Research helps dispel marijuana myths

Sober Talk ^ | Thursday, August 1, 2002 | By BECKY CLARK, MSW, CSW

[Behind Liberal Lines]

As we endeavor toward a more lucid and informed discussion of substance abuse, let's deconstruct the mystique of marijuana and recognize it for the dangerous drug that it is.

Marijuana is a substance that's worthy of our concern. It is the most prevalent of all illicit drugs used in the country. The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that 34 percent of Americans have used marijuana in their lifetime and 5 percent are current users.

[dcwusmc]

A Scientology website. Ugh. Makes my skin crawl. Do the WODDIES know they're in bed with the liberal likes of John Travolta and company?

[dcwusmc]

Doesn't even have to be legalised, just repeal the prohibition legislation. That would DECRIMINALIZE the issue and we can take it from there.

[laredo44]

If pot was legalized, you'd probably see usage go up from 5% that use it now to close to the 35% that have tried it.

So? Some folks will smoke pot instead of some other equally unproductive activity. But also calculate that you and the other busybodies may spend less time trying to control my recreation. If you are anywhere the man you think you are you might find a positive, outlet for your do-gooder inclinations which would be a net benefit for society.

[laredo44]

If pot was legalized, you'd probably see usage go up from 5% that use it now to close to the 35% that have tried it.

So? Some folks will smoke pot instead of some other equally unproductive activity. But also calculate that you and the other busybodies may spend less time trying to control my recreation. If you are anywhere the man you think you are you might find a positive, outlet for your do-gooder inclinations which would be a net benefit for society.

[laredo44]

Fearmongering is not the stuff of rational debate.

Nor the stuff of republican government. It is, however, the stuff of tyrannts.

[laredo44]

Some Freepers, that are for legalizing pot, said it was ridiculous to believe that the percentage of regular users would increase, if pot was legalized.

I'm saying I believe it's their position that's absurd.

And you maintain that in light of the fact that the most directly comparable restriction in American history proves you wrong? During Prohibition, alcohol consumption increased; when it ended consumption declined. Did it ever occur to you that people will assert their liberty when it is attacked? Even to point of doing things they wouldn't normally do? Your babysitter mentality is doing you a tremendous disservice.

I'll make a statement and you critique it.

"I, 4Freedom, would argue for the abolition of alcohol but because it failed so miserably once, I'm afraid to do so now because people will think I'm a nut and will discount my arguments on pot prohibition."

[laredo44]

In retrospect, do you think you would have been better off if you had been arrested and remanded to treatment in return for having the charges dropped?

Going even further, do you thing you would have been better off, or worse off, if you had been sent to prison for 5 years?

[laredo44]

Do you always come back to it. Have you ever been 'dying' for a joint?

Do some people always come back to a soap opera? Have they ever been 'dying' for the next episode? Your little constructs are at the very heart of liberty, and you, despite the sham appelation, incline to tyranny.

[laredo44]

And that's the key word: abuse. If alcohol is used responsibly--socially, in moderation, with food--in any case not just to get plowed, then the undesirable effects like brain damage, liver damage, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc. are not a problem at all.

It all goes back to personal responsibility and doing what's smart. I do not defend wastoids who use alcohol to get smashed; those idiots give all of us who enjoy alcohol a bad rap!

And those who "waste" their lives knowingly. What of them? Are they to be denied the liberty to do so? Are you familiar with the Mormon term "Blood Covenant"?

[Whilom]

I would be very interested in your definition of liberty. Care to share it?

Liberty is enough jail space to hold the financers, growers,transporters, dealers, and users -- along with their political and judicial enablers.

[laredo44]

I would be very interested in your definition of liberty. Care to share it?

Liberty is enough jail space to hold the financers, growers,transporters, dealers, and users -- along with their political and judicial enablers.

Interesting. Your flippant response does little to conceal your thirst for tyranny.

[Ken H]

In your understanding of the Constitution, does the domestic Federal WOD violate the Tenth Amendment?

IOW, shouldn't this be a State, not a Federal issue?

Please give a brief rationale for your opinion. Thanks in advance.

[Ken H]

No problem and I really do understand where you're coming from.

Years ago, I was quite pro-WOD. I think the experience of watching Hillary Clinton gain nearly total control of every Federal agency was my wake up call.

IMO, power in this country is way too centralized and pervasive. It needs to be decentralized in order for us to restore the Republic.

The Tenth Amendment is the best remedy for this.

Regards.

[4Freedom]

The prohibition of recreational drugs is not failing miserably. Only 5% of the population is addicted enough to use pot regularly in spite of the threat of arrest, fines, confiscation of property and imprisonment. Works for me.

Those that are still desperate enough to do recreational narcotics have to do them out of the public eye.

I believe the 'police action on drugs', we've so far been allowed to fight, has been very successful and that a real 'war on drugs' would be even more so.

No, I think the only ones that look like kooks on this issue are those that wrap themselves in the Constitution and liken their petty, little, hedonistic, desires to win the license to do recreational narcotics to the struggles of the Founders of our great Nation.

That's not just kookie, that's demented.

[4Freedom]

What things here are not like the others? Not like the others? Not like the others?

Marijuana, cocaine, heroine, crack cocaine, crystal meth or soap operas?

Tick-toc, tick-toc, tick-toc, tick-toc.

It looks like you flunked Sesame Street while you were busy worrying about recreational narcotics.

[Ken H]

What things here are not like the others?

marijuana, cocaine, heroine, crack cocaine, crystal meth, or soap operas?

Since you said things and others, I'd say marijuana and soap operas are not like cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, and crystal meth.

The reason: You don't die from an overdose of marijuana or soap operas.