Mass. Decriminalizes Marijuana

[UGAalum94]

Decriminalizing it sounds fine to me, but how are you going to tax a product that probably couldn't meet any kind of FDA safety standards for use or sale?

It may not be worse than cigarette smoking, but I actually have a hard time imagining that cigarettes would be approved for sale if they were an entirely new product, which I kind of think marijuana would have to be evaluated as.

I've got no philosophical or moral concerns about legalization or taxation, just practical ones.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Decriminalizing it sounds fine to me, but how are you going to tax a product that probably couldn't meet any kind of FDA safety standards for use or sale?

It may not be worse than cigarette smoking, but I actually have a hard time imagining that cigarettes would be approved for sale if they were an entirely new product, which I kind of think marijuana would have to be evaluated as.

I've got no philosophical or moral concerns about legalization or taxation, just practical ones.

Its definitely worse for you than cigarette smoking unless you use a vaporizer.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Its definitely worse for you than cigarette smoking unless you use a vaporizer.

Based on what?

Even if you account for the lack of the filter, how do you account for all of the carcinogenic additives in cigarettes, not to mention the fact that I doubt many people (and I could just be really ignorant here) have the equivelant of a pack-a-day marijunana habit.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Based on what?

Even if you account for the lack of the filter, how do you account for all of the carcinogenic additives in cigarettes, not to mention the fact that I doubt many people (and I could just be really ignorant here) have the equivelant of a pack-a-day marijunana habit.

Smoking one joint, blunt, whatever your name preference is, is equivalent to smoking at least half a pack of cigarettes ( some sources say a whole pack) and alot of people don't know that marijuana has cancer causing agents in it.

[Phrozen1ne]

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ongoing/marijuana.html

This site has some info. It varies depending on the source, but it is true that smoking one joint is like smoking a couple of cigarettes.

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ongoing/marijuana.html

This site has some info. It varies depending on the source, but it is true that smoking one joint is like smoking a couple of cigarettes.

I stopped reading after "Marijuana is an addictive drug".

[PhiGam]

Marijuana, along with anything that makes you feel good can be addictive. Its not as addictive as cocaine or hard drugs but its addictive nonetheless.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

Smoking one joint, blunt, whatever your name preference is, is equivalent to smoking at least half a pack of cigarettes ( some sources say a whole pack) and alot of people don't know that marijuana has cancer causing agents in it.

...Really. You ARE a sheep, aren't you?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0417193338.htm

This was the first result that popped up on a google search for "marijuana cancer".

And...

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=18122

First sentence: Despite popular belief, a new study shows that people who smoke marijuana do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.

So..how exactly is it the same as smoking cigarettes again?

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

...Really. You ARE a sheep, aren't you?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0417193338.htm

This was the first result that popped up on a google search for "marijuana cancer".

And...

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=18122

First sentence: Despite popular belief, a new study shows that people who smoke marijuana do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.

So..how exactly is it the same as smoking cigarettes again?

First the David Geffen School of Medicine just made me laugh, and second, are we sure that there aren't other health risks with marijuana? Cancer is just one of many health problems associated with smoking. It would really amaze me if you could smoke anything at a heavy rate of use over your lifetime with no ill effects.

Ridiculous sample size but:http://www.scienceblog.com/community...200001082.html

and

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0212184119.htm

ETA: I'm fine with decriminalization. I'm just not one of the hemp will save the world folks. I think it's going to be hard to have it completely legalized because I don't think it's a particularly safe product.

[Phrozen1ne]

Actually I work with kids talking to them about the effects of drugs. I also talk about how adults make up dumb ass excuses to use them. I have been doing it for years and I always back it up with research, not hearsay. I am sure if you search really, really, hard that you could find an article that states that marijauna makes you smarter. So to answer your question ( and I knew someone would say it) no I am not a sheep. Any other questions??

Originally Posted by fantASTic

...Really. You ARE a sheep, aren't you?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0417193338.htm

This was the first result that popped up on a google search for "marijuana cancer".

And...

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=18122

First sentence: Despite popular belief, a new study shows that people who smoke marijuana do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.

So..how exactly is it the same as smoking cigarettes again?

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

...Really. You ARE a sheep, aren't you?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0417193338.htm

This was the first result that popped up on a google search for "marijuana cancer".

And...

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=18122

First sentence: Despite popular belief, a new study shows that people who smoke marijuana do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.

So..how exactly is it the same as smoking cigarettes again?

Its the same as smoking cigarettes because you are inhaling smoke and tar into your lungs... that is bad for you. I didn't say that marijuana itself contained carcinogens, just the smoke.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Its the same as smoking cigarettes because you are inhaling smoke and tar into your lungs... that is bad for you. I didn't say that marijuana itself contained carcinogens, just the smoke.

Alright, I can agree with that.

Phrozen: Just because the government says something is bad doesn't mean it is. You have to think for yourself. And if the FIRST Google response to "marijuana cancer" is an entire page of articles on how it's NOT that harmful, maybe you should believe the science.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

Smoking one joint, blunt, whatever your name preference is, is equivalent to smoking at least half a pack of cigarettes ( some sources say a whole pack) and alot of people don't know that marijuana has cancer causing agents in it.

Ah yes, the Department of Justice.

That's exactly where I want to go for unbiased facts about drugs!

Heck... maybe I could also trust the F.D.A. to not allow drugs which could put holes in my heart to be prescribed.

[AGDee]

Part of the problem currently with studying the effects of marijuana is that nobody knows what they're really buying when they're buying it off the streets. Dealers can cut anything into it to stretch the crop. With medical marijuana, licensed growers and a known entity, it would be easier to measure the ill effects, although only people who are sick with someone else is getting it then. As my mother's doctor and many of her health care workers said, while she was dying of COPD, "lung cancer is not the worst thing that can happen from smoking". It's much tougher to do studies on effects of long term of marijuana use than cigarette use. The thing is, many people who would use medical marijuana are dying anyway and it's more of a comfort care, or need it short term during chemotherapy so that they can get through the nausea and eat.

[Phrozen1ne]

Really...thanks for clearing that up.

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Alright, I can agree with that.

Phrozen: Just because the government says something is bad doesn't mean it is. You have to think for yourself. And if the FIRST Google response to "marijuana cancer" is an entire page of articles on how it's NOT that harmful, maybe you should believe the science.

Whatever you need to smoke,.. I mean get yourself through the day.

Originally Posted by Kevin

Ah yes, the Department of Justice.

That's exactly where I want to go for unbiased facts about drugs!

Heck... maybe I could also trust the F.D.A. to not allow drugs which could put holes in my heart to be prescribed.