Marijuana Debate - San Francisco, CA

It's a drug that impairs cognition and it negatively affects people's ability to think. We already have too many alcoholics, and drug users so we don't need more drug users in this country. Marijuana is very unhealthy for our bodies which puts a burden on our medical system and our taxes. If it's legal, more people will tend to use and possibly get addicted. Keep it only for medical prescriptions and don't make it so easy for people to use it. Better to educate the public that this drug is not good for them.

It's time has come ! Alcohol is much more dangerous and harmful ! So why not !

marijuana is an amazing plant with medicinal, recreational, spiritual, nutritional, textile and economic benefits, among others - i fully support legalization!

Less dangerous than alcohol, and by no means 'a gateway drug'.

Did we not learn ANYTHING after the terror of prohibition? Why should all of that income go to criminals? As long as we remain stupid they will benefit, not the taxpayers and average, law abiding citizenry.

X wrote:

It's a drug that impairs cognition and it negatively affects people's ability to think. We already have too many alcoholics, and drug users so we don't need more drug users in this country. Marijuana is very unhealthy for our bodies which puts a burden on our medical system and our taxes. If it's legal, more people will tend to use and possibly get addicted. Keep it only for medical prescriptions and don't make it so easy for people to use it. Better to educate the public that this drug is not good for them.

addicted to marijuana?! are you kidding us?

The only fear with the legalization of marijuana is if big tobacco gets control of it and makes it more addictive and more dangerous like they did tobacco -- all with political support gained through strong lobbying. Think about it.

Pot has kept two of my friends FROM alcohol and thus saved their lives. One of them was a famous movie actor.

Ban Alcohol.

X wrote:

It's a drug that impairs cognition and it negatively affects people's ability to think. We already have too many alcoholics, and drug users so we don't need more drug users in this country. Marijuana is very unhealthy for our bodies which puts a burden on our medical system and our taxes. If it's legal, more people will tend to use and possibly get addicted. Keep it only for medical prescriptions and don't make it so easy for people to use it. Better to educate the public that this drug is not good for them.

I find the fact that you think marijuana is addictive very telling, as in fact there are no addictive chemicals in it. If you did some research instead of clinging to antiquated and debunked rumors you would be singing a different tune. This is not an issue about whether or not people should use it, it is a simple matter of personal freedom. The government has absolutely no right to say what an individual can and cannot put into their bodies, by all means continue to educate people on the dangers of smoking but do not continue the persecution of non-violent marijuana users when our tax dollars are paying for their jail time. Financially speaking legalization and taxation will build such a revenue that the recession would be history, or very nearly so. Nearly 70% of prison inmates are there for drug use, and nearly 50% of those people are marijuana users and I personally do not feel like paying for them to be kept in prison where they can still obtain drugs, sometimes even more easily than on the outside.

Check your facts before shooting your mouth off next time friend.

MetabolicFlux wrote:

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addicted to marijuana?! are you kidding us?

No! Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful effects upon social functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit. These withdrawal symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence, peak at 2-3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation.

It should be available without any dire consequenes.

marijuana is a spiritual gift from the earth

the only people that want pot legalized are addicted. If anyone had acually read any scientific studies, they would understand that pot has very little medicinal value and has multiple bad side effects. If you're actually terminal I have no problem, but otherwise you're an addict.

xxx wrote:

<quoted text>
No! Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful effects upon social functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit. These withdrawal symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence, peak at 2-3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation.

With the ingestion of any substance/chemical over a significant period of time can lead to your aforementioned symptoms. Replace marijuana with coffee and your statement would make just as much sense.

I have never seen any literature reported in peer reviewed journals that support your claim.

If you have, by all means, lead me to them!

MetabolicFlux wrote:

<quoted text>
With the ingestion of any substance/chemical over a significant period of time can lead to your aforementioned symptoms. Replace marijuana with coffee and your statement would make just as much sense.
I have never seen any literature reported in peer reviewed journals that support your claim.
If you have, by all means, lead me to them!

Here is a link that presents studies and statistics about the addiction problem. This will only get worse if it is legalized.

www.americansfordrugfreeyouth.org/.../www.pos...

Here is a link (that works this time) that presents studies and statistics about the addiction problem. This will only get worse if it is legalized.

http://bit.ly/b2Rw2N

as it now stands, marijuana laws cost the taxpayers plenty. Once it is legal, it will produce tax revenue. Anyone who drinks alcohol has no right to disparage the use of marijuana.

xxx wrote:

Here is a link (that works this time) that presents studies and statistics about the addiction problem. This will only get worse if it is legalized.
http://bit.ly/b2Rw2N

Sorry xxx, this is an editorial from some fella who works at the WSJ...probably with an agenda as well.

Never trust a claim that doesn't make references to real data obtained by unbiased observers. ie He claims that 10% of marijuana smokers become addicted....where in the hell did he get that? We dont know...he didn't reference it.

I might as well say that oxycontin is a safe drug because it is prescribed by a licensed physician. I don't need a reference for that because its a fact.

I smoke pot semi-regularly and have never had a problem quitting it despite the fact that I have a very addictive genotype.

Marijuana doesn't produce a physical dependence. I learned this in 7th grade. It can produce the anxiety you mentioned but not full blown withdrawals.

People don't go to rehab for marijuana. I am sure it has happened but I would like to see the REAL numbers on that.

Don't always trust propaganda.

I recommend this:

Go to PubMed online database. Type in "marijuana addiction" and get back to me.

It is ultimately less harmful than alcohol and has numerous positive effects in addition to the recreational fun it creates.