The Drinking age is 21. Let's make the Pot Smoking age 50, and at 70, you can take any drug you feel like. Why are we still having this war?

I'm in. I'll email my congress critters. You email yours.

San Francisco wants to outlaw friggin Happy Meals because the nanny state says they are not healthy. Yet these old hippy coots are using an illegal drug with myriad health effects.

What myriad health effects? And I wouldn't exactly call a WWII vet an "old hippy coot".

Yes, Gary, enlighten us to the slanted "unhealthiness" of marijuana, in studies that have been funded by the alcohol and tobacco lobbies

Wait! Tobacco! That's healthy! yes! Good for your digestion! *

* paid for by the tobacco lobby

Is it possible that folks are misunderstanding Gary 420 comments? I don't think it's a slam on anyone, I certainly hope someone refers to me as an old hippy coot and he said "using an illegal drug with myriad health effects.", he doesn't state "negative" health effects, he could very well be proving a point with irony.

On legality: let the doctors and their patients decide, people that use the government as bully pulpit against patients are pretty low of the low.

On supply: I'm sure pharmaceutical companies would much rather these people take something they sell, so let them cultivate and produce some cannabis products. Ultimately might be cheaper and better quality control.

The day the pharmaceutical companies find a way to patent marijuana it will become legal. Right now the powerful pharmaceutical lobby spends millions to try and keep marijuana illegal. This is because the use of marijuana cuts into the sales of less effective prescription drugs designed to treat the same ailments. Not only are these prescription drugs less effective at treating the nausea from chemotherapy, the pain from glaucoma, etc., but they also have a lot more detrimental side effects. There is no valid scientific reason for marijuana to be illegal. It has far fewer and less severe side effects than many prescription drugs, it is far less detrimental to your health than smoking cigarettes (particularly since there are many ways to partake beside smoking it), and causes far fewer societal and medical problems than alcohol. The best thing to do is to legalize and tax marijuana. I do think that there should be some controls in order to prevent unscrupulous growers from selling marijuana that may have issues with purity resulting from chemicals used as fertilizers or insecticides. Regulating the industry to ensure the safety of the product would benefit all concerned and should not be opposed by responsible growers.

People that point to Marinol as a legal prescription alternative to marijuana do not understand the issues surrounding this drug. Marinol contains only one of the over 60 cannabinoids that are found in natural marijuana. Because of this, it is far less effective than the natural product. It is the combination and balance of the various cannabinoids that make natural marijuana so effective at treating ailments like nausea, chronic pain, etc. Also, because of the way Marinol is administered (orally vs. inhaled), it is known to have far worse psychoactive effects than natural marijuana.

It is time to put an end to the idiotic attempts to keep marijuana illegal. The health benefits of marijuana far outweigh any negative impacts. I am on the fence when it comes to the complete legalization of marijuana. I understand the argument that marijuana is no worse than alcohol, which is obviously legal, but I am not sure if I support the complete legalization. However, I see absolutely no reason that it should not be available by prescription to those with a valid medical need.

Just for the record, while I do live in CA, I do not use medical marijuana (although I could likely get a prescription if I wanted one). I did vote yes on the recent CA ballot initiative to legalize marijuana (which failed) in part because it would have taken the pressure off the medical marijuana community.

The old coots who have a problem with legalizing pot and the young coots who still think it is nothing more than a gateway drug are ill informed and cruel.

I know far too many people who use pot, function completely normally, work good paying jobs and are completely reliable, so none of the stoner ideology is any more true than those who don't use.

It is my thought that lazy people are lazy - drug or not, drinker or not.

Marijuana does wonders for all kinds of pain without the side effects of many of the legal, and expensive drugs currently prescribed to millions.

I want to live in a society that stops making a big deal out of little things, and a little deal out of big things. Maybe someday?

There is no way in hell pot should be illegal. The damn drug companies can make any damn drug they want and sell it on the market as a wonder drug only to find out several years later it's killing people.

Marijuana is not hurting any people I know who have been using it for decades, as a matter of fact, most of them are the most gentile people I know?? Wonder why they never made alcohol illegal? Most drunks are obnoxious and irritable to be around..

Leave these elderly people alone with the few years they have to live....

big pharma already makes marijuana medicine...dronabinol and sativex.

Everett -

Just so you know... They did make alcohol illegal from Jan. 1, 1920 to 1933. It was called Prohibition via the Volstead Act. It created a black market filled with corruption of police and elected officials through bribes and payoffs. It made millionaires out of street punks like Al Capone and numerous other gang leaders who distributed their product s through threats, intimidation, and violence. It was only after a few years that even the well intended people that pushed for Prohibition admitted publicly that it was a failed idea and created more hardship and misery than it was designed to stop. Apparently our elected officials either don't know our nation's history or are too stupid to learn from it.

Meet Your New Pot Dealer: Big Pharma

Generic cannabis pills planned for wide use.

Despite the US government's staunch opposition to medical cannabis farms in Oakland and elsewhere, the feds have begun licensing a whole lot of large legal pot grows throughout the country. But this weed is not for cannabis dispensaries and their patients; it's for Big Pharma.

The Drug Enforcement Administration told Legalization Nation in an e-mail last week that 55 unnamed companies now hold licenses to grow cannabis in the United States, a fact that contradicts the widespread belief that there is only one legal pot farm in America, operated under the DEA for research purposes. It appears as if the upswing in federally approved pot farming is about feeding the need of pharmaceutical companies who want to produce a generic version of THC pill Marinol and at least one other cannabis-based pill for a wide variety of new uses.

In other words, if big corporations grow dope with the government and put it in a pill, it's medicine. But if you grow it at home or at a city-permitted pot farm and then put it in a vaporizer, it's a felony.

"They've got to realize, as a political issue, this is going to raise a red flag," said Kris Hermes, spokesperson for medical marijuana lobby Americans for Safe Access. "Here we have companies cultivating marijuana on a mass scale to produce generic Marinol. It's going to force the government to answer more questions than it wants to."

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/meet-your-new-pot-dealer-big-pharma/Content?oid=2665515

@Gary 420
You are truly an idiot. You need to seriously pull your sanctimonious head out of your butt. Not sure who died and made you think you're judge and jury but you are truly deficient.

Or...taking money from the liquor and tobacco industry. Pimping for the legal recreational drug business. Their whores in Congress!! Don't doubt it for a minute.

Why do I want big pharm to farm for me when I could do it myself? Why should I support another greedy company that has a tool of a gov't official covering their dirty work with dirty money. I don't need the masters of fake to produce something natural for me.

i know...just pointing out the hypocrisy...

Guys, you're reading Gary 420's comment wrong. Note the '420'. I guarantee you he also partakes of marijuana, he just worded his comment badly.

Sorry guys but ....completely off base. Pharma is not the reason it is illegal. might be one of the reasons but not THE reason. THE reason is insurance companies. Even if you make it legal no way will an insurance company allow you to hire someone who fails the drug test and not have a proper prescription.

Completely the insurance industry. Can you see the street sweepers smoking on duty :))

But yet we have people working while taking things like Oxy's... that just makes so much sense!

i cant understand why people cant leave these people alone they are not hurting anyone.

Bad news for you people. Big Pharma has a patent and will be making pills from it. Actually, the gov't holds a patent for the very plant they deem evil.

eastbayexpress.com /ebx/meet-your-new-pot-dealer-big-pharma/Content?oid=2665515

/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1303e172e346223d

They continue to murder people for growing a plant yet they grow it themselves. What an awesome government we have. Remove the space after www. and .com on the first link and after .com on the second.

.naturalnews.com/032547_medical_marijuana_Big_Pharma.html

Wrong link on the second one. Add www.

Of course...Big Pharma would mess up a wet dream if they could! Personally...I have no interest in Big Pharma's Chemicals and crap!

no kidding, take a pill all your problems will go away... exept for the side effects which u will have to take more pills for!

Mind-numbing pain is too good a fate for those who would seek to control us and steal what little freedom we have left.

To all the arthritis and MS sufferers, look into immune system 'reset' therapy.

Here is the good news and the bad news: It is so easy to grow. People! It's a weed! Literally. A good growing medium, some good seeds, a little knowledge and you dont need a green thumb or a degree in botany (see Robert Connell Clarke) to grow your own. A window sill, a flower pot on your balcony or a backyard. Unlike every other drug it can be a do-it-yourself situation. That makes regulation and taxation.a tad more difficult. Do it if you can. Gardening can be so enjoyable!!

Mark....just wondering how you jumped to that ASSumption????

Mark- Ive had a job since I was 16 years old. Except for my first year of college when I was just trying to get the grades, I have worked at least one job and sometimes two, my entire life. I have always paid my taxes and have never taken a penny of any type of public aid. I read more books in one year than Sarah Palin has read in her entire pathetic life! I have voted in every presidential election and every congressional election and have forgotten more American history than the entire republican tea party could know. Plus..Im smarter, stronger and better looking than you are. Kiss my ass!

Oh yeah, LOL...

"Follow-up treatments" for the lulz. I need rehab for a non-addictive substance? Please say I don't!

A lot of people don't know that it is non addictive. You could smoke as much as you want and never over dose. There is not follow up treatment, because none is needed for pot. It is not any kind of poison. Now, alcohol on the other hand, that is considered poison by your body, it is addicting, and certainly we have many treatment centers for the follow up treatments needed for close supervision over those who are addicted. Hmmm..........now, which one is the problem?

HUH! do we have follow up treatments for people who drink beer?, drink some wine at dinner? Smoke a cigarette?

Yes you are right, we should have every person who drinks a beer at a baseball or football game register for treatments. All beer and wine should be in non alcoholic form so nobody feels good or gets high.

Its people like Billie who feel they have the right to tell everyone what is best for them.

By the way we should outlaw any movie that makes you feel good as it might cause you to need treatments a few decades down the road

you're funny~ better go get a follow up treatment for all the green tea that I drink!

@Billie-#3: You won't have to worry about anything decades later. If the Tea Folk and their allies, the Oligarch people, achieve their goals, you won't be able to afford the treatment anyway.

Follow up treatments? Sorry, but this is nonsense.

My brother has been a regular smoker (I don't smoke but use edibles from time to time to alleviate nerve damage) for nearly 40 years and is both healthy as an ox, an outdoor nut and a great provider for his family.

Find another excuse to keep the alcohol companies in business, as the damaging effects of alcohol are far worse (killed my mom and dad) and are well proven.

Great post Paul,

Very true.................

God is perfect,

Man is not.

Man made beer,

God made pot.

he cant help it .. prolly a bible thumpin GOPer

Or just a naturalist citizen toad!

Hello, I was just born yesterday. I assume all the teabaggers and GOP'ers are behind legalizing pot. I assume this because I hear they are always talking about "too much regulation" and "get the government out of making health care decisions for us" and such.

you'd think. I've met some that are against marijuana legalization but have the integrity to say that it's not the government's business whether one cultivates MJ for their own purposes. Still, I have a feeling this is a small minority among Republicans.

Studies have been done to show that THC should not be taken unless you have a fully developed mind. Ya know 21 years old or so. Hence the warning on Booze Bottles about drinking while prego! DuH some people just cant think for themselves.

Hope that answers ur questions. Children dont drink,smoke, or take certain drugs for a reason. Should be self explanatory but guess it has to be explained.

Controlled Substance... an oxymoron if ever there was one. If the government really wanted to control it, it would be legal and taxed. lol

controlled substance....if they think they are controlling it they are very delusional. the party of less regulation does not want less regulation on us, they mean for corporations. they want to regulate the heck out of "we the people".

Our government has gotten Greedy, Fat, Bullheaded, and UN-American over the years ... bout the only things that could fix it would be.

1. They actually change

2. We have a new revolution! (but wait. Cause of the patriot act you could be considered a terrorist if you go against our government now)

The powers that be can see it coming, hence the extension of the Patriot Act. And you know darn good and well that if the citizens went "Egyptian" in DC that the feds would roll in the armour just like the Egyptians and all these other countries have done that our government called inhumane and heavy handed. If a million or two Americans showed up around the Capitol one day these politicians would be cowering under their desks. If the throng were to go in and grab a couple of them and bring them out maybe, just maybe they and the rest might get the message that the people are fed up with their eletist attitudes and utter disregard for the average American that pays their salary.

Soldier's Dad, it is amazing that for the past several years we've paid their salaries to bicker and fight. To me that doesn't sound like doing their jobs properly and why should they be getting paid for arguing? The one thing that they can agree upon is the Patriot Act extension, in other words, a way to keep people in line for fear they will be labeled a terrorist. In truth they are the terrorists on the Hill.

go egyptian!! watch out, i'm goin eygptian!!

well not really, just on here, i guess. geez, now i wish i didn't open my mouth...

It's illegal because of federal revenue to law enforcement agencies. That scam went nationwide for decades.

If it did become legal half the cops would be unemployed, half the prisons would shut down, half the court systems would go bankrupt, along with court ordered drug classes. Cops would no longer be able to use the 'I smelled marijuana' routine to justify their illegal searches. Thats why it remains illegal.

It isn't too difficult to imagine that one of the various reasons it remains illegal in this present day and age is because of the enormous amount of profits realized by the suppliers of cannabis. Keep in mind that we're talking about a lot of money and a lot of money attracts a lot of powerful people. Powerful people with lots of money like to buy things that aren't easily acquired... Things like politicians. And if you don't think politicians aren't for sale, well then you haven't been paying much attention. Two things politicians absolutely love are - Money & Votes. They will tell you anything they know you want to hear in order to get your vote. They will also look the other way if it means more money in their pocket. One shouldn't dismiss the very possible probability that many politicians who publicly speakout against legalizing marijuana, not only indulge in it themselves, but may have also had a hand in making sure certain traffic lanes and shipments into this country are not closed. It all depends on who the highest bidder is (no pun intended) and what's in it for them. Otherwise, there isn't much logic behind why marijuana is still considered illegal. There's just too damn much untaxed money to be made off of it. If it were legalized and taxed like alcohol is, the money wouldn't be going directly into the politicians pockets! One could even use the example of Prohibition to see how that works. During Prohibition there wasn't a dry liquor cabinet in any politicians office, filing cabinet or desk drawer. It may not have been sitting out in plain view, but you can bet it got poured when their cronies were present

This goes way beyond just smoking it. The lumber, cotton, and petroleum industries are working had to keep it illegal in all applications.

Henry Ford was using hemp to make plastic cars and was also working on making bio fuel with it before it was made illegal.

Just imagine how far along we would be with a renewable source for fuel, lubricants, and plastics.

It also doesn't help that big pharmacy lobbies over 100 million a year to keep their highly addictive and impairing drugs the only ones allowed for use.

You are correct NYMike. If more people understood the reasons we have been lied to, maybe they would realize how urgent it is that we seize control of our country.

It's illegal because the liquor industry pays Congresscritters to keep it that way.

They know that if you could stop on the way home from work and buy a joint to smoke with your owner and wake up with no hangover you would not buy their booze.

Congresscritters should not wear suits in the Senate or House. They should wear jumpsuits with ads for their corporate sponsors like race car drivers.

Actually, you can thank racism for marijuana becoming illegal. When the Controlled Substances Act was presented to Congress in the 30's, the lead witness to make all of those drugs illegal, claimed that if theses drugs are legal, then the black men will use them, and it will make the black men schizophrenic to the point of going out to rape white girls, while under the influence of said drugs. Sad, but true. Marijuana, is the biggest cash crop in the world, and has been so since the 80's. It should be legalized and taxed, just like alcohol, and cigarettes.

Brent - What you say is true, but also the majority of the Governors pushing for making it illegal were from the southwest. Their belief was that if pot is made illegal the illegal Mexicans will go back home. That didn't seem to work out too well, now did it ?

Thunderproof - You're right. Just like in a dry county coming up to vote to make it wet, the ones screaming the loudest against it are the bootleggers who are selling it at three times the price it would be if the county was wet... Same principal applies here.

Too bad informed people like yourselves don't need to scream your points to make them sound true. Unfortunately, uninformed people with obfuscated data they claim as facts are unable to stay quiet long enough to listen...

Baddog...I disagree...legalizing MJ would allow law enforcement more time and money to go after meth labs, home invasion burglaries, auto theft, pedophiles and those committing more serious crimes...plus we would have the prison space to keep these criminals locked up longer. Locking good people up for MJ offenses only creates more criminals when they get out!

Anyone ever wonder why our politicians pass legislation and laws mandating drug tests?

..... And yet intentionally exempt themselves from those very same rules and regulations?

We've all heard the rumors of making it mandatory for drug testing of welfare and public assistance recipients, and many people seem to support that idea. Has anyone ever heard of making it a Federal mandate for Congress and Senate members to pass any kind of drug testing on a routine basis? Why not? Seems like a darn good place to start, wouldn't you agree? Besides, isn't it one of the cornerstones of good leadership to lead by setting a good example?

Thumbs up! ThunderProof. I agree. Our politicians should have the same rules and regulations. They should be tested.

Mitt Romnety should be ashamed anyway. He's a Wall Street Hedge Fund dude that made millions by forcing average Americans to pay more for everything.

Oh. The guy is a republican. My bad.

Twit Romney sets the new paradigm for Hypocrisy!

Voting Libertarian helps the the party of amoral a$$holes retain power and keeps progressive ideas bounded in boxes labeled fringe, social and such. Plus Libertarians ideals of no government would make the US into a third world country like Mexico or India.

talk about a scare tactic

"Libertarian" ='s "Teabooger"!

Wait a minute, a government-mandated drug test is adminstered to me when I apply to work for Target, but Congressmen and women don't have to take a drug test?

I gotta say, something does seem out of place there.

Yeah if you can't run a tractor down on the farm after puffing a little reefer, how are you supposed to run a country? Test them all!

Wouldn't help anyways. Booze and coke are out of your system in a few days.

catch the pricks on monday mornings

There wouldn't be anyone left. Wait... that's a good thing. Ever notice how the best laws are passed when they're in recess ?

Most doctors and even dentists have told me personally that smoking pot isn't really bad for you [better to vaporize] and they would recommend it for all kind's of uses. But because of the DEA they wouldn't go on record with that opinion. It just goes to show you we are in what is closer to a police state than a free nation and it's long past time for change.

I think it's great people want to use it for medical purposes but what we all should be doing as adults is fighting for it as a freedom issue. I quit smoking it a number of years ago for the most part though I feel I should have the right to grow,buy or use it if I wanted.

The government is just creating a black market and more crime..time to put a stop to all the waste of resources and put them to a better use instead of controlling people. One thing for sure if I'm ever homeless and without food all I would have to do is go smoke some pot in public in front of police and refuse to pay any fine and they would feed,clothe and house me. Do we have to do the whole "give me freedom or give me death" thing again? I could go on but I've said enough...

‎"Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" -Benjamin Franklin-

Because some people are not happy unless they are against something. Even if it defies all logic.

If you are in pain it's a safe bet that you are not happy. The degree of unhappiness can be directly related to the severity and length of the pain. You find that pot stops your pain allowing you to be happy again. This is protected by the constitution since we are all GUARANTEED the right to life, liberty, and THE PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS. End of story in my book.

Soldier's Dad, I really like your argument. Unfortunately, it makes too much sense and we all know about corporate decisions not makeing any sense. Then tie that to the corporate control of our elected officials, and then you start to understand why it isn't likely to become a reality. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying. I think eventually, pot will get legalized, just a matter of when.

Brent I agree that it will become legal AGAIN, just not sure when. With 16 states having enacted medical marijuana laws it is only a matter of time before the feds have to realize the will of the public. I also agree that this country has the best legislative system that money can buy.

Another avenue that I'm surprised no one has used (that I know of) as a defense in a pot possesion case is Roe v. Wade. I'm no lawyer and have to admit I haven't read the court's decision, but to my understanding that ruling basically stated that the federal government has no business telling a woman what she can or cannot do with her body. Since we all are guaranteed equal protection under the law regardless of race, sex, national origin, etc. that ruling should apply to us all, in that the federal government has no business telling any of us what we can or cannot do with our bodies.

I also agree that common sense and logic are concepts the feds have no grasp of.

Kyle, the research is out there. You just have to look. Example: Journal of Neurology had one last year..........I think it was April. In it, they found that pot reduced tumor size in the brain from 40% to 60%. That is a helluva lot more than any other known drug can do. They want to do more research. Hmm.......well, problem is, it is a schedule one drug. You know, like the poisons they cause much havac with in allowing studies to be done. You can want to do more research, but it is not cocaine. Now that one (cocaine) is a schedule two drug. Easier to get permission to do research, because being a schedule two, it is not considered by the government to be as bad for you as pot. Obviously, the government needs some education or some re-writing of their scheduling methods. Pot is not addictive. You can never overdose on pot. THC does not cause any disease so far as we know. Last I knew, the Journal of Neurology was a legitimate scientific reporter of the latest in neurology. There is another one, the Journal of Neuro oncology. You should see their latest last month on Alzheimer's. They can physically find the changes years before it happens due to MRI's. Science has advanced, but the government has not. Well, maybe not true.......maybe they have but as usual, they are still sold to the highest bidder with money, namely the corporations that want to keep pot out of business, to save their profits from being fettered.

Cheryl don't get me wrong, I'm a recreational user, pro-legalisation and I know about most of the facts related to recreational use through being able to see through propeganda and from my own personal use. However since our government does not allow research to be done "scientifically", I have major doubt in any studies or "research" that is current only beacuse I know that they are funded and carried out by biased organizations on both sides of the issue, and as a scientist myself I HATE bad science like this. Nearly all "studies" and "research" done by both sides are manipulated or skewed one way or the other, or the results cleverly "interpereted" to conclude one thing or another. Once the government allows legitimate research to be done I'll start taking it more seriously, and the fact the government doesn't allow legitimate research is one of the most ridiculous things about this whole issue, and needs to be corrected post-haste.

Kyle, fortunately most of the actual studies and research on marijuana have been done outside of this country. Their findings are easily accessible on the internet, one just has to look. It seems many of them were done in the Skandinavian countries, and a few other European countries. Just FYI.

Kyle, last time I knew, the Journal of Neurology was an established accepted scientific journal. It can hardly be considered lacking in scientific ideology or being terribly "skewed," as you put it. However, given the fact that the research is rare here in the U.S., I can understand your point that makes you suspicious. As to the claim that nearly all studies are "manipulated," "skewed," or "cleverly interpreted," I would claim that is true in a small degree to all research done here, there, or anywhere, in all scientific circles. Anyone in statistics can tell you it can be "skewed" a bit. However, there is also overwhelming evidence, that no matter how you skew it, it can not be written out. Here is to hoping the government does finally face up the the inevitable and changes the scheduling of marijuana to allow more research, and here is to it finally stopping lobbyists from ruling via the payment method which resources the American people can choose to access for their own well being. Here!! Here!! as she raises her hand.

Crazy about your friend...hope that turned out well! I am with you....still cannot understand why it is illegal..it is insane!!

Of course, Alan Dean: If they prefer some other drug, like morphine, the doctor should give them a perpetual prescription so they can make daily trips to the drug store to refill it.

This is all a corporate scam.....if you have to use THEIR DRUGS you can be forced to pay through the a$$ for them........but if you can grow your own.......

Alan Dean, I'm sure you'll get the references here. While I do not think Flinx would partake much, due to his abilities, Jon Tom likely would as it would probably enhance his abilities. LOL!!!

When that movie came out, they were also saying that if your daughter smoked it, it would make her date a black man. That is how incredibly ignorant people were and some still are to this day.

See my first post above for a bit more clarification.

grandall, I think too many politicians have seen the regular payments their big industries make and not much frickin else as evidenced by where our congress is today in keeping up with the needs of the average, the 95% not 5% voter.

According to the movie "Reefer Madness", it impairs one's ability to play the piano and they also act remarkably strange while doing so! ; )~

I can't play the piano and I act strangely. And I'm not even high.

Some Marijuana and Hemp reform bills have been introduced in congress this year. We have to hope they don't get hung up in committee, and get voted for.

Actually, laws such as this have been changed in the past -- and it can probably be done again.

Looking at history, Prohibition. It was started by a "grassroots" drive -- and ended the same way.

Changing the voting age to 18 -- that changed during the Vietnam war from a "people's demand". Kids were drafted for war, yet not allowed to vote for the politicians who sent them there.

The drinking age raised to 21. Another grassroots effort, mostly by MADD. Personally, I think it should be reversed.

At any rate, there is a history of laws being changed from a grassroot effort -- and I think it's still possible.

why should this be governmental grown ? What inspires you to entrust and expect that the government can can not screw up a wet dream? Let it grow in ditches first or in your garden or are you ready to give up that freedom too? like it did for the first 150 years of our nation.

Actually bluepanther20 I had the same problem but found that there are only certain strains of cannabis that effectively treat nausea. Trust me there are at least 5 that come to my mind. People sometimes think all "weed" is the same, it's not.

Great comment and it's true all of you statistic freaks feel free to Google it. Also all the people that are against legalization are all sauce-heads knee deep in the Juice. I drank very heavily for about 15yrs from a.m. to p.m. had three seizures in a feeble attempt to quit. Ruined my life, marriage and almost my job, I went into detox on Sept. 19, 2005 and haven't looked back since almost 6yrs of sobriety. And I'm here to tell you I feel 100% better mind is clear and focused and body is healing from all that poison. I now partake which should be my right. it's OK for some fatazz redneck to get off work and pick up some cold beer at the local convenience store and as soon as his Fatazz hits the seat his got one popped open and sucking it down. But God forbid if I spark one up in my vehicle and get pulled over they will snatch me out of my vehicle slam me on the ground and cuff me like I carjacked someone talking about a double standard. All you ant-weed narrow minded pukes get over it with your Bible gripping hypocrisy.

alcohol also kills more than illicit drug use and cancer...and all the others you mentioned...combined.

Amen brother.

I 2nd the notion.

Cat that's so true. The passage you quote is from Genesis on the first page of the Bible. Those that stand to lose the most are those who manufacture the drugs that, if they don't kill you MIGHT make you better, at ridiculously outrageous prices to buy the side effects of their man made poison.

I'm going to go with sarcasm on that one because the opposite is just to repugnant to contemplate.

I'm sure Ranman87 will keep to that notion, all the way up to the time that he is considered a senior citizen, and then he/she will change their mind.

Ranman87 - I think it would be best if abortion were retroactive.

Soldier's Dad, LMAO!!

Ranman is kidding. Relax. Smoke a bowl.

Nice notion. Opium is a plant too.

Opium yes, it comes from the poppy plant, which everyone grows in their yards, because the flowers are so beautiful!!!!!

Guess we should all start smoking our yard flowers, will they make that illlegal if we do?

Don't believe opium is derived from the average everyday garden variety of Poppy flower.

Heard if one eats enough rolls with poppy seeds on them, they'll test positive for opiate use.

Either that or someone to change their Depends more frequently! : )

Give me the weed and I'll change my own diapers... thank you!!

Oh like the Government hasn't screwed up before. They missed the boat on this one too.

At least in an HOA you get to vote on it.

Other dennis - it's not a government question. It's not the law preventing them from growing it in the garden, it's just the community.

Jonathan - Didn't the article state that the governing body did vote? Maybe I misread.

I mean "we the people" get to vote on it. Not some committee. I didn't see anywhere in the article that the community as a whole got to vote on it.

The community elects the board to enact desicions for them. Not every person gets to, or needs to, vote on every single issue. While it does not state, I would imagine the residents were allowed to voice their individual opinions to the board if they so chose. Sounds like a pretty familiar set-up, now that I think about it.

grow it in your backyard - it's medical marijuana, get a card! keep the nosy neighbors and hoa out - it's your backyard

Absolutely, monnie. The article mentions that some are doing that very thing. If they want the ability to grow it in the community garden, work to elect someone to the board who agrees with their stance and get the rule changed. Better yet, they run for the board themselves.

Dennis, I think I'm with you on this. I also think it should be legalized -- definitely for medical and at the least decriminalized for the rest.

However, this property was JOINTLY owned by the entire group and some were concerned with the legality of growing marijuana -- especially if the feds cracked down on them, they could ALL be liable.

The is no objection on the users growing on their privately owned property from what I gathered in the article.

Don't get me started on fascist HOA's.

If you don't like HOA's, then buy a place without one. You HAVE a choice!

I disagree to a point on that one Beth-440386. Namely, I am thinking of Assisted living facilities. Do you know of any that can be bought into without a HOA? There is no choice there. Well, except for the choice of an individual being wealthy enough to hire all of his own needed services individually on his privately owned and operated home not located in a subdivision with a HOA. The middle class are a dying breed in this country, and the wealthy are a very small percentage of the population able to do hire everyone on their own for their own house. So, I would say the choice is not really there for almost all of America.

Cheryl -- assisted living facilities are a very small portion of available housing. I highly doubt "Severed Head" was discussing THOSE. More likely he/she bought into a condo or "gated" area and now has to live with the consequences.

And actually, HOAs tend to be in the wealthier communities -- not the middle class.

HOA's are hard to avoid. They are everywhere. I got lucky and found a nice house that is on the border between two... so not a member of either.

I would not live in an HOA development if they paid me! Yuck! Thank god we have that choice!

People who love living in 'gated communities' or fancy 'garden apartment' arrangements with home owner associations (HOAs) are usually the ones who joined the student council or the Young Republican Club in high school. They are typical 'followers' who have a fetish about being told what they can or cannot do.

I had a minor case of that affliction but then I joined the military and that knocked that right out of me after the Viet Nam thing. I saw how being a chronic follower can get you into some really unhealthy messes. Nope I gave up being a 'sheeple,' as someone on the vine called them, a long long time ago.

HOAs are simply a collection of compulsive conformists so unless you are a mindless robot I don't recommend that you voluntarily join one. LOL Actually if you take the time to look about you there are a plethora of groups and organizations that fill that bill perfectly. A few of them do at least leave you a little bit of leash so that you can express yourself just a little now and again. But don't get too carried away. LOL

actually, i would join if it was a stoner HOA...now there's a thought...

What's the medicinal of tobacco and alcohol?

well, whenever i'm having trouble sleeping liquor usually helps. or guilty. if you're feeling guilty about something, drink some bourbon. bourbon will rub that s**t right out.

As with the amendment to prohibit alcohol, should it not be a constitutional amendment? The arguments are the same, the fundamental law (the constitution) has not changed (in the pertinent aspects). Why is it the Fed can now (yes it has been 50-60 years) dictate by fiat what we the people can do vs what seems to have required a constitutional convention??

What is the impact of people on "pot"?

1. an increased sale of "munchies" - good for the economy.

2. No difference if they drive (slower than the speed limit) vs those under the influence of alcohol (who have a higher level of angst [read that road rage])

3. yeah, a bit slower in comprehension in the consistently high level user range (like alcohol).

4. more "mellow" (less likely to get into a fight) than those on say, alcohol (or a sports high).

5. Make it legal and tax it like oh, cigarettes or alcohol and boost the economy from the sales and taxes.

6. make it legal and empty many prison/jail cells freeing up funds for those who do REAL harm to society.

The point being, it is not what one does, but how and when one does it. I don't care (nor should any one else) if you get high/drunk at home, or at a friend's house. Don't drive home like that. Don't work like that (anywhere but at your own home). We, as a people, should not care so long as you do not affect us directly.

If it helps you deal with your cancer GREAT! If it helps you be a better person due to your depression, WONDERFUL! It enhances your life and that of those around you. Can you work at your job effectively? WONDERFUL!!! It is not our business, nor that of the government to interfere with your pursuit of happiness so long as it does not negatively affect the lives of others.

How much money is wasted chasing, trying, incarcerating those who who just "want to stop the pain of cancer" or "have a buzz different from alcohol"?

Alcohol kills the liver. Pot kills the desire to do harm?

I don't use it, don't want to - but I see no reason for a heavy handed approach to something which I find causes no harm. I have known many in my life who used it and NOT ONE got into a fight or stole or caused ANY problems to society while they did. Can't say that for those who were (or were never) drunk or stoned on pot.

Rockwall, in response to your question:

"How much money is wasted chasing, trying, incarcerating those who who just "want to stop the pain of cancer" or "have a buzz different from alcohol"?"

I'll give the example of myself:

I was once "busted" in a traffic stop right after a purchase for 1/8 oz of middle-quality marijuana (I don't drive while intoxicated by anyhing, so I was taking it home to smoke). The bust took about two hours. Present the whole or most of the time were about 10 officers, at least two of which were detective rank meaning they make more money than the other cops present. I would estimate that there were 3 vehicles idling (engine, air conditioning, many electronics all on) for the whole duration, and 2 or 3 more idling for most of the duration. I was "let go" with instructions to call the narc. After a few conversations and meetings it became clear to the narc that I was not interested in being any kind of informant, and the whole thing was dropped.

How much did the man-hours cost? How much did the fuel cost? How much did it cost to get all the paperwork done by people in the office?

I don't know, but I'm sure its quite a lot especially since they got nothing in return for it. Even if I had been arrested, carted off to prison, fined and released, the fine would probably have been only a few hundred dollars, NOWHERE NEAR the cost of all that.

So I think that's a pretty good answer: A LOT!