Domspeak Forums Discussions Off Topic & Politics Self Serving Demonetization of Cannabis

There are theories that cannabis became vilified because the large cotton companies didn't want to competition of hemp and paid off politicians. The same is said to have been true with the tobacco companies. Both theories are very credible. Some years back, Trey Gowdy took the official in charge of categorizing "Drugs" to task, demanding to know what he based labeling cannabis more dangerous than cocaine and heroin. The official admitted he had zero evidence to base it on and there hadn't even been studies.

So, when this article came out, it struck a nerve. With epidemic level of fentanyl deaths in this country, our government allows it to pour across the borders. When is the last time you heard about someone overdosing from weed?Yet, that is where they are putting time and resources, sounding the alarm at how dangerous the untaxed grow houses are. When select states began wising up and legalized cannabis, it came with heavy taxes, over regulation and licenses that were cost prohibitive to most. It was largely being said that the only growers could afford to be in business is to stay under the radar and do it illegally.

Using marijuana was never an interest for me. I tried it a hand full of times as a younger person and just didn't like it. However, I've envied those who it works for, be it relaxation, medication purposes or recreation. I doubt it will ever happen, at least not in my life time, but I would like to see it be completely legalized and fairly taxed and lightly regulated. How about you?

Marijuana was an interest for me. When my dormmates were out drinking and waking up with hang overs, I'd take a small toke and feel just fine the next day. After graduating nursing school, that all went away. I couldn't risk failing a drug test as it stays in your system for up to a month. I still resent that. What should it matter if I smoke on my own time? I can't even do it while on vacation. None of it is logical. I'd have to agree there was something behind making weed out to be satan in disguise.

I’ve got a lot of thoughts on this. Too many to get into here. Unfortunately I think the drug problem in this country is intractable but the war on drugs hasn’t worked and isn’t going to work. We need a whole new approach but I’m not smart enough to figure it out. I’d like to see a figure for how much money is directed at all parts of the criminal justice component including police enforcement, courts and prisons and wonder if that money could be used in other ways addressing the drug problem. I doubt it will ever happen. Politics play a large part but my gut tells me there’s no real solution so we carryon.

And yes I agree with you weed should be legal and affordable to eliminate the black market.

Thanks for your response. I have to say that I believe the US could stop or, at least, greatly hinder the flow of illegal drugs into the country. The problem I see is that they have no sincere intention to do so. A few years ago, I caught an interview with a top ranking official...I can't remember which network or what office he held. But, I remember the map he laid out saying that they know where it is coming in and all of the stops along the way. One of the major hubs did not surprise me at all. It was Columbus, Ohio. I grew up in a suburb of Columbus. Thank goodness my children were never attracted to drugs. So many young people in the white picket, country town I grew up in fell into it. Ironically, I was on the phone with one of my son's best childhood friend's mother today. Her son died from drug related issues a few months ago. My son saw him on the streets for years and finally gave up trying to help him. This suburb isn't alone...far from it. The point is, the official showed a map and said they could stop it but received no support from the government and, in fact, were thwarted.

Intentions are everything and I don't believe our government has ever had sincere ones. Remember Clinton's State of the Union in which he talked about the threat of illegal drugs and the dangers of illegal immigration? There is no way there would good intentions, from Clinton on down the line, for nothing to have been done.

As for the black market with weed, I guess it depends on what is defined as the black market. Home grown cannabis, I'd trust more than government regulated, FDA paid off, production. I feel like we are all just spitting in the wind on this and so many other issues. The wealthy elite who pull the strings are going to do whatever is good for them, with no regard for the every day person.

The priorities of this country are whacked.