Schwarzenegger open to studying marijuana tax idea

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says California should study other nations’ experiences in legalizing and taxing marijuana, although he is not supporting the idea.

He says it’s time to debate proposals such as a bill introduced in the Legislature earlier this year that would treat marijuana like alcohol. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat, says taxing marijuana at $50 per ounce would bring more than $1 billion a year to the state.

Schwarzenegger said during a Tuesday news conference that “it’s time for debate” on the idea. But he warned against making harmful decisions just for the sake of raising money.

He said some other nations have had negative experiences. Ammiano’s bill is on hold in the Legislature. He delayed seeking approval until next year.

-- Associated Press

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[jeff]

did he mean negative experiences legalizing pot or negative experiences making harmful decisions to raise money?
if its the latter, then it's completely understandable...if its not...i want to see this proof of other nations having negative experiences with legalizing marijuana

[Commodities Trader]

I'm a successful commodities trader under a multibillion dollar company with an amazing wife that I love more every day along with two beautiful girls that I call my princesses. I don't think marijuana should be legal for these reasons.

After work (my hours are from 5:00am-3:00pm, weekdays) I pick up my two lovely daughters to drop them off for some after extracurricular activities; the younger to baile, and the older to soccer. I usually stay to watch my younger daughter dance her heart out as she smiles when she sees me watching. My wife usually picks them both up so she can spend some "one on two time" with them as well. As you can see I have a pretty normal, happy life, living the American dream I guess you could say. I am regular user of marijuana and I can see first hand the destruction marijuana causes to my family and career. When our kids happen to both have a sleep over and we have the night off I usually bring home a little bit of marijuana, a joint worth. My wife and I then smoke it together. We get a little silly with each other and act like we are falling in love all over again, then when we are little less stoney, about 30 minutes, we call a taxi and have a night on the town! We usually go to a nice restaurant where I am able, to once again, prove my chivalry to her. After dinner we may take a stroll down the street and just talk as we enjoy the night. We return home around 9:00 and enjoy the night together until we fall asleep. We wake up the next day, smiling and satisfied that we both have a pretty normal, happy life.

As you can see, marijuana destroys families. Please do not legalize marijuana, my family is a fair representation of what marijuana really causes.

Thank you,

Eric

[Sal A. Mander]

I loved when, confronted with whether he smoked pot after winning Mr. Olympia in "Pumping Iron", the governor responded "Yes... and I inhaled." Government isn't the answer to everything - by legalizing marijuana the government isn't condoning the drug, it is just saving billions of dollars on persecution of victimless 'crimes' and making billions on taxes, while opening marijuana trade to all business people rather than just the ones who are willing to break the law. Go Governator!

[Concerned citizen]

People use as much pot as alcohol but they now have to buy it from drug dealers who pay no taxes and offer them far more dangerous drugs upon purchase. Legalizing pot will save lives, free up police and unclog fails, increase education about more dangerous drugs while decreasing their consumption, and increase tax revenues. LEGALIZE NOW!

[Gill Bates]

The "problem" with taxing MJ is that anyone can grow it.
If it is legal and sold growing it cannot be prevented.

[lioness]

Governor:

Take the political steps necessary...being "open" to this idea is the first...but please do not delay too long.

The sooner this substance is legalized and taxed, the better off we all will be. Sensible adults will be able to parttake without fear of arrest or worse, gangs and other dealers will find it increasingly more difficult to ply their trade, young people will find it more difficult to obtain it, and the taxpayer will get a break by seeing more money in government coffers. IT IS TIME!!

[Ace King]

At last, some reality on senseless laws. End the billions of dollars of ineffective enforcement while simultaniously bringing in revenue and see how the budget deficeit disappears.

[pe]

Politicians make harmful decisions all the time! This would actually reduce "harm."

[Marcos El Malo]

Anti-prohibitionists should take heart from Arnold's stance. The fact that even established politicians are welcoming debate shows that there is a sea change. We could see marijuana have the same status as alcohol in five years or sooner.

I don't smoke dope. I've not taken an illicit substance (or even a drop of alcohol) in almost 16 years. My drugs are nicotine and caffeine. My take on pot is that we should do the same with it as we do with tobacco and alcohol:

LEGALIZE IT. REGULATE IT. TAX THE SNOT OUT OF IT.

(and maybe if they start taxing pot, they'll stop raising the taxes on my cigars for a bit)

[Caroline]

Eric, when you call the cab are you too stoned to call a babysitter too?

[matt]

And how do you explain tobacco? Doesn't seem like much of a "problem".

"The "problem" with taxing MJ is that anyone can grow it.
If it is legal and sold growing it cannot be prevented."

[Jason Kohlhoff]

If they imposed a growers license for anyone wanting to grow it would guarentee 500 dollars to the government..Caught without it you are heavily fined...We can then tax and regulate dispesaries...Its a fool proof way to ease it into mainstream...

[Steve]

Smoking marijuana can lead to more dangerous drugs. It's the gateway drug. It makes people apathetic. It causes short term memory loss. It has a negative effect on learning. But people smoke marijuana because it's readily available and enjoyable. That's a fact. We might as well tax it. Let the profits go to farmers and American companies instead of drug cartels from Mexico.

[Observer]

The last time a bunch of radical politicians got together....and smoked pot.....they came up with the Declaration of Independence.

I think that is the ultimate fear of our political masters.

[Alan Shore]

It is about time to hear that a bit of sanity may be returning to the non-issue of cannabis use. Legalize it, tax it if you must I personally don't ike the government taxing my plants) but just get on with it.
Alan in New Zealand

[Rob]

Making marijuana available in specialty stores (like headshops that already exist all over California) is a great idea. Keep it out of the hands of kids by enforcing strict age + ID requirements, just like alcohol, heavily fining establishments that sell to underage kids.

Time to be realistic, marijuana is the least harmful recreational substance out there, and taxing it will be a boon for our broke-ass state!

[Fireweed]

The "bad experiences" consist of drug tourists who don't know when to quit or how to handle a little freedom. The answer is clearly laid out behavioral expectations. In Amsterdam, there are coffee shops reserved for pot smoking. They do not sell alcohol there. smoking openly on the street, while they won't arrest you, you will be openly rebuffed by police and the general public. Great way to embarrass yourself. The Dutch distinguish between soft drugs and hard drugs, and hard drugs are prohibited. I"d be curious to know exactly what kinds of problems have occurred related to legalization of pot, b ut I imagine, if everybody followed the Dutch protocol everything would be cool.

[Michael]

Government doesn't belong in the discussion one way or the other. Neither should an ounce of pot be classified as "possession with intent to distribute", nor should it be taxed. Obviously such a small amount is for personal use. The only exception I see would be dispensaries, which have been approved by the People of California (but as we've seen with Prop 8, it doesn't matter what the voters say). This alone would free up jail space for more serious offenders, and reduce police department costs. I think going back to the old way, when cannabis was neither criminalized nor condoned, would be for the best.

[George Thornton]

The ex-cop and the Rotary Club

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Web_Links&l_op=visit&lid=120

[Gaucho420]

If alcohol is legal, so should Marijuana. Legal precendence has been set with a much harsher drug, that being alcohol.

I smoke MJ almost every day, yet I make six figures, am a college graduate, have perfect health, play on basketall team in a park league once a week and well, you could say I'm the guy NO ONE thinks of when they think of smokers...I don't see how my nightly ritual of relaxing is any different than a drinker of Scotch, wine or any other form of alcohol, since it is clearlly safer.

[HRPNS]

Alcohol is way worse than pot. Tax it more and let me puff without giving up another thing to our idiotic government.

[fazgun]

As any employer will tell you-they would rather have a MJ smoker than a alcoholic. Both are bad but if you have legalized and taxed one how can you ban the other.

[Louweegie272]

Legalizing and taxing marijuana will help little in balancing the state budget. Our government is a mess, business costs 20% more here than in neighboring states, we import poor immigrant workers and export talented citizens and businesses, all the while increasing government spending.

[Dan]

Can someone tell me where I can go to sign a petition to recall Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[Erik Higa]

You can say that marijuana is worse than alcohol and that it should be treated accordingly, but you can't make believe that it's true.

I believe the facts plainly show that marijuana is far less detrimental to society than alcohol. Just talk to MADD. They'll tell you all about it. But we sell alcohol in our grocery stores and gas stations and lock people up over marijuana crimes.

People in jail for marijuana crimes have usually only committed crimes due to the fact that it is against the law to posses and distribute marijuana. If the sale of marijuana was regulated by the government than these people would not be committing crimes.

As a result, there would be less people taking up space in our prison systems which would make more room for other offenders such as rapists and child molesters. Who would you rather have out on the streets, potheads or rapists and child molesters?

[Hal Summers]

Like many people I tried marijuana as a teenager. Due to my personal Christian faith, however, I decided not to use it and have not for almost thirty years.

However, I believe that keeping marijuana illegal does far more harm to society than legalizing and taxing it would. Drug laws have not stopped marijuana usage. In fact, I could make one phone call and have some delivered to my door even though no one I know personally uses it.

Politicians need to wise up and quit kowtowing to the prison, law enforcement and drug companies lobbies who benefit from prohibition. Of course, drug dealers will fight legalization as well. Imagine how much they'd lose.

It it time to change marijuana laws.

Vote for common sense. Vote for legalization.

[Chuck]

legalize now. There are so many bright, productive, creative, wonderful people that choose to do this over much more harmful, legal buzzes, such as alcohol, cigarettes, coffee. Potentially fatal drugs should remain illegal, but the prohibition on ganja needs to stop. Legalize now.

[Mark Montgomery]

Good move Arnold, pot should be legal. Mexico just legalized possession of small amounts of all drugs. Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001 and their experience has been positive. Now if you are caught with a 10 day supply of your drug or less you face an administrative court, not a criminal court, but in practice they are just not arresting people. A group of 10,000 very serious policemen, prosecutors, attorneys and citizens have formed a group to legalize ALL drugs, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (http://leap.cc ) They see what happened when we legalized alcohol in 1932 as a good example of how drug legalization would work. This foolish war on drugs has lasted 37 years and cost us over a TRILLION dollars and we are not an inch closer to stopping drugs. How many millions of Americans are we going to lock up in prison for decades? Mark Montgomery boboberg@nyc.rr.com

[James]

And for the Bible thumpers simply go back to the good book and see who created the Plants and the Animals ect.....

[Gary]

Cannabis is not a gateway drug. This "slippery slope" fallacy is an easy way to throw the baby out with the bathwater. For the record, I've been a cannabis user for over fifteen years, and have never tried any other "hard" drug (no meth, cocaine, heroin, etc.) I don't even smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol (don't like the taste, or being drunk.) Heck, I don't even "smoke" cannabis, preferring instead to vaporize or to eat it. If cannabis is really a gateway drug, then I should be long past my third or fourth trip to rehab. Or long dead of an overdose. The gateway drug myth is baloney. People predisposed to addiction don't need a gateway.

On topic, I have no problem with a cannabis taxation move. $50 an ounce is somewhere around 8-10%, but I think is unnecessarily arbitrary. Why not just put it in line with CA sales tax?

[Claudia]

I'm rejoicing that Schwarzenegger has left the door open to finally legalizing, regulating and taxing cannabis. Our politicians need to acknowledge the reality that marijuana is available to anyone who wants it and plenty of people do, including me. I'm a 64 year old grandmother with an advanced degree in Public Health and it is definitely in the best interest of not only our health (there is so much research to back this up) but also our state's fiscal well-being. It's time to stop destroying lives with prison sentences for a substance that many, if not most, police officers use themselves. I'm hoping that Schwarzenegger won't cave to pressure from especially the prison guards union and other groups that make a living on keeping the safest drug on the planet illegal.

[AB390]

To all Californians who want marijuana legalized, regulated, and taxed like alcohol:

We can make it happen. We can get Assembly Bill 390 passed and legalize recreational marijuana for adults in California.

The majority must no longer remain silent. We must stop being afraid. We need to get organized. Let's flood the California Assembly and Senate with e-mail.

It's easy to send your representatives e-mail supporting A.B. 390. Visit yes390.org

Then spread the word. Get all your friends to visit yes390.org

Post yes390.org on Facebook and MySpace. Hand it out on business cards at concerts and on street corners.

Californians, stand up for what you believe in.

[obamalivechatdotinfo]

Hope this leads to a real discussion because it is necessary for us to rethink our attitude towards marijuana. No worst than Alcohol.

[Michael]

People refuse to see the obvious. Its rampant its here and after careful considerations and reviews, found its not much more than sooped up cough medicine really.Of course its cavalier attitude that follows its consumption makes some afraid and believe after being taught and engrained into their minds so long from a paranoidal Mc Carthyism individual , that it is evil and out to take you apart. After studies of other chemically induced mind altering items such as alcohol , coffee and prescription pills.We wonder why pot is even considered at all.It has killed no one in a car as drunk drivers do mainly I guess because a pothead is too paranoid to drive and generally if you see one it would compare to the little old lady driving a model A with speeds to match. Taxes and revenues on weed would be a great idea and legalization would take the war out of the equation and big business would prosper.A trial period at least ought to be implemented and i"m sure california could handle it usually being the state which defines items and other states adopt according to success.It"s not giving in but a test and not just pot but what also it used to make such as soaps ropes and other goods that are basically green as the world is turning to.Id say California ought to take the initiative and take the lead .,Implement a smart program and legalize it and treat it like cigarettes. Sell it by the pack cheaper than the dealers and then take over after they can no longer use it as their income or support their war efforts to whatever cause they support. You say you want all this violence and all these issues to be solved well you never had a better chance. Refuse and keep on loose. Take command of the situation and use the problem as a tool to fix the issue and then overcome. Common sense needs to find you Govenor.

[Joseph Areeda]

Want the strongest argument for legalizing marijuana? Find a high school student and ask them "If you have the money which is easier to buy pot or beer".

We did that with our kids.

[Anti-M]

Your government no longer listens to "we the people", nor do the people running things understand that they do not run our lives. Oppose intrusion and control by bureaucrats and smoke, eat or drink whatever you want.

[M Groesbeck]

Michael --

Don't even *try* to compare Prop 8 to legalization of marijuana. The former was an attack on the equal-protection clause, backed by a massive public misinformation campaign, for the sake of making heterosexual-supremacists feel special. Legalization of marijuana would be *ending* the massive public misinformation campaign around marijuana's supposed huge negative impact on society.

[James]

Let us handle this the democratic way.... have people vote on it.

How come we can vote on same sex marriages, but not this?

[Scott P.]

To Gill Bates:

My guess is mj would become this generation's "moonshine". Illegal to grow unless you pay your taxes.

LEGALIZE IT!

[jakob]

Referring to Amsterdam...it is no longer legal to smoke anything in the coffee shops that sell marijuana and hashish. Second-hand smoke laws went into effect more than a year ago. People walk in, buy a gram or two, and take it home. The earlier comments about smoking in public are true - for the most part only tourists do it because they've not been told that it is not acceptable behavior.

[George]

Sigh. As a society we are finally getting rid of nicotine and the stink of smokers. Now folks want to bring the smell of burning alfalfa to public spaces. Why this need for chemical escape? Perhaps we need more mental health counseling to avoid all substance abuse whether it is pot, alcohol or tobacco. And yes, by abuse I mean the need to exist using a substance that is addicting or mood altering. Spend the money on the gym. In reading the comments (if they are to be believed), it is amazing the educated and successful people whose lives are focused on those few moments of consuming a drug. Maybe not amazing, just sad.

[Matt]

i stayed in Amsterdam at the beginning of this year.Well Dutch model i think is good and positive there..the real problem is the lack of street-cleaning in these areas..Mj can be legalized but with moderation and common sense. Matt Ex Le Mans(bong)-user

[tycebi]

He used to smoke so its time to pay back.

[Jonathan S.]

Hooray! This is the first step towards a sane drug policy . . . the willingness to debate.

[EdwinLJones]

All prohibition efforts have failed. Legalizing MJ will bring money to the state and reduce or eliminate violence . Drug use cannot be stopped. In some parts of Europe, drug use is permitted in certain areas. Tax it and control it.

[trevor]

Well i'm sure `some people are are very happy about the idea of legal pot. I have been smoking mj since I was young and have seen some negative affects the plant has had on me . Such as apethy , laziness, ect. But overall pot has helped me phycollogically. I have seen people on all sides of the fence in thirty years . Pot can be
used in a bad way , but I also think our hands can be used in a bad way. read matthew 15 in the kjv of the bible . Jesus spoke of what comes from the heart . Our thoughts and prayers , these things defile you. Not what goes in you! Now I'm not saying all drugs are ok POT IS NOT A DRUG! I think we should do everything in our power to help those poeple on real drugs get help . Maybee they should try pot as a placebo. Pot can make you feel high, but so can addreniline. ilegalize laughter , it would be just as stupid. think and pray about it . Gods will be done!

[Rich Monk]

I do not use any drugs myself, except "The Devel's brew", you know, coffee. Sadly enough, it was the Christian religion in the USA that forced proibition for pot, and other drugs, same as with alcohol. Yet they push for "legal" drugs you buy from your Doctor, like selling candy? Even though these drugs can leave you with the runs, heart attach, brain dead, and actually kill you!
Cigerettes are OK? But Pot no?
Why is it that the republicans and religious always claim for "Big" Government not to interfere with our choices until they decide who gets to make your choice," you or them?
Get religion and the religious out of Government.
Religion is the most dangerous Human concept ever invented.

[JimBob]

When you buy pot from a dispensary, you can only buy pot. When you buy pot from a street dealer, you're buying from someone who most likely has other, harder drugs to sell, too. Government control over sales, plus taxation, make so much sense. After fifty years of throwing our citizens in jail for choosing to put a relatively (alcohol anyone?) substance into their bodies, isn't it time to grow the he!! up as a society?

[JB]

First we need to change the name from Assembly Bill 390, to Assembly Bill 420.

Second, yes, anyone could grow it, but not everyone likes to garden, or has the inclination to bother. Also, I like to know where my weed comes from - that there are no bug sprays on it.

Third, Yay Governor! You got nothing to lose since you can't run for office again!

Fourth, while we're talking about legalizing stuff, why not push the leaders of the world to recognize Afghanistan as the only legal producers of the world's supply of opium? If you legitimize the sale of opium through registered dealers and pay the farmers a better price than the Taliban are paying, you rob the fundamentalists of their source of funding. The farmers make money, the world has it's legitimate supply of this medicine for legitimate purposes and the country of Afghanistan can begin to re-build without the Taliban.

Just a thought.

[OneFreeMan]

I am NOT government owned.

[dafasdffsad]

$50 dollars an ounce for a plant????? That is ludicrous. They should make pot legal because it's a waste of time and money to bust stoners.

[Michael]

There are some interesting comments here. It is easy to tell the Republican and Democrats here. The Republicans are the holy rollers that want to tell everyone else how they must live. Why is it that on any issue Republicans want to tell others how to do things say any thing or live. It seems that basic values would insist that a good Christian allow others to live just as free and independent as they are. Freedom of speech should extend to any one not just those that agree with you.
Leave you personal views out of it. Politics is business. The best businesses are not emotional. If you were a good Christian there are allowances for others to have a point of view that is not yours and if you are a good human you have to work at it.
Here is a challenge for you; try and live as you preach. Do not try and force your ideas on others. Live a good live and love all.

Oh, for what it is worth my thoughts do allow others to disagree with me. That is the freedoms I mentioned.
Have a great day!

[independent skeptic]

Fellas,

Good to see the passion on this issue... too bad you folks aren't nearly this upset when you see our elected officials, you know, the same ones who won't allow an open discussion this, to spend our money like it's rotting on the vine.

What's more critical - a heady discussion on legalizing pot or roping in spending so CA doesn't go bankrupt?

Wake up.

[B]

jakob,

This is actually untrue. Amsterdam closed down a number of their coffee shops which were next to schools and other highly populated areas. However it is still most definitely smoked in the ones that are still open.

[Ozlanthos]

Sounds crazy but it just might work. I think that marijuana should be taxed and regulated, however I do take issue with the level of taxation Amiano's bill would impose. $50 an ounce is WAY too much. California residents already pay a significant SALES TAX. One of the intentions behind legalizing weed is to take a multi-BILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISE away from gun-totting drug-lords. If the level of taxation is too high for the distributors, they will have a significant motivator for buying from "ILLEGAL" sources, thus cutting the state out of it's precious excise tax, and continuing the flow of money to the drug-lords.

Using figures provided by a story about a seized shipment, I calculated that the average current wholesale price for weed from Mexico is about $48 an ounce ($3/per 1/8th oz.). If legalized I'd say we should be buying it legally from Mexico at 1/4th that price. So figure it, you buy it from a legal mexican importer at .75 an eighth, tax it 100%, sell it retail it for about $3 an eighth for the lame stuff, up to $10 for tha locally grown CHRONIC, and everyone leaves the table happy! Before you know it, the demand for their inferior weed would dry up, the illegal drug trade would die a silent death, and 80% of their motivation for sneaking into this country illegally goes away....I like it.....

-Oz

[jeff]

George:

Don't knock it until you've tried it. Also, Other mind and mood altering substances and activities include: coffee, tea, large meals, working out, eating chocolate, eating candy, watching TV, drinking an energy drink, meditation, having a conversation with a friend, watching soap operas, watching a movie.

Taking drugs is wired into us. There are birds that seek out certain colored fruits because it gets them high.

Just because people get their kicks differently than you doesn't mean they are any less of a person. As you said yourself, we're all educated and successful and still smoking pot. There could be many valid reasons why one simply can't go to the gym as you have suggested (medical or otherwise).

Also, I'm not sure where you stand on this, but what right do you have to say what others can and can't do to themselves (in this case, smoke pot)? Especially with a harmless substance?

[C. Moskos]

I think it's a great idea.
California would be out of debt in no time. So would every other state that would agree.

[gary noel]

The one thing that continues to left out of the discussion is the value of the industrial hemp industry. Does anyone out there know what manilla rope is?? Made from hemp, it was essential for seafaring from the time of the Phonecians. Now Manilla rope is just as illegal as the marijuana you smoke.

Intoxication had nothing to do with why Marijuana was made illegal. Try to find any debate at all on the subject before the law was passed. In spite of the propaganda, the AMA was totally against the law. Hemp is illegal because it was a competitor to nylon and other microfibers made from petroleum. Figure out what the value of nylon is in the world and use that number when figuring what the value of a legal hemp crop would be. Other illegal products in the US include canvas made from hemp, okum which is used to caulk boats as well as hardwood floors. Anybody ever use punk to use as a fire starter?? Just as illegal as Chronic. ALL PARTS OF THE HEMP PLANT ARE ILLEGAL!!!!!

This is the part of the argument that has been obscured in the propaganda about Pot being a drug. The big difference between pot and other mind altering substances, alcohol, tobacco, heroin, cocaine, etc., are that ALL of the others can kill you!!! There are well know lethal doses for all of them, there is no know lethal dose for Pot!!!

We must quit arguing the issue of intoxication!!! It is a ruse to cover the true facts about hemp. There is no legitmate reason that Pot is illegal. Even the drug wars had nothing to do with intoxication. It was Nixon's way shutting up the hippes who felt that the war was immoral. Making pot illegal was a way to silence critics who who really hadn't done any crimes, make them criminals and subject to arrest.

The rest of the world, who use Mamila rope, canvas and other parts of the hemp plant for oil, food and medicine, are very aware of this. The US has been brainwashed by the propaganda.

[Commodities Trader]

Caroline wrote, "Eric, when you call the cab are you too stoned to call a babysitter too?"

Maybe if you learned how to read you could figure that out for yourself.

Thanks,

Eric

[nick]

i have adhd and all my life i have been taking a drug called adderall and it makes me not hungry it has known affects of suicide and also its damaging to the heart and those are just some of the many side effects. i started smoking marijuana my sophmore year in high school and it has done nothing but help me and my phycological trecks. I relax, i do all my homework and study before i smoke, it motivates me to get all my stuff done before i smoke. It is very helpful for kids with adhd i also have friends that have adhd and it helps us all...PLEASE LEGALIZE

[tomm]

I say legalize now. Smoking weed is nobody's bussiness but the smoker

[Luke]

People need to be educated about MJ and not just listen to what you hear on TV or the radio.

Check out http://old.nirvana-shop.com/untoldstory/index.html

Its not that long.... and worth the read.

[Michael]

Wow, awesome! About time! Portugal decriminalized EVERYTHING in 2001, including Meth and Heroin and their drug use DROPPED, so did drug related crime and the country is billions of dollars reacher. http://www.salviasociety.org has info on other legal herbs, which are legal even now in the US. About time MJ gets added to the list!

[Ph.D Psychology Student]

Hear me out on this everyone, please.

*Disclaimer: Just to show that I have an idea of what I am talking about, I want to let you know that I have a masters degree in Psychology and am undergoing a Ph.D program in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child Pathologies.

I agree to the fact that pot is less destructive to the general health than is alcohol, however by legalizing this drug there will be an upsurge in those who abuse it. The problem with marijuana abuse is that many people don't realize that it can cause sever mental problems in the future, namely anxiety, depression, memory loss, short term memory inhibition, and Schizophrenia. My thoughts about the whole "anxiety" bit is that the long term anxiety is simply due to EXPERIENCES caused by marijuana (paranoia), and not necessarily an induced "chemical imbalance" caused by the marijuana, similar to what many big pharma and psychiatrists tend to agree with. However, what does indeed frighten me is the correlation between marijuana and schizophrenia. The latter is a very, very serious mental disability caused by a surge of dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain. Dopamine is also released when smoking marijuana, triggered by the THC. There are also recent studies that reveal how people with the inherited gene to become schizophrenic can be triggered after smoking marijuana. Although some research suggests that smoking even just once can trigger this gene, I believe this to be incorrect; rather I believe that it is more a result of excessive abuse. Furthermore, there is also an association between IQ level dropping and marijuana use.

I am "undecided" about legalizing this drug. On one hand you have alcohol which is worst, and can also cause long term problems--even death. On the other you have weed, which is safer but still mentally dangerous. Do two wrongs make one right? In comparison, it seems logical to legalize. But when isolated, this is not the case. College parties are so focused on getting drunk, partly because it is the "cool" thing to do. Will marijuana be the same? Will more and more people live their lives intoxicated, depending on them to be happy? I certainly hope not. But, I suppose, I have only myself to make that decision for because we don't all agree.

We definitely need more evidence to show the safety of long term marijuana use. I have seen MANY people who have felt depersonalized for years after a single use because the paranoid experience gave them panic attacks and caused severe anxiety while intoxicated. Are these experiences grounds for diagnosing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, that is Marijuana induced? Surprisingly enough, it has already been done.

I stand in the middle, awaiting research to sway me.

[Stig]

Ph.D Psychology Student:

Your facts are most likely not entirely correct.
If you care to educate yourself more please read this interesting research article from Denmark
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/65/11/1269
In short it says that they cannot see any correlation between hashish use and _getting_ Schizophrenia. However it did show that the onset for Schizophrenia for people using hashish came 6 years earlier, than if they didn't use it.

beside: by decriminalization you'll not introduce another substance into the society, You just add regulation to something that today hasn't got any. Today kids can buy it anywhere anytime.

[Ph.D Psychology Student]

I am familiar with that research. However, there are studies that state otherwise. Such as new research focusing on the endocanabinoid system and its relation to marijuana (http://mcc1.library.csulb.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2008-04680-022&site=ehost-live). Here's a lit review you can read (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15871146?dopt=Abstract)

But it is not just Schizophrenia, have you done your research on depersonalization disorder and marijuana? What about PTSD and Marijuana? Short-term Memory loss? Do a google search on these topics and note what you find.

Psychosis and Marijuana use seem to be linked in many cases. Even the one you have chosen shows some effect of Marijuana and psychosis. Marijuana may be increasing the rate at which schiz. develops and, thus, may be causing more severe cases.

[Neuroscience PhD/MD Student]

Dear PhD student..

The statement " However, what does indeed frighten me is the correlation between marijuana and schizophrenia. The latter is a very, very serious mental disability caused by a surge of dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain. Dopamine is also released when smoking marijuana, triggered by the THC " is NOT correct.

Get out your physiology text and check out how THC works. It acts on its own transmitter and there is no known mechanism by which it activates dopa. If there was why wouldn't we use it for Parkinson's? The other PhD student has it right.

On an interesting note, marijuana is one of the few substances for which there is no lethal dose. This is because there are no receptors for THC in the brain stem (the area that controls autonomic function). However, you can kill yourself by drinking too much water, which changes the osmotic balance in your cells.

[Meddy]

Well... THC definitely does release Dopamine - just indirectly.

It mimics the body's endogenous substance, Anandamide, and binds to its receptor. This inhibits the release of GABA. GABA is an inhibitory substance. Without this inhibition, Dopamine is released in the nucleus accumbens (pleasure center of your brain). Definitely true. Look it up.

[luis martinez]

I think its a good idea but don't you all think that the government makes more when we get busted then if they gave it to us? well then agin if it was treaded like drinking that would be a different story. they would be able to tax more and fine us for under the influents. So if it does come into effect i will vote hell yeah on 390

[dillon shuck]

I say smoke until u drop... It does not harm people just relaxes them... Im gonna smoke on 420 till the day i die

[robertsolis]

As wonderful as it is to see how informed blogsters on this subject medically, it’s also important to note, as another post noted: Politics is business. THC, the active ingredient in Marijuana, has been listed as a Schedule I controlled substance according to the CSA (Controlled Substances Act of 1970). To this day, it remains there. Characteristics of a Schedule I substance include:

(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
(C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode21/usc_sec_21_00000812----000-.html

All the while, Marinol, a synthetic (man-made) version of THC (Thank the FDA) is listed as a Schedule III substance.

(A) The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

Isn’t it obvious as to what is going on here? If you want to be an alcoholic, you have to buy it from The Man. How many people actually make their own alcohol? If you want to die from the cancer sticks we call cigarettes, most likely you’ll prefer the ones that The Man has to offer you (with more additives) rather than growing and drying your own. But if you want to enjoy Marijuana, which is less addictive than both alcohol and nicotine, you must be out of your mind. Sure, you can grow it yourself, but it’s a Schedule I drug, for goodness sake!! Even cocaine, opium, morphine, and amphetamines are only Schedule II. The Man is sorry, unless you are in medical need, then you can use patented Marinol, which has the same effects as THC. Hmmmm….