Commentary
Marijuana, America's most dangerous illegal drug
by James C. BackstromHastings, Minn. — Methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin may be America's most addictive and destructive drugs, but marijuana is the most dangerous illegal drug in our nation. The reasons for this conclusion are many. First is that marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in America. Almost 2 million persons began using marijuana last year in the United States, and marijuana use starts at a younger age than most other illicit drugs.
Early marijuana use is associated with drug dependence as an adult. The younger the age of first use, the higher the likelihood of such dependence as an adult. More than 4 million Americans are estimated to be dependent upon or abusers of marijuana, more than any other illegal drug. Treatment admissions for marijuana abuse have been higher than for any other illegal drug in our nation since 2002.
Marijuana is not the harmless substance many would like us to believe. Marijuana is an addictive drug that poses significant health risks to its users. Short-term effects of marijuana include memory loss, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, and loss of motor skills. Long-term adverse impacts include loss in muscle strength, increased heart rate, respiratory problems, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, impaired ability to fight off infections and risk of cancer (marijuana contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke).
Marijuana is far more powerful today than it was 30 years ago. THC levels have increased from the 1 percent potency level in the 1970s to more than 13 percent today (on average), with some samples containing THC levels of up to 33 percent.
Even more troubling is that marijuana serves as a gateway to the use of other illegal drugs. Most people who use methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine started their illegal drug use with marijuana. A recent study on addiction and substance abuse showed that teens who use marijuana at least once a month are 13 times more likely than other teens to use other drugs like cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine, and are almost 26 times more likely than those teens who never used marijuana to use another illegal drug. Another study showed that 12- to 17-year-olds who smoked marijuana were 85 times more likely to use cocaine than those who did not. Sixty percent of adolescents who use marijuana before age 15 will later use cocaine.
Last, but certainly not least, there are strong links between marijuana use, violence and other criminal activity. Young people who use marijuana weekly are nearly four times more likely than nonusers to engage in violence. Nationwide, 40 percent of adult males arrested for crimes tested positive for marijuana at the time of their arrest. Marijuana is in fact the cash crop that drives the illegal drug trade, not just here in Minnesota but across our country. Marijuana use provides a significant part of the demand side of the equation that brings drug dealers onto our street corners and into our schools and neighborhoods -- drug dealers who bring with them other crimes and violence.
The connection between marijuana use and gang activity and violence is inescapable. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak recently commented about middle-class Minnesotans who are buying marijuana "with a wink and a nod, thinking it has nothing to do with anything" when in fact these persons are "literally paying for the bullets that kill people." I agree with Mayor Rybak that "any person who buys marijuana in this region is directly or indirectly giving money to gangs." Recreational users of marijuana may not think of themselves as criminals, but they are in fact the biggest contributors to the illegal drug trade in America.
We would be wise as a society not to underestimate the destructive nature of marijuana. It is a powerful and addictive substance that is a gateway drug to other controlled substance abuse. Marijuana use finances in large part the activities of gangs and drug dealers. It is by far the most frequently used illegal drug in America and its use is directly connected to crime and violence in our communities.
For all of these reasons, in my opinion marijuana is America's most dangerous drug. We need to recognize the threat it represents and continue our efforts to control it, prevent our youth from starting to use it, aggressively enforce our laws against those who illegally cultivate, distribute and possess it, and effectively treat those who have become addicted to it.
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James C. Backstrom is the Dakota County attorney. To read his article with his original source citations, please go to www.dakotacounty.us/attorney under Publications.
Comments (200)
I've never smoked marijuana, but all the friends I have who smokes pot are completelly normal and very intelligent. I really don't think pot is so harmful as the media says it is. Greetings from Germany!
The use of twisted logic, manipulation of statistics, misinformation and outright falsehoods in this article is staggering. By the same notion that alcohol prohibition bought with it armed, violent gangs, illicit, uncontrolled and unregulated stronger 'hooch' liquor and exposure to a criminal underworld for the general public who sought their 'fix' of ethanol during this time, one can just as easily declare that reversing the, equally asinine, prohibition law on marijuana, with the associated legal and health controls and tax benefits, supporting public awareness and education campaigns, would deliver, too, an equally more efficacious result to bear than this absurd "War" on drugs. A "war" which, by the way, those on drugs are winning if you care to peruse the statistics relating to escalation of use over the past 40 years.
Aside from the medical reasons you stated (which are disproven or at least put in contect in numerous medical journals and research results), the rest of the problems you mention are actually problems that rise about in any item, when it is prohibited by law. So, if you would like to make this a factually true article, it would behoove you to replace most instances of 'marijuana' with 'marijuana prohibition'..
This article is a farce. Let me guess, you are either a substance abuse counselor or a law enforcement affiliate? Why is it that the only voices still trying to propagandize the populace with flat out lies are from the people we are supposed to trust? Stop lying to the public and just do an internet search for "Granny Storm Crows List". There you will find an alphabetized list of peer reviewed medical journal articles and studies showing which maladies medical marijuana is useful for INCLUDING CURING CANCER. Tell the truth, you'll feel better, and stop trying to profit off of innocent non-violent citizens.
Nonsense.
The most dangerous drug is nicotine. It is the gateway drug for all other drugs. Most people start using nicotine as minors.
this article is a disgusting disservice to the public. filled with propaganda and outright lies. the author should be absolutely ashamed of himself. this is a FREE society and an adult is allowed to choose. if i would like to consume a substance that has been proven, time and time again, to be less dangerous than alcohol... i have every right as a citizen of this planet. sorry lawmakers... but you can "bite me" on this one. stop wasting your time on prohibition. take a cue from history and wise up.
Substitute the word "alcohol" with "marijuana" in this article and it sounds just as dumb.
Why must we be ruled by idiots?
If Mr. Backstrom truly believes that marijuana is America's most dangerous drug, will he agree to a alcohol versusa marijuana "body count," i.e., compare the number of deaths caused by alcohol with the number of deaths caused by marijuance.
That's a nice straw man you've built there. I rarely run into anyone who says Marijuana is harmless. It is a drug that has negative effects, certainly. The question is what is worse for society: prohibition on marijuana, decriminalization, or legalization. Prohibition creates many more problems and negative effects than either decriminalization or legalization.
Many of the problems with Marijuana you cite come from the prohibition of it, not anything inherent in the drug.
As for the gateway theory - this is also exacerbated by prohibition. If I were to get marijuana from an Rx store or grow it myself, I would not make the connections that make it easier to try other drugs.
Is this an article for The Onion? haha
Have you ever /seen/ someone who has been smoking marijuana? Often times you will find them sleeping, lounging on a couch, or gulping down massive amounts of food. Not fighting people; drama is about the last thing they want to deal with. And all of those issues about illegal drug trade could be solved if marijuana wasn't illegal... this article is just ridiculous.
I really couldn't make it past the first four paragraphs merely because of the outright lies contained within the long term effect list. This is biased and completely false.
I know the author of this article is looking at these comments and thinking "hah, potheads...".
Author you are part of the drug problem, not solution. It is clear you do not wish to learn the facts about what you are writing about. Please refrain from commenting on topics you have no desire to truthfully affect. Thanks.
I see the author, Mr. Backstrom, is an attorney/prosecutor. I wonder if he is afraid that legalizing marijuana could compromise his job security. If he were really interested in educating people about the most dangerous drug, he would have written about methamphetamine.
Ridiculous article. You said in the first paragraph that cannabis is more dangerous than cocaine and meth? Not a chance pal. Something isn't dangerous just because more people use it.
This is absolute nonsense... Legalise.
I agree with the majority of comments~
this article is ludicrous- and while I
am sure there are people who have problems with Marijuana these are the same people who would have a problems with many other issues.
As to addiction- I have known many people who enjoyed pot for many years and are/were not addicted. In the case of pot, there is too much evidence that addiction would be mental not physical if indeed it does occur.
I for one agree with legalization.
Spend money on reigning in
meth and crack.
So would you rather live next door to 2,000 pot smokers or one meth house? James Backstrom has no business being in a position of authority in our society.
I haven't heard so many lies since I was listening to that drunk guy at the bar.
Dear MPR-
Disregarding the actual subject matter for this article, the author is mistaken, presumptuous, or misleading on several points. His article is, I am sure, well intentioned. But it is woefully off the mark. As an avid MPR follower, I am disappointed that such low quality 'journalism' (or op-ed contributions even) was published by your fine organization. Please take greater care in vetting the 'facts' so that I can continue to rely on you as a credible source for news and information. Statements such as this, made by the supposed experts in any given area do not benefit the discourse of the greater public. Thank you for considering my suggestion.
MPR, you should be ashamed. Why on earth do you give a soap box to a lunatic who is so obviously biased and more importantly so thoroughly and provably incorrect?
I've been an MPR listener for more than 20 years and a member when I can afford it. However, this is thie first time in that 20 years that I've ever thought about not listening. Seriously, nearly all of this tripe was debunked 30 years ago. Get with the times!
OK, now I know who took that EUGENICS book.
BTW, I looked at your sources and found the following commonality:
Look guys, if this stuff gets legalized, we're out of a job.
You really do sound like the old gym class drug film where two tokes and you're a lifelong heroin addict is the only outcome.
I seriously don't think that you are competent to hold the job that you do if you hold these beliefs. The more I read through this article I find that 94% of the time you are making up 89% of your statistics while 78% of your assertions are 96% insane. That's 100% true.
BTW, are you aware that your main source, the ONDCP, is required by law to lie? And you are perpetuating that lie. I don't think that you even recognize it. Google it for yourself and see. No one wants to be used like that...unless you profit from it.
Yes... all of us pot smokers are salivating at the mouth psychotic lunatics hoping to destroy the very FABRIC of your society MWAHAHAHAHA... seriously? Really?
Wow...
Ridiculous! So, the most dangerous drug in America is the one that kills zero people every year? I would put money that more kids are admitted to the ER from Caffeine use every year than for marijuana. The most dangerous drugs used recreationsally and medically are those legally prescribed, although often illegally obtained. There was a study released just last week that deaths from painkillers is on the rise. How many deaths from marijuana, zero. How many last year, zero. Alcohol, tobacco, ADHD meds, pain meds, sleeping meds, all thousands. Marijuana's addiction ptential is real, but closer to that of coffee than cocaine and there has been no proven link between marijuana and cancer. In fact THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has been shown to kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells behind. Marijuana absolutely does not make people more violent, anyone with expsore to regular users knows this. The vast majority of negative effects of marijuana are caused by its prohibition (exposure to crimial orgs., no student aid if caught, criminal record leading to less productivity), not its use. Marijuana is medically usefull and its prohibition wastes billions in resources better served elsewhere and only serves to enrich organized crime, corrupt officials, certain law enforcement agencies, and owners of private prisons. Legalization and taxation would provide billions in revenue to fund education and prevention and take away the biggest cash supply of organized crim.
If it is as dangerous as he claimed then why did he not mention the amount of people who overdosed on alchol and other drugs compared to cannabis? over 25000 people died from over doses of tylenol last year who knows how many from alcohol and prescription drugs all legal. how many died from an over dose of cannabis in the last 5000 yrs?? ZERO!! where did he get this info on how dangerous cannabis is? im guessing a combo of the old reefer madnes movie and the NIDA web site or the DARE web site but all the lies in the world cant change the fact that no one has ever died from using to much cannabis that cant even be said about our #1 pain reliever aceitaminophen [ tylenol] that is also the #1 cause of kidney failure on the planet i have smoked for 37 yrs my weight is normal for my height and my B/P is 127 / 68 at 50 yrs of age i work 8-10 hrs a day 6 days a wek as a carpenter and have never exp any negative side affects from cannabis use nor do i know of any one who has exp any negative side affects .. Please stop spreading such loathsome evil propaganda about a plant that has been safely used for medicine relaxation and spritual purposes for longer than any civilisation
If it is as dangerous as he claimed then why did he not mention the amount of people who overdosed on alchol and other drugs compared to cannabis? over 25000 people died from over doses of tylenol last year who knows how many from alcohol and prescription drugs all legal. how many died from an over dose of cannabis in the last 5000 yrs?? ZERO!! where did he get this info on how dangerous cannabis is? im guessing a combo of the old reefer madnes movie and the NIDA web site or the DARE web site but all the lies in the world cant change the fact that no one has ever died from using to much cannabis that cant even be said about our #1 pain reliever aceitaminophen [ tylenol] that is also the #1 cause of kidney failure on the planet i have smoked for 37 yrs my weight is normal for my height and my B/P is 127 / 68 at 50 yrs of age i work 8-10 hrs a day 6 days a wek as a carpenter and have never exp any negative side affects from cannabis use nor do i know of any one who has exp any negative side affects .. Please stop spreading such loathsome evil propaganda about a plant that has been safely used for medicine relaxation and spritual purposes for longer than any civilisation
Isn't it time that Marijuana was legalized, regulated and taxed in the same way alcohol is. I agree with most all of the previous comments. Can we find politicians with the common sense and will to to make some noise in congress? What a waste of resources fighting the marijuana business.
Prohibition has killed many more people than marijuana ever has.
Very important to check your facts and your flow of logic sir. Just because marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, does not mean it is the most dangerous. There have been NO recorded deaths from marijuana, unlike alcohol, prescription pills and the other drugs you mention. Get it right.
The war on drugs is the largest economic stimulus to the law enforcement industry, period.
It is only logical that Dakota County Attorney Backstrom would not want to see his single largest source of funding be eliminated (think jobs program for law enforcement) from his industry.
I'd posit that incoherent laws can have no positive effects and may have very negative effects.
By making cannabis illegal, we have not made it less available to "the children", of whom we are oft exhorted to think. Kids in high school can get pot more easily than booze.
We have not decreased its consumption appreciably. Like alcohol during the Prohibition, usage has remained quite steady.
We have not decreased crime. Rather, we have created a new class of criminal (the user) and ensured that exaggerated profits go to a most heinous class of criminal (the violent traffickers). And we imprison them both in great number and at great cost.
On the other hand, we lose billions in tax revenue both in terms of income taxes on producers (and non-imprisoned users) and excise taxes on consumers.
We spend additional billions in law enforcement, court cases, and prisons.
We encourage corruption, in that police can- and do- abuse civil forfeiture laws to enrich their coffers.
Incompatible goals lead to incoherent laws but it doesn't make a desire for an incoherent position valuable, and if Mr. Backstrom's position is correct, it's only in the sense of a stopped clock, which is right twice a day.
This was completely crazy! Just make it legal and all will be good!
Mr. Backstrom seems to be of the opinion that marijuana is dangerous because it is illegal.
I will not discount the detrimental health effects of smoking cannabis. However, to put pot's negative effects on a level above those of drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes and to insinuate that they are more insidious than the effects of meth, cocaine or heroin is preposterous and shameful.
As for Mr. Backstrom's twisting of the meaning of a low-to-moderate correlation between cannabis use and rates of violence into what seems to be a causal definition in his mind and in this article, a study looking at the "use" of ice cream in correlation to violent crimes would probably show a much more significant relationship. But it goes without saying that, no matter how many people eat ice cream and then commit violence, it is not the ice cream that causes/leads to the violence. Further, since marijuana can stay in a person's system for days or weeks, there is no way it can be said that any of the tested offenders were "high" at the time of committing the violent act. While I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule, never in my life have I encountered a violent "pothead". I have, however, encountered many people whose alcoholic inebriation has led to aggressiveness and/or violence.
Marijuana use certainly poses problems for individuals, and possibly even greater society, but Mr. Backstom's demonetization and scapegoating of the substance is an absurd, fear-mongering tactic.
Is MJ addictive? Yes (but not for everyone). There is ample evidence that MJ is not just psychologically addictive (as was the case in the 70's when the THC was around 1%), but physically addictive as well. Just go to a treatment center to see how many are there for smoking dope and ask them about how benign MJ is.
Is MJ a gateway drug? Yes. Just ask any addict not stuck in their active phase of addiction. MJ, nicotine and alcohol are all gateway drugs to those with addictive personalities.
Is MJ a medicine? No. Nothing smoked is. Legalizers want to bypass the FDA type of approval required for any medicine. Anecdote does not trump science and medicine. There are medicinal components that have been isolated from crude MJ (sold as Marinol, Sativex), but these are not smoked and can be titrated in exact doses, but alas, no big high, so it can't be good enough for legalizers.
Do the personal benefits of MJ use outweigh the harm? Taxes fall way short of covering the carnage caused by current licit drug use. If alcohol and tobacco were given the names 'Drug X' and 'Drug Y' and all of the horrible side effects listed, would they get FDA approval and would we accept them into society? Certainly not, but unfortunately they are grandfathered into our society as we claw back their usage.
Will legalization make grow ops go away, will crime decline, and will drug addiction rise? No, no, yes. Legalizers argue that tobacco and alcohol are legal without serious criminal ramifications (excluding counterfeiting of brands and cross-border smuggling). But how easy is it to make great scotch whiskey or to grow fine tobacco? Pretty difficult. How hard is it to grow MJ? Toss the seeds into a field and watch them grow like the weed it is. Try taxing grow ops supplying cheaper dope (no Gov't-style overhead costs for criminals who won't even pay for hydro). As the perception of harm decreases, drug use increases. Current taxes cover only 10% of the harms associated with booze and smokes.
Are there a great many people incarcerated over MJ possession? This is a great myth perpetrated by the legalizers. Rob a convenience store at knife point with pot on you and you will indeed be in jail for pot (and armed robbery).
Sweden tried the libertine solution in the late 60's but they did a quick reversal. They have a third of the drug use as the rest of Europe because from the Kindergarten teacher to the CEO of Volvo, they all give the same message that drugs sap your human potential and are not acceptable in society. If you do drugs, you will be put into treatment. We need to hear more facts and less of the smoke and mirror rhetoric from the pot heads.
Prohibition has decimated generations and criminalized millions for a behavior which is entwined in human existence, and for what other purpose than to uphold the defunct and corrupt thinking of a minority of misguided, self-righteous Neo-Puritans and degenerate demagogues who wish nothing but unadulterated destruction on the rest of us.
Based on the unalterable proviso that drug use is essentially an unstoppable and ongoing human behavior, which has been with us since the dawn of time, any serious reading on the subject of past attempts at any form of drug prohibition would point most normal thinking people in the direction of sensible regulation.
By its very nature prohibition cannot fail but create a vast increase in criminal activity, and rather than preventing society from descending into anarchy, it actually fosters an anarchic business model - the international Drug Trade. Any decisions concerning quality, quantity, distribution and availability are then left in the hands of unregulated, anonymous, ruthless drug dealers, who are interested only in the huge profits involved.
Many of us have now finally wised up to the fact that the best avenue towards realistically dealing with drug use and addiction is through proper regulation.
"A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."
Abraham Lincoln
The only thing prohibition successfully does is prohibit regulation & taxation!
Will legalization make grow ops go away, will crime decline, and will drug addiction rise? No, no, yes. Legalizers argue that tobacco and alcohol are legal without serious criminal ramifications (excluding counterfeiting of brands and cross-border smuggling). But how easy is it to make great scotch whiskey or to grow fine tobacco? Pretty difficult. How hard is it to grow MJ? Toss the seeds into a field and watch them grow like the weed it is. Try taxing grow ops supplying cheaper dope (no Gov't-style overhead costs for criminals who won't even pay for hydro). As the perception of harm decreases, drug use increases. Current taxes cover only 10% of the harms associated with booze and smokes.
Are there a great many people incarcerated over MJ possession? This is a great myth perpetrated by the legalizers. Rob a convenience store at knife point with pot on you and you will indeed be in jail for pot (and armed robbery).
Sweden tried the libertine solution in the late 60's but they did a quick reversal. They have a third of the drug use as the rest of Europe because from the Kindergarten teacher to the CEO of Volvo, they all give the same message that drugs sap your human potential and are not acceptable in society. If you do drugs, you will be put into treatment. We need to hear more facts and less of the smoke and mirror rhetoric from the pot heads.
It both amazes me and discourages me when I see the typical flood of responses in favour of marijuana every single time someone dares point out that it is a harmful drug - read the research please people, it is clear and gets clearer daily - and that the act of breaking the law to buy it is not only selfish and antisocial, but fuels crime. I am really worried about a substance toward people have such undying allegiance, as if it were a religion, that they howl every time anyone suggests anything other than that it is a friendly little herb. Sad, sad.
British Columbia, Canada has some of finest cutting edge technology when it comes to marijuana horticulture.
Although I am sure there will always be folks with a contrarian viewpoint about legal marijuana.
I would say Canada has it about right.
mr. backstroms bank accounts & his career are so vested in the failed prohibitionist system, and he is so entrenched within the narrow ideological scope of that system, that the absurd drivel he's spouting should be given any credence.
How can you conclude it's the "most" dangerous drug? You haven't compared it to any others.
Also, your statistics are not relevant. I don't care about the chance that a hard drug user also smokes pot, but I would like to know the chance a pot smoker moves on to hard drugs. Ditto for violence and other criminal behavior.
mr. backstroms bank accounts & his career are so vested in the failed prohibitionist system, and he is so entrenched within the narrow ideological scope of that system, that the absurd drivel he's spouting should NOT be given any credence.
It's really tragic that this clown is in ANY position of authority. It's clear by most of the comments here he represents the last gasp of the pot prohibitionist dinosauers. Like the rest of them, the single most damning problem they can cite about marijuana is that it's illegal. Take that way, and it pales in comparison to thousands of other "acceptable" legal drugs.
It is very interesting to me that all the information used for this report is from government studies, the people who outlawed it in the first place because they could not make a greedy profit off of it. Studies show that alcohol causes more brain damage than marijuana, people overdose on alcohol poisoning, suffer from kidney failure, and it is completely legal and socially accepted along with cigarettes. These are the two most dangerous drugs out there considering most people try them as young adults, they are physically addictive unlike marijuana, and no one ever blinks an eye when people consume them or even abuse them. It is humorous to me that we are still trying to play the scare tactic here, you people should really look at some real research done after the 1950s when propaganda wasn't being used in every way possible to brain wash the people of America from truly realizing how efficient the hemp plant is in substituting almost every commodity today. The rich oil and lumber companies would miss out on a very large sum of money if hemp was ever utilized for its true potential, and we can't have that, rich need to stay rich while the poor never get a break, and legalizing marijuana would be the first threat to the rich business that pretty much rule this country. . . Bottom line, when Alcohol and cigarettes are legal and having no trouble finding their way into "young" people's hands, I don't want to hear another word about the so called dangers of marijuana use.
This article is a fine examples of cognitive dissonance at its worst.
James Backstrom is so firmly entrenched in his ways, that he chooses to ignore factual information contrary to his beliefs.
Stop lying to people.
I applaud MPR for publishing Mr. Backstrom's commentary. Although I disagree with his viewpoint, he is one of the leading "drug warriors" in the state. When medical marijuana passed the legislature in 2009 and Gov. Pawlenty vetoed it, TPaw specifically cited opposition from law enforcement. Mr. Backstrom was the leading law enforcement opposition voice that session, just as he has been a leading law enforcement representative on drug policy matters at our state capitol for a number of years.
And yes, nearly all of the "facts" he cited in this commentary are overstated, based on flawed methodology, or patently false. But they are the "facts" that our current drug policy is built on and that our elected officials hear in testimony session after session.
The commenters on this article clearly see zero credibility in what Mr. Backstrom says, but in many cases go so far in their backlash as to make outlandish claims of their own. (i.e. A couple of studies where THC shrunk tumors in lab rats does not mean it cures cancer!)
I fear that we're never going to have a constructive debate on drug policy until both sides settle down and stop the hyperbolic nonsense. Until then we'll continue to live with 850,000 arrests each year for the marijuana that a majority of Americans use at least once by age 17. We'll continue to spend tens of billions each year on law enforcement and imprison 500,000 Americans on drug charges. Those facts are not overstated. They're sad, and we deserve better
This guy is Henry Anslinger JR... are you serious. you are about as ignorant as the police when it comes to marijuana.
I want to start by saying this WHOLE ill written article spreads lies in every sentence. Every statement you have made is based on some bias website statistics that ONLY SEEM creditable b/c some baby boomers think that the government would never lie, and those people are just plain and simple...brainwashed by government propaganda (how sad).
But lets say I agree with *the author and the rest of you freedom hating prohibitionist* everyone that works for an obsolete agenda. I am an american, I am over 21, I am a good person, and a non-violent person that is raising 2 little girls and does not cheat on my wife. I teach my children about the lord, But most importantly I teach my children to stand firm in their beliefs and to respect their elders all the while to question everything they are told and to think for themselfs. Im a good citizen and member of my community. I believe in freedom...do you?
Who are you to tell me what I can and cant do? does me smoking a joint in my own house any of your concern? even if everytime i take a hit I get another type of cancer (which it does not cause)...its my health insur. that pays for it, and my copay and my monthly payments...not yours!
You are not freedom loving americans, you are facist pigs that do as they are told. your article is a shame on how americans feel and it is just sad to see people that still claim this info to be true. it makes americans look stupid. plz grow up, plz stop lying, plz do something good in the world.
Really? You are part of the dying breed. If you ever smoked weed, you would realize its harmless. Please you should be smarter then this.
What is your reason for writing this anyway?? What did marijuana ever do to you? Is your life really lame and empty or are you just full of hate?? Why do you feel the need to attack a whole segment of society?? Unprovoked??
If ignorance is bliss, you must be a happy person.
Ninja Smoker
Co-Owner/Editor theweedblog.com
Dear Sir,
There's so much wrong with your article I wouldn't know where to begin. The problem is not the plant that God gave us but the corruption and false reports surrounding it.
If we as people and as Americans had truths instead of lies than the average person could make a reasonable decision.
It shouldn't be up to the government to dictate what an adult American can do with their bodies but up to the adult.
People like you and your so called facts is what undermines the American way and any future crop business potential this could feed into our system.
James C. Backstrom, seriously sir if you are as utterly delirious about cannabis as you write I would love to meet with your wife sometime for coffee and donuts. Giggidy giggidy!
James C. Backstrom, you are a prohibitionist, which makes you therefore co-responsible for the more than 22,000 Mexicans murdered due to YOUR Drug War during the last 3 1/2 years alone. That mega violence is heading this way fast. Re-legalizing/regulating any, if not all, of the prohibited/easily-accessible street drugs is the only practical way to cut off the enormous flow of cash that is feeding terrorism, gangsterism and "off the scale" government corruption. This is not about facilitating 'dopeheads', so please keep your frustrations to yourself. This is about protecting ourselves and our families.
The present drug laws are making matters far worse than they would ever be under proper government regulation of these dangerous substances. Your support of drug prohibition provides the money gangs use to buy guns, and the money that the enemies of this great nation use to finance hijackings & bombings. Taking away their drug money by regulating drugs for adult use will strike a blow to crime at every level. This is none other than sound public policy.
Surely you know by now that Eliot Ness never put the bootleggers out of business. Repeal and a regulated market for alcohol did that in short order. There hasn't been a shootout over beer routes since 1933.
James C. Backstrom, you are a prohibitionist, which makes you therefore co-responsible for the more than 22,000 Mexicans murdered due to YOUR Drug War during the last 3 1/2 years alone. That mega violence is heading this way fast. Re-legalizing/regulating any, if not all, of the prohibited/easily-accessible street drugs is the only practical way to cut off the enormous flow of cash that is feeding terrorism, gangsterism and "off the scale" government corruption. This is not about facilitating 'dopeheads', so please keep your frustrations to yourself. This is about protecting ourselves and our families.
The present drug laws are making matters far worse than they would ever be under proper government regulation of these dangerous substances. Your support of drug prohibition provides the money gangs use to buy guns, and the money that the enemies of this great nation use to finance hijackings & bombings. Taking away their drug money by regulating drugs for adult use will strike a blow to crime at every level. This is none other than sound public policy.
Surely you know by now that Eliot Ness never put the bootleggers out of business. Repeal and a regulated market for alcohol did that in short order. There hasn't been a shootout over beer routes since 1933.
Absolute nonsense, the entire artical is nothing more than an editorial comment based on biased facts that have long since been disproven.
The sad part about propaganda such as this is that it leads to and sustains the festering decay that our country is in the grips of at this very moment.
A word of wisdom to the author of this article and others with like attitudes... it didn't work for the Nazi's and it wont work for you.
"We" know the truth!
So you think marijuana is dangerous, and that's the reason we should outlaw it? You think we should be putting young kids experimenting with pot in prison with violent criminals such as rapists and murderers? Listen dude, take you evil withc-hunt and go find some real criminals, ok? Life is dangerous. Skydiving is dangerous. Hell, eating bacon means you're eating carcinogens!
Let's be honest, pal. The War on America (i.e. The War on Drugs) is just a jobs program for the DEA, police, crooked politicians, the private prison industry and skank prosecutors LIKE YOU. Me, and everyone I know, will continue to fight for full legalization, and to put Nazi's like you out of a job.
Suck it, pal.
Ummmm... What!?!? Seriously!? MPR check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Like it or not, there has never been, and nor will there ever be, a drug-free society; the use of addictive or recreational drugs is a natural part of human existence. Nobody here is claiming that any substance is beneficial for either the individual or society. It is true however that certain substances help the soul heal and relieve pain while others provide short-term relief from a monotonous existence at the risk of possible long-term health problems.
An important aspect of Individual freedom is the right to do with yourself as you please as long as your actions cause no unnecessary suffering or direct harm to others. Many among us may disagree with this, and they should be free to believe what they wish, but the moment they are willing to use force to impose their will on the rest of us, is the exact same moment that the petty criminals/dealers, the Mafia, drug barons, terrorists and corrupt government officials/agencies enter the equation. The problems created by self harm then rapidly pale into insignificance as society spirals downwards into a dark abyss, while the most shady characters, like the ignorant writer of this piece of trash, and 'black-market corporate entities' exponentially enrich themselves in a feeding frenzy likened to that of piranhas on bath-tub meth.
This article is complete and utter bullshit. Alcohol is the most dangerous and destructive drug. Marijuana is relatively benign. End prohibition, end the war on drugs, end the madness.
For those of you who are still living in some strange parallel universe, one where prohibition actually works, here is part of the testimony of Judge Alfred J Talley, given before the Senate Hearings of 1926:
"For the first time in our history, full faith and confidence in and respect for the hitherto sacred Constitution of the United States has been weakened and impaired because this terrifying invasion of natural rights has been engrafted upon the fundamental law of our land, and experience has shown that it is being wantonly and derisively violated in every State, city, and hamlet in the country."
"It has made potential drunkards of the youth of the land, not because intoxicating liquor appeals to their taste or disposition, but because it is a forbidden thing, and because it is forbidden makes an irresistible appeal to the unformed and immature. It has brought into our midst the intemperate woman, the most fearsome and menacing thing for the future of our national life."
"It has brought the sickening slime of corruption, dishonor, and disgrace into every group of employees and officials in city, State, and Federal departments that have been charged with the enforcement of this odious law."
TESTIMONY OF JUDGE ALFRED J. TALLEY, JUDGE OF THE COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/HISTORY/e1920/senj1926/judgetalley.htm
WoW, this guy needs to age 25 years LESS then he might be in the same time period! I have yet to this day seen someone so INCOMPETENT it just MAKES ME WONDER HOW IN HELL we vote for PEOPLE LIKE THIS whos SO DAMN STUPID he thinks MARIJUANA KILLS PEOPLE.
God, why did you make morons?
Undo the brainwashing: Legalize Cannabis/Hemp!
The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world. - Carl Sagan
Members of a special Senate committee unanimously urged Parliament to amend federal law to allow for the regulated use, possession and distribution of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes, in a 600-page report released yesterday by the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs.
"Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue," said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, who oversaw the Committee's two-year inquiry. "Whether or not an individual uses marijuana should be a personal choice that is not subject to criminal penalties. [Therefore,] we have come to the conclusion that, as a drug, it should be regulated by the state much as we do for wine and beer, hence our preference for legalization over decriminalization."
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5405
Human physical life is addictive. - Robert Monroe
There are just laws and there are unjust laws. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
I love reading articles of this nature. First of all not only are your figures blatantly wrong (can be verified by federal government statistics), but you are also missing the whole point. It is not about whether something is dangerous. Alcohol is dangerous, tobacco is dangerous, driving is dangerous. In fact these three factors alone account for more than 500,000 deaths annually in the US as opposed to 0 recorded marijuana related deaths in 3000 years of medical history. However, the true point is freedom. It is a violation of civil rights for the government to tell citizens what they may legally put into their own bodies. We also must understand where Mr. Backstrom is coming from. Naturally he is protecting his own occupation as any of us would. By legalizing marijuana it will create much less work for district attorneys, hence he would be out of work and in a much worse state. Therefore from his personal perspective marijuana legalization would cause many of these district attorneys to find new work, something nobody wants to do in this economy. However as a society we cannot allow the government to regulate personal liberties to this extent it has caused nothing but gang violence and distrust of our own government. Now is the time for change.
I wonder where the author gets his information from, has he tried marijuana himself?
O pose that the the greatest problem of marijuana is the fact that it is illegal. It's illegal status is the cause that it is associated with crime and violence. Were it a normal plant you can buy at the grocery (or a liquor store for that matter) and for a normal price, there would be virtually no problems or crime associated with marijuana; for sure much less than the problems associated with alcohol (addiction, aggressive behaviour, health damage).
Speaking of personal experience:
I am a moderate user, about 3 "joints" (in fact I don't smoke but use a vaporizer for health reasons) per weekend. I've done this since 20 years (I'm 45 year old now). I know many in my situation, that enjoy a good joint once in a while, just like others enjoy a good wine with moderation (which I do as well for that matter).
I work as a scientist and am well informed about any potential negative side effects (which are 0 with responsible use).
By the way, the stronger the strain, the less I use. The argument that todays strains are more potent is void. In fact THC %-age was about 5% and now may be 10-15% (please don't exaggerate). The result is that smaller portions can be used.
Would anyone claim that beer is less dangerous than wine, just because it has 5% alcohol instead of 12? Wine is used in smaller quantities, just like more potent marijuana.
Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.
- Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President
Some of my finest hours have been spent on the back of my veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as the eye can see. - Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President
If the words "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" don't include the right to experiment with your own consciousness, then the Declaration of Independence isn't worth the hemp it was written on.
- Terence McKenna
We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption. - John Adams, U.S. President
Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?
- Henry Ford
Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could. - William F. Buckley, Jr
Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marihuana in private for personal use... Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marihuana. - Jimmy Carter, U.S. President
That is not a drug. It's a leaf. - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
The war on drugs has been an utter failure. We need to rethink and decriminalize our nation's marijuana laws. - Barack Obama, U.S. President
Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica. - Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President, from a letter written by Lincoln during his presidency to the head of the Hohner Harmonica Company in Germany
Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded. - Abraham Lincoln
Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere! - George Washington, U.S. President
Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica. - Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President, from a letter written by Lincoln during his presidency to the head of the Hohner Harmonica Company in Germany
Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded. - Abraham Lincoln
Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere! - George Washington, U.S. President
The inherent safety made dangerous by stupidity, greed and hatred resulting in "criminalization". Many people assume that marijuana was made illegal through some kind of process involving scientific, medical, and government hearings; that it was to protect the citizens from what was determined to be a dangerous drug. "The actual story shows a much different picture. Those who voted on the legal fate of this plant never had the facts, but were dependent on information supplied by those who had a specific agenda to deceive lawmakers. Youâ??ll see below that the very first federal vote to prohibit marijuana was based entirely on a documented lie on the floor of the Senate." Why is Marijuana Illegal? http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/
Responsible use is the key term used by bart in a prior response. What about those thousands of teenagers and young adults who can not seem to use responsibly? A cigaratte smoker can rationalize his next smoke; an alcoholic can rationalize his next drink; and a pot-head can rationalize his next hit. People can rationalize anything they want badly enough. However, addiction is addiction any way you look at it. There are some things you can be addicted to that are beneficial, but most addictions to chemicals of any sort usually have risks that far outweigh the benefits. As for matt in austin, TX, HOW do you KNOW pot doesn't cause cancer?? As for your comment about YOUR health insurance, YOUR monthly premium, YOUR copays--are you really that ignorant? We all have our insurance premiums and medical costs padded to compensate for all the people in this country who don't take care of their health--overeaters, alcoholics, drug addicts of all sorts, sedentary couch potatoes--you name it--we all pay for it in one way or another. Most of these responses sound like a bunch of rhetoric to me. It's hard to know who or what to believe anymore. Everybody has an agenda--even the pot-heads!
Cynthia, if you were willing to do a modest bit of research you would come to the same conclusions that all these comments come to. Please do everyone a favor by researching what comes out of your mouth. This article is the one that is filled with rhetoric and misinformation. Good day.
Let's look on the bright side, folks- most people who are internet savvy (i.e. young) understand the facts about cannabis, while the grim reaper awaits those who rely on Reader's Digest, etc. The polls are pretty clear about which way we're heading:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/02/americans-growing-kinder-to-bud.html
So, while it does raise my bp a bit to read unvetted fertlizer like this piece, I know it's the last gasp of a dying breed.
The real question is when are Minnesota stoners going to get active for a change? Rybak is asking for a debate. Let's bring it.
Beware the fear mongers, for their ignorance is contagious. Please reference Dr. Tashkin's long term study about the lack of any scientific evidence linking cannabis and cancer. In fact, quite the opposite, as evidence exists to suggest that cannabis may have properties which help us avoid cancer. http://blog.greenhitshirts.com/2010/05/09/dr-donald-tashkin-marijuana-lung-cancer-study/
James C. Backstrom is either a liar or an idiot. Or both.
I've smoked pot regularly for 38 years.
I have six years of college, bench press 380, squat 600, hike the AT regularly so my cardio is impeccable.
This man is lying. It's as simple as that.
In all the propaganda that I have ever read concerning marijuana, never have I seen such falsehoods strung together as coming from a reliable source. Shame on James C. Backstrom for his incompetence. He should lose his license to practice law as no reasonable person could ever believe anything he may say again. MPR also has a duty not to print such blatant lies even if they are just Backstrom's opionion.
As I read through this article, I was afraid that some people would actually believe this guy. Then, I skimmed through all of the comments and was relieved. It's comforting to know that people can spot a liar when they see one.
The problem with this article is that the main reasons he argues weed is so bad, like it is run by gangs and because so many people use it gangs get a lot of money, are the exact reasons it should be legalized/decriminalized. How many people these days meet up with their whiskey dealers? How many gang related deaths circle around the dangerous world of Bud Light? Exactly! Sure, alcohol is dangerous, even arguably more dangerous than weed, but it is legal and for the most part, is under control. Drunk driving is an issue and high driving would obviously increase, but these are the things that should be punished, not using the products recreationally. Besides, as proven in scientific study, alcohol tends to make drivers drive faster and make them feel invincible. Pot smokers drive very slowly and cautiously. Their reflexes are also impaired, but I would argue that is better than someone who is over the speed limit and actively putting people in danger. Get it together America. LEGALIZE WEED
Is this James C. Backstrom guy retarded? I didn't even waste my time reading this article; all it took was to read the title to realize how clueless this guy is. Here's a fun fact for you: alcohol and tobacco kill HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS every year, while marijuana is lucky if it claims a single person. The only reason crime is associated with marijuana, is because marijuana is part of an UNDERGROUND market. When disputes occur within the underground market, people aren't able to go to police or use the legal system; they use violence.
To anyone reading this bogus article; you are only becoming more and more clueless by reading with this moron has to say about this subject. Alcohol was once illegal during the prohibition; and the prohibition FAILED, which is why alcohol is currently legal. The prohibition of alcohol failed, just as the war against marijuana has failed. Further proof of this failure is the INCREASED rate of marijuana consumption; because people are getting a hold of the FACTS, and not the lies that his James C. Backstrom guy is spreading. Marijuana was made illegal based on lies and should've never been made illegal. If anything, alcohol should've been made illegal before pot.
My point: The guy that made this article is CLUELESS and IDIOTIC, don't listen to his bullcrap.
Hahahaha!!!! OMG! That was the funniest thing I've ever read! I LOVE satire! ... it was intended as satire... right guys?? Right? heh?
It's only dangerous to you, sir, because once it becomes legal, you won't be able to make backroom deals to line your pockets with cash at the expense of people who choose to use something safer than alcohol.
Religious beliefs have caused more death, destruction, mindless babbling, strange behavioral changes, wracked families and estrangement, loss of friends, and whacked out reasoning than drugs have or ever could!
The Drug War is an Evil Religion of Hate, period.
Read more about this perspective: http://ChristiansAgainstProhibition.org
Drug prohibition exacerbates every ill the prohibitionists decry!
You are a terrible troll sir!
You get no points, I would have given you two, but alas, you are painfully out of date and not trying hard enough. I do find it extremely endearing that you seem to actually believe this! However, that is not enough :(
Do you spend the majority of your time mentoring preschool children? I am very sorry sir, but adults are not typically so easily misled. You are an awful liar.
I'm glad to see strong pushback against this ridiculous bit of commentary. I when we're forced to allow people who don't know what they're talking about a forum to spread their prejudice and ignorance. I don't know who thought this was a good piece to run but this is a joke. The funny thing is that it is impossible to to find and run rational fact based articles that can vigorously advocate for continuing prohibition. The only way to have opposing views is if to allow the prohibition point of view lie and distort and make up "facts".
James C. Backstrom is making up stories again.
Someone, please fire this idiot.
The most dangerous drug in America is non toxic, and has never killed a single person.
Either this man is insane, or this is some kind of joke.
This PROSECUTOR simply strung together a bunch of lies from the DEA website and regurgitated them. It is UTTER nonsense.
everything he says can be proven a lie or terrible distortion of the facts. None of it is true.
When you go to a hospital, especially an ER, you are asked about ALL substances you have used lately. People who mention pot get labeled as being at the Er for that, when it is unheard of for pot users to seek ER care for ingestion. They are there for a broken toe or hangnail and yet the liars try and link the pot to the reason for the visit, and that is just wrong. Ask ANY ER doctor how many pot smokers end up going to the ER for pot...they will laugh at you...it never happens.
The improper linking of an UNRELATED fact shows how desperate the prohibitionists are...they are in league with the cartels and gangs because they share the same sentiments: Keep pot illegal so the gangs get rich, as well as the cops and courts....lawyers are the LAST people who can be relied upon for truth...prosecutors that is.
The lies and nonsense the author uses in place of truth are easily refuted and obviously false...only a brain dead moron or a prosecutor would have the nerve to lie so blatantly and expect to be seen as truthful.
There is not one word of truth in the whole thing...it is all drivel and should be ignored...this man is either delusional or makes money from prohibition...no other possibility makes any sense.
The truth is a danger to a liar
Dont believe any of this garbage! This is classic propaganda in modern America once again. This website is pathetic and tyrants for allowing these lies to be posted as truths. Shame on you. Public ope n your eyes and research cannabis for yourselfs. Read a book maybe. The media is all propaganda lies!
I hope the voters in Dakota Co are somehow eventually informed as to this man's state of mind. How the hell could anyone in the county charged with a cannabis-law violation possibly receive a fair trial? We've all seen what prosecutors are capable of when they are this obsessed with a social issue they perceive as uber-criminal. Tell ya something else: there are 4 law schools in the Cities pumping out grads and there are plenty of bright young legal minds with an understanding of the state of knowledge on this issue who would love to have a job like the one this sad man occupies!
well pot has an effect that i get violent i fought 4 people and it actually made my pain worse i say sgood for some not all i've had better luck with opiates, and i'm better driving drunk than on pot if you want it fine but stop pushing the issue
Thank you MPR for giving this man the tall and righteous soapbox he so visibly craves.
So that no sooner he stood upon it, we all watched him fall right off face first. :)
Appreciated.
Let me sum this up briefly... you sir, a lying piece of shit through and through. A gross, fat, slimy turd in the punchbowl of life. LIAR LIAR LIAR.
Hey, remember when alcohol sales funded gangs and violence and people went blind from drinking dangerous tainted poison sold as alcohol...
How did we solve that problem again?
If witch burning is ever declared illegal, a lot of good people will be out of work.
I wouldn't consider myself an activist, but I do consider myself to be informed. In regard, if I see some major article in the media, I'm inclined to research it.
In response to this article, there is [quite literally] a study disproving, or making avoidable, every negativity elicited in this article about cannabis. You are simply WRONG, and worst of all, I believe you know it.
Marijuana is not bad!It It is a plant! How is that harmful?
Being somebody who has done a dissertation on marijuana, most of the facts he gives have been disproved. I admit there are one or two facts given that are truthful but they clearly get overshadowed by false claims and statistics.
A tired recycled diatribe from a person who makes his living from marijuana prohibition? Violence? Most of the violence attributed to marijuana is commited in the enforcement of the unconstitutional prohibition, which was sponsered by a chemical company who also provided military explosives and poison gas (Du Pont, they were concerned about competition withtheir new synthetic fiber, nylon. The seizure of property from the arrest of harmless users pays this mans bonuses.
This is hilarious! Rather than point out the obvious flaws, I will note that categories, such as "drugs", only exist because we created them. Categories are sometimes useful in communicating (chairs, tables, etc.). In other words, we attribute words to describe things of relevance to us (humans). That doesn't mean we have to stick to a definition or category that was created, after we learn that the definition or category is no longer useful (if a certain chair makes a better table, we would not continue to call the chair a chair, just because that's what we have always called it). Caffeine is in so many goods that Americans consume now days, yet we rarely refer to it as a drug, though by definition it is. However, it is not useful to call it one since common interpretation of the term "drugs" has many negative associations. this is similar to how "prescription" in front of the term "drug," has a common assumption that cleanses the slate there after - yet some prescription drugs should not be viewed as "okay" because they are prescriptions. Codeine's are opiates... Vicodin, Oxycontin, etc. (there are tons). The point of this is to break away from the constraints of language. Since we created it, we can break it. Society shouldn't skew our understanding but it does because of linguistic errors in interpretation. That being said, reread the article keeping in mind, that coffee, tylenol, neosporin, and anything that alters functioning, is a drug. EVERYTHING alters functioning!
You pals should all give mister James here a good call on what you think about his non-sense 1950 propaganda!
Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings MN 55033-2343
651-438-4438
651-438-4499 (Fax)
MPR, I didn't expect such an article from you. I'm very disappointed. I always regarded Minnesota Public Radio as a progressive voice in a largely conservative and intolerant world of talk radio, but it seems that I'm wrong.
This article simply spews government propaganda, with incorrect factual information. I hope you can at least make sure the facts are correct before publishing your articles.
"A tired recycled diatribe from a person who makes his living from marijuana prohibition? Violence? Most of the violence attributed to marijuana is commited in the enforcement of the unconstitutional prohibition, which was sponsered by a chemical company who also provided military explosives and poison gas (Du Pont, they were concerned about competition withtheir new synthetic fiber, nylon. The seizure of property from the arrest of harmless users pays this mans bonuses." - Jay Amundson. Hahahahahaha. James Backstrom, you look like quite the tool after all these responses.Now your either part of the minority of Americans that doesn't understand the simple concepts and facts being put forth by these readers or you know that what your saying is propaganda. Seeing as your a County attorney we know its the latter. You are keeping this drug from being developed into the cure for cancer. I wonder if you know this too. You must be aware of our government being the first to discover its anti-cancer effects. And then their refusal to publish their findings. You did hear about this? Right?
I don't even smoke but this just seems ridiculous.... Let the people smoke weed. Seriously this is getting out of hand...
Can anti-marijuana advocates at least be innovated when trying to deceive the public...come out with something that says marijuana causes global warming..its about as believable as these moronic and overly used "facts"...Its scary that people dont open their eyes..when prohibitionists don't even need to try to keep people herding along with them
Beat that dead horse baby, beat it!
when i see sht like this it just makes me angry so let me put it shortly before i go on a rant. kill prohibition = less crime, 850,000 less people EVERY YEAR in our prison system, no black market (weed) related violence, less gang funding, tax billions of dollars. the only reason anyone wants to keep weed illegal is to make money (prosecutors, law enforcement, private prison systems, public defenders)
a 19 year old collage student was sentenced to serve weekends in jail for delivering a small amount of weed to a fellow student he was put in a cell with a man charged with sexual battery who repeatedly raped him while holding a ballpoint pen to his neck, the guards who do cell checks every hour did not report seeing or hearing anything. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n890/a01.html?72319 i mean what kinda bullsht is that. he is now traumatized for life,for what selling a small amount of weed to a friend. now Mr prosecutor by saying you think that the laws should not be changed, does that mean you condone the kind of things happening to non violent ppl? btw they were put in the same cell because both of them had "felony's" one for sexual battery and one for selling a SMALL amount of weed.
there is no justice left in this country
this is a country that was made for the ppl by the ppl and i believe that is no longer the case.
We as The People have a right, no an obligation, to take back this country that was once ours.
People of the USA Unite now and stop violent crimes
I read the article and I think you have some strong points, but in all fairness I believe that smoking cigarettes is the leading cause to people starting to smoke marijuana and therefore leading to other drugs. Our society is falling apart. Crime rates are high, innocent people are being brought down because of the "hardcore" drug users. People seem to need to blame everything they do wrong on someone else so they have an outlet and it is because they cannot put themselves into the realization that they are the ones that have a problem. Admittance is the first step to getting better. Wake up America. Get Help!
I would really like to see exactly what sources this "mr. backstrom" used ro this article. I'm really getting sick of this disgusting propaganda everywhere in the media, instead of just plagarising other articles that have also been proven false, how about taking an honest nonbiased approach and actually researching something. I could have written this drivel in an hour. the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V on his computer must be pretty worn out by now .
My response is short and sweet. Your syllogism is invalid and your premises faulty. Every point you made in this article are exactly the same points that were made during the prohibition of alcohol, and look how that turned out. Regardless of why marijuana was initially deemed illegal, the reason it still remains illegal is because of taxation reasons. Look at California and Oregon; they realize the potential revenue so they are taking steps to legalize it, because they know how much they can make with it. The federal government is afraid that if the cannabis plant is legalized than more people will grow it themselves and will not need to buy it from the stores. If the majority of society is growing their own marijuana the government can't tax it and in-turn they will not make a profit. Hypothetically speaking, if the majority of the United States citizen started to grow their own produce, would the government become so fickle that they ban those also? Just a thought...
you are an idiot.. why justify the illegality of marijuana with lies just to hide fact that politicians, state and federal goverments are using that story to fill their filthy pockets?
A MODEST PROPOSAL
A drug policy respectful of democratic values would aim to educate people to make informed
choices based on their own needs and ideals. Such a simple prescription is necessary and sadly
overdue.
A master plan for seriously seeking to come to terms with America's drug problems might
explore a number of options, including the following.
1. A 200 percent federal tax should be imposed on tobacco and alcohol. All government
subsidies for tobacco production should be ended. Warnings on packaging should be
strengthened. A 20 percent federal sales tax should be levied on sugar and sugar substitutes,
and all supports for sugar production should be ended. Sugar packages should also carry
warnings, and sugar should be a mandatory topic in school nutrition curricula.
2. All forms of cannabis should be legalized and a 200 percent federal sales tax imposed on
cannabis products. Information as to the THC content of the product and current conclusions
regarding its impact on health should be printed on the packaging.
3. International Monetary Fund and World Bank lending should be withdrawn from countries
that produce hard drugs. Only international inspection and certification that a country is in
compliance would restore loan eligibility.
4. Strict gun control must apply to both manufacture and possession. It is the unrestricted
availability of firearms that has made violent crime and the drug abuse problem so intertwined.
5. The legality of nature must be recognized, so that all plants are legal to grow and possess.
6. Psychedelic therapy should be made legal and insurance coverage extended to include it.
7. Currency and banking regulations need to be strengthened. Presently bank collusion with
criminal cartels allows large-scale money laundering to take place.
8. There is an immediate need for massive support for scientific research into all aspects of
substance use and abuse and an equally massive commitment to public education.
9. One year after implementation of the above, all drugs still illegal in the United States
should be decrimi-
nalized. The middleman is eliminated, the government can sell drugs at cost plus 200 percent,
and those monies can be placed in a special fund to pay the social, medical, and educational
costs of the legalization program. Money from taxes on alcohol, tobacco, sugar, and can-nabis
can also be placed in this fund. Also following this one-year period, pardons should be given
to all offenders in drug cases that did not involve firearms or felonious assault.
If these proposals seem radical, it is only because we have drifted so far from the ideals that
were originally most American. At the foundation of the American theory of social polity is
the notion that our inalienable rights include "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." To
pretend that the right to the pursuit of happiness does not include the right to experiment with
psychoactive plants and substances is to make an argument that is at best narrow and at worst
ignorant and primitive. The only religions that are anything more than the traditionally
sanctioned moral codes are religions of trance, dance ecstasy, and intoxication by
hallucinogens. The living fact of the mystery of being is there, and it is an inalienable religious
right to be able to approach it on one's own terms. A civilized society would enshrine that
principle in law.
Terence McKenna in "Food of The Gods"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3166145/Terence-McKenna-Food-of-the-Gods-
Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna - Thom Hartmann's "Independent Thinker" Book of the Month Review http://blog.buzzflash.com/hartmann/013
the phrase "niggas be trollin" comes to mind...
It saddens me to know that people as uneducated as this man are running our world
Backstrom, you are a dolt.
This is ghastly.
Dear MPR,
you just lost all credibility.
Whoever this Backstrom guy is he needs to go to the nearest mountain and jump off it. I'll be smoking a joint at the bottom and we'll see which is more dangerous.
this article is a lie.
Wow. Just wow. Sounds like Dakota County needs a new attorney! This man's ability to be spoon fed information from his indoctrinated health advisors is astounding.
Marijuana will bring peace to the world! now put that fact in your pipe and smoke it Backstrom.
Propaganda straight from a mouth of the prison-industrial complex. Hilarious.
I hope Backstrom actually read these comments, he deserves a good smack in the mouth for all hes blatant lying to the general public.
How in the world is marijuana considered the most dangerous drug? It is freaking harmless.
This article is absolutely absurd and reminds me of the media in the days of the Clinton era. Marijuana use is on the rise and should be seriously considered for legalization in a 50 states. The teens of the 21st century are the new 80s! Let's party
HAHA the comments are hilarious. So much for writing a compelling argument. James C. Backstrom is an idiot.
LMFAO @ "beat that dead horse baby, beat it!"
....because im stoned lol!
Counter argument much a good paper has a counter argument (not at all implying that this was at all a good read although it was a good laugh) this guy is really funny he makes me laugh wat a dumbass hahaha
"Marijuana use provides a significant part of the demand side of the equation that brings drug dealers onto our street corners and into our schools and neighborhoods -- drug dealers who bring with them other crimes and violence. "
Wow I really can't think of a better reason to leagalize marijuana than this sentence. If you can buy it in a liquor store there would be no need for drug dealers... Makes sense right?
I know quite a few people who do hard drugs like coke and heroin and they all started partying with alcohol. And yet alcohol never gets a bad rap as a "gateway" drug even though it is 100% the most lethal and commonly used party drug.
What a joke. Bet this guy drinks to his heart's content and drives afterward. Even if cannabis had 50% THC it would still be 100% less dangerous than alcohol. Keep boozin it up you fool, so we can be done dealing with stupid stories like this....
Studies also indicate that bread is a gateway drug. 99% of people who use cocaine started out eating bread. As if that weren't bad enough, 85% of people who use methamphetamine have also been to church. Finally, I would like to point out that water is an incredibly dangerous drug. Most people start using it when they're babies and can't stop until they're dead!
Hey, you! What's this you're saying? Are you spreading lies? (yes)
Are you an idiot? (yes)
Child please, the adults are talking.
Im gonna have to call shinanigans on all your statistics. The only harmful effect of marijuana is the carcinagens which could be prevented through filters... IT IS NOT ADDICTIVE AT ALL!!! I have a friend that have been smoking since 5th grade though he recently quit. He is way stronger than any other guy i know his size and his cardio is insane. And he has played varsity soccer since 7th grade. Also he stopped and has no problem not doing it, he doesnt get sick or crave it. Also he eats like a horse.
Im gonna have to call shinanigans on all your statistics. The only harmful effect of marijuana is the carcinagens which could be prevented through filters... IT IS NOT ADDICTIVE AT ALL!!! I have a friend that have been smoking since 5th grade though he recently quit. He is way stronger than any other guy i know his size and his cardio is insane. And he has played varsity soccer since 7th grade. Also he stopped and has no problem not doing it, he doesnt get sick or crave it. Also he eats like a horse.
Im gonna have to call shinanigans on all your statistics. The only harmful effect of marijuana is the carcinagens which could be prevented through filters... IT IS NOT ADDICTIVE AT ALL!!! I have a friend that have been smoking since 5th grade though he recently quit. He is way stronger than any other guy i know his size and his cardio is insane. And he has played varsity soccer since 7th grade. Also he stopped and has no problem not doing it, he doesnt get sick or crave it. Also he eats like a horse.
Im gonna have to call shinanigans on all your statistics. The only harmful effect of marijuana is the carcinagens which could be prevented through filters... IT IS NOT ADDICTIVE AT ALL!!! I have a friend that have been smoking since 5th grade though he recently quit. He is way stronger than any other guy i know his size and his cardio is insane. And he has played varsity soccer since 7th grade. Also he stopped and has no problem not doing it, he doesnt get sick or crave it. Also he eats like a horse.
i smoke everyday, i have for 15 years, i have never once been compelled to use heroine, or cocaine. how is it that marijuana has more carcinogens than tobacco, where would they come from, seeing as how when the plant is harvested the only chemical added might be some fertilizer for the soil, there is no poison in marijuana... last time i checked, cancer patioents use it to get thier appatite back after undergoing chemo therapy. i have never lost my appatite, i never have trouble sleeping, and i am very active after smoking, i often find myself doing more sports, and other physical activities. i am still able to make decisions that are not harmful to me, i do not forget anything. there is nothing physically addictive in marijuana, its only a mental addiction... if i am wrong please show me supporting evidence of these claims. marijuana is considered a gateway drug only beacuse it opens up the world of drugs to its users, the people that dont use the drug have no idea where to get other drugs, unless they are already using. i think marijuana is the least harmful drug on the market. how many people have died from pot, directly, how many have died from an od, now how many people died this year as a direct result of tabacco and alcohol.....i think you will find that ZERO people have died as a direct result of marijuana. i think the accusations that marijuana is the most dangerous drug on the market is bs, if the drug was legal, people would have to break the law to enjoy a plant!!
DO NOT LEGALIZE ILLICIT DRUGS such as marijuana, cocaine, methadone and other illicit mood altering chemicals in this country.
The legalization of such drugs will zombify furthers the population and exacerbates further the current mayhem not only in USA but at a global level.
Those illegal drugs create all sort of mental disorders for the newborns whose mother or father or both are user of illegal drugs this include but not limited to attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, low impulse control, ADHD, which leads sometimes to criminality later on.
Those that sell illegal drugs are merchants of death and should be equated as promoter of delinquency, war criminals and potential collaborators with international terrorists.
The drugs dealers are a big problem but they are not the initial source of the problem the buyers are. Without a demand for illegal drugs the drug dealers would not exist or would not have a raison d'être this is an illustration of the laws of supply and demand. Therefore, the government should look closely at the demand side of the equation to reduce this problem that currently permeates every social stratum and is also an alarming threat to national security.
To abate or eradicate the illicit drugs problem in the long run, the government should use proactive and innovative approaches by rewarding the film industry, radio,& television, work place, educational system, clergy and sport industry, especially the entertainment industry etc. for their efforts to promote value system that discourage the use of illicit mood altering chemicals. Researches in detox are needed to reduce the high percentage of relapse cases.
For short term approach the government should use the "SELL & BUST" approach policy instead of the "Buy and Bust" approach policy. In other words Police Undercover will sell drugs to prospectus illicit drug buyers and have the transaction audio-video recorded according to specific guidelines and protocols that will be admissible in courts. When the transaction is over, the police will arrest the buyers
Do not send them to jail because they will develop criminal network while in jail. Instead they should paid incremental fines that are proportional to their income and according to the number of time they were arrested for similar offenses. In addition, the offenders should do lengthy supervised community services that might accumulate to several thousand hours or forced to upgrade their education and marketable skills if need be. They are using drugs because they have discretionary extra income and time to spend. Let them spend that time constructively in endless community services. By doing community services or upgrading their education, they will help themselves and the community. This will be a Win-Win approach instead of having them wasting their precious time, under used bright mind, and taxpayer monies in senseless punitive jail or prison that fail to rehabilitate people.
All i would like to say is that marijuana is a very dangerous drug and very powerfull too.. Lets say this i have smoked befor and ever seense that day or week i regret it. Not because i got caught with the law its becuase when my mother found out she was very dispponited in me because she thought that she rased me more responceable than that and to not fallow those other no job worthless people out there
Correlation does not prove causation, this is the first law of research. To say that marijuana causes methamphetimine use is like saying ice cream causes violent crime. In this example, violent crime rates increase as temperatures rise, as does ice cream sales...What I am saying is that marijuana use does not predict hard drug use, there is in all likeliehood a third variable...whoever wrote this article is ignorant.
I just want to say that James Bactstrom is a complete moron, who has ever smoked a joint sat down and been like wow im not hungry at all? who has ever had a hard time sleeping after smoking a blunt? This article is so bias it makes me mad. The government is ran by a bunch of closed minded politicians, and black minded bureaucrats. Pot is not that bad and everyone should realize this.
Just because it is the most commenly used, doesnt mean it is dangerous. You need to smoke it dude before you say shit about it. freedom of speech,,, you're using the freedom of lies,, trying to educate people on false information.. I bet you didnt even graduate highschool, sounds like you need to know more about something before you talk about it.
i dont like drugs :)
i dont like drugs :)
i dont like drugs :)
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i wanna fukin strangle people when they say pot should be illegal
its funny how you try and act smart but really you dont know the facts. Its started use in 7000 BC. If it was so bad wouldnt you be able to find one creditably scorce showing how bad weed is. when i google searched "Why weed should be illegal" first i found at least 250 credibaly scorces saying its good.
GO POTHEADS 420 till death
Is this guy really serious? Uh first since when does marijuana lead to the loss of appetite.......that is probably the dumbest thimg I have read since marijuana makes people violent. As far as causing cancer 400,000+ people die from tobacco use, 200,000 from alcohol abuse, and there are 0 deaths every year
from pot smoking. As far as more people being in treatment for weed addiction, that is because it is court orded you stupid, no research doing, lying self-rightous son of a bitch get over yourself. One more thing, knoe what the hell you are talking about before you post an article numbnuts.
First of all, anyone who agrees with this moron is probably taking legal Anti-depressants, drinks alcohol or has a family member who smokes cigs or some other mind altering substance. But those legal substances are okay cause the Gov makes their cut. Screw them, I've never tried to hurt anybody, rob a bank, run someone over, kill anybody after I smoke some herb. It helps my sinuses better than any prescription I've ever tried, helps me fall asleep, and have never wanted to try any of those hardcore drugs after I smoked a little weed. Alcohol, to me, is far worse off than weed for many reasons. First off is you can get wasted and uncontrolable without even knowing it, blackout, piss yourself or whatever fun you drunks like to have. I have never been too stoned to drive if some emergency were to take place, adrenaline almost sobers up a stoned/high person. But if you're drunk.... Your drunk, intoxicated for at least quite some time. There are more than 50000 uses for hemp, as a fuel, and many other world saving products. Cannabis could save the planet in many ways but those oil money hungry as*holes don't want to save the world, they just worry about their pocketbook. I hope one day all those stupid anti-cannabis, closed minded, money hungry animals sit down, smoke a J and realize that after thousands of years of use, this cannabis plant is here to stay. Marijuana grows all natural and alcohol is man made, I've seen what man can do to the planet, ill stick to the natural life.
First of all, anyone who agrees with this moron is probably taking legal Anti-depressants, drinks alcohol or has a family member who smokes cigs or some other mind altering substance. But those legal substances are okay cause the Gov makes their cut. Screw them, I've never tried to hurt anybody, rob a bank, run someone over, kill anybody after I smoke some herb. It helps my sinuses better than any prescription I've ever tried, helps me fall asleep, and have never wanted to try any of those hardcore drugs after I smoked a little weed. Alcohol, to me, is far worse off than weed for many reasons. First off is you can get wasted and uncontrolable without even knowing it, blackout, piss yourself or whatever fun you drunks like to have. I have never been too stoned to drive if some emergency were to take place, adrenaline almost sobers up a stoned/high person. But if you're drunk.... Your drunk, intoxicated for at least quite some time. There are more than 50000 uses for hemp, as a fuel, and many other world saving products. Cannabis could save the planet in many ways but those oil money hungry as*holes don't want to save the world, they just worry about their pocketbook. I hope one day all those stupid anti-cannabis, closed minded, money hungry animals sit down, smoke a J and realize that after thousands of years of use, this cannabis plant is here to stay. Marijuana grows all natural and alcohol is man made, I've seen what man can do to the planet, ill stick to the natural life.
This article reads like something out of "Reefer Madness". It's acceptable to have your own opinion about marijuana use, but it is an atrocity to feed false information to the public regarding marijuana and it's effects.
Considering I've never met you, the following statement carries about as much weight as the evidence you provide in your article. "You are an ill-informed fool who knows very little about the studies from where your claims are derived. I highly doubt you have spent any time researching this issue from an empirical perspective and most likely have your own moral (not logical) agenda. If you took anytime to research this issue, I believe you would learn that marijuana is far less dangerous and addictive as alcohol or prescription drugs. Additionally, you may learn of 6.5 BILLION dollars a year we spend a year enforcing a victimless crime. However, I doubt you would change your mind, even if you were presented with overwhelming evidence that contradicts your entire argument."
Its amazing to me that people actually listen to this bullshit. This man gets to sit on his high horse preaching from behind this proverbial glass so no one outsider can take a stand. And the even worst part people listen to this and take it as fact. Now to me this is disgusting, people these days refuse to do their own research on current topics, when one could simple do a quick search and prove EVERY single thing this "man" has said to be either a far far stretch of the truth or a completely false statement to try and put Fear into society.
You sir are scum
have a nice day
The federal government has historically clearly been deceptive and dishonest regarding the public-policy issue of marijuana. Their true motives are ill-gained profit and power, against the will and at the expense of the tax-paying populace. As the Lord is my holy witness and in the name of Jesus Christ, I admonish the demons driving the misguided Prohibitionists' actions back into the depths of darkness from which they have slithered.
This clown needs to get off Gilly boys' nuts and open his eyes. Prohibition is dividing this country down the middle and it will get worse Revolution is coming! Fuck the police and politicians who continually light fire to our constitution which was written on HEMP PAPER!
Some people are just content to lie to the public. Some people even swallow the lies that they feed the public. These are 1)state & government workers and any person/people associated with making money on the the war on drugs (ie judges,attorneys,police departments, and also the whole industry of rehabilition, and many, many more)... and 2) the ignorant and the faith based thinkers (non-thinkers).
Every one of these arguements this (some) guy with a forum to express his half-retarded information on. I say "retarded" to describe his inability to process new and creditable scientific data found (hummm... say) within the past 20 years. His learning on cannabis must have come to a sudden stop durring the height of the Reagan (dis)information administration. He has got to be one of the morons always hollaring "America is this, America is best...western living is the only way you can live your life" winners. Western medicine is only great when used in conjunction with healing the WHOLE body, not just the ailment thats presenting itself at the time. Cannabis has 5000years of recorded use, how about your viagra? The sooner the people that think in this mannor die, the better/more safe/happier/peaceful/together this world will be. I kind of feel sorry for this guy, honestly.
I find it disgusting the way you lie to people, everyone knows this is bullshit. You are a disgrace to the human race.
I find it disgusting the way you lie to people, everyone knows this is bullshit. You are a disgrace to the human race.
? , , )))
ahahahahha i like marijana
James C. Backstrom ,
I wanted you to know that I am getting ready to light a huge joint and for the rest of the evening I will be in a mental state that you simply don't deserve.......
You are a pathetic man, and I'm guessing that by now you too know that this article was and is a horrible thing....
I'm hoping that if not by now, you will one day feel ashamed and guilty for your actions and be held accountable for them as well.....
If you were my child, I'd slap the shit out of you for embarrassing yourself and your entire family....
Wake up and smell the refer ! (-).(-)
Marijuana is illegal, it promotes a open state of mind and free thinking, the government does not want this.
We have alcohol and cigarettes legal and they just continue to cause problems overtime for many families across the nation, marijuana is not harmful like cigaretes or alcohol, even my grandma knew that.
time for people to wake up
We are not stupid, we are not sheep. Everything you have just said has been stretched and is literally not true. First off thanks to everyone showing this guy how incredibly dumb and out of touch of OUR society he really is, who the fuck are you to say these kind of false things... wow, I will began to tear apart you're propaganda, By the way Backstrom, just so you know you FUCKING IDIOT, I'm high as hell as I call you out on the truth. 1.) First is that marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in America. Almost 2 million persons began using marijuana last year in the United States- That givees you insight on how popular this drug is with you're fellow americans. 2.)with some samples containing THC levels of up to 33 percent. - Wait, Hold on, The female flower would never carry so much THC, only up to 24%, you are speaking of Hash and Hashish Oil, Which is above 30%, You are speaking of a much higher quality than the average person is getting.... You idiot, the best weed the average kid gets is about 12%-24% 3.) How in the hell does pot lead to the downfall of society??- Shakespeare, Louis Armstrong and Mostly every influential Music Artist smoked or smokes weed, and your telling us it's bad for society. By the way you idiot, it's the only medicine known in nature to work as an anti-depressant(makes you laugh). sleeping agent (makes you sleepy), speeds metabolism (the munchies) and actually shows a negative correlation to cancer.... Tabacco= 400,000 deaths/yr
A few points:
There are risks to cannabis use, however, it appears to be the safest of all drugs, licit or illicit.
One cannot be both a capitalist and a prohibitionist, the two are diametrically opposed. Where there is demand there will be supply. This should cause Mr. Backstrom, & a good portion of Americans a significant amount of cognitive dissonance.
Lastly, Mr. Backstrom, like many prosecutors, appears to be more concerned with successful prosecutions than justice. This is further evidenced by his threatening the Medical Examiner's Office in an attempt to stop them from testifying for the defense in other jurisdictions.
This obstruction of justice, extortion, and criminal malfeasance would be a much better reason to fire him than this poorly written & ill researched op-ed. Though it does speak to the due-diligence of those still supporting the failed drug war.
From the National Institute of Cancer, March 17, 2011:
"The potential benefits of medicinal Cannabis for people living with cancer include antiemetic effects, appetite stimulation, pain relief, and improved sleep. In the practice of integrative oncology, the health care provider may recommend medicinal Cannabis not only for symptom management but also for its possible direct antitumor effect."
Perhaps the DA should re-think the rather lousy case presented here, in light of fresh evidence from the Feds, no less.
It is not the most dangerous drug unless it is mixed with other drugs.
This sounds like a research paper written for a 9th grade english class. What an ignorant douche. By the way, weeds legal out here in MT, and we're doin mighty fine.
I KNOW he didn't just try to correlate violence and Cannabis. Is this clown serious? I mean, this is modern day "Reefer madness". Who does this guy think he is kidding? So if Marijuana is "the most dangerous" but he uses the gateway theory. Is he admitting that Marijuana is a gateway to less dangerous drugs?!? So he implications are hypocritical and bigoted.
Dakota County attorney- probably depends on the War on Drugs for a living. No scary stories equals no paycheck. What a self-serving idiot!
I don't even know where to start with this garbage. This is reefer madness at it's absolute finest!
To the author of this article: I would be hard pressed to find a single accurate fact in this dribble. I implore you to Google marijuana myths -- Learn the truth -- save us all from your ignorance.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) facts:
http://rosenlake.net/er/hempinfo.html
Hugh Downs commentary on hemp
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/downs2.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynmSZRmcr4
The award winning documentary, "The Union: The Business Behind Getting High"
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007#
A Cannabis Odyssey: To Smoke or Not To Smoke by Lester Grinspoon
http://marijuana-uses.com/to-smoke-or-not-to-smoke-a-cannabis-odyssey/
and "How Weed Won The West(Full)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSG8wAku4_M
The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse
Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding
Commissioned by President Richard M. Nixon, March, 1972 (aka the Schaffer report) http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/nc/ncmenu.htm
Nixon then chose to go against the advice and instead, rev up the war on drugs. (again, see "The Union..." above)
Andrew Weil M.D.
speaks on:
The Future of Psychedelic and Medical Marijuana Research
http://vimeo.com/12057747
The Future of Psychedelic and Medical Marijuana Research. This video is from the Psychedelic Science in the 21st Century, a conference in San Jose, California, April 15-18 2010, organized by MAPS - the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.
Dr. Lester Grinspoon After Testifying at MA State House on Marijuana Legalization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CiqXOTRIL4
"After more than 70 years of misinformation about this botanical remedy, I am delighted that we are finally gaining a mature understanding of its immense therapeutic potential." - Andrew Weil, M.D.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/can-cannabis-treat-cancer_b_701005.html
Be very careful about locating good or God, right or wrong, legal or illegal, at your favorite level of consciousness. - Timothy Leary
"Anorexia, emesis, pain, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease), epilepsy, glaucoma, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, obesity, and metabolic syndrome-related disorders, to name just a FEW, are being treated or have the potential to be treated by cannabinoids." Dr. Mechoulam (Cannabinoid Researcher since 1960 - present) PMID: 18286801
"Carboxyl group (attached to THC) doesn't allow THC to fit into the Cannabinoid receptor completely, so it needs to be Decarboxylated (removed by Rick Simpson's method) then THC can slide all the way into the receptor."
-Dr. Frankel
"THC induces the Cancerous cell to make a fatty substance called ceramide, which prompts the cell to start devouring itself, noncancerous cells don't make ceramide when they come into contact with THC. The healthy cells don't die."
-Biochemists Guillermo Velasco & Manuel Guzmán, Complutense University
Make the most of the ... hemp seed, and sow it everywhere! GW
The man has had no education in the subject and can display only a vastly deprived set of opinions. It is sad since it indicates judgement based on rote rather than the critical thinking so needed from leadership.
This article is a fictional comedy...nothing more. Marijuana saved my life from a prescription drug that was deemed safe by the FDA. At the point of suicide and having developed health problems from Seroquel such as type 2 diabetes, thyroid problems, violent mood swings, loss of appetite, loss of sex drive (shall I go on?)....I dropped it and started smoking weed. I'm still alive, no health problems, happier, and hardly need to smoke anymore, but still occasionally do. But pot is the most dangerous drug in America?....f***ing pathetic article, pardon my language. Keep in mind that Seroquel is AstraZeneca's second best-selling pharmaceutical and made sales of $4.87 billion in 2009, up 12% on 2008 and is still deemed legal even though there is more lawsuits against this drug than any other and you can still be prescribed it! This my friends....is the absolutely insane BS we are allowing in the USA and it needs to stop. This kind of scary propaganda is just what the drug and alcohol companies want people to see. So they can keep pocketing money off you...their lab rats. Legalize and there's no need for their prescription drugs anymore. The biggest contributors on the War On Drugs are the alcohol, prescription drug, and tobacco companies. They want you to use THEIR drugs...not yours. Educate yourselves Google "American Drug War" Thanks for listening.
i would love to meet the writer of this artical...so i can slap some sense into him! loss of appite? really? loss of the use of muscle strnght? wth is this guy smokin? well we know it aint weed! or he would know u get the munchies! thats why its so good for cancer patients...after the chemo when they dont even wanna think of food it helps em keep a lil somethin down! i would really like to also know how in the world weed is worse than meth! i have never seen a pot head sellin their body for a join...never seen one break into houses to score a sack...never seen em kill someone cause they were so twacked out of their minds they didnt know wat they were doin...no....people who smoke pot r usually pretty laid back lauaghable people...yea they may say some stupid stuff but marijuanna is the only high i know of that when faced wit a seriouse situation it jus goes away...and thats from personal experience...btw i started smokin weed when i was 11...n am not dependent on it or any other drug as a 31 yr old nurse!!!!!
Only a loser with his head way up his ass would make the statement made in this article. Alcohol is by far more serious of an issue. Check it out Jack Ass.
Mr. Backstrom, in case you haven't been told this before, you are delusional. Marijuana's popularity doesn't *make* it dangerous! lol Marijuana's popular because it's safe! Marijuana has repeatedly been proven to NOT cause cancer, heart disease, brain damage, liver disease, emphysema, or any other significant health issue, and its addiction potential is about on par with coffee. That's why people like it, and it doesn't matter if the entire country starts taking it, it's popularity does NOT make it dangerous!!
And neither does increased potency. Marijuana users smoke until they reach the feeling they're seeking, and if the weed is stronger they'll reach this point sooner and therefore smoke LESS. Less smoke is good, NOT bad.
And since when did marijuana cause violence?!! You people have just spent the last seventy YEARS telling us that marijuana turns us into amotivated couch potatoes. Now you're telling us that it makes us VIOLENT!! Respectfully sir, you lie.
Http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30
Happy, Hungry, Sleepy..........
Cannabis is safer than water =]]
this man is one of the biggest idiots in the world
The Emperor Wears No Clothes, The Truth about Cannabis
Http://www.jackherer.com/thebook/
As i sit here laughing at all of the contradictions you just stated, and the proven "naiive, one dimensional thought process" you just proved to the public. Im sorry, but this article is complete bullshit on all sorts of levels.
I dont care what kind of thought process you have, a fact is a fact. Just like a gun sounds the same to everybody. Alchohol and nicotine literally destroy your body over time and can kill you with enough use. Ive looked far and wide for any possible deaths on marijuana and I just cant find anything, no one else can as well. Its "painfully" obvious that having more rights to the "gateway" drug would have violence plummeting drastically, and it would also help the people you stereotype as "stoners" ", "potheads" etc to actually help the community out everytime they went to the smoke shop to acquire some marijuana. You people scream "change!" but your stagnant on your actions. Follow through with what you say and lets make a change. People are outraged that you people lie and mislead them about true facts about these things. Its almost as if we are run by low IQ individuals. Leave it to the government and the politicians. You politicans always bitch about being so far in debt, and how many years it is going to take to pay them all off. With the legalization of cannabis, the nation would make more money than it would with corn, beans, tobacco etc combined! resulting in a major time split in paying the nations debts off. Its time to see the bigger picture.
It is a sad day for America, and human existense, when we begin to refer to a plant created by God as a dangerous 'drug' and 'substance.' It's even more sad to think that tobacco and alcohol, both created by man, created solely for the purpose of expected addiction/ abuse and a steady stream of profit, are considered 'safe' and legal by law.
"Herb isthe healing of a nation, Alcohol is the destruction."
By God's creation, we have marijuana. Created by the hands of men, we have chemicals put together for the sole purpose of making money, threatening to destroy our society.
Marijuana is the most dangerous drug in America....hahah. Its amazing how ignorant people could be. When was the last time someone murdered or seriously injured someone or themselves under the influence of marijuana? Never. Its just that simple. Weed makes people pacifists. What's wrong with that? Nothing. Decriminalize it. No matter how tight laws can be, people will keep smoking weed, and there is nothing the government could do about it...except continuing to throw away the taxpayer's money.
The author of this article should be ashamed of himself, plain and simple.
first of all its habit forming and less addicting than coffee second i started smoking pot when i was 12 and i use pot pretty much everyday but today is the second week with out smokin weed and i feel fine so all of you right wing moralist need to quit pushing your shit on us pot smokers cause if your really that up tight bout a fuckin plant then make ciggarettes alcohol fuck even mcdonalds illegal if your so worried bout the health issue but wait a minute isnt pot medical meaning its a medicine for sick people think for your self dont let moralist push you around
Lies, lies, lies.
When will this corrupt government legalize a natural plant with countless medicinal and industrial uses?
Hmm.. probably when they formulate a way to tax the heck out of it to make incredible amounts of money while the citizens pay outrageous prices. I love America but I want this government overthrown.
Lies.
Lies.
Lies.
Why must we be lied too like fools?
Message to the gov: There is only so long you can lie about and police this matter. You should listen to the public more. Conentrate on relitive matters please. Leave the plants alone.
It's pretty easy to see who's in the distorted reality here.
hahaha every commentive read is bashing this fucking pig. quit lying to the people! #LEGALIZEHEMP
Hahahaha this article has to be a joke!! If marijuana was so dangerous I wouldn't be around any more! I've smoked since I was 16 and I'm 30 now and I've had my breaks and times away from it cuz I wanted to and never had any problems doing so. I quit for a while cuz I just didn't have time to do it and then my back got injured and the doctors had me on pills that ended up messing up my liver, so now I replaced the 6 different medications I was on for medical marijuana and I get it recommended from my doctor and I realized what this fun plant I used back in the day for fun actually was able to help me waaaay better then those 6 different pills (pain killers, muscle relaxants, anti inflammatory etc.) ever did and it doesnt hurt my liver either, so fuck all of what this article says and fuck the government, the DEA and everybody for prohibition for this plant! That shit is all lies, how do you people live with yourselves? It's ok to buy and smoke ciggarettes and drink hard liqour that kills millions, but it's not ok to smoke weed which never killed anybody? Get the fuck outta here! Excuse my language but these lies piss me off!
Wow this article is ridiculous. Obviously you work for the government the way you're using facts to manipulate the public. You start off by saying marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. How does that make it dangerous? Millions of ppl drink caffeine everyday, does that make it dangerous too?? Marijuana is more powerful today than it is years ago oh boy i've heard that one before. How can you prove this? Do you have weed from the 1970's to test on? It's not that it's more potent its that cultivation techniques have improved therefore marijuana is properly grown. The gateway theory is idiotic. The liklihood someone tries a drug is up to invidual tendencies and their environment. Obviously since marijuana is illegal you have to go to a black market dealer to get it therefore exposing you to harder drugs. If it were legal this would not be the case. Marijuana is linked to gang violence because its illegal! If you continue to prohibit it gang violence will continue. If it were legal why would anybody kill over it? Let's face the facts marijuana has never killed anybody. Alcohol and tobacco both legal substances have killed millions. You sir Mr. Backstrom lack intelligence and are as ignorant as some of the old dumb men in our government. This kind of propaganda may have worked decades ago but Americans today are not stupid. Open up your eyes. MARIJUANA IS NOT DANGEROUS. Feel free to email me I would love to debate this more.
Your perception of marijuana is that of a 60's anti-marijuana ad; ignorant, stupid and based on your perception of the drug and not fact. Your 2 main reasons are not very good at all, it's like saying "cars are harmful to the environment because a lot of people use them and they use them since they're 16." umm... cars are harmful because of the emissions. Marijuana has never been proven addictive, the only type of addiction you could have to it is a psychological one, the same one you could have towards a video game or tv or pretty much anything, but never a physical dependance. Get your facts right and maybe I'll take you more seriously.
marijuana is NOT dangerous. i have been on it for years and i still get good grades! if anything it has made me a nicer person.
You know, if it were legalized, the money wouldn't flow to gangs. It would flow to stores and growers instead. Didn't we learn anything from the prohibition of alcohol? Or do you still support that?
your a fucking idiot
The problem with these statistics, to start with the ones regarding it's "gateway" potential, is that they don't pinpoint the reason marijuana users at a young age have a 13 times greater chance of using harder drugs in the future. I think it has nothing to do with marijuana itself-rather some young marijuana users would have tried the harder drugs in the first place..because some of them are just boneheads. As for addiction and motor impairment...if you're going to use those as support for your argument to keep marijuana illicit you might as well take alcohol with you, because a) addiction percentages for marijuana are between 9 and 11% as opposed to alchohol at approximately 15% and the "impairment of judgement or driving" is pretty self explanatory...I've heard of far more people falling off of cliffs or crashing their car because yet were drunk not high. There is also very shady evidence to support the other long term neurological effects such as chronic cognitive impairment, or even the ACUTE cognitive impairment while under the influence of marijuana..hell, when I'm high I read stephen hawking or talk physics/medical/science etc. With my buddies. I believe it is a far more safe and effective treatment for several medical conditions I.e. Pain, anxiety, nausea, depression, insomnia, stress, eating disorders, even some strains help with focus, a much better alternative to say adderal which is essentially a small dose of methamphetamine..well, I'm out of characters, peace
You have no idea what you are talking about. Marijuana is the least dangerous drug. How many people have died from smoking marijuana?, a lot less than tobacco, and somehow tobacco is legal. If anyone says that cocaine or heroin is less dangerous than marijuana then they are extremely wrong. I still cannot believe that somebody would write this article and put it on the internet wanting to get positive responses. Learn more about it then write a new article about why marijuana is the least dangerous drug. Look at the facts first.
The reason more people are in rehab for pot is because assholes like you put them there, you give them a harsh sentence or tell them to go to rehab. youre probably more likely to be addicted to eating chalk than you are to smoking weed
James C. Backstrom is a RETARD. END OF STORY
This guy is absolutely clueless, filled with political ambitions and is regurgetating "myths" that have since been proven false, time and time again.
Gateway drug? NO, the gateway drug is MILK! from milk to soda, then to beer then to cigarettes then to marijuana (most stop there) a small minority then proceed to other drugs. Perhaps Advil is a gateway drug to prescription narcotics? FAIL
Secondly, He actually believes marijuana has more carcinegines then cigarettes? LMAO! FAIL
And his long term effects are based on which studies? Doesn't this idiot know that marijuana is safer then any other drugs, alcohol and tobacco included?
This is pure propaganda that is misleading, false and unbelievably wrong! How does someone so uneducated get into a position like his?
This guy is an idiot!
WOW. That was just blatantly stupid. Who ever wrote this ariticale has no idea what life is really about. I mean ALL WEED DOES is heighten your senses, it's up to the individual to respond to that. It could be extremely beneficial and spiritual or it could be like any other day... it is NOT a gateway drug, sure every hard drug user may have started with pot but that's simply the lack of understanding and the fact that weed is illegal just like the other drugs. which make a person believe that they have already crossed the line. think of it people who drink may not go to other drugs but this is because it IS LEGAL and have NOT CROSSED THAT LINE.
loss of appetite, trouble sleeping???? this guy has never seen a pot head they're the most peaceful laid back people ever..Its still the brain washed America that want it illegal. Its about money. They cant bust dope deals and take all there money(tax free)if it is legal. And what about cigarettes...they kill millions..but they give so much money to the government they wanna keep that one around..
This is propaganda. All lies. This is actually quite a ridiculous article. I laughed through most of it, until I realized it is old obsolete people like this that is causing America's downfall.
If you don't already know this article is complete bullshit, you should by the time is says that marijuana use will result in a loss of appetite.
I sure hope that we dont pay this gut to do a job. he is definitly uninformed and speaks with no truth, facts, or statistics to back up what he states. must work for the government. I hope that someone in his family needs marijuana for their ailment and then lets hear what he has to say
Are you foreal!...lol...yes you are funny..all the drunks an cigarette smokers dying from lung cancer an u wana talk about pot..the food in this country dose more harm then pot..pot never made anyone goe threw withdrawls or break in somone house fiening for more..you know how i know stupid!.. ive been smoking pot for years..when i dont have any im fine no problm..i have honors from Duke univ an im a lawyer..stop the madness an lies you idiot!! to funny!!
Lol
I hope you know that Alchol kills more than any other drugs? Marijuana...big fat ZERO. And we also know that Marijuana is illegal for racial and political reasons? RIDICULOUS ARTICLE.
When is last time you herd of a person die of a Marijuana overdose??? I was additcded to meth for over 10 years and Marijuana helped me rehab and it restored my sanity! When will the time come for us Americans to stand up and demand our Goverment to legalize Marijuana for medical research for cures for all aliments???
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