Drug War Policy for Democrats

[Mudcat]

The legalization effort needs to continue for the benefit of all Americans, but it needs to be honest and upfront if it is going to sway the undecided voters to its side.

Indeed, if a person is going to insist on using it they should be aware of the risks involved.

 

[HoverBoarder]

The problem I have with the "pot causes health/societal problems so should be illegal" crowd is that you never hear them complain about alcohol and call for alcohol prohibition.

Alcohol shouldn't be illegal for the same reasons that pot should not be illegal.

 

[3point14]

So you do acknowledge that there are a large number of health studies that have shown that there are serious health problems that arise from the use of Marijuana.

Studies showing brain damage, mental deficiencies, testicular cancer, etc. have shown many different serious health problems associated with the use of the drug. These findings were from impartial and neutral studies that were conducted in many different countries that have show that even after quitting, there is serious mental damage done to a person who has frequently smoked Marijuana.

I am not asking you to take my word for it, read the studies and decide for yourself.


These negative health problems are on top of the personal developmental problems that develop from use of the drug.



These are serious problems, but having the drug continue to be illegal only adds to those problems just like it did under alcohol prohibition. The legalization effort needs to continue for the benefit of all Americans, but it needs to be honest and upfront if it is going to sway the undecided voters to its side.

I haven't denied that the use of cannabis can cause helf problems. I just believe that they are overstated. I asked for your evidence because that's the formm, you make the claim, present the evidence and then we go on from there.

Yes, I agree, Cannabis use can cause health problems.

A deeper search reveals that these problems have been blown out of all proportion due to the political requirements for it to be presented as dangerous to maintain the substances illegality when there is no justification for it.

 

[HoverBoarder]

I haven't denied that the use of cannabis can cause helf problems. I just believe that they are overstated. I asked for your evidence because that's the formm, you make the claim, present the evidence and then we go on from there.

Yes, I agree, Cannabis use can cause health problems.

A deeper search reveals that these problems have been blown out of all proportion due to the political requirements for it to be presented as dangerous to maintain the substances illegality when there is no justification for it.

Yep, yep.

Weed is popular but bad for your health.


However, what do you mean by "A deeper search reveals that these problems have been blown out of all proportion due to the political requirements for it to be presented as dangerous"?

Do you have any evidence of that?

In my findings it has been the exact opposite.

I don't know anyone who smokes weed who goes around talking about their increased risk of getting ball cancer, or the permanent brain damage even after they quit.

 

[Axiom_Blade]

If there are any benefits to taking pot (or any other drugs) than what are they?

I don't think you're questioning the usefulness of drugs like novocaine, aspirin, penicillin...? I assume that you're using the term "drugs" to mean "illegal drugs", like many people (unfortunately) do. Just because a drug is illegal, doesn't mean that it isn't useful.

There are many uses for many drugs, but I'll just list a few off the top of my head for cannabis: Stress relief. Pain relief. Increases appetite. Indica helps you get to sleep, and I find that sativa helps me focus and get work done that I would otherwise put off doing. (I have ADHD.) I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have been able to finish college without it.

 

[HoverBoarder]

I don't think you're questioning the usefulness of drugs like novocaine, aspirin, penicillin...? I assume that you're using the term "drugs" to mean "illegal drugs", like many people (unfortunately) do. Just because a drug is illegal, doesn't mean that it isn't useful.

There are many uses for many drugs, but I'll just list a few off the top of my head for cannabis: Stress relief. Pain relief. Increases appetite. Indica helps you get to sleep, and I find that sativa helps me focus and get work done that I would otherwise put off doing. (I have ADHD.) I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have been able to finish college without it.

That, plus this:

Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows

The active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half and significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University who tested the chemical in both lab and mouse studies.

Plus the human trials that showed similar results

THC initiates brain cancer cells to destroy themselves

The study also involved two patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Both patients had been enrolled in a clinical trial designed to test THC's potential as a cancer therapy. The researchers used electron microscopes to analyze brain tissue taken before and after a 26- to 30-day THC treatment regimen. They found that THC eliminated the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

Which, along with the similar findings from a large number of other medical studies provides an adequate basis for bringing legal action against the FDA for making knowingly false statements when they stated that "Marijuana has no known health benefits." Even when their own studies showed that statement to be false.

Bringing this legal case up in court would be very helpful in showing that the information provided to the public by the FDA and other departments of the US government on the issue of the Marijuana has included a large number of knowingly false statements by departments that are legally required to make scientifically and factually sound judgments on issues of drug safety.


A successful legal case using the contradictory statements and actions of the FDA and their own medical studies that prove them to be knowingly wrong could be a major catalyst in forcing officials and congress to take the issue of the major damage done by the current negligent and deleterious drug laws seriously.

 

[3point14]

Yep, yep.

Weed is popular but bad for your health.


However, what do you mean by "A deeper search reveals that these problems have been blown out of all proportion due to the political requirements for it to be presented as dangerous"?

Do you have any evidence of that?

In my findings it has been the exact opposite.

I don't know anyone who smokes weed who goes around talking about their increased risk of getting ball cancer, or the permanent brain damage even after they quit.

These misconceptions here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._or_brain_damage.2Fdestruction_of_brain_cells