Pot: A Women's Issue?

Reuters ^ | Wednesday January 23 8:58 AM ET

[BrooklynGOP]

LONDON (Reuters) - Female members of Britain's biggest trade union have added their voices to calls for the legalization of cannabis, but they have an unusual argument -- the drug offers women a calorie-free way to relax.

Women members of Unison's eastern region say the decriminalization of cannabis is a ``women's issue'' because it presents a healthier and less fattening way to chill out.

``Cannabis can be used for women to relax and de-stress without calories, in contrast to alcohol or chocolate,'' the women will argue in a motion to the union's 9,000-strong women's conference in Cardiff next month.

Women lead ``amazingly stressful lives... with many different roles, jobs and multi-tasking. It is important that women can relax and escape the stresses of life.''

The group even have a proposal for those who do not smoke: ''Non-smokers can use cannabis by incorporating it into recipes and cooking with it.'' Though presumably not in a chocolate cake.

A spokesman for Unison dismissed the motion on Tuesday, saying it was unlikely to be passed.

``Of course it is up to the members,'' she said. ``But it is not exactly one of the more serious items on the agenda. It is tongue-in-cheek, so to speak.''

[BrooklynGOP]

Women members of Unison's eastern region say the decriminalization of cannabis is a ``women's issue'' because it presents a healthier and less fattening way to chill out.

Ok. I am confused. They never heard of the munchies?

[RLK]

Basically, like many other people they are living sordid live like brainless idiots and are dependent on pot to occule the realization and mask the emotional effect of the consequences. It's a form of self-medication utilized to blunt the reality of their lives.

[BrooklynGOP]

Much like alcoholism.

[RLK]

Right. Similar to alcoholism. Alcohol is a very effective anxiety reducer. The problem with alcohol is that it has unpleasant side effects and is such that it can not provide the ongoing separation from reality, and the depth of separation that pot provides. That why there is demand to legalize pot.

Alcohol in moderate amounts lubicates the weels of society. In large amounts, it grinds the gears. Pot draws people in to a warped separation from realty that other people not sharing the blunted emotional state and twisted sense of reality can not live with. It's the perfect self-medication to blunt reality. It has all the reality-dissociating qualities of booze in greater effectiveness with few of the negative physical consequences. That is why it is dangerous.

[RLK]

What pot produces is dazed people drifting theough life without ego strenth or ego-contact.

[BrooklynGOP]

I see no problems with legalizing pot. We spend way too much money and resources on it, which I would rather have spent tackling coke/crack/heroin.

[Gorons]

I really have to disagree with the majority of your opinions.

Marijuana has great medicinal purposes and is much better to partake in, compared to alcohol. Alcohol is poison. How many people get drunk and come to fisticuffs? How many people get drunk and batter their spouse? Tons. People who use marijuana, and only marijuana on a regular basis are some of the nicest and honest people I have the pleasure of knowing. The herb is a gift from God. It's been used for thousands of years in dozens of cultures all over the globe for a wide variety of uses.

I am a very successful person in my field, and I pay my taxes, pay my bills on time, pay my child support and I'm a pothead too. When I'm not smoking at home, I'm driving my SUV through the national forests in Western Washington state.

What I am trying to say is that the feminazi movement, or ideals of this group of women is "I am woman, I deserve this relief." What about me? What about the others who simply want something to help them relax? You know cigarettes used to do that. Food does for millions of people. Watch out, the fat police will come after you in the near future if you are overweight. And the lawsuits will start flying against McDonald's, TexMex, and other fat-filled foods .. Final point:

Whatever we choose to do in our own home is our business if it doesn't harm our neighbors. Less government intrusion into my personal life is the end game, but the way this country is going I doubt that will ever happen. So much for the land of the free.

[rebelyell]

Haven't you figured out yet that the drug warriors aren't interested in facts?

[pariah]

Pot draws people in to a warped separation from realty(sic)...it has all the reality-dissociating qualities of booze in greater effectiveness with few of the negative physical consequences. That is why it is dangerous.

You purport to know alot about pot (cannabis) and its effects on individuals and society. So answer an easy question: Have you ever used it yourself? And if not, where and how did you acquire these stated opinions?

[ovrtaxt]

I'll jump in. As a former pot addict, I can tell you that it makes people generally lazy while theyre high. If one is self -disciplined enough to only use it at certain times for relaxation, and if they can afford the time to be unproductive, then I would argue that it's generally harmless, except for the carcinogens. Unfortunately, I and most people that I knew were far too undiscplined about it. It became a psychological bondage. If it was around, I HAD to smoke it.

Also, the caliber of people that you are around can lead to other drugs. Im not saying that pot itself leads to other drugs, but the relationships to other smokers and dealers certainly can.

[pariah]

Im not saying that pot itself leads to other drugs, but the relationships to other smokers and dealers certainly can.

So why not legalize it and remove the association with drugs that are seriously harmful, like cocaine and heroin?

As far as pot making you lazy, I used to smoke it and work all day in an orchard. It actually made the work easier and the day pass quickly. This I could never have done while downing a six-pack of beer. That would sap my energy.

[ovrtaxt]

Here's a thought- try Gatorade. Why do you have to have some drug to get you through the day?

Legalizing it would certainly drastically reduce the shady relationships of the drug culture. I can see the argument from a personal liberty point of view. And hemp is a pretty incredible substance with many, many uses. But I also know the psychological toll it takes on the habitual user. Now, working in an orchard is one thing, but would you want your accountant, or lawyer, or surgeon, or cab driver or pilot using it on the job? It's the mental laziness I speak of.

[ovrtaxt]

Jay Leno the other night:Willie Nelson says he is pushing for the legalization of marijuana. He also went on to say in a recent interview that the only reason why marijuana hasn't been legalized yet is because not enough users vote. I wonder why that is?

[RLK]

I am a very successful person in my field, and I pay my taxes, pay my bills on time, pay my child support and I'm a pothead too.

Maybe if you had been a man instead of a pothead you wouldn'y be paying child support.

[RLK]

You purport to know alot about pot (cannabis) and its effects on individuals and society. So answer an easy question: Have you ever used it yourself? And if not, where and how did you acquire these stated opinions?

--------------------------

I don't use the stuff myself. I'm afraid I might like it. A lot of other people do.

Sometimes even fools can learn from personal experience. A wise man learns from the experience of others. I've seen they type of mentality and immaturity associated with the stuff. Perhaps if I were to used the stiff myself, I might find that mentality a little more acceptable. I'll accept my present uncoopted evaluation.

Additionally, I've don graduate work at several universities in clinical psychology and taken courses from the best in physiological psychology. I'll stick with my own experience and study, thank you.

[Gorons]

Actually if you MUST know I caught her cheating one me, and I'm all man.

[RLK]

Actually if you MUST know I caught her cheating one me, and I'm all man.

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Maybe if you had had your mind in reality instead of drugs, she wouldn't have had to go elsewhere. Ever think of that. If I were a woman I wouldn't want to be involved with what I hear here. My impression is that you are still a teenager with problems.Just an observation I'm sure you won't like.

[steve50]

Our first "expert" on narcotics was in the clinical psychology field. You should read a little about the quality of the man's work and perhaps you wouldn't be so ill informed.

[RLK]

To whom are you referring?

[RJCogburn]

It's a form of self-medication utilized to blunt the reality of their lives.

WOW! That's way too broad a statement, IMHO.