cannabisnews.com: U.S. Not Ready To Puff The Magic Dragon





U.S. Not Ready To Puff The Magic Dragon
Posted by CN Staff on November 03, 2005 at 16:27:34 PT
Editorial
Source: Collegiate Times
Denver, Colorado -- The mayor of Denver was highly disappointed with the passing of a new measure pertaining to marijuana. The measure instills new meaning into Mile High City.The measure passed Tuesday with a 54 percent vote. It allows adults who are over the age of 21 to possess no more than one ounce of marijuana without being penalized in Denver. A few other cities have adopted similar measures. Simultaneously, 12 states have procedures that prevent criminal charges from being issued against someone in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, but still issue fines.
News of such a measure brings about issues of legalizing marijuana in general. Denver should not have allowed such a measure to pass, even its mayor and the state of Colorado agree with that. The new procedure essentially stops people in Denver from being punished for carrying small amounts of marijuana. State law still allows for fines and speaks nothing to buying, selling or smoking the drug that has been known as a gateway drug to other addictive ones.By passing such a procedure, the city of Denver may have gotten more than it bargained for. Then again, perhaps they really are attempting to become the next Amsterdam. If possession of marijuana becomes legal, what is to stop arguments of legalization of prostitution, heroin or any other illegal drugs? In a country full of people who cannot even handle alcohol, legalizing marijuana is ludicrous. The United States arguably has some of the strictest laws pertaining to alcohol; however, drunken driving statistics are higher than those of most other countries, if not all. What all of this boils down to is this: Making a vice more accessible, even legal, only ensures that it will become more harmful. Allowing people in one city to carry less than an ounce of marijuana literally removes the deterrence of carrying drugs in general. Not only that but a measure such as the one that has just passed in Denver, push the movement of legalizing marijuana in general.That seriously could be the only reason something such as this has happened. In Telluride, Colo., the same measure as in Denver was narrowly turned down. It seems as though the purpose of introducing these procedures in localities that are so close to one another can only be to eventually challenge the state law itself. The United States simply isn’t ready for the legalization of marijuana. This country cannot handle the inhibitions that exist from alcohol, how can citizens expect to be able to handle marijuana? While it seems as though state law may trump the measures being taken in Denver, the overall effects of such things are the real problem. Legalizing possession in Denver pushes the movement towards general legalization in Colorado and basically paves the way for legalized marijuana all over the United States. Without a doubt the road the followers of this movement are headed on must be stopped. Source: Collegiate Times (VA)Published: November 4th, 2005Copyright: 2005 Collegiate Times Website: http://www.collegiatetimes.com/ Contact: comments collegiatetimes.com Related Articles & Web Site:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/I-100 Author Smokes Foeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21264.shtmlDenver Is First City To Legalize Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21260.shtmlTo Voters, Issue was Freedom of Choicehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21257.shtmlPot Issue Gives New Meaning To Mile High Cityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21254.shtml 
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 07, 2005 at 17:50:54 PT
LTE from The Collegiate Times
Marijuana Not as Harmful as Other DrugsNovember 8th, 2005Mark McLean, senior, mechanical engineeringI have loved reading the CT for the last three years, and am usually impressed by the Opinions section, even when the articles are ridiculously liberal. The obvious liberalism of the staff is part of the reason I’m so surprised by the editorial “U.S. not ready to puff the magic dragon,” (CT, Nov. 4).First of all, the extremes the editorial board went to are absurd. Paralleling marijuana and heroin? Are you kidding me? That might be the most ignorant comment I’ve ever seen published in this paper.The article reflects the author’s complete lack of knowledge about marijuana. It claims that with so many problems with alcohol, the United States “can’t handle” marijuana. The truth is, marijuana is less harmful to people and society than alcohol. In fact, that was exactly the argument used to persuade Denver voters.Legalization of marijuana would undoubtedly reduce alcohol consumption. Alcohol leads to a social unruliness (fights, rape, domestic abuse, etc.) that marijuana doesn’t; and it impairs the ability to function and make decisions to a much higher degree.As someone who has spent a lot of time around regular marijuana users (as well as plenty of heavy drinkers) I can honestly say the effects of marijuana are minimal compared to those of alcohol. And the fact is, adults should be able to make the choice, just like they can with cigarettes and alcohol.The biggest problem with marijuana is that people (such as the editorial board) don’t distinguish it from other drugs. It’s too bad so many people can’t have an open mind and see the real picture, rather than just regurgitate what they’ve heard from bad after-school specials and D.A.R.E officers. Copyright: 2005 Collegiate Times http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/2/ARTICLE/6055/2005-11-08.html
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Comment #13 posted by CorvallisEric on November 04, 2005 at 16:57:15 PT
Editorials
There are well-written editorials on every side of every issue. And there are badly written ones. The anonymous editorial is supposed to represent a consensus of wisdom. If I were someone who cared about Virginia Tech I would be embarrassed by this, regardless of how I felt about marijuana.
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Comment #12 posted by lexywexy on November 04, 2005 at 15:48:10 PT:
my fellow amricans
I hope that the person who wrote 
this is aware of the lingering danger that is immenant. OH NO! people are choosing what is right for them. CRAP! no one is telling me what I should believe. What will the fundamentalists do now, when no one is ordering them to believe what is "evil" and what is not. Today I'm proud to be an american again. Not because of some silly drug, or its affects, or its after-affects. No, I'm proud to be an american because the freedom of choice still exists. Even in such dark times as these. When fundamentalist opression dictates what is morally correct, your freedoms are compromised. What makes america is the caliber of people, not the rightous,and the ability to let those people rise to the ocassion. When people are thinking for themselvs, they start choosing aswell. Yesterday the people chose this legislation, giving light to the freedom loving thinkers we've always been.The very fabric of society will not unravel when people are allowed to govern themselves. That's the lies we've all been brain washed to believe. That the masses would tear down government as we know it. The truth is the masses are tearing down the government by legislation one lie at a time. So what now? Will the world end? NO but the government will HAVE to change, in a sense to stop blinding people from the truth and letting them decide what is right. This is the first step toward that self-governing group of thinking, freedom loving, upstanding citizens, that this country was founded on.
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Comment #11 posted by dongenero on November 04, 2005 at 09:28:10 PT
interesting juxtaposition
"In a country full of people who cannot even handle alcohol, legalizing marijuana is ludicrous. The United States arguably has some of the strictest laws pertaining to alcohol; however, drunken driving statistics are higher than those of most other countries, if not all.""What all of this boils down to is this: Making a vice more accessible, even legal, only ensures that it will become more harmful."So anonymous Collegiate Times writer.....We have the strictest laws and the worst problems resulting....then the arguement goes on.. that easing the laws causes more harm.
This writer must get dizzy from chasing his tail.Well, which is it??? The proof is in the pudding. Strict prohibition seems to correlate to increased problems and harm.
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Comment #10 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 04, 2005 at 06:39:06 PT
Schizophrenia Anyone?
This article had to come from the fradulent ONDCP, Souder or the Partnership for a Drug Free America (which is an oxymoron because America is inundated with drugs). The writer of this article sounds so paranoid of a weed, that he should go hide in his little closet until he gets a perscription to alleviate his obvious schizophrenia. But just because he can't handle a little marijuana, doesn't mean that we should have to condone his theatrical hysterics. [SLAP] "Snap out of it Drama Queen/King!" ;)
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Comment #9 posted by jose melendez on November 04, 2005 at 06:33:34 PT
FDA prepares to approve cannabinoid based drug
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PRX) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America to promote the antiemetic drug Cesamet(TM) (nabilone) capsules following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cesamet is a cannabinoid agonist for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis (CIE). Valeant has received an approvable letter from the FDA for Cesamet and is awaiting final approval.http://tinyurl.com/b5pww - - -Nabilone ( NA-bi-lone) is chemically related to marijuana. It is used to prevent the nausea and vomiting that may occur after treatment with cancer medicines. It is used only when other kinds of medicine for nausea and vomiting do not work.Nabilone is available only with your doctor's prescription. Prescriptions cannot be refilled and you must obtain a new prescription from your doctor each time you need this medicine. Nabilone is available in the following dosage (from): * Oral Capsules (Canada)http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202385.html 
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Comment #8 posted by nuevo mexican on November 04, 2005 at 06:13:42 PT
My LTE to Collegiate Times
U.S. NOT READY TO PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON'Stupid headline, ignorant 'anonymous' writer: I wouldn't put my name on this drivel either!How about some accuracy, like: the reasons why Denver Voters removed penalties for Cannabis Use, but noooooo, just
unimformed, overused stereotypes that apparently aren't working on the average voter anymore!The author of this article states many un-truths in poorly covering this issue:'State law still allows for fines and speaks nothing to buying, selling or smoking the drug that has been known as a gateway drug to other addictive ones.'Propaganda! There is NO proof that Cannabis is a gateway drug, you know it, and I implore the writer to prove it.NO studies show this, that are legitimate! 'If possession of marijuana becomes legal, what is to stop arguments of legalization of prostitution, heroin or any other illegal drugs? 'You tell us! You are making our case for us, that making drugs illegal just boosts' the profits made, and encourages use, as NOONE wants to be told what they can do with their bodies, like me telling you not to eat at McDonalds. Pointless isn't it! Or women that they are allowed to get an abortion, or that you can't vote! How about telling someone to sit at the back of the bus. That worked out great didn't it! Ever heard of Rosa Parks?'In a country full of people who cannot even handle alcohol, legalizing marijuana is ludicrous. The United States arguably has some of the strictest laws pertaining to alcohol; however, drunken driving statistics are higher than those of most other countries, if not all. 'Ludicrous! 'Can't even handle alcohol'. A true statement, but one that begs for Cannabis legalization, not the opposite! A new ad campaign for Cannabis use would be:
Stay home, smoke Cannabis, reduce alcohol use!
Bake bread, make love, write a song! Spend time with your kids, engage in conversation, take a nap! Great laugh lines, and oh so true!This writer makes the case for Cannabis making one smarter, as it is now known Cannabis increases Neurogenesis, an INCREASE in Cell growth! Maybe this writer indulges in too much alcolhol? Over 400,000 people a year are killed in alcolhol related accidents, and he doesn't even quote this statistic! Whose paying this guy for his unresearched views?Again, the writer(s) state: If we can't handle alcohol, how can we handle Cannabis? This is great, as the author shoots himself in the foot trying to paint relaxing, meditative, peaceful Cannabis as some big bogey-man when we ALL know BOOZE is the culprit for most of societys' ills. The FACTS hold this argument up, falst statements about Cannabis diminish the writers' point, which is completely ridiculous, thank you very much! Just some examples of how little or NO research was done for this article by the author(s), and I ask, who is the editor at this paper and why didn't they edit this article before such pablum could hit the newsracks?Or perhaps this paper is just following Judith Millers' example over at the formerly liberal, now neo-war-loving New York Times, the writer and paper that brought you the Iraq War, sponsored by George Bush and GE, Cheney and Haliburton, and Rumsfeld and Monsanto. Print all the lies fit to decieve, and we'll make them look factual! Do yourselves and your paper a favor and check out the authors credentials, (no one would take credit, hmmmm, did the staff know this was pre-meditated bunk?) and their ability to fact check. Do journalism a favor, and redeem the paper with reporting, factual, and details, like quotes from voters as to WHY they voted this way. An accurate headline would be: Denver Voters are READY to Puff the Magic Dragon, not the opposite. 
Spinning the truth does not make it so!Thanks in advance!
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Comment #7 posted by mayan on November 04, 2005 at 01:07:29 PT
Speak For Yourself
This hysterical, anonymous article which attempts to speak for everyone at the Virginia Tech Collegiate Times and all Americans period is full of lies and is exactly why Americans ARE ready for the death of cannabis prohibition. We have grown sick of the lies but these lies are easier to dissect than ever. The truth is taking over. Deal with it you anonymous cowards. Let's let em' know they can't get away with their baseless, unfounded propraganda anymore. comments collegiatetimes.com More contacts:
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/11/
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on November 03, 2005 at 21:12:17 PT
Amsterdam has the most problem with ........
ALCOHOL!Whatever happened to RESEARCH in this world of psuedo-journalism?The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #5 posted by Toker00 on November 03, 2005 at 18:12:20 PT
Fingers drumming...
What a dud. The whole issue is about cannabis being SAFER than alcohol. With statistics that PROVE it. I don't think this anonymous author has EVER read an article about cannabis. Could this be Sauder as anonymous? Um...we are not only challenging state law bud, but FEDERAL LAW! We should not end cannabis prohibition because you say so. Somebody missed the boat a long time ago. Wow.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #4 posted by runderwo on November 03, 2005 at 16:59:26 PT
reply
"State law still allows for fines and speaks nothing to buying, selling or smoking the drug that has been known as a gateway drug to other addictive ones."Oh boy, here we go."If possession of marijuana becomes legal,"Sorry? Thought it already was."what is to stop arguments of legalization of prostitution, heroin or any other illegal drugs?"Whether or not this is a "free" country or a "moral" country, and whether or not prohibition of such things 1) prevents people from engaging in them anyway, and 2) does more harm than it could seek to prevent."In a country full of people who cannot even handle alcohol, legalizing marijuana is ludicrous."Non sequitur. Marijuana and alcohol have completely different effects and dangers."Making a vice more accessible, even legal, only ensures that it will become more harmful."Only if more people engage in it irresponsibly, and besides, how could marijuana be any more accessible? And the word "vice" is a propaganda term that hardly applies to marijuana (in what way is anyone in the grip of marijuana?)"Allowing people in one city to carry less than an ounce of marijuana literally removes the deterrence of carrying drugs in general."How so? The other drugs are still illegal."Not only that but a measure such as the one that has just passed in Denver, push the movement of legalizing marijuana in general."Oh noes!!"The United States simply isn?t ready for the legalization of marijuana."Thanks for speaking for everyone. However, I'm ready for it."This country cannot handle the inhibitions that exist from alcohol, how can citizens expect to be able to handle marijuana?"Yawn. Citizens are already handling marijuana just fine, thanks. And so are drug dealers and organized crime unfortunately.
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Comment #3 posted by runderwo on November 03, 2005 at 16:52:13 PT
duh
"The mayor of Denver was highly disappointed with the passing of a new measure pertaining to marijuana."Well no kidding. Competition for his alcohol based businesses, and all that.
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Comment #2 posted by MikeC on November 03, 2005 at 16:44:58 PT
LOL...
Thanks for the laugh...I needed it.
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Comment #1 posted by lombar on November 03, 2005 at 16:44:05 PT
Usually...
Usually I would quote the objectionable statements and rebut them however that is all the article. I thought I'd be different and quote the only non-offensive paragraph..."The measure passed Tuesday with a 54 percent vote. It allows adults who are over the age of 21 to possess no more than one ounce of marijuana without being penalized in Denver. A few other cities have adopted similar measures. Simultaneously, 12 states have procedures that prevent criminal charges from being issued against someone in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, but still issue fines. " (YAY!!! More! More! MORE!)Every other paragraph has something objectionable in it. The above is at least factual. "This country cannot handle the inhibitions that exist from alcohol, how can citizens expect to be able to handle marijuana?"That's a great one ... alcohol is a disinhibitor, and if any thing is a gateway, booze is likely it since it seriously impairs a persons judgement making them more likley to engage in further risk taking that they would not do sober. So saying we can't handle alcohol so we can't handle cannabis is laughable. I think reading that paper may depress ones IQ far more than any drug.
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