You know, over the years my opinion on legalizing the ganja has shifted back and forth.
As a parent I hope my kids never drink, smoke or what have you. Of course my parents hoped that also and look how that came out.
But over time the hypocrisy of the whole dern mess has pretty much stuck now.
The most interesting quote is about prohibition.
"During Prohibition, underground speakeasies sprang up in cities across the United States. One estimate says that for every legitimate bar that closed during Prohibition, six speakeasies opened in its place."
Sounds familiar.
Legalize it now.
Shit, if this wasn't such a messed up society, my kid would be on cannabis instead of concerta, but because we are surrounded by reactionaries he has to take a potentially dangerous drug instead of chill'n and slowing down with ganj the way humans have done so since before history.
The more you look at prohibition the more you see it is one of the worst policies since slavery, and it is the same type who are profiting from it.
Funny how the law is so incredibly heavy about dope (I live in France) but it's still legal to buy seeds.
I always thought that growing under lights was undude. Let the weed see the sun!
Boston
Only open war is a more undude policy. In a lot of ways, it is an anti Dude policy, an I can't abide by that.
There's a lot of ins and outs to this topic for sure. When you talk about money or industry in relation to Marijuana you'll find people on both sides using the same facts and figures to make their point. Mark Twain said it best with relation to that "There are 3 types of lies. Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics."
So keeping in mind that numbers and figures can be twisted, I've always taken the more personal approach to my argument for legalization. I want to do it, I'm not hurting anyone else with it. It may be good for the economy, or for industry, or for medicine or crime. I don't know any of that for sure, but I do know that I don't want to be told what to do on my own time with my own body in my own home.
Quote from: thinkingdude on August 28, 2011, 10:31:30 AM
...I consider it a tobacco version of alcohol, and not a addicting substance. ...
bad analogy dude... tobacco is highly addictive, and full of chemical crap, too :(
you have a good point tripnastic... i don't want anybody encroaching on my basic right of self-determination either... and if one looks at the history of how it became banned in the first place*, it's enough to piss any thinking person off.
*up to that point, hemp was the primary material for making paper. in a capitalistic money-fuck, the timber companies jumped on board with the racists, supporting legislation to ban marijuana and industrial hemp use altogether.
http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/
Here in Finland alcohol isn't just legal - it's a fuckin' way of life. Us Finns have been drinking LOTS of the stuff from the beginning of time and if you do not drink alocohol you are some kind of a weirdo. I myself have never been drunk, never smoked a cigarette and never used drugs of any kind.
I just find it messed up that alcohol and tobacco are widely accepted, even embraced, but a bit of weed is a goddamn SIN!
SHOMER SHABBOS!
I'm actually abstaining right now because of a possible upcoming drug test. It's not fun, but at least my direct boss gave me a heads up.
I recall the most surreal conversation of my life occurred when I took my daughter to task for voting AGAINST legalization in California (I live in a pretty uptight state, Texas, but in Austin we Abide ;D ). I was actually shocked she voted against it, as she has partaken on occasion. Oh well, I guess that's like, her opinion man.
Quote from: unclebuc82 on October 02, 2011, 12:13:25 PM
I recall the most surreal conversation of my life occurred when I took my daughter to task for voting AGAINST legalization in California (I live in a pretty uptight state, Texas, but in Austin we Abide ;D ). I was actually shocked she voted against it, as she has partaken on occasion. Oh well, I guess that's like, her opinion man.
Sorry to hear that dude...maybe next time she will change her mind...it could happen dude. ;D
Welcome to the beach party dude...smoke em if you got em. 8)
Quote from: unclebuc82 on October 02, 2011, 12:13:25 PM
I recall the most surreal conversation of my life occurred when I took my daughter to task for voting AGAINST legalization in California (I live in a pretty uptight state, Texas, but in Austin we Abide ;D ). I was actually shocked she voted against it, as she has partaken on occasion. Oh well, I guess that's like, her opinion man.
I have thought for years how nuts it is that this country (the US) is so fucking psycho and paranoid over a cash crop the first President, George Washington, used to grow, and probably smoked on occasion.
Hey, ya know, as long you're not pissing on my rug with self-inflicted health issues that suck up *my* tax dollars in Medicare-funded treatment, knock yerself out.
Make sense?
I was just discussing this with a neighbor maybe 6 hours ago. He's also pro-legalization, swears that the taxes alone would get the nation out of debt in a couple years. I personally am not sure that the weed taxes alone could do that, nor do I believe the medical argument has much of a leg to stand on (I agree that the effects of THC are comforting and helpful ((medically and psychologically)) to those who really need it, but it doesn't seem to be enough to really push it as a miracle cure or anything. It helps, a lot, but not enough to convince the big-wigs).
I think it should be legalized. Why? Not because I have a dandy shopping list of nifty uses for it. It should be legalized because it is a fucking Plant! Simple as that, Dudes. How can something that grows naturally be made illegal? The logistics are positively brain-numbing. If somebody wants to get high in their own house, they should be allowed to. Prohibition was a failure, and watching this weed battle across the nation is a reminder that history inevitably repeats itself time and time again.
All my opinion of course...
I still say legalise it, control it, tax it. There's to much of this "soap bar" rubbish around where it's cut with tar, car tyres, and worse, to increase the volume to increase the profit. At least with tobacco you know what's in the box even if you're paying through the nose for the tax.
There is a continual undercurrent of hypocrisy with the powers at be, no matter how often the actual party's change, that they discuss the dangers of smoking grass over the consumption of the 2 most dangerous substances to society: alcohol and tobacco! But then those who have seen the film "thank you for smoking" will know just how under the thumb of the alcohol and tobacco producers some politicians are. When the head scientific adviser loses his job for recommending the downgrading of marijuana, something really is wrong with government.
Quote from: milnie on October 30, 2011, 04:10:25 PM
When the head scientific adviser loses his job for recommending the downgrading of marijuana, something really is wrong with government.
ya think??
it's the dea dudes...they got too powerful...we got to get rid of the fuckin' dea! 8)
The only thing the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) should be doing is ENFORCING my right, should I so choose, to grow, harvest, smoke and distribute, hemp. NOTHING else.
.........and let us NOT forget, that the DEA was an invention of Richard Nixon. That about sums it up. Though I have to say that in some respects I liked tricky Dick, in many ways he was an incredible dipshit asshat and dangerous as hell! Nothing ever changes.
Some information........
The Drug Enforcement Administration was established on 1 July 1973, by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1973, signed by President Richard Nixon on 28 July 1973. It proposed the creation of a single federal agency to enforce the federal drug laws as well as consolidate and coordinate the government's drug control activities.
Congress accepted the proposal, as they were concerned with the growing availability of drugs. As a result, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), the Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement (ODALE), and other federal offices merged together to create the DEA.
See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_Enforcement_Administration
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/DEA_badge_C.PNG/141px-DEA_badge_C.PNG)
..........mind if I burn a J? ;D
i heard somewhere recently that a group of ... concerned citizens ... planted 3000 marijuana plants in the gardens of rupert murdochs LA home
Quote from: milnie on October 31, 2011, 12:31:14 PM
i heard somewhere recently that a group of ... concerned citizens ... planted 3000 marijuana plants in the gardens of rupert murdochs LA home
Nice pad they got there, completely unspoiled. ;D
I'm married to a female cop. A jailor to be specific. I bet her job would be a lot easier if weed was just plain legal.
Man, her work stories are just the best...
Quote from: Ruckus on November 03, 2011, 02:19:27 PM
I'm married to a female cop. A jailor to be specific. I bet her job would be a lot easier if weed was just plain legal.
Man, her work stories are just the best...
Dudes in jail for hemp, fucking ridiculous. Yeah, I bet your special lady friend has a few wild stories she can tell, mang.
Yeah, a lot of erstwhile good folks go to jail because of legislated morality.
You have all brought up righteous points. There is no logical reason for the sacred herb to be illegal or even controlled. I wanted to hear from the dudes in California and the other Medical States; how's it going? I've heard E. Holder and the Justice department have started cracking down.
How extreme has it gotten in the recent scene?
Brother GypsyMan
QuoteDudes in jail for hemp, fucking ridiculous.
When they look back on the whole darned comedy of human existence our future kind will surely reflect that we were harsh in the extreme to incarcerate any human being for growing or encouraging the growth of a fucking plant!
I guess a little bit like we go "Ouch!" when we hear of a 10 year old being transported to Australia for stealing a loaf of bread in the 18th Century.
I'm actually incredulous this happens now....DOH!
Quote from: Caesar dude on November 14, 2011, 08:40:31 PM
QuoteDudes in jail for hemp, fucking ridiculous.
When they look back on the whole darned comedy of human existence our future kind will surely reflect that we were harsh in the extreme to incarcerate any human being for growing or encouraging the growth of a fucking plant!
I guess a little bit like we go "Ouch!" when we hear of a 10 year old being transported to Australia for stealing a loaf of bread in the 18th Century.
I'm actually incredulous this happens now....DOH!
We spend our time worrying about a harmless plant, and busting people who have a few leaves in their possession, but we tolerate bullshit like this on earth..............
(http://www.enjoy.org/hstech/webclass04/hungersite04/world/DeBenedettoMMworiaMaiorella/Images/Infant-dying-starvation.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N0qfjpJBHrI/S_E5LC5h1QI/AAAAAAAAATY/Cjb4dQzGDjw/s1600/starvation3.jpg)
FUCKING RIDICULOUS!I personally believe that ANY head of state, or other person directly responsible for outrages like this should be indicted, arrested, tried, found guilty of crimes against humanity and fucking executed. There should be ZERO tolerance of this kind of shit in the 21st century! We are most decidedly a fucked up society.
DB, that's why we won't last. There have been cries like yours, cries to bring the world to a sane place, but they're not heard. Greed and lust prevail, all under a thinly veiled curtain we call "modern" society. All we've become is civilized cut-throats in three piece suits. You and I can't make a difference, but the powers-that-be let this bullshit happen because of lobbyists, politics, and having a good bottom line. The entire financial system that makes the worl go round is based on it. So - fuck the environment, fuck the starving children, let's just make sure I get elected.
The cockroaches will out-live us.
Quote from: Hominid on November 15, 2011, 01:10:25 AM
DB, that's why we won't last. There have been cries like yours, cries to bring the world to a sane place, but they're not heard. Greed and lust prevail, all under a thinly veiled curtain we call "modern" society. All we've become is civilized cut-throats in three piece suits. You and I can't make a difference, but the powers-that-be let this bullshit happen because of lobbyists, politics, and having a good bottom line. The entire financial system that makes the worl go round is based on it. So - fuck the environment, fuck the starving children, let's just make sure I get elected.
The cockroaches will out-live us.
Sad but true, Hominid; but there are ways to deal with cockroaches and other such bugs and vermin.............
(http://photo.nathanchan.frih.net/images/20090402230706_bug_collection.jpg)
DB, they'll be doing that to us at some point... ;-)
Oh and I don't know if any of you have watched this Dude. And I use the term with utmost Dudeist piety.
Follows him through the trials and tribulations of a grow season in Western Canada.
Really a good flick. Links below are in order from episode 1 to 13.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_N4nhYDmj0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMryTzFe4bU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W9T8i_hj5g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzPQroVuMk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW-qbNiltqc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7-CIVeIOvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMfHAdWDgBk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJuwr9WiPDo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5me6ZISEs78&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvPRFObDjCE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEWhuUjPu4Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0E_ghmIngo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGebocgoPUM&feature=related
Interesting find, dude! Thanks for posting. Mind if I burn a j? ;D
I would also but piss testing is imminent.
I'm on the que for a couple Government contracts and they always background check and piss test.
Once I'm in I'm gonna roll a fatty the length of my arm.
Quote from: Hominid on November 15, 2011, 09:08:02 AM
DB, they'll be doing that to us at some point... ;-)
Let's hope they start with the bankers first
Quote from: Hominid on October 03, 2011, 01:54:00 AM
Hey, ya know, as long you're not pissing on my rug with self-inflicted health issues that suck up *my* tax dollars in Medicare-funded treatment, knock yerself out.
Make sense?
i think there would be less tax spent in hospitals if weed was legal and drink was ilegal, less drunken idiots fighting, less car crashes from drink drivers, less women getting beaten by insecure drunk men, the hospitals would be sitting around playing cards most of the time, drink related hospital incidents i bet are through the roof, would like to see the stats on that if it ever did happen, imagine if it was the other way around, less violence, would almost be perfect, but narrow minded society panics when they hear the word weed, OH NO NOT DRUGS ITS EVIL, its a fucking plant!!!, and it is sure as shit aint evil like drink is!!, society is fucking stupid most of the time, ony feel safe when it comes to what they know and have been brought up to think, bullshit......
Quote from: BikerDude on November 15, 2011, 07:27:17 PM
I would also but piss testing is imminent.
I'm on the que for a couple Government contracts and they always background check and piss test.
Once I'm in I'm gonna roll a fatty the length of my arm.
Damn those random drug tests!
One job I did I couldn't function without being hung over, now they don't test for that do they.
(mind you the only heavy equipment I operate are huge database servers and I don't get to drive them round the block).
everyone lies on their insurance but if you are going to drink and smoke, regardless of the narcotic content of what you are sloking, then you should be willing or made to pay to cover when it goes pearshaped. mind you, my gran smoked for 70 years, so filling the bank ballance of insurance companies isn't the way either. sorry , bi tof a pointless message this!
This just in! Things are looking up dudes! 8)
N.Y. governor proposes decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/04/justice/new-york-marijuana/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn
New York (CNN) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is asking state legislators to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana that are in public view.
Saying the aim was to avoid unnecessary misdemeanor charges against thousands of New Yorkers -- "disproportionately black and Hispanic youth," according to a statement from the governor's office -- the legislation "brings consistency and fairness" to New York's marijuana laws.
(http://images.sodahead.com/polls/001560251/538901067_legalize_weed_xlarge.gif)
Quote from: cckeiser on June 04, 2012, 11:10:11 PM
This just in! Things are looking up dudes! 8)
N.Y. governor proposes decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/04/justice/new-york-marijuana/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn
New York (CNN) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is asking state legislators to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana that are in public view.
Saying the aim was to avoid unnecessary misdemeanor charges against thousands of New Yorkers -- "disproportionately black and Hispanic youth," according to a statement from the governor's office -- the legislation "brings consistency and fairness" to New York's marijuana laws.
I saw that.
Basically the law is that small amounts of weed are a violation. Basically a fine. Equivilant to a parking ticket. Unless it's in "plain view".
So naturally the NYC cops are doing the stop and frisk and they have people empty there pockets and DING! It's in plain view.
So what would have been a violation is now a misdemeanor.
Man if it were legal I would never touch another bottle.
The debate will go on and on...its just exhausting,man...check out the hempstead project-it makes sense to me,dude!
one of the strange things about semi legalisation that exists in various parts of the world is the growing of the plants for sale by licensed coffeeshops or medical outlets is still illegal. so the stores are trading with the growers illegally to legally sell it ... man, i need to sit down and burn a j!
The funny thing is, I've never smoked weed. Never. Probably won't (I'm pretty fucked up without it.)
But I'm 100% for it being legalized for many reasons.
First, and I may be wrong about this, and this is just my personal experience. I've known people who have been in jail for doing dumb shit. A good number of them say something like their parent(s) were drunks and beat them. A lot say they were abused. None of the people I've known who have spent time in jail say their parents smoked a j and beat them. The worst story I've heard was that their parents stole their Pringles. I say (and they agreed) they had a pretty light childhood compared to some of us.
Second, a lot of things alter your thinking. Booze, cough syrup, legal drugs, too much water, and even too much sun. I knew a guy named Nick who used to write down the shit he said when he was high. He admitted that none of it was good, but it was funny. I don't think it makes you deep and philosophical and shit, but if it gives you a good time and you have a good laugh during and after, I say go for it. Like all those things I listed, in moderation and with control I don't see how it's dangerous. Long term damage? Maybe, but booze kills your brain and liver, too. Yeah, it's still smoking, but it's not like we don't know that smoking anything will hurt you. Again, not that dangerous in my opinion.
Third, when I was in a law class, I put forth the idea that we'd be a lot better off legalizing marijuana. As in those classes, I had to have reasons. Let's review what happens. We spend an inordinate amount of money having our cops (even helicopters & planes like in my area recently) to look for a few plants or a little bag. Then we have to pay for him to spend a little time in prison and fill out paperwork. Meanwhile, some asshole is beating his wife, but oh no we have to worry about someone lighting up. $ Money wasted. $
Then we try him in court. We're paying the judge, bailiffs, the prosecutors, the defense (if he uses a court PD), the utilities, the papers, and so on. $ Money wasted. $
We (because it's our tax money) have spent all this money for what? Because a group of people wanted a few shits & giggles?
If we legalize it, you know full damn well there will be a tax on it. Not only will the cops be able to find the real criminals, but now we'll have some good revenue. The courts will have time to worry about real problems. True, some will stop smoking because it's mainstream, but let's face it, it'll be a lot better and a lot quieter.
I live in a tobacco state. One drop of pure nicotine can kill you. I'm not saying marijuana is healthier, but when have you ever had a tobacco brownie?
As a non-toker, I don't see why people hate it so damn much. But there I go thinking on my own again.
Smoke em if you got em! 8)
Quote from: BikerDude on November 15, 2011, 07:27:17 PM
I would also but piss testing is imminent.
I'm on the que for a couple Government contracts and they always background check and piss test.
Once I'm in I'm gonna roll a fatty the length of my arm.
Government nazis, nothing ever changes.
Even through the lies on all levels of government, I'm liking the way the dust has settled here in So Cal the dispensaries left open are for the people and not shady operations that were popping up
Fuckin' Nazi dickwads in Pa....nothing ever changes!
QuoteLegal pot unlikely in Pennsylvania anytime soon
Montco lawmaker trying, but Lehigh Valley prosecutors stand with Corbett ? opposed.
http://articles.mcall.com/2012-12-26/news/mc-pa-attempt-legalize-pot-20121226_1_legal-pot-medical-marijuana-limited-marijuana (http://articles.mcall.com/2012-12-26/news/mc-pa-attempt-legalize-pot-20121226_1_legal-pot-medical-marijuana-limited-marijuana)
QuoteThere's not enough to gain and too much at risk in eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana possession, say Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli.
Yeah, they are making too much money from throwing pot heads in jail to ever legalize it! 8(
New shit has come to light!
2 days ago Portland Maine voted to Legalize Pot!
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Portland_could_set_precedent_with_marijuana_vote.html (http://www.pressherald.com/news/Portland_could_set_precedent_with_marijuana_vote.html)
This link has a video! ;D
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/portland-maine-marijuana_n_4221919.html#slide=887965 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/portland-maine-marijuana_n_4221919.html#slide=887965)
It's getting closer and closer to Full Legalization dudes! 8)
Portland abides, man! 8)(http://dudeism.com/smf/Themes/default/images/post/thumbup.gif)