Marijuana.

[Pokerking88]

I don't know the exact number, but it is something like 90% of people who use drugs like cocaine or heroin or whatever started with marijuana.

I wanna see something that proves that otherwise I am calling bullshit. Just because they started with it too, doesn't mean that every person is going to do the harder stuff.

 

[Pokerking88]

I don't know the exact number, but it is something like 90% of people who use drugs like cocaine or heroin or whatever started with marijuana.

I wanna see something that proves that otherwise I am calling bullshit. Just because they started with it too, doesn't mean that every person is going to do the harder stuff.

 

[jaws101]

I wanna see something that proves that otherwise I am calling bullshit. Just because they started with it too, doesn't mean that every person is going to do the harder stuff.

You are right. Even if 90% of the people did start on marijuana, 90% of the people didn't move on to harder drugs after they did marijuana. I'm not saying that you will, but you have a higher chance to try other, more dangerous drugs. There are two solid reasons this might happen. NEITHER of them can really be proven or disproved
1. They enjoy the high and want to experience something new/cool/different/whatever
2. The type of people that would try pot are the type of people who would do other drugs, and the type of people who wouldn't try pot are the people who wouldn't try other drugs.

I think it is really a combination of both.

 

[Pokerking88]

You are right. Even if 90% of the people did start on marijuana, 90% of the people didn't move on to harder drugs after they did marijuana. I'm not saying that you will, but you have a higher chance to try other, more dangerous drugs. There are two solid reasons this might happen. NEITHER of them can really be proven or disproved
1. They enjoy the high and want to experience something new/cool/different/whatever
2. The type of people that would try pot are the type of people who would do other drugs, and the type of people who wouldn't try pot are the people who wouldn't try other drugs.

I think it is really a combination of both.

Not even close to true. So without the proof, you made that stat up out of your ass.
Just because you do marijuana doesn't mean you automatically want to try something harder. Both of your points are wrong.

 

[jaws101]

Not even close to true. So without the proof, you made that stat up out of your ass.
Just because you do marijuana doesn't mean you automatically want to try something harder. Both of your points are wrong.

Yo dude chill.... I will come up with the proof if you want me to. No need to be a jerk about it. I NEVER said that you will automatically try harder stuff. In fact, I said YOU WERE RIGHT. You need to learn to read man.

 

[jaws101]

Okay here we go. This supports both of our arguments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_drug_theory#Cannabis

Anyway, I will try to restate what I mean so that you can understand. Let me know if you have any questions -

I believe that people who try marijuana have a higher chance to try other drugs. That does not necessarily mean marijuana causes them to turn to other drugs. I just mean that between personality and enjoying the experience, marijuana is a very common starter drug for people who use harder drugs. This may also just be because it is so easy to get.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IF YOU USE MARIJUANA YOU WILL USE HARD DRUGS

 

[Joshmatee]

They did a test, if you smoke weed at a younger age during development of the body say ages 14-16 pubity phase they found that it'll effect your brain. One that didn't smoke it was smarter and the one that smoked it was really confused and slower. They did a test on mice too giving them injections of THC.

 

[that tank kid]

I couldn't disagree any more strongly.

The reason that the 'dealers' of the drug are such deadbeats in society at the moment (also a very stereotypical claim), is because of the fact that it is illegal.

Look at the distribution company owners of Cigarettes & Tobacco? Trust me when I say that they are definitely not 'deadshits'. Why? Because dealing tobacco isn't illegal, so distributing it is just another business board game.

If you'd done your research on the topic you'd also know that we do see a lot of countries without a law against the use of 'Happy Green'.

If I went outside and smoked a dandelion, is that any different to smoking marijuana? I'll tell you the answer, no. Its a common plant, so by no means should it be illegal.

Last time I checked a dandelion didn't have a psychoactive substance in it.

 

[Tehlegitpinseller]

mhmmmmmm I'm puffin a j right now fuckin shit is good <3 marijuana

 

[jaws101]

Last time I checked a dandelion didn't have a psychoactive substance in it.

Agreed

 

[ioan321]

CORRECTED, there are no deaths because of maryjane alone, people usually smoke cigarrets in mix with marijuana, i dont know about legalization but i think making cigarretes illegal is something to look forward too.

 

[Pokerking88]

CORRECTED, there are no deaths because of maryjane alone, people usually smoke cigarrets in mix with marijuana, i dont know about legalization but i think making cigarretes illegal is something to look forward too.

Cigarretes is a giant cash cow. They will never get illegalized.

 

[xXyotaXx]

Now I am not saying I am completely against pot legalization, but I'm not so sure I agree with your reasoning behind it. Let me explain why.

First of all, it is MUCH easier for me to obtain alcohol (being under 21) than pot. I can just ask anyone over 21 to get it for me, or have a fake I.D. Or even better yet, just steal from parents or relatives or whatever. If pot is legalized, it most definitely WILL be much easier for younger kids to get it. It will be just as easy to get as alcohol.
Back in high school, you could guess who smokes pot regularly with about 80% accuracy, just by how they look and act. That being said, you can't deny that pot doesn't change people. It is a mind altering drug, and like alcohol, should be treated as such.
Also, if pot is legalized, it won't be nearly as good to make a "decent living" because many more people will sell. Companies will probably end up making it as well, so it will take away from all of the dealers. Growing will also probably be taken over by large companies, so it will take away from the little guy.
As for helping people to cope with life, I both agree and disagree. Pot does help to relax people, and medical marijuana does have its uses. There is no denying that. However, I don't see how it will help the majority of people to cope with their lives by legalizing pot everywhere. Why not just legalize it for medical purposes? Then if someone really needed the help coping with their problems, they could get it prescribed to them.

The one thing I agree on is that it does make people lazy and whatnot. And yes, you do have to be responsible smoking pot, just like everything else.

Now, don't get me wrong. I agree that pot should be legalized to an extent, but all of the stoners who smoke pot on a regular basis need to take a step back and look at it from a non stoners point of view. I don't smoke pot, and I don't want to see people on every street corner stoned and doing stupid things. Keep it to yourselves. If you want to smoke at a party or a bar, okay. But like I said, keep it to yourselves.



That is false. Yeah, you could tax it and it will lighten the load on jails so some extent, but a bunch of that money will go towards enforcing the new laws that pot legalization will bring forth. It will bring some money, but not as much as you think

So I'm pretty sure you took what I was saying the wrong way. I wasn't saying legalize it so people can use it to cope with regular day life. To me, using a drug to cope with regular life is not a good thing. I guess I was just stating that so people would know that I understand it is possible to do that. I was kind of at that point myself a little over a year ago.

And I still have to disagree on the whole, making it legal will make it easier for kids to get it. Yeah when I was a minor I could snuff, cigarettes, or beer pretty much whenever. Just had to find somebody who would by it...on new years our parents would just buy it for us. But what I was trying to say is that anybody, minor or adult, can go buy pot from a dealer when it is illegal. If pot is legal, I'm pretty sure you would have to be 21 to get it, and who knows if its even going to be available at regular convenient stores and grocery stores. You might only be able to get it from weed dispensaries. And yes I'm sure minors will just be able to get somebody old enough to buy it for them like they do now with tobacco and alcohol, but at least they wouldn't be able to just go buy it from a dealer themselves.

Now for the whole you can tell who smokes pot and who doesn't, you said in high school you could tell who smokes pot regularly with about 80% accuracy. Of course you can they're high school students...minors...in school....who probably didn't even want to be there. I'm going to go back to my statement in which I said you have to be responsible with it. (which you agreed with.) Now, if you take somebody....like me, I'm in college, I have a part time job and I work mon-sat 8am to 11am. I handle my school studies, and I'm usually never late for work, and I only smoke usually sometime after 6 or 7 in the afternoon, when I have no more responsibilities to worry about for the day. I don't shave to much, only because I hate shaving. But I keep my hair clean, my clothes clean, my car clean, my apartment clean, and I pay my bills. I'm pretty damn sure, that if I went up to somebody that I haven't seen since high school, or a co-worker, and said "hey I smoke pot!" their jaw would probably hit the floor.

Last but not least. I wasn't saying make pot legal so everybody could sell and make a decent living. I was saying, some people sell pot, because it is not easy to make a decent living in general. I understand that if pot is legal, major tobacco companies would probably take over that industry. I was told by somebody, but have never researched it, that Marlboro has already taken the name purple haze so that when pot does become legal, they have the rights to that name.

P.S. if pot does become legal, I don't think the whole country is going to go outside and get stoned and start doing stupid shit in the streets. Lets think realistically here people.

 

[neo coolboy]

The argument that legalizing it won't work or genrate money because people can grow it is absurd. We can grow oranges yet we still but them...

Most people will want to buy a $5 gram at the gas station over growing a plant for 5 moths, watering it daily, picking the buds, drying it and all this shit for 20 grams in the end.

It's like living solely of your own vegetable garden. Surely some people will do it because they enjoy it or have little money, but the majority won't.

 

[jaws101]

So I'm pretty sure you took what I was saying the wrong way. I wasn't saying legalize it so people can use it to cope with regular day life. To me, using a drug to cope with regular life is not a good thing. I guess I was just stating that so people would know that I understand it is possible to do that. I was kind of at that point myself a little over a year ago.

And I still have to disagree on the whole, making it legal will make it easier for kids to get it. Yeah when I was a minor I could snuff, cigarettes, or beer pretty much whenever. Just had to find somebody who would by it...on new years our parents would just buy it for us. But what I was trying to say is that anybody, minor or adult, can go buy pot from a dealer when it is illegal. If pot is legal, I'm pretty sure you would have to be 21 to get it, and who knows if its even going to be available at regular convenient stores and grocery stores. You might only be able to get it from weed dispensaries. And yes I'm sure minors will just be able to get somebody old enough to buy it for them like they do now with tobacco and alcohol, but at least they wouldn't be able to just go buy it from a dealer themselves.

Now for the whole you can tell who smokes pot and who doesn't, you said in high school you could tell who smokes pot regularly with about 80% accuracy. Of course you can they're high school students...minors...in school....who probably didn't even want to be there. I'm going to go back to my statement in which I said you have to be responsible with it. (which you agreed with.) Now, if you take somebody....like me, I'm in college, I have a part time job and I work mon-sat 8am to 11am. I handle my school studies, and I'm usually never late for work, and I only smoke usually sometime after 6 or 7 in the afternoon, when I have no more responsibilities to worry about for the day. I don't shave to much, only because I hate shaving. But I keep my hair clean, my clothes clean, my car clean, my apartment clean, and I pay my bills. I'm pretty damn sure, that if I went up to somebody that I haven't seen since high school, or a co-worker, and said "hey I smoke pot!" their jaw would probably hit the floor.

Last but not least. I wasn't saying make pot legal so everybody could sell and make a decent living. I was saying, some people sell pot, because it is not easy to make a decent living in general. I understand that if pot is legal, major tobacco companies would probably take over that industry. I was told by somebody, but have never researched it, that Marlboro has already taken the name purple haze so that when pot does become legal, they have the rights to that name.

P.S. if pot does become legal, I don't think the whole country is going to go outside and get stoned and start doing stupid shit in the streets. Lets think realistically here people.

Okay I guess I did misunderstand some of your arguments. The only one that I do really disagree with the most is how easy it is to get it. The dealers may still deal, because like you said some people will grow. So a kid could still walk up to a dealer. And even if there were NO dealers at all and only major companies sold it, it would still be easier than it is now. It isn't like you have to be secretive about it like you do now.
I am in college too, and I have 3 dealers on my floor alone (talk about competition ). However, it is still easier to obtain alcohol. The store down the street will sell alcohol to minors, and I have plenty of friends over 21. We always have alcohol in the fridge.

 

[IarianI]

i like pot, smoke pot for 3 yers now, still im against the legalization of it, seeing the effects it has on your social life, the risks of mad and not realizing the world.

Example. if u smoke weed everyday, you exprience your high state as a normal one..meaning being high is normal to you wich makes it to a strong mental addiction, as far as i can say from myself..im still at the limit but i can see it come..

 

[ViTa1z]

I have never planned to smoke pot. I know enough to say that Pot is safe to smoke, as long as you're smart. Do I plan on ever doing pot? nah. Might I do pot sometime? who knows

 

[Trent!]

It's illegal because theres evidence that intake of Marijuana causes people to take other drugs such as heroin, cocaine etc.

So is that why less than 1% of all marijuana smokers move onto heroin or cocaine? (cited from The Union: The Business Behind Getting High)

Also a lot of people claim it causes cancer. Anyone who is actually educated even in the slightest would know this is false. Go to cancer.gov and you will see just how many studies have proven that it either doesn't cause cancer, or can actually reduce the risks of cancer. To give a few quotes:

One study in mice and rats suggested that cannabinoids may have a protective effect against the development of certain types of tumors. [3] During this 2-year study, groups of mice and rats were given various doses of THC by gavage. A dose-related decrease in the incidence of hepatic adenoma tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in the mice. Decreased incidences of benign tumors (polyps and adenomas) in other organs (mammary gland, uterus, pituitary, testis, and pancreas) were also noted in the rats. In another study, delta-9-THC, delta-8-THC, and cannabinol were found to inhibit the growth of Lewis lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo .[4] In addition, other tumors have been shown to be sensitive to cannabinoid-induced growth inhibition.[5-8]

Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. [9-11] Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death. These compounds have been shown to induce apoptosis in glioma cells in culture and induce regression of glioma tumors in mice and rats. Cannabinoids protect normal glial cells of astroglial and oligodendroglial lineages from apoptosis mediated by the CB1 receptor. [10,11]

In an in vivo model using severe combined immunodeficient mice, subcutaneous tumors were generated by inoculating the animals with cells from human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines.[12] Tumor growth was inhibited by 60% in THC-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated control mice. Tumor specimens revealed that THC had antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects.

In addition, both plant-derived and endogenous cannabinoids have been studied for anti- inflammatory effects. A mouse study demonstrated that endogenous cannabinoid system signaling is likely to provide intrinsic protection against colonic inflammation. [13] As a result, a hypothesis that phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids may be useful in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer has been developed.[14]

For those who say that it causes schizophrenia, it does not actually CAUSE it. It does however cause those who have a predisposition to schizophrenia to develop it on average 2.7 years earlier than they would other if they smoked before their brain was fully developed. This is due to the cannabinoid receptors in brain. (Cited from a Time magazine article)

For those who say that it is a gateway drug, this is only partially true because of prohibition. If you legalize it and make it so the easiest way to acquire it is to go to a government regulated store, this removes the exposure to harder drugs that they would be exposed to if they were to get their weed from a dealer, who probably also deals other drugs. When you remove the risk of exposure due to buying something, then it decreases the rate at which it is used. If cigarettes were illegal and the only way you could get them was through a dealer, and you dealer always offered you crack, or cocaine, or heroin, wouldn't there be a higher risk of you being tempted to buy them? It might not be that way for everyone, but it would be for a large number of people.

For anyone who says that marijuana kills brain cells;

The study in which they made the claim that marijuana killed brain cells, after 6 years of being asked to show how the study was carried out, they released that they took rhesus monkeys, and attached a gas mask to their face, and pumped 63 columbian strength joints (20-60 grams depending on how much it was packed, nonetheless it is an obscene amount of pot) through the gas masks into the monkeys lungs, but without additional oxygen over a period of 5 minutes everyday for 90 days. After 4 minutes without oxygen you start to suffer brain damage, so obviously if these monkeys are being deprived of oxygen at these levels every day, their brain cells are going to die.There has not been a single study since that has proven that it kills brain cells, there has even been a few that suggest that the existence of omega-6 in cannabis seeds can actually help enhance brain cell growth. (cited from The Union: The Business Behind Getting High)

 

[xxlr0ngelxx]

it should defently be legal again ! like straight up pot is aamazing 100%

 

[l00t l00t]

I smoke pot like 1/week and I'm all healthy haha .. but i dunno if it should be legal.. might become more expensive because of the taxes