Do the benefits of marijuan/hemp out-way the harms?

Answer 1

Yes! When I asked a question about legalizing marijuana, a couple of weeks or so ago, I got one answer that I had to give best answer to, because it was exactly what I was looking for, in terms of the reason that marijuana/hemp was made illegal in the first place. I have to post that answer here, because too many people are not aware of this history!

Yes. As for the reasons for it being made illegal:

Same reason everything else happens. Money. Now, who profits directly from hemp being made illegal? Logical first thought would be pot dealers, but they dont have very much lobbying power or influence, so we can rule them out.

Think in the context of the time. Hemp became illegal in 1937. Who back then, and by extension still today stood to profit from it being made illegal? Let me give you a hint. Popular Mechanics, in the '30s reported that hemp was the first crop with the business potential to exceed one billion dollars. In the 1930's that was one hell of alot of money. That much would have to come at the expense of some other industry right? What are the logical industries that a massive hemp industry would damage?

Paper and logging: One can get the same amount of paper from 4.1. acres of trees as they can get from just one acre of hemp. Not to mention that its higher quality paper and more durable than the wood-pulp paper we have today. Naturally without the need to make paper from wood, the logging industry would be threatened as well as the wood-pulp paper industry.

Petrochemical and synthetics: With hemp you can make fuel, and natural, biodegrable plastics. Ford's first Model-T was made from hemp plastics and was made to run on hemp oil. So naturally, with Dupont, in 1937, having just patented the way to make plastics from oil, felt incredibly threatened by the potential of the huge potential of hemp.

Tobacco and alcohol: Who wants to get drunk and throw up everywhere when you can get high and relax right? Same thing with cigarettes. Most people I've seen smoking their first cigarette hate it. By contrast, most people I've seen smoking pot for the first time like it. Right off the bat thats a threat to the tobacco industry, not to mention that the effects of pot are more pleasant than those of tobacco or alcohol.

So now you have some very rich, very powerful industrialists threatened by this plant. How long do you think its going to take for it to disappear somehow? They lobbied in the government, pushed stories of how bad "marihuana" was in newspapers they owned, and of course, movies like "Reefer Madness" and "Marihuana: The Devils Weed" helped push popular opinion against it.

William R. Hearst owned several newspapers, not to mention the Hearst Paper Manufacturing Division of Kimberly Clark. They owned considerable amounts of forests to be used for paper. They would have lost incredible amounts of money with the industrialization of hemp.

The American Medical Association, ironically testified in Congress against the law making hemp illegal, because they hadnt realized until that point that what the media was talking about when they said "marihuana" was the same thing as hemp. Movies like Reefer Madness told stories of people killing their entire families with an ax under the influence of marihuana, and so virtually no-one made the connection between hemp and marijuana until after the law was passed.

Theres lots of irony and inconsistencies in the propaganda that played a part in making it illegal. Its an interesting story, and an even more interesting look at the power corporations wield to this day in this country. Alot of people seem to have this idea that corruption began with Bush and Halliburton, but this kind of thing has been going on for decades now.

Anyway thats it, basically summed up. Theres lots of other details I could go on for hours with, but I wont.

Thank you for taking the time to read this very important post! *sm*

Answer 2

Hemp has many uses. Outside the US it is used in clothing and rope--industries we destroyed within our borders. Of course, we couldn't compete with other nations in those areas anyway. Hemp is also excellent for paper, because the long fibers make it difficult to tear. Our beloved US constitution is written on hemp paper. Hemp fields would significantly reduce demand for pulp trees (a demand that may eventually be reduced by electric books).

Marijuana also relieves the symptoms of glaucoma and numerous other diseases. It relieves nausea from chemotherapy, and also increases appetite. It is a largely benevolent herb. There are a few drawbacks, just as there are with every other drug. But we don't ban aspirin, alcohol, nasal decogestents or sleeping pills simply because a few malcontents abuse those things.

Overall, the benefits clearly outweigh the disadvantages, and marijuana will eventually, once again, be legalized. It is the largest cash crop of many counties and even some states within the US--all of which is untaxed. Prohibition not only does not work, it undermines effective government.

Finally, most doctors recognize all forms of drug abuse as a medical problem. How stupid are we to continue to treat addiction as a criminal problem? Pretty dismally stupid.

Answer 3

The carcinogens in marijuana out weigh the carcinogens in tobacco. When you say hemp you are talking about the sterile marijuana plant. Hemp rope was used for years in nautical applications. If you had a shirt made of hemp material it would last a hundred years. If you smoke marijuana you won't last nearly as long as the shirt. The only benefit that I know of is for chemotherapy and glaucoma patients. The Delta THC9 can be administered in pill form.

Answer 4

Totally! After a broken back, complicated arthritis and slightly bi-polar tendencies, I have complete control and enjoyment of life.

Answer 5

Nope

Answer 6

Poopoohead is on top of it.If you think a pill can suffice then you are as uninformed as some of the more ignorant doctors in this country.

Answer 7

No. Not even close. Studies have shown 1 in 4 regular pot users are psychotic.

From the ones I have been around I believe it.

Answer 8

What harms?

We don't ban McDonald's, but it makes people fat.

And just as you don't have to eat at McDonald's, if you think smoking weed is bad -don't do it.

Answer 9

What benefits are there to using marijuana or any drug for recreational purposes?

Answer 10

What harm, dude?