do you look down your nose at marijuana smokers?

[mopaul]

some people like it, some don't. it's almost pointless to bring up marijuana's illegal status, and the thousands of political prisoners in america's prisons whose only crime is enjoying a good smoke.

i think it's o.k., to each his own.

it's illegal, so don't do it.

it's stupid to smoke anything, including pot.

it's god's own sacred herb, a harmless enjoyment.

pot heads are weak fools, just like juicers.

my grandma smokes pot.

i'm smoking it right now.

never tried it, never will.

...............
is it an issue at all in today's politics? no one ever mentions it.
it's probably be political suicide to support decriminalization.


also, have you ever been busted for it?

[Failure]

1. I think we need to modify some of our drug laws...so that

non-violent offenders do not get sent to prison. It's pretty much decriminalized in Ohio, so I don't worry about it too much. What's interesting is that paraphernalia is more serious crime than the herb itself.

I do not look down my nose at anyone,

that's what the other side does.

failure.

[lectrobyte]

2. No, I don't look down my nose at anyone, or at least try not to...

In a saner world, it would be legalized, but since it was part of the counterculture then, it is part of the clampdown now.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. All ya gotta do is avoid Exit 340, man.

[DenverDem]

16. Shouldn't that be exit 420?

Come on!

[hexola]

4. I was savaged by some DUers for bringing this up over the weekend...

Brought it up relative to the Kerry campaign...

Thread here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1512356&mesg_id=1512356

[mopaul]

6. yeah, i saw that

i didn't jump in, cause it's a lost cause for the most part.

[Az]

5. Yes and no

I am for legalization. I recognise that different people have different criteria on their own particular pursuit of happiness. I even met my GF/Fiance at the Ann Arbor hash bash (we were both there for an unrelated Anime event). But its the same for me with any particular drug (alcohol included). A person high on anything becomes terribly uninteresting to talk to. I mean other than the short term entertainment value or for study purposes to see what altered states of mind bring about. Simply put, high people are boring.

[uncle ray]

8. no, you've just been around boring people that were high

interesting people get more interesting when they are high.

pot increases whatever mood you are in, if you are down, its a downer, if you are up, its an upper.

[Az]

13. Lets put it this way

The high people certainly thought they were more interesting. They thought the carpet was more interesting. They thought their hand was more interesting. Then they fell asleep.

[mopaul]

15. hee hee, i think i know that guy

[hexola]

17. They call them fingers...but I've never seen them fing...(nt)

[gpandas]

28. what else do you know about thoughts of other people? n/t

[Az]

31. Only what they tell me

Beyond that, its all guess work.

[gpandas]

38. i see n/t

[Webster Green]

65. Thats just not true..........nice pigeon-holing though.........

Like most things, it effects different people in different ways.

Bill Hicks had a great bit about how all the really good songs were written while stoned.

[Az]

78. See the post below

Titled "Fair Enough" for details.

[comsymp]

21. Not taking sides but just struck by the perspective~

Wonder how many stoners/smokers/or nonsmokers think Anime fans are, simply put, boring... :+


ON EDIT: since I'm at work on the company's PC/network, that's probably all I should say for now.

[hexola]

24. Not sure I understand...but I've never understood the Anime stuff...

or people's facinations with it...but to each his own...

[Az]

37. Fair enough

Thats the thing about opinions. We all get our own. Pretty fair system I think.

As the song One Night in Bangcok suggest, the queens we use would not excite you.

See, here is the thing of it. This is an opinion. I fully expect people to not get anime. Some people do. Some don't.

Same thing with drugs. Some people are fascinated with altered perspectives and truly groove on rediscovering things through their changed perspective. Some philosophies even attempt to achieve this perspective through meditation. Buddhists attempt to return to being able to see something as if for the first time. It is truly an emotionally powerful feeling. I fully expect that the altered perspective granted by various drugs enables this.

So there is an entire range of reasons for people to partake in drugs. Some do so to expand their ranger of experience. Some do so to simply escape experience. And just like those that watch anime we each have our own reasons and taste and we cannot expect everyone else to get it. I think soap operas are boring. I don't think they are wrong. I think drugs are boring. I don't think they are wrong. Its a big world. I don't have the prescribed list of what is supposed to make you happy.

[hexola]

42. I was hoping for an explantion of Anime...

Not trying to slam it...

I just didn't get your analogy - due to my ignorace about anime...

[Az]

56. Ah, well Anime

Anime is a term for Japanese Animation. Trying to boil it down would be difficult as the Japanese Animation industry is about as diverse as the American film industry. Most people that are aware of it have a limited exposure to it unless they are fans. Most of the stuff that gets brought over to the US is stuff that American advertisers think will appeal to their audience (ie they don't give the people a chance to get to know new stuff). Cultural censorship also impacts a lot of what can come over as the Japanese are a lot more open on some issues than we are(the inverse is true on some issues as well).

Suffice to say that Anime can be much more mature than what American audiences expect from animation. This has caused Disney some consternation. Due to fear of a Japanese invasion Disney took steps to form an alliance with some anime artists (as well as stealing a lot of anime films outright ie Lion King and Atlantis). Unfortunately for their marketers they had no idea of the maturity level of Anime. So when they brought Princess Mononokie over as part of their contract with Hayao Miyazaki they did not know how to handle it. Anime often deals with death and violence in very real manners. Violence has consequence in these films. Unlike American Animation if a person falls off a cliff they do not bounce back up.

Suffice to say that anime is an addiction of its own. There is even a saying within the Anime comminity. Anime: Drugs would be cheaper.

[No2W2004]

57. About Anime,

Here's what I've learned...

1)The shorter the skirt, the less chance of seeing anything underneath

2) Women in Japan can kick your ass (especially school girls)

3) If you expect a series to end with the story neatly wrapped up, or at least explained, you'll be disappointed

4) Everything's easier with a giant robot

5) The more a man acts "macho" the bigger goofball he really is

As far as pot goes, smoking anything is bad for your lungs, but if you do some research and find out just WHY hemp was made illegal, then you'll see just how hypocritical and unjust the laws pertaining to pot really are.

[Az]

58. Ain't Nododies Business if you do

The absurdity of consensual laws in a free society. A must read book. Go google it. Its free online now.

[No2W2004]

70. If more people

only realized how many of our laws are based solely on economic reasons like Hearst "fixing" things so his lumber empire wouldn't be threatened, stupid laws would be done away with.

Me and my 6 yr. old daughter are addicted to Inuyasha.

[Az]

77. Hehe

Inuyash is written by the author of one of my fave anime series. Rumiku Takahashi's older series Ranma 1/2 will never air in America. Like Inuyasha a convoluted love triangle (Ranma strecthes that geometric cliche to its ultimate) lays at the center of Ranma. But the issue that will keep Ranma from ever being seen on American television is the curse Ranma is under. Seems whenever he gets hit by cold water he turns into a girl. Warm water returns him to male.

[comsymp]

67. Well written

Sounds like we're in complete agreement

:toast:

[RapidCreek]

91. the only way I could enjoy anime is if i were REALLLLLY stoned

I mean REAAAALLLLLLYYYYYYY REALLLLLLYYYYY stoned. :)

RC

[gpandas]

23. nice generalization n/t

[gulfcoastliberal]

7. No

I think all drugs should be legal for adults. No sense in locking people up for smoking this or that. But that leads us to the law enforcement/judicial/prison machine that profits from these regulations and laws.

[CheshireCat]

79. "I think all drugs should be legal for adults"

I totally agree, gulfcoast liberal. Adults should be allowed to alter their state of mind if they want to do so. This world is so screwed up that most people need some help with their moods.

The key is "moderation". I don't like dealing with people who are whacked out of their minds on alcohol or some other drug, but I still believe they should have a right to get whacked.

I feel no disrespect for people who smoke weed or do other drugs, as long as they don't drive while doing so.

I know many people who do drugs daily, but in moderation. They function better than many people who are totally straight.

I am 52 and rarely use recreational drugs anymore, but tried most drugs when I was younger. Today, I must take certain prescription drugs to stay mentally and physically healthy. Since these drugs do not mix with alcohol, I never drink. Occasionally, I'll take a toke off a joint if I am somewhere that others are smoking.

It's total hypocrisy for alcohol to be legal and marijuana to be illegal. In my view, alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs.

[tabasco]

9. Only if they don't share.

Don't bogart that joint, my friend.

[Earth_First]

11. Touche!

4:20

[MichaelHarris]

10. not at all

Its just that growing up in the late 60's and seeing that joint pass towards you at a concert, all wet and slobbery, it was a "Fear Factor" moment for me. I couldn't do it, Joe Rogan would send me packin'. Fear of the slobbery joint is a Fear Factor for me.

Now as for other drugs well lets just say we didn't experiment with drugs, we did full scale research.

[seabeyond]

12. totaly embrace pot

would take a person stoned over drunk any day

[Fenris]

14. I've never tried it, but I don't give a shit whether anyone else smokes it

My parents were major pot smokers throughout my childhood. I think that was something of a deterrent for me. But as far as others smoking marijuana I really could not care less.

[loftycity]

18. Pot should be legalized

The laws in this country for recreational drugs have affected the medical profession harshly. Physicians cannot prescribe pain/sleeping medication for their patients for fear of being arrested for helping people deal with severe pain.
This is why recreational drugs have to be legalized.

Good book on this "Drug Crazy" by Mike Gray---recommended reading from Mike Ruppert FTW

[redqueen]

53. Your post reminds me of the wheelchair bound man who got 25 years

While rushbo gets a few weeks at a country club.

Opiaphobia is a real and harmful phenomenon. Doctors should be able to treat their patients without fear of the overly-powerful DEA breathing down their necks!

[Claire Beth]

119. I agree...

it should be legalized.

[DenverDem]

19. I only look down my nose at a pot smoker

as I pass the kutchie from a reclining position.

[Skittles]

20. Drunks bother me a lot more than pot smokers

nt

[Touchdown]

22. Since I dated a pot-smoker for 9 months...

...who "Needed" to get high every night, ate all my food, never cleaned up after himself, forced me to watch that insipid "Half Baked" on my $3000 HDTV, knocked expensive shit off of my shelves, and laughed about it, and coulsd never have sex unless he was chemically enhanced...I think I have a bit of a right to feel superior, don't you?

EDIT: Oh yeah...he also drank HALF of my last bottle of Guinness, and put the open bottle back into the fridge...1 DAY BEFORE St. Patrick's Day! And I'm Irish! :grr:

[comsymp]

25. Not really-

Sounds like the problem you had was that you were dating an asshole.

[Touchdown]

32. Come off it. He's not the only one.

Most habitual smokers have the same traits. Of only caring about who thier going to toke with next, and are inconsiderate. There IS an element of truth in every stereotype...as I have learned the hard way.

[comsymp]

35. Hey, it's your prejudice- knock yourself out

And I support your right to express it.

Just like I embrace my right to say that your generalization is FOS.

-cs (wishing i had time to engage in deeper dialogue with you about the "truth in every stereotype" comment but, alas, it's lunchtime and i'm outta here!)

[cheezus]

41. bullshit. I know at least a dozen habitual smokers and only one is an ass

which is right on par with the general population.

[hexola]

46. Good point....One habitual smoker I know...

Is one of the hardest working people I've ever met...I respect and admire him tremendously.

Even nuttier - he's a fundy Christian!!!

[minkyboodle]

121. I had the same experience

One of the first habitual smokers I became close with was perhaps the most motivated person I've ever known. He defied the stereotype in every way. He is also incredibly considerate. I always chuckled when I thought about how shocked people would be to find out about him... This stoner stereotype bashing is getting old. Okaaaay maaaaaan.. :)
Scott

[SheepyMcSheepster]

49. I am a habitual pot smoker

and believe that i do not fit into your stereo type at all. one could layout a stereo type of women that is just as superficial. Most women... most christians.... most democrats.... most republicans....

in my experience i have seen plenty of people how amazing assholes without the help of any drug.

[hexola]

27. It is more addicting than the pro-legal side would like to admit...

...but to only really heavy users...

[SheepyMcSheepster]

51. when you say addiction what do you mean?

physcial/psychological?
what is a "really heavy" user and how do they become "addicted".

[hexola]

61. I was leaning toward Physical...

Heavy smokers do become physically addicted. My definition of a heavy user is someone who probably smokes some in the morning with their coffee. Maybe a little before lunch, and some after. A few grams a day...depending on the potency.

Signs of physical addiction:

1. Sleep - many heavy users will not be able to sleep without weed. The weed replaces your body's message to "sleep". Just like the Alcoholic who has come to rely on alcohol to put them sleep.

2. Food - weed gives you the munchies...not having weed will decrease your appetite tremendously. Without weed you will feel "full" much quicker. You might also feel nausea after eating, even vomit in extreme cases. It seems to affect you blood sugar also.

3. Nerves - your temper will be shorter. You will feel "up" or nervous.

These symptoms are short lived...most people can detox from heavy weed addiction in a few days...but those are the initial symptoms. It's not terribly unpleasant...but enough to keep some people smokin'

[snooper2]

87. And I take it you are not writing this from experience...

because none of what you wrote makes sense.
"Not having weed will decrease your appetite tremendously" :wtf:

"Nerves, your temper will be shorter. You will feel "up" or nervous"
Have you ever smoked a joint?

[hexola]

94. We're taking about addiction and the effects of withdrawl...not use.

Yes this is from personal experience.

[redqueen]

99. People can be addicted to gambling, soap operas, etc.

Use = not a problem

Abuse = problem

[CheshireCat]

82. Ridiculous!

I smoked 1/2 of a joint almost everyday for 20 years and stopped "cold turkey" on a dare. There were no withdrawal symptoms and very few times that I craved it.

Some people may be psychologically addicted to marijuana, but no one gets physically addicted.

[hexola]

86. 1/2 a joint!!! - I'm taking about folks who smoke 5-6 joints a day!!!

There were no withdrawal symptoms and very few times that I craved it.

That statement is a contradiction...

[CheshireCat]

98. Why is it a contradiction?

Craving and physically withdrawing are not the same thing.

[tinanator]

102. not at all

there might be tendencies towards addiction, but Pot can be shook in a few days after heavy use. Once you realize this, the people who place heavier emphasis on maintainance are simply less appreciative of the mildness of the situation. Probably more disturbed by life itself than the lack of a buzz. On the other hand, alcohol and cigarettes can produce problems for certain people that are beyond the pale. There are serious issues for society in those areas that are left unspoken because legal contributions carry weight. POT IS NOT ADDICTIVE! Coke is deadly, Meth is murder and cigarettes should be ILLEGAL!!!!!!!!! Excuse me, I have to prepare for a funeral tomorrow for a dear friend 4 years younger than I who joins the long list of cocaine fatalities I have known over the years. Would that he never needed more than another bonghit.

[redqueen]

103. My condolences

Sorry to hear about your friend.

If only the authoritarians would at least concentrate on the drugs that KILL!

[tinanator]

107. thank you very much

It is a very sad scene. No matter how low this kid got, he was still the nicest person who had been through too many traumas to justify such a decent attitude. That other "human beings" could allow and enable a troubled person access or simply predate on him makes me quite disgusted with the species. thanks again. He hated Bush btw:)

[gpandas]

33. now let's see, your boyfriend smoked pot, your boyfriend is

an asshole, therefore...

[wtmusic]

34. Awright, that's the last straw

touch my Guinness and yeroutahere!!!! :D

[Touchdown]

118. I'm telling you!

Read the other posts attacking me for the gall to tell my story that doesn't fit into their heavy propagandized image of peace and love and Earth and brownies. Most of that other stuff I can ignore (including the "loss of sexual energy" i.e BONER! because of 20 bong hits on a given night)...but touch my last Guinness, and not drink it all, and that's just low!

[SEAburb]

76. Your boyfriend is the typical pot smoker, TD

I've seen the ugly side of drug use first hand. The glorification of drug use at DU has bothered me for some time.

At least your boyfriend didn't steal your HDTV to buy drugs.

[minkyboodle]

122. christ

I feel an afterschool special coming on. Stealing an HDTV for pot?

[liberalitch]

81. Assholes come in pot smoker and

non pot smoker....

[pezcore64]

117. hey hey now ;)

just because ur boyfriend was a loser doesnt mean all pot smokers are ;)

thats the problem with people in this country! they blame the substance and not the person behind it!
people need to own up to their actions and stop hiding behind a drug to shift blame of their immaturity!

[seemslikeadream]

26. No and I do not look down my nose at marijuana eaters either

Hemp Pesto
Certified Organic Mizuna (Japanese mustard), Certified Organic basil, hemp seed, hemp oil, Kosher olive oil, parmesan, garlic, lemon, Golda's herbs.

Great on pasta!

[mopaul]

30. here's the hemp cereal my daughter turned me onto

[seemslikeadream]

47. Hemp for victory

According to the transcript of the 1942 US Navy propaganda movie; "Hemp for victory:" "But now, with Philippine and East Indian sources of hemp in the hands of the Japanese, and shipment of jute from India curtailed, American hemp must meet the needs of our Army and Navy, as well as of our industry. In 1942, patriotic farmers, at the government’s request, planted 36,000 acres of seed hemp, an increase of several thousand percent. The goal for 1943 is 50,000 acres of seed hemp."
Well Mr. "President," (in quotation marks because with Catherine Harris and others help, you stole the presidency) HempFarm.com is asking you: Is Hemp patriotic or is it "drugs"? (do you even know what hemp is?) Have you forgotten your heritage? How the Bush family emigrated from Leiden, Holland and sailed to North America on a ship with hempen sails and rigging? And your father who jumped from a plane during WWII using a Hemp webbing parachute, and your interests are now in the oil industry just like your entire government, go figure! Now, in addition you are waging an illegal war for oil, no wonder the US was kicked out of the UN Human Rights committee and that you did not want the International Court of Justice to be able to call you in for war crimes. Where is the hemp? And how come the opium production in Afghanistan doubled last year during US occupancy? We are witnessing armageddon.

http://www.hempworld.com/hemp-cyberfarm_com/pstindex.html

[info being]

104. Yep, from Trader Joe's. Very good cereal.

[tnlefty]

29. Only those holier than thou and if you do the crime get penalized to the

max folks who want the friggin' rules to change when they or one of their relatives/friends get into trouble. I'd like to spit on them not just look down my nose at them.

I know, I'm grouchy today.

[DrWeird]

36. No, but I look down my nose at non marijuana smokers.

At least the prudes who've never tried it before.

[mouse7]

39. A crutch is a crutch.

I'm not talking about people who have medical conditions that pot helps.

Healthy people that use a lot of intoxicants of any type are using a crutch to get through their daily lives. It's not a matter of feeling superior. I just see it as a warning sign that there is a high likelihood of serious issues present in a person using that are not being dealt with.

[cheezus]

44. how about people that watch tv or surf DU

a lot every day? give me a break - it's a recreational activity. Overdoing any recreational activity is generally bad.

[mouse7]

54. TV can be a crutch too. DU isn't

TV alters the physiology of a viewer. It puts a viewer in a state very similar to that created by many forms of hypnosis.

DU isn't. It doesn't alter the consciousness of a user.

Everquest and other MMORPGs can be a crutch, though.

Anything that alters the reality of a participant is a crutch to escape the reality of the user. Some people can use crutchs in a non-destructive manner. Most can't over the long term.

[mopaul]

45. you would take away a person's crutch?

i do see your point though, and i agree, a crutch is a crutch.

but there are some people, i ain't sayin' who, who occassionally need a crutch.

some smoke cigarettes to relieve stress, some have a martini.

some are lucky enough to be able to just live sober.

takes all kinds, i guess. but it could be taken as a warning sign that a person needs mental help. some prescribe prozac, others, a good smoke.

[mouse7]

60. I think the key is the effort to deal with underlying issues

Some people talk out their problems when they have them, and their personal issues don't get overwhelming. Some people don't, and the issues build up to destructive levels.

I think the warning signs show that a person needs to deal with the issues. No substance, legal or illegal, is a replacement for dealing with underlying issues. If someone is exhibiting warning signs, they should start trying to appropriately deal with their problems. The best way to do that is to talk them out, either with friends, family, counselors, etc. If someone is using a crutch, and not talking out problems on a regular basis, there will be serious problems.

[redqueen]

64. In other words - you're talking about someone that ABUSES pot, not USES

Big diff.

[mouse7]

66. No "in other words." I mean exactly what I type, redqueen

How about you decide what you mean in your posts. I'll decide what I mean in my posts. Got that? Good.

I mean a crutch is a crutch.

[redqueen]

71. So, to you, someone who drinks a glass of wine after dinner

is using a 'crutch'?

:eyes:

[mouse7]

80. 1 glass of wine would be a very small crutch

First of all, there are a lot of medical reasons for drinking one glass of wine at night. I made it clear that those that are drinking a glass of wine at night because their doctor told them it would be good for their heart/blood pressure are no different than those participating in other theraputic methods

I smoke cigerettes AND drink 4 cups of coffee before I budge in the morning. I have bigger crutches than someone that drinks 1 glass of wine at night. Tobacco could potentially mask dealing with anxiety properly. Coffee drinking could potentially mask depression. Yes, my crutches require ocassional self-inventory to make sure I'm not covering up another problem.

One glass of wine at night would be be a small chance of being a problem, however, it CAN be a problem. What about someone that drinks one glass of wine because they have require it to deal with their spouse after work? That's an issue. An issue that should be dealt with.

[redqueen]

83. Gotcha

See, IMO, that person that uses the one glass of wine at night in order to be able to more calmly handle their spouse is, as you say, using a crutch. However, I would say that given the way society treats people with mental issues, that it's probably more realistic to expect that a spouse with a partner like that would turn to a glass of wine than to enroll in counseling. I mean, nowadays it's getting a bit more acceptable, but mostly people seem to think that they can 'handle their own problems' even though them being personally involved necessarily means they have a *great big blind spot*, but oh well.

So, seeing as how our society doesn't exactly facilitate people handling the root causes of the issues for which they need these 'crutches', I stand firmly in support of them. Unless or until they get 'out of hand' (the point when the crutch becomes more important to the user than other concerns).

Which explains why I used the 'use not abuse' syllogism.

Thanks for the discussion. :)

[mouse7]

93. Issues should be handled by talking to the person involved

The best way to deal with the above mentioned scenario would be for the couple to talk about the issue. No counselors or medical insurance involved there.

In this society, we rely on outside intervention too often when a little common sense and open communication would be a better solution.

[redqueen]

96. You gotta be kidding me

Have you been married? How long?

[mouse7]

108. No. Not terribly easy for disabled to find a partner.

I've been engaged a couple of times, but there aren't a lot of people that will start a relationship with a disabled person, and even fewer that will stay in one.

[redqueen]

112. I hear ya

But truly, after a few years/decades of being with the same person, sometimes it gets a bit hard to see the forest for the trees.

I'm a big, big, BIG supporter of counseling. Not just for married couples, but EVERYONE. There are just some areas of our lives which we are not qualified to or capable of analyzing objecively.

[liberalitch]

101. Is it possible that you've made a crutch....

out of categorizing others' "crutches"?

[mouse7]

105. Being disabled forces one to be careful

I have to monitor all this kind of stuff, just because being disabled in this society carries so much baggage. Unemployment rates run above 70% for the disabled. Extremely high rates of depression and very low self esteem. Very high substance abuse rates.

It's not real easy for a disabled person to keep a healthy mental outlook.

[frank frankly]

73. i personally think too many people are addicted to water

and those losers who NEED their precious oxygen...ripping addicts, all of them.

peace.

:smoke:

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

84. so what are your thoughts on the use of marijuana

as recreation only. Not the use as a crutch. The use by someone who deals with all their underlying problems and just enjoys a toke every now and then?

[mouse7]

111. Me personally? Pot puts me straight to sleep.

Pot to me is a straight ticket to slumberland. I don't even get to the "munchies" stage.

[CheshireCat]

90. If it takes a crutch to get thru the day - so be it!

"I just see it as a warning sign that there is a high likelihood of serious issues present in a person using that are not being dealt with."

There are many "serious issues" that we can do nothing about. If it takes a crutch to get thru the day without becoming despondent or depressed, just be thankful for that crutch!

BTW, people use many things other than drugs as crutches. Religion, sex, driving too fast, etc. The list goes on forever.

Why choose one "crutch" and deny it to people if it makes their lives more livable?

[redqueen]

100. Exactly!

As long as the person using the 'crutch' (what a demeaning term!) does not abuse it, and causes no harm to others around him, what (authoritarian) has the right to tell them to do otherwise?

[mouse7]

114. Doesn't work that way.

If anyone has a justification for having crutches, I do. I have to deal with stuff like waking up choking most nights because my swallowing mechanism was screwed up by the lower brain injury that disabled me.

If someone is using crutches to avoid dealing with issues, then there is a serious problem. We can do something about all issues. If we can't cure the cause, then we can deal with the emotions resulting from the cause. Waking up choking sucks, and it can't be fixed. I could allow that situation to cripple me emotionally, and stay in a incoherant fog. I can also deal with the fear that it causes, and reduce the effects the fear has on me. That's the path I chose to take. I still wake up choking, but I'm no longer panicked and useless the rest of the day afterward.

[mopaul]

40. I know some smokers who are hardcore conservatives

it's not a conflict in their heads, sort of like gay republicans.
i never understood it, like chickens supporting col. sanders.

[minkyboodle]

123. fratboy syndrome

It is quite widespread. Very alarming for the more traditional stoner :)
Scott

[BiggJawn]

43. Too busy holding my nose to look down it...

Man, that shit STINKS!
And another free tech-tip, don't try to cover it up with cheap Patchouli, because that just makes you smell like you haven't bathed in a while...

That said, I don't see why Booze is legal and Pot's not. Maybe if more ReTHUGs smoked up?

[redqueen]

48. I don't

I consider them to be more responsible than those that drink alcohol, actually. Police that I've talked with tell me they'd rather deal with a bunch of stoned people than a bunch of drunks.

Seems to me that alcohol is more damaging to your body personally, and also to society (drunk drivers). Those same police mentioned above told me that most stoned drivers drive SLOWER than the speed limit (don't know if it's true but they certainly were convinced).

Either way, it's stupid to make marijauna illegal but keep alcohol and tobacco legal.

Isn't this supposed to be a nation based on freedom?

[the_real_38]

50. Man, would that be hypocritical...

... though I do occassionally look down my nose into the bhang.

[Beam Me Up]

52. I've been smoking pot off and on for 38 years.

My first hit was as a freshman in college, 1966. The weed back then in Chicago was pretty bad. You had to smoke quite a bit and then use your imagination, but I got the idea. It wasn't until I smoked hashish in 1967 that I really 'got off.'

There have been times over these years when I smoked pot regularly; other times when I've gone for years without smoking. The cannabis available now (blubbery) is quite potent and yummy--a couple tokes in the evening and I'm chilled for the rest of the night.

Cannabis is a medicine for the human spirit, IMO. Like all good medicines, it should only be taken as needed. Unfortunately, what ails the human spirit can not be cured by any drug. Not to say they can't help at times but they are limited in what they can do.

[RebelOne]

55. Hell, no. I used to do it myself, but not any longer.

[ieoeja]

59. You nose isn't for looking.

You should be inhaling.

[qb]

62. No, but I plug my nose.

Not really, but I don't care for the smell. Do what you want, but blow the smoke away from me.

[blindpig]

63. I'm sick to the teeth of being a criminal

35 fucking years of looking over my shoulder! For what? This idiocy has helped define my life, and it's not like I'm of the toasted for breakfast crowd(which is ok if you can keep it together). It's like being Bilbo in Gollum's cave forever("What have I got in my pocket?").
Many of us were so sure that legalization was just arround the corner when Carter got elected...........sigh.
And yes, a few brushes with the man, all small change and 20+ years ago.

[frank frankly]

68. never been busted for it

i am a big fan of the stuff.

it isn't perfect and yes it can certainly make one lazy, very lazy, but it is fat free and natural and i find it has made me a more philosophical person and more kind.

pass the peace pipe!

[Borgnine]

69. I don't smoke...

...and personally, I feel it's a waste of time. No, I'm not talking about those who do it every now and then ("social pot smokers"), but I've personally witnessed friends and family who nearly became obsessed with it to the point where they became different people.

I think it should be legalized, and I think it's stupid to prosecute people for it. It's just not my cup of tea (or bag of herbs).

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

72. Only if they're 5 ft or less tall and very near me (nt)

[msmcghee]

74. I'd like to believe . .

. . that being a liberal means that unless someone is doing damage to others, then what they do is not mine to judge. That includes religions, drugs, sex practices, musical tastes, etc.

Humans have found and used drugs to change their state of mind since the dawn of the species.

Why do so many people, even many liberals, feel the need to judge and control other's lives? There's a difference between looking down your nose (disapproval) and not enjoying it yourself. I don't enjoy sqwacky atonal jazz - but I'd rather assume it's my lack of musical experience than that it's not good music. Too many great musicians really get off on it.

[redqueen]

75. Not just humans

Animals eat fermented fruit and whatnot to get their kicks, too. :)

[mouse7]

89. Lots of animals eat shit.

Should we eat shit, too?

Personally, I don't feel like shoving my nose in someone's ass when I meet them just because dogs do it.

[redqueen]

97. LOL!

Logic ever enter into the equation? Pfft.

WHY do dogs eat $hit? Answer that and we'll go from there.

We know WHY animals eat fermented fruit - same reason we do!

:crazy:

[workforpower]

85. Why does anyone smoke it?

Please explain. It must be hard to sneak around so as not to be arrested. I hope you don't have cancer. Where I live it passed 60/40. There were still problems from the one that couldn't save them on 9/11/01. He did a poor job. He went insane. Not pretty,a hard way to go.

[msmcghee]

92. Please explain.

There were still problems from the one that couldn't save them on 9/11/01. He did a poor job. He went insane. Not pretty,a hard way to go.

[info being]

106. You write like you're smoking right now.

Or maybe its just all that perscription stuff.

[RapidCreek]

88. I look down my nose a pot smokers...

when they don't share!

:)

RC

[swinney]

95. Six Pack=Pot Pack

Pot is to Beer---like Cocaine is to Hard liquor

One addictive.The other is not addictive.

One is calming. One is violence inducer.

I have been around many beer drinker-pot smokers. Fewer but some Cocaine-Liquor drinkers.

World of difference.Keep me away from Coke-Liquor users.

[BigBigBear]

109. "do you look down your nose at marijuana smokers?"

I do not, although I've practically given it up myself.

[mondo joe]

110. I look down my nose at everyone who gives up control

I'm controlling. I look down my nose at everyone who surrenders self control - from booze to pot.

But I think it should be legal.

[pezcore64]

113. lol

Well
only when they smoke all of mine up!
haha!


I think its one of the biggest hypocricys in this country.

Legal cigarettes and alcohol, but oh no! that marijuana, its evil! its the devil! ah!
heh
How many people die from marijuana a year again?

and how many die from alcohol and tobacco?

nuff said.


I have plenty of accomplished friends who continue to smoke pot. All did well at college while smoking too. obviously you shouldnt drive while on it, you shouldnt drive while on anything. I think that pot smokers are good drivers generally tho.

they just need to legalise it already. i know my state could really make some money off of it. especially now since tobacco has taken a fall. even just industrial hemp would be our savoir!

[redqueen]

116. Industrial Hemp

Gee, couldn't we use that to make paper, thereby reducing deforestation?

What else could it be used for, I wonder... and how much better or worse would the impact on the environment be?

*sigh*

[Ezlivin]

115. It's 420...time for a rhinoplasty

When I was in the VA, the Vietnam vets in my room would take me outside to smoke a joint.

Nearly every afternoon we would sit outside the Memphis VAMC, toke and relax. Just three veterans in wheelchairs enjoying the weather and some companionship.

Having a buzz sure made it easier to go back inside. Even the drab greens and grays looked a bit spiffier!

I've met plenty of disabled veterans over the years who self-medicated with marijuana.

And since I'm already in a wheelchair, I don't consider pot use to be a crutch. :)

[TrogL]

120. No, I yell and scream at them

It seems to be the only way to get through to them when they're all toked up. Even that kinda barely gets their attention.

They're so out of it they don't even know they're out of it.