Why are there so many post concerning "Pot"?

[Top Cat]

It would take a miracle to get it legalized so I think we should move on to health-care, and jobs. Just my opinion

[noamnety]

1. Think of it this way.

It's not about "pot."

It's about incarceration.

[Top Cat]

41. yeah

[Deja Q]

2. Because kettles are boring and whose name isn't tied to an illegal substance.

[RoyGBiv]

3. That's a very good question ...

My bit of flippancy the other day that's still, for some reason, drawing a trickle of outrage result in part from an inner thought process asking that very question.

I came here after watching the online town hall meeting and having been away with Real Life for awhile expecting a flood of comments on his health care answer, which I didn't like. I saw a few of those, but at the time I posted, there were 8 "pot" threads right in a row at the top of GD. It was a genuine WTF moment for me, and I didn't think I could have those here anymore.

But, ya know, whatever. People choose their own outrages.

[fascisthunter]

4. or ya could just ignore those posts and move on to that topic yourself

:think:

[terisan]

5. I think the chance of decriminalization and/legalization is very good.

We need to decrease prison population

Legalization also allows the development of a taxable industry, inclusing hemp production

The recent unanimous Supreme Court decision allowing a hallucinogen to be legal for religious purposes may help pave the way.

Politicians are currently petrified at the possibility of an uprising and may see marijuana as a calming influence on angry people.

[Heidi]

6. This is just my opinion, but it's many of my closest friends' No. 1 issue.

I can't explain exactly why. I've smoked pot and we can legally grow it here in some regions, but I don't understand why this issue is more important than state-sanctioned torture, our partnered GLBT brothers and sisters not being guaranteed access to the more than 1,000 rights we straights enjoy, families losing their jobs and homes, and on and on and on.

But I tell ya what. One of my dearest friends in life is a pro-legalization attorney who has worked with Jack Herer. I will write to him tonight and, at the risk of gettin' an ass-chewin, ask him why this issue is more important to him than others.

[walldude]

11. I can tell you what he's going to say

This isn't just about pot. It's about prisons, law enforcement, courts, DA's. It's about 100 billion a year into the drug war, it's about putting deadly drug cartels out of business, it's about giving farmers new crops, it's about tax revenues and job creation, it's about medicine for people who need it, it's about creating an entire industry that could very well pull us out of this funk the Republicans got us in to. It's about not cowering to narrow mindedness and doing what's right for the country.

[Heidi]

12. I agree with that assessment.

And I believe it's evidence of the racism that runs deep through our culture (if you know anything about marijuana prohibition, you know the racism was at the core of the initial move to prohibition). Still, while I support legalization, I don't understand how it would cure the myriad ills of our culture. It might be a start, but only a start.

[walldude]

17. No one says it will cure all our ills,

but the backlash against pot smokers on DU is fanning the flames of this debate. Obama is wrong on the legalization issue. Dead wrong, But because this is DU I'm not allowed to say that without some pathetic lock stepper telling me to shut up. THe biggest lock step thread I have ever seen is the number one rec'ed thread today. It's sad really.



Edit: oops it's 24 hours must be up, the lock step thread is off the front page...

[Heidi]

18. I agree with that, too.

And I believe our president is ignoring legalization (and, in fact, making light of it) for political purposes.

I hope you aren't referring to me when you say "pathetic lock stepper." I've been in the legalization battle for more than 20 years, due primarily to the experience of my dear departed friend, Hazel Rodgers, Carl Olsen and other friends/associates in the legalization movement. I believe legalization is a valid issue. It simply isn't the only issue, or my personal No. 1 issue.

[IDFbunny]

20. Never better said.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

30. I don't know if it's the number-one issue for a lot of people, per se.

It's more of a number-one *unanswered* issue.

Topics like the economy, health care, Iraq, etc. have all been addressed in varying forms, even if not necessarily living up to many people's expectations. But pot legalization seems to be one of the major issues that never seems to get any traction on a wide scale despite its appeal to liberal sensibilities.

Just my two cents. :hi:

[Top Cat]

64. fair enough

[ecstatic]

43. He must have a lot of money to throw around

Ten bucks for a tiny amount of grass is ridiculous!

[totodeinhere]

7. Because a lot of us are potheads? LOL. n/t

[MADem]

8. Barney Frank predicted it would be legalized, and advocated for same.

The reason the conversations are coming up is because it is no accident that lawmakers, desperate for revenue, are starting to realize that pot is a HUGE piece of many economies. It's the largest chunk of the California economy.

And it is NOT TAXED.

Legalization and taxation would help a lot of hungry state governments. It would also, because a legal, taxed product can be produced more cheaply (and with competition, more cheaply still) provide jobs and it would reduce the violence over the border in Mexico--particularly if the stuff produced outside the US was slapped with a heavy import tax. The market for their shit would dry up, the states would start growing it, competing with one another and lowering the price (even with taxation), branding it, and selling it in clever packages, with assorted flavorings, and varying strengths. The prisons would be emptied of "pot criminals," further lowering the states' expenditures.

It's an actively-discussed issue because these points are being debated in DC and throughout the state governments, as well.

FWIW, we aren't binary creatures. We actually can talk about a number of subjects, all at the same time. If the threads on this topic bother you, I suggest you try out the HIDE THREAD feature. It works a treat.

[walldude]

9. Maybe because Obama had an online poll up in which 3.6 million people

participated, and the majority of them voted to legalize. Then when the question was put forth to Obama he and the audience laughed at the majority and made a joke about what they've been smoking.

Then we (I mean pot smokers) Came to DU to be told we were just stupid pot heads who need to shut up.

I don't know maybe it's just me but when I'm right about something, when there is no logical defense against my point, I tend to dislike being told to shut up.

One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. On the same day that us pot heads got pissed off about Obama's comments the government entered it's 30th year in the ever losing war on drugs by giving 80 million worth of Blackhawk helicopters to Mexico to help fight the drug cartels, which could be easily put out of business with the stroke of a pen. Gee I can't imagine why people are talking about this.

[WillyT]

10. I Don't Know, But I'm Diggin This Recipe !!!

Thai Stick Curry
courtesy of jamaican-green.8m.com

Curry Sauce Ingredients:
1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk
1 can (4 oz. )green curry paste
1/2 cup ground and browned buds or 1-2 cups shake
dash of ground coriander seed
dash of ground lemon grass
generous dash of soy sauce

Vegetable Ingredient:
2 cans (8 oz. each) sliced bamboo shoots, drained
(8 oz.) sliced or whole mushrooms
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
6 - 10 jalapeno peppers, stems; removed and halved lengthwise

Directions:
In a large skillet, mix the coconut milk with an equal amount of water, and bring
to a gentle simmer. Add remaining sauce ingredients (including cannabis) and blend well. Simmer for about 15 minutes.

Add veggies (those listed or your own favorites) and stir gently; simmer for
another 10 or 15 minutes, until peppers are slightly cooked but still firm. Serve
over rice.

Link: http://www.cannabismedical.com/Recipes/ThaiStickCurry.htm

:bounce:

:smoke:

[Forkboy]

13. I'm too high to give you a serious answer to this.

[patrice]

23. Hi Forkboy! You're still You!!!

:applause:

[Cha]

34. Then I guess you don't want

any of these big people brownies? ;)

[Peacetrain]

14. It is the outrage of the moment...

[martymar64]

56. So you're OK with putting people in cages for smoking weed?

While those people are in those cages, some of them get violently raped or murdered.
You're OK with doing that to people that are unlucky enough to get caught smoking or possessing weed? How is that not outrageous?
You're one smug motherfucker.

[Turbineguy]

15. It's spring and time to plant.

[eShirl]

16. because current policy is misguided and destructive

Just how is this subject keeping us from moving on to health care and jobs?

[lunatica]

19. Because there are many benefits to hemp (see graphic)

And hemp is related to the healthcare issue

[Top Cat]

38. I agree on the healthcare issue. But do we honestly think this will pass I don't.

[Politicalboi]

48. And as a fuel

To run cars with.

[patrice]

21. It's Entrepreneurship. JohnDoe's answer to big Pharma.

People can't help noticing that

drugs are just F - I - N - E in our culture, as long as we support SOCIALISM for their development, production, marketing, and dissemination.

Libertarians are feeling feisty and looks like they've found coalition with previously estranged Others.

[Medusa]

22. B/c apparently there are a lot of people here who aren't dealing

with reality too well. It's not happening people. And whining about it night and day like it's the single most important issue in the world won't make it so.

[IDFbunny]

26. If you don't agitate you don't get change.

So bugger off this thread if you don't like it but don't tell us to shut up. This IS an important issue and CHANGE here is what's need. The war on drugs was and is a declaration of war against us people. The damage this war has done to people is greater than the harm done by the drugs themselves.

[Forkboy]

27. Fucking hippies, they say they wan to save the world but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.

You named yourself after a fucking gorgon and WE don't handle reality too well?

:hide:

[frylock]

35. it's because we can't deal with reality that we burn tree to begin with..

or at least that's what i've read on this WONDERFULLY progressive board.

[martymar64]

58. Then don't whine when people turn to meth instead of pot

And don't whine when those meth labs appear in your neighborhood. And don't whine when the violence in Mexico spreads and starts happening in the US, in your city. And don't whine when a stray bullet from that violence catches one of your loved ones in the head.

It's smug pseudo-liberal wanna be authoritarians like you that perpetuate this violence by refusing to see whats going on and working to stop it like many of us here are trying to do.
Now go back to your Marlboros and Heinekens and crow to your friends about how you stuck it to the dirty fucking hippies.

[Joe the Revelator]

24. Thats like asking why some people care about stem cells....

[lamp_shade]

25. Compared to a few days ago, they're nothing. The furor is nearly over.

[treestar]

28. I agree with you

Obama said as much as that he is not going to highlight that. A bunch of dissenters found a new ground for disappointment.

I don't see how it can be a major issue until some really good economic times without wars.

[Davis_X_Machina]

29. They are fewer than the posts concerning guns, at least. n/t

[AZBlue]

31. In part because PUMAs are back on DU in full force and love to keep divisive topics kicked.

[martymar64]

60. I voted for him, so you can fuck right off!

You're just another member of the Cult of Personality that brooks no dissent, ever. You're worse than the Bushies that did the same thing after 9/11 because you should know better.

I guess that Change meme was just a bunch of bullshit, after all.

[AZBlue]

61. Wow...hit a nerve did I?

Did I call you a PUMA? Did I?
Take your foul language elsewhere.

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AZBlue]

65. If you could read and curse at the same time, you'd have noticed I said "in part"

which means "a bit" or "somewhat" - let me spell it out for you completely: some of it is due to them, not all of it. That's what I said before, that's what I'm saying now. I don't know how to put it any more simply for you.

I didn't call every dissenter a PUMA you ignorant scumbag. If I'd done that, I would have been calling myself a PUMA since I've not agreed with Obama 100% either.

You're a pathetic waste of precious air on this planet. Welcome to my Ignore List - go take out your frustrations over your miserable life on someone else.

[ZombieHorde]

32. Some here may have loved ones being raped in prison because of pot.

Or are concerned that they may go to prison and get raped if they grow pot.

[applegrove]

33. I agree. Sometimes "pot" is the most popular topic of the day on DU and it

makes me wonder.

[Top Cat]

39. Pot has been one of the main topics most of the week.... Way to many new post on the same subject.

[walldude]

54. Yeah.. funny how 90% of them are

bitching about all the posts about pot....

[Dawgs]

36. You could say the same thing regarding gay marriage.

Or, maybe that's what people were saying about rights for AA's during the fifties. Maybe they should have waited for another day.

:shrug:

[acmavm]

37. I think that people should be able to talk about what they want to talk about.

In fact, I'd be willing to be that people here can talk about pot in one thread and healthcare and whatever else they want to discuss in other threads.

We are not limited to one subject per day.

[Top Cat]

40. That's not what this post is saying. I only asked the question about multiple threads

on the same subject. I agree we should be able to voice our opinion on what we want, but why not post to a thread that's already started. Some have they same content on "Pot" just different subject line.

[acmavm]

52. Sorry. I thought this was another 'don't talk about it at all' thread. I apologize.

[ecstatic]

42. I'm annoyed by the excessive pot posts too

Plus, I don't think it would help us when discussing healthcare.... Doesn't that harm health and drive costs up? :shrug:

[Top Cat]

45. I agree with you, but their has been reports that some medical conditions

can be helped with "Pot". But I don't think in m opinion it has anything to do with the health care reform that the President is trying to pass.

[Hippo_Tron]

44. Because the MSM won't discuss it seriously

Health-care and jobs are things that politicians and the MSM actually talk about. Pot is something they run as far away from as fast as they can when the subject comes up. It's not that legalization is more important, it's that we're frustrated that we're the only ones who want to talk about it.

Additionally this is a black and white issue. Pot should be legal just like abortion should be legal.

Health care and jobs are far more complex issues.

[Politicalboi]

46. Because the revenue from pot

Could help the economy and help pay for health care and it would create jobs. And it's insane to lock someone up for smoking pot.

[Canuckistanian]

47. Because "the man" has kept us down too long

Freaking jackbooted authority Nazis who don't give a fuck what about what's good in this country and hate Mother Earth and all she provides.

Sorry, what was your question again?

[Starry Messenger]

49. At least it's interesting.

The whole "who is replacing Hillary in her Senate seat" discussions were like watching paint dry (for me anyway.) But people wanted to talk about it. After I saw how rude people were about the discussions of Rick Warren (which were interesting to me) I try to just stay out of topics that don't interest me, or I know nothing about.

[ohheckyeah]

50. Because it's been in the press alot...

Sen. Webb's new panel has put more attention on the issue as has the question in the Town Hall the other day. The attorney general took a stand against feds busting medical marijuana distributors in California. Hillary Clinton's comment about our drug laws brought further attention to the issue.

Why are you surprised there are so many posts about pot considering all the press the drug issue has been getting? It's not really some kind of nefarious plot, it's a reflection of issues in the press.

And it's not an all or nothing issue. Even decriminalization would be a step forward.

[Top Cat]

Yeah it would certainly free up some space in the prisons

[Top Cat]

51. self deleted- duplicate

[cbc5g]

53. If alcohol were prohibited would we be seeing many "alcohol" posts?

Of course we would because not just a lot of people use it but because prohibition is against freedom, it puts nonviolent people in jail - many who need help , and gives a lucrative business to the worst of society. It's not just about people getting high, it's about peoples lives and our economy ... JUST like it was when alcohol was prohibited.

[martymar64]

55. An economic aspect to it

Since he wants to keep marijuana illegal, it will help keep my dealer and grower friends in business, thus allowing them to put food on the table. Plus it's all income that is 100% tax-free!!! And since many people can't get marijuana legally due to the prohibition, there's always your friendly neighborhood meth lab to give you an alternative. People that run meth labs need to make a living, too.
The prohibition is a godsend for the illegal drug biz. So a few Mexicans cops get beheaded in the war south of the border due to this prohibition, not my concern. The cops down there shouldn't interfere with free enterprise. Capitalism at its finest!

[QC]

57. Because DU used to be a progressive site,

and some people mistakenly think it still is, God love 'em.

[rucky]

59. Because many states are challenging the draconian federal laws.

and we need to know how the administration plans to handle the challenge.

and the people who feel strongly about the issue of medical marijuana tend to be advocates of legalization for personal use, as well.

I think it's a good debate to have: How "legal" do we want drug laws to be? We all agree they're wrong as they currently stand, but there's debate over how they should be reformed. If we don't have that debate, we're stuck with what we've got.

[DemBones DemBones]

63. "Pot"???

:shrug: