Which of these substances should be banned?

[Yollam]

Which, if any of these substances should be banned?





I don't use tobacco or marijuana, and I seldom drink alcohol, but it struck me as odd just now thinking that the one that's addictive and highly detrimental to one's health is legal and widely available,
and so is the other one that is addictive, and can kill when consumed too quickly in large amounts,
but the one that has been found to NOT be physically addictive and NOT linked to lung cancer, and also has been shown to make its users less aggressive is illegal.

Go figure!

[mcctatas]

1. None of the above...

it's so funny to me that the least harmful of them is the only one that is currently illegal...if only Merck could figure out a way to get a patent on the seeds, because we all know it is about money not health!

[ixion]

13. None of the above here, too. Prohibition failed.

I don't see why people have such a difficult time with that.

To refresh:

a) Our minds are hard-wired with the desire to alter our reality.
b) Homo-sapiens sapiens have always been this way.
c) No matter how many laws you make, no matter how many lives are ruined, no matter how many people are needlessly killed, people will always use drugs.


Period. Accept these simple common sense facts, and we're half-way there. ;-)

[LiberalVoice]

2. They shoud make it illegal to put nicotine in cigs. nt

[tuvor]

3. I don't think it's the nicotine.

Well, not the naturally occurring nicotine, anyway.

My hunch is that the nicotine isn't what harms a person quite so much as constantly inhaling burning...

* Acetanisole
* Acetic Acid
* Acetoin
* Acetophenone
* 6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane
* 2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine
* 2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran
* Acetylpyrazine
* 2-Acetylpyridine
* 3-Acetylpyridine
* 2-Acetylthiazole
* Aconitic Acid
* dl-Alanine
* Alfalfa Extract
* Allspice Extract,Oleoresin, and Oil
* Allyl Hexanoate
* Allyl Ionone
* Almond Bitter Oil
* Ambergris Tincture
* Ammonia
* Ammonium Bicarbonate
* Ammonium Hydroxide
* Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic
* Ammonium Sulfide
* Amyl Alcohol
* Amyl Butyrate
* Amyl Formate
* Amyl Octanoate
* alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde
* Amyris Oil
* trans-Anethole
* Angelica Root Extract, Oil and Seed Oil
* Anise
* Anise Star, Extract and Oils
* Anisyl Acetate
* Anisyl Alcohol
* Anisyl Formate
* Anisyl Phenylacetate
* Apple Juice Concentrate, Extract, and Skins
* Apricot Extract and Juice Concentrate
* 1-Arginine
* Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil
* Ascorbic Acid
* 1-Asparagine Monohydrate
* 1-Aspartic Acid
* Balsam Peru and Oil
* Basil Oil
* Bay Leaf, Oil and Sweet Oil
* Beeswax White
* Beet Juice Concentrate
* Benzaldehyde
* Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal
* Benzoic Acid, Benzoin
* Benzoin Resin
* Benzophenone
* Benzyl Alcohol
* Benzyl Benzoate
* Benzyl Butyrate
* Benzyl Cinnamate
* Benzyl Propionate
* Benzyl Salicylate
* Bergamot Oil
* Bisabolene
* Black Currant Buds Absolute
* Borneol
* Bornyl Acetate
* Buchu Leaf Oil
* 1,3-Butanediol
* 2,3-Butanedione
* 1-Butanol
* 2-Butanone
* 4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
* Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil
* Butyl Acetate
* Butyl Butyrate
* Butyl Butyryl Lactate
* Butyl Isovalerate
* Butyl Phenylacetate
* Butyl Undecylenate
* 3-Butylidenephthalide
* Butyric Acid]
* Cadinene
* Caffeine
* Calcium Carbonate
* Camphene
* Cananga Oil
* Capsicum Oleoresin
* Caramel Color
* Caraway Oil
* Carbon Dioxide
* Cardamom Oleoresin, Extract, Seed Oil, and Powder
* Carob Bean and Extract
* beta-Carotene
* Carrot Oil
* Carvacrol
* 4-Carvomenthenol
* 1-Carvone
* beta-Caryophyllene
* beta-Caryophyllene Oxide
* Cascarilla Oil and Bark Extract
* Cassia Bark Oil
* Cassie Absolute and Oil
* Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute
* Cedar Leaf Oil
* Cedarwood Oil Terpenes and Virginiana
* Cedrol
* Celery Seed Extract, Solid, Oil, And Oleoresin
* Cellulose Fiber
* Chamomile Flower Oil And Extract
* Chicory Extract
* Chocolate
* Cinnamaldehyde
* Cinnamic Acid
* Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Bark Oil, and Extract
* Cinnamyl Acetate
* Cinnamyl Alcohol
* Cinnamyl Cinnamate
* Cinnamyl Isovalerate
* Cinnamyl Propionate
* Citral
* Citric Acid
* Citronella Oil
* dl-Citronellol
* Citronellyl Butyrate
* itronellyl Isobutyrate
* Civet Absolute
* Clary Oil
* Clover Tops, Red Solid Extract
* Cocoa
* Cocoa Shells, Extract, Distillate And Powder
* Coconut Oil
* Coffee
* Cognac White and Green Oil
* Copaiba Oil
* Coriander Extract and Oil
* Corn Oil
* Corn Silk
* Costus Root Oil
* Cubeb Oil
* Cuminaldehyde
* para-Cymene
* 1-Cysteine
* Dandelion Root Solid Extract
* Davana Oil
* 2-trans, 4-trans-Decadienal
* delta-Decalactone
* gamma-Decalactone
* Decanal
* Decanoic Acid
* 1-Decanol
* 2-Decenal
* Dehydromenthofurolactone
* Diethyl Malonate
* Diethyl Sebacate
* 2,3-Diethylpyrazine
* Dihydro Anethole
* 5,7-Dihydro-2-Methylthieno(3,4-D) Pyrimidine
* Dill Seed Oil and Extract
* meta-Dimethoxybenzene
* para-Dimethoxybenzene
* 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol
* Dimethyl Succinate
* 3,4-Dimethyl-1,2 Cyclopentanedione
* 3,5- Dimethyl-1,2-Cyclopentanedione
* 3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,6-Octatriene
* 4,5-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxy-2,5-Dihydrofuran-2-One
* 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-One
* 3,7-Dimethyl-6-Octenoic Acid
* 2,4 Dimethylacetophenone
* alpha,para-Dimethylbenzyl Alcohol
* alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl Acetate
* alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate
* 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine
* 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine
* 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine
* Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone
* delta-Dodecalactone
* gamma-Dodecalactone
* para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde
* Ethyl 10-Undecenoate
* Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate
* Ethyl Acetate
* Ethyl Acetoacetate
* Ethyl Alcohol
* Ethyl Benzoate
* Ethyl Butyrate
* Ethyl Cinnamate
* Ethyl Decanoate
* Ethyl Fenchol
* Ethyl Furoate
* Ethyl Heptanoate
* Ethyl Hexanoate
* Ethyl Isovalerate
* Ethyl Lactate
* Ethyl Laurate
* Ethyl Levulinate
* Ethyl Maltol
* Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate
* Ethyl Myristate
* Ethyl Nonanoate
* Ethyl Octadecanoate
* Ethyl Octanoate
* Ethyl Oleate
* Ethyl Palmitate
* Ethyl Phenylacetate
* Ethyl Propionate
* Ethyl Salicylate
* Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate
* Ethyl Valerate
* Ethyl Vanillin
* 2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine
* 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One
* 2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine
* 5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2(5H)-Furanone
* 2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine
* 4-Ethylbenzaldehyde
* 4-Ethylguaiacol
* para-Ethylphenol
* 3-Ethylpyridine
* Eucalyptol
* Farnesol
* D-Fenchone
* Fennel Sweet Oil
* Fenugreek, Extract, Resin, and Absolute
* Fig Juice Concentrate
* Food Starch Modified
* Furfuryl Mercaptan
* 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One
* Galbanum Oil
* Genet Absolute
* Gentian Root Extract
* Geraniol
* Geranium Rose Oil
* Geranyl Acetate
* Geranyl Butyrate
* Geranyl Formate
* Geranyl Isovalerate
* Geranyl Phenylacetate
* Ginger Oil and Oleoresin
* 1-Glutamic Acid
* 1-Glutamine
* Glycerol
* Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated
* Grape Juice Concentrate
* Guaiac Wood Oil
* Guaiacol
* Guar Gum
* 2,4-Heptadienal
* gamma-Heptalactone
* Heptanoic Acid
* 2-Heptanone
* 3-Hepten-2-One
* 2-Hepten-4-One
* 4-Heptenal
* trans -2-Heptenal
* Heptyl Acetate
* omega-6-Hexadecenlactone
* gamma-Hexalactone
* Hexanal
* Hexanoic Acid
* 2-Hexen-1-Ol
* 3-Hexen-1-Ol
* cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate
* 2-Hexenal
* 3-Hexenoic Acid
* trans-2-Hexenoic Acid
* cis-3-Hexenyl Formate
* Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate
* Hexyl Acetate
* Hexyl Alcohol
* Hexyl Phenylacetate
* 1-Histidine
* Honey
* Hops Oil
* Hydrolyzed Milk Solids
* Hydrolyzed Plant Proteins
* 5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta- Lactone
* 4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone
* 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
* 4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone
* 2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde
* 4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone
* Hydroxycitronellal
* 6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane
* 4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
* Hyssop Oil
* Immortelle Absolute and Extract
* alpha-Ionone
* beta-Ionone
* alpha-Irone
* Isoamyl Acetate
* Isoamyl Benzoate
* Isoamyl Butyrate
* Isoamyl Cinnamate
* Isoamyl Formate, Isoamyl Hexanoate
* Isoamyl Isovalerate
* Isoamyl Octanoate
* Isoamyl Phenylacetate
* Isobornyl Acetate
* Isobutyl Acetate
* Isobutyl Alcohol
* Isobutyl Cinnamate
* Isobutyl Phenylacetate
* Isobutyl Salicylate
* 2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine
* alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol
* Isobutyraldehyde
* Isobutyric Acid
* d,l-Isoleucine
* alpha-Isomethylionone
* 2-Isopropylphenol
* Isovaleric Acid
* Jasmine Absolute, Concrete and Oil
* Kola Nut Extract
* Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin
* Lactic Acid
* Lauric Acid
* Lauric Aldehyde
* Lavandin Oil
* Lavender Oil
* Lemon Oil and Extract
* Lemongrass Oil
* 1-Leucine
* Levulinic Acid
* Licorice Root, Fluid, Extract and Powder
* Lime Oil
* Linalool
* Linalool Oxide
* Linalyl Acetate
* Linden Flowers
* Lovage Oil And Extract
* 1-Lysine]
* Mace Powder, Extract and Oil
* Magnesium Carbonate
* Malic Acid
* Malt and Malt Extract
* Maltodextrin
* Maltol
* Maltyl Isobutyrate
* Mandarin Oil
* Maple Syrup and Concentrate
* Mate Leaf, Absolute and Oil
* para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One
* Menthol
* Menthone
* Menthyl Acetate
* dl-Methionine
* Methoprene
* 2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol
* 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol
* para-Methoxybenzaldehyde
* 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One
* 4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
* 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone
* Methoxypyrazine
* Methyl 2-Furoate
* Methyl 2-Octynoate
* Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone
* Methyl Anisate
* Methyl Anthranilate
* Methyl Benzoate
* Methyl Cinnamate
* Methyl Dihydrojasmonate
* Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated
* Methyl Isovalerate
* Methyl Linoleate (48%)
* Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture
* Methyl Naphthyl Ketone
* Methyl Nicotinate
* Methyl Phenylacetate
* Methyl Salicylate
* Methyl Sulfide
* 3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone
* 4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone
* 5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal
* 5-Methyl-2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde
* 6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One
* 2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde
* 5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One
* 1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene
* 4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One
* 2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde
* 6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One
* 4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol
* 4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole
* Methyl-alpha-Ionone
* Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid
* 4-Methylacetophenone
* para-Methylanisole
* alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate
* alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol
* 2-Methylbutyraldehyde
* 3-Methylbutyraldehyde
* 2-Methylbutyric Acid
* alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde
* Methylcyclopentenolone
* 2-Methylheptanoic Acid
* 2-Methylhexanoic Acid
* 3-Methylpentanoic Acid
* 4-Methylpentanoic Acid
* 2-Methylpyrazine
* 5-Methylquinoxaline
* 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One
* (Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers)
* 3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde
* Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate
* 2-Methylvaleric Acid
* Mimosa Absolute and Extract
* Molasses Extract and Tincture
* Mountain Maple Solid Extract
* Mullein Flowers
* Myristaldehyde
* Myristic Acid
* Myrrh Oil
* beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether
* Nerol
* Neroli Bigarde Oil
* Nerolidol
* Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal
* 2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol
* gamma-Nonalactone
* Nonanal
* Nonanoic Acid
* Nonanone
* trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol
* 2-Nonenal
* Nonyl Acetate
* Nutmeg Powder and Oil
* Oak Chips Extract and Oil
* Oak Moss Absolute
* 9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid (48%) And 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid (52%)
* delta-Octalactone
* gamma-Octalactone
* Octanal
* Octanoic Acid
* 1-Octanol
* 2-Octanone
* 3-Octen-2-One
* 1-Octen-3-Ol
* 1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate
* 2-Octenal
* Octyl Isobutyrate
* Oleic Acid
* Olibanum Oil
* Opoponax Oil And Gum
* Orange Blossoms Water, Absolute, and Leaf Absolute
* Orange Oil and Extract
* Origanum Oil
* Orris Concrete Oil and Root Extract
* Palmarosa Oil
* Palmitic Acid
* Parsley Seed Oil
* Patchouli Oil
* omega-Pentadecalactone
* 2,3-Pentanedione
* 2-Pentanone
* 4-Pentenoic Acid
* 2-Pentylpyridine
* Pepper Oil, Black And White
* Peppermint Oil
* Peruvian (Bois De Rose) Oil
* Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil
* alpha-Phellandrene
* 2-Phenenthyl Acetate
* Phenenthyl Alcohol
* Phenethyl Butyrate
* Phenethyl Cinnamate
* Phenethyl Isobutyrate
* Phenethyl Isovalerate
* Phenethyl Phenylacetate
* Phenethyl Salicylate
* 1-Phenyl-1-Propanol
* 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol
* 2-Phenyl-2-Butenal
* 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol
* 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One
* Phenylacetaldehyde
* Phenylacetic Acid
* 1-Phenylalanine
* 3-Phenylpropionaldehyde
* 3-Phenylpropionic Acid
* 3-Phenylpropyl Acetate
* 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate
* 2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran
* Phosphoric Acid
* Pimenta Leaf Oil
* Pine Needle Oil, Pine Oil, Scotch
* Pineapple Juice Concentrate
* alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene
* D-Piperitone
* Piperonal
* Pipsissewa Leaf Extract
* Plum Juice
* Potassium Sorbate
* 1-Proline
* Propenylguaethol
* Propionic Acid
* Propyl Acetate
* Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate
* Propylene Glycol
* 3-Propylidenephthalide
* Prune Juice and Concentrate
* Pyridine
* Pyroligneous Acid And Extract
* Pyrrole
* Pyruvic Acid
* Raisin Juice Concentrate
* Rhodinol
* Rose Absolute and Oil
* Rosemary Oil
* Rum
* Rum Ether
* Rye Extract
* Sage, Sage Oil, and Sage Oleoresin
* Salicylaldehyde
* Sandalwood Oil, Yellow
* Sclareolide
* Skatole
* Smoke Flavor
* Snakeroot Oil
* Sodium Acetate
* Sodium Benzoate
* Sodium Bicarbonate
* Sodium Carbonate
* Sodium Chloride
* Sodium Citrate
* Sodium Hydroxide
* Solanone
* Spearmint Oil
* Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil
* Sucrose Octaacetate
* Sugar Alcohols
* Sugars
* Tagetes Oil
* Tannic Acid
* Tartaric Acid
* Tea Leaf and Absolute
* alpha-Terpineol
* Terpinolene
* Terpinyl Acetate
* 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline
* 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane
* 2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone
* 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine
* Thiamine Hydrochloride
* Thiazole
* 1-Threonine
* Thyme Oil, White and Red
* Thymol
* Tobacco Extracts
* Tochopherols (mixed)
* Tolu Balsam Gum and Extract
* Tolualdehydes
* para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate
* para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde
* para-Tolyl Acetate
* para-Tolyl Isobutyrate
* para-Tolyl Phenylacetate
* Triacetin
* 2-Tridecanone
* 2-Tridecenal
* Triethyl Citrate
* 3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol
* para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol
* 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-Enyl)But-2-En-4-One
* 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-Ene-1,4-Dione
* 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl Methan
* 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One
* 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone
* 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine
* 1-Tyrosine
* delta-Undercalactone
* gamma-Undecalactone
* Undecanal
* 2-Undecanone, 1
* 0-Undecenal
* Urea
* Valencene
* Valeraldehyde
* Valerian Root Extract, Oil and Powder
* Valeric Acid
* gamma-Valerolactone
* Valine
* Vanilla Extract And Oleoresin
* Vanillin
* Veratraldehyde
* Vetiver Oil
* Vinegar
* Violet Leaf Absolute
* Walnut Hull Extract
* Water
* Wheat Extract And Flour
* Wild Cherry Bark Extract
* Wine and Wine Sherry
* Xanthan Gum
* 3,4-Xylenol
* Yeast

http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotineinhaler/a/cigingredients.htm

[Yollam]

4. Yes and no.

It's not the nicotine that makes it deadly, but it is the nicotine that makes it as hard to quit as heroin.


As a quitter myself, I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through that struggle. It's rough.

[Prophet 451]

5. Smoking as I write this

Cigarettes, that is. I haven't smoked pot in years (no real moral or legal reason, just never found it all that special) and my alcohol consumption averages maybe two beers a month. I've always found it amusing that my smokes are legal, my drink is legal, the painkillers I was hooked on years ago are legal (although not the way I was using them) but pot, which is, while not harmless, a lot less harmful than all three, is illegal. Hell, it's probably less harmful to me than the massive amounts of coffee I drink.

I have a theory on why. Cannabis is a hugely useful plant. Quite apart from it's recreational properties, it's very effective medicinally, the seeds are very nutritious (gruel was made from cannabis seed), makes very good paper (ever see one of those old Bibles with the really thin, shiny paper? That's hemp paper) and makes more hard-wearing cloth than cotton. It was originally banned because of a sort of shared paranoia akin to prohibition so why, unlike alcohol, has it not been legalised again?

Firstly, because there's a lot of money in not legalising it. Cannabis is a weed and an especially virulent one. It makes a very effective painkiller and, were it not illegal, would be very cheap. Pharmo companies don't want that. Similar arguements apply to many things, think of how many products can be made from cannabis (paper, cloth, gruel, painkillers, even a serviceable soap) and you can see there's a lot of money in not legalising it.

Secondly, this insane and alarmingly widespread notion that admitting a mistake is a sign of weakness. Call it the "cut and run" mentality. Having decided that cannabis should be illegal, the powers that be don't dare go back on it because they'll be percieved as weak. "Soft on drugs" would be the headline here, I don't know about teh US.

Thirdly, the idea that cannabis is a "gateway" drug. It's true that if you sample, say, a hundred heroin users, most will have used pot. It's also true that most will have used alcohol and if you reverse and look at how many pot smokers go on to heroin, the theory falls apart but it's a theory that's been pushed so hard and is so widespread that it enters the realm of "accepted truth" (kind of like Gore's "lies" during the 2000 compaign, repeat a lie often enough and loud enough and people start to believe it in spite of themselves).

[Syrinx]

6. what about cannabis indica?

[ixion]

14. eliminate one of the finest delicacies on the planet?

I think not. :-) :smoke:

[Techno Dog]

7. shit ya

Ban the sativa, legalize the Indica!! Deep thoughtful stone.

[misternormal]

8. Did no-one learn anything from prohibition???

Nothing gets banned... and nothing goes away... it goes underground, and people get rich... With no regulation at all

Schedule 1 Narcotics should remain available with a prescription, but none of the things you mentioned should be banned...

Looks like another witch-hunt to me.

Or another anti-smoking thread in disguise...

Stay out of my house, my wallet and my ashtray, and I won't smoke around you. Deal?

[cboy4]

9. I wish more people would smoke pot instead of tobacco. Pot smoke

doesn't bother me a bit, while cigarette smoke smells like shit.

[The Anti-Neo Con]

18. I'm with you there!

Wouldn't it be great to see office workers on break chiefin' some herb instead of yucky old cigs?

[MatrixEscape]

10. We cannot ...

and should not, try to legislate morality. Much of the spin against certain substances in our era has had both moralistic and Elitist manipulation currents keeping it afloat and inserting it into our consciousness via culture. We are being manipualted in this sense, to no uncertain degree.

While there are so many scientific and dogmatic incentives not to use various substances for various reasons, we face thae historical fact that mankind has always been an avid ingestor and user of mind and body altering chemical substances. The closer to nature the culture, the more nature's substances are inculcated into ritual. Being totally straight all the time is just not what is the most natural state to our species. Look to professional sports or the military for more insight on this. Demonizing drug use has no value in relation to the prevelence of drugs and their percieved value and impact, et al.

Consciousness interacts with brain chemistry. When we go into a mental rut that is drone-like and free of shocks or interference and extreme variation, we quickly fall prey to Old Grayface Disease. We become sleeping robots that take solace in repetition and convention as replacements for the joy and lightness of being.

Our unitive consciousness is, in part, the result of an inner or outer disturbance or stimuli. Through the centuries, our species has learned to enhance and aticulate that effec via the sound and sane use of naturally occurring chemicals found, oddly and most profoundly, in our natural environment. Regardless of how we inflate the potency of such substances or create synthetic analogs both similar and hybrid, there is no escaping the fact that we most certainly are a drug-using species from the dawn of time. Our futures and evolution as a whole, will revolve around a cerebro-chemical alchemy.

The essential and pertinent question, to me, is not strongly centered on what drugs are good or bad, but moreso, on who is controlling or manipulating said drug for what purpose and with what intent? To date, it seems obvious that the druge we have access to, and in what degree or by what method we can acquire them, is a very telling and important indicator of how we are being controlled and manipulated for purposes that contradict the inherit actuality of our sovereign natures.

If we understand how impactful, important, and intrinsically historical drug use is in relation to our species, then we will quickly come to the realization that the control of said is as important an issue as is any civil right or Constitutional concept.

Freeing the mind is the issue. Nature has provided ways to both free and enslave it since the very dawn of history. We have a mandate here that all thoughtful beings might feel obliged to consider and act on with enthusiasm and integrity.

This is not an invitation to throw caution to the wind. Anything so impactful as to jolt or transform, or even radically change, one's sense of consciousness and being is not to be trifled with or trivialized. But then, nuclear devices proliferate and they require many careful rules and regulations and common sense in their use.

It is one thing to prohibit the individual's right to experiment with consciousness, and quite another to throw all caution to the wind. There have been, and are, methodologies, both ancient and recent, that intelligently, and even spiritually, impose a sense of order and purpose on the phenomena. Intelligent beings, (and you all have a multi-million-year-old biocomputer) should have the right to think, decide, and act, without brutal, repressive, and even primative incentives to not do so.

Mere propaganda with purpose cannot solve this raging dilemma. You enter an automobile, you take a risk. You embark on an airplane, you take a risk. You are born into this world and you face nothing but a gamut of risks. Yet, they must be taken and very often, the outcome is enriching, functional, and fulfilling or you would not want to live life or take the risks involved at all. While it is clear that you could crash or die, or be disabled for life, your destination calls and you must attempt to meet with it, no matter what your fears may project.

[MelliMel]

11. There is someone that wants to ban alcohol?

Baptist?

[IsIt1984Yet]

15. More likely victim of abuse at the hands of an alcoholic.

[annabanana]

12. How would they keep the prison industry up & running?

Keeping MJ illegal props up the primary industry in many counties.

[Red Right and BLUE]

16. None of the above.

education. education. education.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi Red Right and BLUE!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: