NationStates Jolt Archive

I, as just about most of you probably are, am extremely agitated by the U.S. government stance on marijuana. A friend of mine told me marijuana was first banned by some rural governor who saw black people smoking and enjoying it and found it offensive, and other states followed suit thereafter.

Sure there's some tar in it, but its still healthier than alcohol. I'd be damned if anyone can find me a study that shows its "ill effects" on concentration, memory, and intelligence. Even the New England Journal of Medicine has nothing significant to say. It doesn't impair much either- You can do anything you would be able to do sober, if not better. It is kind of a performance enhancing drug as its come to be known in sports. I can definitely play video games, read, write, think, drive, and detect emotions better than when I am sober. A lot of my friends are what doctors call "chronic smokers" and there's nothing wrong with them.

I'm not advocating all drugs, but I cannot believe how stupid the government is concerning this. I remember watching all the stupid truth ads about people completely losing all concentration and whatnot- simply ridiculous stuff. And for all the religious nuts- theres no place where its forbidden- in fact theres evidence in the bible that its even grown. Some line about growing grass for the cattle and the herb for man... I'll look it up if anyone REALLY wants to see it that badly. I'd just like THE PEOPLE'S opinions on this very delicate issue. I'm recently new so don't be angry at me if there have already been hundreds of threads like this.

Well, put it this way, you wouldn't want to get into a car or operate heavy machinery after a few bong-hits.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/991201ap/991201b.html


This seems to list many undesireable side effects

I completely agree with you, my friend, with the exception of one instance. Marijuana definately damages your...uh...what was that again?....had something to do with the recollection of things that happened recently...Oh yeah! Short term memory.

As a chronic smoker of Budda, I can safely say that my short term memory, ability to concentrate, and ability to vocalize my thoughts have all been damaged severely by Mary-Jane.

Not that it's all bad. At least I can be surprised by finding the same ten bucks in my wallet every twenty minutes.

I completely agree with you, my friend, with the exception of one instance. Marijuana definately damages your...uh...what was that again?....had something to do with the recollection of things that happened recently...Oh yeah! Short term memory.

As a chronic smoker of Budda, I can safely say that my short term memory, ability to concentrate, and ability to vocalize my thoughts have all been damaged severely by Mary-Jane.

Not that it's all bad. At least I can be surprised by finding the same ten bucks in my wallet every twenty minutes.

Thats alright- I dont smoke and I have the same problem. Induced by blunt impact trauma.

I completely agree with you, my friend, with the exception of one instance. Marijuana definately damages your...uh...what was that again?....had something to do with the recollection of things that happened recently...Oh yeah! Short term memory.

As a chronic smoker of Budda, I can safely say that my short term memory, ability to concentrate, and ability to vocalize my thoughts have all been damaged severely by Mary-Jane.

Not that it's all bad. At least I can be surprised by finding the same ten bucks in my wallet every twenty minutes.

Can't say I have teh same thing. When I'm on it I definitely have trouble remembering things, but off all is well. I've also taken to writing stuff down now and some of the ideas and scenarios I get are frickin amazing.

And that website is ridiculous. You cannot get physicall addicted.

Some of the common physical effects of marijuana include:

* Tremors
* Nausea
* Headache
* Worsening coordination
* Breathing problems
* Increased appetite
* Reduced blood flow to the brain
* Changes in the reproductive organs

Tremors only happen if yo've smoked a ridiculous amount of pot and you completely relax. And they're nto bad. they're very pleasurable. no breathing problems- people with asthma can safely smoke marijuana because it actually helps them. "changes in repoductive organs"? no clue.

I can't help but feel theres a strong bias against marijuana in the U.S. And the greatest gateway drug, kids, is alcohol.

I for one don't use marijuana or any "narcotics". However, I don't like the US' "War on Drugs". It's been a waste of money and has gotten out of hand on numerous occasions.

I for one don't use marijuana or any "narcotics". However, I don't like the US' "War on Drugs". It's been a waste of money and has gotten out of hand on numerous occasions.

Of course it hasn't! Nothing is more detrimental to society than people enjoying themselves in a peaceful and friendly manner, feeling well all the while. Why, many's been the time potheads tried to rob me and randomly stabbed people everywhere.

Come to Nimbin, Australia where even cops openly smoke pot!

Marihuana was actually banned due to the timber lobby. I'm serious. Originally, it was cheaper and easier to make paper out of wood than out of hemp. However, in the early 1900s, a new way of making paper out of hemp was discovered, and it was far cheaper and easier than making it out of wood. Knowing that this would be a devastating hit to the timber industry, the lobby talking to Congress, and a law banning the growth, sale, possession, and use of Cannibis sativa was passed.

Marihuana was actually banned due to the timber lobby. I'm serious. Originally, it was cheaper and easier to make paper out of wood than out of hemp. However, in the early 1900s, a new way of making paper out of hemp was discovered, and it was far cheaper and easier than making it out of wood. Knowing that this would be a devastating hit to the timber industry, the lobby talking to Congress, and a law banning the growth, sale, possession, and use of Cannibis sativa was passed.

I have never heard that one before. The reason I am familiar of is because of racial tensions.

http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2003/12/22/whyIsMarijuanaIllegal.html

Well, put it this way, you wouldn't want to get into a car or operate heavy machinery after a few bong-hits.
No, but I wouldn't want to do that after taking a Clariton either. Only casualties advocate 24/7.

I don't drive or work heavy machinery while high-why should it be a giant hassle for me to smoke a bowl, eat a twinkie, and watch tv?

Lots of shit can get abused, but we don't ban sleeping pills or diet pills or foot rubs. It just seems more trouble than it's worth to spend this much money, manpower and time fuckin' with a dude who wants to smoke a joint and watch the Simpsons...

:p

Marihuana was actually banned due to the timber lobby. I'm serious. Originally, it was cheaper and easier to make paper out of wood than out of hemp. However, in the early 1900s, a new way of making paper out of hemp was discovered, and it was far cheaper and easier than making it out of wood. Knowing that this would be a devastating hit to the timber industry, the lobby talking to Congress, and a law banning the growth, sale, possession, and use of Cannibis sativa was passed.
this is partially true, coupled with the thing about the mexicans - they smoked it, many of the border states wanted to get the mexicans out so they made it illegal to have in your posession as an excuse to chuck out the mexicans.
then there was a bloke called harry anslinger who was a religious fundamentallist who happened to be in charge to the newly formed narcotics dept (or whatever, my memory's not too good anymore ;) :p). he was the one who started the whole national crack-down and propoganda campaign


marijuana, used for over 4000 years of human history, was banned because of racisim, religious puritanicalism, and some greedy fucker's desire for more profit. a plant that for thousands of years produced strong rope, cloth superior in its qualities to cotton or wool, and with great medicinal properties, was banned for the most stupid reasons - and health risks was not one of them :rolleyes:
in fact not a shred of science or evidence went into the illegalisation of marijuana. then anslinger used his clout in the government to push for america to force its rulings regarding this harmless plant on the rest of the world.

there was actually a scientific report, commissioned by anslinger in the early 60s - and then duly hushed up by him - that stated that smoking a joint or so a day would actually be beneficial to your health. yet still he continued his relentless propoganda machine, spreading absolute lies - but, sadly, it was one of the most effective propoganda drives in history with millions of people still today believing the 'reefer madness' style lies.


y'all should watch a documentary movie simply called Grass - narrated by Woody Harrleson. its brilliant, and its approach is suprisingly unbiased, merely presenting the facts :)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000633SE/qid=1124791917/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-3010357-9035116?v=glance&s=dvd

Ganja Clown Convention

Might as well just say "The Bush Administration" if you're talking about a clown convention.

And that website is ridiculous. You cannot get physicall addicted.
Yes, you can. Go ahead and stop, I dare ya.

And yes, like everything, it does have side effects. However, I still think it should be legalized. Why should the government care what people do to themselves?

Okay, its been nine days without pot. But seeing as how I;m starting college tomorrow, I might be in for a few roadblocks.

Oh, I thought this was about an actual clown convention. Those things are fucking terrifying...

Yes, you can. Go ahead and stop, I dare ya.

um, i stopped. haven't smoked it in over 2 months and don't intend to for a while longer... certainly won't be able to for at least another month. previously i was smoking every day, usually all day (though the days were short ;)), and smoked like that for 2 years previously.

so i stopped smoking and... i'm fine. no problems whatsoever. ok, i'd like a joint sometimes, but in no way do i need a smoke - yet alone exhibit any form of physical addiciton.

why? because its not physically addictive!

y'all should watch a documentary movie simply called Grass - narrated by Woody Harrleson. its brilliant, and its approach is suprisingly unbiased, merely presenting the facts :)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000633SE/qid=1124791917/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-3010357-9035116?v=glance&s=dvd


Ive seen it, and its the truest documentary about weed Ive ever seen.

The reason you cant grow, or legally smoke weed, is beucase some rich assholes wanted to kick out all the mexicans in the 30's.

Yes, you can. Go ahead and stop, I dare ya.

And yes, like everything, it does have side effects. However, I still think it should be legalized. Why should the government care what people do to themselves?


Umm..I smoke it quite a bit....occasionally, If I dont have money to buy it, or just plain dont feel like smoking it..

.,.I dont.

The reason some claim its physically addictive, is becuase the subjects tested were chronic, heavy users.

Any chemical can be addictive when taken in large quantities.

Legalize it, crack down on harder drugs and drinking/driving. :p

The only reason it can be called a gateway drug is that you have to go to dealers to get it. And dealers may have other substances for you to experiment with. If it were legal, no more of that bullshit.

Cigarettes are the true gateway drug. Outlaw those things. Oh yeah, and try quitting them too. :rolleyes:

Let the potheads out of prison. Make room for the other fucktards.

Legalize it, crack down on harder drugs and drinking/driving. :p

The only reason it can be called a gateway drug is that you have to go to dealers to get it. And dealers may have other substances for you to experiment with. If it were legal, no more of that bullshit.

Cigarettes are the true gateway drug. Outlaw those things. Oh yeah, and try quitting them too. :rolleyes:

Let the potheads out of prison. Make room for the other fucktards.

Agreed.