Should Marijuana Be Legalized? - DPChallenge Forums

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

02/18/2004 09:26:02 PM · #1

Jesse Ventura's America - Should Marijuana Be Legalized?
Pubdate: December 13, 2003
Source: Jesse Ventura's America (MSNBC)
Video: Watch Video

Should marijuana be legalized?

JESSE VENTURA, HOST: Imagine an alien suddenly dropped into the 21st century America. He goes to a Monday night football game and witnesses thousands of people guzzling a liquid refreshment as fast as vendors can supply it.

Observing the spectacle of the game itself, the alien is constantly distracted by fans whose behavior seems to become more and more bizarre. He watches as fights
break out between half-naked fans with painted bodies.

By the end of the contest, on the playing field, he notes that most of the people around him seem to have lost their ability to walk and for some reason, their speech has changed. Words are less audible. They seem to be talking in slow motion. Once the game is over, he watches the fans stumbling toward their cars, cursing and threatening other fans.

Clearly, the alien observes, something has caused these fans to have a mind-altering experience. But whatever is going on, it seems to be acceptable behavior for this society, because all the while, many police officers observe the behavior, but remain at a distance and don't interfere.

The next day, the alien attends a lecture on a college campus. After the lecture, he's invited by some students to a party. At the party, students are sitting around drawing smoke from a bottle-like structure with water in it. The
smoke is inhaled into their bodies, the conversation is friendly, calm and respectful, and music is playing in the background. But all of a sudden, many police officers arrive with guns, grab the water-filled bottle, put handcuffs on
everyone in the room, and take them off to jail. The alien is totally confused.

Welcome to the United States of America, the land of hypocrisy.
Watch the full video

Message edited by author 2004-02-18 21:26:58.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

02/18/2004 09:36:42 PM · #2

of course it should. I don't even smoke and I know that!

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

02/18/2004 09:53:31 PM · #3

absolutely... i would never worry about how much my dentist smoked... my doctor... a surgeon... afterall, it doesn't affect how well anyone does their job...

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

02/18/2004 10:07:10 PM · #4

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

absolutely... i would never worry about how much my dentist smoked... my doctor... a surgeon... afterall, it doesn't affect how well anyone does their job...

is that sarcasm i smell?

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

02/18/2004 10:12:02 PM · #5

lol. I'd take a pothead doctor over a drunk anyday. Luckily, however, I do not have to make that difficult choice; we are rarely offered such information when selecting physicians.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

02/18/2004 10:12:06 PM · #6

Only if governments and special interests could make tons of money.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

02/18/2004 10:20:45 PM · #7

the only reason it would be legalalized....

prohibition failed - the GOV wanted to enforce something, and realizing their alcohol plans failed had to find something else to illegalize - marijuana at the time was the most prevelantly used drug, and so - the next effort in GOV drug enforcement...

look it up FDA roots.

everyone can use, abuse, or refuse - take it or leave it - your dentist might be a crack addict for all you know

Message edited by author 2004-02-18 22:27:32.

labuds

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/18/2004 10:24:11 PM · #8

I smoke weed regularly and still manage straight A's in my physics and math undergraduate. Also, my photography could only have benifited from it!
But then again, I'm form Montreal Canada, where everybody smokes, including the Police!

This is the leaf that hangs on my wall.

Message edited by author 2004-02-18 22:29:53.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/18/2004 10:27:24 PM · #9

Yeah, but right now I think the majority of DPC voters are on drugs since my entry is at 4.8! Get off it and give me a good score.

garrywhite2

Canon EOS-7D

02/18/2004 10:30:21 PM · #10

I have a ton of mixed feelings on this subject. The first and foremost, sworn to my memory forever;

About 35 years ago as a young teenager I remember reading about another 15 year old boy living in Texas that was arrested and convicted of posession on one joint. The penalty imposed by the court; 10 years in a State prison. Not a juvenile detention center, not a juvenile camp, nor a drug rehab center.... a Texas State prison. I realized while reading the story that this could be almost any school friend, even myself. I could not understand how a society could be so cruel and so unjust as to demand such a severe punishment from a child.

Ten years later I read another story when he was released, after serving every day of his sentence. I realized then that our civilized society had forgotten him. As I remember this child it brings to me a great sadness. I fail to understand this madness.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/18/2004 10:31:07 PM · #11

I would just legalize it all. Make all drugs available through your local pharmacy. You can have so much a week (at a government controlled price), and you are in a database (to keep track). My stipulation is that YOU have to take responsibility for any and all consequences that come about from using it. For one...No 911 for overdoses....you die! The "gubnent" does not support welfare or any other program for you if you use. you drive under the influence, mandatory 5 years (then increase as needed). Any crime committed under the influence, immediate forfeiture of freedom for life (if anothers death involved..you die too, right after the gavel hits the desk-like in the 'wild west."). I'll think up some more. (C;

to the users...pot does affect you physically in the long run, mentally also. Especially LUNG CANCER!

Message edited by author 2004-02-18 22:33:01.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

02/18/2004 10:32:24 PM · #12

labuda: love your profile photo. :)

02/18/2004 10:37:39 PM · #13

i think one of the main simple facts is, over 15 million americans smoke marijuana daily. DAILY.. the current drug laws are creating 15 million criminals out of people who enjoy a drug FAR less dangerous than many that are legal.

here is a good article:

Effectiveness of the War on Drugs
Compiled by Drug Policy Alliance . 2002.

By the government's own standards, are we wining the war on drugs?

No. In 2000, federal and state governments will spend more than $40 billion fighting the drug war - a dramatic increase since 1980, when federal spending was roughly $1 billion and state spending just a few times that. Yet, despite the ballooning costs of the drug war, illicit drugs are cheaper and purer than they were two decades ago, and continue to be readily available. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 57% of the population report that marijuana is fairly or very easy to obtain. In 2000, 47% of eighth graders and 88.5% of senior high school students say marijuana is easy to obtain. Additionally, approximately 24% of eighth graders and nearly 48% of seniors report powdered cocaine is easy to get.

you can read the rest of this article
here

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

02/18/2004 10:40:46 PM · #14

oh and as far as marijuana and lung cancer..

my dad is 49 years old and is dying of lung cancer. he has never smoked pot. but he has legally smoked cigeretts most of his life.

how does that make sense?

tolovemoon

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

02/18/2004 10:45:57 PM · #15

If they legalized it then the government would have control to tax it, add extras to it and completely take away from the natural, leaving its purpose here for medicine, herb, spiritual, peace, no purpose at all any more!
I do however think that employers should allow it to pass through drug testing,,, cause alcholol, even over the counter meds, or prescribed meds by a doctor have more effects then marajuana in operation performance!!

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/18/2004 10:55:09 PM · #16

Originally posted by MadMordegon:

It is his choice to smoke. as I feel it is anyones to do or not do "drugs." You, and your family have to live with the consequences. My Dad was diagnosed in November with cancer (he smoked).
To get real specific...nicotine and caffiene are considered drugs (that are controlled when there are above a certain percentage of purity.) also. Do without that morning coffee?

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/18/2004 11:00:50 PM · #17

I know proponents of legalizing pot, and users of such, will argue with me on this point, but, here goes anyway.

Does mari. enhance your performance in academic areas? My students (many of them) claim yes, yes, yes. Despite the fact that I can show lower test scores and shoddier work when they are high. Despite the fact that if they "learn" new material when high, within hours, they have completely forgotten it, never to find it again, until I reteach the concept. Despite the fact that they act like complete idiots in class and disrupt the learning of others.

I think the biggest side effect of pot is that it goes to the part of the brain that controls realistic thinking, and puts you into a constant state of denial -- especially about how it's "not" affecting you.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

02/18/2004 11:06:58 PM · #18

Karmat, just imagine if they were drunk instead..

soup

Canon EOS-30D

02/18/2004 11:12:39 PM · #19

have you researched this?

the chemical that makes you high from marijuana, THC, has a natural receptor in the brain - all other drugs mimic a brain chemical - our brains have no natural version of THC...

EDIT - i'm not denying, it's not good to smoke anything.... just food for thought

Originally posted by Karmat:

I think the biggest side effect of pot is that it goes to the part of the brain that controls realistic thinking, and puts you into a constant state of denial -- especially about how it's "not" affecting you.

Message edited by author 2004-02-18 23:14:05.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/18/2004 11:20:43 PM · #20

Imo marijuana can have both good and bad effects. Medically, it promotes bronchitis and emphysema and worsens asthma, and, I believe,text it can effect memory in adverse ways. But it's been reported good for glaucoma and people with nausea related to chemo drugs for cancers and some other therapeautic uses.

Behaviorally, I think it depends on the culture within which it's taken. Viewed as only a recreational drug it will bring out behaviors that mimic losing control, because that's what it's used for. But if used as an agent for personal, spiritual growth, it can be expand consciousness.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

02/18/2004 11:21:56 PM · #21

Researched? no. Not scientifically controlled. Watched it on a daily basis for the past 7 years? Yes.

As far as the part you quoted, that was partially tongue in cheek, because every pot smoker I have ever talked with vehemently denies that it effects them negatively in any way. I really like the argument that "God made it, it's natural, why not smoke it?" My answer -- "Those same characteristics apply to poison ivy as well."

edited to add a missing word

Message edited by author 2004-02-18 23:30:07.