The root of all man's modern problems

[bongaroo]

From the paramilitary raid gone bad thread:

But it gets better. All this was over an aleged marijuana plant, true marijuana is the cause of much evil that plagues modern man. And that's why we are at war with these leafy evil doers. But it turns out that the plant, while we can't be completely sure where it's sympathies lie, was a noncombatant.

Suave, care to explain to us how marijuana is the cause of much evil that plagues us?  I'd really like to hear your reasoning, I'm sure it'll provide a few good laughs.   

::edit:: anyone should feel free to voice their opinions too!

[Neubob]

I'd legalize it in a heartbeat, right along with online gambling.

Of course, with the War on Drugs providing employment to as many people as it does, this will be an uphill battle.

[Angus]

Lotsa-pot + gamble online = bankrupt yes 

[lasersailor184]

The problem is Socialism.  That is people believing they have a right to tell other people what to do with their lives, and their money.

[nirvana]

Depends if you view it as a gateway drug, a weekend high, or musical inspiration.  The first is probably the only way it's a plague of modern man.  Don't forget that driving high is just as dangerous as drunk driving though, and so like alcohol, responsibility is key.

For the record, I do not condone the use of any illegal drugs.

[Neubob]

Depends if you view it as a gateway drug, a weekend high, or musical inspiration.  The first is probably the only way it's a plague of modern man.  Don't forget that driving high is just as dangerous as drunk driving though, and so like alcohol, responsibility is key.

For the record, I do not condone the use of any illegal drugs.

And alcohol is just as bad as a 'gateway drug' as weed--statistically, even moreso, as alcohol leads to weed with far more regularity as weed leads to cocaine, heroin or anything else. As for driving high verses driving drunk, while I too condone neither, I'd like to see some statistics and studies sighted as to which is more dangerous.

[nirvana]

I was going to say that, Bob, but didn't want to press my luck too much.

These are supposed to be government websites so take it as you wish.  Can't find anything really comparing which is worse, rather they say it's about the same due to the effects of marijuana being similar to those of alcohol. 

Fact: Marijuana smoking affects the brain and leads to impaired short-term memory, perception, judgment, and motor skills.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/MarijParentsN.html

New research shows that approximately one in six high school seniors report driving under the influence of marijuana, about the same number as alcohol. In 2001, an estimated 38,000 high school seniors in the U.S. crashed after driving under the influence of marijuana.

http://www.mediacampaign.org/steerclear/parent_tips.html

Those are both from a Dept. of Health and Human Services website http://family.samhsa.gov/teach/driving.aspx

Grain of salt...

[Bronk]

Legalize it, then tax the crap out of it. Make it just like alcohol/cigarettes. This will ensure all those war on drugs people will still have a job. Now they will be the P.T.E.A ( Pot Tax Enforcement Agency). You think they were tough on drugs, see how you like it when they think you're not paying taxes.

[ChickenHawk]

When I saw "root of all problems" and the author, I just knew the thread had to involve marijuana even before I clicked on it.

Just as predictable was laser's blaming all the worlds’ ills on socialism.

No surprises in the O'Club today. 

<Sigh>

[lasersailor184]

Like Taxes aren't a problem...

[JB88]

the only evil that i know of is that it makes people wear really ugly and tacky hippy clothes, grow smelly and have terrible taste in wall art.

lucky for me i am immune.  so i can speak of it without having to beat on a bongo.

legalize it.  it's relatively harmless and the chippies would still be a lazy bunch of tagaheads anyways.

[Jackal1]

Don't forget that driving high is just as dangerous as drunk driving though

Yep...it ranks right up there.....or somewhere near the tens of thousands every day on the road  that pop
valium, xanax, umpteen variations of nerve meds, pain pills, mood enhancers, prescribed by the guy in the white coat.

For the record, I do not condone the use of any illegal drugs.

I am Barack Obama and I approve this message. 

[lambo31]

And alcohol is just as bad as a 'gateway drug' as weed--statistically, even moreso, as alcohol leads to weed with far more regularity as weed leads to cocaine, heroin or anything else. As for driving high verses driving drunk, while I too condone neither, I'd like to see some statistics and studies sighted as to which is more dangerous.

I can't give you statistics or show where any studies have been done.

But my wife works in a lab that test urine/blood for alcohol and drugs that have been submitted by law enforcement agencies. Usually it's from DUI's but some times from vehicle accidents. When I asked her she said both are just as dangerous as the other, just that she see's more alcohol cases just because it's more popular.

Lambo

[Elfie]

I can't give you statistics or show where any studies have been done.

But my wife works in a lab that test urine/blood for alcohol and drugs that have been submitted by law enforcement agencies. Usually it's from DUI's but some times from vehicle accidents. When I asked her she said both are just as dangerous as the other, just that she see's more alcohol cases just because it's more popular.

Lambo

You can't tell by a urine sample if someone is high on pot or not simply because a urine test can detect the use of marijuana for something like 30 days. Alcohol gets flushed out of the system far more quickly.

[rpm]

Saliva tests are far more accurate for determining whether a person is "high" or not.

Did you ever notice people are anti-tax unless it's a tax on something they don't use?

Rep. Barney Frank announced on Real Time that he plans to introduce a bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level in the next session of Congress. That would make it a states rights issue, as it should be.