medical marijuana

[benj]

So I just read the discussion about mandatory sentencing and I wonder how many villagers would support medical marijuana. Attorney John Morgan is backing a petition to legalize it. I read recently a couple of polls where approval was above 70% in Florida. From personal experience I think it was god sent for my wife during her battle with bone marrow cancer. I will always be grateful for it's benefits. So what do you think?
I have signed the petition that is available at Petition - United for Care (http://www.unitedforcare.org/petition) and hope some of you will download and sign it also.

[JP]

I am in favor of out and out legalization. I think marijuana is a lot less harmful than alcohol and it can be medically beneficial.

[DougB]

I am in favor of out and out legalization. I think marijuana is a lot less harmful than alcohol and it can be medically beneficial.

Gotta agree with JP on this one

[CFrance]

Moi aussi. At the very least, legalize it for medical use.

[ilovetv]

I am in favor of out and out legalization. I think marijuana is a lot less harmful than alcohol and it can be medically beneficial.

No way!!


NIH - National Institute on Drug Abuse

Marijuana's Lasting Effects on the Brain

"...They [research studies] have shown that exposure to cannabinoids during adolescent development can cause long-lasting changes in the brain’s reward system as well as the hippocampus, a brain area critical for learning and memory.

The message inherent in these and in multiple supporting studies is clear. Regular marijuana use in adolescence is part of a cluster of behaviors that can produce enduring detrimental effects and alter the trajectory of a young person’s life—thwarting his or her potential.

Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropout, other drug use, mental health problems, etc. Given the current number of regular marijuana users (about 1 in 15 high school seniors) and the possibility of this number increasing with marijuana legalization, we cannot afford to divert our focus from the central point: Regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person’s chances of success—in school and in life.

September 10, 2012 - We repeatedly hear the myth that marijuana is a benign drug—that it is not addictive (which it is) or that it does not pose a threat to the user’s health or brain (which it does). A major new study published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (and funded partly by NIDA and other NIH institutes) provides objective evidence that, at least for adolescents, marijuana is harmful to the brain.

The new research is part of a large-scale study of health and development conducted in New Zealand. Researchers administered IQ tests to over 1,000 individuals at age 13 (born in 1972 and 1973) and assessed their patterns of cannabis use at several points as they aged. Participants were again tested for IQ at age 38, and their two scores were compared as a function of their marijuana use. The results were striking: Participants who used cannabis heavily in their teens and continued through adulthood showed a significant drop in IQ between the ages of 13 and 38—an average of 8 points for those who met criteria for cannabis dependence. (For context, a loss of 8 IQ points could drop a person of average intelligence into the lowest third of the intelligence range.) Those who started using marijuana regularly or heavily after age 18 showed minor declines. By comparison, those who never used marijuana showed no declines in IQ.

Other studies have shown a link between prolonged marijuana use and cognitive or neural impairment. A recent report in Brain, for example, reveals neural-connectivity impairment in some brain regions following prolonged cannabis use initiated in adolescence or young adulthood. But the New Zealand study is the first prospective study to test young people before their first use of marijuana and again after long-term use (as much as 20+ years later). Indeed, the ruling out of a pre-existing difference in IQ makes the study particularly valuable. Also, and strikingly, those who used marijuana heavily before age 18 showed mental decline even after they quit taking the drug. This finding is consistent with the notion that drug use during adolescence—when the brain is still rewiring, pruning, and organizing itself—can have negative and long-lasting effects on the brain....."

Marijuana's Lasting Effects on the Brain | National Institute on Drug Abuse (http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page/messages-director/2013/03/marijuanas-lasting-effects-brain)

[DougB]

Ilovetv,
We aren't saying legalize it for minors

[ilovetv]

Ilovetv,
We aren't saying legalize it for minors

Legalizing it for people of legal age gives teens and preteens the perception that it is not harmful, when it is:

"Unfortunately, the proportion of American teens who believe marijuana use is harmful has been declining for the past several years, which has corresponded to a steady rise in their use of the drug, as shown by NIDA’s annual Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders.

Since it decreases IQ, regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person’s chances of success in school. So as another school year begins, we all must step up our efforts to educate teens about the harms of marijuana so that we can realign their perceptions of this drug with the scientific evidence."

Marijuana's Lasting Effects on the Brain | National Institute on Drug Abuse (http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page/messages-director/2013/03/marijuanas-lasting-effects-brain)

[Russ_Boston]

Moi aussi. At the very least, legalize it for medical use.

Ditto.

I see it used in hospital settings for increased appetite response in failure to thrive patients.

One note to ILoveTV: You can't believe all studies. Remember the study that shows that seatbelts in golf carts is bad? The authorities told us this lie for 20 years in TV. Tell that to the families of the 10 dead fellow TV'ers who were ejected and killed. Can't believe everything you read. Real life experience is a better indicator IMHO.

[ilovetv]

Ditto.

I see it used in hospital settings for increased appetite response in failure to thrive patients.

One note to ILoveTV: You can't believe all studies. Remember the study that shows that seatbelts in golf carts is bad? The authorities told us this lie for 20 years in TV. Tell that to the families of the 10 dead fellow TV'ers who were ejected and killed. Can't believe everything you read. Real life experience is a better indicator IMHO.

Yes, I do remember. Most, if not all the golf cart studies were done on golf course turf, where being ejected onto grass is clearly safer than being ejected onto concrete curbing causing open skull fractures and hemorrhaging, and also being subject to being run over by cars and trucks going 25-30 mph.

By comparing golf course turf usage of carts to usage in TV's city streets and traffic in a city of 100,000, they were comparing apples to oranges.

And yes, my real life experience tells me many formerly brilliant people who are chronic pot users are now brain-fried and in a chronic stupor with noticeably deteriorated cognitive abilities.

I think the National Institutes of Health are qualified to do, evaluate and present the studies in the article I linked.

[Russ_Boston]

And yes, my real life experience tells me many formerly brilliant people who are chronic pot users are now brain-fried and in a chronic stupor with noticeably deteriorated cognitive abilities.


I would suggest that this is dementia which is not related to chronic pot use. 1 out of every 6 patients I have every day has moderate to severe dementia. It's an evil disease.

[DougB]

..........
And yes, my real life experience tells me many formerly brilliant people who are chronic pot users are now brain-fried and in a chronic stupor with noticeably deteriorated cognitive abilities.........

Man, that was a real buzz killer. Just kidding, sorry, don't smoke weed. But if ever I felt it was needed for medical reasons, I would

[kittygilchrist]

Sanjay Gupta's recent CNN special on this topic was interesting...I learned a lot about the amazing benefit for some neurological disorders. Also an interesting history about the demonization of the plant in the 30's for political gain. I'm for legalizing marijuana.

[DougB]

Sanjay Gupta's recent CNN special on this topic was interesting...I learned a lot about the amazing benefit for some neurological disorders. Also an interesting history about the demonization of the plant in the 30's for political gain. I'm for legalizing marijuana.

I'm shocked! Didn't your high school show you the movie "Reefer Madness"?

[Golfingnut]

No way!!


NIH - National Institute on Drug Abuse

Marijuana's Lasting Effects on the Brain

"...They [research studies] have shown that exposure to cannabinoids during adolescent development can cause long-lasting changes in the brain’s reward system as well as the hippocampus, a brain area critical for learning and memory.

The message inherent in these and in multiple supporting studies is clear. Regular marijuana use in adolescence is part of a cluster of behaviors that can produce enduring detrimental effects and alter the trajectory of a young person’s life—thwarting his or her potential.

Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropout, other drug use, mental health problems, etc. Given the current number of regular marijuana users (about 1 in 15 high school seniors) and the possibility of this number increasing with marijuana legalization, we cannot afford to divert our focus from the central point: Regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person’s chances of success—in school and in life.

September 10, 2012 - We repeatedly hear the myth that marijuana is a benign drug—that it is not addictive (which it is) or that it does not pose a threat to the user’s health or brain (which it does). A major new study published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (and funded partly by NIDA and other NIH institutes) provides objective evidence that, at least for adolescents, marijuana is harmful to the brain.

The new research is part of a large-scale study of health and development conducted in New Zealand. Researchers administered IQ tests to over 1,000 individuals at age 13 (born in 1972 and 1973) and assessed their patterns of cannabis use at several points as they aged. Participants were again tested for IQ at age 38, and their two scores were compared as a function of their marijuana use. The results were striking: Participants who used cannabis heavily in their teens and continued through adulthood showed a significant drop in IQ between the ages of 13 and 38—an average of 8 points for those who met criteria for cannabis dependence. (For context, a loss of 8 IQ points could drop a person of average intelligence into the lowest third of the intelligence range.) Those who started using marijuana regularly or heavily after age 18 showed minor declines. By comparison, those who never used marijuana showed no declines in IQ.

Other studies have shown a link between prolonged marijuana use and cognitive or neural impairment. A recent report in Brain, for example, reveals neural-connectivity impairment in some brain regions following prolonged cannabis use initiated in adolescence or young adulthood. But the New Zealand study is the first prospective study to test young people before their first use of marijuana and again after long-term use (as much as 20+ years later). Indeed, the ruling out of a pre-existing difference in IQ makes the study particularly valuable. Also, and strikingly, those who used marijuana heavily before age 18 showed mental decline even after they quit taking the drug. This finding is consistent with the notion that drug use during adolescence—when the brain is still rewiring, pruning, and organizing itself—can have negative and long-lasting effects on the brain....."

Marijuana's Lasting Effects on the Brain | National Institute on Drug Abuse (http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page/messages-director/2013/03/marijuanas-lasting-effects-brain)

Let me understand your position. If a medication or a recreational drug has side effects it should not be legal. I say ALL medications have side effects and some come with warning labels that you may die from use. One comes with the warning that you may go blind with a 4+ hour erection, yet it is legal. Your argument would eliminate at least 90% of medications and 100% of alcohol and tobacco products.

Stop being a pawn and believing the so called legal drug dealers. Legalize it now.

[graciegirl]

If you are gonna drink, call it drinking. If you are gonna smoke, call it smoking. I feel there is SOME valid medical use for marijuana, but I also think that many people are taking "medical" marijuana to just get a high.

If it became legal. that would be resolved. I hate to say it, but it makes sense.

Now I have to tell my new view to my kids. They will think I am going over the hill. MOM SAID WHAT???

Among my children, I am referred to as "THE WARDEN".

[Microcodeboy]

Those with OPINIONS against legalization should read Dr. Sanjay Gupta's article where he admits the gross misinformation that exists on the subject and how wrong he has been. This move is long overdue.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Why I changed my mind on weed - United for Care (http://www.unitedforcare.org/_dr_sanjay_gupta_why_i_changed_my_mind_on_weed)

I assume I do not have to explain who he is to the "experts" on the subject.

[Sydney]

:agree:Ilovetv,
We aren't saying legalize it for minors:clap2::clap2:

[Golfingnut]

As long as it is against the law, there will be criminals getting rich selling it. Legalize it, give farmers a new money crop, tax it and stop spending $$$$$$$$ on prisons and courts for offenders and even give back a freedom. That should appeal to both the right and the left.

[Jaggy]

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:: agree::agree::coolsmiley:As long as it is against the law, there will be criminals getting rich selling it. Legalize it, give farmers a new money crop, tax it and stop spending $$$$$$$$ on prisons and courts for offenders and even give back a freedom. That should appeal to both the right and the left.

[rp001]

Make it legal and overdose on peanut butter and jelly...Unfortunately this state is so backward it won't happen in our lifetime. I feel in the next generation this issue will be looked at as similar to prohibition and feeding the criminals. As long as the Vietnam era
politicians are in charge we will be moving backwards, desperately trying to hold on to old outdated values.

[blueash]

Ditto.

You can't believe all studies. Remember the study that shows that seatbelts in golf carts is bad? The authorities told us this lie for 20 years in TV. Tell that to the families of the 10 dead fellow TV'ers who were ejected and killed. Can't believe everything you read. Real life experience is a better indicator IMHO.

Russ, you have always seemed like a reasonable person who understood the value of data. Properly conducted, peer reviewed, published studies preferably conducted in a double blind placebo controlled environment are critical for advancing medicine. Real life experience is the sales trick of hucksters and frauds. Testimonials for how much weight Susie lost, or that Ken was cured of his cancer by apricot pits... that's the opposite of science. It is harder for people to understand p-values than the appeal of "I have seen this TEN times" and all my patients got better with snake oil treatments. I support legalization, and not just for medical use but there is data of potential long term harm in very long term studies as cited above. Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent ex... [Br J Psychiatry. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21628706) There also are studies not finding long term harm. Here is a study attempting to provide an alternative explanation to the New Zealand data Correlations between cannabis use and IQ change in the Dunedin cohort are consistent with confounding from socioeconomic status (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/01/09/1215678110.short) This is not a problem with science, it is how science works. Once there is a preponderance then one can clearly state that the evidence supports an opinion. Three kinds of lies.. Bald face lies, little white lies, and personal experience.

[BobnBev]

Let me understand your position. If a medication or a recreational drug has side effects it should not be legal. I say ALL medications have side effects and some come with warning labels that you may die from use. One comes with the warning that you may go blind with a 4+ hour erection, yet it is legal. Your argument would eliminate at least 90% of medications and 100% of alcohol and tobacco products.

Stop being a pawn and believing the so called legal drug dealers. Legalize it now.

You can go blind with a 4+ hour erection?????...Geezzz, I never knew that.
I think if I had a 4 hour erection, I'd need a club to beat off the women, :a040:

I was told growing up that masturbation would make you blind,,:1rotfl:

I was lied to.

:boom::eek:

[Patty55]

I'd be willing to drop 8 IQ points if I could get some good pot on a regular basis.

[graciegirl]

Boy Howdy.

I heard someone say once, can I just do it until I need glasses?

[graciegirl]

Russ, you have always seemed like a reasonable person who understood the value of data. Properly conducted, peer reviewed, published studies preferably conducted in a double blind placebo controlled environment are critical for advancing medicine. Real life experience is the sales trick of hucksters and frauds. Testimonials for how much weight Susie lost, or that Ken was cured of his cancer by apricot pits... that's the opposite of science. It is harder for people to understand p-values than the appeal of "I have seen this TEN times" and all my patients got better with snake oil treatments. I support legalization, and not just for medical use but there is data of potential long term harm in very long term studies as cited above. Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent ex... [Br J Psychiatry. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21628706) There also are studies not finding long term harm. Here is a study attempting to provide an alternative explanation to the New Zealand data Correlations between cannabis use and IQ change in the Dunedin cohort are consistent with confounding from socioeconomic status (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/01/09/1215678110.short) This is not a problem with science, it is how science works. Once there is a preponderance then one can clearly state that the evidence supports an opinion. Three kinds of lies.. Bald face lies, little white lies, and personal experience.

I am always swayed by a scientific argument. We also can say that Sanjay Gupta is not primarily a practicing physician but a TV personality and his "special" made him mega bucks.

Thank you Blueash. I love this forum.

[CFrance]

Boy Howdy.

I heard someone say once, can I just do it until I need glasses?:clap2::clap2::clap2:

Gracie, where do you come up with these things!!

[ilovetv]

Let me understand your position. If a medication or a recreational drug has side effects it should not be legal. I say ALL medications have side effects and some come with warning labels that you may die from use. One comes with the warning that you may go blind with a 4+ hour erection, yet it is legal. Your argument would eliminate at least 90% of medications and 100% of alcohol and tobacco products.

Stop being a pawn and believing the so called legal drug dealers. Legalize it now.

Stop CALLING me "a pawn"!!


Do some homework!! This is no simple matter. I and many people who have lived with people destroying their minds with chronic pot abuse for the last 40 years would not deprive a suffering patient of this drug if it helps them.

However.....The big problem I see in "medical marijuana" legislation and current states' laws is that if it is truly for "medical" use, then it would be made a prescription drug subject to all the regulations and quality controls that all other prescription drugs are....Like Viagra which is dangerous if not properly prescribed according to contraindications, problems with interacting with other drugs being taken, etc. (it was first a cardiac drug).

But "medical marijuana" so far has NOT been made a prescription drug in states that have it, because most of its proponents want "medical" dispensing of this stuff as a back door hanging open to recreational use. They just want to get high without all the bother of legalities, doctors, pharmacies, DEA licensed prescribers, etc.

And they also want to get their hands on the enormous money-making potential in this "medical" pot industry.

It's that "Greed" sin the Occupy Wall Street crowd decries in their phoniness:



California Medical Marijuana Bill Fails, Leaving Pot Industry Largely Unregulated

"A bill aimed at bringing some clarity to medical marijuana regulation in California has failed to pass the State Assembly in a vote held late last week.

The legislation, which was authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), would have created an agency within the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control tasked with managing all medical marijuana in the state from where it is grown all the way through to the point of sale.

While medical marijuana was legalized by California voters in 1996, there's no statewide agency in charge of regulating the state's multi-billion dollar marijuana industry......"

California Medical Marijuana Bill Fails, Leaving Pot Industry Largely Unregulated (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/california-medical-marijuana_n_3381122.html)

[blueash]

Stop CALLING me "a pawn"!!


Do some homework!! This is no simple matter. I and many people who have lived with people destroying their minds with chronic pot abuse for the last 40 years would not deprive a suffering patient of this drug if it helps them.

However.....The big problem I see in "medical marijuana" legislation and current states' laws is that if it is truly for "medical" use, then it would be made a prescription drug subject to all the regulations and quality controls that all other prescription drugs are....Like Viagra which is dangerous if not properly prescribed according to contraindications, problems with interacting with other drugs being taken, etc. (it was first a cardiac drug).

But "medical marijuana" so far has NOT been made a prescription drug in states that have it, because most of its proponents want "medical" dispensing of this stuff as a back door hanging open to recreational use. They just want to get high without all the bother of legalities, doctors, pharmacies, DEA licensed prescribers, etc.


It's that "Greed" sin the Occupy Wall Street crowd decries in their phoniness:



Every state which has "legalized" medical pot requires a physician to certify that the patient has a qualifying medical condition. The details are readily available if you care to be fully informed at 20 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org (http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881)

The use of the term "prescription" in your argument is possibly something you heard from others or from favored media sources. You have been misled. Most states don't require a "prescription" as that term has certain legal meanings and Federal law prohibits the prescribing of Schedule 1 drugs. So they cannot be prescribed. However every state requires the patient to have a qualified medical condition and be under the care of a physician to get medical marijuana. The medical marijuana movement came years before occupy wall street and has nothing to do with legalization. I am sorry to hear that you have had to live with people who have spent the last 40 years destroying their minds with pot. Just because a product can be abused does not mean it can not be responsibly used.

[Russ_Boston]

Russ, you have always seemed like a reasonable person who understood the value of data. Properly conducted, peer reviewed, published studies preferably conducted in a double blind placebo controlled environment are critical for advancing medicine. Real life experience is the sales trick of hucksters and frauds. Testimonials for how much weight Susie lost, or that Ken was cured of his cancer by apricot pits... that's the opposite of science. It is harder for people to understand p-values than the appeal of "I have seen this TEN times" and all my patients got better with snake oil treatments. I support legalization, and not just for medical use but there is data of potential long term harm in very long term studies as cited above. Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent ex... [Br J Psychiatry. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21628706) There also are studies not finding long term harm. Here is a study attempting to provide an alternative explanation to the New Zealand data Correlations between cannabis use and IQ change in the Dunedin cohort are consistent with confounding from socioeconomic status (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/01/09/1215678110.short) This is not a problem with science, it is how science works. Once there is a preponderance then one can clearly state that the evidence supports an opinion. Three kinds of lies.. Bald face lies, little white lies, and personal experience.

My point, that you also make, is you can use studies for both sides. I'm talking about seeing MY patients do well on medical marijuana for THEIR needs. This isn't snake oil - it's real life and I have no stake financially in their outcomes. It's not used a lot yet but I do see the day coming.

[mrsanborn]

I have no doubt that if marijuana is legalized for medical use, the Villages will change it's tag line to "Florida's Happiest Hometown". Heck, you will be able to get a script for urinary incontinence. Imagine going to the Squares. The saving of tables and chairs just won't matter and no matter who is performing, they will sound great. There will probably never be another negative response to an eating establishment and if you fall out of your golf cart, you will be laughing uncontrollably. I am for legalization and I know that the government already knows this.

[ilovetv]

Every state which has "legalized" medical pot requires a physician to certify that the patient has a qualifying medical condition. The details are readily available if you care to be fully informed at 20 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org (http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881)

The use of the term "prescription" in your argument is possibly something you heard from others or from favored media sources. You have been misled. Most states don't require a "prescription" as that term has certain legal meanings and Federal law prohibits the prescribing of Schedule 1 drugs. So they cannot be prescribed. However every state requires the patient to have a qualified medical condition and be under the care of a physician to get medical marijuana. The medical marijuana movement came years before occupy wall street and has nothing to do with legalization. I am sorry to hear that you have had to live with people who have spent the last 40 years destroying their minds with pot. Just because a product can be abused does not mean it can not be responsibly used.

I mentioned OWS as an example of the phoniness from groups that decry and protest "GREED" on the part of

Big Corporate,

Big Business,

Big Wall Street,

"Corporate Fat Cats"

Big Pharma......

..but NOT on the part of Big POT, Big Weed, and Big Dispensers or any special-interest groups wanting to cash in on legalized pot that's a multi-billion-dollar Big Business in California alone, as stated in the article I linked.

They want their hands on the MONEY, as evidenced by the defeat of the regulatory legislation in the article I linked above.

It's also the phoniness in calling it a "medical" need when it's simply a want, to get high without all the prosecutions, fines, probations and criminal court records. (I do think it should be de-criminalized....which is not the same as total legalization. I think it's absurd and crippling for twenty-somethings trying to start a career to have criminal court records following them for having been arrested for pot possession/use in college.)

[graciegirl]

I have no doubt that if marijuana is legalized for medical use, the Villages will change it's tag line to "Florida's Happiest Hometown". Heck, you will be able to get a script for urinary incontinence. Imagine going to the Squares. The saving of tables and chairs just won't matter and no matter who is performing, they will sound great. There will probably never be another negative response to an eating establishment and if you fall out of your golf cart, you will be laughing uncontrollably. I am for legalization and I know that the government already knows this.

Oh you New York Girls. Can't you dance the Polka!

New York Girls - YouTube

[Patty55]

I have no doubt that if marijuana is legalized for medical use, the Villages will change it's tag line to "Florida's Happiest Hometown". Heck, you will be able to get a script for urinary incontinence. Imagine going to the Squares. The saving of tables and chairs just won't matter and no matter who is performing, they will sound great. There will probably never be another negative response to an eating establishment and if you fall out of your golf cart, you will be laughing uncontrollably. I am for legalization and I know that the government already knows this.

Whoa, think how crowded the buffets will be.

[graciegirl]

I mentioned OWS as an example of the phoniness from groups that decry and protest "GREED" on the part of

Big Corporate,

Big Business,

Big Wall Street,

"Corporate Fat Cats"

Big Pharma......

..but NOT on the part of Big POT, Big Weed, and Big Dispensers or any special-interest groups wanting to cash in on legalized pot that's a multi-billion-dollar Big Business in California alone, as stated in the article I linked.

They want their hands on the MONEY, as evidenced by the defeat of the regulatory legislation in the article I linked above.

It's also the phoniness in calling it a "medical" need when it's simply a want, to get high without all the prosecutions, fines, probations and criminal court records. (I do think it should be de-criminalized....which is not the same as total legalization. I think it's absurd and crippling for twenty-somethings trying to start a career to have criminal court records following them for having been arrested for pot possession/use in college.)

Another good argument.

[donb9006]

I mentioned OWS as an example of the phoniness from groups that decry and protest "GREED" on the part of

Big Corporate,

Big Business,

Big Wall Street,

"Corporate Fat Cats"

Big Pharma......

..but NOT on the part of Big POT, Big Weed, and Big Dispensers or any special-interest groups wanting to cash in on legalized pot that's a multi-billion-dollar Big Business in California alone, as stated in the article I linked.

They want their hands on the MONEY, as evidenced by the defeat of the regulatory legislation in the article I linked above.

It's also the phoniness in calling it a "medical" need when it's simply a want, to get high without all the prosecutions, fines, probations and criminal court records. (I do think it should be de-criminalized....which is not the same as total legalization. I think it's absurd and crippling for twenty-somethings trying to start a career to have criminal court records following them for having been arrested for pot possession/use in college.)

Are you kidding me? It may be a billion a year business, but it's HARDLY "big business" here in the US. It's the ultimate example of SMALL business, of entrepreneurship. It's the "little guy" finding his niche.

It's illegal because the alcohol and pharma industry want it illegal. Privatized prisons with occupancy guarantees don't want it legal either. There's a whole lot of money spent on "the drug war", and there's a lot of people getting very rich on it's being illegal.

It's much, much, much less harmful than alcohol. It's also less inebriating than alcohol.

Of course you don't let kids have it. But, unfortunately, it won't be any different than it is now, they'll get it.

Kids that are going to become addicts WILL become addicts...to something. Kids who don't become addicts won't, no matter what is available to them. Not everyone is an alcoholic though alcohol is available and not everyone will be a pot head if it's available.

As for the "occupy movement", it was taken over by the powers that be and corrupted. The big banks, wall street, diverted interest away from themselves. You do know that the Fed is giving the banks almost $90 billion every month buying their bad mortgages and to keep the interest rate on treasuries down? (It's why your CD pays less than 1%.) That's over a trillion dollars every year to the big banks. And that's on top of the free money (interest payments) they get with the fractional reserve system we use. If you knew the truth, how corrupt everything is, you'd be less critical of the occupy movement.

[Villages PL]

Legalize it, give farmers a new money crop, tax it and stop spending $$$$$$$$ on prisons and courts for offenders and even give back a freedom. That should appeal to both the right and the left.

It has been said that you can't get medical marijuana unless your doctor first determines that you have a need for it. So it won't be given to young people. But just think about what you have said about giving farmers a new money crop:

Will these crops be raised under conditions of high security? Farmers have children; will their children have access to the crops? Will their teenagers pick some of it to smoke it themselves and sell some to their friends at school? How about the farmers neighbors? Not to mention criminal activity where criminals steel it to sell to teenagers and others who don't have a medical need.

Now imagine thousands of farmers raising thousands of acres of marijuana. Sounds like a prescription for losing control of the supply.

[Villages PL]

I see it used in hospital settings for increased appetite response in failure to thrive patients.

I don't have any experience with marijuana use in hospital settings so I have to ask: Does the marijuana come in pill form, or do you wheel them outside for a smoke? And if it does come in a pill, is there a synthetic form of marijuana that can be manufactured without having to grow marijuana plants?

[Golfingnut]

Some think it is a bad drug. There dead wrong.

Some think it is a good drug. There dead wrong.


No drugs are good or bad, but if they help some otherwise hurting people, to simply say no to is production and use is very selfish and takes a simple mind to hold firm to that belief.

[skyguy79]

I wouldn't normally be making this post as I don't really have strong opinions of cannabis, but when it comes to "Medical Marijuana" I do. IMO, if Medical Marijuana does become legal, I hope that it will at least require all recipients of MM to go through the same process I go through in order to receive my pain medication. I described it on another post which I quote:"Besides having a legit need, I had to sign an agreement called "Informed Consent & Controlled Substance Agreement" which confirms to State Law on pain medication and includes requirements for dedicated CPM (Comprehensive Pain Monitoring) appointments every three months with urine drug testing in association to those appointments."
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/smoke/toke.gif

[Golfingnut]

I wouldn't normally be making this post as I don't really have strong opinions of cannabis, but when it comes to "Medical Marijuana" I do. IMO, if Medical Marijuana does become legal, I hope that it will at least require all recipients of MM to go through the same process I go through in order to receive my pain medication. I described it on another post which I quote:"Besides having a legit need, I had to sign an agreement called "Informed Consent & Controlled Substance Agreement" which confirms to State Law on pain medication and includes requirements for dedicated CPM (Comprehensive Pain Monitoring) appointments every three months with urine drug testing in association to those appointments."
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/smoke/toke.gif

I agree. I just believe that it should not require a big business involvement to decide what is OK for people in need based on their patent rather than what works to relieve suffering. Drug companies do not want this chemical because it is too cheap to produce.

[benj]

I guess I lost my 8 IQ points years ago dang now I'm down to my last 8. Regarding the growing of pot outdoors, not happening. In Denver where I'm from. There was an area of town, like every other town, where there were a bunch of old run down manufacturing buildings, vacant, making it an area of high crime and homelessness. It was a mess. Now they grow indoors for quality reasons. Now most of these bldgs are rented, renovated, well lit and protected with alarms and cameras reinvigorating a whole area of town. Owners have a new source of income, rent, bldgs are improved more taxes are paid and jobs created. Small retail shops that sell the medicine around town were rented for the first time in years with the same results. Plus a huge savings was made in law enforcement costs and prison space and manpower. Now there will be a lot less 18 year olds having felony records to ruin there lives over. Look at the TV benefits, the restaurants will sell more food and Katie Bells will be way more fun. Please do me a favor, rather than just kid around go to the united for care site and sign the petition. Thanks.

[Russ_Boston]

I don't have any experience with marijuana use in hospital settings so I have to ask: Does the marijuana come in pill form, or do you wheel them outside for a smoke? And if it does come in a pill, is there a synthetic form of marijuana that can be manufactured without having to grow marijuana plants?


Pill - Dronabinol.

Marinol Official FDA information, side effects and uses. (http://www.drugs.com/pro/marinol.html)

[kagney123]

Is there a 420 Friendly Club in the Villages?

[Golfingnut]

Is there a 420 Friendly Club in the Villages?

I doubt it. More likely you will run Into more narc's than 420's. Most Villers are too old to be that progressive. But, I for one say good luck and god speed.

[Microcodeboy]

Some of us are young... Or at least we think we are.

[Golfingnut]

Some of us are young... Or at least we think we are.

That's me... At 66, I am a lot younger than most Villagers. As far as how they act, half act 90 and the other half act like they are 16. I prefer the 16 year old,s. I had to be very serious in my working years but no more. I want to be silly and happy.

[JP]

Is there a 420 Friendly Club in the Villages?

I bet we would all be surprised at the number of "private" 420 clubs there are in the TV.

[TexaninVA]

So I just read the discussion about mandatory sentencing and I wonder how many villagers would support medical marijuana. Attorney John Morgan is backing a petition to legalize it. I read recently a couple of polls where approval was above 70% in Florida. From personal experience I think it was god sent for my wife during her battle with bone marrow cancer. I will always be grateful for it's benefits. So what do you think?
I have signed the petition that is available at Petition - United for Care (http://www.unitedforcare.org/petition) and hope some of you will download and sign it also.

While I can see the benefit in limited cases, my concern and skepticism is "medical" marijuana simply becomes a "wink wink" legalization such as what's happened in CA. As baby boomers, we've all heard the arguments about legalizing pot since we were kids but basically pot and alcohol are different.

From what I've seen ... pot often becomes a gateway drug (even if people say it doesn't) and the increasing acceptance is not good for our culture or country. The demand for drugs by baby boomers largely fueled the drug trade and, along with that, drugs have wrecked most of the inner cities.

Maybe if someone can come up with a plan to really regulate its use for bonafide cases like your wife ... but otherwise I am not in favor.

[samhass]

Legalize it now. Then I'm going over to Patty's house and then to the buffet.

[justjim]

Legalizing it for people of legal age gives teens and preteens the perception that it is not harmful, when it is:

"Unfortunately, the proportion of American teens who believe marijuana use is harmful has been declining for the past several years, which has corresponded to a steady rise in their use of the drug, as shown by NIDA’s annual Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders.

Since it decreases IQ, regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person’s chances of success in school. So as another school year begins, we all must step up our efforts to educate teens about the harms of marijuana so that we can realign their perceptions of this drug with the scientific evidence."

Marijuana's Lasting Effects on the Brain | National Institute on Drug Abuse (http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page/messages-director/2013/03/marijuanas-lasting-effects-brain)

What do you think alcohol, especially too much, can do to the brain? Medical marijuana I'm for. It's a proven drug that helps a lot of people who are suffering.

[Trish Crocker]

Let me understand your position. If a medication or a recreational drug has side effects it should not be legal. I say ALL medications have side effects and some come with warning labels that you may die from use. One comes with the warning that you may go blind with a 4+ hour erection, yet it is legal. Your argument would eliminate at least 90% of medications and 100% of alcohol and tobacco products.

Stop being a pawn and believing the so called legal drug dealers. Legalize it now.

After 3 hours do you just need glasses?

[Trish Crocker]

Anything can be abused and misused. I personally have no problem with pot, medicinal or recreational. I have seen young people abuse it and lose all ambition..I have also known highly intelligent people that use it recreationally. Throwing people into jail is not the answer, there are many, many more serious criminals out there. The abuse of pot is just as likely for some people as the abuse of alcohol (of course, we never see THAT in TV.:)

[shcisamax]

According to the Sanjay Gupta documentary, seizures can be controlled by medical marijuana. Our Aussie has a seizure disorder and I will be calling the vet tomorrow to see if they can do something more natural than drugs to help him out. :)

[TexaninVA]

I mentioned OWS as an example of the phoniness from groups that decry and protest "GREED" on the part of

Big Corporate,

Big Business,

Big Wall Street,

"Corporate Fat Cats"

Big Pharma......

..but NOT on the part of Big POT, Big Weed, and Big Dispensers or any special-interest groups wanting to cash in on legalized pot that's a multi-billion-dollar Big Business in California alone, as stated in the article I linked.

They want their hands on the MONEY, as evidenced by the defeat of the regulatory legislation in the article I linked above.

It's also the phoniness in calling it a "medical" need when it's simply a want, to get high without all the prosecutions, fines, probations and criminal court records. (I do think it should be de-criminalized....which is not the same as total legalization. I think it's absurd and crippling for twenty-somethings trying to start a career to have criminal court records following them for having been arrested for pot possession/use in college.)

I agree ..."medical" is basically a phony argument indeed. Baby boomers want to smoke pot, and always have (in general). Since it's not (yet) kosher to say that, medical blah blah sounds so much more enlightened.

[Jaggy]

Is there a 420 Friendly Club in the Villages?

If you remember wearing love beads, bell bottoms, long hair and understanding the Smothers Brother show, you need to join the club.. someone told me Patty was holding the first meeting at her house. :clap2:

[Carla B]

I personally have no experience with cannabis at all, zero, zilch, either as a user or an observer. It came into vogue a little past my time, I suppose. I did watch the report by Dr. Gupta, and according to him, CBD, a certain compound in marijuana provides medicinal benefits, versus the THC compound that provides the "high." Recently in Amsterdam, I noticed shops advertising different weeds and mixtures. If a compound is formulated and regulated by doctors to provide medicinal benefits without the high, what would be the objection? Especially for people with severe medical problems.

[mrsyarbie]

I think medical marijuania should be legalized for pts with chronic pain and terminal illnesses. Adults of course. Its easy to judge if you have not watched someone constantly in chronic terrible pain or dying in pain. Adults should be able to make the decision on their own with their MDs help.Its a whole lot better than the addiction to narcotics we see so often now. Russ I agree with your comments on clinical trials , was a nurse researcher for 16 years and not all clinical trials are equal and certainly do not always represent the whole pricture... Just as I have known may brilliant people who now have dementia due to chronic alchol.use... It's is a horrible disease...
Yarbie RN

[babbs455]

and also let's not forget the studies that say it cures cancer...watch this video...and do some googling..
Run From The Cure The Rick Simpson Story (Full Version) - YouTube

[graciegirl]

After 3 hours do you just need glasses?

As usual, the kind of scientist I admire.

[graciegirl]

According to the Sanjay Gupta documentary, seizures can be controlled by medical marijuana. Our Aussie has a seizure disorder and I will be calling the vet tomorrow to see if they can do something more natural than drugs to help him out. :)

First you have to teach him to smoke or like brownies.....

Just sayin'...;)

[CFrance]

First you have to teach him to smoke or like brownies.....

Just sayin'...;)

I don't think the "liking brownies" part will be a problem!:a040:

[benj]

TexaninVA, You seem to be quite an expert on marijuana, I wish my wife was still around to tell you her story. I truly hope you never have an occasion to eat your words.

[davecz1]

Legalize it now. It is out there and being used, why not tax it and put the money to some good use?

[golf2140]

Let's see, we spend millions on stop smoaking projects run by the states. Now the states want to sell pot for smoaking! Did I miss something?

[rhondac]

Legalize it now. Then I'm going over to Patty's house and then to the buffet. Party At Pattys! :MOJE_whot:

[shcisamax]

...

[rhondac]

Interesting subject. In R.I. medicinal use has been approved. Marijuana decriminalized. I personally know someone who grew (no profit) and provided for glaucoma and MS patients, legally, who would swear to the benefits. The proof of this has been studied, recorded and recognized by scientific studies of many who suffer with chronic pain and illnesses. The newest study is that marijuana actually changes the structure of cancer cells, making them unable to mutate and grow further. I LOVE SCIENCE!

[Villages PL]

Pill - Dronabinol.

Marinol Official FDA information, side effects and uses. (http://www.drugs.com/pro/marinol.html)

Thanks for your reply. Now I have to wonder why so many people are promoting the legalization of marijuana if people are already being helped medically by the above drugs in pill form.

[TexaninVA]

TexaninVA, You seem to be quite an expert on marijuana, I wish my wife was still around to tell you her story. I truly hope you never have an occasion to eat your words.

Uh ..try to remember TOTV guidelines ... no personal attacks etc.

[benj]

TexaninVA, I apologize if you took my comments as a personal attack they weren't meant to be. Watching my wife go through 6 chemo's a stem cell transplant and many uncomfortable procedures, medical marijuana was a god send. she never got nauseous, was able to keep her weight up, was mostly able to sleep and pretty much was able to keep a good attitude with no ill effects. Not like when she was on all of the medically approved pain pills and anti anxiety pills that turned her into a zombie and made her feel worse than the chemo. I guess i'm a little touchy when people with no experience assume medical benefits are a phony way to get high. No personal attack intended.

[CFrance]

...

[CFrance]

TexaninVA, You seem to be quite an expert on marijuana, I wish my wife was still around to tell you her story. I truly hope you never have an occasion to eat your words.

Uh ..try to remember TOTV guidelines ... no personal attacks etc.

Benj, I didn't see your comment as a personal attack. I've been through chemo and can empathize with what your wife went through. My brother went through much pain in his fight with bone cancer. My sister-in-law told me there were times, driving him to his treatments, that she wished she had the nerve to steer the car off a cliff and end both their suffering. I don't think he had the benefit of medical marijuana.

Thank God there was something that brought your wife some relief. People need to be in that situation personally to realize what exactly happens.

My prayers for peace are with you.

[benj]

cfrance, thanks. Suzy had bone marrow cancer, the treatments sometimes seemed inhumane to me I know how your sister in law felt.

[graciegirl]

cfrance, thanks. Suzy had bone marrow cancer, the treatments sometimes seemed inhumane to me I know how your sister in law felt.

My mother said some things are unimaginable. Some things are worse than death.

My heart aches for you.

[mrsanborn]

Thanks for your reply. Now I have to wonder why so many people are promoting the legalization of marijuana if people are already being helped medically by the above drugs in pill form.

You can't pass around a pill in a roach clip

[DougB]

You can't pass around a pill in a roach clip

Or give shotguns

[sharonga]

Surgeon General apologized for saying Pot was bad for the brain. Actually research in Israel shows amazing work with people with brain damage. Seems marijuana helped them.

[Golfingnut]

I think some automatically fear what they don't understand. I am hopeful we will continue to improve both our medical and mental treatments. We open minded folks must fight against being drug (no pun) back into the cave. It appears to me that we have two major categories of people:

1. Those that love the Good Ole Days.
2. Those that strive for Better New Days.

[TexaninVA]

I think some automatically fear what they don't understand. I am hopeful we will continue to improve both our medical and mental treatments. We open minded folks must fight against being drug (no pun) back into the cave. It appears to me that we have two major categories of people:

1. Those that love the Good Ole Days.
2. Those that strive for Better New Days.


Everyone wants to see our medical capabilities increase ... as usual, it's a question of how. Regarding your two categories of people ... I see it somewhat differently.

1. those that learn from history and human nature in order to make progress

2. those who think good intentions alone are sufficient, vs actually achieving good results while often generating unintended consequences instead

[Russ_Boston]

Everyone wants to see our medical capabilities increase ... as usual, it's a question of how. Regarding your two categories of people ... I see it somewhat differently.

1. those that learn from history and human nature in order to make progress

2. those who think good intentions alone are sufficient, vs actually achieving good results while often generating unintended consequences instead

Every prescription drugs has a list of side effects that would make you think twice. Pot is no different.

The question for any drug is - Does the benefit outweigh the risk? There are studies on both sides for marijuana.

[graciegirl]

Every prescription drugs has a list of side effects that would make you think twice. Pot is no different.

The question for any drug is - Does the benefit outweigh the risk? There are studies on both sides for marijuana.

I watched an interchange on TV between Governor Chris Christie and a man whose two year old had a seizure disorder that apparently could/might be helped by a rare form of marijuana not covered by a prescription.

Christie was not diplomatic and the dad was not presenting his case very well.

The dad was understandably distraught but the real medical needs for his little one did not seem to be clear and appeared to me to be undoable or unrealistic. Christie was being a politician and a bit crass.

Interchanges like this cause people to become more polarized and then emotional arguments with glittering generalities are thrown at each other and underneath it all is the general suspicion from many of us that a good amount of folks want a new legal way to get high. Which could be alright and make less problems in the courts and we could go after the really bad guys.

I just like it when a spade is called a spade and not salvation for people with toothaches.

[Golfingnut]

Every prescription drugs has a list of side effects that would make you think twice. Pot is no different.

The question for any drug is - Does the benefit outweigh the risk? There are studies on both sides for marijuana.

And that should be decided by the medical community. :pray:

[kittygilchrist]

CNN 'Weed' Documentary Follows Sanjay Gupta's Reversal On Marijuana (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/11/cnn-weed-documentary_n_3741256.html)

I saw the documentary. There was a life-saving benefit to a five year old with seizures...


I watched an interchange on TV between Governor Chris Christie and a man whose two year old had a seizure disorder that apparently could/might be helped by a rare form of marijuana not covered by a prescription.

Christie was not diplomatic and the dad was not presenting his case very well.

The dad was understandably distraught but the real medical needs for his little one did not seem to be clear and appeared to me to be undoable or unrealistic. Christie was being a politician and a bit crass.

Interchanges like this cause people to become more polarized and then emotional arguments with glittering generalities are thrown at each other and underneath it all is the general suspicion from many of us that a good amount of folks want a new legal way to get high. Which could be alright and make less problems in the courts and we could go after the really bad guys.

I just like it when a spade is called a spade and not salvation for people with toothaches.

[graciegirl]

CNN 'Weed' Documentary Follows Sanjay Gupta's Reversal On Marijuana (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/11/cnn-weed-documentary_n_3741256.html)

I saw the documentary. There was a life-saving benefit to a five year old with seizures...

I am NOT disputing it can happen. I am disputing the way people dispute.

[Halle]

Legalize it now. Then I'm going over to Patty's house and then to the buffet.

Can I get a ride?

:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

[TexaninVA]

And that should be decided by the medical community. :pray:

Well, if we are talking a strictly limited medical solution, no one disagrees with that. However, the underlying issue as others have noted is the concern it will become liberalized and expanded over time and thus a back door to legalization of pot -- which is far more than just a medical issue.

FL had a reputation for being a "pill factory" not too long ago so it's reasonable to be concerned about the potential for abuse.

[Villages PL]

If pot becomes legal, which I hope never happens, will it be legal for the food companies too? Of course it will. Legal means legal. Will food companies offer brownies laced with marijuana? Marijuana cookies? Marijuana baked into pizza crust? How about many other baked goods like bread, muffins, cakes, and pies?

Other unintended consequences: 63% of people are already overweight and obese. If marijuana is given to elderly people (and others) to treat poor apetite, don't you think it will have the same effect on everyone eles who uses it? So what will the general effect be on the U.S. population? Will we have ever rising numbers of overweight/obese people? Diets are already being undermined in various ways, and this will just add to it, in my opinion.

When marijuana users get the "munchies", they don't get the munchies for healthy whole foods. They get the munchies for high-calorie salty snack-foods like chips 'n' dips, cheese 'n' crackers, or sugary items like pie 'n' ice cream etc..

[rp001]

If pot becomes legal, which I hope never happens, will it be legal for the food companies too? Of course it will. Legal means legal. Will food companies offer brownies laced with marijuana? Marijuana cookies? Marijuana baked into pizza crust? How about many other baked goods like bread, muffins, cakes, and pies?

Other unintended consequences: 63% of people are already overweight and obese. If marijuana is given to elderly people (and others) to treat poor apetite, don't you think it will have the same effect on everyone eles who uses it? So what will the general effect be on the U.S. population? Will we have ever rising numbers of overweight/obese people? Diets are already being undermined in various ways, and this will just add to it, in my opinion.

When marijuana users get the "munchies", they don't get the munchies for healthy whole foods. They get the munchies for high-calorie salty snack-foods like chips 'n' dips, cheese 'n' crackers, or sugary items like pie 'n' ice cream etc..


I hope it does happen

[Barefoot]

When marijuana users get the "munchies", they don't get the munchies for healthy whole foods. They get the munchies for high-calorie salty snack-foods like chips 'n' dips, cheese 'n' crackers, or sugary items like pie 'n' ice cream etc..

Hmmmmmm .... You seem to know a lot about the munchies! :girlneener:

[DougB]

If the whole world smoked a joint at the same time, There would be world peace for at least two hours.
Followed by a global food shortage.

[shcisamax]

If the whole world smoked a joint at the same time, There would be world peace for at least two hours.
Followed by a global food shortage.

Oh my, THAT is funny!

[JP]

If pot becomes legal, which I hope never happens, will it be legal for the food companies too? Of course it will. Legal means legal. Will food companies offer brownies laced with marijuana? Marijuana cookies? Marijuana baked into pizza crust? How about many other baked goods like bread, muffins, cakes, and pies?

Other unintended consequences: 63% of people are already overweight and obese. If marijuana is given to elderly people (and others) to treat poor apetite, don't you think it will have the same effect on everyone eles who uses it? So what will the general effect be on the U.S. population? Will we have ever rising numbers of overweight/obese people? Diets are already being undermined in various ways, and this will just add to it, in my opinion.

When marijuana users get the "munchies", they don't get the munchies for healthy whole foods. They get the munchies for high-calorie salty snack-foods like chips 'n' dips, cheese 'n' crackers, or sugary items like pie 'n' ice cream etc..

Kinda tells you something about "healthy whole foods" and why our society is so fat.

[Villages PL]

Hmmmmmm .... You seem to know a lot about the munchies! :girlneener:

Well, I went to a few parties in my youth that turned out to be pot parties but, like Clinton, I never inhaled. I had a girl-friend who worked under cover for the police department. She invited me to a party that turned out to be a pot party. This was in an appartment building that had a pay-phone in the hallway. At one point she excused herself to use the phone. When she came back she said, "I heard there's going to be a raid so we better get going fast." So we left and the next day there was a big headline in the newspaper on the upper half of the front page: "Pine Street Pot Party Busted."

Another interesting true story: One time there was a rash of nighttime pharmacy burglaries. A gang of burglars would break in to get drugs and money. Several of them would somehow manage to put the store's heavy safe on the back of a pick-up truck. They would then dump the safe in the woods with the idea of going back later to break it open. After there were several stores robbed, she called me one day to tell me she was at the appartment of the gang who robbed the stores. She said she was there by herself and needed someone to talk to. She said the gang had gone to the woods to break open the safe from the last burglary. I believe there were about 6 of them. So I went to see if I could be of some help because she seemed to be extremely nervous about the whole situation.

There wasn't much I could do except to help get her calmed down. She said they would be coming back soon and that I had better leave, so I left. (She said they all had guns.) The next morning there was a big front page headline that the gang had been apprehended. She said when the police came, she left through a back window. Hmmmm! She always managed to get out just in time.

Anyway, the point of the two stories: They were all drug users and this is what happens to drug users.

[davecz1]

Narcs as are stool pidgeons are a low form of life. IMHO. Too each their own.

[Barefoot]

Well, I went to a few parties in my youth that turned out to be pot parties but, like Clinton, I never inhaled. I had a girl-friend who worked under cover for the police department. She invited me to a party that turned out to be a pot party. This was in an appartment building that had a pay-phone in the hallway. At one point she excused herself to use the phone. When she came back she said, "I heard there's going to be a raid so we better get going fast." So we left and the next day there was a big headline in the newspaper on the upper half of the front page: "Pine Street Pot Party Busted."

Another interesting true story: One time there was a rash of nighttime pharmacy burglaries. A gang of burglars would break in to get drugs and money. Several of them would somehow manage to put the store's heavy safe on the back of a pick-up truck. They would then dump the safe in the woods with the idea of going back later to break it open. After there were several stores robbed, she called me one day to tell me she was at the appartment of the gang who robbed the stores. She said she was there by herself and needed someone to talk to. She said the gang had gone to the woods to break open the safe from the last burglary. I believe there were about 6 of them. So I went to see if I could be of some help because she seemed to be extremely nervous about the whole situation.

There wasn't much I could do except to help get her calmed down. She said they would be coming back soon and that I had better leave, so I left. (She said they all had guns.) The next morning there was a big front page headline that the gang had been caught. She said when the police came, she left through a back window. Hmmmm! She always managed to get out just in time.

Anyway, the point of the two stories: They were all drug users and this is what happens to drug users.

This is what happens to drug users? Really? Based on a couple of pot parties in your youth, you can make this sweeping generalization? I think that there are a lot of MJ users quietly and happily toking away.

[CFrance]

This is what happens to drug users? Really? Based on a couple of pot parties in your youth, you can make this sweeping generalization? I think that there are a lot of MJ users quietly and happily toking away.

I agree.

The girlfriend sounds a little squirrelly as well, although VPL seems to have deducted this.

[benj]

I saw the CNN special from Dr Sanjay Gupta. Anyone who watches it should be satisfied as to medical benefits.

[davecz1]

This is what happens to drug users? Really? Based on a couple of pot parties in your youth, you can make this sweeping generalization? I think that there are a lot of MJ users quietly and happily toking away.

I agree.

The girlfriend sounds a little squirrelly as well, although VPL seems to have deducted this.


Yup, I agree. :coolsmiley:

[rp001]

My problem is they don't invite me enough...I keep trying to not inhale but can't help myself...overdose on peanut butter and jelly, followed by laughter..I once watched Reefer Madness and laughed so hard I cried, and I was straight...lol

[ilovetv]

I don't have any experience with marijuana use in hospital settings so I have to ask: Does the marijuana come in pill form, or do you wheel them outside for a smoke? And if it does come in a pill, is there a synthetic form of marijuana that can be manufactured without having to grow marijuana plants?

Pill - Dronabinol.

Marinol Official FDA information, side effects and uses. (http://www.drugs.com/pro/marinol.html)

Thanks for your reply. Now I have to wonder why so many people are promoting the legalization of marijuana if people are already being helped medically by the above drugs in pill form.

I keep waiting for an answer for this logical question Villages PL posted above:

"Now I have to wonder why so many people are promoting the legalization of marijuana if people are already being helped medically by the above drugs in pill form."

[CFrance]

I keep waiting for an answer for this logical question Villages PL posted above:

"Now I have to wonder why so many people are promoting the legalization of marijuana if people are already being helped medically by the above drugs in pill form."



"Marinol provides standardized THC concentrations, does not contain the other 400 uncharacterized substances found in smoked marijuana, such as carcinogens or fungal spores, and is not associated with the quick high of smoked marijuana," said Neil Hirsch, a spokesman for Marinol manufacturer Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

But Marinol is not the same thing as traditional, smokable marijuana. It is a less complex substance lacking both some of the good components found in traditional marijuana (such as cannabidiol, which has been found to have anti-seizure effects) and the bad or not-yet-fully-understood components (among them potential carcinogens) that can also come with the drug.

Ken Trainer, a 60-year-old Massachusetts resident who has battled Multiple Sclerosis for 25 years, said he has long been smoking marijuana to deal with the regular tremors he gets in his arms and legs.

"If I smoke a joint, the tremors go away most times before the joint is gone," he said. "It makes my life a little easier." Marinol, by contrast, "didn't really do much of anything for me," he said.

Before responding with "This guy just wants to get high," go here for the full article and also read the comments. Does the Marijuana Pill Work? (http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/458287-Does-the-Marijuana-Pill-Work)

[blueash]

Comparing pills to pot is like comparing cigarettes to nicorettes. The effects simply are not the same when a single part of the natural product is isolated.

[Villages PL]

This is what happens to drug users? Really? Based on a couple of pot parties in your youth, you can make this sweeping generalization? I think that there are a lot of MJ users quietly and happily toking away.

Next time, for the benefit of the marijuana crowd, I will spell it out more carefully that not all marijuana users get arrested. ;)

[rp001]

I keep waiting for an answer for this logical question Villages PL posted above:

"Now I have to wonder why so many people are promoting the legalization of marijuana if people are already being helped medically by the above drugs in pill form."



The simple answer is that folks that used it actually liked it, some far more than alcohol.

[ilovetv]

I heard on the radio about this NJ decision on medical marijuana for pediatric patients with severe seizure disorders, and looked for some articles.

This seems like a reasonable decision on Christie's part (between a rock and a hard place), but it seems like the jury is still out on whether the benefits outweigh the risks of pediatric patients having it prescribed......


"Other states allow medical marijuana for children, and parents swear by its power to relieve their children’s debilitating conditions. But it has not been without controversy.

In California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana, doctors have reported concerns about the high number of prescriptions to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, when the active ingredient in marijuana can, some say, aggravate its symptoms."


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/nyregion/christie-amends-marijuana-restrictions.html?_r=0