Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
This moral equivalent comparison between alcohol and drugs is not quite equivalent. Many people who use alcohol do not use it to get drunk.. The only use for recreational marijuana is too get high.
|
I'm sorry, but that's simply not true.
While you are trying to define a
'level of highness,' from the first drink of alcohol you ARE getting high (or call it a
'buzz,' whatever you prefer).
Every few months I have a margarita with Mexican food and there is no question that I can feel the effects.
Pot smokers can also choose the 'level' that they wish to get a buzz (and I'm sure they do) and it's not realistic to assume that they are going for the 5 margarita/full bottle of wine equivalent...every time they smoke.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
alcohol is used for cooking
|
OK, I'll give you that ONE exception to my above statement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
in conjunction with cooking or in celebration. Many of us enjoy a glass a wine with our meal.
|
Those uses however, go back to simply trying to judge the
'level' of being high/buzzed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
Clearly people like you and me would send liquor stores broke.
|
And would very possibly have limited TV to only the Historical Section.
Cheep booze, Happy Hour and strong pours at the squares and establishments...are a big part of TV.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
But as a board member I've witnessed the consequences of young people who did drugs, some solely marijuana and it was a heart breaker.
Again my view is not medical marijuana if that were the true nature of the amendment but the door it opens for further abuse .
Organizations , professional politicians, etc have gotten very good at "head fakes".
|
As I said, do away with just the medical portion and what you are calling a 'head fake'...and treat it exactly like alcohol.
In many respects, it is a LOT less harmful.
That of course flies in the face of decades of programming that have some people convinced, that marijuana really does make you act like the people in
'Reefer Madness.' 
The real issue is, that it has always had a connotation in this country with the unsavory...while alcohol always makes life better.
It's not like we will ever see alcohol commercials showing beer drinkers beating their wives, or commercials showing the
'most uninteresting person in the world' ...sitting on a curb with a paper bag in his hand.
Not trying to level a personal attack here, but you yourself are the perfect example of being so misinformed by the government/media/political party, for so many years...that you can't seem to see the truth.
BUT, you are far from alone and having been bombarded all your life with the propaganda (primarily to justify your tax money wasted on throwing small time pot dealers/smokers in jail)...so it's not really your fault.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
While it may not be true, is it possible Big Pharma claims its against legalization of marijuana but what they really mean is that they need more time to position so that when it becomes national they will be in a position of the most prolific opportunists?
|
There's no question in my mind that Big Pharma, Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco would all spend billions trying to get it legalized...if they thought they could take most of the pie.
The biggest problem they have with it, is the fact that they can't control it...because it is too easy for anyone to grow plants.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
and just in general what social redeeming value to society does recreational marijuana offer vis a vis the damage it creates in people's lives.
|
Absolutely no difference in
"social redeeming value to society," between alcohol and marijuana (and tobacco)...which is why they should be treated the
exact same.
Preconceived notions, a lifetime of programming/brain-washing and the concerted interests of Big Pharma/Alcohol/Tobacco aside.