pat robertson wants the devils weed decriminalized

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**youbedead**

Whatever happened to the culture warriors? Everyone is either a gay soldier or a black president nowadays. Or perhaps even a pot decriminalizing televangelist? This is old Pat Robertson, now. Pat Robertson is sick of the War on Marijuana.

Robertson's pot comments aired on the December 16 edition of 700 Club, in case you had to miss that one.

"It got to be a big deal in campaigns: 'He's tough on crime,' and 'lock 'em up!'" the Christian Coalition founder said. "That's the way these guys ran and, uh, they got elected. But, that wasn't the answer."
His co-host added that the success of religious-run dormitories for drug and alcohol cessation therapy present an "opportunity" for faith-based communities to lead the way on drug law reforms.
"We're locking up people that have taken a couple puffs of marijuana and next thing you know they've got 10 years with mandatory sentences," Robertson continued. "These judges just say, they throw up their hands and say nothing we can do with these mandatory sentences. We've got to take a look at what we're considering crimes and that's one of 'em.
"I'm ... I'm not exactly for the use of drugs, don't get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing it's just, it's costing us a fortune and it's ruining young people. Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That's not a good thing."
He's still a vicious dick. I mean, in this same calendar year, he's blamed the Haitian people for bringing the earthquake upon themselves, centuries ago, when they liberated themselves from slavery. But that's a coherent, moderate marijuana policy argument! Even if you don't really care for religious focus of Robertson's take, it's an much-needed argument that can gain traction among social conservatives. This draconian crap will remain a third rail in national politics until more simple, constituent-tailored reasons like this bring political cover.

http://gawker.com/5716175/pat-robertson-wants-the-devils-weed-decriminalized?skyline=true&s=i

Now even pat Robertson is for decriminalizing pot

**Corpsesarefun**

Good on him.

Driving things underground is never a valid solution and if its legalised it means big ass companies can manufacture it and make it toxic!

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

Holy fething christmas! That's awesome! Pat, your senility is finally paying off.

**Peter Wiggin**

Good, smoke it up. Maybe then folks will chill out and stop being so damn uptight all the time.

**Phryxis**

I was watching a show the other day... These cops were in Hawaii, flying around in a helicopter, looking for weed. They had a guy hanging down on a line, they'd spot some weed, hover, he'd unhook, pull out the plant, hook back on, and they'd fly away.

Think about that...

How much does it cost to operate a helicopter per hour? $1000 or so? And honestly, how many people are going to die per year when you fly around with a dude hanging under a helicopter? More than are dying from weed...

So these guys are flying around, and over the course of the show, they pull up about 5 plants. Like, three foot tall plants.

What sort of use of time and resources is that?

Legalize it and tax it 1000% percent. You could tax it at 1000% percent, and it would STILL be cheaper for the smokers. This stuff is WEED. It's not even hard to grow and harvest like tobacco is.

You put the criminals out of business, and their proceeds go to taxes.

Honestly, I think it's a commentary on just how totally unprepared we are to solve our problems that we still ban weed.

And, P.S. if we're going to legalize weed, LEGALIZE IT. Don't just let shady doctors write bogus prescriptions to college kids. All that does is diminish the credibility of doctors, and teach college kids that lying is how government works.

We couldn't be any more wrong about this whole thing.

**chaos0xomega**

IT'S A TRAP!!!!

Sorry, thats all I can think as I read this.

**Mannahnin**

I don't think I've ever agreed with Phryxis more.

It occurs to me to wonder whether old Pat or someone close to him has been diagnosed with cancer and he's learned that's an effective anti-nausea med. But maybe I'm just being cynical. IME a lot of these old judgmental moralists (Rush Limbaugh saying drug addicts should be locked up, anyone?) don't see reason until their ox is gored.

**Peter Wiggin**

As a patient in the medical cannabis industry....its kind of a mixed bag. I mean out here they ARE weed stores. But also you have people with chronic pain and other serious conditions that use weed instead of opiate pain meds. Personally it helps me with my bones when it rains (broken my hands many times), as well as my chronic nausea. Since getting my card I have not had a drop of booze or taken any Rx pain/nausea meds.

Yes, I do like smokin the herb....but you never hear about folks getting stoned and having a bar fight.

**KingCracker**

I too dont see why we have a "war on drugs" with marijuana included in it. I get fighting heroine and other hardcore drugs, but pot? Really? There is just SO much tax payer money being burned for that crap, and why?

I agree, make it legal, and do like the big tobacco companies did with tobacco, make it a sell able product and profit the hell out of it. Seriously who WOULDNT want to smoke a J every now and then? I know I would. I get some awesomely terrible pains in my knee from something I picked up as a child and would love to have that dulled every once in awhile

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

Peter Wiggin wrote:As a patient in the medical cannabis industry....its kind of a mixed bag. I mean out here they ARE weed stores. But also you have people with chronic pain and other serious conditions that use weed instead of opiate pain meds. Personally it helps me with my bones when it rains (broken my hands many times), as well as my chronic nausea. Since getting my card I have not had a drop of booze or taken any Rx pain/nausea meds.

Yes, I do like smokin the herb....but you never hear about folks getting stoned and having a bar fight.

Eeeeeeepic

Can I visit? Please?

**Morathi's Darkest Sin**

I'd agree with Phryxis as well, been thinking that would be the best way to deal with it for a long while.

On top of which with a regulated, legal option on the cigarette counter, it would hopefully get rid of the dangerous 'Skunk' strength varient over here, or at least put a dent in its popularity.

**Peter Wiggin**

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:I'd agree with Phryxis as well, been thinking that would be the best way to deal with it for a long while.

On top of which with a regulated, legal option on the cigarette counter, it would hopefully get rid of the dangerous 'Skunk' strength varient over here, or at least put a dent in its popularity.

Skunk is wonderful. Purple is wonderful. However, a good organic indoor sativa has the best odor and heady high. Your skunky indica's and purple indica's are going to have a more laid back vibe with lots of flavor on the exhale of the smoke. Similar to the effect you get from a fine wine tasting.

Hey, ever heard of a pothead beating his wife in a stoned rage?

PS Yes you weirdo Cannerus, you can visit. Oakland Cali baby, home of the Raiders and the best weed in Amerika. Humbolt country not included...they literally throw bud on the ground there.

Oh, yeah this is the only place in the US I've seen where they LITERALLY give away weed plants "because they aren't pretty enough to sell".

My preferred weed brand. Compostable packaging, consistent quality, all organic.

http://www.organicann.com/

**Tyyr**

Phryxis wrote: and teach college kids that lying is how government works.

You mean it's not?

**Morathi's Darkest Sin**

Peter Wiggin wrote:

Skunk is wonderful. Purple is wonderful. However, a good organic indoor sativa has the best odor and heady high. Your skunky indica's and purple indica's are going to have a more laid back vibe with lots of flavor on the exhale of the smoke. Similar to the effect you get from a fine wine tasting.

Hey, ever heard of a pothead beating his wife in a stoned rage?

To be honest, its more of a issue with youth over here, I suppose at the end of the day its probably no worse than the young drinkers causing issues on a Saturday night. As in the media outrage is worse than the actual problem.

However there is a perception in the British media that Skunk is more harmful than normal Cannabis, and teens/Chavs on it are more unstable and/or dangerous. I've not looked into that much, but thats why I raised 'Skunk' in particular, of course as with much in the media the truth may not be as clear cut as they are making it seem.

**Phryxis**

You mean it's not?

Oh, it totally is, but until you stop teaching each generation that's how it works, there's no chance at all that it will change.

**Peter Wiggin**

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:
Peter Wiggin wrote:

Skunk is wonderful. Purple is wonderful. However, a good organic indoor sativa has the best odor and heady high. Your skunky indica's and purple indica's are going to have a more laid back vibe with lots of flavor on the exhale of the smoke. Similar to the effect you get from a fine wine tasting.

Hey, ever heard of a pothead beating his wife in a stoned rage?

To be honest, its more of a issue with youth over here, I suppose at the end of the day its probably no worse than the young drinkers causing issues on a Saturday night. As in the media outrage is worse than the actual problem.

However there is a perception in the British media that Skunk is more harmful than normal Cannabis, and teens/Chavs on it are more unstable and/or dangerous. I've not looked into that much, but thats why I raised 'Skunk' in particular, of course as with much in the media the truth may not be as clear cut as they are making it seem.

Sounds like most of your country needs a bit of an education on the biochemical effects of alcohol vs cannabis. Trust me, drinking is FAR more damaging to both the adolescent and adult human.

Booze leads to DUI's, bar fights, liver damage, and eventual death by slow poisoning. Weed leads to munchies and sexing fat girls.

Skunk strains are generally sativa, or sativa dominant. This leads to "uplifted" emotions....IE giggles, enjoymet of tactile sensation, munchies, etc. The high THC content can also make you a bit paranoid....its not really "damaging" to anythign other than your motivation. Easier on the lungs than tobacco.

**Phryxis**

Trust me, drinking is FAR more damaging to both the adolescent and adult human.

Meh. I think EXCESSIVE drinking is deadly, whereas excessive pot smoking is not.

At lower levels of usage, alcohol is harmless, whereas pot can still impact your overal ability to regulate mood and can delay some aspects of the maturation process. I'm talking 1 drink a day as compared to a pinner a day.

I'm not totally sure that lines up in terms of actual usage level, tho. One drink won't get you drunk, but a pinner will get you stoned for a time.

Bottom line, the "range" of what alcohol can do to you is a lot greater than what pot will do. Alcohol ranges from "nothing" to "kill." Pot ranges from "stoned" to "very stoned."

**Morathi's Darkest Sin**

Well I don't really drink, but I think the regulations they bring onto Alchohol is a bit draconian to target the whole based on the activities of a percentage of younger drinkers.

I'd think copying the U.S and bringing in a under 21 policy would do much more good to the general harmony of the streets in the UK on Friday and Saturday nights than raising taxes on booze across the board.

I would agree whole heartidly drinking is more dangerous though, I'm one of those who believes 'if drinking was invented today it'd be Class A restricted substance.'
Obviously it hasn't been though, so we need to deal with it in the best way possible.

As to Canabis, if you can see them, look up 'frank' Canabis adverts for UK telly. It will show you our Goverments view on the substance. I'd link it myself, but youtube is work blocked.

**Peter Wiggin**

Phryxis wrote:
Trust me, drinking is FAR more damaging to both the adolescent and adult human.

Meh. I think EXCESSIVE drinking is deadly, whereas excessive pot smoking is not.

At lower levels of usage, alcohol is harmless, whereas pot can still impact your overal ability to regulate mood and can delay some aspects of the maturation process. I'm talking 1 drink a day as compared to a pinner a day.

I'm not totally sure that lines up in terms of actual usage level, tho. One drink won't get you drunk, but a pinner will get you stoned for a time.

Bottom line, the "range" of what alcohol can do to you is a lot greater than what pot will do. Alcohol ranges from "nothing" to "kill." Pot ranges from "stoned" to "very stoned."

Very good description. NO drugs are good for teens as it disrupts the development of the body, but weed isn't exactly something that you suck dick on the corner for.

**Soladrin**

Lol, all the world is slowly accepting the stuff, and here it's getting pushed back further every year.

Next year, foreigners won't even be able to get into any coffee shops anymore, you'll need a pass that is only obtainable if your Dutch.

Glory to dealers is their plan apparantly.

**Samus_aran115**

I mis-read the title as "robert pattinson"

**Corpsesarefun**

Samus_aran115 wrote:I mis-read the title as "robert pattinson"

Same

**Phryxis**

weed isn't exactly something that you suck dick on the corner for.

Maybe YOU don't.

But, the fundamental point is roughly the same... Weed is a "gateway drug?" Ok... And how many people who have done crack didn't first drink alcohol? How many didn't first smoke a cigarette?

I'm going to take a wild guess: 0. Or, to be as acurate as possible, 0.0000.

Why aren't cigarettes "gateway drugs?" Or alcohol?

Hell, we scarf down caffeine like it's nothing, but if you get a little too much of that crap in your system, it's a whole lot more pronounced of a physical effect than a LOT of prescription drugs. It's also highly addictive.

I'll stop now, lest I sound like one of those annoying college activists who think that repeating facts has anything to do with politics. Which, I guess, is what I was suggesting earlier that they should think.

**Corpsesarefun**

Things are only gateway drugs if they are seen to be drugs, you wont be persuaded to try crack by a government regulated business whereas your local dealer probably will.

**Samus_aran115**

Marijuana is a gateway drug? I thought acid was

You can get 10 hits of acid for 5 bucks where I live. You can get a pinch of weed for like 5 too. I dunno. The city is different. Weed probably appeals to kids that think that they have something going for them.

I've noticed that. "No, I have to go to college one day. I can't do those heavy drugs. I'll just smoke pot!".... Can't you just not do ANY drugs?

**FITZZ**

Samus_aran115 wrote:Marijuana is a gateway drug? I thought acid was You can get 10 hits of acid for 5 bucks where I live. You can get a pinch of weed for like 5 too. I dunno. The city is different. Weed probably appeals to kids that think that they have something going for them.

I've noticed that. "No, I have to go to college one day. I can't do those heavy drugs. I'll just smoke pot!".... Can't you just not do ANY drugs?

10 hits of acid for $5 bucks..????...I've no idea what city you live in...but clearly the dealers that live there are idiots.

**Emperors Faithful**

Or it's not acid.

**FITZZ**

Emperors Faithful wrote:Or it's not acid.

That would have been my second thought.
Acid was between $6 and $9dollars a hit when I was a teenager...and that was over 20 years ago.

**Emperors Faithful**

FITZZ wrote:
Emperors Faithful wrote:Or it's not acid.

That would have been my second thought.
Acid was between $6 and $9dollars a hit when I was a teenager...and that was over 20 years ago.

Oh you and your dashing, handsome, youthful self those 20 years ago.

**FITZZ**

Emperors Faithful wrote:
FITZZ wrote:
Emperors Faithful wrote:Or it's not acid.

That would have been my second thought.
Acid was between $6 and $9dollars a hit when I was a teenager...and that was over 20 years ago.

Oh you and your dashing, handsome, youthful self those 20 years ago.

...As opposed to my current greying,wrinkling curmudgeonly self of today.

...*sigh*...Yesterday.