Ron Paul, others to introduce marijuana bill

[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.

[Lady's Human]

I think I've posted this before, but here's my take on the issue:

Take 50 guys, put them in a room, and give them a couple kegs of beer.

Take another 50 guys, put them in a room, and give them an equivalent amount of marijuana.

Which group is going to need police assistance sooner?


The only thing the second group is going to endanger is a pan of brownies or the clerk at the local 7-11 after they run out of chips.

[Edwina's Secretary]

But think of all the drug testing facilities that will be put out of business!

[Karen]

But think of all the drug testing facilities that will be put out of business!

No, after all prescription drug abuse is on the rise, sadly. Most people that go through random drug testing, like truck drivers, are screened for a number of things. My buddy once got flagged because she had not known she was going to work that day (got called in mid-morning) and had already a lemon-poppyseed muffin for breakfast. The poppy seeds were enough to trigger a positive for drugs on the test. Thankfully, they had a policy in place and tested her again on subsequent days, and she was clear.

The facilities will still have plenty to do.

[RICHARD]

Which group is going to need police assistance sooner?


The only thing the second group is going to endanger is a pan of brownies or the clerk at the local 7-11 after they run out of chips.

Shut up.

I once had four stitches put in my wrist after wrestling with a pan of HOMEMADE brownies.

No, they were not 'funny baked goods'.



The baker may have been cooked.