I'm a lurker! Reason I hadn't posted is because the convo usually (and did) evolves into some kinda shouting match between the two people. I usually try to take a step back, because people spit so much venom when you get into the details. I like to get all the arguments out of the way so the other ppl can see what I am trying to say. I agree with Bengal on some of his points, especially the first one. Is MJ bad for your health? Generally, yes. But also better than many legal items. Are people generally less focused, motivated, etc on MJ? Yes. Really doesn't have any place in the argument though. Does MJ have some medical benefits? Yes, but I don't need it, so don't bring that up. The doctors can figure that out. Another moot point for me, really. Does the government waste money, time, effort, resources, jail space, etc etc etc on enforcing the ban on MJ? Absolutely. Should MJ be illegal? Hell no. I can speak from personal experience, I was on both sides of the fence (Wouldn't smoke in HS, even though it was easier to get than alcohol.) I smoke almost daily now, and I agree I am in the worst health of my life. Of course the drinking, fast food, not being on a sports team or exercising, and just college life contributes more than the weed to that. I just don't see what that has to do with this arguement. The government has made MJ illegal, a plant with no ill effects except to the user. On top of that they spend obscene amounts of my money to fight it, lose focus on more pressing issues, and indirectly support the cartels that supply the MJ. I just can't see how anyone can argue that the government is right in making this illegal. Prohibition anyone? The benefits of keeping pot illegal: -Some people might not smoke, and possibly live a longer, healthier life (If they live that long). The benefits of making pot legal: -More money for everything else -More police for everything else -More jail space for all the criminals that will do more than raid my fridge -Takes a huge money stream away from the cartels, and lets the government gain a huge money stream (Hi taxes) -More control of MJ (Age limits? Quality control? Abuse control? Etc) Someone could do a lot more on both lists I am sure, my point is the benefits far outweigh the negatives here. It is a stupid argument that shouldn't have made this far. The only reason is because of the people with the money whispering in the government ear, and the masses that do nothing believe the propaganda crap coming from the gov.
So back to the original topic premise: there is evidence that THC fights cancer. It also has a list of other proven medical benefits. Why is Medical Marijuana still not allowed by the federal government? Why are the "grow clubs" in States that the people have voted to legalize such activity such as California being shut down by idiots like Alberto Gonzales? Should the Federal Government be allowed to ignored the advice and research of the mainstream medical community on this issue? Why does it think it knows better than a vast majority of the medical community?
I am a retired probation and parole agent. And as I have pointed out, you can take caffine and alcohol without abusing them. That's not true with marijuana.
Yes, it is... Many people use marijuana very infrequently & non-dependently. I know people that may smoke 2 or 3 times a year. Are they abusing it?
Not true, sir? I have a friend who has been in several car accidents, none his fault. He is a responsible professional who owns his own house, no small feat in Cali. He does a bong hit, maybe 2 when he gets home from work. Occasionally he has a beer with it. I can't EVER remember seeing him not being responsible with it. He says it helps relieve his pain. I believe him. But you probably don't.
Alcohol has a higher score than heroin for withdrawls. I have never been a heroin addict, but I've seen trainspotting and no one I knew saw dead babies crawling on the roof when they tried to kick drinking. Pretty interesting chart tho. :thumb: