Whitehouse.gov Responds to Petition to Legalize Marijuana - Polidicks

[QUOTE=Stormcharger;33017432]Really? you must be sheltered as, since the age of like 14 Id heard of people from my school and friends going to hospital from drinking too much/getting hurt from being drunk. Also the comment about how weed has tripled in potency is bullshit, its impossible to do a proper study on that and people have been growing strong strains for much longer than 20 years.[/QUOTE] This is a great example of how when you take a group of people, the variance between the individuals experiences differ greatly. What you do is take an average and say "huh, turns out alcohol causes quite a few people to get sent to emergency centres". Its the same with weed. Just because it hasn't happened to you, doesn't rule out the possibility of it happening

[QUOTE=Groat;33017439]Why do you care so much about weed? Just drink, it's legal, available, and quite entertaining.[/QUOTE] Alcohol is really shit comparatively.

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017443]Drugs, medically, are generally licensed for curing something. Drugs that are dangerous are normally only used to treat something that has no other treatments. As of right now, marijuana has no large, non conflicting, body of evidence suggesting that it has any significant benefits in the treatment of a disease. Alcohol is illegal at the stage when it could severely damage your brain (developing etc), which makes a certain amount of sense. The long and short term dangers of alcohol are well known, [b]and drinking alcohol in moderation will not cause you any grievous bodily harm in the long run.[/b] The dangers of marijuana smoked in moderation are unknown, and potentially dangerous, so from your question it doesn't make sense to legalise it until you are aware of the risks As to cigarettes, they can't ban them because otherwise the cigarette companies would go beserk, as well as all the people completely addicted to them[/QUOTE] uhhh [quote]Some experts argue that the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be outweighed by other increased risks, including those of injuries, violence, fetal damage, certain forms of cancer, liver disease and hypertension.[8] As the apparent health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are limited for populations at low risk of heart disease, other experts urge caution because of the possibility that recommending moderate alcohol consumption may lead to an increased risk of alcohol abuse.[9][/quote] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_alcohol[/url]

[QUOTE=Electrocuter;33017440]Last I checked minors drinking alcohol was still illegal.[/QUOTE] If you think that's gonna stop then, then excuse me for laughing hard. The fact it's illegal is just gonna make it all the more exiting to-do. Instead of [B]PROPER[/B] education about alcohol and how it can fuck you up, while emphasizing on drinking responsibly.

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017482]This is a great example of how when you take a group of people, the variance between the individuals experiences differ greatly. What you do is take an average and say "huh, turns out alcohol causes quite a few people to get sent to emergency centres". Its the same with weed. Just because it hasn't happened to you, doesn't rule out the possibility of it happening[/QUOTE] Yea the possibility is much lower, there is no such thing as marijuana poisoning yet there is alcohol poisoning. Also your coordination is much better when you are high compared to when you are drunk.

I don't pretend to see all sides of the issue, but why are they specifying legalizing marijuana? Couldn't they be able to synthesize THC into a pill or something?

[QUOTE=Van-man;33017504]If you think that's gonna stop then, then excuse me for laughing hard. The fact it's illegal is just gonna make it all the more exiting to-do. Instead of [B]PROPER[/B] education about alcohol and how it can fuck you up, while emphasizing on drinking responsibly.[/QUOTE] It does make it harder to get when something has an age restriction compared to if something is illegal. I always found it easier to get illegal drugs compared to alcohol when I was in high school. [editline]29th October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Ardosos;33017511]I don't pretend to see all sides of the issue, but why are they specifying legalizing marijuana? Couldn't they be able to synthesize THC into a pill or something?[/QUOTE] Because they aren't wanting it just legalized for medical use, they want it legalised for recreational use as well.

[QUOTE=Kopimi;33017473]I don't even know how to reply this is literally that stupid Why not make it so marjiuana isn't available until age 18 or 21 or whatever age makes you feel like children will be safe And are you kidding or just being stupid when you say that the only reason we can't ban cigarettes is because the companies would be upset[/QUOTE] Im not sure how i can spell this out so ill break it into bullet points. You said that you should ban things that are harmful in the long run Alcohol causes no or minor long term damage in moderate use. Therefore no reason for it to be banned Smoking causes long term damage in any quantity of use. So [b]by the premise of your question[/b], yes it should be banned Marijuana may or may not cause long term damage. Seeing as the dangers are unknown, it is reasonable to assume that it is not safe until you can prove otherwise, to prevent long term damage unnecessarily. Again, answering you by the premise given to me in your question, marijuana should stay illegal until it is more well researched. Im going to stress here that i dont think that Marijuana should be banned. Just that, by the logic that you gave to me, it should.

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017532]Im not sure how i can spell this out so ill break it into bullet points. You said that you should ban things that are harmful in the long run [b]Alcohol causes no or minor long term damage in moderate use. Therefore no reason for it to be banned[/b] Smoking causes long term damage in any quantity of use. So [b]by the premise of your question[/b], yes it should be banned Marijuana may or may not cause long term damage. Seeing as the dangers are unknown, it is reasonable to assume that it is not safe until you can prove otherwise, to prevent long term damage unnecessarily. Again, answering you by the premise given to me in your question, marijuana should stay illegal until it is more well researched. Im going to stress here that i dont think that Marijuana should be banned. Just that, by the logic that you gave to me, it should.[/QUOTE] Yes it does.

[QUOTE=Stormcharger;33017516] Because they aren't wanting it just legalized for medical use, they want it legalised for recreational use as well.[/QUOTE] I've only ever heard the rationale behind medicinal use, what reasons do they have for legalizing it for recreational use other than "it's not as bad as X"?

So we should vaporize cannabis instead? Clinical studies have indicated that long term usage of THC are reasonably safe.

[QUOTE=AngryChairR;33017225]Good. There's all too much evidence proving marijuana is incredibly unhealthy and dangerous. I know first hand that people using it sound, look and act like zombies. [editline]28th October 2011[/editline] stop rating me funnies I'm serious[/QUOTE] I don't smoke weed, but I know a few of my friends that do smoke weed and they're perfectly fine and doing really well in school.

[QUOTE=Ardosos;33017557]I've only ever heard the rationale behind medicinal use, what reasons do they have for legalizing it for recreational use other than "it's not as bad as X"?[/QUOTE] The massive prison population?

[QUOTE=Ardosos;33017557]I've only ever heard the rationale behind medicinal use, what reasons do they have for legalizing it for recreational use other than "it's not as bad as X"?[/QUOTE] You should be able to do what you want with your own body, and it does not cause much harm at all to other people. It also does not have major side affects apart from the fact that it may cause psychosis which has not been conclusively proved yet.

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[QUOTE=Stormcharger;33017492]uhhh [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_alcohol[/url][/QUOTE] "The long term effects of alcohol range from possible health benefits for low levels of alcohol consumption to severe detrimental effects in cases of chronic alcohol abuse." For a small percentage of people, yes, alcohol will be quite bad for you. For a large percentage of people, its fine

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017532]Im not sure how i can spell this out so ill break it into bullet points. You said that you should ban things that are harmful in the long run Alcohol causes no or minor long term damage in moderate use. Therefore no reason for it to be banned Smoking causes long term damage in any quantity of use. So [b]by the premise of your question[/b], yes it should be banned Marijuana may or may not cause long term damage. Seeing as the dangers are unknown, it is reasonable to assume that it is not safe until you can prove otherwise, to prevent long term damage unnecessarily. Again, answering you by the premise given to me in your question, marijuana should stay illegal until it is more well researched. Im going to stress here that i dont think that Marijuana should be banned. Just that, by the logic that you gave to me, it should.[/QUOTE] A. No, I never suggested that we ban drugs causing long term effects, I was mocking you because thats the logic behind you saying we should ban marijuana B. Alcohol causes serious short and long term effects to the body You don't know what you're talking about, probably because you have trouble with basic reading skills

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017577]"The long term effects of alcohol range from possible health benefits for low levels of alcohol consumption to severe detrimental effects in cases of chronic alcohol abuse." For a small percentage of people, yes, alcohol will be quite bad for you. For a large percentage of people, its fine[/QUOTE] [quote]Historically doctors have promoted alcohol for its perceived health benefits and most recently for protection against coronary heart disease. There is evidence of cardiovascular benefits from drinking 1 - 2 drinks per day; however, the health benefits from moderate intake of alcohol are controversial.[/quote]

[QUOTE=Stormcharger;33017574]You should be able to do what you want with your own body, [B]and it does not cause much harm at all to other people.[/B]It also does not have major side affects apart from the fact that it may cause psychosis which has not been conclusively proved yet.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't say that, I get pretty bad headaches just by being around regular users.

[QUOTE=Stormcharger;33017551]Yes it does.[/QUOTE] Not that are more than minor [url]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15804034[/url] "Moderate drinking has small effects on health"

[QUOTE=Rhinovirus;33016986] According to scientists at the National Institutes of Health- the world's largest source of drug abuse research - ALCOHOL use is associated with addiction, liver disease, and cognitive impairment. We know from an array of treatment admission information and Federal data that ALCOHOL use is a significant source for voluntary drug treatment admissions and visits to emergency rooms. Studies also reveal that ALCOHOL potency has almost tripled over the past 20 years, raising serious concerns about what this means for public health – especially among young people who use the drug because research shows their brains continue to develop well into their 20's. Simply put, it is not a benign drug. [/QUOTE] Send [b]this[/b] back to them and see what they say!

[QUOTE=Stormcharger;33017590]asdf[/QUOTE] The health [b]benefits[/b] are controversial. But riddle me this: How does that mean that for a large percentage of people, moderate alcohol consumption will be bad?

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017606]Not that are more than minor [url]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15804034[/url] "Moderate drinking has small effects on health"[/QUOTE] Were you only able to read the first sentence? [quote]Protective effects of moderate drinking are reported for cardiovascular disease, diabetes type 2 and cognitive functioning. However, [B]moderate drinking also involves risks, especially of injuries, violence, foetal damage, certain forms of cancer, liver disease and hypertension.[/B][/quote] [editline]29th October 2011[/editline] I mean if you're going to cite things as evidence, at least make me log into my university account to access the full text to tear you apart.

[QUOTE=Ardosos;33017595]I wouldn't say that, I get pretty bad headaches just by being around regular users.[/QUOTE] "Does not cause [B]much[/B] harm at all to other people. [editline]29th October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Icedshot;33017626]The health [b]benefits[/b] are controversial. But riddle me this: How does that mean that for a large percentage of people, moderate alcohol consumption will be bad?[/QUOTE] Im just saying you just can't say conclusively that moderate alcohol consumption has little or no long term effects.

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017532]Im not sure how i can spell this out so ill break it into bullet points. You said that you should ban things that are harmful in the long run Alcohol causes no or minor long term damage in moderate use. Therefore no reason for it to be banned Smoking causes long term damage in any quantity of use. So [b]by the premise of your question[/b], yes it should be banned Marijuana may or may not cause long term damage. Seeing as the dangers are unknown, it is reasonable to assume that it is not safe until you can prove otherwise, to prevent long term damage unnecessarily. Again, answering you by the premise given to me in your question, marijuana should stay illegal until it is more well researched. Im going to stress here that i dont think that Marijuana should be banned. Just that, by the logic that you gave to me, it should.[/QUOTE] You are a retard. Just saying. Marijuana has 3x more tar than tobacco, in weight. But you dont smoke a pack of ciggarettes equivalent of weed in one day, not even near that at all. And the tar from marijuana's smoking, dissapates after around 2 months of no smoking whatsoever. Alchohol does cause major damage in moderate usage you idiot?? lol brain cells dying, you can get cancer, and pretty sure its way more dangerous to drink and drive than smoke an drive. Your just a stubborn guy who is trying to seem intelligent without actually reading up on studies of marijuana, OR alchohol.

[QUOTE=Contag;33017629]Were you only able to read the first sentence? [editline]29th October 2011[/editline] I mean if you're going to cite things as evidence, at least make me log into my university account to access the full text to tear you apart.[/QUOTE] The abstract seems to conflict itself. I assume that it says that moderate drinking involves risks, but having been clarified earlier by "Moderate drinking has small effects on health", my initial statement of "no or minor long term effects" is still accurate, IE the risks are minor

[QUOTE=Septimas;33017681]You are a retard. Just saying. Marijuana has 3x more tar than tobacco, in weight. But you dont smoke a pack of ciggarettes equivalent of weed in one day, not even near that at all. And the tar from marijuana's smoking, dissapates after around 2 months of no smoking whatsoever. Alchohol does cause major damage in moderate usage you idiot?? lol [b]brain cells dying[/b], you can get cancer, and pretty sure its way more dangerous to drink and drive than smoke an drive. Your just a stubborn guy who is trying to seem intelligent without actually reading up on studies of marijuana, OR alchohol.[/QUOTE] Brain cells don't die, Kinda ruins your argument :v: For those of you who disagree [url]http://www.misconceptionjunction.com/index.php/2010/10/alcohol-does-not-kill-brain-cells/[/url]

[QUOTE=Septimas;33017681]Marijuana has 3x more tar than tobacco, in weight.[/QUOTE] Woah what, where did you get this from?

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017705]The abstract seems to conflict itself. I assume that it says that moderate drinking involves risks, but having been clarified earlier by "Moderate drinking has small effects on health", my initial statement of "no or minor long term effects" is still accurate, IE the risks are minor[/QUOTE] [quote] injuries, violence, foetal damage, certain forms of cancer, liver disease and hypertension.[/quote] If you consider those risks minor, what do you consider moderate or significant?

[QUOTE=Icedshot;33017705]The abstract seems to conflict itself. I assume that it says that moderate drinking involves risks, but having been clarified earlier by "Moderate drinking has small effects on health", my initial statement of "no or minor long term effects" is still accurate, IE the risks are minor[/QUOTE] fuck if injuries, violence, foetal damage, certain forms of cancer, liver disease and hypertension are your form of minor risks Id hate to see your definition of major risks. [editline]29th October 2011[/editline] Ninjad