Hemp/Marijuana

There is a drug thread. This is a different subject. opinions? on either the use of hemp or the use of marijuana recreationally or medically?

and does anyone have any idea as to why Marijuana/Hemp is banned/illegal?

Marijuana is [probably] the most giving plant that has ever graced this planet.
- Clothing: The fibers are the strongest of any plant fiber. it can be used for harsh rope, or soft clothing that feels just like cotton.
- Paper: Its growing time is much shorter than that of a tree, and there is no need for any harmful whitners or bleach, because the untreated paper is already white. This is a great thing for the enviroment, animals [as they test the bleach on animals, sometimes. Mead does.] and our own health.
- Food: Hemp seeds are actually the most nutritious food known to man. It has the perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Settlers back in the 1600s that had no other food lived off of the seeds and the leaves of the plant.
- Fuel: It can definatley be used as a biomass source of fuel
- Medicine: This one is easy. Marijuana has been used for some time - very well before 6,000 BCE. In colonial times, it was actually a requirement for all farmers to plant hemp plants because of their necesity
Inspiration - Thousands of people claim to have more inspiration while using marijuana. Marijuana does not kill brain cells, in fact, studies are now showing that marijuana may even promote the growth of brain cells. Smoking marijuana does not increase the risk of lung cancer at all. This has been proven. It is not physically addicting. Sure, it is psychologically addicting, but I find that to be a bunch of bullshit [you can listen to my argument if you want]


there really is absolutely nothing wrong with this plant. It's one of the most useful tools, and we've ignored it.

It definitely isn't good for brain cells, and affects your memory negatively. It can also make people more liable to depression and schizophrenia.

It is banned generally because the government have no way of placing tax/VAT on it, as people can just grow their own.

Marijuana is bad as hell for your brain cells o_O You should meet my brother. He is a really smart guy, but he has been smoking ever since high school, and that has really fucked him up. He has a really bad memory and is kind off slow sometimes.

I like using it, but you should never go overboard and use it daily or anything. It definately is bad for you if you smoke to much.

Sally godverdomme:

Marijuana is bad as hell for your brain cells o_O You should meet my brother. He is a really smart guy, but he has been smoking ever since high school, and that has really fucked him up. He has a really bad memory and is kind off slow sometimes.

I like using it, but you should never go overboard and use it daily or anything. It definately is bad for you if you smoke to much.

no, I totally know what you mean.
it does not KILL brain cells.
the way thc works is that it mimics this cannabinoid in your brain. and that cannbinoid is also responsible for getting rid of short term memory. BUT THAT PROCESS OF ELIMINAING SHORT TERM MEMORY IS ONLY PRESENT WHILE HIGH.

and besides, tobacco is very legal. Tobacco does so much more horrible shit to your body then pot can ever dream of.

I'M GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE AND HOPEFULLY I WONT HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN [I'm not screaming, dont worry haha]

PEOPLE DO THINGS EVERYDAY THAT PUT THEM IN EXTREME RISK OF DEATH/INJURY, BUT WE DO IT EVERYDAY. WE ALL TAKE RISKS, AND KNOW THESE RISKS. WHEN YOU SMOKE ALOT OF POT, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE ARE A FEW SIDE EFFECTS, AND THATS FINE, BECAUSE ITS YOUR BODY. JUST BECAUSE THIS CAN HAPPEN SHOULD GIVE NO REASON TO MAKE MARIJUANA ILLEGAL.

Frodo Baggins:

It definitely isn't good for brain cells, and affects your memory negatively. It can also make people more liable to depression and schizophrenia.

It is banned generally because the government have no way of placing tax/VAT on it, as people can just grow their own.

can't you just put tax on the seeds? $50 per plant?
and it doesn't have to be a homegrown thing. you can pay a tax for homegrown. places all around the world have hemp farms. it's just like a tomato.

and you don't exactly see tons of people growing their own tobacco at home?

can this please not be completly about 'OMG IT GIVE YOU SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS OMG ITS HORRIBLE IS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!!!'

This is a legitamate problem, and saying that is just... dumb. That's not what I'm talking about. Thats something ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT. thats the kind of stuff you'd say in the Straight Edge thread.

Frodo Baggins:

It can also make people more liable to depression and schizophrenia.

source

Is hemp illegal?
I'm pretty sure I've seen it for sale in various forms. Anyway, I don't really mind it. As you say, it's useful.

I don't understand the schizophrenia debates because people say it does cause it, people say it doesn't cause it; I really don't know who to believe. But I'm of the opinion that if people want to smoke weed then I'm not going to oppose it. I don't have a problem with it, either. I'm probably far too relaxed, but that's how I see it at this moment in time.

Oh, and on the pain relief issue. I know what being in pain long-term feels like, although I can't for certain say what I've experienced is 'severe' pain or not. All I know that it is awful and there are times when I've felt that I would take just about anything to stop it. So I have sympathy for the people that do use weed and I hope it works for them. This is probably the one I feel strongest about, actually.

Bleach:

Frodo Baggins:

It can also make people more liable to depression and schizophrenia.

source

I studied it as part of my Psychology degree, but here;

1

2

3

Frodo Baggins:

Bleach:

Frodo Baggins:

It can also make people more liable to depression and schizophrenia.

source

I studied it as part of my Psychology degree, but here;

1

2

3

thanks

I'm almost positive that marijuana does not cause schitzophrenia. In your first link, it only says [as far as I'm concerned] that patients with shitzophrenia who smoke marijuana had more hallucinations and illusions. I'm actually not surprised, at all. For one, marijuana has many differnt effects on people. It makes me euphoric and extremely talkative, my other friend shakes like a jackhammer, some people fall asleep, and for some people. it's a borderline psychedelic. For someone who has a disorder that makes them hallucinate, have illusions, and so on and so forth, of course marijuana would make those illusions stronger

second link is dead, and the third one didn't really say much.
I think if it were true, the government would be spewing that out into our faces.

none of that proved smoking pot causes shitzophrenia.

Bloodraine:

Is hemp illegal?
I'm pretty sure I've seen it for sale in various forms. Anyway, I don't really mind it. As you say, it's useful.

I don't understand the schizophrenia debates because people say it does cause it, people say it doesn't cause it; I really don't know who to believe. But I'm of the opinion that if people want to smoke weed then I'm not going to oppose it. I don't have a problem with it, either. I'm probably far too relaxed, but that's how I see it at this moment in time.

Oh, and on the pain relief issue. I know what being in pain long-term feels like, although I can't for certain say what I've experienced is 'severe' pain or not. All I know that it is awful and there are times when I've felt that I would take just about anything to stop it. So I have sympathy for the people that do use weed and I hope it works for them. This is probably the one I feel strongest about, actually.

no, you're not being too relaxed, at all, you're being realistic.

it was either somone on here or somewhere else at a person said their dad was paralyzed [I forget how much] and they were in excruciating pain.. smoking pot did the trick.

I forgot to add to the Paper part:

1 acre of marijuana can produce just as much paper as 4 acres of trees.
If it were legalized, hemp or not, there would be thousands of job opportunities. Much more than tobacco.

Bleach:

thanks

I'm almost positive that marijuana does not cause schitzophrenia. In your first link, it only says [as far as I'm concerned] that patients with shitzophrenia who smoke marijuana had more hallucinations and illusions. I'm actually not surprised, at all. For one, marijuana has many differnt effects on people. It makes me euphoric and extremely talkative, my other friend shakes like a jackhammer, some people fall asleep, and for some people. it's a borderline psychedelic. For someone who has a disorder that makes them hallucinate, have illusions, and so on and so forth, of course marijuana would make those illusions stronger

second link is dead, and the third one didn't really say much.
I think if it were true, the government would be spewing that out into our faces.

none of that proved smoking pot causes shitzophrenia.

I didn't claim it causes it, I said it could make vulnerable people more liable to develop it. If you take the time to read through these articles, I assure you that this claim is supported by innumerable scientific studies.

I noticed that you crossed out depression, and have discarded the fact that it affects memory. Are these effects not important enough for you?

Also, it is SCHIZOPHRENIA, not shit-zophrenia.

Hemp is completely legal, and it is used in clothing, bags, chairs, curtains, etc.

As for dope seeds being illegal. Would you really want to eat them?! They taste gross. Just because you CAN eat things, doesn't mean you have to, or want to.. another example of edible plant parts that we don't usually eat is rose petals..

Frodo Baggins:

Bleach:

thanks

I'm almost positive that marijuana does not cause schitzophrenia. In your first link, it only says [as far as I'm concerned] that patients with shitzophrenia who smoke marijuana had more hallucinations and illusions. I'm actually not surprised, at all. For one, marijuana has many differnt effects on people. It makes me euphoric and extremely talkative, my other friend shakes like a jackhammer, some people fall asleep, and for some people. it's a borderline psychedelic. For someone who has a disorder that makes them hallucinate, have illusions, and so on and so forth, of course marijuana would make those illusions stronger

second link is dead, and the third one didn't really say much.
I think if it were true, the government would be spewing that out into our faces.

none of that proved smoking pot causes shitzophrenia.

I didn't claim it causes it, I said it could make vulnerable people more liable to develop it. If you take the time to read through these articles, I assure you that this claim is supported by innumerable scientific studies.

I noticed that you crossed out depression, and have discarded the fact that it affects memory. Are these effects not important enough for you?

Also, it is SCHIZOPHRENIA, not shit-zophrenia.

Isn't that the same as 'boosting your chances of getting a disease'?

no, thats not what I meant. I crossed that out because thats known. But does not always apply to people.

XD I pronounce it shkit-zo... so I put the t in
I'll definately read up on it. But let's drop this, because this is the exact thing I did not want to happen. Read my post in CAPS. We're not goign to discuss its effects.

Frodo Baggins:

Hemp is completely legal, and it is used in clothing, bags, chairs, curtains, etc.

As for dope seeds being illegal. Would you really want to eat them?! They taste gross. Just because you CAN eat things, doesn't mean you have to, or want to.. another example of edible plant parts that we don't usually eat is rose petals..

Are they made in the US? if its legal, then why is NORML an organization? Why aren't we making fuel out of it, why aren't we using it more?

First off, some people are probably thinking, "can't you just buy them and plant them?' I know for poppy seeds that you get at the store, they sterilize the seeds so you can't plant them and grow opium poppies. just putting it out there. they would do the same for hemp seeds.
I'm assuming you had them? Do they taste bitter or something? was the shell off? because i know they take the outer layer off. And just because they 'taste gross' doesn't mean people won't eat them. XD or gives it any reason to stay at its legal status. I know you werent saying that xD... Like I said, they are the most nutritious food on the planet. I eat things that I find gross tasting, but I do it for my health. maybe because not so many people know about using rose petals. Hey, now that you mention it, I'll have some his summer Dandelions are very nutritious too, and they were used in colonial times. Now people kill them. same thing happened to marijuana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9rG5KVsSfw
seems to me theres a big controversy with Hemp/Marijuana >_>

Yes, they do use it in the US, but they cannot grow the plants. I don't know why they don't use it more, take it up with the hemp farmers.

If you don't want to discuss marijuana's effects, what is the point of this thread?

I was trying to explain to you why they're illegal, because you asked, but now you are just ignoring the reasons.







What do hemp and marijuana have in common?

Hemp and marijuana are varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant.

It is illegal to grow both hemp and marijuana in the United States (although it is not illegal to sell or purchase hemp products—hence the hemp bags and dresses you see in store windows).

The two plants have similar aromas when in bloom—however, only one will get a person high.

How are hemp and marijuana different?

Smoking marijuana will make the user high, and smoking hemp will not. Hemp contains less than 1 percent of the active ingredient THC, the substance that gives pot smokers a high. Marijuana plants, on the other hand, contain 10 to 20 percent THC.

Marijuana plants and hemp plants have different appearances and are harvested differently. Marijuana plants tend to be short and bushy, while hemp plants can have stalks that are 25 feet high!

Unlike marijuana, hemp has many uses. Over 25,000 products can be manufactured from hemp, including hair conditioner, diapers, insulation, carpets, paper, and perfume.

The hemp debate and the marijuana debate are often confused with each other. Proponents of legalizing hemp cultivation focus on the plant's many uses and the fact that it requires no pesticides in order to flourish. However, opponents express concern that permitting hemp cultivation would result in the legalization of marijuana cultivation because both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant.1 Opponents also say that other raw materials are more economical than industrial hemp. Cultivating hemp is currently illegal in the United States, although hemp items are imported.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is illegal because of its health risks. Proponents of legalizing marijuana point to recent studies that show that there may be some medical* benefits associated with marijuana use. But, any benefits of legalizing marijuana—medical or otherwise—have to be weighed against the disadvantages, such as the intoxicating effects of and serious health risks posed by marijuana.

During debates about the legal status of marijuana, the environmental and economic benefits of hemp may be used in arguments for the legalization of marijuana. But, remember that hemp and marijuana are not the same thing, and the risk factor for marijuana legalization is much higher.


Sources:
[1] The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, 1998 National Drug Control Strategy, ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/ndcs98/iv-f.html, last referenced June 27, 2001.

*On May 14th, 2001, the United States Supreme Court ruled 8-0 against medicinal marijuana under federal law. Despite the fact that 9 States allow medicinal use of marijuana, United States federal law prohibits medicinal use of marijuana according to U.S. v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, No. 00-151.

I think that should answer your questions.

Also


To break the stigma associated with marijuana, it is important to actually understand the difference between cannabis and hemp.

The two are related through the same genus of plant. While industrial-grade hemp is a rather helpful resource in the world, it lacks the stimulating power of the substance known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or for short, THC. It is this active chemical of THC that brings about the "high" associated with marijuana.

Hemp contains 1.5% of this substance, while marijuana possesses between 4 % and 20%. In Canada, the legal amount of THC used to create products cannot exceed 0.3%. Overall, the plants are rather close in details, but supply very different functions for many dissimilar reasons, which especially shows through in the physical makeup of the two plants.

Hemp is much stronger than the marijuana variety, meaning it holds the possibility to create a wealth of raw materials. Marijuana is actually quite delicate, eliminating it as a contender regarding serving a purpose to benefit mankind in a manner acceptable by law (with the exception of medicinal uses).

Farming practices also dictate the amount of THC produced by the plant. The unfertilized female species of cannabis sativa L contains the highest amount of THC, thus the male species is removed to prevent pollination, increasing it's psychoactive properties dramatically.

Frodo Baggins:

If you don't want to discuss marijuana's effects, what is the point of this thread?

Iawtc

I did a project on legalizing weed for debate bastards voted against it

i can obv. not post all of them because it is ten pages long but here are some of the pros....

round 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose. Source; NORML

"Unlike many of the drugs we prescribe every day, marijuana has never been proven to cause a fatal overdose." -Joycelyn Elders, MD, former US Surgeon General

In A list of 6 drugs Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, Caffeine, Alcohol, and Tobacco N. Benowitz, M.D. Chief of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of California, San Francisco rated marijuana least addictive.

Enforcing marijuana prohibition costs taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually Source; NORML

Drug dealers (including some terrorists) would lose most or all of their business. Perhaps the biggest opponents of legalizing drugs are the drug dealers themselves. They make their enormous sums of money because of the absence of competition and the monstrous street prices that come from the increased risk. Legalization would lower prices and open competition; thus, drug cartels (that might include terrorists) would lose all or some of their business. Source; http://www.balancedpolitics.org/marijuana_legalization.htm

."Much of their [US drug-policy leaders] rhetoric about marijuana being a 'gateway drug' is simply wrong. After decades of looking, scientists still have no evidence that marijuana causes people to use harder drugs If there is any true 'gateway drug,' it's tobacco."
Joycelyn Elders, MD, former US Surgeon General

“Consumer Reports believes that, for patients with advanced AIDS and terminal cancer, the apparent benefits some derive from smoking marijuana outweigh any substantiated or even suspected risks. In the same spirit the FDA uses to hasten the approval of cancer drugs, federal laws should be relaxed in favor of states’ rights to allow physicians to administer marijuana to their patients on a caring and compassionate basis.�
May 1997 Consumer Reports

According to Tod Mikuriya, MD, a Psychiatrist and Medical Coordinator 259 conditions can be treated with marijuana, these include AIDS Related Illness, Anorexia Nervosa, Anxiety Disorder, Migraine, Cancer, Scoliosis, Asthma, Arthritis, Nausea and Multiple Sclerosis . This means marijuana is an effective medication for many of the most common illnesses

Americans overwhelmingly want medical marijuana to be legal, a desire which is in direct opposition to federal law and its actions. 34 states and Washington, D.C. — representing over 70% of the US population — have decriminalized (made it legal for medical use in a state) or are otherwise favorable to medical marijuana.


Yay Weed