Medical Marijuana

underground wrote: Originally, it was considered a "black" drug, and thought to lead to violence. It was outlawed in 1923 because of a rather lengthy and idiotic court case. It's pretty much just like alchohol, but more old people drink than smoke pot because it's a "damn hippie drug" I can see where Reb has a point, my insurance shouldn't go up because you make fraudulent claims for weed

Actually yeah, the first time it was made illegal was because they thought it made you aggressive, in fact they were sure of it. Not long after when marijuana came back under review, they decided that in fact marijuana made you a pacifist, and you were going to leave the country defenseless, so it remained illegal.

Thats right, it was kept illegal for the exact OPPOSITE reason.

Destruction wrote: Anslinger was such a dick.

QFT.

Also, I do not understand the crowd here saying essentially TOO BAD GUYS, IT IS STILL ILLEGAL. Can someone here come up with a good reason for it to remain illegal? Please provide adequate reasoning and some research to back your claims.

BTW it wasn't a "black thing" in the beginning, it was a "mexican thing" which turned people into blood thirsty killers. Racist white americans living in Texas got upset and banned the substance in an attempt to control the mexican immigrants.

Before anything gets misread or assumed, I do not feel marijuana is for everyone, just as some people should not drink alcohol or even smoke cigarettes. If it is legalized I believe the federal and state taxes raised from the sale would benefit the economy. I also feel there should be strict regulation and age limits should be the same as booze. Driving under the influence would obviously remain illegal.


Edited by High Voltage - 27 March 2009 at 4:03pm

GI JOES SON wrote: Peter Parker wrote: Linus wrote: ... it's just as illegal to be drunk as it is to be high ... Very true. based on what? people get drunk in bars all the time, and thats considered, as far as i know, a public area.

As in: it is not generally illegal to be drunk, nor is it generally illegal to be high.

The actual possession of pot may be illegal, but the resultant high is not. Unless, of course, you are being disorderly in a public place or operating a motor vehicle under the influence, or similar illegal activity. But it is the activity that is illegal, not the high.

Testing positive in a drug test may be evidence that you did possess an illegal drug at an earlier point, but neither the test results or the high are crimes in and of themselves.

stratoaxe wrote: As far as proven health benefit of alcohol, c'mon bro you're an EMT...you gotta know what alcohol does to people. My dad barely has a liver from alcohol use, thankfully he quit before I was born. I've thrown up blood from late night everclear sessions, alcohol is far more detrimental and dangerous to your body, and moreover for the public, than weed.

Terrible example of alcohol being detrimental to your health. It sounds like you were just being an idiot, and you paid the consequences. Everything is bad for you in excess.

TheDude wrote: My aunt used MJ medicinally to combat her cancer before she passed, and I can honestly say the entire time she used, it helped, and didn't change who she was in any way.

No offense to your aunt, but lets be realistic here. The MJ was not "combating" her cancer in any way. The MJ is prescribed to make the treatment and passing more comfortable. It does not combat the actual cancer.

Glassjaw wrote: You Wont See Me wrote: I've worked as a pharmacy technician for the past 2 years and have filled many prescriptions of Marinol, which is synthetic THC used primarily to combat nausea and vomiting for cancer patients on chemotherapy. I have no problem dispensing this as its been prescribed by a doctor and is federally regulated. However, smoking marijuana for medical use is not a good way to administer doses as it is really hard to get consistant, regulated doses. Medical marijuana for insomnia is total crap. Take some of the numerous regular sleeping aids. OMG GUYS I CAN SMOKE WEED NOW LOL! And BTW, wasnt it you who not too long ago said you were giving up on weed? Glad thats going well for you,   Have you ever actually smoked mairjuana?  THC consumption, whether smoked or eaten, greatly affects my ability to sleep in a positive way.  I usually wake up quite a few times throughout the night, every night.  On the nights where I smoke not too long before I go to sleep I am not only able to fall asleep much quicker, but don't wake up once during the night.

There are PLENTY of other sleep aids that can be used other than marijuana. Arguing that marijuana helps you sleep is probably the most petty and insignificant reason I can think of for legalizing it.

TheWrAith wrote:  If you can't understand the difference in which the buzz or feeling you get from drinking vs Marijuana then you truly do not have an argument, many people would rather come home and smoke one, then start drinking.. Really...? I don't agree. I hang out with a very diverse group of people everyday, I know a lot more that are into drinking but not into smoking.  Put 50 people in a room, give them as much alcohol as they want, put 50 more in a room with as much marijuana as they want, which room would do better... Again, I honestly believe that more people would choose to drink instead of smoke. Although, this obviously cannot be determined for certain as all people and groups are surrounded by different morals, beliefs, etc., etc. From the people that I have interacted with, I can say that more would choose to drink instead of smoke.   It's a personal preference, Alcohol is more addictive, worse on you're body, and over all causes more problems then smoking marijuana ever could besides the fact it's Illegal. Alcohol in moderation can actually be beneficial for you. On the contrary, smoking in general, no matter in what amounts, is detrimental to your health. And again, nothing in excess if good for your body.

Also, I saw a lot of bashing on Linus' points, but I didn't see anyone pointing out where his logic was wrong. About 80% of the replies to his posts were "I lol'd," "WRONG," "Wow...," or something along those lines. If you think his points are incorrect, then prove them incorrect. Don't make useless comments. Debates are boring to read when on side is arguing and the other side is acting like a bunch of children.

¤ Råp¡Ð F¡rè ¤ wrote: stratoaxe wrote: As far as proven health benefit of alcohol, c'mon bro you're an EMT...you gotta know what alcohol does to people. My dad barely has a liver from alcohol use, thankfully he quit before I was born. I've thrown up blood from late night everclear sessions, alcohol is far more detrimental and dangerous to your body, and moreover for the public, than weed. Terrible example of alcohol being detrimental to your health. It sounds like you were just being an idiot, and you paid the consequences. Everything is bad for you in excess. Sure, everything is bad for you in excess.  But to say that is a terrible example of alcohol being detrimental to one's health is making a jackass of yourself.  There is absolutely no way to deny that alcohol is far more harmful in comparison to MJ in regards to one's health. TheDude wrote: My aunt used MJ medicinally to combat her cancer before she passed, and I can honestly say the entire time she used, it helped, and didn't change who she was in any way. No offense to your aunt, but lets be realistic here. The MJ was not "combating" her cancer in any way. The MJ is prescribed to make the treatment and passing more comfortable. It does not combat the actual cancer. THC slows / stops the growth rate of very many forms of cancer.  To say it's not combating her cancer is completely idiotic.  AND even if it were not stopping the growth rate of cancer cells, the beneficial effects such as the relaxed state MJ produces as well as the appetite it brings to chemo patients is very much worth it.  Glassjaw wrote: You Wont See Me wrote: I've worked as a pharmacy technician for the past 2 years and have filled many prescriptions of Marinol, which is synthetic THC used primarily to combat nausea and vomiting for cancer patients on chemotherapy. I have no problem dispensing this as its been prescribed by a doctor and is federally regulated. However, smoking marijuana for medical use is not a good way to administer doses as it is really hard to get consistant, regulated doses. Medical marijuana for insomnia is total crap. Take some of the numerous regular sleeping aids. OMG GUYS I CAN SMOKE WEED NOW LOL! See below. And BTW, wasnt it you who not too long ago said you were giving up on weed? Glad thats going well for you,   Have you ever actually smoked mairjuana?  THC consumption, whether smoked or eaten, greatly affects my ability to sleep in a positive way.  I usually wake up quite a few times throughout the night, every night.  On the nights where I smoke not too long before I go to sleep I am not only able to fall asleep much quicker, but don't wake up once during the night. There are PLENTY of other sleep aids that can be used other than marijuana. Arguing that marijuana helps you sleep is probably the most petty and insignificant reason I can think of for legalizing it. Okay, and what's your point?  You can either consume via smoking, eating, or vaporizing, a natural growing plant with very minimal negative side affects, or you can consume a synthetic drug which in most cases is addictive and more detrimental to your health.  Regardless, why would wanting to postively effect a major part of one's health (the sleep cycle) be petty and insignifigant?  I feel a lot better with a good night's sleep compared to one where I wake up multiple times throughout the night.  Why should someone not be able to help their sleep in a less harmful way?  And besides that, I wasn't arguing that as a point to legalize it; it was simply an example of personal use.

Edited by Glassjaw - 27 March 2009 at 6:20pm

Kayback wrote: Glassjaw wrote: Okay, and what's your point?  You can either consume via smoking, eating, or vaporizing, a natural growing plant with very minimal negative side affects, or you can consume a synthetic drug which in most cases is addictive and more detrimental to your health.  Regardless, why would wanting to postively effect a major part of one's health (the sleep cycle) be petty and insignifigant?  I feel a lot better with a good night's sleep compared to one where I wake up multiple times throughout the night.  Why should someone not be able to help their sleep in a less harmful way?  And besides that, I wasn't arguing that as a point to legalize it; it was simply an example of personal use There are also plenty of other manufactured, non addictive sleep medications available.You can also get other natural, LEGAL meds, specifically to help you sleep. Not to give you a "buzz". You aren't going for a buzz remember, it is medicinal. There is also the fact that it isn't making you sleep better, it is making you realax, so you can fall asleep easier. There are also plenty of different methods to help you relax. But like I said earlier, lighting up a blunt is easier, and cooler. On a side note, I know an air traffic controller who often smokes before shift. Is that HONESTLY the sort of guy you want controlling aeroplanes? His argument is also it mellows him, besides, it doesn't affect his judgment. Mellows yet doesn't mentally affect you? Right. KBK

But what are the side affects in comparison to marijuana from other sleep aids?  Or how about the tolerance that can quickly build with particular sleep aids? 

As far MJ relaxing you so you're more able to sleep, I find that to be a quite worthy effect if you're dealing with sleeping problems.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatment.htm

I'm not very knowledgeable on the cost of sleep medication, but from what I've gathered is that pharmacuticals are very costly; at least in comparison to marijuana.

I'm not going to tell people that they can't take which ever medications they want, or substances for that matter.  It would, however, be nice to be treated the same.


Edited by Glassjaw - 27 March 2009 at 6:52pm

Uncle Rudder wrote: Glassjaw wrote: I'm not very knowledgeable on the cost of sleep medication, but from what I've gathered is that pharmacuticals are very costly; at least in comparison to marijuana.   Stuff like Lunesta is $4 a pill, other stuff like generic Ambien is like $9 for a months supply.

Does that vary with health insurance?  I'd have to assume it does, however I know at the supermarket I work at we give away free generic antibiotics to those with a perscription.

Uncle Rudder wrote: Glassjaw wrote: Uncle Rudder wrote: Glassjaw wrote: I'm not very knowledgeable on the cost of sleep medication, but from what I've gathered is that pharmacuticals are very costly; at least in comparison to marijuana.   Stuff like Lunesta is $4 a pill, other stuff like generic Ambien is like $9 for a months supply.  Does that vary with health insurance?  I'd have to assume it does, however I know at the supermarket I work at we give away free generic antibiotics to those with a perscription.   That's what I pay, and I don't have health insurance that covers presciptions, so that's the cost of the drug without any insurance.

Completely correct.

 Pharmacies are however allowed to charge pretty much whatever price they want for individuals without insurance because the price is no longer contracted. So chances are with insurance your paying below that for your basic $5 generic copay.  If your copay is higher than that you pay the cost of the contracted medication price, which is much cheaper than the non contracted price in most cases.

And while I don't know the current price of MJ, I'm almost positive you can't get "treatment" every night for a month for $5-$9.


Edited by You Wont See Me - 27 March 2009 at 8:33pm

Trying to discredit the medicinal value of weed is pretty pointless, there are plenty of organizations that endorse it, and I don't think that anyone on here can say they know better. If pb125 has found the cure to his problem then he should be allowed to do it.

oreomann33 wrote: Trying to discredit the medicinal value of weed is pretty pointless, there are plenty of organizations that endorse it, and I don't think that anyone on here can say they know better. If pb125 has found the cure to his problem then he should be allowed to do it.

Hahahahah, WHAT? Seriously? It's illigalez, but it works for him so legalize it!

There are legal alternatives for it, why prescribe something illegal? And too many people are all "Woot I got POT!"

There are also people who DON'T endorse it. The FDA being one.

Even if it IS medicinal, it'll probably get treated like any other high schedule drug, and you'd need a prescription for it. It wouldn't mean back yard growing or selling would be unrestricted, or that you could buy it at Wal Mart. How would legalizing it really help matters?