Why isn't MJ legalized already?

[mitchel]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1

Originally posted by: Alistar7
Force the tobacco companies to grow that instead of tobacco, think of the health care costs that would save. As long as they make as much money, or more, with far less liability they won't complain.

Actually, the British NHS commissioned a study to see how much money was being wasted on smokers. Their conclusion was shocking. Smokers are a smaller burden on society than non-smokers because they pay extremely high taxes on cigarettes, and they die a lot sooner than non-smokers.

To put that into perspective, my grandmother is almost 90 years old. She's in and out of the hospital on a weekly basis due to problems with pulmonary edema; that's a condition where your lungs fill with fluid and it becomes difficult to breathe. How many thousands of dollars does that cost? What would the cost be if she died from lung cancer 20 years ago, at the age of 70? What about old age pension as well? Social Security given to old people may not be much, but it sure adds up fast when you collect it from age 65-90 (25 years), and multiply that by several million old people.

Smokers are not the burden. The burden is caused by white women who don't smoke, because they statistically live the longest.

So true. Makes sense too if you spend one sec thinking about it.

 

[destrekor]

The uses for the legal growing of marijuana are staggering, and the government stands to make a shitload of money if they were to legalize it.
Growing marijuana that contains little to no THC is easy, and hemp is an extremely strong material, not to mention an extremely capable source of ethanol for the gas industry. Replace the corn fields used for ethanol and grow hemp. Those strains are very little leafy material, but grow lots of fibers.
And of course, as a legalized smoking material, it could be taxed and the government could charge whatever. And they'd have access to go great strains. The medical marijuana vendors in California have a range of great choices apparently (judging from a picture of a vending machine(!)), which is obvious as better marijuana means less material needed to smoke, which is definitely better for medical purposes. AND there have been studies (which haven't been heavily publicized, for obvious reasons) stating that there is a confirmed link between THC and anti-tumor properties in hormone-controlled organs.

I think, within a decade we might start seeing mass pushes for national legalization, since a number of states have already legalized it for recreational or medical use, or at least have decriminalized it, or are considering decriminalizing it. I just find it ironic that it's still illegal to this day, when nicotine is a much harsher drug, but just because its been around for so long already, the government just doesn't care. How much of taxpayers money has went into Help Quit state programs? I think it's bullshit that the government continues to permit the sale of alcohol and tobacco, and not marijuana... when marijuana is essentially the least dangerous of the group. Especially considering that while nicotine is not necessarily a carcinogen, but it is a pro-tumor/cancer chemical, since it stalls apoptosis (programmed cell death), which provides a favorable environment for mutation and runaway cell replication. On the other hand, and as stated above, THC is anti-tumor, at least in hormonal organs (consider this: pancreatic cancer can arguably be called one of the worst cancers in terms of survivability).

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[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: destrekor
The uses for the legal growing of marijuana are staggering, and the government stands to make a shitload of money if they were to legalize it.
Growing marijuana that contains little to no THC is easy, and hemp is an extremely strong material, not to mention an extremely capable source of ethanol for the gas industry. Replace the corn fields used for ethanol and grow hemp. Those strains are very little leafy material, but grow lots of fibers.
And of course, as a legalized smoking material, it could be taxed and the government could charge whatever. And they'd have access to go great strains. The medical marijuana vendors in California have a range of great choices apparently (judging from a picture of a vending machine(!)), which is obvious as better marijuana means less material needed to smoke, which is definitely better for medical purposes. AND there have been studies (which haven't been heavily publicized, for obvious reasons) stating that there is a confirmed link between THC and anti-tumor properties in hormone-controlled organs.

I think, within a decade we might start seeing mass pushes for national legalization, since a number of states have already legalized it for recreational or medical use, or at least have decriminalized it, or are considering decriminalizing it. I just find it ironic that it's still illegal to this day, when nicotine is a much harsher drug, but just because its been around for so long already, the government just doesn't care. How much of taxpayers money has went into Help Quit state programs? I think it's bullshit that the government continues to permit the sale of alcohol and tobacco, and not marijuana... when marijuana is essentially the least dangerous of the group. Especially considering that while nicotine is not necessarily a carcinogen, but it is a pro-tumor/cancer chemical, since it stalls apoptosis (programmed cell death), which provides a favorable environment for mutation and runaway cell replication. On the other hand, and as stated above, THC is anti-tumor, at least in hormonal organs (consider this: pancreatic cancer can arguably be called one of the worst cancers in terms of survivability).

+

the brain actually has receptors for thc. its a wonder plant, and our bodies have already evolved to take advantage of it. thats why we get hiiiiggghhhhhhhhh

just like sex feels good, and its that way for causing people to want to reproduce, getting thc in your body has health benefits and it gets you high in reward.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: mitchel

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

Originally posted by: seemingly random

I've always wondered if there would be more or less usage if legalized - if not forbidden, it might lose it's attraction.

I would guess more. Tobacco use is still pretty widespread and it doesn't even really DO anything but get you addicted to nicotine. By contrast being high is actually pretty awesome...for some. In any case some real and perceivable mind alteration is going on when one tokes. For my money legal marijuana would be vastly superior to a mostly useless habit, and this is coming from a cigarette smoker. Likewise, legalized marijuana would probably scoop up all those other folks for whom legality and social perception are the only barriers to use.

Well, chemically speaking, nicotine does release Dopamine from your neurons because of its affect on nicotinic receptors in your brain. That's how you get addicted, from that release of dopamine.

This can be really evident if you do a line of snow (prevents the reuptake of the dopamine, among other things) and then smoke.

Well I never noticed any sensation accompanying smoking (tobacco) that would make it recommendable. Currently smoking cigarettes is a total null for me unless I'm really jonesing, and getting addicted just so you can feel the relief from your withdrawal symptoms is like rubbing yourself with poison ivy for the eventual pleasure of scratching the itchy rashes.

It's THAT useless drug that enjoys widespread consumption the world over? What the hell are we thinking? If tobacco can make it this well then pot should be even bigger when freed from legal constraints and social stigmas.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Heh. Look at all the potheads on this thread. Never smoked it and and never will. Hope they ban it for life.

I'll assume you're being facetious.

Otherwise, you're pathetic.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: zoiks
Heh. Look at all the potheads on this thread. Never smoked it and and never will. Hope they ban it for life.

I've known plenty of folks who have never touched it and never will who are for legalization because of simple logic.
And they have banned it for life, smart guy

Thanks. I hope it stays banned for life.

Any (logical) reason other that the fact that you don't do it?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: zoiks
Heh. Look at all the potheads on this thread. Never smoked it and and never will. Hope they ban it for life.

I'll assume you're being facetious.

Otherwise, you're pathetic.

"Your opinion doesn't count. Mine is the only way. Totally, yeah."

Chill out, narcissist.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: MrPickins

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: zoiks
Heh. Look at all the potheads on this thread. Never smoked it and and never will. Hope they ban it for life.

I've known plenty of folks who have never touched it and never will who are for legalization because of simple logic.
And they have banned it for life, smart guy

Thanks. I hope it stays banned for life.

Any (logical) reason other that the fact that you don't do it?

Marijuana killed his dog. I can't think of any other logical explanation.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: destrekor
The uses for the legal growing of marijuana are staggering, and the government stands to make a shitload of money if they were to legalize it.
Growing marijuana that contains little to no THC is easy, and hemp is an extremely strong material, not to mention an extremely capable source of ethanol for the gas industry. Replace the corn fields used for ethanol and grow hemp. Those strains are very little leafy material, but grow lots of fibers.
And of course, as a legalized smoking material, it could be taxed and the government could charge whatever. And they'd have access to go great strains. The medical marijuana vendors in California have a range of great choices apparently (judging from a picture of a vending machine(!)), which is obvious as better marijuana means less material needed to smoke, which is definitely better for medical purposes. AND there have been studies (which haven't been heavily publicized, for obvious reasons) stating that there is a confirmed link between THC and anti-tumor properties in hormone-controlled organs.

I think, within a decade we might start seeing mass pushes for national legalization, since a number of states have already legalized it for recreational or medical use, or at least have decriminalized it, or are considering decriminalizing it. I just find it ironic that it's still illegal to this day, when nicotine is a much harsher drug, but just because its been around for so long already, the government just doesn't care. How much of taxpayers money has went into Help Quit state programs? I think it's bullshit that the government continues to permit the sale of alcohol and tobacco, and not marijuana... when marijuana is essentially the least dangerous of the group. Especially considering that while nicotine is not necessarily a carcinogen, but it is a pro-tumor/cancer chemical, since it stalls apoptosis (programmed cell death), which provides a favorable environment for mutation and runaway cell replication. On the other hand, and as stated above, THC is anti-tumor, at least in hormonal organs (consider this: pancreatic cancer can arguably be called one of the worst cancers in terms of survivability).

+

the brain actually has receptors for thc. its a wonder plant, and our bodies have already evolved to take advantage of it. thats why we get hiiiiggghhhhhhhhh

just like sex feels good, and its that way for causing people to want to reproduce, getting thc in your body has health benefits and it gets you high in reward.

yep
although the cannabinoid receptors are interacted with by endocannabinoids too, that is, our body makes some itself. Here's a quote from the cannabinoid receptor wiki:

The current understanding recognizes the role that endocannabinoids play in almost every major life function in the human body.[citation needed] Cannabinoids act as a bioregulatory mechanism for most life processes, which reveals why medical cannabis has been cited as treatments for many diseases and ailments in anecdotal reports and scientific literature. Some of these ailments include: pain, arthritic conditions, migraine headaches, anxiety, epileptic seizures, insomnia, loss of appetite, GERD (chronic heartburn), nausea, glaucoma, AIDS wasting syndrome, depression, bipolar disorder (particularly depression-manic-normal), multiple sclerosis, menstrual cramps, Parkinson's, trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux), high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, and bladder incontinence.

that cannabinoid receptor sure likes to be treated to nature's favorite cannabinoid

but moderation is key. Remember, the body also has opiate receptors... doesn't mean we should binge on opium and whatnot.

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[deepred98]

Originally posted by: destrekor


that cannabinoid receptor sure likes to be treated to nature's favorite cannabinoid

but moderation is key. Remember, the body also has opiate receptors... doesn't mean we should binge on opium and whatnot.

+

Bullshit...

Opium binges prevent cancer

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: deepred98

Originally posted by: destrekor


that cannabinoid receptor sure likes to be treated to nature's favorite cannabinoid

but moderation is key. Remember, the body also has opiate receptors... doesn't mean we should binge on opium and whatnot.

+

Bullshit...

Opium binges prevent cancer

But not mental retardation The choice is your's.

 

[deepred98]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: deepred98

Originally posted by: destrekor


that cannabinoid receptor sure likes to be treated to nature's favorite cannabinoid

but moderation is key. Remember, the body also has opiate receptors... doesn't mean we should binge on opium and whatnot.

+

Bullshit...

Opium binges prevent cancer

But not mental retardation The choice is your's.

mmmmh... mental retardation

 

[schizoid77]

The question should be rephrased really....if MJ is illegal, why aren't cigarettes and alcohol as well? When they're just as bad if not worse?

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: schizoid77
The question should be rephrased really....if MJ is illegal, why aren't cigarettes and alcohol as well? When they're just as bad if not worse?

Ummm, because our country shouldn't control every aspect of its citizen's lives?

 

[schizoid77]

Exactly my point, why some but not the others? It should all be freakin' legal. To pick and choose seemingly arbitrarily is nonsense.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
If anything, Micheal Jackson should be illegal.

:Q

:thumbsup:

 

[deepred98]

Originally posted by: schizoid77
Exactly my point, why some but not the others? It should all be freakin' legal. To pick and choose seemingly arbitrarily is nonsense.

No, it should all be legal.

Choice, as well as consequence, should always lie in the individual.

 

[schizoid77]

Originally posted by: deepred98

Originally posted by: schizoid77
Exactly my point, why some but not the others? It should all be freakin' legal. To pick and choose seemingly arbitrarily is nonsense.

No, it should all be legal.

Choice, as well as consequence, should always lie in the individual.

That's what I just said, dude.

 

[deepred98]

Originally posted by: schizoid77

Originally posted by: deepred98

Originally posted by: schizoid77
Exactly my point, why some but not the others? It should all be freakin' legal. To pick and choose seemingly arbitrarily is nonsense.

No, it should all be legal.

Choice, as well as consequence, should always lie in the individual.

That's what I just said, dude.

Oh my bad.

Lol, maybe MJ should be illegal.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: MrPickins

Originally posted by: schizoid77
The question should be rephrased really....if MJ is illegal, why aren't cigarettes and alcohol as well? When they're just as bad if not worse?

Ummm, because our country shouldn't control every aspect of its citizen's lives?

You didn't answer his question, but I would think it's because alcohol was such a fixture in our cultural evolution that when they tried to ban it once.. no one really listened lol.

Weed never really permeated our culture until the Mexicans workers introduced it to us (I believe that's how it goes). So it was never very popular and therefore not really opposed by the public. Bring on the lies and fear-mongering demonizing weed in the 1900's and it's game over.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage

Originally posted by: MrPickins

Originally posted by: schizoid77
The question should be rephrased really....if MJ is illegal, why aren't cigarettes and alcohol as well? When they're just as bad if not worse?

Ummm, because our country shouldn't control every aspect of its citizen's lives?

You didn't answer his question, but I would think it's because alcohol was such a fixture in our cultural evolution that when they tried to ban it once.. no one really listened lol.

Weed never really permeated our culture until the Mexicans workers introduced it to us (I believe that's how it goes). So it was never very popular and therefore not really opposed by the public. Bring on the lies and fear-mongering demonizing weed in the 1900's and it's game over.

that demonization and all the misunderstanding of the plant is what is causing it to take forever to be introduced in a positive light, not to mention the dislike of the hippie generation. :laugh:
It will happen in our time, I just think it's going to be a very slow political process. It's going to take very liberal states to introduce is as legal, and spread that to the federal government. What doesn't help is that federal law overrules state law, so people are still subject to criminalization even in marijuana-friendly states.
Decriminalization is also not the answer, and I'm afraid that might end up being the course, but if the government is smart, they'll catch on to the possibilities and cash in. Because really, government-controlled marijuana distribution is the best answer.
The best course of action is to legalize it, and at the same time up the criminalization of illegal trafficking and sales, much like bootlegging. That will naturally bring down or nearly eliminate the street sales and the government will rack in with taxation. It'll suck for the pothead, but that pothead will also just be glad he can stroll in to the gas station and buy some. It'll be interesting to see how it's sold too.
And hell, I bet companies like Philip Morris and the like will be happy to have legalization, as they'll likely brand packs of joints for national sale.
Now I'm imagining the cost of a carton of joints. :laugh:

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[ConstipatedVigilante]

On the contrary, BrokenVisage, there are so many people who smoke weed in the younger generation, and a lot of our baby-boomer parents support it since they liked it in their days. It's the really old guys who are the problem. Why do grumpy old people who feel that they have the right to control people's decisions aleways get elected to office? And yes, they're influenced by big business and the illegal drug trade (which is helping the economy) too.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
On the contrary, BrokenVisage, there are so many people who smoke weed in the younger generation, and a lot of our baby-boomer parents support it since they liked it in their days. It's the really old guys who are the problem. Why do grumpy old people who feel that they have the right to control people's decisions aleways get elected to office? And yes, they're influenced by big business and the illegal drug trade (which is helping the economy) too.

It's the whole 'family values' aspect of politics, namely in the hardcore republicans. I respect that, and in some instances it's great for society, but they are still holding onto the demonization of marijuana. I still predict within a decade we're going to start seeing a national push for legalization, and the younger politicians are going to be the ones that help usher that into the national legislature.

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[hellokeith]

We desperately need more stoned people driving on streets and highways, because there aren't enough drunks.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Alistar7

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
Let's see... can't tax it effectively, too easy for people to grow and use themselves, industrial hemp would hurt big businesses... there's more but the main reason will always be $$$.

The laws of economics would fix this pretty quickly. As soon as there are big growers the cost of marijuana would not be worth the hassle of growing it yourself. Once that happens they could easily tax it.

I'm not sure if weed is any easier than tobacco to grow, although I doubt that it is. The only reason why it's grown (weed) by semi-ordinary people is because it's illegal.

I bet it wouldn't take much longer then 10 years for the gov. to see significant revenue from taxes on MJ after it is turned legal.

MJ(hemp) will grow virtually anywhere, and can be used for many many things other then getting high, 1/2 the reason it was mad illigial was because its useability was a threat to big businesses

Yea, that must be it. It could be used for lots of things so big business shut it down. If you stop and think about that for awhile, you'll realize how stupid that is. If it were a superior product to what was already on the market, business' would have used it to make them money, not try to make it illegal. We can make rope and shoes and stuff out of just about anything...that doesn't mean that we should.

Dupont as well as Dow and a few other big companies lobbied heavily in the 1930 to get Hemp made illigal (1937) because it would have become a direct competitor to them in a few different areas.

That is why it is illegal ^^^^^^^^.

No road side test hurts the push today for legalization. The tax revenue would be stunning, each year in the US it is one of the top cash producing crops. Let Uncle Sam grow it, sell it for a HUGE profit, and tax it excessively. No pot head is going to have a problem paying a $50 tax on top of a $100 price for an ounce of kind.

The industrial benefits of hemp, particularily oil suitable for fuel would be another boon to our economy. Grows damn near anywhere and can be cultivated continously in a controlled environment. Force the tobacco companies to grow that instead of tobacco, think of the health care costs that would save. As long as they make as much money, or more, with far less liability they won't complain.

I?m glad there is someone else out there that knows the real reason why it was made illegal, the amnt of disinformation and straight hate in this thread is pretty amazing. The industrial benefits of hemp are truly staggering it can be used for practically anything and you can grow it anywhere

And I?m sure people already know this but Declaration of Independence & the original version of the St James version of the Bible were written on hemp paper