3 ms·

I can't believe so much money was spent on this shit. Unlike alcohol, cannabis is less addictive and way more pacifying, it doesn't make people violent, at wors

I can't believe so much money was spent on this shit. Unlike alcohol, cannabis is less addictive and way more pacifying, it doesn't make people violent, at worst it makes them dumb, unmotivated and complacent - just like alcohol. There's literally no reason to it being banned if alcohol is still legal. It's a better replacement, too. I smoke every now and then, to relieve stress. I just go to sleep, I don't like the high and unlike alcohol I can still follow through on that thought of "nah, it detrimental" when I have stuff to do. Alcohol is like "one drink, man, you'll be good" and then it's all downhill because one drink leads to half a dozen. Every. fucking. time.

system16 9y ago
The reason is that it justifies huge budgets for narcotics enforcement agencies across the country, guaranteed numbers of inmates, and employment for thousands to enforce it all.
- abledon 9y ago
  See "13th" on Netflix.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
SeeDave 9y ago
Really, really mixed opinions because you are totally right when it comes to alcohol, but I can't completely agree with your perspective on Marijuana. Neither are entirely healthy or can demonstrably lead to long-term positive outcomes if consumed by individuals under the age of 25 or so. These are not nutritive vitamins by any means. That said, the long-term effect of jailing African-American or Hispanic teenagers for minor possession or sale of inconsequential quantities is probably far worse. It's a real toss-up, in my opinion, so all I can say is this: completely and totally legalize Marijuana, but impose strict penalties (5+ years in jail, $xx,xxx fine, etc.) for anyone who provides or sells to anyone under 21, and intensely harsh penalties (10+ years in jail, $xxx,xxx fine) for anyone who provides or sells to anyone under 18.
- symlinkk 9y ago
  Do you have sources that detail the negative effects on people under 25? I ask because I have smoked almost every day for about 2 years, I'm 23, and I'm worried.
  - SeeDave 9y ago
    I do not have sources that directly detail the negative effects of smoking Marijuana on people under 25, but the prefrontal cortex of the brain does not fully develop until then. It would be possible to furiously Google supporting studies, but I have limited interest in doing so. I apologize for alarming you, but that said (and with absolutely zero judgment or gratuitous negativity) I highly encourage you to reduce your consumption of Marijuana for your own sake.
  - wjossey 9y ago
    Symlinkk- As someone who smoked daily at roughly the same age as you, I can understand your concern. I smoked almost daily for about four consecutive years, starting around 21, and ending around 25. Looking back on that period, I had numerous negative side effects, and it's hard for me to know how much that's perpetuated in the last 6 years since I moved towards closer to a once a month usage level, with long stretches of total abstinence mixed in there. A few things you should consider. First, is it an addiciton? Addicitions typically manifest themselves in situations where you can't quit using your substance, or change your behavior, despite negative consequences. Smoking for two consecutive years definitely makes it a habit, but I obviously can't comment on whether it's a full on addiction for you. If you don't feel like you can stop, I'd recommend seeking help. There are likely local MA (marijuana anonymous) or NA (narcotics anonymous) meetings near you, and those support networks can be very helpful for a lot of people. My father died from at 60 due to heavy alcohol consumption, and was more prepared to die than entertain the thought of no longer drinking. Addiction is a remarkably challenging disease, which can warp ones decision making massively, so if you don't believe you can fairly answer the question, you should think about asking those around you how they see it impacting you. Wishing you all the best as you seek some answers.
  - nefitty 9y ago
arikr 9y ago
There are good reasons to do it correctly, at least. Marijuana legalization isn't all good. Legal cannabis seems likely to be much better for people/countries/states than cannabis being illegal, though there are some downsides. See: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/11/america_is_legalizing_marijuana_wrong.html http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/11/amer... https://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6218695/case-against-pot-legalization-big-marijuana https://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6218695/case-against-pot-legal...

system16 9y ago

The reason is that it justifies huge budgets for narcotics enforcement agencies across the country, guaranteed numbers of inmates, and employment for thousands to enforce it all.

abledon 9y ago
See "13th" on Netflix.

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

SeeDave 9y ago

Really, really mixed opinions because you are totally right when it comes to alcohol, but I can't completely agree with your perspective on Marijuana. Neither are entirely healthy or can demonstrably lead to long-term positive outcomes if consumed by individuals under the age of 25 or so. These are not nutritive vitamins by any means. That said, the long-term effect of jailing African-American or Hispanic teenagers for minor possession or sale of inconsequential quantities is probably far worse. It's a real toss-up, in my opinion, so all I can say is this: completely and totally legalize Marijuana, but impose strict penalties (5+ years in jail, $xx,xxx fine, etc.) for anyone who provides or sells to anyone under 21, and intensely harsh penalties (10+ years in jail, $xxx,xxx fine) for anyone who provides or sells to anyone under 18.

symlinkk 9y ago
Do you have sources that detail the negative effects on people under 25? I ask because I have smoked almost every day for about 2 years, I'm 23, and I'm worried.
- SeeDave 9y ago
  I do not have sources that directly detail the negative effects of smoking Marijuana on people under 25, but the prefrontal cortex of the brain does not fully develop until then. It would be possible to furiously Google supporting studies, but I have limited interest in doing so. I apologize for alarming you, but that said (and with absolutely zero judgment or gratuitous negativity) I highly encourage you to reduce your consumption of Marijuana for your own sake.
- wjossey 9y ago
  Symlinkk- As someone who smoked daily at roughly the same age as you, I can understand your concern. I smoked almost daily for about four consecutive years, starting around 21, and ending around 25. Looking back on that period, I had numerous negative side effects, and it's hard for me to know how much that's perpetuated in the last 6 years since I moved towards closer to a once a month usage level, with long stretches of total abstinence mixed in there. A few things you should consider. First, is it an addiciton? Addicitions typically manifest themselves in situations where you can't quit using your substance, or change your behavior, despite negative consequences. Smoking for two consecutive years definitely makes it a habit, but I obviously can't comment on whether it's a full on addiction for you. If you don't feel like you can stop, I'd recommend seeking help. There are likely local MA (marijuana anonymous) or NA (narcotics anonymous) meetings near you, and those support networks can be very helpful for a lot of people. My father died from at 60 due to heavy alcohol consumption, and was more prepared to die than entertain the thought of no longer drinking. Addiction is a remarkably challenging disease, which can warp ones decision making massively, so if you don't believe you can fairly answer the question, you should think about asking those around you how they see it impacting you. Wishing you all the best as you seek some answers.
- nefitty 9y ago

arikr 9y ago

There are good reasons to do it correctly, at least. Marijuana legalization isn't all good. Legal cannabis seems likely to be much better for people/countries/states than cannabis being illegal, though there are some downsides. See: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/11/america_is_legalizing_marijuana_wrong.html http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/11/amer... https://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6218695/case-against-pot-legalization-big-marijuana https://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6218695/case-against-pot-legal...