Legalization Debate

I just noticed that Thalidomide was mentioned. The problem with that wasn't the actual Thalidomide - it was the FORM it was in. Every chemical as multiple ways it can be formed while still holding the same chemical formula. They're called enantiomeres. Like if you take an O off one side and stick it on the other - it is still the same make-up but a different form. That is what caused the problems with that because they didn't realize that the forms had different effects.

And I'm still not sure how I feel about smoking while pregnant. I know that there is a natural stigma that goes along with seeing a girl take a hit of anything with a belly. You automatically think "oh my god what a horrible woman!" But then my friend got pregnant and didn't know until about 6 weeks after she had conceived. So when she went to the doc and they confirmed she was pregnant they said that since the fetus had been in the womb with nicotine it actually might do more harm than good to quit at that time. She said her doc told her to cut down but don't stop completely because it could send her baby into shock within the womb and cause problems.

I think as long as it's in moderation you're good. Unless of course if it's chocolate.

So, here's my 2 cents:

Yes, I'm a pothead. I smoked when I was pregnant - my doctor told me that quitting would shock the baby. I also did a lot of research beforehand. There are some articles in the Journal of American Medical Association - studies in Jamaica where 1/2 of pregnant women smoked and the other half did not. The babies of the smoking women were calmer and learned more quickly. There were other benefits as well. There's research out there - but it sure isn't/wasn't being done in the U.S.

I also took anti-depressants while pregnant because I did nothing but cry otherwise, which my ob/gyn thought was bad for the baby.

I smoked all through college - graduated with highest honors with a Master's degree while working full time, taking a full time class load, and having a 2 year old at home. Couldn't have made it without the weed. I did go to class high, I studied high...I also went to class sober and studied sober. Some classes were impossible to follow if I was stoned. I knew the difference and knew how to get things done.

If it was legal, many would be happier and many would be angrier. Prohibition didn't work - the war on drugs is outrageously expensive, but dismantling the war would leave thousands jobless and what would happen to all the current drug offenders in prison? If we let them all out, where will they get employed? What will prison guards do? I suppose we could put violent criminals in jail instead?? Many problems (drug cartels, personal freedom, lots of stuff already mentioned in this thread) could be solved with legalization and taxation. Many more problems would result from legalization. Sounds like a catch-22 situation to me.

It was never a gateway drug for me. The idea of using coke or crack is terrifying...that stuff can kill you! As compared to alcohol - no hangover and no desire to wild impulsive things. No desire to drive or fight or cause problems while stoned. Maybe has contributed to being overweight - I love chocolate too, especially when I have the munchies.

As for the link between marijuana and schizophrenia or other mental illness? Which comes first - the chicken or the egg?

I am totally nonplussed by this thread. For the sake of the economy, perhaps the government should grow and distribute illegal substances so other parts of the government could hire more people to combat the illegal activities associated with the distribution, sale and use of the substances.

Ask all those same people if they have ever had a an alcoholic drink, exercised in any way, eaten sugar...bet they all say yes to those too.

As for MJ in pill form, it already exists...and it wouldn't be very helpful for a person on chemo who is trying to ease nausea, would it?

Lol Byzantine - that makes as much sense as anything - the government can make and sell the drugs AND arrest us for buying and using them. In my more delusional moments, I imagine that the powers that be (government) would like it alot if they could put us all on workfarms and really use us as "human resources" - hey, maybe that's what the drug war is really all about?

I agree with total legalization. If people would look at it and compare with alcohol they would see how much sense it makes. Especially when you look at the revenue created from taxing it. We allow people to decide when, where, and how much alcohol they consume and create laws to protect people from drunk drivers, etc... but we won't allow it for MJ. Why?? The bottom line is that the government shouldn't be able to tell people what they can do to their own body. If you aren't harming another individual then the gov has no right to regulate behavior. As for those in your life you may hurt, well people do things all the time that could hurt those in their life but there are no laws against those behaviors. MJ is a natural substance that was put here for our benefit IMO. It is medicinally useful and also good for recreation just the same as kicking back a couple of cold ones after work. The decision to criminalize it was based on political agendas, not protecting the public.

la doctora - not just political but business agendas - the tobacco industry had a large hand in pushing criminalization.

I think it is criminal that it isn't legalized. And dangerous for kids to be sending the message it sends. It complicates parenting. It sets kids up to disrespect the law because this is a senseless law. Those pre-adult brains can easily go one step further and assume laws are all senseless if they don't happen to agree with them. Disagreement is enough for desent.

Mj is as widely used as alcohol for recreation purposes regardless of its legal status. I can reinforce with my kid why alcohol use is restricted to adults but it is hard to restrict mj use based on its legal status. If instead I argue the same logical restrictions to pot that apply to alcohol then I am modeling disrespect for the laws of our country.

I personally argue for abstaining from any mind altering substance unless for medical reasons. I acknowledge that the use of substances for recreational use is a reality so at the end of the day I figure the best thing I can teach by kid is, if not abstenance then moderation when you are old enough to take responsibility.

I choose to reinforce the law around alcohol use and apply it to mj. I make it clear that mj and other street drugs are not the same thing. Fortunately I think my kid knows that but he laughs at the laws around mj.

My concern is that once I appear to be brushing one law aside then my kid's head will automatically decide other laws can be brushed aside too. Who says seat belts save lives.... who says I should drive within the speed limit.... or can't text while driving.... just stupid laws!

If I had pill form THC I would happily use it for my nausea but I don't. Phenergan doesn't work for me, compazine doesn't work. Zofran works but it costs $10 per pill. Weed is cheaper and it works.

Yoda, the pill is called Marinol. But, I'm with you - I'd rather just smoke it. When I'm depressed, that's the only time I have an appetite. Otherwise just the smell of food is nauseating.

sanity, that was a great post. I've often wondered myself how I'm going to approach the subject when the time comes.

Thanks loveregardless... it does make it complicated. I abused mj for years and while I thought I hid it well my son was not unaware. He is certain that my overuse magnified my depression. He was far more aware of my use then I ever imagined. He is now 16 and he tells me he is offered it everyday at school but because of how it effected me he is choosing to stay away from it. I know it has medicinal value but I have no discipline and I will over medicate until its benefits are lost to me. I have tried again and again to use in moderation to cope with anxiety and insomnia but in no time at all I am doing it 24/7 because I love love love to be high. When the high becomes maintenance then I am in trouble and there is no benefit for me to continue.

I know several people who elect to add mj to their food rather than smoke it. Not just in brownies either. lol. Anyone else doing that to avoid the negative effects of smoking?

I struggle with use in moderation, but it completely loses it's benefits if I overuse, not to mention costs a fortune, and because it is so helpful when used in careful moderation, I fight to keep it that way. I don't actually enjoy being high that much, because I am already a very anxious, socially awkward person, and it makes it so much worse. I also worry because it is "illegal" and I don't want people to think I'm "bad". I am not a rule breaker. I was always teacher's pet, Mrs. Yes Mam, and would freak out if anything was against the rules. But, if used in the right space, for the right reason, it is a godsend (for me). It can pull me out of a panic attack in a snap. But lately since I've been integrating with my other parts (DD/DID) it is not working the same anymore and things have become more complicated.

You are right about that... it can stop a panic attack in a snap. I like for calming my anxiety though not so much in public because I can easily get a little paranoid. I really wish I could disipline myself to use it when I need it and not just when I want it but it hasn't worked that way. Now that my son is older and because it is illegal I, like you don't want to be seen as doing something 'bad'. It would be a huge issue if any of my clients were to find out because of the stigma and illegality.

I wish it were legal and socially acceptable so I could add it to my herb garden. Then I might try to discipline my use so I can enjoy the benefits.

I sound like you guys. I overuse mj too. I love to be high and wish I could carry out life high all the time. But I am tolerant to it now. Even though I hardly get a high anymore I still smoke several times a day trying to get that high back. I know I won't get it but that doesn't stop me from feeling the need to smoke. When our folks come to visit we put it away and also when we are traveling. That is never an issue. It is easy to do when there is something keeping us from it. Then when we return home again we smoke and get so high and it is great. But instead of putting it up and waiting before smoking again I will just try to stay high and never lose the buzz. But it always goes away. I desperately want to function normally without mj. I say I am going to cut back all the time but I never do. I need some tips to distract my mind from thinking about it all the time. As I sit here writing I am wishing I could smoke right now. (Can't bc I'm at work)

I think it's sad that some people are always trying to alter how they really feel by smothering it with alcohol, drugs or some other vice. Why can't we just accept ourselves for the way we are and deal with our emotions instead of covering them up. I've seen the dangers of substance abuse and that's why I don't believe in alcohol or any other drug/smoke - that's going to prevent me from confronting my real life issues. Why isn't your own life good enough and if it isn't - shouldn't we do something instead of drinking or smoking our cares away. The problems will still be there when the high wears off. Ths isn't directed at anyone here just my own opinion.

la doctora.... that is why I have to keep it away completely. All or nothing. I can't just smoke when it could benefit me, like when I am having a panic attack or hyper anxious or can't sleep. Once I start I don't stop until I decide enough is enough and banish it from my home. Sounds like you might benefit from the same decision. Its an endless waste of money and it keeps you stuck otherwise. Fortunately there is no physical dependancy so while quiting means a few sleepless nights and a few days of constantly thinking about it things level out without any drama. Life is better without it if using is consuming.

I hear you Lynn and in a perfect world we would all have acceptance and the strength to deal with our issues without looking for an escape. Drug abuse of any kind is problematic. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. But don't judge all mj users as abusers. Many as we have witnessed here use mj as a medicine the same way some might use a prescribed drug for anxiety, nausea, insomnia and a whole host of other issues best treated with meds. Disciplined use of mj as a medicine or even for occassional recreational purposes is not going to prevent people from dealing with their issues.

As you know I am med resistant no matter what the drug. Not in the sense that they don't work on me but in the sense that I have to resist all meds or I will abuse. Alcohol too. I stay away because one drink is seldom enough without a mental fight with myself to force myself to resist another. Once I feel the high I want more. I will find a way to abuse anything mind altering. It is my MO. I have tried and tried and tried again to be a 'responsible' user of mj and doctor prescribed meds for that matter and each and every time I abuse in search of the high that may or may not even be possible. I have spoken to doctors and therapists about it but they don't get it. They have gone so far as to dole out small quantities but I end up storing them until I have enough to do harm.

Aside from my issues with mj I still think that it should be legal because I think people should have the right to choose to use or not just like with alcohol. For some people using either can be a problem for them but that is no reason to outlaw its use. The fact that mj is proven to have some health benefits if used responsibly is all the more reason for legalizing it and making it safely available to people.

Governments could well benefit from the additional tax dollars regulated mj distribution would provide. As it is we are subsidizing the health care costs related to smoking mj without generating any revenues for it. Indirectly taxes on tabacco and alcohol help pay for the related health care so why not do the same with mj. We do it with gambling revenues where a protion is directed at subsidizing addiction treatment costs. The parinoia around mj is beyond comprehension in this day and age.

I hear you Lynn and in a perfect world we would all have acceptance and the strength to deal with our issues without looking for an escape. Drug abuse of any kind is problematic. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. But don't judge all mj users as abusers. Many as we have witnessed here use mj as a medicine the same way some might use a prescribed drug for anxiety, nausea, insomnia and a whole host of other issues best treated with meds. Disciplined use of mj as a medicine or even for occassional recreational purposes is not going to prevent people from dealing with their issues.

Yes I agree Sanity Seeker - i realize not all MJ users are addicted and I could see how it would benifit someone like yourself theraputically. As I stated early on in the thread - I do believe it has it's medical benefits. I think I was writing from the view of seeing the damaging affects of addiction, with my own brother. He was a lifelong alcoholic and eventually killed himself with alcohol poisonning. I know that's why I'm so passionate about not getting involved with anything.

My Aunt wasn't able to keep the pills down because her nausea was so bad. Weed was the only thing that worked for her. Fortunately, it's easy to come by in n. CA...and legal, for her anyway.

I am sorry Lynn for your loss of your brother. I lost my mother to a prescription drug overdose so I totally relate to the extra sensitivity you have to how addiction destroys lives. It is traggic for the addict and the one's who love them.

I am sorry if my post came off as an attack on your opinion because I didn't mean to attack. I actually agree with you and think that mind altering substances are a slipper slope for a lot of people and are best avoided.

It is becoming even more an issue for me as my son is now 16 and all I ever hear about is how much mj is passing around the school and the town and all the drinking parties kids are having every weekend. I am glad so far that he stays away from it (at least that is what he leads me to believe) but to see how wide spread the abuse is scares the beejeebers out of me. I know it is just a matter of time before he experiments and I just pray he knows enough to be careful. I wish he would decide to never indulge in either mj or booze but I doubt that is very realistic.

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Hey there Sanity Seeker - I didn't take your post as an attack at all. It's your opinion and I agree I have a sort of fairy tale attitude when it comes to any kind of altering substance - I guess I'm a straight edge kinda person. But I do agree there's a place for it medicinally especially chronic pain, nausea and anxiety etc. I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind it someone disagrees with me - that's a healthy debate. So it's okay my friend I didn't take it as an attack. I realize I am this way do to what happened to my brother. Everythings cool SS

cool... hey did it freak you out at all to see you post had been edited? I read my post over and over and over again wondering what had been deleted. Wondering what had I said that was wrong. I was panicked about having sid something wrong. Then I finally read the reason given.... to add a trigger icon. geesh!! No I don't jump to conclusions or over react much at all. lol.

I think I am pretty much a straight edge kind of person too. That is why the fact that mj is illegal bothered me so much when I was using. It was the only 'bad' thing I did. The only thing I lied about. The only thing I hid. I thought it was so unfair that I was put in that spot.

In my youth I wouldn't touch the stuff because it was illegal. I remember having a major kanipchin on my brother and his friends because they were smoking it in the house. We were all in our 20's and my mother was okay with it but I was freaking crazy that they were doing it because it was illegal.

Maybe that is why I reacted so strongly to the edit to my post.... OMG what did I do wrong?!!

man my head is spinning...what was the topic again...oh yeah...legalizing pot...wait...while I take another hit...what was the topic again? oh yeah legalizing pot...another hit...good **** man...what was the topic again? oh yeah...legaleyzing pot...I'm all for it...

I think they should legalize it....wait I already rote a ply...what? man am I stoned...