Texas troubadour Willie Nelson this week got busted again for pot possession. If you thought that arrests for marijuana were on the decrease in this country, you’d be wrong. Last year, some 786,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana violations — a record number and twice the number of pot arrests made in 1990, according to NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
“This effort is a tremendous waste of criminal justice resources that diverts law enforcement personnel away from focusing on serious and violent crime, including the war on terrorism,” said NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre.
He’s right, isn’t he? Is it worth spending $10 billion to $12 billion a year on enforcement of marijuana laws to bust casual (OK, maybe not so casual) tokers like Nelson? Aren’t there more important priorities for law enforcement? What do you think?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
190 Comments
Willie is so damned American that they oughta be ashamed of themselves.In fact they should outlaw booze and legalize pot in his honor.
In the fetal position,with drool on our chins..We broke down and we smoked weedwith Willie again
Toby Keith
Did he threaten the Middle East with Nuclear war? Did he invade another country and kill thousands of people.
Is he a bad as the President of the United States of the members of congress.
I think he’s at the bottom of this list of US problems.
Dallas is the number one crime City in the United States.
Was he in Dallas?
Oops, Randy is shilling for his Lawrence compadres again.
Willie Nelson is as old as my father. It’s past time for him to grow up.
Randy
I think it is long past time that growing, possessing and smoking marijuana was made completely legal.
Thank you JR.Steven–RESPECT YOUR ELDERS!!HA.
Steven - so by growing up he should have zero recreation - never smoke, never take a drink …
Pot being illegal makes it just another revenue stream for criminals. Incredibly dumb.
If we remove the pot smokers from todays society, what would we do without all the cops, lawyers, judges, jailers, therapists, managers, congressmen, presidents, and damn good musicians that would dissapear?Who would be left?A bunch of boring stick-in-the-muds, and even more obnoxious drunks.
Support a real patriot.
http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/09/21/support-a-real-patriot/
Of course not, Ben. Willie has been busted for pot so many times, it’s kinda getting old. In fact he was busted in Texas for pot possession and has never had to endure any real consequences, when your average citizen would have been doing years of hard time. I resent the special treatment he seems to get.
Yes,
Lets make a highly addictive substance which has 50-70% more harmful carcenogens in it than tobacco and many other side effects legal!
Brilliant!
Nathan?
Do you have any “vices” at all?
I’ve only smoked marijuana a few times in my youth.
Where is your proof that smoking pot is addictive?
Who would have guessed the distinguished Senator would be against legalizing marijuana? Are there any issues that you don’t reflexively regurgitate right-wing talking points? And besides this, you’re wrong on so many levels about pot…
“Study Finds No Cancer-Marijuana Connection”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/25/AR2006052501729.html
Oh, that’s right, this study and article can probably be dismissed because it came from the ‘liberal media.’ Yeah, those cats at the WaPo sure are some damn, dirty hippies.
But seriously Nate, try harder next time, do a little research before you make yourself look bad, yet again. Its not hard - last I checked Google is still free to use. But then again, you might find facts that go against what you ‘know;’ this is a common problem for right-wingers such as yourself, that is probably why so many of you choose to dwell in an alternate universe. The truth (about so many things) might cause your heads to explode.
Nathan- I’ve never heard the addictive charge before- where did that come from?
(Off topic- what’s the temperature swing you are experiencing there now?)
Highly addictive? No nathan - way LESS addictive than tobacco. In fact, not clinically addictive at all.
Steven, I agree that he should not be treated special. But, why jail him for pot when alcohol and tobacco are OK?
It’s not a “war on drugs.” It’s a war on pleasure.
That’s why abortion is so hot here and nowhere else . . . we’re the only people who want to have sex and want to deny ourselves and OTHERS from having sex at the same time.
Part of the whole Christian self-denial thing, unless it’s making a lot of money at other people’s expense like Cheney . . .
“Steven, I agree that he should not be treated special. But, why jail him for pot when alcohol and tobacco are OK?”
Because of our laws. In our judicial system, no one is supposed to get more favorable treatment than someone else. I know, I know, I’m overly idealistic on that point.
Steven, I would be much more upset about all the poor people who got stuck hard.Lost jobs disrupted families,the punishments far outweigh the crime.Every one should be treated like Willy was, not vive versa.There’s sumpin wrong when pot smokers do more time than somebody who comitted manslaughter while DUI.
Steven - on that point I agree; why should some lousy country singer get special treatment. But my underlying question remains - why bust people for pot when we allow much worse recreational drugs? Why special treatment for addictive harmful drugs that are peddled by big business?
RandyWillie
GROW UP!!
Yeah, and for God’s sake, quit bogarting!! It ain’t polite!
He should do as much time as Rush Limbaugh did for possession of massive amounts of oxcycontin.
Heckler
Crawl out from under the desk now and again and LIVE!
And then when you have done that, LET LIVE!
criminalize tobacco and alcohol. Make EVERYBODY grow up!
Capn, you got it.Hippos, all of em’.So stoned out on downers, he had to have some illegal viagra so his little “fat guy” pecker would stand up and give a damned patriotic saaalooot, to his two dollar foreign hooker!What a guy!!!!Paul F quotes him a lot.Another real amurkan hero.
JR
Actually I’m pretty Libertarian about the use of certain illegal drugs. We should treat pot like we do alchohol. Legalize it and tax the shit out of it. I don’t care for it personally, I’d rather kick back with a big old glass of Cabernet myself, or some Wild Turkey depending on the weather.
Perhaps this more about revenue coming in from the arrests than the actual sin of marijuana.
Besides, it makes us look like we are tough on crime.
CR NAILS IT.
You could make a hell of a lot more revenue by legalizing it and taxing it. Any fines we make off of it pale in comparison to what we spend on jails for people we jail for it.
Agree 100% heckler.
And I, I walked over to the, to the bench there, and there is, Group W’s where they put you if you may not be moral enough to join the army after committing your special crime, and there was all kinds of mean nasty ugly looking people on the bench there. Mother rapers. Father stabbers. Father rapers! Father rapers sitting right there on the bench next to me! And they was mean and nasty and ugly and horrible crime-type guys sitting on the bench next to me. And the meanest, ugliest, nastiest one, the meanest father raper of them all, was coming over to me and he was mean ‘n’ ugly ‘n’ nasty ‘n’ horrible and all kind of things and he sat down next to me and said, “Kid, whad’ya get?” I said, “I didn’t get nothing, I had to pay $50 and dump out my sack.” He said, “What were you arrested for, kid?” And I said, “Just pot.” And they all moved away from me on the bench there, and the hairy eyeball and all kinds of mean nasty things, till I said, “And creating a nuisance.” And they all came back, shook my hand, and we had a great time on the bench, talkin about crime, mother stabbing, father raping, all kinds of groovy things that we was talking about on the bench. And everything was fine, we was smoking cigarettes and all kinds of things, until the Sargeant came over, had some paper in his hand, held it up and said. “Kids, this-piece-of-paper’s-got-47-words-37-sentences-58-words-we-wanna- know-details-of-the-crime-time-of-the-crime-and-any-other-kind-of-thing- you-gotta-say-pertaining-to-and-about-the-crime-I-want-to-know-arresting- officer’s-name-and-any-other-kind-of-thing-you-gotta-say”, and talked for forty-five minutes and nobody understood a word that he said, but we had fun filling out the forms and playing with the pencils on the bench there, and I filled out the massacre with the four part harmony, and wrote it down there, just like it was, and everything was fine and I put down the pencil, and I turned over the piece of paper, and there, there on the other side, in the middle of the other side, away from everything else on the other side, in parentheses, capital letters, quotated, read the following words: (”KID, HAVE YOU REHABILITATED YOURSELF?”) I went over to the sargent, said, “Sargeant, you got a lot a damn gall to ask me if I’ve rehabilitated myself, I mean, I mean, I mean that just, I’m sittin’ here on the bench, I mean I’m sittin here on the Group W bench ’cause you want to know if I’m moral enough join the army, burn women, kids, houses and villages after bein’ a pothead.” He looked at me and said, “Kid, we don’t like your kind, and we’re gonna send you fingerprints off to Washington.”
LEGALIZE IT!!!
The only reason why weed isn’t legal is because the government can’t put taxes on it. “I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is a herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?”
FREE WILLIE!!!!
And if Jim Stafford sings about weed in the heart of the Bible belt (Branson), without gettin’ hassled, what’s the big deal.Afterall, Jim is a family show!(I can’t come right out and say that so many of your favorite all-American gospel bluegrass and country heros are the biggest pot smokers in the country, no I can’t say that, even though I’ve known some of them personally).Willy, Waylon, Merle, Johnny, Woody, well hell, I bet ya’ll can think of more damned American pot smokin’ rednecks.This subject is more fun than kicking Paul.
Free Willie,,,Jail the Government
Heck
I can’t believe I’m saying you’re right…….
If we legalized pot all of the DEA agents, social workers, judges, lawyers, policemen and drug-rehab counselors and drug test labs would have to find real work. The economy would tank!
Ed. I couldn’t bring myself to do that.So. I’ll agree with you.Ed. You’re right about agreeing.
Let them test each other.
My Tracy, How you’ve changed about me.
People will say we’re in love…..
Tracy:
And I thought I was the only one reading this who remembered “Alice’s Restaurant”.
You can get anything you want ….
Marijuana is not a drug. It is proven that it is NOT addictive. No one gets high and goes out and shoots people or robs places when they are high. honestly, if everyone was stoned our country’s crime rate would lower and the music and book industries would soar. Not to mention if the govt. was so concerned with our health, if that is indeed why it is still illegal, then why don’t they outlaw tobacco and alcohol. Drugs where the user not only can kill himself, but kills other people…
kelsey - the answer to your question is simple. Tobacco and alcohol are great cash cows for big business and the tax people. Marijuana is easily home-grown.
Well, gee, I had a nice, long post about hemp/cannabis, and then the tornado sirens went off.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp
But this is especially for Nathan from the above:
VarietiesThere are broadly three groups of Cannabis varieties being cultivated today:
Varieties primarily cultivated for their fibre, characterized by long stems and little branching, called industrial hemp.Varieties grown for seed from which hemp oil is extractedVarieties grown for medicinal or recreational purposes.A nominal if not legal distinction is often made between hemp, with concentrations of the psychoactive chemical THC far too low to be useful as a drug, and Cannabis used for medical, recreational, or spiritual purposes.
THC is a chemical known to be less addictive (THC is not physically addictive) or harmful than legal nicotine or alcohol.
Anyway, I agree. Legalize it.
definitely. the govt. should tax marijuana. god knows they would make enough to pay off for this war that they are creating. (but that is another topic). You think it would already have been legalized considering the govt already supplies marijuana for medical benefits to at least 7 citizens in the US..which is odd since it is such a “dangerous substance” Not only that but we could keep most of our prisons open for real criminals, not teenagers looking for some fun.
ps. the DEA and what not would still be in work for real drugs like cigs, alcohol, crack, cocaine and prescriptions.
kelsey - how would they tax home-grown for private use? That is why they don’t legalize it.
Although a person can brew beer or make wine he usually cannot easily make enough to supply his wants. So, he buys from corporations. Same with tobacco. However, with weed a person can grow enough. Add to that cottage industry of local homeowners with large enough gardens to share their zucchini, tomatoes, hemp, etc …
Roll it up, smoke it up, yay, Pot.
God is Perfect,Man is Not.Man made Alcohol,God made Pot.
I’ve done both, to excess. Never developed a dependency to pot. Cigarettes and alcohol, yes. Those were tough animals to get rid of.
Marijuana was taken out by the paper and textile industry long ago, otherwise it would just be a highly taxed industry machine itself. Seems hemp is a cheaper, more renewable input than cotton or trees.
yes, but growing is a difficult task, one which takes lots of time and dedication. im thinking if it is legal (maybe) the majority of people would rather just buy it than go through the troubles of growing their own.
i completely agree with you on the fact that those who would grow their own would profit immensely from the work, therefore cutting out the govts. share, which is the underlying problem.
Good points postal and kelsey. Good thing (to society at large) about home-grown is that it tends to be weak. But, that should not be a problem for anyone. As you said, if someone wants better quality go buy it commercially.
Postal - actually, neither alcohol nor tobacco were as deleterious until man adulterated them.
I also think you should consider that cannabis is important as medicine for many people.
http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/09/13/cannabis-is-medicine/
The Idiot Christian Right shooting us all in the foot again.
What lunacy. What a great national tragedy. We need to make revenue on this demand.
Best, UncleG.
overall the bottom line is that marijuana’s good qualities (hemp, medicine, recreational use, etc) definitly overshadow the bad. the govt. needs to admit their wrong and leaglize it.
i mean heck, the constitution was written on hemp paper!
“Make the most of the Indian Hemp Seed”-President George Washington (Library of USA Congress 1794 vol. 33 p.270)
haha.
Pot . . . sheeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiitttt!
. . . Dudes.
Look, another subject it seems both sides can agree upon… Wow… Take note everyone!
If a weed should be out lawed ,, holy cow, out law poision ivy for crying out loud,, that is the definition of a dangerous weed that makes people sick,,,WAKE UP AMERIKA…
Man, all this weed talk makes me want to Smoke!!!
Im glad to hear all the positive resposnes to the legalization of marijuana. Ive had a harder time cutting back on coffee than I have had on marijuana, which was pretty much not much of an effort.
Marijuana is safer the Alchohol, Marijuana doesnt kill as may brain cells as alcohol. BUT Just like Alchohol, will cause problems if its abused.
Legalize it, Denver has, and Lawrence, KS recently discussed it.
If you legalize it, my profit will go down majorly!
But, i guess its worth it if it would be legal….
Drug use is like race mixing and if stupid people wish to engage in such nastiness, filth and degradation, let them do so. Of course, I reserve the right to kill any addict who tries to steal from me in order to get cash for their next fix! :):):)
I also agree with Steven Davis, it stinks that “celebrities” like Nelson get of so lightly.
Viva La Raza Blanco!!
I ASSUME Ian is talking about real drugs, not Pot…
Like someone said above, man made alcohol, god made weed…
Therefor, its not a drug or caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are all drugs…
Tony,
I was talking about ALL drugs, including pot and alcohol.
In the scheme of things, most drugs are natural in that they are derived from plants, ie., coca leaves, barley, hops, etc.
Let “people” degrade themselves at their own leisure, so long as I do not have to bear the costs. I demand to not have to pay for drug treatment, welfare, foodstamps, housing etc., when these vermin can no longer look after themselves and their families. And, don’t expect me to hire these and other such scum, simple.
V.L.R.B!!
Well Ian, u already pay taxes to pay for alcoholics, u pay taxes for rehab, u pay taxes for recovery operations… U pay taxes to pay for state employees health care who smoke which require extra health care…
Man, that must kill u…
Oh, do u smoke? Drink? Ever puffed on a joint?
Maybe u should try the later two… It may chill u out a bit…
Tony,
I know that I already foot the bill for other people’s bas choices. My point is, I shouldn’t have to do so.
I have never smoked or done any type of nasty drug. I do drink on a daily basis though but I never drink to the oint of drukenness. I have a pint or two of Guinness at lunch, a glass of red wine with dinner and usually another glass of wine or a wee dram of brandy before bed. It is possible to drink responsibly, as I do, nut you can’t use drugs without getting messed up!
I reiterate though, legalize ALL drugs but end the welfare state and confiscatory taxes. Let people assume ALL responsibilty for theri own actions.
I hope that all race mixers contract AIDS and I hope that ALL drug users overdose. I am in favor of moral and mental midgets removing themselves from the genepool, simple.
Viva La Raza Blanco!!
Ian
Step back from the bar rail for a moment — try spell check. A pint or two at lunch? I want to work where you work. Wine with dinner? Then a nightcap — hmm doesn’t sound like responsible — sounds like an addiction.
Alcohol is a classical drug, acting like a shotgun on nearly every neurotransmitter path in the brain. THC from marijuana slows the firing of synapses in the brain, as well as causing myriad other effects. Cigarettes are an antidepressant with the tendency to cause hangover depression upon withdrawal. Everything you put in your body is a drug. Chocolate contains tyramine, a Monoamine oxidase drug. (MAO) Early tricyclic antidepressants were designed to inhibit these types of chemicals. Caffeine is a sympathomemetic amine, yet is as natural as can be (guarana seed, kola nut both contain caffeine.)
I think the distinction is being made between ‘naturopathic’ drugs and ’synthetics,’ although most ‘hard’ drugs have natural precursors. The underlying theme is that all of these substances have abuse potential, even our legal ones. I know this from experience. Pot is one of the least dangerous things I have ever put into my body for recreation. Alcohol was destroying me, and cigarettes eventually would have. But, that being said, there are people out there capable of doing things in moderation and those who can’t. There is also a real demand that is being met illegally. Why not do what everyone is saying and turn demand into cash instead of full prisons and wasted money on ‘war on drugs?’ People have to have responsibility for their own lives.
Within twenty years and constant pestering of elected officials it will become legal.The drug war on marijuana isn’t about safety for society or alcohol would be illegal.Its about hanging on to another big gov wasteful program that we the people, seem to allow too often.
Speaking of pestering gov, I say make April 20th national “write your leaders demanding pot be legal” day.
J.R., you commented about Willie’s maturity. The only reason many more Americans do not smoke pot is because we need to keep our jobs. If I could survive as a musician or actor, I would smoke pot; in the same manner that others drink alcohol.Willie Nelson means more emotionally to Americans than any lecture you can give about maturity. Willie is a genius. You sir, are smart. There is a difference.I would ride home with a pothead before I would ride home with a drunk.Potheads are guaranteed to drive slowerrrr.Willie Nelson is wiser than any one of us on this blog. The man has lived a life we’ll never understand and he is able to articulate a sense of spirituality of living like very few can. He is an inspiration to me.Guys who lecture and degrade others because they don’t understand what they do are the examples of constipated spirit that Willie speaks to.The guys smokes weed. I have seen 5 of his shows over the years and they are all wonderful experiences. I go to shows stone cold sober save for some cola or ice cream. I don’t drink alcohol, do drugs, and I don’t go to church. I believe in God and I believe in Willie. I hope you’ll listen to Willie; it will free up your spiritual constipation.
Uh Jim K?
I guess you are new to posting, you were not careful in your reading.
You got the wrong guy.
Go back and read. I didn’t even mention Willie Nelson though I have the greatest respect for him.
It’s ok. Small foul no harm. Just keep your posters straight ok?
oops, my bad. I am not high, I promise.ThanksJim
This thread has certainly brought out some interesting characters. “spiritual constipation”?????
V.L.R.B!!
To Steven Davis,scroll up a few and put your name where I had referenced J.R.Jim
V.L.R.B. - ? I understand what is meant by Spiritual constipation but I have no idea what VLRB means? Talk about “interesting characters.”
Very Large Rectal Barnacle?
That’s my best guess for VLRB.
If you slide down a cedar pole that there barnacle should break loose.
V.L.R.B= Viva la Raza Blanco or Viva La Revolucion Blanco!!
I am a White Nationalist and my spirit is very regular, thanks.
Ian T. Santiago: Blog Deputy and Stand Up Philosopher!
Us pro-pot-people are coming out of the yellow stained wall paper to make our voices heard about our friend Willie.
Blanco - Texas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico? Is there really a need for a revolution in the US? Are you upset that yuo are not living in the city of Blanco? Please explain. I am showing my ignorance. What implication are you enacting by your chosen motto?
E.A.T.M.E. couldn’t resist)
Does this mean you do not have a barnacle on your butt? If you do I recommend smoking weed to ease the pain.
Q: Does marijuana pose health risks to users?
Marijuana is an addictive drug1 with significant health consequences to its users and others. Many harmful short-term and long-term problems have been documented with its use:
The short term effects of marijuana use include: memory loss, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor skills, decrease in muscle strength, increased heart rate, and anxiety2.
In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of emergency room mentions of marijuana use. From 1993-2000, the number of emergency room marijuana mentions more than tripled.
There are also many long-term health consequences of marijuana use. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day.
Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, including most of the harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. Smoking one marijuana cigarette deposits about four times more tar into the lungs than a filtered tobacco cigarette.
Harvard University researchers report that the risk of a heart attack is five times higher than usual in the hour after smoking marijuana.3
Smoking marijuana also weakens the immune system4 and raises the risk of lung infections.5 A Columbia University study found that a control group smoking a single marijuana cigarette every other day for a year had a white-blood-cell count that was 39 percent lower than normal, thus damaging the immune system and making the user far more susceptible to infection and sickness.6
Users can become dependent on marijuana to the point they must seek treatment to stop abusing it. In 1999, more than 200,000 Americans entered substance abuse treatment primarily for marijuana abuse and dependence.
More teens are in treatment for marijuana use than for any other drug or for alcohol. Adolescent admissions to substance abuse facilities for marijuana grew from 43 percent of all adolescent admissions in 1994 to 60 percent in 1999.
Marijuana is much stronger now than it was decades ago. According to data from the Potency Monitoring Project at the University of Mississippi, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of commercial-grade marijuana rose from an average of 3.71 percent in 1985 to an average of 5.57 percent in 1998. The average THC content of U.S. produced sinsemilla increased from 3.2 percent in 1977 to 12.8 percent in 1997.7Q. Does marijuana have any medical value?
Any determination of a drug’s valid medical use must be based on the best available science undertaken by medical professionals. The Institute of Medicine conducted a comprehensive study in 1999 to assess the potential health benefits of marijuana and its constituent cannabinoids. The study concluded that smoking marijuana is not recommended for the treatment of any disease condition. In addition, there are more effective medications currently available. For those reasons, the Institute of Medicine concluded that there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication.8
Advocates have promoted the use of marijuana to treat medical conditions such as glaucoma. However, this is a good example of more effective medicines already available. According to the Institute of Medicine, there are six classes of drugs and multiple surgical techniques that are available to treat glaucoma that effectively slow the progression of this disease by reducing high intraocular pressure.
In other studies, smoked marijuana has been shown to cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, respiratory problems, increased heart rate, loss of motor skills, and increased heart rate. Furthermore, marijuana can affect the immune system by impairing the ability of T-cells to fight off infections, demonstrating that marijuana can do more harm than good in people with already compromised immune systems.9
In addition, in a recent study by the Mayo Clinic, THC was shown to be less effective than standard treatments in helping cancer patients regain lost appetites.10
The American Medical Association recommends that marijuana remain a Schedule I controlled substance.
The DEA supports research into the safety and efficacy of THC (the major psychoactive component of marijuana), and such studies are ongoing, supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
As a result of such research, a synthetic THC drug, Marinol, has been available to the public since 1985. The Food and Drug Administration has determined that Marinol is safe, effective, and has therapeutic benefits for use as a treatment for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, and as a treatment of weight loss in patients with AIDS. However, it does not produce the harmful health effects associated with smoking marijuana.
Furthermore, the DEA recently approved the University of California San Diego to undertake rigorous scientific studies to assess the safety and efficacy of cannabis compounds for treating certain debilitating medical conditions.
It’s also important to realize that the campaign to allow marijuana to be used as medicine is a tactical maneuver in an overall strategy to completely legalize all drugs. Pro-legalization groups have transformed the debate from decriminalizing drug use to one of compassion and care for people with serious diseases. The New York Times interviewed Ethan Nadelman, Director of the Lindesmith Center, in January 2000. Responding to criticism from former Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey that the medical marijuana issue is a stalking-horse for drug legalization, Mr. Nadelman did not contradict General McCaffrey. “Will it help lead toward marijuana legaization?” Mr. Nadelman said: “I hope so.”Q. Does marijuana harm anyone besides the individual who smokes it?
Consider the public safety of others when confronted with intoxicated drug users:
Marijuana affects many skills required for safe driving: alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and reaction time. These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and signs on the road.11
In a 1990 report, the National Transportation Safety Board studied 182 fatal truck accidents. It found that just as many of the accidents were caused by drivers using marijuana as were caused by alcohol — 12.5 percent in each case.
Consider also that drug use, including marijuana, contributes to crime. A large percentage of those arrested for crimes test positive for marijuana. Nationwide, 40 percent of adult males tested positive for marijuana at the time of their arrest.
Q. Is marijuana a gateway drug?
Yes. Among marijuana’s most harmful consequences is its role in leading to the use of other illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. Long-term studies of students who use drugs show that very few young people use other illegal drugs without first trying marijuana. While not all people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs, using marijuana sometimes lowers inhibitions about drug use and exposes users to a culture that encourages use of other drugs.
The risk of using cocaine has been estimated to be more than 104 times greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it.12In Summary:
Marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug that poses significant health threats to users.
Marijuana has no medical value that can’t be met more effectively by legal drugs.
Marijuana users are far more likely to use other drugs like cocaine and heroin than non-marijuana users.
Drug legalizers use “medical marijuana” as red herring in effort to advocate broader legalization of drug use.
1Herbert Kleber, Mitchell Rosenthal, “Drug Myths from Abroad: Leniency is Dangerous, not Compassionate” Foreign Affairs Magazine, September/October 1998. Drug Watch International “NIDA Director cites Studies that Marijuana is Addictive.” “Research Finds Marijuana is Addictive,” Washington Times, July 24, 1995.2National Institue of Drug Abuse, Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Clinical Phamacology, International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Pharmacology Review.3″Marijuana and Heart Attacks” Washington Post, March 3, 20004I. B. Adams and BR Martin, “Cannabis: Pharmacology and Toxicology in Animals and Humans” Addiction 91: 1585-1614. 1996.5National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Smoking Any Substance Raises Risk of Lung Infections” NIDA Notes, Volume 12, Number 1, January/February 1997.6Dr. James Dobson, “Marijuana Can Cause Great Harm” Washington Times, February 23, 1999.72000 National Drug Control Strategy Annual Report, page 13.8″Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base,” Institute of Medicine, 1999.9See footnotes in response to question 4 regarding marijuana’s short and long term health effects.10″Marijuana Appetite Boost Lacking in Cancer Study” The New York Times, May 13, 2001.11Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health.12Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health.
Teach pot smoking to your children at what age? All this its okay and not addictive, its a God made plant is bullshit.
Addictions equal need to do..gotta have it. From weed to harder drugs because experimination is worth trying, that weak mental thinking.
How about living life with no “plant” addictions. The less gotta have it things as possible.
Weed isn’t smoked natural, laced with whatever and everyone knows tobacco is full with chemicals. Don’t dealers want to addict customers even with weed seeds. Specially fertilized kinds.
Problem is with weedies they don’t stay home. They tend drive under the influence and put others at risk on the road. Bad skills on the road anyway, adding slow down in concentration, reflexes and balance is good for drivers?
I don’t high is, except being surprised and excited. I’ve been drunk, puked, driving at excessive speed and didn’t get caught. Never wrecked a car while drunk thankfully. But those days are long over. I have no need to drink. Not even coffee. I don’t even get caffinated.
Life’s good too!
Never smoked weed or cig in my life. Used to chew on Swisher Sweets playing poker as teenager, closest I got. Chewed some playing youth baseball, after gum got old.But that was just summer baseball, never did it outside that time.
No one should chew tobacco.
The enforcement question, popping weedies with their personal stash and their not driving, a too much amount that person needs arresting.
If kids in the house, weed doesn’t belong in the house! I’ve seen that, two parents getting ready to smoke and their five year old girl right there. Stuff on the coffee table. It’s been years, I haven’t been back to their house since.
How about a cold room with water thrown on that person to break those addiction problems. Sleep deprivation techiques. Putting them in jail does nothing but take up space. Non felony prisoners, its too much effort keeping them from serious criminals.
Bigger fine is probably necessary and repeated captures with drugs, those people deserve months in jail without protection from serious criminals. Any trading of weed, plants or seeds and growing materials to friends is dealing.
I want no pot heads around me, on the road when I’m driving.The over caffinated are hyper. The smoker might be hack coughing when they should be pressing the brake.
Consider the money spent on weed, tobacco and alcohol can go to better things.
The police has to enforce laws that are necessary. Its the jails too full and repeat criminals constantly captured messing up the court rooms with paperwork.
After the first arrest, many don’t learn their lesson.
Working in a botany lab, I’ve found that some of the most brilliant people I’ve ever crossed paths with are potheads.
It harms no one so we should err on the side of less governemnt intrusion, I think. If you want to grow plants in your house and smoke them you should be able to do so. I don’t look forward to it marketed and sold like cigarettes and alcohol are, though. Call me paranoid but I think that to increase profit companies would be adding all sorts of addicting nasties to it.
The “tripling of hospital visits” citation made me laugh. DO you know why people go to hospitals after smoking pot? Panic attacks. They smoke or eat too much and then they think they’re having heart attacks. A panic attack never killed anyone. People who have panic attacks while smoking, hurr, shouldn’t smoke. I don’t think that’s justification for banning it for everyone.
Sure, you might have some dumb people who smoke and go “HAY LET’S GO ROCK CLIMBING WITHOUT HARNESSES” but most of them just want to chill out, listen to some music and eat a lot.
“Marijuana has no medical value that can’t be met more effectively by legal drugs.”No. Anyone who’s ever smoked will tell you that it does wonders for pain relief, nausea and appetite loss. Sure, there are some presciption drugs out there that would do the same job but they’d cost enormous amounts of money. Pot is free if you grow it yourself, and that scares the shit out of drug companies.
If you take smoking out of the equation (using a vaporizing or comsuming it) the health risks disappear.
“While not all people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs, using marijuana sometimes lowers inhibitions about drug use and exposes users to a culture that encourages use of other drugs.”
Does anyone else see the flaw in this argument? Marijuana is illegal. To find it you have to be around people who use illegal drugs. Being exposed to friends who use illegal drugs will increase your chances of trying more illegal drugs. How, oh, HOW can we solve this problem??
See, if you go back to the days of DARE and teach kids that pot is lumped into the same category of dangerous as cocaine and meth and herion (ALL DRUGZ R BAD!!), they’ll try pot, realize D.A.R.E. is a lie and move onto the harder stuff. There was an appearance of a new drug called “cheese” in Wichita schools recently. It’s a mixture of heroin and Tylenol PM. THAT is what we need to be alarmed about. When the authorities say “This drug is really dangerous, stay away from it”, these kids aren’t going to pay attention.
I just realized I’ve been rambling (I’m not high, I swear!) but this topic baffles me to no end. In a country where personal freedoms are held in such high esteem how can this little plant be worth all this trouble? Free up those resources to combat meth, coke and heroin–highly addictive drugs that cause users to engage in violence to support their habit.
Tara– You should make that same speech to a class of kids, exact words.
Have the teacher put it up on the board to read.
You might scare kids straight! The unreasonable thoughts are alarming.
It’s all wrong. But its said well and supposedly informative how brillant potheads are!
Tell kids ALL DRUGS ARE BAD is wrong to say!
Medical qualities to pot, the fed doesn’t agree with it. Because people lie to get the pot as a prescription.
Then you have to add, driving to pot feelings. People high on pot, drive and you know it. Its wrong. Drive to get some munchies happens. That’s under the influence.
Lets keep pot illegal and fines for people who have too much. If their growing bunch of plants at home and police find out, they should be arrested. Police doesn’t know so much is only for personal use.
How about a huge cost for a real license to grow pot at home. $10,000. Cities could really increase revenue. If that person has a license to grow they can’t carry too much on themselves or in their car. A license doesn’t guarentee people won’t deal pot is the problem. There can never be a license to deal.
The fact that the goverment even bothers with Willie Nelson just shows how inept, and stupid people who work for the goverment actually are. The same dumbasses that on the 1st anniverasy of Sept 11 the FBI had operation pipedreams busting tommy chong for selling bongs on the net. Shouldn’t the FBI have been looking for terrorists or other more important criminals, Whitey Bulger perhaps been loose going on 20 years now. I read the other day the idiot TSA chief saying how you can take a goldfish on a plane but no water and lobsters cant be packed in ice did this man drop a brick on his head before he went to work.I also find it odd that most of the conservatives who claim to want a small less intrusive government scream at the prospect of that happening. They in fact becoming shills of the gov. Personally I would find the 10Billion spent anually just on marijuana prevention would make a nice tax break. On a side note why do think the County just raised property taxes for a new jail?
For being in Iraq Nathan sure does have a awlful lot of time for research and blogging?
Joe,
Actually I just happen to be sitting on phone watch every now and then in the S-4.
I also come in early before work and after work.
You might notice the trend of my posting to be in 2 spots during the day.
Comin’ into Los AngeleeeessssBringin’ in a couple of GeeeessssssDon’t touch my bags if you pleaseeeeMr. Customs mannnn…annnnnnn…Arlo Guthrie, Woodstock 1968
If pot causes memory loss why can practically any old hippy remember the words to every song from the 60’s, and usually remember the group that sang them and the radio station he first heard them on? Why is most of the people in nursing homes with Alzheimers disease grumpy old people who never smoked a joint in their lives?
After all, why wouldn’t pot be good for Kansas, economically? Aren’t we an agricultural state? And wouldn’t a well known side effect of smoking pot result in our farmers selling more of their crops? It would improve the market for convenience stores and grocery stores all over the state! It would definitely encourage home gardening. And we wouldn’t have to drive across the state line to spend our money indulging in our personal vices.
I mean, Really! How can people be so negative about everything! Nathan is so quick to claim so many things are bad about a minor weed. Where did he get his knowledge from? Did God tell him that of the bush of pointy leaves thou shall not smoke, for in the day that thou smokest thou shalt surely choke? Some people seem to get a holier than thou complex about everything that is fun. After all, look at Phred Phelps and his group. They seem to think that God condemns every person to hell who doesn’t agree with their views on sexual orientation, and they are quick to agree. They would never admit that it is clearly written that God’s first words to Adam and Eve told them to be gay mathematicians! (Gen. 1:28, first part of the verse.)
I once thought that political conservatism (the real kind, not the RR kind!)was incompatible with wanting pot illegal. Less government, it should be a no-brainer, right?
BUT…legalizing pot would cause pharmaceutical companies to lose money. Given the choice between small government and cutting profits, they’ll choose the path that best benefits big business every time.
I used to live near Rusty Eck Ford growing up.
Now Rusty- pot is grown on set aside land all over Kansas and farmers are selling it. The convience stores are being left out of sales. So is the gov taxing those sales.
It’s hard to find pot in Kansas..nope.
Drugs and drinking, have some fun at home, but the responsibility factor you have to consider. Being a poor ideal as a parent, older brother and sister to younger kids. Pothead and drunk of the family.
Dopers and alcoholics are parents and kids have suffered learning those traits. Genetic traits too are passed on to kids. Those addictive qualities in cells.
Parents totally not responsible getting high and drunk through their teenager kids years watching them do it.
All families scream, argue and fight but doped and drunk people really get out of control angry.
Drunk and high, drive, is the proof to why legalizing drugs and alcohol is never going to happen.
If it was legal, the amount smoked would be like drunk driving laws. So why do it? Very small amount is too much harming driving skills.
The government has every right to make laws prohibiting narcotics. Whatever can change mental abilities is harmful. Addictions are harmful. The problem is people don’t learn the lesson after the first arrest. They continue to get caught drinking and smoking pot again and again.
They can’t afford to get off drugs, the rehab and behavioral classes that costs on the government.
Take commerce ideals out of your thinking, how profitable pot sales would be. Just adds more people legally able to get HIGHER than they already do. They get on the roads.
Growing pot at home again, police can’t believe people won’t deal. Deal to the wrong age people or those already drunk and high, they drive to the house and pick up the stuff. Dealing to friends is problematic. Are they high already, where are they going.
If anything bigger fines to people caught with too much pot and drunk, so they won’t do it again. If someone has a pot or alcohol addiction, they need to placed in detox. They can’t change behaviour on their own.
A clear head is the most responsible thing to do if your in society. If your with friends and not driving anywhere, get high and drunk all you want. Stay home, stay there until everyone sobers up. Be legal age too. Don’t corrupt underage.
I just want to say that everything NIDA/NDCP tells us about marijuana is based on thorough, unbiased, peer-reviewed research, and is 100% reliable.
{Must. . . keep. . .straight. . .face. . . Must. . . keep. . .straight. . .face}
Driving and stupidity don’t mix, whatever your poison. You shouldn’t eat a 4-course Italian meal and operate heavy machinery either. It is long since past time to stop punishing harmless people for having unauthorized states of mind. As the Libertarians like to say, it’s called personal responsibility.
I don’t smoke marijuana because it’s both illegal and ridiculously expensive, not because our corporate state has declared the dreaded weed to be a mortal sin against its profit margin.
Randy, what next?
Quoting the NAMBLA on why pedophilia laws need to be changed?
“Randy, what next?
Quoting the NAMBLA on why pedophilia laws need to be changed?”
At least he identifies his source. You cut and pasted a long (and frankly dubious) FAQ with, so far as I can tell, no citation.
“Weed isn’t smoked natural, laced with whatever”
Uh, you’re going to have to back that up with some factual evidence. Cuz it looks like you’re just pulling BS out of the thin air.
Nathan–equating pedophiles with dope smokers?That’s some intelligent shit there.You’re better than that.
Jim K—Dude–You ROCK!!Laughed my lungs out.Come back and post some more GOODIES.
Ian, how’s that revolution thing going?You got enough troops?
Anybody know where I can score some? My email is live. LOL
And what an idiot who brings up the “gateway drug” theory.Let’s review the logic:1)Almost 100% of heroin addicts have used pot at some time prior to heroin addiction—Therefore, pot use leads to heroin.
2)100% of heroin users ingested breast milk and/or baby formula prior to heroin use—-Therefore, mother’s milk leads to heroin addiction!
Got it?More lying liers and the lies they believe and repeat.
Todd, try some heroin dealers!!HA!
“gateway drug” - the reason there is any gateway effect at all is due to the fact that one would buy weed from a dealer who knows he would make more money selling something else. Legalization would remove that factor.
Years ago I read that the best early indicator of future hard drug use is early cigarette smoking.
Tracy - according to my father (an MD) 100% of his rectal cancer patients used toilet paper. Therefore - toilet paper causes cancer!
Nathan?
Equating pot smoking with pedophilia?
Nathan you just “jumped the shark”!
AGAIN
An attorney I know (very conservative by the way) tells me that he gets a lot of court-appointed domestic violence cases. The majority of these involve drugs - however NONE involve marijuana. He told me that he considers it impossible because of the way weed mellows a person rather than exciting him.
Of course, being the contrary type I am I ahd to challenge him with a scenario: A guy goes home, smokes some good weed, and gets the munchies. As a result he eats each and every Oreo in the house. Wife comes home and beats the crap out of him for it. “But” responded my friend “that would never get reported.” Touche.
I apologize for the link, thought it was included:
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ongoing/marijuana.html
JR and TRACY,
I am not comparing marijuana use to pedophila.
I am comparing quoting someone from NORMAL on why we should legalize the use of marijuana to quoting someone from NAMBLA on why we should legalize pedophilia.
Do I need to break that down for you anymore?
Unfortunately DEA is not a vary unbiased source. When they then quote the Washington Times rather than peer-reviewed literature I really have to wonder.
I know many people in the substance abuse treatment field. They consider weed to be less serious than either tobacco or alcohol.
One issue raised by DEA was driving. Intoxicated driving should be illegal regardless of the intoxicant. Blood tests can determine the level of intoxication just as they do with alcohol.
RustyFord:”Comin’ into Los AngeleeeessssBringin’ in a couple of GeeeessssssDon’t touch my bags if you pleaseeeeMr. Customs mannnn…annnnnnn…
“Arlo Guthrie, Woodstock 1968
“If pot causes memory loss why can practically any old hippy remember the words to every song from the 60’s,”
Rusty,I am afraid you inadvertantly defeated your point. The lyric actually is…”Bringin’ in a couple of Keys”
Key being an shortened version of Kilo - 2.2 lbs, the metric system was used in Mexico.
I remember when Kilo was a popular name for hippie dogs.
It all boils down to the same thing, someone for whatever reason believes it’s in THEIR best interest to dictate to ME what I should put into to MY body or remove from MY body.
Sorry if I do not agree with your MORAL superiority and your need for a government agency to enforce your WILL. So much for the land of the free COMRADES.
I wrote about this a few weeks ago but used a few four letter words so here’s the URL: http://www.hazink.com/old/pot/pot.html
.morg
Should any type of drugs require a prescription?
If you say yes, why?
If you say no, why?
Nathan, same sick analogy.No need to break it down.I’m capable of abstract thought,even logic and reasoning occasionally.
Ben, they already have the tools to bust people for driving while stoned. And they’ve already used them.Too bad it’s treated like a worse offense than driving drunk.
Nathan,We are discussing recreational drug use? Yes or no.
And how about our local DARE officer supplying my kids with out and out lies about pot?One of the kids came home with a hand out from DARE that said pot smoking would change their DNA so drastically that their children would be born with CLUB FEET!!(graphic photos included)I suppose they need to incorporate these lies into the science standards too.
Cute story Door King.Funny though, it never seemed to affect dreaming in my case.
Good point TRACY. The bad thing is that if we tell our kids a bunch of garbage about weed then they don’t believe us when we tell them things about crack, crank, ecstacy, etc. And there are REAL messages that need to be said there.
Nathan - prescriptions are and should be required in certain circumstances as a public health matter. Interesting thing is that while my doctor can prescribe cocaine or heroin he cannot prescribe marijuana.
hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee
“busted in Texas for pot possession and has never had to endure any real consequences”
Steven, you might be interested to know that willie was SLEEPING in his car when he was busted in texas. I dont think that was special treatment as much as a recognition of the circumstances. It was a shakey bust at best.
Willie says he was on his way to Ann Richard’s funeral. I am sure no law enforcement officer would pull a dirty trick on someone going to Ann’s funeral. Uh uh. nope.
Random thoughts…
I never saw anyone lying in a gutter with a joint in his hand.
The war on drugs was the FIRST excuse used by the nixon admin to erase our rights to privacy. It led to the abuses of privacy that are practices so outrageously by bushco.
So… how did THAT war work out? I see. About as well as the war in iraq?
Wake up sheeple. What if we took all that money we spend locking up the hippies and used it to fight the real terrorists?
Or would that make too much sense?
ANYTHING can be addictive. That includes soap operas. *grin*
and blogging …
Figure out a way to make fule from hemp. Possibly woodgrain alcohol and help solve the gas crisis.
Free Willie !!!
Thanks, KFG. I had not heard details about Nelson’s arrests. I just recall back in the day… that a sane person would not take “me-stuff” (as John Lennon used to say) into Texas because of the punitiveness of their state laws on cannabis possession.
sgt - we already know how to make fuel from hemp. Also other fiber-type products.
PS: I would much rather be inhaling pot smoke than gas fumes !
Sarge, check your shoes.I think a stoned mezacan pissed on them.
Yes Ben.Hemp is an ideal Ag crop.Too bad it’s so evil.I had some attack me the other day and try to rearrange my DNA.
I never will forget the famous seen from up in smoke when Tommy Chong was dehydrated and took a drink from the judges glass and it was vodka. Hope Willie gets an afternoon court hearing or the judge will probably still have a hangover.
The argument from some here seems to be that it is no ones business what you do to your own body or what drugs you put into it… ie: marijuana.
So, my question still stands, should prescription drugs require a prescription?
Ben you say it is a matter of public health. Well, so is making marijuana a controlled substance.
TRACY,
How about this?
Quoting someone from NORMAL on legalizing marijuana is like quoting someone from the KKK on equal rights.
Nathan - there is a difference between controlled substance (which my DR can prescribe) and the outright ban.
The public health issue is an interesting one. We allow such massively profitable corporate drugs as alcohol and tobacco but prohibit cottage industry pot. Why the difference? Everything I have read over the past 40 years says weed is less serious than the other two. History gives the answer. The tobacco and alcohol industries financed the anti-pot campaigns.
I’d like to see weed in the same controlled catagory as alcohol.
The biggest prescription issue is usually that misuse of many of these can be easily life-threatening. For example, my warfarin has a rather narrow therapeutic range; too much will kill me. OD on grass, however, is MUCH more difficult than OD from alcohol and probably impossible.
Nathan,So my question still stands are we speaking about recreational use of drugs or medical use requiring the opinion of a health care professional?
And yes it is no ones bizniz what I do with my body on my time not harming another human being animal or plant. I am not your property you do not provide material support to me etc. etc
Where as my tax dollars support a prison and legal system that incarcerates more people than any other country on earth.
This happening in Louisiana kind of makes me wonder if he was taking aide to the hurricane survivors. I imagine after the horrible way they have been treated by our government a good hit of pot would ease their frustrations. I know if I had to sleep in an auditorium full of people I would need a quarter of pot and a fifth of Jack Daniels.
“Quoting someone from NORMAL on legalizing marijuana is like quoting someone from the KKK on equal rights.”
That is a very poor analogy. One organization is interested in increasing freedom for Americans and the other is the KKK.
What happen to free will anyway? Isn’t this a Christian concept. Isn’t this a Christian nation or just more talk the talk and not walking the walk.
Do we need mans law to guide ever small step taken in daily life. Where is thou shall not get high, in the commandments?
Ok Todd, let me try again:
Quoting someone from NORMAL on legalizing pot is like quoting someone from ALF on SUV’s.
Free will is not a Christian concept it is what God gave us. It is most commonly in reference to our having the free will to choose to love God or not.
Making pot illegal doesn’t take away your free will. You can still smoke pot, you just have to be prepared to face the consequences for your actions.
“Making pot illegal doesn’t take away your free will. You can still smoke pot, you just have to be prepared to face the consequences for your actions.”
And if it weren’t illegal, what would be the consequences of my action? What are the consequences of my action of drinking a beer on Friday night?
I get such a kick out of Christians in this country. Some of you think Willie is insane, at least he don’t go around thinking some drunk from the early ages that has an imaginary father because he was bourn a basted, wiggled his nose like on bewitched and created man. Their is a reason that kind of thought is not supported by Americas top scientific institutions. Because its insanity !!! Yet you goody goodies go around like Harriet Nelson on Little House On The Prairie, forcing your will on others thru the self righteous BS laws you pass. The only thing Christianity is doing is building what will eventually go down in the history books as the third antichrist. No their is still a few people out here in society that still have two eyes and a brain and know how to use them. We also don’t go around forcing our narrow minded will on others. So we don’t consciously recognize you christian imbeciles laws, we never will eather !!!
Is pot smoking a Christian issue?
I don’t think it has anything at all to do with Christianity. It has to do with an intrusive, nosey government that hasn’t figured out a way to regulate and make money off of pot yet.
“Dallas is the number one crime City in the United States.”
Hey, Ed, doesn’t D.C. run a close second? tee hee
Todd,
I’m not so sure it’s just the pot. Keep in mind that all forms of hemp are either illegal or tightly regulated.
Perhaps we need to give legalizing pot a trial and do what Canada has done.
Ahh Haa! Caught you, Steven Davis!See what I mean? Quote one word wrong in a 38 year old song and any old pot smoking hippy will recognize it, in spite of listening to it on blown out speakers and a hazy marijuana numbed mind!
Belive me church elders are not just discussing building funds in those back room meetings. You people need to properly identify your opposition. Theirs a reason why programs like saturday night live make fun of the church lady.
Todd,I know it doesn’t have anything to do with Christianity. Those were my ridiculous counter arguments to Nathan’s ridiculous counter arguments. If that makes any sense.
It was first the church against rock and roll, then it was the church against drugs. It was that way then and its even more that way now because of the foothold Christianity has in our government. That’s why the government didn’t do anything to help the hurricane victims. They figured they could sit back and god would wave his magic wand and everything would somehow be ok. Well it wasn’t OK & It isn’t OK. The problem with the separation between church and state is its a one sided street with the self righteous Christians holding all the power because people in this country have sat back and gave them the power. So yes this is another christian subject, it always has been. Prohibition was also started by the christian influence.
http://www.theagitator.com/archives/002065.php
The main reason it is illegal is because back in the 30’s William Randolph Hearst owned a lot of newspapers and owned the paper mills that printed the paper. Hemp (which of course is not exactly the same thing as marijuana but is commonly associated and lumped together with it) was competing with his paper production so he rallied his friends in power (government) and finally made it illegal in 1937. I don’t think a lot of people know this.
The interesting part is that when the case was originally brought before congress the prosecutor (Anslinger) claimed that it caused violence, attacks, delerium, death and was only used by poor black people (jazz musicians I believe). When the topic came back up in the 50’s the same guy (Anslinger) told congress a totally different story. Now his tale said that it should be illegal because it caused mellowness and apathy. He said the communists would try to use it against our youth in a bid to corrupt America.
Did you all know that right now there are weeds in the ditches that if you eat or smoke them they will kill you. And they are not banned. The government does not spend billions to eliminate them. Marijuana is NOT one of them. It has not & cannot kill anyone. The government says todays pot is dangerous because it is so much stronger than the pot of the 60’s. Well, using that argument name me 1 other drug that you can increase it’s potency that greatly & still be safe. None!Marijuana should be deemed Harmless!
There is a special place in hell for cops who arrest pot smokers!
I’m sure if investigated this fella Anslinger’s background you would find out he was some kind of church clergy. Anyways all these things start with somebody dieing. However like many of you have pointed out a person can die from any object in this world given the right set of circumstances. The bottom line is generally people that listen to rock and roll and do drugs don’t attend church, and the Christian Reich cant deal with that because they want to control and manipulate everyone without prejudice. Ever hear the words ‘The truth The life, The only way’. I propose is no different than Adolph Hitler. The only difference is this isn’t a racial war. These people are controlling peoples minds and making them so stupid, people are dieing because of stupidity.
For those of you who say “grow up”. Thank you for trying to take all of the fun & pleasure out of peoples lives. I don’t want to grow up & I’ll bet secretly you don’t either. Maybe you made some bad choices in life that made you grow up. Sucks to be you but some of us are smarter.
Nathan, don’t you ever tired of using red herrings? Yes, Randy quoted NORML. So what? The name of the organization accurately discloses its agenda (unlike, say, the American Family Association, or Americans for Progress and Freedom). Are you challenging the accuracy of the arrest stats? Or just annoyed that Randy would quote an opinion that he, independently, happened to find correct?
Few people know that cops are tired of chasing marijuana & drugs in general. Would you want go go out & fight for your life in an effort that can’t be won. Check out http://www.leap.cc