I think Liliths answer is funny. No, M45 you're not the only pothead here.
I don't have any right now or I might be smoking it. I don't have a job either.
There are MANY MANY MANY issues on this, there are forums dedicated to pot talk, so I won't flood too much about it. Hemp was banned mostly by the cotton lobbyists, you know someone has always got to make a buck, no matter what they fuck up.
Yes, smoking it is awful on the lungs, one joint throws more crap in your lungs than a pack of little white slavers. However, while cigarettes make sure the junk stays in your lungs, mj helps "keep it moving" on out. I've had it in tea form, certainly I've chewed it and had it in brownies.
I would agree that it shouldn't be "sparked" in a restraunt unless it's a pot smokers lounge, but I wouldn't have a problem stepping outside of Dennies to tokeabowl
I think that the idea that it should be medical vs recreational is obscene. I know that it can be taken to excess in recreational form tho it when I've seen it done that personal usually has other problems they haven't addressed, ie chainsmoking, cracksmoking, etc. Yet it has been used religiously for centuries, for centuries people burned it as incense to see and speak to god. Hindus still use it in ceremonies today as well as Rastafarians. I'd like to see the point when the self proclaimed Jesus Freaks learn that all leafy green plants were put here by god for our use. *smiles*
Sugarspinkles, you hit the nail on the head "Fight crime, not pot." I mean, seriously, the stuff grows from seeds and we spend billions of dollars making sure this country doesn't have access to it. The D.E.A. doesn't see/stop 10% of the drugs brought into this country, the government is fighting a losing war and making many responcible adults casualties. My REASON for this post was the young man who talked about going to jail for a month, for POT. How he was in fear of getting raped and the things he had to do. You know how bad that could have been?
Yes, I think I'll write my congressmen or local state representative right now!
The only people who want to keep it illegal, that I've known, either A) have some prejuidice against it or B) Make more money this way.
*takes a deep breath and goes back to being STILLwater*