I'm going to weigh in and say, "Probably not".. but very, very soon.. Medical sience should have found a way of creating the exact same results and perhaps even using the same materials. That'll take all the fun out of it eh?.. Some folks are still confused. (I guess Pot makes them that way) just because you have a 'permit' to smoke the stuff.. endangering others while under the influence is still against the law.. be it vicodine, pot, or booze.. got to jail, don't collect $200.
For the past three decades, Uncle Sam has been providing a handful of patients with some of the highest grade marijuana around. The program grew out of a 1976 court settlement that created the country's first legal pot smoker.
I'll admit that I stopped reading responses to this poll over a week ago when it becamse clear that nothing productive was happening, yet people were still talking.
You may have answered this previously, so bear with me. Do you have concrete data which suggests that the law in its current form is being abused, or are you operating under the assumption that it is?
Also, has any brought up the idea that perhaps the initial proposal was vague for a reason? For somebody who has previously stated (on other poll comments) that there is too much regulation of businesses, I find it kind of ironic that you're now stating that there's not enough regulation.
I think that, in this instance, the best answer is to take more regulations away. People who want to smoke pot are going to do so one way or another, no matter how tight or loose regulations are. So, why waste taxpayer money fighting an obviously losing battle against something that just isn't that bad when compared to
The problem with a debate about it is I have already admitted that pot has some beneficial effects in certain conditions. The debate would be over right there. This isn't the issue as much as the easy access to medical pot. It is being abused and needs to be fixed period.
JERRYG- Not to keep this going but you can't argue that life expectancy increases are due to diet and exercise when we are in a obesity epidemic. The very reason for the whole health food push in schools and such isn't because kids are already healthy. You're correct in that most prescription medications treat not cure, however some do and can cure, chemotherapy medications for instance. This arguement is moot in terms of deciding benefits of pot over prescription medications as pot doesn't cure either. Pot is in essence a poor treatment for symptoms or at best a weak adjuvant to prescription medications. Either way, it is not a cure to any condition that I know of.
Vauche...Are you interested in taking part in holding a public debate on the medical value of cannabis? How about you form a five member panel and I will form one as well to debate the merits of this disucussion. Maybe we can get the Daily Press to host this debate. As far as prescriptions being the reason people are living longer. Doesn't really hold water, life expectancy increases are most likely due to people being aware of the importance of diet and exercise. Prescription drugs are designed to TREAT illnesses, not cure them. That is a result of greed not due to the lack of ability to actually cure disease.
smoking bud is a waste of time, it'll getcha a DUI, the "patients" are abusing it, but that dank bud smells so good! love the aroma, dislike the effects.
Zerocool- Yes there's some potential in THC for certain conditions, I believe I've already agreed to that. However, the main thing to take from what you posted is the word MAY. This in itself is inconclusive, like most of the studies done on marijuana. Therefore, marijuana may not be as safe as you all think.
MikeDavis- the very fact that life expectancy has increase over the last 60yrs is proof that prescription medications have saved many lives. The fact that a heart attack and many cancers used to be a death sentence but now many are curable is proof that prescription medications have saved many lives. How many lives has marijuana SAVED? I would argue none. If you say other wise it's your turn to show some proof!
For all those that want proof, google it. I provided some evidence earlier and all I got was anybody can put up articles about the bad of pot. So do your own research before you come spouting off that marijuana is completely and utterly safe just because nothing bad has happened to you or someone you know. I know tons of people who take prescription medications and nothing bad has ever happened to them so what, are prescription medications completely safe then?
In a review of the research published last fall, University of Colorado molecular biologist Robert Melamede, PhD, concluded that the THC in cannabis seems to lessen the tumor-promoting properties of marijuana smoke.
The nicotine in tobacco has been shown to inhibit the destruction of cancer-causing cells, Melamede tells WebMD. THC does not appear to do this and may even do the opposite.
While two-pack-a-day or more cigarette smokers were found to have a 20-fold increase in lung cancer risk, no elevation in risk was seen for even the very heaviest marijuana smokers.
The more tobacco a person smoked, the greater their risk of developing lung cancer and other cancers of the head and neck. But people who smoked more marijuana were not at increased risk compared with people who smoked less and people who didn’t smoke at all.
total of 611 lung cancer patients living in Los Angeles County, and 601 patients with other cancers of the head and neck were compared with 1,040 people without cancer matched for age, sex, and the neighborhood they lived in.
All the participants were asked about lifetime use of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as other drugs, their diets, occupation, family history of lung cancer, and socioeconomic status.
The heaviest marijuana users in the study had smoked more than 22,000 joints, while moderately heavy smokers had smoked between 11,000 and 22,000 joints
Vauche, There is no problem separating the home and public in terms of pot use. Here in NY, pot is decriminalized AS LONG as it's kept out of public view. I would really like to see "plenty of evidence that it isn't completely safe", but be warned I know the difference between propaganda and science. According to the FBI, marijuana arrests now comprise more than one-half (52 percent) of all drug arrests in the United States. An estimated 46 percent of all drug arrests are for offenses related to marijuana possession. And yet do you feel any safer? I wonder how many lives were lost because our police weren't where they should have been: protecting the public?! I know for a fact that the harm prohibition inflicts upon society is far worse than any harm smoking a joint causes society.
Vauche, Like JerryG, I'm also awaiting your "proof" of the harm marijuana causes. First, what statistics do you have to share regarding your claim that prescriptions have done society more good than harm? I would argue that big pharma has done far more ill than good and the evidence is right in front of you when you watch commercials on TV. Instead of doctors telling you what you should consider in terms of treatment, we now have for-profit drug companies advertising directly to the patient. Let's be clear on something: there is a big conflict of interests when money and health compete against, or become dependent, of one another. Now Vauche, let me ask you this: what's more accessible (ceteris paribus) to the public, prescription drugs that are tightly controlled and regulated, or a bag of weed? Isn't it easier for a kid to buy pot from an unregulated black market, than it is to buy beer from the local county market? So what have we learned from the current pot pr
This law was overwhelmingly approved by the voters of this state. The governing officials should be doing everything they can to fix the holes in the law, not everything they can to thwart the will of the people.
A demographic study of pot smokers would show use at all levels of society including doctors, lawyers, teachers and other professionals. The study would also show current or past use by most of the members of our elected government and law enforcement. I suspect that the same study done on alcohol would show the same penetration at all levels of society though at much greater numbers of those affected and at a much higher overall cost to society.
It is ridiculous that the emphasis by conservatives in government continues to be an attack on pot while the voters clearly approved medical marijuana in the State of Michigan. In fact, the voters approved a measure that allowed relatively easy access to the drug. Now conservatives are attacking what the voters have approved.
The continued prohibitionist approach to marijuana has done much more harm than good and we need to change the direction of our legislators and law enforcement. We have bigger issues to deal with in the State
Mike-What are you talking about? Bottom line on prescription medications is they have saved far more people than they have harmed. They have extended the life of far more people than not. Are they completely safe, NO, bad things do happen never said they didn't.
This whole thread is like talking to a brick wall. It doesn't comprehend either. Not sure anyone, I mean me, said there was any death solely attributed to pot, why does this keep coming up?
JerryG- Pot is very much in the public. My wife sees it coming in every day, it isn't very hard to tell or smell. Usually a dazed and confused look and very slow on the uptake. So I'll tell you what, you google pot and cognitive ability or impairment and see what you get.
What I would find interesting is a study done on the economic status of pot users. Where do the majority of users fall in the realm of our "class system". What kind of income do the make? Stuff like that, would be interesting.
I am in absolute agreement with Jerry G...Where is the trail of death that is normally associated with prescription drugs and alcohol? Show us one link to a "marijuana only" death that wasnt related to prohibition. If there was, wouldn't you think it would be paraded all over news media? Find the truth...
Please direct me to where I can find these reports that you are mentioning. Just don't refer to a report that was done by someone named DuPont. I am interested in what drives the anti cannabis crowd and where they come up with their information.
JERRYG- There's plenty of evidence that it isn't completely safe and there's also plenty of evidence that it effects cordination and cognitive ability in the short term if you belive nothing else. These are studies from the universities and medical facilities around the globe. While no cases of overdose have been reported when used by itself it can in combination lead to serious consequences. The simple fact remains, keeping it in the home and out of the public is the problem with legalization.
Vauche, I am waiting to hear proof that shows cannabis is dangerous. The only dangers associated with it stems from the enforcement of laws against it. Considering there has never been one overdose from cannabis IN HISTORY, one is hard pressed to present a viable arguement against it. Eliminate the meritless claims generated through DuPont and Hearst's "Reefer Madness" and then begin a serious debate. I would support public debates and or town hall meetings for people to bring about their concerns. It's time to re-legaiize cannabis and put a system in place to bring in much needed revenues to our struggling county and city coffers. The medical marijuana law hasn't led to an increased use. Although it has allowed for a better quality to be available for those who have been able to find medical relief from it.
EStacey
I'm going to weigh in and say, "Probably not".. but very, very soon.. Medical sience should have found a way of creating the exact same results and perhaps even using the same materials. That'll take all the fun out of it eh?.. Some folks are still confused. (I guess Pot makes them that way) just because you have a 'permit' to smoke the stuff.. endangering others while under the influence is still against the law.. be it vicodine, pot, or booze.. got to jail, don't collect $200.
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zerocool
For the past three decades, Uncle Sam has been providing a handful of patients with some of the highest grade marijuana around. The program grew out of a 1976 court settlement that created the country's first legal pot smoker.
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BryanJSebeck
I still dislike these 1000 character limits.
...other drugs and substances that are legal, regulated, and abused?
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BryanJSebeck
Vauche,
I'll admit that I stopped reading responses to this poll over a week ago when it becamse clear that nothing productive was happening, yet people were still talking.
You may have answered this previously, so bear with me. Do you have concrete data which suggests that the law in its current form is being abused, or are you operating under the assumption that it is?
Also, has any brought up the idea that perhaps the initial proposal was vague for a reason? For somebody who has previously stated (on other poll comments) that there is too much regulation of businesses, I find it kind of ironic that you're now stating that there's not enough regulation.
I think that, in this instance, the best answer is to take more regulations away. People who want to smoke pot are going to do so one way or another, no matter how tight or loose regulations are. So, why waste taxpayer money fighting an obviously losing battle against something that just isn't that bad when compared to
1 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Vauche
The problem with a debate about it is I have already admitted that pot has some beneficial effects in certain conditions. The debate would be over right there. This isn't the issue as much as the easy access to medical pot. It is being abused and needs to be fixed period.
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Vauche
JERRYG- Not to keep this going but you can't argue that life expectancy increases are due to diet and exercise when we are in a obesity epidemic. The very reason for the whole health food push in schools and such isn't because kids are already healthy. You're correct in that most prescription medications treat not cure, however some do and can cure, chemotherapy medications for instance. This arguement is moot in terms of deciding benefits of pot over prescription medications as pot doesn't cure either. Pot is in essence a poor treatment for symptoms or at best a weak adjuvant to prescription medications. Either way, it is not a cure to any condition that I know of.
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JERRYG
Vauche...Are you interested in taking part in holding a public debate on the medical value of cannabis? How about you form a five member panel and I will form one as well to debate the merits of this disucussion. Maybe we can get the Daily Press to host this debate. As far as prescriptions being the reason people are living longer. Doesn't really hold water, life expectancy increases are most likely due to people being aware of the importance of diet and exercise. Prescription drugs are designed to TREAT illnesses, not cure them. That is a result of greed not due to the lack of ability to actually cure disease.
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
BallsDeep
smoking bud is a waste of time, it'll getcha a DUI, the "patients" are abusing it, but that dank bud smells so good! love the aroma, dislike the effects.
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Vauche
Zerocool- Yes there's some potential in THC for certain conditions, I believe I've already agreed to that. However, the main thing to take from what you posted is the word MAY. This in itself is inconclusive, like most of the studies done on marijuana. Therefore, marijuana may not be as safe as you all think.
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Vauche
MikeDavis- the very fact that life expectancy has increase over the last 60yrs is proof that prescription medications have saved many lives. The fact that a heart attack and many cancers used to be a death sentence but now many are curable is proof that prescription medications have saved many lives. How many lives has marijuana SAVED? I would argue none. If you say other wise it's your turn to show some proof!
For all those that want proof, google it. I provided some evidence earlier and all I got was anybody can put up articles about the bad of pot. So do your own research before you come spouting off that marijuana is completely and utterly safe just because nothing bad has happened to you or someone you know. I know tons of people who take prescription medications and nothing bad has ever happened to them so what, are prescription medications completely safe then?
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zerocool
In a review of the research published last fall, University of Colorado molecular biologist Robert Melamede, PhD, concluded that the THC in cannabis seems to lessen the tumor-promoting properties of marijuana smoke.
The nicotine in tobacco has been shown to inhibit the destruction of cancer-causing cells, Melamede tells WebMD. THC does not appear to do this and may even do the opposite.
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
zerocool
While two-pack-a-day or more cigarette smokers were found to have a 20-fold increase in lung cancer risk, no elevation in risk was seen for even the very heaviest marijuana smokers.
The more tobacco a person smoked, the greater their risk of developing lung cancer and other cancers of the head and neck. But people who smoked more marijuana were not at increased risk compared with people who smoked less and people who didn’t smoke at all.
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zerocool
total of 611 lung cancer patients living in Los Angeles County, and 601 patients with other cancers of the head and neck were compared with 1,040 people without cancer matched for age, sex, and the neighborhood they lived in.
All the participants were asked about lifetime use of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as other drugs, their diets, occupation, family history of lung cancer, and socioeconomic status.
The heaviest marijuana users in the study had smoked more than 22,000 joints, while moderately heavy smokers had smoked between 11,000 and 22,000 joints
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Factb4Truth
Vauche, There is no problem separating the home and public in terms of pot use. Here in NY, pot is decriminalized AS LONG as it's kept out of public view. I would really like to see "plenty of evidence that it isn't completely safe", but be warned I know the difference between propaganda and science. According to the FBI, marijuana arrests now comprise more than one-half (52 percent) of all drug arrests in the United States. An estimated 46 percent of all drug arrests are for offenses related to marijuana possession. And yet do you feel any safer? I wonder how many lives were lost because our police weren't where they should have been: protecting the public?! I know for a fact that the harm prohibition inflicts upon society is far worse than any harm smoking a joint causes society.
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Factb4Truth
*...so what have we learned from the current pot prohibition?*
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Factb4Truth
Vauche, Like JerryG, I'm also awaiting your "proof" of the harm marijuana causes. First, what statistics do you have to share regarding your claim that prescriptions have done society more good than harm? I would argue that big pharma has done far more ill than good and the evidence is right in front of you when you watch commercials on TV. Instead of doctors telling you what you should consider in terms of treatment, we now have for-profit drug companies advertising directly to the patient. Let's be clear on something: there is a big conflict of interests when money and health compete against, or become dependent, of one another. Now Vauche, let me ask you this: what's more accessible (ceteris paribus) to the public, prescription drugs that are tightly controlled and regulated, or a bag of weed? Isn't it easier for a kid to buy pot from an unregulated black market, than it is to buy beer from the local county market? So what have we learned from the current pot pr
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MikeDavis
This law was overwhelmingly approved by the voters of this state. The governing officials should be doing everything they can to fix the holes in the law, not everything they can to thwart the will of the people.
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HotSpot128
A demographic study of pot smokers would show use at all levels of society including doctors, lawyers, teachers and other professionals. The study would also show current or past use by most of the members of our elected government and law enforcement. I suspect that the same study done on alcohol would show the same penetration at all levels of society though at much greater numbers of those affected and at a much higher overall cost to society.
It is ridiculous that the emphasis by conservatives in government continues to be an attack on pot while the voters clearly approved medical marijuana in the State of Michigan. In fact, the voters approved a measure that allowed relatively easy access to the drug. Now conservatives are attacking what the voters have approved.
The continued prohibitionist approach to marijuana has done much more harm than good and we need to change the direction of our legislators and law enforcement. We have bigger issues to deal with in the State
1 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Vauche
Mike-What are you talking about? Bottom line on prescription medications is they have saved far more people than they have harmed. They have extended the life of far more people than not. Are they completely safe, NO, bad things do happen never said they didn't.
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Vauche
This whole thread is like talking to a brick wall. It doesn't comprehend either. Not sure anyone, I mean me, said there was any death solely attributed to pot, why does this keep coming up?
JerryG- Pot is very much in the public. My wife sees it coming in every day, it isn't very hard to tell or smell. Usually a dazed and confused look and very slow on the uptake. So I'll tell you what, you google pot and cognitive ability or impairment and see what you get.
What I would find interesting is a study done on the economic status of pot users. Where do the majority of users fall in the realm of our "class system". What kind of income do the make? Stuff like that, would be interesting.
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Mikemchaney
I am in absolute agreement with Jerry G...Where is the trail of death that is normally associated with prescription drugs and alcohol? Show us one link to a "marijuana only" death that wasnt related to prohibition. If there was, wouldn't you think it would be paraded all over news media? Find the truth...
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JERRYG
Vauche are you saying that cannabis isn't in the "public" now?
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JERRYG
Please direct me to where I can find these reports that you are mentioning. Just don't refer to a report that was done by someone named DuPont. I am interested in what drives the anti cannabis crowd and where they come up with their information.
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Vauche
JERRYG- There's plenty of evidence that it isn't completely safe and there's also plenty of evidence that it effects cordination and cognitive ability in the short term if you belive nothing else. These are studies from the universities and medical facilities around the globe. While no cases of overdose have been reported when used by itself it can in combination lead to serious consequences. The simple fact remains, keeping it in the home and out of the public is the problem with legalization.
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
JERRYG
Vauche, I am waiting to hear proof that shows cannabis is dangerous. The only dangers associated with it stems from the enforcement of laws against it. Considering there has never been one overdose from cannabis IN HISTORY, one is hard pressed to present a viable arguement against it. Eliminate the meritless claims generated through DuPont and Hearst's "Reefer Madness" and then begin a serious debate. I would support public debates and or town hall meetings for people to bring about their concerns. It's time to re-legaiize cannabis and put a system in place to bring in much needed revenues to our struggling county and city coffers. The medical marijuana law hasn't led to an increased use. Although it has allowed for a better quality to be available for those who have been able to find medical relief from it.
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »