Quote:
Originally Posted by vektor
no offence, but it's posts like these that really contradict logic. You can up with scenarios like this for anything in the world, using hypotheticals makes it possible to vilify the most inert substances. If you are against something, which is fine, try backing it up with scientific evidence or statistical trends of behavior or something logical beyond the oh we musn't forget the children. In the scientific realm it's juvenile to present arguments like this because of how ridiculous it is, it's the kind of thing that at face value seems harmless but it's pure conjecture underneath and if you use this kind of thinking anyone who debates it will go endlessly in circles. A real argument would be:
studies show neurotoxic effects of marijuana on adolescent brains, therefore, should legalization occur there should be strict regulations to prohibit the acquisition of marijuana by adolescents.
The only thing worse is the "my brother did it and he is schizophrenic now so it's the devil" or "I've done it for years and I'm fine so you are wrong"
|
I agree with the last part but the rest I'm not too sure about.
I personally don't mind people asking those types of hypotheticals especially when it comes to a subject most people aren't educated in or have been lied to their whole lives about it. Not only that but what if flamesfever has never had the chance to ask someone the questions he wanted to, simplistic or not? What if he continued to believe (and worse spread) what he wanted or was taught instead of asking and me giving a simple response? I honestly never expect to change anyone's mind when I speak on the subject but if they leave the thread knowing a little bit more than I did my job, maybe they will correct the next person who brings up the same lie or misconception.
I find the education aspect of it is the most important because people are truly afraid of it because of how the government and parents portrayed it for so long. Just think about how many people still believe it kills brain cells because of one study done in the 70's, which later showed they were suffocating the monkey's which of course leads to brain damage, not the marijuana itself.
I get where you are coming from and I use to get tired of all the going around in circle type questions or debates but allowing people to ask questions, no matter how simple they may seem is a start to educate people on the truth about marijuana. I'd rather answer flamesfever's question 100 times then let 100 people continue to believe something that isn't true. Like I said I'm not looking at changing flamesfever's mind, and probably never will, but if I can answer some questions to maybe ease his mind a bit I can live with that. You got to start somewhere and maybe if it ever did come to a vote flamesfever might think twice about voting no.
All I ask of people who are against it is to ask questions. And if I can't answer them I'll find the answer and provide a source. I truly just want people to be educated on the subject as I think that will be more important in the next 5, 10, 20 years than anything else. I love talking about it and as imperfect legalization would be I'm confident it would add more than it does right now being illegal.