The Marijuana/Cannabis Conspiracy! (Why it is really illegal and the propaganda used against it)

Did you know, it is estimated that hemp has approximately 25,000 uses? From food, paint and fuel to clothing and construction materials, hemp is used. There are even hemp fibres in your Red Rose® and Lipton® tea bags. And several cars made today contain hemp.

The oldest relic of human industry is a piece of hemp fabric (canvas) found in ancient Mesopotamia dating back to approximately 8000 B.C. The oldest surviving piece of paper was made over 2000 years ago in China and was also made from hemp fibre. In 2500 B.C. the pharaohs used hemp in the construction of the great pyramids.

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There has been a great amount of propaganda used against cannabis because of its male sibling (Hemp) and its potential to revolutionise many different market sectors and put a lot of corporations out of pocket. Cannabis could have become so revolutionary for many different industries infact that it was made illegal in the name of it being harmful to your health. The idea of it being harmful for your health was based on bogus trials and studies.

The fact of the matter is that cannabis is actually extremely beneficial to the user if not smoked with tobacco. Tobacco in itself should not actually be as harmful as it is, what makes it so harmful is the fact that radioactive fertilizer is used in the growing of tobacco. Radiation being the most likely cause of cancer.

Cannabis is often compared to tobacco, with the damage caused by smoking tobacco given as a reason to prohibit use of cannabis. Yet most of the harms caused by tobacco use are due not to tar, but to the use of radioactive fertilizers. Surprisingly, radiation seems to be the most dangerous and important factor behind tobacco lung damage.

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An interesting quote from a page I suggest you check out. It lists a lot of health benefits from the smoking of cannabis.

1. Cancer

There is a lot of unfounded rhetoric that states smoking pot can cause lung cancer because your inhaling smoke, like cigarettes. This simply isn’t true. Cigarette smoke causes cancer because the tobacco is radiated whereas marijuana isn’t. In fact, the American Association for Cancer Research has found the marijuana actually works to slow down tumor growth in the lungs, breasts, and brain considerably.

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Here is a very interesting video I suggest you check out. It is very informative and gives you more clearer information to confirm by research.

Google Video Link

Please stick to the T&C and do not talk about legalising an illicit drug or your partaking in illicit activities.

Any thoughts?

-TechUnique

reply to post by TechUnique


Here's a Recent article about Hemp I think you might be interested in reading . A Double Edged Sword indeed......





www.newscientist.com...

reply to post by Zanti Misfit


Interesting article.

I liked this part especially;

The discovery offers a possible explanation of why cannabis smokers have a higher risk of getting infections, says Nagarkatti. It may also mean THC could be used when there is a need to suppress the immune system - after an organ transplant, for example.

An apparent bad side effect to the use of cannabis, whether correct or false. Also another use for it whether true or false.

Thanks for posting.

It's illegal because we don't understand what it's capable of (it's more than just pain relief or recreation).

We always fear what we don't understand, especially 100 years ago.

reply to post by xiphias


I agree with you if you are talking about when it was actually made illegal, not nowadays. Nowadays I'm sure the government know exactly what it is capable of. I'm sure they also know how it actually stimulates brain power instead of killing brain cells like they suggest. I'm sure they know that it actually doesn't cause cancer but infact slows the formation of tumours in the lungs.

They don't want people expanding their minds and thinking outside the box. They want easily, controllable and docile sheeple. Not people who question the system.

I just wrote a research paper about marijuana. It is due this Wednesday, but I'll post the final draft on your thread! I might have just made a new thread, but I figure it'll do better to amalgamate here.

Saving Our Green

When the world’s last superpower has been destroyed economically from its own consumerism, challenged consistently by its own population, and rejected by countries who claim to be allies, it’s hard to see how salvation from a self-imposed doom could be possible on any scale. Many of America’s problems will only be confronted with war when negotiations have failed, as has been in the past. However, at least one of our gigantic problems can be solved without bloodshed. This paper will propose an effective method of dealing with the decline of American economy by legalizing marijuana. First, this paper will cover the myths, detrimental factors, and personal benefits of marijuana. Then the effect of legalization will be discussed in regards to American economy before reaching a proposition for getting the substance legalized.

For the past thirty-eight years, starting with Oregon in 1972, marijuana has been increasingly decriminalized in twelve states. In an article from the Social Science Journal, the main issues of decriminalization are outlined in this quote:

Generally, the debate regarding decriminalization of marijuana concerns the sensitivity of the demand for drugs to incremental changes in legal sanctions. This is because the benefits from decriminalization, such as fewer arrests of otherwise law-abiding users of marijuana, are contrasted against the harms from increased use of drugs, on the basis of presumptions such as: marijuana is itself a dangerous drug, marijuana use leads to use of dangerous drugs, or decriminalization of marijuana would lead to legalization of dangerous drugs. (Thies and Register)

The three presumptions of harmful outcomes of decriminalization shown above are based on nothing but flawed research.

Marijuana has more benefits than it does detrimental factors, so to say that it is a dangerous drug is at best naïve. There are many myths about the effects of marijuana, including but not limited to unfounded allegations that it is highly addictive, more damaging to the lungs than tobacco, causes mental illness, has no medicinal value, causes crimes and use of other dangerous drugs, kills brain cells, and impairs memory. These claims are based in anti-marijuana government propaganda from the late 20th century. The website www.drugpolicy.org uses information from the book Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence to create an amalgamated list of myths which represent popular views of marijuana as opposed to the reality of fact. The fact is that we have been deceived about marijuana and in reality, “A decade after the book was published, the latest scientific evidence continues to support the original findings” (Zimmer and Morgan).

Because of this distorted view of marijuana, marijuana’s lack of detriment is often overlooked. There are four main factors to consider when asked if marijuana is detrimental. The first is that it does cause “the munchies”. This symptom makes users want to eat junk food in larger quantities, which can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other related problems if not controlled. This could also be considered a benefit for people who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia who normally have a hard time getting an appetite. Another factor is that it does irritate the lungs with carcinogens similar to tobacco. This means that theoretically, cancer and other such lung diseases may be connected with using the drug. However, no scientific evidence has been found which links people who solely smoke pot with lung disease. Marijuana smokers also inhale less smoke than tobacco users, thus the risk for lung related disease is significantly less than the average tobacco user. The third factor is that marijuana causes an increase in heart rate, so those with weak hearts should not indulge in smoking marijuana as it could increase the risk of heart attack with these people. If decriminalized, a warning would have to be put on the cannabis container in order to keep these people safe. The last and probably most condemning factor to consider would be that marijuana has been shown to affect hormonal changes in men and women. Although evidence has not been collected which demonstrates a reduction in fertility, it is not recommended for pregnant women or young children to smoke marijuana as it may cause lower birth weight in a baby or decreased attention span in a child (Fortgang). The list of detrimental effects of marijuana is short in comparison to its benefits.

Marijuana’s medicinal benefits have been known for centuries. The editorial The Age notes that “Between 1842 and 1900, cannabis was an ingredient of half of all the medicines sold in the United States.” Marijuana has been known to alleviate pain in many diseases, reduce epilepsy, lower stress, slow the progress of glaucoma, and increase a feeling of wellbeing in users. ("Marijuana and the moral high ground.") In recent studies, contrary to the myth that marijuana destroys brain cells, marijuana has actually been shown to encourage neurogenesis, which is the process by which a person’s brain grows new nerve cells (Brownlee). The aforementioned studies have put to rest the stereotype that pot smokers are “dumb” or destroying their minds.

Economically, marijuana has many other uses. Taxing the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana would slow down drug trade tremendously, as marijuana is the most popular drug in America. All revenue collected from taxing the plant could be generated throughout each year because marijuana is a plant which produces its own seeds and can be grown year-round. Just look at states such as California, who have already decriminalized weed. Their local economy has skyrocketed from marijuana profit. So much so that marijuana dispensaries are becoming a booming business. In Mendicino County for example, where pot has been considered a cash crop for more than thirty years, MSNBC broadcast in 2009 that “a county-commissioned study reports that pot accounts for up to two-thirds of the local economy” (“Pot growers thrive in Northern California”).

Marijuana also serves many other purposes in the form of hemp. Hemp can be used to make clothing, food, skin care products, ropes, paper, money, and all sorts of various items. This type of new commerce could encourage many businesses to sprout up which would help fix our economy. But with all these benefits, one might wonder why marijuana isn’t already decriminalized and legalized. There are quite a few logical reasons and none of them have to do with the direct effects of marijuana. Marijuana is mainly restrained for strategic political purposes. The legalization of marijuana would hinder many rich individuals and give new entrepreneurs a chance to gain wealth which only the rich grasped. This paper will not discuss the specific political maneuvering keeping marijuana illegal, but individual research on the subject is encouraged. In order to have some chance of decriminalizing weed, the medicinal effects will have to be touted to the fullest. But legalization is an entirely different thing, which must be addressed in mainstream media in order to become effective.

Have you seen the Above the Influence TV commercials, which send the message to people (primarily adolescents) that marijuana should be avoided? Have you ever wondered why each and every one of these commercials lacks any fact and rely heavily on sensationalist images? It is because the facts lean in favor of marijuana. With substances such as tobacco or alcohol, it is easy to promote Truth campaigns which pinpoint the facts of why these substances are bad. Every Truth commercial relies on statistics and convincing data, while Above the Influence commercials never do this. The propaganda against marijuana should be addressed for what it is: distortion. If mainstream media puts an end to the myth-based views associated with marijuana, then legalization may have a chance. Marijuana must gain open support from the educated citizens of America before it will become a viable solution.

Recently, marijuana was openly supported in California as Proposition Nineteen sought to legalize marijuana state-wide for recreational or medicinal use. Before the voting procedure, citizens of California were polled on whether marijuana should become legal. The approval rating was approximately ninety percent across automated polls. Sadly, this did not show in the voting results. Proposition Nineteen ended with fifty-four percent voting no and forty-six percent voting yes. This could be because voting was limited to those people above 21, who are largely still under the influence of distorted propaganda, while the younger generation raised up with access to limitless information, is a little more informed about the drug. It may also be because the percentage of voters in any given election is normally around forty percent of the population, which does not truly reflect the population’s intent. But no matter what the case was, Proposition Nineteen has legitimized the endorsement of marijuana on a much larger scale and introduced the possibility for another bid in the near future.

When 2012 comes around and a measure similar to Proposition Nineteen is introduced, hopefully people make more informed choices. Once all myths are dispelled, detriments acknowledged, and benefits are praised, marijuana will have a fighting chance at saving our country. Marijuana could help the American people in a countless number of ways and bring us out of the economic pit we have fallen into. Maybe this will only be achieved one state at a time, but eventually the United States of America will have to collectively look at possible solutions to our crises; legalization of marijuana will from now on be noticed as a viable alternative.

Works Cited

Brownlee, C. "High Times for Brain Growth." Science News 168.16 (2005): 246. Academic
Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.

Fortgang, Erika. "Is pot bad for you? Six questions answered." Rolling Stone 807 (1999): 53.
Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.

"Marijuana and the moral high ground." Age, The (Melbourne) 20 Nov. 2000: 14. Newspaper
Source Plus. EBSCO. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.

“Pot growers thrive in Northern California.” CNBC TV. MSNBC: 21 Jan 2009. Television. 6
Dec 2010.

Thies, Clifford F., and Charles A. Register. "Decriminalization of marijuana and the demand for
alcohol, marijuana and coc aine." Social Science Journal 30.4 (1993): 385. MasterFILE
Premier. EBSCO. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.

Zimmer, Lynn and John Morgan. Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review Of The
Scientific Evidence. New York: The Drug Policy Alliance. 1997, 241 pages.

reply to post by prepared4truth


That was an extremely interesting read, thank you for that.

I remember writing an essay similar to that when I was in school, although not as good as yours

Have you watched Super High Me?

Super High Me

Doug Benson - the guy is a stand up comedian and admitted 'pothead'. He makes a documentary almost spoofing Supersize Me. He avoids smoking pot for 30 days and then subsequently smokes a massive amount of it every day for 30 days and records the effects both experiences have on him. In the 2 month period he goes to regular doctors visits, therapy sessions to discuss the effects on his mood and even has his 'psychic abilities' tested out. The results are pretty interesting and I would recommend everyone watch this. He sheds light on a topic that a lot aren't willing to discuss and does it in an intelligent [and hilarious, him being a comedian and all ] way.


Edit: To add the link to Part One of the documentary Quality isn't the best, but the whole thing is there in 9 parts.

reply to post by Cinquain


Thanks for posting that video!

Very interesting.

I know one Govt agency that knows the benefits of Hemp - they sell Hemp products in the gift shop at the state capitol in Kentucky (at least they did a few years ago). I have purchased shirts, lotions, rope, etc and find it a very good product. I have talked to several tobacco farmers that want to grow hemp instead of tobacco, as the tobacco industry is not very productive now.

reply to post by crazydaisy


There are many, many industrial uses for hemp. The list is practically endless.

This is the ONLY real reason it was made illegal. Hemp would have made MANY other industrial materials and resources obsolete.

Corporations hate losing out on money. Especially on something which has as much potential revolutionary power as hemp. Even if it involves making one of the most helpful and amazing plants gifted to our earth illegal, they will do it in the name of money.

reply to post by TechUnique


The US government actually had HOW TO films on growing hemp because it is so useful. Now it is illegal because that brings in lots of money through Civil asset forfeiture

A study done on actual enforcement practices, showed police prefer to wait until all or most of the drugs are gone and confiscate the cash. No warrants are needed, no arrests are made only confiscation of cash that then goes to the law enforcement department. A sort of self perpetuating system of cash generation for the police with no dent in criminal activities.

Forfeiture programs, while serving to generate income, prompt drug enforcement to serve functions that are inherently contradictory and often at odds with the demands of justice."

There are issues surrounding why it was made illegal in the first place...complete BS.

The reason why it will not become legalized in America is $$$...the private prison system needs the large population of non-violent marijuana offenders...the drug war would also have to be radically overhauled which is something the DEA just won't let go off.

It's sad, but God put this plant on the planet for use. I have chronic pain and nausea due to disease...I'm going to get some marijuana in one hour, and I'll be able to eat (without throwing up) soon. So, I'm a criminal? No, I'm only human.

Originally posted by crimvelvet
reply to post by TechUnique

 

The US government actually had HOW TO films on growing hemp because it is so useful. Now it is illegal because that brings in lots of money through Civil asset forfeiture

A study done on actual enforcement practices, showed police prefer to wait until all or most of the drugs are gone and confiscate the cash. No warrants are needed, no arrests are made only confiscation of cash that then goes to the law enforcement department. A sort of self perpetuating system of cash generation for the police with no dent in criminal activities.

Forfeiture programs, while serving to generate income, prompt drug enforcement to serve functions that are inherently contradictory and often at odds with the demands of justice."

Its all about the money

Originally posted by ibiubu
There are issues surrounding why it was made illegal in the first place...complete BS.

The reason why it will not become legalized in America is $$$...the private prison system needs the large population of non-violent marijuana offenders...the drug war would also have to be radically overhauled which is something the DEA just won't let go off.

It's sad, but God put this plant on the planet for use. I have chronic pain and nausea due to disease...I'm going to get some marijuana in one hour, and I'll be able to eat (without throwing up) soon. So, I'm a criminal? No, I'm only human.

I couldn't agree more. The cannabis plant is here for a reason and has many many uses. A fake bit of paper seems to warrant the outlawing of A PLANT.

Great post. As a CA resident I followed Prop 19 very closely. That is, until I read and understood the legislation, I knew right away it was doomed. Simply because it was not true legalization. Hemp WAS NOT included... Without industry support, legalization will never happen. Now you don't need to flip the giants, you just need legislation that provides for hemp, and the small businesses which comprise the rest of the industry will chime in and help push it through.

The legislation is key. It makes me wonder WHY hemp wasn't included. There are theories that go along the lines of medicinal use legislation serving to create a bubble of beaurocracy that allows for increased production/more confisations while maintaining its street value (key point).

reply to post by mbzastava


Because hemp will destroy many industries and if proposed, it would also be destined to fail. It's going to be a hard battle, no doubt about it. But something new needs to be done with marijuana which will satisfy the fat cats...

reply to post by prepared4truth


Maybe fuel once the oil runs out.

If they can take control of that then they might give the rest of us a break.

Although i agree that hemp could be a wonderful cash crop for all of it's uses, i must say that as a smoker of bud for over 12 years, that when i finally did quit, my health became WAY better.
No coughing fits, no flu, minimal seasonal colds, better memory, better cardio, better pretty much everything.

I haven't toked since 2003 now and i must say that i like life ALOT better being off the weird weed.

The fact that prop 19 got voted down in California, is proof to me that the American public still holds on to the lies told in anti-cannabis propaganda films made over the last century.

Are the majority of these people really that scared of people smoking a completely harmless substance?

Just goes to show how many white, conservative christians there are.