cannabisnews.com: Column: Potheads Not a Harm To Society Column: Potheads Not a Harm To Society Posted by FoM on November 28, 2000 at 12:36:44 PT By Jake Smulkowski, Daily Evergreen Source: U-WIRE America, the beautiful. Where it is legal for any 21-year-old to go out and get knockered off of a drug that has been proven to dramatically impair motor skills and reasoning while increasing aggression. Where it is illegal to use a drug whose most serious side effects are cottonmouth, the munchies and the excessive use of tie-dye. The people of this campus and nation are constantly bombarded with reports of the negative effects of alcohol abuse. But when was the last time anyone ever heard of a riot on Colorado Street or a fraternity brawl being catalyzed by stoned people? Never. I feel people who use marijuana on a regular basis, especially in an intense learning environment such as a university, are seriously hindering their educational and rational development. Marijuana has a "half-life" of seven to 10 days, where the user can expect a lack of motivation, dullness and a chronic addiction to video games. Not particularly conducive to educating oneself. However, marijuana actually can help people. I know a lot of people who could really use a joint or two to calm the hell down. It has been proven to reduce nausea and increase appetite for people with many serious diseases. It helps to fight glaucoma. Hemp, the O'Douls of marijuana, produces huge quantities of useful fiber. It can be used to make fuel. The seeds are an excellent food source. And you can't get high off of it. However, the federal government staunchly defends its "war on drugs," which has filled up its prisons with people who have committed no real crimes against society. Taking a bong rip doesn't hurt anybody. Some drugs -- tobacco and alcohol, for instance -- do hurt people. The federal government profits off these dangerous products, so that's OK. It is time to end this senseless prohibition. It's time to end the reign of people who apparently would rather force cancer patients to vomit blood than legalize a relatively harmless drug. It's time to stop wasting the time of the police, and to allow them to enforce some meaningful laws. It's time to stop filling up our prison cells with potheads and to start filling them up with people who actually did some harm to society. Source: U-WIREAuthor: Jake SmulkowskiDaily Evergreen, Washington State U.Updated 12:00 PM ET November 27, 2000 (C) 2000 Daily Evergreen via U-WIRE Related Article:Column: All Drugs Should Be Legal in America http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7702.shtmlCannabis News Articles - Legalizationhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Legalization Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by bongripper on November 29, 2000 at 12:36:56 PT: man dude awsome articleright on matt tooman dude screw the lame government and all their rules!Time to rebel who is with me?email me and let me know [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by curendero on November 29, 2000 at 09:09:15 PT: ...Huh?.......... Marijuana has a "half-life" of seven to 10 days, where the user can expect a lack of motivation, dullness and a chronic addiction to video games. Not particularly conducive to educating oneself. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Great article kid... I Guess we as anti-prohibitionists, just have to put on the bullshit filters... I hope he was kidding and does not believe this. As a confirmed daily smoker, I am very motivated and very sucessful. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Kanabys on November 29, 2000 at 06:17:09 PT Good commentary, but..... >> feel people who use marijuana on a regular basis, especially in an intense learning environment such as a university, are seriously hindering their educational and rational development. Marijuana has a "half-life" of seven to 10 days, where the user can expect a lack of motivation, dullness and a chronic addiction to video games. Not particularly conducive to educating oneself.This statement is a rash generalization. When I was in college, I was introduced to the 'devil weed' by a friend. He did well and I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I toked quite frequently. Now, there was the occasional 'dumbass' who couldn't seem to handle it and did flunk out, but I'd say 95% of the friends I had that indulged did great in school. So, this article is mostly true, but I feel that the above statement is too general and should be re-evaluated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Walter Gourlay on November 29, 2000 at 00:44:31 PT: U-wire Right on Matt! If they want to outlaw a plant, why don't they outlaw poison ivy? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by matt cassel on November 28, 2000 at 12:49:21 PT: dope dope article, it speaks the truthI find my self much more violent and motivated to be stupid and go driving or something after I have some brewsI am not saying that that is a bad thing I actually enjoy beina belligerent drunk sometimesbut after I smoke I usually like to chill and play some mario golf and then smoke some moreAfter I smoke I am definately in no mood to go out and cause harm to societySmoking is not a big deal, the government just thinks it so bad because of he way everyone is brought up to think that marijuana is bad, when it's really notAll I'm saying is that there are a lot more important things that they should be worrying about besides someone smoking a little f*cking bud! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: