Stefan Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 There are differing studies. Some of which support the claims being made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buggernut Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 OH NO YOU DON'T! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 There are differing studies. Some of which support the claims being made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift-4 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I don't understand how legalising marijuana would send the signal to society and youth that drug abuse is ok. Alcohol is legalised. Does that impose a message that being an alcoholic is good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Since when is the UN about meddling with countries' internal matters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 *These studies brought to you by the guys who build and run commercial prisons and sell "equipment" to the DEA/organized crime. Did you have a point in there somewhere Wet? Those last few posts are a bit ambiguous and random. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 What is ambiguous? The US has been the prime mover and shaker internationally in respect of prohibiting marijuana for over 70 years until finally succeeding in 1961. In fact the US insisted that marijuana be embedded in the Single Convention (as with opium production and trafficking) not just scheduled which would allow for amendment. Cindy Fazey, former Chief of Demand Reduction for the United Nations Drug Control Programme, has pointed out that it would be nearly impossible to loosen international cannabis regulations. Even if the Commission on Narcotic Drugs removed cannabis from Schedule IV of the Single Convention, prohibitions against the plant would remain imbedded in Article 28 and other parts of the treaty. Theoretically, the conventions can be changed by modification, such as moving a drug from one schedule to another or simply by removing it from the schedules. However, this cannot be done with cannabis because it is embedded in the text of the 1961 Convention. Also, modification would need a majority of the Commissions’ 53 members to vote for it. Amendment to the conventions, that is changing an article or part of an article, does not offer a more promising route for the same reason. Even if a majority were gained, then only one state need ask for the decision to go to the Economic and Social Council for further consideration, and demand a vote. The 1971 and 1988 Conventions need a two-thirds majority for change, not just a simple majority. http://www.fuoriluog...3/apr_17_en.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Yes...but who even brought that up or suggested otherwise? Then the seemingly random comment about inaccurate studies. You seem to be having an argument with yourself. It's weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthecivil Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Since international treaties contain a clause about signatory countries putting their obligations into effect domestically? The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs makes a distinction between recreational and medical and scientific uses of drugs. Numerous provisions state that nations are allowed to permit medical use of drugs. However, recreational use is prohibited by Article 4: The parties shall take such legislative and administrative measures as may be necessary . . . Subject to the provisions of this Convention, to limit exclusively to medical and scientific purposes the production, manufacture, export, import, distribution of, trade in, use and possession of drugs. Furthermore, the Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances requires its Parties to establish criminal penalties for possession of drugs prohibited under the Single Convention for recreational use. If a nation wished to completely legalize marijuana, it would have to withdraw from the treaties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthecivil Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I did not say inaccurate, I said studies differed in their conclusions as to risks associated with use of marijuana... and they do. Such as the 2003 study - Marijuana in the Treatment of Glaucoma CTA - May 2003 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Risks Potentially serious side effects associated with smoking marijuana include an increased heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure. Studies of single-administration marijuana use have shown a lowering of blood pressure concurrent with the lowering of IOP. (Flom MC, Adams AJ, Jones RT. Marijuana smoking and reduced pressure in human eyes: drug action or epiphenomenon? Invest Ophthalmol 1975; 14:52-5 and Merritt JC, Crawford WJ, Alexander PC, et al. Effect of marihuana on intraocular and blood pressure in glaucoma. Ophthalmology 1980; 787:222-8.) This raises concerns that there may be compromised blood flow to the optic nerve, but no data have been published on the long-term systemic and ocular effects from the use of marijuana by patients with glaucoma. Other adverse effects from the use of marijuana that have been reported include conjunctival hyperemia, impaired immune system response, impaired memory for recent events, difficulty concentrating, impaired motor coordination, tolerance to repeated doses, decreased testosterone in men who are chronic users, and short-term withdrawal symptoms after cessation. (National Institutes of Health. Report on the Workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana. Rockville, MD: PHS, 1997) Smoking of marijuana also can lead to emphysema-like lung changes, (Green K. Marijuana smoking vs. cannabinoids for glaucoma therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 1998; 116:1433-7) increased risk of cancer, and poor pregnancy outcomes.(Institute of Medicine, NationalAcademy of Sciences. Marijuana and Medicine. Assessing the Science Base. Washington, DC: NationalAcademy Press; 1999) Because the duration of the induced fall in IOP is short, an individual would have to smoke a marijuana cigarette eight or ten times a day in order to control IOP over 24 hours.( Green K. Marijuana smoking vs. cannabinoids for glaucoma therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 1998; 116:1433-7) The UK National Health Service http://www.nhs.uk/Li...bisdangers.aspx In June 2012 British experts warned that the public dangerously underestimates the health risks linked to smoking cannabis. The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health. And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher. The BLF said the lack of awareness was "alarming". And the report and studies that formed the basis: http://www.blf.org.u...report-2012.pdf A number of studies are cited here: http://cyber.law.har...a/Health_1.html And as this article notes results in various studies conflict. Compounds in marijuana can relieve pain, combat nausea and stimulate appetite. But whether these health benefits outweigh the risks of legalized marijuana has fueled a debate and legislative conundrum across the United States. In more than 15 states, local police may consider an individual's marijuana use legal, while federal law prohibits it. Unlike many abused drugs, an overdose of marijuana is not lethal, according to the National Cancer Institute. Although marijuana can be addictive for some, the potential for forming an addiction to marijuana is lower than some prescription drugs and other abused drugs. However, marijuana has side effects. The primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, one of more than 60 cannabinoids (chemicals unique to marijuana). THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, which are concentrated in areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination and time perception. The effects of marijuana can interfere with attention, judgment and balance. Marijuana also suppresses the immune system, which can be damaging to many people, but useful for others with certain health conditions. Although marijuana has been known to decrease pressure within the eyes, a symptom of the condition glaucoma, research has shown that other drugs may be more effective. Studies have produced conflicting results on whether smoking marijuana carries a significant cancer risk.According to the American Cancer Society, worldwide research into the benefits and side effects of compounds in marijuana is ongoing. Some compounds in marijuana have already been developed into pharmaceuticals. http://www.livescien...-marijuana.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Or simply just break that portion. If the world wants to void the treaty as a result let them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthecivil Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 The US cannot do that - it would have to repudiate the whole treaty and that is not going to happen given that the US has strong-armed a number of countries into the treaty in the first place and use it as basis to interfere in the sovereignty of other nations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 The US relies on our imports to keep the lights on and their cars moving. We don't make a big fuss about all their guns. We don't make a fuss that Washington and Colorado are legalizing it themselves (and so far neither are they). So instead of preaching about sovereignty let's practice it and do what we want. If they don't like it too bad. This isn't lining the border with land mines. It's legalizing something a huge percentage of the population does anyways. Besides, by the time the federal conservatives have a chance at being voted out for all we know the states will have legalized it themselves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthecivil Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 You missed the point about sovereignty. The US uses the War on Drugs as an excuse to put their own forces on the ground in foreign countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I did not say inaccurate, I said studies differed in their conclusions as to risks associated with use of marijuana... and they do. Such as the 2003 study - Marijuana in the Treatment of Glaucoma CTA - May 2003 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Risks Potentially serious side effects associated with smoking marijuana include an increased heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure. Studies of single-administration marijuana use have shown a lowering of blood pressure concurrent with the lowering of IOP. (Flom MC, Adams AJ, Jones RT. Marijuana smoking and reduced pressure in human eyes: drug action or epiphenomenon? Invest Ophthalmol 1975; 14:52-5 and Merritt JC, Crawford WJ, Alexander PC, et al. Effect of marihuana on intraocular and blood pressure in glaucoma. Ophthalmology 1980; 787:222-8.) This raises concerns that there may be compromised blood flow to the optic nerve, but no data have been published on the long-term systemic and ocular effects from the use of marijuana by patients with glaucoma. Other adverse effects from the use of marijuana that have been reported include conjunctival hyperemia, impaired immune system response, impaired memory for recent events, difficulty concentrating, impaired motor coordination, tolerance to repeated doses, decreased testosterone in men who are chronic users, and short-term withdrawal symptoms after cessation. (National Institutes of Health. Report on the Workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana. Rockville, MD: PHS, 1997) Smoking of marijuana also can lead to emphysema-like lung changes, (Green K. Marijuana smoking vs. cannabinoids for glaucoma therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 1998; 116:1433-7) increased risk of cancer, and poor pregnancy outcomes.(Institute of Medicine, NationalAcademy of Sciences. Marijuana and Medicine. Assessing the Science Base. Washington, DC: NationalAcademy Press; 1999) Because the duration of the induced fall in IOP is short, an individual would have to smoke a marijuana cigarette eight or ten times a day in order to control IOP over 24 hours.( Green K. Marijuana smoking vs. cannabinoids for glaucoma therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 1998; 116:1433-7) The UK National Health Service http://www.nhs.uk/Li...bisdangers.aspx In June 2012 British experts warned that the public dangerously underestimates the health risks linked to smoking cannabis. The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health. And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher. The BLF said the lack of awareness was "alarming". And the report and studies that formed the basis: http://www.blf.org.u...report-2012.pdf A number of studies are cited here: http://cyber.law.har...a/Health_1.html And as this article notes results in various studies conflict. Compounds in marijuana can relieve pain, combat nausea and stimulate appetite. But whether these health benefits outweigh the risks of legalized marijuana has fueled a debate and legislative conundrum across the United States. In more than 15 states, local police may consider an individual's marijuana use legal, while federal law prohibits it. Unlike many abused drugs, an overdose of marijuana is not lethal, according to the National Cancer Institute. Although marijuana can be addictive for some, the potential for forming an addiction to marijuana is lower than some prescription drugs and other abused drugs. However, marijuana has side effects. The primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, one of more than 60 cannabinoids (chemicals unique to marijuana). THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, which are concentrated in areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination and time perception. The effects of marijuana can interfere with attention, judgment and balance. Marijuana also suppresses the immune system, which can be damaging to many people, but useful for others with certain health conditions. Although marijuana has been known to decrease pressure within the eyes, a symptom of the condition glaucoma, research has shown that other drugs may be more effective. Studies have produced conflicting results on whether smoking marijuana carries a significant cancer risk.According to the American Cancer Society, worldwide research into the benefits and side effects of compounds in marijuana is ongoing. Some compounds in marijuana have already been developed into pharmaceuticals. http://www.livescien...-marijuana.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Building Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Breaking News US to Tolerate Marijuana Use in States August 29, 2013 The Obama administration says it will not challenge two new state laws legalizing the recreational and medical use of marijuana, as long as they do not interfere with new federal enforcement priorities. In a broad-ranging policy statement, the U.S. Justice Department said it expects Colorado and Washington to adopt "strict regulatory schemes" aimed at blocking minors from marijuana access and criminal gangs from trafficking profits. Officials say the new guidelines will apply to all states that legalize marijuana use. Colorado and Washington began allowing small amounts of marijuana for recreational use, following voter approvals in 2012 elections. Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia permit the use of the drug for medical purposes. The announcement eases 75 years of blanket federal criminal penalties for the use and distribution of marijuana. The move follows a protracted push by marijuana proponents, including U.S. congressional advocates, to end criminal prosecutions for marijuana use by adults. The Justice Department said Attorney General Eric Holder explained the government's new approach to the governors of Colorado and Washington on Thursday. Holder also told federal prosecutors the remaining priority enforcement areas will focus on illegal cartel activity, interstate trafficking and violence, or accidents involving the drug, as well as juvenile protections. Analysts say the new guidelines do not alter marijuana's classification as an illegal drug. But they effectively discourage the prosecution of marijuana users who have no links to criminal gangs or cartels. In 2011, congressional legislation legalizing recreational use of the drug failed to gain sufficient support for a vote in the House of Representatives. The legislation was backed by a bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers. A spokesman for the advocacy group "Marijuana Policy Project" called Thursday's announcement a "major and historic step toward ending marijuana prohibition." But opponents were quick to criticize the move. Peter Bensinger, a former head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said the U.S. Attorney's action violates existing law and puts the citizens of Washington and Colorado at risk. A spokeswoman for the "Drug Free America Foundation," Calvina Fay, is quoted as voicing disappointment "that Eric Holder's not doing his job." Interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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