Ron Paul, others to introduce marijuana bill

[NicoleLJ]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_1...45-503544.html

"In early June, a 19-member international panel of luminaries called the so-called "war on drugs" a failure, and recommended the United States consider legalizing marijuana in order to better undermine criminal organizations and stop punishing those who "do no harm to others."

"While it is very likely the current piece of marijuana legislation will end up in the same place as Frank's previous two efforts, it is still part of a growing chorus of voices seeking to alter the debate on the war on drugs. With the U.S. spending $15 billion per year on the war on drugs, and with little to no apparent gains made in the last 40 years since it started, theirs will surely not be the last prominent voices to question why marijuana is illegal."


Thoughts?

[Randi]

War on drugs is a failure in the sense that it has made many people believe that marijuana is as dangerous as other drugs, like speed, coke and heroin. Some people just don't grasp the difference, but legalizing marijuana would surely cut down on expenses and the criminal offense of possessing it.

I say it's less harmless than alcohol. I'm not smoking it myself (I'd rather have a glass of wine or a beer), but I have tried it years ago. The people I know who do smoke it, are highly educated and well functioning people and fun to be with.

Like with everything, it's the exaggeration? that harms people.

That's my two cents.


Edit* I'd like to add what John said about the subject, when it was discussed here years ago:

"Alcohol and marijuana have been around for hundreds, presumably thousands of years. And the world would probably look quite a bit different if they hadn’t. I’ve often thought that it would be thought provoking to write a book on “The World’s Greatest Alcoholics”. Alexander the Great was supposed to have drunk up to 10 liters of wine a day (and died when he was about 32). Winston Churchill loved his Cognac. Boris Jeltsin certainly knows how to put a couple of vodkas away. These are very important men who have affected the development of our civilization.
And then there are the arts. How many great works of art have been created “under the influence” of something or other I wonder? (Poets in the 1800’s indulging in opium just one example).

These are all naturally existing drugs, but what about all these complex molecules that we are consuming more and more of nowadays? The wonder drugs that are supposed to solve all our problems. They’re just called PILLS. You’re supposed to take them if you’re hyper, take them if you’re depressed, take them if you’re tired, take them if you’re too thin, take them if you’re too fat, take them if you’ve got a headache. Whatever. There are even reports of drug companies trying to invent disorders so they can produce an antidote and make another million bucks!
If we really knew the truth I think we would be shocked to find out how many “great” men were dependant on “illegal substances”. Here again, in recent times we have people like John F Kennedy (amphetamines and pain killers) and my childhood hero Winston Churchill (a manio-depressive dependant on Benzedrine and alcohol).

… and why do we do this? Partly because we’re inundated with advertisements for these products day in and day out. All in the name of the holy dollar. After all, in a capitalistic society, the drug companies first priority is to make a profit for themselves and their stockholders (just like the tobacco companies). They sometimes find out much later whether their products are harmful to the consumers in the long run, and will always try to deny it.

At least marijuana is a physically non-addictive substance, which alcohol and a majority of pills most definitely aren’t. And the idea that It makes you feel and act stupid and it is more harmful than cigarettes. doesn’t fit with my experience at all."

Jonza

[pomtzu]

I always thought it was customary, that when one posted an issue and asked for thoughts on it, that the OP first stated his/her thoughts/views/opinions first, and then asked for others to state theirs.
So what are your thoughts on it, Nicole? I believe that most people would like to hear yours, before they state theirs. This obviously is an issue with you if you thought strongly enough about it, one way or another, to post about it.

[NicoleLJ]

Very interesting points Randi and an interesting quote to read also. Never realized that about some of the people mentioned.

[smokey the elder]

Prohibition didn't work for alcohol. It led to organized crime, violence, and the gov't spending money trying to fight the organized crime and violence.

Prohibition doesn't work for "illegal" drugs. It leads to organized crime, violence and the gov't spending money to fight the organized crime and violence.

Are some drugs very dangerous? Sure. Just look up the properties of the ones in your medicine cabinet and sold legally in packs. IMO, the long-term answer is to regulate and tax production and consumption, as is done with alcohol and tobacco; and have severe penalties for misbehavior under the influence akin to DWI.

[Grace]

Prescription pills taken as directed are estimated to kill one American every five minutes. More Americans are addicted to medications than cocaine. ...

Our Daily Meds by Melody Petersen

Sept. 18, 2003 -- Marijuana smoking isn't harmless, but at least it won't kill you.

WebMD - Daniel J. DeNoon

[pomtzu]

I'm obviously not going to get a reply to my previous post, so I'll state my opinion in spite of that.
I'm in agreement with Randi 100%. IMO, there are much worse legal products readily available. Of course #1 being alcohol. But what about the common household products that some use to get high by huffing or sniffing - glue, White Out, aerosol propellants, gasoline - just to name a few. These can be deadly or cause serious brain damage.
Years ago (in the 70's) I was employed by the Univ of DE. It was at that time that I experimented with marijuana a couple of times. It was as readily available as a drink of water, and was used by not only the students, but the PHD's, department heads, and probably the university president too. It honestly did nothing for me and I couldn't understand what all the hype was about. I can get more of a buzz by drinking a glass of wine. So those couple of times was enough for me.
The long term effects of marijuana still aren't proven, unlike that of alcohol. However, I would hate to see any pregnant woman smoking pot, or anything else for that matter, and of course no alcohol, if she values her health and that of her unborn child. Marijuana passes thru the placenta to the fetus, and I have read that it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, fetal development abnormalities, neurological damage, etc. Yet there are women who discount this and believe that it is less harmful than other factors. Fools!!!
So unless you're male, physically unable to bear children, or past child bearing age, then stay away from the weed! And for others that enjoy it, then I hope that one day it becomes legal. If it does, I would imagine it would come with all the consequences that alcohol does, as far as abuse of the product is concerned.