Legalize Marijuana?

[jordandog]

502mania,
You have said quite a few things on here that are completely false. You put up that link from Harvard about the lung cancer 'cure'. You stated that pot worked better than (kimo) - it is CHEMO for the record. There are other things said by posters besides you that are also not accurate. I was going to just keep my mouth shut, after making my initial post about the drug test - even the reply about that was not in the ballpark because I am very sure that whatever test that poster had done was NOT anything more than the simplest, cheapest one available, so it didn't show anything, but that is NOT the norm either. But after reading more and more in this, I need to speak up. Marijuana does have vital uses for different health issues such as chronic pain and many other things. I am NOT completely against it's use in certain instances. It would be plain stupid on my part to even think like that, but I cannot just keep my mouth shut when I am seeing blatant BS being put up here. My main practice specialty is oncology and I am willing to bet I know just a 'bit more' than you or anyone on here does about cancer!

I will start with your 'lung cancer cured' post. The study was NOT done on humans. It was done using mice that had been implanted with human lung cancer cells, and found that tumors were reduced in size and weight by about 50 percent in treated animals compared to a control group. Big deal - that is NOT conclusive evidence of anything and since the study you linked was done back in 2007 and nothing more has been put out as far as any further testing. You think by putting one study up here, you have shown 'proof' of a cure. Well, boolah for you. It did NOT cure the cancer and it was not tested using humans.

Science has NO idea what the pathway is as far as how the THC functions. That is a crucial void - without knowing that, it is flying blind. Many animal studies have also shown that THC can stimulate some cancers and at a very rapid rate.

There has been another study using THC on glioblastoma, what we call GBM. It is the most aggressive of all brain cancers. This study was published in 2009 by a doctor in Madrid, Spain and again, done using mice injected with tumors/cancerous cells from 2 patients. In this study there were also 2 human patients who had been in this doctor's clinical trial. They did in fact show some improvement, but the cancer was NOT eradicated. So, what do we have? A total of 2 things that any of you could find via the internet - a very reliable source? No, they are there to see, but would you actually be able to comprehend even a millionth of a written compilation of the total study/clinical/parameters/results data and see all the important variables within them in order to fully understand what they mean?

Everyone knows about THC. The other most abundant compound in pot is Cannabidiol or CBD.  There are more than 70 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. 502mania, the findings in your report from 2007 and the other done on brain tumor cells were not actually that surprising. There have been previous reports over the years to this effect as well. So this is yet another indication that THC can possibly have an anti-cancer effect, which means it's certainly worth further study and testing. If ingredients found in marijuana are proven in longterm and wide ranging studies and testing to cure cancer, it will be one of the greatest things ever found. I can only hope to be alive when it happens.

Many have compared cigarettes to pot as far as all the added chemicals in cigarettes. I won't argue as far as that ie chemicals/additives in cigs, but when you smoke a joint, you are inhaling a minimum of 5 times more tar than in a cigarette! Why do you think longterm and heavy users of marijuana have such high instances of pneumonia, bronchitis, COPD, and yes, even lung cancers? No one is going to convince me that smoking pot does not impair your reaction time while doing things such as driving or anything else. If it doesn't, then you are smoking 'skank' weed that you wasted your $$ on or oregano.

[hwilliams591]

hwilliams,
Hemp is stronger than cotton. clothing industry
hemp fuel is better than gasoline. remove foriegn oil dependency
hemp is just as strong if not stronger than lumber. save trees,
hemp makes great paper. save more trees
hemp oil can be made into biodegradable plastic. save the environment
hemp oil can be made into all natural meat substitute - full of protien. more food
hemp can be made into tea. more food
hemp can be smoked - no more tobacco, better health
hemp can be made into athsma, cancer, glaucoma, etc. etc. medications
With ALL of those industries, hwilliams, that won't create jobs?

Hemp clothing products cost more!
There are better fuel options then hemp!
Hemp paper is not cost effective, can't just use a paper mill and the same process as wood!
Hemp into a meat substitute...no thank you!
There are side effects to smoking hemp that are the same as cigareetes! I don't see this a s an benefit.
Hemp has pain relieving remedies, it helps Glaucoma but relieving pressure. There are hemp substitutes that do the same thing. Hemp is not a cure!

No it won't magically create jobs. The paper and clothing industry will create jobs overseas, as for here there are still better options.

[hwilliams591]

I'm sorry, but you've posted this same thing over and over... you won't see it any other way. So that, to me, is closed minded.


 Just because you think they are wrong, doesn't mean they are.

I have no reason to hide behind anyone or anything. you have stated the same thing over and over, even when presented with ample information proving that it is and could be beneficial to this country. You just refuse to see it any other way. Which I'm not entirely sure you've even read over every post in this thread.


Gee, I don't see how any of that could benefit anything...  

When you can prove that I am wrong then I will respond, I'm not the only one that thinks you are wrong. You are the one looking at this from one side. I always look at both sides. I have read and seen these post many many times. They are written from one-sided people and reposted by one-sided poeple because they are too lazy or too "closed minded" to find the real truth.

The best example is it cures cancer!
Another example is it doesn't impair your judgement or reactions!
I seen the idiotic TopGear show were they tested the marijuana and driving therory. If you use that as a base for your arguement then you are really closed minded and not too bright.

Manufacturing anything now a days is most likely going to take place in other countries...commonsense!
This will not bring money here, it will take more money from us.

Your whole post makes no sense and shows your lack of reasoning and commonsense.

[FuzzyCottonsocks]

hwilliams,
Hemp is stronger than cotton. clothing industry
hemp fuel is better than gasoline. remove foriegn oil dependency
hemp is just as strong if not stronger than lumber. save trees,
hemp makes great paper. save more trees
hemp oil can be made into biodegradable plastic. save the environment
hemp oil can be made into all natural meat substitute - full of protien. more food
hemp can be made into tea. more food
hemp can be smoked - no more tobacco, better health
hemp can be made into athsma, cancer, glaucoma, etc. etc. medications
With ALL of those industries, hwilliams, that won't create jobs?

Hemp clothes are also itchy as hell IMO.  Why not just eat soy as a meat substitute?

[unojuno]

If it helps with illness/condition which is supported by marijuana use--absolutely!!  For everyday use by everybody---NO!!!

[Mickey001]

Marijuana should not be legalized!  Too much gang violence involves that drug.  Once you legalize marijuand, what's next?  Heroin, morphine, codone, etc..  Leave everything as is.  The only thing I would change is the punishment for having marijuana.  Less than an ounce, misdeameanor.  Do not put folks in our over crowded prisons.  Slap them on the hand and be done with it.

[sflynt]

When you can prove that I am wrong then I will respond, I'm not the only one that thinks you are wrong. You are the one looking at this from one side. I always look at both sides. I have read and seen these post many many times. They are written from one-sided people and reposted by one-sided poeple because they are too lazy or too "closed minded" to find the real truth.

The best example is it cures cancer!
Another example is it doesn't impair your judgement or reactions!
I seen the idiotic TopGear show were they tested the marijuana and driving therory. If you use that as a base for your arguement then you are really closed minded and not too bright.

Manufacturing anything now a days is most likely going to take place in other countries...commonsense!
This will not bring money here, it will take more money from us.

Your whole post makes no sense and shows your lack of reasoning and commonsense.

For one, I'm not debating whether it can cure cancer or not. You should aim those comments at someone who is.
 I'm also not basing my argument on any TopGear show or there tests on people's reactions or judgements while on it. Did you not read my post AT ALL??!!

I'm simply showing how much the marijuana prohibition costs the U.S. government and taxpayers billions of dollars annually! You had asked to Please explain how it will benefit us to legalize marijuana, so I posted how much money its costing us to keep it illegal, and how much money it could save (billions!) in government expenditures if it were legalized and regulated. not to mention the many uses of hemp and how it can be helpful to the environment.
 Other countries are smuggling in TONS of illegal drugs, and they're the ones getting all the money for it. If we were to decriminalize it, legalize it, and then regulate it, we would make the money from it.

So please, tell me, how am I wrong? and how did it not make sense? You're the only one that seems to think so, or at least you're the only one thats posted that. I wouldn't speak for anyone else but myself though.

[la_eva]

i say leglize it weed is good not bad.....it helps people with lots of different stuff

[jenn0527]

I say No way. If they start legalizing marijuana then all the other drugs will surely follow. Plus I cannot stand when I am walking somewhere with my kids and all of a sudden there is a big smell. To each their own if they want to smoke it but I feel it is wrong doing it out in public like that because nobody is asking us people walking by if we want to get high(which we Don't!) and when my kids breathe it in I get really angry. Like I said if people wanna smoke it, I am not here to tell you that you should or shouldn't please just stop smoking it outside where innocent children are forced to breathe it in.

Just my 2 cents.

[hwilliams591]

For one, I'm not debating whether it can cure cancer or not. You should aim those comments at someone who is.
 I'm also not basing my argument on any TopGear show or there tests on people's reactions or judgements while on it. Did you not read my post AT ALL??!!

I'm simply showing how much the marijuana prohibition costs the U.S. government and taxpayers billions of dollars annually! You had asked to Please explain how it will benefit us to legalize marijuana, so I posted how much money its costing us to keep it illegal, and how much money it could save (billions!) in government expenditures if it were legalized and regulated. not to mention the many uses of hemp and how it can be helpful to the environment.
 Other countries are smuggling in TONS of illegal drugs, and they're the ones getting all the money for it. If we were to decriminalize it, legalize it, and then regulate it, we would make the money from it.

So please, tell me, how am I wrong? and how did it not make sense? You're the only one that seems to think so, or at least you're the only one thats posted that. I wouldn't speak for anyone else but myself though.

For one, thinking that if it is legal that it will just magically stop all crime associated with it is just ignorant. Your way of thinking just doesn't make sense and is not the way things work. Which is why I cut that junk out of my quote.

[sflynt]

For one, I'm not debating whether it can cure cancer or not. You should aim those comments at someone who is.
 I'm also not basing my argument on any TopGear show or there tests on people's reactions or judgements while on it. Did you not read my post AT ALL??!!

I'm simply showing how much the marijuana prohibition costs the U.S. government and taxpayers billions of dollars annually! You had asked to Please explain how it will benefit us to legalize marijuana, so I posted how much money its costing us to keep it illegal, and how much money it could save (billions!) in government expenditures if it were legalized and regulated. not to mention the many uses of hemp and how it can be helpful to the environment.
 Other countries are smuggling in TONS of illegal drugs, and they're the ones getting all the money for it. If we were to decriminalize it, legalize it, and then regulate it, we would make the money from it.

So please, tell me, how am I wrong? and how did it not make sense? You're the only one that seems to think so, or at least you're the only one thats posted that. I wouldn't speak for anyone else but myself though.

For one, thinking that if it is legal that it will just magically stop all crime associated with it is just ignorant. Your way of thinking just doesn't make sense and is not the way things work. Which is why I cut that junk out of my quote.

Who are you talking to?? I did not say that crime will magically stop!!! Stop putting words in my mouth! I can't wrap my head around how you think! wow!

[502mania]

Hemp clothing products cost more!
There are better fuel options then hemp!
Hemp paper is not cost effective, can't just use a paper mill and the same process as wood!
Hemp into a meat substitute...no thank you!
There are side effects to smoking hemp that are the same as cigareetes! I don't see this a s an benefit.
Hemp has pain relieving remedies, it helps Glaucoma but relieving pressure. There are hemp substitutes that do the same thing. Hemp is not a cure!
No it won't magically create jobs. The paper and clothing industry will create jobs overseas, as for here there are still better options.

Why would the jobs be overseas? hemp grows wild here in KY. We could easily produce it here. I'm not saying that hemp wll save the world. but it should be legal even if it didn't have so many uses. and that gateway theeory dosen't mak sense. first, hemp is a plant, not a drug. second cocaine and heroine are completely different although they come from plants. actually, i think pure heroine poppies and cocaine shouldb used as pain medication rather than the perscriptions they have out. Yes cocaine, etc. is addictive, but no more addictive than pain pills, so why not have an all natural remedy?

[armychick09h]

Marijuana should not be legalized!  Too much gang violence involves that drug.  Once you legalize marijuand, what's next?  Heroin, morphine, codone, etc..  Leave everything as is.  The only thing I would change is the punishment for having marijuana.  Less than an ounce, misdeameanor.  Do not put folks in our over crowded prisons.  Slap them on the hand and be done with it.

the reason maybe not the whole reason but gangs fight for terrority and the right to sell the drug in their area. thus the gang violence. make it legalize and they cant fight over who sells it. cause then people have a right to. am i sayig it should be legalize no but maybe you should look into it better. they do have shows  on tv like Gang wars and others. watch them they have actual gang memebers on there.

[502mania]

Marijuana should not be legalized!  Too much gang violence involves that drug.  Once you legalize marijuand, what's next?  Heroin, morphine, codone, etc..  Leave everything as is.  The only thing I would change is the punishment for having marijuana.  Less than an ounce, misdeameanor.  Do not put folks in our over crowded prisons.  Slap them on the hand and be done with it.

Gang violence only involves marijuana because marijuana is stuck on the black market. if it were legal, it would be as common as cugarettes. and you never see gangs fighting over cigarettes, why? because they are legal. and marijuana is soooo much  different than cocaine, heroine, etc. actually heroine IS legal. medically. it's in hydrocodone and oxycodone. morphine Is legal. don't take tis the wrong way, but i don't think any drug should be illegal. as long as your not hurting anyone else, do what you want. not to say middle school kids should have access to it, and not to say some of these drugs aren't addictive or bad for you, but that's NOT the reason their illegal in the first place. instead of wasting time trying to control everything, educate the youth, teach them about drugs, don't just say "it's bad, never do it". explain the responsibility and percautions needed to properly handle them. maybe if we sit down with our kids and teach them about this kind of stuff there would be less problems. put it this way, if you don't teach them, they'll learn it in the streets. An the street is not a good classroom. trust me i've been there.

[hwilliams591]

Why would the jobs be overseas? hemp grows wild here in KY. We could easily produce it here. I'm not saying that hemp wll save the world. but it should be legal even if it didn't have so many uses. and that gateway theeory dosen't mak sense. first, hemp is a plant, not a drug. second cocaine and heroine are completely different although they come from plants. actually, i think pure heroine poppies and cocaine shouldb used as pain medication rather than the perscriptions they have out. Yes cocaine, etc. is addictive, but no more addictive than pain pills, so why not have an all natural remedy?

It is simple....it is so much cheaper to have something manufactured over seas. And there are already factorys that are equipt to manufacture hemp products over there. Like I said it would take a totally different set-up to produce hemp products. Producing it has nothing to do with it.
Cocain was used as medication.