Legalized Marijuana -- The way is clear

[RobinFinderson]

If it is legalized, I have a feeling the churches stance will be similar to that of drugs and alcohol. I am sure it will be against the WOW.

Wont make any difference in Utah as it will never be legalized here.

I wonder if Utah would set up an inspection border crossing, like the one CA has on the way back from Las Vegas.

[TripletDaddy]

If it is legalized, I have a feeling the churches stance will be similar to that of drugs and alcohol. I am sure it will be against the WOW.

Wont make any difference in Utah as it will never be legalized here.

I would agree. If the recent movement to build 10-foot walls to hide beer tapping in restaurants is any indication, I would say that marijuana has a long wait in line before it is legalized in the Beehive State.

[SoCalCoug]

I think it's interesting that it's the liberal democrat who's making the argument that the states should be allowed to make their own laws in this regard.

[UtahDan]

I think it's interesting that it's the liberal democrat who's making the argument that the states should be allowed to make their own laws in this regard.

I'm sure he feels the same way about guns and abortion.

[RobinFinderson]

I'm sure he feels the same way about guns and abortion.

Actually, I do.

Edit: The gun problem, as it relates to the destabilizing of Mexico, may merit some serious federal control. Ideally I am pro-states' rights for gun laws, but a failed narco state at our southern border might be the sort of situation that would merit reconsideration.

[ERCougar]

It's time to legalize it. The pharmacuetical lobby is going to go nuts. The drug makers can't afford a cheap, relatively safe, non-addictive herb to replace their toxic chemicals.

LOL...because anti-nausea drugs are their gold mine?
Pharma couldn't care less if California legalizes marijuana.

[RobinFinderson]

LOL...because anti-nausea drugs are their gold mine?
Pharma couldn't care less if California legalizes marijuana.

A lot of Californians who use weed are choosing the green over anti-depressants, pain killers, sleeping aids and alcohol. Basically any drug that alleviates symptoms rather than curing the problem can be replaced by weed (though for pain management, nothing is going to replace a serious narcotic).

[BlueHair]

LOL...because anti-nausea drugs are their gold mine?
Pharma couldn't care less if California legalizes marijuana.

I was thinking more along the lines of anti-depressants and sleep aids. If marijuana was just being discovered, it would be hailed as a cure all by drug makers. They would also charge an exorbitant amount of money for it.

A positive side effect would be the legalization of hemp.

[ERCougar]

I was thinking more along the lines of anti-depressants and sleep aids. If marijuana was just being discovered, it would be hailed as a cure all by drug makers. They would also charge an exorbitant amount of money for it.

A positive side effect would be the legalization of hemp.

Yeah...carcinogens tend to do quite well in the FDA approval process.

I'm all for legalizing marijuana, but you guys are getting a little carried away in your thoughts that marijuana is completely safe.

And I would almost guarantee that Pharma hasn't put a cent into ensuring that marijuana remain illegal.

[TripletDaddy]

Yeah...carcinogens tend to do quite well in the FDA approval process.

I'm all for legalizing marijuana, but you guys are getting a little carried away in your thoughts that marijuana is completely safe.

This is a point that is rarely discussed in the legalization camp.

Isn't marijuana still a carcinogen? Isn't it still unhealthy and unsafe? The most pragmatic argument I have always heard is that pot is "no more dangerous" than cigarettes. Well, cigarettes are still very dangerous, addicting, and health hazardous.

What other dangers are involved? Impaired driving (can you drive while my impaired by cigarettes?). What are the long-term negative health effects of marijuana?

[KillerDog]

This is a point that is rarely discussed in the legalization camp.

Isn't marijuana still a carcinogen? Isn't it still unhealthy and unsafe? The most pragmatic argument I have always heard is that pot is "no more dangerous" than cigarettes. Well, cigarettes are still very dangerous, addicting, and health hazardous.

What other dangers are involved? Impaired driving (can you drive while my impaired by cigarettes?). What are the long-term negative health effects of marijuana?

I think it is less dangerous than tobacco from a cancer perspective but I'm not sure we know one way or the other. I'm pretty certain the carcinogenic risks of smoking, particularly second hand smoke, are way overblown.

[ERCougar]

I think it is less dangerous than tobacco from a cancer perspective but I'm not sure we know one way or the other. I'm pretty certain the carcinogenic risks of smoking, particularly second hand smoke, are way overblown.

I won't call "Link?" on you since you're admittedly guessing, but you're wrong on both counts. There's no reason to think that marijuana smoke is any better for you than tobacco smoke, from a cardiovascular or carcinogenic standpoint. And I really can't respond to your second point with a straight face. Overblown? Really, Mr. Morris?

[ERCougar]

This is a point that is rarely discussed in the legalization camp.

Isn't marijuana still a carcinogen? Isn't it still unhealthy and unsafe? The most pragmatic argument I have always heard is that pot is "no more dangerous" than cigarettes. Well, cigarettes are still very dangerous, addicting, and health hazardous.

What other dangers are involved? Impaired driving (can you drive while my impaired by cigarettes?). What are the long-term negative health effects of marijuana?

I'm not an expert on this and you can google as easily as I can, but marijuana smoke is packed with carcinogens (as is tobacco smoke). The real health threat of smoking cigarettes is cardiovascular and there's no reason to think marijuana is better in this regard either--I remember reading somewhere that your odds of a heart attack double after smoking a joint.

The one thing marijuana has over smoking is the frequency. Few people smoke 2 packs of joints a day. However, they inhale more deeply and increase the exposure that way.

[RobinFinderson]

I won't call "Link?" on you since you're admittedly guessing, but you're wrong on both counts. There's no reason to think that marijuana smoke is any better for you than tobacco smoke, from a cardiovascular or carcinogenic standpoint. And I really can't respond to your second point with a straight face. Overblown? Really, Mr. Morris?

As long as we are talking about assumptions, it would be equally fallacious to assume that marijuana smoke is equal to or more harmful than tobacco smoke, from a cardiovascular or carcinogenic standpoint. Some smokes are worse than others. So, Dr., what is the Link?

[RobinFinderson]

The following from NIDA:

Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer; however, a recent case-controlled study found no positive associations between marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper digestive tract cancers. Thus, the link between marijuana smoking and these cancers remains unsubstantiated at this time.