I don't understand the reason for Cannabis being banned.

[Replica]

To start off I'll ask my question in the beginning, Why is Cannabis banned?


I've read up on many different sites about Cannabis, and keep asking myself the same question. I weighed the pros v.s the cons and still don't see the answer. What's the reason for it's banning? Is it the health reasons? Or was it the propaganda films in the early 1900's?


Lets see some benefits of Cannabis, or to be exact, THC.

ADHD & ADD
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,117541,00.html

Alzheimers
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medli...ease_Pathology
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4286435.stm

Appetite Stimulant
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=189
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=117
http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/...l.php?id=191#2

Arthritis
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/97/17/9561
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arth...-for-arthritis
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medli..._arthritic_rat

Asthma
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=44
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=109
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=60

Atherosclerosis
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/n...dened-arteries
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/22658.php

Chemotherapy
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...how.php?s_id=5
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=30
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=88

Diabetes
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6909
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0227184647.htm
http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/168/1/235

Depression
http://www.jci.org/115/11/3104?content_type=full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...ubmed_RVDocSum

Epilepsy
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1638
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=42
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=157

Fibromyalgia
http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/clinical.pdf
http://www.illinoisnorml.org/content/view/63/35/

Glaucoma
http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/con...ct/116/11/1433
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=87
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=47

Heart Disease and Cardiovascular
http://www.biowizard.com/pmabstract.php?pmid=16596789
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medli..._and_illusions
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...&dopt=Abstract

Hepatitis
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c.../091506_a.html
http://www.natap.org/2006/HCV/091506_02.htm

Herpes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0923092627.htm
http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/196/4/401

HIV & AIDS
http://ccrmg.org/journal/05spr/aids.html
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=189
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=150
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=90

Multiple Sclerosis
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=160
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=175
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medli...s_related_pain

Neuropathic pain
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/...ource=r_health
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...w.php?s_id=172
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=96

Osteoporosis
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=15220
http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/...l.php?id=210#2
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/35621.php

Parkinson?s Disease
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=14
http://cannabisnews.com/news/19/thread19725.shtml
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/...ow.php?s_id=54

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
http://cannabisnews.com/news/13/thread13601.shtml
http://ccrmg.org/journal/06spr/perspective2.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article/...-memories.html



Now, I'm not saying Cannabis/THC is 100% healthy nor am I advocating its use considering it is illegal.
But when viewing the positive effects of Cannabis/THC, you can clearly see its potential impact it has in the medical field. So why is something with this much potential banned? Why is it a Schedule I Drug, only the most banned and controlled substances make it under this category?
Recently some states have been decriminalizing Cannabis, but only a few have. This just shows in years to come, it will almost be decriminalized 100%.
One thing that is ridiculous are all these propaganda ads set out to brainwash America. www.abovetheinfluence.com is one site that should be either changed, or shut down the Cannabis section. They state, "Students who have smoked marijuana within the past year are more than twice as likely to have cut class than those who did not smoke. Clearly stereotyping the users. Another new ad is saying smoking Cannabis is supporting Terrorism. It seems the people behind this are trying to do anything to brainwash people. Also, anyone remember Reefer Madness? The film that mentioned a man killed his family with an axe while intoxicated. Also saying it will drive you insane, have sex with blacks, partake in jazz concerts. More propaganda. Although, this time they used something different, racism. Harry J. Anslinger, the man behind the banning of Cannabis mainly for racism. He used racism to brainwash society into believing Cannabis was terrible.
A few quotes from this man..
"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."
"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."
"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."
"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."





So, why is it banned?

[SkinnyWR009]

isn't it because they can't tax it, and if it becomes legal ciggeretes sales would go down which means less tax money for the government?

[StartTheMachine]

Some say because it was the drug of the counter-culture, and the powers-that-be (were?) outlawed it because it was part of the culture that they felt threatened the society they had built.

After all, the dangers of marijuana use are on about the same level as alcohol, if not lower.

[humblegenius]

isn't it because they can't tax it, and if it becomes legal ciggeretes sales would go down which means less tax money for the government?

If they made it legal they could tax it dumbass.

[Replica]

isn't it because they can't tax it, and if it becomes legal ciggeretes sales would go down which means less tax money for the government?

They can tax it and regulate it. It would surpass the sales of tobacco due to less illnesses and risks. If it was legal, underground drug businesses that sell it would stop completely.

[Jayce_]

Because there is no easy answer on if it harms people or doesn't.

People often say: "But smoking is legal" without really thinking about "Would it be legal RIGHT NOW if it had been banned prior?" Weed was much easier to display that it had negative effects, it wasn't till the 1980's that smokings negative effects were noticed.

A long time after weeds were.

[Rune]

It's makes reading some of the idiotic posts of the R/P much more funny as well... just sayin'

[Apeus]

Because there is no easy answer on if it harms people or doesn't.

People often say: "But smoking is legal" without really thinking about "Would it be legal RIGHT NOW if it had been banned prior?" Weed was much easier to display that it had negative effects, it wasn't till the 1980's that smokings negative effects were noticed.

A long time after weeds were.

The ill effects of smoking were known long before the 1980's.

And it doesn't matter if it's bad for you. It's not the governments job to tell you if you can or can't put something in your body that is bad for you. That is your personal decision alone.

Prohibition of alcohol did not work. It only took people 13 years to realize it, I wish it was not taking so long for people to realize the prohibition of drugs is not working either.

[StartTheMachine]

isn't it because they can't tax it, and if it becomes legal ciggeretes sales would go down which means less tax money for the government?

Oh they could tax it, unless you decide to just grow your own. The gov't can tax anything they want if they pass a bill to do so. And they'd actually get more money out of it, since marijuana cigs would cost way more than tobacco cigs.

[Replica]

Because there is no easy answer on if it harms people or doesn't.

People often say: "But smoking is legal" without really thinking about "Would it be legal RIGHT NOW if it had been banned prior?" Weed was much easier to display that it had negative effects, it wasn't till the 1980's that smokings negative effects were noticed.

A long time after weeds were.

Weed was much easier to ban because of propaganda. Harry J. Anslinger brought up the Mexican name Marijuana to sway the people. Cannabis/Hemp was an everyday word and product prior to the 1920's. No one knew what Marijuana was and believed everything about it.

It's makes reading some of the idiotic posts of the R/P much more funny as well... just sayin'

That made me lol, its true though

The ill effects of smoking were known long before the 1980's.

And it doesn't matter if it's bad for you. It's not the governments job to tell you if you can or can't put something in your body that is bad for you. That is your personal decision alone.

Prohibition of alcohol did not work. It only took people 13 years to realize it, I wish it was not taking so long for people to realize the prohibition of drugs is not working either.

It is unconstitutional to ban any drug, although the hardcore drugs SHOULD be banned for good. Look at the Netherlands or Holland. Cannabis is legal and is not consumed as much as you would think because it is legal.

[Jayce_]

Ahh, I was just givin' various options for it. I know what I believe, at least for the UK never focused on that aspect of US law myself.

Over in the UK it was due to the taxation reasons. It is why most drugs got banned when we lost control of the Middle East, Africa and China. Prior to that the Royal Family used to give a seal of approval to drugs.

[SkinnyWR009]

They can tax it and regulate it. It would surpass the sales of tobacco due to less illnesses and risks. If it was legal, underground drug businesses that sell it would stop completely.

then there is no reason!

[Replica]

who the **** is going to buy it from stores? people would grow there own dumbass

People can brew their own alcohol, but do they? No, because it requires a large amount of work. Growing Cannabis properly requires extreme dedication to the plants. Lighting, timing, soil, rooms, etc.

Ahh, I was just givin' various options for it. I know what I believe, at least for the UK never focused on that aspect of US law myself.

Over in the UK it was due to the taxation reasons. It is why most drugs got banned when we lost control of the Middle East, Africa and China. Prior to that the Royal Family used to give a seal of approval to drugs.

I never knew that last part. Good info

[Rune]

People can brew their own alcohol, but do they? No, because it requires a large amount of work. Growing Cannabis properly requires extreme dedication to the plants. Lighting, timing, soil, rooms, etc.

It's not hard to grow a crappy crop, to grow a good one takes a lot of effort and attention to detail though. (no incrimination)

[user1245464]

There is no single reason why cannabis is illegal - there are many reasons (and none of them justifiable). I'll tell you this much, though. Not one of them has anything to do with the government being concerned about your health.

I don't feel like covering all the reasons now; do a google search and you should soon come up with the answers.

[Replica]

It's not hard to grow a crappy crop, to grow a good one takes a lot of effort and attention to detail though. (no incrimination)

Yeah but why grow ****ty weed when you can buy good weed? You wouldn't, you'd buy the good weed from shops in town. And growing good weed is very hard if anyone wants to even look into some guides online on how to.

There is no single reason why cannabis is illegal - there are many reasons. I'll tell you this much, though. Not one of them has anything to do with the government being concerned about your health.

I don't feel like covering all the reasons now; do a google search and you should soon come up with the answers.

Industrial Hemp would ruin the plastic industry, oil industry, cotton industry, etc etc. Who finances the drug associations? Major oil corporations.




"...because the media jumped on the government's bandwagon."

[Apeus]

It is unconstitutional to ban any drug, although the hardcore drugs SHOULD be banned for good. Look at the Netherlands or Holland. Cannabis is legal and is not consumed as much as you would think because it is legal.

How can you say it's unconstitutional to ban any drug but then say hard drugs should be banned? That's hypocritical.

Usually the argument I hear against hard drugs being legalized from people is that more people will chose to do them, and then they'll be a bunch of drug addicts all around the country killing people for money to buy more drugs.
Which is a stupid argument. First of all, tobacco is a more addicting drug than crack and heroin. But you don't see people killing each other for cigarettes do you? No, because they are legal and a semi reasonable price (if it wasn't for the god damn health nuts in the government raising taxes so people will quit). If hard drugs were legalized their price would greatly go down, it certainly wouldn't be sold for it's street price.

[user1245464]

Industrial Hemp would ruin the plastic industry, oil industry, cotton industry, etc etc. Who finances the drug associations? Major oil corporations.

"...because the media jumped on the government's bandwagon."

Congratulations, looks like you're familiar with one of the reasons why cannabis is illegal. Keep going, there's more.

[Replica]

How can you say it's unconstitutional to ban any drug but then say hard drugs should be banned? That's hypocritical.

Usually the argument I hear against hard drugs being legalized from people is that more people will chose to do them, and then they'll be a bunch of drug addicts all around the country killing people for money to buy more drugs.
Which is a stupid argument. First of all, tobacco is a more addicting drug than crack and heroin. But you don't see people killing each other for cigarettes do you? No, because they are legal and a semi reasonable price (if it wasn't for the god damn health nuts in the government raising taxes so people will quit). If hard drugs were legalized their price would greatly go down, it certainly wouldn't be sold for it's street price.

Hard drugs are proven to be terrible for you, not even in moderation are they ok. for you. It's not hypocritical, it's being reasonable. Take ******* for instance. Any positive effects of it? No. Why would it be o.k to ban it? It wouldn't. Unbanning Cannabis for health, industrial, and personal use would have very few negative effects on the nation. I'd rather not get into hard drugs considering 1) we know they're terrible for you and have no reason in the world besides for abuse and 2) this is about Cannabis

Congratulations, looks like you're familiar with one of the reasons why cannabis is illegal. Keep going, there's more.

Inform me, because that is only one reason I know. If you don't want to post it, that's fine. I'll research more on it tomorrow. Getting pretty tired and going to sleep in a few.

[Merakon]

Because religion has a monopoly on escapism.

[user1245464]

Because religion has a monopoly on escapism.

ZING! Correct. But alas, there are yet more reasons.

[user1245464]

Inform me, because that is only one reason I know. If you don't want to post it, that's fine. I'll research more on it tomorrow. Getting pretty tired and going to sleep in a few.

Well, it's complicated, and I have an extremely short attention span right now. It's initial prohibition (Tax Act), continued prohibition (War on Drugs), and complete government opposition to medical cannabis all have different reasons and differing motivations from different groups of people. If you want I can try to compile a list of references for you that you can research, but I honestly don't feel like typing it all up myself.

[matt1001]

the government shouldnt tell people what they should put in their bodies and drugs should be legal. however if you are a drug or alcohol user or dont look after your health you should also be excluded from the healthcare system

[Animal-bird]

marijuana is banned because it induces a higher level of conciousness and reasoning which apparently someone doesnt want you to have!

[Dubl10]

think about this.

the oil companies, the drug companies, they are all in it together.

These are just some of the things, that i've used pot for.

A headache? pot
Anxiety? Pot
ADD? Pot

A person can have glaucoma, have a hard time sleeping at night and have a headache.

what does the drug companies want you to do when in this situation. Spend money on as many products as you can. Money on a product that can be patented, so that the price of it can be dictated, since it's a man made product.

they want you to grab tylenol for your headache, xalatan for your glaucoma and ****** for your sleep aid. Oh yeah, and if you can't stay calm, need to control some anxiety, here's some ***** for you.

when you take drugs like these, they all come with side effects. and then you take another drug to combat that side effect. Then you end up being like my grandma and on 20 different medications.

america is all drugged up.

how many drugs do i consume? 0 drugs and 1 herb (pot).

pot can treat that headache, that glaucoma, that anxiety, and that sleep problem.

think about all the medical conditions the OP listed that pot can help against? why would the drug companies allow pot to be legal and a person treat those illness with a $3 plant???????????????

they want you to spend, spend, spend, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ on drugs to treat your illnesses.

they don't want you healthy!!

if everybody was healthy in america, drug companies would be out of business.

[Jayce_]

To be honest, I have more of a problem with tabacco and weed than I do with *******. Do you guys ever stop to think the reason they aren't making it legal is because when you smoke it -everyone around you also smokes it?

At least if someone snorts *******, only they are taking it.

[Rune]

To be honest, I have more of a problem with tabacco and weed than I do with *******. Do you guys ever stop to think the reason they aren't making it legal is because when you smoke it -everyone around you also smokes it?

At least if someone snorts *******, only they are taking it.

This is easily the worst anti-pot argument I've ever heard.

The guy just taking the ******* by him self will soon be taking your money and your TV to buy more ******* btw.

[d_train]

It's linked to an endless amount of mental disorders. Besides, just look at someone who smokes pot all day. Most people know at least one person who used to be normal and then slowly started becoming withdrawn and isolated to the point where all they cared about was sitting around getting high all day. Argue all you like about how it doesn't affect your personality or whatever, but anyone who has a friend who's gotten burned out and turned into a pothead can tell when something's not right. The less people that happens to the better IMO.

[Dubl10]

It's linked to an endless amount of mental disorders. Besides, just look at someone who smokes pot all day. Most people know at least one person who used to be normal and then slowly started becoming withdrawn and isolated to the point where all they cared about was sitting around getting high all day. Argue all you like about how it doesn't affect your personality or whatever, but anyone who has a friend who's gotten burned out and turned into a pothead can tell when something's not right. The less people that happens to the better IMO.

how do you know it's the pot? what if he just cares to be by himself. In my experience, the way things have been for me in the last couple of years, is that smoking pot helps me be MORE social.

i wont participate in karaoke for example when sober, but i'll do it when i'm high. FEAR goes away!

for me, pot helps me more than the negatives. i really don't get or see any negatives when i smoke. i feel more social, or tend to want to be more social when i'm high.

those that don't, probably feel that way due to it being illegal and don't want people around them to see them or know that they are high.

[d_train]

how do you know it's the pot? what if he just cares to be by himself. In my experience, the way things have been for me in the last couple of years, is that smoking pot helps me be MORE social.

i wont participate in karaoke for example when sober, but i'll do it when i'm high. FEAR goes away!

for me, pot helps me more than the negatives. i really don't get or see any negatives when i smoke. i feel more social, or tend to want to be more social when i'm high.

those that don't, probably feel that way due to it being illegal and don't want people around them to see them or know that they are high.

It might seem that way at first. Get to the point where you're smoking all day everyday (does happen to some people) and see if you don't notice a major change in your personality. I've seen many friends of mine go from smoking once in a while on weekends to becoming full time burnouts who have no ambition beyond sitting on the couch blazing up all day. They were never like that before they started smoking.