Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
MEWanoDesigns wrote:
You've obviously never been around people who smoked pot then. I second that, I have seen several people and even tried it once when I was only 16 (yeah, bad idea). It was NOT fun for me, I felt confused (granted everything was funnier...but for the wrong reasons), and I ended up sound asleep and not having much of a memory of what I did that day!!! Scary feeling. I know from friends that the feeling I had would subside after continuous use, but I don't like "acquired" tastes or effects. Everyone I've seen using pot seems out of it, not too bright, and lazy. They say they are "laid back" and everything is funnier. Well, that may be true for them, but I know alot of them don't get much done and usually gain weight (munchies). Granted there are those out there that it doesn't dramatically effect in that way, but regardless...it's just not a good idea. I have fun all the time...natural high's are great!!!
Natural Highs are:
Legal
FREE
Undetectable in Drug tests (big one for me)
No hangover/coming down type feelings later
NO cravings
Odor free (I hope anyways)
Completely controllable
Energizing
Okay I'll stop there:-)
Model
theda
Posts: 21719
New York, New York, US
Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Model Sarah wrote:
Ahem; quoting Bill again;
"Alcohol is only the number 2 killer in the world but yet I have seen beer commercials during "war on drug" specials. Define irony. Cigarrettes legal, alcohol legal, they kill people more than all of the illegal drugs combined times 1,000. Pot kills.... uh............. no one. Let's put it in a time frame.. uh 'ever'. Yet it is against the law.
Want a better world legalize pot. I have never seen anyone on just pot get into a fight because it is fucking impossible. Say you get into a car accident, you are smoking pot. You were probably only going 4 mph." - Bill Hicks
I dont use it but I am not against legalizing it. Okay, I do need to add that I am not really against legalizing it either, I just don't encourage the use. No, not many that are ONLY high kill people or cause wrecks, but the problem is that most people aren't JUST high...most people combine their drugs (cigs, beer, mary J). Also, it has alternate ways of affecting lives...like parents that stay high and don't help raise their children. Oh, and as for wrecks...people who are high have slower reflexes by far and therefore CAN cause an accident by:
Not stopping quickly if the person in front of them has to hit the brakes
Not watching the other cars period
Going "4 mph" on the Interstate!!!!
But, maybe if it was legalized it could be better controlled?? Oh wait, that didn't work out so well for alcohol and cigarettes now did it? Hmmmm...seems to me that it doesn't matter...legal or not...things like this cause problems. I don't care one way or the other about the legalizing...I care more about convincing people to STOP IT. I don't smoke cigarettes either, but when they were illegal it still existed. Same with alcohol...which I admit I am a light social drinker (I don't drink and drive though...sober on NEW YEAR's EVE which did suck).
One word people:
MODERATION
Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
EMG STUDIOS wrote:
So I guess you're against alcohol, Nyquil, General Anesthesia, and being In Love?? lol Now THAT was funny...(the being in love part...oh and Nyquil...damn I'm busted!)
Photographer
Fireflyfotography
Posts: 321
Las Colinas, Panamá, Panama
OMG if that passes the next thing you know Anna Nicole Smith will appeal her money problems to the Suprem Court OOOOooo shit!!!
Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Nemi wrote:
I don't and have never smoked pot.
BUT I think legalizing AND regulating it would be a great thing.
If pot were legal and could be bought and sold like ciggaretes it would eliminate pot dealers. Also the danger of buying something laced would be gone as everything would be overseen by the government.
This could only HELP the government financially and morally because it would be harder for pot to land in the hands of a 12 year old. Right now it is MUCH easier for a 12 year old to get pot than it would be for them to get a box of cigs.
Think about it folks. I agree with everything you said except the 12 yr old. Most of my friends that smoke started before that age even! I caught my brother smoking at 9!!! It's very easy to smoke under 18...my brother is now 17 and has been open about smoking since he was 15 I think ( my mom tried everything ).
Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Alexei Fomin wrote:
pot is actually not addictive. I have yet to see a pot junkie. people that smoke as often as they drink, or have given up drinking to smoke since the prefer the effects, yes there are those. but yet they have no problem not smoking for a month while they are studying for exams, and other such things. See, I don't agree with that totally. All pot smokers claim this, but the whole time they are "passin one". Quite funny...in fact, my friend Darrell said his New Year's Resolution was to quit ( I was proud of him....) but he didn't make it three days. He only made it three days because he was not able to be around it. Also, my mom (shameful) has been smoking since she was young (can't remember exact age). She has admitted to wanting to stop, but doesn't seem to be able to do it. She shrugs it off, saying she can quit whenever she wants...Anyone else see anything wrong with that statement??? And people wonder why I don't do drugs...I see the results everyday.
Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Alexei Fomin wrote:
check into crystal meth - doesn't smell. same with heroin No, but the lack of hygiene from meth heads does tend to cause an odor...especially the "meth mouth" of rotting teeth
BTW I am only 23....I've also been through alot of things in my life (many people can claim this). That is more of a reason NOT to do drugs though...at least that is my opinion
Photographer
EMG STUDIOS
Posts: 2033
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
The end result...You ask a pot head a question, he stares at you blankly for a few minutes, and then finally answers with a grin on his face. Sounds like Parkinson's disease...
Photographer
Infinite Eye
Posts: 300
New York, New York, US
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
The Dude: I dropped off the money exactly as per... look, man, I've got certain information, all right? Certain things have come to light. And, you know, has it ever occurred to you, that, instead of, uh, you know, running around, uh, uh, blaming me, you know, given the nature of all this new shit, you know, I-I-I-I... this could be a-a-a-a lot more, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, complex, I mean, it's not just, it might not be just such a simple... uh, you know?
The Big Lebowski: What in God's holy name are you blathering about?
The Dude: I'll tell you what I'm blathering about... I've got information man! New shit has come to light! And shit... man, she kidnapped herself. Well sure, man. Look at it... a young trophy wife, in the parlance of our times, you know, and she, uh, uh, owes money all over town, including to known pornographers, and that's cool... that's, that's cool, I'm, I'm saying, she needs money, man. And of course they're going to say that they didn't get it, because... she wants more, man! She's got to feed the monkey, I mean uh... hasn't that ever occurred to you? Sir? You can't use the Big Lebowski as an anti-marijuana movie, especially since the point is that the Dude (and maybe his landlord, on second thought) is the only person in the movie who isn't a complete asshole. He's a little slow on the uptake, sure, but it's the other, non-smoking folks in the movie that are commiting the crimes and causing havoc.
Photographer
EMG STUDIOS
Posts: 2033
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Glamour Boulevard wrote:
Isn`t it neat how one MOD reminds us early on that talking about illegal activities and such is not permitted here, then the other MODS join in the thread  I think there was a warning in effect as to not be trying to plan "Purple Haze" Smoking sessions here on MM.. Hmmmm that reminds me of a personalized license plate I saw not too long ago that read; "PRPL HAZ" I knew exactly what that meant.. Isn't that something.... and Pennsylvania wouldn't approve my; "GET SHOT" request for a personal plate...
Photographer
Infinite Eye
Posts: 300
New York, New York, US
BbyGrl82 wrote:
I second that, I have seen several people and even tried it once when I was only 16 (yeah, bad idea). It was NOT fun for me, I felt confused (granted everything was funnier...Granted there are those out there that it doesn't dramatically effect in that way, but regardless...it's just not a good idea. Technically, none of us should know empirically what marijuana's all about as it is illegal. Besides, one's personal experience with its effects is irrelevant, it's the drug's effect on the country at large that is the issue.
I think the long and short of it comes to these points: 1) Its many medicinal and industrial applications are well documented and could help us resolve a few issues that are reaching the boiling point. 2) Its major negative points involve health problems, hindered communication skills and lack of ambition. None of these things kills or makes a person more likely to commit crimes. Also, none of them are debilitating enough to make a person less able to contribute to the workforce (unless theyre getting baked on the job, which is not allowable even with alcohol).
As far as it being not a good idea to smoke, I agree wholeheartedly. It is however, a terrible idea to make it criminal to do so.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Niesha Studio wrote:
You can't use the Big Lebowski as an anti-marijuana movie, especially since the point is that the Dude (and maybe his landlord, on second thought) is the only person in the movie who isn't a complete asshole. He's a little slow on the uptake, sure, but it's the other, non-smoking folks in the movie that are commiting the crimes and causing havoc. I couldnt agree more.
That movie was good. I wasnt high when I watched it like my friends were.
*takes a bow*
Model
Victoria E B
Posts: 71
Atlanta, Georgia, US
I do think that, of all the drugs, it is the least one to worry over. I do hate that so many of out tax dollars go to "housing" those hardened "criminals" (sarcasm here, please note that!!). Seriously, there would be alot less need for cops and jails if it were legalized and controlled. I'm honestly lost at this one, it's like a scale that keeps tipping back and forth.
Photographer
EdBPhotography
Posts: 7741
Torrance, California, US
Model Sarah wrote:
I couldnt agree more.
That movie was good. I wasnt high when I watched it like my friends were.
*takes a bow* I couldn't agree more either. It's a great movie and definitely a classic. The reason I reference it though, is becuase The Dude is the stereotypical pothead. Granted, he's probably not the pot smoker that we are familiar with, but anyone who has smoked weed, or knows people that smoke weed, can find certain attributes that are common with this character. If anyone believes that pot smoking DOES NOT have the potential to "damage" some people, then I'd say they're believing a myth.
As with alcohol, or any other substance, anyone can try it and become a social user. Likewise, some will try it and become habitual users. Then of course, there are the addicts...those who lose everything to their drug of choice. Can anyone out there predict who will become the addict and who won't? Do you think addicts chose to become addicts when they first started using?
If I took a keg of beer into a high school classroom and encouraged everyone to drink, how many of those teens would go on to become alcoholics? There's no way I could ever know. But, I do know this. If I open that door to a group of young people, then I, in all reality, am opening a pandora's box for some of them as well. A life that will be filled with misery, degradation, and ultimately death. Just look at any homeless person on the street. Do you think that was the plan for their life? Was that their high school dream? I can tell you from my years of experience in emergency services that I have seen a lot of homeless people die miserable deaths on cold and lonely streets. I wonder, if they could go back in time, would they refuse that first drink? or that first hit?
Just because YOU (general term) don't have a problem with either drugs or alcohol, does not mean that someone else won't either. Why do we want to encourage or promote the usage of things like this? It baffles me sometimes.
Photographer
EdBPhotography
Posts: 7741
Torrance, California, US
theda wrote:
No, marijuana is not physically addictive. THC has no chemically addictive properties. It is "habit forming" (psychologically addictive), but anything can be.
And by the way, it is STILL the number one cash crop ion Virginia, despite official claims that tobacco is.
Further edit: I've known pothead rocket scientists. I've also known junkie rocket scientists. Geez...who's gonna' be your maid of honor at your wedding?? A crack whore??
Photographer
EMG STUDIOS
Posts: 2033
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
Just because YOU (general term) don't have a problem with either drugs or alcohol, does not mean that someone else will. Why do we want to encourage or promote the usage of things like this? It baffles me sometimes. I can never really understand why people say things like this. It baffles me sometimes, and only because it's a rhetorical statement. I don't like the way my neighbor cuts his lawn bushes into animal shapes and I have a huge problem with my other neighbor cover his house in lights, replicating a gingerbread house during christmas.
I'm not sure any of us here holds the power, individually; to control anything more than our own households or businesses, so we'll always be faced with situations like this question. On a linear level, alcohol and weed are no different. In my opinion.
To this day, I'm convinced that it won't be long before it's legalized. I work for one of the biggest law firms in the world, our clients include, The NFL, Alex's Lemonade Stand, Fidelity Brokerage Services, just to name a few.. and when I was hired here, on the application where they ask you about your criminal background, there was a statement that said something to the affect of; "treat misdemeanor marijuana convictions as you would a traffic violation, that information does not have to be disclosed." GO FIGURE!!!
Model
Lapis
Posts: 8424
Chicago, Illinois, US
MEWanoDesigns wrote:
You've obviously never been around people who smoked pot then. Ummmm...was this pot laced with PCP?
Photographer
Glamour Boulevard
Posts: 8628
Sacramento, California, US
EMG STUDIOS wrote:
I think there was a warning in effect as to not be trying to plan "Purple Haze" Smoking sessions here on MM.. Hmmmm that reminds me of a personalized license plate I saw not too long ago that read; "PRPL HAZ" I knew exactly what that meant.. Isn't that something.... and Pennsylvania wouldn't approve my; "GET SHOT" request for a personal plate... lol, I just think its funny, a MOD displays the rules about discussing illegal activities,,,another MOD joins in on the thread, then the MOD who gave the first warning revives the thread,lol.
Photographer
EdBPhotography
Posts: 7741
Torrance, California, US
EMG STUDIOS wrote:
I can never really understand why people say things like this. It baffles me sometimes, and only because it's a rhetorical statement. I don't like the way my neighbor cuts his lawn bushes into animal shapes and I have a huge problem with my other neighbor cover his house in lights, replicating a gingerbread house during christmas.
I'm not sure any of us here holds the power, individually; to control anything more than our own households or businesses, so we'll always be faced with situations like this question. On a linear level, alcohol and weed are no different. In my opinion.
To this day, I'm convinced that it won't be long before it's legalized. I work for one of the biggest law firms in the world, our clients include, The NFL, Alex's Lemonade Stand, Fidelity Brokerage Services, just to namea few.. and when I was hired here, on the application where they ask you about your criminal background, there was a statement that said something to the effects of; "treat misdemeanor marijuana convictions as you would a traffic violation, that information does not have to be disclosed." GO FIGURE!!! There's a HUGE difference between someone chosing to put animal-shaped hedges in their front lawn and drugs or alcohol inside their body. You're comparing apples and oranges here. I'm not saying that I, or anyone else can make someone else's choice or control their actions. What I am saying, is that I don't understand why some people out there want to be the stumbling blocks for thousands, if not millions of people. Why encourage, allow, or legalize drugs? By doing so, wouldn't we be opening the flood gates to even more addiction problems that we have today? Some people out there still respect the boundary of the law and that restrains them from entering into drugs. Of course people will still use, just look at prohibition. But without that boundary, isn't it reasonable to believe that more people would begin using drugs? And if that's so, is it not true that marijuana is usually the first step into heavier drug usage?
Model
Lapis
Posts: 8424
Chicago, Illinois, US
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
Geez...who's gonna' be your maid of honor at your wedding?? A crack whore??
Now see, this is the problem right here. I cannot read theda's mind, but I believe what she is saying is that even high achieving people can be addicted to or regular users of illegal and potentially mentally debilitating substances. How many successful stock brokers were snorting and smoking coke in the 80's? A crack whore is usually considered to not be an elevated position. Now if it were a freebasing CEO that was her maid of honor, that would be different.
As another note, and I am not going to look it up right now because I am too lazy...studies have shown that in mathmatical prodigies, use of heroin INCREASES mathmatical acuity...in much the same way that 'speed' improves EVERYONE's test scores (I mean ritalin, not crystal), not just people with ADD or ADHD.
This strange tendancy of heroin could possibly explain why so many musicians (music is a very mathmatical art) have fallen prey to its insidious clutches.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Lapis wrote:
As another note, and I am not going to look it up right now because I am too lazy...studies have shown that in mathmatical prodigies, use of heroin INCREASES mathmatical acuity...in much the same way that 'speed' improves EVERYONE's test scores (I mean ritalin, not crystal), not just people with ADD or ADHD.
This strange tendancy of heroin could possibly explain why so many musicians (music is a very mathmatical art) have fallen prey to its insidious clutches. I was actually just going to bring this up.
Speaking of mathmatical arts, thats really why the mainstream bands out now arent really as good as the legendary ones.
I remember hearing this gay band called "Earshot" I said "they are Tool without the math".
Photographer
Landra Lee Photography
Posts: 276
Los Angeles, California, US
Rowen wrote:
Oh my! Marijuana is not addictive...sheezz... Been smoking it off and on for years. Oh, and by the way, I'm an astrophysicist.
Marijuana is not an addictive drug. Some people have addictive personalities - they could get addicted to vitamins or water.
-R This is very true. I don't think it is the pot that is addicting, I think it is the addictive personality. I will openly admit to being a pot smoker. It is all about moderation, and still being able to handle your shit. If you can do both, and want to, then why not... It's not the herb, it's how you use it.
"The Dude" is about as huge of an exaggeration as you could possibly find, AND he is a character. There are plenty of lazy-ass dimwits out there, sure... but there are probably even more of them that DON'T smoke than do... I am far from an idiot, don't sit around with a blank stare, or laugh like "duurrrr huh hurr..." or whatever. Movies are movies. They are a form of entertainment. The Big Lebowski is fictional. Anyone who doesn't fully recognize this enough, especially so much as to use it as an argumentative point, is clearly less "with it" than my pot-smoking self. I think that there are far more benefits to the plant than problems with it.
Photographer
EdBPhotography
Posts: 7741
Torrance, California, US
Lapis wrote:
Now see, this is the problem right here. I cannot read theda's mind, but I believe what she is saying is that even high achieving people can be addicted to or regular users of illegal and potentially mentally debilitating substances. How many successful stock brokers were snorting and smoking coke in the 80's? A crack whore is usually considered to not be an elevated position. Now if it were a freebasing CEO that was her maid of honor, that would be different.
As another note, and I am not going to look it up right now because I am too lazy...studies have shown that in mathmatical prodigies, use of heroin INCREASES mathmatical acuity...in much the same way that 'speed' improves EVERYONE's test scores (I mean ritalin, not crystal), not just people with ADD or ADHD.
This strange tendancy of heroin could possibly explain why so many musicians (music is a very mathmatical art) have fallen prey to its insidious clutches. I'm sure if someone started using cocaine, they could probably lose those extra pounds that they've been wanting to get rid of. And I'm sure if someone started using speed, then they'd have more energy to get that extra work done around the house that they've been wanting to do. I'm also sure that if someone wanted to forget about all their problems and just chill, they could use heroin and be at ease all day long. Do the ends justify the means though??
Who would have greater potential to fall into an addiction problem if faced with either a tragedy or a great stressor? The person who has an upstanding career and dabbles in drugs? Or someone in the same career that doesn't use? I would say it's fair to assume that if a doctor (let's say) was using cocaine occasionally, he/she would increase his/her usage as stresses increased, not use less. For the person that doesn't use, although the option is there, it's probably not even considered because they've never experienced what the drugs are capable of.
I look at it like this. Soldiers wear camoflauge to make it harder for their enemies to target them. If one soldier decided to wear neon yellow BDU's instead, isn't it reasonable to say that he would have the greater potential of being struck down? In my opinion, doing drugs is the same as donning that yellow BDU. Once you start, you have a greater potential to become an addict than the person who never uses, becuase the bullet is already comin' at you. You might get lucky and dodge that problem, but is it worth the gamble? I say no, and I hope my kids will learn to see that as well.
For those that are for the legalization of drugs, I say Please don't do me any favors.
Photographer
visionmedia
Posts: 183
Troy, Michigan, US
I think legalizing AND regulating it would be a great thing. Tax the hell out of it and follow the same rules as liquor. Alot of people die for it and a lot of people are in jail for it. I wonder how much our taxes would go down if it was legal? Less people in jail or prison. Tax the drug dealers. Put more money into the economy. If people are going to do it anyway, have them go to their local drug store and buy it...instead of driving to the hood to find it. This would put a lot of those thugs out of business and maybe the lack of money would gear them to stay in school and get jobs to help not hinder community.
Photographer
Saerbreathach_Photos
Posts: 2398
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MEWanoDesigns wrote:
Not particularly. I'm not fond of anything that causes me to lose control of all rational thought or action. i wouldn't go so far as to say you lose all control... thats a bit of an overstatement
Model
Lapis
Posts: 8424
Chicago, Illinois, US
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
For those that are for the legalization of drugs, I say Please don't do me any favors. I do not actually disagree with you...what I was saying is that it is a complicated problem, and theda was probably not saying (again, I am not her, so I will not assume)that she thought it was a GOOD thing her astrophysicist friends were potheads/junkies.
Perhaps she was just pointing out the extent of drug use and the fact that it is a complicated problem. I certainly DO NOT endorse the use of illegal drugs for weight loss, test score improvement, or any other one of the potential 'positive' side effect these substances have. I am just pointing out that to discuss this as a simple black/white issue is to underestimate the relationships between human brain chemistry and 'reacreational' chemical substances.
Photographer
EdBPhotography
Posts: 7741
Torrance, California, US
This was taken from WebMD.com http://www.webmd.com/content/article/78/95679.htm (excerpt) Member question: I have smoked pot for a number of years as an antistressor. Currently I'm having thick sinus congestion and very bad headaches and sore throat. I also have ulcerative colitis. What treatments can help me regain my health as I am very tired and in a lot of discomfort? I want to quit the smoke altogether. Dr. Drew: You no longer use marijuana as a stress reducer. You are an addict and this addiction will not stop without treatment. I would suggest you look into Marijuana Anonymous. You need careful supervision when you stop this drug. There is an extraordinarily high incident of suicide in the first six months of marijuana abstinence. The syndrome of marijuana addiction is always the same: A profound euphoria is experienced, usually after the second or third exposure to it, and from that moment on the addict pursues, preoccupies, or uses that drug every day. Somewhere down the line, exactly what you are experiencing develops; the addict gets depressed, has trouble sleeping and being motivated. Of course, the addict's response is to smoke more or better pot to deal with "the stress," which only accelerates the decline into depression. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And this was taken from a marijuana addiction site: http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/Pages/loved.html Who Is a Marijuana Addict? A marijuana addict's life is controlled by marijuana. He or she loses interest in all else, their dreams go up in smoke. Marijuana addiction is a progressive illness often leading to addiction to other drugs, including alcohol. The lives, thinking and desires of marijuana addicts center around marijuana--scoring it, dealing it and finding ways to stay high. Addiction is a progressive, long-term continuing problem. When an addict tries to stop using and fails because life without the drug is just too hard, that is addiction. Once an addict is convinced he or she cannot live without marijuana, the dependency becomes an obsession. When the addict uses even though he or she promised themselves they wouldn't, this is compulsion. It is the nature of addiction that addicts don't believe they are ill. Marijuana addicts, in particular, tend to believe that they must be "OK" since there are much worse drugs, and other people whose lives are much worse off as a result of their using. That is denial. We have found that addiction is a physical, mental and spiritual disease. The physical aspect is the compulsion--the inability to stop once we have started. The mental aspect is the obsession, or the overpowering desire to use, even when we are destroying our own lives and the lives of those we love. The spiritual aspect of the disease is our total self-centeredness.
Photographer
EdBPhotography
Posts: 7741
Torrance, California, US
Bottom line for me is this. I personally don't use, and never have used drugs. I also hope I never find the need to start. I've enjoyed my life thus far, but just like everyone else I've had my share of challenges, disappointments, wounds and scars. I've also been witness to literally thousands of lives destroyed by drugs. I pity those that suffer because of them, but all I can do is caution those that haven't had any misfortunes because of drugs yet. I don't look down on people that use drugs, in fact some people I love dearly still use them.
I do however care about people enough to say, "Hey. Stop a second before you take that next step. Do you really NEED to use this time?" Maybe I've seen too many people get hurt. Maybe I've seen too many go to jail. Ultimately though, it's your life and you can choose what you want. If you go to jail, you pay the fines and do the time, not me. If you become addicted and loose all that you have, it's your loss, not mine. If you get into heavier drugs and overdose, it's your life lost, not mine. I choose not to use, therefore I can eliminate those particular worries from my life. Doesn't mean I'm free and clear of whatever else life can dish out, but then again I've never had to look over my shoulder to see if a cop is about to bust me for buying or selling dope.
In a similar way, I'm just as concerned about anyone else I know doing drugs as I am my own children. I don't want to see them get hurt. I don't fret over it though, and I'm not bashing anyone here for their beliefs. I just hope I can throw in a little reason and understanding to what I see as a foolish choice.
As it was once said, "The only thing necessary for evil to exist, is that good men do nothing".
Photographer
David Born
Posts: 1167
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
It has been legal in CA sinc 1996 I believe. At least for qualified patients with serious back problems that don't benefit from MJ, but can at least do it in the privacy of their own home without fear of prosecution.
Model
-suede-
Posts: 846
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
I also happen to remember my TEACHER mentioning something in Drivers Ed about a reaction time test that was done. Where to find it? I dont know, might take me a bit. They took a heavy, chronic marijuana user and a non-user police officer and sat them down at those break-pedal reaction time testers (you know, when the red light bleeps on, hit the break). At the begining of the test, both started out stone sober and gradually began smoking up. In the begining, the cop had the faster reaction time because it was his normal state of being. Towards the end when they were both stoned, the stoner had a faster reaction time because HE was in his normal state of being. Now, I don't know if that means he actually got faster than the cop's original time, or he just speeded up a bit and the cop just got that much slower, but still... And I haven't smoked in almost a year now, stopped dead cold without any side effects or cravings (and I was a moderately heavy smoker), but I don't know if I'm happy about that situation or not??? Ehh, still not going back to it while I'm with my b/f...for me its just rude to come home to a non-smoker when you are stoned. Legalize!! Moderate!! Boost the Economy!
Photographer
Tim Downin
Posts: 633
Salem, Oregon, US
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
But without that boundary, isn't it reasonable to believe that more people would begin using drugs? I would argue that it isn't. I'm sure you'll villify me for not have links to the research handy, but I've read case studies that extoll the value of treatment over incarceration. Most that I've seen cite statistics that put the cost of treatment and prevention at about half what it costs the public to lock someone up. This seems to me to be a much more sensible solution for any drug, especially when you consider that a prison environment is not very conducive for mental healing, something that should be taken into consideration when dealing with changing someone's habits and/or physical addictions.
In keeping on topic, marijuana in particular is NOT physically addictive (and VERY mildly mentally addictive at best), contains NO nicotine, and does not MAKE you the sterotypical stoner after prolonged use (my wife's father is pushing 60, has smoked pot exclusively the majority of his life, and is sharp as a tack).
Ed Burns Photography wrote:
And if that's so, is it not true that marijuana is usually the first step into heavier drug usage? Not meaning to pick on you, ED, but this is nothing more than propoganda. I've known many people over the course of my life that have done nothing more than smoke pot, and people who've only used "harder" drugs who've never smoked.
Personally? I'm 28. I smoked about a quarter a week for ten years. I don't anymore (contrary to what most people think after seeing that I have dreads down to my ass), and haven't for about eight years. The hardest part for me in quitting had nothing to do with pot, but everything to do with convincing my friends that I didn't want to anymore. Cigarettes.....that's an entirely different story completely.
The bottom line for me is that in a country where we are supposedly "free," people should be allowed to make decisions for themselves (so long as no one else is physically harmed), and should not have a gov't playing mommy for them. Time, money, and energy would be better spent on real education, treatment, and prevention programs for people who are predisposed to addictive behaviour with any drug.
Photographer
Alexei Fomin
Posts: 944
Ypsilanti, Michigan, US
BbyGrl82 wrote:
See, I don't agree with that totally. All pot smokers claim this, but the whole time they are "passin one". Quite funny...in fact, my friend Darrell said his New Year's Resolution was to quit ( I was proud of him....) but he didn't make it three days. He only made it three days because he was not able to be around it. Also, my mom (shameful) has been smoking since she was young (can't remember exact age). She has admitted to wanting to stop, but doesn't seem to be able to do it. She shrugs it off, saying she can quit whenever she wants...Anyone else see anything wrong with that statement??? And people wonder why I don't do drugs...I see the results everyday. Ok, I've been a raging pothead off and on since i started. recently, went a month toking every day, then hardly at all for a few weeks, then a few times a week for a couple months, then not at all for 5 weeks, and since then, once a week at most. right now it's been 2 weeks. for me it's like eating chocolate. i don't do it every day, but once in a while it's good. and i'm the guy that starts coughing up a lung if i don't get a Pfunk or a Marlboro in me every half hour that i'm awake. so if it was addictive, i'd be the prime candidate to be on the street begging for money for weed
Model
Sascha
Posts: 2217
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
galavanmoskou wrote:
I feel the same way!
Actually I am happy that ppl are not allowed to smoke in the most restaurants in America. When I lived in Holland I just got sick of the smoke every time I went to a restaurant. : ) feels good to be able to breath, right?
Photographer
EMG STUDIOS
Posts: 2033
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Tim Downin wrote:
I smoked about a quarter a week for ten years. I don't anymore (contrary to what most people think after seeing that I have dreads down to my ass), and haven't for about eight years. The hardest part for me in quitting had nothing to do with pot, but everything to do with convincing my friends that I didn't want to anymore. Cigarettes.....that's an entirely different story completely. I used to smoke too and I think that when you're around friends that do it and you're no longer interested in smoking, they look at you funny. I have never once woke up and said, "Damn I gotta get high today, right now but I'm broke so let me grab my plasma off the wall and take it down to my homey and see if I can get a dime bag for it!" That's the shit that crackheads do, and herion addicts do..
I have been around weed in many more capacites than I care to make public, but never once has it caused "me" to lose control over anything.
Photographer
Kentsoul
Posts: 9739
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
I'm not into it myself, but I'm all for decriminalization, especially in theraputic concerns
Photographer
Kentsoul
Posts: 9739
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
theda wrote:
Careful...
...so if one of us has a camera stolen, we can't mention it? not to mention the fact that in a few states, every photograph i take is illegal, not to mention things that lots of us did last night...how do we define "illegal"?
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Now, I don't know if that means he actually got faster than the cop's original time, or he just speeded up a bit and the cop just got that much slower, but still... And I haven't smoked in almost a year now, stopped dead cold without any side effects or cravings (and I was a moderately heavy smoker), but I don't know if I'm happy about that situation or not??? Ehh, still not going back to it while I'm with my b/f...for me its just rude to come home to a non-smoker when you are stoned. 
