I just posted on Quora. 11/06/2018
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“Do republicans favor the legalization of marijuana?”
From what I can perceive, the main motive for recreational legalization is profit from what is called “Big Marijuana,” rather then political leanings. Similar to what happened during the struggle against tobacco, industry lobbyists dismiss any scientific research that points to marijuana’s potential dangers, because once the general public understands the risks, which they eventually will - especially the threat to innocent kids and children, potential profits could take a substantial dive.
Here in Maryland, a leading proponent for recreational legalization is state senator William Smith, a Democrat.
In early 2017, he testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, saying that no one had died from marijuana.
But then again, no one has died from a tobacco overdose either. This type of deception is called “Intellectual Dishonesty” or a “Half-Truth.” Senator Smith didn’t really lie, but he was being dishonest by deliberately confusing the issue.
When it was my turn to testify, I cited a 2014 study by the American Heart Association, one of four they’ve published, concerning marijuana’s potential heart risk. In this study, there was reported a number of cardiovascular complications, including nine fatal heart attacks, directly attributed to marijuana.
When through reading this, I asked Senator Smith what was the published scientific source for his claim that no one had died from marijuana.
He couldn’t answer.
Afterwards I was confronted out in the hallway by a member of the marijuana lobby, who said I was “rude” to question Smith, and that I needed to “learn my facts.”
My response was that all I dealt in was facts, and offered him a copy of my written testimony that I had in hand, that contained about 20 published research articles and news stories about marijuana’s risk.
His response was to turn away and walk back into the hearing room.
That highlights the attitude of the Marijuana Lobby and those who support it. It isn’t that they don’t know the facts, they don’t want to know.
So how do we explain Smith, a Democrat?
Democrats are supposed to oppose greed, yet there are already huge profits being made in states that have legalized recreational usage, but it’s the cartels that have moved in that are raking in the cash. They can grow it cheaper then the legitimate distributors can, they have no taxes, licenses to purchase, or regulations to follow, and they use illegal pesticides, which ends up not only in the marijuana, but also filters into the local drinking water.
Democrats are supposed to be “for the people” too. AAA has reported marked increases in marijuana driven fatalities in states that have legalized for recreational use, plus there’s plenty of research out there now about marijuana’s effect on the mind and personality.
So it begs the question, “Which ‘People” are they really for?”, the people who live in the communities politicians serve, or outside interests that stand to make lots of money?
Politicians say what will help them get elected, so I suggest rather then political lines, look instead to what this countries major health organization have to say.
The good news is that there are marijuana-based medical applications that have been proven by doctors and researchers to work under stringent tests, and there’s other promising applications on the way.
And ignore the neighborhood and facebook know-it-alls, who are more interested in their egos then facts.
Pay attention to statistics and don’t shrug off news stories. Especially become aware of your own bias. With a little work, one can become better at detecting all types of “fake news” (propaganda), no matter what the source.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
“Do republicans favor the legalization of marijuana?”
From what I can perceive, the main motive for recreational legalization is profit from what is called “Big Marijuana,” rather then political leanings. Similar to what happened during the struggle against tobacco, industry lobbyists dismiss any scientific research that points to marijuana’s potential dangers, because once the general public understands the risks, which they eventually will - especially the threat to innocent kids and children, potential profits could take a substantial dive.
Here in Maryland, a leading proponent for recreational legalization is state senator William Smith, a Democrat.
In early 2017, he testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, saying that no one had died from marijuana.
But then again, no one has died from a tobacco overdose either. This type of deception is called “Intellectual Dishonesty” or a “Half-Truth.” Senator Smith didn’t really lie, but he was being dishonest by deliberately confusing the issue.
When it was my turn to testify, I cited a 2014 study by the American Heart Association, one of four they’ve published, concerning marijuana’s potential heart risk. In this study, there was reported a number of cardiovascular complications, including nine fatal heart attacks, directly attributed to marijuana.
When through reading this, I asked Senator Smith what was the published scientific source for his claim that no one had died from marijuana.
He couldn’t answer.
Afterwards I was confronted out in the hallway by a member of the marijuana lobby, who said I was “rude” to question Smith, and that I needed to “learn my facts.”
My response was that all I dealt in was facts, and offered him a copy of my written testimony that I had in hand, that contained about 20 published research articles and news stories about marijuana’s risk.
His response was to turn away and walk back into the hearing room.
That highlights the attitude of the Marijuana Lobby and those who support it. It isn’t that they don’t know the facts, they don’t want to know.
So how do we explain Smith, a Democrat?
Democrats are supposed to oppose greed, yet there are already huge profits being made in states that have legalized recreational usage, but it’s the cartels that have moved in that are raking in the cash. They can grow it cheaper then the legitimate distributors can, they have no taxes, licenses to purchase, or regulations to follow, and they use illegal pesticides, which ends up not only in the marijuana, but also filters into the local drinking water.
Democrats are supposed to be “for the people” too. AAA has reported marked increases in marijuana driven fatalities in states that have legalized for recreational use, plus there’s plenty of research out there now about marijuana’s effect on the mind and personality.
So it begs the question, “Which ‘People” are they really for?”, the people who live in the communities politicians serve, or outside interests that stand to make lots of money?
Politicians say what will help them get elected, so I suggest rather then political lines, look instead to what this countries major health organization have to say.
The good news is that there are marijuana-based medical applications that have been proven by doctors and researchers to work under stringent tests, and there’s other promising applications on the way.
And ignore the neighborhood and facebook know-it-alls, who are more interested in their egos then facts.
Pay attention to statistics and don’t shrug off news stories. Especially become aware of your own bias. With a little work, one can become better at detecting all types of “fake news” (propaganda), no matter what the source.