I apologize. I was going to write about the NYC mayoral candidates, but I just can't bring myself to do it yet. So, I think I will just go light this week. Instead let's talk pot, demon weed, Mary-Jane, Maui Wowie...well, you know, marijuana. As the yearly Hempfest winds down in Seattle without incident, maybe it's time to talk about it like adults.
CNN medical expert Sanjay Gupta apologized for his past "blanket disapproval" of marijuana. There is no doubt that marijuana has helped with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and has many other legitimate medical issues.
As usual, Obama is "evolving" on the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical use, so the WH is sidestepping the issue. Well, we know how it will fully "evolve" and when. [I predict sometime after the 2014 election cycle...] But then, we have bigger issues to deal with besides marijuana laws.
Frankly, I don't have an opinion on the subject of medical marijuana except to say if it does have an honest scientific medical use, then what is the hold up? What is your opinion of legalizing marijuana for medical use and eventually, general use like cigarettes or alcohol. Because, let's be honest, that's really where this is leading. So sit back, relax, break out the salty snacks, and let's discuss...
Btw, Obama is considering Dr. Gupta for Surgeon General...
CNN medical expert Sanjay Gupta apologized for his past "blanket disapproval" of marijuana. There is no doubt that marijuana has helped with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and has many other legitimate medical issues.
As usual, Obama is "evolving" on the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical use, so the WH is sidestepping the issue. Well, we know how it will fully "evolve" and when. [I predict sometime after the 2014 election cycle...] But then, we have bigger issues to deal with besides marijuana laws.
Frankly, I don't have an opinion on the subject of medical marijuana except to say if it does have an honest scientific medical use, then what is the hold up? What is your opinion of legalizing marijuana for medical use and eventually, general use like cigarettes or alcohol. Because, let's be honest, that's really where this is leading. So sit back, relax, break out the salty snacks, and let's discuss...
Btw, Obama is considering Dr. Gupta for Surgeon General...
69 comments:
Bev, I am all over medical pot roast. Yum. :D
If Obama evolves any further, his tail is gonna fall off.
Eh, don't care. Not able to use it without losing my liscence. Here's the bigger question. If we make legal, do all those people thrown in jail or otherwise punished get to go free? Should they?
Tail or horns?
In all seriousness on the drugs, I think we will see how the experiment goes in the states that made it legal. The problem as I see it is the liability question. If we're going to allow this, then we have to start letting employers off the hook or we will need to massively expand drug testing. So either we get less safe or more invasive of privacy. Take your pick.
P.S. Koshcat, on the jail issue, that's actually a driving force behind why many people are voting for legalization, because they don't think the jails should be full of potheads. I think they misunderstand the problem, but switching the sentencing for pot to "treatment plus community service" would go a long way to sucking the wind of out legalization sails.
BTW, if you were ever curious about how many strains of hash there actually are, check out THIS.
Some of my personal favorite (names) include:
Afghani Bullrider
Big Budda Cheese
Pineapple Trainwreck
Matanuska Thunder F***
Herojuana
Shishkaberry
Hippie Crippler
Boggle Gum
Ed Rosenthal Super Bud
Willie Nelson
and, of course, the renowned Acapulco Gold
I know one of the guys involved with this Colorado company:
http://raredankness.com
Interesting guy with an interesting job. Takes it very seriously. The "Somalia Taxi Ride" is my favorite name.
Ok, I found a new favorite name - "Cougar Piss".
That's gotta be good!
I can best speak on the subject from my own personal experience plus what reading I have done. As a college student and young man, I did my share of pot. My experience was that it was unrivaled in terms of increasing appreciation of music. Also, it was much more likely to make one passive compared with, say, alcohol. It was really quite non addictive compared to alcohol, nicotine, and caffein. When I got married and interested in a career, I had no trouble just leaving it be for many, many years.
That said, the levels of THC have been steadily increasing over the past 15-20 years. It does mess with your brain chemistry, and so the detrimental effects on one's long term mental or physical health are not well known. I'd like to see some really good research done. For some people, it may tend to be more addictive or more detrimental to mental health. But, like most things, if you are well adjusted and use it in reasonable moderation, it can be a great way to relax. I did have a couple of opportunities to try new pot in recent years, and it was fairly intense, but you could just put on a good concert flick, or some Beatles tunes and run with it. :)
And like, alcohol, for most people, it is a good social "lubricant." If abused, it can create problems; e.g. driving under the influence. So, as a society based on individual liberty, I feel like folks that want to use it responsibly should be permitted to do so. To do that, of course, raises the problem of dealing with the consequences of the folks who abuse it. There are many who want to prohibit it because of those costs, but do we also want to go back to prohibition?
Come on guys, why take a chance? Just go straight for "F**ing Incredible." You can't go wrong with that!
Jed, Krauthammer said today that if he was starting society from scratch, he would allow pot and ban alcohol. I've heard that from others as well.
Andrew,
What are your thoughts?
You mean other than those above? Right now I'm still thinking about pot roast. Hmm... hungry.
"My experience was that it was unrivaled in terms of increasing appreciation of music."
Oh yes!! It definitely does that!!
I´m for legalizing it, but unlike other advocates, I´m not fooling myself that it will not cause problems. My reasons are mostly personal. I want to use it recreationally, in moderation. It will help me to sleep (a real problem for me) and to appreciate long guitar solos (also, Mahler symphonies). But I don´t want to put money in the hands of criminals. Also, since I cannot smoke, I need a different and safe dosage form.
I've never tried pot and don't want to try it (don't know how to smoke and the hardest thing I've ever tried is and will remain grain alcohol) but I still favor its legalization.
I lived on campus four years (two years in a frat hall) when I was an undergrad and the dangerous guys were the drunks, not the smokers.
Not that having a really zoned out guy driving a car or acting as one's surgeon would be good, but on the whole they are less dangerous to others.
Tennessee Jed....Not having smoked for 20+ years due to work and family obligations, I think you hit it with the levels of THC increasing in pot. I remember when some a**holes used to spray Raid on weed to give it a more potent high. The best smoke was smooth intake and a mellow buzz listening to Pink Floyd. But that's just my personal preferences at the time.
Over the last 50 years of increased marijuana use, I'm sure horticulturists have applied their skills to the different strains of weed and can now grow some kick a** plants that have the ability to almost put you in a hallucinatory state. There is no way I'd want anyone driving or operating heavy machinery on that strong ganja.
And when my chemist side kicks in, it's a drug! We take drugs of many kinds in many forms. If THC can help reduce the side effects of cancer and/or chemotherapy, then why the hell not?! Reminds me of doctors who refuse strong pain medication for patients in chronic pain because "they might get hooked on it." If it works, use it and let the patients understand the side effects and have them make that determination.
I, for one, would have no issues with treating marijuana as we do alcohol. Some will abuse it and most won't. Plus, I never wanted to drive when high.....too dangerous dude!
Patriot, there is no question that the primary effect of the drug is psychotropic; e.g. it does alter, however slightly, our perception of what is going on around us. That is not something that really needs to be happening out in public, anymore than people should drive cars with earphones on. But in the privacy of a home ..... another matter. Actually, I just took a look at Wiki's article on the subject, and thought it was a pretty accurate rundown.
Sorry, for the delay in responding...I had to "go to Denver" this morning. Just kidding, but I had to work that in somewhere!
Now I'm hungry for "medical pot roast"! If only...I think I'll write a paper about the medicinal properties of pot roast with little baby carrots and new potatoes....
Okay, I know this is a stupid question, but are hash and pot the same thing? I thought they were different.
And I think we should come up with our own strain just in case pot/hash IS legalized and we can sell it to make money for our nefarious other activities. [Here that, NSA??? I said "nefarious" and I meant it!] What could the name be?
Bev, hash is short for hashish, the extracted resin of the cannabis plant. This is where the THC and other cannaboids are found. So to answer your question, yes and no. Hashish is a preparation, so one could say that hash is pot, but not all pot is hash.
I think we should call our new strain Commentarama Kush.
Thanks Tryanmax. That makes sense.
Patriot and 10J - It has probably been about as long for me too. ANd frankly the only thing I got out of smoking it was heightened paranoia and hunger - neither of which I EVER need to be enhance, btw!
I am not sure that I am there all the way with public recreational use. Like alcohol, it impairs judgment and I wouldn't want anyone to operate a car or heavy machinery or even light machinery under th influence, but home recreational use, why not? I think that Colorado, Washington, and Oregon can be our test cases for what laws and guidelines need to be enhanced, changed and enforced especially in the workplace.
The best smoke was smooth intake and a mellow buzz listening to Pink Floyd.
Listening to Pink Floyd makes you an Anti-Semite
Don't say I didn't warn you...;-)
"...to appreciate long guitar solos (also, Mahler symphonies).
Actually, it only makes you THINK that you appreciate it. Having worked with several people who liked to work high, it's just a perception. If they saw themselves through my eyes, they would have known that though they thought they were being really productive, they really were doing nothing...
Hmmm, Commentarama Kush Medicinal Pot Roast. Yum. :D
Bev, My biggest concern with recreational use will be that "recreational" sounds great... it sounds like people sitting at home or on vacation smoking a joint, minding their own business. But that's not what it's going to be. These people will start smoking right before they hop in their cars or drive their trains or work their cranes or go mix the medications they hand you.
That's what we need to see, if (1) risks to the public appear, (2) how employers respond. If everyone needs to take drug tests just so some dipshit can smoke pot, then it's not worth it.
Also, IF pot is a gateway drug and Colorado becomes meth-city like West Virginia, then I will personally blow up every pot seller.
Andrew - I agree with you 100%. Press forward with caution...a lot of caution.
**News Flash***
The NASDAQ just shut down because of "problems with a...dissemination system".
Let's see Manning was sentenced yesterday and the Feds reported that they had taking main culprits called "Anonymous" into custody...yeah...must just be a coincidink.
***End News Flash***
Bev, That was me. One of my trades ended up divided by zero when the stock price fell and that mucked things up. :P
From what I know, Alcohol is easier to test (breathalyzer) than Marijuana, which requires a blood sample.
Kit, Alcohol is easier to test, it's also easier to spot. You can't hide being drunk, but you can hide being stoned. That's why I suspect that a massive amount of drug testing will be on the horizon because employers can't take the risk of sending out a repairman or a doctor or even an accountant who is high when he's working.
BTW......It looks like our brave young soldier Bradley Manning wants to go through the rest of his life as a woman called "Chelsea." (Insert Clinton snark here)
So, to support "Chelsea's" demand, I would like to hereby be referred to as "Loretta" no more "Stan".
"Alcohol is easier to test (breathalyzer) than Marijuana, which requires a blood sample."
Has anyone seen the movie "Gattica"? I can imagine a time where we will have to go through a gate that takes a blood sample...
"Actually, it only makes you THINK that you appreciate it. Having worked with several people who liked to work high, it's just a perception."
Bev, I agree but that is good enough for me. I´m not a musician. I know I´m not going to create anything. Judging from the people I know, I already have a high ability to appreciate music. If pot enhances that experience, it is worth a lot to me. I remember it doing so 25+ years ago. I still remember what I listened to, how it sounded then, which details I discovered that way. I´d even say it increased my joy of that particular music when I was sober. Also: unbelievably spectacular visuals. I never found out if others get that too.
Hey, you know, maybe I should try to sell this stuff?
It´s definitely not for work or driving. Though I have to say, I found it much easier to act normal and interact with people when high than when drunk. As in, my parents never noticed a thing.
El Gordo....Your parents just acted like they never noticed a thing. From our view everything was extremely funny, that's why we laughed a lot when around them.
maybe the government should just outlaw all tobacco, alcohol, firearms, reefer, and all fatty foods. I trust them. They know best and are there to protect us and perpetuate economic and social justice..
10J - WHAT???? ARE YOU CRAZY?? Okay let them have the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and reefer, but they must keep their greasy mitts off my fatty foods!!! Bacon forever!!!!!
Patriot and El Gordo - You just thought the parents didn't notice because either:
A)They were in denial and chose to ignore your incessant giggling that should have given you away, and/or
B)They were just as high as you...
Somehow, I feel this conversation will be incomplete without mention of purple drank. I really don't know what else to say on that note.
LOL! Yeah, that belongs here too. That's worth a four game suspension in the NFL. I hear it's made from Barney Extract too. ;P
Should the country go to pot, huh?
In the literal sense: Meh. Medical marijuana isn't exactly my hill to die on (especially since I have so many as it is), but if push came to shove, I'd oppose it just to upset the hippies.
In the metaphorical sense: I'd say that's done, and done.
BTW, for the record... never tried pot, never wanted to. I love my mind as is! :D
Donuts though... different story.
Andrew, that's gross. :P
What? You've never done a line of donuts?
Andrew, I usually just shake the powdered sugar onto a mirror and go from there.
Andrew, I find it a poor substitute for crack, but actually I was talking about the whole "Barney Extract" thing. Just totally unnecessary.
"Barney Extract" scares me...and I don't EVEN want to know what it is. It sounds slimy.
Yeah MJ should be legalized ASAP. All those OWS types will be too goofed and mellow to actually do any organizing.
What? You've never done a line of donuts?
Custard filled baby. Chocolate covered custard high. Afterwards you gotta have milk. The worst part
is that there's no rehab for Donuts.
There's a new hardcore donut that's become very popular in NY - the "cronut"! It's a round fried croissant filled with with pastry cream...people stand in line for hours to get one.
tryanmax, I skip the niceties and make for the box.
K, A man after my own heart! LOL! Hmmm.. filled donuts. Sadly, yeah, no rehab for donuts.
Bev, I've heard of this, but haven't seen it. I am intrigued. The last "donut craze" I recall was when Krispy Kreme went national with the hot donuts and those were absolutely worth it. They're like crack.
I'm just the messenger on the Barney Extract stuff.
"Soylent Purple is made from Barney!!"
"Soylent Purple is made from Barney!!"
They're better than crack and taste better too! But there IS a rehab for donuts, but you wouldn't want to go there...lots of kale and colon cleanses...{{{shutter}}}
"Soylent Purple is made from Barney!!"
Phew!! I thought it has something to do with Barney Frank.
Bev, LOL! Blech! Blech! Blech! No!!... Barney the Dinosaur. "One and one is two... one and one is two... one and one is two."
I hear Weight Watchers offers a step down clinic, but I'm not willing to look into it.
Yeah, I hear WW uses a donut patch. It's just not the same. Maybe someone can come up with an electronic donut! Hey, the next great thing except Bloomberg will just ban it. ;-(
A donut patch would be very, very helpful.
Well, Andrew, you can make your own patch. Use a donut and some duct tape. Just strap the donut to your arm or leg and change every few hours. By the time you've changed it a few times, the pain from ripping off the duct tape will make you loath donuts!
No rehab for donuts? That can't be right. They even make a rehab for groping interns. I have no idea what it might entail, nor do I think I want to, but it exists. Except, obviously it's not working. Maybe someone should develop a step-down program for sexual addiction. :-P
tryanmax, I believe the step-down program for sex addiction is called aging.
Bev, I think I'll just stick with the donuts... I can stop anytime... I know I can... 8<
Krispy Kreme blech!
LeMars all the way!
Wait a minute... what is this LeMars of which you speak?
Only the best donut makers ever!
http://www.lamars.com/
Hmmm. I'm going to be in Denver in two weeks. I think a side trip will be called for!
(Yes, Bev, I'm going to Denver in a couple weeks. LOL!)
cinnamon twist or a long john and you won't go wrong
I shall give it a shot! :D
"Your parents just acted like they never noticed a thing."
They didn´t have it in them to act like that. They would have freaked out completely.
And I wasn´t giggling. I was totally serene that day. Or maybe I was considered chronically weird. That is a possibility.
"I believe the step-down program for sex addiction is called aging."
Yeah, friends told me about the time when good food, cigars and bowel movements become more important. I´m not quite there yet.
E-G.....Did you have your Visine fix going on that day?
Andrew....I've found aging only masks the addiction. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.
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