Smoking weed

[Karlifornia]

For some reason, mary jane has made me curious tonight. I haven't smoked any, although I do have a bit tucked away just in case I want to make TV funny again. What I wanna know is, where does FOFC stand on the green plant that makes people high? We know it's illegal in the US because the government is too lazy to regulate it. We know that, behind alcohol, it is the most popular way for people to alter their consciousness.

Have you ever smoked pot? If so, why, but more importantly, if no, why not?

How often do you smoke it?

Do you do it alone, or with friends?

Do you ever buy weed? If yes, do you have any funny stories that have happened during marijuana-purchasing transactions?

Does smoking weed make text-sims better? I have never played one while high.

If you don't smoke weed, what is your perception of people who do?

Do you think that weed should be decriminalized, or even made legal? Why yes or why no?

Do you think medicinal marijuana is a good idea? Why or why not?

I'm hoping for some honest dialogue. I've added a poll.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I would like to use my 5th Ammendment right now, your honour.

[johnnyshaka]

Never have...never will...why? Doesn't interest me in the least. No problem with anybody else who cares to indulge...I just hate the stench on my clothes afterwards if I've been around those who care to partake.

[Karlifornia]

I would like to use my 5th Ammendment right now, your honour.

LOL, fair enough.

[DeToxRox]

When it’s all over said and done, I’ll still be standing, screaming this song.
Look me in the eyes and tell me what you see.
A standard issue mind.
Pure, clean and drug free.
I have made my choice.
This is my voice to teach what I believe is the right way for me.
This is my voice.
I am proud to be drug free.
This says it all.


Oh come on, someone had to post something like this.

Danny
- Drug free

[DeToxRox]

Dola - I don't smoke it obviously but if someone does it, no qualms.

[Karlifornia]

Never have...never will...why? Doesn't interest me in the least. No problem with anybody else who cares to indulge...I just hate the stench on my clothes afterwards if I've been around those who care to partake.


Maybe I should give that multi-quote button a try. It sort of scares me, though. Anyhoo...

Thank you for answering honestly. The smell is definitely less than great. You know those little car air fresheners that people hang from their rear-view mirrors? They have ones that smell like weed. I can't understand it.

[Karlifornia]

When it’s all over said and done, I’ll still be standing, screaming this song.
Look me in the eyes and tell me what you see.
A standard issue mind.
Pure, clean and drug free.
I have made my choice.
This is my voice to teach what I believe is the right way for me.
This is my voice.
I am proud to be drug free.
This says it all.


Oh come on, someone had to post something like this.

Danny
- Drug free

Dude...can you hook me up with a D.A.R.E. frisbee?

[Ragone]

Dude...can you hook me up with a D.A.R.E. frisbee?


apparently they now give free lifetime coupons for fries at mcdonalds instead of frisbee's. i feel gipped

[DeToxRox]

Dude...can you hook me up with a D.A.R.E. frisbee?

I'd be G.L..A.D too, but if I can't, you'd be S.A.D.D and you may hit the bottle and try to come over and steal one, which would make a lot of people M.A.D.D.

Also .. NAACP.

[cthomer5000]

Don't do it personally, but i'm pro-drugs in general. go drugs!

[molson]

Tried it once or twice in college - not enough to "get it", I suppose.

I have no problem with it or people that use it in general, but people who are obnoxious in their praise of it is a little annoying. Any time you watch say, Conan O'Brien or SNL, and marijuana is even mentioned, there's like 20 people in the audience that go nuts and cheer for like 5 seconds. Total posers.

[Karlifornia]

Tried it once or twice in college - not enough to "get it", I suppose.

I have no problem with it or people that use it in general, but people who are obnoxious in their praise of it is a little annoying. Any time you watch say, Conan O'Brien or SNL, and marijuana is even mentioned, there's like 20 people in the audience that go nuts and cheer for like 5 seconds. Total posers.

I agree that the subculture is lame. David Cross has a whole bit about it on one of his comedy cd's. "4:20, it's the best time to smoke, maaaaaan"

[DeToxRox]

I agree that the subculture is lame. David Cross has a whole bit about it on one of his comedy cd's. "4:20, it's the best time to smoke, maaaaaan"

High Times solved the JFK assassination!

[st.cronin]

I don't understand the appeal at all.

[kcchief19]

I'm in between option one and option two. I would never use marijuana and don't think anyone should use it for recreational purposes. It's nothing about marijuana in particular, I'm just not big on products that significantly alter your mental state and put you at a greater risk of harming yourself or others. To that degree, if you want to smoke pot in your house, as long as you're not bothering me, I shouldn't necessarily care what you do.

I don't necessarily have a problem with marijuana for medicinal purposes, I'm just not convinced of it's benefits. My understanding is that by and large for almost every claim of benefit, there is a more legitimate drug the performs the same function without the side effects.

I think much of both the appeal and the dislike of marijuana has much to do with society's puritanical approach to the subject. If we didn't make it so taboo, I think fewer people would be interested in it. I'll admit that I'd feel differently about it's usage if it were legal.

No offense, but another reason for my dislike of marijuana has been alluded to above. People high on weed are not nearly as entertaining as they think they are -- just like drunks are nearly as amusing as they think they are either.

[sabotai]

I would answer this survey, but I got high

[Karlifornia]

I'm in between option one and option two. I would never use marijuana and don't think anyone should use it for recreational purposes. It's nothing about marijuana in particular, I'm just not big on products that significantly alter your mental state and put you at a greater risk of harming yourself or others. To that degree, if you want to smoke pot in your house, as long as you're not bothering me, I shouldn't necessarily care what you do.

I don't necessarily have a problem with marijuana for medicinal purposes, I'm just not convinced of it's benefits. My understanding is that by and large for almost every claim of benefit, there is a more legitimate drug the performs the same function without the side effects.

I think much of both the appeal and the dislike of marijuana has much to do with society's puritanical approach to the subject. If we didn't make it so taboo, I think fewer people would be interested in it. I'll admit that I'd feel differently about it's usage if it were legal.

No offense, but another reason for my dislike of marijuana has been alluded to above. People high on weed are not nearly as entertaining as they think they are -- just like drunks are nearly as amusing as they think they are either.

Cool, man. Thanks for a thoughtful answer.

[sabotai]

Have you ever smoked pot? If so, why, but more importantly, if no, why not?

Yes, in my much younger days. I did it because, simply put, I wanted to know what it felt like to be high. There wasn't much I wouldn't try back then. I was pretty....inquisitive. I'm probably lucky I was never around any of the "hard drugs" because I would have tried them without thinking. I fully admit "not thinking" was a problem I had in my youth (but boy was it fun).

How often do you smoke it?

Not anymore. Haven't in several years.

Do you do it alone, or with friends?

Never smoked alone. It was always with friends.

Do you ever buy weed? If yes, do you have any funny stories that have happened during marijuana-purchasing transactions?

A few times, no funny stories. I did get pulled over once while I had some on me that I just bought (and I was baked out of my skull). Very happy the cop did not smell it.

Does smoking weed make text-sims better? I have never played one while high.

Haha, this was mostly before I played text sims.

Do you think that weed should be decriminalized, or even made legal? Why yes or why no?

Legalize It. Compared to what is legal, I don't think it makes sense for it to be illegal.

Do you think medicinal marijuana is a good idea? Why or why not?

I can't see why anyone would at against research to find out what medical benefits it has, if any.

[Ragone]

The whole legalize marijuana bs spiel always leads to another interesting topic

If Alcohol or Tobacco in its current form was just released today(just discovered and hitting the market, with noone having prior knowledge of its existance).. Would the Fda ban it?

[Pyser]

i'd just like to point out there are over 100 stores in los angeles that sell weed. im talking they have storefronts. you need a prescription to go inside, but you can find a doctor that will give you one in the back of a magazine.

its turning into amsterdam here.

[Karlifornia]

The whole legalize marijuana bs spiel always leads to another interesting topic

If Alcohol or Tobacco in its current form was just released today(just discovered and hitting the market, with noone having prior knowledge of its existance).. Would the Fda ban it?

This is a great question, and I think anyone would be hard pressed to say no at first glance. However, they are bigtime money makers, and that's what this country is all about.

[Marc Vaughan]

If Alcohol or Tobacco in its current form was just released today(just discovered and hitting the market, with noone having prior knowledge of its existance).. Would the Fda ban it?

They'd both be banned instantly in most countries imho - smoking is starting to get banned around the world now from what I can see.

I wonder if alcohol will pop up next on their list of things to ban?

[Vince]

I have, if only once or twice, and it wasn't for me. I have no problem with people doing it for medicinal or recreational purposes.

[Ragone]

This is a great question, and I think anyone would be hard pressed to say no at first glance. However, they are bigtime money makers, and that's what this country is all about.

Thats the thing.. with no prior knowledge.. they have no idea what kinda money it would make

Therefore, the all bad side effects would far outweigh the non-existant positives

[JonInMiddleGA]

I thought sure this thread was going to be about Quincy Carter.

[Schmidty]

I've never even smoked a cigarette, let alone marijuana.

If people want to smoke it, fine. Just don't do it around me.

No, I'm not against legalization, although I sure as hell wouldn't want my kid or future kids to do it.

[Lorena]

I was the only one in my circle of friends that didn't smoke it. The first and only time I tried I... ahem... didn't inhale. I was about to when a cop came by and I had to drop the joint.

I don't have a problem with people doing it; it doesn't really matter to me. As a matter-of-fact, I'm pretty sure some of our neighbors smoke it because I can smell it once in a while.

[Julio Riddols]

I smoke it often, and I find it an enjoyable break from a world I don't really see eye to eye with most of the time. I like the peaceful easy feeling (no pun intended) that goes along with it, and the general goodwill of every smoker I have ever been around keeps me in that crowd.

Yeah, people have their perceptions about it, some think its lame, and its not for everyone- For me, aside from what I have already covered above, its a decision I made when I was on my own, no pressure from anyone to start smoking. I tried it with my girlfriend and we had a great time just talking about ideas as to the origins of God and human nature, and other things we probably wouldn't even get into nearly as much otherwise- Both of us really enjoyed that. I felt it brought us closer for sure, and after trying it a few times and getting a little more used to the feeling of being high, I realized it didnt make me any less functional as a human- I made up my mind not to do it irresponsibly- I won't drive on it, I won't go to work high, etc.

Legalizing and regulating it is something I am for, because for what it does to you compared to what alcohol does, I think there can be an argument made that it is less harmful for sure. I've never seen anyone black out or get violent when they smoke, I've never seen or heard of anyone dying solely from the effects of smoking it.

How often do I smoke it? Daily. I usually smoke when I wake up and a little while before I go to bed. I sleep like a baby when I am high, theres nothing like the feeling of laying down and stretching out and getting comfortable when I do that. Waking up to it instantly puts me in a good sociable mood regardless of my company, as well as making a shower feel a lot more refreshing.

Do I buy it? Yeah, I do.. I have friends who are willing to provide a high just for my company, like most every stoner I have ever known, but I have high standards. I like a certain buzz, so I buy certain types.

There aren't any really funny stories about it, the most interesting one would probably be the time my roommate went to buy me some for my birthday and wound up smoking before she came back home - Its sort of a traditional thing I guess, the seller typically smokes out the buyer before or after a transaction.. She doesn't smoke it often, so it was funny watching her be silly as hell after her friend brought her back to the apartment. We watched 'A Scanner Darkly' and enjoyed the hell out of it.

Medicinal Marijuana: While I am not highly educated on the subject, and I am not a sufferer, I think marijuana could be an excellent treatment for eating disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and probably a few other significant things. Again, I am not highly educated on the perceived benefits of the drug as a medicinal treatment, but my personal experience with it would lead me to believe the above.

It is also useful as hemp, etc.

In the end, it is something I am obviously passionate enough about to give a damn and write this long of a post on it. I see countries where it is legalized, and I see the articles about the crime rates being lower, etc.. I see states getting closer every year to decriminalizing it, and it leaves me optimistic. You can call me a hippie or whatever, but theres nothing about the drug that doesn't appeal to me except for when it is of low quality. I think it makes people more humane and more peaceful.. I'm very artistically inclined and very eccentric, and I find the enhancement it provides me in my imagination and my general mood far outweigh whatever perceived negative effects there are.

I agree some people do it stupidly, and that sheds a negative light on it, but I don't believe it is anywhere near as bad as alcohol. Fiorello Laguardia commisioned a report on it back when it was made illegal which concluded that it had none of the perceived negative effects attached to it by people like Harry Anslinger, who made a political career out of his fight to make it illegal.

hxxp://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/lag/lagmenu.htm

Theres the report, for what its worth. I think its a great example of how propaganda lead to the criminalization of marijuana in the first place, as it seems to find very little negative about the effects of the drug.

[Julio Riddols]

And oh yeah.. The immersion factor goes up tenfold when I play any game high, but text sims especially because it leaves a lot of the imagery up to the minds eye.

Also, just because that was my 666th post doesn't mean smokers are the devil.

[Schmidty]

Would you suck a dick for a joint?

[Julio Riddols]

Without question.

[Toddzilla]

Unfortunately, most smokers aren't as rational or responsible as Julio. Kudos for your honesty and your openness Julio.

[Subby]

I really hate pot culture.

[Raiders Army]

Never have. Probably never will, but if I'm hurting real bad from some sickness maybe.

[Julio Riddols]

Thanks, but I don't see any reason to be ashamed of it. Its a personal choice to do it, and I was lucky to have a decent family around me in my youth to give me the tools to form my own opinions later in life.

I have to say I am pretty surprised at the poll numbers so far. I can tell I am interacting with a very different crowd than I am used to being around, because I know maybe one or two people who haven't smoked at least once in their life, while roughly 1 out of 6 of us hasn't ever according to the poll.

I think it would be interesting to see the results of a similar poll for the drinkers and tobacco users on the site.

[lungs]

Put me in the often stage.

As for the medicinal part of it, I had quite the experience just yesterday. Usually I smoke it recreationally but this weekend I ate a pizza from Pizza Hut that gave me projectiles coming out of both ends and a heavy dose of nausea. After a few puffs, the nausea subsided and it has helped me with my appetite. It does work, albeit only temporarily.

I do smoke almost every day if I have it. 99% of the time it is from the comfort of my own home. I've got my degree and an excellent job and I don't feel it has any negative consequences in those areas. I have no kids and it does not affect me one bit financially.

I have been cited once for marijuana possession. Just a simple $235 fine and no court appearance. Thankfully they didn't criminally prosecute me as that would've really screwed me and I would have lost all my financial aid for college. I think it's pretty damn stupid to take away financial aid for college kids for simple possession. I can understand possession w/intent to deliver but simple possession is just ridiculous.

[Schmidty]

Thanks, but I don't see any reason to be ashamed of it. Its a personal choice to do it, and I was lucky to have a decent family around me in my youth to give me the tools to form my own opinions later in life.

I have to say I am pretty surprised at the poll numbers so far. I can tell I am interacting with a very different crowd than I am used to being around, because I know maybe one or two people who haven't smoked at least once in their life, while roughly 1 out of 6 of us hasn't ever according to the poll.

I think it would be interesting to see the results of a similar poll for the drinkers and tobacco users on the site.

You suddenly seem kind of defensive for someone who professes to be happy with his "drug" use.

[Julio Riddols]

I wasn't being defensive at all there.. I didn't quote Toddzilla before I wrote the message, where I was trying to say I have no reason to hide the fact that I smoke from anyone here. By the time I typed my message, a couple people had posted, so it probably came out of context a bit.. If youre talking about the interest I have in a poll for people who use tobacco or drink, I just think it would be very interesting. I think a lot of parallels can be drawn between the three and it is just a circumstance that one happens to be illegal right now.

I know you don't advocate the use of it or appreciate it around you, and thats fine. I wouldn't smoke around you knowing that, out of respect for your stance on it. For my friends that dislike it, I do not smoke it when I am around them or if I am going to be around them, either. Its just common courtesy.

As for me, theres nothing to defend. I would rather people draw their own conclusions on it. I used to be straight edge until I was 21, so its not like I can't see the other side of the coin here either.

[Subby]

You suddenly seem kind of defensive for someone who professes to be happy with his "drug" use.
That's just the ass-reaming paranoia from his over the top marijuana addiction! :D

[Drake]

Though I realize you're joking, Subbster, cannabis addiction doesn't exist (in terms of physical dependency). You're much more likely to get hooked on over the counter cold medicine.

[Subby]

Though I realize you're joking, Subbster, cannabis addiction doesn't exist (in terms of physical dependency). You're much more likely to get hooked on over the counter cold medicine.
YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EVERYTHING!!11

[Julio Riddols]

No, Subby is right..

Weed Is Like Oxygen

Time on my side
I got it all
I've heard that pride
Always comes before a fall
There's a rumour goin' round the town
That you don't want me around
I can't shake off my city blues
Everyway I turn I lose

Chorus
Weed is like oxygen
You get too much you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Weed gets you high

Time is no healer
When you're not there
Lonely fever
Sad words in the air
Some things are better left unsaid
I'm gonna spend my days in bed
I'll walk the streets at night
To be hidden by the city lights city lights.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I've never used it and almost certainly never will. I just don't really have any reason to start, which also applies to smoking and drinking for me. While tobacco and alcohol are readily available, I don't even know where to buy marijuana. I mean, people make it sound like you can get it pretty much whenever you want (and considering how many people use it, I guess it's true), but nobody's ever offered me marijuana. Even if I wanted it, I don't think I'd be able to get it.

Edit to add: As far as other people's usage of it, it doesn't matter to me. I don't care when they use it or what they use it for. If they want to do it, fine with me.

[lordscarlet]

I appear to be in the majority. I don't do it, I never have, and I couldn't care less if others do. Actually, I could care less -- I care about the issue in that I don't believe it should be illegal, but I don't care if you do it. :)

[nole4sho]

I am in college and smoking helps ease my stress.

[Lathum]

I did when I was younger and it was available. I never went out of my way to buy it and it has been years since I have smoked, I think I kind of outgrew it.

I think there should be an " I used to smoke but don't anymore " option.

[Drake]

YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EVERYTHING!!11

Nah. I just spent five years working in drug rehab. The standard response to someone seeking treatment for cannabis addiction was "pfft". :)

Well, until we shifted focus to a behavior modification model, anyway. Then we just told them: "Smoking weed led to these consequences. If you don't like those consequences, stop smoking weed."

Note that this doesn't preclude the notion of a purely psychological or emotional dependency, but in those cases, the substance abuse is usually more of a symptom of the problem (trauma, exacerbating mental illness, etc.) rather than the problem itself. Of course, until someone actually reaches the stages of physical dependency with any substance, that is largely true.

Oh, and put me in the "used to smoke weed, but doesn't anymore" camp. I don't have anything against it. I just sort of grew out of it by the time I was in my late teens. I think I've burned one two or three times in the last twenty years.

[st.cronin]

I've never used it and almost certainly never will. I just don't really have any reason to start, which also applies to smoking and drinking for me. While tobacco and alcohol are readily available, I don't even know where to buy marijuana. I mean, people make it sound like you can get it pretty much whenever you want (and considering how many people use it, I guess it's true), but nobody's ever offered me marijuana. Even if I wanted it, I don't think I'd be able to get it.

I thought your wife was a college professor? Just ask her, she can get some for you.

[CU Tiger]

I have used it, too mnay times to begin to count.
I went through a 4-5 year period of my life that I stayed high on something 99% of the time. Looking back it was a coping mechanism and not something I am ashamed of nor proud of, it juts was part of my life. I literally spent years where I couldnt get out of bed with cocaine, crank, or some perscription shit and couldn't go to sleep without copiuos amounts of alcohol or a joint. Still I graduated and worked full time through all this, looking back its humorous all the shit I went through to get high.

After graduating and getting married I continued. I only stopped because of a "experience" in my life where I felt a strong conviction to get clean. having said that and because of personal spiritual commitments I have made I will personally never use any illegal drug again. However from my experience I do not see anything overly harmful with responsible marijuana use (despite the sound thats not an oxymoron). The biggest dawback I see to it, and the one I keep hammering on a close friend of mine now, is the possible repercussions. For 5 years I worked in an industry where I would have been immediately fired for any criminal conviction, and no high would have been worth losing my income.

So, No I dont use anymore.
I see no problem in others using.
[Side note, I LOVE THE SMELL, I think its euphoric just smelling it]
Im not honestly informed enough to even comment on medicinal uses, but wouldnt object to it.
I do agree that the sub culture is annoying as hell and is quite honestly more counter productive to any potential for future legalization than anything.
And while I would personally still not partake, I do think it should be legalized. I read one time hwo much money is spent tracking, prosecuting, and jailing marijuana users and honestly it seems like a waste.
I say good old American policy of legalizing it then taxing it to where it is margianlly economically feasible but makes the gov't a ton of Money, you know the tobacco plan, would bring revenue into both federal and state governemnts that would be shockingly beneficial.

Oh and one last point, I think many older adults would be shocked to know how many users there are in every walk of life. I hav epersonlly known a dentist, a surgeon, a school teacher, and a NASA employee that smoked pot...

[Young Drachma]

Never used any sort of non-medicinal drugs. I don't smoke cigarettes either and I drink a few times a year at the most.

But I don't particularly believe in the drug war. I don't want folks doing drugs in the streets, but if it's controlled, regulated and taxed..then whatever. It's gonna happen anyway, why not spend the money on other stuff.

[Fighter of Foo]

Question for the 17 people who don't think anyone should smoke:

Do you mean it's a health issue and that no one should use because it's inherently unhealthy, or is it an authority issue and no one should be allowed to use period?

Hope that question makes sense. Very curious.

[wade moore]

Question for the 17 people who don't think anyone should smoke:

Do you mean it's a health issue and that no one should use because it's inherently unhealthy, or is it an authority issue and no one should be allowed to use period?

Hope that question makes sense. Very curious.

I say that no one should use it because it is illegal. That was my stance in voting. If it were legal, I would vote differently.

[path12]

I've smoked often for 20 years. I agree with most of what Julio said.

[Kodos]

I've never smoked it (never done any illegal drug), but I don't believe marijuana use needs to be illegal. Although I probably still wouldn't use it even if it were legal and easily available.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Do you mean it's a health issue and that no one should use because it's inherently unhealthy, or is it an authority issue and no one should be allowed to use period?

Well, since you asked.

It's the flagrant disregard for the law that bothers me most. That isn't the only issue I take with it, but it's almost certainly the largest single issue.

[CU Tiger]

Well, since you asked.

It's the flagrant disregard for the law that bothers me most. That isn't the only issue I take with it, but it's almost certainly the largest single issue.

[strong devil's advocate angle]
So if the law said, all non-arians are to be herded into camps you would comply?

If not how do you then choose which laws are ok to be flagrantly disregard, and which are not?

[JonInMiddleGA]

[strong devil's advocate angle]
So if the law said, all non-arians are to be herded into camps you would comply?


Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with Godwin's Law?

[molson]

[strong devil's advocate angle]
So if the law said, all non-arians are to be herded into camps you would comply?

If not how do you then choose which laws are ok to be flagrantly disregard, and which are not?

By that logic, if someone feels that domestic battery shouldn't be a crime, should they feel free to disregard it because it's just a "stupid law" and should be legal?

[Drake]

I prefer fragrant disregard for the law, myself.

[CU Tiger]

Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with Godwin's Law?

Thanks to Wiki I am now;)

Ok I will rephrase.
In the 1850s slavery was legal in the US and protecting runaway slaves was a crime. So if a runaway slave was at your door (for empathy lets make it a female who is 8months pregnant and possibly about to go into labor) do you
A) follow the law of the land and deny her entry, knowing your decision will result in her capture torture and possible death
B) follow your gut and do what you think is right.

[CU Tiger]

By that logic, if someone feels that domestic battery shouldn't be a crime, should they feel free to disregard it because it's just a "stupid law" and should be legal?


I think you are actually arguing my point for me.
I think each person needs to analyze every action and determine for themselves what is appropriate.
If you have a dieing relative in your car and you feel reasonably safe that hospital care will save their life, will you obey the speed limit?
I doubt it. Circumstances dictate that this law be disobeyed for the greater good.

[MizzouRah]

Since I was a youth, I smoked weed out
Now Im the mutha fucka that ya read about
Takin a life or two
Thats what the hell I do, you dont like how Im livin
Well f you!

:)

I have smoked before, but due to my job that was over with many years ago. My wife on the other hand.........................

[JonInMiddleGA]

Ok I will rephrase. ...

Oh good, an easy question for a change -- A.

[Fighter of Foo]

Oh good, an easy question for a change -- A.

Here's a harder one: Why?

[lordscarlet]

I say that no one should use it because it is illegal. That was my stance in voting. If it were legal, I would vote differently.

Well, since you asked.

It's the flagrant disregard for the law that bothers me most. That isn't the only issue I take with it, but it's almost certainly the largest single issue.

I agree with this, but I did not vote this way because I interpreted the question without the lawfulness factor. I don't care if other people smoke, but I think they should face the consequences if they do. Having said that, there are plenty of examples where enforcement is out of control compared to murder/manslaughter convictions and the like. I can argue with nothing wade or JIMGA has said, but if the option was "I don't smoke it, but I believe it should be legal but regulated" that would have been my choice.

[CU Tiger]

Oh good, an easy question for a change -- A.

Fair enough. An honest answer. But dont stand on the ground of high morality if you would readily admit to intentionally subjecting someone to abuse or death.

Im not sure what I would do in that situation, as allowing refuge if you were caught would bring great pain (and possible and end ) to your life. But I am 100% sure what Jesus would do, and as a Chrsitian I think it is my challenge to strive to do the same.

[sabotai]

Oh good, an easy question for a change -- A.

When I read that question he asked you, I thought that it wouldn't matter what you answered since, the way phrased it, A and B would be the same answer for you. :)

[Recoil]

I smoked weed for about 5 years of my life. I've pretty much stopped because I no longer get what I used to get out of smoking. It went from very pleasureable experiences the first 3-4 years to nothing positive in the 5th year. The last year of smoking, I would only get 2 things: paranoia and laziness. I didn't really get anything out of it except some damn good sleep. On the other hand, for those first few years, marijuana definitely helped my social anxiety and insomnia problems. I guess I got what I needed from the plant and moved on.

[JonInMiddleGA]

When I read that question he asked you, I thought that it wouldn't matter what you answered since, the way phrased it, A and B would be the same answer for you. :)

I have to admit that I had to go back & re-read his original phrasing in order to avoid having your post go completely over my head, having now done so I think you raise a pretty darned good point (even if you were just going for humor).

[Subby]

Good lord you lazy hippies all have the same answer!

[SFL Cat]

I'm probably one of the few who has a father that has tried weed, while I haven't.

[lordscarlet]

I'm probably one of the few who has a father that has tried weed, while I haven't.

I prefer the don't ask don't tell policy here.

[vtbub]

I'm probably one of the few who has a father that has tried weed, while I haven't.


Ditto.

[Izulde]

On occasion I have, yeah, although not too often.

Ironically enough, the semester I smoked more than all prior periods of my life combined, I was more motivated, more energetic and pulled the best grades I've ever gotten at a four year university.

So I do think that in my particular case, there may actually be an inherent medicinal benefit.

I know this semester I haven't smoked at all and while my grades are still good thus far, I don't have much motivation and even less happiness (though there's a lot of factors that play into that).

Now, that being said...

I think the most important thing regarding smoking is moderation and responsible use. Even when I smoked semi-regularly that semester, it was always on a night where I didn't have anything going on the next day and I had everything I needed to get done more or less taken care of.

I really don't see myself smoking every day even if it did become legal (which I hope it does someday). At most, I'd do it two or three times a week.

As for the subculture... yeah, you get a lot of dumbasses that spoil it for everyone, but for every moron there's an intelligent smoker who uses marijuana responsibly.

[lungs]

I'm pretty sure that the lazy unmotivated potheads are lazy and unmotivated in general. They are just using pot as an excuse to be lazy and unmotivated.

[Bonegavel]

Give me a good cigarette any day (I prefer Dunhills).

[path12]

Just anecdotal of course but my best friend who I've smoked with for most of those past 20 years is a marketing VP of a Fortune 500 company, and I've somehow managed to get myself pretty well above the median career-wise, so we're not all slackers. Of course there are plenty who are.......

[JonInMiddleGA]

Give me a good cigarette any day (I prefer Dunhills).

I hardly ever see Dunhills anymore :(

[Bonegavel]

I hardly ever see Dunhills anymore :(

about a month ago they were gone from the shelves (i was smoking like a pack a week) and it helped me quit again. I have no idea what happened to the supply, but the Reds are not on the shelves anymore.

It's good and bad :D - only cigarette I can smoke.

[Fighter of Foo]

Thanks to Wiki I am now;)

Ok I will rephrase.
In the 1850s slavery was legal in the US and protecting runaway slaves was a crime. So if a runaway slave was at your door (for empathy lets make it a female who is 8months pregnant and possibly about to go into labor) do you
A) follow the law of the land and deny her entry, knowing your decision will result in her capture torture and possible death
B) follow your gut and do what you think is right.

Jon,

Why would you, easily, choose option A here when nearly everyone else would choose differently?

Trying to learn here.

[wade moore]

Jon,

Why would you, easily, choose option A here when nearly everyone else would choose differently?

Trying to learn here.

I think everyone else would like to SAY they'd choose differently, but if they were around in the 1850's the actual execution of that choice would vary greatly.

Look, comparing slavery to smoking pot is just as silly as Godwin's law.

The general point I would make with any of this breaking of "unjust" laws... We have a system in place in America to change laws. Use it. Until you change the laws, follow it. Smoking Marijuana is no where close to on par with any of the comparisons being made - if nothing else it's not a life or death situation to smoke/not smoke marijuana.

[Lathum]

I'm pretty sure that the lazy unmotivated potheads are lazy and unmotivated in general. They are just using pot as an excuse to be lazy and unmotivated.

QFT

[Eaglesfan27]

Medicinal Marijuana: While I am not highly educated on the subject, and I am not a sufferer, I think marijuana could be an excellent treatment for eating disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and probably a few other significant things. Again, I am not highly educated on the perceived benefits of the drug as a medicinal treatment, but my personal experience with it would lead me to believe the above.




I completely disagree with it being useful for eating disorders, bipolar, anxiety disorders, or mood disorders. Most people who do smoke pot chronically become more anxious between joints and their have been studies that have shown that. Also, pot can interfere with the receptors that mood stabilizers are trying to alter for Bipolar and can be counterproductive. The infamous binging that pot often induces works against the need for control that most patients with Eating Disorders have. However, I do think marijuana is useful in the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea.

Back when I was a 1st year medical student, my grandmother developed bone cancer which is one of the most painful forms of cancer possible. The chemo made her nauseous, the painkillers made her nauseous. She tried every legal anti-emetic known to man but none of them stopped her from vomiting several times a day and she was miserable as a result. I recommended my grandfather buy her some pot and told him where he could find some. It helped her greatly in the final 6 months of her life.

[Lathum]

IMO the whole "breaking the law" argument is a tired one that I have had with many people.

Everyone here speeds in their car or did speed at one point and an argument can be made that the high cost of auto insurance is a direct result of that so you can say driving fast is a "worse" offense then smoking pot.

[lordscarlet]

IMO the whole "breaking the law" argument is a tired one that I have had with many people.

Everyone here speeds in their car or did speed at one point and an argument can be made that the high cost of auto insurance is a direct result of that so you can say driving fast is a "worse" offense then smoking pot.

I think this is the argument that should be used with JIMGA if you're going to disagree with him. There are many "everyday" laws that are broken. Speeding is the best example. Along that line are laws such as jaywalking and such. There are a lot of laws that "regular" people break and don't think twice about. I suppose it's possible that Jon does not break a single law, but doubtful. My main point of view is you can do any of these things, but don't bitch when you get pulled over or when you get put in jail for possession of marijuana.

[Karlifornia]

I guess I'll go ahead and give my answer, just to keep it moving.

The first time I smoked, I was about 15 or so. It was awesome! Me and two of my buddies smoked it out of a soda can and then went swimming. I had never laughed so hard in my entire life. Everything was just amazingly funny. We would smoke often after that throughout high school. I remember one time going to class high, and we were reading All Quiet On The Western Front. Something struck me funny, and I couldn't stop giggling. I actually had to leave class to compose myself.

Anywho, I think it was Recoil's answer that I felt was closest to mine. After a while, the good effects I got from it started waning, and now I smoke about once ever 3 months or so. And, there needs to be a reason for it, i.e., me and my buddy smoked a bit before watching Tenacious D and Pick of Destiny. There was no way I was watching that movie without being baked.

I think it should be legal, and will be legal before I die. It won't increase or decrease my usage.

I think a lot of people who lash out against marijuana users just bought into the cheesy anti-drug commercials that make pot look like the devil incarnate. Really, if some dumbass kid points a loaded shotgun at his friend and blows him away, he didn't need marijuana to win the moron of the year award. That's just common sense that some people lack. The worst thing that weed ever did to me was make me take forever to find my keys one time.

People don't like what they fear, and people fear what they don't know. You can always tell when a TV or movie writer has never smoked weed, because after a character smokes weed he'll start hallucinating or going on a magic carpet ride of some sort. WEED DOES NOT MAKE YOU HALLUCINATE.

[st.cronin]

I've recently been reading Thomas Aquinas' Treatise on Law, and I think some of his ideas may be of interest to some of you.

I'll try to summarize: Aquinas claims there is something like a natural law, from which the authority of all other laws are derived. Basically, God says murder is bad, so laws against murder derive their authority from that. (But I think you could interpret this without being Catholic or even Christian - its the idea that there is something external to man's world that all law comes from.) Aquinas then says that "laws" which do not derive their authority from the divine law are not actually laws at all, but are instead "acts of violence" perpetrated by "tyrants."

I don't have enough of a handle on it to really get any deeper than that, but I assume some of the lawyers on board have studied it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There are a lot of laws that "regular" people break and don't think twice about.

You raise another interesting point right here: consciousness and/or intent.

Care to argue that any significant percentage of people lighting up a joint in the U.S. aren't aware that they're breaking the law when they do so?
I'm guessing that's going to be a no.

Have I ever broken the speed limit? Sure.
Do I consciously do so? No, not really (much to my wife's chagrin), not in years. Hell, I don't even blow off red lights at 345 am even when I can see there isn't a car in sight for two miles in any direction.

[Karlifornia]

I've recently been reading Thomas Aquinas' Treatise on Law, and I think some of his ideas may be of interest to some of you.

I'll try to summarize: Aquinas claims there is something like a natural law, from which the authority of all other laws are derived. Basically, God says murder is bad, so laws against murder derive their authority from that. (But I think you could interpret this without being Catholic or even Christian - its the idea that there is something external to man's world that all law comes from.) Aquinas then says that "laws" which do not derive their authority from the divine law are not actually laws at all, but are instead "acts of violence" perpetrated by "tyrants."

I don't have enough of a handle on it to really get any deeper than that, but I assume some of the lawyers on board have studied it.

Aquinas may have been wise for his time, but I honestly feel that this concept is horribly outdated.

[path12]

I completely disagree with it being useful for eating disorders, bipolar, anxiety disorders, or mood disorders.

I agree with this. I suffer from depression and when those episodes are going on I purposely avoid weed, it's much harder to put the depression behind me if I'm smoking.

[Lathum]

You raise another interesting point right here: consciousness and/or intent.

Care to argue that any significant percentage of people lighting up a joint in the U.S. aren't aware that they're breaking the law when they do so?
I'm guessing that's going to be a no.

Have I ever broken the speed limit? Sure.
Do I consciously do so? No, not really (much to my wife's chagrin), not in years. Hell, I don't even blow off red lights at 345 am even when I can see there isn't a car in sight for two miles in any direction.

so if you aren't consciounsly breaking the law then that makes it OK?

[Eaglesfan27]

WEED DOES NOT MAKE YOU HALLUCINATE.

Weed is a mild hallucinogen and it can make you hallucinate. It's chemical composition is such that it will produce mildly altered preceptions. However, one of the bigger dangers of weed is that you NEVER know for sure what it is being mixed with. Sometimes, suppliers will mix a tiny amount of PCP or dip it in formaldehyde (called a Clickum) or add another agent to make it more potent so that it sells better.

[Fighter of Foo]

I think everyone else would like to SAY they'd choose differently, but if they were around in the 1850's the actual execution of that choice would vary greatly.

Look, comparing slavery to smoking pot is just as silly as Godwin's law.

The general point I would make with any of this breaking of "unjust" laws... We have a system in place in America to change laws. Use it. Until you change the laws, follow it. Smoking Marijuana is no where close to on par with any of the comparisons being made - if nothing else it's not a life or death situation to smoke/not smoke marijuana.

Fair enough.

I'm just a bit miffed at asking a direct question and being ignored.

In reality, an elite minority of people make laws in this country. If there's ever a discrepancy between a passed law and what the majority thinks, (like this poll/issue) I fail to understand how someone can side with a law that most people demonstrably disagree with.

Dress it up in whatever hypotheticals/real life examples you want.

[CU Tiger]

Weed is a mild hallucinogen and it can make you hallucinate. It's chemical composition is such that it will produce mildly altered preceptions. However, one of the bigger dangers of weed is that you NEVER know for sure what it is being mixed with. Sometimes, suppliers will mix a tiny amount of PCP or dip it in formaldehyde (called a Clickum) or add another agent to make it more potent so that it sells better.

Or just sprinkle a little coce it for a gypsy fly as we used to call it. That was a very strong high.

[Karlifornia]

Weed is a mild hallucinogen and it can make you hallucinate. It's chemical composition is such that it will produce mildly altered preceptions. However, one of the bigger dangers of weed is that you NEVER know for sure what it is being mixed with. Sometimes, suppliers will mix a tiny amount of PCP or dip it in formaldehyde (called a Clickum) or add another agent to make it more potent so that it sells better.

If you're worried about getting weed spiked with PCP, then you need to stop buying it from random people in the park. That's why you get a regular hookup that you know personally or through a reference. And I have never come close to hallucinating. It does inhibit your peripheral vision a bit, if that's what you're referring to.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm just a bit miffed at asking a direct question and being ignored.

Aiming that at me?

I was simply delaying an answer until I felt like I could devote enough time & thought to it to give a reasonable question a better answer than winging something off the cuff.

I fail to understand how someone can side with a law that most people demonstrably disagree with.

If you ever reach the realization that most people are dumber than a sack full of hammers at best & complete f'n idiots at worst, that will become a lot clearer for you.

[Karlifornia]

As an aside, has anyone tried "Salvia". It's a legal hallucinogen that has a trip of about 15 minutes. I hear it's intense.

[JonInMiddleGA]

so if you aren't consciounsly breaking the law then that makes it OK?

Don't you kind of figure if that had been what I meant I would have said it outright? I mean, I'm not exactly known for being bashful am I?

I was simply making note of the difference in the situations that exists, no more, no less.

[wade moore]

Fair enough.

I'm just a bit miffed at asking a direct question and being ignored.

In reality, an elite minority of people make laws in this country. If there's ever a discrepancy between a passed law and what the majority thinks, (like this poll/issue) I fail to understand how someone can side with a law that most people demonstrably disagree with.

Dress it up in whatever hypotheticals/real life examples you want.

What direct question is being ignored? I thought I answered your question pretty directly.

As for what the majority thinks, I think it is debatable whether a majority of the question wants pot to be legalized. I think this is a vocal minority situation probably, but I haven't dug up studies or anything.


As for the speeding argument, I think it's a bit hollow to an extent. FWIW, I hardly speed anymore... and I never go over 5 miles over any given speed limit, which is in a reasonable room of error that I consider it to be not breaking the law - and most police officers would agree.

Outside of that, i think you'll find I'm pretty annoyingly stringent in how I follow laws.

I'm also an odd case here in these discussions because I've never even had a drop of alcohol or touched a cigarrette which of course skews my thoughts.

[Subby]

OMG TERRORISTS R GOING TO KILL UR FIRSTBORN UNLESS YOU BREAK THE LAW DO U DO IT????

HAHAHA I KNEW IT LAWBREAKER!!11

[sabotai]

OMG TERRORISTS R GOING TO KILL UR FIRSTBORN UNLESS YOU BREAK THE LAW DO U DO IT????

HAHAHA I KNEW IT LAWBREAKER!!11

Haha, nice try, I don't have a firstborn!

[Karlifornia]

Ok, Eaglesfan...You were right..THC is considered a hallucinogen. I still maintain that I have never hallucinated.

[Eaglesfan27]

If you're worried about getting weed spiked with PCP, then you need to stop buying it from random people in the park. That's why you get a regular hookup that you know personally or through a reference. And I have never come close to hallucinating. It does inhibit your peripheral vision a bit, if that's what you're referring to.


I said it was a weak hallucinogen. It doesn't make everyone hallucinate and most people don't have a "bad trip" with it, but some can. As far as a regular hookup, that doesn't guarantee that someone further up the chain of distribution hasn't done anything to it. One of my friends from my teenage years got some spiked marijuana and had a very bad reaction to it despite having a regular hookup.

[CU Tiger]

I think this is the argument that should be used with JIMGA if you're going to disagree with him.

Sure but its not dripping with ethos and a lot less inflamatory than genocide or enslavement :D

I really can't grasp the "I didnt know I was breaking a law" argument.
SO if a person didnt know marijuana use was illegal(for whatever reason, immigrant, raised in a cave, whatever) you would be totally ok with their use? So if a child is raised by hippies, home schooled and never hears marijuana use is illegal and he smokes daily, since it isn't a conscious decison that is ok. But the first time someone says hey man thats illegal, the next puff is wrong?

In my mind everything is inherintly right or wrong. If I commit a wrong act in a state that allows it (prostitution in vegas for example) that does not make it ok. By the same token if I commit an act that isnt wrong I really am not overly concerned about the technicality of the law.

Not saying this is a feasible option from an enforcement standpoint, but everyone has to make their own choice. I do 100% agree that if I choose to break a law, I should be prepared to suffer or fight the consequences. To whine about being arrested for possesion is asinine, you knew the risk. However if resources permit and you want to fight the constitutionality all the way to the top I fully support you.

This kinda boils down to a personal/spritual/moral debate. I dont think anyone can "win", but I don't think we as a whole should just accept unjust laws either (not sying marijuana law is unjust). Pass any law you want I will not surrender my fire arms. Same basic argument.

[Fighter of Foo]

Aiming that at me?

I was simply delaying an answer until I felt like I could devote enough time & thought to it to give a reasonable question a better answer than winging something off the cuff.



If you ever reach the realization that most people are dumber than a sack full of hammers at best & complete f'n idiots at worst, that will become a lot clearer for you.

Yes. I'm no longer miffed though. :)

We're in full agreement about the general stupidity of people, BTW. I just wish I could see how trusting the government to make decisions for me is an improvement over just about anything. Especially considering politicians tend to be more self-serving and domineering compared to the idiot population at large.

[lordscarlet]

You raise another interesting point right here: consciousness and/or intent.

Care to argue that any significant percentage of people lighting up a joint in the U.S. aren't aware that they're breaking the law when they do so?
I'm guessing that's going to be a no.

Have I ever broken the speed limit? Sure.
Do I consciously do so? No, not really (much to my wife's chagrin), not in years. Hell, I don't even blow off red lights at 345 am even when I can see there isn't a car in sight for two miles in any direction.

Not sure how I feel about this argument. People unknowingly speed? Hardly. I mean, maybe you creep up the speedometer now and then, but that's not the usual case. As I said, you may be an exception, but I'm sure I could find some law that you knowingly break if I knew you better (copyright protection, speeding, etc). I do leave room for the possibility that I am flat out wrong, though. :)

I definitely take issue with the insinuation that most people do/should go through red lights @ 345 if no one is there. That is insane and stupid. :) I have never even thought about doing such a thing, but I have definitely willingly gone beyond the speed limit.

Fair enough.

I'm just a bit miffed at asking a direct question and being ignored.

In reality, an elite minority of people make laws in this country. If there's ever a discrepancy between a passed law and what the majority thinks, (like this poll/issue) I fail to understand how someone can side with a law that most people demonstrably disagree with.

Dress it up in whatever hypotheticals/real life examples you want.

I think you're quite mistaken if you think "most people demonstrably disagree with" the laws against marijuana. If this were the case, why have they not been repealed? I would say "most people domnstrably [disagreed] with" prohibition. We've seen that law repealed. Same with cigarettes -- more and more jurisdictions are limiting their legality in public places.

..ok, I took the time to look up some numbers...

hxxp://www.pollingreport.com/drugs.htm

A CNN/Time poll from October of 2002 only has 34% in favor of the legalization of marijuana. I would not call that "most people".

[Subby]

Haha, nice try, I don't have a firstborn!
That you know of, stud :D

[sabotai]

That you know of, stud :D

Not funny. Not even remotely funny.




Ok, it is a little. :)

[Warhammer]

Weed is a mild hallucinogen and it can make you hallucinate. It's chemical composition is such that it will produce mildly altered preceptions. However, one of the bigger dangers of weed is that you NEVER know for sure what it is being mixed with. Sometimes, suppliers will mix a tiny amount of PCP or dip it in formaldehyde (called a Clickum) or add another agent to make it more potent so that it sells better.

This is my take, I have never smoked it, and never will. Never smoked a cigarette in my life, and never drank until I was in college.

I have known plenty of people that have smoked it, and have known plenty of successful people that have. One thing that has struck me about each of them is that they were not all there. Not necessarily in a stoner way, but in a manner in which they just weren't all there.

Now, I'm not sure what caused it. But I do know this, there are many dealers who are not looking to get someone a one time high. There are many who are looking to get people hooked, and they do mix it with other things to get people hooked. Down here, I have yet to see a stoner who is not looking forward to his next high and have not had his work suffer for it. I have guys come through here that you teach them stuff the previous week, and the next week they have no idea what to do.

Now, if it was legalized, all this stuff would go away, so I don't have a problem with legalizing it, but I would never suggest that anyone use it.

[Fighter of Foo]

I think you're quite mistaken if you think "most people demonstrably disagree with" the laws against marijuana. If this were the case, why have they not been repealed? I would say "most people domnstrably [disagreed] with" prohibition. We've seen that law repealed. Same with cigarettes -- more and more jurisdictions are limiting their legality in public places.

..ok, I took the time to look up some numbers...

hxxp://www.pollingreport.com/drugs.htm

A CNN/Time poll from October of 2002 only has 34% in favor of the legalization of marijuana. I would not call that "most people".

I'm just scrolling up at our little unscientific poll.

The "real" question is when the vast majority of the general populace and the law are at odds, no matter the issue, which do you follow? Why?

[JediKooter]

I think most people (that I have talked to) who have not done or tried pot, do so because they have no interest in trying it as opposed to them worried about breaking a law.

As unofficial and un-peer reveiwed my assesment is, I wouldn't be surprised if that actually is the case.

[Pyser]

This is my take, I have never smoked it, and never will...

SNIP

But I do know this, there are many dealers who are not looking to get someone a one time high. There are many who are looking to get people hooked, and they do mix it with other things to get people hooked.

not trying to single you out, but this thread annoys me in general.

people who dont know what they are talking about shouldnt bother.

i smoke, i see others do. ive never known ANYONE to get weed laced with anything, and am willing to bet every other person who smokes (not someone who doesnt smoke that is just telling a story they heard) would agree. its just not an issue in this day and age.

[lordscarlet]

I'm just scrolling up at our little unscientific poll.

The "real" question is when the vast majority of the general populace and the law are at odds, no matter the issue, which do you follow? Why?

The "real" question is, in the United States (this would not apply to many other forms of government) how often are the vast majority of the general populace at odds with laws and they are not corrected? Slavery. Prohibition. Women's Suffrage. Presidential Term Limits.

And that's just from cherry picking Constitutional Amendments and not touching state/local laws. I am unaware of a current law that is opposed by the "vast majority" and actively enforced. (We can certainly debate it if there are any, but prohibition of Marijuana -- a law I am opposed to -- is not one of them)

BTW - This thread has taught me that I can't spell marijuana without firefox spell check. :)

[lordscarlet]

I think most people (that I have talked to) who have not done or tried pot, do so because they have no interest in trying it as opposed to them worried about breaking a law.

As unofficial and un-peer reveiwed my assesment is, I wouldn't be surprised if that actually is the case.

I would be in that category. However, were I interested, I don't know what I would think. Knowing myself I would still not try it if I were interested because it is illegal, and it's hard to separate my feelings of not wanting the high it gives and the feelings of not wanting to enjoy the high that comes from an illegal substance.

[Eaglesfan27]

not trying to single you out, but this thread annoys me in general.

people who dont know what they are talking about shouldnt bother.

i smoke, i see others do. ive never known ANYONE to get weed laced with anything, and am willing to bet every other person who smokes (not someone who doesnt smoke that is just telling a story they heard) would agree. its just not an issue in this day and age.


I'm not just telling a story. When I was 15, my friend went into convulsions in front of me from smoking pot. It was definitely laced with something. I put in thousands of hours at Charity's ER in New Orleans during my residency. I saw dozens if not hundreds of patients who had clear laboratory evidence of having used marijuana laced with an additive (ketones in the urine, positive THC, other positives in some cases), so just because you've never seen it, does not mean it doesn't happen.

[JediKooter]

I would be in that category. However, were I interested, I don't know what I would think. Knowing myself I would still not try it if I were interested because it is illegal, and it's hard to separate my feelings of not wanting the high it gives and the feelings of not wanting to enjoy the high that comes from an illegal substance.

And that is why the Dutch invented Amsterdam. You can try it without the guilt. :)

Seriously though, I see nothing wrong with someone not wanting to try/do it because of it's illegality and also just not having any interest in it at all.

[Pyser]

I'm not just telling a story. When I was 15, my friend went into convulsions in front of me from smoking pot. It was definitely laced with something. I put in thousands of hours at Charity's ER in New Orleans during my residency. I saw dozens if not hundreds of patients who had clear laboratory evidence of having used marijuana laced with an additive (ketones in the urine, positive THC, other positives in some cases), so just because you've never seen it, does not mean it doesn't happen.

just out of curiosity, what year was this?

maybe its a regional thing, too, i dont know. but in 10 years, ive never come across this or heard of it. id still say its very uncommon (not to mention costs more for dealers, and if the wire has taught us anything, its that a stepped on product isnt necessarily the worst thing for business).

[Eaglesfan27]

The incident with my friend was in 1990 in New Jersey. My years of working in Charity's ER were 2000-2004.

[lordscarlet]

just out of curiosity, what year was this?

maybe its a regional thing, too, i dont know. but in 10 years, ive never come across this or heard of it. id still say its very uncommon (not to mention costs more for dealers, and if the wire has taught us anything, its that a stepped on product isnt necessarily the worst thing for business).

And how many dealers have you dealt with in 10 years? I'd imagine someone in an ER comes in contact with a lot more variety than you do.

[watravaler]

It's the best painkiller on the planet, IMO. And the homegrown I, occasionally, come upon, is all natural. The law of nature means a hell of a lot more to me than some idiotic law put into place to protect a certain industry. And the law of nature is telling me this is good!

[Pyser]

And how many dealers have you dealt with in 10 years? I'd imagine someone in an ER comes in contact with a lot more variety than you do.

and out of all the people smoking weed in this country, how many do you think go to the er because their product was tampered with?

[Pyser]

dola, not putting words in EF27's mouth, but if i had to guess, id say the tests were run for other reasons, and people were surprised to find that other drugs turned up in their system? and said "ive only been smoking pot?"

just a guess. but maybe more weed is mildly laced and no one is the wiser.

but i still stand by my original statement and say its very very very rare, and isnt done to lead to "addiction".

[wade moore]

I think most people (that I have talked to) who have not done or tried pot, do so because they have no interest in trying it as opposed to them worried about breaking a law.

As unofficial and un-peer reveiwed my assesment is, I wouldn't be surprised if that actually is the case.

I think you probably have a very narrow view of this country. I would argue that a large majority of people in this country would never try it because it is illegal, rather than not caring that it is illegal and just not being interested. The idea that the illegality is not a deterrant to many Americans is just silly.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The idea that the illegality is not a deterrant to many Americans is just silly.

Devon Dudley voice on

Oh my Brother ... TESTIFY !!

/ Devon

And that damned sure doesn't just apply to the subject at hand.

[duckman]

http://www.geocities.com/mihalis_boy/stoner.jpg

[stoner voice]

This thread is really killing my buzz, man.

[/stoner voice]

[lordscarlet]

dola, not putting words in EF27's mouth, but if i had to guess, id say the tests were run for other reasons, and people were surprised to find that other drugs turned up in their system? and said "ive only been smoking pot?"

just a guess. but maybe more weed is mildly laced and no one is the wiser.

but i still stand by my original statement and say its very very very rare, and isnt done to lead to "addiction".

I think that was part of EF27's point. Be careful, because you don't know what's in it. Hell, even cigarettes have additives to increase the addictive properties. You're being very naive if you think this doesn't happen.

[wade moore]

Devon Dudley voice on

Oh my Brother ... TESTIFY !!

/ Devon

And that damned sure doesn't just apply to the subject at hand.

Yeah, I definitely wasn't applying it only to this subject.

In general you have various segments of society that I would put in order of size..

1. People that generally do their best to avoid all laws
2. People that will break "small" laws because it is inconvenient not too (i.e. speeding, rolling stops at a stop sign, etc - actually, most of these i'd say are traffic laws)
3. People that want to do something (smoke pot, have sex with minors, drive 100 mph, etc) badly enough that the laws will not stop them
4. People that break laws for the sake of breaking laws

To think that somehow "no interest at all in pot" is somehow larger than group 1 in this case is just wrong imo.

[Pyser]

I think that was part of EF27's point. Be careful, because you don't know what's in it. Hell, even cigarettes have additives to increase the addictive properties. You're being very naive if you think this doesn't happen.

my original point was id believe you more if i felt you actually knew what you were talking about or had first hand experience. sorry.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

To be perfectly honest, I smoke it occasionally. I like to have a drink and a toke... I find it's a better feeling than just drinking and I drink a lot less. I have never drank to the point of sickness when high, and I rarely finish a joint in one or even two sittings.

I have known people who are insane with it though... I don't understand how they function with the amount they smoke. If you smoke a $20 bag by yourself in one day, you need to cut back! (That can last me a month!)

And as for it being a "gateway drug," I think that it can only possibly fit in that overboard definition due to the likelihood of someone who tries one drug to be someone who may try another. I have never so much as tried, nor even considered anything heavier (other than vicodin & morphine, but that was not by choice!)

Children should NOT smoke it though, just as they should not drink. (I first tried it at 20.)

[Raiders Army]

I once smoked a cigarette and it made me fall on my ass.

[Schmidty]

my original point was id believe you more if i felt you actually knew what you were talking about or had first hand experience. sorry.

Hahaha!!!

It's hilarious how uptight and defensive you're getting about using marijuana. Aren't you supposed to be a laid back dude eating Doritos and watching the TV Guide channel on the couch, while braiding someone's hair? Come on man, be a little more zen, dude brother daddy-o.

[lordscarlet]

my original point was id believe you more if i felt you actually knew what you were talking about or had first hand experience. sorry.

And when someone gave you proof that they have seen it many times you started making other excuses. First it's, "You don't know, you've never seen it." Then it's, "Well, it must only be where you are and you were testing for other things." Give me a break. If someone proves you wrong, take it like a man. If you're going to throw out first hand experience from an Emergency Room doctor there's no point in having this dicussion with you.

[Julio Riddols]

For the legality issue involving marijuana- From my point of view, the illegality was a factor in my deciding not to smoke and being "straight edge" up until I was 21. In the two years running up to that time when I decided to finally indulge my curiosities, I came into contact with the first people that I knew for a fact were smokers. I saw the ones that smoked it religiously like it was their livelihood, I saw the party tokers, I saw the occasional social smokers, etc.. They took it upon themselves to try to get me interested in it when I was going to Tech School in Phoenix, and I turned them down with the reply: "I can act stupid without getting high.. If I got high, I would annoy the piss out of you probably" When in reality I was very curious simply because I knew these people outside of their smoking habits, and they seemed to me to be functioning, decent people who just had a good time a little differently than I did. I never did give in to their attempts to get me to party with them, and they stopped asking me about it after a while and just accepted that I didn't smoke.

I think their general "normalness" when I saw them in every day life led me to rethink my stance on it and try to learn more about it from an unbiased source, so at my leisure I read about prohibition, marijuana laws, and general studies that seemed to conclude that the drug wasn't as bad as I had been raised to believe it was. I coupled that with my observations of my classmates' behavior in general, and when my girlfriend and I talked about it one night, why I had never smoked, etc.. I told her that I would like to try it.

It was my feeling by then that the laws governing the drug seemed unfairly placed, and politically motivated.. And in Alaska, the enforcement of offenders was a very low priority at the time, probably even moreso now.. I would regularly see people smoking on the lakefront or the park in my hometown up there, and it seemed widely accepted as just a part of most peoples daily lives. The percentages of those who I was in contact with who smoked up there and who we're openly ok with people doing it seemed much higher than in Phoenix or Yuma Arizona, my hometown.

So, in my decision to smoke it, I was well aware of the laws governing it, etc.. I guess it was a matter of the relaxed enforcement being the little bit of persuasion for the part of me that was curious to win over the part of me that was apprehensive about it.

Ultimately, I just said fuck it, I want to see what this is about.

I realize I can't respectably justify why I would break a law based on it being unfair in my mind, because yes, it is a law, and yes, I like to think of myself as being just as law abiding as any decent human being would be.. But its something I am prepared to pay the consequences for should it ever come to that. Ultimately, that is why the illegality of it doesn't stop me from smoking it. I enjoy the effects of it enough to outweigh the minor penalty I personally would face if I was caught with it, because I never have more than a small personal supply around.

Now after a legal incident, I might strongly reconsider having a small supply available at my apartment or purchasing it from anyone again, but I don't think it would stop me from accepting if I was offered a hit or two among friends in the right setting, but I can't say for sure how I might react ultimately in that situation. I may stop smoking altogether, I may just continue the same way I am now.

Just my take on the legality issue of it.

I think there has been excellent discussion in this thread, and I have really learned a lot about the mindsets of some people who continue along the drug free path, as to why they choose not to smoke, etc. It hasn't changed the way I feel personally about the drug, but I think I am a little more aware of how outsiders to the pot culture view those who are involved in it, and I appreciate the different viewpoints because I am a strong believer in developing ones own opinion on things. I'm glad to see it didn't turn into a kick-the-stoner party, especially when it is clear that on this board smokers are in the minority. I think that speaks to the general open-mindedness of the people here, which is refreshing.

Just my 27 cents.

[Julio Riddols]

I completely disagree with it being useful for eating disorders, bipolar, anxiety disorders, or mood disorders. Most people who do smoke pot chronically become more anxious between joints and their have been studies that have shown that. Also, pot can interfere with the receptors that mood stabilizers are trying to alter for Bipolar and can be counterproductive. The infamous binging that pot often induces works against the need for control that most patients with Eating Disorders have. However, I do think marijuana is useful in the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea.

Back when I was a 1st year medical student, my grandmother developed bone cancer which is one of the most painful forms of cancer possible. The chemo made her nauseous, the painkillers made her nauseous. She tried every legal anti-emetic known to man but none of them stopped her from vomiting several times a day and she was miserable as a result. I recommended my grandfather buy her some pot and told him where he could find some. It helped her greatly in the final 6 months of her life.

You are without much doubt far more educated on this than me, and I am inclined to take your word for it based on that. I am sure it has medicinal uses, but I couldn't ever say what they are for certain. Based on my personal experience I speculated differently, but I am definitely open to evidentiary support of the opposite of my relatively uninformed conclusions, and your statements are just that. I am glad to see it affected your grandmother in a positive way, though.

I would like to see an extremely thorough study done on all its potential medical uses both as a treatment by itself and as a treatment to ease the effects of other treatments, but until then I won't try to sit here and say with any real certainty what medicinal uses it has.

[tucker342]

I used to smoke weed everyday... but have been clean for two months on Friday. I loved smoking weed but it was way too expensive and my girlfriend strongly "suggested" that I quit.


It is tough somedays because my roommate smokes at least once a day... so it is always around but it's getting easier and easier to avoid the temptation everyday :)

[Julio Riddols]

And for my last post for the night on this, I have to agree there is definitely weed available that is laced with stuff. My girlfriend smoked some one night that kept her up the entire night talking my ear off for literally 7 hours about shit that sort of scared me.. Telling me she saw mountains in my eyes at one point (way out of character for her, even when she was high), and going off rapid-fire on tangents that had nothing to do with each other then eventually getting obnoxiously angry with me when I started to doze off because I had to be at work in a couple hours and I just couldn't stay awake anymore.

After that we didn't smoke anything for a good while, not to mention anything from the same people. We made sure we trusted our connect a great deal before dealing with them, then dealt with them exclusively after further trust was established. If they didn't have any, we didn't get any, because we didn't want to take that chance anymore.

I think it is most likely a pretty rare occurrence, and that the more seedy dealers who deal much harder drugs are probably more likely to do things like lacing, but it does happen, so it is a good idea to establish a good amount of trust with anyone you buy from.

[JediKooter]

I think you probably have a very narrow view of this country. I would argue that a large majority of people in this country would never try it because it is illegal, rather than not caring that it is illegal and just not being interested. The idea that the illegality is not a deterrant to many Americans is just silly.

I wouldn't say my view of the US is narrow. My point of view on this subject is narrow because it's soley based on talking to friends, family and co-workers, if that's what you meant.

I don't think the idea of people not wanting to try it because they have no interest in it as opposed to worrying about getting in trouble with the law, is silly at all. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, no big deal.

[Karlifornia]

I wouldn't say my view of the US is narrow. My point of view on this subject is narrow because it's soley based on talking to friends, family and co-workers, if that's what you meant.

I don't think the idea of people not wanting to try it because they have no interest in it as opposed to worrying about getting in trouble with the law, is silly at all. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, no big deal.

I think you're right. I won't do acid because of the simple reason that I'm scared shitless of it. I couldn't care less whether or not it was legal. There are just some things that I have no interest in experimenting with.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think it is most likely a pretty rare occurrence, and that the more seedy dealers who deal much harder drugs are probably more likely to do things like lacing, but it does happen, so it is a good idea to establish a good amount of trust with anyone you buy from.

I think it is a rare occurrence as well. No where did I say it was common. I just said it was one of the bigger risks of smoking marijuana. However, there is always that risk even if you have a good relationship with your supplier (again someone above him/her could have laced it.)

[Fighter of Foo]

I think you probably have a very narrow view of this country. I would argue that a large majority of people in this country would never try it because it is illegal, rather than not caring that it is illegal and just not being interested. The idea that the illegality is not a deterrant to many Americans is just silly.

Likewise, your view is very, very narrow. Again, just look at our stupid little poll. If so many people feared the law on marijuana, why have so many people tried it and/or have no problems with others doing the same?

[wade moore]

Likewise, your view is very, very narrow. Again, just look at our stupid little poll. If so many people feared the law on marijuana, why have so many people tried it and/or have no problems with others doing the same?

As far as I can tell 23 of 163 people have tried it. Just as many (23) say that no one should ever try it.

So, then you have the 120 in the middle that say they are ok with others using it. 31 of those say just for medicinal purposes. Which is becoming legal in some places. so.. you've got about 100 that either use it or are ok with others using it recreationally but they would not try it.

The motivation is not in the poll. If they're ok with others using it, maybe they're just not ok with themselves using it because they don't want to break the law?

No way to tell.

At either rate, I think there are people that don't try it because they don't want to, rather than because it is illegal (me for instance). I just am saying that dismissing the legallity as a factor for many people is wrong. I'm very confidant that there are MANY people that if marijuana was available at 7-11 would smoke it that don't know. If you think otherwise, I think you're insane.

That's all I'm saying. Marijuana use would dramatically increase if it were readily available and legal.

[lordscarlet]

And check out the poll I posted which goes against what this poll says. We are from from representative of the country.

[JonInMiddleGA]

If so many people feared the law on marijuana, why have so many people tried it and/or have no problems with others doing the same?

Well hell, that's easy.

Because there's an diminished respect for the rule of law and because the existing laws do not provide strong enough punishment to be an effective enough deterrant.

[vtbub]

The motivation is not in the poll. If they're ok with others using it, maybe they're just not ok with themselves using it because they don't want to break the law?

No way to tell.

At either rate, I think there are people that don't try it because they don't want to, rather than because it is illegal (me for instance).

Really just no desire to do it here. Never interested in it and know too many people who became lost puppies trying to escape in the purple haze.

[albionmoonlight]

I have never smoked pot, but would have tried it if it had been legal and if employers did not test for it.

It just did not seem worth the risk of possibly getting caught and always having to answer "yes" when asked on various applications, etc.

[Butter]

I've done it exactly twice... and it was with a friend of mine supplying it. I quite enjoyed it both times.

I would be too nervous to ever buy it, I think, and it's not worth it at this point of my life to risk any kind of prosecution over it. But I don't begrudge anyone doing it.

[Fighter of Foo]

Well hell, that's easy.

Because there's an diminished respect for the rule of law and because the existing laws do not provide strong enough punishment to be an effective enough deterrant.

If the law wasn't retarded, for lack of a better word, wouldn't that increase respect for laws in general?

The only examples I can think of where laws are openly flouted are in cases where large numbers of people disagree with them. Smoking, speeding, jaywalking, etc.

Do you want to turn our country into a police state? How is that better than having fewer laws? And if we can't have fewer laws, isn't selective ignorance the next best thing?

By blindly following every law, you're saying that the government always knows best. That's most assuredly not the case.

[JonInMiddleGA]

By blindly following every law, you're saying that the government always knows best.

Clearly they know better than some of the damned fools we've got running around FOFC (and the public in general).

[Fighter of Foo]

That's not the point now is it?

[albionmoonlight]

If the law wasn't retarded, for lack of a better word, wouldn't that increase respect for laws in general?

The only examples I can think of where laws are openly flouted are in cases where large numbers of people disagree with them. Smoking, speeding, jaywalking, etc.

Do you want to turn our country into a police state? How is that better than having fewer laws? And if we can't have fewer laws, isn't selective ignorance the next best thing?

By blindly following every law, you're saying that the government always knows best. That's most assuredly not the case.

I think that people here continue to misapprehend Jon, who has always been open about his beliefs. He is (and please correct me if I am wrong, Jon) a self-described Authoritarian. We don't encounter too many of those these days. In arguing about details, one misses the fact that the premises on which you base your ideas differ at a very fundamental level.

I would expect (and, again, forgive and correct me if I am wrong) that Jon believes, among other things,

(1) That the primary function of the state should be to use its police power to discourage behavior by its citizens that the majority of those citizens has agreed is criminally wrong, and

(2) That, leaving aside cases of obvious and severe mental illness, citizens operate as rational actors such that an increase in the frequency and severity of punishment will lead to a corresponding decrease in the behaviors that that punishment is designed to discourage.

Now, I personally disagree with both (1) and (2). Understanding, however, that that is where my disagreement lies helps me to focus on the issues and not get distracted by the details.

Again, I apologize if this mis-states Jon's position. I probably shouldn't try to put words in people's mouths. It just seems like a way to avoid some needless frustration back and forth.

My irony meter could not handle it if we all got really angry and tense in a thread about pot.

[lungs]

FWIW, the main reasons people give for not smoking pot that I've encountered:

1. Drug testing on the job
2. It puts them to sleep.
3. It's expensive.
4. Haven't tried it yet, why try it now?

I've never really heard legalities as a reason but I don't doubt that a large number of people do state that a reason. But I also would speculate that somebody that uses legality as a reason for not using marijuana is less likely to knowingly associate with anybody that does. Hence, I don't encounter these people often in a setting where the topic is discussed. I do have friends in law enforcement that know I smoke (obviously they do not) and it does not bother them one bit. I'm not quite sure why one of them would use me as a reference for a job though, :).

Honestly, if they catch me and want to give me a $250 fine, I'll pay it. I'd consider it a tax. But I'd hope they'd put the said money into fighting something more worthwhile like methamphetamines. I've never done meth, but I know enough to never turn your back on a meth head.

[CU Tiger]

As far as I can tell 23 of 163 people have tried it. Just as many (23) say that no one should ever try it.

So, then you have the 120 in the middle that say they are ok with others using it.

I think either me or you is mis reading the poll.
As I read it (and responded accordingly) we have 23 current users (of varying frequencies) and untold numbers of former users who do not use at all at this time.


I appreciate the input from Albion (if coorect) that JiMG viewpoints come from a strong Autoritarian view point. If so, then that explains greatly where our views separate.

I would say that my views lie outside of a standard classification, in that I believe personal morals and convictions determine the appropriateness of behaviors. I do not believe that everyone should do as they please, but I do submit that there are certain universally accepted creeds that apply to everyone. No one will argue that agregious crimes (murder, rape, enslavement, crimes against children, etc.) are appropriate behaviors for any member of society.

And certainly no one will argue that there are certain behaviors that are perfectly appropriate for any member of society. (Charitable acts, this list is really enormous, we dont need a law that says it is ok to walk on a sidewalk for example)

However where I depart from convention is that I feel a large portion of activities fall in to a gray personal area. A person's own beliefs, morals, or even past actions may determine what is appropriate behavior for them and what is not. One of many example here, would be alcohol consumption. Many people (myself included) can responsibly consume alcohol and never pose a threat to themselves, others, or society as a whole. However, quite a few people are so strongly impacted by the effects of alcohol that it controls their entire life. For these individuals I would say that consumption in general is inappropriate behavior.

Where my ideology runs into major problems is implimentation, most notably enforcement. I do not proport to have the answers on how it would be carried out in society, now do I spend copious amounts of time attempting to convert others to my view point. I do not hold true that my views are steadfastly superior to others, nor do I discredit others opinions without careful consideration. My questions and angles weren't meant to be a divergence from the issue at hand nor a personal attack on John. I was attempting to gain additional perspective on a subject that I find quite interesting. If that came across wrong, as it appears to from re-reading comments from both others and myself, I apologize.

[wade moore]

I think either me or you is mis reading the poll.
As I read it (and responded accordingly) we have 23 current users (of varying frequencies) and untold numbers of former users who do not use at all at this time.

Umm... read the poll...

all but 23 users voted an option that says "I don't smoke it"... I cannot account for those that didn't vote..

learn how to read polls.

[wade moore]

The only examples I can think of where laws are openly flouted are in cases where large numbers of people disagree with them. Smoking, speeding, jaywalking, etc.

I again think you're misguided in comparing smoking pot to speeding, jaywalking etc...

A MUCH smaller % of the nation smokes pot than jaywalks, speeds, etc. In addition, a high % of those that do smoke pot go out of their way to hide it.

So, I dont' see how you can really compare them.

[Lathum]

Umm... read the poll...

all but 23 users voted an option that says "I don't smoke it"... I cannot account for those that didn't vote..

learn how to read polls.

I have smoked in the past but chose the "I don't smoke..." option because there was no option for " I used to smoke"

I think 23 people who have "ever" smoked is probably inaccurate.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think that people here continue to misapprehend

Sidebar: is that the right word, "misapprehend"? I know "misapprehension" & so I suppose there could be the word you used too, but I'm thinking maybe "misinterpret" might have been what you meant. Doesn't matter, I just figured I would ask in case I could learn a new word today, because I'll admit that I don't recall seeing it used this way before.

Anyhoo, let's see how you did.

He is (and please correct me if I am wrong, Jon) a self-described Authoritarian.

Not wrong at all. Spot on, in fact.
Although "self-described unapologetic/unabashed Authoritarian" would have been even better ;)

On the beliefs, I would probably soften "the primary" in point #1 to "a primary", or least make that modification depending upon whether we're broadly talking about federal government vs state/local government.
(I know in this case it's primarily sub-federal, but I figured the distinction should be made because I would at least put "protect against foreign enemies" ahead of the internal law enforcement role at the federal level).

I would expect (and, again, forgive and correct me if I am wrong) that Jon believes, among other things,

I would probably make a slight change in point #2, mostly to clarify that "corresponding" isn't necessarily a strictly linear effect. In other words, toward the end of the scale I know you're going to get some diminishing returns, there's always some deviant that simply doesn't care what you do to them.

Again, I apologize if this mis-states Jon's position. I probably shouldn't try to put words in people's mouths.

Actually, I thought you did a darned fine job of it. It may not be a good idea all the time, but you nailed this one.

And, while I'm thinking of it, is "mis-state" hyphenated? Or is it like "misrepresented" and it's all run together? I have no idea other than "misstate" doesn't look right at all, but I'm not sure about hyphenating it either.

[NoMyths]

Sidebar: is that the right word, "misapprehend"? I know "misapprehension" & so I suppose there could be the word you used too, but I'm thinking maybe "misinterpret" might have been what you meant. Doesn't matter, I just figured I would ask in case I could learn a new word today, because I'll admit that I don't recall seeing it used this way before.

This is actually a correct usage for "misapprehend", and I for one am pleased to see someone busting out the fifty-cent words.

[JonInMiddleGA]

This is actually a correct usage for "misapprehend", and I for one am pleased to see someone busting out the fifty-cent words.

Hey, I ain't knocking either. I just figured I ought to make sure before I, umm, "borrowed" the word ;)

[NoMyths]

Hey, I ain't knocking either. I just figured I ought to make sure before I, umm, "borrowed" the word ;)

Yep, didn't read any knocking into your question. Just got excited about one of those random spots of top-shelf articulation that occur around here once a year or so (more when Quik isn't slumming), and figured I'd add my praise. ;)

[MrBug708]

http://concernedbutpowerless.typepad.com/concerned_but_powerless/images/kumar_1.jpg

I know Nuequa loves himself a nice bag of weed

[KevinNU7]

I have smoked in the past but chose the "I don't smoke..." option because there was no option for " I used to smoke"
Ditto

[wade moore]

I have smoked in the past but chose the "I don't smoke..." option because there was no option for " I used to smoke"

I think 23 people who have "ever" smoked is probably inaccurate.

Fair enough.

[CU Tiger]

Umm... read the poll...

all but 23 users voted an option that says "I don't smoke it"... I cannot account for those that didn't vote..

learn how to read polls.

Not sure the reason for the smart ass nature of the reply, but...

23 say I DON'T smoke
You interpretted that to say:
I HAVE NEVER smoked

I think we can agree there is a difference. I for one voted I don't but dont care what others do.
In the past I have.

I would wager that many smoke during high school/ college and then as responsibilites increase along with potential consequences probably tail off.

I tried to phrase my question is a polite way and leave room that maybe I was mis-interpretting it.

[CU Tiger]

Fair enough.

Started my reply then got called into a meeting. I now see that you have already addressed my point.

[sabotai]

I have smoked in the past but chose the "I don't smoke..." option because there was no option for " I used to smoke"

I think 23 people who have "ever" smoked is probably inaccurate.

Same here. The third choice accurately reflects me today, but several years ago it would have been the last option.

[wade moore]

Started my reply then got called into a meeting. I now see that you have already addressed my point.

So we can all agree that Karli botched the poll options ;)...

Either way, I think that many stats can show that it is a clear minority of the US that has even tried it once, let alone has ever smoked it regularly.

[Karlifornia]

So we can all agree that Karli botched the poll options ;)...

Either way, I think that many stats can show that it is a clear minority of the US that has even tried it once, let alone has ever smoked it regularly.

I didn't botch the options! I don't care about what people used to do! I care about the here and now! I used to shit in diapers, but I don't now. I don't go on a date and say "I used to shit my pants!". Ok now I admit I'm just typing nonsense.

(by the way, I'm talking about when I was a baby...just to make things clear)

[wade moore]

I didn't botch the options! I don't care about what people used to do! I care about the here and now! I used to shit in diapers, but I don't now. I don't go on a date and say "I used to shit my pants!". Ok now I admit I'm just typing nonsense.

(by the way, I'm talking about when I was a baby...just to make things clear)

uh-huh, sure ;)...

I see validity in both ways of doing the poll fwiw.

[sabotai]

Either way, I think that many stats can show that it is a clear minority of the US that has even tried it once, let alone has ever smoked it regularly.

According to this webiste (National Institute on Drug Abuse), about half of 12th graders who say thay've used it once in their lifetime.

hxxp://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html

And here it talks about a government study that says over 83 americans over the age of 12 have tried it at least once.

hxxp://parentingteens.about.com/cs/marijuana/a/marijuana10.htm

I can't find links to any specific survey or study, but about 5 minutes of googling and reading links is about as much time as I am willing to devote to this topic. :)

[wade moore]

According to this webiste (National Institute on Drug Abuse), about half of 12th graders who say thay've used it once in their lifetime.

hxxp://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html

And here it talks about a government study that says over 83 americans over the age of 12 have tried it at least once.

hxxp://parentingteens.about.com/cs/marijuana/a/marijuana10.htm

I can't find links to any specific survey or study, but about 5 minutes of googling and reading links is about as much time as I am willing to devote to this topic. :)

I would argue that using current 12th graders as a gauge is at least somewhat flawed...

As for the over 83 million americans, again, that seems to be drawing conclusions from studies over teh last 5 years or so to high schoolers.. Very flawed method for drawing that conclusion.

I'm trying to find other data, but not a lot of luck yet.

[wade moore]

http://www.cedro-uva.org/lib/harrison.cannabis.03.html#surv

This seems as good of a summary as any. Breaks down using ever, semi-regular use (in the last year), or regular use (in the last month)... This seems more with what my expectations are - A clear minority (1/3) have tried it, with a VERY small minority smoking it with any regularity (9% and 4.3% for the regular uses)...

I'll grant you that this is from 1993, but I would submit that it has likely not changed dramatically in the last 10 years.

[CU Tiger]

I'll grant you that this is from 1993, but I would submit that it has likely not changed dramatically in the last 10 years.

I would agree, though I believe it increases every year.
Most of the deaths in a given year occur in the 60+ demographic.
Going back 60 years or more from today, marijuana use was much less prevelant and widespread. Given the pop culture movements of the 60s and 70s. I wouldd say that by the time we reach a population consisting on only (or primarily) those born after 1950 (I.E teens in the 60s and 70s) that number will escalate to much closer to 50%.

One other thing that has to be factored (in both polls) is answer integrity. I would submit that many professionals, executives, or law enforcement types today would never admit, even in an anonymous survey, that they had ever partook (Is that a word? or is it partaken or what the hell ever) in such activities. But I feel that number is balanced slightly by the high schoolers who would say they had even if they had not just to think it was cool or funny.

[wade moore]

I would agree, though I believe it increases every year.
Most of the deaths in a given year occur in the 60+ demographic.
Going back 60 years or more from today, marijuana use was much less prevelant and widespread. Given the pop culture movements of the 60s and 70s. I wouldd say that by the time we reach a population consisting on only (or primarily) those born after 1950 (I.E teens in the 60s and 70s) that number will escalate to much closer to 50%.

One other thing that has to be factored (in both polls) is answer integrity. I would submit that many professionals, executives, or law enforcement types today would never admit, even in an anonymous survey, that they had ever partook (Is that a word? or is it partaken or what the hell ever) in such activities. But I feel that number is balanced slightly by the high schoolers who would say they had even if they had not just to think it was cool or funny.

Agreed on all aspects. I think it probably has gone up, just not dramatically. And I agree about the skewing of results and what they likely are.

[lordscarlet]

One other thing that has to be factored (in both polls) is answer integrity. I would submit that many professionals, executives, or law enforcement types today would never admit, even in an anonymous survey, that they had ever partook (Is that a word? or is it partaken or what the hell ever) in such activities. But I feel that number is balanced slightly by the high schoolers who would say they had even if they had not just to think it was cool or funny.

I believe (having not looked at the link provided) that they normally factor this in. When I see numbers for something like this it normally states such.

[Subby]

My irony meter could not handle it if we all got really angry and tense in a thread about pot.
http://www.thefobl.com/forums/images/smilies/cool_shades.gif

[Raiders Army]

On a board full of text-sim geeks, I'd say the probability of pot users being in the majority would be pretty high. On the other hand, on a message board full of cool cat-lovers, I'd guess the probability of pot users being in the majority would be pretty low.

[path12]

Well I must have been stoned when this whole thing started,
'Cause I just can't seem to think straight anymore.

Can't figure out where I'm at, maybe Memphis, maybe Mexico.
I think you're swell but I ain't gonna tell you so.
I think you're great but it's late and I'd better go.

Hitchhike to Rhome. Take the Greyhound to Fredericksburg.
Well I'm flat broke, I've been smoking butts for days.

You say, "Maybe you can stay with me." I say, "Lady, that's a dangerous plan."
You're quite a woman, but I don't wanna be your man.
You're quite a kisser, but listen close and understand.

Take a letter to God. "Dear Sir: I'm dissatisfied.
Well it ain't your fault they keep pouring salt on my heart.

All I need is a brief reprieve. I keep leaving. I ain't gettin' nowhere."
Won't you linger, let me run my fingers through your hair?
Won't you stay? I can't play like I don't care.
I think you're dope, and I hope I'm making myself clear.
I think you're fly and that's why I'm getting out of here.

Well, I must have been stoned.
Good Lord, I wish I'd been stoned.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Paranoid? Nah, that shit don't make anybody paranoid.


http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/shared-gen/ap/Recordings/People_Popper.html

SPOKANE, Wash. — Blues Traveler singer and harmonica player John Popper was arrested after the vehicle he was riding in was clocked going 111 mph, the Washington State Patrol said Wednesday.

Popper, 39, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 90 near the Spokane/Lincoln county line, the Washington State Patrol said.

Inside the black Mercedes SUV, officers found a cache of weapons and a small amount of marijuana, the Patrol said. A police dog searched the vehicle, finding numerous hidden compartments containing four rifles, nine handguns and a switchblade knife. Authorities also found a Taser and night vision goggles. The vehicle was seized.

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/07/26/87/image_5187267.jpg

Popper, who lives in Snohomish, Wash., is the owner of the vehicle, which was being driven by Brian Gourgeois, 34, of Austin, Texas, said state patrol Trooper Jeff Sevigney. The vehicle also had flashing emergency headlights, a siren and a public address system, the Patrol said.

"Popper indicated to troopers that he had installed these items in his vehicle because (in the event of a natural disaster) he didn't want to be left behind," the Patrol said in a news release. He also told officers he collected weapons, the Patrol said.

The two men were booked administratively into the Adams County jail and released on their own recognizance. Authorities plan to charge them with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gourgeois will also face a charge of reckless driving, the Patrol said.

[lungs]

I think it's pretty safe to say that this is a paranoid human being with or without marijuana.

[Butter]

Bad publicity in advance of Popper's next Blues Traveler release: "Shit, Did You Hear That?"

[Subby]

WEED DAY AT FOFC!

PING: RICHARD WEED

[lighthousekeeper]

this poll needs a smoked trout option

[Noop]

I smoke almost every other day.

[korme]

I SMOKE ROCKS

http://hometown.aol.com/presidentspry/images/tyrone.jpg