[Wally_Sconce]

i am in favor of THC suppositories, but thats it.

IF the potheads want to sit in a circle and share a box of suppositories, then fill yer boots!

[herbie]

Who cares about the USA? They can get their own shit together.

Send weed out of the country and bring in MONEY, 5% GST and a 5% penalty for trying to avoid it plus you must report it as income.
Send weed out of the country and bring GUNS or COKE back in, you get sent to a new secret gulag on Ellesmere Island without a trial and used for RCMP taser practice.
Anyone second the motion?

[romanP]

CanadianJeff CanadianJeff:

well point in case I've got one big concern before I'd ever back legalized weed and that's knowing what effects it has on a pregnant woman and those with other common conditions such as bipolar and attention disorders.

Okay... First of all, pregnant women shouldn't smoke, no matter what the substance.

For some people with mood and attention disorders, it helps them quite a bit. But to tell the truth, not a lot of research has been done because of marijuana being an illegal substance. If it were legal, a lot of barriers to research would be torn down, and we would probably discover that marijuana is even more vastly useful than was previously thought.

Here is one bit of research that I find particularly interesting: There is a BBC documentary show called Horizon, which has a recent episode called Cannabis: The Evil Weed. In one part of it, they went to a research facility where they had found out that the trichomes of the cannabis plant do not only produce THC, but also a second chemical that is anti-psychotic. That second chemical is bred out when people grow pot for recreational use, but could be extremely useful in treating schizophrenia.

$1:

There's also the dilemma of how this will interact with both over the counter and prescription medicines. I think more research is needed.

Here's some helpful advice: don't mix drugs unless you know what you're doing. Most of the time, it's a bad idea.

However, if we were going to use this as a basis to decide whether any drug should be legal or not, then alcohol should be illegal because it is often deadly to mix with medication.

$1:

I'd be fine with legalizing it proven that any groups at risk are made very aware when they go to purchase and that you are never allowed to operate any kind of heavy equipment or motor vehicle while high. Also you really shouldn't be stoned in public around kids.

Again, there are people at risk for abusing not only prescription and over-the-counter medication, but stuff you would find in an entirely different store, like paint, gasoline or glue. This has not kept those substances from being legal.

[Yogi]

herbie herbie:

Who cares about the USA? They can get their own shit together.

Send weed out of the country and bring in MONEY, 5% GST and a 5% penalty for trying to avoid it plus you must report it as income.
Send weed out of the country and bring GUNS or COKE back in, you get sent to a new secret gulag on Ellesmere Island without a trial and used for RCMP taser practice.
Anyone second the motion?

I don't see that 'smoke' is any worse than alcohol. Maybe even less so. I'll second that motion Herbie.

[romanP]

Aging_Redneck Aging_Redneck:

romanP romanP:

Aging_Redneck Aging_Redneck:

the grow op industry gets paid in guns and heroine, how will the government tax that?

They wouldn't need to trade drugs for guns if their product was legal. You could buy it in a store instead of some guy's apartment.

its an export industry, how do you plan to legalize marijuana in the USA?

I don't plan to legalise marijuana in the United States. I don't even live there, nevermind having influence over their drug policies. I hope Barack Obama will take steps toward legalising, as he seems keen to do. Most states recognise that keeping weed illegal does more harm than good and wastes a lot of taxpayer money that could be better spent on looking for real criminals instead of manufactured ones.

[dino_bobba_renno]

romanP romanP:

Show us the non-existant evidence.

Check the definition of adiction (not the definition Websters gives you). To be addicted you don't have to be physically dependant on a substance. Being phusically dependant on a substance can be part of an addiction but just because your not doesn't mean you are not addicted. Addiction is a mental condition not a physical one.

$1:

The Medical Definition of Addiction
The medical definition of addiction has seven criteria. This definition is based on the criteria of American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) and the World Health Organization (ICD-10).(1)

An addiction is any behavior that meets at least three of the seven criteria during the same 12-month period.

1. Tolerance. Has your use of drugs or alcohol increased over time?
2. Withdrawal. When you stop using, do you experience at least one of the following symptoms: irritability, anxiety, shakes, sweats, nausea, or vomiting?
3. Difficulty controlling your use. Do you sometimes use more or for a longer time than you'd like? Do you drink to get drunk?
4. Negative consequences. Have you continued to use even though there have been negative consequences to your mood, self-esteem, health, job, or family?
5. Significant time or emotional energy spent. Do you spend a significant amount of time or thought obtaining, using, concealing, planning, or recovering from your use?
6. Put off or neglected activities. Have you given up or reduced social, recreational, work, or household activities because of your use?
7. Desire to cut down. Have you repeatedly thought about cutting down or controlling your use, or have you made unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control your use?

What Addiction is Not

You don't have to use every day. There is nothing in the definition about how often you use. You could use once a month, but if when you use you sometimes have difficulty controlling how much you use, or you have negative consequences, then you have an addiction.

You don't have to crave drugs or alcohol. You can go for a whole month without thinking about using or craving, but if you break down and have difficulty controlling your use, or have negative consequences because of your use, you still have an addiction.

You don't have to go through withdrawal. Every person is different when it comes to withdrawal. Some people experience significant withdrawal, and others very little. There's little correlation between how much withdrawal you experience and the extent of your addiction.

You don't have to suffer major losses. If you've suffered major losses, then you already have a major addiction. If your family members have ever commented on your use, then you've already suffered significant losses. It takes all of their courage in the beginning to make even the smallest comment about your use. The look of disappointment in their eyes is a loss. Bigger losses are harder to repair.

You don't need a fancy definition to tell you if you have an addiction. There is a simple test. If you think you might have a problem, then you probably do.

http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/definition-of-addiction.htm

$1:

Definition
Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. The term has been partially replaced by the word dependence for substance abuse. Addiction has been extended, however, to include mood-altering behaviors or activities. Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping, eating, and sexual activity). There is a growing recognition that many addicts, such as polydrug abusers, are addicted to more than one substance or process.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/addiction

$1:

Drug addiction; Addiction - drug
Definition Return to top

Drug addiction (dependence) is compulsively using a substance, despite its negative and sometimes dangerous effects. Drug abuse is using a drug excessively, or for purposes for which it was not medically intended.

A physical dependence on a substance (needing the drug to function) is not always part of the definition of addictionSome drugs (for example, some blood pressure medications) don't cause addiction but do cause physical dependence. Other drugs cause addiction without physical dependence (cocaine withdrawal, for example, doesn't have symptoms like vomiting and chills; it mainly involves depression). .

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/001522.htm

So Ruez's original statement was right, because you can be addicted to weed despite not having a physical dependance just like many other things in life.

[dino_bobba_renno]

Mr_Canada Mr_Canada:

I believe seeds are sold at a local store called "Bobs". Growing it really doesn't automatically link you to organized crime.
.

Ever heat the expression "You can't bullshit a bullshitter"
Trying to deny that there is involvement by organized crime in the drug trade, weed in particular, is like trying to argue the sky isn't blue or water isn't wet.

I've known plenty of people who deal and I also knew who they were getting their stuff from and trust me the guys further up the food chain weren't growing the stuff in their basement with seeds from Bob's. They were the kind of people you didn't mess with.

There may be some who grow their own but as a whole they represent a very small percentage. If you want to argue that people should be allowed to grow their own or thats decriminalization would take the crime out of the weed trade that fine but don't try telling me that 100% of weed that you smoke comes from your buddies garden. As my friend use to say "my name is Billy Tucker not Silly F%#$er"

[CanadianJeff]

Ronin your not seriously going to stand there and start arguing that Stoned drivers are not a concern because we should be worried about people driving on cough syrup......

If you legalize a drug used as a social high of course more people are going to be driving after using it.....

[raydan]

romanP romanP:

raydan raydan:

Something else I can grow in my garden.

We had Datura growing in the garden a couple of years back.
Never had the guts to try it.

I wouldn't recommend it. It can be deadly, and extremely unpleasant as a hullucinogen. I really don't know why some people are so eager to try it.

Some kids tried it out a few years ago and died.
The stuff was growing on city property (Trois-Rivieres).
The city where I live had it growing in flower pots on the highway divider.

A lot of cities in Quebec have stopped using it now.
Too many stupid people out there.

[CanadianJeff]

$1:

Okay... First of all, pregnant women shouldn't smoke, no matter what the substance.

You need to present an argument to these women as to why they shouldn't smoke. How successful do you think the getting women not to drink argument would hold up without knowing about fetal alcohol syndrome and other reasons.

$1:

For some people with mood and attention disorders, it helps them quite a bit. But to tell the truth, not a lot of research has been done because of marijuana being an illegal substance. If it were legal, a lot of barriers to research would be torn down, and we would probably discover that marijuana is even more vastly useful than was previously thought.

Um actually more research has likely been funded because it's illegal but I think you miss a major point. Funding. The reason we hear so many studies both for and against is simply who's paying the bills. The real science takes places in scientific journals and not on the BBC as much as I do like that station.

$1:

Here's some helpful advice: don't mix drugs unless you know what you're doing. Most of the time, it's a bad idea.

However, if we were going to use this as a basis to decide whether any drug should be legal or not, then alcohol should be illegal because it is often deadly to mix with medication.

You seem to have troubles being able to read. Not once in my post did I ever use the word illegal. I'm just saying I want more research to be done. You know how on pretty much every single commercial for medicine they tell you what symptoms to watch for and what meds NOT to take with it. Same needs to be done for weed. That and don't treat others like children we all know not to mix things it's really insulting.

CanadianJeff CanadianJeff:

Romanp Romanp:

I'd be fine with legalizing it proven that any groups at risk are made very aware when they go to purchase and that you are never allowed to operate any kind of heavy equipment or motor vehicle while high. Also you really shouldn't be stoned in public around kids.

Again, there are people at risk for abusing not only prescription and over-the-counter medication, but stuff you would find in an entirely different store, like paint, gasoline or glue. This has not kept those substances from being legal.

I think you need to read the first sentence of that paragraph over again before you try to present my argument as an argument against legalization. I'm not arguing that weed should be illegal at all just saying what terms I would accept for legalization.

[Scape]

$1:

Under this bill, marijuana possession would still be illegal, but people would receive a fine rather than being passed through the expensive judicial system.

Sounds like a good plan.

Bill C-359

[Robair]

Aging_Redneck Aging_Redneck:

it's an export industry, how do you plan to legalize marijuana in the USA?

Put Carlos Santana in charge.

That is the other problem, and the reason it will likely never happen. It would have to happen south of the border at the same time.

[ridenrain]

The purpose of this was to make it legal for the recreational/medical user to grow and smoke his own product, and I support that. My question though, do police even prosecute these people any more?

The problem is, whenever we hear of a grow op bust, we hear of hundreds of plants, illegal guns, booby traps, unsafe wiring, etc. That's a drug gang, not Derby's grandma growing it for her glaucoma; That's organized crime. Again, 90% of all the pot grown is smuggled into the US anyways.

This bill will help the grower-user but it won't change the criminal aspect one little bit.

[Zipperfish]

romanP romanP:

CanadianJeff CanadianJeff:

well point in case I've got one big concern before I'd ever back legalized weed and that's knowing what effects it has on a pregnant woman and those with other common conditions such as bipolar and attention disorders.

It gets them baked.

[Zipperfish]

dino_bobba_renno dino_bobba_renno:

romanP romanP:

Show us the non-existant evidence.

Check the definition of adiction (not the definition Websters gives you). To be addicted you don't have to be physically dependant on a substance. Being phusically dependant on a substance can be part of an addiction but just because your not doesn't mean you are not addicted. Addiction is a mental condition not a physical one.

$1:

The Medical Definition of Addiction
The medical definition of addiction has seven criteria. This definition is based on the criteria of American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) and the World Health Organization (ICD-10).(1)

An addiction is any behavior that meets at least three of the seven criteria during the same 12-month period.

1. Tolerance. Has your use of drugs or alcohol increased over time?
2. Withdrawal. When you stop using, do you experience at least one of the following symptoms: irritability, anxiety, shakes, sweats, nausea, or vomiting?
3. Difficulty controlling your use. Do you sometimes use more or for a longer time than you'd like? Do you drink to get drunk?
4. Negative consequences. Have you continued to use even though there have been negative consequences to your mood, self-esteem, health, job, or family?
5. Significant time or emotional energy spent. Do you spend a significant amount of time or thought obtaining, using, concealing, planning, or recovering from your use?
6. Put off or neglected activities. Have you given up or reduced social, recreational, work, or household activities because of your use?
7. Desire to cut down. Have you repeatedly thought about cutting down or controlling your use, or have you made unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control your use?

What Addiction is Not

You don't have to use every day. There is nothing in the definition about how often you use. You could use once a month, but if when you use you sometimes have difficulty controlling how much you use, or you have negative consequences, then you have an addiction.

You don't have to crave drugs or alcohol. You can go for a whole month without thinking about using or craving, but if you break down and have difficulty controlling your use, or have negative consequences because of your use, you still have an addiction.

You don't have to go through withdrawal. Every person is different when it comes to withdrawal. Some people experience significant withdrawal, and others very little. There's little correlation between how much withdrawal you experience and the extent of your addiction.

You don't have to suffer major losses. If you've suffered major losses, then you already have a major addiction. If your family members have ever commented on your use, then you've already suffered significant losses. It takes all of their courage in the beginning to make even the smallest comment about your use. The look of disappointment in their eyes is a loss. Bigger losses are harder to repair.

You don't need a fancy definition to tell you if you have an addiction. There is a simple test. If you think you might have a problem, then you probably do.

http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/definition-of-addiction.htm

$1:

Definition
Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. The term has been partially replaced by the word dependence for substance abuse. Addiction has been extended, however, to include mood-altering behaviors or activities. Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping, eating, and sexual activity). There is a growing recognition that many addicts, such as polydrug abusers, are addicted to more than one substance or process.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/addiction

$1:

Drug addiction; Addiction - drug
Definition Return to top

Drug addiction (dependence) is compulsively using a substance, despite its negative and sometimes dangerous effects. Drug abuse is using a drug excessively, or for purposes for which it was not medically intended.

A physical dependence on a substance (needing the drug to function) is not always part of the definition of addictionSome drugs (for example, some blood pressure medications) don't cause addiction but do cause physical dependence. Other drugs cause addiction without physical dependence (cocaine withdrawal, for example, doesn't have symptoms like vomiting and chills; it mainly involves depression). .

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/001522.htm

So Ruez's original statement was right, because you can be addicted to weed despite not having a physical dependance just like many other things in life.

The m edical definition of addictionis like the UN definition of genocide. It's been inflated to the point of being meaningless. By the above marijuana would certainly be addictive, but then so would hamburgers, chocolate, coffee, gambling, sex and internet chat rooms.