[ILUG-Social] Legalise.

[Paul Jakma]

On Thu, 18 Oct 2001, Kathryn Cassidy wrote:

> Actually, cannabis has been 'round as long as alcohol and tobacco
> and many studies suggest it does less damage than those drugs. It
> also has significant health benefits and it is morally
> indefensible that it is not legal for medical use.  Any studies
> I've seen show that it's not physically addictive unlike nicotine
> (and alcohol in some circumstances) and it tends to make people
> less confident of their driving ability and non-violent, unlike
> alcohol.  Thus as a social drug it's far more desirable than
> either alcohol or tabacco.

well, as someone who had a few stoner friends back in school in NL¹,
i'd have to perhaps disagree with marijuana being a harmless,
non-addictive drug.

whether it is or is not physically addictive, i dont know. but it 
certainly is addictive in some form or another, cause these guys 
couldn't get up in the morning without smoking a joint. break/free 
classes/lunch - they'd be off smoking. they'd smoke about 15 odd 
joints a day.

harmless: again, i disagree. it seems to have a significant effect on
memory from what i've experienced of people who smoke a lot. also, i
suggest there is a chance that it has an effect on a persons
motivation.

> The cannabis plant also has many other economic uses.  Overall
> it's pretty bizarre that cannabis is illegal while tabacco and
> alcohol aren't.

alcohol is popular. and if used in moderation is completely harmless.  
( i like a drink every now and then). a regular glass of wine is even 
beneficial to a persons health, some studies have shown.

> Agreed.  I fail to see the connection to linux.

it is a 'social' argument though. :)

> me.

regards,
-- 
Paul Jakma	paul at clubi.ie	paul at jakma.org	Key ID: 64A2FF6A
Fortune:
news: gotcha

¹. and i have to point out, dutch people do not smoke much. it's 
mostly foreigners. i went to an international school, and the stoners 
were all either foreign or 'internationalised' dutch people.