So, scientists have discovered that marijuana doesn't cause any brain damage and really doesn't have any long term side effects detrimental to a person's brain functions, "including reaction time, attention, language, reasoning ability, and perceptual and motor skills."
Is there anybody out there who can give me a good solid reason as to why the personal use of marijuana, for medical reasons or otherwise, should be considered a crime? Because it seems to this duck, that the reasons why it is illegal in the first place need to be addressed, and we need to move on out of the fucking stoneage (where people still believe in "reefer madness") once and for all.
Is marijuana the gateway to other illegal drugs? Maybe if it were not so demonized, it would hold less mystique with those who are out experimenting. And what is so bad about experimenting anyway? I experimented up a storm when I was a teenager. I did it safely (mostly) and always with the knowledge in mind that I could go to my parents to talk. That I didn't have to hide in a closet or in a scary neighborhood if I wanted to wile out a little bit. They didn't make me feel that if I was ever caught "experimenting" that I was going to be disowned. I turned into a perfectly productive member of society. (If not a bit of a trouble maker here and again.)
Point being that the key to controlling drug addiction in this country is not to criminalize something like marijuana, which is obviously minimally harmful, especially when compared to many other mind altering substances, including those that are legal. It's amazing how laws are often made without ever looking beneath the surface of the problem and many things are illegalized as a scapegoat from the bigger picture or just as a way to place blame.
Posted by Maria at June 27, 2003 10:15 AM | TrackBackPot is absolutely not a gateway drug. Almost everyone I know and ever did know, including myself, that smokes weed has no desire to do anything harder. And I'm living proof that it doesn't affect your brain or any of the other things listed. I was a major stoner in high school; I was clean for 12 years in the AF but since I got out I've enjoyed indulging when I can and I'm studying astrophysics!! Sheesh, let's legalize it already; it's safer that liquor.
Posted by: lee at June 27, 2003 10:17 PMWould you STOP bogarting that joint and freaking pass me that bastard!!!!
Christ! What's a fella have to do to get a BUZZ on here. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at June 27, 2003 10:28 PMDammit I spent last weekend helping my main connection move three hours away :( Not a total loss though; I'm getting a buzz on with an absolutely wonderful port I picked up at the winery we whiled the hours away at last Sunday! I was impressed with the quality of the wines there. I'm hoping it kicks me in the ass enough so I can get to sleep in the next half hour. I'm only used to seeing 5am as I'm on my WAY to bed!!
Posted by: lee at June 27, 2003 10:31 PMawwwwwwwwwww man.. that sucks lee.
I am having Sandy "withdrawals" :-(
I am sitting here with a Mike's Hard Lemonade with a shot of Kettel 1 in it.. Kind of a nice BUZZ!
Come stai mio amico???
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at June 27, 2003 10:53 PMSto bene, grazie! Et tu, compagno?
Where IS Sandy? It seems it's been awfully quiet around here. Don't worry about my buddy, I got other friends around here; now if only I had some extra money :)
Posted by: lee at June 27, 2003 10:58 PMAwww! I miss Sandy too. Where did she go? I hope it wasn't something that I said...:o(
Sandy, I'll smoke you out if you come back!
Posted by: Maria at June 29, 2003 09:48 PMActually I remember her and her hubby were supposed to be vacationing at the end of the month. Now I'm bummed; I musta pissed her off or something because she's coming within an hour's drive and was supposed to get in touch with me. We were gonna get Hammered! Wonder what happened with that?
Posted by: lee at June 29, 2003 10:14 PMJUST GOT WORD!!!
Sandy's HOME!!!
YIPPEEEE!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at July 2, 2003 01:47 PMYAY! I thought I was going to spend the rest of my blogging life in solitary all over again...
Posted by: Maria at July 2, 2003 01:51 PMHey that hurts; I've been trying to keep you company :(
Posted by: lee at July 2, 2003 09:09 PMAw! You're wonderful Lee. The best. It's just felt a little quiet around here lately. But I didn't mean to suggest that you haven't been a great reader/commenter. I am always thrilled to hear from you. xoxo
Posted by: Maria at July 2, 2003 10:04 PMAwww you're sweet :) I know what ya mean though; it's been awfully silent. I'm getting lots of work done, but it's always a nice break to take a moment and chat here too. It's been so quiet I've been tempted to go register at BH, but others have kept me informed as to how it's devolved over there so I've managed to resist that urge :)
Posted by: lee at July 2, 2003 10:26 PMYipes! Driven to register at BH! Pretty scary ;o)
I have to admit that I have to fight off the urge sometimes too. Not that I would be allowed to post even if they did allow me to register...
Anyway, your presence is always appreciated here.
Posted by: Maria at July 2, 2003 10:53 PMDarlin' you're good for my ego :) Don't worry; I won't run off to BH! I'd rather stay where I'm wanted. Thanks! I think you're stuck with me now ;)
Posted by: lee at July 2, 2003 11:20 PMI'm glad to be stuck with you :o)
Posted by: Maria at July 3, 2003 08:38 AMYou're too awesome! Have a great day ;)
Posted by: lee at July 3, 2003 09:29 AM