Your opinion on marijuana?

J'villeJags (5/16/2008)

Nothing wrong with smoking. I used to smoke out quite frequently but I have broken the "habit" for good, for a few personal reasons.

CowboyBarry, I'll throw an opinion out there, but I will say that I'm not here to start any nonsense. I think it should be legal for those who wish to partake in the activities. Some of the reasons for it being banned in the first place are ridiculous, or at least the reasons I've heard.. For example, it will cause Reefer Madness!! Not everyone who smokes is a hippie, or a crazy person. In fact, of the ones I know, are quite the opposite -- introverted, but "normal" people. They aren't looking for trouble; they just want to relax. It just makes you feel good, and personally, I enjoy feeling good. BUT one of the main negatives I see of it is the public perception. Until it is legalized, it's not exactly something that looks good on your record. I don't know if it ever will be. Stereotyping is common when referring to "pot-heads."

I have read where mary jane is linked to teen depression and even suicidal thoughts, according to some study done by the White House. Do you think a negative public perception is helping these teen's depression? I wouldn't think so. Most teens just want to be accepted, and if they aren't accepted for who they are, as a "pot-smoking teen," then that in itself could be a big part of the depression and anxiety -- not necessarily the THC. Most adults have already passed the phase of wanting to be accepted. They are comfortable with who they are. That's why it's not really an issue with them. JMO.

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press08/050908.html

If teens are taking marijuana as an anti-depressant, and it's only causing their depression to get worse, then what is the point in Medical Marijuana? Is it just teens that suffer from this? Why wouldn't MM users experience the same? I am not too familiar with MM. I know it's very potent, but I've never been around it. Just curious.

Tobacco and alcohol aren't any less harmful than marijuana. You can drink responsibly. You can smoke responsibly. I say legalize it, and put an age limit on there if you don't want teens smoking. You must be 21. You can't "smoke and drive," etc. That way, law enforcement can still do their job, and if they need to punish someone for using it in a reckless manner, then so be it. You don't want teens drinking either but there are 13 year olds getting drunk somewhere right now. That doesn't make beer illegal, or any less dangerous. The people who want it are still going to get it. The government might as well get some more tax dollars out of it. As long as people know the risks, they should be allowed to do what they want with their lives. So slap a Surgeon General's Warning on the box of fat blunts.

I wasn't intending on writing very much on the topic, so I apologize. I tend to ramble. A yes or no answer probably would have worked as well but I felt like writing more.. and more.. I am not here to debate or attempt to sway other's opinion with my own. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But yes, I'm a retired smoker. Smooooth

As usual, The White House got it wrong. It was a study started during the Clinton administration, and it was an intern named Mary Jane that led to Hillary's bout with depression.

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