You may choose more than one choice.

I've never used it and have no desire to. But I do think it should be legal for medicinal uses. I have a friend with severe morning sickness and the only thing that made her able to eat is marijuana.

I don't, however, understand how marijuana is good for depression??

I still miss the aroma of cannabis burning...

I think it should be legal, recreationally and medicinally.

I do not use it anymore, 'coz it messed with me brain. I don't hang out with others that smoke pot, either. Double standard, I know. I just have bad memories of my pot smoking days, and all the drama involved. I have heard about my old friends and they are still making poor choices. Is it the pot, I wonder? Suspended adolescence? Who knows, but if you wanna toke, go ahead. Just not in front of the kids, kwim?

I've used it but don't like the feeling for me personally so choose not to. I do think it should be legal and that alcohol is much worse. I don't understand why people feel marijuana is worse than booze, cigarettes or pharmacuticals :confused: - other than the fact that pot is mostly illegal.
When Rush Limbaugh was hooked on Rx pills and abusing them that wasn't so bad but the peaceful hippie growing or using pot not bothering anyone is a criminal who needs to be arrested?? Huh?

I don't want it legalized (I hate the smell of it and see downsides to legalization in general)

It should be legal for medicinal purposes. My dearly departed SIL was only able to stay alive her last year thanks to California allowing her to have some with her physician's okay. She nibbled on cookies laced with it when she was virtually paralyzed and her body was shutting down in the last stages of multiple sclerosis. May she rest in peace~

I used quite a bit in high school. I enjoyed it.

If it were legal, I'd use it on occasion.

I also have two children with chronic horrible diseases that cause them untold amounts of pain. When they are older, I can only hope and pray that legalized medicinal marajuana will be available to them. Marajuana would be much less damaging on their bodies than the medications they are currently on. (just my opinion....but we risk liver failure and have lots of stomach problems from the meds they are on)

At the very least, I'd like to see it legalized for medical need.

Michelle

"I believe the use of marijuana leads to the use of harder drugs"

:wah: looks like Nancy Reagan haunts us still.

I have used it and enjoyed it in the past. Contrary to what my fight to legalize it might suggest, I've only smoke it about two dozen times between the ages of 15 and 28. I made the decision to stop at the age of 24 due to choice of profession and then used again one additional time at the age of 28. Were it to be legalized, I'd probably use it at about the same rate - approximately 2x/year. I believe it should be legal and that the restrictions should be similar to those placed on alcohol, but with one additional restriction: it should be illegal to smoke in the presence of minors.

That said, I want to address this:

"I believe the use of marijuana leads to the use of harder drugs"

Think maybe that's because it is illegal? In terms of effect, it's on the milder end of the spectrum, like alcohol, but it is illegal. So, once you've tried it, you've "crossed to the illegal side." I think that were it legal, people would no more accuse it of "leading to the use of harder drugs" than alcohol.

Also, note the term "harder drugs." Author is aware that it is not a "hard drug." So, again, why on earth should alcohol be legal when pot is not?

I have had both positive and negative experiences with marijuana. Because I fail to see the difference between its effects upons society when compared to alcohol, I believe it should be legalized.

I agree with the pp

I think it should also be legalized, just not in public. But, I also don't think people should be able to smoke cigarettes in public.

I would probably do it if it were legal, just not very much, I don't like the thought of smoking anything. I guess I could eat it, though, and get the benefits without the carbon monoxide and other yuckies that come with smoke.

I think it should be legal, but at least now you get it with out the pretention of the gov around it. Giving the gov any bit of that would make me angry... espically if they decided that we could not grow it becaues they needed to be able to tax it.

I don't like it. I don't like anything really... even coffee and chocolate get to me if I have more than one small bit. And with dh's job it is not an option for us to be into anything like that. I would never do it if it was legal either... but it would make a lot of the stuff I am going through with Dh (cop) and my friends just disappear. That would be hella nice. :rolleyes:

I just think it is blatent hypocritical policies of our gov to keep alcohol legal and pot not.

Love Val

what a great poll.
maybe I'm a little older than some of the people on this list, cuz 'I did smoked a ton of pot in my twenties' wasn't one of the questions. lol
As far as legal issue goes!Pot is legal in Canada, (actually maybe just Ontario) I'm not to sure. and the only negative thing I can say about it is that sometimes young adults are smoking in places where I am and I dont' like it. saying that however....that happened even before it was legal.
On the medicinal front I personnally know a few late teens-young adults who are self medicating themselves with pot. These same people were probably considered ADHD when younger.
As for me......I can honestly say, smoking as much as I did back when, really didn't help me in my life. Maybe I was a depressed teen. Maybe it allowed me to hide as a teenager as a 'stoner' instead of having to actually do something about feeling alienated. or maybe it was just the path I had to take to get to where I am now. Where am I now.........dont' smoke, don't drink, just nursin' the babes and hangin' out in Momsville. Works for me.

wow this response could get me into the 'personal place' sorry if it included just 'a little more information than you needed'
anni

:eek: Lotsa pot likers/lovers here. LOL. I sure picked a great post to open while sitting next to dh. :rolleyes: "I told you about that place!"....:joker:

Legal for medicinal use only. Should not, not, not be allowed for sure in public. I don't want to smell it nor do I want my kids exposed to it. I feel the same about cigarettes. I also do not think one should be driving while on pot, or alcohol. If it's legal I hope we have severe limits on it. Personally I am one of those "why do you need it? isn't life enough of of a high?" type people...lol. I see the benefits for those ill or in pain, but otherwise? I can get my highs without smoking anything. :D

Ah, the gateway drug. I'm glad so many people paid attention in health class :joker:

Anni, it is legal in BC also, or at least decriminalized. Not sure about the rest of the country though.

Interesting, I'm faced with this very situation right now.

I have a relative(and spouse) that self medicate their self diagnosed ADD with marijuana.

I enjoy their company, they're attentive and loving parents and it just so happens that they want to take MY 4 year old along on a family trip to the zoo this Wednesday.

I'd say yes to any other family member. But I won't/can't with this couple because I never know when they're baked or not. Honestly, I think they've been stoned since high school 20 years ago....the ADD thing is a load, imo. It makes it sound more "acceptable" to still be smoking dope in their 40's.

It would be helpful if being under the influence of pot was as easy to detect as booze. Maybe they could add an odorant like they do to natural gas....or everyone could wear a sign. Then I'd be all for legalizing it. Tax the hell out of it and maybe they'll cut me some slack on my property and income taxes.

baked, stoned, high....am I dating myself? LOL. Is there a politically correct word for it now?

Katie

Originally posted by anni
what a great poll.
maybe I'm a little older than some of the people on this list, cuz 'I did smoked a ton of pot in my twenties' wasn't one of the questions. lol
As far as legal issue goes!Pot is legal in Canada, (actually maybe just Ontario) I'm not to sure. and the only negative thing I can say about it is that sometimes young adults are smoking in places where I am and I dont' like it. saying that however....that happened even before it was legal.
On the medicinal front I personnally know a few late teens-young adults who are self medicating themselves with pot. These same people were probably considered ADHD when younger.
As for me......I can honestly say, smoking as much as I did back when, really didn't help me in my life. Maybe I was a depressed teen. Maybe it allowed me to hide as a teenager as a 'stoner' instead of having to actually do something about feeling alienated. or maybe it was just the path I had to take to get to where I am now. Where am I now.........dont' smoke, don't drink, just nursin' the babes and hangin' out in Momsville. Works for me.

wow this response could get me into the 'personal place' sorry if it included just 'a little more information than you needed'
anni

anni,

Mid to late 30's by chance???:p

;)

Michelle

Well, I am Dutch and I lived in a country where pot was legal ( I came to the USA when I was 19). Honestly, never noticed it much. I never smoked it back home. Would I now? I think so! I would like to see it legalized here as well.

That said, I am visiting family in Holland in December and I plan a visit to the GrassHopper in Amsterdam;) ;) When Isaac and I get a weekend off parenting.

Originally posted by ~Denise~
Personally I am one of those "why do you need it? isn't life enough of of a high?" type people...lol. I see the benefits for those ill or in pain, but otherwise? I can get my highs without smoking anything. :D

I'm the same way. I don't drink either for the same reason. I can have enough fun on my own without using drugs or alcohol. And then I don't have to worry about any side effects such as losing brain cells from decreased oxygen (I don't have many to spare ;) ) or making a fool of myself while intoxicated.

I think you're entirely right to think that pot, kids and trips to the zoo don't mix. I am 100% for the legalization of MJ, but with restrictions. I don't believe people should drive under the influence, exactly the same as with alcohol.

I think that everyone should understand their limits and stay within them. I learned really quickly how much I could drink or smoke and not act like an idiot. For me, the desire to do either has definitely decreased over time - I don't understand fully loaded middle-aged parents.

Well I am a FIRM believer in "I feel medical marijuana should be legalized"...I think so many find help with it...and it's not available without nearly handing over your first born! And that's crap to me...I've never even used marijuana, but feel it's a founded pain reliever. I've been with patients that cannot find any other medication that will relieve the pain except MJ. Also the pill form is apparently not as effective...so smoking is the best option really.

I am also a believer in legalizing it...with the same restrictions as alcohol. Don't drink & drive...don't smoke and drive...duh right?

My husband is addicted to pot. I was given all the traditional promises that a drug addict gives to their spouse
"I promise I'll quit before we make a baby."
"I promise I'll quit when ytou get pregnant. I don't want to expose you to second hand smoke."
"I'll quit next week. Your asthma is so bad now that I don't want to put you in the baby in any danger"
"I'll quit when we bring the baby home from the hospital. I only want the best for it"
"I'll quit when we move and have a new place to live in"


Did he quit when we moved? Hell no. When someone spends $100 on pot a week, I'd call it addiction.

All of this siad, I smoked pot twice when I was pregnant to deal with my morning sickness. It was the only thing that worked. Pot is no worse than alchol or cigarettes. However, IMO, alchol and cigarettes are pretty darn bad. I don't think any of it has a place in a home with children in it UNLESS the child is the one who needs to use it for medical reasons. Adults who need it for medical reasons can use it someplace away from children, IMO.

I smoked alot of pot in my early 20's but came to the belief that by purchasing pot from a "dealer" type I was in essence supporting the law enforcement machinery that had jailed so many nice brothers and sisters. I am against the illegal purchase/sale of it for that reason - it is like supporting some government machinery that oppresses people. I will boycott anything that has the potential to cause loss of freedom for others.

But I think if people want to grow this plant for personal use - recreational or medicinal - it should be legal. I am not comfortable with the idea that the govt. could somehow regulate its sale because who knows what they would do to it (remember how the tobacco people used additives to get people strung out on cigarettes?)

Driving while on pot I think is BAD - how many of you have ever sat at a green light while stoned and not realized you could go?
I know that last statement is incredibly irresponsible - just an example of how badly one's judgement can be off while high.

Anyway I don't think pot is any worse than alcohol.

Originally posted by kandemama
how many of you have ever sat at a green light while stoned and not realized you could go?
.

:hahaha:

sorry, but that just cracked me up..LOL!!! i smoked pot for the first time in 7th grade :eek: my friend shyann & i were going to her dad's for the weekend. he picked us up in his way-cool caddy & we cruised the freeway to his palce as he smoked a joint like a cigarette. that night her parents went out & we found his stash & smoked some.

anyway , any times that i have ever smoked.. i get the giggles, munchies & then i fall asleep :joker:

i haven't smoked in many years & don't miss it at all.

legalization is fine w/ me & honestly i'd rather smell the sweet smell of mj in the air than cigarettes..blech!

I don't know. I smoked a lot (even sold it :o ) when I was 17-19. I enjoyed it. I haven't smoked it since I met my dh when I was 20. Looking back I can see the negative. My boyfriend back then became a loser pothead who dropped out of high school. My 36 year old brother has always smoked too much for the last 20 years. I don't think it's good for him.

The crime involved in importing and selling it can be bad. I guess that's one thing legalization can help.

I think it can be both used responsibly and abused just like alcohol but I'm not sure if I'm for legalization. Pot was the first drug I tried and went on to try some others but I wouldn't say I did coke because I did pot. I guess I'm kind of torn on the issue but I do think it should be legal to be used medicinally.

I used to smoke a lot... every day. I stopped when trying to concieve DS #1. I didn't smoke again until DS #2 was 4 months. I was at a Dead show and Oh I don't know... I just did. My husband still smokes. In his office in the basement. Or on our deck. Maybe it's more accepted where I live. But My three neighbors (four) surrounding our house and most of our friends all smoke. I don't think their is anything wrong with it. I don't like to drive while stoned. I found myself going about 7 miles an hour one particular evening and swore I was speeding. I like the unclouded me... I get alot done. I guess I used to when I smoked too. I made great jewelry. Now I sew and that would be a lot of seam ripping I think. :lol:

I'd probably smoke very occasionally if I knew it was OK to do while breastfeeding. I just can't find any good info on that.

I actually read in the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding that babies who breastfeed from moms who smoke pot test positive in drug tests .

I am for legalizing it for whatever reasons, medical or personal, and I totally think that hemp should be legal to grow.

I used to smoke pot before I had my girls. My dh still does. He also smokes cigarettes and drinks, but never in front of the girls. I'm firm about that. My lifestyle change was my own choice, and as long as he keeps his habits out of sight of the children, I won't scold.

My biggest concern isn't legalization for recreational purposes...that will go on regardless of whether its legal or not. I feel that it is a powerful herb for natural healing. How can it be illegal to use a plant for its natural ability to heal?! How can we say it is illegal for any plant to grow? If pot does get legalized, there is such an underground market for it that taxing shouldn't be a problem. Or one could just grow their own.