YES, YES, YES. I spent today in a state mental hospital. The unit I was on was the forensic unit. They specialize in the criminally insane. You know, people who are found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). I can tell you that it was not the drugs that caused the insanity, but, from speaking to the 30+ patients on the unit, that it was the drugs that contributed to the crime.

The most prevalent drugs were marijuana, cocaine (crack), and alcohol. The men on this unit were under the influence of one or more of these drugs when they committed their crimes.

So, while weed itself does not cause crime and/or mental illness in and of itself, it is certainly a factor.

Yes, for those of you who are insane, I agree that J_9 is absolutely right; you shouldn't smoke pot. I trust that you will see the wisdom of her advice and adhere to it scrupulously.

Just to speak to the "laziness" and lack of ambition bit... I think one thing that pot does is help people disconnect from the Western capitalism story that keeps "the rest of us" on the rat race treadmill.

I see that as a good thing. The problem comes when they don't have any other compelling story to replace it with.

If you weren't taught how to make your life mean something on your own, then you smoke an herb that "takes away" the story you were given, then I guess it's time to go read some Victor Frankl. Of course turning on the PlayStation is so much easier...

As an aside, it's funny to hear people say things like, "There's a reason it's illegal," since, where I live, it's not.

Ok Ive talked to cops , and each and ever one of them said they could not think of arresting a pot user for a crime that they had committed under the influence of weed and weed alone.
When you get right down to it -- most of the cops Ive spoken to feel the weed laws are a waste of time. -- Savage

You MIGHT get "addicted" to the FEELING. But you won't have withdraw feelings! I mean its not like crack or even cigs... just don't get high daily... It is NOT addictive... wow the government is not always right... putting lies into ppls heads... like global warming is fake... yea OK bush

And, just where do you live?

Hello spach:

The worst thing about pot is the trouble you can get into by using it.

excon

You're right. The problem with exaggerating the dangers of pot is that it leads people to disregard warnings about drugs that really are dangerous.

I'm curious. Who is this "we" you refer to in your posts? Are you perhaps royalty and accustomed to using the royal "we"? Or is somebody else helping you compose your answers?

Me and my mates use to smoke weed and out of the lot of us I was scarus because I had seen what it can do to people it can litirally ruin your life accedemically mentally and physically. If I was you I would seriously stop while your ahead and if your friends do not wish to reason with your view then the best thing to do is to find other friends I no it seems hard and unfair but I no because I had to do it. I lost a lot of good friends over weed but at least I no a did the right thing.

Sarcasm, just one more service I offer.

Did you read my post about my ex-brother-in-law? My co-worker's son is soooo devoted to weed that he steals his terminal grandmother's pain pills to trade for it. All I can tell you is that I have never met a person who regularly uses pot that is a productive member of society. Oh yeah, they can quit anytime they want - they just never want to quit.

Woody Harrelson? Now that's a great thinker. Are you kidding?

Here I bet I am going to shock you. I don't care what anyone wants to put in their body as long as it doesn't affect me as well as society as a whole. By that I mean I don't want to have to pay higher property taxes because we need more police to keep the thugs in line. I don't want to have to pay more insurance fees to cover the junkies ODing in the local emergency room. I don't want anyone working for me that has to use a substance to alter their reality because they can't cope (and that includes every feel-good pill pushed on TV, too.)

Well, now I have to presume you are Borg. And yes, I will resist whether is it futile or not.

I used to smoke choof a bit too, and although I am still sain, others have not been that lucky. Everyone is different, someone could smoke once, and have a psychotic episode, whereas a person who smokes consistently for years may not feel any adverse affecrs. Its just whether you want to take that risk.

1st point
Th fact that fool stole his grannies meds just says he is a thief on top of being a pothead.
"you've never meet a productive pothead? Sorry to tell you but unless where you work has random monthly pee tests you work along side them everyday.
Ive been smoking for 30 years and out of 30 people in the steel shop I am the goto guy. -- Crane breaks /welder needs repair / need a crane operator / need someone trained how to do a job/ its get Savage he can fix it -- and they all know I am a pothead.

" By that I mean I don't want to have to pay higher property taxes because we need more police to keep the thugs in line. I don't want to have to pay more insurance fees to cover the junkies ODing in the local emergency room."

Potheads are thugs? ask any cop -- they will tell you that potheads are the easiest folks to arrest when it comes to nonviolence and good spirits -- they just say o well I am busted. I target shot with cops and of the 20 or so I have talked about it to 1 thought it should be illegal.--
Pothead junkies oding? Get a life -- find me just one documented case just one -- till then I will be forced to assume you are a uninformed fool.

" I don't want anyone working for me that has to use a substance to alter their reality because they can't cope (and that includes every feel-good pill pushed on TV, too.)"
So I am forced to assume by that statement that people working for you are banned from drinking beer /coffee / chocolate etc?

" Well, now I have to presume you are Borg. And yes, I will resist whether is it futile or not"
You seem to have a fixation on his silly we crap -- maybe you need to smoke a joint and get a life. -- Savage

I used to smoke choof a bit too, and although I am still sain, others have not been that lucky. Everyone is different, someone could smoke once, and have a psychotic episode, whereas a person who smokes consistently for years may not feel any adverse affecrs. Its just whether you want to take that risk.

Now who sounds defensive?

The first point is that the need for the drug has made him forget his responsibility to his family and will let Granny suffer so the sake of his fix.

The thugs I refer to are not the users, they are the ones moving the crap back and forth and fighting for turf. Local stories abound of innocent people being in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting shot. When I refer to ODing - I am including any and all drugs. I did also forget to mention I would vote to refuse welfare benefits to any junkie or pothead, either. If you pop positive for drugs - no check - you obviously have the means to score so why do you need the welfare? Do what you want, just don't ask me to subsidize it.

If everyone thinks it is so wonderful, they why can't you get it legalized? Hell, even Clinton owned up to it (kind of) and I believe it is not any worse than booze. (and you guessed it, I have no tolerance for alcoholics, either.) Get your lobbyists together and head for Capital Hill.

My husband's livlihood depends on his TS clearance. My up close and personal experience with users is how I have formed my opinion.

Finally, individuals who refer to themselves as "we" irritate the hell out of me.

Hello Em:

To one who doesn't know, it's easy to buy that kind of DEA propaganda. However, it's just not true. It may be true of crack, but it's not how pot is sold. I've been in the market for 30 years. I'm not going to lie to you.

There isn't turf. There aren't guns. There aren't wars. There's just a guy who you call up and he comes over. Pot never killed anybody, and its salesmen don't either.

excon

PS> As many regular contributors know, I have a prescription for marijuana, and use it liberally. However, so as not to offend your conservative sensibilities, I promise, because it's medicine, not to enjoy it.

PPS> I also work regularly, pay my taxes and don't drive with my taillights out.

"Now who sounds defensive?" not so much defensive as dislike of those that post bull as facts.

"I am including any and all drugs." Did you state that? No you stated tat potheads are oding the only thing I can go by is what you post. Am I supposed to read what's between the lines?

" If everyone thinks it is so wonderful, they why can't you get it legalized? " You know every study done by the government has said it should be legalize --and gets buried. The drug companies fear and fight it, But slowly is is being done. One of the things that makes it hard is uninformed people like YOU.
" welfare benefits" now your claiming that potheads are all on welfare?
"tolerance for alcoholics" your comparing potheads to alcoholics? - how many potheads beat their wives/kids? How many potheads get in fights?how many potheads come to work so hung over they can not preform?

"My husband's livlihood depends on his TS clearance" so what? What the heck does that point have to do with the fact that others smoke pot?{ and by the way -- at least this old pothead can spell livelihood]

"Finally, individuals who refer to themselves as "we" irritate the hell out of me."
Well people that post bull as fact irritate the hell out of me.

As a side note do you know that outside of at home kids can get pot easier than they can beer-- you know why? Because its illegal thus unregulated. -- Savage

Your life has only been a year and a half? This says something about pot.

I don't think anybody was having trouble with the definition, the question was who else is it that's being denoted?

I don't quite understand why you quoted this line..

No just try reading the post again. I said I don't care what substance you use.

The drug companies are fighting it? The same companies that develop a pill for every little ache and pain? I would think they would be your best friend in this issue - another way of making an easy billion or two.


I can count 6 off the top of my head that are on public assistance and that is just from my co-workers and extended family.

The pothead I am most familiar with beat his wife while pregnant with their daughter because she spent his stash money on the mortgage. That wasn't the only beating - it was just the last one. She finally left after that one.

And your right, he didn't come to work hungover - he just didn't go to work. He would just get stoned and sit and listen to music for hours on end.

The cases I cite are from real world, up close and personal experiences. I really didn't have an opinion about pot until my sister married the loser I describe above. Rationalize and justify your addiction all you want. We all know you can quit - anytime you want.