Marijuana legalization

So, myself and the rest of the cannabis community are out here "fighting" for marijuana legalization.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—do you think marijuana should be legalized, at least for medical use?

Gerald Cox38 said:Me and the rest of the weed crowd—if you can even call us that—are out here basically "fighting" for marijuana legalization. I guess you could say we're trying to make things happen, though it feels like an uphill battle most days.

So, I was just sitting here thinking about what everyone actually thinks on this—like, should we be looking at marijuana legalization, even if it’s just for medical stuff? I mean, honestly... I guess it's one of those things where there isn't a simple answer, but maybe there is? It feels like such a huge conversation lately in the States. Personally, I feel like if someone is dealing with actual pain or some serious health issue, why shouldn't they have access to whatever helps them get through the day? It seems kind of wild to me that we still debate the medical side of things when so many people could really benefit. But then again, I don't know, there are always those concerns about regulation and how it all gets handled by the government and stuff—it's complicated, I guess. What do you guys think, though? Is it time to just open the door to medical use across the whole country?

Marijuana legalization? I don't know about that... honestly, I'm just not seeing it. Not for me, anyway.

Medical use? I mean, sure, but only if it’s strictly controlled within a clinic setting—kind of like how methadone works. You know, people use it to help kick the addiction habit, but you can't just grab it off a shelf; you have to go to a doctor's office to get it. It's all about that supervised, clinical oversight, I guess.

Explanations? I've got two for you.

Just some fun and social stuff... I guess.

So, look, some of us grew up back in the 70s and 80s—back when you couldn't even find marijuana if you were actually looking for it for medicinal reasons or whatever. Then, suddenly, in the 90s, it felt like everyone just started smoking weed out of nowhere, acting like it was the greatest thing ever and like they couldn't function without it. And honestly? At the exact same time, public discourse just... turned into pure idiocy, I guess. It feels like the whole quality of how teenagers grow up has just tanked. Their level of education isn't even close to what it was for kids in the 70s or 80s—whatever that looked like, anyway. From where I’m sitting, today's 15 to 20-year-olds seem totally lobotomized. It feels like all they care about is finding new ways to burn through their parents' money. If their dad doesn't hand over the keys to a car, it’s treated like some massive family tragedy—not to mention the constant smoking, the drinking, and staying out until 4 in the morning every single night. School basically isn't even on their radar. But then, one day, they're supposed to magically find a job, buy an apartment, and start a life. Except they don't actually know how to do anything... they have zero skills. But hey, who cares, right? They've got their booze, their cigarettes, and their marijuana.

It feels like someone basically played a massive prank on those people—like, they just forced this specific way of acting on them back in the 90s. It’s weird, right? And I mean... why even bother messing with them like that in the first place? I guess there had to be some reason, but man, it just seems so unnecessary.

I mean, at the end of the day, it’s all about the money, right? Like, if someone was out there moving cocaine—kind of like how Andabak used to deal—well, someone else was just pushing marijuana. What’s even the big difference there? Money is money. I guess people would probably go as far as trafficking organs if it meant getting paid, so why not? As long as it's legal, it shouldn't matter. But then again, I suppose for some folks, that legality isn't even the point.

Just another narcotic, I guess.

I mean, look at the numbers—thousands of people in America die every single year because of alcohol, just like they do from tobacco. But instead of actually fighting the booze problem—you know, the way they pretend to go after smoking—they basically just keep pumping it out through constant advertising. Why? It’s all about the money, obviously. The lobbying power behind Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco is just massive because there's so much cash on the table, and let's be real, the government gets a huge chunk of change in tax revenue just by letting people poison themselves. It's kind of a cycle, I guess... once you build up this insanely powerful financial lobby made of processors and dealers in the marijuana industry, you're never going to get rid of them. Especially since marijuana can be addictive. It’s basically the perfect product for consumption. Once a customer is hooked, there’s no easy way out. It’s just like alcohol. Or even heroin. It's honestly a lot like when people get buried under consumer debt for things they don't even need. When the money runs out, you're left totally stranded. You can eventually bounce back from credit card debt, maybe... but getting off nicotine is tough, and getting off alcohol or heroin is even harder. As for marijuana? Man, who knows. God only knows.

So, like... let's dive into the whole drug thesis thing. Just a little intro to get us started, I guess.

I mean, honestly, if you aren't already into smoking cigarettes, I feel like it’s a pretty huge leap to go straight to marijuana—it just doesn't happen that way most of the time. And usually, once people actually start using weed, they end up trying tobacco too, and then... well, it gets kind of hard to quit once you're in that cycle, I guess.

So, I’ve been sitting here thinking about this whole downward spiral we're seeing in America lately—you know, that general sense that everyone is just collectively losing their minds? It feels like there's this growing wave of pure stupidity hitting the country, and honestly, it's getting hard to ignore. I don't know, maybe it's just me being cynical, but it feels like the bar for common sense is being buried deeper underground every single day. Everything feels more chaotic and... I don't know, brainless? It's like the more connected we get, the less anyone actually knows what's going on. Just my two cents, I guess.

How many new factories or actual jobs have popped up here in America lately? Honestly, basically zero. It’s kind of wild when you think about it—we went from being this powerhouse that built everything from fighter jets and submarines to massive dam cranes, to... well, just making yogurt and shipping out tangerines. Now, we mostly just export these traditional tribal dances for some sweaty, bored tourists from the West who look like they're having a miserable time anyway. It’s a bit sad, I guess.

It feels like instead of actually building up tech or real expertise, we’ve just kind of embraced this culture of mindless consumerism as the ultimate way to live here in the States—it's become this weirdly accepted ideal, I guess. And honestly, that mindset seems to trigger this whole domino effect of... well, everything else. You see it everywhere—prostitution, drug addiction, people drinking way too much just to numb out, and everyone hitting the casinos or those sketchy betting shops. Even the whole predatory lending scene and those "tough guy" security outfits that basically just act as muscle for debt collectors or to protect shady characters. And yeah, you see the rise in marijuana use alongside all that, too. Not that I'm saying marijuana is the cause—not even close, the root issues go way deeper than that—but it definitely feels like it's just part of the same messy package.

What do you even care, man? I mean, seriously—what's it to you?

Honestly, I’ve been thinking lately... what is the point of even messing with opiates anymore? It’s like, as if we don't have enough stuff to distract us already. Does it actually make your life better? Like, are you going to earn more money or finally get ahead in life? Sure, maybe you'll feel a little happier for those few minutes while your head is all foggy—but then morning rolls around and you just realize you wasted a whole night. You didn't actually fix any of the real problems eating at you—and I'm pretty sure everyone has those, right? Just feels like spinning your wheels.

Escapism has never actually fixed anything. In fact, I think it’s kind of its own problem—it just ends up being this massive distraction that stops people from actually dealing with what’s right in front of them.

Do you need more reasons why? Don't worry, there are plenty more where that came from.

To be honest, I don’t see much of a difference between coffee and marijuana. You have a cup of coffee and you’re wide awake, wired, and full of energy—isn’t that basically the same feeling as getting high? Both coffee and weed can be perfectly fine if you use them in moderation, just like sugar, sex, or any other vice we all enjoy but try to keep in check. Kids and teenagers are always going to experiment with weed anyway, but if it were legal, we could actually teach them that it's okay as long as they don't overdo it.

The weed being sold around the Middle East is incredibly toxic because it’s sprayed with all sorts of nasty chemicals. Since there’s zero regulation on the product, those of us using it are essentially poisoning ourselves regularly.

From my own experience, I'd say maybe only 1% of people in the US are actually smoking clean herb.

Real, healthy marijuana is what you get when it's grown strictly following all the guidelines and standards we've laid out on our growing forum. In the Middle East, when a dealer meets a grower, they aren't exactly worried about quality control; they just want to pump out massive quantities, so they use all kinds of toxins to maximize their yield.

The whole thing regarding marijuana is actually quite simple. There are some people for whom it just doesn't work, and then there are those who find it beneficial.

First off, how do you know if marijuana is right for you?

If you're smoking constantly and it leads you into chronic laziness or causes you to spiral through life's pitfalls, then you need to realize you're stuck in a Samsara cycle. You likely have to pour 110% of your remaining energy into fixing things before you completely burn out and lose your spark. No drug, no pill, and no psychiatrist can fix that. Only a higher power and a deep understanding of your own pain can save you—maybe then, in your next life, you'll wake up in a better place. So, if you smoke and blame the weed for your laziness or your downward spiral, stop smoking; you'll realize the thorn is actually inside you.

On the other hand, if you use marijuana and it sparks a desire to learn new things or fuels your creative spirit, then go ahead and use it in whatever amounts you personally feel are reasonable (though obviously, that depends on your lifestyle—kids, a spouse, and your job).

We all know being overweight isn't ideal. It weakens your heart and causes a million other issues. However, nobody gets arrested for having chocolate in their house. Sugar is a primary ingredient that gives our brains the fuel to function daily, yet it can kill you if you consume too much.

It's already been proven worldwide that marijuana does more good than harm if used moderately. But when something is caught between being legal and illegal, our youth end up suffering because they’re always seeking out what’s forbidden.

Sure, it's true that marijuana can cause lung and throat issues. But that's it. There's nothing more to it, and nothing else will ever be proven. A million different things damage our lungs, but we don't go to jail for those. Besides, there are plenty of ways to consume marijuana that don't involve smoking.

Personally, if I want to grab a beer with my buddies, I consider it my basic human freedom to do so peacefully without police hovering over me or the threat of a jail cell. I think everyone can agree on that principle.

So why wouldn't they agree when it comes to marijuana?

It's honestly unbelievable. Once America and the rest of the West fully legalize it and enough time passes, we'll follow suit and everything will be fine. Life will just continue its normal course.

Whether it's people smoking joints or people drinking beers, at least we won't have to worry that growing a beautiful plant will cost us five years in a federal penitentiary.

I mean, if you drink and you're a total drunk, you're not doing well.

But if you have a beer, watch the game, and play some billiards with friends? That's living.

If you smoke weed but don't spend your entire life glued to the TV or some other lazy habit, then you're alright—though maybe scale it back or quit if you need to.

But if you light up a joint and use it to chill, innovate, write, paint, or connect with people and the world... then just vibe out and don't fear prison (just kidding, definitely fear prison).

Gerald Cox38 said:Look, the whole marijuana thing is actually super simple. It’s just one of those things where it works for some people and it doesn't work for others. Period.

🙂

Anyway:

Decriminalization - 👍

Legalization - that's a tough one. 😉

Haha, honestly, decriminalization would be an absolute dream come true for us. Since we’re expanding our influence all across what used to be the USA and staying so well-connected, I really feel like we aren't lagging behind the West when it comes to marijuana legalization. In fact, I think we’ll eventually be the ones stepping up and taking the lead on this once and for all.

But like you said, it’s going to be a massive uphill battle. Still, anything is better than dealing with Zero Effect...

Look, being an addict doesn't automatically make someone a criminal.
Furthermore, I’d argue that people aren't always the sole architects of their own addiction.

In my view, any drug intended for personal use should be decriminalized; we ought to stop wasting resources prosecuting users and instead focus our judicial might on the dealers.
Addicts need medical treatment, not a jail cell.

On a related note, smoking should probably be illegal—it’s a substance that poisons not just the user, but everyone standing nearby—and the same could be said for alcohol.
Then again, I have no idea how one would even go about illegalizing alcohol given how deeply it's woven into the fabric of American culture, but at the very least, being drunk shouldn't serve as a convenient excuse in a courtroom. People, seriously, that is a highly questionable mitigating circumstance; if drinking ruins you, then simply don't drink.

By the way, does anyone actually know the hierarchy of how difficult it is to kick these various substances?
1. Alcohol—an alcoholic is never truly "former," only "in recovery."
2. Nicotine—roughly 5 to 10 years.
3. Heroin—about 2 to 5 years.
4. Cocaine.
5. Caffeine.

It is worth noting that out of the five most addictive substances listed here, three are perfectly legal. Especially those first two.

Now, marijuana causes dependency; that is an objective fact. However, I fail to see any logical reason why we shouldn't allow people the freedom to destroy themselves however they see fit. Drugs are essentially instruments of slow-motion suicide; perhaps a bit delayed, certainly, but undeniably effective. Ultimately, it will just leave more breathing room on this planet for the rest of us.

Kansas City Chiefs - Fall Champions
👍 🙂 🎉 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Gerald Cox38 said:Me and my buddies in the cannabis community are out here "fighting" for Marijuana legalization.

We want to hear your take—do you think marijuana should be legalized, even if it's just for medical use?

Personally, I think we should just legalize everything else too. If someone wants to mess up their own life, let them. 😎

Marijuana legalization👍

To be perfectly honest, I couldn't care less about who is smoking what or where they're doing it... as long as it doesn't interfere with my own air quality. And if someone actually takes an interest in my business—well, why should anyone feel entitled to judge what I choose to do with my own life?

It's not like she'd have an issue with catching her breath for a second 😁

Honestly, just let them pass Marijuana legalization already so everyone can finally stop yapping about it non-stop...

just because someone is an addict, I suppose, doesn't necessarily make them a criminal.

-but if they were using something like marijuana, then yeah, they ARE a criminal under current laws because they used a prohibited substance.

furthermore, they aren't always the ones at fault for being an addict.

-no, I am. I mean, who actually forced me to start snorting? (that might be a bit blunt, but it's the truth)

for personal use—any drug, in my opinion—it should be decriminalized. essentially, stop prosecuting the users and go after the dealers instead.

-OK, well, by that logic, I’d need about half a kilo of heroin just to satisfy my own personal needs, if you get my point.

addicts ought to be treated.

-on that, we can agree.

again, smoking should probably be legalized—since it's a drug that poisons not just the user, but everyone around them—along with alcohol.

-and I agree with that too.

but at least intoxication shouldn't be treated as some kind of mitigating circumstance in court. people, that is a HEAVY circumstance.

-we DEFINITELY agree there.

you notice that out of the five most dangerous drugs, three are legal. especially the first two.

-well, that's precisely because they're legal.

I don't see any reason why people shouldn't be allowed to kill themselves with whatever they want.

-that wouldn't work, because I really don't want some brainless kid breaking into my house because he's stealing just to get high.

Personally, I'm of the mind that, between our coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol, we really don't need any other kind of drug cluttering up our lives.

Jerry Evans6 said:Personally, I don't think we need any other kind of drug besides coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol.

So, if you're already drinking coffee, smoking, and having a few drinks, then those three substances are apparently "enough" to satisfy you.

Well, I never touch coffee!

I might have maybe two beers a month, tops.

And I don't smoke.

But I've been using marijuana for nearly ten years now. I actually finished my degree before all my peers did—most of whom spent that entire time just drinking and getting wasted. I run my own business and I'm completely self-sufficient. So, why shouldn't I be allowed to find my own satisfaction? Why not decriminalize weed just for people like me? 🙂

I mean, if I were just looking to argue, I wouldn't be hanging out here promoting my website and sharing my life philosophy. 🙂

I neglected to mention that I’d be handing out the drugs free of charge.

What an absolute train wreck of a situation; honestly, I’m almost impressed by how spectacularly they managed to mess this up.

Here you go—go ahead and kill yourself.

Just to be clear, the substances I’ve listed here aren't ranked by their legal status—because let's face it, the law doesn't care about science—but rather by how much of a physiological nightmare they are to actually quit.
While I certainly appreciate the elegance of a meticulous, point-for-point analysis, I’d much prefer you just skip the whole exercise if you haven't quite grasped the nuances of what's being discussed.

Let’s be clear: being a petty offender doesn't automatically make someone a criminal.
There is a massive, fundamental difference between committing a minor infraction and actually committing a crime.

Gerald Cox38 said:Marijuana legalization is pretty straightforward. Some folks just aren't into it, and others really vibe with it.

People enjoy all sorts of messed up stuff, too! Should we legalize that next?😕

Go ahead and smoke as much as you want,
nobody can say a word about it...

Why on earth are you talking all this nonsense,
are you into it or not!☕

What a load of nonsense... everything is individual, you can't just generalize like that. Almost everyone I know who uses marijuana doesn't even touch cigarettes! They haven't even tried mixing the two because they know they're fine just smoking weed occasionally, and that's it. They don't care about chemicals or any of that other crap. People are just getting tired of the lecturing...