I'm for legalizing it, or at least decriminalizing it. The only danger pot smokers form to the community are when they drive while high - but keep that criminalized. We're wasting so much money on warring against marijuana, and for what purpose?

I don't intend to smoke it, since fake pot gave me seizures when I tried it, but it's helped my sister. less

I am already doing a ton of research and writing a thesis on this issue! It is honestly no where near as harmful as any pill you take that your doctor prescribes and has so many uses depending on the user! It is quite frustrating that something like this is illegal, although understandably there would need to be major regulation to prevent kids from getting their hands on it; but, like with alcohol, that can be done for the most part! And, on top of that, it is easy enough to put types of restrictions on it. Yes, it can cause work-related problems, but if monitored that problem is solved! less

I'm not sure how you can say this. We've spent more than a generation trying to reduce lung cancer through smoking cessation - and its working. Do we want to give all that back and start a new lung cancer epidemic?

The psychoactive properties aside - there are just as many harmful gases in pot as there are in tobacco. No they are not identical - but have you ever cleaned a water pipe - where do you think that goo goes if your not using a water pipe - and no 100% of it is not captured in the pipe.

The work related problems are not as easy to solve as you suggest. The effects of pot can vary widely and be persistent much longer than alcohol. Do want someone operating a big rig, operating on you or policing your streets that is a regular pot smoker - I don't think so. less

I'm not sure how you can say this. We've spent more than a generation trying to reduce lung cancer through smoking cessation - and its working. Do we want to give all that back and start a new lung cancer epidemic?

The psychoactive properties aside - there are just as many harmful gases in pot as there are in tobacco. No they are not identical - but have you ever cleaned a water pipe - where do you think that goo goes if your not using a water pipe - and no 100% of it is not captured in the pipe.

The work related problems are not as easy to solve as you suggest. The effects of pot can vary widely and be persistent much longer than alcohol. Do want someone operating a big rig, operating on you or policing your streets that is a regular pot smoker - I don't think so. less

I'm for legalizing it, or at least decriminalizing it. The only danger pot smokers form to the community are when they drive while high - but keep that criminalized. We're wasting so much money on warring against marijuana, and for what purpose?

I don't intend to smoke it, since fake pot gave me seizures when I tried it, but it's helped my sister. less

Actually, when I spoke to a gentleman in the CDC, I was informed that it does not cause lung cancer. It, over long periods of time and during heavy exposure can cause a change in the cells in lung tissue leading to PRE cancerous scarring. Meaning, the scarring itself is not cancer either, but can LEAD to cancer. And if it is being monitored as would any other medication in the country, and based on the awesome power of science, you would have to break into a hell of a lot of homes and steal their stashes regularly in order to even receive that type of dose and consistency.

Then, as for the work related issues, it would be incredibly easy to just list everyone who is purchasing it so that employers can EASILY have access to this information with a simple background check. Because it CAN affect work performance, it SHOULD be one of the requirements. You should only be hired for jobs like that with the knowledge that you will still be subjected to typical random tests and that the same rules apply as they do now. Some job requirements may even be that you are not allowed to use it, and just like any other job, if it affects your performance you lose your job all together. Really, people will use the same common sense they use now. You have no idea how many people I know smoke before work and go there high because they can hide it by working well. Construction workers too!

Besides, that is just my thought on regular use.

I could go over a list of a million reasons as to why it should be legal for medicinal purposes. For example, I am much clearer using that than Diladid less

Never heard of a vaporizer? You can smoke it without inhaling the actual smoke.

Plus prescription pain medicine is really bad for you and I am sure that is what Peggi was referring to. Your pain medicine can eat holes in your intestines causing you to have issues with that. It can make you high as a kite and is abused way more than marijuana. You can take them by snorting, orally, and shooting them up. They give you the same side effects and they are almost the same chemically as heroin. Plus not to mention that sometimes the Dr prescribes them to people who do not even need them and to people who turn around and sell them. Also your pain medicine can cause chemical imbalances in the brain, that make you in more pain than before causing them to up the dose more often until there is no more, then when you finally get off of them. You find out that the pills were making you sick.

Medicines like Aderal for ADHD are close in side effects and highs are meth and coke. They speed you up and make you pay attention to something. When you do meth you are speedy and will wash you sink for 4hrs straight or pick at your face for hours.

The only difference is that the Dr gave them to you, legally. less

The federal government does not recognize marijuana as being used for medicinal purposes, but instead that marijuana is a dangerous substance and any use is illegal. There are about a dozen states that have legalized the medical use of marijuana.
Under the U.S. Constitution Supremacy Clause, when state and federal law conflict, federal laws win. The Obama administration says that they will not go after marijuana users as long as they are in compliance with their state laws. What do you guys think of the conflicting state and federal laws on marijuana? less

Never heard of a vaporizer? You can smoke it without inhaling the actual smoke.

Plus prescription pain medicine is really bad for you and I am sure that is what Peggi was referring to. Your pain medicine can eat holes in your intestines causing you to have issues with that. It can make you high as a kite and is abused way more than marijuana. You can take them by snorting, orally, and shooting them up. They give you the same side effects and they are almost the same chemically as heroin. Plus not to mention that sometimes the Dr prescribes them to people who do not even need them and to people who turn around and sell them. Also your pain medicine can cause chemical imbalances in the brain, that make you in more pain than before causing them to up the dose more often until there is no more, then when you finally get off of them. You find out that the pills were making you sick.

Medicines like Aderal for ADHD are close in side effects and highs are meth and coke. They speed you up and make you pay attention to something. When you do meth you are speedy and will wash you sink for 4hrs straight or pick at your face for hours.

The only difference is that the Dr gave them to you, legally. less

Think of all the money that the government would have if they legalized and regulated it. I mean, first of all, there'd be so many people that weren't in our prison system for things like distribution, so we'd be saving money there. Then, if it was taxed and regulated like alcohol and cigarettes, that would give the government even more money.

I've started smoking recently, but it's mostly to keep me from being so restless in the evening. I have ADHD and I can't afford real medication. It also keeps down the stress level and helps me sleep. I also have barely any appetite, but when I smoke, I find myself eating like I should. Now, is that really that bad? No. It's not.

When compared to alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is the least harmful of the bunch, but it's the only one that's not legal. No one has ever died from an overdose of it, but then there's alcohol poisoning. If you stop using it, you're not at a risk for seizures or death. It's not as addictive as cigarettes are in a physiological manner. And it also has medicinal uses and has been shown to have a very positive effect on people, unlike the other two.

I'm actually a Psych major with a concentration in substance abuse counseling and treatment and I'm all for it. less

I am of the belief that all the plants God gave us are for our use and should not be regulated as drugs. Even the leaves of the Coca plant, which are refined to make cocaine, are themselves a safe and natural stimulant in moderation, similar to coffee. I don't understand why the hysteria about pot when it doesn't harm anyone. I have never tried it myself but I wonder if it would help with my anxiety and depression at all. less