tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315268653485894157.post7226815230709650144..comments2024-03-28T12:51:56.946+00:00Comments on This is what I did.: Get up, Stand up - legalising cannabis campaignDarraghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07043841842862846070noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315268653485894157.post-35705469223993826042008-05-08T19:07:00.000+01:002008-05-08T19:07:00.000+01:00@steph thanks for dropping by and commenting! That...@steph thanks for dropping by and commenting! That was a late night post so I'm sorry if it may have inferred in any way that you advocated the legalisation of the drug - I've edited to amend - but am in agreement about the medicinal values of the drug being studied and then regulated in a similar procedure to any legal drug. As I commented to Darren I see how conceivably my own mother could benefit from some of its alleged benefits. <I> (being very careful in how I word things here.)</I><BR/><BR/>@indica man - welcome to my blog and thanks for stopping by. Thanks also for sharing the information - I'm a believer in getting as much information as possible to help make an informed rational judgment based more on fact than fear. Thanks again.Darraghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07043841842862846070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315268653485894157.post-90230463953063392492008-05-08T18:10:00.000+01:002008-05-08T18:10:00.000+01:00DarraghI'm all for people getting out and having a...Darragh<BR/><BR/>I'm all for people getting out and having a voice or as Damien would say, get out and push!<BR/><BR/>However I don't agree about legalising cannabis for social use but I do wish it could be prescribed for medicinal use. There are many medical conditions where cannabis is hugely more effective than any prescribed drug and this sub-group of patients should not be forced to use an illicit source to access a supply.<BR/><BR/>So I believe we need to regulate and educate but NOT to legalise cannabis in Ireland!<BR/><BR/>btw Thanks for the link!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315268653485894157.post-85112841235459241332008-05-08T18:09:00.000+01:002008-05-08T18:09:00.000+01:00Thanks for an informative post. As with all causes...Thanks for an informative post. As with all causes, there will be many who oppose others' views and wishes. <BR/>Campaigning for a cause that one is committed to is a noble deed.<BR/><BR/>In regards to 'the crabling otter's comment:<BR/>(See link below for references)<BR/>Contrary to popular belief, cannabis is *not* what could be considered a valid 'gateway' drug. Yes, a majority of heroin, speed and cocaine addicts tried cannabis before using harder drugs. However, 80% off ALL cannabis users *never* move on to a harder drug. I'd suggest that these figures would make it a 'terminus drug'. That is, the majority of users of cannabis never go on to harder drugs.<BR/><BR/>While smoking cannabis may lead to a greater risk of bronchial conditions than non-smokers, there is no concrete evidence linking cannabis to lung cancer or Emphysema in the way tobacco is linked. Further, if the smoking factor is removed from the cannabis debate, the positive medicinal values of cannabis far out-weigh any negative effects.<BR/><BR/>I could go on, but I won't. If you would like more medicinal cannabis information, my blog may be able to help:<BR/><A HREF="itsmedicinejim.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">It's Medicine Jim</A>Indica Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03171916610504458370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315268653485894157.post-16473605392509160732008-05-08T17:51:00.000+01:002008-05-08T17:51:00.000+01:00The joys of insomnia and scheduling posts to appea...The joys of insomnia and scheduling posts to appear. Sitting in the airport at the moment replying on my brick.<BR/><BR/>You make valid points Darren and I deliberately tried to leave my personal views out of the post, especially because the idea of the piece is to allow people make up their own minds.<BR/><BR/>In relation to the drug I admit to having little to no knowledge or exposure. I've read conflicting reports on its damage compared to something like nicotine or alcohol, on the crime rates where it's legal and ultimately I'm none the wiser. I know people who smoke and as long as they don't try to force their habit on me, I'm content.<BR/><BR/>Re the legislation, well, where to begin? The amount of resource spent apprehending and prosecuting those who have it for personal use, the willingness to chase this down rather than deal with harder problems, the nanny state syndrome and the refusal to enter into dialogue about it all come to mind. I looked for a while today for the legat position on why it's illegal and couldn't find the social/medical/criminal grounds for it. I'd like to know why a drug that is - allegedly - less harmful than alcohol is illegal, when we have so many alcohol related problems and crimes in the country, drink driving being one of the most tragic killers. We certainly talk a lot about the issue but what's really done about it?<BR/><BR/>My mother is crippled with arthritis and other rheumatic pains, and so has to take a cocktail of prescribed legal strong painkillers which render her less than lucid at the best of times, rather than something to relax her. Given her age she's not too worried about getting hooked on coke. There's also the terminal aids and cancer patients who have to be knocked out with morphine having no quality of life compared to one that this drug could allegedly possibly give. I think everyone needs more facts on it before making an absolute judgment. Take into account the legal situation and history of this country and you might see what I mean.<BR/><BR/>The motivated young people against drink driving laws - a very good and valid point. But to turn it slightly off topic I'll bet the non confrontational, open to dialogue and asking to be heard engaging approach of these people was of far more effect than something like the lisbon treaty campaign, like the hated Rock the Vote campaign and is something far more people would welcome.<BR/><BR/>There are many campaigns I may not agree with or see the point of or even understand but it's great to see people motivated enough to get up and be heard. At least then questions can be asked, lessons learned and dialogue begun. If people keep silent about things, nothing will change.<BR/><BR/>Better to strike a match than curse the darkness.Darraghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07043841842862846070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315268653485894157.post-13874851475956587402008-05-08T16:50:00.000+01:002008-05-08T16:50:00.000+01:00You're quite the scríbhneoir today. Keep it up (I ...You're quite the scríbhneoir today. Keep it up (I been too busy reading other blogs to blog).<BR/><BR/>On the point, I consider myself to be a liberal; I'm in favour of change and progress and dragging our collective asses out of the past, but the legalisation of Cannabis is certainly not the way forward.<BR/><BR/>It is illegal for many reasons. It is a harmful substance and despite the pseudo-arguments against escalation to other drugs, I have witnessed first hand people's progression from Cannabis on to harder drugs. There is an argument that 1/3 or Irish people use the drug, but I find this hard to accept and would love to see the research.<BR/><BR/>In a culture where we are fighting against our dependence on another substance (sweet, sweet alcohol), the fact that politicians are even entertaining legalisation is yet another painful example of modern politics bending to the will of those who shout loudest rather than those who are right.<BR/><BR/>D, I think I know your views on legalisation, so I'm not attacking you here. I will say however, if groups of motivated, young people organised a march to demand a change to other laws (laws against drink driving for example), I doubt you'd be so impressed.<BR/><BR/>Cannabis is illegal. Just because many people break this law, does not make it a good thing.<BR/><BR/>Rant over!Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16738337397318550770noreply@blogger.com