Warnings of 'super weed' just blowing smoke

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 12/12/02 | Brian C. Bennett

[MrLeRoy]

As a member of the baby boomer generation, I, like many of my cohorts, experimented with marijuana in my youth.

Many people, like me, even inhaled it and found it quite enjoyable. But these days we are warned that marijuana is "more dangerous" than ever, and that our youth is in grave danger because today's weed is up to 30 times more powerful than weed in the '60s and '70s.

We're being told that we must protect the children and that we should join the chorus of voices pounding it into our children's heads that drugs are bad.

First, I reviewed some of the available literature about marijuana. I found that marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals.

That was interesting, but not really useful, as I also have discovered that a single coffee bean contains some 1,200 chemicals, while common tea contains a whopping 4,000. Clearly, this was not the real issue.

I learned, and of course remembered, that smoking marijuana made your eyes bloodshot, your mouth dry and your appetite insatiable. Could the modern super weed make your eyes even redder, or your cottonmouth 30 times as dry?

Being curious by nature, I knew there was only one way to get to the bottom of the issue: find out for myself. There was only one logical thing to do: go to the marijuana mecca -- Amsterdam.

I knew that in Amsterdam people could walk into a "coffee shop" and buy marijuana just like any other commodity, and that's exactly what I found.

Upon arriving and checking into my hotel, I walked a few blocks and went into one of the shops. I told the counter person that I was interested in trying something really strong, and he recommended I try the "White Widow." I bought some and sat at a nearby table to smoke it.

I took two or three hits then waited to see what happened. Holy smokes, this was indeed some very powerful weed. I sat in the coffee shop for a good hour in a state that can only be described as "totally baked."

After a short while, I left to walk about in the city and stopped in several other shops, sampling the wares along the way. I spent three days in the pot capital of the world and tried many varieties of weed and hashish.

The conclusion I draw from the experience was much the same as the one I drew from my first experience with smoking marijuana: no way should this be illegal.

Today's marijuana is more powerful, but no matter how hard I tried, I could not smoke myself unconscious.

Yes, I was very, very stoned, but the most pronounced effect of that was laughing hysterically, and yes indeed, I had a huge case of the "munchies."

I suffered none of the effects I have experienced with drinking too much: no staggering, no bumping into anyone, and best of all, no throwing up or waking up wondering how I'd gotten home.

Don't lie to your kids and don't swallow the propaganda. The most dangerous thing about today's super weed is the same one that we faced in our youth: getting caught.

[That Subliminal Kid]

Did I say it did? I don't think pot should be illegal.

[-YYZ-]

Of course, just like the majority of people who have a drink occasionally are not alcoholics, most people who have tried pot or use it occasionally do not become chronic stoners. Some do. A lot of people who try smoking become hooked on it, but as the pschoactive properties of tobacco are minimal, tobacco is seen mostly as a health problem.

[Centurion2000]

interesting .... thanks.

[That Subliminal Kid]

The State has a right and an obligation to prohibit drugs. Absolutely. You do not have a right to take drugs. Do I agree with the so called "war" on drugs? No. I think there need to be some serious reforms in some areas, and an expansion of law enforcement in others.

Is it true that all Loonytarians are reactionary ideologues who embrace a utopian pseudo-philosophy that hasn't the slightest bit of applicability to reality? I mean, there's a reason Libertoids got 0.08% of the vote in 2000.

[That Subliminal Kid]

How do you know what happens to "most of the people"?

[Billthedrill]

30 times more powerful? I think not. 30 times more expensive? Yuppers.

Marijuana leads to four bad habits: eating, music, sex, and...uh...uh...

[That Subliminal Kid]

Did I say that?

[Dahoser]

Not for nothing, but unless our intrepid reporter made a similar Amsterdam excursion during his stoner years, he really can't say the dope of today is stronger than the dope of his day. All he can say is that having an expense account buys you better dope than an allowance.

[Mr. Mojo]

Did somebody say SuperWeed?

[That Subliminal Kid]

What made you think my nick name indicates my on-line persona? It's the name of a musician I enjoy.

[Kerberos]

"huh huh uhhh like I'm totally not shur dewd.. I'm like.. wait, what did you ask? ..... where's my bong dooood.... huh huh huh "

Another thoughtful, factual, and insightful piece clearly stating and proving why we need the WOD. </sarcasm off>

[jammer]

Oh, sorry. I thought that was the point you were trying to make. You were only saying that it was stupid to use it? Again I apologize.

[DancesWithTrout]

You might also find yourself at the age of forty-something nearing the peak of a successful career, well adjusted, educated, active in your community, family, and friends and quite happy with life. Sounds better than waking up a bitter forty-something working a mediocre job, knocking down drinks every night after work to take the edge off and wondering why life just sorta sucks.
BTW, before you launch into the standard flaming...NO I'm not a raging liberal, pot-head, disruptor, etc, etc.......
Just a card carrying conservative and registered FReeper.
Flame away

[That Subliminal Kid]

Yeah.. uhm, okay. Sure.

[That Subliminal Kid]

Why would I launch into standard flaming? I agree with you.

[jammer]

Actually, saying that one does "not have the right to smoke it" cannot, in ordinary conversation, be taken to mean that you support its legalization. I think you're back-tracking.

[That Subliminal Kid]

I think pot should be legal. I think people who use pot are by and large lazy, worthless sacks of crap who usually sink to the middle of society and fester there. Is there a small minority who use it and actually make something out of their lives? Sure.

[That Subliminal Kid]

I didn't say what you put in quotes.

[1rudeboy]

Got bud?

[HELLRAISER II]

I don't think one has to be a Libertarian to think that Pot should be legal, Alcohol is far more damaging & addictive than pot. As a matter of fact Pot is not physically addictive at all, why should the Government have the right to tell me or anyone for that matter that they can't have it. Oh because they said so, we argue against that philosophy every day here on Free Republic.