[B767drvr]

Continues to amaze me how some always want others to tell them what is safe, or healthy or acceptable. It's as if they're unable to learn and choose their path. These people prefer a "group" (elected or unelected) choose what is "good" and what is "bad". I imagine this is what it's like to live under authoritarian rule.

How about we each choose for ourselves what we wish to consume, so long as we don't endanger others by our choices (driving while impaired, for example.)

Those who wish to kill themselves through an unhealthy diet are free to, and those who wish to accept whatever risk is associated with marijuana are free to also. Just don't endanger others, or make THEM pay for YOUR choices!

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

Less than 5 MINUTES of research will yield what I said. Always amazed at the "lack of motivation" of some.

Maybe you should consider MORE than 5 MINUTES of research. It would yield plenty of information to rebuke the claim. Always amazed at the "willingness and ease" with which some will twist the facts.

[wazoga]

I’am not sure but from observations over the years, it seems to me that every one I have ever met who used pot started first, as a child, with milk. so i deduce that milk must be the terrible gateway drug we should condemn.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

[B767drvr]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Maybe you should consider MORE than 5 MINUTES of research. It would yield plenty of information to rebuke the claim. Always amazed at the "willingness and ease" with which some will twist the facts.

"Information" is far different from "peer-reviewed scientific study", which I am referring to.

But hey, I'm NOT telling you to do anything. Make up your own mind and make the choices in life YOU think are best for you. That's my overall point. As long as YOUR choices don't infringe on me (or make me pay for your choices!), you're absolutely free to consume whatever you wish!

See the difference between that stance and those that want "others" to tell them what's ok and not ok?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Well, since one of the comments is directed towards me, I suggest you read what I wrote again. If you're going to state that marijuana is a gateway drug, then maybe you should look at the addict.

Most started with nicotine. I was trying to make the point that the fault lies not with marijuana but with the individual. Some are more likely to experiment, some are more suggestive to peer pressure, some are more genetically inclined towards addiction. Marijuana is no more to blame than alcohol or nicotine. And most pot smokers are not addicts.

Yes, drug abuse is tragic and that's true whether that drug is alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

"Information" is far different from "peer-reviewed scientific study", which I am referring to.

But hey, I'm NOT telling you to do anything. Make up your own mind and make the choices in life YOU think are best for you. That's my overall point. As long as YOUR choices don't infringe on me (or make me pay for your choices!), you're absolutely free to consume whatever you wish!

See the difference between that stance and those that want "others" to tell them what's ok and not ok?

Not for nothing but isn't it a little late for us to decide if we are going to be "heads"? Hellooo, I don't think we really need to spend too much time worrying about the long-term effects, if you're living here I'd say that ship has sailed.

I think part of the flaw with these "studies" is that the sample group is already screwy when they got there. In my country nobody was damaged by it, they went on to be very successful creative people. They never showed up at a rehab center, I know nobody that went on to what we called "the bad drugs"-that would have been way too ghetto.

I haven't done this in years, but thinking back we went through a lot of Velveeta, maybe that's what caused the damage to your control group.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Not for nothing but isn't it a little late for us to decide if we are going to be "heads"? Hellooo, I don't think we really need to spend too much time worrying about the long-term effects, if you're living here I'd say that ship has sailed.

I think part of the flaw with these "studies" is that the sample group is already screwy when they got there. In my country nobody was damaged by it, they went on to be very successful creative people. They never showed up at a rehab center, I know nobody that went on to what we called "the bad drugs"-that would have been way too ghetto.

I haven't done this in years, but thinking back we went through a lot of Velveeta, maybe that's what caused the damage to your control group.

....

[ron122049]

Originally Posted by blueash

As you consider your vote on the liberalization of the control of marijuana proposed for Florida, you may want to consider this pointed reminder of the risks of pot. It doesn't take an overly sharp intellect to grasp the dangers of drugs and this case once again cuts to the quick with its brief but rapier like analysis of the unfortunate death of Barry Wilson.

Ky man dies from pot

It's unfortunate about Barry Wilson. HOWEVER, some people kill themselves handling their firearms, some drive too fast or recklessly, others drink themselves to death or continue to smoke. I think you get my point! As a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney I can assure you that there is a significant amount of taxpayers money spent on enforcing laws for possession or use of SMALL amounts of pot. It's a total waste of time and money and by the way has not deterred the continued use of it. I say legalize it, regulate it and tax it!

[Wkcarter]

As one ponders how they will vote on the marihuana issue consider this one question:
Knowing that some physicians , only a small percentage, will prescribe anything.
If medical marihuana become legal and a child is prescribed marihuana. The school will have to allow that patient the availability to receive their dosage even if they have a no smoking policy. One cannot keep medication from someone if it is legally prescribed.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

The #1 killer in America is heart disease. You'd save far more lives outlawing steak than pot.

The causality between prostate cancer (#1 most diagnosed cancer in America) and dairy is the same as smoking cigarettes and lung cancer. You'd save far more lives outlawing milk!

If pot is a gateway drug (>100 million users in America each year) then we should have > 100 million heroin addicts! Where are they all hiding?

How many Youtube videos has anyone watched where two pot smokers beat the snot out of each other? Answer = NONE!

How many videos/real life incidents have we all watched with drunk idiots beating the snot out of each other? LOTS.

How many epileptics have had their lives SAVED by marijuana? Not sure…? Google it!

Time for many to shake off the "marijuana is a schedule 1 drug" BS and learn for themselves why this plant was ORIGINALLY deemed "illegal". HINT: follow the $!

The latest from the experts is that steak/meat is good for you and one columnist headlined it as "a steak a day keeps the doctor away" further experts contend that those over 65 should eat more if it because their rate of absorption is severely declined. Stay tuned because another expert will come along and over turn these studies.

HOWEVER the biggest issue I personally find with this marijuana issue is with ALL THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY OUR STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS ARE WASTING TIME AND RESOURCES PLACING LEGALIZATION AS A TOP PRIORITY.

[graciegirl]

Good morning everyone.

I missed Woodstock.

I'm glad.

And when pot becomes legal, and someone runs into you under it's influence and kills you, don't come cryin ' to me.

[Djembe dude]

so will alcohol. not many things that won't kill you.

[Tobys Dad]

Originally Posted by ron122049

It's unfortunate about Barry Wilson. HOWEVER, some people kill themselves handling their firearms, some drive too fast or recklessly, others drink themselves to death or continue to smoke. I think you get my point! As a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney I can assure you that there is a significant amount of taxpayers money spent on enforcing laws for possession or use of SMALL amounts of pot. It's a total waste of time and money and by the way has not deterred the continued use of it. I say legalize it, regulate it and tax it!

You nailed it. I agree 100%!!!!

[Tobys Dad]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Good morning everyone.

I missed Woodstock.

I'm glad.

And when pot becomes legal, and someone runs into you under it's influence and kills you, don't come cryin ' to me.

When someone's prescribed drug makes them drowsy and they run into you don't come crying to me. My point is there are hundreds of reasons people have accidents, pot smokers a small minority. Texters, drinkers, drifty people etc!

[PennBF]

Some examples of the level of knowledge or education a few readers have honored others with:
The ship has sailed for Villager's..No concern with examples being sent to youth, know no one went from gateway pot..now there is an argument to allow people to get high and put others at risk, (e.g. driving, etc.). waste of taxpayer dollars to press charges..how about the taxpayer $$'s spent for the institutions to treat users which is really sizable, so will alchol cause problems..right so what the heck why not just expand the use of drugs to cause more problems..now that is a solution, cigrattes a gateway drug..now that does not even deserve the ink to answer..what's the problem if we don't endanger others..another great solution to drug usage and it's impacts, clear this was not a well thought out response, pick the choice best for you. and you wonder why our society is so screwed up with this level of thinking, and the greatest one.. there are 100 million heroin users so where are the 100 million pot users..problem with reading comprehension since all notes say 20% move on which would be 20 million and yes 20 million of users moved from pot. Think the writer got the statistics messed up since I think it is all drug users? These are just a few of the comments which support the usage of a gateway drug. Not one has quoted a Professional involved with Crisis Centers or Rehabs as asserting the use of pot is acceptable. Quoting either Dr's who don't deal with working with the addicts recoveries or Prosecuters who don't want to be bothered with these poor souls is missing the mark. How about one of those that think it is fine attending a NA meeting and hearing the tragic stories. I would bet NOT ONE of the submitters to this thread has attended NA meetings on a regular basis, attented a family session at a Rehab center and talked to the Counselors or a Crisis Center and saw the misery the patients are going through. Wanna Bet..