POTencies rise; speculation stay the same

Alright. I'm all for researching the effects of pot on people, and I'm all for having our tax dollars be spent on these studies. What I'm NOT for, on the other hand, is going ahead with these studies knowing the results will likely reflect those of the past.

This study from the UK found that the potency of marijuana has doubled since the mid-80s, and from 8.6% to 9.7% in the last couple years. They found all this out, but they STILL have no conclusive evidence that pot is worse for you than your run-of-the-mill stimulants (caffeine, nicotene)!

But there's no data showing that a higher potency in marijuana leads to more addiction, Earleywine said, and marijuana's withdrawal symptoms are mild at best. "Mild irritability, craving for marijuana and decreased appetite — I mean those are laughable when you talk about withdrawal from a drug. Caffeine is worse."

Let's look at that last line again-- "those are laughable when you talk about withdrawl from a drug. Caffiene is worse." RESEARCHERS say caffiene is worse, yet, Starbucks is allowed to capitalize on our addiction. Of course, Starbucks is the least of our worries on a global perspective, but it's just not fair!

How can the government make pot illegal, yet carry out illegal procedures themselves every single day?! The only reason this pisses me off is because as long as pot is illegal, our prisons will continue to be overpopulated with non-violent "criminals." As soon as a nonviolent criminal is placed behind bars, s/he carries the same social status as violent offenders, such as murderers, rapists, and thieves. To say that social status doesn't matter would be ignorant, as we all know how influential society can be. So when a non-violent offender is now labeled a violent offender, they are more likely to commit violent crimes. Hence- a raise in crimes and the perpetuation of an unethical, illogical system.

And as long as it's illegal, good people have to keep sneaking around like they're criminals.

Phooey.