a little buzz. So, the fact that a small amount of marijuana is stronger than a small amount of alcohol is a good thing. Since you can get the desired effect from just a small amount of marijuana, you're a lot less likely to abuse it; compared to alcohol, which requires more abuse to get the desired effect. And of course, once you do reach that point of desired effect, the effects of alcohol are a lot more dangerous than the effects of marijuana.

I had beef in mushroom & white wine sauce for my dinner. I guess I better be careful not to be a raging drunk by the end of the night

FETCHER. · 02-03-2012, 06:40 PM

Driving drunk is dangerous but someone who's drunk doesn't often think this. From first hand experience I know that this is the case. Stoned driving often leads to me being completely tuned in and aware of almost EVERYTHING that's going to happen. I don't remember how I got home when I drunk drove or what speed I was doing, which route I took home or anything. Stoned driving you'll be lucky if I hit 30mph.

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 02-03-2012, 06:48 PM

I don't mean to split hairs, but nobody has a "bad trip" using marijuana. That's more a term associated with using LCD. However, yes, there aren't only positive experiences with marijuana. However, curiosity and suspicion based on 70 plus years of United States propaganda lead me to question how many of these "psychotic breakdowns" are really related to cannabis, and how many are the product of suggestion where it was simply blamed for an underlying psychological disorder.

I believe we most likely disagree fundamentally on our stances and individual takes on drug use and what it constitutes. I not only believe they should be legal, I actually believe that everyone should experiment with altering their mind in some way. So I don't see it as the lesser of two evils, I actually see it as a step toward progress in the way we develop both as a species and as individuals. Experiencing different states of altered mind and body offers much in the way of perspective and general outlook on life. My opinion may not be shared by many and it doesn't take into consideration the dangers associated with any kind of drug use. I guess what I'd like to see is a free society where these things can be experimented with without shame, fear of legal repercussion or pressure to use them in a dangerous way. Basically, where drug experimentation is safer.

FETCHER. · 02-03-2012, 06:59 PM

Conan, I love you. You know that right?

~~Rubato~~ · 02-03-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

I'd prefer decriminalization before legalization. I think it's ridiculous the way smokers have been chased by the law in the US, but on the other hand, I believe legalization will have a negative effect and if it's the best alternative, it's only because it's a lesser evil. In my opinion, society does not need to embrace a new way to mess with our heads unless it's the very last resort.

That's assuming legalization will lead to a massive surge of new pot smokers, legalization would allow it to pass through quality control, users would then have a fair idea of the THC levels. I don't think leaving quality control to the black market is the better evil, not when the market is so huge and shows no signs of declining.

I have had my bouts of paranoia when I used to smoke it (regularly anyway) and I've found all my bad trips are a result of mixing it with other intoxicants, I'm sure most smokers here will probably tell you the same.

**Janszoon** · 02-03-2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

In a roundabout way that's pretty much why I don't think it should be legalised, that a few puffs has the same potency as a glass of wine or a can of beer.

As someone else has already pointed out, this argument can just as easily be applied to hard liquor. After all, I can easily do a shot or two of bourbon in less time than it would take to suck in lung full of weed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

I think if it was legalised it would be much more open to abuse.

I disagree, but let's assume you're right for a moment: What about this potential for abuse is so terrible that it should be illegal?

Guybrush · 02-03-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubato

I have had my bouts of paranoia when I used to smoke it (regularly anyway) and I've found all my bad trips are a result of mixing it with other intoxicants, I'm sure most smokers here will probably tell you the same.

I don't even smoke and I've so far met 3 people in real life who have suffered anxieties after cannabis use. Two are friends of mine, the third is the mother of a close friend. All of them suffered anxieties for long periods afterwards, in my friend's mothers case so bad that it never left her. So, I've no trouble believing the studies that show such negative health effects of cannabis.

The only drug these people indulge in regularly that I can think of are caffeine and alcohol and I can't remember any of them telling me they were also drunk when it happened, so I don't believe that it's simply something that happens when you "mix".

FETCHER. · 02-03-2012, 07:16 PM

Cannabis does make you slightly paranoid, I'm not going to lie. BUT it's only during smoking I get it occasionally, not to say that goes for everybody though.

**Janszoon** · 02-03-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

I don't even smoke and I've so far met 3 people in real life who have suffered anxieties after cannabis use. Two are friends of mine, the third is the mother of a close friend. All of them suffered anxieties for long periods afterwards, in my friend's mothers case so bad that it never left her. So, I've no trouble believing the studies that show such negative health effects of cannabis.

The only drug these people indulge in regularly that I can think of are caffeine and alcohol and I can't remember any of them telling me they were also drunk when it happened, so I don't believe that it's simply something that happens when you "mix".

Since we're sharing completely non-scientific anecdotes, here are some of mine: Of all the dozens of regular pot smokers I've known in my life, exactly zero have experienced any kind of long-lasting anxiety as a result of smoking. I do, on the other hand, have a a relative who is a permanent resident of a mental institution because of extreme brain damage caused by alcohol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora

Cannabis does make you slightly paranoid, I'm not going to lie. BUT it's only during smoking I get it occasionally, not to say that goes for everybody though.

I have literally never experienced paranoia from smoking weed.

02-03-2012, 06:31 PM	#531 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	The problem health-wise with marijuana, as previously mentioned, is that it's unpredictable. Studies and even anecdotal evidence that we all love so much shows there is a link with schizophrenia. In a report I read some time ago, it said that basically all who smoke know someone, often some, who have had "bad trips" on cannabis. A large portion of these people experience personal crisis and may suffer with anxieties for a long time after, possibly their entire lives. We're not talking heavy users here, but casual smokers or even complete newbies. The thing about alcohol abuse is you generally have to do it a lot and turn it into an addiction before it screws up your life. You know driving drunk is dangerous - it's predictable. The thing about cannabis is you never know if or when it's gonna happen and newcomers to the drug are likely at a disadvantage because they lack experience with the drug. People underestimate the health dangers of cannabis. The fact that some people smoke their entire lives without noticing any profound negative effects doesn't mean it's gonna go that well for every other person who uses it. I'd prefer decriminalization before legalization. I think it's ridiculous the way smokers have been chased by the law in the US, but on the other hand, I believe legalization will have a negative effect and if it's the best alternative, it's only because it's a lesser evil. In my opinion, society does not need to embrace a new way to mess with our heads unless it's the very last resort. __________________ Something Completely Different

02-03-2012, 06:48 PM	#534 (permalink)
~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,538	I don't mean to split hairs, but nobody has a "bad trip" using marijuana. That's more a term associated with using LCD. However, yes, there aren't only positive experiences with marijuana. However, curiosity and suspicion based on 70 plus years of United States propaganda lead me to question how many of these "psychotic breakdowns" are really related to cannabis, and how many are the product of suggestion where it was simply blamed for an underlying psychological disorder. I believe we most likely disagree fundamentally on our stances and individual takes on drug use and what it constitutes. I not only believe they should be legal, I actually believe that everyone should experiment with altering their mind in some way. So I don't see it as the lesser of two evils, I actually see it as a step toward progress in the way we develop both as a species and as individuals. Experiencing different states of altered mind and body offers much in the way of perspective and general outlook on life. My opinion may not be shared by many and it doesn't take into consideration the dangers associated with any kind of drug use. I guess what I'd like to see is a free society where these things can be experimented with without shame, fear of legal repercussion or pressure to use them in a dangerous way. Basically, where drug experimentation is safer.