[referee4]

In Janet Chandik's letter, "We should keep marijuana illegal," she quickly claims marijuana as a "gateway drug" when in reality most people experiment with alcohol and tobacco before cannabis and other substances.

The gateway theory has been disproved by numerous scientific studies.

Her reasoning for keeping marijuana illegal due to our society's inability to handle other substances like alcohol does not make sense.

Maybe she should have written a letter calling for a return to alcohol prohibition and also outlawing prescription drugs since she states they too are abused.

Sure, some people abuse alcohol and prescription drugs, but depriving responsible adults of these substances due to a small segment that abuses them is bad policy, not to mention cruel to those who can medically benefit from prescription drugs.

She also failed to mention there is not one documented overdose fatality from marijuana.

I am curious as to how she thinks it is wrong to allow responsible adults to alter their minds in a free country like ours?

If it's my mind and body and I'm not hurting or endangering anyone, then what is the problem with consuming cannabis?

Dan Linn

Executive Director

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=203476&src=

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by referee4

In Janet Chandik's letter, "We should keep marijuana illegal," she quickly claims marijuana as a "gateway drug" when in reality most people experiment with alcohol and tobacco before cannabis and other substances.

The gateway theory has been disproved by numerous scientific studies.

Her reasoning for keeping marijuana illegal due to our society's inability to handle other substances like alcohol does not make sense.

Maybe she should have written a letter calling for a return to alcohol prohibition and also outlawing prescription drugs since she states they too are abused.

Sure, some people abuse alcohol and prescription drugs, but depriving responsible adults of these substances due to a small segment that abuses them is bad policy, not to mention cruel to those who can medically benefit from prescription drugs.

She also failed to mention there is not one documented overdose fatality from marijuana.

I am curious as to how she thinks it is wrong to allow responsible adults to alter their minds in a free country like ours?

If it's my mind and body and I'm not hurting or endangering anyone, then what is the problem with consuming cannabis?

Dan Linn

Executive Director

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=203476&src=

this is so true. I tried cigarettes when I was 13 and tried alcohol at 15 but didnt try cannabis until I was 19. So how was it that cannabis led me to smoking and drinking.

[bongacidalmaniac]

When I was a kid, I had a choice to do anything! I tried weed first cuz it smelt good. Then, tobacco, which I hated. Next, alcohol...so gross. I dabbled in this and that...all things in moderation -- had a lotta fun. Then, I discovered I liked weed most and do nothing but smoke and eat weed and eat food and drink anything but alcohol. I just don't like alcohol nor anything else but weed. So, the "gateway" concept is just a bunch of propaganda. Weed is an option amongst many choices. I just so happens that people are drawn to weed first. Maybe it is because we have THC receptors eager to be fed? The gateway argument is so pathetic. THC is obviously a beneficial nutrient and medicine and ignorant people are fed propaganda they spew out like a parrot.

I tried cannabis first (I think I was 12 and smoking out of a can or a hollow apple in a friends backyard) and have tried tobacco (don't like it at all, not even smelling others people's second-hand smoke) and have tried alcohol too (don't like it either especially when others are intoxicated off it). The only other drug I've ever tried was nitric(sp?). I only tried a little then decided to just smoke a bowl instead.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's NOT the substance we call cannabis which is a gateway. The gateway is built from misinformation. When people SCARE young people into thinking cannabis is dangerous and lethal and they try it and find out its harmless and even helpful, they ASSUME that everything thing else they've been TOLD about drugs is wrong also, so they try harder drugs and that's the gateway. It's not the cannabis but the misinformation which leads to bad choices. Facts can help all responsible adults make informed decisions.

Cannabis facts are a must.

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by Herbalious

I tried cannabis first (I think I was 12 and smoking out of a can or a hollow apple in a friends backyard) and have tried tobacco (don't like it at all, not even smelling others people's second-hand smoke) and have tried alcohol too (don't like it either especially when others are intoxicated off it). The only other drug I've ever tried was nitric(sp?). I only tried a little then decided to just smoke a bowl instead.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's NOT the substance we call cannabis which is a gateway. The gateway is built from misinformation. When people SCARE young people into thinking cannabis is dangerous and lethal and they try it and find out its harmless and even helpful, they ASSUME that everything thing else they've been LIED to about is wrong also, so they try harder drugs and that's the gateway. It's not the cannabis but the misinformation which leads to bad choices. Facts can help all responsible adults make information info.

Cannabis facts are a must.

I have never heard anyone put it in terms like that and you know what your explanation is one of the most logical I have ever heard. Makes so much sense.

[badmedisin]

I started out huffing gasoline, so gas is a gateway drug for me, I haven't huffed for a while now but I puff constantly.

[Lix-A-Lot]

Originally Posted by Herbalious

I tried cannabis first (I think I was 12 and smoking out of a can or a hollow apple in a friends backyard) and have tried tobacco (don't like it at all, not even smelling others people's second-hand smoke) and have tried alcohol too (don't like it either especially when others are intoxicated off it). The only other drug I've ever tried was nitric(sp?). I only tried a little then decided to just smoke a bowl instead.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's NOT the substance we call cannabis which is a gateway. The gateway is built from misinformation. When people SCARE young people into thinking cannabis is dangerous and lethal and they try it and find out its harmless and even helpful, they ASSUME that everything thing else they've been LIED to about is wrong also, so they try harder drugs and that's the gateway. It's not the cannabis but the misinformation which leads to bad choices. Facts can help all responsible adults make information info.

Cannabis facts are a must.

I like that! Very well said! BRAVO!

Originally Posted by Medpatient

I have never heard anyone put it in terms like that and you know what your explanation is one of the most logical I have ever heard. Makes so much sense.

Thank you. I should give credit to my Ex for planting that precious seed in my mind. He said something similar (yet not so elegantly or with as many typos). He's a brilliant man, I have to admit that. And he only smokes at night to help his sleep.

He actually said it more like this:

"It's like telling kids that marijuana is unbelievably dangerous and is the gateway to harder drugs. I don't understand this. Marijuana, while not especially healthy, is no more dangerous than alcohol. The only reason marijuana can be a gateway drug is because kids try it anyway and realize that everything their parents told them about it is garbage. Are they then going to listen to warnings about coke or drugs that really do have major risks? Ummmm...no. So presto - you've created your own gateway drug. Boy who cried wolf anyone?"

It makes sense to me. I have never been interested in trying anything else. My mother is very misinformed about cannabis and still doesn't understand its benefits but after trying it, I knew it was for me.

Spread Cannabis facts likes seeds and overgrow the lies.

[labrat]

i know every time i smoke it !!!"i wanna gateaway!" peace lab rat

I think this summer I will write my own article called "Gateway of Misinformation leads to hard drugs: The facts about cannabis lies"

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by Herbalious

I think this summer I will write my own article called "Gateway of Misinformation leads to hard drugs: The facts about cannabis lies"

that would be such a great rebuttal to the lies that are spread daily.

[pogoismydog420]

i drank first and tried cigs... then i tried smokin pot with my brother... been smokin ever since, and i'd rather smoke myself silly than drink anyday!!
peace

[BrattonBasher]

No such thing as a gateway drug. Everyone makes their own choices. One does not lead to another.

[FARMER]

Originally Posted by Herbalious

I think this summer I will write my own article called "Gateway of Misinformation leads to hard drugs: The facts about cannabis lies"

Sounds like you may have one of your themes for your PSA campaign, huh? At least one angel on the thing, anyway.

Originally Posted by BrattonBasher

No such thing as a gateway drug. Everyone makes their own choices. One does not lead to another.

Right. But no one takes responsibility.

And have we forgotten probably the first "drug" you encounter as a child. Not tobacco. Not alcohol. For most of us, we first were introduced to refined sugar. Talk about a gateway to dependance...

[erbs01]

Originally Posted by Herbalious

I tried cannabis first (I think I was 12 and smoking out of a can or a hollow apple in a friends backyard) and have tried tobacco (don't like it at all, not even smelling others people's second-hand smoke) and have tried alcohol too (don't like it either especially when others are intoxicated off it). The only other drug I've ever tried was nitric(sp?). I only tried a little then decided to just smoke a bowl instead.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's NOT the substance we call cannabis which is a gateway. The gateway is built from misinformation. When people SCARE young people into thinking cannabis is dangerous and lethal and they try it and find out its harmless and even helpful, they ASSUME that everything thing else they've been TOLD about drugs is wrong also, so they try harder drugs and that's the gateway. It's not the cannabis but the misinformation which leads to bad choices. Facts can help all responsible adults make informed decisions.

Cannabis facts are a must.

Addiction:

What did Cannabis fill that was missing in your life ?
This is interesting because you all have addictive personalities just like me,.
~ Something I've been trying to get across but 'your' additions fight back hard,.

You say Cannabis is the first drug you tried and deny it being a gateway drug!
hello,.. That is exactly what your doing,.

When you make up your mind to try drugs under your adulthood age,.
you either commit to a life of drugs or not,.
~ just say you want to be a drug addict because it fills the gap,.
or what's missing in our lives,. tell the truth don't lie and cover it up,..

All were doing is covering up the real problem that's going to haunt you forever,.
and keep you right where it wants to,.

there is no difference in trying weed, crack, or heroin for an addictive personality,.
"your all looking for the same thing the drug isn't really going to give you",.
it's all make believe,..

:slaugh:

The truth is,. you don't need any drug to make you happy,.
if you do,. you really need some professional help,.
if you cant make it through the day or week without something to dull the senses,. you need help!!

Medicating for real medical reasons is totally a separate issue,.
that is a different 'need' altogether,.

Originally Posted by FARMER

Sounds like you may have one of your themes for your PSA campaign, huh? At least one angel on the thing, anyway.

Oh yeah, this is an important theme to me. And I'm glad I've got an angle for my angel-like activities.

Originally Posted by erbs01

?

Erbs01...Uh...you did actually write anything in your post.

Originally Posted by Yoda

Addiction:

What did Cannabis fill that was missing in your life ?
This is interesting because you all have addictive personalities just like me,.
~ Something I've been trying to get across but 'your' additions fight back hard,.

You say Cannabis is the first drug you tried and deny it being a gateway drug!
hello,.. That is exactly what your doing,.

When you make up your mind to try drugs under your adulthood age,.
you either commit to a life of drugs or not,.
~ just say you want to be a drug addict because it fills the gap,.
or what's missing in our lives,. tell the truth don't lie and cover it up,..

All were doing is covering up the real problem that's going to haunt you forever,.
and keep you right where it wants to,.

there is no difference in trying weed, crack, or heroin for an addictive personality,.
"your all looking for the same thing the drug isn't really going to give you",.
it's all make believe,..

:slaugh:

The truth is,. you don't need any drug to make you happy,.
if you do,. you really need some professional help,.
if you cant make it through the day or week without something to dull the senses,. you need help!!

Medicating for real medical reasons is totally a separate issue,.
that is a different 'need' altogether,.

Ugh...I have no idea what you are talking about. I know my positive energy is addictive and as addictive as my personality maybe, I don't have an addictive personality. I wish you well with getting that help you need. Take care.

[kindmeds]

A while back Dr. Eidleman was doing some work with Meth addicts by recommending cannabis. It worked better than rehab or methadone. I've met a bunch of people, and helped a great number of patients with similar stories.

Not only is marijuana not the gateway drug, but it is in fact a "backdoor" drug as I've said in a previous post. It has given MANY people the change to return to a normal life after years of drug abuse by doing at least two things:

1. It dramatically lessens withdrawal symptoms (nausea, anxiety, etc...)
2. It satisfies the need to alter one's mind without harmful side effects (like rotting your teeth out of your mouth, having a heart attack, or ruining your brain chemistry)

Just my two cents but I hear it over, and over, and over again. If I had a dollar everytime I heard someone say "well I used to do this, this, and this but now I just smoke weed" I'd be a rich man.

[moms_brownies]

I am a poster child for this!!! If it had not been for the 'calming' effects of marijuana, I might not have kicked my dependency on Meth (a 20+ year addiction).

It is truely a gateway back to sanity!!
:slaugh: MOM

[C.C.C.N.]

Originally Posted by Medpatient

this is so true. I tried cigarettes when I was 13 and tried alcohol at 15 but didnt try cannabis until I was 19. So how was it that cannabis led me to smoking and drinking.

Im right in the same boat bro. Was sneeking my first drink around 11 or 12. ried out some cigarettes a year after that to be cool. Didnt work so i scrapped that quik. Started to smoke herb on the regular when i was 16. But had first smoked it here and there when i was 14. I know 14 is young but hey, when you have the peer pressure of your cool older sister(2 years) and her seriously hot friends. Whats a guy who just went through puberty gonna do. Not hang with the hot girls. I think not. Im sure plenty will agree with me on that.

Relating to the topic at hand though. Cannibis is in no way a gateway drug. In my eyes any person that is willing to try out the hardcore shit, would have tried it whether they smoked weed first or not. I have been offered to do so many different drugs by friends, but not once have i given in to them. For me "Marajuana is my ANTI-drug". Its all i need to feel better. No yeyo, no meth, no lsd, no pcp, none of that crap. All i need is bud to alter my perceptions.

[FARMER]

[QUOTE=Herbalious;528663] an angle for my angel-like activities.
QUOTE]

OMG! AN ANGLE FOR MY ANGEL... I'm such a dork! "angel"!

[kpeterka]

it's not a gateway drug, plain and simple..i know many people who have done hardcore drugs without ever smoking nuggs

[QUOTE=FARMER;529243]

Originally Posted by Herbalious

an angle for my angel-like activities.
/QUOTE]

OMG! AN ANGLE FOR MY ANGEL... I'm such a dork! "angel"!

It's all good.

[referee4]

so from the many posts here , I can take it for granted that marjuana is not gateway drug , but many of the replies are in fact a lose it for a while drug.

as in hell I wana get high as I am too weak to deal with life in general .

Originally Posted by Herbalious

Ugh...I have no idea what you are talking about. I know my positive energy is addictive and as addictive as my personality maybe, I don't have an addictive personality. I wish you well with getting that help you need. Take care.

Ugh I have been getting professional help for 3 years,.
maybe that's where some of my preaching to others comes from,.
I'm basing my opinion from my own 28 years of drug experience and others who have similar lifestyles ,.
If you have no idea what an 'addictive personality' is,.
I'm not the one to teach you,.
but I can say it is "taking a drug in one form or another",.
or - any substance that alters the way you think or act naturally.

Mom I love you,. but you went from meth to weed,.
weed is way better for you but it's still filling the gap,.
do you see where I am coming from ?
these are known facts, I'm not just pulling it out of my ass,.