How many more lame commercials depiciting teenagers who are "high" do I have to see? The ones that end up with the "high" kids running over some innocent girl riding her bike in front of a fast food drive-thru or with the "high" kids picking up dad's gun and shooting one another or themselves...Where are the commercials concerning a real problematic drug, crystal meth? I suppose that meth heads go out and plant gardens, help the elderly and promote gun safety when they're all geeked up.
For too long, this country has alienated people for making a lifestyle choice by smoking marijuana. Only because our government says it's illegal does it present a problem, and let me tell you about our government's past with the hemp plant. In the early days of America, the hemp plant was probably one of the 5 biggest cash crops. Not only did it present hundreds of uses (rope, paper, hemp oil - which is a VERY efficient fuel), but it also served as an important crop planted along with others such as soybean and corn. The hemp plant made the soil it was planted in richer in minerals and aided the growth plus productivity of the crops planted along with it. Our greatest surplus of main crops came when the hemp plant was used in this manner. Suddenly, the government took a 180 degree turn on the hemp plant because of the "high" produced by the leaves and buds of the plant. It was deemed illegal and now we arrive at this conversation today with a whole lot of problems over a very small thing.
Marijuana, when used in moderation, is a very effective drug. It can help cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy fight the side effects of treatments. It can help with headaches, it can calm you down if you're feeling really angry and it can help you laugh when you might be feeling down. Personally, I view marijuana as no drug at all. It was a plant that was here on Earth. It wasn't made in some laboratory. It grows naturally and, believe it or not, natural things tend to do a lot a less harm to the human body. Sure, smoking cannot be much good at all, but I would much rather smoke a fattie of Mary Jane than some nasty, chemical-ridden, factory made cigarette. I would rather toke up on a few buds than drink a few Buds. Marijuana was not a problem until the United States government made it a problem. It appears to me that the day this country backed away from the hemp plant, we not only lost the great revenues and positives of the plant as a whole, but we created a whole different monster of minor problems to combat when we should be focused a whole lot more on the major ones.
It is one of my hopes that during my lifetime, marijuana is legalized in some form so that citizens may be able to smoke in the privacy of their own homes and possess a certain amount for personal recreation. But who am I kidding? I live under a government that brings up issues, makes them a hot topic for 3 days on the news circuits and drops them like a wet bag of bricks. Maybe Congress should take a recess, smoke out the Capitol Building, and start to tackle some real issues after they get their mind right. It's 4:20 somewhere!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Up in Smoke
Marijuana is a highly addictive drug; this, or some version of it, is what we are all told as we grow up. But for that matter is alcohol not a highly addictive drug. And what of cigarettes?
Webster’s dictionary defines the word “drug” as “something and often an illegal substance that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness.” Except for “illegal” alcohol and cigarettes both fit this definition. So what is it that makes marijuana so different?
Many argue that marijuana is detrimental to a person’s health. However the fact is, according to many university studies including one at UCLA from which I get my information, smoking marijuana actually causes a lower risk of such things as lung cancer than regular smoking. This is due to the fact that most marijuana uses smoke at most 3-5 cigarettes (or joints) a day, where as a tobacco smoker may smoke as many as 16-40.
Of course the argument we all know against marijuana is that it causes brain damage to the user. However, at closer inspection on finds that in the experiments cited to prove this theory, the rodents that were used as test subjects were subjected to up to 200 times the psychoactive does in humans. A later test performed on rhesus monkeys showed no noticeable changed, when exposed to the smoke equivalent of four to five joints per day, after a year.
So if there is not a physical health reason against marijuana better than those standing against tobacco and alcohol, then what is left? There is the argument, of course, that marijuana impairs judgment. But, following that reasoning, alcohol should be illegal as well.
As far as I can tell, according to the studies I have seen, marijuana is no more dangerous then the package of tobacco cigarettes I can go to the nearest gas station and buy. While there should be laws limiting and controlling marijuana, just as there are laws limiting and controlling both tobacco and alcohol, there is not substantial reason why marijuana should be illegal.
What is the problem?
The number of alcohol and tobacco related deaths are overwhelming. According to the Surgeon General there are 400,000 deaths annually in the United States that are contributed to smoking tobacco. In 2003, there were 28,085 deaths related to alcohol. These numbers speak for themselves. The ironic and confusing part of this research is that I was unable to find statistics as to how many people die from smoking marijuana. This is, perhaps, because people do not die from smoking marijuana. However, marijuana is illegal while tobacco and alcohol is not.
Marijuana is a drug which is known for relaxing people. It may hurt a person by making them lazy, unmotivated, and perhaps even increasing their apatite. A person’s life may pass them by while they sit around smoking marijuana every day. However, violence, and danger to yourself or to others is not something that is of a particular concern of in regards to smoking marihuana. Why then is it illegal? Essentially, being a “pot head” is a lifestyle choice. I do not feel it is the place of the government to make lifestyle choices for the citizens of the United States when it is not harmful to themselves others.
With all the medicinal purposes to which marijuana contributes, the United States should legalize it. It seems marijuana has more benefits than risks. This natural herb is not harmful to people. Lets legalized marijuana and focus on the real dangers which circulate on our streets and threaten people’s lives everyday.
Marijuana is a drug which is known for relaxing people. It may hurt a person by making them lazy, unmotivated, and perhaps even increasing their apatite. A person’s life may pass them by while they sit around smoking marijuana every day. However, violence, and danger to yourself or to others is not something that is of a particular concern of in regards to smoking marihuana. Why then is it illegal? Essentially, being a “pot head” is a lifestyle choice. I do not feel it is the place of the government to make lifestyle choices for the citizens of the United States when it is not harmful to themselves others.
With all the medicinal purposes to which marijuana contributes, the United States should legalize it. It seems marijuana has more benefits than risks. This natural herb is not harmful to people. Lets legalized marijuana and focus on the real dangers which circulate on our streets and threaten people’s lives everyday.
Government and Marijuana--The Boundaries of Legalization
In 1996 voters in California approved SB420, known as the Compassionate Use Act. The bill makes medical use of marijuana legal for patients with a doctor’s recommendation. It also establishes guidelines for distribution along with an identification card program.
But according to a recent article written by the Daily News, Pleasanton, California’s Police Chief Michael Fraser and City Attorney Michael Roush are proposing a band on all medical marijuana clinics in town.
The ordinance cites “incidents of armed robberies, burglaries, vagrancy and resale to nonqualified persons in other communities with marijuana dispensaries…” But this does not apply to those who use marijuana for medical use in the privacy of their homes.
The ongoing debate over whether or not to legalize marijuana came after the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in 2005, the federal government’s power to enforce federal drug laws.
According to the Daily News, “The federal-state conflict led Pleasanton and dozens of other cities to enact moratoriums on the establishment of marijuana dispensaries.”
Why all the fuss about legalizing marijuana--this would depend greatly on who you ask.
In 1950 a quiz show called Truth or Consequences, hosted by Ralph Edwards, came to the American TV audience. The premise of the show was if the contestant could not complete the "Truth" portion; there would be "Consequences," usually something embarrassing. The show was very popular and lasted until the late '80's.
The reason I mention this quiz show is because if the truth is not told about whether or not to legalize marijuana society will suffer the consequences. For this both sides of the argument should be reviewed.
Some medical benefits of legalized marijuana are, 1) access and protection for pain control, 2) legal sale would only be for medical use and not personal pleasure and 3) the prescription drug will bring in added income for government use.
But on the other side some doctors writing prescriptions may be tempted to personally make money on the side by selling in on the black market or patients who use marijuana may become dependant on it and not seek further medical treatment. Also, if marijuana is legalized the likelihood of children being exposed in the privacy of their home becomes a greater possibility.
In my opinion, the most compassionate act is not about making marijuana legal…it’s about helping those who can’t say no—say yes to a healthy life by not being tempted to try it.
Let Everyone Light Up
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death according to the US Surgeon General. Why then, are cigarettes legal, and marijuana not? There are no proven deaths that are linked solely to marijuana use. In other parts of the world, like Europe, marijuana is used frequently as a pain killing remedy.
The only downside is that every once in a while a young kid is introduced to pot and then later that day is introduced to other, more harmful drugs. The number of times that this happens would drastically decrease if marijuana was made legal. If it were legal, kids and people of all ages would not have to go to bad areas that house loads of harmful drugs. Instead these so-called "pot-heads" could just light up on the corner, just like a tobacco user could.
Marijuana use should be a choice. If the government wants to limit this choice, let them limit their limitations to those that apply to tobacco. April 20th is coming up. 4-20 is the Unofficial National "Get High" Day. Why can we not just bring the world together and have a jolly ole time.
The only downside is that every once in a while a young kid is introduced to pot and then later that day is introduced to other, more harmful drugs. The number of times that this happens would drastically decrease if marijuana was made legal. If it were legal, kids and people of all ages would not have to go to bad areas that house loads of harmful drugs. Instead these so-called "pot-heads" could just light up on the corner, just like a tobacco user could.
Marijuana use should be a choice. If the government wants to limit this choice, let them limit their limitations to those that apply to tobacco. April 20th is coming up. 4-20 is the Unofficial National "Get High" Day. Why can we not just bring the world together and have a jolly ole time.
Reliving Prohibition
The circumstances regarding the legalization of marijuana are comparable to that of the legalization of alcohol after the prohibition in the United States. From 1920-1933, the U.S. government outlawed alcohol. According to a policy analysis by the Cato Institute, the experiment was an effort to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. However, it had the opposite effect than the one intended. According to the History of Alcohol Prohibition, crime rates skyrocketed due to the insurmountable bootlegging organizations operating across the country. After it was finally legalized, crime rates dropped. Contrary to popular belief, alcoholism did not surge out of control.
The U.S. faces the same problems today with regard to the legalization of marijuana. Like alcohol, marijuana is a highly sought substance that people will seek with or without the government’s approval. Many high school and college students try the drug on experimental basis. Reports by the White House suggest that these individuals are not lifetime users. Marijuana should be legalized by the government and treated just like alcohol. As a commercial item, it can be regulated by price and tax. To keep it out of the hands of youths, the government could put an age restriction policy on sales of the drug.
The U.S. faces the same problems today with regard to the legalization of marijuana. Like alcohol, marijuana is a highly sought substance that people will seek with or without the government’s approval. Many high school and college students try the drug on experimental basis. Reports by the White House suggest that these individuals are not lifetime users. Marijuana should be legalized by the government and treated just like alcohol. As a commercial item, it can be regulated by price and tax. To keep it out of the hands of youths, the government could put an age restriction policy on sales of the drug.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Who's it gonna hurt?
According to a recent pyschological study, approximately 80% of the population has smoked marijuana at least once in their life. That means that 80% of the population have broken the law and could have been given jail time for the use of an illegal drug. America is supposed to be a democracy and given the percentage of people who have tried the drug, Americans seem to be in favor of looking into having it legalized.
There is one exception to the prohibition of marijuana in this country and that is for those who are suffering. A legal marijuana farm is running in Mississippi and the drug is given to hospitals to use for medical reasons. The two main medical conditions in which patients are given marijuana are cancer and muscular sclerosis. Marijuana not only helps the patients cope with pain, but it also creates an appetite for those patients struggling to eat. Marijuana should be given to any hospital patient who is experiencing great pain and wants some relief.
Another plus side of marijuana is that it has never killed anyone. Unlike alcohol, you cannot overdose on it and experience critical conditions. With large amounts of marijuana, black outs are possible, however they are not serious. Also, marijuana does not have hangover side affects as alcohol does; after smoking it at night, users wake up hungry, but not normally noxious.
Basically, smoking pot is no worse than drinking alcohol, and if the government is going to prohibit marijuana, they might as well outlaw liquor. Marijuana helps people relax and is not known to create violence, as crystal meth or other drugs. Of course, restrictions such as "no driving under the influence of marijuana," should be enforced, as well as a legal age limit. But it is still wrong to outlaw the drug completely. Besides, think of all the money late night drive-throughs would make if marijuana was legalized.
There is one exception to the prohibition of marijuana in this country and that is for those who are suffering. A legal marijuana farm is running in Mississippi and the drug is given to hospitals to use for medical reasons. The two main medical conditions in which patients are given marijuana are cancer and muscular sclerosis. Marijuana not only helps the patients cope with pain, but it also creates an appetite for those patients struggling to eat. Marijuana should be given to any hospital patient who is experiencing great pain and wants some relief.
Another plus side of marijuana is that it has never killed anyone. Unlike alcohol, you cannot overdose on it and experience critical conditions. With large amounts of marijuana, black outs are possible, however they are not serious. Also, marijuana does not have hangover side affects as alcohol does; after smoking it at night, users wake up hungry, but not normally noxious.
Basically, smoking pot is no worse than drinking alcohol, and if the government is going to prohibit marijuana, they might as well outlaw liquor. Marijuana helps people relax and is not known to create violence, as crystal meth or other drugs. Of course, restrictions such as "no driving under the influence of marijuana," should be enforced, as well as a legal age limit. But it is still wrong to outlaw the drug completely. Besides, think of all the money late night drive-throughs would make if marijuana was legalized.
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