Pinch
Well-Known Member
The changing of tides is like society today. Between the moon and the sun we have a balance of tides. When the two of them work together we get a balance of currents, tides and weather. Our oceans control the world, but the world is controlled by the sun. If we, the people on earth, learn to work together like the moon and the sun, then we will have found a balance the will take our freedom into a responsible and healthy direction. The evolution of marijuana has created "free market" as over controlled by Congress. The United States legislation has taken the penalties of individuals involved with "pot", to the extreme. In comparison to someone with a ten-year sentence for killing someone, to a person sentenced to a maximum-security jail with a life sentence for possession of marijuana, shows the level of extreme and unnecessary penalties.
Our founding fathers based our heritage and mission statement of the United States, on freedom. The idea of "free market" has been described in the book Understanding Business as an "economic system in which the market largely determines what goods and services get produced, who gets them, and how the economy grows"(49). In the book Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser, there has been a severe interruption of our freedom in the U.S. The citizens have driven the economic market in a direction that cannot be stopped, and will continue to strive no mater how harsh the penalties are by the government. Obviously there is extreme control; however, the contrary is that the money used to keep marijuana users in jail could be well spent to keep them off the streets and to come up with corrective penalties rather than life sentences. In hopes to advance as a responsible country we have to find a middle ground, and strive to find the correct solution giving both parties a reasonable answer to what is decided upon, so back off the thought of full legalization because that is not going to happen, and instead look at the reality--for there is a solution and a more thoughtful approach.
Is the whole world supposed to give in half their paycheck for others to live the life they want? Imagine a society where people feel that they deserve money just for trying hard. People with children, who barely have enough money to feed and care for them, should not be collecting money from welfare to buy themselves a joint just to get high. That is simply irresponsible and unfair to the child. The money used to buy the marijuana could be better spent on clothes, diapers, or even toys for the young one. There are hard working citizens that are working their asses off, and paying taxes which are supplying an underground marijuana and drug trade in the slums of urban cities, trailer home parks and in low income areas. Yes, there are people who are trying a ton not abuse the welfare system, but there are other people who are taking advantage of the financial aid and using it for pot.
We all want to relax, but we all have responsibilities and obligations, so just because a person is trying hard but not making enough money for illegal drugs, should you, a hard working citizen, have to give them money for marijuana, if it became legal? The history of marijuana has been a dilemma among congress and citizens, but the question is, should marijuana be legalized? As of now it is an illegal drug and should continue to stay that way with some exceptions.
Our children are in the process of growing, becoming unique individuals, and marijuana could have a horrible effect on them if our government does not control it.
Dr. Donald P. Tashkin, of the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, has found substantial evidence that habitual marijuana smoking may cause chronic bronchitis, changes in cells of the central airway which are potentially precancerous, and an impairment in scavenger cell function which could increase the risk of respiratory infection. A joint seems to deliver four to five times as much carcinogenic tar as a tobacco cigarette of the same size. Tashkin expects that some heavy marijuana users will eventually suffer cancers of the mouth, throat, and lungs (3).
Through my experiences, seeing young adults in High School and even Junior High get sucked into many other drugs other than just marijuana, I see why it is a gateway drug and harmful to people.
A friend of mine, at the age of fifteen, started smoking pot. His mother was not against the use of pot, and even admitted that she had been a pot smoker herself at the same age. She knew that her son was smoking pot, but did not do much to correct it until he was found guilty for possession, and under the influence of marijuana. After the conviction he was put on probation, but it was not strict at all. This mom also did not give the correct punishment and simply said that marijuana could be harmful and that he could get into trouble with it. The smoking of pot continued as well as the interest that led to the addiction of some serious drugs like acid, cocaine, and meth. He is now 23 years old, in jail, has a kid, and has been convicted of being abusive towards women. As one can see, if his problem had been taken seriously with the correct reconstruction, his life would have been different.
Peer pressure is also a result of other drugs being used after marijuana. We need to keep an eye out on how it is being used. Allowing a society to free-fall in the hallucinations of drugs would put the government in a position of negligence. That is just like saying it is ok not to wear your seat belt. If that were the case, then car manufacturers would stop putting them in vehicles to save money. If marijuana became legal then who is to say that companies wouldn't take advantage of it as well to make money, and put the pressure on young adults to go a little further and try an underground illegal drug like cocaine. Companies could just be dealing with the illegal drugs like some have already done to make more cash. In the book Reefer Madness, Schlosser described how many farmers were pretending to grow corn, but that was just a cover up for the large amounts of marijuana that were being grown. Using the legalization of marijuana as a legal drug for unregulated consumption could cause social destruction.
Just like a medication for the ill, marijuana can be useful to people in chronic pain or with eating disorders, but it is not okay for people to use it who do not need it. Marijuana, like alcohol, has an affect on the mind and a physical affect on a person. Controlling marijuana is especially crucial in an age of adolescence. We have seen that the use of drugs at an early age in life can lead to a series of problems. Speaking with several police officers in the bay area, I became aware that many kids in Juvenile Hall are in for marijuana use.
If a doctor needs to prescribe a medical dosage to a patient, then it should be reported to a police agency that would track the amount given and at any point in time that if the amounts exceeded the normal quantity usually prescribed, then a criminal investigation should be conducted to see if the doctor is at fault for prescribing too much.
The "Cannabis Club" is a pot smokers delight. The club is supposed to be only for medical purpose, but has been abused for the simple reasons of getting weed for cheep and legally. I knew a man who told his doctor he had chronic back pain, even though he did not. He asked for a prescription for a cannabis club card. The doctor gave it to him and now he has unlimited access to it. If his doctor had some simple law against doing that it would help keep the drug off the streets. Doctors should not be prescribing a drug to the point that it becomes habitual. Just like prescribing Vicodin, doctors should be liable for prescribing a drug that is not needed and can cause an unhealthy habit when taking an excess amount. If we all work together and everyone is just a little bit more responsible, then we will be looking at a change. We would care just a little more and aid to the idea of "free market". We have the freedom to create a demand and if the demand is gone, the market for marijuana will slowly subside. We have to be a responsible country, and the only way to do so is to give the responsibility to everyone.
While I am for the legalization of marijuana for medical use, by prescription only, I support keeping it illegal for the public. We have to keep it in check by using probation officers and legislation to correct our streets. I do not support harsh punishment for users of the drug, but on the other hand a series of strong productive corrections would be a better solution. For a first time offence, a six-month probation would be sufficient as long as the person is monitored for the possibility of future use or a leading criminal record. If the convicted marijuana user is younger than eighteen, then the parents or legal guardians should be put on probation as well, monitored in a way that encourages helping the young adult to straighten up. For the second offence a misdemeanor conviction and a one year probation should be administered in conjunction with classes, like Alcohol Abuse Anonymous, that strengthen the will power to stop and teach the users of the harmful repercussions. For the third offence the user should be convicted of a felony and put into a drug abusers home to help correct the addiction and help create a life in which the user can live safely and drug free, with the aid of doctors and psychologist helping to find a solution.
Balancing the scale of punishment and help in the world of drugs is a balance that requires a thoughtful approach that offers both sides a voice that will be heard. The freedom of working like a perfect solar system undisturbed by other forces is up to us. We have to make sure that the future of the United States is put into a position of accepting new ideas of improvement. If we are to help the citizens, we need to focus on the corrective punishments and use our finances wisely. Marijuana is still a drug and should be handled with care, prescribed amounts for patients who need it, but also keep a strong enforcement for what is happening with it on the streets.
Source: progressive U
Copyright: 2006 progressive U
Author: Dan of Dan's blog
Website: progressiveU.org
Web address: https://www.progressiveu.org/101239-socialistic-awareness
Publication Date: May 5, 2006
Our founding fathers based our heritage and mission statement of the United States, on freedom. The idea of "free market" has been described in the book Understanding Business as an "economic system in which the market largely determines what goods and services get produced, who gets them, and how the economy grows"(49). In the book Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser, there has been a severe interruption of our freedom in the U.S. The citizens have driven the economic market in a direction that cannot be stopped, and will continue to strive no mater how harsh the penalties are by the government. Obviously there is extreme control; however, the contrary is that the money used to keep marijuana users in jail could be well spent to keep them off the streets and to come up with corrective penalties rather than life sentences. In hopes to advance as a responsible country we have to find a middle ground, and strive to find the correct solution giving both parties a reasonable answer to what is decided upon, so back off the thought of full legalization because that is not going to happen, and instead look at the reality--for there is a solution and a more thoughtful approach.
Is the whole world supposed to give in half their paycheck for others to live the life they want? Imagine a society where people feel that they deserve money just for trying hard. People with children, who barely have enough money to feed and care for them, should not be collecting money from welfare to buy themselves a joint just to get high. That is simply irresponsible and unfair to the child. The money used to buy the marijuana could be better spent on clothes, diapers, or even toys for the young one. There are hard working citizens that are working their asses off, and paying taxes which are supplying an underground marijuana and drug trade in the slums of urban cities, trailer home parks and in low income areas. Yes, there are people who are trying a ton not abuse the welfare system, but there are other people who are taking advantage of the financial aid and using it for pot.
We all want to relax, but we all have responsibilities and obligations, so just because a person is trying hard but not making enough money for illegal drugs, should you, a hard working citizen, have to give them money for marijuana, if it became legal? The history of marijuana has been a dilemma among congress and citizens, but the question is, should marijuana be legalized? As of now it is an illegal drug and should continue to stay that way with some exceptions.
Our children are in the process of growing, becoming unique individuals, and marijuana could have a horrible effect on them if our government does not control it.
Dr. Donald P. Tashkin, of the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, has found substantial evidence that habitual marijuana smoking may cause chronic bronchitis, changes in cells of the central airway which are potentially precancerous, and an impairment in scavenger cell function which could increase the risk of respiratory infection. A joint seems to deliver four to five times as much carcinogenic tar as a tobacco cigarette of the same size. Tashkin expects that some heavy marijuana users will eventually suffer cancers of the mouth, throat, and lungs (3).
Through my experiences, seeing young adults in High School and even Junior High get sucked into many other drugs other than just marijuana, I see why it is a gateway drug and harmful to people.
A friend of mine, at the age of fifteen, started smoking pot. His mother was not against the use of pot, and even admitted that she had been a pot smoker herself at the same age. She knew that her son was smoking pot, but did not do much to correct it until he was found guilty for possession, and under the influence of marijuana. After the conviction he was put on probation, but it was not strict at all. This mom also did not give the correct punishment and simply said that marijuana could be harmful and that he could get into trouble with it. The smoking of pot continued as well as the interest that led to the addiction of some serious drugs like acid, cocaine, and meth. He is now 23 years old, in jail, has a kid, and has been convicted of being abusive towards women. As one can see, if his problem had been taken seriously with the correct reconstruction, his life would have been different.
Peer pressure is also a result of other drugs being used after marijuana. We need to keep an eye out on how it is being used. Allowing a society to free-fall in the hallucinations of drugs would put the government in a position of negligence. That is just like saying it is ok not to wear your seat belt. If that were the case, then car manufacturers would stop putting them in vehicles to save money. If marijuana became legal then who is to say that companies wouldn't take advantage of it as well to make money, and put the pressure on young adults to go a little further and try an underground illegal drug like cocaine. Companies could just be dealing with the illegal drugs like some have already done to make more cash. In the book Reefer Madness, Schlosser described how many farmers were pretending to grow corn, but that was just a cover up for the large amounts of marijuana that were being grown. Using the legalization of marijuana as a legal drug for unregulated consumption could cause social destruction.
Just like a medication for the ill, marijuana can be useful to people in chronic pain or with eating disorders, but it is not okay for people to use it who do not need it. Marijuana, like alcohol, has an affect on the mind and a physical affect on a person. Controlling marijuana is especially crucial in an age of adolescence. We have seen that the use of drugs at an early age in life can lead to a series of problems. Speaking with several police officers in the bay area, I became aware that many kids in Juvenile Hall are in for marijuana use.
If a doctor needs to prescribe a medical dosage to a patient, then it should be reported to a police agency that would track the amount given and at any point in time that if the amounts exceeded the normal quantity usually prescribed, then a criminal investigation should be conducted to see if the doctor is at fault for prescribing too much.
The "Cannabis Club" is a pot smokers delight. The club is supposed to be only for medical purpose, but has been abused for the simple reasons of getting weed for cheep and legally. I knew a man who told his doctor he had chronic back pain, even though he did not. He asked for a prescription for a cannabis club card. The doctor gave it to him and now he has unlimited access to it. If his doctor had some simple law against doing that it would help keep the drug off the streets. Doctors should not be prescribing a drug to the point that it becomes habitual. Just like prescribing Vicodin, doctors should be liable for prescribing a drug that is not needed and can cause an unhealthy habit when taking an excess amount. If we all work together and everyone is just a little bit more responsible, then we will be looking at a change. We would care just a little more and aid to the idea of "free market". We have the freedom to create a demand and if the demand is gone, the market for marijuana will slowly subside. We have to be a responsible country, and the only way to do so is to give the responsibility to everyone.
While I am for the legalization of marijuana for medical use, by prescription only, I support keeping it illegal for the public. We have to keep it in check by using probation officers and legislation to correct our streets. I do not support harsh punishment for users of the drug, but on the other hand a series of strong productive corrections would be a better solution. For a first time offence, a six-month probation would be sufficient as long as the person is monitored for the possibility of future use or a leading criminal record. If the convicted marijuana user is younger than eighteen, then the parents or legal guardians should be put on probation as well, monitored in a way that encourages helping the young adult to straighten up. For the second offence a misdemeanor conviction and a one year probation should be administered in conjunction with classes, like Alcohol Abuse Anonymous, that strengthen the will power to stop and teach the users of the harmful repercussions. For the third offence the user should be convicted of a felony and put into a drug abusers home to help correct the addiction and help create a life in which the user can live safely and drug free, with the aid of doctors and psychologist helping to find a solution.
Balancing the scale of punishment and help in the world of drugs is a balance that requires a thoughtful approach that offers both sides a voice that will be heard. The freedom of working like a perfect solar system undisturbed by other forces is up to us. We have to make sure that the future of the United States is put into a position of accepting new ideas of improvement. If we are to help the citizens, we need to focus on the corrective punishments and use our finances wisely. Marijuana is still a drug and should be handled with care, prescribed amounts for patients who need it, but also keep a strong enforcement for what is happening with it on the streets.
Source: progressive U
Copyright: 2006 progressive U
Author: Dan of Dan's blog
Website: progressiveU.org
Web address: https://www.progressiveu.org/101239-socialistic-awareness
Publication Date: May 5, 2006
