Ok, first off, I'm not one of those stereotypical lobbyists or a pothead myself. I'm just a normal guy who sees how this country would improve overall if something as simple as marijuana was legalized. Think about it.
-Crime would plunge. More than half of the people who steal money or work in a gang are doing so to fuel the drug trade or for their own personal drug use.
-Weed doesn't kill people. It's a fact. You can't OD. You'd pass out before that point was even nearly remotely possible.
-There would be an end to the money crisis. The government, if people were to sell it like cigarettes, would benefit from taxation, thus ending the depression for years to come.

There are many reasons the nation would benefit from the legalization of marijuana alone. The only downside would be the police losing some work. Oh no, crime is down so we don't have as much to worry about. And that's a bad thing? Isn't that the goal of police-type services? To serve and protect? To fight crime? To ensure the people of this country are safe and happy?

I implore any and all Dollars with political power, no matter how minute it may be, to speak up and do something about this. I've taken the first step by bringing these facts to the attention of the public and the Dollars.

If religious groups say it's bad, consider the fact that marijuana has been used since biblical times and that Jesus himself, along with many other prophets and some deities as well were the most natural beings alive and seem to really closely resemble the stereotypical "hippie".

If police complain that they wouldn't have anyone to arrest, ask them "Isn't that your goal? Isn't that what you're supposed to be doing? Cutting down on crime rates?"

If feds say it's wrong, ask them "why?". Numerous US presidents have been known to do things that are "wrong" like owning slaves or sleeping with "children". Some have been even known to farm and/or smoke weed themselves.

Laws are completely objective and, honestly, I think they've been taken way too far in some areas. The main reasons most original laws even exist is because of religions.

If the rest of the country would really sit down and think of all the advantages of this idea, I'm sure they'd see how it would help. They'd most likely be too scared to voice that opinion, however, so we'd just have a room full of apathetic people with the same logic and ideas. The facts are there. I propose the Dollars take a stand, or at least more of a stand, in solving this issue that is so painfully simple.

Pretty sure theres already a thread on this somewhere, dunno for sure though

>>2 There's a ton of threads like this all over the site. We don't need his poorly thought-out regurgitation of it on Main for the twentieth time. We also agreed the Dollars don't get involved with politics back when Occupy was still Hipster cool.

I've only found bits and pieces, not full on threads. Anyway, the point is to consider all of this info. If the Dollars really want to change the world, I think something like this would be good. Not only would the US benefit from it, but other nations as well. Just listen to the post and not the title. I don't want to have another 4chan episode where this potentially great idea gets shot down instantly because people don't actually think about what's being said.

This goes beyond political matters anyway. This is also a matter of misguided morals and people just trying to cover their rears because they're scared of what downsides may happen. They don't think of the overall good it would do.

>>5 I am for the legalization of cannabis. I feel that if it is regulated it can be a powerful tool. Sure there will always be idiots that give it a bad name but those that do use it right will greatly benefit. I agree with what you are saying for the most part, however, I feel your presentation of the topic was less than fulfilling. Not everyone is for cannabis and you have to respect that. You can't expect an entire community to be swayed with a few words and what ifs. I feel like it's unfair to try and get the Dollars on your side when not everyone agrees with you. You are trying too hard to make everyone think the way you do.

Just my two cents.

I do realize I got a bit ranty as I wrote, but of course I'm not insisting that all Dollars run and support the idea. It's more to put the idea out there that it would be beneficial to the country overall. The logic and facts are all there.

http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/

You never mentioned any of this...nor did you mention the educational benefits cannabis could have.
If you want to argue for something, or at least have a decent discussion about something, include the facts that actually have weight. Use facts instead of made up statistics. I'm not trying to be a dick so my apologies if I sound like I am. I just think that this thread has lost all validity due to your presentation of "logic" and "facts." I can't speak for my fellow Dollars, so again, this is all just my personal opinions.

WHOA. perdon meeeee >>1 but Jesus was NOT a hippie. And was not even close to it. Hippies are -insert long inappropriate, cursed description of hippies-.

I think that people want Marijuana because they can't have it. Suppose they do legalize it, it would be just like the Prohobition or wut nawt that wus. People still drink, but they dont drink as heavily. So is it possible that people will still smoke but not do it so 'hardcore'? If so, then I'm not so sure. I mean, we still get the occasional crazy stupid cuss who goes crazy and kills people when drunk. So that means we'll still get the occasional crazy stupid cuss who goes crazy and kills people when high, right?

I just watched a documentary on people who deal Marijuana, this one girl was very.....well her and her hubby were high, and watching them, their arguments were very....well let's just say that her husband was super easily angered and started yelling about how he did everything when she said something about their business. She was completely mellow.

You can't expect everyone to just be mellowed out like her, and you can't expect everyont to be easily angered like him. In fact, each person reacts differently, and that's more of what I'm worried about. What could that do to us? And plus that couple had a daughter and she was.....living in a horrible unsanitary, and just not proper household. It....didn't seem right, and I am probably going to be against it. I mean, there's a reason it's illegal now, isnt there? :T

>>9 There is a reason it's illegal. Check out the link I posted.

Anyways, I agree with you that it different people will take it their own way. Not everyone will be mellow, not everyone will be hyperactive. Not everyone will be able to use the plant properly. It's exactly like alcohol. There is no real reason it should be illegal but it needs to be regulated. There is absolutely no reason a responsible adult shouldn't be allowed to smoke a bowl in her or his own home. However, just like alcohol there will be those scummy people who abuse it. It's a real conundrum.

This. >>6 >>8 and >>9
I'm sure weed has benefits. But lets face it, how is legalizing weed going to bring crime down?

First off, I never said Jesus was a hippie. I simply said that there's a strong resemblance between him, some descriptions of God, and other prophets or deities and what the stereotypical hippie is described to look like. I also stated that there are many other facts out there that would prove legalization to be a good thing overall.

And on prohibition, people still drank and made their own booze when that was going on. Crime rates skyrocketed. And it's true things calmed down a bit when the bans were lifted, so why wouldn't the same happen for this?

>>12 because its weed and not alcohol. if i was selling weed don't you think i would do my best to keep my customers from going to the pharmacy to buy it. what happend during the prohibition won't be the same as the legalization of weed.

Its the concept, not the actual result I'm talking about. If it were legalized, it would obviously be controlled just the same. That would also do away with the need to get a prescription, thus eliminating the need to buy it at a pharmacy. It could be sold in places like cigarettes. And you could just work at a place like or start up your own farm or something that if you really wanted to be a "seller".

>>14 Alright. If it is legalized there would be less crime. because of the easy access to it if it was made legal. at least kids wouldn't be able to have access to it anyway.

There's always going to be a few kids who get into stuff like that otherwise there wouldn't be those commercials with the 10 year old girl at the AA meeting. Alcohol is controlled, but it's just a fact of life that things like that will happen.

I had watched a show (wish I could remember what it was it called x.x;) but the state that had Marijuana legal, people could grow their own and sell them but they had to have license to do so, they also could not smoke it without been subcribe to it, although I think that the crimes will still be the same, maybe slightly smaller but the same non the less.

Well, Canada has implemented a country wide Medical Marijuana law, and it had legalized Industrial Cannabis a while back, likewise, many European countries have already changed their stance on it, some having legalized it already. I'm not saying fallow the pack, but the profit generated from such industries might be enough to sway political figures, especially with the current turbulent markets.

That's what I mean. Other countries have it under control and everything seems fine in that department. I fail to see why we just won't follow suit when it's something that could help so much. It's not a bandwagon thing and it's more than a political issue. The bottom line is it would help save the economy as well as create jobs. Official jobs and not just selling on the streets.

On the crime rates, a study (http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us-united-states/cri-crime) in 2002 said that 560.1 per 100,000 people were involved in drug offense cases. Marijuana is one of the most widely used and controversial illegal drugs in the US. With an estimated population of around 281,421,906 in 2000, that would mean about a million Americans (give or take and considering that marijuana isn't the only drug out there, obviously) today are involved in drug crimes concerning weed. Think of how different things would be if those people were taken out of the equation. Not only would those crime rates go down, but the police would also be able to concentrate on actual dangerous drugs like coke or meth. There are more benefits than one could even think of in the time it takes to write a post about it. Everyone who really wants to improve the country's economy, crime control, and morale (at least a little and not because people would be stoned) really needs to sit down sometime and think about all of these things and converse. Like I said before, a lot of the people in the government who know this already are probably not saying anything because they're scared of what others might think about it. Some of my friends are even telling me I shouldn't be posting about the issue because the feds are going to bust in and haul me off or something.

i highly agree to this

i say we leagalize weed

Seems silly not to Legalize. and don't decriminalize, that's like legalization but with no tax revenue while leaving criminals in charge of distribution.

Go for it, govenment!! This sounds pleasing to both the citizens and the stupid stuborn government. Dont they use weed to help ppl in hospitals?? XD

yes that is a good idea if people are allowed to do it more people won't care about it and won't try.

It is a good idea I agree with you you should start a petition or something

>>26
There has been maybe Millions of petitions. Another one isn't going to make a difference.

i think the biggest problem with legalization of marijuana is that most arguments supporting legalization can be applied to other drugs. an example would be MDMA(ecstasy). if money and crime were a major factor, all drugs should be legalized and regulated.

Alright I can agree with half of this, but the main concern is the kids who are doing drugs. I'm about to go to high school and ninety percent of those i attend school with do drugs. Im not found of going to school with everyone smoking it or high 24/7. I mean, it can make some real trouble or violence that could get someone injured or killed

As much as I hate to admit it, it has been proven that weed doesn't impact your driving ability nearly as much as alcohol does. At least there wouldn't be as many DUI's out there. maybe.

It would take more than just a few million petitions. These items need to be brought to full public attention in a way that would make the people drop all biases. nearly everyone has one on the subject and most of them are negative. A commercial campaign would be one effective method, but nobody would air anything pro-marijuana because, although it's a constitutional right to freedom of speech, the feds would shut it up quick and come up with some bunk about trying to corrupt America's youth and a slew of other bull. If this kind of thing is going to happen, it's gotta be a huge deal. Bigger than anything ever done before that the country would have no choice but to at least notice it. I'm talking beyond the Dollars and all pro-marijuana activists nationwide combined. I read it on this very site that together, through unity and with the help of social networking, we are strong enough to make a change. I'll say it now, if this all makes sense to you and you believe this would be a true way to help the nation rebuild it's economy, cut down on crime, and make it a better place overall, you're exactly the kind of person needed for the grand campaign that will hopefully come to fruition as soon as possible. I'm doing what I can by gathering information, formulating plans, and spreading the word. It's almost mission-worthy to those who want to help save the country.

I'll break this down point by point for ease of reading.

1. Crime rate and national debt will not drop significantly -if at all- due to the legalization of marijuana. In theory, it sounds like it would make sense, but it won't happen. After the government spends millions of dollars on regulating THC levels and actually growing the plants, they'll tax it to the point where it's much cheaper to just buy it from an illegal dealer like before. And you'll still find those illegal dealers, since they'll fight like hell to keep their product out for sale.

2. Be honest with yourselves; you don't give two shits about the health benefits marijuana has. Maybe if you or someone you know does have cancer or something, you really can argue you want it legalized for medicinal benefit. But wait, doesn't the paper you smoke it with give you cancer anyway? Weird how that works, isn't it?

3. Just because it affects you less than other drugs does not mean it should be legalized. My favorite example to use is, "Pick which one you want: Being stabbed or being shot." You're injured regardless of the choice you make. Jump behind the wheel of a car high or drunk, it doesn't matter; you shouldn't be driving in that state to begin with.

4. I'll be blunt: There are better ways to lower your stress levels than an addictive substance. If you've had "a rough day", go for a jog, eat some cake, read a book; literally anything that does not turn you into a babbling idiot for the next several hours. You have shit to do, most likely, and rolling around on the floor is probably not one of those things.

5. Addiction does happen, even if it is less common than other drugs. For the people who do get stuck, it's extremely hard to stop. Don't believe me? Try to quit smoking for a month. I've seen people I know try and they usually start again after a week; the rest after a week and a half (to be fair, I think one of them lasted about 2 months, but then went right back to doing it). Regardless of how addictive it is, this should not even be a reason as to the legalization of the substance. It is a drug that impairs judgement, and regardless of whether or not you're addicted, you still spend the next while laughing at your own feet like an idiot.

6. Just because tobacco and alcohol are legal does not mean marijuana should be legalized as well. That argument is the same as, "Well, I already have HIV, so I might as well just get herpes since it's not as serious." All three are harmful and should not be legalized as a recreational substance.

That's all the "pro" arguments I can think of off the top of my head. As I said earlier, this should not be on Main, since we agreed the Dollars should not support political movements as a group. If you're a Dollar and happen to support marijuana use, that's just fine and dandy. The group, however, may not, and therefore should not be forced as a collective to support it. What if I walked up to a Tea Party rally with a big Dollars sign? Non-Tea Party members would be pretty pissed, is what, by my insinuation that the group supports their views as a collective. We have a topic (at least two, actually) in Random to discuss all this, so it needs to be moved there, but it should not go to Missions and we should not use the Dollars name to support this.

>>28
But all other drug are actually 100 times worse. So no, the same thing couldn't be applied to other drugs, because other drugs aren't as safe. Not like you see a lot of petitions, and protests, wanting to legalize meth.

Screw alcohol, screw drugs, screw coke.
You know what I'm obsessed with? VIDEOGAMES AND ANIME!

>>32
"I'll be blunt: There are better ways to lower your stress levels than an addictive substance. If you've had "a rough day", go for a jog, eat some cake, read a book; literally anything that does not turn you into a babbling idiot for the next several hours. You have shit to do, most likely, and rolling around on the floor is probably not one of those things."

Oh, lord know it all on the effects of weed, here, knows it better than anyone.

Also YOU don't decide if it belongs on main or not. It isn't saged, and it doesn't matter what some decided on. If we feel we can have a conversation about it, you've got to grow the Hell up and deal with it, no matter how strongly you're against it.

Every single thing a person can do, has a possible chance at being additive. Eating. Watching TV. Playing games. Sitting. Sleeping. Collecting items. Working out can also be addictive. NOT EATING can be. You need to see everything from both sides of this, if you wish to make a good argument. I for one, find your opinion slightly invalid, due to the fact you said "rolling around on the floor is probably not one of those things." as if you think it messes with everyone like that.

>>35 It's kind of sad how completely absurd you're being, as I generally like to think of you as a respectable member of the community. You're not only putting words in my mouth, you've ignored the vast majority of my post and focused on one part of it due to a hypothetical example used for the sake of both humor and education.

My views and opinions on the substance come from my experiences in my own life with the drug, a prime example being the a child at my school who cannot stand up straight due to being intoxicated every single day. Of course not everyone is going to be like that, just like how some people can smoke 3 packs of unfiltered cigarettes a day for their whole life and never get cancer.

Furthermore, this is not simply a discussion, but OP trying to use the Dollars' name to support this cause. As I keep saying, we should not support things based in politics, due to the diverse nature of the group's opinion. I did not once insinuate that I should have sole decision over what goes where; I am giving my opinions, as you are giving yours, and supporting them with logic and what was established in the past.

>>1 Alright I've read around all of the stuff you've posted on this forum. Really, you're arguing the same point, it just looks like you were being optimistic.The amount people won't DECREASE because it is legal, it would INCREASE because people would think its okay, its like teaching a child that watching tv isn't allowed, so they do it anyway only to discover its okay to do so, they don't keep their guard up and they continue watching.

The kids at my school smoke A LOT, like when the teachers aren't looking. So when weed would be legal it'd be easier to get it from their parents (which of course they would smoke it, because around 70% of my community smokes ciggaretes) or from their friends. 'Save the country' tats definitely being an optimist. And the amount of people that would smoke doesn't help either, pollution is something to think about, the 'green' side of thinking in the government here wouldn't be too happy (I live in Australia). The police would get less and less crime going, that would put them nearly out of business, or it would give them a little extra because I think a few people would still go all '. And just because weed doesn't impact your driving ability AS MUCH as alcohol, doesn't mean it doesn't impact it at all. It doesn't sound like you're forcing your opinion onto them, but moreover if they read all of the things you typed it seems to me you're showing all the good things about it IF it were legal, while hiding the bad things. That's just my two cents there, and I don't have any 'logical facts' or information I got this from, it was just a thought.

I'm not forcing anything on anyone, I never once said anything to the effect of "well if one believes it, they all must" or anything like that, and yes, I am being optimistic, but is that so wrong? This is what I said before, if people would actually think about everything that's true, they'd see it in a different light than what it's been painted out to be for so long now. You can't say these aren't valid points and I honestly fail to see any major downsides. Ok, so some kids may get into it. Like I said before, it's already happening with alcohol and cigarettes well as weed. And again, it's not just a political issue. Is anyone really doing anything about it? I know of at least three people in my town alone under 14 who are in deeper than a lot of people twice their age.

Isn't stuff like this what we are trying to prevent anyways??

I think you need to re-read my post. I said it doesn't look like you're forcing your opinion onto them. Yes, being optimistic about this matter is quite a concern. Because you need to consider the bad things too instead of just the good, if not, you an't improve those flaws and it just seems quite stupid of an arguement more like a discussion thats just talking about all the good things that come with smoking marujuana (or however you spell it). They are valid points in looking at bot sides, but I jst think getting into things without knowing the consequences and not caring for them and only seeing the good isn't quite a good idea. There are many groups in my town doing a lot about it, but I don't know about where you live. Its not just under 14 either its minors too. Again, it was just a thought.

I'm not saying there isn't a downside to weed, I'm simply saying that overall, it'd be beneficial. The pros outweigh the cons. This is coming from a totally unbiased logic. I don't smoke it myself, or do any drugs, I don't care for any politicians' views, and I'm not letting religion getting in my way because I don't even know what I believe. It's just logic.

1. End to the money crisis? What??? No, lol. Legalizing marijuana will not end deficeit spending.

2. There are no medical benefits to marijuana that we don't already have in another available way.

3. I'm pro-recreational use, but I'm not going to try and pretend it's for another reason.

>>41 "3-4 Cannabis cigarettes a day are associated with the same evidence of acute and chronic bronchitis and the same degree of damage to the bronchial mucosa as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day.

Cannabis smoking is likely to weaken the immune system. Infections of the lung are due to a combination of smoking-related damage to the cells lining the bronchial passage and impairment of the principal immune cells in the small air sacs caused by cannabis."

That's from the British Lung Foundation.

Um that's total bullshit.

There are more cigarette related deaths from lung cancer and the like, than from weed. I don't know where they got their sources from, but it shows they are just a bunch of pretentious douches who don't actually study the stuff properly.

It takes way more weed smoked than just 2 or 3, compared to 20 cigarettes. That is common sense that they sure as Hell aren't using.

3-4. Not 2-3. Same difference.

>>44 I'm not saying I believe all of that, but I just wanted to show that there are studies that find negative effects to using marijuana, like smoke inhalation. Smoke inhalation will cause bodily damage no matter what the source.

>>41 That's exactly what you're saying, its called being optimistic. And in saying its 'coming from a totally unbiased logic', are you stating that my opinion is biased? I understand where you're coming from it just doesn't sound so 'logical' in the sense you're saying. It seems like you're trying to use 'logic' to back up your argument.

I'm not sure about the 'pros outweigh cons' thing you're talking about either, I have no idea what this has to do with the argument we're having. You don't care for politician's views? You don't smoke it or do drugs? 'It's just logic' and you won't care about religious views? That's fine, though if you're going to have an argument at least have it to do with what people are suggesting please.

Overall I don't see how it would be beneficial, unless you can say something that makes sense without all the downsides to everything you're saying, give me LEGIT reasons, then its just not making any sense or does it ever sound 'logical'. Again, my opinion, both sides have valid points, which is why people haven't legalized it yet (maybe).

>>37 "The kids at my school smoke A LOT, like when the teachers aren't looking."

lol!no.
I call bullshit on this. I'm not getting involved in the rest of the debate, but com'on, Yuri. You can't nonchalantly smoke a joint in a classroom without everyone noticing. Fuck seeing the actual smoke; just the smell of it would hint it off immediately. I highly doubt several kids can smoke behind a teacher's back without the teacher noticing unless your classrooms are absolutely gigantic.

personally, i don't really care for marijuana or whether or not it is legal, but i do feel like there should be no reason someone shouldn't be able to smoke weed, but i feel like this article makes some good points.

damn. link didnt work on my screen. http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-pro-marijuana-arguments-that-arent-helping/

>>51 Um, pro-tip here: While Cracked is entertaining and provides good information usually, you should not use an opinion based article on a comedy site as a reason behind anything, even if it's by Cheese.

>>1 I agree with you , It would end the crises on money problems (hopefully) , and help people who are sick and need it ( cancer , A.D.H.D and other things) , I feel that Marijuana is better than pills and alcohol and of course cigarettes) , but that's my opinion and every has their on opinion. To be completely honest I would rather smokes marijuana than swallow a pill to take away the pain, or drowned myself in Alcohol ( Beside I hate the taste soo I don't drink )

>>53 not to mention that you wouldn't have to deal with the side effects (or take more pills to help curve the side effects).

Religion has nothing to do with legalizing marijuana. Maybe some religious leaders don't support it because they don't want the US full of legal potheads. I certainly don't. I don't want the generation after me to be a bunch of potheads either. In fact if its legalized, i think it'll cause more problems. People who are high causing car accidents, airplane pilots who smoke then go fly a plane and kill everyone on board, more lung cancer, polluted air, more fires from lit joints... Well we might get rid of crime... and a whole lot of human lives in the process...

>>53 for the sake of argument, tell me how it would end our money crisis? and why do people with ADHD need it? I have ADHD, and I don't NEED it. I do agree that Pot is better than alcohol though. I have some issues against alcohol.

There wouldn't be any more lung cancer due to Weed than there are with Cigarettes. Also you know they would still drug test and kick you out of jobs like being a pilot, due to there would be regulations on it. If anything, it would only be allowed in Hospitals and the like.

You are acting like if it's there, EVERYONE ONE WILL DO IT, and die, or cause others to get hurt. Where is this source coming from, other than your own, personal, BIAS opinions?

>>53 Ummm. No. No end to the "money crisis" which is just defeceit spending.

And there's no medical value that we on't already have available another way.

And yes, it would still cause bodily damage by smoke inhalation at the very least.

It's like you guys don't read anyone's post before posting your own...

>>58 "No medical value that we on't (ha xP) already have available" My best friend is a cancer survivor, who also has a very bad Neuropathy, and essentially has chronic pain, having to take handfuls of morphine to calm him down when it starts. Morphine causes a person to be very... well, inactive at best, having to then take some pills called Provigil to keep him active, however, this causes him to have to take sleeping pills to allow him to fall asleep at night. Or he could smoke a joint when his pain starts acting up. Medical costs are about... over 200$ a day in pills (thank god that he has awesome insurance) or how much it'd be for a joint... Ohh and the cancer took one of his kidneys, so all these pills are literary, slowly killing him where as medical marijuana (which you can turn into butter and the any sort of chocolate or multi-grain treat, so no more probability of lung cancer. Miracle!?!?! no, it's been done for years.

Likewise, even if a child just says that they are depressed, better that you give him a joint, then force him to take anti-depressants, which are VERY addictive, and can cause death?

IMO weed shouldnt be legalized it should be decriminalized if it was legalized who would be stopping people like me (an avid smoker) from getting some seed and growing it. i smoke for one reason to help with my stress disorders so i can function in society and not flip out. it has its benifits and its down sides. but legalization for anything but medical use is not gonna work. its just to easy to grow and to readily avaliable as it is now.

Wouldn't it be a good thing for it to be legalized?

After all, you can tax marijuana and spend less on prison fees for people who have gone to jail for possession and what not. Also, you can create many new jobs from starting businesses and opening stores to the public in all states.

Marijuana can be the new tobacco and cigarettes... Only far less dangerous, addicting, and deadly.

Blam! That's from The point-of-view of someone who has only smoked a few times.

>>59 And you think marijuana isn't addictive? It is. Everything is potentially addictive. And if a child says they're depressed, then I'm not going to give him either.

And the active chemical in marijuana, THC, is available in other forms. Plus MRI's and other tests have shown that long term marijuana users have suffered other detrimental side effects such as impaired strutural interigity of certain parts of the brain, a 12% volume reduction of the hippocampus, and a 7% reduction of the amygdala compared to control groups.

Not to metion studies have also shown that long term users suffer psycological dise effects such as persecutory beliefs and social withdrawal, in addition to the loss of memory equivalent to 15 additional years of aging.

>>61 Tobacco wasn't as addictive as it is now way back when. Legalizing it would cause companies to put in chemicals like nicotine to help get you addicted.

>>62 Mind sharing your sources since you appear to have such solid numbers? Likewise, how do we know that those "some" that were tested didn't have these diff before they started smoking? likewise how do we know what their medical history was until then? The sad reality is that most of the official tests done within the US on Marijuana were to find faults, not pros, nor even to come to an unbiased consensus about it.

Likewise, ok, keep THC filled Marijuana strictly for medical use. But allow Industrial Hemp to be used, it's an immensely versatile plant, that can be used in fields raging from Construction, to Oil Production, clothing and much more. It would be a major cash crop for farmers anywhere, and it would not only be THC-less, but detrimental to local THC-filled Marijuana, due to it's pollinisation cycle.

But the current JUST SAY NO! to a plant... system just won't work, it can't; and we shouldn't be forced to have to deal with someone else's personal preference and point of view, being imposed on us. (not yours in particular, but the current gov. approach to Hemp in general)

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/medical_marijuana_review.html

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-health-risks-benefits-using-marijuana-does-203856.html


Right now, basically we don't know enough about marijuana to be able to use it as a safe medicine.

Like I said, I'm still pro legalization for recreational use, but I don't think it should be used for medical purposes.

Just because there are other ways, doesn't mean WEED being tossed into that list is a bad thing. It just gives others more options. It may be even cheaper than the other, now legal ways. More options is a good thing. Not really a bad thing.

>>66 I just don't agree with it medically because we don't know enough about it.

>>52 which is why i am not using it as an entire basis on an argument, or as a source for a legitimate study. but just because something may not be totally legit statistically or done for purposes that are done with the motivation to bring new light to a subject, does not mean that an opinionated article can not make some good points. is this whole thread not just a collection of opinions that are made based on what we know of the subject of MJ?

Shameless Bump

They should legalise, purely for rastifarian, ceremonial use.

See how many people become rastifarians.

Then ban it again, and lol at the rastifarians.

Wow this is one of the few things that need to be on main

>>73 No, it fits.

>>72 And what about the people who were rastifarian before?

>>72 yeah, fucking with people's religious beliefs is pretty messed up man.

>>72 That's pretty pathetic if you believe that people are going to convert just for drugs, you know that most people wouldn't do that at all

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Bumping above secret topic (´･ω･`)

ive been saying the same thing for years i know at least 20 people who think the exact same thing

maybe this would happen, but there's no way to know for sure unless we try it...I live in a border state, so I know that this won't make the cartels just disapear. Al Capone sure didn't after they re-legalized alcohol. But I think it's worth a shot. Why not add another experiment to Democracy?

Marijuana is a drug... and drugs do help people, it's just that the PSA's have everyone associate the word "DRUG" with something harmful, when really, it's an alternate word for "Medicine"

Now, too much of a medicine turns it into a poison. But people seem to just label it as a bad thing, no matter what.

My Girlfriend has Autism, and when we lived in California, she was prescribed MEDICINAL MARIJUANA, in PILL FORM, and it helped her control her anxiety.

However, when we moved to the East, she can't get it legally, and so her Autism takes over.

Just remember, too much of anything can be bad, but it can help with certain ailments.

If anything, it should be treated like alcohol, 21 rule. But also the plant itself has many material uses as well.

yeah but people use it in the wrong way and when people use it could affect people who dont want it. and people are stupid enough to use it when there children are around.

>>208
PILL FORM.

Bump.
Plus, whenever we can, please unlock my topic, Mods. Thanks.

the reason some people get hoked on it is because it is illegal.
the thrill of breaking the law. if it is legal it might make a considurable difference.

I think it's better if it stays illegal. It helps people, yes, but there are people who would use too much of it. If it was legalized, then there would be more people, and there'd be more sickness because of lung cancer and the like, so I really think it's illegal for the best. And our world population will drop dead. (exaggerating time) what if, humanity started using marijuana all the time because they're addicted (or something)? Then the streets will be crowded with smoke and we'd all be coughing or something. Let it stay illegal. I suppose it's for the best.

I have something to say to this. Let me take the time to write it and I'll post it.

This reminds me of an old t-shirt my brother had:
"God Grew it
I smoked it
That settled it"
Plus grows naturally, and has been around for hundreds of years,
What do you think the indians smoked in their "Peace Pipe"? lol

Hm... Ever think how this will affect people who DON'T smoke? Second hand smoke is AWFUL. Trust me, I live with people that smoke 24-7. it might be fun for you guys, but it's NOT fun for us.

Ever breath air without a smoker around? Same concept with the pollution in the air. It's everywhere. Smoke just adds to what's already there.

^breathe

>>215 And who ever the hell still maintains the lung cancer crap. It can be turned into a butter, or used in many cooking recipes, and EATEN. You can also buy a nifty lil device that turns it into pure vapor, and inhale, which also eliminates the possibility of lung cancer, reason being, it's not the plant, it's the paper that's bad for you.

This guys completely right, to OD you need to smoke 15,000 joints a day (and that's a FACT) - I do not know of anyone who could possibly do that. Also the tests they carried out for brain damage and lung cancer were performed on monkeys - these monkeys were given a 100% saturated compund of pure columbian canabis, the monkeys suffered brain damage and lung cancer because they were suffocated. Final point the whole thing about teenagers being "in treatment" for marijuana is because the alternative is prison and treatment is never released to anything so you have no track record, plus it lasts about 2 weeks as opposed to 5 years in jail.

>>212
You know how stupid you just made yourself sound, right?

bump over saged

bump

bump

bumping over saged.

Makes sense. Funny thing is, I tasted weed in my mouth when I read this.

bump

There are so many different people in this world and some people don't even realize it. Every single person has their own thoughts and opinions along with their own purpose in life right? Well I had a debate with my sister the other day about how some people have no purpose. Her argument is that some people are born to do something big and "purposefull," in life and some people don't matter and aren't meant to do anything on this earth. That litterally, this is her exact words, "they're just wasting air." My argument was that people choose have their own purpose, that they control their own destinys if that makes sense. I wanted to know what you fellow dollars think about the topic. Do you believe that some people are a waste of space or that every person has meaning and importance in this world?

>>227 That would be a fun topic to discuss, however... WTF does that have to do with legalizing Marijuana?

Please make a new thread for it and best regards ^_^

>>227 omg please ignore that I meant to make that into a thread. I'd delete it but my computer is retarded.

>>1
I know some people whose lives got messed up with that stuff, and i don't want any of that happening to anyone. that stuff messes with our brain cells, harms fetus and shit happens. once it gets wired to your system it's gonna be hard to to take it out. fine it might not kill you, but how about the people around you? It's just like alcohol, just a little bit worse.

>>207
I agree. for purely necessary stuff.

How about we all just inhale small amounts of chlorine for a few years and call it good.... seriously legalizing this crap WILL NOT do any good.

>>231

So, no facts. Just bias opinions. Provide FACTS.

>>232 Why should I bother listing these oh so precious facts when many have already.... I was just adding a little sarcasm along with my saying I aggrree with what others have said below... (against this)

>>231 then how about we make cigarettes illegal!? you know the things that actually kill thousands of people yearly? lets compare pot though, its a pain killer: fact! anti depressant: fact! relaxer: fact! cigarette, main cause of lung cancer: fact! kills 400k people a year average: fact! hurts others (second hand smoke): fact! now your arguments are gone, do you see why it should be made legal? it helps the user and hurts nothing but your wallet if you use it.

dude i agree intirly if we taxed weed like a sigaret then we'd be out of debt faster, plus the fact that weed IS capable for madisinal use!

>>234 if pot is smoked in a cigarette form than it has the same negative effects as tobacco. nicotine can be isolated just like THC to counter these negative effects. those are also facts and now your argument is gone. i hope you read this and become more knowledgeable.

>>234 Need I say that you only listed the pros to it and not the cons???
Also... cigarettes should and would probably be illegal BUT way too many people are already addicted to them... more people would die as a result.

>>237 You don't DIE! due to cigarette withdrawal... you MAY kill that annoying bitch that's on the phone while driving and doing 30 in a 45. However you've clearly ignored the pros and the workaround the cons. Lung cancer is a non issue given that it came be ingested in ohh so many ways.
It doesn't kill brain cells, it in facts help with brain development, and helps people be more creative, think outside the box, come up with solutions they might not ordinarily do (and not only when they are high, on a small yet significant scale, in their day to day life).
I get it, you were brought up in a JUST SAY NO! environment, it's against your moral being to use this, I accept that! but why do you have to make others suffer, simply because they have a diff point of view then yours?

Watch Reefer Madness
that is all

.....It's funny as hell!

>>238 Enlighten me... when did I say I wanted others to suffer just because they have a different point of view? I get it, it can help in certain cases under certain amounts. But also realize that it's legal when used for medical purposes. Outside of that people mainly abuse it for no reason other than "it feels good"

>>240 there's no reason to use regular tobacco problems other than "it makes me feel better/good/less stressed", which is exactly what you claim to be an invalid reason to want to smoke weed, and cigarettes do MORE harm than Marijuana does. Also, MORE people would DIE from CIGARETTE withdrawal than they would from ACTUALLY SMOKING THEM? i have no clue where you're getting this information from.

>>238 So long as inhalation of Marijuana (the most common and popular form of ingestion used by anyone) is done regularly, Lung Cancer can and always will be an issue. it's not good getting anything but air in your lungs, so unless you plan on using other means of ingestion regularly and outlaw inhalation, your argument is sort of invalid.

>>240 I do not think it was a personal shot at you when he said "but why do you have to make others suffer, simply because they have a diff point of view then yours?", saying that this was your intent all along, but rather it was a question as to why your morals must dictate whether or not others can use it. a sort of "better to make it legal and have people not smoke it, than to have people who want to smoke it, but can't" sort of argument.

*Tobacco products

>>244 there is medical proof that THC can help with medical issues and is relatively harmless, just not when inhaled through smoke. also, 1 joint is worse than 5 cogarettes? where the hell do you pull that figure from? Marijuana is one plant with a few chemicals, cigarettes have a metric fuck-ton of nasty chemicals and substances, like tar, that will fuck your health up.

>>245 sorry, you ninja posted me, so i didnt see your second addition right off the bat. When have you ever heard of anyone dying from a fucking MJ overdose? and how in god's name can you say that there are 400 more chemicals in one god damn plant? i mean, it's not something that could be unheard of (the chemical number, not the overdose. that's pretty unheard of), but it's still very difficult to believe.

I understand your views, and I personally do not smoke weed, but even then this seems like a pretty bullshit story to me.

i agree with you on that one my brothr uses marijuana for his pain since his surgery and it helps keep him calm when he feels pain which is a goos thing for our family because when my brother gets mad he gets totally out of control

>>248
Don't pull that bullshit. You're not addicted to those drugs cause of pot. You're addicted to those drugs cause of those fucking drugs. It was your own fucking stupidity that made you want to try something much worse.

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/#/documentaries/truth-about-drugs-documentary-marijuana

>>251
Then you should have looked for the high, from the same source. Not from anything worse. Again, your own stupidity should be blamed. Not the pot.

as supriseing as it may be i see his point it would be a good thing to leagilize marijuana

Jamjey : 2012-05-01 19:11 ID:WlWs0e9U
Mikaree : 2012-05-01 18:15 ID:WlWs0e9U

Samefag dammit.

awwww you'd go through all that trouble how cute X3

>>257 Didn't know copy-pasta'ing was "all that trouble". Seriously, though. Don't samefag :V

Bump from a hippie!

>>260 Please don't bump things that are at the top already.

>>257

Yet you'd go through all that trouble just to get the community to hate you, by samefagging. Not sweet, but retarded.

i think a distinction between cigarettes and tobacco should be made because they are not the same thing. tobacco, which has medicinal qualities, has a bad reputation due to it's relation to cigarettes.

>>238 Actually, while it does stimulate one part of the brain, it also causes damage to other parts, as well as damage your memory.

Guess I'll throw my two cents out there.

Honestly? Keep it illegal. Marijuana is just another substance to be abused, and there seems to be more than enough of that in the world. The fact that it is illegal is a good and strong deterant against people picking it up in the first place.

Like with anything else, your body will eventually adapt to the effects of marijuana. The words "gateway drug" come to mind when you find that your high can no longer be sustained by the "innocent-looking" natural plant (unless of course, marijuana has some magic ability that prevents your body from adapting to it; in which case, disregard that last statement).

I am in no way assuming that any other medicine/remedy is better than another. I'll even admit that pot probably helps with certain things that other medicines do not. But personally, I try to stay away from anything that causes even a hint of dependence.

bamp.

I didn't read the whole thread, so I'm just going to voice my opinion. (Don't comment on my grammar because I am high) The benefits to legalizing marijuana are the medicinal benefits (tumor-fighting, stress/anxiety/depression etc.,) lower crime rate (due to petty drug dealers and recreational users not being convicted. Teenagers will not have to use drug dealers to get there product,) the many uses for hemp, regulates the market for Cannabis. (I am forgetting some but again Im high)
More and more studies are being published about the dangers of smoking marijuana...moderate usage does not lead to lung cancer nor effect the lungs in any real noticeable way, brain cells are not killed in fact it may help stimulate growth, it only causes psychological problems if used by someone who is already slightly out of it or had a genetic predisposition to. The gateway theory is B.S, ask most crack addicts and they started with coffee and cigarettes, or hell before that lollipops and soda. I personally don't mind if its fully legalized because I enjoy the stoner culture, and there is a risk that the stoner culture will die. Ideally (for me) it will be available medically to people. Ill cite sources if asked, and if needed give more information out about the reefer. ever living ever faithful jan Rastafari. Keep blazing. [4]

meh, i've got some time to kill
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060526083353.htm
its these guys jobs to cite them (I'm not going to find every single individual study Ive read) http://norml.org/library/recent-research-on-medical-marijuana
..

>>267 You should read the thread. We've discussed most of those points, if not all.

>>269 my bad......too lazy to read it all

1. hippies are awesome thank you very much.
2. It should be legal. period. It has NO PERMANENT HEALTH RISKS, and actually being high doesn't cause you to do dumb shit. feeling like you should do dumb shit because you've never smoked before is your choice.

I'm SO tired of hearing people say weed should stay illegal for all these different reasons when none of them are true.

I'm also tired of brainless idiots coming up with stupid reasons why pot should be legal.

Fact of the matter is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and it should be legalized. Honestly, we feed hour children more addictive substances every day. Caffiene anybody?

>>271 You look just like one of those brainless idiots you mentioned. You obviously didn't read this thread.

Here's one thing, without the weed war, they'll resort to the more illegitamate laws like, lemonade beingt sold without a license, or the sale of non-pasturized milk from health safe animals. Also, weed couldb rot away your jaws, you dont need to be awake, nor passed out for it to burn and smoke.

I agree IT is stupid to keep it illegal. Yes it effects the maturity growth in your mind but that is THEIR choice to do it. If someone messes themself up, thats their choice. Their problem. Why not just keep it legal. If choices are made, thats that.

>>274 Not just the maturity growth. It's detrimental to more thanthat.

if marijuana users could become a serious and positive functioning part of society, it would be legalized. it's difficult to get users to cooperate with a larger unit such as society. weed smokers have a bad reputation for being lethargic. that needs to be changed if there is going to be any hope for legalization. supporters need to show proof that weed can be used responsibly without negative repercussions for productivity. failure to show this proof will be considered as reason enough to keep it illegal.

>>276

Same argument can be made for alcohol. I find drunk people have issues working with larger units in any coordinated matter.

It can also be made for many legal prescription drugs utilized to dull pain or provide mental support, people are aware of the side effects and warn them ahead of time of taking them.

A major problem you're going to have defending marijuana is that a great deal of the arguments most uneducated people bring up are arguments that are completely moot points and have been raised by other issues and debunked already.

In other words, they are arguments where the precedent is already set for it not to matter, or has already been adjusted to.

>>276
So, you are looking for me then?

Listen, I don't smoke or anything but I agree that weed should be legalized. The thing is, most prisons are run by independent companies sponsored by the government. So if they keep crime high, they make money. That's why the legalization of weed may never happen even though weed is the less harmless than cigarettes.

>>279
And alcohol, and anti-depressant medication, and erection pills, and crohn's disease medication, and blood pressure medication, and /continues naming all medications that have televisions commercials (all of which have a very quickly read list of possible side effects including death)

Look up the side effects of these legal and regularly sold and/or prescribed medications:

Singulair, Chantix, Tamiflu, Accutane, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Luvox, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, Zyrtec, Pepcid, acetaminophen, Enrel, Cimzia, tocilizumab, Celebrex, EvaMist, Plavix, oxycodone, insulin, Voixx, Remicade, Abilify, zolpidem tartrate and Ropinirole

>>279 i agree
i dont smoke either but my friend does for medical resions n she been getting better, i think it should be legal if she never smoke she mite of died..n i love her so im glad she getting better<3

>>286 Bullshit. Because the THC is already available in other forms.

>>287 It doesn't matter what other ways of obtaining it, there is. You already know not many people give a shit about it.

It still does more good, than bad, and hurts your body less than any other drugs. We don't need to know the fact it'll hurt your lungs. Breathing the air, normally, hurts it. Everything harms your body, eventually.

>>288 i really would like to know where you got the basis for that argument of breathing normal aair hurts our lungs. N im not talking about middle of a freeway during rush hour, im talking youre standing in the middle of nowhere.

All air has dust, dirt, chemicals in it. No air, unless filtered out, will be perfectly clean. Let alone the ACT of breathing puts a bit of strain on your lungs.

The air not being 100% oxygen doesn't mean that breathing it is detrimental.

Either way! Our lungs were not made to only breath oxygen. If they were we would have all died by now

Almost all toxins known to man in small degrees have been shown to actually aid in the health of people. Airborne chemicals enable the lungs to more articulately filter unwanted materials out in the future, just as small ammounts of alcohol are an aid for healthy liver function.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/03/government-sponsored-study-destroys-deas-classification-of-marijuana/

And another step has been taken twords it's legalization!

To be honest
I think if the US actually allows marijuana
People wont actually do it
but I don't know for sure lets just see what happens.

(cough, cough) you know 85% of kids in my middle school used to smoke weed... wonder why?? they are against cigarettes though, they said because cigarettes were worse.. they believe more an idiot that sells weed than scientists... WTF...

>>296 I know that's a false statistic.

>>297 when was the last time you were in middle school??

>>297 are you counting the quantity of students? where i live? who were those kids? what kinda school it was? well, i don't think so.. i said MY middle school not yours!!

ROFL I'm moving to Canada!

>>298 5 or 6 years ago. I went to middle school with potheads as well.

>>299 Alright smartass. Give me the names of every last kid in your middle school, and make a special note of every last one that you have witnessed smoke marijuana.

Your kidding me right? Sabrina Salazar, Juan Gomez, Oscar Trejo... You seriously want me to give you all their names...

>>302 Yes I do. Every. Last. One.

>>302 And I mean your entire school's roster. Put stars by the people you have witnessed smoke marijuana.

I forgot to write my opinion here. Barabi! Maybe we'll disagree on this, so you should read what I think.

Here's something that I was told, but I'm not sure if this is right. Marijuana will stunt or slow the development of your mind if yo are younger, but it will also stunt the deterioration of your mind if you are older.

If this were true, then it is good for a person in their 40s or older because it will slow the deterioration of their mind. This could prevent Alzheimer's.

It is also good for reducing stress and anxiety. I guess that's why it's a prescription now. I know that much is true.

With these medical facts, then it is good for someone once their brain is fully developed, but bad for them when it is still developing. It also could reduce the stresses that adults deal with such as money and work. There are more adults being diagnosed with depression that they have developed during adulthood. I believe this is due to the stresses that society has put on us. Actual depression, you know the stuff that deals with the chemical levels in your brain, would have formed during late childhood and teen years. Depression forming during adulthood is rare. The stresses of society create depression-like symptoms. Therefore, even though the number of people who have been diagnosed with depression has skyrocketed, the number of people who truly have it has not.

I believe that marijuana will help reduce the stresses of society for adults, and reduce the rate of people being diagnosed with depression, if it were over-the-counter like cigarettes are. Put an age limit on it. This will develop a new issue though. You will have people below the age limit trying to get it just like kids who drink and smoke.

Here's where I insert my opinion when all the medical facts are removed. Kids break the rules because it makes them look like a badass. It makes them popular. That is why kids under the age limit will try to get it if there was an age limit on it. It's why it's being illegally smuggled, smoked, and grown now. If they made it legal, then people will no longer have the urge to use it. It's not against the rules anymore, so why bother? It's not addictive (Correct this if I'm wrong), so people will just stop taking it.

Here's an example. During the prohibition age, alcohol was made illegal. People now want to drink it just because they aren't allowed to. People drank it even if it was illegal. America developed organized crime. What's really the point of it being illegal is people will drink it anyways?

I believe that if it became legal, less people will be tempted to use it just because. They are no longer perceived as a cool for doing so. Just like I think that kids won't drink if the age limit was lowered. If someone becomes popular by breaking the rules, why will they continue to do something once it's legal? Basically, they will quit doing it once it's legal, because they are no longer breaking the rules by doing it.

Then there's the political side of things. The people want to stop the goverment from taxing us, so why not give them something else to tax? The goverment taxes things that's harmful to the person and/or addictive. Cigarets have a tax on them. The goverment gets a lot of money from them because smoking is a bad habit to break. Why not make it completely legal and not a medication and tax it through the roof? Then the goverment will be making more money and will the high tax will prevent people from taking it because it's so expensive.

This gives people two reasons not to take it.
1) It's no longer illegal, so you're not a badass for taking it.
2) It's an expensive habit, and you have a hard time paying for it.

So, there are several ideas that I have included here.
1) Make it a legal and over-the-counter drug.
Pros: It's good for stress and anxiety. It slows brain deterioration. There are good effects on your health from this. You no longer have this associated with gangs, because you can just buy it at a drug store.
Cons: It's a drug. People take drugs to get high. Kids will abuse this drug just like they do with any other drug to get high, but it'll be abused less because it'd legal.

2) Make it legal, but not a drug. Put an age limit on it.
Pros: It's legal, and so people will abuse it less. It is no longer associated with gangs. It still has positive effects on your health. The goverment can tax the fuck out of it and they will get more money, so they will tax the people less. (I never said they'd lower taxes.)
Cons: It will still be abused by people under the age limit because it makes them a badass.

3) Make it legal for everyone.
Pros: Kids are no longer seen as a badass for taking it. There are positives effects for taking it as an adult. The goverment can tax the fuck out of it.
Cons: It's harmful to kids because it slowly the development of their brain.

4) Keep it illegal.
Pros: None that I can see.
Cons: Anyone who takes it is a badass, so it'll be abused as fuck for all ages. The goverment can't tax it. It's associated with gangs. Adults will only get the positive side-effects if they get it illegally. Kids will take is because it's illegal and get the harmful side effects.

5) Make it only illegal as a prescription.
Pros: Only the people who really need it can take it.
Cons: Look at the cons for the answer above.

I think the best way to go are 1.2,or 3. If you have another idea, please link your post to mine so that I may read it and comment on it. Which of my five choices do you like? I'm pretty sure those are all of the possible choices.

If this thread is about legalizing weed in America I agree. Hands down. Alcohol is way worse. No one ever came home high and beat their kids.

5) Make it only legal as a prescription.*

Derp. I made a typo. Ignore my grammar and take my post for what it is. It states the pros and cons for Marijuana. It gives ideas for how to approach this issue. It states facts more than opinions.

Here's a valid argument that weed is better than alcohol....
(seriously though, Why can't I find the button to put pictures on this thread!)

http://wolfwood2.deviantart.com/gallery/?catpath=scraps#/d56025i

>>308 Because you can't post pictures on Main

Legalizing it wouldn't exactly help to much in the crime world I think,drug dealers would just switch to something else,plus,the drug is highly addictive and most people addicted to it only think about their next high,not what happens in order to get it.

it's not a good thing. for medical use, i cant totally see that, but people who are addicted would waste all their money on it, then revert to stealing it once they lose money, so crime wouldn't rlly decrease. and anyone who knows anyone with an addiction to it would be appalled that you think it would help. i would know, my friend whose sister is addicted saw this and almost broke my computer.

i understand ur point!!

>>310
Anyone can get additive to anything. Weed is the less additive drug in the world.

>>311 Alcohol. It's like essentially. Most people aren't likely to become addicted, but if you do, you don't act like a meth addict.

>>313 Caffiene?

My own opinion isn't really related to whether marijuana should be legal or illegal. I dislike it (and other drugs/alcohol and even the vast majority of medication) because you're giving your body something so unnatural (and often toxic), often with many negative side-effects that seem to easily outweigh the benefits. And as with any drug/alcohol and many medications, it negatively impacts your mental and/or physical functioning. But that kind of thing is very much a matter of personal choice.

From what little I've read, marijuana does seem to have quite a few touted health benefits, although some sound kinda dubious, such as how it's good for cancer and that it balances your autonomic nervous system. To me it seems like, if anything, it would force your ANS into a pseudo-balanced state that's hardly natural.

As far as cancer goes, I don't see how marijuana can be useful. What aspect of marijuana helps with cancer? I think what's more useful is to make sure you're eating right (especially plenty of fruits a veggies), get exercise, and laugh yourself silly. Right there, you've got a lot of benefits with no negative side effects. Even if you don't have cancer. And it's all natural. Really, I don't think anyone should have to worry about cancer. Many of the risk factors for cancer are very much under our control (i.e., tobacco use, diet low in fruits and veggies, chemical and radiation exposure in the workplace, STDs, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, excessive alcohol use, unprotected exposure to strong sunlight). That list was taken from my Adult Development and Aging textbook, btw. ...But that's more than a little off-topic.

So, back on topic, I read the part about the ANS here: http://www.benefitsofmarijuana.com/benefits.php. It seems to have a lot of info about the various benefits marijuana is claimed to have. How/if that info has been investigated, I have no idea. So, there's some more fuel for the fire, I guess.

Solely agree with 315..

>>315 The major problem with regards to marijuana is that it was classified as a Schedule 1 drug, while not meeting the requirements as such. Being a schedule 1 drug, research with regards to this plant was prohibited up until recent years, it is indeed still illegal, as far as the DEA is concerned, but studies have been allowed.

Now, while I also doubt it directly helps combat cancer, it does however help IMMENSELY! with people going through cancer treatment, reason being, most people die while on the treatment due to not eating, and just wasting away. Marijuana makes you happy, laugh silly at times, and gives you an appetite, likewise it helps with pain.

bump for cannabis

bump again

and again

Sweep

get high mi niggas

Actually, since I live in Colorado let me point out that it's not necessarily a good thing. Yes there are a lot of benefits to marijuana, medically-speaking, and having it legalized makes it easier for people with medical needs to get access to it, but you also have people that are giving it to their children and pets without realizing the health hazards it can present too.

And you CAN OD on marijuana if you actually ingest it (ever heard of pot brownies?). Not to mention the fact that I know a lot of people here in my own hometown that smoke and drink at the same time, which is beyond terrible in regards to bad ideas.

I'm not saying this is entirely a bad thing but I want everyone here to at least look at the other side.

>>323 It hasn't been proven that you can OD from cannabis.

>>323 I'm live in CO, let's get loud!

I can´t belive it¡¡¡¡ OMG Maybe is a illuminati idea?? If this is true...the problem is of the people that eat this drug...The world scares me TTnTT

This thread is pretty old. There's a more recent discussion the News board. Feel free to drop by. We've been discussing the pros and cons at length.

>>327 This. Go to the News board. No need to have 2 discussions on the exact same thing.

/sage

Fully on board with what most people are saying, but one MAJOR FUCKING CAVEAT. The idea that, as OP said, legalizing marijuana would end the recession (recession, not depression, there's a difference) is downright silly. The sheer cost of manufacturing it, packaging, distributing, administration costs, and the sheer amount of paperwork required for this sort of job would be through the roof. Similarly to how most businesses work, it likely wouldn't see a profit til 20 years from now, and even then the profit margin would be razor thin.

Even if you are talking about decriminalizing without putting it into government hands, marijuana dealers are so widespread that there wouldn't even be a place to start in how to put it onto storefront shelves. The current dealers would also resist both A) Increasing price to account for federal/state taxes, and B) giving a portion of the profit to the government after not having to give that for years.

Now, I myself find it immoral for the government to tell someone what they can and can't put into their body, provided it's not a risk to others around them. Marijuana is relatively safe, like everything, in moderation. I would be alright with decriminalizing the use or possession of marijuana, but the sale/distribution is a tricky topic, and one that I'm afraid I don't have the answer to...

^