Marijuana

[MzTRAViEZA]

HMz MY TURN LOLz ABOUT WEED LEADiN TO BiGGER N HARDER DRUGz i DiSAGREE CAUSE i TRiED SPEED N COKE BEFORE i EVER SMOKED WEED iTz UR CHOiCE TO DO WHATEVER DRUG U TRY. i SMOKE A BLUNT KiCK BACK N JUST CHiLL iT EASEz MY MiND N i TEND TO FEEL BETTER i THiNK ALOT OF PEOPLE MAKE iT TO BE ALOT WORSE THEN iT iS! BUT THEN AGAiN THiS iS JUST MY OPiNiON. N NO i DONT THiNK iTz A SiN!

[salaneismine]

Everyone has their different opinions but mines is pass the blunt. It doesn't lead to different drugs never tired nothing else ever...but when im lonely and depressed the blunt is my best friend at least until hubbie gets home....those of you that don't smoke! Can I have a lung? lolollolol

[LadyValentine]

Dont you ladys know that smoking pot can lead to metal behavior trust it can catch up to you in the long run its not good for you at all just because it grows from the earth does not make an excuse that its meant for use to smoke it and love it. every thing in this world has a use for it but for the use of pot makes you a drug addict is that what people want to be label as. Then pot head and drug addicts get upset because they are not being repected as a person because of there action or treated equally or fairly? The question is do we vaule our self and or our health to slowly kill our self and not beening able to be accpeted in society? Are those people right of getting angery for the discrimantion that they placed on there selves?

[lilithinwaiting]

NO, I do not think it is a sin . I am for the legalization.

Here is a letter that was written to an editor and found it to be pretty good.


Comments
Mark -- thank you for the opportunity to respond. Pastor Paul Hansen -- one of the 33 religious leaders in Nevada from various faiths who have endorsed marijuana regulation -- wrote the following letter to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in response to the letter that you've posted at BattleBornPolitics.com.
Best wishes,
Patrick Killen
Director of Communications
Yes on 7
www.RegulateMarijuana.org
*****
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-14-Sat-2006/opinion/10176267.html
Las Vegas Review Journal
Letters to the Editor
October 14, 2006
To the editor:
I'm writing in response to Linda Caterine's Oct. 9 letter in which she calls Sister Toni Woodson and any other religious leaders who support the regulation and control of marijuana in Nevada "naive."
Until I studied the issue and the proposed statute revisions, I was indeed naive -- about the level of failure of our current approach to marijuana use. Not only can anyone in our state -- especially our teenagers -- readily find marijuana today, but our current policies contribute to violent gangs heading up the criminal market.
Ms. Caterine says the proposed changes are "worthless," but admits "we have a huge drug addiction problem in this country and I don't have an answer." Haven't we all heard the tongue-in-cheek definition of insanity: expecting different results by just continuing the same old practices? How many more hundreds of billions of dollars (as a nation) are we prepared to throw away on failed policies when we currently don't even have enough money to fund drug education and treatment?
A recent Harvard study estimated that Nevada spends $42 million a year enforcing our failed marijuana policy, and a recent UNLV study estimated that $28 million a year in tax revenue would be generated from regulated marijuana. Question 7 mandates that half of those taxes from regulated marijuana sales go toward filling the drug treatment funding gap.
Right now that money goes instead to violent gangs and drug dealers. Nevadans could be extending a helping hand to those people in need of treatment, instead of our current clenched fist.
Ms. Caterine writes, "It defies logic to believe that legalizing a drug will cut down on drug addiction." Well, it may sound counterintuitive, but in Holland, marijuana use is regulated and they have roughly half the marijuana use rate as the United States. As Eddy Engelsman, the former Dutch drug czar, put it, "We succeeded in making pot boring."
What is being proposed in Nevada is stricter than the Dutch system. For example, public use of marijuana and advertising of marijuana sales would remain illegal under Question 7. The scientific studies on this by the Institute of Medicine and others confirm that criminal laws have little or no effect on marijuana usage rates. The faith community, parents, peers, and educators are the appropriate institutions in society equipped to discourage this kind of personal behavior.
Ms. Caterine claims that marijuana is a "gateway drug." Call me naive if you wish, but according to a recent study commissioned by the British Parliament, "the gateway theory has little evidence to support it despite copious research." And, according to the Institute of Medicine (in a report commissioned by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy), "There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone [to other drugs] on the basis of its particular physiological effect." If you ask hard drug users if they've used marijuana, it's not surprising that they have. But the vast majority of marijuana users do not move on to hard drugs.
I am proud to join with 32 other religious leaders in Nevada from 15 different religious denominations in challenging the status quo. If a policy is failing to meet its objectives, is wasting precious resources, and harms our community, I believe we have a moral obligation to support sensible alternatives. Question 7 -- the initiative to regulate marijuana -- is a sensible alternative to our failed marijuana laws.
The Rev. Paul Hansen
LAS VEGAS

http://www.battlebornpolitics.com/20...egalizati.html

[lilithinwaiting]

Sorry, I know I just posted but I wanted to add that there is a lot to discuss on the topic, and I think it would be great to see someone finally speak up on this subject.
It seems more taboo than talking about racism or religion. Why are people on a national platform so afraid to take a stand on this issue?
You could talk about our serious prison overpopulation due to nonviolent marijuana offenders. Or the many medicinal benefits.
Today California had two vending machines put into service today that vend government supplied marijuana. How is it legal in one state and not in the others?
I also read today about bars that are texting their customers of updated police roadblock locations. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death and yet it is not only legal, but one of our biggest industries. Oh, I think I just answered my own question there. But marijuana could be a great industry for our country. Not only could they tax it, but it could create thousands of jobs. From growers, to venders, to packagers, etc. Is it because a natural drug could compete with some of our large pharmaceutical companies? This is an endless topic.

[nimuay]

If you wipe away all the horror stories about addiction (which are false on their face) you have one silly man from the 1930s who thought it was bad. No scientific information, just his opinion.

I smoked weed for years. As far as I know I haven't lost a single brain cell from it - I'm still getting As in classes - and my lungs are fine - I still do strenuous physical work about 3 hours a day cleaning my barn and riding.

Never got hooked on anything else, either. The gateway drug theory was once accepted, until they actually studied it and decided that the real gateway was probably breast milk - more addicts started on it than on anything else. LOL.

[reddawgsluv]

I too, smoked it for many years, it never led me to harder or different drugs. The government will not legalize it because they stand to lose too much money if they do. In my opinion alcohol should be classified as an illegal drug.

[mommaof5]

I gave it up long before my kids came along.. all it did for me was make me want to eat like I was starved for a week and sleep. But hey to each their own!

[lilithinwaiting]

I am 53 and started smoking pot in 1969. I have never gone on to any thing else.. I don't party. I have never killed , robbed or pillaged the village because of it. . It is a shame that it is not legal. It is a shame that thousands are sitting in a prison cell because of it. It is the only thing that helps me with my illness and I have been on many,many different types of medication and due to horrid side effects I will not take any more. It does not increase the appetite but I resist that urge and I walk daily (2) miles. It has not created a blob out of me. I am active and conduct business in life as normal. I am sensible, never smoke and drive.. I do not drink at all and feel alcohol is a poison and nicotine is just as bad. I don't smoke cigs either.

[abrilara]

I strongly agree with that...because alcohol and cigarretes dont doless harm than marijuana does...I thnk everything is bad if you do too much of it....a lil once in a while, I dont think can hurt you that bad

[ChicosgrrlinCO]

I'm going on week #2 w/o and I'm having a hell-of-a time right now.
My BF is on probation w/ pee tests right now. Yes, I do need to attempt to quit. No, I don't have the alcohol issues as he does but I find myself drinking way more when I don't have my smoke. Fine, some folks may say it's replacing one habit with another. Yeah, my vice probably doesn't help my ADD too much. I know I'm depressed and have bouts of anxiety. This becomes very apparent the day after a night of heavy drinking. I know this. However, I don't want to find myself replacing my smoke habit with a cig habit, either. I've actually cut back my way back in recent months. But I'm honestly just not ready to quit my herb usage just yet. I know I could use some Zorloft. But I cannot afford to go to the doctor's office. I'm with the millions in this country w/o health insurance. And, I don't want to be judged by the AA folks on the "total sobriety" program, either.

[abrilara]

When Im stressed I use it... I like it cause it makes me happy!!!! Im not into drinking really....my boyfriend is but hes more into weed, I had some yesterday and about 2 months ago was my last time before yesterday and when I told my BF he wasnt so happy and told him that I had told him that I wa going to quit but he said that it was my decision...he said that he had promised to quit b4 but he thinks that maybe hes never going to stop cause he likes the high it gives him....and I feel the same way 2!!!!

[sokiegirl]

I'm Cambodian it's just a herb. There are many herbs out there that make you feel good.

[jayton]

I think it affects the spelling of some people. What duz u be thinking?

[loola1224]

Originally Posted by jayton

I think it affects the spelling of some people. What duz u be thinking?

Hi ... my first post.... LMAO on this one..

[AriesMom]

Just read this in the paper-if Jamaica legalizes pot can you imagine how many US citizens would consider moving?

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is considering the legalization of marijuana, a drug revered by members of the island's large Rastafarian population who say smoking it is part of their religion.
A seven-member government commission has been researching possible changes to the Caribbean nation's anti-drug laws, which some police complain are clogging courts and jails with marijuana-related cases, a government official said Friday.
"We have discussed it, and we are preparing a report to present to the prime minister," said Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh.
In 2003, a government commission recommended legalizing marijuana in small amounts for personal use. But lawmakers never acted, saying legalization might entail loss of their country's U.S. anti-drug certification. Countries that lose it face economic sanctions.
A U.S. State Department report Friday said that Jamaica is the largest producer of marijuana in the Caribbean and a major hub for drugs bound for the United States.
Members of the Rastafarian movement, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s out of anger over the oppression of blacks, have long lobbied for the legalization of the drug that they say brings them closer to the divine.
There are an estimated 700,000 Rastafarians in the world, most of them among Jamaica's 2.6 million people.

[abrilara]

Interesting.....Im going to Jamica for my
Senior Trip !!!!

[BigBurtChino]

I personally think marijuana is not a sin, abusing anything is a sin. I smoked marijuana for thirty years and never ever tried another drug. I decided to stop using marijuana because I did not want my Girlfriends daughter exposed to any drug at the young age of six. Just thought it wasn't appropriate to have marijuana in our house with a young child at home. People need to be able to determine what right and wrong in their own lives, not the government. We are a society with way to many laws, incarcerating way to many people.

[Mauigirl]

I once read the Gate way drug was tobacco/cigarettes not weed.

[abrilara]

I once read the Gate way drug was tobacco/cigarettes not weed.

I agree, because if I would of never learned to inhale I probably would of never tried weed

[Napalm Heart]

Originally Posted by Csmcgrl23

The thing about marijuana is that it can lead to you using harder drugs. You smoke a joint and think, this isn't so bad, I could take that hit of acid or X...oh, I can do that line of coke...I know for a fact that if I had never smoked MJ I never would have tried other drugs. Luckily I never got addicted to anything and drugs never ruled my world but for some, even if smoke pot isn't "that bad" and it for sure isn't a sin...but some need to just stay away from it....

I agree that some should stay away from it. I disagree with the "gateway drug" theory. The Institute of Medicine, a National Institute of Health agency, rejected marijuana as a gateway drug some years ago. It's more about the individual than about the substance. One way I will side with a gateway theory - that once people find out that they have been told lies about marijuana they may believe they have been told lies about other currently illegal substances.

[Kendo]

One persons sin is anothers folly.
ANd then there are those of who do not buy into the sin/fear/lord thing at all.
However If I did buy into sin, I would say that cannabis is hardly a sin.

The persecution of a non-violent, peaceful sector of society that is pothead ellicits the neccesity to peruse such passages form the bible as these.

Thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. (Ps. 119:86)(Jesus
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:9-10)
(Jesus "The King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me." (Matt. 25:40)[/center]
Judgement & Punishment:

[center]The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." (Is. 61:1)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you will be no priest to Me…for I desired mercy and not sacrifice. (Hosea 4:6, 6:6)
(Jesus "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: And with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matt. 7:1-4)
(Jesus He beheld them and said, "What is this then that is written, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner'?" (Luke 20:17)

ANd finally

(Jesus "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." (Matt. 15:11)

[DaveMoff]

"35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” --Matthew 25:35-46

I thank you, Kendo. So many people who cite the Bible as an authority seem to forget all of the friendly parts.

[gipkim]

I say to each his/her own, no I don't use the stuff, but don't knock those who do........