And it is addictive and some low-life long-term users of coffee-heads go through painful withdrawal. (tongue in cheek)

You are sooo right! I have two cups of coffee every morning, if possible. If I only have one, I usually want another one. I must be addicted. REALLY?????????

Let me know if you have problems understanding what was written. I had no problem understanding what was written and also agree with that poster.
And come on folks, there is no need to attack a poster that you do not agree with.

///

Oh wait! Was I supposed to insert a (tongue in cheek) in my comment?

Does coffee make you slow and unmotivated? Can you get high on coffee? It does seem to sharpen my perception in the morning after consumption, so you might be right about it "altering the mind." Maybe chocolate should be put in the category of coffee addiction also, since it also has that drug called caffeine.

Kind of off the subject related to legalizing MJ, huh?

Glad you're doing what YOU need to do, however, I fail to see how legalizing marijuana is abusing children. I would put that blame on how the children are raised. Legal or not, children will be able to get drugs. And why should adults be penalized because something isn't good for children? Heck, we'd have to ban a lot of products.

We do have a free society. Heck, we couldn't even get adults to wear face mask during a pandemic, or even get vaccinated. What about the children living with those anti-societal people?

If you followed the conversation, we were talking about addictions and mind altering substances. Coffee does alter the brain and it is addictive. I'm sure if I researched it I would find accidents that involved people who are too hopped up on caffeine. But I was being silly.

If you knew a little about marijuana, then you would know that one type makes you chill, and un-motivates some people. This is known as Indica, better known as In Da Couch, because it relaxes a person and heightens the senses for music. This is best used at night, after dinner or an hour before bed. The other type is Sativa, which, for me, makes me more aware, not less motivated. Some will tell you that's not true, but one has to try it, before they can make that assumption. Medically, in terms of particular ailments, Sativa strains tend to be better for psychological disorders, like depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Indicas are often the best for pain and inflammation.

It gives me that "get up and go" (to the bathroom) feeling... Good to the last drop! :icon_wink:

If I don't get my morning cup I get a migraine. I learned that caffeine could prevent migraines, AND can trigger them. Cafergot is a prescription version of a cup of coffee, with the addition of ergotamine tartrate. Funny thing about ergot - that's one of the ingredients used in the making of LSD. It's also a fungus that grows on rye seeds.

Not merely legal, but used widely for people who get migraine or cluster headaches, prescribed and covered by insurance.

And yet cannabis is still considered as dangerous as heroin, according to the class schedule, because the DEA STILL hasn't acknowledged that cannabis has any "accepted medical use". Notice I say they haven't acknowledge it. They KNOW it has accepted medical use. It's used medically, in most parts of the world, including the USA. They just haven't acknowledge it officially, so it remains on the schedule 1 list.

Time to close the thread?
 

Yes, at the risk of being accused of being the thread police, it may be time. Was a very good thread about Pot has now evolved into the coffee debate.

It still comes down to the age-old American debate about freedom.

We want our freedom to do what makes us happy, and makes us feel good, but we aren't shy about denying others the freedom to do what makes them happy or feel good.

Cases in point:
I like coffee. Too much of it can make my heart race, and give me an ulcer. I have tried to quit. I get headaches for days, and feel lethargic when I don't drink it. But it's legal.

I like a couple of alcoholic beverages in the evening. Me personally, I don't enjoy it at all if I have it during the day, but in the evenings I really enjoy it. When I deny myself my evening cocktail, after a couple of days I get grouchy. If I drink it at the wrong time, and engage in the wrong activity, I become a danger to others. I know people whose lives have been ruined by excessive drinking. We all have known and loved someone whose life has been ruined by excessive drinking. Period. We all do. But it's legal.

I don't enjoy pot. I did once, back in my college days I loved it. Now, either because I've changed, or the pot has changed, I simply don't enjoy it. Among the things I don't like about it, the day after I feel very lethargic. I don't feel like golfing, or playing pickleball, or doing my PT exercises....But I know people who use it recreationally, and to self-medicate for pain, anxiety, sleep problems, attention deficit issues, and they use it EVERY FREEKIN' DAY, just like I use my coffee and my evening booze. They are fine. They function well. Run businesses, make a lot of money. They are happy. They aren't hurting anyone at all, yet the government, with the blessing of many people who have their own but different ways of getting through their days (despite those ways all having the potential to make them sick, or worse), denies them that particular freedom which helps them function well, be happy and feel good. But it's OK with all of those people because it is not THEIR freedom that is being denied. It's someone else's.

It's really that simple.

Yup

Bingo!

MJ has been legalized for medical use. Be honest. Since you all are making excuses about MJ being safe and should be legalized, I suppose you are suggesting it be legal for recreational use. SO, in that case you shouldn't have any problem with Oxycodone being made legal for recreational use. Coffee is NOT MJ and Oxy is NOT MJ, but there have been plenty of studies that prove that MJ does have dangerous or long term side effects. CBD is MJ without the THC, or very little. It has uses and has yet to be deemed dangerous, therefore it is not illegal. THC is illegal and I want to know why you would want it legalized.
Today's MJ is much stronger than the old stuff most of you hippies smoked/still smoke. It really IS a gateway drug from some. This is why I vote NO for legalizing MJ. I don't have much problem with using it for medical purposes, BUT most of it is being used for recreational purposes even though subscribed by doctors.
I use LEGAL CBD oil but I do NOT use MJ in any other form. I use the stuff without THC.
And for those that insist on comparing MJ with alcohol, I would have no problem if they banned liquor in any form for anything other than some form of medical purpose. Tell me where alcohol has done any good. If you insist that you need something to "relax" you, then try exercise. Exercise works wonders for stress.

Hmm, well, I agree with most of what you said here. What I don't understand is why you feel you should deny someone else what they want to use to "relax" or get "stoned" or any other reason someone may want to use something.

I certainly understand making it illegal to drive while intoxicated or do any other activity that might put others' lives in danger. I completely agree with regulating access to it for minors.

And yes, I am in favor of making all drugs legal for recreational use. Just like I am in favor of many things for recreational purposes that I personally would never use or do.

Making something legal does not mean it is not regulated. Just like making something regulated does not make it illegal.

The same reason many on here insist that the gov mandate vaccinations.
If "making something regulated does not make it illegal" then MJ is not illegal, right? Because MJ is regulated ---- for medical purposes.

Like I said before, if you need artificial means to "relax" then it should be regulated by a doctor. There are natural ways to "relax" without the possibility of endangering yourself or others.

I've stated my opinion and none of the resulting posts have convinced me of the value of legalizing MJ for recreational purposes. But, I have also said that I do not believe that incarceration is warranted for merely using MJ. A fine could be a deterrent for most decent citizens.

Another thought. Making MJ legal for recreational use would also end up with many folks going to work under the influence. Do you really want someone from DMV, IRS, the fire dept, construction, Uber, bus driver, etc. serving you? Be honest.

1. how do you know they aren't already?
2. impaired driving, impaired operation of mechanical things, impaired work, impaired anything, is already covered by OSHA and at the workplace. If a substance is impairing their ability to perform their tasks as described, then it doesn't matter WHAT substance is doing the impairing. It could be cannabis, prescribed painkillers to treat recovery from surgery, alcohol, recreational use of painkillers, an antihistimine to treat allergies, or they took an extra prescribed, necessary prozac by mistake that morning. If it impairs their function, they have to go home. If they're impaired on purpose, they go home, and can't come back. If they're not impaired, how do you know they're not using something?

I very much agree. And it should definitely be decriminalized! Hell they are not even convicting people stealing up $1000 worth of goods from stores and murders and rapists get out of prison in a few years if they are even convicted!

Well, no, because vaccinations protect me from you. MJ being illegal protects me from ME.

Big difference.

Hmm, and so, that brings us back to alcohol is legal and all those people do go to work drunk. In fact, it is not uncommon for pilots to go to work drunk.

So, laws don't stop that behavior, they only punish people after the fact. So, Back to making MJ illegal would appear to be no worse than alcohol being illegal.

I believe you said you wouldn't mind alcohol being illegal - and I am all with you on that.

It only protects you from you if you obey the law. Being vaccinated will protect me from you, even if it's not mandated.

Very true, but if mandated (which is what the post I was referring to) said, then it would "force" others to protect me - since I am already vaccinated I don't need to be forced - LOL!

Why? Why should my method of relaxation, be regulated by anyone? Alcohol? Should my use of that be regulated by a doctor? Booze by Rx only?

Hey, what about artificial methods of stimulation? Should that be regulated? Should I need a doctor visit and Rx for my morning caffeine. Too much caffeine is a bad thing, right? Do I want my vascular surgeon working on me after too much coffee?

So tell me how liquor is regulated other than taxing? I can buy as much as I want in liquor store, then go home drink as much as I like and go where I want. How legal regulating MJ be any different other than regulating the tax?

Long time user’s LOL, nope they don’t crave it. LOL

One way liquor is regulated is that you have to be 21 years old to buy it. At least in most states.

So tell me, what are you suggesting, because it sounds like you are saying there is no point in having any laws since you can do what you want anyway.

And there is NO doubt that laws typically do not deter criminals. But, laws do tend to deter most people who are not criminals.

And you can get drunk and go where ever you want. True, and if you get caught there are punishments provided. If you are a criminal, then you don't care, if you are not a criminal, then chances are you do care.

It’s only going to be law so government can tax it. Same as probation experiment. Can’t stop it, tax it, that makes it Ok. I don’t care one way or the other but don’t claim people don’t crave it, maybe it not as addictive as liquor or pills, but they still got to have it.

Age restrictions on many things, still don’t stop under aged from getting or doing it. Yes, majority are law bidding and responsible.

Okay, many drugs are illegal, that still doesn't stop people (including minors) from getting them.

The difference is illegal drugs channel $150 Billion per year into the pockets of criminals, instead of into local businesses, rehabilitation centers, law enforcement, et al.

Did you miss my post on taxing it? That’s answer to regulating far as government concerned. Don’t say they can make regulations without taxing it. I agree better to may drug cartels here billions than south or border cause druggie’s are NOT going to stop.

There are several ways to ingest THC and not everyone who uses it does it to get high and party.

Some of us have medical issues and need help ( I broke my C1)
Some of us are allergic to almost all pain meds except opiates and thats not a good choice
Some of us need it to even sleep because of nerve damage
So there are legit uses, I'm just one example of many.

As for taxing it, yeh, that works great but does not get rid of the secondary market at all. The taxes they place on legit markets is so high (no pun intended) that the secondary market is thriving.

Personally I wish they'd legalize everything and let Darwin sort it out.

I completely agree it should be taxed.

Let's review the conversation. In your first post you how liquor is regulated beyond taxation. My post answers your specific question. Then you deflect to how the regulations don't necessarily stop under aged from getting booze.

I am befuddled here as to what your overall point is. Are you suggesting that the age restriction for alcohol be lifted because it is sometimes successfully thwarted?
I don't believe you believe that.
And whatever the point is that you are making, how does that apply to the legalization (with regulation and taxation) of MJ?

Making it a criminal offense to possess MJ did not stop its widespread use in the 1970s when I was in college. Easing of the draconian measures against possession, but maintaining the criminal prosecution of suppliers also has not stopped the use of MJ.

If people want it, they can get it. Just like alcohol and cigarettes.

So what vices do you crave? I don't crave marijuana, and I go days without it, as long as I feel no pain. Not everyone who uses marijuana craves it daily, just as everyone who drinks doesn't crave it everyday, although I do know adults who have to have their cocktail hour.

Several summers ago, I spent a month in Colorado. They have an excellent system. The non-medical dispensaries I went to reminded me of speak easy places. You couldn't see in, but they could see out. You had to ring the doorbell, and then someone would open the door and scan your driver's license. Every product was under glass, and a store employee had to get you what you wanted to buy. So, it was well regulated.

I don't like hard liquor, but other people do. I would never call for banning alcohol because a minority of people abuse it. I don't believe in punishing everyone, because some people abuse something.

Oh, and one other thing. Research, real research, which can't be done in the US, has shown marijuana does not cause loss of motivation.

And let's not forget, marijuana is a herb, created by the god you probably worship, unlike everything else, which is man made.

I smoked a joint with a group of guys twice back in 1971 when I was in the army...it was so good that I knew it had the capability of controlling me....so, I've not had a puff in the past 50 years

am I in favor of legalizing it....I'm not enthused about it

I would say, based upon your singular experience, being "not enthused about it" is appropriate.
If you were to take the position that ,based upon your one experience ,you think that everyone should be denied access to it, I would take issue.

I smoked it for years when I was younger. It made me feel dizzy - and gave me the munchies. Eventually I got tired of it and stopped. It wasn't a big deal to smoke it, and it wasn't a big deal to stop smoking it. I never missed it, I don't miss it now, there wasn't a single moment in my entire life when I thought "Oh my god I need to smoke a joint!"

It didn't make me a bad student either - I had no ambition at all but I had straight As in every English/Grammar/Literature class I've taken since 4th grade and was writing computer programs in my high school math class in1978, before most of the world even considered buying a computer for personal use.

The lack of ambition didn't have anything to do with pot by the way. It was a combination of things: high expectations from the family making me want to rebel, plus undiagnosed hearing loss, plus undiagnosed ADD, plus what *might* be undiagnosed full-functioning autism-spectrum disorder (jury's out on that, and I don't care enough to get tested). General social awkwardness. So I was happier at home reading a book than I was trying to "do something with my life."

Dude...........what?