need to add title here

Debating Marijuana Legalization

April 13, 2010 6:01 AM

Dr. Jennifer Ashton addresses California's proposed Marijuana legalization with experts from both sides of the contentious issue.

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by Ethanhardy May 8, 2012 8:03 PM EDT
there is no debate. The truth is that marijuana is a harmless, naturally growing plant. it is a healthy, reliable, medical treatment that can be used for many different cases. There is no dependency, there is no addictive chemicals at all. And the gateway drug theory would be completely diminished if it were made legal. the only reason that theory exist is because in order to buy weed we would have to go to a drug dealer, that may have other hard drugs. simply put, if we legalize marijuana, we would eliminate the gateway drug theory. the drug wars would be reduced in Mexico. and thousands of lives in jail and billions of government money to keep those in jail would be saved. it must be made legal, because it should have never been made illegal in the first place.
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by thereal_yeti September 11, 2010 9:31 AM EDT
gateway theory-

Before I got into smoking pot, I have been really curious of mushrooms.

I looked at pot and really wasn't all that interested...

However it was what was available to me at the time, so I did that. Now I enjoy marijuana.

If I were to do shrooms, I would call BS. if someone called pot the gateway to shrooms. Since I would've done that FIRST if I had my way.

I believe simular could be said about other users as well, they were curious of the harder drugs, but marijuana is more available.


I also find it humorous that the anti side always acts as though marijuana is in a vacume and we are debating on whether or not to release it out of that vacume. Marijuana is here, people will continue to use it despite the legality of the substance, so saying "do we really want another substance in society?" Is just LAUGHABLE.
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by samantha1974 July 4, 2010 10:56 AM EDT
Kattmandawg, you are exactly correct. I would like to add to your comment by talking about drug testing in the workplace. Even after legalization, I have a sneaking suspicion it will not stop employers from drug testing employees and discriminating against those who use cannabis. Here are the scientific facts: Marijuana stays evident by urine drug screen much, much longer than any other illicit drug. This is because it is a fat soluble substance as opposed to water soluble. Vitamins are often categorized into fat and water soluble. Water soluble vitamins must be taken daily, as they leave the body through urination and sweat each day. An example of this is vitamin C. Marijuana, on the other hand, is fat soluble, meaning it stays in the body for weeks. Here are the sad facts...cocaine, crack, meth, crank, heroin, alcohol, etc., all leave the body within a few days. This means if a company tests their employees at random, a weekend crack smoker is more likely to stay employed than a marijuana smoker who smokes only on rare occasion. How sad is that? Most people don't realize this, but drug testing specifically targets marijuana users. I guess that's just good business since meth heads and crack heads tend to be way more productive at work, and marijuana users tend to be the whistle blowers when they see any kind of environmentally destructive practices or ethically or morally wrong doing. In fact, my family lived in a small town (the kind of place where everybody knows everybody else) and there was one other person in town with exactly my brother's name. My brother was very straight laced, but his name-sake was a well-known druggie (meth). My brother applied for a job refinishing/painting furniture. He was called right away, but when he showed up, the guy seemed surprised to see him and he was told he wasn't the "right one," as they wanted his name-sake, since they knew the meth head would be more likely to stay in such a job with heavy fumes and very little safety gear. Interseting, huh?

Drug testing is not meant to maintain a safe workplace. It is only meant to discriminate against pot smokers, a.k.a. those who may potentially be too much of a "do-gooder."
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by KATTMANNDAWG June 13, 2010 4:46 PM EDT
NOTICE CITIZENS!

You non-smoking cigarette users: The future is about to hit you smack in the face (and it won't feel good).. You need to re-evaluate your position on the legality of marijuana.. Arguments on both sides can abound and since there is no right or wrong opinions, there are no villains BUT the day is coming my friends when you will be feeling the same witch hunting effects that cigarette smokers are feeling today. What do cigarettes have to do with the legalization of marijuana? I'll tell you. Your negatively debating the legalization of marijuana, believing nonsensical rumors and disproven propaganda that it kills, destroys brain cells and leads to harder drugs.. The history of it's use itself disputes those urban legends yet you continue to heed the word of pencil necks who have NEVER experienced the usage of pot (as they act like men who try to explain the birthing process of women).. But let's get past that debate and get to the root of why you should advocate the legalization of marijuana (think I'm joking? read on).. The root is... MONEY. Soon cigarettes will be a (forced) thing of the past as more taxes, strenuous laws and tobacco companies create a failure into utter bankruptcy.. Sounds good on the surface, you've won a great battle and are now crowing about the strength in numbers BUT think of this: The US Government collects BILLIONS in taxes yearly from us smokers.. When it's tossed to the wayside they will be THAT MUCH MORE in deficit.. They are NOT about to downside (history is a witness to that) so, what is their ONLY course to make up for those billions of tax dollars? C'mon! You've got three chances and the first two doesn't count.. Do I have to spell it out for you? MORE TAXES ON THE CITIZENS.. That means YOU, the non-smoker who was so gung-ho in playing your cigarette witch hunt NOW must make up for those lost taxes by inducing MORE TAXES to make up for the loss.. Am I getting through to you yet? There's only one out that will prevent you from having to sacrifice even more of your hard earned paychecks in taxes and that's to allow the legalization of marijuana (sure, your substituting one indulgence for another but we're talking possibly MEGA taxes) It's going to get really PERSONAL and it's going to be YOU who will now suffer. By allowing marijuana to become legal, you open the door to cigarette companies to revamp their process and begin manufacturing and distributing pot AS the government taxes same (thus close the gap of their prior tax losses).. So, don't be an idiot and pat yourselves on the back because you won a battle as, there will be repercussions associated with it and it will generate around YOUR pocket book.. LEGALIZE MARIJUANA OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES..!!
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by lrgroots47 May 12, 2010 9:01 PM EDT
WOW!!!!YEA If you have any concerns regarding medical uses I strongly suggest watching the doucumentary "THE Busniess Behind getting High" This film debunks all the ******** we have been told for years....Sorry People but our government has been lying to us for years in the texts books, medical books and stupid studys that are not true...USE CANNABIS ITS WAY SAFEIER THAN HOUSE HOLD DRUGS PERIOD!!!!
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by Dgunner May 7, 2010 6:35 AM EDT
Wow you mean marijuana is illegal? I got to get to town more often.
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by candyman49 April 25, 2010 3:36 PM EDT
That guy has his head up his ass.
Watch The Union, The Business Behind Getting High.
Its got all the facts, and every reason to legalize.
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by rgray5711 April 24, 2010 7:37 PM EDT
The fact is Cannabis I the best drug for one reason, It was created by God not man. The drugs that are in use now are all man made and will most likely ether kill you or hopelessly addict you to the point that it finally does kill you and if you can't get it you will go to heavy street drugs to get relief from the sickness that you suffer with. The gateway drugs are what the doctor prescribes to you in a very limited amount and when they no longer work then what (street drugs like crack). Why would they not want something that will not addict you or kill you no matter how much you use it. I have never heard of any one overdosing on it or going insane and robbing a pharmacy to get it. The reason they don't want it is the all mighty dollar and total control over your life with it. If you have noticed it any thing that is good for the populace like Religion,peace, personal control of your children's lives or a natural medication is now being made illegal. Trust me in the next few years all that I have listed here will be illegal to even think about much less practice. Satan does not want you to fell better he only wants you to suffer because he hates all of mankind. Also look at the direction Government is headed in. Total control of every facet of your life even to the point of how you fell everyday. Look at what Washington was doing when I lost my home, they were watching porn and getting each other off, They did not care that my life was going down the drain they only cared about how they felt. They have the same felling about all of you.
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by ky7474 April 21, 2010 7:22 PM EDT
They legalize dangerous synthetic drugs at will, so there is no debate. Legalize natural meds like [cannibis] or prove the corrupt nature of our government and the agencies that surround it. Hopefully, decisions will be made to stop the discrimmination, oppression, and crimminalization of good American citizens who choose to use natural meds over synthetic for common symptoms. As for recreational, cannibis is safer and a much better choice than alcohol. Alcohol has very few medicinal qualities. Give people a chance to be responsible with their actions. It's supposed to be the American way.
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by christophercarr April 20, 2010 11:29 AM EDT
an end of waste, medicinal purposes, ethics, crime reduction: all point to legalization:

http://www.theinductive.com/display/Search?searchQuery=marijuana&moduleId=4952213
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