[Bespetna]

What do yo guys/girls think about this topic.
It is almost imposable to die from marijuana unlike other drugs.

Pros: Safe (compared to most drugs), helps many medically ill people with very low risks (to no risk)

Cons: Smoking hazards, driving while high

Please watch this video and post on what you think

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hwsWRqilm4Q

I last year went threw a anti drug course in health class (you probably have too), They said few things about weed. They just said it was illegal becouse it does more good then bad. But I see weed as being safer then alcohol and only having the same effects as tobacco smoke. They said a lot of things about meth and crack cocain, but I can understand why that is illegal. Hell dud, the even talked a lot more about opium then weed. I think this is becouse they know weed is not as bad, but they want to make it look bad. Weed for medical reasons can help decrease cancerous and noncancerous tomers. It can help treat people with ADD and ADHD. It can also ease the pain of many suffering people. Yet, it doesn't have bigger risks then tobacco smoking and alcohol do.

I personally think it should be legalized in small amounts (probably to 18+ yr olds). They can also sell them in stores so people do not have to take risks of thinking something is in the weed.

[Moogalite]

Recent studies have shown that Marijuana leads to higher risks of development of mental disorders such as paranoid schizophrenia- a reason for non-legalisation

[Bespetna]

Recent studies have shown that Marijuana leads to higher risks of development of mental disorders such as paranoid schizophrenia- a reason for non-legalisation

That is probably rare.
I still see the future that weed is a lot better then what it seems.

[Aaron]

I honestly don't see WHY people would want to take drugs or harmful substances. Get a hobby to occupy your "free time."

[Maxi]

Recent studies have shown that Marijuana leads to higher risks of development of mental disorders such as paranoid schizophrenia- a reason for non-legalisation

That is probably rare.
I still see the future that weed is a lot better then what it seems.

If it was rare, it wouldn't be 'Higher Risk'.

[Bespetna]

Recent studies have shown that Marijuana leads to higher risks of development of mental disorders such as paranoid schizophrenia- a reason for non-legalisation

That is probably rare.
I still see the future that weed is a lot better then what it seems.

If it was rare, it wouldn't be 'Higher Risk'.

no {I like to call people bad names. Especially mods. Kick me.} I meant rare of it fully development.
Higher risks can mean maybe a 1% chance more. I have never seen this fact before, its nice to know. But, this is just miner thing compared to what it could get accomplish.

I am going to try not to reply so much so I can see what everyone thinks.

[Res]

For a quick version, scroll down to the very bottom of my post labeled "TL;DR" for "Too long; didn't read." It sums up this post quickly.
------------------------------
No need for name calling, he has a valid point.
I've looked at the Wikipedia article of the health issues and effects of cannabis, and since anyone I give the link to will surely NOT read it, I'll sum it up.

Currently, I'm on a neurologically improving supplement right now. All of the "positive" effects of marijuana can be given to me by something that will in no way hinder my performance in other ways. The positive effects are as follows:

* mood lift, euphoria
* laughter
* relaxation, stress reduction
* creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily*
* increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music.*
* increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
* change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection.*
* pain relief (headaches, cramps)*
* reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)*
* boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or amusing*

The ones I've marked with a star are special. They denote effect that are only applicable after one has reached a "High" state of mind. If you looked at any other minor drug, I promise you you'll find those or something like them near it.

Now, you have the positive side effects, and with those you are certainly BOUND to negative ones. There probably isn't a case I can imagine where you get full positive effects and no negative. And if you find someone saying so, they're probably lying.

Negative side effects are:

* nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives
* coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
* difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D'Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006)*
* racing heart, agitation, feeling tense*1
* mild to severe anxiety
* panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)*
* headaches
* dizziness, confusion
* lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure)
* paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent*2
* possible psychological dependence on cannabis*3
* clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
* can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders*4

Items with a star denote potentially dangerous side effects. While I have not personally used marijuana or any other drug of that sort, I have reached a substance induced high and have not done anything of the sort since. Three side effects were enough for me, and they were mild.

Numbered icons are listed here.
1Racing heart has a potentially harmful effect on anyone who has a weak heart or some other dysfunction as such.

2Paranoia and Anxiety may hinder ones ability to function in the real world if needed. Increasing irateness and irritability, and violence.

3ANY form of dependence on any drug is bad. In some cases is labeled a disease. (Alcoholism, for example.) I have been addicted to many medications in the past, and when forced off of them, it was hell for myself and my friends and family.

4The enhancement or appearance of mental disorders should be enough of a reason to stay away, as once you get something to that level, there is no going back.

---

It has negative side effects when involving expecting mothers or conception, giving newborn children

more frequently suffer from permanent cognitive deficits, concentration disorders, hyperactivity, and impaired social interactions than non-exposed children of the same age and social background.

This study here is probably a good explanation of why the planets youth is the way it is now. Interesting.

By changing and altering the way some nerve cells in the brain react with one another, it affects young'ns and puts them in line for a screwed up lifetime.

PLUS, From personal experience, I've seen a horrible birth defect that a child suffered when both of.. its parents smoked during conception.

---

Psychotic risks and effects are also present.

Cannabis use has been shown by researchers to correlated with the development of psychotic symptoms later in life, and has been shown to be a predictor for depression and anxiety in later life. Another study concluded that sustained early-adolescent cannabis use among genetically predisposed individuals has been associated with a variety of mental illness outcomes, ranging from psychotic episodes to clinical schizophrenia. Dr Stanley Zammit of Bristol and Cardiff universities (in the Daily express newspaper of the 27th of July 2007) reported "Even if cannabis did increase the risk of psychosis, most people using the drug would not get ill" But he added: "Nevertheless, we would still advise people to avoid or limit their use of this drug, especially if they start to develop any mental health symptoms or if they have relatives with psychotic illnesses." A 2007 study of studies published in the Lancet concluded that cannabis users are 40% more likely to suffer a psychotic illness.

Psychosis isn't something you get over, either. And it's something that stays with you, and can ruin a lot of things. Knowing many people who suffer from slight symptoms of such illnesses myself, I can't seem myself beginning to think about trying it, knowing that I put myself to risk for something that would make me that way.

Psychosis or Schizophrenia aren't things that are 'fun' or things to laugh about, either.

---

Conclusion:

Considering the fact that I can achieve ALL of the positive side effects and more with a dietary supplement pill (Which is completely legal), and be devoid of any real negative outcomes, I see no real reason to take the risks or dangers involved with using marijuana or making it legal. Legalizing it would only bring a lower standard of living and life to the world we live in, and have NO positive effects on society as a whole. I can see absolutely nothing good coming out of legalizing something that pose so many psychological risks to users and associates of users.

All material accessed by Wikipedia and other net based forms of information.
Personal experiences and life-lessons also used. All personal experience shows nothing but the negative side of the use of this product.

---

TL;DR version: Screw you. If you're too lazy to read my argument, you automatically lose.

[Ratty]

Gah. I went to the TL;DR part

*burns in the fires of hell*

[Goto]

Same here. Sorry Res.

In my defense I then went back and read through your entire post carefully.

[Ratty]

In my defense I then went back and read through your entire post carefully.

I didn't >.<

*burns even more*

[Neraphym]

I'm going to take some time to talk about a potential effect of legalizing certain drugs that few people realize. Right now, drugs are being smuggled over our borders and dealt to people by poor, non-white gangbangers. By legalizing them, not only do we get to tax the drugs, but we get to have big businesses come in and crush the gangs. Think about who you'd buy from: a shady character on the street corner, or a respected pharmacy? The pharmacy can also be held to account for bad quality (for instance, cadmium in weed). The most important effect is the destruction of gangs through competition. When gangs go out the window, people from underprivileged places won't resort to gangs and drug dealing to make a living, but are forced to stay in school to get that done. This could solve a great many problems some of the non-white communities are facing.

The downsides to having drugs legalized are obvious, but they have a positive Darwinian effect. I should be clear about my view right now. I am against killing people to achieve social Darwinism, but I have nothing against letting them die of their own accord. I still would like to prevent this, though; but I feel no moral obligation to do so. The biggest concern I have is people driving under the influence. Currently, the penalty for this is waaaaay too lenient. I hope we can get this changed, but sadly, America is going to have to wait until Bush is done regulating who we can and can't love based on Leviticus (That's Hebrew for 'pure evil').

[Res]

Gah. I went to the TL;DR part

*burns in the fires of hell*

In my defense I then went back and read through your entire post carefully.

I didn't >.<

*burns even more*

Well, I love you both just the same, regardless.
---

I think if it were legalized, you would still have gangs that sold the product for the very reason of 'cheaper than pharmacy' costs. To remove any record of who bought it or such. Any receipts or legal documentation to say "Yeah, this person bought so and so amount of hemp."

For some reason, whenever I picture this subject, I always imagine a perpetual night. Like, a blocked sun during noon.

[Zziggywolf5]

Well, Res said everything I could have said but clearer than I could. (And, yes, I did read all the whole post.)
Still, I'm going to say some stuff so this isn't a "Me too" type of post.

• First of all, every drug has a side-effect. All of them.
• Cannabis effects the brain. That's how it causes a high. It's altering the way your brain functions when you're like that.
• I doubt legalizing marijuana would stop the sale of it by gangs. Prescription drugs are sold by gangs, after all.
• I believe marijuana smoke is more dangerous than tobacco, but I don't have anything to back that statement up.

Okay, I'm done.

[Moogalite]

To be honest.. tobacco smoke is just as bad as it develops a dependence and leads to more deaths due to the numerous chemicals mixed in with tobacco e.g. benzene is in tobacco smoke which is a known carciogen (cancer causer). Marijuana affects the way in which the brain functions whilst tobacco affects how your other organs function. I'm sure it is up to you to decide which is worse but I think tobacco is as Marijuana does not affect inhibit the function of other organs as much as tobacco. That is completely different argument but I don't think marijuana should be legalised due to the studies which have recently been released as mental disorders are nothing to laugh about and to quote 40% is definitely not rare. That is a huge increase in risk.

[Spikeout]

I've been around people who've been high and people who've been drunk. I'd have to say high people > drunks.


Legalize it