[Blackeagle]

The fact is hemp, pot, weed ect. isn't all that usefull. Yes many things can be made from it, no doubt.

But at competitive cost in a real world market place? With the exception of rope, no. West Indian hemp ropes were once the standard of the world for strength and long wear. They still would be in fact if it were not illegal for the farmers who once grew and marketed it to do so. And unlike nylon it is low stretch, nor does it degrade at the rate nylon does in sunlight/weathering.

It's funny to me that few know this plant prior to, and during the first world war was grown extensivly in the great plains states for rope making. Were thier massive numbers of stoner farmers? NO. On the other hand were clothing makers using it, NO. The idea put forward saying it should be legal so we can make clothing ect. is BS, plain and simple, and most people see it as such.

IS it really needed for medical use, again NO. Every single treatment it is possible to make a medical use for the "herb" is also well treatable with other drugs. Just because it is possible to use it to treat a illness or side effect of cancer treatment drugs doesn't make it NEEDED. So the medical use arguement in it's favor goes out the window.

I've read a great deal on the subject of drug abuse (includes alcohol), so as to form a personal oppinion of drug use. I've also been trained in how to deal with those who are drug abusers. I work as a corrections officer for the state of MI. and I've seen tens of thousands of drug abusers in my years in corrections. Some are violent people, with or without mind altering substances, this is made much worse if they are high ( and yes, they find ways to get it even in prisons.) Othes giggle to themselves or find common things rather amusing. A third group sits or lays down and "enjoys the buzz".

Drugs don't so much turn someone into a violent killer, or rapest BUT they can and DO lower inhibitions of individuals. And it is this lowering of a individuals inhibitions that is the danger in ALL drugs INCLUDING ALCOHOL. This is for those who don't abuse daily, but do so as "recreation".

There is a strong connection between being under the influence and crimes of impulse. Murder, assualt and rape often involve substance abuse. The most often abused substance involved in crimes by impulse is ALCOHOL. Even though there are numerous crimes commited involving other narcotic drugs, alcohol related crimes of impulse outnumber all those other drugs combined.

Those who become hooked on thier substance of choice are a bit differant. They count planed crimes amoung thier offences. Theft to gain money to buy more is common in this group. And they also include all the crimes of impulse.

Violent crime between drug dealers over "sales regions" are a third area of crimes that are drug related. But they are planned, not impulse. Also major dealers are most often involved in other criminal activitys besides drugs.

During prohibition alcohol use in our nation droped by huge amounts. It still existed and in fact created the illegal making and importing of alcohol as a new crime catagory. One of the strongest arguements forwarded in repeal of the law was that alcohol use was still wide spread and was funding organized crime. So the law was repealed, and alcohol use tripled and more almost overnight. And the goverment makes money from it again.

Tobacco has always been legal. But in recent years it has now been proven to be a cancer agent not only to the user, but to those around him. But again the goverments make a great deal of money off of tobacco sales. The goverment has doubled and tripled or more the taxes on cigaretts in the last 25 years.

To those saying the use of pot is no worse than alcohol I have this to say. I argee with you to a point. Alcohol is at this time involved in more crime than pot is. But this is in fact due, in part, to the fact alcohol is LEGAL. Pot use they claim won't increase much if made legal, BS. Just as alcohol use rose so will the use of pot. I don't think the growth would be quite so rapid as alcohol use after the repeal of prohibition as the pent up demand was there waiting on tap, so to speak. But pot use would grow quickly as those now restrained by it's legal standing won't be then. And don't even try the claim that people are not restrained by the status quo. Many are, they use less than they would if it were legal, or abstain entirely. And the amount of pot avaiable for sale would increase, thus lowering the price, which would make it less cost prohibitive to try.

I'm one of a very few who would gladly see alcohol and tobacco added to the list of illegal substances. Most of all alcohol. Tobacco is damaging, no question, but is not related to crimes of impulse as alcohol is.

There is so much more I could say on this topic.