Medical Marijuana Laws Shown to Reduce Traffic Fatalities

@Author

Well written article. I really dig your style, man!

I find it funny that people find it ok to get drunk because its "legal" but weed a terrible thing ONLY because its "illegal" ignorance is bliss only for the ignorant

true that. alcohol related deaths account for most of car accidents. weed accounts for maybe none lol. i find it funny how when one is high on weed they much rather relax and not drive while when ones drunk you are more likely to do stupid/risky stunts.

_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.

- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri

A drug is only as dangerous as you'll let it be. If marijuana opens you up to try other more harmful substances that will cause serious harm to yourself and others, you shouldn't be toking. If you can't stop yourself at the limit of alcohol consumption bordering loss of rational thought, verbal communication, and psychomotor skills, you don't need to consume alcohol. PERIOD.

Rock on, I'm liking this article and the posts to follow. For a while pro-marijuana people have been crying out that pot is much safer than alcohol, and now there's proof that it goes beyond medical reasons. It may be a far cry, but I hope this study hits hard in the movement to legalize the stuff, I'd take a natural substance over something man-made any day of the week.

Wow! A chain reaction! Very well written article, and interesting to know that weed actually did something even a little good.

Right now there are a few states that are trying to get Marijuana Legalized for recreational use. Missouri, Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. It seems clear that the country is moving very quickly to Legalization of Marijuana for recreational purposes.

http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/

Many people assume that marijuana was made illegal through some kind of process involving scientific, medical, and government hearings; that it was to protect the citizens from what was determined to be a dangerous drug.

The actual story shows a much different picture. Those who voted on the legal fate of this plant never had the facts, but were dependent on information supplied by those who had a specific agenda to deceive lawmakers. You’ll see below that the very first federal vote to prohibit marijuana was based entirely on a documented lie on the floor of the Senate.

You’ll also see that the history of marijuana’s criminalization is filled with:

Racism
Fear
Protection of Corporate Profits
Yellow Journalism
Ignorant, Incompetent, and/or Corrupt Legislators
Personal Career Advancement and Greed

These are the actual reasons marijuana is illegal.

Again, racism was part of the charge against marijuana, as newspapers in 1934 editorialized: “Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men’s shadows and look at a white woman twice.”

Two other fear-tactic rumors started to spread: one, that Mexicans, Blacks and other foreigners were snaring white children with marijuana; and two, the story of the “assassins.” Early stories of Marco Polo had told of “hasheesh-eaters” or hashashin, from which derived the term “assassin.” In the original stories, these professional killers were given large doses of hashish and brought to the ruler’s garden (to give them a glimpse of the paradise that awaited them upon successful completion of their mission). Then, after the effects of the drug disappeared, the assassin would fulfill his ruler’s wishes with cool, calculating loyalty.

By the 1930s, the story had changed. Dr. A. E. Fossier wrote in the 1931 New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal: “Under the influence of hashish those fanatics would madly rush at their enemies, and ruthlessly massacre every one within their grasp.” Within a very short time, marijuana started being linked to violent behavior.

“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.”

“…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”
“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”
“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”
“Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing”
“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”
“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.”

Harry J. Anslinger

Some samples from the San Francisco Examiner:

“Marihuana makes fiends of boys in thirty days — Hashish goads users to bloodlust.”

“By the tons it is coming into this country — the deadly, dreadful poison that racks and tears not only the body, but the very heart and soul of every human being who once becomes a slave to it in any of its cruel and devastating forms…. Marihuana is a short cut to the insane asylum. Smoke marihuana cigarettes for a month and what was once your brain will be nothing but a storehouse of horrid specters. Hasheesh makes a murderer who kills for the love of killing out of the mildest mannered man who ever laughed at the idea that any habit could ever get him….”

And other nationwide columns…

“Users of marijuana become STIMULATED as they inhale the drug and are LIKELY TO DO ANYTHING. Most crimes of violence in this section, especially in country districts are laid to users of that drug.”

“Was it marijuana, the new Mexican drug, that nerved the murderous arm of Clara Phillips when she hammered out her victim’s life in Los Angeles?… THREE-FOURTHS OF THE CRIMES of violence in this country today are committed by DOPE SLAVES — that is a matter of cold record.”

William Randolf Hearst

Hearst and Anslinger were then supported by Dupont chemical company and various pharmaceutical companies in the effort to outlaw cannabis. Dupont had patented nylon, and wanted hemp removed as competition. The pharmaceutical companies could neither identify nor standardize cannabis dosages, and besides, with cannabis, folks could grow their own medicine and not have to purchase it from large companies.

This all set the stage for…

The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.

Beer sales went down 5%, but I wonder what what the increase in Doritos sales was?

"It is well-established that alcohol increases accident risk. Evidence of marijuana's culpability in on-road driving accidents is much less convincing. Although cannabis intoxication has been shown to mildly impair psychomotor skills, this impairment does not appear to be severe or long lasting. In driving simulator tests, Cannabis impairment is typically manifested by subjects decreasing their driving speed and requiring greater time to respond to emergency situations. Nevertheless, this impairment does not appear to play a significant role in on-road traffic accidents."

From:
http://www.miqel.com/reading_library/archived_stories/feel-free-to-drive-on-weed.html

somewhat off topic but on topic: in a recent interview netwgringrich said he is opposed to medical marioujina and legalizing weed becuase he talked too too many mothers that do not want their kids to think the governments thinks it is okay to smoke weed...
yet they all go home and have a drink!

This is only surprising if you haven't been paying attention. It's simply a fact that cannabis impairment is much, MUCH less dangerous than alcohol impairment. Having a B.A.C. of 0.08 (i.e. right at the legal limit for driving) increases your risk of an accident 11-fold. (And driving while texting evidently increases your risk of an accident 23-fold. Take the Oprah pledge!) In contrast, there was a recent study that purported to show that cannabis use made you 2.7 times more likely to be involved in an accident. (Of course, the headlines breathlessly reported that marijuana "more than doubles" your risk of an accident - without giving any of the above context.) It's also known that alcohol, as a disinhibitor, INCREASES risk-taking behavior. People who are impaired by alcohol frequently don't recognize their own impairment and often drive FASTER while under the influence, which is one of the reasons that accidents caused by alcohol impairment so often result in fatalities. People who relax with cannabis are much more likely to recognize their own impairment and either refuse to drive or adequately compensate for their impairment (which is consistent with the simulator studies mentioned in the article). The fact is that alcohol is a HUGE contributor to vehicle accident fatalities and cannabis use just isn't. And, as the articles notes, alcohol and cannabis are SUBSTITUTES. I've talked to many, many people who have reported that their alcohol consumption dropped dramatically after they began enjoying cannabis. (It certainly tracks my own experience.) And not only is cannabis far safer from a driving perspective, it's infinitely safer than alcohol by EVERY objective measure. Cannabis is non-toxic. It's literally impossible to fatally overdose on cannabis. Alcohol is most definitely toxic. People can and do die from alcohol overdose. Alcohol abuse is the third-leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. (It turns out that drinking poison isn't good for you.) In contrast, cannabis use is not associated with increased mortality. Alcohol is physically addictive. You can be so addicted to alcohol that you will literally die from withdrawal. Cannabis isn't. If you want to talk about "psychological addiction," be my guest, but let's all at least acknowledge that there's no cannabis equivalent of delirium tremens. And (I think most importantly) alcohol is a MASSIVE contributor to violence. It's involved in something like half of all violent crimes and 70% of domestic abuse cases. In contrast, cannabis use has never been linked to violence. If anything, it DECREASES the risk of violence by pacifying the user. While they can be overstated, there's a reason we have the stereotypes of the "belligerent drunk" and the "mellow stoner." I know which one I prefer to be around. But hey, I'm just a stupid "pothead." What do I know? Maybe the prohibitionists are right. Maybe we SHOULD be spending billions of dollars every year in borrowed money to lock non-violent people in government cages for the "crime" of possessing dried plant matter.

Meh, just legalize and tax the hell out of it. It's a win win situation.

@dpellerin,
Are you a fan of Dorito's?I'm not.But the sales have gone up according to the amount of Doritos my brother has eaten.

I don't remember the name of who did the study but it was done in CA I am pretty sure. It basically said that if Mary Jane was made legal and taxed by 4% we would be out of debt nationaly with in 4 years and with in 10 years we would have a surplus like we ha never seen. Crime rates woudl be at an all time low and un employement would be under 2%...This study basically reinforced the fact that Mary Jane would have a harder time becoming legal because it would not allow the people up top to stay in control as easy as they do now...I do not speak as "one of those people" I speak as a red blooded pissed off America that just wants to stop being poor and get high and be happy!! Is that really so much to ask!! Oh yeah not to mention how many livers would be saved!!!! SAVE THE LIVERS POEPLE SAVE THE LIVERS!!!!!!....ALSO How many people do you see beating their wifes and children high thats right 0 you just don't do it. YOu don't get flat out stoned and go home and beat the crap out of your wife and kids....its not a proven fact its just the way it is...legalize mary jane and the world will simply be a better place.

Another example: Euro 2000 Soccer (Football) Championships were co-hosted by Belgium and Holland. Belgium (cannabis illegal) was plagued by drunken hooligans and violence while the Dutch (cannabis tolerated) games were peaceful and without violence altogether. Proof is in the pudding.

I just love that the biggest arguement that people have against is that "its bad" lol When you ask why all they have to say is "its just bad" lol freaking people I love asking people that are all hard core against legalizing it if you were confranted with a person that had severe cancer and mary jane made there lives better made them with out pai nand able to eat... you would tell them they can't have it you would tell them to suffer...you would say this to their face...yeah right I would love t osee that....if you would you are a peice of shit...and deserve hell and beyond...

@Delkomatic
If people weren't lazy shitakes, your 'fabulous' country wouldn't be in debt. Instead of getting high and frying your memory (probably non-existent anyway?) from use of weed and alcohol, you should be spending QUALITY time with your family - they aren't around forever 'ya know? - or doing something useful for society like finding cures to ailments or developing new technologies. By using drugs, all you are doing is damaging your bodies, brains and the future success of your 'fabulous' country. Sure, smoking weed may 'only' double your risk of crashing (I know, you didn't say it....) by a factor of 2.7, but this is still a lot more than the factor of 1 for when you are completely sober. By drinking alcohol or smoking weed then operating ANY machinery, you are placing yourself and OTHER PEOPLE in unnecessary risk. People could lose their lives - their families would be distraught - just because you want to 'get high and be happy'. You don't need to get high to be happy. It is 100% YOUR OWN FAULT if you are not happy. You should have WORKED HARDER at school. A wise man once said 'being poor gives you no excuse to show any substantial lack of class, pride and cleanliness.'

You sir are the reason that your country is such a failure.

@dquad

For the record I'd like to know who this 'wise man' was who said that because I copy and pasted your 'quote' into Google and it's nowhere to be found. Aren't quotes supposed to be just that? Verbatem?

less road rage and calmer drivers? LOL funny but true.

lol dquad sounds like you need to smoke up some bro...you seem to of missed the point entirely my point had zero to do with anything you said but good try and bashing me and pretty much no point that I was making...the point that I was making is that we make laws to keep the rich rich and the poor poor and keep weed illegal is one of them...but go ahead with your pointless rant and argue a point that no one is making have fun talking to your self....you know they make pills for that

Dear dquad,

I wonder where you are from, that you can critique my country from afar?
You make a lot of claims, but I will just point out that if you listen to Rock, most of it was composed written, recorded and performed while under the influence of pot.
Holland, (more correctly called the Netherlands), has conducted numerous studies which have shown the tolerence of pot actually curtails its use in adults over the age of 25. In countries where there are legal penalties for possession or use, the incidence of use in people over 25 continues well past the age of 50.
Just because you don't like to drink or smoke or whatever, don't foist your preferences on the rest of us.
Drug companies regularly produce so called theraputic drugs that are later found to be harmful or lethal. There is even a new class of prescription medications where once you begin taking them, you will have to continue to take them for the rest of your life. Talk about addiction with a sword over your head!
As to the supposed "failure" of our country, our current economic troubles were concocted by some very sober people in the banking industry not potheads or drunks.

There are some causal leaps in the argument.

First, there is a claim that a 5% drop in beer sales equals at least a 10% drop in car wrecks.

Second, there is the claim that the drop in beer sales is due to legalized pot.

Thrid, there is the assumption that the pot does not increase wrecks - it could well be that a 5% drop in beer sales reduces car wrecks by 20%, but wrecks increase 10% from pot usuage.

Proving that alcohol is worse that pot can never be an arguement for legalizing pot - it is, however, a wonderful argument for illegalizing alcohol.

dquad=Troll
Or
dquad=Ignorance

Either way, it must be bliss

Comment by dquad

I have figured it out! BubbaGump is a bot! And a damn good one by that, pretty much good enough to pass the Turing test. Anyway, I could go for a Kinect mirror as long as it will be reliable and not subject to moisture damage - I honestly did not read this article as I was just hunting around for Bubbas spam. Now that the problem has been solved, the bot may be disarmed.

PPL, DONT FEED THE TROLL

I agree with Oakspar77777, "Proving that alcohol is worse that pot can never be an argument for legalizing pot - it is, however, a wonderful argument for illegalizing alcohol."

I'm pretty sure even thought pot is less dangerous then alcohol, doesn't imply it is harmless. Even though I don't have hard data, my observations seem to show that pot use kills brain cells. Of course, my observations could imply that stupid people use pot, I prefer to give them some credibility and say pot makes people stupid. Of course my observations might be skewed by smart pot users not telling me that they use pot... so really my observations are just like this "study" that was done, aka useless.

@ BlitzWakim Marijuana use does not kill brain cells. In fact pot helps preserve brain cells. A study from Scripps Research Institute in California found marijuana helps preserve brain function for Alzheimer patients. The only thing keeping Marijuana illegal for recreational use is ignorance.

@Blitz and in conjunction with Boka...studies have been done showing that cannabinoids promotes neurogenesis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1253627/

I love how everyone points to studies. I can make a study that shows snorting moisturizing lotion will make you rich. If you're all as gullible as it seems you just might believe that as well. I'm not saying marijuana is good or bad, that's not the point. The point is you have a predetermined opinion about it one way or another so you look for any study that points to your conclusion and jump on it even though it has no validity whatsoever. They looked at 3 things and tried to prove causation from just 3 things? Last time I checked alcohol doesn't even cause 15% of car fatalities. So these guys are saying that reducing beer sales by 5% will in turn reduce car fatalities by 10%? Must not have been statistics majors.

I don’t agree with the validity of this study. It seems like it’s reaching. I do however agree with the conclusion. MJ use decreases crime in society. (DUI is a crime). Tokers are usually very calm easy going people. While drinkers are aggressive and ignorant. People into harder drugs are suffering from a disease and need help. (and alcohol can fall into this category).

War on Drugs = War on Poverty

85% of people locked up in the states are there because of non-violent offences, such as possession of MJ…lock up a toker with a hardened murderer and you call that rehabilitation?

MJ is a schedule 1 drug…more dangerous than heroin and crack?? Who is making these laws?

Why can’t they listen to the founding fathers? George Washington said… U.S. President "Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."

I wouldn’t advise driving while under the influence of MJ, it turns everyone into a Sunday driver.

Legalize now!!!!!!!!!!

But that will never happen, too much money in big pharma. MJ would reduce their profits in ½ with no side effects to the user (except munchies, and a good night’s sleep)

This 100% PROVES IT Mary Jane is the Magic DRUG because I am going to agree with aldron 100% this is crazy!! WEED IS BRINGING IS TOGETHER!!!! I mean if weed can bring us together it can do ANYTHING!!!! This proves it Legalize it and the world will simply be at peace... I do not make this comment in joking at all I am being serious this just goes to show mary jane is the peace maker!!

At Boka, Then if it doesn't kill brain cells that must mean stupid people are the only ones to use it. Unless, like I said before, "my observations might be skewed by smart pot users not telling me that they use pot" so really your study and my observations do nothing to educate us further. My observations only contain 4 cases so really my study is even more useless then you thought. And besides, my previous comments where a sarcastic commentary on the uselessness of the study to show causality linked to pot use. I'm sorry you could not deduce sarcasm from my previous comment, but that is the nature of text. BTW I have no problem with medical marijuana.

Well, I believe that if anyone is found to be operating any machinery under the influence of ANY drug they should be given the death sentence. All they are doing is playing Russian Roulette. If you are going to do drugs, do it at home - not in front of your kids, please - and don't drive or go to work.

Oh, and I ain't gonna have any sympathy for anyone who gets lung cancer from smoking pot.

@Delkomatic......man I LMAO. But your post is so true, weed it is a peacemaker. *passes you blunt*

Sorry, marijuana supporters, we're not buying your "studies." If it impairs your judgment and/or motor skills, it impairs your driving. If it's dangerous to drive drunk and it's dangerous to drive sleep-deprived, do you really think you can convince us that it's safe to drive high on marijuana? There may be a good case for medical marijuana. There is no good case for driving high, drunk, sleep-deprived, or just plain stupid (like the young and the reckless).

Wow dquad, kinda strong words from someone that originates in the ONE unknown and all perfectly, peeeerfect country in the world.... "death sentence". That kinda sounds like America talk mister. Cuz I get the idea that maybe YOU think we invented it. Maybe you should run for el presidente. If you could slip by the whole natural-born-citizen thingie, maybe you could run/enforce things better for us. Show all us ignant yankees how things oughta be done.

I absolutely agree that operating equipment under the influence of drugs like MJ and alcohol is intolerable. However "death sentence" is rather harsh coming from such a wise, and merciful leader such as yourself. Maybe the immediate termination of "said" employee, resulting in the inability of "said" employee to provide for oneself and or family would be a more humane avenue.

Even if MJ were to be legalized in the states, all respectable companies enforce policies that discourage employees from indulging in such activities. On the job (beers), and off (MJ). I loves me some beers, but Pheonix1012 summed it up, " If you can't stop yourself at the limit of alcohol consumption bordering loss of rational thought, verbal communication, and psychomotor skills you don't need to consume alcohol." Not really an easy thing to tell a hardcore alcoholic or drug addict. But a very easy decision when it comes to the professional field. i.e. Smoke dope on the job, or come in drunk and your history.

In summary, even if MJ were to be broadly legalized in the US. You still won't be able to obtain and maintain a "grown up" job. At least until the private sectors loosen up... and they won't until the very expensive insurance policies that they carry loosen up.

What's that? you want to hire and insure a stoner/alcoholic and put them in charge of a big rig, jet airliner, scaple, power plant SKADA system, police badge?......sure.

LOL. I don't think you will find a state farm agent being that agreeable after your employer sings the jingle.

Grown adults in normal

@laurenra7

Finally, someone I can side with :)

Some how that last part got cut off.

On another note,
Just a thought from a former resident of the Mitten state ( MI...who recently legalized MJ for medicinal use).
I watched MI's economy and housing market take the first plunge down the poo hole a few years back. The state witnessed a mass exodus of residents / tax payers, including myself. The state then had to recoup the lost income to support its sinking hulk, so it's beloved EX governor increased the fines and penalties associated with driving motor vehicles while impaired. She also increased patrols looking for any tipsy drivers.

Other than obtaining revenue for the state through "sleezy" means ( by "sleezy" I mean like shooting fish in a barrel) it had the positive side effect of rightfully scaring the crap out of people. It was no longer safe to drive home from the bar, ( not just for the obvious reason). Smaller towns and cities suddenly started seeing taxie cab companies setting up shop and darting around their bar districts. Companies willing to safely and cheaply (compared to DUI fines) escort s#!t faced bar patrons back home.

This all happened right around the same time they legalized Mary J in the state.....hmmm.

P.S. Just to clarify, I strongly feel that a States penalties should be strict to the point that they strongly discourage any fool from climbing behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol. However my statement that it was "sleezy" was intended for a state government that increased fines under the guise that it was solely in the interest of protecting the public, (not the states budget), without increasing the availability of alternative pubic/private transportation.

"Oh, and I ain't gonna have any sympathy for anyone who gets lung cancer from smoking pot."

1) Donald Tashkin, a UCLA researcher whose work is funded by NIDA, did a case-control study comparing 1,200 patients with lung, head and neck cancers to a matched group with no cancer. Even the heaviest marijuana smokers had no increased risk of cancer, and had somewhat lower cancer risk than non-smokers (tobacco smokers had a 20-fold increased lung cancer risk). Tashkin D. Marijuana Use and Lung Cancer: Results of a Case-Control Study. American Thoracic Society International Conference. May 23, 2006.

2) Researchers at the Kaiser-Permanente HMO, funded by NIDA, followed 65,000 patients for nearly a decade, comparing cancer rates among non-smokers, tobacco smokers, and marijuana smokers. Tobacco smokers had massively higher rates of lung cancer and other cancers. Marijuana smokers who didn't also use tobacco had no increase in risk of tobacco-related cancers or of cancer risk overall. In fact their rates of lung and most other cancers were slightly lower than non-smokers, though the difference did not reach statistical significance. Sidney, S. et al. Marijuana Use and Cancer Incidence (California, United States). Cancer Causes and Control. Vol. 8. Sept. 1997, p. 722-728

Well, crap, there goes another anti-pot talking point. But don't worry drug warriors, I'm sure SOMETHING will eventually stick.

I think the reason it’s so hard for many people to wrap their head around the idea that cannabis + driving is probably not THAT* dangerous is that their whole view of drugs is skewed by alcohol (combined with the fact that they often have very little or even no personal experience with cannabis). Drinking and driving is VERY dangerous. And (to some) alcohol isn’t even a true “drug.” It’s legal and socially acceptable. More importantly, THEY use it. If alcohol consumption makes driving very dangerous, then the use of “drugs” MUST make driving SUPER-CRAZY-OH-MY-GOD-HIDE-THE-CHILDREN dangerous. I mean how could any recreational drug be less dangerous than alcohol, the one we decided to keep legal? That would suggest that our entire drug policy is irrational, and that can’t be right. Even scarier for some people, that would make THEM, in a sense, “worse” than “drug users,” you know, the people they get such a kick out of feeling superior to. That’s no fun for the old ego.

*I'm not convinced it's a good idea to drive after enjoying cannabis. And I absolutely believe that driving WHILE IMPAIRED should remain illegal. But that's NOT an argument for asinine per se “drugged driving” rules based on nearly undetectable levels of trace metabolites. And it’s SURE AS HELL NOT an argument for criminalizing the possession or sale of cannabis altogether.

"Well, I believe that if anyone is found to be operating any machinery under the influence of ANY drug they should be given the death sentence."

REALLY?????????

Let me ask you something. Do you drink coffee? If you do and have ever operated heavy machinery you need to come to where I am so I can kill you. If you did not know caffeine is a drug. You really are Fu*king ignorant. It is people like you who really need to be put down. Period.

^ Excuse the grammar.

caffeine is a terrible drug. Seriously. It wrecked my health. But I don't think it should be made illegal.

Im a daily smoker, and I have to say I think people are still a bit ignorant to what it actually does to you. I mean in a country where everyone medicates with Pharmaciticles that have a list of side effects aslong as your arm so to speak. Ill take a 4 stoned drivers near me opposed to one all cracked on xanax, which is the most commonly prescribed and abused drug in America. This article wasnt about getting a bunch of people stoned while driving it is to make people realize not to demonize something they have no FUCKING clue about. When it really comes down to it anyone who would keep booze legal and criminalize marijuana is one of two things Ignorant (misinformed) or just a plain hypocrit which the world has plenty of both dont become another especially when that means youre blocking something that could potentially treat somebody. We justify all these other meds that just fuck us with side effects from internal bleeding to fucking ED (erectile dysfunction). Im curious though were are all these accidents caused by pot are happening. Ill tell you what dequad ,lauren go hang out at your local er say fri sat night and see what the number one cause of people losing control of their vehicle because it most certianetly is 100% alcohol. I hate to make that argument because i definately enjoy the sauce every now and then, but thats the reality of it. Now i know what you're going to say skeptics, what about drug overdoses well between codeine and xanax there is really no room for compitetors but go ahead and google "marijuana overdose" i havent done yet but my guess HILAROUS.

Roger i hate to disagree with you, but booze is definately a drug if not the drug everything else you said is spot on.

z0mbiedestructo - I completely agree. OF COURSE alcohol is a drug! I was just making the point that many people don't THINK of it that way. The drug warriors have gone to great lengths to rhetorically separate “drugs” and “alcohol” (in order to make the hypocrisy of the whole enterprise less glaring). Of course, the most obvious example is found in the very use of the terms “drugs” and “alcohol.” “Drugs” is almost always used to mean drugs OTHER than alcohol, which is generally referred to separately. (The phrase “drugs and alcohol” is the linguistic equivalent of “dogs and labrador retrievers.”) Alcohol gets you “drunk.” All other drugs get you “high.” The buddy who sells you your weed is a “drug dealer.” The girl who sells you your booze is a “cashier.” A corkscrew is just a corkscrew. A water pipe is "drug paraphernalia." If you know a lot about wine, you're a "connoisseur." If you know a lot about cannabis, you're a "pothead." People “use” drugs. People “drink,” “consume,” or “enjoy” alcohol, etc. etc.

@econaz02

I actually don't drink any coffee at all. Pretty much only water and the occasional glass of Lemon from the tree.

I hope this makes people question the fact that we have non violent people serving jail time for possessing a plant that isn't as dangerous as its been made out to be. As a people we have been lied to and that lie has been used to steal homes, possessions and freedom from fellow Americans.
Our politicians are conducting insider trading, accepting bribes, gifts, and DRUGS. Then turning around and taking money from the people and handing it back to the very same banks/special interest groups that corrupt them. All while forcing a savage war on drugs against the American People. The issue of marijuana legalization isn't about 'safety', 'the children' or 'freedom'. Our congress doesn't care about those things. This is about money and power.

DQUAD is a clever sockpuppet who is underhandedly ridiculing the prohibitionist crowd. Even his name is a subtle play on words..."Dee Quad" said quickly sounds out as 'Richard' Wad.

Aside from that, there are so may intelligently thought-out arguments here, yet no one bothers to write senators, legislators et al. and sign their names to their arguments. Until we all do that, we will never accomplish what needs to be done.

@BlitzWakim Actually, I have tried Cannabis myself a couple of times and the people that I've used it with are the most intelligent friends that I have. They are very educated about the effects Cannabis beholds and they both are intellectual people. Then we have men like Carl Sagan, who said that Cannabis enhanced his life and that he may not have been the exact man he was if he had not tried it. He used it for his work, he smoked it to enhance his sex life, he used it when thinking of Scientific formulas, he once said ""I can remember one occasion, taking a shower with my wife while high, in which I had an idea on the origins and invalidities of racism in terms of gaussian distribution curves,'' wrote the former Cornell University professor. "I wrote the curves in soap on the shower wall, and went to write the idea down.

So the use of Cannabis has enhanced a lot of peoples life, which I find very positive. That is the great thing about psychadelic drugs, that it may impact your life in extraordinary ways. But some hallucigens and some other psyhcadelics may affect people in negative ways, but that doesn't mean the drug itself beholds dangerous traits that will harm you, it is all in your mind.

Alcohol was illegalized once. That didn't work. Alcohol was a much older substance; much more well known. Popular support for the use of, regardless of the negative studies, alcohol has broken through the illegalization. The truth is, much like alcohol, if used in a responsible moderate manner, marijuana won't hurt anyone. A glass of red wine or dark beer will help the heart in defense of heart disease. Marijuana, in studies, which out of pure laziness, I will not cite, has been show to prevent the on-set of alzheimers and help with anxiety, depression and pain.
The obvious medical uses, well: are obvious. Marijuana is also known for recreational use. Like alcohol it can be abused. Those who have abused both alcohol and marijuana, not necessarily at the same time, know that the effects on their lives, both in the short term and long term, are miles and miles apart. Alcohol is a much worse substance in potential for abuse and while abusing it. Yet alcohol is legal. Before one can come in and fill all the readers' minds with visions of sugar plums resembling that of ignorance and hear say, take a look at the history of marijuana.
As illustrated by others before me, marijuana is blackened with the constructs of horrid tools such as: racism and un-proven generalization. The economic interests in booting hemp from the market made marijuana the number one for illegalization. Ignorant people, who had never tried marijuana, wanted it illegalized, including all other drugs and alcohol! I cannot recall the groups involved, but they would assume, before trying. Their beliefs, engraved with racist and undependable understanding, forced their fundamental Michelle Bachmanesque beliefs in to our laws and congress.
The illegalization of Marijuana is the forefront of a larger problem that is destroying our government, economy and way of life from the inside out. The conclusion however, much like alcohol, the longer Marijuana exists and the more people smoke it: regardless of class, race, gender, or religious belief, the more likely it is for legalization. It's so far from any other drug on the DEA controlled substances list in effect physically and mentally it is surprising people could still think it worthy of it's status. Legalization is on the brink of reality, and there is nothing the left-or-right wing can do about it. Popular support is increasing. The next time you see a person running around killing babies, raping women and stealing panties because they're smoking pot you can support your fallible argument for the illegalization of marijuana. I could talk about laziness and other unconsequential effects of pot that people wrongly percieve as effects, but I won't. My purpose is to rub it in your face.
YOU ARE THE MINORITY: THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST POT WITH THEIR UNBACKED BIAS. THOSE WHO HAVEN'T TRIED IT, BUT CONTINUE TO JUDGE IT. THOSE WHO THINK IT WILL NEVER BE LEGALIZED BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY'RE THE MAJORITY. WRONG: YOU ARE THE MINORITY. LIKE ALCOHOL, BECAUSE OF POPULAR SUPPORT, IT WILL BE LEGALIZED - IT IS INEVITABLE.