What's your opinion on recreational drug use?

Seek help.

I treat my body with respect.

On edit:spelling.

Water is my choice of drink.

On Edit: I would also add I did not nor have I ever advocated jail time. I just simply said seek help.

On second edit: If you plan on using coffee or soda in this argument, you are really far reaching.

Caffeine is far more addictive than THC. And the negative health effects are worse.

It's just not the same kind of drug. We should legalize now.

Don't bogart.....:smoke:

:hi:

Aspartamine
Sucralose (Splenda)
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Saccharine

Chances are, unless you grow every single thing you eat, a large amount of foods you eat are just laden with these very unhealthy additives.

These additives are just as bad, if not worse, on your body than THC is.

So if you eat food, seek help.

Speak for them selves. Go in peace on your quest. :)

Or are you just saying that because they're proving you wrong?

They look like perfectly valid arguments to me.

Tell you what, why don't you address the arguments, even if they do speak for themselvs. Humor us.

Consistency in what is and isn't good for your body?

There are NUMEROUS products and substances that are completely legal and wreck as much havock on your body, if not more, than recreational, yet illegal drugs do.

I just want some consistency.

If one who partakes in recreational, illegal drugs "needs help", then so do people who partake in aspartamine, sucralose, saccharine, tobacco, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil, alcohol, any prescription medication, etc.

Just some consistency.

How is bringing up sugar or caffeine "far reaching"? They are pretty harmful, habit forming, and have serious psycho-physical effects...just like anything else, they can be abused.

I guess I see your point if there is actual *abuse* of whatever substance...people with problems like that should seek help. But the question was about "recreational use". I mean, should someone who drinks a couple of beers after work seek help?

:shrug:

.... but do you treat your mind with respect?

sweeping statement. Alcohol is a drug too.

Julie

Cracks me up how some drink and smoke and/or then toss out some snide remark about someone who smokes pot.

moderation! Work hard........Play hard!

That's what I feel about people who have something against recreational drug use.

Arrogance.

(It usually can be paired with "ignorance" and "talking out of one's ass", too.)

Get caught putting public in danger? Rot.

Don't care for intoxicants myself but it is FUCKING STUPID to lock people up for getting high.

As someone who's struggled with alcohol dependency myself, I think it's disgusting that there are no other recreational drugs available (unless you count caffine).

I won't use any recreational drugs--and I know I'm rare in this regard--PRIMARILY because they ARE illegal. I don't think it's right to support criminal enterprises. That's just me; I don't necessarily condemn those who do.

But I do wish that I lived in a country where safe, regulated supplies of other recreational drugs were available to adults, for use in their own homes or in safe social forums.

For the record, I've tried just about everything under the sun, but I am currently far healthier, having given up everything except caffeine, alcohol, and the occasional bit of pot -- I even quit cigarettes a month ago!
So, I don't begrudge anyone their experimentation. And I think drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed. Along with most other things that fall under "vice laws."

of someone in my family.

Also, not real sure about over the counter crack and meth. Have a hard time wrapping my head aroun that.

The people that use them should be placed in rehab, but I think there should be strict penalties for those that contaminate their homes by cooking the shit (and expose their children to it since the effects are so harmful).

Matter of fact, crack is just cooked down cocaine and is a DIRECT RESULT of outlawing cocaine.

I don't use any drug other than cannabis, not even caffeine, but I do recognize that the laws against any drug cause more harm to society and the users themselves than the actual drugs do.

Also, it is entirely obtuse to not distinguish a difference between use and abuse. 99% of all drug users are not abusers, yet our legal system treats them all the same.

My SO and I partake at times. The secret is, moderation, plenty of water and vitamins, and take long breaks in between. Unless you are just talking Mary Jane, then go for it anytime.

There is a huge difference between drug use, and drug abuse. Most people don't see any difference, but believe me... it's there.

A lot of drugs are merely psychologically addictive. Some of course can become physically addictive as well. If you have an addictive personality, don't touch drugs. If you have the will power to do it occasionally, whatever it may be- good for you! Have fun! Just be careful, and stay in the safety of your own home, or someone else's. Don't get in a car! Being safe includes considering the safety of others.


On edit: When it comes to drug abuse, it is my opinion that they should get help and therapy rather than being locked up. Addiction comes in many forms, and it is not just drugs.

Alot of drugs are dangerous and while I don't care about my neighbor smoking a joint, I don't want my son running around high on mushrooms either.

I've gone into convulsions on mushrooms before. Didn't stop me from taking them again, but hey, I'm a glutton for punishment.

I was sitting in my college dorm room with a couple of friends, admiring a blacklight poster. Then I felt a little sick. Then I became aware of pink polka dots covering everything in the room. I left and walked down to the bathroom, feeling I was going to throw up.
When I got to the bathroom, I suddenly shook and dropped to the ground, twitching for a while longer. The floor of the bathroom appeared to be curved, so that I was at the top of a globe and could roll off in any direction. Beyond that, the doors of the bathroom stalls leapt between being far away and quite close. This lasted fairly briefly.
One of my friends eventually came in and helped me up. We went to the lounge on our dorm floor, where I threw up off the balcony. Then I sat and watched colorful streamers pass by for the next couple of hours.

I think some of the more offbeat varieties...not the everyday stuff...

Lotsa kids think they can just go pick any old mushroom that bruises blue up and eat it and that is not nessecarily true. You can destroy your liver if you eat the wrong ones.

But most magic mushrooms are psylocibin which isnt so bad.

running around drinking alcohol just yet either, he's 8.
Don't get me wrong I have done my fair share of drugs in the past, but I have to admit that at the tender age of 28 I have made the choice to never do any of them again, most of it was just stupid.

I had an acquaintance who ate too many shrooms, passed out and started convulsing. Her friends (not me) dropped her off at the entrance to a small town ER with a note and drove off. The medics found her unconscious and decided to airlift her to the nearest large city. She died in the helicopter on the way, and they managed to revive her as they were landing. She was still very close to death when she was admitted to the second hospital, but luckily a mushroom expert was visiting the hospital that day and told them what to do to save her.

The mushrooms she ate were Amanita Muscaria - a common hallucinogenic variety. The problem with mushrooms is that the dosage varies so much from plant to plant, and you never know for sure how much you are getting. She ate too many.

As a former (a long long time ago) mushroom user myself, I had experiences where I vomited numerous times, and found myself drooling uncontrollably - both of these are signs of poisoning. It scares me to think about it now.

Although the psychological aspects of my mushroom experiences were almost uniformly positive (unlike other hallucinogens I've tried), I would still be very concerned if a child or a friend of mine wanted to take them. They have a reputation for being "natural" and benign, but I think it is unwarranted. They are a powerful, powerful substance.

Can you eat them? Sure. They may make you trip, but they are very toxic! I just cant believe anyone would play around with amanitas.. that is amazing to me.

Psilocybin isnt going to make you have convulsions.. the problem here was that people didnt know what they were eating. People shouldnt mess around with that which they dont know.

Im not trying to downplay your friend's experience, I dont think of mushrooms as a "recreational" drug. They should be imbibed only by serious voyagers who have taken the time and effort to do their homework.

I can't wrap my brain around that either. I get the logical argument to a point, but most illegal drugs do interfere with your better judgment, whereas caffeine and cigarettes etc... rarely do.

Alcohol affects one's judgement far worse than marijuana. Cigarettes are more deadly than marijuana.
Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms, etc.) appear to have no long-term effects on the body -- unlike cigarettes and alcohol.
So, there is some wiggle room here in which we can debate.

Per say, regarding judgement...I think that depends largely on the person and the marijuana.

With that said I have absolutely nothing against pot smokers or drinkers and I think that marijuana should absolutely be legalized.

I am on the fence about legalizing hallucinogens but I am pretty opposed to legalizing heroin or cocaine products (esp cocaine products)

It is incorrectly legally classified as a narcotic, but it is not.

It is a hallucinogen, and, like other hallucinogens, is non-addictive and relatively harmless.

Because I never saw anything that wasn't there ;)

It most certainly should not be in the narcotic category--what a joke!

How can that be? Our government said hallucinogens caused chromosome damage and flashbacks, now you have the nerve to say they were lying?:evilgrin:

This from a veteran of easily, over 100 doses of LSD many many years ago. Now, nothing.

If the gov's line were the real reason, (safety), cigs would have been made illegal a long time ago. I wonder why they're still legal? Could it be that our gov needs an intervention for their dependence on cigarette taxes?

Bunch of teases, those government officials.

That's true. And the most important reason why anyone experimenting or just partaking in illegal drugs should do it in their own home, with a small amount of people. Never leave the front door- do not step inside a vehicle- just hang out inside and enjoy the buzz. And it's in the best interest of everyone to have at least 1 sober person around to make sure everyone is drinking water and to call the ambulance in case of emergency.

Unless it's just pot, in which case, whatever. Just don't drive.

and causes more deaths by homocide, murder, suicide, or alcohol-related deaths than Marijuana ever has.

In fact, there is not ONE recorded case in medical history of someone who died from an overdose of marijuana alone. Not one.

But several people die every year from severe alcohol poisoning

Several people die every year from DUI-related deaths.

Several people die every year from alcohol-related rage

Several people die every year after suffering from the long-term effects of alcohol on the body--chirrosis, brain damage, etc.

Caffeine and cigarettes also take a toll on the body

Caffeine (and soda's in particular) leach calcium supplies from the body , leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Caffeine also raises blood pressure, pulse, and heart rate. People who drink large amounts of caffeine can suffer cardiac dysrhythmias and other haert problems.

Cigarettes--well, I'm sure you're aware of the dangers.

Many legalized and widely availble Rx drugs interfere with your better judgement. Most narcotic pain medications interfere with your better judgement, that's why there's the warning to not drive or operate heavy machinery while under their influence.

Benadryl, an over-the-counter antihistamine can interfere with your better judgement. One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness, and is often suggested that people who have problems sleeping take Benadryl for this effect. As such, Benadryl (which is available over the counter) has a warning that it impairs judgement and reflexes, and users are warned not to operate machinery or drive while under its influence.

So while you say most illegal drugs interfere with your better judgement, you must also understand that most LEGAL drugs do the same thing. Pain pills, antihistamines, some blood pressure medications, heart medication, cancer treatments...they all have the possibility to affect your better judgement.

Just looking for some consistency from you with regards to that.

seek help for yourself. I see nothing wrong with the occasional drink on Holidays or wine with dinner. But if you are smoking/drinking heavily/using other 'substances', then you should seek help immediatly. My mother smoked for 30 years. She never felt better after giving it up and take up daily exercising.

*While I condemn the usage of such potentially harmful/dangerous substances, I do NOT believe in jail time for those who use them*

can't.

Same thing with most drugs- certainly there are millions of people who smoke pot on occasion and it's no more detrimental to their lives than the "occasional drink on holidays or wine with dinner"...

I haven't met too many people who smoke cigarettes "recreationally", most people are either nicotine smokers or they aren't- but I don't think that should be against the law either.

No one actually WANTS to smoke cigs and there certainly is no real benefit from it.

It's definitely an addiction (and this is being said by a smoker)

Marijuana? Usage can be stopped at any time with no withdrawal.

I smoked pot as a youth and youthful person (a lot of it) and stopped without any discomfort or yearning for the product.

The reason I quit?

Fear of being popped for a minimal amount of something illegal and the fact that all I wanted to do after partaking was to eat mass quantities of food.

But I am all on board with saying that marijuana is not addictive.

but lots of things I think are dumb are legal. Certainly some drugs (marijuana for sure, probably mushrooms and e, as far as I know they're not very dangerous) should be legal, while more harmful ones (like cocaine, heroin and methamphetimine) should probably remain illegal. However we should transition to a treatment and harm reduction system rather than one of punishment.

Cocaine really isn't as harmful as people think. What makes it harmful is what it is cut with. Now, someone with a history of heart problems should never use it. And one should always be careful how much they use. But pure cocaine is not that bad. If it were regulated, and not cut with random chemicals as it is today on the streets, then it wouldn't prove to be such a problem.

It isn't physically addictive but with frequent use it can become very psychologically addictive, and due to that should never be taken lightly. And frequent use, of course will do damage to the body.

As I said in another reply in this thread, there is a huge difference between use and abuse. Once it turns from use to abuse, one should be given help, treatment, therapy. Not jail time.

If I don't get it every day, I feel like I'm gonna die!

I wish somebody had warned me about this dangerous chemical before I got hooked...

http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html

I probably go through, like, a gallon of that stuff a day!

good stuff!

for fun and profit.

I took the Hunter Thompson line.

...although I've done a lot of other stuff in the past. I have issues with meth and crack, having been close to the train wrecks left behind, but I don't think incarceration is the answer. The war on drugs is futile. Marijuana should be decriminalized, I don't really have a problem with psychedelics, but I don't know what the solution is re the hard stuff.

I'm not good with alcohol, but I'm a very pleasant cheerful stoner. It's my antidepressant of choice.

Sure there's a few negatory drawbacks, but all medicines have their side effects.

I've been unstoned for a month. Sure wish I could get high for my birthday tomorrow. :cry:

...and I wish I could help you out there with the party favors. :hippie:

Oh well, maybe the ganga fairy will show up, but I doubt it. Just a wishin.

Did many drugs--pot, shrooms, E, coke, Prescript pills.
I liked to experiment. It was fun while it lasted.

And most rec. users eventually move on with life and quit using.

It's abuse that is a problem, and that is what should be looked at and treated. Treated, not punished.

I went through stages.

My pot stage, my E stage, my coke stage.

Now I just drink!:hi:

and self-respect. The man went through all sorts of stages, you name it, he's gone through several binges on it. I've been through a few.

There's something to be said of a person who has done coke many times, yet can sit back, watch someone do it for hours, and not have the urge to join. That's a user for you.

Good to hear you've moved on! There comes a time where the thrill just isn't the same, and you realize, hey. Not worth the money. Or something. We are in the stage of moving on. Drinking, cigarettes, mj. We're happy, and can tell some great stories too. :7

It was too available in the early 80's and there is a good reason that people tried it and liked it.

I hope the current government doesn't start letting it flow freely to kids (like they apparently do heroin these days)

Kids are the ones selling it.

If you want to keep cocaine away from kids, LEGALIZE IT!

I go back and forth on this but I do agree that legalizing everything might actually *win* the so called war on drugs.

I go back and forth on this issue and am not firmly commited either way.

Nothing but cannabis for me now.

Alcohol is too damaging to the brain and liver.

Live in Iran if you want a drug free community...

and sexual content in movies, tv, and video games.

Ahhhh, heaven!

I'm all over the legalization of marijuana. But I think methamphetamine should continue to be regulated.

The war against drugs has failed. Drug abuse is a public health problem, not a criminal problem.

Anyway, I don't do drugs myself, so I don't feel too strongly about this issue and haven't come up with good theories about it. Though I DO feel strongly about the over-imprisonment of parts of our population.

Best public service advertisement against meth use is meth users themselves- what a fucking disaster that drug makes people.

You'll get no argument from me, there- although I do find it interesting, from a sociological perspective, that communities inundated with meth are often places where kids can't get other drugs. Also, as the "drug war" (or, more precisely, the war on SOME drugs) has made certain drugs harder to find, useage of prescription drugs among teens has skyrocketed.

Bottom line? People are always going to seek out ways to alter their consciousness. The question is, do we turn them into criminals over it? My take is, stop the drug war, legalize and tax pot, and funnel the rest of the money into treatment and honest public education. (When you tell kids over and over again that if they smoke one joint they will get date raped or their testicles will fall off, they're not going to believe you when you tell also them that meth will turn them into a toothless, acne-ridden drooling zombie)

I told all three of my kids about my own experiences -- good and bad -- and never tried to hide my own marijuana use. I told them that I didn't believe marijuana is all that harmful as long as they kept their focus; that alcohol is okay in moderation but don't drive; that psychedelics were dicey, but I'd leave it up to them as long as they chose safe surroundings; that cocaine is dangerous and I wouldn't recommend it; and that crack, meth and heroin are dead ends. They've all experimented, they've all reached adulthood, and I haven't had any serious problems with any of them. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I do truly believe that honesty is the best policy in this, as in all things.

I do NOT ocndone meth use, its a stupid drug, but outlawing it only makes it WORSE.

Outlawing a drug removes ALL regulation from the industry. It turns it over completely to criminals.

Legalize, regulate, tax, and educate. THAT is the solution.

:rofl:

I guess I fit in with "other", since I personally haven't done anything stronger than green tea for a very, very long time.

Alcohol very nearly killed me, but unlike our Preznit, sobriety didn't turn me into a sociopathic, self righteous asshole, either (at least... I hope! :hippie:)


That said, I think passing and having LAWS against how consenting adults choose to get their jollies in the privacy of their own homes is a colossal waste of time. I think there is NO REASON pot should be illegal while alcohol and nicotine are legal- legalize it, tax it, (there's your deficit reduction strategy!) etc. etc.

The libertarian in me says do that with all drugs, but the realist wonders whether having heroin and cocaine available at Wal-Mart is such a good idea... My gut feeling is, with "harder" drugs, adopt a harm reduction strategy like the netherlands. Funnel the law enforcement money into treatment- Certainly don't turn people into criminals and waste all the resources and energy locking up non-violent drug offenders.

I think it is because I really dislike not being in control of my body or mental state Also, I worry about my kid who hasn't always showed the best sense. The former buddies he made friends with seem to end up in front of judges or the subject of drug raids. No thanks-great way to screw up a life and get a record to follow your employment efforts for years. I also find myself feeling disgusted when people drink too much and act "stoopid"--especially if they are of an age to understand moderation and if there are kids watching parents make asses of themselves.
Definitely NOT ok with giving thumbs up to the whole drug culture permissiveness.

But I have no problems with responsible drug use on private property and I also have no problems with medical marijuana. However lets just leave it at this. As long as it doesn't affect me or hurt anyone else you do what you want. :*)

Gotta have it!
Gotta have it!
Gotta have it!
Gotta have it!
Gotta have it!
Gotta have it!
GOTTA GET MY FIX, MAN!

AND DID YOU HEAR WHAT THEY'RE CHARGING FOR IT TODAY!!!

And do as thou wilt. (personally, I don't need drugs to trip, but that's 'cause I tried 'em all and found them all very draining on some serious life force.....And all ended up harmful or boring. I'd rather hang glide. Or climb a mountain. Or work out. Or put pagan staturary in my garden--annoys the neighbors. Or just read democratic underground for that matter)Each to his/her own.

to control anything consenting adults want to do in their own homes as long as it doesn't hurt somebody else. Get high. Fine. Get high and mug somebody to get money for your fix, then you get busted for mugging. Get high and crash your car into somebody, then get busted for manslaughter. Etc., etc....

If you wanna ruin your health, fine. Its your life. If you need help to kick your habits, society should help you find help.

Marijuana, mushrooms, salvia (NOT A PARTY DRUG! It's crazy stuff that can scare the utter shit out of you), etc.

Unfortunately there are many people who simply cannot handle it. In any case marijuana should be legal for all purposes.

Drugs should remain illegal, but those who fall for them and need help can get medical assistance rather than jail time. Unless they are pushers then lock them up.

locking up those who sell marajuana - a substance must safer than alcohol - it should have been legalized years ago!!!

The founders are known to have grown and traded Marijuana. Washington and Jefferson would be in jail for life these days since they grew vast fields of hemp and female hemp (weed).

I seriously CANNOT wait for the day I can have my own marijuana field that I can tend to. My God what a day that will be. My own hemp and marijuana farm.

Other harmless drugs like shrooms and acid and the such should also be decriminalized. Cocaine, meth and heroine should never be fucked with, but jail isnt the answer because it only makes them violent addicts.

As for marijuana though..Its a healing herb, so pass me the bong my friends

...because I'm not into recreational drugs at all, but I feel like others should be able to do what they want with their bodies if they're not hurting anyone else.

is that the upcoming criminal trials of senior White House officials, followed by the impeachment of Dick Cheney, will lead to an increase of recreational drug use.

"You can do what you like but don't do it here."

That is: use whatever drug you want, however you want, and with whomever you want--in the privacy of your own home (or other safe setting). The minute you get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of a substance that impairs your abilities, I would like to see your ass in jail--because then you're jeopardizing my safety and the safety of other citizens.

It also troubles me that people have no regard for their own children when they use drugs at home. When I use drugs (alcohol, pot) to the extent that they impair my judgement (admittedly, not often), I do it when my daughter isn't home, and isn't likely to be home until the effects wear off. I want to be responsible only for myself in those situations.

suggests the use of too much of the latter.


You cannot justify the use of some drugs by comparing them to others. When it comes to 'recreational drug use', frankily it depends on the drug, to say ALL drugs are either illegal or not is extreme.

The line must be drawn at a distance that respects personal liberty and responsibility whilst balancing puclic welfare and the government's job to protect its citizens.

For me, I do think small amounts of reefer should be legal, along with all the other 'mainstream' drugs (alcohol, tobacco). However, smoking reefer isnt an excuse for anything. If you fuck up, you get punished more if your on a drug (such as if you cause an accident while drinking, you get a harsher sentence).

Now, I still believe that harder drugs cross the "line", and should never be made legal (some examples: LSD, Crack, Crystal Meth, Special K, rave drugs etc...).

People who get hooked on these need punishment as well as treatment (or, they can strike a deal, get clean=no jail). However, drug dealers and pushers should still be thrown away (especially the 'larger' ones).

#2 - outlawing ANY drug, no matter how bad it is, only makes it worse.

Outlawing a drug = removing ALL regulation from that drug's market.

We should be focusing on policies that reduce harm. Instead, we outlaw things which removes all chances to control them.

The major misconception most people have is that outlawing a drug keeps it away from anyone.

ANYONE that wants ANY drug can get it RIGHT NOW if they look. The problem is, they can't get them from a regulated industry. They are forced to deal with criminals to get their drug.

Have we not learned ANYTHING from the other attempts at prohibition in this country?

*harumph*

After doing more than my share of drugs/alcohol and suffering the consequences I sure wouldn't want to get in anyone's way of messing up their lives and those around them.

It's your life. If you want to live it in a stupor rather than live it it's your choice.

Stay off the roads.

to quote NOFX:

"Are we men? Are we children?
At what age, can I choose how to live?

The only real drug problem is scoring real good drugs
Haven't we learned our lesson?
The corner store sells finer scotch
But who's got uncut powder?
We just want what is ours (dignity)
If God created plants, and plants that I find and abuse
Then who the fuck are you to judge me?"


moderation is the key as with everything in life.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I had fucking great times on drugs."

Yeah, so did I! but i don't do them anymore because I don't feel any need for them in my life anymore. Occasionally I will partake in a little weed, but that's increasingly rare.

Another thing that Hicks said that I agree with is that if you're so anti-drug, take all your records by all the great rock artists, and throw them out, because they were all rrrrrrrrreallly high on drugs.

Anyone who condemns all recreational drug use, needs to go sit on top of a grassy hill in the sunshine, overlooking a lake, butterflies flitting about and birds singing, drop a couple psylocibin shrooms and talk to God about that.