What is Digg?100 Comments
- JonisJon, on 10/12/2007, -4/+83Calling marijauna as "dangerous" as heroin and PCP is laughable at best.
- Wiggles2, on 10/12/2007, -3/+73Then there will still be enough short-haired liberal hippies to outnumber ignorant wingnuts like you Ranger.
- actionscripted, on 10/12/2007, -5/+65Penn and Teller: *****! War on Drugs
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3653114296815352489&q=*****+war+on+drugs - frankjmattia, on 10/12/2007, -5/+56Marijuana is exactly as dangerous as a gun. No more - no less. It's all in the hands of the user. Using your own bad experiences as a crutch to beat those who are responsible with it is "laughable at best."
If you drive while high, hit a pedestrian & ruin your life - guess what, you're an ***** getting what an ***** deserves. If you sit on your porch at night, get high and still get to the office in the morning and be a fully functional, productive and respectable part of the workforce - congratulations, you're not hurting yourself any more than someone who smokes cigarettes. You should have the right to do that. (These people are in group 3 as I explain later on.)
This isn't too far removed from the idea of having to be 21 to buy alcohol. It's assumed that before you're 21 you are more inclined to be irresponsible and drive drunk. The sad truth is that irresponsibility happens at any age - but 21 is a relatively safe starting point. Problem is this - most kids start experimenting with pot when they're in highschool and as they get older, most of them either 1) think that in order to be responsible they have to cut it completely out of their lives or 2) don't know how to make the transition from highschool stoner to recreational, functional user.
If you fall into group 1 then you're out of touch with responsibility. And in fact, I'd say that if you don't trust yourself enough to be responsible with it then it's probably best that you quit it. But you're also the same people who are looking down at me with the assumption that I'm just as irresponsible as you.
If you fall into group 2 then you're the one who gives people in group 1 the reason to be cynical towards the many people like myself in group 3.
Okay. So now that I'm done ranting lets take bets on how quickly this comment gets buried. - friend18, on 10/12/2007, -8/+59Marijuana is safer than caffiene. You would have to eat 1500 pounds of marijuana to give your body a toxic responce. By comparison you would have to eat 10 raw potatoes to give your body a toxic responce. Marijuana is one of the safest substances.
- scb0825, on 10/12/2007, -2/+44First, I have to say that for about 10 years I have been a regular marijuana smoker. I am very successful, I make way above average income, and I am able to go to work on time. Marijuana for me is a vice, like drinking for other people. I would rather smoke, over drink. I personally think that drinking is more harmful to your body than taking a few puffs every other night. I have also seen the benefits of marijuana smoking first hand. My mother who died a few years ago of cancer, smoked to help ease the pains of chemo. When she smoked, it was the ONLY thing that made her hungry enough to eat. I honestly believe that smoking made the last year of my mother's life much easier.
I do understand that some people take smoking too far. Some other people use it as a gateway drug, however, I think this is a small percentage of the smokers. I have known MANY smokers in my time who are professionals making 6 figure incomes. You would not know it, if you met them. I think marijuana use should be legal... to a certain extent. You should able be able to have x amount at any given time. Get caught driving high... same penalties as drinking and driving... etc. I know in my life time, this will never happen. So, for the rest of my life I will be subjected to being a "drug addict" and treated as such because I choose to smoke. I know I will get dugg down for this comment, unless the other smokers who believe like I do digg this comment.
If enough people get together to chance something... it will be changed... - RckmRobot, on 10/12/2007, -3/+44@EpicCrusadr:
"I'd like to see your sources. There is no way you could fit 1500 pounds of anything in your stomach."
That's the point. - djruden, on 10/12/2007, -3/+37If you want to support the decriminalization of marijuana, a good start would be to check out:
http://www.ssdp.org/ -- Students for Sensible Drug Policy --
Their website has a lot of good info!
Every year they hold a Global Marijuana March to help spread the word. You can see footage from the Iowa City march in 2006 on youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v28LvFvLy78
hope you enjoy,
peace - friend18, on 10/12/2007, -5/+39I forgot to mention you would have to eat that 1500 pounds in 15 minutes. :)
- mistermanoli, on 10/12/2007, -4/+36Opioid painkillers were listed as the sole cause of overdose for 4,451 deaths in 2002, more deaths than from cocaine (2,569), heroin (1,061), and Marijuana (0) combined - journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.
interesting huh? - friend18, on 10/12/2007, -2/+33"Marihuana influences Negroes to to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice."
-Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1934 - schleufer, on 10/12/2007, -3/+32I've never smoked pot in my life, but I think it should be legalized and controlled like alcohol and tobacco.
@Atomic1fire - calling a pothead a "junkie" really shows how ***** stupid and ignorant you are. You got your drugs mixed up, *****.
Getting a high isn't illegal either, *****. Alcohol and tobacco are controlled substances that are legal. If you claim you aren't getting some kind of buzz off that *****, you're lying. Christ, I can get a buzz off a 4 shot latte if I drink it fast enough. Red Bull- same thing.
Throwing people in jail over pot is just stupid, and a waste of time and resources.
Pot is often prescribed to Cancer patients for many reasons, and ONE of them includes the fact that it makes the patient hungry (the munchies) and they can actually keep their food down. - richiestang78, on 10/12/2007, -5/+34Calling it dangerous at all is laughable since all real studies cant find any negative health problems caused by it. Has anyone ever heard of someone directly dying from weed; hell no because you can't. Its a joke to make it illegal and this is just the FDAs way of approving a highpriced medicine that drug companies can sell and make a fortune. I think anyone who gives lies about cannibus should be kicked in the nuts hard for thinking were dumb enough to believe it.
- andrethegiant, on 10/12/2007, -10/+33The answer is simple: the FDA doesn't like pot because then all the black people will rape all the white women.
- RckmRobot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+24Here's the deal... The FDA has marijuana placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Any drug that has no currently accepted medical use in the United States falls under that category, dangerous or not. While most drugs on Schedule I are dangerous and highly addictive, the primary purpose for that category is non-medical drugs.
Because they have no accepted medical use (by the FDA), marijuana and heroin fall under the most restricted schedule (Schedule I). Meanwhile, cocaine is on Schedule II - because it does have accepted medical use, for dermatological use, I believe.
What's interesting is that marijuana was put on Schedule I pending the outcome of a report in 1970, and even though the report recommended removal, it never happened.
In the end though, there really is no reason for marijuana to be as illegal as it is. Even the government's own reports say so. - taotehue, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23Actually, studies show that pot smokers work as hard or harder than non pot smokers. They have to pay for their goods somehow. This would put pot smokers into that field of "productive members of society"
- taotehue, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21actually it is that the carcinogens in cigarette smoke are absent in pot smoke.
- shadowsword232, on 10/12/2007, -3/+20Disclaimer: I have never smoked weed nor do I intend to, I just think that the facts should be looked at objectively
First off it's physically impossible to consume the quantity of marijuana necessary to overdose. Second, it's been scientifically proven to have no negative long term side effects. Third(ly?), some one under the influence of it is no more dangerous than someone who has consumed to much alcohol.
There are two real issues with legalizing it, bipartisanism being the easiest, but the more practical is the fact that there is no way to test just how much of it is in your system, you can test for it's presence, but not it's concentration. Traces of it stay within your system for up to 30 days as well. If the government could come up with a practical method to test just how much of it was in a person's blood stream (see breath-a-lizer tests for alcohol) then they would legalize it and place it under high taxes in a heartbeat.
I expect to be flamed for presenting this information, which is sad, but, understand I am just presenting the facts as I have found them when researching the subject. - Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -7/+21The safety of marijuana is irrelevant. If I want to inject oven cleaner, that's my right, it's my body. The fact is marijuana makes you feel good and that's why people like it, and feeling good should not be criminalized..
- trevorsm, on 10/12/2007, -3/+16"I believe NAMBLA uses that argument..."
1) What, you have a problem with Marlon Brando look-a-likes?
2) Hey, good job demonizing potheads by comparing them to pedophiles. I'm sure you've got everyone all riled up now. - nick491, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14I just don't understand why marijuana is illegal in the U.S. (unless you're in California, where doctors prescribe it), and alcohol isn't! Aren't substances such as, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, sugar, corn syrup, etc. just as bad if not worse?? It doesn't take a scientist to point out the differences. You know, there are people who can't live without their coffee, why not make caffeine illegal? Does Marijuana give you withdrawals? Hell no, I perceive Marijuana in the same realm of Alcohol, except Marijuana is SO MUCH SAFER. I'm not taking this to the white house or nothing like that, I just want everyone to STOP BEING SO IGNORANT. Thank you.
- CBTF, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13Especially since booze kills many, MANY more people every year.
- rmmcclay, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13One of the main reasons pot is illegal is that it would eliminate the need for a lot of other types of expensive, less-safe, physician-prescribed medications such as anti-nausea and appetite-enhancers for example.
- WeeklyGeek, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Seems to be everyone's motivation these days. Sigh.
- Wiggles2, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14Iatrogenic (doctor-caused) death is the leading cause of death in the country- surpassing all diseases, auto-accidents, murders, etc.
Researched with respected sources, including the Journal of the AMA -->
http://www.ourcivilisation.com/medicine/usamed.htm
Not to say doctors don't also help people, but they do indeed cause a whooole lotta death. Have a nice day. - Kranklin, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11All I have to say is that im conservative and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari_movement#Ganja
Ranger does not nessicarilly represent all of us - livestradamus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9The number 1 reason it is illegal... *drum roll*
To keep jails full and a reason to keep building more jails. It's big business, don't believe me? look it up! - livestradamus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8The number 2 reason it is illegal... *drum roll*
Keep people buying "legal" doctor prescribed pills at very high prices, eventhough these legal drugs have much more problematic side effects. Imagine if weed got legalized and it can simply be *grown* in some1s back yard.. It's once again big business.. - treelovinhippie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_faq1.shtml
- losvedir, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7All I've ever heard about it is that puff for puff marijuana smoke is as bad or worse than cigarette smoke. The difference is that marijuana smokers smoke *far less* than cigarette smokers.
- goffy59, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8The FDA are a bunch of idiots. Anything they do is not really understandable. Its just like every other organization, its all for money. While we could have more drugs to save peoples life's, the FDA are waiting for their friends to create one so we all buy that and no other type. Pot is the least harmful substances compared to Alcohol, meth, heroine, cocaine, etc.
- smaxl, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8"But I will accept the rules that you feel necessary to your freedom. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." - Robert A. Heinlein
I think weed is fine personally but I feel that everyone should be free to put whatever they want into their own bodies. If you are dumb enough to do a drug that is seriously going to mess you up then you deserve the misery that follows. If you are lucky enough to be one of the ones that learns and is able to over come it great, but I am not here to tell you what you CAN do. I think there should be real education on drugs. Telling kids that weed is as bad as heroin is going to kill people. Kids find out that you where lying about weed and they are more likely to try heroin cause you no longer have credibility. And making weed illegal does not stop kids from doing it. It makes it easier for kids to get. In my neighborhood it is easier to get weed than beer if you are under 21. Why cause drug dealers don't card. The war on weed is pointless and just plain not working. If it was legalized and given a 21 or 18 age limit at least you could stop kids from getting it. And as everyone else has said WEED IS SAFER than beer or cigarette's. And if I may say so makes unprotected sex with multiple partners a whole lot of fun. (jk on that part, it does but i don't recommend it) - MiDri, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7This is actully one of the reasons it became outlawed -- Look it up, rich white guys afraid of poor black guys.
- CrzyMke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5@Bennyboy: you're misreading the article.
Carcinogens are dangerous because they prevent cells from dying - Cancer is an issue because its uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Aging and cell death is an appropriate response for the body, and for THC to encourage the death of an aging cell, rather than its uncontrolled propagation is a good thing.
Also you're right about the higher level of carcinogens. But you need some perspective. If the average marijuana user (in terms of biology - not frequency) smoked a quarter of the volume of marijuana that a typical "at risk" cigarette smoker does, they would be a worthless mess all day long.
The truth is this discussion needs to remove the propaganda on both sides of the debate. And come to a reasonable conclusion splitting the public health concerns on one side with the civil rights concerns on the other. - headzoo, on 10/12/2007, -5/+10Wait? Could it be? Could it be that someone in charge at the FDA is on someone else's payroll? No... certainly marijuana *is* as dangerous as heroin and PCP, unless it's used in high priced prescription drugs.
- PYREX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7dont be an ignorant fool Ranger.
READ YOUR HISTORY
http://www.jackherer.com/chapters.html - lost.sync, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7i'm not sure if i think it'd be any stronger, but i do think it'd be adultured with all sorts of chemicals and preservatives much like cigarettes, which i'd rather not inhale.
on a side note: pretty much everyone knows - to at least some extent - that pot isn't that bad. it's not -great- but it's certainly not killing people or anything and is much safer than alcohol in terms of causing directly related injuries to yourself or someone else. so why keep fining people who get caught with it?
the operative word here is fining. state governments make lots of money from pot-related legal woes and the federal governement makes tons more from trafficing charges. not to mention that in the war on drugs the FDA pulls in plenty of money from the Treasury by having what i'm sure is pages upon pages of pot-related budget requirements.
$0.02 - collintheweak, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7http://digg.com/political_opinion/Truth_about_Marijuana
erowid.org Educate yourself. - Democritus2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Ok another Marijuana topic where people talk about smoke.
I must once again say: DONT SMOKE IT. Vaporize it. No carcinogens are released to your lungs. In fact if you bag the vaporized substance, it is not harsh to your lungs in any shape way or form.
We are not living 100years ago. We have technology. - geronimo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5One country stands as an example of how marijuana legalization doesn't cause a complete breakdown of society: Holland.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Don't you know who Bill Hicks is?
- ccheath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4What about vaporized thc? No carcinogens!!! ahhh... just doesn't taste the same... then there's budder... look it up
- jimmycurN, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7"On April 20 of this year..."
4:20! Har har! - deepsub, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"Opioid painkillers were listed as the sole cause of overdose for 4,451 deaths in 2002, more deaths than from cocaine (2,569), heroin (1,061), and Marijuana (0) combined - journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety."
Compare this with the leading causes of death in 2002:
1. Heart Disease 696,947
2. Malignant Neoplasms 557,271
3. Cerebro-vascular 162,672
4. Chronic Low. Respiratory Disease 124,816
5. Unintentional Injury 106,742
6. Diabetes Mellitus 73,249
7. Influenza & Pneumonia 65,681
8. Alzheimer's Disease 58,866
(Source CDC)
It's clear that many of these are lifestyle related (diet, smoking, etc.) and kill far more people than illegal drugs.
It is also clear that the FDA is in the business of keeping pharmacutical companies in business and NOT what's in the best interest of the public.
If one used the same logic for nicotine and alcohol as the FDA uses for Marijuana... well, I don't need to spell it out for you.
Once again, we have institutionalized racism to thank. In this case, as Chris Rock has said in one of his comedy routines, white people's drugs are good, brown people's drugs are bad. It's no wonder than most people that are incarcerated are both non-white and drug offenders.
From http://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/usa/Rcedrg00-05.htm
"The war on drugs precipitated soaring arrests of drug offenders and increasing racial disproportions among the arrestees. Blacks had long been arrested for drug offenses at higher rates than whites. Throughout the 1970s, for example, blacks were approximately twice as likely as whites to be arrested for drug-related offenses. By 1988, however, with national anti-drug efforts in full force, blacks were arrested on drug charges at five times the rate of whites. Nationwide, blacks constituted 37 percent of all drug arrestees; in large urban areas, blacks constituted 53 percent of all drug arrestees.
Even greater disparities in drug offender arrest rates have been documented in individual states. For example, Human Rights Watch's analysis of drug arrests by race in the state of Georgia for the years 1990-1995 revealed that, relative to their share of the population, blacks were arrested for cocaine offenses at seventeen times the rate of whites. In Minnesota, drug arrests of blacks grew 500 percent during the 1980s, compared with 22 percent for whites. In North Carolina, between 1984 and 1989, minority arrests for drugs increased 183 percent compared to a 36 percent increase in white drug arrests. "
Rush Limbaugh loves America.... - bennyboy371, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Way to notice the sarcasm on there
- scloopy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I really hate our government.. Basically my taxes are paying for the lease on my (metaphorical) prison cell and the warden's salary, and then when I have a real problem the police don't even give a *****. I'm so mad. I wish it would change but it never will..
- Ackoogin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@Brokencode
"Inhaling burning objects is bad for you regardless."
This is why research is being conducted into alternate methods of delivery of THC for medical uses. In a recent paper it was shown that vapourisation can allow virtually all of the negative affects of smoking to be mitigated and allow one of natures most potent pain killers to help people with chronic conditions. Unfortunatly research like this appears to be far too sparse. - markob, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4This world is so f*cked up, seriously. I wish those FDA retards would spend a day in cancer pacient's body with all the horrible pain and suffering one gets after chemotherapy. Believe me, once you try the truth, you get really upset with reports and actions like this.
U.S. prohibited it and still wants it prohibited (for money reasons of course) while millions suffer daily. This must be a country with biggest percent of masochists, who else would vote against himself, his own securty, his own life? This is too retarded to be true. - taotehue, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964156849/sr=8-1/qid=1156141244/ref=sr_1_1/002-0241940-1812827?ie=UTF8
check out that book from your library. it will give you the hard facts and the scientific studies that you are looking for. - skanlessflipboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@frankjmattia
Actually, smoking marijuana isn't as dangerous as cigarettes. In fact all the different methods of using cannabis (vaporizer, food, smoking) are not dangerous. Yes that is right, smoking cannabis does not cause cancer. My source? The American Thoracic Society (ATS). The article: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/520524/?sc=rsmn
As quoted from the article, "People who smoked more marijuana were not at any increased risk compared with those who smoked less marijuana or none at all."
This is the ATS we are talking about a society for lung physicians, health related professionals and researchers, these are DOCTORS we are talking about. This study wasn't conducted by an organization looking to legalize the plant, but accredited researchers in the field. -
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