Marijuana: Legalized

[S Carver Orne]

I see a lot of people on another forum getting banned a lot for "promoting drug use." I can't discuss it there, but I can here. Some of the posts / threads made me wonder: If marijuana was legalized in the United States, as in every day commercial sales such as cigarettes and whatnot are, would you use it? Vote in the poll, discuss below.

[Tonus]

I don't care if they legalize it or not, but I never smoked anything and I wouldn't start smoking weed if it became legal. I wouldn't really have a reason to do it.

[Dr. L]

I wouldn't. Doesn't bother me when other people do.

I've found that smokers are far more personable than non-smokers around here, cigarette wise.

[NervousWreck]

I don't smoke anything, and I don't want to. The idea that the world would go to hell from overindulgence if the government doesn't stop you is a load of bullshit.

[KB.]

You know the most effective thing I have found to help me with the pain of Neuropathy? Marijuana. I hadn't smoke pot in 13 years and never smoked it much even then, but when I took a friend's suggestion and tried I was amazed at how well it worked. Having relief from my constant degenerative nerve pain > pretty much everything else at this point.

[Grunthos]

Hoping I never end up needing it for medicinal reasons, but I have no interest in volunteering to use it.

Too much grief from potheads in high school, probably, but I am what I am. Never smoked nothing, and never intend to.

[Diniden]

I never would. Grew up with people close to me in the drug scene. I can't stand people becoming something they really aren't. Outside of medicine, it's nothing but living a lie.

[KB.]

I have an addictive personality. It has manifested itself in several ways, online gaming, drinking, smoking, troubled white women, etc.. I recognized this and managed to keep most of the vices that were "bad" for me out of the picture. I managed to pare it down to smoking and the women. Which may actually be the two worst in retrospect. I never experimented with anything more nefarious than pot because of that personality trait and wasn't much into that either to be honest. It made me sleepy and hungry and that was it. But I firmly believe in the medicinal properties of marijuana. I also think it is less dangerous to your health than either tobacco or alcohol. Most "pot heads" I know are also smart enough to realize that if it is legalized and regulated that it will lower the quality of the drug that is readily available. That isn't an issue for me though.

The AMA recently talked about (not sure if they actually did it yet) taking marijuana off of the class 1 controlled substance list in order to make medicinal usage experiments easier to conduct.

[Grunthos]

I'm all for legit research into it, because such efforts could reasonably be expected to find out how to make it useful as an effective drug without the users having to smell like a fire in a rope locker.

And even if it less harmful than tobacco (and the jury's still out on that imo), inhaling smoke of any kind cannot be without some negatives for the lungs.

[S Carver Orne]

I voted under the "Maybe" option. It might be a "Probably", but there's a lot of variables to consider, such as cost, regulation, availability, etc. I have a lot of problems with stress and anxiety, and many moons ago when I smoked pot I did learn to let a lot of stuff go. While I have milled over my own personal morals regarding it, I think the therapeutic value might outweigh the cons for me. I won't smoke now, though, as I have no desire to break substance laws.

[Shady]

Mostly I don't use it now because I don't like the high, so I doubt I would use it recreationally if it were to be legalized. I'm also not one to risk criminal prosecution over much of anything, and most certainly not a drug.

However, if I were to have a medicinal need for it, no problem.

I have a lot of problems with stress and anxiety, and many moons ago when I smoked pot I did learn to let a lot of stuff go.

I have an in-law who has some rage issues. He's never been a pot smoker, but he has been smoking recently and it's really changed him for the better. He's a very high strung and angry guy. I don't think drugs like xanax or valium would help that at all, because I honestly think he would become addicted and some very, very bad things would happen. Since he's started smoking though, the change is considerably notable. He doesn't even seem high, he just seems normal now. It's very strange.

And even if it less harmful than tobacco (and the jury's still out on that imo), inhaling smoke of any kind cannot be without some negatives for the lungs.

I just don't believe that the jury is still out on the specific of smoking pot being as harmful as smoking cigarettes, considering the two are done with relatively differing frequencies. And that's besides the fact that cigarettes (and smokeless tobacco) are filled with secondary carcinogens that pot doesn't have.

But absolutely, smoke inhalation will have an effect on the respiratory system and likely other organs. To what extent depends on many variables, though.

[NervousWreck]

None of this changes the fact that I have no interest in it, though I am for legalization on principle.

Everyone here knows that tobacco is now officially on the controlled substances list (as of March) right?

Class C, along with valium.

[imothing91]

Honestly, I wouldn't because I don't already.
But I really don't think it'll hurt much of anything if marijuana is legalized.

Hey.
Tax the hell out of it and there goes the economy UP! ^_^

[Hakoon1]

My Dad has known people who have messed with pot and apparently it isn't pretty. So, no. You do get people who say that it can really be harmless, but according to my Dad it can destroy people.

[GuitarFreak]

Probably, if I need to calm down or loosen up. Or if I'm sick and want to feel a bit better, like before going to sleep. I wouldn't smoke it every day like cigarettes though.

I've only smoked it two or three times, but it really calms me down and lets me think clearer.

[Valderack]

I don't plan on doing any drugs, really. I just don't want to take the risk. My family has a history of addictive personalities, and I don't think the high would be worth it. That being said, I don't care if it's legalized or not, but I don't think it would cause much harm to society, so therefore I vote yes.

Ah shit I didn't read the poll title. Uh... no.

[Aaron]

It's worth trying. Never smoked anything myself.

[Edmaster]

I smoke weed on a regular basis, for several reasons which I will not delve into here. I am graduating in May from a somewhat respectable university with a Bachelors in Engineering. If weed was legalized this wouldn't really change much except it would make things more convenient and a hell of a lot less dangerous.

I'll take weed over alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or any other drug. Quite honestly, I can't stand the level of intoxication that most college-age students will go through on a typical weekend/weekday. Weed is the least of our concerns, if you ask me, considering how many people have been killed by the DEA/law enforcement than directly by the drug itself.

I've said it on UGOP and I'll say it again here- as long as you aren't harming others, I see no reason why the government should be responsible for your own personal health. When I graduate I probably will "grow up" and see the error of my ways or whatever, but right now I guess I'm just an ignorant college kid with not enough respect for my elders. Sorry.

[Grunthos]

...as long as you aren't harming others, I see no reason why the government should be responsible for your own personal health...

Strong argeement from me, but it only works if done consistently.

[KB.]

Called a buddy today, smoked a joint, first day I have been able to function normally in almost a month. Still trying to get in to see a doctor in my county that works at the health department and charges on a sliding scale based on income and doesn't turn you away for not having insurance. I have to call every day to see if I can get in the next day. I haven't had any luck so far which doesn't surprise me considering how much this saint of a doctor is having to do by herself. If I don't get in this upcoming week I'll be calling my buddy again.

[imothing91]

I am graduating in May from a somewhat respectable university with a Bachelors in Engineering.

Where do you go?

[Edmaster]

Notre Dame. :happy:

[imothing91]

"somewhat" respectable?

That's more than somewhat. Cool!