Awesome Pot Prohibition Article by Seattle Attorney who prosecuted Marc Emery

[preslove]

Do you propose it's just a free-for-all then, with no taxes and regulations?

It isn't going to work that way. It will have laws and regulations similar to alcohol. Besides, we need the income from taxes to offset the billions spent on the failed enforcement over the years..

Regulating for THC count would be fail.

Taxes wouldn't, though, because prohibition adds HUGE markups. A pound of high grade only takes a couple hundred $ to grow in doors, but sells for a couple grand. Out door plantations would cost even less.

The way I hope to see legalization go is to just make the current type of California dispensaries into weedshops/bars & allow municipalities to zone them however they like. Have a special tax at point of purchase and sale in the shops for easy revenue collection. Also, keep interstate trafficking illegal, which would keep the US government in compliance with international drug treaties, as well as prevent huge Budweiser/Miller style marijuana conglomerates from developing.

 

[Eli]

Regulating for THC count would be fail.

Taxes wouldn't, though, because prohibition adds HUGE markups. A pound of high grade only takes a couple hundred $ to grow in doors, but sells for a couple grand. Out door plantations would cost even less.

The way I hope to see legalization go is to just make the current type of California dispensaries into weedshops/bars & allow municipalities to zone them however they like. Have a special tax at point of purchase and sale in the shops for easy revenue collection. Also, keep interstate trafficking illegal, which would keep the US government in compliance with international drug treaties, as well as prevent huge Budweiser/Miller style marijuana conglomerates from developing.

Regulating for THC content would be silly. I don't think that will or would happen.

 

[preslove]

I do understand that the other cannabinoids produce different effects, but why not just creates synthetic blends? Rather than having to breed specific strains, you'd achieve a much higher variety and level of control of the medicinal benefits, while minimizing complications. If the cannabinoids are as effective for anti-nausea during chemotherapy as proponents claim, then there would seem to be just too much money in it for drug companies to not try such an approach.

So... you want to develop an anti-nausea pill? What keeps someone from puking it up?

One of the main benefits of inhaled MJ is self-titration. There is only a very short delay between each puff and its effect. This allows you to stop when you've achieved the high you want. Eating/swallowing MJ is much more of a gamble. You either don't get enough or you get WAY too much. This is a perennial problem with Marinol. Patients hate it because it's so unpredictable, having either no effect or laying them out, practically comatose. Smoking/vaping allows them to achieve the right high that leaves them able to get things done.

For chemo patients, smoking/vaping is great because, a). there is no pill they need to swallow and keep down and b). they can inhale to the point that they feel better and stop.

When I'm sleep deprived or have GI track problems I often do this. I don't really want to get high, so I keep it to a puff or two. Last time I had food poisoning, I was really glad I had weed available

 

[crashtestdummy]

Why spend money, time, and manpower figuring out synthetic blends when you can just use a plant that is already there and grows like mad? I don't want that to sound harsh, or like I am attacking you -- just a question is all .

Haha. No worries. Didn't think you were. It's the difference between using it as a recreational drug and as a medicine. As a recreational drug, I'm totally with you. I'd view it as similar to beer. There is no one perfect beer to me, and I'd rather spend my days trying many different varieties than having one that works best.

As a medicine, though, you have a different set of priorities. You're looking to treat a specific ailment or symptom, while minimizing all other effects. I recently had the misfortune of watching someone close to me go through chemotherapy. It's awful, and I'm honestly in favor of them being able to use whatever method available to allow them to ease the process. It is unlikely, however, that any mixture of cannabinoids in a given strain of marijuana is the optimum blend for nausea reduction and appetite enhancement. So why not see if a significant improvement can be made by changing the concentration of each?

For example, opium contains many different alkaloids, some of which are highly narcotic, some lightly so, and some non-narcotic. As a natural mixture, opium can be theraputic but also addictive and toxic. The opiods have been separated, and synthetic varieties have been created, allowing for a wide selection of strengths and narcotic effects that can be tailored to a particular patient's needs. A patient with severe tooth pain would likely be prescribed oxycodone or codeine, but not morphine, as the first two provide enough pain relief without as severe a narcotic effect as the last one.

 

[Ns1]

As a medicine, though, you have a different set of priorities. You're looking to treat a specific ailment or symptom, while minimizing all other effects. I recently had the misfortune of watching someone close to me go through chemotherapy. It's awful, and I'm honestly in favor of them being able to use whatever method available to allow them to ease the process. It is unlikely, however, that any mixture of cannabinoids in a given strain of marijuana is the optimum blend for nausea reduction and appetite enhancement. So why not see if a significant improvement can be made by changing the concentration of each?

Appetite stimulant? Super silver haze or sour d
Nausea? How about some OG?
Insomnia? A few hits of GDP

With legalization I'm sure the MJ wizards would figure it out.

 

[yllus]

You pot heads are so funny. The guy comes out IN SUPPORT of legalizing marijuana and because he thinks it is stupid to do pot you all go batshit insane and call him a moron! Priceless.

I think it's entirely arguable that one should not simply follow orders from high above just because it means you may lose that job. Perhaps him taking a principled stand and losing that position would inspire the next-in-line to do the same, along with the next-next-in-line, and so on.

 

[crashtestdummy]

So... you want to develop an anti-nausea pill? What keeps someone from puking it up?

One of the main benefits of inhaled MJ is self-titration. There is only a very short delay between each puff and its effect. This allows you to stop when you've achieved the high you want. Eating/swallowing MJ is much more of a gamble. You either don't get enough or you get WAY too much. This is a perennial problem with Marinol. Patients hate it because it's so unpredictable, having either no effect or laying them out, practically comatose. Smoking/vaping allows them to achieve the right high that leaves them able to get things done.

For chemo patients, smoking/vaping is great because, a). there is no pill they need to swallow and keep down and b). they can inhale to the point that they feel better and stop.

When I'm sleep deprived or have GI track problems I often do this. I don't really want to get high, so I keep it to a puff or two. Last time I had food poisoning, I was really glad I had weed available

You could easily do the same thing with synthetic cannabinoids. One should be able to just as easily vaporize or aerosolize THC into an inhaler. The latter would have perfectly metered doses, provided it is used properly.

 

[preslove]

You could easily do the same thing with synthetic cannabinoids. One should be able to just as easily vaporize or aerosolize THC into an inhaler. The latter would have perfectly metered doses, provided it is used properly.

Why?

Except for some neurological conditions, the high IS THE ENTIRE POINT of medical marijuana. Instead of feeling like crap because of chemo, you suddenly feel good & you have an appetite (munchies).

I don't see the point in doing all this chemistry when it can just be used in its current form. As has been shown, the supposed dangers of marijuana are extremely, laughably overblown. If you're so concerned about the tar, then encourage vaporizer use. Vaped MJ has 0 carcinogens.

 

[rockyct]

the hoity toity people that look down on people that blaze already think just because you blaze that you are a worthless piece of shit. it doesn't really matter what attitude you have towards it. in my experience, they write you off simply because you "use". frankly it is some of the most disgusting and ignorant behaviour out there. that is the sect that i avoid. with middle fingers in the air.

Uhh...are you familiar with Heller at all. He's a walking stereotype of the anti-pot movement. I've never smoked pot but I know a lot of people do it without it affecting their social or professional life. Heller, a vocal supporter of pot, hurts the pro-legalization crowd every time he posts because of how vocal he is about it and how messed up his life is BECAUSE of the drug. Read his past threads to see how much it's messed him up and how he's tried to quite multiple times.

 

[DangerAardvark]

You think the US Attorney can change the law?

Ladies and Gentlemen, proof pot makes you stupid.

My post is right there above you. Point out where I said he could change laws. Your post is indicative of the correlation between being anti-marijuana and being a dishonest fuckbag.

His office sent people to jail with decade-long sentences for pot charges. If he, as a Republican political appointee had come out about his views while in office it would have been a huge boon to the legalization movement. As demonstrated over and over in this thread, pot has an image problem. He ended up getting shitcanned anyway, so what difference would it have made? But the coward waited until it could no longer hurt him politically.

Honestly, coming out as being pro-legalization at this point is like coming out as anti-racism. You want a fucking cookie?

 

[zinfamous]

This is the writing of an idiot...



http://marijuana-uses.com/mr-x/

Carl Sagan writing as Mr. X in the 1971 published Marihuana Reconsidered

http://www.amazon.com/Marijuana-Reco...3915461&sr=1-3

I've smoked weed with the editor of this book, Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Grinspoon

Carl Sagan got high, regularly.

that's it....I will smoke pot all the time! woohooo!


heh, anyway, the idiots posting was written rather terribly, but I dare say that I have shared many similar experiences and insights into the world before me that could only have been achieved while high. For me, I enjoy the slowing-down of the senses, the increased depth with which one is able to perceive sound and color in particularly. Spacial patterns as well.

This simple "duh" moment that allowed me to get through Organic Chemistry came during a particularly lucid moment while stoned.

But I still don't think it's a good daily habit.

 

[disappoint]

For the lulz......for the lulz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRbp4W-GX9Y&feature=related

 

[destrekor]

Carl Sagan got high, regularly.

that's it....I will smoke pot all the time! woohooo!


heh, anyway, the idiots posting was written rather terribly, but I dare say that I have shared many similar experiences and insights into the world before me that could only have been achieved while high. For me, I enjoy the slowing-down of the senses, the increased depth with which one is able to perceive sound and color in particularly. Spacial patterns as well.

This simple "duh" moment that allowed me to get through Organic Chemistry came during a particularly lucid moment while stoned.

But I still don't think it's a good daily habit.

Precisely this. All of it.

 

[zerocool84]

What I don't get about all the potheads always posting about this stuff is: why do you have the need to get high all the time? Alcohol is legal, but I don't know many people that are getting drunk regularly, except for college students and those with serious drinking problems. Pot users seem to have this uncontrollable need to get high regularly. Don't you think that's an issue in itself, aside of the legal questions?

I can obviously tell you've never gotten high or drank alcohol ever. It takes a lot more drinking to get drunk or even a buzz than it does for one to get high. You can easily get high off of one or two good hits. To get drunk you're either going to have to have a couple shots of some EXTREMELY potent alcohol like Bacardi 151 or Everclear or drink a lot of other stuff. Also marijuana relaxes you so many people will smoke when they get home to relax. You don't see any people get violent from smoking marijuana high like you do violent drunks. Totally different feeling from each one. You've never known someone to have a drink/beer or two when they get home from work or working outside all day to relax? Is it not the same thing?

 

[meltdown75]

Uhh...are you familiar with Heller at all. He's a walking stereotype of the anti-pot movement. I've never smoked pot but I know a lot of people do it without it affecting their social or professional life. Heller, a vocal supporter of pot, hurts the pro-legalization crowd every time he posts because of how vocal he is about it and how messed up his life is BECAUSE of the drug. Read his past threads to see how much it's messed him up and how he's tried to quite multiple times.

cool, yeah. i'll go back and read all of someone's threads...

 

[Jeeebus]

My post is right there above you. Point out where I said he could change laws. Your post is indicative of the correlation between being anti-marijuana and being a dishonest fuckbag.

His office sent people to jail with decade-long sentences for pot charges. If he, as a Republican political appointee had come out about his views while in office it would have been a huge boon to the legalization movement. As demonstrated over and over in this thread, pot has an image problem. He ended up getting shitcanned anyway, so what difference would it have made? But the coward waited until it could no longer hurt him politically.

Honestly, coming out as being pro-legalization at this point is like coming out as anti-racism. You want a fucking cookie?

You do realize the US Attorneys' Office does more than prosecute marijuana offenses, right? I could see your argument having merit if this guy served as Marijuana Czar and later admitted to smoking pot every day after work.

He had a personal opinion - so what? We all do. You don't think the nine Supreme Court justices have personal opinions on a variety of hot-button issues? You don't hear them because it's not their job to blab about their personal beliefs while in office. Same thing goes for the 90 or so US Attorneys we have.

 

[ra990]

What is especially stupid is that there are synthetic research chemicals (JWH) used by people to get the same high as they could from marijuana, simply because they are legal and marijuana is not. Marijuana is one of the safest "drugs" and has been tried and tested by people for thousands of years. There is very little known about these new research chemicals that are becoming more and more popular every day. Who knows what their long-term effects or side-effects are, but hey its legal and people can pass drug tests with them, so they are using them instead of a much safer substance simply because of our idiotic laws against cannabis. It's a freaking plant people, get over it. In fact, try some...and change your mind about it.

 

[PokerGuy]

I can obviously tell you've never gotten high or drank alcohol ever.

And of course, you'd be wrong.

Also marijuana relaxes you so many people will smoke when they get home to relax.

That in itself should be a red flag that you have problems that go far beyond drug use. If you need to get high to "relax", you have problems. Normal people can relax perfectly fine without needing to impair their cognitive abilities.

You've never known someone to have a drink/beer or two when they get home from work or working outside all day to relax? Is it not the same thing?

Yep, I do know people that need to drink beer to "relax" when they get home, they are called "alcoholics".

Apart from the whole legal/not legal thing, the fact that people have such a strong urge to smoke and get high that they'll risk all sorts of negative consequences tells me they have mental issues. They'll go through all sorts of contortions (like "it's medicinal use!") to justify the need to get stoned all the time. I can easily see an argument for legalization, but I fail to see any logic at all in anyone other than real medical need users actually using the stuff. It makes no sense.

 

[BW86]

After reading this thread I think I'm going to go roll up a J

 

[TechBoyJK]

And of course, you'd be wrong.

That in itself should be a red flag that you have problems that go far beyond drug use. If you need to get high to "relax", you have problems. Normal people can relax perfectly fine without needing to impair their cognitive abilities.

Yep, I do know people that need to drink beer to "relax" when they get home, they are called "alcoholics".

Apart from the whole legal/not legal thing, the fact that people have such a strong urge to smoke and get high that they'll risk all sorts of negative consequences tells me they have mental issues. They'll go through all sorts of contortions (like "it's medicinal use!") to justify the need to get stoned all the time. I can easily see an argument for legalization, but I fail to see any logic at all in anyone other than real medical need users actually using the stuff. It makes no sense.

I'd wager to say that "normal" people who can just relax at will are a small minority.

 

[destrekor]

I'd wager to say that "normal" people who can just relax at will are a small minority.

Very, very very small minority.

Using some kind of intoxicant to aid in relaxing is hardly an abusive behavior. It, in fact, has been apart of every single civilization since the dawn of man, dating back to both the ancient tribal empires of South America and the advanced empires of Europe and Asia.

Religion has, at moments even dating somewhat far back, attempted to suggest such things as the use of any intoxicant popular at the time, as a deviant and sinful behavior. But one should look to the earliest historical texts of every major religion, as not once is such behavior every stated in a negative light, if even mentioned; which does further help suggest such behavior may have even played a major role in the establishment of such religions, some intoxicants have been known to cause spiritual hallucinations and/or spiritual thoughts.

Most importantly, religion cannot hide the fact that partaking in such behavior has been a culturally-established tradition throughout our history. We have to do the most retarded of shit when bunched into large civilizations, we need a little something to slow down on occasion.

 

[Heller]

cool, yeah. i'll go back and read all of someone's threads...

Please tell me how my life is fucked up because of pot?

I Have a job.
I go to school
I Smoke a joint at night after dinner.

BFD:thumbsdown:

 

[PokerGuy]

I'd wager to say that "normal" people who can just relax at will are a small minority.

Really? You think the vast majority of people in the world have to get high to "relax". I think there are more folks that might have a drink in a social setting to settle nerves or break the ice, but I don't know anyone who has to get high to relax.

 

[PokerGuy]

I Have a job.
I go to school
I Smoke a joint at night after dinner.

BFD:thumbsdown:

You = stoner loser.

How do you expect to ever get a real job when you can't pass a drug test? I certainly would not hire you, even if you did pass a test.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Really? You think the vast majority of people in the world have to get high to "relax". I think there are more folks that might have a drink in a social setting to settle nerves or break the ice, but I don't know anyone who has to get high to relax.

Well there's the eaters, the smokers, the drinkers, the hitters, the screamers, the haters, the fuckers, etc...

Everyone gets there fix from something.