Michael Phelps, hypocrisy and American Drug Policy

The fact that he got off with a "crime" without punishment is not the most surprising thing to me in this story, but rather the fact that this huge deal is being made over the fact that he smoked an herb. I am also intrigued by the fact that people who are under the impression that the herb of which he had partaken is so terrible are the ones who believe everything the media spoon feeds them rather than making their own judgment based on personal experience. Interesting... *strokes beard*

reply to post by ACEMANN


They could have chosen not to smoke it so much and perhaps they would have more money They chose to smoke it more, the cannabis didn't make them as it is not addictive in any physical form, only psychologically which is the problem of the person smoking it, not the cannabis itself.

That and I have a feeling that you are omitting the fact that they may take other, much more dangerous drugs at the same time. Alcohol perhaps? What about Meth? Doesn't matter which of them it is, either of them is what would be causing your friends to slide downhill, not the cannabis

You really need to read up more about cannabis and it's effects. And not just the one's you pick up at the local church that cite the movie 'Reefer Madness' and it's ridiculous claims. Try googling NORML and have a read of their website. You might learn a thing or two (in fact I'm positive you will )

Originally posted by TNT13
Gateway drug is a myth, the reason that people get into other drugs is because they are looking for something stronger with a greater affect;

This is what I meant by gateway drug and your definition seems to fit the one here as well:

gateway drug: A habit-forming substance whose use may lead to the abuse of drugs that are more addictive or more dangerous.

- education.yahoo.com...

Same thing with themepark rides. If you go on the teacups first, you get the ambition to try the high-speed rollercoasters. The difference being that themepark rides don't destroy families.

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]

Saint4god
Please do not use ur personal expirance as a example,as u pointed out its not evidence of anything,also try to find more sources then the goverment site aginst MJ becuse it is there job to prove there law is right,bias' at best.I would look more towrd to world health commite,or a agency that isnt in a country where it is illegal.Also look in to why the laws agnst pot have been gradualy decresed,becuse there is not any real danger from it.And in closeing i understand ur bias, if u where to come to the conclusetion that pot my not be the evil u think,you would have to find a new job,so ya your payed to think like you do.

Originally posted by NJE03
I am also intrigued by the fact that people who are under the impression that the herb of which he had partaken is so terrible are the ones who believe everything the media spoon feeds them rather than making their own judgment based on personal experience. Interesting... *strokes beard*

What do you say to those of us who both know the medical dangers AND have seen the effects through person experience? Funny how they validate each other, isn't it?

reply to post by saint4God


Your using it as a negative term to try and prove your point. You actually debunked yourself in your post without knowing it. You could say chocolate is a gateway drug, or water, or.....well I think you get the point.

what are the medical dangers? I still ahve yet to see any posts proving medical dangers. And as for it being a gateway drug, in some people it is, in some people it isn't. it 's all about choices that they make in moving onto trying other harmful and dangerous drugs.

Thank the lord that I believe its 9 states now view possession as a misdemeanor (just a fine, no court time ). I look forward to the day that ALL of the states view it in the same way. I also really hope that Obama sticks with his plan to stop the DEA breaking into the clubs in California. THe states rights are there for a reason and I am thankful I live in a state where it is medicinally legal.

Originally posted by devareous
if u where to come to the conclusetion that pot my not be the evil u think,you would have to find a new job,so ya your payed to think like you do.

All these experiences and my assessment came before this job but thanks for your assumption. Also, no one pays me for my beliefs (if someone did surely I'd want that job). Finally, I would not need to find a new job because we don't sell only THC testing kits. In fact, it'd be a blessing because they're one of the most difficult kits to make so no one here jumps for joy when we're asked to build them. I prefer Therapeutic Drug Monitoring even though it's more challenging to test because to me it feels like I'm doing more important things than making something to screen potential employees and convicts.

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]

whats your take on tobbaco, and liqure, saint4god?

Originally posted by saint4God

This is patronizing, you do not know what it is like or you would not be endorsing how harmless the narcotic is.

Patronizing to express sincere empathy for one who has pain, you poor dear. So truely sad.
Marijuana is not a narcotic, you should already know that.

What's to debunk, all medical research? My family has been debunked? Are you serious? Please present your data by doctors. Then prove to me my two family members did not screw up their lives with this drug.

Debunked was what you tried to pass off as legitimate and current medical research facts, please review this thread for the previous posts that did so. If you have issue with the debunking, take it up with those who did the research and debunked your info.
As far as your family members go, and I know this is hard for you to accept, they screwed up their lives and the legal status of the drug is not relevent. They are responsible, not you, not me, not Mary, they are responsible and until they can accept that as fact and you can accept that as fact, they are still lost. Once a person resolves that they are not at fault for their choices, they are not in control. And as long as you continue to blame anyone other than those making the choices, you are enabling them to continue. I am so very sorry for you.

I did not assume anything, I did not say you were 'comfortably numb' neither now or in the past. I said (and will say again) becoming 'comfortably numb' puts blinders on a person. It sheilds them from the harsh reality of what living fully awake and aware in world is actually like.

I would think that living in a constant state of "numb" falls under the "not understanding the time and place principle", but again this was their choice and a bad one I must agree, and again you have my sympathies, but is still irregardless of legal status.

When you learn the truth that someone tried to kill themselves, this does not cause you pain? That's quite disturbing.

The truth or the action? The fact that some one has tried suicide is a concern, learning the truth about it is not a concern. And with that I think I better understand you. You seem to not be able to discern a difference between knowing and doing, thinking and believing. You seem to think that since a family member of yours used MJ as a crutch, that MJ must be bad for everyone as no one should be able to decide for themself of time and place while the really sad truth is much too personal for you.
Time and time again I have expressed a sincere empathy for your pain, yet you seem to think that since I do not agree with your assessment of reality I cannot possibly be sincere. My pity for you is sincere.

I feel so liberated that we kill people in wars, genocide and abortions. Add to that child abuse, rape, and global slave trading. Thanks for that uplifting remark

. I'm sure there's a proposition out there that I should toke up so I don't feel the painful truth, but pain is very real and we're meant to feel it for a reason. It build strength, character, dignity and understanding, not pseudo-pity. It causes people to want to DO something about it instead of hiding in a fog of smoke.

Time and place, my dear, time and place. There are a lot of things in this world that need your attention and my attention. I for one am attending to those things in my control and someday I'll be able to sit down and rest from my work and perhaps then I may relax as suggested. But whether or not either of us can ever finish our work, the legal status of a non-narcotic weed has no bearing on the worlds problems you've listed. Just to know that the current legal status causes more harm than good and should you ever be tempted to actually read the other threads and posts, you might very well come to understand this fact of life, until then you will continue to blame anything and anyone other than those who are actually responsible for their circumstance.

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!
This is SOOOOO alternative. You would never see a headline like this on every MSM site in the [snip]world. Star and flag for bringing such alternative topics to the board.


Mod Edit - Mod Edit: Profanity/Circumvention Of Censors – Please Review This Link.


[edit on 6-2-2009 by elevatedone]

Originally posted by eaganthorn
Marijuana is not a narcotic, you should already know that.

Narcotic

1 a: a drug (as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions b: a drug (as marijuana or '___') subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not

- www.merriam-webster.com...

You're living in:

Denial

2 a (1): refusal to admit the truth or reality (as of a statement or charge) (2): assertion that an allegation is false b: refusal to acknowledge a person or a thing :
5: negation in logic
6: a psychological defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality

- www.merriam-webster.com...

in a place where we're supposed to:

Deny Ignorance

www.abovetopsecret.com...

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]

Originally posted by Kryties
reply to post by ACEMANN

 

They could have chosen not to smoke it so much and perhaps they would have more money

They chose to smoke it more, the cannabis didn't make them as it is not addictive in any physical form, only psychologically which is the problem of the person smoking it, not the cannabis itself.

That and I have a feeling that you are omitting the fact that they may take other, much more dangerous drugs at the same time. Alcohol perhaps? What about Meth? Doesn't matter which of them it is, either of them is what would be causing your friends to slide downhill, not the cannabis

You really need to read up more about cannabis and it's effects. And not just the one's you pick up at the local church that cite the movie 'Reefer Madness' and it's ridiculous claims. Try googling NORML and have a read of their website. You might learn a thing or two (in fact I'm positive you will

)

I didn't omit ANYTHING. smoking POT becomes a HABIT that becomes an ADDICTION because they become ADDICTED to the way it makes them FEEL. Why is that so hard to understand???

And how the heck is being addicted "psychologically" different from being - ADDICTED. You are asking what the definition of "is...is". It had to be addictive physically because it had to exist for them to become addicted mentally !!!! WTF!!!

They aren't smoking "imaginary reefer". Just what are YOU smoking

I know what "pot can do" and my education has been through my own eyes, ears, and heartbreak watching this family fall apart because of the parent's addiction to a drug, this little "weed". Don't even TRY to lecture me on what I "may or may not" know. It destroys lives and opens dangerous doors.

Originally posted by ACEMANN
I know what "pot can do" and my education has been through my own eyes, ears, and heartbreak watching this family fall apart because of the parent's addiction to a drug, this little "weed". Don't even TRY to lecture me on what I "may or may not" know. It destroys lives and opens dangerous doors.

I truly am sorry to hear this has affected your family too and unlike false-sympathy, I will join you in the fight against this kind of thing happening to other families.

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]

Originally posted by saint4God

Originally posted by devareous
if u where to come to the conclusetion that pot my not be the evil u think,you would have to find a new job,so ya your payed to think like you do.

All these experiences and my assessment came before this job but thanks for your assumption. Also, no one pays me for my beliefs (if someone did surely I'd want that job). Finally, I would not need to find a new job because we don't sell only THC testing kits. In fact, it'd be a blessing because they're one of the most difficult kits to make so no one here jumps for joy when we're asked to build them. I prefer Therapeutic Drug Monitoring even though it's more challenging to test because to me it feels like I'm doing more important things than making something to screen potential employees and convicts.

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]

for having the calm and intelligence to defend you position with civility.

I need to take a break or I am going to lose it. It makes my blood boil thinking about what happened to my friend and his sister and family. It is astounding to realize some people believe pot isn't destructive.

For the record - I feel the same way about alcohol and tobacco (with regards to pot). My grandmother was killed by a drunk driver so you can imagine my position.

I don't berate people who drink, or who smoke; let's just say I've seen enough in my life to never do it.



[edit on 6-2-2009 by ACEMANN]

[edit on 6-2-2009 by ACEMANN]

[edit on 6-2-2009 by ACEMANN]

reply to post by saint4God


I think if you read your own quote there you should notice that is shows that MJ is not a narcotic, but held in restrictions as such. Again marijuana is not a narcotic and you should know this already.
You seem to censor reading even that which you quote, how odd.
As far as denial, me, oh no sweetie, I am firmly grounded and I have nothing be in denial about, funny you should mention that word denial as it often applies to those who have experienced something, well something like what you have gone through. Again, my sympathies, but you are "projecting" here.
Someday, you'll get it. but not until you take the time to actually review all of the information, not just what you wish to see.

Please be sure to read the other posts of those who are 'faking it' about their families being destroyed and harmful effects...but likely you'll be in denial about those too. Keep throwing out the dictionary, medical studies, and testimonials, you're bound to learn something some other way eventually. Until then, I'm off to prepare to make a drug testing kit. This time its Propoxyphene.

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]

reply to post by saint4God


Have a great day and don't let this stuff bother you. But I would recomend your own advice back to you. Try reading current studies and expand your information source, take the blinders off and remember that everyone is responsible for their own actions. You can't blame someone else forever, or something else as in this case.

I just want to make a point, it makes sense in my head at least and want to see how it pans out on here.

If I'm driving drunk and cause a bad situation like a wreck or death, am I allowed to blame the alcohol for the accident? No I, myself, am personally responsible for that incident.

Now if the "car" I'm driving represents life, and my life ends in a "crash" why is it suddenly ok to blame substances and not myself?

What I'm getting at is that some of ya'lls friends, or family my have gone downhill... but why is that MJs fault and not theirs? If they had instead been under the influence of alcohol and killed someone, they would be at fault, not the alcohol...

Jus some food for thought...

If I blow my brains out with a gun, it doesn't mean it's the gun's fault but it does mean guns are dangerous...even if I thought it was empty and was just playing around.

[edit on 6-2-2009 by saint4God]