The guy must've been stoned when he asked for his weed back....lmao.

"Dude, can I have my weed back?"

"No man, it's not mine".

"Oh, wait".

Why can't he get his weed back. This is American. The judge and prosecutor are most likely alcoholics. Weed can be grown anywhere thus the weed name. Therefore the powers that be can not profit so it is illegal. Weed can make people less productive. Therefore the powers that be outlaw it because productivity is not a choice. I don't even smoke weed but get real people.

gopSTOMPER, I thought that potheads were generally docile and not prone to violence.

Guess I was wrong.

Bummer, dude.

You just can't make this stuff up.

Thank God I stopped smoking that stuff years ago

Bummer, dude.

You just can't make this stuff up.

Thank God I stopped smoking that stuff years ago

I still stand by the term potheads. Plus I am much faster than you on pot and I still think it's funny that he asked for his weed back. These are the criminal mischief stories I like...not some a$shole blowing someone away.

Here in Hawaii if you hold a medical marijuana card, they have to return your weed if they confiscate it. Everyone has some medical condition that would qualify them--so? I think weed is less harmful than a Big Mac, whereas booze is legal and kills groves of people yearly. Give the guy his weed back and let him decide what he puts into his body.

patrick 35.3: Yeah, you don't smoke the stuff! OMG! Liar, liar panties on fire!

Your post shows how "productive" you are.....

gopSTOMPER, I thought that potheads were generally docile and not prone to violence.

Guess I was wrong.

What do you expect when you take away freedoms based on a fact-free prohibition of cannabis?

It's safer than alcohol or tobacco by leaps and bounds. LEGALIZE.

Janine, what brain cells?

Devonte Davon , hmmmm!!!!

He wrote most likely. He didn't say everyone that doesn't smoke weed is an alcoholic.

Devonte: "Can I have my pot back"?

Officsr: " Sure, and while I'm at it, here's your Darwin Award too!"

Janine, wow thanks for stating the obvious. I was being a little facetious but my point is valid. I wasn't trying to libel the good name of people I have never met. Certainly many people do drink and I do as well. I do not smoke however, I do not have the mind for it. You seem a little angry maybe you should switch to wine. Do you know why Hitler didn't drink scotch? It made him mean.

This should be a non-issue. Weed isn't any worse than tobacco. Legalize now, grow it domestically, and destroy the cartels!

"Here's your sign..."

Ignorance is bliss. You must be one happy man EDD-1008854.

And that's why they call it dope.

spider: he is still alive, so no award for him.

It is just like US government asking Iran to have their spy drone back...

Heck, it never hurts to ask. Maybe if he offered to share he would have had better luck. Legalize it, this country could use the income!

You guys are so stupid/ignorant. A story like this comes out and you all go talking trash about how pot makes people stupid or how only stupid people use it. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe it's just the really stupid ones who get caught in such laughable ways and that they were probably a rather dim bulb to begin with?

I'm sure there's probably thousands of stories of people acting really stupid under the influence of Alcohol, but whenever something happens with pot people jump all over it.

"after a arresting officer recalled"

Ah yes because no police officer in the history of the US or the world has ever lied to make a case.

Yadahyablahdabahdablahh And you all, all of you, in your infinite wisdom, forget that EVERYONE is some kind of sh#tbag in some kind of way, at some time. Either none of you stand alone, or y'all do. Even the president might f*ck up on occasion. No? Live and let live. We got other problems.

And where can I view said footage pray tell as it seems you have. It's funny because I saw no mention of dash cams or links to dash cam footage in the above article nor in the article from the Beaver County Times.

Everyone that drinks and even if they are alcoholics, dosen't make them stupid, some alcoholics are some of the smartest people around. The same goes for pot smokers too. Some pot smokers are actually very intellegent and some of the most inovating people you'll ever meet and you wouldn't have a clue that they smoke pot. I believe if you do some research, you'll find out that its because some of the smartest people can't get the answers they are looking for, to their issues or questions, the biggest reason they become alcoholics. Now some pot smokers have made big contributions to all our lives for the better, if you do the research, like anything else, you have people that are sharp and people that aren't. It dosen't matter if they smoke pot or drink, thats just the way it is. From some of the comments above, I'm not going to make a evaluation as to what category they come from. Its not for everyone, but for some its a blessing.

The cop is probably lying to get the black kid incarcerated... nothing new here. They shouldn't even be arresting people for having pot in the first place...

I agree with Tom. Dude made a (Hilarious) mistake. No need for all the judgment.

Hummmmmmmmmm ...... It is a fact that the brightest & least ignorant & most successful people choose weed over alcohol Or cigarettes .....

How ignorant do you have to be to consume a product that is destroying your liver by the drink, or killing you by the puff? ..lol

Yeah right. The pig is testi-lying so he doesn't get the case kicked out.

Moon

I have done both.

I still drink - but not for a drunk. I can have a glass of wine with dinner and not be drunk.

Wine, beer etc can be enjoyed without the need to be under the influence.

People take illegal drugs for one reason - to be under the influence.

On that other comment there are more successful and intelligent people drinking than smoking. In fact I am willing to bet there are even more alcoholics (a portion of those that drink) that are intelligent and successful than there are smokers.

To be fair, I am more than willing to look at your evidence.

To the posters above who have made the (erroneous) case that weed makes you stupid, I have a profoundly contrary specimen for your mind to dawdle over:

Carl Sagan.

That's right, the preeminent scientific mind behind the hugely popular and successful "Cosmos: a Personal Voyage" series, the author of over 600 published scientific papers, the astronomer, astrophysicist and cosmologist, the man whose idea it was to add a permanent, gold plated message regarding life on earth to the Pioneer and Voyager satellites, smoked pot. His widow, in fact, is the current president of NORML. Look it up, friends.

Imagine what he could have done if he was straight.

Well he can't have his pot back now; because the police and the judge just got finished burning a doob .......

Come on people, it's pot for God's sake, it's not like he was hiding a concealed weapon or shooting people!

This story brough back a memory...

20 some years ago I was working part time for a friend..It was a towing business..The night before I towed in a car for suspected DWI...The next day the guy comes to retrieve his car..He pays his bill and we let him into the impound yard to get his car.. He drives back to the office and say who the f*** stole my stash? I told him no one here entered his car and to get in his car and leave or I would call the police...He kept making a scene and I called the police...When they showed up, they asked what the problem was and he told them someone at our company took his pot.... They asked if they could search his car,he gave them permission...The cop looks under the seat and pulls out the biggest bag (freezer type bag) of pot I had ever seen...They asked if it was his, and he said yes..On went the cuffs and off to jail he went..... Some people just don't know when to shut up...

JOregon-You are wrong on so many levels I don't know where to start. First off your statement about a glass of wine with dinner or a beer or two and not being under the influence is just plain ludicrious. You can't even be honest with yourself. You drink wine or beer because of the way it makes you feel. One glass of wine and you ARE under the influence. One drink of any kind and you love that little buzz you get. Go ahead you can admit it. Otherwise you'd be drinking water or fruit juice or lemonade.

On your last point you could not have made a more stupid statement. I have smoked with doctors, lawyers, firemen, policemen (all before regular drug testing) millionaire businessmen, teachers, and many very successful people who will come home and smoke a bowl rather than have a cocktail. You lose your bet. Since you provide no evidence for your ridiculous statement, you'll get no evidence to prove otherwise. Tobacco, liquor, marijuana are all nothing more that drugs that make you feel the way you want to feel. Morally it's all the same and everybody, and I mean everybody breaks laws they think they can break and justify. Have you ever driven over the speed limit? Of course you have. So your entire post just seems like self indulgent garbage.

No Blue Lake that is not true.

One glass of wine and you ARE under the influence.

1 glass of wine will put me at a BAC level of about .015. Since I don't chug it and can nurse it through the meal it will probably be much lower. I'm not fat but I am large and most BAC calculators only go to 240 lbs. I'm closer to 250.

Not going to get a buzz off of my intake.

Sometimes I do drink water, or fruit juice, or tea. Wine or Beer aren't requirements.

You lose your bet. Since you provide no evidence for your ridiculous statement, you'll get no evidence to prove otherwise.

It was Moon that made the unprovable statement.

Just figure that throughout all history alcohol has always been available Cannabis not so much. Especially today's hydroponically grown, genetically cultured, THC increased to the sky Bud.

I used to smoke quite a bit of pot, but you could have some control over how stoned you wanted to be.

Just a real slight buzz one hit.

After school maybe a joint.

You could even smoke several joints and not get the amount of THC that comes with one hit of today's pot.

You lose the bet because all you have are your own personal experiences with fellow pot heads. You can't go through history and you can't be in the minds and homes of the rest of society.

They say a couple of drinks daily is actually good for you. I agree and I believe a dark wine is probably best for a lot of reasons I'm not going to go into here now. There have also been some things brought up about smoking a little pot and it being good for you also. Now about both, alcohol and marijuana. I'll bet they aren't telling us everything as far as it being good for us, then they can't say that 4 drinks is actually even better than 2 drinks a day. I'm sure the first DUI after a artice like that popped up would be the persons defense in court. I believe myself that everything natural was put on this earth for a reason and everything used in moderation will benifit you too. Now moderation is the problem with almost everything. I know it took me yrs. to learn moderation. I used to think if a little made me feel good then a little more would make me feel better. Most of the time I was wrong about that. Now days, I have to admit I'm doing pretty good as far as moderation goes, I finally learned how to control that stuff but then again, its the kind of life I have now that makes the biggest difference. I have a girlfriend I enjoy tremendously and the work I do now is also pleasurable for me too and well everything is just falling into place for me to be able to know moderation. But like I was saying if it comes from this earth then a little bit of everything has to be good for you. Enjoy, be safe and have fun.

JOregon- Again you are wrong. Hemp has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and was not all used for fiber. Go ahead and just keep making it up as you go along.

How much Hemp did they grow in Norway?

Just because it has been cultivated (weak THC content) doesn't mean it was available everywhere.

Try getting high off of Native grown Nebraska weed.

I am old enough to remember buying weed that wouldn't get you high no matter how much you smoked.

Cannabis grown for hemp is not the same as genetically altered Humbolt County Bud.

Come on, lay off the pot and use your brain. I know you're not stupid.

Double standard? If you take the thresh-hold dose of any substance, you are under its influence. Why else would you chose a single beer, a coffee, or soda, over a glass of water. I would imagine that any drug used in small doses could put someone under its influence without corrupting or affecting that person's judgement. This is probably even true of LSD. So to correct your statement, people take any substance for one reason- to be under its influence. The difference between one drug or another is what happens when someone binges, in which case marijuana is by far the least harmful known to man. Studies have shown that prohibition of any drug leads to isolation and binging. You may be right that more smart people drink because more people total drink. Some studies in places where cannabis use is accepted have shown that marijuana users and their children were generally more successful than those who abstained. You can have a glass of wine and not be drunk, just like people can use a little bit of marijuana and not be stoned. Legality makes all the difference at the end of the day.

Why else would you chose a single beer, a coffee, or soda, over a glass of water.

Same reason you might choose Ice tea to lemonade, Coke over 7 UP, Apple Juice over Cranberry Juice.

It is called FLAVOR. WOW!

You can have a glass of wine and not be drunk, just like people can use a little bit of marijuana and not be stoned.

You smoke pot TO GET STONED.

Believe it or not some people swish a little wine around in their mouths and spit it out - Just For the Flavor.

I really am beginning to think Cannabis does interfere with a persons ability to reason and think rationally.

is that why william shakespear smoked pot ?? they found residue in his pipe

Charles Dickens used Opium - Is that your rational?

There was a pipe found near Shakespeare's home. Whether it was his or not is pure conjecture. Maybe a Gardner left it.

WMG-21 ....good post! ... most are unaware of Carls writings as Mr X .....

Back when I smoked pot, I was HIGHLY productive. :)

And I mean that seriously...

Going to trial for marijuana possession. Says enough right there but how many years will the 19 year old Devonte get in Sanduskyland after an almost certain conviction?

JOregon- you didnt include legal drugs, i.e. xanax, valium, prozac,zoloft, etc... people partake of these drugs on a daily basis, so whats the diff if I take one hit and voila i can eat my dinner..get off your high horse (no pun intended)

meagpie

Been smoking today I see.

WHAT?????

Not sure what you are blabbering about.

Before the embargo of coffee to Europe, water was too nasty to drink so people went to the pub and drank beer, if you have heard the old Irish saying, "God invented alcohol so the Irish wouldn't take over the world". So then coffee came along and became a popular, mainstream beverage. Let us think about the difference in coffee and alcohol. Then almost immediately following, the Enlightenment came along and people started thinking instead of becoming alcoholics. So I guess my point here is as humans we are addicted to something, whether it be pot, alcohol, or coffee. But if you want to know some more scientific study on how pot is not as bad for you as anything else read...Marihuana 84'. These are scientific studies by scientists, not bias stoners.

My favorite reasoning-A high dad never beat his kids.

You could even smoke several joints and not get the amount of THC that comes with one hit of today's pot.

You don't believe that do you? You can STILL regulate how much you get very easily. It's not a 'one-hit and you're blitzed' situation at all.

You smoke pot TO GET STONED.

YOU may have, but that is not necessarily how everyone else does it. A hit or two to take the edge off when you get home from work? Sure, but not so much you can't cook dinner, or hold a conversation. Like having ONE DRINK, you don't get full-on wasted every time you touch the substance. That's simply ignorance.

J-Oregon- Actually I only smoke before I eat, so no I was not "stoned" when I wrote that. My point was that people get high off of legally prescribed drugs everyday, and your comment said that you smoke weed to get high. NOT everyone smokes weed to get high but to help with pain, eating disorders, anxiety, etc.. Seems that moderation is the key when partaking of alcohol, weed, prescriptions etc...

The older generation is caught in the reefer madness days. They think smoking leads to masturbation which leads to blindness and insanity. We may not have another President that has not tried it, from Clinton on. So the generational gap is disappearing. Some people feel that if a pharmaceutical takes a plant and makes a pill, calls it a clever name and charges $100 per, then it is OK. They have to be spoon fed reality. Giant corporations scour South America and find natural chemicals and throw patent rights on them and fortunes are made.

Fred

I am old enough to remember the difference.

I remember when you could share a joint of Mexican weed and "take the edge off".

Panama Red or Colombian and a hit or two was all you needed.

In the late 70's my roommate was getting shoe boxes of Maui buds delivered to the house. One hit was more than enough. We were smoking joint after joint. After awhile you become numb to small amounts.

Since then the potency has sky rocketed.

A hit or two to "take the edge off"? That is called tolerance, much like a functioning alcoholic can drink and drink.

With today's pot you SHOULD get blitzed on just one hit - it is that much more potent.

"Taking the edge off" still goes to the original point. Many people drink for the taste of wine or beer without a need to "take the edge off". I drink a glass of wine that complements my meal, it has nothing to do with "taking the edge off", that was the point my original post #1.37. Bluelake called me a liar #1.42.

That is the problem. Potheads figure everyone drinks to get high, therefore it is better to get high on pot.

I was an everyday smoker for 7 years and a weekly smoker even longer. When we were smoking joint after joint of the Maui I realized pot had been running my life for too long.

I quit.

After the first week my energy level shot up. I felt like I had done Coke. After a month my thinking process improved. I was an occasional smoker for a bit after that but found I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being straight.

Now I don't find a NEED to "take an edge off". Imagine that.

Who said anything about NEEDING to take an edge off? Not me. That's your projection talking.

Plenty of folks around my office can't wait to get home for a cocktail or a beer however, is that what you mean?

With today's pot you SHOULD get blitzed on just one hit - it is that much more potent.

No, not really, but congrats on toting the water for the DEA. At least you are gainfully employed.

meagpie

This thread wasn't about medical marijuana uses - which are legitimate.

The basis of this thread was about getting high.

If you quit smoking all together your thought process will improve even when you haven't smoked for the night yet.

Fred

You Said

A hit or two to take the edge off when you get home from work? Sure, but not so much you can't cook dinner, or hold a conversation.

No, Fred I am getting nothing from the DEA. I have had a lot of personal experience.

Gainfully employed?

You lost me on that one, I can only assume it is the weed thinking for you.

JOregon- I would love to quit partaking of weed however i either partake or i starve away into nothing. I would rather be a little slow then dead. With an eating disorder your mind actually breaks down quicker than smoking pot does. So you cant blame my lack of thought process on weed, it is actually from an eating disorder. Did you stop to think that perhaps people enjoy the taste of weed just like you enjoy the taste of wine? No of course you didnt. Its your thought process or nothing at all..

Meagpie

Sorry to hear about your medical problems, I can only hope a solution can come up that makes you fully healed no matter what the cause.

When I was addicted I enjoyed the taste too.

Cigarette smokers will tell you they enjoy the taste.

For an alcoholic that first drink is like the nectar of the God's.

Addiction does that.

There is a huge difference though. As Obama said, "The point was to inhale. That was the point".

I could believe people would smoke for the taste if they didn't inhale. So far Bill Clinton is the only person I have ever heard of that didn't inhale. And he "didn't like it".

When people go to wine tastings they spit the wine out. To Taste only.

Yes, I said a hit or two to take the edge off. It's not needed, it's not often, and I hear plenty of folks using the same terminology for alcohol. Nobody said it is NEEDED, as you implied.

You lost me on that one, I can only assume it is the weed thinking for you.

Right after you make a comment about not getting anything from the DEA, I lose you re:gainfully employed? (as in getting something from the DEA). Perhaps you ought to go back ON the weed, because thinking solo doesn't seem to be your forte'.

Fred

No, not really, but congrats on toting the water for the DEA. At least you are gainfully employed.

Took me awhile to figure out what you were saying on this.

Another Marijuana advocate once accused me of being employed by the government to roam the internet posting anti-marijuana information.

All I can say is WOW.

There are some that say smoking marijuana can make a person paranoid. I don't know about that but there may be something to it from what I am hearing.

I have been posting on The Vine for almost 2 years.

I have posted on Politics #42.10, Fashion #1.29, Automobile Safety #2.70, Religion #125.6, and many other topics. On occasion drugs pop up and I give my OPINION.

Your posting is a real life anti-drug message.

When your 'opinion' is lock-stock-and-barrel boilerplate BS that is often regurgitated by the DEA and ONDCP's minions, you're going to be questioned on it.

Especially when you claim to be very experienced in something, but insist on using utterly inaccurate tales that are oft propounded by the DEA and ONDCP. If you're going to pretend that one hit of pot all but lobotimizes you, you are going to be ignored because you are either totally ignorant, or are lying through your teeth. The claim that pot is now of some mystical/mythical potency is not true, not at all. Why continue to makes claims that are totally unfounded in reality? You immediately de-legitimize yourself, and expose yourself as totally unaware of the facts.

I can only assume you think you are doing a good thing, when all you achieve is getting dismissed for spreading propaganda that folks know is simply false.

There are some that say smoking marijuana can make a person paranoid. I don't know about that but there may be something to it from what I am hearing.

Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't after you. The 'War on Drugs,' ruining MORE American lives than all illicit drugs combined for FORTY YEARS! If you think the DEA and ONDCP don't have vested interests in perpetuating this failure, you aren't paying attention.

And to an earlier point:

Many people drink for the taste of wine or beer without a need to "take the edge off"

Some do, but I wouldn't say MANY. Indeed, the VAST majority drink it for it's relaxing and 'edge-reducing' effects. Taste is NOT a highlight of alcohol. Alcohol IS a poison, you know.

My tales are MY tales they are accurate whether you agree with them or not.

I actually had never heard of ONDCP until you mentioned them.

I don't know how much the potency has gone up I certainly wouldn't trust government numbers nor would I trust pro drug numbers. I do know they have gone up.

Growing has become a science. We breed apples, oranges, watermelons, and other crops for yield and characteristics such as appearance and taste.

You don't think that is happening in the marijuana world? Climb out from under your rock.

Today we grow them in hydroponic, totally controlled, conditions. We grow for the best, the worst are ignored. No more leaf, all buds.

Is there too much smoke in your brain to understand the basics of genetics and optimum farming?

I had plenty of experience, with pot, 'shrooms, peyote, hashish, LSD, cocaine (never understood the thrill), etc.

I was very much enmeshed into the drug culture. TO MY LOSS. Only after I had been clean over a period of time did my mind begin to work the way it should, missed opportunities. Lost loves. Lost careers. Lost travels. Lost money.

In the end things turned out OK but what I really lost was years.

Some do, but I wouldn't say MANY. Indeed, the VAST majority drink it for it's relaxing and 'edge-reducing' effects. Taste is NOT a highlight of alcohol.

And that is the basis of this whole discussion. You can drink for the taste - I do. I was accused by Bluelake of lying about my usage, that ALL people that drink do it for the drunk. It is the excuse for using pot. You tend to want to hold on to that same idea. That just isn't true. You notice I only mention Wine and Beer.

On beer, I only drink microbrews. On wine I enjoy it with many meals, other times I might have grape juice, cranberry juice or ice tea.

I quit drinking for the drunk when I decided to have a family. Even though they are all grown now, and I am divorced, I still don't over indulge because if one of my kids ever called and needed help I want to be able to help.

With 4 kids, and one son that had a problem with substance abuse in High School I have stayed aware of the situation.

I also have had a unique opportunity to be able to talk with lots of kids, it seems my home is where many of them wanted to hang out because things were tough at their home and my home was safe. I didn't hide kids, their parents knew where they were.

Are there times when I have more than one drink? Certainly. If I go out with friends I have been known to drink 3 beers in 4-5 hours. Three is always my limit. At my size, 6'2 & 250, 3 isn't an awful lot.

LMAO .. I love this "Edge" thing! ~~~~"Pot" can take the edge off ... but I prefer a "woman" to do that foe me! .. lol

I don't know how much the potency has gone up I certainly wouldn't trust government numbers nor would I trust pro drug numbers. I do know they have gone up.

Then where do you get off claiming that 'today's pot' is so potent, you can't take but one hit, and are super-high? You MUST be accepting the govt's word on that, there is no other explanation for your comment.

Growing has become a science. ... You don't think that is happening in the marijuana world?

To some extent, yes. But it's not a big happy world, where all growers are carefully pruning and cross-breeding strains, there are SOME, but they are the extreme minority thus far. For the most part, it is folks raising what the can without being discovered by the police, and having their property TAKEN for 'manufacturing drugs.' Sure, SOME of what is out there is super-potent, great stuff, but the majority is still semi-swag mexican dirt-weed (and the insults don't make YOU look any brighter, and have ZERO reflection on me).

beer, I only drink microbrews. On wine I enjoy it with many meals,

If it makes you happy, great. I can't stand beer, microbrew or other, it TASTES BAD. As does wine (an affinity I have attempted to groom, with no discernible results). I'm glad YOU get to enjoy YOUR pastime, why are you so ridiculously opposed to me enjoying mine? I understand you had your troubles, and don't think I haven't had mine, but with a great career (even in this economy), a great family, nice home, and no debt, WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? You seem convinced I am a bad person, and 'lost in the smoke,' but the evidence disproves you utterly, yet you still won't accept it.

(sigh) Control-freaks, what can you do?

Then where do you get off claiming that 'today's pot' is so potent, you can't take but one hit, and are super-high?

1. EXPERIENCE!

In the late 70's I saw (experienced) a huge jump in potency in what everyone was smoking. Even the Thai sticks couldn't compare with what was becoming available. I Had Grown Used to Being High and the new stuff slammed me.

2. Talking to people. Even when I quit I still saw my friends that didn't quit. Don't know how many times I heard about how much stronger this batch was compared to the last batch.

3. Common sense. I do happen to know a little bit about genetics and the science of growing crops for certain qualities.

Are you really trying to claim the quality of pot hasn't gone up?

If it hasn't you are getting ripped off. At times we were able to pick up a good ounce (oversized) for 5 stinking dollars. Usually $10 for an oz bag. Now there is more of it on the market and the penalty for possession has gone WAY down and cost for an ounce is what? Cost of living hasn't gone up that much. In the late 60's we would easily smoke an ounce in a night, because it wasn't that strong.

But it's not a big happy world, where all growers are carefully pruning and cross-breeding strains, there are SOME

No someone else does it for them. All the grower has to do is buy the seeds. And yes they do take extreme care of the pot. Here in Oregon, illegal growers grow them hydroponically in the tree tops of the forest. They watch their crops with guns in hand, you better hope you aren't hiking in the area. They have fertilizer and elaborate irrigation systems.

Do you live in a cave? How can you not know these things?

I'm glad YOU get to enjoy YOUR pastime, why are you so ridiculously opposed to me enjoying mine?

Where did you get the idea I was opposed to you enjoying your past time? Just don't try to justify it by making the claim it is safer than drinking, or since Shakespeare might have done it, it is OK.

Paris Hilton smokes pot too, is that a plus or a minus?

I have never heard so many people try to JUSTIFY their drug use. Excuses as to why they use.

I never said I was opposed to anyone using pot, I was responding to this statement from Moonbeam:

Hummmmmmmmmm ...... It is a fact that the brightest & least ignorant & most successful people choose weed over alcohol Or cigarettes .....

How ignorant do you have to be to consume a product that is destroying your liver by the drink, or killing you by the puff? ..lol

To that I said:

I still drink - but not for a drunk. I can have a glass of wine with dinner and not be drunk.

Wine, beer etc can be enjoyed without the need to be under the influence.

People take illegal drugs for one reason - to be under the influence.

Bluelake took exception to that and called me a liar.

You are wrong on so many levels I don't know where to start. First off your statement about a glass of wine with dinner or a beer or two and not being under the influence is just plain ludicrious. You can't even be honest with yourself. You drink wine or beer because of the way it makes you feel. One glass of wine and you ARE under the influence. One drink of any kind and you love that little buzz you get. Go ahead you can admit it.

That statement was 100% untrue.

I haven't been opposed to you enjoying your pastime. I would like to see it legalized, that way I could enjoy cross-country hiking with just a compass again, and not have to worry about being killed by some illegal watching his garden grow.

No, it is you and your druggie friends that would prefer I not enjoy a glass of wine. You are the ones that say wine is so evil. A glass of wine destroying my liver. You are the people saying if you drink you must do it for the drunk.

What it really gets down to is; When people start making excuses as to why they have a habit their habit is actually a problem.

You seem convinced I am a bad person, and 'lost in the smoke,'

When did I say you were a bad person???????

I smoked too at no time have I ever thought I was a bad person. Why would I think that about you?

Sounds to me like you might actually have some guilt feelings about your use.

Why not go back and reread those posts before you start crying control freak.

One thing drugs do is mess up your perception of things.

Just don't try to justify it by making the claim it is safer than drinking

But it is. Not only does it not kill you through the side-effects of addiction and system damage (liver failure, etc), it also doesn't make you think you are stronger or faster than you are, so you don't start bar-fights, or drive home drunk. (though some folks do drive high, it should remain illegal after cannabis is legalized and regulated).

As long as you claim it is as dangerous as drinking, I will say you are wrong, because you are.

at no time have I ever thought I was a bad person. Why would I think that about you?

Hmm, let's see....

Climb out from under your rock.

Your posting is a real life anti-drug message.

I can only assume it is the weed thinking for you.

Now I don't find a NEED to "take an edge off".

No, it is you and your druggie friends that would prefer I not enjoy a glass of wine.

I never said I was opposed to anyone using pot

You don't see the overtly hostile, dismissive and denigrating tone in there? But you claim you aren't against folks using? Do you see how confusing that can be?

And I have no problem with you enjoying a glass of wine, when did I ever say that? Just don't drink and drive, and don't try to keep me and my 'druggie friends' labeled as criminals, and we don't have a problem. Continue to push for cannabis to be prohibited, and we have a problem.

Bluelake - One drink of any kind and you love that little buzz you get. Go ahead you can admit it.

JOregon - That statement was 100% untrue.

And I said you are in an extreme minority, and never called you a liar (though I DID question some of your sources, and since when didn't stoners try to convince themselves that they got a decent product, instead of dirt weed? Not being able to buy a consistent, quality product is another failing of the 'War on Drugs'). The VAST majority of those who partake in alcohol do it for the buzz, NOT for the taste, same as cannabis. You can pretend there is a difference, but you would be wrong again. You may be different, but don't begin to pretend your use is the norm, or even followed a sizable minority of imbibers, it's simply not true.

A couple of quick things here:

#1 potency in marijuana is increasing. That is a scientifically substantiated fact and there have been numerous studies on it. Yes, you can still get dirt weed (what I call "Sticks & Stones" for all the stems and seeds in it), but the big $$ is in high grade marijuana, which has potency that far exceeds anything that existed previously. This does not necessarily mean that weed of today will completely incapacitate a novice or ex-user with no tolerance, but it will certainly get them more stoned than the average weed that was available 30 years ago.

#2 despite the increase in potency, it is still safer than alcohol. No ability to direct overdose-- at all. This makes it safer than aspirin and a number of other over-the-counter medications (actually, nearly all of them).

#3 taste is an important factor for many marijuana enthusiasts. The cannabis cup, held annually in Amsterdam, includes a taste category in their overall scoring. In many respects, modern marijuana culture has a lot of similarities to whiskey culture or the microbrewing culture, awarding medals and awards in just the same way based on the overall characteristics of the product at hand, including taste.

#4 Moderation. This is key. In just the same way that someone can come home and grab a cold one from the fridge with no ill effects, someone can do the same with a bowl of green. There is no fundamental difference between the two when used in moderation. Excess in either case is blameworthy, but alcohol becomes more dangerous when used in excess than marijuana does-- this is due to the toxic nature of alcohol versus the benign nature of marijuana (this does not eliminate the inherent dangers of smoke inhalation, however-- while there is some evidence to suggest that marijuana actually combats cancer, it can and does lead to bullous lung disease after extended use). As long as either substance is used in moderation, then neither are inherently harmful nor detrimental to a productive life.

#5 Liberty extends only from personal responsibility. The longer we foster a nanny state, the more liberty we will continue to lose.

#6 --@BlahBlah, #1.47:

I would imagine that any drug used in small doses could put someone under its influence without corrupting or affecting that person's judgement. This is probably even true of LSD.

This is not true of LSD. The substance is the most powerful known hallucinogen and creates active effects off of doses measured in the micrograms (that's 1 millionth of a gram). A typical dose of LSD is between 100-500 micrograms. The amounts required to achieve effect are so minute that the discoverer of LSD, Albert Hoffman, didn't realize he had been exposed-- it had seeped through the skin of his fingers. I don't disagree with the premise of what your saying, but in relation to LSD it simply isn't accurate. :-)

Thanks all and Cheers-- and Fred, JOregon, Bluelake -- can't we all just get along? I don't think any of you have a major philosophical dispute here. On a lot of issues you are saying the same things, but (for whatever reason) your picking at one another over semantics and minor disagreements based on personal opinion.

P.S. favorite marijuana: White Rhino. Favorite Alcohol: Pussers Rum (made in original wooden pot stills for over 200 years!) Favorite beer: Sierra Nevada. Favorite microbrew: a toss up-- Turtle Mountain Brewing Companies Amnesia or Steamworks' Barley Wine. Favorite wine: I don't have a brand, but as long as it's dry and red, I'll be happy (merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, etc)...

Fred:

One of the problems with marijuana advocates, such as yourself, is you actually recognize what you are doing is drug abuse.

You do that when you justify it by comparing it to alcohol abuse.

Never once have you seen me support alcohol abuse.

ABUSE is the key word.

Doctors will tell you that eating a handful of nuts is good for you. Eating a can full of nuts is not.

The same is true with alcohol.

Various studies have shown that moderate amounts of all types of alcohol benefit your heart, not just alcohol found in red wine.

Other studies say red wine is better.

Moderate usage of wine IS healthy. No more than one drink for a woman, two for a man (on average).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089

Flavonoids. These antioxidants are found in a variety of foods, including oranges, grape juice, apples, onions, tea and cocoa. Other types of alcohol, such as white wine and beer, contain small amounts, too, but red wine has higher levels.

Nonflavonoids. These antioxidants found in red wine have recently been of particular interest because they appear to help prevent arteries from becoming clogged with fatty blockages.

When ABUSING alcohol it is a poison. I have not said one word supporting alcohol abuse.

When not abusing though, alcohol can be healthy. That is the use I have been writing about. That is the use you can't compare marijuana to.

While medical marijuana can be used to treat SYMPTOMS of various ailments, all other use is really abuse. It has NO HEALTH BENEFIT WHATSOEVER.

You want to compare your abuse with alcohol abuse, and in that I agree it is better abuse using pot.

Many young people have a need to abuse, pretty much anything. As you grow older most people begin to take better care of themselves. Sometimes it is maturity, sometimes it is medical lab tests or something like that.

I don't doubt most of the people you relate to abuse one or the other, or most likely both.

The people I relate to drink moderately only, because we want to approach our old age healthy. I'll be 60 in March, I don't look like it and I don't feel like it. I LIKE THAT. Being stoned or drunk doesn't give me that feeling.

Since you refused to accept that what I said was from my own experiences and instead informed me (control issues?) I was getting it from the DEA and ONDCP I decided to do a little research though I didn't check out what the DEA or ONDCP has to say about things.

Here is another one you can accuse me of working for (I don't) NIDA. I realize that has to mean it is bogus yet considering the actions of the guy asking to have his marijuana back (that wasn't his) and these geniuses (from my local news) - http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27319177-41/core-lutz-marijuana-car-chase.html.csp - there just might be something to it. Also I observed on reflection this happening to me and my son.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

Research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off.² As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

2. Pope HG, Gruber AJ, Hudson JI, Huestis MA, Yurgelun-Todd D. Neuropsychological performance in long-term cannabis users. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58(10):909–915, 2001.

I also found this tidbit from National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Yes it is from a Government resource, but a resource that addresses a ton of medical issues.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15089102

Depersonalisation disorder is characterised by prominent depersonalisation and often derealisation, without clinically notable memory or identity disturbances.

...

The course of the disorder is typically long term and often continuous.

...

The most common immediate precipitants of the disorder are severe stress, depression and panic, and marijuana and hallucinogen ingestion. Depersonalisation disorder has also been associated with childhood interpersonal trauma, in particular emotional maltreatment.

In fairness not everyone agrees that drug usage could cause the condition, but when you use (abuse) substances to alter the way your brain works it does seem logical that there would be a risk of altering nature. You maybe perfectly safe - OR NOT. Why take a risk?

I wonder why you need to "Take the Edge off". What is it that gives you that need?

I also used to need to "take the edge off". For a long time after I quit I had cravings, to smoke a bowl. Now I no longer have a need to "take the edge off". Even when I was going through the immense emotional stress of my divorce I had no desire to go get drunk or stoned.

This Edge thing makes me think of the cigarette smoker that smokes to relax. Of course it is the craving that raises the stress.

What really bothers me is those that figure they can get buzzed off of anything when they have children under their care.

It is one thing if the kids are at the baby sitter, but to see folks letting the 9 year old drive because they are too drunk ...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44932952/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/why-did-you-stop-me-i-was-driving-good--year-old-asks/#.Tu5o_Fbnt9s

...or letting the babies wander in the street because they just smoked a bowl.

http://www.kgw.com/home/Two-Salem-families-cited-for-toddlers-on-the-loose-90705114.html

When you become a parent you have an obligation to be 100% every time that child is under your care.

The above instances turned out OK, they don't always.

Imagine you just smoked a bowl of some awesome $4,000/oz weed grown in Exoticland and your child walks in, throws up, and has convulsions. You need to deal with it at 100% capability.

You need your "edge".

WMG

#2 - --"it is still safer than alcohol."-- Only when comparing abuse to abuse.

#4 - --"grab a cold one from the fridge with no ill effects"-- If you are just grabbing ONE cold one there will not only be no ill effects it is actually healthy. As an added bonus unless you don't weigh much you won't even feel any different nor will you be impaired at all.

It may be that the report I mentioned earlier about chronic Marijuana users operating on a suboptimal level may not be backed up with undeniable evidence but sometimes you have to wonder if maybe it is true.

http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=135826538&fPath=/news/local&fDomain=10202

Potheads may not be as dangerous as drunks but that doesn't mean there aren't consequences.

One of the problems with marijuana advocates, such as yourself, is you actually recognize what you are doing is drug abuse.

You have no idea if I abuse any substance, and yes, any substance can be abused (even water or aspirin). My issue is with the concept that ANY use of cannabis constitutes abuse. It simply is not so, and you don't seem willing to admit the possibility. I can see I've wasted my time here, you are looking through for points at which to pick, and not actually attempting to come to any reasonable conclusion. Have a nice day.

JOregon,

Just not following your logic. Alcohol is far less healthy including deaths due to impairment. Don't need a study to tell me that. I've been drunk and high before I know the difference. You are more like me because you do not smoke anymore and drink moderately. Alcohol is extremely destructive and leads to crime and physical abuse. But society has spoken. We know that a lot of people can not handle alcohol but our civil liberties are that we can drink a glass of wine. I personally have two close friends that are highly successful with Doctor degrees that smoke. Who am I to tell them what to do. I questioned it based upon my perspective but these guys are successful, their wives don't seem to care, who am I to prohibit their freewill. I would guess the majority of my friends from HS and college do not smoke anymore. I do not think it is addictive but a personal choice. People like us quit because it is a waste of time. I was always amazed when someone would smoke before studying. I could not do that in a million years.

Fred You said you used Marijuana to get high - to take the edge off - that is abuse.

As a medicine Marijuana has a purpose.

Needing to alter or numb your awareness is actually abuse.

The question is, WHY do you need to numb yourself from the world around you?

Patrick

Alcohol abuse is much more destructive than Cannabis abuse, I have said that.

On the other hand 1 or 2 drinks - whichever still keeps you from being under the influence - has medical benefits.

What I said above:

Moderate usage of wine IS healthy. No more than one drink for a woman, two for a man (on average).

This is according to medical studies relating to the heart.

There is strong evidence the most beneficial thing to drink is red wine from grapes grown in a cool climate, such as an Oregon Pinot Noir.

Marijuana is NEVER considered to be healthy. It does have medical benefits to help relieve symptoms for some people with various ailments. Much like Ibuprofen can be used for various ailments.

When you use something (no matter what), to feel different, then you have crossed over into abuse. Especially when you feel you NEED that substance to - for instance - "take the edge off".

Personally I am very thankful that I am not a slave to any of these things. OK maybe I need to work on my coffee need. Other than that, I feel better knowing I am clean than I did when I wasn't.

I do not think it is addictive but a personal choice.

It is addictive. Not like Alcohol, Heroin, or Cigarettes, but it is addictive. I was addicted. When I decided I didn't want to smoke anymore I had difficulty quitting. Some people can walk away from it, some people (like my mother did) can walk away from cigarettes too.

The whole notion that there is a guy in this country "STANDING TRIAL" for a bag of freakin grass is total and utter moronic BS.

You got the judge taking time off from other cases at taxpayers expense, the cop who is off the street and not fighting real crime, taking time off at taxpayers expense, you got the kid who, if not properly defended, will get put through the system and might have this crap on his record for WHAT? a bag of weed? Give me a break.. not to mention this whole judge-cop exchange is not even the actual TRIAL.. WTF is this Saudi Arabia?

What a ridiculous waste of taxpayer dollars. The cops should have given the pot back and apologized for wasting everyone's time. It's because of stupid charges like this that we citizens are asked to serve on a jury at $10 a day while everyone else gets rich.

Yeah, and I want my crack back, too!!!

He also asked for a dozen donuts and a bag of fritos!

I'm not sure how a simple question of "Officer, can I have my weed back" gives all these people in here enough material to evaluate the young man and to come up with the final results of him being stupid. How did he ask the officer this question? Was it in a joking way or was it a mocking way? I wasn't there, so I don't know how the question was phrased. Hmm so many in here so quick to judge. Sounds to me like theres so many people out there that need to make themselves a little drink and then smoke a doobie, so they can relax a little and get back to the basics of life and not judge people and to treat others as they would like to be treated.

"...and some funyons. And water, lots of water."

Why do Republicans and right wingers always try to denigrate the ACLU when they always claim to be the "champions of the constitution". The ACLU is the there to protect constitutional rights for ALL Americans. Seems a bit hypocritical to me..oh wait we are talking about Republicans, my bad......

Mary, A friend of mine explained it to me in Beaumont,Tx. (Now use your best Texas drawl) "Michael, Y'all just can't fix stupid." So, in essence your right, but give them enough time, they will come up with a way.

Dan, they do it, because they only see the ACLU as fighting for minorities or people not like them. If they really take a lot at the cases the ACLU have taken up over the years, they would see that they have also defended various hate groups based on the fact that they were constitutionally being denied certain rights. It's easy to demonize something, when the constant drum beat about it is negative from the right. I am not happy with all of their cases that I know about, but I understand why they champion the cause at that particular time.

You are absolute full of it! Ask Rush Limbaugh!

Sheer idiocy! Not forgetting the code but we have got to be honest.

I love the comments here, maybe instead of smoking the crap they should get an education. I see very little intelligence from all the pot heads. I love the one who justifies smoking by saying his friends smoke it all the time and would never ask a cop for the weed back. But then can't spell correctly. REALLY PEOPLE??? Maybe we should make Heroine and all other forms of dope legal so the losers could all be on the system, then let the taxpayers pay for more welfare and food stamps for the losers.

But then can't spell correctly.

Really?

should make Heroine and all other forms of dope legal

(Sigh) Yes, it MUST be the drugs making people dumb!

Nice Fred Evil!!! Maybe we should let the system make the heroes and heroines illegal! haha. I know plenty of bad spellers and they don't touch anything, drugs or alcohol. And really, marijuana in no way should be in the same category as heroin. You have to be joking. I am pretty positive the only marijuana anyone has ever died from was synthetic. Plenty of people have od'd from heroin.

I'm a pothead. I am also a college graduate, read 2-4 books a week, and better yet, I can spell the word "Heroin". I will gladly challenge any non-pothead to any kind of mental challenge that they would like - spelling, grammar, trivia, history, literature, or anything else.

Don't assume things about people when you have no knowledge of what you are talking about. It makes you look like a bigger idiot than the 19 year old kid we are discussing.

lynnial, usa may not be able to spell and you assume he's a pot head. what's the excuse for mark's problems with the english language? pot doesn't make you dumb, it's just a coincidence that alot of dumb people smoke it. by the way

I love the one who justifies smoking by saying his friends smoke it all the time and would never ask a cop for the weed back. But then can't spell correctly.

i smoke pot and know that that shouldn't be two sentences.

Careful Devon, being smart and a contributing member of society is no longer enough. You have to toe the line, and insist that non-addictive and non-lethal drugs like cannabis are DANGEROUS.

Never mind a 4.0 GPA, never mind kids in AAP, never mind owning homes, paying taxes, or holding down 2 jobs, never mind being quoted, referenced and a go-to guy, if you even CONSIDER cannabis, you are a criminal, and therefore an 'undesirable!'

In response to Devon-4058088: Well said!!

You got that RIGHT! Dan-629304, The Republicans are HYPOCRITES!

In that town they were uniforms.

Hypocricy ins't just a republican thing RevRob, it's a human thing! Get a clue and stop blaming people.

How do you profile stupid? If you carry a voter ID card stating you are a registered Republican, You are licensed to be "stupid"

I am a college graduate and am gainfully employed as the Purchasing Manager for a major distribution company. I am a wife and mother. I volunteer my time at school and with various charities. I can spell and I pay my bills on time. I also smoke every day, and have for years.

I hate to break it to you, but people from all walks of life smoke weed. Your doctor, your lawyer, your cashier at Wal-Mart. Just because you don't see them doing it, doesn't mean they don't go home, kick of their shoes, and puff on a joint to relax after a hard day.

Smoking weed doesn't make you stupid or a drain on society. Stupid people who smoke weed were just born stupid. Let's face it, not everyone is cut out to be a CEO. Not everyone is as intelligent as the next person.

This nonsensical "war on drugs" needs to end.

Yeah RevRob, Republicans are all terrible people and you're not an idiot in a class of your own but a member of a large group of fools that think like you.

I love the comments here, maybe instead of smoking the crap they should get an education. I see very little intelligence from all the pot heads. I love the one who justifies smoking by saying his friends smoke it all the time and would never ask a cop for the weed back. But then can't spell correctly. REALLY PEOPLE??? Maybe we should make Heroine and all other forms of dope legal so the losers could all be on the system, then let the taxpayers pay for more welfare and food stamps for the losers.

Really? Maybe you should know how to use proper grammar before calling other people "dumb".

I know a guy who is a college graduate, smokes weed, has a 3.0+ GPA, and is one of the smartest people I've met. Maybe you should meet people like him, as well as doing actual research on cannabis and its effects, before posting here.

As said before, cannabis is one of the least potent substances around. It would take far, far too much cannabis to even physically be able to smoke to cause an overdose. Alcohol is even more dangerous than marijuana.

Why is marijuana illegal in the first place? Politics, pure and simple.

Without marijuana illegalized, how would the police illegal substance sector and drug testing industry make as much profit as they do? 50% of people that go in for drug testing test positive for cannabis (can't find the source ATM, but I know I stumbled across that statistic while researching for my college paper).

Let us not act like there are not successful alcoholics and addicts of stronger drugs than pot. That's just stupid.

I'm willing to bet that if we compare the successful lives of NON pot smokers to the lives of successful potheads...the numbers would be in favor of NON-addict persons. Just because you are a pothead and have a nice life, doesn't mean that you are successful BECAUSE of pot. I'm sure numbers would show statistics to the contrary.

Pot should NEVER be made legal and I'm disgusted at the amount of BS diagnoses that people use that get to float around with a potholder card. It's horrible. Doctors should be ashamed of their health practices these days, but that's a whole different article.

Quit acting like your life is so great even though you are a pothead Devon & Fred Evil. You have beaten the odds. It's awesome that you have good lives, good for you. But you make it sound like pot is a gateway drug to success. That's just not happening. Get real!

usa1- Did you read your post after you wrote it? What you say would have more credibility if you read it twice and then used spell check.

Annoyed,

I re-read both Devon and Fred's posts, and no where in there did I see that they think their lives are so great BECAUSE of the fact that they smoke weed - you are putting words in their mouths.

If you are so sure that statistics would show anything, please provide them for our perusal. I'm failing to find any fact or reason in your post, just a lot of anger and indignance about something you obviously know nothing about. If you are trying to make a point, please provide actual evidence to back it up. Simply saying that you're personally sure of something doesn't make it believable.

My ex smoked it every day...we used to argue about it because he would then say he didn't have the money to do certain things he needed to do in his life, plus the fact that you could smell it on him...if you work out in public that can be a bit of a problem.

No problem smoking it...just don't spend your money and then bitch about it.

Besides, there are much better ways to get high w/o using drugs...

I'm just sayin'....

Sounds like it wasn't weed that was the problem with your ex - sounds to me like he simply didn't have his priorities straight.

Driving Stoned, Drunk, Tired, Texting, Talking on your Cell phone, Eating, Changing clothes, Reading, Putting on makeup, etc is a BAD IDEA!!!

So ya the guy needs to do some time and he needs to have his weed taken away.

Most everyone understands all of those things I listed are bad to do while driving - except the Pot Heads will try to make the argument Cannabis is somehow OK to do while driving.

I highly doubt that anyone who smokes pot ("pot heads" included) are going to tell you it's a good idea to do while driving.

"Most" people understand that doing those things while driving are a bad idea. That, however, doesn't prevent thousands of people doing them on a daily basis across the country.

You can't legislate stupidity.

I'm a Republican and I've smoked pot just about every single day for the past 10-15 years (I am turning 30 in March). I coasted through college and ended up graduating Cum Laude with a 3.69 GPA. Imagine what I might have gotten if I had to actually apply myself instead of already having taught myself the material years ahead of time. Unlike most of the people I see commenting on MSNBC and Newsvine, I can actually use correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. I'm willing to bet my algebra skills are also better than most on these forums -- they have to be considering I'm a software developer. I own a home, a car, and am starting a family.

So what's the moral of my story? Don't judge every book by its cover. All Republicans are not religious. All Republicans aren't against gay marriage. All Republicans aren't for this insane "War on Drugs." And finally, all people who smoke pot aren't stupid. It's time to stop drinking the kool-aid and listening to the propaganda, folks.

Georgia

The story was about some guys driving around smoking pot.

Now go back to Mary at the top of this thread, #3:

smoking weed is harmless....unless the cop won't give it back

lynnial, so my spelling is bad, and yours is better??? heroine ??? why is this always a spelling bee? if you don`t like the comment just say so. this guy was dumb !! oh well .pot did not do that ,blame his parents.

My girlfriend will smoke some pot at the drop of a hat. Loves the stuff. Shes 50 and a accountant, she actually does balance the books down to a dollar for a pretty big business thats spending millions in her dept. She good looking and built like nobodies business too. I like that part. But back to the debate here, she says it helps her out a lot with cramps and other pain issues and it relaxes her mind enough after work to be able to get into her family and the other things she does for charities and volunteer work. I can see the difference in her when she has pot and when she dosen't have it, but if you don't know her like I do, then maybe you wouldn't be able to notice the difference. So now I'm no dummy either, I'll buy some pot and hide it and then when she dosen't have any I'll pull my stuff out and give it to her. Thats where that great personality and body she has when smoking pot comes into play for me, lol. (I'm not saying she has a beautiful body or personality because she smokes pot, ok, but when she smokes a little it does bring out her lovely personality, it just seems to bloosom) A true treat for me and I do enjoy smoking a little with her on occasion and to get into a little discussion with her about one thing or another, she likes that and it helps me to sleep better. She's a real treat and makes my life beautiful. So I say legalize the stuff, I really think it benificial to some people to smoke it.

MSDNC; I can understand and agree with most of your post, only one thing, why are you still a republican for? Too high? No, I know thats not it and I was kidding about that. Ok, I'm thinking that maybe you have to register republican because of work, I know its not right but theres places that still think like that now days. Why else would you be a republican for if your not behind them with all the things you posted.

Joe, you seem to have hit your stash a little early! It's not 4:20 yet!

JOregon,

Mary didn't advocate driving and smoking weed at the same time.

She was merely trying to crack a joke, which obviously is lost on those of you that have no sense of humor.

Painting my toenails is harmless too. That doesn't mean I advocate for doing it while driving.

Come on now....you're arguing with me just for the sake of arguing.

Whatever you say Georgia

chochabalua; Its 5:00 somewhere, lol, just like its 4:20 someplace too. Actually I haven't hit the stash at all yet today, but the more I read the posts in here I just may have too. My girlfriend is out shopping tonight and I'm on my own, bummer. I guess its time.

GeorgiaGal post #3.27

I highly doubt that anyone who smokes pot ("pot heads" included) are going to tell you it's a good idea to do while driving.

"Most" people understand that doing those things while driving are a bad idea. That, however, doesn't prevent thousands of people doing them on a daily basis across the country.

You can't legislate stupidity.

Georgia Gal--You mentioned in a previous post that you were a wife and mother and that you smoke pot every day. In this post you assert that driving under the influence of pot is not a good idea. Who drives your children around?

Well at least we know she is not beating her kids in the back seat while she is suppose to be driving. Hey GA girl, I want a wife like you one day.

Oh and I have a BS in Physics and I use to dabble. Some people take man made Xantex for stress or opiate based drugs for pain or headaches. Some people eat skiddles for stomach aches, who cares as long as you get up off your ass and go to work(sober).

AnnoyedMthrOfOne-Quit acting like your life is so great even though you are a pothead Devon & Fred Evil. You have beaten the odds.

Um, NO, no I haven't! The VAST majority of Cannabis Aficionados are hard-working, tax-paying, home-owning, college-graduating, child-rearing, American CITIZENS!!

But you don't see that, because the DEA and ONDCP have got you so brain-washed into thinking that using cannabis makes you totally incapacitated. IT DOES NOT. The majority of us are VERY capable, and simply prefer to relax with a FAR SAFER drug than alcohol or tobacco!

Alcohol KILLS 75,000 Americans per year.

Tobacco KILLS ~450,000 Americans per year.

Cannabis kills ZERO Americans per year.

Ah yes, I see, the POTHEADS are the dumb ones! (/sarc)

Fred

Actually there have been accidents, and not only automotive, that happened when stoned and people have lost their lives.

Direct cause of death like, liver disease, is where you can make your argument.

JOregon -

"Whatever you say Georgia"

Very mature of you. I guess you put me in my place. I may have to go home and cry myself to sleep tonight.

Girl Kryptonite -

"You mentioned in a previous post that you were a wife and mother and that you smoke pot every day. In this post you assert that driving under the influence of pot is not a good idea. Who drives your children around?"

I was actually wondering if anyone was going to ask that since I really wasn't very clear in my initial post. I do not smoke until the very end of the day, after the munchkins are sound asleep in bed, and after my work and chores for the day are done, and I have no where to go. I would never, ever drive my child around after smoking - the same as I would never do it after drinking or taking any sort of prescription medicine that may effect me.

I personally don't see any issues with having a toke before bed, anymore than I do having an occasional glass of wine when I come home from work. That doesn't mean that I think it's OK to drink three bottles of wine or anything. Everything in moderation, and be smart about it. That's really the issue here. It's not the fact that people smoke weed. It's the fact that they are stupid. Same thing with the people who leave the bar after being there for 5-hours and drives himself home because it's "just down the street". You can outlaw drugs, alcohol, or just about anything else, but you can't outlaw stupid, and unfortunately, that's the real issue.

Googlesmart -

"Well at least we know she is not beating her kids in the back seat while she is suppose to be driving. Hey GA girl, I want a wife like you one day."

LOL, thanks, that made me smile! You should talk to my husband - I'm sure he would tell you that being married to me isn't so fun when I'm nagging him about the same thing for the 900th time!

Georgia

Not a whole lot more I can say.

The kids were driving around stoned. Mary said

smoking weed is harmless....unless the cop won't give it back

I said it is not harmless when driving - as those kids were doing and you went to confusion land.

The fact is, a great number of people that smoke think they are perfectly able to drive.

The excuse is usually, it is better than drinkin'.

JOregon,

That's really the issue here. It's not the fact that people smoke weed. It's the fact that they are stupid. Same thing with the people who leave the bar after being there for 5-hours and drives himself home because it's "just down the street". You can outlaw drugs, alcohol, or just about anything else, but you can't outlaw stupid, and unfortunately, that's the real issue

Georgia

I can agree with that.

I apologize for not really understanding where you were coming from.

Georgia

You say you don't use until the kids are in bed.

That is your choice.

When I started a family I made a decision to never be under the influence unless the kids were at Grandma's or some other location.

I never wanted to have to address any emergency if I was not 100%.

One time that paid off. My 6year old had an astronomical temperature. I rushed her to the doctor. She had pneumonia. Now she is 24

@Joe, re: your girlfriend uses cannabis to fight the cramps. My wife does too-- nothing else works even remotely as well.

Sounds like something Hitler would say.

Well I have, and they usually are intelligent enough to not use a screen name such as Emo-Eating Possum. Racist bastard. If you're the hiring manager, I suppose all the Devonte resumes go right in the trash because they can't possibly be intelligent, right?

Devonte Davon Jeter

Two scrabble names, Devonte and Davon.

I've never met an intelligent person named Emo-Eating Possum.

Referring to someone as racist is acceptable debate decorum but the use of bastard is just childish. And what race are these people in the article?

It seems racism is implied only by you Mike. (according only to the above story)

Mike, while you may see implied racism in Emo-'s post, that is simply not what is written. There are white men with similar names who act like idiots (Delonte West - NBA player comes to mind). A made up name such as Devonte generally speaks to the environment in which the child was born and raised - primarily due to the education and socioeconomic status of the parents, whether you like it, associate it with race, see it as a stereotype, or think it is politically correct or not.

Is this true in all cases? Absolutely not. However, not everything is inherently right or wrong and the world operates primarily in different shades of gray.

Freakonomics does a great piece on the correllations between childrens' names, race, socioeconomic status, and future success backed up by actual data that I suggest you read if you have the time and interest.

Mike 588190; Grandpa always said "When you point one finger at a man, there are three pointing back at you."

To borrow a phrase from the late, great Richard Pryor (slightly edited for cleanliness) - "I told you that "stuff" would make you ignorant!"

So implied racism is okay with you Ed?

And Delonte West is just as black as our president.

Mr. espliff; Not being a big sports freak, I wikipedia'd Mr. West and I am sorry to tell you right there in the first paragraph it describes him as "american", not "african-american" so, I guess that shoots down your post.

harley, what race is american? it's not one. from that article you must have only read the first line of

West is of African American and Piscataway Indian descent.^[8]

Mr Hatr; (what race is american? it's not one....) EXACTLY, I am only trying to instill in this thread is that we don't need to bring a mans skin color into something that reads like an old Cheech and Chong skit gone wrong. Please see my first line above to Mary.

And , No I did not read past the first line.

So implied racism is okay with you Ed?

Was that your takeaway? No. You're putting words in my mouth in the same manner that Mike-588190 did to Emo-Eating Possum. YOU interpreted the statement as implied racism, when in fact you don't know if that was the original intent of the message.

Let's see. I'm the tenth of 11 children raised on a tenant dairy farm in Upstate N.Y. My Mom was from Tennesee. We are Scottish/English/French descent, as far back as I've traveled. We as children from the age of about 7, had to work for the wealther farmer milking cows, tapping trees for maple, building fences and haying it, etc.; just to pay the rent for the tenant house we lived in, un-insulated by the way. I for one never knew I was poor until I went to school and someone told me. I started smoking pot at age 12, and quit the day I signed the papers to join the USMC. Haven't smoked since. But, I guess my point is, Marijauana should be legal, taxed and STATE controlled. As far as racism goes, I would have to consider me and my siblings slaves, as the only thing we got in return for countless hours of labor was a roof over an extremely cold house, and free milk at first, then it went up to .25 cent's a gallon, but we had to drudge through the fiedls of snow, (shortcuts), and most of the time by the time we got home with the gallon, it was nearly frozen. So what's my point? I guess it's if you can't handle your vices, pot, MJ, liquor, then stop using them. If your vices cause you problems in society, perhaps you should rethink your priorities. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but moderation of marijuana use, as in alcohol, wine, etc. is fine with me. Just don't abuse it, or use it to hurt others.

actually... the guy had to assume race was behind it when he stated it as so... he had to assume that devonte is a default african american name... lol which to be honest most of the time it is.

Doesn't have to worry about finding a coffee cup or key chain with that name on it! Custom made, all the way...

I think it's safe to say that the pot had nothing to do with his stupidity. With or without it, he'd probably be just as dumb. Marijuana is indeed legitimate medicine for many, as are many herbs that are grown throughout the world. If I didn't use marijuana, I'm quite sure that I'd be on a few medications for various reasons. As it stands, I haven't taken so much as an asprin in 10 years. Yes - many people do stupid things when they use marijuana. And they should either not use it, or use it strictly in the confines of their home when they've got a few hours to burn (pun intended). But there are also many more people who do and experience great things while under the influence. When the last time you heard of a "pothead" killing someone in a "stoned" rage? Or killing a family on the way home during the holidays while driving home after having a spliff "or two" with a friend. As someone told me "stoners wait for the stop sign to turn green. Drunks just blow right through it". If you don't use it, I respect that, but that does not make you special and more than being a marijuana user makes me special.

That's fine Ed, but I'm not buying that shade of gray.

The clear black and white issue is that marijuana needs to be decriminalized. This kid probably did not have the greatest opportunity for success in life. Now with a senseless drug charge on his record his chances of being productive has been greatly diminished. As with all MJ offenders trying to pass a background check for a job or trying to obtain a federal student loan for school.

The war on Marijuana is one of the most destructive things that we have done to our own people in the last 100 years. It is absolutely unconscionable what our government (i.e. all of us) has done to it's own people. Jailing perfectly normal, productive citizens because they want to alter their consciousness by smoking a plant will be seen as one of the biggest human rights violations in the first world in this century.

"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."
Abraham Lincoln

I love my marijuana as much as the next stoner but calling it "the biggest human rights violation in the first world in this century" is going a bit far.

That said, the government should legalize it and stop throwing kids like this in jail for smoking something that is completely harmless. Concentrate on the drunk drivers and other crimes that actually result in victims.

Sorry but it was Tricky Dick Nixion in 73 not Nancy. Nancy was the one who came up with the ZERO TOLERENCE back in the 80s.A boat captain lost his 105 ft.. ocean tug when the COAST GAURD found a pot seed in a vacuam cleaner during a routine safty inspection in the FLA. KEYS.Man those job creatiors ,good for us then and good for us now:(

I think if you were a black kid, who when caught with weed has a higher than 80% chance of getting jail time (white kids have a less than 10% chance) you might agree more with the human rights violation statement.

Name a government policy that has adversely affected people more (in the western world) than drug prohibition in the last 100 years. Name a more unjust law that has affected millions of people. There may be worse things, but none of them affected that many people. I could go on with statistics, especially about the black community. Drug prohibition has managed to destroy entire communities.

Aside from wartime atrocities, of course.

I'm pretty sure it's impossible to find anything worse that was committed during times of peace. The government is essentially denying productive citizens the right to be part of society, in a manner that's completely unfair and unscientific.

Legalize it and tax the sale of it.

(That would mean grown for personal use is not taxed- kinda like tomatoes in the store are taxed, but if you have a garden they are not)

Wow, thanks for the thought-provoking input.

Because they will analyze it through a bong....

Hey gop, take it easy on dumbass! He just forgot what he was going to finish with!

Also, how much in fines will be made against this young man who probably cannot pay them? How much did his lawyer or public defender charge and not get paid? How many times did he go to the court house for trial only to have it postponed for another day? Then he gets stopped for a bad tail light and the entire process of charges start again because the fine wasn't paid. Or a more likely senario is that a relative: parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters who had nothing to do with it pay his bail and fines, lawyer and court costs and JUSTICE is served. Total lunancy.

Because it's somehow the man's fault he committed a crime...

Because the laws are so broken that they have outlawed something that makes no sense to outlaw Ruken.

Man up and admit BAD LAWS EXIST.

Breaking laws to prove they are unjust are not the answer. If that were the case how many abortion clinic bombings would be happening from religious freaks every day?

Is that the type of country you want to live in?

Ruken, this is America. It's never the criminals fault.

Talk about taking a polar opposite of ignorance, and boosting it on steroids to an extreme of stupidity.

Well, if anyone can handle it, it's Ruken!

Fred talking about others' "stupidity" is ironic.

LOL, I'll stack my existence against yours ANY DAY princess!

Sure thing. You do that.

If abortion clinic bombings exhibit a resurgence, we know where to look.

Ruken, an 1/8 of pot and an abortion clinic bombing aren't comparable. But you knew that, you Republican-sponsored troll.

I know that breaking a law to speak out against it isn't right.

Where would you draw the line? You don't like it? Call your legislator, protest, call a lawyer. There are so many legal ways to enact change. Breaking the law isn't one of them.

You don't like it? Too bad. Stop complaining when you get pinched.

That's funny though, apparently I'm a republican in this thread, but I'm a democrat in the fracking thread for supporting the EPA.

What am I? Because clearly you can't be both.

Good on you for supporting the EPA, it's your nonsensical support for the DEA that throws us.

What are you Ruken? In this case I would say you are wrong.

And where do we draw the line?

VIOLENCE! Most people don't need to have this concept explained to them that explicitly, they just know it through common sense (evidently you are the exception to this rule). Smoking a joint and killing people and destroying property by blowing up an abortion clinic are somewhat different. There is no 'slippery slope' argument here. Any law that is intended to protect citizens from injury of fraud is, by definition, a "Just" law. Any law that infringes of the freedoms, reproductive rights, or personal moral decisions of an individual would be what I considered unjust.

Sometimes things don't need to be complicated.

Civil disobedience is by definition something that involves breaking an unjust law. However, it needs to be done in the context of a protest, so maybe they should all march on the streets, smoke weed, and allow themselves to be arrested, after which the law might change.

Unfortunately it's much easier to break it in a private setting, without a massive risk of getting caught.

Because it's somehow the man's fault he committed a crime...

No Ruken, it's because it shouldn't have been a crime in the first place. His arrest and future (almost certain) conviction will follow this poor kid for the rest of his days. Is this really what we want, the destruction of yet another generation?

I have a senior in high school who occasionally likes to light one up with his friends. He is an honors student, has a full load of AP classes, has a near-perfect GPA, got a national scholar recognition, has already been offered full rides by several universities, is a calculus ace, etc etc. Do you know that that could all go down the crapper if he is caught with a joint? Did you know that in order to apply for a school loan, one of the first things you are asked is whether you have ever been arrested for any drug charges? Who benefits?

I almost want to give the kid a little credit, asking for it back, lol. At least he tried, lol. But seriously, I think he's going to pay for that remark now. He's going to pay fines out the goozie now, then he'll have to take classes and he's paying for all this too. Who knows maybe even put one of those hickies on the car where if your high it won't start? I'm not sure if they have them for pot. But he's paying for all this stuff and its not cheap and then he's going to pay higher rates on his insurance. So making that remark wasn't a very smart thing for him to do. Would a good attorney be able to get them off this charge if no one admitted to it? When something like this happens you have the choice of not saying anything and thats a good time to exercise that choice. Wait, don't say anything til your attorneys present and even then don't say much. Give the attorney a chance to win the case for you.

@SPARTAN- Maple Nut Crunch!

haha!

You got that right.

The war on drugs. What a waste of time and resources. While the cop was standing there talking to this guy 3 drivers probably sped by high from alcohol.

.....alcohol is a depressant.

And your point is...???

sjb-1933008

The war on drugs. What a waste of time and resources. While the cop was standing there talking to this guy 3 drivers probably sped by high from alcohol.

.....alcohol is a depressant.

The sky is blue.

Yes, alcohol is a depressant. It will cause a drunk's foot to "depress" the accelerator. Drunks typically drive over the speed limit--there is plenty of evidence to support that. There is also evidence that indicates that someone driving under the influence of cannabis is more likely to drive under the speed limit.

when i get drunk i don't FEEL depressed. actually, it's pretty much the exact opposite.

The point is that drunk people tend to drive faster, less carefully, and they aren't able to react fast enough. Drunk driving often poses a threat to everyone. Stoned driving is generally slow and nothing more than a nuisance.

i don't think so. i've ridden with people who were high who had no business driving. it's not that they drove reckless but rather didn't pay alot of attention to what they were doing. i believe in legalization but the same rules for alchohol should be applied. no driving, operating heavy machinery and so on.

There we go. It's one thing to be stoned in a social setting, it's another to be stoned while driving or working. Why can't the damn politicians see this?

Oh yeah, most of them have been willfully blind for the past 50 years, that's why.

Wow, you are a true genius. Why is every Gary I meet a complete and utter failure?

Hey gop, you're they one who joined the club so stop complaining!

lmao at gop because I haven't met a successful Gary either. I knew one friend who had a loser dad named Gary and he set around and farted all day. haha

Sorry Gary Chicago but be different and give Gary a better name.

Successful Gary? Sure. Governor Gary Johnson. Good guy. Wanted to decriminalize pot.

Because rightwing nutcases want to control what we ingest in our bodies...talk about government interference...controlling what goes into our bodies...

Because we have yet to eradicate conservatism. Give it a few years.

As a counterpoint to your biased statement I refer you to the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act," being campaigned by the Obamas as a liberal version of controling "what we (our children) ingest in our bodies."

The Obamas don't want kids having access to "soda, chips, cookies, brownies, and other sugary and salty treats" and as someone who seems to support the legalization of marijuana I would figure that you'd be against the removal of "munchies".

In the end both political parties are guilty of infringing upon people's rights to dictate what people may consume. Modern politics is about people control rather than protection of people's freedoms and we'd all be better off if as a nation we realized that and demanded true change. I hope that is something we all can agree on.

Good lord REL2, there is a HUGE difference between, "Be smart, don't eat too much sugar, cookies, brownies etc." and making it ILLEGAL like the conservatives did with cannabis.

Seriously, the apples called, and they want you to stop talking *&#* about the oranges.

Jaymanto, because it's illegal. Whether you like or agree with the law or not, that's the law. There are laws I don't like either, but that's just the way it is.

Was that your excuse when it was illegal to date interracially? Because the law said so?

Your freedom is more valuable than you seem to know.

They ARE making it illegal for the school districts who may be fined if they do not fall inline with the USDA's new regulations. Control is control. Freedom is freedom. If I as a parent think its OK for my child to have 1 soda and 1 bag of chips that we PAY for out of a vending machine (not subsidized by the government), that is our perogative. Speaking of apples and oranges, whats worse, outlawing the sale of soda to my child or weed? Come on.

Its not a friendly public service annocement about the health implications of eating sugar, it is the prohibition of selling common (and legal) food products on school grounds. Next they'll be confiscating bags of chips that kids bring in the lunches their parents make. Its all a slippery slope of control and everyone needs to open their eyes to it.

Please, are you saying it's your right as a parent, to have vending machines to sell your kid crappy food?!

SERIOUSLY?!

Send it with them to school. Not having vending machines on the property is the least of your worries!

@REL2: People's control of what they put into their bodies has led to about a third of this country being obese, and over half of it being overweight.

Then those same people whine about health-care costs.

People are demonstrating that they can't make healthy choices.

People are demonstrating that they can't make healthy choices.

Which has NOTHING to do with cannabis, since it is non-addictive, and non-lethal.

Smoking anything isn't good for your respiratory system.

Who says you have to smoke it? That's rather old-school (even though studies show that there is NO increased risk from cancer) Ever heard of a vaporizer? No carcinogens involved there, no smoke.

Or edibles? Plenty of stuff can be made from the oil, no carcinogens there either.

Only read a few of your post fred evil but i gotta say you make some good points to these people that comment to you....pretty much common sense but alot of people lack it

REL, big difference between the soda and weed, your kid can buy soda anywhere BUT school. where can you buy weed? you can only buy it illegally.

Keeping weed illegal is absolutely senseless, considering that tobacco can be sold in stores and cartels get most of their profit from weed.

But yeah, these days nearly all politicians want nothing but power. They're not there to serve anyone but themselves (and possibly their party).

@Rick - The right wing is trying to control what goes into your body? Read much? Bloomberg is a democrat, he's referred to as the "Salt King" (believe it was Time that gave him the title) because of his desire to control your salt intake. He's already controlled what oil is used at restaurants etc. Obama has given his ok to bust the marijuana stores in various states namely California. Your theory only republicans want to control what goes into your body is shot out of the water. I don't care if you take pot shots at republicans, I can't stand them, but at least know your own party a bit better before mouthing off, democrats aren't any better.

As for this story, this is hilarious. Some people shouldn't smoke pot. On the other hand some people shouldn't drink.

We need to stop the war on drugs it's not working. People seek escapism whether through alcohol, drugs, the bible or any of a dozen other avenues. We're no different than other animals, they get high too. Anyone read the story about the drunk moose caught in a tree eating fermented apples? Stories about drunk deer? There is a tree in Uganda, when the fruit ferments every animal in the area (giraffes, monkeys, birds, elephants etc) come to eat the fruit, drunk giraffes and elephants are very funny.

Legalize and end a war with a never ending price tag. Spend all that wasted money elsewhere. There are many ancillary benefits to legalization, other countries have legalized and drug use has dropped, the same will happen here.

Thanks CT, but the problem is, is MUCH harder to change people's minds, once they've been told over and over and over and over about how bad something is, even when there is mountains of scientific data that thoroughly debunks the majority of the DEA's and ONDCP's claims.

Entrenched opinion is tough to change, even when all the facts are against it.

Just saw this article the other day and it reminded me of this 'discussion' we were having.

"A Hoke County preschooler was fed chicken nuggets for lunch because a state worker felt that her homemade lunch did not have enough nutritional value...The West Hoke Elementary School student was in her More at Four classroom when a state agent who was inspecting lunch boxes decided that her packed lunch — which consisted of a turkey and cheese sandwich, a banana, apple juice and potato chips — “did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines,”

"The student’s mother told the Journal she received a note from the school about the incident and was charged $1.25 for the cafeteria tray, from which her daughter only ate three chicken nuggets."

Fascism is taking hold people. I would think that people who campaign for freedom to ingest "non-toxic, non-addictive, blah, blah, blah, weed would be sympathetic to other instances of the government overstepping its boundaries to regulate / dictate what we put in our bodies. (Inevitably you'll find a way to differentiate the two and call me crazy while defending weed indefinitely.)

This incedent is the first of many unless we take a stand against this infringement on our rights. Good luck getting weed legalized if a turkey sandwhich with potato chips is deamed unacceptable. SERIOUSLY!!! Think about the big picture rather than towing the partisan party line. Freedom is freedom, rights are rights. There are reasonable laws and unreasonable laws. We should all agree that this inspector over stepped their bounds here. Period.

And blah, blah, blah....fox news... blah, blah, blah. Its a story that happened. There is no spin, no bias, just the news folks. Its not fiction. It happend.

Yes, it is the law now, but this so called "anti-drug" law is wrong. Many times throughout human history the laws have been wrong or unfair and this is another case. And we respect this laws even though they are wrong because WE ARE AS STUPID as this 19 year old guy. Yes, this guy will only get a slap on the hand, but many others are actually killing themselves and other innocent people to get the weed to the consumers. We need to start VOTING for politicians who are IN FAVOR OF DECRIMINALIZING drugs and focus on the real problem: ADDICTIONS. These are a social and mental problem, not a "drug" problem.

You don't like the law? There are many legal ways to change it. Feel free to go this route, but until it's legalized, accept the consequences of your actions.

Interesting...so why do you even think the government should be in the business of telling us what we cannot ingest in our own bodies? You may pick on pot or other drugs b ut then turn around and argue against a ban on fatty foods because it it government interference..and yes a lot more die from being fat than from smoking pot...you tell me which should be banned from our bodies, they are both choices...

Vote Ron Paul. It's the only way.

and you're an idiot.

John, you're guilty of that also!

Yes, some people do say that pot doesn't destroy brain cells. They are called "scientists."

Note that "scientists" are in quotes. That's because those "scientists" are not real scientists.

Yeah, because the DEA clings to science without question, right Ruken? The DEA who RECENTLY CLAIMED that there is no evidence of medical benefits, while SIXTEEN states have legalized it FOR MEDICAL USE?

THOSE are your 'real' scientists?

My use of quotation marks was intended to convey the contempt I feel for those who make completely unfounded statements such as "cannabis destroys brain cells"--perhaps italics would have better served my purpose. I yearn for the day we have a universally-accepted sarcasm font, to make things less easy for nimrods who insist on twisting other people's words.

There has been reliable research done by reputable scientists on this issue (I mean the brain cell issue, not the sarcasm font issue--just to be clear, for those of you who are determined to be dim). In fact, recently-published studies indicate that cannabis may actually stimulate the production of new brain cells, and could be an answered prayer for Alzheimer's patients and their families.

I suggest you do some research on an issue before formulating an opinion on it--unless, of course, you are content to continue to blow meaningless hot air.

the study done in under reagan saying that brain cells were killed has been debunked. they forced monkeys to smoke 12-15 joints worth of marijuana in a 3-5 minute period through air tight masks. while those masks insured that the animal inhaled they also insured that the animal was not inhaling ANY OXYGEN. brain cells die from a lack of oxygen. the government then used those results to say marijuana kills brain cells.

elspeth, most people use this to show they were being sarcastic on forums.

/sarcasm

And the government is corrupt enough to gain lots and lots from Prohibition 2.0.

Thanks, Hatr_Hurter. I've seen it used before; guess I was being a little lazy. I also dislike having to always dumb it down for those who are intentionally ignorant. It doesn't really excuse the intentional twisting of my words by another commenter. But your point is well taken.

Well, you're wrong about that. You have a reasonable right to privacy in your vehicle sure, but if a cop so much as catches a whiff of pot (probable cause), a search can be performed. Trying to arm-chair attorney your way through a traffic stop is really a terrible idea.

If you deny a police officer the right to search your car they will hold you there untill they bring a dog.

Yep, might as well send him on an all-expenses paid, tuition-free visit to Crime College!

Go in a chill pothead; come out skilled, schooled, and anti-social! That'll fix'em!!

Sounds like it was a bigger waste of money for his mother to raise him.

Even bigger waste is giving Ruken internet access. He'll only suck the DEA's (*#& with it.

Just think of the taxpayer expense we wasted to get Fred "educated".

You mad?

Yep, destroying freedom should make you mad, instead of joyous as you are Ruken.

The 'War on Drugs' is a massive failure. Somehow, I would have thought you would recognize that immediately.

It's only a failure because stupid people continue to breed.

Hey, hey, your parents might read this!

I'm not afraid your parents will.

They're illiterate.

LOL, I don't think that word means what you think it means. (indeed, I think most words have alternate meanings to what you think, like JUSTICE, and FAIRNESS, and FREEDOM)

dictionary.com

Doesn't seem to have helped you in the slightest.

Your fine elementary grade school education didn't seem to stick either.

Stuck well enough to understand when my freedoms are threatened. I take it your home-schooling didn't touch on the finer points of fascism?

By all means, let's advocate the widespread use of drugs and see where it gets this country.

You're a piece of work. A true representation of the 'dumbing-down' of the once-great United States.

My goodness, isn't there a middle-ground between jailing American citizens for ingesting a non-approved substance, and going whole-hog to ADVOCATE the use of drugs?

Seriously?

Do we advocate for cigarettes? No.

In fact tobacco use has plummeted as the TRUTH about it has spread. Help spread the FACTS, and let folks make their choices. Since we aren't JAILING people for using tobacco, we MUST be advocating for it, right? (the answer you are looking for is NO)

Talk about a piece-of-work, are there ANY freedoms you're willing to let your fellow citizens retain?

I just want it stated that i do not know Fred Evil or Ruken.

In present-day America:

Freedom is nothing more than your ability to criticize the government. Fairness is what gets the lawyers the most money. And justice is whenever someone gets put in jail.

Is this what the Founding Fathers envisioned?

"I just want it stated that i do not know Fred Evil or Ruken."

I pass a guy on my way to work every day who smokes weed every day while he rides his bicycle down a one way street going the wrong way, sometimes using the bicycle lane. Other bicyclists love him. He works for our city DPW. Do you know him?

Hey Nicholas, that's Ruken!

Ugh, I just wrote a long response that didn't post for some reason. I just wanted to say that I love reading the comments on articles about pot, because hilarious debates like this always occur! For the record, I don't smoke weed, but I wrote many reports and speeches in college about legalizing/decriminalizing it. Ruken, you need to stop posting these dumbass comments. Can you not think of hundreds of better ways we could have spent the +$3 billion we've spent this year alone on the (failed) war on drugs? You're making it sounds like Fred WANTS everyone to go out there and smoke weed - NO, he's just saying everyone should have the right to choose whether or not they want to do something *less harmful than drinking alcohol* in their spare time. As long as you're not driving, you're not placing anyone else in danger.

"Sounds like it was a bigger waste of money for his mother to raise him"

Ruken, I hope this was a joke, cause it sounds like you're saying it would have been better if this simple "pothead" weren't born. REALLY? I could go on and on, but I'll stop here...

ruken= idiot , my spelling is correct too !!!

Are you sure these guys aren't with you, Royal? ;-|

Don't blame you royal, I got stupid childish.

Confronting ignorance has that effect on me. I apologize everyone!

I'm inclined to agree with Abe on this one;)