<p>the misconceptions (or plain ignorance) in this thread is sad, mostly because people actually believe the BS they teach you in DARE or in 7th grade health class, especially people who don’t live on the coasts.</p>
<p>The FACTS are that marijuana </p>
<p>dos not kill brain cells (I can’t believe they still teach this)
does not cause cancer
does not kill
is not physically addictive
does not impair the ability to drive (well not enough)
80% of all illegal drug users ONLY use marijuana
people are overwhelmingly in favor of legalizing medical marijuana (70-80% last time I saw)
eases pain, helps people keep food down and makes food delicious (too bad for me), helps people sleep (insomniacs) and can help people with ms, cancer, aids, etc.
there is not ONE case of marijuana caused death in history of the US.
It would take over 20,000 joints smoked in 20 minutes to overdose (you would pass out before anyway)
has not risen in potency (THC). I still laugh that I learned this in the 8th grade. The THC content in marijuana is based on the plant itself. Low-grade (schwag, mexi brick) weed will have low THC contents compared to that dank **** they sell at medical clinics. Also, you can control how much you smoke ! </p>
<p>think about it, have you ever heard on the news “man jumps off a building, smoked weed.” or “10 car pile up, under the influence of marijuana” me neither. Marijuana is not physically addicting, it can be psychologically addicting of course, but anything can be (ie. world of warcraft, food, exercise).</p>
<p>I have no problems with people who think marijuana should illegal, that is your opinon. but don’t go around bashing it and spreading bull **** for no reason. Marijuana was illegalized in the 30s because mexicans and other immigrants were “stealing” jobs in America. William Hearst went on a smear campaign writing fake news articles about the dangers of marijuana and the propaganda films like reefer madness. The gov. creates the stamp act to sell or buy weed, but they don’t exist and weed is officially outlawed. </p>
<p>Guess what ? prohibition doesn’t work, that’s why alcohol prohibition was lifted. When you prohibit something especially a plant, people will find ways to get it. Except now that it’s illegal you have the mob making moonshine and people getting killed over alcohol. Same with marijuana, we have the drug now in the hands of drug dealers and cartels, drug dealers don’t check ID.</p>
<p>In California marijuana IS the #1 cash crop (2nd is grapes), so obviously making something illegal works right ? If you regulate and tax marijuana you take it out of the criminals hands and you let the government control it. Buying weed in LA is easier than buying alcohol, especially in high school / college. Not to mention if you put a $50 tax on every ounce the state will bring in billions of dollars every year and the overall price of marijuana will go down drastically. It’s ridiculous if you think about it, an ounce of dank costs like $300 for a PLANT. How many plants cost $300 an ounce let alone $10 an ounce ? so now you bring down the price of weed, you run the cartels out of business. </p>
<p>I didn’t want to get into this, but if weed was legal the gov. could not justify the billions they spend on the “war on drugs”. 80% of all drug users only use marijuana. No prisoners = no money. Most prescription and OTC drugs are obsolete compared to mmj without any of the harmful side effects. Unless you think the munchies, being tired and having short term memory loss is harmful. </p>
<p>Smoking marijuana can cause breathing/lung problems as any smoke would. also, weed teaches kids the metric system. lol. </p>
<p>California has a ballot to legalize weed THIS YEAR in November. so go vote vote vote (unless you’re voting against ) I think its AB390 </p>
<p>here’s some links if you don’t want to believe me. </p>
<p>general
[Above</a> The Influence of Ignorance | Medical Marijuana & Hemp Facts](<a href=“http://www.abovetheignorance.org/faq.html#a1]Above”>http://www.abovetheignorance.org/faq.html#a1)
history
[History</a> of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States](<a href=“http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm]History”>History of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States - Introduction)
does not cause lung cancer
[Large</a> Study Finds No Link between Marijuana and Lung Cancer: Scientific American](<a href=“http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=large-study-finds-no-link]Large”>Large Study Finds No Link between Marijuana and Lung Cancer | Scientific American)
no brain damage
[Heavy</a> Marijuana Use Doesn’t Damage Brain](<a href=“http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20030701/heavy-marijuana-use-doesnt-damage-brain]Heavy”>Mental Health Disorders Center: Types, Symptoms, Treatments, Tests, and Causes)
does not cause cancer
[Study</a> fails to find link between marijuana use and cancer](<a href=“http://www.ur.umich.edu/0607/Oct16_06/01.shtml]Study”>http://www.ur.umich.edu/0607/Oct16_06/01.shtml)
does not impair ability to drive (only affect is driving SLOWER)
<a href=“http://cannabisculture.com/articles/4131.html[/url]”>http://cannabisculture.com/articles/4131.html</a>
gov. info
[Marijuana</a> - InfoFacts - NIDA](<a href=“http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html]Marijuana”>http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html)
shrinks tumors
[Pot</a> Shrinks Tumors; Government Knew in '74 | | AlterNet](<a href=“http://www.alternet.org/story/9257/]Pot”>http://www.alternet.org/story/9257/)
promotes brain cell growth
<a href=“http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/20050913230228_health_news.shtml[/url]”>http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/20050913230228_health_news.shtml</a>
reduces lung cancer and tumors
[Marijuana</a> Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows](<a href=“http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm]Marijuana”>Marijuana cuts lung cancer tumor growth in half, study shows | ScienceDaily)</p>
<p>tell me if you want more scientific proof.</p>
<p>The Union is a fantastic documentary about marijuana and i would highly recommend it. </p>
<p><a href=“http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007[/url]”>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007</a></p>