paperqueen:

Social Drugs

So, are you for the Ammiano bill AB390? I agree with you.  I think alcohol is much more dangerous, but as with any drug, the consideration of addiction or negligence while under the influence becomes a citizenery concern.  The way society views "social" drugs I guess is what ultimately makes the difference.  Drinking Alcohol and smoking used to be  major components of any social or holiday event.  Now, I have lots of friends who only drink a few glasses of red or opt for sparkling water. (None of my friends smoke anymore!--oops! only one.) Even my twenty-two year old daughter and her friends know they shouldn't drink and drive.  Some of them still get "messed up" after a big party, but it's not cool to get drunk all the time.  I had a big talk with her about being out of control and losing respect.  Of those who get depressed and use alcohol as an uninhibitor, their lives become even sadder. I also know of young people who have their problems with dope.  They hang around the house, won't be responsible in school, just want to toke all the time and drift (or sometimes steal).  Parents have a hard time getting them back on track. Of course, the smoking or any drug use may be an excuse for other problems plaguing their psyche. What kind of social mores would we put on "toking"?  Only after work? Only at home? New Year's party favors? Would we mind people nodding on outside benches?

I think possession should be decriminalized.  Even President Obama is suggesting cutting down on medicinal house raids. People need to be responsible for their own actions and even more so if using a drug. However, if marijuana were to become legal, I fear there would be a whole host of other issues to contend with. Look at all the controversy that still surrounds birth control pills and condoms for teens. Change is never easy, but little by little, hopefully, we will make good choices. Just stay educated.

merrily:

Find true happiness NO DRUGS required

My sisters best friend thought he could fly and jumped off a cliff  onto the train track in front of a train.  

My cousin is in a nut home cause his paranoia became so bad he is not safe to leave alone.

My best friends son cut his thumb off at work after he had smoked a joint.

Ask around,  plenty of stories

Can be very dangerous....

RobertFarrell:

To Merrily

First of all, let me say, how sorry I am for your losses and the losses of your loved ones.  

Secondly, although I do not doubt your stories, something doesn't seem right.  Were they all smoking marijuana?  I wonder if their marijuana was laced with PCP or something else, because pot is a depressant, it relaxes you, and not a stimulant, which might make you do something horrible.  The worst I've ever heard marijuana do is make a person apathetic.

This would be another reason to legalize marijuana.  Then there would be a far greater chance of having a safer experience.

Third, were these minors?  Minors, as I said, should NOT be trying ANY drugs, including marijuana, alcohol or cigarettes or for that matter, coffee.

Either way, again, I am sorry for the losses suffered by you and your loved ones.   My prayers are with you.  Thank you for participating in this discussion with me.

paperqueen:

Naughty Minors

Unfortunately, teens are usually at a rebellious stage and they would undoubtedly be trying "grown-up" drugs.  Heck, young people were lighting up in the parking lot at my wedding (many years ago)! So, what would you do? You are right, though--usually too relaxed to do anything too stupid--just maybe look stupid as in a dream stupor.

merrily:

Thanks for not jumping down my neck....

Thanks for writing back. It is always good to see both sides of a story before one makes up ones mind.  I am quite happy with people entertaining themselves however they choose. As long as they are aware of the possible consequences. Education is the answer here. I agree.

"Usually" is not safe enough though. That's the point. Why take the risk?

In the cases above it was just marijuana. 

All home grown marijuana. Incidences spread out over a period of 10 years. Different plants. Nothing else involved.

The doctor for my cousin says that some people's brains are wired differently and so when they smoke a " harmless to other's joint"  their bodies react differently. The marijuana triggers the part of their brain that experiences paranioa and increases that many times over. Causing irreversable damage to the brain.  My cousin was about 22 when he started smoking it.  He now hides under tables and sees spiders/bugs crawling everywhere.

My daughter's friend thought aliens were after him. That why he tried to ' fly 'away. He had just turned 19.

My friend's son who cut off his finger smoked about 4 joints a day. It was a regular part of his life. He couldn't start the day without some. Still had to go to work and earn money though. He was 20 when it happened. He was very relaxed. Didn't feel a thing. Realises now how dangerous being so relaxed can be!

It has been scientifically proven that when the body reaches it's tolerance level that paranoia then sets in and this unfortunately is irreversable.  No one knows how much they can smoke before they reach their limit. How would one know if their planned experience was going to end up a safe one?Paranoia can be very debilitating. Why take that risk? Why mess with our brains?

Didn't the witch doctors / the inca's of the past use marijuana to drug their victims into a stupor before they ripped out their hearts on the sacrificial altar? 

What a crazy world we live in!!!

Here's to knowledgable free choice!!!

merrily:

Me Again

Just typed in 'Marijuana' to google and wooowh  there is so much info there on why this should stay banned.