Cannabis haul! This is a Joke, Wake Up Smell the Beans

[Feelinglost]

I suspect waverers on this topic are more likely to be persuaded by well-argued opinion pieces in the Financial Times than by Bob Marley lyrics.

Ah would you relax who or what sucked all the joy out of you. This is an internet forum ffs, your not on the podium at the UN. A little perspective me thinks.

Sounds to me like you've been carrying the stress monkey around on you back for a long time. You might be in need of a little medicine.

[JCSkinner]

They're not entirely without merit, Sarah, but they lack any persuasive power to those who don't share those cultures. In other words, playing Bob Marley at people is either preaching to the already converted or else will reinforce the negative opinions held about cannabis users among non-users who have been deliberately misinformed about the substance.
The reality is that, unlike genuine entheogens such as ayahuasca used in South America among Amerindian tribespeople, the vast majority of cannabis is used for social recreational purposes.
That's no argument against cannabis from my perspective, but it is no argument in favour either when attempting to persuade the populace that this substance is something they should permit legally amid their community.

[sarahj]

They're not entirely without merit, Sarah, but they lack any persuasive power to those who don't share those cultures. In other words, playing Bob Marley at people is either preaching to the already converted or else will reinforce the negative opinions held about cannabis users among non-users who have been deliberately misinformed about the substance.
The reality is that, unlike genuine entheogens such as ayahuasca used in South America among Amerindian tribespeople, the vast majority of cannabis is used for social recreational purposes.
That's no argument against cannabis from my perspective, but it is no argument in favour either when attempting to persuade the populace that this substance is something they should permit legally amid their community.

Oh sorry, JC, I didn't realise that everything I posted on the topic of cannabis had to be based on specific criteria.

Femme is religious and lives in a different culture to ours, so she understands that people have different religious and cultural customs. I was simply putting that point across in a different (and dare I say, slightly more entertaining) way.

Was just trying to lighten the atmosphere a little.

[femmefatale]

They appear to be less agitated and more irritated femme. They are irritated by the idea that other people can tell them how to relax or socialise.

Yes cannabis is a powerful and enthralling substance, of course it is. It is absolutely wonderful in how it can help people...is that a reason to keep it criminalised?

When you say "how it can help people," what exactly do you mean Sarah? Do you mean that it can help relieve pain or other symptoms of illness? I really think it's unhelpful to confuse the uses to which cannabis is put. I have no doubt it helps some people to manage pain or other symptoms of illness. That's very different from it being used to promote relaxation or to experience a substance-produced-sensation one has become addicted to.

[JCSkinner]

But there is no intersection between the cultures you reference and her own. It's a futile argument. In fairness, so are most arguments with her. She appears one of the most closed-minded people on this site, which is saying quite a lot.
Nevertheless, this site sees way more lurkers than it does posters and plenty of people come here for information and debate.
My perspective is that if they wanted to listen to some tunes, they'd have found a better website suited to that purpose. But if they're reading this thread, then they are at least open to hearing the arguments put forward by both sides.
And it's my belief that only the hard facts about the safety, medical utility and economic benefits of cannabis are ultimately going to sway the general populace into backing a generational change like overturning prohibition.

[itchy]

i saw these and i thought of this thread

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Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

[JCSkinner]

When you say "how it can help people," what exactly do you mean Sarah? Do you mean that it can help relieve pain or other symptoms of illness? I really think it's unhelpful to confuse the uses to which cannabis is put. I have no doubt it helps some people to manage pain or other symptoms of illness. That's very different from it being used to promote relaxation or to experience a substance-produced-sensation one has become addicted to.

Every time you lie, I'm going to call you on it.
Produce some evidence of cannabis addiction or else accept the fact that it is not, never has been and never will be an addictive substance.

[femmefatale]

Femme is religious and lives in a different culture to ours, so she understands that people have different religious and cultural customs.

You must come for tea in our commune sometime. It's very nice.

[femmefatale]

Every time you lie, I'm going to call you on it.
Produce some evidence of cannabis addiction or else accept the fact that it is not, never has been and never will be an addictive substance.

I am not trying to lie or misrepresent things. The impression I have is that it is an addictive substance, or at the very least that people can come to be dependent on it.

[JCSkinner]

You must come for tea in our commune sometime. It's very nice.

The commune or the addictive drug you offer visitors?