Medical Marijuana--

[innerSpaceman]

It's not. But I understand Goonie's got personal experiences that affect her opinion. Just as someone who personally knows a gambling addict's horror tales might have enhanced personal feelings about that particular addiction.


But I would hope Morrigoon could acknowledge that's her personal bias, and that - in theory - other addictions are just as bad even though her emotions and history may not allow her to easily see things that way.


(And I'm wondering why, just as a curiosity, she doesn't feel as strongly about crystal meth, or for that matter, sex addiction, which had devastating effects on a close, close friend of hers. Or, well, maybe she does.)

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Just as someone who personally knows a gambling addict's horror tales might have enhanced personal feelings about that particular addiction.

One of the many reasons why I can't stand my old hometown.

But, I don't blame the gambling at all. Some people can handle it and set limits without attitude issues. And others...... *shudder*

Whenever I used to go back and visit my parents, my mom loved to play bingo, so I'd go with her. In between sessions, she liked to play nickel machines. But, she always limited herself, and wasn't drawn into the whole, "I won $10! I bet I can win more! I feel lucky today! And look how big those jackpots are!" mind trap.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

(And I'm wondering why, just as a curiosity, she doesn't feel as strongly about crystal meth, or for that matter, sex addiction, which had devastating effects on a close, close friend of hers. Or, well, maybe she does.)

Who says I don't feel strongly about crystal meth? But I don't hear people on this board calling for its legalization.

My issues with pot are less to do with addiction and more with what I've seen pot use do to people's behavior/personalities (when they're not high). The "Legalize Pot" people would have you think there are no side effects to pot use, but that is not true. It's the side effects, not the addiction, that are the issue. Perhaps the side effects are symptoms of an addiction, but I think it's more than that.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

My issues with pot are less to do with addiction and more with what I've seen pot use do to people's behavior/personalities (when they're not high). The "Legalize Pot" people would have you think there are no side effects to pot use, but that is not true. It's the side effects, not the addiction, that are the issue. Perhaps the side effects are symptoms of an addiction, but I think it's more than that.

No one has claimed (nor do I think they believe) that there no side effects to MJ. But I think the majority of the opposing opinion is: how is pot different than any other "legal" drug. There are side effects to alcohol, not dissimilar to MJ. We understand that you have been affected by someone who had a negative experience with pot and that is not being discounted. It is more of a general question of "why should pot be illegal when alcohol is legal?" (just focusing on one comparative substance).

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

My issues with pot are less to do with addiction and more with what I've seen pot use do to people's behavior/personalities (when they're not high).

Isn't it also possible that those behavioral/personality issues were pre-existing and not a result of pot use?

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

Isn't it also possible that those behavioral/personality issues were pre-existing and not a result of pot use?

Perhaps, but I think it's very easy for people to mistake the effects that drug use has on one's personality as something emanating from the person's natural personality instead.

Because the main result (when not high) of regular pot use that I've observed is wild mood swings (the kind that lead to dangerous or violent behavior), I can see how someone might mistake that as being a natural personality flaw, rather than a side effect of someone's use of pot.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Who says I don't feel strongly about crystal meth? But I don't hear people on this board calling for its legalization.

I'll call for its legalization.

The "Legalize Pot" people would have you think there are no side effects to pot use, but that is not true. It's the side effects, not the addiction, that are the issue. Perhaps the side effects are symptoms of an addiction, but I think it's more than that.

It's not that I don't think there are side effects. Just that the existence of side effects is not, in my opinion, sufficient reason to criminalize it.

Yes, I've known people who have killed themselves with (or, if you prefer: been killed by) drugs. Doesn't change my opinion on whether adults should be allowed to do them. Similarly, I've known a person killed by hang gliding and it doesn't change my opinion on whether they should be allowed to do that. And my dad was killed by smoking at 47 but I am still fine with adults choosing to do that.

If the current fad was injecting Clorox directly into the hippocampus causing immediate death, I would still be fine with it being a legal decision for adults to make. I would, however, make it illegal to drive a car while doing it.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Alex

I would, however, make it illegal to drive a car while doing it.

Wimp