cannabisnews.com: The Marijuana Debate: What the Two Sides Believe 










  The Marijuana Debate: What the Two Sides Believe 

Posted by CN Staff on February 23, 2003 at 11:31:53 PT
By The Associated Press  
Source: Amarillo Globe-News  

Some key issues in the marijuana debate, with viewpoints of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws. Each side cites several studies to support its arguments.  Addiction:  Government says marijuana has been proven to be addictive, that millions of people are hooked on it. NORML says studies have never proven that it's addictive.
 Leads to More Drug Use:  Government says studies prove it is a "gateway drug" that leads to use of cocaine, heroin or other substances. NORML says studies have never proven it leads to further use. Amotivational Syndrome:  Government says condition, in which people basically don't want to do anything and may be depressed, is the result of extended marijuana use. NORML says there is not proof this syndrome exists. Lung Problems:  Government says marijuana damages lung tissue and has three to five times the tar and carcinogens of cigarettes. NORML says it hasn't been proven to damage lungs, in part because a marijuana user may smoke once or twice a day while a cigarette smoker may light up 20 or more times a day.Brain Cells:   Government says marijuana use kills brain cells, impairs memory and ability to learn. NORML says such damage has never been proven.Effect on Children:  Government says use among children is rising in part because NORML and other groups have helped create a relaxed attitude. NORML says it doesn't want children to use marijuana, and that children would have a more difficult time getting it if it were legal and regulated by the government.Danger to Society:  Government says extensive research proves serious long-term health problems. NORML says marijuana causes fewer problems than alcohol and tobacco, which are legal substances.Police Priorities:  Government says perception that police are chasing minor drug users instead of violent criminals is a misconception. NORML says police waste time and money on minor drug busts.Costs:  Government says high cost of enforcement has resulted in substantial reduction in drug use since the 1980s. NORML says billions of dollars are wasted on enforcement, lost wages and money lost in the black market.Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)Published: Sunday, February 23, 2003Copyright: 2003 Amarillo Globe-NewsContact: letters amarillonet.comWebsite: http://www.amarillonet.com/NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/ONDCPhttp://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/Cannabis News NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml

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Comment #5 posted by Commonsense on February 24, 2003 at 08:29:40 PT
For TroutMask
You wanted me to elaborate. First off, the jury is still out on marijuana. This is largely because it's illegal and the feds refuse to allow real experimentation and in depth studies using human subjects. Over time as more studies are performed here and abroad we'll all have a clearer picture of how marijuana affects us. But, I'm not really disputing NORML's claims about marijuana as much as I dispute what the author of this article claims NORML has to say about marijuana. NORML's official position is not that marijuana is harmless. To the contrary, when you look at NORML's website you will see that they say that it is a "myth" that marijuana is harmless. They list respiratory damage as one of the negative results of smoking too much marijuana and acknowledge that some people can develop a dependence to marijuana. http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3475#1; http://www.marijuanafacts.org/mmexcall.html . And although I can't find it on their site at the moment I do believe the folks at NORML have acknowledged that pot has an effect on at least your short term memory although they deny that it kills brain cells.Additionally, NORML acknowledges that the fact that one smokes marijuana can increase the likelihood that he'll be exposed to hard drugs. This doesn't mean they agree with the gateway theory that says there is something about marijuana that makes people want to do hard drugs though, but it is logical to assume that increased exposure to hard drugs will increase the liklihood that one will try them. And while I didn't see anything on their website about Amotivational Syndrome they do acknowledge that it is possible to smoke too much pot too often and to do so at times when you should be doing something else. This isn't exactly amotivational syndrome, but what the hell is that anyway? If you're the type of person who can't seem to get much done when you are high and you get high all the time, you aren't going to get much done and some "genuis" is going to attribute this to something he calls "amotivational syndrome."I suppose more than anything this author of this article was just wrong. He purports to give NORML's side yet he has no idea what NORML's side is. I think it is important for those of us who would like to see marijuana legalized not to try to paint marijuana as something that is completely harmless. Discounting the negative aspects of smoking marijuana and just trying to make it look like some wonder plant can ruin your credibility just like over-demonizing it ruins the government's credibility. 
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Comment #4 posted by freedom fighter on February 23, 2003 at 22:31:01 PT
I am just an Average Joe
I suppose Govt. would'nt dare mention that they arrested 750 thousand good Americans for toking and only two terrorists last year.. ff
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on February 23, 2003 at 17:03:56 PT
Belong In A Cage?
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the government's lies are true. Does that justify locking a human being in a cage? A person who harms neither the person nor property of another does not belong in a cage!Stop the War - MARCH 5 - National Moratorium to Stop the War on Iraq:
http://www.notinourname.net/call_for_the_moratorium.htmlScots medics go unwillingly to war:
http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/index.cfm?id=226932003 
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Comment #2 posted by TroutMask on February 23, 2003 at 16:46:27 PT
Partially True?
If the truth is partway between the sides on most of these issues, where is it between what the government says and the fact that there are no studies to prove it? Obviously if there is no study to prove the government stance, then the truth is WHOLLY on the side of NORML. That's 4 out of 9 issues right there.I suppose NORML may be partially in the wrong on the remaining 5, but I would love to hear how they are supposedly wrong. Care to elaborate?-TM
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Comment #1 posted by Commonsense on February 23, 2003 at 13:16:23 PT
I say 
The truth is in the middle on most of these points. It is unfortunate that there is so much polarity on all issues related to marijuana. If they'd go ahead and legalize it there would no longer be a need to over-demonize or over-glorify it. There could be studies performed using human subjects to feret out the truth about marijuana's health consequences and reasonable minds would be able to reach more of a consensus. The information floating around about the substance would become more accurate and advice floating around more practical.  
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