masterrig

If you ignore the mind-altering part and the fact that it's a very resilient plant, hemp is anything but a weed. It's a very useful crop and it's a bloody shame it's outlawed because some idiots think it causes reefer madness in anyone that comes close to it. Common hemp is substantially different in regards to THC level. That's one reason it is a Class-I drug. Chuck

No, if they break the law under influence, drive a car for instance, they should be punished for that behavior. Not the substance usage but whatever criminal behavior they engaged in. However they should obviously get help for their substance abuse during their incarceration, if the crime leads to that, but the substance abuse alone shouldn't result in jail time. I believe that legalization would reduce the amount of property crimes related to acquiring drug money since the main reason why drugs are expensive is the fact that they're illegal. Before the 2nd WW you could buy heroin from the pharmacy to use as a cough suppressant. And Cannabis for instance is literally a weed, it'll grow with fairly minimal effort if you don't have to worry about legal consequences of growing it. Cocaine was at one time an ingredient in 'Coca' Cola. I've personally known young people who would not work but chose to commit car burglaries to get dope money. One kid did it to get spray paint! I had a neighbor kid like that. He's in the federal pen now on a stolen gun charge. Doesn't seem to me that 'cheap drugs' would make a difference to those more willing to steal than hold-down a job. Also, Everyone says tax drugs so, adding taxes onto the 'base' price of dope is going to keep the price up. Like cigarettes or beer. With the demand what it is, I really don't see the price dropping. Don't you think that legal sellers would want to get the same money the cartels get? Chuck

Thank you. I really do, try to keep an open mind about things. I can appreciate your side on the matter. I enjoy learning other's views. Chuck

I've seen people ruin themselves with alcohol and what have you but I don't think that outlawing and banning everything is the solution. I've never understood why, as I don't use anything personally, but for some reason people want to use various substances. And since they're going to do it regardless of if it is illegal or not there will be people who sell and distribute these things. Therefore I would prefer that instead of giving criminals a chance to make a lot of money off of peoples vices I'd rather have a proper government controlled entity doing the providing. Because then it would be easier to offer these people help with dealing their addictions. I'd much rather see that people with substance abuse problems would be treated as people needing help rather then being treated like criminals and be sent to jail. If, they break the law while under the influence should they just have to go to re-hab so they won't be treated as criminals? Would legalization of dope reduce the number of break-ins, car burglaries and armed robberies so someone can get drug money? Not all drug users always have the money to make a purchase. Chuck

That's not how the Constitution works. The only reason the Bill of Rights was added is because some of the Framers wanted to make sure that certain rights were unquestionable. That doesn't mean that anything not listed in the Constitution is not your right. It was just explained to me, it falls under 'the persuit of happiness'. If, that's what people feel is their happiness, fine. It's just not mine. Just because I don't agree with something doesn't mean someone else can't dis-agree. People are allowed their opinion. I see too many negatives with dope and booze and others see too many positives. Some folks just have to learn the hard way. Chuck

Everyone has their own opinion of what happiness is. Let them persue all they want. That's fine... till it hurts someone else and it will. Chuck

I try to stay informed as well as the next guy. Actually witnessing something has a big effect on a person. I had to learn the hard way and have been sober for over 16-yrs. I'm not trying to sound like some 'reformed alky' but I can see the bad side of getting screwed-up. I'm not saying noone can do dope or booze, I just can't see any benefits. If, someone wants to screw themselves up, that's their choice. Let them face the consequences of their actions. On the bright side... look at all the jobs created by the construction of re-hab clinics. Chuck

Yes, and Yes. And others see no value in skydiving. Still others see no value in allowing you to own a firearm. Others see no value in domesticating horses for 'sport'. Just because YOU don't 'see it' does not mean that you are not stepping on others rights. I'm not stepping on anyone's rights. I have yet to see in our constitution or bill of rights, giving someone the right to get high. Just because you want it doesn't mean you're entitled or have the right to do so. Doing dope or booze is a choice not a right. Robbing a bank is not a right it's a choice. Chuck

I'm sorry, I left out booze. To answer your question... yes. I can't see defending alchohol either. Chuck

Those personal experiences are good 'food for thought'. I always thought one could learn from someone slse's mistakes. Which would you consider the best way to form an opinion? Chuck

Weed has been shown to lower blood sugar in diabetics. Weed has been shown to help with chronic pain. Weed has been shown to help glaucoma. There are PLENTY of medical uses for 'speed'. But even larger than that.... An individual should be allowed to do pretty much whatever they please as long as they do not hurt another individual. A person wants to smoke pot and is not hurting anyone? Great! A person wants to carry a gun and is not using it but for lawful SD? Great! A person wants to sleep with a person of the same sex willingly? None of anyone else's business. So if a person wants to drink and is not hurting anyone, or wants to snort coke and is not hurting anyone, or wants to carry a gun and is not hurting anyone.... They should be allowed. They lose the right to do as they please when their actions affect others. On welfare? Well you are taking tax money. Stealing to pay for your habit? Well, you are a criminal for theft. In a perfect world. Sadly, good people have to pay for someone else's screw-ups. Too often, drunks, dopers, what have you, tend to involve others with ugly results. Someone here said that weed is detrimental to the developement of young minds. Weed is the most popular among young people. Have you ever been around someone on speed? coke? I have and all I wanted to do was get the hell away from them... which I did. They had been doing it 'alone'. I'm sorry but I just can't see any value in dope and can see no sense in defending it. Chuck

I just base my thinking on what I have seen in my lifetime. I've lost friends over the years to dope who used it in moderation till that one time they got carried away...literally. They were just recreational users. Yeah, I guess I am very negative about dope. Chuck

In thinking aabout it, the difference I see is that the activities you mention have long been accepted and are legal. Chuck

I can see the use of them for surveillance and observation along our borders to aid those on the ground to apprehend dope runners. For killing? No! To much room for 'error'. Chuck

Nanook beat me to it. Chuck

Why doesn't the FDA approve it then? As big as they are, they could surely get it accepted as beneficial. Chuck

...and football, baseball, soccer, hockey, tennis, fishing, hunting... Chuck

There ya' go! It's all about the money and getting wasted! Chuck

Absolutely! I whole-heartedly agree with you. Chuck

It makes the users miserable life seem not so bad. To me, I see it as self-centered behavior and a 'don't give a shit' attitude about anyone else as long as they get their daily fix. Chuck

I can understand that. It's just a damned shame there is such a demand for something that has absolutely no redeeming value, that I can see. Why people want to screw themselves up is beyond me. Yet, it appears to be among the 'freedoms' in this country. Chuck

There's no telling what a 'reasonable man' would do in that situation. Any of us who are fathers would probably lose it for a brief time. Chuck

I wasn't aware of the classification of illicit drugs. Thanks! Let me ask this, not just of you but anyone who cares to respond to this. Point-out to me, one truly good thing about coke, weed, speed, 'horse', any of it. Just one redeeming point. Chuck

I've never heard or read where weed is considered more dangerous than coke or heroin. That not to say that someone hasn't said that. I would put the effects of weed in about the same catagory as alchohol. Still, not good. I've seen, on a personal level what coke can do to a perfectly good person and it ain't pretty. Like alchohol, users all feel that they can 'handle' it. No matter what the drug of choice is. The reality is much different. Chuck